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submitted 3 weeks ago* (last edited 3 weeks ago) by SeventyTwoTrillion@hexbear.net to c/news@hexbear.net

A reminder that as the US continues to threaten countries around the world, fedposting is to be very much avoided (even with qualifiers like "in Minecraft") and comments containing it will be removed.

Image is of thousands of Cubans gathering in 2026 to honor José Martí.


After the Soviet Union fell, in the 1990s, Cuba entered a period (known as the Special Period) of extreme economic pressure, losing almost all of its international trade and fuel imports. Caloric intake almost halved, and electricity was mostly unavailable for much of the day. In response, Cuba undertook Option Zero, in which the country prioritized distributing resources to the most vulnerable, and rationed what little was available as fairly as possible. During this time, the threat of total collapse led to experiments and innovations, and, paradoxically to those on the outside, Cuba's population came together under pressure, rather than shattering. The collective understanding that their suffering resulted from abroad rather than from internal inefficiencies and corruption meant that Cuba's government, and thus their sovereignty, survived.

As the American Empire contracts in the wake of multipolarity and can now no longer tolerate sovereignty in the Western Hemisphere, we are seeing a return to the time of the Special Period, with the illegal blockade being dramatically worsened - among other measures, the US is preventing all fuel from entering the island, a strategy made more viable with Venezuela's fuel exports now restricted. Imperialist supporters are predicting an imminent collapse, after which American mining corporations would descend on Cuba's massive nickel and cobalt reserves.

While it's absolutely possible that this time Cuba's government could collapse, it's important to note four things: 1) as noted, Cuba has been in a situation like this before and survived; 2) the geopolitical situation is quite different to how it was in the 1990s, with China and other powers increasing in power and influence compared to the USSR's incompetent final leaders leaving the lane wide open to American exploitation; 3) there has been a concerted effort to transition to renewable energy sources recently, with solar panels being imported from China and making up an increasing amount of the energy supply; and 4) Cuba's government is taking this threat very seriously, and beginning rationing efforts immediately.


Last week's thread is here.
The Imperialism Reading Group is here.

Please check out the RedAtlas!

The bulletins site is here. Currently not used.
The RSS feed is here. Also currently not used.

The Zionist Entity's Genocide of Palestine

If you have evidence of Zionist crimes and atrocities that you wish to preserve, there is a thread here in which to do so.

Sources on the fighting in Palestine against the temporary Zionist entity. In general, CW for footage of battles, explosions, dead people, and so on:

UNRWA reports on Israel's destruction and siege of Gaza and the West Bank.

English-language Palestinian Marxist-Leninist twitter account. Alt here.
English-language twitter account that collates news.
Arab-language twitter account with videos and images of fighting.
English-language (with some Arab retweets) Twitter account based in Lebanon. - Telegram is @IbnRiad.
English-language Palestinian Twitter account which reports on news from the Resistance Axis. - Telegram is @EyesOnSouth.
English-language Twitter account in the same group as the previous two. - Telegram here.

Mirrors of Telegram channels that have been erased by Zionist censorship.

Russia-Ukraine Conflict

Examples of Ukrainian Nazis and fascists
Examples of racism/euro-centrism during the Russia-Ukraine conflict

Sources:

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.
Simplicius, who publishes on Substack. Like others, his political analysis should be soundly ignored, but his knowledge of weaponry and military strategy is generally quite good.
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.

Pro-Russian Telegram Channels:

Again, CW for anti-LGBT and racist, sexist, etc speech, as well as combat footage.

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 Telegram Channels:

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.


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[-] HarryLime@hexbear.net 114 points 3 weeks ago
[-] built_on_hope@hexbear.net 60 points 3 weeks ago

It’s funny to me because America is so hellbent on keeping the world reliant on oil with force, but every single thing they do just drives countries towards renewables and therefore Chinese solar panels (not sure if that’s what Cuba is using this is more a general speculation). Everyone will see Cuba as an example of how vulnerable you are to energy blockades if you don’t switch.

[-] Muinteoir_Saoirse@hexbear.net 61 points 3 weeks ago* (last edited 3 weeks ago)

Yes the farms are Chinese. China ships in the supplies (including all the fuel needed to take the supplies to the build site) and then builds the solar farm. By 2028 Chinese solar farms are meant to supply 2/3 of Cuban energy demand (50 farms so far, 37 more to come) [2000MW predicted]

Edit: https://www.reuters.com/business/environment/china-is-quietly-supplanting-russia-cubas-main-benefactor-2025-06-30/

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[-] Crucible@hexbear.net 100 points 3 weeks ago

Blackwater founder Erik Prince reportedly taken captive by M23 in Eastern DRC

Sources say that when a coalition of forces fighting alongside the DRC government re-entered Uvira last month—after M23 had withdrawn from the city—foreign mercenaries under Prince’s leadership were among those accompanying the coalition. These mercenaries have reportedly been seen for some time in ongoing fighting in the surrounding highland areas.

The same sources allege that Prince was arrested at a hotel in the Muchepe area, together with soldiers assigned to his security, before being taken to an undisclosed location.

As of now, the AFC/M23 coalition has neither confirmed nor denied the reported detention of Erik Prince.

When questioned by journalists on Friday about the claims, AFC/M23 deputy spokesperson Dr. Oscar Balinda said that the matter falls under the responsibility of the group’s military spokesperson, Lt. Col. Willy Ngoma.

Hoping for a crab-party party for this guy soon

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[-] Lovely_sombrero@hexbear.net 90 points 3 weeks ago

This week, Mexico's congress approved a gradual 8-hour reduction of the work week.

