Ghanaian protesters demand president step down over economic crisis
Sat, November 5, 2022
By Cooper Inveen and Francis Kokoroko
ACCRA (Reuters) - More than 1,000 protesters marched through Ghana's capital Accra on Saturday, calling for the resignation of President Nana Akufo-Addo amid an economic crisis that has hammered the cedi currency and seen fuel and food costs spiral to record levels.
Filing past police in riot gear, the red-clad crowd waved placards and chanted 'Akufo-Addo must go' and 'IMF no' in reference to the government's ongoing talks with the International Monetary Fund for billions of dollars to prop up the economy.
The president last week sought to reassure Ghanaians that the authorities would get the country's finances back on track after consumer inflation topped 37% in September, a 21-year peak despite aggressive policy tightening.
"He has failed and we are asking him to resign. High fuel price increments are killing the people of Ghana," said protester Rafael Williams.
The peaceful protest was the latest in a series of demonstrations this year over the soaring cost of living that has made it even harder for people to get by in a country where around a quarter of the population live on less than $2.15 per day, according to the World Bank.
Ghana, which produces gold, cocoa and oil, has also seen the its cedi currency plummet by more than 40% against the dollar this year, making it one of the worst-performing currencies in a region that is suffering from the fallout from a global economic slowdown.
"We are speaking to the IMF. They should not give them loans," said tailor Francisca Wintima, who was among those protesting in the capital.
"Enough is enough. We have gold, we have oil, we have manganese, we have diamonds. We have everything we need in this country. The only thing that we need is leadership."
(Writing by Alessandra Prentice; editing by Jason Neely)
Saturday, November 05, 2022
US again backs two-state solution in call to Palestinian leader
The US secretary of state reaffirms US commitment to a two-state solution in call with President Mahmoud Abbas.
The US secretary of state reaffirms US commitment to a two-state solution in call with President Mahmoud Abbas.
Secretary of State Antony Blinken met Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas in the West Bank city of Ramallah in May 2021
[File: Alex Brandon/AP]
Published On 5 Nov 2022
US Secretary of State Anthony Blinken has reaffirmed Washington’s commitment to a two-state solution to the Israel-Palestine conflict in a phone call with Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas, the Department of State said in a statement on Saturday.
The top US diplomat discussed joint efforts to improve the quality of life for the Palestinian people and enhance their security and freedom in a call with Abbas on Friday, the statement said.
Blinken “underscored his deep concern over the situation in the West Bank, including heightened tensions, violence, and loss of both Palestinian and Israeli lives, and emphasised the need for all parties to de-escalate the situation urgently,” according to the Department of State.
He also “further reaffirmed our commitment to a two-state solution,” which envisions an independent state of Palestine alongside Israel.
The statement came against the backdrop of soaring violence between Israel and the Palestinians.
The Palestinian president apprised the US secretary of state of the Israeli attacks against Palestinians, the Israeli blockade of Palestinian towns and villages as well as settler violence, the Wafa news agency reported.
Israeli forces killed four Palestinians in separate incidents in the occupied West Bank and the occupied East Jerusalem on Thursday, as Israel tallied the final votes in national elections held this week.
Former Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu won a comfortable majority backed by far-right allies, including Itamar Ben-Gvir of the Otzma Yehudit party, who has called for Palestinians “disloyal” to Israel to be expelled.
On Friday, tensions flared up again in the blockaded Gaza Strip as Israeli fighter jets targeted what they called a “rocket manufacturing site”, in response to several rockets fired towards Israel – the first launched since Israel’s three-day deadly military offensive in the besieged enclave in August.
No Palestinian faction claimed the rocket attacks.
Hazem Qasem, a spokesman for Hamas, said “the barbaric Israeli bombing of the Gaza Strip at dawn today is a blatant act of aggression, and represents an extension of its open war against our people in all the places we exist.”
More than 100 Palestinians have been killed in near-daily Israeli raids in the occupied territories since the beginning of the year.
Israel has intensified the raids in the wake of a series of deadly Palestinian attacks in Israel in March.
The Biden administration has sought to restore credible US engagement with Palestinians after the administration of former US President Donald Trump cut aid, downgraded the status of its main diplomatic mission in Palestine and inflamed tensions by relocating the US embassy from Tel Aviv to Jerusalem in recognition of the latter as Israel’s capital.
Israel wants undivided Jerusalem as its capital. It effectively has de facto control over the city after annexing East Jerusalem – a move not recognised by the international community.
Palestinians see Israeli-occupied East Jerusalem as the capital of its future state.
The status of Jerusalem remains one of the main sticking points in efforts to resolve the Palestinian-Israeli conflict.
During his confirmation hearing in January 2021, Blinken also reiterated his support for a two-state solution, but added, “Realistically, it’s hard to see near-term prospects for moving forward on that.”
“What would be important is to make sure that neither party takes steps that make the already difficult process even more challenging,” he said.
The Israeli government has forged ahead with the construction of new settlements that are illegal under international law and that jeopardise Palestinian hopes for an independent state.
Published On 5 Nov 2022
US Secretary of State Anthony Blinken has reaffirmed Washington’s commitment to a two-state solution to the Israel-Palestine conflict in a phone call with Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas, the Department of State said in a statement on Saturday.
The top US diplomat discussed joint efforts to improve the quality of life for the Palestinian people and enhance their security and freedom in a call with Abbas on Friday, the statement said.
Blinken “underscored his deep concern over the situation in the West Bank, including heightened tensions, violence, and loss of both Palestinian and Israeli lives, and emphasised the need for all parties to de-escalate the situation urgently,” according to the Department of State.
He also “further reaffirmed our commitment to a two-state solution,” which envisions an independent state of Palestine alongside Israel.
The statement came against the backdrop of soaring violence between Israel and the Palestinians.
The Palestinian president apprised the US secretary of state of the Israeli attacks against Palestinians, the Israeli blockade of Palestinian towns and villages as well as settler violence, the Wafa news agency reported.
