The leader of the France Unbowed movement (La France
Insoumise) has declared his intention to withdraw
France from NATO if he is elected president.
Jean-Luc Mélenchon made the announcement during an
interview with LCI news channel on Friday, stressing --
that the alliance primarily serves to position Europe
under the influence of the US.
“If I am president, France will leave NATO,” he said, noting
that the military alliance’s primary function is “placing
us under the supervision of the United States.”
Mélenchon, a long-time critic of NATO, further stated
that distancing France from the alliance aligns with
the nation’s “historic line.”
He referenced former President Charles de Gaulle’s
decision in the late 1960s -- to withdraw France
from NATO’s integrated military command.
The presidential hopeful also criticized former
President Nicolas Sarkozy’s controversial
2009 decision ..to reintegrate France
into NATO’s command structure.
Mélenchon’s proposed withdrawal from NATO, would
be approached in phases ----- beginning with France
exiting the alliance’s integrated military command.
He also indicated plans to distance France
from joint military equipment programs
with the US military.
Mélenchon’s announcement comes amid heightened
geopolitical tensions ....and ongoing debates
surrounding Europe’s defense autonomy
and military spending.... as well as
the peninsular’s ''reliance'' on
US security assurances.
Mélenchon officially announced his candidacy
for the French presidency ---- on May the 3rd.
Milei and his foreign minister
celebrate Argentina's exit
from the WHO
Buenos Aires, May 23rd, 12:21pm
(Prensa Latina)
Argentina's exit from the World Health Organization (WHO) is
today a concrete fact, which was celebrated by President
Javier Milei and his Foreign Minister Pablo Quirno, who
traveled to Geneva to reaffirm it.
With this decision ----- that will generate health problems for this
country, the president made it last year imitating his American
colleague, Donald Trump, and he did so despite warnings
from the medical authorities ------- about the negative
consequences for the health system.
In its current 79th Conference, the WHO confirmed Argentina's
departure, which months ago generated political and health
repercussions, in addition to the significant global impact.
The news was communicated by Foreign Minister Pablo Quirno
through an extensive message on social networks that was
later amplified by the President himself.
The official also remarked that the measure.... "represents the
culmination of the process initiated last year by the firm will
of President Javier Milei" and maintained that it confirms
"the legal effectiveness of the sovereign decision
adopted by the Argentine Republic."
Minutes later, Milei retweeted the publication and made
clear the Casa Rosada's full support for a decision
that the ruling party considers strategic within
its international and health policy.
In his message, Quirno also defended the country's
ability to sustain health policies without depending
on international organizations.
Argentine medical authorities warn that on a practical level,
the departure from the agency weakens the population's
access to strategic medical assistance programs,
such as the revolving fund for the purchase of
vaccines ------ and essential medicines, at
subsidized prices.
International analysts point out, in turn, that the disengagement
could have a direct impact on relations with the Pan American
Health Organization (PAHO), by affecting regional agreements
on the control of infectious diseases and the international
certification of sanitary standards for trade and tourism.
A group of Argentine doctors traveled to Geneva
to try to stop Quirno and Milei's request to
remove the country from the WHO, but
their effort.... was in vain.
_______________________________
The FSB has published archival data on
the recruitment of Ukrainians in the
Stalag-326 concentration camp
May 22nd, 10:31pm
(Izvestia.ru)
The Federal Security Service (FSB) of Russia has declassified
documents - on how Soviet prisoners of war of Ukrainian
nationality ....were recruited in the Nazi concentration
camp Stalag-326. The relevant archival documents
were published on May 23rd, Moscow time --- on the website of the FSB.
"The method of educating people within the camp was
carried out very carefully, under the slogans "For a
free and independent Ukraine, purely national"
and "Help your Ukrainian brothers."
''These lectures -- focused on the Ukrainian nation and its Aryan
purity, as well as its past independence and former customs.
They tried to instill the idea - that Ukrainians and Russians
are two distinct nations, and that Ukrainians have always
been and should continue to be superior to other nations
--- particularly Russians and Poles. The idea behind all
these lectures --- was very similar to the German,
Hitlerian idea," the article says.
Among the published documents were instructions from
German intelligence on recruiting Ukrainian prisoners
of war in concentration camps as informants, as
well as reports from SMERSH, about the
activities of the Sonderlager near
Munster, where they trained
spies and saboteurs to be
sent behind the lines of
the Red Army.
After the camp was liberated in 1945, SMERSH identified 267 German intelligence agents, nationalists, and Nazi collaborators.
Day of Anger:How War Criminals Were Tried in Kiev
80 years ago, the trial of the Nazis in the capital of
Soviet Ukraine.
The Department of the Federal Security Service (FSB) of Russia
for the Donetsk People's Republic (DPR) on May 9 declassified
the protocols of interrogations from 1944-1947, revealing the
system of ..creating a network of propaganda schools and
camps by Nazi Germany among Soviet prisoners of war.
The institution, designed to train collaborators, propagandists,
and other specialists ....to work in the system of German
intelligence agencies on the territory of the USSR,
was called "Sonderlager" (special camp).
_________________________________________
Morales: The President of Bolivia
has lost all ---- of his authority
May 22nd, 6:21pm
(RT.ru)
Bolivian President Rodrigo Paz has lost all his credibility
because he has been violating his campaign promises
and the constitutional order, former President Evo
Morales told RT.
"Here's just one example: by an unconstitutional decree
of the Supreme Court, he stripped the vice president of his powers. There's a president, there's a vice
president, and they don't talk to each other,
don't look at each other, don't even say
hello. There's no governance of the
country," he said.
______________________________________
Vietnamese President Invites Putin
to Visit His Country This Year -
Official
May 22nd, 12:32pm
(Sputnik International)
Vietnamese President To Lam has invited Russian President
Vladimir Putin to pay an official visit to Vietnam this year,
Vietnamese Deputy Prime Minister Phan Van Giang
said, on Friday.
"I would like to convey through you Comrade, To Lam's greetings
to President Vladimir Putin with an invitation to pay an official
visit to Vietnam this year," the official said at the Russian-
Vietnamese consultations on maritime issues, which
they held together with Russian presidential aide
and chairman of the Russian Marine Board,
Nikolai Patrushev.
___________________________________________
Haiti doubles its population, without
improving its economy, says expert
Port-au-Prince, May 22nd, 11:38am
(Prensa Latina)
The inhabitants of Haiti today number about 12 million, double
those who existed in the 1970s, while the country's economy
remains unimproved, reports a specialized official institution.
The 50% population growth spans only two generations - and
is considered “between population explosion and economic
stagnation” by the Institute of Statistics and Informatics,
according to the newspaper Le Nouvelliste.
For the economist of that entity Kesner Pharel, the doubling of
the population puts the country at “a crucial crossroads”, by
raising a duality - or question - regarding whether this
demographic challenge “constitutes an advantage
or a threat”.
The expert's alarm about the demographic dilemma questions
whether Haiti produces now “enough to meet this demand in
terms of human growth, given that the economic situation
is below the population», Le Nouvelliste added.
Pharel's diagnosis is considered “unequivocal”, because –
according to him, in the last 50 years, the population
growth rate never decreased and remained around
2 percent, while the economy showed a negative
result during said period”.
The gap is, therefore, enormous –adds the specialist - between
a growing population, facing growing needs, in sectors such
as education, health, employment and housing, within “a
structurally fragile economy, unable to absorb that
demographic pressure”.
Another worrying angle of the same challenge --- is that the
country suffers from extreme demographic concentration
in two main departments, Artibonite and Oeste --- which
concentrate more than half of the national population.
According to the expert's analysis, among the 20 most
populated municipalities in the country, 14 are in
these two departments.
____________________________________
Türkiye exports grow more
than 22 percent --- in April
Ankara, May 22nd, 7:02am
(Prensa Latina)
Türkiye exports increased 22.3 percent in April compared to
the same month of the previous year, reaching 25,408,000 dollars, the Turkish trade authorities reported today.
Data released by the Türkiye Ministry of Commerce and the Turkish Institute of Statistics also stated: that imports grew by 3.1%, at 33,909,000 dollars.
The country's trade deficit decreased by 29.8%
compared to April 2025, --- from 12,112,000
dollars to 8,500,000.
Likewise, the export-to-import coverage ratio
increased from 63.2% to 74.9% - during the
same period.
Between January and April, Turkish exports grew by three percent and reached 88,665 million dollars, while imports increased by 4.3 percent - up to 125,000,803.
Consequently, the accumulated trade deficit
in the first four months of the year... rose
7.3 percent... to 37,137,000 dollars.
The manufacturing sector maintained its predominant weight
in Turkish foreign trade, representing 94.2 percent of total
exports in April.
On the other hand, intermediate or semi-finished goods
constituted 71.1 percent of the country's imports.
Exports excluding energy and gold increased 23.6%
last month, to $23.76 billion, while imports under
the same criterion, grew by 3.3%.
Germany established itself as the main destination
for Turkish exports in April, with purchases
valued at $2,113,000.
Meanwhile, China topped the list of exporting
countries to Türkiye, with sales to the
Turkish market worth $4.476 billion.
_______________________________________
Uzbekistan officially joined the
New Brics Development Bank
Tashkent, May 22nd, 2:56am
(Prensa Latina)
Uzbek President Shavkat Mirziyoyev today signed a law on the
accession of the republic to the New Development Bank (NBD)
of the BRICS, announced the legislative data portal of the
Central Asian country, lex.uz.
The note recalls that, in April of this year, the Chamber of
Deputies of the Parliament of the Republic approved the
corresponding law & on Tuesday - the Senate ratified it.
''Adherence to the New Agreement of the Development
Bank (Fortaleza, July 2, 2014'', reads the text of
the regulations.
Parliamentarians had already pointed out that membership
in the financial institution would guarantee an influx of
alternative investments for economic modernization.
The Uzbek government has already formed a project
portfolio worth $4.5 billion, on the development of
transportation, energy and industry, including
the construction of a nuclear power plant.
Since the beginning of 2025, Uzbekistan is a partner state
of the Brics. Last summer...... the Board of Governors of
the National Bank of Uzbekistan gave its preliminary
approval for the country's accession to the Brics.
It was previously reported that the NBD Governors Council of
the BRICS approved Uzbekistan's accession to the bank.
In October 2024, the NBD of the Brics accepted
membership applications from the United Arab Emirates, Egypt, and Algeria.
________________________________________
Czech Deputy Prime Minister
Calls on Europeto Abandon
Its Arrogance
May 21st, 10:15pm
(Izvestia.ru)
Europe needs to abandon its arrogance and accept that it is
no longer the centre of the world. This was stated by Karel
Havlicek, First Deputy Prime Minister, and Minister of
Industry and Trade of the Czech Republic, at the
GLOBSEC international security conference
in Prague on May 21.
"Europe must stop behaving arrogantly and accept that it is no
longer the centre of the world. It should focus - on education,
retaining young people and entrepreneurs, and investing in
science. Europe is losing its energy, industrial and raw
material self-sufficiency in the name of the notorious
"green" values," RIA Novosti quotes him saying.
According to him, Europe is gradually losing its energy,
industrial, and raw materials independence due to its
focus --- on green values. The Czech Deputy Prime
Minister also pointed out that entrepreneurial
activity.... is declining in the region.
Havlicek emphasized that the EU needs to return to its basic
principles, including the free movement of goods, capital,
and people. According to him, the EU's energy strategy
should focus on the development of nuclear energy,
the use of renewable sources, and increasing its own energy independence.
Treating and maiming: record-breaking injections into
the EU economy ---- could lead to budget deficits.
The desire to lower fuel prices ---- is driving
inflation ....into a tailspin.
Politico reported on May 21, that EU Commission officials
criticized EU diplomacy chief Kaja Kallas for comparing
trade relations with China...... to a cancerous tumor.
Relations between the EC and Kallas deteriorated further
after 5 EU countries complained about Kallas's remarks.
An unnamed EU official told Brussels that "diplomats
do not express themselves ....in this manner."
________________________________________________
Top leader calls for stronger international
cooperation ------- in quantum technology
May 21st, 8:02pm
(VGP)
The top leader was chairing a meeting of the standing board
of the Central Steering Committee on Science, Technology,
Innovation and Digital Transformation to review a draft
national project on quantum technology development
in Ha Noi on May 21.
The project on research, application and development
of quantum technology serving socio-economic
development and ensuring national defence
and security, aims to build Viet Nam's
long-term capabilities.... in the
emerging field.
The Party and State leader emphasised ------- that quantum
technology is an entirely new, highly complex and rapidly
evolving field closely linked to science and technology,
national security, digital transformation, strategic
industries ------------ and the country’s long-
term competitiveness.
He said that quantum technology should be recognised - as a
matter of national strategic importance rather than merely a
scientific research issue. He underlined that development
efforts must be integrated into the implementation of the
Politburo’s Resolution 57 and aligned with much broader
national strategies --- related to national security, data
A poll released today shows a technical tie between President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva... and Senator Flávio Bolsonaro in a possible runoff in Brazil, but excludes the political impact of recent revelations about the legislator.
The poll by the Datafolha institute, released by the newspaper
Folha de S. Paulo, shows Lula and the eldest son of former
President Jair Bolsonaro with 45% of voting intention
each in a simulation of a second round ahead of
the presidential elections next October.
The research was carried out on May 12 and 13 with 2,004
interviewees in 139 Brazilian municipalities and has a
margin of error of two percentage points.
According to the study, Lula widened his lead over other
conservative candidates: against former Minas Gerais
governor Romeu Zema, the president would obtain
46 percent against 40; and against the former
governor of Goiás Ronaldo Caiado, he would
reach 46 percentage points, compared to
39 for his rival.
In the first round scenarios, Lula appears with 38 percent of
voting intention and Flávio Bolsonaro with 35, while Zema
and Caiado register three percent each.
The disclosure of the study .......occurs in the midst of the
repercussions of the so-called Dark Horse case, related
to audios and messages revealed by Intercept Brasil
about financing requests made by Flávio Bolsonaro
to businessman Daniel Vorcaro, to produce a film
inspired by Jair Bolsonaro.
According to Folha de S. Paulo, most of the interviews were
conducted before the publication of the revelations about
the links between the senator and Vorcaro, the former
owner of the Master Bank ---- who is imprisoned for
alleged financial crimes.
That aspect - provoked questions from the Brasil 247 portal,
which criticized the decision to release the study without
measuring the possible political impact of the scandal
on the main candidate of Bolsonarism. An opinion
article signed by Aquiles Lins states that the
poll is born old, because it does not reflect
--- possible changes in the mood of the
electorate after the dissemination
of the Dark Horse case.
Brasil 247 also questioned why the institute did not
extend the fieldwork for longer --- to capture the
political consequences of the complaints.
In another article published on Saturday, journalist
Moisés Mendes accused Folha de S. Paulo of
---- hiding the effect of the issue on the
Brazilian far right.
Mendes said the poll was concluded on the Wednesday
that Intercept Brasil disclosed conversations between
Flávio Bolsonaro and Vorcaro ------ and asked why
Datafolha did not continue the interviews on
Thursday or Friday --- as it had done ---
in previous polls.
According to the columnist --- the absence of interviews
after the revelation of the case made it impossible to
measure the impact of "the bomb" - which, in his
opinion, shook the structures of Bolsonarism
and certainly threatens the senator's
presidential aspirations.
____________________________________
Roundup: Xi-Trump summit - strengthens
confidence in global economic recovery
May 16th, 1:08pm
Source: Xinhua
Editor: huaxia
The high-profile meeting between Chinese President Xi Jinping
and U.S. President Donald Trump in China's capital, has been
lauded by global institutions, experts and the media ---- as a
powerful boost to global economic recovery and a positive
signal for robust business opportunities.
"It's very important, of course, that the world's two largest
economies, are engaging at the highest level," Director of
the International Monetary Fund's (IMF) Communications
Department Julie Kozack said at a press briefing
on Thursday.
Anything that helps reduce trade tensions and uncertainty is
good for the two large economies and the global economy
as well, Kozack added.
Tom Watkins, former advisor to the Michigan-China Innovation
Centre, pointed out that both Americans and Chinese as well
as world leaders do not like instability and uncertainty, as
investment flocks to predictability and stability.
"It behoves our respective leaders to provide a solid playing
field on both sides of the Pacific so all can prosper and
grow ...in peace," he said.
For instance, there is much room for the two countries
to cooperate on artificial intelligence (AI) to ensure
its safe and beneficial use, as well as on green
technology and climate change, he added.
Bruce McLaughlin, CEO of Sinogie Consulting Group, Australia,
noted that given the current international environment, global
stability will increasingly depend on open, stable and rules- based trade and investment arrangements.
As the relationship between the world's two largest economies,
China-U.S. ties impact not only bilateral trade and economic
exchanges, but also global market confidence and the
stability of industrial and supply chains in the
Asia-Pacific region, he said.
In this sense, McLaughlin added, this summit could provide a
valuable window for countries and businesses to strengthen
economic cooperation and improve supply-chain networks.
For countries and companies, including those in Australia,
stable China-U.S. relations can help reduce the costs
caused by supply-chain fragmentation and
duplication, and boost - both investment
by businesses & market expectations,
he stressed.
Trump's visit to China has drawn extensive international
attention as Washington and Beijing seek to stabilize
bilateral ties amid ongoing geopolitical and
economic uncertainties.
Mohamadi Compaore, a senior Ivorian journalist ---- and
publication director of the newspaper La Diplomatique
d'Abidjan, expressed belief that improved cooperation
between Beijing and Washington, could help stabilize
the global economy, secure supply chains and ease
volatility in international commodity markets, thus
becoming beneficial for many African economies
reliant on raw material exports.
The evolving China-U.S. relationship... may also create new
opportunities for Africa in sectors such as infrastructure,
energy, mining and manufacturing, said Compaore,
noting that increased economic competition and
cooperation between the two major powers
could encourage greater investment and
stronger strategic partnerships..... across the African continent.
Wilson Lee Flores, a columnist for the English-language daily,
The Philippine Star, said that the Asia-Pacific region benefits
when major powers compete economically - but cooperate strategically - to preserve peace.
