D'you wanna know the diff'rence between Heaven and Hell?
Russian Ambassador --- says:Moldova
Is Involved in Arms Supply Schemes
for the Ukrainian Armed Forces
June 20th, 11:42pm
(Izvestia.ru)
Chisinau is involved in arms supply schemes for the
Armed Forces of Ukraine. This ---- was stated by
the Russian Ambassador to Moldova, Oleg
Ozerov, today.
It is noted, that the embassy does not monitor the volume
of military cargo or the movement of mercenaries, but it does monitor publications - in official sources.
"Then it turns out.. that this was not the only delivery,
it turns out that there were several," Ozerov said to
RIA Novosti.
According to him, the reports also mention the involvement
of other countries in such deliveries, which, according to
the diplomat, may indicate the involvement of the
Moldovan authorities in these schemes,
whether intentional ..or not.
On June 18th, Ozerov said that Ukrainian military transport
planes regularly landed at the Moldovan airfield of
Markuleshti. According to the diplomat,
Chisinau's actions raise questions
that primarily concern...... the
Moldovan authorities' non
compliance... with the
constitutional status
of a neutral state.
Tagesspiegel: In Berlin, police use
water cannons to cool people
down ..due to the heat
June 27th, 9:40pm
(RT.ru)
Berlin police have started using water cannons to help
residents and tourists cope with the extreme heat,
according to the Tagesspiegel.
According to the edition, the first stops of water cannons
were the Brandenburg Gate and Potsdamer Platz. Police
officers used at least 18 thousand litres of water.
In addition, it is reported that, against the backdrop of the
heatwave in Germany, according to preliminary data from
the German Meteorological Service, the temperature
record was once again broken: at the station
Drewitz in the state of Saxony-Anhalt,
41.5 °C --- was recorded. Official
confirmation of the record, is
expected after verification
of the measurements.
Tagesspiegel also reports that high temperatures have
damaged the surface of several German highways.
As a result, several sections of the highways
have been restricted or temporarily closed.
_____________________________________________
The highest temperature on record
was recorded in Germany
June 26th, 7:15pm
(Izvestia.ru)
The air temperature in Germany reached +41.3 degrees, which
was the highest value in the entire history of meteorological
observations. This was reported on June 26 by the
newspaper Algemeen Dagblad (AD).
This temperature value was recorded at 17:00 (18:00 Moscow
time) in Saarbrücken-Burbach in the federal state of Saarland.
Experts did not rule out that the temperature could rise even
higher during the day.
The previous German temperature record was set on July 25th,
2019, in Tennisworst and Duisburg-Bairle in the state of North
Rhine-Westphalia. On that day, the air temperature reached
41.2 degrees Celsius.
Europe is suffering from the hottest summer
in history. What are the media reporting?
The Politico newspaper reported the day before that at the
headquarters of the EU Commission in Brussels, against
the backdrop of severe heat ------- there was a mass
disconnection of the air conditioning system.
Air cooling was forcedly stopped on levels from the first
to the seventh until the end of the working day. At the
same time, the restrictions did not affect the upper
floors of the building. It was specified.. that the
abnormal heat affects workers of bakeries,
food industry enterprises, warehouses,
kitchens, factories and construction
sites ---- most of all.
British politician, Member of the House of Commons for
Salford and Eccles Rebecca Long-Bailey also reported
that the established abnormal heat on the European
peninsula poses a danger to workers in the UK who
are also deprived of protection by the law... in the
current situation.
The Associated Press reported on June 21 about restrictions
on alcohol consumption in public places in those French
departments... where a “red” danger level has been
declared due to the extreme heat. In addition,
over the past few days, 40 people have
drowned ---- while swimming in
unauthorized places, in an
attempt to escape the
abnormal weather.
Bloomberg reported on June 16 that the abnormal heat
in France ------ would lead to “tropical nights” and
increased use of air conditioning, which
would cause an increase..... in
electricity prices. (Lol)
_________________________________
Brandt's famous words on Russia
are repeated in Germany
by Artem Vereykin
(Night Line Editor)
June 23rd, 6:12pm
(Lenta.ru)
The co-chair of the German right-wing Alternative for Germany
(AfD) party, Tino Chrupalla, repeated the well-known words of
former German Chancellor Willy Brandt about Russia.
He stated this at an AfD press conference.
"Europe does not end at the Elbe or on the eastern border of
Poland. Russia is inextricably woven into European history,"
the politician said.
He also stressed that Russia could be an important partner for
Europe in all respects. Hrupalla added.... that the German
people do not want war, especially a war with Russia.
Earlier, a member of the Council for Interethnic Relations under
the President of Russia, Bogdan Bezpalko, pointed to a change
in Germany's rhetoric regarding the conflict in Ukraine.
According to him, while German Chancellor Friedrich Merz had
confidently stated that Russia would inevitably lose, he now
says, "We cannot allow Russia to win this war."
Franceinfo: 109 people died in Paris
--------- over the course of a day
due to extreme heat
June 27th, 9:08pm
(RT.ru)
In Paris, 109 deaths were recorded in a day due to the
abnormal heat, compared to an average of seven
deaths during the same period last year. This
was reported by Franceinfo, citing the
emergency medical services.
"On Friday, June 26, when the air temperature in
the capital reached almost 39 °C, 109 people
died in 24 hours," the article says.
It is clarified that the statistics include only deaths
recorded by ambulance workers at home and in
public places. Deaths that occur in hospitals
are not included in these data.
According to the service, about 3,400 calls were received
during the same period, and 30 cardiac arrests were
recorded. Additionally, one of the patients with
hyperthermia had a body temperature
of 43.7°C.
Earlier, it was reported that four children had
already died.... due to the heat in France.
The director of the funeral home Family Obsèques, Fabien
Hogue, said in an interview with BFMTV that due to the
increase in deaths amid the abnormal heat, the
morgues in Paris ---- were overcrowded.
______________________________________________
Burkina Faso - has severed
diplomatic relations with
France
June 26th, 6:52pm
(Izvestia.ru)
Burkina Faso has severed diplomatic relations with France
due to violations of the principles of mutual respect -- and
non-interference in internal affairs. This - was announced
by the country's Minister of Communications, Gilbert
Ouedraogo, on June 26.
"Burkina Faso is severing diplomatic relations with France
due to its alleged failure to uphold the principles of mutual respect and non-interference," Reuters quoted him saying.
On February 2nd, the Russian Foreign Intelligence Service
reported that France had supported rebels who tried to
assassinate the President of Burkina Faso -- Ibrahim
Traoré ----- due to his fight against neo-colonialism.
Additionally, Paris directly supports other
terrorists of various kinds, who have
become its primary allies on the
African continent.
New packaging, old taste: France reshaping its policy in
Africa: Paris does not intend to cede the continent to
its geopolitical rivals.
Russian Ambassador to Paris Alexey Meshkov said on
February 9th, that France and Ukraine are providing
support to terrorist groups in African countries
that are cooperating with Russia.
____________________________________
Solidarity in France with Cuba
and against the US blockade
Paris, June 26th, 1:14pm
(Prensa Latina)
French solidarity today raised its voice against the
US' intentions to suffocate Cuba's economy and
expressed its support for its people in a
resolution, the text of which, was
made known in this capital.
The resolution adopted in the Regional Council of Burgundy-
Franche-Comté highlights that for more than 60 years, Cuba
has suffered from an economic, commercial and financial
blockade imposed unilaterally by the United States.
This blockade --- limits the island's access to international
financing, medical equipment, spare parts and, especially
critically, the hydrocarbons and equipment needed to
produce electricity, the text highlights.
Such a situation leads to shortages of food and medicines,
prolonged power cuts that affect hospitals, homes and
essential services and to the deterioration of health
indicators, the council stressed.
Infant mortality, which for a long time was below 5 per thousand
live births, reached 8.5 during the first half of 2025, while the
economic cost is estimated at several billion dollars a year
for the country.
Since the beginning of 2026 ----- the Cuban energy situation has
suffered an unprecedented deterioration in more than 30 years
& Cuba has entered an acute humanitarian crisis, underlines
the proposal presented by Muriel Ternant, president of the
group of communist representatives of Burgundy-
Franche-Comté.
The UN High Commissioner for Human Rights warned -- that this
fuel shortage now threatens the country's food supply, disrupts
drinking water networks ------- and the functioning of hospitals,
he says.
Every year since 1992, the United Nations General Assembly adopts by a large majority a resolution calling for the lifting of this blockade, the council recalls.
France, like all the member states of the EU, always votes in
favour of this resolution, but this French diplomatic position,
expressed and reiterated at the UN, must now ---- be
translated into concrete actions, the
text considers.
National semiconductor chip
prototyping support centre
makes its debut
by Thuy Dung
June 27th, 9:25pm
(VGP)
The Ministry of Science and Technology launched
the national semiconductor chip prototyping
support centre in Ha Noi on Jun 26.
This is Viet Nam's first national-level centre dedicated
to supporting semiconductor chip prototyping,
serving as a bridge between domestic
chip research and design needs
and the global semiconductor
manufacturing ecosystem.
The centre is tasked with coordinating chip research
& design projects undertaken by research institutes,
universities, enterprises, and startups.
It also helps connect these projects with wafer
fabrication plants and packaging and testing
service providers in Viet Nam and abroad.
In addition, the centre supports prototype manufacturing
through the Multi-Project Wafer (MPW) model, helping to
reduce costs, shorten development time, improve
opportunities for design validation, and facilitate
the gradual development of "Made in Viet Nam"
semiconductor chip products.
Addressing the ceremony, Minister of Science & Technology Vu
Hai Quan said, the establishment of the centre, underscores
the Government's role in enhancing connectivity and
providing support -- so that businesses, research
institutes, and universities can work together
to shape the future of Viet Nam's semi-
conductor industry.
The centre will be developed in three phases:
Phase 1 (2026–2027): The Government will cover 100% of
pilot costs to encourage universities, research institutes,
enterprises, and chip design teams, to engage in semi-
developing digital skills ------- and fostering digital
technology enterprises.
Viet Nam aims to provide 100 percent of households with fibre-
optic broadband internet access and expand 5G coverage to
99% of the population by 2030. Investment in data centres,
cloud computing, high-performance computing systems
and AI infrastructure .....will also be accelerated.
The programme places strong emphasis on developing the data
economy and expanding AI applications across government,
businesses and society. Viet Nam plans to establish at
least five data exchanges by 2030, improve the legal
frameworks for data governance ---- and support
500,000 small and medium-sized enterprises
in adopting digital technologies and
AI solutions.
The Government also seeks to build a people-centred digital
society. By 2030, all citizens aged 14 and above are
expected to have digital identity accounts linked
to the national electronic identification system,
while 95% of adults .....are targeted to have
access to financial transaction accounts.
Human resource development is identified as a critical factor,
with targets for STEM disciplines to account for 40% of
university enrolment and for at least 10 million
working-age people to receive basic
digital skills training by 2030.
The program also aims to strengthen Viet Nam's digital
technology industry, with a goal of developing at least
five digital technology firms....... operating at a level
comparable to leading international companies,
thereby.... enhancing the country's
competitiveness in the global
digital economy.
______________________________________________
Zelensky imposed sanctions on the
Russian Union of Journalists and
Lenta.ru and Gazeta.Ru
by Varvara Koshechkina
(editor operational information dept)
June 12th, 1:58pm
(Lenta.ru)
Ukrainian leader Volodymyr Zelensky signed a decree
on the imposition of sanctions on Russian judges and
the mass media, the Union of Journalists of Russia,
plus the publications Lenta.ru and Gazeta.Ru.
The relevant document was posted on
Zelensky's website.
"To implement the decision of the National Security and
Defense Council of Ukraine dated June 10, 2026, "On
the Application of Personal Special Economic and
Other Restrictive Measures (Sanctions)", the
article says.
According to the published decree, Ukraine imposes sanctions
on 29 individuals .....and 17 legal entities, including the online
media outlets Lenta.ru, Gazeta.ru, the Union of Journalists
of Russia, and its branches in the Donetsk People's
Republic, Luhansk People's Republic, Republic
of Crimea, Zaporizhzhia & Kherson regions.
It is reported that the Ukrainian sanctions include the blocking
of their assets in the country - the revocation of their licenses,
the prohibition of official visits and the transfer of intellectual property, as well as the termination of trade agreements,
cultural exchanges, and scientific cooperation. It is
noted.... that the restrictions will stay in place for 10 years.
Earlier, the Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of
Russia to the Republic of Mauritius, Irada Zeynalova, stated
that she was ''unaware'' of the sanctions imposed on her
by Ukraine.
________________________________
"With pride in our ancestors." Putin congratulated
the country's prominent figures on Russia Day ---
awarded Heroes of Labour and prize winners
by Varvara Koshechkina (editor
of operational information dept)
June 12th, 1:44pm
(Lenta.ru)
Russian President Vladimir Putin congratulated the country's
prominent figures ------- on Russia Day. The Russian leader
awarded the Heroes of Labour, and state prize winners
representing fields including science, technology,
literature, and art.
The ceremony was held at the Grand Kremlin Palace.
Among the awardees were People's Artist of Russia, Marina
Neelova, MSU Viktor Sadovnichy, former Commissioner for
Human Rights in Russia Tatyana Moskalkova, RAS Alexey
Vasiliev and the film director Andrey Konchalovsky.
The Head of State emphasized that Russians celebrate
Russia Day with pride ---- in the labour and military
achievements of previous generations.
"We celebrate this holiday.... with a warm and heartfelt attitude
towards our Motherland, with pride in the great achievements
of many generations of our ancestors, with respect for the
key events in our country's history, and, of course, with
the understanding: that all the stages of our country's
more than 1,000-year journey are one unified whole,"
Putin said during the presentation of state awards.
Along with this, Putin noted the uniqueness and strength of the
laureates of state awards and Heroes of Labour. “The heights
you have reached... are within the reach of extraordinary,
strong, and generous people, for whom - work and their
profession become the meaning of their lives,” the
head of state said, during the ceremony of
awarding state awards in the Kremlin.
After the ceremony of awarding the Hero of Labour medals and
state awards, the Russian president thanked the awardees
for their work in Russia's interests and honour.
"I would like to congratulate you all on your state awards -
in the interests and honour of Russia," the President said.
According to the Russian leader, courage and perseverance in
achieving goals are inherent in all Heroes of Labour and state
prize winners.
God is always with Russia, emphasized Vladimir Putin.
"St. Luke went through serious trials... because he was with God. Today is Russia Day, and the Almighty God is always with our country. Happy holiday! Happy Russia Day!" said the head of state.
The Russian leader also wished that everyone would have a
dream that they could achieve. “Another awardee said that
we had a dream. So I wish.. that we all have a dream that
we can achieve and pursue,” concluded Vladimir Putin.
In closing remarks, Varsha Joshi, Additional Secretary
(Livestock and Dairy), referred to the importance of
continued cooperation among BRICS nations - to
promote livestock technologies, sustainable
food systems, innovation and
knowledge sharing.
The High-Level Dialogue reaffirmed the shared commitment
of BRICS nations ....to harness technology, innovation and collaborative partnerships for sustainable development
of the livestock sector & strengthen food & nutrition
security globally, New Delhi said.
____________________________________
Thousands of supporters -- of
former President Kocharyan
held a rally in Yerevan
May 31st, 7:11pm
(Izvestia.ru)
On May 31, thousands of supporters of the Armenia political
bloc, led by the former President, Robert Kocharyan, held
rallies in Yerevan.
"Armenia has been given an ultimatum: decide where you stand.
This will not --- go unnoticed by our people. If this government stays in power, Armenia's economy will face a deep crisis,"
Kocharyan told his supporters, as reported by Armenia News.
As part of the campaign, supporters of the former prime minister
held marches through the central streets of Yerevan, calling on
people to vote for the Armenia bloc.
Playing with Fire:Armenia Chooses
Marco Rubio--------- over the EAEU
The US.. is trying to break
Russia's key projects in the region
The current Prime Minister of the Republic, Nikol Pashinyan,
said at an election rally on May 27th, that the Armenian
authorities ...do not fear an increase in prices for raw
materials in the event of a deterioration in relations
with Russia, as they hope to turn the country into
a "crossroads of the world" and become rich.
The Prime Minister also added that the country already
has a military-industrial complex that sells weapons
to developed countries.
On May 18, during an election campaign, Pashinyan
screamed -- at a Karabakh Armenian woman who
had engaged in a debate with him..... promising
to “bend and destroy” his political opponents.
During a meeting with voters in Yerevan.... ahead of
the parliamentary elections, a woman approached
Pashinyan ----- and accused him of “stealing her
homeland -- destroying an entire generation,
and taking away her children and brother.”
____________________________________________
Week concludes -- without an
end to the protests in Bolivia
La Paz, May 30th, 7:09pm
(Prensa Latina)
The week concludes today with no end to the blockades
of different sectors with the requirement that waives the president, Rodrigo Peace's demands ------ and ignores the suspension of an expanded rally by Central Obrera Boliviana (COB).
