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Russian Crew Feared Dead After Plane Downed in Sudan Conflict Zone

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Russian Crew Feared Dead After Plane Downed in Sudan Conflict Zone

Russia’s embassy in Sudan is investigating reports that a cargo plane carrying Russian crew members was shot down in the war-torn Darfur region, amid conflicting claims about the aircraft’s mission and the circumstances of its downing.

The Russian-made Ilyushin Il-76 was reportedly carrying equipment and medicine to the army-held city of el-Fasher when it crashed, according to Sudanese military sources. The Sudan Tribune news website reports all crew members, including three Sudanese nationals and two Russians, were killed in the incident, though this remains unverified.

The Rapid Support Forces (RSF), which has been battling Sudan’s army since April 2023, claimed Monday it had downed a Russian-made aircraft, though it initially identified it as an Egyptian-operated Antonov accused of bombing civilians. Egypt has repeatedly denied providing military support to Sudan’s army during the 18-month conflict.

Video footage circulating from the alleged crash site shows RSF soldiers displaying what appear to be Russian passports and identification cards near plane wreckage. The paramilitary group claims to have recovered the aircraft’s black box and mission-related documents.

The crash site is reportedly located in the Malha area near the Chad border, en route to el-Fasher – the last army-controlled city in western Darfur, which has been under RSF siege since April. Some reports suggest a technical malfunction may have caused the crash, while others indicate the plane might have been mistakenly targeted.

Adding to the complexity, documents seen in the footage reportedly link the aircraft to an airline previously connected to the United Arab Emirates, which faces allegations of arming the RSF. The UN has cited credible evidence of UAE involvement, though the country denies these claims.

The incident occurs against the backdrop of what UN Special Envoy Tom Perriello estimates as 150,000 deaths since the conflict began. The UN reports over 10 million people – approximately one-fifth of Sudan’s population – have been displaced.

Fighting has recently intensified around Khartoum, where the RSF maintains primary control despite increased military airstrikes in the city’s center and southern areas. Recent diplomatic efforts to negotiate a ceasefire between the warring parties have failed to make progress.

The Russian embassy in Khartoum says it is coordinating with Sudan’s military-led government to gather more information about the crash and confirm the fate of those aboard.

Kenya Deports Four Turkish Refugees Despite Rights Concerns

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Kenya Deports Four Turkish Refugees Despite Rights Concerns

Kenya announced Monday it has deported four Turkish refugees following an extradition request from Ankara, despite warnings from human rights organizations about potential persecution upon their return.

The Kenyan Ministry of Foreign and Diaspora Affairs defended the Friday deportation, citing strong diplomatic relations with Turkey and assurances from Turkish authorities that the deportees “will be treated with dignity in keeping with national and international law.”

Amnesty International had voiced opposition to the deportation on Saturday, warning that the individuals could face “serious human rights violations” in Turkey. The organization expressed “growing concerns about the safety of all refugees and asylum seekers in Kenya.”

The identities of the deported individuals and Turkey’s reasons for seeking their extradition were not disclosed in Kenya’s official statement. Kenya emphasized its ongoing commitment to protecting its refugee population, which includes approximately 780,000 people, predominantly from neighboring Somalia.

Spain Rescues Over 230 Migrants from Single Boat Near Canary Islands

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Spain Rescues Over 230 Migrants from Single Boat Near Canary Islands

Spanish coastguards rescued 231 migrants from a single wooden vessel off the Canary Islands on Sunday, marking the largest such rescue operation near Gran Canaria this year, authorities reported.

The rescued group included fourteen women and three children, all discovered aboard a precarious wooden boat near Gran Canaria’s main port. Coastguard vessels towed the migrant boat to safety after spotting it in nearby waters.

The operation highlights the growing pressure on the Atlantic migration route to Spain’s Canary Islands. Government data shows 32,878 migrants attempted the hazardous journey from West Africa between January and October 15 this year, representing a 39.7% increase from the same period in 2023.