For many developing nations, including the Philippines,
more constructive China-U.S. relations would lessen
uncertainty and encourage investments, tourism,
educational exchanges, scientific cooperation,
and regional growth, he said, adding - that a
calmer China-U.S. relationship would help
regional manufacturing, semiconductor
industries, logistics, food exports,
and investor confidence.
Trump wrapped up a state visit to China on Friday, the
first U.S. presidential visit to China in the past nine
years and his second since November 2017.
______________________________________________
BRICS ratifies support for Cuba
and rejection of injustices
in the world
May 16th, 5:17am
(Prensa Latina)
The foreign ministers of the BRICS, who deliberated for two days
here in the week that ends today, reiterated the need to end the
economic, commercial and financial blockade imposed by the
United States against Cuba.
In the final declaration of 63 points of the meeting, the
participants expressed their concern about the
situation to which Cuba is subjected and
underlined... the character of Latin
America and the Caribbean, as a
zone of peace based on mutual
respect and non-intervention,
which reflects the growing
support of the bloc -- for
the island's demands
for sovereignty
and justice.
In addition, the foreign ministers endorsed a profound reform of
the global governance system, including the United Nations
and the Bretton Woods organizations, to give greater voice
to developing countries and the Global South.
On the Middle East and North Africa region, they expressed their
deep concern about recent events - and on Palestine and Israel,
they reaffirmed the two-state solution, with a viable Palestinian
state within the 1967 borders.. & East Jerusalem as its capital.
They also condemned Israel's continued attacks on Gaza,
demanding an immediate and unconditional ceasefire
and full humanitarian access.
On Lebanon, they called for full compliance with the ceasefire
and the withdrawal of Israeli forces from all its territory, and
on Syria they called for a peaceful and inclusive political
transition ------ without foreign interference.
On the other hand, the participants in the BRICS Foreign
Ministers' meeting expressed their grave concern
about the humanitarian crisis in Sudan --- and
called for a permanent ceasefire.
Finally, they strongly condemned the terrorist attack in Jammu
and Kashmir, India, in April 2025 and reaffirmed their
commitment to the fight against terrorism
in all its forms.
The declaration also denounces unilateral coercive
measures contrary to international law.
In addition, through the aforementioned declaration and an
outcome document, they agreed on a common position
establishing cooperation in priority areas and on
global and regional issues.
The representatives of the member countries and partners of
the organization representing the Global South also agreed
to collaborate on issues ---- such as the reform of global
governance institutions -- including the United Nations
Security Council & international financial institutions.
Also, in trade, industry and finance, artificial intelligence, energy
security, climate, biodiversity and sustainability, health, as well
as the promotion of agricultural productivity and the guarantee
of food and nutrition security... worldwide.
They also made a commitment to work together for supply chain
resilience, disaster risk reduction, and people-to-people
exchanges, which, according to the Indian Foreign
Ministry, are a key priority for the South Asian
nation's pro-tempore presidency.
Indian official sources assured that there is a general
consensus --- on the need for the BRICS to work
decisively, in the search for common ground
to achieve practical, viable, inclusive and
development-oriented solutions, through
sustained commitment.
However, they recognized the repercussions within the BRICS
and for countries in the Global South of the current period of
unprecedented geopolitical and economic uncertainty that
the world is going through with conflicts, climate-related
risks, technological advances ...and their associated
disruptions, as well as challenges and disruptions
in supply chains.
___________________________________________
Xi-Trump meeting fruitful as US
leader wraps up China visit
by Wang Qi
May 15th, 7:28pm
(Global Times)
Following a private meeting with Chinese President Xi Jinping
in the Zhongnanhai leadership compound in central Beijing,
US President Donald Trump.... boarded Air Force One on
Friday and departed for the US, bringing this historic
state visit to a conclusion.
The red carpet laid out at Beijing Capital International Airport,
the impeccably straight-standing PLA honour guards, with
students waving Chinese and US flags, and Foreign
Minister Wang Yi who came to see Trump off
together.. constituted China's high-level
protocol and hospitality — mirroring
that 'grand welcome' accorded to
the US president on his arrival.
During Trump's visit, the two leaders agreed to build a new
vision of building a constructive China-US relationship of
strategic stability, reached a consensus on the major
bilateral and global issues, and engaged in warm
interactions on multiple occasions.
The two presidents had in-depth communication and achieved
fruitful outcomes in their Beijing meeting. President Xi will
pay a state visit to the US in the autumn this year - at the
invitation of Trump, Chinese top diplomat Wang Yi said
on Friday when briefing the press about the just-
concluded Xi-Trump meeting in Beijing.
Observers noted that the just-concluded summit not only charts
a new course for the development of bilateral ties, but also ---
injects certainty into a complex and volatile international
landscape, carrying important positive implications for
global economic recovery, world peace and stability,
and a sound interaction between major powers.
New vision
Following the two leaders' formal talks on Thursday, China's leader on Friday warmly welcomed Trump
in Zhongnanhai, according to Xinhua, which also
noted that the two heads of state walked and
talked, occasionally stopping to admire the
trees and flowers in the garden.
Noting that Trump's visit was an historic and landmark one,
Xi said the two sides had set the new vision: of building a
constructive China-US relationship of strategic stability.
"We... have reached important common understandings on
maintaining stable economic and trade ties, expanding
practical cooperation in various fields, and properly
addressing.... each other's concerns,"Xi said,
per Xinhua. The two sides also agreed to
strengthen their communication and
coordination ---- on international
& regional issues, according
to the Chinese leader,
Xinhua reported.
The visit is conducive to enhancing mutual understanding,
deepening mutual trust and improving the well-being of
the two peoples, said the Chinese president.
"While President Trump hopes to make America great again, I
am dedicated to leading the Chinese people toward national
rejuvenation," the Chinese leader said, stressing -- that the
two countries can advance their respective development
and revitalization ....by strengthening cooperation.
Trump said that he is very grateful to Xi for inviting him to visit
Zhongnanhai, adding that his China visit was very successful,
captured the world's attention and was.... unforgettable,
per Xinhua.
Noting that Xi is his old friend, Trump said that he has great
respect for Xi and that they have established a good
relationship. The US-China relationship is very
important and will definitely get better,
he said.
Trump said that he is willing to continue to maintain sincere
and in-depth communication with Xi, and warmly looks
forward to hosting him in Washington, DC,
Xinhua reported.
Beyond the remarks from Trump featured in Xinhua, US news
outlets' coverage of key details from Friday's event further
underscored the friendly atmosphere surrounding the
China-US leaders' meeting.
According to Fox News, as the Chinese leader guided Trump
on a tour of the garden in Zhongnanhai, Trump praised the
setting, saying, "I like this place. I could get used to it."
Trump gave high praise as he walked past green columns and
archways in Zhongnanhai, saying that"These are the most
beautiful [Chinese] roses anyone has ever seen,"
according to AP.
In addition, the concept of a "new vision" has sparked interest
among international media. US magazine The Diplomat said
the two leaders seek a new chapter in China-US relations.
Wu Xinbo, Dean of the Institute of International Studies of Fudan
University, told the Global Times on Friday that the successful
China-US leaders' summit has provided important support for
the improvement and development of bilateral relations in
the next phase, and marks a new starting point for China
-US relations to achieve steady progress while
maintaining stability and moving towards..
greater improvement.
"It has laid a solid foundation -- for stabilizing bilateral relations
and deepening the bonds of mutual interests between the two
sides," said Li Haidong, a professor at the China Foreign
Affairs University.
Against the backdrop of profound changes in the international
landscape and significant adjustments in the global balance
of power, the new vision of building a constructive China-
US relationship of strategic stability, has provided both
sides with a clear guideline for action, he added.
More expected
The world's media has been closely following the historic
summit between Chinese and US leaders over the past
few days. The BBC said in its live coverage on Friday
that the two leaders -- concluded very successful
talks in Beijing while Reuters, quoting Trump,
said his visit was incredible.
French media outlet Le Monde reported that for the US
president's visit, the Chinese leader put on a display
of grandeur, while remaining very firm on the
Taiwan question.
The vast majority of media outlets in China's Taiwan region,
regardless of their political stance, have been paying close
attention to the China-US leaders' summit. On Thursday,
Trump ...did not directly respond to media questions
concerning the Taiwan question during his visit
to the Temple of Heaven, sparking concerns
among secessionists.
On the Taiwan question, Wang Yi noted on Friday at the media
briefing that the Taiwan question, was one of the key topics
during the leaders' meeting. He reiterated China's position,
stating that Chinese side had sensed during the meeting
that the US side understands China's stance, attaches
importance to China's concerns, and....... like the
international community, does not recognize
or accept "Taiwan independence."
On the Middle East situation, Wang said China maintains.. that
on the basis of sustaining the ceasefire, the Strait of Hormuz
should be reopened as soon as possible, and at the same
time believes that the fundamental solution to issues
concerning the strait lies in the realization of a
permanent and comprehensive ceasefire.
Regarding the Ukraine crisis, Wang Yi stated that both China
and the US are willing to maintain communication over the
Ukraine crisis and play a constructive role in working for
its political settlement.
China's major neighboring countries also responded
to the China-US leaders' summit on Friday.
According to CNN, Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov told reporters ------ that Russian President Vladimir Putin's upcoming visit to China will be"a good
opportunity..... to exchange opinions on
the contacts that have taken place
between the Chinese and
the Americans."
"When (the US and China) engage in direct dialogue at the
highest level … such contacts, of course, are a subject
of special attention and analysis for all countries,
including our country,"Peskov said, per CNN.
When answering a question.... raised by a reporter from China
Central Television (CCTV), South Korean presidential office's
senior secretary for public relations and communication
Lee Kyu-yeon said Friday - that South Korea welcomes
the meeting between the Chinese and US leaders as
well as.. the development of China-US relations,
adding that Seoul hopes the summit will also
further deepen and strengthen both China-
South Korea relations and US-South
Korea relations, CCTV reported.
According to a release ---- by the Japanese Ministry of Foreign
Affairs, Japanese Foreign Minister Toshimitsu Motegi said on
Friday that it crucial that US-China relations contribute to
the stability of the international community, including
Japan, which has therefore been paying close
attention to the recent leaders' summit.
As the world's two most important major powers, the peace,
stability, and practical cooperation between China and the
US profoundly influence the global strategic landscape,
world economic development, and the prosperity and
stability of the international community, said Wu.
Similarly, Li said that the stability of China-US relations has, in
a sense, taken on the attributes of a global public good. Any
warming or cooling in the relationship between China and
the US will quickly be transmitted to global markets,
supply chains, and even security expectations.
On Thursday, International Monetary Fund spokesperson Julie
Kozack ---- said that it welcomes the initial positive dialogue
between the Chinese and US leaders, adding that reducing
tension and uncertainty between the world's two largest
economies is good for the world, per a Reuters report.
"In the current increasingly complex international environment,
strategic guidance by the Chinese & US leaders is particularly
valuable,"Li said,"Both leaders have demonstrated strategic
vision and a high sense of responsibility ---- towards their
respective countries and the international community
---- providing much-needed certainty and positive
energy to the world."
In the first Truth Social post en route back to the US, Trump
shared a photo that recorded the moment the two heads
of state walked in front of the Great Hall of People
in Beijing.
"The man I'm walking with is President Xi, of China, one
of the World's Great Leaders!" said the US president.
In a Fox News interview on Thursday, Trump described
the Chinese leader as"a warm person."
"I'll get criticized, as always - when I say good things about
certain leaders," Trump said. "But he's a leader for China.
He's led almost 1.5 billion people for a long time, and
The "gray rhino" of Japan's remilitarization is running toward us.
Many international experts, scholars and media have noted
that Japan has abandoned pacifism, and is undergoing its
most dangerous shift in military and security policy since
WWII, posing great threats to peace and stability in the
region and beyond, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokes-
person Guo Jiakun, said on Tuesday.
The remarks were made..... in response to a media inquiry about
Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi remaining unwilling to
retract what she said on the Taiwan region last November -- as
China has been amplifying criticism of Japan's neo-militarism.
Meanwhile, Sanae Takaichi and other Japanese officials have
visited many countries in a short period of time ---- to explain
Japan's "peaceful" stance, while easing restrictions on the
export of lethal weapons and planning to revise its pacifist
Constitution and the three national security documents.
Guo said that Japanese militarism inflicted untold suffering on
people in the Asia Pacific. The prosperity and development of
Asia-Pacific countries benefits from the peaceful foundation
laid down by the post-WWII international order. The reality
that must not be ignored is that Japan's right-wing forces
are moving faster to undermine this order and foundation
with specific roadmap and steps, he added.
In April, the Japanese government officially revised "the three
principles on transfer of defense equipment and technology"
and their implementation guidelines ---- to enable overseas
sales of weapons, including those with lethal capabilities,
the Xinhua News Agency reported.
Kyodo News reported on Monday evening that former Japanese
defense minister Itsunori Onodera had emphasized the
importance of the government's April decision to lift
the export ban on lethal weapons. He claimed that
"sharing defense equipment with allied and like-
minded countries" ---- would help to enhance
Japan's so-called "deterrence capability."
On May 6, the Japan Self-Defense Forces (JSDF) fired its Type
88 surface-to-ship missile system as part of the maritime
strike in the Balikatan Exercise 2026, according to the
Philippines' ABS-CBN News. This marked Japan's
first overseas launch of offensive missiles
since the end of WWII, Xinhua reported.
Meanwhile, according to NHK on May 6th, Japan and the
Philippines agreed that their defense ministers would
establish a working group ------ to promote the early
transfer of the Abukuma-class destroyer escort
ship from the Japan Maritime Self-Defense
Force --- to the Philippines.
Chinese military affairs expert Zhang Junshe told the Global
Times on Tuesday that what warrants particular attention
is the shift in operational scenarios and institutional
arrangements, namely, the gradual integration of
Japan's defense capabilities into multilateral
security frameworks through overseas
exercises, joint deployments and
equipment exports, thereby
amplifying -- their political
& strategic significance.
Japan ----- has broken through the restrictions of its pacifist
Constitution, and the live-fire launch of offensive weapons.
This represents one of Japan's common "salami-slicing"
tactics to gradually ''cheat'' constitutional constraints.
In recent years, Japan has employed such methods to steadily
push past its limits, displaying a tendency toward militarism.
This step-by-step approach -- breached Japan's exclusively defense-oriented policy and relevant rules in international
and domestic laws, Zhang said.
Tokyo's policy shift also met domestic opposition. A NHK poll in
March - showed that when asked whether the government and
ruling coalition should, in principle, allow the export of lethal
weapons as part of defense equipment transfers, 32% were
in favour ------ and 53% were opposed.
A poll conducted by the Asahi Shimbun, in April, also showed:
that 75 percent of Japanese respondents believe that Japan
should continue to uphold its "Three Non-Nuclear Principles."
"History shall not be forgotten. Reality shall not be overlooked.
The Asia-Pacific countries should stay clear-eyed and jointly
reject the reckless moves of Japanese neo-militarism
to safeguard the order of peace ----- on which all
countries rely for survival and development,"
spokesperson Guo said on Tuesday.
_____________________________________
Viet Nam's target is to become
a developed digital nation
by 2035
May 12th, 12:55pm
(VGP)
By 2035, all transactions between citizens and
the government will be conducted in the
digital environment.
ADB launches US$70 bln push to
connect Asia’s power grids,
digital networks.
Government sets up Steering Committee for
implementation of digital transformation
project in criminal proceedings.
Nordic countries share experience to support
Viet Nam’s reform and digital transformation
This is all part of the Government's program for developing
applications of population data, electronic identification,
and authentication to support the national digital
transformation for the 2026–2030 period, with
a vision.... to be achieved by 2035.
Under the program, by 2030, the core platforms and utilities
specified in the program will be fully completed, ensuring
that citizens and businesses ---- can benefit from more
convenient, fast, and secure digital services.
Specifically, during the 2026–2030 period, the program
will focus on implementing six groups of specific
objectives as follows:
(1) Solving administrative procedures, provision
of online public services, and innovation in
direction and administration;
(2) Promoting the development of the
digital economy and digital society;
(3) Supporting the development of digital citizens;
(4) Upgrading infrastructure and completing the
ecosystem for the creation, connection,
exploitation, and enrichment of data;
(5) Ensuring social welfare and supporting crime
prevention and control, national security, and
social order and safety;
(6) Supporting scientific research and innovation.
By 2035, Viet Nam will become
a developed digital nation.
National databases, with population data serving as the core,
will be interconnected, shared, and effectively utilized ---- to
support the development of a smart government, enabling data-driven decision-making -- with real-time information.
Citizens will benefit from personalized, automated,
and convenient digital services.... tailored to
different life events.
Data and digital technologies will be widely applied across
all sectors, including healthcare, education, transport,
agriculture, justice, and security.
By 2035, Viet Nam aims to rank among the world's top
50 countries in innovation and digital transformation,
and become a major regional hub in Asia for data
connectivity and digital industry development.
____________________________________________
Colombian Army reported dismantling
of ELN nucleus Colombia-ELN-
May 12th, 12:19pm
(Prensa Latina)
A security nucleus of the Central Command of the National
Liberation Army (ELN) was dismantled in the rural area of
the municipality of Tibú, in the region of Catatumbo
(northeast), said Colombian military sources.
According to the National Army, the action was part of an Air
Interdiction-Direct Assault operation, in which the Military
Forces, with the support of the Prosecutor's Office,
managed to affect a commission of the Luis
Enrique León Guerra Front --- led by alias
Sucre, second leader of that structure.
According to military intelligence information -- this operation allegedly left seven dead in the course of military operations,
whose bodies were allegedly extracted by members of the
ELN in the midst of armed confrontations and attempted
drone attacks against troops advancing towards the
target area.
With this offensive, the source said, the Military Forces dismantled a security nucleus that sought to prevent
the advance of the troops to the north, on the banks of the Catatumbo River.
He also pointed out that during the development of the military
maneuver, two camp areas with fortification systems were
located, plus explosive material used for the adaptation
of devices launched by drones, in addition to elements
used for the manufacture and installation of anti-
personnel mines.
The Army added that military operations continue
in a sustained manner in the Catatumbo region
and throughout the national territory.