Argentina legalized 12-hour workdays.

Props for the picture choice!

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[-] Huldra@hexbear.net 88 points 3 weeks ago

The endless rehabilitation of the Unabomber is going to kill me from frustration.

Guy quit Harvard the year MLK was shot and still wrote that contemporary racism was made up by leftists so they could feel like victims. Oh he bombed a guy who fed worms to other worms to test if memory was transferable like that(in worms)?

Yeah sounds like an evil villain plot if you are dumb I guess.

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[-] MarmiteLover123@hexbear.net 84 points 2 weeks ago* (last edited 2 weeks ago)

US military buildup against Iran update, tactical fighters: The 12x F-35As from the Vermont Air National Guard, a unit that specialises in suppressing and destroying air defences, have made it to Jordan (6x from the UK and 6x from Spain). The last 2x EA-18G Growlers that were stuck at Morón Air Base in Spain have also made to Jordan. 12x F-15Es have rotated out, heading home from Jordan back to the USA. All of this happened over the course of a few days.

So for an update on tactical fighter numbers:

Jordan:

  • 24x F-15E
  • 12x F-35A
  • 6x EA-18G (3x with NGJ pods, 3x with TJS pods)
  • 12x A-10C.

Saudi Arabia:

  • 12x F-16CM

USS Abraham Lincoln aircraft carrier:

  • 36x F/A-18E/F
  • 12x F-35C.
  • 6x EA-18G (with mixed loadout of NGJ and TJS pods on the same aircraft).

That's 120 tactical fighters. The A-10Cs and F-16CMs have been recently pictured on combined anti drone/speedboat patrols, with APKWS rockets and 500lb laser guided JDAMs. The F-15Es have been seen equipped for defensive counter air against drones and cruise missiles, with APKWS rockets, and AIM-9X and AIM-120 air to air missiles.

If/when the USS Gerald R Ford arrives, it will bring with it 48x F/A-18E/Fs, and 6x EA-18Gs with TJS pods. That would bring the total up to 174.

Useless/unnecessary but related drama, you've been warned

I don't know how much longer I can provide these updates on exact fighter numbers as the guy with the most accurate numbers, a 70 year old retiree who worked as an air traffic controller for most of his adult life, and has helped with building all the infrastructure used to track planes, is leaving the online tracking scene. Because he was rude/grumpy when providing corrections (he was always correct though) the "OSINT" community is celebrating his departure (as expected from a bunch of know it all stuck ups who can't handle corrections on their "OSINT", especially from someone who actually worked a real job in the field they're interested in. I hate the online OSINT community. I'd take 1 grumpy old guy who know what he's taking about over 100 online OSINTers)

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[-] Evilphd666@hexbear.net 84 points 3 weeks ago
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[-] companero@hexbear.net 79 points 3 weeks ago

CNN: Maxwell can clear Trump's name in Epstein probe in exchange for clemency, attorney says

Ghislaine Maxwell, who was sentenced to prison for 20 years for conspiring with Jeffrey Epstein to abuse minors, sent a clear message to Donald Trump on Monday that if the president were to grant her clemency, she would clear his name of any wrongdoing as it pertains to Epstein.

They continue to dab on us.

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[-] Tervell@hexbear.net 79 points 2 weeks ago

https://xcancel.com/BowesChay/status/1994925404545548502

Massive unmanaged deforestation is taking place in Western Ukraine, the wood is then being transported to Europe in large convoys of "protected" trucks. Residents of the western regions of Ukraine report large scale illegal logging with the subsequent transportation of wood to Europe in whole large convoys of logging trucks. According to local residents, logging crews are under enhanced protection by unknown individuals in camouflage uniforms without identification marks. Notably, these groups are never inspected by recruiters or police.

Everything is for sale in Zelenskys Dictatorship. The land itself, the enviroment, human beings. The Liberal left and their powerful "Green" friends all remain silent on Ukraines death of a thousand cuts. Because they are all complicit in propping up the little green Goblin. Investigations by NGOs like Earthsight 2018–2020 found that 40– 78% of timber from Ukraine's state owned forests is illegally harvested (massive corruption surprise suprise) often throgh abused "sanitary felling" loopholes (falsely claiming trees are diseased to justify massive cuts). Western Ukraine's Carpathian forests home to irreplaceable ancient ecosystems are being destroyed. And its going to Europe. exports to the EU surged 75% in 10 years to over €1 billion annually. Prewar corruption involved bribes for permits, forged documents, and misclassification of logs to bypass export bans. Now, its much much worse.

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[-] red_giant@hexbear.net 79 points 2 weeks ago

Econews - All U.S. Social Security numbers may need to be changed following a massive breach that is already being investigated as a national threat

Elon and DOGE (allegedly) made a copy of the social security database to bypass oversight and restriction, uploading all data to CloudFlare.

extracts

Borges alleges that a little-known federal tech team called the Department of Government Efficiency, or DOGE, copied the government’s master Social Security database into a cloud system that lacked normal oversight.

In plain terms, that means data normally locked inside tightly-monitored government systems was duplicated onto remote servers where watchdogs had fewer tools to see who was logging in or what they were doing.

The dataset at issue is not just a list of numbers. A Washington Post ruling summary describes how DOGE team members were given access to databases containing Social Security numbers, medical and mental health records, bank and credit card information, tax details, work histories, and home addresses for millions of Americans.

A filing summarized on Representative John Larson’s website states that DOGE workers used the third party service Cloudflare in March 2025 in a way that violated Social Security’s own security policies, and that DOGE employees attempted to pass sensitive personal records to an outside advocacy group seeking to overturn election results.

