Strikes in France & UK

Demcracy Now news - 31 jan 2023 

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France Feb 2, 2023 

▶️ Clashes erupted on the streets of Paris on Tuesday, as anti-government protesters rallied in the French capital against the Macron government’s pension reforms. 

#France #Protest #Macron

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London 2 Feb, 2023 

▶️ Mass UK strikes as winter of discontent grows  

🔹Up to half a million British teachers, civil servants and train drivers have joined the largest coordinated walkout over pay and working conditions in more than a decade.

Saeed Pourreza reports from London. 

#UK #Inflation #IndustrialAction #Strike

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France Feb 6, 2023 

France bracing for new round of nationwide strikes against government's pension reforms plan

France is bracing for a new round of nationwide strikes so far this year against President Emmanuel Macron's plan to raise the retirement age, which has been dubbed by major trade unions as unfair.

Read here

 
#France

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UK 11 Feb 2023 

 

UK ambulance, university staff walk out again over low pay

🔹Ambulance workers in the UK on Friday staged the latest in a string of strikes over low pay, as university staff also stopped work.

👉🏻Read more   #UK  #strike 

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Settlements in the West Banks for Israelis.

Published on 17 Jul 2014 | In West Bank land belonging to Palestinians are taken and turned into 'Settlement' or Colonies. Presented by :Anna Baltzer, a Jewish American with the International Women Peace Service (IWPS), who documents the human rights abuses perpetrated by the Israelis.

This is it? When America is your teacher!

Abducted Pakistani drone activist freed

Published on Feb 14, 2014 | A Pakistani anti-drone activist who went missing over a week ago, has reappeared. Karim Khan says he was abducted days before he was due to speak to European politicians about the US drone strikes. He was also in the process of suing both the CIA and Pakistani government, after his brother and son were killed by a drone attack. Al Jazeera's Osama bin Javeid went to talk to him about his ordeal.

Protesters - Bosnia, initially erupted over the closure of several state-owned companies that were sold off and then collapsed under private ownership.

Published on 8 Feb 2014 | Thousands of people across Bosnia set fire to local government buildings and clashed with police. Hundreds have been injured in three days of protests in a state that's slipping into serious economic stagnation with around 40 per cent of the population out of work.

The capital Sarajevo, rioters set the Presidential building ablaze, along with police cars and tires. Authorities fired rubber bullets, water cannon and tear gas to disperse the crowds. In other parts of the country protesters hurled rocks at security forces and torched local government buildings.

The unrest initially erupted over the closure of several state-owned companies that were sold off and then collapsed under private ownership.

A crusade against the new deadly threat -- killer robots!

Published on Jan 13, 2014 | What was science fiction a couple of decades ago is now everyday reality. But it's not only computers and smartphones -- the progress has brought us new war machines -- unmanned drones striking from the skies are no surprise for anyone today. But what has the progress of warfare prepared for us in the coming years? Today we speak to Jody Williams, a Nobel Peace Prize-winning woman, who has fought against landmines -- and won. Now she is on a crusade against the new deadly threat -- killer robots.

Will Morsi gets a public trial come Nov 4?

Morsi Trial Raises Tensions in Divided Egypt

Published on 15 Oct 2013 | The trial next month of ousted Egyptian President Mohamed Morsi is expected to heighten political divisions in the volatile nation and test the credibility of Egypt's judicial system. VOA's Elizabeth Arrott has more from Cairo.

WHERE IS MORSI NOW?

His daughter Shaimaa told a news conference in Cairo that the family was taking legal measures against the army. Mr Morsi has been held at an undisclosed location, without charge, since he was removed from power on 3 July.

BBC REPORT  HERE  :

Egypt's Ousted President Morsi Abducted By Army   Mr Morsi's son Osama spoke of his anger at his father's "kidnapping"

International reactions to Morsi's removal.

World leaders weigh in after Egypt's army commander announces that president had been removed.  Last Modified: 04 Jul 2013 18:28

The Egyptian army's suspension of the constitution and removal of President Mohamed Morsi has drawn mixed responses from world leaders:

European Union

The EU has called for a rapid return to democracy in Egypt.

