Month: September 2024

Thuringia Elects CDU’s Thadäus König as Speaker, Rejecting AfD

“Thuringia’s parliament elects CDU’s Thadäus König as speaker, defying tradition and sidelining the far-right AfD party.”

BERLIN — On Saturday, lawmakers in the eastern part of Germany called Thuringia picked Thadäus König from the center-right Christian Democratic Union (CDU) as their state parliament speaker, breaking the usual rule that the speaker is usually from the biggest party after a local election.

This move happened right after the far-right Alternative for Germany (AfD) won its first local election, getting almost one-third of the votes.

The vote went on for two days because a court said the AfD’s leader who was in charge of the meeting was not doing a good job.

This election is going to be a rough ride for Thuringia’s parliament after the September 1 election, where the AfD was the top choice but didn’t get enough votes to be in charge. No other political group wants to team up with the AfD.

On Thursday, the Thuringia legislature was set to pick a new speaker. Like in other German states, the oldest lawmaker usually starts leading the first meeting after an election, which was Jürgen Treutler from the AfD.

Treutler got a lot of flak for not letting other lawmakers speak or for not letting candidates from other parties run for speaker.

So, the CDU complained to Thuringia’s constitutional court, which said rules could be changed before picking a speaker.

On Saturday, in a more calm setting, König was chosen speaker with 54 votes, while Wiebke Muhsal from the AfD got 32, with one lawmaker not voting. The AfD has 32 seats in the parliament.

Usually, the biggest party gets to pick the speaker, but other parties didn’t want to back the AfD and didn’t like Muhsal because of a past fraud charge.

What’s next for the state government is unclear since no party wants to work with the AfD.

Germany’s secret service has put the AfD’s Thuringia branch under watch, calling it a “known right-wing extremist” group.

So, the only way forward might be a weird mix of the CDU, a new party from the left, and the center-left Social Democrats.

This group would only have one more seat than they need and might have to get help from the Left Party, which comes from communist ideas.

Landslide in Indonesia’s Sumatra Kills 12 at Illegal Gold Mine

After torrential rains, a landslide at an unauthorized gold mine in Sumatra, Indonesia, kills 12 and injures many others.

In Indonesia’s Sungai Abu, a small village in West Sumatra, a big landslide happened on Saturday because of heavy rain that hit an illegal gold mine on Sumatra Island.

This landslide killed at least 12 people.

It all started in the quiet village of Sungai Abu, where people were looking for gold in the hills when a huge mudslide hit them on Thursday.

Some miners were lucky enough to get out, but others had to be saved by the rescue team. Abdul Malik, who runs the rescue team, said that 11 people got hurt too.

At first, people thought 15 had died, but later they found out it was only 12. This was because it was hard to figure out who was missing because of the rough terrain and the fact that the village was hard to get to.

Two people are still missing, thought to be stuck under a lot of mud.

Rescue teams had a tough time getting to the spot because it was a four-hour hike from the nearest town.

The area was also hard to navigate because of the thick mud and debris from the landslide.

Malik said that the locals were not too happy about letting outsiders, like the rescue teams, into their mining areas.

Illegal gold mining is a big problem in Indonesia, with thousands of people working in dangerous conditions that often lead to injuries or even death.

Miners have to deal with landslides, floods, and the risk of tunnel collapses.

They also have to handle dangerous chemicals like mercury and cyanide without the right safety gear.

This isn’t the first time something like this has happened. Just last year, a landslide hit a traditional gold mine in Gorontalo province, killing at least 23 people.

There have been other big mining disasters too, like in North Sumatra in April 2022, where 12 women died, and in North Sulawesi in 2019, where over 40 people were buried in a landslide.

Explosion at Dagestan Gas Station Claims 12 Dead, Investigation Underway

At least 12 dead after a Dagestan gas station explosion in Dagestan, prompting a criminal investigation and nationwide mourning.

MOSCOW — Local officials said on Saturday that two more people were found dead in the wreckage after a huge explosion hit a gas station in Dagestan, Russia, making the death count at least 12.

The explosion happened on Friday and caused a big fire that spread to the gas station and the cafeteria next to it, just outside Makhachkala, according to reports from Russia’s Emergencies Ministry.

Sadly, two kids died in the blast. But, the fire is now under control.

Makhachkala is about 1,600 kilometers (990 miles) south of Moscow.

The local government has started looking into the explosion to figure out what caused it. Also, Saturday is set up as a day of sadness in Dagestan.