The same filing says confidential information on about one thousand Americans was sent to Elon Musk’s team, and that the agency still does not know exactly what data reached Cloudflare or whether it remains on that server.

For now, there is no public evidence that this particular cache has been used in large-scale fraud, and the legal fights over DOGE and Social Security’s systems are still unfoldi

[-] Parzivus@hexbear.net 61 points 2 weeks ago

little-known federal tech team called the Department of Government Efficiency, or DOGE

Who wrote this article lol

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[-] ClathrateG@hexbear.net 78 points 3 weeks ago

Netanyahu’s son Yair sent to Miami after assaulting his father: Report https://thecradle.co/articles-id/35836 critical support

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[-] Metabola@hexbear.net 78 points 3 weeks ago

Fishing ban halts seven decades of biodiversity decline in the Yangtze River - Science

The Yangtze River was once wild and biodiverse. But rapid economic development since the middle of the 20th century has led to overfishing, and the abundance and diversity of aquatic life has plummeted. In response, the Chinese government implemented in 2021 a 10-year ban on all commercial fishing in the river basin. Xiong et al. examined fish abundance and diversity before and after the ban and found promising signs of initial recovery in biomass, diversity, body condition, and even threatened species. They conclude that cessation of fishing was responsible but emphasize that other threats remain and that such a recovery would not withstand a return to fishing.

Annual changes in fish total length (A), Fulton’s condition factor (B), occurrence of migratory fish species (C), and abundance of endangered species (D) in the Yangtze River

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[-] darkcalling@hexbear.net 78 points 3 weeks ago

US smuggled Starlinks into Iran amid riots – WSJ

Not really news to most here but here they're admitting it and saying it was about 6000 units: https://www.rt.com/news/632389-smuggled-starlink-iran-riot/

Interestingly they claim they did this AFTER the internet was cut and I was under the impression that almost immediately there were terminals operating. So is that a deception? Or did they really rush more in there to provide cover for the zionist supplied units already smuggled in which Iran was using to pinpoint spies? By handing out 6000 of them they'd give their spies and valuable assets some cover among a sea of civilians foolish enough to use these things as I doubt they had 6000 agents who needed uplinks so some of that had to be either for a later use or to provide cover.

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[-] Redcuban1959@hexbear.net 78 points 3 weeks ago

The US is still bombing fishing ships in South America btw. They killed random people in Ecuador a few days ago.

[-] darkcalling@hexbear.net 76 points 3 weeks ago

Israelis charged with using Iran war secrets to place bets

Looks like they found who those polymarket betters who predicted the Iran strikes were: https://www.rt.com/news/632400-israel-charges-bets-iran-war/

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[-] Sulvy@hexbear.net 73 points 2 weeks ago
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[-] Gorillatactics@hexbear.net 72 points 3 weeks ago

My current suspicion is that Venezuela, Cuba, Greenland and Iran are Trump putting all the cards on the table expecting the worlds to just fold in response. To use another metaphor, he's blowing his load leaving nothing in the chamber. This feels very demoralizing right now, but if one middle power joins mexico in their attempt to call americans bluff and penetrate the blockade I genuinly thing the world order might shift.

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[-] MarmiteLover123@hexbear.net 72 points 3 weeks ago* (last edited 3 weeks ago)

US military buildup against Iran update:

There have been 122 strategic airlift C-17 Globemaster III and C-5M Super Galaxy (majority C-17) flights towards the Middle East, with a further 20 flights in progress or set to take-off in the next 24 hours. Of these, 77 flights are related to the movement of air defence systems (PATRIOT/THAAD) to the Middle East, with a further 16 set to depart from US military bases that host air defence units. The previous movement of air defences for last year's attack on Iran consisted of at least 115 flights, and we are likely going to see that number suppassed in the coming weeks. According to Theintelfrog and Armchair Admiral on X/Twitter for the exact numbers, I haven't been keeping track of exact numbers and I don't really pay attention much on weekends. However a general trend I've noticed is an increase of C-5M flights from Fort Hood, and an increase of C-17 flights from Fort Bliss.

6x F-35As from the Vermont Air National Guard, a unit that specialises in the suppression of enemy air defences and participated in previous airstrikes on Iran and Venezuela, have departed from Burlington, Vermont, and are set to stopover at RAF Lakenheath in the UK. There are currently 6x F-35A from the Vermont Air National Guard in Rota, Spain. The two groups will likely both simultaneously deploy to the Middle East soon, I'd guess to Jordan. It's possible that 12x F-15Es will also rotate out of Jordan and return to the USA soon, of the 36x F-15Es currently in Jordan.

Source

2x P8-A Poseidon maritime warfare and reconnaissance aircraft have deployed to Bahrain and Oman, bringing the total number of P-8A Poseidon aircraft in the Middle East to 4.

Source

Defences at Diego Garcia have been supplemented, with an AEGIS equipped Arleigh Burke class guided-missile destroyer providing air and missile defence, 2x P8-A Poseidon maritime patrol and reconnaissance aircraft capable of anti ship and anti submarine warfare, and a presumed attack submarine. According to satellite imagery purchased from the Chinese company Mizarvision.

