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Ghanaians Plan Three-Day Protest Over Illegal Mining, Demand Release of Activists

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Ghanaians Plan Three-Day Protest Over Illegal Mining, Demand Release of Activists

Ghanaians are set to launch a three-day protest starting Thursday, demanding government action against illegal gold mining and the release of 54 activists detained for demonstrating against the practice.

The planned demonstrations, dubbed #FreeTheCitizens rallies, come amid growing public outrage over the government’s handling of illegal mining, locally known as “galamsey,” and its impact on natural resources and rural livelihoods.

Joshua Buernortey Boye-Doe, one of the protest organizers, told The Associated Press, “We’re embarking on a protest to save our water bodies and to free our citizens. Most of them have been detained unlawfully.”

The protests, authorized by Ghanaian police, will culminate in a vigil on Saturday. They follow the arrest of 54 members of the Democracy Hub pressure group on September 22 and 23 for blocking roads and burning tires. The activists were remanded in custody for two weeks, sparking widespread criticism from the public and opposition politicians.

John Mahama, leader of the opposition National Democratic Congress and a candidate in the December 7 presidential election, condemned the arrests as “high-handed and an abuse of their rights” in a Facebook post.

Illegal mining has become a flashpoint issue in Ghana, Africa’s second-largest gold producer. The practice has led to the contamination of major rivers, destruction of forests and farmland, and severe health risks.

“This is not politically motivated,” Boye-Doe emphasized. “Water is a very essential resource, so we need to protect it.”

The issue has gained particular urgency as Ghana, a country of 33 million people, grapples with an economic crisis and rampant inflation that have led it to default on its foreign debt since 2022. Economic pressures have reportedly encouraged a growing number of cocoa producers to sell their lands to illegal mining operations.

Knife Attack in Shanghai Supermarket Kills 3, Injures 15

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Knife Attack in Shanghai Supermarket Kills 3, Injures 15

A knife attack at a supermarket in suburban Shanghai left three people dead and 15 others injured on Monday evening, local police reported.

The Songjiang police branch said in a statement Tuesday that a 37-year-old man, identified only by his surname Lin, was taken into custody following the attack. Authorities stated that Lin had personal financial disputes and came to Shanghai to “vent his anger.”

“The suspect acted alone and targeted random individuals,” said a police spokesperson who requested anonymity due to the ongoing investigation. “We are working to understand the full circumstances of this tragic incident.”

Eighteen people were initially sent to hospitals for treatment, with three succumbing to their injuries. The conditions of the other victims were not immediately disclosed.

The attack occurred in a suburban district southwest of Shanghai, on the eve of China’s weeklong National Day holidays. It marks the latest in a series of knife attacks that have raised concerns about public safety in China.

Last month, a 10-year-old Japanese student died after being stabbed near his school in southern China. In a separate incident, a Chinese national was killed while trying to stop an attacker at a school bus stop for a Japanese school, which also left a Japanese mother and child injured.

Earlier this year, four U.S. university instructors from Cornell College teaching at Beihua University were stabbed at a public park in Jilin, northeast China. Their injuries were not critical.

These incidents have prompted calls for increased security measures and mental health support services across the country.

As the investigation into the Shanghai attack continues, authorities are urging the public to remain vigilant and report any suspicious activity.

Nigerian Police Disperse #FearlessInOctober Protesters in Abuja with Tear Gas, Live Ammunition

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Nigerian Police Disperse #FearlessInOctober Protesters in Abuja with Tear Gas, Live Ammunition

Nigerian police used tear gas and live ammunition Tuesday to disperse protesters participating in the #FearlessInOctober demonstration against economic hardship and poverty in the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja.

Eyewitnesses reported seeing police officers firing tear gas canisters and ammunition at peaceful demonstrators in the Jabi and Utako areas of the capital. Videos shared on social media showed protesters fleeing to safety.

The protest, which drew thousands of participants, was part of a nationwide call to action against policies of President Bola Tinubu’s administration that critics say have exacerbated economic difficulties for many Nigerians.

“We are buying fuel at 1,000 naira and you expect us not to come out and protest. What are we saying – we are hungry,” one protester told reporters before the police intervention.

Demonstrators carried banners with slogans such as “Bad Governance has ended the dreams of Nigerian youths, end it now” and “Enough is Enough – Revolution Now.”

Human rights activist Omoyele Sowore, convener of the #RevolutionNow Movement, had called for the October 1st protest, citing concerns over “hardships, privations, hunger, unemployment, insecurity, and poverty” under the current administration.

“Protests or revolts are the only tool that a people have to voice their opposition to the anti-people policies of their government,” Sowore stated in a social media post Monday evening. “It is a right that is enshrined in everyone’s gene.”

