Venezuelan opposition presidential candidate Edmundo González has left the South American country after seeking asylum in Spain, according to the Spanish foreign minister.
'Edmundo González, at his own request, flew to Spain on a Spanish air force plane,' José Manuel Albares said in a statement online, adding that the 'government of Spain is committed to the political rights and physical integrity of all Venezuelans'.
The surprise departure by the candidate, who Venezuela's opposition and several foreign governments consider the legitimate winner of July's presidential election, comes just days after the government ordered his arrest.
Venezuelan vice-president Delcy Rodriguez said González, who ran against president Nicolas Maduro in July, left after 'voluntarily seeking refuge in the Spanish embassy in Caracas several days ago'.
She said the government Maduro, which had ordered the candidate's arrest, decided to grant González safe passage out of the country to contribute to the country's political peace.
A lawyer for Gonzalez confirmed to AFP the opposition candidate had departed for Spain.
González, a 75-year-old former diplomat, was a last minute stand in when opposition leader María Corina Machado was banned from running. Previously unknown to most Venezuelans, his campaign nonetheless rapidly ignited the hopes of millions of Venezuelans desperate for change after a decade long economic freefall.
While Maduro was declared the winner of the July vote, many governments have yet to recognise his victory and are instead demanding that authorities publish a breakdown of votes. Tally sheets collected by opposition volunteers from over two-thirds of the electronic voting machines indicate that González won by a more than 2-to-1 margin.
Post-election violence in Venezuela has claimed 27 lives and left 192 people injured, while the government says it has arrested about 2,400 people.
After the election, Venezuelan prosecutors issued an arrest warrant for Gonzalez over his insistence that he was the rightful winner of the election. Prior to leaving the country, he had been in hiding for a month, ignoring three successive summons to appear before prosecutors. He had said that attending the hearing could have cost his freedom.
His exit from the country comes on a day of rising diplomatic tensions in Venezuela.
Venezuela broke relations with Argentina following the disputed presidential election. In a statement, Venezuela said the decision was effective immediately, and was due to proof that the embassy was being used to plan assassination attempts against Maduro and Rodriguez.
Brazil said it had received the communication that its authorisation had been revoked 'with surprise.' Argentina said it rejected the 'unilateral' decision. Both countries urged Maduro to respect the Vienna Convention on Diplomatic Relations.
Russia's battlegroup Center has liberated the settlement of Novogrodovka in the Donetsk People's Republic, the Defense Ministry said.
'The settlement of Novogrodovka in the Donetsk People's Republic has been liberated by the battlegroup Center. Russian servicemen defeated the manpower and equipment of the Ukrainian 47th mechanized brigade, 144th infantry brigade, the 49th assault battalion and the 109th territorial defense brigade near Dzerzhinsk, Shcherbinovka, Kleban-Byk, Mikhailovka, Krasnoarmeysk, Grodovka, Galitsynovka and Dimitrov of the Donetsk People's Republic,' the ministry said.
It added that Russian forces also repelled eight counterattacks by the Ukrainian 32nd, 100th mechanized, 59th motorized infantry, 142nd infantry, 25th airborne brigades and 14th National Guard brigade. According to the ministry, the enemy losses amounted to up to 560 servicemen, a tank, a US-made MaxxPro and two Kozak armored fighting vehicles, two cars, a 152 mm Msta-B howitzer, a 152 mm D-20 gun and three 122mm D-30 howitzers.
Also the Defense Ministry said that Russian servicemen have hit a temporary deployment site of Ukraine's Special Operations Center South.
'Over the past day, Russian forces hit the temporary deployment site of Ukraine's Special Operations Center South, workshops of production, assembly and equipment of drones, accumulations of enemy manpower and military equipment in 127 areas,' the ministry said.
Russian air defenses have shot down four Hammer aerial bombs and 23 Ukrainian drones over the past day, the ministry added.
'Air defenses shot down four French-made Hammer guided bombs, four US-made HIMARS rockets and 23 drones,' it said.
Russia's battlegroup Dnepr has eliminated up to 50 Ukrainian servicemen over the past 24 hours, the ministry added.
'The battlegroup Dnepr defeated the manpower and equipment of the Ukrainian 39th coastal defense, the 37th marine, and the 121st, 124th territorial defense brigades near Gavrilovka, Veseloye, Otradokamenka, Novokairy, Antonovka and Dneprovskoye in the Kherson Region. The Ukrainian losses amounted to up to 50 servicemen, an armored combat vehicle and five vehicles,' the statement said.
Russia's battlegroup South has eliminated up to 625 Ukrainian servicemen over the past 24 hours, the ministry said.
