Greater Middle EastBoard

ROMANIAN ELECTIONS CONCLUDED, PROTESTS ERUPT_{30 March 2023}
Reports from Romania

The Romanian Presidential Election has been concluded, with the following results:

• 1. Dumitru Ceausescu, Romanian Socialist Party (80.17%)

• 2. Teodora Raducan, Independent (12.01%)

• 3. Simon Stirbei, Marxist-Leninist Party (4.29%)

• 4. Iulien Musat, Romanian National Front (3.05%)

Dumitru Ceausescu has been the incumbent President of Romania since 2004 and the grandson of Nicolae Ceausescu. Under his reign, Romania has remained an authoritarian, socialist, dictatorial regime. His predecessor, Anton Osmochescu, while still preserving Romania's authoritarian and socialist system, implemented some degree of reformism whilst Dumitru Ceausescu has been considered as much more of a hardliner and ideologue. In addition to maintaining the socialist economic system, various policies described as "socially conservative" or "nationalist" have remained in place or been increased under Dumitru Ceausescu.

Simon Stirbei leads the Marxist-Leninist Party which endorses the government's current structure but desires strictly returning to "anti-revisionist" Marxist-Leninism as the state ideology. Iulien Musat is described as a "right wing nationalist." Both candidates are largely considered to be "controlled opposition" who do not contest Romania's system and expect to lose.

This has not been true of Teodora Raducan, running as an independent, who has actively spoken out against Romania's socialist regime. She has called for democratic and liberal reforms. She was vocally critical of the President and Romanian government. Her political platform includes the release of political prisoners, establishment of democracy, loosening censorship, along with references to market and liberal reforms. Her geopolitical stance includes increasing relations with the United States of America and European countries in the EU and NATO, loosening ties with "eastern dictatorships" such as the The Russian Federative People's Republics or People's Republic of China. She has called out the Romanian government's emphasis on socially conservative policies as "draconian and insane," although avoiding to go into significant details on social issues to keep her platform as a broad-tent coalition. In addition to market-oriented and liberal political reformers, various social activists speaking on issues such as LGBTQ+ rights, Hungarian or Romani minority interests, abortion rights or reproductive freedom, have backed Raducan.

Protests began in March, increasing in intensity as the election came closer. The protestors stood behind Teodora Raducan and called for liberal reforms in Romania. The protests were done illegally, police were deployed to "keep order" and only lightly arrest those who were "provocative enough to initiate violence." The protests continued to increase in numbers, with increasing amounts of police forces deployed to keep order. Groups of counter-protestors in favor of the Romanian regime then organized against the protestors. Tensions exponentially increased as the election came closer. Street fights broke out between gangs of protestors and counter-protestors. Additionally, the family of Teodora Raducan was sent into exile in Yugoslavia.

During and after the election, protestors erupted into intensity and have evolved into riots on a scale unseen since 1989. Dumitru Ceausescu's landslide victory was challenged as illegitimate. Teodora Raducan managed to slip by the Romanian border into Yugoslavia undetected, presumably with assistance from Yugoslav authorities. She remains there in exile and has issued strongly worded statements against the Romanian election and regime, calling it fraudulent and demanding European leaders increase their efforts in sanctioning the Ceausescu regime. The police forces lost control of the situation, thus military personnel were deployed to keep order amidst the mob. Military personnel were met with violence as they attempted to march into the center of Bucharest.

Baltica - The Regional News Network
Tune in to our online service, BNS! - April 2, 2024

Triple President Krumins' Russian Renegades and the effects it will have on the Western World

MOSCOW, RUSSIA - Triple President Rudolfs Malle Krumins, head of Government for the Baltic Commonwealth since 2020, went to the heart of the Russian Federation for supposed diplomatic talks with the new President-elect Grigory Yavlinsky after the disasterous Putin-led Invasion of Ukraine ended in a ceasefire. Yavlinsky, who is generally believed to be looking for peace talks over the war, welcomed the Triple President into Moscow for the first visit by a Western Leader since 2022, leading an enormous press pool and a well-trained regiment of Honor Guards.

This visit is intended to call for the relaxation of tensions between the Russians and the Western World, which has been going on for many decades ever since the aftermath of the world's biggest war, and with both sides fiercely refusing to back down, eventually being a factor in the collapse of the USSR (and our country's independence) in 1991. The week-long travels of Rudolfs will see the man being thrown all around Western Russia, inclusive of not only Moscow and St. Petersburg, but also cities like Pskov and Kaliningrad.

The two Presidents will be expected to discuss various topics such as electrical and energy-related services and trade, as well as a general conversation about the best procedure to move forward with into a hopeful new era between the two former hostiles. The Triple President will also hope for closer and more friendly relations between the two countries, with the general history between the two being ice-cold and near hostile since independence.

