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Attention

Several killed as Kenyan police open fire on anti-tax bill protesters [Updated]


Al Jazeera and News Agencies
Fri, 26 Jul 2024 07:01 UTC
Kenya protests
© Al Jazeera
Parts of Parliament building set ablaze as protesters storm the complex in Kenya's capital, Nairobi.

Several people have been killed after police fired live rounds at protesters trying to storm Kenya's legislature, where lawmakers voted to pass a contentious finance bill that would hike taxes.

Thousands of people joined the youth-led demonstration in the Kenyan capital, Nairobi, on Tuesday to demand that lawmakers vote against the bill amid soaring tensions over a cost-of-living crisis in the country.

But legislators voted to pass the bill, and some then fled the chamber as protesters breached the complex of the Parliament of Kenya. Parts of the Parliament building were set ablaze.

Comment:
Update July 4, 2024 from Kenya News Agency
Deputy President Calls On The Youth To Call Off Protests In The Country
Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua has called on the youth in the country to keep peace and shun violence recently witnessed in the countrywide protests.

The DP speaking during the burial of his elder sister Leah Wangari Muriuki at Mirera village in Laikipia East constituency, observed that the protests had been infiltrated and allegedly hijacked by criminals who were engaged in looting.

"I want to, as a father to appeal to my children my sons and daughters listen to us as your parents, we wish to plead with you to call off the protests so that criminals do not hijack them and engage in criminal activities, The DP pleaded.

He noted that the President had already ceded ground to the demands of the protesters by directing the withdrawal of the contentious 2024 Finance bill and therefore the need to remain peaceful and stop the protests.
It is far from unthinkable that some criminal elements if not hijacking the protest, at least made use of the occasion to do business of their own. This has been seen in other countries before, where there as a sideshow to protest is looting, violence and vandalism.

July 4, 2024
Normalcy Returning To Nyeri Town As Anti-Tax Demos Slowly Fizzle Out
Business operations in Nyeri town are slowly returning to normalcy after two weeks of anti-tax demos by Gen-Z protesters.

On Tuesday this week, a contingent of anti-riot police dispersed a group of youths who were planning to stage a demo in Nyeri town after word went round that the procession could be infiltrated by looters.

The move followed last week's looting of Chieni Supermarket in Nyeri town by suspected goons who made away with goods worth millions of shillings.

The retail store is associated with Kieni MP Wainana Njoroge, who later said he lost at least Sh550 million during the raid.

Njoroge is among Kenya Kwanza MPs alleged to have voted for the now suspended Finance Bill 2024.

A spot check by KNA today revealed most of the retail chain stores like Naivas, Maathai, Samrat and Khetias supermarkets had opened their doors for business having closed down on Tuesday for fear of looting by demonstrators.

A contingent of anti-riot Police could also be seen patrolling the town's streets.
Sh 550 million is with 1000 Kenyan Shillings being equal to 7.18 Euro, close to 4 million Euro.

From RT:
3 Jul, 2024 10:22
Kenyan police declare zero tolerance on violent protests
The East African nation experienced widespread unrest once again on Tuesday as demonstrators called for the president's resignation
[...]
The renewed nationwide demonstrations come a week after at least 39 people were killed and over 360 others injured in clashes between riot police and protesters opposing the IMF-backed 2024 Finance Bill, according to the Kenya National Commission on Human Rights.

President Ruto announced last week that he would withdraw the legislation, but protesters are concerned that he will reconsider and sign it. On Sunday, Ruto stated that dropping the bill has set the country back two years and will force Nairobi to borrow $7.6 billion to fund the government.

On Tuesday, protesters in the capital and the coastal city of Mombasa demanded Ruto's resignation, accusing him of poor governance. According to Reuters, the rallies began in a peaceful mood but later turned violent, with riot police charging at protesters in Nairobi's downtown business district. A kiosk was set on fire in the center of a street, and police hurled tear gas bombs into the crowds, the outlet added.
[...]

