Excluded Headlines: Environmental damage of Iraq war, successful Indian farmers' march, impact of inflation in Argentina ...
Stay up to date on the global news stories the US- and Eurocentric media overlooks, with journalist and author, Tamara Pearson.
This week in the downplayed and overlooked news about the Global South:
102% Inflation in Argentina seeing dietary changes - Basic food prices have increased by 115% in a year, and people in the meat-loving nation are being forced to eat meat just for special occasions. The increasing cost of living is leading to more poverty, with two thirds of children not having their nutritional needs met, and many workers seeking three or four jobs in order to cover expenses. The current drought in the country has caused losses of US$19 billion. Source, source, source.
Six months rain in six days in Malawi leaves half a million displaced - The media has covered Cyclone Freddy in Malawi and Mozambique, but as usual focused on the dramatic images of mud-buried homes, rather than on the long-term impact. Malawi has been going without electricity and schooling has been suspended so the country can use those spaces to accommodate the 300-500,000 people forced to leave their homes. Forty roads have been cut off, making it hard to transport assistance. Over 500 people have died. Source, source.
Uruguay strikes against pension reform - We know that people in France are taking a strong stance against pension reform, but Uruguay’s strike, just kicking off, has been completely ignored by the mainstream English media. Yesterday, unions went on strike and marched against the government’s plan to increase the retirement age from 60 to 65. Source, source, source.
Brazil to apply race quotas to public leadership positions - Brazil’s president has signed a decree that stipulates that at least 30% of top public positions have to be held by people of African descent or “mixed-race” by 2025. Black people or Afro-Brazilians make up a majority of the country’s population (56%). Source, source
Pakistan attacks Afghani refugees - Pakistani authorities have been detaining and deporting Afghani refugees. Thousands have been imprisoned in recent months for lacking documentation, and at least three have died in custody recently. Source.
Indian farmers’ march successful - Indian farmers began marching from Maharashtra state on March 12 and concluded on March 18, after the government accepted their demands. Key demands included remunerative crop prices, loan waivers, waiving money owed for electricity, and having access to electricity 12 hours a day. They marched for 250 kilometres. Source, source.
Twenty years since the start of the war on Iraq, and the damage continues - By 2050, the impact of the US-led wars on Iraq and Syria is expected to reach half a million deaths and a total cost of US$2.89 trillion. The war has lead to increased violence more broadly, huge numbers of refugees and displaced people, and political instability. There has also been extreme environmental damage, with the US military generating 11 million pounds (5 million kilos) of toxic waste and leaving it in Iran, by 2010. Source, source.
30 coal miners die in Pakistan in 3 months - From January to March this year, at least 30 coal miners have died in Pakistan, as they work in conditions where many mines are not regulated, many are illegal, and militia groups target mines for attacks. Source.