Nazila Ghanea, Upholding Religious Freedom Must Be A Key Priority in Sweden
By Newsdesk
In a statement at the end of her 10-day visit to Sweden, UN Special Rapporteur on freedom of religion or belief, Nazila Ghanea, called on the country to strengthen its engagement and dialogue with faith communities to combat religious or belief intolerance. Ghanea highlighted the numerous challenges faced by Sweden both nationally and globally, particularly in light of the burning of the Holy Qur’an. Ghanea emphasized the need for vigilance regarding religious or belief intolerance and discrimination within society, stating that societal harassment, discrimination, and threats must not go unnoticed. She acknowledged that Sweden’s historical homogeneity and secular model have
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Baha'is Advocates at the OSCE for Interreligious Collaboration and Education
By Newsdesk
At the 2023 Warsaw Human Dimension Conference, the Baha’i International Community (BIC) emphasized the importance of freedom of conscience, religion, or belief, interreligious collaboration, and education in fostering a flourishing society. The conference, organized by the 2023 OSCE Chairpersonship and supported by the OSCE Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights (ODIHR), focused on human rights and fundamental freedoms within the OSCE region. Sina Varaei, a representative from the Brussels Office of the BIC, delivered a compelling statement highlighting key elements and lines of action. The BIC EU Office represents the worldwide Baha’i community to the European Institutions. “The first
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MEP Maxette Pirbakas Calls for Urgent Action on Water Crisis in French Overseas Departments
By Newsdesk
On October 18th, 2023, at the European Parliament, MEP Maxette Pirbakas delivered a powerful speech highlighting the escalating water crisis in the French overseas departments, particularly in Martinique, Guadeloupe, and Mayotte. Maxette Pirbakas says it is unacceptable in 2023 “Mr. Chairman, Commissioner, the water crisis is reaching fever pitch in our five French overseas departments, especially in Martinique and Guadeloupe,” Maxette Pirbakas began her address. She pointed out that in Guadeloupe, it has been estimated for years that over a quarter of the population lacks access to drinking water. “This is unacceptable. We are in two-thousand and twenty-three,” she stated,
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Société Générale Bank of Lebanon and the History Of Terrors of Iranian Madness
By Guest Author
Hezbollah and Hamas, two terrorist organizations backed by Iran, have received millions in US financial aid. The history of terror financing is long and troubling. Bank of Lebanon.
https://bit.ly/3FognRd

Madonna Gives Impassioned Call for Social Action During London Concert
By Newsdesk
During a recent concert in London, pop icon Madonna gave an impassioned speech touching on heavy current events and appealing to her fans’ sense of humanity. Speaking bluntly and from the heart, Madonna expressed horror at ongoing violence against children in conflicts like the Israel-Palestine crisis. “What the fuck is going on in the world?” she asked, citing graphic examples of decapitated babies and other atrocities. The iconic singer asserted forcefully that “children belong to all of us” regardless of background, referencing author James Baldwin as inspiration for this belief in universal human bonds. She also condemned the recent stabbing
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EU Scientology Representative Joins Project SHRINEs for Interfaith Protection of Places of Worship
By Newsdesk
PYRZOWICE, POLAND, October 19, 2023. The European Union’s ISF-funded project “SHRINEs” has revolutionized the protection of places of worship. This groundbreaking initiative, spanning 24 months, aims to enhance security and safety in sacred spaces while fostering an interfaith and multidisciplinary network to address contemporary risks and threats. Project Objectives and Partnerships SHRINEs is a consortium consisting of 10 partners, including 4 religious organizations representing the Catholic, Jewish, Muslim, and Protestant faiths. It also includes public and private entities, academic institutions, and Law Enforcement Agencies. This collaboration aims to identify innovative technological solutions and effective mitigation measures to safeguard places of
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Media Accountability Triumph, Jehovah's Witnesses in Spain achieve condemnation of "El Mundo"
By Juan Sanchez Gil
On October 16, 2023, in a report by Massimo Introvigne for BitterWinter.org, an important legal case involving the Spanish Jehovah’s Witnesses and the newspaper “El Mundo” is highlighted. The lawsuit centers on an article that was published by “El Mundo” on November 21, 2022. The article relied on information provided by the Association of Victims of the Jehovah’s Witnesses, an organization opposed to the group. A court in Spain has made a decision in favor of the Jehovah’s Witnesses. Has instructed “El Mundo” to publish a response, from the religious group. The court recognized that the newspaper had uncritically accepted
https://bit.ly/3M8Bk6f

Security Council rejects Russian resolution on Gaza
By Newsroom
The draft resolution led by Russia received support from five countries (China, Gabon, Mozambique, Russia, and the United Arab Emirates) and opposition from four countries (France, Japan, the United Kingdom, and the United States). Six countries (Albania, Brazil, Ecuador, Ghana, Malta, and Switzerland) chose to abstain from voting. There was a division among members regarding the absence of a clear condemnation of the extremist group Hamas. It was Hamas that initiated the ongoing escalation of violence by deploying hundreds of fighters to carry out massacres in settlements near the Gaza Strip on 7 October. For the Council to adopt a
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Explainer: What’s inside aid convoy at Gaza crossing
By Juan Sanchez Gil
As humanitarian workers echoed the urgent calls of the UN Secretary-General, urging Israel to open a secure corridor for delivering aid, Gaza will soon run out of basic supplies, according to UN agencies on the ground, who raised alarms about a looming unprecedented humanitarian catastrophe. Following the outbreak of violence on October 7th, Israel closed all borders with Gaza, resulting in the UN’s inability to restock its lifesaving aid supplies. As a result, supplies in the region have dwindled due to the daily bombardment, prompting UN agencies, partners, and nations to quickly send aid to the area. Here’s what’s in the convoy:
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Martin Hojsík elected Vice-President and Isabel Wiseler-Lima elected Quaestor
By Newsdesk
On Wednesday, Martin Hojsík (Renew, SK) was elected to the office of European Parliament Vice-President, by acclamation as he was the sole candidate, in accordance with Parliament’s rules on nominations. In a second approval by acclamation immediately after, Isabel Wiseler-Lima (EPP, LU) was appointed an EP Quaestor. Background Based on Parliament’s Rules of Procedure, a new Vice-President (VP) or Quaestor is elected to fill a vacancy in the existing order of precedence – so the MEPs elected have become Parliament’s tenth VP and second Quaestor. The President delegates specific duties to Parliament’s 14 Vice-Presidents, who can replace her when necessary,
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Israel-Gaza crisis: Competing Security Council resolutions reveal diplomatic fault lines
By Juan Sanchez Gil
The 15-member body responsible for peace and security matters is expected to make a decision on a second draft resolution later today, led by Brazil. This proposal, although not yet officially representing the Council’s position until adoption, seeks to alleviate the persistent humanitarian distress on the ground. It also aims to create secure passageways for aid delivery and safeguard the UN and other humanitarian personnel who are facing challenges in providing vital assistance to the residents of Gaza. Key differences While both texts aim for a humanitarian pause, they differ in their approach, particularly regarding the main point of disagreement
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