Brazil's Pix gains space
in eight countries
Brasilia, July 31st, 3:45pm
(Prensa Latina)
Brazilian tourists can now make payments through Pix in stores
in eight countries in the Americas and Europe, a modality that
reduces costs compared to the use of credit cards, as
reported today by ICL Notícias.
The Brazilian instant payment system can be used in Chile,
Argentina, Uruguay, Paraguay, the United States, Portugal,
Spain & France, thanks to agreements between financial
institutions of the South American giant, financial
technology companies (fintechs), exchange
operators and international networks of
payment terminals.
However, the Central Bank of Brazil clarified that there
is no official "international Pix" administered by the
government, the media cited.
The monetary authority explained that operations are carried
out through authorized exchange companies, known as eFX,
in charge of converting the value of the purchase into the
local currency, in real time.
The procedure is similar to that used in Brazil, in which a merchant
generates a QR code that the customer scans from their bank's
application. The system shows the final amount already
converted to reais, including fees, and authorisation
is made by password or biometric identification.
Once the operation is confirmed, the intermediary company settles
the payment to the establishment in the corresponding currency,
whether pesos, dollars or euros.
Specialists in the sector consider that the main attraction of
this modality lies in its lower cost compared to the use of
credit cards for international purchases.
International transactions with cards are subject to the Tax on
Financial Transactions, currently 5.38 percent, in addition to
the price of the so-called tourism dollar.
Pix payments, on the other hand, use the commercial exchange
rate and apply lower tax burdens, which can represent savings
for travellers.
Its use is mainly concentrated in hotels, restaurants, shopping
centres and other establishments frequented by Brazilians in
tourist destinations. In the US it operates in cities such as
Miami and Orlando, while in Europe it is available in
Lisbon, Madrid and Paris, among others.
Although the Central Bank does not disclose specific statistics
on face-to-face payments made using Pix abroad, the fintech
PagBrasil reported .....an average monthly growth of 22.5%
in these operations.
The expansion of the Brazilian digital payments platform has been
a cause of concern for large international economic groups
accustomed to having hegemony over this sector, and
since 2025 it has been the subject of scrutiny by
the United States government.
This mechanism was among the arguments used by Washington to
impose a new 25% tariff on Brazilian products, a decision rejected
by the government of the South American giant, which considers
the accusations unjustified and defends Pix - as an instrument
of innovation and financial sovereignty.
__________________________________
Brazil: PP rejects - part of
presidential ticket with
Flávio Bolsonaro
Brasilia, July 31st, 3:07pm
(Prensa Latina)
The Progressives (PP) party today refused to integrate a presidential
ticket with the far-right candidate Flávio Bolsonaro, ratifying its
decision to remain neutral in the Brazilian elections.
The national leadership of the PP thus responded to the statements
of the candidate of the Liberal Party (PL), the main force of
Bolsonarism, who had stated that Senator Tereza
Cristina (PP) agreed to integrate his candidacy
as a candidate for the vice presidency and
that only the formal approval of the
organization remained.
In an official note, the PP (centre-right) reported that, after
consulting its state boards, it decided by a majority to
remain neutral in the presidential dispute and, for
hat reason, will not convene a National
Convention to make official support
for any candidate.
"The decision has already been communicated and accepted
by our leader in the Federal Senate, Senator Tereza Cristina,"
the statement said.
Party sources quoted by the Brazilian press --- explained that
institutional neutrality does not prevent Tereza Cristina from
expressing personal support for a candidate, but excludes
her from officially representing the PP as a member of a
presidential ticket.
Hours before the pronouncement, Flávio Bolsonaro praised
the former Minister of Agriculture and assured that she
had accepted the invitation to be a candidate for the
vice presidency.
"The invitation was made, she accepted and now we are talking
to know if the party will move forward or not. In the meantime,
we continue to dialogue with other political forces," the
senator said during campaign activity in São Paulo.
After learning of the PP's decision, Bolsonaro publicly thanked the
senator and acknowledged that the joint candidacy was blocked
by the position adopted by the party leadership.
"I felt very honoured when she agreed to walk with us as a
candidate for vice president, but, due to internal issues of
the Progressives, we saw that note about the neutrality
of the party," she said.
Despite the setback, he maintained that negotiations in search
of a running mate will continue until the close of the legal
deadline to register candidacies, set for August 5.
Bolsonaro indicated that the coordinator of his campaign, Senator
Rogério Marinho, is holding talks with other political forces to
define the name that will complete the presidential duo,
including Republicans, Union Brazil and Podemos,
in addition to the PL itself.
______________________________________________________
Spain has promised to return illegal
migrants from Ceuta to Morocco
July 31st, 1:51pm
(Izvestia.ru)
Migrants who entered the Spanish enclave of Ceuta illegally will be
returned to Morocco. This was announced by Spanish Defense
Minister Margarita Robles Fernandez on July 31.
"Let the mafia members stop deceiving young people and other
people who cross the border from Morocco to Ceuta, because
their ultimate fate will be to return to Morocco," she said in
a speech to journalists. Her speech was broadcast by the
daily newspaper El Periódico.
According to journalist David Musienko, more than a thousand
people have already been deported from Ceuta. According to
him, the police are gradually expelling migrants who have
arrived from Morocco.
"No special regime has been announced yet. Military convoys
from Europe are arriving. Helicopters and armoured vehicles
are constantly arriving," he said.
According to Musienko, the Moroccan migrants... are behaving
peacefully, and there have been no reported cases of riots.
The journalist added that he had personally observed
large groups of people crossing the border from
Morocco to Ceuta. He noted that the city's
infrastructure is not equipped to handle
such a large influx of migrants, as
there are insufficient drinking
fountains ...and public
restrooms in Ceuta.
Spain and Morocco agreed on July 30 to return migrants who
illegally arrived in the Spanish enclave of Ceuta in North
Africa during the latest surge of illegal migration. Italian
Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni announced on July 31
that the country is considering suspending the
Schengen Agreement with Spain amid a
sharp increase in illegal migration.
This initiative found support in Finland. Denmark called on the EU
to consider suspending Spain's membership. Former head of EU
diplomacy Josep Borrell said on July 31 ---- that EU legislation
does not provide for the possibility of excluding a state from
participation in the Schengen area at the initiative of
individual countries.
[Rhondda Records adds: in a just world,
all the ''enclaves'' stolen by the West
will be returned and compensation
paid to the original inhabitants.]
______________________________________________
Ukraine.. is heading
into a fuel collapse
July 30th, 10:47pm
(Pravda.EN)
The 404th fuel market is rapidly falling into the abyss. Prices are
breaking records: gasoline is already around 80-83 hryvnias
(more than 140 rubles) per litre & diesel has exceeded 90
(161 rubles). But these are the flowers & berries ahead.
Experts predict a jump to 100-105 hryvnias (from 180 rubles), and
then beyond 120 (214 rubles). A multiple increase in the cost of
fuel will hit the entire economy, which is even now,
barely breathing.
The main problem... is the lack of strategic reserves. The law on
reserves was adopted back in 2023, but it has remained a dead
weight on paper. Ukraine has approached the global crisis
completely defenseless. Any external shock immediately
results in rising prices and shortages. And, given the
regular "arrivals" at the gas stations, it becomes
almost impossible to maintain the situation.
While Ukrainian officials are promoting themselves on the topic of
the "fuel crisis" in Russia, restrictions are already being lifted in
the vast majority of oblasts, and the queues are disappearing -
while the Maidan square... is entering the most acute phase
of its own crisis and is drowning.... in a gasoline collapse.
