Image of destruction in Mandalay, Myanmar, from Al Jazeera.
As if the ongoing civil war wasn’t enough, Myanmar has now been struck by a very powerful earthquake, resulting in 2000 deaths and thousands more injured as of the time of writing. Estimates are that the death toll could reach 10,000. Infrastructure like roads and bridges are damaged, and the hospitals are overwhelmed. The earthquake struck during Eid prayers, resulting in even higher casualties as several mosques collapsed. 20 million people already required humanitarian assistance in Myanmar, and now the situation there will be even worse. International rescue teams have rushed into the country, and aid is being raised, though with USAID experiencing the… changes that it is, the United States will be of even more limited help than usual. So far, China has sent $14 million, while USAID has supplied $2 million. In Thailand, the death toll seems considerably lower, though there has still been significant damage; a skyscraper under construction collapsed in Bangkok.
Myanmar is located very close to the boundary between the Eurasian and Indian tectonic plates. In particular, the country is divided in two by the north-south oriented Sagaing fault. This fault is typically strike-slip; that is, each side of the fault moves horizontally past each other. The earthquake’s depth was 10 kilometers, which is pretty shallow, and its proximity to the surface amplified the felt force of the earthquake. Additionally, the soft soil in this region tends to further amplify seismic waves through a process called liquefaction. Combine all this with the lackluster building codes due to many years of impoverishment and civil wars, and this explains why the death toll, and the expense to the country in general to repair damage, will probably be extremely high.
Last week’s thread is here.
The Imperialism Reading Group is here.
Please check out the RedAtlas!
The bulletins site is here. Currently not used.
The RSS feed is here. Also currently not used.
Israel-Palestine Conflict
Sources on the fighting in Palestine against Israel. In general, CW for footage of battles, explosions, dead people, and so on:
UNRWA reports on Israel’s destruction and siege of Gaza and the West Bank.
English-language Palestinian Marxist-Leninist twitter account. Alt here.
English-language twitter account that collates news.
Arab-language twitter account with videos and images of fighting.
English-language (with some Arab retweets) Twitter account based in Lebanon. - Telegram is @IbnRiad.
English-language Palestinian Twitter account which reports on news from the Resistance Axis. - Telegram is @EyesOnSouth.
English-language Twitter account in the same group as the previous two. - Telegram here.
English-language PalestineResist telegram channel.
More telegram channels here for those interested.
Russia-Ukraine Conflict
Examples of Ukrainian Nazis and fascists
Examples of racism/euro-centrism during the Russia-Ukraine conflict
Sources:
Defense Politics Asia’s youtube channel and their map. Their youtube channel has substantially diminished in quality but the map is still useful.
Moon of Alabama, which tends to have interesting analysis. Avoid the comment section.
Understanding War and the Saker: reactionary sources that have occasional insights on the war.
Alexander Mercouris, who does daily videos on the conflict. While he is a reactionary and surrounds himself with likeminded people, his daily update videos are relatively brainworm-free and good if you don’t want to follow Russian telegram channels to get news. He also co-hosts The Duran, which is more explicitly conservative, racist, sexist, transphobic, anti-communist, etc when guests are invited on, but is just about tolerable when it’s just the two of them if you want a little more analysis.
Simplicius, who publishes on Substack. Like others, his political analysis should be soundly ignored, but his knowledge of weaponry and military strategy is generally quite good.
On the ground: Patrick Lancaster, an independent and very good journalist reporting in the warzone on the separatists’ side.
Unedited videos of Russian/Ukrainian press conferences and speeches.
Pro-Russian Telegram Channels:
Again, CW for anti-LGBT and racist, sexist, etc speech, as well as combat footage.
https://t.me/aleksandr_skif ~ DPR’s former Defense Minister and Colonel in the DPR’s forces. Russian language.
https://t.me/Slavyangrad ~ A few different pro-Russian people gather frequent content for this channel (~100 posts per day), some socialist, but all socially reactionary. If you can only tolerate using one Russian telegram channel, I would recommend this one.
https://t.me/s/levigodman ~ Does daily update posts.
https://t.me/patricklancasternewstoday ~ Patrick Lancaster’s telegram channel.
https://t.me/gonzowarr ~ A big Russian commentator.
https://t.me/rybar ~ One of, if not the, biggest Russian telegram channels focussing on the war out there. Actually quite balanced, maybe even pessimistic about Russia. Produces interesting and useful maps.
https://t.me/epoddubny ~ Russian language.
https://t.me/boris_rozhin ~ Russian language.
https://t.me/mod_russia_en ~ Russian Ministry of Defense. Does daily, if rather bland updates on the number of Ukrainians killed, etc. The figures appear to be approximately accurate; if you want, reduce all numbers by 25% as a ‘propaganda tax’, if you don’t believe them. Does not cover everything, for obvious reasons, and virtually never details Russian losses.
https://t.me/UkraineHumanRightsAbuses ~ Pro-Russian, documents abuses that Ukraine commits.