This is the second big disaster in Dagestan this year, following a huge explosion at a gas station last August that killed 35 people and injured over 115.

Israel Claims Hezbollah Leader Hassan Nasrallah Killed Amid Ongoing Conflict

“Israel announces the killing of Hezbollah leader Hassan Nasrallah, escalating tensions in the ongoing conflict with Lebanon.”

TEL AVIV, Israel — Israel just announced that they’ve killed Hezbollah leader Hassan Nasrallah, which could be a big deal for Lebanon’s militant group after a lot of fighting.

We haven’t heard back from Hezbollah about what happened to Nasrallah right away.

If this is true, it means Israel has taken out one of their biggest enemies in the recent fights.

The Israeli military also said they’ve killed Ali Karki, who was in charge of Hezbollah’s South Front, and a bunch of other leaders in a strike.

This attack happened on Friday when Hezbollah’s bosses were all together at their main place in Dahiyeh, which is south of Beirut.

Israel’s top military guy, Lt. Gen. Herzi Halevi, said on Saturday that getting rid of Nasrallah isn’t the end of their game.

He hinted that they’re going to keep going, even though they’ve already done a lot of work to get ready for this.

The Lebanese Health Ministry said that the attacks on Friday killed six people and hurt 91 others, and they also destroyed six apartment buildings.

To deal with the growing tension, Israel’s military said they’re bringing in more backup troops, getting three more battalions ready to go all over the country.

This comes after they sent two brigades to northern Israel to get ready for a possible fight on the ground.

On Saturday morning, Israel’s forces hit a few spots in southern Beirut and the Bekaa Valley in eastern Lebanon.

In response, Hezbollah shot back with a lot of missiles at northern and central Israel, even hitting parts of the West Bank that Israel controls.

After all the bombing, the southern parts of Beirut looked pretty empty, with smoke everywhere.

Places where people could hide from the fighting in the city center were super full, so a lot of families had to find other places to stay, like public squares, beaches, or in their cars.

Meanwhile, on the roads away from the city, you could see hundreds of people running away, with babies and whatever they could carry.

Sadly, at least 720 people in Lebanon have died from Israeli airstrikes in just the past week, as the Health Ministry reported.

Latest Updates : Escalating Conflict Between Israel-Hezbollah

Explore the latest developments in the Israel-Hezbollah conflict, including airstrikes, casualties, and humanitarian concerns in Lebanon.

CAIRO — An Israeli airstrike in the Nuseirat refugee camp in Gaza has killed at least two people and injured 11 others, according to Awda Hospital.

The attack hit a home late Friday, with victims arriving at the hospital early Saturday morning. The conflict has claimed over 41,000 Palestinian lives in the past nine months.

Israel has been accused of targeting Hamas militants in civilian areas.

TEL AVIV — Hezbollah fired over two dozen missiles at Israel on Saturday morning, setting off sirens in more than 100 cities and towns.

An Israeli missile landed safely in Israel, with no reported injuries or damage.

The Israeli military has been targeting Hezbollah near the border, with recent strikes killing over 720 people, including many women and children.

BEIRUT — The Lebanese Health Ministry has decided to move patients from hospitals in Beirut’s southern suburbs to the capital and nearby areas.

This move is to free up space for those fleeing the Dahiyeh district, which has been heavily bombed by Israel.

As of Saturday morning, Beirut’s southern suburbs were quiet after a night of heavy Israeli airstrikes.

The area was filled with smoke and debris, with many residents seeking shelter in public spaces or their vehicles.

The Israeli military has claimed to have killed a Hezbollah commander and his deputy in a recent strike, but Hezbollah has not confirmed the deaths.

The ongoing violence between Israel and Hezbollah has caused the United Nations to report that at least 20 main healthcare centers in heavily affected areas of Lebanon have had to shut down.

The U.N. Office for Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) also mentioned that airstrikes have damaged 25 water facilities, making safe drinking water unavailable for about 300,000 people in dangerous areas.

The violence, which started on September 23, has led to more people being forced to leave their homes, with over 211,000 people now displaced, with about 85,000 of them seeking shelter in public schools and other temporary places in northern and eastern Lebanon.

A new phase of violence began on Friday when Israel attacked Hezbollah’s leader in the southern part of Beirut, causing one of the biggest explosions in the city in a long time.

The leader’s status is still unknown, as Israeli planes have been hitting various places in the southern suburb for over six hours after the initial attack, causing the Beirut skyline to be filled with smoke and fire for a long time.

