Saturday, November 02, 2024

Existential Threat May Pose Nuclear Doctrine Change: Iran's Kharrazi

By Al Mayadeen English

1 Nov 2024 16:23

The head of Iran's Strategic Council on Foreign Relations Dr. Kamal Kharrazi tells Al Mayadeen that potential changes to Iran's nuclear doctrine remain a possibility, especially if it encounters an "existential threat".

Although Iran does not wish for the expansion of war, it is fully prepared for it, said the head of Iran's Strategic Council on Foreign Relations Dr. Kamal Kharrazi who provided insights into the country’s strategic outlook regarding the ongoing Israeli aggression on Gaza and Lebanon.

In an exclusive interview for Al Mayadeen, Kharrazi articulated Iran's stance on regional tensions, emphasizing the nation’s preparedness to respond to any escalation while expressing a desire to avoid further war. He highlighted Iran's military capabilities and the potential for changes in its nuclear policy in response to perceived "existential threats," framing the discussion within the broader context of Iran’s geopolitical stance and its commitment to national sovereignty.

In this context, Kharrazi emphasized that Iran has showcased its deterrence capabilities through Operation True Promise II, during which it launched hundreds of ballistic missiles on "Israel", noting that in the time being, it is up to the Israelis; if they choose to continue their hostile actions, Iran will respond accordingly.

Balancing Iran's military ambitions with religious and political directives

In response to questions about potential changes to Iran's nuclear doctrine, Kharrazi indicated that such changes are possible, especially if Iran encounters an "existential threat". He asserted that Iran has the technical capabilities to produce nuclear weapons and encounters no significant obstacles in this regard. However, he emphasized that the Fatwa issued by Iranian Leader Sayyed Ali Khamenei serves as the sole constraint preventing Iran from pursuing nuclear armament. 

The top Iranian official also mentioned that policy changes would apply to projectiles. Kharrazi noted that Iran's missile capabilities are well-known, having been demonstrated in various operations. He stated that the current focus is on the ranges of the missiles used thus far, in which they [the Iranians] have considered the concerns of Western countries.

However, Kharrazi maintained that if Western nations do not acknowledge Iran's concerns, particularly regarding its sovereignty and territorial integrity, Iran then will disregard the concerns of Western countries. Therefore, it is likely that Iran will develop and extend the range of its missiles.

Unyielding Resistance: A commitment to victory amid unequal war

Kharrazi addressed the "unequal" war in the region, telling Al Mayadeen that it is "led by Israel, which perpetrates ethnic cleansing and the extermination of people," and is fighting those who are defending their lives, existence, and land.

He expressed hope that the war would come to a swift conclusion, asserting that "Israel" is engaging in "horrific ethnic cleansing" while mistakenly believing it has achieved victory. Kharrazi emphasized that such actions cannot be perceived as a true victory but rather as a profound violation of human rights. 

He also highlighted "Israel's" recent actions in blocking the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East (UNRWA) from delivering essential supplies, stating that the agency "wants to provide water and food to the besieged people of Gaza, but they have been blocked from doing so."

The top Iranian official emphasized that this move represents "the climax of anti-humanitarian values."

He called on the international community to "wake up and exert pressure on Israel," adding, "Unfortunately, we still see the West, including European countries and the United States, continue to support such a brutal and criminal entity and defend its actions by funding it and sending weapons." 

Kharrazi concluded that the implications of the situation and its eventual outcome are evident: the will of the people and their Resistance cannot be suppressed. He asserted that both the Palestinians and Lebanese are steadfast in their determination to resist, endure this oppression, and confront these atrocities until victory is achieved.

Iran doesn't interfere in ceasefire discussions 

Within the context of ceasefire negotiations, Kharrazi emphasized that Iran does not intervene, asserting that it is the Lebanese and Palestinians' right to negotiate and reach a ceasefire deal.  Moreover, he affirmed his country's support for any decision the countries make.

The Iranian official added that Iran remains committed to its previous agreements, provided that the other party also upholds its commitments. He expressed disappointment that the opposing side has not adhered to their obligations and, instead of engaging in negotiations, continues to impose sanctions on the Islamic Republic of Iran.

On Sayyed Hassan Nasrallah's legacy

In the interview with Al Mayadeen, Kharrazi spoke about Martyr Sayyed Hassan Nasrallah, describing him as a "powerful, wise, brave, and popular figure" who became a significant political leader in the Islamic world.

He noted that the loss of such a great leader is, in fact, a profound loss for everyone, particularly for the Lebanese people. Kharrazi pointed out that in many liberation movements worldwide, the loss of great leaders has often been followed by the emergence of successors.

Kharazzi explained that one of Sayyed Nasrallah's strategies was to prepare individuals for succession at all levels, asserting that leaders and cadres were ready to assume responsibility in various leadership roles.

Kharrazi emphasized that this policy enables Hezbollah to continue its struggle at full force today. That is why, he noted, the Israelis have not achieved their desired outcome of Hezbollah's collapse following Sayyed Nasrallah's martyrdom. He pointed out that the party continues to defend Lebanon while also maintaining a strong political presence.

He also affirmed that Sheikh Naim Qassem has been active in the political arena and has demonstrated his leadership capabilities. Kharrazi congratulated the Lebanese people and the Hezbollah Shura Council on electing Sheikh Qassem as the successor to the martyred leader Sayyed Nasrallah, expressing hope that under Sheikh Qassem's leadership, Hezbollah will continue its tasks with vigor. 

Iran's strategy in foreign relations

The top Iranian official also discussed Iranian-Russian relations and broader regional dynamics, telling Al Mayadeen that Russia and China are "seeking to build a new international system to free themselves of Western dominance," an objective Iran upholds.

He emphasized that emerging powers, including Iran, should play a prominent role in shaping a new world order that promotes more democratic governance, away from Western colonialism.

Kharrazi clarified that the steps taken so far within the frameworks of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization, BRICS, and the New Development Bank all align with this vision. He pointed out that Iran is a member of these organizations and is actively working toward establishing a new world order.

He also highlighted that the agreement between Iran and the Russian Federation is ready and it encompasses all aspects of bilateral relations and cooperation. Kharrazi noted that the agreement was originally scheduled to be signed during the recent BRICS meeting in Kazan, Russia, but the Russians preferred to finalize it during a bilateral visit to emphasize its significance, which will occur soon.

Concluding his remarks, Kharrazi stated that this is Iran's strategic policy "regardless of the type of governments and existing disagreements among countries in the region." He stressed the importance of improving relations between Iran and these nations so that they can collectively work toward stabilizing security in the region.

Kharrazi explained that all neighboring countries are aware of Iran's strategic policy and are currently moving in that direction. He acknowledged that those who may not be pleased with this approach may resort to disseminating biased media narratives that do not serve regional interests.

He referenced his recent historical research regarding Bahrain, noting that once upon a time, it was part of Iranian geography and was recognized as the fourteenth Iranian province. However, he stated that Bahrain is an independent country today, and Iran officially recognizes it as an Arab nation.

Kharrazi addressed claims from some media outlets that he questioned Bahrain's Arab identity, asserting that he had not raised this issue in his historical study. Instead, he maintained that he conducted a purely historical analysis that was mischaracterized by some as a debate. He reaffirmed that Bahrain is a friendly country, an independent Arab nation known for its Arab identity in the region, which Iran officially recognizes.

Hamdan to Al Mayadeen: Resistance Will Not Fall for US Deception

By Al Mayadeen English

A senior Hamas official discussed ceasefire developments in both Gaza and Lebanon with Al Mayadeen.

Recent ceasefire talks were limited to suggested ideas that did not live up to the demands of the Palestinian Resistance, a member of Hamas' Political Bureau, Osama Hamdan, told Al Mayadeen. 

"The partial exchange presented to us does not discuss a comprehensive ceasefire, and Hamas asserted that this does not align with its demands," Hamdan explained. 

Moreover, the senior official underlined that talks regarding a temporary truce is "irrational," as the Resistance seeks a complete halt to the aggression on the Palestinian people. 

He reiterated the movement's willingness to engage in serious proposals and its readiness to discuss any ideas for a final agreement, noting that any unserious proposals are a "waste of time."

Hamdan revealed that Hamas' leadership continues to make its decisions based on previous frameworks presented by the late Resistance leader and head of Hamas' Political Bureau, martyr Yahya al-Sinwar.  

On the US role in facilitating Israeli aggression 

The senior official also delved into the role that the United States administration has played in exploiting negotiations for its own goals. 

He told Al Mayadeen that the White House has attempted to exploit ceasefire talks to influence presidential election results and to separate the fronts of Lebanon and Gaza. 

