I laughed out loud at his quip. It's like a punchline.

AP - Trump offers no details on Thursday night address. When asked in an interview with Hugh Hewitt what his Thursday address will be about, Trump made it sound like nothing out of the ordinary.

“It’s just going to be a speech like a lot of my speeches,” he said, without offering any more detail.

MS NOW: President Trump’s speech on Thursday is slated to address newly declassified intelligence reports that reveal plans by foreign nations to interfere in the 2020 presidential election

AHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA!!!

~9m ago

CNN - Explosions heard in southern Iran as US launches more strikes. Three explosions were heard in the southern Iranian port city of Bandar Abbas, Iran’s state-run Islamic Republic News Agency (IRNA) reported early Tuesday local time. IRNA did not give further details, but the report came as the United States launched a new round of strikes against Iran, according to US Central Command.

CBS News - Oil prices shoot up 9% as U.S.-Iran hostilities heat up. Oil futures spiked Monday following multiple rounds of strikes between the U.S. and Iran, ending a brief stint earlier this month when oil prices returned to near prewar levels. The international Brent Crude benchmark was trading at just over $83 per barrel for September deliveries as of 5 p.m. ET, and the U.S.-based West Texas Intermediate benchmark traded at $78 per barrel for August deliveries.

Both benchmarks fell to around $70 in early August, after peaking at more than $110 in late March and early April.

The Israeli spy working for Axios says: "Trump gave Saudi crown prince his backing for risky strikes on Houthis"

OK, this one wasn't so hard to figure out.

From the New York War Crimes: U.S. Secretary of State Rubio Serving as De Facto Viceroy of Venezuela

::: spoiler spoiler The New York Times has revealed U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio has become the de facto viceroy of Venezuela, effectively controlling Venezuela’s finances, the distribution of its natural resources and its government. Rubio’s informal role began after U.S. forces attacked Venezuela in January and abducted Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro and his wife Cilia Flores.

Maduro’s former vice president, Delcy Rodríguez, has since served as Venezuela’s acting president, but the Times reports Rubio has essentially been running the country from afar, even controlling Rodríguez’s public appearances and statements, as well as her governmental appointments. The Times likened Rubio’s role to that of Paul Bremer, who was installed by George W. Bush to run Iraq after the 2003 U.S. invasion. :::

Every time I think the world can't get any stupider the news proves me wrong

I swear this is a totally new and different war trust me bro.

Imagine if anything else worked that way.

SEC Agrees to Terminate Remaining Undertakings Under the Global Research Analyst Settlement

This happened about 9 months ago, but it completely slipped all radars because it’s crazy technical.

TL;DR there were rules in places to prevent “research analysts” from being influenced by a banks interests. The idea is that if you buy advice from a bank, that advice should be impartial and not influenced by the banks financial objectives.

They shouldn’t and they weren’t allowed to recommend that you buy SpaceX if and because that bank profited from selling SpaceX, for example.

Anyway, those regulations were ended last year.

Trump added that the U.S. is "going to take out Pickaxe Mountain. Tell the Iranians to be ready."

Pickaxe Mountain, located near Iran's heavily damaged Natanz uranium enrichment facility, is a heavily fortified site that hosts two deeply buried tunnel complexes that experts assess as beyond the reach of the most powerful bunker buster bombs in the U.S. arsenal.

"We're watching (Pickaxe Mountain) closely. We see no activity there. They're not doing well with their nuclear situation. Every time we hear about it, we blow it up. So they don't like talking about it. But we'll probably give Pickaxe a shot relatively soon," Trump said.

https://www.reuters.com/world/iran-war-live-sirens-bahrain-iran-escalates-after-more-us-strikes-2026-07-13/?arena_mid=nKVWDzeTbq1QQyakLKYi

If he's not bullshitting or just talking about caving in the exits, this means they are going to drop an actual nuke.

Oil refineries go brrrr. No way this is just refineries taking insane profits. Actual physical oil costs more than the futures would imply. Plus other problems we already discussed previously. IMO it is starting.

Hezbollah outlet Al Ahed on Yemen strikes against Saudi Arabia.

https://english.alahedlb.info/87212/390

Until the siege of Sana'a airport is lifted, Yemen is now enacting a counter siege against Saudi airspace. 💫💥

Official Statement from telegram channel of Yahya Saree

In the name of Allah, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful. The Almighty says: {Whoever has assaulted you, then assault him in the same way that he has assaulted you. And fear Allah and know that Allah is with those who fear Him.} Allah Almighty has spoken the truth.

