Spanish Truckers’ Protest Widens as More Firms Hit by Disruption

Alonso Soto, Bloomberg News

Three major federations of truck owners will join a protest in Spain over soaring fuel prices despite the government’s pledge to give direct aid, escalating a movement that’s hindering trade and some industries. 

French dairy giant Danone warned on Tuesday that it will have to temporarily halt operations in Spain within 24 hours if the demonstration continues. The world’s largest yogurt maker is the latest company that may be hit by the week-long protest that has disrupted supply chains for car and clothes manufacturers, milk producers and supermarket chains.   

Facing rising social discontent about skyrocketing energy costs, Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez is touring European capitals this week to try to whip up support for an overhaul of the continent’s energy markets. His government is also working back home to gain political backing for a package of measures to cushion the fallout of the war in Ukraine.

The truckers’ protest is due to continue after three federations of transportation companies said the government’s pledges for 500 million euros ($550 million) in direct help was not enough and more details would be needed in the coming days. Economy Minister Nadia Calvino said on Monday that the aid, which will be partly paid by oil companies, will lower fuel costs for truck drivers and owners.  

If Sanchez doesn’t came up with stronger measures to contain prices of products besides energy, the country could face more social upheaval in the coming weeks, said Unai Sordo, the head of Comisiones Obreras, Spain’s largest confederation of unions.

Thousands of fishermen went on strike on Monday and farmers are threatening action to demand help with energy costs that surged further after Russia’s invasion of Ukraine in late February. Meanwhile, Inditex SA, the world’s largest clothing retailer, said on the website of its Zara brand that some deliveries in Spain may be delayed due to the protest by the truck drivers, who are also demanding better working conditions.

“It all depends on what the government puts on the table,” Sordo said in an interview. “If the government can take measures to ease the spike in prices, from fertilizers to fuel, then the situation can return to normal.”

©2022 Bloomberg L.P.

Security strike at German airports causes cancellation

s

A stranded passenger rests in a terminal at the airport in Frankfurt (AP)

TUE, 22 MAR, 2022 - 10:56
AP REPORTERS

A strike by security staff at eight German airports – among them Frankfurt, a major intercontinental hub – has led to widespread disruption and flight cancellations.

The ver.di union called the all-day strike at Frankfurt, Germany’s busiest airport, as well as Berlin, Bremen, Hamburg, Hanover, Stuttgart, Dusseldorf and Cologne-Bonn, before a round of pay talks with employers scheduled for Thursday.

It followed walkouts at several airports last week.

At Frankfurt, 108 out of the day’s 790 planned flights had been cancelled by Tuesday morning, German news agency dpa reported.

Travellers stand in front of a display board in an airport terminal

 in Hamburg (dpa via AP)

Passengers due to start their journeys at the airport were unable to board, though passengers could transfer flights.

All 88 planned departures from Hamburg were cancelled.

Security checks at German airports are under the supervision of federal police, but largely conducted by private firms.

Security officials in Bavaria are paid in line with a pay deal for public service employees and are not going on strike.

Thousands attend Newroz celebration in London

More than ten thousand people attended the Newroz celebration held in London's Finsbury Park, shouting "Biji Serok Apo".


ANF
LONDON
Monday, 21 Mar 2022,
London celebrated one of the most magnificent Newroz of recent years. Promoted by the Kurdish People's Assembly, the celebration was attended by more than ten thousand people who flocked London's Finsbury Park with the slogan "Dem dema Azadiyê". A giant banner of Kurdish people's leader Abdullah Öcalan and Mazlum Doğan and photographs of British fighters from YPG who lost their lives in Rojava were hung on the stage.

Many institutions such as Heyva-Sor, Partizan and MLKP opened information stands in the park. Young people wore T-shirts with pictures of Kurdish people's leader Abdullah Öcalan, and wore guerrilla and traditional clothes.

The Newroz celebration started with a minute's silence in memory of the martyrs of the revolution and democracy.

British Kurdish People's Assembly co-chairs, Elif Sarıcan and Miraz Serhat, underlined that Newroz expresses resistance and freedom, and added that there will be an all-out struggle for Newroz in 2022 and the physical freedom of Kurdish people's leader Abdullah Öcalan.

