US dollar may lose global
currency status, warns
Congresswoman
January 29th, 7:55pm (TASS)
The US dollar may cease to be a global currency as, even
under heavy sanctions, Russia is showing the world that
it can do without the US dollar and Washington’s
friendship, Marjorie Taylor Greene, a
Congresswoman representing
Georgia, said on Sunday.
"Two years ago we were living in times of world peace.
Today we are now on the verge of world war. And the
innocent victims - are each nation’s people paying
taxes to those in power. The US proxy war with
Russia, in Ukraine (a non-NATO nation),
benefits China the most," she wrote
on her Twitter account.
"It’s draining our military resources, driving inflation,
hurting world trade, & Americans don’t support it."
"It could also result in the dollar no longer being the world’s
currency. Because of our own arrogance & "fight to save
democracy" in non-NATO Ukraine, heavily sanctioned
Russia is proving to the world, that they don’t need
the US dollar, or friendship, to trade and thrive,"
she emphasized.
______________________________________________
US Treasury secretary says
Americans face financial
‘catastrophe’
January 29th, 7:30pm
(PressTV)
US Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen has warned that the
United States is facing a catastrophic debt crisis, if
Congress fails to raise the statutory debt ceiling
to fend off a default.
“It would be devastating,” Yellen said to Axios in an
interview from Johannesburg, South Africa, on
Saturday. “It’s a catastrophe.”
“Of course, it makes me nervous,” she added
She said the United States could default on its debt by
summer, which would lead to a global financial crisis.
Yellen said that “we’ll have a financial crisis and
I believe ---- we would have a recession in the
United States.”
“Spending would have to decline to match the tax
revenues,” Yellen said, which would deprive the
US government of the ability to support the
economy with stimuli.
She added that furthermore, “psychological
consequences” like people fearing to
spend money - could then “further
impact spending and deepen
a recession.”
The top US financial official noted that a full-scale
American debt default would also impact the
global economy.
“Americans would face higher borrowing costs,
and it would cause a good deal of turmoil
globally, as well,” Yellen said.
The US Treasury has taken "extraordinary measures"
to fend off the default as the country reached its
$31.4 trillion debt ceiling. The Treasury --- has
warned that the “extraordinary measures”
will only help.... for a limited time.
Yellen has stated that the actual date on which the
Treasury would no longer be able to use these
measures is "quite uncertain," and could
come in June.
She added that if Congress fails to raise the debt
limit, the US could see a downgrading of its
debt --- "at minimum.”
“The president, and the leadership of Congress
are responsible - to find a way to get the debt
ceiling raised” - she told Axios on Saturday.
The debt limit issue has set the table for a show
down, between the White House, Democrats in
the Senate and a Republican-controlled House.
Far-right Republicans want Democrat President
Joe Biden... to agree to slash government
spending. They argue that radical cuts
are needed to reduce borrowing.
Democrats want to quickly pass debt limit
legislation --- but House Republicans are
adamant that they will not cooperate
without major spending cuts.
______________________________
The party of Austria --- which opposed
sanctions for the Russian Federation,
took second place in the elections
January 29th, 7:25pm
(Izvestia.ru)
The right-wing Austrian Freedom Party (FPÖ), which supports
the lifting of sanctions against Russia, is currently in second
place in the elections to the landtag (parliament) Lower
Austria. According to exit polls reported by the ORF TV
channel on January 29th, the FPÖ party won 25.4%
of the vote.
The ruling Austrian People's Party (ÖVP) took first place with
39.7% of the vote. According to the media this is historically
the worst result for the party in this region. Compared to the
results of the previous elections, the ÖVP lost 9.9% of
its voters.
In third place, tentatively, is the Social Democratic Party (SPÖ)
with 25.2% of the vote. The Green Party (7.3%) and NEOS
(6.3%) are also still being elected to the new parliament.
In the previous Lower Austrian elections in 2018, ÖVP
received 49.63% of the vote, while the right-wing
FPÖ received 14.76%.
On December the 15th, former Vice-Chancellor of Austria and
former leader of the FPÖ, Heinz-Christian Strache, said that
protest moods in European countries will increase against
the background of new anti-Russian sanctions. Strache
also added that EU sanctions against Russia are
undoubtedly damaging the economies of
European states, and more and more
Europeans are opposed to them.
_________________________________
Majority of Peruvians Favour
Holding Elections in 2023
January 29th, 6pm
(teleSUR)
As police repression against protesters increases in Peru,
the majority of the population disapproves the manage-
ment of President-designate, Dina Boluarte, and they
agree to bring forward the elections to this year
2023, a poll revealed this Sunday.
In a recent poll, 75% of Peruvians are in favour of the
president resigning from office, and 74% agree with
the closure of the current Congress.
The parliament failed to reach consensus to bring forward
the elections when demonstrations are on the rise and the
political situation in the South American country is going
through a period of violence and uncertainty.
The latest survey by the Institute of Peruvian Studies (IEP)
for the newspaper La República indicates that 73% of the
population is in favour of holding such elections this year.
Continuing with the Executive, regarding the performance
of Prime Minister, Alberto Otárola, 71% of those polled
disapprove of his performance as President of the
Council of Ministers.
Regarding the disapproval of the Parliament, this seems to
continue to rise. Eighty-nine percent of the population
rejects the current parliamentary administration, a
figure that has also increased by one percentage
point in a matter of days.
