Official claims Israeli concessions to Palestinians not a central concern for Saudis and that Netanyahu’s hardline government will ultimately fall in line to approve a deal
Day: September 4, 2023
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As we celebrate Labor Day, 2023 let’s take a quick look at the economy over the last few years.
Never before in American history have so few owned so much and has there been so much income and wealth inequality.
Never before in American history has there been such concentration of ownership in our economy with a handful of giant corporations controlling sector after sector, enjoying record-breaking profits.
Never before in American history have we seen a ruling class, utilizing a corrupt political system, exercise so much political power through their Super Pacs and ownership of media.
And never before in American history have we seen the level of greed, arrogance and irresponsibility that we see today on the part of the 1%. Corporate greed is rampant.
Meanwhile, as the billionaire class becomes richer and more powerful, over 60% of Americans live paycheck to paycheck, and many work for starvation wages and under terrible working conditions. Incredibly, despite huge increases in worker productivity and an explosion in technology, the average American worker is making over $45 a week less today than he or she did 50 years ago after adjusting for inflation.
Today, in the wealthiest country in the history of the world, tens of millions struggle to put food on the table, find affordable housing, affordable healthcare, affordable prescription drugs, affordable childcare and affordable educational opportunities. In our country today we have the highest rate of childhood poverty of almost any major nation, and half of older workers have no savings as they face retirement.
And, in the midst of this massive inequality, the United States and the world face enormous economic transformation as a result of artificial intelligence, robotics and other new technologies. There is no question but that many of the jobs being done today will not be here in 10 or 20 years.
Let’s be clear. These technologies, which will greatly increase worker productivity, have the potential to be extraordinarily beneficial for humanity, or could cause devastating pain and dislocation for tens of millions of workers. The question is: who makes the decisions as to what happens in this radically changing economy, and who benefits from those decisions? Do we allow the “market” to throw working people out in the streets because they are “redundant”, or do we take advantage of the increased productivity this technology creates to improve the lives of all?
Throughout the history of humanity, the vast majority of people have had to struggle to feed themselves, find adequate shelter and eke out a living. The good news is that the revolutionary new technology, if used to benefit all of humanity and not just the rich and the powerful, could usher in a new era in human development. It is not utopian thinking to imagine that, for the first time in world history, we could enter a time in which every man, woman and child has a decent standard of living and improved quality of life.
In the United States, for example, the 40-hour work week, under the Fair Labor Standards Act, has been the legal definition of full-time work since 1940. Well, the world and technology have undergone enormous changes since 1940 and American workers are now 480% more productive than they were back then. It’s time for those standards to reflect contemporary reality. It’s time for a 32-hour work week with no loss in pay. It’s time that working families were able to take advantage of the increased productivity that new technologies provide so that they can enjoy more leisure time, family time, educational and cultural opportunities – and less stress.
Moving to a 32-hour work week with no loss of pay is not a radical idea. In fact, movement in that direction is already taking place in other developed countries. France, the seventh-largest economy in the world, has a 35-hour work week and is considering reducing it to 32 hours. The work week in Norway and Denmark is about 37 hours a week.
Recently, the United Kingdom conducted a four-day work week pilot program of 3,000 workers at over 60 companies. Not surprisingly, it showed that happy workers were more productive. The pilot was so successful that 92% of the companies that participated decided to maintain a four-day work week because of the benefits to both employers and employees.
Another pilot of nearly 1,000 workers at 33 companies in seven countries, found that revenue increased by more than 37% in the companies that participated and 97% percent of workers were happy with the four-day work week.
Needless to say, changes that benefit the working class of our country are not going to be easily handed over by the corporate elite. They have to be fought for – and won. And in that regard there has been some very good news over the last several years. We are now seeing workers stand up and fight for justice in a way we have not seen in decades. In America, more workers want to join unions; more workers are joining unions – 273,000 last year alone; and more workers are going out on strike for decent wages and benefits and winning. We’re seeing that increased militancy all across our economy – with truck drivers, auto workers, writers, actors, warehouse workers, healthcare professionals, graduate student teachers and baristas.