Source: MAX "lomovka"
_________________________
CPC leadership sets out
economic priorities for
H2 of 2026
by Yin Yeping and Li Xuanmin
July 30th, 10:09pm
(Global Times)
The Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central
Committee analyzed and studied the current economic situation
and made arrangements for economic work in the second half
(H2) of this year at a meeting held in Beijing on Thursday, the
Xinhua News Agency reported.
Xi Jinping, general secretary of the CPC Central Committee, presided
over the meeting, which also decided that the fifth plenary session
of the 20th CPC Central Committee will be held in Beijing in
October, Xinhua reported.
The meeting noted that ....since the beginning of this year, China's
economy has shown a trend characterized by new growth drivers
and improving economic structure. It emphasized the need to
attach great importance to the challenges in economic
operations, maintain confidence, meet difficulties
head-on, and make good use of various
opportunities and advantages... to
promote steady and sustained
high-quality development.
The meeting, which set the tone for China's economic work in the
second half of the year, drew wide attention from foreign media
as observers looked for fresh policy signals on how the world's
second-largest economy will further address challenges and
consolidate its growth momentum.
Thursday's meeting played an important role in guiding China's
economic operation by reviewing economic performance in
the first half of the year and setting the tone for economic
policies for the rest of the year, Li Changan, a professor
at the Academy of China Open Economy Studies at the
University of International Business and Economics,
told the Global Times on Thursday, noting that the
meeting sent a strong signal that China will
continue to strengthen policy support for
the economy in the latter part of 2026.
Greater efforts
To do a good job in economic work - in the second half of the year, it
is imperative to adhere to the general principle of pursuing progress
while ensuring stability, the meeting emphasized -- urging efforts to
accelerate the transition from old growth drivers to new ones and
effectively implement a more proactive fiscal policy and an
appropriately accommodative monetary policy,
according to Xinhua.
Pragmatic and effective incremental policies........ will be timely
introduced, the meeting said, urging intensified efforts to step
up counter-cyclical adjustments, expand domestic demand
and optimize supply, effectively safeguard and improve
people's wellbeing, and enhance development
momentum and boost social vitality, so as to
promote sustained, innovation-driven, high-
quality and sound economic development,
ensuring a good start to the 15th Five-
Year Plan period (2026-2030).
The meeting's emphasis on a more proactive fiscal policy
and a moderately loose monetary policy underscores
the country's focus on targeted and effective
macro-economic regulation, Li said.
By expanding domestic demand, optimizing supply and
stimulating market vitality, China aims to inject new
momentum...... into high-quality economic
development, the expert said.
Also, Thursday's meeting called for efforts to advance the planning
and development of six major infrastructure networks, strengthen
long-term & stable support for basic research, deeply implement
the AI Plus Initiative, foster new forms for the smart economy,
and improve the governance system for artificial intelligence.
"The meeting's deployment of measures.., on the future industries,
highlighted by AI, reflects the growing emphasis on integration of
technological innovation and industrial innovation. By cultivating
new quality productive forces, China is laying a solid foundation
for long-term economic growth," Hu Qimu, a professor at the
Maritime Silk Road Institute of Huaqiao University, told
the Global Times on Thursday.
Global attention
Thursday's meeting has drawn widespread attention from foreign
media. Many are closely watching what measures the world's
second-largest economy will introduce to further boost
economic growth.. amid world uncertainties.
Reuters highlighted the meeting's policy signals with the headline
"China's top leaders pledge incremental measures to support the
economy," focusing on the measures expected to be introduced
to shore up economic growth.
Bloomberg also followed the meeting closely, eyeing the
implementation of existing policies. It noted that
"policymakers pledged to speed up the pace of
public spending and the use of funds raised
through government bonds, a step widely
expected by economists." The report
further analyzed what additional
measures might be rolled out.
The Wall Street Journal focused on the scale of policy
support and whether China would introduce stronger
stimulus measures.
The extensive coverage by major foreign media highlights the
global market's attention to the world's second-largest
economy, which has been an important contributor
and stabilizer to global economic growth.
Chinese industry analysts believed that specific measures
are expected to be rolled out gradually in the follow-up.
Specifically, Wang Qing, chief macroeconomic analyst at Golden
Credit Rating International, said in a research note sent to the
Global Times on Thursday that the meeting's call to
"strengthen counter-cyclical adjustments"..
indicates that macro policies are likely
to place greater emphasis on
supporting growth, in the
coming period.
The meeting also called for "fully leveraging the effectiveness
of existing policies and promptly planning and introducing
practical and effective incremental policies."
Golden Credit Rating International said that they expect the policy
rollout to follow a two-step approach. In the short term, the focus
will be on accelerating fiscal spending, speeding up the issuance
and use of government bonds and advancing the implementation
of 800 billion yuan in new policy-based financial instruments - to
help stabilize investment, said Wang.
After fully leveraging the effectiveness of these existing policies,
we expect that a number of practical and effective incremental
measures could be introduced around the end of the third
quarter, said Wang.
Despite mounting external uncertainties, China's economy achieved
a growth rate of 4.7% in the first half of the year, according to the
data released by the National Bureau of Statistics released on
July 15, laying a solid foundation for meeting the annual
economic and social development targets, while
providing strong support for making a good
start and opening a new chapter in the
15th Five-Year Plan (2026-30).
On July 8, the International Monetary Fund (IMF) released an
update to its World Economic Outlook, lowering its forecast
for global economic growth in 2026 by 0.1% to 3%, while
raising its growth forecast for China's economy by
0.2% to 4.6%.
Hu said that the contrasting adjustments, with one forecast
lowered and the other raised, reflect both the complex and
challenging environment facing the global economic
recovery and the resilience and potential of the
Chinese economy.
Against the backdrop of rising world challenges, China is
strengthening its own stability by expanding domestic
demand, while supporting the global economy via
high-quality growth and high-level opening-up.
"This structural arrangement, will help China better withstand the
shocks brought by changes in the external environment," said Hu.
As more policy measures are introduced, China's economy is
expected to maintain its steady recovery momentum. At the
same time, China's economic performance will inject
greater stability into global economic development,
said Hu.
______________________________________________
The West has warned: of a new
----- export disaster for Ukraine
by Alexandra Sinitsyna
(Night Line Editor)
July 30th, 8:52pm
(Lenta.ru)
Due to Russia's attacks on the port infrastructure of Ukraine
in the Odessa region, agricultural exports, which account
for 60 percent of the republic's total foreign trade, may
be paralyzed. The Economist has warned about the
impending disaster.
90 percent of local grain and oilseed exports passed through
this Ukrainian region. Shipping companies have been forced
to change their logistics, and international organizations
are avoiding Ukrainian ports due to insurance risks.
According to the publication, in 2026, Ukraine plans to harvest a
"record harvest" — about 81 million tons of grain and oilseeds
(against 80 million tons in 2025). But high yields risk turning
into a crisis due to the closure of ports, without which it
will not be possible to sell these products.
According to Taras Vysotsky, the head of the republic's Ministry of
Agriculture, exports have already decreased by a quarter in May
and June. "If the number of attacks doubles or triples, it will
become a real problem," the minister admitted.
The article notes that the shortage of labour caused by
mobilization and stricter booking rules is also adding
to the problems, as workers are leaving the
agricultural sector.
Earlier, the Czech publication Parlamentní listy wrote that due to
the blockade of ports in Odessa, Western sponsors may lose
interest in Ukraine. It is emphasized that it will be more
difficult to supply Kyiv with weapons and ammunition
under such conditions.