Israeli forces killed four Palestinians in separate incidents in the occupied West Bank and the occupied East Jerusalem on Thursday, as Israel tallied the final votes in national elections held this week.
Former Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu won a comfortable majority backed by far-right allies, including Itamar Ben-Gvir of the Otzma Yehudit party, who has called for Palestinians “disloyal” to Israel to be expelled.
On Friday, tensions flared up again in the blockaded Gaza Strip as Israeli fighter jets targeted what they called a “rocket manufacturing site”, in response to several rockets fired towards Israel – the first launched since Israel’s three-day deadly military offensive in the besieged enclave in August.
No Palestinian faction claimed the rocket attacks.
Hazem Qasem, a spokesman for Hamas, said “the barbaric Israeli bombing of the Gaza Strip at dawn today is a blatant act of aggression, and represents an extension of its open war against our people in all the places we exist.”
More than 100 Palestinians have been killed in near-daily Israeli raids in the occupied territories since the beginning of the year.
Israel has intensified the raids in the wake of a series of deadly Palestinian attacks in Israel in March.
The Biden administration has sought to restore credible US engagement with Palestinians after the administration of former US President Donald Trump cut aid, downgraded the status of its main diplomatic mission in Palestine and inflamed tensions by relocating the US embassy from Tel Aviv to Jerusalem in recognition of the latter as Israel’s capital.
Israel wants undivided Jerusalem as its capital. It effectively has de facto control over the city after annexing East Jerusalem – a move not recognised by the international community.
Palestinians see Israeli-occupied East Jerusalem as the capital of its future state.
The status of Jerusalem remains one of the main sticking points in efforts to resolve the Palestinian-Israeli conflict.
During his confirmation hearing in January 2021, Blinken also reiterated his support for a two-state solution, but added, “Realistically, it’s hard to see near-term prospects for moving forward on that.”
“What would be important is to make sure that neither party takes steps that make the already difficult process even more challenging,” he said.
The Israeli government has forged ahead with the construction of new settlements that are illegal under international law and that jeopardise Palestinian hopes for an independent state.
Thousands in Italy march for peace in Ukraine
Issued on: 05/11/2022 -
Issued on: 05/11/2022 -
Protesters said sending weapons to Ukraine did nothing to help peace efforts
Tiziana FABI AFP
Rome (AFP) – Tens of thousands of Italians marched through Rome on Saturday calling for peace in Ukraine and urging Italy to stop sending of weapons to fight the Russian invasion.
"No to war. No to sending weapons", read one large banner carried by protesters, as a vast crowd broke into cries of "give peace a chance".
NATO founding member Italy has supported Ukraine from the start of the war, including providing it with arms.
New far-right Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni has said that will not change and the government has said it is expecting to send more weapons soon.
But some, including former prime minister Giuseppe Conte, have said Italy should be stepping up negotiations instead.
The peace rally was attended by some 30,000 people, Rome police told Italian media.
"The weapons were sent at the beginning on the grounds that this would prevent an escalation," demonstrator Roberto Zanotto told AFP.
"Nine months later and it seems to me that there's been an escalation. Look at the facts: sending weapons does not help stop a war, weapons help fuel a war."
Student Sara Gianpietro said the conflict was being dragged out by arming Ukraine, which "has economic consequences for our country, but for the respect of human rights too".
The Group of Seven foreign ministers, including Italy, on Friday vowed to continue supporting Ukraine in the fight against Russia.
Rome (AFP) – Tens of thousands of Italians marched through Rome on Saturday calling for peace in Ukraine and urging Italy to stop sending of weapons to fight the Russian invasion.
"No to war. No to sending weapons", read one large banner carried by protesters, as a vast crowd broke into cries of "give peace a chance".
NATO founding member Italy has supported Ukraine from the start of the war, including providing it with arms.
New far-right Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni has said that will not change and the government has said it is expecting to send more weapons soon.
But some, including former prime minister Giuseppe Conte, have said Italy should be stepping up negotiations instead.
The peace rally was attended by some 30,000 people, Rome police told Italian media.
"The weapons were sent at the beginning on the grounds that this would prevent an escalation," demonstrator Roberto Zanotto told AFP.
"Nine months later and it seems to me that there's been an escalation. Look at the facts: sending weapons does not help stop a war, weapons help fuel a war."
Student Sara Gianpietro said the conflict was being dragged out by arming Ukraine, which "has economic consequences for our country, but for the respect of human rights too".
The Group of Seven foreign ministers, including Italy, on Friday vowed to continue supporting Ukraine in the fight against Russia.
561 intellectuals call for action against Turkey's crimes in Kurdistan
Intellectuals, writers, activists, journalists, artists, politicians, scientists and environmental activists strongly condemn the occupation, attacks, killings, and the use of banned and chemical weapons by the Turkish state in Kurdistan.
Intellectuals, writers, activists, journalists, artists, politicians, scientists and environmental activists strongly condemn the occupation, attacks, killings, and the use of banned and chemical weapons by the Turkish state in Kurdistan.
ANF
NEWS DESK
Saturday, 5 Nov 2022,
The Turkish state continues its attacks against the guerrilla-held Medya Defense Zones in southern Kurdistan (northern Iraq) where its army has been conducting an invasion operation since mid-April. The Turkish military has since remained unable to break the resistance of guerrilla forces who are mostly acting in mobile groups in the scope of the “new-era guerrilla warfare” in response to the increasingly ongoing airstrikes and attacks with chemical and banned weapons.
According to Rojnews agency, 561 intellectuals from Kurdistan and abroad condemned the Turkish state’s invasion attacks, calling for a clear stand and action against the use of chemical weapons and banned bombs.
“As intellectuals, writers, activists, journalists, artists, politicians, scientists and environmental activists, we strongly condemn the occupation, attacks, killings, and the use of banned and chemical weapons, said the joint statement released on Saturday.