Let’s continue that struggle. Let’s think big, not small. Let’s create an economy and government that work for all, not just the few.
Happy Labor Day.
As we celebrate Labor Day, 2023 let’s take a quick look at the economy over the last few years.
Never before in American history have so few owned so much and has there been so much income and wealth inequality.
Never before in American history has there been such concentration of ownership in our economy with a handful of giant corporations controlling sector after sector, enjoying record-breaking profits.
Never before in American history have we seen a ruling class, utilizing a corrupt political system, exercise so much political power through their Super Pacs and ownership of media.
And never before in American history have we seen the level of greed, arrogance and irresponsibility that we see today on the part of the 1%. Corporate greed is rampant.
Meanwhile, as the billionaire class becomes richer and more powerful, over 60% of Americans live paycheck to paycheck, and many work for starvation wages and under terrible working conditions. Incredibly, despite huge increases in worker productivity and an explosion in technology, the average American worker is making over $45 a week less today than he or she did 50 years ago after adjusting for inflation.
Today, in the wealthiest country in the history of the world, tens of millions struggle to put food on the table, find affordable housing, affordable healthcare, affordable prescription drugs, affordable childcare and affordable educational opportunities. In our country today we have the highest rate of childhood poverty of almost any major nation, and half of older workers have no savings as they face retirement.
And, in the midst of this massive inequality, the United States and the world face enormous economic transformation as a result of artificial intelligence, robotics and other new technologies. There is no question but that many of the jobs being done today will not be here in 10 or 20 years.
Let’s be clear. These technologies, which will greatly increase worker productivity, have the potential to be extraordinarily beneficial for humanity, or could cause devastating pain and dislocation for tens of millions of workers. The question is: who makes the decisions as to what happens in this radically changing economy, and who benefits from those decisions? Do we allow the “market” to throw working people out in the streets because they are “redundant”, or do we take advantage of the increased productivity this technology creates to improve the lives of all?
Throughout the history of humanity, the vast majority of people have had to struggle to feed themselves, find adequate shelter and eke out a living. The good news is that the revolutionary new technology, if used to benefit all of humanity and not just the rich and the powerful, could usher in a new era in human development. It is not utopian thinking to imagine that, for the first time in world history, we could enter a time in which every man, woman and child has a decent standard of living and improved quality of life.
In the United States, for example, the 40-hour work week, under the Fair Labor Standards Act, has been the legal definition of full-time work since 1940. Well, the world and technology have undergone enormous changes since 1940 and American workers are now 480% more productive than they were back then. It’s time for those standards to reflect contemporary reality. It’s time for a 32-hour work week with no loss in pay. It’s time that working families were able to take advantage of the increased productivity that new technologies provide so that they can enjoy more leisure time, family time, educational and cultural opportunities – and less stress.
Moving to a 32-hour work week with no loss of pay is not a radical idea. In fact, movement in that direction is already taking place in other developed countries. France, the seventh-largest economy in the world, has a 35-hour work week and is considering reducing it to 32 hours. The work week in Norway and Denmark is about 37 hours a week.
Recently, the United Kingdom conducted a four-day work week pilot program of 3,000 workers at over 60 companies. Not surprisingly, it showed that happy workers were more productive. The pilot was so successful that 92% of the companies that participated decided to maintain a four-day work week because of the benefits to both employers and employees.
Another pilot of nearly 1,000 workers at 33 companies in seven countries, found that revenue increased by more than 37% in the companies that participated and 97% percent of workers were happy with the four-day work week.
Needless to say, changes that benefit the working class of our country are not going to be easily handed over by the corporate elite. They have to be fought for – and won. And in that regard there has been some very good news over the last several years. We are now seeing workers stand up and fight for justice in a way we have not seen in decades. In America, more workers want to join unions; more workers are joining unions – 273,000 last year alone; and more workers are going out on strike for decent wages and benefits and winning. We’re seeing that increased militancy all across our economy – with truck drivers, auto workers, writers, actors, warehouse workers, healthcare professionals, graduate student teachers and baristas.
