Care for older adults
in the US ---- at risk
June 2nd, 4:55pm
(Prensa Latina)
Long-term care services for older adults in the United States
are at risk if the Senate approves President Donald Trump's
priority bill that he has alreadyadvanced ----- in the House
of Representatives.
The voices of experts warn that within the (fiscal megaproject
that passed the test in the Lower House by one vote), cuts to
Medicaid are expected, the largest funder of long-term care
facilities ----- covering approximately two in three nursing
home residents.
Reducing the funds allocated to this massive program,
although already limited in resources - they point out
- could have disastrous effects on health, and the
safety and quality of life of older adults.
The Republicans, who also control the Senate, began the
legislative week with the top topic: to try to reconcile in
the next four weeks the criteria of the entire bench to
try to endorse the bill that covers a large part of
Trump's domestic agenda, and one of the key
points.... is its possible cuts to Medicaid.
The current budget initiative would extend overdue tax
cuts, adding about $3.8 trillion over the next decade to
the federal deficit, according to the Congressional
Budget Office.
In exchange, the House committee that administers
Medicaid proposed cutting nearly $700 billion in
spending for the program on the “big and
beautiful” project as Trump called it,
which is currently in conciliation.
Both houses of Congress must finally approve a
single plan based on their respective proposals.
Skilled nursing facilities, or nursing homes, are
the centres that require the most attention, in
the long-term care continuum.
Medicaid covers more than 60% of nursing home
residents, about 20% of people in assisted living
facilities and more than half - of all those living
in long-term care facilities.
But --- if states find deficits in federal funding, they
must generate revenue or make cuts on their own.
While the current proposal does not appear to make
direct cuts to long-term care, experts say reducing
federal funding for Medicaid overall will likely have
indirect effects ------ on states' ability to pay for
such care.
This could involve eliminating assisted living coverage
or reducing or eliminating reimbursement offered to
some home and community caregivers, experts
said, according to the Public Broadcasting
Service (PBS).
States could also reduce the reimbursement rate for
Medicaid residents in nursing homes or change
eligibility requirements, they pointed out that
insisting on any of these options ---- will
have profound repercussions.
_______________________________________
Venezuela Dismantles Network
Manipulating Parallel Dollar:
Government ----- Defends
Economic Sovereignty
June 2nd, 4:43pm
(teleSUR)
The Venezuelan government has arrested 25 individuals
for operating unauthorized websites that manipulated
the parallel dollar, intensifying efforts to protect the
bolívar and combat economic sabotage.
This operation, led by the state security agencies, marks a
new chapter in the government’s ongoing campaign to
defend the national economy from destabilizing
forces and reaffirm the authority of the Central
Bank of Venezuela (BCV) over currency policy.
The Venezuelan government’s action comes after a thorough
investigation into 18 websites accused of daily publishing
unauthorized dollar rates, which authorities say fueled
inflation and economic instability.
The arrested individuals -10 women and 15 men - were
apprehended across nine states, including Caracas,
Aragua, Mérida, Lara, Yaracuy, Miranda, Zulia, La
Guaira, and Barinas. According to the technical
analysis, these platforms set exchange rates
lacking any official basis --- contributing to
artificial price hikes & public discontent.
Minister Cabello emphasized that the operation was
conducted “silently, without abuse of any kind,”
and highlighted the diverse roles within the
dismantled network, from operators and
managers to programmers and
payment recipients.
During the raids, the authorities seized cheques issued
by Google, revealing that the websites profited from
advertising revenue generated by manipulating
economic information.
A text reads: In a major operation led by the Ministry of Interior
and Justice and personally overseen by President Nicolás
Maduro, which involved nearly a year of investigation,
25 people have been arrested for manipulating the
parallel dollar rate through social media.
Some individuals managed at least 18 social media accounts
that illegally set the currency’s price and were capable of
raising it by up to 40 points within hours or days
without any economic logic.
This network operated in nine states, mainly in
Guatire – Miranda, Caracas, Barinas, and Zulia.
Protecting the Bolívar and Combating Speculation
The Venezuelan government has long maintained currency
controls to shield the bolívar from speculative attacks and
ensure that foreign reserves are used for essential
imports, such as food and medicine.
The proliferation of parallel dollar indicators -- especially on
social media and digital platforms, has been identified as
a central driver of inflation and price speculation. By
artificially inflating the dollar, these networks
undermine the government’s efforts to
stabilize the economy and protect
the purchasing power of
ordinary Venezuelans.
Officials have repeatedly framed the battle against the parallel
dollar as a defense of economic sovereignty in the face of
external aggression and internal sabotage. Cabello
pointed out that some website administrators
received politically motivated instructions,
particularly in the lead-up to the May 25
elections, when the parallel dollar rate
spiked by 20%. This --- the authorities
argue, is part of a broader economic
war waged by powerful groups who
seek to destabilize the country.
The crackdown on parallel dollar networks is not an isolated
measure but part of a comprehensive strategy to restore
order to Venezuela’s currency market. Regulatory and
security agencies have intensified inspections of
businesses and digital platforms, imposing stiff
penalties on those found using unofficial rates.
The state’s actions reflect a determination to reclaim control
over monetary policy, even as international sanctions and
limited access to foreign reserves, complicate the
economic landscape.
Despite these challenges ---- the government remains resolute.
As President Nicolás Maduro and his cabinet have repeatedly
stated, Venezuela will not allow economic mafias and
external actors to dictate the fate of the nation.
The recent arrests send a clear message: the defense of the
bolívar and the well-being of the Venezuelan people remain
at the forefront of state policy. “We can’t be afraid of the
mafias. We want to see the currency speculators put
in prison”, President Nicolás Maduro has said.
The Venezuelan government’s decisive action against parallel
dollar manipulation underscores its commitment to economic
justice and sovereignty, even as it faces persistent external
and internal pressures.
__________________________________________
Burbok becomes new President
of the UN General Assembly
by Victoria Kondratieva
(Editor of the Mir dept)
June 2nd, 4:18pm
(Lenta.ru)
Former German Foreign secretary, Annalena Burbock,
has been elected President of the 80th session of
the UN General Assembly. This is reported by
RIA Novosti.
"Annalena Burbock from Germany, has been elected Chair
of.... the 80th session of the General Assembly," said
Philemon Young, Chair of the current 79th session.
In turn, the first deputy Permanent Representative of the
Russian Federation to the UN, Dmitry Polyansky, said
that the nomination of Berbok for this post was
a spit at the World Organization.
Earlier, the former head of the Munich Security Conference,
Christoph Heusgen, called the idea of nominating Burbok
for the post ---- absolute shamelessness.
__________________________________________
The president of Poland will be.... a
Eurosceptic, supported by Trump.
What do the media write?
June 2nd, 10:31am
(Izvestia.ru)
The victory in the Polish presidential election was won
by the conservative Karol Nawrocki. This was a blow
to the EU, which expected Warsaw to return to the
pro-European track, and the current government
of Donald Tusk.
Navrotsky is a Eurosceptic and an opponent of Ukraine's
entry into Western alliances, for which he is supported
by US President Trump.
CNN: Nawrocki won the Polish presidential election
Karol Nawrocki, a candidate from Poland's right-wing
populist Law and Justice Party (PiS), won 50.89% of
the vote, defeating the liberal mayor of Warsaw,
Rafal Trzaskowski ----- who had long been
considered the favourite. Navrotsky's
victory...... extends PiS's 10-year
presence in the presidential
palace.... and could spell
disaster ------ for Prime
Minister Donald Tusk.
During the election campaign, he emphasized his Catholic faith,
promised to reduce migration, and relentlessly criticized
Brussels and Tusk. He received late support from the
participants at the Conservative Political Action
Conference, which held its first meeting in
Poland earlier this week, cementing a
decades-long rapprochement...
between populist right-wing
movements in Poland &
the United States.
Navrotsky's victory seemed unlikely... until the first round of
voting two weeks ago. But the first round showed that he
was slightly behind Trzaskowski - and revealed a higher
level of support than expected among a small number
of far-right supporters, some of whom later... voted
for Navrotsky.
Bloomberg: Trump-backed candidate wins in Poland
US President Donald Trump supported the victorious Navrotsky.
His election was the first success for the MAGA movement,
which tried but failed to tilt the election in favour of
nationalist or far-right candidates in countries
such as Germany, Romania, Canada
and Australia.
Navrotsky's campaign - received support from the White House,
where he met briefly with Trump in the Oval office, last month.
During a visit to Poland last week, the US Homeland Security
Secretary Christy Noem presented the prospect of close
ties with Trump as an incentive to vote for Navrotsky
and called Trzaskowski ------- "an absolute loser
among leaders."
Poland is one of the EU's fastest-growing economies and the
country with the largest defense spending, so the failure of
the Tusk government is likely to reverberate throughout the
bloc, which is under growing pressure from Trump's tariffs.
Navrotsky told his supporters that his victory would mean
curbing Tusk's "monopoly on power," which "takes away
our big dreams and takes away our aspirations."
Financial Times: Nawrocki's victory --
strikes a blow to Poland's EU agenda
Poland's President-elect Nawrocki will give new impetus to
right-wing populists across the continent. His victory will
increase tensions between the president and the
government by derailing judicial reform that
Tusk promised in 2023, in exchange for
Brussels unblocking billions of euros
in EU funds - frozen during a rule of
law dispute with the previous
government.
"For Tusk, he will be much worse than [previous President
Andrzej] Duda," said Adam Leszczynski, director of the
Gabriel Narutowicz Institute for Political Thought, a
state-run think tank. "He - is much more radical in
his views and enters the office of president with
great indignation, after being dealt a very
personal blow by Tusk and his allies
during the election campaign."
Tusk's one-and-a-half-year premiership has failed to smooth
over divisions in a highly polarized Polish society.
Navrotsky's success comes ahead of other key
votes in Central Europe --- where Eurosceptic
billionaire, Andrej Babis, is hoping to return
as Czech prime minister and Viktor Orban
is hoping to extend his term as head of
the government in Hungary.
Reuters: who is Navrotsky and what
does he think about Ukraine
Navrotsky, a conservative historian, created the image of a
tough guy during his campaign, posting videos of him on
shooting ranges and boxing rings. His past has been
the subject of intense public debate following a
series of negative media reports. There were
questions about his purchase of an
apartment from a pensioner and
admitting that he took part
in organized fights.
Unlike other Eurosceptics in Central Europe, such as Slovak
Prime Minister Robert Fico or Hungarian Prime Minister
Viktor Orban, Navrotsky supports providing military
assistance to Ukraine. However, he said that if
elected --- he would oppose Ukraine's
membership in Western alliances.
This position - echoes the decline
in support for Ukrainians among
Poles, who have taken in more
than a million refugees
from abroad.
His supporters from the Law and Justice Party supported
Kiev's accelerated membership in the EU and NATO
while it was in power until the end of 2023.
Navrotsky also expresses a critical tone
towards Ukraine, supporting Poland's
far-right politicians on this issue.
Politico: Poland faces conflict at the highest level
Nawrocki seeks to push Poland further away from the
European mainstream in a more populist direction.
His victory deals a significant blow to the Tusk
government, whose legislative efforts were
blocked by the incumbent Duda. The
same thing is likely to continue...
under Navrotsky.
"The Nawrocki presidency means a high-level conflict between
the president and Tusk," said Joanna Sawicka, a political
analyst at Polityka Insight, a Warsaw-based think tank.
"But it is clear -------- that it will be difficult for the
government to implement key reforms, since
the president can veto most of them."
The Polish presidency is mostly a ceremonial function, but the
president can veto a bill or send it to the courts for judicial
review. The Tusk-led coalition does not have the votes in
parliament to override a veto, so President Nawrocki
will make it very difficult for the Prime Minister to
govern. The election result -- highlights deep
political divisions in Poland between more
liberal cities and conservative small
towns and villages.
________________________________
In Bulgaria, protests began
against the transition
to the euro
May 31st, 9:26pm
(Izvestia.ru)
Residents of Bulgaria came out to protest
-------- against the transition to the euro.
"Thousands of people came out.... to protest in defense of
the Bulgarian lev in the centre of Sofia. Similar protests
against the introduction of the euro are taking place
in other cities of the country," the Bulgarian
National Radio (BNR) reports.
In the city centre, traffic had to be blocked
due to the action.
The head of the National Bank of Ukraine, Andriy Pyshny,
said earlier... that Kiev could switch to the euro,
as the base currency for the hryvnia.
____________________________________
Cristina Fernández leads surveys
in the province of Buenos Aires,
but...
by Martin Hacthoun,
chief correspondent
May 31st, 1:05pm
(Prensa Latina)
Former president Cristina Fernández, who can run for national
representative, today leads the polls in the province of
Buenos Aires (PBA) above the proposals of
La Libertad Avanza (LLA) and
the PRO.
After the noisy elections for the Legislature of the City of
Buenos Aires (CABA), eyes are now on the upcoming
contest in the province of the same name, the
largest electoral district in Argentina with
almost 40% of the political weight in
the country, which will hold its
legislative elections on
September 7.
The most recent survey carried out by the consulting firm
CB, places the current president of Justicialista Party
(PJ) ...above the head of the list of LLA - party of
President Javier Milei - the legislator, José
Luis Espert, and Diego Santilli, leader of
the PRO in the important region.
CB indicates that Cristina Fernández leads the list of
candidates, with 44.4 percent, above Espert (41.6)
and Santilli (36.7). Measuring Karina Milei, sister
of the president and chief of staff, and whom
some see as a future candidate for a
political position, the poll gives
her 32.8 points.
The CB study included defined and undecided people,
and in this section -- the PJ leader is also at the
forefront with 27 percent among those who
are sure they will vote for her, ahead
of Espert (21).
After having made a splash in the Buenos Aires parliamentary
elections, in which the right-wing electorate usurped the
PRO of former president Mauricio Macri in his bastion,
now the cannons of the ruling party are aimed at
the PBA for the provincial legislative elections
in September and the national ones on
October 26.
In these elections, half of the Chamber of Deputies of
the Nation and a third of the Senate, will be elected.
In their desire to defeat Peronism, Milei's political owners
managed to get the PRO.... to agree to go together in
alliance to dispute the territory with Governor
Axel Kicillof.
They even call on other forces such as the Radical Civic
Union headed there... by deputy Facundo Manes, to
whom the CB survey gives 32.4 points, placing
it in sixth place among the applicants.
Milei's side is going to bet everything - and the president in
particular will spend large capital to support Espert, and
expectations are growing among analysts --- if he will
also steal the PRO's electorate as he did in CABA,
where Macri's party was dismantled.... in the
struggle between right-wing leaders.
______________________________________
Attack on home of Chilean
communist leader Daniel
Jadue condemned
May 31st, 11:25am
(Prensa Latina)
In an event in front of the La Moneda Palace, protesters
condemned the attack on the home of the Chilean
communist leader of Palestinian origin, Daniel
Jadue, who is under house arrest today.
During the demonstration, Brazilian human rights lawyer
and Jadue's wife - Anjuli Tostes -- thanked the peoples'
expressions of solidarity after unidentified individuals
threw a bucket of red paint on the door of his house.
“We live in a dual world, where there is light and shadow.
In the morning, we woke up with this aggression, but
later we received very powerful messages of unity
that fill us with joy”, Tostes told Prensa Latina.
It is not the first time that the home has been vandalized since
the former mayor is also under house arrest for alleged
crimes in the negotiations of the Chilean Association
of Municipalities with Popular Pharmacies, a case
reported here - as legal persecution.
Presidential candidate for the Communist Party of Chile
(PCCh), Jeannette Jara ---- called on the authorities to
investigate this action and reach those responsible
- both materially and intellectually - because
these violent events ------ cannot be
allowed to be normalized.
“Enough of hate attacks in Chile”,
he wrote on his X account.
For his part, the president of the CCP, Lautaro Carmona,
he denounced that Jadue faces the fascist hatred of
those who do not accept different ideas and
recalled his position: condemning the
genocide committed by Israel -
to try to exterminate the
Palestinian people.
Photo: José Tito Meriño (PhotosPL)
Exhibition against US blockade
Lets Cubans laugh at nasty US
May 31st, 10:26am
(Prensa Latina)
“Humour cannot be blockaded” ---- is the title of the open
exhibition at the International Press Centre, in Cuba's
capitol, Havana, against the policy of the economic,
financial and commercial blockade the US insists
on ---- towards Cuba.
The artists Arístides Hernández, Ismael Lema, Adán Iglesias,
Enrique Lacoste, José Luis López, Osvaldo Gutiérrez,
Alfredo Martirena and José Alberto Rodríguez,
participate in the exhibition.
At the inauguration, Cuba's Vice Minister of Foreign Affairs
Carlos Fernández de Cossío, highlighted --- that it is an
artistic expression and humour --- which constitutes
a manifestation of the expression of the Cuban
people ---- in rejection of the aggression of
the United States for over six decades.
''It is not something new.. in our history, it has been a tradition in
our country, in the revolutionary process, to express in multiple
ways, including with graphic humour, the population's
rejection - of such a persistent and ruthless war
against the people of Cuba.''
He stressed that the United States aggression towards Cuba
is ruthless; It is not military aggression, but it is destructive,
which has been - for more than 60 years - against all the
people of Cuba.
He expanded... that if there was doubt --- it would be enough to
see the recent statements, from the last week, by Secretary
of State (Marcos Rubio), which leave no room for doubt,
that in the problems between Cuba and the United
States there is a country that is an aggressor,
which is the United States, and... there is a
country that is a victim of US aggression.
''Our people have been able, by their nature, their culture,
their idiosyncrasy, to use humour - to express even the
strongest repudiations, the strongest rejections,
against imperialism, and these caricatures
are an expression of that.''
Cossío stated that the Cuban people --- ''as stoic as they are,
as optimistic as they are, have been able to show humour
even in the most dramatic moments, and in the
moments - when the most heroic acts are
carried out, therefore it should not be
surprising that, even in the face of
the economic war against Cuba,
it is expressed in that way, in
graphic manifestations -
by our artists.''
__________________________
Hungarian Minister Boca:
EU risks disappearing
like Atlantis
May 30th, 10:17pm
(RT.ru)
The EU has retreated from its values and risks
disappearing... like Atlantis, the Hungarian
Minister for EU Affairs, Janos Boca said.
