Barbados’ Prime Minister Mia Mottley hopes Barbadians facing deportation from the U.S. will be treated fairly, as 151 nationals are listed for removal. In Jamaica, the government is tackling electricity theft, while Portmore is set to become the island’s 15th parish. Canada has updated travel advisories for several Caribbean nations, prompting security improvements. Suriname’s Indigenous leaders are being trained to secure legal land rights, and St. Eustatius is hosting its first international netball tournament. In sports, Caribbean teams battle for baseball glory in Mexico, and Jamaica prepares to celebrate Bob Marley’s 80th birthday with digital tributes and live events.

January 31st 2025

In Georgia, a journalist who has been on hunger strike in jail for the past 3 weeks has been taken to hospital. Mzia Amaglobeli, the founder of two independent online news publications was arrested last month and charged with assaulting a police officer. There has been a strong international reaction, the EU human rights commissioner and 14 foreign embassies in Georgia have called for her release. Critics say Amaglobeli's detention highlights Georgia's rapid democratic decline. Over the past two months as anti-government protests have continued in the country, civil society organisations say over 90 journalists have been subjected to police violence, while no official has been held responsible. The BBC's Rayhan Demytrie travelled to Amaglobeli's home town of Batumi, in western Georgia and sent this report

Georgia's hunger-striking journalist

Having grown up in war-torn rural Zimbabwe, Nyaradzayi Gumbonzvanda overcame extreme hardship to pursue a career at the highest levels of the United Nations. Now UN Assistant Secretary-General, and one of two deputy executive directors of UN Women, she wants little girls everywhere to aspire to the same heights.  

“Peace is a prerequisite. It's so critical for development… for unleashing the potential of the little girls. Peace is so important for enabling mothers, widows to give the best they can.” 

UN Women works to uphold women’s human rights and ensure that every woman and girl lives up to her full potential. In this episode, Nyaradzayi Gumbonzvanda reflects on a childhood touched by war, poverty and disease, on a lifelong love of learning, and on how a recent accident gave her a new perspective on inequality. 

"Never let your circumstances determine your future. They are just a stepping stone to who you truly are."

S10-E8: Women’s rights are human rights - Nyaradzayi Gumbonzvanda - UN-ASG, UNWomen Deputy ExecDirector

In the Nineteenth Century, the Russian and British played what was dubbed the Great Game for strategic influence in Central Asia. 

Today, the players have changed. Combine Putin’s Ukraine folly and American isolationism and, China now has the chance to project its power globally, as the US did from the early Twentieth Century. What are the implications and consequences, especially for Australia?

In this episode of Gleetalks, Australia’s former ambassador to China Geoff Raby AO talks to broadcaster Geraldine Doogue about his new book Great Game On: The Contest for Central Asia and Global Supremacy, which explores these geopolitical forces and strategic questions. 

Like what you heard? Buy a copy here: https://gleebooks.com.au/product/great-game-on-the-contest-for-central-asia-global-supremacy/

Gleetalks Geoff Raby Great Game On

Volume and Language Warning!

This one is a bit of a mad experiment even by the example that's been set, but Jonathan Pie's rant about the US's handling of the War in Ukraine sounded oddly musical to my ears. 

Original Video "The Art of the Deal" by Jonathan Pie/Tom Walker (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Jk0nUUqG_Ag&sttick=0)

Lyrics by Jonathan Pie

Music: "Back to the Future" by Ofshane

Mixing and Arrangement by Hyper Swan

The Art of Appeasement (Jonathan Pie Ofshane Remix)

Jane and Mike talk about news and views, with a folky feel to the musical interludes

Green Giraffes 27th February 2025 (Ukraine, Lunen, kitchen, Ari)

In the midst of a federal election campaign defined more by fear and leadership than by ideas, it’s worth reflecting for a moment on how we engage with ideas in public life today. Most agree that ideas can change the world. However, this does not mean that the best ideas always win. Reality often overshadows the idealism of our younger selves. As much as we might wish it were otherwise, the best arguments do not always prevail, and the truth does not always win. Political branding campaigns, charismatic personalities, and contemporary difficulties seem to play a more decisive role in political outcomes today than do ideas. Yet ideas still matter.

