the unbalanced evolution of homo sapiens

A la veille d'une semaine de dernières négociations entre la Grèce et ses créanciers, le premier ministre grec Alexis Tsipras, défend l'action de son gouvernement dans une tribune au Monde Le 25 janvier 2015, le peuple grec a pris une décision courageuse. Il a osé contester la voie à sens unique de l'austérité rigoureuse du Mémorandum afin de revendiquer un nouvel accord. Un nouvel accord qui permette à la Grèce de retrouver le chemin de la croissance dans l'euro avec un programme économique viable et sans renouveler les erreurs du passé. Ces erreurs ont été payées cher par le peuple grec. En cinq ans, le chômage a grimpé à 28 % (60 % pour les jeunes) et le revenu moyen a diminué de 40 %, tandis que la Grèce, conformément aux statistiques d'Eurostat, est devenue l’Etat de l’Union européenne (UE) ayant l’indicateur d’inégalité sociale le plus élevé. Pis encore, malgré les coups durs qui ont été portés au tissu social, ce programme n'

του Στέλιου Κούλογλου Μου ζητήσατε να μιλήσω για τον νεοφιλελεύθερο φανατισμό στην Ελλάδα, ωστόσο αυτό τον φανατισμό πρέπει να τον κατανοήσουμε και να τον δούμε στις πραγματικές τους διαστάσεις. Γιατί ο νεοφιλελευθερισμός στην Ελλάδα, όπως επιβλήθηκε από το ξέσπασμα της κρίσης το 2010 μέχρι σήμερα, αποτελεί ένα μείγμα ιδεολογικού φανατισμού και ωμού κυνισμού * Ανάμεσα σε αυτού που έχουν επιβάλει τα προγράμματα λιτότητας υπάρχουν ασφαλώς και φανατικοί. Ακόμα και αυτή τη στιγμή που μιλάμε και οι διαπραγματεύσεις συνεχίζονται, επιμένουν σ’ ένα πρόγραμμα, το οποίο έχει αποτύχει εντελώς. Η διάσωση της Ελλάδας, την οποία επικαλούνται ενώ στην πραγματικότητα επρόκειτο για τη διάσωση των γαλλικών και γερμανικών τραπεζών, έχει αποτύχει πλήρως. Το ΑΕΠ της χώρας έχει μειωθεί κατά 25% κατά τα τελευταία 5 χρόνια, πρωτοφανές αρνητικό ρεκόρ εν καιρώ ειρήνης. Επιπλέον, η ανεργία έχει ξεπεράσει το 25%, με ένα ποσοστό 60% για τους νέους. Αυτό που είναι αξιοσημείωτο είναι ό

Ομιλία στην Κεντρική Επιτροπή του ΣΥΡΙΖΑ Στις εκλογές της 25ης Ιανουαρίου πήραμε εντολή να απορρίψουμε τα μνημόνια, να διαγράψουμε το χρέος και να αποκαταστήσουμε τη δημοκρατία και την εθνική κυριαρχία. Το «Πρόγραμμα Θεσσαλονίκης» περιλαμβάνει τον πυρήνα των δεσμεύσεων μας και η άμεση υλοποίηση του αποτελεί προϋπόθεση για την ανόρθωση της χώρας. Η κυβέρνηση επιδίωξε την ανατροπή του μνημονιακού καθεστώτος εντός της ευρωζώνης. Αλλά η αντίδραση εταίρων και δανειστών υπήρξε σφοδρότατη. Και αυτό για ξεκάθαρους λόγους: ο ΣΥΡΙΖΑ είναι μεγάλος κίνδυνος για την κυριαρχία του νεοφιλελευθερισμού στην Ευρώπη, ενώ το πρόγραμμα της Θεσσαλονίκης αντιστρατεύεται τις βαθύτερες λογικές της ΕΕ και της ΟΝΕ. Η κυβέρνηση χτυπήθηκε - και από τις χώρες του Νότου - μέσω του περιορισμού της ρευστότητας και της χρηματοδότησης με αιχμή του δόρατος την ΕΚΤ. Πρόκειται για μια τακτική που οδηγεί στον στραγγαλισμό του κράτους και της οικονομίας. Η συμφωνία της 20η Φεβρουαρίου όχι μόνο

Greek Energy min. P. Lafazanis said Greece will probably submit request to participate in BRICS bank globinfo freexchange Speaking on ANA-MPA news agency on Friday, the Greek Environment and Energy Minister, Panagiotis Lafazanis, said that Greece secured Russia’s support to participate in the new development BRICS bank: Greece is preparing and will probably submit a request to participate in the new development bank for BRICS countries and has secured Russia’s support on the issue, Productive Reconstruction, Environment and Energy Minister Panagiotis Lafazanis told ANA-MPA news agency on Friday evening. “ During my meeting with Russian Deputy Finance Minister Sergey Storchak, we secured the decisive Russian support to Greece’s request for participation in the new development bank of BRICS countries. The relevant request for Greece’s participation…will be symbolic and will be paid in installments, while