According to him, Brussels "deviates from freedom of speech
and has forgotten the true meaning of the word tolerance."
"Our grandchildren... will listen to stories about Europe that once
existed, just as we listen to stories about the sunken Atlantis,"
RIA Novosti quoted him as saying.
Earlier, Russian Foreign Ministry Ambassador -at-Large Rodion
Miroshnik expressed the opinion that for many Europeans,
the settlement of the conflict in Ukraine......
is a political death.
_____________________________________________
Reuters reported on the first
default on Ukraine's debt
May 30th, 9:34pm
(Izvestia.ru)
The Ministry of Finance of Ukraine will not pay holders of
its GDP warrants (a state security, where payments are
related to GDP growth. Ed.) about $665 million, which
will be the first default on payments ------ since the
creation of these tools. This was announced
on Friday, May 30, according to the
Reuters news agency.
"Last year, the Ukrainian parliament approved a moratorium
on payments on securities linked to GDP," the agency said.
The country's total debt to holders
of securities is about
$3.2 billion.
Scheduled default: what does the deterioration
of Ukraine's credit rating mean?
The West, despite this, continues to lend to Kiev.
Earlier, on April 24, the FT learned about the possible default
of Ukraine. The country failed to reach an agreement with
investors on the restructuring of $2.6 billion of debt, in
connection with which Kiev may default.
It is noted that this situation has undermined the hope of
the Ukrainian side to carry out a restructuring before
the payment deadline expires — in May, the state
must pay $600 million on securities
linked to GDP.
________________________________________
One of the opposition leaders
Nika Melia - was detained
in Georgia
May 29th, 10:17pm
(RT.ru)
Nika Melia, one of the leaders of the opposition coalition
For Change, was detained in Georgia for insulting police
officers. This was reported in the Ministry of Internal
Affairs of Georgia.
"Law enforcement officers detained Nika Melia --- on the basis
of Article 173 of the Code of Administrative Offenses, which
implies.. verbal abuse of a law enforcement officer and/or
other offensive actions carried out in the performance
of official duties, or related to the performance of
official duties," TASS quotes the
ministry's statement.
The Interior Ministry added that Melia
will appear in court, in due course.
Earlier, the former head of Georgia, Salome Zurabishvili,
spoke about the critical moment for the opposition of
the republic... without funding from USAID.
_________________________________________
Vucic promised: to block contracts
for ammunition - in the case of
suspected supplies... to the
Armed Forces of Ukraine
May 29th, 9:22pm
(Izvestia.ru)
Serbia will not fulfill contracts if there is a suspicion that
weapons of its production will end up in Ukraine. This
was announced on Thursday, May 29, by Serbian
President, Aleksandar Vucic - on the RTS
TV channel.
"I will certainly issue an order and a warning: where there
is a suspicion of abuse on the part of the end user, that
is, sending them to the front line, such contracts will
not be executed," the head of state said.
Vucic denied reports that Serbia supplied weapons to
Ukraine via Africa. He noted that the country
currently produces only for itself.
In addition.. according to the Serbian leader, he has already
discussed the issue with Russian President Vladimir Putin.
Vucic did not disclose the details of the conversation but
clarified that a working group was created "to establish
the facts."
Earlier, on May 21st, Vucic said that he would not run away
from the question of the head of EU Diplomacy Kai Kallas,
about a trip to Moscow to celebrate the 80th anniversary
of Victory in the Great Patriotic War (WWII).
According to him, Kallas - was the only one at the EU
Political Community summit in Tirana who publicly
condemned his trip to the Russian capital.
________________________________________________________
SVR: Serbian military industry supplies Kiev
------ trying to shoot Russia in the back
May 29th, 1:22pm
(RT.ru)
The Serbian military industry continues to supply
ammunition to the Kiev regime, despite
Belgrade's official neutrality.
This was reported by the press bureau of Russia's
Foreign Intelligence Service, calling Serbia's
actions an attempt to "shoot Russia
in the back."
According to Russian intelligence, Serbia's defense industry
enterprises supply weapons to Ukraine, where ammunition
is subsequently used by the Kiev regime's militants
against the Russian military.
"The Serbian military industry is trying to shoot Russia in the
back," the report says. "According to information received
by the SVR, Serbian defense enterprises, contrary to the
neutrality declared by official Belgrade ---- continue to
supply ammunition to Kiev."
The Foreign Intelligence Service stressed that such actions
contradict Serbia's public position and may negatively
affect bilateral relations.
__________________________________________________________
Government of Cuba gives top
priority --- to energy recovery
May 29th, 1:07pm
(Prensa Latina)
The president of Cuba, Miguel Díaz-Canel ------- stated that the
government gives top priority to solving problems related to
electricity generation, in the most recent podcast From
the Presidency, published today on digital platforms.
“The government works today --- with a priority above all the
infinite priorities that the socialist State committed to the
people has”, the head of state assured at the beginning
of the broadcast, in which he addressed questions
from the population --- about the challenges of
this sector.
Díaz-Canel stressed the importance of talking about this issue
''because the functioning of our economy depends, weighed
down, and diminished, as it is on the functioning of the
National Electroenergy System, almost paralyzed in
many activities due to not being able to have the
necessary service to serve the economy and
also serve citizens''.
Accompanied by the Minister of Energy and Mines, Vicente de la
O Levy and the general director of the Electrical Union of Cuba,
Alfredo López Valdés, the president explained that demand for
May compared to March grew considerably, both in the
afternoon and in the mornings.
In this sense, De la O Levy added: that the difficult situation with
liquefied gas has a particular impact on the recorded values, as
well as non-compliance with the electricity consumption plans
of several entities - and high temperatures.
“The provinces are adjusting.... to their already reduced
consumption plan, but Havana does have a significant
non-compliance in the residential sector; and within
the residential sector, the sector of non-state forms
of management, which fail to comply ---- and affect
these growths in consumption” the minister noted.
During the podcast, the head of state denied false news --- that
circulated on social networks, after the broadcast of the news
program Round Table on the electro-energy situation, referring
to the deactivation of 2 thermoelectric plants for 18 months,
which would imply 72 consecutive hours of blackout and
only four hours, subsequently, of electricity supply.
In this regard --- the general director of the Electrical Union
reiterated that the country is working to reduce blackouts
starting next July - and they will be under more control,
as well as having a greater availability of fuel.
The Cuban president stressed that -- when the country is in a
better situation - it will have to systematically maintain the
thermoelectric plants and carry out the necessary capital
repairs.... to avoid falling into this situation again.
“We - the president stressed - ''are surrounded, persecuted, and
also accused by those who surround us and pursue every
Cuban financial action, but we are not going to stop
working to solve the problems that affect the
people; and we will always be ready to
answer any questions that arise
because that is our duty”.
__________________________________________
They release a sugarcane union leader
detained in the Dominican Republic
May 29th, 12:31pm
(Prensa Latina)
Dominican union leader Jesus Nunez, general secretary of
the Union of Gun Workers (UTC), was released today, after
being behind bars for almost 24 hours, his daughter
Jeily Ashley confirmed.
Ashley told Prensa Latina that Núñez is now free, after
being arrested the day before in Boca Chica, without
the real reason for his arrest being known.
Hours before, he told this medium that his arrest lacks a
legal basis because the authorities are seeking to
resume a complaint that led to a debt in 1994
«apparently to divert attention», when -- in
reality it could be related to a sugarcane
protest, announced for next Tuesday.
As soon as the incident became known, Hector Turbi,
spokesperson for the National Popular Coordinator
(CPN), demanded the immediate release of the
union member - and held the government
responsible for any situation that may
affect his physical integrity during
the process.
In that sense, he specified that the sugarcane grower had
already faced judicial proceedings several years ago for
an alleged debt, therefore, his new arrest --- raises
concerns about a possible violation of his
fundamental rights.
Meanwhile, Manuel María Mercedes, president of the Dominican
Human Rights Commission, also told the newspaper Hoy -- that
what happened this Wednesday is illegal, and he denounced
that ''it is a persecution, due to Nunez's work in favour of
the rights of sugarcane growers''.
Along the same lines, the president of the Rebel Movement,
Juan Hubieres, demanded the release of the union leader,
who was allegedly arbitrarily arrested in Boca Chica,
despite his delicate state of health.
Hubieres reported that Núñez was taken by agents of the
Central Directorate of Criminal Investigations (Dicrim)
to five detachments, a situation that aggravated
his medical condition.
He described the arrest as an inhumane act and stated that
his partner has dedicated his life to defending the rights of
workers in the sector, who for decades have demanded
pensions, fair wages and humane living conditions,
without being heard.
“His arrest is not only a personal injustice, but an
aggression against the most humble in this
country”, Hubieres said.
Last March, Núñez declared that sugarcane growers are
among the most exploited groups in the Dominican
Republic, during the inauguration of the group's
second national conference held at the
Autonomous University of
Santo Domingo.
According to information -- published by the newspaper
El Militante, on that occasion the national coordinator
of the Union of Sugarcane Workers - denounced that
thousands of them demand pensions and medical
care, without their claims being addressed.
It turned out that in most of the bateyes where they live
there is little or no electricity, they lack running water
and are in areas that are difficult to access.
Núñez pointed out that the majority of cane cutters,
agricultural, construction and domestic service
employees in the country are born in Haiti or
of Haitian descent, and their rights are
not respected.
____________________________________________
Historical Pact --- Labour
reform ignores struggles
of the Colombian people
May 29th, 11:56am
(Prensa Latina)
The political coalition Historical Pact of Colombia, assured
today -- that the version of labour reform approved by the
Fourth Commission of the Senate ignores the historical
struggles of working people and he stressed his
intention to reverse that “atropello”.
In a statement issued on social networks, the group stated that
after a collective effort that allowed the debate to be revived
after the initial file ---- thanks to the social mobilization and
the call for the popular consultation - what was approved
represents a clear defeat for those who dream of a fair
and dignified work model.
He then listed ---- that the content that received approval in the
aforementioned committee eliminates fundamental advances
achieved in the House of Representatives ---- in October of
last year.
“The labour nature of the apprenticeship contract -- was
abolished, the increase in paternity leave was denied,
leave for disabling menstruation - was eliminated, it
was allowed to continue using the union contract
to outsource and weaken the union organization
...and the working day of up to 10 hours for
internal domestic workers..... was
maintained”, he denounced.
This community warned that, however, the worst of all
is that measures were approved --- that open the door
to new forms of exploitation.
“Hourly hiring was legalized, a practice that reduces the real
income of workers and deepens inequality. In addition, the
possibility of concentrating the weekly working day in
four days without paying surcharges for overtime
was introduced ---- which is equivalent to
legalizing the daily theft of time and
work effort”, he warned.
The community then concluded that what was approved
ignores the country's jurisprudence, international
commitments, and the mandate to move....
towards decent work.
That bench affirmed -- that it will seek to reverse what it
described as an outrage in the Senate plenary session,
where the fourth and final debate on the reform must
begin in the coming days.
“We call on the Colombian people not to allow their rights to be
taken away from them. Mobilization in the streets and popular
consultation continue to be legitimate and necessary tools
to achieve a true labour reform: one that dignifies work,
repairs historical injustices & guarantees fair working
conditions for all”, he urged in his communication.
Last Tuesday, the Fourth Commission of the Senate
approved a version of the labour reform that
received strong objections from members
of the Historical Pact and the leaders
of the labour confederations.
These same actors assure, that they will seek to modify the
aspects that seem negative to them in the proposal in the
Senate plenary session -------- that must analyze the
initiative - soon.
__________________________________________
Russia expresses interest in nuclear
energy projects ---- in Ecuador
May 29th, 11:55am
(Prensa Latina)
The Russian ambassador to Ecuador, Vladimir Sprinchan,
today expressed his country's interest in participating
in nuclear energy development plans in the South
American nation.
“We know Ecuador's interest in developing areas of electricity
and Russia is open. We are going to start some contacts to
see possibilities of cooperation in this sphere”, said the
diplomat in an interview with the state channel
EcuadorTV.
Sprinchan referred to the Russian experience in
nuclear energy, an area where they have
projects in other territories.
According to the ambassador, the Russian company
Rosatom builds this type of facility --- and is an
example of successful experience.
Likewise, he highlighted that this type of energy
does not affect the environment, unlike coal or
oil, but warned --- of the need for tougher
safety measures«.
He pointed out - that it “is not allowed to start all these
projects without a legislative basis from the country”
--- in reference to the plans of the Ecuadorian
Government, that this month - signed a
memorandum of understanding with
the International Atomic Energy
Agency (OIEA) for it to advise
on the construction of a
nuclear complex.
Sprinchan mentioned the Toachi-Pilatón hydroelectric
project, built with Russian support to generate 254.4
megawatts (MW) of electricity from the provinces of
Pichincha, Cotopaxi ----- and Santo Domingo de
los Tsachilas.
On the other hand, this Wednesday, the government of
Ecuador.. reported on the incorporation of 979 MW
into the national electrical system as part of the
plan to prevent blackouts ---- and other
consequences of the dry season.
The manager of the Electric Corporation of Ecuador,
Gustavo Sánchez, assured that this would allow
the dry period to pass without problems, that
is, minimum flows in hydrological reserves.
Between September and December 2024 --- Ecuador suffered
blackouts of up to 14 hours a day that caused million-dollar
economic losses ---- despite warnings from experts to the
Executive ---- to adopt timely measures regarding the
looming crisis, due to the drought.
In this South American nation, most of the generation comes
from hydroelectric plants, although there is a thermal park
that was abandoned and did not cover demand in times
of a lack of rain.
__________________________________________
Russia proposes equitable and indivisible
security ---- in the global South and East
May 29th, 11:39am
(Prensa Latina)
The XIII International Meeting of Senior Representatives
for Security Affairs came to an end here today under the
premise of achieving equitable and indivisible security
for the South and it's global partners.
At the event organized by the Russian Security Council,
between May 27 and 29, the head of state of the
Eurasian giant, Vladimir Putin, stated that
Moscow's approaches to ''security ---
remain principled and unchanged''.
''We are convinced that a new security architecture must be
equal and indivisible, that is --- all States must receive firm
guarantees of their own security, but not at the expense
of the security and interests of other countries'',
stated the Russian president.
At the same time, he stressed - that the countries of the Global
South and East are those that ''make up the world majority,
those that aspire to more actively influence regional
and international processes, those who defend
the principle of sovereign equality and the
right to their own development model''.
In this context, Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov
highlighted the emergence of a truly tectonic change
in international politics.
''This is the acceleration of the process of forming a multipolar
world order, a process of redistribution of the balance of
power -- in favour of new development centres on the
Eurasian continent, in Africa and Latin America'',
the Foreign Minister said.
And, regarding the strategic ties between Russia and Latin
America, the Secretary of the Russian Security Council,
Sergei Shoigu, commented, that his country is
committed to resuming five-way security
consultations ----- between Russia,
Nicaragua, Bolivia, Venezuela
and Cuba.
As part of the bilateral meetings with the representatives of
the Latin nations within the Security meeting, the leader of
the Slavic nation assured, that the practice of holding
these exchanges between the quintet will allow for
strengthening strategic alliances in the defense
of national sovereignty.
During the meeting, a multilateral meeting of senior
representatives of the Brics group of countries
was also held.
''Today, it is precisely the Brics that plays the role of leader of
the Global South and the East'', Shoigu noted, while adding,
that the growing interest of an increasing number of States
in deepening their cooperation with this association is a
clear example of the consonance of approaches --- in
supporting the multipolarity of the world order.
In this direction, the need to reform the global governance
system and the inadmissibility of imposing a ‘order based
on rules’ in the world are also reinforced, the secretary
of the Russian organization assessed.
Another of the actions deployed at the meeting, was
the meeting between Russia, and members of the
Association of Southeast Asian Nations (Asean),
currently made up of 10 countries in the region.
A round table on international cooperation on information
security and a briefing for African nations also took place.
The secretary of the Russian Security Council also completed
a series of meetings with senior representatives of the United
Arab Emirates, Iran and the Democratic People's Republic of
Korea --- as well as conversations with the President of the
Republic Srpska (Bosnia and Herzegovina), Milorad Dodik,
among more than 80 other bilateral meetings.
More than 100 countries and 20 international organizations
participated in the XIII International Meeting of High
Representatives for Security Affairs, a forum
organized annually since 2010 by the
Russian Security Council.
The event constitutes an important international platform to
debate issues related to security and mechanisms to
strengthen cooperation between countries, in the
fight against international terrorism, extremism,
cross-border crime, drug trafficking, as well
as new challenges and threats.
________________________________________
Syria opens International
Construction Fair
May 28th, 3:01pm
(Prensa Latina)
The 22nd edition ------- of the Buildex-2025 International
Construction Fair opened at the capital's fairgrounds
in a ceremony attended by senior officials ----- and
representatives of dozens of foreign companies.
Some 490 Syrian companies and 250 from other nations, –
112 of them from Türkiye, - are taking part in this event
sponsored by the Ministries of Economy and Industry
and Public Works and Housing.
The companies exhibit their products and services related
to construction materials, alternative energy, hydraulic
technology, furniture, real estate development,
engineering offices, maritime transport,
banking, and security systems.
China, Saudi Arabia, and Jordan also participated
in the fair, which will run ...............until June 2nd.
Speaking to the press, Deputy Minister of Economy and
Industry Basil Abdul Hanan stressed the importance
of holding Buildex at the same time as the lifting of
US and EU sanctions .............and the next phase
of reconstruction.
For his part, Muhammad Hamza, CEO of the International Fairs
Company, considered the fair to be an important platform for
boosting participation in reconstruction - and the entry of
investment into the Syrian ''market''.
More than 200 new companies are present for the first time,
and the exhibition is one of the most prominent in the
region, he noted.
________________________________________
Russia ------- reacts to Trump’s
statements on Putin’s stance
May 28th, 11:22am
(Prensa Latina)
Russian presidential adviser Yuri Ushakov responded
to US President Donald Trump's remarks, stating
that his counterpart, Vladimir Putin,
"is playing with fire."