There was still that hope that they would meet the protests
after a La Paz court left without effect, an arrest warrant
for alleged terrorism against the chief executive of COB,
Mario Argollo, and the peasant leader Vicente Salazar.
It was hoped that an extended rally by the COB called for
this Saturday --- would approve the presence of the two
leaders on Sunday at a third session of dialogue at La
Paz convened by the Vice-president of the State and
the Catholic Church.
However, the forum was suspended, and the COB analyzes
the reprogramming of the encounter as due to difficulties
in its development, as confirmed by the exdirigente
worker, Jaime Solar.
Solar reported that there are observations about the presence
of people who do not represent the organizations convened,
which led to criticism of the accreditation process.
“There are a lot of people that are not representative that
you want to enter. Until a new order is suspended, you
must think twice,” he said.
The leadership of the COB --- evaluates new dates and conditions
for the implementation of the cabildo, which was scheduled to
address the political situation and the country's social unity,
in addition to defining the institutional relationship with the
La Paz dialogue.
So far, the COB is not issued a decision
on the suspension, or on a possible
rescheduling of the meeting.
For this reason, an eventual negotiation with the Government is paralyzed, while La Paz suffers
from shortages of fuel, oxygen for hospitals
or medical supplies, and food.
From the call of the COB on the 1st of May last, to converge
with the blockades and marchers with the demand for the
resignation of the head of State, and the participants
in the March for Life from Oruro, related to former
president Evo Morales; and members of the
Federation of Neighbourhood Boards
of The High; miners; Red Ponchos,
peasants; factory workers;
teachers; unions; and
transport workers.
Before the call for a negotiated solution, spokespersons of
the mobilized sectors --- issued statements to the press.
The exdirigente of the Federation Túpac Katari David Mamani
said that any decision on a negotiation with the Executive
must arise from the mobilized bases - and not only of the
main union leaders.
“We are going to summon a great council of national bases - to decide if we are going to dialogue or continue the fight with greater strength until you go, Rodrigo Peace”, he proclaimed.
He commented that there is concern in some sectors related
to possible agreements with the Government, and said that
no determination can be assumed - “to back openly or on
the sly,” the social organizations - that maintain all the
pressure along the country's roads and in the cities.
He stressed - that the council will seek to bring together
representatives of the nine departments to discuss the
course of the protests and to establish a joint position
in front of the call to dialogue started on Wednesday
at the headquarters of the Vice-president and
hosted this Thursday, with the Catholic
Church - as the host.
The chief of the bench of the people's Alliance in the Chamber
of Deputies, Claudia Herbas, said the dialogue to pacify
Bolivia is a process and that its advocates will insist
on searching for an agreement.
Considered one of the main driving parties -- next to the vice-
president and the Catholic Churches of these conversations with the aim of reaching an agreement between the
Government and the mobilised forces, Herbas
assured that there will be no giving up on
a peaceful resolution for the country.
The Vice president of the State convened for this Sunday at 15:00 Bolivia time, a third session of the dialogue table
By constructing a comprehensive, multi-layered, and
integrated global governance reform framework, it
addresses the shortcomings of the current
international governance mechanisms
and promotes the implementation of
the five core concepts of the GGI.
Representatives attending the meeting ---- expressed strong
support for the GGI, agreeing that it is fully aligned with the
purposes and principles of the UN Charter. They also
noted that the nine reform directions proposed by
China align with the goals of the UN80 Initiative.
A joint communiqué was issued at the meeting, calling on all
parties to use the 9 directions for reforming and improving
global governance --- as a guiding framework, deepening consultations, building consensus -- and introducing
practical and actionable measures.
Foreign ministers from several countries --- voiced their
appreciation for China's leadership, expressed strong
support for the GGI and its 9 reform directions, and
recognized them as an important foundation for
safeguarding multilateralism, upholding
international fairness and justice,
and ---- amplifying the voice of
developing countries.
Reforming the global governance system.... is a complex
undertaking with far-reaching implications. A persistent
challenge in global governance has been the tendency
to deliberate without reaching decisions, and to make
decisions without ensuring implementation. Many
governance agreements exist only on paper,
lacking practical and effective mechanisms
for execution, resulting in governance
frameworks that fail to keep pace
with evolving realities and
pressing needs.
In some cases, individual major powers -- have obstructed
collective action in pursuit of their own interests, further
complicating global governance efforts.
This -- is why the GGI identifies an action-oriented approach
as one of its five core principles: to address the problem of abundant commitments ...but insufficient implementation,
& to encourage the international community to translate consensus --- into concrete action in tackling shared
challenges. The growing influence of the Group
of Friends for Global Governance... and the
introduction of the 9 reform directions,
both demonstrate the GGI's vitality.
China looks forward to working with all countries to advance
the GGI and promote a more just and equitable system of
global governance. Particular attention should be given
to the concerns of African countries, least developed
nations, and small island developing states, so that
the benefits of improved global governance, can
be shared by all nations and peoples.
Reforming and improving the global governance system --- is a long-term endeavour that requires sustained commitment ....and perseverance, from the international community.
China will continue to champion multilateralism and contribute its governance experience to global governance. As long as all parties continue to build consensus, strengthen solidarity, and deepen practical cooperation, a more just - and equitable - global governance system.... will take shape at an accelerated pace helping humanity move to a future: that is more peaceful... secure and prosperous.
__________________________________________
Dry law and borders closed,
Colombia on the eve of
the elections
Bogotá, May 30th, 12:11am
(Prensa Latina)
The dry law governs from today in all of Colombia, and both
the border, river and land are closed --- as a precautionary
measure --- before the presidential elections being
held tomorrow.
The prohibition on the sale and consumption of alcoholic
beverages both in facilities and public spaces will enter
into force throughout the national territory, starting at
18:00 (local time) and will culminate on Monday,
June 1, at 12:00 noon, according to the
statement released by the Ministry
of the Interior.
According to what is established in the Decree 0188 Migration
Colombia, crossing the border by land and river, stays closed
temporarily from 18:00 (local time) of the day, until 06:00 on
Monday 1 June.
According to article 26 the transit of passengers through
the crossings specified in regulations - during the said
period are restricted, although there are exceptions
...such as acts of God, or force majeure.
The border areas,will strengthen the controls on entry and
exit of people - with Military Forces and the Police - to
prevent situations that may compromise the vote.
The Defense Ministry recently reported that, in order to
ensure domestic peace during the process, the
Democracy Plan is now in operation.
The strategy has four main areas such as the protection of
presidential candidates, security at the polling stations,
electoral transparency and a reduction in the risk of
constraint to the citizens at the time of the vote
and .... a strengthening of cyber security.
Accordingly, 126 thousand uniformed officers will be in the
polling stations, while in total - 228 thousand servicemen
will be deployed on roads, towns, rivers, borders, coasts
and rural areas.
According to the National Registry of the Civil State - this year
a total of 41, 421,973 Colombians will be able to exercise
their right to vote, , of which, 1,414,661 are enabled to
vote abroad.
While in the national territory will be installed 13,489 polling
stations, abroad, there will be 253 in 67 nations, said the
same source.
Currently, there are 11 candidates in the race and, judging
by the polls, those who lead the voting intentions are
Iván Cepeda (left), Abelardo De la Espriella (far
right) and Paloma Valencia (right).
____________________________________
Top Vietnamese leader’s upcoming visit
to Philippines marks new chapter in bilateral relations
May 30th, 11:01am
(VGP)
Philippine Ambassador Francisco Noel R. Fernandez III
described the upcoming state visit of the General
Secretary and State President To Lam, to the
Philippines as an historic event that marks
a new chapter in bilateral relations.
Scheduled for May 31-June 1, the visit will be the first by a
General Secretary of the Communist Party of Viet Nam to
the Philippines, bringing together the highest leaders of
the two countries for the first time --- in this capacity, the diplomat noted.
The visit also coincides with the 50th anniversary of diplomatic
relations between the two nations, providing an opportunity to
review achievements over the past five decades - and define
the priorities for future cooperation.
According to the Ambassador, discussions during the visit will
cover all the major areas of bilateral relations, including trade,
culture, security, ASEAN cooperation, and coordination in
multilateral forums, such as the United Nations.
He emphasized that the visit is not only a celebration of past
achievements but also a chance for both countries to shape
a long-term vision for the next 50 years.
Ambassador Fernandez highlighted the strong progress made in
bilateral cooperation. People-to-people exchanges have grown
significantly, with nearly 430,000 Filipinos visiting Viet Nam
and around 33,500 Vietnamese tourists ....traveling to
the Philippines.
He attributed this growth largely to the expansion of direct air
connectivity between the two countries, expressing his hope
that Vietnamese airlines would continue expanding their
services to further strengthen tourism and exchanges.
Educational cooperation..... has also deepened. Increasing
numbers of Filipino students - are pursuing undergraduate
and postgraduate studies in Viet Nam, while Vietnamese
students are participating in internship and academic
programs in the Philippines.
The Ambassador said these exchanges reflect growing
partnerships between educational institutions and
contribute to stronger long-term ties between
the two peoples.
In the area of security and defense, cooperation has expanded
through exchanges between the Philippine Coast Guard and
the Viet Nam Coast Guard. Both countries are promoting
training programs, including English-language courses
in the Philippines for Vietnamese defense personnel
and Vietnamese-language training for members of
the Philippine armed forces. These initiatives
demonstrate the shared commitment of
both governments to strengthening
security cooperation.
Economic ties remain a key pillar of the relationship.
Ambassador Fernandez noted that major Philippine companies
have invested in Viet Nam in sectors such as food services,
renewable energy, infrastructure development, and
water treatment.
He also pointed to growing opportunities in international port
operations, where Philippine firms possess significant
expertise and are exploring potential partnerships
with their Vietnamese counterparts.
Philippine Ambassador, Francisco Noel R. Fernandez III, talks
about the significance of the upcoming state visit of General
Secretary and State President To Lam, to the Philippines
Ambassador Fernandez described Viet Nam and the
Philippines as active and complementary middle
powers within ASEAN.
The diplomat noted that Viet Nam has made valuable
contributions to ASEAN discussions through its
experience in economic development - and
growth, as the Philippines.. has shared
expertise in maritime affairs.
The proposal to establish an ASEAN Maritime Centre
is an example of the Philippines' efforts to
strengthen regional cooperation.
The Ambassador also highlighted the growing importance of
the blue economy. Both countries have strong interests in
sustainable marine development and can learn from each
other's experiences. The Philippines' maritime expertise
and Viet Nam's efforts to develop marine tourism and
about the prospects for trade and investment. General
Secretary and State President To Lam will be
accompanied by a business delegation,
while a business forum will bring
together enterprises from both
countries ........to explore
new opportunities.
The success of Philippine companies such as Jollibee, which
now operates more than 230 outlets across Viet Nam - and
plans further expansion, he noted, welcoming the growing
presence of Vietnamese companies in the Philippines,
particularly the introduction of electric vehicles
by VinGroup.
The Ambassador stressed that cooperation between large
corporations can create more sustainable and long-term
economic partnerships. In addition to trade, Philippine
companies - are contributing expertise in areas such
as highway construction, water treatment and port
management, as Vietnamese partners continue
to seek opportunities for joint ventures and
investment cooperation.
For the next decade.... both countries aim to increase bilateral
trade beyond its current level of approximately US$8.3 billion,
stated the diplomat, noting the significant opportunities in emerging sectors, particularly the blue economy, where
the two countries can jointly explore and sustainably
utilize --- their marine resources.
The Ambassador expressed his belief ------ that increasing
interactions among young people will help build a strong
foundation for future relations. Students who study in
each other's countries develop lasting connections
and become natural ambassadors of friendship,
helping ensure that Philippines–Viet Nam
relations continue to flourish in the
decades ahead.
___________________________________
"The crisis in Ukraine began - with
attempts to join the EU."Putin
warned Armenia about the
consequences of leaving
the EAEU
by Marina Sovina (night editor)
May 29th, 11:01pm
(Lenta.ru)
Russian President Vladimir Putin spoke about what awaits
Armenia when leaving the Eurasian Economic Union and
striving for EU membership.
Yerevan will lose access to free trade agreements
if it leaves the EAEU, the head of state warned.
We will have to curtail our work with Armenia
in the economic sphere related to integration
processes that the EU imposes.
Armenia will also face stricter requirements for truckers,
and migrants -- will have to buy work permits to work in Russia, the Russian leader added. In addition,
Moscow will raise fuel prices for Yerevan,
which will cost it 14 percent of its GDP.
Putin stressed that energy prices in
Armenia and the EU....... are
not comparable.
''Do as you see fit, based on the interests of the Armenian
people. You are in power now, and you are responsible
for making decisions. The crisis in Ukraine -- began
with Ukraine's attempts to join the EU,'' Vladimir Putin, the President of Russia, said.
As an example, the Russian leader cited the harmonization of
legislation in accordance with the norms of the EAEU and EU.
For example, phytosanitary standards in the two unions are
completely different: they are much stricter in the EAEU
than in the EU.
Putin also emphasized that the Russian and Armenian
peoples have been bound by ties of friendship and
special relations...... for centuries.
Putin urged Armenia to consider
where it will supply its goods.
Putin reflected on the consequences of such a step
for Armenia, which would result in the recognition of technical regulation and phytosanitary standards ...being discontinued.
The tension in relations between Russia and Armenia, has
emerged against the background of Yerevan's desire to
change its foreign policy course and focus on the EU.
The post-Soviet country's simultaneous membership in the
EEU & the EU is impossible, the Kremlin warned, calling
on the Armenian authorities to make up their minds.
One of the main consequences for Yerevan in the case of its withdrawal from the EAEU, the official representative
of the Russian Foreign Ministry named -- is the ending
....of its long-term agreement ------ on the supply of
Russian gas at a generously preferential price.
The EAEU leaders supported a referendum in Armenia
The leaders of the Eurasian Economic Union supported
a referendum in Armenia on its membership in the
organization or on the country's shift to the EU.
The text of their joint statement was
published in the Kremlin.
''We share the position that the Republic of Armenia should
hold a national referendum as soon as possible on joining
the EU or remaining a member of the EAEU'' a statement
by the EEAU leaders read.
The statement also says that the members of the Eurasian
Intergovernmental Council (EAEU body consisting of the
prime ministers of the member countries) will report on the possible consequences... of suspending Armenia's participation in the EAEU, in December 2026.
Lukashenko spoke about Armenia's membership in the EU
President of Belarus Alexander Lukashenko, said that the
EAEU countries do not want Armenia to leave the union,
but they are ready to respect Yerevan's decision.
''We do not want Armenia to leave our Eurasian Union. At the
same time, we respect Armenia's choice. We --- respect the
choice of the people of Armenia,'' President Lukashenko,
of Belarus, said.
Lukashenko noted, that the union's countries would not oppose the Armenian people's choice. He also
confirmed, that the summit participants support
the idea .....of holding a referendum.
_____________________________________
Putin wondered........who Yerevan would
supply goods to after leaving the EAEU
by Maxim Aleshin
May 29th, 10:11pm
(Vesti.ru)
During a press conference following his visit to Kazakhstan,
Russian President Vladimir Putin was asked... which
market Armenia's agricultural goods would go to
in the event of a break in economic ties with
the Eurasian Economic Union (EAEU).
The Russian president emphasized: that the EAEU's free trade
agreements will be closed to Armenia. According to him,
this will lead to the restoration of full-fledged customs
control --- and the imposition of customs duties.
Additionally, the recognition of technical regulation
and phytosanitary standards, will be discontinued.
''But agricultural products [from Armenia] go to our market.
Then we will stop recognizing these standards. We will
have to return to this issue -- again. Maybe we will
recognize them ....and be satisfied. Maybe not.
We need to see - where the product will go.
Let's say it's wine. To Spain? To France?
To Italy? To Portugal? ...Where?
Honestly, we need to think
about it.'' said Putin.
According to the Russian leader, this will also lead to a
decrease in trade in services, including tourism and
transportation services in the country.
________________________________________
Russia has restricted the import
of tomatoes, cucumbers, and
strawberries from Armenia
by Vladimir Kolinichenko
May 29th, 9:47pm
(Vesti.ru)
Russia... has imposed temporary restrictions on the import of
certain types of berries and fresh vegetables from Armenia, including tomatoes, cucumbers, peppers, and strawberries
- as of May 30, 2026, according to the Federal Service for
Veterinary and Phytosanitary Surveillance
(Rosselkhoznadzor).
Meanwhile, industry participants do not expect a shortage of
vegetables due to restrictions on imports from Armenia.
According to Stanislav Bogdanov, head of the Association
of Omnichannel Retail Companies (AKORT), there are no
prerequisites, for a shortage of cucumbers, tomatoes,
peppers, herbs, and strawberries.. in major Russian
retail chains. Bogdanov emphasized that Russian
products .....account for the largest share of
vegetable offerings in chain stores.
