Solidarity with Cuba in Panama
condemns US blockade
January 1st, 4:52pm
(Prensa Latina)
The National Coordinator of Solidarity with Cuba in Panama
today rejected the blockade imposed by the United States
on the island for more than six decades.
In a message from that group in greeting to the 67th anniversary
of the triumph of the Revolution, it is highlighted that year after
year unilateral tax measures have deprived the Cuban people
of acquiring the necessary resources to substantially
improve their quality of life.
In this regard, he indicated that neither the special period, the fall
of the socialist camp led by the exUSSSR, nor the siege imposed
by the US empire during the Covid 19 pandemic, could defeat
the sovereign Cuban people.
Since its beginning in 1959, the text adds, the triumphant Cuban
Revolution was a victim of North American pressure - having to
respond to White House policy ---- as they never forgave Cuba
for having recovered and made the wealth, which was looted
by US companies, available for national development.
The policy of sanctions, sabotage, terrorism and blockade, from
the economic, commercial, financial to the cultural, become
the daily events of the US empire against the largest of
the Antilles, underlines the speech.
In that sense, the document adds, the solidarity of the people of Latin
America, the Caribbean and the world towards the island, has been
the cornerstone - to overcome the coercive measures resulting
from Washington's policy of dispossession by the genocidal
empire and that due to its magnitude only the people with
a spirit of sacrifice and warriors ------ can face it.
The blockade of the Cuban State for more than sixty years
only demonstrates the erratic policy of the use of force,
terrorism, and intolerance, the document states.
On the other hand, Washington's hostile policy of militarizing
the region endangers peace, particularly with threats to
invade Venezuela and Colombia, the text warns.
____________________________________________
President of the DPRK
congratulates Cuba's
counterpart
January 1st, 4:50pm
(Prensa Latina)
The President of State Affairs of the Democratic People's Republic
of Korea (DPRK), Kim Jong Un, today congratulated his Cuban
counterpart, Miguel Díaz-Canel Bermúdez, on the occasion
of the 67th anniversary ---------- of the triumph of the
Cuban revolution.
In a letter, Kim extended congratulations to
the Cuban Party, government and people.
On the occasion of the 67th anniversary of the Triumph of the
Cuban Revolution, I wish success ------ in the struggle of the
Cuban people ....to defend the sovereignty of the country
and the achievements of the revolution, the note states.
______________________________________
They greet the 67th anniversary of
the Cuban Revolution in Honduras
January 1st, 1:37pm
(Prensa Latina)
The Honduras Cuba Friendship Association today welcomed
the 67th anniversary of the triumph of the Cuban Revolution
and advocated for the end of the prolonged economic
blockade, financial and commercial imposed by the
United States on the Antillean nation.
In a statement published on social networks, the organization,
which promotes solidarity and friendship between the people
of both countries, expressed its “eternal admiration, the
deep commitment and genuine militancy for Cuba
and its Cubanness in revolution”.
The Honduran solidarity movement expressed its conviction that
for many more years, the Cuban people will continue along the
path of victory, clothed in dignity, stoicism and patriotism,
“facing the wildest sanctions and outrages ------ of a
decadent and obsolete empire”.
An empire that has tried unsuccessfully to stop the victory
of the Caribbean island and the people of Latin America,
the text emphasized.
Furthermore, the Association insisted on the need to end
Washington's genocidal economic siege against Havana,
and it demanded that the US government exclude the
largest of the Antilles ----- from its unilateral list of
countries supposedly promoting terrorism.
“Only together will we resist against ignominy, interference
and Yankee imperialist interventionism”, the organization
said, in its statement.
Members of the Cuban state mission in Honduras, also
celebrated the 67th anniversary of the triumph of the
Revolution led by Fidel Castro (1926-2016).
During the evening, led by the island's ambassador Juan
Loforte, members of the diplomatic legation and the
Cuban Medical Brigade in this Central American
country ------ highlighted the validity of the
revolutionary process and condemned
the siege imposed by the US, more
than six decades ago.
___________________________
The Cuban Revolution....
laid the foundations - for
cooperation with Russia
January 1st, 1:37pm
(Prensa Latina)
The triumph of the Cuban Revolution laid the foundations for
cooperation between Moscow and Havana, the president
of the Federation Council (Upper House of the Russian
Parliament), Valentina Matvienko, said today.
The head of the Russian senate, in her congratulations on the
occasion of Cuban Liberation Day, highlighted that the victory
of the Cuban Revolution created a solid foundation for
solidarity and fraternal cooperation between both
countries and their towns.
Matvienko added in her letter to the president of the National
Assembly of the People's Power of the Caribbean nation,
Esteban Lazo, that today Cuba and Russia are united
in their resistance against external pressure that
is unprecedented ----- in terms of its duration
and violence.
The parliamentary leader also expressed the willingness
of Russian senators to continue cooperating with their
Cuban counterparts.
______________________________________
Cuba remains at the top of
the world ----- in Baseball5
January 1st, 10:04am
(Prensa Latina)
The World Baseball and Softball Confederation (WBSC) announced
today that Cuba retains the World Baseball Ranking throne5,
ratifying its global hegemony in a scenario where the
game continues to expand borders.
The news confirms - what the pulse of the diamond had already been
announcing: Cuba continues to govern the Baseball universe5 with
authority, talent and a perseverance that spans generations.
This WBSC update confirms the Island at the top, now with 5,827 points,
after a season where the growth of the sport reached historic figures,
with 68 national programs registered.
The Cuban leadership was sustained - above all - in the impeccable
performance of the youth team during the World Cup held in Tepic,
Mexico, where they successfully defended their title -- and added
the 1,000 decisive points that protected their privileged position.
It was a demonstration of character, rhythm and competitive heritage,
further sustained by the results accumulated over the last four years.
Behind Cuba.. appears Japan, firm in second place with 4,527 points,
followed by France, European champion, with 4,375. Chinese Taipei,
driven by its silver medal in the Youth World Cup, rose to fourth
place with 4,149 points, while Tunisia completes the honour
quintet with 3,606 points, the reflection of a silent..... but
effective perseverance.
The ranking also showed the global growth of Baseball5. Türkiye burst
into the top 10 after its outstanding youth performance; Puerto Rico
starred in the biggest rise of the year; Saudi Arabia, Thailand,
Greece and Romania consolidated significant advances
that confirm the expansion of the sport beyond its
traditional strongholds.
At the top, however - the Cuban flag continues to fly. In every sharp blow
against the ball, in every point won, Baseball5, continues to speak with
a Caribbean accent and accentuate a truth that is written again today:
Cuba ---------- continues to be the measure of the world.
_______________________________________________________
Mexico - congratulates Cuba on the
67th anniversary of the Revolution
January 1st, 9:43am
(Prensa Latina)
The Mexican Foreign Ministry today extended warm
congratulations to the people and Government of
Cuba on the 67th anniversary of the triumph of
the Revolution on the island.
“The @SRE_mx - extends warm congratulations to the people
and Government of Cuba, for the celebration of the Triumph
of the Revolution”, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs stated in
a message through its account on the social network X.
On January 1, 1959, the Revolution in the largest of the Antilles
led by its historical leader, Fidel Castro, achieved the over-
throw of the tyranny of Fulgencio Batista, who had
established himself in power ---- after a coup
d'état in 1952.
From that date, Cuba began a process of profound
political-social transformations that allowed the
island to eliminate illiteracy -- and grow in
indicators... linked to the health and
well-being of the population.
However, measures such as agrarian reform, and company
nationalizations, as well as the socialist option chosen by
Cuba ''were not well received'' by the United States, that
since the 60s began to apply an economic, commercial
and financial blockade -------- that is still in force.
This and other actions by Washington over time against the
largest of the Antilles have caused serious economic
difficulties for the country and hardship for its
population, despite the rejection of the
international community.
Through a message in X, the president of the island, Miguel
Díaz-Canel, urged Cubans the day before to continue
working and united ...during 2026.
“Let's celebrate the lives saved and the impossible defeated
in 2025. Let's welcome 2026, aware that by working and
united, we will grow”, he wrote.
_________________________________________
Angola's President congratulates Cuba
--------- on the triumph of the Revolution
January 1st, 6:18am
(Prensa Latina)
The president of Angola, Joao Lourenco, today sent a
congratulatory message to his Cuban counterpart,
Miguel Díaz-Canel, on the occasion of the 67th
anniversary of the triumph of the Cuban
Revolution, this January 1.
The note - conveyed congratulations to the people of the
Caribbean nation and the Government, and highlighted
the resilience of Cubans, who have demonstrated “a
great sense of dignity in the face of the vicissitudes
of their daily lives --- to defend the sovereignty of
Cuba and their right to the freedom to choose
their destiny”.
The head of state signified Angolan interest in deepening
the ties of cooperation and friendship that exist between
the two peoples, “aware that we will achieve results
that will project the progress of Angola and Cuba”,
said the president. The letter concluded with the
expression of wishes for personal well-being,
good health and prosperity ------ for the
Cuban people.
______________________________________
Increase in the minimum wage
comes into force in Colombia
January 1st, 1:43am
(Prensa Latina)
The increase in the minimum wage, whose percentage
experienced a growth of 23.7 percent compared to
the previous year, it will come into force
starting today in Colombia.
The measure, which would directly benefit nearly
two million 400 thousand workers, was issued
via decree... by the country's president,
Gustavo Petro, due to the inability
of labour confederations and
business unions to agree
on the issue.
The president explained that the remuneration will be
two million pesos during 2026 (approximately $540
at the current exchange rate).
As specified, the minimum living wage, that is, one that
covers not individual but family needs, will remain at
one million 746 thousand 882 pesos (about 471
dollars) to which... is added the aid that is
also granted for transportation.
He also pointed out that real remuneration, no longer
nominal, will then experience an increase of 18.7%.
The increase satisfied the labour confederations.
The president of the Unitary Central of Workers, Fabio
Arias, commented that, thanks to the measure he
described as a vindication, the working class
is celebrating.
“It is very good, that this government has attended to this
claim -- and this cry of the working class, of the popular
sectors, this government does attend to the workers”,
he exclaimed in videos posted on social networks.
He also believed that employers should take into account
that, if workers have better incomes there is a better life
for them, which will translate - into better productivity.
He also estimated that, in economic terms, “there will be
a boost to the economy due to the increase in domestic
household consumption”.
The measure was also celebrated --- by the president
of the General Confederation of Labour, Percy Oyola.
“It is good news --- that is supported by the fact of having
achieved the lowest unemployment rate (currently 7%)
and also by inflation that is in the surrounding area
of 5.3%”, he stated.
____________________________________________________
Bloomberg: Trump Family's Wealth
Grows by About 70% in 1.5 Years
December 31st, 6:51pm
(RT.ru)
The net worth of Donald Trump's family has increased by
approximately 70% over the past 1.5 years, reaching
$6.8 billion.
This information is provided by the agency Bloomberg
with reference to its billionaire index. It is noted that
the wealth of the Trump family has increased....
after a recent decline.
In addition, the agency reported that the wealth of the world's
500 richest people, grew by the record amount of $2.2 trillion.
_________________________________________________________
Former Argentine president will spend
New Year's Eve ------------- hospitalized
December 31st, 3:47pm
(Prensa Latina)
Former Argentine president, Cristina Fernández de Kirchner,
will spend the end of the year hospitalized at the Otamendi
Sanatorium --- where she also spent Christmas Eve and
Christmas --- because of one appendicular surgery
with peritonitis.
11 days after the intervention, the most recent medical report
released by the institution confirmed that the clinical
evolution is slower than expected, a fact that once
again generated concern both in this political
environment .....and in sectors of the
Peronist militancy.
As a result of the emergency operation on the night of Saturday
the 20th, the 72-year-old former dignitary under house arrest
is under antibiotic treatment and presented with intestinal
ileus (paralysis of the intestines) for which, she must
continue to be admitted.
A video that went viral in the last few hours on social networks
questioned the actions of Justice in relation to Cristina
Fernández's health and suggests..... that an alleged
judicial delay aggravated her medical condition
before her medical team was ''authorized''
to transfer her to the hospital.