Pointing to the Turkish state’s vicious war against the pro-freedom population and revolutionaries, the statement continued, “The Turkish state, on the one hand, uses chemical and banned weapons, while it, on the other hand, arrests journalists, civil and political activists in North Kurdistan. In Rojava, it carries out UCAV (unmanned combat aerial vehicle) attacks against civilians, and in South Kurdistan, it slays freedom fighters thanks to the collaboration of traitors. 80 freedom fighters have been martyred as a result of Turkish use of chemical weapons.”
The statement cited Turkey’s genocidal aggression on the Kurdish people and the nature of Kurdistan as proof of the Turkish state fascism and invasion, and an attempt to change the demography of Kurdistan.
In the face of the war crimes and inhumane crimes committed against the Kurdish people and freedom guerrillas, the UN, human rights advocates, international bodies against the use of banned weapons, parliamentarians, Europe and world countries remain silent, said the statement which continued, “The governments of Iraq and Kurdistan Region have failed to take a stand against these attacks. The KDP aids the Turkish state’s war against our people and revolutionaries. The KDP does not only prevent gas masks from reaching the guerrillas but also blocks journalists and international bodies that want to investigate the alleged use of chemical weapons on the ground.”
Appealing to international bodies, the intellectuals called for action against the Turkish state’s ecocide and dirty war against the freedom guerrillas in Kurdistan.
“With these terror attacks, the Turkish state violates the sovereignity of the soil of Iraq and the Kurdistan Region and harms nature. This crime is a part of the strategy to occupy Iraq and the Kurdistan region within the AKP-MHP government’s neo-Ottoman project. This silence and inaction only cause the Turkish state to increase its attacks,” the statement said.
Intellectuals urged all political parties and civil society organizations to adopt a stand against the Turkish state’s war crimes in South Kurdistan.
NEWS DESK
Saturday, 5 Nov 2022,
The Turkish state continues its attacks against the guerrilla-held Medya Defense Zones in southern Kurdistan (northern Iraq) where its army has been conducting an invasion operation since mid-April. The Turkish military has since remained unable to break the resistance of guerrilla forces who are mostly acting in mobile groups in the scope of the “new-era guerrilla warfare” in response to the increasingly ongoing airstrikes and attacks with chemical and banned weapons.
According to Rojnews agency, 561 intellectuals from Kurdistan and abroad condemned the Turkish state’s invasion attacks, calling for a clear stand and action against the use of chemical weapons and banned bombs.
“As intellectuals, writers, activists, journalists, artists, politicians, scientists and environmental activists, we strongly condemn the occupation, attacks, killings, and the use of banned and chemical weapons, said the joint statement released on Saturday.
Pointing to the Turkish state’s vicious war against the pro-freedom population and revolutionaries, the statement continued, “The Turkish state, on the one hand, uses chemical and banned weapons, while it, on the other hand, arrests journalists, civil and political activists in North Kurdistan. In Rojava, it carries out UCAV (unmanned combat aerial vehicle) attacks against civilians, and in South Kurdistan, it slays freedom fighters thanks to the collaboration of traitors. 80 freedom fighters have been martyred as a result of Turkish use of chemical weapons.”
The statement cited Turkey’s genocidal aggression on the Kurdish people and the nature of Kurdistan as proof of the Turkish state fascism and invasion, and an attempt to change the demography of Kurdistan.
In the face of the war crimes and inhumane crimes committed against the Kurdish people and freedom guerrillas, the UN, human rights advocates, international bodies against the use of banned weapons, parliamentarians, Europe and world countries remain silent, said the statement which continued, “The governments of Iraq and Kurdistan Region have failed to take a stand against these attacks. The KDP aids the Turkish state’s war against our people and revolutionaries. The KDP does not only prevent gas masks from reaching the guerrillas but also blocks journalists and international bodies that want to investigate the alleged use of chemical weapons on the ground.”
Appealing to international bodies, the intellectuals called for action against the Turkish state’s ecocide and dirty war against the freedom guerrillas in Kurdistan.
“With these terror attacks, the Turkish state violates the sovereignity of the soil of Iraq and the Kurdistan Region and harms nature. This crime is a part of the strategy to occupy Iraq and the Kurdistan region within the AKP-MHP government’s neo-Ottoman project. This silence and inaction only cause the Turkish state to increase its attacks,” the statement said.
Intellectuals urged all political parties and civil society organizations to adopt a stand against the Turkish state’s war crimes in South Kurdistan.
Can a familiar face herald a new start in Brazil?
After spending two years outside his home country, Guilherme Osinski returned to vote in hope of an end to the dark years of shame for Brazil
05 Nov 2022
BY GUILHERME OSINSKI
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Guilherme Osinski is editorial assistant at Index on Censorship and the 2021-22 Tim Hetherington Fellow
After spending two years outside his home country, Guilherme Osinski returned to vote in hope of an end to the dark years of shame for Brazil
05 Nov 2022
BY GUILHERME OSINSKI
Thousands of supporters follow the last act of Lula's presidential campaign in São Paulo. Photo: Oliver Kornblihtt / Mídia NINJA, CC BY-NC 2.0
On 30 October, Brazilians took part in one of the most fiercely contested presidential elections in their country’s history. It divided the country right down the middle:, Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva (Workers Party) received more than 60.3 million votes (50.9%), winning the support of more voters than any president in the history of Brazil, defeating the incumbent Jair Bolsonaro (Liberal Party), who was seeking four more years in power.
“Democracy has spoken in Brazil”, wrote the French newspaper Le Monde. For many, it was the victory of respect for democracy, against the intolerance represented by the extreme right personified in Bolsonaro.