Russia will be able to establish vegetable supplies from other
markets after the ban on the import of vegetables and fruits
from Armenia, said Maxim Reshetnikov, the head of the
Ministry of Economic Development.
______________________________________
General Secretary, President To Lam
delivers keynote address at
Shangri-la Dialogue 2026
May 29th, 7:41pm
(VGP)
The Dialogue brings together defence ministers, military leaders
and senior defence officials -- as well as business leaders and
security experts, from across the Asia-Pacific, Europe, North
America and beyond to discuss critical security challenges.
In his address, the top Vietnamese leader... shared his
perspectives on how Asia-Pacific can work together
to ensure peace, stability, development, and
resilience while minimizing risks early
and from afar.
As the world is, concurrently, facing three crises: a global order
crisis, a development model crisis, and a strategic trust crisis,
the Vietnamese leader suggested .....six major orientations
for the Asia-Pacific.
First, rules and dialogue must be transformed into effective
instruments for tangible risk reduction. The Shangri-La
Dialogue... is a platform where nations listen to one
another, clarify intentions, seek common ground,
and manage differences; however - dialogue
should not stop at the mere statement of
positions. Dialogue: must help identify
risks early, aid information sharing,
keep communication channels
open during tensions --- and
prevent differences from
sliding into crises.
Furthermore, a rules-based order does not belong to any single
group of nations; rather, it is the common foundation for large,
medium, and small countries, to coexist peacefully. This ---
must be based on international law and the UN Charter, respecting independence, sovereignty, and territorial
integrity, abstaining from the use or threat of force
and resolving disputes through peaceful means
and sovereign equality.
Rules only retain their vitality when they are consistently enforced and translated into concrete mechanisms,
such as ---- early warning systems, emergency
hotlines, incident management protocols....
self-restraint, and verifiable cooperation.
This is particularly crucial for seas and oceans. Seas and
oceans are resources, shared spaces for connectivity,
and the lifelines of global trade, energy, food, and
supply chains. No nation benefits - if these
connecting routes become arenas for
power demonstration, coercion,
or confrontation.
Regarding the East Sea, Viet Nam's position is consistent,
clear and principled. Viet Nam supports the resolution of
all disputes and differences..... through peaceful means,
on the basis of international law, particularly the 1982
United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea
(UNCLOS).
Viet Nam respects the legitimate and lawful rights
and interests of other nations, while resolutely &
persistently ----defending its own independence,
sovereignty, sovereign rights, and jurisdiction
in accordance with international law.
Second, it is essential to construct an open, inclusive, and
ASEAN-centric regional architecture. In the context of
numerous emerging mechanisms and initiatives, we
need to build an architecture capable of aligning
interests, reducing suspicion, & complementing
existing frameworks.
Every initiative that contributes to peace, stability, and
development ---- should be welcomed, provided it is
transparent, respects international law, remains
mutually complementary, and does not under-
mine ASEAN centrality or turn Southeast
Asia into an arena for confrontation.
ASEAN centrality is neither inherently given nor self-sustaining.
ASEAN can only maintain this role through unity, strategic
autonomy, and the capacity to shape a shared agenda.
Inclusivity must be coupled with effectiveness, dialogue must
translate into action, and consensus must enable the region
to respond in a timely manner to common challenges.
Viet Nam supports and stands ready to cooperate closely with
the Philippines, in its capacity as the ASEAN Chair 2026, alongside other member states, to consolidate peace
and security ...expand corridors of prosperity, and
promote connectivity, as well as inclusive and
sustainable development ----- with ASEAN
citizens at the centre.
Third, human security and social resilience must be placed at
the heart of sustainable security. Today's instability stems
not only from military conflicts but also from disruptions
in development.
Therefore, while strengthening national defense - is a legitimate
need, sustainable security cannot rely solely on military might,
or arms races or by causing insecurities to other nations.
What we need is a development foundation highly resilient to
shocks, with open and diversified supply chains, seamless infrastructure connectivity & true cooperation in finance,
technology, and human resources.
Concurrently, we must foster practical cooperation in disaster relief, public health, water, food, and energy security, cyber
security, critical infrastructure protection, and search and
rescue operations. Once cooperation guarantees safety,
secures livelihoods, and improves the living standards
of the people, strategic trust - will be consolidated..
and nurtured.
Fourth, it is necessary to establish standards of responsibility
for emerging technologies and the defense industry. Artificial
intelligence, big data, quantum technology, autonomous
systems, space technology, cybersecurity, and high-
tech supply chains .....are reshaping international
security. While these technologies can expand
development capabilities, risk forecasting, &
governance, they can also be -- weaponized
for cyberattacks, information manipulation,
conflict automation, illicit surveillance, or new forms of coercion.
In defense and security, the critical question is not --- how
powerful a technology is, but to what extent humans can
maintain control over it. Therefore, we must promote
dialogue on AI in defense and security, and ensure
ultimate human accountability in decisions with
severe consequences.... establish codes of
conduct in cyberspace, protect undersea
cables and critical data infrastructure,
and ensure transparency regarding
those technologies that impact
strategic stability.
The defense industry must serve legitimate self-defense
and regional stability, rather than becoming a driver
for arms races.
Fifth, it is essential ------ to reinforce social foundations and
resilience, protect the information space, and raise public
awareness. In this deeply digitally connected world,
instability stems not only from military conflicts,
supply chain disruptions, or cyberattacks, but
can also originate from the erosion of social
trust. Fake news, information manipulation,
incitements to extremism, social friction,
and targeted influence campaigns - can
undermine national consensus, distort
public perception --- deepen divisions
and accelerate the spread of crises.
Therefore, safeguarding peace in the new era also
requires protecting the truth, reinforcing social
trust, enhancing strategic communication
capabilities, educating digital citizens,
promoting the accountability of tech
platforms, & fostering international
cooperation to beat disinformation.
A society capable of discerning right from wrong,
maintaining consensus amidst volatility, and
refusing to be driven by fear, hatred, or
manipulation ------ will serve as a vital
foundation for sustainable security.
Sixth, it is essential to enhance capabilities in preventive
diplomacy, mediation, and arbitration within the region.
Many crises erupt not just due to conflicting interests,
but because the parties lack reliable channels of
communication, space for de-escalation, and
mechanisms to steer confrontation back
towards dialogue.
Therefore, the Asia-Pacific must treat preventive diplomacy as
a strategic capability rather than a reactive measure -- after a
crisis has already unfolded. We need... diverse consultation channels, flexible mediation mechanisms, contact groups
for incidents, semi-official forums, and confidence-
building initiatives among militaries, security
and law enforcement agencies, academia,
businesses, and social organizations.
The objective is to create "diplomatic off-ramps"
before parties are drawn into an escalatory
spiral ---- that risks conflict.
To our highly influential partners both within and outside the
region, Viet Nam wishes to convey a sincere message: the
Asia-Pacific is an open space ---- where every nation with
legitimate interests... can contribute to peace, stability,
and development. The region welcomes engagement
that is transparent, responsible, and respectful of
international law, supports ASEAN centrality,
and is conducive to easing tensions.
What the region desires is not the mere presence or
absence of any major power, but a responsible
commitment. We view competition --- as
inevitable, but competition must be
bound by the limits of law,
transparency, and
self-restraint.
The three crises facing today's world --- are not an inevitability
that we must blindly accept. What matters is that we confront
these crises head-on --- without allowing them to obscure our
opportunities for action.
The crisis of the international order demonstrates - that international law and self-restraint must be reinforced.
The crisis of development models...... shows the need to
In this spirit, Viet Nam stands ready to work alongside
nations within and outside the region to reinforce
rules, cultivate trust, promote dialogue, enhance
cooperation, mitigate risks, and collectively
shape a safer, more resilient, and more
prosperous Asia-Pacific.
On the sidelines of the Shangri-la Dialogue, General
Secretary and President To Lam hosted receptions
for U.S. Secretary of War Pete Hegseth, Australian
Deputy Prime Minister and Defense Minister
Richard Marles, and Japanese Defense
Minister Koizumi Shinjiro.
____________________________________
How 5G - transforms the
traditions of 600 years
in China
Guiyang, May 29th, 3:06am
(Prensa Latina)
The connectivity 5G and 5G-A transformed today the ancient
chinese village of Tunpu, in the province of Guizhou, where
the livestreaming boosted tourism, revitalized the local
trade and strengthened their cultural preservation.
In statements to Prensa Latina, the engineer of maintenance
of China Mobile Guizhou, Meng Tian, explained that the
town currently has 9 stations of 4G, 8 stations of 5G,
and a station of 5G-a --- to ensure stable coverage
throughout the village.
Meng noted - that the technological infrastructure enabled
broadcasts of live high-quality opera Dixi (intangible local
cultural heritage ) of the stone houses & local traditions.
The specialist said that the network also provides services
of smart navigation, digital payments and the promotion
of tourism.... in real-time.
He also indicated that workshops batik, artisans
and small merchants use livestreaming to sell
products ...and attract visitors.
Meng explained that the installation of the network
was particularly challenging --------- due to the high
mountainous and rocky route to the village.
The engineer pointed out that the project required base
stations, repeaters and signal devices installed within
the housing to ensure stable coverage in the narrow
streets of stone.
According to official data cited during the visit, the tourism
in Tunpu increased by about 200% between January and
April of this year.
The deputy director of the Committee of the town, Tianlong
Hu Qiong, explained that the arrival of tourists ...grew considerably after the installation of the stations
5G and 5G-A.
Hu recalled that during his childhood, many
streets remained empty in the community.
The official noted that currently the village shows a trade
more dynamic, with shops, food and cultural activities..
linked to tourism.
He also highlighted that the technology helped protect
their cultural heritage ----- to generate new economic
opportunities for the residents.
Hu felt that the access to the Internet and
the live broadcasts - returned vitality to
the whole community.
The artist of the opera Dixi, Zheng Ruhong, claimed that
his revenues were up 200% .....after the popularization
of livestreaming.
Zheng said previously he earned about a thousand yuan
per month ($139) and now exceeds five thousand yuan
a month (695 dollars).
The artist stressed that, in addition, the live broadcasts
aroused more interest among young people -- who are
interested in learning about the opera Dixi.
The technological project developed by China Mobile,
and Huawei is part of China's efforts to reduce the
digital divide ....expand access to the Internet,
facilitate e-commerce and boost all remote
regions.... through digital infrastructure.
The digital infrastructure is now a key tool to reduce
territorial disparities, promote industries, and
expand public services, explained a
Huawei executive.
The leader of the team of Branding and Sustainable
Development of the Department of Strategy and
Business Development of the company, Zhou
Jianguo, pointed out: that digital technology
promotes --- coordinated development
between the regions ...as well as
industrial modernization.
Zhou recalled that China issued its first 5G licenses
on June 6th, in 2019, becoming one of the first
countries in the world.... to enter this new technological age.
He also noted that the country continues to expand
the digital coverage in border areas, forest areas
and remote rural areas.
According to Zhou, the digital infrastructure is an
essential foundation for ensuring educational
equality, plus universal access to medical
services, agricultural modernisation,
and governance in rural areas.
The village Tunpu has over 600 years of history, and retains
architectural elements, cultural, and military, of the Ming
dynasty ---- in addition to traditions such as opera Dixi
and batik.
_______________________________
Most believe that if Fujimori
loses the runoff voteshe
will allege fraud
Lima, May 29th, 12:44am
(Prensa Latina)
A new survey confirms that - in first place of the intended
vote is the extreme right-wing neo-liberal Keiko Fujimori,
while a large majority in Peru predicts that if she loses
to the progressive Roberto Sánchez, she will argue....
that there was fraud.
According to the survey from the Institute of Peruvian Studies
(IEP), published last night, approaching the earlier surveys by the Ipsos and Datum companies... in which Fujimori exceeds, with 36%, Sanchez, 30%, and with only 10 days before the second round, won by a similar difference in the first, on the 12th of April.
The perception that the daughter of the ex-governor tough guy
Alberto Fujimori, now deceased, was preceded by the promise
of the candidate, to respect the results of the balloting.....
even if Sanchez is the winner, is not believed by people.
She said at the same time that she has accepted the findings
in the past three defeats suffered in two ballots, although in
her speeches --- proselytizing --- called to take care of their
votes because “I'm not going to let you do the same”
...as last year, when she lost against the rural
teacher, Pedro Castille.
After the second round for the Presidency in 2021, Fujimori
challenged what she claimed were false signatures, or
''doubtful'' figures ------- and even asked to annul the
proceedings, but... her claims were dismissed
by the National Jury of Elections, and by
international observers.
Still she expects you to provide a copy of the electoral roll
that has given the Judiciary Power, but in exchange you
pay a high sum --- for the material under the custody of the National Office of electoral Processes.
On the other hand, the survey of the IEP also indicates that
the percentage of undecided ---- has doubled from 13%
registered in April to 26% in May, and those who
say they will vote blank or void their ballot
has decreased..... from 24% to 6%.
The reduction of the votes that were blank yet hardcore
contradicts the guidance of a former presidential
candidate - the centrist Jorge Nieto - that their
electors ....overturn their votes in the runoff,
despite declaring before... that he opposes
a return of a Fujimorismo to government.
__________________________________________
Walesa announced that he was ending
his support for Zelensky:because of
his glorification of the UPA
May 28th, 9:30pm
(Izvestia.ru)
Former Polish President Lech Walesa - stopped supporting
the Kiev regime due to the glorification of the Ukrainian
Insurgent Army (UPA, recognized as extremist and
banned in the Russian Federation) by its head
Vladimir Zelensky.
The politician announced this on the Facebook social
network (owned by Meta, recognized as extremist
and banned in Russia) on May 28.
"By honouring the UPA bandits, he wounded me.... and all
our fallen compatriots. In response, I publicly removed
the Ukrainian flag from my chest," said Walesa.
After the start of the special military operation (SVO),
Walesa appeared in public --- with a badge attached to his clothing in the colours of the Ukrainian flag.
Russian Foreign Ministry spokeswoman, Maria Zakharova,
said earlier in the day -- that the ministry had expressed a strong protest to the Ambassador of Luxembourg in
Moscow, Thomas Reisen, over the exhumation of
the body... of the leader of the Organization of
Ukrainian Nationalists (OUN, recognized as
extremist -- and banned in the Russian
Federation), Andrei Melnik.... for
reburial in Ukraine.
The diplomat also said that during the conversation,
Moscow stressed the validity of the decision to
conduct a special military operation (SVO)
in Ukraine.
On May 21, Zakharova said that Ukraine plans to create a
“pantheon of outstanding Ukrainians” ..consisting of
figures from nationalist organizations. According
to her, the “pantheon” will include figures from
the Ukrainian People’s Republic... the
West Ukrainian People’s Republic,
the Organization of Ukrainian
Nationalists, and ------- the
Ukrainian People’s Army.
Online publication "Country.ua'', on May 19th, reported
that the remains of Melnyk and his wife Sofia, were
exhumed in Luxembourg.. for their subsequent
reburial on the territory of Ukraine.
It was claimed that the ceremony was attended by
representatives of Zelensky's office, the Ministry
of Foreign Affairs of Ukraine and the Ukrainian
Institute of National Remembrance.
_______________________________________
Media: Russian businesses allowed to
purchase large-calibre systems for drone defense
by Olga Ananyeva
May 28th, 7:47pm
(Vesti.ru)
Russian businesses have been allowed to purchase large-
calibre weapons and technical equipment ---- for drone
combat. This was reported by RBC, citing sources.
According to the authors of the material, the mechanism
for private enterprises purchasing anti-aircraft artillery
systems, turrets, radar equipment, special vehicles
and electronic warfare systems.. has already
been approved.
''In order to provide the newly formed mobile fire groups
with everything they need, relevant decisions were
recently made at the state level,'' said one of
the interlocutors of RBC
The source said that the air defense of civilian infrastructure
is provided by both anti-aircraft missile systems as part of
the overall air defense system (ADF) and by mobile fire
groups. According to him, mobile fire groups are
formed from reservists, volunteers, and the
employees of private companies.
It is clarified that private companies have long been
able to purchase "passive protection measures"
for their facilities, including firearms.
The topic of business purchases of large-calibre weapons
to protect against drones was discussed at a meeting
with Russian President Vladimir Putin on May 26 by
Alexander Shokhin -- head of the Russian Union
of Industrialists and Entrepreneurs (RSPP) --- who will be the new business ombudsman.
_____________________________________________
‘Your rhetoric has indeed crossed the line,”
Chinese Embassy in ROK says ------ over
USFK commander’s ‘dagger’ rhetoric
May 28th, 6:47pm
(Global Times)
In response to US Forces Korea Commander Xavier Brunson’s
rhetoric calling South Korea a “dagger” aimed at China and
his previous rhetoric described South Koreas as “an island
or a fixed aircraft carrier between Japan and the Chinese
mainland,” a spokesperson for the Chinese Embassy in South Korea questioned on Thursday whether
Brunson’s hostile - and aggressive anti-China
comments were authorized or he intended
to challenge the consensus reached....
during the meeting between Chinese
and US heads of state in Beijing.
