Monthly Archives: March 2016

Brazil

Glenn Greenwald: What Is Happening in Brazil is Much Worse Than Donald Trump

Democracy Now
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Glenn Greenwald

Glenn Greenwald, Pulitzer Prize-winning journalist and co-founder of The Intercept.

Brazil is facing its worst political crisis in over two decades as opponents of Brazilian President Dilma Rousseff attempt to impeach her on corruption charges. But Rousseff is refusing calls to resign, saying the impeachment proceedings against her amount to undemocratic attempts by the right-wing opposition to oust her from power. On Wednesday, former Brazilian President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva called the impeachment proceedings against Rousseff an attempted “coup d’état.” We speak to Pulitzer Prize-winning journalist Glenn Greenwald. His piece, “Brazil Is Engulfed by Ruling Class Corruption—and a Dangerous Subversion of Democracy,” recently was published by The Intercept. Continue reading Glenn Greenwald: What Is Happening in Brazil is Much Worse Than Donald Trump →

Britain

Glasgow: Hundreds mourn Muslim murdered after sending Easter wishes to Christian friends

Independent Catholic News
Claire Bergin

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A sea of flowers and tributes marks the place where a popular Muslim shopkeeper in Glasgow was attackeded after posting Easter greetings to Christian friends on his Facebook page.

Asad Shah, 40, was found seriously injured outside his shop in the Shawlands area of Glasgow on Thursday night. He died a few hours later.

His message read: “Good Friday and very Happy Easter, especially to my beloved Christian nation ….Let’s follow the real footstep of beloved Holy Jesus Christ and get the real success in both worlds.” Continue reading Glasgow: Hundreds mourn Muslim murdered after sending Easter wishes to Christian friends →

Congo

DR Congo: Gunmen kill priest who denounced corruption

Independent Catholic News

congofrAn Assumption priest, Fr Vincent Machozi, who for several years documented human rights abuses in eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), was murdered on Sunday night by armed gunmen, shortly after he posted an online article denouncing the involvement of the Congolese and Rwandan presidents in the massacres of innocent civilians.

A native of eastern Congo and a School of Theology student from 2006 to 2012, Fr Machozi worked closely with the Boston University (BU) Pardee School of Global Studies African Studies Center on outreach efforts in the war-torn country. Continue reading DR Congo: Gunmen kill priest who denounced corruption →

Belgium, Peace

The Brussels Attacks

The New Internationalist

We are going to need more than demonstrations, we are going to have to do more than putting the Belgian flag as a profile picture on Facebook, we are going to need more that GIFs, tweets and petitions. What we need is a total, radical and deep rethinking of the way we see society, of how we see each other within it, of who makes decisions on our behalf. In short, a spiritual and philosophical revolution is what it required.

By Frank Barat

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Frank Barat reflects on Tuesday’s attacks on his city, and argues that only more understanding can defeat terrorism and its root causes.

The second day of Spring in my hometown, Brussels, started like any other day. I took the kids to school and nursery this morning, then went to work. Or, rather, came back home, where most of my work is done these days. For two years, I’d been working at offices near the European Parliament, but I prefer working from home now, especially in days like today: The sky is blue and the sun is shining. Sitting in front of my computer, I looked outside at the trees, listening to the singing birds. Continue reading The Brussels Attacks →

Congo

DR Congo at ‘critical juncture,’ amid rising political tensions – UN envoy tells Security Council

UN News Centre

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23 March 2016 – The Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) is at a ritical juncture, with rising political tensions ahead of elections which could lead to violence if left unaddressed, the top United Nations official in the country warned the Security Council today, while highlighting key issues for consideration as it renews the UN’s mandate there.
‘Credible and meaningful political dialogue’

“First, credible and meaningful political dialogue is needed to overcome the impasse in the electoral process,” said Maman Sidikou, the Head of the UN Organization Stabilization Mission in the DRC (MONUSCO), referring to presidential and legislative elections scheduled for November of this year. Continue reading DR Congo at ‘critical juncture,’ amid rising political tensions – UN envoy tells Security Council →

Brazil

Brazil Is Engulfed by Ruling Class Corruption — and a Dangerous Subversion of Democracy

The Intercept  Portuguese

brazil2THE MULTIPLE, REMARKABLE crises consuming Brazil are now garnering substantial Western media attention. That’s understandable given that Brazil is the world’s fifth most populous country and eighth-largest economy; its second-largest city, Rio de Janeiro, is the host of this year’s Summer Olympics. But much of this Western media coverage mimics the propaganda coming from Brazil’s homogenized, oligarch-owned, anti-democracy media outlets and, as such, is misleading, inaccurate, and incomplete, particularly when coming from those with little familiarity with the country (there are numerous Brazil-based Western reporters doing outstanding work). Continue reading Brazil Is Engulfed by Ruling Class Corruption — and a Dangerous Subversion of Democracy →

Zimbabwe

Zimbabwe cracks down on foreign firms over local ownership

Deutche Wella

zim2.jpgZimbabwe has given foreign firms just over a week to cede majority stakes to locals or face closure. Critics say the move will discourage foreign investment in an economy which is struggling.

Zimbabwe has said it will cancel licenses of foreign firms which have not complied with legislation forcing them to hand over majority stakes to local shareholders.

The government adopted the legislation in 2008 to compel foreign firms to cede at least 51 percent to promote black ownership and correct imbalances from the colonial era. However, this law is often not adhered to. Continue reading Zimbabwe cracks down on foreign firms over local ownership →

Belgium

Brussels attacks: Belgian bishops issue statement

Independent Catholic News

The Catholic Bishops of Belgium have issued a statement condemning the deadly terror attacks on the Brussels airport and underground stations on Monday, calling for prayerful solidarity with the victims and for national unity in response to the assault.

Vatican Radio’s English translation of the Bishops’ statement follows:

“The bishops of Belgium are appalled to learn of the attack at Zaventem airport and in the centre of Brussels. They share the anguish of thousands of travelers and their families, aviation professionals and the first responders who are once again called to service.

They entrust the victims to the prayers of all in this new dramatic situation. Airport chaplains are every day at the service of all and provide the necessary spiritual support. May the whole country live these days with a great sense of civic responsibility.”

trafficking

In Historic Vote, U.S. Senate Unanimously Backs McCaskill-Portman Measure to Hold ‘Backpage’ Website in Contempt of Congress

US Catholic Sisters against Human Trafficking

WASHINGTON – In an historic vote, the Senate today unanimously approved a bipartisan resolution from U.S. Senators Claire McCaskill and Rob Portman to launch civil contempt proceedings against the website Backpage, as part of the duo’s bipartisan investigation into online sex trafficking.

“The contempt that Backpage has shown for our bipartisan investigation has now been met with the unanimous contempt of the full U.S. Senate,” said McCaskill, a former sex crimes prosecutor who is the top-ranking Democrat on the Permanent Subcommittee on Investigations. “This historic vote makes a clear statement—we are fully committed to getting to the bottom of this company’s business practices and policies for preventing the trafficking of children, and we will get these answers.” Continue reading In Historic Vote, U.S. Senate Unanimously Backs McCaskill-Portman Measure to Hold ‘Backpage’ Website in Contempt of Congress →

Water

World water day: how the poor pay more in west Africa – in pictures

The Guardian

For many people in west Africa, accessing water is a lot more complex than just turning on a tap. While wealthier communities may benefit from a relatively regular supply of clean water and adequate sanitation, people living in poorer areas are rarely connected to the subsidized network and end up paying more for a basic necessity. All photos by Tara Todras-Whitehill for WaterAid.

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