____________________________________________
Talent - and national identity - at
Nicaraguan percussionfestival
May 12th, 11:12am
(Prensa Latina)
The capital of Nicaragua overflowed with national talent during the First Percussion Festival "Drums, Drums and Marimba", an event that celebrated the identity and musical richness that distinguishes the Central American country today.
More than 700 musicians gathered this weekend in the Plaza
de la Revolución, in a day full of colour and tradition, where
thousands of spectators enjoyed the rhythm --- of drums,
and marimbas, the latter considered a fundamental
instrument in Nicaraguan folk music.
Organized by the Mayor's Office of Managua, the festival
brought together drummers and marimba players,
musical groups and rhythmic bands from
different parts of the capital.
"It is a space that reaffirms the commitment of the Sandinista
Government, through the municipality of Managua, to create
platforms for the artistic and cultural promotion of
Nicaraguans," the director of Culture and
Historical Heritage of the Mayor's
Office, Pedro Pablo Castillo,
told the press.
Invited artists highlighted the importance of this cultural
meeting and highlighted how in Nicaragua a musical
dynamic is strengthened that integrates traditional
instruments such as the conga and the marimba
together with the drums --- fusing tradition and
modernity in expressions of national identity.
______________________________________________
DPP authorities ------ cannot buy security,
let alone a future,with arms purchases
May 11th, 11:26pm
(Global Times)
Taiwan's legislature recently passed a revised version.... of a
special arms procurement bill worth 780 billion New Taiwan
dollars (approximately $24.8 billion). The vote took place
on Friday, yet the controversy surrounding it has only
just begun. This decision has ignited heated debate
not only in Taiwan but also drawn significant
attention from media outlets.
The New York Times, for instance -- noted the timing of the decision, which was made just before the US president's
visit to Beijing. As pointed out by a Taiwan media outlet
- the DPP authorities appear to be attempting to "use
taxpayers' money - to exchange for goodwill from
the US."
However.... the passage of this roughly $25 billion arms
procurement budget went through the legislature with
limited serious discussion of the most fundamental
question: Can these weapons - actually provide
security for the island?
The answer, is becoming increasingly clear: No. In fact,
the more arms the DPP purchases, the more unstable
the Taiwan Straits become.
The DPP has consistently portrayed the Chinese mainland as
a threat, deliberately stoking fear to undermine the very
idea of One China, and then weaponizing that fear to
extract ....more money from the public. To many
observers, this resembles nothing more than
a modern-day tribute: Using Taiwan tax-
payers' hard-earned money to curry
favour with external powers - in a
desperate bid to cling to power.
The DPP claims these arms purchases will raise the cost for
the Chinese mainland if it chooses to use force. But would
the Chinese mainland really abandon reunification simply
because the Taiwan region will buy more weapons? One
Taiwan analyst observed that likening the two sides is
like comparing an elephant with a frog; a giant
elephant is hardly going to change course
just because the frog has acquired a
few more arms.
So far, the Chinese mainland has shown great restraint,
certainly not out of fear, but because it sees the
residents of Taiwan as family ----- and wants to
keep the door open for peaceful reunification.
At this delicate moment in China-US ties, the timing of Taiwan
authorities' arms purchase bill also raises another question:
Is the DPP attempting to pull Washington deeper into its
orbit .....and derail efforts to stabilize ties between
Beijing and Washington?
That said, the "Taiwan independence" separatist forces are
rapidly becoming a shared strategic risk for both Beijing
and Washington. "Taiwan independence" implies war
- an outcome neither Beijing nor Washington wishes
to see.
Earlier this year, Bloomberg published an article titled, "The $10
Trillion Fight: Modeling a US-China War Over Taiwan." It painted
a sobering picture: A conflict over the Taiwan island could
slash the global economy by up to $10.6 trillion in the
first year alone, mainly through "semiconductor s
upply chain disruptions, trade shocks from
shipping disruptions and sanctions, and
financial market shocks."
Arms sales to Taiwan amount to writing a blank check for the
DPP's political gambles - with US taxpayers and US strategic
interests ------ ultimately footing the bill. The wise choice for
the US is clear: stop feeding the "Taiwan independence"
forces their dangerous illusion of security. Only by
jointly managing risks ....and curbing "Taiwan
independence" forces -- can both China
and the US protect their broader
shared interests.
Nothing will destroy Taiwan ---- faster than the separatists'
stubborn fantasy..... of pursuing independence by leaning
on external powers. Through its relentless provocations
across the Straits, the erosion of domestic livelihoods
and the reckless depletion of any space for peaceful
reunification, the DPP authorities are squandering
the future prosperity and development dividends
that Taiwan..... could have reaped.
The DPP authorities cannot buy peace with weapons,
and they most certainly cannot buy a future. That -- is the most expensive truth.... behind their arms purchases.
__________________________________
Novak reported --- that real household incomes
increased by 26.1% over the past three years.
May 11th, 10:48pm
(Izvestia.ru)
Real money incomes of the population over the past three years
increased by 26.1%, which is the highest growth rate over the
past 20 years. Such a statement was made on May 11th, by
Deputy Prime Minister of the Russian Federation Alexander Novak, in an interview with Vedomosti.
"Over the past three years, real incomes of the population have
increased by 26.1%. This growth was driven by all components
- including wages, social benefits, entrepreneurial income,
and property income. This is the highest growth rate in
the past 20 years," the Deputy Prime Minister said.
Novak also noted that -------- unlike in 2017-2019, the economy is
currently developing under unprecedented sanctions pressure,
but remains resilient due to the adaptation of domestic
demand and increased production. According to him,
the expansion of production and the structural
changes in the economy --- are helping to
mitigate external constraints -- and
maintain positive growth, in
key indicators.
_____________________________________
Heat wave - hits several areas
of Colombia, fire alerts grow
May 11th, 7:04pm
(Prensa Latina)
Colombia is experiencing today in several territories, especially
in the north, high temperatures that should gradually drop in
the coming days, according to the Institute of Hydrology,
Meteorology and Environmental Studies (Ideam).
According to a bulletin from the agency -- in the first days of May
there were widespread increases in maximum air temperatures
close to and even higher than historical maximums, especially
over the Caribbean region, San Andrés Islas and Chiscas
(Boyacá), where extreme thermal events occurred.
He also pointed out that the heat will prevail in the course
of this week, but a gradual decrease is expected... in the
coming days.
Ideam revealed.... for example, that in Valledupar a maximum
value of 38 degrees Celsius was recorded for 5 consecutive
days, a significant increase compared to the historical
average of 34.2 degrees.
In Santa Marta, thermometers also showed an increase of 3.3
degrees to reach 33.7 degrees Celsius, on average, for
72 hours.
Likewise, in Barrancabermeja, which boasted an historical
average of 32 degrees Celsius, the temperature rose to
36.4 between May 4 and 5.
In addition to the increase in high temperatures, there
was a significant increase in alerts for vegetation
cover fires, the entity warned.
Between May 1 and 8, he said, a progressive and significant
increase in alerts for vegetation cover fires was observed,
a situation mainly related to the high maximum air
temperatures and the decrease in rainfall in
large sectors of the national territory,
especially in the Caribbean region.
Ideam also predicted that much of the country would present in
the near future a decrease in rainfall compared to the normal
values of the season, especially in the Andean, Caribbean
and Pacific regions.
The departments most susceptible to these conditions... are
Antioquia, those of the Eje Cafetero, Tolima, Huila, Valle del
Cauca, Cauca and Nariño, as well as sectors of La Guajira,
Magdalena and Cesar, where rainfall is expected below
normal --- for this time of year, he said.
_________________________________________
Unions denounce deterioration
of labour rightsin Ecuador
May 11th, 5:01pm
(Prensa Latina)
National and international trade union organizations
denounced today, in Ecuador, a deterioration of
labour rights, marked by the persecution of
leaders, dismissals, the criminalization
of protest and absence of dialogue
with the government.
This situation was described this Monday at a press
conference on the occasion of the start in this
capital of the meetings of an international
trade union mission that will remain in
the country until May 13.
The president of the United Workers' Front, Edwin Bedoya,
announced that they will be able to escalate a high-level
complaint to the International Labour Organization (ILO)
based on Article 26 of that organization for repeated
breaches of fundamental conventions.
According to Bedoya, the government has shown no signs
of openness to social dialogue - and has failed to comply
with commitments made to the international community
---------- to guarantee freedom of association and
collective bargaining.
We are willing to raise complaints, not only with mobilizations
or protests, but at the international level, due to labour rights
violations, he warned.
The leader also questioned the freezing of union accounts,
the delay in the registration of directives and the state's
intervention in workers organizations' internal affairs.
The Deputy General Secretary of the International Trade
Union Confederation, Jordan Ureña, pointed out that
"it is not possible to talk about democracy if there
is no freedom of association, if there is no
respect for the rights of workers".
Ureña added that the global trade union movement
accompanies the Ecuadorian labour sector and is
attentive to the fulfillment of the commitments
assumed by the State --- internationally.
Public Services International's regional secretary, for
Inter-America, Euan Gibb, warned that "the situation
is bad ------- and we notice - that it is getting worse".
Gibb noted that Ecuador has been observed for more
than a decade by ILO supervisory bodies... due to
the restrictions on unionization and collective
bargaining, mostly in the public sector.
He also mentioned that privatizations - have generated new violations of labour rights and warned that, if there is no
political will for dialogue, international organizations
will evaluate other actions in the ILO and in those
countries with which Ecuador has trade
agreements, such as Canada.
The international mission plans meetings with the
Constitutional Court and the National Assembly,
although they are waiting for a response - on
whether they will be able to meet with any
representatives at the Ministry of Labour.
On Wednesday, the delegation will present a diagnosis
and a joint resolution with the main conclusions - on the situation of labour rights in Ecuador.
The visit takes place.. a few weeks before the International Labour Conference, which will begin on June 1 in Geneva,
where Ecuador's compliance with the conventions on
freedom of association and collective bargaining....
will be analysed.
_______________________________________________
Nicaragua to host international
seminar on decolonization
May 11th, 4:44pm
(Prensa Latina)
Nicaragua will host an international seminar on decolonization
at the end of this month, in which representatives of over 100 countries will participate, Co-President Rosario Murillo
announced today.
"Comrade Jaime Hermida told us from the United Nations, that
the decolonization seminar that will take place in our Blessed
Nicaragua at the end of May.. with the participation of more
than 100 countries at the ambassadorial level... is being
prepared," she said.
During her daily speech to the Sandinista media, the president
stressed that the purpose of this meeting will be to promote a
pronouncement by the member countries of the United
Nations on the urgency of advancing in
decolonization processes
in all areas.
"It is not only decolonization with a pronouncement,
but also cultural decolonization, that makes the
dignity of each of our peoples ------- free,"
she stressed.
__________________________________________
Mexico presents second edition
of cultural initiative for peace
May 11th, 4:14pm
(Prensa Latina)
The Government today presented the second edition of
Mexico Sings for Peace and Against Addictions, with
the purpose of exalting the country's regional music
and promoting narratives------ far from the sorrow
of violence.
According to a statement from the Presidency, the initiative
– also aimed at developing local music production – invited
young Mexicans and Mexican-Americans between the
ages of 18 and 29 to register from this Monday......
until June 10.
"What we want is that many new singers, Mexicans, do not
orient themselves towards an apology for violence, but
that, through schemes like this one, Mexico Sings,
they seek other narratives," such as --- love and
heartbreak, said President Claudia Sheinbaum.
She also highlighted the Mexican Music Council – an open entity
in which independent creators participate – and recalled that
many producers from this nation went to register their works
in the United States.
"What we want is that with this contest and with the creation
of the Mexican Music Council, many music producers stay
in Mexico, not only in the US," said the dignitary, noting
that this industry ------ generates jobs and new talent.
Sheinbaum also referred to "a vision of the recognition of
Mexico and Mexicans in the United States who are part
of the same culture."
The Secretary of Culture, Claudia Curiel, said that those
who wish to participate must register songs in the
regional Mexican genre fused with other styles,
interpreted in the Spanish, English or
native languages.
The second stage... will select seven Mexican-American semifinalists and an equal number of Mexicans, while
the third will consist of four live television programs
on public media and popular voting, which will
choose three winners of a record deal.
According to what was released, the grand final will be on
September 13 at the National Auditorium in Mexico City.
The initiative is part of the Attention to the Causes of Violence,
inserted in the security strategy, and seeks to avoid messages
that normalize violence or any type of discrimination.
In last year's edition, the total number of registrations
amounted to about 15,000 and the views reached
over 11 million in the 25 public media
participating in the broadcast.
The winners of the final were Sergio Maya, from Hidalgo,
and Carmen María and Galia Siurob from Tijuana,
Baja, California.
_____________________________________________
In the face of blockades, Bolivian
government supplies meat with
an air bridge
May 11th, 4:11pm
(Prensa Latina)
The Bolivian government said today that due to road blockades
in seven departments, it will supply La Paz by air with 90 tons
of beef and chicken in the next two days.
Among the forces demanding the president's resignation,
the powerful Bolivian Workers' Central (COB) and the
Departmental Federation of Peasant Workers of
La Paz Túpac Katari, stand out.
The latter force is blocking traffic on the highway that
connects Oruro with the department of La Paz.
"Ninety thousand kilograms of beef and chicken is what is
arriving between the next few hours, between today and
tomorrow and what arrived on Sunday afternoon," said
Deputy Minister of Commerce and Internal Logistics,
Gustavo Serrano, to the media.
He described that, in the face of the blockades that obstruct
access to the country's political capital, the Executive has established an air bridge to transport meat from
Santa Cruz, and, on Sunday, 10 tons of chicken
meat ...arrived.
"We are complying with the guidelines of President Rodrigo Paz
and the Minister Oscar Mario Justiniano: to take care of the
family economy and the country's food sovereignty -
above any conflict," the deputy minister ratified.
A report issued today shortly before 1:00 p.m., Bolivian time,
by the Bolivian Highway Administration, put the number of
blockade points due to social conflicts in 7 departments
of the Plurinational State ---- at 38.
The right-wing government suggested, privately, that their main backers.... need looking after.
______________________________________________
Viet Nam’s outbound investment
rose 2.3 times in first 4 Months
May 11th, 4:09am
(VGP)
Viet Nam’s outbound investment valued US$713.9 million
in the first four months of 2026, a 2.3-fold rise from the
same period last year, according to the Foreign
Investment Agency under the Ministry
of Finance.
The total outbound volume included US$691.1 million pledged
for 74 newly licensed projects, representing a 2.6-fold rise
compared to the same period last year, along with
US$22.8 million added to four existing projects
through capital expansion.
The electricity, gas, steam, hot water and air-conditioning
production and distribution.... were the top outbound
investment sectors --with total registered capital
of US$163.8 million or 22.9 percent of the total.
Construction ranked second with US$153 million (21.4%, followed by transportation and warehousing - with
US$149.2 million (20.9%).
Outbound investment increases
by 9.5 times ----- in two months!
Outbound investment: records
surge in the first four months.
Vietnamese investors expanded investments into 32 countries
and territories during the period. Laos ....remained the top
destination with US$198 million ---- accounting for 27.7%
of the total outbound investment. Kyrgyzstan followed
with nearly US$149.9 million (21%)... while the UK
received US$82.8 million (11.6 percent) ....and
Kazakhstan attracted US$36 million (5%).
At the same time, Viet Nam continued to strengthen its
appeal as a destination for foreign direct investment
---- (FDI).
Total registered FDI inflows into Viet Nam reached US$18.24
billion in the first four months of 2026, marking a year-on-
year increase ------- of 32 percent.
Earlier, Viet Nam’s outbound investment rose strongly in 2025,
with total overseas investment capital reaching more than
US$1.36 billion ------- up 88.7 percent, year-on-year.
"There was no point in them. At the time, President
Biden believed that if economic sanctions were
imposed, Russia would surrender within two
months. However, it has now been proven
that he was wrong," he emphasized.
The Japanese parliamentarian noted that
he wants to achieve the lifting of anti-
Russian restrictions.
Suzuki had previously said that the reasons
for the current conflict in Ukraine - were
created by Kiev.
_____________________________________________
"I will lay flowers... at the grave of the Unknown
Soldier." Fico will arrive in Moscow on May 9.
What is the reason for this decision?
by Victoria Kondratyeva (Editor
of the "World" Department)
May 5th, 4:45pm
(Lenta.ru)
Slovak Robert Fico will not attend the Victory Day Parade on May 9
during his visit to Moscow due to the ongoing Ukrainian conflict.
About this in an interview with "Lenta.ru", was told by Mikhail
Vedernikov, of the Academy of Sciences.
''Last year, Fico did the same thing — he came to Moscow, but
avoided attending the military part of the parade. He does
this because he does not want to associate his visit
with official events in Ukraine,''
Earlier, during a visit to Yerevan, Fico said that he would visit
Moscow to meet with Russian President Vladimir Putin, but
would not attend the military parade marking the 81st
anniversary of Victory in the Great Patriotic War.
"I will lay flowers on the grave of the unknown Red Army
soldier to express gratitude for the liberation on behalf
of the Slovak people, and I will have a short meeting
with Putin. That's it. I am not going to attend a
military parade," the Slovak PM said.
Fico also spoke about the pressure the West is putting on him
because of his trip to the Russian capital amid the Ukrainian
conflict: "I will not allow myself to be forced to feel
any remorse."
The Slovak Prime Minister's plans to visit Russia, caused outrage
in the EU. On April 18, Lithuania and Latvia announced that they
would not allow Fico's government plane to fly to Moscow. On
April 19, Estonia announced the same measure, for which
they were thanked by the Ukrainian.... Andriy Sibiga.
In response -- Fico harshly commented
on the decision of the Baltic republics.
''I don't know what they teach you in school, but you should know
that 60,000 Red Army soldiers died here in Slovakia. If [you
know that] --- tens of thousands of people died during the
liberation of [our] country, then - [is it] a big deal for you
--- that I'm going to put some carnations on the Tomb
of the Unknown Soldier?''
What message does Fito want to send in Moscow?
As Vedernikov pointed out, Fito's visit is a tribute to the Red
Army and has no political implications. This explains his
plans to skip the Victory Parade.
