Foreign News, edition of 15 May 2024

We talk about Ukraine, G7, Benin, Philippines

UKRAINE. DMITRIJ MURATOV: WITH THE POPE FOR THE CEASEFIRE

“Enough blood. We need to stop the fire. By listening to Pope Francis and praying together with him”. Words dedicated to the conflict in Ukraine, pronounced by Dmitrij Muratov, Russian journalist Nobel Peace Prize winner in 2021, in an interview with the Dire agency. His is an appeal to ask all together for a stop to raids and bombings, postponing negotiations and conditions for a stable peace to the future. According to Muratov, help in the global awareness work could come first of all from Pope Francis but also from another Argentine, the footballer Lionel Messi. The thesis is that anything goes, including French President Emanuel Macron’s proposals on “an Olympic truce”, just to obtain a ceasefire.

G7. BRIDGES (UN): DEBT SUFFOCATES 40% OF THE POPULATION, MORATORIUM IMMEDIATELY

“In a world where 40 percent of the population lives in countries that spend more on debt servicing than on education and healthcare, a debt moratorium is needed, now.” Marina Ponti, global director of the UN Campaign for the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGS), launches her appeal on the sidelines of the summit of civil societies gathered in Civil7. The appointment, at the FAO headquarters, is designed as a dialogue and stimulus for the G7 forum under the Italian presidency. The summit of the heads of state and government of the seven powers is scheduled for next month in Puglia.

BENIN. READY LAW FOR CITIZENSHIP FOR AFRODESCENTS OF THE WORLD

All Afro-descendants in the world will be able to acquire Benin citizenship: this is promised by a bill adopted by the government of Porto-Novo, in power on a part of the continent that was among the most affected by trafficking transatlantic. The meaning of the provision is above all symbolic. If
approved by parliament, the rules would not guarantee the new Beninese either the right to vote in elections or to work in the public administration. Slaves often departed from Ouidah on the Atlantic coast. Among the commitments of the current president of Benin, Patrice Talon, there is also the promotion of tourism of remembrance.

PHILIPPINES, NOBEL REPORTER FOR PEACE: WE ARE NO LONGER ‘ IN HELL

In the Philippines the situation for journalists involved in reporting on current affairs, without sparing the criticism aimed at those in power, has improved: this was underlined by Maria Ressa, reporter co-founder of the Rappler newspaper, arrested several times and awarded in 2021 Nobel Peace Prize. It is precisely his commitment to freedom of expression that is recognized. Ressa participated in a meeting in Rome and the Vatican on the themes of peace and brotherhood together with 30 Nobel Prize winners. Ressa also had a conversation with Pope Francis. Of his country he says: “The Philippines was in hell, now they are in purgatory, things are improving and even if things don’t seem to be going well, we must not lose hope. In short, I would say about the Philippines: hope is in action.”