ICYMI | #130

Our weekly roundup of stories you may have missed.

Coastal communities at risk in Panama

On the island of Gardi Sugdub just off Panama, rising sea levels and floods are threatening the homes, livelihoods and human rights of thousands of Guna Indigenous people. A project to relocate the island’s population has repeatedly been delayed. Human Rights Watch is urging the Panamanian government to seize the chance to "create a blueprint" for coastal communities threatened by the climate crisis worldwide. Read the full HRW report here.

Germans want a green economy

A clear majority of people in Germany support a transition to a greener economy, according to the president of the Federal Environment Agency (UBA). 91% of respondents to a recent UBA survey said they were generally or very in favour of making Germany’s economy greener, although data also showed a gap between opinions on climate action and individual actions. 

Ecuador presidential candidate assassinated

Ecuadorian presidential candidate Fernando Villavicencio was shot and killed last week at a public rally. The country’s second-largest criminal gang Los Lobos shared a video claiming responsibility for the murder and threatening another candidate. With less than two weeks before the election a state of emergency has been declared and several candidates have suspended their campaigns. Villavicencio was previously an investigative journalist working to uncover corruption in Ecuador and had been campaigning against organised crime.

UK Barge evacuated due to Legionella

The UK government has evacuated a new barge brought in to house asylum seekers less than a week after residents were moved in after potentially lethal Legionella bacteria was found in the water supply. The Home Office is under pressure once again for its “startling incompetence” – local council officials say they had flagged test results showing the potential health risks four days before the evacuation, but people continued to be transferred there.

Leader of illegal deforestation gang arrested

Brazillian police have arrested a man responsible for the deforestation of a vast area in the Amazon rainforest. Bruno Heller has been accused of running illegal logging operations in order to raise cattle, as well as the illegal appropriation of 21,000 hectares of public land in indigenous reserves and environmentally protected areas. Brazilian president Lula announced a crackdown on illegal deforestation earlier this year, as part of his plan to end deforestation by the year 2030.

Bodies found on the Tunisian-Libyan border

Libyan border authorities reported last week that at least 27 people had been found dead at the Tunisian-Libyan border. Since early July, Tunisia has reportedly expelled over 1000 Black Africans from cities and abandoned them in the desert close to the Libyan or Algerian borders to face temperatures in excess of 40 degrees. Despite a large number of eyewitness reports, Tunisian authorities continue to deny the accusations.

Fourth officer sentenced for George Floyd murder

The last police officer to be tried in relation to the murder of George Floyd has been sentenced to over 4 years in prison. Tou Thao, who was holding back bystanders trying to help George Floyd when the murder took place, was found guilty of aiding and abetting second-degree manslaughter. He is the fourth and final officer to be sentenced in relation to the murder, which took place in 2020 and triggered a worldwide protest movement against racism and police violence.

Shayan Navab for Savvy Contemporary

As part of the Savvy Contemporary's collaboration with Dusseldorf's Lantz'scher sculpture park, Refuge resident Shayan Navab created a mini-radio play about the life, dynamics and politics of a fictional park. Listen to Park FM here or find it as part of an ongoing exhibition in the sculpture park.

This week on Weserstraße:

Tuesday: Raf, King Sleepy, Müge

Wednesday: Jesse G & Dérive, Bloomfeld & MISTIICA

Thursday: Gregory Wawa, Maryisonacid, Thabo & Charles Moon

Friday: Room 4 Resistance, Lawrence Lee & Cora

Saturday: SWAK, Kissen, OKRA Collective

---

Header image licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0.