The oath of former President and Pampanga Representative Gloria Macapagal Arroyo (second from the right) as new House Speaker at the House of the Representative at the Bantasan Hills in Quezon City on July 23, 2018, Philippines. Photo by: Avito C. Dalan for the Philippine News Agency.

Philippines’ ex-president accused of plunder, gross rights violations now House Speaker

MANILA, Philippines (ViaNews) – In what appears to be a dramatic political resurrection, former Philippine president turned congresswoman Gloria Macapagal Arroyo has been sworn in as the newest House Speaker on July 23, 2018, stealing the thunder from no less than Philippine president Rodrigo Roa Duterte whose annual public speech on the country’s affairs was…

Read More
Rafael Valera, leader of the Venezuelan political movement Rumbo Libertad. Photo by: ViaNews.

Interview With Rafael Valera, Leader of Venezuelan Political Movement Rumbo Libertad: “I Know We’ll Come out Victorious From This”

CARACAS, Venezuela (ViaNews) – Venezuela’s crisis continues to grow rapidly and no one seems able to stop it. After last years failed protests and a variety of also failed negotiation attempts with the government, rejection towards MUD (Mesa de la Unidad Democrática – Democratic Union Roundtable) has escalated rapidly. The coalition is deeply fractured by…

Read More
Philippines president, Rodrigo Duterte. Photo by: PCOO EDP.

Women up in Arms Over Philippine President’s Sexist Remarks, Anti-women Policies

MANILA, Philippines (ViaNews) – Despite his official spokesperson’s repeated pronouncement that the Philippine president is serious about upholding women’s rights, Rodrigo Roa Duterte continues to be under fire for his notoriety over misogynistic remarks that span from rape jokes, threats to have women guerrilla fighters shot in their vaginas, to unfounded and biased claim that…

Read More
Labor day in Manila, Philippines.

In Philippines, Workers Demand end to Exploitative, Centuries-old Contractual Work Scheme

MANILA, Philippines (ViaNews) – Tens of thousands of protesters here were unfazed as they marched the streets of Manila under the scorching heat of the sun and the occasional drizzles and thunderstorm as they commemorate the International Labor Day with a strong clamor to put to an end on the widespread and exploitative contractualization or…

Read More
Rasana Village in the state of Kashmir, India.

Asifa Bano Rape and Murder Case in Disputed State of Kashmir, India. Is There More to it Than Just Sexual Offence?

NEW DELHI, India (ViaNews) – The brutal rape-and-murder of an eight-year-old Muslim girl in the state of Kashmir has, once again, not only put the spotlight back on the safety issues for Indian women but has served to heighten communal tensions in a part of the country that is already largely divided and perennially on…

Read More