Latest news with #PEACE
Sydney Morning Herald
16-05-2025
- Sydney Morning Herald
My dream trip led us to a famed zoo. It changed how I felt about Japan
I had fallen into a lazy, guilty tourist trap. What struck me hardest as a South Asian person was an elephant seemingly under 'zoochosis', shaking her head over and over again, her trunk swinging back and forth like a metronome, a downcast, self-soothing gesture that laid bare her distress. A fellow Australian tourist overheard my friend and I discussing these conditions. In a hushed voice, she summed up what we were thinking: 'It's naive, but I never expected this from Japan.' Ueno Zoo is not the only place in Japan where animal welfare standards appear poor. It's home to cafés with exotic animals such as nocturnal owls unnaturally tied to posts throughout a whole day, exhibits of fish crammed into unfiltered small bowls, zoos and aquariums with animals displaying abnormal behaviour and mental distress, and 'animal parks' where animals rely on human presence and fight among themselves. This is not to single out Japan as the epitome of animal cruelty in Asia. As a Sri Lankan-Aussie, I would be remiss not to mention the exploitation of elephants and other animals I've seen firsthand in Sri Lanka and in other Asian countries. These standards are unacceptable everywhere. Imagine the torment of being confined to a space where you're prodded, stroked and posed for the fleeting amusement of strangers. In the end, you are little more than a living ornament whose small life will not be remembered once the tourists leave. According to the British charity Wild Welfare, Japan remains well behind global standards in animal welfare for captive wild animals. Their laws are outdated, and many animals continue to live in inadequate conditions. Where do we draw the line on cruelty being excused under the guise of novelty? It can be easy to separate ourselves from the role we play in enabling these practices. The money I spent visiting Ueno Zoo was a direct contribution to the problem. Just by showing up, we as tourists can validate and reinforce systems of animal cruelty. Every entry fee we pay and every social media post we share helps sustain the demand for these attractions. In my opinion, Japan's popularity has helped many of these attractions avoid accountability. Some outsiders consider the country host to an inherently honorable culture, which makes it harder to question or criticise practices that anywhere else would be seen as neglect. Within Japan, there are voices calling for change, though they often go unheard. Organisations such as the Japan Animal Welfare Society have reported serious issues at Miyagi Zao Fox Village, including overcrowding, untreated injuries, and fox-on-fox violence. PEACE (Put an End to Animal Cruelty and Exploitation) has been vocal in its opposition to all forms of animal cafés.
The Age
16-05-2025
- The Age
My dream trip led us to a famed zoo. It changed how I felt about Japan
I had fallen into a lazy, guilty tourist trap. What struck me hardest as a South Asian person was an elephant seemingly under 'zoochosis', shaking her head over and over again, her trunk swinging back and forth like a metronome, a downcast, self-soothing gesture that laid bare her distress. A fellow Australian tourist overheard my friend and I discussing these conditions. In a hushed voice, she summed up what we were thinking: 'It's naive, but I never expected this from Japan.' Ueno Zoo is not the only place in Japan where animal welfare standards appear poor. It's home to cafés with exotic animals such as nocturnal owls unnaturally tied to posts throughout a whole day, exhibits of fish crammed into unfiltered small bowls, zoos and aquariums with animals displaying abnormal behaviour and mental distress, and 'animal parks' where animals rely on human presence and fight among themselves. This is not to single out Japan as the epitome of animal cruelty in Asia. As a Sri Lankan-Aussie, I would be remiss not to mention the exploitation of elephants and other animals I've seen firsthand in Sri Lanka and in other Asian countries. These standards are unacceptable everywhere. Imagine the torment of being confined to a space where you're prodded, stroked and posed for the fleeting amusement of strangers. In the end, you are little more than a living ornament whose small life will not be remembered once the tourists leave. According to the British charity Wild Welfare, Japan remains well behind global standards in animal welfare for captive wild animals. Their laws are outdated, and many animals continue to live in inadequate conditions. Where do we draw the line on cruelty being excused under the guise of novelty? It can be easy to separate ourselves from the role we play in enabling these practices. The money I spent visiting Ueno Zoo was a direct contribution to the problem. Just by showing up, we as tourists can validate and reinforce systems of animal cruelty. Every entry fee we pay and every social media post we share helps sustain the demand for these attractions. In my opinion, Japan's popularity has helped many of these attractions avoid accountability. Some outsiders consider the country host to an inherently honorable culture, which makes it harder to question or criticise practices that anywhere else would be seen as neglect. Within Japan, there are voices calling for change, though they often go unheard. Organisations such as the Japan Animal Welfare Society have reported serious issues at Miyagi Zao Fox Village, including overcrowding, untreated injuries, and fox-on-fox violence. PEACE (Put an End to Animal Cruelty and Exploitation) has been vocal in its opposition to all forms of animal cafés.