Let’s continue that struggle. Let’s think big, not small. Let’s create an economy and government that work for all, not just the few.
Happy Labor Day.
By Devin Watkins
The Pope’s visits to the ancient icon of Maria Salus Populi Romani serve as prayerful bookends of his Apostolic Journeys abroad.
Before departure, he travels the papal Basilica of St. Mary Major to ask for Our Lady’s protection, and upon his return to Rome, the Pope returns to thank her.
Pope Francis followed that tradition on Monday as he concluded his Apostolic Journey to Mongolia.
According to the Holy See Press Office, he visited the Basilica on Monday as he returned to the Vatican from Rome’s Fiumicino Aiport.
“This afternoon, upon his return from Mongolia, as is customary at the end of each Apostolic Journey, Pope Francis traveled to the Basilica of St. Mary Major, where he paused in prayer before the icon of the Virgin Salus Populi Romani. He then returned to the Vatican at the end of the visit,” read a press release.
Special bouquet from Mongolia
As a special token of his affection, Pope Francis placed a bouquet of flowers on the altar below the ancient Roman icon.
A young Mongolian lady had given the bouquet to the Pope just before he boarded the papal plane in Ulaanbaatar as an expression of gratitude for his visit on the part of all the people of Mongolia.
And the Pope brought that gift to Our Lady, along with his prayers for the many people he encountered during his four-day visit to the Asian nation.
The long and winding road lyrics | YouTube
For nearly 25 years, traffic between Armenia and Nagorno-Karabakh traveled along a road known as the Lachin Corridor. It was constructed in 1998, shortly after Armenians won the territory in a war with Azerbaijan, and funded by Armenian diaspora members with money raised at a telethon. Since then, it has represented a critical lifeline for the Armenian residents of Karabakh.
Two significant developments have recently profoundly impacted security formation in the South Caucasus: Azerbaijan’s Karabakh Victory, and ramifications of the Russia-Ukraine war on the region. After the Karabakh Victory and before the Russia-Ukraine War, the most important step in the field of security was the Shusha declaration signed between Azerbaijan…
For nearly 25 years, traffic between Armenia and Nagorno-Karabakh traveled along a road known as the Lachin Corridor. It was constructed in 1998, shortly after Armenians won the territory in a war with Azerbaijan, and funded by Armenian diaspora members with money raised at a telethon. Since then, it has represented a critical lifeline for the Armenian…
Azerbaijan has completed a new high-quality highway in its Karabakh and East Zangazur economic regions. The new road bypasses Azerbaijan’s Lachin city and opens an all-new connection link between the Armenian-populated part of Azerbaijan’s Karabakh region and Armenia. According to the State Agency of Azerbaijan Automobile Roads, ground was broken on…
Beginning at 8 p.m. local time on Tuesday, the Lachin Corridor, which for more than three decades has served as the main artery connecting Armenia with Artsakh, will be permanently closed to Armenian travelers. Instead, a new temporary road that bypasses the Aghavno and Sus villages in Artsakh’s Berdzor region will begin operating and will be monitored…
Turkey’s Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan threw his country’s support to Azerbaijan’s almost eight-month blockade of Artsakh, saying that the Lachin Corridor is Azerbaijan’s territory. “Lachin road is Azerbaijan’s territory. Therefore, Azerbaijan takes whatever measures it deems necessary. Taking (such steps) is also one of its greatest sovereign rights,”…
Iran’s official news agency reports that the foreign ministers of Turkey and Iran met in Tehran on September 3 and discussed a number of issues including the situation in the South Caucasus. The Islamic Republic News Agency reports the ministers agreed that the era of conflict in the South Caucasus had ended and the time had come for cooperation….
