Thousands of people hit the streets of Beirut, Lebanon to mark two years of the Beirut port blast on August 4th as well as to demand justice for the victims. The blast allegedly caused by government negligence was one of the largest non-nuclear explosions in history and left 218 dead and 7500 injured.
Multimedia: Multimedia Section
Categories India
‘India’s new forest conservation rules facilitate takeover of fore …
India’s Environment Ministry has proposed new rules in the country’s Forest Conservation Act. Many are asking if these new rules are meant for forest conservation or forest corporatisation. The new guidelines do away with the old rules that required developers to obtain consent of local authorities and community representatives before acquiring forest land. Under the new rules, the approval can be provided by the Central Government alone. The rules say nothing about resettling the inhabitants once they are evicted.
Categories Africa | France | Russia
Mapping Faultlines: Lavrov and Macron’s Africa visits reveal new …
In this episode, NewsClick’s Prabir Purkayastha talks about the recent visits of Emmanuel Macron and Sergey Lavrov to Africa. He explains the responses to the two visits and the different visions Russia and France bring to the continent. He also talks about how governments and the people of various countries are responding to the war in Ukraine and the geopolitical-realities of our time.
Categories Israel | Palestine
Israeli raid in Occupied West Bank leaves two dead
Two Palestinians died and more than ten were injured in a recent Israeli attack on July 24 in the Al-Yasmina neighborhood of the Old City of Nablus.
Categories Russia | Ukraine
Mapping Faultlines: As Ukraine war enters sixth month, grain and gas a …
In this episode of Mapping Faultlines, NewsClick’s Prabir Purkayastha talks about the recent deal involving Russia and Ukraine which will facilitate exports of grain. He talks about the conditions which necessitated a deal from both sides and why this does not mean there is hope ahead for peace. He also explains the controversy of Nordstream 1 and the energy crisis that Europe stares at.
Categories Panama
Struggle for justice continues in Panama
As Panamanians enter week three of national strike against the cost of living crisis, the government has responded with heavy repression. On July 19, the anti-riot units brutally repressed the protesters, who have been blocking the Inter-American highway over the past three weeks. However, within hours, the protesters returned to block the road.
Ronaldo Ortíz of the National Front for the Defense of Economic and Social Rights (FRENADESO) spoke to Peoples Dispatch about the ongoing struggle and attempts to negotiate with the government on their demands.
Categories World
Your guide to the James Webb telescope and its wondrous images
Bappa Sinha explains the excitement around the first set of images from the James Webb Space Telescope. He talks about concepts such as the red shift, the Big Bang and what it means when we see an image of light from 13 billion years ago. He also talks about why endeavors such as the James Webb Space Telescope are important for humanity and our understanding of the world around us.
Categories Dispatches | United States of America
Joe Biden’s West Asia trip is also aimed at US mid-term polls
Eugene Puryear of BreakThrough News explains the implications of Joe Biden’s West Asia visit from the perspective of political calculations in the US. He talks about the constituencies Biden is trying to appeal to through his visit. He also explains the presence of the US in the region and the policies of the Biden administration in this regard.
Categories Israel | United States of America
Biden toes the Israel line in West Asia visit
US president Joe Biden is on his first visit to West Asia since taking office early last year. His first stop was Israel. His visit was met with protests by Palestinians demanding justice for the murder of journalist Shireen Abu Akleh at the hands of Israeli security forces. Neither this issue, nor the larger issue of the continuing violation of Palestinian human rights by the Israeli apartheid regime featured in Biden’s agenda.
Categories Panama
Two weeks of national strike in Panama
The last two weeks were marked by massive mobilizations against the high cost of living and an escalating economic crisis in Panama. Movements with the People United for Life Alliance have presented a list of 32 demands to the government to address the crisis but the government has refused to take serious action. The protests have seen broad participation from people across Panamanian society such as workers, fisherfolk, Indigenous communities, students, educators, and civilians.
Categories Venezuela
Feminist Brigade participates in exchange of revolutionary ideas in Ve …
The Alexandra Kollontai International Feminist Brigade took place in Venezuela from June 17 to June 27. The brigade was composed of 29 women from 20 countries who participated in an exchange of experiences with representatives of Venezuelan popular and revolutionary feminism in different cities in Venezuela. The brigade was organized by the International Peoples’ Assembly and the Simon Bolivar Institute for Peace and Solidarity among Peoples.
Categories Sri Lanka
Sri Lanka faces political uncertainty amid economic turmoil
Sri Lankan president Gotabaya Rajapaksa is set to resign of July 13. Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe and his ministers have also said they will resign. However, a lot of uncertainty lies ahead as to who will assume power and deal with the economic crisis. The coming days will be crucial for the country. We look at recent developments and also speak to Member of Parliament Harini Amarasuriya on what lies ahead.