This will also involve the Nord Stream, a natural gas pipeline traveling under the Baltic Sea traveling to the resort town of Lubmin, Germany, and one of the world's biggest gas pipelines. With this, we expect that our President will be looking to find a way to have a separate branch of this pipeline to be built towards Northern Estonia, but this will remain speculation.

And, as this visit closes to an end tomorrow night, this will probably be the first step to Yavlinsky's attempts to open up with the Western World, and possibly see further visits by more influential visits such as the Frenchman Emmanuel Macron and POTUS Joe Biden.

OTHER HEADLINES

- How President Nauseda plans to revitalize the Lithuanian Transportation Network

- Analysts say that with declining birth rates, the Golden Age might be no more

- Culture, the Riga way

The Great Expansion of Baarmutha Park
_{Baarmutha Park Master Plan revealed}
^{April 7th}

Beechworth Golf Club opened in 1914, with this year being the club's 110th birthday. It will also be last at their current site, with a larger course built a few minutes out of Beechworth at a larger site, fit with a new resort. As a result, Baarmutha Park has gained access to about 30 hectares of land, allowing the reserve to expand. This has been a point of contention with Beechworth becoming the most successful and one of the largest clubs in the VFL despite the home ground having a limited capacity. At one point, it was rumoured Beechworth would move to Woolworths Stadium in Wodonga.

4 seperate stages have been announced along with Baarmutha Park's expansion, which was confirmed in 2015 with the announcement of Beechworth Golf Club's relocation. The 5 stages of development will cost a total of $570 million (AUD) with Stage 4 to be completed by 2030. The redevelopment includes 6 hectares of bushland and almost 2.5 hectares of wetlands.

Stage 1 will begin at the end of the VFL season, September 2024 until September 2026. It will include an additional 432 parking spaces, a second oval, lighting and facility (including scoreboard) upgrades for the main oval, a grandstand with a capacity of 2400, a new administration and training office for the Beechworth Bushrangers, and improved walkway between Beechworth Station and the oval. The new grandstand costs $150 million and the training facility will cost $120 million. Stage 1 will also include upgraded facilties for property services, including additional equiptment and a new staffroom. The grandstand will be named 'Bert Chadwick Stand' after Albert Edward Chadwich, a Beechworth local who played 170 games in the VFA/L from 1919-1929 with Prahran, Melbourne, and Hawthorn. He also coached 58 games with Melbourne and 18 with Hawthorn within the same period. The training facility is yet to be named. In total, it will take 2 years to build and cost $510 million.

Stage 2 will begin July 2026 and is set to be completed by December 2028. It will feature 6 outdoor basketball courts and a skatepark (Eastern Outdoor Basketball Courts), an indoor sporting stadium (inc. a 2500 capacity basketball arena) named Beechworth Stadium, and Baarmutha Gymnasium. This stage will cost $4 million.

Stage 3 will begin in August 2027 and end and the same time as Stage 2 in December 2028. It will include 3 multi-purpose fields for soccer and rugby, a hockey field, and a new car park for 350 parking spots, as well as new clubrooms for the soccer, rugby, and hockey fields. A patch of trees will be preserved and named Cemetery Creek Reserve. A nearby patch of trees seperating Stages 3 and 1 will be named Baarmutha Bushland Reserve and will be 4 hectares. About half of this will include a revegetated piece of golf course. Stage 3 will cost $6 million.

Stage 4 will begin in September 2027 and last until December 2029. The final stage will include a car park with 500 spots, Baarmutha Picnic Park, Beechworth Adventure Playground and Dog Park, Baarmutha ARC (Aquatic and Recreation Centre), a baseball/softball pitch, and upgraded wetland (Loch Claude Wetlands). It will cost $50 million.

The current oval will be named VFL Oval/Oval 1/Southern Oval, while the new one will be Oval 2/Northern Oval. Existing tennis courts, netball courts, the Baarmutha Function Centre, and sports pavillion will be left alone. The heritage grandstands, which were built in 1897, will be restored during Stage 1. Extensive works on the new grandstand, scoreboards, lighting, and on the surface of the existing oval will put Beechworth out of use for about a year, meaning Beechworth will need to play home games at Woolworths (Lakeside) Stadium in Bonegilla, Albury-Wodonga. The local Beechworth Football and Cricket Clubs will relocate to Yackandandah. Beechworth's VFL team, the Beechworth Bushrangers, will play at Woolworths Stadium for the entirety of the 2025 season.

