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Pro-Palestinian Protests Expected to Draw Thousands at Democratic Convention

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Pro-Palestinian Protests Expected to Draw Thousands at Democratic Convention

CHICAGO — Tens of thousands of pro-Palestinian protesters are expected to gather outside the Democratic National Convention in Chicago on Monday, challenging the Biden administration’s position on the Israel-Gaza conflict as the event opens.

The March on the DNC, an umbrella group comprising more than 200 organizations, plans a one-mile march near the convention arena hours before President Joe Biden is scheduled to address delegates. The Democratic gathering will officially nominate Vice President Kamala Harris as the party’s presidential candidate.

Hatem Abudayyeh, a spokesman for March on the DNC, told The Associated Press that organizers are negotiating with authorities to extend the march route to accommodate the large number of expected participants.

“We expect tens of thousands of marchers at the 1 p.m. CDT event,” Abudayyeh said Monday morning. He added that the group has its own security and does not anticipate violence from protesters amid the heavy police and U.S. Secret Service presence around the security perimeter.

Protesters are calling on police to respect their free speech rights. “That’s their only responsibility. We don’t need them to keep us safe. We don’t need them to protect us, just not to infringe on our rights,” Abudayyeh stated.

The protests target the Biden administration’s military and financial support for Israel during its war against Hamas. According to Gaza health officials, the conflict has resulted in more than 40,000 Palestinian deaths in Gaza since Israel launched its offensive following the October 7 Hamas attack that killed 1,200 people in Israel.

Organizers told Reuters last week that many protesters would be coming from Palestinian and Arab communities in Illinois and neighboring states. The coalition also includes groups advocating for various causes, including reproductive rights and racial justice.

On Sunday night, approximately 1,000 pro-Palestinian protesters marched through downtown Chicago, chanting “Shut down the DNC.”

“The Democrats are the ones in power,” Abudayyeh said. “It’s their war. They’re responsible for it, they’re complicit, and they can stop it.”

Another large protest is scheduled for Thursday when Vice President Harris is expected to accept the nomination.

These demonstrations follow a series of pro-Palestinian protests that swelled on U.S. college campuses last spring, leading to police clearing student encampments, sometimes after confrontations between protesters and counterprotesters.

As the Democratic National Convention begins, the protests highlight the ongoing tension between the Biden administration’s foreign policy and a significant portion of the party’s base concerned about the humanitarian situation in Gaza.

Local authorities and convention organizers are preparing for the protests, balancing security concerns with the right to free speech as the political event unfolds in Chicago.

Ukraine’s President: Kursk Incursion Aims to Create Buffer Zone

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Ukraine’s President: Kursk Incursion Aims to Create Buffer Zone

KYIV, Ukraine  — Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy announced Sunday that the ongoing military incursion into Russia’s Kursk region aims to establish a buffer zone to prevent further attacks by Moscow across the border.

“It is now our primary task in defensive operations overall: to destroy as much Russian war potential as possible and conduct maximum counteroffensive actions. This includes creating a buffer zone on the aggressor’s territory – our operation in the Kursk region,” Zelenskyy said in his nightly address.

The operation, which began on August 6, has seen Ukrainian forces advance into Russian territory, reportedly capturing numerous villages and prisoners. Ukrainian Commander in Chief, Gen. Oleksandr Syrskyi, claimed last week that his forces had advanced across 1,000 square kilometers (390 square miles) of the region, though this could not be independently verified.

Over the weekend, Ukraine targeted key infrastructure in Kursk. Ukrainian forces destroyed a bridge on the Seim River near the town of Glushkovo and struck a second bridge nearby, according to Ukrainian and Russian officials. Lt. Gen. Mykola Oleshchuk, Ukraine’s air force chief, released video footage of an airstrike cutting the first bridge in two.

Russian military bloggers acknowledged that the bridge destruction would impede supply deliveries to Russian forces in the area. According to Russia’s Mash news site, the attacks left only one intact bridge in the vicinity, potentially complicating Moscow’s efforts to replenish its forces and evacuate civilians.

