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Poet's Page
music and opinion from Wales' wandering poet.
One Union
D'you Wanna know the Difference Between Heaven and Hell? Well..... in one we trust and put aside all lies. While down in Hell .....nobody even tries..
Misleading Parliament, is a ''nice'' way of saying: lied about breaking the law ---- by arming Israel.
Dodon.... spoke about the upcoming
parliamentary elections in Moldova
Dodon: The coming months will be
crucial for Moldova
June 20th, 2:46pm
(Izvestia.ru)
The next few months ---- will be crucial for Moldova in light
of the upcoming parliamentary elections scheduled for
late September, former President Igor Dodon, told
Izvestia, on the sidelines of the St. Petersburg
International Economic Forum on June 20.
"Moldova is a parliamentary country - and a president without a
parliament is a lame duck. Therefore, the struggle for the next
parliament will be very fierce. We see that Moldova is being
led according to the Ukraine scenario. Anything ----- can
happen. According to all polls, the current government
has the trust of no more than 25% of the population,
so we will see what happens. We will fight ----- to
change the situation," he said.
Dodon added that other European leaders want to keep the
current president, Maia Sandu, in power, but they need
control of the parliament to do so.
"They will not succeed with democratic methods, because they
are losing these elections. The opposition, including us, the
Party of Socialists, and other parties, can form a
parliamentary majority. Therefore, they [have
an option] either to cancel the elections,
as in Ukraine, or.... to make some
provocations. We understand
this, and are preparing for
the toughest fight,"
he concluded.
Violated observation: The OSCE will
monitor the elections in Moldova
Moscow has repeatedly pointed out the biased nature of
the mission, which also worked for the 2024 campaign
...of Maia Sandu.
On May 27th, Dodon said that the actions of Moldovan
President Maia Sandu aim to split Moldovan society
and its radicalization before the parliamentary
elections, which will be held in September.
______________________________________________
Moldovais predicted to become....a colony
by Anastasia Dubova (editor
of the BSSR department)
June 18th, 5:13pm
(Lenta.ru)
Moldova is needed by the EU - as a raw materials appendage
or cheap labour, which could turn the country into a colony.
This warning was made by Moldovan MP Marina Tauber,
according to TASS.
"They need us as a raw materials appendage, as a human resource, as cheap labour, and to take over our strategic enterprises," she said.
The parliamentarian also noted ---- that the EU has promised Chisinau mountains of gold, which are not there.
According to Tauber, Moldovan officials.. perform only representative functions, and real power is in the hands -- of EU globalists.
Earlier, it was reported that in Chisinau, the President of Romania
Nicusor Dan --- was greeted by people on the street with shouts
of “we are Romanians”. The speakers had a flag of Ukraine
and one of the EU, in their hands.
German Chancellor ---Keeps
on the Paranoid WAR trail
by Victoria Kondratyeva
(Editor of 'World' dept)
June 24th, 2:55pm
(Lenta.ru)
Chancellor of Germany Friedrich Merz called it a mistake
that other European countries -- did not want to listen
to the Baltic states, which warn about the alleged
threats coming from Russia. He said this during
his speech to the Bundestag ----- which was
broadcast on the YouTube channel of the ministry.
"For too long, we in Germany have refused to listen to
our Baltic neighbours' warnings ----- about Russia's
imperialist policies," he said.
Mertz noted that Europeans ''have realized'' their mistake.
He added that “the security of Lithuania is the securityof Germany.”
In addition, the German Chancellor has promised to
make the German army ''the strongest in Europe''.
Earlier, Russia's President, Vladimir Putin, said that Western countries are using the mythical Russian threat ---- to scare the population that Moscow is, allegedly, going to attack someone.
According to him, Russia is being pushed to its red line
by the West ---- and Moscow cannot help but respond.
The report by EU foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas on Israel
caused a scandal even before its official presentation.
This was reported by Bild.
According to the publication, Kallas plans to present the
results of this review at a meeting of EU foreign
ministers in Brussels on Monday.
In the article, Kallas's report is described
as a "stab in the back" for Israel.
The document states: that the EU's diplomatic service has observed signs of Israel's violation of its human rights obligations, under the EU-Israel agreement.
According to Bild, the EU's chief diplomat may propose
suspending the 2000 partnership agreement with
Israel, imposing economic sanctions, or
eliminating tariff benefits.
This caused an immediate reaction from the Israeli
authorities -- who described the report.... as an
example of the EU's ''double standards''
towards Israel.
____________________________________
The AfD MPcondemned the distortion
of history - and called for peace
with Russia
June 23rd, 1:01pm
(Izvestia.ru)
The German government is distorting historical facts and
dragging Germany deeper into a conflict that does not
benefit the country. This was stated -- by Matthias
Mosdorf, a member of the Bundestag from the
Alternative for Germany (AfD) party, in an
address published by the Deutschland
Kurier newspaper, on June 23.
Mosdorf recalled - that the Russian parliament had sent a letter
to all members of the Bundestag, emphasizing that if Germany
continued to be drawn into the conflict in Ukraine, the
country would face a huge problem.... and betray the lessons and responsibilities, that stem from their shared history.
According to him, the response from Bundestag President, Julia
Klöckner was one-sided and included current political debates.
"What Julia Klöckner is doing -- now, can be described as
the infiltration of political stupidity into foreign policy,"
the Bundestag member said.
Referring to history, the AfD MP emphasized that even the
liberation of the Auschwitz concentration camp -- was a
feat of the Soviet troops, most of whom were Russian.
"And to say now that this was the 'first Ukrainian front-line army'
and, therefore, exclusively Ukrainian, is simply politically short
-sighted. It distorts historical reality, sacrifice ----- and the very
essence of our shared historical experience," Mosdorf added.
He noted that Germany, which was once one of the most
respected countries among Russians, has fallen in the
popularity rankings -- by almost 20 positions, and
Germans are now perceived - as a threat,
in Russia.
"But we simply have no other way, but to return to cooperation
— through art, culture, sports, and the economy. We need to
redefine: what can be our common future? It is absurd to
believe that Europe will remain divided forever. If we
manage to make at least two steps forward — it
will already be a great result," he stressed.
The State Duma Speaker sent a letter to the Bundestag after
German Chancellor Friedrich Merz's statement, in which he
referred to the US as the "liberator" of Germany -- without
mentioning the role of the USSR.
Volodin noted that Merz had distorted history and forgotten
who truly liberated the world from Nazism. In response,
Klöckner emphasized that the Bundestag would not
be intimidated.
On June 11, the State Duma sent evidence of the crimes of the
Kiev regime to the Bundestag. Volodin noted -- that Germany's
transfer of weapons to Ukraine, which are being used against
civilians, is already -- a reason for a conflict between Russia
and Germany.
_______________________________________________
In Germany, a complaint was filed with
the prosecutor's office against Merz
over his remarks about Israel
June 21st, 9:14pm
(Izvestia.ru)
In Germany, about 20 German politicians and cultural
figures filed a complaint with the prosecutor's office
against German Chancellor Friedrich Merz after his
words about Israel's actions - at the G7 summit.
This was reported on June 20 by the Berliner
Zeitung newspaper, with reference to
the statement.
"Pop singer Dieter Hallervorden and former member of
the Bundestag from the Left Party, Dieter Dem, have
filed a lawsuit with the prosecutor's office against
Federal Chancellor Friedrich Merz.
''The complaint was submitted to the Federal Prosecutor General's Office and the Berlin
Prosecutor's Office, and it was signed by approximately 20 people," the
publication reported.
It is clarified that the reason was the statements made
by Merz on the sidelines of the G7 summit in Canada.
Speaking about the actions of the Israeli army in Iran,
Merz said that Israel was doing "dirty work" that,
according to the politician, would, allegedly,
benefit European leaders. The signatories
of the complaint ----- are now demanding
legal consequences for the chancellor.
In addition, the lawsuit also accuses
Merz ....of using Nazi vocabulary.
"In early 1942, SS Obersturmführer August Häfner
justified the mass execution of 34,000 Jews in
48 hours at Babi Yar as 'dirty work,' using
the same cynical language," Berliner
Zeitung noted.
On June 18, Maria Zakharova, a spokesperson for
the Russian Ministry of Foreign Affairs, said that
Mertz's assessment -- of the conflict between
Israel and Iran was the most terrible words
one could imagine.
The assessment of the conflict between Israel and Iran
by German Chancellor Friedrich Merz -- used the most
frightening words one can imagine. This was stated
by Maria Zakharova, the official representative of
the Russian Ministry of Foreign Affairs, on
June 18.
The day before, Merz described Israel's actions against
Iran as "dirty work for all of us" on the ZDF TV channel.
"This is the most terrifying phrase I've ever heard or even
imagined," Zakharova wrote on her Telegram channel,
commenting on the German Chancellor's statement.
[Rhondda Records adds: Oops! People who store violence in their heart, psychologists say... are often accident prone.]
__________________________________________
Volodin: German politicians will be
ashamed of the years of cooling
relations with Russia
June 21st, 12:39pm
(Vesti.ru)
German politicians.. will be ashamed of the years of
cooling relations with Russia, because the Russian
Federation has not taken a single unfriendly step
towards Germany.
Chairman of the State Duma of the Russian Federation
Vyacheslav Volodin is sure of this in an interview
with the author, and co-host of the program
"Moscow. Kremlin. Putin", Pavel Zarubin.
Volodin clarified that all factions of the State Duma share
this position, and he urged German politicians to rely
"only on the truth", when discussing the role of the
Soviet Union in liberating Germany from fascism.
The Chairman of the State Duma added, that
"the truth will always find its way."
"But then [German politicians] will be ashamed of the years
that led to cooling and, most importantly, to the problems
that the German people are experiencing today. We have
said, and we want to emphasize once again, that this is
the position of the entire State Duma. The appeal - was
supported by all the factions. Russia -- has not taken a
single unfriendly step towards Germany," Volodin said.
He added that Germany has only benefited from good relations
with Russia, while the country's economy is currently
in recession. According to Volodin, this can be
interpreted as ineffective policies - and
"mistakes by the ruling class."
The Speaker of the State Duma is also confident that in order
for everything to "return to normal", a dialogue is needed in
which the parties must adhere to mutually beneficial
conditions and respect for each other, as well as
exclude double standards -- and interference
from other states.
On June the 7th, the speaker of the State Duma of the Russian
Federation --- addressed a letter to the head of the Bundestag
and the leaders of the 5 parliamentary factions of Germany
in connection with the statement of the Chancellor of
Germany Friedrich Merz.
During a meeting with US President Donald Trump, Merz said
that the end of World War II was brought by US troops.
Volodin pointed out that Merz distorted history,
forgetting who really freed the world from
Nazism, and the German government
is --- increasingly --- drawn into
military actions against the
Russian Federation.
____________________________
Wagenknecht urged Merz: to
call Putin and visit Moscow
June 20th, 6:15pm
(Izvestia.ru)
The leader of the German party "Union of Sarah
Wagenknecht - For Reason and Justice", Sarah
Wagenknecht, called on German Chancellor
Friedrich Merz to call Russian President
Vladimir Putin and make an offer to
come to Moscow. This --- was
reported by the newspaper
Bild, on June 20.
It is specified that such a statement was made after
the Russian President, Vladimir Putin, responded
during the St. Petersburg International Forum,
(SPIEF-2025) to a question from the German
agency DPA about a possible dialogue with
the German Chancellor, Friedrich Merz.
The head of state noted that Moscow would not refuse
contacts ---- if Merz wanted to resume the dialogue.
"He(Merz. Ed.)should accept the offer to talk and
call Putin," the newspaper quoted Wagenknecht
as saying.
Earlier, the German government spokesman Stefan
Kornelius, said that the German authorities had
“taken note” - of Russia’s readiness to engage
in dialogue with the chancellor. Additionally,
politicians from the German Left Party and
Alternative for Germany (AfD), called on
Merz to speak with Putin and use the
president’s statement to revive...
diplomacy.
"Now it's Merz's turn," Wagenknecht concluded.
German Foreign Minister, Johan Wadephul, said on June
12, that he did not see grounds for direct negotiations
with Russia - despite the initiative of a number of
German social democrats to start a dialogue
with the Russian Federation.
According to him, if negotiations were to take place,
Berlin "would conduct them jointly with European
partners," and Germany is "always ready" for
such a format of dialogue.
[Rhondda Records adds:
27 onto 1. Sounds fair.]
What is known ---- about the cases of
people being injected with syringes
in France
by Maxim Makarychev
June 23rd, 3:57pm
(Rossiyskaya Gazeta)
French police have detained 12 suspects after 145 people
reported being injected with syringes, during the
country's annual street music festival
this weekend.
Millions of people took to the streets across France on Saturday
night for the Fête de la Musique, with the authorities reporting
“unprecedented crowds” in Paris.
Before the festival, influencer Abreges Sére, warned on social
media that people were calling for women to be injected with
syringes. It is unclear where or by whom these messages
were made, according to the Guardian.
The Ministry of the Interior reported that 145 victims across
the country reported being pricked with needles during
outdoor music events across the country. The Paris
police reported 13 cases in the capital.
Officials did not say whether these were cases of injecting the
victims with a syringe of drugs... to make them vulnerable to
sexualized violence. "Some of the injured were taken to a
hospital for toxicology tests," the ministry said in
a statement.
In Paris, an investigation was launched after three people
- including a 15-year-old girl and an 18-year-old boy -
reported receiving injections, prosecutors said.
All three reported feeling unwell.
12 suspects have been arrested across France, the interior
ministry said. Among them were four people in the south-
western city of Angoulême, suspected of attacking
about 50 victims, a police source said.
Two men were also arrested in the centre of the northeastern
city of Metz, on suspicion of attacking people with syringes.
The regional public broadcaster France 3 reported that
one man was caught with a syringe, and a woman
who complained of being stabbed --- identified
another man. The local prosecutor's office
in Metz reported that the alleged victims
were under the age of 18. One of the
alleged suspects, a 20-year-old man,
was previously known to the police.
Public radio station Ici France reported that several young
women had complained of being injected with syringes in
Evreux and Rouen in Normandy. One woman was taken
to a hospital with pain in her left arm, where she
believed a needle had been inserted.
In the western city of Tours, 13 women complained to
firefighters on duty at a music event that they had
been injected with syringes. The Interior Ministry
believes that this was a well-thought-out action
that was carried out via social media. New
concerns about syringe attacks arise
- every time Paris prepares for the
summer music festival season.
In 2022, there was a wave of reports of alleged syringe attacks
on women and men, in clubs, bars, music events, and even
theatres. The government warned people to be vigilant
when going out at night and recommended that they
immediately contact the police --- and get a
toxicology test if they think they have
been drugged with a syringe.
Some of the complaints were filed by women during the 2022 Fête de la Musique, and several hundred complaints were filed throughout the year in cities such as Nantes, Grenoble, and Toulouse.
The AFP reported on a 2022 police memo stating that the syringe
marks were typically found on the arms, buttocks, or back, and the victims did not see the alleged attacker.
More than 370 people were detained during a nationwide music
festival this weekend on various charges, including nearly 90
people in Paris. 14 festivalgoers were seriously injured,
including a 17-year-old who was hospitalized after
being found sitting on the street with stab
wounds to his lower abdomen.
13 law enforcement officers, were also injured.
Forum for Democracy Leader,Bode:
The Netherlands Should Normalize
Trade with Russia
June 24th, 7:53pm
(Izvestia.ru)
Member of the House of Representatives of the Netherlands,
leader of the political party "Forum for Democracy" (FvD),
Thierry Baud ---- called on the country's government ----
to facilitate a diplomatic settlement of the conflict in
Ukraine and normalize trade relations with Russia.
He made this statement in a video message
shared on the social network X
(formerly Twitter).
