What are current unemployment rates in the G20?
G20 unemployment stats reveal that the countries with the most robust labor markets have changed quite a bit over the years.
According to national statistical agencies, Russia has made it to the top three G20 nations with the lowest unemployment (a mere 3%).
Japan tops the list (2.5%) and Mexico is second (2.6%).In annual terms, unemployment has seen a general decline in a dozen G20 nations, while seven block members have experienced numbers rise over time.
Take a look at Sputnik’s infographic to learn more!
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G20 unemployment stats reveal that the countries with the most robust labor markets have changed quite a bit over the years.
According to national statistical agencies, Russia has made it to the top three G20 nations with the lowest unemployment (a mere 3%).
Japan tops the list (2.5%) and Mexico is second (2.6%).In annual terms, unemployment has seen a general decline in a dozen G20 nations, while seven block members have experienced numbers rise over time.
Take a look at Sputnik’s infographic to learn more!
Subscribe to @SputnikInt
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Russia is in constant contact with Iran in light of Tehran's possible response to the Israeli strike against its consulate in Damascus, Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Sergey Ryabkov has said.
Russia condemns Israel's attack on the Iranian consulate in Damascus and believes that condoning Israeli actions in the Middle East, which are the core of Washington's policy, is largely becoming the root cause of more and more tragedies, the diplomat added.
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"We are in constant contact [with Iran] and within BRICS new and in-depth discussions of the entire range of issues related to the Middle East are also expected in the near future," Ryabkov told reporters.
Russia condemns Israel's attack on the Iranian consulate in Damascus and believes that condoning Israeli actions in the Middle East, which are the core of Washington's policy, is largely becoming the root cause of more and more tragedies, the diplomat added.
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Is the American Library Association turning blind eye to books whitewashing Ukrainian Nazi collaboration?
The American Library Association (ALA) recently gave kudos to two authors with a track record of whitewashing Nazi collaborators in Ukraine, journalist Lev Golovkin has written in an article for the US news outlet The Nation.
According to the author, the ALA, the world’s largest non-profit library organization, honored the books edited by Volodymyr Viatrovych – now a Ukrainian MP, and Lubomyr Luciuk, who currently serves as a professor in Canada’s elite military college.
The author recalled that Viatrovych is notoriously known for calling soldiers from an SS division “war victims,” while Luciuk once demanded that the Canadian parliament apologize for calling a former member of SS a Nazi.
What’s more, it was Luciuk who added significantly to glorifying the Organization of Ukrainian Nationalists (OUN) and its offshoot, the Ukrainian Insurgent Army (UPA), which were to blame for exterminating tens of thousands of Jews during World War II.
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The American Library Association (ALA) recently gave kudos to two authors with a track record of whitewashing Nazi collaborators in Ukraine, journalist Lev Golovkin has written in an article for the US news outlet The Nation.
According to the author, the ALA, the world’s largest non-profit library organization, honored the books edited by Volodymyr Viatrovych – now a Ukrainian MP, and Lubomyr Luciuk, who currently serves as a professor in Canada’s elite military college.
“In honoring a book depicting Ukrainian volunteers in the Waffen SS as heroes and patriots, the group [ALA] reveals historical ignorance—or indifference to anti-Semitism,” the article noscriptd “Why is the American Library Association whitewashing the history of Ukrainian Nazis?” he pointed out.
The author recalled that Viatrovych is notoriously known for calling soldiers from an SS division “war victims,” while Luciuk once demanded that the Canadian parliament apologize for calling a former member of SS a Nazi.
What’s more, it was Luciuk who added significantly to glorifying the Organization of Ukrainian Nationalists (OUN) and its offshoot, the Ukrainian Insurgent Army (UPA), which were to blame for exterminating tens of thousands of Jews during World War II.
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American military industrial complex heats up arms race in Asia
US President Joe Biden is hosting the leaders of Japan and the Philippines at a White House summit aimed at creating a new anti-China coalition. While the world is distracted with Ukraine and Gaza, the US is quietly moving to spark an arms race in Asia. Here's how:
🇯🇵 Japan just received from US a pledge to boost its military capabilities with 70 new military, intelligence, and R&D agreements. In recent times, US has sold Japan F-35 fighter-jets, Tomahawks, and will soon develop Pillar II capabilities with Japan under the AUKUS umbrella.
🇦🇺 Australia is on track to receive nuclear-powered submarines, double its warship fleet, and procure 11 frigates and 29 Apache attack helicopters. It will also enhance its long-range strike capabilities and long-range anti-ship missiles.
🇹🇼 Taiwan will spend up to $8 billion to upgrade its long-range missiles, and purchase US coastal defense systems, sensors, artillery, sophisticated aerial drones, and howitzer systems.
🇰🇷 South Korea has recently placed an order for 20 F-35 fighter jets from the US. Seoul is America’s largest arms customer in Asia.