Does referring to the host country as military weapons
such as an “aircraft carrier” or a “dagger” reflect his
belligerence or an attempt to use other countries
as pawns, the spokesperson asked.
The responsibilities of US Forces Korea -- are clear, and
China’s position toward US Forces Korea is also clear,
the spokesperson said, adding that China hopes the
commander of US Forces Korea.... will respect
countries in the region .....and do more to
promote regional peace and stability.
“We have noticed that some South Korean media outlets
published commentaries, cautioning Mr Brunson: that
‘you crossed the line.’ We would also like to tell the
US Forces Korea commander that “your rhetoric
has indeed crossed the line,” the
spokesperson said.
_________________________
Deputy PM stresses importance of capital
markets, venture capital investment, and fintech in Viet Nam
May 28th, 4:07pm
(VGP)
Ho Chi Minh City launches public-private venture capital fund
Viet Nam expects to lure US$36-38 bln in FDI capital in 2023
Samsung to raise investment capital to US$ 20 bln in Viet Nam
Nguyen made the call while addressing the Viet Nam Innovation
and Private Capital Summit 2026 (VIPC Summit 2026) which
was organized in Ha Noi on May 28.
He stressed the need to prioritize the development of strategic
technology sectors such as A.I., semiconductors, big data,
cloud computing, biotechnology, green technology, and
digital infrastructure while enhancing technological
self-reliance and strengthening Viet Nam's
position in global value chains.
It is necessary ---- to identify the development of high-quality
human resources as a top priority and provide mechanisms
to attract international talent and overseas Vietnamese to
contribute to the country's development, Nguyen said.
He called for upholding the role of the Viet Nam National
Innovation Centre, universities, research institutes,
technology enterprises, investment funds, and
financial institutions in connecting global
knowledge, technology, human
resources, and capital flows.
He urged investment funds, financial institutions, and
international investors to continue accompanying
Viet Nam with a strategic and long-term vision
and further increase investment in strategic
technology sectors, innovation and
digital infrastructure.
The VIPC Summit 2026 serves as a major platform
connecting policymakers, global investors,
technology firms and startups to raise
investment flows - and support Viet
Nam's rapidly growing innovation
ecosystem.
According to the Global Innovation Index (GII) report, Viet Nam
currently ranks 44th globally. The nation's innovation startup
ecosystem has also risen into the world's top 50 emerging
startup ecosystems.
Last year, the total private investment in the technology sector
reached approximately US$4.5 billion across 149 deals,
marking a sharp increase from the previous year. Of
this amount, private equity investment hit a record
high of around US$4 billion, while venture capital
investment rose by about 28 percent.
[Rhondda Records adds
If thecatcatches the
mouse, yes?]
_____________________________________
IMF prescription: Argentina to
raise taxes --- on the workers
Buenos Aires, May 28th, 12:49am
(Prensa Latina)
The International Monetary Fund recommended that the
government of Javier Milei implement a tax reform this
year, which includes workers and own-account work
(monotax) in the payment of income Tax.
If implemented, this recipe will mean another blow to the
purchasing power of the Argentine families ---- already
burdened by low incomes and increases in utilities,
transport, health clinics, pre-paid, rents, and the
food basket.
In a detailed article, the newspaper Page 12 under the heading
"Recipe for disaster: the new policies of the Fund for Milei"
means a reduction in the taxes that impact the wealthy
and load that ---- onto workers and small taxpayers.
To do this, Milei will lower the floor of profits to large enterprises, including agricultural --- and cover that
cut in tax revenue by applying a tax on employees
with a payment of millions and dump deposit fees
onto the poorest tenants. Obediently - the Pink
House is committed to present a bill before
the end of this year.
The concept of tax reform proposed by the agency is to
eliminate the "tax expenditure" of the government, a
misleading terminology --- warns the union leader
Julio Fuentes; it actually means... to take out
all exceptions to the payment of taxes,
or regimes that favour some sectors
with lower rates.
The suggestion as proposed may be applied during the year,
including incorporating more and more workers into a
''dependent relationship'' to income Tax, while
suggesting raise the fees of the monotax..
to pay the professional self-employed.
All the hikes could generate to the government a revenue
of 3.3 per cent of GDP, calculated by the IMF that has
just ''given'' a loan of one billion dollars to Milei to
pay off obligations, which - in turn - leads to
more debt for the country.
___________________________________________
Japan seeks to revive ‘Tokko,’
threatening more than just
East Asia.
May 27th, 11:59pm
(Global Times)
On Wednesday, a law to establish the "National Intelligence
Council" was passed during a plenary session of Japan's
House of Councillors. The introduction of this legislation
not only marks a fundamental overhaul of Japan's post-
war intelligence system, but also drives a dangerous
institutional wedge that will enable Japan to fully
break free from its postwar peace framework
and accelerate its "re-militarization."
The Sanae Takaichi government's ''restructuring'' of the
intelligence apparatus is far from a mere administrative
adjustment - it is a systemic transformation designed
to propel the militarization of the Japanese state
apparatus --------- at full speed.
The new bill will create ------ a planned "National Intelligence
Council" led by the prime minister as the supreme decision-
making centre, supported by a newly established "National
Intelligence Bureau" as its executive body, thereby
establishing --------- a centralized and vertically
integrated intelligence system.
This not only dismantles the postwar system of checks and
balances deliberately maintained across the Japanese
Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the Ministry of Defense,
the police, and other agencies - a system born
from reflection on past militarism - but also
grants the National Intelligence Council
extraordinary powers to compel all
government departments..... to
share intelligence.
Even more dangerously, the bill explicitly incorporates
"foreign intelligence activities" ..into its mandate,
shifting Japan's intelligence functions, from a
domestic security focus to the collection of
overseas military & security intelligence
- and even permitting espionage and
infiltration operations abroad.
This highly centralized intelligence restructuring - which
serves Japan's "re-militarization" ambitions, has drawn
strong criticism -- within Japan itself. Some Japanese
scholars have pointed out that the new intelligence
body lacks effective oversight and checks and
balances, and could become ---- a modern
reincarnation of the notorious pre-WWII
"Special Higher Police" (Tokko).
It risks becoming a tool for right-wing conservative ruling
authorities to abuse executive power - not only severely
infringing on citizens' privacy and freedom of speech,
but also serving as an instrument to monitor --- and
suppress --- dissent.
Regrettably, despite strong concerns and opposition from
various sectors of Japanese society - including some
opposition parties, local bar associations, civic
groups, mainstream media, and scholars - the
bill passed with relative ease. This reveals
a significant weakening of the checks
and balances ...within Japan's
increasingly right-leaning
political landscape.
Japan repeatedly claims that its "exclusively defense-
oriented" principle remains unchanged. But what
does "exclusively defense-oriented" ..actually
mean? It should mean... refraining from pre-
emptive strikes, responding only with the
minimum necessary self-defense after
coming under armed attack, not
attacking others' bases, and
not possessing strategic
offensive weapons.
Yet today, Japan is deploying long-range missiles with so-called
"counterstrike capabilities" against enemy bases, building
what are effectively "aircraft carrier" battle groups, lifting
restrictions on the export of lethal weapons, and openly
discussing possession of "counterattack capabilities."
Which of these is not an offensive military posture?
The Japanese government may repeat the phrase
"exclusively defense-oriented" countless times,
but the range of its missiles has not shrunk by
a single kilometre because of it. Expanding
military capabilities in concrete terms...
while simultaneously claiming their
adherence to the path of a
"peaceful nation" ---- is a
contradiction - that can
not deceive the world.
In fact -- Japan's growing concentration of intelligence and
security powers is closely linked to its expanding military
activities abroad. The Takaichi government has actively
promoted military aid, & arms sales to the Philippines
sent the Self-Defense Forces to participate in the US-
Philippines "Balikatan" military exercises and even
fired its Type 88 coastal surface-to-ship missile
system. These actions ---- reveal increasingly
assertive ambitions for external expansion.
If Japan once again becomes a country capable of waging war,
the Asia-Pacific region will face escalating arms races, greater
risks of strategic miscalculation, and a sharp rise ------- in the
danger of conflict.
More importantly, the dangers of this "remilitarization" ...extend
far beyond East Asia. It signals that a key pillar of the postwar
international order is beginning to erode. Documents such as
the Potsdam Declaration ---- and the Japanese Instrument of
Surrender clearly stipulated: Japan should be - "completely
disarmed," while Japan's Peace Constitution ---- imposed
strict limits on military force and the right to wage war.
Japan's current trajectory represents an attempt to break free
from the constraints of the postwar order. The harder it
pushes in that direction, the more vigilant - other
countries should become.
Japan is once again attempting to race down the old path of
domestic centralization of power and external expansion.
This resurgence of militarism will not only seriously
undermine regional stability and order, but will
ultimately backfire: on Japan's own security
and development.
The Asia-Pacific region should remain..... a highland for peaceful
development and cooperation, not a geopolitical arena where a
handful of countries stir up division and confrontation. Japan
should squarely face the concerns voiced both domestically
and internationally, deeply reflect on its history, genuinely
uphold the commitment of its Peace Constitution, and
stop moving further down the dangerous road of
re-militarization and bloc confrontation.
Any attempt to overturn the postwar international order, will
inevitably face firm opposition from countries in the region
and ----- the broader international community.
_____________________________________________
Viet Nam shifts mindset from treatment --- to proactive prevention in child health protection
May 27th, 9:38pm
(VGP)
''To reduce the disease burden..... we must shift our mindset
from focusing on treatment to proactive prevention,'' said
Prof. Tran Minh Dien, Director of the Viet Nam National
Children’s Hospital and President of the Viet Nam
Pediatric Association.
Tran made the suggestion at the International Symposium
PediaConnect 2026, themed "Advances in prevention of
respiratory-transmitted infections in children."
The event took place from May 23-24, 2026, in Ho Chi Minh City,
targeting to update scientific data and share practical insights
on enhanced prevention strategies ------- against three critical
respiratory pathogens in children, including pneumococcus,
meningococcus and Respiratory Syncytial Virus (RSV).
The symposium was co-organized by Pfizer Viet Nam,
the Viet Nam Pediatric Association, and the
Viet Nam National Children's Hospital.
It comes at a critical time as these pathogens continue to
be recognized: as dangerous, highly contagious causes
of infectious diseases, posing a substantial burden on
both pediatric health & the public healthcare system.
Climate change, urbanization and air pollution are
drivers behind the rise and growing complexity
of respiratory infections.
Amid these compounding factors, young children - whose
immune systems are still developing - face the highest
vulnerability and a higher risk of developing severe
complications3, ultimately multiplying the strain
on the public healthcare system.
Among the diseases discussed, experts expressed profound
concern over pneumococcus, as it remains not only the
leading cause of bacterial pneumonia but can also
lead to severe invasive pneumococcal diseases
(IPD) in young children ------- such as sepsis
and meningitis.
In severe cases, IPD can result in respiratory failure, multi-
organ failure and the need for hospitalization. Certain
cases of pneumococcal meningitis can be fatal
very rapidly after the onset of symptoms.
Furthermore, IPD can leave behind devastating, long-term
sequelae and damage, including impaired lung function,
brain damage, cognitive impairment, and hearing loss.
From an epidemiological perspective, PhD Phan Huu Phuc,
Deputy Director of Viet Nam National Children's Hospital,
General Secretary, Viet Nam Pediatric Association said:
"Currently, the epidemiological landscape of pneumococcus is
undergoing significant changes, data from multiple Southeast
Asian countries, including Viet Nam, have recorded serotype
replacement due to the prevalence of strains falling outside
the coverage of previous pneumococcal vaccines.
''In Viet Nam, a 3-year study conducted at Viet Nam National
“When scientific output... is measured relative to
resources spent on research and development,
Iran rises to the top,” he said.
The report also showed that several industrialized nations,
including Germany, Japan, South Korea, UK, France, and
Canada ---- ranked below Iran on the same indicator
despite possessing well-established research
systems and far larger scientific budgets.
Among developing and emerging economies.. Indonesia,
Saudi Arabia, & India followed Iran in the publication's
efficiency rankings.
At the same time, the officials stressed that publication
volume alone, does not fully define scientific strength.
Alavian-Mehr said factors such as research quality,
innovation, patents, industrial applications, and
the ability to solve national challenges remain
equally important indicators of
scientific progress.
He also warned that sustained pressure to increase
publication numbers without improving research
conditions ....could eventually weaken the
scientific environment ......and place
additional strain on researchers.
Still, he described Iran’s standing as evidence
of the country’s strong human capital and
scientific resilience.
Alavian Mehr added that, from another perspective,
Iran also recorded -- the lowest research cost per
scientific document of the countries examined.
“If this human potential is matched with more effective
investment in research and development, stronger
scientific infrastructure, and smarter support for
talented researchers, it can evolve beyond
success in scientific publishing ------ and
become a driving force: for innovation,
technology - and solving the country’s
major challenges,” says Alavian-Mehr.
This gentleman picks holes in the intellectual ''mistakes'' of the West and points to the best solution for the world's people.
Britain's enemy is not Russia but its own ruling class, UN report confirms by John Wight November 19th, at 2:48pm
John Wight has written for a variety of newspapers and websites, including the Independent, Morning Star, Huffington Post, Counter- punch, London Progressive Journal, and Foreign Policy Journal.
As the UK political establishment rips itself to pieces over Brexit, a far greater crisis continues to afflict millions of victims of Tory austerity.
A devastating UN report into poverty in the UK provides incontrovertible evidence, that the enemy of the British people, is the very ruling class that has gone out of its way these past few years to convince them it is Russia.
Professor Philip Alston, in his capacity as the United Nations Special Rapporteur on extreme poverty and human rights, spent two weeks touring the United Kingdom. He did so, investigating the impact of 8 years of one of the most extreme austerity programs among advanced G20 economies in response to the 2008 financial crash and subsequent global recession.
What he found was evidence of a systematic, wilful, concerted and brutal economic war, unleashed by the country's right-wing Tory establishment, against the poorest and most vulnerable section of British society – upending the lives of millions of people who were not responsible for the aforementioned financial crash and recession, but who have been forced to pay the price.
From the report's introduction:
"It…seems patently unjust and contrary to British values that so many people are living in poverty. This is obvious to anyone who opens their eyes: to see the immense growth in foodbanks, and the queues waiting outside them, the people sleeping rough in the streets, the growth of homelessness, the sense of deep despair - that leads even the Government to appoint a Minister for Suicide Prevention - and civil society to report in depth, on unheard of levels of loneliness and isolation."
Though as a citizen of the UK, I respectfully beg to differ with the professor's claim, that such social & economic carnage, seems "contrary to British values,"(on the contrary - it is entirely in keeping with the values of the country's Tory establishment, an establishment for whom, the dehumanization of the poor and working class, is central to its ideology), the point he makes about it being "obvious to anyone who opens their eyes," is well made.
For it is now the case that in every town and city centre in Britain, it is impossible to walk in any direction for more than a minute, before coming across homeless people begging in the street. And the fact that some 13,000 of them, are former soldiers, casualties of the country's various military adventures in recent years, undertaken in service to Washington, exposes the pious platitudes peddled by politicians & the government as reverence for the troops & their 'sacrifice,' as insincere garbage.
As inequality increases, the wealthy and powerful become more desperate to cling onto their gains and distract us - with imagined threats and political sideshows - such as Jingoism, Russophobia and red-baiting...
Overall, 14 million people in the UK are now living in poverty, a figure which translates into an entire fifth of the population. Four million of them are children, while, according to Professor Alston, 1.5 million people are destitute – that is, unable to afford the basic necessities of life.
And this is what the ruling class of the fifth largest economy in the world, a country that parades itself on the world stage, as a pillar of democracy and human rights, considers progress.
The values responsible for creating such a grim social landscape, are compatible with the 18th, not the 21st century. They are proof positive, that the network of elite private schools – Eton, Harrow, Fettes College et al. – where those responsible for this human carnage are inculcated with the sense of entitlement and born to rule ethos that defines them, are Britain's hotbeds of extremism.
Professor Alston:"British compassion for those who are suffering, has been replaced by a punitive, mean-spirited, and often callous approach, apparently designed to instill discipline where it is least useful, to impose a rigid order on the lives of those least capable of coping with today's world, and elevating the goal of enforcing blind compliance, over a genuine concern to improve the well- being of those at the lowest levels of British society."
Here, set out above in bold relief, is the barbarism that walks - hand in hand - with free market capitalism. It is the same barbarism that was responsible for pushing post-Soviet Russia into a decade-long economic and social abyss, in the 1990s, and the values that have pushed 14 million people in the UK into the same economic and social abyss, in our time.
Austerity, it bears emphasizing, is not and never has been, a viable economic response to recession, in a given economy.
Instead, it is an ideological club, wielded on behalf of the rich and big business, to ensure that the price paid for the said economic recession, is borne exclusively by those least able to bear it - namely the poor and working people. It is class war by any other name, packaged and presented, as legitimate government policy.
