text: RAILROAD UNIONS WARN OF UPCOMING STRIKE: Following unsuccessful negotiations with unions, railroad companies are warning of potential service disruptions. If no breakthroughs are made, rail union workers are scheduled to walk off their jobs on 17 September. (AC: Due to the high cost of fuel, rail has become a very popular and less expensive transportation option. A rail stoppage is likely to result in widespread product shortages across the country. The economic cost is also a sign that the Biden administration may get more involved in negotiations, with midterms less than two months away. Recent union disputes, like the West Coast longshoremen contract negotiation, have been solved due to the large negative impact walkouts would pose to the U.S. economy. It’s a good idea to stock up on high need and perishable items before 16 September just in case railroads and unions don’t come to an agreement. – M.S.)GEOSTRATEGIC INTSUMRUSSIA, CHINA RESPOND TO NATO’S “MUTUAL CONTAINMENT”: Following a meeting with Russian officials, Li Zhanshu, Chairman of the Standing Committee of the National People’s Congress of China (NPC), announced Russia and China’s intent to ally against NATO’s “mutual containment” strategy against the two countries. Zhanshu said the countries would shape a “new type of transnational relations” that will boost “strategic support and interaction” in the fight against NATO’s meddling in Indo-Pacific affairs, “unchecked” expansion in Europe, and attempts to “reduce our strategic space on the Eurasian continent.” (AC: Russia and China continue to move closer in efforts to combat Global NATO’s diplomatic and economic war. Western countries, including the United States and Germany, recently announced consideration of a new round of efforts to choke China’s supply of foreign investment and vital components, including American semiconductors. Germany announced it could begin limiting Chinese investment in Germany and restrict Germans’ ability to invest in China. What was a U.S.-China trade and capital war is turning into a global economic conflict, an indicator that could precede a shooting war. – M.S.)U.S. TO PROVIDE $40 MILLION IN AG AID TO SRI LANKA: The U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) announced $40 million in new aid to help economically destitute Sri Lanka purchase fertilizer and other agricultural equipment. The U.S. also promised another $6 million in aid to Sri Lankan farmers hit hard by the economic crisis. (AC: The economic crisis in Sri Lanka has resulted in an acute shortage of essentials like food, fuel, and medicines due to a lack of currency to pay for imports. The lack of funds was a direct result of the Sri Lankan government’s attempt to move its agricultural economy away from fertilizer use toward organic farming – a failed strategy that set in motion the nation’s collapse. The move away from using fertilizers in agriculture is part of a worldwide initiative to fight climate change sponsored by the World Economic Forum. The initiative is having disastrous effects on food security and economies in both developing nations like Sri Lanka and developed European countries like the Netherlands and Italy. – M.M.)