Pro-Ukraine Telegram Channels:
Almost every Western media outlet.
https://discord.gg/projectowl ~ Pro-Ukrainian OSINT Discord.
https://t.me/ice_inii ~ Alleged Ukrainian account with a rather cynical take on the entire thing.
Ukraine is currently under a large Russian aerial attack, 10 Iskander-M or KN-23 ballistic missiles just struck Kyiv and its surroundings, and 8 Tu-95M strategic bombers are in the air, having conducted launch maneuvers (unknown if simulated or real) of Kh-101 long range cruise missiles. 8 Kalibr cruise missiles launched from ships were fired in the previous hours. This is the first large scale air attack since the so called “energy ceasefire” and the Ukrainian attack on ammunition depots at Engels air base (where the Tu-95Ms operate from) .It’s suspected that Ukrainian air bases were the targets.
First reports of Kh-101 cruise missiles being detected in Ukrainian airspace. Approximately 6 missiles in this group. Second group of 5 missiles also detected.
Ukrainian air raid monitoring telegram channel, use translation software
AMK Mapping telegram, provides English translations and videos/maps/analysis of air raids on Ukraine
The age/diversity gap between the “Hands Off” and pro-Palestine protestors in DC is really interesting.
I recommend looking up images of both and comparing them. You would expect there to be some difference, but the reality is jaw-dropping.
What’s the deal with the Maidan shooters? Nato or nazi (or both)?
Where did they go? You literally told them that voting blue is the only thing they should do. And then Biden gave more money to the police.
Red Crescent releases video showing Israeli [sic] murder of first responders | The Cradle
Mobile phone video shows Israeli [sic] troops killed 15 Palestinian rescuers despite flashing emergency lights and sirens marking their vehicles as ambulances
as @companero pointed out elsewhere
Israel [sic] previously claimed that the ambulances “approached suspiciously” with their headlights and emergency lights off. Video proves otherwise.
US airstrikes continue on Yemen for the 22nd night in a row, with four airstrikes reported in Saada Governorate, west of Saada city.
More airstrikes, 5 reported at Kamaran Island.
Horrific images coming out of Gaza now, yesterday the IDF announced the creation of a new “security corridor”, the Morag corridor in Gaza. This corridor is set to separate Rafah from Khan Yunis. Artillery operations and airstrikes are underway to facilitate this, resulting in the leveling of buildings and mass civilian casualties.
Statement from the Yemeni Armed Forces:
More underground facilities and their entrances in Yemen are showing up with large areas of potential damage on satellite imagery. Some of these were struck previously as well, before the B-2 deployment.
Twitter link to the latest images
Xcancel mirror, scroll to the bottom if not working correctly
Also some quick comments on the JASSM stealth cruise missiles that some news outlets say are being used in Yemen, and B-2 stealth bombers, after thinking about it last night. While it’s true that the US Navy is not firing JASSMs from F-18s and there is no evidence to suggest such is happening, JASSMs could be fired from B-2s, for a “stealth standoff” capabilitiy. The B-2 is the only aircraft in the US fleet with stealth standoff capabilitiy, JASSMs don’t fit in the internal weapons bays of F-35 aircraft, and F-22s are air superiority fighter aircraft. So along with the bunker buster capabilities of the GBU-57 MOP, stealth standoff is another unique capability that only the B-2 can bring to the US arsenal.
Stealth standoff capabilitiy was actually first used in active combat by Russia in the 11 April 2024 attack on the Ukrainian Trypilska thermal power plant, using stealth Su-57 aircraft carrying stealth Kh-69 cruise missiles in it’s internal weapons bays. If the B-2s are carrying out stealth standoff strikes in Yemen, that is complete overkill and not necessary. The most likely explanation would be live practice, for preparedness for future wars against Iran in the short term, and possibly China in the long term, where such a capability would be necessary.
CW: Gaza aid workers being ambushed and executed by IDF
Israel previously claimed that the ambulances “approached suspiciously” with their headlights and emergency lights off. Video proves otherwise.
Argentina’s Senate rejected two names nominated by President Javier Milei to head the country’s embassies in Spain and India, in a symbolic vote marked by criticism and embarrassment for the government. Marcela Pagano = MP nominated for the embassy in India. Gerardo Werthein = a businessman close to Milei, appointed to the embassy in Spain.
Opposition senators and even allies argued that they lacked technical qualifications. The vote was symbolic and expressive: there was only one vote in favor, by Senator Bartolomé Abdala (government spokesman in the Senate).
- Telegram
Article
Argentina’s Senate rejects Javier Milei’s Supreme Court nominees in a historic 51-20 vote, escalating tensions between the president and Congress. The government calls it a ‘political attack.’
Argentina’s Senate dealt a significant setback to President Javier Milei’s administration on Thursday by rejecting the nominations of Manuel José García Mansilla and Ariel Lijo to the Supreme Court. In a decisive vote, García Mansilla’s nomination was dismissed with 20 votes in favor and 51 against, while Lijo’s received 27 votes in favor, 43 against, and one abstention.
