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Nigerian Activist Akande Daniel Arrested During Church Service Over Alleged Protest Involvement-SR

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Nigerian police have arrested activist Akande Daniel Babatunde, a member of the Solidarity Network for Workers’ Rights and the Network of Abuja Left Groups, during a church service on Sunday. The arrest was carried out by the Inspector General of Police’s Intelligence Response Team (IRT) at Guzape District in the Federal Capital Territory.

According to the Solidarity Network for Workers’ Rights (SNWR), Babatunde’s arrest is allegedly connected to his involvement in the recent 10-day #EndBadGovernance protests. The organization condemned the arrest in a statement issued Sunday evening by its Coordinator, Segun Ogun, and Secretary, Lateef Adams.

SNWR reported that police officers initially claimed the arrest was related to a murder case to justify their actions during the church service. Both Babatunde and his wife had their smartphones confiscated during the arrest.

The activist group stated that upon arrival at the IRT facility, Babatunde was only briefly questioned about whether he had received any funds during the August protests, to which he responded negatively. Following this interaction, he was reportedly placed in handcuffs without further explanation.

SNWR has denounced the detention as “arbitrary and unlawful,” demanding Babatunde’s immediate release. The organization views the arrest as an attempt to intimidate and suppress voices of dissent in Nigeria.

The group called on relevant authorities to address what they term an abuse of power and ensure the protection of citizens’ rights. They emphasized that Babatunde’s arrest is “an affront to justice” and exemplifies ongoing efforts to stifle dissent in the country.

Source: Sahara Reporters

Brazil Supreme Court Panel to Vote on X Social Media Platform Ban

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A five-member panel of Brazil’s Supreme Court is set to vote on Monday regarding Justice Alexandre de Moraes’ ruling to shut down the social media platform X, formerly known as Twitter, in the country. This development marks the latest chapter in a months-long feud between de Moraes and X owner Elon Musk.

The virtual session of the court’s first chamber, which includes de Moraes, will review his decision to suspend X’s operations in Brazil. The panel consists of Justices Carmen Lucia, Luiz Fux, Cristiano Zanin, and Flavio Dino, alongside de Moraes.

X was taken offline in Brazil, one of its largest markets, early Saturday following de Moraes’ decision. The suspension came after the platform missed a court-imposed deadline on Thursday evening to appoint a legal representative in Brazil, as required by local law.

The dispute between de Moraes and Musk stems from an earlier court order requiring X to block accounts implicated in investigations of alleged misinformation and hate speech. Musk has argued that this amounts to unjustified censorship, while de Moraes maintains that social media platforms need regulations to combat hate speech.

In response to the court’s demands, Musk closed X’s office in Brazil in August without appointing a new representative. This move escalated tensions between the tech billionaire and the Brazilian judiciary.

Chief Justice Luis Roberto Barroso has backed de Moraes’ decision, stating to newspaper Folha de S.Paulo, “A company that refuses to name a legal representative in Brazil cannot operate in Brazilian territory.”

The Supreme Court’s structure, consisting of 11 justices split between two five-member chambers (excluding the chief justice), allows for review of single-judge decisions. The panel can vote to maintain or reject de Moraes’ ruling.

REUTERS

Kylian Mbappe Scores First LaLiga Goals as Real Madrid Defeats Real Betis 2-0

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Kylian Mbappe finally opened his LaLiga account for Real Madrid on Sunday, scoring twice to lead his team to a 2-0 victory over Real Betis at the Santiago Bernabeu.

The French striker, who had previously struggled to find the net in the league, broke his drought in spectacular fashion. His first goal came in the 67th minute, courtesy of a brilliant backheel assist from Federico Valverde. The Uruguayan midfielder’s creative play left Mbappe with a clear shot on goal, which he confidently converted.

Mbappe doubled his tally just eight minutes later from the penalty spot. After a VAR review awarded Real Madrid a penalty, Vinicius Junior stepped aside to allow Mbappe the opportunity to secure his brace.

The 25-year-old’s performance earned him a standing ovation from the Bernabeu crowd when he was substituted for Luka Modric in the 84th minute. This marked a significant moment for Mbappe, who had previously scored for Real Madrid in the UEFA Super Cup against Atalanta but had gone scoreless in his first three LaLiga matches against Mallorca, Valladolid, and Las Palmas.

Real Madrid manager Carlo Ancelotti expressed satisfaction with Mbappe’s performance, stating, “Kylian showed his quality today. We knew it was just a matter of time before he found his rhythm in LaLiga.”