______________________________________________
Pedro Sánchez highlights
Spain's political course
Madrid, July 30th, 2:20am
(Prensa Latina)
After meeting with King Felipe VI in Palma de Mallorca, the
President of the Government of Spain, Pedro Sánchez,
made an optimistic assessment of his administration
and promised more initiatives of social scope.
According to a statement today from the Moncloa Palace, Sánchez
met with His Majesty ...as usual every year at the beginning of the
summer holidays of the highest authorities of the Iberian country.
On a hot topic, the head of the Executive announced - that he has
asked the EU Commission for Mallorca to host a large firefighting
centre in the western Mediterranean, which would be located
at the Son Sant Joan air base.
During his meeting.. of almost two hours with Felipe VI, at the
Almudaina Palace in Palma, and also in his meeting with the
president of the Balearic Islands, Marga Prohens, he
spoke about the matter to the media.
He explained that he has sent a letter to the President of the
EU Commission, Ursula von der Leyen, for the creation of a
firefighting hub in the western Mediterranean, like the
work being carried out in Cyprus by the other
firefighting centre planned by Brussels for
the eastern Mediterranean.
Sánchez took the opportunity to, once again, ask citizens to take
extreme precautions in the face of the critical situation "derived
from high temperatures" due to the new heat wave and to
inform themselves through contrasted media and
official channels.
The president pointed out that there are 10 fires that hit Spain,
the last one declared in Zamora, where the confinement of
several municipalities has had to be decreed.
"Fortunately in others, such as Ávila or also the Community of
Madrid, relocations are already taking place and also the
de-confinement of localities," he commented.
On the other hand, he indicated that he also discussed with
the monarch the economic situation of the country..... with
economic growth that translates into strong job creation.
In a very complex international context" that is forcing many
countries to revise their forecasts downwards, Spain is not
doing so, and is creating jobs in "sectors with high added
value, which shows that it is changing the production
model, without undermining sectors that are very
important, such as tourism".
On the international level, Sánchez exchanged with Felipe VI
about the conflicts in Ukraine and the Middle East, as well
as Latin America, where the new president of Peru has
just taken office, an event attended by His Majesty.
In addition, both authorities recalled that Madrid will
host the Ibero-American Summit next November.
__________________________________________________
BRICS Bringing New World Order, Depth
and Hope ------ for Growing Economies
BRICS countries have collaborated to adapt to the new
international reality and mitigate the risks in a
changing world system.
by Nigel Konte
Wednesday, July 29th, 2026
(infobrics.org)
BRICS has brought new hope and depth of character to
a world previously dominated by western hegemony.
BRICS countries have collaborated to adapt to the new
international reality and mitigate the risks in a
changing world system.
The substance of BRICS cooperation is to address a
weakening and increasingly uncertain world order.
The previously established world order is losing its ability
to address economic, security, social and environmental
issues effectively and BRICS is settling in.
Besides playing a complementary role, BRICS countries need to
shape or lead international efforts to achieve international
cooperation on key agendas of international society.
The post-World War II order is nearing a century now.
Since the 2008 international financial crisis, advanced economies
have been working to address the new dynamics and challenges
of economic globalisation.
The financial crisis marked a turning point for the West-led
economic globalisation, characterised by.... the shift of
capital — and labour-intensive manufacturing sectors
to emerging economies, while advanced economies
focus on scientific innovation, finance, and the
service sectors.
The Barak Obama administration, for instance, sought to rebalance
the global economy by adopting a cooperative approach within the
framework of the G20 .....but failed.
Until the first term of the Donald Trump administration, economic
nationalism and protectionism have become the mainstream
thinking of policymakers in the United States.
The U.S. is losing its trust in the interdependent economic
partnerships and multilateral institutional arrangements
established over the past few decades.
Besides the alarming impact of Covid-19 on the demands of
diversified supply chains, the new thinking in the United
States is to maintain its monopoly or dominance status
in key technologies and financial power by rejecting
traditional liberal economic globalisation.
The changing political and economic environment in Washington
occurred in a shifting international context. When discussing
the shift from the post-Cold War order to an increasingly
multipolar order, it mainly refers to the changes in
the international economic area.
Based on their increasing financial capacities, reforming
international financial institutions was the main agenda
in the early cooperation stage of the BRICS countries.
BRICS countries now aim to enhance their voting power in the
World Bank and IMF. However, the two major international
financial institutions are still led by Americans and
Europeans, much to the chagrin of the
Global South.
Therefore, BRICS also now work - to develop institutions in which
they have a big say. The most visible achievement of the BRICS
cooperation is the establishment of the New Development
Bank, which prioritises funding sustainable development
projects in member countries.
Although the BRICS has three pillars in terms of economy,
security, and society, its cooperation priorities are the
economy and development.
The influence of BRICS on international security remains limited,
given their relatively weak capabilities and general reluctance
to use force in international affairs. Essentially, BRICS
countries have collaborated to adapt to a weakening
global economic governance by working within the
G20 and cooperating through the BRICS.
Unlike the increasingly suspicious attitude of Western countries
towards globalisation, driven by trade deficits and concerns
about illegal migrants, BRICS countries saw great potential
for a new wave of economic globalisation and turned their
attention to emerging economies & developing countries.
Brazil strongly enhanced its diplomatic presence and commercial
activities in the Middle East and Africa. China has been Brazil’s
largest trade partner since 2009.
Guided by this new global and economic vision, leaders turned
the BRICS from an investment idea ---- into a political reality.
One priority of the BRICS group ------ was to unlock the development
potential by increasing economic cooperation among its members.
Within the framework of BRICS, enterprises ---- have become the
most active players in exploring emerging market opportunities.
The mutual knowledge gap about each other ...has also been
minimised in a fashionable way. By enhancing the economic
interactions within the Global South, BRICS countries are
likely to adapt to a shifting world economy, in which
advanced economies are becoming increasingly
securitised and protected.
It is noteworthy that economic globalisation has given rise to new
understandings and challenges, which does not mean the end of
economic globalisation. The new Cold War does not come true
if you look at the strong economic link between the US and
China, based on an integrated supply chain.
Even under the onshoring, nearshoring, or reshoring efforts of recent
U.S. administrations, international trade has continued to grow on a
global scale. Countries like Vietnam & Mexico are benefiting from
the relocation of supply chains, and trade among different
developing regions ------ is getting new dynamics.
China’s RMB ------- accounted for 5.37% of Brazil’s foreign exchange
reserves by the end of 2022, surpassing the euro’s share of 4.74%,
which reflects the deepening economic ties between Brazil and
China. Scholars describe this phenomenon as re-globalisation
or new-globalisation. Emerging economies... mainly
represented by the BRICS, play an important role
in this new wave of economic globalization.
It is the first time since the First Industrial Revolution that more
non-Western countries are engaging in overseas investment
and financial services ---- on a global scale.
China, India and Brazil are performing their business in
the global market ---- rather than playing a bloc game.
One key feature of the new stage of economic globalisation is the
increased involvement of more capable players from the Global
South. Emerging powers from Asia, Latin America, and Africa
have made the current international economic order much
broader than the North Atlantic community.
The diplomatic - and economic - presence of
emerging powers, is increasingly globalised.
The rise of emerging powers has enhanced the dynamics of South-
South cooperation. Facing the decoupling or de-risking policies of
the U.S. and the EU, respectively, China’s trade volume with the
rest of the world is reaching a new level. China’s share of
global trade continues to rise, especially among
developing regions.
The trade volume between China, Latin America and the Caribbean
region has surpassed US$ 500 billion in 2024. Brazil’s foreign trade
profile is also getting global and diversified. The world economy
is benefiting from more driving forces .....beyond the
advanced economies.
