An image of the wildfires in Rhodes, taken on July 23rd, showing the flames and the plume of smoke.
Greece, in late July, faced a heatwave in which over 8 million people experienced temperatures about 41C, with some areas reaching above 45C - all in all, both the longest heatwave in Greek history, as well as some of the highest temperatures on record.
Due to these high temperatures, Greece was then struck by hundreds of wildfires this summer, affecting nearly 200,000 hectares. About half of the total burned area was in the north-east of Greece, in the Dadia national park near the city of Alexandropoulis - the single largest blaze that the EU has recorded. Other parts of the country were also struck, such as Attica, Magnesia, and islands like Corfu and particularly Rhodes; the last one prompted an evacuation of 20,000 people, the largest evacuation operation the island had ever seen. Of course, this is just one country of many that have been caught in the European wildfires this year, of which the total burned area approached 500,000 hectares - the only consolation is that this was less than last year.
Greece, Bulgaria, and Turkiye were impacted in early September by flooding caused by massive storms bringing a deluge of water - in Greece, this mainly impacted Thessaly, in the centre of Greece.
Luckily for Greece, despite being a very earthquake-prone country, they have experienced no significant quakes lately to round out the four (I hope I haven't jinxed it) - though, of course, earlier this year, a major earthquake struck nearby Turkiye, killing 60,000 people and injuring 120,000.
The Country of the Week is Greece! Feel free to chime in with books, essays, longform articles, even stories and anecdotes or rants. More detail here.
Here is the map of the Ukraine conflict, courtesy of Wikipedia.
This week's update is here!
Links and Stuff
The bulletins site is down.
Examples of Ukrainian Nazis and fascists
Examples of racism/euro-centrism during the Russia-Ukraine conflict
Add to the above list if you can.
Resources For Understanding The War
Defense Politics Asia's youtube channel and their map. Their youtube channel has substantially diminished in quality but the map is still useful.
Moon of Alabama, which tends to have interesting analysis. Avoid the comment section.
Understanding War and the Saker: reactionary sources that have occasional insights on the war.
Alexander Mercouris, who does daily videos on the conflict. While he is a reactionary and surrounds himself with likeminded people, his daily update videos are relatively brainworm-free and good if you don't want to follow Russian telegram channels to get news. He also co-hosts The Duran, which is more explicitly conservative, racist, sexist, transphobic, anti-communist, etc when guests are invited on, but is just about tolerable when it's just the two of them if you want a little more analysis.
On the ground: Patrick Lancaster, an independent and very good journalist reporting in the warzone on the separatists' side.
Unedited videos of Russian/Ukrainian press conferences and speeches.
Telegram Channels
Again, CW for anti-LGBT and racist, sexist, etc speech, as well as combat footage.
Pro-Russian
https://t.me/aleksandr_skif ~ DPR's former Defense Minister and Colonel in the DPR's forces. Russian language.
https://t.me/Slavyangrad ~ A few different pro-Russian people gather frequent content for this channel (~100 posts per day), some socialist, but all socially reactionary. If you can only tolerate using one Russian telegram channel, I would recommend this one.
https://t.me/s/levigodman ~ Does daily update posts.
https://t.me/patricklancasternewstoday ~ Patrick Lancaster's telegram channel.
https://t.me/gonzowarr ~ A big Russian commentator.
https://t.me/rybar ~ One of, if not the, biggest Russian telegram channels focussing on the war out there. Actually quite balanced, maybe even pessimistic about Russia. Produces interesting and useful maps.
https://t.me/epoddubny ~ Russian language.
https://t.me/boris_rozhin ~ Russian language.
https://t.me/mod_russia_en ~ Russian Ministry of Defense. Does daily, if rather bland updates on the number of Ukrainians killed, etc. The figures appear to be approximately accurate; if you want, reduce all numbers by 25% as a 'propaganda tax', if you don't believe them. Does not cover everything, for obvious reasons, and virtually never details Russian losses.
https://t.me/UkraineHumanRightsAbuses ~ Pro-Russian, documents abuses that Ukraine commits.
Pro-Ukraine
Almost every Western media outlet.
https://discord.gg/projectowl ~ Pro-Ukrainian OSINT Discord.
https://t.me/ice_inii ~ Alleged Ukrainian account with a rather cynical take on the entire thing.