'The battlegroup South continued advancing deep into the enemy's defense and defeated the Ukrainian 24th, 54th mechanized, 10th airborne assault brigades, as well as the 12th National Guard brigade near Chasov Yar, Zaliznyanskoye, Grigorovka, Seversk and Katerinovka in the Donetsk People's Republic,' the ministry said.
According to it, the Ukrainian armed forces lost up to 625 servicemen, a Kozak armored fighting vehicle, eight cars, a Strela-10 launcher, two UK-made 155 mm FH-70 howitzers, a US-made 155-mm M777 howitzer, a 152 mm D-20 gun, two 122 mm D-30 howitzers, a UK-made 105 mm L-119 howitzer, an electronic warfare station, as well as six field ammunition depots.
Russia's battlegroup East has eliminated up to 130 Ukrainian servicemen over the past 24 hours, the ministry noted.
'The battlegroup East took more favorable lines and positions, defeated the Ukrainian 58th motorized infantry and 72nd mechanized brigades, as well as the 102nd and 105th territorial defense brigades near Velikaya Novoselka, Zolotaya Niva and Dobrovolye in the Donetsk People's Republic. The enemy lost up to 130 servicemen,' the ministry said, adding that Ukraine has also lost four cars and a UK-made 155 mm howitzer.
Russia's battlegroup West has eliminated up to 550 Ukrainian servicemen over the past 24 hours, the Defense Ministry said.
'The battlegroup West has improved its tactical positions, defeating the manpower and equipment of the Ukrainian 14th, 53rd, 54th mechanized, 77th airmobile, 3rd assault brigades, as well as the 114th territorial defense brigade near Kovsharovka, Petropavlovka, Kupyansk-Uzlovoy, Kruglyakovka, Borovaya, Lozovaya in the Kharkov Region and Serebryanka in the Donetsk People's Republic,' the ministry said.
According to the it, the enemy lost up to 550 servicemen, a US-made M113 armored personnel carrier, a Kozak armored fighting vehicle, six cars, a Polish-made Krab 155 mm howitzer, two 122 mm D-30 howitzers, and a US-made 105 mm M119 gun. Anklav-N and Quertus electronic warfare stations, as well as six field ammunition depots were also destroyed, the ministry added.
Russia's battlegroup North has eliminated up to 160 Ukrainian servicemen over the past 24 hours, the ministry said.
'In the Bryansk, Liptsov and Volchansk areas, the battlegroup North defeated the manpower and equipment of the 57th motorized infantry brigade, 82nd airborne assault brigade, 34th marine brigade, the 113th territorial defense brigade, the 3rd National Guard brigade, and the 4th Ukrainian Border Guard Service detachment near Goptovka, Okhrimovka, Sosnovka, and Volchansk in the Kharkov Region. The Ukrainian military lost up to 160 servicemen and a 122 mm D-30 howitzer,' the ministry said.
The management of Prime Insurance noted that their medical insurance has continued to grow over the past three years and expressed a desire to discuss with their partners how to expand collaboration.
In 2023, Prime Medical Insurance generated RWF 2.1 billion, while by August 1, 2024, it had already earned over RWF 2.8 billion.
Col (Rtd) Eugène Murashi Haguma, the CEO of Prime General Insurance, emphasized that medical insurance plays a crucial role in the well-being of the population and should be improved to provide clients with quality services.
He stated, 'Insurance is a way for many people to pool their money together. The money they contribute is not ours; it belongs to our clients. What we aim for is to ensure that people never lack medical care because we manage that money well and provide treatment until the agreed-upon term ends.'
Mike Byusa, the Business Development Manager at Prime General Insurance, noted that the growth of medical insurance at the company is promising, as it accounted for 20% of the total income in the first six months of 2024.
He mentioned that discussions with their partners aim to assess how well the services are received, exchange ideas, and determine where to focus efforts for further improvement.
From the discussions, he revealed that Prime Insurance identified areas for further enhancement, such as speeding up the reimbursement process for medical claims, accelerating service delivery, and improving communication with partners.
Umutoni Carine, a representative from a hospital working with Prime Insurance, highlighted that meetings with the company’s management reinforce collaboration and are expected to improve.
She said, 'It is a good initiative for Prime Insurance to bring us together to exchange ideas. These discussions are beneficial for expanding our cooperation. We talked about suggestions and areas needing more effort, and we hope these will be addressed.'
Aimé Lambert Kadende Shyaka, an employee at Kipharma Pharmacy, emphasized that both parties should work to strengthen their cooperation, particularly in stabilizing fluctuating medicine prices in the market.