TASS - Russian News Agency
Информационное агентство России

Russia and Ukraine sign peace treaty, ending 9-year long conflict
_{8 April 2024}

GENEVA | Swiss and Israeli mediators announced on Sunday that both Russia and Ukraine had agreed to a final draft of a treaty that would bring the 9-year long conflict between them to a close. Negotiations between the two sides began following the declaration of a ceasefire by the Russian provisional government on 1 June 2023. Officials from both countries have since then engaged in lengthy negotiations which have been mediated by Switzerland and Israel. Other delegations present include those of the United States and the United Kingdom which were later declared “observers” in treaty negotiations.

Despite openness for dialogue, major obstacles arose over several disputes including territory, compensation, and numerous other Ukrainian demands which the Russian side refused to consider. Sources cited by The Moscow Times had warned in August of 2023 that talks were in danger of collapsing amid arguments over territorial concessions to Russia and Ukrainian neutrality. Talks were paused for over two months afterward, though the ceasefire held with minimal incident. When talks resumed in October, proposals made by Israel eventually gave way to a midpoint agreement between Moscow and Kiev.

While progress on talks was swift at the beginning of 2024, other issues including Ukrainian neutrality and compensation remained and in February, talks seemed on the verge of collapse once again only to resume abruptly later that month when both sides agreed to a permanent ceasefire and a final exchange of POW’s. Delegates from both Switzerland and Israel issued a joint statement in mid-March announcing that a draft document had been presented to the two sides for evaluation. Despite hope that a treaty could be signed in March in time for Holy Week, delays during internal discussions by both Russia and Ukraine prevented the signing of any formal document during Holy Week, despite calls by the Russian Orthodox Church and other sectors for talks to advance further.

Finally on 4 April, news broke that a signing ceremony would be held in Geneva and that negotiations had successfully concluded. The ceremony took place on the 4th of April 2024 with Russian President Grigory Yavlinsky and the Ukrainian President being the main signatories, while the President of the United States Kamala Harris, the Prime Minister of the United Kingdom Rishi Sunak, the Prime Minister of Israel Benjamin Natanyahu, and the members of the Federal Council of Switzerland joined as co-signatories.

In a remarks made to the press following the signing ceremony, Russian President Grigory Yavlinsky called the occasion “historic” and the “greatest symbol of Russia’s commitment to enduring peace in Europe.”

In part of his speech, the Russian President said, “Today, we turn a page in the history books and witness the dawn of a new era between Russia and Europe. A new era in which Russia and the West can cast aside their differences for the sake of common causes, for the sake of peace and for the sake of mutual development. There’s still much ahead. More dialogues to be had and issues to be addressed, but this treaty is the sign that it is possible.”

Now signed by the Russian President, the treaty will go before the Congress of People’s Deputies, the upper house of the Federal Assembly for ratification. Already, several party heads including those of the SDPR, the Kadets, and the Communist Party have said that they will vote in favor of ratification signaling that the treaty will indeed be approved and enshrined into Russian law.

Other TASS articles:

• RUSSIA - Infrastructure, housing, public transport among first priorities for President Yavlinsky

• BUSINESS - Russian state and private industries to compete for reusable rocket concept, Roscosmos confirms

• INTERNATIONAL - Russia to increase ties with African, Latin American, Middle Eastern and Southeast Asian nations in bid to increase trade
  

Defense Review

Africa's Leading Defense News Network

How the Congolese military is preparing for the African Union Intervention Mission in Sudan

By: Guy Lubondo
Date: April 9, 2024
Location: Isiro

Yesterday, Kinshasa announced that the DRC would participate in the African Union Intervention Mission in Sudan (AMIS). AMIS is a regional peacekeeping mission operated by the African Union with the approval and backing of the United Nations Security Council. It is mandated to support the transitional government of Sudan, implement a national security plan, train the Sudanese security forces, and assist in creating a secure environment conducive to holding free and fair elections in Sudan. As part of its duties, AMIS will support the Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF) under Abdel Fattah al-Burhan in their battle against the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF) under Hemedti. The mission will see the deployment of around 60,000 troops from several African Union member-states.

Since April 2023, Sudan has been engulfed in a civil war between the SAF and RSF. The war, which has killed tens of thousands and displaced millions, began with RSF attacks on government installations as airstrikes, artillery, and gunfire were reported across Sudan. The cities of Khartoum and Omdurman were divided between the two warring factions, with al-Burhan relocating his government to Port Sudan as RSF forces captured most of Khartoum's government buildings. Over the next few months, a stalemate occurred, during which the two sides were then joined by rebel groups who had previously fought against Omar al-Bashar's government. Starting in October 2023, momentum began to swing toward the RSF, as the paramilitary defeated army forces in Darfur and made gains in Khartoum State, Kordofan, and Gezira State. Since February 2024, the SAF has made gains in Omdurman as part of the 2024 Omdurman offensive. Further negotiations between the warring sides have produced no significant results, while attempts by international powers to negotiate a ceasefire have been met with failure.