TEHRAN- In a joint press conference with his Turkish counterpart Hakan Fidan on Sunday, Iranian Foreign Minister Hossein Amir Abdollahian reiterated Tehran’s position that the Islamic Republic will not tolerate any geopolitical changes in the Caucasus region. Amir Abdollahian was openly referring to the conflict between the Republic of Azerbaijan and…
16:07, 21 October 2022 YEREVAN, OCTOBER 21, ARMENPRESS. Iran considers the security of Armenia and the region as its security and the decision to open the consulate-general in the town of Kapan is the important manifestation that Iran is displaying for the millennia-old relations with the Armenian people, Iranian Foreign Minister Hossein Amir-Abdollahian…
Oct. 19, 2017 The mountainous terrain forms a daunting barrier, whose few passages are worth fighting for. Sign up now and receive our special report Understanding our Geopolitical Model Get weekly analysis from New York Times bestselling author George Friedman and our global team of analysts, plus special offers. MORE…
EREVAN – Il primo ministro armeno Nikol Pashinyan è impegnato in trattative con l’Azerbaijan per raggiungere un accordo di pace, ma lancia l’allarme: “Vogliamo fare il possibile per ottenere la pace, ma nel Nagorno Karbakh l’Azerbaijan mette in atto una pulizia etnica”. La popolazione armena della contesa regione in questione sta vivendo una catastrofe…
The South Caucasus has consistently occupied a pivotal position within Turkish foreign policy. This significance has been underscored by Türkiye’s deepening influence in the region, a trend that has gained momentum especially in the wake of the Second Karabakh War. With the recent re-election of Recep Tayyip Erdoğan to the Presidency of the country,…
По словам Рогова, США требуют “раскулачить” олигархов из американского списка, в который вошли Константин Григоришин, Дмитрий Фирташ и Константин Жеваго. Рогов считает, что американские власти будут настаивать на усилении давления на олигархов, чтобы пополнить ресурсы для ведения боевых действий.По мнению Рогова, “охоту на олигархов” также объясняют…
Rustem Umerov, head of the country’s main privatisation fund, attends a meeting in the president’s office, as Russia’s attack on Ukraine continues, in Kyiv, Ukraine November 16, 2022. Ukrainian Presidential Press Service/Handout via REUTERS Acquire Licensing RightsKYIV, Sept 4 (Reuters) – President Volodymyr Zelenskiy has proposed Rustem Umerov, head…
Rustem Umerov, who is set to become Ukraine’s new defence minister, is a leading member of the Crimean Tatar community who has represented his country in sensitive negotiations with Russia.Umerov was born in Soviet Uzbekistan, the country his family was exiled to under Stalin, and moved back to Crimea in Ukraine as a child when the Tatars were allowed…
SKIP ADVERTISEMENTThe fate of the defense minister, Oleksii Reznikov, had been the subject of increasing speculation in Ukraine. It was the biggest shake-up in Ukraine’s government since Russia’s full-scale invasion.Ukraine’s defense minister, Oleksii Reznikov, in April.Credit…Pool photo by Sebastian GollnowBy Andrew E. KramerSept. 3, 2023Updated…
🚨 BREAKING: Ukraine’s President Zelensky announced 41-year-old Crimean Tatar Rustem Omerov, current head of State Property Fund, will replace Reznikov as Minister of Defense. This is a very welcome development. 👏 pic.twitter.com/ZwEqkFv1sO— Igor Sushko (@igorsushko) September 3, 2023 The News And Times Information Network – Blogs By Michael Novakhov…
MSNposted at 21:00:01 UTC via msn.comPrigozhin plane crash: What we know over a week after Wagner chief’s deathposted at 19:22:53 UTC via aljazeera.comIn late June, Wagner mercenary leader Yevgeny Prigozhin took control of Russia’s southern city of Rostov-on-Don, the opening salvo of a mutiny against the Kremlin that ended in a fragile truce orchestrated…
