Rhondda Records logo 2
 
Rhondda Records Home Page
 
 
Peace Page
A Page from the Rhondda dedicated to Peace
 
 
One Union
A Page to help unity among working people
 
 
The Miners' Next Step and Donbass news
A pamphlet,a song and a future for loving people everywhere
 
 
Rhondda Records Cartoon Page
A page to help the Rhondda laugh
 
 
Quotations Page
Words said in truth or jest
 
 
Your Health Page
A page to help your health - be positive !
 
 
Penrhys, Rhondda Page
A page telling the story of a unique magical village - Penrhys, in the Rhondda !
 
 
Africa Page
Africa - news, progress, events
 
 
Discussion Page
Let's open up and share (communicate)
 
 
Richard Gould's Page
Move over Titch Gwilym and Micky Gee, Richard Gould IS the new Welsh virtuoso
 
 
Efran Kaye's Page
The master of music, Efran Kaye is here!
 
 
Glynbyerful Male (voice) Choir's Very Own Page
a choir from all the Glyns of the Rhondda for nutters
 
 
genuine leftwing Mass events Page
Some activities you just might like to aid Peace
 
 
Poisoning Earth and our terrible fate, if, if, if
Human degradation ruining our beautiful planet
 
 
Rhondda Records' Top Recommended Books Page
Great Thinkers point the way forward
 
 
FOLK REVOLUTION
A Page for those who DO care about true folk
 
 
Siarad Gwmraeg? A page for Welsh patriots
Wales News and our Welsh language News
 
 
Poetry and Literature in Wales & the World, Page
Poetry and Literature in Wales
 
 
Rhondda History Page
A page to help those who want to know the Rhonddas past
 
 
Poet's Page
music and opinion from Wales' wandering poet.
 
 

One Union


A song to inspire 
if not ''Revolution'' 
then... at least 
Action!

D'you Wanna Know the Diff'rence
Between Heaven and Hell?

 

A question for the majority who love
and aspire to build a better world 



Rail Services in Parts of England
 Grind to Halt in First of Three 
Train Strikes This Week
May 31st,  2:27pm (FNA)
 
 Rail services in parts of England ground to a halt with the
 first of three train strikes this week taking place as the 
long-running dispute between the unions and the 
government over pay, jobs and conditions...
 continues.
 
A 24-hour strike by about 12,000 members of the driver’s 
union Aslef is under way and a further day of industrial 
action is planned for Saturday, the day of the FA Cup
 final, The Guardian reported.
 
Rail operators have said services will be severely 
reduced and have urged passengers to plan 
their journey before travelling.
 
About 40% of trains will be running but there will be 
wide regional variations, with no services on 
networks including Avanti West Coast, 
Chiltern Railways, CrossCountry, 
East Midlands Railway, Great 
Northern, Southern, South
eastern, Thameslink 
and Northern.
 
In addition, crew and station staff who are members 
of RMT... will take industrial action on Friday. 
Approximately half of normal services 
will run.
 
Mick Whelan, the general secretary of Aslef, said no
 negotiations aimed at resolving the bitter row were
 taking place, while the Department for Transport
 (DfT) said it had “facilitated a fair and
 reasonable pay offer”.
 
Joining a picket line at Newcastle station, Whelan said,
 “There are no negotiations, since they came out with 
yet another deal that contained all our ‘red lines’. If 
you spend months in a room, tell people things 
aren’t acceptable to you, then they produce
a
 deal that contains those things then
they 
are setting the deal up to fail."
 
“That is a deliberate act on behalf of both the government
 and the people that we’re dealing with. They do not,
 apparently, want a resolution,” Whelan added.
 
He added ---- “They seem to want (a) thousands of 
percent productivity (increase) for a 20% pay cut.”
 
The strikes come, after Aslef and RMT rejected a pay offer 
from the Rail Delivery Group (RDG), which represents rail 
operators. Both unions have said the government is 
preventing the train companies from making an 
acceptable offer, which ministers deny.
 
UKHospitality has said the upcoming industrial 
action will cost the industry £132mln in sales.
 
Whelan said there is “no waning in enthusiasm” 
from train drivers --- to continue taking 
industrial action.
 
He added, “We are determined to get a resolution and 
remain in this for the long haul. It is time for the 
government to step back from interference --- 
which is preventing a deal --- drivers, in line 
with other workers, deserve a pay rise 
after four years without one, and 
inflation running over the last 
12 months, north of 10%.”
 
The RDG said fans wanting to travel from Manchester to 
London for the FA Cup final between Manchester City 
and Manchester United should not do so on 
Saturday, the day of the match.
 
In Wales & Scotland, where unions are not in dispute, 
only cross-border services will be affected.
 

Dodon  returned to the leadership of the opposition Party  of Socialists

 
 
Bortnikov: The West is actively 
pushing Moldova - to become 
involved in Ukrainian conflict
June 1st, 11:50am
https://en.news-front.info/
 
The director of Russia’s Federal Security Service, Alexander 
Bortnikov, has said that the West is actively inciting Moldova
 to take part in the conflict in Ukraine. He said this, at a 
meeting of participants of the Council of the Heads of
 Security Agencies and Special Services of the CIS
 Member States, with President Alexander 
Lukashenko, of Belarus.
 
“Ukraine has become a springboard for war against Russia 
and subversive activities against Belarus. Westerners are
 actively pushing Moldova to take part in the Ukrainian 
conflict, inciting it to forcefully clean up
Transnistria,” 
TASS quoted him
as saying.
 
Earlier, Lukashenka said that the conflict
 in Ukraine had started long before 2014.
 
In mid-May, the head of the TMR state security ministry, 
Valeriy Gebos, said that Ukraine and Moldova were
 speculating on the topic of resolving the conflict
 in Transnistria --- by force.
 
 
____________________________


Zakharova responded
to 
Sandu's words...
about
 the lack of
respect
 from Russia
May 31st, 8:50pm
(RT.ru)
 
Moldovan President Maia Sandu's claims that there has 
never been any mutual respect between Moldova and 
Russia, are false, the Russian Foreign Ministry
spokes
woman, Maria Zakharova, said.
 
"Lies again," she wrote on the Telegram channel.
 
Zakharova stressed that Russia has always treated Moldova
 and its people with respect, with whom the Russian people
 have many historical ties. Russia also felt, that it was 
mutual, the diplomat noted.
 
"The current president of Moldova, who has a Romanian
passport and such pseudo-politicians as sent by her, 
have no mutual respect for the people of this 
wonderful country, from whom, she even 
took away their language," 
Zakharova said.
 
 
____________________________


Sandu claims - that there has never
 been any mutual respect between 
Russia and Moldova
May 31st, 6:43pm
(RT.ru)
 
Moldovan President Maia Sandu claims that there has 
never been any mutual respect between Russia and 
Moldova. According to her, Chisinau made every 
effort to do this. She said this on TVR Moldova.
 
"When I came to power, I said that we want pragmatic
 relations with Russia based on mutual respect, but 
we must admit that we have never had relations
 based on mutual respect, despite... all the 
efforts of Moldova," the politician said.
 
No cooperation agreement, including one on strategic
 cooperation ....or an agreement at the CIS level, 
allowed the Moldovan authorities "to receive 
a respectful attitude from Russia,"
RIA 
Novosti quotes her
as saying.
 
Sandu added that the government takes decisions on
 denouncing certain agreements with the CIS and 
on relations with Russia in the interests of
the 
Moldovan people.
 
Earlier, Maia Sandu said that partnership with the CIS
countries is not profitable for Moldova. She also 
called for Moldova to become a member of
the EU as soon as possible.
 
As Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov noted, the 
West considers Moldova -- to be the next Ukraine. 

Moscow stressed that Chisinau does not show
a reciprocal readiness for dialogue with 
Moscow, and the choice was made:
in 
favour of whipping up anti-
Russian hysteria.
 
In addition....  the Russian Foreign Ministry denied
Sandu's 
statements -- that the Russian side has a
plan to
 "destabilize the situation" in the republic.
 
 
______________________________________

 
About 60 thousand people took part 
in opposition rallies in Moldova
May 21st, 12:52pm
(RT.ru)
 
About 60 thousand people took part in anti-government
rallies - that took place in three cities of Moldova. This
was reported by the opposition Moldovan party "Shor".
 
"60 thousand people demanded today to hold a referendum 
on the external vector of Moldova," the release says.
 
Earlier it became known that at the entrance to Chisinau, 
there was a clash between participants of the pro-
government rally "European Moldova" ...and 
supporters of the opposition movement
 "Haiduki" --- arriving in the city.
 
 
_______________________________________


 Moldovan farmers have declared 
their readiness to start an
 indefinite protest on 
June 7th
May 17th, 7:43pm
(RT.ru)
 
The press service of the Power of Farmers Association said
 that Moldovan farmers -- have declared their readiness to
 start an indefinite protest from June 7, if the Moldovan 
government does not provide them with assistance 
and does not ban the import of Ukrainian grain.
 
According to RIA Novosti, the association noted --- that the 
Cabinet of Ministers in the framework of negotiations that
 began in February -- completely ignores the proposals of 
farmers. At the same time, many problems lead to the 
destruction of small and medium-sized farmers.
 
"We very much hope that this warning will be heeded and
urgent measures will be taken to save the agricultural
industry from collapse. Otherwise, we announce on 
June 7 mass incessant protests of farmers across 
the country with possible blocking of highways 
and a march of agricultural machinery to 
Chisinau," the statement reads.
 
Earlier, the Moldovan association "Power of Farmers" had
 already appealed to the authorities: to temporarily ban 
the import of wheat, corn, rapeseed and sunflower 
from Ukraine.
 
In turn, former Moldovan President Igor Dodon also pointed 
out the need to ban the import of Ukrainian grain, for the 
benefit of Moldovan farmers.
 
 
_________________________________
 

Head of the opposition Socialist Party
Dodon 
called on the current President
of Moldova,
 Sandu - to resign
May 4th, 3:41pm
https://en.news-front.info/
 
The head of the opposition Socialist Party, and former
 President of Moldova, Igor Dodon, demanded that the
 country’s current president, Maia Sandu, resign 
before July. This is reported by RIA Novosti.
 
He clarifies that this is necessary in order to hold 
early elections for the presidency, in the Autumn.
 
It is known that earlier the head of the opposition Socialist 
Party, proposed to merge the local elections scheduled for 
autumn together with early parliamentary and presidential 
elections. He argues, that there is nothing to be afraid of, 
if there is popular support.
 
“I would suggest that she resign in July, so that, together 
with the local elections in November, there will be joint 
presidential and local elections. If you are not afraid 
of the opinion of the people, you need to do so and 
prove that you are not afraid of anything and are 
confident in the support of the people. This is
 a kind of challenge, a call – resign before 
July”, the politician said.
 
 

Large-scale anti-government  rallies begin in Chisinau

 
 
Gagauzia allowed --- to hold a 
referendum on independence
May 27th, 1:50pm 
(Lenta.ru)
 
MP Dudoglo allowed holding a 
referendum on Gagauzia's
 independence
 
Gagauzia allows holding a referendum on independence 
if the central authorities of Moldova do not meet the
 requirements of the region. This proposal.... was 
made by the deputy of the People's Assembly
 of Gagauzia, Nikolay Dudoglo, RIA 
Novosti reports.
 
"The division of powers between Chisinau and Comrat (the
 administrative centre of Gagauzia) and the return of our 
powers, customs, law enforcement agencies, tax ---- 
this will allow us to continue to conduct a dialogue 
between the centre and Comrat. If our friends in 
Chisinau do not agree, we should appeal to the 
Gagauz people --- and hold a referendum on
 independence," Dudoglo stated, during a 
congress of deputies & representative 
authorities of the region.
 
According to him, this will allow "cooling
the ardour " of the Chisinau authorities.
 
On Saturday, May 27th, the congress participants adopted
a resolution --- demanding to fix the status of Gagauzia's
autonomy in the Moldovan constitution.  According to
the document, the central authorities of the country
---- 
must restore the activities of the regional
tax, statistical, environmental, and other
deconcentrated services, 
and bodies,
as well as state-owned enterprises 
in Gagauzia - within three months.
 
Earlier in May, it became known that the National Anti-
Corruption Centre (NCAC) of Moldova came with 
searches to the Central Election Commission
(CEC) of the autonomous territorial entity 
(ATO) Gagauzia after the election of the 
head of the autonomy. 
 
Earlier, the candidate from the opposition Shor party in
 Moldova, Eugenia Gutsul, won the largest number of 
votes in the election of the head of the Gagauz 
Autonomous Region.
 
 
_______________________________________________

 
Court of Appeals confirms victory of Sor
party candidate in Gagauzia election
May 22nd, 4:09pm (TASS) 
 
The Comrat Court of Appeals has certified the victory of 
Evghenia Gutul from the Sor opposition party in the 
gubernatorial runoff in Moldova’s Gagauz 
autonomy, at its meeting on Monday.
 
"To recognize as valid the mandate of Evghenia Gutul, the 
elected head of Gagauzia. The decision takes effect 
immediately after being passed," Judge Andrei 
Mironov, read out the ruling.
 