According to a source close to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Regional Cooperation, AMIS is the result of closed discussions that took place between the governments of the DRC, the East African Federation, and South Africa over the past few months. The three countries have been monitoring the situation in Sudan closely, condemning the violence and calling for an immediate ceasefire. The Congolese government, which has long called for the RSF to be disbanded, has thrown its support behind Abdel Fattah al-Burhan. Kinshasa's official stance - as articulated in a statement issued shortly after the fighting began - is that it would support a "caretaker government" under al-Burhan to rule the country during the war and "promote dialogue". South Africa and the EAF have also expressed support for al-Burhan.

The DRC's contingent will consist of 18,000-20,000 soldiers and a small number of civilian auxiliary staff. This will make AMIS the Congolese National Defense Force's largest deployment since the Congo War. Most Congolese army units that will take part in AMISOM are part of the 1st and 2nd Parachute Brigades. Together, these two brigades make up the airborne forces arm of the Congolese army. Sudan, like many countries in the region, has poor roads, rugged terrain, and limited infrastructure. Convoys are slow, vulnerable to ambushes, and hindered by landmines. In such contexts, it is not difficult to see why the Congolese military believes that air transport is the most viable method for moving personnel and supplies. There is precedent for this; African peacekeeping missions such as the 2003 African Union Mission in Burundi rely heavily on airlift resources. Other Congolese army units participating in AMISOM will be drawn from the Armoured Cavalry Regiment, the Transport and Logistics Corps, and the Artillery Regiment. The Congolese Air Force will be tasked with airlift, while the Navy's contribution will consist of a few dozen marine infantrymen who will assist in training Sudanese soldiers.

The RSF has so far refused to comply with UNSC Resolution-8129518, which calls "[...] upon all Rapid Support Forces to immediately cease operations and escalation". The group was singled out by the Human Rights Watch, and the United Kingdom and United States governments for committing crimes against humanity. On 6 September, the US State Department and the US Treasury imposed sanctions on the RSF's deputy commander and Hemedti's brother Abdelrahim Dagalo, and Abdel Rahman Jumma, the RSF's top commander in West Darfur, over "extensive" human rights violations during the conflict, with Jumma in particular being accused of masterminding the assassination of the state's governor Khamis Abakar in June. The SAF has also accused the RSF of perpetrating war crimes. During a speech to the UN General Assembly in New York, al-Burhan called for the international community to designate the RSF as a "terrorist group".

Of course, this is not to say that the SAF is blameless. On 3 August, Amnesty International released its report on the conflict. Titled Death Came To Our Home: War Crimes and Civilian Suffering In Sudan, it documented "mass civilian casualties in both deliberate and indiscriminate attacks" by both the SAF and the RSF, particularly in Khartoum and West Darfur. Burhan has acknowledged these accusations. In a report to the UNSC, he expressed that there are "reasonable grounds to believe" that crimes outlined in the "Rome Statute" are currently taking place in the "unstable western region". In an interview with the BBC, al-Burhan said he would cooperate with the ICC to bring those responsible to justice.

tags

United Huskain
Ostafrikka

★ THE ISLAMIC REPUBLIC OF SYRIA ★

6 ʏᴇᴀʀꜱ ᴏɴ....ꜱʏʀɪᴀ'ꜱ ꜱᴛʀᴏɴɢᴍᴀɴ ꜱᴛɪʟʟ ʜᴀꜱɴ'ᴛ ᴅᴇʟɪᴠᴇʀᴇᴅ ᴏɴ ʜɪꜱ ᴘʀᴏᴍɪꜱᴇꜱ ᴀꜱ ʜᴇ ᴇɴᴛᴇʀꜱ ꜱᴇᴄᴏɴᴅ ᴛᴇʀᴍ
_{| In 2018, just two years after the conclusion of the brutal Civil War in Syria, Bashar al-Assad led a reformist collation within the ruling Arab Democratic Party to oust long time leader and Bashar's uncle, Rifaat to end his over 30 year rule over Syria. In what would be in essence a symbolic victory and revenge over Rifaat who ousted Bashar's father Hafiz al-Assad from rule in 1984, thus casting Hafiz's side of the family to obsecurity and irrelevance. Slowly but surely working his way up the ranks of the ruling party, Bashar would eventually craft a web of patronage ranging from Hezbollah leaders (who opposed Rifaat's ties with monarchial Arab states such as Saudi) and reformist members of the ADP (drawn mainly from former Ba'athist and Socialist leaders who were overthrown in 1984 by the more conservative Rifaat) that propelled him to challenge Rifaat and force his resignation. |}

