UNITED STATES. Haro on Russian oil
On March 8, US President Joe Biden ordered an embargo on Russian hydrocarbons. “Sanctions against the Russian oil and gas industry were initially brushed aside as US and European officials worried about a global price spike,” underline the string CNN. But the head of state finally yielded under the pressure of the American deputies of the two camps and of Volodymyr Zelensky, the Ukrainian president. However, Russian oil represents only 8% of American imports and the country does not import gas from Russia.
COLOMBIA. The breakthrough of the left in the legislative elections
Left-wing opponent Gustavo Petro killed two birds with one stone on 13 March. The former mayor of Bogota first savored the breakthrough of his coalition, the “Historical Pact”, in the legislative elections. Arrived first in the Senate (17 seats out of 102), it takes the second position in the Lower House.
On the same day, voters voted in the primaries of the main parties to choose the candidates for the presidential election on May 29. And the ex-guerrilla Gustavo Petro was handily chosen to represent his side. “The left is gaining momentum on all fronts for the presidential race”, writing El País. A notable fact in this country where she has never governed.
POLAND. The reception of refugees in the inhabitant is organized
In gymnasiums, in public buildings, in hotels or with relatives: on March 14, more than 1.8 million Ukrainian refugees had already put their suitcases in Poland, out of a total of nearly 3 million listed at the after the Russian invasion.
But the country is facing growing difficulties: “There is a shortage of beds and food for refugees in Krakow”, reports the daily Rzeczpospolita. Thus, the help of individuals is essential. The government has therefore announced that an allowance of 8 euros per day and per person will be distributed to those who welcome Ukrainians.
RUSSIA. Beijing called to the rescue?
The discussion lasted seven hours on March 14 between senior Chinese and American diplomats. At the heart of the interview: China’s potential support for Russia in the war in Ukraine. The day before, US officials said that Moscow had requested financial and military assistance from Beijing.
“How Chinese leader Xi Jinping chooses to back Putin – whom he has met 38 times – could send a clear signal about the strength of their relationship,” comment Politico. For its part, Beijing denied the news on March 14 and denounced “disinformation” from the United States.
MALI. Upsurge in jihadist attacks
On February 22, the Malian army claimed that the terrorists were “increasingly feverish” and “disbanded”. The latter, however, seem far from being defeated. While the French soldiers of Barkhane began their withdrawal last month, the jihadist attacks multiply. According to various sources, dozens of civilians and combatants from a Tuareg group were killed in the Ménaka region (northern Mali) around March 10. “The front is not peaceful at all, the tension seems to be rising everywhere”, worries The Republican in Bamako.
On February 22, the Malian army claimed that the terrorists were “increasingly feverish” and “disbanded”. The latter, however, seem far from being defeated. While the Malian army no longer cooperates with the French soldiers of Barkhane (they began their withdrawal last month), the jihadist attacks [ATTENTION IL MANQUE UNE ESPACE ICI] multiply. According to various sources, dozens of civilians and combatants from a Tuareg group were killed in the Ménaka region (northern Mali) around March 10. “The front is not peaceful at all, tension seems to be rising everywhere,” worries Le Républicain in Bamako.
INDIA. In Uttar Pradesh, women vote Modi
The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) wins a landslide electoral victory in the March 10 legislative elections in the key state of Uttar Pradesh (north), the most populous in the country. With this local success, the Hindu nationalist Prime Minister, Narendra Modi, strengthens its position in view of the national elections in 2024.
the Hindustan Times draws another lesson from the election: “By casting their votes in large numbers on the BJP, women played a crucial role in the victory”, indicates the daily. And this despite the accusations of the opposition, which accuses Narendra Modi of transforming India into an “illiberal democracy”.
CHINA. Faced with the most serious Covid-19 crisis
Confinements, construction of makeshift hospitals, massive tests… The nightmare of Covid-19 is starting again. China is facing its worst epidemic wave in two years. Since March 13, the 17 million inhabitants of the city of Shenzhen have only been allowed to go out for the purchase of basic necessities.
The virus has been detected in 16 provinces and in the megacities of Beijing, Tianjin, Shanghai and Chongqing. This crisis “reflects the shortcomings of the Chinese health system”, believes the FinancialTimes, which highlights the low effectiveness of locally produced vaccines.