Last week's discussion post.
Part 3
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Canadian media refuses to mention the impacts that the NATO war on Libya may have had on the recent flooding disaster,[^MR^] in addition to the impacts of capitalism.^PW^ Vijay Prashad has an article on this exact topic.^MR^ Hundreds of protesters rallied in Libya's disaster-hit Derna on Monday, accusing the authorities of neglect after a huge flash flood devastated the coastal city and swept thousands to their deaths.^AN^ Libya demonstrations turn flood aftermath into political storm,^Euractiv^ protesters torch the house of Derna's mayor amid mounting criticism of officials' response to flooding.^MEE^ Residents who survived the devastating flooding in the eastern coastal Libyan city of Derna were faced with the threat of displaced land mines in surrounding areas on Sunday.^DW^ Libya’s climate disaster shows we can’t afford erratic leaders like Trump and Haftar anymore.^SP^
Jihadists have blockaded Timbuktu in Mali for over a month, with tens of thousands of people cut off from the world and shells rain down.^AN^
Morocco sets aside nearly $12 billion for quake recovery.^MEE^
Mozambique to seek $1.5bn in damages over ‘tuna bond’ scandal.^FT^ Mozambique-U.S. seek to deepen defence, security ties.^AN^
EU voices “solidarity” with French envoy in Niger.^AN^ Bazoum wants regional court to reinstate him as President.^AN^ Niger strengthens positions on border with Benin.^AN^ After Niger coup, sanctions pain strikes at shutdown Benin border.^AN^ Niger warns of drug shortages due to sanctions.^RT^
China’s share of Nigeria’s ballooning debt remains steady at around 4%.^CGS^
Rwandan President Paul Kagame has announced for the first time that he plans to run for a fourth term in next year's elections.^AN^
Political crisis shakes Senegal’s image of stability in a volatile region.^FT^
Women engineers break barriers amid Somalia construction boom.^AN^
South Africa advises two-minute shower over water shortage.^AN^
Sudan crisis: Fighting escalates in Khartoum in 6th month.^DW^ Over 1,200 Sudanese refugees under the age of five have died in nine camps between 15 May and 14 September, with most deaths linked to suspected measles and underlying malnutrition.^AN^ Sudan coup leader says war could spill over.^DW^ The new imperial scramble for Africa.^PW^
The construction of Tanzania's first fishing harbor in Kilwa Masoko, along the Indian Ocean coast in the Lindi region, is being undertaken by the China.^TS^
China steps in to save Uganda oil pipeline as Western lenders back out over environmental concerns.^SCMP^
Zambians are concerned about reports of "death threats" against Zambia's President Hakainde Hichilema allegedly coming from within Zimbabwe's ruling ZANU-PF.^DW^ A structure dating back almost half a million years discovered in Zambia.^AN^
Water shortage pushes wildlife to migrate from Zimbabwe, including large numbers of elephants.^AN^ A UK-headquarted mining company is soon to resume spodumene (lithium ore) production at the Zulu Lithium and Tantalum Mine.^BNE^
North America:
How Canada came to be one of the world’s leading arms dealers.^CD^ GM halting production at Ontario EV assembly plant due to battery shortage, once again throwing workers' lives into chaos.^WSWS^ Alberta promises oil giant Cenovus $7 million to study small modular nuclear reactors as part of the province’s effort to decarbonize oil sands production..^DS^
Canada and India have been fighting over a Sikh activist, Hardeep Singh Nijjar, who was killed three months ago. Canada is accusing India of sending agents to assassinate him on their territory. Canada is home to the world's largest Sikh diaspora. Both countries are^EN^ expelling^DW^ diplomats.^DW^ India has suspended visa processing for Canadians.^DW^ Canada's assassination charge against India puts Biden in a pickle,^RS^ and US urges India to cooperate with Canada on Sikh murder probe.^DW^ Canadian Sikhs hail Justin Trudeau for ‘vocalising’ their cause against India.^FT^
US national debt tops $33 trillion for first time.^CGTN^ US buys record amount of Russian fertilizers from January to July.^CGTN^ U.S. homebuilder sentiment turns negative for first time in five months.^PD^ Only 34% of US voters think Biden would complete second term; 55% think that Trump would.^RT^ Biden Couldn’t Care Less About Human Rights.^CA^ RFK Jr. demands Secret Service protection after assassination scare.^RT^ Very funny. US poverty is soaring because politicians allowed income support programs to expire.^PW^ US dollar hits six-month high as markets accept new interest rate regime.^FT^
