Teachers strike across the country for better public education

Teachers led a national strike and mass protests in major cities across the country Wednesday to challenge the government’s planned education reform and call for better working conditions.

Organizers the Teachers’ Union said 150,000 educators took part in strike action and demonstrations nationwide with at least 50,000 protesting in the capital alone  — though Carabineros, Chile’s uniformed police, said attendance of the protest proper was closer to 10,000 in the capital.

Beginning at Plaza Italia then heading west down the main thoroughfare Alameda, the Santiago protest passed largely without incident and was hailed a success by union president Jaime Gajardo who claimed the turnout demonstrated public support for the union’s position.

“The great majority of the country supports us and supports our call for profound changes in our education system,” he said, adding that President Michelle Bachelet’s reforms endanger public education and were drafted without sufficient input from teachers, students and other external groups.

“The government must announce whether municipal school will be returned under the control of the central government and end uncertainty,” Gajardo added. “The essential thing is to change the financial model of the education system because this is what is harming the poorest and ultimately devastating public education.”

New index ranks Chile as second most peaceful country in South America

Chile continues to lead as the second most peaceful country in South America and ranks 30 globally, according to the 2014 Global Peace Index report.

The Institute for Economics and Peace (IEP) released the annual report on Wednesday, which ranks 162 independent states’ internal and external peacefulness based on 22 indicators. Through its rankings, the institute also establishes the countries most likely to experience instability and violence in the next two years.

Chile’s index scores in the broader areas of safety and security in society, the extent of domestic or international conflict, as well as the degree of militarization raise it one spot globally from last year’s ranking of 31. The most peaceful country ranks at one, while the least peaceful ranks 162.

“Although it has faced many challenges over the last decade, Chile has remained resilient to a platitude of external shocks, including the tragic earthquake and Tsunami in 2010,” the IEP wrote in April.

Its improvement from last year, however, is still a low ranking compared to previous years. This year Chile ranked higher in violent demonstrations, accessibility of small arms and light weapons, as well as high level of perceived criminality. The country ranked lower in various other indicators like political instability, meaning that citizens’ needs are supported by political institutions.

While Chile increased its index score, Uruguay continues to remain as the most peaceful country in South America despite its drop in score. An increase in police and security forces dropped the leading country’s score.

Although it ranks third regionally as most peaceful, Argentina is among the ten countries most likely to “deteriorate in peace” in the next couple of years. The index shows that even with internal tensions in Colombia and Venezuela, South America scored above the global average this year.

Overall results represented Syria as the least peaceful country in the world and Iceland as the most peaceful. The general findings indicate that global peacefulness is gradually decreasing due to terrorist activity, number of conflicts fought and number of refugees and displaced persons.

“As these effects are likely to continue into the near future, a strong rebound in peace is unlikely,” Steve Killelea, founder and Executive Chairman of the IEP, told the press.

Neymar stole the show

The striker responded to the responsibility of being his country's poster boy by finding the net either side of half-time after Marcelo had scored an early own goal.
Oscar cemented the result with a wonderful individual goal late on but the adulation at the Arena de Sao Paulo went to Barcelona's Neymar.

His first goal was a low, sweeping effort that crept into the net from 25 yards. His second, 19 minutes before the end, was altogether more controversial.

Dejan Lovren was judged to have fouled Fred in the box. Japanese referee Yuichi Nishimura pointed to the spot, despite replays showing little contact had been made. Neymar converted, the ball deflecting in off the out-stretched arm of goalkeeper Stipe Pletikosa, to spark scenes of celebration.
It ensured a 10th consecutive win for Luiz Felipe Scolari's side but Brazil demonstrated flaws and fragilities. They did not play with the fluency or flamboyance that saw them swat aside Spain to win the Confederations Cup so emphatically last year.

The moments before kick-off had been typically rousing. A passionate Brazilian crowd delivered another fervent rendition of the national anthem. Croatia were no more than an afterthought to most outside the thousand travelling fans.