The police response to the protest has raised concerns about the right to peaceful assembly in Nigeria. Human rights organizations have called for an investigation into the use of force against demonstrators.

The #FearlessInOctober protest reflects growing frustration among Nigerians over rising living costs, including a recent surge in fuel prices following the removal of subsidies.

Nigerian authorities have not yet commented on the police actions or the protesters’ demands.

Texas Set to Execute Man for 1989 Murders of Twin Teenage Girls

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Texas Set to Execute Man for 1989 Murders of Twin Teenage Girls

Garcia White, a 61-year-old former college football player and fry cook, is scheduled to be executed Tuesday evening for the 1989 murders of twin 16-year-old girls in Houston, marking the sixth execution in the United States in the last 11 days.

White was convicted of fatally stabbing Annette and Bernette Edwards in their Houston apartment. The bodies of the twins and their mother, Bonita Edwards, were discovered together. White has been linked to five killings in total.

Josh Reiss, chief of the Post-Conviction Writs Division with the Harris County District Attorney’s Office in Houston, stated, “Garcia White committed five murders in three different transactions and two of his victims were teenage girls. This is the type of case that the death penalty was intended for.”

According to court testimony, White went to the Edwards’ home to smoke crack with Bonita. After killing her, he attacked the girls when they emerged from their room. Evidence showed White broke down the locked door of the girls’ bedroom.

The murders remained unsolved for about six years until White confessed after being arrested for the 1995 killing of grocery store owner Hai Van Pham. He also confessed to the 1989 murder of Greta Williams.

White’s attorneys have petitioned the U.S. Supreme Court to halt the execution, arguing that lower courts have rejected evidence of his intellectual disability. The Supreme Court barred the execution of intellectually disabled people in 2002 but has allowed states some discretion in determining such disabilities.

“Mr. White’s case illustrates everything wrong with the current death penalty in Texas,” his lawyers stated in their petition, citing refusal to consider evidence of intellectual disability and other mitigating factors.

The Texas Board of Pardons and Paroles denied White’s request for clemency or a 30-day reprieve on Friday. The Texas Attorney General’s Office, in a filing to the Supreme Court, argued that White has not presented sufficient evidence to support his intellectual disability claim and that his other arguments have been previously rejected by courts.

“White presents no reason to delay his execution date any longer. The Edwards family — and the victims of White’s other murders … deserve justice for his decades-old crimes,” the attorney general’s office said.

If carried out, White would be the fifth inmate executed in Texas this year and the 19th in the United States. The case continues to raise questions about the application of the death penalty in cases involving potential intellectual disabilities and the impact of long-delayed executions on victims’ families and the justice system.

Six Killed, Including Revolutionary Guard Chief, in Southern Iran Attacks

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Six Killed, Including Revolutionary Guard Chief, in Southern Iran Attacks

Unidentified gunmen carried out two separate attacks in Iran’s southern province of Sistan and Baluchistan on Tuesday, killing six people, including a local chief of the paramilitary Revolutionary Guard, state television reported.

The first attack occurred in Nikshahar town, approximately 1,350 kilometers (840 miles) southeast of Tehran, following a school ceremony. Among the victims were the town council chief, Parviz Kadkhodaei, and two volunteer members of the Revolutionary Guard.

“This cowardly act of violence has shocked our community,” said a local official who requested anonymity due to security concerns. “We are working diligently to bring the perpetrators to justice.”

In a second incident in Khash town, also in Sistan and Baluchistan province, two police officers were killed. Authorities have not yet linked the two attacks.

No group has immediately claimed responsibility for either attack. However, the region has a history of unrest, with the militant group Jaish al-Adl, which seeks greater rights for the ethnic Baluch minority, having claimed responsibility for similar incidents in the past.

In September, Jaish al-Adl took credit for an attack that killed one officer and two soldiers of the border guard in the same province.

Sistan and Baluchistan, which borders Afghanistan and Pakistan, has long been a hotspot for clashes involving militant groups, drug smugglers, and Iranian security forces. The province is one of Iran’s least developed regions, and tensions between the predominantly Sunni Muslim residents and Iran’s Shiite theocracy have been persistent.

Over 20 Feared Dead in School Bus Fire Near Bangkok

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Over 20 Feared Dead in School Bus Fire Near Bangkok

A school bus carrying students and teachers caught fire in suburban Bangkok on Tuesday, with officials fearing more than 20 fatalities. The incident has shocked the nation and raised questions about transportation safety for students in Thailand.

Transport Minister Suriya Jungrungruengkit told reporters at the scene that the bus was transporting 44 passengers from central Uthai Thani province on a school trip to Ayutthaya and Nonthaburi provinces when the fire broke out.