_{| Yet 6 years on, the promise that Bashar brought with him when he ascended to the Presidency has so far remained out of sight. Sparse Syrian resources have been spent on recovering from the effects of the Syrian Civil War; While Assad's diverse range of supporters who were all united by ousting Rifaat began to immediately become a drawback rather than asset as they fell into infighting, with Assad's neo-Ba'athist advisors clashing with Hezb's more Islamist Revolutionary ideology. The average Syrian has seen stability in years following the civil war, which has explained Assad's continued popularity, especially in Lebanon where the end of the Civil War brought back a resurgent and strong banking sector that nonetheless suffered like most of the country from the 2020 port explosion. |}

_{| Much resources have also been devoted to the Southern front, where Syria maintains a heavy military presence over the Israeli border where it has engaged in occasional skirmishes and raids. Syria's limited natural wealth has meant that often, military resources have been sapped away by the military apparatus, dominated by Alawite Syrians who are in favor of continued Assad rule. |}

_{| Much resources have also been devoted to the Southern front, where Syria maintains a heavy military presence over the Israeli border where it has engaged in occasional skirmishes and raids. Syria's limited natural wealth has meant that often, military resources have been sapped away by the military apparatus, dominated by Alawite Syrians who are in favor of continued Assad rule. |}

_{| For some however, there is light at the end of the tunnel. After several months of negotiations with the various factions of Syrian politics, Assad brokered a landmark deal between members of the Arab Democratic Party, al-Amal Movement, Hezbollah, the Syrian Socialist Nationalist Party, and the Popular Nasserite Organization to form the 'National Progressive Front', Syria's first political collation since the original Front was created under Hafiz al-Assad in the 70s which was then dissolved by Rifaat as he overthrew Hafiz. This then paved the way for the creation of a 'Unity' government under Hezbollah Secretary Hasan Nasrallah, who proceeded to form the first cabinet which was not fully opposed to by Assad's allies. |}

_{| The Ukrainian-Russian peace deal has also meant that Syria's principle ally, Russia, is no longer bound by an endless war that could have diverted its attention from its Middle Eastern interests in Iran and Syria, both of whom form the pillar of the Russian strategy in the Middle East. Elsewhere, Assad has recently been open about his desire for ending Syria's international isolation and entering a 'new era' that aims to place Syria as a strategic and vital asset in the Middle East. |}

_{| Having begun his second term this year, its now up to the prodigal son of Syria to return it back to its stature. |}

TASS - Russian News Agency
Информационное агентство России

Anger mounts in Russia as Europe ‘flip-flops’ on policy toward Moscow
_{26 April 2024}

MOSCOW | Russians have expressed anger and frustration over newly reignited tensions with the West despite signs of a possible breakthrough in normalization. On Friday morning, Turkey announced that it would close its recently opened embassy in Moscow, withdraw its ambassador and diplomatic staff and then ordered Russian diplomats out of the country. The move, which was called “unprecedented, yet expected” by Russian Foreign Minister Kassym-Jomart Tokayev has drawn condemnation across the Russian political spectrum and from the average Russian. With many expecting sanctions to be lifted and for trade relations to return to pre-war levels, the abrupt turn by Ankara has frustrated many while others merely pointed to the inevitability of Turkey’s turn against Russia.

Speaking to the press, the leader of the Communist Party, Pavel Grudinin said that Turkey’s foreign policy “consisted of nothing more than pure populist rhetoric” and that their presence within the EU made the entire bloc “an unreliable partner for Russia.” Meanwhile, the leader of the conservative ROS, Sergei Furgal reiterated his stance on foreign policy, calling for Russia to “re-align itself” with the “growing economies of the Global South” and to “end its reliance upon the West”. However, the liberal-conservative leader of the Kadets, Boris Nadezhdin reacted with a more conciliatory tone, calling on Russia to “take a stance” but to “remain open to normalization” with Western countries.

The latter’s remarks resemble Russian President Grigory Yavlinsky’s present stance, which he reiterated during a brief press conference at the Moscow Kremlin ahead of a snap meeting of the National Security Council. “Russia remains committed to peace, regional stability and reconciliation”, the President said, adding that the proof of Russia’s commitment lay in its peace treaty with Ukraine and the end of the largest war in Europe since World War II. “Those responsible have been punished and Russia has moved on. Anyone who cannot accept the past engages in collective punishment of the Russian people”, Yavlinsky added, before adding a stern warning that Russia had “no intentions” of reversing its position.

Both Turkey and Germany are set to hold military drills in the Mediterranean, with the latter sending ships to the key sea to participate. The drills will take place close to Syria, a Russian ally which Moscow has maintained despite the ouster of Vladimir Putin from the presidency. In fact, the Russian embassy in Damascus said last year that Moscow remained “committed to its close relations with the Islamic Republic of Syria”. Similarly, Yavlinsky has not deviated from the foreign policy positions of his predecessor, reassuring close Russian partners such as Belarus and Romania that Moscow remained “absolutely committed” to their bilateral relations.