Do Ideas Shape Politics? - Insights Apr 12 2025

The Bitches welcome you to their vindication special as culture gives them so much to mass-debate over. So much mass-debating that we had to bring in two more men to help us with the girth of topics. Daniel delivers us the last Fyre Watch of 2025 and can’t help but feel a little disappointed. He shall comfort himself with the firman brought in to quell the flames. Max also finds himself surrounded by the emergency services as he ends up on the floor of a Gay Brunch. Thank Cher for rugby players, marines and twinks with speed dial. Then the Besties are joined by new friends Allen and Lennon as they debate why people are garbage. Topics include mocking appearance for comedy, phones during movies and chickens in the cinema. Cheers.

Bitches With Beards is available on all major podcast platforms; https://linktr.ee/bitcheswithbeards 

Don’t forget to follow us and join in the discussion at https://twitter.com/BeardedBitchPod

And join us on TikTok, where you may even get some exclusive content; https://www.tiktok.com/@bitches.with.beards?_t=8fjrCCN5Pxe&_r=1

Episode 115: Eleven Minutes in Heaven!

In the wake of the twelve-day conflict with Iran, the balance of power in the Middle East is shifting in real time.The Israel summit in Texas was abruptly canceled. U.S. forces struck deep into Iran’s nuclear infrastructure. And new reports reveal Mossad’s covert reach with hundreds of Israeli operatives embedded inside Iran.

Add to that the sudden disappearance of Ayatollah Khamenei and whispers of internal collapse in Tehran, and it’s clear: this story is far from over.

But the battle isn’t just military. On the political front, Trump’s explosive statement calling for Netanyahu’s trial to be dropped is sending shock-waves through both American and Israel. 

In this episode, we dive deep into the strategic, political, and spiritual tremors shaking the region. We break down what’s unfolding—and what might come next.

Land of Israel Guys Podcast: Is It Peace...Or Just the Eye of the Storm?

The 14th Amendment of the US Constitution enshrines citizenship by birthright, but a combination of a SCOTUS decision endorsing Trump's executive order that has led to snatch-squads dragging mostly Hispanic immigrants to prison without due process calls the Amendment's survival into question. This conversation with Damon Silvers, law professor and veteran of many Capitol Hill crises, looks at all the ramifications of SCOTUS' 6-3 decision in Trump v CASA and casts a cool eye over the prospects for snatch-squad fascism becoming a way of life in the US.  Like having a private tutorial for 34:38.

SCOTUS & Snatch-Squads: Is This the End of the 14th Amendment?

Our troubled world can be a source of great joy, and great suffering. United Nations staff witness both, day in day out, as they serve humanity in some of the toughest places on earth. They do so at considerable risk, and with shrinking resources. Yet despite all the challenges, dedicated UN staff around the world continue to find the strength to keep making a difference to millions of lives. 

Join UN chief communicator Melissa Fleming as she gets to know the extraordinary people dedicating their lives to service. 

Coming soon from the United Nations, Season 11 of Awake at Night.

Season 11

Rather than follow in the footsteps of his late father, a Nobel-prize winning writer, Gonzalo Vargas Llosa opted instead to serve humanity. Now the UN High Commissioner for Refugees’ Representative to Syria, he just witnessed a historic end to 14 years of conflict and crisis.

“There were these long, long lines of cars of Syrian refugees coming back from Lebanon. So many of them stopped the car the moment that they entered Syria, they got out of the car, they kissed the ground … saying we are so happy to be back in this new Syria.”