I have been living in the United Kingdom since 2020 but travelled to Brazil a few days before the first round of the elections, which took place on 2 October. I was able to vote in both rounds and was glad to do so, as I believe we don’t vote only for ourselves. Voting is a collective action, especially in Brazil, where it has been mandatory since 1932. It is also easy and quick, as we vote using electronic machines where we type the candidate’s number, press confirm and it’s done. That’s why the counting of votes in Brazil is fast and allows the country to announce the results on the same day.
As soon as I arrived in my home town of Curitiba, in the south of Brazil, I noticed people were getting ready for the elections. Many homes and cars were decorated with Brazil’s flag, a sign of support for current president Jair Bolsonaro. Although in smaller numbers, I could also see people backing Lula, especially in pubs and neighbourhoods linked to the left-wing. This support for Bolsonaro was evident in the final results: in the second round, Bolsonaro won 720,322 votes in Curitiba, while Lula won 391,675. Curitiba is not alone in being pro-Bolsonaro; the incumbent president enjoyed some of his strongest support in the white-majority southern state of Paraná in which it is located. But the North East of Brazil, where he obtained 69% of the vote, proved decisive for Lula’s victory.
Throughout the presidential race, Bolsonaro tried to delegitimise the electoral process. More than once, the outgoing president tried to discredit the electronic voting machines, which make the elections in Brazil one of the most transparent and safest in the world The legitimacy of the elections was confirmed by international observers from the Organisation of American States. In the week before the second round, Bolsonaro said that without the presence of the Armed Forces it would be impossible to give a stamp of credibility to electronic voting machines. His supporters, encouraged by his anti-democratic speeches, pushed for a return to printed voting papers, where the possibility of fraud is higher.
As the elections approached, knowing his chances of re-election were diminishing, Bolsonaro began to take populist measures, such as increasing the value of Auxílio Brasil (Brazil’s social assistance programme) and lowering the price of petrol. Even so, Bolsonaro became the first president to fail to be reelected since reelection was instituted in 1997.
Historically in Brazil, the defeated candidate calls the winner on the same day the results are announced, wishing the future president luck, as well as making a statement to the press, recognising the result and respecting democracy. This was the first time that the defeated candidate had not spoken right after the result was confirmed since the adoption of electronic voting machines in the presidential elections of 1998. Bolsonaro broke his silence two days later, saying that as president, he would continue to respectf Brazil’s Constitution. He did not mention his rival Lula and didn’t answer questions from journalists. ula’s victory signals Brazil’s return to the international stage at a time of global crisis. The Guardian wrote that “his victory over the current right-wing extremist, Jair Bolsonaro, is also good for the world”. Norway has already announced that it will once again send financial resources in the fight against deforestation of the Amazon l, as Lula reinforced during his campaign the importance of preserving the rainforest and the lives of indigenous peoples. UK Prime Minister Rishi Sunak congratulated Lula on his victory and said he wanted to work together with Brazil to strengthen the global economy and promote democratic values. Joe Biden also sent his congratulations to the future Brazilian president and stressed that the elections were fair and free. Emmanuel Macron said that Lula’s election opens a new page in the country’s history and wants to join forces to renew the bond of friendship between France and Brazil.
Since the beginning of his term in 2019, Bolsonaro has tried in every way to divide the country and promote hatred. Families have been fighting over politics and bonds have been broken because people can’t stand the other side anymore. When Bolsonaro took over the presidency, he said that minorities would have to bow to the majority. Lula, shortly after being officially declared the next President of the Republic, said that as of January 2023 he will govern for 215 million Brazilians and not just for those who voted for him.
“There are not two ‘Brazils’. We are one country, one people, one great nation,” said the president-elect.
As for freedom of expression and the press, it is expected that Lula’s victory will improve both. Many Brazilians opposed to Bolsonaro have not expressed support for their preferred candidates for fear of reprisal and violence. It was not uncommon for Lula supporters to be physically attacked or even killed, as in the case of Marcelo Arruda, treasurer of the Workers Party, who was shot dead in Foz do Iguaçu, at his own birthday party, by a supporter of Jair Bolsonaro. Likewise, journalists were constantly attacked by Bolsonaro in his speeches.
Shortly after Lula’s victory was announced, Bolsonaro supporters began to demonstrate on the country’s roads and introduced illegal blockades on 227 federal highways, in protest against the election results and asking for military intervention and new elections. The newspaper O Estado de São Paulo reported, on Telegram, that groups who support Bolsonaro claim to be at war against Communism and that they will use violence if needed. Some protesters were seen using Nazi salutes. On Tuesday, 1 November, the Federal Court of Justice ordered the unblocking of the occupied highways. One day later, Bolsonaro asked everyone to clear the highways, saying he believed this was not a legitimate demonstration.
Bolsonaro’s legacy is clear. Almost 700,000 deaths from the Covid-19 pandemic, disrespect for science, more than 33 million Brazilians going hungry, support for the 1964 military coup and a contempt for democracy and freedom of expression. On the night of 30 October, thousands of people headed to Avenida Paulista, one of the most important in the city of São Paulo, to celebrate Lula’s victory and await the future president.
“This country needs peace and unity,” Lula said. The front cover of O Estado de São Paulo quoted one of Lula’s phrases after his triumph: “time to put down our weapons”. The hope is that Lula will once again bring international respect to Brazil.
On 30 October, Brazilians took part in one of the most fiercely contested presidential elections in their country’s history. It divided the country right down the middle:, Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva (Workers Party) received more than 60.3 million votes (50.9%), winning the support of more voters than any president in the history of Brazil, defeating the incumbent Jair Bolsonaro (Liberal Party), who was seeking four more years in power.
“Democracy has spoken in Brazil”, wrote the French newspaper Le Monde. For many, it was the victory of respect for democracy, against the intolerance represented by the extreme right personified in Bolsonaro.
I have been living in the United Kingdom since 2020 but travelled to Brazil a few days before the first round of the elections, which took place on 2 October. I was able to vote in both rounds and was glad to do so, as I believe we don’t vote only for ourselves. Voting is a collective action, especially in Brazil, where it has been mandatory since 1932. It is also easy and quick, as we vote using electronic machines where we type the candidate’s number, press confirm and it’s done. That’s why the counting of votes in Brazil is fast and allows the country to announce the results on the same day.
