What Happened Yesterday?
April 9th, 2023 - Easter Sunday. What You Need to Know About Macron, Apartheid, More Dead Migrants, Taiwan and a new Spy Plane.
What Happened Yesterday?
Hello comrades,
Welcome to another edition of "What Happened Yesterday?" - a daily short newsletter that tries to summarize, and provide links for, important events from yesterday or the weekend from a leftist perspective. An emphasis on world news that would be important to the working class, proletarians and oppressed peoples everywhere! Written by DrEagleTalon a Socialist, Activist and Writer.
Here are some of the stories that caught my attention:
EU must not be 'follower' of US, China on Taiwan: Macron
In a not-so-shocking turn of events, the leader of a European colonial power has declared that they should not be a mere "follower" of the United States or China when it comes to the issue of Taiwan. French President Emmanuel Macron mentions this as Taiwan becomes a flashpoint in the escalating tensions between Washington and Beijing. Macron said the EU should have its own "autonomous" position on Taiwan, which China rightfully claims as part of its territory. He also said the EU should engage in dialogue with China on human rights and climate change, but not compromise on its values or interests.
How noble of them to consider having their own position on the matter, after centuries of colonization and imperialism. It's almost like they've learned nothing. Meanwhile, as they talk about "values" and "interests," the exploitation of workers and the destruction of the environment continues unabated under the relentless pursuit of profit. But hey, at least they're having a dialogue about it, right?
Source: Ground News. (2021). EU must not be 'follower' of US, China on Taiwan: Macron. https://ground.news/article/eu-must-not-be-follower-of-us-china-on-taiwan-macron_7b0e92.1
British spy plane was nearly shot down by Russia in September: leaked docs.
In the latest chapter of international drama, we have learned that a British spy plane was almost blown out of the sky by Russian air defenses in September, according to leaked documents obtained by The Guardian. The plane, a RC-135W Rivet Joint, was conducting a reconnaissance mission over the Black Sea when it was targeted by a Russian S-400 missile system. The plane managed to evade the missile by using electronic countermeasures and flying away at high speed. The incident was classified as "high risk" by the UK military and raised concerns about the safety of British aircraft in the region.2
It's almost like playing a game of chicken with people's lives is a bad idea or something. The fact that this incident was classified as "high risk" only goes to show how reckless and dangerous these reconnaissance missions are. It's a good thing the British plane was equipped with electronic countermeasures and was able to fly away at high speed, because we wouldn't want to see the capitalist countries fighting amongst themselves now, would we?
Source: Ground News. (2021). British spy plane was nearly shot down by Russia in September: leaked docs. https://ground.news/article/british-spy-plane-was-nearly-shot-down-by-russia-in-september-leaked-docs_be8e04
China ends military drills around Taiwan, which simulated sealing off the island.
China recently wrapped up a series of military exercises around Taiwan, designed to test its ability to completely seal off the island from outside intervention. The drills involved warships, fighter jets, bombers and anti-submarine aircraft, and simulated scenarios such as blockading Taiwan's ports, intercepting enemy vessels and launching amphibious assaults. China said the drills were necessary to safeguard its sovereignty and territorial integrity, while Taiwan denounced them as intimidation and provocation. It's all a reminder that under capitalism, peace is just an illusion, and the constant preparation for war and violence is necessary for the ruling class to maintain power.3
Italy's coastguard works to rescue 1,200 migrants drifting at sea
Italy's coastguard has been busy rescuing over 1,200 migrants from the sea, mostly from sub-Saharan Africa and Bangladesh. These folks are fleeing violence and instability in their home countries, but thanks to the wonderful workings of capitalism, they end up drifting aimlessly at sea. It's a good thing that a humanitarian plane spotted them and alerted the Italian authorities, or who knows what would have happened.
The Italian coastguard has dispatched several vessels and helicopters to assist these migrants, who are facing rough seas and strong winds. But let's be clear, this isn't an act of kindness, it's their responsibility to protect human lives. It's a shame that in our current system, people have to risk their lives on dangerous journeys just to seek safety and opportunity. The rescue operation comes amid a surge in migrant arrivals in Italy this year, driven by instability and violence in Libya and other parts of Africa.
This is just one example of how capitalism is failing people across the globe. Instead of working to address the root causes of instability and violence in these countries, capitalist nations are more concerned with protecting their own interests. It's time for a new system, one that puts people before profits.4
Source: Italy's coastguard works to rescue 1,200 migrants drifting at sea. (2022, April 10). Ground News. https://ground.news/article/italys-coastguard-works-to-rescue-1-200-migrants-drifting-at-sea_7cae7b
Palestinian teenager killed by Israeli forces in West Bank
Well, well, well, it looks like the Israeli military is at it again. Palestinian officials report that a 16-year-old boy was shot dead by Israeli forces during clashes in the occupied West Bank. The incident took place near the village of Beita, south of Nablus, where Palestinians were protesting against the expansion of an illegal Israeli settlement outpost.