In the six months ending June 2024, Prime General Insurance earned over RWF 11.6 billion, with RWF 2.5 billion coming from medical insurance.
Prime Insurance anticipates that by the end of 2024, it will generate over RWF 4 billion from medical insurance services.
Currently, Prime Medical Insurance offers individual and family medical insurance services, as well as coverage for various organizations.
Prime Insurance has demonstrated how its medical insurance is advancing.
Prime General Insurance CEO, Col (Rtd) Eugène Murashi Haguma, in discussion with some of the company’s partners.
Prime General Insurance’s Business Development Manager, Mike Byusa, has urged partners to enhance operational efficiency.
Prime General Insurance CEO, Col (Rtd) Eugène Murashi Haguma, highlighted that medical insurance is crucial for the well-being of the population.
Carine Umutoni praised the collaboration between her organization and Prime Insurance.
Dr. Peace is among those who provided feedback on areas for further improvement.
Some contributors have suggested continuing to expand collaboration and have requested that this process be expedited.
Munyaneza Janvier, representing Frontier Diagnostic Center, indicated that there are aspects of the collaboration that need improvement.
Everyone expressed satisfaction with the discussions with Prime Insurance regarding the collaboration.
Partners of Prime Medical Insurance expressed their satisfaction with having the opportunity to discuss.
Maj Gen Kagame handed over command responsibility to Maj Gen Ruvusha on Saturday, September 7, 2024, in a ceremony attended by the incoming and outgoing Task Force Brigade Group Commanders, Police Component Commanders, NISS Coordinators, and other staff officers.
During the handover ceremony, Maj Gen Ruvusha thanked the outgoing JTFC for the impressive effort with which the force carried out its duties.
The new Rwandan troops arrived in Mozambique on August 20, 2024. Maj Gen Ruvusha was briefed and given a familiarization tour of the RSF area of responsibility, including Mocimboa da Praia, Chinda, Palma, Afungi, Pundanhar, Macomia, Ancuabe, and Pemba.
Rwanda Security Forces depart for Mozambique on August 20, 2024.
The security officer’s deployment is part of Rwanda’s ongoing commitment to supporting Mozambique in countering the insurgency that has plagued Cabo Delgado since October 2017, when armed extremists first launched a rebellion in the region.
In response to the escalating violence and widespread displacement, Rwanda began deploying its security forces to Mozambique on July 9, 2021. Initially consisting of 1,000 troops from both the Rwanda Defence Force and the Rwanda National Police, the contingent had grown to nearly 2,000 by the end of 2021.
By late 2022, it was announced that the number of Rwandan troops in Mozambique had increased to about 2,500, reflecting their expanded mandate to pursue and dislodge terrorists from their hideouts.
Mozambique has also received military support from the Southern African Development Community (SADC) since 2021. However, SADC forces began withdrawing in April this year as their mandate drew to a close.
Before the intervention of Rwandan troops in 2021, terrorists had claimed the lives of 3,000 civilians, and more than 800,000 people had been displaced. The insecurity also brought all development projects in the insurgent-controlled areas to a standstill.
Over the past three years, Rwandan security forces, in collaboration with Mozambique’s armed forces, have made significant strides in dismantling the Al Sunna wa Jama’a (ASWJ) terrorist group from their strongholds in Mocimboa da Praia and Palma. This has allowed a substantial number of internally displaced people to safely return to their homes.
Maj Gen Emmy Ruvusha (r) takes over the mandate from outgoing Joint Task Force Commander (JTFC) Maj Gen Alex Kagame, who has led the Rwandan troops in Cabo Delgado for the past year.
Arsenal have joined Paris Saint-Germain and Atletico Madrid in the race to sign Manchester City forward Julian Alvarez but may need to make further sales to fund his arrival, with City demanding £80m in a deal with add-ons. (Mirror)
Manchester United and Chelsea have both been scouting 16-year-old Real Madrid defender Joan Martinez, but Los Blancos are calm as they don't believe the teenager wants to leave. (Diario AS)
RB Leipzig are preparing for the departure of star midfielder Dani Olmo, though there are still details to be negotiated with the German club wanting â¬60m from Barcelona for his signature. (Marca)
Ostracised Chelsea midfielder Conor Gallagher has held positive talks with Atletico as his â¬40m move to Spain gathers pace. (Fabrizio Romano)
Chelsea want to sell Gallagher / Jonathan Moscrop/GettyImages
Man Utd have scheduled a medical for incoming right-back Noussair Mazraoui and the Red Devils could even have the Morocco international available for the Community Shield next week. (Santi Aouna)
Mazraoui's arrival could see Aaron Wan-Bissaka leave Old Trafford. The former Crystal Palace defender has been linked with West Ham United but is now also being targeted by Serie A champions Inter. (Football Insider)
Bournemouth are adamant they will not sell striker Dominic Solanke for less than his £65m release clause as Tottenham Hotspur mull over a deal. (Mirror)
Liverpool are ready to duke it out with Newcastle United in the bidding for Palace defender Marc Guehi and also want to add left-back Julio Soler to their ranks as a long-term replacement for Andy Robertson. (Sun)
Atletico are ready to rival Real Madrid for Spain international Aymeric Laporte, who is keen to terminate his contract with Saudi Pro League side Al Nassr and return to Europe. (El Chriniguito)
Rioters will 'pay the price' for the wave of violent clashes that has spread across the UK, ministers warned on Saturday, after a day in which police battled rival groups of demonstrators in the worst outbreak of civil disorder in Britain for more than a decade.
