Pressenza - International Press Agency

The European Council against the trade in instruments of torture

On March 31, the Committee of Ministers of the European Council adopted a formal recommendation by which the 47 member states will effectively fight the trade in torture equipment. The recommendation, long solicited by Amnesty International and Omega Research Foundation,…

Selective perception

About 500 children and teenagers cross the northern border every day. One of the great violations of rights against children and youth is perpetrated before the eyes of the world, without generating the slightest act of compensation or the urgent…

On the theme of "Collateral Crucifixion," artist duo Captain Borderline has created a giant, artistic mural in Berlin featuring the crucified of the media world, Julian Assange.

Collateral Crucifixion - Pressuring for Julian Assange's Release!

With the title “Collateral Crucifixion”, the artist duo Captain Borderline has completed this motif as a giant maximum Assange…

Cuba: the embargo, the vaccine, the right to health and the white rose

A few days ago I met with Alonso Mederos, the Cuban Ambassador in Prague, for an interview on the…

Mural portrait of George Floyd by Eme Street Art in Mauerpark (Berlin, Germany)

George Floyd Facing the White-West

Before the trial began, Floyd family attorney Ben Crump blasted the idea that the trial would be a tough…

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EcoWaste Coalition Espouses “Natural is Beautiful” to Avoid Mercury Exposure through Skin Whitening Cosmetics

1 April 2021, Quezon City. The zero waste and chemical safety advocacy group EcoWaste Coalition told a global audience about the importance of embracing one’s natural skin color to avoid being exposed to mercury, a toxic chemical, in some skin…

Indigenous peoples

Magomed Magomedov (second from left), creator of the Avzag portal, with friends and collaborators.

The watchtower on the mountain of Dagestan's indigenous languages

An interview with a Kaitag language digital activist from Dagestan Magomed Magomedov is a Kaitag language activist from the Russian republic of Dagestan and the creator of a unique portal, Avzag (“avzag” means “language” in Ossetian), dedicated to indigenous Caucasian…

Health

Bolsonaro long refused to wear a face mask

Brazil: Are Jair Bolsonaro's days numbered?

As COVID-19 rages, the Brazilian president is increasingly isolated. Parts of the military and business leaders have distanced themselves. There is even speculation he could be impeached. Every day, at 3 a.m. (01:00 UTC) in the morning, the German-Brazilian artist…

Human Rights

Manifesto of the Saharawi people in defense of their natural resources

The international campaign, Western Sahara is not for sale (WSNS), has published a manifesto asking for support from the international community. Support the manifesto through the following link: https://www.westernsaharaisnotforsale.org/manifesto/ MANIFESTO “Our country, our resources: STOP the exploitation of Western Sahara’s natural…

Education

Balancing Trust and Ethics: A Need for Today or A Trend of the Past?

Ethics can play a major role in our society. Without moral principles, professionals such as those in medicine, education, and media may harm the patients, students, clients, etc. who they have obligations to. While ethical behavior in different professions pertain…

Human Rights

We support two European Citizens’ Initiatives: Basic Income and No Profit on Pandemic

The European Commission has several technocratic ways of consulting with EU citizens. It also has several ways, again technocratically, to apply pressure to have certain issues (which citizens believe are not being adequately acted upon) discussed and on which a…

Opinions

International issues

Partido Humanista Internacional

PHI on the International Day of Remembrance of the Victims of Slavery and the Transatlantic Slave Trade: "The Greatest Genocide of Humanity".

Human Rights

Inter Press Service

A survivor of child trafficking in Bihar, India. Extreme poverty, illiteracy and socio-economic inequalities are the main drivers of child trafficking for forced or bonded labour. [captured via videolink]

Why Rehabilitation is as Vital as Rescue for Child Trafficking Survivors

Health

Independent Media Institute

Why the U.S. and Its Allies Are Stupid to Turn COVID-19 Vaccination Into a Geopolitical Power Play

Interviews

Peace and Disarmament

International Peace Bureau

Image: Reiner Braun (second from the left) and Sharan Burrow (third from the right) at the Seán MacBride Peace Prize Ceremony for Jeremy Corbyn.