According to reports, Cristina began to feel severe abdominal pain
on Friday the 19th when her family doctors presumed it could be
appendicitis, but the court that tried and convicted her did not
authorize her to be taken to a healthcare centre until the
next day, the 20th.
Thus, the former president had appendicitis that, when not treated in
time, led to peritonitis that forced emergency surgery. The viral video
speaks of a «judicialization of the body» and suggests that judicial
decisions would have conditioned timely medical care, in addition
to denouncing a media silence .......regarding the seriousness of
the episode.
Since entering the Otamendi Sanatorium, Cristina remains in a single
room. The latest medical report indicates that the condition of acute
appendicitis with localized peritonitis continues to evolve. The
patient has a slow recovery from post-operative ileus.
It is maintained with peritoneal drainage and intravenous
antibiotic treatment, the information states.
_____________________________________________
Bancada Semilla..........
- regretted suspension
of Guatemala's Budget
December 31st, 2:43pm
(Prensa Latina)
The official bench of the Semilla Movement party today regretted
the decision of the Constitutional Court (CC) to provisionally
suspend the General Budget of State Income and
Expenditures for 2026.
Through a statement, the 23 deputies of that bloc stressed that
Decree 27-2025 was approved in accordance with what is
established by the Magna Carta and the Organic Law of
the Legislative Body, therefore, they rejected any
indication of irregularities.
They assured that they will promote the necessary decisions so
that the Chapina population does not see their right to health,
education and social development --- violated.
“The same actors who have harmed the country, today seek to harm
the management of the Government of Guatemala by preventing the
resources from existing to continue complying with the work plan”,
they stressed.
The Ministry of Public Finance highlighted, for its part, that the measure
adopted by the CC responds to allegations of procedural defects during
the approval of the 2026 Budget in the Plenary Session of Congress.
He explained that....... although it is temporarily suspended, starting
tomorrow the previous fiscal year will govern again, the amount
of which amounts to 154,936.6 million quetzales (about
20 billion dollars).
Consequently, he noted, the suspension is uncomfortable,
but it does not stop the management of the Executive.
The head of that portfolio, Jonathan Menkos, announced
through a publication on social networks that in the
first weeks of next year they will present a bill...
to expand the Budget.
The current administration headed by Bernardo Arévalo
announced the day before a readjustment and the
sending of a proposal to Congress ..after the
ruling of the CC.
The business sector, also based on a statement, reiterated
its concern regarding the magnitude and orientation of the
2026 Budget, as well as the need for transparency, fiscal
responsibility & adequate oversight of public spending.
Other organizations such as the Chamber of Agriculture
previously pointed out Parliament's lack of clarity and
considered that they were replicating “opaque
practices of the past”, especially in a
pre-election year.
In the early hours of November 26, a large majority of deputies
endorsed the Law for 2026, under the figure of national
urgency, with a total amount of 163,469 million
quetzales, more than 21 billion dollars, a
notable increase compared to the
above, and another record for
the country.
_______________________________
Uruguay benefits from quotas
and tariffs decided by China
December 31st, 2:41pm
(Prensa Latina)
Uruguay today celebrated China's announcement on tariffs
on beef imports but that grant an advantageous quota to
the small South American country.
China announced that Uruguay will have an increase in the
quota to export under the current regime, although it will
have tariffs of 55 percent for larger exports.
«They authorize us 324 thousand tons, under the conditions
that we were exporting when we never fully exported this
figure», said the Minister of Livestock, Agriculture and
Fisheries, Alfredo Fratti.
«In 2025 we did not reach 200 thousand tons», he explained
in television statements and noted that in 2022 there was
a peak that somewhat exceeded 300 thousand tons.
«Not only is it good news ---- because we have had special
consideration. They are going to cut almost 25 percent
of what Brazil was exporting. It seems to me that
there is quite a consideration for Uruguay»,
said the minister.
From the opposition, the senator for the National Party,
Sebastián Silva, said that the year ends with the good
news ----- of the Chinese government's safeguards,
that he considered encouraging for the country.
The Uruguayan government is preparing the business
delegation that will accompany President Yamandú
Orsi, and other officials of his government, on the
official visit he will make next February to the
Asian giant ---- first trading partner of this
South American country.
____________________________
Díaz-Canel urged Cubans
to maintain unity in 2026
December 31st, 1:53pm
(Prensa Latina)
President Miguel Díaz-Canel today urged Cubans to continue
working and united during the next 2026 in which the
Caribbean country celebrates its 67th anniversary
of the triumph of the Revolution.
Through his account on the social network X, the president
urged citizens to ---- «Celebrate the lives saved and the
impossible defeated, in 2025. Let's welcome 2026
- aware that by working and united, we grow»,
he wrote.
He also valued that «the Revolution is one, with its conquests
and dissatisfactions, with its joys and its anguish. The most
important thing will continue to be #Cuba, and the unity
that defines us and saves us».
«May every law, every plan and every budget become palpable
actions in people's lives. May science and innovation be
translated into concrete solutions. May the economy
regain its vitality without giving up social justice»,
he added.
___________________________________________________
Silver and gold on the way
to impressive profits
December 31st, 8:21am
(Prensa Latina)
Markets reported today that silver and gold are headed
for impressive gains ------- this end of the year.
They indicate that precious metals fell on this day, but - at
the same time they are on the way to the aforementioned
gains, led by the historic jump of 140 percent in silver
and the largest annual rise in gold in over 40 years.
Spot gold fell 0.4 percent this Wednesday to $4,329.12 an ounce,
reaching a low of more than two weeks, after having reached a
historical peak of four thousand 549.71 dollars on Friday.
U.S. gold futures for delivery in February were
down one percent at $4,340.9 an ounce.
However, traders say that perhaps towards the end of the first
quarter of 2026 we could see gold test five thousand dollars.
It certainly appears that the type of catalysts that animate gold,
especially over the course of the past year, have become
self-sustaining, said Tastylive's Ilya Spivak.
For its part, spot silver declined 5.6 percent to $72.2 an ounce,
after reaching an all-time high of $83.62 on Monday. Silver has
gained more than 140 percent so far this year, far surpassing
gold, and on track ----- for its best year ever.
_________________________________________________
Dollar - heading towards
its biggest annual drop
December 31st, 7:55am
(Prensa Latina)
The dollar rose slightly today but is heading for its biggest
annual drop since 2017, financial operators indicated.
They reiterated this Wednesday, that the US currency rose
slightly, but was heading for its biggest annual drop since
2017, as interest rate cuts, fiscal concerns and erratic
US trade policy boosted currency markets in 2025.
The dollar index, which measures the performance of the US
currency against six other major currencies, stood at 98.35,
adding to Tuesday's gains.
The index fell 9.4 percent in 2025, while the euro rose 13.4 %
and the pound 7.5. Other European currencies also
rebounded this year, when the Swiss franc
rose 14 percent and the Swedish krona
20 percent.
_________________________________________
President of China - sends message
of unity and development for 2026
December 31st, 7:13am
(Prensa Latina)
The president of China, Xi Jinping, stated today that the country
closed the XIV Five-Year Plan with economic, technological and
social advances, and he transmitted a message of unity and
development on the eve of 2026.
During his New Year's speech, he noted that in 2025, China
overcame difficulties and met its main development goals.
He indicated that the gross domestic product reached around
140 trillion yuan (about 19.4 trillion dollars) this year, with a
sustained strengthening of the economy, science, the
defense and comprehensive capacity of the country.
The president stressed that innovation drove high-quality development,
with advances in artificial intelligence, domestically produced chips,
space exploration, energy infrastructure and military equipment.
He highlighted that environmental protection and the improvement of
social well-being, advanced constantly, with greater job guarantees,
support for families with children and improvements in services
for older adults.
Xi recalled the commemoration of the 80th anniversary of the victory in
the Chinese People's War of Resistance against Japanese Aggression
and the Anti-Fascist World War, as a relevant event of the year.
In foreign policy, he stated that China maintained an open stance, he
mentioned the Global Governance Initiative proposed by him during
the Shanghai Cooperation Organization Summit in Tianjin and
underlined national commitments to climate change.
The head of state reiterated support for the principle of “one country,
two systems” in Hong Kong and Macau, and assured that national
reunification...... is an inevitable historical trend.
Xi added that in 2026, the first year of the 15th Five-Year Plan, China
will push for high-quality reform, opening-up and development,
with the aim of moving towards common prosperity.
«The road ahead is long and we advance with a firm step. Let's show
the courage to gallop and whip, stimulate the vitality of thousands
of horses, maintain constant motivation, work together for
dreams, work hard for happiness ------ and turn the great
vision into a beautiful reality», he said in his message.
In this way, Xi reviewed the hot topics that occupy the
news agenda in the Asian giant such as economic
planning, socialist modernization objectives,
national rejuvenation, reunification (in
reference to the situation in Taiwan)
and the development of science,
technology and innovation.....
as pillars of growth.
______________________________
MSME Sector: India saw
further enhancement
in 2025
December 31st, 12:02am
(Prensa Latina)
India paid special attention in 2025 to the micro sector, small and
medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) considering it crucial in the
economic and social development program active today in
the South Asian nation.
For the Indian authorities, that area plays an important role in
generating meaningful employment with low capital costs,
support for large industries as auxiliary units and in
promoting industrialization in rural and
disadvantaged areas.
With this approach, the Ministry of MSMEs, in collaboration with
its various organizations and institutes, pioneered initiatives to
promote the growth and development of the aforementioned
economic organizations, which covered rural industries,
coconut fibre producers and khadi, a traditional
hand-spun and woven natural fibre fabric.
In this sense, various programs continue to be implemented that
provide credit support, technological assistance, infrastructure
development, training, etc, as well as measures to improve the
competitiveness and market access of micro, small and
medium-sized companies, according to an article
from the government entity itself.
In 2025, campaigns began, memoranda of understanding
were signed with other countries to strengthen bilateral
cooperation, & multiple new programs were introduced.
Among the main results, the Indian Ministry highlighted the
salary increase for artisans dedicated to khadi and the
signing of a memorandum of understanding with the
National Small Industries Corporation Limited
to create an ecosystem that facilitates
greater market access through
a comprehensive approach
to government.
This year, a representation of Khadi institutions from the North-
east Region participated in the event «Celebrating North East
India Festival», held in Seoul, South Korea, from November 6
to 8, 2025, with the purpose of promoting the brand
«Khadi India» ---- globally.
On the other hand, the coconut sector registered
significant progress during 2025 in its exports.
The Coco Board carried out promotional programs throughout the
country, while facilitating the participation of entrepreneurs
in international exhibitions, to improve access to the
global market.
During the year, 166 new coconut exporters were registered, new
technologies such as a machine for producing fine blended
coconut yarn were also developed --- and research
collaborations were established --- on the life
cycle of key products ---------- compared to
synthetic and conventional alternatives
----- for the environmental benefits.
____________________________________
They dedicate ---- a photographic exhibition
to Fidel Castro for the anniversary of ICAP
December 27th, 6:32pm
(Prensa Latina)
A photographic exhibition alluding to international solidarity with
Cuba and its architect, the historical leader of the Revolution,
Fidel Castro, was inaugurated here today for the 65th
anniversary of the Cuban Institute of Friendship
with the Peoples (ICAP).
At the opening of the exhibition, installed at the Fidel Castro
Centre in the capital, 250 activists and representatives
of organizations.. and movements of solidarity with
the Caribbean nation from 32 countries attended
this ICAP commemoration.
The first vice president of the organization, Noemí Rabasa,
highlighted the imprint of the statesman who created a
global network of solidarity with the Antillean island
and turned friendship between peoples ---- into a
fundamental pillar of the Cuban Revolution.
“The images — Rabasa explained — reveal the essence of
diplomacy ‘people to people’, led by the Commander in
Chief, who spoke with world leaders, intellectuals
and, above all, with simple people inspired by
the example of resistance of the Cuban
revolutionary process”.
He added that the photographs capture “the essence of an
unbreakable will to resist: Fidel Castro's firm gaze in the
face of adversity, the gesture of combat in the face of
injustice, the serene fortress........... that defies all
obstacles and represents the will of its people
------- in the face of the aggressions of its
historical enemy”.
During the day, a commemorative stamp was issued for the 65th
anniversary of ICAP, which will be celebrated on December 30.
