Global military expenditure increases for seventh year in a row: SIPRI report
Four out of the top 10 biggest military spenders are NATO members that collectively spent nearly half of total global expenditure in 2021, or a total of USD 982 billion
41 political prisoners freed in Egypt ahead of Eid
Egypt, among the world’s top jailers, has approximately 65,000 political prisoners out of a total prison population of about 120,000. As many as 26,000 of them are in pre-trial detention
Emmanuel Macron wins French presidential election but working class has no illusions about future
The consolidation of liberal sections and a vigorous campaign by anti-fascist sections against Marine Le Pen aided Macron but many sections are wary of his policies
Belgian working class protests cost of living crisis, demands rise in wages
Like many other countries in Europe, Belgium is also experiencing a worsening cost of living crisis with higher energy and food prices triggered by the ongoing war in Ukraine and profiteering by monopolists
Mexico nationalizes lithium industry
A newly passed mining reform recognizes lithium as a national heritage and grants the state the exclusive right to explore, exploit and use the valuable metal
Jose Ramos-Horta wins East Timorese presidency, promises political stability
Despite a landslide victory, José Ramos-Horta will need to deal with heightened polarization in a politically fractured country
Close to 30 dead in Afghanistan as targeted attacks on minorities continue
Panic has gripped Afghanistan after a massive explosion that targeted a Shia mosque in Afghanistan’s Mazar-e-Sharif, the capital of the northern Balkh province, on April 21
Yemen’s Sanaa airport to reopen after six years of illegal Saudi-led blockade
The first flight from the war ravaged country’s main international airport will fly between Sanaa and the Jordanian capital Amman on Sunday