Insisting on continuing its unjust siege on the Yemeni people, and at exactly 1:54 PM on this Monday, the Saudi enemy committed an open aggression via its warplanes on Sana'a International Airport, by targeting it with a number of raids with the aim of closing it to humanitarian flights carrying patients and those stranded to and from Sana'a International Airport. The armed forces engaged with the aggression aircraft to counter this treacherous and cowardly attack.

In response to this criminal Saudi aggression, the Yemeni Armed Forces carried out a military operation that targeted Abha International Airport with a number of ballistic missiles and drones. The operation achieved its objectives successfully, by the grace of Allah.

The Saudi enemy, with its reckless decision to launch an unjust attack on Sana'a International Airport, bears full responsibility and the dire consequences for this brutal aggression that serves the "israeli"-American enemy, and for the repercussions that result from it.

The Yemeni Armed Forces affirm that they are determined in their just position to repel the aggression and lift the unjust siege on our country. In this context, they warn all airlines against crossing the airspace of the Saudi Kingdom, and they must take our warnings seriously until the siege on Sana'a International Airport is lifted.

We extend our deep gratitude to the Islamic Republic of Iran for its assistance to the Republic of Yemen in lifting the unjust siege on Sana'a International Airport and for facilitating humanitarian flights to and from Sana'a Airport.

Greetings to our great people who have come out and continue to come out in massive mass marches in the capital, Sana'a, and in the governorates, districts, villages, and sub-districts. Greetings and all greetings to our loyal and proud tribes for their massive rallies and their authentic faith-based jihadist positions.

Our great people will not accept the continuation of the aggression and the siege, and their armed forces, with the help of Almighty Allah, are in full readiness to take the necessary steps and measures to deter the aggression and lift the siege.

And Allah is sufficient for us, and He is the best Disposer of affairs, the best Protector and the best Helper. May Yemen live free, dignified, and independent. And victory to Yemen and to all the free people of the nation.

Sana'a, 28 Muharram 1448 AH Corresponding to 13/07/2026 AD Issued by the Yemeni Armed Forces

Although certain problems with the supply of oil derivatives have emerged in Russia as a result of actions of the Ukrainian armed forces, the situation will gradually improve: "As far as the energy sector is concerned, the basis for the energy industry in Russia is solid and durable. Yes, they managed to create certain problems for us in terms of oil products. But I think the situation will gradually improve."

The effort to create a logistical network for Russian regions, including Crimea, which will be hard for the enemy to attack, is now under way: "This applies to Crimea, too. Right now, we are creating a system of supplies and deliveries, which the enemy will find very hard to reach."

• Putin

Not sure about the translation, but "very hard to reach" seems to imply tunnels or underwater pipelines.

There is some talk that Yemen is considering striking the Saudi Yanbu port or pipeline.

The big wet boy is doing a speech:

President Trump will be making a Speech to the Nation on Thursday evening, at 9 P.M. Eastern.

Thank you for your attention to this matter!

President Trump on Truth Social announces a blockade against Iran and 20% tolls on non-Iranian ships in Hormuz:

‘The Hormuz Strait is OPEN, and will remain OPEN, with or without Iran. We are reinstating the THE IRANIAN BLOCKADE, so named because it is only stopping Iran’s ships or customers from entering or leaving. All other countries will have fair and open use of the Strait.

The U.S.A. will be, from this point forward, known as “THE GUARDIAN OF THE HORMUZ STRAIT,” but as such, and as a matter of FAIRNESS, will be reimbursed, at the rate of 20% on all cargo shipped, for any and all costs necessary to do the job of providing safety and security to this very volatile section of the World. The process and formation will begin immediately. Thank you for your attention to this matter!’

• Middle East Spectator

The Argentine peso hits a historic low against the dollar after a 99.8% plunge - Yahoo Spanish

::: spoiler Article

The Argentine peso reached a new all-time low against the US dollar: the currency has lost an astonishing 99.8% of its value since 2009.

Next, we'll discuss what explains this decline, how it impacts Argentinians, and what's needed to reverse it.

Why did the Argentine peso register a new all-time low against the dollar?

A record low is the lowest level a currency reaches against another throughout its entire trading history. The Argentine peso hit that point against the dollar, marking one of the biggest currency collapses in modern economic history.