Dozens of arrests were made after the scenes of disorder, with police warning that further violence is likely in the coming days.
Multiple towns and cities saw clashes between anti-immigration demonstrators and counter-protesters, with police officers attacked and injured, and many more arrests promised.
The home secretary, Yvette Cooper, said the police would have the government's full support to take the strongest possible action. 'Criminal violence and disorder have no place on Britain's streets,' she said.
'Anyone who gets involved in criminal disorder and violent thuggery on our streets will have to pay the price and they should expect there to be arrests, prosecutions, penalties and the full force of the law including imprisonment and travel bans. There are consequences for breaking the law.'
The widespread clashes pose the first big challenge to Keir Starmer's new government, which is facing demands to introduce emergency powers to stop further violence and to recall parliament.
On Saturday bricks were hurled at police officers in Stoke-on-Trent, fireworks were thrown amid tense exchanges between an anti-Islamic group and an anti-racism rally in Belfast, and windows of a hotel which has been used to house migrants were smashed in Hull, where three police officers were injured and four people arrested. Later video footage on social media showed shops on fire. Several officers were also injured during 'serious disorder' in Liverpool city centre, where bricks, bottles and a flare were thrown and two officers needed hospital treatment and six arrests were made. Greater Manchester police said a dispersal notice had been authorised for the city centre. Scuffles broke out as opposing groups faced each other in Nottingham's Old Market Square with bottles and other items thrown from both sides.
People walk past Sunderland Central Police Office after a night of violent anti-immigrant demonstrations, in Sunderland on 3 August. Photograph: Hollie Adams/Reuters
About 150 people carrying St George's Cross flags, shouting 'you're not English any more' and 'paedo Muslims off our street', were greatly outnumbered in Leeds by hundreds of counter-protesters shouting 'Nazi scum off our streets'. Skirmishes broke out between demonstrators and punks ┠in town for a festival ┠in Blackpool, with bottles and chairs thrown.
In Bristol, police kept protesters and counter protesters apart before a group headed to a hotel used to house asylum seekers.
The need for urgent political intervention was stressed by the government's independent adviser on political violence and disruption, Lord Walney, who told the Observer that new emergency powers may be needed. 'The system isn't set up to deal with this rolling rabble-rousing being fuelled by far-right actors,' he said.
'I think home office ministers may want to look urgently at a new emergency framework ┠perhaps temporary in nature ┠that enables police to use the full powers of arrest to prevent people gathering where there is clear intent to fuel violent disorder.'
Keir Starmer held a meeting of senior ministers on Saturday in which he said police had been given full support to tackle extremists who were attempting 'to sow hate by intimidating communities'. He made clear that the right to freedom of expression and the violent scenes over recent days were 'two very different things'.
Last week's riots followed the killing of three young girls at a Taylor Swift-themed dance class in Southport on Monday. Axel Rudakubana, 17, from Lancashire, is accused of the attack, but false claims were spread online that the suspect was an asylum seeker who had arrived in the UK by boat. In the wake of these messages, far-right protesters â” guided by social media â” gathered in cities across the country.
A key factor in this spread of online disinformation involved Elon Musk's decision to allow rightwing activists such as Tommy Robinson back onto his social media platform X, said Joe Mulhall, director of research at Hope not Hate, the anti-fascism organisation. 'The initial disinformation and anger was being perpetrated by individuals on Twitter, for example, that have been previously deplatformed,' he said. 'And now they've been replatformed.'
Robinson was permanently banned from the platform (then called Twitter) in March 2018, then reinstated in November last year, after Musk bought it. 'We hadn't seen any significant numbers at any demonstrations since 2018,' Mulhall added.
