IGIHE

Tag: InternationalNews

  • Pan-European Peace Forum advocates support for Peace in Korea

    The event that was organized by Heavenly Culture, World Peace, Restoration of Light (HWPL), aimed to event to advocate international cooperation for global peacebuilding and support for the peaceful reunification of the two Koreas.

    Chairman Man Hee Lee, a Korean War veteran, appealed to attendants of the forum, “More than anything else, a peaceful world without war would be the greatest legacy to hand down to our children. If a single country achieves peace, it does not mean the world has become peaceful. Peace has to be realized in the entire world. If each person walks in the path towards peace, peace will be accomplished in the global community.”

    Prof. Dr. Hans Köchler from Austria, president of International Progress Organization, said the issues of denuclearization and reunification of Korea are mutually reinforcing. He pointed out the prospect of a reunified Korea will be “the best security guarantee to both the North and the South.”

    He also maintained that nuclear disarmament should be carried out not only in Korea but also in the rest of the world, saying “there must be no policy of double standards concerning disarmament obligations of states.” Dr. Köchler is serving as a member of HWPL Peace Advisory Council, a group of policy makers and experts from civil society for advancing peace in the international community.

    At the end of the event, Dr. Welker presented to HWPL delegation a Letter of Support for the peaceful unification of the Korean Peninsula and global peace.

    In line with its advocacy campaign for global peacebuilding, HWPL is collecting the Letters of Support from state officials to civil leaders, which aim to being sent to the leaders of two Koreas.

    Also, in a move to build sustainable peace, HWPL is implementing peace education programs in various educational institutions and collaborating with educational experts and teachers worldwide to develop peace education textbooks and curriculums.

    Chairman Man Hee Lee, delivering his speech at the forum​
    Participants taking a group Photo during the forum

  • Nissan, Renault in Talks to Merge, Create New Company

    A deal would end the current alliance between the companies and marry them as one corporation, said the people, who asked not to be identified as the details aren’t public. Renault currently owns 43 percent of Nissan while the Japanese carmaker has a 15 percent stake in its French counterpart. Carlos Ghosn, the chairman of both companies, is driving the negotiations and would run the combined entity, the people said.

    The parties are discussing a transaction in which Nissan would essentially give Renault shareholders stock in the new company, the people said. Nissan shareholders would also receive shares in the new company in exchange for their holdings, they said. The automaker may maintain headquarters in both Japan and France.

    Renault shares jumped as much as 8.3 percent in early trading Thursday, hitting the highest intraday level in more than a decade. They were up 4.2 percent at 10:05 a.m. in Paris, giving the company a market value of about 29 billion euros ($36 billion). Nissan shares are down nearly 2 percent over the past year, giving the company a valuation of 4.6 trillion yen ($43 billion).

    Getting a deal done could prove very difficult, the people said. The French government owns 15 percent of Renault and may be reluctant to relinquish control over its stake or have its position watered down. Both the French and Japanese governments would also have to approve a deal and may have strong opinions on where the combined company is domiciled, the people said.

    While the companies have claimed a multitude of benefits from their partnership, its staying power could be complicated until imbalances in the companies’ ownership structures are resolved.

    Ghosn reiterated last month that Japan wouldn’t agree to a tighter structure if France remains a shareholder. He also said he isn’t trying to convince the French state to reduce its stake in Renault.

    “They decide to be here or to get out,” he said. “Frankly, I don’t even open this subject. I just consider that I have the shareholders that I have and I try to satisfy them in the best way possible and as much as possible make sure that they understand our strategy and appreciate our results.”

  • Former French President Nicolas Sarkozy in custody in campaign funding probe

    A lawyer for Sarkozy could not be reached immediately for comment.

    France opened a judicial inquiry in 2013 into allegations that Sarkozy’s successful 2007 election bid benefited from illicit funds from late Libyan leader Muammar Gaddafi.

