The Czech Republic --- and Israel
will discuss 'cooperation' in the
defence industry and economy
by Sergey Popov
April 13th, 9:39pm
(Vesti.ru)
Czech Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister, Petr Macinka,
arrived in Israel on a working visit. He plans to discuss bilateral
partnerships in the defense industry and economy.
''We want to express our support and solidarity
with Israel in this difficult situation,''
said Matsinka.
Earlier, Czech President, Petr Pavel, said that US President
Donald Trump's statements about NATO, pose a greater
threat to the alliance ....than any potential Russian
actions against the bloc.
_____________________________
Magyar said that Hungary will not
stop buying oil from Russia
by Stanislav Mamrov
April 13th, 2:04pm
Vesti.ru)
The Hungarian authorities will not stop purchasing Russian oil,
according to Peter Magyar, the leader of the Tisa party, which
won the parliamentary elections last Sunday.
''Hungary won't stop buying Russian oil,''
Bloomberg quotes Magyar as saying.
The politician also expressed hope - that the EU would
lift its restrictive measures against Russia, after the
end of the Ukrainian conflict.
''Magyar hopes that the EU will lift its anti-Russian
sanctions when the Ukrainian conflict is over,''
according to the agency
Earlier, Magyar said that Budapest is open to pragmatic
cooperation with Moscow, noting that the interests
of states ....are determined by geography.
_____________________________________
Magyar did not support Ukraine's
accelerated accession to
the EU
April 13th, 1:59pm
(RT.ru)
Peter Magyar, the leader of the opposition party Tisza
..which won the Hungarian parliamentary elections,
did not support Ukraine's accelerated accession
to the EU.
Magyar emphasized that Ukraine will have to go
through the same process... as other countries.
According to him, the issue of Ukraine's accession
to the EU --- will be decided in a referendum in
Hungary, but not --- in the next ten years.
The politician also expressed confidence in the lifting
of EU sanctions against Russia after the end of the
conflict in Ukraine.
_______________________________________________________
Iran-Pakistan transit corridor
begins operations ---- with
first export shipment
April 13th, 10:53am
(PressTV)
Trade activity through the newly launched Pakistan-Iran
transit corridor has officially started, marked by the
dispatch of Pakistan's first export consignment.
Director Transit Trade Customs Sanaullah Abro told
The Express Tribune --- that the maiden shipment -
frozen meat - was sent to Tashkent, Uzbekistan,
using refrigerated trucks.
He noted that under the new arrangement, goods from
Pakistan will move through Gwadar, cross into Iran,
and proceed toward Central Asian destinations.
Abro said the launch of the corridor is expected to
stimulate Pakistan’s economic growth and boost
freight movement through the country’s ports.
According to the Directorate of Transit Trade Customs,
the corridor operates under the TIR (Transports
Internationaux Routiers) system.
To facilitate this, authorities have streamlined TIR
procedures and activated major border points,
including Taftan, Rimdan, Sost, and Gwadar.
Officials describe the Iran-Pakistan transit corridor as
an important advance for Pakistan’s trade and transit
sectors, with the potential to expand exports and
strengthen regional connectivity.
Sources added that the route will offer Pakistan a cost-
efficient alternative to sea trade, reducing transport
times and significantly cutting logistics expenses.
Iran, Pakistan target $10 billion in bilateral trade by 2028
Iran and Pakistan plan to raise bilateral trade to $10 billion
before 2028, aimed at transforming economic ties into a
strategic partnership.
At an inauguration ceremony, Abro and the Director of Transit
Muhammad Rashid formally flagged off the first consignment.
Meanwhile, optimism is growing that Iran and Pakistan might
revive their long-stalled gas and oil pipeline projects after
the recent peace talks between Iran and the US.
Iran and Pakistan signed a commercial agreement in 2009
during the PPP government, and the gas pipeline was
jointly inaugurated in 2013 by the former Iranian
president Mahmoud Ahmadinejad and former
Pakistani president Asif Ali Zardari.
While Iran has completed its part of the pipeline,
Pakistan has yet to begin construction.
Officials say Iran is open to extending the gas sale agreement
by 10 years, but Pakistan remains reluctant..... due to US
sanctions and reduced domestic gas demand.
Pakistan has explored several alternative plans over the years,
including an LNG pipeline from Gwadar with an additional
80-km stretch to the Iranian border.
A Chinese firm showed interest in the project,
but US sanctions have continued to impede
its progress.
____________________________________________
Brazilian Petrobras ---- announces new
discovery of hydrocarbons in pre-salt
April 13th, 10:34am
(Prensa Latina)
The Brazilian state company Petrobras confirmed today, a new
discovery of hydrocarbons in the pre-salt of the Campos Basin,
after drilling an exploratory well 201 kilometres off the coast
of Rio de Janeiro.
The discovery occurred in block CM-477, considered an
exploratory border area, where the well ....reached a
depth of 2,984 metres.
According to the company, signs of oil and gas were identified
from electrical profiles and fluid samples collected during
the operation.
The oil company reported that the material obtained will be
subjected to laboratory analysis - with the objective of
determining the characteristics of the reservoirs
and hydrocarbons found.
''These studies will allow us to evaluate the economic
potential of the area - and define the next steps of
the project.''
Likewise, he specified that the drilling was completed
without environmental incidents, or effects on
personnel, in compliance with operational
safety protocols.
Block CM-477 was awarded in the sixteenth Round of
Tenders of the National Petroleum Agency (ANP) of
Brazil, under a concession regime, and Petrobras
acts as operator - with a 70 percent stake, in
association with British BP, which owns
the remaining 30 percent.
Data released by ANP last week - indicate that the volume
of oil reserves in Brazil reached 17,488 million barrels in
2025, which represents an expansion of 3.84 percent
compared to the previous year.
The presal ..is a geological formation located on the Brazilian
continental shelf, which extends about 800 kilometres from
the coast of Espírito Santo to Santa Catarina ---- and is
recognized for containing the largest hydrocarbon
reserves in the country.
The existence of oil in the region was confirmed in 2006 and,
by May 2024, the pre-saline layer already represented 78.3%
of the S. American giant's total oil & natural gas production.
__________________________________________________
Raúl Castro - congratulates To Lam,
the elected president of Vietnam
April 13th, 9:41am
(Prensa Latina)
The leader of the Cuban Revolution, Army General, Raúl Castro,
congratulated the general secretary of the Communist Party
of Vietnam. To Lam, for his election as president of the
country, media outlets on the island highlight today.
The congratulations were announced by Rogelio Polanco, Cuban
ambassador to Vietnam, through the social network X, where
he shared the full text of Raúl Castro's message, the main
newspaper in Cuba, Granma, said.
This election - of the President of the Socialist Republic of Vietnam,
the leader at the head of the Cuban Revolution said in his message,
is a «just recognition of his unwavering revolutionary loyalty and
proven ability to continue guiding the heroic Vietnamese nation
in building socialism».
To Lam, who has reaffirmed the partisan ties that unite Cuba and his
country, is a professor of Security Sciences and a doctor of Law.
He has been a member of the Central Committee of the Party
in mandates XI to XIV, and of the Political Bureau in
mandates XII to XIV.
Among the positions he has held - the presidency of the country, and
the leader of the National Defense and Security Council, in 2024 -
stand out, & the secretariat of the Central Military Commission
since August of that year, plus the leadership of the Central
Committee for the Prevention and Fight against Corruption,
Waste, and other negative phenomena. He has also
been a deputy in the XIV, XV and XVI legislatures.
________________________________________________________
Russian scientists --- discover
bacteria capable of surviving
on Mars
April 13th, 4:45am
(Prensa Latina)
Russian microbiologists from the Tomsk region discovered
a new family of bacteria in Siberian groundwater, the
digital newspaper Vzgliad reported today.
The note specifies that in underground drilling in Siberia,
biologists discovered an unknown genus of micro-
organisms and managed to isolate a unique
bacteria capable of surviving in Martian
conditions, which scientists around
the world had been searching for
without success.. for ten years.
The communication adds that microbiologists managed
to identify hitherto unknown micro-organisms in three
regions of Siberia.
Scientists at Tomsk State University - found the new genus
& family of bacteria, relatives of Desulforudis audaxviator
in artesian waters and coal seams in the Tomsk regions,
Kemerovo and Tyumen.
The new family was named Desulfosceptrumaceae.
In addition, biologists managed to capture the
famous bacteria «bold traveller», capable
of surviving in Martian conditions.
Previously, US researchers had only found its DNA in a
South African mine, but only specialists in Tomsk....
had managed to obtain the microorganism itself.
The head of the department of the Institute of Biology
of the aforementioned university, Olga Karnachuk,
explained that the genome of the micro-organism
has remained unchanged since the time of the
supercontinent Pangea. According to her,
the absence of mutations for hundreds
of millions of years - contradicts
theclassical notions.... of
Darwinian evolution.
Scientists believe that bacteria initially lived on
the surface and that special air bubbles helped
them move.
_______________________________________________
Kim Jong Un.... spoke
with Chinese Foreign
Minister Wang Yi
April 13th, 12:18am
(Prensa Latina)
The top leader of the Democratic People's Republic of Korea
(DPRK), Kim Jong Un, spoke with Chinese Foreign Minister
Wang Yi, during his official visit to this capital, official
sources highlight today.
During the recent meeting, the Minister of Foreign Affairs of the
People's Republic of China conveyed greetings from President
Xi Jinping, a gesture that the general secretary of the
Workers' Party of Korea, and president of State
Affairs of the DPRK thanked and responded
to... with a similar message.
Kim and Wang agreed on the importance of intensifying
bilateral contacts and strengthening their strategic
cooperation in the current geopolitical context.
The leader of the DPRK reaffirmed his country's will to
consolidate friendship with the neighbouring nation,
based on socialist principles, and expressed
support for the “One China” policy.
For his part, Wang stressed Beijing's willingness to promote
bilateral relations in accordance with the understanding
reached at the summit, last September.
As reported by the Korean Central News Agency, ACNC, the
meeting concluded with a cordial exchange of greetings
and Kim hoped that the government and people of
China would achieve greater success on their
path of socialist modernization, under Xi's
outstanding guidance.
________________________________________________
Colombia seeks to improve tourism
management ....in Heritage Towns
April 11th, 11:03am
(Prensa Latina)
The Government of Colombia today supports the strengthening
of tourism management in Heritage Towns ---- through the
implementation of a UNESCO tool designed to balance
the arrival of vacationers.
The project focuses on visitor management and aims to optimize
their flow, behaviour and experience in the territories of the
Tourist Network of Heritage Towns, currently made up
of 18 municipalities.
According to the Ministry of Commerce, Industry and Tourism,
the goal is to ensure the physical, cultural and environmental
integrity of the place and offer a quality experience for the
visitors, without undermining the well-being of the local
community .....and the social and environmental
sustainability of economic activity.
In this sense, the organization noted, some key aspects for
managing visitors to heritage sites include the active
participation of local actors in decision-making and
the definition of clear objectives on the type of
tourism what you want to promote and your
sustainability standards.
Other axes to take into account are the adequate interpretation
and communication of heritage values; a digital presence
consistent with the identity of the destination; the
ordering of the influx of visitors and the use of
data for monitoring and forecasting demand.
The entity highlighted --- that adequate, efficient and effective
visitor management contributes to preserving and sustaining
the natural and cultural heritage, improving the quality of the
tourist experience, reduce conflicts between vacationers
and local communities, strengthen tourism governance
and support evidence-based decision making.
The leisure industry in Colombia experienced historic growth
between August 2022 and December 2025, with the arrival
of 21 million non-resident visitors, which marked a growth
of 134 percent, according to official data.
__________________________________________
Meeting between Xi and Taiwan
Kuomintang leader marks
Chinese week
April 11th, 11am
(Prensa Latina)
The meeting between Xi Jinping and the leader of the
Kuomintang of Taiwan, the trilateral meeting with
Pakistan and Afghanistan, Qingming and the
beginning of the visit of the head of the
Spanish government --- marked the
week that ends today in China.
The Chinese president received the president of Taiwan's
Kuomintang, Cheng Li-wun, and her delegation here - at
the first meeting of leaders of both parties in a decade.
Xi affirmed that compatriots on both shores belong to the
Chinese nation and stressed that the people, including
Taiwanese, jointly built the unified multinational state.
The president stressed that compatriots from both parties
---- forged a common belief about territorial indivisibility.
Xi Jinping expressed his willingness to work with the
Kuomintang on the basis of the «1992 Consensus»
and emphasized strong opposition to any form
of Taiwan independence.
Cheng Li-wun made a historic visit to several cities in the
country, the first carried out by the president of the
Kuomintang since 2016.
China also valued as positive the trilateral meeting in
Urumqi that the Asian giant hosted.... together with
representatives from Afghanistan and Pakistan.
The delegations were made up of representatives from
the diplomatic, defense and security sectors.
Beijing stressed - that terrorism constitutes the central
problem affecting relations between these two nations
and in this regard, the two countries reaffirmed their
commitment to resolving differences via dialogue.
Also this week, China stressed concern and condemnation
of the Israeli attacks in Lebanon and called for calm to
stop the escalation after the truce reached between
the US and Iran.
The Foreign Ministry noted the need to promote the cooling
of the situation in the Middle East and indicated its hope
that the opportunity for peace will be seized.
This week the holidays for the Qingming Festival or grave
cleaning day ended, 3 days that the Chinese dedicated
to honouring their ancestors --- and sightseeing.
Also these days, China announced the creation of the Inner
Mongolia Free Trade Zone, a strategic decision to promote
openness and high-quality development.
The text grants the area greater powers for innovation
and prior experimentation, plus the establishment of
19 reform measures in areas such as border trade
and international logistics.
Inner Mongolia will consolidate itself as a centre for the
exchange of information and logistics, the area will
function as a key bridge for national opening.... to
the north.
The week closed with the arrival today in Beijing of the
head of the Spanish Government, Pedro Sánchez, for
his fourth visit to the Asian giant in just over three
years, during which he will meet again - with his
host and counterpart, Xi Jinping.
The objectives of the program are to strengthen political ties
with China; achieve greater balance in economic relations,
both in the commercial and investment fields; & likewise,
advance bilateral cooperation in areas such as culture,
education and science.
________________________________________________________
Russia will launch reusable
space rocket ---- in 2028
April 11th, 2:56am
(Prensa Latina)
The test takeoff and landing of the reusable Amur-SPG space
rocket are scheduled for 2028, the Russian deputy prime
minister, Denis Manturov, told the press today.
«Last year, technical specifications were approved for the
middle-class Amur-SPG rocket and for the prototype of its
reusable first stage. The launch and landing of the
experimental prototype should take place in
2028”, said the senior official at the
Russian Space Forum, at the
Russia National Centre
in Moscow.
Manturov added that this is a very important step towards
a new generation of national launch systems based on
reusable technologies.
The deputy prime minister stressed that the main objective
of the Russian space industry .....is to guarantee its
technological sovereignty.
«Russia is firmly committed to the task of guaranteeing the
technological sovereignty of the space industry. This is
our fundamental priority», he declared, although he
added ...that the country is open to mutually
beneficial partnerships.
In addition to the rocket, Manturov noted that the project
of a Russian orbital station - is entering its active phase.
«To ensure a continued presence in space -------- the Russian
orbital station project enters its active phase. The decision
to maintain the orbit at a level of 56.1 degrees will make it
possible to take advantage of the existing infrastructure
in the Russian segment of the International Space
Station, it will be modernized and coupled
to new modules», he explained.
Likewise, he stressed that the start of the deployment
of the Russian station ---- is also scheduled for 2028.
_____________________________________________
The Estonian Navy refused to detain
Russian vessels due to the risk
of escalation
April 10th, 9:07pm
(RT.ru)
Estonia will not detain Russian vessels in the Baltic Sea
due to the threat of a possible military escalation,
according to Ivo Vark, the commander of
the Estonian Navy.
His words are quoted by the Reuters news agency.
Tallinn.. has decided to abandon attempts to intercept
ships of Russia's so-called shadow fleet in the region.
"The risk of military escalation is too high," Vark said.
According to the military, the country's authorities will
only consider the option of military intervention
if there is a direct threat.
In particular, he mentioned scenarios involving damage
to underwater infrastructure or large-scale oil spills.
Earlier, The Telegraph newspaper reported that the UK
is not seizing tankers carrying Russian oil --- due to
concerns about violating international law.
____________________________________________
Reuters: The war in the Middle East
is bankrupting Ukrainian farmers
by Alexey Komolov
April 10th, 5:39pm
(Rossiyskaya Gazeta)
To share
The US-Israel conflict with Iran is causing serious damage
to Ukrainian farmers, according to Reuters.
It is noted that the US-Israeli strikes on Iran have caused
unprecedented disruptions in fuel supplies, resulting in
a nearly doubling of fuel prices. As a result, Ukrainian
farmers are facing rising costs, and there is little
they can do about it.
According to one of the agency's interlocutors, who represents
the agricultural sector, farmers already need to stock up on
fuel for harvesting, as a failure to harvest --- "will lead to
a complete collapse."
After the US and Israel's attacks on Iran and the Islamic
Republic's retaliatory actions, the Strait of Hormuz, a
key route for the global supply of oil and liquefied
natural gas from the Gulf countries, was
effectively blocked.
Against this backdrop, fuel prices are rising
in most countries around the world.
______________________________________
Russian Ambassador Kelin
called the tanker escort
a surprise for Britain
by Alexander Mironov
April 10th, 4:35pm
(Vesti.ru)
The military escort of Russian-owned oil tankers ------ through
the English Channel is a promised surprise for London. This,
was announced by Andrey Kelin, the Russian Ambassador
to the United Kingdom, in an interview with the
Vesti news service.
''The fact that there was a combat escort is really great.
We promised this surprise to the British, and now it's
happening,'' the diplomat noted.
Earlier, the Russian Black Sea Fleet frigate "Admiral Grigorovich"
led two oil tankers through the English Channel. The Kremlin
explained that they resorted to escorting the vessels,
to protect them from international piracy.
_____________________________________
Colombia reciprocates hike of tariffs
to 100 percent of Ecuador
April 10th, 4:38pm
(Prensa Latina)
The Ministry of Trade, Industry and Tourism of Colombia
reported today 100% tariffs on imports from Ecuador,
in response to a similar measure taken by Daniel
Noboa's government.
The minister of the portfolio, Diana Morales, further stated
in a press release from the Executive tried “all diplomatic
efforts and dialogue possible” in order to seek a way out
that would benefit the two countries, the entrepreneurs,
and especially ....the communities on both sides of
the border.
She regretted --- that there was no positive response
and, on the contrary, the administration of Noboa
announced a hardening on the business front.
Morales said that: facing the announcement to impose a
tariff of 100% on Colombian products that come on the
market of their neighbour, “we are forced to modify
the Decree 170 ------- level with the new rate
raised by Ecuador”.
According to the note of the Ministry, the proposal will be
immediately sent to the Committee on Customs, tariff
and non-Tariff Foreign Trade (Triple-A) to start the
modification process of the standard.
The tariff imposed by Ecuador to the colombian products, which
initially was 30%, and now it goes to 100%, would upset the
balance of the conditions of competition and of the
market between the countries, which negatively
impacts the domestic producers that compete
with products of the Ecuadorian territory,
said the agency.
It also recalled the communication that Colombia presented
to the Andean Community (CAN) --- a lawsuit against the
measure adopted by Ecuador, since it violates the
Cartagena Agreement of 1969.