 The court's meeting looked into the Central Election
 Commission’s report about the results of the 
election on May 14th.
 
 
___________________________________________


 
 Opposition party to block
Moldova’s
 integration
with EU

May 2nd, 12:11pm (TASS)
 
The leader of the opposition Sor party pledged to
 call for suspending Moldova’s integration into
the European 
Union --- if its candidate,
Yevgenia Gutsul, won the election 
for head of the autonomous
region of Gagauzia.
 
"We, the Sor party, will demand and insist that any Moldovan
 integration into Europe be suspended, as it contravenes
the constitution," Ilan Sor told Rossiya-24 TV. 

The politician accused Moldovan authorities of ignoring the 
principle of neutrality, which is enshrined in the country’s 
fundamental law, as well as showing no respect
for 
those citizens who, he said, favored "an 
uncompromised neutrality --- and are 
against seeing Moldova dragged 
into any alliances."
 
Kiev and Chisinau would need to meet a number of
 requirements --- including the implementation of 
major reforms and resolving the Transnistrian 
issue, before EU accession negotiations 
could begin in earnest.
 

police start violent Moldova detentions

press the link above to watch
Police start to disperse rally

Supporters of the Shor party gathered to demand leaders release

Russian Army to react in case of 
provocation in Transnistria 
– diplomat
May 27th, 7:11am (TASS)
 
Russian Armed Forces will undoubtedly respond in the case 
of Kiev’s provocation in Transnistria, and will protect the 
people of the region, Russian Deputy Foreign Minister 
Mikhail Galuzin, told TASS.
 
"No one should have any doubts ---- that the Russian Armed 
Forces will provide an adequate response to a provocation 
from the Kiev region, should one happen -- and will ensure 
protection of our compatriots, the Russian peacekeeping
 contingent, OGRF servicemen, and ammunition depots in
 Kolbasna in Transnistria. Any actions that pose a threat 
to their security, will be viewed, in accordance with
 international law, as an attack on the Russian 
Federation," the Deputy Foreign Minister
underscored.
 
According to Galuzin, Moscow has information... that 
Ukrainian forces are concentrating near Transnistria.
 
"The situation around this region.... is indeed, complicated; we 
are being guided by assessments of the regional leadership. 
So far, judging by statements made by Transnistria head
 Vadim Krasnoselsky, there is no direct threat of a
 military escalation," Galuzin added.
 
He pointed out that Russia is closely monitoring the situation 
on the Dniester and warns that "any attempts to destabilize
the
 situation --- will be futile."
 
"Considering the risky course of Ukrainian authorities
 towards escalation of the conflict in the interest of
 destructive plans of its Western masters, no 
scenario of events can be ruled out,"
the diplomat noted.
 
Galuzin pointed out that the Russian peacekeeping
 contingent has been deployed in Transnistria,
 in order to prevent such scenarios.
 
"The Kiev regime has repeatedly displayed its readiness 
to resort to the dirtiest and the most brutal forms of 
hostilities in order to achieve its goals. Its record 
includes the deployment of military vehicles in 
residential buildings & civilian infrastructure 
facilities, including schools, hospitals and 
kindergartens; using civilians as human 
shields; and terror attacks on Russian 
territory," Galuzin concluded.
 



 Soon everyone across Europe will be

singing this gently effective song!

It's telling the USA...

Amigo, Amigo, Ami - go home.

 

Scholz’s biggest mistake is mocking Donbass genocide – Zakharova 20.05.2023 13:47 The official representative of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Russian Federation, Maria Zakharova, said that the biggest mistake of the Chancellor of the F


Majority of German citizens 
oppose deliveries of long-
range missiles to Ukraine
 – poll
May 31st, 1:11pm
https://en.news-front.info/
 
There is no need to supply Ukraine with long-range missiles – 
this is exactly what 66% of the Germans surveyed think. 
This is reported by the Military Review, referring to the 
RTL and NTV television channels, which conducted 
a survey among the local population of Germany.
 
In Germany, citizens of the country believe that Ukraine does
 not need the supply of long-range missiles. A poll of two TV
 channels showed that 66% of the country’s inhabitants 
do not want to supply long-range weapons to Kyiv.
 
According to the survey, the majority of Germans do not share
 the attitude of the leadership of NATO and the European
 Union, to increase military assistance to the Kyiv 
regime. The citizens of Germany... see in these 
deliveries a further escalation of the conflict, 
and they fear it. Also -- most residents of 
Germany have relatives, close friends 
and acquaintances in the Russian 
Federation, about whom, they 
most likely... worry.
 
Recall... that earlier, former congressmen, retired military, 
politicians, public figures, journalists and TV presenters
organized the action “Rage against the War Machine” 
against the supply of weapons to Ukraine and the 
escalation of the world conflict. Rallies were 
announced in Washington, San Francisco, 
Los Angeles, Seattle, Minneapolis and 
other cities in the United States.
 
 
_____________________________________



German authorities have suggested 
that the inhabitants of Germany 
consume no more than 10 
grams of meat per day
May 31st, 9:22am
https://en.news-front.info/
 
Cem Özdemir (Alliance 90/The Greens), Germany’s Federal 
Minister of Food and Agriculture, has said that Germans 
need to reduce meat consumption to 10 grams per day. 
This was reported by journalist Evan Ungar, 
especially for RG.ru.
 
Evan Ungar claims that if Cem Özdemir’s initiative is
 accepted, then in the future German citizens will 
consume 10 grams of meat per day. This, 
he says, is tantamount to “a sausage 
sandwich, once every three days, 
or a wiener once every ten days.”
 
“It’s not for nothing that the Greens are considered 
the‘Prohibition Party’. At present, it is not only the 
consumption of meat, by the Germans, that is a 
thorn in their side. They also want to regulate 
heating methods. Oil and gas will be banned
in Germany -- at the legislative level. The 
Germans must -- heat their houses with 
electricity, using heat pumps. This will 
help the climate, the Greens say,” the 
source of the agency says ironically.
 
According to the journalist, the supporters of these 
ideas, are not ready to make any compromise. 
Thus --- the “Greens” “in the implementation 
of their grandiose ideas are authoritarian, 
totalitarian and undemocratic,” the 
agency’s interlocutor believes.
 
“In big German cities like Berlin or Hamburg, you will 
definitely be called a “Nazi” if you admit that you 
eat meat,” Ungar summed up.
 
 
_____________________________


Bundestag MP urges German 
Vice-Chancellor to resign 
May 30th, 1:15pm
(Izvestia.ru)
 
The deputy of the Bundestag from the Alternative for
 Germany party Edgar Naujok called on the Vice-
Chancellor of Germany, Minister of Economy 
and Climate Protection Robert Habeck to
 resign, and also demanded to stop the 
supply of weapons to Ukraine. 
 
The MP's video message was published on Tuesday, May 30, 
in the German Telegram channel "Achse der Wahrheit "
("Axis of Truth" — Ed.)
 
"What the Vice-Chancellor, Minister of Economy and Climate 
Protection of Germany Robert Habeck is doing is impossible
 to describe. This is corruption! Habek must resign! This 
can't be tolerated any longer!" said Naujok.
 
In his opinion, the German government... is much too focused
 on helping Ukraine and does not pay attention to Germany's 
internal problems. For example, the budget of the federal 
state of Saxony, according to the deputy, can not ensure
 the normal functioning of kindergartens and schools, 
and 80% of bridges in the region, require repair.
 
"We need money in our country, this is much more important! 
We have very serious problems. Look, for example, at the
 supply of weapons [to Ukraine]. We are against the 
supply of weapons!" - commented Naujok.
 
In May 2022, the parliamentarian also spoke out against the
 destruction of cultural and humanitarian ties with Russia.
 
Alternative for Germany is one of the few German parties
 opposed to the supply of weapons to Ukraine. At the 
same time, the German government and Western 
countries continue to strengthen military and 
financial support for Ukraine --- against the 
background of Russia's special operation 
to protect the Donbass --- which the 
Russian authorities announced on 
February 24th, 2022.... amid the 
aggravation of the situation in 
the region due to shelling by 
the Ukrainian military.
 
 
_______________________________

 
Poland - made a 
loud accusation
against Germany
May 28th, 10:29am
https://en.news-front.info/
 
Polish historian, Wojciech Polak, said that the Germans 
deliberately change history in order to make the Poles 
responsible for the Holocaust. It is reported by RIA 
Novosti, with reference to wPolityce.
 
Wojciech Polak argues that Germany is purposefully trying to
 make Poland the perpetrator of the Holocaust in the world
 community. The attention of the Polish historian was
 attracted --- by the information that the German 
Historical Institute stated that Warsaw was
 involved in the genocide of Jews.
 
“Declaring that the crimes against the Jews were committed
by the Nazis and that the concentration camps were located 
mainly in Poland, one gets the impression that these Nazis
were Poles. This is exactly what the Germans need, to 
spread such nightmarish, shameful and false 
concepts”, the historian believes.
 
According to the historian, the play on words with the change
“Germans” to “Nazis” helps to shift the focus for crimes
against humanity from Nazi Germany towards Poland. 
He believes the expression “Polish concentration 
camps” also speaks of this trend.
 
“Actions to whitewash the Germans, by the Germans
themselves, have been carried out for quite a long 
time and are being carried out in such a way that
they are, already, yielding practical results. 
Perhaps - often not directly - sometimes a 
little veiled, but the Poles are presented 
as the perpetrators of the Holocaust 
or the people who created the 
concentration camps”, 
says Polak.
 
The Western community, due to poor-quality education, 
tends to believe in such “fictions” --- that change the 
historical line, the Polish specialist notes. 
 
He also drew public attention to the fact that very often 
the lack of a good historical education, allows such 
concepts to gain popularity, Polak concluded.
 
 
_________________________________________


Bankruptcies in Germany Surge... 
as Economic Outlook Turns Bleak
May 27th, 11:19am (FNA) 
 
The second largest German shoe retailer, confirmed 
that most of its stores in Germany will be closed, 
after its efforts to woo investors... failed to 
produce the expected results.
 
This means closing up to 150 of the 180 stores under 
the brand Reno, the insolvency administrator, Immo 
Hamer, said, Xinhua news agency reported.
 
The shoe retailer changed hands in September 2022, 
but the attempts by the new owner to rescue the 
struggling business failed and a bankruptcy 
procedure was initiated in March.
 
This development is the latest in a series of closures
announced in recent weeks.. including last week's 
news that Goertz, a Hamburg-based shoe retailer, 
was closing its stores in Germany.
 
Describing the magnitude of the problem, Rolf Pangels, 
general manager of the Textile Shoes Leather Goods 
(BTE) trade association, was quoted by the German 
media as saying that around 1,500 shops, 
13 percent of all the shoe stores in 
Germany, closed last year.
 
The shoe retail industry in Germany was first hit by the
 COVID-19 pandemic, which led to lockdowns and
 kept people indoors.
 
The stubbornly high energy and raw material costs, 
which are largely blamed for the high inflation in 
Germany, just add to the shoe industry's
 troubles.
 
But the wave of bankruptcies ---- is not limited to the 
footwear sector. There are signs that bankruptcies 
are on the rise across the country.
 
In Bavaria, one of the richest states in Germany, 577
 companies became insolvent in the first quarter 
this year, the local statistical office announced 
on Thursday.
 
While this figure is lower than the historical average, 
the pace of increase still worries some researchers 
at Allianz Trade, a trade credit insurance company.
 
In a recent report, the company warned that the number 
of bankruptcies in Germany had been rising at a pace
 unprecedented -- since the financial crisis in 2008. 
During the last quarter, the number of companies 
filing for bankruptcy increased by 19 percent,
 according to data released by the German 
Federal Statistical Office (Destatis).
 
According to Allianz Trade, the tide of bankruptcy
 in Germany will extend well into 2024.
 
"Our forecasts for bankruptcies in Germany, for 
2023 and 2024 are above the pre-COVID levels," 
Allianz Trade added.
 
These forecasts.. are rooted in Allianz Trade's gloomy 
outlook for Germany's economy, expecting that 2023 
will be "a lost year economically" for Germany, "and 
then the situation will be far from rosy, in 2024".
 
A survey conducted by the German Chamber of Commerce 
and Industry among around 21,000 companies found that 
in general, energy and raw material costs are weighing 
on the business sentiment of German companies.
 
Commenting on the survey, Ilja Nothnagel, a member of 
the DIHK's executive board responsible for economic 
analyses, said the economic outlook remains bleak 
for the next twelve months, due to weak demand.
 
"There are still no signs of a broad-
based upturn," Nothnagel said.
 
 
____________________________________


Hundreds of Germans to leave Russia 
due to employee limit set by Moscow 
– report
May 27th, 8:06am (TASS)
 
Moscow decided to reduce the employee limit for German 
institutions in Russia to 350, which will force hundreds of 
Germans to leave Russia before June, the Sueddeutsche
Zeitung, reported on Saturday, citing its sources.
 
The list of German citizens that will have to leave Russia,
 includes diplomats, teachers & employees of the Goethe 
Institute. According to the newspaper, Russia believes 
that the German government..... sent twice as many 
employees to Russia, than Russia sent to Germany.
 