    A former minister and close ally of Sarkozy, Brice Hortefeux, was also being questioned by police on Tuesday morning in relation to the Libya investigation, another source close to the probe said.

    Sarkozy, who served as president from 2007 to 2012, has always denied receiving any illicit campaign funding and has dismissed the Libyan allegations as “grotesque”.

    In January a French businessman suspected by investigators of funneling money from Gaddafi to finance Sarkozy’s campaign was arrested in Britain and granted bail after he appeared in a London court.

    Sarkozy has already been ordered to stand trial in a separate matter concerning financing of his failed re-election campaign in 2012, when he was defeated by Francois Hollande.

    {{Source: Reuters}}

  • Protesters yank down angel sculpture in Athens, saying it looks like Satan

    It was displayed in early December in a busy area in the coastal suburb of Palaio Faliro. Protesters have included some residents, religious conservatives and supporters of far right political groups.

    Late on Wednesday night a group of 10-15 hooded persons tied it to the back of a truck and drove away, pulling it down, mayor of Palaio Faliro Dionysis Hatzidakis told Real FM.

    “It’s wings are now broken,” said Hatzidakis who has filed a lawsuit. “It has been severely damaged.”

    “So, if we don’t like something we destroy it … for political purposes?,” Hatzidakis said, adding that he suspected the attackers were far-right.

    He said they threatened to hurt an eye-witness if he alerted authorities. If the sculpture can be repaired it will be reinstalled, a spokesman for the mayor told Reuters.

    The sculpture was created by well-known Greek artist Kostis Georgiou who has exhibited both at home and in other countries. He told Enikos.gr that Phylax was transferred to a safe place and that he hopes “the evil shall not prevail”.

    “All this violence against the sculpture since the first moment it was installed has left me speechless,” he told Reuters. “It should remain down on the ground as a memorial of the irrational rationale.”

    {{Source: Reuters}}

  • ‘The fruit of war’: Pope Francis prints photo of Nagasaki victims

    The photo captures a boy carrying his dead brother on his shoulders while he waits for his turn at the crematory. It was taken by US Marine photographer Joe O’Donnell shortly after the bombs were dropped at the end of World War II.

    The leader of the world’s Roman Catholics asked that “the fruit of war” be written in the back of the card along with his signature “Franciscus.”

    A short caption explains the content and origin of the photo, it reads in part: “The young boy’s sadness is expressed only in his gesture of biting his lips which are oozing blood.”

    After the bombs dropped by the US on Nagasaki and Hiroshima forced Japan’s surrender and ended World War II in 1945, O’Donnell spent four years documenting the aftermath in the two cities, according to Library of Congress records.

    His photos were published in the book titled “Japan 1945: A US. Marine’s Photographs from Ground Zero.”

    CNN’s senior Vatican analyst John Allen wrote on his website: “Though release of the photo in the run-up to New Year’s does not add anything substantive to the pontiff’s positions, it’s nevertheless the first time Francis has asked that a specific image be circulated in the holiday season, suggesting he believes its message is especially relevant at the moment.”

    The Pope has previously condemned nuclear weapons and highlighted the impact of conflict on children, Allen wrote.

    With CNN

    The photo captures a boy carrying his dead brother on his shoulders while he waits for his turn at the crematory.
    An aerial View of Hiroshima; three weeks after the bombing

  • Tanzania to hang 34

    Beatrice Mpembo, a state attorney from the DPP, told a two-day consultative meeting to strategise on countering brutality and killings of people with albinism that the convictions were from 2006 to 2016.

    “Several other cases of people accused of killing people with albinism are still pending in courts throughout the country,” Mpembo said.

    She told the meeting organised by Tanzania Commission for Human Rights and Good Governance in the political capital Dodoma that 67 cases of the killings of people with albinism were still pending in courts across the country.

    Mpembo said her office has been facing difficulties in administering cases related to the killings of people with albinism and attacks on such people due to insufficient evidence.