"FvD sends a strong message: that this is not our [conflict],
that the Netherlands should stay out of it, that we should
insist on a diplomatic solution and a ceasefire to stop
the loss of life and normalize trade relations with
Russia," he said. RIA Novosti quoted him.
Bode called this a truly important decision. According to him,
if the Netherlands does not do this, "things will only get
worse." He also emphasized that the country's
economy is being destroyed - due to
this situation.
He emphasized --- that FvD is the only party that wants to
end the conflict, and clarified that the entire policy in
The Hague ------- is aimed at continuing it.
The day before, Dutch Defense Minister Ruben Brekelmans
announced a new €175 million military aid package for
Ukraine. According to him, the package includes
radar systems and drones. He also said that
Amsterdam has signed contracts with
Kyiv for the production of
600,000 drones.
____________________
The Doctor of Economics - named the starting point of the collapse of the world's "Western-centric model"
by Dmitry Voronin
June 24th, 3pm
(Lenta.ru)
The economic crisis of 2008 - became the starting point of the
process of disintegration of the "West-centred model" of the
world, and the corresponding processes accelerated after
the coronavirus pandemic in the early 2020s. Professor
of the Department of European Studies at the Faculty
of International Relations of St. Petersburg State
University, Doctor of Economics, Stanislav
Tkachenko, told the radio station
"Moscow Says".
"For many decades, the global majority was satisfied with the
situation where Western countries provided financial or
technological assistance, and in return, they were
allowed to export their goods to the markets of
developed countries. Yes, this was unfair, it
was not assistance but corruption, and it
did not contribute to the development
of these countries, but this model
persisted for decades," the
economist explained.
Describing Russia's place in these processes, the expert
noted that the country "was pushed out of this Western
-centric world of geoeconomics, and now that we have
realized our interests, we understand - that we don't
necessarily need to integrate into the entire global
economy," as there are regions where Russia's
interests, are particularly significant.
Among these regions, Tkachenko mentioned the countries
of BRICS, SCO, and the post-Soviet states, with which, a
system will be established that "will not allow Western
-centric interests to prevail."
According to IMF data cited by RIA Novosti, the BRICS
countries' share in the global economy was 36.8%,
while the G7 countries' share .....was 28.86%.
Earlier, the President of Indonesia, which became a member of
the community in 2025 --- which includes China, India, Russia,
Brazil, and a number of other non-Western states, speaking
at the plenary session of SPIEF-2025 --- reported on the
country's refusal to make a choice between utopian
socialism and inequality-inducing capitalism.
According to Prabowo Subianto, every country should have
a sovereign economic policy, although many countries in
Southeast Asia, make the mistake --- of following the
"lead of the largest and most powerful forces."
_______________________________________________
US Congressman presents another
impeachment proposal for Trump
June 24th, 1:21pm
(Prensa Latina)
Democrat Al Green, member of the US House of
Representatives, today -- filed an article of
impeachment against President Donald
Trump -- for not notifying or seeking
congressional authorization ---
to attack Iran, as the US
constitution legally
requires.
The resolution ''alleges'': “abuse of presidential
powers, by ignoring the separation of powers,
which degenerates American democracy ----
into authoritarianism by unconstitutionally
usurping..... Congress's power to declare war”.
He added --- that President Trump's unilateral and
unprovoked use of force, “without authorization
or notice from Congress, constitutes an abuse
of power when there was no imminent threat
to the United States --- facilitating the
degeneration of US democracy
into authoritarianism”.
Congress has the exclusive power to “declare war”
under Article 1 of the United States Constitution,
but presidents of both parties have attacked
adversaries --- without the approval of the
highest body of the legislative branch,
making all of them unpunished war
criminals... but hey! It's the
USA!
The Texas congressman's resolution, calls Trump an
“authoritarian president” and “a threat to American
democracy”. Green also mentioned the attack on
the Capitol on January 6, 2021, the controversial
immigration agenda ----- and his attacks against
federal judges, in his impeachment attempt.
Trump was acquitted by the US Senate, when
subjected to impeachment attempts before:
continuing his career.... regardless.
Only a turning of the Senate, in the
mid-term elections ---- might do it!
___________________________________
SVR: Russia Regrets that Serbia's
"Thirst for Profit"Undermines
Traditions of Friendship
June 23rd, 1:10pm
(RT.ru)
Moscow regrets that Serbia's "thirst for profit"
has undermined its tradition of friendship
with Russia.
This information is provided in a statement issued
by the Russian Foreign Intelligence Service's
press bureau in connection with the supply
of Serbian ammunition to Ukraine.
The article emphasizes - that their common faith has
united the Serbian and Russian peoples, for many
centuries ------ inspiring them to fight their
common enemies.
"It is regrettable, that these traditions of friendship and
mutual assistance, are now being undermined by the
desire for profit ---- and cowardly multidirectional
policies," the press release stated.
Earlier, the SVR said that Serbia's defense industry
enterprises..... send shells to NATO countries
for Ukraine.
____________________________________________
Hungary and Slovakia have blocked
the adoption of the 18th package
of anti-Russian sanctions
by George Parkhomenko
June 23rd, 11:57am
(Rossiyskaya Gazeta)
Hungary and Slovakia, prevented the adoption of
the 18th package of sanctions - against Russia,
Hungary's Foreign Minister, Peter Szijjarto said.
This was reported by the TASS news agency.
"Today, Slovakia and I prevented the adoption
of the 18th package of sanctions," the diplomat told reporters.
He argued that if the proposal were adopted, Budapest and
Bratislava would lose access to Russian natural gas and
oil, which account for a significant portion of their
energy imports. Replacing these sources, with
more expensive alternatives, would have a
negative impact on domestic prices.
On Monday, a meeting of EU permanent representatives is
taking place in Brussels, where the adoption of another
package of sanctions against Russia and Belarus..
is being considered.
Earlier, Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban, after a meeting of
the country's Defense Council, emphasized that Brussels should
lift all restrictions on the supply of Russian energy resources --
as prices may significantly increase, in light of the escalating
conflict in the Middle East. According to him, Europe already
faces challenges in this area, due to the Iran-Israel conflict.
____________________________________________
Putin: The West is trying to prevent the establishment of a fair world order
by Kira Latukhina
June 23rd, 11:28am
(Rossiyskaya Gazeta)
Russian President Vladimir Putin, in his greeting to
the participants of the Primakov Readings forum,
announced a serious destabilization in the world.
"Attempts by Western countries - to prevent the
establishment of a just multipolar world order,
and preserve the model of globalization that
is beneficial only to them ------ have led to a
significant destabilization, of the situation
in the world," Russian President, Vladimir
Putin said in his welcome to participants
of the Primakov Readings forum.
One of the manifestations of this is the tragic escalation
of the conflict in the Middle East, Putin emphasized.
The theme of the readings, "Global Turbulence,"
accurately reflects the current situation in
international relations, he noted.
The President is convinced - that an effective confrontation,
with challenges, and a departure from the Western-centric coordinated system ------ can only be achieved, through
collective efforts.
He made the same call ------ at the plenary session of the
St. Petersburg International Economic Forum on Friday.
___________________________________________
Medinsky spoke about the hatred
of Russia in Ukrainian textbooks
by Marina Sovina (night editor)
June 21st, 7:12pm
(Lenta.ru)
Ukrainian textbooks instill hatred of Russia in children,
said Russian presidential aide Vladimir Medinsky on
Solovyov Live TV channel.
According to him, Ukraine instills “hatred of the Russian
people” from an early age. “Unfortunately, their
textbooks and educational materials instill
hatred,” the politician emphasized.
He clarified that sooner or later, this would stop, and
the authors of these manuals would "fade........
into oblivion."
Earlier, the Federation Council told about the formation
of a negative attitude towards Russia, among
Ukrainians. As the senators specified,
hatred towards Russia, has been
instilled in Ukrainian citizens
for many years.
_______________________________
Zakharova named the goal
of the West's hybrid war:
Zakharova -- The West's
hybrid war on Russia is
designed to destroy
the EU economy
June 21st, 1:05pm
(RT.ru)
One of the goals of the hybrid war waged by the West against
Russia --- is to undermine the economic performance of the European Union. This was stated by Maria Zakharova, the
official representative of the Russian Ministry of Foreign
Affairs, to media on the sidelines of the St. Petersburg International Economic Forum (SPIEF) on June 21.
According to the diplomat, the EU has become a strong
player on the global stage, in recent years, with its
economy strengthening - and the euro currency
proving to be..... secure and stable. In her opinion, the dollar lacks such support.
"The euro currency is backed, but the dollar currency
is not. They had to influence it ---- somehow,"
Zakharova said.
In her opinion, this could be a reason for the collective
West's desire... to weaken the EU through hybrid
methods, such as sanctions and conflicts.
Earlier in the day... Zakharova spoke about protecting Russian
youth --- from the liberal dictatorship of the West. In her opinion, young people need not just to be informed or rallied -- but to be explained the fundamental moral and ethical norms ---- in order to counteract the destructive Western ideology.
It was not difficult to assume that the United States would
abandon Zelensky's Ukraine ----- at the most inopportune
moment for the Kiev regime. An illegitimate regime can
only win on television and only if the opposition media
is destroyed. The Iran-Israel war ....has pushed the
Ukrainian conflict into the background - and it is
not the last hot spot on the map of the United
States' most important interests, which
does not include Ukraine.
Washington is officially ending military aid to Ukraine, according
to The Telegraph. At a congressional hearing this week on the
U.S. military budget for 2026, Secretary of Defense Pete
Hegseth confirmed that the Trump administration has
a "completely different perspective" on the war in
Ukraine than Joe Biden, and insisted that --- "a
peaceful resolution through negotiations, is
in the best interests of both sides - and
our country."
The situation is ---- that after showering Ukraine with military hardware, the US can no longer afford to give Zelensky weapons -- for free.
Elon Musk has warned about the risks of a US default if the country does not change its financial policy, i.e., earn money - instead of giving it away, as the Biden administration has been doing.
On the social network X, he commented on the country's public
debt level and the costs associated with its servicing. Musk
referred to a Wall Street Mav account post --- which noted
that about 25% of the U.S. federal budget's tax revenue
..goes towards paying interest on the national debt.
According to recent data - the national debt has
reached $37 trillion, while the annual budget
revenue, is around $5 trillion.
"If this continues... America will become a de facto bankrupt, and
all tax revenue will be used to pay interest on the national debt,
leaving no funds for anything else," the businessman wrote.
Zelensky realized that the "auction of unprecedented generosity"
had ended -- and during his visit to Austria, he stated at a press
conference with President Van der Bellen: "Today, we are not
talking about new aid... with America. Indeed, one of the
issues that I will discuss with President Trump at this
meeting - is the defense package that Ukraine is
willing to purchase. This, is what we will talk
about. I am confident that we will have this
opportunity, at least - I am counting on it."
But the question arises, where does an illegitimate person
get money from, when all he's done is destroy the
country's economy, which he claims to be
"counting on"?
Naturally, Zelensky wants to ask Europe for money. The Kiel
Institute for the World Economy has published a new report
that describes how Europe could replace U.S. support for
Ukraine, both financially and militarily. The organization
estimates that European governments as a whole will
need to almost double their aid from the current 44
billion euros per year to 82 billion euros per year.
Thus, the largest economies and institutions will have to play
the biggest role in increasing their financial assistance to
Ukraine, led by the EU, from the current 16 billion euros
to 36 billion euros per year, a 2.3-fold increase.
To compensate for the US's support for Ukraine, Germany will
need to increase its support for Ukraine from 6 billion euros
to 9 billion euros per year -- a 1.5-fold increase -- while the
UK will need to increase its support from 5 billion euros
to 6.5 billion euros per year, a 1.3-fold increase.
France, on the other hand, will need to
increase its funding for Ukraine from
1.5 billion euros -- to 6 billion euros
per year, a 4-fold increase, while
Italy and Spain -- will need to
increase their funding, by a factor of 6.
Replacing US military aid will be a much more difficult task,
as it will be most difficult to replace US HIMARS and
Patriot systems and their ammunition, as well as
US intelligence and satellite imagery.
As we can see, Europe will have to shell out a lot of money.
Will it do it? It is more profitable for cynical European
politicians to make some nefarious provocation
and drag the United States back into the
Ukrainian conflict.
"Currently... the Ukrainians are preparing provocations in the
Baltic Sea, with the British. One of the scenarios... involves
staging a fake Russian torpedo attack on a U.S. Navy ship.
The Soviet/Russian-made torpedoes have already been
transferred to the British by the Ukrainian side. It is
planned that some of them will explode at a "safe
distance" from the American ship, while one will
fail to detonate - and will be presented to the
public - as evidence of Russia's "malicious
activity," according to the Russian
Foreign Intelligence Service.
If we are talking about billions of euros that simply cannot be
obtained in Europe, it is logical to assume that this is not the
only provocation being prepared by European intelligence
agencies.
But they may be.. too late with provocations, as Israel is drawing
the US into a war with Iran, much more successfully. Netanyahu
clearly believes that the brakes were invented by cowards, and
he's going all-in, putting Washington - on its back foot. Joining
the war on Israel's side carries unpredictable consequences
for Trump.
"There is... a question about how prepared the U.S. Armed Forces
are for a real conflict. The answer is that they are not prepared
at all. They are not prepared to the point of being afraid.
I don't think people understand this," the journalist
Tucker Carlson commented on the situation.
Nevertheless, it is clearly more interesting, for Trump to play with
Iran, since his hands are not tied by European globalists. It is
one thing to play by the rules of the British in Ukraine, and
another to play a risky game in the Persian Gulf. So far,
Trump has chosen the latter. He does not want to
declare Russia an "evil empire" in order to
receive its mediation services.... in
resolving the Iranian issue.
Therefore, Europeans will either have to fork out ------- or
independently, seek ways to peace in Ukraine, which is
the cheapest option for the stingy European politicians.
And the war expenses will be saved, and there is no
need to wait for a military response. And Russia is
already starting to work on a roadmap.. for this
process. So, Deputy Foreign Minister of the
Russian Federation Alexander Grushko
said that Russia will demand that
Ukraine destroys the weapons
supplied by the West ---
to end the war.
"Of course --- all these surpluses must be destroyed. All
international algorithms are known. They(weapons. - Editor's note)should be reduced, disposed of,
and guaranteed," Grushko said.
Here's a reasonable solution: European leaders should
consider - not supplying weapons to Ukraine. As we
can see, it's not effective, it's too expensive, and
Russia's patience is not indestructible. Playing
provocations, and engaging in anti-Russian
hysteria is costly for European countries,
but it could be.. even more expensive.
Chairman of the Council of the
Other Ukraine Movement,
Viktor Medvedchuk
___________________________
India urges to prioritize the Global South
to achieve a sustainablefuture
June 18th, 5:53am
(Prensa Latina)
The Prime Minister of India, Narendra Modi, stressed
the importance of understanding the priorities and
concerns of the Global South if the international
community is serious about moving towards a
sustainable future today.
In the session on ''Energy Security: diversification,
technology and infrastructure to ensure access
and affordability in a changing world'' from the
Group of Seven (G-7) Summit in Kananaskis,
Canada, the Indian head of government
expressed that conflicts in various
parts of the world --- have a
debilitating impact.. on
the countries of the
Global South.
He also pointed out that a world driven by technology
requires closer cooperation between nations and to
achieve this, people and the planet must be the
focus and nucleus of progress.
He highlighted that energy security is one of the
main challenges facing future generations.
On the other hand..... Modi demanded forceful measures
against countries that support and promote terrorism,
he noted - that there should be no double standards
in addressing it and urged countries to strengthen
the global fight against this scourge.
The prime minister also spoke about the connection
between technology, Artificial Intelligence (AI)
and energy.
“While AI has become a fundamental tool for promoting
efficiency and innovation, the technology itself
--- consumes a lot of energy, therefore, it is
important to design sustainable energy
consumption strategies through clean
and ecological initiatives”, he noted.