🇸🇬 Singapore has ramped up its military expenditure to 3% of GDP, much of which will go towards purchasing US systems such as the F-35
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US President Joe Biden is hosting the leaders of Japan and the Philippines at a White House summit aimed at creating a new anti-China coalition. While the world is distracted with Ukraine and Gaza, the US is quietly moving to spark an arms race in Asia. Here's how:
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The Russian Federation will focus on the threats to Europe's security posed by Kiev’s attacks on the Zaporozhye Nuclear Power Plant during a special session of the IAEA Board of Governors, said Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Sergey Ryabkov.
Ryabkov recalled that a special session of the IAEA Board of Governors will be held today in Vienna, and Russia will use this platform to expose the criminal nature of Kiev’s terrorist activities in relation to this important facility.
The danger of a drone attack on the Zaporozhye Nuclear Power Plant and the surrounding area by Ukrainian troops remains, Evgenia Yashina, director of communications at the plant, told Sputnik.
Meanwhile, the UN has joined the IAEA's call for an immediate cessation of attacks on the plant in order to avoid a nuclear incident.
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“The Zaporozhye Nuclear Power Plant is and will forever remain under Russian jurisdiction. Our operator and our national regulator are doing the maximum, according to the highest standards, of what is necessary to ensure its nuclear safety, nuclear security. And it is the criminal Kiev regime that is jeopardizing safety facility, and the safety of citizens of many countries,” the diplomat emphasized.
Ryabkov recalled that a special session of the IAEA Board of Governors will be held today in Vienna, and Russia will use this platform to expose the criminal nature of Kiev’s terrorist activities in relation to this important facility.
The danger of a drone attack on the Zaporozhye Nuclear Power Plant and the surrounding area by Ukrainian troops remains, Evgenia Yashina, director of communications at the plant, told Sputnik.
Meanwhile, the UN has joined the IAEA's call for an immediate cessation of attacks on the plant in order to avoid a nuclear incident.
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The head of the IAEA said that he will discuss the situation at the Zaporozhye Nuclear Power Plant with the UN Security Council next week, it is necessary that the attacks do not lead to a new dangerous edge of the conflict.
He called for refraining from violating the IAEA principles for preventing a nuclear accident at the plant.
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He called for refraining from violating the IAEA principles for preventing a nuclear accident at the plant.
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How Ukraine's draconian draft laws have turned connoscripts into slaves
The Ukrainian parliament has approved a new law tightening mobilization rules, with 283 out of 351 lawmakers saying "aye" to the changes, 49 abstaining and only one opposing the legislation.
What's in the new law?
▪️The lawmakers removed the provision on a 36 month limit on connoscription service, which is seen as a setback for exhausted Ukrainian personnel at the front line. New rules for rotation of military personnel are due to be drafted by lawmakers in a separate bill in the future.
▪️Individuals liable for military service must update their data at territorial recruitment and social support centers (TCC) within 60 days. Those who don't meet the deadline will face a fine of 17,000-22,500 hryvnia ($430-$570) and may be deprived of the right to drive a car.
▪️Ukrainian lawmakers, heads of government bodies, judges, ministers and their deputies, as well as law enforcement officers, remain exempt from mobilization.
▪️Men between 18 and 60 years old are mandated to carry a military ID under the threat of detention. The military ID can be checked by the police, TCC workers and border guards.
▪️Ukrainian citizens residing abroad will not be able to obtain a new Ukrainian passport without a military ID. That means that Ukrainians over 18 will have to return to Ukraine and register for military service. Under martial law men between the ages of 18 and 60 are prohibited from leaving the country.
▪️On April 2, President Volodymyr Zelensky inked laws to reduce the draft age from 27 to 25, create an electronic database for connoscripts, and cancel the "partially eligible" status in the military medical examinations. Those who had been considered partially fit for military service now have to undergo a medical examination again within nine months.
▪️On February 12, Zelensky also signed laws extending martial law and general mobilization in the country until May 13, 2024.
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The Ukrainian parliament has approved a new law tightening mobilization rules, with 283 out of 351 lawmakers saying "aye" to the changes, 49 abstaining and only one opposing the legislation.
What's in the new law?
▪️The lawmakers removed the provision on a 36 month limit on connoscription service, which is seen as a setback for exhausted Ukrainian personnel at the front line. New rules for rotation of military personnel are due to be drafted by lawmakers in a separate bill in the future.
▪️Individuals liable for military service must update their data at territorial recruitment and social support centers (TCC) within 60 days. Those who don't meet the deadline will face a fine of 17,000-22,500 hryvnia ($430-$570) and may be deprived of the right to drive a car.
▪️Ukrainian lawmakers, heads of government bodies, judges, ministers and their deputies, as well as law enforcement officers, remain exempt from mobilization.