However in Britain's case in 2018, this is a war like no other, because, as Professor Philip Alston's report lays bare, one side in this war has been throwing all the punches and one side has been taking them.
As the saying goes, wars take place when the government tells you who the enemy is; revolutions take place when you work it out for yourself.
(Source - RT)
_______________________________________________
Keiser Report: Reality of Creditor Jubilees
- fantastic - asks ''why don't we act like Jesus preached - and forgive debt?''
When what we do now, is what led to the slavery of feudalism: by refunding the creditors, instead!
Marx's theory still shines with truth: Xi May 4th, at 10:53am
Xinhua - Two centuries on, despite huge and profound changes in human society, the name of Karl Marx is still respected all over the world and his theory still shines with the brilliant light of truth, Chinese President Xi Jinping said on Friday.
Xi, also general secretary of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee and chairman of the Central Military Commission, made the remarks at a grand gathering in Beijing to celebrate the 200th anniversary of Marx's birth.
Xi said Marx is the "teacher of revolution for the proletariat and working people all over the world, the main founder of Marxism, creator of Marxist parties, a pathfinder for international communism and the greatest thinker of modern times."
"Today, we hold this grand gathering with great veneration to mark the 200th anniversary of Marx's birth, to remember his great character and historic deeds and to review his noble spirit and brilliant thoughts," Xi said at the event.
''With noble ideals and no fear of difficulty or adversity, throughout his life, Marx devoted himself to perseveringly striving for the liberation of humanity, scaling the peak of thought in his pursuit of truth, and the unremitting fight to overturn the old world and establish a new one'', according to Xi.
''Marx is not only a great figure who bore the weight of the world, but also an ordinary person with a passion for life, who was sincere and true to his friends'', Xi said.
''The most valuable and influential spiritual asset that Marx left us is the scientific theory named after him -- Marxism. Like a spectacular sunrise, the theory illuminated the path of humanity's exploration of the law of history, and humanity's search for their own liberation'', Xi said.
"The thought and theory of Marx are of his times and go beyond his times," Xi said. "They are the essence of the spirit of that times and the essence of the spirit of all humanity."
Xi said Marxism is a scientific theory that reveals the rules of human society's development, in a creative manner.
Having developed the materialist conception of history and surplus value theory, Marx showed how humanity would leap from the realm of necessity, to the realm of freedom, and also showed the road for people to realize freedom and liberation, Xi said.
Marxism, the first ideology for the liberation of the people themselves, is a theory of the people.
"Marxism, for the first time, explored the path for humanity's freedom and liberation from the stance of the people, and pointed out the direction, with scientific theory, toward an ideal society with no oppression or exploitation, where every person would enjoy equality and freedom," Xi said.
Stressing that practicality is a prominent characteristic of Marxism that makes it different from other theories, Xi said Marxism is a theory of practices that directs the people to change the world.
It is an open theory that is constantly developing and always stands at the frontier of the times, Xi said.
"That is why it is always able to keep young, explore the new issues in the development of the times and respond to the new challenges for human society."
The general secretary said that over the 170 years since publication of The Communist Manifesto, Marxism had been spread around the world, unrivaled in the history of human ideology in terms of the breadth and depth of its influence.
After the end of World War II, a large number of socialist countries were established, Xi said, stressing that the founding of the People's Republic of China, especially, has greatly increased the socialist strength in the world.
"There might be setbacks in the development of socialism in the world, but the overall trend for human society's development has never changed, and it will never change," Xi said.
"Marxism has not only profoundly changed the world, but also China," Xi said.
The reverberations of the October Revolution in Russia brought Marxism-Leninism to China, pointing out the direction forward, offering a brand new choice for the Chinese people in their struggle to survive, and setting the scene for the birth of the CPC.
Since the CPC's birth, it has combined the fundamental principles of Marxism with the reality of the Chinese revolution and construction, transforming the Chinese nation from "the sick man of East Asia" to one who has stood up, by uniting and leading the people through long-term struggle.
"This tremendous transformation serves as cast iron proof that only through socialism, can we save China," Xi said.
Since reform and opening up, the CPC has combined the fundamental principles of Marxism, with the reality of China's reform and opening up, and the nation who stood up, has grown rich.
"This tremendous transformation serves as cast iron proof that only through socialism with Chinese characteristics, can we develop China," Xi said.
In the new era, the CPC again combined the fundamental principles of Marxism with the reality of China in this new era, uniting and leading the people in "under- taking the great struggle, building the great project, advancing the great cause and realizing the great dream."
The Chinese nation has come to embrace a tremendous transformation, as the one who has grown rich, now, is becoming strong.
"This tremendous transformation serves as cast iron proof that only by adhering to and developing socialism with Chinese characteristics, can we realize national rejuvenation," Xi said.
"It is perfectly right for history and the people to choose Marxism, as well as for the CPC to write Marxism on its own flag, to adhere to the principle of combining the fundamental principles of Marxism, with China's reality, and continuously adapt Marxism to the Chinese context and the times."
_____________________________________
China lifts 740 mln rural poor out of poverty since 1978 September 3rd, at 12:57pm
Xinhua - China lifted 740 million people in rural areas out of poverty from 1978 to 2017, roughly 19 million each year, the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS) said on Monday.
The poverty ratio in rural areas dropped 94.4 percentage points during the same time period with an average annual decrease of 2.4 percentage points, according to the NBS.
NBS data shows that China's poverty relief achievements have contributed more than 70 percent to global poverty alleviation work, in the past 40 years.
The average annual income of rural residents in impoverished areas rose an average of 10.4 percent each year from 2012 to 2017, up 2.5 percentage points from the average for rural residents.
Over the past five years, over 68 million people were lifted out of poverty in China. The country aims to further lift 10 million people out of poverty this year and eradicate poverty by 2020.
China recently released guidelines on winning the battle against poverty in the next three years, in order to prepare the nation for eradicating poverty by 2020.
According to the guidelines, the impoverished people should be guaranteed food & clothing, and children from poor families should be guaranteed a 9-year compulsory education. Basic medical needs and living conditions of the impoverished, should also be guaranteed.
People whose annual income is lower than 2,300 yuan (337.3 U.S. dollars), are defined as living below the poverty line, in China.
Almost half of Russians see USSR collapse as shameful – poll January 17th, at 12:11pm
The collapse of the Soviet Union is considered a reason to be ashamed, by 45 percent of Russians, according to a recent opinion poll. The only option that scored higher, is Russia’s failure to eradicate poverty.
The poll, conducted in late 2018, by the Levada Center is its latest study of what Russians are proud and ashamed of, about their nation. The demise of the USSR, saw a rebound in popularity from a low point of 28 percent in mid-2015, and is at a level comparable with the late 1990s and early 2000s.
The only more popular answer is Russia’s failure to eradicate poverty, which was named as a reason to be ashamed, by 61 percent of the people polled. This answer has topped Levada’s polls, for decades.
Russians are also ashamed of fellow countrymen treating each other disrespectfully (37 percent), Russia’s failure to catch up economically with the Western powers (24 percent), the out- come of Mikhail Gorbachev’s reforms (24 percent), and Joseph Stalin’s reign of terror (21 percent).
On the opposite side of Russians’ national identity are the qualities and events, people are proud of.
Defeating Nazi Germany in World War II remains the one thing Russians are overwhelmingly proud of (87 percent).
There is also the role that the country played in space exploration – about half are proud to belong to a space pioneering nation.
The third most popular option is accepting Crimea (the breakaway former Ukrainian region) as part of Russia again, which is seen as a point of national pride, by 45 percent.
Many people are also proud of Russian literature, science, and martial prowess, Soviet-era industrialization and the best qualities of the Russian character, like resolve and patience.
A record 75 percent said Russia is definitely, or most likely, a great nation today, while 88 percent believe that it should be one.
There was no apparent correlation between wishing greatness for Russia and regretting the USSR’s collapse, the agency noted, suggesting that Russians expect a great nation to - first and foremost - provide social justice, and protection.
Sixty-two percent said the Russians are a great people.
Levada remarked that about 80 percent of the people polled, identified themselves as Russians.
When asked what makes them feel connected to their people, most respondents named national history (53 percent), Russia’s land (35 percent), their place of birth (33 percent), and the nature that they call their own (25 percent).
The formal national symbols, including the flag, the coat of arms, and the national anthem, was the least popular option (5 percent).
Interestingly, religion is a relatively small factor in Russian national identity (9 percent).
(Source - RT)
____________________________________________
Number of Russians who regret collapse of USSR hits 10-year high December 26th, 2017, at 7:20am
The number of Russians who regret the collapse of the Soviet Union has reached its highest level since 2009, with almost an equal share saying the event could have been avoided.
A public opinion poll conducted by the independent Levada Center in late November this year found that 58 percent of Russians now regret the collapse of the USSR. Twenty-five percent said they felt no regret about this, and 16 percent could not describe their feelings in one word.
When researchers asked those who regret the end of the USSR what the primary reasons were behind their sentiments, 54 percent said that they missed a single economic system, 36 percent said they had lost the feeling of belonging to a real superpower, 34 percent complained about the drop in mutual trust among ordinary people, and 26 percent said that the collapse had destroyed the ties between friends and relatives.
The same research showed that 52 percent of Russians think that the collapse of the USSR could have been avoided, 29 percent said that the event was absolutely inevitable, and 19 percent did not have a fixed opinion on the matter.
The share of those who regret the demise of the Soviet Union has risen continuously over the past decade, but in 2009 it was even higher than today – at 60 percent. The all-time high – 75 percent – was recorded in 2000.
President Vladimir Putin has repeatedly addressed the issue of the collapse of the USSR in his speeches. In an address to the Russian parliament in 2005 he called the event the greatest geopolitical disaster of the 20th century and a cause of major disruption for the Russian people. In September 2016, Putin said the Communist Party should have transformed the Soviet Union into a democratic state, rather than see it break into separate nations.
At the same time, Putin has always emphasized that he and other Russian officials have no plans to revive the USSR, and has expressed anger that people cannot accept this. He's also accused Western governments of deliberately confusing modern Russia with the USSR and harming the interests of ordinary people, on the pretense of preventing an imaginary threat.
Historian:Russia's October Revolution Was Inevitable, Relatively Bloodless November 10th, at 4:33pm by Ekaterina Blinova
The October Uprising of 1917 became the logical conclusion of the February Revolution, Michael J. Carley, a professor of history at the Universite de Montreal has told Sputnik. According to the academic, the Russian Revolution was inevitable and occurred because evolutionary processes of change to benefit the lives of ordinary people had failed.
"February 1917 marked the beginning of a revolutionary change in power in Russia, that was accomplished in October," Michael Jabara Carley, professor of history at the Université de Montréal and the author of "Silent Conflict: A Hidden History of Early Soviet-Western Relations,"told Sputnik, commenting on the 100th anniversary of the Great October Socialist Revolution.
"The tsarist order was bankrupt and doomed. Almost everyone at the time said so. The immediate cause of the bankruptcy was the Great War [The First World War]," the Canadian academic stressed, adding that "the result was calamity marked by millions of casualties, large territories lost and an economy thrown into chaos, by the unsustainable financial and economic demands of fighting a world war."
Russian Provisional Government: 'Neither Revolutionary, Nor Democratic'
The so-called February Revolution, which is regarded as a combination of a popular uprising with an elitist anti- monarchist plot, led to the abdication of Russian Emperor Nicholas II and the establishment of the Provisional Government.
Still, the Provisional Government"was neither revolutionary nor democratic,"the academic pointed out: The crux of the matter was that it was largely controlled by the "bourgeois" urban and rural elites and old tsarist establishment"that was opposed to the revolution and attempted to block its further development."
October Uprising Was Relatively Bloodless
The professor explained why, contrary to popular belief, the October Revolution of 1917 that took place on November 7 (October 25 in the Julian calendar) was relatively bloodless.
"Well, in the first instance because the Provisional Government was utterly discredited. It had no popular support. It was a head without a body. It could give orders or issue decrees, but had no power to enforce them. In a revolutionary period, power comes from the support of the insurgent masses and the Provisional Government had none,"Carley told Sputnik.
The professor suggested that 1917 could have been averted if old elites as well as their forebears had not blocked"political and economic evolutionary processes"in Russia.
'Provisional Government Became a Cork in the Bottle'
"The Provisional Government became a cork in the bottle holding back the revolution,"the historian said."The revolutionary masses in Petrograd [Saint Petersburg] and elsewhere put pressure on their socialist leaders to blow the cork out of the bottle…. It was the Bolsheviks who put themselves at the head of the mass movement & articulated its demands, essentially peace, bread and land."
He pointed out, however, that"the Bolsheviks themselves were not united on all the big issues and most importantly on the seizure of power in October (the Julian calendar)."
"I would propose that the Provisional Government collapsed of its own rot. The insurgent masses led by the Bolsheviks only had to kick it over,"Carley remarked.
Was the October Revolution of 1917 Inevitable?
"It is a question impossible to answer except in this way: popular revolutions come about because political and economic elites over time are too selfish to share wealth and power with the masses,"Carley responded."Like the tsarist autocracy, they treat the masses as a resource to be exploited and rung dry. When evolutionary processes of change fail, revolution is often the result."
According to the academic, it is wrong to think that such revolutions succeed "because of the evil genius and cruelty of a small revolutionary elite"
"They succeed because of mass support and effective, responsive leadership."
The question then arises as to whether it was possible to follow an evolutionary path, rather than go through a revolution.
"A revolution occurred because evolutionary processes of change to benefit the lives of ordinary people had failed,"the professor responded."Serfdom, inequality, exploitation, violence, continued unabated until 1917."
October 1917: 'Driver of Transformations Across the Globe'. Revisiting the October Revolution of 1917.
Addressing the 14th Annual Meeting of the Valdai Discussion Club, Russian President Vladimir Putin said that"the largely utopian social model and ideology" the Soviets tried to implement initially following the 1917 revolution became "a powerful driver of transformations across the globe, caused a major revaluation of development models, and gave rise to rivalry and competition, the benefits of which were mostly reaped by the West."
The Canadian professor disagrees that the term "utopian" could be used with regards to the "Communist model," for instance.
"Is free, public education for everyone, no matter what their class, nationality or religion, utopian? Is the elimination of illiteracy, utopian? Are women's rights, or universal health care, utopian? Was the desire to create a more equal society, socially, economically and politically, utopian?"Carley asked, adding"in fact, that Soviet society was eventually able to withstand and then to destroy almost single- handedly, the so-called invincible Nazi 'colossus.'"
Still, he believes that the 1917 revolution certainly was"a powerful driver of transformations"around the world since it"inspired successful revolutionary movements in China, Vietnam, Korea, and Cuba."
As Putin noted during his Valdai speech "many Western achievements of the 20th century were an answer to the challenge posed by the Soviet Union," such as"raising living standards, forming a strong middle class, reforming the labour market and the social sphere, promoting education, guaranteeing human rights, including the rights of minorities and women, overcoming racial segregation."
Red October: Allied Intervention and 'Beginning of Cold War'
The October Revolution became the trigger for the Civil War (1917-1922) and prompted the Allied intervention of major foreign powers in Russia.
The Canadian academic pointed out that the October Uprising "produced an immediate violent reaction by the United States, France and Britain, whose elites attempted to overthrow the Soviet government."
"The foreign intervention against Soviet Russia fed a civil war and exacerbated the violence of the counter-revolution by many times over,"Carley said."On its own, the former tsarist elite could never have mounted such violent resistance to the October Revolution."
The professor underscored that after their failure to overthrow the Soviets,"the Western powers spent the next 70 years, with the exception of a truce between 1941-1945, in trying to harm or bring down the USSR and all those revolutions to which it had given birth."
According to the academic, the Cold War started in October (November) 1917.
"Just ask the Chinese, Vietnamese, Cubans, or N. Koreans about the frightful price of resistance to US and Western hegemony,"Carley remarked."Or for that matter, we might ask, if we could, the soldiers, sailors and workers of Soviet Russia, what price they had to pay, to defend their revolution."
(Source - Sputnik)
_______________________________________
Communist leader dispels new Russian budget as "oligarch orientated" October 28th, 2017 Fort Russ News - KtovKurse translated by Inessa Sinchougova
Communist Party leader, Gennady Zyuganov, called the draft federal budget for 2018-2020, "a budget of the oligarchy", which will increase stagnation and poverty.
On Friday October 27th, the State Duma considered the first reading of the draft budget for 2018 for the planning period 2019-2020. According to the draft of the Ministry of Finance, the budget deficit in 2018 will be 1.3 trillion rubles or 1.37% of GDP, in 2019 it will be 867 billion rubles or 0.84% of GDP, and in 2020 - 960 billion rubles or 0.87% of GDP.
Such a budget Zyuganov considers "a budget for the oligarchy, where further stagnation and deepening of poverty in the country will occur."
In his opinion, the draft budget does not meet the current challenges and can only aggravate the split in Russian civil society.