The monthly chart for the ARS/USD pair shows a near-vertical decline over the years. In 2010, 1 dollar was worth just over 3 pesos. Today, the official exchange rate is around 1,480 pesos per dollar, although the parallel market typically shows a wider gap.

This devaluation is not an isolated event. On the contrary, it results from recurring cycles of uncontrolled monetary expansion to finance fiscal deficits. Furthermore, capital controls and the loss of international reserves have exacerbated the currency's deterioration.

The administration of Javier Milei, which began in December 2023, implemented a strong orthodox adjustment. It cut public spending, eliminated subsidies, and carried out an initial devaluation . As a result, monthly inflation fell from hyperinflationary levels to more manageable figures.

However, the two-year chart reveals that depreciation continued, albeit at a more moderate pace. The currency remains under pressure from the gap between inflation and the exchange rate. Furthermore, the need to accumulate reserves continues to put pressure on the peso.

How does this downturn affect Argentina's economy?

The loss of value directly impacts citizens' wallets. For Argentinians, it means a constant erosion of the purchasing power of wages and savings in pesos. Furthermore, many families are seeing their incomes rapidly disappear.

This scenario is driving the informal dollarization of the economy. As a result, many prefer to hold physical dollars or cryptocurrencies like stablecoins as a hedge. Businesses, meanwhile, face enormous difficulties in planning long-term investments in such an uncertain environment.

Internationally, such a weak peso makes imports more expensive , complicating trade relations and impacting part of the external debt. Argentina, rich in soybeans, lithium, and gas, sees its ability to attract foreign investment limited by exchange rate risk.

Experts agree that a profound structural reform is needed. This includes permanent fiscal discipline, central bank independence, and trade liberalization. Only in this way, they argue, can the cycle of crises that has plagued the country for decades be broken.

Meanwhile, the peso's record low serves as a global reminder. Although the government averted an immediate collapse, the road to stability remains long. Recent history illustrates how a currency's fall impacts the daily lives of millions. :::

The Yemeni Armed Forces have targeted Abha International Airport and King Khalid Airbase in Saudi Arabia with ballistic missiles and suicide drones.

• Middle East Spectator

IRGC response to Trump

💢 STATEMENT: Iran’s Khatam al-Anbiya Central Headquarters, the joint operational command of Iran’s Armed Forces that coordinates the military and the IRGC, issued a new warning rejecting any U.S. role in the Strait of Hormuz.

The headquarters’ spokesperson said:

▪️ Iran “will under no circumstances” allow the U.S. to interfere in managing the Strait of Hormuz.

▪️ Iranian forces will respond forcefully to any U.S. military activity affecting commercial shipping outside routes designated by Iran.

▪️ Gulf states were warned that providing logistical support to U.S. forces would be considered an act of war against Iran’s sovereignty and national security.

▪️ The statement said that if the conflict expands, “the flames of war” could engulf the entire region, and blamed the U.S. and its regional partners for any further escalation.

26 y.o. man killed by ICE in Biddeford, ME

26-year-old man killed in Biddeford ICE shooting, advocates say

With Saudi bombing Yemen again, can we expect to get those pipelines to the red sea out of commission?

Reuters: Trump says the US should control the Strait of Hormuz and get paid for it

President Donald Trump said on Monday that the United States would probably take over the Strait of Hormuz and should be reimbursed for controlling ​the vital waterway.

"We're going to keep the strait, and we'll probably run it. ‌We'll become the guardian of the strait. Maybe we'll call it the guardian angel of the strait. And we should be reimbursed for that," he said in a phone interview on Fox News' "Fox & Friends" program.

(reposting @thelastaxolotl@hexbear.net's post because it came very late in the last mega)

They got Fergie Chambers https://hexbear.net/post/9014045

The Grayzone has reviewed a sealed indictment for pro-Palestine donor Fergie Chambers, who was arrested in Spain on dubious money laundering charges concocted by the Trump DOJ. His partner accuses the US government of “political persecution.”

Fergie Chambers, a communist philanthropist and heir to the Cox family fortune, has been jailed in Ibiza, Spain, on the orders of the US Department of Justice. According to a sealed indictment seen by The Grayzone, Chambers now awaits extradition to Washington on dubious federal charges of “international money laundering… with the intent to provide material support to and resources to foreign terrorist organizations.” If deported to the US, he faces up to 30 years in prison.