Mohammed Ali, an MP for Nyali in Mombasa County, and some supporters of the youth-led marches claimed on X (formerly Twitter) that "goons" had infiltrated the planned demonstrations.

The insurgents, according to Ali, have "torched vehicles, robbed innocent women and men while on motorbikes, and vandalized businesses, which is a clear indication that there are other forces at play that seek to see this country burn and undo over 60 years of development."
Kenya covers 580,367 km2 and is home to more than 50 million people. The demographics of Kenya shows the annual growth rate is a little above 2% with a declining trend. The capital of Kenya, Nairobi, has close to five million people, while Mombasa, on the shore of the Indian Ocean has close to 4 million people. More than 30 % live in cities, and of those 30 % (15 million), 70 % (more than 10 million) live in informal settlements, without basic infrastructure. Those between 15 and 29 make up roughly 30 %. Youth protests in a country like Kenya, can potentially include much more people than had it been in Europe or North America.

Some of the problems in Kenya are not unique. A screenshot from the 2023 UN Habitat report:
UN Habitat annual report 2023
Other headlines about Kenya, updated with comments to show the complexity of Kenyan society and the environment in which the protests have taken place.

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X

North Carolina blocks RFK Jr., Cornel West from ballot - for now

Timothy H.J. Nerozzi
Fox News
Thu, 27 Jun 2024 09:22 UTC
Robert F. Kennedy, Jr.
© Jessica Kourkounis/Getty ImagesPresidential Candidate Robert F. Kennedy, Jr. makes a campaign announcement at a press conference in Philadelphia.
The election board of North Carolina has denied two political parties' bids to nominate Robert F. Kennedy, Jr. and Cornel West as their candidates.

State election officials have confirmed that We the People Party submitted more than the 13,865 valid signatures necessary to register as a political party ahead of the 2024 election. The Justice for All Party similarly turned in more than the minimum number of signatures necessary.

Republican members of the election board on Wednesday backed the two parties' push for formal recognition, which would allow them to select candidates for the ballot.
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Cow Skull

The art of being eternally shocked: How the press and pundits are again mystified by the obvious

Jonathan Turley
jonathanturley.org
Sat, 29 Jun 2024 00:00 UTC
the scream
No one would think of the Beltway as being a place of the naive innocents of our society. Washington is the only ecosystem composed entirely of apex predators. Yet, this week everyone seems to be eternally shocked by what has been obvious for years.

The press and pundits are coming off an embarrassing couple of weeks where the Hunter Biden laptop was authenticated in federal court as real. This occurred in the trial of the president's son almost on the anniversary of a debunked letter of intelligence officials claiming that the laptop appeared to be Russian disinformation. Biden then repeated the claim in the last presidential debates to avoid answering questions over the massive influence peddling scheme of this family revealed by the laptop.

After the story was suppressed before the 2020 election, it took years for the media to admit that, oops, the laptop is surprisingly real.
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Red Flag

The hidden history of Robert Mueller's right-wing terror factory—Part 1

Ken Silva
Headline USA
Wed, 26 Jun 2024 00:00 UTC
Robert Mueller
© Associated PressRobert Mueller
Interviews and newly unearthed records reveal FBI program to stage Nazi rallies

In 2007, Orlando residents were furious to discover that an FBI informant had organized a neo-Nazi rally through one of the city's mostly black neighborhoods a year earlier.

"To come into a predominantly black community, which could have resulted in great harm to the black community? I would hate to be part of a game," Orlando City Councilwoman Daisy Lynum said at the time, calling for a "full-scale investigation" into the matter.

However, an FBI agent testified that his informant participated in the event, but didn't organize it. The city's uproar passed without a public investigation, full-scale or otherwise — until now.

Comment: No surprise here really given the large number of Muslims and mentally-challenged individuals the FBI set up to give the appearance of an Islamic terrorist threat in the US - not to mention a whole plethora and variety of other set-ups and societal manipulations.