Zelenskyy urged Kyiv’s allies on Saturday to lift remaining restrictions on using Western weapons to attack targets deeper in Russia. “It is crucial that our partners remove barriers that hinder us from weakening Russian positions in the way this war demands,” he said on social media platform X.

The Ukrainian president’s statements come as Russia appears to have increased attacks on Kyiv. The capital was reportedly targeted with ballistic missiles on Sunday for the third time this month, according to Serhii Popko, head of the municipal military administration. Popko stated that Ukrainian air defenses intercepted all missiles in both Sunday attacks.

As the conflict intensifies, both sides seek to establish buffer zones. Russian President Vladimir Putin stated in May that Moscow’s offensive in Ukraine’s northeastern Kharkiv region aimed to create a buffer zone in response to Ukrainian shelling of Russia’s Belgorod region.

The ongoing incursion into Kursk has demonstrated Ukraine’s ability to seize initiative and has boosted morale following a failed counteroffensive last summer. However, analysts caution that consolidating gains inside Russia could be risky due to Ukraine’s limited resources and potentially vulnerable supply lines.

As the situation continues to develop, international observers are closely monitoring the potential for escalation and the impact on diplomatic efforts to resolve the conflict.

Former Saudi Official Claims Crown Prince Forged Signature on Yemen War Decree-BBC

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Former Saudi Official Claims Crown Prince Forged Signature on Yemen War Decree-BBC

A former Saudi intelligence official has alleged that Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman forged King Salman’s signature on the royal decree that launched Saudi Arabia’s intervention in Yemen’s civil war, according to a BBC interview published Monday.

Saad al-Jabri, who lives in exile in Canada, told the BBC that a “credible, reliable” official linked to the Saudi Interior Ministry confirmed to him that the crown prince, then defense minister, signed the decree in place of his father.

“We were surprised that there was a royal decree to allow the ground interventions,” al-Jabri said. “He forged the signature of his dad for that royal decree. The king’s mental capacity was deteriorating.”

Al-Jabri provided no evidence to support his claim. Saudi Arabia has not immediately responded to requests for comment on the allegations. The kingdom has previously described al-Jabri as “a discredited former government official.”

The allegation comes as Prince Mohammed, 38, serves as Saudi Arabia’s de facto leader, often meeting with world leaders in place of his 88-year-old father, King Salman.

The Yemen conflict, which began in 2015, has resulted in more than 150,000 deaths and created what the United Nations calls one of the world’s worst humanitarian disasters. Recent Houthi rebel attacks on shipping in the Red Sea have led to increased U.S. military involvement in the region.

Al-Jabri, who once worked for former Crown Prince Mohammed bin Nayef, fled Saudi Arabia in 2017. He has sued Prince Mohammed in U.S. federal court, alleging the crown prince sought to have him assassinated.

“He planned for my assassination,” al-Jabri told the BBC. “He will not rest until he sees me dead. I have no doubt about that.”

Al-Jabri also reiterated an earlier claim that Prince Mohammed considered assassinating former King Abdullah with a poison ring from Russia, an allegation he first made in a 2021 interview with CBS.

The former intelligence official’s two children are currently imprisoned in Saudi Arabia, in what he describes as an attempt to lure him back to the kingdom.

Prince Mohammed bin Salman’s rise to power has been marked by a wider crackdown on perceived dissent and potential challenges to his rule. In 2017, King Salman replaced Crown Prince Mohammed bin Nayef with his son, Prince Mohammed. The former crown prince is believed to have been under house arrest since then.

As the Yemen war approaches its ninth year, international pressure has grown for a resolution to the conflict. The recent escalation of Houthi attacks in the Red Sea has further complicated regional tensions and international shipping.

The U.S.-based lawyer for al-Jabri did not immediately respond to requests for comment on the BBC interview.

Nigerian University Union Issues 21-Day Strike Notice to Government

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Nigerian University Union Issues 21-Day Strike Notice to Government

The Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) in Nigeria has issued a 21-day strike notice to the federal government, sources within the union’s National Executive Council confirmed on Monday.

