Media Freedom Under Threat in South Africa

South Africa’s aggressive attack on media freedom is being brought to light following the arrest of an investigative journalist, who wrote a damning report about the country’s national police chief.

Read more at >> Every Human Has Rights

Are Black Non-Profits Drowning

Black non-profit organisations are fighting for air as they currently feel the financial squeeze. Funding, funding and more funding is what nearly every non-profit organisation wants or fears they may not receive. The other pulling factor is that their valuable work is not being recognised. So, what you will find is that many organisations end up defunct due to lack of funding, support and recognition.

Polish President dies in plane crash

Poland now mourns the deaths of Polish leader Lech Kaczynski, his wife and a number of government aides following a fatal plane crash on Saturday in Russia….[Guardian].

Death, of any kind, whether it is sudden or gradual is always a shock to the core of anyone’s bodily system. But a whole country right now is in mourning of a leader. Poland is said to be a country of great integrity primarily due to its president. World leaders have already come forward to praise Kaczynski as a well respected politician, one who favoured social welfare programmes.

General Election – Let the battle commence!

The “long awaited” general election in the UK will be held on May 6.

Look out for mudslinging, left hooks and more dirt as the Labour Party and the Conservative Party battle it out for Number 10 Downing Street.

Okay, I should mention the Lib Dem Party, the Green Party and quite interestingly Independent representatives as you will find that many of these parties will gain a good share of people’s votes. The far-right British National Party (BNP) may also gain more voters which is ever so more worrying.

Global Pulse 2010: Your voice – Our future‏

Global Pulse 2010 is the groundbreaking event set to bring together individuals around the world who wish to influence global debates, set agendas, raise ideas across many different topics of discussion.

This platform will bring world communities to network, build relationships, influence and share ideas. Some of the topics the event will cover include:

Enabling Essential Education
Building Stronger Partnerships
Exercising Political and Civil Rights
Inspiring a New Generation
Promoting Global Health
Empowering Women and Girls
Advancing Entrepreneurship, Trade & Economic Opportunity
Fostering Science, Technology & Innovation
Supporting a Sustainable Planet
Pursuing Grand Challenges

The online conference takes place from March 29th to March 31st. If you would like to participate in Global Pulse 2010, please visit: www.globalpulse2010.gov

Historic – health care reform bill is passed

It took 100 years but finally the bill to reform the health care system in the United States was passed on Sunday night.

The House of Representatives voted (219-212) in a historic victory that will see a great overhaul in US health care. At least 32 million more people, in particular low income families, will get covered with health care provisions.

The reform is estimated to cost an estimated $940 billion dollars spread over 10 years. But the benefits far outweigh the costs since 95 per cent of the country will get health care cover under the reform.

As the US moves further closer to a similar styled British government funded health service (NHS – National Health Service), in which everyone is given health care, there is no doubt that it will bring benefits across the nation.

Protesters may have gathered over the weekend on streets to speak out against the reform, but this is a great victory for Barack Obama and for the low income families who voted him in as president.

David Lammy MP on Black Fatherhood in the 21st Century

Minister for Higher Education, David Lammy MP, gives a unique perspective on fatherhood in the UK.

Rev. Al Sharpton comes to London

“Operation Black Vote is proud to announce that the prominent civil rights activist Rev. Al Sharpton will be taking centre stage at OBV’s Realising the Dream event taking place to mark Dr Martin Luther King’s birthday. He will draw on Dr King’s I have a Dream speech and lay out his vision for social, racial and political justice.”

Additional speakers include Diane Abbot MP, Karen Chouhan, Lee Jasper, Kwami Kwei-Armah and OBV Director, Simon Woolley.

Contact:
For further information or to book you tickets please contact, Jyoti Bhojani, E: jyoti@obv.org.uk or T: 0208 983 5460

www.obv.org.uk

Haiti Appeal

Haiti’s earthquake has brought devastating suffering - a news report claimed “it’s a nation destroyed”.

But you know one thing that I’ve noticed about natural disasters is that it rallies people together. Haiti, regarded as “a country with little” will now strive to save the lives of its people. And I must say world power players like the US, Britain and China have responded quickly to a country with a history of political conflict. Already there are talks about rebuilding the country but let’s save lives first.

Emergency teams like Oxfam are deploying teams in various areas providing essential aid:

Shelter
Food
Water
Medical aid

Support the Haiti Appeal and follow its progress: Haiti Appeal – Please donate

Ruling on “Stop and Search” will force UK legislation change

Misuse of police powers to stop and search could soon be put to an end following the European Court of Human Rights ruling today that the government’s legislation is illegal.

 The “shaky” Terrorism Act which gave police the powers to stop and search members of the public without reasonable suspicion, under section 44, was heavily criticised in particular with regards to race equality, protest and privacy. It will now force government to change its legislation to comply with human rights standards.