The victory keeps Real Madrid in close pursuit of Barcelona in the LaLiga standings. Hansi Flick’s Barcelona currently leads the table with a perfect record of four wins from four matches, while Real Madrid sits in second place with 8 points, level with Atletico Madrid and Villarreal.

Real Madrid’s next fixture is scheduled for Saturday, September 14, when they travel to face Real Sociedad in their fifth LaLiga match of the 2024-25 season. The team will now enter a short break due to the international window.

As Mbappe continues to settle into Spanish football, his performance against Betis suggests he is beginning to find his footing in LaLiga. Real Madrid fans will be hoping this brace marks the start of a prolific scoring run for their high-profile summer signing.

Azerbaijan Holds Early Parliamentary Election Amid Political Continuity

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Azerbaijan held a snap parliamentary election on Sunday, the first since regaining full control of the former breakaway Karabakh region in a swift military operation last year. Polls closed in the evening for the vote to elect members of the 125-seat Milli Mejlis parliament.

The election, originally scheduled for November, was moved up by President Ilham Aliyev to avoid conflicting with the United Nations climate talks (COP29) set to take place in Baku later this year.

Aliyev’s New Azerbaijan party, which currently holds 69 seats in parliament, is expected to maintain its dominance. The remaining seats are largely held by small pro-government parties or independents. Opposition participation is limited, with the Musavat party fielding 25 registered candidates out of 34 proposed, and the Republican Alternative party running 12 candidates.

This election follows a pattern of political continuity in Azerbaijan since its independence from the Soviet Union in the 1990s. Ilham Aliyev has been in power since 2003, succeeding his father Haidar Aliyev, who ruled from 1993. Both administrations have been characterized by suppression of dissent amid growing national wealth from oil and natural gas reserves.

The vote takes place less than a year after Azerbaijan’s military operation to reclaim the Karabakh region, which had been under the control of ethnic Armenian forces since 1994. The offensive resulted in the exodus of most of the region’s 120,000 Armenian residents.

Previous elections in Azerbaijan have not been regarded as fully free or fair by international standards. For this election, the national election commission reported that 50 organizations would conduct observer missions, with the largest contingent from the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe set to present its preliminary assessment on Monday.

Israelis Protest En Masse After Six More Hostages Found Dead in Gaza

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Tens of thousands of Israelis flooded the streets Sunday night in what appeared to be the largest demonstration since the outbreak of the war, demanding Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu agree to a cease-fire with Hamas to secure the release of remaining hostages. The protests erupted after the Israeli military announced that six more hostages, including an Israeli-American, were found dead in Gaza.

Demonstrators in Tel Aviv and Jerusalem chanted “Now! Now!” calling for immediate action to bring the captives home. In Tel Aviv, relatives of hostages marched with symbolic coffins, while thousands gathered outside Netanyahu’s office in Jerusalem, many in tears.

The Histadrut, Israel’s largest trade union, called for a general strike on Monday to increase pressure on the government. The strike aims to disrupt major sectors of the economy, including banking, healthcare, and operations at the country’s main airport.

Three of the six hostages found dead — including Israeli-American Hersh Goldberg-Polin — were reportedly scheduled for release in the first phase of a cease-fire proposal discussed in July. This information fueled the protesters’ anger and frustration.

The Israeli military stated that all six hostages were killed shortly before Israeli forces arrived at their location. They were identified as Hersh Goldberg-Polin, 23; Ori Danino, 25; Eden Yerushalmi, 24; Almog Sarusi, 27; Alexander Lobanov, 33; and Carmel Gat, 40. Autopsies determined they were shot at close range and died on Thursday or Friday.

Netanyahu blamed Hamas for the stalled negotiations, stating, “Whoever murders hostages doesn’t want a deal.” However, Hamas official Izzat al-Rishq claimed the hostages would still be alive if Israel had accepted a U.S.-backed cease-fire proposal in July.

The mass protests have exposed divisions within Israel and Netanyahu’s government. While the prime minister vows to continue fighting until Hamas is destroyed, top security officials argue that the intense pressure on Hamas has created favorable conditions for a cease-fire deal.

Critics accuse Netanyahu of prioritizing his political survival over the hostages’ lives. The war’s end could lead to an investigation into his government’s failures during the October 7 attacks and potentially trigger early elections.

As funerals for the deceased hostages began, public outrage intensified. At Almog Sarusi’s funeral, his mother Nira lamented, “You were abandoned on and on, daily, hour after hour, 331 days. You and so many beautiful and pure souls.”

The Israeli military reports that 101 hostages remain in captivity, with 35 believed to be dead. The ongoing conflict has resulted in over 40,000 Palestinian deaths in Gaza, according to local health officials, while the October 7 Hamas attack killed approximately 1,200 people in Israel.