Λαφαζάνης: Η Ελλάδα θα καταθέσει κατά πάσα πιθανότητα αίτημα συμμετοχής στην τράπεζα των BRICS Η Ελλάδα έχει εξασφαλίσει τη ρωσική στήριξη στο αίτημα, που ετοιμάζεται και κατά πάσα πιθανότητα θα καταθέσει, για να συμμετάσχει στη νέα αναπτυξιακή τράπεζα των BRICS, δήλωσε στο ΑΠΕ-ΜΠΕ ο υπουργός Παραγωγικής Ανασυγκρότησης, Περιβάλλοντος και Ενέργειας Παναγιώτης Λαφαζάνης. “ Κατά τη συνάντησή μου με τον αναπληρωτή υπουργό Οικονομικών Σεργκέι Στορτσάκ εξασφαλίσαμε την αποφασιστική ρωσική συμβολή και στήριξη στο αίτημα της Ελλάδας για συμμετοχή στη νέα αναπτυξιακή τράπεζα των BRICS. Το σχετικό τίμημα για τη συμμετοχή της Ελλάδας, ως ένα από τα πρώτα μέλη της Τράπεζας, θα είναι συμβολικό και θα μπορεί να καταβληθεί με δόσεις, ενώ αμέσως μετά τη συγκρότηση και λειτουργία της θα μπορεί να δεχθεί χρηματοδοτική αναπτυξιακή στήριξη” είπε ο Π.Λαφαζάνης, συμπληρώνοντας ότι συζητήθηκαν μάλιστα και τεχνικές λεπτομέρειες, σχετικά με το πώς θα πρέπει να υποβληθεί το αίτημα, για

weekend themes by Stelios Kouloglou * A few days ago, I was asked by Belgian journalists to participate in an act of solidarity with redundant workers in the Greek public broadcaster ERT. I explained them that the closure of ERT in 2013 by an illegal act of force where, in one night, 2,500 people lost their jobs and found themselves on the street without any compensation, is the first anti-democratic act the country has recently experienced. The story does not stop there. After the national elections in January and the rise of SYRIZA to power, Greece has entered a new period of undemocratic deviation. Almost on a daily basis, the Government is exposed to threats, blackmails and ultimatums from lenders, Brussels and Berlin in order to disrespect the vote of the Greek citizens. Greece is confronted by events that are unprecedented in the history of the European Union. For instance, German Finance Minister Wolfgang Schaeuble publicly m

“ The UN refugee agency on Friday said it was deeply concerned about the desperate situation for thousands of people fleeing fighting in the central Iraqi city of Ramadi who continue to face challenges reaching safe areas.” “ The International Organization for Migration estimates that some 85,000 people have fled Ramadi and surrounding areas since fresh fighting between militants and pro-government troops erupted in mid-May. The vast majority – about 85 per cent – remain in Anbar governorate. In total, more than 180,000 people are estimated to have been displaced from the Ramadi area since hostilities began in early April.” “ Unable to move to other provinces, thousands of displaced people congregated around the city of Al-Khalidiya (east of Ramadi and also the scene of fighting in recent weeks) then moved to Al Madina Al Siyahiya and to Amriyat Al-Falujah, where UNHCR has provided aid at collective shelters. 'But much more support is needed in these distr

“ The UN refugee agency, citing government figures, on Friday said renewed fighting between armed groups in the Gao, Mopti and Timbuktu areas of northern Mali in the past four weeks has led to some 57,000 people fleeing their homes.” “ [UNHCR spokesman William Spindler] explained that the newly-displaced join the ranks of more than 43,000 internally displaced people throughout the country who have not yet returned to their homes since the conflict in 2012 between governmental forces and various rebel groups. The total number of internally displaced people (IDP) in Mali stands now at just over 100,000, mainly in the northern part of the country. The deterioration in the security situation came days after the signing of a May 15 peace agreement between the government and several armed groups in the Mali capital, Bamako. Those hardest hit live in the Timbuktu Region, where more than 53,000 IDPs have been registered.” “ Malian refugees had been slowly but consiste