Hamdan asserted that Washington "did not succeed" in doing so. 

He also saw that the US is a full partner in Israeli crimes, adding that "if it wanted to stop the [massacres], it would have stopped supplying the [Israeli regime] with weapons."

Stressing that the Resistance will not fall to US "deception," Hamdan underlined that these US efforts failed after Israeli Prime Minister, Benjamin Netanyahu, rejected the US proposals on a ceasefire in Lebanon.

Inter-Palestinian politics

Regarding the internal Palestinian situation, Hamdan revealed that a joint committee between Fatah and Hamas will manage public affairs in Gaza, describing the agreement as a step towards "organizing the Palestinian house."

Hamdan expressed Hamas' preference for a national unity government as part of any agreement with Fatah, noting that the Israeli regime seeks to fragment the Palestinian national project.

The Hamas official emphasized that "if forming a national unity government proves difficult, there are interests of our people that we must attend to by all available means."

Mozambique Election Results Approved by 9-7 Vote

Alexandra Brangeon/RFI

25 October 2024

Mozambique News Reports And Clippings (Milton Keynes, UK)

The national elections results were only approved by the National Elections Commission (CNE) in a narrow 9-7 vote early Thursday morning. The seven opponents demanded that votes be recounted at the polling stations where there was a a different number of voters in the three elections and that the invalid votes (nulos) be checked (requalified).

A common fraud is to take ballots for the opposition and simply put them in the pile of nulos. Requalification is checking the invalid votes and giving back those that are valid and had been fraudulently been counted as invalid. The law requires the requalification by the CNE, which declined to do it. The opponents say requalification must be done, as required by law. If recounts and requalifications are not done, then the 2024 General Elections should be cancelled, say the opponents.

They cited 10 reasons for rejecting the election: https://bit.ly/Moz-El-D105

+ A gross failure to "create an environment of trust and credibility for the entire electoral process".

+ "The marginalisation of the technicians appointed by the political parties was notorious in the STAEs at all levels, especially in the CPD [computer processing department]" where registration data is stored and which carried out the centralisation of election results. "This marginalisation has affected the smoothness of the process and the credibility of the results, as it was not done in compliance with the Electoral Law."

+ "The selection of trainers of polling station staff (MMVs) was based on lists provided by the Frelimo Party, operationalised by the district directors of the STAE, thus violating electoral norms and promoting fraud in Mozambique's electoral system."

+ "The late deployment of Renamo and MDM MMVs. In some cases they were chased away by the so-called CNJ observers (https://bit.ly/Moz-El-D105) who we believe may have been members of the Frelimo party, who circulated in the polling stations dictating illegal orders, outside their scope of observation." (In Zambézia 9204 observers were registered, the CNE announced Thursday. It appears that about 1000 are real observers and the other 8000+ are fake Frelimo CNJ observers. They are also used for ballot box stuffing.)

+ "The circulation of pre-voted ballot papers, outside the control of the electoral bodies and leading to the stuffing of ballot boxes with the connivance of the returning officers (presidents) of the polling stations and the directors of the STAEs, which constitutes serious violations of electoral law."

+ "The discrepancy in the number of voters between the three elections -Presidential, Legislative and Provincial - with significant differences and high numbers in some provinces;

+ "The presence of numbers of votes in the ballot boxes above the number of registered voters in the register book, of which the highest number of votes cast was in the Epworth/Mabvukuem polling station in Harare, with 595 registered voters, but 750 people voted",

+ "At district level there were no polling station by polling station results centralisation maps. Also the high number of blank and null votes may indicate a lack of transparency in the process."

+ "At the national tabulation [Wednesday night], party agents were sent out of the room during the the presentation of the minutes, so they had no opportunity to check how their submitted complaints were reported."

+ "The failure of STAE to respond to the doubts raised during the tabulation session" and their failure to use their computers to provide answers.

The nine who voted to approve the election results were the CNE chair, Anglican Bishop Carlos Matsinhe, Daud Dauto Ussene Ibramogy, Alice Banze, and Paulo Cuinica, all from civil society, plus five from Frelimo, Carlos Alberto Cauio, Mário Ernesto, António Focas Mauvilo, Rodrigues Timba, and Eugénia Fernando Jorge Fafetine Chimpene.

When the Bishop and chair voted to approve the obviously fake results last year in the municipal elections, it caused an outcry. The Anglican Council of Mozambique urged the electoral bodies, in particular CNE chair Matsinhe, to observe the electoral law and “to practice the truth”. A pastoral letter from the Council, signed by Deputy Chair Vicente Msosa, said the Anglican Church laments all failings in election management, and interference by unspecified “other bodies outside the electoral process”.

The letter said that Mozambicans expect from the CNE (and especially from Matsinhe) honesty and truthfulness, recalling that, according to the Gospel of St. John, “the truth will set you free”. The Bishop retired from his post on 15 July 2024, but remains in post as head of the CNE, supporting fraudulent elections.

The letter by those who voted against was signed by  Fernando Mazanga, Maria Anastácia da Costa Xavier, Abílio Baessa da Fonseca. Barnabé Lucas Nomo, Rui Manuel Cherene, and Apolinário João Mangote Site, all from opposition parties, and Salomão Moiane, nominated by civil society.

The CNE approval of the results was done at a marathon tabulation meeting partly open to party agents and observers, which continued from 13.00 Wednesday until 08.00 Thursday morning. Results were formally announced at a four hour public ceremony Thursday afternoon in which all results were slowly read out.

Guinea's Political Parties Face Survival Test As Junta Orders Mass Cull

Aboubacarkhoraa / Wikimedia Commons

A military parade (file photo).

30 October 2024

Radio France Internationale

More than 100 political parties in Guinea face a three-month battle for survival after the ruling junta published the results of a probe designed to bring order to the country's political landscape.

A 180-page report by the Ministry of Territorial Administration examined 211 parties, ordering 53 dissolved and 54 suspended for three months.

Another 67 parties were placed under observation, being given three months to provide the appropriate documents to the ministry. If they fail to comply, they face suspension.

Thirty-seven parties were not assessed.

"The end result is that for the 53 parties dissolved, there are illegible registrations or registrations with falsified signatures of ministers," said Camara Touré Djénabou, who coordinates civil status reforms at the Ministry of Territorial Administration and Decentralisation.

Some parties, she added, date back to the early 1990s and have never held a bank account.

Djénabou said that parties under observation scored at least 70 percent on compliance but need to meet the remaining 30 percent in the coming three months.

'Necessary clean up'

The department's minister, Ibrahim Khalila Condé, defended the survey as a necessary "clean-up" of Guinea's political arena.

However, critics argue it's a move to exclude key figures like ousted president Alpha Condé, former presidential candidate Cellou Dalein Diallo, and former prime minister Sidya Touré, all of whom are currently in exile.

"We at the UFDG have always said that the ministry evaluates the entities for which it is responsible," Souleymane de Souza Konaté, a spokesperson for the Union des Forces Démocratiques de Guinée (UFDG), told RFI.

"It is in this capacity that we lent ourselves to the exercise because we found it legitimate."

Lieutenant Colonel Mamady Doumbouya, who took power in September 2021, has pledged to restore civilian rule by the end of 2024.

Since he seized control, many political opponents have faced arrest or exile.

The junta has banned demonstrations, dissolved a collective calling for the return of civilians to power and withdrawn some private media licences.

Read or Listen to this story on the RFI website.

Africa: 'No, Long Covid is Not a Thing in Your Head, You're Sick'

Juanita Williams

allAfrica

Etheresia (Resia) Pretorius, Distinguished Professor and head of the Department of Physiological Sciences at Stellenbosch University works with Massimo Nunes, PhD Human Physiological Sciences and Stellenbosch University junior lecturer, at their offices in Stellenbosch, South Africa.

1 November 2024

allAfrica.com

interview

By Juanita Williams

Cape Town — allAfrica's Juanita Williams sat down with Professor Resia Pretorius, Stellenbosch University, who's been researching how blood clots form and the impact of inflammation for two decades. Yesterday Pretorius delivered the keynote address at the 54th Mexican National Congress of Clinical Pathology in Puebla, Mexico, from October 30 to November 2, 2024.

Pretorius has been at the forefront of acute Covid-19 and Long Covid research since 2022, when the professor and her team, first identified inflammatory microclots in blood samples from individuals who contracted Covid-19. Their symptoms persisted for months and, in some cases, even years.

"I've been working with my students to understand what molecules are in circulation in the blood that are caused by diseases," Pretorius said. Her work researches conditions such as high blood pressure, cardiovascular disease, and diabetes, examining how these diseases elevate specific molecules in the bloodstream.

