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☆ Harris to shine light on horrific sexual violence perpetrated during Hamas’ October attack
▼ + stars: | 2024-06-14 | by ( Priscilla Alvarez | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +4 min

Washington CNN —Vice President Kamala Harris is expected to host a White House event focused in part on the Israel-Hamas war on Monday as part of an effort to highlight conflict-related sexual violence and amid fraught negotiations to reach a ceasefire agreement. Harris will deliver remarks on conflict-related sexual violence at the White House, followed by a panel discussion of survivors and experts from around the world, and a partial screening of documentary film, “Screams Before Silence,” on Hamas’ sexual violence on October 7, according to a White House official. “The Vice President spent her career as a prosecutor working to protect women and girls from violence, and as Vice President, she has continued this leadership globally. A United Nations report also found “clear and convincing” information that hostages in Gaza were sexually abused and there are “reasonable grounds” to believe the sexual violence is ongoing. Biden on Thursday called on the Hamas terror group to step up.

Persons: Kamala Harris, Harris, –, “, ”, Sheryl Sandberg, Sandberg, Sandberg Goldberg, Joe Biden, he’s, ” Biden, Biden Organizations: Washington CNN —, White, Association, Nova, United Nations Locations: Israel, Gaza, Selma , Alabama, ”, Italy

☆ Germany to give Holocaust survivors $236 payout to help them cope with October 7 attacks
▼ + stars: | 2024-04-12 | by ( Nadine Schmidt | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +2 min

CNN —Germany will provide a one-time payment of $236 (€220) to Holocaust survivors, to help them cope with the impacts of the Hamas-led October 7 attacks in southern Israel. Berlin will compensate 113,000 Holocaust survivors in Israel in the form of $27 million (€25 million), according to the German finance ministry. “Many Holocaust survivors were hit particularly hard by the Hamas attacks, whether through the loss of their homes, support systems in the form of care,” a German finance ministry spokeswoman said. The additional funds were aimed at helping the Holocaust survivors ”as quickly as possible (…) in this frightening and hopeless war situation,” the spokeswoman added. The payments are being distributed in Israel in cooperation with the Claims Conference and the Holocaust Survivors Rights Authority of the Israeli government, the German finance ministry said.

Persons: ”, Israel, –, Gideon Taylor, Adolf Hitler’s Nazi Organizations: CNN, Hamas, Ministry of Health, Rights Watch, Oxfam, Conference, Holocaust Survivors Rights Authority, German Finance Ministry Locations: Germany, Israel, Berlin, Gaza

☆ Latino immigrant workers died on the Baltimore bridge. More will likely rebuild it
▼ + stars: | 2024-04-04 | by ( Ramishah Maruf | Gloria Pazmino | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +12 min

More than two-thirds of Hispanic construction workers in America are foreign born. Working without a safety netFor the workers paid to rebuild the bridge, the job will be grueling — and dangerous. CNNWork-related deaths among foreign-born Hispanic or Latino workers rose to their highest level in 2021, according to the most recent Bureau of Labor Statistics data. Fourteen percent of all work-related fatalities in 2021 were foreign-born Hispanic or Latino workers, and most of them worked in construction. The agency’s reports also “consistently show” that Latino and/or immigrant workers are less likely to report employer health and safety violations.

Persons: Francis Scott Key, We’re, It’s, Reinaldo Quintero, “, Carlos Hernández, Miguel Luna, Yassir Suazo Sandoval, Jose Mynor Lopez, Dorlian Castillo Cabrera, ”, Saket Soni, Alejandro Hernandez Fuentes, Soni, ” Quintero, ’ ”, Sean McGarvey, Ligia Guallpa, Quintero, Hurricane Michael, Reinaldo Quintero “, ” Guallpa, Guallpa, Hurricane, Dave Einsel, ” Soni, Ron DeSantis ’, Fort Organizations: New, New York CNN, Bureau of Labor Statistics, CNN, Key, CNN Construction, Resilience Force, Force, of Labor Statistics, New York Committee, Occupational Safety, Health, York, New York State Department of Labor, Workers, North, Unions, Worker’s, Hurricane, Panama City, Safety, Health Administration, Historic New, New York Times, Gov Locations: New York, America, Louisiana, Hurricane, Florida, Mexico, Guatemala, El Salvador, Honduras, United States, New York City, North America’s, Canada, Venezuela, Panama, Baltimore, New Orleans, Texas, North Carolina, Historic New Orleans, Fort Meyers