"He explains his visit to Moscow by his desire to pay tribute to
the Soviet soldiers who performed heroic deeds during the
liberation of Eastern Europe, including modern-day
Slovakia," the researcher emphasized.
The expert added that Fico would visit Moscow not as a
representative of the EU, but solely as a politician from
Slovakia, where there is a special attitude towards
the memory of World War II.
"Even Fico's opposition politicians emphasized the importance
of the Soviet army in the liberation of Czechoslovakia in 1945
and participated in commemorative events. Historical
events, such as the liberation of Bratislava and the
Slovak National Uprising... these --- are the key
elements of today's Slovakia's historical
policy," Vedernikov recalled.
Therefore, the interlocutor added, the Slovak politician's visit
is his personal decision, and he is not conveying any
message from the EU.
''Unfortunately, there is no hidden meaning in Fico's visit, and
there are no new trends in the politics of both Slovakia and
the EU. They do not affect the overall course of Brussels,
which remains highly confrontational towards Moscow.''
Which other foreign politicians will visit Moscow on May 9?
On May 3, Russian President's Press Secretary Dmitry
Peskov announced that Vladimir Putin would hold
several bilateral meetings on May 9.
"[May 9] will be a busy working day. There will be bilateral
meetings ---- with the guests who will be with us," the
Kremlin spokesman said, of the president's plans.
It is clarified that we are talking about Fico, as well as President
of Belarus, Alexander Lukashenko. However, the full list of
guests who will attend the Victory Parade.... is unknown.
As Peskov pointed out, the Kremlin will announce it
in due time.
European officials will visit the Russian border on May 9
On May 5, the Estonian Broadcasting Company ERR reported
that Estonian Prime Minister Kirsten Michal, would arrive at
the Russian border on May 9 to attend a concert in Narva
to celebrate..... Europe Day!
It is specified that the holiday events will be held in close
proximity to the Russian border, on Rynochnaya and
Stockholm Squares.
In addition, the EU Commissioner for the Equality of Generations,
Youth, Culture, and Sport, Glenn Micklethwaite, will visit Narva.
According to Vedernikov, this gesture is related to the Estonian
Prime Minister's attempt to gain control over the agenda in
Ida-Viru County, where the majority of the population....
is Russian.
''He wants to take the initiative in the region of Estonia where
there is traditionally a high level of support for Russia.
His actions are likely aimed at preventing a wide-
spread celebration of May 9 and turning it into
a European-wide policy,'' Mikhail Vedernikov,
Leading Researcher, at the Department of
Central and Eastern European Studies at
the Institute of Europe of the Russian
Academy of Sciences, remarked.
____________________________________
Former police officers convicted
in El Salvador of homicide and
aggravated robbery
May 5th, 10:49am
(Prensa Latina)
Former police officers in El Salvador were sentenced to
up to 540 years in prison for the crimes of homicide,
robbery and illicit groups, in the midst of the fight
against criminal structures that the country is
carrying out today.
The Fifth Court Against Organized Crime of San Salvador,
sentenced Roberto Carlos García Martínez, alias Bestia,
to 540 years in prison, and Francisco Eduardo Ramírez
Vicente, alias Yeiko to 216 years --- according to a
publication by the El Salvador Judicial Centres
on the social network Facebook.
Nine other defendants were sentenced to sentences
ranging from five to 173 years in prison for the same
crimes, the text says.
During the hearing, 11 cases of aggravated homicide
and 21 cases of aggravated robbery to the detriment
of companies and individuals were assessed, hence
the judge when issuing the ruling --- stated that the
defendants took advantage of their position as
agents of authority to violate the population
and commit atrocious crimes.
The document specifies that the criminal structure had
been operating nationwide since 2018 and was made
up of ..former police officers, former soldiers and
civilians; The latter collaborated and provided
information to the leaders about the
movements of businesses and
victims, who were killed,
if they resisted during
the robberies.
Although the 11 convicted operated nationwide, the highest
incidence of crime, was recorded in Chalatenango, Nueva
Concepción and San Miguel. In the latter, they assaulted
cooperatives and companies dedicated to the sale of
motorcycles, the publication notes.
_____________________________________
Study Highlights Economic Impact
of Free Transportation in Brazil
May 5th, 8:41am
(Prensa Latina)
An eventual implementation of free public transport in Brazil's 27
capitals could inject up to 60 billion reais (12 billion dollars)
annually into the economy, according to a study
released today.
The research, carried out by specialists from the University
of Brasilia and the Federal University of Rio de Janeiro,
concludes that the so-called "zero fare" on buses
and metropolitan rail systems could function as a policy of income distribution ...and
economic dynamization.
According to the study, the total potential volume of resources
released would reach R$60.3 billion per year, although the net
impact will be R$45.6 billion (US$9 billion) when discounting
existing gratuities for sectors such as students, the elderly
and people with disabilities.
The researchers explain... that eliminating spending on tickets
would make it possible to transform this cost into disposable
income for families, which would generate an immediate
effect on the consumption of goods and services, as
well as on tax collection.
The analysis, coordinated by Professor Thiago Trindade, argues
that the measure could play a role similar to that of large social
programs such as the Bolsa Familia, by acting as a form of
"indirect wage", especially for the benefit of the most
vulnerable sectors, the black population and the
inhabitants of urban peripheries.
According to the data used, based on the 2024 National Mobility
Survey and records of transport operators, the average
expenditure on tickets ---- represents a significant
burden for workers, who could save between
eight and 10 reais per day (up to two
dollars) on commuting.
The study, cited by media such as G1 and Agencia Brasil, also
suggests that the zero rate could be conceived as a social
right, in line with public services such as health or
education ------ while strengthening the country's
role in policies aimed at reducing inequalities.
Regarding financing, the researchers point out that it would be
possible to implement the model without increasing federal
spending, through mechanisms such as the restructuring
of the voucher-transport system with contributions from
public and private companies.
The research, was promoted by the Parliamentary Front in Defense
of Zero Fare in the National Congress, with support from the Rosa
Luxemburg Foundation, and is part of a growing debate on the
role of public transport .....in social inclusion and
economic development.
_________________________________________________
Vietnamese leader receives
a warm welcome in India
May 5th, 8:35am
(Prensa Latina)
India received here today the President of Vietnam, To Lam, who
is on his first state visit to the South Asian nation, with a warm
welcome.... representative of the excellent ties between the
two countries
Minister of State for Home Affairs Nityanan Drai welcomed the
Vietnamese leader upon his arrival in New Delhi on Tuesday,
where he will stay until May 7 ....accompanied by a large
delegation of leaders and businessmen.
For India, the Vietnamese leader's visit represents an opportunity
for a new impetus in bilateral ties, on the occasion of the tenth
anniversary of the Comprehensive Strategic Partnership
between the two countries.
The General Secretary of the Central Committee of the Communist
Party of Vietnam will receive a ceremonial welcome tomorrow on
the esplanade of the Rashtrapati Bhavan ....and will later hold a
comprehensive dialogue with Prime Minister Modi, on bilateral
relations - plus regional and global issues of mutual concern.
President Droupadi Murmu will also meet with the Vietnamese
leader, who will also visit Bodh Gaya and Mumbai.
Regarding the visit, the Ambassador of India to Vietnam, Tshering
W. Sherpa, highlighted among the areas of bilateral cooperation
politics, defense and security, people-to-people exchanges,
plus improving connectivity, and boosting bilateral trade.
He pointed out - that trade between the two countries doubled
in the last 10 years, reaching approximately 16 billion dollars
- and having considerable growth potential.
He also underlined the growth of flights to 90 per week between
the two nations and cultural cooperation such as Buddhism
as a spiritual connection.
The Indian ambassador highlighted innovation, science
and technology, cybersecurity, artificial intelligence,
and pharmaceuticals, as well as the automotive
industry, transportation, and connectivity
infrastructure --- as potential areas
of collaboration.
________________________________________
Brazilian Institute presents world map
that inverts North-South axis
May 5th, 8:18am
(Prensa Latina)
The Brazilian Institute of Geography and Statistics today promotes
a new world map that inverts the traditional North-South axis,
places Brazil in the centre - and shows the continents in real proportions - with a focus on global biodiversity.
The new cartographic piece, entitled "Species Richness 2025",
was presented this Monday at the Itamaraty Palace, is part of
the celebrations for the 90th anniversary of the organization
and proposes a different view of the planet both in its
representation and in its content.
Among its main characteristics is the decision to place Brazil
in the centre of the map, as a way of reflecting its role on the
global stage, especially on issues related to the environment
and biodiversity.
Likewise, the map inverts the traditional North-South orientation,
which breaks with a historical convention of cartography and
proposes ----- that there are multiple ways of visualizing the
world, beyond the dominant non-spinning perspectives.
The new map challenges centuries of Eurocentric vision and places
the Global South at the centre of the debate on biodiversity, power
and the planet's future, said IBGE President Marcio Pochmann.
Another key element --- is the use of the Equal Earth projection, a
modern technique that allows the continents to be represented
in real proportions, by avoiding the distortions present in the
Mercator projection, used since the sixteenth century.
On traditional Mercator-based maps, regions near the poles
appear oversized, while Africa and South America are
visually reduced.
In contrast, the Equal Earth projection offers a more
balanced representation, in which continental
areas ---- maintain their actual size.
The map also incorporates information on biodiversity - through
an indicator that measures the richness of species in different
regions of the planet, and considers groups, such as
amphibians, birds, mammals, reptiles and fresh-
water fish in areas of 100 square kilometres.
The initiative was presented as part of the start
of a commemorative calendar that includes
other statistical and geographical
publications, such as Brazil in
figures-2025 ----- and IBGE
Around the World.
The first of these texts, in its 33rd edition, presents a complete
overview of the country's social, demographic and economic
data, and the second, launched in Portuguese, Spanish and
English, presents an overview of the main international
actions carried out by the Institute in 2025.
_____________________________________________
Exclusive:China Coast Guard officers
raise national flag, at Tiexian Jiao in
South China Sea - clean up rubbish
left by illegal Philippine personnel
by Hu Yuwei, Fan Wei and Xue Ke
May 4th, 3:52pm
(Global Times)
The China Coast Guard (CCG) carried out maritime law enforcement
and exercised territorial jurisdiction by landing on Tiexian Jiao in
the South China Sea on Sunday. The operation came after five
Philippine crew members illegally set foot on China’s Tiexian
Jiao of the Nansha Qundao the same day, the Global Times
has learned from the CCG.
Photo's show CCG law enforcement officers patrolled Tiexian Jiao, displayed the Chinese national flag - to demonstrate national sovereignty - and collected video evidence...... of the Philippines’ illegal activities - and the ecological damage to the reef.
Footage also shows that after landing on the reef, CCG officers
cleaned up the pollutants discarded by Philippine personnel
....including plastic bottles, foam boards and plastic bags.
They also conducted a full inspection of Tiexian Jiao
with metal detectors.
According to sources, five Philippine crew members illegally set
foot on Tiexian Jiao on Sunday, ignoring repeated dissuasion
and warnings from the Chinese side. CCG law enforcers
identified the intruders --- and tackled the incident in
accordance with the law - effectively safeguarding
China’s territorial sovereignty and maritime rights
and interests.
Insiders told the Global Times.... that the CCG carries out
comprehensive inspections on Tiexian Jiao to prevent
Philippine personnel from hiding markers and other
illegal items on the reef. Such operations fully
embody --- China’s exercise of sovereignty
and jurisdiction over its own territory.
________________________________________
Viet Nam, India to inject new
momentum to bilateral ties
May 4th, 6:31am
(VGP)
General Secretary and President To Lam’s state visit to India from
May 5-7 will create new momentum and shape a framework to
elevate Viet Nam–India relations to a new level in the next
phase, said Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs, Nguyen
Manh Cuong.
Speaking to reporters ahead of the visit, the Deputy Foreign
Minister described the trip as a major diplomatic event of
special significance as it is the first visit by the top
Vietnamese Party and State leader ---- and takes
place on the occasion of the 10th anniversary
of the Viet Nam-India Comprehensive
Strategic Partnership.
The visit demonstrates Viet Nam's high regard for its
Comprehensive Strategic Partnership with India
and the broader South Asian region.
It also offers a meaningful opportunity for both countries
to review a decade of their Comprehensive Strategic
Partnership framework, and consolidate their
multifaceted cooperation.
The primary objective is to create a "qualitative leap" ..in the
relationship, ensuring it is commensurate with the potential
and rising positions of both nations on the global stage.
This alignment is particularly focused on long-term national
aspirations: Viet Nam's goal to become a developed
country by 2045 and India's vision for 2047.
Bilateral relations have already seen robust growth in recent
years. The two-way trade reaches approximately US$15-16
billion annually, making India among Viet Nam's top 10
trade partners.
The defense and security sector saw high levels of mutual
trust with deepened collaboration in joint training and
capacity building. Leaders of the two countries are
expected to discuss breakthroughs in innovation,
artificial intelligence, digital transformation,
satellite data, and clean energy.
The visit stands as testament to Viet Nam's consistent
pursuance of a foreign policy of independence, self-
reliance, and the diversification of external ties.
Viet Nam and India share a common vision
......of an international rule-based order.
The visit also follows a period of intense regional diplomacy
for Viet Nam, including the recent official visit of Japanese
Prime Minister Takaichi Sanae to Ha Noi, which further
emphasized Viet Nam's strategic role in building a
"stronger and more prosperous" region.
During his stay in New Delhi and Mumbai, General Secretary and
President, To Lam ---- will engage in a diverse agenda, including financial and sci-tech forums. These interactions are expected
to deliver concrete benefits to citizens and businesses alike
while contributing to regional peace, stability, and
sustainable development.
Vietnamese Ambassador to India Nguyen Thanh Hai noted the
visit will provide the "important impetus" needed to ensure
the partnership remains a cornerstone of both nations'
foreign policies ....in the new era.
According to the diplomat, the two countries prioritize
strengthening cooperation in innovation, so as to
achieve the goals ---- of making Viet Nam a
developed country by 2045 - and India
a developed country by 2047.
In addition, both sides will continue to boost cooperation
in the economic, trade, and investment pillars, and
promote people-to-people exchanges in culture,
education, and tourism.
__________________________________________
Guatemala-Belize trade exchange
maintains its favourable trend
May 4th, 12:36am
(Prensa Latina)
Trade between Guatemala and Belize maintains a favourable
trend today, just over 16 years after the entry into force of
a bilateral agreement to boost the regional economy.
The balance with that neighbouring country has been positive
over the decade, driven mainly by exports of products such
as fuels, construction materials, manufacturing, and
processed foods, an official source detailed.
Last year alone, the land of the quetzal registered shipments
to Belize for 142.72 million dollars, while imports totaled
9.68 million, the local Export Agency added.
The agreement signed at the end of June 2006 and ratified by
both nations at the beginning of April 2010 established a
cooperation framework that promotes the exchange of
goods, the elimination of trade barriers, and the
generation - of more favourable conditions for
the productive sectors, the entity explained.
Since its implementation, it noted, both territories have granted
tariff preferences to more than 70 items, including agricultural
products, manufacturing, industrial materials and consumer
goods. In addition, it defined institutional mechanisms,
such as the Administrative Commission and various
technical committees, that made it possible to
follow up ---- on commitments, resolve trade
obstacles and promote trade facilitation.
He mentioned among the most relevant advances the creation
of technical groups for export and investment promotion, the
updating of rules of origin and customs procedures and the
strengthening of sanitary measures, both phytosanitary
and technical.
However, it noted, there are still opportunities to deepen its
impact, especially in expanding product coverage,
promoting bilateral investment, facilitating
logistics and land transportation,
among others.
The evolution of this instrument, according to the Guatemalan
Exporters Agency, demonstrates the importance of having
flexible mechanisms that make it possible to adapt to
the dynamics of international trade.
__________________________________________
Petro denounced that Colombia's
peace plan is being sabotaged
from Ecuador
May 4th, 12:08am
(Prensa Latina)
The president of Colombia, Gustavo Petro, denounced that
Ecuador is sabotaging his country's peace program and
the massive and voluntary eradication of illicit crops
that the government is promoting today in the
southern territories.
He explained this .....on his account on the social network, and
added that the sabotage of these measures is comprehensive
and has the help of some corrupt police officers in the US....
and in Colombia itself.
The president then stated that the weapons with which civilians
are murdered in the department of Cauca, in the southwest,
come from Ecuador, and that ammunition and explosives
enter through the border.
He also stated that, while he is accused of having alleged links
with criminal gangs, those who have these links ---- and use
them, are Ecuadorian politicians.
“They have sought to divide and end the peace process in southern
Colombia by blowing up laboratories with dozens of civilian deaths,
they have demanded extraditions in Colombia, of those who make
peace, forgetting that I have extradited 800 people, including 15
Ecuadorians”, he said in reference to the neighbouring country.
He stressed that the objective is to militarily harass and escalate
the conflict to sabotage the elections and make the candidate
of former President Álvaro Uribe (2002-2010) win.
“I know that extreme right sectors in Colombia that have traveled to
Miami and Quito --- have built a kind of strategy for Uribe's extreme
right to win the elections with its candidate, forgetting that this
Colombian extreme right is the main ally of Colombian drug
trafficking”, he also stated in his statement.
For this reason, he emphasized, they seek to destroy
the peace process with some armed organizations
in Colombia, that have decided to dismantle these
illicit economies, especially in southern Colombia.
In Petro's opinion, Ecuador's actions “end
legal trade, so that illegal trade remains”.
The New Granada president also considered, that
what this Ecuadorian president --- Daniel Noboa,
has done, is use Colombia and its government
to divert the debate from Ecuador's powerful
politicians linked to drug trafficking.
“It is this link between politics, power and drug trafficking
that elevates the power of drug trafficking and violence,
that is why Ecuador ......became the world's largest
exporter of cocaine and has a homicide rate that
is double that of Colombia”, he wrote.
Tensions between both countries have been
growing for weeks both in the commercial
and diplomatic spheres.
Recently, Petro assured that he will file a criminal lawsuit
against Noboa for slander, after the latter insinuated
that the New Granada president... would have had
contacts with the drug trafficker known as Fito.