In addition, 74% are in favour of closing the Congress.
Likewise, 76% of the citizens disapprove of the management
of the President of Congress, José Williams, a percentage
that has increased by 4 points compared to the previous
survey. Only 14% approve of his management at the
head of the Legislature.
This Saturday night violent clashes between demonstrators
and police in Lima left one person dead, the first in the
capital after weeks of revolts in southern regions of
the South American country demanding the
resignation of President Dina Boluarte.
Security cameras show the murder of Víctor Yacsavilca
Santiesteban after a bullet hit his head when he was
walking with a group of citizens on one of the
sidewalks of Nicolás de Piérola Avenue.
With Saturday's death, there are now more than 60
dead -among them a policeman - in the context of
the demonstrations that began in the second
week of December, had a truce at the end of
the year and resumed on January the 4th in
Puno, on the southern border with Bolivia.
__________________________________________
Qatar Partners for Joint
Exploration in Lebanese
Gas Blocks:
A Ray of Hope?
January 29th, 4:07pm
(al Manar)
Lebanon witnessed, on Sunday, the signing ceremony
of ‘The Revised Appendices to the Exploration and
Production Agreements for Blocks 4 and 9’, an
agreement for Qatar Energy Company to join
a consortium that will search for gas in the
Mediterranean Sea off Lebanon’s coast.
As soon as the good news of the gas agreement circulated
this afternoon, the exchange rate of the dollar recorded a
decline on the Lebanese black market to below than
57,000 Lebanese Lira, giving hope to perpetually
overwhelmed people.
The Lebanese government --- together with two leading
international oil companies, entered into an agreement
with the state-owned Qatar Energy Company, resulting
in the latter becoming a partner in the consortium
exploring the oil and gas potential of Blocks 4
and 9. This marks a significant milestone in
the quest for oil and gas in Lebanon’s
maritime domain.
“Today marks a historic event in Lebanon as we sign the
amended addendums to the exploration and production
agreements in blocks 4 and 9, in the presence of the
CEO of Qatar Energy Company, and with the support
and attendance of the Prime Minister’s Office of
Business Administration Nijib Mikati in the
governmental palace,” the Ministry of
Energy stated.
The Minister of Energy, Dr. Waleed Fayyad, signed on behalf
of Lebanon, while the State Minister of Energy from Qatar,
the CEO of Qatar Energy Company, Engineer Saad Sherida
al-Kaabi, signed on behalf of Qatar, the CEO of Total
Group, Patrick Pouyanné, signed on behalf of the
French company, and the CEO of Eni, Claudio
Descalzi, signed on behalf of the Italian
company, in the presence of
ambassadors from Qatar,
France, and Italy.
“This step comes after Qatar Energy Company, became a
partner in the consortium of petroleum companies with
the rights to explore and produce in blocks 4 and 9 in
Lebanese waters, as an undeveloped oil owner,
joining Total E&P from France and Eni from
Italy,” the Lebanese Ministry added.
The ownership share in each of the consortium’s companies
will be divided among the four partners, and they will work
together to explore and produce oil and gas in these two
blocks as follows:
“ Total Energies: 35%
Eni: 35%
Qatar Energy: 30% „
This new partnership coincides with the operator’s ongoing
efforts, to carry out exploration and drilling activities in
block 9 this year. Lebanon’s share ranges from 54% to
63% after deducting operating and capital expenses
if a discovery is made.
“We are thrilled to welcome Qatar Energy to our exploration
efforts in Lebanon. The recent determination of Lebanon’s
maritime boundary with Israel has generated a new
opportunity for the exploration of its hydrocarbon
resources. Total Energies and our partners are
fully committed to drilling an exploration well
in Block 9 as soon as possible in 2023, and
our teams are ready to commence these
operations,” stated Patrick Pouyanné,
Chairman and CEO of Total Energies.
This partnership further strengthens the collaboration
between Total Energies and Qatar Energy.... in
exploration activities, bringing the number
of countries where the companies have
partnerships, to nine.
“Our concentration will be on block number nine,”
al-Kaabi, Qatar’s Energy Minister, said, adding
that this could be a first step for Qatar
Energy to play a bigger role in
future explorations.
“It is an honour to be in Lebanon with these two companies,”
said Descalzi, the CEO of Italy’s state-run energy company,
ENI, said in turn. “We will work all together to give the
best to your country.”
During the press conference held after the signing ceremony,
Lebanese Energy Minister Fayyad hailed the deal that
“marks the beginning of a new chapter that
reinforces Lebanon’s standing as a major
player in the regional oil industry.”
“This indicates.. the continuation of confidence in Lebanon
despite.. all the ordeals and crises that it is going through,
and the hopes pinned on making commercial discoveries
in the exclusive Lebanese economic zone,” Fayyad
pointed out.
For his part, PM Mikati affirmed that the initiation of
exploration and petroleum activities in Lebanon’s
waters holds great potential to generate short-
and medium-term benefits.
“This marks the initiation of a new stage in the exploration
and petroleum operations in Lebanese waters, poised
to have a beneficial influence -- both in the short and
intermediate term, on the creation of opportunities
for those Lebanese companies involved in the
petroleum services sector ----- and providing
employment prospects, for Lebanese youth,
particularly those with technical expertise,”
Mikati said.
