geronimo2006 comments

Putin believes the West will tire of supporting Ukraine. It appears he was correct in his assessment. Russia will then overwhelm with quantity. He plans to recreate the Soviet sphere of influence by installing pro-Kremlin governments in countries bordering Russia. Baltic countries will be next.

Look like penguins hudling together like there is safety in numbers. Wonder how long they'll last.

He's 100% committed - till he gets a better offer.

Violation of the law's clause carries a penalty of imprisonment for up to five years or fines of up to 1 million yen upon conviction.

It's a given that, if anyone does actually get convicted, they will get a suspended sentence, perhaps with a token fine just to placate the public. And then carry on as usual after being rotated into different position.

Wont be smiling quite so much when he sees whats happening with the price of oil.

Must be serious if Putin feels he needs to go in person. Looks like he has to ask (beg?) the Saudis not to allow the price of oil to drop. Given he has built a close relationship with Iran including the buying and selling of weapons and technology I'm very doubtful they will be receptive to his plight.

A somewhat pointless meeting and would probably be better if Japan stayed right out of this conflict. Agreed Yubaru. Complete waste of money for just a photo opp. My guess is Kishida is hoping it will help raise his popularity ratings somehow.

Given how low his ratings are, I think even most Japanese can see through the clenched fist empty rhetoric churned out almost daily by the out of touch politicians supposedly running Japan. Had enough already? Probably not cause they keep voting the LDP back in regardless.

Ban any drug and, if there is demand, it will be supplied on the black market through gangs. With a packet of 20 cigarettes costing around 4000 yen in NZ there is already ample profit motive to smuggle and supply.

I'm pretty sure most of his spying is on his own people, especially high-level officials like the ones in the photo. You can see the nervousness behind the smiles. I wouldn't want to be the one being gestured at.

It would be nice if the Saudis increased production and allowed prices to fall in a snub to Russia and Iran. Would be good for peace as well.

Putin does not care about the tradegy he has inflicted on Ukraine. This is just a ploy to goad the West into pressuring Ukraine and lowering support for them over winter. Don't believe him and don't trust him.

Saw them play in Tokyo a while back and have to say they blew me away with how good they sounded live.

How polite of them to notify in advance. Seems a bit out of character for NK. Are they seriously worried it might be shot down by the spineless Japanese capitalist puppets dogs on behalf of their American masters. That last bit sounds more normal for NK.

Seems like a fairly small amount and probably a bad mistake. But I wonder if it's just the tip of the iceberg. Sounds like something fishy at the ministry of so-called justice.

Kinda looks like they have their phones on the table and bags etc. Surely can't be a real photo of the exam room.

He just wants increased trade and investment to support Chinas economy. He has no intention of comprising his national security aims, which include retaking Taiwan and creating a new world order. America should be wary. China is building up it's military strength - much like Russia did.

Better take along a few bottles of nice Aussie wine - in case they ban it again for something you say, such as

defending each nation's right to choose its own destiny, upholding human rights and maintaining peace including in the Taiwan Strait

Been done before. Most Chinese wouldn't remember it and not something they probably play on tv a lot. Space exploration is good for waving the flag and of course has that ulterior military aspect helping drive it. I guess this also becoming the new the new space race between China and India.

Teachers will be crucial until they can be cost-effectively replaced by AI. In 5-10 years is my guess. By that time the need for language learning will also be largely redundant with AI powered translation doing the function well enough. The social/emotional aspects will be filled by other means such as social media etc.

Would be interesting to know how much money has already been transferred to the SK headquarters. My guess is a lot. The whole so-called religion needs to be independently audited and funding/spending accounted for. Then arrests made and the whole scam shut down IMO.

Short on details. I will believe it when I see it. Better be substantial.

The decision to supply the missiles had been "another mistake on the part of the United States," he said. "It just prolongs the agony."

Totally wrong. They help keep Ukraine free of what would be a brutal occupation by an army that commits war crimes. Russia is losing huge amounts of men and material to prolong Putin's grip on power, which he will lose when Russia gives up on it's illegal invasion of Ukraine. He is prolonging the agony of the Russian army, which is now very much on the receiving end due to poorer equipment, morale and leadership.

I'm glad you're all here. Now let's get down to business. Please come one at a time and kowtow in front of me. You too Putin.

Japan should be doing the same in the defense of democracy.

BOJ is either out of touch with reality or just plain lying. Most Japanese have falling real incomes, and wishful thinking isn't going to change that.

The punishment was suspended because Yoshihara had expressed remorse, and his wife had promised to watch over him, Nakao said.

Thank you JT. Always need a good laugh in the morning.

The continuing suppression and occupation of the Palestinians has got to stop or we will see a lot more bloodshed on both sides and instability in the middle east. If the creation of a stable Palestinian state is not achieved terrorist organizations like Hamas will thrive. No doubt Israel will respond forcefully and later there will be further attacks on Israel and its backers. The cycle need to be broken.

A hissy fit and missile launches in 3, 2, 1

It amazes me how some people think a soft approach to China will somehow achieve a better outcome or believe we shouldn't upset China for fear of consequences. Time to get real. China is a totalitarian state with stated goals of upending the world order while undertaking a massive military build up and threatening it's neighbors. Add to this it also weaponizes trade, destroys freedom and speech, mistreats minorities and abuses human rights. So good job Yoko Kamikawa. No need to ignore reality and pretend China is some kind of friendly partner when clearly it is not.