On the other hand, the Ministry said that the Government will
promote the implementation of measures of relief for the
entrepreneurs... aimed at strengthening their liquidity
and to sustain the productive fabric of the country.
In this sense, he added, we will promote lines of credit
with favourable terms and conditions, a greater
acility of access to funding, and mechanisms
that allow firms to cope with this economic
period ---- without affecting its operation
and / or employment.
The impact of the actions taken during the previous
day by Ecuador go beyond the commercial sphere.
The president of Colombia, Gustavo Petro, asked the
ambassador to the neighbouring nation to return to
Bogota, as it was considered that their decision
violated the Andean Community.
___________________________________
Mendel: EU politicians ---- have already
seen through Zelensky's double game
April 9th, 5:04pm
(RT.ru)
Most European politicians have accused Vladimir
Zelensky of being two-faced. This opinion was
expressed by his former press secretary,
Yulia Mendel.
"A huge number of politicians and diplomats —— almost
all of them -- were puzzled by his behaviour. He gained
their trust, made solemn promises and demonstrated
understanding, only to act in a completely opposite
manner," she wrote on social media.
According to Mendel, this approach by the head of the
Kiev regime “did not go unnoticed” by the EU leaders.
Earlier, the head of EU diplomacy, Kaja Kallas,
complained... that she had no good news on
the allocation of a €90 billion loan to Kiev.
____________________________________________
Zakharova: The US --- is demonstrating its
aggression: due to its debts in the world
April 9th, 4:24pm
(RT.ru)
The United States is constantly demonstrating its aggression
& the fact is, that it owes huge sums to the rest of the world,
Russian Foreign Ministry spokeslady, Maria Zakharova said.
According to her...... the United States
owes the rest of the world $39 trillion.
"It's either a real estate bubble or an artificial intelligence
bubble. Everyone understands this. But the client is
constantly showing aggression," RIA Novosti
quoted her as saying.
Earlier, it became known that the US national debt, according
to the US Ministry of Finance, exceeded $39 trillion for the
first time in history. Translated into rubles, this is
3.24 quadrillion.
__________________________________________
Kallas:
The EU is not helping the Gulf countries
because of their approach to Ukraine
April 9th, 3:50pm
(RT.ru)
The EU does not want to provide significant assistance to the Gulf
countries in the conflict over Iran, as they are not helping Europe
in Ukraine, according to Kaja Kallas, the head of EU diplomacy.
"We also, have our own security zone in Europe... We still haven't
seen the Gulf countries really helping us there (in the conflict in
Ukraine. — RT), and it can't be a one-way street," she said
in an interview with CNN, according to RIA Novosti.
Earlier, the Berliner Zeitung wrote that Vladimir Zelensky,
amid uncertainty with Western military aid, is seeking
support in the Middle East.
_______________________________________________________
Next holidays golden opportunity
to boost tourism in Vietnam
April 9th, 2:35am
(Prensa Latina)
The Vietnamese holidays between April 25 and may 3, next,
are perceived today as a golden opportunity to boost
domestic tourism before the high season.
From the 25th to the 27th of this month people will take the day
off for the Day of Commemoration of the Kings Hung, while
from April 30 to May 3 will be non-working days on the
occasion of the Day of the Liberation of the South
and the Reunification of Vietnam and the
International Day of Work.
This creates favourable conditions.... for the tourism industry to
accelerate growth and achieve significant progress before the
high season of Summer, said a commentary posted on the
newspaper Hanoi Moi's digital edition, this thursday.
Given the current situation, characterized by the increase of
the prices of plane tickets and transport resulting from the
conflict in the Middle East, the travel trends during the
holiday will change, predicted personal sector
specialists consulted by the publication.
According to the director of VietSense Travel, Nguyen Van Tai,
the tourists in the area of Hanoi are showing more interest in
affordable tours by road, with domestic destinations such as
Ninh Binh, Sam, Are, Ha Long, Sa Pa, Moc Chau, Dien Bien
and Ha Giang.
The deputy general director of Viet Travel Company, Pham Anh
Vu, also noted that the number of vacationers who opt for
domestic trips - is higher and the duration.... is longer.
To date, he said, the tours are the main product of the company,
representing approximately 65 percent, while for international
travel, customers choose safe and nearby destinations, like
Japan, South Korea, China, Thailand and Singapore.
For his part, the director of marketing BestPrice Travel, according
to Bui Thanh, stressed that despite facing a period of increased
transportation costs, clients have not diminished their desire to
travel, but prioritise destinations ....with reasonable prices.
In this sense, the journal warned about the proliferation of many
cheap, widely advertised in social networks travel offers,
which pose a risk of poor quality ....and tourist scams.
He pointed out - that in social networking platforms such as
Facebook and TikTok, have appeared numerous ads which
offer surprisingly low prices with attractive offers such as
“No hidden costs”, “hotel central”, and “luxury bus with
bunk beds, among others.
He warned, however, many publications lack complete
information about the organiser... do not have clear
directions and use personal accounts to collect
tourists' deposits.
For its part, the airline Vietnamese low-cost Vietjet Airlines
has already announced that it will operate nearly 3,800
flights in the period between 25 April and 5 May,
up 16% ....from 2025.
___________________________________________
Viet Nam welcomes
U.S.-Iran ceasefire
April 8th, 3:39pm
(VGP)
Viet Nam welcomes the ceasefire reached between the U.S.
and Iran on April 7, said Spokesperson of the Ministry of
Foreign Affairs, Pham Thu Hang.
Spokesperson of the Ministry ofForeign Affairs Pham Thu Hang
Pham described the ceasefire, as an important step forward
in reducing tensions and restoring peace, stability, security
and safety in the Middle East.
Viet Nam calls on the relevant sides to exercise restraint, take
responsible actions, not complicate the sitution; respect the
independence, sovereignty and territorial integrity of the
countries; ensure security and safety for civilians
and civil infrastructure, as well as maritime
safety and freedom in the region, said
the Spokesperson.
She also calls on the relevant sides - to actively engage in
dialogues... to seek peaceful solutions to differences on
the basis of the fundamental principles of international
law and the United Nations Charter --- for their own
benefit, and for peace, stability, cooperation and
development in the region ....and the world.
__________________________________
Colombia: More than 10 million
travelers.... traveled by air
April 8th, 11:43am
(Prensa Latina)
More than 10 million passengers traveled in Colombia
by air between January and February of this year, as
announced today by the Colombian Association of
Travel and Tourism Agencies (Anato).
Of that total, the source detailed, 5,700,000 correspond
to national traffic and 4,300,000 to the international
segment, which together represents a growth of
8.1% compared to the same period in 2025.
“In February alone, air traffic reached nearly four million
passengers, with a growth of nine percent, driven
mainly by the dynamism of the international
market”, declared the executive president
of Anato, Paula Cortés.
The board also recalled that Colombia reached an historical
record of more than 57,500,000 travelers last year, which
in his opinion reflects the consolidation of air transport
as a key mode of mobility.
The behaviour of the first two months is in line with
the recent growth trend of the sector, he said.
In the same period of the previous year, he noted, a sustained
recovery was already evident, with increases of close to 5%
in total traffic, a trend that will accelerate.... in 2026.
______________________________________
Guatemala ----- seized weapons
and ammunition in containers
....from the US
April 8th, 11:38am
(Prensa Latina)
The National Civil Police (PNC) of Guatemala reported today the
seizure of firearms, ammunition and accessories located in a
container in Santo Tomás de Castilla from the United States.
Through its profile on the social network X, the institution detailed
that the incident occurred in eastern Puerto Barrios, department
of Izabal, when the authorities were carrying out routine
inspections and found the box destined for Santa
Cruz Barrillas, Huehuetenango.
In it, he noted, there were two rifles with telescopic sights,
two.223 rifles, two pistols, all with their magazines and
without documentation, three additional telescopic
sights, as well as 2,798 rounds of ammunition in
different calibres.
The PNC presumes that the shipment sought to evade the
controls established for the transfer and possession of
weapons in the country, so the case .....is already
under investigation.
He expressed that the corresponding procedures will continue
to establish the exact origin of the weapons, identify those
responsible for the shipment and determine if there is
a link with criminal structures.
Guatemalan security forces, according to the most recent
records from 2024 to 2026, reported a notable increase
in both the frequency of these findings and the
volume of weapons seized.
Analysts on the subject described it as common that
trafficking does not occur in massive shipments of
weapons alone, but rather....... through the “ant”
method, or in parcels.
Weapons usually come hidden in household items (washing
machines, refrigerators or stoves), boxes of clothes and
groceries or hidden in compartments of imported cars.
The official records for 2025 reported an historic figure of
almost four thousand weapons seized nationwide, an
increase compared to the 3,751 seizures in 2024.
___________________________________________
Thousands of young people in
El Salvador neither study
nor work
April 8th, 10:52am
(Prensa Latina)
At least 310,500 young people in El Salvador neither
study nor work, official reports indicated today.
The data extracted from the 2025 Multiple Purpose Household
Survey (EHPM) of the Central Reserve Bank (BCR) specify
that the ages of these people range between 15 and 29
years old, and the so-called NEETs represent 20.6%
of the population.
A review of the El Mundo newspaper survey... suggests that by
reducing the focus only on the population between 15 and 24
years old, the EHPM 2025 showed that 19.1 percent of these
young people do not work or study, equivalent to 186,115.
The publication asserts that on previous occasions, the BCR
clarified in the EHPM reports that the NINI population faces
limited possibilities for professional development as they
are not included in the educational system.
The document specifies that the female population between
15 and 29 years old is more likely to not study or work, with
31.3% in this situation, compared to 9.1 percent for men,
a gap of 22.2 points.
_________________________________________
With the Mining Law --- Venezuela
ensures resources for the people
April 8th, 9:53am
(Prensa Latina)
The president of the National Assembly (parliament) of Venezuela,
Jorge Rodríguez, stated today that with the Organic Mining Law
Project, it is ensured that every resource on Venezuelan soil
translates into well-being for the people.
In a message on his Telegram account, the deputy of the
Homeland Bloc alluded to the ordinary session the day
before where they discussed in debate - the articles
that establish the bases for “the creation of mixed
companies; environmental protection
guarantees and the sustainability
of the sector”.
The legislator wrote last night on the same platform that it was a
day of “intense legislative debate”, in which they advanced in
the second discussion of the Organic Mining Law Project,
proposed by the president in charge, Delcy Rodríguez.
He stressed, in this regard, that they managed to advance
in the approval of more articles that “strengthen the
sovereignty of our resources”.
In the opinion of the head of the Legislative Branch, this legal
instrument ------ is essential to promote national economic
development and modernize the legal framework of
mining activity.
Yesterday the National Assembly advanced in the unanimous
approval of another 60 articles in the second discussion of
the Mining Bill, to total 115 of the 130 that the legal
regulations have.
In the ordinary session - the third in which the norm is analyzed -
the legislators debated part of the chapter dedicated to the
Sanctioning Regime of this legal instrument, of which,
12 of the 18 articles were validated.
A press release from parliament, indicated that
it punishes those who operate outside the law.
Likewise, the exploitation of minerals without proper mining
authorization stands out, which will lead to the payment of
a fine of “up to a thousand times the exchange rate of the
highest value currency, published by the Central Bank
of Venezuela”.
He exemplified with article 114 that it penalizes “delay or
omission in the delivery of reports and plans required by
the authorities” with fines of 500 and up to a thousand
units of the currency of greater value, depending on
the severity of the fault.
This Bill was submitted to public consultations with workers
in the mining sector in the state of Bolívar (south), one of
the ones .....with the greatest extractive potential in
the country.
Among its principles it establishes that the right of ownership
of deposits falls only on the Republic and considers deposits
“public domain assets, inalienable and imprescriptible”,
according to its article three.
It stipulates -- that the management and stewardship of mineral
resources is the responsibility only of the national government
through the corresponding portfolio and proposes the creation
of the National Mining Fund ......with the objective of obtaining
resources intended for social projects.
_________________________________________
Drone football - gains
momentum in China
by Song Haoxin
April 8th, 3:26am
(Prensa Latina)
Drone soccer, an emerging sport that combines
aviation technology with soccer competition,
is rapidly gaining popularity in China.
The trend was evident.... at the recent Final of the Ablefly
National Drone Football Championship - held in Chengdu,
Sichuan province. The huge event had the participation
of 1,116 Chinese and foreign teams.
Within the fenced arena, players maneuvered spherical
drones with hand controllers, sending them through
the air in quick offensive and defensive plays, as
spectators watched enthusiastically as the
buzzing drones traced dynamic arcs....
across the field.
Drone soccer....... is an emerging competitive sport that
integrates drone flight control with the soccer format.
Players use remote controls, adjusting the altitude
and rotation with the left hand and directing the
movement forward, backward, left and right
with the right, as if they were playing
«football in the air».
The matches follow a five-on-five format. A valid goal is
scored when a spherical drone passes completely
through the opponent's circular arc.
Teams compete in group stages, crossover playoffs, qualifying
matches, semi-finals and the final to determine the winner.
In the field, spherical drones fly at high speed, creating
an intense visual impact and a high appeal for viewers.
«This sport is powered by technologies such as multirotor
propulsion systems, AI-based visual positioning and anti-
interference communication algorithms», says event
director Yang Xuefan.
«The positioning error ----- in the coordination of multiple drones
remains within 2 centimetres, turning cutting-edge technology
into an accessible mass sport.»
«It's incredibly exciting, like playing chess on a 3D board.
You need both quick reflexes and tactical thinking»,
said a contestant ------ from the University of
Electronic Science and Technology
of China.
From precise control and teamwork to real-time decision making,
players sharpen their concentration, judgment and coordination
in high-speed competitions.
Many participants noted that the sport ......not only improves their
understanding of flight technology, but also offers an immersive
experience at the intersection of technology and athletics.
In the stands, waves of applause and astonishment echoed
throughout the venue. «I thought - it was just flying drones,
but the competition is intense and highly technological»,
exclaimed a Chongqing spectator.
For many, this event was their first close encounter with
drone football, and a glimpse into what «sports of the
future» could look like.
An interactive zone also attracted families, allowing children to
experience first-hand, the appeal of low-altitude technologies.
Beyond the excitement in the countryside, the event also
highlighted the development of the low-lying economy.
Along with the competition, exhibitions were held on the
development of smart sports in Chengdu.. and on low-
altitude industry in Shuangliu district, showing the
achievements of more than 30 local companies.
Drone football is gaining significant traction in Chengdu.
The city promotes it as a key sport in schools --- and
trains teachers and integrates it into the science
education curricula.
«Drone football is not just a trendy sport, it is a vital link -- that
connects young people, aeronautical technology and the low-
altitude economy», an official from the Chengdu Sports
Office said.
«In the future, relevant technologies, standards and talent pool
can be extended to fields such as logistics, inspection and
emergency response», he added.
_________________________________________
Michelle Bachelet launches official
page of her candidacy for the UN
April 8th, 1:35am
(Prensa Latina)
Former Chilean President Michelle Bachelet launched the website
to promote her candidacy for the UN Secretary General, with
a call to ''renew the organization'' to face today's
global challenges.
“Facing its centenary, the UN must project itself as an efficient
organization in management, coherent and effective in action,
and reliable in leadership, capable of inspiring the people of
the world again”, said the former president.
On the official page https://michellebachelet.org/ the program
and the main axes of her application to the highest
international organization appear.
The so-called “Vision Statement” recognizes that the multilateral
entity is at a critical crossroads and faces challenges such as
the intensification of armed conflicts, the rapid advancement
of technology and the growing threat of cyberattacks, to
which is added - the climate crisis.
“Building the United Nations the world's needs must be at the
centre of our collective mission”, the text states, and it
advocates strengthening international law.... and a
reform of the institution, faithful to its founding
principles and adapted to the challenges of
the 21st century.
On April 21, the presentations that the candidates for the
general secretary must make to present their programs
begin --- in order to lead the organization.
Bachelet, a pediatrician by profession and member of the
Socialist Party, was the first and only woman to hold the
presidency of Chile, a position in which she served for
two periods (2006-2010 and 2014-2018).
In 2010, the then Secretary General of the United Nations,
Ban Ki-moon, appointed her as executive director of the
UN Women agency, an entity called to fight for the
rights of women in the world.
She also served as UN High Commissioner for Human Rights.
The former president has broad national and international
support and the sponsorship of Brazil and Mexico,
despite the fact that the Chilean president,
José Antonio Kast, decided to withdraw
his support, on the ''advice'' of an
extreme rightwing party that
props up his coalition.
Rafael Grossi, Rebeca Grynspan, Macky Sall
and Virginia Gamba also compete in the
race -- for the direction of the highest
international organization for the
period 2027-2031.
___________________________________________
Platform to modernize public
management launched
in Laos
April 8th, 12:30am
(Prensa Latina)
The Lao government today presented the
G-Chat v2+LaoAI platform to strengthen
cybersecurity, improve administrative
efficiency.... and advance the digital
transformation of the public sector.
The system was presented by the Ministry of Technology
and Communications at an event, with the participation
of Deputy Prime Minister Saleumxay Kommasith.
Minister Santisouk Simmalavong noted that the tool will
strengthen data protection and reduce dependence on
foreign platforms.
In turn, he indicated that the platform will allow faster,
more transparent and efficient coordination between
state institutions.
The system integrates LaoAI, an artificial intelligence
platform that supports officials in document writing
and information management.
Authorities highlighted that this will facilitate processes,
reduce repetitive tasks and optimize work time.
The Government considers that this initiative consolidates
the development of a modern, safe public administration
adapted to technological advances.
______________________________________
The EU ...has announced plans
to strip Hungary of its voting
rights if Orbán wins
April 6th, 9:25pm
(Izvestia.ru)
The EU plans to deprive Hungary of its voting rights in the EU
Council in the event of the victory of the ruling Fidesz party
of the country's current Prime Minister Viktor Orban in the
parliamentary elections, Pekka Toveri --- the head of the
Committee for Parliamentary Cooperation Ukraine/EU
in the EU Parliament, told Izvestia.
"A plan is being created in case Orbán ''steals the election''.
Most likely... Hungary's voting rights will be revoked to
allow the loan to be approved. I don't have a specific
timeline, but it's likely to happen very soon after
the election," Tovughry said.
Earlier, on March 31, Kaja Kallas, the head of EU diplomacy (Lol),
visited Kyiv, where she said that she had “no good news about
the allocation of a €90 billion loan” for Ukraine.
She emphasized that the EU Commission hopes
that this decision will be approved at the next
meeting of the EU Council.
_______________________________________________
Road blocked in Guatemala
in rejection of fuel prices
April 7th, 6:05pm
(Prensa Latina)
Demonstrators today blocked a highway in Guatemala
in rejection of the rise in fuel prices, in a new day
that gave continuity to other protests.
The passage continues to be closed.. at kilometre 210,
University Centre of Cobán, capital of the department
of Alta Verapaz, according to information shared by
the General Directorate of Road Protection and
Safety (Provial), which monitors the situation.
This entity reported in the morning the blockade on route CA-2
West, kilometre 189.3 El Asintal, Retalhuleu, and on RN-16,
kilometre 72 Culiapa, Puerta Roja village, Santa Rosa.
The demonstrators mainly question the value of diesel, which
exceeds 43 quetzals (almost 5.6 dollars) per gallon, which
begins to raise the issue of operations under new prices,
especially for public transport.
The Chamber of Agriculture said, for its part, that the sector
registers significant increases in its production costs ----
driven mainly by the rise in fuels and fertilizers.