Yahoo
15-05-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
What Tennessee's PEACE Act means for free speech
Tennessee's new Protecting Everyone Against Crime and Extremism Act (PEACE Act) law limits approaching police officers and is a threat to First Amendment freedoms. (Photo: John Partipilo/Tennessee Lookout) A new Tennessee law with the unassuming acronym 'PEACE' might appear, on the surface, to be a mundane update to the state's criminal code. But tucked into the legislation's language is a clear and deliberate threat to the First Amendment freedoms of Tennesseans. On Friday, Gov. Bill Lee signed Senate Bill 30, the Protecting Everyone Against Crime and Extremism Act (PEACE Act).The law makes it a criminal offense to leave 'unsolicited flyers' on public or private property, hang signs from overpasses and bridges, ride in the back of a box truck, refuse to give one's name or give a false name to law enforcement, and approach within 25 feet of an officer after being ordered to stop or retreat. While these provisions might sound like routine penalties for littering, limits on approaching police officers and tweaks to law enforcement powers, they raise serious First Amendment concerns. One of the most troubling aspects of the law is its expansion of the state's intimidation law to criminalize acts like handing out flyers or trespassing if done with the 'intent to intimidate' someone from exercising their rights. This language is dangerously vague, and that's exactly the problem. 'Intent to intimidate' is not clearly defined and can easily be used to target protestors, demonstrators, or anyone expressing dissent in a way that makes someone uncomfortable. Bill expanding Tennessee law enforcement powers during protests draws pushback Additionally, the law classifies dropping 'unsolicited flyers' on private or public property as 'littering,' which means a political pamphlet left on a doorstep could potentially lead to a criminal charge. The Supreme Court has long held that leafleting is protected speech, not trash. In Lovell v. City of Griffin (1938), Schneider v. State (1939), Talley v California (1960) and Watchtower v. Village of Stratton (2002), the Court affirmed that the right to distribute printed material, especially for political or religious purposes, lies at the heart of the First Amendment. The Tennessee law's new provisions also prohibit approaching within 25 feet of a law enforcement officer after being ordered to stop. Although the amended version narrows this to active crime scenes, traffic stops, or public safety threats, it still violates the public's right to record and monitor police conduct in public spaces. Federal courts have increasingly recognized this right as an essential check on government power. In Glik v. Cunniffe (2011), the First Circuit wrote that '[t]he filming of government officials engaged in their duties in a public place… fits comfortably' within the principles of protected First Amendment expression. As if these aspects of the law were not concerning enough, it also grants police broader authority to arrest individuals for misdemeanors not committed in their presence and provides legal immunity to officers who decide later not to issue citations for these alleged offenses. In combination with the new criminal categories for expressive conduct, this gives law enforcement a wide berth to intimidate and arrest peaceful demonstrators, especially in politically charged settings. Legal advocates have tracked similar efforts around the country where these minor offenses are not used against litterers and loiters but as a means to shut down protests. This would give the government wider latitude to target speech that the party in power doesn't like, from climate activists to pro-life protestors to labor union strikes. Supporters of this law may argue that these provisions promote public order or protect communities from hate. But the First Amendment does not allow the government to punish speech simply because it is offensive or hateful. The Supreme Court has repeatedly held that even the most disturbing or bigoted speech is protected unless it is intended and likely to provoke imminent lawless action, amounts to a true threat, or defamation. Laws that target speech based on the speaker's motive or viewpoint and give broad discretion to law enforcement violate fundamental constitutional principles. The PEACE Act presents significant risks of overreach and is likely to face constitutional challenges in court. SUBSCRIBE: GET THE MORNING HEADLINES DELIVERED TO YOUR INBOX