Something interesting about global events is that theres always Filipinos in the background. Hamas launches a counter offensive, they capture a couple of Filipinos; Yemen boards boats in the red sea, Fillipino crew, Straight of Hormuz blocked, again filippino crew. Terrorist in washington planning another war? The pizza they order might be delivered by one. Then theres all the nannies that raise the children of the rich all over the world, highly likely they Filipino migrant workers too.

rip sam neill

rip in piss lindsay graham

aspirational rip in piss mitch

Cuba is confident in its future, according to the Russian State Duma - Prensa Latina

::: spoiler Article

Moscow, July 13 (Prensa Latina) The economic reforms announced by Cuban President Miguel Díaz-Canel are not a sign of panic, but rather a sign of the Caribbean country's people's confidence in the future, said Russian deputy Dmitri Novikov today.

The first vice-chairman of the International Affairs Committee of the Russian State Duma (lower house of the Russian parliament), emphasized this Monday on the program "Soloviev Live", that Cubans are confident of achieving a better future and emerging from the crisis.

The decision to implement economic reforms is necessary due to the difficult situation, and at the same time, it has been carefully considered. It shouldn't be interpreted as a panicked reaction on the part of the Cuban leadership. In fact, Cubans are very calm and confident about their future, despite the difficult situation, Novikov noted.

The ruling party and the government know how to communicate with the population, the deputy noted.

Earlier, at the opening of an exhibition at the State Duma headquarters dedicated to the centenary of the historical leader of the Cuban Revolution, Fidel Castro, the ambassador of the Republic of Cuba to the Russian Federation, Enrique Orta, thanked the Eurasian country for its support. :::

Sam Neill died 😢

Bye Lindsay Graham!

Iran sets conditions for transit through the Strait of Hormuz - Prensa Latina

::: spoiler Article

Tehran, July 13 (Prensa Latina) The Gulf of Mexico Waterways Authority reported that requests for passage through the Strait of Hormuz will be examined in order of arrival once calm is restored in the region.

That entity, created by Iran to regulate transit through the Strait of Hormuz, stated that it is impossible to navigate through that strategic waterway due to illegal actions by the US military in the area in recent days, according to a statement.

The authority indicated that, once the situation normalizes, it will review the applications according to their priority and grant the corresponding permits to the vessels interested in crossing the strait.

He also urged maritime operators to submit their requests exclusively through the agency's official website.

The decision came after an exchange of attacks between Washington and Tehran, following which the Iranian Revolutionary Guard announced the closure of the strait to maritime traffic until further notice. The military body also reported that it attacked two ships in the waterway, accusing them of violating transit regulations established by Iran.

The United States Central Command (CENTCOM) announced more attacks against Iranian territory, in response to Tehran's actions against merchant ships in the strait.

In retaliation, Iran claimed to have attacked US military installations in Kuwait, Bahrain, Qatar, and Jordan with missiles.

Washington and Tehran signed a memorandum of understanding on June 18 after negotiations mediated by Qatar and Pakistan, as a preliminary step towards a final agreement.

However, US President Donald Trump later declared that the memorandum was "finished," which triggered the current escalation. :::

Venezuela is making progress in its recovery and solidarity is still flowing - Prensa Latina

::: spoiler Article

Caracas, July 13 (Prensa Latina) Hope is reborn in Venezuela amid intense recovery efforts in the affected areas and the announcement that the first 200 homes will be delivered this week to families affected by the earthquakes of June 24.

Meanwhile, the world's solidarity continues with the arrival of tons of humanitarian aid to care for the victims, who are receiving comprehensive care from the Government, and the support of more than two thousand international rescuers.

Delivering two hundred homes just days after the earthquakes of 7.2 and 7.5 magnitude on the Richter scale demonstrates the joint effort of the Bolivarian State and the private sector, who are working in a coordinated and accelerated manner to build new houses and buildings.

The difficulty of this sensitive issue, perhaps one of the most complex to resolve due to the magnitude of the devastation, lies in the fact that 17,907 people were left without homes, the number of affected buildings totaled 856 and 190 collapsed completely, according to the most recent official data.

The president of the National Assembly (parliament), Jorge Rodríguez, announced last Saturday that initial estimates of need reach 25,000 homes to assist the affected families, of which 120,794 received assistance from the national government as of yesterday.