According to a survey, almost 90 percent of producers report
increases, and these inputs represent between 10 and
40 percent of their price structure.
The entity called for the implementation of temporary measures
to reduce the cost of fuels and fertilizers - including the
temporary suspension of import and distribution
taxes - as well as to give priority ------ to the
maintenance of roads.
The urban and interurban transport sector of this capital held
a peaceful march the day before to show discontent with
the rise in diesel, which left operators "on the edge of
operational collapse", they deplored.
The heads of congressional blocs listened to their concerns and
the population expects a definition in the plenary session this
afternoon, after over 15 days waiting for an agreement.
The deputies have before them at least five main proposals
(between bills and government proposals), such as a
possible subsidy of eight quetzales (just over a
dollar) a gallon of diesel, which would cover
about three months.
________________________________________
Iran’s Hormuz Strait Toll Hits Petrodollar,
Accelerates.... BRICS De-Dollarization
April 7th, 5:30pm
(sputnikglobe)
While the US - was stepping up attacks on Iranian civilian
infrastructure, the Hormuz Strait toll scheme in yuans
and stablecoins ......was gaining steam.
Iran's strategy "significantly weakens 'maximum pressure' by
bypassing dollar-based systems," Dr. Alam Saleh, a political
analyst at the Centre for Arab and Islamic Studies at the
Australian National University, tells Sputnik.
This way, Iran is "effectively challenging the US economy and
the US dollar’s position as the global reserve currency, as
well as the petrodollar system," echoes Dr. Hasan Selim
Ozertem, an Ankara-based security & political analyst.
Stablecoins operate on decentralized blockchain
networks, making them harder to trace and block
Yuan payments are made - through China’s Cross-Border
Interbank Payment System (CIPS) - a viable alternative
to SWIFT
US attacks cannot reverse the emerging trend, since
transactions are likely processed in Iranian
underground facilities
Blueprint for BRICS
"It sets a powerful precedent, encouraging BRICS to experiment
with non-dollar trade," says Saleh. "The Strait of Hormuz could
indeed become a testing ground for petroyuan and crypto-
based energy transactions."
Iran's strategy.. can be scaled at a global level,
Ozertem believes. In that case --------- it could
"redefine the rules of international finance."
"For other BRICS members --- particularly Russia, China,
and potentially India --- this model offers a blueprint
for reducing dependency on the US dollar -- in the
energy trade," the security expert emphasizes.
_______________________________________________
President of Colombia:
repeated complaint -
about the condition
of Jorge Glas
April 7th, 3:32pm
(Prensa Latina)
The president of Colombia, Gustavo Petro, insisted today on his
complaint that former Ecuadorian Vice President, Jorge Glas,
(2013-2018) is a "political prisoner" and asked international
entities to remain attentive to his physical condition.
"Jorge Glas is a Colombian citizen and is a political prisoner.
ask international human rights organizations to ensure
their rights. His state of health already compromises
his life because, being in prison, he has not been
given enough food and he is already suffering
from severe malnutrition and loss of muscle
mass," the president wrote on his account
on the social network X.
He added in his message that "letting a person die of
hunger, being under the care of a government, is a
crime against humanity."
The head of state's pronouncement is the second
issued in 24 hours on the situation of Glas, who
was granted Colombian nationality in
September of last year.
Petro reiterated his alert despite the comments made
earlier by the president of Ecuador, Daniel Noboa.
As alleged on his account of the social network X, the
Ecuadorian leader, the complaint of his New Granada
counterpart - "constitutes an attack on sovereignty
and a violation of the principle of non-intervention,
enshrined in Article 19 of the Charter of the
Organization of American States and in
international law."
Other personalities in Colombia also express
their concern about Glas' physical condition.
Senator Gloria Flórez, for example, considered that the
former vice president is subjected to undignified
conditions "deliberately."
"He has lost 14 kilograms, his physical, health and
psychological condition is quite worrying," she
said in a message released on his account
on the social network X.
The legislator - also asked human rights defenders in Latin
America and the world to defend Glas - "victim of so many
humiliations by the Noboa government," as she remarked.
Glas has been held in the Encuentro Prison, in Santa Elena,
since November 10, after being transferred from the
maximum security prison La Roca, in Guayaquil.
His defense reported that he served the sentences imposed
in the Odebrecht and Bribery cases, however, he continues
to be detained.. for the process called Reconstruction of
Manabí, whose written sentence of first instance was
notified six months later ----- violating guarantees of
due process.
The former vice president, considered one of the symbols of
judicial persecution or "lawfare" in Ecuador, was in the
Mexican embassy in Quito from December 2023
to April 5, 2024.
That day, police violently and without authorization entered
the diplomatic legation and apprehended him --- despite
having asylum from the then government of Andrés
Manuel López Obrador.
_____________________________
India - with world record in
Rifle and Pistol World Cup
April 7th, 3:15pm
(Prensa Latina)
India opened the Rifle and Pistol World Cup with gold
and a world record in the mixed 10-metre air pistol,
thanks to the surgical precision of Palak and
Mukesh Nelavalli.
The Asian duo turned the final into an exercise in mettle and
accuracy and shot by shot, like an infallible metronome,
they were building a historic mark of 487.7 points,
also a world record in the youth category, which
shook the galleries of Granada.
In the duel for the title -- Palak scored 243.0 points and Mukesh
contributed 244.7, a perfect combination to break records and
wills. Behind, the Chinese pair of Qianxun Yao and Kai Hu
secured silver with 484.8, while Hungary, with Veronika
Major and Akos Karoly Nagy, took bronze (414.9).
The warning had come from qualifying: the Indians were second
with 581-17x, only surpassed by China (586-23x). In the final,
however, they raised their aim and competitive character
to record levels.
Palak, just 18 years old, had already announced his breakthrough
with gold at the 2023 Asian Games and an Olympic quota for
Paris 2024, while Mukesh, junior world champion, confirms
his projection as one of the strongest hands of the
immediate future.
In this way, India opened its campaign in Grenada with a blow of
authority: a gold that not only weighs in the medal table, but
also sets the pace for a generation..... that shoots with
precision and dreams big.
___________________________________________
Income of Colombian women who earn
the least: grew in Petro's government
April 7th, 1:18pm
(Prensa Latina)
An analysis by the Vida Thought Centre released today in this
capital revealed a 40.3 percent increase in the average real
income of working women in Colombia with the lowest
salaries ...between 2022 and 2025.
For that same sector, according to the graphs released, income
growth was 11.3 percent during the government of Iván Duque
(2018-2022), in the second term of Juan Manuel Santos (2014
-2018) they reached 19.9 percent, while the first (2010-2014)
experienced an increase of 8.5 percent.
The country's president, Gustavo Petro, highlighted the figures
in a message released on his account on the social network X.
He pointed out ----- that income in Colombia was distributed in
favour of poor women during his government as never before.
Other figures account for the achievements of
the current administration in social matters.
A report by the Bank of the Republic pointed out that between
2021 and 2024 monetary poverty in Colombia was reduced
from 39.7 to 31.8 percent, that is, about three million
400 thousand people .....stopped being in that
condition in this period.
Likewise, according to the National Administrative Department
of Statistics, multidimensional poverty in 2024 closed at 11.5
percent, with a reduction of 0.6 percentage points compared
to 2023.
_______________________________________________
Colombia --- 113 people accused of
kidnapping and extortion arrested
April 7th, 12:26pm
(Prensa Latina)
Colombian law enforcement agencies captured 113 people
accused of crimes such as kidnapping, extortion and
related conduct during an operation carried out in
a dozen departments, according to local media
reported today.
The National Police, in coordination with the Prosecutor's Office,
executed the Hunter Plan "Operation Garnet" against 15
criminal structures, including the Clan del Golfo, the
Conquistadoras de la Sierra Self-Defense Forces
and gangs such as Los Costeños, Los Pepes
and Oficina de la Costa, according to a
report by Caracol Radio.
According to the news source, during the actions carried out
in large cities such as Bogotá, Cúcuta, Cartagena and
Barranquilla, 585 items used in illicit activities were
seized, including firearms, ammunition, grenades,
motorcycles and more than a hundred cell
phones used to carry out extortion.
The media detailed that in the northern department of La Guajira,
for example, the authorities managed to capture 13 alleged
members of the "Autodefensas Conquistadoras de la
Sierra" in the municipalities of Riohacha
and Dibulla.
Among those arrested are financial leaders, logistics coordinators
and those responsible for collecting extortion, who, according to
the investigations, maintained an organized system of economic
pressure against merchants, transporters, cattle ranchers and
businessmen in the tourism sector, he added.
The economic demands, he revealed, could reach up to 50 million
pesos (about 13,600 dollars at the current exchange rate),
depending on the economic activity of the victims.
______________________________________________
Smear campaign against Russian
media denounced in Colombia
April 7th, 11:52am
(Prensa Latina)
Russia is the target today of an organized campaign aimed
at discrediting the country and its media, according to
the embassy of the European nation in this capital.
In a statement, the diplomatic mission disqualified a report by the
so-called Digital News Association, which would contain alleged
evidence that "Russia has trained over 1,000 content creators,
journalists or 'influencers' to disinform in 8 Latin American
countries," including Colombia.
The mission rejected that several Latin American media, including
some Colombians, "without modification or verification," echoed
the alleged investigation, known in the New Granada nation
after an article broadcast by the Spanish agency EFE.
"You can tell at first glance that this is an organized campaign
aimed at discrediting our country and the Russian media. No
evidence is presented, only accusations are hurled: this is
today -- the 'standard' of the Western investigative press,
when the issue is related to Russia," the note remarks.
He added that it is curious how a "ghost report," produced by
a little-known organization with dubious reputation, was
never published on the Internet.
"All the articles in the Colombian press are based exclusively on
what EFE wrote. Following the blind faith in the veracity of what
the Spanish agency published, the media of this country did
not bother to deeply validate the facts, which in effect
constitute fantasies that have no contact with
reality," the statement said.
The mission added that it is "saddened" that the national press
is susceptible to the influence of the flow of politically biased
information ...from the West.
"It is unfortunate to see that, on this occasion, even some
prominent politicians in Colombia have been carried
away by this farce, publishing it on their social
networks," he said.
The note also warned that Western countries refuse to accept
that there are alternative sources of opinion to those they
impose on the rest of the world, which is why they look
for every opportunity to damage the image of the
Russian media.
"In the countries of Europe and North America --- the Western
authorities have the administrative tools and simply prohibit
the transmission and operation of media such as Russia
Today or Sputnik in the national territory. In Latin
America they use other tactics and channels to
defame the aforementioned media and our
country," he said.
On the other hand, he called on the Colombian press "to adopt a
more responsible approach when publishing news of this type
that launches serious, but unfounded, accusations against
other countries."
He also urged people... to follow the accounts of Russia Today
and Sputnik in Spanish to have an alternative vision of reality.
________________________________________________________________
Poland is closing its maternity hospitals
amid a sharp decline in the birth rate
April 6th, 6:06pm
(RT.ru)
Poland is witnessing the closure of an increasing number
of maternity wards due to a decline in the birth rate.
The country's demographic situation continues
to deteriorate.
According to OKO.press, the number of births
has decreased from 403,000 in 2010
to 238,000 in 2025.
"The scale of this decline -- is much more pronounced
than previously thought," said Dr. Cesarius Pakulski.
In 2025, there were 284 maternity hospitals in the
country, but by January 2026, 18 of them had
been closed.
In 2024-2025, 37 more branches were closed.
The Polish Ministry of Health stated that low-birth-rate
departments do not provide the necessary level of
safety and quality of care.
It is also emphasized that their maintenance
requires significant expenses.
Earlier, entrepreneur Elon Musk - warned about the
critically low birth rate in the world and the risks
...of the disappearance of individual countries
and cultures.
________________________________________________
Police officer who injured protester
in Colombia in 2021 - is sentenced
April 6th, 3:42pm
(Prensa Latina)
A seven-year prison sentence was imposed on a police officer in
Colombia for firing a rubber bullet projectile that caused an eye
disability to a protester in 2021, the local press reports today.
The patrolman of the defunct Mobile Anti-Riot Squad (Esmad)
Danilo Núñez was sentenced to 84 months in prison by the
64th Criminal Court of the Circuit with Knowledge
Function of Bogotá after being found guilty of
the injuries caused to Leidy Cadena, who in
the middle of a protest... lost her right eye
due to the projectile.
Caracol Radio added that the events took place on April 28, 2021,
the first day of the national strike that began the social outbreak
to the administration of Iván Duque's government (2018-2022).
An accessory sentence of disqualification from the exercise of
public functions for the same term as the main sentence was
also imposed on Núñez, as well as a denial - of house arrest.
The victim, quoted by the news outlet, claimed to
receive the ruling ......with mixed feelings.
The social outbreak in Colombia was a wave of massive protests
that began five years ago against the Duque government ---- and
whose trigger was a ''tax reform'' in the midst of the economic
crisis generated by the pandemic from Covid-19.
The demonstrations were led by young people... and lasted for
months, in which Protesters called for greater equality, more
employment and compliance with the Peace Accords
signed in 2016.
_____________________________________________________
Colombia achieved 52 nominations for
World Travel Awards South America
April 6th, 12:26pm
(Prensa Latina)
Colombia achieved 52 nominations in the South American region
for the World Travel Awards, the prestigious international
awards that recognize key sectors of the travel industry,
tourism and hospitality, it was known today.
The New Granada nation competes as a leading destination
in adventure categories, beach with San Andrés, cruises,
culinary, culture, nature, green destinations, whale
watching and tourism for young people,
according to a communication from
ProColombia government agency.
Regarding specific attractions, the Las Lajas Sanctuary and
the Tayrona National Natural Park represent the country in
the category of main tourist attraction in South America,
the source added.
The entity added that urban competitiveness also becomes
relevant - with Bogotá and Medellín nominated as leading
destinations for business trips and urban getaways.
Likewise, he elaborated, Barranquilla, Bogotá, Medellín,
Cartagena and Cali, make up the category of cultural
city destination, which constitutes the section with
the greatest presence of Colombian cities on the
entire list.
For its part, Boyacá appears as a leading regional destination,
Cartagena stands out in the categories of honeymoon
destination and romantic destination, and Cali
is recognized for its sports tourism offer.
In the airline sector, Avianca has candidates as a leading
airline, brand and lounge, while El Dorado International
Airport competes as the main terminal in the region.
The nominations are open to voting for the general public
and professionals in the sector, a process that will
close on June 12, the source said.
Although the location and date of the awards ceremony
will be announced soon, ProColombia said that those
interested in participating in the election of the
winners can do so...... through the
organization's official link.
___________________________________________________________
Soleimani's daughter calls US State
Department statements -- about
arrested Iranian women a lie
April 4th, 9:30pm
(Izvestia.ru)
Zainab Soleimani, the daughter of General Qasem Soleimani,
the commander of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps'
Quds Force, who was killed in 2020 --- has refuted the
US Department of State's claims that the women
detained in the US are ''related'' to him. This
was reported by the Iranian news agency
Tasnim, on its Telegram channel on
April 4.
"These statements of the US State
Department are false," she said.
Zainab Soleimani emphasized that the women detained
in the United States had nothing to do with the family
of the assassinated general.
The detention of Suleimani's alleged niece and great-niece by
U.S. federal agents was reported by Reuters on the same day.
It was clarified that the arrest occurred after U.S. Secretary
of State Marco Rubio stripped these women of their legal
permanent residency status.
Lieutenant General Qasem Soleimani was killed in January 2020
during a special operation by the US military in Baghdad. The
reason for the operation was the US ''suspicions'' about
Soleimani's "plans" to attack US diplomatic missions.
In response to the general's death, Tehran launched
an attack on several military bases in Iraq - on the
night of January 8, where US military personnel
were stationed.
__________________________________________________
Dotcom: EU to Reject €90 Billion Loan
to Ukraine After Moscow's Warning
April 4th, 9:03pm
(RT.ru)
The EU will refuse to provide a €90 billion loan to Ukraine after
Moscow warned that it would reconsider Kyiv's membership
in the union, according to Kim Schmitz, the founder of file-
sharing services Megaupload and Mega, also known as
Kim Dotcom.
"Good luck collecting those €90 billion. Russia will win this
conflict. In my humble opinion, they have already won.
The EU will never give Ukraine those €90 billion,"
he wrote on his social media page.
Dotcom also suggested that such a decision would
affect the condition of Vladimir Zelensky.
Deputy Chairman of the Russian Security Council, Dmitry
Medvedev expressed the opinion that the EU could turn
into a military alliance hostile to Moscow, worse
than NATO.
According to him, Russia should abandon its tolerant
attitude towards the accession of neighbouring
countries to the EU.
Earlier, the head of EU diplomacy, Kaja Kallas,
complained ..that she had no good news on
the allocation of a €90 billion loan to Kiev.
__________________________________________
Another sharp increase in
fuel prices ...in Honduras
April 4th, 2:34pm
(Prensa Latina)
Fuel prices in Honduras ----- will experience another enormous
increase starting next Monday, the neoliberal government of
Nasry Asfura dictated today. He assumed the presidency
less than three months ago.
The new price structure, published this Saturday, by the Ministry
of Energy, consolidates an upward trend that keeps the pockets
of Hondurans under pressure, especially the most vulnerable in
a country with 60% of its population — 10 million inhabitants...
mired in poverty.
Starting March 6, premium gasoline will reach 134.07 lempiras
($5.04) per gallon, after an increase of 6.59 lempiras.
Regular gasoline will rise by 6.02 lempiras and its new value will
be 118.09 lempiras ($4.44), while a gallon of diesel — the most
used petroleum derivative in Honduras — will rise to 128.42
lempiras (4.82 dollars), after an increase of 10.33 lempiras.
In both cases, the Asfura executive recalled... that it applies
“temporary economic support” (previously subsidy) of 50%,
that is, without this mechanism the cost would be double.
Kerosene, used mainly in low-income households, will record
the largest increase with an increase of 13.31 lempiras, so
its pump value will rise to 138.98 lempiras ($5.22).
Meanwhile, vehicular LPG scales at 0.94 lempiras and its price
....amounts to 49.62 lempiras per gallon ($1.86), while the
domestic gas cylinder remains subsidized at 238.13
lempiras ($8.95).
The new variations, valid until April 12, deepen concern among
transporters, merchants and consumers, who warn that each
increase in petroleum derivatives ---- translates into greater
shortages in transportation, food and basic necessities.
According to analysts, the sustained upward behaviour
generates a cumulative effect that threatens to further
increase the already high cost of living in this Central
American country, with more than six million people
in poverty.
_________________________
Mine explosions in Syria - kill
almost four thousand people
April 4th, 1:03pm
(Prensa Latina)
At least 3,799 civilians, including 1,000 children and 377 women,
lost their lives in Syria as a result of mines and unexploded
ordnance since March 2011, according to a report by
the Syrian Network for Human Rights (SNHR).
The document, published on the occasion of International
Mine Awareness Day, warns that these devices continue
to represent a persistent threat to the population ---
even in areas where hostilities have ceased.
According to the data, 3,398 civilians died from landmines,
including 862 children and 343 women, while 401 people
died from remains of cluster munitions, among them
138 children and 34 women.
The report highlighted that minors represent close to 26 percent
of the total victims, which shows the disproportionate impact
of these devices on the most vulnerable sectors.
The highest numbers of victims were recorded in the northern
provinces of Aleppo, with 814 deaths, followed by Raqa (676)
and Deir Ezzor (645), in addition to Hama, Daraa and Idlib.