As soon as I arrived in my home town of Curitiba, in the south of Brazil, I noticed people were getting ready for the elections. Many homes and cars were decorated with Brazil’s flag, a sign of support for current president Jair Bolsonaro. Although in smaller numbers, I could also see people backing Lula, especially in pubs and neighbourhoods linked to the left-wing. This support for Bolsonaro was evident in the final results: in the second round, Bolsonaro won 720,322 votes in Curitiba, while Lula won 391,675. Curitiba is not alone in being pro-Bolsonaro; the incumbent president enjoyed some of his strongest support in the white-majority southern state of Paraná in which it is located. But the North East of Brazil, where he obtained 69% of the vote, proved decisive for Lula’s victory.
Throughout the presidential race, Bolsonaro tried to delegitimise the electoral process. More than once, the outgoing president tried to discredit the electronic voting machines, which make the elections in Brazil one of the most transparent and safest in the world The legitimacy of the elections was confirmed by international observers from the Organisation of American States. In the week before the second round, Bolsonaro said that without the presence of the Armed Forces it would be impossible to give a stamp of credibility to electronic voting machines. His supporters, encouraged by his anti-democratic speeches, pushed for a return to printed voting papers, where the possibility of fraud is higher.
As the elections approached, knowing his chances of re-election were diminishing, Bolsonaro began to take populist measures, such as increasing the value of Auxílio Brasil (Brazil’s social assistance programme) and lowering the price of petrol. Even so, Bolsonaro became the first president to fail to be reelected since reelection was instituted in 1997.
Historically in Brazil, the defeated candidate calls the winner on the same day the results are announced, wishing the future president luck, as well as making a statement to the press, recognising the result and respecting democracy. This was the first time that the defeated candidate had not spoken right after the result was confirmed since the adoption of electronic voting machines in the presidential elections of 1998. Bolsonaro broke his silence two days later, saying that as president, he would continue to respectf Brazil’s Constitution. He did not mention his rival Lula and didn’t answer questions from journalists. ula’s victory signals Brazil’s return to the international stage at a time of global crisis. The Guardian wrote that “his victory over the current right-wing extremist, Jair Bolsonaro, is also good for the world”. Norway has already announced that it will once again send financial resources in the fight against deforestation of the Amazon l, as Lula reinforced during his campaign the importance of preserving the rainforest and the lives of indigenous peoples. UK Prime Minister Rishi Sunak congratulated Lula on his victory and said he wanted to work together with Brazil to strengthen the global economy and promote democratic values. Joe Biden also sent his congratulations to the future Brazilian president and stressed that the elections were fair and free. Emmanuel Macron said that Lula’s election opens a new page in the country’s history and wants to join forces to renew the bond of friendship between France and Brazil.
Since the beginning of his term in 2019, Bolsonaro has tried in every way to divide the country and promote hatred. Families have been fighting over politics and bonds have been broken because people can’t stand the other side anymore. When Bolsonaro took over the presidency, he said that minorities would have to bow to the majority. Lula, shortly after being officially declared the next President of the Republic, said that as of January 2023 he will govern for 215 million Brazilians and not just for those who voted for him.
“There are not two ‘Brazils’. We are one country, one people, one great nation,” said the president-elect.
As for freedom of expression and the press, it is expected that Lula’s victory will improve both. Many Brazilians opposed to Bolsonaro have not expressed support for their preferred candidates for fear of reprisal and violence. It was not uncommon for Lula supporters to be physically attacked or even killed, as in the case of Marcelo Arruda, treasurer of the Workers Party, who was shot dead in Foz do Iguaçu, at his own birthday party, by a supporter of Jair Bolsonaro. Likewise, journalists were constantly attacked by Bolsonaro in his speeches.
Shortly after Lula’s victory was announced, Bolsonaro supporters began to demonstrate on the country’s roads and introduced illegal blockades on 227 federal highways, in protest against the election results and asking for military intervention and new elections. The newspaper O Estado de São Paulo reported, on Telegram, that groups who support Bolsonaro claim to be at war against Communism and that they will use violence if needed. Some protesters were seen using Nazi salutes. On Tuesday, 1 November, the Federal Court of Justice ordered the unblocking of the occupied highways. One day later, Bolsonaro asked everyone to clear the highways, saying he believed this was not a legitimate demonstration.
Bolsonaro’s legacy is clear. Almost 700,000 deaths from the Covid-19 pandemic, disrespect for science, more than 33 million Brazilians going hungry, support for the 1964 military coup and a contempt for democracy and freedom of expression. On the night of 30 October, thousands of people headed to Avenida Paulista, one of the most important in the city of São Paulo, to celebrate Lula’s victory and await the future president.
“This country needs peace and unity,” Lula said. The front cover of O Estado de São Paulo quoted one of Lula’s phrases after his triumph: “time to put down our weapons”. The hope is that Lula will once again bring international respect to Brazil.
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Guilherme Osinski is editorial assistant at Index on Censorship and the 2021-22 Tim Hetherington Fellow
Tokyo Metropolitan Government develops biodegradable plastic products for environmental conservation
November 5, 2022
Tokyo [Japan], November 5 (ANI): This glossy and beautiful tableware is made up of “Miraiwood” which is also known as “Future Wood.” It is a mixture of biodegradable plastic and waste wood that is used in making baseball bats.
The Tokyo Metropolitan Government and a local company have jointly developed and executed this project. Tokyo Metropolitan Industrial Technology Research Institute is supporting the private sector’s technological advancements.
By conducting tests, research, dissemination, and technical support related to industrial technology, the institute aims at improving lives. In a bid to organise the biodegradable plastic project, it made public recruiting easier.