“ China may reportedly build some 415 warships by 2030, according to former top intelligence officer James Fanell as cited by US journalist Zachary Keck; Keck underscored that this would be a significant increase over China's current naval power.” “ ... the Pentagon has recently admitted in its 2015 'Annual Report on Military and Security Developments Involving the People's Republic of China,' that over the past 15 years, China's naval modernization program has resulted in a more technologically advanced and flexible force.” “ ... at last week's the annual conference of the US Naval War College's China Maritime Institute James Fanell stressed that Beijing's new Luyang III Type 052D class destroyers could be considered a 'game changer,' allowing China's Navy to expand its operational area and project its power far beyond 'first island chain.' Zachary Keck noted, however, that Fanell has long been known for his alarmist s

“ Σε μια πρωτοποριακή κίνηση ετοιμάζεται να προβεί η νέα δήμαρχος Βαρκελώνης, Άντα Κολάου, η οποία εκλέχτηκε στην πρώτη θέση των πρόσφατων δημοτικών εκλογών πριν από λίγες ημέρες. Συγκεκριμένα, σκέφτεται να μειώσει το μισθό του δημάρχου στα 2.200 ευρώ μηνιαίως, από τα… 11.000 ευρώ που παίρνει ο νυν δήμαρχος της πόλης.” “ Στο πρόγραμμά της επίσης, περιλαμβάνεται η εξασφάλιση δωρεάν μετακίνησης στα μέσα μαζικής μεταφοράς για όσους είναι κάτω των 16 ετών, να μετατρέψει τα άδεια σπίτια σε κοινωνικές κατοικίες, να επιβάλει νέους φόρους σε τράπεζες και επιχειρήσεις ηλεκτρισμού, να μειώσει τις τιμές του νερού, του ηλεκτρικού και του φυσικού αερίου προς όφελος των πολιτών καθώς και να δημιουργήσει 2.500 θέσεις εργασίας.” “ Μάλιστα στο προεκλογικό της σύνθημα ήταν σαφής: 'Έφτασε η ώρα να κερδίσουν εκείνοι που ποτέ δεν κερδίζουν'. Η 41 χρονη νέα δήμαρχος είναι από εκείνους τους 'αγανακτισμένους' που πήρε θέση ενάντια στους ισχυρούς της πολιτικής, απαιτώντ

“ Ukraine's President Petro Poroshenko says he can declare martial law in his country within hours, in case there is an advance on the Ukrainian army's positions. Poroshenko spoke in the interview program titled 'A year of Poroshenko', dedicated to the anniversary of him being elected president after the previous leader was toppled in a coup. Ukrainian TV aired the program on Thursday night.” “ Apart from the forced relocation of foreigners, martial law allows the authorities to confiscate private property, take full control of any media and ban any political parties and organizations that are deemed a threat. It will also be able to prohibit any and all rallies and mass gatherings.” “ For martial law to be enacted, the parliament has to approve a corresponding ruling by the Ukrainian president. It can be declared in the whole country or selected regions. Poroshenko also stressed that foreign countries would not be able to send military a

“ Iran’s Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif has urged the expansion of bilateral relations between Tehran and Athens. The political relations between the two countries have always been at a good level, said Zarif during a meeting with his Greek counterpart, Nikos Kotzias, in the Greek capital city of Athens on Thursday, adding that the two sides should try to bolster economic ties which have been frayed in recent years due to anti-Iran sanctions. Zarif also hailed the resistance of the two nations in the face of 'hardships and external pressures.'” “ The Iranian and Greek nations, with their rich historical background, have shown that they will never succumb to hardships and external pressures, he went on to say. The Iranian top diplomat also touched upon the increasing threat of the ISIL Takfiri terrorist group in the Middle East region, urging a comprehensive plan to contain the menace.” “ Kotzias, for his part, gave a positive assessment of Zarif’s

Άρπαξε ότι μπορείς και τρέξε: ΗΠΑ και Ρωσία περιμένουν με νευρικότητα το Ευρωπαϊκό "μερίδιό" τους στον Ψυχρό Πόλεμο 2.0 του system failure Αν η ιστορία πράγματι επαναλαμβάνεται, έστω και "σαν φάρσα", θα μπορούσαμε να γίνουμε μάρτυρες μιας εναλλακτικής έκδοσης αυτού που αποφάσισαν οι νικητές μετά το τέλος του 2ου Παγκοσμίου Πολέμου και λίγο πριν από την έναρξη του Ψυχρού Πολέμου 1.0. Στην Διάσκεψη της Γιάλτας, οι Φραγκλίνος Ρούζβελτ, Ιωσήφ Στάλιν και Ουίνστον Τσώρτσιλ, ουσιαστικά αποφάσισαν, μεταξύ άλλων, πως θα διανέμουν τις σφαίρες επιρροής τους στην Ευρώπη. Συμφώνησαν, για παράδειγμα, ότι η Ελλάδα θα εισέρχονταν στην Δυτική σφαίρα επιρροής, ενώ η Βουλγαρία, στην αντίστοιχη Σοβιετική. Σήμερα, ίσως δούμε ένα παρόμοιο σενάριο μέσα στον συνεχιζόμενο παγκόσμιο οικονομικό πόλεμο. Πολλοί από τους ρόλους έχουν αλλάξει. Στον σημερινό πολυπολικό κόσμο, η Ρωσία δεν αντιπροσωπεύει την Κομμουνιστική ιδεολογία, οι ΗΠΑ δεν είναι η υπερδύναμη με την ισχύ π