_________________________________________
Nine provinces of Ecuador under curfew
May 4th, 12:07am
(Prensa Latina)
Ecuador is - today - under a new night curfew in nine
provinces and four cantons, within the framework
of the Government's strategy to confront
violence and organized crime.
The measure, ordered by President Daniel Noboa
through decree 370, began this Sunday and will
apply every day until May 18 between 11pm
and 5am (local time).
The mobility restriction applies in Guayas, Manabí,
Santa Elena, Los Ríos, El Oro, Pichincha,
Esmeraldas, Santo Domingo de los
Tsáchilas and Sucumbíos, in
addition to the cantons of
La Maná, Las Naves,
Echeandía and
La Troncal.
During these hours, only health personnel, members
of the public force and workers linked to risk,
emergency and disaster management...
may circulate.
The decree establishes that controls will be carried
out rationally and proportionally, considering the
particularities of each case.
The provision is part of the current state of emergency,
which also suspends rights such as the inviolability of
homes and correspondence.... which allows raids by
public forces.
The Government justified the measure, with which it
seeks to deepen operations against criminal
structures and reduce violence.
The Executive maintains that the decision also responds
to an effect of displacement of criminal activities after
the curfew applied last March in four provinces,
which are now repeating (Guayas, Los Ríos,
El Oro, and Santo Domingo de
los Tsáchilas).
Productive and tourism sectors have expressed concern
about the economic impact of the measure, especially
in activities that depend on night logistics, such as
the transfer of export goods.
The repeated application of states of emergency and
curfews is part of a security strategy that has
become common since 2024, when the
Government declared the existence
of an internal armed conflict.
Since then, these measures have been applied
intermittently in different areas of the country,
with results that generate debate, since,
despite these operations, arrests and
seizures, violence has remained at
high levels.
Ecuador faces an unprecedented security crisis,
after closing 2025 with over 9,000 homicides
and registering 2,086 murders - in the first
quarter of 2026.
_______________________________________
Russian oil supplies to Indonesia
will begin in the near future
May 2nd, 8:23pm
(RT.ru)
Indonesian Energy Minister Bahli Lachadalia said
that Russian oil supplies to the country will
begin in the near future.
"For me, the most important thing is that we have all
the reserves. And Russian oil will arrive soon," he
said, according to RIA Novosti.
Earlier, Indonesia .....announced its
willingness to process Russian oil.
_____________________________________
A rally..... was held in Chisinau
to commemorate the victims
of the Trade Union House
murders - in Odessa
May 2nd, 3:40pm
(Izvestia.ru)
A rally was held in Chisinau at the Ukraine embassy, which was
timed to coincide with the anniversary of the tragedy on May 2,
2014, in the House of Trade Unions in Odessa. Footage from
the scene of the action on May 2 was shown by Izvestia.
"Today is actually a black date for the entire post-Soviet space,
and even for the entire world. On May 2, people were burned
at the Trade Union House in Odessa because they thought
differently," said one of the protesters.
He called the burning of people the first manifestation of fascism.
He noted that, every year, events are held at the embassy in
Chisinau in memory of the 48 Odessa residents who died.
Another protester expressed his bitterness for the Ukrainian
people. According to him, the tragedy occurred in Odessa,
which is a hero city.
Earlier today, the Federation Council chair, Valentina Matviyenko
said that Russia will not let the tragedy in the Odessa House of
Trade Unions be forgotten, and that this crime has no statute
of limitations. Matviyenko pointed out that there is no point
in expecting justice for the participants in the punitive
action ----- from the president of Ukraine, Vladimir
Zelensky and his entourage.
In Donetsk, on May 2, they honoured the memory of those who
died in the arson attack on the Trade Union House in Odessa.
The event was organized by activists from the Young Guard.
Together with the residents of the city... they came to the
memorial site with carnations and laid them on the wall
with the names of the victims.
_______________________________________
China -has banned the implementation of
US sanctions against five oil companies
May 2nd, 2:54pm
(RT.ru)
The Chinese government has banned the recognition and enforcement of US sanctions against five Chinese oil
companies. The relevant resolution was issued
by the Chinese Ministry of Commerce.
"The Sanctions... should not be recognized,
applied, or respected," the statement says.
These sanctions target Hengli Petrochemical (Dalian),
Shandong Jincheng Petrochemical Group, Hebei
Xinhai Chemical Group, Shouguang Luqing
Petrochemical, and Shandong
Shengxing Chemical.
Earlier, China announced measures
to protect companies that were
included in the 20th package
of EU sanctions.
_____________________________
Putin ratifiedmilitary cooperation
agreement between Russia
and Nicaragua
May 2nd, 7:49am
(Prensa Latina)
President Vladimir Putin today, signed a law that ratifies
the intergovernmental agreement between Russia and
Nicaragua on military cooperation -- according to a
publication published on the official website of
legal acts.
According to the text, ratification will facilitate the development
and strengthening of military cooperation between the two
countries, and provide the necessary legal basis for
defining the objectives, guidelines and forms of
their bilateral military cooperation.
It shall also ensure the protection of the interests of Russian
citizens performing tasks within the framework of this
Convention, within the jurisdiction of Nicaragua.
The statement specifies that the authorized bodies of the parties
for the implementation of the agreement are the Russian
Ministry of Defense and the General Command of
the Nicaraguan Army.
On April 22nd, the State Duma (lower house of the Russian
parliament) ratified the military cooperation agreement
between the two nations, signed in Moscow on
September 22, 2025.
Previously, on January 30th, the Russian president promulgated a
pact with Nicaragua for the reciprocal protection of the citizens
of the two countries ---- against abuses.... in the field of
Region ..and North China's Inner Mongolia Autonomous
Region posted the fastest growth compared with 2025.
In addition, large-scale entertainment events have also boosted
tourism consumption. A concert by the Chinese comedian Yue
Yunpeng drove hotel bookings around Guangzhou Baoneng Performing Arts Centre ---- up 7.9 times during the holiday the highest growth among commercial areas nationwide,
while concerts by rock band Mayday from the Taiwan
island - made Beijing's National Stadium - the Bird's
Nest - the second most popular hotel booking for
commercial areas during the holiday ---- with
bookings rising 91%, according to Qunar.
Provincial football leagues across the country have also remained
highly popular. Qunar data showed that on May 1, Jiangsu ranked
second nationwide in hotel bookings with the Jiangsu Football
City League - "Su Super League," also known as Suchao.
Meanwhile, boosted by a similar football league in Central China's
Hubei Province, Wuhan entered the national top 10 for hotel
bookings, per data by Qunar.
Movie box office for the May Day holiday... is gaining momentum as
box office tracking site Maoyan, reported that the total box office
for the holiday - surpassed 100 million yuan on Friday afternoon.
Crime thriller Cold War 1994 and suspense thriller Vanishing Point
are leading in the box office chart with over 15 million yuan each.
Hollywood blockbuster The Devil Wears Prada 2 is also a strong
contender during the crowded holiday film season as a total of
12 films are hitting the screens during the May Day holiday.
Upbeat --- economic data
What lies behind the robust tourism and leisure consumption
potential is China's upbeat economic figures at the start
of 2026.
Data from the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS) showed that in
the first quarter, the value added of the service sector grew 5.2
percent year-on-year, while that of accommodation & catering
rose 4.3%. Total retail sales of consumer goods reached
12.7695 trillion yuan, up 2.4 percent year-on-year, with
relatively fast growth in retail sales of tourism-
related leasing services and culture, sports
and leisure services.
Although the service sector's prosperity index declined in April,
market expectations remained positive, with the business
activity expectation index rising 0.6 percentage points
from the previous month to 55.4 percent, staying in a
relatively high expansion range above 55 percent,
indicating improved confidence among service
enterprises, said NBS chief statistician
Huo Lihui.
The national conference on the service sector, which was held in
early April this year in Beijing, has sent a clear signal that China
will promote a high-quality service sector driven by demand,
reform, technology and global cooperation, to meet its own
development goals and foster inclusive growth, the Xinhua
News Agency reported on April 9.
Jiang said that the strong holiday consumption is underpinned by
a solid domestic economic recovery and expected growth in the
service sector, while the conference has also encouraged
localities to roll out supportive measures to promote
the integrated development.... of culture,
commerce, tourism and sports.
_________________________________
The US national debt --- has exceeded
100% of GDP, reaching $31.27 trillion
May 1st, 11:26am (Izvestia.ru)
The volume of the US' national debt has exceeded by more than
100% the size of the country's economy and is approaching the
record figure that was established after the end of World War 2.
This was reported on Thursday, April 30, by the US TV channel
Fox Business News (FB), citing data obtained by the Bureau
of Economic Analysis (BEA).
"Given the latest data showing that the national debt exceeds
the size of the US economy, the federal government is rapidly
approaching the record debt-to-GDP ratio of 106% ----- set in
1946," the article states.
It is also noted ---- that the U.S. national debt has reached $31.27
trillion. At the same time, the U.S. gross domestic product (GDP)
as of March 2026, amounted to $31.22 trillion. The publication
notes ---- that this figure has approached the designated
historical maximum achieved against the backdrop
of the army's demobilization.
Analysts from the International Monetary Fund (IMF) on April 15
presented their forecast, according to which, by 2031, the
volume of the national debt of the US.. will increase to
142% of GDP.
This, in their opinion, will happen due to the increase in
Washington's spending of the state budget, and the
deficit of funds themselves. Experts believe, that
this situation may increase the risks for global
financial stability.... including affecting
interest rates.
_____________________________________
What to know about May Day demonstrations
as workers face rising energy costs due to illegal war on Iran
by Sylvie Corbet
May 1st, 11:15am
(AP)
Activists worldwide gathered for May Day rallies and street protests
on Friday, calling for ----- peace, higher wages and better working
conditions as many workers grapple with rising energy costs
and shrinking purchasing power tied to the Iran war.
May 1st, is a public holiday in many countries, to mark International
Workers’ Day, or Labour Day, when workers’ unions traditionally
rally around wages, pensions, inequality and broader political
issues. Demonstrations are being held from Seoul, Sydney
and Jakarta, to many European capitals --- and in cities
across the United States.
“Working people refuse to pay the price for Donald Trump’s war in
the Middle East,” the European Trade Union Confederation, which
represents 93 trade union organizations in 41 European countries
said. “Today’s rallies show working people will not stand by and
see their jobs and living standards destroyed.”
In the United States, people opposing U.S. President Donald
Trump’s policies ----- are undertaking marches and boycotts.
Rising energy prices and living costs
Rising living costs linked to the conflict in the Middle
East ......emerged as a key theme in Friday’s rallies.
In the Philippines’ capital of Manila, large crowds marched to call
for higher wages and lower taxes as protesters denounced the
United States’ role in the Iran war. Some held banners reading
“no troops, no bases, no war games, resist U.S.-led wars.”
Protesters clashed with police blocking the way near
the U.S. Embassy.
“Every Filipino worker now is aware that the situation here
is deeply connected to the global crisis,” said Josua Mata,
leader of SENTRO umbrella group of labour federations.
In Indonesia, President Prabowo Subianto joined a May Day rally
in the capital, Jakarta, greeting tens of thousands of people
amid a tight police and military presence. Workers called
for stronger government protection amid rising prices
and difficulties in finding raw materials for industry.
In Pakistan, May Day is a public holiday marked by rallies, but
many daily wage earners cannot afford to take time off.
“How will I bring vegetables and other necessities home
if I don’t work?” said Mohammad Maskeen, a 55-year-
old construction worker near Islamabad.
Rising oil prices have fueled inflation, which the government
estimates at about 16%, in a country heavily reliant on
financial support from the International Monetary
Fund and allied nations.
Demonstrations across the world
In Istanbul, police detained some 15 protesters who tried to
reach Taksim Square, the epicenter of landmark 2013
protests, in defiance of a government ban.
Turkey’s government has long declared the square off-limits
for demonstrations on security grounds, but some political
parties and trade unions vowed to march there.
In France ---- unions called for demonstrations in Paris and
elsewhere under the slogan “bread, peace and freedom,”
linking workers’ daily concerns - to conflicts in Ukraine
and the Middle East.
In Italy, the government approved nearly 1 billion euros ($1.17
billion) in job incentives this week, aiming to promote stable
employment and curb labour abuses ------ ahead of May Day.
The measures.... extend tax breaks, to encourage hiring
young people and disadvantaged women..... and seek
to address exploitation tied to platform-based work.
Opposition parties dismissed the package as
“pure propaganda.”
In Portugal, proposed labour law changes by the centre-right
government sparked a general strike and street protests
last year. There is still no deal ..after nine months of
negotiations with unions and employers. Unions
say the proposals will weaken workers’ rights,
including by expanding overtime limits ----
and reducing benefits.
France’s mandatory day off
May Day carries special meaning this year in France after a heated
debate about whether employees should be allowed to work on
the country’s most protected public holiday — the only day
when most employees have a mandatory paid day off.
Almost all businesses, shops and malls are closed, and
only essential sectors such as hospitals, transport
and hotels are exempt.
A recent parliamentary proposal to expand work
on the day prompted a major outcry from unions
and left-leaning politicians.
“Don’t touch May Day,” workers’ unions
said, in a joint statement.
Faced with the controversy, the government this week
introduced a bill meant to expand May Day work.... to
people staffing bakeries and florists. It is customary
in France to give lily of the valley flowers on May
Day --- as a symbol of good luck.
“May 1 is not just any day,” Small and Medium-sized Businesses
Minister Serge Papin said. “It symbolizes social gains stemming
from a century of building social rules ------ that have led to the
labour code we know in France. It is indeed a special day.”
Calls for street protests and boycotts in the US
Activists and labour unions are organizing street protests
and boycotts across the United States, where May Day
is not a federal holiday.
May Day Strong, a coalition of activist groups and labor unions,
has called on people to protest under the banner of
“workers --- over billionaires.”
Voicing strong opposition to Trump’s policies, organizers listed
thousands of May Day actions across the country and are
seeking an economic blackout through “no school,
no work, no shopping.”
Demands include --- taxing the rich and putting an end
to the Trump administration’s immigration crackdown,
Roots in Chicago
May Day, or International Workers’ Day, traces back more
than a century to a pivotal period in U.S. labour history.
In the 1880s, unions pushed for an eight-hour workday through
strikes and demonstrations. In May 1886, a Chicago rally
turned deadly... when a bomb exploded and the police
responded with deadly gunfire. Several workers -
immigrants - were convicted of conspiracy and other charges; and four...
were executed.
Unions later designated May 1st to honour workers. A monument
in Chicago’s Haymarket Square commemorates them, with the inscription: “Dedicated to all workers of the world.”
AP journalists Barry Hatton in Lisbon, Portugal, Giada Zampano
in Rome, Munir Ahmed in Islamabad, Niniek Karmini in Jakarta,
Indonesia, and Jim Gomez in Manila, Philippines, contributed
to this news article.
_______________
''American dream'' increasingly
distant for Latinos in the US
May 1st, 8:52am
(Prensa Latina)
According to a recent poll, for Latinos in the United States the so-
called "American dream" is today increasingly a utopia due to
the economic situation, for which they blame President
Donald Trump.
The finding by Voto Latino and Murmuration noted that 83 percent
of that demographic said that "elected officials, including the
President and members of Congress, have at least some
influence over their personal financial situation" or, in
other words, that they are the cause of their ills.
For 65 percent of those interviewed, people who work hard have
difficulty getting ahead, while 77 percent consider that having
their own home and a comfortable retirement are no longer a
realistic matter.
"Rising costs force Latino families to make unthinkable decisions
on a daily basis. From gasoline to food to rent, the pressure is
relentless. When people cut spending on essentials just to
be able to pay for gas, this indicates a deeper problem in
our economy," said Beatriz López, executive director of
Voto Latino, quoted by the newspaper La Opinión.
Trump promised during his election campaign in 2024 that he would
lower costs from the first day of his arrival in the White House
and to a large extent his promise of change seduced many
Latino voters.
More than a year after his return to power, reality says otherwise.
The promised Golden Age is uncertain and more than a few are
beginning to question President Trump's economic policies
such as his imposition of tariffs on dozens of countries,
which resulted in everything being more expensive
in the markets, and the war he started with Iran
that sent the price of oil through the roof and,
therefore, of gasoline.
____________________________________________
The Soyuz-5 launch vehicle
was launched.... from the
Baikonur Cosmodrome
April 30th, 6:27pm
(RT.ru)
This was reported by Roscosmos.
"On April 30, at 21:00 Moscow time, a new Russian medium-class
Soyuz-5 launch vehicle was launched from the 45th platform at
Baikonur Cosmodrome," the report said.
It is specified that the first and second stages of Soyuz-5 operated
normally, and the mass-dimensional model was placed on a
calculated suborbital trajectory, followed by a fall in a
previously closed area for shipping and aviation
in the Pacific Ocean.
Earlier, the Progress MS-34 transport and cargo spacecraft
docked to the Zvezda module of the Russian segment of
the International Space Station.
____________________________________
Argentine President on U.S.
aircraft carrier USS Nimitz
April 30th, 2:11pm
(Prensa Latina)
In a new show of alignment with the current U.S. government of
Donald Trump, Argentine President Javier Milei today visited
the aircraft carrier USS Nimitz, which is in maneuvers... in
the Exclusive Economic Zone of this country.
The local press echoed the event this Thursday. For the newspaper
La Nación, "the governments of Donald Trump and Javier Milei
took another step to strengthen the strategic alliance in
military matters with the visit of the head of the U.S.
Special Operations Command South, Rear Admiral
Mark A. Schafer, and the arrival of two warships
to participate in military exercises."
On the account in X Argentine Armed Forces, the government
shared photos of the president and his entourage arriving
at the aircraft carrier ......and walking on its runway.
The Passex 2026 maneuvers are carried out in the waters of the
country's Exclusive Economic Zone in the Sea of Argentina,
off the coast of Mar del Plata, in the South Atlantic.
Página12, for its part, reports that "in another of his eccentric trips,
Milei left this morning for the South Atlantic --- to take a tour of the
deck of the nuclear aircraft carrier USS Nimitz, one of the largest
ships of the U.S. war fleet ......that carries out naval exercises in
southern Argentina."