A child is carried by an emergency team member after being rescued from a boat in the port in La Restinga on the Canary Island of El Hierro, Spain, Sunday, Aug. 18, 2024. Emergency services on Spain’s Canary Islands say 175 migrants have arrived in a boat on the Canary Island of El Hierro on Sunday, after a seven-day sailing from the coast of Senegal. (AP Photo/Maria Ximena)

While the Atlantic route to the Canary Islands has experienced the fastest growth in irregular migration in recent years, officials note that overall numbers remain below those recorded on the Central Mediterranean route toward Italy.

Tunisia’s Saied Begins Second Term Amid Democratic Concerns

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Tunisia’s Saied Begins Second Term Amid Democratic Concerns

President Kais Saied took the oath of office Monday for his second term as Tunisia’s leader, following a sweeping electoral victory amid concerns over democratic regression and a continued crackdown on opposition figures.

The 66-year-old former law professor, who secured 90.7% of the vote, used his inauguration speech to call for a “cultural revolution” in Tunisia, focusing on unemployment, terrorism, and corruption. Addressing parliament, Saied declared, “The aim is to build a country where everyone can live in dignity.”

The inauguration comes after a turbulent first term marked by significant changes to Tunisia’s post-Arab Spring political landscape. Saied suspended parliament, rewrote the constitution, and orchestrated the arrest of dozens of critics across politics, media, business, and civil society sectors.

Election officials announce Tunisian president and candidate for re-election Kais Saied as the winner of the presidential elections, in the capital Tunis, Tunisia, Monday, Oct. 7, 2024. (AP Photo/Anis Mili)

In his address, Saied struck a combative tone against perceived enemies, promising to target “thieves and traitors on the payroll of foreigners.” He blamed “counterrevolutionary forces” for impeding economic progress during his first term.

“The task was not easy. The dangers were great,” Saied told lawmakers. “The arms of the old regime were like vipers circulating everywhere. We could hear them hissing, even if we couldn’t see them.”

The president has justified his actions as necessary measures against corruption and state enemies, appealing to Tunisians disillusioned with the country’s direction since the 2011 uprising that ousted longtime ruler Zine El Abidine Ben Ali.

Despite Saied’s proclaimed commitment to protecting freedoms, his inauguration ceremony highlighted ongoing tensions with the press. Many journalists were barred from covering the event, prompting the National Syndicate of Tunisian Journalists to issue a strong rebuke, condemning “the ongoing blackout policy and restrictions on journalistic work.”

The restrictions on media access underscore broader concerns about democratic backsliding in Tunisia, once hailed as the Arab Spring’s lone success story. Saied’s consolidation of power and crackdown on opposition have raised alarms among democracy advocates both domestically and internationally.

Congo Army, M23 Rebels Issue Conflicting Claims Over Strategic Town

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Congo Army, M23 Rebels Issue Conflicting Claims Over Strategic Town

The Democratic Republic of Congo’s army and M23 rebels issued conflicting claims Tuesday over control of the strategic eastern town of Kalembe, highlighting ongoing tensions in the mineral-rich region.

Military spokesman Sylvain Ekenge announced the army had recaptured Kalembe on Monday, just one day after M23 rebels seized it from government forces and allied militia groups in North Kivu province. However, Corneille Nangaa, leader of the Congo River Alliance which includes M23, contradicted this claim, asserting rebels maintain control of the town.

The Tutsi-led M23’s advance into Kalembe violates an Angola-mediated ceasefire agreement reached in August, according to Angola’s government. The rebel group has been conducting renewed military operations in eastern Congo since 2022.

Walikale territory official Kabaki Alimasi confirmed the army’s claim of retaking the town but noted ongoing fighting in nearby areas. “The M23 are not far,” he said. “We can hear gunfire, the population that fled has not yet returned.”

Military spokesman Ekenge reported that helicopter-transported troops were deployed Monday morning to address the situation, with fighting continuing between pro-government militia and M23 forces in areas beyond army control.