Source

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[-] grandepequeno@hexbear.net 68 points 2 weeks ago* (last edited 2 weeks ago)

rainbolt I held off on talking about it cos it kept getting worse but parts of Portugal got absolutely wrecked by the last 2 weeks of sucessive storms and depressions, places near the sea and rivers that were flooded just didn't let up because it kept raining, overtaxed soils couldn't dry up so they were hardly absorbing water, lotta roads closed and 1 highway got a segment destroyed. The right wing government is responding like a right wing government does, poorly, rushing to thank and beg insurance companies to quickly provide coverage (they are notoriously skittish in portugal), giving economic assistance to the people most affected by the storms (but only if they don't have debts), rushing to approve funding of long delayed projects that would've mitigated the damages etc. We had a presidential election and the far right got trounced but he still got 33% (1m700k votes) and there's not way all the resentment that will likely build up over these weather damages isn't going to drive up support for the far-right simply because all the mainstream news channels that millions of people watch are tripping over themselves to get "exclusive interviews" with the far-right leader and labeling him as "anti-system".

Decent weather comes back tomorrow as the Azores Anticiclone, that usually kept these storms away from Portugal, finally revs up. But the fact is that in recent years it has been getting weaker.

I'll say this, I usually really like living in Portugal, it's my country, and even though the left is at its lowest point ever here I can still feel good about being a part of a political project because of the communist party.....but bro if we're going to start having danish winters instead of sunny februaries then just sink this whole country into the ocean man I can't fucking handle this every year. Only silver lining is that it would probably get rid of the expats

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[-] Redcuban1959@hexbear.net 68 points 3 weeks ago

As expected, the Venezuelan gov't dismissed the Bloomberg report as "fake." The headline is indeed false, Vzla did not ship crude to Israel. In fact, right now, under US coercion, it's the Trump-anointed intermediaries that take Vzlan crude and resell it [to Israel].

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[-] Frogmanfromlake@hexbear.net 67 points 3 weeks ago

Old news from last month, but Nicaragua also released political prisoners under US pressure, few of which were Evangelical leaders and priests. They’re going to be a bigger pain now that they’re free and allowed to continue with their victim complex.

The Evangelical blocs are among the worst in Central America. Name nearly every bad policy in the last 20 years and it goes back to them.

https://www.reuters.com/world/americas/nicaragua-announces-release-dozens-prisoners-one-day-after-us-demands-2026-01-10/

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[-] thethirdgracchi@hexbear.net 67 points 3 weeks ago

The aircraft carrier U.S.S. Gerald R. Ford and its escort ships deployed to the Caribbean will be sent to the Middle East and are not expected to return to their home ports until late April or early May. The ship’s crew was informed of the decision on Thursday, according to four U.S. officials who spoke on the condition of anonymity because they were not authorized to speak publicly about the decision.

Per NYTimes https://archive.is/yuN8Q

So looks like they're not rushing the Bush out of port and are instead turning the eye of Sauron from Venezuela and Cuba. I assume Rubio is pissed about this, because the Caribbean will be without a carrier strike group with which to raid Venezuelan oil and won't be able to prevent Russian oil from reaching Cuba. The empire has to make decisions about where to spend its resources; perhaps they feel they've gotten all they can get fron Venezuela for now? Or it's overconfidence?

Regardless, to rush the Ford over there rather than the Bush shows they must be serious about Iran, and all plans pointed to a) they need more firepower to make any real dent in Iran's war machine and b) they couldn't wait for the Bush to be ready and need to strike sooner. The question being for b, why? What are the Iranians cooking up? Related to the Netanyahu meeting yesterday around "intelligence sharing"? Maybe, but what intelligence could the Israelis share that the Americans don't already have?

I'm just spitballing here, we don't really know anything, but it's an interesting turn of events unfolding. At the very least, this is probably the most telegraphed move yet that a strike is coming. One carrier group is something, but two? Whilst all the rest are home at port? Basically going all in. Would be a real uh interesting time for some Event in the South China Sea to kick off...

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[-] miz@hexbear.net 66 points 2 weeks ago* (last edited 2 weeks ago)

today in "it's news to me": The ROC maintained military brothels in Taiwan until 1990. check out Unit 831

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[-] goldroger@hexbear.net 66 points 3 weeks ago

General strike in India

Farmers, trade unionists and bank employees will go on strike today (Feb 12) to protest the new union Labour Codes, the replacement of the Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act with the much weaker VB GRAM scheme, and allowing private investment in nuclear energy.

https://www.aicctu.org/workers-resistance/workers-resistance-january-2026/onwards-12th-february-2026-all-india-general-strike

https://www.thehindu.com/news/cities/Visakhapatnam/article70584647.ece

https://www.deccanherald.com/India/bharat-bandh-on-feb-12-whats-open-and-closed-all-you-need-to-know-3894467

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[-] gingerbrat@hexbear.net 66 points 3 weeks ago

Israel used weapons in Gaza that made thousands of Palestinians evaporate

English article about Al Jazeera Arabic's investigation of the use of US-made thermobaric and thermal bombs.

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[-] Metabola@hexbear.net 65 points 3 weeks ago
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[-] ziggurter@hexbear.net 65 points 3 weeks ago

Wait. Did Trump kidnap Maduro just to try to keep Venezuela from sending oil to Cuba? galaxy-brain

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[-] Evilphd666@hexbear.net 65 points 2 weeks ago
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[-] red_giant@hexbear.net 65 points 2 weeks ago* (last edited 2 weeks ago)

China housing market shows no clear turning point as price declines continue

Extracts

Mainland China’s new and existing home prices posted a smaller month-on-month decline in January, but the annual drop widened, indicating a housing market that has yet to find a clear floor, analysts said.

Commercial residential prices across 70 major cities fell at a slower pace from December on a monthly basis, while new-home prices in the four tier-one cities dropped 2.1 per cent year on year, 0.4 percentage points steeper than the previous month, according to data released by the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS) on Friday.