The notice, decided at a meeting held at the University of Ibadan, is expected to be formally transmitted to the Federal Ministries of Labour and Education.

“It is not an ultimatum but a strike notice. We are giving them 21 days’ notice, after which we shall embark on strike,” a union source told The PUNCH newspaper. “Our aim for putting out the notice is that it is a requirement under labour laws so we are trying to ensure that all our actions are done according to the law.”

ASUU’s decision comes after repeated threats to strike over the non-implementation of agreements reached with the federal government. Key issues include:

1. Non-implementation of the 2009 re-negotiated agreements, which have lingered for over six years.

2. Unpaid academic allowances accumulated over six years.

3. Failure to fully implement the Needs Assessment Report, which agreed to raise 200 billion naira annually for five years for university revitalization. Only one payment has been made since 2013.

4. Concerns over the proliferation of new universities without adequate funding.

Prof. Emmanuel Osodeke, ASUU’s national president, highlighted these issues following a June 26 meeting with the Minister of Education, Prof. Tahir Mamman. Osodeke stated that the meeting’s agreements had not been implemented.

“At the meeting called by the Minister of Education, we agreed that after two weeks, we will meet to see the progress the government has made,” Osodeke said. “We will also see what we will do next if the government fail to implement the agreements reached.”

The union argues that the revitalization funds are crucial for upgrading Nigerian universities to international standards and attracting foreign students and lecturers.

This latest development follows a series of strikes by ASUU in recent years, including an eight-month strike in 2022 that significantly disrupted the academic calendar across Nigerian public universities.

The federal government has not yet publicly responded to ASUU’s strike notice. The situation continues to highlight the ongoing challenges in Nigeria’s higher education sector, including funding issues, infrastructure decay, and disputes over staff welfare.

As the 21-day notice period begins, stakeholders in Nigeria’s education sector are watching closely to see if a resolution can be reached to avert another potentially lengthy disruption to the country’s university system.

Blinken Calls for Urgent Gaza Cease-Fire Deal During Israel Visit, Says It’s Last Chance for Peace Talk

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Blinken Calls for Urgent Gaza Cease-Fire Deal During Israel Visit, Says It’s Last Chance for Peace Talk

TEL AVIV, Israel  — U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken emphasized the urgency of concluding a Gaza cease-fire agreement during his visit to Israel on Monday, describing the current moment as “maybe the last” chance for a deal that would return hostages held by Hamas and bring relief to Palestinians.

Blinken, on his ninth mission to the Middle East since the conflict began, arrived days after mediators expressed renewed optimism about a potential agreement. His visit precedes new talks expected this week in Egypt.

“This is a decisive moment, probably the best, maybe the last, opportunity to get the hostages home, to get a cease-fire and to put everyone on a better path to enduring peace and security,” Blinken said as he opened talks with Israeli President Isaac Herzog in Tel Aviv.

The Secretary of State also cautioned against actions that could derail the process, urging restraint amid fears of a wider regional conflict following recent killings of militant commanders in Lebanon.

Herzog thanked Blinken for the Biden administration’s support, noting recent attacks against Israelis. “This is the way we are living these days,” Herzog said. “We are surrounded by terrorism from all four corners of the earth and we are fighting back as a resilient and strong nation.”

U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken walks before a meeting with Israeli Defense Minister Yoav Gallant, in Tel Aviv, Israel, August 19, 2024. REUTERS/Kevin Mohatt/Pool

The war, which began on October 7 when Hamas-led militants attacked Israel, has resulted in the deaths of about 1,200 people in Israel and over 40,000 Palestinians in Gaza, according to local health authorities.

The evolving cease-fire proposal calls for a three-phase process, including the release of all hostages held by Hamas in exchange for Israel withdrawing its forces from Gaza and releasing Palestinian prisoners.

However, both sides have expressed reservations. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu told his cabinet there are areas where Israel can be flexible and others where it cannot. Hamas has accused Netanyahu of setting new obstacles and criticized the latest mediation offer as capitulating to Israel’s demands.