☆ Coinbase secures restricted dealer license in Canada, pushing expansion abroad amid SEC crackdown
▼ + stars: | 2024-04-04 | by ( Ryan Browne | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +1 min

The firm said it has been registered in Ontario as a restricted dealer under the Canadian Securities Administrators (CSA), an umbrella organization of Canada's provincial and territorial securities regulators. The crypto exchange said that this authorization means the company now meets the Canadian regulators' strict requirements for crypto assets dealings and can operate legally in the country. The policy changes led Binance, the world's largest crypto exchange by trading volumes, to quit its activity in Canada, saying it was "no longer tenable" to operate there. Rival crypto exchange Kraken said last year that it had filed a pre-registration undertaking (PRU) with the Ontario Securities Commission, effectively starting the process to become a registered dealer in Canada. The company says it is the first international crypto exchange to receive restricted dealer registration in Canada.

Persons: Coinbase, Kraken Organizations: Getty, CNBC, Canadian Securities Administrators, Ontario Securities Commission Locations: Suqian, Jiangsu Province, China, Canada, U.S, Ontario

☆ Sexual assaults carried out ‘systematically’ during Hamas attack, Israeli report says
▼ + stars: | 2024-02-21 | by ( Lauren Izso | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +4 min

CNN —Israeli civilians suffered “brutal sexual assaults” that were carried out “systematically and deliberately” during Hamas’ October 7 attacks, according to a report published by the Association of Rape Crisis Centers in Israel (ARCCI) on Wednesday. When most of the victims of sexual assaults are murdered, we have a moral and humanitarian obligation to amplify their silent cry,” the report said. According to evidence collected by the ARCCI, men, women, and children were all victims of gruesome sexual abuse on October 7. It is the only organization in Israel whose main aim is to combat sexual violence, according to its website. The allegations include extrajudicial killing, arbitrary detention, degrading treatment, rape and sexual violence, according to a statement by the Office of the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights.

Persons: ”, “, Orit Sulitzeanu Organizations: CNN, Association, Nova, UN, United, Israel’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs, West Bank, Human Rights, Israel Defense Forces Locations: Israel, Gaza, United Nations

☆ Israeli Rape-Crisis Group Report Finds ‘Systematic’ Sexual Violence on and After Oct. 7
▼ + stars: | 2024-02-21 | by ( Adam Sella | ) www.nytimes.com time to read: +1 min

An Israeli organization that supports survivors of sexual abuse released a report on Wednesday that concluded that acts of sexual violence against Israelis during and after the Hamas-led attack on Oct. 7 were “systematic and widespread.”“The report finds that the Hamas attack included brutal acts of violent rape, often involving threats with weapons, specifically directed towards injured women,” said the group, The Association of Rape Crisis Centers in Israel, an umbrella organization of nine such organizations in Israel. The report added that many incidents involved gang rape. “Often, the rape was perpetrated in front of an audience — partners, family or friends — in a manner intended to increase the pain and humiliation of all present,” the report said. The attackers “cut and mutilated sexual organs and other body parts with knives,” the report said. The report asserted that its information and analysis “clearly demonstrates that sexual abuse was not an isolated incident or sporadic cases but rather a clear operational strategy.”

Persons: ”, — Organizations: The Association Locations: Israeli, Israel

☆ Swedish union blocks Tesla components as dispute intensifies
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-24 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +3 min

Around 50 workers that make specialized Tesla components at Hydro Extrusions, a subsidiary of Norwegian aluminium and energy company Hydro, will either stay at home or be given other tasks from Friday until further notice, the IF Metall union said. IF Metall, Sweden's biggest manufacturing union, is locked in a fight with Tesla to get a collective bargaining agreement for its 130 mechanics in Sweden. The U.S. carmaker has a policy to not sign collective bargaining agreements and says its employees have as good or better terms than what the Swedish union is demanding. The union says it is vital to the Swedish labour market model that all companies have collective agreements. Around 90% of all employees in Sweden are covered by collective bargaining agreements, which regulates wages, vacation, overtime pay and other conditions.