The official said Moscow understands that the White House
leader... is not fully informed about all the facts of the
hostilities between Moscow and Kiev, including
the increasing number of massive terrorist
attacks by Ukrainian forces - against
peaceful cities in Russia.
In comments to journalist Pavel Zarubin, the adviser noted
that the US president: “has already said many things; we,
of course, read everything and monitor it, so to speak,”
he said.
Similarly, Russian Security Council Vice Chairman Dmitry
Medvedev -- also replied to the US head of state, who
recently claimed that if it weren’t for him (Trump),
“many really bad things would have happened
to Russia by now.”
“Regarding Trump’s words about Putin ‘playing with fire’
and that ‘if it weren’t for me, lots of really bad things
would have already happened to Russia,’ I only
know one really bad thing: World War III.
I hope Trump understands this,”
Medvedev wrote - on his
Telegram channel.
Following the White House resident’s remarks, US State
Department spokesperson Tammy Bruce sought to
clarify the situation --- by stating that the US
president’s words about Russia should
not be interpreted as frustration.
While Washington tries to discredit Moscow’s position,
Ukraine has intensified its attacks on Russian
civilian facilities in recent days.
The Russian Ministry of Defense confirmed that over the
past week, the Russian air defense system, “destroyed
and intercepted more than 2,330 drone attacks, 1,465
of them outside the special military operation zone.”
____________________________________________________
Hungary and Slovakia block
Declaration on Democracy
in EU
May 28th, 10:28am
(Prensa Latina)
On Wednesday, Hungary and Slovakia blocked the
adoption by the EU countries of a declaration on
strengthening democracy in Europe, the
Euroactiv website reported.
Hungarian Minister of European Union Affairs, Janos Boka,
noted that after a meeting of the EU General Affairs
Council, Hungary and Slovakia did not support
the proposal to strengthen democracy in
Europe, as presented by Poland, who
currently chairs the EU Council.
Boka explained that the European institutions
and some EU member states, misinterpret
the sustainability of democracy.
In particular, the Hungarian minister pointed out that
the document lacks a requirement for transparency
in the funding of non-governmental organizations
(NGOs), which often receive money from abroad
and are used by several political forces.......
for their purposes.
Hungary believes that the EU misinterprets the role
of NGOs in a democratic society, Boka summed up.
Hungarian Foreign Minister, Peter Szijjarto, explained
that in the last few years, the International Criminal
Court (ICC) has become highly politicized and has
been used by diverse states ----- to achieve their
objectives in international conflicts.
______________________________________
The political scientist ---- predicted
the immediate collapse of the EU
as soon as Ukraine accedes
May 27th, 9:22pm
(Izvestia.ru)
Ukraine's accession to the EU, would entail the immediate
disintegration of the association. This was announced on
Tuesday, May 27, by Zdenek Kedroutek, a Slovak political
analyst, on the geopolitical situation in Europe, in an
interview with Izvestia.
According to the expert, Ukraine was one of the most corrupt
countries in the world, even before the start of the special
military operation (SVO), and since 2022, the number of
millionaires in it ------- has increased by 40%.
"This conflict is a profitable business for Ukraine: it receives
huge funds from Western countries. If this big black hole
joins the EU, it could lead to its collapse.... within a
few weeks," Kedroutek said.
In addition, the political scientist called the support of Kiev by
Western countries, an ideology. According to him, in the West,
they hang Ukrainian flags on government and other buildings
- and use the country's symbolic colours. All the assistance
provided to Ukraine, in this way, is irrational,
Kedroutek explained.
Earlier, on May 20, US blogger and political commentator
Jackson Hinkle, told Izvestia - that the EU intends to
prolong the conflict in Ukraine and continue its
financing ---- in order to make money ---- on
international investment companies.
_______________________________________
ExPro: gas prices in Ukraine
have reached a record level
by Anna Petrova
May 27th, 7:18pm
(Komsomolskaya Pravda)
Gas prices in Ukraine have risen to a record level in
two years and are now higher than in Europe.
Such data was published by ExPro
TV company,
So, yesterday's gas prices in Ukraine amounted to 22.8 - 23.2
thousand UAH per thousand cubic metres (including VAT).
Without tax, the cost reached 19-19. 3 thousand UAH,
which corresponds to $458 - 466 or
€38.15 - 38.83 per MWh.
Gas prices in Ukraine continue to outstrip European ones.
These experts do not rule out that --- with a further
increase in the difference, private companies
may resume importing.
Recall that from January 1, 2025, Ukraine introduced a four-fold
increase in tariffs for gas transmission system services (up to
305%). Such a sharp increase ---- is due to the suspension of
Russian gas transit to the EU via Ukraine.
Later, Slovak Prime Minister Robert Fico warned the head of the
Kiev regime, Vladimir Zelensky, that such a measure would
only worsen the situation of Ukraine itself, as well as
the EU countries.
__________________________________________________
Dodik: Russia recognized the
danger from the West in time
May 27th, 3:05pm
(RT.ru)
Russia has timely assessed the risks and recognized the
danger from the West, President of Republika Srpska
Milorad Dodik said.
"The Russian Federation recognized this danger in time and
- justifiably - launched a special military operation, in order
to prevent the West's plans to destroy Russia itself,"
TASS quoted him as saying.
Earlier, Military Watch Magazine wrote: that military-industrial
production continues to grow in Russia, despite the negative
forecasts of Western analysts.
__________________________________
Lavrov: Europe has once again found
the Nazi flag ------- for a dead-end
adventure against Russia
May 27th, 11:59am
(RT.ru)
Europe has, once again, "found the Nazi flag" for a dead-end
adventure to inflict a "strategic defeat" on Russia, Russian
Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov said.
He said this, at a joint press conference with his Turkish
counterpart Hakan Fidan following the talks in Moscow.
"Europe has found the Nazi flag again... on a completely
dead-end street... an adventure to inflict a "strategic
defeat" on Russia," Lavrov stressed.
Earlier, Viktor Medvedchuk, chairman of the Council of the
Other Ukraine movement, said that Europe itself nurtured
Nazism in Ukraine, preparing it for their confrontation
with Russia.
Russian Ambassador to Turkey, Alexey Yerkhov,
expressed concern ------ that Nazism is rearing
its head... in Europe.
____________________________________
Russia describes as.. ''difficult''
normalizing relations with US
May 27th, 10:27am
(Prensa Latina)
Deputy Foreign Minister Sergey Ryabkov on Tuesday,
described as ''difficult'' the process of restoring
Russian-US relations, "nevetheless... Moscow
is open to finding a balance of interests."
“Time will tell, to what extent the actual steps of the new
US administration.. will be in line with its statements,”
Ryabkov said in an interview with Komsomolskaya
Pravda newspaper.
The deputy minister stressed that the normalization process
is complex, however..... the Russian authorities are open to
an honest conversation and finding a balance of interests.
Ryabkov stressed, “At the same time, I want to underscore that
the development of dialogue with the United States cannot
and will not be to the detriment of our strategic relations
......with our BRICS partners and other friendly states.”
On May 19, Russia’s President Vladimir Putin, and his US
counterpart, Donald Trump, held a more-than-two-hour
phone call in which they mainly discussed ways to
resolve the ongoing conflict in Ukraine.
Putin praised the dialogue with Trump
and described it as ''constructive''.
______________________________________
Nicaraguan production
and consumption plan
objectives highlighted
May 27th, 9:59am
(Prensa Latina)
The president of the Central Bank of Nicaragua (BCN),
Ovidio Reyes, stated that the 2025-2026 production
and consumption plan consolidates a creative and
entrepreneurial model ---- focused on families,
it was revealed in this capital.
According to Informe Pastrán bulletin, which quotes
statements by the BCN head in Channel 4’s Revista
En Vivo, the plan, prepared annually, guarantees
food security and boosts exports in a context
of (climate and economic) stability.
In addition, it guides producers and entrepreneurs
to optimize their investment and work decisions,
promoting greater production, employment,
and stability in the countryside.
The project is based on six main policies: food security,
animal and plant health, promotion of entrepreneurship
and local trade and exports, as well as science and
technology, technical education, and protection
against climate change.
According to the source, the policies seek to guarantee
healthy food, strengthen family farming, foster
innovation, and preserve natural resources
via soil conservation and reforestation.
__________________________________________
Peskov: decision on long-range missiles
runs counter to peaceful settlement
May 26th, 3:33pm
(RT.ru)
The decision to lift restrictions on the supply of long-range
weapons to Kiev, if adopted, runs counter to Russia's
aspirations for a peaceful settlement.
This was stated by the press secretary of the President
of Russia, Dmitry Peskov, writes RIA Novosti.
Earlier, the chairman of the International Centre for Combating
Crime and Terrorism, the international political scientist, Enes
Karakhanov -- in an interview with RT -- called the decision of
Britain France Germany and the US, to lift restrictions on the
range of weapons supplied to Ukraine ------- a demonstrative
rejection of the course for a political settlement.
__________________________________________________
Ortega Murillo’s Visit to Moscow ------
Strengthens Russia-Nicaragua Ties
May 26th, 12:42pm
(teleSUR)
Before the end of this year ------- these countries are
expected to sign a military cooperation agreement.
On Monday, Laureano Ortega Murillo, Nicaragua’s envoy for
relations with Russia, met in Moscow with Vyacheslav
Volodin, speaker of the Russian Parliament’s Lower
House, to discuss economic, legal, and cultural
cooperation between the two countries.
“Despite global challenges, our cooperation is growing stronger.
We have come to understand each other better, united in the
face of shared challenges, and have done everything
possible to overcome them,” Volodin said.
Ortega Murillo — son of Nicaragua’s co-presidents, Daniel
Ortega and Rosario Murillo — focused his remarks on his
recent participation in Victory Day commemorations on
May 9. “Through this, we wanted to emphasize that we
are very grateful to the Russian people, for liberating
us from fascism and Nazism,” he said.
Volodin and Ortega Murillo also discussed the upcoming
meeting of the bilateral cooperation commission.
Currently, Moscow and Managua are working
to establish a legal framework -------- for
interparliamentary cooperation.
Before the end of this year, Russia and Nicaragua are expected
to sign a military cooperation agreement, which received
Kremlin approval in 2024. Earlier this year, the two
countries signed a cybersecurity training
cooperation agreement.
teleSUR English
@telesurenglish
#FromTheSouth News Bits | Nicaragua: Thousands
of people mobilized to support peace and the
government. Rosario Murillo explained that
peace is defended as the supreme and
absolute truth.
_____________________________________
Venezuela’s Revolutionary Coalition
Wins 23 Governorships
May 26th, 7:48am
(teleSUR)
The Simon Bolivar Great Patriotic Pole
secured most of the country’s
key governorships.
At the end of Sunday’s election day, Venezuela’s National
Electoral Council (CNE) announced that the Simon
Bolivar Great Patriotic Pole (GPPSB) coalition
had won 23 of the country’s governorships,
including that of the disputed Guayana
Esequiba region.
After 93% of the ballots had been counted, the CNE said
the GPPSB coalition secured most of the country’s key
governorships, demonstrating what officials described
as popular support for President Nicolas Maduro and
the Bolivarian Revolution.
According to results announced by CNE Vice President Carlos
Quintero, GPPSB candidate Luis Marcano Salazar, won the
governorship of Anzoategui state, with 87% of the vote.
In Apure state, candidate Wilmer Rodriguez won with
96% of the vote, and Joana Norelys Sanchez,
claimed victory in Aragua state.
Other victorious candidates from the ruling coalition included
Yulisbeth Garcia in Bolivar state with 88%, Donald Rafael
Donaire in Guarico with more than 93%, and Luis
Ramon Reyes in Lara, with 90%.
Incumbent governors who were reelected included Victor Clark
in Falcon with over 80%, Rafael Lacava in Carabobo with 88%,
and Freddy Bernal in Tachira with 80%. Opposition politician
Alberto Galindez, will govern Cojedes state - once again.
In this election, the Bolivarian Revolution forces also prevailed
with Adan Chavez Frias securing 72% of the vote in Barinas,
Luis Caldera winning in Zulia with 64%, and Marisel
Velazquez winning in Nueva Esparta with 55%.
The GPPSB candidates --- also won governorships in Merida,
Miranda, and Monagas: Arnaldo Sanchez Perez, Elio Jose
Serrano, and Ernesto Luna Gonzalez, respectively.
The regions of Amazonas, Delta Amacuro, and Yaracuy will be
governed by Miguel Tadeo Rodriguez, Loa Tamaronis, and
Leonardo Cipullo. In Portuguesa state, GPPSB candidate
Antonio Cedeño won with 94% of the vote. In Sucre
state, Jhoanna Carrillo Malave won with 94%.
The governorships of Trujillo and La Guaira went to
socialist candidates Gerardo Marquez with 92%
and Jose Teran with 91%.
In the Guayana Esequiba region, Admiral Neil Villamizar
won - with 97% of the vote. Celebrating the electoral
victory, President Maduro offered “full budgetary
support” to Villamizar, so that “the people of
Esequibo have all the rights - as people
of Venezuela.”
__________________________________________
Orban announced Hungary's refusal
to finance an increase in the
Ukrainian army
May 24th, 8:50pm
(Izvestia.ru)
Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban rejected the EU's
plan to finance the Ukrainian army. On May 24, he
announced this on the social network
X (ex. Twitter).
"We need to invest in our own armies, but they [the EU]
expect us to fund Ukrainian [troops] in billions over
the years. We have made it clear - that Hungary
will not pay," he said.
Orban stressed: that it is the duty
of his administration to protect
its own people.
On May 24, Orban held an urgent meeting of the
government, the agenda of which was the
energy threat coming to Hungary
from Ukraine.
According to the Prime Minister, the suspension
of gas transit by Kiev -- and the plans of the EU
Commission to abandon Russian resources
pose risks for Hungary's energy security.
__________________________________________
Cuba reiterates commitment
to medical brigades and
considers solidarity
May 24th, 8am
(Prensa Latina)
Cuba today --- reiterated its commitment to the altruistic
work of its medical brigades in numerous countries &
- at the same time, praised the value of solidarity
in the face of the United States blockade.
In a meeting held at the headquarters of the Cuban Embassy
in Spain, the Minister of Public Health, José Angel Portal,
and the president of the Cuban Institute of Friendship
with the Peoples (ICAP), Fernando González, spoke
extensively with representatives of Spanish
solidarity groups.
Portal highlighted the collaboration of Cuban health
professionals for 65 years, in complex situations
and remote places to save lives, with a spirit
of help and effort ........highly valued in
many countries.
He recalled that, over the years, Cuba has offered medical
cooperation with more than 600 thousand professionals
in the sector, who provided services in 165 countries,
facing diseases as dangerous as Ebola, Covid-19
itself ----- or in places hit by earthquakes,
hurricanes, or pests.
Shortly before, the Minister, who arrived in Madrid in transit
after participating in the (OMS) World Health Organization
Assembly in Geneva, had a dialogue with Cuban doctors
residing in Spain --- who spent part of their careers
on the Caribbean island.
Together with Ambassador Marcelino Medina, who was also at
the meeting with the friendship associations, Minister Portal
spoke about the current situation in the sector, the effects
of the tightening of the blockade, and the limitations
derived, from the inclusion of Cuba on the list of
countries sponsoring terrorism.
He also delved into the impact of this panorama on
medical care for the population, and the need to
look for innovative and creative alternatives
--- to guarantee the continuity of this
fundamental achievement of
the Revolution.
In this regard, he valued, as a priority, mobilizing Cuban
doctors residing abroad who maintain a commitment
and willingness ---- to collaborate with the
development of the country.
Portal made a working visit to the Spanish Ministry
of Health, to promote exchange and collaboration.
For his part, Fernando González, who is also a deputy,
was received in the Parliament of Catalonia, by the
parliamentary groups of the Junts, ERC, Comuns
and CUP parties, as well as by the second
secretary of the Chamber Board,
Juli Fernández Olivares.
In his talk in Madrid with solidarity groups - he referred to
the historical moment in 1962 when the historical leader
of the Cuban Revolution, Fidel Castro, who announced
the sending of the first internationalist medical
brigade... to Algeria.
The Hero of the Republic of Cuba took the opportunity
to emphasize that the unfair inclusion of Cuba in the
aforementioned ''list of countries sponsoring
terrorism'' prevents - among other things -
any access to international credit -- or
functioning normally in commercial
transactions.
He placed special emphasis on the International Tribunal
on the blockade, held in Brussels in November 2023,
and what its ruling entails, which reflects the
violation of rights, also, of citizens and
companies in European countries.
In that sense, he announced that work is being done on the
consolidation of an advisory or reference entity due to the
content of the legal conclusions reached by the Court
in Brussels.
The relevance of solidarity ---- and other issues related
to cooperation were also addressed by the president
of ICAP.
He invited people to participate in the international brigade's
''65 years of love for Cuba'' that is held in commemoration
of the 65 years of existence of this entity.
Furthermore, he spoke commendably of the sustained work
of solidarity groups with the Antillean island in Spain, and
he pointed out that the 2026 national event in Asturias
of the State Solidarity Movement with Cuba - will be
especially relevant.
____________________________________
Diplomacy, regional cooperation
------ marked this week in China
May 24th, 7:17am
(Prensa Latina)
Diplomacy, trilateral dialogue with Pakistan and Afghanistan,
the trade agreement with Asean, and the dispute with the
US, marked the news week that ends today in China.
Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi and senior representatives
from sixty other countries ------ will attend the signing of the
agreement to establish an International Mediation Court
based in Hong Kong, the Foreign Ministry reported.
According to spokesperson Mao Ning, the new institution
will be the first intergovernmental body specialized in
resolving international disputes through mediation.
This week --- the Chinese Foreign Minister, his Pakistani
counterpart, Ishaq Dar, and the Acting Foreign Minister
of Afghanistan, Amir Khan Muttaqi, evaluated the
progress of the trilateral dialogue here.
During the meeting, the three ministers highlighted the
achievements made by this mechanism and explored
ways to strengthen cooperation... in various areas.
About the situation between India and Pakistan, Wang Yi
noted, during talks with his Pakistani counterpart, that
Beijing welcomes and supports both nations ------ in
properly handling differences through negotiation.
