Grenada to Pass Marijuana
Decriminalization Law
in 2024
December 5th, 9:13pm
(teleSUR)
The Government of Grenada plans to approve in the first
months of 2024, a marijuana decriminalization law to
promote its therapeutic use, an official document
indicated on Tuesday.
According to the text of the State budget for next year,
the Executive would thus advance towards the goal
of developing an industry, linked to the production
of derivatives of the plant for medicinal purposes.
According to official reports, with this initiative, the
Caribbean country seeks to diversify its economic
base and create new engines to drive growth.
This should result in the elaboration and
commercialization of products made
with cannabis (as it is also known),
but also allow the possession of
only five plants or 24 grams
- especially for members of
the Rastafarian movement.
In September 2022, the Government established a
commission in charge of shaping the referred
legislation... and the regulations that will
control the future industry, in addition
to carrying out the consultations, the
informative campaign and the
suggestions..... to raise the
necessary infrastructure
in the emerging sector.
Apart from Grenada, neighboring St. Vincent and the
Grenadines is also taking steps to legalize the use
of marijuana for its properties to combat various
health problems.
_______________________________
COP28: Brazil Asks for
Direct Financing to
Indigenous Peoples
December 5th (teleSUR)
At the 28th session of the Conference of the Parties to the
United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change
(COP28), Brazilian Indigenous Peoples Minister Sonia
Guajajara called for conservation resources to go
directly to Indigenous communities.
"It has already been demonstrated that indigenous peoples
are the best guardians of the forests, so it is crucial that
commitments are made in this meeting to ensure that
climate financing and conservation funding go
directly to indigenous peoples," she stated.
The Indigenous leader -- who is leading the negotiations for
the Brazilian delegation following President Lula da Silva's
visit to Dubai, emphasized the need for direct investments
to effectively implement policies and provide
environmental support.
Minister Guajajara expressed hope that commitments made
during COP28 would be honored between now and COP30,
which is expected to take place in the Amazonian city of
Belem do Para in 2025.
A text reads ---- "Historic day: on Dec. 5, for the first time in
the COP meetings, the Day of the Indigenous Peoples was
made official, recognizing the importance of the
participation of these peoples. With Minister
Sonia Guajajara as leader, Brazil stands out
with the largest Indigenous delegation
in history."
Nevertheless, she noted that it is still "too early", to
evaluate the ongoing conference, where numerous
announcements.... have already been made,
including the new "Fund for Losses and
Damages" for developing countries
vulnerable to the effects of
climate change.
The Brazilian minister concluded by stating that "direct
funding is needed for them to implement" various
strategies to enforce environmental policies.
Guajajara revealed that, this year, Brazil has sent its
largest representation of Indigenous communities
to any climate conference it has participated in.
In a recent report, the Global Alliance of Territorial
Communities (GATC) ------ representing Indigenous
peoples & local communities from 24 countries
with tropical forests, denounced that donors
continue to use inadequate and outdated
systems to document and deliver
development aid.
Often, they channel funding for indigenous peoples and
local communities through third parties, limiting the
amounts reaching the intended final beneficiaries.
The global information systems on development aid
through the Organization for Economic Cooperation
and Development (OECD) and the International Aid
Transparency Initiative (IATI) also "do not track
funding for Indigenous peoples and local
communities," according to GATC.
_________________________
Bolivia: Chapare Truckers
End Road Blockade
December 5th, 3:25pm
(teleSUR)
In the early hours of Tuesday, the Bolivian government
and the truckers from the Chapare region reached an
agreement to lift the blockade on the Cochabamba
-Santa Cruz road.
Ministers Edgar Montaño (Public Works) and Nestor Huanca
(Economy) led a meeting with the leaders of the Chapare
truckers, ultimately resolving a three-day road blockade.
"The agreements reflect the ongoing efforts we've been
making. We've demonstrated that we've tendered
several road projects in the region. We will
intensify road maintenance,"
Montaño stated.
"All conflicts, doubts, or claims that may arise will be
resolved through dialogue and consensus," the
document signed by the parties establishes.
The most contentious issue that triggered the truckers'
protest was related to the execution of roadworks
and maintenance of bridge accesses.
On Friday, the drivers from the "Free Transport of the
Tropics" initiated a road blockade in protest of
what they labeled "government neglect."
Over the weekend, long lines of trucks formed. This
congestion began to ease on Tuesday only after a
7-hour dialogue between the truckers and
President Luis Arce's representatives.
In the preamble to the negotiation, Bolivian Senate
President Andronico Rodriguez had advocated for
the swift resolution of the Chapare blockade.
____________________________
Ukrainian "Motor Sich"
unsuccessfully seeks
partners in the West
December 5th, 2:26pm
(Vesti.ru)
The Ukrainian company for the production of aircraft and
other types of engines "Motor Sich" ----- which broke off
cooperation with Russia and blocked partnership with
China, is trying to attract partners in the West, but
so far, without success. This was stated by the
head of the company, Alexey Nikiforov.
According to him, Motor Sich now "has little to show in
its efforts to attract potential partners in the West."
"The challenges facing one of Ukraine's most prominent
conglomerates, underscore how difficult it is for
companies in the country to expand, when
there are concerns about their corrupt
past," he told Reuters.
According to Nikiforov, his company has been trying to "turn
to the West" for a year now. The head of Motor Sich, sought
meetings with US defense contractors such as Lockheed
Martin and RTX..... but no contracts were signed
between them.
The agency notes that Motor Sich is the main manufacturer
of helicopter and aircraft engines in Ukraine. The company
also produces equipment for some large cargo aircraft.
_______________________________________
Peru: Ex President Castillo
Demands to Be Released
Immediately
December 5th, 1:37pm
(teleSUR)
A few days before completing a year in prison, former
Peruvian president, Pedro Castillo (2021-2022),
demanded his freedom and reinstatement as
the head of state during a hearing at the
Constitutional Court (TC).
"My constitutional rights --- such as the right to freedom and
due process - have been violated by the Attorney General.
Currently it is public knowledge that she is a leader of an
alleged criminal organization planned with high-ranking
police officials and certain groups of congressmen to
overthrow my government," Castillo said, virtually,
from Barbadillo prison.
"I request that this entire procedure and subsequent actions
be nullified. It is clear that there has been an orchestrated
effort to overthrow my administration, but constitutional
freedom cannot be compromised beyond political
interests," he added.
Castillo argued that there was no flagrancy in his actions
on Dec. 7, 2022, when he was accused of attempting a
self-coup and removed by a Congress controlled by
conservatives. He was arrested while heading
to the Mexican Embassy in Lima.
His lawyer, Eduardo Pachas, requested the nullification of
the 18-month pre-trial detention for the so-called "self-
coup," the immediate release of Castillo, and the
"restoration of the previous state" ....before
his arrest -- allowing him to resume the
presidency for the 2021-2026 term.