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Health

Odds are high you're going to need your survival supplies in the next few years

Brandon Smith
Prepper All-Naturals
Sat, 08 Jun 2024 00:00 UTC
prepper supplie
In 2020 at the onset of the covid pandemic scare and right before the lockdowns I'll never forget going on a grocery run on a Friday afternoon only to find near empty roads and near empty stores. The few other people shopping had a glassy stare in their eyes, like they were dazed or shell-shocked. For me and those I know that prep, it was just another day; for those that hadn't prepped it was a nightmare of uncertainty.

In Montana we didn't pay much heed to the lockdowns after the first month. In three months everything was basically back to normal except for the mask mandates which most people ignored. With more data available on the virus it was clear that the chance of death was greatly exaggerated. What scared us far more was the pervasive talk of vaccine passports in 2021. The proposed state and federal restrictions on people that refused to take the jab were familiar - This was the beginning of full blown tyranny unless we stood firm.

In the meantime there was a public rush to buy up as many necessities as they could afford. And of course, the covid stimulus measures helped to trigger a stagflationary crisis that had already been building in the US for many years.

Comment: And all the above is to say nothing of the "predicted" Disease X. So get a good store of supplements, antibiotics, etc. too, if you can.

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Attention

Emergency statement on the health and human rights crisis in the West Bank

Jewish Voice for Peace Health Advisory Council
Mondoweiss
Mon, 01 Jul 2024 19:27 UTC
West bank destruction
© Mohammed Nasser/APA ImagesA view of the destruction in the area revealed following the withdrawal of the Israeli army from Jenin refugee camp, May 23, 2024.
Alongside the catastrophe in Gaza, another crisis is unfolding in the West Bank and East Jerusalem, where the Israeli military has launched land incursions, conducted airstrikes, restricted access to resources, and targeted health infrastructure.

Over the past few months, the Israeli military assault in Gaza has killed and injured more than 100,000 people and has decimated health care, education, and housing infrastructure. While international attention has been focused on the catastrophe in Gaza, another crisis is unfolding in the West Bank and East Jerusalem.

Since October 7, 2023, more than 544 Palestinians have been killed (including 126 children) and over 5,200 injured (including 800 children) by the Israeli military and Jewish settlers in Jerusalem and the West Bank (6/16/24). The UN Human Rights Office of the High Commissioner decries "day after day of unprecedented bloodshed...The killing, destruction and widespread human rights violations are unacceptable, and must cease immediately. Israel must not only adopt but enforce rules of engagement that are fully in line with applicable human rights norms and standards."

Comment: Goes to show that Israel certainly doesn't need the pretense of eliminating Hamas to perpetrate, en masse, the wanton destruction of Palestinian lives and property

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TV

Germany's economy is descending into chaos - and it will take the rest of the eurozone down with it

Matthew Lynn
The Telegraph
Wed, 12 Jun 2024 19:43 UTC
German Chancellor Olaf Scholz
© Ludovic MARIN / POOL / AFPFILE: The coalition government led by Chancellor Olaf Scholz has been accused of overseeing Germany's demise.
It is now little more than a "developing country". Its stock market is a "junk shop" selling old tat. And its reputation as a place to do business has "never been so bad'. In the middle of the UK's dismal election campaign, it would be easy to imagine that Britain was the country under discussion.

But Theodor Weimer, the head of the once mighty Deutsche Börse, was describing his native Germany.


Comment: Wiki: 'Deutsche Börse is a German multinational corporation that offers a marketplace for organizing the trading of shares and other securities. [..] generated a turnover of €114.19 billion in May.'


And he was absolutely right. After a series of catastrophic policy mistakes by centrist leaders, there is no way back for Germany - and its decline is only going to accelerate from here.

In a speech to Bavarian business leaders delivered back in April, but only made public when it was posted on YouTube this week, Weimer certainly didn't mince his words. A country that prided itself on its efficiency, that saw itself as the engine of Europe and boasted of its formidable export machine was, as he put it, slipping to third world status.