The institution has raised its voice along with hundreds of
countries, to demand the end of the blockade imposed
by the United States against Cuba and in support of
the just causes of other nations.
In this context, the book by journalist Ileana García entitled
The solidarity of the people always with Cuba was also
presented, which, according to the president of ICAP,
Fernando González, “it constitutes a testimony of
the fraternal embrace between peoples who
share dreams, pains and hopes”.
“In its pages beats the hearts of thousands of men and women
who, in more than 150 countries, have taken up the Cuban
cause, have resisted alongside us and --- in the most
difficult moments, they were our encouragement
and strength”, González stated, during the
presentation of the text.
This Tuesday's day, which began with a panel on the
internationalist thought and action of the historical
leader of the Revolution, Fidel Castro, concluded
with a cantata for the anniversary, performed
by Cuban troubadours ....with outstanding
participation in ICAP activities.
___________________________________________
Diverse characters among
candidates....... in the
Peruvian elections
December 27th, 5:10pm
(Prensa Latina)
From former soccer players to an imprisoned police officer
and a clandestine politician for more than a year, as well
as dozens of parliamentarians investigated, seek to be
elected to various positions in the April 2026
general elections.
Among the 35 candidates for the Presidency is former soccer
goalkeeper George Forsyth --- from the Somos Perú party, of
the current transitional president, José Jerí, who assures
that he will stay out of the race.
Forsyth participated in the 2021 elections, for the short-lived
Victoria Nacional party, and led the polls but declined in the
final stretch of the campaign and finished in eighth place.
Another candidate for head of state is the leader of the leftist
Peru Libre Party (PPL), Vladimir Cerrón, in hiding for more
than a year, a situation for which ---- he claims to be a
victim of the politicization of justice that accuses
him of corruption crimes, part of which, after
several years, have been dismissed.
Among the 34 candidates for the Presidency is also the television
comedian and extreme right-wing Carlos Álvarez, nominated by
the little-known País para Todos party.
Two other retired footballers who became part of the national team
of that sport, Paolo Maldonado and Julio Rivera, are running for
Parliament, the first by the far-right Fuerza Popular (FP) party
- the second by the centre-right Alliance for Progress (APP).
The relatives of political leaders deserve a separate chapter, such
as the mother of the presidential candidate Vladimir Cerrón,
candidate for the second vice presidency for the PPL,
for which he was elected president.
Isaac Humala, father of former nationalist president Ollanta and
former military man Antauro, a radical nationalist, is running
for a seat in the list of the Together for Peru (JP) party.
Five relatives of imprisoned former president Pedro Castillo are
also JP candidates for Parliament; his brothers Irma and José
Castillo, as well as his adopted daughter Yenifer Paredes,
sister of his wife Lidia, in asylum in Mexico, and her
nephew, Cledin Vásquez.
The most serious case is that of former Police Commander Raúl
Prado - preventively imprisoned for the accusation of leading a
death squad made up of police officers who murdered alleged
criminals in the northern city of Trujillo, and he reported
them as having fallen in ''a confrontation''.
Prado is running for the Un Camino Diferente party - and had
Santiváñez's candidate as a lawyer, before he was minister,
cargio maintained ---- that Prado and the agents who
supported him were innocent and, as revealed
by the press, ordered that the State pay
the cost of his defense.
Businessman César Cataño, accused of being a member of
a judicial corruption network made up, according to the
Public Ministry, of judges, and prosecutors, also
aspires to Parliament for the Progresemos
party, of businessmen and
other characters.
On the lists of candidates for Parliament there are also 88 of
the 130 current legislators, decades of them investigated
for various reasons, which is strange, because the polls
verify a forceful and majority rejection of the current
congressmen by the population..
______________________________________________
Russian army took six cities
in Donbas in the last day
December 27th, 2:38pm
(Prensa Latina)
The Russian Armed Forces today took control of six cities in the
Donetsk and Zaporozhye regions, according to the Chief of the
General Staff, Valeri Gerasimov.
The also first deputy minister of defense and army general informed
Russian President Vladimir Putin, who visited the joint command
centre of the troops this Saturday, that among the cities
occupied by the advance of the group of troops
was the strategic city of Guliái Pole in the
province of Zaporozhye.
Gerasimov also reported that the assault units of the Russian Dniepr
group of forces in their offensive operations in the direction of
Zaporozhye, took the city of Stepnogorsk and completed the
destruction of enemy formations in Primorskoye
and Lukyanovskoye.
Likewise, to the head of state, the Commander of the Centre troop
group, Valeri Solodchuk, said: ''I inform you that Russian units
extended their control in the area of the special military
operation to the towns of Volnoe and Rodinskoe,''
also in Donetsk.
Solodchuk further reported that north of the Krasnoarmeisk
(Pokrovsk)-Dimitrov agglomeration, the forces of the 9th
Motorized Rifle Brigade took the city of Rodinskoe
and the settlement of Volnoe.
The senior military official also said that Russian units stormed the
city of Dimitrov in the Donetsk People's Republic, and added that
the fifth motorized rifle brigade of the 51st army, in cooperation
with the 1435th motorized rifle regiment of the second army,
completed the destruction of Ukrainian units --- in the city
of Dimitrov.
Solodchuk informed the head of state that, for its part, the Centre group
occupied Artiomovka in the Donetsk People's Republic, adding that it
is an important village, key to the future offensive towards the north,
in order to surround the enemy's strategic defensive line, which
extends along Konstantinovka, Druzhkovka, Kramatorsk
and Slaviansk.
When listening to the reports of the uniformed officers, Putin
congratulated the troops and stressed that Russia will
achieve all its objectives during the special military
operation by military means if the Kiev authorities
do not wish to end the conflict peacefully.
Regarding the taking of Dimitrov, the Russian president said
that it is an important step towards the total occupation
of the Donetsk People's Republic.
_____________________________________
‘Trump witnessed killing, disposal of
Epstein victim’s infant,’ released
files show
December 26th 11:08pm
(PressTV)
The recently-released tranche of additional documents tied
to Jeffrey Epstein include remarks by a woman identifying
as one of the victims of the late disgraced financier and
convicted sex trafficker, in which she refers to Donald
Trump as a witness to the killing and disposal of the
body of her infant.
The US Department of Justice released the documents
numbering tens of thousands, which include FBI tips
and complaints implicating Trump, on Wednesday.
Reports emerging on Friday across various outlets, including
the UK edition of an US online newspaper The International
Business Times, pointed to inclusion in the documents
of an FBI intake form dated March 3, 2020 recording
a complaint from the unnamed woman.
The complainant said she had been trafficked at age 13
in the early 1980s and described an incident in 1984
involving the killing of her newborn child aboard
a yacht in Mona Lake, Michigan.
According to the document, the woman said her uncle
had carried out the killing and disposed of the body
in the water.
The filing lists Trump as a witness to the incident.
The latest tranche of documents was made public under
the Epstein Files Transparency Act -- a bipartisan law
that requires the release of all unclassified federal
records related to Epstein.
The DOJ has acknowledged missing a congressionally
mandated December 19th deadline, and said the
disclosures will continue in stages ---- citing
alleged legal review requirements and
victim protections.
Other documents in the latest release
reference Trump’s past social
interactions with Epstein.
A January 2020 email from an unidentified prosecutor
stated ---- that flight records showed Trump flew on
Epstein’s private jet multiple times in the 1990s,
including on flights where Epstein associate
Ghislaine Maxwell was also present.
Maxwell is now serving a 20-year federal prison
sentence - for sex trafficking-related offenses.
Epstein was arrested in 2019 on federal sex-trafficking
charges and was later found dead in his Manhattan
jail cell; his death was ruled a “suicide.”
The newly-released files also include photographs,
emails, court filings, and tips ....referencing
numerous high-profile figures, many of
whom have denied any involvement
in Epstein’s crimes.
The staggered release has drawn criticism from lawmakers
and victims’ advocates, who argue the DOJ has been slow
and inconsistent in complying with the transparency law.
A bipartisan group of lawmakers, has threatened further
action if deadlines continue to be missed, while Senate
Minority Leader Chuck Schumer, has denounced the
department for mishandling the disclosures.
_____________________________________________
Moscow says West uses sanctions
...to cling to its fading dominance
December 26th, 5pm
(PressTV)
Russia has said that the collective West uses its sanctions
against other countries .....to cling to its fading dominance.
Speaking at a press briefing in Moscow, Russian Foreign Ministry
spokeswoman Maria Zakharova said on Friday the collective
West is attempting to maintain its "slipping dominance"
through unilateral coercive measures; however,
in a multipolar world, this just won’t fly.
She stressed that collectively imposing punitive measures
against other countries --- is solely within the authority of
the United Nations Security Council.
She said the practice of applying unilateral sanctions encroaches
upon its exclusive prerogatives. "Everyone knows that the
collective West frequently resorts to this, primarily
motivated by geopolitical interests."
Zakharova described unilateral coercive measures by the West
---------- as an obstacle to international peace and justice.
"Unilateral coercive measures represent a serious obstacle to
establishing a just and equitable multipolar world order,"
she said.
"They constitute one of the primary instruments of the collective
West's neocolonial policy. Their objective is clear: to cling to
slipping dominance, to deprive the global majority of the
right to independent political choice, and to hinder
their economic, technological, and industrial
development," she added.
Zakharova slammed the propaganda spread by the countries
trying to frame such coercive measures as a "peaceful
means of resolving disputes," asserting that such
claims do not withstand scrutiny.
"It is widely acknowledged that unilateral coercive measures,
by obstructing the full socio-economic development of
countries in the Global South and East, undermine
the resolution of crisis situations,"
Zakharova said.
"Their indiscriminate application violates fundamental human rights
and freedoms, disproportionately impacting the most vulnerable
populations, as has been repeatedly condemned in resolutions
of the UN General Assembly and the Human Rights Council,"
Zakharova added.
Zakharova emphasized that the Group of Friends in Defense of the
UN Charter, which includes Russia, is at the forefront of the
struggle against such unilateral sanctions.
"We are convinced that within the genuinely fair multipolar
architecture of international relations --- to which we all
aspire, there is no place for coercion or neocolonial
hegemony," she said.
"Together with our partners - responsible members of the global
majority - we will continue to combat all these vestiges of the
shameful colonial era," she added.
US Department of Treasury officials have admitted that the US-led
Western sanctions against Moscow over the Ukraine war have
"failed" till now, and are “unlikely" to knock Russia out in
the future.
___________________________________________
China sanctions 20 US firms, executives
over massive arms sales to Taiwan
December 26th, 4:11pm
(PressTV)
Beijing has imposed sanctions on 20 US defense-related
companies and 10 executives, following Washington's
announcement of large-scale arms sales to Taiwan.
In a statement released on Friday, the Chinese foreign ministry
stated that these sanctions are in response to the companies'
involvement in supplying arms to the island, pledging to take
“resolute and forceful measures ------ to steadfastly defend
national sovereignty, security, and territorial integrity.”
The sanctioned companies include Northrop Grumman Systems
Corporation, L3Harris Maritime Services, and Boeing, while
Anduril Industries founder, Palmer Luckey, is among the
sanctioned executives.
As a result of the sanctions, these companies are prohibited from
conducting business in China, and the executives are barred
from entering the country. Additionally, their assets in
China --- have been frozen.
The US arms sale package, valued at approximately $11 billion,
has sparked a strong backlash from China, which asserts that
these sales contravene diplomatic agreements between the
two countries.
The Chinese foreign ministry emphasized, “The Taiwan question, is
at the very core of China’s interests and a critical red line in China
-US relations,” warning that any individual or company engaging
in arms sales to Taiwan ----- will face consequences.
Analysts note that Taiwan represents a significant flashpoint in
US-China relations, potentially escalating into military conflict.
Beijing maintains sovereignty over Taiwan, and under the “One China”
policy, most countries recognize this sovereignty, refraining from
establishing diplomatic ties with Taiwan’s government.
While the US.. claims to uphold this principle, it has supported
Taiwan’s anti-China stance and provided military assistance,
which contradicts its stated policy.
During a November phone call, Chinese President Xi Jinping
reiterated to his US counterpart, Donald Trump, that
Taiwan's “return to China” - is integral to the
postwar international order.