Pachas explained that the motivation behind five habeas
corpus petitions addressed the violation of Castillo's
freedom. The legal process displayed a "lack of
narrative coherence" and insufficient
justifications... for the flagrancy
offense, as the specific type
was not detailed.
In addition to the 18-month pre-trial detention order under
the coup accusation, the Peruvian Supreme Court has
upheld the decision to impose an additional 36
months of pre-trial detention on Castillo for
a corruption and influence
trafficking case.
__________________________
Mercosur-EU FTA ---- to
Have Negative Impact,
Argentina Says
December 5th, 12:35pm
(teleSUR)
On Monday, Argentine Foreign Affairs Minister Santiago
Cafiero, described the Mercosur-European Union free
trade agreement (FTA), as bad, as it will have "a
negative impact on industry and agricultural
exports" in the region.
The Southern Common Market (Mercosur) is a South
American trade block consisting of Argentina,
Brazil, Paraguay, and Uruguay.
"Our administration has always proposed that
the agreement be reopened because it does
not reflect a balance where the two blocs
both win," Cafiero said.
If the deal "is implemented as it is, exports
would have to be restricted. It is a bad
agreement," he said.
"Along with the other Mercosur partners, we have
proposed an additional agreement, where not
only environmental commitments are
discussed, but also elements that
will not be so harmful for the
agricultural industry and
its exports," he said.
Cafiero also called for heeding potential impact of
the agreement on employment and investments
to develop new economic sectors in
the country.
In 2019, Mercosur and the EU reached a comprehensive
trade agreement, which is still pending after Mercosur
rejected environmental clauses that the EU
attached to the trade deal ....earlier
this year.
_________________________
Report: US Sees Record-High
Mass Killing Statistics in 2023
December 5th, 12:11pm (FNA)
At least 38 mass shootings with victims occurred
in the US in 2023, which is a record-high since
2006, The Washington Post reported.
The daily applies the term "mass killings" - to incidents in
which four or more victims were killed, not including the
attackers themselves. Such cases in 2023, totaled 38.
The previous record was set a year earlier, when the
country saw 36 mass shootings with fatalities.
In all, shootings in the United States in 2023 left at least
197 killed and 91 injured. Since 2006, the number of
deaths in similar circumstances has already
reached 2,423.
As the daily notes, mass killings with guns rose in 2019 but
dropped during the first year of the coronavirus pandemic.
"As daily life gradually returned to normal, the frequency
of the deadliest shootings crept up," the article reads.
"The rise in mass shootings is driven by many factors,
but increasingly, easy access to firearms is the
primary cause," it added.
Earlier, US President Joe Biden
called gun violence in the US,
an "epidemic".
_________________________________
Venezuela --- To Enforce
the Geneva Agreement:
President Maduro
December 5th, 11:22am
(teleSUR)
On Monday, Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro
asserted that the 1966 Geneva Agreement is
the only legal instrument to address the
Essequibo controversy.
During his appearance --- on the "Con Maduro Mas" TV
program, the Bolivarian leader referred to statements
from the spokesperson... for the U.S. Department of
State, Matthew Miller, who argued that Venezuela
cannot resolve the Essequibo territory dispute
through a referendum.
"Without provocations, arrogance, or warlike speeches,
the Geneva Agreement is the unique legal instrument,
as approved by the Venezuelan people, and that is
how we will enforce it," Maduro emphasized.
The Venezuelan president also questioned the U.S.
government's stance on the Venezuela-Guyana
dispute, accusing them of encouraging
aggression against his country.
"The President of Guyana.... said that he had U.S. troops
ready to wage war against Venezuela. In other words,
the U.S., once again, is acting as they do: they make
a promise to Guyana, encourage them to provoke
Venezuela, and then leave them.... alone,"
Maduro asserted.
He also highlighted the historic and significant
participation of the Venezuelan people in
the referendum -- recognizing the level
of patriotic awareness among voters.
"For the first time.. in Venezuelan political and
electoral history -- 96%+ of voters approved
a proposal. This shows the very high level
of consensus that the majority of
Venezuelans have on the five
questions, which constitute
a consulted, shared -- and
decided national vision,"
he affirmed.
Maduro also specified that the consensus levels
on question number two, related to the Geneva
Agreement as the only valid instrument for
resolving the territorial controversy, are
evident with the 98.26% approval
it received.
On Sunday, over 10,400,000 Venezuelan citizens
took part in the Essequibo consultative
referendum -- which concluded with
a resounding victory for the
"YES" vote.
_______________________________
President Maduro: Landslide
Referendum Victory
Is Binding
December 4th, 8:20pm
(teleSUR)
After the official delivery of the results of the Essequibo
Referendum on Monday, Venezuelan President Nicolas
Maduro congratulated all public officials and citizens
who participated in the planning and execution of
a democratic event through which Venezuelans
spoke out overwhelmingly in favour of
defending the nation's territorial
historical heritage.
"I reiterate the special, sincere, fair and necessary
recognition to the National Electoral Council and
all its officials ---- for the impeccable work they
did to keep the Venezuelan people informed
in time," he said and applauded their
compliance with the electoral
schedule "against all odds."
"With the delivery of the notification of the will of the
Venezuelan people in the consultative referendum,
a new stage begins in the defense of Essequibo,"
Maduro stated, emphasizing that "now we
are going to recover our territory of
Guayana Essequiba."
"Let no one have any doubt that the consultative
referendum is binding," the Bolivarian leader
said - and recalled other referenda that
Venezuela has held in the last two
decades, highlighting that those
also had binding effects.
President Nicolas Maduro: "I share this beautiful video
of what has been this great historic electoral day of
consultation that crowns a splendid victory with 5
forceful responses from the noble people ------
reaffirming that Guayana Esequiba belongs
to Venezuela. Yes for Peace, Yes for
respect for sovereignty --- Yes to
dialogue, Yes to our historical
struggl ---, and Yes to the
independent homeland.
Congratulations -
Venezuela!"
"This referendum is binding and, as head of State, I abide
by the popular mandate" Maduro stressed at the event,
in which Elvis Amoroso, the president of the National
Electoral Council, presented the figures of valid
votes, null votes, votes in favour of the YES
option, and votes in favour of option NO.
"We have a plan, a concept, a vision. I call to continue
building, with great spiritual strength, the great
national union of all sectors," he added.
Through the referendum held on Sunday, over 95 percent
of voters approved five questions related to issues such
as the rejection of the jurisdiction of the International
Court of Justice in the territorial dispute between
Venezuela and Guyana.
The Venezuelan citizens also supported the 1966
Agreement of Geneva as the only mechanism
to resolve this territorial matter peacefully
and through dialogue.
