ICYMI | #121

Our weekly roundup of stories you may have missed.

Italy detains sea rescue vessels

Italy has detained two ships – operated by the NGO’s Sea-Watch and Sea-Eye – for carrying out rescue missions in the Mediterranean. Earlier this year, Giorgia Meloni’s far-right government passed a decree making it illegal for rescue ships to carry out several consecutive rescues at once, and limiting where they were allowed to disembark. Sea-Watch has called the decree an ‘unjust law aimed at criminalising solidarity.’

Ukraine dam explosion

The destruction of the Kakhovka dam on the Dnieper River in Russia-controlled southern Ukraine has unleashed a humanitarian and ecological catastrophe in the region that will be felt for generations. While Russia has denied responsibility for the destruction, experts say that the collapse was likely caused by a deliberate explosion. Floods, including in the city of Kherson and the surrounding area, have devastated the region and carried 150 tons of machine oil to the Black Sea.

North America wildfires

Over 100 million people in the U.S. have been impacted by severe air pollution as a result of wildfires in Canada. We’re only at the start of the fire season and 400 fires are burning in the forests of Canada – the third largest forest area in the world – fuelling fears that this year could be the country’s worst ever for wildfires. Last week the fires temporarily caused New York’s air quality to drop to among the worst in the world.

Sara Mardini in Barcelona

We’ve teamed up with Miista in Barcelona for an event with champion Syrian swimmer and renowned humanitarian Sara Mardini. Join us in Barcelona on Wednesday evening for a Q&A with Sara, some music, and a special preview of her documentary ‘Long Distance Swimmer’. 

Lula's plan to end deforestation

Brazil’s President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva has unveiled his plan to end deforestation in the Amazon by the year 2030. “Brazil has resumed its leading role in tackling climate change, after four years in which the environment was treated as an obstacle to the immediate profit of a privileged minority”, he said on Twitter, while also calling on wealthier countries to take responsibility for their role in destroying the planet. The plan includes cracking down on illegal logging, mining and ranching, and introducing new incentives for sustainable agriculture.

Boris Johnson resigns

The former UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson has resigned from parliament in disgrace after an investigation into the ‘Partygate’ scandal – related to his defiance of his own government’s COVID restrictions – proved that he had deliberately misled parliament. Johnson accused fellow members of parliament of taking part in a “witch-hunt” against him, in order “to take revenge for Brexit and ultimately to reverse the 2016 [Brexit] referendum result.”

City Slang takeover

On Tuesday, we welcome Berlin-based independent record label City Slang for an 8-hour takeover. Tune in or come to Oona from 16:00-00:00 to catch sets from Paula and Severin, Aida, Softee & Jeremy, Christof Ellinghaus & Olga, Waleed, Alexandre Lemieux and Pascale Project.

Hamburger Bahnhof

We’re teaming up with Berlin’s Hamburger Bahnhof to host a field recording tour and soundscape workshop as part of the museum’s open house weekend (17-18 June). Participants can attend the workshop free of charge, led by Refuge residents Margaux and Nick Höppner.

This week on Weserstraße:

Tuesday: City Slang takeover

Wednesday: Mansions & Millions, Lychee, Still On Hold

Thursday: ezgi, Leona, Cosmic Circuit

Friday: Henry Weekes, Maryisonacid, PvssyDivx

Saturday: Nikola & Virginia, Olin’s World

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Header image licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0