Separatists in Iraq and Spain vote for independence

Separatists in Iraq and Spain vote for independence

The right to self-determination is not only the core upon which we gauge human rights but it’s considered one of the fundamental freedoms the United Nations outlines as necessary to all mankind. So why is that when people look to exercise that freedom, it’s almost universally met with resistance? We spoke to Mina Al Droubi, reporter at The National, about what is happening in Iraqi #Kurdistan and what the referendum might mean in terms of the region actually gaining independence. In #Spain, another unrelated push for independence is coming from the Catalans as they look to achieve a long-desired autonomous state. We spoke to Richard Ferraris, who is reporting on the events in Barcelona. At home in the UAE, a new law will see for the first time in the region an excise tax hike aimed directly at urging consumers to make more health conscious decisions. The tax includes a 100 per cent hike on both cigarettes and energy drinks and a 50 per cent tax on cola. This could be a precursor for more moves of its kind in the future, Roberta Penington told us.

Want more insights from Beyond the Headlines? Follow the series on iTunes

#currentaffairs #news #politics #iraq #uae #middleeast #foreign #world

Episoder(477)

What's changed in Afghanistan after the Taliban takeover?

What's changed in Afghanistan after the Taliban takeover?

Four years after the Taliban’s return to power, Afghanistan remains in the shadow of that chaotic August day in 2021 when US troops finally withdrew, ending two decades of war. The images from Kabul’s...

15 Aug 202523min

Why has Israel decided to reoccupy Gaza - and at what cost?

Why has Israel decided to reoccupy Gaza - and at what cost?

Nearly two decades after Israel withdrew from Gaza, dismantling settlements and military posts under Ariel Sharon’s leadership, the Israeli government has now approved a plan to take over the Palestin...

8 Aug 202526min

More states say they will ‘recognise’ Palestine, but what does this mean?

More states say they will ‘recognise’ Palestine, but what does this mean?

A growing number of countries in the West have said they could soon recognise Palestinian statehood as Israel becomes increasingly isolated over its war in Gaza. Fifteen countries issued a joint decla...

2 Aug 202516min

Why is justice so delayed in Beirut port explosion?

Why is justice so delayed in Beirut port explosion?

Five years have passed since the Beirut port explosion – and still the families of the more than 220 victims killed in the blast await justice. Mariana Foudalian is one of them. She lost her sister Ga...

1 Aug 202517min

The Blast Episode 4: Fallout (Re-run)

The Blast Episode 4: Fallout (Re-run)

In the aftermath of the blast, residents took to the streets to sweep the shards of glass and piles of rubble. Meanwhile, politicians bickered and resigned. Judges were appointed to investigate the bl...

28 Jul 202537min

The Blast Episode 3: Zero hour (Re-run)

The Blast Episode 3: Zero hour (Re-run)

Ghassan Hassrouty was working with his colleagues at the port’s grain silos. Sarah Copland, an Australian UN employee, was feeding her son Isaac, 2. And then, it’s zero hour, the moment the blast tore...

28 Jul 202527min

The Blast Episode 2: The six-year wait (Re-run)

The Blast Episode 2: The six-year wait (Re-run)

After the cargo was moved to a warehouse at the port, it sat there for years. This episode connects the dots to understand why the chemical, commonly used in fertilisers and explosives, was neglected ...

28 Jul 202531min

The Blast Episode 1: The Russian and the Rhosus (Re-run)

The Blast Episode 1: The Russian and the Rhosus (Re-run)

In the summer of 2020, Lebanon had already been experiencing some of its worst days, due to a deepening financial crisis and the global pandemic. On August 4, things took a much darker turn. Hundreds ...

28 Jul 202528min

Populært innen Politikk og nyheter

giver-og-gjengen-vg
aftenpodden
stopp-verden
forklart
aftenpodden-usa
i-retten
popradet
lydartikler-fra-aftenposten
nokon-ma-ga
det-store-bildet
dine-penger-pengeradet
rss-gukild-johaug
rss-ness
fotballpodden-2
hanna-de-heldige
aftenbla-bla
frokostshowet-pa-p5
e24-podden
unitedno
rss-dannet-uten-piano