"If you look at diabetes, you will have too many glucose molecules in circulation inside your blood. We looked at those molecules and how they affect your blood, making it clot abnormally so that your blood becomes more viscous (sticky) and consequently increases your susceptibility to forming blood clots."

Pretorius and her team focus on identifying the interactions between these molecules and plasma proteins, which can trigger abnormal blood clotting. She describes the normal clotting process: "For example, you cut yourself and you bleed, and you know that you don't want to bleed forever; you need to form a little scab so that you can stop the bleeding and you can heal."

Their symptoms persisted for months and, in some cases, even years

However, she said the dangers of abnormal clotting are caused by circulating inflammatory molecules. "You don't want those molecules to interact with your blood that is soluble inside your body and then form small abnormal clots because inflammatory molecules have bound to the clots."

Chronic inflammation due to, for example, cardiovascular disease, diabetes, and rheumatoid arthritis leads to an overload of inflammatory molecules, which can cause pathological clotting. Pretorius provides an example: "Many people will recognize that individuals with diabetes, for example, will get diabetic feet where the feet swell up and the legs are very sore. In some cases, someone with diabetes will get deep vein thrombosis, where they form a clot somewhere in the legs. Some people with diabetes can also die of a heart attack or stroke; they have a much higher propensity of dying than when you are healthy, so that's all caused by pathological clotting."

Pretorius's work underscores the importance of understanding clotting pathology, particularly in the context of chronic inflammatory diseases. Her research aims to uncover the mechanisms behind abnormal clotting and develop strategies to mitigate the risks associated with these conditions. As the medical community continues to grapple with the complexities of clotting disorders, Pretorius's contributions provide crucial insights into managing and potentially preventing life-threatening complications - particularly in the case of acute Covid-19 cases and what is now known as Long Covid.

It is not over

The 2023 Nature study, possibly the first statistical combination of results from separate studies "exploring prevalence, risk factors and symptomatology of long COVID in Africa", included 25 studies, more than a thousand papers, and 29 213 patients.

Their findings, that almost half of the people studied exhibited Long Covid symptoms, and the most common reason they sought medical help was the most debilitating symptom - fatigue.

This is crucial information that points to the fact that the burden of Covid-19 in Africa and the world did not end with millions of deaths from this novel coronavirus.

It is not over.

African governments now face treating about 12 million citizens who recovered from the virus but may have ongoing symptoms such as persistent fatigue, shortness of breath, headaches, concentration difficulties, and muscle pain.

These symptoms often last for months and can severely impact daily functioning and quality of life (Nature). Many individuals are unable to work, leading to income loss and increased healthcare costs - straining the already overburdened healthcare systems in many countries.

And those statistics do not include people who have Covid-19 right now – acute cases or those without symptoms – and may later exhibit symptoms of Long Covid.

The Center for Disease in the U.S. defines Long Covid as "a serious illness that can result in chronic conditions requiring comprehensive care. Long Covid - also known as Post-Covid Conditions (PCC) long-haul Covid, Chronic Covid or Post-Acute Sequelae of SARS-CoV-2 infection (PASC) - can include a wide range of ongoing symptoms and conditions that can last weeks, months, or even years after Covid-19".

Is there any information or guidance available for managing Long Covid symptoms, especially for individuals with pre-existing health conditions, like diabetes and high blood pressure? 

My mother, who contracted Covid-19 in December 2020, initially seemed to recover but later experienced severe symptoms, including stomach issues and vomiting bile. Given her underlying health conditions, I wonder if there were any specific interventions or treatments that could have been considered during her repeated admissions to hospital in 2020 when post-Covid discussions were not as prevalent. 

What resources or options are available for individuals dealing with lingering symptoms after recovering from Covid, especially for those with additional health concerns?

Unfortunately, whether it is 2020 or 2024, many individuals who contract Covid-19 still develop Long Covid. Unfortunately, developing effective treatments for various patient conditions can be a lengthy and challenging process.

Currently, a handful of clinicians who understand the disease will look at a patient and do a clinician-initiated treatment regime.

Now why? It's that Long Covid and acute Covid-19 are new diseases.

So for clinicians to genuinely adapt to and have treatment regimes, they need to identify treatment options, and then it needs to go through clinical trials. We are a very, very, very long way from that!  So unfortunately, what we have now is a selected handful of clinicians who fully understand the disease by not looking at it as a viral pneumonia, but looking at each patient in front of them.

You mentioned your mother suffered from TIA's, which are transient ischaemic attacks, a mini-stroke. So clinicians wouldn't have looked at treatment for that. They need to look at treatment of the symptoms because there's no current treatment for Long Covid. The issue with Long Covid is there are over 200 different symptoms. It's a syndrome, it's not a single-origin symptom disease. So that's what makes it difficult.

Unfortunately, it's still very difficult.

Researchers, including myself and collaborators from prestigious institutions like Yale, Harvard, and Mount Sinai, are working diligently to understand these disease phenotypes (how the disease manifests in patients) and identify biomarkers (measurable indicators) to aid diagnosis.

We think it is a thrombophlebitis. While a big word, "thrombotic clotting," simply refers to blood clots forming inside your blood vessels. This can be triggered by "endothelialitis," which is inflammation of the lining of your blood vessels (VAs).

This inflammation can lead to problems throughout your body because it affects the health of your entire vascular system.  It damages the inside of the blood vessels. It then prevents oxygen from travelling from your brain to your muscles to your heart adequately, and because you have an issue with oxygen transport, your vasculature doesn't work well, and you've got immune dysregulation.

In some individuals, the virus may linger in the body even after recovering from the initial Covid-19 infection. This is called viral persistence. The virus might hide in various places, including inside the gut. Many people complain about gut dysbiosis or irregularities in the gut. Though they may not constantly feel unwell, some might experience vomiting. This is because the virus can significantly impact the gut. In some individuals, the virus goes and hides in the gut.

The inflammatory molecule that triggers the immune system, that triggers the blood clotting is then released slowly ... into your body. It's like a toxic little product being secreted by the virus that might be in hiding.

We think that Long Covid is immune-related. It's clotting-related. While viral persistence might occur in some individuals, it doesn't necessarily shape the constant release of inflammatory molecules in everyone.

What role does impaired blood flow, particularly due to conditions like atherosclerosis (the buildup of fats, cholesterol, and other substances in and on the artery walls) and mini-strokes, play in the development of vascular dementia, as observed in my mother's case?

Vascular dementia is a form of Alzheimer's or Alzheimer's type of dementia. It's related to the vasculature not functioning properly in your brain. Vascular dementia can begin developing many years before a formal diagnosis is received. So the question is, whether perhaps the Covid event just fast-tracked it, that might be a possibility, we see that a lot.

Diabetes, high blood pressure, cholesterol, cardiovascular risk, all of those types of comorbidities in individuals... But it is in those individuals that we now know that acute Covid is much more severe. If we look at the Long Covid population, many of the people suffering from Long Covid will have had those types of comorbidities before their acute phase.

Now, we can also say that it might be just be that you become sicker faster. So that might have been the case with your mother. I'm not a clinician, so I can't say anything about her specifically. But that's what we see when we look at the patient groups.

Interestingly, many Long Covid patients also have never had comorbidities, they were quite healthy before they were in the acute phase. Some people also were perfectly healthy, and now struggle with things like Long Covid. That might be due to the genetics of the whole composition, perhaps they would have developed diabetes 10 years from now, before Covid. We simply don't know what the trigger is, and why some who are perfectly healthy, develop Long Covid.

Could you clarify if the clinicians you mentioned earlier are specifically focused on treating Long Covid as a distinct condition?

I think it's now well exhibited, there are hundreds of thousands of papers showing pathology (study of the condition).

Unfortunately, there are still individuals and clinicians who might think that it's all in the patient's head. They say they are just overthinking it, they (are) psychologizing it and they are gaslighting patients by saying: 'You know what, just go and have a walk in the park, you will get over it.'

It is not that, it is not a thing in your head, you are sick.

Unfortunately, many people including clinicians might still be suggesting to some patients that there's nothing to worry about. That it's a psychological type of disease, because unfortunately, currently, the reason for it is that there are no real diagnoses for it.

Seismic Change in Botswana as Party that Ruled for 58 Years Loses Power

By SELLO MOTSETA

11:28 AM EDT, November 1, 2024

GABORONE, Botswana (AP) — The party of Botswana’s opposition candidate Duma Boko was declared the election winner Friday over incumbent President Mokgweetsi Masisi in a seismic change that ended the ruling party’s 58 years in power since independence from Britain.