“This partnership between Qatar Energy and its acquisition
of a 30% stake in exploration and production agreements
for Blocks 4 and 9 is a significant and unparalleled event
in the oil exploration and production sector in Lebanon’s
maritime waters, given Qatar Energy’s reputation and
expertise in the gas industry globally,” he noted.
The US Special Envoy and Coordinator for International Energy
Affairs, Amos Hochstein, who mediated the Israeli-Lebanese
maritime border negotiations, has lauded the agreement
between Lebanon, Qatar Energy, TotalEnergies and
ENI. In a tweet, Hochstein exclaimed,
“Congratulations to Lebanon on Qatar Energy joining as an
investor with ENI and TotalEnergies. This is a welcome
addition of new investment in the Lebanese energy
sector and further evidence of progress from the
maritime agreement.”
Light at the End of the Tunnel?
The Lebanese people pin hopes on this landmark agreement
that would save its economy from deteriorating..... to an
untenable level.
The Lebanese economy is in a state of profound distress, with
the Lebanese pound experiencing a severe devaluation of
nearly 90% since the onset of the economic crisis in May
2019. The latest reports indicate the exchange rate of
the Lebanese pound reached a record low of over
60,000 to the dollar on Friday.
In addition to this, food prices have skyrocketed nearly
tenfold ---- leading to high levels of unemployment and
putting three-quarters of the population into poverty.
The absence of a president has been a persistent issue in
the country since the expiration of Michel Aoun’s
presidential term on October 31st. Despite the
Parliament convening on 11 occasions ----
efforts to elect a new president have
been unsuccessful.
Source: Al-Manar English Website
________________________________________________
With the supply of tanks to Ukraine
the US ''trims'' the all-NATO line
– Ryabkov
January 29th, 11:11am
https://en.news-front.info/
The statement by US representatives, that the supply of
Abrams tanks to Ukraine will not be steps towards the
escalation of the conflict --- is a denial of the obvious.
This was stated by Deputy Foreign Minister
of Russia, Sergey Ryabkov, to RIA Novosti.
He believes that such supplies to Ukraine, are “an
extremely destructive step” on the part of the US.
The politician points out that the US statements about
the supply of modern weapons to Kyiv, not being an
escalation of the conflict on their part --- are
paradoxical. In addition, he mentions the
phrase of US politicians, that “peace
is war”, which is, in his opinion, a
“denial of the obvious.”
“The US authorities took this step ---- because they want
to straighten the NATO ranks and bring the calculation
“first, second”. And all this is happening.. in front of
the entire world community --- which is already
experiencing growing concern.. about where
this world is headed --- by a Western group
of stupid - if not mindless - politicians”,
summed up Ryabkov.
_____________________________
Tens of thousands protesters
hold fresh rallies against
Israeli prime minister
in Tel Aviv
January 28th, 9:40pm
(PressTV)
Tens of thousands have held a massive rally again in Tel
Aviv, in the occupied territories, against Benjamin
Netanyahu's planned judicial reforms, which
they say -- aims to weaken the regime's
supreme court in favour of the
Israeli prime minister and
his extremist cabinet.
The protests were held on Saturday, marking another chapter
in the weekly demonstrations that have been taking place in
the city and elsewhere throughout the occupied territories,
since Netanyahu announced his far-right cabinet
last month.
The participants banged on drums, shouted anti-regime
slogans through megaphones, and impersonated
Netanyahu in a prison uniform and handcuffs.
A man was seen holding up a banner
that read, "Slipping into darkness."
"We came to demonstrate against an illegitimate"
cabinet, said an NGO worker who vowed
that the protests ---- "will not stop."
"I believe that what the current prime minister is doing is
wrong... I think we are in a very dangerous situation,
and I can't let it just go away. We need to be here
to fight for it...," said another.
Netanyahu cobbled together his cabinet late last month,
allying himself with the most far-right parties across
the Knesset (the Israeli parliament).
In order to secure the loyalty and partnership of the extremist
politicians, he has pledged to further their desired agendas,
including by "overhauling" the regime's judicial apparatus
by taking away the supreme court's ability to nullify the
decisions that are made by the either the cabinet
or Knesset.
More than 130 hi-tech companies and businesses will go on
strike on Tuesday to protest the proposed legislation to
make changes to the Israeli justice system.
Netanyahu is also accused of trying to effect the changes
as means of fighting off a set of corruption charges he
was slapped with during the twilight of his previous
mandate as premier in 2019.
He has dismissed the protests as a refusal by his leftist
opponents to accept the results of last November's
election, which gave him the right to announce
the cabinet. He has - rather - said the judicial
reforms are needed, to hamstring what he
has calls "activist judges," who could
stand up to the regime's decisions.
This is the fourth straight week that huge
demonstrations were held, against
Netanyahu's extremist cabinet
and his political agenda.
_______________________________________________
The Federation Council assessed
the results -- of the presidential
election in the Czech Republic
January 28th, 9:12pm
(Lenta.ru)
Deputy Speaker of the Russian Federation Council
Konstantin Kosachev assessed the results of the
presidential election in the Czech Republic. His
words are reported by RIA Novosti
Kosachev reminded that the powers of the President of the
Czech Republic are seriously limited by the constitution,
which was seen in the example of the previous head of
state Milos Zeman. "So there will definitely be no
changes for the better, in terms of the Czech
Republic's return to constructive positions -
and verbal rhetoric is likely to change only
for the worse," he said, noting that at the
moment the Czech Republic is one of
....the most unfriendly European
countries towards Russia.