An Egyptian official, speaking on condition of anonymity, reported that an Israeli delegation held talks with Egyptian officials on Sunday, focusing on the Philadelphi corridor along the Gaza-Egypt border. The meeting reportedly did not achieve a breakthrough, with Israel insisting on maintaining control of the border and a bisecting route through Gaza.

Blinken is scheduled to meet with Netanyahu and Defense Minister Yoav Gallant later Monday before traveling to Egypt on Tuesday.

As the diplomatic efforts continue, the humanitarian crisis in Gaza persists. The conflict has displaced most of Gaza’s 2.3 million residents and led to widespread devastation in the territory.

Mediators from Egypt, Qatar, and the U.S. are set to meet again this week in Cairo to attempt to finalize a cease-fire agreement, with responses to the U.S. outline expected to potentially lead to a declaration unless talks collapse.

Nigerian Troops Reportedly Kill Boko Haram Commander, Three Others in Sambisa Forest

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Nigerian Troops Reportedly Kill Boko Haram Commander, Three Others in Sambisa Forest

MAIDUGURI, Nigeria  — Nigerian troops have reportedly killed a Boko Haram commander and three other terrorists during an operation in the Sambisa Forest, Borno State, according to security sources.

The operation, conducted on Saturday by troops from Operation Hadin Kai, supported by the Hybrid Force and Civilian Joint Task Force, targeted a terrorist camp in the Bula Daloje area of Bama Local Government Area.

Zagazola Makama, a counter-insurgency expert and security analyst in the Lake Chad region, cited intelligence sources for the information. The sources reported that the military incursion into the terrorist enclave met with resistance, leading to a heavy gunbattle.

Despite an ambush by the insurgents en route, the troops successfully fought back, reportedly killing several terrorists and forcing others to withdraw. Among those reportedly killed was Abu Rajab, described as a notorious Boko Haram commander.

The operation reportedly resulted in the recovery of two AK-47 rifles and a mobile phone, which security experts consider a significant achievement in the ongoing counter-insurgency efforts in the Lake Chad region.

However, the operation was not without cost. One member of the Hybrid Force was reportedly struck by gunfire during the operation and later died from injuries.

The Nigerian military has not yet issued an official statement confirming these reports. Boko Haram, which has been waging an insurgency in northeastern Nigeria since 2009, has not commented on the alleged deaths of its members.

The Sambisa Forest has long been known as a stronghold for Boko Haram and its offshoot, the Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP). Nigerian security forces have conducted numerous operations in the area as part of their efforts to combat the insurgency.

This reported operation comes as part of Nigeria’s ongoing efforts to neutralize terrorist threats in the region. The conflict has displaced millions and resulted in thousands of deaths over the past decade.

As the situation continues to develop, local communities and international observers await further details and potential confirmation from official military sources regarding the outcome of this operation and its impact on the broader counter-insurgency efforts in northeastern Nigeria.

Nigerian Government Postpones Arraignment of #EndBadGovernance Protest Leaders

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Nigerian Government Postpones Arraignment of #EndBadGovernance Protest Leaders

ABUJA, Nigeria  — The Nigerian government has postponed the arraignment of #EndBadGovernance protest leaders, including Michael Adaramoye, also known as Michael Lenin, amid a heavy security presence at the Federal High Court in Abuja on Monday.

Michael Adaramoye, a.k.a Michael Lenin

Adaramoye and other activists, including Mosiu Sodiq and Eleojo Opaluwa, were arrested on August 5 for their involvement in the recent 10-day nationwide protests against bad governance. They have been in detention for two weeks under the directive of National Security Adviser Nuhu Ribadu, according to activist groups.

The Take It Back (TIB) Movement, a pro-democracy organization, condemned the postponement in a statement, describing it as “a show of incompetence and the challenges of criminalizing protests.” The group added that lawyers are still awaiting specific charges against the activists.

Francis Nwapa, National Secretary of the Youth Rights Campaign (YRC), and Salako Kayode, Publicity Secretary of RSM, issued a joint statement criticizing the government’s actions. “Instead of releasing them, the federal government wastefully used public money to transport the army, police and DSS to court because of planned solidarity protests by Nigerians at the Federal High Court in Abuja,” the statement read.