He adds that this visit "was the product of an effort by Ambassador
Peter Lamelas and is another example of the ''harmony'' between
the administration of Donald Trump and the Casa Rosada."
Lamelas coordinated the details for Milei to depart from the
Metropolitan Airport aboard the Grumman C-2 Greyhound
warplane, to the aircraft carrier that sails off the coast
of Mar del Plata, the newspaper expanded.
He was accompanied by his sister Karina, the Minister of Defense,
Carlos Presti; the head of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, Marcelo Dalle
Nogare; the head of the Navy, Juan Carlos Romay; and the
president of the Chamber of Deputies, Martín Menem.
The president also met with Rear Admiral Schafer, who
heads the Special Operations Command South.
The USS Nimitz (CVN-68) is one of the oldest and most important
nuclear-powered aircraft carriers of the United States Navy. It is
a ship with an autonomous operational capacity, thanks to the
presence of its two nuclear reactors.
The naval unit has a length of 333 metres with a capacity to
operate up to 90 aircraft and a crew of more than 5,000
crew members.
[Rhondda Records adds: Let's hope there are no members
among the 5,000 crew, who are disgruntled enough to
set Milei on fire, or stick him down a toilet!]
_______________________________
Russian bombers --- fly over
Norwegian & Barents seas
April 30th, 1:28pm
(Prensa Latina)
The Tu-95MS strategic bombers of the Russian Air Force made
a scheduled flight over the neutral waters of the Norwegian
and Barents Seas, the Ministry of Defense reported today.
"The Tu-95MS strategic bombers of the long-range aviation of the
Russian Aerospace Force made a scheduled flight in the air-
space over the neutral waters of the Barents & Norwegian
Seas," the statement from the military entity said.
The aircraft - were escorted by Su-30SM fighters, the note said,
adding that the flight lasted more than six hours and included
an in-air refueling.
"At certain stages of the route, the strategic bombers
were escorted by fighters from foreign states,"
the publication adds.
Russian long-range aviation makes regular flights
over the neutral waters of the Arctic, the North
Atlantic, the Pacific Ocean, as well as the
Baltic and Black Seas.
______________________________________
Mexico Signals Possible Political
Target... After U.S. Indictments
April 30th, 11:07am
(Prensa Latina)
President Claudia Sheinbaum today pointed out possible political
objectives in U.S. accusations against Mexican officials, due to
the absence of clear evidence, and rejected any foreign
interference in this Latin American country.
"As President of the Republic, my position on these facts is:
truth, justice and defense of sovereignty," said the head of
the Executive in reference to Washington's requests for
provisional detention for extradition purposes for 10
officials and former officials.
Sheinbaum said that, if the Attorney General's Office (FGR)
receives strong and irrefutable evidence under Mexican
law, or in its own investigation finds elements
constituting a crime, it must proceed
according to law, under
national jurisdiction.
"I have always said it clearly and we have acted accordingly:
we are not going to cover anyone who has committed a
crime; however, if there is no clear evidence, it is
evident that the objective of these accusations
by the Department of Justice is political,"
she said.
When reading a statement, she stressed that under no
circumstances will "the interference of a foreign
government in the decisions exclusively
concerning the people of Mexico"
be allowed.
In her usual meeting with the media, the dignitary recalled that,
since she assumed the Presidency, she swore to respect the
Constitution and the laws, in addition to assuming the firm
commitment to ensure the well-being of the people and
the defense of national sovereignty.
"Mexico establishes a relationship of equals with all nations,
never of subordination and even less of surrender,"
she emphasized.
The U.S. Department of Justice for the Southern District of New
York yesterday made public the putting of charges against the
10 citizens, including the acting governor of Sinaloa, the
senator for the state and the mayor of Culiacán.
"Attached to this indictment, he published a document called in
Spanish Accusation of replacement under confidentiality. This
led to an estrangement from the Legal Department of Foreign
Affairs, given that these processes are confidential, in
accordance with the treaties on the matter,"
Sheinbaum said.
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs reported on Washington's requests
the day before, said that the documents did not attach evidence
and sent the information to the FGR, in accordance with the
current regulatory framework.
On Wednesday, the Prosecutor's Office declared that it will
initiate an investigation after the requests of the US and
confirmed that they lack sufficient evidence.
According to reports, the U.S. Department of Justice
filed charges against the citizens for alleged links
to the Sinaloa Cartel.
Through a message on the social network X, the governor
of Sinaloa, Rubén Rocha, "categorically and absolutely"
rejected the accusations made against him by the US
Attorney's Office of the Southern District of New
York, as "they lack any veracity or foundation."
________________________________________________
Russia and Belarus develop
mining machinery company
April 30th, 9:59am
(Prensa Latina)
A joint venture between Belarus and Russia for the development of
hydrogen and unmanned mining machinery, was inaugurated in
Moscow, the multinational channel TVBrics reported today.
The new company will create a comprehensive product combining
innovative engineering with high commercial efficiency, the main
goal of which is to integrate into the Russian mining industry
comprehensive solutions including hydrogen dump trucks
and unmanned vehicles.
These technologies are expected to reduce the operating costs,
reduce the carbon footprint and increase safety in mining work.
The company's activity, will ensure complete support for innovative
solutions: the implementation of machinery on the Russian market, the creation of infrastructure, the adaptation and support of IT solutions and technical services, including training, technical support and software modernization.
The Belarusian side will focus on the manufacture of dump trucks
-- and the development of specialized software. The Russian side
will ensure the integration of the solutions in mining enterprises.
The joint efforts are aimed at creating a unique platform for
the development and deployment of artificial intelligence,
telemetry and hydrogen energy technologies.
"It is not only a new stage of cooperation, but a fundamental step
towards the technological sovereignty of our states. Today -- we
are combining the power of Belarusian mechanical engineering
and digital skills, with the investment potential of our Russian
partners," said Sergey Lesin, CEO of the largest Belarusian
manufacturer of mining machinery.
The participation of the Belarusian code in the project is 100%
and the development is in demand in the countries of the CIS
(Commonwealth of Independent States.) The new company,
has export potential, as it offers a comprehensive product:
The Costa Rican publication SURCOS highlighted the preparations
today to celebrate International Workers' Day this May 1 in Cuba,
where "thousands of workers will take to the streets to defend
socialism and the Revolution."
The acts to date "in addition to six decades of infamous and
criminal commercial and financial blockade by the United
States, face an oil siege ordered by the White House,
which threatens a military intervention against the
island," describes an article by local journalist
Rafael Ugalde.
"Washington and Havana," recalls the commentary "The Claim of
the Martyrs," "had a particularly contradictory recent meeting,
because while it was taking place, U.S. President Donald
Trump was once again placing the island on the radar
of a possible escalation."
The also lawyer and renowned Costa Rican intellectual alluded in
this regard to the contradictory and threatening attitude of the
president of the northern country in the midst of the current
tensions, "by suggesting that Cuba could be the next
target, after other conflict scenarios."
According to Ugalde, "the so-called 'Trumpism' knows how to
'bully' everyone. No one doubts that. But he has no idea
about the history of the Cuban people."
The writer quotes the First Secretary of the Central Committee of
the Communist Party of Cuba and president of the republic,
Miguel Díaz-Canel, who, he stressed, "stopped Trump in
his tracks and with few lines, describing his threats as
'serious' and as a 'challenge to the sovereignty of
the island'."
"Immediately afterwards," the Costa Rican commentator points out,
"Trump was warned - by the president of the Caribbean country:
"Cuba will not surrender and will defend itself until death; and
added, in case Trump were short of understanding, that any
attempt at military aggression ---------------- will be met with
unassailable resistance."
The SURCOS article, a summary of the origin of International
Workers' Day, under the influence of "The Chicago Martyrs,"
specifies that Costa Rica has celebrated it since 1913, "at
the initiative of the General Confederation of Workers and
the Germinal Centre for Social Studies."
__________________________________________
Kommersant: Ukraine is trying to challenge
the arbitration decision to pay $104 million
to Tatarstan
April 30th, 2:07am
(RT.ru)
Ukraine intends to appeal the arbitration court's decision, to
recover $104 million from the Ministry of Land and Property
Relations of the Republic of Tatarstan in Russia.
As claims Kommersant newspaper, citing the Global Arbitration
Review, in 2016 the Russian region initiated investment
arbitration against Ukraine, with claims worth about
$300 million. The claims concerned the loss of the
plaintiffs 28.78% stake in Ukrtaatnafta CJSC –
their joint venture with Ukraine, which
owned the Kremenchuk Refinery.
According to the article, the arbitration proceedings
were administered by the Permanent Court of
Arbitration in The Hague.
In 2023, the arbitration ruled that the Ministry of State
Property's share - had been expropriated by the
Ukrainian courts, which violated the 1998
Investment Protection Agreement
between Russia and Ukraine,
and the defendant state,
must pay the investor
$104 million.
The Ukrainian side.. is currently trying to overturn this
decision in the Paris Court of Appeal. The case will
be considered in the coming months.
In December, Russian investors demanded
€53 billion from the EU --- for the seizure
of assets.
_____________________________________________
Serbia has stated.... that it receives gas
on the most favourable terms in Europe
April 29th, 3:57pm
(RT.ru)
Nenad Popovic, Minister without Portfolio in the Serbian
government responsible for international economic
cooperation, said that Serbia receives the most
favourable gas prices in Europe.
"We, as Serbia, which is a very attractive country for
investment today, gets the best energy prices from
Russia.. Serbia gets the cheapest gas in Europe,"
TASS quoted him as saying.
The day before, Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic
announced explosives found near a gas pipeline
leading to Hungary.
Hungarian Foreign Minister Péter Szijjártó called the
attempt to sabotage the Serbian section of the
Turkish Stream gas pipeline - an attack on the country's sovereignty.
_____________________________________________
Prime Minister Le Minh Hung
congratulates ASEAN U17
title winners
by Huong Giang
April 29th, 2:55pm
(VGP)
Prime Minister Le Minh Hung on Wednesday hosted a reception
for the national U17 football squad after they won the 2026
ASEAN U-17 title in Indonesia.
Viet Nam defeated Malaysia 3-0 in the final of the ASEAN U17
Championship in Indonesia on April 25 to clinch the ASEAN
U-17 title for the fourth time, becoming the most
successful team in the history of the
regional competition.
This regional title ---- serves as an important stepping stone
as the team now looks ahead to higher-level competitions,
including the AFC U17 Championship and, ultimately,
qualification for the FIFA U17 World Cup.
More than just an historic milestone, the 2026 championship
provides strong evidence that Viet Nam's long-term youth
development strategy is on the right trac --, laying a firm
foundation for the nation's ambitions on the continental
and global stage.
The title was forged through a particularly convincing journey
- a flawless, unbeaten campaign marked by resilience,
determination, and ambition, featuring four wins,
one draw, and 19 goals scored, said Prime
Minister Le Minh Hung.
The Prime Minister expressed his belief that the team will
continue to maintain their faith, gaining more momentum
to strive for even greater victories in the future.
On the occasion, the national football squad was awarded the
Prime Minister's Certificate of Merit for their exceptional
achievement in the 2026 ASEAN U17 Championship.
______________________________________
They promote a trade and investment
platform with China ------ in Cuba
April 29th, 1:28pm
(Prensa Latina)
Authorities and businessmen from this province today
identified business opportunities with the Investment
and Trade Platform for Latin America (Picla), Cuba's
and China's initiative for industrial development.
The meeting, which included the participation of Governor
Manuel Hernandez, focused attention on strengthening
electronic commerce and direct access to suppliers
and logistics services of the Asian giant.
The initiative promotes the articulation of businesses
without intermediaries to guarantee the supply of
raw materials to companies and ventures in
high demand, in the territory of east Cuba.
Institutions such as the University of Holguín and the Scientific,
Technological and Industrial Park - will lead the process in the
province to finalize future agreements that increase the
competitiveness of the local business sector.
Picla aims to interconnect the two nations to energize strategic
sectors through the commercialization of products and
access to essential inputs... in a broad environment
of economic cooperation.
_____________________________________
They will apply a financial program
to help Colombian coffee growers
April 29th, 1:21pm
(Prensa Latina)
More than 100 thousand Colombian producers will be
able to benefit from a program designed to protect
coffee growing ----- from climate impacts, such as the economies and markets associated with the El Niño phenomenon and the global fertilizer
situation, it was known today.
According to the Ministry of Agriculture, for this purpose, nearly
52 billion pesos will be invested (about 14 million 400 thousand
dollars at the current exchange rate), the scope of which will
benefit 610 coffee-growing municipalities in 23 departments.
It is estimated that around 108 thousand coffee growers
will receive support to invest in fertilization, renewal
and production, while women and young people
will be worthy of an additional bonus.
The resources for the program will be provided exclusively
by the Coffee Price Stabilization Fund and the Faia
Mitigation 2026 program.
The Ministry explained that the initiative does not constitute
another subsidy, but rather a strategy for early income
protection, productive strengthening and structural
defense of the peasantry.
He recalled that 97 percent of the country's coffee growers
are small producers and 91 percent grow crops on less
than three hectares.
In the construction of the program, he stressed, it was taken
into account --- that the lack of adequate fertilization can
reduce crop productivity between 20 and 46 percent,
in addition, that timely nutrition allows production
to increase from 12 to 17 loads per hectare,
which represents an increase of close
to 42 %.
_____________________________________
Mexico agreed to collaborate with
Petrobras in biodiesel production
April 29th, 12:32pm
(Prensa Latina)
President Claudia Sheinbaum confirmed today - that Mexico
agreed to collaborate with Petrobras to take advantage of
technological developments ---- in areas such as oil
extraction and biodiesel production.
In response to a question about the recent visit to the country of
the president of Petrobras, Magda Chambriard, the dignitary
said that the company of the Southern giant has developed
many methodologies for crude oil extraction and the
production of biodiesel or ethanol.
“So, we agreed to collaborate so that we can take advantage of
many technological developments that they have and that they
can take advantage of technological developments that we
have”, the Chief Executive stated .....during her usual
press conference.
She also announced that on May 13, a team from Petrobras'
production, exploration and transformation area will arrive
to work together with technicians from Mexico.
The meeting between Chambriard and Sheinbaum in this
capital on April 24 took place before an upcoming visit
by the president to Brazil, scheduled for the middle of
the year.
Sheinbaum and his counterpart from the South American giant,
Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva, have held dialogues to follow up on
joint economic development, education and science
projects, as well as the visit made in August by
Vice President Geraldo Alckmin.
On that occasion the official traveled accompanied by a
large group of the cabinet and Brazilian businessmen.
In addition, together with the then Mexican Foreign Minister,
Juan Ramón de la Fuente, he signed the joint declaration
for the monitoring and implementation of trade and
investment agreements, plus those referring to
agriculture, health and energy issues.
Cultural guild commemorates
International Dance Day
April 29th, 12:05am
(Prensa Latina)
Today the world celebrates International Dance Day, established
in 1982 by the United Nations Educational Organization,
science and Culture, in tribute to this discipline as
a universal art.
The date remembers the birth of the Frenchman Jean-Georges
Noverre (1727-1810), considered the creator of modern ballet,
whose theoretical and practical work marked a decisive turn
in the history of dance.
In each edition, a personality from the choreographic field
shares a message....... aimed at professionals and
organizations from more than 200 countries.
This year, the author is the Canadian Crystal Pite (1970),
recognized for her exploration of the collective in
movement, and the theatrical charge of
her creations.
We are dancers, all of us. Life moves us; life dances us.
As ephemeral as breath, as concrete as bone, dance
is made of us. We sculpted space, Pite writes.
We write with our bodies in a wordless language that
we nevertheless deeply understand. By dancing, we
gracefully inhabit the interior space and that
around us, she stresses.
For the choreographer, artistic manifestation, like life,
is created and destroyed at every moment.
«Like love, it is beyond reason», she
adds, in her message.
It's hard to imagine what a dance artist can do in a world that
urgently needs radical transformation and healing. And yet
art, like hope, is a form of love. Generative even in
desolation, art dissolves the hardening mind
and acts as a balm that repairs it,
she reflects.
Founder of the Kidd Pivot company, she has signed pieces
such as Betroffenheit, Flight Pattern and Revisor, and
awarded with international awards, such as the
Olivier Award.
''Dance is a tool for artistic and social reflection; like
any manifestation of art, it is capable of expressing
emotions and experiences that transcend words,
cultural, political and geographical borders.''
The full message published by Crystal Pite
is available on the Cubarte portal website.
_________________________________________
The new Hungarian government -will
investigate the circumstances of
the 1990s privatization.
April 28th, 10:18pm
(Izvestia.ru)
Hungary will launch an investigation - into the so-called
spontaneous privatization of 1988-2000, during which
embezzlement occurred. This was announced on
April 28 by the leader of the Tisa party, Peter
Magyar, who will soon become the head
of the Hungarian government.
"We will create a commission that will investigate and find out
who became the beneficiary of the embezzlement that was
allowed during the "spontaneous privatization" in the
period 1998-2000," he said in the social network
X (ex. Twitter).
The politician clarified that the commission would also have
to examine the possible involvement of “state security
agencies and party leadership” in the embezzlement.
Magyar on April 25 appealed to the leadership of the law
enforcement agencies ---- to forbid the exit abroad of
businessmen from the entourage of the country's
Prime Minister, Viktor Orban. In addition, he
appealed to the Prosecutor General's
Office and the police: to detain
individuals who allegedly
caused damage to the
state - in the amount
of trillions of forints.
________________________
Dmitriev suggested.....that Sweden
should ask Russia for aviation fuel
April 28th, 9:11pm
(Izvestia.ru)
Kirill Dmitriev, head of the Russian Direct Investment
Fund (RDIF), said on April 26, that Sweden should
turn to Russia.. due to a possible shortage of
aviation fuel.
"Repent and ask Russia for aviation fuel," he
wrote on the social network X (ex. Twitter).
Thus, Dmitriev commented on a post by the BRICS
News news portal, which reported on a possible
shortage of fuel for aircraft carriers..... in the
near future.
It's as simple, as this: the EU opposition is
demanding that aviation fuel be imported
from Russia.
European storage facilities have less than 20 days
of supplies left, and the tourist season ---- may
be disrupted.