The fall of the Assad regime has brought fresh hope for millions of displaced Syrians. Yet with a lack of housing, services and jobs still preventing most from returning, the UN is calling for action to support returnees. In this episode, Gonzalo Vargas Llosa looks back on a career full of seismic turning points, and reflects on the painful sacrifices of a life spent in service.

https://www.un.org/en/awake-at-night/s11-gonzalo-vargas-llosa-what-next-for-syria-refugees

S11-E1: What next for Syria’s refugees - Gonzalo V. Llosa -  UN High Commissioner for Refugees

As a young white activist in South Africa, Nicholas Haysom risked detention to oppose the apartheid regime, later working alongside Nelson Mandela. Now Special Representative of the Secretary-General for South Sudan and Head of the United Nations Mission there, he is still striving tirelessly in pursuit of peace and human rights.

“The lesson of [Nelson] Mandela is not just being a nice person, it's perseverance in your ideals. It'll change the world.”

After a long and varied career, Nicholas (Fink) Haysom is supporting recovery and resilience in South Sudan, the UN’s newest member state. In this episode, he reflects on helping the world’s youngest nation build a better future, on why thorny negotiations are always necessary to move on from any civil war, and on why lasting peace should never be taken for granted.

S11-E2: Do not take Democracy for granted - Nicholas Haysom, UNMISS Head

With her background in human rights law, Georgette Gagnon was once said to represent the conscience of war. Currently serving as the Secretary-General’s Deputy Special Representative for Afghanistan, she has been devastated by the sweeping loss of rights for women and girls there.

“You used to see across the country hundreds of girls going to school... Now, of course, you don't see that, and it's heartbreaking. It's such a huge loss for the entire society,” she says. 

Afghanistan has one of the highest numbers of people in need of humanitarian support, and drastic cuts to humanitarian assistance affect access to critical care for millions. In this episode, Georgette Gagnon shares her hopes and fears for a country close to her heart, and reflects on a career serving in some of the world’s toughest places, from Syria to Sudan and Libya.

https://www.un.org/en/awake-at-night/s11-georgette-gagnon-why-i-will-always-champion-afghan-women

S11-E3: Why I’ll always champion Afghan women - Georgette Gagnon, UN  Deputy Special Rep Afghanistan

Yacoub El Hillo spent more than thirty years serving refugees and displaced people in some of the world’s worst conflict zones. But when cataclysmic war erupted in his hometown of Khartoum, Sudan, the Regional Director for Africa at the United Nations Development Coordination Office (DCO) had to help his own family flee the violence.

“I don't think there's any home in Khartoum that was spared … the assumption is that everything is gone.”

Having served in more than 16 duty stations, from Liberia to Syria, Somalia and Afghanistan, Yacoub El Hillo has rarely seen any conflict as devastating as the one currently decimating Sudan. In this episode, he reflects on the scale of the human suffering there, looks back on a rich and varied career with the UN, and shares why all nations deserve a chance to strive for a brighter future.

https://www.un.org/en/awake-at-night/s11-yacoub-el-hillo-when-war-comes-home

S11-E4: When war comes home - Yacoub El Hillo, Regional Director for Africa at UN DCO

Showcasing my favorite pieces including toffo, Hallucinogen, AFX, Underground Resistance, Kryptic Minds and more… Across all the genres I enjoy… to create a mix without borders / a genre. 

Also the first E. X. E. T. H. Y. L. promo mix :)

Includes my own unreleased dubs…

i know sloppy mixing but MAKE YOUR TRANSITION!

JustForFun

XTHL-I

Vivian van de Perre’s calling is to help nations transition from conflict to peace. Now the deputy head of peacekeeping in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), she leads a life-saving operation in the rebel-held city of Goma.

“It's tragic and it's unimaginable, but at the same time, people live their lives and they do the best they can, and they remain generous and warm, despite the circumstances that they live in. You go to these places and you see the worst and you see the best, and it's all in one package, and it is just something that really, really touches you. It's not like a regular job.”

A recent peace accord has raised hopes of an end to the violence that has plagued eastern DRC for the past three decades. In this episode, recorded before the peace agreement, Vivian van de Perre reflects on the impact of funding cuts on active war zones, on peacekeeping as a delicate balancing act, and shares why she falls for every place she serves.