Interview with Sharan Burrow, ITUC General Secretary

Peace and Disarmament

Pressenza IPA

Interview with Professor Jody Williams, Nobel Peace Prize Laureate and chair of the Nobel Women’s Initiative

Health

Gerardo Femina

Cuban Vaccine Ready in July. Interview with the Cuban Ambassador to the Czech Republic

Video

Gender and Feminisms

Veronica Tarozzi

Women who Build the Future: Makoma Lekalakala

Gender and Feminisms

Pressenza Athens

Women who Build the Future: Alexia Tsouni

Education

Anna Polo

Women who Build the Future: Gemma Bird

News

Politics

PM Narendra Modi and PM Sheikh Hasina in Dhaka - Photo courtesy- Twitter

Narendra Modi's Contribution to the Liberation War of Bangladesh

Narendra Modi has been in “Muslim” in Bangladesh, saying he staged organized protest for the liberation war of Bangladesh in 1971, and even went to jail. Media has started praising this as usual. Narendra Modi is now the hero of…

Politics

Despite U.S. Dirty Tricks, Bolivia Is Finding a Way to Stay Independent

Sentiments in Bolivia for and against the coup d’etat of November 2019 are predictably along class lines. Those from more affluent sections felt that the socialist policies of the government of President Evo Morales (which was in power from 2006…

Migrants

Please, Latin America, Take Care of Your Children

Last week, President Biden nominated Vice President Harris to oversee the immigration issue at U.S. southern border, where thousands of unaccompanied minors are arriving from Central America. A few days later, ex-President Trumps said that “he will probably visit the…

Politics

Unidentified militia group shot down helicopter with laser weapons in Wardak March 18 killing Afghan military personnel.

China Resents US Presence in Afghanistan

How far China’s hardening stance vis-a-vis the prospect of long-term US military presence along Xinjiang’s border is going to impact the Afghan peace process remains to be seen. M.K. Bhadrakumar The “hidden agenda” of the war on terror in Afghanistan…

Economics

Russia-Africa: Reviving Party Solidarity

Over the past few years, Russia‘s sphere of influence in Africa has been strengthening and broadening with much focus on helping to maintain peace and security, and making investment in exploiting natural resources in Africa. The first historic Russia-Africa summit…

Ecology and Environment

Bill Gates’ Global Agenda and How We Can Resist His War on Life

In March 2015, Bill Gates showed an image of the coronavirus during a TED Talk and told the audience that it was what the greatest catastrophe of our time would look like. The real threat to life, he said, is…

Humanism and Spirituality

Report from the Place Where We Do Not Die

TESTIMONY “We do not die…!” This was what, in astonished recognition, I told myself one day more than twenty years ago, when I stumbled without warning into the Place Where We Do Not Die. I…

Culture and Media

Sitting

POEM When I sit here, like this, here With you by my side Friend– wise, kind, strong The storm inside my heart Calms down. It is as if I enter the eye of the…

Human Rights

“A safety guide for artists”, an important tool for artists at risk

REPORT ON THE ARTS It is a hard time coping with the crisis brought about by the global pandemic and all artists, being part of society are affected as well. On the other hand, it might…

Culture and Media

Betweens

POEM by Erlie A. Lopez Between two words is a space where a thought tarries. Between two lips is a silence where a hurt lingers. Between two minds is a gap where each…

Culture and Media

Mask

POEM by Rem Tanauan I’m about to hail a jeepney when I suddenly remember I’m not wearing a mask. I cannot travel with face fully exposed to the public. I did not intend it, I just…

Peace and Disarmament

Bio-inspired Big Dog quadruped robot is being developed as a mule that can traverse difficult terrain.tiff

Don’t Arm Robots in Policing

Proposed New York City Law a Model for Regulation Elected officials and local authorities across the United States and around the world should consider replicating an innovative legislative proposal that would prohibit police from arming robots used in their law…

Human Rights

Lancement de la Campagne Eau Bien Public Mondial

Launching of the Campaign: Water is a Global Public Good

23 March 2021. Water continues to be a commodity, ransacked, subjected to devastating commercial and financial domination. Water is diseased everywhere, polluted, exploited to the point of exhaustion. Rivers are dying, lakes are drying up. More than a third of the…