____________________________________________
Tens of thousands of Portuguese
teachers take to Lisbon streets
to demand better pay
January 28th, 8:57pm
(PressTV)
Tens of thousands of public school teachers and
school staff have marched through the streets
of the capital Lisbon to demand higher wages
and better working conditions.
The Saturday demonstrations were seen as a further
step by the country’s teachers to put more pressure
on the Portuguese government as it grapples with
a cost of living crisis.
According to police, about 80,000 protesters filled th
e Portuguese capital, shouting slogans like "for the
banks there are millions ------ for us, there are
only pennies."
Portugal’s socialist Prime Minister Antonio Costa is currently
facing a slump in popularity and street protests not just by
teachers, but by other professionals, such as doctors,
only a year after he won a majority in parliament.
The Union of All Education Professionals (STOP) is demanding
the government increase the wages of teachers and school
workers by at least 120 euros ($130) a month and speed up
career progression.
The government has not made a counter-proposal specifically
for teachers, but has said it will add 52 euros to the monthly
salaries of all civil servants who earn up to about
2,600 euros.
Teachers say because of career freezes in the past, they are
the lowest-paid senior civil servants, which means their
financial situation has worsened after a recent spike
in inflation --- to a 30-year high.
Teachers on the lowest pay scale are paid around 1,100 euros
per month and even those in the top band typically earn less
than 2,000 euros monthly.
"For years, they (politicians) kept us silent. We need better
conditions in terms of salary, it's unacceptable that we
don't have progression in our careers," said Isabel
Pessoa, 47, a science and biology teacher.
Since early December, teachers and other education staff
across Portugal have been staging job walkouts, closing
many schools and leaving students unable to attend
classes. The strikes have been organized on an
area-by-area basis, with successive days of
action in each of Portugal's 18 districts.
The government has criticized STOP, for the way it has
organized the industrial actions, because, it says, it
does not have a pre-set timetable and teachers
and staff only refuse to work certain hours
on a specific day -- but are still able to
close schools.
_____________________________________
Ukrainians warned about growth
of amounts in receipts - for light
January 28th, 8:31pm
(Lenta.ru)
Ukrainian YASNO DTEK announced an increase
in payments for light ----- despite the blackouts.
Residents of Ukraine were warned, that in the near future
they may receive higher receipts for electricity. This was
announced on his Facebook page (a social network
banned in Russia; owned by Meta Corporation,
which is recognized as extremist in the
Russian Federation and banned)
by the General director of the
Ukrainian energy company
YASNO DTEK, Sergey
Kovalenko.
He noted that the increase in the cost of services will occur
despite regular blackouts. He explained this decision by
the increased consumption of electricity after the
supply is resumed.
According to Kovalenko, when the light is turned on, a lot of
devices are immediately turned on in the sockets, which
can compensate for the amount of electricity that
was saved, during shutdowns.
Earlier it was reported that the largest regions of Ukraine
switched to stabilization blackouts. This decision was
made in relation to the Kiev, Dnepropetrovsk and
Odessa regions.
_____________________________________________
In Poland, a Ukrainian man bit off
a piece of a woman's ear and
stole her car
January 28th, 5:49pm,
(Lenta.ru)
In Poland, the police detained a 35-year-old Ukrainian man
who bit off a piece of a woman's ear and stole her car.
This is reported by Epoznan.pl.
According to the Polish newspaper, the man damaged five
cars, and then attacked the Citroen driver, who wanted
to let him pass while crossing the road. The attacker
opened the car door, got inside and bit the woman.
After that, he pushed the victim out, got behind
the wheel and soon drove into a road sign.
The man did not manage to escape —
he was tracked down and placed in
a hospital, under surveillance.
___________________________________
Russia becomes largest
foreign investor in Iran
January 28th, 5:37pm
(PressTV)
Russia has become the largest foreign investor in Iran,
according to an Iranian deputy finance minister who
says the country has attracted a significant amount
of foreign investment in the past 15 months despite
US sanctions that ban countries and entities from
engaging in business activity in Iran.
Ali Fekri, who leads the Organization for Investment &
Economic and Technical Assistance of Iran, said the
Russians had brought some $2.7 billion worth of
investment to two petroleum projects in Iran, in
the past 15 months.
The figure accounts... for some 45% of the total foreign
investment attracted by Iran over the period, said Fekri.
The official added, however, that Iran was not happy with
the amount of investment committed by China for
economic and energy projects in Iran in the
15 months to the end of 2022.
“China has invested nearly $185 million in Iran over that
period which we are not happy with given the amount
of negotiations and meetings we had,” he said.
Fekri said Iran had set a target of $10.2 billion in direct
foreign investment for the 15 months to December last
year - of which - some $5.95 billion had entered
the country.
He said the figure was much higher than investments that
had been attracted by Iran in years that followed the
signing of a nuclear agreement between the
country and world powers, in 2015.
The rise in foreign investment in Iran comes as the country
is still under a us regime of sanctions that has banned any
investment in Iranian economic and energy projects....
since 2018.
