Matthew Bell
@matthewjbell.bsky.social
2.1K followers 760 following 720 posts
Radio journalist with The World public radio program at GBH Boston - TheWorld.org Watching Asia, the Middle East and religion. Irrational Boston Celtics fan. And yes to funk, soul, R&B, jazz and other American roots music, esp rhythm guitar.
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Reposted by Matthew Bell
jackjenkins.me
NEW: Statement from Cardinal Blaise Cupich, Archbishop of Chicago, on ICE activities in the city.

Implicitly refers to tactics used by ICE/DHS as “unnecessarily aggressive” and “seem to be intended to terrorize and cause chaos, rather than fulfilling the noble calling of law enforcement.”
Here's Cardinal Cupich's statement:
In this moment it is important to state clearly that keeping the nation safe and respecting human dignity are not mutually exclusive. In fact one cannot exist without the other. The safety of a nation cannot come at the expense of violations of human dignity and surely the dignity of the undocumented can never be violated by unnecessarily aggressive tactics that go far beyond the task of apprehending people and which seem to be intended to terrorize and cause chaos, rather than fulfilling the noble calling of law enforcement. No one working in this noble calling should be put in the position of acting this way. Not only do they risk violating the dignity of others but such activity is beneath their own dignity.
matthewjbell.bsky.social
Ofer Cassif, the Israeli MK who was booted out of the Knesset yesterday, told me there's already a formula for solving the Israel-Palestinian conflict, and that he's not sure what Trump's vision for Middle East peace really is -- theworld.org/segments/202...
'It's peace in the Middle East' - The World from PRX
US President Donald Trump landed in Sharm el-Sheikh, Egypt, today to take part in a summit with more than 20 world leaders. They will be signing a peace deal, brokered by Trump, for ending the war in ...
theworld.org
matthewjbell.bsky.social
FT says, “… Hamas has begun to deploy its forces to areas from which Israeli forces have withdrawn, engaging in gun battles with rival groups and administering beatings to people it accused of collaborating with Israel.”
Reposted by Matthew Bell
johnphudson.bsky.social
One of those odd moments where Trump offers highly specific & totally inaccurate info about something no one asked him about: "Literally, you walk over from Iran to Qatar, you can walk it in 1 second. You go, boom, boom & now you're in Qatar” (they don't share a border)
Reposted by Matthew Bell
billkristolbulwark.bsky.social
Pope Leo quotes Hannah Arendt:

“The ideal subject of totalitarian rule is not the convinced Nazi or the convinced Communist, but people for whom the distinction between fact and fiction and the distinction between true and false no longer exist."

www.cbsnews.com/chicago/news...
Pope Leo calls for news agencies to stand as bulwark against "post-truths," lies and manipulation
Pope Leo XIV has encouraged international news agencies to stand firm as a bulwark against the "ancient art of lying" and manipulation.
www.cbsnews.com
Reposted by Matthew Bell
theworld.org
On The World 🌎 today:

🌐 @matthewjbell.bsky.social: A ceasefire in Gaza takes hold. But it's just a start.

🌐 @hannahchanatry.bsky.social: China expands restrictions on rare earth mineral exports

🌐 @orlabarry.bsky.social: Europe's reckoning with 'forever chemicals'

Tune in 📻 bit.ly/3xyRRfD
orlabarry.bsky.social
24 EU lawmakers were tested for PFAS, often known as “forever chemicals”. All tested positive. In one town, PFAS levels are so high, residents say a proposed EU-wide ban would make no difference. My report up shortly on @theworld.org f/t @heunicke.bsky.social @chemsec.bsky.social #PFAS #Kallinge
matthewjbell.bsky.social
It makes me more religious.
matthewjbell.bsky.social
Now, for an important public service announcement:
carolinelosneck.bsky.social
If you are driving a car, please get off your phone and look up, not down? My gosh. Two near misses on my bicycle commute- it’s only 10:30am! Drive better!!!!!
Reposted by Matthew Bell
reuters.com
'When authoritarians seize power, it is crucial to recognize courageous defenders of freedom who rise and resist,' the Norwegian Nobel Committee said as it announced Maria Corina Machado as the winner of the 2025 Nobel Peace Prize
matthewjbell.bsky.social
Max Kresch is an Israeli combat medic with a group of reserve soldiers opposed to the war in Gaza. The point he kept coming back to when we talked yesterday: he hopes Israel's allies - especially the US - will hold the Israeli government accountable as this 20 point peace plan is implemented.
Reposted by Matthew Bell
en.afp.com
BREAKING Hamas says alive hostages to be exchanged for nearly 2,000 Palestinian prisoners within 72 hours of deal implementation