Comment: It's perhaps no coincidence that the most ardent warmongers are also overseeing economies that are deteriorating the fastest:

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Bad Guys

Wave of suicide bomb attacks strike Nigeria; 1 female had a baby and bomb attached at wedding


Yahoo
Mon, 01 Jul 2024 18:43 UTC
Nigerian Vice President Kashim Shettima
© Audu MARTENigerian Vice President Kashim Shettima visited survivors of the attack
The death toll from multiple suicide bombings in the northeastern Nigerian town of Gwoza over the weekend has risen to 32, the country's vice president Kashim Shettima said Monday.

Saturday's attacks involving female suicide bombers targeting a wedding, a hospital and a funeral was one of the worst in northeast Nigeria in years, a reminder of the darker days of the country's long-running struggle with jihadist militants.

"So far, 32 people lost their lives. Forty-two (injured) were brought from Gwoza," Shettima said, visiting a hospital in the Borno State capital Maiduguri where some of the wounded were being treated.

Comment: WION reports of the suicide attack seemingly carried out by a mother:


It's perhaps no coincidence that elsewhere terror attacks, assassination attempts, and coups, have surged in just the past few months; because it's likely to be the same factions who are, ultimately, responsible for most, if not all, of them: See also:

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No Entry

Turkish airport 'refuses' to refuel Israeli plane after landing


Al Mayadeen
Sun, 30 Jun 2024 17:56 UTC
Ataturk airport
© Murad Sezer/ReutersFILE: Ataturk airport in Istanbul, Turkey. Israeli media are claiming that Turkish authorities informed the Foreign Ministry that the plane would be permitted to refuel, but this did not happen.
Following an emergency landing in Antalya, Turkey, on Sunday, an Israeli El AI flight was denied refueling. Turkish personnel at Antalya Airport refused to refuel airplane LY5102 before it took off for "Israel", Israeli media reported.

"Local workers refused to refuel the company's plane, even though it was a medical case," the report stated, adding that the jet flew to Rhodes, Greece, where "it will refuel before taking off to Israel," according to the airline.

Turkish diplomatic sources confirmed that the jet was permitted to make an emergency landing to evacuate an ill passenger.

"Fuel was to be provided to the plane due to humanitarian considerations, but as the relevant procedure was about to be completed, the captain decided to leave of his own accord," according to a Turkish diplomat.

Comment: When all diplomatic efforts fail, righteous nations may be forced to make tough decisions and treat Israel as the pariah state that it evidently chooses to be:

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Chart Bar

Takeaways from Iran's record-low Presidential vote with no winner

Kian Sharifi
RFEFL
Sat, 29 Jun 2024 11:00 UTC
electoral posters of moderate candidate Masud Pezeshkian (left) and hard-line hopeful Saeed Jalili in Tehran.
Young women flouting the mandatory Islamic head scarf walk past electoral posters of moderate candidate Masud Pezeshkian (left) and hard-line hopeful Saeed Jalili in Tehran.
The Islamic republic of Iran witnessed its lowest presidential-election turnout ever on June 28, when only around 40 percent of eligible voters cast their ballots.

None of the four candidates cleared to run in the election managed to secure enough votes to be declared the outright winner.

Reformist lawmaker Masud Pezeshkian, who took 42.5 percent of the vote, and ultraconservative former nuclear negotiator Saeed Jalili, who won 38.6 percent, will face off in a second round of voting on July 5 that will determine the next president of Iran.

The historic low turnout came despite calls by Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei for voters to show up in droves to cast their ballots, arguing that the "durability, strength, dignity, and reputation of the Islamic republic" were on the line.

Turnout in major elections has been declining since 2020, but opinion polls carried out in Iran had suggested that this election would not be as bad as the 2021 presidential election, which saw a then-record-low turnout of 48.8 percent.

The low turnout is "obviously a sign of the decreasing legitimacy of the Islamic republic," said Farzan Sabet, a senior research associate at the Geneva Graduate Institute.

Comment: See also:

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