In this regard, the Russian Foreign Ministry decided 
to reduce the number of employees of German 
institutions and cultural organizations...  to 
about 350 people, in response to Berlin’s
expulsion of Russian diplomats.
 
"This limit, set by Russia starting in June, will require 
major staff reductions in all areas of our presence
in
 Russia," the German Foreign Ministry told 
the newspaper.
 
 
__________________________________________
 
 
 
Kiev requests Taurus cruise missiles 
with range of 500 km --- from Berlin 
– report
May 27th, 7:29am (TASS) 
 
Ukraine.. asked the German government to ship Taurus 
crusie missiles with a range of 500 km, the DPA news 
agency reported ---- citing a German Defense 
Ministry representative.
 
"Such a request came from the Ukrainian
side,
 in recent days," the source said.
 
However, no details were provided on how 
many missiles were requested by Kiev.
 
According to Frankfurter Allgemeine Sonntagszeitung
 sources, Ukrainian President Vladimir Zelensky 
discussed shipments of Taurus missiles with 
German Chancellor Olaf Scholz, during his 
visit to Berlin on May 14. According to 
the sources, Kiev wanted to receive
 them "urgently."
 
About 10 years ago, the Bundeswehr procured about 600 
Taurus missiles, with about 150 currently ready for use. 

These missiles are considered similar to UK’s Storm 
Shadow missiles that have already been shipped to 
Ukraine. However... the German-Swedish missiles 
have a slightly greater range. According to local
experts cited by RND ---- the MBDA missile 
manufacturer is able to ramp up Taurus
production, in the case of their
shipment to Kiev.
 
 

Over a Million Demonstrate in France ---- to Say ‘No’ to  Macron’s Pension Reform

 
Marine Le Pen calls Crimea 
a legitimate part of Russia
May 24th, 2:38pm
(Izvestia.ru)
 
The leader of the parliamentary faction of the French National 
Association party, Marine Le Pen, called Crimea a legitimate
 part of Russia. She spoke on this topic on Wednesday, May
 24th, answering questions from deputies of the National 
Assembly. The broadcast was conducted on Twitter 
of the lower house of parliament.
 
"Crimea was Russian for two centuries and Ukrainian for 60 
years after it was handed over by the dictator at his whim. 
I am a strong supporter of referendums and I believe that
 the residents of Crimea freely expressed their desire to 
be part of Russia, by voting," the politician said.
 
In addition, Le Pen said that during her visits to the peninsula, 
she spoke with local residents and made sure that they feel
 more like part of Russia.
 
Le Pen has previously stressed that Crimea was reunited with 
Russia based on the results of the referendum held in the
 region. On April 13 last year, the politician said that she 
still considers Crimea Russian. According to her, 
history cannot be rewritten.
 
On April 18th, Russian Foreign Minister Lavrov pointed out
 that the statements of the Kiev regime about the return 
of Crimea - are demagogic.
 
In March, the Russian Foreign Ministry said that Ukraine
 continues to plan a forceful seizure of Crimea. The
 department recalled the words of US Deputy 
Secretary of State Victoria Nuland, who 
called military facilities in Crimea
 legitimate targets for Ukraine.
 
On February 24, President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelensky
said that Ukrainian forces are ready "morally and 
technically" to seize Crimea. In early April -- he 
called the return of the peninsula to Ukraine
a non-alternative option, both for Kiev
and
 ...for the whole world.
 
Crimea became part of Russia in 2014 after a referendum in 
which the majority of residents of the peninsula voted for
 reunification with the Russian Federation. Kiev refuses
 to recognize the results of the vote --- and considers 
Crimea its territory. The Russian leadership has 
repeatedly stated --- that the residents of the 
republic voted for democratic reunification
 and the question of ownership of the 
peninsula, is finally closed.
 
 
_____________________________


Former EP MP Filippo
accused
Macron
 of being obsessed
with Zelensky
May 22nd, 9:36pm
(RT.ru)
 
French politician and former member of the European
 Parliament, Florian Philippot, said on his social 
networks, that the unlimited support of the 
Kiev regime, by French President 
Emmanuel Macron --- leads to
 negative consequences
 for the French side.
 
Thus, he commented on the picture from the meeting
 between Macron and the head of the Kiev regime, 
Vladimir Zelensky, at the G7 summit in Hiroshima.
 
"All these antics of Macron and Zelensky, are costing us 
too much," Filippo was quoted as saying by RIA Novosti.
 
At the same time, he clarified that the issue concerns 
both the financial costs of France and its reputation 
in the international arena.
 
According to the French politician, Macron... who 
was exposed to the "Zelensky syndrome", must 
be stopped.
 
Earlier, Macron said that providing Zelensky with 
a plane, to fly to the G7 summit, is a matter of 
honour, for France.
 
 
__________________________________________


 Former EP deputy Filippo demanded 
that the West stop the conflict
 in Ukraine
May 21st, 12:43pm
(RT.ru)
 
It is time for the West to stop supplying weapons to Ukraine, 
especially against the background of the transfer of
Artemivsk (Bakhmut), under the control of Russian
 forces, French politician and former MEP, Florian 
Philippot believes. He wrote about this 
on Twitter.
 
"Zelensky lost Bakhmut despite what all the "experts"
 trumpeted for months! It's time to stop the supply of 
weapons," he said.
 
According to him, "billions were 
spent on corruption in Ukraine."
 
Filippo demanded that negotiations 
on a peace plan begin immediately.
 
 
_________________________________


16% of French People
Say 
They Do Not Have
 Enough to Eat
May 20th, 1:36pm (FNA)
 
According to a report by the Research Centre for the Study
 and Observation of Living Conditions (Crédoc), 16% of 
French people say they do not have enough to eat. 
A figure that has jumped 4 points, in just
 five months.
 
According to this study revealed by franceinfo, 39% of French
 people said they could eat all the products they want in
 November 2022, compared to 44%.... in July of the
 same year. Over the same period, the proportion 
of people claiming to have enough to eat but 
not necessarily the foods they would like
 remained almost stable, from 44 to 
45%, The Time News reported.
 
But it is, above all, the jump in the number of people who do 
not eat enough that challenges, going from 12 to 16% of 
the population, in five months. In 2016, there were 
“only” 9% --- in this situation.
 
Unsurprisingly, it is the already most vulnerable people who
 suffer from insufficient nutrition. 24% of people under 40 do
 not have enough to eat, compared to 3% of people over 70.
 This food insecurity also concerns 18% of women against
 14% of men.
 
Finally, 31% of people with low incomes are affected, 
compared to 4% of those with high incomes. The 
French of the middle class are between 11 and 
13%, to be in this situation.
 
Discount products are on the rise
 
The Crédoc affirms that inflation is the main factor in this
 sudden increase. “Until 2021, when inflation was 
contained at less than 2%, food insecurity has 
changed little,” Crédoc underlines.
 
Above all, this inflation is particularly important for 
discount brand products --- plunging people with 
already limited budgets, into food insecurity.
 
But the increase in prices on other household
 expenditure items, also plays a role.
 
“Food expenses can be modulated, unlike other pre-
committed expenses (rent, subscriptions, school 
canteens, etc.). We can thus assume, that the 
French have restricted themselves to the 
food items, due to the increase in the 
cost of certain incompressible 
expenses,” explains
 the Crédoc.
 
Worrying data because inflation remains very 
strong, several months after the completion 
of this study.
 
  

Dollar round-a-bout an illusion

 
 
China slams US - for plans to 
sign trade deal with Taiwan, 
warns against any official 
contact with Taipei
June 1st, 4:37pm
(PressTV)
 
China has slammed the US for having plans to reach a trade
 deal with Chinese Taipei (Taiwan), warning Washington
 against making any official interaction with the 
self-ruled island.
 
"China strongly opposes official interaction of any form
 between China’s Taiwan region and countries that 
have diplomatic relations with China. That 
includes --- negotiating or signing any 
agreement of sovereign implication
 or official nature" --- said Chinese 
Foreign Ministry spokeswoman, 
Mao Ning, at a regular press 
conference on Thursday.
 
Washington and Taipei reached an agreement last month
 on the first stage of a bilateral trade initiative, titled the 
US-Taiwan Initiative of 21st-Century Trade, less than a
 year after negotiations began.
 
It will be the first official trade agreement between the 
two sides since US President Joe Biden assumed 
office in 2021.
 
According to Taipei, the so-called trade deal is due to 
be signed on Thursday by employees of the unofficial
 entities that represent Washington and Taipei to 
each other at a ceremony attended by US and 
Taiwanese trade officials.
 
The treaty is claimed... to cover customs and trade 
facilitation, regulatory practices & small business.
 
China has sovereignty over the Chinese Taipei, and under
 the ‘One China’ policy, almost all world countries 
recognize that sovereignty. The US, too, 
recognizes the Chinese sovereignty 
over the island --- but has long 
courted Taipei in an attempt
 to unnerve Beijing.
 
Furthermore, Washington, which backs Taipei’s secessionist 
president, also infuriates Beijing by selling weapons to the
 self-governed island in violation of its own official policy.
 
The Chinese government strongly opposes other countries
 pursuing official and diplomatic ties with Chinese Taipei 
and has consistently warned the US and other states 
against engaging with the self-proclaimed 
government in Taipei.
 
"The US’s move gravely violates the one-China principle and
the three China-US joint communiqués -- and contravenes
the US’s own commitment of maintaining only unofficial 
relations with Taiwan," Mao further said, stressing that
China has frequently made solemn démarches to 
the US.
 
"The US, needs to stop official interaction of any form with
 Taiwan, refrain from negotiating or signing any agreement
 of sovereign implication, or official nature, with China’s 
Taiwan region - and stop sending any wrong message
 to separatist forces seeking “Taiwan independence”
 in the name of economy and trade," emphasized 
the Chinese foreign ministry spokeswoman.
 
Beijing has reiterated its sovereignty over Taiwan, saying no
 individual or force can hold China back from achieving the
 goal of national reunification.
 
Mao further stressed that all attempts by authorities in Taipei 
to seek 'independence' through relying on Washington under 
the pretext of economic and trade cooperation are "doomed to fail."
 
China has time and again stressed that the self-ruled island
 is obliged to unite with the mainland, by military force
 if necessary. 
 
Despite Beijing's warnings, the US government has 
continued its attempts to forge strong alliances 
with regional allies, while countering China's
 growing clout.
 
 
________________________________________
 
 
 
Ukrainian Conflict.. Has Far-
Reaching Negative Impact: 
Italy's Central Bank
June 1st (teleSUR)
 
Besides increasing interest rates, the war has generated 
a loss of purchasing power, reduced consumption, and 
a deterioration in working conditions.
 
On Wednesday, the Italian Central Bank Governor, Ignazio
Visco, said that the Ukrainian conflict has had a 
sprawling impact on the European economies,
 pushing the median wealth and consumer 
confidence lower.
 
In his annual report, he pointed out that the Ukraine crisis 
has also had an impact on energy prices, which resulted
 in an increase in interest rates by the European Central
 Bank (ECB), all of which had a far-reaching negative 
economic impact.
 
The Ukraine conflict "was a turning point in international
 relations that heavily affected growth, inflation, & world 
trade... Amid the clear and widespread increase 
in inflation... global growth slowed down 
in a scenario of strong economic and 
political uncertainty," Visco said.
 
The European economies were significantly boosted by the
 European Union's (EU) massive coronavirus recovery
 package of loans and grants. To date, over  
US$160 billion has been distributed 
to the EU member states.
 
While the disposable income of Italy's households grew by 
6.2 percent last year, that was a 1.2 percent decrease in
 real terms due to the record-setting inflation, sparked
 mainly by the situation in Ukraine.
 
Contrary to what Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni thinks, the 
Central Bank governor expressed the need to structure 
policies to improve wages and youth employment.
 
"Temporary work is associated with very long precarious
 conditions. The proportion of young people who after 
5 years continue in limited-term jobs remains close 
to 20 percent," Visco said.
 
 
________________________________________



 United Nations General Assembly elects
Trinidad & Tobago representative 
as president of 78th session
June 1st, 4:05pm (TASS) 
 
The representative of the Republic of Trinidad and Tobago, 
diplomat Dennis Francis was elected as the President of
 the 78th session of the UN General Assembly, a TASS
 correspondent reported.
 
Francis was the only candidate running for the post. He 
has been working as a diplomat for 40 years. He was 
his country’s permanent representative to the UN
 in Geneva, to the World Trade Organization 
and to the UN Human Rights Council.
 
He also served in the UN specialized 
agencies in Vienna and Rome.
 
The 78th session of the UN General 
Assembly will begin this September.
  
 
____________________________________
 
 
Peruvian Workers Protest Against 
REPSOL Labour Abuses
June 1st, 3:36pm
 (teleSUR))
 
On Wednesday, La Pampilla Refinery Workers Union
 (SUTRELAPA) held a sit-in to denounce the breach 
of labour agreements by the transnational oil 
company REPSOL.
 
"So far, the company has not satisfied various demands 
to avoid arbitrary changes," the Peruvian workers said, 
explaining that they are requesting an annual shift 
schedule: that allows for establishing positions, 
vacations, medical breaks, and replacements
for each worker.
 