Gambian Migration: Immense Risks & Emotional Tolls On Families.

Gambian Migration seek better futures abroad, sending vital remittances home, but face immense risks and emotional tolls on families.

In Kwinella, Gambia, Binta Bah met her husband, Suleyman Bah, through a dating app and they got married over a video call, even though they only met in person once.

Suleyman decided to take a big risk and travel to Europe for better chances, and now he works in a factory in Germany.

He sends a lot of money back home, which is a huge help to Gambia’s economy, making up a quarter of all the money the country makes.

More Gambians are looking for a better life overseas. About 10% of Gambians have left, mostly young guys from the countryside, lured by the promise of a better future.

As they deal with more dangerous weather and less farming land, getting money from back home is super important for their families.

Moustapha Sabally, who works for the government in Kiang Central Province, says that without these funds, life would be really tough.

Even though the European Union is trying to stop people from moving, Gambians keep going on dangerous trips across the Sahara Desert and the Mediterranean Sea because they need money badly.

Sadly, a lot of them don’t make it; there have been a lot of bad incidents, like a boat that sank carrying Gambian and Senegalese migrants.

Moving away from home is really hard on families. They’re split up, missing each other, and have to rely on the money sent back to pay for school and basic stuff.

Musukebbe Manjang’s husband moved to Italy ten years ago and he’s missed a lot of family events, and he still feels really sad about it.

Eliman Jallow, who’s from Gambia but lives in the U.K., says that even though there are a lot of different stories from Gambians living abroad, the cost of living in Europe is making it harder for the money sent back to make a big difference.

But hearing about people who’ve succeeded can be really inspiring for young Gambians, pushing them to chase their dreams of a better life away.

As they post TikTok videos from their fancy homes, the idea of moving away from home keeps pulling young Gambians towards it.

Peace Corps Returns to El Salvador Amid Gang Violence Crackdown

U.S. Peace Corps volunteers return to El Salvador, signaling improved relations as gang violence declines under President Bukele.

U.S. Peace Corps volunteers are returning to El Salvador after a break since 2016 due to violence, marking a positive development that shows U.S.-El Salvador relations improving.

This also highlights the challenge of balancing security and human rights in El Salvador under President Nayib Bukele’s controversial rule.

Controversial for his aggressive fight against gang violence, Bukele has improved his image with a significant drop in crime, especially homicide rates.

His tough approach to fighting gangs has been criticized for human rights violations, leading to the detention of about 81,900 people, many of whom are believed to be innocent.

This has effectively reduced crime but has also caused concern among human rights groups.

The nine volunteers returning will work on key areas like improving the economy, education, and supporting youth, bringing experienced and skilled individuals back.

The focus is on continuing the strong partnership with El Salvador’s people.

Despite the challenges, including the highest homicide rate in 2015 at 106 per 100,000 people, the Peace Corps left in 2020 due to the crisis.

Since the start of his state of emergency in 2022, President Bukele has been highly successful in reducing gang violence.

However, his rule has faced criticism for unfair practices and human rights abuses, with reports of at least 261 prisoner deaths and over 7,000 detainees released due to lack of evidence, raising questions about justice and the rule of law.

Despite these issues, Bukele’s popularity has grown, and he’s been barred from running again by the constitution but is still seeking reelection.

The U.S. has shown support, despite concerns about constitutional issues and human rights.

Mexican Authorities Seize Drug Cartel Surveillance Cameras at Border

Mexican Authorities discovered 24 cartel surveillance cameras in San Luis Rio Colorado, highlighting ongoing drug violence near the U.S. border.

In a big operation, Mexican cops announced they found and took down 24 hidden cameras set up by drug gangs in the border town of San Luis Rio Colorado.

This town, right next to Arizona, has been dealing with a lot of fighting between drug groups trying to control the best smuggling paths.

The police from the north of Sonora state said these cameras, which were secretly put on telephone poles and streetlights, were used by “falcons,” a nickname for cartel watchers in Mexico who keep an eye on cops and soldiers.

The Army quickly got rid of the cameras, which looked like regular porch cameras but were hidden with duct tape.

They were found in three different areas and even stuck to palm trees, showing just how bold the drug gangs were about spying on people.

San Luis Rio Colorado, a popular spot for Americans looking for cheap drugs and dental work, has seen a big increase in violence from drug gangs in recent years.

This latest discovery points to a bigger problem: this isn’t the first time drug gangs have set up their own spying systems.