________________________________________
Díaz-Canel --- pleads for regional
integration to balance the world
by Elsy Fors Garzon
January 28th, 11:18am
(Prensa Latina)
Achieving a just and equitable society requires international
integration and resilient dialogue, Cuban President Miguel
Díaz-Canel pointed out.. during the 5th Conference for the
Balance of the World.... that concludes today in Havana.
After the special intervention entitled The return of balance,
by vice president of the Plurinational State of Bolivia, David
Choquehuanca, the Cuban president highlighted the
importance of remembering and endorsing the
values bequeathed by the original peoples,
because from them comes “our identity
that became wealthier afterwards.”
He pointed out the impact of the cultural colonization by the
empires on the territories of Latin America, which caused a
fracture in “our senses and emotions”, even fostering the
belief --- that history is an obsolete subject and “that is
what opens the doors to domination” and the denial
of our roots.
Before a representation of the thousand delegates gathered
at the event dedicated to the 170th anniversary of the
National Hero of the island, José Martí, the dignitary
recalled his approach to the native cultures
of Bolivia.
He added that this allowed him to appreciate “all the wisdom
of these peoples, the way they measured time or channeled
the waters… that way of being and acting and, above all,
its spirituality.”
That experience became an opportunity to get to know the
essence of the region, at the same time that he based his
opinion on the existence of this fundamental battle to
preserve identity --- since they have “much to show
and we have a lot to defend, together with them,
to continue strengthening our values.”
In the same way, he highlighted the relevance of this space
for dialogue to ensure that the peoples are increasingly
represented in a genuine way.
We have to seek that each time all this is a popular debate,
with the presence of social movements and the whole of
society, because with this we will be achieving the long-
awaited and true Latin American and Caribbean
integration and the true unity that we need
in these times, he stressed.
On the previous day, the president attended the conclave and
spoke at the Congress of the New International Economic
Order, a space that also highlighted some guidelines
to balancing the global order, by cooperation, for
sustainable development.
_________________________________________
Bolivia at CELAC: lashes
out at U.S. interference
by Pavel López Lazo
January 28th, 9:49am
(Prensa Latina)
Bolivia ratified this week "its sovereignty to decide
whom it does business with", in response to
statements made by Laura Richardson,
four-star general and commander of
the U.S. Southern Command.
“This is not the first time the United States has protested
about our natural wealth. And I want to emphasize -----
that they are our natural resources”, said Bolivian
President Luis Arce, in an interview with the
Telam news agency, in Argentina.
During a speech before the Atlantic Council in Washington,
Richardson stated that Latin America is of interest to the
United States.. as part of its national security.
On the basis of an alleged threat to democracy in this area
by Russia and China, Richardson justified Washington’s
ambitions over hydrocarbons, other minerals and
Amazonian biodiversity.
“But why is this region so important? Because it is rich in
resources and rare earths, with the so-called Lithium
Triangle (Argentina, Bolivia, Chile), a metal too
necessary for technology”, Richardson
expressed.
Luis Arce recalled in the interview with the Argentine agency
that Bolivia nationalized hydrocarbons in 2006, so they are
part of the full sovereignty of the people, as stated in the
Political Constitution of the Plurinational State,
enacted in 2009.
“The history of our country has been that of plundering our
natural resources and has not left any profit for Bolivians.
Since gas nationalization (May 1st, 2006) and lithium
industrialization, Bolivia has made a difference
in its economic model,” Arce stressed.
After participating in the 7th Summit of the Community of Latin
American and Caribbean States (CELAC) in Buenos Aires, Luis
Arce described this path as “strategic for our development,
not to keep exploitation of one country to another”.
“We´re currently facing multiple and systematic capitalist
crises that increasingly put at risk the life of humanity
and our Mother Earth; food, water, energy, climate,
health, health, economic, commercial and
social crisis,” he described.
_______________________________________
Venezuela: Love debt
inherited from
José Martí
by Pavel López Lazo
January 28th, 7:41am
(Prensa Latina)
Historical relations between Venezuela and Cuba go beyond
centuries, in which the history of men, like Simón Bolívar,
José Martí, Hugo Chávez and Fidel Castro, intermingle
in time and constitute today´s paradigms.
Celebrating José Martí´s 170th birth anniversary in these
lands, where he arrived in 142 years ago, recalled
historical passages of that umbilical cord that
unites us and nourishes us every single day
with the very essence that makes them
see each other as brotherly peoples.
According to Rubén Rodríguez, advisor of the José Martí Casa
de Nuestra América in Caracas, the Cuban National Hero
came to Venezuela in 1881 to “look for Simón Bolívar”,
and to a country that was pivotal in his military
thought, through battles fought by
the Liberator.
It was not by chance that on January 21st, 1881, Martí
“without shaking off the dust of the road, did not ask
where to eat or sleep, but how to go to Bolivar´s
statue” and before it, he cried “like a father
when a son comes to him”.
Martí founded the Venezolana magazine, so that when he
said in his farewell letter to Fausto Teodoro de Aldrey:
“Give me Venezuela, to serve you, it already has a
son in me”, the poet was already a noble son of
the Venezuelan homeland, he said.