SUTRELAPA Secretary Jack Chavarry affirmed that REPSOL
 does not recognize the clauses of the collective agreement 
related to issues such as the wage gap and a health plan.
 
If REPSOL does not comply with its responsibilities as an
 employer, SUTRELAPA will demand the intervention of 
the National Superintendence of Labour Inspection.
 
SUTRELAPA also denounced labour abuses against three
 women, two of whom were pregnant and one of whom 
was lactating.
 
Although these workers were hired to fill positions 
in the refining process, they were fired by the 
transnational company.
 
For its part, the La Pampilla Refinery management stated 
that REPSOL is complying with both the Peruvian labour
 regulations and its policy on human rights and 
community relations.
 
 
____________________________________
 


Israel introduces bills to tighten
 control over Palestinian schools
June 1st, 3:30pm
(PressTV)
 
The Israeli Knesset (parliament) has introduced two bills 
that would bring Palestinian educational centres and 
staff in the 1948-occupied territories under stricter 
scrutiny from the regime’s so-called security and 
intelligence apparatus.
 
One of the bills, proposed on Wednesday, would require the
 Israeli education ministry to conduct background security
 checks on potential teachers, according to Hebrew-
language media outlets.
 
If passed, the bill would authorize a committee, after
 conducting a hearing, to rescind the appointment
 of a teacher, or dismiss a school staff member 
if they “identify with a [so-called] terror 
organization” or express support for 
the armed struggle of an 
adversarial entity.
 
It also requires potential teachers 
to prove they have no “affinity 
for terrorism.”
 
The second legislation sets more stringent 
guidelines that would make receiving a 
teaching license much harder.
 
The licensing of schools would be dependent 
on whether they accommodate “the 
fundamental requirements of the
 Israeli school system.”
 
The Israeli Ministerial Committee for Legislation
 approved both bills earlier this week. 
 
According to the Israeli newspaper Haaretz, the 
Association for Civil Rights in Israel (ACRI) said 
the move is a step towards reinstating the 
supervision of the Palestinian school 
system in occupied lands --- which 
Israel’s ‘internal security service’ 
Shin Bet used to carry out. The 
practice was discontinued
 in 2005.
 
Last month, Israeli military forces demolished a donor-
funded Palestinian primary school in the central part 
of the occupied West Bank, in a flagrant violation of 
Palestinian children’s right to education.
 
Witnesses and local officials said the Israeli military 
raided Beit Ta’mir village, located six kilometres 
(3.7 miles) southeast of Bethlehem, on May 7
 and demolished Challenge 5 School.
 
They said dozens of Israeli soldiers cordoned off the 
area around the school, and a bulldozer flattened it
 shortly afterwards.
 
The school, which was built of makeshift materials, 
was attended by 66 Palestinian students. It was 
demolished in 2017 before it was rebuilt in the
 same year.
 
Israeli forces have delivered demolition orders to 58 schools
 in the West Bank, including East al-Quds, according to the 
Arab Campaign for Education for All (ACEA).
 
It warned in a statement that the violations affect children, 
teachers and school buildings, highlighting the need that
 concerned institutions and the relevant United Nations 
agencies to assume their role and responsibilities in 
pressuring the regime ---- to stop the policy of 
demolishing schools.
 
 
___________________________________



Economic challenges to compel 
former member countries to 
return to CIS fold — 
Lukashenko
June 1st, 2:45pm (TASS) 
 
The need to resolve challenging economic problems
...will 
prompt the former member countries of the
Commonwealth 
of Independent States to return
to the CIS fold, 
Belarusian President Alexander
Lukashenko
 said, on Thursday.
 
"It will be more difficult to get back in, but they will have
 to return; economics will compel them to do so," 
Lukashenko said.
 
The former republics of the USSR "aren’t needed [by anyone],
 other than the post-Soviet space that now exists following
 the break-up of the Soviet Union," the Belarusian leader 
said. "In actual fact, we speak the same language, we 
have an integrated economy, we have common 
markets, industrial cooperation, and so on. 
Neither our lifetimes, nor the lifetimes of 
our children, would be enough time to 
create such a thing [from scratch]. 
So, why would you want to tear it 
all apart?  What would be the 
rationale ----- for breaking up 
such an integrated market?"
Lukashenko asked, 
rhetorically.
 
He cited Ukraine as an example of the West’s attitude toward 
the former Soviet republics... with "everybody shutting their 
doors" to Kiev after the country had "started emptying out
 its grain storage elevators and shipped it all to Europe."
 
"What else would Ukraine sell in Western markets? Nothing.
 The war will end, and they will end up coming to us in any 
case," Lukashenko said, noting that, "how the situation 
will evolve for Moldova is still unclear.".
 


___________________________________________
 
 
 
Colombia: Murder of Human Rights
 Defenders Increased by 42 Pct
June 1st, 2:14pm  
(teleSUR)
 
The Duque administration left in 2022 a legacy that
 "could not be worse" --- due to the growth and 
expansion of illegal armed organizations.
 
On Thursday, the We Are Defenders organization released 
a report showing that 197 social leaders and human 
rights defenders were killed in 2022.
 
"We are especially concerned about the 42 percent increase
 in murders in 2022 compared to 2021... In addition, there
 were 840 attacks of different types, which show the 
diversity of violent acts that social leaders face,"
 the Somos Defensores Coordinator Lourdes
 Castro said.
 
The report shows that President Ivan Duque's administration
 (2018-2022) left a legacy that "could not be worse" due to 
the growth and expansion of illegal armed organizations 
that have modified the "variable geometry" of violent 
conflicts in Colombian territory.
 
"The year 2022 was the cruelest for social leaders, due to
 the number of murders," said Hernando Toro, prosecutor
 in charge of the Special Investigation Unit (UEI).
 
Despite the serious situation that still prevails, President 
Gustavo Petro has shown a willingness to face violence 
through policies such as the emergency plan for the
 protection of human rights defenders, social 
leaders and peace signatories, Castro
 pointed out.
 
These policies, however... have not been transferred to the
 control and research institutions. The Prosecutor's Office, 
the Attorney General's Office and other public institutions
 are not advancing quickly in the investigation of the 
murders, the Somos Defensores affirms.
 
The implementation of better policies "requires a joint
 evaluation between the different public institutions
 involved," it added.
 


____________________________________________


 
Brazil's Lula calls for common 
South American currency
June 1st, 2:10pm
(PressTV)
 
Brazil's president has called on South American countries
 to create a local currency for their regional trade, in 
efforts to reduce its reliance on the US dollar.
 
Addressing a summit of South American leaders, Lula da 
Silva called on the Mercosur trade bloc to create better 
compensation mechanisms and a shared unit of 
transaction for commerce.
 
The idea of a shared currency within the Mercosur trade 
bloc, comprised of Argentina, Brazil, Paraguay, and 
Uruguay, has been discussed intermittently
 since its establishment in 1991.
 

 
________________________________________



In the US - the largest outflow of 
deposits from banks in 39 years
was recorded
May 31st, 10:16pm 
(Lenta.ru)
 
US banks in the first quarter of 2023 faced the largest 
outflow of deposits since 1984. This, is stated in the 
report of the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation 
(FDIC) of the United States.
 
The largest outflow of funds in 39 years occurred against the
 background of bankruptcies of major financial institutions in
 the country. The FDIC noted that the reduction was mainly 
due to uninsured deposits exceeding $ 250 thousand. It is 
specified that the total volume of deposits decreased by
 $ 472 billion, which is a record 2.5 percent.
 
At the same time, the FDIC reported that profit in the banking
 sector as a whole remained at the same level. In addition, 
the outflow of deposits was offset by an increase in 
wholesale financing, which increased by 14.4%
 in the first quarter of this year.
 
Earlier, former vice president of the financial corporation
Lehman Brothers, Lawrence McDonald, said that, if the 
US authorities do not solve the problem of outflows of 
deposits in the amount of more than 250 thousand 
dollars, fifty more US banks... may go bankrupt.
Regional banks will lose "hundreds of billions 
of dollars". These funds will go to large 
banks, and then to Treasury bonds.
 
 
_______________________________________


Multipolar world waiting in wings 
to replace noxious neo-colonial
 practices — Medvedev
May 31st, 4:59pm (TASS) 
 
Neo-colonial practices must become a thing of the past and
 give way to a multipolar world, said Dmitry Medvedev, the
 deputy chairman of Russia’s Security Council and 
chairman of the ruling United Russia party.
 
"The struggle against neo-colonialism, is not just a timely 
theme, but remains one of the most acute and, perhaps,
 entirely contemporary issues in politics today," 
Medvedev said on Wednesday in the second
meeting of the organizing 
committee for
the Forum of 
Supporters of the Fight 
Against Modern Neo-colonialist
Practices - 
an association of 
political and social forces.
 
He said, "it is clear that those perniciously harmful neo-
colonial practices that have lingered on [from a bygone
 era] should be abandoned once and for all and finally 
give way to a multipolar world order."
 
"Acting in the name of security -- and the well-being of our 
peoples, we must strive to make our world a fairer, more
 equitable place," Medvedev stressed ---- noting that 
currently the world "unfortunately, cannot be
 described as just."
 
He believes that the task of the forum is "to protect the
 sacred right of people to determine their own path of
 development in each specific country -- as well as
 uphold unconditional respect for the generally
 accepted norms of international law, with
grounding in the UN Charter."
 
 
_________________________________
 
 
 
NDB could become ‘clearing centre’ 
for common BRICS currency — 
Russian Minister
May 31st, 4:51pm (TASS) 
 
The New Development Bank (NDB) created by BRICS
countries may become a kind of a clearing centre if
the idea of creating a common currency for BRICS 
members materializes, Finance Minister Anton 
Siluanov told TASS, on Wednesday.
 
"The idea of creating a common currency, although I would
 probably call it a payment unit inside BRICS countries, is
 floating around and is being discussed. We also have
 proposals --- about using digital financial assets 
supported by real assets, for example, gold
 - stable coins," the Minister said.
 
Such proposals have not been discussed in detail, he noted.
 "Nevertheless --- we are ready to discuss them within the 
New Development Bank framework that may become 
a kind of clearing centre. This... is not the core 
business for the bank now... but this is [also] 
not the main obstacle to solving the task," 
Siluanov said.
 
"National currencies are used in conditions of payment
 restrictions," the minister said, noting that about 70%
 of payments with China ---- are made in national 
exchanges now.
 
"This is an absolutely proper decision. However, such
 relations cannot be built with all countries; not all 
countries have a sound currency and a balanced 
trade turnover. At the same time, the omnibus 
clearing, will significantly simplify the task
of 
balancing export and import flows. 
Flexibility.....  when using the new 
payment unit, will be supported
 thereby,'' he added.
 
 
_________________________



Brazilian Lower House Approves 
Anti-Indigenous Territories Bill
May 31st, 4:14pm 
(teleSUR)
 
If this law is fully approved, large areas of the Amazon and 
other Brazilian ecosystems will remain available for the
 exploitation by private companies
 
With 283 votes in favour and 155 against, the right-wing 
controlled Lower House on Tuesday approved a bill 
that makes it difficult to demarcate Indigenous 
lands in Brazil.
 
Supported by the far-right President Jair Bolsonaro (2019-
2023), Bill 490, which establishes a time limit for the
 demarcation of Indigenous lands, it will now be 
analyzed by the Senate.
 
If approved by the senators, this bill will be sent to 
Brazilian President Lula da Silva, who must 
approve it or veto it definitively.
 
According to the Bill 490, the Brazilian state will only 
recognize as Indigenous territories those lands that
 Indigenous peoples had occupied until October 5,
 1988, when the country's Constitution 
was promulgated.
 
With the current legislation, Indigenous peoples are not
 required to demonstrate that they were occupying
 their lands up to that date.
 
In practical terms, the bill 490 approval will mean that large
 areas of the Amazon and other Brazilian ecosystems will 
remain available for the exploitation of natural resources 
by national or foreign companies.
 
The text approved by the Lower House allows Indigenous
 peoples to be expelled from their places of residence if
they do not prove that they lived there before 1988. 
Once the inhabitants are expelled, those lands 
can be commercialized.
 
According to official data, Indigenous peoples occupy 13.7 
percent of the Brazilian territory. So far, the authorities 
have recognized the existence of 610 Indigenous 
territories, 487 of which, are already fully 
delimited. Some 329 demarcated areas
 are located in the Amazon.
 
For four years, Bolsonaro completely paralyzed the
 demarcation of Indigenous territories --- which is 
an essential legal procedure for the protection 
of communities.
 
Through this policy, the former Capitan sought to 
facilitate the activity of mining and logging 
companies in areas protected by 
environmental laws.
 
 
___________________________________



Voice to parliament referendum 
legislation bill passes through 
Australia's lower house
May 31st, 4:02pm
(PressTV)
 
The Australian lower house has voted in favour of 
a government's constitutional amendment bill
 to create an indigenous voice in parliament.
 
Australia's House of Representatives, or the lower house 
of the Australian Parliament, on Wednesday passed
 legislation to hold a referendum on the 
Indigenous Voice, with 121 votes
 in favour and 25 against.
 