Beijing has frequently emphasized that the issue of Taiwan
is a red line for both the Chinese government and people.
Relations between Beijing and Washington ---- are already
strained over trade, technology, and human rights issues.
These developments come as Taiwan has recently
strengthened military ties with Israel, a close
US ally.
Taiwan’s growing ties with the Israeli regime –– backed by
the US and highlighted by President Lai’s outreach to the
AIPAC lobby –– reflect a deepening strategic alignment,
aimed at countering China.
Taiwan's deputy foreign minister made an unpublicized visit
to Israeli-occupied territories, seeking increased military
cooperation, which has reportedly received approval
------- from Washington.
__________________________________________
Leo XIV regretted that those who
believe in peace --- are ridiculed
December 26th, 11:02am
(Prensa Latina)
Pope Leo XIV lamented today that those who believe world peace
is possible are often ridiculed and even accused of favouring
enemies, says a statement.
During the Angelus prayer, pronounced today from the window of his
study in the Vatican Apostolic Palace, the Holy Father expressed,
before thousands of people gathered in St. Peter's Square, his
conviction that in the world there are “those who put peace
before their own fears ------- those who serve the poor
before themselves”.
Then hope arises, and it makes sense to celebrate despite
everything, said the Supreme Pontiff, who stressed that
“in today's world of uncertainty and suffering, joy
would seem impossible”.
“Those who believe in peace today --- are often ridiculed,
marginalized from public discourse and often accused
of favouring adversaries and enemies”, the Bishop of
Rome stated during the Angelus that he prayed this
Friday on the occasion of the feast of St Stephen,
deacon and first martyr of the Catholic Church.
At the Christmas Mass held last Wednesday at 10:00 local time
in the Basilica of Saint Peter, the pope emphasized that
“peace is born among ruins - that cry out for a new
solidarity, it is born from dreams and visions”.
“When the fragility of others pierces our hearts, when the pain
of others destroys our unbreakable certainties, then peace
already begins”, stated Leo XIV.
Later, in his Christmas Message..... delivered at 12:00 local time
on December 25...... before giving the traditional Urbi et Orbi
Blessing in the Vatican Square, he demanded a
responsible search for peace, through
dialogue and reconciliation, to put
an end to the conflicts that
afflict humanity.
“If each of us, at all levels, instead of accusing others, would
recognize, above all, their own faults and at the same time
put themselves in the place of those who suffer - and be
in solidarity with the weakest and most oppressed,
then the world would change”, the
pontiff reaffirmed.
In this sense, “each of us can and must do our part
to reject hatred, violence and confrontation, and
practice dialogue, peace and reconciliation”,
added Pope Leo XIV, in his exhortation.
_________________________________________
Copper closes near all-time high
on Shanghai Stock Exchange
December 25th, 9:45am
(Prensa Latina)
The most active copper contract on the Shanghai Futures
Exchange (SHFE) closed today with a rise of one percent,
at $13,732 per ton due to a rebound in Chinese demand
and the weakness of the dollar.
The red metal was trading at an all-time high of 96,750 yuan
per ton in Shanghai, and the same happened with the
London Stock Exchange benchmark, which reached
a peak of $12,282, very close to the $12,300 mark.
According to experts, the indicator of Chinese appetite for
units of copper transported by sea (called the Yangshan
metal premium) has increased since the beginning of
December and reached its highest level at the end
of September, at $55 a ton, after remaining
below $40 since mid-October.
Separately, investors are betting on further interest rate cuts
by the Federal Reserve next year, which would lead to
continued weakness in the dollar.
In other base metals in the SHFE, aluminum rose 0.29 percent;
lead gained 1.05; zinc fell 0.6; while nickel lost 1.22, ending a
six-day bull run; and tin subtracted by 1.18 percent.
_____________________________________________________
India ------- successfully launches
heavy communications satellite
December 24th, 7:30am
(Prensa Latina)
India today successfully launched the BlueBird Block-2
communications satellite, which marked a significant
advance in its capabilities for sending heavy loads
into space.
The satellite is part of a next-generation constellation designed
to provide cellular broadband connectivity from space directly
to standard smartphones, without the need for specialized
user equipment, stated ISRO (the Indian Space
Research Organization).
The mission, called LVM3-M6, further strengthens the country's
position in the international commercial launch market,
the minister of State (with independent position)
for Science and Technology, Earth Sciences,
as well as Personnel, Public Complaints,
Pensions, Atomic Energy and Space,
Jitendra Singh said -------- in a
congratulatory message.
On the other hand, the secretary of the Department of Space and
president of ISRO, V. Narayanan announced that the LVM3-M6
launch vehicle performed perfectly and precisely injected
the BlueBird Block-2 communications satellite into its
planned low Earth orbit.
He said this was the heaviest satellite launched from Indian soil
using a domestically manufactured launcher and the third all-
commercial mission of the LVM3.
He added that the mission reflects the exceptional reliability and
world-class performance of the launch vehicle, placing it
among the best in the global space sector.
Narayanan emphasized that it was possible with a commercial
agreement between NewSpace India Limited and the US
company, AST SpaceMobile, underscoring India's
growing role as a reliable provider of launch
services...... for advanced global
communications missions,
he said.
_____________________________
Miroshnik named the condition
for fair elections in Ukraine
December 23rd, 9:25pm
(Izvestia.ru)
Elections in Ukraine can hardly be considered fair if the votes
of millions of the country's citizens living in Russia are not
taken into account. This was stated by Rodion Miroshnik,
Ambassador-at-Large of the Russian Foreign Ministry
for the Crimes of the Kiev Regime, to Izvestia.
"If the votes of millions of people who are in Russia are not
taken into account, I don't know how real and fair these
elections can be considered," he said.
The diplomat noted that there are certain
standards for conducting elections.
"This applies to the participation of political parties and the
absence of censorship. There is a whole list, and all these
restrictions are well known," he said.
Earlier, David Arakhamia, Chairman of the Servant of the People
faction in the Verkhovna Rada, announced that for the first
time during the entire period of martial law, the State
Register of Voters was reopened by a decree of
the Central Election Commission.
During a direct line, Russian President Vladimir Putin said that,
according to various estimates, 5-10 million Ukrainian
citizens ....live in Russia.
____________________________________
‘He raped me’: New trove of Epstein files
reveals why Trump tried to bury them
December 23rd, 7:10pm
(PressTV)
Online commentators have reacted angrily to the release of a
new batch of so-called Jeffrey Epstein files, which highlight
allegations of sexual abuse involving US President
Donald Trump.
Among the newly released materials is an FBI case file dated
October 2020, which includes a rape allegation naming
Trump, though the identities of those involved are
heavily redacted.
An unnamed individual..... is quoted as saying, “He
raped me,” referring to Trump, alongside Epstein.
The file includes fragmented statements describing an encounter
at a “fancy hotel or building,” though the source of the account
remains unclear due to extensive redactions.
Observers say that the documents shed light on why the
Trump administration repeatedly sought to delay or
limit the disclosure of Epstein-related records.
The US Department of Justice (DOJ) --- published a tranche of
internal emails tied to Epstein’s controversial 2008 plea deal.
Among the newly released material are multiple references to
Trump, including a DOJ email indicating that flight records
show the US president traveled aboard Epstein’s private
jet more frequently than previously reported.
The disclosures quickly ignited outrage on social media, where
users accused authorities of burying evidence while allowing
redactions to obscure accountability.
X user Brian Krassenstein wrote that the files indicate “a victim
stated that Trump and Epstein raped her,” adding that a
limousine driver allegedly overheard Trump speaking
to Epstein about “abusing girls.”
Krassenstein also pointed to claims that the victim later died
under suspicious circumstances, writing, “Police didn’t
believe it was suicide. Share this everywhere.”
Investor and policy consultant Adam Cochran echoed the claims,
saying a previously unidentified victim, accused Trump and
Epstein of rape and later died -- in what police did not
consider a suicide.
Similar reactions flooded the social media platform, with users
questioning why no co-conspirators were ever charged
despite internal DOJ records referencing
multiple suspects.
Aaron Parnas said that one document was “by far the most
important” released overnight -- noting that it referenced
at least 10 co-conspirators investigated in connection
with Epstein and Maxwell.
“None of them were charged. We
need to know why,” he wrote.
Ghislaine Maxwell, the convicted associate of Epstein, has asked
a federal court to vacate or amend her 20-year sentence for sex
trafficking. She claims that "substantial new evidence" has
emerged from civil cases, investigative reports, and
other documents demonstrating that she did not
receive a fair trial.
Another commentator added, that FBI emails mention between
10 and 20 identified co-conspirators, arguing that “even if you
somehow think Trump is innocent, it’s clear the FBI is
protecting criminals.”
Journalists - also weighed in on the disclosures, highlighting
both their significance and the limits imposed by redactions.
Miami Herald investigative reporter Julie K. Brown said the
DOJ filings include emails related to the secret provisions
of Epstein’s plea agreement, including his controversial
work-release arrangement.
However, she added that “almost all the names of those
government officials involved are redacted,” making it
impossible to determine who made the decisions.
Brown added that the Epstein Files Transparency Act did not
call for redacting the prosecutors’ or government lawyers’
names, raising questions about why accountability
remains shielded -- nearly two decades later.
CBS News journalist Scott MacFarlane pointed to a Justice
Department email from January 2020, saying that flight
records showed --- Trump traveled on Epstein’s jet
“many more times than previously has
been reported.”
Some users examining the DOJ-hosted files, also claimed that
certain redactions could be bypassed by copying and pasting
text into another document, while others said Trump’s name
appears hundreds of times ---- when searching the files.
Journalist Aaron Rupar said the disclosures reinforce the
perception that the Justice Department “is not even
trying to hide that it functions as Trump’s
personal law firm.”
Meanwhile, journalist Michael Tracey described what he called
the chaotic internal response, saying prosecutors and FBI
officials were overwhelmed by a deluge of incoming tips,
following the release.
Epstein, a convicted sex offender with deep ties to political
and financial elites, died in federal custody in 2019 in what
the authorities ruled a suicide, a conclusion widely
questioned by the public.
The extensive redactions in the latest release have renewed
calls for full transparency about the officials who enabled
Epstein’s plea deal and shielded him from meaningful
accountability.
______________________________________________
Magistrate refuses to validate
election results in Honduras
December 20th, 12:27pm
(Prensa Latina)
Marlon Ochoa, one of the three judges of the National Electoral
Council (CNE) of Honduras, stated today that he will challenge
the results of the general elections of November 30,
considering them fraudulent.
In a press conference, Ochoa, from the ruling Libertad y
Refoundación Party (Libre), assured that he will not
validate an electoral process intervened in and
supervised by the US, because in Honduras
the will is sovereign - and belongs to the
people, according to the Constitution,
he stressed.
The official specified that there is no circumstance that forces
him to sign a “fraudulent” declaration, alluding to the moment
in which the CNE must disclose the official results of the
elections, whose deadline expires on December 30.
He insisted that his role is to represent the Honduran people
and not the interests of foreign governments or actors.
He questioned pronouncements and sanctions coming from the
United States, describing them as direct interference in the
process, and maintained that the president of Honduras
should be elected exclusively by the people.
“The fraud has been visible to everyone, although international
observer missions want to hide or disguise it” Ochoa remarked.
The CNE is made up of the three majority political forces in this
Central American country: the right-wing National and Liberal
parties, which embody the centenary two-party system, and
the leftist Libre, from the current president Xiomara Castro.
“Even if they take me to that plenary session (of the three CNE
councilors) at gunpoint, they are going to make me validate
fraud”, the magistrate stressed, who framed November 30
as the “dirtiest and least transparent” election in the
history of this Central American country.
He explained - that the levels of manipulation and inconsistencies
detected even exceed the events that occurred in the 2017 race,
questioned at the time by the Organization of American States.
He reiterated his demand for a vote-by-vote count of the 19,167
ballot boxes at the presidential level, given the obvious
discrepancies between the number of voters and
the figures recorded in the voting records.
In addition, he denounced constant failures and falls in the system
for transmitting preliminary electoral results, known by its
acronym TREP, which, in his opinion, weakened the
transparency of the process and opened space
for the manipulation of data processing.
