(2019-07-21). New Trade Bloc Will Spur Pan African Industries. indybay.org Preparations for 2019 Pan African Global Trade and Investment Week hosted in the Capitol City of Sacramento, California is poised to expand connections to the 5th largest economy in the world to the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA)…
(2019-07-21). Houston African Forum Pre-Event to Sister Cities International Conference. indybay.org Barbara Jordan-Mickey Leland School of Public Affairs, Texas Southern University, Houston…
(2019-07-19). Don't panic, support DR Congo in fight against deadly Ebola virus, UN health agency urges. un.org Ebola virus is just one challenge among many facing communities in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), the World Health Organization (WHO) said on Friday, reiterating an appeal for the international community to show support and solidarity for its people.
(2019-07-19). Nigerian Political Prisoner Sheikh Ibrahim Zakzaky. globalresearch.ca Nigerian rule is tyrannical, headed by military dictator/turned politician Muhannadu Buhari and his so-called All Progressives Congress party (APC). | His February re-electoral triumph was dubious at best, critics citing voter-suppression and vote-buying. | Political violence occurred in the run-up to the …
(2019-07-19). Trump Praises Supporters Who Want to Deport Ilhan Omar as "People That Love Our Country" theintercept.com The president first disavowed and then praised a baying mob that responded to his rant against a Somali-American congresswoman by chanting, "Send her back."
(2019-07-19). Russia and China Compete In Africa. Moscow's "Pivot to Africa" globalresearch.ca The heavily Russian-influenced government in the Central African Republic is recommending the closure of four Chinese-run gold mines over environmental concerns, making it possible that these firms could be replaced with Russian ones and potentially creating a model whereby Moscow …
(2019-07-19). Adventures in Script-Writing. counterpunch.org Over the years I've had approximately twenty scripts produced at small theaters in and around Hollywood and Orange County. None of these plays were celebrated or spectacular, mind you, just some offbeat comedies (in what might be called the "minimalist" tradition) that were fortunate enough to attract modest audiences willing to pay $25. Live theater, More
(2019-07-19). British Say Iran Seizes 2 Vessels in Strait of Hormuz. truthdig.com One of the ships is British-flagged and the other sails under Liberia's flag. Details remain sketchy amid rising pressures in the region.
(2019-07-19). The Sidama Region and Ethiopia's "Perfect Storm" globalresearch.ca The last-minute compromise deal by the Sidama Liberation Movement and the Ethiopian government to delay the former's planned declaration of a new regional state until an upcoming referendum in December doesn't solve the deeper problem of the country's contentious internal …
(2019-07-19). Zimbabwe: Droughts leave millions food insecure, UN food agency scales up assistance. un.org Severe drought has rendered more than a third of rural households in Zimbabwe — or around 3.5 million people — dangerously food insecure, the UN World Food Programme (WFP) revealed on Friday.
(2019-07-19). New Zealand accused of complicity in Morocco's occupation of Western Sahara. greenleft.org.au 
Activists are tracking a ship bound for New Zealand containing an unknown quantity of what they allege is stolen Sahrawi phosphate which is illegally mined and exported by Morocco, the occupying power in Western Sahara. Morocco is the largest producer and exporter of phosphates in the world. | Bruce Munro reported the ship's journey in the July 15 Otago Daily Times. He said it had sailed for 44 days, without divulging the nature of its cargo or the fact that it was headed for New Zealand. Kamal Fadel, Australia's Polisario…
(2019-07-19). Sudan's Agreement on Political Declaration Leaves Many Unanswered Questions. globalresearch.ca An agreement on the Political Declaration signed by the Transitional Military Council (TMC) and the leadership of the Forces for Freedom and Change (FFC) on July 17 postpones firm decisions on key aspects of a comprehensive program which will determine …
(2019-07-19). Sudan: 'The only way to ensure justice for our martyrs is in the streets.'. greenleft.org.au 
