Hundreds of Tunisians took to the streets in capital Tunis on Sunday, September 26, to protest president Kais Saied’s recent move to appropriate more power in the country. Protesters raised slogans against the president and accused him of trying to rewrite the 2014 constitution unilaterally. They demanded that either the parliament be reinstated or fresh elections be conducted … [Read more...] about Tunisians take to street opposing president’s move to sideline country’s constitution
Killing of social leaders and human rights defenders continues unabated in Colombia
The systematic assassination of social leaders and human rights defenders in Colombia continues unceasingly at a horrifying rate. On average, everyday, at least one violent incident and more than one death is recorded in the South American country. On September 20, the Institute of Development and Peace Studies (INDEPAZ) reported that five social leaders were murdered in … [Read more...] about Killing of social leaders and human rights defenders continues unabated in Colombia
A decade of enforced disappearances in Bangladesh
The International Day of the Victims of Enforced Disappearances is marked every year on August 30. This year, Bangladesh was one of the countries where families of victims and organizations working in the area demanded clear answers from the government. Several rights organizations, including Odhikar, Amnesty International, Human Rights Watch and Mayer Daak, have called upon … [Read more...] about A decade of enforced disappearances in Bangladesh
Almost 7 trillion dollars spent by US on defense since 2001 went to private companies
Corporations were the primary beneficiaries of the 20-year US ‘Global War on Terror’ following the September 11, 2001 terror attacks. According to a new study published by Brown University’s Costs of War project on Monday, September 13, out of around USD 14 trillion spent by the Pentagon since the war, almost half went to private defense contractors in the US. The study … [Read more...] about Almost 7 trillion dollars spent by US on defense since 2001 went to private companies
Dozens, including nine minors, arrested in Thailand in massive crackdown on protests
As daily protests against the government continue in Thailand’s capital, Bangkok, activists report that dozens were arrested in a weekend crackdown. During a violent attempt to disperse protesters on Saturday, September 11, Thai police arrested 78 people, including nine minors and 20 who were not even protesters. According to the police, 52 were under detention over the … [Read more...] about Dozens, including nine minors, arrested in Thailand in massive crackdown on protests
Bringing the state closer to people: 25 years of Kerala’s ‘People’s Plan’
The Left Democratic Front (LDF) of the south Indian state of Kerala, led by the Communist Party of India (Marxist), came to power for a consecutive second time this year, securing 99 out of 140 seats in the state Legislative Assembly elections that took place in April. This victory, breaking a 40-year-old trend of alternating governments, has been majorly attributed to the … [Read more...] about Bringing the state closer to people: 25 years of Kerala’s ‘People’s Plan’
Preventive detention order issued for ex-Bolivian police commander over the Senkata massacre
A Bolivian criminal investigating judge of the city of El Alto, on September 8, ordered six months of preventive detention for former police commander, Rodolfo Montero. The order came a day after he was arrested by the police for his alleged participation in the massacre perpetrated in the Senkata town of El Alto city on November 19, 2019. The Prosecutor’s Office ordered … [Read more...] about Preventive detention order issued for ex-Bolivian police commander over the Senkata massacre
Moroccan elections spring a surprise with long-time ruling Islamist party thrown out of power
Morocco’s ruling moderate Islamist Justice and Development (PJD) party, which spearheaded a coalition government in the country for the last 10 years, suffered a defeat in the parliamentary elections held on Wednesday, September 8. In the preliminary election results, the PJD saw a massive dip in its number of seats in the 395-seat parliament, falling to 12 from the 125 it had … [Read more...] about Moroccan elections spring a surprise with long-time ruling Islamist party thrown out of power
101 years of communist struggle in Turkey
September 10, 2021, marks 101 years since the founding of the Türkiye Komünist Partisi or the Communist Party of Turkey (TKP). The party was created in the period following Russia’s October Revolution, in a moment where the ideas and inspiration of the Bolsheviks gave new energy to causes for national liberation and working class struggles globally. In Turkey, this was a … [Read more...] about 101 years of communist struggle in Turkey
Salvadorans reject the adoption of Bitcoin as national currency
On September 7, El Salvador became the first country in the world to recognize Bitcoin as legal tender, alongside the US dollar. The same day, hundreds of Salvadorans took to the streets of the capital San Salvador to protest the adoption of the highly speculative digital currency as national currency. They marched from the central square to the Legislative Assembly to express … [Read more...] about Salvadorans reject the adoption of Bitcoin as national currency
Thai capital hit by daily protests against pandemic mismanagement
On Wednesday, September 8, pro-democracy protesters held a “Through Gas” rally in central Bangkok as part of a recent wave of daily protests being witnessed in Thailand’s capital, Bangkok. The rally held in Din Daeng district was named in reference to tear gas used to violently suppress protesters in the area last month, which saw dozens of arrests and prosecutions. Despite … [Read more...] about Thai capital hit by daily protests against pandemic mismanagement
Rwanda’s military is the French proxy on African soil
On July 9, the government of Rwanda said that it had deployed 1,000 troops to Mozambique to battle al-Shabaab fighters, who had seized the northern province of Cabo Delgado. A month later, on August 8, Rwandan troops captured the port city of Mocímboa da Praia, where just off the coast sits a massive natural gas concession held by the French energy company TotalEnergies SE and … [Read more...] about Rwanda’s military is the French proxy on African soil