Mayor Brandon Johnson is proposing a series of reforms aimed at changing city practices after federal investigators last year determined Chicago violates the civil rights of its residents by concentrating polluting businesses in Black and Brown communities.^ICN^ U.S. "sanctuary cities," obliged by law to accommodate new migrants, are facing heavy financial burdens as the costs to care for new migrants continue to rise.^PD^ More than 100 climate protesters were arrested on Monday after blockading the entrances to the Federal Reserve Bank of New York, where they called on financial regulators to curb fossil fuel financing. ^ICN^ A Pennsylvania bill that would limit fracking near homes and schools was shelved this summer right before a scheduled committee vote; this article talks about the physical and mental impacts of fracking on nearby people.^ICN^ An article on Los Angeles tenants defending public housing from privatization.^Jacobin^ In Minnesota, Families Blame Farm Nutrient Contamination On Heavy Cancer Toll.^CoB^ The water regulator of the U.S. state of California ruled on Tuesday that the beverage corporate giant Nestle had no legal right to the water it had diverted and bottled from mountain springs for over 100 years.^PD^ Well, what's important is that we figured this out after a century, and not back then.
Mold, raw sewage, brown tap water found in US barracks,^RS^ which is to be expected when you give only a paltry ~1 trillion dollars to our brave troops. Double it! No, triple it! Bidenomics: Millions to Rebuild Maui, Billions for Ukraine.^SP^ True, but Biden and Zelensky are also turning Ukraine into a privatized wasteland, not to mention all the inevitable unexploded ordinance and land mines, so really it's just two different kinds of fucked.
Latin America:
A much-needed holistic approach to HIV and AIDS in Latin America and the Caribbean is being held back by stigma and insufficient resources.^ET^ Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez: A petty agent for US imperialism tours Latin America.^WSWS^ U.S. moves to curtail China’s economic investment in the Caribbean.^MR^
Argentina and US sign agreement on security cooperation.^MP^ Falklands Supreme Court to decide on dual nationality fundamental rights.^MP^ Indigenous women lead battle for land rights in Argentina.^OD^
Lula scraps Bolsonaro’s cuts to Brazilian climate target ambition.^CCN^ Brazil central bank lowers interest rate for second month running.^MP^ Illegal mining spreads onto 35,000 hectares.^MP^
The far right has hijacked Chile’s new constitutional process. Women and LGBTQ activists are fighting back.^RNN^
Four Colombian soldiers were killed in a shootout with members of a dissident guerilla group ahead of talks set to begin on Monday.^DW^ In Gustavo Petro's Colombia, a new plan is promoting green energy and indigeneous rights.^Jacobin^ Armed groups, coca crops and death’: how prices crashed for cocaine’s raw material.^FT^
Brazil's Lula meets Cuban leader, slams 'illegal' US embargo.^DW^ Cuban President Pays Tribute to Malcolm X in Harlem.^Resumen^
Part 4
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Guatemala's progressive president-elect will face an uphill battle.^Jacobin^
Haitians want PM to step down due to crisis with Dominican Republic.^MP^ The government reported that the Haitian National Police is coordinating a set of operations with the purpose of regaining control of the Carrefour-Feuilles area which is under the control of armed gangs.^TS^ The government reaffirmed that the construction of the controversial canal on the Masacre River, this country's natural border with the Dominican Republic, must go ahead and has decided to support the works, despite the conflict that has arisen with Santo Domingo.^TS^
Trial of Honduran ex-president reveals Washington’s protection of ‘narco-state’.^GZ^
THe Ukrainian ambassador to Mexico became very angry after a Russian military contingent took part in Mexico's independence day parade.^NC^
Biden has relaunched Reagan’s murderous war against Nicaraguan democracy.^MR^
Uruguayan governor sees nothing wrong with child labor, saying ”It is much better to see a gurí (child) working than to see him or her walking around with a cell phone,“^MP^
Brazil to resume the electrical connection with Venezuela.^TS^ Venezuela condemns EU's dismissal of an appeal filed by Venezuela against their sanctions imposed in 2017.^MR^ Venezuela and Trinidad & Tobago to cooperate in hydrocarbons.^TS^ Government to launch China-backed anti-poverty program.^MR^ Maduro Says Venezuela’s domestic trade to grow 40% by 2023.^TS^
War:
Decoupling from China:
Why the West’s attacks on China’s Belt and Road Initiative are futile.^SCMP^ A Western-led trade corridor that challenges China’s belt and road? Not so fast, analysts say.^SCMP^ EU trade chief Valdis Dombrovskis says bloc doesn’t intend to decouple from China, saying "de-risking is not decoupling".^SCMP^ It kinda fucking is if China is the sole producer, or at least produces the vast majority of, a shitload of different key products. There's no other country to get those things from and diversify your supply chains with. You can build those, but it'll take decades. China summons German envoy after foreign minister calls Xi a dictator.^SCMP^ Chinese balloon was not spying, US government admits months after manufactured crisis.^GPE^
Diplomacy:
Joe Biden to meet Pacific Island nations as leaders seek to ‘capitalise’ on US-China attention.^SCMP^ China, Russia find common ground against US hegemony as top diplomats compare notes in Moscow.^SCMP^ China, U.S. launch economic, financial working groups.^CGTN^ European Parliament supports increase in 2024 defence budgets.^Euractiv^ Ukrainian leader holds meetings with Lula and Boric.^MP^ Volodymyr Zelenskyy's whirlwind tour of Washington DC.^EN^ US flouts international law with Pacific military claims.^RS^ Henry Kissinger warns US-China decoupling would harm AI governance.^SCMP^
Technology and Military Exports:
Could China’s standard EV plants build super batteries for weapons?^SCMP^ US continues to build Space Force strength with new base in Japan.^SCMP^ US to help Philippines upgrade key defence bases amid rising South China Sea tensions.^SCMP^ Ukraine will soon receive M1 Abrams tanks for counteroffensive, says US.^EN^ Biden announces $325 million military aid package during a White House meeting with Zelenskyy.^CGTN^ Not leaving empty handed: Zelensky gets his ATACMs.^RS^ US to shift some military aid from Egypt to Taiwan.^SP^ F-35 fighter jets can only fly 55% of time, US watchdog says.^FT^ Taiwan is developing another, more destructive suicide drone. It won’t fit in a backpack.^SCMP^
Drills:
Russian fleet conducts drills to protect the northern sea route.^TS^
Poland vs Ukraine:
An absolute fucking saga has unfolded between Poland and Ukraine after the EU grain sale ban expired; the short of it is that as Poland enters election season, the government needs to ensure the support of farmers and so is not allowing Ukrainian grain transit through Poland (as it brings Polish grain prices down). Ukraine intends to sue Poland, Hungary, and Slovakia over this.^DW^ Poland has said they don't fear this.^Euractiv^ The back-and-forth arguing temporarily culminated in Poland saying they won't give weapons to Ukraine any more, before they predictably walked back those statements. Poland has additionally hinted that Germany is to blame for its dispute with Ukraine.^NC^ Slovakia is in a similar but different position; it is likely that their next government will be more pro-Russia and doesn't want to get involved in the war as much, though farmers still benefit from high profits while Ukrainian grain is kept out^Euractiv^. Bulgaria seems to accept Ukrainian grain, while Romania plans a 30 day ban.^BNE^ Commission stuck in between going after, defending unilateral Ukraine import bans.^Euractiv^
Sanctions:
Coal from the Russia-occupied Donbass is being exported to Turkiye, which the West isn't very happy about.^Euractiv^ Poland proposes ban on Russian diamonds, LPG in new sanctions package.^Euractiv^ Dutch defence ministry official arrested for evasion of Russia sanctions.^Euractiv^ Diamonds are not forever, as Belgium ready to ban Russian stones.^Euractiv^
Ukraine:
Ukrainian grain ship leaves Odesa despite Russian blockade.^FT^ Nearly 10 million Ukrainians have fled to EU.^RT^ The West must prepare for “a long war” in Ukraine, NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg declared.^RT^ NATO admiral warns of ammunition shortage.^RT^ Czechia struggles to finance arms for Ukraine.^Euractiv^ Denmark to encourage NATO ammunition production.^Euractiv^ Ukraine urgently needs air defenses, including ammunition, spare parts and maintenance for the systems the Ukrainian military already has, NATO Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg said.^Euractiv^ EU says up to 70% of hi-tech imports ‘killing Ukrainians’ are reaching Russian military via China.^SCMP^
Almost nine out of every ten Ukrainian draftees who enlisted in the army a year ago have either been killed or injured in combat, Ukrainian media reported.^MR^ All deputy defense ministers of Ukraine dismissed.^PD^ The Coming Ukraine Collapse and the “Rebuilding” Headfake.^NC^ Naked Capitalism's 2942th article on how Ukraine will soon collapse. Despite that, some good info in there.