“Ryoka Sangyo” was nominated as a partner. It is a company that develops products for plastic food containers and medical equipment and it has high-quality processing technology.
Moriyuki Tsuji of Ryoka Sangyo said, “Ryoka Sangyo has been making plastic products for more than 50 years. The global trend is decarbonization, so plastic needs to be reduced. We have been developing plastic products for more than 50 years. In addition, we are developing environmental materials.
He said that “Ryoka Sangyo” was a pure plastic manufacturer and in this project, “Ryoka Sangyo” tried to mix 2 materials: biodegradable plastic and natural wood.
“As a result, the wood material rate rose to 51 per cent and the plant-derived rate is 73 per cent. It is admired as a successful completion overcoming the difficulty of technology,” Tsuji pointed out.
Tsuji also highlighted that “An existing plastic moulding facility can manufacture Miraiwood or Future Wood” products and it is available to “mass produce by mould but is defined as a wooden product.”
There are many kinds of tableware containers. Tableware sets of a plate, cup, chopsticks, and spoon are very suitable for camping leisure. The traditional Japanese crafts, lacquerware, and tableware decorated by traditional methods have a beautiful and delicate appearance.
In fact, he said that the craftsman collect cut and wasted wood and moulded it with the technique of “MIRAIWOOD” (Future Wood).
“In this way, the craftsman fixes the tableware and cuts it with a knife. We aim to activate the local area by utilising traditional crafts and sustainable waste wood. Administrative leadership and the private sector’s cutting edge technology help in realising real Sustainable Development Goals in society.” (ANI)
November 5, 2022
Tokyo [Japan], November 5 (ANI): This glossy and beautiful tableware is made up of “Miraiwood” which is also known as “Future Wood.” It is a mixture of biodegradable plastic and waste wood that is used in making baseball bats.
The Tokyo Metropolitan Government and a local company have jointly developed and executed this project. Tokyo Metropolitan Industrial Technology Research Institute is supporting the private sector’s technological advancements.
By conducting tests, research, dissemination, and technical support related to industrial technology, the institute aims at improving lives. In a bid to organise the biodegradable plastic project, it made public recruiting easier.
“Ryoka Sangyo” was nominated as a partner. It is a company that develops products for plastic food containers and medical equipment and it has high-quality processing technology.
Moriyuki Tsuji of Ryoka Sangyo said, “Ryoka Sangyo has been making plastic products for more than 50 years. The global trend is decarbonization, so plastic needs to be reduced. We have been developing plastic products for more than 50 years. In addition, we are developing environmental materials.
“MIRAIWOOD” (Future Wood) was developed as an environmental material as a joint project with the Tokyo Metropolitan Industrial Technology Research Institute.”
He said that “Ryoka Sangyo” was a pure plastic manufacturer and in this project, “Ryoka Sangyo” tried to mix 2 materials: biodegradable plastic and natural wood.
“As a result, the wood material rate rose to 51 per cent and the plant-derived rate is 73 per cent. It is admired as a successful completion overcoming the difficulty of technology,” Tsuji pointed out.
Tsuji also highlighted that “An existing plastic moulding facility can manufacture Miraiwood or Future Wood” products and it is available to “mass produce by mould but is defined as a wooden product.”
There are many kinds of tableware containers. Tableware sets of a plate, cup, chopsticks, and spoon are very suitable for camping leisure. The traditional Japanese crafts, lacquerware, and tableware decorated by traditional methods have a beautiful and delicate appearance.
In fact, he said that the craftsman collect cut and wasted wood and moulded it with the technique of “MIRAIWOOD” (Future Wood).
“In this way, the craftsman fixes the tableware and cuts it with a knife. We aim to activate the local area by utilising traditional crafts and sustainable waste wood. Administrative leadership and the private sector’s cutting edge technology help in realising real Sustainable Development Goals in society.” (ANI)
Crypto Exchange Binance Helped Iranian Firms Trade $8 Billion Despite Sanctions
by i24 News
A representation of virtual currency Bitcoin is seen in front of a stock graph in this illustration taken January 8, 2021. Photo: REUTERS/Dado Ruvic
i24 News – Crypto giant Binance processed Iranian transactions with a value of $8 billion since 2018 despite US sanctions intended to cut Iran off from the global financial system, blockchain data show.
Almost all the funds, some $7.8 billion, flowed between Binance and Iran’s largest crypto exchange, Nobitex, according to a review of data from leading US blockchain researcher Chainalysis. Nobitex offers guidance on its website on how to skirt sanctions.
Three-quarters of the Iranian funds that passed through Binance were in a relatively low-profile cryptocurrency called Tron that gives users an option to conceal their identities. In a blog post last year, Nobitex encouraged clients to use Tron – a mid-tier token – to trade anonymously without “endangering assets due to sanctions.”
The scale of Binance’s Iranian crypto flows – and the fact that they are continuing – has not been previously reported.
These new findings came as the US Justice Department is pursuing an investigation into possible violations of money-laundering rules by Binance, which dominates the $1 trillion crypto industry, with over 120 million users.
The transactions put the company at risk of falling afoul of US prohibitions on doing business with Iran, lawyers, and trade sanctions, experts said.
by i24 News
A representation of virtual currency Bitcoin is seen in front of a stock graph in this illustration taken January 8, 2021. Photo: REUTERS/Dado Ruvic
i24 News – Crypto giant Binance processed Iranian transactions with a value of $8 billion since 2018 despite US sanctions intended to cut Iran off from the global financial system, blockchain data show.
Almost all the funds, some $7.8 billion, flowed between Binance and Iran’s largest crypto exchange, Nobitex, according to a review of data from leading US blockchain researcher Chainalysis. Nobitex offers guidance on its website on how to skirt sanctions.
Three-quarters of the Iranian funds that passed through Binance were in a relatively low-profile cryptocurrency called Tron that gives users an option to conceal their identities. In a blog post last year, Nobitex encouraged clients to use Tron – a mid-tier token – to trade anonymously without “endangering assets due to sanctions.”