It means Australians are now one step closer to voting
 on creating an Indigenous Voice in parliament, in the
 country's first referendum since 1999.
 
The bill will now be sent to the Senate, where it is expected 
to be considered in June, by the government, before a poll 
date is set later this year.
 
The referendum could take place between the months 
of October and December If the Senate also approves 
the bill.
 
If successful, the referendum would change the constitution 
to recognize Australia's First Peoples by creating an
 Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Voice, also 
known as the Indigenous Voice or the Voice, 
as a body that advises the government
 and parliament on issues relating 
to Indigenous Australians.
 
In a tweet after the vote, Prime Minister Anthony Albanese
 said, "Our Constitutional Alteration Bill has just passed
 the House of Representatives. We're one step closer 
to recognizing Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander 
people in our Constitution."
 
The vote in parliament coincided with more than 100
 Australian cultural and immigrant organizations
 joining to declare their support for the Voice.
 
Community organizations released a joint resolution
 calling on all Australians to work together, to 
ensure a successful referendum on 
the proposal.


 
___________________________________



Report: Youth Unemployment in
Greece Among Highest in EU
May 31st, 2:24pm (FNA)
 
 The youth unemployment rate in Greece
 is among the highest in the EU, the
 bloc’s statistical body said, 
onTuesday.
 
Accordingly, Ceuta, Spain’s enclave in Africa, has the 
highest youth unemployment with 42.4%, followed by
 Greece’s regions of Thessaly and Central Greece 
with 39.8% and 36.5% respectively, according to 
EUROSTAT, Anadolu news agency reported.
 
The average unemployment rate in the bloc is 11.3% 
but the lowest is recorded in the Central Bohemia 
region of the Czech Republic, at 1.7%.
 
 
____________________________________________
 
 
 
Venezuela Signs Cooperation
 Agreements With Brazil 
and Colombia
May 31st, 12:35pm 
(teleSUR)
 
The Bolivarian nation established instruments to promote
 food production and cooperation in the border areas.
 
In meetings parallel to the presidential summit held in Brasilia 
on Tuesday, presidents Nicolas Maduro (Venezuela) and Lula 
da Silva (Brazil) were present at the signing of cooperation
 agreements between their countries.
 
In a ceremony held at the Itamaraty Palace, where 11 South
 American presidents were meeting to promote new forms 
of regional integration, Venezuela and Brazil signed a 
Memorandum of Understanding on agri-food matters.
 
The Venezuelan Agriculture Minister Wilmar Castro and the 
Brazilian Foreign Affairs Minister Mauro Vieira signed an
 agreement whose purpose is to deepen exchanges
 in the areas of agriculture, livestock, and 
food sovereignty.
 
Vieira and the Venezuelan Foreign Affairs Minister Yvan 
Gil also signed a Memorandum of Understanding for the 
establishment of the supervision and follow-up 
mechanism of the Brazil-Venezuela Bilateral 
Cooperation Program, which seeks to 
promote technical cooperation 
--- based on the exchange of 
knowledge & experiences.
 
On Tuesday, Gil and Colombian Foreign Minister Alvaro
Leyva, signed the Agreement for the Creation of the 
Neighbourhood and Integration Commission, which 
will promote cooperation in common border 
spaces and business complementarity.
 
During the ceremony, Presidents Maduro and Gustavo 
Petro ratified their commitment to consolidate 
diplomatic relations between their countries, 
which were resumed in August 2022, when 
Petro assumed the Colombian presidency.
 
Maduro and Petro also agreed to start the search for the 
remains of Colombians who were killed by paramilitary
 groups in the 2000s and 2010s. These remains were 
dumped in Venezuelan territory, according to what 
Salvatore Mancuso, the former head of the United 
Self-Defense Forces of Colombia (AUC), told the 
Special Jurisdiction for Peace (JEP).
 
 
____________________________
 
 
 
Erdogan's Win Thwarts 
US Attempt .......at 
Geopolitical Shift
May 31st (teleSUR)
 
On Sunday, Incumbent Turkish President Recep Tayyip 
Erdogan, beat his challenger Kemal Kilicdaroglu in a 
presidential runoff to start a third term in office. 
 
The election had been seen as the best chance for the pro-
West opposition to beat Erdogan, but the result narrowly
 missed Washington's expectations. The 74-year-old 
pro-West politician, Kilicdaroglu, probably has no 
chance to run in the next election in five years.
 
There was no doubt that Washington saw Kilicdaroglu 
as a much better choice and expected that a 
geopolitical shift of Türkiye might happen 
if he won.
 
U.S. Ambassador to Türkiye Jeff Flake met Kilicdaroglu
 in March, implying that the United States would back 
him to be the new leader of the country.
 
The result, however, shows that Erdogan is still dominant 
in the power of his country and his political career is not 
coming to an end. It is also a clear sign that Erdogan's
 tough attitude toward the United States is popular 
among the Turkish people, as most Turks might 
not see the United States as the "City upon 
a Hill" anymore.
 
Washington has long been reckoning that Erdogan's
administration hampers the country's democracy, 
and the opposition parties are getting weaker 
and promoting secularism is not on the 
agenda of Ankara. The rift between 
Ankara and Washington becomes 
wider ------- due to their 
different values.
 
Turkish Interior Minister Suleyman Soylu said openly ahead 
of the election that Washington is seeking to impose its 
hegemony on global affairs and "the whole world 
hates America," and that the meeting between 
the U.S. envoy with Kilicdaroglu would further
 alienate Ankara from Washington.
 
Türkiye's balance strategy between Russia and the 
United States upsets Washington. The cooperation
 between Ankara and Moscow... seems to be 
increasing in different dimensions.
 
As an energy-dependent country, Türkiye receives about 
45 percent of its natural gas and significant amounts of 
oil and coal, from Russia.
 
After the Ukraine crisis broke out, Türkiye refused to
 follow Western sanctions on Russia, and instead, 
its NATO membership actually boosted its 
cooperation with Russia.
 
Li Yanan, an expert on the Turkish issue and associate 
researcher at the China Institute of Contemporary 
International Relations, said that after Erdogan's 
successful re-election, he will still maintain a 
balanced foreign policy and play a more 
important role in the Ukraine crisis, 
and prioritize... Ankara's own 
interests in its relationship 
with the United States 
and the West.
 
On Sweden's accession to NATO, Li said it still depends
 on whether Sweden can meet the conditions proposed 
by Erdogan.
 
However, during the third term of the presidency of 
Erdogan, Türkiye would not easily approve 
Sweden's NATO membership, as long as
 the demand of Ankara is not met. 
Erdogan accused Sweden 
of being soft on groups 
Ankara considers to 
be terrorists.
 
Li believes that Erdogan himself will not give up Türkiye's
NATO membership -- as it is still very important for 
Ankara, and is also one of the best bargaining 
chips, to deal with Russia.
 
Following Saudi Arabia's reconciliation with Iran, Erdogan's 
win in the presidential election could, further, make major 
powers of the Middle East, turn away from U.S. 
manipulation. This could be another fiasco 
of the U.S. Middle East policy --- after the 
Iraq invasion.
 
 
___________________________________________
 
 
 
UN Allocates 18 Mln USD 
to Address Food Security 
in Yemen
May 31st (teleSUR)
 
On Tuesday, UN humanitarians reported that 18 million
U.S. dollars were allocated, to provide assistance
to over 17 million people who are experiencing 
elevated levels of food insecurity in Yemen.
 
According to the UN Office for the Coordination 
of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA), the Central 
Emergency Response Fund (CERF) 
allocation aims to provide aid 
to an estimated 80% of 
the population.
 
Official data states that factors such as armed conflict,
 economic shocks, and climate change are the 
leading cause of rising malnutrition rates 
in Yemen.
 
According to a recent analysis conducted by the United
 Nations, there is a significant impact on children who 
are under the age of five due to the increasing rates 
of malnutrition, as noted OCHA. The 4.3 billion-
dollar 2023 appeal for Yemen, is currently 
just over 24 percent funded.
 
"This allocation from the CERF will allow humanitarian
 agencies and partners to support people in the 
governorates of Hajjah, Al Hodeidah and 
Ta'iz," OCHA said.
 
According to the government statistics, such 
governorates are among the most vulnerable 
and affected by food insecurity 
and malnutrition.
 
Since late 2014, a military conflict has been 
ongoing in Yemen. The hostilities have 
resulted in a humanitarian crisis with
 widespread hunger.
 
 
________________________________________
 


Turkmenistan and Iran Sign
 5 Cooperation Agreements
 And 3 MoUs
 May 31st, 12:09pm 
 (teleSUR)
 
On Tuesday, Iran and Turkmenistan signed five agreements
 and three memoranda of understanding (MoUs) aimed at
 improving cooperation in various areas, as reported
 by the official news agency, IRNA.
 
As per the report, the agreements were signed in Tehran 
in the presence of Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi and
 Chairman of the People's Council of Turkmenistan,
 Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedow.
 
The documents highlighted an emphasis on collaboration
between the respective parties, across a number 
of industries, including transportation, the 
establishment of international passage
ways, energy and electricity trading, 
agriculture, education, 
and investment.
 
During a press conference after the signing ceremony, 
Raisi stated that the signing of these documents is
 indicative of the two nations’ determination and
 desire to expand political, economic, and 
cultural connections on a bilateral level.
 
Raisi also called for an increase of mutual collaboration
 regarding water, electricity, and transportation, in 
addition to the advancement of the exchange of 
technical and engineering services in the 
agriculture sector.
 
According to Raisi, Iran and Turkmenistan decided to 
bolster cooperation in both regional and trans-
regional entities, including the Shanghai 
Cooperation Organization.
 
In the press conference, Berdimuhamedow asserted.. 
that the relationship between Iran and Turkmenistan
 is "friendly and brotherly" ---- and expressed 
Turkmenistan’s commitment to fortifying 
such connections.
 
 
__________________________________________



India to hold Shanghai
 Cooperation Summit 
virtually
by Luis Linares Petrov
May 31st, 8:16am
(Prensa Latina) 
 
The Summit of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) 
will be chaired by Prime Minister of India Narendra Modi 
and will be held on July 4th in a virtual format, official
 sources reported.
 
High dignitaries from member countries (China, Russia,
Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Pakistan, Tajikistan and 
Uzbekistan) as well as observer states (Iran, 
Belarus and Mongolia) will participate in 
the event. So far, the causes for the 
change in the modality of the 
meeting, are unknown.
 
According to the organizers of the event, as is the tradition, 
Turkmenistan will participate as a guest of the country
 currently leading the organization, in this case, India, 
which assumed the rotating presidency of the SCO
 at the Samarkand Summit, in September 2022.
 
The heads of the organization and the United Nations, the 
Association of Southeast Asian Nations, the Independent 
States of the Commonwealth, the Collective Security 
Treaty Organization, the Eurasian Economic Union 
and the Conference on Interaction and 
Confidence Building Measures in 
Asia, will also be present.
 
At the initiative of the Indian Prime Minister, the Summit will
 emphasize the objective of working to strengthen security, 
the economy and trade, connectivity, unity, respect for 
sovereignty and territorial integrity, and 
the environment.
 
During its SCO presidency, New Delhi established new
 avenues of cooperation - in the sectors of innovation 
and traditional medicine, for digital inclusion, youth 
empowerment and highlighting Shared Buddhist 
heritage, according to a note issued by the 
Foreign Ministry of India.
 
In addition, India has worked to foster greater people
-to-people ties ...as upholding the historical and 
civilizational ties between the nations of the 
bloc, with socio-cultural events, such as 
those organized by Varanasi as part of 
the first SCO Capital of Culture and 
Tourism for 2022-2023, the 
source noted.
 
The Indian authorities value India’s period at the helm of the 
Shanghai Cooperation Organization as a period of intense
 activity and mutually beneficial collaboration between
 member states. 
 
They also confirmed India’s commitment to play a positive
and constructive role in the organization, and hoped that
the upcoming SCO Summit would be just as successful,
as the culmination of the country’s presidency.
 
 
_________________________________________________



Competition between Russia and
Ukraine inevitable after breakup 
of USSR — Putin
May 30th, 2:58pm (TASS)
 
The competition between Moscow and Kiev after the
collapse of the Soviet Union, was inevitable, but 
expected to be in a civilized manner, Russian
President Vladimir Putin, said on Tuesday.
 
"It was inevitable after the breakup of the USSR that 
there would be... a kind of competition between 
Russia and Ukraine. This goes without saying
but probably... the ones dealing with that, 
assumed.. that everything would be in a 
civilized way and, furthermore --- on the 
basis of our proximity and commonality
- historical, cultural and language, and 
so on.  Regrettably.. things followed a 
different way," the head of state said.
 
Ukraine found itself under the control of pro-Western
political figures -- who started turning the country 
into an "anti-Russia" -- almost immediately after 
the collapse of the USSR, the President added.


 
_________________________________________________


 
Peskov: BRICS members to discuss
 new countries joining the union
May 30th, 11:21am
https://en.news-front.info/
 
The press secretary of the Russian president, Dmitry Peskov, 
said that the BRICS members will discuss the inclusion of 
new countries in the union.
 