Martí was one of the teachers of the Bolivar Centennial
Generation. He taught José Gil Fortoul, one of the
greatest Venezuelan intellectuals, besides being
a friend of former President Guillermo Tell
Villegas. Plus, he was professor of
Lisandro Alvarado ---- one of the
great writers, an ethnographer,
ethnologist and philologist.
______________________________
Serbia has many differences
with European Parliament
— top diplomat
January 27th, 8:58pm (TASS)
Serbia plans to continue cooperation with the European
Parliament, although it doesn’t share many of its
approaches, the Serbian First Deouty Prime
Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs
Ivica Dacic, said on Friday.
"We have many differences. The European Parliament is an
institute whose resolutions are not binding on European
structures. But in any case, it is very important that
we react to everything which is untrue in their
reports," he said in a statement that was
posted on the ministry’s website.
The minister stressed however that despite that,
Serbia is committed to its European path.
Earlier, criticism of the EU leadership and its policy was
voiced by Croatian President, Zoran Milanovic, who
said that the equality of the European Union
members is an illusion and the EU leaders
focus only on money and disregard
their partners.
He slammed the current EU leadership as the most
incompetent in history ----- and called for the
resignation of the EU foreign policy chief
Josep Borrell. In his words.. European
politicians of this generation do not
understand the consequences
of what they are doing.
_____________________
UN chief: condemns attempts
to rewrite history and deny
Holocaust
January 27th, 5:22pm (TASS)
The present-day world, is again, facing the growth of hatred
and Nazi ideology leading to attempts to rewrite history,
deny the Holocaust and rehabilitate collaborators,
United Nations Secretary General Antonio
Guterres said, on Friday.
"The rise of National Socialism in Germany was made possible
by the indifference - if not connivance - of so many millions.
But the alarm bells were already ringing in 1933. Too few
bothered to listen, and fewer still spoke out," he said
at a UN General Assembly meeting on International
Holocaust Remembrance Day.
"Today, we can hear echoes of those same siren songs ----- to
hate. From an economic crisis that is breeding discontent to
populist demagogues using the crisis to seduce voters... to
growing disregard for human rights & disdain for the rule
of law... to surging white supremacist and Neo-Nazi
ideologies... to attempts to rewrite history, deny
the Holocaust, and rehabilitate collaborators,
to rising antisemitism and other forms of
religious bigotry --- and hatred. At its
essence, Holocaust remembrance
is a call to be on constant alert,"
he stressed.
_____________________________________
Colombian President -- to Promote
Pension, Labour, Health Reforms
January 27th (teleSUR)
Petro's changes to the pension system will allow the State
to deliver a monthly bonus of about US$110, to almost
three million older adults who require a pension.
On Thursday, Colombian President Gustavo Petro announced
that he will shortly send to Congress a set of reforms to the
pension, health and labour systems.
"The reforms will once again guarantee the rights of
Colombian men and women," he said, recalling that
the Constitution establishes guarantees related
to access to pensions, health, work, and
public services.
Previously, Petro announced that he would eliminate the
intermediation of Health Provider Companies (EPS).
This possibility, however, unleashed fierce
opposition from political sectors linked
to private companies.
His policy goal is to migrate towards a preventive health
system which "avoids the disease as far as possible",
and incorporates doctors to care for people who live
in remote places, plus care for poor farmers.
"This preventive health model... exists in most of the world.
From Costa Rica to Europe, it exists where people did not
believe the story that health is a business," Petro said,
showing himself in favour ---- of greater public
intervention in the provision of services
to citizens.
The Colombian president also mentioned that the pension
reform seeks to ensure that an important part of the
contributions be saved in a public fund, since the
current system "is a business in which what a
citizen saves for years, is not enough to
have a pension."
The changes to the pension system will also allow the State
to deliver a monthly bonus of about US$110 to almost
three million older adults who require a pension.
Finally, Petro seeks that Colombians can have labour stability
and dignity. His reform will also guarantee rights related to
social benefits, vacations, and decent working hours.
____________________________________________
EU tells Serbia, Kosovo to sign
deal --- or face consequences
January 26th, 6:29pm
(PressTV)
The West has issued an ultimatum, warning Serbia and
Kosovo to either agree to a plan to normalize bilateral
relations, or face ''repercussions'' from the European
Union and the United States.
EU's Special Representative for Belgrade-Pristina Dialogue
Miroslav Lajcak, said on Wednesday, the two sides have
been given until March to announce their decision.
"There is a natural deadline or timetable because by March
we will know whether we are progressing or not and if we
are not progressing --- we will know why we are not
progressing, and who is responsible for that."
He warned that if either country rejected the deal, they would
suffer a drop in political and economic support, as well as a
reduction in new investments by the West. "We are all part
of the wider international community and it is really
important whether you are seen as a part of the
solution or part of the problem, because this
is then ------- how you are treated by the
international community."
Last week, envoys from the EU, Germany, France, Italy, and
the US met leaders of both countries to try to convince
them to sign a deal meant to defuse the long-lasting
dispute. Under the 11-point plan - Serbia would not
have to officially recognize the independence of
its former province. But it would have to stop
lobbying against Kosovo's membership in
international bodies. The 2 ''countries''
will also have to open representative
offices in each other's capitals and
work on ''resolving differences.''