Shanghai was the only tier-one city to record annual growth in new-home prices, rising 4.2 per cent. Beijing, Guangzhou and Shenzhen posted declines of 2.4 per cent, 5.3 per cent and 4.9 per cent, respectively, with the pace of falls accelerating in Guangzhou and Shenzhen.

Second-hand home prices in tier-one cities dropped 7.6 per cent year on year, widening by 0.6 percentage points from December, with all four cities registering declines, NBS data showed.

The bank said it expected further easing measures this year, including additional mortgage rate cuts, more relaxed home purchase restrictions in tier-one cities, and stronger policy support for urban village redevelopment and local government purchases of unsold housing inventory.

China’s property sector, which accounted for roughly a quarter of the economy at its peak, has been in a prolonged downturn since late 2020, with falling home prices weighing on household wealth.

Local governments have rolled out a series of supportive measures in recent months, though no major nationwide stimulus has yet been introduced.

She added that the quarterly decline was expected to narrow progressively over the course of the year, with tier-one city prices likely to stabilise and return to year-on-year growth in the fourth quarter.

This is actually pretty compatible with the objective of sharing the wealth with the still-poor provinces and decreasing inter-provincial wealth disparity. Home prices in tier-1 cities going down without a national response but targeting at a provincial level instead could be a vehicle for wealth redistribution.

Secondly, with China reporting and targeting much weaker GDP growth for the year, that GDP number would include a significant decrease in on-paper real estate values. So is the lower GDP growth really a deflating of financial assets rather than slowing industrial expansion?

Losing wealth due to lower home prices would be a painful experience for households but it’s a reduction in stored wealth rather than purchasing power. Obviously the two are related, if you feel less wealthy you tend to save more rather than spend, but you know what I mean?

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[-] Jabril@hexbear.net 64 points 3 weeks ago

Venezuela’s Acting President Calls for Breaking Oil Dependency With Communal Economy

"Acting President Rodríguez announced that oil revenues will be allocated exclusively to social welfare and public services."

ArticleDuring a community outreach activity in the Almirante Lino de Clemente commune, Miranda state, Venezuelan Acting President Delcy Rodríguez emphasized the strategic need to break with the oil rentier economic model and highlighted the importance of strengthening of the Venezuelan participatory and protagonistic socialist model in this regard.

During the activity, held on Saturday, february 7, Rodríguez highlighted that oil revenue will be reserved exclusively for social welfare and the improvement of public services, while production must originate from the territory in the communes.

“The economic development of Venezuela must be comprehensive and enhance the great potential that our country has,” the acting president stated.

She announced the First National Conference on Entrepreneurial Economy and Communal Economy, with the aim of ensuring the production and supply of food and services directly from organized communities.

Oil revenue for social investment and public services

Acting President Rodríguez announced that oil revenues will be allocated exclusively to social welfare and public services.

She explained that this has the objective of protecting the citizens’ rights from the fluctuations in the global market, as well as promoting the diversification of domestic production.

Rodríguez emphasized that the new financial framework relies on the creation of two strategic sovereign wealth funds. The first will be aimed at the direct protection of the people’s power, while the second will focus on modernizing the country’s infrastructure.

Finally, she opined that national peace depends on a strong national economy and active productive mechanisms.

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[-] MarmiteLover123@hexbear.net 63 points 3 weeks ago* (last edited 3 weeks ago)

Today is the day that Jose Martí international airport in Havana, Cuba, is expected to run out of jet A1 aviation grade fuel due to the US oil blockade on Cuba. This has already had an effect on commercial aviation to Cuba. Turkish Airlines flight THY221/TK221, hex:4BB19A flew from Istanbul, Turkey, to Havana, Cuba this morning. Already as they started their flight this morning, they were aware of En Route Alternatives (ERA) to refuel their aircraft with a minimal disruption to the planned flight path, an aerodrome (airport) located en route. The SITA Mission Watch automatically informed them that runway 9/27 at Boston Logan International Airport, an ERA, was closed, a 7000ft runway that a Boeing 787 would be very unlikely to use outside of an emergency, especially at Boston which has 10 000ft runways available. But being automatically informed about NOTAMs at ERAs shows that the pilots of THY221 were fully aware of the fuel situation in Cuba.

ACARS messages: Flight path over Boston:

In the end, THY221 flew directly from Istanbul to Havana. But on the return trip to Istanbul, they were unable to go direct from Havana to Istanbul. Now flight THY222, they had to divert to Cancun, Mexico to refuel, where they are now, as they cannot refuel at Havana, Cuba, because there is no fuel available. They will presumably fly back to Istanbul from Mexico once refueled.

ADSBx flight tracking of this aircraft

With commercial aviation having to reroute flights as expected to refuel elsewhere, the effects of the US oil blockade on Cuba are already starting to show. This will increase costs for airlines and have an effect on tourism revenues in Cuba.

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[-] Sasuke@hexbear.net 63 points 2 weeks ago

After U.S. extends AGOA, China finally agrees zero-tariff access for 53 African nations, Business Insider Africa (14 Feb)

China announced a zero-tariff policy for imports from 53 African nations, effective May 2026, aiming to enhance trade relations.

This policy expands previous coverage, removing tariffs for nearly all items from Africa, excluding Eswatini due to diplomatic ties with Taiwan.

China-Africa trade reached $222 billion in early 2025, though Africa experiences a significant trade deficit due to its reliance on raw material exports.

China asserts that this initiative supports African export growth and aligns it strategically with its global partners.