Peace and Disarmament

Popular initiative against arms exports started

Last week the people’s initiative against arms exports presented itself at a press conference and officially started collecting signatures. The voting rate is: “Within one year, the Senate and the citizenship create a legal basis that prohibits the transport and…

Human Rights

The roadmen’s house of Oulx has been cleared, a refuge for migrants en route to France

Last March 23, at 7.00 a.m., the police started clearing the roadmen’s house of Oulx, a shelter for migrants crossing the French border. The volunteers who were inside did not put up any resistance but just confined themselves inside. Right…

Politics

Coalition Calls on Biden to Use US-Owned Patent to Share Covid Vaccine With the World

“The U.S. government can help end the pandemic if it uses its legal leverage with Moderna to jumpstart an ambitious vaccine manufacturing program to benefit the world.” By Jake Johnson Public health advocacy groups and scientists are pressuring the Biden…

Health

Universal Health Care Is a Popular Idea in America—Will Biden Keep Enriching Private Insurance or ‘Go Big’?

If Biden really wants to go big and bold, he could start by pushing for a truly universal health care system, instead of pouring tax dollars into private insurance companies. By Sonali Kolhatkar As the coronavirus pandemic continues to wreak…

Science and Technology

After the Ever Given: what the ship wedged in the Suez Canal means for global trade

In the early hours of March 23, the container ship Ever Given was blown off course by high winds on its way through the Suez Canal. At 400 metres long, the Ever Given is longer than the canal is wide,…

Economics

More than 50 countries confirm actions against blockade on Cuba

Organizations and citizens from several sectors in more than 50 countries have confirmed the weekend of activities in the global caravan against the US blockade to Cuba, promoters of the mobilization said on Friday. The actions are planned for Saturday…

Human Rights

An adolescent girl, rescued from FGM, attends class at a primary school for girls in Uganda. At the school, girls rescued from FGM or child marriage also receive counselling and psychosocial support.

First Person: ‘No daughter of mine will be cut’

Like 95 per cent of women in her Ugandan community, Margaret Chepoteltel underwent female genital mutilation (FGM) as a child, subjecting her to lifelong health problems. Today, she is raising awareness of the dangers of FGM, as part of a…

Health

Global Britain and the EU

The political conflicts between the EU and Great Britain – also over vaccines – are increasing while economic ties are decreasing. The controversy between the EU and Great Britain over access to Covid-19 vaccines is escalating. The persistent EU campaign…

Nonviolence

Istanbul is not the city anymore to stand for the Istanbul Convention

In autumn 2020, we at the Women’s International League for Peace and Freedom from European sections, approached governments, the Council of Europe and EU parliamentarians, alarmed by the announcement of Poland’s Minister of Family, Labour and Social Policy, Marlena Maląg,…

Ecology and Environment

13 Spray Paints with High Lead Content-01

Philippine NGO discovers more spray paints with dangerously high lead content

Last March 22, 2021, a toxics watchdog group from the Philippines announced that it has found more spray paints in the market that are contaminated with dangerously high concentrations of lead, a forbidden chemical in the manufacture of paints. In…

Health

Despite the pandemic-related challenges, Russia progresses with vaccination at home and abroad

President Vladimir Putin has praised the entire healthcare system, and particularly the hard-working team of scientists and specialists from different institutions for their efforts at research and creating a series of coronavirus vaccines for use against the coronavirus both at…

Nonviolence

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Myanmar’s protesters have achieved significant victories — now is the time to double down on nonviolent resistance

The military’s brutal attack on peaceful protesters has understandably sparked calls for armed insurgency. But such a move could set the movement back. By Maria J. Stephan Since Feb. 1, when the Tatmadaw military leadership launched a coup against the…

Economics

Who are we? Where are we going? How will we get there?

