• newsinsightplus.com
• 2023Firm
• 2023The
• April 5, 2024
• 0 Comments

BBC HomepageSkip to contentAccessibility HelpYour accountNotificationsHomeNewsSportWeatheriPlayerSoundsBitesizeMore menuMore menuSearch BBCHomeNewsSportWeatheriPlayerSoundsBitesizeCBBCCBeebiesFoodClose menuBBC NewsMenuHomeIsrael-Gaza warCost of LivingWar in UkraineClimateUKWorldBusinessPoliticsCultureMoreTechScienceHealthFamily & EducationIn PicturesNewsbeatBBC VerifyDisabilityWorldAfricaAsiaAustraliaEuropeLatin AmericaMiddle EastUS & CanadaFlorida crane collapse kills construction workerPublished7 hours agoShareclose panelShare pageCopy linkAbout sharingImage source, Getty ImagesImage caption, The crane section had collapsed on a bridge, damaging at least two carsBy Nadine YousifBBC NewsOne person was killed and three others were injured after part of a crane fell from a building in the US city of Fort Lauderdale, Florida. Crews were in the process of increasing the crane’s height when a section of it came loose, officials said.Pictures from the scene show the huge metal structure fell onto a car that was driving across a bridge, crushing the front of it.A construction worker died after falling with the crane section. Two of those injured were taken to hospital while a third was treated at the scene.Officials said the collapse happened around 16:30 local time on Thursday. At a news conference, they said a construction crew working on a high-rise was in the process of “stepping the crane” by adding sections to it to make it taller when a platform fell from the building, along with pieces of the crane.They added that the crane itself remained attached to the building. Officials did not name the victims, including the construction worker who died. One driver told a NBC network that his car was damaged from the falling crane piece, which had bounced off his car and landed on the vehicle next to him.”I was driving and I felt a compression, and I looked up and I saw the blue structure coming down, and I slammed on my brakes,” Mark Cerezie told NBC 6.”I’m very lucky to be alive,” he added.Another woman who lives nearby told the network that the screams heard from the construction workers at the time of the collapse were “unsettling”. Officials say they do not yet know what caused the crane piece to fall, and have closed the Southeast 3rd Avenue bridge indefinitely as they investigate around the site of the incident.The crane section left a hole in the bridge, with city officials advising drivers to avoid the area until it is reopened.The New River, which runs underneath it, has also been closed to marine traffic.Related TopicsFloridaUnited StatesMore on this storyCrane collapses on to newly-built flats in EdinburghPublished28 November 2023Firm fined £130,000 after North Sea crane collapsePublished21 December 2023The moment an NYC crane catches fire and collapsesPublished26 July 2023Top StoriesLive. Israel says it will open new aid routes to Gaza after Biden callMP ‘sorry’ for sharing private numbers on dating appPublished43 minutes agoNational Insurance cut to kick in but more pay taxPublished10 hours agoFeatures’The walls were crumbling’ – escaping Taiwan’s earthquakeThe Papers: MPs’ honeytrap and Biden’s ‘strongest rebuke yet’Dev Patel: I want to create own story, not be James BondTrain strikes: How will you be affected?What’s Kendrick Lamar’s beef with Drake and J Cole?Weekly quiz: Which of Marilyn’s belongings went under the hammer?Two brothers, one club and a 40-year waitAttributionSportHow much will the 2p National Insurance cut save me?No Labels won’t challenge Trump and BidenElsewhere on the BBCWhat’s next for these young officers in Belfast?The team face a whole new set of challenges as rival gangs fight for controlAttributioniPlayerWho was the man behind the music?Join Greg and his guests for a special live episode all about the renowned composer MozartAttributionSoundsWhere can women live their best lives?Listen along as Scaachi and Sophia uncover what it is like to be a woman across the worldAttributionSoundsThe invention that saves one million lives per yearMeet the man behind the invention of the three point seat beltAttributionSoundsMost Read1McDonald’s to buy back Israeli stores after boycott2Artistic fantasy world gets listed status3MP ‘sorry’ for sharing private numbers on dating app4New cause of asthma damage revealed5National Insurance cut to kick in but more pay tax6MPs’ honeytrap and Biden’s ‘strongest rebuke yet’7Arsenal star would fight in Ukraine if called up8Oklahoma executes man convicted of double murder9DJ Greg James leads authors of Dahl spin-off books10Snow, rain and wind warnings ahead of Storm Kathleen

[ad_1] A car was crushed and three other people injured when the crane piece fell onto a bridge in Fort Lauderdale.