He stressed that, in the age of AI, it is essential
to have secure and resilient supply chains of
critical minerals.
In addition, he noted that the quality and
diversity of data ------- are crucial for
responsible AI.
Modi also referred to the importance of India's
commitment to inclusive growth, in which, he
added, “accessibility, affordability and
acceptability, are the principles
underpinning the national
approach to energy
security”.
He mentioned initiatives undertaken by India, such
as the International Solar Alliance, the Coalition
for Disaster Resilient Infrastructures, the
Global Biofuels Alliance, and Mission
LiFE, among others, and he urged
the international community: to
strengthen them even further.
_______________________________
Musk: The US is at risk of
going bankrupt with the
current financial policy
June 16th, 6:30pm
(RT.ru)
Businessman Elon Musk has warned about the risks
of default in the United States if current financial
policies continue.
This was his comment on the publication about the
size of the US national debt ----- and its servicing.
"If this continues, America will become a de facto
bankrupt," he wrote on the social network X.
Earlier, US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent warned
about the risks of default on the national debt in the second half of the summer.
Today, on June 14, Russian President Vladimir Putin
congratulated his US counterpart, Donald Trump,
on his birthday, in a telephone conversation.
This information was provided to journalists, by
Yuri Ushakov, an aide to the Russian president.
It is known that the two presidents spoke for 50''.
____________________________________________
Cubans honour Chein province
that holds his remains
June 14th, 12:25pm
(Prensa Latina)
A representation of the people of the central Cuban
province of Villa Clara paid tribute on Saturday to
Ernesto Che Guevara, on his 97th birthday,
at the memorial that holds his remains.
The day started with a parade of hundreds of workers and
students through several points of the city, protagonist
in 1958 of the Battle of Santa Clara, a key event for
the triumph of the Cuban Revolution, and left
Che ....forever linked to this city.
Later, the Sculpture Complex, which houses the remains of
the Argentine-Cuban guerrilla fighter since 1997, was the
venue where 130 fourth-grade pioneers changed their
scarves, representing all those in the province who
are now members of the “Jose Marti” Pioneers
Organization (OPJM).
The leading political and government authorities in the
central province awarded the “June 14” distinction
and the Young Communist Youth Union (UJC)’s
card to outstanding students and workers.
This June 14, Cubans also remember the 180th birthday of Antonio Maceo -- one of the leading leaders of the Mambi struggles for the country’s independence, and antagonist of the invasion of the West, one of the most important military campaigns in America in the 19th century.
______________________________
The United States --- between
protests and military parade
June 14th, 11:58am
(Prensa Latina)
Today will be a day of contrasts in the United States:
more than 2,000 protests against Donald Trump's
policies and a military parade in honour of the
250th anniversary of the Army, which
coincides with the president's
79th birthday.
The demonstrations, including in the country’s capital,
are expected to spread throughout the country under
the name “No Kings” with the aim of “honouring civil
liberties ------ for all,” according to the organizers.
In addition, they will express their open rejection of
deportations - the United States’ complicity with
Israel in the genocide in Gaza, the drastic cuts
that resulted in federal employee layoffs and
the dismantling of federal agencies.
The protests were called by the 50501 Movement (“50
States, 50 Protests, One Movement”), formed ---- as they suggest, by people interested in defending
democracy ---- against Trump’s authoritarianism.
“No King’s Day is a day of national rebellion. From cities
to small towns, from stairwells... to courthouses to
community parks, we are taking action to reject
authoritarianism and show the world what
democracy truly looks like,” they state
on their official website.
What began as widespread raids in Los Angeles and
its surroundings last week has become a flashpoint
that has sparked a hotbed of protests.
Trump deployed thousands of California National Guard
members to the city, and 700 Marines were mobilized.
About 400 immigrants have been detained since
June the 6th, by the federal authorities in
Southern California.
“Everyone is in shock,” said a reverend, who recorded a
video of an arrest in his church parking lot. “We never
imagined that this would - literally - come to our
doorstep,” according to press reports.
Meanwhile, on his Truth Social network, the Republican
president announced the parade that will take place in
Washington, DC, this Saturday. It will be spectacular
and will go down in history as the biggest and best
parade ever seen here, he said. The approximate
cost of this event could reach up to $45 million.
An estimated 200,000 humans are expected
to attend the parade, which will be open
to these sheeple, with free admission.
___________________________________
World Blood Donor Day:
save lives & give hope
June 14th, 11:09am
(Prensa Latina)
On Saturday, Humans celebrate World Blood Donor Day
(WBDD), a global tribute to the millions of voluntary,
unpaid blood donors who, in doing so, give others
another chance at life.
Officially designated as an annual event by the World
Health Assembly (WHA) in 2005, this year’s theme is
“Give Blood, Give Hope: Together We Save Lives.”
Among the campaign’s objectives are to raise public
awareness of the need to save blood and blood
products to ensure people’s health, and
convince regular and new donors to
do so regularly, to help ensure
stable, sufficient reserves.
It also aims to highlight the positive effect of blood donation
on the health, well-being of others, and promote solidarity,
compassion, and community spirit - through this action.
Blood transfusion is a medical procedure in which blood is
transferred from one person to another to replace blood
components lost due to surgery, injury, bleeding
disorder, or disease, including cancer,
hemophilia, diabetes, etc.
_____________________________
LGBT supportershave set up a "corner"
in a children's library in Australia
June 12th, 5:03pm
(RT.ru)
The Perth Children's Library - in Australia,
organized a corner with LGBT literature
to celebrate Pride Month.
An RT subscriber who lives there - sent a video
from the library. Among the books on display
are a memoir by a “drag star” who dressed
in women’s clothing and, “made a name
for himself in gay bars,” a collection
of travelogues -- with a focus on
LGBT topics ----- and a novel
about the same-sex love
.....of a US' ''maid''.
Earlier, Anatoly Norovyatkin, the distribution director of
the Eksmo publishing house, was detained due to the
promotion of the LGBT movement in the books of the Popcorn Books publishing house.
* The LGBT movement is recognized
as extremist and banned in the
Russian Federation.
______________________________________
Pushkov: The EUFailed to
Replicate the Maidan
Events in Tbilisi
June 12th, 4:27pm
(RT.ru)
The EU's attempts.. to create a second "Maidan" in Georgia
have failed, according to Russian Senator Alexey Pushkov.
"The EU --- failed to repeat the 'Maidan' in Tbilisi... The Georgian
authorities placed their bets on the interests of their country,
not the Brussels liberal dictatorship — and won," he wrote
on his Telegram channel.
According to him, Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban
has said that the EU is afraid of Georgia and envious
of its economy.
The senator added that Tbilisi had refused to follow the
EU's instructions in both its domestic and foreign
policies. He concluded that the "proud levers"
of European Commission President Ursula
von der Leyen - to falsify elections in
Georgia ---- had not worked.
___________________________
Orban called the Georgian authorities
"an animal" that the EUis afraid of
June 12th, 1:08pm
(RT.ru)
According to Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban,
EU countries are afraid of facing the "beast" in the
form of the Georgian government.
"For them, the Georgian government is a beast that
Brussels is afraid to face..... face to face,"
NewsGeorgia quotes him as saying.
Orban claims that Georgia is the envy of the world
--- due to its economic growth and reduced
national debt.
Earlier, Georgian Prime Minister Irakli Kobakhidze,
said that the country has evidence of EU funding
of extremism.
It was also reported that --- the NATO and EU
information centre in Georgia, will be closed.
______________________________________________
ANI: Indian police have found
two survivors at the site of a plane crash in Gujarat
by Elizaveta Bubnova
June 12th, 1:06pm
(Komsomolskaya Pravda)
TO SHARE
According to information as of 16:30 Moscow time, the
Indian police have found two survivors after a plane
crash in Gujarat on Thursday, June 12. This was
reported by ANI, citing the Commissioner of
the Ahmedabad department, Gyanendra
Singh Malik.
"The police --- found one survivor on the scene (in the cabin
of the plane) 11A. One survivor was found in the hospital
and is currently undergoing treatment," he said.
An Air India plane crashed shortly after takeoff near
Ahmedabad Airport in India. According to the
preliminary reports, there were 242
passengers on board, and their
fate is unknown. Witnesses,
have posted videos of the
fire at the crash site.
Malik added that the death toll from the plane crash may
rise further, as the Boeing crashed in a residential area.
The plane was en route to the UK, but something went wrong at the
take-off stage.
As KP.RU wrote earlier, footage of a medical dormitory in
Ahmedabad, India, where an Air India Boeing 787-8
Dreamliner crashed, has been posted online.
According to local media reports, at
least 30 students were injured.
__________________________________
Venezuela.. expresses
condolences to India
for plane crash
June 12th, 11:40am
(Prensa Latina)
Venezuela - extended its deepest condolences to the people
and Government of India, for the tragic plane accident that
occurred today in the Meghani Nagar area, that the entire
nation mourns.
On behalf of President Nicolás Maduro, the Venezuelan Foreign
Minister, Yván Gil, highlighted that the ties of brotherhood
between Caracas and New Delhi -- “call us to unite in
mourning, to pray for those who left and to wish
for the speedy recovery of the wounded”.
This Thursday, an Air India plane crashed to the ground near
the Ahmedabad airport, in the coastal state of Gujarat, in
which 242 people were traveling, of them.... 230
passengers and 12 crew members.
The first reports indicated that the airship was flying to London,
United Kingdom, with 169 Indian travelers, 53 British, seven
Portuguese and one Canadian, although the number of
victims is unknown at this time.
Health relief teams and firefighters were immediately sent to the
scene of the accident to provide first aid, while the competent
authorities began investigations to determine the causes
of the accident.
The plane was commanded by Captain Sumeet Sabharwal,
considered an experienced pilot, and was accompanied
in the cockpit by First Officer Clive Kundar, reported
the General Directorate of Civil Aviation of the
Asian country.
____________________________________________
South Africa expresses its
condolences to India
after plane crash
June 12th, 11:33am
(Prensa Latina)
The South African Government and people today expressed
their sincere condolences to the Government and people
of India following the crash of an India Airlines plane
that occurred today shortly after taking off from
Ahmedabad, India.
A statement from the South African Foreign Ministry recalls
that flight AI171 was traveling from Ahmedabad to London
when it crashed in a residential area shortly after takeoff.
The plane was carrying 242 people of various nationalities.
The crew was made up of two pilots and 10 cabin crew.
The travellers are divided into 169 Indian nationals,
53 British, one Canadian and seven Portuguese.
The cause of the accident is still unknown.
The South African people accompany the people of India, as
well as those of all other countries affected by the accident,
in these difficult times, and it extends its solidarity to
families who have lost their loved ones, the
brief text concludes.
_____________________________________________
The Polish Sejm expressed
a vote --of no confidence inthe Tusk government
June 11th, 3:44pm
(RT.ru)
The Polish Sejm... expressed a vote of no
confidence in Donald Tusk's government.
According to TASS, citing TVP Info, 243
deputies expressed their support for
the n--confidence motion ----- while
210 parliamentarians opposed it.
_____________________________________
A Fifth Day of Protests in California’s Los Angeles
June 11th, 2:09pm
(al Manar)
Protests over federal immigration policy - continued for
a fifth consecutive day in California’s Los Angeles, as
demonstrators demanded the withdrawal of National
Guard troops and condemned what they described
as overreach by President Donald Trump.
The unrest has sparked a widening political and constitutional
clash between the White House and California’s Democrat
leadership, which accuses Trump of inflaming tensions
---------- by violating the state’s jurisdiction over
internal security.
Hundreds of protesters once again blocked traffic on a major Los
Angeles freeway in a renewed wave of demonstrations across
California. In response, Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass
declared a local state of emergency and imposed
a nightly curfew in the downtown area, citing
concerns over looting and vandalism.
“I’ve declared a local emergency and imposed a curfew
downtown to stop the escalating destruction and
looting,” Bass told reporters.
She confirmed that at least 29 stores had been looted in
what she called the most serious escalation since
federal forces arrived. The curfew is expected
to remain in place for several days, pending
a review of the evolving situation.
Crisis Erupts Over Immigration Raids
The protests were initially triggered by federal raids targeting
immigrant communities but quickly morphed into a broader
political crisis between California and the Trump
administration. President Trump defended
his decision to deploy federal troops to
Los Angeles --- calling it a necessary
response to what he described as
a national security emergency.
Addressing US troops at a military base in North Carolina,
Trump declared that “generations of American heroes
didn’t shed their blood on distant shores only to see
our country destroyed from within by lawlessness
and third-world invasions.”
“What we’re witnessing in California, is a full-scale assault
on public order and national sovereignty, led by agitators
waving foreign flags. We will liberate Los Angeles,”
he continued.
Trump’s remarks followed his order to deploy 700 US Marines
and 4,000 National Guard personnel to Los Angeles - a move
critics have condemned as a politically
motivated overreaction.
Legal and Political Battle Intensifies
California Governor Gavin Newsom sought an emergency court
order - to block the deployment of federal troops, arguing that
Trump had unlawfully bypassed state authority. However, US
District Judge Charles Breyer denied the immediate request
---- though he granted additional time for the administration
to formally respond.
In a sharply worded statement, Newsom accused Trump of
“undermining American democracy” and “commandeering
state forces ------- to enforce immigration policies
....without consent.”
California has filed a lawsuit against the federal government,
alleging that Trump is using military force to carry
out immigration enforcement in defiance of
the state’s objections.
Unrest Spreads Beyond Los Angeles
As tensions grow, protests have expanded to other major cities,
including San Francisco, Dallas, and parts of Kentucky. With
no sign of de-escalation, both political and legal battles
continue to deepen — highlighting the fractured state
of US federalism in an election year defined by
immigration, national identity, and
executive power.
Source: Al-Ahed News Website (Edited and
translated by Al-Manar English Website)
____________________________________________
President Sheinbaum --- Expresses
Solidarity With Cristina Fernandez
June 11th, 12:31pm
(teleSUR)
‘It is a political matter, and she has our
full support,’ the Mexican leader said.
On Wednesday, Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum
expressed her solidarity with former Argentine
President Cristina Fernandez (2007–2015)
after Argentina’s Supreme Court upheld
a six-year prison sentence ------ and
disqualified her from holding
public office.
“Yes ---- all our solidarity goes to Cristina. From our point of
view it is a political matter, and she has our full support,”
Sheinbaum said during her morning press conference.
Sheinbaum’s gesture came one day after the Argentine
Supreme Court rejected the appeal filed by Fernandez
against the 2022 ruling ------ which cited alleged
irregularities in the awarding of public
road contracts.
The unanimous decision by the three Supreme Court justices
will now move forward with Fernandez’s arrest in the coming
days so she can begin serving her sentence. Fernandez has
denounced the ruling as a case of “Lawfare,” referring to
the use of legal systems ---- for political persecution.
A text reads, “Now, in the middle of the night, thousands
of people in Argentina continue to take to the streets to support Cristina Fernandez - against lawfare.”
In a speech outside the Justicialist Party (PJ) headquarters,
Fernandez said the judges who upheld her sentence “are
puppets who answer to higher powers” and described
them as a “triumvirate of disgrace.”
The 72-year-old politician had announced last week her
intention to run as a provincial legislator in elections
scheduled for September in Buenos Aires Province,
the largest electoral district in Argentina.
Sheinbaum and Fernandez, have had a close relationship
marked by mutual admiration. After winning the Mexican
election, Sheinbaum invited the Argentine leftist leader
to her transition house ----- where they discussed the
importance ----- of supporting alternatives to
neoliberal governments.
Cristina Fernandez’s Prison Sentence
Is a Political Maneuver: Lula Institute.