Masisi conceded defeat even before final results were announced, with his Botswana Democratic Party trailing in fourth place in the parliamentary elections in what appeared to be a humbling rejection by voters and a landslide victory for the main opposition party.

Hours later, Chief Justice Terence Rannowane announced that the opposition Umbrella for Democratic Change party had won a majority of seats in the election, making its candidate, Boko, the next president of the southern African country, which is one of the world’s biggest producers of mined diamonds.

Masisi said he had called Boko to inform him he was conceding defeat.

The final results of the election were yet to be formally declared, but Rannowane said the UDC had reached the 31-seat threshold to win a majority.

“I concede the election,” Masisi said in an early-morning press conference two days after the vote. “I am proud of our democratic processes. Although I wanted a second term, I will respectfully step aside and participate in a smooth transition process.”

“I look forward to attending the coming inauguration and cheering on my successor. He will enjoy my support.”

Masisi’s BDP dominated politics in Botswana for nearly six decades, since independence in 1966. The nation of just 2.5 million people will now be governed by another party for the first time in its democratic history.

“We lost this election massively,” said Masisi, a 63-year-old former high school teacher and UNICEF employee. “I have not packed a shoe. I did not expect it,” he added.

Boko is a 54-year-old lawyer and Harvard Law School graduate who also ran in 2014 and 2019. He didn’t immediately comment but posted on his official page on X: “Botswana First” with a picture of a UDC campaign poster with the words “Change is Here.”

Botswana has been held up as one of Africa’s most stable democracies and is regarded as a post-colonial success story having built one of the highest standards of living in the region through an economy that largely relies on diamonds. Botswana is the world’s second biggest natural diamond producer behind Russia and has been responsible for all the biggest diamonds found in the last decade.

But Botswana faces new challenges and the mood for change became evident as a downturn in the global demand for diamonds badly impacted the economy, becoming the central issue for the campaign.

Unemployment rose to more than 27% this year, and significantly higher for young people, as the government saw a sharp decrease in revenue from diamonds. Masisi and his party had faced criticism for not having done enough to diversify the economy and the nation has been forced to adopt recent austerity measures.

Even the BDP conceded throughout its campaign that policy change was needed and tried to convince voters it was capable of leading the country out of its economic troubles. Diamonds account for more than 80% of Botswana’s exports and a quarter of its GDP, according to the World Bank.

Masisi said the country had hardly sold any diamonds since April through its Debswana company, which the government jointly owns with diamond miner De Beers.

Botswana’s general elections decide the makeup of its Parliament, and lawmakers then choose the president. The party that gains a majority is in position to choose its candidate as president. All five of Botswana’s post-independence presidents have been from the BDP.

The BDP was one of the longest-serving parties in Africa still in power and its sharp defeat came as a surprise after what was expected to be a tight race. It followed an equally momentous change in neighboring South Africa, where the long-ruling African National Congress lost its 30-year majority in an election in May and was forced to share power for the first time in a coalition government.

Algeria Pardons and Releases Journalist Who Became a Key Voice During 2019 Pro-democracy Protests

FILE - Activists demonstrate outside the Algerian embassy to France to demand the release of release of Algerian journalist Ihsane El Kadi, in Paris, France, March 30, 2023. (AP Photo/Christophe Ena, File)

12:32 PM EDT, November 1, 2024

ALGIERS, Algeria (AP) — Algeria has pardoned a journalist who emerged as a key voice during the country’s 2019 pro-democracy protests and was later imprisoned for taking foreign funding for his media outlets and threatening state security.

Ihsane El Kadi was released from prison Thursday evening, one of his lawyers, Fetta Seddat, told The Associated Press. He was among a larger group of figures pardoned and released on the 70th anniversary of the start of Algeria’s revolution, a national holiday that authorities have in the past used as an occasion to offer pardons.

El Kadi was the veteran editorial director of the media company responsible for the francophone station Radio M and news site Maghreb Emergent. Both reported heavily on Algeria’s weekly pro-democracy “Hirak” protests, which began in 2019 and led to the resignation of octogenarian President Abdelaziz Bouteflika. Known as the “voice of the Hirak,” both became forums for pro-Hirak voices and debates on protesters’ objectives.

Known as one of the rare independent voices in Algerian media, El Kadi was among the figures from the Algerian media to be targeted by authorities as the protests continued under Bouteflika’s successor, President Abdelmadjid Tebboune. He covered everything from economics to the Algerian Civil War, which plagued the nation throughout the 1990s and cemented the military’s grip on power in the gas-rich North African nation.

El Kadi was arrested in 2022 and charged with undermining state security and violating laws prohibiting media organizations from receiving foreign funds. Investigators said his daughter sent money from the United Kingdom. Both Radio M and Maghreb Emergent were shuttered.

His arrest and seven-year prison sentence garnered international condemnation and became emblematic of Algeria’s crackdown on free expression and voices critical of the government.

El Kadi was greeted by his wife and daughter upon his Thursday release from El Harrah prison. Pro-democracy activists and press freedom advocates celebrated the pardon. Reporters Without Borders’ North Africa Representative Khaled Drareni, said in a statement that El Kadi, “should never have been imprisoned.”

“It is to be hoped that this release will also signal the ending of restrictions on press freedom,” he added.

Reporters Without Borders ranked Algeria 139th out of 180 countries in its 2024 World Press Freedom Index, calling the media landscape “deteriorated” as journalists continue to be pressured, jailed and prosecuted.

El Kadi was among 4,000 people released Thursday based on clemency decrees signed by Tebboune, according to a statement from his office. Those released included people imprisoned for low-level crimes and for “undermining public order,” a charge that Algerian authorities have used to target dissidents in the past.

Tebboune also pardoned Mohamed Tadjadit, a pro-democracy activist known as the “poet of the Hirak” for his outspoken writing, which he did in Algerian Arabic. He was detained in January after criticizing the authorities on social media. The detention came after several years in which he was detained and subsequently pardoned for similar criticisms.

In September, before Tebboune was elected to a second term, Amnesty International decried Algeria’s crackdown on freedom of expression and said it “contributed to a climate of fear and censorship in the country.”

“Authorities have continued to clamp down on journalists through arbitrary detention and prosecutions, arbitrary restrictions on their right to freedom of movement and unfounded sanctions imposed on media outlets,” the human rights group wrote in a Sept. 2 statement.

Kenya’s New Deputy President Sworn in as His Predecessor Challenges His Impeachment in Court

By EVELYNE MUSAMBI

8:03 AM EDT, November 1, 2024

NAIROBI, Kenya (AP) — Kenya’s new deputy president has been sworn into office, two weeks after his predecessor was overwhelmingly voted out in an impeachment motion in parliament over allegations of corruption and inciting ethnic division.

Kindiki Kithure took office on Friday after a colorful event in the capital, Nairobi, attended by government officials and western envoys among other guests.

His swearing-in was cleared by the court on Thursday after orders that had suspended it were lifted, despite a continuing court case challenging the impeachment of the previous deputy president, Rigathi Gachagua.

Gachagua is challenging the impeachment before the High Court in Nairobi, arguing that the charges are unsubstantiated and that the hearings were unfair.

The former deputy president was impeached and removed from office by a vote of more than two-thirds of legislators on Oct. 17 on charges of corruption, inciting ethnic divisions and support for anti-government protests. President William Ruto nominated Kindiki for the deputy role the next day.

Gachagua’s impeachment had highlighted divisions within the ruling United Democratic Alliance, or UDA, and friction between Ruto and Gachagua, both UDA members. Gachagua had been accused of insubordination when he opposed the government’s policy of forced evictions during heavy rains that caused flooding and deaths.

The new deputy president Kindiki called Friday’s event a celebration of the “constitution and our democracy” and committed to be loyal and faithful to the president.

President Ruto urged him to “please serve the people of Kenya” adding that like all public servants, they are not in office for personal interests and that all leaders serve at the pleasure of the people of Kenya and must uphold the constitution and the rule of law.

Kindiki — the former interior minister — takes the deputy president’s office at a time when arbitrary arrests and enforced disappearances in Kenya have raised concerns among western envoys and human rights groups. The country is also going through economic hardships with a rising cost of living and newly increased taxes.

In June, the country witnessed a series of nationwide anti-government protests over a finance bill that proposed to increase taxes, culminating in the storming and burning of parliament on June 25, when several protesters were shot dead outside parliament gates.

Ruto, who came to office claiming to represent Kenya’s poorest citizens, has faced widespread criticism over his efforts to raise taxes to pay off foreign creditors. The public opposition led him to shake up his Cabinet and back off from certain proposals.