    “Most cases related to the killings of people with albinism involve some family members, as a result it has been difficult to get sufficient evidence due to lack of cooperation from the relatives thus contributing to delays in delivering ruling on the cases,” Mpembo said.

    She said the worst of such killings was recorded in the east African country in 2008 where some 19 people with albinism were killed.

    Ralph Meela, a senior police officer in charge of Offences Against Persons and Traffic Related Offences, said people with albinism or mothers with children born with the genetic disorder have been denied their rights.

    “These people fail to take appropriate action because they lack awareness of their rights,” said Meela.

    He said there was need to raise public awareness on the killings of people with albinism throughout the country because the police could not eliminate the problem single-handedly.

    Killings of albinos have been driven by the belief advanced by some witch doctors that the body parts of people with albinism have properties that confer wealth and good luck.

  • Jhené Aiko gets face of BF Big Sean tattooed on her arm

    L.A.-based tattoo artist Miryam Lumpini, who also goes by the Witchdoctor, posted her latest work, which features a huge image of Big Sean on Aiko’s bicep. The illustration shows Sean wearing what appears to be two stud earrings and a green bowtie. Lumpini noted in her caption, “Art is love. Thanks Jheńe for allowing me to share this moment.”

    The tat comes about a week after Aiko finalized her divorce from Dot Da Genius. And, to sum up what lots of people are already thinking, yes — it’s very large, very legit, and will be very hard to cover up in case they have a rocky future. But on the flip side, maybe they will be together forever.

    Aiko certainly isn’t the only celebrity to get inked in the name of love — one of the most prominent matching-tattoo pairs comes from power couple Beyoncé and Jay-Z. The two got their lucky number 4 in roman numerals on their ring fingers. Queen Bey recently made headlines for slightly altering the look of her iconic body art. It looks a little darker now, and there are few noticeably different added lines.

  • Reporters Advocate Freedom of Expression for Democracy

    “Consistent with Article 19 of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, the establishment, maintenance and fostering of an independent, pluralistic and free press is essential to the development and maintenance of democracy in a nation and for economic development.”
    – Quoted from Declaration of Windhoek [1]

    May 3rd is World Press Freedom Day adopted by the United Nations to commemorate the Declaration of Windhoek drafted by African journalists in 1991 to develop the principle of the freedom of the press. In this year the annual commemoration seeks “Media’s Role in Advancing Peaceful, Just and Inclusive Societies” by UNESCO in Jakarta, Indonesia.

    ‘Press Freedom and Development’ by the Center for Peace and Human Security points out that freedom of the press and a good government are interrelated and “promote the economy and development of the state.”

    Suppression of the Press and Violation of Journalists’ Rights

    Amnesty International states that “Journalists in many African countries who cover the articles on corruption and violation“ Journalism is one of the professions that are most exposed to threats, and this is especially true for female journalists. This constitutes a threat not only to women and quality journalism but also to freedom of expression, equality, and democracy,” says Sweden’s Minister for Foreign Affairs Margot Wallström, greeting the World Press Freedom Day. She further added to her statement: “We need to work continuously on different levels to ensure that these issues are never forgotten or ignored.” on against human rights are being threatened.

    This is the very reason why press freedom is rising to the surface.” The organisation further emphasised that the government should create an environment where a journalist can perform their duty without feeling threatened, pressurized or fear.

    In Zimbabwe, journalists of Media Institute of South Africa (MISA) Zimbabwe discussed “the approach towards information and basic freedom” on the World Press Freedom Day last year. Regarding the arrest of journalists from the Sunday Mail andNewsDay due to government restriction of information and a libel suit, a freelancer journalist participant Pindai Dube stated, “we even have government officials criticizing some of the media laws but nothing practical has been done.” The Tabani Moyo, advocacy officer of the MISA-Zimbabwe also added, “A law exists, which restricts the joy of free media and information access.”