It raises the question as to why Ankara has chosen a destructive diplomatic path toward Russia despite a seemingly conciliatory stance merely a month before. Worse still, Turkey has also sought to impact the Russian economy by closing the Dardanels to Russian shipping causing serious delays in the delivery of goods to other countries, some of which include EU members themselves. Russia’s Minister of Industry and Trade, Mikhail Mishustin told TASS that the government was working around the clock to fulfill deliveries of key goods such as fertilizers, minerals, oil, liquified natural gas, machinery, automobiles, grain and others to their final destination. “There will be a substantial cost in the usage of overland routes and the rerouting of certain goods to other ports, mainly those in the Baltics and the Barents Sea”, Mishustin told TASS, adding that he expected global prices of goods such as “grain and fertilizers” to “significantly increase and negatively impact consumers worldwide.”

On the streets, small sporadic protests broke out over the decision, with workers at the Port of Sevastopol and the Port of Novorossiysk staging protests as well. The government has thus far pledged to protect the jobs of dock workers and to initiate a program to protect their wages. Nearly all of them rely on the vast activity of Black Sea ports for job security and with the specter of potential closure of ports in the region as a result of the Turkish blockade, many have turned their boiling anger toward Ankara. Elsewhere farmers and workers at fertilizer plants also staged demonstrations, with a small authorized gathering expressing their outrage at Turkey and the European Union in general. TASS reporters conducted interviews with individuals on the streets of cities in the Black Sea region mainly in Simferopol, Sevastopol, Sochi, Rostov-on-Don, Kerch, Krasnodar, Novorossiysk, and Yalta asking them of their opinion on the ongoing situation. Many expressed frustration at the seemingly constantly changing attitudes toward Russia coming from the EU, and especially Turkey.

Despite the ongoing row, the Russian government has remained steadfast with the President issuing a statement announcing the situation had become priority number one in the Kremlin. “The security of Russian exports and the stability of trade is the priority of the government right now”, the statement, issued by the office of government spokesperson Dmitry Peskov read, “We’ll do all that is necessary to ensure the prosperity of all Russians.”

Other TASS articles:

• RUSSIA - Mine collapse in Russia’s Amur that lead to the deaths of 13 miners sparks inquiry into regulations and standards

• BUSINESS - Russian government awards contracts for expansion of ports in Kaliningrad, Saint Petersburg and Murmansk

• INTERNATIONAL - “World should prepare for higher prices” - Russia’s trade minister says Turkish blockade will lead to higher food prices worldwide
  

CRTB - Bolivarian Radio and Television Corporation
Corporación de Radio y Televisión Bolivariana

Andres Castellón elected youngest ever President of Gran Colombia
_{April 29, 2024}

Bogotá | Andres Castellón, the 35-year-old businessman and former mayor of Quito, has ascended to the highest office in Gran Colombia as its new President-Designate. His election marks a significant turning point in the political landscape of the nation, echoing the populist waves that swept through other countries in the region such as El Salvador.

Castellón's rise to power draws parallels to the ascension of Nayib Bukele Central America, Donald Trump in the United States, both of whom rode on platforms of anti-establishment sentiment and promises of change. Similarly, Castellón's victory signals a desire among the electorate for fresh leadership and a departure the nations traditional politics, dominated by the Liberal and Conservative parties.

As the founder and leader of the Somos party, Castellón's appeal lies in his outsider and anti-establishment status and his background as a successful entrepreneur. His tenure as mayor of Quito earned him recognition for his pragmatic approach to governance and his ability to tackle pressing issues facing the city ranging from crime and unemployment to education. These experiences have positioned him as a candidate capable of delivering tangible results for Gran Colombia.

As President-Designate Castellón prepares to assume office, he faces a myriad of challenges, from Gran Colombias stagnant Covid-19 Recovery to the dramatic increase of criminal activity across the nation. His success will hinge on his ability to translate his campaign success into policies and action that touches the lives of the average citizen, something the previous four Presidents failed to do.

Regardless of the outcome of his term of office, Castellón's election signifies a new chapter in Gran Colombia's political history. With his youth, energy, and vision for the future, Castellón embodies the hopes and aspirations of a nation in transition.

TRT World
𐰺𐱃:𐰆𐰺𐰡

Understanding the Turkish mindset in regard to foreign policy
_{April 30, 2024
by Professor Mustafa Yeşilyurt}

Since the end of the Great War, and the subsequent Turkish War of Independence the foreign policy of Türkiye has been largely influenced from the Turkish understanding of global politics born during this era. During both these conflicts, in Türkiye both are generally that the War of Independence is a continuation of the Great War, the idea that the 'Seven Realms' came together to destroy the Turkish Nation is not just a leading mindset of the statesmen of the time, but something that is actively become part of the Turkish psychgeist as a fact of life.