Back in 2015, a drug group in the north of Tamaulipas put out at least 39 cameras in Reynosa, right across from McAllen, Texas.

These high-tech cameras were hooked up to the city’s power and internet, letting the group watch over cops, soldiers, and even people in government buildings, shopping areas, and neighborhoods.

Also in 2015, the cops found 55 radio antennas between the border cities of Matamoros and Miguel Aleman, showing just how deep and organized these drug gangs are.

As the fight gets tougher and more violence happens, this latest discovery highlights the struggle to keep up with the ever-changing ways these drug groups operate along the U.S.-Mexico border.

California Man Charged After Explosive Device Detonates in Courthouse ‘5 Injured’

Nathaniel McGuire faces federal charges after allegedly throwing an explosive in a California courthouse, injuring 5 people.

A guy got charged by the feds after he allegedly threw a bomb inside a California courthouse, hurting five people.

Nathaniel James McGuire, a 20-year-old from Santa Barbara, is now in big trouble for recklessly damaging a building with explosives, as the U.S. District Attorney’s office said on Friday.

According to the police report, McGuire crashed into the Santa Maria Courthouse on Wednesday, barging in and throwing a bag that blew up as it hit the ground near the courtroom where people were being arraigned.

Witnesses said he yelled, “Liberty or death!” as he stormed into the building.

After the explosion, McGuire tried to run away on foot but got caught by Santa Barbara County sheriff’s deputies when he was trying to sneak into a red Ford Mustang parked nearby.

Eyewitnesses say he was shouting about the government taking his guns, calling for a revolt and a fight against the system.

When the cops questioned McGuire, he talked about his scary plans, saying he wanted to kill the security desk guards at the courthouse.

He mentioned going back to his car to grab a shotgun, a rifle, and Molotov cocktails, planning to come back and target the judge.

After searching the Mustang, they found a shotgun, a rifle, more ammo, a possible bomb, and 10 Molotov cocktails.

They were able to make the bomb safe.

“This guy’s actions are really disturbing,” said United States Attorney Martin Estrada. “He caused injuries to five people and scared a lot more.

His stash of weapons could have caused a lot more trouble if he hadn’t been stopped.”

The cops think McGuire might have been behind the bomb because of a recent gun arrest. On July 28, he was caught with a loaded and hidden revolver that wasn’t registered to him.

If McGuire is found guilty of the federal charges, he could be locked up for at least seven years, with a possible sentence of up to 40 years.

Sean ‘Diddy’ Combs: Testifying in Trial – Legal Expert Insights

Sean “Diddy” Combs faces critical trial decisions. Legal expert Meesha Moulton shares insights on the risks of testifying.

Sean “Diddy” Combs is facing a tough trial for serious crimes like sex trafficking and racketeering.

Legal expert Meesha Moulton from Meesha Moulton Law thinks it might not be a good idea for him to testify.

She says that testifying in your own case can be risky because it lets the prosecution question you more.

Moulton points out that being questioned in court can be very stressful and the prosecution will try to find any mistakes in what you say.

If you get flustered or upset, it could make your case worse. The stress might also make the jury see you differently, which could hurt your defense.

For someone like Combs, who is under a lot of scrutiny, this trial is very important.

Moulton believes that testifying could be his biggest challenge and that he should focus on being strategic rather than emotional.

To prove his innocence, Combs needs to think carefully about how he presents his side of the story.

Combs’ lawyer, Marc Agnifilo, wants him to tell his side of the story. In an interview, Agnifilo showed a more personal side of Combs, talking about his life and the good things he’s done.

Moulton thinks that by showing a more complex side of Combs, he could make the jury doubt the prosecution’s case.

However, there are many challenges ahead. Moulton warns that Combs needs to be ready for anything that might happen in court, like new evidence that could change the trial’s direction.

The trial itself is very serious. Just last week, federal agents brought charges against Combs for running a criminal operation that involved threats and sexual exploitation.

The charges are very serious, describing Combs’ “Freak Off” parties as places filled with drugs, sexual abuse, and attempts to hide evidence, including finding over 1,000 bottles of lubricant.

Combs is innocent and has pleaded not guilty to all charges. He’s facing a big hearing on October 9. He might spend at least 15 years in prison if he’s found guilty.

The trial is very public and will be influenced by his and his lawyers’ choices in the next few weeks.

If you or someone you know is dealing with any of the problems mentioned in this story, please call the Sexual Assault Hotline at 1-800-330-0226.

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