The Communist Party leader stressed that incomes and expenditures are constantly declining. Zyuganov noted that "in plain language" this means that the "share of the national pie" created by the working people is constantly shrinking in the budget.
Zyuganov's main issue with the budget was the reduction in government expenses for 14 out of 13 articles listed within. He explained that for eight of these articles, expenses are simply cut, and for four other articles, a small increase is offset by inflation, and as a result, real costs are below the ones prophesized.
According to Zyuganov, the current budget policy "creeps of the old Gaidar-Chubais reforms. It does not smell of modernization, nor a breakthrough for the future."
"I do not know why the president has not reacted to this helplessness, to this impotence of the financial and economic blockade on behalf of the government," Zyuganov said.
President Vladimir Putin does not oversee forthcoming bills until they pass all the stages of parliamentary negotiation - that is until his signature is required. It remains to be said that a majority of Russia's parliament and governmental organs, are liberal representatives, both economically and culturally, whereby it is only the President that stops certain bills being passed.
Without looking at the document in detail (which is not yet available to the public) it makes sense to assume that the Communist Party leader has every right to become concerned at this early stage.
Zyuganov's Communist Party enjoys the second most popular rating in the Russian political sphere, after United Russia (Vladimir Putin.)
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And a Record Number of Russians Want Socialism Back !!!
First published in Komsomolskaya Pravda Translated by Kristina Kharlova
The number of those nostalgic for the Soviet Union, is now growing steadily.
According to the findings of sociologists, 56% of respondents now express regret for the collapse of the Soviet state.
A majority of Russians regret the collapse of the Soviet Union, and do not mind if it's restored — conclude the sociologists of "Levada-centre".
2016 sees a record number of respondents nostalgic for the Soviet Union, in the whole history of public opinion surveys.
At the same time, the percentage of those who don't long for the Union, decreases over time: if, in November of last year it was 37%, today only 28% do not feel any pity.
58% of Russians would like a socialist system and the Soviet Union to be restored, and 31% say they don't want the Soviet Union back.
Over half of respondents, 51%, believe that it was still possible to save the country in 1991 while 33% of Russians say the collapse was 'inevitable'.
Experts, meanwhile, note that those most nostalgic for the Soviet Union don't yearn so much for the Soviet ideology, as for the stability, justice, confidence in the future, secure jobs, free education, medical care and housing.
Serbia:Mass anti-NATO demonstrations silenced Nothing has been the same since NATO brutally bombed Yugoslavia 17 years ago. The 5th column, trained by NATO, took over the destroyed country to continue the job that the West had started.
The economy collapsed, the country was ripped apart, and the Army, dismissed.
Year by year, malicious plans brainstormed by NATO, and executed by the government, are pushing all of the Balkans into the deep maw of the West's 'modern' imperialism.
The latest move was the Agreement with NATO about logistics. Parliament has approved, and the President has signed, an agreement which gives NATO soldiers immunity and freedom of movement on the territory of Serbia. The same people who killed thousands of innocent Serb civilians are now given freedom and immunity. NATO personnel rule the roost in Serbia
NATO personnel are exempt from paying taxes, VAT and/or customs duties. The adoption of the Individual Partnership Action Plan (IPAP), lets NATO soldiers use Serbia's infrastructure, with free transit across the whole territory of Serbia, as well as protection from the law -- being given 'special status' while staying in Serbian territory.
However, although almost two decades have passed since NATO's cruel attack, most Serbs have not forgotten how important freedom is -- which is the main problem for the ruling elite.
In the mainstream media, news about signing the agreement with NATO, was published as small & irrelevant. In a couple of sentences, mainstream journalists wrote about it, as if it was tomorrow's weather forecast, but they couldn't fool people.
Boiling situation hidden by Government
The situation was boiling. A few patriotic parties and war veterans managed to organize a protest -- & expected no more than a thousand people in Belgrade, to show their disagreement with the ruling party's decisions.
On the 20th February, more than 15,000 Serbs, mostly youth, came onto the Belgrade streets to join in with the protesters. Even the police were surprised, quickly trying to reinforce -- fearing nonverbal shows of disagreement.
The mainstream media weren't at all interested in massive protests in the capital city. They just reported, after the protest, that there were only a couple of hundred demonstrators.
Amongst all media, just one, the alternative patriotic website, Srbin info, sent reporters to the vicinity, to cover the whole protest.
It was the only media that had pictures and videos of the massive protests, showing the huge number of protesters.
During the protest, over 2,000 readers per second were following their live streaming of the demonstrations. Each minute, their website was gaining more followers.
Just a couple of minutes after the end of the peaceful protest, huge cyber-attacks began.
The weak website couldn't defend itself from the biggest attacks in its history, & the web- site eventually crashed. Attacks continued for 24 hours, never letting the website repair.
The only possible source of the attacks on the website & freedom of the speech, is the ruling elite. There is no one else who would be able to manage such strong attacks.
The main problem for the alternative, free media in Serbia is that the web providers, most of them belonging to the SBB company, part of the Soros foundation, don't want to reveal who was behind the attacks. However, some opposition forces, also attacked by hackers, discovered that the IP address of the hacker belongs to one of the directors of SBB company.
It is also interesting that 25% of web providers and some mainstream media in Serbia - belong to David Petraeus, former director of the CIA.
Despite their crashed website, Srbin info reporters managed to find way to send the real story & used Facebook to spread the truth. A video showing the masses of people protesting, was viewed by over 1,700,000 Facebook users --- a huge number for Serbia, with its 7 million population.
For 48 hours after the attack, the website was closed.
Thanks to its loyal readers, who appreciate Srbin info's fight for freedom of speech, donations were collected to make a new website, with better protection.
But the problem of having a neutral web provider who will not sabotage the website -- after orders from the Government -- still exists. A much worse problem.... is that the once proud and honorable Serbia, is now under the boots of imperialists.
LEN RE-ELECTED - VICTORY FOR LEFT!
"Serving you, our members, is the greatest privilege of my working life. I'm proud to have stood shoulder- to-shoulder with you in your struggles and proud to have been asked by so many, to continue to fight for you"
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The Corbyn Supporters From Hell - Attila The Stockbroker,15th Oct 2015 at The Blue Boar Hotel, Maldon, Essex, UK
ONE UNION
Two weeks before Brexit, the African Union announced a new single African passport that permits holders to enter any of the 54 AU member states without a visa – an interesting turn in African history which NO-ONE in the West knows or cares about ! What a stunning reflection of how far our mindset and media are, from the 'world community' we say we love.
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ADAM JOHANNES, CO-CONVENOR, PEOPLE'S ASSEMBLY
“Most people under 40 have never been a member of a trade union. So unions are irrelevant, right? Wrong. Unions are more relevant than ever before. With in- work poverty, zero hours contracts and precarious employment, trade unions urgently need to make inroads into the private sector where the majority of us work, but a majority are still un-unionised.”
3 recent campaigns show how this might be done -
1. BETTER THAN ZERO
"Better than Zero" is an exciting campaign launched last year by the Scottish TUC to combat employers using zero-hours contracts. It is run by young people for young people to take on the issue of insecure work. Its activists are mostly in their teens or twenties. The campaign calls upon an older generation not to stand by while a generation of young people are forced into insecure work.
It has responded to tip off from employees in workplaces charging staff for training or uniforms, and bars and restaurants where workers tips are taken by the company. It's fought against people routinely expected to work additional late hours at short notice, with little or no thought given to how they'll get home & whether they will be safe.
The campaign uses direct action, stunts and creative protests such as targeting bars and restaurants with 'flash mob choirs', activists and former staff posing as customers, before each stand up in a restaurant to make speeches while other activists leaflet out- side, Halloween funeral marches on exploitative employers, or, memorably, activists clad in chemical-spill clean up garb placing several popular bars & restaurants in 'quarantine', for exploitative work practices. A recent campaign victory saw restaurant chain Las Iguanas end a policy of deducting money from staff tips.
2. SPORTS DIRECT
Unite has waged a dynamic fightback against Sports Direct including pickets of over 30 stores across the UK, occupations, direct action such as the unfurling of a #SportsDirectShame banner by Newcastle United fans at the club owned by Sports Direct boss, Mike Ashley, other banner drops from bridges, shareholder action, and a social media campaign,
Sports Direct is Britain's biggest sportswear company. It made over a billion in profits last year, but the majority of its workers agency staff are on zero hour contracts with no holiday or sick pay, and no guaranteed work from one week to the next. It has been called more 'workhouse' than workplace with intense surveillance and searches of staff, a culture of fear, bullying and intimidation rife.
Unite's campaign had forced the issue of its Victorian working conditions into national media & a company review. Unite demands all staff are re-employed on permanent contracts on a living wage. So far they have won a pay rise for staff and the company is now being investigated by HM Revenue & Customs after the union exposed it for effectively paying under the minimum wage.
3. PIZZA EXPRESS
Unite scored a victory against Pizza Express after exposing and ending the company deducting a proportion of staff's hard earned tips as an 'admin fee', recruiting new members. The campaign involved union activists going into Pizza Express branches to speak to waiting staff, weekly pickets, handing out hundreds of flyers with customers given a ‘scrap the admin fee’ postcard to leave with their cash tips, and finally a 'meal of justice' when protesters went into a restaurant, enjoyed a meal and when the bill came, one person stood up and told customers about the admin fee while others handed out postcards. Customers often respond with spontaneous applause.
We need to think creatively of how to bring politics into the workplace whether collections for refugees in Calais, foodbanks or local homeless, organising delegations from our work to local protests, or even setting up People's Assembly networks with likeminded people we work with.
Cardiff People's Assembly is part of The People's Assembly Against Austerity, a UK anti-cuts network sponsored by eight trade unions. Locally we have worked with Unison defending our city's library service & PCS to organise solidarity with museum workers, we will be supporting Unite Community's day of action against benefit sanctions. With much of our nation's workforce unorganised in their workplace in unions, joining movements like ours can boost people's confidence to stand up to their employers and build workplace organisation.
In the 1980s Thatcher declared war on the unions --- as a prelude to letting the market rip through society --- transforming us into a highly unequal low pay, low skill economy. The assault on the 'social wage' means we now have the highest private rents, highest energy bills, highest rail fares, and most expensive university education in the EU. Now the Trade Union Bill aims to take out a key part of the resistance to extend the cuts, privatisation and outsourcing agenda and shift even more power and wealth from the 99% to the 1%.
Our economy is dominated by low paid jobs. Low pay makes people insecure. A low pay economy and tax avoiding corporations make it hard to invest in public services. Joining a union is one way to fight back.
Profit Is The Only Concern For Railway Privateers 2016 Thursday 29TH DEC
The only way to have a public transport system worthy of the name is to have a fully nationalised railway,says GORDON MARTIN
All things transport have been making the news in Scotland for a number of months and the signs are this isn’t going to change in the dark winter months ahead.
Scotland’s railways have been subjected to an unprecedented level of scrutiny and criticism with opposition politicians, media columnists and some trade union officials calling for Nicola Sturgeon to sack her Transport Minister, Humza Yousaf MSP.
In my view the roots of the public’s dissatisfaction with Scotland’s railways goes back to the Scottish government’s ill-conceived decision to award the ScotRail franchise to a state-owned rail operator.
Unfortunately for passengers and the ScotRail workforce, the state in question was not our own — and the Netherlands now benefits from profits made by its state company, Abellio, out of ScotRail.
A public-sector bid from Scotland was not allowed when the franchise was awarded to Abellio for a 10-year period. With profit the first and only concern of the profiteers at Abellio, a major dispute with Scotland’s biggest rail union RMT was highly predictable.
Abellio’s attack on the role of the guard on our trains brought a summer of discontent as industrial action spread across much of the Scottish rail network.
The Scottish government quickly showed its true colours. The normally very assured and competent First Minister committed a monumental blunder when she disgracefully inferred the strike was only about who pushed a button to open and close train doors.
While the SNP government very often claims to be on the side of working-class communities, it remains very much a political party wedded to capitalism. The First Minister should have taken the trouble to speak to disabled passengers or those travelling on Scotland’s trains who feel vulnerable in any way about how crucial the role of the guard is in making their journey a safer, more relaxing experience.
Thankfully the Scottish government and Abellio ScotRail finally saw sense and a negotiated settlement was reached which was favourable to RMT and which will see safety-trained guards remain in place.
Following on from our successful efforts to Keep The Guard on the Train, RMT has launched a high- profile “Safer Scottish Trains” campaign designed to ensure trains, stations & rail infrastructure in general are properly resourced and managed to ensure the best possible service is delivered.
Everyone, in particular disabled people, should be able to travel on a 21st-century rail network without having to check ahead days in advance to ensure staff will be in place to assist them.
At the same time, Westminster and the European Union have also intervened in a negative way which may have serious repercussions for rail workers and passengers in the years ahead.
Earlier this month Chris Grayling, Transport Secretary in Theresa May’s rotten Tory government, delivered a speech which potentially takes the rail industry back to the complete fragmentation foisted upon the people of Britain by the hapless government of John Major in the 1990s.
Grayling now seeks to reintroduce “competition” into rail infrastructure, maintenance and repairs.
Inevitably this will eventually lead to the complete break-up of Network Rail. The centralised standards implemented by this public-sector organisation will be discarded and profit and loss will become the decisive factor in deciding the standards for maintaining the rail infrastructure. This is a frightening scenario with potentially deadly outcomes and RMT will fight this with everything we have.
The latest plans for railways across the EU, the ultimate bosses’ club, are contained within the Fourth Railway Package which MEPs are voting on. These proposals make it mandatory to put rail passenger services out to competitive tender. With the Scottish government recently beginning to engage with the rail unions and others regarding a public-sector bid for the ScotRail contract, the 4th Railway Package underlines how fragile and fleeting this public-sector bid could ultimately be.
Scotland’s ferry sector also had a fair amount of publicity in the last year or so, with RMT engaged in a high-profile, long-running and ultimately successful campaign to keep CalMac ferries in public ownership.
RMT stands by our assertion that the Clyde and Hebridean ferry service did not have to go out to tender under the Teckal exemption.
Unfortunately, the Scottish government are keen to be seen as good Europeans, despite the negative impact on the Scottish people, and meekly went along with directives from the EU.
The uncertainty for island communities and the stress for the CalMac workforce while their future was unclear, was not high on the government’s agenda.
Unfortunately it looks highly likely that the workforce and the islanders on the Northern Isles are about to be put through the same uncertainty as their counterparts on the west coast.
The government is once again meekly following diktats from Brussels by putting the Northern Isles ferry service out to a competitive tendering process, despite the people of Britain voting to leave the EU, including a sizeable section of the Scottish working class.
RMT has a clear and principled position which is to insist that the Northern Isles contract is brought back into public ownership forthwith.
We demand an immediate end to the exploitation of eastern European seafarers. These workers, employed on a Scottish government contract, are being paid wages at a derisory rate while being denied the protection of a trade union agreement with wages and conditions covered by collective bargaining agreements.
As part of our ongoing Save our Seafarers campaign, we have highlighted this disgraceful fact to the media and the public with our slogan SNP — Ships of Shame.
This is causing the government and, in particular, the Transport Minister a great deal of embarrassment. I make no apologies for this and I sincerely hope the embarrassment will lead to action before too much longer.
It is clear to everyone, with the possible exception of right-wing profiteering zealots, that the only way to have a public transport system worthy of the name is to have a fully nationalised railway, properly resourced, with adequate staffing levels --- together with a publicly owned ferry operator, working exclusively on behalf of ferry users and the Scottish government, & money raised reinvested --- instead of lining the pockets of private shareholders.
Gordon Martin is Scottish regional organiser of the RMT.
(source - Morning Star)
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Tory aid-dumping revelation means the money should be seized and used by Mike Sivier
The worst part of this is, it suggests that people who said the International Aid budget could be used in better ways, were right.
The Times reports that the Tories have been ‘dumping’ billions of pounds in aid into shady World Bank funds, to sit unused indefinitely – in order to "keep up the appearance" of meeting the government’s commitment to donating 0.7% of the UK’s GDP in foreign aid.
According to the Times, at least £9 billion has been transferred like this in the past 5 years. Rather than helping developing countries, the money, which is spread across over 200 different bank accounts, simply sits there – doing nothing except rack up World Bank ‘administration fees’.
UK International Development Secretary Priti Patel’s only qualification for her job appears to be the fact that she had previously wanted to get rid of it and the funding it oversees. This seems to be the standard Tory qualification for any ministerial role that is supposed to help people – Health Secretary Jeremy Hunt infamously wrote a book, before becoming Health Secretary, that called for abolition of the ’60-year-old mistake’ of the NHS.
Clearly, to a Tory, maintaining the appearance of doing something is far more important than actually doing it – especially if it helps you put cash into the bank accounts of your backers and allies and ideally while you get rid of the very thing you’re supposed to be looking after. If you hear Tories say ‘reform’, run for cover – or better yet, get the pitchforks out.