Likewise, it is estimated that some 10,600 civilians were injured,
many of them with serious injuries that require prosthetics and
long-term rehabilitation.
The report warns -- of an increase in victims after the overthrow of
Bashar Al-Assad's government in December 2024, coinciding with
the return of many displaced people .....and the resumption of
agricultural activities.
In this context, numerous accidents have been recorded
during work such as plowing or gathering, as well as
due to the handling of explosive remains by minors.
The SNHR, founded in 2011, is considered a reliable source
by various UN agencies and international organizations.
Every April 4, International Mine Awareness Day is
commemorated, established by the UN to warn
about the dangers of these devices ----- and
promote their elimination ---- in a context
in which they continue to be one of the
main humanitarian challenges in Syria.
________________________________________
More than two million people - in
emblematic tradition of Mexico
April 4th, 12:13pm
(Prensa Latina)
The Mexican Ministry of Tourism today highlighted the history and
community identity in the 183rd Representation of the Passion,
Death and Resurrection of Christ, which yesterday brought
together more than two million people in this capital.
Through a message broadcast on its social network account X,
in the mayor's office of Iztapalapa, the ministry referred to the
celebration, recognized as an Intangible Cultural Heritage of
Humanity and carried out every year during Holy Week.
Local, national and foreign visitors gathered to witness this
tradition that involves the eight native neighbourhoods and
more than five thousand volunteer actors, who for months
prepare to give life to one of the most recognized events
of these dates.
According to the institution, this representation not only reflects
the devotion and roots of a community, but also... promotes
cultural tourism in the country's capital, attracting many
travelers wanting authentic meaningful experiences”.
The representation of the Via Crucis this Friday was experienced
“with order, coordination and commitment” --- the mayor's office
said on the same social network, considering that “the results
reflect inter-institutional coordination and a government that
knows its territory - and responds effectively”.
The announcement of registration on the representative list -- was
made last December by the Intergovernmental Committee for the
Safeguarding of the Intangible Cultural Heritage --- of the
UN's Educational Organization, science and Culture (UNESCO).
The tradition began in the first half of the 19th century, as the
fulfillment of a promise to the Lord of the Cuevita – an image
venerated in said demarcation – after the population
overcame a cholera epidemic.
Formally, it began in 1843, inspired by the evangelizing theatre
of viceregal times, and since then..... it has been performed
every year.
8 original neighbourhoods of Iztapalapa participate and their
inhabitants play a fundamental role by collaborating as
actors --- or by joining the setting, decoration and
logistical organization... prior to Holy Week.
In its evaluation, the aforementioned UNESCO committee
considered that the candidacy satisfied the necessary
criteria for registration, since it is a tradition that,
beyond its religious roots, promotes peace,
social cohesion ....and the exercise of
cultural rights.
_________________________________________
Holidays begin in Qingming... as
Chinese honour their ancestors
April 4th, 9:27am
(Prensa Latina)
China today recorded 19.28 million visits to cemeteries on
the first day of the Qingming holiday, according to data
from the Ministry of Civil Affairs.
According to the portfolio, 66,300 funeral institutions offered
in-person tribute services .....while some 377,600 officials
took part in activities related to the commemorations.
The authorities received 4.57 million vehicles in the
cemeteries during the day, the report reflects.
Likewise, over 12 million people opted for ecological tribute
methods, which represents 62.73 percent of the total.
Digital tribute platforms served 266,200
users through 857 online portals.
Funeral services carried out 13,600 ash burials, including
ecological modalities ....such as marine and tree graves.
According to the source, local authorities reinforced
security measures and provided practical services
for citizens.
The Ministry foresees an increase in visitors in the
remaining two days of the holiday (April 5 and 6).
The institution recommended...... that the population
monitor weather and traffic conditions to plan visits.
The Qingming Festival, also known as Grave Cleansing
Day, is an ancient Chinese tradition --------- to honour
their ancestors.
___________________________________________
Panama - increases
its exports to the
Caribbean
April 4th, 9am
(Prensa Latina)
Panama's exports to the Caribbean rose from 3.9 percent
in 2024 to 8.9 percent last year, a government report
revealed today.
According to the study by the Ministry of Commerce and
Industries (MICI), this boom is due to the opening of
new high-value niches and constant shipments of
industrial and fishing products.
This dynamism also responds, the report adds, to a promotion
strategy, which has made it easier for Isthmus companies to
identify demand and carry out business.... through trade
missions strengthening the Made in Panama seal.
In the industrial field, the company Refrigeración Internacional
SA has achieved a strategic positioning on islands such as
Aruba and Puerto Rico, adding more than five exported
containers to date.
For its part, the fishing sector has managed to penetrate
highly demanding market segments through the
company --- Salvamar SA, says the MICI.
The company maintains a weekly export of 1,500 kilograms of
fresh fish — including varieties such as snapper, chern and
dorado — to the Dominican Republic, after having made
previous shipments to Aruba and Puerto Rico.
A differentiating factor of this operation --- is the logistics used,
since the product is not exported frozen, but it is transported
by air under strict refrigeration conditions, to guarantee its
freshness ....and capture a higher value segment.
These results, derived from the missions organized by the MICI
between 2022 and 2025, have reinforced the diversification of
Panama's exportable offers, contributing to a revitalization
of the local economy and the generation of employment
in key sectors, adds the official note.
_______________________________________
Exponential increase in Uruguay's
exports to South Korea
April 4th, 7:01am
(Prensa Latina)
South Korea... was placed among the five most
important destinations for Uruguayan exports
in March, says an official report today.
Uruguay's Siglo XXI Institute registered an exponential
increase that exceeds 54 million dollars compared to
six million last year.
The increase was explained by two
products: wheat and cellulose.
Wheat obtained loans for 40 million dollars, explaining
74 percent of the total exported. Last year, there
were no wheat exports to Seoul.
Meanwhile, pulp rose 152 percent year-
on-year, totaling 14 million dollars.
Meanwhile, the EU was the main destination for Uruguayan
exports of goods in March 2026, with values of 193 million
dollars and an increase of 28 percent year-on-year.
Brazil came second with $179 million (16 percent),
with vehicles and dairy leading the basket.
China was the third destination with 166 million dollars
(15 percent), although it registered a drop of 29%
explained by the collapse in pulp purchases.
________________________________________________
International integration must
closely follow national
development tasks
and goals
April 3rd, 5:43pm
(VGP)
Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh has stressed that foreign affairs
and international integration activities must closely follow the
country’s development requirements, making a direct
contribution to the goal of achieving
double-digit economic growth.
Pham, who is also Head of the National Steering Committee for
International Integration, made the request, while chairing the
committee's hybrid meeting in Ha Noi on April 3. The meeting
reviewed the institutionalization of major foreign policy
orientations outlined at the 14th National Party
Congress, as well as the Politburo’s
Resolution No. 59-NQ/TW on
international integration
in the new context.
In his conclusion, the Prime Minister observed that the global
situation since the beginning of the year has evolved rapidly,
with complex and unpredictable developments.
Domestically ---- Viet Nam has successfully organised the 14th
National Party Congress and election of deputies to the 16th
National Assembly and People’s Councils at all levels, while
effectively handling both routine and unforeseen tasks.
The Government leader noted that key targets have largely been
achieved, with macro-economic stability maintained, inflation
kept under control, growth promoted ...and major economic
balances ensured, including energy security, with no fuel
shortages despite ongoing tensions in the Middle East.
Foreign affairs and international integration have
remained a bright spot, contributing to a
peaceful and stable environment -- for
national development, he stressed.
Looking ahead, the Prime Minister underscored the need to
uphold a proactive, dynamic and innovative approach in
adapting to changing circumstances by enhancing
forecasting capacity to avoid being caught off
guard, maintaining sound relations with
partners worldwide, and adjusting
policies.. to evolving conditions.
Pham highlighted the importance of upholding multilateralism,
promoting international solidarity to generate strength,
fostering cooperation to mobilise resources and
wealth, and engaging in consultations and
global forums to build trust.
He stressed --- the overarching objective is to serve the goal
of double-digit growth, with international integration placed
within a broader strategy and linked to rapid, sustainable
national development, in pursuit of the country’s long-
term centenary goals.
Pham called for improving the quality of economic integration
to support the development of strategic sectors; stepping up
economic diplomacy; diversifying markets, supply chains..
and products; and reducing reliance on a limited number
of partners and low value-added segments.
He also emphasised the need to attract high-quality foreign
investment with advanced technologies and strong value-
added potential, particularly with projects capable of
transferring technology and integrating domestic
enterprises into global production chains.
At the same time, Prime Minister Pham called for deeper, more
substantive and effective political integration, to enhance
strategic trust with partners.. while actively contributing
to key regional & international multilateral mechanisms.
Among priorities, he highlighted the importance of consolidating
ties with neighbouring countries and Southeast Asian nations,
maintaining balanced and harmonious relations with major
powers, and making tangible progress in relations with
key partners and traditional friends. These efforts
would help expand Viet Nam’s strategic
space and utilise it effectively......
for sustainable development.
The Prime Minister also directed stronger international integration
in the fields of science and technology, innovation, digital
transformation, green transition, the circular economy
and the knowledge economy. He stressed the need
to shift from passive technology adoption... to
proactive cooperation --- in mastering and
developing new technologies, making
science, innovation and digital
transformation -- key pillars
in relations with capable
partners.
He further called for comprehensive integration in the spheres of
culture, society, tourism, environment, healthcare and education,
while stepping up international cooperation in human resource
training in critical fields such as artificial intelligence,
semiconductors, nuclear energy and
quantum technology.
Last but not least, Prime Minister Pham underlined the
importance of improving the quality of personnel
engaged in foreign affairs ...and international
integration across ministries and sectors.
____________________________________________
Small fruit ---------- big reach:
Chinese citrus goes global
April 3rd, 12:13am
by Chang Qin, People's Daily
(Prensa Latina)
From sugary mandarins in early spring... to fresh and cold navel
oranges in summer, to the more than a billion glasses of fresh
ice-cold lemonade ------- sold throughout the year, citrus fruits
have become a constant presence in Chinese consumption.
Now this ancestral fruit is being transformed by a profound
revolution in the entire Chinese citrus industry.
According to the latest data from China's national citrus industry
technology system, the country's total citrus production
exceeded 70 million tons in 2025, with a unit yield
increase of more than 21 percent over the past
five years. Globally, one in three citrus fruits
in the world .....is grown in China.
China's citrus family is immense, ranging from tangerines
and oranges to grapefruits and lemons.
More than 90 varieties are grown on a large scale. Over the
past two decades, Chinese researchers have developed
over 60 percent of the world's new citrus varieties.
By optimizing early, mid, and late-ripening varieties, they
have managed to turn what was once a seasonal fruit
into a consistent supply ---- throughout the year.
This continuous supply.... is driving new consumer trends,
especially - among younger consumers. In summer, iced
lemonade has become a staple drink throughout China,
with much of the fruit .....coming from Sichuan and
Chongqing in the southwest of the country.
At a smart factory in Chongqing, operated by beverage chain
Mixue Ice Cream & Tea, freshly harvested lemons undergo
a rigorous selection process.
After several washes, the fruit moves along a high-speed sorting
line equipped with infrared sensors and high-definition cameras,
which capture dozens of images per second to detect even the
smallest defects.
The premium fruit is stored in controlled conditions for at
least 30 days to naturally improve the juice yield.
This level of industrial precision is
transforming the lives of farmers.
In Chongqing's Tongnan district, farmer Li Zhi manages
a 1,500 mu (100 hectare) lemon plantation.
In the past, growers often faced oversupply and falling prices, but
now --- there is a guarantee of purchase, and pricing is based on
quality: the better the fruit, the higher the profitability, he said.
Modern orchards are equipped with integrated irrigation and
fertilization systems, and drones are used for pest control
and monitoring. In winter, they can even help protect
crops from frost.
Between 2017 and 2025, China established nine modern
agro-industrial parks, with citrus as the main sector.
In Wuming District of Nanning, Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous
Region of southern China, the Wogan citrus variety has
become a pillar of local economic growth.
AI-powered sorting systems achieve nearly 98% accuracy,
while technologies such as the Internet of Things and
digital twin systems.... improve efficiency and
reduce losses.
In 2024, the entire citrus value chain in Wuming generated
about ten billion yuan (1.45 billion U.S. dollars) ------ in
production value, benefiting over 240,000 people.
Advances in cold chain logistics and cross-border trade further
boost the presence of Chinese citrus in global markets. In the
past, post-harvest losses in China exceeded 30%. Today,
thanks to technological advances --- in ecological
preservation and sterilization, some companies
have reduced losses to less than 5 percent,
significantly extending the shelf life of
the product.
Chinese fresh citrus fruits - are currently
exported to over 40 countries & regions.
At the same time, fast-growing cold chain
systems are driving new retail models.
In Qingshen County, Sichuan, organically grown mandarins
are harvested and transported quickly through cold chain
distribution networks. In some cases, the harvested fruit
can reach urban consumers - within 24 hours.
Thanks to the increasing quality and reliability of cold
chain logistics, Chinese citrus fruits are becoming
an important export driver.
Ganzhou navel oranges in east China's Jiangxi Province,
with a brand value of nearly 70 billion yuan, have
positioned themselves ...as the leading fruit
brand in China for 11 consecutive years,
reaching markets in 24 countries
and regions.
Wushan Liancheng oranges from Chongqing are now sold in
supermarkets in Singapore thanks to a modern cold chain.
Anyue county, in Sichuan province, exports up to 100,000 tons
of lemons a year, becoming the province's main fruit exporter
by volume.
Driven.... by the international expansion of tea brands, high-
quality Chinese lemons are also gaining global recognition.
At the forefront of technological innovation and new business
models, the Chinese citrus industry continues to modernize
along the entire value chain, bringing higher-quality fruits
from Chinese orchards, to consumers around the world.
________________________________________________________
US President Donald Trump has
dismissed Attorney General
Pam Bondi.
April 2nd, 9:06pm
(RT.ru)
This is reported by Fox News.
"Trump has fired Attorney General
Pam Bondi," the network reported.
According to media reports, the White House is
considering the possibility of appointing Lee
Zeldin, the head of the Environmental
Protection Agency, to replace Bondi.
Earlier, The New York Times reported that Trump
discussed with his inner circle the possibility of
firing Bondi in connection with her order to
publish documents on the case of US
financier... Jeffrey Epstein.
Semafor journalist Shelby Talcott reported that
Trump informed Bondi that her time in office
was coming to an end.
__________________________________________
The number of fatalities due to
road accidents in Colombia
rises to five
April 1st, 1:21pm
(Prensa Latina)
The governor of Cundinamarca, Jorge Emilio Rey, confirmed that
there are five fatalities and 21 injured as a result of an accident
that occurred today on the Zipaquirá-Ubaté highway, in that
central department of Colombia.
The official confirmed on his social network account X that,
of the deaths, one is a minor, four of the bodies were found
inside the same car, and a fifth is a motorcyclist.
He also reported on the transfer of 19 injured adults
and two children (one in critical condition) to
healthcare centres.
He added in his message that care and extraction work
continues in the area, so the number of victims could
vary in the coming hours.
The governor previously noted that, according to preliminary
information, a cargo truck transporting milk.. would have
arrived at the area tollbooth without brakes, therefore,
it collided with six other private vehicles and
a motorcycle.
The accident occurred at kilometre 40 of the Zipaquirá-Ubaté
highway, which at this time remains closed and with the
presence of members of the law enforcement forces,
firefighters and first responders.
The authorities recommended travelers take alternative
routes and .....pay attention to official statements.
_________________________________________
Prime Minister orders construction
of additional oil reserve facilities
April 1st, 12:32pm
(VGP)
Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh orders construction of
more oil and petroleum reserve facilities beyond the
planned site in Thanh Hoa province... in a bid to
ensure national energy security.
Pham made the order during a meeting held on Wednesday
to review preparations for the constuction of a crude oil
reserve facility in Nghi Son area, Thanh Hoa province.
The Prime Minister tasked the Ministry of Industry and Trade
to mull over the construction of additional oil and petroleum
reserve facilities in the central province of Quang Ngai,
Ho Chi Minh City ..and other localities.
He urged the Viet Nam National Industry-Energy Group
(Petrovietnam) to coordinate with relevant agencies
and Thanh Hoa province --- to promptly commence
the construction of an oil and petroleum reserve
in Thanh Hoa province's Nghi Son Ward.
The above project is not only an urgent requirement in terms of
energy infrastructure but also carries strategic significance
for economic development and national energy security,
stressed Pham.
In the context of steadily rising fuel demand and heavy reliance
on international markets for supply, proactive oil reserves will
help Viet Nam mitigate risks from unpredictable fluctuations,
said the Prime Minister.
At the same time.... the crude oil storage facility in Nghi Son
will enhance the operational efficiency of the refinery and
petrochemical complex, optimize the supply chain, and
create momentum for economic growth in the North
Central region ...and the country as a whole.
_______________________________________________
Brazil 62 years after the coup:
fight for memory - and truth
April 1st, 11:38am
(Prensa Latina)
62 years after the beginning of the military dictatorship, Brazil
today remembers the date between acts of memory, public
debates and persistent demands for truth, justice and
clarification of the fate of the politically disappeared.
March 31 and April 1, 1964 - were dates marked by a coup
d'état and the beginning of a regime that lasted 21 years,
characterized by the suspension of rights, censorship,
political persecution ---- and serious violations of
human rights.
According to official investigations, at least 434 people were
murdered or disappeared for political reasons during the
period, although organizations maintain that the real
number could be higher.
More than six decades after the beginning of that dark stage
in national history, one of the main pending issues
continues to be the fate of the missing.
A report published this Wednesday by the Brazil Agency
indicates that the lack of an articulated State policy
continues to make the search... for forced missing
persons difficult, an historic demand from family
members and human rights organizations.
Institutional fragmentation, resource scarcity and
limited access to military archives ----- remain
key obstacles.
“There is -- no national program, no established program, no
institutional framework for the search for missing persons
or for forensic human identification work”, Edson Teles,
coordinator of the Centre for Anthropology & Forensic
Archeology (CAAF) of the Federal University of São
Paulo (Unifesp), told that medium.
According to that source, CAAF investigators are currently
working on identifying 1,049 boxes containing human
remains, found in the clandestine mass grave of the
Dom Bosco cemetery in Perús, São Paulo, in 1990.
Agencia Brazil: among the buried ----- were missing political
dissidents, victims of the US-backed military dictatorship.
For remains identification work, the institution depends on
the periodic renewal of financing, which was cut during
the government of Jair Bolsonaro (2019-2023)... and
then ---- renewed in the current mandate of Luiz
Inácio Lula da Silva.
As the elections next October approach, experts warn that
another change of government or new cuts could once
again slow down investigations, which shows the
fragility of these policies.
On the occasion of the dates linked to the dictatorship, this
week various activities have been carried out in academic
and cultural spaces in the country, as well as public
demonstrations ---- to remember the victims
of state violence.
In Rio de Janeiro, the National Archive hosted an event the
day before that brought together researchers, archivists
and activists --- to debate the role of documents in the
reconstruction of memory about 1964.
The meeting emphasized -- the need to preserve and open
documentary collections that still remain restricted and
are considered essential --- for historical investigation
and the location of victims.
At a cultural and intellectual level, articles and columns
published in national and regional media insist on the
need to keep this memory ------ alive.