The United Nations and Congolese authorities accuse neighboring Rwanda of supporting M23 with troops and weapons, allegations Rwanda consistently denies. The conflict has exacerbated a humanitarian crisis in North Kivu, where UN figures show approximately 2.6 million people were displaced by the end of September.

The battle for Kalembe, a small but strategically located town in militia-plagued North Kivu’s Walikale territory, represents the latest flashpoint in a prolonged regional conflict that has destabilized eastern Congo and strained relationships between neighboring countries.

Reuters/VOA

UK Police Officer Acquitted in Fatal Shooting of Black Man

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UK Police Officer Acquitted in Fatal Shooting of Black Man

A London police officer was acquitted Monday of murder charges in the 2022 shooting death of an unarmed Black man, Chris Kaba, a verdict that has intensified debate over policing and racial justice in Britain’s capital.

Officer Martyn Blake, 40, was found not guilty by a jury at London’s Old Bailey court after a three-week trial in the death of Chris Kaba, who died from a single gunshot to the head on September 5, 2022. The Metropolitan Police announced Blake’s suspension from duty would be lifted immediately.

The shooting occurred when Blake fired through the windscreen of Kaba’s vehicle after police boxed it in. The car had been linked to a reported shooting the previous evening.

Metropolitan Police Commissioner Mark Rowley characterized Blake’s actions as a split-second decision. “Any fatal use of force understandably prompts huge concern among communities, particularly in Black communities where trust in policing is low,” Rowley said, acknowledging the need to “strengthen confidence in our service.”

Kaba’s family, in a statement released through the charity Inquest, expressed profound disappointment. “The acquittal of Martyn Blake isn’t just a failure for our family, but for all those affected by police violence,” the statement read, describing “the deep pain of injustice adding to the unbearable sorrow we have felt since Chris was killed.”

The case highlighted the rarity of police prosecutions in fatal shootings. The Independent Office of Police Conduct reported that of 26 investigations into 28 police shooting deaths since 2013, only Blake and one other officer were referred to prosecutors, with the other officer not ultimately charged.

Prosecutor Tom Little had argued during the trial that Blake’s decision to shoot was “not reasonably justified or justifiable.” Blake maintained he perceived an “imminent threat” to his colleagues and intended to incapacitate, not kill, Kaba.

The verdict comes amid ongoing scrutiny of the Metropolitan Police, which was found to be institutionally racist, misogynistic, and homophobic in an independent 2023 review. Statistics from Inquest reveal that 83 people have been fatally shot by police in England and Wales since 1990, resulting in three prosecutions and no convictions.

“We know that Chris’ death is not an isolated case but part of systemic racism and stereotyping that equates Black men with dangerousness,” said Inquest’s director Deborah Coles.

Interior Minister Yvette Cooper acknowledged the case’s impact on communities, police, and families, stating, “The jury has come to a conclusion… and it is imperative that is respected and everyone is given the space to process the verdict.”

The case has reignited protests and anger among London’s Black community, which has long alleged discriminatory treatment by the Metropolitan Police.

Harris Maintains Slim 46%-43% Lead Over Trump in Latest Reuters/Ipsos Poll Amid Voter Economic Concerns

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Harris Maintains Slim 46%-43% Lead Over Trump in Latest Reuters/Ipsos Poll Amid Voter Economic Concerns

Vice President Kamala Harris holds a narrow lead over former President Donald Trump in the latest Reuters/Ipsos poll, though widespread voter dissatisfaction with the economy and immigration could shape the outcome of November’s presidential election.

The six-day poll, which concluded Monday, shows Harris leading Trump 46% to 43%, virtually unchanged from her 45% to 42% advantage in the previous week’s survey. When using unrounded figures, Harris’ lead shrinks to just two percentage points, within the poll’s margin of error of two percentage points.