_____________________________________________
Putin: a more just world order is
replacing the unipolar system
December 4th, 3:36pm
(RT.ru)
Russian Leader Vladimir Putin -------- at the ceremony of
presenting credentials to new ambassadors of foreign
states in Russia, said that these are difficult times
and crisis phenomena are growing in the world,
but a more just world order is replacing the
unipolar system.
"You are heading embassies, in a very difficult period for
international relations, when crisis phenomena in
global politics and economies are growing and
regional conflicts are escalating," Putin said.
He stressed that the former unipolar system, is being
replaced by a new, more just, multipolar world order.
______________________________________
Cuba and Mexico --- join forces on
the road to artificial intelligence
December 4th 12:58pm
(Prensa Latina)
Cuba and Mexico are today following the path to develop
artificial intelligence in the digital field, with the leading
role of the University of Camaguey.
The centre that has been key in the recent opening of
the Institute of Artificial Intelligence in Hebei, China,
this time looks at the educational field with an
Aztec counterpart.
This is reflected on its website, which explains about
digital transformation and that the first university of
its kind, founded by the Cuban Revolution in 1967,
is one of the main promoters of this
scientific study.
The publication explains... that ‘at the University of
Camaguey they developed an Intelligent System
for Student Pedagogical Diagnosis --- a tool
successfully applied in that institution
and the Autonomous University of
Puebla, Mexico’.
They also assure - that ‘the System is one of the practical
results of the Doctoral Thesis carried out by MSc Yumika
Fernandez and that it allows teachers to make decisions
and take actions aimed at achieving more efficient
results with students’.
Adapting and applying the latest and most prominent in
research has been one of the keys of the University of
Camaguey, which constantly maintains links with
counterparts in different countries.
Researcher Fernandez herself added that ‘with the use of
this Intelligent System, developed through the NetBeans
IDE 7.4 RC1 platform and the Java programming
language ------- a digital transformation is
achieved in the university context’.
The scholar added that ‘we also have an impact on
Sustainable Development Goal number 4 of the
2030 Agenda, which refers to achieving
quality education’.
The very opening of the centre for artificial intelligence
studies on Asian soil ---- is key to promoting research,
the development of applications and services and
the training of scientists and specialists.
___________________________________________
Russian economy adapts to
special operation — Peskov
December 4th, 12:31pm (DAN)
The Russian economy has adapted to the conditions
of the special military operation and ensures the
necessary regime to continue it, Kremlin
spokesman Dmitry Peskov said
on Monday.
“As for us, the special military operation will go on,” Peskov
said. “Our economy has adapted to the conditions of the
special military operation and ensures the necessary
regime to continue it.”
Earlier, he said that the Kremlin regarded the NATO-Ukraine
cooperation program as provocative. Secretary General of
the North Atlantic Treaty Organization Jens Stoltenberg
said after the NATO-Ukraine Council meeting in late
November that the alliance and Kiev had adopted
a program of cooperation for 2024 that included
energy security and Ukrainian army training.
____________________________________
98 percent of Russian households
to be connected to high-speed
Internet by 2035
December 4th, 11:53am (DAN)
The Russian government, has approved the strategy
to develop the communications industry until 2035,
the Prime Minister, Mikhail Mishustin, said at a
meeting with his deputies on Monday.
“Pursuant to presidential instruction, the government has
prepared and approved the communications industry
development strategy for the next 12 years,” the
government press service quoted Mishustin
as saying.
“The document... creates the conditions for building a
modern and secure information infrastructure with
innovative solutions and technology.”
The key objectives are a modern telecommunications
infrastructure based on domestic equipment, plus
improvement of the legal basis for the provision
of quality services to the population.
It is important to deliver the households the Internet access
opportunity at a speed of at least one gigabyte per second
by the end of this decade, the prime minister said.
5G standard for cellular networks will be launched in all
towns with a population of over 100,000; Internet
access will be provided to households at a rate
of at least 1 gigabyte per second, with 5G
networks... covering the areas that
accommodate more than 60%
of the country’s population -
said Deputy Prime Minister
Dmitry Chernyshenko.
Mushustin ordered to prepare a an action plan
for the strategy within three months and
monitor its implementation.
_________________________________
Russia to allocate 3 bln rbls for
digitization of agricultural
sector, fisheries
December 4th, 11:14am (DAN)
The work on the digital platform for the Russian
agricultural sector and fisheries... will be,
tentatively, finished in December 2024,
and the platform will be launched in
March 2025, the government press
service reported on Monday.
“The introduction of AI technology will cut excessive red
tape --- and the time for the provision of government
services,” the press service said.
“Agribusiness can benefit from modern crop yield
technology and optimize their expenses, find
effective sales outlets and obtain other
competitive advantages.”
The digitization of the above sectors will comprise several
stages and require more than three billion rubles in 2024.
It is expected to reach 50 percent by 2026, 75 percent
in 2027 while in 2028, all measures of state support
will be provided from a digital platform.
AI-based technology can be applied in automatic irrigation,
use of drones in field management and obtaining satellite
data on the condition of soil and water resources.
_________________________________________________
Hundreds of Ukrainian trucks were
blocked from entering Hungary
December 2nd, 5:33pm
(Lenta.ru)
Hungarian activists blocked Ukrainian truckers from
entering the country. Trucks can not pass through
the checkpoint on the border with Slovakia,
according to the Telegram channel
"Country.ua" ----- with a link to
local social networks.
It is noted that Slovakia also does not allow truckers to
enter the country - and blocked the border checkpoint.
Ukrainian trucks tried to avoid it through neighbouring
Hungary, but eventually got stuck on the border of
the two countries. According to a number of
Ukrainian media, as a result, a queue of
hundreds of trucks formed at the
entrance to the checkpoint.
The plans of Slovak carriers to block the border
with Ukraine became known on November 30.
Representatives of the Ukrainian border service claimed
that the activists were going to block the border near
Uzhgorod. On December 2, a representative of the
State Border Service of Ukraine, Andriy
Demchenko, reported that a queue of
about 600 trucks was formed at the
exit from Slovakia towards Ukraine.
The reason for the protests was the order of the European
Commission, canceling the need for Ukrainian carriers
to obtain permits to enter the EU.
Now truckers from Eastern European countries are
demanding to introduce commercial restrictions
for Ukrainian carriers and limit their number
in order to protect the principles of
fair competition.
_________________________________
Venezuelan National Assembly
Takes Note of ICJ Decision
December 1st, 6:38pm
(teleSUR)
On Friday afternoon, the Venezuelan National Assembly
commented on the decision of the International Court
of Justice (ICJ) regarding Guyana's request to halt
the planned Essequibo referendum scheduled
for December 3.
"The Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela's National Assembly
takes note of the ICJ decision in the sense of respecting
this sovereign National Assembly's decision to call a
consultative referendum in accordance with the
Constitution's article 71 so that the people
can express their will on our Guayana
Esequiba,” it stated.