Koma Zelal took the stage followed by Firaz Dag Children's Choir. Omid Şerîfî from Rojhilat sang in Kurmancî and Soranî.

Cemevi President Filiz Koç gave a speech on behalf of the Democratic Forces Union, which includes many institutions from Kurdistan and Turkey. Expressing that Newroz is a symbol of resistance, Koç underlined the common struggle against fascism.

The British Representative of the Syrian Democratic Council, Mesud Kasu, said that the Turkish state carries out a policy of genocide not only against the Kurds of Turkey, but also against the Kurds of Rojava, Bashur and Rojhilat.

Heval Agit, who made a speech on behalf of TCŞ, said that the Kurdish youths will fight until they ensure the physical freedom of Leader Öcalan.

The MLKP wished that 2022 Newroz would be a day when the isolation against Öcalan and all revolutionary prisoners would be lifted.

Keir Starmer, the leader of the main opposition Labour Party in England, stated that the Kurdish people are discriminated against because of their national identity and face oppression and violence, and that Newroz will bring democracy, prosperity and peace to Kurdistan and the Middle East. wished.

Songs by Hozan Canê

Hozan Canê warmed the crowd when she sang for Kurdish people's leader Abdullah Öcalan.

Haringey Mayor Peray Ahmed and council members greeted the people celebrating Newroz.

Baydemir: The AKP plan failed

Kurdish politician Osman Baydemir said that the Kurds need national unity and added: “We have to recognize our friends and enemies. Today, they forced us to have hundreds of thousands of Kurds refugees in Afrin. The reason for this is Ankara. Those who want peace in Ukraine are waging war in Kurdistan. This is hypocrisy. The unity of the Kurds against fascism and occupation is essential. The Turkish state's plan to overthrow the Kurds, was collapsed by the millions who took to the streets in Newroz. When the gates of Imrali are opened, peace will be achieved through negotiations."

Corbyn: The way to peace is Öcalan’s freedom

Former Labour Party Leader, deputy Jeremy Corbyn, described his visit to Amed in 2008, and said that the struggle of the Kurdish people for their identity, language and culture was met with great violence by the Turkish state. Corbyn called for freedom for Abdullah Öcalan, the Kurdish leader and 'Mandela of the Middle East'.

After the speeches, artist Ferhat Tunç took the stage. Explaining that they were in exile because they were fighting against fascism, Tunç underlined that they would not back down from the struggle.

Artist and rapper Serhado closed the celebrations.

KCK’s Bayık sends message to Qandil Newroz: No power can stop this spirit

In a video message to the Newroz celebration in Qandil, KCK Executive Council Co-Chair Cemil Bayık said, “No power can stop this spirit, for it is the spirit of freedom, unity and resistance.”

ANF
QANDIL
Monday, 21 Mar 2022,

The Newroz celebration in Qandil is continuing enthusiastically. The celebration area is decorated with PKK, KCK and PAJK flags as well as posters of Kurdish leader Abdullah Öcalan. People from four parts of Kurdistan have come to the celebration, and artists from four parts of Kurdistan take stage during the events.

More than 20 books written by Abdullah Öcalan are exhibited in the area. People showed great interest in the book “My whole life was a struggle” written by Sakine Cansız, one of the founders of the PKK, who was murdered in Paris in 2013. The book was translated into the Sorani dialect by Aram Pencewini.

A video message from KCK (Kurdistan Communities Union) Executive Council Co-chair Cemil Bayık was screened, and the messages of the Communities of Women from Kurdistan (KJK) and the Azadi Movement were read out.

BAYIK: NEWROZ SPIRIT IS THE SPIRIT OF FREEDOM AND RESISTANCE

Bayık remarked that Abdullah Öcalan and the PKK based their struggle for freedom on the spirit of Newroz. “No power can stop this spirit, for it is the spirit of freedom, unity and resistance,” he said.