    The international organisation to defend freedom of the press, RSF, and international human rights organisation Freedom House, uncovered through a yearly report that the freedom of the press has declined globally.

    Stronger dictatorial tendencies in governments around the world and increasing numbers of security issues such as terror and refugees in Europe were given as the reasons. Restrictions on broadcasting, reporting and news coverage through online are under surveillance of government in the name of national security.

    In contrast, Sweden, a country of the world’s first press freedom law in 1766, abolished censorship of publications so that citizens are free to read public documents and participate in political discussions. According to Anne Höglund, Ambassador of Sweden to the Republic of Korea, the Swedish Freedom of the Press Act played an important role in shaping the present welfare state that is Sweden, enabling free communication in an open society and national development through the critical inspection of the people.

    Activities to Regain Freedom of Press

    African countries and journalists have acknowledged the positive effects of freedom of the press, and are engaged in activities to secure it. The Right2Know Campaign which began in South Africa in 2010, has its roots in “release of information” and “freedom of expression,” and is raising its voice to strengthen and unite the rights of citizens to know.

    MISA, the West African Journalists Association (with chapters in 16 countries) and the East African Journalists Association have been active as professional watchdog organizations for the freedom of the press as well as expression since the Windhoek Declaration.

    International efforts for freedom of press in relation to democracy and peace in the globe have been underway. The Declaration of Peace and Cessation of War (DPCW), drafted by international law experts and Heavenly Culture, World Peace, Restoration of Light (HWPL).

    Under the UN Department of Public Information (DPI), advocates international cooperation for peace building at local, national and international levels.[13] With its peace initiatives in international law for peace and advocacy campaigns in international organizations, the DPCW addresses the need to establish a global order based on the peaceful resolution of conflicts, ethnic/religious freedom, and spreading a culture of peace.

    To achieve this, HWPL’s annual peace summit discusses plans of actions with 1,000 global leaders and experts from politics, academia, law, media, religion, women and youth. In the summit this year, journalists and reporters around the world will discuss at the “Forum for Global Peace Media Network – Freedom of Press and International Peace Media Community Initiative”.

    The Managing Editor of Syria Daily News Nour Molhem, who participated in the Media Forum held last year, said, “It’s the first time for Syria to work with this kind of peace organization. I really hope to deliver true peace to the people of Syria.” According to RSF statistics, Syria is a country whose press freedom index ranks 177th out of 180 countries; resolution of press suppression and the guarantee of freedom of expression of the press is urgently needed.

  • Reporters Advocate Freedom of Expression for Democracy

    “Consistent with Article 19 of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, the establishment, maintenance and fostering of an independent, pluralistic and free press is essential to the development and maintenance of democracy in a nation and for economic development.” – Quoted from Declaration of Windhoek [1]

    May 3rd is World Press Freedom Day adopted by the United Nations to commemorate the Declaration of Windhoek drafted by African journalists in 1991 to develop the principle of the freedom of the press.

    In this year the annual commemoration seeks “Media’s Role in Advancing Peaceful, Just and Inclusive Societies” by UNESCO in Jakarta, Indonesia.

    ‘Press Freedom and Development’ by the Center for Peace and Human Security points out that freedom of the press and a good government are interrelated and “promote the economy and development of the state.”

    Suppression of the Press and Violation of Journalists’ Rights

    Amnesty International states that “Journalists in many African countries who cover the articles on corruption and violation against human rights are being threatened. This is the very reason why press freedom is rising to the surface.”

    The organization further emphasized that the government should create an environment where a journalist can perform their duty without feeling threatened, pressurized or fear

    “Journalism is one of the professions that are most exposed to threats, and this is especially true for female journalists. This constitutes a threat not only to women and quality journalism but also to freedom of expression, equality, and democracy,” says Sweden’s Minister for Foreign Affairs Margot Wallström, greeting the World Press Freedom Day. She further added to her statement: “We need to work continuously on different levels to ensure that these issues are never forgotten or ignored.”