Sudanese took to the streets in their tens of thousands across the country on July 13, while negotiations for a transitional civilian-led government hung in the balance. | Two days later, protests broke out again in response to the killing of a civilian, shot dead in the town of El Souk, southeast of Khartoum. Witnesses reported that members of the feared Rapid Support Forces fired on protesters, who were demanding that the paramilitaries leave their town. | Negotiations between the democratic Forces for Freedom and Change (FFC) and the Transitional Military Council (TMC), which seized control following the toppl…
(2019-07-19). South Carolina Speaks for Whom? counterpunch.org 
Because the African American vote is crucial, the conventional wisdom nowadays is that for Democrats to end up with a nominee who can defeat Donald Trump, Democratic candidates must win over African Americans' hearts and minds. This is a rare case in which the conventional wisdom is spot on. Because South Carolina will be the More
(2019-07-18). WHY IS THE TURKISH PRESS SILENT ON THE CRISIS IN LIBYA? uwidata.com 
Faruk Bildirici, one of the distinguished representatives of Turkish journalism, with whom I worked for 27 years at Hàºrriyet news, has consistently represented the interests of his readers over the past few years. After he was fired several months ago, Bildirici created his own website to continue his work. Last week Bildirici published a curious …
(2019-07-18). Rally demands "Justice for Isak Aden" fightbacknews.org Eagan, MN – Some 200 community members gathered here July 16 to demand justice for Isak Aden, a Somali man who was killed by police in this Saint Paul suburb on July 2. Aden was a 23-year-old college student who was killed by police after a four-hour standoff with 90 officers from nine different agencies. Five police officers from the cities of Eagan and Bloomington were named responsible for his death. | Marching behind a 30-foot banner, about 100 protesters took to the streets around the municipal center, which includes the Eagan Police Department and the Eagan City Hall. Then, the crowd poured into the center…
(2019-07-18). Headlines for July 18, 2019. democracynow.org House Lawmakers Vote to Table Trump Impeachment Resolution, Trump Renews Racist Attacks on Four Progressive Congresswomen, Rep. Ilhan Omar Introduces Bill Affirming the Right to Boycott, House Votes to Bar Trump's Planned Weapons Sales to Saudi Arabia, UAE, U.S. to Deploy 500 Troops to Saudi Air Base, Sudan's Military Rulers Agree to Share Power with Civilian Protesters, United Nations Declares Global Health Emergency as Ebola Spreads, Puerto Ricans Demand Resignation of Governor Ricardo Rosselló over Hateful Messages, AG Barr & Commerce Secretary Ross Held in Contempt of Congress, Sen. Rand Paul Blocks Vote on S…
(2019-07-18). 'I disagreed with it': Trump distances himself from 'SEND HER BACK!' chants. rt.com 
US President Donald Trump has sought to distance himself from supporters who erupted into a chant of "send her back" about Somali-American Congresswoman Ilhan Omar at a Wednesday rally, saying he "disagreed" with their sentiments.
(2019-07-18). Mandela Would have Turned 101 — What Has Become of his Legacy? therealnews.com 
South African scholar and activist Rasigan Maharajh describes South Africa as a microcosm of capitalism's world crisis in a conversation that takes us from corruption to hope. We also discuss anti-apartheid activist and singer Johnny Clegg, who died on July 16th…
(2019-07-17). DR Congo Ebola outbreak now an international Public Health Emergency, UN health agency declares. un.org The second worst Ebola outbreak of all time, in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), was officially declared an international Public Health Emergency of International Concern on Wednesday, with the head of the World Health Organization calling for countries to 'take notice and redouble our efforts".
(2019-07-17). 'Journalism Is Helping to Normalize the Concentration Camps' – CounterSpin interview with Arun Gupta on immigration abuses. fair.org 
Janine Jackson interviewed Arun Gupta on Trump's concentration camps for the July 12, 2019, episode of CounterSpin. This is a lightly edited transcript. | Media…
(2019-07-17). 'Emulate his example' urges UN chief as world celebrates Nelson Mandela: a 'global advocate for dignity and equality'. un.org Nelson Mandela was an "extraordinary global advocate for dignity and equality" who anyone in public service should seek to emulate, Secretary-General António‚ÄØGuterres said in his message marking the International Day that honours the iconic anti-apartheid campaigner, and South Africa's first democratically-elected President.