It may help to precede my answers with a methodological remark, starting from Heidegger`s Jedes Fragen ist ein Suchen (Every question is a seeking). (Sein und Zeit (Being and Time), on or near p. 5 in every German or English…

Politics

South Korean Chief of the National Security Office Chung Eui-yong (left) and North Korean leader Kim Jong-un meeting at the Workers' Party of Korea in Pyongyang on March 5, 2018. Jong-un is holding a letter signed by SK's president Moon Jae-in to arrange for more talks towards peace. Kim Jong-un's sister, Kim Yo-jong, is on the right.

Biden’s strategic patience and Kim Jong-Un’s strategic patience are meeting

US Secretary of State Anthony Blinken and Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin of the Joe Biden administration visited Japan and South Korea last week. On his way home, Blinken stopped in Alaska to meet with high-ranking Chinese officials. White House security…

Politics

Universality or Fighting Over Scraps

Why should rich people get pandemic survival checks? Why shouldn’t descendants of enslaved people get reparations payments? Why should someone who doesn’t go to college pay taxes to make college free? Why should smokers get health coverage? Why should someone…

Health

A_group_of_African_students_working_in_the_lab-960x675

Academia: Why African Researchers Keep Distance Away From COVID-19

With estimated 1.3 billion population and huge resources, Africa still lags behind development, science and technology. Without its own manufactured vaccine, Africa now depends on the World Health Organization-backed equitable vaccine distribution network COVAX facility to fight the coronavirus pandemic.…

Diversity

Invitation: Parliament of Planetary Citizenship

The discussion about the need to create a global governance of the common Earth starting from the peoples has been going on for a long time. Initiatives in this direction already exist and are very welcome. Saturday, 03/27/2021 02:00 PM…

Politics

Erdoğan Starts a Political Earthquake in Turkey

By Vijay Prashad and E. Ahmet Tonak Significant developments are underway in Turkey. Most ominously, the government of President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan of the Justice and Development Party (AKP) has moved toward the banning of one of the country’s main…

Ecology and Environment

Aerial view of the San Onofre Nuclear Generating Station in San Diego County, California, May 26, 2012. Source: Wikimedia Commons

Nuclear fuel buried 108 feet from the sea

“The most toxic substance on Earth is separated from exposure to society by ½” of steel encased in a canister.” (Blanch) That eye-opener comes from renowned nuclear expert Paul Blanch in reference to spent fuel rods removed from the San…

Asia

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The Myanmarese migrants’ voice in South Korea

On the day of the annual observance for the 2021 International Day for the Elimination of Racial Discrimination, an important event was held in Seoul, Korea. The day was observed and celebrated on March 21, 2021, urging the Korean government…

Original content

Chronicle of the Ordinary Giants n°1

A few days ago, on March 11, we celebrated the “1 year” of our global and official entry into the pandemic (subsequently qualified as an epidemic, that’s another story). When I say “we”, it is really us, all humans, humanity. One year…

Human Rights

The pope in Iraq

The Pope’s decision to visit Mesopotamia must be carefully considered, given the complexity of the geopolitical issues of the Near and Middle East. The Pope went to a place that is the scene of a geopolitical clash, where there are…

North America

Scientists-90-Chance-End-Of-Civilization-Will-Happen-Within-Decades

Scientists Say Humanity Now at 'Dawn of What Must Be a Transformative Decade'

“Whether humanity has the collective wisdom to navigate the Anthropocene to sustain a livable biosphere for people and civilizations, as well as for the rest of life with which we share the planet, is the most formidable challenge facing humanity.”…

Culture and Media

Top Rights Tweets of the Week

Jim Murphy Trending rights tweets this week: Killings continue in Myanmar as the military junta declared martial law, meaning protesters or activists can be brought before military courts and have no right to appeal sentences meted out; US calls on…

Opinions

I like to walk around at night taking snapshots of Victoria, B.C. Not everybody can do that right now. Photo by Nevin Thompson

Not just Atlanta, but also Victoria, B.C.