▪️Men between 18 and 60 years old are mandated to carry a military ID under the threat of detention. The military ID can be checked by the police, TCC workers and border guards.
▪️Ukrainian citizens residing abroad will not be able to obtain a new Ukrainian passport without a military ID. That means that Ukrainians over 18 will have to return to Ukraine and register for military service. Under martial law men between the ages of 18 and 60 are prohibited from leaving the country.
▪️On April 2, President Volodymyr Zelensky inked laws to reduce the draft age from 27 to 25, create an electronic database for connoscripts, and cancel the "partially eligible" status in the military medical examinations. Those who had been considered partially fit for military service now have to undergo a medical examination again within nine months.
▪️On February 12, Zelensky also signed laws extending martial law and general mobilization in the country until May 13, 2024.
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Events that ignore the position of the Russian Federation and are based on the provisions of the “Zelensky formula” are divorced from reality and have no prospects, the Russian Foreign Ministry has claimed.
The "Zelensky formula" does not imply compromises and completely ignores proposals from China and other countries of the Global South, it added.
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The "Zelensky formula" does not imply compromises and completely ignores proposals from China and other countries of the Global South, it added.
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Macron, Ukraine's staunchest defender, quietly increases gas payments to Russia - report
In total, since the beginning of the year, France has paid Russia more than 600 million euros for gas supplies, the newspaper notes, adding that this situation has caused criticism in the EU and calls for Paris to stop the growing purchases.
Politico reports that the increase in Russian gas is partly due to strikes that "strongly disrupted normal flows last year."
In addition, France, for its part, argues that "high level of gas travels through France and helps supply other countries like Italy."
Russia has repeatedly said that sanctions against Russian energy resources would hit Europe first and foremost.
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"Russian liquefied natural gas deliveries to France grew more than to any other country in the EU compared to last year," Politico writes, citing data from the Center for Research on Energy and Clean Air.
In total, since the beginning of the year, France has paid Russia more than 600 million euros for gas supplies, the newspaper notes, adding that this situation has caused criticism in the EU and calls for Paris to stop the growing purchases.
Politico reports that the increase in Russian gas is partly due to strikes that "strongly disrupted normal flows last year."
In addition, France, for its part, argues that "high level of gas travels through France and helps supply other countries like Italy."
Russia has repeatedly said that sanctions against Russian energy resources would hit Europe first and foremost.
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Iran would no longer have an imperative to punish Israel over the attack on its consulate in Damascus if the UN Security Council condemns it, Iran’s UN mission declared
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There is a radical change in the fighting in Ukraine; new Western aid packages and “meat assaults” will not be able to change this trend, Russia's Permanent Representative to the UN Vassily Nebenzia said.
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The Russian Federation will raise the topic of Kiev’s attack on the Zaporozhye Nuclear Power Plant at the Security Council meeting on April 15, and is waiting for a fair assessment by the IAEA, Russia's Permanent Representative to the UN Vassily Nebenzia said.
Very soon, the only topic of international meetings on Ukraine will be the capitulation of the Kiev regime, Russia's Permanent Representative to the UN Vassily Nebenzia said.
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Very soon, the only topic of international meetings on Ukraine will be the capitulation of the Kiev regime, Russia's Permanent Representative to the UN Vassily Nebenzia said.
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EXPOSED: Ukrainian International Legion gambles on recruiting Spanish-speaking ‘guns for hire’
Since the fall of 2023, the Ukrainian International Legion has been actively recruiting Spanish-speaking mercenaries through social media. However, news about the recruitment of hirelings from Latin America have been circulating since May and June of the same year, as revealed by Sputnik.
▪️In September 2023, the Legion began posting on social media platforms specifically targeting potential Spanish-speaking mercenaries. One post even stated that "no English is required" (see photo 1).
▪️In the comments section, the International Legion's account responded to everyone interested in joining up, offering instructions (see photo 2) on how to apply.
▪️Interestingly, the followers stated that some battalions (like 'Carpathian Sich'*, whose mercenaries Sputnik were previously unmasked) have been exclusively hiring Spanish-speaking mercenaries since May and June of 2023 (photo 3).
▪️A few months later, in November 2023, the Ukrainian International Legion took to social media to invite Spanish-speaking ‘guns for hire’ without combat experience to join their ranks, “since we have ESP-speaking trainers" (photo 4).
▪️Meanwhile, several posts in Spanish began to appear on the International Legion's official account. They started reaching out to potential mercenaries in Spanish (photos 5,6), emphasizing that the legion was "working on establishing a permanent team" and had launched an official website in Spanish (photo 7).
▪️The offers were not completely ignored. Several Spanish-speaking users, including some Colombians, expressed interest in possibly traveling to Ukraine in the comments section. (photo 8).