Bayık emphasized that the PKK is a symbol of unity and resistance and that it represents the entire Kurdish people. “Qandil is also a fortress of resistance for the Kurds. The Kurdish people should know the reality of Newroz very well. Newroz is the development of unity and resistance,” he said.

The KCK executive recalled that guerrilla forces mounted an outstanding resistance and paid a heavy price last year. “The Turkish state's plans were frustrated thanks to the prices paid. Our fighters carried out heroic deeds in Garê, Werxelê, Mam Reşo, Zendura and Girê Sor.”

Bayık stressed that these fighters are not only the martyrs of the PKK and North Kurdistan, but also the entire Kurdish people and Kurdistan. “They were martyred for the peoples and humanity. Martyrs of the Kurdish people are the martyrs of humanity.”

'KDP POSES A MAJOR THREAT TO THE KURDISH PEOPLE'

Bayık said that the Turkish state receives support from South Kurdistan’s ruling party, Kurdistan Democratic Party (KDP) in its invasion and genocidal attacks across the region.

“The KDP serves the Turkish state in every way. We asked the KDP to join the national unity, but unfortunately, it is now at the service of the invading Turkish state and enemies of the Kurdish people.”

Insisting that the Turkish state wants to defeat the PKK and the Kurdish people, Bayık called on the Kurdish people to stand up against betrayal, to protect themselves and to strengthen their struggle for freedom.

“The KDP poses a major threat to the Kurdish people and South Kurdistan with its collaboration with the enemy,” he warned.

Bayık also drew attention to the isolation imposed on Kurdish leader Öcalan in prison. “He is currently being held hostage in İmralı. The Kurdish people cannot accept the isolation and torture in Imrali because the freedom of Öcalan is the freedom of the Kurdish people.”

Bayık stated that the Kurdish people should stand up against the occupation and the oppression of the Turkish state, and that the KDP should end its cooperation with the Turkish army. “If this is not prevented, it will be a major threat to the Kurdish people,” he said.

KJK: THIS YEAR’S NEWROZ REVOKES LAUSANNE TREATY

The KJK said in its message to the Qandil Newroz that “it is time for free women and free society.”

“The 50th Newroz celebration of the people's freedom struggle has revoked the Lausanne Treaty and defeated the line of betrayal and fascism,” the KJK said.

“Despite all the attacks, massacres and conspiracies, the Kurdish people are standing and struggling in the spirit of Newroz resistance,” KJK said and noted that the Kurds are leading this struggle not only for themselves, but also for all supporters of freedom in the entire world.

“This place is not only Qandil, but also Amed, Qamishlo and Mahabad,” the Azadi Movement said in its message.

The Azadi Movement emphasized that the freedom struggle would be strengthened everywhere.

One million people attend the Newroz rally in Amed

The rally in Amed marked the historic high point for Newroz in Kurdistan in 2022. 

Pervin Buldan recalled the urgency of implementing Abdullah Öcalan's declaration in order to achieve social peace.

ANF
AMED
Tuesday, 22 Mar 2022, 07:49

The mass rally in the resistance stronghold of Amed (Diyarbakır) marked the historical highlight of the Newroz New Year celebrations in Kurdistan this year. The whole city, which was lit up everywhere in green, red and yellow, was on its feet. Hundreds of thousands were on the move, in the end there were a good million people on the Newroz area. "Now is the time of success", the motto of Newroz this year with the main demand "Freedom for Abdullah Öcalan", was visible in the masses going to the park reacting to the shelling of gas grenades and water cannons with the slogan " Bijî Serok Apo”. Police provocations by attempting to arrest young people at countless checkpoints and on the celebration grounds failed due to verbal resistance. Newroz in Amed was once again more than just a festival. It was a demonstration of the indomitable will of a resistant people, an act of civil disobedience and, above all, a day of political struggle.