Regarding the trilateral dialogue, the Asian diplomatic
chief said that this meeting reinforces political trust
between the three countries.
In economic matters, the importance of expanding
cooperation within the framework of the Belt and
Road Initiative was highlighted, which includes
the possible extension.. of the China-Pakistan
Economic Corridor to Afghanistan ----- with a
view to strengthening regional connectivity.
Beijing and the Association of Southeast Asian Nations
(Asean) announced this week, the successful closing
of all negotiations for version 3.0 of the Free Trade
Area between both parties.
This includes.. new chapters on digital economy, clean energy,
connectivity in supply chains, technical regulations, customs
facilitation, sanitary & phytosanitary measures, competition
& consumer protection, micro support, small and medium-
sized companies, and technological cooperation.
In another order, the Chinese government this week expressed
its firm rejection of the new restrictive measures announced
by the United States regarding technological exports
that directly affect advanced chips --- such as the
Huawei Ascend.
Also these days, Beijing expressed its deep concern about
the US policy focused on unilateral security, regarding
President Donald Trump's statements about
the creation of a ''Golden Dome''.
According to spokesperson Mao Ning, this position contradicts
the universally accepted principle that no country's security
should compromise that of others ------ and threatens the
global strategic balance.
______________________________________
Deputy demands: that energy control
returns to the people of Puerto Rico
May 24th, 5:27am
(Prensa Latina)
Faced with the crisis in which Puerto Rico's energy system,
controlled by foreign companies, is mired today ---- the pro-
independence deputy Adriana Gutiérrez demanded: “the
return of electrical service to the hands of the people”.
“From the Puerto Rican Independence Party (PIP) --- we strongly
demand the return of electrical service to the people of Puerto
Rico because we firmly believe - that access to electricity is a
human right fundamental and an essential service in the lives
of Puerto Ricans”, said the legislator when reacting to
statements by the Energy Tsar, Josué Colón, about
the cancellation of the LUMA Energy contract
during the course of this year.
He maintained that repeating the same LUMA Energy
contracting process, which, as you may remember,
was approved in less than an hour, in dark rooms
and through a pusillanimous and extremely
deficient legislative process, it can't be
an option.
“The country is watching over them”, Gutiérrez warned,
maintaining that the people are clear, that they were
deceived when the two-party system, in reference
to the New Progressive (PNP) and Popular
Democratic (PPD) parties ------ projected
privatization and LUMA Energy, as the
almighty magic wand that would fix
the shortcomings of the state
Electric Power Authority.
It is already statistically documented that, with LUMA,
blackouts are more frequent and prolonged than
under PREPA, not to mention the string of
increases in the electricity rate that
hurts those who have the least,
and those who have already
suffered austerity cuts.
“Our vocation ---- cannot be other than rescuing the electrical
system and managing it without the evils that the two-party
system deliberately permeated in it --- for decades: poor
administration, politicization, substantial budget cuts,
a lack of systematic maintenance, deprivation of
materials --- the criminalization of unions and
workers, and the total absence of actions
to guarantee occupational health
and safety”, he summarized.
Representative Gutiérrez assured, that the PIP proposal to the
country --- is based on the inclusion of people knowledgeable
about energy, public administration and law issues, to launch
the design of a new public corporation that operates without
those evils that the PNP and the PPD introduced --- and in
response to the need to transition to renewable energy
sources; that also responds to the principle of merit
in public employment; and is subjected to
rigorous accountability.
“We propose that teachers from the UPR system (University
of Puerto Rico) specialized in energy, collaborate with the
representatives of public interest in PREPA, community
organizations dedicated to energy and climate crisis
issues, economists, administrators ------ and the
representatives of workers, with knowledge
of the country's electrical infrastructure”,
Gutiérrez explained.
The pro-independence representative announced that
they will soon announce to the country “the details
of our proposal ------------ to rescue Puerto Rico's
electrical service”.
_______________________________________
State Duma deputies: called for
checking the Yeltsin Centre:
for anti-Russian activities
May 23rd, 8:25pm
(Izvestia.ru)
Deputies of the State Duma of the Russian Federation on May
23 appealed to law enforcement agencies with a demand to
conduct an audit of the anti-Russian activities of the
Yeltsin Centre in Yekaterinburg.
According to them, the organization distorts history, glorifies
the personality of the first president of Russia Boris Yeltsin,
presents the '90s as a period of "democratization" ignoring
the disastrous consequences of reforms: impoverishment
of the population, collapse of industry, criminalization of
the state; and also promotes Western values and holds
events with the participation of opposition and pro-
Western figures ----- who criticize the current
leadership of the Russian Federation.
It is noted that, in the programs of the Yeltsin Centre, the USSR
is often positioned as a "totalitarian state", and its social and
economic successes are hushed up or distorted and -- such
achievements and successes as industrialization, victory
in the Great Patriotic War, major scientific advances,
and space achievements --- are all ignored.
In addition, the public centre indirectly justifies the collapse
of the Soviet Union, presenting it as "inevitable", which
contradicts the official position of Russia on the need
to preserve historical continuity - the State Duma
clarified. They added, that some events show
''sympathy'' for the separatist movements
of the 1990s.
As Viktor Tsarikhin, first secretary of the Moscow city
Committee of the Communist Party of the Russian
Federation, pointed out: communists consider
it unacceptable to finance the organization
by the state --- since it - in their opinion -
propagates "unpatriotic" views among
young people, serves the interests of
those oligarchic groups associated
with Yeltsin's regime -- is a tool for
rewriting history --- and opposes
the course --- of strengthening
sovereignty, and traditional
values in modern Russia.
"The contents of their expositions - require separate
consideration for their presentation of history and
in principle - the falsification of history - because
there are deep suspicions --- about a number of
the expositions presented in Yekaterinburg --
which do not correspond with reality,"
Tsarikhin stressed.
In July 2024, a rally was held in Moscow, against the
opening of the Yeltsin Centre branch in the capital,
organized by the Communist Party of the Russian
Federation. Dozens of people took part in the
protest action.
According to representatives of the party - the intention
to perpetuate the memory of Yeltsin - a soviet traitor -
is deeply immoral - and close to blasphemous.
_______________________________
Eurovision winner JJ speaks out for
Israel's exclusion from the contest
by Alexander Alekseev
May 23rd, 4:13pm
(Rossiyskaya Gazeta)
"They excluded Russia, but not Israel," the Austrian singer
Johannes Peach.... who won the Eurovision Song Contest
2025 under the pseudonym JJ complained to journalists.
Now he is a singer at the Vienna Opera, in great demand
among journalists. That's why.... he took a chance -
to speak out about politics.
"It is very disappointing that Israel is still participating
in the competition. I would like the competition to be
held next year, in Vienna, without Israel," JJ said.
He also recalled that he "criticizes the Israeli government"
and "condemns violence anywhere in the world - be it
Israelis, or Palestinians."
The current Eurovision Song Contest, by the way, was held
against the background of a series of scandals: the flags
of Palestine on the streets of Basel, where the contest
was held, fluttered more often than the flags of other
countries. And fans, wrapped in the banners of the
unrecognized Arab state, lay down on the streets
in front of the transport that took contestants
and leaders of the European Broadcasting
Union to the Euro Village for celebrations.
Yes, and during the performance of the Israeli singer
Yuval Raphael in the semifinals and finals, many
spectators whistled.......... to prevent her.
However, a representative of the Austrian broadcaster ORF
soon reported that JJ's statements reflect only the artist's
personal opinion.
But Martin Green, Eurovision's director, still promised
to - "have extensive discussions with participating
broadcasters, discuss all aspects of this year's
contest and gather feedback."
By the way
The Ukrainian band Ziferblat took advantage of the contest
to, once again, speak out against the Russian Federation.
However, her soloist, who did not find support from the
other Eurovision contestants, eventually began to
complain about... them.
_______________________________________________
Harvard University plans battle:
sues Trump administration
May 23rd, 12:47pm
(Prensa Latina)
Harvard University today filed a lawsuit against Donald
Trump's administration ---- on a new front in its legal
battle against the decision of the US Government
to prevent registration for foreign students.
The petition from the oldest and richest higher education
institution in the country... argues that the measure
issued this Thursday to exclude the school from
the Student and Exchange Visitor Program
Department of Homeland Security ---
violates the law.
“It is the last act of the Government in clear retaliation for
Harvard's exercise of its right - protected by the First
Amendment, to reject the Government's demands
to control the governance of Harvard, its
curriculum and the ‘ideology’ of its
professors and students”,
the lawsuit stated.
The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) said in a
statement yesterday that “Harvard can no longer
enroll foreign students and existing foreign
students must transfer -- or lose their
legal status”.
DHS Secretary, Kristi Noem, ordered her Department to end
certification of the Harvard Student and Exchange Visitor
Program, citing the institution's refusal to agree to hand
over conduct records for students from other countries
that the federal agency requested last month.
The Trump Administration noted yesterday that enrolling
foreign students is a privilege, not a right” and accused
Harvard management ---- of turning “its once great
institution ---- into a hotbed of anti-American,
anti-Semitic and pro-terrorist agitators”.
A federal judge in California issued a nationwide order that
halted the Trump administration's attempt to revoke the
legal status of foreign students to study and work in
the United States.
The ruling of Judge Jeffrey White, in Oakland, it prohibits
the administration from canceling the legal status of
international students ---- without conducting a
detailed case-by-case review, and without
following the criteria established in
federal regulations.
In April, the Trump administration began its
campaign - to cancel the registrations of
thousands of international students.
_______________________________________
Chinese company invests
in free zones ---- in Syria
May 23rd, 12:16pm
(Prensa Latina)
The Syrian Land Crossings and Seaports Authority, today,
announced the signing of a strategic agreement with
the Chinese company, Fidi Contracting, to invest
in free zones in Syria - with an area of more
than 1 million square metres.
According to a statement issued by the Authority, and released
by the press here --- the document gives the Chinese company
the right to fully invest in the Hassieh free zone, in the
central province of Homs, with an estimated area of
approximately 850,000 square metres ---- with the
aim of establishing a comprehensive industrial
zone, containing specialized factories and
production facilities.
Under the agreement, the Chinese company was also granted
the right to invest 300,000 sq. metres in the Adra free zone,
near Damascus, to establish commercial and service
projects that meet the demands of local and
regional markets.
The contract... has a duration of 20 years - and the Chinese
company will commit to implementing the project phases
according to a specific schedule, ensuring its economic
viability & enhancing the role of free zones as drivers
of development ----- and the attraction of foreign
direct investment.
The Syrian Port Authority indicated in its statement that
this type of investment contributes to improving the
infrastructure of free zones and expanding their
industrial and commercial activities..... thus,
improving Syria's position --- as a regional
centre for transport & logistics services.
___________________________________________
New batch of Saudi aid
arrives in Syria
May 23rd, 11:47am
(Prensa Latina)
The King Salman Humanitarian Aid and Relief Centre
(KSRelief) today announced the arrival in Syria of
the 17th batch of humanitarian aid from the
Saudi land bridge intended to support
the Syrian people.
The centre's deputy supervisor for financial and
administrative affairs, Salah Al-Mazrou,
explained.... that the new shipment
includes a wide range of medical
equipment, supplies & logistical
materials, including 10 modern
fully equipped ambulances...
30 electric generators and
heavy machinery, and
advanced medical
devices.
He revealed that, since the beginning of 2025, the Centre
has sent 16 planes as part of the Saudi aid airlift, in
addition to 625 trucks across the land bridge
--- loaded with food, medical and shelter
supplies, with a total weight greater
than 10,000 tons.
Likewise, he performed 1,261 surgical operations as
part of the Saudi volunteer program «Amal»,
which aims to implement 104 medical
and surgical campaigns,.
Also, training and education programs and economic
empowerment initiatives were carried out, with the
participation of approximately 3,000 male and
female volunteers.
Since 2011, Riyadh has stepped up its humanitarian aid
to the Syrian people, and the total value of projects
provided by the King Salman Centre through
April 2025 amounted to approximately
$488 million --- distributed in 370
projects.. in the fields of relief,
health, education and water.
_______________________________
Correa and Assange together in
Cannes - resonates in Ecuador
May 22nd, 1:03pm
(Prensa Latina)
The echoes of the 78th edition of the Cannes Festival arrive
in Ecuador, where users on social networks comment on
the presence of former Ecuadorian president Rafael
Correa along with the founder of Wikileaks,
Julian Assange.
Both participated in the presentation of the documentary
The Six Billion Dollar Man (directed by the American,
Eugene Jarecki, and --- although he is out of the
competition, it allowed key testimonies to
be shown about Assange's case.
Australian journalist and activist Julian Assange was granted
diplomatic asylum at the Ecuadorian embassy in London in
2012 and was there for seven years --- until British police
arrested and imprisoned him.
Assange arrived in Cannes wearing a white T-shirt that printed
the names of 4,986 Palestinian children under the age of five
murdered in the Gaza Strip, as a result of Israeli attacks
- since 2023.
To this nation in the middle of the world came the impact of the
joint appearance of Assange and Correa on an international
stage, which has revived the debate on press freedom,
sovereignty and international justice.
''While sold microphones... kneel for a cheque, they step
onto cinema's most prestigious stage with dignity -----
and a cause.The servile ones....... do not get there.
There are those who fight for the truth ---- and do
not sell themselves,'' highlighted Assemblyman
Franklin Samaniego, about the fact.
Lawyer Alberto Montenegro highlighted....
how Correa was applauded in Cannes.
''There they understand it, they invite it, they respect it.
Here they condemn him with sentences whose logic
does not even pass the first examination of
constitutional law. If Julian Assange
was silenced for his words,
Correa is persecuted --
for his legacy”,
he said.
Ecuadorian media, mostly aligned with the right,
released news about Correa's presence on the
red carpet of the French film event.
In addition to his political appearance, the former president
stood out for his clothing, which included a shirt with
traditional Ecuadorian embroidery on the neck,
representative garment of his style, with
which, he exhibited cultural identity
at an international event.
At the meeting, the former ruler supported another documentary
linked to his figure: Psychic Influence, a production directed by
Colombian Alejandra Cardona, which focuses on the political
and judicial persecution against the founder of the Citizen
Revolution movement.
________________________________________________________
Debate grows in Colombia ----- over
salary increases for congressmen
May 22nd, 1:01pm
(Prensa Latina)
Questions about the upcoming increase in the salary of
congressmen in Colombia increase today while a
project that calls for the reduction of these
remains undiscussed in the Senate.
Even though the salary of legislators is high, a labour
agreement between the National Government and
the union centres stipulated --- a 7% salary rise
for public servants -- extended to senators &
representatives, who will see their monthly
salary rise to more than 52 million pesos
(about 13,000 dollars at the current
exchange rate).
The pact, announced on April 30th, establishes that the
salaries of public sector workers will increase by 7%
this year alone, while in 2026 the increase will be
equivalent to the (IPC) Consumer Price Index
plus 1.9 percent.
According to an article in RTVC Noticias, the increase in
congressmen's pay, is not part of the agreement as a
properly negotiated point, but a consequence that
derives from the state salary structure, in which
any agreed improvement for the majority of
workers also benefits, as a rule, the
highest salaries.
This issue - is the subject of debates, especially because
the revived labour reform in Congress, is currently being
looked at -- as there are strong bids between business
associations & union representatives... on daytime
hours - and additional surcharges for overtime
for the working class.
RTVC also highlighted in its report, that, in a country where the
legal minimum wage is 1,300,000 pesos (about 325 dollars),
“the more than 52,000,000 pesos that senators and
representatives will receive starting this year are
equivalent to almost 37 times that amount - not
counting bonuses, travel expenses, air tickets
and other special benefits”.
The former director of the Department of Social Prosperity
Gustavo Bolívar expressed his rejection of the issue, who
thought that with an increase for congressmen of more
than 3,360,000 pesos (close to 840 dollars) the wage
gap with the ordinary worker widens and becomes
one of the highest in the world.
On the other hand, Senator Iván Cepeda recently denounced
that his bill to reduce the salary of legislators was placed in
108th place to be discussed in the Senate, which limits its
options to be analyzed because the current legislature
ends on June 20.
The initiative, which was filed again last January with the
support of 57 signatures for its processing, seeks to
lower the remuneration of congressmen to the
current legal minimum wage.
A proposal similar to the current one already collapsed
last year in Congress --- because it did not have the
necessary majority... to continue its process.
____________________________________________
Kobyakov pointed out a violation of
the procedure for the dissolution
of the USSR in 1991
May 21st, 4:02pm
(RT.ru)
Adviser to the President of Russia, Anton Kobyakov, expressed
the opinion that the procedure for the dissolution of the USSR
in 1991 was violated, so the Soviet Union "still exists legally".
He said this at a press conference following the results
of the International Legal Forum in St. Petersburg.
"The USSR legally exists somewhere,"
TASS quoted him as saying.
Kobyakov noted that this issue "has long been discussed
by experts in constitutional law, including in Western
countries, in the United States, and in France."
"They say this --- because the procedure for the so-called
dissolution of the USSR, was violated. If the Congress
of People's Deputies, also known as the Congress of
Soviets, created the USSR in 1922, then it was
necessary to dissolve it by decision of the
Congress of these very Deputies,"
he explained.
__________________________________
SVR: Brussels admits that Callas'
appointment was a mistake
by Ivan Sysoev
May 21st, 1:10pm
(Rossiyskaya Gazeta)
The Foreign Intelligence Service (SVR) of Russia,
reported that according to incoming information
..Brussels is beginning to recognize the fallacy
of the appointment of Kai Kallas to the post
of EU Representative for Foreign Affairs
and Security Policy.
According to the SVR, on the sidelines of the European
Commission, they are annoyed by Callas' absolute
incompetence. In particular, Callas - "is not able
to take into account the nuances of countries'
positions", and "can only build simplified
schemes", many of which "are devoid
of any meaning".
Callas is accused of being "overly active, prone
to spontaneous and uncoordinated initiatives."
An example of Callas' dissatisfaction, was her recent
criticism of US President Donald Trump ---- and her
statements that "the world needs a new leader."
"In Washington, such bold conclusions are remembered
for a long time," the SVR said, in a statement, which
emphasizes that the United States simply ignores
"tactless diplomacy."