[-] Jabril@hexbear.net 63 points 3 weeks ago* (last edited 3 weeks ago)

Venezuela: National Assembly President Denounces US ‘Diplomatic Blackmail’ and Colonial Roadmap

"He reiterated that while the government is willing to “swallow hard” for the sake of national reconciliation and peace, it would not tolerate a constant threat to its dignity through the denial of its legitimate Chavista leadership."

"Analysts claim that despite the fabrications in Washington and mainstream media regarding the US controlling Venezuela as a new colony, the chances of new US attacks are very probable, as Chavismo will not tolerate dealing with the US under duress for too long. They also argue that US imperialism is waiting for the right time to attempt to decapitate the Bolivarian Revolution, while the latter is managing tactical retreats to reorganize forces, correct the defense flaws evident during the Jan. 3 US military attacks, and prepare for a long military confrontation against US imperialism."

"Under this complex reality, many Venezuelans believe their constitutional authorities are working hard to counter any US-promoted artificial civil unrest while improving military preparedness to avoid the mistakes that led to the success of the US military invasion on Jan. 3."

ArticleCaracas - Despite claims that Venezuela and its authorities have become a neo-colonial entity of the United States, National Assembly President Jorge Rodriguez expressed his rejection last Thursday of the way the newly appointed US ambassador to Venezuela, Laura Dogu, addressed Venezuelan authorities on social media following their meeting at Miraflores Palace last Monday.

During a parliamentary session that approved the first discussion of the Amnesty Law, Jorge Rodriguez vented his sharpest criticism against what he described as a lack of diplomatic rigor and deliberate disrespect from the US government regarding the status of Delcy Rodriguez as the Venezuelan interim head of state.

The controversy stems from a social media post shared by the US Embassy in Caracas after the meeting: “Today I met with Delcy Rodriguez and Jorge Rodriguez to reiterate the three phases that Secretary Rubio has outlined for Venezuela: stabilization, economic recovery and reconciliation, and transition.”

Dogu also stated that her presence in Caracas represents a “historic moment” for both countries, endorsing the approach the White House has outlined for Venezuela in a clear imperialist tone. “We want a friendly, stable, prosperous, and democratic Venezuela,” she affirmed. “To achieve this, my team and I will work hand in hand with Venezuelans from a variety of sectors and perspectives.”

The diplomat arrived in Caracas last week, echoing the rhetoric of US Secretary of State Marco Rubio following the bloody US military strikes on Jan. 3, which culminated in the kidnapping of President Nicolas Maduro and his wife, Deputy Cilia Flores. Dogu added that the US intends to implement a three-phase plan: stabilizing the country, recovering its economy, and transitioning to a “friendly” democracy. Analysts noted her tone was pointedly undiplomatic, hinting at an upcoming clash with the Chavista leadership currently in control of Venezuela under constitutional mandates.

During a heartfelt speech referencing his personal history with repressive Venezuelan governments prior to the Bolivarian Revolution—including the torture and later assassination of his father—Rodriguez mentioned an incident where an operator for the government of former president Carlos Andres Perez tried to silence the family’s pain by offering the keys to an apartment. His mother rejected the offer, and he recalled that she referred to the leader simply as “Perez” rather than “President Perez.”

Rodriguez drew a parallel between that historical disrespect and the way the US diplomat referred to Acting President Delcy Rodriguez and himself on social media. “‘Do you think my husband’s life is worth an apartment?’ she said to him. ‘And tell Perez’—perhaps using a stylistic variant similar to that of the recently appointed representative of the US. My mother didn’t call him ‘President Perez’ in the same way the US envoy didn’t call the acting president ‘president’ on social media, as if it were ignominious to use her title. She also called the president of the National Assembly by his name. I appreciate that at least she didn’t change my name, or my sister’s. We are decent and respectful people. She said to him, ‘Tell Perez that my children and I have already forgiven him,'” Rodriguez added, referencing the need for pardon as part of political reconciliation in Venezuela.

Key points of Jorge Rodriguez’s criticism:

• The title omission: Rodriguez expressed deep indignation because Dogu’s official social media communications referred to the siblings by their names only, failing to address Delcy Rodriguez by her formal constitutional title of acting president.

• “Disconnected from reality”: He characterized the omission as an “unjustified and disconnected” act that ignored the country’s institutional reality. He asserted that for the US to negotiate oil and security deals while refusing to use official titles was a form of diplomatic blackmail.

• “Marco Rubio” roadmap: Rodriguez slammed the diplomat for publicly framing the meeting around a “three-phase roadmap” dictated by Secretary of State Marco Rubio (stabilization, recovery, and transition), which he argued treats Venezuela like a colony rather than a sovereign nation.

• Defense of sovereignty: He reiterated that while the government is willing to “swallow hard” for the sake of national reconciliation and peace, it would not tolerate a constant threat to its dignity through the denial of its legitimate Chavista leadership.

Trump and Rubio threats Since the US military attacks on Jan. 3, 2026, which resulted in the kidnapping of President Maduro, both Donald Trump and Marco Rubio have issued several direct and veiled threats directed at the Chavista acting authorities, particularly Delcy Rodriguez and Diosdado Cabello.