▪️According to the Russian Ministry of Defense, approximately 933 mercenaries from Latin America have arrived in Ukraine, and abouy 441 of them have been eliminated by Russian military.
*the "Carpathian Sich" battalion is a terrorist organization outlawed in Russia.
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Since the fall of 2023, the Ukrainian International Legion has been actively recruiting Spanish-speaking mercenaries through social media. However, news about the recruitment of hirelings from Latin America have been circulating since May and June of the same year, as revealed by Sputnik.
▪️In September 2023, the Legion began posting on social media platforms specifically targeting potential Spanish-speaking mercenaries. One post even stated that "no English is required" (see photo 1).
▪️In the comments section, the International Legion's account responded to everyone interested in joining up, offering instructions (see photo 2) on how to apply.
▪️Interestingly, the followers stated that some battalions (like 'Carpathian Sich'*, whose mercenaries Sputnik were previously unmasked) have been exclusively hiring Spanish-speaking mercenaries since May and June of 2023 (photo 3).
▪️A few months later, in November 2023, the Ukrainian International Legion took to social media to invite Spanish-speaking ‘guns for hire’ without combat experience to join their ranks, “since we have ESP-speaking trainers" (photo 4).
▪️Meanwhile, several posts in Spanish began to appear on the International Legion's official account. They started reaching out to potential mercenaries in Spanish (photos 5,6), emphasizing that the legion was "working on establishing a permanent team" and had launched an official website in Spanish (photo 7).
▪️The offers were not completely ignored. Several Spanish-speaking users, including some Colombians, expressed interest in possibly traveling to Ukraine in the comments section. (photo 8).
▪️According to the Russian Ministry of Defense, approximately 933 mercenaries from Latin America have arrived in Ukraine, and abouy 441 of them have been eliminated by Russian military.
*the "Carpathian Sich" battalion is a terrorist organization outlawed in Russia.
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Diplomacy at its worst: Has Ukraine ever asked for anything politely?
Ukraine’s Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba has told the Washington Post that Ukraine's so-called “nice and quiet diplomacy” has ended and that he “will not be asking [for Patriot systems] nicely anymore.”
Kuleba’s frustration was caused by the dearth in Western shipments of the US-made Patriot air defense system, which cost more than $1 billion per battery. Ukraine did not pay for any of the three systems supplied to it so far.
Someone unaware of Ukrainian diplomacy might think that Kuleba was being rude when he demanded Patriots to be supplied for free, however, he was just living up to Kiev’s normal standards.
▪️In 2022, Ukraine’s then ambassador to Germany, Andrei Melnyk, called Germany’s Chancellor Olaf Scholz “an offended liver sausage.“
Scholz “deserved” such a nickname from Melnyk because the chancellor had postponed his visit to Ukraine over Zelensky’s refusal to receive Germany’s President Frank-Walter Steinmeier. In 2016, Steinmeier proposed a “peace formula” for Donbass, and that was enough for Zelensky to declare him “unwelcome” in 2022.
▪️Next year, Melnyk called the leftist German politician Sahra Wagenknecht “an obnoxious witch.”
▪️Zelensky, in response to pleas from the British defense minister “to be more grateful”, recorded a video in which he mockingly said “thank you” 47 times.
▪️There were no consequences for Zelensky and Melnyk. Since Scholz kept saying “we support Ukraine,” Zelensky and his diplomats felt encouraged to continue in the same vein.
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Ukraine’s Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba has told the Washington Post that Ukraine's so-called “nice and quiet diplomacy” has ended and that he “will not be asking [for Patriot systems] nicely anymore.”
Kuleba’s frustration was caused by the dearth in Western shipments of the US-made Patriot air defense system, which cost more than $1 billion per battery. Ukraine did not pay for any of the three systems supplied to it so far.
Someone unaware of Ukrainian diplomacy might think that Kuleba was being rude when he demanded Patriots to be supplied for free, however, he was just living up to Kiev’s normal standards.
▪️In 2022, Ukraine’s then ambassador to Germany, Andrei Melnyk, called Germany’s Chancellor Olaf Scholz “an offended liver sausage.“
Scholz “deserved” such a nickname from Melnyk because the chancellor had postponed his visit to Ukraine over Zelensky’s refusal to receive Germany’s President Frank-Walter Steinmeier. In 2016, Steinmeier proposed a “peace formula” for Donbass, and that was enough for Zelensky to declare him “unwelcome” in 2022.
▪️Next year, Melnyk called the leftist German politician Sahra Wagenknecht “an obnoxious witch.”
▪️Zelensky, in response to pleas from the British defense minister “to be more grateful”, recorded a video in which he mockingly said “thank you” 47 times.
▪️There were no consequences for Zelensky and Melnyk. Since Scholz kept saying “we support Ukraine,” Zelensky and his diplomats felt encouraged to continue in the same vein.
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