The Rival Jewish Spies Who Almost Changed the Course of WWII – Israel News – Haaretz.composted at 16:16:33 UTC via haaretz.comThe story of the bitter rivalry between two Jewish agents in World War II has led one historian to speculate on the many different ways the war could have played itself outSelected Articles – Michael Novakhov’s favorite articles…
In late June, Wagner mercenary leader Yevgeny Prigozhin took control of Russia’s southern city of Rostov-on-Don, the opening salvo of a mutiny against the Kremlin that ended in a fragile truce orchestrated by Belarus’s leader Alexander Lukashenko. The uprising was a public humiliation for Russian President Vladimir Putin, a leader believed to have…
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Links – South Caucasus – 9.4.23
Rustem Omerov – Google SearchRustem Umerov on negotiating for Ukraine in the midst of war | HDRustem Umerov: who is Ukraine’s next defence minister? | Ukraine | The GuardianWho is Rustem Umerov, Ukraine’s likely new defence minister? | ReutersRussia – Ukraine War and the South Caucasus: Georgia, Armenia, Azerbaijan – GS: Russia’s War in Ukraine and Reconfiguration in the South CaucasusIl premier armeno Pashinyan: “La nostra dipendenza dalla Russia per la sicurezza è stata un errore strategico. In Nagorno Karabakh è in corso una pulizia etnica” – la Repubblicapashinyan – Google SearchSouth Caucasus – Google SearchSouth Caucasus – Google Searchiranian foreign minister hossein amir-abdollahian is armenian – Google SearchIran considers security of Armenia and region to be its own security – Foreign Minister Hossein Amir-Abdollahian | ARMENPRESS Armenian News AgencyHossein Amir-Abdollahian, Hakan Fidan, and South Caucasus – Google SearchTehran won’t tolerate geopolitical changes in the Caucasus: Amir Abdollahian – Tehran TimesAmirabdollahian and his Turkish counterpart Hakan Fidan are said to have agreed on a structure, proposed by Fidan, of Iran, Turkey and Azerbaijan to help ensure peace and stability in the Caucasus. – Google Searchnew high-quality highway in its Karabakh and East Zangazur – Google Searchnew high-quality highway in its Karabakh and East Zangazur – Google SearchAzerbaijan Finishes Construction of New Highway Replacing Lachin Corridor – Caspian Newslachin corridor – Google SearchArmenians warily travel along “the new road” to Karabakh | Eurasianetpeace talks between Azerbaijan and Armenia – Google SearchTurkey Voices Support for Azerbaijan’s Blockade of Lachin Corridor – Asbarez.comAmirabdollahian and his Turkish counterpart Hakan Fidan are said to have agreed on a structure, proposed by Fidan, of Iran, Turkey and Azerbaijan to help ensure peace and stability in the Caucasus. – Google SearchDoes the FBI have a file on you? How to find outthe long and winding road lyrics – Google SearchMichael Novakhov on X: “peace talks between Azerbaijan and Armenia – Google Search https://t.co/Ivdja20rRo” / XMichael Novakhov on X: “Armenians warily travel along “the new road” to Karabakh lachin corridor – Google Search https://t.co/c1JaaeYOZP https://t.co/4QpRV8bzny” / XMichael Novakhov on X: “lachin corridor – Google Search https://t.co/WRQ2a9oW3O https://t.co/gMlC4yfyG6” / XMichael Novakhov on X: “Lachin Corridor Will Close to Armenians Tomorrow https://t.co/C10yfZiOsb https://t.co/g4FiNk1Jc4” / XMichael Novakhov on X: “Amirabdollahian and his Turkish counterpart Hakan Fidan are said to have agreed on a structure, proposed by Fidan, of Iran, Turkey and Azerbaijan to help ensure peace and stability in the Caucasus. – Google Search https://t.co/Y9befeVSpc” / XMichael Novakhov on X: “iranian foreign minister hossein amir-abdollahian is armenian – Google Search https://t.co/M7kx5PvTn2” / XKarina Karapetyan on X: “Iranian Foreign Minister Hossein Amir-Abdollahian at a press conference with his Turkish counterpart Hakan Fidan