Take what you can and run: US and Russia anxious to take their European "rewards" in Cold War 2.0 by system failure If history indeed repeats itself, even "as farce", we could witness an altered version of what has been decided by the winners after the end of the WWII, and, right before the start of the Cold War 1.0. During the Yalta Conference, Franklin D. Roosevelt, Winston Churchill and Joseph Stalin, effectively decided how they should shape their spheres of influence in Europe. They agreed, for example, that Greece would have to be included in the Western sphere of influence, while Bulgaria, in the Soviet one. Today, we may see a similar scenario during the ongoing global economic war. Some of the roles have changed. In today's multipolar world, Russia does not represent the Communist ideology, USA is not the superpower that it used to be, and Britain could only be in a position to choose camp rather than to be a global player, as it

“ Human Rights groups have said they will fight on after a German court partially dismissed a case brought by three Yemeni drone strike survivors, whose two relatives were killed in Yemen in August 2012 during a US strike, involving an airbase in Germany. The men — Faisal, Ahmed Saeed and Khaled Mohmed from the Ali Jaber family alleged that Germany bears legal and political responsibility for the deaths of their relatives, because the drones were operated via the massive US military base Ramstein in Rheinland-Pfalz, Germany.” “ The case was brought by legal charity Reprieve and the European Center for Constitutional and Human Rights (ECCHR), and was based on the allegation that the use of US military bases on German soil is against the German constitution. The Ramstein base is contracted to the US on condition that it does not do anything that violates German law.” “ The Administrative Court of Cologne dismissed the claim, but allowed the human rights group

“ A Sputnik radio host found it strange that the authorities did not let him go near the Refugio beach where the leak occured despite it being a public beach. Radio Sputnik host Brad Friedman broadcasting from Southern California, visited the Refugio State Beach in Santa Barbara where the oil spill took place. His account of what he saw there includes him talking to a ranger who said that crude oil is a ‘dangerous thing’ hence the authorities have sealed off the entrance to the public beaches in order to keep people from going near it.” “ According to the radio host he found it strange that they did not let him go near to talk to authorities despite him being in the media. During a short interview that he did manage to take, the security guard that answered his questions said the area is quarantined and entering it can be dangerous for people.” “ One security guard said that the spill was pretty much contained. But the beaches up north were sealed off too, but

“ The current governing right-wing PP party failed in its attempt to block the left-wing coalition. The left-wing candidate Manuela Carmena will likely become the next mayor of Madrid, after Socialist Party (PSOE) denied Wednesday rumors of a deal between them and the governing right-wing Popular Party (PP).” “ Ahora Madrid requires 29 council members to obtain a mayority, while PSOE obtained nine seats on Sunday. On Monday, Carmena announced that she had spoken over the phone with Antonio Miguel Carmona, mayoral candidate of PSOE in Madrid, who had guaranteed his party would ally itself with Ahora Madrid, paving the way for Carmena to become the new mayor.” “ ... the candidate of the PP party, Esperanza Aguirre, has gone through lengths to stop the coalition from happening. Aguirre called on PSOE and the predominantly conservative Ciudadanos (Citizens) minority party to join forces with PP and stop Podemos, which she described as “radical left.” According

“ Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro said that the most humble will play a great role in forthcoming parliamentary elections. The Venezuelan people will cast a 'punishment vote' against the ultra-right at parliamentary elections at the end of the year, the country’s socialist president, Nicolas Maduro, said Tuesday The democratically-elected head of state told teleSUR that in the polls the poorest will play a key role.” “ The ruling socialist party has been in power in Venezuela for more than 15 years in which time living conditions for the poorest have improved immeasurably. In March, Venezuelan Social Development Minister, Hector Rodriguez, announced that the level of extreme poverty in the country had dropped to a record low of 5.4 percent in 2014. The figures are the latest milestone in poverty reduction in Venezuela, following the prioritizing of social investment.” “ When former President Hugo Chavez came to power in 1998, 21 percent of homes we