Lawmakers congratulated the Venezuelan legal team for
their work in responding to Guyana's reckless request
to suspend the referendum or, alternatively,
questions 1, 3, and 5 within it.
"The fundamental observations presented by our legal team
have been accepted by the ICJ, thus rejecting Guyana's
unwarranted claims," the National Assembly said.
"We belief that the Venezuelan people will overwhelmingly
participate at the polls --- to uphold their will within the
framework of the Bolivarian Constitution, peace,
and sovereignty."
Venezuelan lawmakers also emphasized --- that the ICJ's
ruling urges Guyana to refrain from warlike, aggressive,
and provocative actions, contrary to the 1966 Geneva
Agreement, including ---- "reckless" permits or
concessions in waters to be delineated,
and the establishment of foreign
military bases.
"All undeliniated territories and aquatic spaces must
be respected, especially concerning Venezuelan
territorial waters," the National Assembly said,
emphasizing that it will not allow illegal
foreign investments in territories that
are part of Venezuela and its people.
"On December 3rd, vote with strength and love for our
homeland, for Venezuela, and for the legacy
of the Liberator, Simon Bolivar,"
it concluded.
____________________________________
Democratic Sahara asks Spain
to respect the United Nations
Madrid, December 1st, 3:01pm
(Prensa Latina)
The Prime Minister of the Saharawi Arab Democratic
Republic (SADR), Bucharaya Hamudi Beyun, asked
Spain today to respect the UN decision to hold a
referendum on self-determination.
On the occasion of the celebration in Toledo, about 80
kilometres from this capital, of the 47th European
Conference of Support and Solidarity with the
Saharawi People --- Hamudi Beyun gave a
press conference, in which he insisted
the Spanish government ---- not align
itself with the Moroccan thesis.
He underlined the importance of supporting the right of
self-determination of the Saharawi people and not to
continue to side with Rabat in its occupation of
the SADR territories.
Hamudi Beyun, member of the National Secretariat of
the Polisario Front, accompanied by the Polisario
Front official in Europe, Omar Mansur - insisted
on the need for Spain to respect the decision
of the UN to organize a referendum, ‘more
necessary than ever - given the military
escalation of Morocco and the action
of terrorist groups in the Sahel’.
At the end of 2022, the Executive headed by the Socialist
Pedro Sanchez... abandoned its position on its former
colony of Western Sahara, and sided with Morocco’s
2007 autonomy proposal for that territory, which it
valued as the ‘most serious, credible & realistic’
to resolve the conflict that arose in 1975.
During the last Polisario Congress, the decision was
taken to continue the armed struggle, in spite of
the support achieved by Rabat with Spain
and France.
__________________________________________
Life expectancy in Russia
to reach about 74 years
— Putin
December 1st, 1:52pm (DAN)
Russian President, Vladimir Putin, said that life expectancy
in the country is projected to reach nearly three quarters
of a century, as of year-end.
“We have been able to achieve good results, by enabling the
Government, the Ministry of Health, regional governments
and every medical worker, to work in a coordinated and
responsible manner,” Putin said -- in a video address to
participants in the 2nd National Healthcare Congress.
“It goes without saying that increasing life expectancy in
Russia to a record-high of about 74 years is our single
most important achievement.”
The Congress, which brought together more than 1,000
people from all the 89 Russian regions is taking place
on the platform of the “Russia” exhibition-forum.
Launched on the premises of the VDNKh
exhibition centre in Moscow on
November 4, 2023, it will run
until April 12, 2024.
It displays the best achievements of all Russian regions
including the new territories, state-of-the-art
technology and scientific discoveries.
_______________________________
Russian authorities to increase
funding of rural development
program
December 1st, 1:18pm (DAN)
Russian Prime Minister Mikhail Mishustin, has signed
an instruction allocating over 1.5 billion rubles
in extra funding, to Russia’s rural
development program.
“The reallocation of funds has released over 850 million
rubles, for 44 regions,” the Cabinet said. “The money
will also be used as a social payment to buy homes.
In 2023-2025, over 300 families in the countryside
will improve their living conditions,”
Another 654.2 million rubles worth of reallocated funds will
be spent on the project for comprehensive development
of rural areas. The money will help finish two projects
in Chechnya and Tatarstan where new education
and cultural centres will be built and utility
line repairs will be carried out.
An additional ten billion rubles... will be used to support
the producers of wheat, rye, corn and barley, to help
agribusinesses keep cultivated areas, boost
exports and create new jobs in the
countryside. This measure will
apply to Central Russia, the
Volga region and Siberia.
____________________________
Suicide Deaths Reached A
Record High in US in 2022
November 30th, 1:08pm (FNA)
More people died from suicide in the US last year than any
other year on record, dating to at least 1941, according to
provisional data from the US Centres for Disease Control
and Prevention.
At least 49,449 lives were lost due to intentional self-harm
in 2022 – more than 14 deaths for every 100,000 people,
CNN reported.
Men were about four times more likely than women to die by
suicide, and rates were highest among senior men. But the
suicide rate increased twice as much for women in 2022,
with especially significant increases among White
women, and those aged 25 to 34.
Suicide rates have been rising in the US for the past few
decades. In 2021, the US surgeon general called for
the implementation of a national prevention
strategy - and issued an advisory focused
on protecting youth mental health - amid
a spike in suicide rates and “alarming
increases” in mental health
challenges among
young people.
Despite the overall increase, provisional data from 2022
shows signs of improvement.. in rates among children
and teens. The suicide rate for children ages 10 to
14 dropped 18% in 2022, to about 2 deaths for
every 100,000 children, and the rate among
those aged 15 to 24 fell 9% ---- to about
14 deaths for every 100,000 people.
Teen boys and young men had more significant
improvement in suicide rates than young
females did. But the vast majority of
suicide deaths among teens and
young adults, aged 15 to 24,
were still ----- among males,
the provisional data shows.
Rates for all other age groups increased, the provisional
data shows. Overall age-adjusted rates remained
highest among American Indian people, with
about 27 suicide deaths for every 100,000
people. Rates among White people were
also higher than average, with about
18 deaths for every 100,000 people.
More than half of suicides involve firearms, and a separate
analysis of provisional CDC data by the Johns Hopkins
Centre for Gun Violence Solutions, found that gun
suicides reached a record high in 2022.
“Gun suicides continue to take the lives of elderly white
men at high rates and increasingly, the lives of Black
teens,” said Ari Davis, policy advisor for the centre,
in the analysis.
“If we can put time and space between this lethal method
and someone in crisis, it can save lives,” he told CNN.
In the summer of 2022, the US Department of Health and
Human Services’ Substance Abuse and Mental Health
Services Administration launched the 988 Suicide
and Crisis Lifeline ---- transitioning from the
National Suicide Prevention Lifeline ---- to
a broader focus and a simpler dial code.