“This is a tragic incident that has deeply affected our community,” Jungrungruengkit said. “We are doing everything in our power to assist the victims and their families.”

Interior Minister Anutin Charnvirakul stated that officials could not yet confirm the exact number of fatalities as the investigation was ongoing. The driver reportedly survived but fled the scene and has not been located.

Piyalak Thinkaew, a rescuer from the Ruamkatanyu Foundation, later reported that two more survivors had been found, reducing the number of missing to 23 — three teachers and 20 students.

“Most of the bodies were found in the middle and back seats,” Thinkaew said, “leading us to believe the fire started at the front of the bus.”

Eyewitness accounts and videos posted on social media showed the entire bus engulfed in flames, with thick black smoke billowing from the vehicle on the roadside.

A rescue worker at the scene told the transport minister that the fire likely started after a tire explosion caused the vehicle to scrape against a road barrier.

Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra offered condolences on social media platform X, promising government support for medical expenses and compensation to victims’ families.

Rangsit Hospital, located near the incident, reported admitting three young girls, one of whom suffered burns to her face, mouth, and eye.

apnews.com

Slain Hamas Commander in Lebanon Identified as Suspended UNRWA Employee

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Slain Hamas Commander in Lebanon Identified as Suspended UNRWA Employee

The United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees (UNRWA) confirmed Monday that a top Hamas commander, Fatah Sharif, killed in Lebanon, was one of its employees, but had been suspended since March following allegations of ties to the militant group.

Sharif, along with his wife, son, and daughter, was killed in an Israeli airstrike on Al-Buss refugee camp in the southern Lebanese port city of Tyre, according to Hamas. The Israeli military confirmed targeting Sharif.

UNRWA Commissioner-General Philippe Lazzarini revealed that the agency learned of allegations in March that Sharif was a “member of the political party of Hamas,” prompting his immediate suspension and the launch of an internal investigation.

“He was suspended, had no function, was not paid and was under investigation,” Lazzarini told reporters in Geneva. “We are still an agency with due process — I mean, respecting due process and the principle of rule of law.”

This revelation comes as UNRWA faces increased scrutiny and financial pressure. The agency is currently grappling with an $80 million funding shortfall this year, exacerbated by donor countries suspending funding after Israel accused 12 UNRWA staffers of involvement in the October 7 attack on Israel.

Israel’s diplomatic mission in Geneva quickly responded to the news, posting on social media platform X: “This case proves that there is a deep problem in @UNRWA, the way they do due diligence about who they are hiring.”

Hamas, in a statement, praised Sharif for his “educational and jihadist work,” calling him “a successful teacher and an outstanding principal” for generations of Palestinian refugees.

The incident has reignited debates about UNRWA’s role and operations. Critics argue the agency isn’t doing enough to prevent infiltration by militant groups, while supporters emphasize its crucial humanitarian work in the region.

Lazzarini defended the agency’s processes, stating that Israeli authorities had provided a list of about 100 people allegedly linked to Hamas, but failed to respond to UNRWA’s requests for more information to facilitate investigations.

“A list is not proof of anything,” Lazzarini emphasized.

The controversy occurs against the backdrop of ongoing conflict in Gaza, where UNRWA reports 223 of its staffers have been killed since the war began. The Gaza Health Ministry puts the total death toll at 41,615, without distinguishing between civilians and combatants.

As investigations continue, this incident is likely to fuel further debate about UNRWA’s operations and the challenges of maintaining neutrality in one of the world’s most contentious regions.

AP

Sean ‘Diddy’ Combs Appeals Pretrial Detention in Sex Trafficking Case

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Sean ‘Diddy’ Combs Appeals Pretrial Detention in Sex Trafficking Case

Hip-hop mogul Sean “Diddy” Combs is appealing a federal judge’s decision to keep him in jail while he awaits trial on sex trafficking charges, his lawyers announced Monday.

Combs’ legal team filed a notice of appeal in the 2nd U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals, challenging U.S. District Judge Andrew L. Carter’s ruling that denied the rapper’s request for pretrial release.

The 54-year-old Combs has been held at the Metropolitan Detention Center in Brooklyn since pleading not guilty on September 17 to charges of using his “power and prestige” to coerce female victims into drugged-up sexual performances with male sex workers in events dubbed “Freak Offs.”

Judge Carter rejected a defense proposal that would have allowed Combs to be placed under house arrest at his Florida mansion with GPS monitoring and strict limits on visitors. The plan included a $50 million bail offer, which Carter deemed “insufficient” to ensure community safety and the integrity of the case.