    In Zimbabwe, journalists of Media Institute of South Africa (MISA) Zimbabwe discussed “the approach towards information and basic freedom” on the World Press Freedom Day last year. Regarding the arrest of journalists from the Sunday Mail and Newsday due to government restriction of information and a libel suit, a freelancer journalist participant Pindai Dube stated, “we even have government officials criticizing some of the media laws but nothing practical has been done.” The Tabani Moyo, advocacy officer of the MISA-Zimbabwe also added, “A law exists, which restricts the joy of free media and information access.”

    The international organization to defend freedom of the press, RSF, and international human rights organization Freedom House, uncovered through a yearly report that the freedom of the press has declined globally.

    Stronger dictatorial tendencies in governments around the world and increasing numbers of security issues such as terror and refugees in Europe were given as the reasons. Restrictions on broadcasting, reporting and news coverage through online are under surveillance of government in the name of national security.

    Stronger dictatorial tendencies in governments around the world and increasing numbers of security issues such as terror and refugees in Europe were given as the reasons. Restrictions on broadcasting, reporting and news coverage through online are under surveillance of government in the name of national security.

    In contrast, Sweden, a country of the world’s first press freedom law in 1766, abolished censorship of publications so that citizens are free to read public documents and participate in political discussions. According to Anne Höglund, Ambassador of Sweden to the Republic of Korea, the Swedish Freedom of the Press Act played an important role in shaping the present welfare state that is Sweden, enabling free communication in an open society and national development through the critical inspection of the people.

    Activities to Regain Freedom of Press

    African countries and journalists have acknowledged the positive effects of freedom of the press, and are engaged in activities to secure it. The Right2Know Campaign which began in South Africa in 2010, has its roots in “release of information” and “freedom of expression,” and is raising its voice to strengthen and unite the rights of citizens to know.

    MISA, the West African Journalists Association (with chapters in 16 countries) and the East African Journalists Association have been active as professional watchdog organizations for the freedom of the press as well as expression since the Windhoek Declaration.

    International efforts for freedom of the press in relation to democracy and peace in the globe have been underway. The Declaration of Peace and Cessation of War (DPCW), drafted by international law experts and Heavenly Culture, World Peace, Restoration of Light (HWPL).

    under the UN Department of Public Information (DPI), advocates international cooperation for peace building at local, national and international levels.[13] With its peace initiatives in international law for peace and advocacy campaigns in international organizations, the DPCW addresses the need to establish a global order based on the peaceful resolution of conflicts, ethnic/religious freedom, and spreading a culture of peace. To achieve this, HWPL’s annual peace summit discusses plans of actions with 1,000 global leaders and experts from politics, academia, law, media, religion, women and youth. In the summit this year, journalists and reporters around the world will discuss at the “Forum for Global Peace Media Network – Freedom of Press and International Peace Media Community Initiative”.

    The Managing Editor of Syria Daily News Nour Molhem, who participated in the Media Forum held last year, said, “It’s the first time for Syria to work with this kind of peace organization. I really hope to deliver true peace to the people of Syria.” According to RSF statistics, Syria is a country whose press freedom index ranks 177th out of 180 countries; resolution of press suppression and the guarantee of freedom of expression of the press is urgently needed

  • Reporters Advocate Freedom of Expression for Democracy

    “Consistent with Article 19 of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, the establishment, maintenance and fostering of an independent, pluralistic and free press is essential to the development and maintenance of democracy in a nation and for economic development.” – Quoted from Declaration of Windhoek

    May 3rd is World Press Freedom Day adopted by the United Nations to commemorate the Declaration of Windhoek drafted by African journalists in 1991 to develop the principle of the freedom of press.

    In this year the annual commemoration seeks “Media’s Role in Advancing Peaceful, Just and Inclusive Societies” by UNESCO in Jakarta, Indonesia.