Rodríguez, who also heads the General Staff for the Creation of Temporary Camps (108 as of yesterday), stated that work is being done rapidly so that many of the families protected in camps will have their permanent home or be relocated.

The deputy explained that the strategy is focused on ensuring the start of the next school year between September and October, for which they need to leave empty those spaces that are currently occupied by women, men and children.

In his statements to the national and foreign press, he revealed the identification of more than 40 plots of land, totaling 584,000 square meters, for the construction of housing, not only in La Guaira, but in other parts of the country.

As part of the recovery, Venezuelan Minister for Electric Power, Rolando Alcalá, reported that 96 percent of the country's electricity demand had been restored as of yesterday, thanks to the deployment of workers from the Ministry and the National Electric Corporation.

Alcalá explained to the local press that they managed to provide energy to priority centers such as hospitals, other health centers, temporary camps and the general population after the earthquakes, which damaged at least 10 transmission towers with a loss for the 600 megawatt system.

In the area of ​​solidarity, Venezuela continued to receive international humanitarian aid with recent arrivals from Russia, the Caribbean Community, Turkey, Panama, Puerto Rico, the United States, Barbados, the World Food Programme and the NGO Goal Global. :::

Sam Neill, known for 'Jurassic Park' and 'The Piano,' dies at 78, his family says - NPR

::: spoiler Article

WELLINGTON, New Zealand — Sam Neill, a smoothly elegant and versatile actor whose career moved from art film to blockbuster as he dodged velociraptors in "Jurassic Park" to playing Holly Hunter's husband in "The Piano," has died. He was 78.

In 2023, Neill disclosed he had been diagnosed with angioimmunoblastic T-cell lymphoma, a rare type of non-Hodgkin lymphoma. Neill died on Monday in Sydney, according to a statement posted to the actor's social media page.

His death was "sudden and unexpected," the statement said, adding that he "remained cancer free" when he died. A cause of death wasn't specified.

"Sam was surrounded by family and passed with the dignity that has characterised his whole life," his family wrote.

Actor came to world's notice with 'Dead Calm' and 'My Brilliant Career'

Neil was one of a host of actors and directors who achieved international fame after an explosion of Australian films that began in the late 1970s, a list that includes Paul Hogan, Mel Gibson, Geoffrey Rush, Russell Crowe, Jane Campion, Peter Weir and Gillian Armstrong. His range was remarkable, playing opposite Helena Bonham Carter in the Alan Ayckbourn comedy "Sweet Revenge" to chopping off Hunter's finger in "The Piano" to poking his own eyes out in the sci-fi horror "Event Horizon."

In "Omen III: The Final Conflict," he played Damien the Antichrist and he also played Cardinal Thomas Wolsey in "The Tudors."

The actor first came to the attention of international audiences in Armstrong's 1979 film "My Brilliant Career," which also introduced Judy Davis. He later appeared in Phillip Noyce's "Dead Calm," a classy thriller set at sea and co-starring the then-relatively unknown Nicole Kidman.

Neill twice co-starred with Meryl Streep, in Australian director Fred Schepisi's "Plenty" and — again for Schepisi — in "A Cry in the Dark," a film about the sensationalized aftermath of a dingo killing a baby in the Australian Outback. He earned an Emmy nomination for his performance in the title role of the 1998 miniseries "Merlin" and another as narrator of 2017's "Wild New Zealand."

'Jurassic Park' was his best-known film

Perhaps Neill achieved his highest level of fame in "Jurassic Park" playing paleontologist Alan Grant, who is summoned to an island off Costa Rica where a theme park has been built to house herds of cloned dinosaurs. He co-starred alongside Laura Dern, Jeff Goldblum and Richard Attenborough.

His character was thoughtful and reasonable, a scientist who warned the mastermind of the theme park before the chaos: "Dinosaurs and man, two species separated by 65 million years of evolution have just been suddenly thrown back into the mix together. How can we possibly have the slightest idea what to expect?"

Grant survived the harrowing events when the creatures get loose, but didn't return for "The Lost World: Jurassic Park II" in 1997. He came back for the third episode in 2001 and "Jurassic World: Dominion" in 2022.

"It's probably a little late to learn these things," he told the Daily New of New York in 2001, "but I finally feel I've worked out how to be an action hero. I'm happier with Grant this time. He's gnarly and grizzled, but he looks like he knows what he's doing."