An article published in the Jornal da Paraíba, for example,
emphasizes that the 1964 coup and the dictatorship
-------- must remain a critical reference in the
collective conscience.
However, the dispute over memory is still valid because,
while broad social, academic & political sectors agree
in characterizing the period as a dictatorship
marked by state violence, denialist
discourses still persist that seek
to reinterpret ------- the facts.
In particular, groups linked to conservative and military
sectors continue to use the term “1964 revolution” to
refer to the coup, minimizing human rights violations
and justifying a breakdown of the democratic order.
According to a dossier published by the international
network Esquerda Diário, even after more than 40
years of civil government, the dictatorship
remains an open wound in Brazil.
This is manifested, the text maintained, in the torturers who
were never punished, in the extreme right and in Bolsonaro,
who returned the military to the centre of politics, and
also in the economy, in the educational system - and
in police actions in the favelas and the peripheries.
More than four decades after the formal end of the dictatorship,
the South American giant continues to be the scene of a
dispute over memory: between those who try to rewrite
history and the multiple voices that are raised to
preserve it, demand justice and prevent.....
its repetition.
________________________________________________
Pope Leo XIV called on Trump
to reduce violence that
generates hatred
April 1st, 9:43am
(Prensa Latina)
Pope Leo XIV demanded that the president of the US,
Donald Trump, put an end to the violence that
generates hatred in the world, according to
a note published in the Vatican News
newspaper - today.
“I was informed.... that President Trump recently said he wants
to end the war, and we hope he is looking for a way out, that
he is looking for a way to reduce violence and bombings”,
said the Supreme Pontiff in statements to news media,
made the day before from the papal residence in
Castel Gandolfo.
The Bishop of Rome noted that this decision “would be a
significant contribution to eradicating the hatred that is
being generated and constantly growing in the Middle
East and elsewhere”.
In his exchange with the journalists present in front of Villa
Barberini, within the framework of Holy Week and a few
days before Easter, next Sunday, April 5, the Holy
Father urged world leaders to “return to the
dialogue table, and seek solutions to
the problems”.
“Let us look for ways to reduce the violence we are fueling, and
for peace, especially at Easter, to be in our hearts”, for “Christ
continues to suffer today in the innocent, especially in those
who suffer violence, hatred and war”, said Leo XIV, and
asked that “we pray for a new and renewed peace”.
“We make a constant call for peace, but unfortunately many want
to promote hatred, violence and war”, he asserted and recalled
that Easter itself: “should be the holiest and most sacred time
of the entire year, a time of peace, a time of deep reflection”.
However, “as we all know, once again in the world, in many
places, we are seeing so much suffering, so many deaths,
even of innocent children”, added the leader of the
Catholic Church.
On March 29, during the liturgical celebration of Palm Sunday
that began the celebrations for Catholic Holy Week, pope
Leo XIV expressed in his homily that “our God: Jesus,
king of peace” is “a God who rejects war, whom no
one can use to justify it, who does not listen to
the prayers of those who deliver war”.
Christ rejects the prayers of the warriors “saying that, although
they multiply their supplications, I will not listen to them; their
hands are full of blood” and, from the cross, asks them to
“Have mercy! Lay down your weapons, remember that
you are brothers!», he emphasized --- in his words
released by the press office of the Holy See.
In the wounds of Jesus “we see the wounds of so many men and
women today” and “in his last cry to the Father, we hear the cry
of the dejected, the hopeless, the sick, we loners, and, above
all, hear the cry of pain of all those oppressed by violence
and all the victims of war”, lamented the pontiff.
“While the Church contemplates the mystery of the Passion of
the Lord, we cannot forget those who today truly participate
in his suffering”, expressed Pope Leo XIV, and he asked
that “we raise our prayers” for “the people wounded by
the war” so that “concrete paths of reconciliation and
peace are opened”, adds the source.
_______________________________________
In Russia, Kallas' visit to Kiev
was commented on --- with
a well-known anecdote
Marina Sovina (night editor)
March 31st, 6:45pm
(Lenta.ru)
Vice-speaker of the Federation Council Konstantin Kosachev
commented on the visit of the High Representative of the
EU for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy, Kaja Kallas,
to Kyiv ---- pointing out the wrong priorities of EU
officials. He expressed his opinion on this
in his Telegram channel.
"It's like in the famous joke where the keys are lost in the
roadside grass, but they're looking for them on the
asphalt under the streetlight.... because it's
easier to see," Kosachev joked.
He also noted with irony how "lucky" the EU
citizens are ....with their Brussels leaders.
Earlier, Kallas refused to name the date of Ukraine's
accession to the association. The head of EU
diplomacy said that Kyiv's accession to
the EU depends on ''both sides''.
___________________________________________
Colombia ---- achieved the release of
compatriots detained in El Salvador
March 31st, 5:02pm
(Prensa Latina)
The Colombian Foreign Ministry confirmed today - that
thanks to diplomatic efforts, the release of 24 fellow
citizens who had been deprived of liberty in El
Salvador since 2023, was achieved.
The inmates, according to the source, were involved in judicial
processes related to informal financial activities under the
modality known as --- “drop by drop”, that is, the loan of
money immediately and without legal requirements,
but with abusive conditions.
Of the 24 released citizens, 20 regained their freedom on March 5,
following a decision by the Sixth Court against Organized Crime
of San Salvador, that it approved the application of an
Abbreviated Procedure.
Within the framework of this mechanism, charges for receipt and
money laundering were dismissed, and a minimum penalty was
imposed for the crime of illicit groups, equivalent to the time
already served in preventive detention.
As part of the judicial decision - the immediate expulsion from
Salvadoran territory and a five-year ban on entry was ordered.
According to the Foreign Ministry, the return of the
compatriots took place in safe conditions on
March 16 and 19.
Additionally, four other Colombian citizens benefited from
decisions to definitively dismiss their judicial processes,
of which two returned to the country on March 24.
The minister also pointed out that these releases are added to
previous cases, bringing a total of 59 compatriots to freedom
thanks to efforts carried out since 2023, when there was an
increase in arrests of Colombian citizens within the frame
-work of the emergency regime in force in El Salvador.
__________________________________________
President of Bolivia denounces
international adultery of
hydrocarbons
March 31st, 4pm
(Prensa Latina)
President Rodrigo Paz today denounced the existence of an
international network dedicated to fuel theft, smuggling
and sabotage, that adulterated hydrocarbons in Chile
and then introduced them into Bolivia.
“I want to thank the government of Chile, because - part of the
information that will be given today and in the following days,
is in cooperation - so that there is a record that it is not only
a problem for Bolivians”, the dignitary assured.
He stated in a press conference that this crime is linked to a mafia
of Bolivian families or of Bolivian origin, that in relation to other
nations “they are doing this damage to us......... like an
organized mafia”.
“We are working with several countries” ------ reported the
head of state, “but in this specific case with Chile, with
their institutions that fight against not only internal
crime but also international crime because this is
crime, and they are international mafias”.
He anticipated that the investigation was carried out by
the Ministry of Government ---- in cooperation with the
Hydrocarbons and Foreign Relations portfolios.
He promised that Yacimientos Petrolófilos Fiscales Bolivianos
(YPFB) will be recovered for the country, and stated without
specifying names that a family has managed the largest
state corporation in Bolivia.
He added in this regard that, with time and the
judicial investigations, more details on the
subject --- will be known.
“We have families in charge who have managed YPFB,
especially a family that with time and investigation
and justice ..we will know and have details of it,
but we are going to recover that YPFB for the
Bolivians, not for these power groups”,
he maintained.
Paz considered that the battle against
crime and corruption --- is being won.
He insisted that there are already people in jail and stated
that “in Bolivia we are going to charge --- not as revenge
but as justice, all of those who have hurt us. They will
end up in jail and will have to return what was stolen”.
During the speech before journalists, the Minister of Government,
Marcos Antonio Oviedo, reported that, between October 2025
and March 2026, approximately five thousand tankers
loaded with some 150 million litres of adulterated
fuel, mixed with oil and dirty water, entered
the country.
He described that the “modus operandi” consisted of diverting
the tanks to private garages in Arica and Iquique, in Chile,
where the fuel was mixed and then entering it illegally
into Bolivia.
__________________________________________
Circulation of new banknotes
announced in Cuba
March 31st, 3:24pm
(Prensa Latina)
The Central Bank of Cuba (BCC) announced today - the putting
into circulation in the country of two new high-denomination
banknotes, of 2,000 and 5,000 Cuban pesos (CUP).
The measure is part of the update of the monetary cone
(number of denominations of banknotes circulating in
the country), as announced at a press conference
in Havana by BCC officials.
The Cuban monetary cone has been analyzed in the current
circumstances that the island is going through from a
financial and economic point of view, therefore, it
was decided to make this introduction - and the
other banknotes that are in circulation remain
valid, said BCC vice president Alberto
Quiñones Betancourt.
Starting tomorrow, Wednesday, April 1, the first bills of 5,000
Cuban pesos will begin to circulate in Havana and will
gradually be taken to the other provinces; and the
same will happen with the 2,000 Cuban pesos
bill, added the manager.
The issuance of the new banknotes aims to facilitate cash
transactions, respond to the real needs of the economy
that demands high amounts of cash, facilitating
reducing costs due to cash logistics and
gaining agility in operations.. in the
current times of inflation - that
the country is going through.
The Central Bank of Cuba, Quiñones added, maintains its strategy
of diversifying payment channels, with the possibility of reducing
operating costs, as well as improving the operation and agility of
bank branches to offer financial services, in addition to
continuing to work on increasing digital payments
and electronic transactions.
Julio Pérez, in charge of the Issuance and Securities Directorate
of the BCC, pointed out that for the first time in the history of
national numismatics, the two new banknotes
incorporate images of two Cuban
patriotic women.
In the case of the two thousand CUP bill, the figure of the Mother
of the Nation, Mariana Grajales Cuello, is reflected with the
predominant colours of violet and pink, and.. in the 5,000
CUP, the Heroine of the Sierra Maestra Celia Sánchez
Manduley, in blue.
Likewise, in the printing of the new banknotes, an element is
included in the Braille tactile reading and writing system to
facilitate its use by blind and visually impaired people.
__________________________________________
The cause of the explosion --- at Russia's
largest petrochemical plant is identified
by Vladimir Sedov (Editor of the
Power Structures Department)
March 31st, 12:23pm
(Lenta.ru)
In the Republic of Tatarstan, a criminal case was opened
after an explosion at Russia's largest petrochemical
plant in the city of Nizhnekamsk. This is reported
to Lenta.ru by the Investigative Committee
of Russia (SKR).
According to the investigation... the cottonfire in a work-
shop on the Nizhnekamskneftekhim territory occurred
due to a violation of safety rules in the technological
process. The exact number of victims --- is being
established. A criminal case has been opened
under Article 217 of the Criminal Code of the
Russian Federation ("Violation of Industrial
Safety Requirements for Dangerous
Production Facilities").
Investigative actions are being carried out at the scene
to establish the circumstances of the incident.
The explosion at the enterprise occurred on March 31.
According to the latest data, the number of victims
has reached 50.
___________________________________________________
Zakharova mocked the advice
to Europeans: not to travel
in order to.. save fuel
by Nikita Khromin
(night line editor)
March 30th, 8:35pm
(Lenta.ru)
The official representative of the Russian Foreign Ministry -
Maria Zakharova was ironic about the fact that Europeans
were asked to use less transport to save fuel. According
to her, this approach is striking in its progressiveness.
She wrote about this on Telegram.
"The EU's energy strategy is striking in its progressiveness:
don't wash, don't turn on the lights, don't leave the house,
don't drive or fly anywhere. The EU Commission's
slogan is: 'Putting you in the dark... for your
money,'" the diplomat said.
Earlier, EU Commissioner for Energy Dan Jorgensen called on
Europeans to travel and fly less ......amid the energy crisis
caused by the conflict in the Middle East.
____________________________________________________________
They warn in Colombia about
an increase in ''inmates''
due to armed conflict
March 30th, 12 midday
(Prensa Latina)
The number of people affected by confinement due to the armed
conflict today triples the number of those who are victims of
forced displacement in Colombia for the same reason, as
warned by the Ombudsman's Office.
According to a report from that entity, while between January and
February of this year there were 22 events that forced 6,000
people to leave their homes, just 13 events were enough
to limit the mobility of 20,765 women and men of all
ages, in the same period.
The entity recorded the first of the phenomena in Magdalena, Norte de
Santander, Cauca, Antioquia, Bolívar, Valle del Cauca and Vichada
mainly, while the second was identified, above all, in Caquetá,
Antioquia, Cauca, Norte de Santander, Putumayo, Chocó
and Bolívar.
Although the number of people affected by confinement decreased from
January to February (from 17,651 to 3,114 in February), the total figure
shows that the human mobility crisis increases in cases related to the
restriction of free movement of communities, the little access to food
and the limitation of health services, and education, among others,
the analysis showed.
This, the Ombudsman's Office noted --- shows that armed groups choose
to force communities to be locked up in their homes, instead of evicting
them, to maintain territorial control and boost their illegal economies.
The main causes identified as the possible reasons of displacement and
confinement are threats, terrorist acts, homicides, recruitment of girls,
boys and adolescents, as well as the use of antipersonnel mines and
improvised explosive devices, according to the agency.
_____________________________________
Brazil: Bolsonaro's defense - must
explain video of his son Eduardo
March 30th, 11:59am
(Prensa Latina)
The minister of the Supreme Federal Court (STF) of Brazil Alexandre
de Moraes today ordered that the defense of former president Jair
Bolsonaro explain, within 24 hours, a possible breach of the
restrictions of his house arrest.
The measure was adopted after one of the former president's sons,
Eduardo Bolsonaro, former federal deputy, shared a video on the
social network X, recorded during his participation in the
Conservative Political Action Conference (CPAC) on
Saturday, March 28 in Texas, United States.
In the material, he claims that he was showing the content to his father
seeking “to prove to all of Brazil that a movement cannot be unjustly
silenced, by removing its leader, Jair Messias Bolsonaro”.
As cited by the Metrópoles portal, De Moraes recalled that, by granting
house arrest to Bolsonaro, he expressly prohibited the use of
telephones, cell phones or any other means of external
communication, as well as access to social networks.
Given the publication of the video, he pointed out indications of the
possible violation of these precautionary measures - and required
formal explanations from the former president's lawyers within
a period of 24 hours.
According to CNN Brazil, if Bolsonaro manages to access his son's video,
the incident could constitute a breach and would cause him to return to
the Papuda prison complex in this capital, where he was serving a
sentence of 27 years and three months in prison, for his
participation in the 2023 coup plot.
Last week, the STF magistrate authorized Jair Bolsonaro to serve
house arrest for 90 days, due to his health, after being diagnosed
with bronchopneumonia leading to his admission to an intensive
care unit.
The former president remained hospitalized for two weeks at the
DF Star hospital in Brasilia and, after being discharged last
Friday, he was placed under house arrest.
In addition to the controversy surrounding this issue, the participation
of another of the former ruler's sons in the CPAC in the United States,
Senator Flávio Bolsonaro, also generated controversy.
In that case, legislators, politicians and social media users called the
presidential candidate ----- a “traitor to the country” and other similar
adjectives, for the positions taken on the country's sovereignty and
strategic resources.
The criticism occurred because, at that event, Flávio Bolsonaro
defended that the 2026 Brazilian elections adopted “values of
American origin” ------- and asked for outside pressure on
his country's institutions.
In addition, he suggested that Brazil could contribute to solving
strategic problems of the United States, particularly access to
critical minerals and rare earths --- which he referred to as
assets that would align with US interests..... if he
became president.
_____________________________________
World Trade Organization conclave
closes -- without any agreements
March 30th, 10:31am
(Prensa Latina)
The ministerial meeting of the World Trade Organization closed
here today without substantive agreements on the main issues
that afflict the 66-member entity.
Disagreements over the group's reform, cross-border electronic
commerce, and protectionist measures were the main
obstacles at the meeting --- scheduled to conclude
this Sunday, the meeting continued to this day
in an ultimately futile effort... to issue a
final statement.
After preparing a text that seemed acceptable to the headlines,
in today's morning session the Brazilian delegation presented
objections to the issue of digital commerce based on the
lack of agreement on separate talks on agriculture,
that is.... according to reports from meeting
attendees.. who insisted on anonymity.
The meeting began on Thursday of last week, weighed down by
pessimistic omens, due to the atmosphere of disagreement
over the pending issues --- and the negative impact on
international trade generated by the geopolitical
turbulence (West v rest) that afflicts the planet.
____________________________________________
Russia ----- accuses the
US ------ of chaoticizing
international relations
March 30th, 4:44am
(Prensa Latina)
The United States and the countries in its sphere of influence
continue to chaoticize and destabilize relations between
nations, the Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Mikhail
Galuzin, denounced today.
«Because of the Western camp, which continues the chaoticization
and destabilization of international relations, the legal foundations
in the field of security are eroded», the diplomat warned at the
conference organized by the Valdai Debates Club and the
Russia-Uzbekistan Institute for Interregional
Strategic Studies.
Galuzin stressed, during his speech at the event held in the Uzbek city
of Termez from March 30 to 31, that «in the sphere of development, it
only creates a semblance of working together, which is actually a
form of colonialism».
The Western countryside, he emphasized, is willing to
do anything.... to cling to its hegemony in the world.
«We see -- that the West is willing to take any step to preserve its
hegemony, up to armed intervention and the seizure of sovereign
assets of countries that carry out an independent, sovereign
foreign and domestic policy», he assured.
The Russian vice chancellor stated that the gap between
the interests of the majority of countries in the world
and the Western minority....... is growing.
_____________________________________________
First flight of new Russian piloted
spacecraft is planned in 2028
March 28th, 5:56pm
(Prensa Latina)
The first flight of the new generation manned transport ship
(PTK NP, for its acronym in Russian) is planned for 2028,
the cosmonaut of the Russian aerospace company
Roscosmos, Sergei Krikaliov, testified today.
«Current plans foresee that in 2028 this ship will begin flights
to space», Krikaliov revealed in his speech at the Russian
Presidential Academy for National Economy and
State Service.
The ship has already passed static and dynamic tests;
Now there is the parachute test, which consists of
dropping it from a helicopter, he added.
The official stressed that the ship will not replace the Soyuz
rockets, but will carry out flights beyond Earth orbit.
PTK NP previously bore the names “Federatsiya” and “Oriol”.
It is expected that the ship will be used to transport cargo
to orbital stations.
____________________________________________________________
President Sheinbaum - reaffirms
the name of the Gulf of Mexico
March 28th, 5:17pm
(Prensa Latina)
President Claudia Sheinbaum today reaffirmed the name of
the Gulf of Mexico, after comments made the day before
by her US counterpart, Donald Trump, who determines
its name is now “the Gulf of ....America”.
“It is not a conflict by any means... nor do we want any problem
with the United States government. We are partners, we love
our brothers who live there, we defend them, but yesterday
again, they said that the gulf was called the Gulf of
America”, she noted.
From the northern state of Zacatecas, the head of the
Executive addressed the crowd gathered at an event.
“What is the name of the gulf?”, asked the President,
to which they responded: “The Gulf of Mexico!”.
Yesterday, when speaking at an investment forum in Miami,
the US president recreated an alleged conversation with
the president about the name of the Gulf, and he
commented on the questioned decision to
rename it.
In January 2025, newspapers around the world published
first about the proposal and then about the executive
order signed by the tycoon to change the name to
Gulf of America... as part of an avalanche of
documents signed on the same day of
his investiture.