Bolsonaro marches against democracy in Brazil
The Brazilian political and institutional crisis has taken on dramatic dimensions since Jair Bolsonaro became the President of the Republic in 2019. Since then, the Brazilian nation, which had experienced disastrous effects of the preposterous removal from office of President Dilma Rousseff through an illegal impeachment process in 2016, has gone downward in an endless spiral … [Read more...] about Bolsonaro marches against democracy in Brazil
Free Peru party rejects latest destabilization attempts by far-right opposition
Legislator Kelly Portalatino of the ruling Free Peru party, on September 5, presented a motion of censure against the president of the Congress, María del Carmen Alva Prieto, for statements which allegedly promote a coup against the socialist government of President Pedro Castillo. Portalatino reported on the action through her twitter account. “I have presented a motion of … [Read more...] about Free Peru party rejects latest destabilization attempts by far-right opposition
Coup in Guinea: military arrests president Alpha Conde, dissolves government
In a coup in Guinea, armed forces captured president Alpha Conde and announced the dissolution of the government on Sunday, September 5. At least two people were wounded in heavy gunfire in and around the presidential palace at the capital Conakry during the arrest of the president. The coup leader, colonel Mamadi Doumbouya, in a television broadcast, declared that the … [Read more...] about Coup in Guinea: military arrests president Alpha Conde, dissolves government
Moroccan authorities crack down on pro-democracy protests ahead of elections
The Moroccan left-wing organization the Democratic Way launched a call to boycott the upcoming elections on Wednesday September 8, 2021. This past weekend, members of the organization participated in protests in major cities across the country such as Casablanca, Mohammedia, Tangier, Kenitra and others to spread awareness of their campaign and to condemn the undemocratic … [Read more...] about Moroccan authorities crack down on pro-democracy protests ahead of elections
Humanitarian situation in northern Ethiopia set to worsen dramatically, warns OCHA
The UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) warned that “the humanitarian situation in the North of Ethiopia is set to worsen dramatically” as aid trucks have been cut off from accessing the famine-affected region since August 22. This was after the Tigrayan rebel forces fighting the Ethiopian government pushed further down south in the Afar regional … [Read more...] about Humanitarian situation in northern Ethiopia set to worsen dramatically, warns OCHA
Plotters of the coup d’état in Bolivia tried to assassinate Evo Morales, reveals AMLO
Mexican President Andrés Manuel López Obrador (AMLO) has revealed that former Bolivian President Evo Morales would have been assassinated by the right-wing opposition forces with the support of the Bolivian armed forces if a pilot from the Mexican Air Force (FAM) hadn’t saved his life by dodging an RPG rocket launched at the plane that was transporting him to Mexico. The … [Read more...] about Plotters of the coup d’état in Bolivia tried to assassinate Evo Morales, reveals AMLO
The long shadow of hunger in India
The COVID-19 pandemic and the government’s ill-conceived and heartless response have left the people of India devastated. The unprecedented loss of jobs and earnings due to repeated lockdowns pushed a large section of the people to the brink of starvation. Meanwhile, a fumbling administration provided inadequate relief in terms of food grains and some financial help for a few … [Read more...] about The long shadow of hunger in India
20 years of ‘war on terror’ have caused nearly a million deaths, says report
The US-led war on terror has killed almost a million people and cost USD 8 trillion in the last 20 years, says a report published on Wednesday, September 1, by the Brown University’s Cost of War project. The report points out that though foreign troops have withdrawn from Afghanistan, US taxpayers will continue to bear the cost of the war for a long time to come. According … [Read more...] about 20 years of ‘war on terror’ have caused nearly a million deaths, says report
Why the discovery of natural gas in Mozambique has produced tragedies, not economic promise
On February 18, 2010, Anadarko Moçambique—a subsidiary of Anadarko Petroleum (bought by Occidental Petroleum in 2019)—discovered a massive natural gas field in the Rovuma Basin off the coast of northern Mozambique. Over the next few years, some of the world’s largest energy corporations flocked to the Cabo Delgado province, where the basin is located. These included … [Read more...] about Why the discovery of natural gas in Mozambique has produced tragedies, not economic promise
Colombians resume protests against Duque’s far-right government
After over two months of national strike and nationwide mobilizations earlier this year, this Thursday, Colombians resumed their struggle against the far-right government of President Iván Duque and the glaring social inequalities in the country. On August 26, as a part of a new national strike, thousands of Colombians took to the streets in the main cities of the country in … [Read more...] about Colombians resume protests against Duque’s far-right government
Looking back at India-US nuclear deal
More than twelve years have passed since the India-US nuclear deal. Pranab Mukherjee, then India’s External Affairs Minister, and Condoleezza Rice, the US Secretary of State, signed the US-India Civilian Nuclear Cooperation Agreement in October 2008. The deal was sold to the Indian people as a magic wand to meet India’s energy needs and end India’s recurring power cuts. Those … [Read more...] about Looking back at India-US nuclear deal
US apex court strikes down latest eviction ban, affecting millions
The United States supreme court on Thursday, August 26, struck down the latest federal eviction moratorium put in place by the administration of president Joe Biden. In a 6-3 decision, the conservative supermajority in the supreme court stated that if a federal eviction ban is to continue, the congress must authorize it. “The Congress was on notice that a further extension … [Read more...] about US apex court strikes down latest eviction ban, affecting millions
