PUTIN TRUSTS THE INITIATIVES OF THE BRICS CITIES FORUM IN RUSSIA
Russian President Vladimir Putin expressed his confidence in the results of the International Forum of Cities of the Brics plus countries in Kazan, the Kremlin’s press service reported. “The heads of local governments, mayors of large and small cities from states close to the philosophy and practical policy of the BRICS association will have to discuss a wide range of professional issues, exchange experiences and establish new contacts,” Putin said in his greeting. to the participants. (PL)
ARMENIA, ANOTHER COUNTRY THAT RECOGNIZES PALESTINE AS A STATE
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Armenia announced that its country recognizes Palestine as a state. “The catastrophic humanitarian situation in the Gaza Strip and the current military conflict are some of the main issues on the international political agenda that must be addressed,” the statement said. Armenia “categorically rejects attacks on civilian infrastructure, violence against civilians, as well as the taking of hostages and captivity of civilians during the armed conflict, and joins the demands of the international community for their release without preconditions,” urged the Foreign Ministry. (RT)
GUTERRES CONSIDERS ESSENTIAL REDUCTION OF TENSIONS ON THE BLUE LINE
UN Secretary General António Guterres considered it essential to reduce tensions on both sides of the Blue Line, rejecting a military solution to the crisis between Israel and Lebanon. “Further military escalation will only guarantee more suffering, more devastation for communities in Lebanon and Israel, and more potentially catastrophic consequences for the region,” he said in a press appearance. The head of the UN confirmed that there are concerns for the civilian population living on both sides of the border, as well as for the United Nations personnel in charge of guarding it, who remain on the front line of the exchanges of fire. (PL)
EVERYTHING BUT THE EXTREME RIGHT, FRENCH UNION WARNS
The general secretary of the French Democratic Confederation of Labor (CFDT), Marylise Léon, reiterated that union’s total rejection of the extreme right, given the possibility of it coming to power. “Everything except the extreme right,” the leader of one of the two largest unions in France, with 600,000 members, told the RMC channel, just nine days before the first round of legislative elections, in which the nationalist party National Rally (RN) aspires to achieve an absolute majority to claim the position of prime minister. (PL)
