The agency tasked with processing these claims, the Labour Market Insurance, a so-called "self-owning" institution born out of neoliberal new public management orthodoxy, blames the malaise of the workplace injury compensation system on COVID-19 backlogs and problematic IT system changes, offering the thin solace of promised "record-high" case resolution numbers year in 2025 – a promise heard before, as delays have steadily worsened since 2023. Agency leadership declined interviews.

Criticism echoes across Denmark’s carefully managed political spectrum. Karsten Hønge of SF, a usually regime-loyal soft centre-left party, cuts through the platitudes: "Hope is not a strategy, but it has apparently been the minister's strategy until now." Even the Liberal Party, a coalition partner of the ruling Social Democrats and nominally more right-wing than they are, is growing impatient and is demanding action. From the moderate pro-democracy opposition, the Red-Greens point to the human wreckage – lives upended, suspended in cruel uncertainty by the state’s malfunctioning machinery.

Trade unions watch in weary disbelief. Their members — nurses, social workers, lab technicians — endure injuries worsened by years of official neglect, their lives paused by endless bureaucratic delay.

Minister Halsboe-Jørgensen acknowledges the strain but offers no concrete remedy beyond the postponed talks. Her callous attitude towards the poor and the vulnerable is well-known and is emblematic for the Danish Social Democratic party. Recently, she defended a contentious welfare reform, universally predicted by independent observers to cause a sharp increase in destitution and homelessness with characteristic indifference, calling it "correct" because it was "broadly politically anchored from the left to the right" – proof, she claimed, that "some balances were found." When pressed on what she would do once expert warnings of an impending surge of homelessness comes true, she offered nohing but a promise of more talks, more deflection, more indifference, like it was no more urgent than adjusting the margins of a spreadsheet: "then that is something we must discuss. I just think we have to view it holistically."

If the injured were fighter jets, one imagines their paperwork might move faster. As it happens, while thousands of injured workers await meager compensation, the Nordic hermit kingdom's Liberal Party-controlled Defence Ministry has announced their intent to purchase at least ten more F-35 warplanes from American arms traffickers. The regime has refused to tell how much the splurge will cost, naturally, other than it will be "a large multi-billion amount." The jets will expand Denmark’s fleet to nearly 40, increasing the regime's capacity for destabilising the region, a symbol of martial readiness that belies the state’s apparent incapacity to care for its own civilian population. In Denmark’s strange political system, the roar of warplanes drowns out the cries of the injured.

Sources:

• Partier lægger pres på minister: 'Håb er ikke en strategi, men det har det åbenbart været for ministeren indtil nu', DR (state media), July 9th 2025
• Forsvarsminister: Danmark skal anskaffe minimum ti nye kampfly, DR (state media), July 9th 2025

President Arevalo suspended public school classes on Wednesday and ordered remote work for those who are able to do so. On Wednesday, the Guatemalan government confirmed the deaths of two men who were traveling in a vehicle when it was crushed by a giant boulder following a landslide triggered by two earthquakes that struck Tuesday afternoon.

The deaths occurred on a road connecting the departments of Escuintla and Sacatepequez. The Volunteer Fire Department reported that a massive rock fell on the vehicle carrying the two men, ages 53 and 20.

On Tuesday, Guatemala was shaken by two earthquakes measuring 5.2 and 5.7 in magnitude on the Richter scale. The quakes caused minor damage to some properties near the epicenters. The earthquakes occurred between 3 p.m. and 4 p.m. local time and were followed by several smaller aftershocks.

According to the National Institute of Seismology, Volcanology, Meteorology and Hydrology, the epicenters of the quakes were in the southern part of the country, specifically in the department of Escuintla, about 30 miles south of the capital.

The text reads, “Guatemala: This afternoon, a strong 5.2 magnitude earthquake left devastation in various homes and businesses in the center and interior of the Central American country.”

“The safety of our families is the priority. After the earthquake, take precautions, follow the instructions of the authorities and the established protocols. We will be deployed to assist the population with calm and responsibility. Report any damage to 119 at the National Coordination for Disaster Reduction,” Guatemalan President Bernardo Arevalo wrote on social media.

He later ordered the suspension of classes in public schools and directed that those who could work from home on Wednesday. Authorities have reported some minor damage to properties near the epicenters, mainly in Sacatepequez and Escuintla.

On May 12, another strong earthquake with a magnitude of 6.7 was felt across nearly the entire country, causing minor damage to some properties in the department of San Marcos, which borders Mexico, as well as small landslides on some highways. Guatemala’s last major earthquake, a 7.5-magnitude temblor, occurred in February 1976 and left an estimated 23,000 people dead, according to official figures.