Neill grew up in Northern Ireland, then New Zealand

Born in 1947 in Northern Ireland, Neill emigrated to New Zealand at the age of 7. He was born Nigel Neill, but told interviewers he started to go by Sam because there were too many Nigels at his school.

His family settled in Dunedin on the South Island and he was sent to boarding school in Christchurch. After college, he took the lead in "Sleeping Dogs" in 1977, the first feature made in New Zealand in more than a decade.

Neill's other film roles included playing a Soviet submarine officer who memorably dreams of a home in Montana in "The Hunt for Red October" and an investigator in director John Carpenter's "In the Mouth of Madness."

On the small screen, Neill played the malign Chester Campbell in TV's "Peaky Blinders" and Thomas Jefferson in the four-hour CBS miniseries, "Sally Hemings: an American Tragedy." On Apple TV+, he was on "Invasion," playing Oklahoma Sheriff John Bell Tyson, a man late in his career searching for his purpose. In 2024 he starred opposite Annette Bening in the Peacock series "Apples Never Fall."

Actor beloved in New Zealand as an unassuming celebrity

The actor became known in New Zealand as a modest and unassuming person who didn't embrace celebrity. On social media, he often posted images of his farm animals, many of them affectionately named after celebrities and friends, like Laura Dern the chicken, Kylie Minogue the duck and Helena Bonham Carter the cow.

New Zealand Prime Minister Christopher Luxon mourned Neill as "one of the greats" in a statement posted to social media.

"He started out when there was barely a film industry to speak of," Luxon wrote. "For more than fifty years he took New Zealand stories to the world and his talents helped make our film industry into what it is today."

Neill was also a vintner and under his Two Paddocks brand, he produced pinot noir and riesling wines from his winery in the Central Otago region of New Zealand's South Island.

His memoir "Did I Ever Tell You This?" came out in March 2023 and he was awarded a knighthood in recognition of his "outstanding contribution to film," a title approved by the late Queen Elizabeth II.

"I can't pretend that the last year hasn't had its dark moments," Neill told The Guardian in 2023, referring to his cancer diagnosis and treatment. "But those dark moments throw the light into sharp relief, you know, and have made me grateful for every day and immensely grateful for all my friends."

He is survived by his four children and eight grandchildren. :::

Argentine government buys weapons from Israel - Prensa Latina

::: spoiler Article

Buenos Aires, July 13 (Prensa Latina) The Argentine government will acquire rifles and equipment from Israel for its Armed Forces, thereby strengthening its ties with Tel Aviv, it was reported today. The Ministry of Defense signed the contract with Israel Weapon Industries (IWI) to initially acquire 700 ARAD 5 and ARAD 7 rifles, plus 167 blank-firing guns, to replace, according to reports, the use of the Rifle Automático Liviano (FAL).

The initial shipment will arrive in the coming days for an amount of almost two million dollars, and the contract can be extended up to 12 million, reported the media outlet Ámbito Financiero.

The replacement of the FAL rifle in the Argentine Armed Forces will be gradual. The Military Capabilities Plan also includes the acquisition of pistols, machine guns, grenade launchers, optical systems, and ammunition for the other branches of the military, the Navy and the Air Force.

In 2024, the process to finalize that agreement with IWI began, under the leadership of the then Minister of Defense, Luis Petri.

During that administration, negotiations were carried out designed to reverse, as explained, the logistical delay in supplies, transport and equipment that the country had been experiencing for decades.

The newspaper Ámbito Financiero reported that Milei's administration is currently holding talks with international suppliers to evaluate the purchase of advanced technology, including drones, helicopters, and submarines.

That media outlet recalls that the government resolved last May, through a presidential decree, to allocate part of the income generated by privatizations and sales of public properties to the strengthening of the military sector.

With that decision, the so-called "Argentine Military Adaptation and Re-equipment Plan" was launched, aimed at modernizing strategic infrastructure and recovering capabilities of the National Defense System, in accordance with the executive order. :::

New criticism from main ally against Bolivian government - Prensa Latina

::: spoiler Article

La Paz, July 13 (Prensa Latina) A new criticism of the Bolivian government from its main ally, the leader of Unidad, Samuel Doria Medina, reinforces today the versions about an alleged break in the parliamentary support of that force to the Executive.

The leader of the third largest political force in the Plurinational Legislative Assembly (ALP) deplored the delay in the presentation of the package of laws announced by the government of President Rodrigo Paz and asked that the projects be published in full so that the population can know them and debate their content.