From this nation, Sheinbaum ironically suggested calling the
United States “Mexican America” by projecting a 1607 map
with that name that showed parts of the two countries
mixed together. Later, she downplayed Trump's
executive order.
“What corresponds... to the continental shelf of the United
States, they call the Gulf of America. For us it is still the
Gulf of Mexico and for the rest of the world the same”,
she stressed, in one of her usual press conferences.
______________________________________________________
After a week of complaints in Bolivia,
they confirm the leftist victory
March 28th, 4:33pm
(Prensa Latina)
The confirmation of the victory in Cochabamba of the
leftist candidate for governor, Leonardo Loza, in a
week characterized by complaints about an
attempted fraud to force a second
round, closes today in Bolivia.
When the count of the minutes in that department was at 92.69
percent, the candidate related to former President Evo Morales
supported by the United for the People alliance reached 40.05
percent of the votes and obtained an advantage of more than
10 percentage points over the second place, Sergio (Vikingo)
Rodríguez (23.64 points out of 100), a result --- that allowed
him to win in the first round.
Social organizations integrated into the Itinerant Popular
Assemblies of La Paz, Cochabamba, Sucre, El Alto and
Santa Cruz denounced since last Monday - that an
attempted fraud was being forged regarding the
election of the governor of Cochabamba.
“Blatantly, since the night of March 22, the Supreme Electoral
Tribunal (TSE) has stopped the rapid counting of votes in the
Preliminary Results System (Sirepre) of the electoral body
with the sole purpose of favouring the Government
candidates, but, above all -- with the political
objective of stealing the most important
popular and democratic victory of the
Bolivian left”, said a statement.
The letter warned that, “if --- the TSE dares to consummate a
possible fraud to ignore the indisputable victory in the first
round, of Leonardo Loza for Governor of Cochabamba,
it would be losing all institutional credibility and
compromising the transparency of the
electoral process as a whole”.
The social organizations described that, “with only 0.23% of
votes missing out on a three percent count to reach 40%,
the population knows that it is technically and
statistically impossible ------- to justify a
second round”.
“My sin is being indigenous, a coca grower, the representative
of the popular sectors and related to former president Evo
Morales”, he denounced, in the television program
Behind the Truth.
He recalled that when he only had three thousandths left
to consolidate his victory --- Sirepre was arrested in
Cochabamba, while in all Bolivian departments
this type of forecast was already concluded.
“I don't know where the supposed mission of the Organization
of American States (OAS) that should monitor transparency
has gone to hide” he stated regarding the huge delegation
of representatives ......from 14 countries.
The candidate criticized that most of the minutes observed
during the count corresponded to tables where his
candidacy obtained support. “It seems..... that
they are orchestrating everything - rigging,
manufacturing, by force --- to ...stretch
us and take us to the second round.
That is not democracy, that is not
respecting the Cochabamba
vote”, he warned.
He reiterated the demand for greater transparency from the
Departmental Electoral Tribunal (TED) and insisted on the
lack of official results -- when only three percent of the
minutes remained to be computed -- and these were
those from rural areas, a bastion of the forces
related to Morales.
“We have won with more than 16 percent compared to second
place and we would be almost a quarter of a point away, but
so far they do not give certainty”, he said, reporting that
five TED sources informed him -- that he had already
accumulated more than 42 percent of the votes.
The virtual governor of Cochabamba ------ criticized the lack of
external control over the TED, which did not allow anyone to
enter. ''Well, they kept the doors of the computer centre
closed ------- with yellow tapes that blocked access.''
During the interview with the private channel DTV, Loza linked
these irregularities with local political interests and directly
mentioned the mayor of Cochabamba, Manfred Reyes Villa.
“It seems that they are obeying the Government and
particularly --- Manfred Reyes Villa, to take their
candidate to the second round”, he said.
In accordance with the Constitution of Bolivia, the
candidate who achieves more than 50% of the
ballots, or reaches 40% with a 10-point
advantage over second place -
is declared the winner.
____________________________________
Poland reports threat - to MRI scans
due to conflict in the Middle East
March 28th, 9:45am
(Izvestia.ru)
The escalation in the Middle East, which has led to a disruption
in the supply of necessary equipment, is threatening the ability
of patients around the world to undergo magnetic resonance
imaging (MRI). This was announced on Friday, March 27, by
the Polish physician, Stanislaw Grudzinski.
"Doctors around the world will face difficulties in conducting
MRI examinations. This is due to the crisis in the supply of
helium used in these machines," he said in an interview
with RIA Novosti.
The expert explained that one MRI machine requires 1,000
to 2,000 litres of liquid helium, which, as a byproduct of
liquefied natural gas (LNG) production, is beginning
to disappear from the market.
According to the doctor -- since the beginning of the Israeli-
US military operation against the Islamic Republic of Iran,
the cost of the necessary component for the equipment
has increased by approximately 2 times. As specified
in “Gazeta.Ru”, to build the tomographs, a super-
conducting magnet is required, which must
be cooled to almost absolute zero.
A chain reaction: The Gulf War
leads to a spike in food prices
The representative of the Secretary of the United Nations,
António Guterres, Stephane Dujarric, said on the same
day, that the union had established a special group
whose members.... would deal with the issue of
resuming humanitarian shipping - through the
blocked Strait of Hormuz. If the water area
remains inaccessible to ships, he added
- it could lead to -------- ''problems in
agricultural production''.
Russian President Vladimir Putin also noted on March 26, during
a speech at the Congress of the Russian Union of Industrialists
and Entrepreneurs (RSPP) at the Rossiya National Centre, that
the war in Iran ...is damaging global production and logistics.
__________________________________________________________
They denounce - a plan to annihilate
leftist leaders in Honduras
March 27th, 4:31pm
(Prensa Latina)
The former Minister of Strategic Planning, Ricardo Salgado,
affirmed today - that the dismissal of justice officials in
Honduras is part of a plan to annihilate the leaders
of the once ruling Libertad y Refoundación
Party (Libre, left).
Through his account on X, Salgado alluded to the
defenestration by Parliament, last Wednesday..
of the Attorney General of the Republic Johel
Zelaya and to the resignation presented that
same day, by the president of the Supreme
Court of Justice, Rebeca Ráquel -- under
pressure from the legislative chamber.
In a kind of purge, the unicameral body, dominated by
the right-wing National (PN) and Liberal (PL) parties,
dismissed the prosecutor through a political trial
and forced Ráquel's resignation --- given the
imminent threat of being subjected to
the same procedure.
Both officials join a list of personalities close to Libre, which
the National Congress (Parliament) also intends to impeach
- with the endorsement of the nationalist administration of
President Nasry Asfura, who governs in alliance with...
the (so-called) liberals.
For the head of Strategic Planning during the administration of
former president Xiomara Castro (2022-2026), the two-party
system (PN and PL) is “in an enormous hurry to carry out
the collective lynching of all of the Libre leaders and
potential politicians”.
Salgado attributed this urgency on the right - to the support it
currently has from the United States - whose ruler, Donald
Trump, openly supported Asfura in the general election
campaign on November 30.
“They think --- that if Trump is defeated in November (in the
midterm elections), they will lose this great opportunity.
It is naked fascism, not democracy ----- pure force”,
denounced the former minister.
After the dismissal of the attorney general and the resignation
of the head of the Supreme Court, the former president of
Honduras, Manuel Zelaya, warned about a right-wing
offensive against the people, and he assured: that
those who currently lead the country's destinies
seek to monopolize all the powers of the State.
“International organizations will take action on the matter and
condemn them, the people will condemn them, history will
condemn them”, said the leader of the now opposition
Freedom and Refoundation Party.
Through his profile on the social network X, Zelaya expressed
that the two-party system will be condemned by history and
“God, with his divine power, he will know how to apply the
weight of justice to them ---- sooner, rather than later”,
he emphasized.
The general coordinator of Libre denounced: that this Central
American country faces an attack - by the “forces of evil and
coup” ----- and that they intend to concentrate.. all power.
________________________________________________________
The Indian Ministry of Defense has
announced its approval of the
purchase of Russian S-400
systems for the country
March 27th, 3:27pm
(Izvestia.ru)
The Ministry of Defense of India on Friday, March 27,
announced that it has approved the purchase of
additional Russian S-400 anti-aircraft missile
systems (SAM).
"The government has approved defense projects --- worth
2.38 trillion rupees (about $25 billion). - Ed.), including
aircraft, S-400 complexes and attack drones,"
the ministry reports, in India Today.
It is noted that the approval was given.. for the supply of
a wide range of weapons for India's ground forces, air
force, and coast guard. The number of projects and
contracts ....reached record levels in 2026.
Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Andrey Rudenko said at the
international conference “Russia and India: Towards a New
Agenda for Bilateral Relations” on March 23 that India and
other countries are actively considering the possibility of
increasing purchases of Russian oil. On the same day,
Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov spoke about
the planned visit to Russia by Indian Prime Minister
Narendra Modi, in 2026.
__________________________
Russia for expanding ties
with Latin America and
the Caribbean
March 27th, 8:48am
(Prensa Latina)
The vice president of the Upper House of the parliament of
the Russian Federation, the Senator Konstantin Kosachev,
today reaffirmed his country's interest in consolidating
Russia's ties with Latin America and the Caribbean.
Kosachev, who heads the delegation of the Eurasian nation
that attends as an observer the 39th Ordinary Assembly
of Parlatino, based in Panama since 2008, held a press
conference in which he explained his first bilateral
contacts with five countries.
When asked by Prensa Latina ------ the experienced legislator
specified that they held fruitful meetings with deputies from
Venezuela, Paraguay, the Dominican Republic, Colombia
and Mexico; a list.. that could be expanded this Friday
when he also hopes to be received by the president
of the Latin American and Caribbean Parliament
(Parlatino) - Rolando González.
__________________________________
The 2d trial in the Maduro case
has ended in New York
March 26th, 7:51pm
(RT.ru)
The second hearing in the case of Venezuelan President
Nicolas Maduro and his wife Cilia Flores, who were
captured by the US, has ended in New York,
according to CNN.
"Maduro tried to convince a federal judge that the U.S.
government was interfering with his right to defend
himself against drug-terrorism charges and that
the case should be dismissed," the
publication said.
The TV channel reports that the federal prosecutor accused
Maduro and Flores of "plundering Venezuela's wealth" in
an attempt to convince the judge not to allow the
country to pay their legal fees.
Maduro's lawyer reported that "the deposed leader and the first
lady have stated that they are unable to pay for legal services
on their own," and that the Venezuelan government should
be allowed to do so.
Federal Judge Alvin Hellerstein, according to CNN, rebutted the
prosecutors, who argued that the U.S. government should be
able to "use sanctions to influence foreign policy or
national security."
In the end, Hellerstein promised to make a decision soon... on
whether to order the administration of U.S. President Donald
Trump to allow Venezuela to pay the legal expenses of
Maduro and Flores. However, the judge noted that he
did not intend to dismiss the case....... due to the
issue of payment.
Earlier, the Spanish newspaper ABC reported.... that the
Venezuelan president is in a solitary confinement cell
in a US prison.
_______________________________________________________
The second hearing on the case
of Nicolas Maduro has ended
in the US
by Yuri Nechaev
March 26th, 5:57pm
(Rossiyskaya Gazeta)
To share
The second hearing in the New York federal court against
Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro and his wife Cilia
Flores has ended. The hearing lasted about an hour
and a half.
The lawyers for Maduro and his wife, asked Judge Alvin
Hellerstein to end the protracted criminal proceedings
due to the Trump administration's decision - not to
allow the Venezuelan government to pay their
legal fees, according to TASS. According to
the defense, this decision effectively
violated the defendants' right to
choose their own lawyers.
However, the judge --- still denied the request of
the representatives of the head of the South
American state by --- agreeing with the
prosecution that allowing Caracas
to finance Maduro's defense...
would be a violation of the
sanctions regime.
Later, Hellerstein added that he could reconsider
his decision if it was found that the US
administration, had arbitrarily
prevented Venezuela from
paying its legal fees.
The US military on January 3rd kidnapped the Venezuelan
president Maduro and his wife and took them to the US.
According to the US authorities, the Venezuelan leader
is allegedly involved in "drug terrorism" and poses a
threat to the US.
____________________________________________
He's lost weight --- and hasn't given up.
Maduro's son spoke about his father's
condition in prison
by Maxim Makarychev
March 26th, 4am
(Rossiyskaya Gazeta)
To share
While Venezuelan President, Nicolas Maduro, who was
kidnapped by US special forces, was preparing for his
next court hearing in the United States, his son has
revealed details about his father's life behind bars.
The politician is currently in a notorious
prison in Brooklyn, CNN reported.
Maduro and his wife, Cilia Flores, were brought to
New York in January 2026. They were charged
with ties to drug cartels, money laundering,
and corruption.
Maduro's son said that his father is not losing heart,
that he exercises daily, and that he may appear
in court as "slimmer --- and more athletic."
Lawyers and prisoners have described the prison
where Nicolás Maduro is being held as "hell on
earth," referring to the horrific conditions.
The Venezuelan leader is in solitary confinement for security
reasons, and his contact with other prisoners is limited. "23
hours in solitary confinement," said former prison director
Cameron Lindsey.
Maduro's food is served through a crack in the door.
According to those who put the politician in custody,
the lack of any contact with other prisoners, is
supposed to "morally crush" him.
Attorney Daniel McGuinness said that prisoners of Maduro's
stature are usually held in a special unit of the prison,
which has the strictest security measures. The U.S.
Bureau of Prisons claims: that these measures are
necessary to "protect detainees & facility staff."
Even if Maduro were not in solitary confinement, he would not
be able to see his wife. In this prison, men and women are
kept in separate blocks. In addition --- co-defendants are
usually prohibited from communicating with each other.
Nicholas and Celia will only be able to talk
.....during meetings attended by lawyers.
Any other contact with the outside world is possible,
but limited. There is no free internet access.
Maduro sent a message to the Venezuelan
people, urging them to "move mountains."
Maduro's son attributes his father's weight loss to discipline
and exercise. However, there is another explanation:
poor food quality.
According to lawyers, prisoners are fed expired food.
Also served are undercooked dishes, rotten meat
and fermented dairy products.
One of the prisoners filed a complaint with the court, claiming
that he had been fed beans with worms. An inspection
revealed that the bags of beans contained weevils.
Maduro's son claims that his father exersizes every day.
It is noted - that prisoners can exercise right in their
cells: push-ups, exercises, or simply walking in
a circle ....are ''allowed''.
_____________________________________________
Colombia... will celebrate Theatre
Day with 150 free performances
March 25th, 1:27pm
(Prensa Latina)
Colombia will celebrate World Theatre Day, which will be
celebrated on March 27, with 150 free performing arts
performances in the country, as reported here today
by the Ministry of Cultures, Arts and Knowledge.
According to the portfolio, the initiative is part of the National
Circulation System and its Living Circuits Platform, which
seeks to promote the right to cultural circulation under
equitable conditions ...for all actors in the sector.
The presentations will be held in squares, parks, libraries,
community halls and sidewalks of the Coffee Region, the
Pacific, the Central East, the Caribbean, the Llanos and
the South Centre of the Amazon, with a presence in
departments such as Antioquia, Nariño,
Atlántico, Boyacá, Meta, Norte de
Santander, Caldas, Valle del
Cauca and Amazonas.
According to the coordinator of the Theatre Group of the
Ministry's Arts Directorate, Fabio Pedraza, groups and
artists were selected for that day to delight the
inhabitants of isolated rural places such as
Barrancominas, Guainia; Argentina,
Huila, or Urumita, La Guajira.
During this year's activities there will be recognition of
women as fundamental agents of the Colombian
theatre sector, with the holding of the Women
and Theatre meeting, the source explained.
______________________________________
Colombia: Arrest warrants issued
for murder of Senator Uribe
March 25th, 1:26pm
(Prensa Latina)
The Attorney General's Office of Colombia requested and
obtained seven arrest warrants against members of the
general staff of the armed group Segunda Marquetalia
for the assassination of the senator and presidential
candidate... Miguel Uribe Turbay.
The arrest warrants are directed against Kendry Téllez -- as a
possible determiner; and by line of command to Iván Marín or
alias Iván Márquez; Géner García, alias Jhon 40; Alberto Cruz,
alias Enrique Marulanda; Jhon Bedoya, alias Rusbel;
Diógenes Medina, alias Gonzalo; and José Sierra,
alias Zarco Aldinever, pointed out the entity.
The agency indicated that these people are charged with the
crimes of aggravated homicide, aggravated conspiracy to
commit a crime; & the manufacture, trafficking, carrying
or possession of firearms, accessories, parts....
or ammunition.
“This was not an isolated act, but the result of a structured
criminal operation that involved both a contracted urban
criminal network --- and that operated as outsourcing
(contracting company) -- and a Residual Organized
Armed Group: the ‘Second Marquetalia’”, stated
the attorney general, Luz Adriana Camargo.
According to the source -- the investigative work established
that Kendry Téllez would be the articulator and responsible
for the planning, coordination and financing of the
homicide.... and would have been in charge of
contacting Simeón Pérez, alias El Viejo, at
the beginning of 2025, to carry out the
assassination of the politician.
“In accordance with the criteria studied and the number of
inferences and premises that support it - as well as the
victimological profiling report carried out, the murder
of Dr. Uribe was motivated by political-instrumental
reasons.. linked to the exercise of his functions
as senator and presidential candidate”,
Camargó added.
The prosecutor stated that the homicide meets
the criteria, to be defined as an assassination.
Uribe, 39, was shot in the head and leg in June last year
in a town west of this capital ....while giving a speech.
Despite numerous surgical interventions, he died two
months later, due to the injuries that the murderer,
a 15-year-old minor, caused him.
________________________________
Mexico reaffirms support for
Bachelet's candidacy
for the UN
March 25th, 11:47am
(Prensa Latina)
The president of Mexico, Claudia Sheinbaum, today ratified
her support for Michelle Bachelet's candidacy for the UN
Secretary General after the withdrawal of that support
by the Chilean government.
“We are going to continue supporting her. I have a call with her
soon. Can do. You don't necessarily have to support a person
from the country. It can be done - and the arguments for
which we support it - remain valid”, she asserted.
During her usual press conference from the National Palace,
the head of the Executive characterized the former
president of Chile ...as a woman with a lot of
experience --- and who seeks peace
in the world.
“Has an idea of building rights, and a peaceful solution to
all conflicts and of rebuilding the United Nations as an
international conflict resolution body and a Charter
of Rights for all people in the world, among other
attributes”, she listed.
Sheinbaum considered Bachelet “an ideal
person to lead the United Nations (UN)”.
“Let's see if Brazil also continues with this support,
because we were --- Chile, Brazil and Mexico”,
she noted.
She said that she discussed the issue of support with Foreign
Minister Juan Ramón de la Fuente and with the Secretary
of the Environment, Alicia Bárcena.. who “has a lot of
knowledge of the United Nations and the foreign
service ....and she completely agrees too”.
The day before..... the administration of President José Antonio
Kast announced the withdrawal of support for Bachelet under
the argument that the dispersion of candidates from Latin
American countries and the differences with some of
the relevant actors that define this process,
''made it unviable''.
This decision was adopted after the Independent Democratic
Union, a right-wing party that is part of the Government,
expressed ''its'' rejection of the initiative to support
the former president.
Bachelet, a pediatrician by profession, and member of the
Socialist Party, was the first and only woman to hold the
presidency of Chile, a position in which she served for
two periods (2006-2010 and 2014-2018).