The West has been opposed to an escalation of tensions
between Serbia and its former province, fearing that
frequent strife between minority Serbs in north
Kosovo province and the majority ethnic-
Albanian government of Pristina
will lead to a wider conflict.
The US and the EU have been supporters of Kosovo's
''independence''. However, Pristina has been denied
a seat at the UN, due to the objections raised by
Serbia and supported by several states,
including its main ally, Russia.
_____________________________________________________
Lebanon expects 25,000 metric
tons of grain from Russia -
Ambassador
January 26th, 4:36pm (TASS)
Lebanon expects the delivery of 25,000 metric tons of grain
from Russia, Ambassador of Lebanon in Moscow, Chawki
Bou Nassar, told TASS in an interview.
"With regard to food security, Lebanon and Russia, are in
very good contact, actually. Recently, Russia promised
to send around 25,000 tons of grains to Lebanon,
mainly wheat.. in addition to the big amount of
petrol & gas products," the Ambassador said.
"We hope in the near future we can receive this big
amount of products," the Lebanese diplomat said,
adding that Russia will provide them for free.
_______________________________________
UN Asks Peruvian Government
Not to Stigmatize Protesters
January 26th, (teleSUR)
Meanwhile, President Boluarte sought support
from the U.S.-controlled OAS, to whitewash
her image internationally.
On Wednesday, United Nations Secretary Antonio
Guterres expressed concern about the death toll
during protests against President Dina Boluarte
in Peru.
He asked the Peruvian authorities to comply with
international commitments on human rights,
avoid stigmatizing protesters, and foster a
meaningful and inclusive dialogue..... that
allows solving the ongoing political crisis.
The UN Secretary also requested that "prompt, effective
and impartial investigations" be carried out into the
deaths registered in the protests that began on
December 7th, 2022, after Congress removed
President Pedro Castillo from office.
Guterres recalled that measures such as the suspension
of the right to peaceful assembly must be limited to
what is strictly required by the situation and be
consistent with other obligations under
international law.
A tweet reads, "Basic products shortage in several areas of
Peru due to roadblocks. Protests demanding the resignation
of Dina Boluarte do not stop. The president insists that she
will not resign and that the elections will be in 2024.
Sixty-three people have died in the protests."
On Wednesday, Boluarte made a virtual presentation before
the Organization of American States (OAS), an institution
that has operated as Washington's diplomatic arm to
promote and endorse coups in Latin America.
In a "protocol session" organized to provide external support
to her administration, Boluarte referred to the brutal
repression, which has left over 60 dead in less than
two months of government, as if it were a matter in
which she would not have responsibility.
"It deeply hurts us that, amid recent demonstrations in various
parts of the country, the irreplaceable lives of a significant
number of compatriots have been lost and that their rights
may have been affected. We hope ----- that justice will
continue its course and establish responsibilities
soon," she said.
In this regard, the newspaper La Izquierda commented that
"Boluarte tries to show a supposed empathy with the pain
of the victims' families," which is "one of the many lies
that the coup-born president usually manifests."
https://www.telesurenglish.net/news/
Peruvian-Police-and-Parapolice-Attack
-Protesters-in-Ica-Region-20230126-0005.html
__________________________________________________
Swedish Households' Unpaid
Debts ------ Hit Record High
January 26th, 4:24pm
(teleSUR)
"Increased living expenses generally contribute to
higher over-indebtedness," an analyst explained.
On Thursday, the Swedish Enforcement Authority
acknowledged that the ongoing inflationary
pressures and increasing interest rates
pushed up the unpaid debts owed by
households to record highs last year.
At the end of 2022, the outstanding debts owed by
individuals totaled 101 billion Swedish kronor
(US$9.9 billion), the government agency in
charge of debt collection said.
This was 7 billion kronor more than in 2021 and
represented a 34 billion kronor increase over
a decade.
"Increased living expenses generally contribute to
higher over-indebtedness. Those who already are
in a tough financial situation... and have small
margins become over-indebted... more easily,"
Davor Vuleta an analyst at the authority said.
"A large part of the increase is due to debts constantly
growing, due to interest, but it's also due to us
collecting more debts for higher amounts,"
Vuleta added.
Year-on-year inflation in Sweden was 12.3 percent in
December. To combat inflation, the Swedish central
bank (Riksbank) has since May 2022 implemented
four policy rate hikes to currently 2.5 percent
after more than seven years of zero and
sub-zero policy rates.
In its latest Monetary Policy Report released in
November, the Riksbank said that further
rate hikes could be expected.
__________________________________
Brazil to Investigate Genocide
Against the Yanomami People
January 25th, (teleSUR)
Over the last four years, the Yanomani population has been
permanently harassed by illegal miners, who had the
support of the Bolsonaro administration and
rural militias.
On Wednesday, the Brazilian Police announced that it will
open an investigation to establish whether the serious
health emergency experienced by the Yanomami
people is the consequence of the actions and
policies..... implemented during the Jair
Bolsonaro administration (2019-2023).
This investigation arose from a complaint filed by the Justice
Ministry, which detected a very serious health situation in
the villages located in the states of Amazonas
and Roraima.
The complaint asks to clarify the alleged responsibility of
the Bolsonaro administration in omissions that could be
classified as crimes of genocide.
Located in the Amazon basin, the Yanomami territory,
which is the reserve of Brazil with about 10 million
hectares, is inhabited by about 27,000
Indigenous people.