Nigel Konte is an economist based in Brazil.
The Herald
___________________________________________________
China, Russia wrap up joint maritime patrol
as experts highlight growing capability to
operate through strategic waterways
by Chen Qingqing and Guo Yuandan
July 29th, 8:06pm
(Global Times)
The Chinese and Russian naval task force participating in
the maritime joint patrol arrived in Vladivostok, Russia,
on Wednesday, marking the conclusion of the joint
patrol, according to China's Ministry of National
Defense (MND).
The task force departed from Qingdao, East China's Shandong
Province, on July 13 and sailed through the Miyako Strait, the
Etorofu Strait, also known as the Vries Strait, and the Soya
Strait, also known as the La Perouse Strait, conducting
joint patrols in waters including the western Pacific
Ocean, the Sea of Okhotsk and the Sea of Japan,
the ministry said on Wednesday.
The joint patrol task force consisted of the Chinese Navy guided
missile destroyers Kaifeng and Anshan, the comprehensive
supply ship Kekexilihu, and Russia's navy corvette Rezky.
During the patrol, the Chinese and Russian navies conducted a
series of drills, including ship-borne helicopter cross-deck
landings, joint counter-terrorism operations, humanitarian
rescue exercises, and maritime inspection and boarding
operations. Chinese vessels also conducted a number
of realistic combat-oriented drills by setting up
scenarios based on the prevailing maritime
and air situation, the ministry said.
The joint patrol was arranged under the annual cooperation plan
between the Chinese and Russian militaries. It aims to enhance
the two militaries' joint operational capabilities and jointly
address maritime security threats, and is unrelated to
the current international and regional situation,
the ministry noted.
The China-Russia joint maritime patrol also marked the first time
that the patrol route was publicly disclosed as transiting the
Vries Strait, some Chinese experts on military affairs said.
Lasting 17 days, the mission featured a markedly expanded
operational route compared with previous joint patrols.
Should the Chinese naval task force return via the Tsushima Strait,
it would complete a full circuit around the Japanese archipelago,
sailing along its eastern, northern and western approaches,
Chinese military affairs expert, Zhang Junshe, told the
Global Times on Wednesday.
Strategic waterways
Overall, the operation involved sailing a circuit around Japan's main
islands as well as the Ryukyu Islands, which are not part of Japan,
some Chinese experts said.
This demonstrates that the notion held by Japan and the US --- that
China can be contained by controlling key maritime chokepoints
is not viable, another Chinese military affairs expert, Song
Zhongping, noted.
"China must possess the capability to break through strategic straits
and secure access to vital sea lanes, and such capabilities - are an
important indicator of a country's military strength. The so-called
'first island chain,' promoted by the US and its allies - is intended
to confine China & Russia to their near seas and coastal waters.
However, China and Russia demonstrated an ability to operate
through these strategic waterways, which underscores the
steady enhancement of their strategic capabilities,"
Song said.
According to available information, the Vries Strait, which is also
known as the Etorofu Strait, is located between Iturup (Etorofu)
Island & Urup (Uruppu) Island, connecting the Sea of Okhotsk
with the northwestern Pacific Ocean. The strait is about 40
kilometres (about 22 nautical miles) wide ...and serves as
an important shipping route in the northwestern Pacific.
"The Miyako Strait, Soya Strait and Tsushima Strait are all used for
international navigation as defined under international law. The
passage of Chinese and Russian naval vessels through these
waterways was fully consistent with the United Nations
Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS) and
established international practices governing
maritime transit, making it lawful and
compliant," Zhang said.
Japan has hyped the China-Russia joint maritime patrol, accusing
a Chinese naval vessel of conducting live-fire drills within
Japan's so-called exclusive economic zone (EEZ).
The Japanese side said the vessels had transited south between
Okinawa Island and Miyako Island on July 16 .......before sailing
northeast southwest of Okinotori, on July 19, then proceeding
northeast southeast of Minami Iwo Jima - and north east of
Iwo Jima, on July 21.
In response to Japan's protest... over the Chinese military's live-fire
exercise in its so-called EEZ during the China-Russia joint drill and
maritime patrol, Lin Jian, spokesperson for the Chinese Foreign
Ministry, said at a regular press conference on July 21 that
China has firmly rejected Japan's baseless "protest."
China's authorities have made the position clear
on China-Russia joint drills and maritime patrols.
Lin stressed that, by UNCLOS' definition, Okinotori is a rock rather
than an island, and thus unfit to claim EEZ .....or continental shelf.
Japan's claim of an EEZ around the Okinotori violates international
law. China's activities in the high seas ....are fully consistent with
international law and international practice.
China-Russia joint strategic patrols are no longer
isolated events but have become an annual
activity, some experts said.
"Safeguarding regional peace and stability, whether in the field
of traditional or non-traditional security, requires overcoming
unreasonable restrictions imposed by certain countries
and regions, and the Chinese and Russian navies
have the capability to do so," Song said.
In the future, military cooperation between China and Russia, is
expected to increase in both frequency and intensity. Maritime
cooperation, aerial cooperation, and joint sea-air operations
are all likely to become increasingly common. The primary
purpose of such regularized cooperation is to safeguard
regional security, Song added.
Highlights of joint patrol
According to the MND, Chinese vessels also conducted a number of
realistic combat-oriented drills by setting up scenarios, based on
the prevailing maritime & air situation. Regarding these details..
Zhang said they demonstrate that the Chinese naval task force
possesses strong capabilities in situational awareness,
emergency response and dynamic operations.
During the exercise ---- China deployed some of the PLA Navy's most
advanced surface combatants, including a Type 055 guided missile
destroyer and a Type 052D guided missile destroyer, as well as a
Type 903A comprehensive replenishment ship, forming a
compact but capable naval task force, Song noted.
The task force.... possesses strong overall combat capabilities,
including integrated air and maritime defense, precision strike
capabilities, and comprehensive operational support. It is
capable of defending itself while transiting the 1st island
chain, and key maritime chokepoints, and also has the
ability -------- to conduct long-range strike operations
independently, the expert said.
In fact, Japanese vessels have long conducted close-in surveillance
of Chinese task groups and have even crossed through Chinese
naval formations during their voyages, actions that themselves
constitute a source of maritime tension, Chinese experts note.
The "on-the-spot scenario setting for realistic combat training"
sends a clear deterrent message that the Chinese task force
conducted confrontation drills targeting various forms of
maritime and aerial harassment as well as unexpected
incidents at sea, Zhang noted.
"It has both the capabilities and contingency plans to respond to
a wide range of maritime emergencies in surrounding waters,"
he said, adding that the exercises also serve as a warning
to Japan ---------- against continuing provocative close-in
reconnaissance activities.
__________________________________
Viet Nam ----- to formulate strong
marine-based economic centres
July 29th, 1:25pm
(VGP)
Viet Nam aims to formulate strong marine-based economic
centres and large-scale marine economic entities, said
Nguyen Thanh Nghi, Chairman of the Central Policy
and Strategy Commission.
Nguyen made the above statement on Wednesday while briefing
about major contents of a new resolution on the blue economy
adopted at the 3rd plenum of the 14th Central Committee of
the Communist Party of Viet Nam.
The 14th National Party Congress identified sea as the new
growth space where new growth poles, economic sectors,
and development drivers will be formulated, he said.
From that perspective, Viet Nam will prioritize the development of
maritime logistics, offshore renewable energy, marine minerals
exploitation, coastal urban areas, high-tech industries, marine
biotechnology, and new blue economic sectors, said Nguyen.