During the interwar years leading into the Second Great War, Ankara's would adopt an absolute policy of neutrality seen in the signing of the German–Turkish Treaty of Friendship and the Japanese–Turkish Treaty of Friendship with the two predominant Axis powers, as well as the signing of the The Treaty of Mutual Assistance with Great Britain and France would secure Türkiye's spot as neutral during the deadliest conflict in human history. This would only reinforce the mindset of the Turkish political class that neutrality would not only keep the nation safe, but avoid a scenario like that of the Great War and War of Independence where the 'Seven Realms' had gathered to eliminate the Turkish Nation would never again be realized.

This approach to foreign policy would be reinforced during the Cold War, the decision of Türkiye to remain outside of NATO and the larger western bloc would allow Ankara to retain its position as a neutral state during the Cold War Period. Despite this, as Turkish guest workers began to make a home for themselves in the American State of Texas, it would see the Ankara and Washington begin to develop close ties in many fields. Which would calumniate with the the establishment of an American base in Southern Kıbrıs, allowing for a guarantee of security to exist for Ankara against any potential Soviet aggression during the closing stages of the Cold War.

Through this period, the idea of Türkiye remaining neutrality just not in regard to the the realm of military, but in all fields would be the leading school of thought. This would also apply to the thought process in regard to the European Union, however following the end of the Cold War attitudes would begin to change in Türkiye. As the Cold War came to a close, some within the political class mainly those of the CHP, ANAP, and DYP would begin to push for Türkiye to move toward the European Union. Arguing that this would not be a violation of Turkish neutrality, as Türkiye would not be bond to any military commitments, or be forced to abandon its principle of military neutrality in return for membership in the European Union. With the dawn of the 21st century, Türkiye would formally begin the process to join the European Union under the leadership of the first female President in Tansu Çiller of the DYP, following the signing of the Treaty of Lisbon Türkiye would ascend into the European Union. Despite initial resistance from different elements of Turkish society, by the time the adoption of the Euro and the entrance into the Schengen zone would become a reality, most debating surrounding if being part of the European Union would be a violation of neutrality would be put the rest.

In wake of the conflict between Ankara and Moscow, dubbed the Great Black Sea Victory, some in Türkiye began pushing for the idea of Turkish membership within NATO. However, at the subsequent referendum this was narrowly rejected by Turkish voters last year. Today, polling continues to show that a majority of Turks do not support membership within NATO, while polls also suggest that Ankara joining the European Union nearly two decades on from 2009 was not a violation of neutrality. Today, Türkiye holds a unique place in global geopolitics, part of the western world through membership of the European Union, yet in the realm of military remains far from it. The conflict against Russia last year highlighted this for many within Türkiye, despite the failed NATO referendum, that the only ones who can and will defend Türkiye is the Turkish Nation. Reinforcing belief that Türkiye must go it alone in this key realm, harkening back to the ideals born during the Great War and the War of Independence that ultimately the if Türkiye is weak or reliant on a outside force, it will be open to fall victim to the 'Seven Realms' once more.

In recent days, as Russia has put up the status of the Turkish Straits into the debate at the UNSC, many in Türkiye have begun called for Ankara to distance itself from the United Nations. With parallels being drawn from not just the Akşener Administration to the United Nations as the 'Seven Realms' in trying to dictate the sovereignty of Türkiye, playing into the larger distrust of the Turkish populace during foreign institutions, especially in the backdrop of the rise of global Turkophobia in recent months. The leader of the opposition and head of the CHP, Özgür Özel has pledged that if the CHP comes to power in 2025 and the United Nations seeks to exercise control over Türkiye that the CHP will withdraw Ankara from the organization. Since first polls began to be recorded in regard to Turkish public opinion on the United Nations in 1983, it has never seen majority support within Türkiye, with many seeing the organization as 'fundamentally broken' since its inception.

Finally, with the enshrining of neutrality in the Constitution and the budget of the Armed Forces locked in at 5% of GDP through the changes, Türkiye in the post Great Black Sea Victory and rejection of NATO membership is set to continue to pave its own path defined in the sole interest of the Turkish Nation. Though some observers from outside of Türkiye suggest that these policies would be undone if the Akşener Administration does not win a second term in 2025, or by 2030 when they are term limited, every mainstream party in Türkiye continues to exhibit similar attitudes in these areas as part of the national consensus. With the overarching ideology defining this school of thought, as exemplified in the Eternal President Mustafa Kemal Atatürk's phrase of 'Peace at Home, Peace in the World', something that polling that suggests the Turkish public believe can only be achieved with an independent military policy for Türkiye as 'only the Turks can ensure peace at home' which is seen as the key prerequisite to achieve peace in the world.