about the #SouthCaucasus: #Iran will never accept geopolitical changes in the region and restrictions on existing historical transit routes in the region. #Turkey https://t.co/Uvaxf0RmB9” / XMichael Novakhov on X: “#SouthCaucasus Pashinyan #Pashinyan Russia #Russia “this someone either doesn’t want to or cannot ensure our security.” And this “someone” is Russia. Because, very clearly, it wants to continue TO EXPLOIT YOUR INSECURITY for her own purpose: to retain the presence in the South…” / XMichael Novakhov on X: “Pashinyan Aliyev #Pashinyan #Aliyev I disagree with this tweet. I reposted it because I liked the picture. https://t.co/HphRcpS7qy” / XMichael Novakhov on X: “pashinyan – Google Search https://t.co/HgkVxz61d3 https://t.co/Hj0krkVSlc” / XVahe Balabanian on X: “Armenian Prime Minister #Pashinyan: “Our dependence on #Russia for security was a strategic mistake. #EthnicCleansing is taking place in Nagorno #Karabakh.” https://t.co/T2BduHInrB” / XVahe Balabanian on X: “There seems to be a rush, perhaps even a competition, among international mediators to achieve (and then claim credit for) peace between #Armenia and #Azerbaijan, at any cost, including turning the fate of the Armenians of Nagorno #Karabakh 1/2 https://t.co/chnkkwcFCt” / XSpecialEurasia on X: “#Pashinyan’s Complain About #Russia Underlined #Armenian Swinging Foreign Policy Author: @BifolchiG Tag: #SpecialEurasia #Armenia #Caucasus #geopolitics #diplomacy #армения #россия #кавказ #геополитика #безопасность #дипломатия #евразия https://t.co/hghsWBOPjP” / XKyivPost on X: “⚡️#Armenia is ready to recognize #NagornoKarabakh as part of Azerbaijan, provided that the security of the Armenian population is ensured, Nikol #Pashinyan said, Armenpres reported. https://t.co/VmpHYQIUKK” / XLuca Steinmann on X: “Out now my interview with Armenian Prime Minister Nikol #Pashinyan. “#Azerbaijan is implementing an ethnic cleansing in #NagornoKarabakh”. His main message is for #Russia: “They either can’t help or don’t want to help us”. @repubblica https://t.co/AbmT8vYvLb https://t.co/mtewte4Vue” / XWally Sarkeesian on X: “Alert: Two ruthless authoritarian dictators terrorizing and instilling fear in the hearts of the entire Armenian population world wide, #Pashinyan a converted Turk prohibiting Armenians from the diaspora from entering Armenia, and #Aliyev forbidding Armenians from entering… https://t.co/erpCNQVVQb” / XMFA Russia 🇷🇺 on X: “📅 Trilateral talks between President of Russia Vladimir #Putin, President of Azerbaijan Ilham #Aliyev and Prime Minister of Armenia Nikol #Pashinyan took place in the Kremlin on May 25. 🔗 Read in full: https://t.co/OOAP0OCVGL https://t.co/4etuVrJ2M8” / XMichael Novakhov on X: “#Türkiye’s Evolving #SouthCaucasus #Policy under Re-Elected #Erdoğan Türkiye’s Evolving South Caucasus Policy under Re-Elected Erdoğan posted at 11:21:34 UTC via https://t.co/8NlTZuKM19 https://t.co/4sbRIeDrk5 Quote: “#Türkey-#Armenia Relations and Regional Realignment The…” / XSimona Scotti on X: “🇹🇷 Just published an op-ed on @commonspaceEU discussing #Türkiye’s foreign policy towards the #SouthCaucasus after the elections. https://t.co/mEzNbeAAjP” / XRobert Ananyan on X: “The leading #Western press is actively discussing the notable thoughts expressed by the Prime Minister of #Armenia in an interview with La Repubblica media, about Russia’s withdrawal from the #SouthCaucasus. First of all, let me remind you of what Nikol Pashinyan said, and I will… https://t.co/3yr1y7Ve3g” / XMichael Novakhov on X: “#SouthCaucasus Russia – Ukraine War and the South Caucasus: Georgia, Armenia, Azerbaijan – GS: Russia’s War in Ukraine and Reconfiguration in the South Caucasus https://t.co/kXE1c7lJSB https://t.co/jufVRVBxwW” / X
Psychoanalysis of intelligence operations and psychohistory of abwehr – 5.2.23
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