“No condition or set of conditions for Combs’ release could guard against the risk of him threatening or harming witnesses,” Carter stated in his ruling.

Marc Agnifilo, Combs’ attorney, had initially suggested moving his client to a jail in Essex County, New Jersey, citing concerns about conditions at the Brooklyn facility, which has been plagued by violence and poor living conditions. Agnifilo later abandoned this proposal.

“We believe the judge’s decision is overly restrictive and fails to consider less severe alternatives that would ensure Mr. Combs’ appearance in court and the safety of the community,” Agnifilo said in a statement following the appeal filing.

The case has sent shockwaves through the entertainment industry, with Diddy facing serious allegations that could potentially end his decades-long career in music and business.

Combs is scheduled to appear in court for a status conference on October 9. As the legal process unfolds, the music industry and Combs’ fans await further developments in this high-profile case.

Mexican Army Disarms Culiacan Police Amid Cartel Violence Surge

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Mexican Army Disarms Culiacan Police Amid Cartel Violence Surge

Local police in Culiacan, the capital of Mexico’s cartel-dominated Sinaloa state, have been pulled off the streets after the army seized their weapons, state officials announced Monday.

The unprecedented move comes just one day after approximately 1,500 residents marched through downtown Culiacan demanding peace. The city has been wracked by weeks of cartel gunfights that have claimed dozens of lives.

Sinaloa Governor Ruben Rocha said the entire 1,000-member municipal police force would not return to duty until their weapons are returned. In the interim, soldiers, state police, and the National Guard will take over patrolling duties.

“This is an exceptional measure, not a routine check,” Rocha stated, emphasizing the unusual nature of the army’s action. “We hope it will end soon.”

The disarmament of local police is not unprecedented in Mexico. In 2018, the army seized weapons from municipal police in Cuernavaca, another state capital, citing the need for “trustworthy security forces.”

The current crisis in Culiacan stems from a violent power struggle within the Sinaloa cartel. Factions led by Ismael “El Mayo” Zambada and the sons of imprisoned drug lord Joaquin “El Chapo” Guzmán have been battling for control since late July.

“There are two groups confronting each other here,” Rocha acknowledged. “The authorities are here to face them down equally, both of them without exceptions.”

The violence has severely disrupted daily life in Culiacan. Schools have largely switched to online classes, and on Monday, gunmen shot and killed Faustino Hernández, the leader of the local cattle ranchers’ union, in broad daylight on a downtown street.

Sunday’s protest, organized by the civic group “Culiacan Valiente” (Brave Culiacan), saw residents dressed in white carrying banners reading “Take back our streets!”

“We want a return to in-class learning, but only if the safety of the schoolchildren is guaranteed,” the organizers stated.

The situation has escalated to the point where cartel members are hijacking and burning vehicles to block highways around Culiacan. Governor Rocha announced plans to establish five “anti-blockade” squads composed of state police and soldiers, though he admitted these units would focus on clearing wreckage rather than preventing the hijackings.

Even the local army commander, Gen. Francisco Leana Ojeda, expressed limited optimism about a quick resolution. “We want this to be over as soon as possible, but it doesn’t depend on us,” he said. “It’s up to the warring groups to stop confronting each other.”

AP

Putin Orders Conscription of 133,000 Servicemen in Russia’s Autumn Draft

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Putin Orders Conscription of 133,000 Servicemen in Russia’s Autumn Draft

Russian President Vladimir Putin has ordered the conscription of 133,000 new servicemen in the country’s autumn draft, set to begin October 1 and run through the end of the year, according to a Kremlin decree published Monday.

The decree, released in the state-run newspaper Rossiyskaya Gazeta, calls for the drafting of citizens “aged 18 to 30 years, who are not in the reserve and are subject to conscription in accordance with the Federal Law.”

Vice-Admiral Vladimir Tsimlyansky, head of Russia’s conscription office, confirmed that the terms for conscripts remain unchanged, with a 12-month service period in military units within Russia.

“I would like to note that conscripts will not be called up to participate in the special military operation in the new regions,” Tsimlyansky stated, referring to the areas of southeastern Ukraine that Russia annexed in late 2022.

This conscription order comes amid ongoing tensions related to Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, which began in February 2022. While Russia refers to its actions in Ukraine as a “special military operation,” Kyiv and its Western allies characterize it as an unprovoked, imperialistic land grab.

The move follows Putin’s September directive to increase the Russian army by 180,000 troops to 1.5 million active servicemen, citing growing threats on Russia’s western borders. This expansion would make Russia’s military the second largest in the world after China’s.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, U.S. President Joe Biden, and other NATO leaders have consistently identified Putin as the sole aggressor in the Ukraine conflict, accusing him of posing threats to neighboring countries as well.

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