“My position, to know who won an election with a foreign threat and
from gangs, we have to open the 19,167 vote receiving boards”,
he stressed.
“If - we do the vote by vote, I will gladly be in the
official declaration”, stated the Libre counselor.
_________________________________________
The Communist Party of the Russian Federation
answered the question of whether Stalin's
soul..... is in heaven or in hell.
by Aglaya Stepanova
December 19th, 3:20pm
(Gazeta.ru)
A direct line with Vladimir Putin, was sent a question about
where the soul of Joseph Stalin is located — in heaven or
in hell. State Duma deputy from the Communist Party
faction ---- Nina Ostanina, in a conversation with
"Gazeta.Ru" .......answered the question with
a quote from a poem by Sergey Yesenin.
"When I saw your question, I immediately remembered Sergei
Yesenin's wonderful poem, which he wrote, back in 1914.
If the holy army cries out, 'Abandon Russia, live in paradise!'
I will say, 'I don't need paradise, give me my homeland,'"
Ostanina said.
She added that Stalin's soul, is in the hearts of Russians.
"So, the soul of Stalin is not in heaven or hell today — it is in
the heart of every Russian person, who cares about our
great motherland. Who understands to whom we owe
the great Victory in May 1945? This man's name is
Stalin. And it lives ----- in the soul of each of us,"
she concluded.
_______________________________________
Chile - Commemorates
National Day against
Femicide
December 19th, 12:53pm
(Prensa Latina)
Chile today commemorates the National Day against Femicide,
established in 2020 to contribute to the eradication of this
extreme form of gender violence and honour the
memory of the victims.
The date remembers the six-year-old girl Javiera Neira Oportus,
murdered in 2005 by her father when she tried to defend her
mother, in a context of domestic violence.
The case generated great impact in the country and mobilized
social organizations, particularly feminists, to promote the
denunciation and eradication of these practices, as
well as the effective application of justice
against the guilty.
Femicide is understood as the murder of a woman at the hands
of a man due to machismo or misogyny, which is usually
preceded by actions of extreme violence, such as
beatings, mutilations, etc, burns, and cruelty
or sexual violence.
The concept is attributed to academic Diana Russell and in Latin
America, it spread within the framework of a series of deaths of
women in Ciudad Juárez, Mexico, in the 90s of the last century.
Chilean jurisprudence made notable progress in this regard and
the first of them was the promulgation of the Gabriela Law in
March 2020 -- that extends the crime to cases outside of an
emotional relationship and incorporated the classification
of rape with femicide.
Another achievement was the regulation called Antonia, from 2022,
which introduces the definition of femicidal suicide, which occurs
when overwhelmed by an extreme situation of violence and
harassment by a man, whether or not they are their
partner, they choose to take their own lives.
The first conviction for this crime occurred in August
of this year ---- in the northern region of Atacama.
According to data published here, during 2025
there were 40 completed femicides, and
283 frustrated ones.
________________________________________
Bulgaria debates canceling credit
to Ukraine due to doubts about
repayment
December 19th, 12:38pm
(Prensa Latina)
The ultranationalist party Vozhdene denounced today in the
Bulgarian Parliament the agreement of the EU to grant
Ukraine a ''loan'' of 600 million euros, calling it a gift
--- of no return.
Bulgaria will deliver some 1.2 billion levs to Ukraine, in the form
of an interest-free and, in practice, irrecoverable loan, declared
Vozhdene leader Kostadin Kostadinov, during a speech in the
National Assembly, cited by the BTA agency.
According to him, it is supposed to be returned only if Russia
pays reparations for losing the war or if the EU confiscates
frozen Russian assets, something that will never happen.
Kostadinov accused the incumbent government of acting without
a popular mandate by allowing Bulgaria's participation in this
financial mechanism, in the midst of a deep internal political
and economic crisis. ''Who authorized the acting prime
minister, Rosen Zhelyazkova, to commit funds that
the country does not have?'' he questioned.
The deputy announced that he will present a parliamentary
proposal to annul Sofia's agreement with the EU on
Ukrainian credit and announced that he will
seek its debate in the first legislative
sessions of next year.
Political analysts here agree that the initiative reflects
growing citizen discontent with the internal cost of
support for Ukraine, in a context of inflation,
recession .....and three parliamentary
elections in less than two years.
For its part, local finance experts point out that the EU
financing scheme — which conditions the repayment
of the loan on hypothetical Russian reparations —
lacks solid legal bases -- and could become a
permanent burden for the national budgets
of the Eastern European countries.
From Moscow, diplomatic voices have reiterated that
the confiscation of sovereign assets would violate
international law and aggravate global financial
instability, a position that finds an echo.. in
critical sectors of Bulgarian politics.
_____________________________________
The dark side of the Euroloan for Ukraine:
Who.. is really losing out? The EU failed
to steal Russian assets. What's next?
by Oleg Artyukov
December 19th, 11:40am
(Pravda.ru)
After more than 16 hours of negotiations, the leaders of the EU
agreed to provide Ukraine with an interest-free loan of
90 billion euros through collective borrowing under
the guarantees of the EU's common budget.
The very fact of such protracted consultations, already indicates
the depth of the contradictions within the union and the lack of
consensus on a key issue: the fate of frozen Russian assets,
which were previously considered by Brussels as a
potential source of funding for Kyiv.
As a result, the EU was not prepared for an open and
legally formalized withdrawal of these funds.
The refusal to directly expropriate Russian assets was a serious
blow to the plans of the European Commission's leadership and
to the positions of European Commission President Ursula von
der Leyen & German Chancellor Friedrich Merz, who actively
promoted the concept of a so-called reparation loan.
This mechanism involved providing Ukraine with a significantly
larger amount, around 140 billion euros, and then covering
the debt with Russia's assets.
However, legal risks, concerns about lawsuits, and divisions
among member states have made this scenario toxic
even for many hardliners on Moscow.
Instead, a compromise, but no less controversial, option was
chosen: Ukraine receives a loan that is formally subject to
repayment, but the repayment is linked to Russia's
compensation payments. If Moscow refuses,
the EU ''reserves the right'' to use the
frozen assets to cover the debt.
This structure appears to be an attempt to circumvent
international legal restrictions without directly
violating them, but it essentially establishes
a mechanism for potential confiscation
under the guise of a third party's
financial obligations.
In this case, the claims of compliance with international
law are more political than legal, as there are very few
precedents of this kind in global practice, and their
legitimacy remains a subject of fierce debate.
Critics of this approach point out: that the EU is effectively
shifting the financial burden onto its own taxpayers while
maintaining uncertainty around Russian assets.
A collective loan of 90 billion euros means an increase in
the union's overall debt burden at a time when many
economies are facing slower growth, inflationary
pressures, and the need to finance their own
social and infrastructure programs.
It is particularly noteworthy that Hungary, the Czech Republic,
and Slovakia... have legally distanced themselves from
participating in this European financing, revealing
that there is no unity - even on the issue of the
form of assistance to Ukraine.
The decision was inconvenient for Germany and the Nordic
countries, as they traditionally oppose the expansion of
pan-European debt instruments.
On the contrary, the Southern European countries that have
experience in using collective borrowing supported this
format, which only reinforced the old divisions within
the EU.
As a result, the compromise was reached not on the basis of
strategic agreement, but as a sum of mutual concessions,
each weakening the institutional integrity of the union.
The EU's reluctance to return blocked Russian assets
in the absence of reparations - is equally problematic.
This policy effectively perpetuates the practice of indefinitely
holding sovereign funds without a final court decision,
undermining the credibility of the European
financial system as a neutral and
secure jurisdiction.
For third countries, this is a wake-up call that
''political considerations'' may outweigh the
principles of protecting property and
investor rights.
___________________________________________________
India and Cuba reinforce
their cooperation... in
traditional medicine
December 19th, 2:04am
(Prensa Latina)
India and Cuba - reinforced their cooperation in the area of
Ayurveda regarding the World Summit of the World Health
Organization in traditional medicine ------ that concludes
here today.
Representatives from both countries signed a memorandum
of understanding to strengthen collaboration in Ayurveda
through a Joint Working Group ------ led by the All India
Ayurveda Institute (AIIA) - to promote collaboration
in: curriculum development, integration in public
health, training in Panchakarma and regulatory
coherence in Ayurveda, according to the
authorities of India.
This step is linked to India's effort to continue
global cooperation in traditional medicine,
which has been promoted at the meeting
of WHO member countries in Delhi,
in bilateral meetings..... with the
representatives of 16 nations.
The day before, the Summit entered a decisive phase
with high-level deliberations on science, investment
in research, innovation, security, regulation and
integration in the health system, reaffirming
the role of Traditional Medicine as a key
contributor to an equitable, resilient
and people-centred global
health ecosystem.
Under the theme Restoring balance: The science and
practice of health and well-being, the sessions were
closely aligned with the WHO Global Strategy for
Traditional Medicine 2025-2034, recently
adopted, translating a strategic vision
into implementable pathways for
countries and communities.
The role of scientific research in the advancement of
Traditional Medicine worldwide, the importance of
sustained investment, and innovation, and the
importance of sustained investment were
also highlighted..... together with
methodological harmonization,
& international collaboration.
The debates also addressed: clinical trials of complete
& multimodal systems, transdisciplinary preclinical
designs, research in the social sciences and
implementation, and indigenous decolonial
methodologies --- as well as ethical
considerations, ''disinformation'',
and the translation of evidence
into policies and practices,
among other topics.
_______________________
Photos of Bill Gates with girls - have been
published in the United States, referring
to the Epstein archives
by Alena Koroleva
December 18th, 9:32pm
(Rossiyskaya Gazeta)
To share
Members of the House Oversight Committee of the U.S. House
of Representatives from the Democrat Party, as part of the
investigation of the late financier, Jeffrey Epstein, has
published photos of Bill Gates, the co-founder of the
US company Microsoft.... in which he is depicted
together with young girls. This is reported
by RIA Novosti.
According to the agency, we are talking about two images. In one,
he is hugging a young girl with dark hair, dressed in a blue dress.
You can't see her face. Judging by the situation in the photo, it
could have been taken in a hotel room. At the same time, in
the reflection on the laptop, you can see that the girl is
hugging Gates, holding a mobile phone in her hand.
In the second photo, Gates is also posing with a young girl.
He looks relaxed and smiling. His companion's face is
hidden, but her clothing and hair length suggest that
she is not the same person in the first photo.
As a reminder, the case of Epstein, who was accused of pedophilia
and human trafficking, caused a wide public outcry due to his
connections with a number of well-known politicians and
celebrities. In 2019, the financier was found dead in
his cell while awaiting trial. According to the US
authorities, he committed suicide.
___________________________________________
Pashinyan.... asked Russia to restore
the railway to Türkiye & Azerbaijan
December 18th, 9:09pm
(RT.ru)
Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan has asked
Russia to begin the full restoration of the railway
sections that lead to Türkiye and Azerbaijan.
The Armenian Prime Minister made a statement to
journalists. His words are quoted by RIA Novosti.
"I have asked my Russian colleagues - to urgently work on
the full restoration of the railway section from Yeraskh
to Nakhichevan and from the village of Akhurik to
the Turkish border," Pashinyan said.
Earlier, Sargis Khandanyan, a member of the National
Assembly of Armenia, said that the country does
not intend to join NATO.
___________________________________________________
National Council to defend peace
------- and being Venezuelan
December 18th, 5:34pm
(Prensa Latina)
The president of the National Council for Sovereignty and Peace
of Venezuela, Jorge Rodríguez, proposed today to keep this
body active... not only to defend peace, but also because
being Venezuelan - that is what they are up against.
Speaking this Thursday in a meeting with thirty sectors of national
life, the head of the National Assembly stated that the enemies of
the Bolivarian Revolution “want to make us guilty of everything
bad that happens on this planet ---------- because that is how
supremacists act --- and fascists”.
He stressed that defending being Venezuelan involves defending
Venezuela, the economy, the production of our oil, gold, wealth,
and “defending and seeking prosperity”.
Rodríguez pointed out that just when the Venezuelan economy “is
growing like a rocket”, aggressive actions intensify, and he
pointed out that they could not, in 2019 and 2020, when
conditions were much more difficult.