Below is an enumeration of the most relevant threats by these US regime officials against the Chavista leadership. Analysts claim this level of aggression is incompatible with the US narrative regarding its alleged control of Venezuela:

• On Jan. 3, the US ruler claimed he was in control of Venezuela: “The US will govern Venezuela until such time as we can do a safe, proper and judicious transition.” The statement was made during a press conference in the White House hours after the US military attacks. • On Jan. 4, Trump threatened the constitutional Venezuelan authorities. “If they don’t behave, we will do a second strike,” he said from Air Force One. • On Jan. 4, Trump directly threatened Acting President Rodriguez: “I just say that she will face a situation probably worse than Maduro.” These statements from Air Force One implied a direct assassination threat. • On Jan. 7, Rubio threatened Venezuelan Interior Minister Diosdado Cabello. The top US “diplomat” reported that Cabello “could be at the top of its target list” and “could be next” if he resists US demands, as cited by Reuters. • On Jan. 28, Rubio again threatened Venezuelan authorities. He claimed that the US is “prepared to use force to ensure maximum cooperation if other methods fail” during a US Senate hearing. • Also on Jan. 28, during the Senate hearing, Rubio issued new threats against Delcy and Jorge Rodriguez: “Just as Nicolas Maduro and his wife were removed, the same could happen to Delcy Rodriguez and possibly her brother, Jorge Rodriguez.”

Crash of trains Analysts claim that despite the fabrications in Washington and mainstream media regarding the US controlling Venezuela as a new colony, the chances of new US attacks are very probable, as Chavismo will not tolerate dealing with the US under duress for too long. They also argue that US imperialism is waiting for the right time to attempt to decapitate the Bolivarian Revolution, while the latter is managing tactical retreats to reorganize forces, correct the defense flaws evident during the Jan. 3 US military attacks, and prepare for a long military confrontation against US imperialism.

Meanwhile, far-right parties in Venezuela attempt to reorganize and have been trying for the last week to revive the student movement. Thus far, experts say these efforts have yielded no tangible results, especially after Acting President Rodriguez neutralized one of these alleged student leaders while visiting the Central University of Venezuela on Jan. 27.

Under this complex reality, many Venezuelans believe their constitutional authorities are working hard to counter any US-promoted artificial civil unrest while improving military preparedness to avoid the mistakes that led to the success of the US military invasion on Jan. 3.

[-] Metabola@hexbear.net 63 points 3 weeks ago

UK terrorism ban on Palestine Action group unlawful, court rules after appeal - Reuters

Britain's ban on pro-Palestinian campaign group Palestine Action as a terrorist organisation was ruled unlawful by London's High Court on Friday, though the ban will temporarily remain in place and the government said it would appeal the decision.

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[-] aanes_appreciator@hexbear.net 63 points 2 weeks ago

Not to AI-post more than necessary, but I noticed a bunch of nerds are going hogwild for some new LLM called "GLM-5" and, well well well if it isn't "mr president yet another Chinese startup has hit the American AI bubble":

https://www.scmp.com/tech/article/3343239/chinas-zhipu-ai-launches-new-major-model-glm-5-challenge-its-rivals

[-] someone@hexbear.net 62 points 3 weeks ago

Trump threatens to block opening of new bridge between Ontario and Michigan . I'm sure it's a total coincidence that a close political ally/donor owns the existing competing tolled bridge.

But it gets better. In the same truth/social/whateverthefuckitscalled post, he claimed that if Canada/China trade deals happen, "The first thing China will do is terminate ALL Ice Hockey being played in Canada, and permanently eliminate The Stanley Cup".

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[-] Ram_The_Manparts@hexbear.net 62 points 2 weeks ago* (last edited 2 weeks ago)

Lots of articles being posted on reddit right now claiming that apparently the UK/Sweden/France/Germany/the Netherlands have obtained evidence that Navalny was murdered with some sort of frog toxin.

Of course the "evidence" provided is the usual "trust us bro" lol

Joint statement here:

(https://www.gov.uk/government/news/joint-statement-by-the-uk-sweden-france-germany-and-the-netherlands-on-alexei-navalnys-death)

[-] manuallybreathing@lemmy.ml 64 points 2 weeks ago

Yet another series of releses totally omitting the fact he was a rancid fascist fuck who compared Muslims to cockroaches, and claiming he was the opposition leader while omittting the largest opposition party is the CPRF

his wife's nazi tradwife glow up always gives me a chuckle to, she used to look like such a rat, and now she's always in clinton esq power suits

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[-] Tervell@hexbear.net 61 points 3 weeks ago* (last edited 3 weeks ago)

https://xcancel.com/deaidua/status/2022002290501333359

As the German Minister of Defence Boris Pistorius has just announced, Germany will deliver 5 PAC-3 missiles to Ukraine if other countries jointly gather and deliver a further 30 PAC-3 missiles for the Ukrainian MIM-104 Patriot air defence systems.

FIVE MISSILES tito-laugh

Since people seem to be complaining about the small number (5+30), here is an explanation. For many months now, the German MoD has been saying, that Bundeswehr stocks have already been depleted and drained very much, which is why they basically can't really send anything anymore to Ukraine from army stocks. Germany has already delivered hundreds of missiles, easily worth €1 billion+ when newly procured from Bundeswehr stocks to Ukraine and these PAC-3 missiles are much rarer than PAC-2 missiles. When we now hear that Germany is willing to part with another five (5!) missiles, it just proves his prior statements, that there is basically rarely anything left which Germany could part with.

Okay, Modern Warfare 3 (the original one) was apparently right, all of Europe could just get rolled up in a couple of days. You probably wouldn't even need to do the terrorist attacks with chemical weapons, what would there even be to bomb?

And at this point, does anyone actually have functional air defense, outside of Russia, China (hopefully, it hasn't really been tested), and the US? I guess maybe Israel, although it's kind of hard to judge them independently since the US tend to come in and support them when things get rough. The "bomber will always get through" guys from the interwar period were just ahead of their time, give it another 80-90 years and a decent amount of deindustrialization, replace bombers with missiles and drones, and, well...