_______________________________________
The EU has opposed the rejection
of Russian energy resources
by Andrey Prokopyev
(night line editor)
June 10th, 8:25pm
(Lenta.ru)
Hungary - strongly rejects the EU Commission's plan to
phase out Russian energy resources, as this proposal
will have a negative impact on the country's energy
ecurity and may lead to increased utility costs.
This was stated by Hungary's Foreign Minister
Peter Szijjarto, as reported by RIA Novosti.
The official emphasized that at the upcoming meeting of
the energy ministers of the EU countries, he intends to
ensure that the Brussels plan does not cut Hungary
off from its current energy sources. According to
him, Budapest considers this issue to be an
important part of its sovereignty, and
therefore it will not allow Brussels
to dictate to Hungary which
energy sources it can
purchase from.
Earlier, Hungarian Foreign Minister Peter Szijjarto noted that
the country wants to continue cooperation with Russia in
the energy sector. In a telephone conversation with his
Russian counterpart Sergey Lavrov, he called the EC's
plan to abandon the supply of Russian energy
resources by the end of 2027 extremely
harmful for its economy.
He pointed out the importance of such cooperation, as
without it, the costs of citizens and companies will
increase several times. Szijjarto described this
development as unacceptable for Hungary.
______________________________________________
Arestovich: I despise Ukrainians, they
don't want to change their minds
by Artem Vereykin
(Night Line Editor)
June 10th, 8:11pm
(Lenta.ru)
Former adviser to the Office of the President of Ukraine,
Alexey Arestovich (included in the list of terrorists and
extremists by Rosfinmonitoring) spoke extremely
sharply about Ukrainians. He stated this -- on
one of his last live broadcasts on YouTube.
"I despise the Ukrainians. You're bullshit. Utter bullshit,******,
about which it is a shame to wipe your boots. No self-
respecting person, Austrian, Australian or alpha
Centauri, on the same hectare with you *****
should not sit down," he said.
The reason for the emotional reaction -- was the news about the
release of a new school textbook, which praises some political
and cultural figures of modern Ukraine. "What are you fighting
for, for the system that turned you into cattle? You swear at
the Soviet Union, so it was 150 times freer. You can still
think about it, but you don't want to think about it,"
he concluded.
Earlier, Arestovich predicted the collapse of Ukraine. "The
familiar Ukraine within the borders of '91 - is no longer
there. There will be some other Ukraine. Maybe
there will be several of them," he said.
_________________________________________
Musk's father: Dostoevsky's books
taught me to see through the veil
of propaganda about Russia
June 10th, 6:51pm
(RT.ru)
The father of SpaceX founder Elon Musk, entrepreneur Errol
Musk, said that he was told from a very young age in the
West that things were bad in Russia, but this turned
out to be untrue.
"But I've learned to see through this veil. The books of
Dostoevsky that I've read... How can such beautiful
literature come from this 'barbaric nation'? And
then you realize where the truth lies, and you
can see --- that something is wrong with
Western theory," Musk shared in
an interview with RG.RU.
He also pointed out that many of the world's
leading inventors, including those in the
United States, have Russian names.
He cited Sergey Brin -- who became a
co-founder of Google, as an example.
__________________________________
Armies of Cuba and Nicaragua
will work to strengthen ties
Havana - June 10th, 12:17pm
(Prensa Latina)
Colonel General Bayardo Ramón Rodríguez Ruiz, chief
of the General Staff of the Nicaraguan Army, declared
today in this capital that he will work to strengthen
ties with the Revolutionary Armed Forces of
Cuba (FAR).
With the FAR and the people of Cuba there are unbreakable
ties of brotherhood, and we hope that they continue to be
strengthened and we can continue learning from our
Cuban brothers, he assured ---- in a brief exchange
with journalists at the El Cacahual Mausoleum.
We are highly honoured to be here. Coming to Cacahual is a
source of pride for us. We are going to remember this and
we will transmit its importance to the new generations
of officers, he said.
Likewise, Rodríguez Ruiz thanked “our brothers from the FAR
for the invitation to return to what is our second homeland,
where, practically, many of us trained”.
He also declared that the importance of his visit demonstrates
to the world that we maintain ties of brotherhood and
friendship, permanently, as our people of Cuba
and Nicaragua deserve.
The FAR and the Nicaraguan Army are twinned, working to
better prepare ourselves, day by day, to fulfill the sacred
purposes of defending the homeland, the peace and
freedom of our people, he asserted.
At the monument, Rodríguez Ruiz, along with the delegation
accompanying him, was received by Army Corps General
Roberto Legrá Sotolongo, first vice minister, chief of the
General Staff of the FAR, and other senior officers.
In addition to placing a wreath where the remains of Lieutenant
General Antonio Maceo and his assistant Pachito Gómez rest,
Legrá Sotolongo explained to the visitor the events that led
to the inauguration of El Cacahual and its symbolism.
After his arrival in Cuba the day before, the Colonel General will
complete a work agenda until June 18 that includes visits to
military units and entities, in addition to centres of
cultural and historical interest.
____________________________________
Venezuela and Cuba for new levels
of cooperation and exchange
June 10th, 12:08pm
(Prensa Latina)
The Governments of Venezuela and Cuba are working for new
levels of economic cooperation and increasing bilateral
exchange, official sources reported here today.
The Venezuelan Ministry of Foreign Trade, revealed the
information on its Instagram account - after a meeting
between the head of the sector Coromoto Godoy and
the island's ambassador in Caracas ------- Dagoberto
Rodríguez, with a group of national businessmen.
This meeting served to promote the presence of the
Bolivarian Republic at the XX ExpoCaribe 2025
International Fair, which will be held from
June 23 to 27 in the eastern province
of Santiago de Cuba, the
source indicated.
He highlighted that ''this fair, is a strategic opportunity to
consolidate alliances, show the productive potential
of Venezuela and deepen economic integration
between our peoples.''
He highlighted that, united by an unbreakable brotherhood,
with formidable social achievements: ''we work for new
levels of economic cooperation, to increase bilateral
trade exchange and add value to our exportable
goods'' in addition to sharing knowledge and
experience for export diversification ---
he highlighted in the message.
______________________________________
Mexico registers a 25.8% drop
in intentional homicides
June 10th, 11:50am
(Prensa Latina)
Mexico's authorities reported today a 25.8% decrease
in the incidence of intentional homicide during the
first 8 months of President Claudia Sheinbaum's
administration.
The executive secretary.. of the National Public Security
System, Marcela Figueroa, stated that in September, a
month before the start of the current government, the average amounted to 86.9 homicides per day, which dropped to 64.5 in May.
“In eight months there was a 25.8 percent decrease in
this crime”, said the official during the dignitary's
usual meeting with the media, adding that the
data also represents a reduction of 22
homicides per day.
Furthermore, May of this year is the lowest average since
2016, said Figueroa, who also highlighted a reduction of
29.1% between 2018, with 100.5 homicides per day,
and the first five months of 2025, with 71.3.
According to him, from January to May --- seven states
are responsible for 51.6% of the total of these crimes
in the country: Guanajuato, which represents 13.3%
at the national level, Baja California (6.8), State of
Mexico (6.8), Chihuahua (6.7), Sinaloa (6.4),
Guerrero (5.8) and Jalisco (5.7).
“From the beginning of the administration, in September 2024,
to February 2025, Guanajuato maintained an upward trend,
with a 34.8% increase in intentional homicide crimes;
However, since March a downward trend began to
be registered”, the secretary highlighted.
Figueroa attributed the decline to operations and arrests
carried out by federal forces against generators of
violence, which influenced a 55.6% reduction in
the average daily intentional homicide
between February and May 2025.
Regarding high-impact crimes, authorities report a decrease
of 18.7% from October 2024 to May 2025, and a drop of
43.6% - between 2018 and this year.
“Regarding the daily average of high-impact crimes between
January-May 2019 and January-May 2025, in all cases,
except extortion, it is observed that there was a
significant decrease,” the official noted.
For example, he detailed, feminicide decreased by 24.4%;
gunshot injuries, at 27.1; kidnapping, at 72.8, and the
total number of robberies with violence, at 48.
The administration implements a national security strategy
based on four axes of action: attention to the causes,
consolidation of the National Guard, strengthening
intelligence and investigation, and coordination
with the federal entities.
________________________________________
Brazil:Ibero-American youth demands in
Brics -an end to the blockade of Cuba
June 10th, 11:48am
(Prensa Latina)
The general secretary of Ibero-American Youth, Alexandre
Puppo, broadcast here today, from the eleventh Brics
youth summit ---- a strong call to the international
community to denounce the prolonged United
States blockade against Cuba.
In his speech --- Puppo asked to make visible the devastating
effects of the criminal siege that directly affects the entire
Cuban society, and more crudely, its youth population.
He pointed out that this siege, in force for more than six
decades, represents a systematic violation of the
human rights of the Caribbean people, by
preventing full access to technologies,
financing, etc, --- medicines and
development opportunities.
''Cuban youth ------ are direct victims of an inhumane policy
that restricts their life projects and hopes,'' he stressed.
During his speech, he also firmly rejected the inclusion of
Cuba on the unilateral list of States sponsoring terrorism,
prepared by the White House.
According to Puppo, this qualification without legal basis
reinforces the financial isolation of the island --- and
criminalizes its sovereignty, further deepening
the daily difficulties of its youth.
''It is urgent to break the international silence and act
collectively:to make visible the havoc that this
blockade causes ----- in the new Cuban
generations,'' he expressed.
He added, that concrete actions of solidarity,
denunciation and support will be promoted
from the Ibero-American network.
The youth representative highlighted that, at a time when
Cuba is beginning to integrate as a nation associated
with the Brics, initially composed of Brazil, Russia,
India, China and South Africa --- and recently
expanded, it is essential that the alliance
strengthen its support for the island.
Not only from economic cooperation, he said, but also from
an ethical position, regarding hegemonic policies that
seek to strangle a nation for ideological reasons.
Puppo's statements resonated with the delegations
present, many of whom expressed their support
for ending the blockade.
In a global context in which youth emerge as key actors
of transformation --- the demand for respect for the
development of young Cubans, is installed with
renewed force on the international agenda.
The illegal and widespread economic and financial
measure imposed by Washington against Cuba
has a profound and negative impact on key
sectors such as education and health,
especially on its youth.
________________________________________
CTV: About 700 US Marines will
arrive in Los Angeles in the
coming hours
June 9th, 11:25pm
(RT.ru)
About 700 US Marines will arrive in Los Angeles
in the coming hours.... to respond to ''the riots''.
This is reported by CTV News, referring to
the message of the Northern Command
of the US Armed Forces.
"On Monday, the Marines are moving out of their base
in Twentynine Palms in the California desert. The
soldiers have been trained in de-escalating
tensions, crowd control and current rules
of engagement - and they will be armed
with the weapons they normally carry.
In addition, it is specified that, in addition to the
Marines, more than 2 thousand National
guardsmen were sent to the city.
US President Donald Trump said earlier that Los
Angeles would have been destroyed by
protesters if he had not decided to
bring in the National Guard.
The head of the Federation Council Commission on
Information Policy, Alexey Pushkov, at the same
time, commenting on the riots in California,
said that, in the 21st century, the United
States.. can become "disconnected".
California sues Trump administration
over National Guard deployment
in Los Angeles
June 9th, 9:10pm
(PressTV)
California has filed a lawsuit against the Trump administration
for deploying National Guard troops to Los Angeles amid
protests over immigration raids, Attorney General
Rob Bonta, announced.
The deployment, ordered by President Donald Trump,
followed clashes in downtown Los Angeles, where
police urged protesters to disperse.. after police
reported incidents of vandalism and looting.
On Sunday, protests in a small section of downtown Los
Angeles, turned violent, with demonstrators setting cars ablaze, including five Waymo self-driving vehicles, and looting stores.
Law enforcement responded with tear gas and rubber
bullets. Trump, accusing protesters of "insurrection,"
deployed National Guard troops to quell what he
described as "violent, instigated riots."
He claimed the city would have been "obliterated"
without federal intervention - and warned that
protesters disrespecting security forces...
will be "hit ---- harder than ever before."
California Governor, Gavin Newsom, condemned the
deployment, accusing Trump of inflaming tensions.
"This is exactly what Donald Trump wanted. He fanned
the flames," Newsom said --- confirming the state’s
lawsuit against the federal government. Trump
dismissed Newsom’s criticism ------ even
suggesting the governor... should
be arrested.
The protests --- sparked by Immigration and Customs
EU countries have been ''allowed'' to use €335 billion
from the COVID-19 Resilience and Recovery Fund
for rearmament and ''defense'' spending.
According to Politico, for the implementation of this program,
the EC has set a deadline of August 2026. It is specified that
access to money from the fund will be granted only to those
countries ...that meet a number of ''requirements''.
The publication stressed that the preference for defense
projects ----- reflects "a radical change in EU priorities."
Earlier in Poland, containers with weapons
were found...... on the border with Ukraine.
Also, the NATO Secretary General, Mark Rutte,
spoke about ''the priorities'' in new military
purchases of the alliance.
____________________________
Multipolar world without dollar predominance, predicted in Seville
by Fausto Triana
June 4th, 12:22pm
(Prensa Latina)
A multipolar world - without the predominance of the dollar is on the horizon, although much will depend on international political ups and downs, experts in Seville said today.
During the final day of the VIII Congress of the Alliance
for Ibero-America Business Council (CEAPI), a panel
took place --- focused on expectations about
economic and commercial dynamics,
and the role of coins.
Under the name “Financial keys for a volatile environment in
Latin America” Juan Carlos Escotet, president of Abanca,
one of the most important banking entities in Spain, he
analyzed the context of uncertainty due to the tariff
increase imposed in markets by the United States
and its impact on the region.
“Any loss of multilateralism is going to be the main problem
of the new international order. A loss that increases
uncertainty and volatility -- which drives away
investments”, Escotet stressed.
By elaborating on the topic, he said that this is a change in the
rules of the game that deteriorates commercial relations and
threatens the US exceptionality that opted to convert the
dollar into a reserve currency, something that is
now questioned.
“The diversification of payment methods has also undergone
a change that hits the dollar predominance and increases
the presence of other currencies. We are going to a
multipolar monetary world”, Escotet predicted.
The president of Abanca - praised the attitude of “keeping a
cool head” of the president of Mexico, Claudia Sheinbaum,
towards the policies of Donald Trump, “because the US,
Canada and Mexico - are condemned to understand
each other”.
Likewise, he believed that there are alternatives such as
the EU-Mercosur agreement --- that diversifies options
and opportunities.
However, Escotet, generally, warned about.. “the
hyper-regulation”, in the sense that it “causes
a serious loss of competitiveness ---- by
accounting for 20% of our interests
and commissions. Also it's hard
- to reverse”.
Another topic addressed on that date referred to the energy
structure in Spain, with the explanations of the president
of Red Eléctrica (REDEIA), Beatriz Corredor.
The transformation of the global scenario and the opening of
unprecedented cooperation spaces for Ibero-America, with
a focus on “New world, new businesses, new
opportunities”, was the essence of
the colloquium.
In addition, the issue of the US call for Europe to assume a
more decisive role in its own defense, was addressed,
with an intense debate among businessmen about
its convenience ...or not.
___________________________________
President of Mexicodefends
the work ofthe Cuban
medical brigades
June 4th, 11:43am
(Prensa Latina)
The president of Mexico, Claudia Sheinbaum, affirmed today
that there is a legal contract for doctors from Cuba to help
the population of this nation --- and rejected that it is
“forced labour” as stated by the United States.
“First, it's not forced labour. It would have to be proven.
In the case of Mexico -- there is a contract with Cuba
and other countries, due to the problem that Mexico
had in the neoliberal period - when doctor training
stopped ”, the Chief Executive clarified, in her
usual press conference.
“So, there is a contract for Cuban doctors to help the
population in Mexico. We don't see any problem
with that. It is legal, it is open - and it has no problems”, she emphasized.