The program was rich and varied. On stage, political speeches alternated with music by artists such as Rojda, Azad Bedran, Servet Kocakaya, Kazo, as well as messages sent from prison by former HDP MP Leyla Güven and the deposed co-mayor of Amed, Adnan Selçuk Mızraklı from. The chairmen of the parties from the Kurdistan Alliance appeared on the stage together with the political veteran Ahmet Türk. The 79-year-old appealed to the political parties in Kurdistan, divided into four, to find "national unity. It is time that we came together to formulate common positions. If we really care about the Kurdish cause, we have to come to an understanding and put differences aside. History will not forgive us for behaving differently, nor will our people. It is necessary to make policies suitable for the new era, strengthen democratic forces and rally our people around common values.”

The co-chair of the grassroots coalition Democratic Society Congress (DTK), Berdan Öztürk, led his speech by saying, “The undertone of this year's Newroz is unmistakable; It's the time of success, it's the time of victory. This Newroz is the celebration of Abdullah Öcalan's freedom."

Öztürk spoke about the phase from 2014, when the so-called destruction plan (“Çöktüre Planı”), a military and political concept of annihilation against Kurdish society and its organized structures, was initiated in Ankara and war, crises and conflicts have been unfolding ever since continue to intensify. "This is the only strategy of the rulers in Ankara. They have chosen hostility towards the Kurds as a way instead of listening to the words of Abdullah Öcalan, which said: freedom, equality, democracy and just peace. It's not too late to stray from the wrong path and make peace with this people."

The highlight of this year's Newroz in Amed was the speech by HDP chairperson Pervin Buldan, who was greeted with the slogan "Bijî Serok Apo" and received thunderous applause. “Once again, it is the people of Amed who are making history on this day. Newroz is our traditional historical spring festival, which has become a political festival in resistance to oppression and colonialism. Newroz also means hope, brotherhood and courage. On this historic day you have once again defied those who do not respect your rights. This attitude, which deserves to be appreciated, is the manifest expression of the Roadmap to Democracy, Peace and Justice.”

Noam Chomsky sends Newroz message to Van

U.S. linguist Noam Chomsky has sent a message of greeting to participants in the Newroz celebration in Van: "It is a privilege for me to be able to make even a small contribution to the remarkable struggle of the Kurdish people."


ANF
VAN
Sunday, 20 Mar 2022,

U.S. linguist Noam Chomsky has sent a greeting to participants in the Newroz celebration in the northern Kurdish province of Van, where tens of thousands of people gathered on Sunday amid snowfall to welcome spring. Chomsky, in his message broadcast over a large screen, emphasized that the Kurdish people were fighting "heroically" for freedom and justice and that their resistance had always been "inspiring" to him.

Chomsky also strongly protested the incommunicado detention of Abdullah Öcalan, the mastermind of the Kurdish liberation movement, who has been held as a political hostage in the Imrali island prison since 1999. "Mr. Öcalan has been subjected to appalling isolation. This isolation also affects the Kurdish people. It must be broken," Chomsky said. The message was met with celebratory cheers from the celebrating crowd in Van.

HAPPY EQUINOX

NOWRUZ/NEWROZ/ 

HAPPY PERSIAN NEW YEAR

Dozens of people celebrate Newroz in Mexico City

Dozens of people responded enthusiastically to the call by the small number of Kurds living in Mexico City to celebrate Newroz.


ANF
MEXICO CITY
Tuesday, 22 Mar 2022,

Last year, the Newroz fire was lit in the state of Chiapas, where the Zapatista movement was born.

This year, dozens of Mexicans and people from other parts of Latin America came together for Newroz in the capital, Mexico City, enthusiastically responding to the call of the small number of Kurds living in the city.

The celebration took place in Los Dinamos Ecological Park in the southeast of the city.

People who came together on Monday morning, after walking along the river, reached the area where Newroz will be celebrated.

Decorating the area with yellow, red and green colours, Kurds and Latin Americans hung flags symbolizing their own people's struggles next to the Kurdistan flags, turning the area into an international struggle area.

Everyone brought wood to grow the Newroz fire and prepared meals to share.

The friends of the Kurdish freedom movement gathered around a big table to enjoy the Newroz celebration for the first time.

At the table where the current situation in Kurdistan and the isolation on Kurdish people's leader Abdullah Öcalan were discussed, the vital importance of solidarity and common resistance among peoples was emphasized.