Persons: Veli, Pekka Saikkala, Tesla, Metall, Saikkala, carmaker, Torbjorn Johansson, Elon, Johansson, Johan Ahlander, Marie, Victoria Waldersee, Susan Fenton Organizations: Tesla, Hydro Extrusions, Hydro, IF Metall, Metall, LO, Marie Mannes, Thomson Locations: Berlin, Europe, Sweden, U.S, Stockholm, Victoria

Labor union leaders said Thursday they are paying close attention to what the libertarian president-elect says and what they are hearing is in opposition to their interests. “In the moment they move forward with reforms related to labor rights, both individual and collective, and when the labor organizations affected by these adjustments request it, the CGT will take a stance,” Dear said. “We expect absolutely nothing from Javier Milei.”Catalano was one of the representatives of labor unions and social organizations who joined the Mothers of Plaza de Mayo in their weekly march in downtown Buenos Aires Thursday. There’s also concern among human rights organizations about a potential setback in policies that allowed for the prosecution of perpetrators of crimes against humanity during the dictatorship. Leaders of leftist social organizations also held a meeting Thursday to discuss their response to Milei’s policies and “a plan for struggle against austerity” that will involve street protests.

Persons: Javier Milei, ” Héctor, Pablo Biró, Milei, ”, ” Daniel Catalano, ” Catalano, There’s, “ it’s, Nicolás Saldías, ” Sadias, —, Débora Rey Organizations: Labor, Confederation, Airline Pilots Association, Aerolineas Argentinas, Milei, State Workers ’ Association, de Mayo, Economist Intelligence, Latin, Associated Press Locations: BUENOS AIRES, Argentina, “, Buenos Aires, Latin America, Caribbean, ” Argentina

GENEVA (AP) — International aid groups say they are ready to deliver thousands of truckloads of food, water and other supplies to besieged Gaza if a temporary cease-fire in the Israel-Hamas war takes hold as hoped on Thursday. Della Longa lamented bottlenecks he said have confounded the delivery of already insuffient aid into Gaza. The only route for international humanitarian aid into Gaza since the start of the war has been through the Rafah crossing between Egypt and Gaza. Some aid groups say they wouldn’t be able to get enough fuel into Gaza over the four days to distribute aid to the hard-to-reach north. “And very ineffective Band-Aids.”Uncertainty is also looming over possible arrangements for contacting Israeli hostages in Gaza.

Persons: ”, Tommaso Della Longa, Israel, Della Longa, Joel Weiler, “, doesn’t, Jan Egeland, Shani Sasson of COGAT, “ It’s, Jason Lee, Mirjana Spoljaric, ’, Ismail Haniyeh, ___ DeBre, Melanie Lidman, Jon Gambrell Organizations: GENEVA, —, Aid, International Federation of Red, Red Crescent Societies, Norwegian Refugee Council, Red Crescent, International Committee, Red Cross, ICRC, Monday, Associated Press Locations: Gaza, Israel, Egypt, Egyptian, El, Arish, Paris, Rafah, Nitzana, Della, Red, “, Palestinian, Geneva, Qatar's, Qatar, United States, Jerusalem, Tel Aviv, Dubai, United Arab Emirates

VOORBURG, Netherlands (AP) — Cans of fish, jars of pasta sauce and bags of beans are stacked in blue crates. Meat, dairy and bread are kept cold in a huge freezer and a walk-in refrigerator in this affluent Dutch town. “There is a long list of things we need to do to challenge that cost-of-living crisis,” he told reporters at a campaign event. That shot up to 250 as a cost-of-living crisis swept across the world and did not spare the wealthy Netherlands. The Leidschendam-Voorburg food bank Kuipers oversees estimates that the true number of people eligible for food aid could be two to three times higher.

