Excluded Headlines: Teachers' strike, the overlooked war in Sudan, refugees crossing the jungle, dehumanisation of Iranians...
Stay up to date on the global news stories the US- and Eurocentric media overlook, with journalist and author, Tamara Pearson.
In this week’s overlooked, distorted, and ignored news about the Global South:
Over 520,000 refugees crossed the Darien jungle last year - The figure is a record and double the number of migrants and refugees forced to pass through the dangerous area in 2022. Migrants from South America travelling through Panama to the north have to pass through the Darien Gap, which is largely controlled by organised crime. They risk kidnapping, death, rape, disease and face other hazards from walking in the jungle without any tools or tents. Source, source.
Media dehumanises people killed in bombings in Iran - While the bombings in Iran were covered by the mainstream English media, the coverage lacked the depth and empathy that such horror would get, were it to take place in Europe or the US. The media focused on the Iranian leader’s response and the political fall-out, rather than on humanising the victims and their families and the impact of the bombing, as it would do for any tragedy in the Global North. Few media used local sources (eg Reuter’s article was written from Dubai and the US, the Washington Post from Turkey etc). While journalism can be difficult in Iran, there are plenty of journalists there able to provide contextualised coverage.
According to Iranian media, 103 people were killed and 141 were injured, though other media is now reporting that because bodies were blown up and scattered into various pieces, some bodies were counted twice and the real figure is 84 deaths and some 280 injured. People were taking part in the fourth martyrdom anniversary of General Soleimani, who was killed four years ago by a US drone. It appears ISIS has now claimed responsibility for the suicide bombings. Source, source, source.
Somaliland and Ethiopia agree on port access, with various implications - Somaliland is governed by a democratically elected government, but unrecognised as am independent state internationally, except by China. Somaliland agreed to lease 20 km of coast to land-locked Ethiopia on Monday, in exchange for formal recognition as a state. As a result, Somalia accused Ethiopia of attacking its sovereignty and recalled its ambassador, and the US stood with Somalia. Source, source, source
Mozambique teachers threaten to strike - As school resumes, teachers are threatening not to teach, as they are owed 13 months of wages. They marched on Wednesday demanding payment. Source.
40% of people facing hunger in Sudan - After nine months of war, the RSF storming through the main wheat producing region, and farmers scared to continue farming, 40% of Sudanese people are facing acute hunger. People have also faced airstrikes and attacks, rape, and detention of civilians, destruction of civilian infrastructure, and mass displacement. Source, source.
Israeli government starving almost 2 million Gazans - By targeting hospitals while cutting off water, food and electricity and pushing Palestinians into smaller and smaller areas of Gaza, the Israeli state is causing hunger and serious health issues. The war has been going for 90 days now, with at least 22,300 people murdered in Gaza (a further 7,000 are still missing). Israel also killed senior Hamas leader Saleh al-Arouri using a drone strike in Beirut, demonstrating that it can target individuals and its rhetoric about destroying 70% of Gazan homes just to get Hamas is false. Source, source, source
Congo elections - Felix Tshisekedi was announced to have won the DRC elections on 31 December, and he will swear in on 20 January. Tshisekedi is currently president, and it is highly unusual for a person running for another term to get the 72% vote he apparently got. While all opposition candidates initially spoke out against the results, they haven’t filed a formal challenge. There were also protests on Sunday. Source, source, source, source.
Useful reads:
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Global Debt Is Beyond Control
Colombia’s drug war returns as peace deal sputters
How grieving Moroccan women are filling the gulf in earthquake aid
Displaced Palestinian artist paints rubble in Gaza (video)
Iran Explosion and Israel’s Beirut Bombing Risks Regional War (video)