Eyewitnesses reported a significant deployment of security personnel, including army, police, and Department of State Services (DSS) officers, around the court premises on Monday morning. The security buildup came in response to TIB’s announced plans to occupy the court from 7 a.m. in support of the detained protesters.

Amnesty International, a global human rights organization, has previously condemned the continued arbitrary detention of the protesters.

The #EndBadGovernance protests, which concluded recently after a 10-day run, focused on issues of corruption, economic hardship, and demands for better governance in Nigeria. The arrests and subsequent legal proceedings have drawn criticism from human rights advocates who argue that the right to peaceful protest should be protected.

As of Monday afternoon, the Nigerian government had not issued an official statement regarding the postponement of the arraignment or the status of the detained activists. The situation continues to evolve, with activist groups calling for the immediate release of those detained and for charges to be dropped.

The case highlights ongoing tensions between the Nigerian government and civil society groups over issues of governance, freedom of expression, and the right to peaceful assembly.

Source: Saharareporters.com

Heavy Security Deployed at Abuja Court for Alleged Trial of Protest Leaders

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Heavy Security Deployed at Abuja Court for Alleged Trial of Protest Leaders

Heavy security forces, including personnel from the Nigerian Army, police, and Department of State Services (DSS), were deployed Monday to the Federal High Court in Maitama, Abuja, in anticipation of a possible trial of #EndBadGovernance protest leaders.

The security buildup comes in response to plans by the Take-It-Back (TIB) Movement, a human rights and pro-democracy organization, to occupy the court premises in solidarity with detained protesters.

Eyewitnesses reported seeing at least 30 security vehicles and five military Armoured Personnel Carriers stationed around the court. Officers in both uniform and plainclothes were deployed inside and outside the premises.

Among the protest leaders reportedly still in detention are Michael Adaramoye (also known as Michael Lenin), Mosiu Sodiq, Angel, and Opaoluwa. They were arrested for participating in protests demanding good governance and an end to hunger.

The TIB Movement had called for a solidarity gathering at the court starting at 7 a.m. However, upon arrival, activists found that the case was not listed on the cause lists for either Court 9 or Court 10, both of which are vacation courts.

An anonymous court insider confirmed that a case would be heard in Court 10 but was unsure of its nature, fueling speculation about a possible secret trial.

Omole Ibukun, an activist present at the court, condemned the heavy military presence as undemocratic. “We came to the court today because we heard that some of the protesters who were arrested from the North were brought to Abuja alongside Michael Lenin, Mosiu Sodiq, Angel Opeoluwa and others,” Ibukun said.

Ibukun added that lawyers for the detained activists had been informed that the arraignment was postponed. However, he suggested that the security presence indicated a possible secret trial might still occur.

The TIB Movement criticized the Nigeria Police Force for the reported postponement of the arraignment. The group maintains that protest is not a crime and is protected under the Nigerian constitution.

The situation has raised concerns about judicial transparency and the treatment of protesters in Nigeria. Human rights organizations continue to call for the immediate release of the detained activists and for open and fair legal proceedings.

As of Monday afternoon, Nigerian authorities had not issued an official statement regarding the court proceedings or the status of the detained protest leaders.

The #EndBadGovernance protests, which began earlier this month, have focused on issues of corruption, economic hardship, and insecurity in Nigeria. The government’s response to these demonstrations has drawn both domestic and international scrutiny.

Source: Saharareporters.com

Tanzania Police Commander Transferred After Controversial Comments on Gang-Rape Case

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Tanzania Police Commander Transferred After Controversial Comments on Gang-Rape Case

The police commander of Dodoma, the capital of Tanzania, has been transferred following controversial comments about an alleged gang-rape victim, national police officials announced Monday.

The transfer comes after a video purportedly showing a young woman being assaulted by five men went viral in Tanzania earlier this month, sparking public outrage.

Dodoma Regional Commander Theopista Mallya was quoted in the Tanzanian newspaper Mwananchi on Sunday as saying the “woman in question appeared to be engaged in sex work.” This comment led to accusations that Mallya was minimizing the victim’s ordeal.