Over the last four years, this population has been
permanently harassed by illegal miners, who had
the support of large companies and far-right
militias operating in rural areas.
The Justice Ministry complaint mentions that Indigenous
peoples submitted "repeated requests for help" since
2019. Nevertheless, their requests were ignored
by Bolsonaro.
On Saturday, President Lula da Silva visited the Yanomani
territory, which was declared in a situation of "health
emergency of national importance" so that it can
be promptly attended to.
"What I saw in Roraima was a genocide rather than a
humanitarian crisis. It was a premeditated crime
against the Yanomami, committed by an
administration insensitive to the
suffering of the Brazilian
people," Lula said after
his visit to the Amazon.
After this first visit, the Indigenous Peoples Ministry
announced... that over a thousand citizens with
severe malnutrition received emergency care.
It also reported that at least 570 Yanomami
children died from mercury contamination
and malnutrition over the last four years.
Besides experiencing water pollution from mining,
the Yanomani territory has also been affected by
numerous cases of malaria and other
tropical diseases.
When the former Captain Bolsonaro assumed the
presidency, in January 2019, he began to
systematically dismantle environmental
and humanitarian institutions that had
protected Amazonian inhabitants for
decades. Many of these Indigenous
peoples have been struggling to
remain isolated from the
colonizing society.
__________________________________
Boluarte Decides to Militarize
the Puno Region in Peru
January 25th, (teleSUR)
Laraqueri district's residents were surprised by an unusual
presence of hundreds of soldiers, helicopters, and military
vehicles, which arrived to enter the city of Puno.
On Tuesday, Peru's President Dina Boluarte ordered 500
soldiers to enter Puno and extended the curfew in this
department ---- for another 10 days. Previously,
however, she called for a "national truce."
"In the morning hours, the residents of the Laraqueri district
were surprised by an unusual presence of hundreds of
soldiers, helicopters and military vehicles, which
arrived to enter the city of Puno," the local
newspaper El Buho reported.
"Although the residents were frightened, they tried to
prevent the troops from entering. However, the
soldiers left the vehicles in the area and
walked towards the regional capital."
Since January 15th, the Puno department has been under
a curfew that begins at 8:00 p.m. and ends at 4:00 a.m.
During this lapse, people are required to remain inside
their residences.
For weeks, Boluarte has also maintained a "State of
Emergency" in the regions of Lima, Callao and
Cusco ----- where the massive protests
demanding her resignation, have
not ceased.
A tweet reads, "Urgent. It's not U.S. troops occupying and
invading countries around the world to plunder their
minerals. It's not Ukrainian or Russian troops
positioning for combat either. It's the
Peruvian army cornering Puno and
getting ready for a massacre. SOS
Puno, SOS Peru, Dictatorship
in Peru."
The militarization of Puno occurs on a day in which Peruvians
were violently repressed in downtown Lima, where they also
demanded the closure of Congress and the immediate
calling of general elections.
In response to the State terrorism climate prevailing in Peru,
a group of 46 lawyers will denounce Boluarte before the
International Criminal Court (ICC) for the murder of over
60 protesters since she assumed the presidency on
December the 7th, 2022.
Their "Crimes Against Humanity" complaint includes Prime
Minister Alberto Otarola, the head of the Armed Forces
Joint Command... Manuel Gomez de la Torre, former
ministers Cesar Cervantes and Victor Rojas, and
far-right lawmakers Jorge Montoya. and
Patricia Chirinos.
_____________________________________
Presidents Diaz-Canel &
Lula da Silva Meet In
Buenos Aires
January 25th, 12 midday
(teleSUR)
On Tuesday, Presidents Miguel Diaz-Canel (Cuba) and Lula da
Silva (Brazil) met in Buenos Aires, Argentina, where the 7th
Summit of the Community of Latin American & Caribbean
States (CELAC) took place.
"In this affectionate meeting, we reiterated the joy for Brazil’s
return to CELAC and shared the will to strengthen bilateral
relations, consistent with the historical friendship ties
between our peoples," Diaz-Canel tweeted.
“I am proud to have partaken in this forum, of which Cubans
are part. I hope that U.S. 60-year-long blockade against
Cuba finally ends so that this Caribbean country can
return to a normal development process,” Lula da
Silva stated.
He stressed that all nations must treat Cuba with affection
and respect, as this stance contributes to solving political
differences through dialogue. “Brazil has no enmity with
any country. If we can help to reach agreements, we
will do so,” Lula pointed out.
“I learned in my political life, by making negotiations between
employers and employees, that the more you dialogue, the
more opportunities you have to reach an agreement,” the
Brazilian President noted, stressing the value of
maintaining peace.
“This is CELAC’s aim, provide an extraordinary space for
discussion and learning,” Lula da Silva said and called
for respecting the self-determination of peoples by
avoiding imposing sanctions, threats, or
personal offenses.
“Washington persists in its efforts to divide, stigmatize and
subordinate us to its interests, almost 200 years after the
promulgation of the Monroe Doctrine," Diaz-Canel said.
"It is urgent to close ranks and project a strategic vision
...towards CELAC's economic, social, and cultural
integration, which allows us to develop jointly
and independently from U.S. interests,”
he insisted.
_______________________________________
India celebrates