Persons: ”, Rob Kuipers, Maurice Crul, Pieter Omtzigt, Mark Rutte —, “, Frans Timmermans, Kuipers Organizations: Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam, Democrat, People’s Party for Freedom and Democracy, Union, . Locations: Netherlands, Leidschendam, The Hague

☆ Ohio Voted to Protect Abortion Rights. Could Florida Be Next?
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-11 | by ( Patricia Mazzei | More About Patricia Mazzei | ) www.nytimes.com time to read: +1 min

“Florida has always been a deeply libertarian state,” said Anna Hochkammer, executive director of the Florida Women’s Freedom Coalition. It is deeply offensive to Floridians’ sense of independence and freedom.”Since June 2022, when Roe was overturned, states have given voters a direct say on abortion access, either to protect abortion rights, weaken them or explicitly exclude them from state constitutions. Kansas, Kentucky and Michigan all voted to expand or maintain abortion rights. Abortion was legal up to 24 weeks in Florida until last year. Most donations have come from Florida, with limited interest so far from the out-of-state donors who propelled campaigns in Ohio and elsewhere.

Persons: ”, Anna Hochkammer, we’ll, Roe Organizations: Freedom Coalition, American Civil Liberties Union Locations: Florida, Kansas , Kentucky, Michigan, Ohio

VATICAN CITY (AP) — A few years ago, Pope Francis told the head of the main Vatican-backed Catholic women's organization to be “brave” in pushing for change for women in the Catholic Church. “Not only because of these events in October in Rome, but because the church has found a different way of being church,” Zervino said in a recent interview in her Vatican offices. It's the culmination of an unprecedented two-year canvasing of rank-and-file Catholics about their hopes for the future of the institution. But the voting reform is nevertheless significant, tangible evidence of Francis’ vision of the Catholic Church as being more about its flock than its shepherds. Zervino’s group, the World Union of Catholic Women’s Organizations, a Vatican-based umbrella organization of 100 Catholic associations, conducted a survey earlier this year of Catholics who participated in the synod consultations.

Persons: Pope Francis, Maria Lia Zervino, Francis, Cardinal Jorge Mario Bergoglio, “, ” Zervino, Cardinal Raymond Burke, Francis ’, ”, Sheila Pires, ” Pires, ” Francis, Nathalie Becquart, Becquart, ” Becquart, Kate McElwee, Zervino, they'll, Sebabatso Mosamo Organizations: VATICAN CITY, Catholic, Catholic Church, World Union of Catholic, Bishops, Associated Press Locations: Argentine, Rome, Africa, Johannesburg, Vatican, North America, Europe, “

☆ More than 60,000 Kaiser Permanente workers vote to authorize strike
▼ + stars: | 2023-09-14 | by ( Spencer Kimball | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +2 min

More than 60,000 health-care workers on Thursday voted to authorize a strike against Kaiser Permanente if an agreement is not reached when their current contract expires Sept. 30. Some 4,000 health-care workers in Oregon and Washington state voted to authorize strikes against Kaiser later Thursday. The labor groups are part of an umbrella organization called the Coalition of Kaiser Permanente Unions that represents 85,000 health-care workers in total. Kaiser Permanente is one of the largest nonprofit health plans in the U.S. with nearly 13 million members. Kaiser Permanente, in a statement Thursday, called the unions' claims misleading and urged employees to resist any call for an actual strike.

Persons: Kaiser, Kaiser Permanente, Dave Regan, Regan Organizations: Kaiser Permanente, SEIU, United Healthcare Workers West, Coalition, Kaiser Permanente Unions, D.C, United Healthcare Workers, Kaiser Locations: California, Oregon, Washington, Colorado, Kaiser, U.S

Ahead of the High Holidays that begin this week, a network of Jewish security experts and religious leaders hosted several webinars to help prepare for the season. Among the topics: How to respond to an “active threat” targeting the Jewish community, and how to stop severe bleeding. Over recent years — in the face of increased antisemitic threats and violence — the season also is a time of heightened vigilance. “The High Holidays are about renewal — about trying to build a better world,” said Rabbi Noah Farkas, president of the Jewish Federation of Greater Los Angeles. Earlier this month, the Orthodox Union, the largest Orthodox Jewish umbrella organization, announced a partnership with the Community Security Service, a leading Jewish security organization, to encourage more Orthodox congregation members to volunteer for security training.