As protests continue and political pressure mounts, the fate of the remaining hostages and the trajectory of the conflict remain uncertain, with calls for a cease-fire growing louder among the Israeli public.

Rema Donates N105 Million to Christ Embassy Church in Benin

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Afrobeats sensation Divine Ikubor, known professionally as Rema, donated 105 million naira (approximately $137,000) to a Christ Embassy church in Benin, Edo State, on Sunday.

The donation was made during a Sunday service where Rema expressed gratitude for the church’s support and guidance. In a video that has since gone viral, Rema stated, “I’m not here to give myself any accolades or glory. I’m here to give God the glory. I feel like it is important to give back because the church has embraced, prayed for me, and has kept me very consistent with my spirit.”

Rema allocated 40 million naira for church infrastructure, 20 million naira for Rhapsody of Realities, 25 million naira for the teens church infrastructure, and 20 million naira for widows in the church.

The artist revealed how the church supported his family after his father’s death when he was eight years old. He recounted, “When I lost my dad, we felt very lost and abandoned.

All that we had was taken from us and we felt very alone. I remember at the time Pastor Joy and Pastor Thomas, the pastors of this church, they opened a shop for my mum and that was what she managed to take care of us.”

The donation comes as Rema returned to his hometown of Benin for a homecoming concert. He arrived on Tuesday, with music producer Don Jazzy and the Mavin crew also in attendance to show support. Rema reportedly entertained the Oba of Benin at his palace and was presented with a royal plaque ahead of the concert.

Mohamed Salah Expresses Uncertainty Over Liverpool Contract Extension After Manchester United Win

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Following Liverpool’s commanding 3-0 victory over Manchester United at Old Trafford on Sunday, Mohamed Salah made a surprising admission regarding his contract situation with the club.

Salah, who scored his 214th goal for Liverpool in the match, revealed that no one from the club has approached him about extending his contract, which is set to expire at the end of the current season. The Egyptian forward, now in his eighth season at Anfield, has been a pivotal figure in Liverpool’s recent successes, including Champions League and Premier League title wins.

Speaking to Sky Sports after the game, Salah stated, “As you know, it’s my last year at the club. I just want to enjoy it and I don’t want to think about it. I feel like I’m free to play football and then we’ll see what happens next year.”

The 31-year-old added, “Coming into the game, I said it could be the last time [I play here with Liverpool]. No-one at the club has spoken to me about contracts, so I’m just like: ‘OK, I’m playing my last season’ and see what happens at the end of the season. It’s not up to me, but nobody’s talked to me from the club. We will see.”

Salah’s comments come amid ongoing speculation about his future, with the Saudi Pro League reportedly showing significant interest in acquiring his services. His performance against Manchester United, where he provided two assists for Luis Diaz before scoring himself, marked his 15th career goal against Liverpool’s bitter rivals.

The forward’s contract situation is part of a broader issue at Liverpool, with key players Virgil van Dijk and Trent Alexander-Arnold also entering the final year of their current deals. Salah had previously expressed a desire to enjoy his final contracted year before making decisions about his future.

In the match against Manchester United, Salah demonstrated his continued importance to the team, contributing to all three goals. This performance brought his season tally to three goals, having also scored against Ipswich Town and Brentford.

As Liverpool continue their campaign, the uncertainty surrounding Salah’s future adds an intriguing subplot to their season. The club’s management will likely face increasing pressure to address the contract situations of their star players, particularly Salah, whose contributions have been instrumental to Liverpool’s success in recent years.

Russia Signals Intent to Revise Nuclear Doctrine Amid Ukraine Conflict

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Russia’s Deputy Foreign Minister Sergei Ryabkov announced on Sunday that the country will make changes to its nuclear weapons doctrine in response to what it perceives as Western escalation in the Ukraine conflict, according to state media reports.

The current nuclear doctrine, established by President Vladimir Putin in 2020, allows for nuclear weapon use in case of a nuclear attack on Russia or a conventional attack threatening the state’s existence. Ryabkov’s statement, reported by TASS news agency, indicates that modifications to this policy are in advanced stages.

“The work is at an advanced stage, and there is a clear intent to make corrections,” Ryabkov said, attributing the decision to the “escalation course of our Western adversaries” in relation to the Ukraine conflict.

This development follows Putin’s June statement describing the nuclear doctrine as a “living instrument” subject to change based on global events. Some Russian military analysts have advocated for lowering the threshold for nuclear use to deter Russia’s Western opponents.