EU foreign policy chief Catherine Ashton said: "I urge all sides to rapidly return to the democratic process, including the holding of free and fair presidential and parliamentary elections and the approval of a constitution, to be done in a fully inclusive manner, so as to permit the country to resume and complete its democratic transition,"

"I strongly condemn all violent acts, offer my condolences to the families of the victims, and urge the security forces to do everything in their power to protect the lives and well-being of Egyptian citizens."

France

French Foreign Minister Laurent Fabius said Paris took note that elections had been announced in Egypt following a transition period after the army ousted president Mohamed Morsi.

"In a situation that has worsened seriously and with extreme tension in Egypt, new elections have finally been announced, after a transition period."

France hoped a timetable would be drawn up respecting "civil peace, pluralism, individual liberties and the achievements of the democratic transition, so that the Egyptian people can freely choose their leaders and their future", he added.

Qatar

Qatar's new emir congratulated Egypt's Adli Mansour after he was sworn in as an interim leader.

Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani, "sent a cable of congratulations" following the swearing in.

The foreign ministry said: "Qatar will continue to respect the will of Egypt and its people across the spectrum," the source said.

Qatar was alone among Gulf Arab states in celebrating the 2011 Arab Spring revolt that toppled former president Hosni Mubarak.

Saudi Arabia

Saudi King Abdullah sent a message of congratulations to Adly Mansour ahead of his appointment as interim president.

"In the name of the people of Saudi Arabia and on my behalf, we congratulate your leadership of Egypt in this critical period of its history. We pray for God to help you bear the responsibility laid upon you to achieve the ambitions of our brotherly people of Egypt," the message said.

Syria

Bashar al-Assad on Wednesday praised Egypt's protests against their leader and said his overthrow by the military means the end of "political Islam".

Assad, who is seeking to crush a revolt against his own rule, said Egyptians have discovered the "lies" of the Muslim Brotherhood.

He spoke in an interview with the state-run Al-Thawra newspaper.

"What is happening in Egypt is the fall of so-called political Islam," Assad said. "This is the fate of anyone in the world who tries to use religion for political or factional interests."

United Arab Emirates

The UAE welcomed the change in Egypt, according to state news agency WAM, and praised the Egyptian armed forces.

"His Highness Abdullah bin Zayed al-Nahayan, the foreign minister of the UAE, expressed his full confidence that the great people of Egypt are able to cross these difficult moments that Egypt is going through," WAM said in a statement.

"Sheikh Abdullah said that the great Egyptian army was able to prove again that they are the fence of Egypt and that they are the protector and strong shield that guarantee Egypt will remain a state of institutions and law," it added.

United Kingdom

The UK urged for calm in Egypt, but stopped short of calling the military intervention a coup.

"The situation is clearly dangerous and we call on all sides to show restraint and avoid violence," said Foreign Secretary William Hague. "The United Kingdom does not support military intervention as a way to resolve disputes in a democratic system."

The UK called on all parties to move forward and "show the leadership and vision needed to restore and renew Egypt's democratic transition".

"It is vital for them to respond to the strong desire of the Egyptian people for faster economic and political progress for their country," stressed Hague.

This must involve early and fair elections and civilian-led government, he said.

United States

The US State Department expressed concern over the military intervention.

The US ordered the mandatory evacuation of its embassy in Cairo, just hours after the army deposed Morsi. A later travel advisory confirmed that "the Department of State ordered the departure of non-emergency US government personnel and family members from Egypt due to the ongoing political and social unrest."

US President Barack Obama released a statement saying he was deeply concerned by the decision by Egyptian military to depose Morsi, and called for a swift return to civilian government.

"No transition to democracy comes without difficulty, but in the end it must stay true to the will of the people. An honest, capable and representative government is what ordinary Egyptians seek and what they deserve," Obama said.

"The long-standing partnership between the United States and Egypt is based on shared interests and values, and we will continue to work with the Egyptian people to ensure that Egypt’s transition to democracy succeeds.”

However, the US also stopped short of calling the military intervention a coup.

Al Jazeera’s Patty Culhane, reporting from Washington, noted that any country involved in a coup was not entitled to aid from the US.

Germany

Foreign Minister Guido Westerwelle said the military intervention was "a major setback for democracy in Egypt" and called for "dialogue and political compromise".

"This is a major setback for democracy in Egypt," Westerwelle said during a visit to Athens. "It is urgent that Egypt return as quickly as possible to the constitutional order... there is a real danger that the democratic transition in Egypt will be seriously damaged."