Failed Negotiations and Political Tensions
According to Tiempo Argentino, last-minute negotiations involved multiple opposition factions, including senators and governors who appeared unlikely allies. However, these efforts collapsed amid the political tensions that have defined Milei’s presidency. The rejection came while Milei was attending the World Economic Forum in Davos.
Despite the government’s attempts to delay the session and avoid a legislative defeat, the two candidates—appointed by presidential decree—failed to secure Senate approval.
Government’s Strong Reaction
In a sharply worded statement, Milei’s administration condemned the Senate’s decision, calling it “historically unprecedented.”
“>For the first time in history, the Senate has rejected a president’s nominees purely for political reasons, not over qualifications,” the government declared. It accused the upper house of being a “refuge for the political elite” and acting against the interests of the Argentine people.
Broader Implications
The rejection marks a turning point in the strained relationship between Milei’s executive branch and the Senate, highlighting his struggles to advance his agenda amid rising polarization. The move also raises questions about the future of Argentina’s judiciary, now left with two vacant Supreme Court seats. and Milei’s ability to govern effectively without legislative support.
With this defeat, Milei faces mounting political challenges and must recalibrate his strategy to either propose new nominees who can gain Senate approval and double down on executive actions, risking further clashes with Congress.
in the realm of sus shit, on exact same day of palestine protest, dem rally will be held
Argentine financial markets record setback after Milei’s failed mission - MercoPress
Argentine financial markets experienced a sharp decline Friday amid the global economic storm triggered by a trade war between the U.S. and China following President Donald Trump’s tariffs spree. The market downturn, compounded by a nearly 7% drop in oil prices and a 10-year U.S. rate at 3.87%, reflects fears of a global economic setback, prompting expectations of Federal Reserve rate cuts.
While the country risk index soared and Argentine stocks fell 12% on Wall Street, the S&P Merval of the Buenos Aires Stock Exchange plummeted 7.4% to 2,107,815 points. Although the region’s stock exchanges also fell, Buenos Aires’ figures were by far the deepest, as the rest fell between 1 and 3%.
These results also came after President Javier Milei’s trip to the United States enhanced his socialite status during a conservative event at Trump’s Mar-a-Lago residence in Florida. But contrary to Casa Rosada’s expectations, Trump was late to the gathering. Therefore, Milei could not meet with him to insist on Argentina’s need for a fresh International Monetary Fund disbursement.
In addition, the White House Special Envoy for Latin America Mauricio Claver-Carone announced that the United States’ support to the Libertarian administration before the IMF would hinge on Buenos Aires cutting all ties with Beijing, specifically the currency swap agreement brokered during the previous Government of Alberto Fernández and extended during the current one.
Despite Milei’s ideological shift away from Beijing, China remains a vital economic partner for Argentina—its second-largest trading partner after Brazil—and is heavily involved in sectors like infrastructure, energy, and telecommunications. Ending the swap would require Argentina to repay a large sum it currently lacks.
“I am not going to interfere in the middle of the negotiations that are taking place with the IMF, which we want to be successful,” Claver Carone was quoted as saying. “What we do want is that eventually the famous credit line that Argentina has with China ends,” he added.
In the meantime, consensus has been reported to be absent among the IMF’s board on an advance disbursement, despite positive remarks from Managing Director Kristalina Georgieva.
Advancing money to Argentina, a practice known as frontloading, generates controversy because any financing for the country before its next principal payment to the IMF would be considered fresh funds, which would increase the multilateral’s exposure to the nation, it was explained.
This week’s rejection by the Senate of Milei’s two Supreme Court nominees, coupled with his rift with Vice President Victoria Villarruel and treason charges for his April 2 Malvinas/Falklands speech, portray a declining head of State badly in need of funding to keep his administration going.
US fails to weaken Yemeni military despite burning through nearly $1bn in three weeks: Report | The Cradle
The Yemeni Armed Forces have continued to target US warships and Israeli cities resist as Washington exhausts its munitions, fuel, and deployment time
Hundreds of thousands of protestors come out to the streets in Spain in the first nation-wide protest against housing and rent prices.
With more than 100k protestors in Madrid and similar figures in other big cities such as Barcelona, protestors have claimed the right to safe and affordable housing, with chants such as “un desalojo, una okupación” (for every eviction one squatting), “los terroristas sois los rentistas” (the landlords are the terrorists), or “nativa o extranjera, la misma clase obrera” (native or immigrant, same working class).
The more radical of the unions organizing the protest want to pave the way for a nationwide rent strike, i.e., tenants not paying rent until the state guarantees affordable housing through expropriation, price limits, and public housing projects.
To remind all you newsheads to go out and touch some grass this weekend, here’s young future chancellor of Germany, Friedrich Merz and current acting finance minister/vice-chancellor Robert Habeck in their 30s.
The passage of time - and bourgeois power struggles - really are terrible things.
March for Palestine in DC today
I’m on the bus and ready to represent Hexbear