Acknowledging the racism and white supremacy embedded in Canadian society Written by Nevin Thompson This article was adapted from a personal essay originally published on Facebook and Medium. On Wednesday, March 17, a terrible mass shooting in Atlanta, Georgia killed…

Opinions

The Latest Lies About Russia

By David Swanson Things that we now know are not actually true: Russia impacted the U.S. election results in 2016 or 2020. Russia hacked into U.S. election machines. The recent U.S. government report alleging election interference contained any evidence of anything. The…

Africa

Samia Hassan becomes Tanzania's first female President

By Kester Kenn Klomegah On March 19, Tanzania’s Samia Suluhu Hassan was sworn in as the sixth president of the East African country following the death of President John Magufuli. The swearing-in ceremony took place at State House in Dar es Salaam,…

Original content

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Hibakusha- Japan’s peaceful warriors awarded a Peace Prize

The International Peace Bureau, IPB awarded the Sean MacBride Peace Prize to the Japanese organization HIDANKYO who launched the International Signature Campaign in Support of the Appeal of the Hibakusha for the Elimination of Nuclear Weapons. The award ceremony was…

Original content

The reinvention of Maria

Poetry Yesterday while I was sleeping in the dark Many voices stalked my tranquility And the fire inside me burned my hope Screams of hatred erased my memory Among the shadows of monsters he drew me…

Original content

Forgiven

POEM For growing old For filling –rather spilling—out For the karma of going unnoticed For a rate of success with men since age 48 of: record negative double digits …and still falling (oh my god)…

Original content

Blessings

POEM I know all too well that living often seems to bring nothing but grief. Nevertheless on this extraordinary day I give thanks, and thanks, and more thanks because somehow for no reason at all…

Original content

When the Stars Descend from the Heavens

POEM Each day that comes into our lives Brings some beauty and some sorrows too. With the sun in its sky And the ground beneath our feet There, we go on With…

Original content

Destruction of Aleppo caused by a SKUD missile, March 2013

Syria: The Start of a Long Night of Sorrow

On 13 March 2011 in Dara’a, in the south of Syria, 15 teenage boys were arrested by Syrian security police for having written hostile graffiti against President Bashar Al-Assad on a school wall. The arrests led to non-violent protests in…

International

A Moral Failure: Billions of People with No Access to Clean Drinking Water

By Volkan Bozkir * The UN will be commemorating World Water Day on Monday March 22. Water is integral to sustainable development, but we are well behind on the goals and targets that we have set ourselves. By current estimates:…

International

A Three-Day Event in Italy to Set the Stage for UN Food Systems Summit

By Jaya Ramachandran Under the leadership of UN Secretary-General António Guterres and Italy’s Prime Minister Mario Draghi, the Pre-Summit of the 2021 UN Food Systems Summit from July 19 to July 21 will bring together worldwide efforts and contributions aiming…

Opinions

A Divided U.S. and the Dangers of Misdirected Anger

By David Swanson Many people in the United States, as in many other places, are getting angrier. This would be a good thing if they all understood whom they should be angry at and the superiority of nonviolent activism to stupid, futile violence. They…

Original content

Building a Planetary Citizen's Parliament

Growing slowly, but steadily, the Multiconvergence of Global Networks continues to build bridges and promote common actions. Continuing our engagement at the World Social Forum in January, we are now planning a new meeting on March 27 to advance the…

Europe

Balearic government turns empty apartments into social housing

Affordable housing is scarce, while at the same time many apartments remain empty. This is a problem that many cities are struggling with. The government of the Balearic islands in Spain has now found a solution. A total of 56…

International

Only the lonely

By Ross Crates, Dejan Stojanovic, Naomi Langmore and Rob Heinsohn Just as humans learn languages, animals learn behaviours crucial for survival and reproduction from older, experienced individuals of the same species. In this way, important “cultures” such as bird songs…

Europe

4-day working week: Spain to launch nationwide trial

Spain will become the first country in the world to launch a pilot 4-day workweek at nation-state level, The Guardian reports. The government of Socialist Pedro Sánchez has accepted a proposal from the leftist Más País (meaning “More Country”) party.…

Health

Chile becomes one of the top COVID-19 vaccination leaders

After being one of the world’s most hard-hit nations with COVID-19, Chile has now managed to become one of the top countries in the vaccination of its population. According to government officials and health experts, the government’s early negotiations with…