An example of the danger posed by the misuse of social media was revealed in Stoke-on-Trent, where police were forced to deny there had been a stabbing, countering claims made on social media. 'There is growing speculation that a stabbing has taken place as a result of the disorder today. We can confirm this information is false and no stabbings have been reported to police or emergency responders, despite videos fuelling speculation on social media,' police said.
The danger of such intervention was stressed by Ben-Julian 'BJ' Harrington, the National Police Chiefs Council lead for public order, who condemned social media disinformation as a cause of last week's disorder.
He said: 'We had reports today that two people had been stabbed by Muslims in Stoke ┠it's just not true. There's people out there, not even in this country, circulating and stoking up hatred, division and concerns in communities that they don't care about, don't know and don't understand.'
Harrington, who was also the NPCC's gold commander in charge of national strategy for Saturday's disorder, said that 'yobs and thugs and criminals' were responsible. 'This isn't about protests,' he said. 'This is about violent disorder. This is about people who are descending into communities and causing damage ┠throwing bricks and bottles and things at cops who work within those communities.'
Riot police form a line on the Lower Ormeau road after protesters make their way through the area following a protest outside Belfast City Hall. Photograph: Peter Morrison/PA
Forces across England brought officers back from leave to deploy an extra 130 police support units ┠about 2,000 officers, he revealed. 'Of course there is a limited number of officers, and every one that is taken from a community is not out there solving burglaries.'
Echoing concerns about the dangers of social media, shadow home secretary James Cleverly called for tech companies to be hauled into Downing Street to ensure they were acting to stop the spread of disinformation on their platforms. However, he was criticised for issuing a statement in which he said Starmer taking the knee had sent 'completely the wrong message' to protesters, adding that there was 'never a justification for disorder like this'.
There was also further condemnation of Nigel Farage's role in inciting the violence with his comments about the Southport killings, in which he questioned 'whether the truth is being withheld from us' after the attack on Monday. Robert Jenrick, one of the favourites in the Tory leadership race, said that the Reform leader's comments did not 'make the situation better'.
Last week's clashes spread four days ago, when more than 100 protesters were arrested on Whitehall, where bottles and cans were thrown at police, while violence also broke out in Hartlepool and in Manchester.
On Thursday, Starmer announced a new 'national' response to the disorder linking police forces across the country through shared intelligence and the expanded use of facial recognition.
Then, on Friday, about 500 people, including some parents with their children, gathered in Sunderland city centre, responding to far-right social media posts to turn up and demonstrate. The gathering quickly descended into violence, with masked boys and men throwing missiles, including bricks, stones, beer barrels and scaffolding poles, at riot police.
Ten people were arrested and four policemen taken to hospital, one seriously injured. A police station was ransacked and a Citizens Advice Bureau set alight. By Saturday morning, the acrid smell of fire still hung in the air. Shoppers stopped to express their shock at what had happened, with hundreds of residents of all ages gathering on the city's streets with brushes, litter pickers, buckets, bin bags and dust pans.
The Sunderland Central Labour MP, Lewis Atkinson, said a link could be drawn between the disorder and the ashes of the English Defence League (EDL), which was founded by Robinson, whose real name is Stephen Yaxley-Lennon. The EDL has disbanded but its supporters remain active, and Atkinson said evidence suggested a neo-Nazi offshoot of the group was involved in Friday's violence.
A priest at Sunderland Minster said yobs tried to smash a gravestone to use as missiles during the disorder that gripped the city. 'It's an act of sacrilege to disturb someone's gravestone,' said Rev Jacqui Tyson. 'It's also remarkably lacking in common sense â” have you tried to pick up a gravestone?'
Donald Trump says he would be willing to debate Kamala Harris on the friendly environs of Fox News in September â” but the vice-president has not signed on to what would be a switch-up.
Trump had previously agreed to appear on ABC News and debate Joe Biden a second time this year before the president ended his re-election campaign.
In a statement on his Truth Social platform, Trump said the debate would be held on 4 September in Pennsylvania. The former president said that there was a conflict of interest at play after filing a defamation lawsuit against ABC and network host George Stephanopoulos over the anchor's assertion that Trump had been 'found liable for rape' in the E Jean Carroll case.
Trump earlier this year was ordered to pay $83m for defamatory statements he had made about the magazine columnist after an earlier case found him liable for defamation and sexual abuse.
'The Debate was previously scheduled against ⦠Biden on ABC, but has been terminated in that Biden will no longer be a participant, and I am in litigation against ABC Network and George Slopadopoulos, thereby creating a conflict of interest,' Trump wrote.