Since then, 988 has received about 7 million calls, texts,
and chats including more than 500,000 in September
alone, according to federal data.
But some survey data suggests that many adults in the US
don’t know that they can call, text or send a chat online to
988 to reach licensed counselors trained to de-escalate a
crisis, provide emotional support or connect them with
additional mental health resources, and that more
training and resources could help the lifeline
better support people in need.
____________________________________
Swedish Economy in Recession
as Consumers Pare Back
November 29th, 4:55pm (FNA)
Sweden’s economy fell into a recession in the third quarter
as inventories declined and households cut back spending
amid increasing borrowing costs and rising prices.
Calendar-adjusted gross domestic product shrank by 0.3% in
the three months through September, compared with the
second quarter, according to figures published by
Statistics Sweden on Wednesday.
An initial estimate, published last month, had indicated
stagnation in the quarter. The drop marks the second
consecutive quarter of contraction after a 0.8%
decline in the second quarter,
Bloomberg reported.
A rapid increase in prices and borrowing costs.. is weighing
heavily on the Swedish economy, as households are forced
to reduce spending and housing construction has plunged.
Most forecasters now expect the largest Nordic country to
see its output contract for two consecutive years, and the
European Commission forecasts that Sweden will be the
only member state that will see its output decline
next year.
“The outcome confirms a weak development in the Swedish
economy,” Swedbank AB’s analysts Pernilla Johansson
and Maria Wallin Fredholm said in a note to clients,
adding, “A development that we think will
continue during the winter.”
They pointed out that a negative contribution from
household consumption for the fifth straight
quarter... matches the previous longest
decline, in 1992 to 1993.
Still, it was mainly the slump of inventories that pushed the
GDP down by 1.4%, while household spending contributed
0.2% to the decline, same as investment, the statistics
office said. Net exports had a 1.5% positive impact.
“Sweden’s technical recession, confirmed by the negative
print for the third quarter, is only the start of bad news.
The economy is set to contract by 0.7% overall, this
year - and remain close to stagnation in 2024. We
don’t see a full recovery in the growth rate until
2025,” they added.
The krona, which has been the best performer in the G-10
space of major currencies in the second half, eased
following the news, trading 0.3% down at 11.3749
versus the euro at 9:50 am in Stockholm.
The development in Sweden mirrors those in neighboring
Denmark and Finland, where economy also contracted
in the third quarter. In fossil-fuel rich Norway, GDP
eked out a gain in the period, thanks, in part, to
wetter weather boosting hydropower output.
_______________________________________________
Chinese foreign minister demands
complete ceasefire in Gaza Strip
November 29th, 4:40pm (TASS)
China insists on a complete and immediate ceasefire
in the Gaza Strip and hopes for the international
community's coordinated actions to settle
the conflict, Chinese Foreign Minister
Wang Yi said.
"First and foremost, we must facilitate a ceasefire with
the utmost urgency," he emphasized, at a meeting on
the Middle East at the UN Security Council.
"Prolonging the fighting will only lead to more
deaths and destruction in the Gaza Strip."
Wang Yi mentioned that an unresolved problem could
spread to the entire region, with forceful methods
being..... "not the way out." "Responding with
violence to violence ---- will only deepen
hatred and increase antagonism,"
he added.
According to the Chinese Foreign Minister, Beijing hopes
that the recent truce in the Palestinian-Israeli conflict
will not be a "respite before a new offensive" and that
"diplomatic steps aimed at a complete ceasefire" will
soon follow.
"We call on all parties concerned, to join efforts to
achieve the common goal of ending the hostilities
in Gaza," he clarified.
_____________________________________
West - sees Palestinians as second-
class citizens -- Russia’s UN envoy
November 29th, 3:22pm (TASS)
The West is not interested in protecting the interests of
the Palestinians --- as it considers them second-class
people, Russian Permanent Representative to the
UN, Vasily Nebenzya said.
"During these weeks, an extremely unpleasant fact has
become clear ---- the Palestinians are a second-class
people for the West, which is simply not interested
in protecting their interests. This ---- is the main
reason for the problems the Council faces
in making decisions," the diplomat said
at a UN Security Council meeting on
the situation in the Middle East.
"For almost 2 months, the international community,
humanitarian agencies, non-governmental
organizations and ordinary citizens have
been calling on the Council -- to demand
that the parties cease fire immediately.
''Russia has been saying this since the very beginning of
the escalation," Nebenzya pointed out. "But this call ---
has not yet been heard. And a sustainable ceasefire
is not only a moral imperative, it is the only
guarantee of an effective humanitarian
response --- which simply cannot be
carried out -- under the conditions
of hostilities," the diplomat said.
The envoy pointed out that the Middle East resolution
adopted by the UN Security Council- as a result of
the US position - provides only for humanitarian
pauses and lacks a mechanism for monitoring
the implementation of its provisions.
"Its initially correct message turned out to be extremely
emasculated by the US efforts and does not contain a
requirement for a ceasefire, as well as does not
provide for practical measures to ensure wide
and unimpeded access to those in need, to
provide assistance to the victims,"
Nebenzya noted.
_______________________________________
BRICS bank greenlights three
new projects in India, China
worth over $1.1 bln
November 29th, 8:43am (TASS)
The BRICS New Development Bank (NDB) has approved
three new loans for India and China worth more than
$1.1 bln, according to a statement released on the
website of the financial organization.
The decision was taken at the 42nd meeting of the bank’s
board of directors held on November 28 in Dubai, United
Arab Emirates (UAE). This was the first time the board
convened in a NDB non-founding member country.
The projects for India concern road infrastructure in rural
locations as a loan worth up to $500 mln for the Gujarat
Rural Road Program and a $638 mln loan for the Bihar
Rural Roads Project were approved. The third project
relates to a loan worth $50 mln to China’s Bank of
Huzhou (BOH) for the Sustainable Infrastructure
Project. This is NDB’s first non-sovereign loan
in China, according to the statement.
The funds will be used by BOH to finance sustainable
infrastructure projects in the Zhejiang Province
focusing on clean energy and energy
efficiency, transportation and
logistics as well as water
and sanitation.
The New Development Bank was set up by BRICS nations on
the basis of the intergovernmental agreement signed at the
sixth BRICS summit in Fortaleza in July 2014. The bank’s
goal is to finance infrastructure projects & sustainable
development projects in BRICS member states and
developing countries.
The bank previously received an "AAA+" international credit
rating from Fitch Ratings and S&P Global Ratings, allowing
it to effectively attract long-term funding on international
and local capital markets.
Since its founding, the bank has approved more than 100
projects totaling over $33 bln in support of such areas
as transportation, water, clean energy, digital and
social infrastructure, as well as
urban construction.
NDB added new members over the past several years, with
Egypt, the UAE and Bangladesh having joined it officially.
Uruguay will also become its member, upon completion
of the necessary procedures.