The scale of Binance’s Iranian crypto flows – and the fact that they are continuing – has not been previously reported.
These new findings came as the US Justice Department is pursuing an investigation into possible violations of money-laundering rules by Binance, which dominates the $1 trillion crypto industry, with over 120 million users.
The transactions put the company at risk of falling afoul of US prohibitions on doing business with Iran, lawyers, and trade sanctions, experts said.
New life possible for British nuclear energy
British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak adheres to Boris Johnson's nuclear power ambitions.
By Daniel J. Graeber
Even as it searches for ways to trim costs, the British government said it was still pursuing nuclear power as part of its energy transition strategy.
RELATED Ukrainian nuclear plant on emergency power again after Russian shelling
Talks with private developers for the planned Sizewell C facility -- slated for the Suffolk coast -- have been "constructive" and the government "hoped to get a deal over the line as soon as possible," the government spokesperson said.
The British taxpayer will provide about 20% of the bill for Sizewell C, The Guardian newspaper added in a separate report.
If built, the 3.2 gigawatt, two-reactor Sizewell C facility would provide enough power to meet 7% of the nation's energy needs, though it might not be ready until at least 2030.
RELATED South Korea to help Poland with nuclear energy
Sunak on the campaign trail championed reforms on licensing laws that would permit more nuclear energy as part of an effort to achieve energy independence by 2045.
As a prime minister inheriting crises ranging from energy-related issues to financial ones, he said initially he was too distracted by domestic affairs to attend next week's environmental summit in Egypt, but changed his tune amid pressing energy security measures.
The COP27 climate summit gets underway next week in Sharm El-Sheik.
British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak adheres to Boris Johnson's nuclear power ambitions.
By Daniel J. Graeber
Even as it searches for ways to trim costs, the British government said it was still pursuing nuclear power as part of its energy transition strategy.
File photo by Focke Strangmann/EPA-EFE
Nov. 4 (UPI) -- Despite looking for cost-cutting measures, the British governments said Friday it has no plans to scrap the development of a new nuclear power plant that carries a $33 billion price tag.
Nuclear power fell out of favor in the wake of the Fukushima disaster in Japan in 2011. But the so-called energy transition -- the pivot away from fossil fuels -- has put it back in play.
During his tenure, former British Prime Minister Boris Johnson said he wanted to see eight new nuclear facilities built within the next eight years, putting nuclear power at the center of his energy transition strategy. Most of the operational nuclear power stations in the U.K. were expected to reach the end of their planned life span by the end of this decade.
Faced with a $56 billion gap in financing, Prime Minister Rishi Sunak is working to trim spending. A spokesperson for his office told the BBC that every major project was now under review as part of the cost-cutting efforts, but nuclear power would be spared.
Nov. 4 (UPI) -- Despite looking for cost-cutting measures, the British governments said Friday it has no plans to scrap the development of a new nuclear power plant that carries a $33 billion price tag.
Nuclear power fell out of favor in the wake of the Fukushima disaster in Japan in 2011. But the so-called energy transition -- the pivot away from fossil fuels -- has put it back in play.
During his tenure, former British Prime Minister Boris Johnson said he wanted to see eight new nuclear facilities built within the next eight years, putting nuclear power at the center of his energy transition strategy. Most of the operational nuclear power stations in the U.K. were expected to reach the end of their planned life span by the end of this decade.
Faced with a $56 billion gap in financing, Prime Minister Rishi Sunak is working to trim spending. A spokesperson for his office told the BBC that every major project was now under review as part of the cost-cutting efforts, but nuclear power would be spared.
RELATED Ukrainian nuclear plant on emergency power again after Russian shelling
Talks with private developers for the planned Sizewell C facility -- slated for the Suffolk coast -- have been "constructive" and the government "hoped to get a deal over the line as soon as possible," the government spokesperson said.
The British taxpayer will provide about 20% of the bill for Sizewell C, The Guardian newspaper added in a separate report.
If built, the 3.2 gigawatt, two-reactor Sizewell C facility would provide enough power to meet 7% of the nation's energy needs, though it might not be ready until at least 2030.
RELATED South Korea to help Poland with nuclear energy
Sunak on the campaign trail championed reforms on licensing laws that would permit more nuclear energy as part of an effort to achieve energy independence by 2045.
As a prime minister inheriting crises ranging from energy-related issues to financial ones, he said initially he was too distracted by domestic affairs to attend next week's environmental summit in Egypt, but changed his tune amid pressing energy security measures.
The COP27 climate summit gets underway next week in Sharm El-Sheik.
Catholic Diocese of Rochester reaches $55M settlement for sexual abuse
By Patrick Hilsman
A wooden cross is held and leads the way at the Way of the Cross event that leads a procession over the Brooklyn on March 30, 2018 in New York City. the Catholic Diocese of Rochester has reached a $55 million settlement with survivors of sexual abuse.
RELATED Retired Pope Benedict XVI asks 'forgiveness' over handling of past sex abuse cases
The settlement will require a bankruptcy court to approve a restructuring plan to move the Diocese out of Chapter 11 bankruptcy.
"The Diocese of Rochester has filed a motion seeking approval by the U.S. Bankruptcy Court, Western District of New York, of a Restructuring Support Agreement," read a statement from the Diocese on Thursday.
"We believe that this Restructuring Support Agreement represents the fairest approach for the survivors and the most viable path forward for the Diocese," said Bishop Salvatore Matano.
RELATED N.Y. diocese files for bankruptcy due to wave of sex abuse lawsuits
In addition to requiring the approval of a Restructuring Support Agreement, the more than 450 victims will have to vote on whether or not to go ahead with the settlement.
"While I know my words may seem hollow, simply repeating a rehearsed apology, I renew with sincerity my deep apology to survivors of sexual abuse," said Matano.