Source: Keeping up appearances: aid-dumping shows Tories care for PR, not people The SKWAWKBOX
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Left Looks To Unite To Protect Its Power Base CHARLEY ALLAN
The Labour right was desperate to see the back of “Red Len,” as the tabloids call him.
But Len won his victory. Now’s the perfect time to join Unite, with full membership costing just £3.50 a week, reduced to 50p for the unemployed.
The AWL and its allies may have won the national committee battle, but they won’t win the OMOV war --- if the movementists get organised.
A new current called Opening Momentum has rallied round the point that anti-OMOVers had denied members their advertised right to “vote in national-level elections.”
And it’s crucial that every member who really believes in the fabled “new kind of politics” turns up to their local branch meetings - if they have them - to halt plans for a parallel party.
This is bigger than Momentum. We need to see much more direct democracy in Labour itself, although there will always be resistance from those who benefit most from the delegate system.
There are literally hundreds of thousands of new Labour members and Momentum’s top priority --- should making sure their voice is heard at next year’s party conference.
The Labour left can’t afford to be crushed again on the conference floor, as happened this year.
While Momentum was dazzling everyone with its World Transformed free festival, right faction Labour First was distributing fliers to let delegates know when and where vital votes were taking place.
Critically, Momentum must:- have slates of candidates ready when local constituency parties select conference delegates in thecoming months.
The new left movement needs to get serious if it wants to win the looming electoral battles within Labour, the trade unions and the grassroots.
Defending, strengthening and expanding this power base at the ballot box, will take back the leadership, and keep the movement fighting fit for the general election.
• Chat to Charley on Twitter: @charleyallan.
(source - Morning Star)
A New Lucas Plan For The Future by David King
The ideas pioneered by the Lucas workers are just as, or more, relevant now than in the 1970s, and there are strong political similarities in the situation.
As in the ’70s, we have an economic crisis caused by unjust economic policies and the failure of successive governments’ industrial strategy.
As usual, this has hit the working class hardest, and anger over this is being channelled into racism against immigrants. Now, the environmental effects of industrial capitalism are far more evident than 40 years ago, already creating wars, militarisation and widespread concern about insecurity.
Finally, introduction of new technologies threatens structural unemployment on a scale considerably greater than the ’70s.
The Tory government’s response to the economic and political crisis, despite continuing to publicly espouse neoliberal principles, looks a lot like a classic Keynesian economic stimulus package.
In the last few months it has made decisions to go ahead with a range of industrial infrastructure megaprojects — Hinkley C, fracking, HS2 and the Heathrow third runway, as well as pressing ahead with spending £200 billion on Trident renewal.
A key element in the case for all these projects is the jobs that they will generate or preserve, although the jobs estimates are bound to be inflated, while the price tag will be massively underestimated.
Compared to the ’70s, far fewer jobs will be created in this way because, due to automation and mechanisation, they are all highly capital rather than labour-intensive.
The Lucas Aerospace workers’ idea of socially useful production suggests a far better way forward.
Even in the early phase of the environmental movement, before most socialists realised the significance of these issues, the Lucas Plan acknowledged that protecting the environment is part of the concept of socially useful production.
With the exception of HS2, all the new projects are environmental anathema, and the damage that project would do to the English countryside and people’s homes and communities, for the sake of saving 30 minutes of executives’ time, makes it emblematic of neoliberalism.
The working-class people who voted for Brexit are demanding jobs and regeneration of their communities, but these industrial vanity projects are not the solution.
Now is the moment to realise the proposals of the Campaign Against Climate Change Trade Union Group (Million Climate Jobs Campaign), which is often seen as a successor to the Lucas Plan.
We should be investing in renewable energy, home insulation, public transport etc as part of the international trade union initiative of Just Transition, ie transition to a low-carbon economy with job protection for workers in industries that need to be phased out.
Imagine what could be achieved in regional economic renewal and environmental benefits with the Trident billions.
But exactly how that money should be spent should not be decided by economic planners alone.
One of the great strengths of the Lucas Plan was that it came from the bottom up, from workers, not managers.
Recognising that they could not, by themselves, define what people need, the Lucas workers began to work with various regional communities to develop “popular planning for social need.”
In London, the Greater London Council created technology development networks that involved users, for example disabled people, in technology design.
These traditions of bottom-up local planning have been continued by various citizens’ local planning initiatives, such as Just Space in London, and would be vital to a democratic solution to the crises.
The current economic and environmental crises are symptoms of a deeper crisis in the industrial capitalist mode of production, and they demand a fundamental rethink of how we produce the basic things that people need for a decent life.
One of the less well-remembered, but crucial aspects of the Lucas Plan was the workers’ struggle against the automation and deskilling of their work with computer-controlled machinery, a struggle shared with trade unionists around the world in that period.
As Phil Asquith of the Lucas Combine puts it, “Harold Wilson’s ‘white heat of the technological revolution’ was burning up workers’ jobs.’
The continuation of this trend over the last 40 years is a major source of the jobless recoveries and income polarisation that are creating the “squeezed middle” of angry, Daily Mail- reading, Brexit voters.
Forecasts suggest that digital technology will eliminate half the jobs in the economy over the next 20 years, but its track record shows that it creates far fewer new jobs to replace them.
One response to this that has become popular on the left is the belief that automation will usher in a post- capitalist society, if we can only feed those useless human workers with basic income.
This is a complex argument, but one thing for sure is that this was not the Lucas workers’ philosophy.
Instead of: “Demand Full Automation, Demand Universal Basic Income, Demand the Future,” they would have reminded us that the romance of high-technology leads to what historian of technology David Noble aptly called: “Progress without people.”
The Lucas workers’ slogan would likely have been: “Demand Democratic Control of Technology, Demand Socially Useful Production, Demand Equality and Sustainability.”
They were very clear that the idea of socially useful production is also about how things are produced.
There is no point in socially useful products if they are made in a way that alienates and deskills the workers who produce them.
They went on to design “human-centred technologies,” in which the point was to use and develop workers’ skills, rather than design them out of the production process.
A skills and people-based, more labour-intensive approach is, in the era of Brexit and environmental crisis, a much better way to create a socially just, sustainable economy than old-fashioned, capital- intensive high-tech mega projects. This is the agenda we will be discussing in Birmingham today.
(source - the Morning Star)
Construction Workers Can’t Be Expected To Work Into Their Sixties by Brian Rye (source - The Star)
British governments seem to think one of two things about construction workers: they're either superhuman, or they don’t give a toss about them. That would be the logical conclusion, given the raise in the pension age, to 68.
With the state pension age due to rise to 67 by 2026 and 68 by 2044, our political elites seem to believe that we are breeding a race of human beings with quite exceptional physical capabilities.
While professional sportspeople are pretty much done by their mid-thirties, with their strength, speed and stamina leeching away by the day, the British construction worker - if you believe our politicians - lives in a world that defies conventional science.
Despite the early starts, the exposure to the elements, the heavy lifting, the long hours, the poor diet & susceptibility to minor injury, these lions of the labour force are all going to get their telegram from the king - because the stats say we’re all living longer.
Sadly, if you have a shred of common sense you will immediately know this is not true.
Construction workers are the same as any other human being. Like professional sportspeople, they can feel their physical abilities start to wane from their mid-thirties.
The only difference being: construction workers have to stay in the game. & not only that, given the increase in the pensionable age, the game just went into extra time.
Empathy is a wonderful characteristic for a human being to possess because it creates understanding and caring for others.
So we have to ask ourselves, as our besuited, overweight politicians sit back in their comfy chairs before skipping off to their subsidised three-course meal in the House of Commons - with a glass of wine or two — how much empathy are they feeling with their compatriots in construction?
Can they imagine the freezing mornings, the hours of standing up, the repetitive physical work or the greasy chips for lunch? It would seem not.
Recent research carried out by the TUC, in a report called Postponing the Pension, shows that a significant proportion of the population won’t reach the pensionable age of 68 in any fit state to enjoy their retirement.
The results show that half a million workers within five years of the state pension have had to leave work for medical reasons, and that nearly half of 60 to 64-year-olds stopped working before their official retirement age.
This is why Ucatt is currently trying to get the Labour Party to support policies that would mean a future Labour government would introduce a flexible pension age for physically demanding professions.
Construction work is hugely physically demanding because it involves prolonged standing, highly repetitive work, heavy lifting, working with the hands lifted to shoulder height or higher, and working with the back twisted or bent forward. It can lead to musculoskeletal disorder, cardiovascular disease and long-term sickness absence.
These work conditions and their effects need to be factored into the calculation of a pensionable age. It is only fair.
At 60, most politicians are on a few company boards, are picking up consultancies, maybe writing a book and reaping the benefits of a lifetime’s work.
The current presidential candidates in the US are 68 (Hillary Clinton) and 70 (Donald Trump) - beneficiaries of a lifetime of comfort, good food, little or no physical exertion and excellent healthcare on demand.
These individuals see no reason to retire - they’re feeling fine. Construction workers often aren’t feeling fine.
We all know that one in four people in Britain will now live to 100 — but what about the other three? At what age will they be checking out? And what jobs are they doing?
According to figures from the government’s own Office for National Statistics, doctors and accountants are outliving builders and cleaners, by as much as eight years.
Men in professional occupations can expect to live to 80, almost eight years longer than those in unskilled jobs, whose life expectancy is 72.7. So people are not all the same - shock, horror! Comparing the accountant to the construction worker is comparing apples with oranges - and yet our governments conveniently ignore this.
Our ageing population and the fears surrounding the viability of the state pension in the future has caused the political class to legislate in a heavy- handed, insensitive and unsophisticated way.
The phrase “we’ve all got to work longer” is bandied about by those sitting comfortably behind a desk. For those leading a more active life, this phrase is just a plain, old-fashioned threat.
To quote ex-Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn: “Living longer doesn’t mean we are able to work longer in physically demanding jobs like that of the firefighter, police officer or paramedic. And it’s not just in the emergency services. Construction workers, care workers and prison officers cannot be expected to work into their sixties. We need a flexible pension age that allows people to work for as long as they want to.”
Ucatt’s campaign plainly states “68 is too late.” It’s a campaign that needs to be fought to a victory - for the sake of thousands of British workers. We need to present our case, find broad support and build empathy within the country. And we have to find acceptance that it may cost us all a little bit more while we’re of working age.
Otherwise we will all be using another well- known phrase: “flogging a dead horse.”
We’ll leave the last words to Mr Corbyn: “If we want dignity for all in old age, then it has to be paid for.”
Brian Rye is acting general secretary of Ucatt.
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Britain’s workers feel stressed and insecure (originally in the Morning Star) by Carolyn Jones
The UK's 31 million workers are among the most insecure, stressed and unhappiest in Europe.
No wonder! According to the latest report by the Institute of Employment Rights (IER), the evidence is damning.
On average, UK workers work more hours per week, more days per year, more years before retirement -- after which, they receive lower levels of pension -- than most of their European counterparts.
In comparison to other European workers they generally receive less education and training, and (because of lack of employer investment) their productivity is lower.
They get fewer paid holidays than almost all European comparators and their pay is so low that a great proportion of them are in poverty --- with the state subsidising employers’ low wages.
And it doesn’t end there. The UK has a high proportion of its workforce in so-called “self- employment,” agency work, temporary work, and/or on zero-hours contracts.
It has more part-time workers who want full- time jobs, than other European countries.
UK workers have less entitlement to redundancy pay, sick pay, and maternity pay, than most European workers.
Workers’ rights to remedies for unfair dismissal and discrimination are set low and have been made practically unenforceable by the imposition of high access fees.
In the UK, unlike most European countries, there is no ministry of labour, no labour inspectorate and a negligible complement of health and safety inspectors.
All this in the fifth richest nation in the world. It is obscene. So what’s to be done?
An excellent starting point is the establishment of Jeremy Corbyn’s Workplace 2020 initiative. Launched in May 2016, the aim of the project is to start a national conversation on what work should be like in 2020.
Under the chairmanship of Ian Lavery, shadow trade union minister, the Labour Party wants to hear the good, the bad and the ugly stories about working life in Britain.
On a recently launched website people can submit their comments, complaints and suggestions on a range of workplace issues.
So whether it’s job security, pay and pensions, training and apprenticeships, diversity and equality, trade unions or health and safety that raises your passion, there’s scope to feed into the policy agenda.
Once again the Labour leadership team is turning out to the country for ideas rather than assuming it knows best in the corridors of power.
Labour is already committed to raising the minimum wage, banning zero-hours contracts, ensuring workers are given access to justice, and giving temporary workers the same rights as permanent staff. But it recognises that more needs to be done -- not just to secure fairness at work but to rebuild the UK's economy and industry.
So, at the request of Jeremy Corbyn and Ian Lavery, the IER drafted a contribution to the review, using 15 of its academic and legal experts. At the heart of our proposals is the need to ensure the voice of the UK’s 31 million workers is heard & respected -- in government (via a ministry of labour), in the economy (via a national economic forum) and in industry (via sectoral employment commissions).
The manifesto offers 25 major policy recommendations for consideration.
It proposes changing the way in which working conditions are regulated. It moves responsibility for workplace regulation from legislation to collective bargaining.
It calls for the repeal of the Trade Union Act 2016, the removal of tribunal fees and the introduction of fundamental & enforceable rights for workers, enforceable in a labour court with the assistance of labour inspectors.
The Thatcher concept of individual rights for individual workers has to go. It does little for workers, it’s costly to enforce and it fails to deliver fairness at work.
IER’s manifesto offers a system based on the collective voice of workers, negotiating collectively agreed standards & delivering collectively enforced fairness at work.
A new framework of labour law should be built on the following 10 points:
A ministry of labour
A national economic forum
Sectoral employment commissions
Sectoral collective agreements and wages councils’ orders
Workplace bargaining
A strengthened framework of statutory employment rights
Labour courts and labour inspectors
Employment tribunals
Stronger support for freedom of association and collective rights
The right to strike
Carolyn Jones is director of the Institue of Employment Rights
A manifesto for labour law: Towards a comprehensive revision of workers’ rights --- is available from IER. Go to www.ier.org.uk for more information.
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Why Labour is putting energy reform at the heart of its green agenda Jeremy Corbyn
No issue better connects the environment to people’s lives than energy. To deliver clean, affordable electricity,we need to change our undemocratic system of supply.
We are on course for a climate catastrophe. 2016 is set to be the hottest year on record. Unless the Paris agreement’s target of limiting the rise in temperatures by 1.5C is met, heatwaves like that in 2003, which killed tens of thousands of people in Europe, will become the norm. And that's before considering rising sea levels and desertification, that will sink cities, and kill and displace millions, or the fact that the Earth has already lost half its wildlife, in the past 40 years.
The task for politicians is to propose real solutions to the single most important issue facing humanity. Too often, the environment is considered a matter for scientists, enthusiasts & activists. To increase public understanding and energise the political debate, we need more than facts – we need a programme that resonates with people’s every- day experiences, offering not just warnings, but opportunities and improvement.
No issue better connects the environment to people’s lives than energy. In Britain today, 7 million households struggle to pay their bills because of spiralling costs, while the big six energy companies have seen their profits rise by more than tenfold since 2007. The energy market is not just expensive, inefficient and polluting – it is, above all, undemocratic.
In order to deliver clean, affordable heating and electricity we need to change the whole system of energy supply. When energy is driven by the needs of people, it will be greener – because saving the planet is in the interests of everyone.
That is why I am today announcing a bold new set of policies which will pioneer a democratic, community- led system of energy supply. Over the course of the next parliament, we will use public investment and legislation to promote the creation of over 200 local energy companies, giving towns, cities & localities the powers they need to drive a clean, locally accountable energy system with public, not-for-profit companies.
At the heart of this policy will be a new generation of community energy co-operatives. We will create 1,000 of these co-operatives with the support of a network of regional development banks, and legislate to give them the right to sell energy directly to the communities they serve.
At the same time as building a new publicly run, locally accountable energy system, we will invest in the high quality homes & insulation needed to make Britain environmentally sustainable. We will create a National Home Insulation programme to insulate at least 4m homes to energy efficiency standard B or C. In the private rented sector, we will set compulsory standards at the same level & end the misery of cold rented accommodation. This would save millions of people money on their bills as well as saving energy that is currently wasted on poorly insulated homes.
In order to have any hope of keeping the rise in temperature to 2C – let alone meeting our Paris agreement target of 1.5C – we need to keep 80% of fossil fuels in the ground. This can and must be done. Scotland is already on course to generate 100% of its electricity by renewables, & Britain has an ample supply of wind & water. In government, I'll commit to generating 65% of Britain’s electricity from these sources by 2030.
All of these measures will create secure, skilled employment for hundreds of thousands of people. As part of our transition to a low-carbon economy, we estimate that we will create 316,000 jobs in wind, solar and wave power. We'll use a £500bn national investment programme, with a National Investment Bank and a network of regional development banks, to ensure that these jobs and opportunities are created in places where they are most needed – in coastal towns and areas with high unemployment.