_________________________________________
"The dictatorship of one hegemon
--- is dangerous for others": Putin
said.. that Russia is fighting for -
the freedom of the whole world
by Sergey Gusarov
November 28th, 6:36pm
(RT.ru)
Russia is now at the forefront of creating a more just world
order, and without it, a lasting and stable world order is
impossible ---- Vladimir Putin said. Speaking at the
plenary session of the World Russian People's
Council, the President stressed - that the
Russian Federation is now fighting not
only for its sovereignty, but also for
the freedom of the whole world.
According to the head of state, it is Russia that has
blocked the path of those who claim world
domination and exclusivity.
"We are now fighting for the freedom not only of Russia, but
of the whole world. We openly say that the dictatorship of
one hegemon... it's getting old. She went, as they say,
peddling --- and just dangerous to others. This is
already clear to the entire world majority,"
Putin said.
He added that Russia is at the forefront
of creating a more just world order.
"I want to emphasize that without a sovereign, strong
Russia, no lasting, stable world order is possible,"
the president said.
According to him, the struggle of the Russian Federation
for sovereignty and justice is "without exaggeration, of
a national liberation character", since it is about
defending the security and well-being of the
people, as well as the right to be a strong,
independent power, a country/civilization.
"It is our country, the Russian world, as has happened many
times in history, that has blocked the path of those who
claim world domination, their 'exclusivity'," Putin said.
The President continued, noting that Russophobia and other
forms of racism and neo-Nazism have become practically
the official ideology of the ruling elites in the West.
"They are directed --not only against the Russian people, but
against all the peoples of Russia: Tatars, Chechens, Avars,
Tuvans, Bashkirs, Buryats, Yakuts, Ossetians, Jews,
Ingush, Mari, Altaians. There are many of us, I won't
name all of them now, but I repeat, this is directed
against all the peoples of Russia," Putin added.
According to him, the West does not need such a large and
multi-ethnic country with a unity of cultures, traditions,
languages and ethnic groups, that do not fit into the
"scheme of total depersonalization, separation,
suppression and exploitation." He also
mentioned the desire to
"decolonize" Russia.
"What do they really need? to ...dismember and plunder
Russia. It doesn't work by force — then sow confusion.
I would like to emphasize, that any interference from
outside, provocations aimed at causing interethnic
or inter-religious conflicts, we regard as
aggressive actions against our
country," Putin said.
Moscow is ready to respond appropriately -- to such
actions against the country, the President stressed.
''Any attempt to sow interethnic and inter-religious discord,
to split our society, is a betrayal --- a crime against the
whole of Russia. We will not allow anyone to divide
Russia, which we have --- as one," the head of
state said.
''In this audience, I would like to recall the words of St.
Gregory the Theologian: "To honour the mother is a
sacred thing. But everyone has their own mother,
and the common mother - is the Motherland."
Earlier, the president repeatedly spoke of the undesirable
impact of Western hegemony, on the whole world. In
October, speaking at the plenary session of the
Valdai International Discussion Club, the
president spoke about the obsession of
Western elites --- with pushing their
interests -- to the detriment of all
other members of the world
community.
As Putin noted, Russia's interlocutors in the West have
forgotten that there are concepts of reasonable self-
restraint, compromises and readiness to give in to
something.... in order to achieve an acceptable
result for everyone.
"No, they are literally obsessed with only one thing: to push,
to push, and at any cost, here and now their interests. If
this is their choice, we'll see what happens," Putin said.
The Head of State also suggested that, if the world relies on
historical experience, the legacy of the past, on which the
idea of a harmonious future is based -- then there will be
fewer conflicts in the world, and they can be resolved
much more rationally.
________________________________________________
Haiti: Corruption Suspects Banned
from Leaving the Country
November 28th (teleSUR)
On Tuesday, the Haitian capital's government commissioner,
Edler Guillaume, issued bans on people named in the Anti-
Corruption Unit reports from leaving the country.
The measures affect several personalities, among them
Kenscoff's former deputy Alfredo Antoine who was
supposed to appear before the prosecutor's
office on Monday, but asked for a one-
week postponement.
Moreover, the former general director of the National Old
Age Insurance Office (ONA) Jemley Marc Jean Baptiste
did not respond to the prosecutor's hearing and
alleged that the invitation was irregular
and inappropriate.
Also related to the ULCC files, former ONA deputy director
Stephanie Mondestin was released "for humanitarian
reasons" after appearing at the Guillaume hearing
at the Public Prosecutor's Office.
A tweet reads, "A meeting was held this Tuesday, Nov 28,
2023, on the premises of OCNH, with the finalists of
the first edition of the National Essay Competition
on the issue of Corruption in Haiti in order to
communicate details relating to the phase
of their audition."
According to official reports, Mondestin was arrested last
Thursday when she was about to travel to the Dominican
Republic, despite a court summons scheduled to shed
light on a case of alleged corruption in the acquisition
of real estate by the ONA worth 86 million gourdes
(about US$652 thousand).
According to ULCC reports, Haiti lost some four billion
gourdes ($30.3 million) or two percent of the national
budget for the 2022-2023 fiscal year to corruption.
Official data shows that the body presented 11
investigations involving public administration
institutions.... such as the National Old Age
Insurance Office, the National Equipment
Centre, the State Lottery, the Ministries
of Education and Foreign Affairs, as
well as the Municipality of
Ouanaminthe ---- and
the Senate.
The crimes identified -- as a result of the investigations --
are embezzlement of public property, illicit enrichment,
money laundering, abuse of functions, illegal
appropriation of land, false declaration of
assets, falsification of public documents
and criminal conspiracy, revealed
ULCC Director General Hans
Jacques Ludwig.
___________________________________
The Defense of Essequibo - Is a
National Issue: Venezuelan VP
November 28th, 6:31pm
(teleSUR)
On Tuesday, Venezuelan Vice President Delcy Rodriguez
asserted that the defense of the Essequibo territory is
a matter that concerns all Venezuelans ---- without
any distinction.
"We are making contemporary history... It is a topic of
national unity that calls upon everyone," she said
during an event called "Venezuela Defends the
Essequibo," where she expressed gratitude
for the presence of opposition politicians
like Zulia Governor Manuel Rosales.
"We are not calling from a political party, nor are we urging
to vote with the colour of a jersey. We are summoned by
Venezuela, with our tricolor flag, to participate on
December 3," she said, referring to the
referendum... through which
Venezuelans will express
their views..... on their
nation's sovereignty
over the Essequibo
territory.
"We can account for five centuries of history regarding
the Venezuelan ownership of this territory," Rodriguez
commented on the controversy between her country
and Guyana --- over the Essequibo territory.
The Venezuelan vice president emphasized that the
Essequibo referendum invites national unity and
coordinated efforts, as this electoral process
involves "a call for development within the
framework of historical rights."