Friday, November 01, 2024

29 Nigerian Children May Be Sentenced to Death for Protesting Against Cost-of-living Crisis

FILE - People run away from tear gas during a protest on the street in Kano, Nigeria, Aug. 1, 2024. (AP Photo/Sani Maikatanga, File)

By DYEPKAZAH SHIBAYAN

4:47 PM EDT, November 1, 2024

ABUJA, Nigeria (AP) — Twenty-nine children could be facing the death penalty in Nigeria after they were arraigned Friday for participating in a protest against the country’s record cost-of-living crisis. Four of them collapsed in court due to exhaustion before they could enter a plea.

A total of 76 protesters were charged with 10 felony counts, including treason, destruction of property, public disturbance and mutiny, according to the charge sheet seen by The Associated Press.

According to the charge sheet, the minors ranged in age from 14 to 17 years old.

Frustration over the cost-of-living crisis has led to several mass protests in recent months. In August, at least 20 people were shot dead and hundreds more were arrested at a protest demanding better opportunities and jobs for young people.

The death sentence was introduced in the 1970s in Nigeria, but there have been no executions in the country since 2016.

Akintayo Balogun, a private lawyer based in Abuja, said the Child Rights Act does not allow any child to be subject to criminal proceedings and sentenced to death.

“So taking minors before a federal high court is wrong, ab initio, except if the government is able to prove that the boys are all above 19 years,” Balogun said.

The court eventually granted 10 million naira ($5,900) bail to each the defendants and imposed stringent conditions they are yet to meet, Marshal Abubakar, counsel to some of the boys, said.

“A country that has a duty to educate its children will decide to punish those children. These children have been in detention for 90 days without food,” Abubakar said.

Yemi Adamolekun, executive director of Enough is Enough, a civil society organization promoting good governance in Nigeria, said authorities have no business prosecuting children.

“The chief justice of Nigeria should be ashamed, she is a woman and a mother,” Adamolekun said.

Despite being one of the top crude oil producers in Africa, Nigeria remains one of the world’s poorest countries. Chronic corruption means the lifestyle of its public officials rarely mirrors that of the general population. Medical professionals often strike to protest meager wages.

The country’s politicians and lawmakers, often accused of corruption, are some of the best-paid in Africa. Even the president’s wife — her office nowhere in the constitution — is entitled to SUVs and other luxuries funded by taxpayers.

Nigeria’s population of over 210 million people — the continent’s largest — is also among the hungriest in the world and its government has struggled to create jobs. The inflation rate is also at 28-year high and the local naira currency at record lows against the dollar.

On Thursday, Nigeria was classified as a “hotspot of very high concern,” in a report from United Nations’ food agencies, as large numbers of people are facing or are projected to face critical levels of acute food insecurity in the West African country.

Uganda Struggles to Feed More Than 1.7 Million Refugees as International Support Dwindles

By PATRICK ONEN

1:14 AM EDT, October 31, 2024

RWAMWANJA, Uganda (AP) — For months, Agnes Bulaba, a Congolese refugee in Uganda, has had to get by without the food rations she once depended on. Her children scavenge among local communities for whatever they can find to eat.

“As a woman who’s not married, life is hard,” Bulaba told The Associated Press. Some locals “keep throwing stones at us, but we just want to feed our kids and buy them some clothes,” said the mother of six, who often works as a prostitute to fend for her family.

Uganda is home to more than 1.7 million refugees, the largest refugee-hosting country in Africa, according to the United Nations refugee agency. Despite being renowned for welcoming those fleeing neighboring violence, Ugandan officials and humanitarians say dwindling international support coupled with high numbers of refugees have put much pressure on host communities.

Approximately 10,000 new arrivals enter Uganda each month, according to U.N. figures. Some have recently fled the war in Sudan, but most are from neighboring South Sudan and Congo.

Bulaba is among tens of thousands in Rwamwanja, a refugee settlement in southwestern Uganda. As in other settlements across the east African country, refugees there are given small plots of land to cultivate as they are slowly weaned off total dependence on humanitarian food rations.

Since 2021, as funding consistently declined, the U.N.’s World Food Program has prioritized the most vulnerable groups for food assistance, in food items or cash, which can be as little as $3. After spending three months in Uganda, refugees are eligible to get 60% rations, and the number falls by half after six months. Only new arrivals get 100% food assistance, leaving the vast majority of some 99,000 refugees in Bulaba’s settlement vulnerable to hunger and other impoverishment.

In 2017, the Ugandan government and the U.N. held a summit in Kampala, the capital, and appealed for $8 billion to deal with the sharp influx of refugees from South Sudan at the time. Only $350 million was pledged.

Filippo Grandi, the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees, visited Uganda last week in a trip partly aimed to underscore the funding shortage.

The international community “should not take Uganda’s generosity and the global public good it provides for granted,” Grandi said in a statement at the end of his visit. “Services here are overstretched. Natural resources are limited, and financial support is not keeping pace with the needs.”

He also said international support “is urgently needed to sustain Uganda’s commitment to refugees,” urging donors and humanitarian partners to “come together with the government to address the needs of refugees and the generous communities hosting them.”

Refugees in Uganda have access to the same hospitals as locals, and their children can attend school. While this helps integrate them into the Ugandan community, sometimes the competition for limited resources sparks tension. However, violence is rarely reported.

Hillary Onek, the Ugandan government minister in charge of refugees, said during Grandi’s visit that local officials need support to help refugees become more self-reliant. Though he said the country was “overloaded” with refugees, he cited several training options to help refugees become self-sufficient, including carpentry, bricklaying and metal welding.

“We are trying to be innovative,” he said. “Given the fact that funding for refugee programs dwindled over the years, there is not enough money to meet their demands, not even giving them enough food to eat.”

Onek said the alternative is “to survive on your own, using your skills, using whatever capacity you have.”

But Bulaba, the Congolese refugee who has been in Uganda since 2014 after fleeing violence in her home country with her two children, said she can’t find a job. She has since had four other children who often go barefoot and without appropriate clothing. She misses the cash-for-food stipend she used to get.

“For us to eat, we look for work, but there’s no work,” she said.

___

Associated Press writer Rodney Muhumuza in Kampala, Uganda, contributed to this report.

Thursday, October 31, 2024

Russia, Iran to Sign Strategic Partnership Agreement on Defense

By Al Mayadeen English

31 Oct 2024 22:28

Russia and Iran are reportedly set to sign a joint agreement focused on defense as they both face off against security issues.

An updated partnership agreement between Russia and Iran, emphasizing defense cooperation, is expected to be signed soon, Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov announced on Thursday.

Speaking at the second Minsk International Conference on Eurasian Security, Lavrov highlighted the significance of this treaty in strengthening Russian-Iranian relations.

"A major factor in strengthening Russian-Iranian relations will be the treaty on comprehensive strategic partnership between Russia and Iran that is being prepared for signing soon," Lavrov said.

Lavrov underlined that the agreement "will confirm the parties' desire for closer cooperation in the field of defense and interaction in the interests of peace and security at the regional and global level."

The announcement follows an earlier statement by Russian President Vladimir Putin at the BRICS summit in Kazan on October 23, where he revealed plans for the imminent signing of the treaty with Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian.

Kazem Jalali, Iran's ambassador to Russia, also confirmed that the document would be finalized during an upcoming visit by the Iranian president to Moscow.

Axis to counter Western hegemony

US intelligence alleged that thousands of DPRK troops arrived in Russia for training, raising concerns about their potential deployment to "reinforce Moscow’s front lines in Ukraine," according to CNN.

The report adds that this development alarmed the United States and its allies, who are increasingly aware that the strengthening ties between nations resisting Western hegemony pose a significant and urgent challenge to imperial interests.

The collaboration doesn’t stop there; US allegations of Iran’s contributions, including hundreds of drones and even short-range ballistic missiles, the US suggests are fueling the fight against Western hegemony in Ukraine. It is worth noting that Iran denied such allegations.

Meanwhile, China has been accused of supplying Russia with critical dual-use goods like microelectronics and machinery that can be repurposed for military use, reported CNN. Recently, the US imposed penalties on Chinese firms for allegedly providing complete weapons systems, reflecting its desperation to curb this alliance. However, the parties denied such allegations.

On another note, this emerging cooperation among Russia, China, Iran, and the DRPK has prompted a US Congress-backed assessment that labels them as an “axis of growing malign partnerships.”

The US fears that their shared resentment toward US interventionism is driving their nations closer together, amplifying the challenge they could pose not just to Washington but to its allies around the globe. According to CNN, This potential coalition would indicate that the tide is shifting against the West, and the implications could reverberate far beyond any single conflict.

