Excluded Headlines for 17-23 Nov 2022
Stay up to date on the global news stories the US- and Eurocentric media overlooks, with journalist and author, Tamara Pearson
This week’s excluded or down-played headlines from the global south include paternity leave in Jamaica and holding fathers responsible in Argentina, a right-wing strike in Bolivia, looting of Yemen, and the loss of Indigenous communities’ homes in Panama.
Yemen: Thousands of artefacts looted and auctioned off in wealthy countries – A recent report from Sanaa has documented that 4,265 of Yemen’s artefacts have been stolen then sold in the US, Britain, France, Germany, Israel, and the Neverlands. Half of the stolen items were auctioned in the US. A Saudi-led coalition has been waging war on Yemen since 2015. Source.
Jamaica: Paternity leave effective as of new year – Maternity leave will increase from 40 days to three months, and paternity leave will now also be available for public sector workers. Source, source.
Panama: Rising sea levels causing Indigenous people to leave their homes - Guna Indigenous people are fleeing their home of two centuries due to climate change. The San Blas archipelago, off Panama’s coast, is slipping into the sea and the Guna have to return to the mainland they had previously fled during attacks by Spain. Source video.
Bolivia: Right-wing strike has ulterior motives – Conservative and privileged sectors in Bolivia have called an indefinite strike against the progressive Arce government. They have been striking for a month now, and continue to do so, despite their main demand around the census (delayed due to the pandemic) having been met. Along with the strike, there have been acts of violence, destruction of left-wing buildings, attacks on the press, and rape, committed against government supporters, farmers, and unionists. The date of the census is likely a pretext, with the real agenda of the strike and attacks aimed at Indigenous, poor and left-wing Bolivians. Source, source.
Philippines: Thousands protest US VP visit – Organised in a progressive coalition Bagong Alyansang Makabayan (Bayan) protesters rejected the US’s imperialist role and military presence in the country, and its role in the worsening human rights situation there. They said the US’s funding for the country’s military was only being used to repress people and for corruption. Source
Argentina: Minimum wage increased – On Tuesday the government increased the minimum wage by 20%, from US$352 per month to US$422. The minimum wage will increase gradually over the next four months. However, accumulated inflation this year in Argentina is at 76.6%, and the minimum wage was also increased in August. Source, source, source.
Iraq – Worst drought sees water scarcity, fishers affected – Iraq is experiencing its worst drought since 1930, and when combined with the lack of treatment plants, it means that access to unpolluted water is depleting, both for city consumers and for fishers. Source.
Chile: Fathers who don’t pay food allowance to be punished – Fathers who neglect this responsibility could be punished by not receiving tax returns or not being able to renew their drivers license or passport. The new policy recognises the duel responsibility of straight parents, and the rights of children. Source.
Congo: Ceasefire coming soon – An agreement has been reached for a ceasfire, starting Friday, in eastern Democratic Republic of Congo. A cease-fire agreement in July failed. Rwanda has been accused of supporting one of the organised gangs in the area, the M23, and recently negotiations looked at Rwanda encouraging the militia to pull back from captured territories. Source.
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