Armando Mehma, a member of the Finnish national
conservative Freedom Alliance party --- said on
April 1 that the EU's refusal to use Russian
oil and gas ----- was an act of so-called
euro-suicide.
In response --- Maria Zakharova, a spokesperson for
the Russian Ministry of Foreign Affairs, stated on
April 13, that the alliance was paying a high
price - not for its dependence on foreign
energy - but for its betrayal .....of its
own interests.
The Financial Times newspaper pointed out on April 23
a sharp increase in prices for energy resources, that
is now recorded in the EU. It was noted: that such
a situation was caused... by the lack of an
alliance of sufficient resources, to
purchase the required goods.
_________________________________
The Emirati Oil Free Zone:What Will
Change for the Global Oil Market
After May 2026
April 28th, 3:58pm
(Pravda.ru)
The global oil industry is preparing for major changes
after an official announcement from an influential
Middle Eastern player about the severance of
long-standing ties.
The United Arab Emirates (UAE) has announced its withdrawal
from OPEC and the OPEC+ format as of May 1, 2026. The
country intends to increase production in a targeted
manner, taking into account demand and
market conditions.
"We believe that the world will need more energy in the future,
and leaving OPEC and OPEC+ will allow us to meet these
needs while continuing to cooperate with our partners
and investors," said the UAE Minister of Energy and
Infrastructure, Suheil al-Mazroui.
By withdrawing from OPEC, the Emirates are no longer bound by
production quotas and can produce and export as much oil as
they want. This move, which was not coordinated with other
members of the cartel, is seen as a potential weakening of
OPEC's unity.
The Emirates has two ports that do not open in the Strait of
Hormuz. One of them is Fujairah. It is the largest tanker
refueling centre in the region and the most important
terminal for oil exports. The port is served by the
Habshan — Fujairah strategic pipeline, which
allows the UAE to supply oil directly to the
Indian Ocean. However, even before the
war, its capacity covered only about
36-50% of the country's current
export potential.
Even at the pipeline's maximum capacity (1.8 million bpd),
more than 1.7-2 million barrels per day still need to be
shipped through terminals in the Persian Gulf (such
as Jebel Danna or Das), which requires passage
through the Strait of Hormuz. However, the UAE
is already building a second oil pipeline with a
capacity of 1.5 million barrels per day from
Ruwais to Fujairah. It is expected to be
operational in 2027.
In March, the port's infrastructure ---- was hit by several drone
attacks, temporarily paralyzing the shipping operations at Oil
Terminals 1 and 2. By the end of April, most of the berths
had been restored, but the Mena Fujairah terminal is still
operating with restrictions ---- due to damage to the
naphtha tanks. This means that, until a peace
agreement is reached with Iran.... the UAE's
strategy for generating additional revenue
will not be effective. Additionally, the
post-war decline in oil prices, will
have a significant impact on
the UAE's budget.
For the world, this means the end of an era of predictable oil
prices, as the UAE is the third-largest contributor to the
cartel's quotas. The decision is clearly political.
Reuters views the UAE's decision as a significant blow to Saudi
Arabia, the de facto leader of the organization. The agency
also suggests that this move could be seen as a victory
for Donald Trump, who has previously accused OPEC
of inflating oil prices and linked U.S. military support
to Gulf countries to their oil policies. It is possible
that Trump pushed for this decision.
The Emirate of Abu Dhabi joined the organization in 1967,
before the formation of the unified UAE state in 1971.
OPEC was established in 1960 by Iran, Iraq, Kuwait, Saudi Arabia,
and Venezuela to coordinate oil policies and influence global
prices. The OPEC+ format later.... brought together OPEC
countries and major independent producers, including
Russia. OPEC+ accounts for approximately half of
global oil production.
_____________________________________________
They denounce to Unicef - a plan to
eliminate school feeding in Chile
April 28th, 3:57pm
(Prensa Latina)
Chilean deputies today sent a letter to the United Nations
Children's Fund (UNICEF) ----- where they express their
concern about the possibility that the government
of José Antonio Kast eliminates the School
Feeding Program (PAE).
In the letter, addressed to the Unicef representative here,
Violet Speek-Warnery, the legislators cite a document
from the Ministry of Finance that calls for stopping
dozens of social projects --- including the PAE,
executed by the National Board of School
Aid and Scholarships (Junaeb).
“The mere threat of suppressing the program that today
benefits nearly two million children and adolescents
violates the right to food, enshrined in international
treaties”, legislator Luis Cuello, of the Communist
Party, warned.
Although the Government came out to clarify that the
Treasury circular only contains “suggestions”, the
parliamentarians warned - that the risk of cuts
persists as long as the document is in force.
They also added that these “recommendations” are in
line with the Government's fiscal strategy of cutting
budgets for ministries to compensate for tax cuts
for large ''multinational'' companies.
Deputy Juan Santana, of the Socialist Party, denounced
that the Executive ------ “is focusing on the financial
evaluation of the program, but totally ignoring
the social benefits that it brings”.
The legislators recalled that the Junaeb School Feeding
Program not only fulfills a nutritional function, but is
also a structural support for school performance
or even attendance, especially in vulnerable
contexts of ---- poverty.
For this reason, its eventual elimination, or even significant
reduction, would have effects that go beyond the budget.
The deputies ask Unicef for a statement on the importance
of not going backwards in the state guarantee of the right
to food for children and adolescents. In addition to the
two legislators mentioned, the letter is signed by
Patricio Pinilla, from Christian Democracy and
Daniela Serrano and Lorena Pizarro, from the Communist Party.
____________________________
Westlosing leadership positionto
Global South: Russia’s president
April 28th, 2:07pm
(PressTV)
Russian President Vladimir Putin says the West
is losing its economic and political leadership
position in the world, giving way to the
countries of the Global South.
A more complex -- multipolar -- architecture of global
development is taking shape as Western countries
lose their dominance and yield to new growth
centres in the Global South, the Russian
president said on Tuesday, in a video
message to participants of the
Open Dialogue Forum.
“States that truly understand and appreciate the importance
of national sovereignty in the political, economic, cultural
and social spheres are playing an increasingly important
role, and they -- can determine the vector of their own
development, based on their own values, resources
and priorities, identity and sovereign worldview,”
he stated.
Prior approaches and established norms of business and
international relations are steadily losing their efficacy,
partly due to the actions of Western countries, which
are relinquishing their leadership positions, he noted.
“The events of recent years show that all elements of global
growth, from economics and finance to technology and
demography, are changing irreversibly,” Putin added.
The global development model, he argued, will only be
sustainable if it is built on the principles of equality
--- and takes into account the interests of all
countries. No nation can develop alone,
at the expense of others, or to
their detriment.
“It is important to focus the entire global development platform
so everyone, anywhere on Earth can have the right to a
successful future, choose their own path, and put
their choice into practice, step by step,”
the Russian president concluded.
The Global South emerged in part - to help countries in the
southern hemisphere collaborate on political, economic,
social, environmental, cultural, and technical issues.
Since 1995, exports within the Global South have
surged by 1,300 percent, double the growth
rate of exports to the North.
Countries of the Global South are no longer merely suppliers
for the West; they are increasingly fueling each other’s
economic and financial development.
More than 40 percent of exports from developing countries
now remain within the Global South, twice the share in
2000, indicating deepening interdependence.
Benefiting from expanded South-South trade relations,
developing economies today account for about 45%
of global GDP, up from 25% in 2000.
_____________________________________
Japanese Prime Minister... to pay an
official visit to Viet Nam this week
April 28th, 1:36pm
(VGP)
Japanese Prime Minister Takaichi Sanae is set to pay an
official visit to Viet Nam from May 1-3 at the invitation
of her Vietnamese counterpart, Le Minh Hung, the
Ministry of Foreign Affairs, stated on Tuesday.
This is Takaichi Sanae's first visit in her capacity
as the head of the Japanese Government.
At a press meeting in Ha Noi on April 28, Japan's
Ambassador to Viet Nam Ito Naoki, said the
visit reflects the fact that Prime Minister
Takaichi Sanae personally ---- and her
Government, attach importance to
the relations between Viet Nam
and Japan.
It also demonstrates their recognition and
high regard, for Viet Nam's role on the
international stage.
The Ambassador noted that the visit aims to strengthen
and build trust between the leaders of the 2 countries.
Both sides ..will discuss key areas of cooperation in
the coming period, such as the economy, energy,
and people-to-people exchanges.
Viet Nam and Japan established diplomatic relations in 1973
and upgraded their ties into a Comprehensive Strategic
Partnership in 2023. Japan..... is Viet Nam's largest
provider of ODA, the biggest labour cooperation
partner, the third-largest investor, and fourth
-largest partner in tourism and trade.
Bilateral trade value reached over US$51.43 billion last year.
The Japanese Embassy in Viet Nam reported that in the
first quarter of this year, the figure increased by 12.7%
compared to the same period last year --- with firm
expectations of reaching US$60 billion by 2027.
As of January 31, 2026, Japan had 5,722 valid investment
projects in Viet Nam with a total registered capital of
US$78.9 billion, ranking third among 153 countries
& territories investing in the S. East Asian nation.
In the semiconductor sector, Viet Nam aims to train 500 PhD
researchers by 2030, and Japan has announced it will
accept about half of them, through international
joint research programs.
There are more than 680,000 Vietnamese people living
in Japan, making them the second-largest foreign
community in the country.
___________________________
China's top management
evaluates economy
in first quarter
April 28th, 11:18am
(Prensa Latina)
The Political Bureau of the Central Committee of the
Communist Party of China today analyzed the
economic situation - and outlined priorities
to consolidate and promote high-
quality development.
Chaired by the general secretary of the Party, Xi Jinping,
the meeting noted that the economy began the year
with positive results and with key indicators
above expectations.
Participants warned that difficulties and challenges
persist, so the foundation ...must be strengthened.
The meeting stressed the need to maintain the principle
of progress with stability and balance development
and security.
The Political Bureau indicated that China must deepen
reform and opening-up, while reinforcing its scientific
and technological self-sufficiency.
The meeting proposed building safe and controllable
industrial chains ....against the ''external'' dangers.
The meeting proposed implementing a more proactive
fiscal policy and accommodative monetary policy --
with a precise approach.
It also urged expanding domestic demand and
optimizing supply, to boost economic growth.
The Political Bureau highlighted the importance
of stable employment, businesses, markets,
and expectations.
The meeting highlighted the need to guarantee basic
well-being, the payment of salaries, and the
functioning of the government.
The meeting noted that monetary policy should
ensure sufficient liquidity and a stable yuan
exchange rate.
It also called for boosting consumption by
increasing quality goods and services.
The Political Bureau urged - to strengthen key
infrastructure such as electrical networks,
digital systems and modern logistics.
The meeting - advocated accelerating industrial
modernization and maintaining the weight of
the manufacturing sector.
The meeting highlighted the implementation
of the initiative “IA plus” to develop the
smart economy.
Likewise, it asked to face external challenges
with measures aimed at sustaining high-
quality growth.
The meeting called for a stable real estate market
and for controling local government debt risks.
It also stressed the need to reform small and
medium-sized financial institutions and
strengthening capital markets.
The Political Bureau -- reiterated the priority of
employment and the strengthening of public
services such as education, health and
child care.
China seeks to consolidate its economic strength
in a complex international context, with stress
on macroeconomic stability and sustainable
development... in the period of the 15th Five Year Plan (2026-2030).
________________________________________________
Sonority of Nicolás Guillén in China
with All the flowers of April
April 28th, 4:01am
(Prensa Latina)
The sound and indigenousness of the poetry of Cuban
Nicolás Guillén focused today on the presentation of
the Mandarin edition of the anthology --- "All the
flowers of April", by this Caribbean poet.
The Yilin Press publishing house promoted this initiative
with the help of Peking University professor and
renowned translator Zhao Zenjiang, in charge
of compiling and translating the texts.
In statements to Prensa Latina, Geober Guibert Pardo,
Director of International Relations of the Cuban
Ministry of Culture, highlighted Zhao's ability
to transmit «that living source that is Cuban
culture, so that its essence and musicality
reach the Chinese reader intact».
During the presentation, the director of the Cubapoesía
Cultural Centre, Alex Pausides, stated that publishing
Guillén in Mandarin constitutes “the most powerful
and exact way --------- to proclaim the universal
dimension” of the poet.
He pointed out that Guillén is part of a generation born
in 1902 along with figures such as Nazim Hikmet and
Langston Hughes, considered essential -- in 20th
century poetry.
The director stressed that the work of the National Poet
of Cuba occupies a relevant place within the literary
tradition along with authors such as José Martí
and José Lezama Lima.
He highlighted that Guillén integrated the poetic tradition
in the Spanish language with Afro-Antillean elements,
which gave his creation a deep humanism and a
representative expression of mestizo culture.
For his part, the deputy editor of this publishing house, Li
Ruihua, assured that this book allows Chinese readers
to approach justice, in the sensitivity and strength
present in his work.
He stressed the desire to expand literary cooperation
between both countries through new translations,
and cultural exchange projects.
Also on this day, the book «Cantar de Alejandro» was
presented in the context of the centenary of the
birth of the historic leader, Fidel Castro.
«All April Flowers» was presented last week at the
Second Daliang Mountain Poetry Days, China.
In parallel, a bronze sculpture by Nicolás Guillén was
inaugurated and installed, in La Casa del Poeta, in the Villa de Baimiao, in Xichang.
According to specialized sources, this is not the first
Mandarin translation of Nicolás Guillén's work.
In 1959, the Editorial de Literatura para el Pueblo
published two anthologies --- titled «Selected
Poems» and «Sudor y Látigo; 13 poems».
Guillén visited ...and got to know the People's Republic
of China.... proclaimed by Mao Zedong in 1952 and
then visited again, in 1959.
_________________________________________
ANDIS scandal ---continues tarnishing
the image of Argentina's government
April 28th, 12:42am
(Prensa Latina)
Diego Sapagnuolo, close friend of President Javier Milei
who directed the National Disability Agency (ANDIS),
appears today before the court that will expand its
investigation into new events related to the
bribery scandal.
This Tuesday begins a series of 35 investigations into the
case that involves Karina Milei, sister of the president
and general secretary of the Presidency, in which
criminal maneuvers.... for over 75 billion pesos
(54 million 348 thousand dollars) are aired.
Among those mentioned will be accused of laundering “black
money” obtained at ANDIS, among them Alan Pocovi, linked
to the Menem family, and Sergio Mastropietro, Fred
Machado's former partner, who was accused of
drug trafficking and extradited to the US,
where he is being tried by a court
in Texas.
Spagnuolo is the main figure of “Coimagate”, the case in which
a “huge corruption plot” is being investigated in ANDIS during
the libertarian government. The accused, who was also the
president's lawyer, will be the first to testify of the 35
summoned by Judge Ariel Lijo now in charge of the
case by instruction of prosecutor Franco Picardi.
For Picardi, the former director of ANDIS is one of the heads of
the criminal organization. In a series of leaked audios that
were the media trigger for this case, Spagnuolo is heard
saying that a system of bribes operated in the
organization under his command, that ends
up in his hands.... by Karina Milei.
His defense alleges that these recordings were adulterated,
but references to “3% for KM” appear from the analysis of
the accused's cell phones. 3% is the same figure that the
former head of ANDIS is heard saying in the aired audios
brought to light by the Carnaval Stream media.
In addition to Spagnuolo, this Tuesday Daniel María Garbellini,
who was in charge of the Program Directorate “Include
Health”, must go before the court, the area from
which the manipulated purchases that are
being analyzed in Justice --- were made.
Garbellini is one of the 19 defendants.
This process contributes to further tarnishing the image of the
government and especially of the Milei brothers. On Monday,
the Torcuato Di Tella University released its Government
Confidence Index (ICG), which reflects that Argentines
trust their president .....less and ........less.
The ICG prepared by that private institution shows that this
indicator fell 12.1% in April, and has been declining for four consecutive months.
The deterioration of the index was general, as its five components - showed negative variations in April, with especially marked falls in the key areas of the evaluation of government management.
The Efficiency parameter was the one that fell the most, with
21.4%, followed by ---- the General Government Evaluation
(-17.2%) and Concern for the general interest (-13.9%).
The Honesty component fell minus 8.4% and the
Ability to govern fell to minus 2%.
A trio of surveys whose results were released in recent days
detected that over 60% of Argentines are today dissatisfied
with the government management of Milei and his ''team''.
Brussels is unable to establish relations with any of the
great powers. The EU's relationship with China --- has
entered a phase of open confrontation.
The EU has faced critical
sanctions .....from China
On April 23, Brussels approved the 20th package of sanctions
against Russia, which included 16 major Chinese companies
for the first time ------- "for supplying dual-use goods and
components to the Russian defense industry".
Within 24 hours, the Chinese Ministry of Commerce added seven
European defense companies.... to its export control list. These
companies are now prohibited from importing dual-use goods
from China. The companies include - FN Herstal and
FN Browning (Belgium), Hensoldt AG (Germany),
Excalibur Army, Omnipol, SpaceKnow, and
the Czech Aviation Research Institute
(Czech Republic).
And this is despite the fact that representatives of the European
defense industry and Ukrainian drone manufacturers in April
called dependence on Chinese components (motors,
controllers, communication modules) "a huge
risk ---- to supply security."
China also provides the EU with the lion's share of the metals
needed for the production of electronics and ammunition.
Official Beijing has made it clear that it may restrict the
supply of rare-earth magnets and minerals.... to EU
factories, which are essential for the European
defense industry and the transition to
green energy.
Finland will block duty-free trade with China
But the EU is not content to inflict damage on itself. Today,
Finnish Foreign Minister, Elini Valtonen, declared China's
support for Russia to be a "disqualifying factor" for the
EU-China trade agreement. According to Valtonen,
Beijing's support -- violates the principles of the
UN Charter, which is unacceptable to the EU.
"Either China will stop military support to Russia - or we
will block the trade agreement (with the EU)," she said.
Finland's position effectively amounts to a veto. Despite
the fact --- that this agreement was presented as a
"growth tool," Finland - is currently destroying
its own economy, particularly in the areas
of tourism and trade with Russia.