In that sense, he wondered if they will be able to now, when they
proudly say that Venezuela's economy is the fastest growing on
the continent, which according to calculations should reach
nine percent, and from being a port economy ----------- it now
produces all the food they consume.
The president of parliament expressed that it is not only defending
peace and Venezuela, but “defending our national being”.
I ask this National Council for Sovereignty and Peace for all
the initiatives that we can conduct - so as not only not to
successfully overcome this situation, but so that there
remains a real balance of Venezuelan action.
He expressed that they should go out and vote for whoever they want
to do, “but together with us let's defend what is ours, because that's
what they're going for, to try to take away -- even our national soul.''
In another intervention, opposition deputy Claudio Fermín referred to the
attacks to which the country is subjected today and considered that it
is part of a strategy of external and internal actors -- to prevent their
national economic development.
Fermín expressed that these cynical and criminal actions are directed
against the Venezuelan people and called for acting unambiguously
because in this critical circumstance of the country “you are a
patriot or you act against it --- off the homeland”.
The president of the Solutions for Venezuela party called to strengthen
each of the sectors present in the Council, iron out differences and
build national unity because “puppets ---- are the most terrible
enemies of the country”.
This meeting was proposed and called yesterday by the opposition
sector in an extraordinary meeting of the National Assembly.
___________________________________________________
Relatives of minors murdered
in Ecuador await justice
December 18th, 5:26pm
(Prensa Latina)
The relatives of the four minors who disappeared and were
murdered in Guayaquil, Ecuador, in December 2024 are
today awaiting justice for the crime, whose accused
are 17 soldiers.
The Prosecutor's Office requested, for the crime of forced
disappearance, 34 years in prison for the uniformed
officers directly involved, seven years for the
accomplice and 30 months.... for the
effective collaborators.
The Court in charge of this case, known as Las Malvinas after
the name of the neighbourhood... where the children lived,
has not yet set a date and time to announce its decision,
although the judge's final decision is expected to be
known starting Monday, December 22.
On December 8th, 2024, a patrol with members of the Ecuadorian Air
Force (FAE) detained Josué and Ismael Arroyo, Nehemías Arboleda
and Steven Medina, the four boys whose remains were found
burned on December 24 in a rural area of Taura, in the
province of Guayas.
Ronny Medina, father of Steven, the 11-year-old minor, is waiting
with other families for the sentence and expressed that his
only request is that those involved -------- not be saved
from a sentence.
“I want the full weight of the law to fall on them because honestly
they are people who have no heart and still continue to deny
what they did to our children. What they did to us is not
done to be done to any human”, said Medina, quoted
by the newspaper El Universo.
Regarding the collaboration of some of the military to clarify what
happened, “not that it comforts me, but it is a good thing for us,
because what we want most is to know the truth of why they
took our children and why they did that to them”.
Among the details they provided, are stories about physical attacks,
intimidating shootings ...and abandonment in an unpopulated area,
although others still deny it.
“Effective collaborators say they saw when the second lieutenant
grabbed my son and hit Steven, an 11-year-old boy, with 20 to 30
straps“, the father said, who said.... that listening to the
testimonies during the hearings, was very difficult.
Once the judge issues a sentence on the charge of forced
disappearance, Medina announced that they will
continue with another judicial process, for
the murder of the four children.
“We are going to continue fighting for the death of our children
because that ----- is not going to stay that way”, he stated.
The arrest of the four minors occurred in the midst of the internal
armed conflict declared in January 2024 by President Daniel N
oboa, when he told the military --- to take joint operations to
combat organized crime.
The executive coordinator of the Regional Human Rights Advisory
Foundation (Inredh), Ingrid García, assured that a year after the
crime there has been no real public apology - and that there
was concealment of information.
_____________________________________________
Bolsonaro's son's mandate as
deputy is withdrawn in Brazil
December 18th, 5:19pm
(Prensa Latina)
The Board of Directors of the Chamber of Deputies of Brazil
determined today to withdraw the mandate of legislator
Eduardo Bolsonaro, son of former president Jair
Bolsonaro, after verifying that he exceeded
the absence limit allowed by the law.
The decision was adopted under the leadership of the president
of the body, Hugo Motta, and also reached deputy Alexandre
Ramagem, of the Liberal Party.
According to the leadership of the Lower House,
both parliamentarians failed to comply with the
constitutional requirement ---------- of minimum
attendance at ordinary sessions.
In the case of Eduardo Bolsonaro, the loss of the bank emerged
after he did not present a defense within the deadline granted,
despite having been publicly warned about the seriousness
of his situation.
Brazilian regulations establish that a legislator loses his mandate
when he is absent from more than a third of the year's sessions
without justified cause, such as ......medical leave or an
official mission.
Eduardo Bolsonaro accumulated 59 fouls since March, a period in
which he settled in the United States to carry out political efforts
aimed at putting pressure against the Brazilian State, actions
that led to an accusation by the Supreme Federal Court for
alleged attempted coercion of Justice.
Such actions are framed in a broader judicial context that involves
his father, sentenced to 27 years and three months in prison for
leading a plan to ignore the result of the 2022 elections and
promote a coup d'état against the current president,
Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva.
The deputy's efforts in Washington had an impact on the bilateral
relationship, after Donald Trump's administration applied a 50%
tariff on national products, arguing ''alleged'' political
persecution against his ally.
However, these measures were recently reversed by
the White House, which also lifted the sanctions
directed at members of the Supreme Court.
In parallel, the Lower House confirmed the dismissal of Ramagem,
former director of the Brazilian Intelligence Agency during the
Bolsonaro Government (2019-2022) and sentenced to 16
years in prison --- for his participation in the coup plot.
He is currently in the United States.
The Supreme Court began procedures this week to request
his extradition, after the former official left Brazil by land
for Guyana and continued his trip abroad when his trial
was about to conclude.
With these decisions, the Lower House deepens the political
consequences derived from the judicial cases linked to the
attempted institutional breakdown that shook the country
after the 2022 elections.
___________________________________________________
Colombia's economy grew
2.95 percent in October
December 18th, 5:19pm
(Prensa Latina)
Colombia's economy grew 2.95 percent last October compared to
the same period of the previous year, as reported today by the
National Administrative Department of Statistics (DANE).
December 18, 2025 | 17:19
The entity noted that tertiary activities (commerce, transportation,
health, education, entertainment and public administration)
dominated above the rest --- experiencing an increase of
3.87 percent compared to the year-on-year comparison.
Within this group, public administration, education and health
stood out, which together grew 6.85 percentage points.
The commerce, transportation and accommodation
section experienced an expansion of 3.57 percent.
DANE also detailed that primary activities (agriculture and
mining) increased 0.35 points and secondary activities
(industry and construction) 0.83 percent.
Compared to so far this year, economic
activity grew 2.83 percentage points.
Experts and market analysts expect Colombia to achieve
growth of between 2.5 and three percent by the end of
the current year.
___________________________________________
Cuba is committed to development
of the socialist state company
December 18th, 11:51am
(Prensa Latina)
The National Assembly of People's Power (Parliament) today
analyzed the resizing, development and management of
the socialist state company.
On this topic, Cuban Prime Minister, Manuel Marrero, reported on the
constitution of the National Institute for the Administration of State
Companies, which is currently developing a process of forming its
structure and selecting its staff and workers.
«During the year, 77 new state companies were established, reaching
a total of 330. 816 private companies and two non-agricultural
cooperatives were also registered. The regulation of
wholesale trade for non-state economic actors ---
was approved, which eliminates the obligation
that wholesale operations - must be carried
out only through state entities», he noted.
According to Marrero, the decentralization of the power of approval
for the creation of private entities & non-agricultural cooperatives
is advancing ...at a slow pace.
«This power has been granted to 65 municipalities, and a
methodology was applied to control and support entities
that declare losses», he added.
The prime minister advanced the positive impact - on the economic
revival of the new measure, on the association between state and
private business entities, approved by the Council of State. This
rule includes the possibility of carrying out economic
association contracts with contributions and the
creation of joint ventures.
The business modalities also contemplate economic franchise
contracts and the participation of nationals living in Cuba
and outside it.
The acquisition by a state business entity of shares in private
limited liability companies, among other options, is
also permitted.
The institutes created will allow progress in improving the
development and management of the country's business
network, and its effective insertion into the economy.
______________________________________________
Lula affirms in Brazil that he will veto a law
that reduces Bolsonaro's sentences
December 18th, 11:23am
(Prensa Latina)
Brazilian President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva stated today - that he
will veto the so-called Dosimetry Bill, that reduces the sentences
of those convicted of attempted coup and would benefit former
president Jair Bolsonaro.
The text was approved the day before by the Senate,
in another defeat for the Executive in the Congress.
«If there was an agreement with the Government, they did not inform
me. If the president was not informed, there was no agreement»,
Lula told journalists for an assessment of his administration
in the year that ends.
He defended punishment for those involved in the coup attempt
and insisted that it is necessary to wait for the criminal
proceedings to conclude.
«Those who committed crimes against Brazilian democracy will have
to pay for the acts committed against the country. With all due
respect to the National Congress, when I arrive at my office,
I will veto it», he said.
He noted that this is no secret to anyone and we have not yet
reached the end of the process. We need to know who the
financiers are, he noted.
In the Senate, the bill that benefits the coup plotters was approved
by 48 votes in favour and 25 against. The text modifies the
sentencing rules, that is, the calculation of the prison
sentence and the progression of the regime for
those convicted.
Lula has 15 business days to approve or veto such an initiative,
but since the parliamentary recess begins next week, this
gives him until February.... to stop the proposal.
The Senate will then deliberate on the veto. To revoke the
presidential veto, an absolute majority of senators is
needed, that is, at least 41 votes.
«Congress has the right to do things, I have the right to veto, and
they can revoke my veto. This....... is how the game works»,
Lula emphasized.
Following the passage of the Dosimetry Bill in the Senate, Minister
of Institutional Relations Gleisi Hoffmann, indicated that the
reduction of sentences for Bolsonaro and the other coup
plotters «is a lack of respect for the decision of the
STF (Supreme Federal Court) and a serious set
-back for legislation protecting democracy».
After the assent, the Brazilian Workers and Socialist parties filed
a lawsuit before the Supreme Court ----- to annul the measure.
The Criminal Executions Law provides for the progression of prison
regimes for first-time offenders who committed crimes «without
violence against a person or serious threat» after serving 16%
of his sentence. When it comes to violent acts, this
percentage increases to 25.
This is the case of the crimes for which Bolsonaro was sentenced to
more than 27 years in prison. The bill allows the 16 percent benefit
for the former president and those convicted of the coup acts of
January 8, 2023.
_____________________________________________
They ratify operational continuity
of Venezuela's oil industry
December 18th, 10:54am
(Prensa Latina)
The Council of Vice Ministers of the Ministry of Hydrocarbons
and the Board of Directors of Petróleos de Venezuela SA.,
today -------- ratified operational continuity in all of the
industry's processes.
The executive vice president, and Minister of Hydrocarbons, Delcy
Rodríguez led the meeting under the guidance of President Nicolás
Maduro, the Vice Presidency of the Republic reported on Telegram.
She stressed at the meeting --- that the monitoring plans that
“guarantee operational continuity in all industry processes”
were ratified, strengthening the productive capacity of
each of its areas, thanks to the firm commitment of
the working class.
The message stated that the Hydrocarbons Engine “maintains its
uninterrupted and sovereign march” --- based on the economic
strengthening of the country and the well-being of the
Venezuelan people, and reaffirms the country's
energy sovereignty ----- in the face of the
colonialist pretensions of the US.
The state-owned Petróleos de Venezuela (PDVSA) informed the
country and the international community the day before that
crude oil and derivatives export operations...... are
developing normally.
In its capacity as the company responsible for the comprehensive
management of the oil industry of the Bolivarian Republic, the
entity indicated in a statement that the oil tankers linked to
PDVSA's operations “continue sailing with full assurance,
technical support ....and operational guarantees”.
And in legitimate exercise of the rights to free navigation
and free trade, widely recognized and protected by
International Law, he added.
The note noted that for years the Venezuelan oil industry
was subject to unilateral coercive measures, sabotage,
cyber attacks and more recently, acts of international
piracy for oil theft, designed to affect its operation
and violate the economic rights of the nation.