The former Republican president added that the site of the debate on Fox News â” which is generally welcoming to the GOP â” had not been determined. But he said the moderators would be Fox News' Bret Baier and Martha MacCallum, and the rules would be similar to his 27 June debate with Biden â” except that this time there would be a studio audience.
But on Saturday, in a statement that invoked Trump's previous challenge to debate Biden at any time or place, Harris's campaign made clear she did not agree to the terms of the proposed Fox News debate. And she particularly rejected using that debate to replace the ABC one.
'Donald Trump is running scared and trying to back out of the debate he already agreed to and running straight to Fox News to bail him out,' Harris campaign spokesperson Michael Tyler said in a statement shared on X by NBC News political correspondent Yamiche Alcindor.
'He needs to stop playing games and show up to the debate he already committed to on [10 September]. The vice-president will be there one way or the other to take the opportunity to speak to a prime-time national audience. We're happy to discuss further debates after the one both campaigns have already agreed to.
'Mr Anytime, anywhere, any place should have no problem with that unless he's too scared to show up on the 10th.'
In a post on X, Harris herself added: 'It's interesting how any time, any place' becomes 'one specific time, one specific safe space.''
The vice-president said in July that she was 'ready' to debate Trump and accused him of stepping back from the previous agreement involving ABC.
In a post on Saturday, Trump alleged that Harris was 'afraid' to 'do a REAL debate' against him. He added: 'I'll see [Harris] on September 4th or I won't see her at all.'
Democratic party alarm at Biden's June debate performance on CNN set in motion his dramatic withdrawal from the race, with polls indicating he was likely headed for a blowout electoral defeat.
Trump and Harris are now polling neck-and-neck.
The political dance over presidential debates is now set to escalate. Earlier this year, Biden and Trump agreed to sidestep the typical arrangement of three debates, typically held in the fall and organized by the bipartisan Commission on Presidential Debates.
Democrats said reducing the number to two and moving them up to June and September reflected changes in the 'structure of our elections and the interests of voters'.
Biden said he had won two debates with Trump in 2020 and challenged him to two this year. 'I hear you're free on Wednesdays,' Biden said, referring to a weekly off-day during the New York criminal trial that saw Trump convicted of falsifying business records in connections with hush-money payments to the adult film actor Stormy Daniels.
But that decision ultimately backfired for Biden.
The latest twist in the 2024 debate drama comes after Trump said he would not face Harris because she was not the party's official candidate. On Friday, Harris secured enough Biden delegates to officially become her party's nominee.
At a rally in Atlanta on Tuesday, Harris said she welcomed a debate against Trump, who days earlier had called her a 'bum'.
'As the saying goes, you got something to say, say it to my face,' Harris said.
U.S. warships and fighter jets are headed to the Middle East and nearby areas to bolster American defenses in support of Israel, as both countries brace for a possible military strike by Iran.
U.S. Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin late Friday signed orders to move the additional assets and capabilities to the Middle East and parts of Europe, following pledges by Tehran and its proxies to take revenge for the killings this past week of a top Hezbollah commander in Lebanon and the Hamas terror group's political leader on Iranian soil.
The U.S. moves include sending the USS Abraham Lincoln aircraft carrier strike group to the Middle East, along with naval cruisers and destroyers capable of shooting down ballistic missiles.
In addition, the U.S. is sending an additional fighter squadron to the region and is taking steps to allow for the deployment of land-based missile defense capabilities.
The Pentagon did not say when the various ships and planes will be in place, but in a statement Friday it described the moves as necessary to 'mitigate the possibility of regional escalation by Iran or Iran's partners and proxies.'
The statement also said the movement of more military capabilities to the region aims 'to improve U.S. force protection, to increase support for the defense of Israel, and to ensure the United States is prepared to respond to various contingencies.'
The new orders came just hours after Austin pledged additional support to Israel during a call with Israeli Defense Minister Yoav Gallant.
'The secretary reiterated ironclad support for Israel's security and informed the minister of additional measures to include ongoing and future defensive force posture changes that the department will take to support the defense of Israel,' Pentagon spokesperson Sabrina Singh said during a briefing.
The Pentagon's support for Israel since the October 7 Hamas terror attack 'should leave Iran, Lebanese Hezbollah and other Iranian-backed terrorist groups with no doubt about U.S. resolve,' she said.
Tensions in the region have escalated significantly in the past week, following an Israeli strike in Lebanon that killed Fouad Shukur, Hezbollah's top military commander, and the subsequent assassination of Hamas political leader Ismail Haniyeh, who was in Tehran to celebrate the inauguration of Iran's new president.
Israel has not publicly claimed responsibility for Haniyeh's death, but Iran's supreme leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, put the onus on Israel and called for retribution.