Europe

The AstraZeneca jab is one of the cheaper vaccine options

AstraZeneca: German researchers discover thrombosis trigger

The discovery of the cause of blood clots among some AstraZeneca recipients means that a targeted treatment can be developed. Researchers at the Greifswald teaching hospital in northern Germany said on Friday that they had discovered the cause of the…

Asia

Top PH plastic polluters revealed: Green groups renew call to ban SUPs

19 March 2021 – Members of the #BreakFreeFromPlastic movement today renewed the call for the government to impose a nationwide ban on single-use plastics to mandate corporations to end dependence on single-use plastics. The call came following the release of…

Original content

Consideraciones clave para el activismo hoy: charla de apertura para una conferencia nocturna sobre resistencia

Reproducción de la charla que dio Lieven de Cauter [9] en la apertura del acto “una conferencia nocturna sobre el activismo”. Tenemos que aprender a mirar la historia de los movimientos de protesta como olas u oleadas. Tenemos…

Culture and Media

Homage to playwright Augusto Boal will be live streamed at 20:00 [São Paulo time]

Founder of the Theater of the Oppressed, playwright Augusto Boal would be turning 90

Recall the playwright’s contributions to Latin American culture and the working class Daniel Giovanaz A genuinely Brazilian, and also Latin American theater, in which workers appropriate artistic means of production and the boundaries between actor and spectator are blurred. This…

Opinions

‘LGBTQ rights have become a litmus test in Palestinian society’

The growing visibility of queer Palestinians poses a challenge to Arab political parties that are exploiting homophobia ahead of the Israeli election, says attorney and activist Fady Khoury. By Edo Konrad The Palestinian LGBTQ community isn’t used to being at…

Original content

Are Two Off Days Enough to Satisfy Students’ Mental Health?

By Rebecca Diers – SUNY Cortland Before the spring semester started at SUNY Cortland, administrators announced that there will be no spring break this year because of Covid-19. In an attempt to still give students some sort of break, they…

Original content

Brésil : La contagion sociale frappe à la porte

Brazil: Social Contagion Knocks on the Door

By Paulo Henrique Martins Art often anticipates historical trends not yet revealed. We can exemplify with the film “Contagion” (2011) directed by Soderbergh. The film deals with the spread of a virus that, like Covid 19, would have emerged in…

International

International arms transfers level off after years of sharp growth; Middle Eastern arms imports grow most, says SIPRI

International transfers of major arms stayed at the same level between 2011–15 and 2016–20. Substantial increases in transfers by three of the top five arms exporters—the USA, France and Germany—were largely offset by declining Russian and Chinese arms exports. Middle…

Opinions

Lula da Silva: Brasilien brauchen einen neuen Gesellschaftsvertrag unter allen Brasilianern

Prosecuting ex-presidents for corruption is trending worldwide – but it’s not always great for democracy

Former presidents are being investigated, prosecuted and even jailed worldwide. In Bolivia, ex-President Jeanine Áñez was arrested on terrorism, conspiracy and sedition charges on March 13. A week before, former French President Nicolas Sarkozy was sentenced to prison for corruption…

Europe

EU reaches agreement on cross-border infrastructure funding

Following lengthy and at times contentious negotiations, the European Parliament and Council agreed Thursday (11 March) on the Connecting Europe Facility, making available over €30 billion in funding for transport, digital, and energy projects. Prior to Thursday’s late-night agreement, negotiations…

Asia

Fire from burning Chinese-owned factories in Myanmar’s industrial township of Hlaingthaya, Yangon, March 15, 2021

India Should Hold the Line on Myanmar

A chaotic situation in Myanmar ensuing from the geopolitical struggle would have serious consequences for the security of India’s North Eastern region. The Indian government has done the right thing by sending an advisory to the four northeastern states — Mizoram, Nagaland,…

North America

Green Groups File 'First-of-Its-Kind' FTC Complaint Against Chevron for Climate Lies

“The world’s second biggest polluter shouldn’t advertise that they’re good for the environment.” By Kenny Stancil, Three environmental justice and corporate accountability groups filed a “first-of-its-kind” complaint with the Federal Trade Commission on Tuesday accusing oil giant Chevron of deceiving…

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