"We call on all sides to renounce violence. We will watch developments in Egypt very closely. And then make our political decisions.

"Political detentions and a political wave of repression must be avoided at all cost. Now this is about returning to the path of democratic order."

source >>

Al Saud resorts to draconian repression:

Published on 4 Jan 2013 : An American expert believes that the Al Saud ruling family of Saudi Arabia resorts to draconian repression and bribery in order to stay in power.

In their latest wave of protests, Saudi Arabian people staged rally against the ruling Al Saud family on Wednesday in the al-Qassim region north of Riyadh. The demonstrators chanted anti-regime slogans and called for the release of political prisoners. On the same day, people demonstrated in the holy city of Mecca and the central city of Buraidah.

Dr. Kevin Barrett, an author and Islamic studies expert in Madison

Saudi Arabia: Stop Prosecuting Peaceful Protesters

Rights Activists Among Those Charged in New Case | OCTOBER 28, 2012

(Beirut) – Saudi authorities should stop using the courts to prosecute and punish people for peaceful protest.

On October 17, 2012, the Bureau of Investigation and Prosecution charged 19 men with “instigating chaos and sedition” and “gathering illegally” after they participated in a peaceful protest on September 23 outside Turfiya prison, in Qassim province in central Saudi Arabia. They were seeking the release of family members, some of whom have been held for years without charge. On October 18, a criminal court sentenced 15 of the men to between 3 and 15 days in prison, along with suspended sentences of between 50 and 90 lashes and suspended jail terms of between two and five months. The trial of the remaining four is scheduled for November 4.

“Instead of addressing the protesters’ concerns, the Saudi government has used the judicial system to punish them,” said Joe Stork, deputy Middle East director at Human Rights Watch. “The sentences handed to these men are part of a wider effort to target and harass activists across the country.”

Authorities have not alleged that the protesters engaged in or called for violence. Witnesses who participated in the protest told Human Rights Watch that security forces blocked off protesters’ access to food and water. Human Rights Watch examined video footage that protesters said was of the September 23 incident, which showed police beating demonstrators.

more from original report  >>>

'Nobel Committee making another mistake'

Published on Oct 13, 2012 by PressTVGlobalNews : Although European nations support Israeli atrocities against the Palestinians, the Nobel committee has awarded its Peace Prize to the European Union, an analyst tells Press TV.

The EU has won the 2012 Nobel Peace Prize at a time that social unrest and financial problems are shaking the very pillars of the 27-nation bloc.

Announcing the award on Friday, the Nobel Committee President Thorbjoern Jagland acknowledged the EU's current financial woes and social unrest as many analysts also questioned the timing of the event coinciding with a wave of unrest in the bloc.

Was British government minister sacked because he won't support an attack on Iran?

Lib Dem MP Nick Harvey confirmed he considered his sacking as defence minister was linked to mounting speculation of a pre-emptive strike on Iran and the expectation that UK forces would be drawn in.

In September 2012, the United States and over 30 of its allies held thelargest naval exercises ever in the Middle East, with the British navy deploying four ships in the Gulf.

A LIBERAL DEMOCRAT Defence Minister has claimed he was sacked to avoid a damaging Coalition split over a pre-emptive strike on Iran.

Former Armed Forces Minister Sir Nick Harvey told friends that he was fired in the reshuffle to allow Deputy Prime Minister Nick Clegg to sign Britain up to an Israeli-US preventive strike to take out Iran’s nuclear installations.

Friends of Sir Nick  (picture left) – who was handed a knighthood just days later – say that he could have embarrassed the Lib Dem leader by being too critical of Israel’s actions if he had still been in the key Ministry of Defence (MoD) post.

The row broke as sources confirmed that British intelligence agents are already deeply involved in attempts to discover Iran’s nuclear secrets.

It is also understood that the US has asked Britain to provide frigates to patrol the Straits of Hormuz, through which much of the world’s oil passes.

The sacking of the respected Minister took MPs and Army top brass by surprise. Party sources have insisted the move – which has left the Ministry of Defence staffed entirely by Tories – was due to Mr Clegg’s decision to accept Lib Dem ministerial jobs in other, more ‘voter-friendly’ Government departments.

original source  | 22 September 2012

More film and cartoon protests expected for Friday prayers.