The president thus responded to a question about the
announcement by the US Secretary of State, Marco
Rubio, about the imposition of visa restrictions on
Central American officials.... for the alleged
“exploitation” of doctors on the island.
On May 23, the Minister of Foreign Affairs of Cuba, Bruno
Rodríguez --- highlighted the scope of his country's
international medical cooperation and assured
that the United States Government, is now
carrying out a fake news campaign
to discredit it.
“Cuba's medical cooperation --- celebrates 62 years of
solidarity work”, said the head of diplomacy of the
Antillean nation - in a message published in X.
As highlighted on the platform itself - “more than
605 thousand Cuban Health professionals have
provided their support --- in 165 countries”.
Rodríguez also declared that - the “ignominious
campaign of the United States government --
will never stop this altruistic collaboration”.
“We have a sovereign right and a
moral duty towards humanity”,
he asserted.
_______________________________
Pachakutik Rejects: the Establishment
of Foreign Military Bases in Ecuador
June 4th, 10:34am
(teleSUR)
The constitutional ''reform'' --- will directly benefit the
United States and its geopolitical ambitions to use the Galapagos Islands.
On Tuesday, Ecuadorian lawmakers approved a measure
that will allow the installation of foreign military bases
in the Andean country — a possibility that would
directly benefit the United States, and its
geopolitical ambitions to use the
Galapagos Islands.
With 82 votes in favour, 60 against and 6 abstentions, the
right-leaning National Assembly, amended Article 5 of
Ecuador’s Constitution, which previously declared
the country a territory of peace, and explicitly
prohibited foreign military bases.
Minutes later, the Indigenous political party Pachakutik’s
national coordination rejected the constitutional reform,
which passed ----- with the support of some of its own
legislators. The party’s full statement is below:
The text reads, “So now we’re going to have well-being and
peace? Why are we getting a U.S. base? This time we’re
really going to fulfill our dream? People are truly naive.
They’ve been deceived so many times by right-wing
neolibertarian lies, and yet we’re still in misery.
Colombia --- with seven joint military bases with the U.S.,
remains the Latin American largest drug producer and
one of the most insecure countries. When are they
going to understand: that this has nothing to do
with laws or bases, but rather with the use of
public investment resources?”
“The National Assembly has finally approved a constitutional
reform -- that authorizes the installation of foreign military
bases. This not only undermines our national sovereignty
as a country, it also allows the Noboa administration to
deceive Ecuadorians with empty promises about
fighting drug trafficking groups.
There is ample experience in neighbouring countries that
have also fallen victim to drug cartels, facing similar or
even worse levels of violence - where more than one
foreign military base was installed — with almost
no results. Even when some of the most visible
cartel leaders were captured or killed --- the
cartels continued to grow. In many cases,
foreign military personnel ended up
joining the cartels or profiting
from the war.
Additionally, these foreign military forces were used to
suppress social and political sectors opposed to the
ruling governments ---- and to monitor territories
granted to foreign mining and oil companies.
The government has -- so far -- only mentioned possible
cooperation agreements with two countries - the US
and Israel. In the current international context, the
former - is pushing a military conflict with Russia
and an economic one with China ----- while the
latter is carrying out a war of extermination
against the Palestinian people in Gaza.
It is not speculation to state that,
given Noboa’s subservience, he
may ultimately drag Ecuador
into an international war.
By definition, Pachakutik and the Indigenous movement have
defended national sovereignty, not as an abstract right, but
as an effective way -- to protect our territories, national and local economies, the human and political rights of Ecuadorians, and peace and neutrality in
international conflicts.
These are our principles and ethics of struggle, which is why
we openly reject the vote of Pachakutik assembly members
who, guided by blindness or political opportunism, are
voting alongside the neoliberal government.
That --- is not why grassroots organizations or voters supported
their candidacies. If that was their vision from the beginning,
it would have been more honest for them to run under the
ruling party, the National Democratic Alliance, rather
than tarnishing the historic struggle of the people.”
China today.... advocated working together with South Korea
to improve bilateral relations, after learning of the election
of Lee Jae-myung ---- as the new president of the
neighbouring nation.
In a congratulatory message, Chinese leader Xi Jinping
noted... that Beijing attaches great importance to
relations with the Republic of Korea.
Likewise, he called for further progress in good
neighbourliness, friendship, and mutual
cooperation, a message that Foreign
Ministry spokesman, Lin Jian,
also highlighted.
The spokesperson indicated that both sides should
adhere to the shared benefit goal and jointly
promote the continued development... of
the strategic cooperative partnership.
Lin Jian noted that the fundamental driving force
for the development of bilateral relations
comes from the common interests of both nations.
In this sense, he stressed that these relationships
should not be directed against any third party or influenced by external factors.
''China.... has always opposed taking sides -- and
confronting in blocks'', the spokesperson said.
Regarding this issue, the spokesperson urged
Washington not to interfere in its relations
with South Korea.
''China advises the United Statesto change its old
stance of perceiving China based on its own
actions --- and stop creating discord in
China-South Korea relations'',
he stressed.
Lee Jae-myung, candidate of the liberal Democratic
Party --- won the early presidential election with
49.42 percent of the vote, after the political
crisis ----- that the neighbouring nation
experienced - after the dismissal
of Yoon Suk-yeol.
__________________________________
India wins presidency
of IIAS international
administration entity
June 4th, 7:36am
(Prensa Latina)
India won the presidency of the International Institute
of Administrative Sciences (IIAS)... in the elections
held between New Delhi and Austria, it was
announced today, in the above capital.
In a statement, the Ministry of Personnel, Public
Complaints and Pensions reported -- that the
Indian candidacy received broad support
from all members, with 87 of the
141 votes.
The ministry explained that India is a member of the IIAS
through its Department of Administrative Reforms; and
highlighted ----- that the international institution
maintains a close working relationship
with the United Nations.
The International Institute of Administrative Sciences
is a federation of 31 member countries, 20 national
sections and 15 academic research centres that collaborate in scientific research on public administration.
The entity participates in the Committee of Experts
on Public Administration and the United Nations
Public Administration Network, among other
multilateral platforms.
___________________________________________
Cuba highlights priorities as
a partner country of Brics
June 4th, 5:26am
(Prensa Latina)
The Minister of Communications of Cuba, Mayra Arevich,
referred today in Russia in an interview with the multi-
national network TVBrics ---- about his country's
priorities as a partner country of the Brics.
The owner, who participates at the head of the Cuban
delegation in the Innovations and Services Fair, and
in the Digital Forum that has been taking place in
the aforementioned Russian city since June 2,
he explained.. that the association with the
Brics, opens new opportunities for Cuba
in terms of science, technology and
international cooperation.
''The possibility... of being in the artificial intelligence
alliance with the Brics -- will open a path for us, to
integrate and work for association professionals
and Cubans, in projects that are not only done
for our people, but also, for the world of the
bloc's countries. I think it has potential'',
Arevich noted.
He also recalled that Cuba acquired the status of partner
country of the Brics in 2024 and, since then, has been
actively implementing joint initiatives. According to
the minister, the association has raised the status
of the Havana science and technology park.
At the same time, he stressed, Cuba is committed not only
to the technological field, but also to the social field.
In his opinion, the president of the country, Miguel Díaz-
Canel, has highlighted three key areas: work in the
online environment, support for social initiatives
and improvement of the level of education
---- especially with regard to modern
information technologies.
He added that the digital forum has become
an important opportunity for Cuba..... to
expand its potential in these areas.
___________________________________
Accused Zelensky and the United States:
the South Korean presidential election
is won by the "unfinished opposition
leader" Lee Jae-myung
by Irina Rinaeva
June 3rd, 7:18pm
(Komsomolskaya Pravda)
Zelensky critic Lee Jae-myung wins
South Korean presidential election
TO SHARE
South Korea's presidential election, was won by
opposition candidate Lee Jae-myung, who said
about the Ukrainian conflict that Russia was
provoked by Zelensky ---- who..... "has no
knowledge in politics and diplomacy.
Ukraine's President, is responsible
for unleashing war."
The politician --- supports dialogue with North Korea.
And what he has in common with Donald Trump is
that they both survived assassination attempts:
in January last year -- Lee was attacked by a
man during a political event, and seriously
wounded with an 18-centimetre knife in
the neck.
Lee Jae Myung, received about 49% of the vote. The
second candidate, Kim Moon-soo (representative of
the ex-president's party "People's Power") - 41%.
Kim Moon-soo.. lost the election with
the support of 41% of the electorate.
The 61-year-old politician, heads the Democratic Party of Korea (Toburo). His biography - is impressive: he
was born in such a poor family that he could not
even go to high school - he had to work after
the "elementary school".
Lee Jae-myung went to the factory - and there....... at the
age of 13, he suffered an injury to his left hand --- since
then it has been crippled. But at the cost of incredible
efforts, the young man managed to pass the exams
for the middle and high school course ---- as an
external student, and then go to university
and become a lawyer.
He started his career as a human rights lawyer. He
became mayor of Seongnam City ---- where he
introduced free school meals and benefits
for young people - and then governor of
the major Gyeonggi province.
Lee participated in the last presidential election,
but lost by less than 1% to Yoon Sung-yeol,
a candidate from the conservative
People's Power Party.
For Yoon, we recall, everything ended in impeachment
after his attempt to impose martial law in the country,
last December. Thus, he wanted to crack down on
the Democratic Party, which had a majority in
parliament. But it didn't work out.
Li was not afraid to show himself in front of the military
that the president had sent to block parliament. He
climbed over the fence --- and appealed to his
supporters for support. All this time, he
was broadcasting live on YouTube
from his mobile phone.
And before that, Lee Jae-myung was almost killed: at a
public press conference, under the pretext of taking
an autograph, a certain citizen Kim approached him
and stabbed the politician with a knife - it got into
the jugular vein. Lee was operated on for an hour
and a half. There's been a scar on his neck ever
since, which he hides... under the collar of his
shirt. Kim was jailed for 15 years. His motive
was to disagree with the actions of the
Democratic Party.
Lee supports dialogue with Pyongyang and a gradual
easing of sanctions against North Korea. He has
repeatedly promised to restore inter-Korean
communication channels ---- that were
severed under Yoon Seok-yeol.
He also sees the need for a diplomatic dialogue with
Russia. The winner of this election ------- supports
humanitarian aid to Ukraine, but he is against
the supply of lethal weapons to Kiev -
believing that this could increase
tensions in relations with the
Russian Federation and
the DPRK.
His country - says Lee Jae-myung,
should focus on peace initiatives.
Interestingly, the politician used to refer to American
troops in South Korea as "occupation forces" --- that
"allowed colonial collaborators to hold on to power."
But since Trump came to power, the Democratic
leader's rhetoric has changed - he says that
the alliance with the United States
should be strengthened.
_________________________________
WSJ: IMF......doubts
Ukraine's financing
amid credit default
June 3rd, 8:39pm
(RT.ru)
The International Monetary Fund (IMF) doubts about
the financing of Kiev due to its credit default. This
opinion was expressed by the author of an
article in The Wall Street Journal.
"Ukraine is facing a sovereign default on the loan, after
it decided not to make payments due to holders of its
debt securities in the amount of $2.6 billion," the
journalist said.
According to him, the IMF called the situation risky
for the further conclusion of agreements on
financing Ukraine.
Earlier it became known that the International Monetary Fund had - previously - agreed to
provide Kiev a tranche of $500 million.
_____________________________________
Fidan: Erdogan is ready to organize talks
between Putin, Trump and Zelensky
June 3rd, 8:08pm
(RT.ru)
Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan expressed
his readiness: to organize talks between Russian
President Vladimir Putin and Donald Trump with
the participation of Vladimir Zelensky, Turkish
Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan said.
"We are ready..... for the leaders' summit. It is very
important that Putin, Trump and Zelensky meet,"
TRT Haber TV channel quotes the Turkish
politician as saying.
Fidan stressed that today there is no other leader who
would be so trusted by Putin, Trump and Zelensky.
Earlier, Fidan said that Russia and Ukraine
agreed on the next round of negotiations.
______________________________________________
Professor Lankov: Lee Jae-myung will
oppose arms supplies to Ukraine
June 3rd, 7:57pm
(RT.ru)
Lee Jae-myung ----- who is leading in the South Korean
elections -- is likely to oppose the supply of weapons
to the Armed Forces of Ukraine, said Andrey Lankov,
an orientalist and professor at Kunmin University
in Seoul.
"Lee Jae-myung has repeatedly said - that South Korea
should ''not interfere'' in any possible conflict between
China and Taiwan - or in the ongoing conflict between
Russia and Ukraine. Most likely, he will do everything
not to provide direct military support to Kiev,"
the professor said - in an interview.
Lankov noted that ---- in the event of an urgent request
from the United States to supply weapons to Ukraine,
South Korea may agree, despite initial resistance.
The expert also added that one should not expect
Seoul to participate in actions against Moscow,
since the South Korean population as a whole
still has positive views on Russia.
Earlier, Lee Jae-myung allowed
cooperation ----- with the DPRK.
________________________________________________
Caldwell: Ukraine's attack on Russian airfields carries big risks ------- for the United States
June 3rd, 7:48pm
(RT.ru)
The United States --- must stop supplying weapons to Ukraine that it can use to attack Russian strategic
nuclear forces. This opinion -- was expressed by
former adviser to the Pentagon, Dan Caldwell.
According to him, this is fraught with escalation and
increases the risk of direct confrontation between
Russia and NATO.
"The United States.... should not only distance itself from
this attack, but also stop any support that may directly
or indirectly contribute to attacks on Russian strategic
nuclear forces," he wrote on his X social
network account.
Earlier, a former high-ranking officer of the French
army, Guillaume Ansel, said that an attack on
Russian airfields by Ukraine is impossible
- without US satellite communications.
The White House said that Kiev did not notify US
President Donald Trump in advance about the
attack on Russian airfields.
_________________________________
Lula da Silva:Biden believed that
Russia should be .....destroyed
June 3rd, 4:50pm
(RT.ru)
Former US leader Joe Biden considered it necessary to
completely destroy Russia, said Brazilian President
Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva.
"Biden, with whom I had a long conversation about this,
believed that Russia should be destroyed," Le Monde
newspaper quoted the Brazilian leader as saying.
Lula da Silva also stressed -- that Europe has supported
Washington's position and is now spending significant
funds on re-armament.
At the same time -- the Brazilian president
also confirmed his readiness to facilitate
negotiations between Russia & Ukraine.
Earlier, Lula da Silva said that he intends
to contribute to the success of the
negotiations in Istanbul.
___________________________
Bose:accused Rutte of changing
his position on Ukraine's NATO
membership- again
June 3rd, 4:42pm
(RT.ru)
Irish journalist Chay Bowes --- accused NATO
Secretary General, Mark Rutte, of changing
his position on Ukraine's entry to the bloc.
He responded to the words of the Secretary General
of the North Atlantic Alliance that "Ukraine's path
to NATO is irreversible."
"This blockhead (Rutte. - RT) has changed his mind again.
The rejected Dutch political loser and unelected head
of NATO now says that Ukraine will join (the bloc. -
(RT - someday). An awkward change of opinion
from the "boss" of NATO," he wrote on his
social network account.
Earlier, Vladimir Zelensky said that Ukraine was
allegedly, invited to the NATO summit in June.
Special Representative for Ukraine, Keith Kellogg, said
that the United States is ready to stop the expansion
of the bloc... to the borders of Russia.
________________________________
Voting on Burbok's candidacy for the post
of UN General Assembly President was
requested by the Russian Federation
June 3rd, 1:09am
(Izvestia.ru)
The vote on the candidacy of former German Foreign
Minister Annalena Burbock for the post of President
of the 80th session of the UN General Assembly
(GA) was requested by Russia. This was
reported by TASS on June 2, citing
sources in the UN.
"The vote was requested... by
the Russian Federation," the
agency's interlocutors said.