Rodriguez also recalled that the International Court
of Justice (ICJ) has intentions adverse to the
national sentiment.
"Venezuela is one of 119 countries that do not recognize
the automatic jurisdiction of the International Court of
Justice. Today, they pretend to position themselves
as defenders of legality," she said, warning that
her nation will not leave the resolution of such
a vital issue as the territorial integrity of
Venezuela and its Guayana Esequiba
in the hands of third parties.
"Sooner rather than later, Guyana must return to the
negotiating table," Rodriguez stated, ensuring that
the Venezuelan government will fulfill what its
people order.
"There is nothing more sacred than the voice of the people.
And when it speaks, it speaks loud and firm. Guyana is an
aggressor state and an occupier of our territory. We will
not lend ourselves to this tragi-comedy,"
Rodriguez said.
_______________________________
Argentina: Rodriguez Chirillo
to Be Energy Minister
November 28th (teleSUR)
On Tuesday, Argentina's President-elect Javier Milei
will appoint lawyer Eduardo Rodriguez Chirillo
as his energy minister.
It is anticipated that, during Milei's term, responsibilities
in the energy sector will fall under the purview of a
large Infrastructure Ministry, led by
Guillermo Ferraro.
Rodriguez Chirillo served as a consultant for the Ministry
of Energy between 1995 and 1996, during the
governments of Carlos Menem (1989-1999).
In 2001, he also advised the National Ministry
of Infrastructure and Housing under the
presidency of Fernando de la Rua
(1999-2001).
Between 2001 and 2007, he pursued a career in the
private sector, serving as the Director of Legal
Affairs in Latin America for the Spanish
energy company Iberdrola.
In recent months, Rodriguez Chirillo has been
the primary advisor to Milei on energy matters.
Currently, the appointment of the energy minister holds
special significance ---- as Argentina possesses the
second-largest unconventional gas reserves and
the fourth-largest unconventional oil reserves
globally. These resources are found in vast
fields, one of which is "Vaca Muerta" ---
spanning 30,000 square kilometres.
On Tuesday, Milei will hold meetings in Washington with
National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan and National
Security Council Director for the Western
Hemisphere Juan Gonzalez.
Meanwhile, two key members of his team, Nicolas Posse
and Luis Caputo, will hold meetings with officials from
the International Monetary Fund (IMF).
_____________________________________
China rejects US coercion
in trade activities
November 28th, 10:22am
(Prensa Latina)
China today rejected the US abuse of the concept of
national security as a weapon and coercion to
sabotage normal trade activities.
According to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the US “has
repeatedly endangered cooperation between Chinese
companies and other countries using unjustified
security reasons, which is an act of
economic coercion”.
Foreign Ministry spokesman Wang Wenbin emphasized
that this action will not find support or lead anywhere.
“When relevant countries demand the U.S. side to present
credible evidence on the so-called security threats, it
becomes evasive and hesitant on the issue,”
he added.
The spokesman reiterated China’s opposition to the U.S.
stretching the concept of national security too far and
weaponizing economic and trade issues to obstruct
normal investment.
Such actions seriously violate international rules and
shock the security and stability of global industrial
and supply chains, Wang said.
The spokesman made the remarks in connection with a
recent warning by the U.S. Central Intelligence Agency
(CIA), about international cooperation by a United
Arab Emirates company involving some Chinese
companies, including Huawei.
____________________________________
Eurozone Economy to Stay Weak
Through Year-End: ECB Chief
November 28th (teleSUR)
On Monday, Christine Lagarde, the president of the European
Central Bank (ECB) Christine Lagarde told the European
Parliament that the economic activity in the eurozone
has stagnated in recent quarters, and is expected
to remain weak for the rest of the year.
She attributed the slight contraction of the Eurozone's real
gross domestic product (GDP) in the third quarter to a
combination of factors, including the "broadening
impact of higher interest rates, weak foreign
demand and the fading impetus from the
reopening of the economy after
the pandemic."
However, Lagarde expressed optimism for the bloc's
economic resurgence in the coming years, citing a
further decline in inflation, recovery in household
incomes, and growing demand in the area.
Regarding inflation, Lagarde acknowledged that wages
would continue to play a pivotal role in driving
domestic inflation.
Although she expected the weakening of inflationary
pressures to continue, "the medium-term outlook for
inflation remains surrounded by considerable
uncertainty."
Concerning monetary policy, Lagarde confirmed that the
ECB's future policy rates would be set at "sufficiently
restrictive levels for as long as necessary" to meet
its target of bringing inflation down to 2 percent.
"The appropriate level and duration of this restriction will
continue to be determined in a data-dependent manner,
assessing the inflation outlook, the dynamics of
underlying inflation and the strength of
monetary policy transmission,"
she said.
The ECB will ensure price stability, and support the green
transition of the Eurozone's economy, Lagarde noted.
_______________________________________
Matvienko: The West will no longer
be able to implement its plan to
preserve hegemony
November 27th, 9:13pm
(RT.ru)
Federation Council Speaker, Valentina Matviyenko, said
that the West will no longer be able to implement its
plan to preserve hegemony and it is time... to sit
down at the negotiating table.
This is reported by TASS.
According to her --- large-scale events are currently taking
place in the world, which lead to the creation of another
world and the implementation of the scenario in the
interests of the world's majority.
Matvienko also noted that various associations
are developing — BRICS, SCO, etc.
"The West --- is no longer able to implement its plan. And it
won't work. Neither in specific subjects — as in Ukraine
or the Middle East - nor in the global space as a whole,"
she stressed.
____________________________
Duda swears in Morawiecki
as Poland's Prime Minister
November 27th, 5:04pm
(RT.ru)
Polish President Andrzej Duda has sworn in Mateusz
Morawiecki as the country's prime minister in a
ceremony held at the presidential Palace.
Only Foreign Minister Mariusz Blaszczak
has retained his position in the new
government, Prawo writes.
On November 13, Duda instructed Morawiecki
to form a new government.
On November 23, RMF FM radio station reported that
Morawiecki, representing Law and Justice (PiS),
had invited the leaders of the other parties for
consultations to form a new government,
but no one came.
________________________________
Report: Investors Dumping Dollar
November 27th, 2:32pm (FNA)
Investors are selling US dollar positions at the fastest rate
in a year as they expect lower rates next year after the
US Federal Reserve ends its aggressive campaign of
interest-rate hikes, The Financial Times reported.
Asset managers are poised to sell 1.6% of their open dollar
positions this month, in the largest monthly outflow since
last November, the outlet said, citing State Street, one
of the world’s largest asset management companies.
The bank said investors have made “significant” sales daily
since weaker-than-expected US jobs data was released on
November 3.
“Flows in the past two weeks - point to a rapid rethink with
dollar demand,” said Michael Metcalfe, the head of macro
strategy at State Street. He added that recent greenback
sales, marked the unraveling of “an unusually large US
[dollar] overweight” position.