The group, which lit the Newroz fire by promising to expand the freedom struggle in 2022, especially in Kurdistan, Mexico, Colombia, Walmapu (Chile), jumped over the fire and danced halay to the accompaniment of Kurdish music.

Mexican Newroz celebrations continued until sunset, demanding freedom for Abdullah Öcalan.

KURDS PEACEFUL NORWUZ CELEBRATION ATTACKED BY ERDOGAN THUGS

Nowruz celebration in Turkey descends into clashes - in pictures

Turkish riot police used pepper spray against the crowd that had gathered to celebrate the Persian new year

FOR PHOTO DESCRIPTIONS SEE Nowruz celebration in Turkey descends into clashes - in pictures (thenationalnews.com)

WATER IS LIFE
Abbas urges end to Israel's looting of Palestinian water

Abbas’ speech marks World Water Day

News Service18:19 March 22, 2022

File photo

Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas on Tuesday called for halting Israel's looting of Palestinian water resources.

"How long will the world remain silent about the fate and life of our Palestinian people being held hostage by the [Israeli] occupier through its racist practices and its control over our resources and our legitimate rights," Abbas said in a speech marking World Water Day.

Abbas said the world must find "just solutions to the issue of water that our [Palestinian] people suffer from."

"The [Israeli] occupation controls the water sources below and above the ground." Abbas said. “Greed of the occupation in our land and water is still the basis for all illegal settlement expansion,” he added.

Marked on March 22, World Water Day highlights the importance of fresh water. The day is used to advocate for the sustainable management of freshwater resources.

Writing by Ahmed Asmar

ArcelorMittal Removes Russian Materials From Steel Supply Chain

Eddie Spence, Bloomberg News

A rolling mill at the ArcelorMittal SA Ghent steel plant in Ghent, Belgium. Photographer: Valeria Mongelli/Bloomberg , Bloomberg

(Bloomberg) -- ArcelorMittal SA, Europe’s biggest steelmaker, has eliminated Russian commodities from its supply chain following the invasion of Ukraine.

Governments and companies across Europe are trying to curb their dependency on Russia, driving up prices of energy and commodities. The country has been a key supplier of iron ore and coal for the region’s blast furnaces and ArcelorMittal took three weeks to plan how to halt flows. 

The steelmaker said it previously sourced about a fifth of the coal for its European mills from Russia. The company also bought iron ore from sanctioned billionaire Alisher Usmanov’s Metalloinvest, according to its annual report.

“We are independent now,” said Geert Van Poelvoorde, the steelmaker’s European chief executive officer, said in an interview from Ghent in Belgium. “For the third quarter, we need to buy a bit more from non-Russia. But this is not a big issue.”

The war in Ukraine will reshape global flows of raw materials, according to Van Poelvoorde. Within a few months, Russia will re-route exports of coal from Europe to China, which will in turn buy less of the fuel from Australia.

“Russians have always been very opportunistic,” Van Poelvoorde said. “There will be a world re-balancing.”

Steel prices have surged to fresh record in Europe after the European Union moved to curb Russia’s exports to the bloc. High energy prices have also forced some steel mills to curtail production, further hitting supply.

ArcelorMittal’s portfolio of iron ore and coal mines helped to ease the company’s pivot away from Russia, but other European steelmakers will find sourcing alternative supplies more challenging. About half of the coal consumed by Europe’s steel industry comes from Russia, according to Van Poelvoorde.

The European Union is discussing massive borrowing to finance energy projects that would help wean the bloc off its dependence on Russian gas. Decarbonization will increase the scale of the challenge, with the main path to net-zero steelmaking requiring large quantities of green hydrogen that can only be produced with vast amounts of renewable electricity.

Using hydrogen to decarbonize ArcelorMittal’s Ghent plant -- which produces 3.6% of the EU’s steel -- would require four gigawatts of power capacity, Van Poelvoorde said. That’s the equivalent to about a sixth of Belgium’s current total.

“The commission and the member states should be aware of the numbers, because I think they underestimate a bit what we’re talking about,” he said. “We need massive energy.”

©2022 Bloomberg L.P.