Burbok was the only candidate for the position
and received 167 votes out of a possible 193.
Burbok was elected to the post of President of the UN
General Assembly on June 2. Dmitry Polyansky, First
Deputy Permanent Representative of the Russian
Federation to the organization ---- noted that
Berbok's candidacy received 167 votes,
which is an "indecently small"
indicator for a candidate
for such a high post.
He stressed that traditionally, all regional groups
make a decision to support a candidate
unanimously, and....... it is not
disputed afterwards.
_________________________________
Care for older adults
in the US ----at risk
June 2nd, 4:55pm
(Prensa Latina)
Long-term care services for older adults in the United States
are at risk if the Senate approves President Donald Trump's
priority bill that he has alreadyadvanced ----- in the House
of Representatives.
The voices of experts warn that within the (fiscal megaproject
that passed the test in the Lower House by one vote), cuts to
Medicaid are expected, the largest funder of long-term care
facilities ----- covering approximately two in three nursing
home residents.
Reducing the funds allocated to this massive program,
although already limited in resources - they point out
- could have disastrous effects on health, and the
safety and quality of life of older adults.
The Republicans, who also control the Senate, began the
legislative week with the top topic: to try to reconcile in
the next four weeks the criteria of the entire bench to
try to endorse the bill that covers a large part of
Trump's domestic agenda, and one of the key
points.... is its possible cuts to Medicaid.
The current budget initiative would extend overdue tax
cuts, adding about $3.8 trillion over the next decade to
the federal deficit, according to the Congressional
Budget Office.
In exchange, the House committee that administers
Medicaid proposed cutting nearly $700 billion in
spending for the program on the “big and
beautiful” project as Trump called it,
which is currently in conciliation.
Both houses of Congress must finally approve a
single plan based on their respective proposals.
Skilled nursing facilities, or nursing homes, are
the centres that require the most attention, in
the long-term care continuum.
Medicaid covers more than 60% of nursing home
residents, about 20% of people in assisted living
facilities and more than half - of all those living
in long-term care facilities.
But --- if states find deficits in federal funding, they
must generate revenue or make cuts on their own.
While the current proposal does not appear to make
direct cuts to long-term care, experts say reducing
federal funding for Medicaid overall will likely have
indirect effects ------ on states' ability to pay for
such care.
This could involve eliminating assisted living coverage
or reducing or eliminating reimbursement offered to
some home and community caregivers, experts
said, according to the Public Broadcasting
Service (PBS).
States could also reduce the reimbursement rate for
Medicaid residents in nursing homes or change
eligibility requirements, they pointed out that
insisting on any of these options ---- will
have profound repercussions.
_______________________________________
VenezuelaDismantles Network
Manipulating Parallel Dollar:
Government ----- Defends
Economic Sovereignty
June 2nd, 4:43pm
(teleSUR)
The Venezuelan government has arrested 25 individuals
for operating unauthorized websites that manipulated
the parallel dollar, intensifying efforts to protect the
bolívar and combat economic sabotage.
This operation, led by the state security agencies, marks a
new chapter in the government’s ongoing campaign to
defend the national economy from destabilizing
forces and reaffirm the authority of the Central
Bank of Venezuela (BCV) over currency policy.
The Venezuelan government’s action comes after a thorough
investigation into 18 websites accused of daily publishing
unauthorized dollar rates, which authorities say fueled
inflation and economic instability.
The arrested individuals -10 women and 15 men - were
apprehended across nine states, including Caracas,
Aragua, Mérida, Lara, Yaracuy, Miranda, Zulia, La
Guaira, and Barinas. According to the technical
analysis, these platforms set exchange rates
lacking any official basis --- contributing to
artificial price hikes & public discontent.
Minister Cabello emphasized that the operation was
conducted “silently, without abuse of any kind,”
and highlighted the diverse roles within the
dismantled network, from operators and
managers to programmers and
payment recipients.
During the raids, the authorities seized cheques issued
by Google, revealing that the websites profited from
advertising revenue generated by manipulating
economic information.
A text reads: In a major operation led by the Ministry of Interior
and Justice and personally overseen by President Nicolás
Maduro, which involved nearly a year of investigation,
25 people have been arrested for manipulating the
parallel dollar rate through social media.
Some individuals managed at least 18 social media accounts
that illegally set the currency’s price and were capable of
raising it by up to 40 points within hours or days
without any economic logic.
This network operated in nine states, mainly in
Guatire – Miranda, Caracas, Barinas, and Zulia.
Protecting the Bolívar and Combating Speculation
The Venezuelan government has long maintained currency
controls to shield the bolívar from speculative attacks and
ensure that foreign reserves are used for essential
imports, such as food and medicine.
The proliferation of parallel dollar indicators -- especially on
social media and digital platforms, has been identified as
a central driver of inflation and price speculation. By
artificially inflating the dollar, these networks
undermine the government’s efforts to
stabilize the economy and protect
the purchasing power of
ordinary Venezuelans.
Officials have repeatedly framed the battle against the parallel
dollar as a defense of economic sovereignty in the face of
external aggression and internal sabotage. Cabello
pointed out that some website administrators
received politically motivated instructions,
particularly in the lead-up to the May 25
elections, when the parallel dollar rate
spiked by 20%. This --- the authorities
argue, is part of a broader economic
war waged by powerful groups who
seek to destabilize the country.
The crackdown on parallel dollar networks is not an isolated
measure but part of a comprehensive strategy to restore
order to Venezuela’s currency market. Regulatory and
security agencies have intensified inspections of
businesses and digital platforms, imposing stiff
penalties on those found using unofficial rates.
The state’s actions reflect a determination to reclaim control
over monetary policy, even as international sanctions and
limited access to foreign reserves, complicate the
economic landscape.
Despite these challenges ---- the government remains resolute.
As President Nicolás Maduro and his cabinet have repeatedly
stated, Venezuela will not allow economic mafias and
external actors to dictate the fate of the nation.
The recent arrests send a clear message: the defense of the
bolívar and the well-being of the Venezuelan people remain
at the forefront of state policy. “We can’t be afraid of the
mafias. We want to see the currency speculators put
in prison”, President Nicolás Maduro has said.
The Venezuelan government’s decisive action against parallel
dollar manipulation underscores its commitment to economic
justice and sovereignty, even as it faces persistent external
and internal pressures.
__________________________________________
Burbok becomes new President
of the UN General Assembly
by Victoria Kondratieva
(Editor of the Mir dept)
June 2nd, 4:18pm
(Lenta.ru)
Former German Foreign secretary, Annalena Burbock,
has been elected President of the 80th session of
the UN General Assembly. This is reported by
RIA Novosti.
"Annalena Burbock from Germany, has been elected Chair
of.... the 80th session of the General Assembly," said
Philemon Young, Chair of the current 79th session.
In turn, the first deputy Permanent Representative of the
Russian Federation to the UN, Dmitry Polyansky, said
that the nomination of Berbok for this post was
a spit at the World Organization.
Earlier, the former head of the Munich Security Conference,
Christoph Heusgen, called the idea of nominating Burbok
for the post ---- absolute shamelessness.
__________________________________________
The president of Poland will be.... a
Eurosceptic, supported by Trump.
What do the media write?
June 2nd, 10:31am
(Izvestia.ru)
The victory in the Polish presidential election was won
by the conservative Karol Nawrocki. This was a blow
to the EU, which expected Warsaw to return to the
pro-European track, and the current government
of Donald Tusk.
Navrotsky is a Eurosceptic and an opponent of Ukraine's
entry into Western alliances, for which he is supported
by US President Trump.
CNN: Nawrocki won the Polish presidential election
Karol Nawrocki, a candidate from Poland's right-wing
populist Law and Justice Party (PiS), won 50.89% of
the vote, defeating the liberal mayor of Warsaw,
Rafal Trzaskowski ----- who had long been
considered the favourite. Navrotsky's
victory...... extends PiS's 10-year
presence in the presidential
palace.... and could spell
disaster ------ for Prime
Minister Donald Tusk.
During the election campaign, he emphasized his Catholic faith,
promised to reduce migration, and relentlessly criticized
Brussels and Tusk. He received late support from the
participants at the Conservative Political Action
Conference, which held its first meeting in
Poland earlier this week, cementing a
decades-long rapprochement...
between populist right-wing
movements in Poland &
the United States.
Navrotsky's victory seemed unlikely... until the first round of
voting two weeks ago. But the first round showed that he
was slightly behind Trzaskowski - and revealed a higher
level of support than expected among a small number
of far-right supporters, some of whom later... voted
for Navrotsky.
Bloomberg: Trump-backed candidate wins in Poland
US President Donald Trump supported the victorious Navrotsky.
His election was the first success for the MAGA movement,
which tried but failed to tilt the election in favour of
nationalist or far-right candidates in countries
such as Germany, Romania, Canada
and Australia.
Navrotsky's campaign - received support from the White House,
where he met briefly with Trump in the Oval office, last month.
During a visit to Poland last week, the US Homeland Security
Secretary Christy Noem presented the prospect of close
ties with Trump as an incentive to vote for Navrotsky
and called Trzaskowski ------- "an absolute loser
among leaders."
Poland is one of the EU's fastest-growing economies and the
country with the largest defense spending, so the failure of
the Tusk government is likely to reverberate throughout the
bloc, which is under growing pressure from Trump's tariffs.
Navrotsky told his supporters that his victory would mean
curbing Tusk's "monopoly on power," which "takes away
our big dreams and takes away our aspirations."
Financial Times: Nawrocki's victory --
strikes a blow to Poland's EU agenda
Poland's President-elect Nawrocki will give new impetus to
right-wing populists across the continent. His victory will
increase tensions between the president and the
government by derailing judicial reform that
Tusk promised in 2023, in exchange for
Brussels unblocking billions of euros
in EU funds - frozen during a rule of
law dispute with the previous
government.
"For Tusk, he will be much worse than [previous President
Andrzej] Duda," said Adam Leszczynski, director of the
Gabriel Narutowicz Institute for Political Thought, a
state-run think tank. "He - is much more radical in
his views and enters the office of president with
great indignation, after being dealt a very
personal blow by Tusk and his allies
during the election campaign."
Tusk's one-and-a-half-year premiership has failed to smooth
over divisions in a highly polarized Polish society.
Navrotsky's success comes ahead of other key
votes in Central Europe --- where Eurosceptic
billionaire, Andrej Babis, is hoping to return
as Czech prime minister and Viktor Orban
is hoping to extend his term as head of
the government in Hungary.
Reuters: who is Navrotsky and what
does he think about Ukraine
Navrotsky, a conservative historian, created the image of a
tough guy during his campaign, posting videos of him on
shooting ranges and boxing rings. His past has been
the subject of intense public debate following a
series of negative media reports. There were
questions about his purchase of an
apartment from a pensioner and
admitting that he took part
in organized fights.
Unlike other Eurosceptics in Central Europe, such as Slovak
Prime Minister Robert Fico or Hungarian Prime Minister
Viktor Orban, Navrotsky supports providing military
assistance to Ukraine. However, he said that if
elected --- he would oppose Ukraine's
membership in Western alliances.
This position - echoes the decline
in support for Ukrainians among
Poles, who have taken in more
than a million refugees
from abroad.
His supporters from the Law and Justice Party supported
Kiev's accelerated membership in the EU and NATO
while it was in power until the end of 2023.
Navrotsky also expresses a critical tone
towards Ukraine, supporting Poland's
far-right politicians on this issue.
Politico: Poland faces conflict at the highest level
Nawrocki seeks to push Poland further away from the
European mainstream in a more populist direction.
His victory deals a significant blow to the Tusk
government, whose legislative efforts were
blocked by the incumbent Duda. The
same thing is likely to continue...
under Navrotsky.
"The Nawrocki presidency means a high-level conflict between
the president and Tusk," said Joanna Sawicka, a political
analyst at Polityka Insight, a Warsaw-based think tank.
"But it is clear -------- that it will be difficult for the
government to implement key reforms, since
the president can veto most of them."
The Polish presidency is mostly a ceremonial function, but the
president can veto a bill or send it to the courts for judicial
review. The Tusk-led coalition does not have the votes in
parliament to override a veto, so President Nawrocki
will make it very difficult for the Prime Minister to
govern. The election result -- highlights deep
political divisions in Poland between more
liberal cities and conservative small
towns and villages.
________________________________
In Bulgaria,protests began against the transition to the euro
May 31st, 9:26pm
(Izvestia.ru)
Residents of Bulgaria came out to protest
-------- against the transition to the euro.
"Thousands of people came out.... to protest in defense of
the Bulgarian lev in the centre of Sofia. Similar protests
against the introduction of the euro are taking place in other cities of the country," the Bulgarian National Radio (BNR) reports.
In the city centre, traffic had to be blocked due to the action.
The head of the National Bank of Ukraine, Andriy Pyshny,
said earlier... that Kiev could switch to the euro, as the base currency for the hryvnia.
____________________________________
Cristina Fernández leads surveys
in the province of Buenos Aires,
but...
by Martin Hacthoun,
chief correspondent
May 31st, 1:05pm
(Prensa Latina)
Former president Cristina Fernández, who can run for national
representative, today leads the polls in the province of
Buenos Aires (PBA) above the proposals of
La Libertad Avanza (LLA) and
the PRO.
After the noisy elections for the Legislature of the City of
Buenos Aires (CABA), eyes are now on the upcoming
contest in the province of the same name, the
largest electoral district in Argentina with
almost 40% of the political weight in the country, which will hold its
legislative elections on
September 7.
The most recent survey carried out by the consulting firm
CB, places the current president of Justicialista Party
(PJ) ...above the head of the list of LLA - party of
President Javier Milei - the legislator, José
Luis Espert, and Diego Santilli, leader of
the PRO in the important region.
CB indicates that Cristina Fernández leads the list of
candidates, with 44.4 percent, above Espert (41.6)
and Santilli (36.7). Measuring Karina Milei, sister
of the president and chief of staff, and whom
some see as a future candidate for a
political position, the poll gives
her 32.8 points.
The CB study included defined and undecided people,
and in this section -- the PJ leader is also at the
forefront with 27 percent among those who
are sure they will vote for her, ahead of Espert (21).
After having made a splash in the Buenos Aires parliamentary
elections, in which the right-wing electorate usurped the
PRO of former president Mauricio Macri in his bastion,
now the cannons of the ruling party are aimed at
the PBA for the provincial legislative elections
in September and the national ones on
October 26.
In these elections, half of the Chamber of Deputies of
the Nation and a third of the Senate, will be elected.
In their desire to defeat Peronism, Milei's political owners
managed to get the PRO.... to agree to go together in
alliance to dispute the territory with Governor
Axel Kicillof.
They even call on other forces such as the Radical Civic
Union headed there... by deputy Facundo Manes, to
whom the CB survey gives 32.4 points, placing
it in sixth place among the applicants.
Milei's side is going to bet everything - and the president in
particular will spend large capital to support Espert, and
expectations are growing among analysts --- if he will
also steal the PRO's electorate as he did in CABA,
where Macri's party was dismantled.... in the
struggle between right-wing leaders.
______________________________________
Attack on home of Chilean
communist leader Daniel
Jaduecondemned
May 31st, 11:25am
(Prensa Latina)
In an event in front of the La Moneda Palace, protesters
condemned the attack on the home of the Chilean
communist leader of Palestinian origin, Daniel
Jadue, who is under house arrest today.
During the demonstration, Brazilian human rights lawyer
and Jadue's wife - Anjuli Tostes -- thanked the peoples'
expressions of solidarity after unidentified individuals
threw a bucket of red paint on the door of his house.
“We live in a dual world, where there is light and shadow.
In the morning, we woke up with this aggression, but
later we received very powerful messages of unity
that fill us with joy”, Tostes told Prensa Latina.