Yahoo
16-03-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Campaigners gather in town centre to support Palestine
PEACE campaigners gathered in Kendal once again this weekend to support peace and justice for Palestine. Campaigners from South Lakeland and Lancaster District took to Highgate, Kendal, in order to collect signatures in their continued effort to call for an end to nuclear disarmament. The protest is to end the supply of arms and arms components from the UK to Israel, for a permanent ceasefire on Gaza, as well as recognition of the Palestinian state and divestment of public monies from Israel companies. Philip Gilligan, spokesperson of the Kendal protest group said: 'People in Westmorland have long been horrified by Israel's brutal attacks on the people of Gaza. 'They remain very eager to join our calls for local and national politicians to do more to ensure a lasting peace in Palestine. 'They are horrified to see on the news that the Israeli government now seems intent on starving the people of Gaza by cutting-off electricity to the few surviving desalination plants and by blocking food supplies. 'They note that this comes on top of a year and a half of suffering, in which tens of thousands of children have been killed, injured or orphaned by Israel's relentless bombing. 'They want an end to the supply of arms and materials for armaments to Israel and they want an end to all complicity in actions which Amnesty International has judged to be genocide.'
TECHx
17-02-2025
- Business
- TECHx
TECHx Media du Partners with PEACE Cable to Boost UAE's Connectivity
du Partners with PEACE Cable to Boost UAE's Connectivity News Desk - Share du, the UAE's leading telecom and digital services provider, has announced a strategic partnership with PEACE Cable International Network Co. Limited (PEACE) to extend the PEACE Cable System into the UAE and Gulf region. This collaboration is set to enhance digital transformation and connectivity for du's Wholesale and Enterprise customers, utilizing the high-capacity, advanced PEACE Cable infrastructure. The agreement includes the landing of the PEACE Cable in the UAE, an open-access submarine cable system designed to deliver ultra-high-speed, secure, and resilient connections. This development will bolster du's network performance and managed services across the region. Additionally, the construction of the PEACE Gulf Extension, a new branch from the PEACE Cable's in-service trunk segment, will extend the cable's reach to the UAE, integrating it into a global network spanning over 22,000 km across three continents. Karim Benkirane, Chief Commercial Officer at du, commented, 'Our investment in the PEACE Cable aligns with du's commitment to enhancing the UAE's global connectivity status. This partnership will bring significant economic and digital advancements, providing our customers with unparalleled reliability and value. We are proud to contribute to the UAE's vision of becoming a leading digital and AI hub while solidifying our role in regional connectivity with exclusive ownership of the cable landing in the country.' Sun Xiaohua, CEO of PEACE, added, 'The PEACE Cable initiative aims to foster exceptional connectivity across continents. This project is about more than just laying a cable—it's about building bridges that connect cultures, economies, and communities. In an era where digital infrastructure is as essential as traditional infrastructure, our mission is to create a more integrated and empowered global society.' The PEACE Cable project is expected to be Ready For Service (RFS) by the second half of 2026. This partnership marks a significant step forward in regional digital infrastructure development and reinforces du's commitment to positioning the UAE as a key gateway for global connectivity. Through the PEACE Cable, du will facilitate economic, social, and digital transformation, supporting the UAE's strategic vision for a knowledge-powered, innovative future.
