Cuba willing to continue working to improve relations with U.S.

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#Cuba, #Relations with U.S., Trump, United States

A significant setback in relations between Cuba and the U.S. occurred with President Trump’s return to a hostile policy, while the Cuban government reiterates its willingess to continue respectful dialogue and cooperation in areas of mutual interest, without preconditions.

Director General for the United States at the Cuban Foreign Ministry, Josefina Vidal, offered the closing remarks at the Workshop on Cuba-U.S. Relations of the Center for International Policy Research (CIPI), held at the Higher Institute of International Relations (ISRI), on December 15. Among the characteristic elements of relations over the last year she highlighted:

Exceptional Conditions Modify Cuban Parliamentary Life.

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#Cuba, #Cuban Parliament

The Cuban Parliament today agreed to modify its schedule due to exceptional conditions created by Hurricane Irma, and postponed the constitution of the 9th Legislature for April 2018.

Presidents of South Africa, Zimbabwe to Strengthen Trade, Cooperation.

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#Emmerson Mnangagwa, #South Africa, #South Africa and Zimbabwe relations, Jacob Zuma, Zimbabwe

he presidents of South Africa, Jacob Zuma, and of Zimbabwe, Emmerson Mnangagwa, expressed today their willingness to strengthen trade and cooperation between these two neighboring countries.

The Zimbabwean leader arrived in Pretoria today on his first working visit to South Africa since he took office on November 24.

Palestine Slams US ‘Blackmail’ Says Jerusalem Not ‘for Sale’

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# United NationsWar & conflict Israel, #Palestine, Middle East-North Africa, United States

The Palestinian Liberation Organization called President Trump’s threat to countries voting against his Jerusalem decision extortion and blackmail.

The Palestinian leadership responded Wednesday to the U.S. threat to cut aid to countries defying Washington’s decision to declare Jerusalem as Israel’s capital saying such tactics of “extortion” would only isolate the United States globally.

Somali Deportees From US Exposed to “Slave Ship Conditions”.

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# rights United States Poverty, #Somali, inequality and development, Refugee & immigrant

Per testimonies, some people aboard were physically abused by ICE officials.

92 Somali nationals who were deported from the United States earlier this month are suing the Trump administration over “slave ship conditions” on the plane back home. They were denied access to food, water and bathrooms for nearly two days while on the plane.

‘Corruption’: Analysis Finds Trump to Save Up to $15M A Year from Tax Bill

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# Tax Plan, #Economy, Donald Trump, United States, US-CANADA

The president, his son-in-law and five others from his administration will save millions of dollars as a result of the controversial tax reform.

U.S. President Donald Trump will save up to US$15 million a year as a result of the Republican tax bill that is expected to be enacted into law before the year’s end, an analysis by the Center for American Progress think tank found.

Trump Triples Drone Strikes on Yemen, Kills More Civilians.

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#Human rights, Middle East-North Africa, United States, War - Conflict, Yemen

The U.S. airstrikes in Yemen increased from 34 in 2016 to 120 this year as the country endures one of the world’s worst humanitarian crisis.

Amid a major humanitarian crisis in Yemen as a result of a Saudi-led military intervention, the United States has increased its airstrikes in the Middle East’s most improvised country three folds this year compared to 2016, the Pentagon announced Wednesday.

Putin Denounces Increase in Espionage Activity against Russia.

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#Espionage, Russia, Vladimir Putin

Moscow,(P L) President Vladimir Putin denounced today the unprecedented increase in espionage activity against Russia and called for halting the purposes of these organizations to interfere in the internal affairs of this country.

Belarus to Fully Wean Itself Off of Electricity Imports in 2018

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#Economy, #Politics, Belarus

 (P L) Minsk has vowed to fully discontinue imports of electricity in 2018, even from Russia, Minister of Energy of Belarus Vladimir Potupchik said on Wednesday.

‘We have wrapped up negotiations with Russia on electricity imports. We refuse to make purchases at the prices offered by Russia, and we will replace it with our own output,’ he explained.

‘Starting from 2018, we will completely forgo electricity imports,’ he added.

Belarús,has a cooperative production with Russia and had planed to stop importing in 2020,when it had ready the first block of the nuclear plant BelAEC.

Abbas Says ‘Crazy’ Seeing US as Mediator, Turns East in Quest for Statehood

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#China, #Palestine, Israel, Middle East-North Africa, Russia, United States

As U.S. President Trump publicly favors Israel on Jerusalem, Palestinian President Abbas seeks help from China and Russia to revive peace process.

Palestinian president Mahmoud Abbas has sent delegations to China and Russia to ask them to take a greater role in the peace process with Israel, a Palestinian official said Tuesday as the Palestinian leadership is disillusioned with the United States and its role as a mediator after President Donald Trump recognized Jerusalem as Israel’s capital, ignoring international resolutions and treaties.