Iran, burdened by harsh Western sanctions and facing ongoing tensions with "Israel," sees its support for Russia as a strategic opportunity to strengthen its defense capabilities. This partnership not only enhances Iran's military readiness but also provides crucial diplomatic backing from its alliances with Beijing and Moscow, according to CNN.

Iraqi Resistance Conducts 7 Drone Attacks on Israeli Targets

By Al Mayadeen English

Source: Islamic Resistance in Iraq - Military Media

The drones attacked targets in the Golan and across Israeli-occupied territories in Palestine.

The Islamic Resistance in Iraq announced that its fighters conducted seven long-range attacks on Israeli targets, across occupied territories, on Thursday. 

The operations were announced on Thursday, from dawn until midnight, and were all conducted via one-way attack drones. 

Two of these operations targeted vital Israeli infrastructure in the occupied Syrian Golan. 

The rest of the attacks were spread across northern, central, and southern Israeli-occupied territories. 

Attacks on Israeli targets in "northern occupied territories," usually refers to al-Jalil in northern occupied Palestine. Two vital targets in this area were attacked. 

Two other attacks targeted "southern occupied territories," usually referring to occupied Umm al-Rashrash (Eilat), a coastal area on the Red Sea. 

The last of these drones attacked a vital target in central Israeli-occupied territories. 

Iraqi Resistance factions promised to continue conducting these operations in support of Palestine and Lebanon, adding that these operations will continue to escalate. 

Israeli Positions in Khiam Pummeled by Hezbollah as Invasion Falters

By Al Mayadeen English

Source: Islamic Resistance in Lebanon Military Media

The Islamic Resistance in Lebanon continues shelling the Israeli north, dealing extensive damage and killing numerous soldiers, forcing the Israeli invasion of Lebanon to reverse course.

The Islamic Resistance in Lebanon - Hezbollah launched a series of targeted strikes against Israeli forces and positions, with a series of attacks throughout the day marking a significant escalation in the area around al-Khiam and beyond.

Islamic Resistance fighters struck a grouping of Israeli soldiers east of al-Khiam with a barrage of rockets and artillery shells. Israeli forces in Wadi al-Khiam, southeast of the town, were targeted in four separate barrages, beginning with artillery shells and followed by consecutive rocket attacks. Another round of strikes focused on Israeli forces south of al-Khiam, with artillery and rocket barrages reported in succession.

In a separate operation, Islamic Resistance fighters fired a substantial barrage of rockets at the Karmiel settlement, intensifying the range of their strikes beyond immediate military targets. Shortly thereafter, fighters launched a barrage targeting Israeli forces in the Yiftah settlement, followed by an operation by air defense units engaging a Hermes 450 drone over Lebanon’s western sector, ultimately forcing its retreat.

Additional attacks later in the day included a targeted rocket barrage on Israeli forces positioned in the Kawakh area of the Houla Plain, north of Ramat Naftali, and an assault on the Ramim barracks.

Later in the day, a large rocket barrage was directed at the Krayot cluster of settlements situated north of occupied Haifa.

Continuing their series of intensive strikes in support of Gaza and defense of Lebanon, the Islamic Resistance fighters expanded their operations against Israeli forces and strategic sites.

A series of rocket barrages began with a strike on Israeli forces stationed in the Zar'it barracks, followed by another targeting forces in the Avivim settlement. A sixth barrage in Wadi al-Khiam dealt extensive damage to the Israeli occupation forces in the area.

Hezbollah then attacked the Yarka storage facilities east of Akka with a substantial barrage of rockets, causing serious casualties.

On the eastern outskirts of al-Khiam, the Israeli occupation forces faced an assault by a specialized rocket, while subsequent barrages struck forces at the al-Maslakh district area south of al-Khiam, in the Manara settlement, and on the eastern outskirts of Maroun al-Ras.

As the night approached, a large barrage targeted Israeli forces in Metula, intensifying pressure on the Israeli occupation forces. Additionally, Islamic Resistance fighters utilized attack drones, achieving precise hits on Israeli positions within the Shomera settlement.

Coordinated attack targets three Israeli bases

The Islamic Resistance in Lebanon's Military Media Unit released on Thursday footage documenting the targeting of the Israeli Shraga and Ein Shemer military bases and the Elyakim camp in a complex operation that involved the launch of high-end missiles and one-way drones.

Hezbollah announced on Wednesday that its Resistance fighters launched a coordinated attack.

The operation involved high-end rockets and a swarm of drones targeting the Ein Shemer Base (an air defense and regional brigade base) east of Hadera, as well as Israeli positions in the Elyakim Military Camp (of the Northern Command) south of Haifa and the Shraga Base north of the occupied city of Akka.

The targets were struck accurately as the Israeli forces failed to intercept the missiles and drones that hovered over the occupied Palestinian territories for some time, the group confirmed.

Israeli media reported that Hezbollah’s drones sent hundreds of thousands of Israeli settlers into shelters, with the drones pursued for an hour and nine minutes, according to the KAN channel.

The Israeli military confirmed the detonation of two drones launched from Lebanon, while Israeli media reported that one drone detonated at the Shraga base, the primary base of the Golani Brigade, north of occupied Akka.

The operation is reminiscent of Hezbollah's drone attack on a training camp of the Golani Brigade in Binyamina, south of occupied Haifa, which killed at least four Israeli soldiers and injured dozens of others.

Operations overview

- At 00:10 am, the Islamic Resistance fighters targeted a grouping of Israeli soldiers east of the town of al-Khiam with a barrage of rockets and artillery shells.

- At 09:30 am, the Islamic Resistance fighters targeted a grouping of Israeli forces in the Wadi al-Khiam area (southeast of the town) with artillery shells.

- At 09:35 am, the Islamic Resistance fighters targeted a grouping of Israeli forces in the Wadi al-Khiam area (southeast of the town) with a barrage of rockets for the second time.

- At 10:00 am, the Islamic Resistance fighters targeted a grouping of Israeli forces in the Wadi al-Khiam area (southeast of the town) with a barrage of rockets for the third time.

- At 10:15 am, the Islamic Resistance fighters targeted a grouping of Israeli forces in the Wadi al-Khiam area (southeast of the town) with a barrage of rockets for the fourth time.

- At 11:30 am, the Islamic Resistance fighters targeted a grouping of Israeli forces south of al-Khiam with a barrage of rockets.

- At noon, the Islamic Resistance fighters targeted a grouping of Israeli forces south of al-Khiam with artillery shells for the second time.

- At noon, the Islamic Resistance fighters targeted a grouping of Israeli forces in the Wadi al-Khiam area with a barrage of rockets for the fifth time.

- At 12:25 pm, the Islamic Resistance fighters shelled the Karmiel settlement with a large barrage of rockets.

- At 13:00, the Islamic Resistance fighters targeted a grouping of Israeli forces in the Yiftah settlement with a barrage of rockets.

- At 14:45, the Islamic Resistance air defense units engaged a Hermes 450 drone over the western sector and forced it to exit Lebanese airspace.

- At 15:00, the Islamic Resistance fighters targeted a grouping of Israeli forces in the Kawakh area in the Houla Plain (north of Ramat Naftali) with a specialized rocket barrage.

- At 15:00, the Islamic Resistance fighters targeted the Rameem barracks with a barrage of rockets.

- At 15:10, the Islamic Resistance fighters shelled Krayot, north of Haifa, with a large barrage of rockets.

- At 15:20, the Islamic Resistance fighters targeted a grouping of Israeli forces in the Zar’it barracks with a barrage of rockets.

- At 15:40, the Islamic Resistance fighters targeted a grouping of Israeli forces in the Avivim settlement with a barrage of rockets.

- At 16:00, the Islamic Resistance fighters targeted a grouping of Israeli forces in the Wadi al-Khiam area with a barrage of rockets for the sixth time.

- At 16:20, the Islamic Resistance fighters shelled the Yarka storage facilities east of Akka with a large barrage of rockets.

- At 16:20, the Islamic Resistance fighters targeted a grouping of Israeli forces on the eastern outskirts of al-Khiam with a specialized rocket.

- At 17:00, the Islamic Resistance fighters targeted a grouping of Israeli forces in the al-Maslakh district south of al-Khiam with a barrage of rockets.

- At 17:00, the Islamic Resistance fighters targeted a grouping of Israeli forces in the Manara settlement with a barrage of rockets.

- At 17:00, the Islamic Resistance fighters targeted a grouping of Israeli forces on the eastern outskirts of Maroun al-Ras with a barrage of rockets.

- At 21:00, the Islamic Resistance fighters targeted a grouping of Israeli forces in the Metula settlement with a barrage of rockets.