Persons: ”, Noah Farkas, ” Farkas, Ryan Scott Bradford “, Martin Estrada, Farkas ’, Robert Bowers, ” —, Eric Fingerhut, —, Rosh Hashana, “ It’s, Jeffrey Abrams, Larry Mead, Mead, it's “, “, ” Mead, Mead “, Rabbi Jeffrey Myers, Rabbi Charlie Cytron, Walker, Tim Torell, ” Torell, ’ We’re, Torell Organizations: Jewish Federation of, Attorney’s, Los Angeles CSI, Reseda . Security, Jewish Federations of North, Secure Community Network, Jewish Federations of, Nationwide, Orthodox Union, Jewish, Community Security Service, Defamation League, Los Angeles, ADL Los Angeles, Los Angeles federation’s Community Security, Angeles County Sheriff’s Department, “, FBI, Jewish Federation of Northern, Lilly Endowment Inc, AP Locations: Rosh, Yom Kippur, Jewish Federation of Greater Los Angeles, Los Angeles, Reseda, U.S, Reseda ., Pittsburgh, Jewish Federations of North America, Canada, Southern California, Angeles, California, Texas, New Jersey, Jewish Federation of Northern New Jersey

☆ Years after #MeToo first swept the world, Taiwan races to respond
▼ + stars: | 2023-07-28 | by ( Sarah Wu | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +5 min

TAIPEI, July 28 (Reuters) - Six years after the #MeToo movement rose to global prominence and toppled powerful perpetrators of sexual abuse, Taiwan is racing to reform laws and provide training and support as it reckons with its own wave of complaints. The drama mirrored reality two months ago when an allegation of sexual abuse surfaced that was linked to Taiwan's ruling party. Her criticism of the then-head of the Democratic Progressive Party's women's affairs department for dismissing her complaint went viral. COMPANIES RESPOND TOOBusinesses are also responding by investigating complaints and training staff in preventing abuse. Hsieh said he hoped exposure to the movement at a young age would help his daughters develop a sense of equality.

Persons: Lai Pei, Lai, Chen Chien, jou, Tsai Ing, Chen Chao, Lee Yen, jong, Lee, Peng Yen, Liu Jung, jen, Liu, Yu Mei, Yu, Johnson Hsieh, Hsieh, Sarah Wu, John Geddie, Robert Birsel Organizations: Netflix, Facebook, Democratic Progressive, National Taiwan University, Women's Foundation, Reuters, Taiwan Bar Association, Thomson Locations: TAIPEI, Taiwan, Asia, Taipei

But Shautsou’s statement was the first time the Belarus Red Cross has admitted taking part in the deportations. The International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC), the Red Cross umbrella organization, expressed “grave concern” and called for the practice to stop. Dzmitry Shautsou, the Secretary General of the Belarusian Red Cross, pictured near the Polish border. “We have contacted the Belarus Red Cross to express our grave concern and to stop any similar activity in the future,” the statement said, adding that “actions by any of our member national Red Cross or Red Crescent Societies in contradiction with our humanitarian mission” are “taken extremely seriously.”The Ukrainian branch of the Red Cross has called for the IFRC to denounce the Belarus Red Cross’ involvement in the deportations. “We implore them to carefully consider the matter of excluding the Belarus Red Cross from the International Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement,” the group said in a statement.

Persons: Dzmitry Shautsou, ” Shautsou, Ulf Mauder, Shautsou, ”, “, Dmytro Kuleba, Vladimir Putin, Rights Maria Lvova, Alexander Lukashenko, Putin, Wagner, Yevgeny Prigozhin Organizations: CNN, Cross, International Federation of Red, Red Crescent Societies, Criminal Court, Belarus “, TV, Red Crescent Movement, Crescent, ICC, Twitter, Russian, Rights, Ukraine Russia, Crisis Management Group Locations: Belarusian, Belarus, Ukraine, Republic of Belarus, Russia, Rome, Polish, Severodonetsk

☆ Szymon Marciniak: Champions League final referee to remain in role after apologizing for appearance at event organized by hardline nationalist party leader in Poland
▼ + stars: | 2023-06-02 | by ( Sammy Mncwabe | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +2 min