The Service points out that the EC believes that, for almost
six months of being in office, Callas "has not been able to
build working relations with most EU states' leaders."
"She does not cope with her main official duty ---
coordinating the work of the foreign policy
departments of the EU countries,"
the SVR notes.
Russian intelligence also drew attention to the fact that the
head of the European Commission, Ursula von der Leyen,
suspended the head of European Diplomacy - from
preparing strategic planning documents, in the
field of EU defense policy. "The role of Callas
is practically reduced to zero, in discussion
of the topic of the Ukrainian settlement,"
the SVR notes.
The SVR states that the practice of taking into account the
gender and national characteristics of candidates when
appointing them to high-level positions is becoming an
obvious fact. "This leads the EU further and further
away....... from real politics," the SVR said.
"The current international situation ---- does not require
ultra-liberal pseudo-competence from functionaries,
but deep knowledge and professionalism ---- that
European bureaucrats clearly do not possess."
________________________________________________
Russia-China Forum Concludes
in Khabarovsk With thirtyfour
Cooperation Agreements
May 21, 11:08am
(teleSUR)
On Tuesday, the Russia-China Forum concluded in the city
of Khabarovsk, seeing the signing of 34 cooperation a
greements worth US$1.24 billion, spanning the
economy, tourism, culture and ecology.
The two-day forum focused on strengthening economic
partnerships, fostering cross-border dialogue, and
advancing joint innovation and cultural ties.
A key topic was the joint development of Bolshoy
Ussuriysky Island (known as Heixiazi Island
in China).
Governor of Khabarovsk Territory ,Dmitry Demeshin,
emphasized the importance of enriching the island
with economic projects.... while preserving its
natural environment and cultural heritage.
A major focus was the establishment of a year-round
cargo and passenger checkpoint on the island,
which is expected to boost passenger traffic
to 1.5 million annually and cargo flow
to 1.3 million tons.
A key highlight of the forum was the plenary session
titled “Russia and China: Uniting Efforts for Shared
Prosperity,” where representatives from both
nations’ governments and businesses
discussed economic partnerships,
border region development,
investments, and trade,
industrial cooperation
and cultural ties.
Cross-border economic cooperation, has brought tangible
success to businesses in Khabarovsk. Roman Degtyarev,
manager of the Khabarovsk Baltika Breweries, said at
the Russia-China Forum ----- that his company has
focused on developing the Chinese market.
Over the past 14 years, the export volume
of Baltika beer to China has grown 15-fold.
Thanks to close cooperation with Chinese suppliers, the
Khabarovsk-based company BEEZONE uses Chinese
parts to assemble bulldozers for the Russian and
Belarusian markets. Currently, BEEZONE has
developed... into the fourth-largest heavy-
duty bulldozer manufacturer in Russia.
The Russia-China Forum included over 30 thematic
sessions and cultural events, drawing more than
3,000 participants ---- from governments,
businesses and creative industries
from both countries
___________________________________
Citizen Revolution ------
denounces blockades
in Ecuador Parliament
May 20th, 2:41pm
(Prensa Latina)
From the bench of the Citizen Revolution (RC),
the opposition Assemblyman Ronal González
announced today -- he will file legal action
against the president of the National
Assembly (Parlamento), of Ecuador,
Niels Olsen, for denying Assembly
legislators of that organization
the floor.
Assemblyman Ronal González, of the RC, denounced this
Tuesday the lack of participation to speak and move in
the sessions of the parliamentary plenary session.
González announced that they will go to court against what
he considered, a blockade by Olsen, of the ruling National
Democratic Action movement (ADN).
“There is negligence and arrogance. These people seem to
not have enough experience with their first job -- to know
that this is a scenario for debate”, said the legislator.
In his opinion, what remains is “buy megaphones” to be able to
intervene and “make the voice of the people feel”, because to
the ruling party, apparently, it gives them “panic and terror”
to give them the floor.
On the other hand, legislator Raúl Chávez, from the RC-
Renovación Total alliance, insisted that the creation
of the “bancada de la gente” --- is not yet allowed,
made up of 18 legislators seeking to create a
new parliamentary group, as a strategy
to gain space on the Legislative
Administration Council.
Since last week, when the new Assembly was installed, the RC
claims that Olsen, from ADN, denies them the right to speak
to propose their representatives before the commissions.
The Ecuadorian Parliament came under the control of the ruling
party ---- after ADN managed to place its members in the main
parliamentary positions and even imposed the name of the
RC representative ---- before the Committee on Ethics.
_______________________________________
Milei Dissolves........... Investigative Unit
Probing $Libra Cryptocurrency Scandal
May 20th, 1:53pm
(teleSUR)
The unit’s mandate was to determine whether there were
irregularities in the promotion of the cryptocurrency.
On Tuesday, Argentine President Javier Milei dissolved the
Investigative Task Force Unit (UTI), which had been
created in February to investigate irregularities
surrounding $Libra, a cryptocurrency whose
promotion by the far-right politician caused
loss for thousands of investors worldwide.
“The government considers that the information collected has
been submitted to the Public Prosecutor’s Office and that the
UTI has fulfilled the task assigned by Decree No. 114/25,”
stated the decreee published in the Official Gazette,
signed by President Milei and Justice Minister
Mariano Cuneo Libarona.
The UTI had been established following the scandal linked to
the $Libra cryptocurrency, which Milei promoted on Feb. 14.
His endorsement temporarily boosted its value --- before it
plunged, leading to multimillion-dollar losses for investors.
Milei appointed Maria Florencia Zicavo, chief of staff at the
Justice Ministry and a close aide to Cuneo Libarona, as
head of the unit. Her mandate was to determine
whether there had been any “irregularities
or acts of corruption” ......related to the
promotion of the cryptocurrency.
The text reads, “Milei eliminated the $LIBRA investigation unit
that the government itself had created 3 months ago. Let me
put it simply: Milei is a thief.” The text on the photo echoes
Milei’s own words, “Let me put it simply: anyone who
doesn’t let themselves be audited is a thief.”
Zicavo was authorized to issue operational and supplementary
regulations, and to request information from national and
international entities, without incurring additional
budgetary expenditures.
In April, the Milei administration -- issued a decree limiting the
powers of the Financial Information Unit — the state agency
responsible for preventing and combating money laundering
linked to serious crimes — to intervene in the investigation.
Meanwhile, judicial systems in Argentina, the U.S., and Spain are
pursuing separate investigations into the role of President Milei
and his sister, Karina Milei — who serves as secretary to the
presidency — in possible fraudulent schemes involving the
cryptocurrency. On April 8, the Argentine Congress also
approved the creation of a commission to investigate
the case.
___________________________________________________
They seek to penalize the use of mercury
in mining extraction in Colombia
May 20th, 12:52pm
(Prensa Latina)
The National Mining Agency of Colombia (ANM) is working today
on the preparation of a bill, whose purpose is to penalize the
use of mercury throughout the mining extraction chain.
According to that entity, the proposal calls for including in the
Penal Code a new environmental crime to punish with prison
sentences and exemplary fines, those who promote or
facilitate the illegal use of heavy metal in exploiting
gold, a practice that threatens the environment,
human health and water sources.
If the initiative is approved, penalties of between 60 and 84
months in prison will be imposed ----- and fines of up to
50,000 (current legal monthly minimum wages) for
those who fail to comply with the regulations.
The sentences --- would be applicable to people
who import, possess, store, transport, market
and misuse.. mercury.
Likewise, the use of mercury in environmental protection
zones, strategic ecosystems or vulnerable communities
will be interpreted as an aggravating factor.
Those who use the metal for duly authorized scientific,
medical or industrial purposes would be exempt from
the sanction.
The ANM also reported that the implementation of the bill will
allow concrete actions to be focused on territories with the
presence of mercury such as Córdoba, Bolívar, Antioquia,
Santander, Chocó, Caldas, Risaralda, Huila, Cauca and
Nariño, where the aim is to protect communities and
ecosystems from the impacts generated by
the chemical.
Mercury can accumulate in humans and cause problems in
the development of babies' brains and nervous systems
while they are in the womb, and.... it can also cause
genetic and reproductive damage in animals.
The main cause of water pollution due to the use of this metal
in the nation ----- derives from illegal mining, mainly from the
extraction of alluvial gold.
According to the United Nations Environment Program, Colombia
is the largest emitter of mercury per capita in the world, and
the third country that pollutes the most with this mineral
on the entire planet.
________________________________________________
UN Commisioner Warns of Extinction Risk
for Indigenous Groups in Colombia’s
Sierra Nevada
May 20th, 12:48 pm
(teleSUR)
Their physical and cultural extinction risk is a tragedy
that we can and must prevent, Campbell said.
On Tuesday, the U.N. High Commissioner for Human Rights
representative in Colombia, Scott Campbell, warned of
the risk of extinction facing five Indigenous peoples
of the Sierra Nevada de Santa Marta ----- due to
the presence of illegal armed groups.
“The physical and cultural extinction risk of the Indigenous
peoples of the Sierra Nevada de Santa Marta is real. It is
a tragedy that we can and must prevent,” Campbell said
after a two-day visit to the mountain range ---- which
spans the departments of La Guajira, Magdalena
and Cesar.
This area - located along the Caribbean Sea - is home to the
Indigenous Kogui, Arhuaco, Wiwa, and Kankuamo peoples.
“The Indigenous peoples of the Sierra Nevada de Santa Marta
are suffering cruel and varied attacks - from non-state armed
groups, with devastating consequences ----- for their lives,
their land, their territory, their self-governance,
self-determination, culture, spirituality
and traditional justice systems,”
Campbell said, adding that
violence in the Sierra
Nevada, has been on
the rise since 2022.
The violence ----- stems from disputes over territorial control
and drug trafficking routes, as well as other illicit activities
carried out -- by non-state armed groups. These dynamics
have seriously affected the rights of Indigenous peoples,
as well as Afro-descendant and peasant communities.
“To date -- however, the state’s response has
unfortunately, been insufficient,” the U.N.
official said.
Women at Risk
The U.N. office expressed particular concern about the
situation of Indigenous women and girls in the Sierra,
who “face persistent risks -- and significant barriers
to accessing justice and protection mechanisms.”
These challenges -- are due to their “vulnerability and risk;
inequality, poverty, language barriers; lack of knowledge
and absence of ethnically focused support pathways;
threats against them and their families; and the
difficulty of traveling from their territories
to municipal centres.”
Indigenous women asked Campbell to call on the
Colombian state to guarantee their collective
rights “simply to continue existing as
Indigenous peoples.”
“They called for access to education, health care and
employment for girls, boys, adolescents and youth
within their territory, as well as adequate health
services for child and adolescent victims of
sexual violence,” Campbell said - adding:
“Indigenous women describe their
access to human rights -- is as
if they were living ---- in the
10th century.”
Violence in Numbers
The U.N. Human Rights Office has also documented other
serious violations affecting Indigenous peoples in the
region ----- including the forced displacement of at
least 600 members of the Wiwa people in 2024.
Also - in Magdalena department, three massacres occurred in
2024, and at least “10 bodies were found in plastic bags and
sacks, tied, dismembered, showing possible signs of torture
and gunshot wounds near the Troncal del Caribe highway
(La Guajira, Magdalena).”
So far ---- in 2025, the U.N. Human Rights Office has received five
reports of killings of human rights defenders in the departments
of the Sierra Nevada de Santa Marta. It has also documented
a massacre with three victims in La Guajira. Additionally,
the number of homicides in the municipalities of the
Sierra Nevada, has risen significantly since 2022.
“After my third field visit to areas affected by the armed conflict,
I call on the state -- to take more effective measures to protect
the Indigenous peoples of the Sierra Nevada de Santa Marta,
and other Indigenous groups at risk in Colombia, including
actions ---------- that guarantee their collective rights,”
Campbell concluded.
___________________________________
Zakharova: Moscow hopes for Kiev's instinct
to preserve the remnants of the state
May 20th, 12:45pm
(RT.ru)
Moscow hopes that the Kiev regime's instinct to preserve the
remnants of the state will prevail, Russian Foreign Ministry
spokeswoman Maria Zakharova said at a briefing.
"I would like to hope that at least the instinct of preserving the
remnants of the state and statehood will prevail there," the
diplomat commented on the results of a telephone
conversation between the Russian and US
Presidents Vladimir Putin and
Donald Trump.
Zakharova clarified that Moscow, although it does not count
on the common sense of the Kiev authorities, believes that
instinct will help Ukraine take a constructive position in
the peaceful settlement of the conflict.
Maria Zakharova also said that the performance of Vladimir
Zelensky with an attempt to disrupt the negotiations failed.
________________________________________________________
Pakistan and India ready
to withdraw troops to
peacetime positions
by Alexey Kornilov
May 20th, 12:39pm
(Rossiyskaya Gazeta)
The authorities of India and Pakistan agreed to withdraw their
troops ...to the positions they occupied before the start of
the armed conflict by the end of May. This -- is reported
by TASS news agency, with reference to an unnamed
representative of the Security Service
of Pakistan.
Against this background, India's Deputy Foreign Minister, Vikram
Misri said there is little likelihood of improving relations
between New Delhi and Islamabad in the
foreseeable future.
A senior Indian diplomat, also denied that US President Donald
Trump was mediating a ceasefire between India and Pakistan
and rejected the possibility for foreign leaders to comment
on the Indo-Pakistani conflict, in such a way.
As the Deputy Foreign Minister of India emphasized, at no point
during the conflict, which was conducted exclusively with the
use of conventional weapons, did Pakistan sound any
"nuclear signals".
____________________________________________
The Trump administration announced
its intention to deport 200 thousand
Ukrainians from the United States.
May 20th, 12:29pm
(Izvestia.ru)
The administration of US President Trump intends to deport 200
thousand Ukrainian refugees who previously had the status of
temporary protection from the country.
For voluntary departure from the country, Washington offers
refugees $1 thousand each. This was stated on May 20
by The Washington Post (WP) with reference to a
draft internal document.
These deportations will be financed from $250 million that was
previously intended for foreign aid. It is also assumed that in
addition to Ukrainians, 700 thousand Haitian migrants will
be deported.
It is specified that the administration of former US President
Joe Biden for the first time granted temporary protected
status to citizens of Ukraine in 2022 after the
outbreak of the conflict in Ukraine.
Haitians have enjoyed this status since 2010, when their
country was hit by a devastating earthquake, and it has
since been extended several times - due to ongoing
security concerns and instability in the region.
Earlier, on May 6th, it was reported that the White House
administration called on Ukraine to accept third-party
citizens deported from the United States. Such a
request indicates Trump's desire to protect the
streets of his country from an increase in
crime, by curbing illegal migration.
The latest report: the US finally lost its maximum rating
Moody's lowered the credit indicator of the US - to AA1
________________________________________________________
Haiti’s Prime Minister -- Calls
for National Unity Amid
Deepening Crisis
May 20th, 12:26pm
(teleSUR)
Haitian Prime Minister Alix Didier Fils-Aimé urged
national unity and collective action to pave the
way for a constitutional referendum and free,
inclusive, and credible elections, as the
country grapples with a prolonged
political and security crisis.
Haiti has gone ten years without elections, while
escalating armed violence and institutional
collapse threaten prospects for stability.
During the Flag Day commemoration, relocated this year
from Arcahaie to Cap-Haïtien, officials faced criticism
over excessive spending, while protesters voiced
their anger at the government --- leading to
''clashes with'' ...the National Police.
The Integrated United Nations Office in Haiti (BINUH)
reports that in the first three months of 2025,
violence has resulted in:
1,617 fatalities
580 injured
1,494 kidnappings
With over one million displaced due to gang violence,
Haiti saw 5,626 deaths in the past year, intensifying
its humanitarian and security crisis.
Didier Fils-Aimé emphasized that overcoming differences
and working collectively is essential for restoring order,
yet ongoing violence and instability ------ continue to
obstruct political progress.
[Rhondda Records adds: we all know
who is guilty of ridding itself of any
brave noble leader it doesn't like.
Haitians have time and again
voted in peace - for people
like Aristide - only to be
knocked down again
by Uncle Sam.]
______________________________________
Venezuela and India Reaffirm
Political, Energy, and
Trade Cooperation
May 20th, 11:40am
(teleSUR)
On Monday, Venezuelan Foreign Affairs Minister Yvan Gil
and Indian Ambassador to Venezuela Ashok Babu held
a meeting in Caracas to reaffirm the cooperative
ties both countries have developed... over
65 years of diplomatic relations.
“We had... a very productive meeting with Ambassador Ashok
Babu, aimed at reaffirming our strong cooperation in political,
energy and trade matters, which we have cultivated over the
years. We also highlighted our shared stance on promoting
dialogue and understanding in multilateral forums,” the
Bolivarian diplomat said.
The Venezuelan diplomat also emphasized that the meeting
served to consolidate the alliance.. in a more solid manner,
underscoring a convergence of visions in the international
arena. The encounter -- highlighted both of the nations’
commitment -- to advancing mutual progress and
expanding their strategic collaboration.
Earlier this year, Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro
reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to India
to build “an increasingly comprehensive map of
joint work --- and cooperation.”
He also announced that Indian investment in Venezuela’s
energy sector -- is expected to grow significantly. The
Bolivarian leader stressed that Venezuela’s energy
future will increasingly be tied to India, a country
he described ------- as one of the emerging
new superpowers.
Venezuela & India established diplomatic relations in October
1959, marking the beginning of a bilateral relationship
grounded in mutual respect and cooperation. Over
the decades ------ these nations have engaged in
diplomatic, economic and cultural exchanges,
underscoring ---- their shared interest in
South-South cooperation.
High-level visits, ministerial meetings, and their participation in
multilateral forums have contributed to the strengthening of
their ties, particularly in the areas of energy, trade and
political coordination.
Energy cooperation has been a cornerstone of Venezuela–
India relations, with India being one of the primary buyers
of Venezuelan crude oil. Indian companies have invested
in Venezuela’s petroleum sector, participating in joint
ventures for oil exploration and production.
Despite challenges posed by the U.S. sanctions against the
Bolivarian Revolution, India has maintained a pragmatic
approach, continuing to pursue energy partnerships
that align with its growing demand for oil and its
commitment to diversifying sources.