The survey of 4,129 U.S. adults, including 3,481 registered voters, reveals deep voter concerns about the nation’s direction. Seventy percent of registered voters believe their cost of living is on the wrong track, while 60% express pessimism about the economy’s direction. Immigration policy draws similar criticism, with 65% saying the country is heading the wrong way.

Trump holds significant advantages on these key issues. Voters prefer his approach to the economy by eight points (46% to 38%) and immigration by thirteen points (48% to 35%). Immigration ranks as voters’ top priority for the next president’s first 100 days, with 35% citing it as the most crucial issue, followed by income inequality at 11%, and healthcare and taxes each at 10%.

Harris, however, leads substantially on other issues. She outpaces Trump by seven points (42% to 35%) on addressing political extremism and threats to democracy, while also holding advantages on abortion and healthcare policy.

The poll suggests heightened voter engagement compared to 2020, particularly among Democrats. Seventy-nine percent of registered voters declare themselves “completely certain” to vote, including 87% of Democrats and 84% of Republicans. This marks an increase from October 2020, when only 74% of Democrats and 79% of Republicans expressed such certainty.

Among the 3,307 respondents considered most likely to vote, Harris’ lead extends slightly to 48% versus Trump’s 45%.

The race’s dynamics shifted dramatically after President Joe Biden ended his reelection bid in July following a poor debate performance against Trump in June. Trump had been widely considered the frontrunner, benefiting from voter frustration with inflation under the Biden administration, though price increases have moderated in recent months.

Political analysts caution that Harris’ national lead might not translate to victory in the Electoral College system, which determines the presidency through state-by-state results. Trump won the 2016 election despite losing the popular vote to Hillary Clinton by two percentage points, and current polling shows Harris and Trump running neck-and-neck in seven crucial battleground states.

The electorate remains roughly divided into thirds between Democrats, Republicans, and independents or third-party supporters, according to Pew Research estimates. With voter turnout historically around two-thirds of eligible adults – though 2020 saw the highest participation in over a century – both campaigns’ ability to mobilize supporters could prove decisive.

The Reuters/Ipsos poll was conducted online nationwide, employing a methodology that has accurately tracked major political trends in recent years.

a Reuters story

Hurricane Oscar Leaves Six Dead in Cuba Amid Widespread Blackouts and Unrest

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Hurricane Oscar Leaves Six Dead in Cuba Amid Widespread Blackouts and Unrest

Hurricane Oscar has left at least six people dead in Cuba, where a prolonged nationwide blackout has paralyzed the capital and sparked scattered protests, leading to stern government warnings against civil unrest.

The storm made landfall Sunday before crossing the island’s eastern coast as a tropical storm Monday, bringing strong winds and heavy rain. The devastation has triggered small demonstrations in Havana neighborhoods, where residents faced their fourth night without power.

In urban areas like Santos Suárez and central Havana, dozens of protesters banged pots and pans in the streets while others demonstrated from their balconies. Some residents blocked streets with garbage in protest over water shortages.

“The country has completely halted,” said Mayde Quiñones, 55, a homemaker caring for her elderly mother-in-law. “This hurts everyone, but the elderly most of all.”

President Miguel Díaz-Canel addressed the nation Sunday on television, warning that authorities “won’t allow any vandalism, or let anyone disturb people’s tranquility.” The warning comes as Cuba grapples with its most severe blackout since Hurricane Ian in 2022.

Energy Minister Vicente de la O Levy said officials hope to restore reliable electricity by Tuesday morning. However, schools will remain closed through at least Thursday. The minister reported that about 80 percent of Havana had intermittent power by Monday afternoon, though residents expressed skepticism.

The crisis has forced many of Havana’s two million residents to cook with improvised wood stoves on streets as food spoils in unpowered refrigerators. Long lines formed at bakeries and the few operating gas stations, while people waited hours to purchase bread at functioning bakeries.

Cuba’s power grid is currently producing only 700 megawatts against a peak demand of 3 gigawatts. The situation worsened after Hurricane Oscar hit key power plants in the eastern region, including Felton in Holguín and Renté in Santiago de Cuba.