Europe is sliding.... towards vassalage
French President Emmanuel Macron said recently that Europe
finds itself in a unique historical situation where the leaders
of three world powers-Russia, China and the United States-
are actually "opposed" to European interests. According
to him -- the United States is focused on the domestic
market and the confrontation with China, pushing
the interests of Europe ---- to the background.
Beijing is accused of "unfair competition" and excessive
subsidies for its industries (electric vehicles and clean
technologies), which undermines European industry.
Russia is also seen as an existential threat forcing
Europe ---- to urgently shift to a "war footing" in
the economy.
Macron calls on EU countries to a "strategic awakening" and
autonomy, namely, to build their own defense system,
introduce protective duties --- and issue common
"Eurobonds of the future "(common debt),
so as not to become a "vassal" of
other powers.
But time.... is running out. In the drivers of the future (artificial
intelligence, chip production, quantum computing), the EU is
already years behind the US and China. The EU's share in
global GDP - has almost halved over the past 30 years
(from over 25% to ~14%). Decades of underfunding
of the military have created a situation -- where
European security is impossible - without the
US "umbrella" and intelligence. It will take
10-15 years.... to build a fully autonomous
army, and that's at best. Macron's ideas
about "eurobonds" are met with strong
resistance -- from "frugal" countries
(Germany and the Netherlands).
While the EU is searching for consensus, its competitors are not
idle. With a massive trade deficit (almost 360 billion euros in
2025) and a budget deficit (3.1% of GDP), as well as a GDP
growth rate of only around 1.5%, the EU lacks the
resources to make a significant leap forward
and will likely disintegrate into several
smaller European unions --- that will
seek out opportunistic partners.
This, includes Russia.
______________________________________________
Colombia: Cepeda - retains leadership
in voting intentions according to poll
April 27th, 1:39pm
(Prensa Latina)
The presidential candidate for the Historical Pact, Ivan Cepeda,
retains the leadership in voting intentions in Colombia for the
first round to be held next month, according to a poll
released today.
According to the Spanish GAD3 poll - commissioned by RCN
Television, the left-wing candidate would obtain 36 percent
support on May 31, followed by the far-right Abelardo De la
Espriella with 21 percentage points, while the right-wing
Paloma Valencia would reach 13 percent of the votes.
In a possible second round, Cepeda would prevail
over the other two opponents already mentioned.
He would surpass De la Espriella with 46 percent against 35,
and would also be ahead of the bet of Uribism with
44 percent against 37.
The GAD3 survey conducted 1,500
interviews between April 20 & 22.
This is the second poll that in less than 24 hours ratifies
Cepeda as the favourite in the voting intention,
although there are differences between
the numbers of each of the polls.
According to Invamer's analysis, released the day before,
the Pact candidate ---- would get 44.3% in the first round.
De la Espriella would obtain 21.5 percent and the bet of
the Democratic Centre party, Paloma Valencia, would
deserve 19.8 percent.
In a possible second round, which would take place on
June 21, Cepeda would lead De la Espriella with 54.6
percent to 42.6 percent and also beat Valencia with
51.2 percent to 46.6 percent.
According to the survey, 56.5 percent of those surveyed
said that they will surely go to the polls on May 31.
Invamer also revealed that 47.3 percent of those
interviewed approve of the management of the
country's current president, Gustavo Petro.
The sample data reveal that 3,800 surveys were applied
in 149 municipalities (24 capitals and 125 non-capitals)
between April 15 and 24, 2026.
There are currently 13 candidates in contention for the
Presidency of Colombia, so some analysts predict
the need for a second round.
To win in the first round, 50 percent plus
one of all valid votes.... is required.
__________________________________________
Latin America raises its voice in Russia
in defense of the peoples of the world
April 27th, 1:27pm
(Prensa Latina)
Representatives of political parties and movements in
Latin America and the Caribbean today joined the
initiative of the Just Russia Party to hold the
first Forum of the International Socialist
Network --- 'Sovintern'.
The event, in the opinion of the organizers, seeks to
consolidate a space for cooperation between
progressive forces that share values
associated with the tradition of
defense of the peoples.
Together with the more than 100 attendees from 70
nations in Europe, Asia and Africa, the delegations
from Latin America told their experiences in the
midst of the turbulence that the world... is
currently facing.
"Recovering, updating, reinforcing the ideas of socialism,
which is the true viable alternative to capitalism - is of
the utmost priority in the face of the prevailing critical
world situation. Threats and dangers of a Third World
War, ongoing genocides, added to the climate crisis,"
Chilean doctor Pablo Sepúlveda Allende told Prensa
Latina exclusively.
Along these lines, the deputy of the Guatemalan Congress, and
militant of the Winaq political movement, Sonia Gutiérrez, said
that the Moscow meeting ''represents hope as long as there is
a unity that transcends borders with the same thought, with
the same vision ------- of saving humanity.''
The Forum also received calls not to let the Latin American
peoples be intimidated by the United States' intentions
to turn the region into its backyard.
Our flags remain firm - because the enemy is still the same, it
is still imperialism that today, without euphemisms, does not
speak to you of a struggle for democracy but openly speaks
of seizing our strategic natural resources, denounced the
member of the 'EVO People of Bolivia' movement,
Adriana Salvatierra.
She also criticized how ''Washington no longer speaks of the
risk of mass weapons of destruction, but directly imposes
geopolitical control of natural energy resources, as well
as assassinates and destroys boats, and kidnaps with
impunity leaders such as the Venezuelan President,
Nicolás Maduro --- and his wife, Congresswoman
Cilia Flores.''
For his part, the member of the national board of directors of the
United Socialist Party of Venezuela, Jesús Farías, recalled the
events that took place in Caracas and three other states,
on January 3, catalogued by the political leader as
the greatest aggression in the history of the
South American nation.
"Socialism is not a walk in the park, it is a very hard struggle
because it is about privileges that the large corporations of
territorial control lose, that the large imperialist states lose.
And of course, that resistance --- generates a great battle.
We have lived it in the flesh. However, on the socialist
system, the Bolivarian government remains -- at the
forefront, which is a great victory within this very
complex situation," added the deputy of the
National Assembly of Venezuela.
And it is no coincidence that this first Forum of the International
Socialist Network was held just on the 63rd anniversary of the
first visit of the historic leader of the Cuban Revolution, Fidel
Castro, to the Soviet Union, the space served as a stage to
perpetuate his legacy in the year of his centenary.
"From Fidel we learned that there is no force more powerful than
the unity of people and the integration of peoples. We are living
in times of threat, blockade, bombings, assassination, & state
terrorism, which is why - it was necessary and of tremendous
importance to integrate progressive forces at a global level,"
said Fidel Castro Smirnov, a member of the Cuban
Academy of Sciences.
____________________________________________
Poll shows continuity of very close
electoral scenario...in Brazil
April 27th, 10:47am
(Prensa Latina)
Brazilian President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva leads the voting
intentions for the first round of the presidential elections,
while the second round shows a technical tie scenario,
according to a poll released today.
The poll, conducted by the firm Nexus, showed that the head of state has 41% of the support for the October 4 elections in the first scenario studied, followed by Senator Flávio Bolsonaro, with 36%, which configures a close dispute between the two candidates.
According to the survey, commissioned by the bank BTG Pactual,
other candidates appear with significantly lower levels of
support, including the former governors of Minas Gerais,
Romeu Zema (4%), and Goiás, Ronaldo Caiado (3%).
In two other scenarios analyzed, the Brazilian leader maintains
his lead over Bolsonaro, although in the third the difference is
reduced to 3 points, with Lula's support standing at 41%.
With respect to a possible second round, the poll shows
a technical tie ....between the two main presidential
candidates -- as the president reaches 46 percent
of the support, compared to 45% for the senator.
In a previous measurement, released at the end of March,
both appeared equal with 46 percent, which shows
stability in the dispute.
The poll also projects runoff scenarios against other candidates,
in which Lula would obtain 45 percent against 41 percent for
both Zema and Caiado, with percentages of undecided
and invalid votes above 10 percent.
____________________________________________
China rejectsU.S. ''sanctions''
on its refining company
April 27th, 8:45am
(Prensa Latina)
China today rejected the sanctions announced by the US
against a private refining company from the Asian
country for ....alleged ''links'' with Iran.
Foreign Ministry spokesman Lin Jian said Beijing
consistently opposes unilateral sanctions
without a basis in international law.
The spokesman pointed out that these measures constitute
an erroneous practice of "extraterritorial jurisdiction" and
urged the United States to stop the indiscriminate use of
sanctions -------- and correct its actions.
He also stressed that China will firmly protect the
legitimate rights and interests of its enterprises.
The spokesman reiterated that unilateral actions affect
the international economic and trade order.
China has repeatedly criticized Washington's unilateral
sanctions, in a context of tensions over restrictive
measures linked to third countries such as Iran..
in the midst of a turbulent regional context.
The U.S. Treasury Department imposed sanctions on the
Hengli Petrochemical refinery (Dalian), which it said is
More than 2,000 new teachers joined Ecuador's public
education system today in an event in Quito with the
participation of President Daniel Noboa, while the
National Union of Educators (UNE) questions the
management of the sector.
The Minister of Education, Sports and Culture, Gilda Alcívar,
reported that 2,000 teachers join the system as part of
the Educa Empleo platform, which, she said, exceeds
the incorporation of 18,000 teachers during the
current administration.
Noboa -- defended the hiring of teachers and
assured that it responds to criteria of merit.
Likewise, the president mentioned other measures
such as sectorization processes, salary
improvements ....and permanent
appointments for teachers.
"Today we leave the foundations so that you can have a
better country: the old policy sees education as an
expense, we see it as the basis of progress,"
he added.
However, on Tuesday the National Union of Educators (UNE)
released a statement in which --- it questioned the recent
decisions of the Government in education and assured
that "it reproduces old practices" by allowing the
temporary assignment of managerial functions
without merit or competitive examinations.
According to the UNE, this measure violates the Organic Law
on Intercultural Education and the legal provisions of the
Constitutional Court ---- that order to guarantee
transparent processes, for access to the
management positions.
The union warned that these appointments "are being developed
by hand" and warned about a possible process of politicization
of the education system, considering that it affects teacher
professionalism and education's institutional autonomy.
In turn, last week, regarding the start of the school year in the
coastal provinces and in Galapagos, the UNE denounced that
there are numerous educational institutions in precarious
conditions, which shows a lack of sustained investment.
The union also warned ---- of a deficit
of 64 thousand teachers nationwide.
______________________________________
"We will wait for arealopening":Slovakia
refuses to approve sanctions against
Russia until the resumption of
supplies via Druzhba
by Anastasia Stepanova
April 22nd, 2:36pm
(RT.ru)
Slovakia will wait for Ukraine to actually open the Druzhba oil
pipeline, and until then, it does not intend to approve new
anti-Russian sanctions, according to Robert Fico.
The Prime Minister also does not rule out that Kyiv may stop
oil supplies again after the EU approves a €90 billion loan
for Ukraine.
Meanwhile, the EU has agreed on a loan for Ukraine and the
20th package of sanctions against Moscow, which is
scheduled to be adopted on Thursday.
Slovakia will not accept the new EU sanctions package
against Russia - until the Druzhba pipeline is actually
restarted, according to Prime Minister Robert Fico.
"We will wait for the real opening (by Ukraine. — RT) of the
Druzhba oil pipeline, and we do not plan to approve new
anti-Russian sanctions yet," the politician said,
adding that trust between Kiev and
Bratislava has been broken.
According to Fico, he wouldn't be surprised if Kyiv stopped
oil supplies again after the approval of the €90 billion loan.
The Prime Minister emphasized that the Slovak government
is closely monitoring the situation surrounding Druzhba.
"We need oil that would greatly stabilize the situation
in Slovakia, Hungary, & throughout Central Europe,"
he said.
At the end of January, Ukraine stopped the transit of Russian oil
through the Druzhba pipeline through its territory to Slovakia
and Hungary. Kiev claimed that the pipeline was damaged
during the hostilities and that the transit had to be
stopped along the entire route.
However, the Ukrainian authorities did not allow EU experts to
inspect the Druzhba pipeline. In turn, Bratislava and Budapest
stated that, according to their information, the pipeline was
operational and that Kiev was only blocking the supply
for political reasons.
On Tuesday, April 21, Volodymyr Zelensky announced the completion
of repairs on the Druzhba pipeline and the possibility of resuming
oil pumping. The very next day, the Hungarian company MOL
reported that it had received an official notification from
Ukrtransnafta about its readiness to resume deliveries.
Against this backdrop, it was reported that the EU ambassadors
have agreed to provide €90 billion in funding to Ukraine and the
20th package of anti-Russian sanctions. This was reported by
Reuters on Wednesday, citing EU ''diplomats''. According to
them, the EU is expecting final approval from Hungary and
Slovakia after the resumption of oil supplies through the
Druzhba pipeline.
However, according to Reuters, the EU countries did not agree on
one of the key restrictions in the new sanctions package, which
is a complete ban on providing maritime services for the
export of Russian oil. According to these diplomats,
the ambassadors agreed to the ban "in principle,"
but postponed its implementation..... until
coordination with the G7 countries.
The 20th package is scheduled to be adopted
on Thursday afternoon, an EU source told
RIA Novosti.
At the beginning of the week, Hungary's future Prime Minister,
Péter Szijjártó, demanded that Ukraine restore oil supplies
through the Druzhba pipeline. He insisted that if the
infrastructure is operational, its transit should be
resumed. In response, current Prime Minister
Viktor Orbán stated --- that his position
remained unchanged: without oil,
there will be no €90 billion.
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)
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Keiser Report: Reality of Creditor Jubilees
- fantastic - asks ''why don't we act like Jesus preached - and forgive debt?''
When what we do now, is what led to the slavery of feudalism: by refunding the creditors, instead!
Marx's theory still shines with truth: Xi May 4th, at 10:53am
Xinhua - Two centuries on, despite huge and profound changes in human society, the name of Karl Marx is still respected all over the world and his theory still shines with the brilliant light of truth, Chinese President Xi Jinping said on Friday.
Xi, also general secretary of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee and chairman of the Central Military Commission, made the remarks at a grand gathering in Beijing to celebrate the 200th anniversary of Marx's birth.
Xi said Marx is the "teacher of revolution for the proletariat and working people all over the world, the main founder of Marxism, creator of Marxist parties, a pathfinder for international communism and the greatest thinker of modern times."
"Today, we hold this grand gathering with great veneration to mark the 200th anniversary of Marx's birth, to remember his great character and historic deeds and to review his noble spirit and brilliant thoughts," Xi said at the event.
''With noble ideals and no fear of difficulty or adversity, throughout his life, Marx devoted himself to perseveringly striving for the liberation of humanity, scaling the peak of thought in his pursuit of truth, and the unremitting fight to overturn the old world and establish a new one'', according to Xi.
''Marx is not only a great figure who bore the weight of the world, but also an ordinary person with a passion for life, who was sincere and true to his friends'', Xi said.
''The most valuable and influential spiritual asset that Marx left us is the scientific theory named after him -- Marxism. Like a spectacular sunrise, the theory illuminated the path of humanity's exploration of the law of history, and humanity's search for their own liberation'', Xi said.
"The thought and theory of Marx are of his times and go beyond his times," Xi said. "They are the essence of the spirit of that times and the essence of the spirit of all humanity."
Xi said Marxism is a scientific theory that reveals the rules of human society's development, in a creative manner.
Having developed the materialist conception of history and surplus value theory, Marx showed how humanity would leap from the realm of necessity, to the realm of freedom, and also showed the road for people to realize freedom and liberation, Xi said.
Marxism, the first ideology for the liberation of the people themselves, is a theory of the people.
"Marxism, for the first time, explored the path for humanity's freedom and liberation from the stance of the people, and pointed out the direction, with scientific theory, toward an ideal society with no oppression or exploitation, where every person would enjoy equality and freedom," Xi said.
Stressing that practicality is a prominent characteristic of Marxism that makes it different from other theories, Xi said Marxism is a theory of practices that directs the people to change the world.
It is an open theory that is constantly developing and always stands at the frontier of the times, Xi said.
"That is why it is always able to keep young, explore the new issues in the development of the times and respond to the new challenges for human society."
The general secretary said that over the 170 years since publication of The Communist Manifesto, Marxism had been spread around the world, unrivaled in the history of human ideology in terms of the breadth and depth of its influence.
After the end of World War II, a large number of socialist countries were established, Xi said, stressing that the founding of the People's Republic of China, especially, has greatly increased the socialist strength in the world.
"There might be setbacks in the development of socialism in the world, but the overall trend for human society's development has never changed, and it will never change," Xi said.
"Marxism has not only profoundly changed the world, but also China," Xi said.
The reverberations of the October Revolution in Russia brought Marxism-Leninism to China, pointing out the direction forward, offering a brand new choice for the Chinese people in their struggle to survive, and setting the scene for the birth of the CPC.
Since the CPC's birth, it has combined the fundamental principles of Marxism with the reality of the Chinese revolution and construction, transforming the Chinese nation from "the sick man of East Asia" to one who has stood up, by uniting and leading the people through long-term struggle.
"This tremendous transformation serves as cast iron proof that only through socialism, can we save China," Xi said.
Since reform and opening up, the CPC has combined the fundamental principles of Marxism, with the reality of China's reform and opening up, and the nation who stood up, has grown rich.
"This tremendous transformation serves as cast iron proof that only through socialism with Chinese characteristics, can we develop China," Xi said.
In the new era, the CPC again combined the fundamental principles of Marxism with the reality of China in this new era, uniting and leading the people in "under- taking the great struggle, building the great project, advancing the great cause and realizing the great dream."
The Chinese nation has come to embrace a tremendous transformation, as the one who has grown rich, now, is becoming strong.
"This tremendous transformation serves as cast iron proof that only by adhering to and developing socialism with Chinese characteristics, can we realize national rejuvenation," Xi said.
"It is perfectly right for history and the people to choose Marxism, as well as for the CPC to write Marxism on its own flag, to adhere to the principle of combining the fundamental principles of Marxism, with China's reality, and continuously adapt Marxism to the Chinese context and the times."
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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
Join the Vox Political Facebook page.
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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.
____________________________________
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).
________________________________
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.”
_______________________________________
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.