He commented on the statement by Venezuelan leader,
 Nicolas Maduro on Venezuela’s desire to join the BRICS.
 
“Over the last year, more and more countries have shown a 
keen interest in this format, more and more countries have 
declared their intention to be oriented towards joining it. 
This is a topic for discussion for the members of this
 format, which will be done,” he said.
 
Earlier, Maduro said at a meeting with Brazilian leader Luiz 
Inácio Lula da Silva, that the country was in favour of 
joining the BRICS.


______________________


The poll showed the loss of voter 
confidence: by politicians of the 
ruling party of Poland
May 29th, 6:43pm
(Izvestia.ru)
 
Politicians of Poland's ruling Law and Justice Party (PiS)
 are losing the confidence of voters. This - is evidenced 
by the data of a social survey of the CBOS laboratory, 
published on Monday, May 29th.
 
According to the study, the rating of the head of state Andrzej 
Duda has dropped. Compared to the April figures, he lost 2% 
of the voters who trust him... and the number of those who 
do not trust the president of the country increased by 3%.
 
Polish Prime Minister Mateusz Morawiecki also lost the
 confidence of 2% of voters. Confidence in National 
Defense Minister Mariusz Blaszczak also declined.
 Now he is trusted by 35% of Poles surveyed (-2%) 
and not trusted by 37% (+4%) of respondents.
 
Earlier, on May 28th, Senator Alexey Pushkov accused the
 Polish elites of espionage mania and Russophobia. Thus, 
he reacted to the statement of the former head of the 
Polish military counterintelligence service, General 
Janusz Nosek, who announced that the country is 
ruled by pro-Russian groups, and the ruling Law 
and Justice Party... is riddled with 
"Russian agents".
 
Pushkov responded to this by saying that a well-known Polish
 politician spoke to him about spies "more seriously than in
 jest" seven years ago. In addition, Pushkov's interlocutor
 also said, that the former head of the Polish Defense 
Ministry, at that time, Antoni Macierewicz, was 
obsessed with the "Russian threat".
 
 
_____________________________________



 
Maduro said that Venezuela is 
in favour of joining the BRICS
May 29th, 6:13pm
(RT.ru)
 
Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro at a meeting 
with Brazilian leader Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva, 
said that the country supports joining 
the BRICS.
 
In his opinion, the organization is transforming into a 
great magnet for those "who want a different world,
 peace, cooperation."
 
"If they ask Venezuela if you want to join BRICS, at 
some point, Venezuela says --- yes, we would like
to 
be part of BRICS ---- and accompany the 
construction of this new architecture
and 
global politics," Maduro said.
 
The BRICS countries have accelerated the transition 
to payments in national currencies, Russian Deputy
 Foreign Minister, Sergei Ryabkov, said.
 
Earlier, British economist Martin Wolf wrote in an article
 for the Financial Times... that the growth of BRICS 
influence means the end of the dominance of 
the US and the Group of Seven countries.
 
 
________________________________________


Venezuelan President is Received 
at Brazil's Planalto Palace
May 29th, 4:19pm
(teleSUR)
 
Lula da Silva and Nicolas Maduro will have a private meeting
 in which they are expected to deal with bilateral issues and
 analyze the regional integration process.
 
On Monday, the Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro and his
wife, the legislator Cilia Flores, were received with honours 
by the Brazilian President Lula da Silva, and First Lady
Rosangela da Silva, at the Planalto Palace in Brasilia.
 
Upon his arrival, Maduro received the honours corresponding 
to a Head of State and was awaited by Lula at the top of a
 ramp leading to the first floor of the Planalto Palace, 
where fifty soldiers in historical uniforms, formed 
a welcome corridor.
 
On Tuesday, Lula will lead a regional summit, which will also 
be attended by the presidents of Argentina, Bolivia, Chile, 
Colombia, Ecuador, Guyana, Paraguay, Peru, Suriname,
 and Uruguay.
 
Lula and Maduro will have a private meeting. Besides dealing 
with bilateral issues, both leaders will analyze the internal 
dialogue process in Venezuela, which takes place within 
the framework of the 2024 elections.
 
After this meeting, both presidents will make a joint 
statement. Subsequently, Lula will offer a lunch to 
the Venezuelan delegation, at the headquarters 
of the Foreign Affairs Ministry.
 
Maduro is making his first visit to Brazil since 2015, when 
he arrived in this South American country to attend the 
inauguration of President Dilma Rousseff. During the
 administration of President Michel Temer, bilateral 
relations between the two countries, began to 
cool down.
 
In January 2019, the far-right Jair Bolsonaro assumed the
 Brazilian presidency, closed the Brazilian embassy in 
Caracas, and issued a decree prohibiting Maduro
 from entering Brazil.
 
This decree was revoked by Lula da Silva on January the
1st, when he assumed the Presidency and ordered the 
immediate resumption of relations with Venezuela.
 
 
____________________________________
 
 

Spanish PM Calls Early General
 Election After Elections Defeat
May 29th (teleSUR)
 
On Sunday, far-right and conservative organizations like 
the People's Party emerged victorious in elections for 
12 regional governments and over 8,000 city halls.
 
On Monday, Spanish Prime Minister, Pedro Sanchez 
called a general election for the country on July 23.
 
Sanchez announced his decision following the defeat of the
 Spanish Socialist Party (PSOE) to the People's Party (PP) 
in the elections for 12 regional governments and over
 8,000 city halls.
 
"I have communicated to the Head of State (King Felipe VI) 
the decision to call a Council of Ministers this afternoon 
to dissolve Parliament and proceed to call a general 
election," Sanchez said.
 
He said he had taken his decision in "the face" of the
results, adding he believed it was the "best for the
Spanish people 
to be able to give their decision
and define the political
 future of this
country without delay."
 
In the regional and municipal votes on Sunday, the right-wing 
PP won 31.5 percent of the vote, whereas PSOE gained 
28.11 percent. Meanwhile, the far-right Vox party saw
 its votes almost doubled, compared to the 2019 
local elections.
 
The People's Party, has also won the city hall in Valencia,
 Zaragoza, and Seville, which has long been considered 
a socialist stronghold.
 
On Sunday night, the PP leader, Alberto Nunez Feijoo, 
celebrated his party's victory in the regional and 
municipal votes, calling it a "the start of a new 
political era."
 
 
_____________________________________
 
 
 
Iran Wants to Restore 
Diplomatic Relations 
With Egypt
 May 29th, 2:42pm
 (teleSUR)
 
On Monday, Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei stated that Iran 
wants to restore diplomatic relations with Egypt during a
 conversation with the Omani Sultan, Haitham bin Tareq, 
who is visiting the Persian territory.
 
Bin Tareq conveyed to Khamenei Egypt's readiness to resume
 relations with Iran, broken since the triumph of the Islamic
 Revolution in 1979, when Cairo welcomed the 
deposed Shah.
 
"We welcome this position and we don't see any problem 
with it," Khamenei replied to Bin Tareq, who arrived in
 Tehran after visiting Cairo on Sunday.
 
Iranian and Egyptian representatives have held meetings in
 recent months to repair ties between the two countries. 
The last bilateral meeting took place in Baghdad 
this month.
 
Currently, the two countries have charge d'affaires in their
 respective embassies, but not ambassadors. In recent 
years, Oman has acted as a mediator between Iran 
and other countries, to resolve diplomatic or 
political issues.
 
Thanks to recent diplomatic mediation processes, Iran and 
Belgium exchanged prisoners in Muscat on Friday, after
 months of negotiations.
 
The possible restoration of diplomatic relations between Iran
 and Egypt is announced shortly after Iran and Saudi Arabia 
agreed to normalize their diplomatic relations in March.
 
 
_________________________________________


 
President Maduro to Strengthen
 Integration at Brazilian Summit
May 29th, 1:57pm 
(teleSUR)
 
"We will develop a diplomatic agenda.. that reinforces
the
 necessary union of the peoples of our continent,"
the Bolivarian leader said.
 
On Sunday, the president of Venezuela Nicolas Maduro
 arrived in Brazil ---  to participate in the summit of 
presidents, that will seek to revitalize South
 American integration.
 
"In the next few hours we will develop a diplomatic agenda 
that reinforces the necessary union of the peoples of our
 continent. Stay tuned!," he tweeted.
 
The Bolivarian leader and his wife, legislator Cilia Flores,
 landed in Brasilia, two days before the start of the 
summit, called by Brazilian President, Lula 
da Silva.
 
Maduro will meet with Lula to continue strengthening 
relations between the two countries, which were
resumed in January --- after four years of the
suspension of diplomatic relations.
 
It is an "historic visit" to Brazil, the first one since 2015, 
when Maduro attended the inauguration of former 
President Dilma Rousseff, for a second term.
 
The objective of the summit of South American presidents 
is to promote dialogue among all countries to reactivate 
the cooperation agenda in areas such as health, 
climate change, defense, the fight against 
transnational crime, infrastructure,
 and energy.
 
Last week, Brazilian Foreign Affairs Minister, Mauro Vieira,
announced that his country had invited the presidents of
Argentina, Bolivia, Chile, Colombia, Ecuador, Guyana, 
Paraguay, Peru, Suriname, Uruguay, and Venezuela.
 
 
___________________________________________________



Lavrov says grain deal will no longer
 be valid - unless there is progress
 in its implementation
May 29th,1:57pm (TASS) 
 
Russia will assume that the grain deal is no longer valid
 unless there is progress in its implementation, Russian
 Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov told reporters 
on Monday.
 
"If everything remains unchanged, and it seems that this is 
what will happen, it will be necessary to proceed from the
 premise that it (grain deal - TASS) is no longer valid," 
he said.
 
The grain initiative is part of the package agreement. The
 second part - the three-year Russia-UN memorandum - 
stipulates: unfreezing of Russian export of food and 
fertilizers, connection of Rosselkhozbank back to 
SWIFT, resumption of supplies of agriculture 
equipment, components and service 
maintenance, resumption of the
work of the Tolyatti-Odessa 
ammonia pipeline, and a 
number of other steps. 
 
This part of the package agreement has not yet been
 implemented as stated by Moscow. The Russian 
Foreign Ministry said earlier, that the grain 
agreement was extended... through July 
17th without any changes, adding that 
the agreement would be terminated.. 
after July 17th, unless all the issues 
on the deal... were fully solved.
 
 
_________________________________
 
 
 
ADB Approves 350 Million USD
Loan
 for Sri Lanka’s Economy
May 29th, 12:04pm 
(teleSUR)
 
On Monday, the Asian Development Bank (ADB) granted
 approval for a sum of 350 million U.S. dollars of a loan 
with special policy conditions. The ADB has said in a 
press release that the primary objective of the loan
 is to provide budgetary assistance to Sri Lanka, 
aimed at promoting the stabilization of the 
country's economy.
 
The ADB affirmed that the program, is an integral component 
of a comprehensive financial support initiative, underscored
 by the International Monetary Fund's Extended Fund Facility
 designated for the nation. The overarching objective of the 
program is to establish economic stability, while
 simultaneously laying the groundwork for 
sustained growth and overall recovery.
 
According to the ADB, Sri Lanka is currently experiencing a
 significant and unparalleled economic crisis. The country 
is suffering from elevated inflation rates, which have
 substantially diminished its purchasing power. 
 
Furthermore, numerous livelihoods have been affected,
 and the country has suffered the reversal of earlier 
development achievements.
 
"The ADB is concerned about the deep crisis in the country
 and its impact on the people of Sri Lanka, especially the
 poor and the vulnerable, particularly women," said 
ADB President, Masatsugu Asakawa.
 
According to Asakawa, the ADB is dedicated to providing 
ongoing support to Sri Lanka in its efforts to overcome 
contemporary difficulties and pursue objectives of 
economic stabilization, sustainable recovery, 
and inclusive growth.
 
Moreover, the ADB has said that Sri Lanka has undertaken
 decisive measures to counteract the origins of both 
domestic and international imbalances, and to 
achieve a feasible path towards 
debt sustainability.
 
The ADB contends that it is crucial to guarantee substantial 
social security during the implementation of measures, 
whilst stressing the key nature of implementing
 reforms in governance and anti-
corruption measures.
 

 
___________________________________


 
Vietnam trade surplus - is 
close to 10 billion dollars
by Luis Linares Petrov
May 29th, 8:19am
(Prensa Latina) 
 
Vietnam reached a trade surplus of close to 10 billion dollars 
in the first five months of the year, according to a report 
from the General Statistics Office.
 
The value of exports during that period was estimated at
 136.17 billion dollars, while goods were imported for 
126.37 billion dollars, which led to a favorable 
balance of 9.8 billions.
 
According to the entity’s report, 23 products achieved
 revenues of more than one billion dollars from 
foreign sales and five of them billed more 
than five billion dollars.
 
Of the total revenue from exports, the processing industry
 ranked first, with 88.3 percent, followed by agroforestry
 goods (7.9), aquaculture products (2.5) and energy
 and minerals (1.3).
 
Between January and May of this year, Vietnam registered 
a trade surplus of 31.2 billion dollars, with the US, which 
represented a 22 percent year-on-year decrease, and
 12.6 billion with the EU.
 