It is not the first time that the home has been vandalized since
the former mayor is also under house arrest for alleged
crimes in the negotiations of the Chilean Association
of Municipalities with Popular Pharmacies, a case
reported here - as legal persecution.
Presidential candidate for the Communist Party of Chile
(PCCh), Jeannette Jara ---- called on the authorities to
investigate this action and reach those responsible
- both materially and intellectually - because these violent events ------ cannot be allowed to be normalized.
“Enough ofhate attacks in Chile”,
he wrote on his X account.
For his part, the president of the CCP, Lautaro Carmona,
he denounced that Jadue faces the fascist hatred of
those who do not accept different ideas and
recalled his position: condemning the
genocide committed by Israel -
to try to exterminate the
Palestinian people.
Photo: José Tito Meriño (PhotosPL)
Exhibition against US blockade
Lets Cubans laugh at nasty US
May 31st, 10:26am
(Prensa Latina)
“Humour cannot be blockaded” ---- is the title of the open exhibition at the International Press Centre, in Cuba's
capitol, Havana, against the policy of the economic,
financial and commercial blockade the US insists
on ---- towards Cuba.
The artists Arístides Hernández, Ismael Lema, Adán Iglesias,
Enrique Lacoste, José Luis López, Osvaldo Gutiérrez,
Alfredo Martirena and José Alberto Rodríguez,
participate in the exhibition.
At the inauguration, Cuba's Vice Minister of Foreign Affairs
Carlos Fernández de Cossío, highlighted --- that it is an artistic expression and humour --- which constitutes a manifestation of the expression of the Cuban people ---- in rejection of the aggression of the United States for over six decades.
''It is not something new.. in our history, it has been a tradition in
our country, in the revolutionary process, to express in multiple
ways, including with graphic humour, the population's
rejection - of such a persistent and ruthless war
against the people of Cuba.''
He stressed that the United States aggression towards Cuba
is ruthless; It is not military aggression, but it is destructive,
which has been - for more than 60 years - against all the
people of Cuba.
He expanded... that if there was doubt --- it would be enough to
see the recent statements, from the last week, by Secretary
of State (Marcos Rubio), which leave no room for doubt,
that in the problems between Cuba and the United
States there is a country that is an aggressor,
which is the United States, and... there is a
country that is a victim of US aggression.
''Our people have been able, by their nature, their culture, their idiosyncrasy, to use humour - to express even the
strongest repudiations, the strongest rejections, against imperialism, and these caricatures are an expression of that.''
Cossío stated that the Cuban people --- ''as stoic as they are, as optimistic as they are, have been able to show humour
even in the most dramatic moments, and in the
moments - when the most heroic acts are
carried out, therefore it should not be
surprising that, even in the face of
the economic war against Cuba,
it is expressed in that way, in
graphic manifestations - by our artists.''
__________________________
Hungarian Minister Boca:
EU risks disappearing
like Atlantis
May 30th, 10:17pm
(RT.ru)
The EU has retreated from its values and risks disappearing... like Atlantis, the Hungarian Minister for EU Affairs, Janos Boca said.
According to him, Brussels "deviates from freedom of speech
and has forgotten the true meaning of the word tolerance."
"Our grandchildren... will listen to stories about Europe that once
existed, just as we listen to stories about the sunken Atlantis,"
Miroshnik expressed the opinion that for many Europeans,
the settlement of the conflict in Ukraine...... is a political death.
_____________________________________________
Reuters reported on the first
default on Ukraine's debt
May 30th, 9:34pm
(Izvestia.ru)
The Ministry of Finance of Ukraine will not pay holders of
its GDP warrants (a state security, where payments are
related to GDP growth. Ed.) about $665 million, which
will be the first default on payments ------ since the
creation of these tools. This was announced
on Friday, May 30, according to the
Reuters news agency.
"Last year, the Ukrainian parliament approved a moratorium
on payments on securities linked to GDP," the agency said.
The country's total debt to holders of securities is about
$3.2 billion.
Scheduled default: what does the deterioration
of Ukraine's credit rating mean?
The West, despite this, continues to lend to Kiev.
Earlier, on April 24, the FT learned about the possible default
of Ukraine. The country failed to reach an agreement with
investors on the restructuring of $2.6 billion of debt, in
connection with which Kiev may default.
It is noted that this situation has undermined the hope of
the Ukrainian side to carry out a restructuring before the payment deadline expires — in May, the state must pay $600 million on securities linked to GDP.
________________________________________
One of the opposition leaders
Nika Melia - was detained
in Georgia
May 29th, 10:17pm
(RT.ru)
Nika Melia, one of the leaders of the opposition coalition
For Change, was detained in Georgia for insulting police
officers. This was reported in the Ministry of Internal
Affairs of Georgia.
"Law enforcement officers detained Nika Melia --- on the basis
of Article 173 of the Code of Administrative Offenses, which
implies.. verbal abuse of a law enforcement officer and/or
other offensive actions carried out in the performance
of official duties, or related to the performance of
official duties," TASS quotes the
ministry's statement.
The Interior Ministry added that Melia
will appear in court, in due course.
Earlier, the former head of Georgia, Salome Zurabishvili,
spoke about the critical moment for the opposition of
the republic... without funding from USAID.
_________________________________________
Vucic promised:to block contracts
for ammunition - in the case of
suspected supplies... to the
Armed Forces of Ukraine
May 29th, 9:22pm
(Izvestia.ru)
Serbia will not fulfill contracts if there is a suspicion that
weapons of its production will end up in Ukraine. This
was announced on Thursday, May 29, by Serbian
President, Aleksandar Vucic - on the RTS
TV channel.
"I will certainly issue an order and a warning: where there
is a suspicion of abuse on the part of the end user, that
is, sending them to the front line, such contracts will
not be executed," the head of state said.
Vucic denied reports that Serbia supplied weapons to
Ukraine via Africa. He noted that the country
currently produces only for itself.
In addition.. according to the Serbian leader, he has already discussed the issue with Russian President Vladimir Putin. Vucic did not disclose the details of the conversation but clarified that a working group was created "to establish
the facts."
Earlier, on May 21st, Vucic said that he would not run away from the question of the head of EU Diplomacy Kai Kallas, about a trip to Moscow to celebrate the 80th anniversary of Victory in the Great Patriotic War (WWII).
According to him, Kallas - was the only one at the EU Political Community summit in Tirana who publicly condemned his trip to the Russian capital.
Before the end of this year ------- these countries are
expected to sign a military cooperation agreement.
On Monday, Laureano Ortega Murillo, Nicaragua’s envoy for
relations with Russia, met in Moscow with Vyacheslav
Volodin, speaker of the Russian Parliament’s Lower
House, to discuss economic, legal, and cultural
cooperation between the two countries.
“Despite global challenges, our cooperation is growing stronger.
We have come to understand each other better, united in the
face of shared challenges, and have done everything
possible to overcome them,” Volodin said.
Ortega Murillo — son of Nicaragua’s co-presidents, Daniel
Ortega and Rosario Murillo — focused his remarks on his
recent participation in Victory Day commemorations on
May 9. “Through this, we wanted to emphasize that we
are very grateful to the Russian people, for liberating
us from fascism and Nazism,” he said.
Volodin and Ortega Murillo also discussed the upcoming
meeting of the bilateral cooperation commission.
Currently, Moscow and Managua are working
to establish a legal framework -------- for
interparliamentary cooperation.
Before the end of this year, Russia and Nicaragua are expected
to sign a military cooperation agreement, which received
Kremlin approval in 2024. Earlier this year, the two
countries signed a cybersecurity training
cooperation agreement.
teleSUR English
@telesurenglish
#FromTheSouth News Bits | Nicaragua: Thousands of people mobilized to support peace and the government. Rosario Murillo explained that peace is defended as the supreme and absolute truth.
_____________________________________
Venezuela’s Revolutionary Coalition
Wins 23 Governorships
May 26th, 7:48am
(teleSUR)
The Simon Bolivar Great Patriotic Pole
secured most of the country’s
key governorships.
At the end of Sunday’s election day, Venezuela’s National
Electoral Council (CNE) announced that the Simon
Bolivar Great Patriotic Pole (GPPSB) coalition
had won 23 of the country’s governorships,
including that of the disputed Guayana
Esequiba region.
After 93% of the ballots had been counted, the CNE said
the GPPSB coalition secured most of the country’s key
governorships, demonstrating what officials described
as popular support for President Nicolas Maduro and
the Bolivarian Revolution.
According to results announced by CNE Vice President Carlos
Quintero, GPPSB candidate Luis Marcano Salazar, won the
governorship of Anzoategui state, with 87% of the vote.
In Apure state, candidate Wilmer Rodriguez won with
96% of the vote, and Joana Norelys Sanchez,
claimed victory in Aragua state.
Other victorious candidates from the ruling coalition included
Yulisbeth Garcia in Bolivar state with 88%, Donald Rafael
Donaire in Guarico with more than 93%, and Luis
Ramon Reyes in Lara, with 90%.
Incumbent governors who were reelected included Victor Clark
in Falcon with over 80%, Rafael Lacava in Carabobo with 88%,
and Freddy Bernal in Tachira with 80%. Opposition politician
Alberto Galindez, will govern Cojedes state - once again.
In this election, the Bolivarian Revolution forces also prevailed
with Adan Chavez Frias securing 72% of the vote in Barinas,
Luis Caldera winning in Zulia with 64%, and Marisel
Velazquez winning in Nueva Esparta with 55%.
The GPPSB candidates --- also won governorships in Merida,
Miranda, and Monagas: Arnaldo Sanchez Perez, Elio Jose
Serrano, and Ernesto Luna Gonzalez, respectively.
The regions of Amazonas, Delta Amacuro, and Yaracuy will be
governed by Miguel Tadeo Rodriguez, Loa Tamaronis, and
Leonardo Cipullo. In Portuguesa state, GPPSB candidate
Antonio Cedeño won with 94% of the vote. In Sucre
state, Jhoanna Carrillo Malave won with 94%.
The governorships of Trujillo and La Guaira went to
socialist candidates Gerardo Marquez with 92%
and Jose Teran with 91%.
In the Guayana Esequiba region, Admiral Neil Villamizar
won - with 97% of the vote. Celebrating the electoral
victory, President Maduro offered “full budgetary
support” to Villamizar, so that “the people of
Esequibo have all the rights - as people
of Venezuela.”
__________________________________________
Orban announced Hungary's refusal
to finance an increasein the
Ukrainian army
May 24th, 8:50pm
(Izvestia.ru)
Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban rejected the EU's
plan to finance the Ukrainian army. On May 24, he
announced this on the social network
X (ex. Twitter).
"We need to invest in our own armies, but they [the EU]
expect us to fund Ukrainian [troops] in billions over
the years. We have made it clear - that Hungary
will not pay," he said.
Orban stressed: that it is the duty
of his administration to protect
its own people.
On May 24, Orban held an urgent meeting of the
government, the agenda of which was the
energy threat coming to Hungary
from Ukraine.
According to the Prime Minister, the suspension
of gas transit by Kiev -- and the plans of the EU
Commission to abandon Russian resources
pose risks for Hungary's energy security.
__________________________________________
Cubareiterates commitment
to medical brigadesand
considers solidarity
May 24th, 8am
(Prensa Latina)
Cuba today --- reiterated its commitment to the altruistic
work of its medical brigades in numerous countries & - at the same time, praised the value of solidarity
in the face of the United States blockade.
In a meeting held at the headquarters of the Cuban Embassy
in Spain, the Minister of Public Health, José Angel Portal,
and the president of the Cuban Institute of Friendship
with the Peoples (ICAP), Fernando González, spoke
extensively with representatives of Spanish
solidarity groups.
Portal highlighted the collaboration of Cuban health
professionals for 65 years, in complex situations
and remote places to save lives, with a spirit
of help and effort ........highly valued in
many countries.
He recalled that, over the years, Cuba has offered medical
cooperation with more than 600 thousand professionals
in the sector, who provided services in 165 countries,
facing diseases as dangerous as Ebola, Covid-19
itself ----- or in places hit by earthquakes,
hurricanes, or pests.
Shortly before, the Minister, who arrived in Madrid in transit
after participating in the (OMS) World Health Organization
Assembly in Geneva, had a dialogue with Cuban doctors residing in Spain --- who spent part of their careers on the Caribbean island.
Together with Ambassador Marcelino Medina, who was also at
the meeting with the friendship associations, Minister Portal
spoke about the current situation in the sector, the effects
of the tightening of the blockade, and the limitations
derived, from the inclusion of Cuba on the list of
countries sponsoring terrorism.
He also delved into the impact of this panorama on
medical care for the population, and the need to
look for innovative and creative alternatives
--- to guarantee the continuity of this
fundamental achievement of
the Revolution.
In this regard, he valued, as a priority, mobilizing Cuban
doctors residing abroad who maintain a commitment
and willingness ---- to collaborate with the
development of the country.
Portal made a working visit to the Spanish Ministry
of Health, to promote exchange and collaboration.
For his part, Fernando González, who is also a deputy,
was received in the Parliament of Catalonia, by the
parliamentary groups of the Junts, ERC, Comuns
and CUP parties, as well as by the second
secretary of the Chamber Board, Juli Fernández Olivares.
In his talk in Madrid with solidarity groups - he referred to
the historical moment in 1962 when the historical leader
of the Cuban Revolution, Fidel Castro, who announced
the sending of the first internationalist medical
brigade... to Algeria.
The Hero of the Republic of Cuba took the opportunity
to emphasize that the unfair inclusion of Cuba in the
aforementioned ''list of countries sponsoring
terrorism'' prevents - among other things -
any access to international credit -- or functioning normally in commercial transactions.
He placed special emphasis on the International Tribunal
on the blockade, held in Brussels in November 2023,
and what its ruling entails, which reflects the
violation of rights, also, of citizens and
companies in European countries.
In that sense, he announced that work is being done on the
consolidation of an advisory or reference entity due to the
content of the legal conclusions reached by the Court
in Brussels.
The relevance of solidarity ---- and other issues related
to cooperation were also addressed by the president
of ICAP.
He invited people to participate in the international brigade's
''65 years of love for Cuba'' that is held in commemoration
of the 65 years of existence of this entity.
Furthermore, he spoke commendably of the sustained work
of solidarity groups with the Antillean island in Spain, and
he pointed out that the 2026 national event in Asturias
of the State Solidarity Movement with Cuba - will be
especially relevant.
____________________________________
Diplomacy, regional cooperation
------ marked this week in China
May 24th, 7:17am
(Prensa Latina)
Diplomacy, trilateral dialogue with Pakistan and Afghanistan,
the trade agreement with Asean, and the dispute with the
US, marked the news week that ends today in China.
Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi and senior representatives
from sixty other countries ------ will attend the signing of the
agreement to establish an International Mediation Court
based in Hong Kong, the Foreign Ministry reported.
According to spokesperson Mao Ning, the new institution
will be the first intergovernmental body specialized in
resolving international disputes through mediation.
This week --- the Chinese Foreign Minister, his Pakistani
counterpart, Ishaq Dar, and the Acting Foreign Minister
of Afghanistan, Amir Khan Muttaqi, evaluated the
progress of the trilateral dialogue here.
During the meeting, the three ministers highlighted the
achievements made by this mechanism and explored
ways to strengthen cooperation... in various areas.
About the situation between India and Pakistan, Wang Yi
noted, during talks with his Pakistani counterpart, that
Beijing welcomes and supports both nations ------ in
properly handling differences through negotiation.
Regarding the trilateral dialogue, the Asian diplomatic
chief said that this meeting reinforces political trust
between the three countries.
In economic matters, the importance of expanding
cooperation within the framework of the Belt and
Road Initiative was highlighted, which includes
the possible extension.. of the China-Pakistan
Economic Corridor to Afghanistan ----- with a
view to strengthening regional connectivity.