Through his social media, the wealthy businessman also warned that 53 days had passed since the delivery of the regulations was postponed, which had been announced shortly before the blockades registered between May and June with the demand for the resignation of the dignitary Paz.

“We had a 53-day delay in the delivery of the 'package of laws' that had been announced shortly before the blockades. And now it turns out they're still drafting the regulations. It's really not my style of solving problems. It makes me a little angry,” Doria Medina wrote.

The authority announced that it will await the explanations that the Government will provide to the legislators regarding the content of the initiatives, although it insisted that the rules must be disseminated before their consideration to allow for an open debate.

He stressed that a process without public discussion could generate doubts among citizens.

“Let’s wait for the explanations the government will give to parliamentarians regarding the laws, but they must publish the full text of the laws and debate them with the entire population. Without public debate, mistrust and conspiracy theories will only spread,” he added.

Doria Medina urged the Executive to finalize the drafting of the projects and make them available to the public in the coming days through a digital platform.

"Hopefully they will finish drafting the laws in the next few days and publish them on a website very soon," he concluded.

Bolivians interpreted the statements made by Andrea Ballivián, a member of the Unity party, last Friday as a sign of distancing themselves from the Peace Government.

This legislator stated that this caucus decided to distance itself from the Executive due to differences with the management of the Administration.

“As the Unity bloc,” Ballivián told the press, “we have decided to distance ourselves from the Paz government. They don’t know how to listen, and their administration is very slow,” he commented, although this decision has not yet been officially announced.

In the midst of the election campaign for the 2025 general elections and before the runoff, the leader of Unidad endorsed Paz's candidacy, and promised that if he won he would support him with his bloc in the ALP, as has happened until now. :::

The Emir who changed Qatar and strengthened its ties with Cuba and the Global South - Prensa Latina

::: spoiler Article

Doha, July 12 (Prensa Latina) The death of the former emir of Qatar, Hamad bin Khalifa Al Thani, at the age of 74, brings to an end the career of one of the leaders who most influenced the political, economic and diplomatic transformation of the Persian Gulf during the last decades.

His rise to power in June 1995 marked the beginning of a period of profound reforms that changed Qatar's profile, driven by the exploitation of its vast natural gas reserves, the modernization of state institutions, and a foreign policy aimed at increasing the emirate's presence in regional and international affairs.

Under his leadership, Qatar went from being a small hydrocarbon producer to becoming one of the world's highest per capita income economies.

The country multiplied its gross domestic product, consolidated its position as one of the main exporters of liquefied natural gas, and undertook major investments in infrastructure, education, health, and technology.

During that period, institutions such as the Qatar Foundation for Education, Science and Community Development were created; and the first permanent Constitution was promulgated in 2004.

Also, the first municipal elections were held with the participation of women as voters and candidates, and the Al Jazeera network was born, later becoming one of the main media outlets in the Arab world.

Foreign policy also took center stage. Doha expanded its diplomatic relations, promoted mediation initiatives in various regional conflicts, and strengthened its presence on the international stage, a process that culminated in Qatar's selection as host of the 2022 FIFA World Cup, the first ever organized by an Arab nation.

Within that strategy of international opening, the rapprochement with Latin America, and in particular with Cuba, occupied a relevant place.

In May 2001, the historic leader of the Cuban Revolution, Fidel Castro, made an official visit to Doha, considered one of the most significant moments in relations between Havana and the Persian Gulf region.

During that stay, Fidel held talks with the then Emir Hamad bin Khalifa Al Thani about bilateral relations, economic cooperation and the international situation, at a time marked by Doha's interest in diversifying its political ties beyond its traditional partners.

The visit opened new possibilities for exchange between the two countries and strengthened a relationship based on mutual respect and political dialogue, at a time when Qatar was beginning to consolidate itself as an increasingly influential actor in regional diplomacy.

This rapprochement also helped to expand contacts between Cuba and the Gulf Cooperation Council states, while strengthening Havana's presence in the Middle East.

After leading the country for 18 years, Hamad bin Khalifa Al Thani announced in June 2013 the transfer of power to his son, Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani, in an orderly succession that is rare among the monarchies of the region.

His passing marks the end of a pivotal era for this nation. The development model implemented during his tenure and the foreign policy he championed continue to influence the emirate's current standing on the international stage, while his ties with countries like Cuba remain a cornerstone of the diplomatic legacy forged during those years. :::