Beyond the energy sector ------ both countries have expressed
interest in expanding their strategic partnership, particularly
in trade, pharmaceuticals, technology, and education.
Venezuela, has sought to deepen collaboration with
India as part of its broader foreign policy of forging
alliances with emerging global powers.
Likewise, India views Venezuela as a valuable partner in
promoting a multipolar world order and enhancing its
global south diplomacy. The bilateral relationship
continues to evolve, driven by shared interests
and a convergence of political and economic
goals on the international stage.
__________________________________
They denounce --- usurpation
of the frequency of Radio
Nacional de Venezuela
May 20th, 10:38am
(Prensa Latina)
The vice minister of the Ministry for Communication
and Information Ibesmar Jiménez, denounced here
today the impersonation of the National Radio of
Venezuela (RNV) by a station originating
in neighbouring Colombia.
In statements released by the AVN News Agency, the
president of RNV also alerted the authorities and
the people of --- “the usurpation and the illegal
use of the Venezuelan radio station's slogan”.
“We communicate that we are taking all pertinent legal
actions before the corresponding State institutions to
investigate who is behind this crime against the
country”, he indicated.
The Vice Minister of Communication Management explained
that since Wednesday of last week, the (FM) Frequency
Modulated station 101.1 in the state of Táchira
(suroeste) has received musical interference
from 106.1 FM, which is heard in Villa del
Rosario, Cúcuta, Colombia, bordering
with Venezuela.
As part of the complaint, the vice president commented that
the usurping signal uses RNV's own identifiers such as the
name of the station, brand and official motto.
Jiménez assessed this situation as worrying - as it occurred at
a time when the Venezuelan Government warned about new
terrorist plans - with explosive devices on embassies and
sensitive places such as hospitals, power stations and
official and opposition authorities.
The Minister for Interior Relations, Justice and Peace, Diosdado
Cabello, reported yesterday the capture of 38 mercenaries, 21
Venezuelans and 17 foreigners, some of whom.. entered the
country through the border or arrived by air from Colombia.
In this sense, he announced the suspension of
air flights, from yesterday until Monday, with
the New Granada nation.
Cabello reiterated that the financing of the Venezuelan
extreme right comes from drug trafficking, led by
former Colombian presidents Álvaro Uribe,
Iván Duque, Andrés Pastrana and
Juan Manuel Santos.
The director of Radio Nacional de Venezuela reported
that they initiated legal action ---- to investigate the
origin of the illegal transmission.
________________________________________________
Putin: Pre-revolutionary and Soviet experience
should be combined in education programs
May 19th, 8:37pm
(RT.ru)
Russian Leader Vladimir Putin at a meeting of
the Board of Trustees of the educational
Foundation "Talent and Success" in
"Sirius" said that the Soviet and
pre-revolutionary experience
--- should be the basis of
programs, at all levels
of modern education.
"We absolutely need to preserve and develop the best
traditions that distinguish both the pre-revolutionary
and Soviet systems of education," the head of
state stressed.
Putin also instructed to improve the methodology
of teaching music and art... in schools.
__________________________________________________
"Drapanuli in Bulgaria". Two members of
the Ukrainian delegation escaped ---
during the negotiations
Anastasia Alimpieva (editor of
Operational Information Dept)
May 19th, 3:14pm
(Lenta.ru)
Russian military correspondent, Yuri Kotenok, reported on
the flight of two participants in the negotiations on the
Ukrainian settlement that took place last week,
in Türkiye.
According to him, the fugitives were participants of the meeting
from Kiev --- translator Oleg Golovko and assistant secretary of
the Ukrainian delegation --- named Samoylenko.
As the military commander pointed out, both fled to Bulgaria.
''This is a marker. If they desert in such circles, then everything
is really very, very bad in Nenka. There is no future. There is
no country. The chokehold of withdrawal is getting closer
to the throat. Hopelessness sets in. Insight - for many.''
Also, commenting on the situation, he recalled the words of the
Russian scientist and poet, Lev Gumilev: "If a Ukrainian gets
smarter, he becomes a Russian."
Golovko escaped.... during the break
Data on Golovko's escape - is also provided by CNN Turk. The
journalists clarified that the interpreter left the venue of the
talks during the announced break. At the same time, it is
known that Golovko did not leave Türkiye by plane —
he could have crossed the border with Bulgaria
in another way, probably by car, in order to
avoid the route being traced.
Because of his actions, the Ukrainian side
had to - quickly - find a new translator.
Golovko worked in the office of the Ministry of Defense of
Ukraine, since 2023. He served as an interpreter for
international delegations. He arrived in Türkiye,
as part of the official team of the country's
Defense Minister, Rustem Umerov.
Ukrainians -------- are often looking for an
opportunity to escape from the country
At the moment, Ukraine has a ban on traveling abroad for men
from 18 to 60 years old, which is why citizens of the country
who leave, for some reason, from the territory of Ukraine -
are looking for opportunities not to return.
So, in 2023, the 2021 world champion in fishing by spinning from
the shore as part of the Ukrainian national team, Artur Bilan,
took part in the world championship in Italy, and decided
not to return to his homeland after that. He escaped -
while other athletes were resting before returning
home. He explained his decision -- by family
circumstances, noting that his wife --
does not want to live in stress,
and the children need to
study normally.
At the same time, Alexander Rosputko, a midfielder of the
Shakhtar youth team, escaped. This happened after the
match of the UEFA Youth League, the athlete was
....missed on the plane. As it later became
known, he went to Russia.
A year later, a member of the Ukrainian army hand-to-hand
combat team, Serhiy Kuznetsov -- also fled from the
European Championship, to Russia. At the same
time -- he decided to sign up as a volunteer to
participate in a special operation, although
before that -- he served in the ranks of
the Ukrainian army.
A year later, in 2025, the multiple champion of Ukraine in rowing
Larisa Zhalinskaya decided not to return to her homeland. She
fled to Moscow ........from persecution by the Armed Forces
of Ukraine.
Now the athlete is part of the team of the Kherson
region and represents the region at all-Russian
rowing competitions.
________________________________________
In the State Duma - called the price for
Finland for the use of frozen assets
of the Russian Federation
May 19th, 2:30pm
(Izvestia.ru)
Finland will have to pay many times more, for the use of Russian
frozen assets. This was announced on May 19 by the chairman
of the State Duma Committee on the Financial Market ---
Anatoly Aksakov.
On this day, the Ministry of Defense of Finland reported that the
government of the country -- has signed an agreement with the
EU Commission on the supply of heavy ammunition to Ukraine
in the amount of 90 million euros, the purchase of which will
be financed by frozen Russian assets.
"This is a violation of international law - and they will have to
answer for it. Finland will have to pay a very tough and
serious price --- for illegal actions. They will have to
pay many times more - than they can take now,"
he said.
Aksakov added that such operations will not bring any benefit
to the current Finnish authorities. He stressed that the
mistake of the Finnish government ------- is what it
thinks, today.
"This is only a postponement of responsibility.
But in reality ------ you will have to pay ---- for
everything," the State Duma deputy said.
On May 9th, Ukrainian Prime Minister Denys Shmyhal said that
Denmark, France and Italy will buy weapons for Kiev ---- for
€1 billion. He recalled that on this day, the EU announced
its intention.... to allocate almost €1.9 billion from the
frozen assets of the Russian Federation ----- for
military support of the Kiev regime.
On May 14, the AFP news agency reported that EU ambassadors
agreed on the 17th package of sanctions against Russia.
Finnish Foreign Minister Elina Valtonen said on May 15
that the EU will immediately begin developing the
18th package of sanctions against Russia.
German Chancellor Friedrich Merz, in turn, did not rule out
that the new package may include a provision on the
ability ---- to dispose of the frozen assets of the
Russian Federation in Europe.
_________________________________
Lithuania filed a lawsuit against Belarus
in the ''International Court of Justice''
....due to their migration crisis
May 19th, 1:58pm
(RT.ru)
"The case concerns..... violations of States' obligations
under the United Nations Protocol against the Illegal
Importation of Migrants by Land, Sea and Air,"
the Lithuanian Foreign Ministry said.
It is noted that Lithuania demands full compensation for the
''damage'', including the cost of building a wall, as well as
guarantees -- that such actions will not be repeated.
The Lithuanian Foreign Ministry claims that they allegedly
have evidence.... of the involvement of the Belarusian
authorities in the migration crisis.
Restrictions on the travel of Russian citizens residing
in Lithuania, to their homeland and Belarus
- have come into force in the
Baltic Republic.
According to TASS, the extended sanctions mean the
cancellation of the temporary residence permit for
Russians living in Lithuania, who have crossed
the border ''more than once'', within three
calendar months ----------- "without an
objective reason", to get to their
homeland, or Belarus.
In late April, it was reported that Lithuanian President
Gitanas Nauseda ----- approved a law on depriving
Russians of a residence permit for traveling
to Russia.
[lovely name!]
_______________________________________________
Petro thanked Cuba and Venezuela
for peace mediations in Colombia
May 19th, 10:51am
(Prensa Latina)
The president of Colombia, Gustavo Petro, today expressed his
gratitude to Cuba and Venezuela -- guarantor countries of his
nation's peace processes ---- for their efforts to help seal an
agreement between insurgent groups and the Government.
In an assessment made... after a private audience with Pope Leo
XIV that was held in the Vatican during this day, he commented
that he spoke with the Supreme Pontiff on the subject.
According to their statements, which were released in this
capital by the Presidency, the National Liberation Army
(ELN), a guerrilla unit ------ with which peace talks were
suspended four months ago......... it has expressed its
willingness to hold meetings in the guarantor States.
“I thank Cuba, Venezuela - and Cuba, which has suffered so
much - for providing its territory to talk about peace. But I
think it is here, in the Vatican, where you can remember
the theory of effective love, with its crossed powers,
because obviously it is a world of power”, petro
declared in reference to the conversation
with the Supreme Pontiff.
During this day, the ruler met with the bishop of Rome, for about
20 minutes during which they discussed migration, the climate
crisis, and, and the need to end conflicts both in Colombia
...and in the rest of the world.
Petro also extended an invitation to the Pope - to visit the New
Granada nation and urged him in particular to get to know the
region of Chiribiquete, because “is the first land to emerge
from water on the planet”, according to the president.
“On his trip to Peru I would like him to visit Colombia”, he stated,
while inviting him to get to Santa Marta, a city that the ruler
described as “the heart of the world”.
In his statements, the president assured that the Supreme
Pontiff, born in the United States and knowledgeable
about Latin America, can build the bridge that
allows the US government to understand
that, if you prioritize the fight against
migration --------- you will incur the
“murder of your own children”,
when you should focus: on
stopping climate change.
For its part, the Colombian Foreign Ministry - released a
statement detailing that --- after the talk with Leo XIV,
the delegation that accompanied Petro ---- met with
Monsignor Paul Richard Gallagher, Secretary for
Relations with States, with whom.... they
discussed.. the bilateral and regional
agenda, and common challenges
on the international stage.
As a symbolic gesture, the source added, the ruler gave the
Holy Father ---- a replica of the Balsa Muisca, an Arhuaca
backpack -- woven by indigenous women of the Sierra
Nevada de Santa Marta, a handmade hammock from
Morroa (Sucre) ------- and Colombian coffee, as an
expression of the country's cultural identity,
hospitality, and diversity.
________________________________________
Italian PM Meloni Announces Summit
on African Lobito Corridor Project
May 19th, 9:35am
(teleSUR)
The Western powers seek to secure the world’s
largest reserves of cobalt, copper and coltan.
On Monday, Italian Prime Minister, Giorgia Meloni ,announced a
summit with several countries, focused on the Lobito Corridor
—a major African railway project through which the West
aims to compete with China.
The conference, scheduled for June 20th, in Rome, will be
co-chaired by Meloni and the EU Commission President
Cursula von de Leyen. It will also include participation
------ by transnational financial institutions.
The summit aims to “consolidate the work carried out so far”
and “announce the completion of new projects,” Meloni said
at a meeting on her “Mattei Plan,” which funds initiatives in
African countries.... to curb Mediterranean migration.
She intends to align the Mattei Plan with the European “Global
Gateway” strategy to boost investments in Africa. In the lead
-up to the Rome summit, Meloni expressed support for
“continuing to work with the United States on the
major Lobito Corridor infrastructure project,”
as well as with Gulf countries.
The Lobito Corridor, is a railway line in the heart of Africa, where
China and the West ------ are competing to secure mineral supply
chains. The project aims to link ports on Africa’s Atlantic coast
with mining regions in the Democratic Republic of Congo and
Zambia, via Angola.
Currently... the corridor consists of a 1,300-kilometre railway line
from the port of Lobito on Angola’s Atlantic coast to the Angolan
city of Luau on the border with the DRC. From there, it continues
another 400 kilometres to the Congolese mining city of Kolwezi,
near the Zambian border.
Plans are in place to build another 800 kilometres of track
to extend the railway into Zambia. The United States
even envisions the corridor eventually reaching
Africa’s eastern coast.
After decades of neglect, the route has regained interest from
Western powers, especially in their race to secure valuable
raw materials. Both Zambia and the DRC hold some of the
world’s largest reserves of cobalt, copper and coltan.
The U.S. % EU support the development of the Lobito Corridor
in an effort to curb China’s growing influence, as Beijing has
already become a key commercial player on the continent.
___________________________________
Portuguese President: to Meet Main Parties
Following Parliamentary Elections
May 19th, 8:58am
(teleSUR)
Rebelo de Sousa, will speak with representatives of
the Social Democratic, Socialist, and Chega parties.
On Tuesday, Portuguese President Marcelo Rebelo de Sousa
will meet with the country’s main political parties to discuss
the formation of a future government. The meetings come
after Sunday’s elections, in which the centre-right won,
the far right made significant gains, and the
Socialists lost 20 seats.
He will first receive representatives of the conservative Social
Democratic Party (PSD), led by caretaker Prime Minister Luis
Montenegro, at 11 a.m. local time. The PSD is part of the
winning Democratic Alliance (AD) coalition. Rebelo de
Sousa will then meet with the Socialist Party (PS) at
3 p.m., followed by members of the far-right
“Enough” Party (Chega) at 5 p.m.
The president will hold these meetings taking into account
the provisional results of Sunday’s elections announced
by the Interior Ministry..... without prejudice to the
districts whose votes are still being counted.
Right-wing parties consolidated their gains in Sunday’s
legislative elections. Montenegro’s coalition won, far-
right parties increased their presence in Parliament,
and the ''left'' suffered a setback that triggered a
crisis within the Socialist Party --- leading to
the resignation of its secretary, Pedro
Nuno Santos.
While votes from abroad—worth four seats—are still pending
and will not be known until after May 28, the Democratic
Alliance won the election with 89 seats and 32.10%
of the vote.
The PS followed with 58 seats and 23.38%, the same number of
seats as Chega, which secured 22.56% of the vote. Compared
to the previous legislature, AD gained nine seats, Chega
added eight, and the Socialists lost 20.
Among the remaining parties, the Liberal Initiative (IL) secured
nine seats with 5.53% of the vote; the environmentalist Livre
party won six seats and 4.20%; the Portuguese Communist
Party took three seats with 3.03%; the Left Bloc won one
seat with 2%; and the animal rights party PAN also took
one seat with 1.36%. For the first time, the regionalist
JPP party from Madeira.... entered the Portuguese
Parliament, winning one seat, with 0.34% of
the vote.
____________________________________________
India to launch national campaign
on agriculture and technology
May 19th, 8:13am
(Prensa Latina)
Indian Agriculture Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan today
announced the launch of a national campaign from
May 29 to June 12, with the aim of promoting
technological advances in the sector.
The initiative, called Viksit Krishi Sankalp Abhiyan will be
extended to 723 districts throughout the country -- and
seeks to raise awareness among some 150 million
farmers.. about the introduction of modern
technology. -- and the use of new seed
varieties -- chouhan explained
at a press conference.
The minister added that a team of scientists will visit nearly
65,000 villages to train farmers in practical and scientific
agricultural techniques.
Chouhan stated that agriculture... remains the backbone of the
national economy, providing sustenance to almost half of the
population, forming the basis of the country's food security.
_________________________________________
Nicaragua: Those who request nationality
will renounce their nationality of origin
May 17th, 6:21pm
(Prensa Latina)
Foreign citizens who apply for Nicaraguan nationality
must renounce their nationality of origin except
Central Americans, the partial reform law
refers to --- articles 23 and 25 of the
Constitution, it emerged today.
The regulations, approved unanimously in the first legislature in
a special session of the National Assembly (parlament) held in
tribute to the 130th anniversary of the birth of Augustus C.
Sandino also establishes that Nicaraguans will lose their
nationality if they acquire another.
According to the explanatory memorandum of the law,
nationality is not an administrative procedure, but a
sacred pact of loyalty, therefore ---- “whoever
acquires another nationality and swears
allegiance to a foreign State, breaks
the legal and moral bond.... with
Nicaragua. There can be - no
double fidelity: the country
demands ----- exclusive
commitment”.
The president of parliament, Gustavo Porras, stated that this
is a reform that is born from the Sandinista spirit and from
those thoughts where he clearly expresses that
nationality gives the right to complain, fight
and get ahead.
“Whoever at this point wants to serve a foreign State that
stops being Nicaraguan and is absolutely democratic, if
only all we say is, he who obtains a foreign nationality
loses his Nicaraguan nationality, he takes the option,
but we know what that means”.
“And that is why Commander Daniel (Ortega) ordered
this reform, because we deepened our revolution,
our Nicaraguanness, our Sandinismo and we
continue to keep the fight going”, the
deputy stressed, in Niquinohomo
Sandino's homeland.
____________________________________
Serbian president - accuses
Europe of destabilization
May 17th, 5:17pm
(Prensa Latina)
The president of Serbia, Aleksandar Vucic, today --- accused
Europe of trying to overthrow his Government by financing
anti-government protests that have been taking place in
the country ---- for more than six months.
Don't forget the foreign factor, how much money is invested to
destroy Serbia, Vucic told tens of thousands of his followers,
summoned for a rally in the city of Nis,
The president stated that billions of euros are invested from
“Europa and the world” to stop what he described as the
country's extraordinary development in recent years.