- During the day, the Islamic Resistance fighters targeted the Shomera settlement with a strike drone, achieving precise hits.

Eight Israelis Killed in Rocket Fire from Lebanon

By Al Mayadeen English

31 Oct 2024 17:18

The Israeli occupation has been under intense rocket fire from Lebanon since the morning, with the casualties count rising steadily, as eight Israelis have been killed in the attacks thus far.

Israeli Channel 13 reported Thursday that six Israelis were killed in Metula, located in the Upper al-Jalil, and two others were killed in the Kiryot, following a direct rocket strike from Lebanon.

Israeli media highlighted that multiple rockets launched from Lebanon struck a gathering of Israeli soldiers in Metula, describing the incident as "severe." Reports indicated that the attack demonstrated Hezbollah's continued capacity to launch large volleys of rockets.

Israeli media further emphasized that Hezbollah's recent strikes reflect not only its capabilities but also its intentions. "Hezbollah knew precisely where to aim when firing at Metula, resulting in severe consequences," the reports stated. Additionally, the media expressed doubt that northern residents would be able to return to their settlements anytime soon after the day's events.

Following the incident, an Israeli military spokesperson confirmed that approximately 30 rockets were launched from Lebanon, triggering alerts between 12:21 and 12:23 in the Central, Upper, and Western al-Jalil regions.

In related developments, Israeli Channel 14 reported that rockets had killed two additional Israelis and injured two others near Kiryot in northern occupied Palestine. Another direct hit was reported in the area of Fraam, where emergency teams were en route.

Air raid sirens sounded across multiple locations, including eastern Haifa, the Kiryot, and various areas in Haifa Bay, as well as Kiryat Ata and Kiryat Bialik. The sirens extended to the Western al-Jalil settlements of Avivim, Avnei Menachem, Shomera, Zar'it, and Shtula, according to Israeli media.

In response to the escalating strikes, the Israeli military declared Metula, Kfar Giladi, and Misgav Am closed military zones based on current assessments.

Rising Israeli casualties

Hezbollah continued its strikes on Israeli military gatherings along the border on Thursday, with an Al Mayadeen correspondent indicating that seven Israeli positions were targeted in the areas surrounding Wadi al-Khiam, south, west, and near the detention center. 

According to Al Mayadeen’s correspondent, close-range confrontations broke out between Hezbollah fighters and the invading Israeli occupation forces in the eastern neighborhoods near the al-Khiam detention center, with skirmishes extending to an olive press in the eastern part of al-Khiam. Confirmed casualties were reported among Israeli forces near the detention center and the western entrance to the chalet area. Following a failed assault, Israeli forces reportedly evacuated their dead and wounded and retreated south.

The correspondent further noted that Hezbollah fighters prevented Israeli forces from using armored vehicles in their advances due to the risk posed by Hezbollah's anti-tank missiles.

Earlier in the day, the Israeli military, under a permitted-for-publication directive, confirmed that 14 of its soldiers were injured within the last 24 hours, with 10 of these injuries occurring in southern Lebanon. Moreover, it was revealed that over 100 Israeli soldiers had been killed since the start of the invasion of Lebanon during direct confrontations.

Hezbollah 'draining Israel'

Israeli newspaper Maariv suggested on Tuesday that Hezbollah can continue to drain "Israel" and launch its projectiles for many months. It also highlighted that the Lebanese Resistance still retains its rocket capabilities and will persist in its launches in the coming days, with significant fire directed at Safad and Haifa.

In a related context, Israeli media cited former Gaza Division commander, Reserve General Gadi Shamni, as saying that Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is a "cold-hearted person" who does not care about the captives held in Gaza and is disconnected from "his people" and soldiers.

Shamni acknowledged a complete failure of Netanyahu's government, asserting that the premier has caused immense damage to "Israel".

"Israel" needs to end the war and bring back the captives, he stressed.

On his part, former commander of the Israeli Northern Corps, Noam Tibon, highlighted that more than 800 Israeli soldiers have been killed and around 12,000 injured, with thousands suffering from post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) since the war began a year ago.

"We have lost the manpower of a whole division, and we need three additional divisions; otherwise, we will find it difficult to defend Israel," Tibon underscored.

Palestinian Resistance Factions Intensify Operations in Netzarim

By Al Mayadeen English

31 Oct 2024 23:00

The Palestinian Resistance factions are repelling the invading Israeli occupation forces in northern Gaza, where fierce confrontations have been taking place for weeks.

Palestinian resistance groups launched a series of attacks targeting Israeli military positions and vehicles in the Gaza Strip on Thursday as the IOF's siege and deadly airstrikes intensify in northern Gaza.

The al-Mujahideen Brigades, the military wing of the Mujahideen movement, announced it struck an Israeli command and control center at the Netzarim axis with multiple Hasib 111 rockets. 

In a statement, Abu Khaled, spokesperson for the Martyr Omar al-Qassem Forces, the military wing of the Democratic Front for the Liberation of Palestine (DFLP), said, "Various Palestinian resistance wings continue to confront Israeli forces in the northern Gaza sector with appropriate weaponry, resisting attempts to impose control over the area and displace its residents."

The spokesperson pointed out that the occupation forces are compelled to retreat as their losses mount, driving them to retaliate against the Palestinian people by systematically destroying buildings and homes and continuing to demolish what remains of the infrastructure in the area.

Abu Khaled also confirmed that the artillery unit of the Martyr Omar al-Qassem Forces continues to shell occupation sites and groupings with heavy mortar rounds near the Salah al-Din Gate, along the boundary between Gaza and Egyptian territory to the south, inflicting losses on the occupation forces.

Israeli vehicles destroyed en masse

Simultaneously, the al-Qassam Brigades, the military wing of Hamas, destroyed an Israeli armored personnel carrier with an anti-tank shell west of Jabalia’s civil defense headquarters. They also reported the destruction of an Israeli Merkava tank with two high-explosive devices near Jabalia.

Al-Qassam previously announced the destruction of four Merkava tanks, an armored personnel carrier, and two Israeli military bulldozers (D9) in Beit Lahia on Wednesday.

Upon returning from the front lines, the al-Qassam fighters confirmed targeting a third Merkava with an al-Yassin 105 shell in the Beit Lahia project area as well.

Additionally, the Palestinian Islamic Jihad’s al-Quds Brigades claimed responsibility for destroying an Israeli armored vehicle by detonating a pre-planted Thaqib explosive device in the al-Atatra area in northern Gaza.

In the same area, the al-Qassam fighters detonated an Israeli armored personnel carrier and targeted a Merkava 3 tank with two Shawaz explosive devices. Subsequently, the fighters targeted a maintenance crew advancing toward the vehicles' locations using an anti-personnel device that left several casualties and injuries among the occupation forces.

The Israeli military confirmed that four of its soldiers were injured in Gaza over the past 24 hours. Israeli newspaper Haaretz revealed that Hamas targeted a residence shortly after Israeli Chief of Staff Herzi Halevi left it, following a field assessment with Israeli forces engaged in operations in northern Gaza. A missile was reportedly fired at the residence during Halevi’s visit, narrowly missing him.

Haaretz also reported an increase in Israeli soldier fatalities in Gaza last month, primarily due to explosive devices detonating within buildings. October saw 17 Israeli soldiers killed in Gaza, with 11 of them reportedly dying from IEDs hidden inside buildings rather than by anti-tank missiles.

Nigeria: Dangote Tells NNPC, Oil Marketers to Stop Importing Petrol, Says Refinery Has Enough

Afreximbank

29 October 2024

Premium Times (Abuja)

By Mary Izuaka

Aliko Dangote says his refinery has more than 500 million litres of petrol in stock.

Aliko Dangote, founder and president/chief executive of the Dangote Group, says his refinery has more than 500 million litres of petrol in stock, which is more than enough to serve Nigeria if retailers buy from it.

Mr Dangote, who spoke in Abuja on Tuesday, questioned why state-owned Nigeria National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPC) and private retailers were still importing petrol when his refinery can produce enough.

"So, I am expecting that the NNPC Ltd and the marketers should stop importing; they should come and collect what they need," Mr Dangote said Tuesday.

"I don't know if you understand what it means to keep half a billion litres in our tanks; it is costing me money."

Mr Dangote did not say for how long the 500 million litres of petrol had been refined and stored by his 650,000 barrels per day refinery.

However, PREMIUM TIMES reported that data from the Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority (NMDPRA), showed that his refinery was unable to meet the required volume of petrol sought by NNPC Ltd for three weeks.