Too often, environmental catastrophe is explained in the same terms as an asteroid hitting the earth. But the problems and the solutions are political – they are about the prioritisation of profit over the needs of people and, at the heart of it all, a lack of democracy in how decisions are made. By democratising our energy supply, and giving people power over their own destinies, we can rebuild and transform Britain so that no one and no community, is left behind.
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Together --- Stronger!
Change, when it comes, will not come from Westminster. The campaign to save our NHS must become a visible reality on every high street and a priority for Labour members.
The NHS is at breaking point, and as Keep Our NHS Public secretary John Lister says: “by 2020 it will all be over.”
To reverse the damage of four more years of A&E closures, outsourced or pared-down services and reduced access, could verge on the impossible.
MPs who obsess over the need to attract Tory voters may find that the champions who saved a local A&E win more hearts and minds than a lorryload of anti-immigration mugs ever could.
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HELP JOHN DUNN
John Dunn, ex-miner and a Labour Party member for 45 years, was blocked from voting for Corbyn, because he challenged Owen Smith for exploiting the legacy of Orgreave for electoral purposes.
He has been told he is suspended from the Labour Party.
John says: "45 years continuous membership and they couldn't even address me by my name"
It looks like the NEC are creating their very own blacklist.
Labour grew hugely under Corbyn and the ''guess'' is --- most of new members were Corbyn supporters.
A DREAM COME TRUE
Support for Jeremy Corbyn from Tyrone O’Sullivan, a fourth-generation south Wales miner, who led a workers’ buy-out of Tower Colliery, to save it from closure.
"I’ve been close to Jeremy since the miners’ strike. Knowing the man, knowing his abilities and his education, it was a dream come true for me when he became leader. His ideas and values are more necessary, here in south Wales, than probably anywhere else in the country. He wanted victory for Labour, but only under our terms - for a change."
O’Sullivan, a lifelong Labour member, says Jeremy is the only true socialist we have had as leader --- for 20 or 30 years.
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PEOPLE DESERVE RESPECT
Jeremy Corbyn’s leadership opponent flaunted his contempt for democracy by backing a second referendum on UK membership of the EU.
And MPs pressured Jeremy Corbyn to resign, by constant smears, media lies and attacks on Labour's membership !!!
No wonder the Unite policy conference has overwhelmingly backed mandatory reselection of MPs - to ensure genuine democratic accountability in the party.
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Unite pushes for reselection of MPs by Conrad Landin
Candidates ‘should reflect members’ views’
Labour's largest affiliate is now behind the push for mandatory reselection of MPs, as Jeremy Corbyn critics have “destabilised” the party, to ditch anti-austerity policies.
Delegates at general union Unite’s conference are resolved to support the approach, in order “to ensure democratic accountability, and the rights of party members to select candidates that reflect their views.”
Currently, sitting MPs are only subject to a “trigger ballot” -- where they automatically become the candidate -- unless a super- majority of branches in the constituency support a new selection.
London and eastern region's delegate, Kevin Parslow: “The current trigger mechanism is difficult, & weighted in favour of the incumbent.
“We put ourselves up as reps and branch officers for election regularly.
“I don’t think it’s unreasonable for MPs to put themselves up for re-selection. They should be accountable to us, and not to Murdoch’s press: they're there because they have the Labour Party name on the ballot paper.”
Mike Hedges, another London delegate: “Four weeks ago I would have spoken against this motion--- but after the treachery of 172 MPs --- we have no option.”
The union’s leaders are also mandated to “support moves to bring more democracy into policy-making -- by returning powers to the party conference.”
A Unite spokesperson:
“This vote simply reflects the immense frustration that our members feel. They look at the conduct of some within the party, the challenge to the elected leader, and they feel angered.
“They want Labour fighting the Tories, not among themselves.”
KEEP FIGHTING FOR MORE DEMOCRACY!
Momentum and Labour are engaged in a huge consultation to expand democracy in Labour...
WHY NOT PASTE THE LINK BELOW AND JOIN THE DISCUSSION?
http://www.peoplesmomentum.com/democracy-review
* * *
With 640,000 members - and a huge 200,00 joining in just 2 weeks- Labour was the largest left-wing party in Europe.
If you haven't done so already, join Labour, join Momentum, and let's rebuild #BuildOurMovement.
join.labour.org.uk
join.peoplesmomentum.com
_________________________________
GMB Wins Lidl Recognition by Peter Lazenby Ruling affects hundreds of warehouse staff
The Star - General union GMB has won a landmark legal ruling giving hundreds of warehouse workers at giant cut-price supermarket chain Lidl the right to be represented by the union.
The German-owned chain opposes union recognition and resisted the union’s claim.
But the Central Arbitration Committee, whose decisions are legally binding, supported the GMB case, and gave the union full rights to represent and negotiate on behalf of its 223 members among warehouse workers at Bridgend, south Wales.
GMB now presses ahead with its campaign for recognition at 8 more Lidl warehouses across England and Scotland.
National secretary Justin Bowden says: “Lidl’s attempts at union-busting were quite properly thrown out by the judge --- in a massive victory for rights at work.
“[Wednesday’s] ruling opens the gates to not only improving employees’ pay & terms and conditions at the Bridgend site, but is also a major victory for the GMB’s campaign for a trade union voice at the workplace.
“The suggestion that Lidl’s workers don't need the option of a trade union to stick up for them and fight for their interests is baloney, pure and simple.
“As a result of today’s ruling, employees will get the chance to decide for them- selves, if the company’s own ‘personal personnel hotline’ is any match for an independent union taking their side & defending their interests in the workplace.”
GMB Wales and south-west regional secretary John Phillips adds: “Regrettably, Lidl continues to show both hostility towards GMB & shameful disregard for the wishes of its own workforce, with expensive challenges against fair and objective decisions made by independent third-party organisations.”
Lidl is also resisting attempts by shop workers’ union Usdaw to recruit and represent staff in its supermarkets.
An Usdaw spokesperson said: “Lidl will not even let our representatives into stores, to talk to staff.”
Lidl has 637 stores & 9 regional distribution centres --- employing over 18,000 staff. Its ambitions to expand in Britain, could see it more than double in size --- with plans for 1,500 stores & 2 more distribution centres.
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Tax offices’ own cleaners don’t get minimum wage
Cleaners at 6 government offices on Mersey- side walked out over their employer’s failure to pay them the legal minimum wage.
The staff began the two-day strike, because they have not received that £7.20-an-hour rate the government introduced on April 1.
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Wales: 50,000 days lost due to teacher stress
The number of teachers off sick due to stress in Wales has soared by thousands in just one year, new research shows.
Stress-related illness caused the 51,795 sick days: an increase of 2,568 on 2014, freedom of information figures revealed.
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Unions stood by Corbyn & McDonnell
The entire labour movement could have been concentrating all of our efforts - on bringing down this mean government.
Instead, 172 Labour MPs launched an attempted coup on Corbyn. If it's true that Angela Smith MP described the 10,000 activists, including general secretaries of affiliated trade unions, who were at a recent pro-Corbyn rally, as “dogs,” --- then serious questions need to be asked about the relationship between the PLP and the trade union movement.
Every trade union in Britain has regular elections for shop stewards, branch secretaries, and their general secretary.
It's time those who fund the Labour Party demanded the same level of democracy for sitting MPs.
Anything less than a mandatory reselection of MPs before every parliament is now untenable.
Let’s get this straight: none of these MPs backed Corbyn for leader, most of them abstained in the Welfare Reform Bill, many of them voted for the Iraq war, & to this day, hero-worship Tony Blair.
The 172 Labour MPs aren't just trying to change the Labour leader -- they are plotting to drag the movement back to a Blairite view of politics.
The vote of no confidence wasn't just an attempt to oust Corbyn --- it was a declaration of war on the entire organised left.
The gloves are off and there’s no going back. Everyone will need to decide: which side are you on? I stand with Corbyn and McDonnell.
Dave Smith is co-author, with Phil Chamberlain, of Blacklisted: The Secret War between Big Business and Trade Unionists, (New Internationalist Publications).
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RMT: We Must Fight Assault On Our Rights Union ‘disappointed’ with lack of action from TUC
Unions should move to take “generalised” strike action: with or without a go-ahead from the TUC, RMT activists insisted.
The union was meeting in Cardiff that week --- but you wouldn't know it, if you'd read the Welsh press!
Delegates at the transport union’s annual general meeting in Cardiff expressed disappointment that fiery rhetoric about defeating new anti-strike laws was not followed up with action.
The union unanimously passed a motion expressing concern at the TUC’s “lack of campaigning” on the issue and called for a “high-profile campaign.”
Leeds delegate Trevor Howard said: “Personally, my own view is that the TUC is a waste of space and it needs to be reorganised.”
The Trade Union Act, which received Royal Assent last month, imposes arbitrary thresholds on strike ballots & other curbs on labour movement activity.
RMT general secretary Mick Cash said: “It’s fundamentally undemocratic when you put these thresholds in.”
He said unions must respond to the law by ramping up their organising. “Whatever we do, we’ve got to make sure we get our members’ support,” he said.
And he praised Jeremy Corbyn’s Workplace 2020 agenda, which aims to introduce new labour rights.
“What we need to be doing is turning the tables,” he added: “We’ve got to get an alternative to this legislation --- to get us positive rights.”
Cash blasts ‘self-indulgent MPs’ for sabotaging left’s moment
“Self-indulgent” Labour MPs have squandered the left’s best moment to go on the offensive, RMT's general secretary, Mick Cash, stressed.
He used his address to the transport union’s annual general meeting to warn of “massive fights ahead” amid “political and economic turmoil.”
He said the divisions in the Tory Party and shockwaves in the world of capital should have been an opportunity for the left to get its message across. But he said this had been sabotaged by the frontbenchers resigning and calling for Jeremy Corbyn’s head.
He fumed: “What have they done? Self-indulgence. They’ve created division, they created a lack of leadership of progressive forces.
“They’ve created a situation where, if we’re not careful, we’ll have a Tory government ------ and worse, a Tory government supported by Ukip.
“We need to seize the opportunity to put forward an agenda to fight against austerity, against cuts and for workers’ rights. But that won’t happen if our politicians in London are playing the game they’re playing.
“Ordinary working people are sick of the political class and what they’re doing --- and yet they’re doing it again.”
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Putschist MPs ‘Let The Tories Off The Hook’ Unions rally round previous Labour leader
Union reps on Labour’s ruling executive signed a defiant statement to show that Mr Corbyn still has institutional support.
The leader of Labour’s most recent affiliate Fire Brigades Union general secretary Matt Wrack pointed his hoses at the quitters, saying their action was “co-ordinated to cause maximum damage” to Mr Corbyn.
“It is bizarre that some of the MPs making the loudest criticism of Jeremy Corbyn over the referendum -- completely failed to convince the electorate in their own constituencies,” he said.
“After the referendum, Labour should be setting out policies to defend jobs, public services & wages, as an exit from the EU is negotiated. Instead, some Labour MPs are playing irresponsible & silly games, from their Westminster bubble.”
Unite south-east secretary Jenny Formby, one of the executive members behind the statement in support of Mr Corbyn, said it was “nonsense” to blame him for the result. “Now, more than ever, is a time for loyalty and unity,” she stormed.
Communication Workers’ Union leader Dave Ward fired off a missive, stating Mr Corbyn “has our full support” as leader.
“Jeremy Corbyn is, and remains, the catalyst for change in the Labour Party and the country,” he said. “Those who seek to oust him, represent the politics that forgot ordinary people.”
And food union BFAWU turned up the heat. They said plotters would “only serve to let the Conservative government off the hook for the damage they've heaped upon our communities & the crisis they've caused in pursuit of power.”
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WHERE IS MOST UK YOUTH UNEMPLOYMENT?
WALES!
(WHERE IN WALES? GUESS !!!)
Youth unemployment rates in some parts of Britain, such as the North East, have reached the highest recorded level ever, recent data gathered by the GMB union shows.
The GMB report says unemployment rates among people aged between 18-25 have hit record levels.
Wales is top of the unemployment list, with almost 23,000 claimants. The GMT reveals that some parts of Wales have a jobless rate of 37%.
Paul Kenny, GMB general secretary:
"In the UK there are nearly 400,000 young workers aged 18-24 claiming jobseeker's allowance. When you add to that number the rest of the young people not in jobs, but seeking work, the real number is more than double that figure.”
The number of young UK job seekers is really almost one million;- which makes this young generation the real victims of the current recession in Britain.
Kenny again: “The Government is in denial that it is deliberately creating unemployment.”
This is while reports say almost 150,000 jobs are under threat across the country.
What Wales needs is AN ECONOMY
ONE THAT WILL LAST
"Regional aid" - artificially importing factories that owe no allegiance to Wales - has failed.
Innovation means NEW ! New thinking.
Stop moaning about the past. Start building an economy NOW, for our youngsters.
Or else!!!
New means old, if you want to build a genuine economy. From the ground up, means exactly that!
Agriculture, producing smart new food and drinks. But based on our strengths.
All the land we need is here, and if we look up, 80 percent of Wales' "valley" land is up in the air, like Penrhys!
And it's almost unused. Imagine! All that land from the Rhondda over to Aberdare and beyond.
I'm sure people with vision can see orchards and new products... new ways of working, etc.
All it requires is a WILLINGNESS TO CHANGE.
ALL TOGETHER NOW FOR PEACE
The UK's TUC is calling on the UK government to end its meddling policies in the Middle East and North Africa. “The “war on terror” is still continuing and has failed, after ten years, to bring the promised peace and stability to either the Middle East or the wider world,” the motion says...
UK FOLLOWING US DOWN THE DRAIN
Last year’s table of 10 top EU economies - assessing income, prices, working culture & public spending, put the UK in last place.
The UK now has the 4th-highest retirement age of any country averaging 63.1 years - and this,thanks to the Tories AND a supine work-force, is set to keep rising higher and higher.
Average net household income after tax, (and remember, this "average" includes the stinking rich) is £37,172 a year, but even after ignoring the ridiculously high "average", this is now much lower than the average amount earned in Ireland, the Netherlands & Denmark, where there are less of the obscenely rich, to distort the figures.
In Wales, we know that the "average" worker earns far less than this: (£15,000 after tax)
Life for most in the UK is set to get even worse - if people don't fight back - as public services are to be cut more, after the next Spending Review ..and will lead to budget cuts of up to 40% in many public service departments.
France and Spain again top the quality of life index, as workers there have more paid holidays, earlier retirement, lower prices, longer life expectancy and, just to rub it in... better weather.
There are no separate figures for Wales.... why?
Could it be that knowing... might lead to discontent or is it because Welsh workers, with their vibrant economy, as they stop mindlessly following London... and build their new economy, are now so well off, that the English might get jealous? Yeah, right!
The lesson is obvious. Strong unions with gutsy membership abound on the continent, while UK residents sink apathetically down & down & down.
As Tony Blair said: we British are "special".
We think life gets better for us if we let the bankers of London exploit the rest of the world, and our non-working workforce sinks into apathy and selfishness...
Makes you proud, doesn't it! Does it?
WORKERS ACROSS EUROPE UNITE & FIGHT TO STOP CUTS PEACE - NOT WAR AND LOOTING !
Workers from across Europe took part in a major demonstration in Brussels --- to demand that austerity measures be dropped in favour of an end to wars & for peaceful reconstruction.
Europeans took to the streets of Brussels to demonstrate against wage & pension cuts and diminishing job opportunities.
The European Trade Union Confederation (ETUC), one of the EU's leading unions, says that about 100,000 people from 30 countries took part, and police estimates say 20,000.
“Cutting in a recession's crazy and we must fight it,” AFP quotes the ETUC's general secretary, a prominent UK union leader.
Marches also took place in Portugal, Italy, Latvia, Lithuania, the Czech Republic, Cyprus, Serbia, Romania, Poland, Ireland and France.
The rallies coincided with a general strike in Spain where the government froze pensions and cut the salaries of government workers.
“This is the worst economic crisis in the post- war history of Western Europe,” the eTUC leader adds.
"We call for a rethink and a change - in Spain and in Europe. We are mobilizing, and they will have to listen to us."
The union says European workers could be the main victims of a financial crisis set off by bankers and traders.
Many European governments have imposed reductions in wages, pensions & employment - to deal with the escalating economic issues.
The OECD has released its long awaited Action Plan to curb "base erosion and profit shifting" (BEPS) by large multinational enterprises.
"The OECD Action Plan has the ambition to effectively curb tax evasion by large multinational enterprises – but it is a plan, and it needs effective commitments by governments and effective implementation,” says ITUC General Secretary Sharan Burrow.
The Action plan consists of 15 measures to strengthen corporate income tax rules and prevent tax avoidance through manipulating intra-group transfer pricing between subsidiaries, and the use of empty shell companies in low tax jurisdictions.
Tax challenges created by globalised production and service systems, the digital economy and increasing importance of "intangibles" – r & d, and intellectual property – feature prominently in the OECD Action plan.