Moscow accuses the West of using Ukraine as a proxy in a war against Russia, with the aim of inflicting a “strategic defeat” and fragmenting the country. The United States and its allies deny these claims, stating they are assisting Ukraine in self-defense against Russian aggression.

Since the full-scale invasion of Ukraine in February 2022, Putin has made several statements interpreted by the West as nuclear threats. He has also announced the deployment of Russian tactical nuclear weapons in Belarus.

Despite these warnings, Western countries have continued to increase military aid to Ukraine, including supplying tanks, long-range missiles, and F-16 fighter jets. Ukraine’s recent incursion into Russian territory has further heightened tensions, with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy describing it as defying Putin’s “red lines.”

Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov, in a recent interview, accused the West of “going too far” and stated that Russia would take all necessary measures to protect its interests.

Ryabkov did not specify when the updated nuclear doctrine would be finalized, noting the complexity of the issue given its importance to national security.

Russia, possessing the world’s largest nuclear arsenal, maintains readiness for nuclear conflict “from a military-technical point of view,” according to Putin’s March statement. However, he also emphasized that Russia has not faced a need to use nuclear weapons in Ukraine and does not see a rush towards nuclear confrontation.

Far-Right AfD Wins First German State Election, Performs Strongly in Second

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Election campaign posters of the Christian Democratic Union party, CDU, with top candidate Mario Voigt and of the Sahra Wagenknecht Alliance are displayed at a lamp post in Jena, Germany, Aug. 13, 2024. State elections in Thuringia and Saxony scheduled on Sunday Sept. 1, 2024, in the eastern Germany states. (AP Photo/Markus Schreiber)

The far-right Alternative for Germany (AfD) party achieved a historic victory on Sunday, winning its first-ever state election in Thuringia and performing strongly in neighboring Saxony, according to projections based on exit polls and partial counting.

In Thuringia, AfD was projected to win 32-33% of the vote, significantly outperforming the center-right Christian Democratic Union (CDU), which garnered about 24%. In Saxony, projections showed the CDU narrowly leading with 31.7%, closely followed by AfD with 30.6-31.4%.

The elections also saw the debut of the Sahra Wagenknecht Alliance (BSW), a new left-wing party, which made an immediate impact, projected to secure up to 16% in Thuringia and 12% in Saxony.

Omid Nouripour, a leader of the Greens party, expressed deep concern, stating, “An openly right-wing extremist party has become the strongest force in a state parliament for the first time since 1949, and that causes many people very deep concern and fear.”

AfD co-leader Alice Weidel hailed the results as a “historic success” and a “requiem” for Chancellor Olaf Scholz’s coalition. However, other parties have reiterated their refusal to form coalitions with AfD, with CDU national general secretary Carsten Linnemann stating, “Voters in both states knew that we wouldn’t form a coalition with AfD, and it will stay that way — we are very, very clear on this.”

Chancellor Scholz’s Social Democrats performed poorly, barely maintaining representation in both state legislatures. The Greens faced potential loss of seats in Thuringia, while the Free Democrats were set to lose their seats there.

The Left Party, particularly in Thuringia, saw a significant decline, losing nearly two-thirds of its previous support. This shift was partly due to the formation of the BSW by former Left Party figure Sahra Wagenknecht, who celebrated her new party’s “unprecedented success.”

These results reflect growing discontent with the national government, anti-immigration sentiment, and skepticism toward German military aid for Ukraine. AfD has tapped into high anti-immigration sentiment, particularly in the eastern region where it is strongest.

The domestic intelligence agency has placed AfD’s branches in both Saxony and Thuringia under official surveillance as “proven right-wing extremist” groups. In Thuringia, AfD leader Björn Höcke has been convicted of knowingly using a Nazi slogan at political events, though he is appealing the decision.

As Germany prepares for another state election in Brandenburg in September and a national election next year, these outcomes signal potential shifts in the country’s political landscape and are likely to intensify debates on immigration policy and Germany’s stance on the Ukraine conflict.

Truck Crash at Dominican Republic Bar Leaves 11 Dead, Over 30 Injured

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A devastating incident in the Dominican Republic has left at least 11 people dead and more than 30 injured after a truck crashed into a bar, local authorities reported on Sunday.

Juan Salas, the director of civil defense, told The Associated Press that the accident occurred in the early hours of Sunday in Azua, a southern community located west of the capital, Santo Domingo.

The exact cause of the crash remains unclear, with Salas stating that authorities are currently reviewing camera footage from the area to determine what led to the incident.

Most of the injured individuals were transported to a nearby hospital for treatment. Salas did not provide immediate information on their conditions.

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