On the contrary, the trade balance had a shortfall 
with China, South Korea and the Association of 
Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN).
 
 
_________________________________




Supreme Court of Brazil
 will try coup plotters
by Luis Linares Petrov
May 29th, 7:18am
(Prensa Latina) 
 
The Federal Supreme Court (STF) of Brazil will try some
131 people involved in the coup acts and depredation
of the government's 3 powers, on last January 8th.
 
This is the sixth group of accused, totaling 1,176 out of the
 1,300 complaints filed by the Attorney General’s Office,. 
This group is formed by those who acted as authors 
and instigators of the anti-democratic acts.
 
If the majority of the magistrates accept the complaints,
 the defendants will have to answer for the crimes of
 incitement to crime and criminal association.
 
So far, the STF has prosecuted 1,045 defendants.
 
Last week the Mixed Parliamentary Commission of 
Investigation into the coup events, was installed.
 
The Commission will have 180 days to investigate the 
actions and may submit their results to the Attorney 
General’s Office in order to provide evidence for 
the criminal process.
 
 
____________________________



White House & Republicans Reach
 Debt Ceiling Deal in Principle
May 28th, 4:02pm 
 (teleSUR)
 
On Saturday, the U.S. White House and Republicans reached
 an "agreement in principle" ---- to raise the debt ceiling to 
avert a possible default amid the deep partisan divide
 and global concerns.


The agreement is an important step forward and represents a 
compromise, U.S. President Joe Biden said, adding that "Over 
the next day, our negotiating teams will finalize the
 legislative text and the agreement will go to the 
United States House and Senate." 
 
The debt ceiling agreement will be available to lawmakers on 
Sunday and the House of Representatives will vote on it on 
Wednesday, said U.S. House Speaker Kevin McCarthy.
 
Both Biden and McCarthy claimed credit for the breakthrough,
 though no detail of the agreement was revealed formally.
 
"The agreement reduces spending while protecting critical 
programs for working people and growing the economy for 
everyone," Biden said, while urging both chambers of 
Congress to pass the agreement right away.
 
Republicans are poised to deliver a big, consequential
 change in Washington by stopping the Democrats'
 reckless spending, clawing back unspent COVID 
funds, and blocking Biden's new tax schemes, 
said McCarthy.
 
The deal would suspend the debt limit until 2025, allowing the 
upcoming presidential election not to be troubled by the debt
 ceiling issue.  However, it's not clear if the agreement would
 win enough support in Congress as Republicans control the 
House and Democrats have an upper hand in the Senate.
 
The Department of Treasury will have insufficient resources
 to satisfy the government's obligations if Congress has not
 raised or suspended the debt limit by June 5th, said U.S.
 Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen, on Friday.
 
The debt ceiling has been modified 102 times 
since World War II, according to the U.S. 
Congressional Research Service.
 
 
_________________________________________


Erdogan called on supporters 
--- to guard the ballot boxes
 until the election results 
are summed up
May 28th, 3:18pm
(RT.ru)
 
Turkish President, Recep Tayyip Erdogan, called on his
 supporters to guard the ballot boxes: until the results 
of the second round of elections are summed up.
 
"I call on all my brothers and sisters to protect the ballot 
boxes, until the results are summed up," Erdogan said 
on Twitter.
 
He noted that the time has come -- to 
defend the will of the Turkish people.
 
Earlier it became known that polling stations in Türkiye
 were closed for voting... in the second round of the 
presidential election. The vote count begins.
 
 

________________________________________________
 


Cubans Elect Subnational 
Governments' Highest 
Authorities
May 28th 2:07pm
 (teleSUR)
 
On Sunday, Cubans get ready to participate in the 
elections for governors and deputy governors of 
the country's provinces.
 
As established by the 2019 Electoral Law, the highest
 provincial authorities hold office for a period of five 
years. The election process begins with the 
definition of the names of the candidates 
by the Cuban president.
 
In each locality, the elections are directed by the 
president of the Municipal Electoral Council and
a lawmaker of the National Parliament, who is 
appointed by the Council of State.
 
Once the electoral colleges have been established, 
the delegates meet in plenary session to elect 
governor and deputy governors by a free,
direct and secret vote.
 
At the end of the elections, the Municipal Electoral 
Council prepares the tally sheet, specifying the 
number of ballots, the number of votes 
obtained by each candidate, and the 
number of blank or annulled votes.
 
In order to be eligible, a candidate must have been born 
in Cuba, have no other citizenship, have reached 
30 years of age, reside in the province to be 
represented, and be in enjoyment of 
civil and political rights.
 
The provincial government is made up of a governor and a
 council. Governors render accounts of their management 
before the National Assembly, the Council of State, the 
Council of Ministers, and the Provincial Council.
 
 
_________________________________________________



Aliyev said that Azerbaijan has
 no taboos in the framework of 
rapprochement with the EAEU
May 28th, 1:29pm
(RT.ru)
 
President of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev in the program 
"Moscow. Kremlin. Putin" stated that Azerbaijan 
has no taboos... in the framework of a
rapprochement with the Eurasian 
Economic Union (EAEU).
 
This is reported by TASS, with reference to
a
 fragment of the broadcast, which was 
published by journalist Pavel Zarubin.
 
"We don't have any taboos in the framework 
of rapprochement. Again --- everything will 
be based on the specific situation related 
to the global economy and the economic 
situation of Azerbaijan. Therefore, 
everything... will show in the 
future," he said, answering 
media questions.
 
The President of Armenia also added that the 
very fact of Azerbaijan's participation in the 
EAEU summit, indicates the country's 
interest in this association.
 
Earlier, Aliyev said that Baku's cooperation with 
the EAEU member states, with the exception
 of Armenia, has been developing 
successfully - for 30 years.
 
 
___________________________________


 Balitsky said that Zaporozhye region
 is ready to export
grain to China
May 27th, 2:27pm
(RT.ru)
 
Acting head of Zaporizhia region Yevhen Balitsky 
said that the region is ready to export up to 
2 million tons of grain to China. This is 
reported by RIA Novosti.
 
"We are not just doing this work, this is our strategic
 direction. We would very much like, in cooperation 
with the People's Republic of China, to get sales 
of 2 million tons of our grain, which we grow 
for sale," he said.
 
Balitsky added that the region is ready to 
export finished products in the form of 
flour and vegetable oil.
 
On April 14, Acting Head of the Donetsk People's Republic
 Denis Pushilin, announced his readiness to fully use the
 restored capacities of the port of Mariupol, in order 
to import building materials to the republic and
 export grain from it.
 
 
________________________________________
 
 
US Credit Squeeze Triggers Rise
 in Corporate Bankruptcies
May 27th, 1:12pm (FNA)
 
More large US companies are taking shelter in bankruptcy 
court, a sign of a tightening credit squeeze as interest 
rates rise and financial markets become less 
hospitable to borrowers.
 
Eight companies with more than $500mln in liabilities have
 filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy this month, including five
 in a single 24-hour stretch last week. In 2022, the 
monthly average was just over three filings, 
The Financial Times reported.   
 
Twenty-seven large debtors have filed for bankruptcy so far 
in 2023 compared to 40 for all of 2022, according to figures
 compiled by bankruptcydata.com. 
 
Among recent companies to succumb to creditors include
 Envision Healthcare, Vice Media and Kidde-Fenwal, a
 maker of fire control systems --- facing thousands
of 
lawsuits --- over its use of so-called
forever chemicals.   
 
The bankruptcies come after years of quiescent markets and
 rising valuations allowed even financially stressed firms to
 raise debt and equity capital to stay afloat. Debt default 
rates had fallen to about 1 percent in 2021 as central 
banks pumped money into the coronavirus 
pandemic-stressed economy.   
 
Now, S&P Global forecasts that the 12-month trailing default 
rate for speculative-grade securities, will jump from the 
current 2.5 percent --- to 4.5 percent by early 2024. 
 
Yields on junk bonds have more than doubled from less than
 4 percent in mid-2021, as measured by the BofA US High 
Yield Index, an indication of how much more expensive
 capital has become for less creditworthy borrowers. 
 
The Federal Reserve has warned that lenders could further 
contract the supply of credit to businesses, after recent
 turmoil in the banking sector.  
 
“Our general view is that we are going to see an increase in
 ‘hard restructurings’ -- driven by the combination of higher
 debt levels from the borrowing binge of COVID, and rising
 interest rates. The triggers will be running out of money 
and any ability to refinance maturing debt,” said Bill 
Derrough, an investment banker at Moelis, who 
advises clients across distressed situations.   
 
“Some companies have used every trick in 
the book and now have run out of tricks,” 
he added.

 
________________________________________
 

Foreign Minister denounces impact 
of blockade on Syrian children
by Ana Luisa Brown
May 27th, 12:39pm
(Prensa Latina) 
 
The Syrian Foreign Minister, Faisal Al-Mekdad, considered
 today that the unilateral coercive measures imposed by 
the United States and its allies affect all segments of 
Syrian society, especially children.
 
The head of diplomacy’s assertion was expressed during 
his reception of Yasumasa Kimura, the new resident
 representative of the United Nations Children’s 
Fund (Unicef) in Syria, who handed over 
his credentials.
 
The Western countries, led by the United States, impose
an unjust blockade and punitive measures only because 
Syria rejects their dictates and impositions and retains 
its sovereign decisions, the foreign minister said.
 
He described as important the cooperation between the 
Syrian government and Unicef in the fields of health, 
education, security and drinking water.
 
Our collaboration culminated in concrete actions such as
 the rehabilitation of schools damaged by the war and 
the earthquake, as well as the implementation of 
national vaccination campaigns, said 
the minister.
 
In turn, the UN official thanked the Syrian government - 
for the support and facilities provided for Unicef’s work.
 
Our work focuses specifically on women and children, 
who represent the future of Syria, and on contributing
 to the recovery of the education sector for its impact 
on the social and economic sectors, he added.
 
 
_____________________________________



Türkiye elects on Sunday
 the president for the 
next five years
Published by Martin Hacthoun
May 27th, 11:12am 
 (Prensa Latina) 
 
Some 191,885 ballot boxes will be opened on Sunday for 
over 60 million Turkish citizens to elect in a runoff, who 
will be their president for the next five years.. between
incumbent Recep Tayyip Erdogan, 69, and opposition 
politician Kemal Kilicdaroglu, 74-years-old.
 
In the first round on May 14, Erdogan who is seeking a fifth 
term after 20 years in the executive office received the 
most votes with 49.5%, a five point lead over
Kilicdaroglu’s. His bloc, though... won a 
comfortable majority in the legislature 
in a parallel parliamentary vote.
 
Voter turnout in the first round on May 14 stood at nearly
 90%. according to the Supreme Election Council (YSK), 
yet no single candidate received an absolute majority, 
taking the election to the first presidential runoff 
in Türkiye.
 
Turkish voters head to the polls on Sunday for the 
second time in two weeks, in one of the most 
decisive presidential races in the republic’s 
history and the first runoff for president.
 
According to Türkiye’s Supreme Electoral Council, more
than 1.89 million people voted in Türkiye’s foreign 
missions by Thursday morning.
 
The election comes as Turkey is grappling with a economic 
crisis as well as struggling to recover from devastating
 earthquakes in February 6 that killed more than 
50,000 people and displaced over 5.9 million 
across southern Turkey and northern Syria.
 
Analysts point out that despite facing the strongest
opposition yet to his rule, Erdogan’s future does
not look as dark as some predicted, earlier 
this year.
 
Forecasts suggest a close race with Erdogan ahead. That 
said, the results from the first round defied pre-election 
predictions, when some opinion polls had projected 
Kilicdaroglu to win in the first round.
 
Erdogan received a key endorsement on Monday from Sinan
 Ogan, a nationalist former candidate who finished third in 
the May 14 elections, with 5.2% of the votes, giving the 
incumbent hopeful a significant boost.
 
Hours before the vote, political observers agree Erdogan
 appears poised to win, extending his tenure as the 
longest-serving leader in the history of the 
Turkish Republic.
 
 
________________________________________
 
 
Report: US 1 of 17 Countries 
Practicing Modern Slavery 
with Forced Labour
May 27th, 9:02am (FNA)
 
The US is 1 of only 17 countries in the world that 
uses state-imposed forced labour, a form of 
“modern slavery” --- according to a new 
report from an international human 
rights group.
 
Walk Free’s Global Slavery Index 2023 placed the US
 among the small group of nations over its use of 
compulsory prison labour, The Hill reported.
 
The report noted the 13th Amendment includes a 
caveat that allows involuntary servitude to be 
used as punishment for a crime.
 
“Neither slavery, nor involuntary servitude, except 
as a punishment for crime whereof the party shall
 have been duly convicted, shall exist within the 
United States, or any place subject to their 
jurisdiction,” the amendment reads.
 
As a result, US prisoners are excluded from many 
labour law protections -- “given that compulsory 
prison labour is considered a legal punishment
 rather than an economic activity,” according
 to the report.
 
The US has the 10th highest estimated number
of 
people in modern-day slavery, with about 
1.1 million, the report found.
 
