Culture

"We have to banish violence as a way of doing politics. They cannot keep killing us because we have different ideas," says Cristian Delgado. He has faced threats for his activism since he was a student leader over a decade ago. "In Colombia, you are at risk for such a thing as defending public education."  The peace deal that the government signed with the country's largest rebel group, the FARC, in November 2016 promised activism would be a safe endeavor. However, some 300 social leaders and human rights defenders have been killed since then, according to figures collected by Marcha Patriotica, a social and political movement where Delgado is a human rights coordinator. The members of the organization appear frequently on the list of victims.  Many have been killed because they went against the interests of organized crime or the powerful rural elite. They championed the substitution of coca — the raw ingredient for cocaine — and the return of land grabbed … [Read more...] about In Colombia, it’s dangerous to be left wing

"I am convinced that Venezuelan refugees will become the most important domestic issue after the elections," Hubert Gehring, head of the of the Konrad Adenauer Foundation's (KAS) Bogota office, told DW. More than the peace treaty with FARC that was signed one and a half years ago, the country's refugee crisis has been a central issue in the election campaign leading up to Sunday's vote, he explained. Other significant topics have included security, education, health care and the economy. According to the Colombian immigration authority "Migracion Colombia," more than 800,000 Venezuelans are currently in Colombia. The number of border crossings once again increased by 40 percent shortly before the elections in Venezuela on May 20. Welcome, and then what? Gehring believes there is a parallel between the situation in Colombia and the development of Germany's refugee policy. "In 2017, Colombia was similar to Germany in 2015. It started with a culture of welcome," he said. But since then, … [Read more...] about Colombia’s refugee crisis a major issue as nation goes to the polls

Whenever it is asked to save money, the BBC warns that it will have to slash spending on our favourite programmes. Or it increases the licence fee - as will happen from April - and threatens to stop the over-75s from getting free licences. But there is an alternative – the corporation could stop frittering away our money on everything from overpaid staff and outrageous expenses to vanity projects, as ROSS CLARK explains Claudia Winkleman was paid between £375,000 and £379,999 last year for her Radio 2 show but is thought to earn up to £120,000 more for her appearances on Strictly RELATED ARTICLES Previous 1 Next That's Sir Savage the 21st: Rapper's ICE arrest sparks meme... Paedophile father took me on the run: Daughter, 18, reveals... Share this article Share Star-struck salaries The BBC bitterly opposed efforts to force it to disclose the salaries of its presenters. When the government finally ordered it to do this two years ago it became … [Read more...] about From overpaid staff and outrageous expenses to vanity projects, it’s no wonder the BBC has run out of cash to burn: ROSS CLARK on storm around broadcaster axing free TV licences

Rapper 21 Savage's arrest in the US after it emerged he is actually a British born immigrant to the country sparked a wave of shock across the country - and then - a rush of memes. Americans were stunned when they learned the Atlanta star often seen with the biggest names in music had been held by Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) officers. Police claim the musician born Sheyaa bin Abraham on October 22, 1992 at Newham Hospital, in east London, has been in the country 'unlawfully' since 2006. After the shock - came the merciless mocking.  One meme used an image of a member of the Queen's Guard to mock the rapper  Another Twitter user made references to British people drinking tea with guns covered in patterns  Some insinuated the rapper had not 'been through' difficulties although fans jumped to his defense and listed the struggles he has overcome Another meme favorite: Viral Fyre Festival employee Andy King featured in one post that referenced his story … [Read more...] about That’s Sir Savage the 21st: Rapper’s ICE arrest sparks meme frenzy after it emerges the Atlanta-based star is actually BRITISH

After making his first appearance in first-team training for Barcelona, Ansu Fati took to Instagram to caption a photo: 'Dreams come true'. Less than a week later and the 16-year-old must be on cloud nine. On Sunday, Fati made his La Liga debut as he came off the bench to rapturous applause at the Nou Camp with 78 minutes played of Barcelona's 5-2 win over Real Betis. His reward in the player's tunnel after the final whistle? A hug from one of the greatest footballers to ever take to the pitch, Lionel Messi. What more could Fati have asked for on a "magical" Sunday evening? At the age of just 16 years, nine months and 25 days, he became the second youngest league debutant in Barcelona history - defender Vicente Martinez was 18 days his junior when he took his bow in 1941. In 2002, Ansu Fati was born in the west African country of Guinea-Bissau. He also owns a Spanish passport and since 2013 the left winger has been honing his skills while on the books at Barca's academy and … [Read more...] about Football’s top talents: What awaits Ansu Fati?