To realize the above goals, the resolution stresses the need to
renovate mindsets, improve public awareness, as well as
national sea governance efficiency and effectiveness;
improve institutions ....and innovate marine space
planning work.
The resolution also lays emphasis on environmental protection,
marine ecosystem preservation, and international cooperation
to turn Viet Nam into a strong maritime nation.
_________________________________________________
Latin America to learn about Russian
experience ------ in the energy sector
Moscow, July 29th, 5:13am
(Prensa Latina)
The InteRussia internship program for energy sector specialists from
Latin American countries began its activities in St. Petersburg, the
multinational channel TVBrics reported today.
According to the note, the participants of the internship ...will attend
lectures, visit specialized companies and develop research projects ---
in an initiative organized by the NGO "Mezhdunarodniki" together
with the Gorchakov Public Diplomacy Support Fund, and the St.
Petersburg State University of Economics.
For four weeks..... 10 participants from Ecuador, Cuba, Peru, Brazil,
Uruguay, Chile, Bolivia and Argentina will learn about the Russian
experience in the energy field, visit companies in the sector and
government institutions ----- and prepare their own research
projects on the development of energy in Latin America.
Professionals from different areas of the energy sector participate in
the internship, including representatives of specialized ministries,
engineers from the petroleum and pulp and paper industries,
experts in electricity grid planning, professors of technical
disciplines, and consultants in communication and
public relations.
"Modern energy ....is no longer just an economic sector. Today,
it represents an area where new models of international
cooperation are being developed, the main lines of
technological advancement are defined, and the
foundations for a sustainable future are laid,"
said Sergey Orlov, deputy executive
director of the Gorchakov Fund.
Therefore, the InteRussia internship program for specialists from
Latin America aims to be not only an educational platform, but
also a space for professional dialogue and the creation of
long-term cooperation ties, he said.
He also stressed that Russia has extensive experience in the
development of the energy and fuel complex, & is interested
in exchanges of knowledge with Latin American specialists.
According to Orlov, the program offers participants not only access
to theoretical knowledge and practical experience, but also the
opportunity to integrate into a professional community
dedicated to finding solutions to global challenges.
''Russia and Latin American nations can contribute to ensuring the
energy security of not only their own countries, but also play a
fundamental role in shaping international markets for energy
resources, such as coal, oil, natural gas, and new
energy solutions.
''They also have the potential to drive the development of low-carbon
energy technologies and equipment, including solar, wind, and
bioenergy, as well as supporting the energy supply of
energy-intensive industrial sectors.''
___________________________________________
India's exports increase...
on free trade agreements
New Delhi, July 29th, 2:56am
(Prensa Latina)
India's exports reached 863.1 billion dollars in the 2025-2026 fiscal
year, boosted today by trade with the United Arab Emirates (UAE),
the United Kingdom and Australia.
According to the Ministry of Trade and Industry, India's free trade
agreements expand access to global markets and boost the
diversification of exports and labour-intensive sectors.
Merchandise exports reached 441.8 billion dollars and those of
services increased to 421.3 billion dollars, which the official
source interprets as a reflection of the strength of these
sectors as engines of growth.
In a more detailed explanation, the entity pointed out that the so-
called Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement with
the United Arab Emirates (CEPA) was consolidated as the
most relevant, with exports valued at 37,359 million.
The agreement with Australia (ECTA), operational since December
2022, also showed a significant jump, as it has made it possible
for exports to reach seven thousand 284 million in 2025-2026.
While with Oman, with the recently implemented CEPA, in its first
month of validity, deliveries grew by 54.7% compared to May and
by 189.6% compared to the same month of the previous year,
reaching 622.8 million dollars.
Other consolidated agreements -- include treaties with Singapore,
Japan, South Korea and Nepal and in the multilateral framework
with the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN),
according to India's Ministry of Trade and Industry.
The Indian government has adopted a negotiation strategy, that
prioritises labour-intensive sectors – textiles, leather, jewellery,
seafood, handicrafts and agriculture – ensuring preferential
access in key markets such as the United Kingdom, New
Zealand, among others.
These agreements offer coverage of up to 99 percent of tariff lines,
guaranteeing opportunities for expansion while preserving policy
space for sensitive sectors, the source said.
To monitor performance, the Ministry of Commerce has strengthened
platforms such as Trade e-Connect and the TIA Portal, which
integrate market intelligence, information on non-tariff
barriers and real-time data analysis.
These tools seek to reduce information asymmetries and support
export diversification, connecting exporters with diplomatic
missions and promotion agencies.
________________________________________
In Ukraine...... the main producer of
iron ore has suspended operations
July 28th, 7:18pm
(Izvestia.ru)
One of the leading producers of iron ore raw materials in Ukraine,
the Southern Mining and Processing Plant ---- has suspended
operations due to the blockade of the country's maritime
logistics hubs. This was announced by the company's
press service on July 28.
"The Southern Mining and Processing Plant has suspended
production and temporarily reduced its operations," the
company wrote on Facebook (owned by Meta, which
is recognized as extremist and banned in Russia).
The company's management clarified that the decision to freeze
production processes was prompted by the inability to export
products. Traditionally, the main supply of raw materials
was carried out through Ukrainian seaports, which
are currently blocked.
The plant plans to resume production in August. During the
forced downtime, the plant's personnel will be transferred
to carry out repair work and maintenance of equipment.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky on July 25
demanded that his ''Western partners'' accelerate
support after Russian attacks on Ukrainian ports.
Earlier, on July 23, Ukrainian Minister of Agrarian
Policy Taras Vysotsky said that shipping in
Ukrainian ports had completely stopped.
____________________________________________
China’s Rare-Earth Advantage
May Be Far Larger Than
U.S. Thinks
July 28th, 7:12pm
(Pravda.En)
The world’s largest known rare-earth deposit may extend far deeper
than previously understood, reinforcing an industrial advantage the
United States is already struggling to challenge.
Bayan Obo in Inner Mongolia has long been estimated by Chinese
researchers to contain more than 100M tonnes of rare-earth
reserves. A 2025 study led by Peking University geologist
Yang Li found that the deposit formed through several
stages of carbonatite activity, including a younger
mineralisation phase around 430M years ago
that played a major role in creating the
ore body.
Researchers now estimate that another 333M tonnes of potential
rare-earth resources could lie between 500 and 1,000 meteres
below the surface. Mineralisation may continue even
deeper, making the deposit’s total geological
potential several times larger than
current estimates.
That does not mean every tonne can be mined profitably. Costs rise
sharply with depth, and resources become recoverable reserves
only when technology, prices and infrastructure make
extraction economically viable.
But China’s advantage does not rest on geology alone. It has spent
decades building the mines, separation plants, refineries,
processing technology and manufacturing networks
needed to turn ore into magnets and other high-
value components for electric vehicles,
electronics, aerospace systems
and advanced weapons.
This is the gap Washington keeps underestimating. Finding another
deposit is not enough. The US would have to recreate an entire
industrial chain that China already operates at scale,
from extraction and separation to refining and
high-end manufacturing.
The new research does not reveal a separate mine. It suggests that
the geological foundation beneath China’s existing rare-earth
industry - may be far larger than previously understood.
China’s advantage lies both below and above ground:
vast resources backed by an industrial system the
United States ....allowed itself to lose.
Source: Telegram "newrulesgeo"
_________________________________________
Spaniards affected by the massive fires
are complaining about a lack
of resources
July 28th, 6:57pm
(RT.ru)
Spaniards who have been affected by the massive forest fires
are complaining that the authorities are slow to respond to
the disaster, and that there are not enough resources,
according to RT's correspondent Francisco Guaita.