The Israeli military claims that it opened fire after Palestinians threw stones and Molotov cocktails at its troops. But let's be honest, who wouldn't throw stones and Molotov cocktails if their land was being stolen from them? It's yet another example of how the Israeli government uses excessive force to suppress the rights of Palestinians.
This incident is just the latest in a series of deadly confrontations between Palestinians and Israelis in recent weeks. It's clear that the Israeli government has no interest in working towards a peaceful resolution with the Palestinians. Instead, they continue to engage in violent actions that only serve to escalate the situation.
It's time for the international community to stand up and hold Israel accountable for its actions. We cannot continue to turn a blind eye to the injustices being carried out in the name of capitalism and colonialism. It's time for a new system, one that prioritizes justice and equality for all people, regardless of their nationality or ethnicity.56
Sources: Palestinian teenager killed by Israeli forces in West Bank. (2023, April 10). CNN. https://www.cnn.com/2023/04/10/middleeast/palestinian-teenager-israel-west-bank-intl/index.html
Israeli PM reverses course on sacking defence minister. (2023, April 10). Ground News. https://ground.news/article/israeli-pm-reverses-course-on-sacking-defence-minister_fd670c
Conclusion
These are just some of the stories that matter to us as leftists who care about the struggles of our fellow humans across the globe. If you want to learn more about these topics or find other sources of information, you can check out the links below for each headline.
If you enjoyed this newsletter and want to support my work, please consider subscribing to get more updates like this delivered to your inbox every day. You can also check out my LinkTree Page for more ways to connect with me and follow my projects.
Don't forget to share this post with your comrades who might be interested in what happened yesterday!
I always appreciate feedback and constructive criticism and would love to know what you think of todays stories or the format! Leave a comment below!
Until Tomorrow,
DrEagleTalon
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Sources //
News, A. (2023a). EU must not be follower of US, China on Taiwan: Macron. [online] Ground.news. Available at: https://ground.news/article/eu-must-not-be-follower-of-us-china-on-taiwan-macron_7b0e92 [Accessed 10 Apr. 2023].
News, G. (2023b). British spy plane was nearly shot down by Russia in September: leaked docs. [online] Ground.news. Available at: https://ground.news/article/british-spy-plane-was-nearly-shot-down-by-russia-in-september-leaked-docs_be8e04 [Accessed 10 Apr. 2023].
News, G. (2023c). China ends military drills around Taiwan which simulated sealing off the island. [online] Ground.news. Available at: https://ground.news/article/china-ends-military-drills-around-taiwan-which-simulated-sealing-off-the-island_c3a8eb [Accessed 10 Apr. 2023].
News, G. (2023d). Dalai Lama apologises after kissing boy and asking him to suck my tongue. [online] Ground.news. Available at: https://ground.news/article/dalai-lama-apologises-after-kissing-boy-and-asking-him-to-suck-my-tongue_f5d396 [Accessed 10 Apr. 2023].
Reuters (2023). Italys coastguard works to rescue 1,200 migrants drifting at sea. [online] Ground.news. Available at: https://ground.news/article/italys-coastguard-works-to-rescue-1-200-migrants-drifting-at-sea_7cae7b [Accessed 10 Apr. 2023].
Salman, A. and Shelley, J. (2023). Palestinian teen killed, Israeli woman dies of wounds as West Bank violence simmers. [online] CNN. Available at: https://www.cnn.com/2023/04/10/middleeast/palestinian-teenager-israel-west-bank-intl/index.html [Accessed 10 Apr. 2023].
Times, W. (2023). Israeli PM reverses course on sacking defence minister. [online] Ground.news. Available at: https://ground.news/article/israeli-pm-reverses-course-on-sacking-defence-minister_fd670c [Accessed 10 Apr. 2023].
https://ground.news/article/eu-must-not-be-follower-of-us-china-on-taiwan-macron_7b0e92
https://ground.news/article/british-spy-plane-was-nearly-shot-down-by-russia-in-september-leaked-docs_be8e04
https://ground.news/article/china-ends-military-drills-around-taiwan-which-simulated-sealing-off-the-island_c3a8eb
https://ground.news/article/italys-coastguard-works-to-rescue-1-200-migrants-drifting-at-sea_7cae7b
https://www.cnn.com/2023/04/10/middleeast/palestinian-teenager-israel-west-bank-intl/index.html
https://ground.news/article/israeli-pm-reverses-course-on-sacking-defence-minister_fd670c