'The criminal, terrorist Zionist regime martyred our dear guest in our territory and has caused our grief, but it has also prepared the ground for a severe punishment,' Khamenei posted on the X social media platform.
'It is our duty to take revenge,' he added in a separate post.
Iranian officials said Thursday they planned to meet with representatives from Iran's key proxies â” including Hamas, Hezbollah, Yemen's Houthis and militias in Iraq and Syria â” to plan their next steps.
'How Iran and the resistance front will respond is currently being reviewed,' said Major General Mohammad Bagheri, Iran's armed forces chief, speaking on Iranian state TV.
'This will certainly happen, and the Zionist regime [Israel] will undoubtedly regret it,' he added.
But U.S. officials, seeking to prevent the tensions from exploding into a regional war, have repeatedly signaled that Washington would not leave Israel undefended.
During a call Thursday between U.S. President Joe Biden and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, Biden 'discussed efforts to support Israel's defense against threats, including against ballistic missiles and drones, to include new defensive U.S. military deployments,' according to the U.S. readout.
U.S. defense officials Friday likewise emphasized Israel would not stand alone in the face of Iranian aggression.
'We will stand with Israel in their self-defense,' said Singh.
'These are defensive capabilities,' Singh added. 'All of our capabilities that we have there in the region are defensive and to send a message of deterrence.'
Besides the additional ships and warplanes headed to the Middle East, the Pentagon has a U.S. Marine Corps amphibious ready group with some 4,000 troops in the region.
The USS Theodore Roosevelt carrier strike group is also in the Middle East but is expected to leave once the USS Abraham Lincoln aircraft carrier strike group arrives.
This would not be the first time the U.S. has enhanced its defensive capabilities to help shield Israel from an Iranian attack.
This past April, the U.S. moved naval destroyers and other military assets into the region while coordinating with Britain, Jordan, Saudi Arabia and other allies in the Middle East to thwart a massive drone and missile barrage by Iran.
At the time, one U.S. official called the effort an 'incredible military achievement.'
Whether the U.S. will be able to rely on a similar coalition to deter a second Iranian attack on Israel, however, is unclear.
Whether Iran and its proxies would attempt another aerial attack on Israel, after an estimated 99% of the missiles and drones that they launched in April failed to hit a target, is also unclear.
'Iran is currently in the process of making a difficult decision on how to respond to the targeting killing of Hamas leader Ismail Haniyeh in Tehran,' said Robert Murrett, a retired U.S. vice admiral and deputy director of the Institute for Security Policy and Law at Syracuse University.
'Iran will likely carefully calibrate its response to the Israelis,' Murrett told VOA via email. 'They [the Iranians] are fully aware of the regional implications of any direct or indirect attack on Israel with or without surrogates.'
In the meantime, the Pentagon insisted Friday that a further escalation between Iran and Israel 'is not inevitable.'
'We do believe there is an off-ramp here, and that is that [Gaza] cease-fire deal,' between Israel and Hamas, Singh said.
Some information from Reuters was used in this report.
Nigeria is a complex democracy with a history of political instability and economic challenges, though founded on the principles of human rights and fundamental freedoms. Among these enshrined rights is the freedom of peaceful assembly and association, as guaranteed by Section 40 of the 1999 Constitution. This constitutional provision empowers citizens to come together freely, express their views, and advocate for their interests without fear of reprisal. It is a cornerstone of democratic governance, fostering a society where diverse voices can be heard and where citizens can actively participate in shaping their nation's destiny.Â
However, the line between peaceful protest and violent riot is often blurred in Nigeria. While the constitution protects the right to protest, it does not grant citizens carte blanche to infringe upon the rights of others or to engage in destructive behaviour. This delicate balance is frequently undermined by the actions of some protesters who, under the guise of legitimate grievances, resort to violence, vandalism, and looting.
The history of protests in Nigeria is replete with instances where initially peaceful demonstrations have degenerated into chaotic scenes of destruction. The EndSARS protests of 2020, while initially a legitimate expression of youth discontent with police brutality, tragically escalated into widespread violence and looting. Similar patterns have been observed in previous protests, such as the fuel subsidy removal protests of 2012.
This recurring trend of protest-turned-riot has far-reaching consequences. It creates a climate of fear and uncertainty, deterring both domestic and foreign investment. No rational investor would be willing to risk their capital in a country where there is a high likelihood of their assets being destroyed during periods of civil unrest. The economic implications of this are devastating, as it hampers job creation, hinders development, and exacerbates poverty.