Published on Sep 22, 2012 by Euronews : Friday prayers in the Muslim world, and no let-up is expected in the wave of protests against a blasphemous film made in America, and now some French cartoons.

The day has itself been declared a Friday of "Love for the Prophet" in Pakistan, and protesters are being urged to be peaceful.

President Barack Obama has again made an attempt at direct communication with the Muslim world; paid-for TV adverts in Pakistan in which he condemns the film.

Yesterday around 50 people were injured around the US embassy, and police had to use live rounds and tear gas to control protesters.

France has had to close embassies and other official outposts across the Muslim world; in 20 countries the French are lying low after some satirical cartoons, two featuring the prophet naked, refuelled the blasphemy row.

Ask French mothers in Tunisia what they think of the editor of the magazine that published the cartoons; free speech is all very nice, if you're safe in Paris.

"To the editor, I'd say poor fool, I'm sorry, but you poor fool. You're safe at home, nothing will happen to you, but we're here in Tunisia. All the French who live in the Muslim world are today feeling threatened, targets," said one.

French schools are closed and their residential areas are deserted, while the Tunisian government has banned Friday protests.

The Syrian Civil War and Big Power Rivalry

Published on Aug 3, 2012 by TheRealNews : Sami Ramadani: The US and allied regional powers pushed early militarization of struggle as outside powers try to control outcome of Syrian revolution.

France forgives Ivory Coast's debt worth $4bn

Ivorian president Alassane Ouattara says cancellation of the debt will help the West African country develop.

Ivory Coast's president says France's decision to forgive $4.67bn in debt will help his impoverished country develop. Alassane Ouattara was in Paris on Thursday, meeting Francois Hollande, France's president, two days after the agreement to cancel the debt by the former colonial master. That deal stems from an earlier decision by a group of Western creditor nations called the Paris Club. Ouattara took office after disputed November 2010 elections that left thousands dead in post-vote violence. His predecessor, Laurent Gbagbo, is now facing international charges of crimes against humanity. France's decision prompted pro-Gbagbo supporters in Paris on Monday to protest against French backing of the ousting of the former president, who they see as the country's rightful leader. Around 100 demonstrators assembled in the square in front of the Saint Philippe-du-Roule church, but police began to arrest the Gbagbo supporters once they refused to leave the park. While playing Ivorian music and dancing, the protesters chanted anti-Ouattara and anti-imperialist slogans. Scores were loaded onto at least three police buses. National Police surrounded the triangular park from all sides, cordoning off demonstrators inside and outside of the area where people would be forcibly removed. Most of those arrested were of Ivorian origin, although a few non-African French activists were also taken away. Ivory Coast headed to the brink of civil war in early 2011 when Gbagbo refused to concede defeat after losing the presidential runoff vote to Ouattara. After months of violence, Ouattara was sworn in as president in May 2011, but tension between his supporters and Gbagbo's remain high. French and UN troops fought along side those of Ouattara during a months-long offensive that toppled Gbagbo.

AJE 26 July 2012

Indian Muslims facing discrimination -

Published on Jul 24, 2012 by presstvmobile.

Lack of security slows NATO supplies through Pakistan ‎

Published on Jul 20, 2012 by presstvmobile;

Pakistanis stage sit-in to protest US supply routes

Published on Jul 16, 2012 by PressTVGlobalNews : Thousands of Pakistanis have again protested Islamabad's decision to reopen supply routes for US-led forces in Afghanistan. They staged sit-in on the supply route to press the government to reverse its decision.

The protest which was organized by the country's largest Islamic party, Jamat-e-Islami, in metropolis Peshawar, the capital of northwestern Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province bordering Afghanistan.

The protesters also strongly denounced US assassination drone attacks in Pakistan. Thousands of innocent civilians have been killed in these attacks.

Pakistan needs a regime change?

NATO routes & civilian killings :

Published on Jul 9, 2012 by enqilab : NATO land routes reopened but had not rectified new foreign policy terms, rewrite terms engagement with the US including cessation of drones attacks.

Pakistanis stage anti-US protest

after reopening of US-led forces supply routes :
Published on Jul 6, 2012 by presstvmobile:



Pakistanis disappointed in their govt.Published on Jul 8, 2012 by presstvmobile :