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[-] Metabola@hexbear.net 61 points 3 weeks ago* (last edited 3 weeks ago)
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[-] THEPH0NECOMPANY@hexbear.net 61 points 3 weeks ago

Recent reporting is stating that Israel will be (fully) invading the Gaza strip again. 5 min Video is from Noah Samsen, he does good work. Dont really like dropping videos like this but Noah does really good work and his sources are in the description

[https://youtu.be/Fa-hRzOwwEE](IDF planning New 'More intense' Assault on Gaza)

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[-] Redcuban1959@hexbear.net 61 points 3 weeks ago* (last edited 3 weeks ago)

Material aid will arrive in Cuba tomorrow, says Mexican president - Prensa Latina

Article

Mexico City, Feb 11 (Prensa Latina) President Claudia Sheinbaum announced today that material aid from Mexico will arrive in Cuba tomorrow and mentioned upcoming shipments, in a context marked by the strengthening of the US blockade.

“The supplies will arrive tomorrow. The ship will return and a second shipment will be made, and that's how it will continue to be sent,” the head of the Executive Branch stated in response to a question on the subject during her usual meeting with the media at the National Palace.

Last Sunday, more than 800 tons of basic food supplies and personal hygiene items left for the Caribbean country from the port of Veracruz on the logistics support ships Papaloapan and Isla Holbox, of the Navy.

Sheinbaum also mentioned that groups within society are organizing to collect food supplies for Cuba, and stated that if they can deliver it, it will also be sent.

“There are organizations calling for this collection. We are not doing so yet because we are sending what we already had, in addition to the support that is normally given through Amexcid (Mexican Agency for International Development Cooperation),” she added.

He asked the Ministry of the Interior to facilitate a link so that these groups can communicate with the government in case there is space in what is sent by the federal administration, so that this other shipment can also be sent.

US President Donald Trump signed the executive order on January 29 declaring a supposed national emergency and establishing a process to impose tariffs on goods from countries that supply crude oil to Cuba.

This decree, another turn of the screw in the economic embargo imposed on Cuba for more than 60 years, is part of Washington's current maximum pressure policy against the island, and attempts to justify it with the interests of US national security and foreign policy.

Sheinbaum emphasized this Wednesday that Mexican flights to the Caribbean nation have not been suspended.

“They load their jet fuel here in the country. That’s important to know,” she pointed out.

The president on Monday called the United States' energy blockade against Cuba unfair and stressed that the measures affect the population.

“You can’t put the Cuban people in a situation like the one they’re in, regardless of whether you agree with the Cuban government or not. It’s not right. They don’t have fuel for the hospitals, for the schools. So, the people are suffering,” she denounced.

Various voices in Mexico, from parliamentarians to social organizations and political parties such as the ruling Morena or the Labor Party, have spoken out in support of the Caribbean nation in the face of the United States' energy blockade, which has also been described as cruel and anachronistic.

[-] randomquery@hexbear.net 60 points 2 weeks ago

In about 1 hour and a half, there will be a lecture organized by the progressive international on Venezuela's commune system, and there will be another lecture for the Bolivarian revolution next week. I am sure they will upload the lectures in their youtube channel as well. You can find the relevant information here, if you are interested.

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[-] ThomasMuentzner@hexbear.net 60 points 3 weeks ago* (last edited 3 weeks ago)

~~Because china has lifted a tiny little finger~~

The new F-35 Batches get now delivered without radars, but dumbbell weights on the front instead so they dont fall on their backs.

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[-] GladimirLenin@hexbear.net 59 points 2 weeks ago

Serial Fuckwit Drew Pavlou, appears to have been deported from the USA, i hope they didnt send him back to Australia and instead to CECOT or some shit.

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[-] Redcuban1959@hexbear.net 59 points 3 weeks ago

Russia to send crude oil and fuel to Cuba soon, Izvestia reports - Reuters

Article

MOSCOW, Feb 12 (Reuters) - Russia is preparing to send crude oil and fuel cargoes to Cuba in the near future, Izvestia newspaper said on Thursday, citing the Russian embassy in Cuba. Cuba is grappling with fuel shortages after the U.S. moved to choke off its oil supplies. The communist-run island has warned international airlines that jet fuel will no longer be available, the latest sign of fast-worsening conditions.

The country has long relied on Venezuela for much of its jet fuel, but it has not received crude or refined products from its closest ally since mid-December, when Washington moved to block Venezuelan exports.

"Supply of crude and oil products is expected from Russia to Cuba in the near future as humanitarian aid," a Russian embassy diplomat told the newspaper.

Izvestia said Russia last sent oil to Cuba in February 2025, delivering 100,000 metric tons. The Kremlin declined to comment directly on the reported plan but said it was in contact with Havana to discuss possible support.

"We are in close contact with our Cuban friends, and we are discussing options for providing them with assistance," Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov told reporters.

Asked whether Washington might escalate tariffs on Russian goods if Moscow helps Cuba, Peskov said: "We wouldn’t want any escalation, but on the other hand, we don't have much trade with the United States right now. We'd probably count on constructive dialogue and a solution to existing problems through dialogue."

Russia has said Cuba's fuel situation is critical and accused the U.S. of trying to "suffocate" the island's economy. Moscow has pledge to oppose any form of military intervention and voiced solidarity with Cuba and Venezuela.

Russia also said on Wednesday it would suspend flights to Cuba once Russian tourists leave the island.

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this post was submitted on 09 Feb 2026
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