“[Losing colleagues is] heartbreaking, and you can't think about it all day long, because it will be so demoralizing you have to keep going. Nobody expects to not come back.”

https://www.un.org/en/awake-at-night/s11-vivian-van-de-perre-working-for-peace-in-the-dr-congo

S11-E5: Working for peace in the DR Congo - Vivian van de Perre (MONUSCO - DRC)

Every day, Peter Hawkins wakes up filled with determination to make a difference. As the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) Representative in Yemen, he puts that boundless energy into helping young people survive one of the world’s most intractable humanitarian crises.
 
“Despite serving in some of the most challenging and difficult places, I've been lucky,” he says. “I've loved my life. I have no regrets. Every day I wake up, I feel there's something I can do. There's things I enjoy. So nothing keeps me awake, everything keeps me going during the day.”

After a decade of conflict and collapse, a new generation of Yemenis are yearning for a better tomorrow: “So the children sit there in these classrooms with no walls, no floors, no desks, and learn, and they're proud about what they learn. And they come to me and say, ‘Look, don't worry, we will continue to learn. But if you can give us desks, if you can fill up the walls and you can give us a floor and a blackboard, it will be even better.’”

In this episode, Peter Hawkins reflects on the striking resilience of the people he serves, and shares how his upbringing in Ethiopia and service in Iraq taught him to never give up working for change. For him, the biggest challenge today is not so much about raising awareness, but about action. “It is so important to understand how one side of the world is so lucky and the other side of the world is still desperately poor, and how we bring those two together.”

https://www.un.org/en/awake-at-night/s11-peter-hawkins-nothing-keeps-me-awake-everything-keeps-me-going


S11-E6: Nothing keeps me awake, everything keeps me going - Peter Hawkins - UNICEF Rep. Yemen

The Land of Israel network broadcasts the truth and beauty of the land of Israel and the Jewish people. Our show hosts include Ari Abramowitz, Jeremy Gimpel, Eve Harow, Josh Hasten, Rav Mike Feuer, Yishai Fleisher and more. Learn more at http://www.TheLandofIsrael.com

Mike Scantlebury is a part of the band, radio show and song writing team known as 'The Jam'. No, Paul Weller he ain't. JAM stands for 'Jane and Mike' and you'll not just find them on Mixcloud but also Youtube and various websites and Blogs. It's modern songs, (in a folk idiom), radio shows in a 'Richard and Judy' idiot, and songs like 'Dit Dit Dit', (which, as we all know, stands for S.O.S. - good enough for The Titanic. Who knows, Salford might hit an iceberg, soon).

Gleetalks is a series of some of the most interesting and popular conversations from Sydney’s finest literary events program at Sydney's best loved bookshop. Go to our events page to discover even more fascinating discussions featuring some of Australia and the world's most interesting people!

Host FRDH podcast. Radio essayist and documentarist for the BBC and NPR. Historian and author of Ahmad's War, Ahmad's Peace and Emancipation.

multiculti Київ Wien Kraków Budapest
UR

Live Life - Let Love In - Always $trive And Prosper
reject the system which dictates the norm
who cyan hear mus feel

Caribbean News Updates by The Breadfruit News delivers timely and comprehensive news from across the Caribbean region. From breaking headlines to cultural highlights, sports achievements, and political developments, we keep you informed about the stories shaping the islands and beyond. Whether you're at home or abroad, tune in for your dose of reliable and engaging coverage tailored to the Caribbean community. Stay connected with the heart of the Caribbean—one update, one Caribbean, one love!

Just a swan with no musical training who tells jokes every now and then.

Website: https://www.un.org/en/awake-at-night
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/MelissaFlemingUN
Twitter: https://twitter.com/MelissaFleming
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/melissarfleming

What does it take to be a United Nations worker in some of the world’s most complex and dangerous places? How are UN humanitarians, human rights advocates, prosecutors, development experts, climate leaders and peacekeepers improving our world? Stationed in all reaches of the world and witness to suffering and atrocities, how are they helping people and coping themselves? 

To find out, Melissa Fleming, UN Under-Secretary-General for Global Communications, meets them.

Here, you will discover extraordinary personal stories from people who devote their lives to helping others.

New tracks tagged #current affairs