Truth Shines Through:
NYT’s Incredibly Low Bar for Labeling Someone ‘Pro-Putin’^FAIR^ For NYT, Cluster Munitions Are Completely Wrong—When Russians Use Them.^FAIR^ Did Thomas Friedman forget about the Iraq War?^Jacobin^
NYT exposes Zelensky lie about Donbass missile strike.^RT^
When officials say the quiet part about Russia and NATO out loud.^RS^
Part 5
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Labour:
Europe:
Portuguese teachers begin a week-long strike.^TS^ VW in Germany cuts at least 2,200 jobs at its Zwickau plant and threatens other sites.^WSWS^
Anglos:
UK retail chain Wilko collapses, threatening 12,500 jobs.^WSWS^ 3,000 job losses planned at Tata Steel as company receives £500 million subsidy from UK government.^WSWS^ NHS consultants and junior doctors begin historic joint strike in England.^FT^ Doctors and nurses in England could be forced to work during strikes.^FT^ Australia’s Offshore Alliance union continued the rolling 24-hour stoppages at Chevron’s liquefied natural gas (LNG) plants in western Australia for a second day.^RT^
America and Canada:
Work Extra During a Strike? Auto Workers Say ‘Eight and Skate’^LN^ Canadian auto workers’ strike at Ford engine plants could cripple Big Three.^PW^ Auto Workers Strike Spreads to 38 Parts Depots.^LN^ UAW President Fain’s “expanded strikes” will have zero impact on automakers’ production or sales.^WSWS^ The Trots at WSWS are always such a ray of sunshine and positivity. (/s)
GOP lend their ‘support’ to an autoworker strike that doesn’t exist.^RNN^ Biden, Brazil’s Lula unveil joint deal to promote workers’ rights.^PW^ College athletes are being exploited. It’s time to unionize.^RNN^ Unifor announces sellout tentative agreement for 5,600 Ford Canada workers to block strike.^WSWS^
Everybody Else:
Contract fight begins for 150,000 metal, auto workers in Turkey.^WSWS^ Mexican Auto Parts Workers Face Blacklist After Union Campaign.^LN^ Indian and Sri Lankan auto industry workers support US autoworkers.^WSWS^ South Korean union pushes through sellout deal at Hyundai Motors.^WSWS^
Left and Right:
Hammerskins: German branch of US-based neo-Nazi group banned.^DW^ Paraguayan forensic psychologist causes uproar with swastika tattoo.^MP^
Georgia RICO Arrests Are A Declaration of War on All Socialists.^RC^ Degrowth and ecosocialist revolution.^MR^ degrowth: a remarkable renaissance.^MR^
LGBTQIA:
Content Warning - this section is not usually good news.