National police spokesperson David Misime issued an apology Monday for the commander’s statement. “The police force would like to apologize to everyone who was touched and offended by the statement circulating in the media while monitoring is being done to find its accuracy,” Misime said.

Misime added that Mallya had also stated that even if the woman was a sex worker, “she did not deserve to be treated that way.” However, these words did not appear in Mwananchi’s original report.

The viral video reportedly shows the suspects interrogating the woman and forcing her to apologize to someone referred to as “afande,” a term often used in Tanzania to refer to a soldier or police officer. This detail led many activists and social media users to speculate that the assault might have been carried out on orders from a member of the security forces.

Addressing these concerns, Mallya told Mwananchi, “The investigation revealed that the youths were not acting on orders from any officers; they were merely under the influence of alcohol and drugs.”

Following the public backlash, Tanzania’s national police force announced Mallya’s transfer to police headquarters. It remains unclear whether this transfer is temporary or permanent.

The case has reignited discussions about sexual violence and the treatment of victims by law enforcement in Tanzania. Women’s rights activists have called for a more sensitive approach to handling such cases and for thorough investigations into all allegations of sexual assault.

Tanzanian authorities have not provided further details about the ongoing investigation into the alleged gang-rape or the identities of the suspects seen in the video.

The incident and its aftermath highlight the challenges faced by law enforcement in addressing sensitive cases of sexual violence while maintaining public trust.

Outcry in Ethiopia Over Sentence in Child Rape and Murder Case

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Outcry in Ethiopia Over Sentence in Child Rape and Murder Case

The sentencing of a man convicted of raping and murdering a 7-year-old girl has sparked widespread outrage in Ethiopia, with many calling the punishment too lenient.

Getnet Baye was sentenced last week to 25 years in prison for the rape and murder of Heaven Awot in August 2023 in Bahir Dar, a city in Ethiopia’s northwestern Amhara region. Baye, who was the landlord of the victim’s mother, is appealing the sentence. The case is adjourned until October.

More than 200,000 people have signed an online petition demanding a review of the sentencing “to reflect the gravity of the crime” and to offer support for the grieving mother, Abekyelesh Adeba.

“I have lost my Heaven… I am lifeless,” Adeba told the BBC in an interview. She expressed concern about the possibility of Baye winning his appeal and getting an early release.

The Ethiopian Women Lawyers Association (EWLA), a prominent women’s rights advocacy group, released a statement criticizing the sentence as “very light,” arguing that “the murder by itself should have been enough to sentence him to life imprisonment or to death.”

Senior government officials have joined the criticism. Ergogie Tesfaye, Minister for Women and Social Affairs, wrote on her Facebook page that the crimes committed against Heaven were “inhumane” and said her office would pursue the case with stakeholders.

The case has ignited discussions about the safety of women and girls in Ethiopia. A Human Rights Watch report released in May stated that conflict-related sexual violence “has reached alarming levels in Ethiopia.”

Heaven’s murder occurred against the backdrop of Ethiopia’s recent civil conflict. Her father, an ethnic Tigrayan, was imprisoned for months during the war without being charged. After his release, he left Amhara for Tigray due to perceived hostility.

Adeba, a nurse, was left to raise Heaven and her younger sister alone. She told the BBC she never felt any threat from Baye, who lived in the same compound and was related to his wife.

The attack occurred while Adeba was at work and Heaven’s aunt was babysitting. Heaven’s mutilated body was later found in front of her home with signs of strangulation.

In the months following the murder, Adeba faced additional challenges. Baye escaped custody during a militia attack on the police station where he was held. He remained at large for nearly a month, during which time he threatened Adeba, forcing her into hiding.

Adeba has since moved homes and jobs repeatedly, citing concerns for her safety and that of her surviving daughter.

As a health worker, Adeba says she knows of many more women and girls who have been sexually assaulted. “I know there are so many Heavens,” she told the BBC.

The case continues to draw attention to issues of sexual violence and judicial responses in Ethiopia, with many calling for stricter sentences and better protection for vulnerable populations.

A bbc story

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