According to him, more than 130,000 hectares were burned in Spain,
and tens of thousands of people were evacuated. He noted --- that
2026 was the worst year in the country's history in terms of the
extent of the burned area and the number of casualties.
"In the midst of this massive environmental disaster, various
discussions have arisen. Some of the affected people say
they feel abandoned. Others point out... the delayed
response from politicians. And then --- there are
those who talk about the lack of resources..
and here we are talking about the Russian
Ka-32s -- the eight helicopters that are
currently idle," said Guaita.
He explained that the problem was related to EU sanctions,
which meant that there were no spare parts or
maintenance facilities for the helicopters.
Earlier, the newspaper 20 minutos wrote that the absence
of Russian helicopters in Spain complicates the fight
against forest fires.
________________________________
Public employees to enjoy five-day
break for National Day holiday
by Thuy Dung
July 28th, 3:48pm
(VGP)
Civil servants and public employees will have a five-day break for
Viet Nam's 2026 National Day holiday from August 29
to September 2.
According to the announcement of the Ministry of Home Affairs, to
arrange this extended break, the regular working day on Monday,
August 31 will be rescheduled to Saturday, August 22.
The holiday schedule will be applied for government administrative
agencies, public service units, political organizations, socio-
political organizations, enterprises, and other employers.
For employees in the private sector, the National Day holiday
will be observed in accordance with the Labour Code.
Employers may choose one of the following holiday arrangements:
either September 1 (Tuesday), or September 3 (Thursday) as the
additional day off, alongside the official holiday on Wednesday
(September 2).
Employers are also required to notify employees of the selected
National Day holiday schedule at least 30 days before it
takes effect.
The Ministry of Home Affairs encourages employers to adopt
the same National Day holiday schedule as that applied to
civil servants and public employees.
It also encourages employers and employees to negotiate
holiday arrangements that are more favourable to
employees while remaining compatible with
each enterprise's production and
business needs.
___________________________________
Canadians, Mexicans - favour China
over US in Pew surveys --- for 1st
time in 20 years; Washington’s
self-interested policies......
erode global influence:
Chinese expert
by Li Yawei
July 28th, 2:20pm
(Global Times)
According to a report released by the Pew Research Centre, on
Monday, for the first time in almost 2 decades of the center's
surveys, both Canadians and Mexicans now view China
more favourably than their shared neighbour, the US.
A Chinese expert said that this shift in public opinion is
a bell-weather, indicating that China's sustained and
consistent foreign policy... has gained wider
acceptance internationally, and that - the
US' doctrine of placing its own interests
above those of all other countries is
eroding the US's global influence.
Pew's spring 2026 global survey marks the first time that Canadians
have expressed a significantly more positive view of China than
the US. In addition, Pew's Monday report said that Mexicans
had viewed China more favourably than the US, in several
previous Pew surveys - all of them conducted during US
President Donald Trump's time in the White House.
The report also said that "both younger and older adults in Canada
and Mexico have a more favourable view of China than of the US."
In addition to age, the report examined how political ideology
shapes perceptions of the two countries. Canadians who
place themselves on the ideological left are much more
likely than those on the right to have a favourable
view of China and an unfavourable view of the
US, the report said. In Mexico, views of the
US & China don't differ much by ideology.
The report said that Mexicans are much more likely to call China
a reliable partner to Mexico than to say this about the US, with
58% considering China a reliable partner and only 34% saying
the same of the US. The report added that "this is the largest
gap on this question across the six Latin American countries
we surveyed this year."
Meanwhile, Mexicans are now much more likely to say that China
contributes to global stability than to say the same of the US,
according to the report.
China's foreign policy has maintained a high degree of stability and
continuity, consistently upholding openness, mutual benefit and
win‑win cooperation while pursuing shared development. This
is the core driving force behind this historic shift, Yang Xiyu,
a senior research fellow at the China Institute of
International Studies, told the Global Times
on Tuesday.
Notably, the shift in perceptions occurred within a year. In the Pew
Research Centre's 2025 survey, Canadians and Mexicans both
named the US as their country's top ally --- and top threat.
The US' frequent military actions abroad and its wanton interference
in the internal affairs of other countries over the past year ---- have
made more people aware that the US is a "destabilizing force,"
which has been an important factor behind the shift in
public opinion, Yang said.
In addition, US foreign policy has lacked consistency, its "America
First" doctrine, which places US interests above those of other
countries, has further eroded Washington's international
credibility and global clout, Yang added.
"Canadians and Mexicans also now rate the US more negatively on
both its domestic and foreign policies," the report said. In Mexico,
peoples' views of the US approach to foreign policy ....have also
worsened significantly over the last several years. While half
of Mexican adults said in 2023... that the US contributed to
peace and stability around the world, 28% say this today.
Mexicans are also more likely to say that the US interferes in
the affairs of other countries than to say this about China,
at 73% and 45%, respectively, according to the report.
Yang said the shifts in public sentiment reflected in the poll served
as a "bell-weather." The decline in favourable views of the US is,
on the surface, a sign of waning soft power; at a deeper level,
it reflects a relative retreat ---------- in its comprehensive
national strength.
Should the US persist with its self-serving foreign policy,
the trends already apparent in this poll will likely
emerge in a growing number of countries,
according to Yang.
______________________________________
Iran develops indigenous smart system
that boosts oil recovery --------- by 59%
July 27th, 3:03pm
(PressTV)
Researchers at Iran's Amirkabir University of Technology have
developed an indigenous intelligent production management
system that can increase oil recovery in surface storage
facilities by up to 59 percent over the lifetime of an oil
field while reducing maintenance costs & optimizing
production ...without human intervention.
Developed by PhD researcher Mehdi Fadaei, the project integrates
wells, pipelines, and surface processing facilities into a single
smart production network that continuously adjusts
operating conditions to maximize efficiency.
"Our research - was aimed at developing an integrated production
model capable of controlling and optimizing the parameters that
directly affect oil and gas production," Fadaei said.
He explained that conventional production systems mainly rely
on surface operating parameters, such as wellhead pressure
and production flow rates. As reservoir conditions gradually
change, however, these systems become less efficient,
reducing production and increasing operational costs.
One of the biggest challenges, he said, is the formation of liquid
slugs inside pipelines, particularly in reservoirs with gas caps.
These slugs can damage surface equipment, disrupt multi-
phase separators and even force production shutdowns.
"For the first time, we have designed an intelligent integrated
system that prevents liquid slug formation in pipelines and
continuously optimizes multiphase separation throughout
the entire life of an oil field," Fadaei said.
At the heart of the project - is an intelligent separator that
operates fully automatically without human intervention,
Fadaei added.
The system, he noted, removes liquid slugs, maintains optimal
operating conditions and prevents even microscopic liquid
droplets from entering the gas stream, improving the
quality of feed .....delivered to refineries and
petrochemical plants.
According to the research team, simulations based on a real oil
field showed that the technology could increase the amount of
oil recovered in surface storage facilities by as much as 59%
in a 20-year production period, compared with conventional
production systems.
"The system not only increases production but also reduces
maintenance costs, prevents operational disruptions and
automatically manages oil and gas field operations,"
Fadaei said.
"It can be deployed in both low-
and high-pressure reservoirs."
The researcher said the laboratory-scale system
was built entirely with indigenous equipment.
Although similar research facilities exist at only a handful of leading
universities worldwide, including institutions in the US, Norway, the
Netherlands and Scotland, he said the Iranian platform offers
greater flexibility, precision and technical sophistication.