Also, local businesses, both small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) and large corporations bear the brunt of the violence associated with these protests. The destruction of property, looting, and disruption of business operations lead to significant financial losses and job cuts. The 2020 EndSARS protests, for instance, resulted in an estimated economic loss of over N700 billion, according to the Lagos Chamber of Commerce and Industry (LCCI). This figure represents a substantial setback for the Nigerian economy and highlights the devastating impact of violent protests on businesses and livelihoods.
Moreover, the actions of these destructive elements undermine the credibility of genuine protesters and their cause. By resorting to violence and lawlessness, they alienate the public and provide ammunition to those who seek to suppress dissent. This is a grave disservice to the democratic process and sets back the struggle for justice and accountability.
It is essential to recognise that the rights of protesters do not supersede the rights of others. While citizens have the right to express their grievances peacefully, they must do so in a manner that respects the law and the rights of their fellow citizens. This includes the constitutional rights of others to free movement and the right to own movable and immovable properties. Property destruction, looting, and violence are not legitimate forms of protest and must be condemned unequivocally.
To address this issue, there is a need for a comprehensive approach that involves both the government and civil society. The government must uphold its constitutional obligation to protect the rights of citizens, including the right to peaceful assembly. At the same time, it must also take decisive action to prevent and respond to violence. Security agencies must be trained to handle protests professionally and with restraint, while also being empowered to enforce the law and protect lives and property.
Civil society organisations also have a crucial role to play in promoting peaceful protest and civic education. They can work with communities to build trust between citizens and the government and to educate people about their rights and responsibilities. Also, the National Orientation Agency (NOA) has a vital role in sensitising citizens on the importance of peaceful protest.
Through public awareness campaigns, workshops, and community engagement programs, NOA can effectively communicate the message that protests should be conducted peacefully and without resorting to violence or destruction. By emphasising the negative consequences of violent protests, NOA can contribute to a shift in public perception and encourage citizens to express their grievances through lawful and constructive channels.
Ultimately, the success of any democracy depends on the ability of its citizens to engage in peaceful and constructive dialogue. When protests devolve into riots, it is the nation as a whole that suffers. It is imperative that Nigerians embrace a culture of peaceful protest and reject violence as a means of achieving their goals. Only then can we hope to build a just and prosperous society for all.
The country’s Minister of Forest Economy, Rosalie Matondo and WCS officials launched this initiative which aims to address the significant financing gap for the conservation of tropical forests, especially those still untouched by degradation.
'This project marks a significant step towards innovative financial mechanisms that allow our country to capitalize on our conservation efforts,' said Matondo during the launch in Brazzaville. Nouabalé-Ndoki National Park, covering over 0.4 million hectares, has absorbed over 11 million tons of CO2 over the past decade, showcasing the immense climate contribution of these forests.
WCS, the visionary behind HIFOR, developed the initiative to create a sustainable financial model for conserving tropical forests that offer vital climate, biodiversity, and socio-economic benefits. Each HIFOR unit represents one hectare of well-preserved forest, allowing investors to support the protection of these critical ecosystems while creating a long-term stream of funding.
The HIFOR initiative was endorsed on August 28 by the Republic of Congo’s Forest Carbon Task Force, led by Prime Minister Anatole Collinet Makosso. The task force recognized the importance of the high-integrity forests, which remove an estimated 1.8 billion tons of CO2 annually. Without these forests, global temperatures could already be 0.5°C higher.
Despite their importance, the world’s high-integrity forests are in decline, with 12% lost between 2000 and 2020. These forests are increasingly vulnerable to fragmentation and degradation, a reality that underscores the urgency of new conservation efforts.
Richard Malonga, WCS Congo Country Director, emphasized the importance of protecting these forests: 'With threats to high integrity forests constantly evolving and increasing, our efforts must be relentless. Congo is fortunate to have many of these forests, and we are proud to partner with the government to pilot this innovative mechanism for their long-term protection.'
Unlike traditional forest financing tools, HIFOR focuses on preserving ecological integrity rather than compensating for deforestation emissions. HIFOR units are non-compensatory, tradable assets that provide a way for governments and communities to protect their forests while developing low-carbon, sustainable economies.
WCS plans to pilot HIFOR in collaboration with local governments and communities to ensure transparency and long-term success. 'Early HIFOR projects will be individually audited to maintain quality and transparency,' noted Malonga.
For over 30 years, WCS has been a crucial partner in the conservation of global wildlife and ecosystems, contributing to the management of national parks and the protection of biodiversity on the planet.
As the world grapples with climate change and biodiversity loss, initiatives like HIFOR offer a beacon of hope, providing both ecological and financial solutions to safeguard the planet’s most vital ecosystems.