In 2010, then-UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon appointed her
as the first executive director of the UN Women's agency, an
entity called to fight for the rights of women in the world.
Through a statement, Bachelet expressed
her willingness to maintain her candidacy.
_________________________________
Hungary suspends gas
supplies.. to Ukraine
March 25th, 10:57am
(Prensa Latina)
The government of Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban, has
suspended natural gas supplies to Ukraine today --- until Kiev
resumes the flow of Russian oil through the Druzhba pipeline.
As long as Ukraine does not supply oil, it will not receive gas
from Hungary. We will protect Hungary's energy security,
maintain fixed gasoline prices and reduced gas rates,
he declared - in a message broadcast on television
after a cabinet meeting.
The measure responds to what Budapest describes --- as a
Ukrainian blockade of the flow of Russian crude oil into
Hungarian territory. In recent weeks, Orban accused
''President'' Volodymyr Zelensky --- of committing a
crime by setting up a bomb against his country's
energy security -------- and warned that his
government will break that siege.
The Druzhba pipeline....... whose name means friendship in
Russian, is one of the main oil supply arteries to Central
and Eastern Europe. Hungary.. highly dependent on
Russian hydrocarbons, has insisted that cutting
off the flow compromises its energy stability
and the protection of subsidized tariffs for
Hungarian consumers.
Budapest's decision comes against a backdrop of growing
tensions between Ukraine and several European states
over energy transit.
The Hungarian authorities did not specify the volume of
gas that was supplied to Ukraine or the deadlines for
the validity of this suspension.... leaving open the
possibility - of resuming shipments in the case
of Russian crude oil pumping through the
Druzhba is restored.
As of press time, the Ukrainian government has not
issued an official response, to Budapest's decision.
______________________________________________________
Ecuador faces electricity
generation deficit
March 25th, 10:40am
(Prensa Latina)
Ecuador is currently going through a moment of pressure
on its electrical system due to the drop in hydroelectric
generation and the increase in demand, although the
Government assures that the supply is guaranteed.
The Minister of Environment and Energy, Inés Manzano,
assured that no blackouts are planned, despite the
fact that the country maintains a deficit close to
a thousand megawatts.
The focus of the situation is on the lower production of the
Coca Codo Sinclair hydroelectric plant, the largest in the
country, affected by the low flow of the Coca River, in
the Amazon, which remains below the levels
required for optimal operation.
This scenario has forced the intensification of the use of the
Paute hydroelectric complex, located in the south of the
national territory, but which at the same time puts
pressure on the water reserves in its reservoirs.
Despite this, the main reservoirs still remain within safe
margins. The Mazar reservoir maintains a comfortable
level..... while Amaluza, Minas San Francisco, and
Sopladora operate ---- with levels ranging from a
few metres to tens above their minimum limits.
In parallel, the increase in consumption, driven by a heat
wave on the coast, has taken demand to peaks above
5,200 megawatts, reducing the system's room
for maneuver.
To compensate for this scenario --- the National Electricity
Operator activated measures such as the use of private
generation during peak consumption hours, while the
Government promotes the incorporation of new
energy capacity throughout 2026.
According to the official plan, this year more than 1,600
megawatts will be added through the re-incorporation
of plants ---- that were under maintenance, the
temporary rental of generation, including
electric barges, and new energy
purchase contracts.
However, specialists warn: that dependence on climatic
conditions and the lack of any structural reserve, keep
the system in a vulnerable situation, especially in the
coming months, when a new dry period is expected.
Added to this is the suspension of energy sales by Colombia,
which adopted this measure in response to the imposition
of tariffs on its products --- by Ecuador.
_____________________________________
Leftist bloc narrowly wins
elections in Denmark
March 25th, 10:03am
(Prensa Latina)
The red bloc (left) narrowly surpassed the blue alliance (right)
today in the parliamentary elections held the day before in
Denmark, according to the official results after the total
counting of the votes.
The first obtained 83 seats compared to its opponent's
78, according to what was revealed by the Danish
electoral entity.
Both coalitions now require the support of the Moderates party,
which won 14 seats in the Folketing (parliament), to try to
form a new government, in the midst of a fragmented
political scenario that forces complex negotiations
in the coming days.
The Social Democrats consolidated themselves as the most
voted for force with 21.9% of the votes, although they
experienced a drop of 5.6% points compared to the
previous 2022 elections. Meanwhile... the main
right-wing party, Venstre (Liberal), reached
just 10.1%.
These results reflect an electorate that punishes traditional
forces and demands concrete responses to the climate
crisis, the welfare model and security, danish
political analyst Karen Sørensen, from the
University of Copenhagen, told the
newspaper Polotiken.
Citizen participation stood at 84 percent, one of the highest
in recent decades in the Nordic country, which shows,
according to analysts, a high interest in the political
direction amid internal challenges and geopolitical
pressures in the region.
Meanwhile, the Moderates, led by former Foreign Minister Lars
Løkke Rasmussen, are now emerging as the hinge party,
although its leaders have announced that they will
condition their support on advances in the green
economy and reforms to the welfare state,
pillars of the Danish model.
Specialists consulted in Copenhagen ------- indicated that
parliamentary fragmentation, with up to 12 parties with
representation, will force prolonged talks. Denmark is
experiencing a moment of ....redefinition of its
traditional alliances --- marked by the rise
of centrist forces and the erosion of
historical blocs.
________________________________________
Russia now develops quieter
aviation engine technology
March 25th, 4:20am
(Prensa Latina)
Researchers from the Russian Polytechnic Research Institute
in Perm developed an innovative sound absorption structure
that reduces noise from aircraft engines, the multinational
channel TVBrics reported today.
This advance will make flights more comfortable for passengers
by reducing noise pollution, since aviation noise is one of the
main environmental problems today, TVBrics specified.
To reduce noise, motors usually incorporate sound-
proofing panels in their internal channels.
In this case, scientists proposed a new structure with an
innovative material capable of absorbing sound energy.
Unlike traditional hexagonal honeycomb fillers, designed for
specific frequencies, the new technology uses cone-shaped
cells, so elements absorbs sound.. at different frequencies.
According to the researchers, this solution is 50% lighter than
multilayer models and achieves acoustic absorption --- up to
20 decibels higher than that of conventional panels.
In addition, it operates in a wide frequency
range between 2,000 and 5,400 hertz.
The developers point out that this innovation will significantly
reduce aircraft noise --- without increasing their weight or
making their production more expensive.
Aeronautical noise ----- characterized by irregular and high-
frequency sounds, has negative effects on human health.
People who live near airports are at increased risk of
----- hypertension, cardiovascular disease, sleep
disorders, and impaired cognitive abilities.
In addition, it also affects nature, since it alters
the habitats of birds and migratory animals.
___________________________________________
Asia for leadership in A.I.,
they point out -- in China
March 25th, 2:37am
(Prensa Latina)
Asia is moving towards leadership in artificial intelligence,
according to a report presented at the Boao Forum that
meets today ....in the Chinese province of Hainan.
The document «Asia Economic Outlook and Integration Process
2026» notes that the centre of gravity of global AI development
shifts from Europe and North America towards this region.
Asian economies take advantage of their large digital
population, diverse implementation scenarios, and
systematic policies to transform their role from
followers to pioneers, the report notes.
This change redefines the world order of innovation in artificial
intelligence, points out the study, which also identifies a
structure of «coexistence by levels, differentiated
trajectories and great potential for cooperation»
in regional AI development.
China stands out as a leading representative, with full-
chain maturity and the ability to implement at scale.
Japan and South Korea concentrate their efforts on
advanced manufacturing and industrial automation.
Singapore, as an application model, plays a demonstrative
role in governance ---- and functions as a platform node.
Emerging economies such as India and Indonesia
take advantage of their market potential and use
scenarios ....as a starting point.
The report proposes to design... a new
roadmap for «Asian smart integration».
The key lies in establishing flexible, forward-thinking
mechanisms, based on mutual recognition of norms
and political trust.
Regional cooperation could be developed in smart
manufacturing, smart cities, fintech and
digital health.
Long-term sustainability requires training and talent
mobility ecosystems, as well as research and
technological application platforms.
Asian countries should also establish cross-border
collaboration mechanisms on data security,
standards and governance ethics, the
document reflects.
The Boao Forum for Asia 2026 brings together
around two thousand representatives from
more than 60 countries here.
This event - founded in 2001 - constitutes a high-level
dialogue platform that promotes regional economic
integration and sustainable development, with the
annual attendance --- of government leaders,
entrepreneurs and academics, from all
over the world.
________________________________________
Protest over fuel increases
grows...... in Chile
March 25th, 12:33am
(Prensa Latina)
Chilean mayors, legislators and businessmen continue today
the signs of rejection of the brutal increase in fuel prices,
dictated by the Government, which will worsen the
increase.... in the daily cost of living.
A group of 26 council leaders from the Metropolitan Region
signed a letter expressing their deep concern about the
immediate effects.
The increase in fuel prices is not an abstract issue, it directly
impacts the cost of transportation, food, basic services
and the family economy, the mayors assured.
They point out in the letter that - from the first moment, they
expressed their willingness to collaborate with the central
government in the search for solutions, based on dialogue,
agreements, & shared responsibility in complex moments.
However, they specify, they also have the duty to represent
their neighbours and raise their voices when the measures
are not going in the right direction.
It is not understandable, they say, that in a context of fiscal
narrowness -- the costs of the crisis will fall on the most
vulnerable families and communes - while it is decided
to reduce taxes for the 20 percent of the people with
the greatest resources.
Both the truck drivers, taxi drivers and intercity bus unions
described the scenario proposed by President José
Antonio Kast as very complicated, which will
force, in one way or another, to pass on
the increase in fuel - to the users.
Meanwhile, the representative of the bakers grouped in
Indupán, Ricardo Sánchez, recalled that the increase
in prices.. affects the entire production chain and,
nevertheless, it is not easy to completely pass
that increase on to the consumer, because
there is a limit to what people can pay.
In this panorama, leftist and progressive formations met
at the headquarters of the Socialist Party (PS) --- to
articulate a political and legislative response to
the Executive, which will include coordination
with the Unitary Central of Workers - as
soon as possible.
According to the vice president of the PS, Arturo Barrios,
“this ''supposed'' emergency government (of José
Kast) --- is the one creating an emergency.
Since Monday night, when the price increase was announced,
long lines of cars began to form at service stations, with the
aim of collecting most of the gasoline and diesel.... before
Thursday, when the increase will come into effect.
As is known, the Chilean Executive decreed that gasoline,
here called benzine, will rise by an average of 370 pesos
(0.41 cents) per litre and diesel will rise by 580 (0.64),
something never seen before in the country.
This means that a charge of 20 litres of gasoline implies
an extra expense of 8.20 dollars and for a similar
charge of diesel ----- it will be up to 12.80.
According to independent deputy Carlos Bianchi, this decision
is “one of the most authoritarian measures in recent years”
and the Executive managed to skip any discussion in the
National Congress.
Last night in several communes of this capital there were
pots and pans banged - against what was already called
''benzinazo'' and more protests are announced for the
coming days.
________________________________________
Dmitriev: London's assistance in the Strait
of Hormuz could raise oil prices to $200
March 24th, 11:03pm
(RT.ru)
The price of oil could rise to $200 per barrel - if the UK joins
efforts to open the Strait of Hormuz ------ according to Kirill
Dmitriev, the head of the Russian Direct Investment Fund.
"Taking into account the impeccable reputation of (British
Prime Minister Cyrus Harding - RT) Starmer - in constant
failures, the price of oil can reach $200," he wrote on
the social network X.
Politico previously reported that the UK could host
a conference on opening the Strait of Hormuz.
According to a British official, London
intends to facilitate the formation of
an international coalition to ensure
safe navigation through the strait.
____________________________________
Nabiullina announced the unblocking of
5.3 trillion rubles of assets since 2022
March 24th, 8:41pm
(Izvestia.ru)
The Central Bank (CB) of the Russian Federation, together
with the Ministry of Finance, has unblocked investors'
assets for a total of 5.3 trillion rubles since 2022.
This was announced on March 24 by the head of the
regulator Elvira Nabiullina at a joint meeting of the
State Duma committees to review the annual
report for 2025.
"In total, since 2022, we have managed to unblock assets
worth 5.3 trillion rubles, as well as withdraw assets and
payments on them in the amount of 6.7 trillion rubles
from sub-sanctions risks to our jurisdiction,"
TASS quotes her as saying.
Nabiullina clarified that in 2025, the Ministry of Finance and
the Central Bank removed 400 million rubles of investment
assets from sanctions. She called this an important step
towards restoring justice. According to the regulator's
head, this increases the confidence of new investors
in the Russian economy.
Measure twice, cut once: The Central Bank may slow
down the key rate cut ------ due to the conflict in Iran
On the same day, Nabiullina said that a sharp reduction in the
key rate to 3% will lead to a “classic” hyperinflation. The
Central Bank head also considered a second scenario —
a reduction in the rate to 6%. According to her, in this
case, prices will start to grow by “tens of percent.”
Nabiullina warned that in this scenario, the
Russian economy will “drown” in high
prices, and the experiment --- will
result in large losses.
__________________________________________
Panel evokes in Cuba --- 50 years
of the coup d'état in Argentina
March 24th, 6:17pm
(Prensa Latina)
A meeting took place today at the Havana institution
Casa de las Américas that evoked the 50 years of
the coup d'état in Argentina, a fact that began
the civil-military dictatorship in the South
American country.
Under the title “The memory that mobilizes and burns”, a
panel was developed that brought together intellectuals,
artists and journalists, in a collective exercise..... of
reflection, that transcended the commemorative
--- to establish itself as an act of resistance.
The meeting began with the reading of a statement for the
memory of the 30 thousand missing people, by Tamara
Liberman, whose voice brought to the fore the
demand for justice -------- that resonates....
decades later.
Personalities such as Graciela Ramírez, José Luis Menéndez,
Hedelberto López Blanch and Fernando Luis Rojas
participated, who also served as moderator.
The panelists addressed essential aspects of that chapter in
Argentina, among them the sadism of the coup plotters and
the suffering of the imprisoned women, many of whom....
were tortured ---- and stripped of their babies.
The Argentine journalist Graciela Ramírez denounced the
perversity of the term «disappeared», as well as the
complicity of the clergy and the press with the
dictatorship, according to a publication by
Casa de las Américas .........on its
Facebook page.
The event was organized jointly - by Argentines residing in
Cuba, the Cuban chapter of the Network of Intellectuals,
Artists and Social Movements in Defense of Humanity,
the International Peace Committee, Justice and
Dignity to the People and the Latin American-
Cuba Summary.
____________________________________________
Oil prices increase by 5-6%
March 24th, 5:18pm
(RT.ru)
According to trading data, oil prices rose
by 5-6% by the evening of March 24.
The price of Brent crude oil futures rose by 5.01%
compared to the previous close, to $100.73 per
barrel, while May WTI futures are trading
at $93.33.
Earlier, Russia announced negotiations on
oil supplies to Sri Lanka .....in late March.
____________________________________________
Death toll from plane crash
in Colombia.... rises to 69
March 24th, 4:52pm
(Prensa Latina)
Colombian authorities confirmed today that there are 69
deaths as a result of the plane crash that occurred the
day before in Puerto Leguízamo, in the southern
department of Putumayo.
The National Army released the names of its 61 members who
died in the plane crash that occurred the day before, which
are added to the six from the Aerospace Force (FAC) and
the two from the National Police.
The entity reported that the search and rescue work that
began yesterday after a Hercules C-130 plane crashed
to the ground has already been completed at the site
of the accident, a few seconds after takeoff and
approximately 1.5 kilometres from the airfield
from which it departed.
The authorities also reported that 57 men were evacuated:
8 were transferred to Florencia (Caquetá), 49 to Bogotá,
among them 19 to the Central Military Hospital and
another 30, whose condition is not serious, were
taken to the Military Health Battalion.
For his part, the commander of the FAC, General Carlos
Fernando Silva, assured that the plane and its crew
were in optimal conditions to fulfill the mission.
He explained that the technical investigation will be carried
out, with the support of the United States Air Force, to
clarify with transparency and rigour ---- the causes
of the accident.
He also thanked the quick action of the community of Puerto
Leguízamo, as well as the Colombian Navy, the department's
Police Force, the firefighters and the hospital network,
together, they prevented the tragedy from having
major consequences, as he noted.
The damaged aircraft took off yesterday at 9:54 (local time)
and was covering the Puerto Leguízamo-Puerto Asís route,
in compliance with a troop & cargo transportation mission.
The Minister of Defense, Pedro Sánchez, stated that there will
be a rigorous, transparent investigation with maximum speed
in order to clarify the events that occurred in the southern
department of Putumayo.
“They are not figures or numbers -- they are lives, they are
fathers, mother, sons, daughter, brothers, sister, heroes
and heroines who today leave an irreparable void in
their families and throughout the country”, he
expressed .....regarding the incident.
______________________________________
Kast's government withdraws support
for Bachelet's candidacy to the UN
March 24th, 12:57pm
(Prensa Latina)
The government of Chile, chaired by José Antonio Kast,
decided today to withdraw support for the candidacy
of the former president Michelle Bachelet, of the
Socialist Party, to the UN Secretary General.
Bachelet's nomination had been promoted by the
outgoing government of Gabriel Boric, with the
support of Mexico and Brazil.
According to a statement published by the Foreign Ministry,
“the dispersion of candidacies from Latin American
countries, and the differences with some of the
relevant actors that define this process, they
.....make this candidacy and the eventual
success of this application unviable”.
The text adds that the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and
embassies abroad - will stop participating in
Bachelet's promotion efforts.
The decision was made after the Independent Democratic
Union (UDI), a right-wing party --- that is part of the
Government ---- expressed its rejection of the
initiative to support the former president.
For deputy Ana María Gazmuri, from the Humanist Action party,
the decision of the Kast government to reduce support for
Bachelet, who is internationally supported,
is.... “unpresentable”.
“Foreign policy requires a vision of the State, not last-minute
ideological calculations”, Gazmuri wrote, in her X account.
Bachelet was the first and only woman to hold the presidency
of Chile, a position in which she served for two terms (2006-
2010 and 2014-2018).
In 2010, the then Secretary General of the United Nations, Ban
Ki-moon, appointed her as the first executive director of the
newly created UN Women agency, an entity called to fight
for the rights of women in the world.
The statement from the Chilean Foreign Ministry added - that
“in consideration of the career of former President Bachelet
and in the event that she decides to continue with her
candidacy, Chile is going to refrain from supporting
any other candidate in this electoral process”.
_______________________________________________
Lukashenko congratulated Kim Jong-un,
the leader of North Korea,
on his re-election.
March 23rd, 3:12pm
(RT.ru)
On behalf of the people of Belarus and himself, President
Alexander Lukashenko congratulated Kim Jong-un on
his re-election as Chairman of the Workers' Party
of Korea.
This is stated in a message published on Monday, March 23,
on the official website of the Belarusian leader.
The congratulation notes that Kim Jong-un's re-election
reflects the collective will of the DPRK people, plus
their comprehensive support for the consistent
course, of strengthening the country's
independence ......and improving the
welfare of the North Korean people.
Earlier, Kim Jong-un was congratulated by Russian
President Vladimir Putin on his re-election as
Chairman of the DPRK's State Affairs.