Americans are pretty divided when it comes to students using chosen names and pronouns in school, according to a new survey released earlier this week. Four in ten Americans believe teachers should be allowed to use a student's chosen name that aligns with their current gender identity without informing the student's parents. Younger adults aged 18-34 are more inclined to support this notion, with 49 percent backing it, compared to 36 percent of adults aged 35-64 and 40 percent of those aged 65 and above. When it comes to individuals who personally know someone who is transgender, the support increases, with 48 percent in favor compared to 34 percent of those without such connections.^Advocate^ Most Americans are not concerned with legislation around transgender issues and harbor doubts about whether lawmakers are informed enough on matters related to trans lives to create fair policies about access to gender-affirming care, according to a survey released Monday.^Advocate^ Right-wing forces have turned to using parental rights to obscure but reinitiate the fight against queer and trans lives.^CD^ Millions of LGBTQ+ Americans Overlooked in Census Data May Soon Be Able to Share Their Experiences.^SP^ The Associated Press reports that access to gender-affirming care is becoming increasingly difficult even in those states where it remains legal for those to continue on treatments.^Advocate^
Turkey’s President Tayyip Erdoğan complained that he was uncomfortable with the use of what he described as “LGBT colors” at the United Nations.^Euractiv^ Kenya's anti-gay bill proposes 50-year jail term.^AN^ Romanian LGBTQ+ community wants equal rights, not special conditions.^Euractiv^
Climate:
There will be no confirmation that rich countries have met their $100 billion a year climate finance promise until 2025 at the earliest.^CCN^ UN to start ratifying historic deal to protect high seas.^DW^ Is the UN carbon neutral? No, finds an investigation.^MB^ A Guide to Six Greenwashing Terms Big Ag Is Bringing to COP28.^DS^ The Era of Climate Migration Is Here, Leaders of Vulnerable Nations Say.^ICN^ Study finds human-driven mass extinction is eliminating entire branches of the tree of life.^MR^ Human Activities Increased Extinction Rate of Species Groups by 35 Times^SP^ At UN climate summit big polluters’ absence speaks volumes.^CCN^
Panama Canal drought: Rolling ecological crisis is raising prices everywhere.^OD^
In West Virginia, plan to clean up radioactive fracking waste ends in monster lawsuit.^DS^ Headache for carmakers as UK backtracks on green agenda.^FT^
China sets world's first geothermal industry standard to boost green transition.^CGTN^ China launches ‘Kuafu’ nuclear fusion research facility.^SCMP^ China’s coal use set to rise until 2026, pushing world’s top carbon emitter ‘off track’ from Paris Agreement^SCMP^ China's climate envoy opposes global fossil fuel phase-out, as fossil fuels should be kept as a flexible back-up, also saying that the emissions of burning fossil fuels can be reduced with carbon capture..^CCN^ I support a more nuclear approach to back-up energy generation and don't think CCS is in any position yet to even PROMISE that it can match even massively reduced emission rates, let alone historical emissions - but at least he's honest and wrong, as opposed to promising net zero in 30 years and then pulling back a couple years later, ad infinitum.
Amazon countries lose 1 million hectares of water surface in 10 years.^TS^
Miscellaneous Analysis:
Professors Point to JPMorgan Chase as Poster Boy of a Financial System Dependent on Corruption to Sustain Itself^WSoP^
Meet the Banking Cartel that Is Planting the Seeds for the Next Banking Panic and Bailout^WSoP^
The Lehman Disaster and Why It Matters Today.^SP^
A soft landing?^MichaelRoberts^
We shouldn’t call ‘peak China’ just yet.^FT^ Holy hell Financial Times, you're suggesting that China ISN'T about to collapse? Calm down a little!
Why Barack Obama can’t shut up.^MR^
Suppressing negative thoughts good for mental health, UK researchers find.^FT^
Can humanity avoid the “nightmare scenario” that could be caused by mounting space junk?^ET^
Dipshittery
A Chinese military blockade of Taiwan would likely fail and nothing easy about an invasion: Pentagon.^SCMP^
Donald Trump Asked Joint Chiefs Chair Mark Milley, 'Are You Soft on Transgenders?'^Advocate^
One Billion People Will Die Without Oil Production, Kuwait Official Claims.^DS^
Why don’t people leave bad jobs?^FT^ Okay, to be a little fair, she does in fact answer the question. Why it's in this section is that the Financial Times is such a fucking bougie hellhole that they need people to come along and tell them why people might not be able to be homo economicus.
I Love My Trans Comrades!
Hmm. Why do I doubt...
Ah, yes. There it is. Rhetoric, but absolutely nothing concrete. The "most labor-friendly U.S. president ever" strikes again. Just don't ask the targets of his fascist railroad-strike-breaking policy how well it actually pans out in practice.
This is really cool stuff.