(2019-07-17). Sudan Transition to Civilian Rule Endangered as Foreign Interests Prevail. therealnews.com 
With the foiling of a coup attempt last week, the Sudanese military is consolidating its rule, despite having signed transition agreement for joint military-civilian rule. Gulf states want the military in charge, especially since Sudanese soldiers are fighting in Yemen, says Prof. Khalid Ahmed…
(2019-07-17). Wednesday's Daily Brief: Ebola now an international Public Health Emergency, young peacemakers, defining moment for Sudan, war crimes fugitives, migrant 'crisis' in Hungary. un.org In today's Daily Brief: the DR Congo Ebola outbreak is officially declared an international Public Health Emergency; UN Youth Envoy briefs Security Council; an 'exciting and potentially defining' moment for Sudan, says UN adviser; more cooperation's needed to secure arrest of war crimes fugitives; and politicizing the migrant 'crisis' in Hungary…
(2019-07-17). "They Didn't Do Their Job": Eric Garner Family Outraged DOJ Won't Prosecute His Death by Police. democracynow.org 
It's been five years since Eric Garner, an African-American father of six, was killed when a white New York City police officer wrestled him to the ground and applied a fatal chokehold, while Garner, who was unarmed, said "I can't breathe" 11 times. On Tuesday, federal prosecutors announced they will not bring civil rights charges against Daniel Pantaleo, the police officer implicated in Garner's death. The move reportedly came after Attorney General William Barr ordered that the case be dropped. Earlier this year, a medical examiner testified that it was a chokehold that triggered an asthma attack that led to Ga…
(2019-07-16). 2020 Hopeful Julián Castro Vows to Break Up ICE & Calls Trump's New Asylum Rule Unconstitutional. democracynow.org 
As Trump faced national rebuke for his racist comments against four progressive congresswomen, his administration announced a new rule essentially banning most immigrants from seeking refuge in the United States. The rule, which the ACLU has already vowed to challenge in court, would deny asylum to any migrant who failed to apply for protection in another country they passed through on the way to the U.S. border—including children traveling alone. If enacted, the law would effectively block people from Honduras, El Salvador, Guatemala, as well as Haitians, Cubans and many people from African countries, who…
(2019-07-15). S-400, Sudan, Hong Kong protests, Somali attack. uwidata.com S-400 On July 14, the seventh aircraft carrying Russian S-400 air defense system components arrived in Turkey at the Myrted airbase. Turkey has now become the first NATO country to purchase the S-400. The purchase caused months of disagreements with the United States, who argued that the F-35 fighter jets Turkey had purchased were incompatible …
(2019-07-15). Struggle in Sudan: A revolution, not a 'crisis'. liberationnews.org 
Strikes, civil disobedience and other mass action are continuing as the Sudanese people push forward with their revolution…
(2019-07-12). SPLC: Holiday recognizing early Ku Klux Klan leader an insult to Tennessee residents. splcenter.org Tennessee Gov. Bill Lee has proclaimed Saturday as Nathan Bedford Forrest Day in his state, honoring a Confederate general who became the first grand wizard of the Ku Klux Klan, a terrorist organization that targets African Americans.
(2019-07-03). Waiting to Be An American. progressive.org In terms of how I feel, as a lesbian of African descent, I am not an American, not completely.
(2019-07-03). I Spent 16 Months in Solitary Confinement and Now I'm Fighting to End It. aclu.org A new report proves that the degrading conditions in solitary confinement continue to harm people and communities. | I was just 17 years old when I was sent to solitary confinement in "Camp J," one of the most severe lockdown units at one of America's most brutal prisons, the Louisiana State Penitentiary at Angola. I languished in solitary for 16 months. | Back then I didn't know that Louisiana was the solitary confinement capital of the world. All I knew was that I'd been convicted of a crime I didn't commit, and I had to maintain my humanity in one of the most dehumanizing places on earth. | It's called "23 and…
(2019-06-14). Sandy Cioffi on Nigerian Oil, Riki Ott Looking Back at Exxon Valdez Spill. fair.org 
Media…