Venezuelan acting President Delcy Rodríguez on Wednesday asked public and private sector workers, whose wages have long not allowed them to afford basic necessities, for patience as her government works to improve the country’s economy. Rodríguez, in a nationally televised address to the nation, promised workers a wage increase on May 1. She did not disclose the amount but explained it would be done in a way meant to avoid the inflationary spike that followed the last minimum wage increase. “This increase, as we have indicated, will be a responsible increase,” Rodríguez said. “Likewise in the near future, as Venezuela...
Russia’s Internet Crackdown Leads To A Spring Of Growing Discontent
Several dozen people lined up outside a presidential administration building on a sunny spring weekend in central Moscow as police stood nearby and watched them closely. The people were lodging complaints about the government’s intensifying crackdown on the internet that has seen regular shutdowns of cellphone internet connections, blocked popular messaging apps and cut access to thousands of other websites and digital services. It was the latest sign of the growing anger and frustration over the restrictions that have disrupted the daily lives of Russians, hurt businesses and drawn criticism even from Kremlin supporters. Knowing that any unauthorized demonstrations are...
Hundreds March In Senegal’s Capital Over Broken Government Promises And Rising Costs
Hundreds of workers, union members and opposition supporters marched in Senegal’s capital Dakar on Wednesday to protest what they say are broken government promises and a worsening cost-of-living, as the country is plagued by a severe debt crisis. The protest was organized by the country’s main labor unions and the Front for the Defense of Democracy and the Republic, also known as FDR, opposition coalition. Mody Guiro, secretary-general of the National Confederation of Senegalese Workers, the country’s largest labor union, said the government had betrayed a deal last year that had frozen strikes in exchange for promises of better wages...
Ceasefire Is Threatened As Israel Expands Lebanon Strikes And Iran Closes Strait Again
A ceasefire deal to pause the war in Iran appeared to hang by a thread Wednesday after the Islamic Republic closed the Strait of Hormuz again in response to Israeli attacks in Lebanon. The White House demanded that the channel be reopened and sought to keep peace talks on track. The U.S. and Iran both claimed victory after reaching the agreement, and world leaders expressed relief, even as more drones and missiles hit Iran and Gulf Arab countries. At the same time, Israel intensified its attacks on the Hezbollah militant group in Lebanon, hitting commercial and residential areas in Beirut....
British Pastor Charged With Manslaughter After Man Drowns At Baptism
A British pastor was charged with manslaughter Wednesday in the drowning of a 61-year-old man at a backyard baptism ceremony. Cheryl Bartley, 48, faces one count of gross negligence manslaughter for the death of Robert Smith on Oct. 8, 2023 in Birmingham, prosecutors said. The Life Changing Ministries ceremony was being held in a kiddie pool and livestreamed on Facebook. Bartley is scheduled to appear May 14 in Birmingham Magistrates’ Court. —AP
Brazil’s Lula Argues For Ban On Online Betting Platforms
Brazil’s President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva said on Wednesday he favors a national ban on online betting platforms, whose revenues in the South American nation are estimated at more than $4 billion per year, one of the biggest markets in the world. The 80-year-old Lula, who is running for reelection in October, said online gambling has caused “a massive tragedy” for millions of families who have seen household debt soar. “If it is up to me, we close them,” Lula said in an interview to website ICL Noticias. “I am deeply worried about the indebtedness of the Brazilian people....
Benin Is Holding An Election For A New President As Security Worsens And Critics Denounce Clampdown
Voters in Benin will vote Sunday to elect a new president as outgoing leader Patrice Talon steps down after a decade in power with a mixed legacy of economic growth, but also a growing jihadi insurgency in the north and a clamp down on the opposition and critics. Romuald Wadagni, the 49-year-old finance minister and governing coalition standard-bearer, is considered Talon’s anointed successor. Wadagni is being challenged by Paul Hounkpè, the sole opposition candidate. In the parliamentary election in January, the opposition failed to cross the 20% electoral threshold required to win seats, leaving Talon’s two allied parties in control...
At Least 182 Killed As Israel Strikes Central Beirut After Saying Iran Truce Doesn’t Apply There
Israeli strikes hit busy commercial and residential areas in central Beirut without warning on Wednesday, hours after a ceasefire was announced in the U.S.-Israeli war with Iran. Lebanon said at least 182 people were killed and hundreds were wounded, making it the deadliest day in the latest Israel-Hezbollah war. U.S. President Donald Trump told PBS News Hour that Lebanon was not included in the deal because of the Lebanese militant Hezbollah group. When asked about Israel’s latest strikes, he said, “That’s a separate skirmish.” Israel had said the agreement does not extend to its war with the Iran-backed Hezbollah, although...