According to the Dangote Evacuation Report seen by this newspaper, between 15 September and 5 October, the refinery delivered only 148 million litres of petrol, instead of 575 million litres.

However, speaking to State House Correspondents after a meeting with President Bola Tinubu on Tuesday, Mr Dangote explained that his refinery has sufficient petrol available, but marketers have not been picking up the product.

He emphasised that, as a producer, the refinery is not responsible for the scarcity, as it does not handle fuel distribution.

"Yes, we have enough supply of crude; we can actually produce much more than 30 million litres every day. At full capacity, we can even supply whatever is being consumed. As we speak today, we have 500 million litres, you know, in our tanks. So, with 500 million litres in our tanks, even if there's no production from anywhere or no imports, this will take the country more than 12 days, you know, with no imports, with no production, nothing.

"So we are very ready. We are more than ready. And you know, I'm also putting my own name on line by giving Mr President my word that, yes, we will be able to supply the market a minimum of 30 million per day, and we'll be ramping up production. So, we're ready. We're more than ready," Mr Dangote said.

When asked that the reality on the ground does not show that the refinery has enough petrol because there appears to be scarcity of the product, he said: "Well, one thing that you have to understand is that we are producers. I have a refinery. I'm not in the business of retail. If I'm in the business of retail then you hold me responsible.

"But what I'm saying is that the retailers should please come forward and pick, if they don't, come forward and pick, what do you want me to do? So I don't expect either NNPC or the marketers to be importing, they should come and pick because we have what they need. And you know, as they remove, I will be pumping.

"I don't know whether you understand what it takes to keep half a billion litres inside our tank. It's costing me money every day. If I will be able to collect the naira, I can actually charge somebody 32 per cent in interest. So right now, that's what I'm losing. And you are talking about 500 million, you know, I mean, we don't print money. But the issue is that if they come and collect then you will not see any queues in the filling stations.

"We have what it takes for them to come and collect. We are not retailers. We also don't have trucks to send. We have a factory, we have where they can load. If they come and pick the ones...and they have been doing that with importation. So if they've been doing that with importation, if it's true, they are doing 55 million, I see no reason why they won't come and collect our own and distribute," he added.

Dangote Refinery-NNPC Tango

In recent months, the Dangote Group has been at loggerheads with the NNPC, petroleum regulators and some private oil firms over the control of the petroleum downstream market.

In June, the Dangote Group accused some international oil companies of sabotaging the plant's operations by either refusing to supply crude or offering oil at higher premiums compared to market prices.

It also clashed with the NMDPRA, which claimed diesel from the refiner has sulphur content levels above the allowed threshold. The regulator also accused Dangote of seeking to be a monopoly.

In refuting the allegation, Mr Dangote took lawmakers visiting the refinery to a laboratory within the plant, where diesel from the refinery was tested alongside two different samples from imports.

The results showed the sample from the refinery's diesel had much lower sulphur than the imported ones.

In July, the Federal Executive Council (FEC) directed NNPC Ltd to engage Dangote refinery and other local refineries with a view to resolving the dispute over the sale of crude oil to them.

The FEC, presided over by President Bola Tinubu, also directed that such crude oil sales to the refineries be made in naira and that the refineries, located in Nigeria, should also sell their refined products to the Nigerian market in naira.

In October, the Nigerian government said it had officially commenced the sale of crude oil and refined petroleum products in Naira. The sale in Naira took effect from 1 October, the government said at the time.

PREMIUM TIMES also exclusively reported that NNPC Ltd ended its exclusive purchase agreement with Dangote Refinery, opening up the market for other marketers to buy petrol directly from the refinery.

The decision meant that the NNPC no longer act as the sole off-taker, and marketers can now negotiate prices directly with Dangote Refinery.

On 11 October, the Nigerian government confirmed NNPC's stance.

Read the original article on Premium Times.

African and Ministers from Global South Come Together to Call for Urgent Action on Nature Finance at COP16

31 October 2024

Nature Finance Alliance

press release

The Ministerial Alliance for Ambition on Nature Finance (MAANF) has today shared a statement signed by 20 Ministers of Environment from the Global South, 'Seeking Accountability on Ambition for Nature Finance.' The press conference at which this was launched can be watched online.

Released on the second day of the High-Level segment, the statement calls on countries in the Global North to:

'Act urgently to ensure that at least $20 billion per year is delivered from developed to developing countries by 2025 and that at least $30 billion per year is delivered by 2030, as agreed in the GBF.'

The statement outlines two specific requests for developed world governments here at COP16 in order to ensure this financial commitment is met:

To urgently deliver new international funding for biodiversity; And

To establish a working group of ministers of environment and finance to focus on fully achieving the $20 billion and $30 billion target on time.

Upon the statement's release, Hon. Dr. Iziaq Kunle Salako, Minister of State for Environment, Federal Republic of Nigeria, stated:

"Today, we are releasing a Ministerial Declaration endorsed by 20 countries from the Global South to call on developed countries to urgently increase their international finance commitments and to develop a roadmap and accountability mechanisms to ensure that the $20 billion commitment to developing countries will be delivered on time. This is a call to action, and this is an offer to work together to increase accountability and transparency.  Let us be united on the road to ambition – let us work hand in hand to ensure we reach our common goal of fully implementing the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework.

Fellow MAANF Member Hon. Jiwoh Abdulai, Minister of Environment and Climate Change, Republic of Sierra Leone, at the same time impressed on those present at COP16 to recognise:

"Without sufficient funding, we will not be able to make the significant changes needed to our economies and societies to implement the goals agreed upon and ensure a future of sustainable livelihoods. And frankly, our lives depend on meeting these goals – we have no choice. We need all wealthy nations, philanthropies, and corporations to step up to the plate."

The statement, which can be found in full here, is endorsed by the following 20 countries:

Ministerial Statement Seeking Accountability on Ambition for Nature Finance

31 October 2024

Over the last year, countries from the Global South have come together to launch the Ministerial Alliance for Ambition for Nature Finance (‘the Alliance’). The Alliance is an intergovernmental group of ministers working to publicly champion achieving the nature finance targets that the world agreed to in December 2022 in the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework (“GBF”) and demonstrate actions that countries in the Global South are taking to increase nature finance.

As growing number of ministers of environment from the Global South joining the Alliance or supporting its objectives, and being home to the majority of the most important remaining biodiversity of our planet, we are deeply concerned by the crisis facing the natural world and the unprecedented loss of species and ecosystems.

The whole world came together two years ago to adopt the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework (GBF) and agreed to an ambitious plan to halt and reverse biodiversity loss – headlined by the target to protect or conserve at least 30 percent of the planet by 2030.

The emphasis for action must now be on urgently shifting our economies to respect and protect nature and closing the enormous biodiversity finance gap. Without sufficient funding, we will not be able to make the significant changes that are needed to our economies and societies to implement the goals that were agreed and ensure a future of sustainable livelihoods.

We write to you today, as our partners in this effort, to act urgently to ensure that at least $20 billion per year is delivered from developed to developing countries by 2025 and that at least $30 billion per year is delivered by 2030, as agreed in the GBF. The $20 billion target is the most imminent of all the targets in the agreement. It is critical to drive protection, restoration and sustainable management policies in our countries and catalyze more funding from our treasuries and the private sector.

We are concerned that since the GBF was agreed, we have not seen a significant increase in international nature finance reach our countries.

We call on developed countries to:

1.     Urgently deliver new international funding for biodiversity and

2.     Establish a working group of ministers of environment and finance to focus on fully achieving the $20 billion and $30 billion target on time.

We also call on developed countries to take urgent measures to ensure that reporting on international biodiversity finance is significantly improved. Currently, the only up-to-date official tally of international biodiversity finance is from before the GBF was signed. We need timeliness and transparency in reporting international biodiversity finance so that we can know how much new finance has been given since COP15, especially the funding for projects that have biodiversity as its principal focus.

COP15 created momentum in our work to safeguard global biodiversity. It is essential that we now build on this trust between nations and maintain a high level of urgency to deliver our goals. We look forward to doing our part in the Global South and hope to work more closely with the Global North to meet all of the GBF’s finance targets and ensure that our ambitious plans for nature succeed.

Endorsed by Ministers of Environment from:

1.       Burkina Faso

2.       Cambodia

3.       Cameroon

4.       Côte d’Ivoire

5.       Dominica

6.       Ethiopia

7.       The Gambia

8.       Grenada

9.       Guinea

10.     Liberia

11.     Madagascar

12.     Nigeria

13.     St. Kitts and Nevis

14.     Samoa

15.     Sierra Leone

16.     Somalia

17.     South Sudan

18.     Togo

19.     Vanuatu

20.     Zambia