CNN —Referee Szymon Marciniak will officiate next weekend’s UEFA Champions League final after apologizing for his appearance at an event organized by a hardline right-wing Polish politician, the European football governing body confirmed in a statement on Friday. According to the Guardian, Marciniak was a keynote speaker at an event entitled “Everest” organized by Slawomir Mentzen, the leader of the nationalist Confederation party in Katowice, Poland on Monday. The party is known for its slogan, “We stand against Jews, gays, abortion, taxation and the European Union,” the Guardian reports. Marciniak officiated the World Cup final between Argentina and France in December, 2022. Marciniak, who refereed the World Cup final between Argentina and France in December, said he was “gravely misled and completely unaware” of the event’s affiliation.

Persons: Szymon Marciniak, Marciniak, Slawomir Mentzen, Hannah Mckay, Mentzen, “, ” Marciniak, ” Organizations: CNN, UEFA Champions League, Guardian, Confederation, European Union, UEFA, Reuters, Champions League, Manchester City, Inter Milan Locations: Polish, Katowice, Poland, Argentina, France, Istanbul, Turkey

☆ Nigeria: Fuel prices triple as new leader Tinubu ends subsidy
▼ + stars: | 2023-06-01 | by ( Nimi Princewill | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +4 min

In a seemingly off-the-cuff remark during his inaugural speech Monday, Tinubu declared, “the fuel subsidy is gone,” adding that it was unsustainable. The last time the government tried to remove fuel subsidies in 2012, it sparked nationwide protests. Fuel subsidies are a drain on public finances and many argue that they have led to widespread abuse and corruption. Previous governments have tried unsuccessfully to remove the fuel subsidy, which has kept gas prices artificially low, although they have steadily climbed through the years. Fuel subsidies were not sustainable, but ending them “abruptly” without provision for economic and social consequences was “reckless,” he added.

Persons: Bola Tinubu, Tinubu, “, Joe Ajaero, Goodluck Jonathan, Sam Amadi, ” Amadi, NNPC Organizations: Nigeria CNN —, CNN, National Petroleum Corporation, Nigeria’s Labour Congress, Occupy, Abuja School of Social, ” Locations: Abuja, Nigeria, Africa’s, State, Occupy Nigeria

☆ Explainer: Ecuador's Lasso dissolved the legislature. What comes next?
▼ + stars: | 2023-05-17 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +3 min

[1/3] Police stand outside the National Assembly after it was dissolved in a decree by Ecuador's President Guillermo Lasso, bringing forward legislative and presidential elections, a day after he... Read moreQUITO, May 17 (Reuters) - Ecuador's President Guillermo Lasso dissolved the National Assembly by decree on Wednesday, bringing forward legislative and presidential elections, a day after he defended himself in an impeachment hearing. WHAT IS PRESIDENT LASSO ACCUSED OF? Lasso, a former banker who took power in 2021, has denied the charges and says they are politically motivated. Ecuador's National Assembly began an impeachment hearing against Lasso on Tuesday, following a vote on May 9 to move forward in the process against him, which was passed with 88 votes from the 116 legislators present. Lasso invoked the "two-way death" on Wednesday, citing Ecuador's grave political crisis.

☆ Ukrainian vigilantes are tearing down Russian statues and landmarks in the night to 'decolonize' their cities
▼ + stars: | 2023-05-12 | by ( Chris Panella | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +2 min

Ukrainian vigilantes are tearing down Russian statues and landmarks in their cities. Activists told The Washington Post they want to "de-Russify" and "decolonize" Ukraine. Zelenskyy signed two laws last month to promote Ukrainian language and culture over that of Russia. The activists — operating under umbrella organizations such as Decolonize Ukraine — are recording the locations of Russian iconography across big cities and small towns, according to The Washington Post. The Post reported that these efforts range from Russian language on street signs and public art to Soviet symbols and statues dedicated to Russian soldiers.