By Patrick Hilsman
A wooden cross is held and leads the way at the Way of the Cross event that leads a procession over the Brooklyn on March 30, 2018 in New York City. the Catholic Diocese of Rochester has reached a $55 million settlement with survivors of sexual abuse.
File Photo by John Angelillo/UPI | License Photo
Nov. 4 (UPI) -- The Catholic Diocese of Rochester has reached a $55 million settlement with survivors of clergy abuse.
Under the terms of the settlement the Diocese and "related entities" will pay $55 million into a trust for survivors. There have been over 450 sexual abuse claims filed against the Diocese of Rochester in the past three years.
The 2019 Child Victims Act, which temporarily extends the statute of limitations for sexual abuse, has prompted a flood of survivors to come forward with abuse claims against clergy in New York State. The sheer volume of claims has prompted four of the eight New York State Dioceses, including the Catholic Diocese of Rochester, to file for bankruptcy.
The Child Victims Act also lead to historic multi-million dollar settlements from the Boy Scouts of America, who have faced a flurry of lawsuits alleging sexual abuse in recent years. The Boy Scouts of America filed for bankruptcy in February 2020.
Nov. 4 (UPI) -- The Catholic Diocese of Rochester has reached a $55 million settlement with survivors of clergy abuse.
Under the terms of the settlement the Diocese and "related entities" will pay $55 million into a trust for survivors. There have been over 450 sexual abuse claims filed against the Diocese of Rochester in the past three years.
The 2019 Child Victims Act, which temporarily extends the statute of limitations for sexual abuse, has prompted a flood of survivors to come forward with abuse claims against clergy in New York State. The sheer volume of claims has prompted four of the eight New York State Dioceses, including the Catholic Diocese of Rochester, to file for bankruptcy.
The Child Victims Act also lead to historic multi-million dollar settlements from the Boy Scouts of America, who have faced a flurry of lawsuits alleging sexual abuse in recent years. The Boy Scouts of America filed for bankruptcy in February 2020.
RELATED Retired Pope Benedict XVI asks 'forgiveness' over handling of past sex abuse cases
The settlement will require a bankruptcy court to approve a restructuring plan to move the Diocese out of Chapter 11 bankruptcy.
"The Diocese of Rochester has filed a motion seeking approval by the U.S. Bankruptcy Court, Western District of New York, of a Restructuring Support Agreement," read a statement from the Diocese on Thursday.
"We believe that this Restructuring Support Agreement represents the fairest approach for the survivors and the most viable path forward for the Diocese," said Bishop Salvatore Matano.
RELATED N.Y. diocese files for bankruptcy due to wave of sex abuse lawsuits
In addition to requiring the approval of a Restructuring Support Agreement, the more than 450 victims will have to vote on whether or not to go ahead with the settlement.
"While I know my words may seem hollow, simply repeating a rehearsed apology, I renew with sincerity my deep apology to survivors of sexual abuse," said Matano.
US Supreme Court agrees to hear Navajo Nation water battle
By Matt Bernardini
The Supreme Court on Friday agreed to hear a case involving a water dispute between the Navajo Nation and the federal government. File Photo by Jemal Countess/UPI | License Photo
Nov. 4 (UPI) -- The Supreme Court on Friday agreed to hear a water dispute between the U.S. government and the Navajo Nation.
The case arises from the Navajo Nation's efforts to draw water from the Colorado River. In February, the San Francisco-based 9th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals ruled in favor of the Navajo Nation, saying it could sue the government for an alleged failure to carry out its duties on behalf of the tribe.
The tribe has argued that under a treaty it signed with the United States, the government has a duty to provide water for the tribe.
Legal precedent is clear that "when the United States creates an Indian reservation, it also promises and reserves for the tribe the amount of then-unappropriated water necessary to fulfill the reservation's purposes," the tribe's lawyers said in court papers, according to NBC News.
Many tribal members rely on wells and other local sources for their water.
The Biden administration has argued that it never entered any treaties with the Navajo Nation covering the Colorado River.
"Nothing in the supposed sources the court of appeals cited imposes any specific and affirmative duties on the federal government on behalf of the Navajo Nation with respect to the water of the Colorado River," Solicitor General Elizabeth Prelogar said.
However, the 9th Circuit disagreed, ruling that the federal government owes "an affirmative trust duty ... to ensure that the Nation has an adequate water supply," including from the Colorado River.
The high court will also hear an appeal from the states of Arizona, Nevada, and Colorado.
By Matt Bernardini
The Supreme Court on Friday agreed to hear a case involving a water dispute between the Navajo Nation and the federal government. File Photo by Jemal Countess/UPI | License Photo
Nov. 4 (UPI) -- The Supreme Court on Friday agreed to hear a water dispute between the U.S. government and the Navajo Nation.
The case arises from the Navajo Nation's efforts to draw water from the Colorado River. In February, the San Francisco-based 9th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals ruled in favor of the Navajo Nation, saying it could sue the government for an alleged failure to carry out its duties on behalf of the tribe.
The tribe has argued that under a treaty it signed with the United States, the government has a duty to provide water for the tribe.
Legal precedent is clear that "when the United States creates an Indian reservation, it also promises and reserves for the tribe the amount of then-unappropriated water necessary to fulfill the reservation's purposes," the tribe's lawyers said in court papers, according to NBC News.
Many tribal members rely on wells and other local sources for their water.
The Biden administration has argued that it never entered any treaties with the Navajo Nation covering the Colorado River.
"Nothing in the supposed sources the court of appeals cited imposes any specific and affirmative duties on the federal government on behalf of the Navajo Nation with respect to the water of the Colorado River," Solicitor General Elizabeth Prelogar said.
However, the 9th Circuit disagreed, ruling that the federal government owes "an affirmative trust duty ... to ensure that the Nation has an adequate water supply," including from the Colorado River.
The high court will also hear an appeal from the states of Arizona, Nevada, and Colorado.
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