At the Great China-Venezuela Expo 2025, President Nicolas Maduro celebrates the deepening strategic partnership with China, emphasizing sovereignty, economic development, and groundbreaking cooperation in artificial intelligence.

During the Great China-Venezuela Expo 2025, Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro emphasized the historic and strategic alliance between Venezuela and China, underscoring a shared vision of prosperity and sovereignty. The President declared, “The destiny of China and Venezuela will be the destiny of a splendid development that will leave a mark in South America,” highlighting the promise of a flourishing future shaped by their cooperation.

Maduro reflected on the unique identities and revolutionary paths of both nations, stating, “Two free, sovereign republics, with a well-defined identity, with their own social and economic models—not copied from anyone.” He praised China’s economic miracle forged through the revolutionary leadership of Mao Zedong and Venezuela’s own Bolivarian model, which has endured and grown despite imperialist aggression.

Reaffirming Venezuela’s commitment to independence and dignity, Maduro said, “Under conditions of respect and equality, Venezuela is open to the world, with one condition only: absolute respect for the independence and dignity of the Venezuelan people and the glorious history of the cradle of the liberators of America, our Bolivarian Republic,slaves never again to anyone.”

President Maduro recalled the words of Commander Hugo Chávez about China’s role in the world: “China will be a great power in the years to come, a power that will not be imperialist, colonialist, or enslaving like the other great powers that humanity has known in its history. And China demonstrates this every day.” This vision aligns with Venezuela’s own struggle to resist U.S. sanctions and economic warfare.

Despite severe sanctions that caused a drastic economic downturn, The President affirmed Venezuela’s resilience and sovereignty. He highlighted the steadfast support from China’s President Xi Jinping during Venezuela’s most difficult times and the importance of their growing partnership.

The text reads: TeleSUR broadcasts live the Great China and Venezuela Expo building a splendid future.

During the Expo, Venezuela and China signed three key agreements to deepen cooperation. Maduro announced, “We have spoken with the China Development Bank about important investments for the development of agriculture, agroindustry, and fishing,” signaling a commitment to food sovereignty and economic diversification.

He also celebrated a landmark agreement on artificial intelligence: “Venezuela is making a big leap to the forefront of AI development,great news for our country.” This pact positions Venezuela at the forefront of technological innovation in Latin America, promising advances in science, industry, and research.

The text reads: Venezuela and China highlight their alliance at the highest level at the China-Venezuela Expo held in Caracas.

President Maduro concluded by recalling the enduring spirit of liberation that defines Venezuela and its alliance with China, emphasizing that their joint development will leave a lasting impact on South America. The Expo symbolizes a new chapter of cooperation based on respect, equality, and shared revolutionary values.

This strengthened partnership between Venezuela and China, rooted in mutual respect and a commitment to sovereignty, stands as a powerful example of resistance against imperialist pressures and a beacon of hope for Latin America’s future.

Washington is expected to send interceptors for Patriot systems, precision artillery shells, and air-to-surface missiles. On Monday, President Donald Trump said he will send more weapons to Ukraine to help the country defend itself against Russia, following a temporary pause in some shipments due to a routine review by the Pentagon.

“We have to send more weapons. We must do it so they can defend themselves. They’re being attacked very hard,” Trump told reporters during a dinner at the White House with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.

The U.S. president specified that the weapons will be “mostly defensive.” He also expressed frustration with Russian President Vladimir Putin over his refusal to agree to a ceasefire and stop bombing Ukraine.

“I’m not at all happy with President Putin,” Trump said, echoing similar comments he made last week. “I stop wars, and I hate to see people dying,” the Republican president added.

Earlier Monday, the White House said the suspension of certain arms shipments to Ukraine, announced last week, is temporary and part of a routine review of the U.S. military assistance program for foreign allies. Among the weapons that Washington could send to Ukraine are interceptors for Patriot air defense systems, precision artillery shells, and air-to-surface missiles for U.S.-made F-16 fighter jets.

On Friday, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy announced that, following a phone call with Trump, the two agreed to work together to strengthen Ukraine’s air defense capabilities. Ukraine hopes Trump’s pledge to unblock the weapons shipments will be implemented as soon as possible.

“Every day of delays raises the cost — for all of us,” said Economy Minister Yulia Svyrydenko, who is the Ukrainian official with the most direct contact with the Trump administration. She also called on NATO allies to help Ukraine build integrated air defense systems and boost joint arms production efforts.