White House press secretary Karine Jean-Pierre attributed the crisis to “long-term mismanagement of economic policy and resources” by Cuban authorities, while Cuban officials blame the U.S. trade embargo.

The blackout has intensified Cuba’s ongoing economic crisis, which has already prompted more than half a million Cubans to emigrate to the United States, with thousands more heading to Europe.

Several nations, including Mexico, Colombia, Venezuela, and Russia, have offered assistance, according to Cuban officials. The government has implemented emergency measures, including suspending classes and shutting down non-essential state workplaces.

a VOA story

Museveni’s Ugandan Military Court Convicts 16 Opposition Members in Controversial Case

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Museveni’s Ugandan Military Court Convicts 16 Opposition Members in Controversial Case

A Ugandan military tribunal under the influence of President Yoweri Museveni convicted sixteen members of the opposition National Unity Platform Monday on charges of illegal possession of explosives and treachery, in proceedings their defense lawyer described as questionable.

Bobi Wine, the opposition leader whose real name is Robert Kyagulanyi, claimed the group had been coerced into pleading guilty to secure a presidential pardon

The defendants, who have spent four years in detention, face sentencing Wednesday. Defense attorney Shamim Malende raised concerns about the circumstances surrounding their guilty pleas, which reversed previous denials of the charges.

Former singer and opposition leader Bobi Wine, whose legal name is Robert Kyagulanyi, alleged the accused were coerced into pleading guilty and seeking presidential pardons. “The accused have been blackmailed by state agents,” Wine told AFP. Media representatives were barred from attending the tribunal session.

Prosecutors alleged the opposition members possessed explosives between November 2020 and May 2021, during Uganda’s election period. Additional suspects remain at large, according to authorities.

The case highlights ongoing political tensions in Uganda, where President Museveni has maintained power since 1986. The country’s 2021 presidential election drew international criticism amid widespread allegations of fraud. Police violently suppressed demonstrations following Wine’s arrest during that period, resulting in at least fifty-four deaths.

President Yoweri Museveni

Wine warned of future accountability, stating, “Whatever Museveni’s government is doing, one day all those under him including himself will be called to account.”

The convictions come amid growing concerns over political freedom in Uganda, where opposition figures have faced increasing pressure from government authorities.

Five Dead in Washington State Home Shooting, Teen in Custody

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Five Dead in Washington State Home Shooting, Teen in Custody

Five people were found dead Monday morning in a shooting at a home southeast of Seattle, Washington State, with authorities taking a teenager into custody in what appears to be a family-related incident.

Deputies responded to multiple 911 calls reporting gunfire around 5 a.m. in Fall City, Washington, King County Sheriff’s Office spokesperson Mike Mellis said at an afternoon news conference.

Responding officers immediately detained one teenager who lived at the residence and transported another injured teen resident to a Seattle hospital. Inside the home, deputies discovered five bodies, including two adults and three described as young teenagers, Mellis said.

“Once bodies were discovered, clearly we understand that this is a hugely significant crime scene,” Mellis said. While the shooting appears to involve family members, investigators are still working to determine exact relationships among the victims.

The detained teenager has been booked into King County’s juvenile detention facility and is scheduled for an initial court appearance Tuesday or Wednesday, according to the county Prosecuting Attorney’s Office.

A neighbor told KING-TV that a couple and their five children lived in the home. “I’m just in total shock, I keep bursting into tears,” resident Lynne Trowern said.

King County Councilmember Sarah Perry released a statement Monday evening confirming the incident involved a family of seven people.

Sheriff Patricia Cole-Tindall expressed distress over the shooting, telling KING-TV she was “very sad, very disturbed” by the incident.

Authorities stressed there is no ongoing threat to the community. “I have no reason to think that there will be any additional arrests,” Mellis said.

Names of the victims have not yet been released as the investigation continues.

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