Jerusalem Post
ג'רוזלם פוסט

BREAKING NEWS: ISRAEL UNDER ATTACK, ATLEAST 300 ISRAELIS DEAD, DOZENS HELD HOSTAGE
_{April 30, 2024}

Ashkelon | BREAKING: Israeli is under attack, since 6 A.M this morning thousands of rockets have been fired from Gaza towards cities, towns, and kibbutz across central and southern Israel, extending as far as Jerusalem. At the same time, Palestinian terrorists have infiltrated communities in the southern regions of Israel through various means including land, sea, and air.

Throughout the day, at least 300 Israelis lost their lives, with over 1,700 injured or in critical condition. An IDF spokesperson reports that the IDF is working to regain control of the region, and that they expect to have the situation in hand by this evening. Additionally the military has confirmed that as of this afternoon a "significant" number of Israeli civilians and soldiers are being held captive by Hamas terrorists.

According to reports from the cities of Be'eri and Ofakim, Israeli civilians are being held captive by terrorists in their homes.

According to a statement from National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir a state of emergency has been declared across the nation and a call up of all police volunteers across the country has been made.

According to reports from the Ministry of Defense, the IDF has responded to the wave of attacks by striking Hamas positions in the Gaza Strip and areas still overrun by Hamas terrorists in the South.

The Prime Ministers Office has stated that the Prime Minister has assembled the Security Cabinet to work on an official Israeli response to the attacks, and that the Prime Minister will be speaking in a televised address to the nation later this evening.

As of the writing of this report, there can be no mistake: Hamas has launched a war against Israel and Israel is at War.

// Clarin //
_{Tue, April 30, 2024}

Cornejo, Acre claims "great progress" in malaria eradication

On its monthly report, the government of Cobija reported on the great success in the eradication of malaria. An arduous program first implemented in 2020, Cornejo's efforts lie following a localized but devastating outbreak in the city, followed by the untimely arrival of the COVID pandemic.

At the gateway to Argentina's Chistera Region, the city has been a popular stopover for travelers seeking to cross the Acre River and into the Amazon. First settled in 1896, the city has made its fortune in the timber and transport business, but its isolation and close proximity to tropical jungles has made it a prime target for tropical diseases. A dengue outbreak in 1927 devastated the city, leaving it decrepit until World War II and increased demand for timber revitalised local industry. Then in 1952, an outbreak of yellow fever forced another exodus and massive loss of life. The city fell into a dilapidated state once more, and it was through the introduction of tourism in the early 2000s that some semblance of recovery began.

A Ministry of Health reported dated to September 2012 suggested an increased presence of mosquito vecors both within and surrounding the city. Indeed, the city fell to a malaria outbreak by October. The rapid onset of the outbreak meant the city failed to adequately prepare, while residents were provided with inadequate or non-existent information on proper hygiene and safety. These conditions created the perfect storm, which culminated in the deaths of 227 residents. The Acre provincial government subsequently declared a state of emergency for the Cornejo Partido.

Eight years after the fact, the city government embarked on the most comprehensive eradication program, which was directly assisted by the provincial administration and the city of Rio Branco. The delay on the program's implementation was influenced by lack of funding, proper equipment and adequate personnel. External factors such as the active 2019–20 rainy season influenced the delivery of equipment and personnel and at the same time creating the perfect conditions for another malaria outbreak.

The 2020 outbreak was localized to the southern neighborhoods of the city, but nevertheless prompted the complete quarantining of the city. The outbreak was followed by the arrival of COVID, hastening the eradication program.

During the program, the city distributed bed-nets to residents and conducted widespread indoor spraying. Active measures were undertaken to clear out standing bodies of water and sanitation on sewage bodies. Health facilities were also expanded, which was to accommodate malaria and COVID patients with increased capacities. The program is ongoing, and the Cornejo has established an extensive monitoring program and recruiting local community volunteers. Regional cooperation with neighboring cities has allowed for greater cooperation to share intelligence, resources and supplies for disease management.

Recently on 30 May, Cornejo Mayor Ana Lucia, reported that the eradication program. In a press conference she stated, "We can confidently say that [mosquito] vectors have been eradicated in the city center. Proper management of water facilities and clearing of drainages and sewages are progressing at an exponential rate. The [involvement of] volunteers have addressed manpower shortages and cooperation with partner cities have allowed for better resources and data.

As mentioned, other cities in the Chistera are also undergoing widespread anti-malaria programmes, with Feijó the first city to declare itself "malaria-free".