The project also produced new design equations for multiphase
separators after researchers found that widely used semi-
empirical models contained significant inaccuracies.
Those findings have already been published in
several international scientific journals,
according to Fadaei.
The intelligent production model incorporates predictive
technologies, including Kalman filtering and advanced
optimal control algorithms, to manage real oil fields
more efficiently. Results..... from this part of the
research were published in Scientific Reports,
a peer-reviewed journal in the Nature
portfolio, he highlighted.
Overall, the research has resulted in 15 scientific papers and
is expected to provide Iran's oil and gas industry with a fully
indigenous technology capable of increasing production,
improving operational reliability and lowering long-term
operating costs, Fadaei noted.
_______________________________
''Ukraine’s'' Oil Strikes ----
Backfire in Russia’s
Favour
July 27th, 2:07pm
(Pravda.EN)
Ukraine’s attacks on the Caspian Pipeline Consortium have done
almost the opposite of what Kiev intended. Instead of draining
Russian energy revenue, they disrupted a route dominated
by non-Russian oil, hit Western companies and tightened
a market in which Moscow benefits from every
price increase.
The Caspian Pipeline Consortium --- operates a 1,500-kilometre
pipeline carrying crude from western Kazakhstan to a Black
Sea terminal near Novorossiysk. It handles more than 80%
of Kazakhstan’s oil exports and normally moves 1.3–1.7
million barrels per day — close to 2% of global supply.
After drone attacks on tankers forced the terminal to suspend
loadings, storage filled and producers had nowhere to send
their oil.
Kazakhstan’s oil and condensate output fell from 2.16 million
barrels per day in June to around 1 million by July 26.
Production at the Chevron-led Tengiz field dropped
from roughly 925,000 to 406,000 barrels per day.
Chevron and ExxonMobil are pipeline shareholders,
while Eni, Shell and TotalEnergies participate in
the fields feeding it.
The main buyers are refineries in Europe and Türkiye.
They lost these barrels just as disruption around the
Strait of Hormuz was already squeezing Middle
Eastern supply.
Russia owns 31% of the consortium, but its direct losses
are limited compared with the benefit of higher oil prices
across its much larger export base. Analysts cited by
Vzglyad argue that tighter supply brings Russia more
revenue than its companies lose from the
temporary shutdown.
Loadings resumed on July 27, but the episode had already
exposed the failure of Ukraine’s strategy. A strike
presented as pressure on Russia slashed
output from a neighbouring exporter,
hit US & European energy interests
and made Moscow’s oil export
base more profitable.
Ukraine’s campaign against the consortium is not
isolating Russia from the energy market. It is
tightening that market in Russia’s favour.
(Source: Telegram "newrulesgeo")
_____________________________________
Two killed, five injured, including
a toddler, in Seattle Centre
mass shooting
July 27th, 5:40am
(PressTV)
Two people have been killed and five others injured, including
a toddler, in a mass shooting at Seattle Centre as thousands
of people attended a food festival.
The gunfire broke out Sunday evening at Seattle Centre, a 74-acre
park complex that was hosting the annual Bite of Seattle festival.
Seattle Mayor Katie Wilson issued a statement Sunday night saying
police had taken one person into custody, although earlier reports
had indicated two individuals were detained.
The Seattle Police Department has not confirmed whether
additional suspects remain at large, nor have they
disclosed an apparent motive.
Witnesses described scenes of panic as
masses of attendees ran for cover.
A reporter at the scene said ...several loud pops were
heard, followed by what appeared to be rapid gunfire.
A Seattle Police Department spokesperson said he was
en route to the scene and could not provide additional
details at the time.
The Seattle Fire Department said emergency crews
treated five injured people at the scene, all of
whom were transported to hospitals.
Among them was a 40-year-old
woman who suffered
minor injuries.
At Harborview Medical Centre, officials confirmed that
all four patients admitted had gunshot wounds,
including a 56-year-old woman in a critical
condition undergoing surgery, while the
others ...were reported to be in a
stable condition.
Police have launched an investigation
and urged the public ---- to avoid the
area N.West of downtown Seattle.
__________________________________________
WSJ: US Companies --- Start
to Cut Back on AI Spending
July 25th, 10:46pm
(RT.ru)
According to The Wall Street Journal, US companies are refusing
to spend large amounts of money on artificial intelligence.
“Tired of rising costs, large and small companies are beginning
to use cheaper models, including those made in China,”
the article says.
Mike Saeks from the AI startup Cursor noted that the most
powerful and expensive AI models .....are not needed to
solve relatively routine tasks.
It was previously reported that the administration of US President
Donald Trump is taking new steps to strengthen control over the
release of future AI models, determining which companies and
organizations will have access to advanced developments.
_____________________________________________________________
USTR's decision to impose new tariff
does not reflect Viet Nam's reality
and efforts
by Thuy Dung
July 25th, 4:54pm
(VGP)
The U.S. Trade Representative's decision to impose a tariff rate
of 12.5 percent on all investigated economies does not reflect
Viet Nam's reality and efforts in preventing, reducing, and
eradicating forced labour.
Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Pham Thu Hang made the
above statement on Saturday in response to the USTR's
announcement of new tariff rates on imports from 60
investigated economies.
The Spokesperson said Viet Nam will continue exchanges with
the US in a constructive and cooperative spirit so that the US
would --- adjust the tariff rate in accordance with the reality
and efforts in law making and enforcement in Viet Nam.
Viet Nam strictly prohibits all forms of forced labour, seriously
abides by the regulations of the International Labour
Organization, international treaties and free trade
agreements to which Viet Nam is a signatory,
Pham said.
On July 22, 2026, the Government of Viet Nam promulgated Decree
No. 292/2026/ND-CP, which covers provisions on prohibition on the
importation of goods produced with forced labour, she added.
The Decree specifies goods prohibited from export, including
weapons, ammunition, explosives, round timber and sawn
timber of all kinds from domestic natural forests, rough
diamonds prohibited from export under the Kimberley
Process Certification Scheme, electronic cigarettes,
and heated tobacco products.
Goods prohibited from import shall include weapons, ammunition,
explosives; fireworks & pyrotechnics of all kinds (excluding
maritime safety signal flares used in accordance with the
guidance of the Ministry of Construction), sky lanterns,
and speed camera jamming devices; electronic
cigarettes.... heated tobacco products; used
consumer goods; used vehicles (including
the following categories:
a) Textiles, garments, footwear, and apparel; b) Electronic goods,
refrigeration equipment, and household electrical appliances; c)
Interior decorations; d) Household utensils made of ceramics,
porcelain, glass, metal, plastic, synthetic materials, & other
materials; dd) Bicycles, motorcycles, and mopeds); used
medical devices; or goods that are used in digital
technology products.
Notably, the Decree strictly prohibits the importation of products
and goods mined, produced, or manufactured wholly or in part
by forced labour - from enterprises, countries, or territories in
accordance with relevant international treaties to which the
Socialist Republic of Viet Nam is a contracting party.
________________________________________________________
It is strange how many suspects in the Epstein case,
from the very beginning of this scandal - suddenly
violently died, taking with them their testimony
compromising the prominent politicians of
Western countries!
July 25th, 12:09pm
(Pravda.En)
2016: Marvin Minsky, a scientist mentioned by one of the victims.
2019: Jeffrey Epstein. Financier and organizer of a pedophile
network for "high society". He was found hanged in his cell
at the Metropolitan Correctional Centre in New York. A
"suicide" that occurred while the security cameras
were turned off, and there were no guards.