    ‘Press Freedom and Development’ by the Center for Peace and Human Security points out that freedom of the press and a good government are interrelated and “promote the economy and development of the state.”

    Suppression of the Press and Violation of Journalists’ Rights
    Amnesty International states that “Journalists in many African countries who cover the articles on corruption and violation against human rights are being threatened.

    This is the very reason why press freedom is rising to the surface.” The organisation further emphasised that the government should create an environment where a journalist can perform their duty without feeling threatened, pressurized or fear.

    “Journalism is one of the professions that are most exposed to threats, and this is especially true for female journalists. This constitutes a threat not only to women and quality journalism but also to freedom of expression, equality and democracy,” says

    Sweden’s Minister for Foreign Affairs Margot Wallström, greeting the World Press Freedom Day. She further added to her statement: “We need to work continuously on different levels to ensure that these issues are never forgotten or ignored.”

    In Zimbabwe, journalists of Media Institute of South Africa (MISA) Zimbabwe discussed “the approach towards information and basic freedom” on the World Press Freedom Day last year.

    Regarding the arrest of journalists from the Sunday Mail and Newsday due to government restriction of information and a libel suit, a freelancer journalist participant Pindai Dube stated, “we even have government officials criticizing some of the media laws but nothing practical has been done.”

    The Tabani Moyo, advocacy officer of the MISA-Zimbabwe also added, “A law exists, which restricts the joy of free media and information access.”

    The international organisation to defend freedom of the press, RSF, and international human rights organisation Freedom House, uncovered through a yearly report that the freedom of the press has declined globally.

    Stronger dictatorial tendencies in governments around the world and increasing numbers of security issues such as terror and refugees in Europe were given as the reasons. Restrictions on broadcasting, reporting and news coverage through online are under surveillance of government in the name of national security.

    In contrast, Sweden, a country of the world’s first press freedom law in 1766, abolished censorship of publications so that citizens are free to read public documents and participate in political discussions.

    According to Anne Höglund, Ambassador of Sweden to the Republic of Korea, the Swedish Freedom of the Press Act played an important role in shaping the present welfare state that is Sweden, enabling free communication in an open society and national development through the critical inspection of the people.

    Activities to Regain Freedom of Press

    African countries and journalists have acknowledged the positive effects of freedom of the press, and are engaged in activities to secure it. The Right2Know Campaign which began in South Africa in 2010, has its roots in “release of information” and “freedom of expression,” and is raising its voice to strengthen and unite the rights of citizens to know.

    MISA, the West African Journalists Association (with chapters in 16 countries) and the East African Journalists Association have been active as professional watchdog organizations for the freedom of the press as well as expression since the Windhoek Declaration.

    International efforts for freedom of press in relation to democracy and peace in the globe have been underway. The Declaration of Peace and Cessation of War (DPCW), drafted by international law experts and Heavenly Culture, World Peace, Restoration of Light (HWPL) under the UN Department of Public Information (DPI), advocates international cooperation for peacebuilding at local, national and international levels.

    With its peace initiatives in international law for peace and advocacy campaigns in international organizations, the DPCW addresses the need to establish a global order based on the peaceful resolution of conflicts, ethnic/religious freedom, and spreading a culture of peace.

    To achieve this, HWPL’s annual peace summit discusses plans of actions with 1,000 global leaders and experts from politics, academia, law, media, religion, women and youth.

    In the summit this year, journalists and reporters around the world will discuss at the “Forum for Global Peace Media Network – Freedom of Press and International Peace Media Community Initiative”.

    The Managing Editor of Syria Daily News Nour Molhem, who participated in the Media Forum held last year, said, “It’s the first time for Syria to work with this kind of peace organization. I really hope to deliver true peace to the people of Syria.”

    According to RSF statistics, Syria is a country whose press freedom index ranks 177th out of 180 countries; resolution of press suppression and the guarantee of freedom of expression of the press is urgently needed.