Beijing and the Association of Southeast Asian Nations
(Asean) announced this week, the successful closing
of all negotiations for version 3.0 of the Free Trade
Area between both parties.
This includes.. new chapters on digital economy, clean energy,
connectivity in supply chains, technical regulations, customs
& consumer protection, micro support, small and medium-
sized companies, and technological cooperation.
In another order, the Chinese government this week expressed
its firm rejection of the new restrictive measures announced
by the United States regarding technological exports
that directly affect advanced chips --- such as the
Huawei Ascend.
Also these days, Beijing expressed its deep concern about
the US policy focused on unilateral security, regarding
President Donald Trump's statements about
the creation of a ''Golden Dome''.
According to spokesperson Mao Ning, this position contradicts
the universally accepted principle that no country's security
should compromise that of others ------ and threatens the
global strategic balance.
______________________________________
Deputy demands:that energy control
returns to the people of Puerto Rico
May 24th, 5:27am
(Prensa Latina)
Faced with the crisis in which Puerto Rico's energy system,
controlled by foreign companies, is mired today ---- the pro-
independence deputy Adriana Gutiérrez demanded: “the
return of electrical service to the hands of the people”.
“From the Puerto Rican Independence Party (PIP) --- we strongly
demand the return of electrical service to the people of Puerto
Rico because we firmly believe - that access to electricity is a
human right fundamental and an essential service in the lives
of Puerto Ricans”, said the legislator when reacting to
statements by the Energy Tsar, Josué Colón, about
the cancellation of the LUMA Energy contract
during the course of this year.
He maintained that repeating the same LUMA Energy
contracting process, which, as you may remember,
was approved in less than an hour, in dark rooms
and through a pusillanimous and extremely
deficient legislative process, it can't be
an option.
“The country is watching over them”, Gutiérrez warned,
maintaining that the people are clear, that they were
deceived when the two-party system, in reference
to the New Progressive (PNP) and Popular
Democratic (PPD) parties ------ projected
privatization and LUMA Energy, as the
almighty magic wand that would fix
the shortcomings of the state
Electric Power Authority.
It is already statistically documented that, with LUMA,
blackouts are more frequent and prolonged than
under PREPA, not to mention the string of
increases in the electricity rate that
hurts those who have the least,
and those who have already
suffered austerity cuts.
“Our vocation ---- cannot be other than rescuing the electrical
system and managing it without the evils that the two-party
system deliberately permeated in it --- for decades: poor administration, politicization, substantial budget cuts,
a lack of systematic maintenance, deprivation of
materials --- the criminalization of unions and
workers, and the total absence of actions
to guarantee occupational health
and safety”, he summarized.
Representative Gutiérrez assured, that the PIP proposal to the
country --- is based on the inclusion of people knowledgeable
about energy, public administration and law issues, to launch
the design of a new public corporation that operates without those evils that the PNP and the PPD introduced --- and in
response to the need to transition to renewable energy
sources; that also responds to the principle of merit
in public employment; and is subjected to
rigorous accountability.
“We propose that teachers from the UPR system (University
of Puerto Rico) specialized in energy, collaborate with the
representatives of public interest in PREPA, community organizations dedicated to energy and climate crisis
issues, economists, administrators ------ and the
representatives of workers, with knowledge
of the country's electrical infrastructure”,
Gutiérrez explained.
The pro-independence representative announced that
they will soon announce to the country “the details
of our proposal ------------ to rescue Puerto Rico's
electrical service”.
_______________________________________
State Duma deputies:called for
checking the Yeltsin Centre:
for anti-Russian activities
May 23rd, 8:25pm
(Izvestia.ru)
Deputies of the State Duma of the Russian Federation on May
23 appealed to law enforcement agencies with a demand to
conduct an audit of the anti-Russian activities of the
Yeltsin Centre in Yekaterinburg.
According to them, the organization distorts history, glorifies
the personality of the first president of Russia Boris Yeltsin,
presents the '90s as a period of "democratization" ignoring
the disastrous consequences of reforms: impoverishment
of the population, collapse of industry, criminalization of
the state; and also promotes Western values and holds
events with the participation of opposition and pro-
Western figures ----- who criticize the current
leadership of the Russian Federation.
It is noted that, in the programs of the Yeltsin Centre, the USSR
is often positioned as a "totalitarian state", and its social and
economic successes are hushed up or distorted and -- such
achievements and successes as industrialization, victory
in the Great Patriotic War, major scientific advances,
and space achievements --- are all ignored.
In addition, the public centre indirectly justifies the collapse
of the Soviet Union, presenting it as "inevitable", which
contradicts the official position of Russia on the need
to preserve historical continuity - the State Duma
clarified. They added, that some events show
''sympathy'' for the separatist movements of the 1990s.
As Viktor Tsarikhin, first secretary of the Moscow city
Committee of the Communist Party of the Russian
Federation, pointed out: communists consider
it unacceptable to finance the organization
by the state --- since it - in their opinion -
propagates "unpatriotic" views among
young people, serves the interests of
those oligarchic groups associated
with Yeltsin's regime -- is a tool for
rewriting history --- and opposes
the course --- of strengthening
sovereignty, and traditional
values in modern Russia.
"The contents of their expositions - require separate
consideration for their presentation of history and
in principle - the falsification of history - because
there are deep suspicions --- about a number of
the expositions presented in Yekaterinburg --
which do not correspond with reality,"
Tsarikhin stressed.
In July 2024, a rally was held in Moscow, against the
opening of the Yeltsin Centre branch in the capital,
organized by the Communist Party of the Russian
Federation. Dozens of people took part in the
protest action.
According to representatives of the party - the intention
to perpetuate the memory of Yeltsin - a soviet traitor -
is deeply immoral - and close to blasphemous.
_______________________________
Eurovision winner JJspeaks out for
Israel'sexclusionfrom the contest
by Alexander Alekseev
May 23rd, 4:13pm
(Rossiyskaya Gazeta)
"They excluded Russia, but not Israel," the Austrian singer
Johannes Peach.... who won the Eurovision Song Contest
2025 under the pseudonym JJ complained to journalists.
Now he is a singer at the Vienna Opera, in great demand
among journalists. That's why.... he took a chance - to speak out about politics.
"It is very disappointing that Israel is still participating
in the competition. I would like the competition to be
held next year, in Vienna, without Israel," JJ said.
He also recalled that he "criticizes the Israeli government"
and "condemns violence anywhere in the world - be it
Israelis, or Palestinians."
The current Eurovision Song Contest, by the way, was held
against the background of a series of scandals: the flags
of Palestine on the streets of Basel, where the contest
was held, fluttered more often than the flags of other
countries. And fans, wrapped in the banners of the
unrecognized Arab state, lay down on the streets
in front of the transport that took contestants
and leaders of the European Broadcasting
Union to the Euro Village for celebrations.
Yes, and during the performance of the Israeli singer
Yuval Raphael in the semifinals and finals, many
spectators whistled.......... to prevent her.
However, a representative of the Austrian broadcaster ORF
soon reported that JJ's statements reflect only the artist's
personal opinion.
But Martin Green, Eurovision's director, still promised
to - "have extensive discussions with participating
broadcasters, discuss all aspects of this year's
contest and gather feedback."
By the way
The Ukrainian band Ziferblat took advantage of the contest
to, once again, speak out against the Russian Federation.
However, her soloist, who did not find support from the
other Eurovision contestants, eventually began to
complain about... them.
_______________________________________________
Harvard University plans battle:
sues Trump administration
May 23rd, 12:47pm
(Prensa Latina)
Harvard University today filed a lawsuit against Donald
Trump's administration ---- on a new front in its legal
battle against the decision of the US Government
to prevent registration for foreign students.
The petition from the oldest and richest higher education
institution in the country... argues that the measure
issued this Thursday to exclude the school from
the Student and Exchange Visitor Program
Department of Homeland Security ---
violates the law.
“It is the last act of the Government in clear retaliation for
Harvard's exercise of its right - protected by the First
Amendment, to reject the Government's demands
to control the governance of Harvard, its
curriculum and the ‘ideology’ of its
professors and students”,
the lawsuit stated.
The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) said in a
statement yesterday that “Harvard can no longer
enroll foreign students and existing foreign
students must transfer -- or lose their
legal status”.
DHS Secretary, Kristi Noem, ordered her Department to end
certification of the Harvard Student and Exchange Visitor
Program, citing the institution's refusal to agree to hand
over conduct records for students from other countries
that the federal agency requested last month.
The Trump Administration noted yesterday that enrolling
foreign students is a privilege, not a right” and accused
Harvard management ---- of turning “its once great
institution ---- into a hotbed of anti-American,
anti-Semitic and pro-terrorist agitators”.
A federal judge in California issued a nationwide order that
halted the Trump administration's attempt to revoke the
legal status of foreign students to study and work in
the United States.
The ruling of Judge Jeffrey White, in Oakland, it prohibits
the administration from canceling the legal status of
international students ---- without conducting a
detailed case-by-case review, and without
following the criteria established in
federal regulations.
In April, the Trump administration began its campaign - to cancel the registrations of thousands of international students.
_______________________________________
Chinese company invests
in free zones ---- in Syria
May 23rd, 12:16pm
(Prensa Latina)
The Syrian Land Crossings and Seaports Authority, today,
announced the signing of a strategic agreement with
the Chinese company, Fidi Contracting, to invest
in free zones in Syria - with an area of more
than 1 million square metres.
According to a statement issued by the Authority, and released
by the press here --- the document gives the Chinese company
the right to fully invest in the Hassieh free zone, in the central province of Homs, with an estimated area of approximately 850,000 square metres ---- with the aim of establishing a comprehensive industrial zone, containing specialized factories and production facilities.
Under the agreement, the Chinese company was also granted
the right to invest 300,000 sq. metres in the Adra free zone,
near Damascus, to establish commercial and service
projects that meet the demands of local and
regional markets.
The contract... has a duration of 20 years - and the Chinese
company will commit to implementing the project phases
according to a specific schedule, ensuring its economic
viability & enhancing the role of free zones as drivers
of development ----- and the attraction of foreign
direct investment.
The Syrian Port Authority indicated in its statement that
this type of investment contributes to improving the
infrastructure of free zones and expanding their
industrial and commercial activities..... thus,
improving Syria's position --- as a regional
centre for transport & logistics services.
___________________________________________
New batch of Saudi aid
arrives in Syria
May 23rd, 11:47am
(Prensa Latina)
The King Salman Humanitarian Aid and Relief Centre
(KSRelief) today announced the arrival in Syria of
the 17th batch of humanitarian aid from the
Saudi land bridge intended to support
the Syrian people.
The centre's deputy supervisor for financial and
administrative affairs, Salah Al-Mazrou,
explained.... that the new shipment
includes a wide range of medical
equipment, supplies & logistical
materials, including 10 modern
fully equipped ambulances...
30 electric generators and
heavy machinery, and
advanced medical
devices.
He revealed that, since the beginning of 2025, the Centre
has sent 16 planes as part of the Saudi aid airlift, in
addition to 625 trucks across the land bridge
--- loaded with food, medical and shelter
supplies, with a total weight greater
than 10,000 tons.
Likewise, he performed 1,261 surgical operations as
part of the Saudi volunteer program «Amal»,
which aims to implement 104 medical
and surgical campaigns,.
Also, training and education programs and economic
empowerment initiatives were carried out, with the
participation of approximately 3,000 male and
female volunteers.
Since 2011, Riyadh has stepped up its humanitarian aid
to the Syrian people, and the total value of projects
provided by the King Salman Centre through
April 2025 amounted to approximately
$488 million --- distributed in 370
projects.. in the fields of relief,
health, education and water.
_______________________________
Correa and Assange together in
Cannes - resonates in Ecuador
May 22nd, 1:03pm
(Prensa Latina)
The echoes of the 78th edition of the Cannes Festival arrive
in Ecuador, where users on social networks comment on
the presence of former Ecuadorian president Rafael
Correa along with the founder of Wikileaks,
Julian Assange.
Both participated in the presentation of the documentary
The Six Billion Dollar Man (directed by the American,
Eugene Jarecki, and --- although he is out of the
competition, it allowed key testimonies to
be shown about Assange's case.
Australian journalist and activist Julian Assange was granted
diplomatic asylum at the Ecuadorian embassy in London in
2012 and was there for seven years --- until British police
arrested and imprisoned him.
Assange arrived in Cannes wearing a white T-shirt that printed
the names of 4,986 Palestinian children under the age of five
murdered in the Gaza Strip, as a result of Israeli attacks
- since 2023.
To this nation in the middle of the world came the impact of the
joint appearance of Assange and Correa on an international
stage, which has revived the debate on press freedom,
sovereignty and international justice.
''While sold microphones... kneel for a cheque,they step onto cinema's most prestigious stage with dignity ----- and a cause.The servile ones....... do not get there. There are those who fight for the truth ---- and do not sell themselves,'' highlighted Assemblyman Franklin Samaniego, about the fact.
Lawyer Alberto Montenegro highlighted.... how Correa was applauded in Cannes.
''There they understand it, they invite it, they respect it. Here they condemn him with sentences whose logic does not even pass the first examination of constitutional law. If Julian Assange was silenced for his words,
Correa is persecuted -- for his legacy”,
he said.
Ecuadorian media, mostly aligned with the right, released news about Correa's presence on the red carpet of the French film event.
In addition to his political appearance, the former president
stood out for his clothing, which included a shirt with
traditional Ecuadorian embroidery on the neck,
representative garment of his style, with
which, he exhibited cultural identity
at an international event.
At the meeting, the former ruler supported another documentary
linked to his figure: Psychic Influence, a production directed by
Colombian Alejandra Cardona, which focuses on the political
and judicial persecution against the founder of the Citizen
Questions about the upcoming increase in the salary of
congressmen in Colombia increase today while a
project that calls for the reduction of these
remains undiscussed in the Senate.
Even though the salary of legislators is high, a labour
agreement between the National Government and
the union centres stipulated --- a 7% salary rise
for public servants -- extended to senators &
representatives, who will see their monthly
salary rise to more than 52 million pesos
(about 13,000 dollars at the current
exchange rate).
The pact, announced on April 30th, establishes that the
salaries of public sector workers will increase by 7%
this year alone, while in 2026 the increase will be
equivalent to the (IPC) Consumer Price Index
plus 1.9 percent.
According to an article in RTVC Noticias, the increase in
congressmen's pay, is not part of the agreement as a
properly negotiated point, but a consequence that
derives from the state salary structure, in which
any agreed improvement for the majority of
workers also benefits, as a rule, the
highest salaries.
This issue - is the subject of debates, especially because
the revived labour reform in Congress, is currently being
looked at -- as there are strong bids between business associations & union representatives... on daytime
hours - and additional surcharges for overtime
for the working class.
RTVC also highlighted in its report, that, in a country where the
legal minimum wage is 1,300,000 pesos (about 325 dollars),
“the more than 52,000,000 pesos that senators and
representatives will receive starting this year are
equivalent to almost 37 times that amount - not
counting bonuses, travel expenses, air tickets
and other special benefits”.
The former director of the Department of Social Prosperity
Gustavo Bolívar expressed his rejection of the issue, who
thought that with an increase for congressmen of more
than 3,360,000 pesos (close to 840 dollars) the wage
gap with the ordinary worker widens and becomes
one of the highest in the world.
On the other hand, Senator Iván Cepeda recently denounced
that his bill to reduce the salary of legislators was placed in
108th place to be discussed in the Senate, which limits its
options to be analyzed because the current legislature
ends on June 20.
The initiative, which was filed again last January with the
support of 57 signatures for its processing, seeks to
lower the remuneration of congressmen to the
current legal minimum wage.
A proposal similar to the current one already collapsed
last year in Congress --- because it did not have the
necessary majority... to continue its process.
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!
Cleaners form a picket line with their UVW comrades
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)
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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)
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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.