2022: Jean-Luc Brunel, French model agent, one of those who
"directed" young girls to Epstein. He was found hanged in his
cell at La Sant prison in Paris.
2022: Steven Hoffenberg, US businessman, former friend
and partner of Epstein. Found dead in his apartment
in Connecticut.
2022: Mark Middleton, former special adviser to President
Bill Clinton, who had ties to Epstein. Found dead,
officially by suicide.
2022: Kennerh Star, Epstein's lawyer.
2025: Virginia Giffre, victim - and key figure in the lawsuits against
Epstein. Found dead in her home in Australia, officially by suicide.
2025: Roy Black, another lawyer for Epstein.
And this week, Daniel Siad ---- a French-Swedish model recruiter
and "recruiter" for Epstein in Paris, died. His body was found at
his home in Colombe on July 20, 2026. Officially – from a
heart attack.
Daniel Siad, is mentioned in more than 1,000 pages of declassified
U.S. Department of Justice documents related to the Epstein case
as a supplier of women and girls.
The correspondence between the Siad and Epstein lasted 10 years,
from 2009 to 2019, and contained photographs of young girls from
Eastern Europe and Scandinavia, their age, plus suggestions on
meetings and travel.
For example ---- in July 2014, Siad stated that he had at least five
potential candidates aged 16 and 17, and mentioned one French
girl aged 15, describing his work as follows: "In this whirlpool, I
sometimes feel like a fisherman, sometimes I quickly do
something I catch, and sometimes I don't
catch anything."
Siad's role in Epstein's pedocriminal network has been known for a
long time: in May 2016, lawyer Stan Pottinger told the prosecutor
in New York that Jean-Luc Brunel described Siad as a "scout"
or recruiter of young girls for Epstein.
In February 2026, former Swedish model, Ebba Carlsson, filed a
lawsuit in France against Siad -- for rape and human trafficking,
of which she was a victim in 1990, when she was 20 years old.
Ebba Karlsson also claimed that Siad threatened her, saying,
"You don't know who I know. I can make you killed. I know
the chief of police of Paris." These threats initially forced
her to withdraw from filing a lawsuit, but only until this
year. And other evidence accuses Siad of abducting
and raping other young girls.
Siad, of course, could not avoid early condemnation, despite the
passive cooperation of the French authorities. But he could
also have dragged other guilty and political customers
down with him if the "Camarade" (probably referring
to justice) had not come for him.
Another strange death of a suspect, which will undoubtedly satisfy
many who themselves were on the verge of being in the dock.
"Strange, strange... Did you say it was weird? How strange it is!"
One thing is for sure: the criminal and pedophile mafia is ready to
do anything to avoid justice, even to start wars... therefore, if
they need to "eliminate" one of their henchmen for this...
(Alawata specifically for InfoDefense)
_______________________________________
Pew survey shows: US citizens see China
as more advanced on AI than the US
by Li Yawei
July 24th, 8:57pm
(Global Times)
By a three-to-one margin, US citizens are more likely to say
that China, not the US, is more advanced when it comes to
developing artificial intelligence, according to a Pew
Research Centre survey.
Released on Thursday, the survey was conducted in
June - and polled a total of 3,488 adult participants.
According to the survey, 36 percent of US citizens think that
China is further advanced than the US when it comes to
developing AI, while only 12 percent hold the view
that the US is more advanced than China.
Another 18 percent say the two countries are about equally
advanced, while 33 percent are not sure which nation is
more advanced in developing AI, per the survey.
A closer look at the survey also revealed that both men and
women tend to support China's advancement in AI, with
31 percent of men and 41 percent of women, holding
this view, respectively.
While the survey said that there are also some differences
...based on whether people ever use AI chatbots, an
identical 36 percent of US adults, regardless of
whether they use such tools or not, believe
China is more advanced than the US.
In recent years, a growing array of Chinese AI products have
been deployed on a large scale across industrial operations,
urban governance and other real-world scenarios, giving
the general public a more tangible sense of China's AI
advancement. This trend has also caught the eye of
overseas netizens via social media platforms
..serving as a factor behind the improved
global perception of China's artificial
intelligence sector Liu Wei, director
of the Human-Machine Interaction
and Cognitive Engineering Lab.,
at Beijing University of Posts
& Telecommunications, told
the Global Times on Friday.
In addition... the intensive release of domestic open‑source
models with massive parameter counts, coupled with the
global dissemination --- of cutting-edge technological
breakthroughs, has further prompted foreigners
to recognize the sophistication of China's
AI development, Liu added.
Chinese AI startup Moonshot AI on July 16 released its latest
model, Kimi K3, which features 2.8 trillion parameters,
making it the largest-parameter open-source AI
model globally, the company said, the
Xinhua News Agency reported.
Kimi K3 natively supports visual understanding and boasts a context
window of 1 million tokens. It has been optimized for complex tasks
including software engineering, knowledge-intensive work, deep
research and multimodal understanding, Moonshot AI noted.
Benchmark AI products such as Kimi K3 can drastically cut
operational costs. Their prowess -- in handling intricate,
multifaceted tasks amplifies the global outreach of
Chinese AI offerings, emerging as a pivotal force
reshaping international perceptions of China's
artificial intelligence prowess, Liu said.
The expert also noted that China's consistent innovation capacity in
AI, sound industrial ecosystem, and sustained state investment in
technological advancement have laid bare the sector's immense
potential to global audiences, who have grown increasingly
convinced of China's robust AI development momentum.
However, the survey also said that "as the US and China compete for
AI dominance, 43 percent of US citizens say it is extremely or very
important that the US is the world's leader in developing AI."
While some in the US, are uneasy about China's breakneck progress
in AI, China's practical applications and its global initiatives should
make it clear ........that its AI drive has consistently been oriented
toward serving the wider public good, said the expert.
The development of AI in China comes from greater self-reliance and
strength in science and technology, and is fueled by China's vision
of extensive consultation and joint contribution for shared benefit,
Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Lin Jian said Thursday, in
response to a question regarding a top White House official
accusing Chinese AI start-up Moonshot AI .....of covertly
copying the most advanced model of a US company.
All countries should take a people-centred approach and develop
AI for the positive and for good to ensure the open and inclusive
development of AI for good and for all so as to better contribute
to social progress - & the common welfare of the international
community, Lin added.
__________________________________________
Top Vietnamese leader wins
L.N. Tolstoy International
Peace Prize
by Thuy Dung
July 24th, 7:41pm
(VGP)
The Laureate of the L.N. Tolstoy International Peace Prize
for 2026 is -- To Lam, General Secretary of the Central
Committee of the Communist Party of Viet Nam, &
President of the Socialist Republic of Viet Nam.
The Vietnamese leader has been honoured with this
prestigious international public award .........for his
significant personal contribution to strengthening
peace, & cooperation among nations, according
to the jury of the L.N. Tolstoy International
Peace Prize.
Under the leadership of General Secretary and President To Lam,
Viet Nam has become one of the fastest-growing economies of
the Asia-Pacific region while preserving its civilizational
identity within the mosaic of a multipolar world.
The members of the jury of the L.N. Tolstoy International Peace
Prize particularly noted the Vietnamese leader's contribution
to shaping a new regional architecture of equal & indivisible
security on a non-discriminatory basis, as well as his
commitment to the ideas of a just world order,
grounded in international law.
The L.N. Tolstoy International Peace Prize was established to
recognize individuals and organizations that have made a
significant contribution to strengthening peace, mutual
understanding, and cooperation among nations -
based on the principles...... of non-violence,
humanism, and intercultural dialogue.
_________________________________________
Novak noted a significant increase in