He also warned that everyone who used dirty money to corrupt
youth will be held accountable“ and warned that ”there will be
no forgiveness or forgetting“.
Vucic expressed his pride in not supporting the sanctions
emanating from Europe against Russia and claimed his
participation on the 9th in Moscow in the events
commemorating the Soviet victory over
nazism in 1945, with pride.
He assured, that he will completely ignore the protesters'
demands against his Government and said that starting
today “I will listen only to the people”, according to
local press reports.
____________________________________________________
Noboa proposes a project ----
against criminal economies
in Ecuador
May 17th, 4:11pm
(Prensa Latina)
The president of Ecuador, Daniel Noboa, today sent to the
National Assembly (Parliament) a bill -- “to dismantle the
criminal economy linked to the internal armed conflict"
including raids, confiscations and higher penalties.
The legislators, who assumed their duties last Wednesday, have
30 days to discuss this urgent economic request and where the
president recognizes the escalation of violence in the country.
Noboa's legal initiative involves reforms to the Comprehensive
Organic Penal Code and other regulations, with which --- the
Government seeks to hit the economy of criminal groups
operating in the country.
Among the proposals, the official recognition of the existence
of an internal armed conflict stands out, a declaration that
the president issued in January 2024 ....and has been
questioned by the Constitutional Court.
In turn, it asks to establish the Security Block, made up of
members of the Armed Forces and the National Police,
as an operational coordination body in charge of
planning - and executing and supervising -
military and security actions.
Among the reforms, the president suggests confiscations of
money and assets linked to money laundering, increased
penalties for members of illegal armed groups, with
sentences of between 22 and 26 years in prison
for what they previously punished..... with
between 10 and 13 years in prison.
For the heads of criminal organizations, it also calls for
harsher prison sentences, from 26 to 30 years, and
that weapons, ammunition and other seized items,
pass directly and immediately to law enforcement.
The initiative establishes raids without a court order,
even though it raises the need for specialized
judges to be monitored... 24 hours later.
Likewise, the president seeks preventive detention
--- without room for alternative precautionary
measures, and early pardons for police
and the military.
The announcement of the proposal has caused
criticism from human rights organizations
and activists.
Ecuador faces a security crisis that persists,
despite the measures adopted by Noboa.
Violent deaths continue to increase and in the first
quarter of 2025 they reached more than 2,000,
according to official data.
_____________________________
Nicaragua today ----- registers
sustained economic growth
May 17th, 2:09pm
(Prensa Latina)
Nicaragua today registers macroeconomic stability and
sustained economic growth according to a report
presented by the Ministry of Finance and
Public Credit.
The document on budget execution corresponding to
the first quarter of this year, based on Law 1225 of
the General Budget of the Republic 2025, also
reflects the strengthening of international
reserves, he released to the Informe
Pastrán newsletter.
Total revenues exceeded $1,326,788,640,
representing 30.6 percent of the updated
annual budget.
Compared to the same period in 2024, revenue grew
15.4 percent driven by tax collection of 45,671.4
million córdobas (mil 247 million 160,021
US dollars).
The report specified that this performance is attributed
to a favorable macroeconomic context and efficient
tax administration.
___________________________________
Erdogan: 75 billion cubic metres of
gas -- discovered in the Black Sea
May 17th, 1:17pm
(Vesti.ru)
Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan announced the
discovery of a gas field in the Black Sea with reserves
of 75 billion cubic metres, which, according to him,
can provide all homes in the country with fuel for
several years.
The discovery occurred at the Gektepe-3 field after 49 days of
drilling and testing. The discovered volumes are estimated
at $30 billion and significantly strengthen Türkiye's
energy independence.
"We have discovered gas reserves of 75 billion cubic metres.
This volume will be enough to supply our apartments for
3.5 years," Erdogan said during a speech in Istanbul.
According to the Turkish leader, gas production in the Black Sea
already provides 4 million apartments - this is 9.5 billion cubic
metres, annually. By 2028, Türkiye intends to increase this
volume by four times.
Erdogan stressed --- that the development of its own energy
resources will allow the country to reduce its dependence
on external supplies and ------- curb energy prices within
the country.
__________________________________________________
Bolivia’s Movement to Socialism
Nominates Eduardo Del Castillo
as Presidential Candidate
May 17th, 1pm
(teleSUR)
Bolivian party Movement to Socialism (MAS) - designated
the Minister of Government, Eduardo Del Castillo, as its
presidential candidate --- for the August 17 general
elections - along with Milan Berna as candidate
for VP, after the president Luis Arce's refusal
to stand for re-election.
“We have here our brother Eduardo Del Castillo and with Milan
Berna ---- the candidates who are determined to strengthen
democracy,” said party leader Grover Garcia, president
of MAS, in the announcement of the candidacies.
The alliance between the minister and the peasant leader
is presented as the ideal option to represent the social
organizations and trade unions.. that constitute the
base of the ruling party. “Victory is assured,” he
added, after the current president Arce was
completely discarded.
During the past week, MAS leaders met with President
Luis Arce.... to discuss possible candidates.
According to the established calendar, the registration period
for candidates is open from 14 to 19 May, while the Supreme
Electoral Tribunal (TSE) will allow applicants until 6 June.
Arce said in his Telegram channel that he welcomes “with
enthusiasm and optimism this decision” and calls on
social organizations, progressive and left-wing
forces, and the people in general, to create
a unified strategy to ensure the continuity
of the Process of Change -------- and the
existence of the Plurinational State.
On the other hand, caravans of Bolivians arrived in La Paz
this Friday in support of former president Evo Morales,
while the country’s police used tear gas against
the protesters.
Morales Ayma, from his Twitter account made the
announcement saying that “the second great
March to Save Bolivia is already in La Paz.
Sisters and brothers from all over the
country, marching peacefully.... for
respect for their social, political
and economic demands.”
Morales also said that “with a high revolutionary spirit and
loyalty to the people - they demand free, transparent, and
unproscribed elections. Thank you to all the inhabitants
of the government headquarters... who welcome us
with affection.”
_______________________________________________
Maduro celebrates birth
of Venezuelan poet
Aquiles Nazoa
May 17th, 11:27am
(Prensa Latina)
President Nicolás Maduro today celebrated the birth of
the poet Aquiles Nazoa, on whose date Venezuela
commemorates National Poetry Day.
“We must know those who have been protagonists of deep
Venezuelanness, of the values that define our being, the
character, the collective personality of a country, and
#AquilesNazoa is one of those who continues to
feed the national spirit ------- with his luz”, the
president wrote on his Telegram account.
Maduro pointed out that “in honour of his birth, we celebrate
National Poetry Day, recognizing the work of poets”.
A generation that has drawn - in every line - the essence of a
simple people that is moved by the beauty of everyday life,
and that fights daily to build a more human humanity:
''Long live the creative powers of the People!'',
he indicated.
In the video that accompanies the message, Commander Hugo
Chávez (1954-2013) expressed that Nazoa said: “I am immortal
because I am the people”, let us be immortal ---- like Achilles,
“let us be a people and we will be immortal”, he stressed.
Maduro, meanwhile, cited a poem by the Venezuelan in which
he says: “my homeland and its hamlets, its torrential oil,
your vegetable regions and its tumults of rivers, salt
flats and farms, animals of dawn, crying, joy and
sweat, of this land and its people, it is simply
called - Bolívar Libertador”.
The ruler pointed out that Aquiles Nazoa is the poet,
the writer and the minstrel of the people, the
translator of simple things and
everyday poetry.
Nazoa “ continues to fill us with her colour, with her love
and with her humour, we must love our country, love it,
and there is no better way --- than through culture,
poetry and singing”, he stated.
The dignitary called on all youth to know in depth who
Achilles Nazoa was, who he is and how he “pushes
and drives us ---- to be better”.
I deeply believe, as the great poet said, in the
creative powers of the people, he asserted.
Also the Venezuelan Minister for Culture, Ernesto Villegas,
recalled the 105 years since the birth “of Aquiles Nazoa,
the poet of the simplest things”.
His birth, he highlighted, is celebrated in Venezuela
as National Poetry Day. ''Congratulations, poets!''.
This Saturday, the Aquiles Nazoa Movement will celebrate the
fourth edition of the Poetry March in the streets of Caracas,
in which poets commemorate their Day with tributes in
institutions and busts of prominent universal bards
such as Pablo Neruda, and Gabriela Mistral,
among others.
_______________________________________
"The opposite - is true": Maria Zakharova
explained to the UN Secretary General
who and how really undermined
international law
Zakharova commented on the UN
Secretary General's statement
about a just peace in Ukraine
by Maria Mamaeva
May 16th, 4:27pm
(Komsomolskaya Pravda)
TO SHARE
Russian Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova
commented on the statement of UN Secretary-General
Antonio Guterres.. about achieving a "just peace"
in the context of Ukraine and undermining
international law.
Earlier, Guterres said ----- a failure to achieve a just peace in
Ukraine while preserving the country's territorial integrity
----- could lead to the undermining of international law.
"The UN Secretary-General --- has somewhat violated the
cause-and-effect relationship ----- the opposite is true.
The undermining of international law has led to the
inability to preserve the territorial integrity and
peace in Ukraine," Zakharova wrote in her
personal Telegram channel.
_______________________________
Who won the Istanbul talks: we explain
the results of the meeting between
Russia and Ukraine
by Andrey Zobov
May 16th, 2:49pm
(Komsomolskaya Pravda)
The peace talks between Russia and Ukraine, which the whole
world was waiting for -- with trepidation, lasted less than two
hours. What happened? Breakdown, collapse, failure? No.
As expected by Komsomolskaya Pravda, the situation turned out
to be much more subtle. And we are happy to explain to you, in
simple and understandable language, how the negotiations in
Istanbul actually ended.
Medinsky - summed up the results of the
first round of negotiations with Ukraine
The head of the Russian delegation, Vladimir Medinsky, made a
statement after the first round of talks with representatives of
Ukraine. Here's what the parties were able to agree on
WHAT RUSSIA AND UKRAINE AGREED ON
In less than two hours... the Russian and Ukrainian negotiators
managed to reach an understanding on three important points.
They were named by the head of our delegation, Assistant to
the President of Russia, Vladimir Medinsky.
1. Exchange
In the coming days, Russia and Ukraine will conduct
a large-scale exchange of prisoners "1000 for 1000".
2. Talks between Putin and Zelensky
The Ukrainian side requested direct talks
between the heads of state. Russia has
taken note of this request.
3. The Truce
The delegations agreed that Russia and Ukraine will present
their vision of a possible future ceasefire. They will write it
down in detail. And after such a vision is presented, the
parties will continue negotiations - this has already
been discussed.
These same theses, were repeated by the head of the Ukrainian
delegation, the Minister of Defense of Ukraine, Rustem Umerov.
WHO WON THE DIPLOMATIC VICTORY
IN THE NEGOTIATIONS?
"Komsomolka" is not going to give away the victory to someone
on its own. One of the most striking indicators of universal
opinion, is the stock exchange. People who risk their
money are the most honest and impartial judges.
- Immediately after the announcement that the negotiations
lasted less than two hours, the Moscow Exchange index
sharply flew down.
- As soon as Medinsky and Umerov made their statements,
the rating of the Moscow Exchange began to grow ---- at
a furious pace.
Comments are unnecessary.
"AS LONG AS IT TAKES"
The dialogue, which was followed by the whole world,
is overgrown with small, but very expressive details.
The Kiev negotiators refused to speak Russian?
First, the language choice is interesting. After the delegations
started the meeting, the Ukrainian media unanimously
announced ---- that the negotiators from Kiev will
communicate with the Russians in Ukrainian.
Through an interpreter. This fact shocked
the Russian media, which picked up
the message.
But journalists on the spot debunked the legend. Yes, there
was indeed an interpreter in the meeting room. But the
Ukrainian delegation did not use his services. After
the representatives of the host country - Turkey -
left the hall, the Ukrainians took off their head
phones and continued the conversation in
pure Russian.
"Sweden would still be a great power"
A vivid detail was published.. by The Economist
correspondent -- Oliver Carroll. He wrote that
sources close to the negotiations, said that
the conversation between the delegations
did not look like a normal diplomatic
process at all. And he cited an
impressive phrase..... of
Vladimir Medinsky.
"We don't want war. But - if necessary, we are ready to fight for a
year, two, three - as long as it takes. We fought with Sweden for
21 years. And how long will you hold out?" - Medinsky asked,
referring to the Swedish campaigns of Peter the Great.
And continued: "By the way, Sweden would still be
a great power..... if it wasn't for that war."
RESULTS OF NEGOTIATIONS: explanation
- RUSSIA HAS ACHIEVED ITS GOALS
Nothing has changed for Russia since 2022. Even then, we
were ready to make peace by achieving the goals of the
special operation through diplomacy. No casualties.
The only adjustment is the new regions that have
become part of our country. And, for us, the
beginning of the diplomatic process --- is
a good result, as head of the Russian
delegation Medinsky said.
In addition, we had a second goal - not to allow Zelensky and
the "coalition of the willing" to convince Trump that Russia
is not ready to move towards peace. Now that the
negotiations are officially underway, it will be
even harder for Kiev to convince.... that
"Russia does not want to".
That is why the exchange's index jumped so happily.
And another 2,000 men will return to their families.
This --- is also a small, but important victory.
- UKRAINE HAS ALSO ACHIEVED ITS
GOALS. BUT ONLY PARTIALLY
As we explained, US pressure and Trump, personally, forced
Zelensky to start peace talks. At the same time, this is not
profitable for Ukraine at the moment: the Russian army is
advancing on all fronts, and the negotiating positions
are very weak.
Therefore, Kiev has three real goals::
1. Show Trump that Ukraine is ready for peace.
2. At this time, try to "pull" it to the
side of Ukraine, blaming Russia.
3. Prove to Washington the need to resume military
support for the Armed Forces of Ukraine and
introduce new sanctions.
And Zelensky achieved the first goal. Work on
the second and third versions continues.
- EUROPE CONTINUES TO SUPPORT THE WAR
The actions of Ukraine and its allies were clearly planned.
And they meant exactly this outcome of the negotiations.
Immediately after the delegations left the meeting room,
Zelenskiy, Macron, Starmer, Merz & Tusk called Trump
together. It is not difficult to guess what the main
representatives of the "party of war" were
talking about. It's time to put pressure
on Russia, impose sanctions - and
......continue down the list.
Immediately after the conversation,
public statements were made.
Starmer said, that Russia's position in the
negotiations is "unacceptable" because
Moscow did not agree to a truce.
Macron added, that Russia ignored the demands of
the United States, Ukraine and Europe for a truce.
Polish Prime Minister Tusk went even further and
accused Russia of "disrupting" the talks,
explaining...... that the Kremlin "put
forward unacceptable conditions."
German Chancellor Merz also blamed Moscow,
but noted that there was "a very small, but
first positive signal" at the talks.
It doesn't bother anyone in Europe that Zelenskiy started by
forbidding himself to negotiate with Russia --- and ends up
demanding a face-to-face meeting with Putin. The main
thing is to force Trump to abandon attempts to make
peace. And return the United States to the place
of the main supplier and sponsor of the war.
And these attempts will continue as long as Europe
believes that it is possible to change Trump's
decision on Russia and Ukraine.
- THE UNITED STATES DOES NOT
WANT TO CONDEMN RUSSIA.
Meanwhile... Washington remains neutral. Two
things are very important for the White House:
a). Resume diplomatic relations with the Kremlin to
end the rapprochement between Russia and China,
b). Prevent the conflict from escalating into a
war between Russia and the United States.
Therefore, Trump refused to condemn Vladimir Putin's
refusal to come to Istanbul. And in general, he
almost said that the current negotiations
do not matter at all.
"Only we can deal with this. And we will finish
it. We need to meet with Putin," Trump said.
And he added that "in two or three weeks, the world
can become much safer." This is probably a hint at
the dates when the heads of state may meet.
________________________________________________
Colombia formally requested
entry --- to the New BRICS
Development Bank
May 16th, 10:23am
(Prensa Latina)
The president of Colombia, Gustavo Petro, announced today
from China that, on behalf of his country, he formally filed
the application for membership in the New BRICS
Development Bank.
The head of state reported the event in Shanghai, after meeting
with Dilma Rousseff, current president of the aforementioned
financial entity created by Brazil, Russia, India, China and
South Africa in 2015.
According to the statement, a letter signed by the Minister of
Finance and Public Credit, Germán Ávila, it expresses the
interest of the New Granada nation to be part of the
institution - as a borrowing member, which would
let it receive loans - at low rates - to finance
infrastructure development projects,
renewable energies, or health.
The minister also explained to Rousseff ------ that Colombia
“is willing to subscribe to 5,125 shares of the authorized
capital of the New Development Bank, of which 4,100
correspond to shares payable (as collateral) and
1,025 correspond to shares paid (in cash)”.
The above is equivalent to a total subscribed capital
(committed to contributing) of 512,200,000 dollars,
which includes a demandable capital of
410,000,000 dollars.... and a paid
capital of 102,500,000 dollars.
The first payment also details the admission application
letter, it will be carried out within six months, following
the date on which Colombia delivers the document of
accession to the agreement to Brazil's Government.
The request to join the New Development Bank was Petro's last
activity on his tour of China, where he also signed a document
to adhere to the Asian giant's development strategy known
as the Belt and Road Initiative.
From Shanghai, the president asserted ----- that
Colombia is practically now, open to the world.
“With the United States we can talk face to face, if you want;
with China we have talked face to face; and we are going to
talk to India, to Japan; with Africa we have opened many
diplomatic relations. Africa is part of our roots; With the
European world, with practically everyone, we have
a good relationship”, he declared in conclusion.
He revealed that the steps taken contribute
to Colombia “being the heart of the world”.
He also referred to the United States' decision not to
finance Chinese projects in Latin America with its
capital, among which, is the Bogotá metro.
“It seems sane, to me. If the United States considers China
its competitor, why would it make loans from its banks to
the projects that China must finance with its own?”,
he responded.