“Investors think ‘if [rate cuts are] actually going to be
delivered, then I don't need to hold as many dollars,’”
Metcalfe added.
November marked the worst monthly performance of the
US currency in a year, with experts predicting that
“sales by asset managers could just be the start
of a longer-term trend among investors,
to reduce exposure to US assets”.
According to the outlet, the weakness of the greenback
plays into the hands of emerging markets as it helps
them repay dollar-denominated loans and could
prompt investors to flow back to developing
economies after heavy sales of hard-
currency debt ----- this year.
____________________________________
Ecuadorian President Daniel Noboa
Presents His First Cabinet
November 27th, 1:49pm
(teleSUR)
On Sunday, the Ecuadorian President Daniel Noboa and his
inaugural cabinet.... posed for an official photo. Notably
absent from the picture was Vice President Veronica
Abad, who was appointed as a "Collaborator for
Peace" between Israel and Palestine.
His team includes the Minister of Women and Human Rights,
Arianna Tanca, and the Minister of Telecommunications,
Cesar Martin. In the coming days, Noboa will appoint
Juan Carlos Vega Malo as the Minister of Economy.
On his first day in office on Thursday, Noboa had already
appointed most of his ministers. Among them were 8
women & 8 men. Niels Olsen, the Tourism Minister,
was the only one who served in the previous
government, led by Guillermo Lasso.
The cabinet also includes Monica Palencia (Government),
Gabriela Sommerfeld (Foreign Relations), Giancarlo
Loffredo (National Defense), Daniel Calderon
(Education), Roberto Luque (Transportation
and Public Works), Ivonne Nuñez (Labour),
Franklin Palacios (Agriculture).. Sonsoles
Garcia (Foreign Trade), Franklin Encalada
(Public Health), Andrea Arrobo (Energy),
Zaida Rovira (Economic and Social
Inclusion), and Humberto Plaza
(Urban Development).
In the official photo of the first cabinet, Vice President
Veronica Abad was not present. So far, she has not
directly commented on her appointment... as
"collaborator for peace and to safeguard
the de-escalation of conflict between
Israel and Palestine" in Tel Aviv.
On Saturday, however, she took advantage of the
International Day for the Elimination of Violence
against Women, to convey a message through
social media.
"Violence is not just about killing others. There is violence
when we use derogatory words, when we make gestures
to disdain other people, when bad actions intimidate your
children and force you to silence injustices, when we
obey out of fear, and when, abusing power, they
belittle you and send you to die in war,"
she expressed.
"This violence leaves very deep scars, difficult to heal.
Women are peace. We are life, justice, courage,
strength. They may distance us, but the echo
of our voice will set us free," Abad added,
without making any mention of
Noboa's appointment.
The relationship between Noboa and Abad.... appeared distant
even during the electoral campaign ------ where they barely
shared public events. On the day of Noboa's inauguration,
Abad did not attend the official lunch.. at the Carondelet
palace. Instead, she visited a market in northern Quito,
where she had lunch & interacted with the merchants.
Abad has been criticized on multiple occasions for her far-
right ideological stances, including positions against the
women's movement and rights to health and education.
_____________________________________________________
Former WH Doctor Warns: Pace of
Biden's Cognitive Decline Already
Putting US 'at Great Risk'
November 27th, 11:52am (FNA)
President Joe Biden's 81st birthday... ushered in even more
conversations surrounding his age and declining cognitive
acuity, two things Texas Republican Rep. Ronny Jackson,
a former White House physician, believes are valid
causes for concern.
"[The decline is] happening quickly," Jackson told
"Sunday Morning Futures" guest anchor, Sean
Duffy, Fox News reported.
"Like you said, I've taken care of three presidents… so I
know firsthand what it takes to be the commander-in-
chief and the head of state. It's a grueling job, both
mentally and physically. This man can't do the job.
He's proven to us every single day that he can't
do the job, but this is going to get worse,"
Jackson added.
Jackson served as a physician under the George W. Bush,
Barack Obama and Donald Trump administrations and
has previously sounded the alarm over Biden's
cognitive acuity -- even demanding he take a
cognitive test or drop out of the 2024 race.
Jackson said the decline has been evident for some time,
looking back on Biden as a candidate before his 2020
match-up against then-president and current
Republican frontrunner Trump, whom
Jackson has endorsed for their
2024 rematch.
"It's just unbelievable, how much he's degenerated just
during his time in office. We cannot afford to have this
man in office for the remainder of this term and then
[for] another four years after that. He's already
putting us at great risk right now," he said.
Meanwhile, young voters lament the president is "out of
touch" with everyone as his support among Gen Z
voters – a crucial demographic for Democrats –
erodes in recent polls.
One recent NBC News poll, for instance, indicated that
Trump leads Biden by four percentage points among
registered voters between the ages of 18 to 34.
Though prominent names like California Gov. Gavin Newsom
or former First Lady Michelle Obama have been tossed
around in speculation while many caution against
letting Biden serve as the Democratic nominee,
a potential replacement for him.....
remains unclear.
Jackson, continuing his discussion with Duffy, listed a series
of concerns he has with the direction of the country,
pointing to the crisis at the Southern border,
international tensions and the economy.
"[Look at] the wars that we're getting drawn into. Things
that wouldn't happen if Donald Trump were there
because our enemies don't fear us anymore.
They have no respect for us anymore and
our adversaries don't trust us anymore,
and it's because we don't have the
leadership in the White House
that we need," he said.
"It's because this man, even if he wanted to, he cannot
provide that leadership. He --- is not physically and
cognitively fit for office anymore, and somebody
in his inner circle needs to step up to the plate
and make him aware of this, and he needs to
move on for the safety and security of this
country," he added.
_________________________________
Palestinian Foreign Ministry condemns
attack on nationals ------------ in US
November 27th, 10:14am
(Prensa Latina)
On Monday, the Palestinian Foreign Ministry strongly
condemned a shooting attack on three nationals
in the US state of Vermont ---- and demanded
justice from that country's Government.
The Ministry of Foreign and Expatriates condemned in
a statement the attack that injured students Hisham
Awartani, Tahseen Ahmed, and Kinan Abdel Hamid.
The three, who were wearing a keffiyeh, the traditional
Palestinian scarf, were shot in Burlington while on
their way to a Thanksgiving dinner at the home
of a relative.
According to US press reports, the victims are in their 20s.
Two of them are clinically stable, while the third has
more serious injuries.
The Ministry called on the US authorities to arrest the
perpetrator and bring him to justice while wishing
the young people a fast recovery.
The attack took place in the context of growing
Islamophobia and anti-Semitism in the US, due
to the ongoing war between Israel and the
Islamic Resistance Movement, whose
epicentre is in the Gaza Strip.
_________________________________
Housing Collapse: Will Wipe Out