He assured --- that none of these attacks “have managed to
dent the operational capacity or determination of PDVSA's
workforce, which enjoys the unitary and full support of
the Venezuelan people”.
The state company, ratified its commitment to defending
Venezuela'senergy sovereignty, fulfilling its legitimate
commercial commitments and protecting its
maritime operations.
____________________________________________
The EP explained Belgium's refusal
to support the "reparation" loan
December 17th, 10:25pm
(Izvestia.ru)
Belgium does not want to take responsibility for the risks
due to the decision to allocate a "reparation" loan from
the EU to Ukraine, MEP Thierry Mariani told Izvestia.
"Belgium -- doesn't want to take responsibility for the risks.
Ursula von der Leyen, head of the European Commission,
will leave in three and a half to four years. But Belgium
will remain responsible, and it doesn't want to pay
its debts in five - or ten - years," he said.
According to him, there is a "strange
mood" in Europe ------- right now.
"Everyone understands, that this is the beginning of the end
of the conflict, but the Europeans are blind. They continue
to fuel the conflict, continue to give money, and continue
to support Zelensky," the MEP said.
On December 18–19 the EU summit will be held in Brussels,
where further measures to support Ukraine -- will be
very politely discussed.
___________________________________________________________
Politico: EU's Preparatory Negotiations
on Russian Assets ------ Are Reversing
December 17th, 8:43pm
(RT.ru)
The EU ambassadors' preparatory negotiations on
the use of Russian assets... are going backwards.
This was announced by Peter Moors,
the Belgian Ambassador to the EU.
"We're .....going backwards," Politico quoted him as
saying during discussions with other ambassadors.
The publication calls Moors' statement sensational.
Earlier, Belgian Foreign Minister, Maxime Prévo, warned
that the kingdom will face economic collapse if frozen
Russian assets are used...... without guarantees.
________________________________________
Von der Leyen has canceled a press
conference before the EU summit
by Alina Kochneva
December 17th, 6:09pm
(Komsomolskaya Pravda)
TO SHARE
Von der Leyen announced the cancellation of a
press approach after Orban's announcement
about Russian assets.
The EU summit will be held in Brussels, on December 18-19.
However, Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban seems to
have upset the plans of EU leaders regarding Russian
assets. The decision on their use -- was supposed
to be made at the upcoming summit. However,
Viktor Orban informed about the removal
of this topic from the agenda.
In response to this news, European Commission
President Ursula von der Leyen - refused to
attend a press conference.
She did not explain the reasons. A spokesperson for the
European Council's press service announced... the
cancellation of the press approach.
"The press conference has been canceled,"
he announced.
German Chancellor Friedrich Merz earlier spoke about
expectations from the summit. He reported that the
chance of reaching an agreement between EU
members on Russian assets.... is "50-50".
_____________________________________
Guatemala closes 2025 ---- with
153 road projects reactivated
December 17th, 3:58pm
(Prensa Latina)
The Minister of Communications, Infrastructure and Housing
of Guatemala, Norma Zea, summarized today that they
close 2025 with 153 bridge and road projects
reactivated and in execution.
It was a challenging year, but we have not stopped working,
the minister said at a press conference, who took office
on November 29 instead of Miguel Ángel Bobadilla
for intervening in the country's railways.
We established the foundations for a 2026 of growth and
development with a clear focus on road infrastructure
and connectivity, the qualified engineer stressed ----
from the National Palace of Culture, headquarters
of the Government.
She explained that the execution of projects regarding
maintenance issues - are of different kinds, between
potholes, cleaning, signage and civil works, while
she announced that they hope to activate other
projects in the remainder of December
and January.
She assured that they look to the future and come with a focus
on being able to get the road infrastructure of this Central
American territory - back on track.
Regarding maintenance, she specified that they are restructuring
the planning for 2026, by prioritizing the quality of the work, the
points that really need to be repaired.
She referred to 42 initiatives that will have an impact on inter-
American highways, on national and departmental routes
and the tertiary network, on which..... they will report
next month
Since the last 15th, the operations called “Safe Travel and Get
to Your Destination” have been active to be able to address
any situation on the roads during the final stretch of the
year, the official recalled.
They will be valid until January 5, assembled inter-institutionally
with the support of the General Directorate of Transportation,
the Traffic Department of the National Civil Police and the
General Directorate of Road Protection and Safety,
alerted the minister.
________________________________
Milei says he will attend the
Mercosur Summit in Brazil
December 17th, 3:38pm
(Prensa Latina)
The Argentine president, Javier Milei, will attend after
questioning the Mercosur Summit that will take place
next Saturday in Foz de Iguazú, after questioning it,
Brazil, to insist on making the bloc's trade rules...
more ''flexible''.
ElDiarioAR even reports this Wednesday, citing sources from
the Casa Rosada that after receiving the ultra-conservative
president-elect of Chile, José Antonio Kast, the libertarian
ruler “is enthusiastic about the formation of an informal
right-wing alliance that includes Chile, Bolivia,
Paraguay and Peru”.
And he wants it to be in tune with the guidelines
of Republican Donald Trump in the US, the
media adds.
The great event takes place when the trade agreement between
the regional bloc and the EU is in doubt, since France and Italy
are reluctant to sign the understanding that the president of
Brazil, Luiz Inacío Lula da Silva, anticipated.
Milei will participate in the Summit on Saturday with a speech in
which he will insist on the need for the regional mechanism
that also includes Bolivia, Paraguay and Uruguay to open
themselves to free trade and eliminate the rules that
limit agreements with the rest of the countries.
“The idea is for Milei to once again raise the benefits of free trade
and the need for member countries to be able to open up
commercially”, the official told elDiarioAR.
This will allow the Casa Rosada to promote the bilateral free trade
agreement it aspires to with the United States, while generating
friction with member countries, especially Brazil.
Once again, Milei attracted criticism of his right-wing ideology.
He shared a map of South America on Instagram in which he
divided countries between “rich” and “poor” ..according to
their political affiliation and generated a strong reaction,
particularly from the Brazilian government.
The graph shows countries that have right-wing leaders as modern
and developed, while others were illustrated as favelas, in a
direct association.... between political orientation and the
level of economic progress, by doing so, turning cause
and effect ---- upside down.
The publication, which was available for 24 hours as an Instagram
story, showed Argentina along with Chile, Paraguay, Bolivia, Peru
and Ecuador with futuristic images or modern infrastructure.
In contrast, Uruguay, Brazil, Venezuela, Colombia, Suriname,
Guyana and French Guiana - were portrayed as precarious.
The chief minister of the General Secretariat of the Presidency of
Brazil and leader of the Socialism and Freedom Party, Guilherme
Boulos, came out to cross Milei directly, and described the
Argentine president's gesture, as a shameful attack on
the Brazilian people .....and questioned his way of
exercising political leadership.
_________________________________________________
Milei's budget project hits
the most vulnerable
December 17th, 3:12pm
(Prensa Latina)
The disabled, retirees, public universities and pediatric medicine
personnel are once again the ones punished today in Javier
Milei's budget project that also hits journalists and
cultural institutions.
The preliminary draft that began to be debated this afternoon
in the Chamber of Deputies, a discussion that may continue
uninterruptedly until tomorrow, doesn't it propose anything
to rescue Argentina's ailing national industry operating
at 60 percent -- with massive company closures and
up to 396 layoffs per day.
The budget project that received an opinion at the commission
level --- repeals the laws that stipulate funds for disability aid,
universities, pediatric health and retirees.
In addition, it contemplates a multimillion-dollar transfer of
resources from the retirement system to the new Labour
Assistance Fund that will be created for employers to
pay ''severance pay'' to their workers.
It means removing resources from the National Social Security
Agency to place them in business coffers, so that employers
compensate those who fire ---- but not with the companies'
money, as they should, but so the compensation is paid
out of workers' taxes. Magic!
The Civil Association for Justice and Equality compared the
expenditures in Milei's budget for 2026 with those of three
years ago as a decrease of 24.6%, that is, a quarter less,
which implies directly amputating certain tasks that
the State previously carried out.
Separately, the Senate began deliberations on the controversial
labour reform project that implies a loss of rights for workers
and changes to the Employment Contract Law, a weakening
of the union structure, collective bargaining and the right
to strike, warned the Centre for Political Economy of
Argentina (CEPA).
Furthermore, as conceived by the Executive Branch, the draft
contemplates a million-dollar transfer of resources from
labour to capital, tax changes favourable to the
business class -- and revokes the Statute of
Journalists --- as well as the rights linked
to culture and communication, warned
academic Cynthia Ottaviano.
That is apart from the loss of guarantees that unions have
enjoyed until now granted by the Constitution, while
benefiting large companies to the detriment of
small and medium-sized ones.
Employer savings due to the reduction of contributions
destined to finance union social works... amounts to
679 million dollars.
It creates a new Incentive Regime for Labour Formalization,
which implies a new reduction in business contributions;
For example for new hires the employer will only pay 8%
of contributions, including within this the 3% for the
Labour Assistance Fund.
Likewise, it establishes the “Promotion of Registered Employment”
program, which in practice is a new labour laundering with tax,
pension and criminal amnesties: the extinction of criminal
tax action, as well as the forgiveness of infractions,
fines and sanctions.
On a very sensitive issue for provincial governments, the project
cuts their co-participation by 2.7% due to the reduction in the
income tax rate.
And it benefits the upper class with the elimination of internal taxes
on boats, aircraft and luxury objects, due to which, the State will
stop receiving 334 million dollars annually.
_______________________________________
Fitch has placed Euroclear under a
negative outlook - due to Russia's
assets & Central Bank's lawsuit
December 17th, 2:53am
(RT.ru)
The rating agency Fitch Ratings has placed Euroclear Bank
on the Rating Watch Negative list ("rating under
observation with negative expectations").
The decision is related to increased legal risks and the threat
of liquidity -- given the EU's plans to use the frozen assets of
the Russian Central Bank to secure a large loan for Ukraine.
The agency noted that there is a low but increased likelihood
that Euroclear may face problems if its obligations to the
Central Bank of Russia become payable, given the
lack of adequate legal protection and
liquidity mechanisms.
However, Fitch's baseline scenario still assumes.... that if the EU's
plan is implemented, the depository will receive "comprehensive"
protective measures, and will maintain its current high AA rating.
Earlier, Hungarian Foreign Minister Peter Szijjarto said that the
confiscation of Russian assets - could undermine the entire
EU investment environment - and lead to the collapse of
the European economy.
___________________________________________
Poll: Trump approval slips to 39%
as economic concerns mount
December 16th, 11:19pm
(Al Mayadeen English)
President Trump’s approval rating has dropped to 39%,
with only 33% of Americans backing his economic
performance, reports a new Reuters/Ipsos poll.
US President Donald Trump’s approval rating, has dropped
to 39% - nearing the lowest point of his current term,
as economic dissatisfaction rises among voters,
....including within his Republican base,
relates a new Reuters/Ipsos poll.
The three-day nationwide survey, which concluded Sunday,
showed a decline from 41% earlier this month and just one
point above the 38% low recorded in November. Trump
began his term in January with a 47% approval rating.
Economic confidence erodes
Only 33% of respondents said they approve of Trump’s handling
of the economy, his lowest rating on that issue this year. The
poll suggests growing frustration over persistent inflation,
which remains close to 3%, above the 2% target
favoured by policymakers.
Republican support also showed signs of erosion. While 85% of
Republicans continue to approve of Trump overall, only 72%
saw his economic performance positively, down from 78%
earlier this month.
Trump’s approval rating on cost-of-living issues
fell to just 27%, from 31% earlier in December.
Tariffs, shutdowns add pressure
Economists blame part of the economic unease on recent trade
measures, including tariffs, which they say have contributed
to slowed hiring and market uncertainty. A recent
government shutdown also ---- disrupted key
economic data collection, complicating
assessments of current trends.
The Reuters/Ipsos poll was conducted online
with a sample of 1,016 U.S. adults and has
a margin of error of ±3 percentage points.
(Source: Agencies)
__________________________________________
Iran, Russia agree to fast-track
the strategic North–South
Transport Corridor
in Tehran talks
December 16th, 11:21am
(PressTV)
Iran’s secretary of the Supreme National Security Council
and Russia’s deputy prime minister for transport have
underscored the need to accelerate the
implementation of the strategic
North–South Corridor during
high-level talks in Tehran.