Globally, there were about 3.9 million people who 
were forced to work by state authorities in 2021. 
The largest portion - 2.2 million - were engaged 
in compulsory prison labour, according to 
the report.
 
Another 1.1 million.. were conscripts who were 
forced to perform nonmilitary work, and about 
700,000 more were engaged in forced labour
 for economic development.
 
 
_____________________________________
 
 
US public debt used by Washington
 to defraud other nations: 
Russian lawmaker
May 26th, 4:50pm
(PressTV)
 
The Russian State Duma’s Chairman Vyacheslav Volodin 
has censured the United States for defrauding other
 nations through a planned debt scheme.
 
US Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen has warned that
 the United States is on track for a debt default, as 
early as June.
 
The White House Council of Economic Advisors warned 
earlier that the possible impact of a US debt default 
could be a downgrading of US debt by a credit-
rating agency, followed by a worldwide 
recession, worldwide frozen credit 
markets --- and plunging stock 
markets, in addition to mass 
worldwide layoffs.
 
On Friday, the senior Russian lawmaker said the US Federal 
Government's debt default – possibly taking place next
 week – was a global pyramid scheme, heading for 
an inevitable collapse, RT reported.
 
“Just think about it, in 2023 interest payments on the US 
debt could reach $1.5 trillion – almost a third of all US 
budget revenue!” Volodin, who serves as chairman 
of Russia’s lower house of parliament, said,
in a 
Telegram post. 
 
If the proposed budget bill by the Democrat administration
is not approved by the lawmakers in Washington from the
opposing Republican Party.... who have hinged their 
approval on the US debt increase with a decrease
in public spending.... the US could default on 
its financial obligations to other nations.
 
“The US public debt is a global financial pyramid, built by
Washington to defraud other nations,” the State Duma
member wrote. “History has shown, that all pyramid 
schemes eventually fail,” he said, warning: that the
US dollar is becoming toxic to nations dependent 
on the greenback.
 
Volodin cited speeding up the current de-dollarization trend
across the globe as a solution to the problem. "Countries
dependent on the US dollar, should start looking for
alternatives, such as national currencies, to
reduce risks for their citizens."
 
Despite months of budget talks between lawmakers in
 Washington, President Joe Biden and top Republican
 lawmaker, Kevin McCarthy, only reached an 
agreement on the debt ceiling, but have 
yet to seal a deal on cuts in public 
spending, media reports said 
on Thursday.
 
Over the past years, major global powers have been working 
to ditch the US dollar, thus preventing Washington from
 further defrauding their nations, by exploiting its 
power and weaponizing the greenback's 
global dominance.
 
The current de-dollarization trend, which is not very new in
several countries --- such as Iran, Venezuela, China, and 
Russia, has proven to work. Today, powerhouses such 
as China, Russia and the EU, are major players in the 
de-dollarization process.
 
West Asian and North African countries have also started 
to move away from the greenback hegemony.. in recent 
months. Countries like Iraq, the United Arab Emirates, 
Egypt, and Saudi Arabia, are the main states.
 
Brazil and Argentina have reportedly been discussing 
the creation of a common currency, since the 
beginning of 2023.
 
India studies the option of using rupees to trade non
-oil commodities. In this regard, Indian Commerce 
Secretary Sunil Barthwal has said the Indian 
Rupee --- will be used in trade between 
countries that are facing a shortage 
of dollars, or currency failure. 
 
He said that trade between India and 
Malaysia, can now be settled in INR.
 
 
______________________________


Ioannis Sarmas to Lead a 
Caretaker Government 
in Greece
 May 26th, 3:49pm 
(teleSUR)
 
On Friday, Greece's caretaker government was sworn in 
at the Presidential Mansion in Athens. The caretaker
 government... is headed by Ioannis Sarmas, 
president of the Greek Court of Audit.
 
It is comprised of ministers who used to be experienced
 diplomats, military officers, technocrats and university 
professors. The caretaker government will govern the 
country until a new government is formed after the 
runoff elections this summer.
 
The ruling conservative New Democracy (ND) party won
 Sunday's elections with 40.79 percent of the votes, 
but did not secure a parliamentary majority.
 
As the formation of a coalition government failed after
 last Sunday's elections, Former Prime Minister and 
ND party leader Kyriakos Mitsotakis called for 
runoff elections on June 25th.
 
The runoff will use a revised electoral system, which
 provides a bonus of up to 50 extra seats for the 
winning party, facilitating the formation of a 
single-party government.
 
Under such system, the frontrunner could gain an absolute
 majority in parliament with around 38 percent of the vote, 
political analysts say.
 
ND may secure 41.3 percent of the votes in the second ballot, 
according to an opinion poll released this week by polling 
firm Kapa Research.
 
Elected-lawmakers will be sworn in on Sunday. Then on
Monday, the parliament will be dissolved, as the date 
of new legislature elections, is to be declared.
 
 
___________________________________
 
 
 
Six Citizens Are Running for the 
Ecuadorean Presidency So Far
May 26th, 2:05pm
(teleSUR)
 
This week, the National Electoral Council (CNE) 
announced that Ecuadorians will go to vote in 
presidential and parliamentary elections on
August 20th. Although no candidacy has 
been made official, before the CNE, 
six citizens publicly expressed 
their intention to run for 
the presidency.
 
On Thursday, the Expanded Council of the Confederation
 of Indigenous Nationalities of Ecuador (CONAIE) 
nominated Leonidas Iza as its presidential 
candidate. He led the massive protests 
that put President Guillermo Lasso
 in check, in 2022.
 
So far, however, his candidacy has not been endorsed by 
the Pachakutik Plurinational Unity Movement, which
 has traditionally acted as the CONAIE's electoral 
organization.
 
Previously, Yaku Perez, who received the support of the
 CONAIE and Pachakutik in the 2021 elections, also
launched his candidacy --- under the auspices 
of "We are Water," "Democracy Yes," and 
Popular Unity, three organizations that 
define themselves as "progressive."
 
On the side of openly conservative political positions,
 four candidates seek to reach the Presidency of the 
Republic. One of them is Fernando Villavicencio, 
who acted as an important political ally of 
Lasso from the National Assembly, 
which is currently dissolved.
 
The unexpected candidate who appears as an apolitical 
"outsider" is Jan Topic. This security entrepreneur and 
economist presents himself as a sniper who fought in
 "multiple countries around the world," among 
which he mentioned Ukraine and Syria.
 
A third candidate is Otto Sonnenholzner, who served as
 Vice President from December 2018 to July 2020, that
 is, during President Lenin Moreno's administration 
(2017-2021).
 
At the height of the pandemic, he resigned amid 
corruption scandals, and accusations of 
inefficient management, evidenced by 
scenes of corpses on the streets 
of Guayaquil.
 
Finally, Daniel Noboa... also announced his interest in 
becoming president. He is the son of Alvaro Noboa,
 a billionaire banana businessman who 
unsuccessfully tried to become 
president, on more than 3 
occasions, during the 
last decades.
 
If none of the presidential candidates achieves the 
majority of votes on August the 20th, the electoral 
authorities will call a second round, on October 
15th, when the two candidates with the most 
votes will compete for the presidency. 
 
The new legislators, the president, and the vice 
president will remain in their positions until 
May 24th, 2025.
 
 
_____________________________



Russia denounces Western
intentions regarding 
grain agreement
by Luis Linares Petrov
May 26th, 9:01am
 (Prensa Latina) 
 
The Russian Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs, Sergei 
Vershinin, described the grain agreement as a 
measure in favour of grain exports to the
developed countries.
 
“The agreement was presented with the objective of reducing
 threats to food security and help countries in need in Asia, 
Africa and Latin America. However, it turned out to be a 
screen - to facilitate exports to Western powers,” the 
diplomat said during the 11th International Meeting
 of Senior Security Representatives.
 
According to the deputy minister, since August 1st, 2022, 
a total of over 30.3 million tons of grain have been 
exported from the ports of Odessa, Yuzhni, and 
Chernomorsk. “Most of the production, some 
80 percent, went to high-income and above
-average countries, including the EU, with
 around 40 percent,” he said.
 
“States in need such as Ethiopia, Yemen, Afghanistan, 
Sudan and Somalia only received 722,000 tons, that
 is, 2.5 percent of the shipments,” he said.
 
According to Vershinin, despite the agreement, the EU
and US are increasing their package of sanctions 
against Russian agricultural exports, which 
contradicts the application of the second 
part of the negotiations.
 
He reminded that the grain agreement, proposed by UN
 Secretary-General, Antonio Guterres and signed in 
Istanbul on July 22nd, 2022, consists of two 
interlinked parts: the Black Sea Initiative 
on the export of Ukrainian food and 
ammonia ------ and the Russia-UN 
Memorandum on normalization 
of agricultural exports.
 
 
________________________________



India expressed its desire -- to 
bring cooperation with Russia 
to a higher level
May 25th, 5:43pm
(RT.ru)
 
Indian Foreign Minister Subramaniam Jaishankar 
expressed India's desire to bring cooperation 
with Russia to a higher level. He wrote 
about this, in his social networks... 
after a meeting with the Russian 
Ambassador to New Delhi,
Denis Alipov.
 
According to Jaishankar, this also applies to relations 
within the intergovernmental commission on trade,
 economic, scientific, technical and 
cultural cooperation.
 
"I am glad to meet with Russian Ambassador Denis Alipov
 this evening. We discussed our bilateral cooperation, 
including within the framework of the IPC on trade, 
economic, scientific, technical and cultural 
cooperation. I look forward to reaching 
a higher level," TASS quoted him 
as saying.
 
Earlier, Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov said that
 the level of interaction between Russian regions and
 the CIS countries, China, India, Iran and Türkiye,
 has significantly increased.
 
 
_______________________________
 


Eurasian Economic Union-BRICS 
Turnover Increases by 60 Pct
May 25th (teleSUR)
 
On Wednesday, as part of the first day of the Eurasian 
Economic Forum (EEF) held in Moscow, policymakers
discussed the key areas of cooperation between the 
Eurasian Economic Union (EAEU), the Shanghai 
Cooperation Organization (SCO) and the BRICS.
 
Chairman of the Board of the Eurasian Economic Commission
 Mikhail Myasnikovich said that if we look at the volume of 
foreign trade of the EAEU members with the SCO and the
 BRICS, last year increased by more than 40 percent. 
At the same time, the union's exports increased 
1.6 times.
 
"The main trading partner of the union today is China. It
 accounts for 23 per cent, up from 15 per cent in 2015. 
India's share is growing & this is very encouraging,"
 he said.
 
"The development of concerted joint measures and actions 
to help strengthen cooperation between member states in 
the areas of security, trade and economic cooperation, 
investment, energy, transport and scientific and 
cultural ties ---- is being actualised," the SCO 
Deputy Secretary Nuran Niyazaliev said.
 
"These issues are permanently on the agenda of the SCO 
Secretariat. We actively cooperate with the standing 
bodies of the CIS, CICA, ASEAN, CSTO, OECD and 
EEC," he added.
 
The SCO Deputy Secretary stressed: "The New Development 
Bank established by BRICS countries, located in China, like
 the SCO Secretariat, will promote closer cooperation and
 exchange of experience in finance, investment and
 interbank cooperation".
 
Dmitry Volvach, Russia's Deputy Minister of Economic 
Development, gave the main indicators reflecting the
 volume of Russia's mutual trade with the BRICS 
countries and the EAEU states with the
 five countries.
 
"By the end of 2022, Russia's trade turnover with the five
countries amounted to US$230 billion and increased by
more than 40 per cent -- compared to 2021. The trade 
turnover between the BRICS countries and the EAEU 
countries at the end of 2022 was US$263 billion, an
increase of more than 60 per cent compared to 
the previous year," he said. 
 
Liu Xuesong Plenipotentiary Minister, Embassy of the 
People`s Republic of China in the Russian Federation, 
stressed that China will continue to strongly support
 and actively promote multipolarity and globalisation, 
which is a constant trend in historical development. 
 
"The trend of globalisation has given the main impetus to
 cooperation between the EAEU, SCO and BRICS. All the
 countries of these associations -- are facing common
 challenges - economic development, improvement 
of living standards of the population, as well as 
strengthening external cooperation in the 
spirit of openness and mutual benefit,"
 he said.
 
Anil Sooklal, South Africa's Sherpa to BRICS, expressed hope 
that the EAEU, SCO and BRICS can play a leading role in 
world processes, when Russia takes over the BRICS 
chairmanship in 2024.
 
"Our organisations that will work together will demonstrate
 the very synergy that is needed --- to build a new global 
architecture. Our focus is on the interaction between 
the five countries and the states of the African 
continent," he said.
 
"This year, all African leaders will meet with BRICS leaders, 
and these meetings, are a clear indication of the global 
community's interest in the BRICS development," 
Sooklal added.
 
 
____________________________________
 
 
 
Cuba's Tourism Booming ---- With 
Inflow of 1.2 Mln Foreign Visitors
May 25th, 4:49pm 
(teleSUR)
 
On Wednesday, the National Statistics Bureau, informed that, 
in the first four months of 2023, Cuba received more than 1.2 
million foreign visitors, up by 190 percent from a year earlier.