_____________________________________________________
The II Brics Women's
Entrepreneurship Forum
opens in Russia
May 16th, 9:53am
(Prensa Latina)
The II Brics Women's Entrepreneurship Forum was
inaugurated in Moscow, as reported today by the
multinational channel TVBrics.
The event began with the welcome speech of Russian
Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov, who highlighted the
role of the Brics as a centre for coordinating the
interests of the countries of the global majority
and highlighted the contribution of women to
the development of economies ---- and the
social sphere of the participating states.
“Female entrepreneurship is one of the key factors in
achieving progress”, said the head of Russian
diplomacy, emphasizing that the initiatives
developed in the forum will be taken into
account during the preparation of the
Brics summit in Rio de Janeiro.
High-level invited participants were also addressed, including
Eurasian Women's Forum Council President Galina Karelova,
who conveyed a greeting from the President of the
Federation Council of the Federal Assembly of
Russia, Valentina Matvienko.
Karelova pointed out that women in Brics countries
--- contribute significantly to the development of
their countries, introducing innovations and
participating in ecoprojects, science
and culture.
Nigerian Women's Affairs Minister Imaan Suleiman-Ibrahim, for
her part, spoke about extensive programs to support women
in her country, including a special US$500 million project,
covering five million women.
The program is aimed at developing entrepreneurship,
granting interest-free credit, training and expanding
women's access to export opportunities.
Next, the Brazilian ambassador to Russia, Rodrigo de Lima
Baena Soares, highlighted the growth in the number of
women entrepreneurs and the importance of their
contribution to sustainable development.
According to the organizers, the key topics of the forum were:
the regional cooperation of the Brics, with the countries of
the Asia-Pacific region, Africa, Latin America, the Middle
East and the Commonwealth of Independent States.
Likewise, participants will discuss creating a barrier-free
environment for female entrepreneurship, supporting
creative industries, the development of special
economic zones and joint projects in the
fields of ----- energy, sustainable
development and health.
____________________________
Cuba advocates peaceful
coexistence in the world
May 16th, 9:04am
(Prensa Latina)
On the occasion of the International Day of Coexistence in
Peace that the world celebrates today, Cuba advocates
respect -- and promotion of this and other purposes
contained in the Charter of the United Nations.
In this sense, the chancellor of the island, Bruno Rodríguez,
reiterated on the social network X “ respect and promotion
of peace and other purposes of the Charter of the United
Nations - in the face of imperialist attacks and their
expansionist and domination attempts”.
The UN General Assembly, in its resolution 72/130,
declared May 16 the ''International Day of
Coexistence in Peace'' -- as a way to
periodically mobilize the efforts of
the international community ---
to promote peace, tolerance,
inclusion, understanding
----- and solidarity.
The Day aims to defend the desire to live and act together,
united in differences and diversity, to build a sustainable
world of peace, solidarity and harmony, says UNESCO.
According to the United Nations Educational, Scientific and
Cultural Organization website (Unesco), “living in peace
means accepting differences and having the ability to
listen, recognize, respect and appreciate others, as
well as living peacefully and in solidarity”.
From the Antillean island, Latin America and the Caribbean was
declared a Zone of Peace, in 2014, based on respect for the
principles and norms of International Law --- including the
international instruments to which the Member States
are parties, and the Principles and Purposes of the
Charter of the United Nations.
_______________________________________________
Acute hunger - hits
295 million people
May 16th, 8:37am
(Prensa Latina)
A report from the Global Network against Food
Crises, indicated today that acute hunger hit
295 million people in 53 countries in 2024.
He added that this is a record, especially due to conflicts,
when the outlook for 2025 is not very encouraging due
to the decline in international aid.
The Global Network is made up of the EU, the World
Bank and United Nations agencies (ONU), among
other organizations.
For the sixth consecutive year, the balance worsened
and the worsening situation in areas such as Sudan,
Burma and Gaza overshadowed the progress
recorded in other areas --- like Afghanistan
or Kenya, according to the annual report.
Of these 295.3 million people (22.6 percent of the population
analyzed), 1.9 million are on the brink of famine, something
never seen since this report began to be prepared in 2016.
Most of this population in extreme situations was in Sudan
and the Gaza Strip, and to a lesser extent in Mali and Haiti.
The director of the emergency and resilience office at the Food
and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), Rein
Paulsen, pointed out --- this is due to extreme food shortages,
and the complete exhaustion of human biological
resistance - and survival mechanisms. Conflict
and violence -- are the first factor in the food
crisis, for 140 million people in 20 countries.
In 18 other countries, extreme weather events caused by
climate change caused agricultural disasters: droughts
in southern Africa, and floods in Bangladesh, Nigeria.
By 2025, the report warns of intensifying clashes, geopolitical
tensions, the uncertainty that reigns in the world economy,
and the cuts in financing and aid already increasing food
insecurity in several countries.
In that case they mentioned the Democratic
Republic of the Congo or Haiti as examples.
____________________________________________
EU prepares sanctions
against Nord Stream
gas pipelines
May 16th, 6:57am
(Prensa Latina)
The EU is preparing a new package of sanctions against
Russia ---- which will include restrictions on the Nord
Stream 1 and Nord Stream 2 gas pipelines, the
head of the EU Commission, Ursula von
der Liar, reported today.
According to the official, the new package of sanctions
will include --- a reduction in the so-called ceiling on
Russian oil prices, which will include additional
illegal ''restrictions'' against that country's
financial sector.
On May 14, EU ambassadors agreed on the seventeenth
package of sanctions against the Russian Federation.
The penalties must now be approved by EU foreign
ministers, who are due to meet on May 20.
According to Usurer van Layby.... the latest
EU sanctions package against Russia,
includes measures against
189 oil companies.
Later, Finnish Foreign Minister Eyelina Vaultyoni indicated
that the community... will immediately begin developing
the next, eighteenth, sanctions plan against Russia.
_______________________________________________________
EU Bosses recognized their inability
----- to intercept Russian oil tankers
by Vladislav Shablovsky
May 15th, 6:12pm
(Rossiyskaya Gazeta)
The EU is currently unable to launch a mission to detain tankers
that transport Russian oil. This statement was made by the
head of the EU Military Committee, Robert Briger, after
a meeting of the EU Chiefs of General Staff.
"We have not yet received a political task to launch such a
mission. But if such a task is set, we need to have the
necessary resources. When I look at the 3 ongoing
EU maritime missions, I see that we, frankly
speaking, do not have sufficient resources
for this," the EU official said, after a
meeting of the chiefs of general
staffs of the EU member states.
His words are quoted by TASS.
According to Briger, the EU needs 5-10 ships in order to be
able to carry out the aforementioned anti-Russian mission.
____________________________________________________________
Lavrov pointed to the West's desire
to defeat the Russian Federation
because of its independence
May 15th, 11:54am
(Izvestia.ru)
The West does not like Russia's independence, which is
why it wants its strategic defeat. This was announced
on May 15 by Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov.
"Why is the West so restless in inflicting strategic defeats on
us on the battlefield? They probably don't like that Russia
is independent," he said, at a solemn meeting of the
Diplomatic Club -- "Culture without Borders: the
role and development of Cultural Diplomacy".
According to Lavrov, there is plenty of evidence that Western
capitals do not seek peace in Ukraine. They are discussing
that it is impossible to stop the "mobilization of Europe'' -
against Russia.
On May 13, Russian President Vladimir Putin said that Western
countries are ready to harm their own economy - just to harm
Russia. According to him, it is important to take into account
such behaviour ....and minimize the negative consequences
for the Russian state.
_____________________________________________________
Statue of first lady of the US
........disappears in Slovenia
May 15th, 10:56am
(Prensa Latina)
A life-size bronze statue of the first lady of the United States,
Melania Trump, was stolen in Slovenia, her native country,
the national press reported today.
Placed on a tree trunk in the middle of a private field near the
town of Sevnica (where Melania spent her childhood), the
effigy replicates a pose adopted during Donald Trump's
inauguration in 2017 and shows her waving.
Its author, the US artist - Brad Downey, wanted, in his
words, to criticize the policy of the president of the
North American nation, towards immigrants,
remembering that his own wife, born
Melania Knavs, in Yugoslavia,
has that condition.
Downey declared himself ''triste'' due to the disappearance of
the work, which was solidly fixed to the trunk with cement
and iron bars, which forced the thieves to cut her above
the ankles, according to local press reports.
______________________________________________
to elect their president
May 14th, 6:42pm
(Prensa Latina)
Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan won most of the votes
in the Sunday elections, with 49.44%, but stayed short of the
50% needed to win the elections in the first round, so.... he
will go to a runoff in two weeks with Kemal Kilicdaroglu,
from the Republican People’s Party who got 44.89%.
The other two candidates in the electoral campaign Sinan Ogan
(5.3%), from the ATA Alliance, and Muharrem Ince, from the
Homeland Party, who had pulled out of the race in a
potential boost for Kilicdaroglu’s chances,
got anyhow... 0.4% of the ballots.
Ahmet Yener, the head of the Turkish election board, said that
71.64% of the votes within the country and 18.76 percent of
the votes from abroad, were entered into its system.
President Erdogan, who was reported to be in the capital Ankara
by Turkish state media earlier in the day ---- made a surprise
appearance in Istanbul later in the day, where he greeted
supporters, as he left his residence in the Istanbul
district of Uskudar, local media reported.
Some opinion polls before the election, had pointed to a very
tight race but gave opposition Kilicdaroglu, who heads a six-
party alliance, a slight lead. Two surveys on Friday even
showed him above the 50% threshold, but Erdogan’s
movement did much better than expected.
According to Hakan Akbas, the managing director of political
advisory Strategic Advisory Services, “Erdogan will have an
advantage in a second vote after his alliance did far better
than the opposition’s alliance.”
The runoff will take place on May 28.
_______________________________________
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Santiago Marathon - commemorated
victims of the Chilean dictatorship
May 14th, 12:48pm
(Prensa Latina)
Over 30,000 people ran today the Santiago Marathon,
which this year coincided with commemorations of
the fiftieth anniversary of the coup d'état in Chile
and paid tribute to the detainees......... who
''disappeared'' during the dictatorship.
Under the slogan “Neither pardon nor forgetfulness”, the event
included races in three distances: 10, 21 and 42 kilometres,
all starting and finishing at O’Higgins Park in the capital.
This is one of the largest annual sporting events in the country,
where amateurs and professionals compete, and this time - it
crossed through eight districts.
The marathon was held in the framework of the half-century
anniversary of the military coup against the Popular Unity
government of President Salvador Allende on September
11, 1973, and was an occasion to remember the victims
of Augusto Pinochet’s regime (1973-1990).
For this reason, political and social organizations called
on the runners to wear a T-shirt with the photo' of a
disappeared detainee.
The president of the Socialist Party, Paulina Vodanovic,
stressed the importance of remembering those who
fell during the dictatorship because, she said,
without memory .....the country cannot
move forward.
“We want to pay homage..... to the 1,200 disappeared
detainees,” human rights advocate Gaby Rivera said.
She added that this is an activity of memory and sport
held for the second time since 2019 ------- when they
gathered over 700 people who ran for this cause.
_______________________________________
Venezuela Achieves a Moral Victory:
Maikelys Espinoza, a Toddler
Kidnapped by the U.S.,
Returns Home
May 14th, 11:43am
(teleSUR)
President Maduro managed to rescue the two-year-old girl
who was being held in a shelter -- without the protection
of her parents.
On Wednesday, Communications Minister Freddy Ñañez
confirmed that Maikelys Espinoza Bernal returned to
her homeland on a flight with 226 migrants - who
were repatriated from the U.S. to Venezuela.
This two-year-old girl became the centre of an international
controversy --------- after being separated from her family
by U.S, immigration authorities.
Her parents, Yorely Bernal & Maiker Espinoza, who entered the
U.S. in May 2024 seeking asylum, were deported separately.
Accused of belonging to the Aragua Train gang, the little
girl’s father was sent to a maximum-security prison in
El Salvador, while Maikely’s mother was deported
on a flight out of the U.S.
U.S. authorities arbitrarily detained these Venezuelan migrants
and used ethnic profiling, as the accusations against them
were based on their tattoos --- which included cartoon
characters and personal symbols, rather than any
concrete evidence of criminal activity, as the
Daily Beast recalled.
Once the deportation process began, Maikelys was placed in
a shelter where she remained for weeks without contact
with her loved ones. These abuses sparked outrage -
both inside and outside the U.S.
Over the past few weeks, Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro
has condemned the abuses against the Espinoza Bernal family
as a violation of international law, accusing the United States
government ------- of kidnapping the two-year-old girl.
“Victory for justice! Maikelys Espinoza ---- has returned to
Venezuela, thanks to the tireless efforts of President
Nicolas Maduro. A triumph --- for the Venezuelan
people!,” stressed community communicator
Ronald Tovar, referring to the new success
achieved through the ''Return to the
Homeland Plan''.
________________________________________
Cuba's President
congratulates
mothers on
their Day
May 14th, 10:36am
(Prensa Latina)
Cuban President Miguel Díaz-Canel today
congratulated the nation's mothers
on their Day.
In his Twitter profile, the president wrote: “Love can
do anything. Every Cuban mother is proof of that.
To all, infinite thanks and much love today,
#DíaDeLasMadres ...and always.
Congratulations mothers and
grandmothers of #Cuba”.
__________________________________________
Warsaw mayor, decommunizer and arsonist
of the EU flag. Who is running for the
post ----- of President of Poland
Poland will hold presidential
elections ----- on May 18
May 14th, 5am
(Izvestia.ru)
Poland will hold presidential elections on May 18. The current
head of state Andrzej Duda will not take part in them, due to
the time limit. Warsaw Mayor, Rafal Trzaskowski, and head
of the Institute of National Remembrance Karol Nawrocki
are the first candidates for his post. Who else
participates in the elections and what ideas
they adhere to ---- "Izvestia" checks.
What is the position of the President of Poland
* Poland is a mixed republic.... in terms of its political structure,
where the President has quite broad powers and opportunities
to influence politics. He has the right to veto laws passed by
the Parliament, and it requires at least three-fifths of the
votes to overcome it --- if there are at least half of the
voting deputies. Also, the President of Poland can
ask the Constitutional Court --- to ''review'' an
unsigned law --- which usually makes it
possible to avoid its adoption.
* The President of Poland also has the right to call referendums
and, in certain cases, shorten the term of office of the
Parliament. The Head of State, not the Parliament,
ratifies and denounces international treaties,
unless they relate to the transfer of
competence of state bodies to
international organizations.
All these powers allow the President to influence the policies
of the Government and the Prime Minister, making them
equal figures in the Polish system of government.
* The President of Poland is elected for a five-year term ---- which
may not exceed two terms. The current head of state is Andrzej
Duda, whose second term, is coming to an end. In the elections
-- he was supported by the right-wing populist Law and Justice
(PiS) party, which had a majority in the Sejm from 2015 to 2023
but now leads the opposition to the moderate "Civil Coalition"
led by Donald Tusk.
Who are the main candidates for the post of president
* The leader of the public opinion polls, is the Mayor of Warsaw,
Rafal Trzaskowski, previously supported by a little more than
30% of voters. Trzaskowski is nominated by Civic Platform,
which is part of the Civic Coalition. He is an experienced
politician who has already reached the second round of
the presidential election in 2020, when he lost by only
2% to Duda. Trzaskowski was also elected to the
Sejm and the EU Parliament, and --- at various
times --- he served as the Minister of Digital
Development and Deputy Foreign Minister.
* Although Trzaskowski leads the polls, his support is gradually
falling for a number of reasons. First, the Tusk government has
failed to achieve significant results over the past two years
due to the inability to overcome Duda's veto, which is why
liberals are accused of failing to fulfill election promises.
Secondly, in Poland as a whole, there is a lurch to the right under
the influence of an external agenda, while Trzaskowski himself,
as mayor of Warsaw.... manifests himself more as a left-
wing politician. Recently, he began to intercept some
right-wing theses and said that Ukrainians living in
Poland should be deprived of some benefits.... if
they do not have a job and do not pay taxes.
* Trzaskowski's main rival is PiS nominee - Karol Nawrocki, who
has about 25% support. He is a newcomer to politics, although
for Poland this is more of an advantage than a disadvantage,
as Duda's example showed in 2015 — he was also little
known before the elections and won by opposing
himself to "old politicians".
* Navrotsky is the President of the Institute of National
Remembrance — the body responsible for executing
denazification and decommunization policy.
Until 2021, he was the director of the
World War II Museum.
Navrotsky speaks from the right-wing positions of PiS, but
at the same time he is formally an independent candidate
and tries not to associate himself with the party that lost
in the last election, which also does not arouse deep
sympathy among voters now.
Who else is running for president
* Trzaskowski and Nawrocki - are the main candidates for
the second round. At the same time, several other rather
significant politicians will take part in the elections,
which will determine the balance of power after
the first round. One of them may be Slawomir
Menzen, who is running for the far-right
Confederation bloc. In opinion polls,
he is confidently in third place..
with about 13% of support.
* Menzen has been compared to Romanian politician Calin
Giorgescu, which implies not only their shared views, but
also their ability to achieve an unexpectedly high result
in the first round. Menzen builds his program on anti-
Ukrainian rhetoric, Euroscepticism, libertarian
views on the economy and a tough stance
towards migrants. His voters in the 2nd
round will be much more likely to
support Navrotsky than the
liberal Trzaskowski.
* Among the second-tier candidates, Marshal of the Sejm
Szymon Holownia is the closest to the mayor of Warsaw,
with 8% of support.... so far. He is nominated by the
centrist party "Poland 2050", which is part of the
ruling coalition. Five years ago.... Kholovnya
finished third in the first round ----- and has
already called for voting for Trzaskowski.
• MEP Grzegorz Braun ---- stands out among the candidates who
are in favour of normalizing relations with Russia. He calls for
the restoration of contacts with Moscow -- and a pragmatic
approach in foreign policy. During the election campaign,
Brown was remembered... for a number of extravagant
actions — he burned and trampled the flag of the EU,
attacked an abortion gynecologist, and -- in 2023 --
extinguished candles in the Hanukkah menorah.
In opinion polls, Brown is given up to 5% support.
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