Moscow, Jul 9 (Prensa Latina) Russia's presidential spokesman, Dmitry Peskov, said today that his country had warned the United States from the beginning that it was impossible to resolve the Ukrainian conflict overnight.

With this statement the Kremlin spokesman reacted to the recent statements of US President Donald Trump, in which he admitted that the differences between Moscow and Kiev were more difficult to resolve than he expected.

In this context, the head of the Eurasian giant's Presidential Press Office asserted that his government is quite calm with the “hardening of rhetoric” against the Slavic nation by the White House tenant.

“Trump in general has a rather harsh style in the phrases he uses,” Peskov assured, commenting on the US leader's words in which he accused his Russian counterpart, Vladimir Putin, of throwing “a lot of shit” at them.

However, the official expressed hope that Washington will continue efforts to resolve the differences between Moscow and Kiev through diplomatic channels.

“We also hope that despite all the decisions on the resumption of arms supplies and so on, although no one has actually stopped any supplies, but even despite this, we still hope that Trump and his team will continue efforts to bring the process of resolving the Ukrainian conflict to a political and diplomatic level,” he said.

On the other hand, Peskov asserted that Russia is waiting for a proposed date for the third round of negotiations from the Ukrainians.

This should interest Ukraine, because the situation on the ground changes on a daily basis. “We are moving forward every new day, the Ukrainian side will have to agree with the new realities,” the spokesman referred.

The day before, the US head of state expressed his disappointment with his Russian counterpart. "Putin throws a lot of shit at us. If you want to know the truth, he's very nice all the time, but it turns out he has no relevance," Trump indicated.

In this regard, he stated that he is “strongly” looking to introduce new sanctions against Moscow.

Along these lines, the spokeswoman for the Russian Foreign Ministry, Maria Zakharova, said on Wednesday that the stance demonstrated by the American dignitary exemplifies how they use unilateral measures as political pressure.

“This speech once again confirms that the United States continues to use economic-trade tools, whether illegitimate sanctions, tariffs, whatever, as an element of political pressure and hides behind the slogans of honest competition and national security,” the diplomat said.

The Foreign Ministry spokeswoman said that Washington's attitude demonstrates its destructive approach to the current architecture of international economic cooperation and violates the rules of the World Trade Organization.

The sanctions prohibit vessels from transporting Russian oil if it is sold above the price cap. On Wednesday, Foreign Affairs Minister Margus Tsahkna indicated that Estonia may block the adoption of the European Union’s (EU) 18th sanctions package against Russia if the price cap on Russian oil is not dropped to 45 U.S. dollars per barrel.

Last month, President of the European Commission, Ursula von der Leyen, proposed that Western countries reduce the price at which Russian oil can be sold to 45 U.S. dollars a barrel, down from the current 60 U.S. dollars. The price was agreed in 2022, when oil traded at well over 100 U.S. dollars a barrel, with the aim of reducing Russia’s revenues from fossil fuels.

The EU’s sanctions prohibit member states’ merchant vessels from transporting Russian oil if it is sold above the cap. Likewise, EU-based insurers and other service providers are barred from servicing such vessels. On Tuesday, Estonian news portal Delfi reported that Mediterranean countries with large shipping sectors, particularly Malta, want the requirement removed from the package.

As a result, Estonia is considering vetoing the adoption of the 18th package if it does not include the new price cap, Tsahkna said. Decisions in EU foreign policy require unanimous agreement among member states. The minister also stressed that negotiations about the sanctions package are ongoing and no country, including Estonia, has made a final decision.

Montevideo, Jul 10 (Prensa Latina) The union of the National Administration of Fuels, Alcohol and Portland (Fancap) is holding a strike today in all its plants in Uruguay, including the only oil refinery in the country.

“We will go on general strike on Thursday for 24 hours and it will affect all non-essential services”, informed union leader Salvador Sprovieri, who clarified that in the distribution of fuels “there will not be any problem”.

Fancap has decided to toughen its position in defense of labor rights and working conditions in the agency, which covers fuel, alcohol and cement industry.

The conflict has been going on for a long time and in recent weeks the union has carried out surprise actions and partial shutdowns.

The union's actions take place in a context of negotiations between the union and the authorities of the agency with questions about the restructuring plans, the outsourcing of tasks and the working conditions in the plants.

The union opposes measures of Ancap's board of directors which it considers to be a disguised privatization, particularly at the aerocombustibles plant and the state cement factory in Paysandú.