☆ Brazil's Lula resumes creation of Indigenous reservations halted by Bolsonaro
▼ + stars: | 2023-04-28 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

REUTERS/Ueslei Marcelino/File PhotoBRASILIA, April 27 (Reuters) - Brazil's President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva announced the formal recognition of six Indigenous reservations on Friday, fulfilling a campaign promise to reverse the policy of his far-right predecessor Jair Bolsonaro. Lula made the announcement as part of the annual meeting in Brasilia of representatives of Brazil's one million Indigenous people. The Free Land Camp is a five-day event featuring music, dance and food in tents erected on the grass esplanade of the capital. Indigenous leaders called on the president to speed up the recognition of some 300 Indigenous territories that have been mapped out but have waited for years to be formally recognized. With no state protection, Indigenous communities are in danger of invasions by illegal loggers and wildcat gold miners that surged under Bolsonaro.

☆ Swiss central bank promises regulation review after collapse of Credit Suisse
▼ + stars: | 2023-04-28 | by ( Elliot Smith | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +7 min

Thomas Jordan, president of the Swiss National Bank (SNB), speaks during the bank's annual general meeting in Bern, Switzerland, on Friday, April 28, 2023. Bloomberg | Bloomberg | Getty ImagesThe Swiss National Bank on Friday pledged to review banking regulations during its annual general meeting in Bern, following recent turmoil involving Credit Suisse. The central bank played a key role in brokering the rescue of Credit Suisse over the course of a chaotic weekend in March, as a flight of deposits and plummeting share price took the 167-year-old institution to the brink of collapse. The deal remains mired in controversy and legal challenges, particularly over the lack of investor input and the unconventional decision to wipe out 15 billion Swiss francs ($16.8 billion) of Credit Suisse AT1 bonds. He added that this would mean his central bank could would be able to provide the necessary liquidity, in times of stress, without the need for emergency law.

☆ Explainer: Why are Ecuador lawmakers trying to impeach President Lasso?
▼ + stars: | 2023-04-24 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +3 min

[1/3] Ecuadorean President Guillermo Lasso participates in an interview at Carondelet Palace, in Quito, Ecuador April 26, 2022. REUTERS/Santiago Arcos/File PhotoQUITO, April 24 (Reuters) - Ecuadorean opposition lawmakers and President Guillermo Lasso - or his lawyer - are scheduled to testify this week in impeachment hearings that could see the conservative former banker censured and removed from office. Lasso has denied the charges, pointing out the contract was signed in 2018, three years before he took office. Estupinan is a key witness for opposition lawmakers, who say the former manager claims to have warned Lasso about contract irregularities allegedly committed by Luque, but got no response. Lawmakers from the Revolucion Ciudadana party of former President Rafael Correa, fierce opponents of Lasso, have pledged to cast their 47 votes for removal.

☆ Global Players’ Union Calls for Equal Conditions and Prize Money at Women’s World Cup
▼ + stars: | 2023-03-14 | by ( Rachel Bachman | ) www.wsj.com time to read: 1 min

Players from 25 national women’s soccer teams, backed by a global professional players’ union, are calling for equal conditions and prize money at the 2023 Women’s World Cup. Fifpro, an umbrella organization that represents 65,000 men’s and women’s soccer players and their unions worldwide, sent a letter last October to FIFA president Gianni Infantino outlining the players’ proposals. The letter, viewed by The Wall Street Journal, comes to light four months ahead of the Women’s World Cup that kicks off July 20 in Australia and New Zealand.

☆ UN expert warns Myanmar's military plans to seek legitimacy in 'sham' election
▼ + stars: | 2023-02-01 | by ( ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +2 min

The independent U.N. special investigator on Myanmar warned Tuesday that the country's military rulers plan to seek legitimacy by orchestrating a "sham" election this year and urged all countries to reject the illegal and "farcical" vote. Tom Andrews also called for nations that support human rights and democracy to recognize the underground umbrella organization for opponents of military rule as the legitimate representative of Myanmar's people. "You cannot have a free and fair election when the opposition is arrested, detained, tortured, and executed," journalists are prohibited from doing their job, and it is a crime to criticize the military, Andrews said at a news conference. Andrews called for recognition and support for the National Unity Government, the main underground group coordinating resistance to the military. It was established by elected legislators who were barred from taking their seats when the military seized power.

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