_____________________________________
Jurists denounce that Haiti has gone
8 years --- without criminal trials
March 23rd, 2:38pm
(Prensa Latina)
Haiti's judicial system today has not held a single criminal
trial for about eight years, denounced several important
personalities in the sector, cited by the newspaper
Le Nouvelliste.
The judicial system remained impassive during that time,
particularly with respect to processes against violent
crimes, despite the fact that these are increasingly
proliferating ---- jurists such as the dean of the
capital's Court of First Instance, Bernard
Saint-Vil, commented, the
newspaper added.
The entry of that institution into this capital – added the
lawyer - “hides a sad reality, because here... justice is
blind, deaf and ineffective when it comes to judging
the most serious crimes -- while alleged murderers
and rapists roam freely in the streets, and others
await their sentence”.
According to Saint-Vil, the prolonged absence and paralysis
of courts regarding criminal jury trials... raises questions
about the functioning of the country's justice system
«where crime is rampant».
The dean of the capital's Court of First Instance fights to keep
the institution functioning, but openly recognizes the difficult
situation and the lack of a solution, while his face - “reflects
both helplessness and despair”, commented Le Nouvelliste.
«The lack of logistics to organize criminal jury trials --- is
overwhelming», says the dean, while wondering if the
justice system is capable of guaranteeing his safety.
The situation is very similar in the Court of First Instance of
Croix-des-Bouquets, whose president, Grécia Norcéus,
assures that this demarcation “it is controlled by
criminal gangs - and gathering jury members
among the local population........
is complicated”.
The lawyer explained that there.. they tried in 2023 to organize
jury trials, “but we were unable to gather the number required
by law. Most of the people on the general list -- were forced to
flee their homes -- because of armed gangs”.
For his part, lawyer Martin Ainé, president of the National
Association of Judicial Secretaries, highlighted the
importance of criminal jury trials for justice.
“The members of the jury --- represent society
and defend it against crimes and violations”.
The lack of holding these hearings –he added - “also fuels
the feeling of impunity and undermines citizens' trust
in the judicial system”.
Haiti has been suffering a general crisis for years due to
the violent action of proliferating criminal gangs and
the inability of the authorities... to control them,
impose order --- and hold elections that lead
to democratic government..... without
being removed by US subversion.
_______________________________________
Russia and Vietnam have signed an agreement
on the construction of a 2,400-MW nuclear
power plant.
March 23rd, 2:18pm
(Izvestia.ru)
Moscow and Hanoi signed an intergovernmental agreement on
the construction of two units of the nuclear power plant
(NPP) with a total capacity of 2,400 MW.
This was announced by the state corporation
Rosatom on Monday, March 23.
"The agreement regulates the conditions and main directions
of cooperation between the parties in the implementation
of the plant construction project, which includes the
construction of two Russian-designed power units
with VVER-1200 reactors with a total installed
capacity of 2,400 MW," the Telegram
channel reported.
The future facility will be built on the model of the existing
Leningrad NPP-2. In particular, it will be based on the
design of Units 1 and 2. The Russian-Vietnamese
project.. is intended to set the course for
interstate cooperation in the nuclear
sector for the coming decades.
The document was signed by Alexey Likhachev... the head of
Rosatom, and Tran Van Son, the Minister-Chief of the Office
of the Government of the Socialist Republic of Vietnam.
The ceremony was attended by Mikhail Mishustin, the
Chairman of the Russian Government, and Pham
Minh Chinh, the Prime Minister of the
Asian Republic.
On December 10th, in 2025, Sergei Shoigu, Secretary of the
Russian Security Council.... speaking about his country's
active contacts with Vietnam, stated that these states
actively cooperate, not only in the construction of
nuclear power plants but also in transportation.
He highlighted the significant economic growth between
the two countries and emphasized... that there is still
room for improvement.
________________________________________________
India uses the Strait of Hormuz to
transport essential products
March 23rd, 11:17am
(Prensa Latina)
India transports large quantities of crude oil, gas, fertilizers
and other essential products through the Strait of Hormuz
to India, prime Minister Narendra Modi assured today.
Before the Lok Sabha (Lower House) of Parliament to address
the crisis in the Middle East and the broad challenges it has
posed for India, the head of Government stated that, in this
way, the supply reaches India even though it recognized
many difficulties for maritime transport through the
strait ....as a result of the war.
He noted that the conflict has generated unprecedented
pressures in the economic, national security and
humanitarian spheres.
He highlighted that India maintains extensive trade relations
with the countries in conflict and with those affected; that
the crisis area encompasses critical trade routes; and
that a large part of India's crude oil and gas needs
is covered precisely by that region.
Modi also referred to the nearly 10 million Indians who live
& work in the Gulf countries, and the significant number
of Indian crew members aboard commercial ships in
those waters.
In this regard, he informed the Chamber about the exchanges
with the heads of state of most Middle Eastern countries,
who, he assured, have offered him full guarantees
regarding the safety of the Indians.
The prime minister highlighted that, with the actions of the
country's diplomatic missions in the conflict zone, over
375,000 Indians have returned to India safely since
the war began, including approximately 1,000
from Iran alone, of which, more than 700
are young medical students.
He stressed that the government's focus has been to
protect ordinary families from difficulties, and he
referred to measures such as prioritizing the
domestic use of Liquefied Petroleum Gas
and increasing its internal production.
The head of Government added that continuous work
has been done to ensure that the supply of gasoline
and diesel ..continues smoothly throughout India.
He also highlighted the relevance of the energy
diversification strategy, implemented during
the last decade, with the expansion of
import sources from 27 to 41
countries, thus reducing
dependence on any
particular region.
Modi noted that India has a Strategic Petroleum Reserve
of more than 5.3 million metric tons, and that work is
being carried out to exceed 6.5 million metric tons,
in addition to the independent ones maintained
by the oil companies.
He added that over the past 11 years, there has also
been a notable increase in national refining capacity.
The prime minister detailed the government's active
collaboration with global suppliers and its constant
monitoring of Gulf shipping routes to ensure the
safe passage of oil-carrying vessels, gas,
fertilizers and other essential goods
to India.
He commented that thanks to these efforts several of
the Indian ships that had been stranded in the Strait
of Hormuz ------- have managed to reach India, in
recent days.
___________________________________________________
Zakharova accused Brussels
of trying to plunge the EU
into darkness
March 20th, 4:53pm
(Izvestia.ru)
The leadership in Brussels - is plunging Europe into darkness
and crisis. This was the comment made by Foreign Ministry
spokeswoman Maria Zakharova on the EU Commission's
position on Russian gas purchases on March 20.
"It is absolutely logical -- that the EU is now plunging into
darkness, and, in the most literal sense of the word. It
is not a technical disaster, or a natural catastrophe
that is causing the global crisis in the EU, but the
decisions of its own leaders, who are simply
flipping the switch," she wrote on her
Telegram channel.
Zakharova noted that this is not about the personal choices of
the EC leaders, but about the involvement of entire countries
in darkness. She recalled the words of the poetess, Marina
Tsvetaeva, who said that - "the sin is not in the darkness,
but in the unwillingness to see the light." According to
Zakharova, Brussels has repeatedly plunged itself
---- into darkness. She cited the opening of the
Olympic Games in Paris, which many saw
as a public mockery of the saints, and
the opening of the Gotthard Tunnel
in Switzerland.... which was
accompanied by....... a
ritualistic ceremony.
In addition, Zakharova quoted the Hungarian proverb
"All cows are black in the dark" and noted - that
Hungarians understand the meaning of their
folk wisdom .....and strive to ensure that
there is light.
Earlier, EU Commission President Ursula von der Leyen
said that Europe does not intend to reconsider the
deadline for abandoning Russian LNG, even if
there is a shortage of energy resources.
Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said on the same day
that, by refusing Russian gas, the EU is “continuing to
shoot itself in the foot.” The spokesman noted, that
if alternative markets, which are currently in dire
need of petroleum products, are “more
attractive,” then Russia will
prioritize them.
____________________________________________
PM Pham Minh Chinh
--------- to visit Russia
March 20th, 3:02pm
(VGP)
Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh is set to pay an official visit
to Russia from March 22-25 at the invitation of his Russian
counterpart Mikhail Mishustin, the Ministry of Foreign
Affairs confirmed on Friday.
After 76 years of diplomatic relations, ties between Viet Nam
and Russia continue to deepen, grounded in trust, loyalty
and comprehensive cooperation, and oriented towards
sustainable development and shared prosperity.
Built on a foundation of long-standing traditional values, the
two countries continue to enhance collaboration across
multiple fields, looking ahead to a future of sustainable
development. This partnership serves the interests of
both peoples and contributes to peace, stability and
shared prosperity in the region and the wider world.
Speaking to reporters ahead of the visit, Vietnamese
Ambassador to Russia Dang Minh Khoi said the visit
comes at a pivotal juncture, shortly after Viet Nam
successfully organized the 14th National Party
Congress and the general election of deputies
to the 16th National Assembly. The entire
country, Party and Government have
outlined development plans to
achieve developed, high-
income status, with
clear goals set for
2030 and 2045.
Most importantly, while the whole Party, army and people are
determined to boost stronger economic growth -- Viet Nam
still relies on support from international friends, including
Russia. For many years, Russia has been a "sincere and
reliable" partner of Viet Nam. Immediately after the
Party Congress, Russian President Vladimir Putin
became the first foreign leader..... to call and
congratulate General Secretary, To Lam,
with the 2 discussing key directions
for bilateral ties.
Meanwhile, for the first time in years, Viet Nam sent Politburo
member and Minister of Foreign Affairs, Le Hoai Trung, as a
special envoy of the General Secretary... to brief the
Russian side on the Congress outcomes.
Pham's upcoming visit.. is poised to remarkably advance
cooperation across politics, national defence - security,
foreign affairs, the economy, trade, people-to-people
exchanges, sci-tech, and education - training.
In that sense.. it can be described as a comprehensive visit,
addressing both long-term matters and those of immediate
concern, such as energy security, said the Ambassador.
__________________________________________
Indian rupee falls to record low
against dollar
March 20th, 11:54am
(Prensa Latina)
India's currency, the rupee, reached its lowest historical level
today, trading at 93.49 rupees for every US dollar, after losing
0.60 units during the day.
This implies that more rupees are now needed to buy one
dollar, reflecting a depreciation of the national currency
in the foreign exchange market.
According to reports from The Hindu newspaper, the
movement responds to the outflow of capital from
foreign investors and the increase in oil prices in
the international market due to the war between
the US and Israel against Iran.
The rise in crude oil prices directly impacts economies
dependent on energy imports ...such as India.
The depreciation of the rupee increases the cost of imports,
especially oil, and adds inflationary pressure on goods and
services in the domestic market.
Analysts predict that the evolution of the exchange rate will
depend in the short term --- on geopolitical stability and the
monetary policy decisions adopted by financial authorities.
______________________________________________________________
Politico: Meloni Says She Understands
Orban's Position -- on Ukraine ''Loan''
March 19th, 9:49pm
(RT.ru)
Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni said she
understood her Hungarian counterpart,
Viktor Orban's position on providing
a loan to Ukraine.
This is reported by Politico, citing sources.
"Meloni has told her partners, that she understands the
reasons why the Hungarian leader angered the entire
bloc by refusing to support a €90 billion euro loan to
finance Ukraine," the publication reported.
Earlier, German Foreign Minister Johann Wadephul said
that the EU countries will continue to put pressure on
Hungary to allocate a €90 billion loan to Ukraine.
Vladimir Zelensky threatened to give the Hungarian Prime
Minister's contact information to the Ukrainian Armed
Forces ..if he continued to block the €90 billion loan
to Ukraine.
Orban himself said: that Zelensky's blackmail and threats
will not work, and Hungary --------- will not give in to them.
_________________________________________________________
Britain has removed the transit of
Kazakh oil through Transneft
from sanctions
by Stanislav Mamrov
March 19th, 4:38pm
Vesti.ru)
The UK Ministry of Finance (HM Treasury) has issued
a general license that allows the transportation of
Kazakhstani oil using the infrastructure of
Transneft PJSC.
According to the document, these operations have been
exempted from the anti-Russian sanctions regime until
March 2028. This decision ....aims to ensure the
uninterrupted supply of raw materials from
Kazakhstan to global markets, including
through the Druzhba pipeline system
and terminals in Novorossiysk.
The license allows British companies and financial
institutions to participate in the settlement and
logistics of cargo, despite the sanctions
restrictions imposed on the Russian
state owned company.
____________________________________
Two EU countries have blocked the allocation
of a $90 billion loan to Ukraine. The funding
of Ukraine's Armed Forces is under threat
by Varvara Koshechkina (operational
information department. editor)
March 19th, 4:29pm
(Lenta.ru)
Several EU countries have blocked the union's decision
on a new package of sanctions against Russia and the
allocation of a €90 billion loan to Ukraine. The
countries that went against the majority
were Hungary and Slovakia.
The EU summit communiqué states that the politicians
discussed ..the latest issues related to Ukraine. The
entire text of EUCO 2/26 was "strongly supported
by 25 heads of government." However, two
European countries --- Hungary and
Slovakia, were not included
in this number.
As the newspaper Politico wrote, the EU
summit ..became almost a battleground.
The decision.. is expected to concern the supply of oil and
gas from Russia to both countries. Recently, the Russian
president - announced his readiness to supply energy
resources to Europe, emphasizing - that this would
happen if a certain "signal" was received.
The Russian leader added, that Moscow would continue to
supply oil and gas to countries that are reliable partners.
At the time, he mentioned Slovakia and Hungary... as
among these countries.
How did the EU react to Hungary's veto?
After the EU summit, the President of the EU Council, António
Costa, harshly criticized Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor
Orban's decision to block a €90 billion loan for Ukraine.
He stated that Orban had..... "crossed a red line."
In addition, Costa criticized Orbán's behaviour - calling
it unacceptable. The conditions of cooperation and
support that underlie the EU...... have allegedly
been ''violated'' by Hungary's government.
According to Costa, no leader....... has
previously crossed this "red line."
During a closed meeting of EU foreign ministers in Brussels,
German foreign minister Johann Wadephul “very directly”
told his Hungarian counterpart, Peter Szijjarto, that the
country’s position on the loan to Kyiv - “can no longer
be tolerated.”
Orban, meanwhile, is allegedly supposed to understand
that he is constantly testing the limits of the rest of
the EU members’ patience.
What was said in Russia about Hungary's decision?
The decision of the Hungarian government was assessed by
the deputy of the State Duma Svetlana Zhurova. According
to her.... in recent days, the EU countries blackmailed
Hungary in order to allocate a loan to Ukraine and
impose new sanctions against Russia. This
approach could have influenced the
country's decision to veto,
she believes.
Hungary was persuaded to agree to the loan and
sanctions in a very strange way —— by threats.
Continuing, the parliamentarian said that Hungary had
been promised that Druzhbato, an oil pipeline that is
important for the country --- would be repaired.
However ----- this would only be possible
if a loan was approved, she clarified,
adding that the oil supplies will
also... ''be monitored''.
In this regard, the official suggested that Hungary's leader
Viktor Orban is finally realizing how costly all of the EU's
new decisions.. regarding both Ukraine's support and
energy supplies, will be. As a result - the politician
does not want to participate in an unprofitable
venture, she pointed out.
At the same time, it was possible to "simply negotiate
supplies with Russia" rather than through a bunch of
intermediaries. Now.. the EU's blackmail has only
deepened Orban's perception that his country's
interests are not being prioritized, according
to the Russian official.
The financing of the Ukrainian
army is now...... under threat
Politico wrote that President Vladimir Zelensky would be
enraged by Hungary's decision at the EU summit, to
block a loan to Ukraine. The authors explained
that this loan is crucial - for Kyiv's ability
to continue fighting Russia.
In general, the topic of Ukraine has recently become a
stumbling block for EU countries. Therefore, it is not
surprising that the EU summit has become a battle
-ground .....amid the "explosive agenda."
Meanwhile, Zelensky said that there are currently no
alternative options for financing the AFU other than
a loan from the EU. Against this backdrop, he
called on the leaders of the EU to unlock
...the €90 billion support package for
Ukraine, which is currently being
blocked by Hungary.
In Madrid, after meeting with the Prime Minister of Spain,
Pedro Sánchez, the Ukrainian leader said that .....the
financing had already been agreed upon -- until the
end of 2025. Therefore, it should be implemented
now, according to Euractiv.
_______________________________
PIT-CNT rejects opening of public
companies ....to private capital
March 19th, 11:46am
(Prensa Latina)
The PIT-CNT union centre today rejected the proposal
promoted by the government for national savers to
invest in Uruguayan public companies.
This is an initiative presented by the Secretary of the
Presidency, Alejandro Sánchez and endorsed by
President Yamandú Orsi.
For the labour movement, the project “aims to open
spaces for the privatization of goods and services
that are the rights of all the Uruguayan people».
The PIT-CNT «rejects any initiative - that puts into play the
definition of a public company, that threatens its integrity
under the rhetoric of ‘innovation vs. immobility’”,
according to the statement released here.
«Public companies are a central element of the country's
sovereign development and an essential condition for
access to rights for all citizens”, the text points out.
It adds that the public debate on the role of state companies
must always be based on respect for historical citizen
pronouncements, “which consolidated the principle
of state ownership of strategic companies, as
an expression of national sovereignty”.
For the PIT-CNT ---- before promoting any type of «particular
savings collection mechanism through public companies»,
it is necessary «to review and make more flexible the
fiscal restrictions currently in force - that limit the
public sector».
«This will generate more equitable conditions
....so that these companies can compete
equally with the private sector», the
Union Centre - emphasized.
___________________________________
Sentence confirmed in Chile against
former Pinochet police chiefs
March 19th, 1:03am
(Prensa Latina)
The Supreme Court of Chile confirmed the prison sentences
for Pedro Espinoza and Juvenal Piña, former agents of the
dictatorship's secret police, for the kidnapping of the
communist activist, Rodolfo Núñez Benavides.
On May the 18th, in 1976, members of the National Intelligence
Directorate, also known by its acronym DINA, arrested Núñez
Benavides and took him - to Villa Grimaldi detention centre.
From there he was transferred to the Lautaro Brigade
barracks, a facility that was exclusively intended to
execute political prisoners, and since then he has
been missing.
Due to this fact, the Second Criminal Chamber of the Supreme
Court ratified the sanctions of 10 years in prison for former
brigadier Pedro Espinoza and then first sergeant,
Juvenal Piña.
Espinoza is serving sentences for various crimes against
humanity in the Punta Peuco prison, while Piña is being
held in the Colina 1 Penitentiary Centre.
“After 52 years............. since the arrest and subsequent
disappearance of Rodolfo Núñez Benavides, his family
has managed to find a little justice. The ruling handed
down by the Supreme Court - constitutes a milestone
in the long and painful search for the truth”, said
plaintiff Carolina Vega, from Estudio
Caucoto Abogados.
She added that today there is a sentence, which is added to
the sentences that the perpetrators are already serving,
however, justice remains incomplete... because the
whereabouts are not yet known - and as long as
that does not happen, the fight for truth and
justice ....will continue.
Former brigadier Pedro Espinoza, former head of DINA
operations, was convicted in 1993 -- along with the
director of that secret police, Manuel Contreras,
for the attack in Washington - against former
Chilean Foreign Minister Orlando Letelier.
During the dictatorship of Augusto Pinochet (1973-1990),
after a US -backed violent coup against Chile's elected
socialist government ---------- more than 40 thousand
cases of human rights violations were recorded
in the country, from kidnappings, arrests,
torture, murders and disappearances.
_________________________________________