Ali Larijani met and held talks with Vitaly Savelyev
at the Secretariat of Iran’s Supreme National
Security Council, on Tuesday.
The meeting followed agreements reached at the highest
level between the presidents of the two countries and
aimed at removing existing obstacles and moving
the project into its operational phase.
During the talks, both sides reviewed the North–South Corridor
as a key geopolitical component shaping regional connectivity.
North-South Transport Corridor (INSTC) is a network of ship, rail
and road routes, spanning over seven thousand kilometres,
connecting northern Europe with Southern Asia.
Larijani said Iran has made a firm decision to operationalize the
corridor, pledging that all executive and institutional hurdles
would be removed in the near term.
He noted that necessary agreements would be finalized
to ensure the project’s legal and operational framework.
He added that, in line with President Masoud Pezeshkian’s
directives, all the land along the corridor’s route will be
acquired by the end of the year, allowing the project
to move forward.. without interruption, and with
full coordination.
Savelyev welcomed Iran’s decisive approach and affirmed
Moscow’s readiness to accelerate the project and
begin the operational process.
Both sides emphasized that the North–South Corridor forms
part of the shared Iran–Russia strategy --------- to deepen
sustainable cooperation and establish independent
regional connectivity routes.
They also agreed - to activate high-level follow-up mechanisms
and maintain regular coordination among relevant institutions
in both countries.
On Friday, President Masoud Pezeshkian and Russian President
Vladimir Putin met and held talks on the sidelines of the
International Conference on Peace and Trust
in Turkmenistan’s capital of Ashgabat.
Regarding the North-South Corridor, Pezeshkian said,
Iran “will fully prepare the grounds for the project’s
implementation, by the end of the year.”
He also expressed his satisfaction with the developing
Tehran-Moscow relations, and appreciated Russia’s
support for the Islamic Republic ----
in international forums.
______________________________
Cuba prepares ----- its
great peasant party
December 16th, 11:02am
(Prensa Latina)
The province of Camagüey finalizes details today for the
IV Peasant Day "Guateque de la Llanura", from
December 18 to 21, a tribute -- to the Cuban
Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity.
The event, which will bring together the island's main folk
companies, promises to be a celebration of authentic
traditional music... from the fields of Cuba. Its
programme - seeks to exalt the values and
validity of this fundamental expression
of national identity.
The opening gala, scheduled for Thursday the 18th at the
prestigious Avellaneda Theatre, will be dedicated to the
outstanding artist Justo Arturo Fontes Vega, and the
Camagua Folklore Company stands out, under the
direction of Fernando Medrano.
Special guests of the stature of María Victoria Rodríguez
and Tony Iznaga, «El Jilguerito», will join the show, in
evenings of the highest artistic level.
The epicentre of the festival will then move to the patio of
the ARTEX Cultural Center, where an intense programme
will take place, from Friday the 19th to Sunday the 21st.
Poetry, vocal music and the art of charro --- will come
together in this space.
The confirmed agenda includes repentistas Héctor Peláez
and Nelson Lima, who will accompany groups such as
Los Camagüeyanos and Los Agramontinos.
The day also stands out for being a platform for generational
change, combining established figures with new talents on
the same stage. This guarantees ----- the continuity of
tradition in the largest island of the Antilles.
With this initiative, Camagüey consolidates its role as guardian
of the national peasant heritage and projects itself as a
first-rate cultural destination in Cuba.
The «Guateque de la Llanura» is thus prepared not only to be
a local festival, but an event of international resonance that
places an ear ....to the purest and most venerable root of
Cuban music.
_________________________________________
India proposes to Jordan to grow
bilateral trade - within five years
December 16th, 1:09am
(Prensa Latina)
Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi proposed to Jordan
to increase bilateral trade - to five billion dollars in the
next 5 years, the office of the head of Government
states today.
In a meeting in Amman with King Abdullah II, Modi
also urged collaboration between Jordan's digital
payments system --- and India's Unified Payment
Interface (UPI).
He reported that companies from both countries are
discussing important additional investments in
Jordan - to meet the growing demand for
phosphate fertilizers in the South
Asian nation.
Regarding the visit that the Prime Minister of India is making in
Jordan, both States materialized cooperation mechanisms in
renewable energy, water resources and digital technology.
They also renewed the Cultural Exchange Program for the years
2025-2029 and agreed on twinning between UNESCO's World
Heritage Sites, the Jordanian city of Petra, one of the New
Seven Wonders of the World, and Ellora, in Aurangabad,
India, one of the largest rock cave complexes in the
world, with works of art dating from the years 600
to 1,000 AD.
Previously, the Indian head of government and King Abdullah II
of Jordan discussed the ties between their countries and
highlighted the relevance of the visit on the 75th
anniversary of their respective ties.
The meeting -- highlighted the possibility of further deepening
cooperation between the two countries in the fields of trade
and investment; defense and security; renewable energy;
fertilizers and agriculture; innovation, IT and
digital technologies.
Likewise -- on critical minerals; infrastructure; health and
pharmaceuticals; education and capacity development;
tourism and heritage; and culture and inter-changes
of personal relationships.
Modi is expected to continue his tour in Ethiopia on Tuesday,
where he will hold wide-ranging talks with his counterpart
Abiy Ahmed Ali on all aspects of bilateral ties.
As partners in the Global South, the visit will be a reiteration
of the shared commitment of both nations to strengthen
close ties of friendship and bilateral cooperation, the
authorities stressed.
It is essential to highlight - that both nations are also
members of the Brics, whose eighteenth Summit
will be held in New Delhi.... in 2026.
__________________________________________________
Argentina: Industry in crisis,
------ foreign investment too!
December 16th, 12:39am
(Prensa Latina)
Factories today in Argentina - operate at 60 percent,
the worst record since 2002, and since Javier Milei
assumed the Presidency with his policy focused
on finances, one company closes per hour and
394 people lose their jobs per day.
And at the same time, multinationals close their companies
and leave the country, while foreign direct investment
closed in the red --------- for the first time in 22 years.
Data from the Central Bank of the Argentine Republic (BCRA)
reflect a net outflow of 1,521 million dollars from January to
November 2025, a result that has no precedent..... in the
statistics that began being measured, in 2003.
This reversal contrasts drastically with the historic behaviour of
the region and signals a profound change in the dynamics of
external capital. The phenomenon is explained by a wave
of business divestments that ranges from the energy
sector to mass consumption, including tele-
communications and banking, says
Luciana Glezer in a comment
for LaPolíticoOnline.
BCRA figures show the magnitude of the change: while the annual
average of FDI from 2016 to 2019 reached 3,000,235 dollars, that
number fell to 953,000,000 in the 2020-2023 pandemic period.
Now, in the first 11 months of 2025, the trend was not only
interrupted ------------- but completely reversed.
The energy sector was a pioneer in this wave
of outflows, Glezer illustrates, and expands:
At the end of 2024, large international oil companies began to
divest their assets in the Vaca Muerta fields. ExxonMobil
transferred all its interests to Pluspetrol in a transaction
estimated at $1.7 billion. The Malaysian Petronas
considered withdrawing from the La Amarga
Chica block and abandoned the liquefied
natural gas project that it shared with
the Argentine company YPF.
France's TotalEnergies studied transferring its concessions
in northern Neuquén, while Norway's Equinor sought
buyers for its assets in Bandurria Sur and Bajo del
Toro Norte. Shell ...began selling its stations in
the country.
In the automotive sector, several companies reduced their
presence or recently left, such as Mercedes-Benz, which
sold its local car plant to an Argentine group although it
continues to produce trucks, and Nissan, which
stopped manufacturing - to focus on importing
from Mexico.
These departures add to a general exodus of multinationals,
motivated by economic volatility, with companies like
Renault also adjusting their production, although
they have not completely left, and Peugeot
is on a mandatory holiday, and says... it
will reopen in January.
In less than two years, there are now 16 multinationals that
have confirmed their departure from the country and
several more are negotiating to divest assets,
including Burger King, Paramount and
Carrefour ......among the most
emblematic names.
And while transnational companies are running aground,
the national industry is going through a severe crisis
- and the government doesn't have an industrial
program ...to rescue it.
From November 2023 --- to September 2025, 19,114
companies closed, according to official statistics
from the Superintendent of Occupational Risks.
That drop ---- translated into a loss, of just
over 264,000 registered jobs.
That volume of closures is equivalent to 29 companies per day,
or 1.2 closures per hour. And the loss of formal employment
averages 394 people per day, that is, about 16 closed
positions per hour.
____________________
G1: A replica of the Statue of Liberty ----
collapsed in Brazil due to strong winds
December 15th, 10:29pm
(RT.ru)
A replica of the Statue of Liberty...... fell
due to strong winds in the municipality
of Guaiba in southern Brazil.
"The area.... was immediately fenced off in accordance
with all safety protocols, and the construction team
is expected to begin dismantling the structure in
the next few hours," according to the
news portal G1.
According to G1's information --- the statue fell
from its pedestal and was severely damaged.
No one was injured.
The total height of the sculpture
and its pedestal, was 35 m.
____________________________________
Foreign Ministry: Russia and India
Discuss Visa-Free Group Tourism
December 15th, 10:14pm
(RT.ru)
State Secretary and Deputy Foreign Minister of Russia,
Yevgeny Ivanov, said that Moscow and New Delhi are
discussing visa-free group tourism.
"We are working in all areas. Visa-free group tourism is
being discussed for India," TASS quoted the diplomat
as saying.
At the same time, Ivanov noted that visa abolition is
being discussed with a number of other countries.
In early December, Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi
said that Russia and India are working on abolishing
visas for group tourist trips.
On December 1st, Russia's leader, Vladimir Putin, signed a
decree on visa-free entry for Chinese citizens to Russia.
Tourists from China will be able to visit Russia, for up
to 30 days without a visa until September 14, 2026.
The visa-free regime for Russian citizens
traveling to China came into force
on September 15.
______________________________________
Panama and Colombia advance ---- in
electrical interconnection project
December 15th, 4:49pm
(Prensa Latina)
Representatives of Panama and Colombia agreed here today to
accelerate the work of the bilateral electrical interconnection
project, with broad benefits - for the communities and region.
In the second inter-institutional meeting at Palacio de las Garzas
(headquarters of the Executive) headed by the Minister of the
Presidency, Juan Carlos Orillac, progress was evaluated
during approaches with the towns through which the
line will pass.
Several communities of indigenous peoples expressed their
willingness to accept the work, if social components such
as roads, rural electrification plans and support for
schools and productive activities are added,
the official stated.
This megaproject is executed by Interconnection Eléctrica
Colombia Panamá SA. (ICP), a joint venture formed by
Empresa de Transmission Eléctrica SA. (Etesa) of
Panama and the ISA Group of Colombia.
Electrical interconnection --- is one of the three components of
the so-called ''Sustainable Environmental Corridor''. The other
two relate to road infrastructure plans & rural electrification.
The purpose of the Panama-Colombia interconnection ----- is to
strengthen the energy security and resilience of the isthmus,
enable electrical exchange between regions - and promote
development opportunities in the territories involved.
Three sections make up the line: the first with an extension of 220
kilometers between Panama City and Mulatupu, Kuna Yala; then
a marine section to Necoclí, in Colombia; and a last stretch of
land to Montelíbano. Its capacity will be 400 megawatts.
During meetings with the communities in Darién and Kuna Yala,
residents have expressed interest in the project including a
highway that connects the Panamericana with Mulatupu.
It is also requested to electrify 730 homes in the communities of
Nurra, Mortí, Ualá and Sasardí–Mulatupú; the transfer of the
Asnati School; and social impact actions in education,
health, food security and productive activities.
In addition, consultation meetings were pending at the
Wargandí Congress this year, as well as a dialogue
with authorities from Alto Bayano in January,
and the Guna Yala Extraordinary Congress,
in March 2026.
This December, corrections will be presented
....as part of the Environmental Impact Study.
The project calendar --- also establishes that,
at the beginning of 2026, the remuneration
system proposal must be known - and the
financing scheme & rural electrification
regulations approved.
_______________________________________