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• newsinsightplus.com
• 10year
• 13yearold
• March 28, 2024
• 0 Comments

BBC HomepageSkip to contentAccessibility HelpYour accountNotificationsHomeNewsSportWeatheriPlayerSoundsBitesizeMore menuMore menuSearch BBCHomeNewsSportWeatheriPlayerSoundsBitesizeCBBCCBeebiesFoodClose menuBBC NewsMenuHomeIsrael-Gaza warCost of LivingWar in UkraineClimateUKWorldBusinessPoliticsCultureMoreTechScienceHealthFamily & EducationIn PicturesNewsbeatBBC VerifyDisabilityAsiaChinaIndiaTwo more abusers at J-pop predator’s companyPublished12 hours agoShareclose panelShare pageCopy linkAbout sharingBy Mobeen AzharBBC NewsThe man in charge of compensating sexual abuse victims of Japan’s most famous pop manager says the scandal goes further than first thought.Noriyuki Higashiyama told the BBC he believes there were two more perpetrators at Johnny Kitagawa’s agency Johnny & Associates.He believes these individuals are still alive.Since a 2023 BBC investigation, nearly 1,000 men have come forward to say they were abused by Kitagawa.Higashiyama told the BBC that an internal investigation by the former company in August 2023 had concluded that two people at Johnny & Associates were believed to have sexually abused talent. He revealed that, to date, he has not contacted the authorities. “From a legal standpoint, I don’t think we have the authority to do that,” Higashiyama says. “But if those involved file a criminal complaint, I imagine we would co-operate as much as possible.”He says that he does not know if the survivors of abuse by the two perpetrators want to pursue criminal proceedings. “I don’t even know who they are,” he says.Image caption, BBC reporter Mobeen Azhar spoke to Smile-Up CEO Noriyuki HigashiyamaJohnny Kitagawa, creator of the Japanese boy band phenomenon, died in 2019. At the time, he was celebrated for his contribution to the country’s pop culture.In the wake of the BBC documentary, an independent inquiry concluded that the music mogul had abused hundreds of boys and young men over a six-decade career.Johnny & Associates was dissolved and replaced by a new talent agency called Starto Entertainment and Smile-Up, a company tasked with processing claims of abuse. Smile-Up appointed three former judges to a victim relief committee to manage the compensation process.Higashiyama, a former actor and Johnny & Associates talent, took on the job as Smile-Up’s CEO. He has himself faced allegations of bullying and sexual abuse, which he denies.Survivors of Kitagawa’s abuse have criticised Smile-Up for having an opaque compensation process and for not acting quickly enough to engage with them. They say it seems to be an ad-hoc system with no defined timeline.Akimasa Nihongi is a former Johnny & Associates talent and joined the agency as a 13-year-old with aspirations of becoming a pop star.He went public with his own experience of abuse when he saw the story reported in 2023. “I feel like there are still issues that are hidden,” he says.Image caption, There is little semblance of justice for victims like Akimasa NihongiFor Akimasa and many more like him, there is little semblance of justice. A lawyer representing survivors of Kitagawa’s abuse described Smile-Up’s process as “a black-box situation”.Smile-Up has itself cast doubt on some of the allegations. Days after being set up, the agency released a statement saying: “We have received information that there are cases in which people, who are most likely not victims, are telling false stories using the testimony of real victims.”Some of the survivors who shared their experiences have faced condemnation and harassment from people online.A woman who did not want to be identified says her husband faced death threats and harassment when he shared his story of being abused by Kitagawa. “He wanted to reveal everything,” she says. “He didn’t want future children to be harmed in the same way.” After he spoke out, his personal details were exposed online.Eventually the woman received a text message from her husband telling her that he’d gone to the mountains. It was there that he ended his life. “When I found him, it was too late,” she says.Smile-Up CEO Noriyuki Higashiyama says that he is aware of this case. “People have freedom of speech,” he says. “I’m not encouraging slander. If it’s possible, I would really like to eliminate online abuse.”Our World: The Shadow of a PredatorAfter the BBC revealed that Johnny Kitagawa, the godfather of J-pop, spent a lifetime sexually abusing young boys in his talent agency, Mobeen Azhar investigates the aftermath of a predator.Watch on BBC News at 03:30 on Saturday March 30 or afterwards on BBC iPlayer (UK Only) Higashiyama says he has spoken personally to almost 200 people who have come forward with claims of abuse. “I hope it will help to mend their hearts, even just a little. I consider that to be my role. My main focus is to meet with survivors.”He admits that he has no formal training or experience in counselling or helping survivors of sexual abuse.Smile-Up is organising and funding counselling for those who have come forward. “We are thinking of doing that indefinitely,” Higashiyama says.Subsequent to revelations in the BBC investigation, Kitagawa’s place in Japanese pop culture has shifted in the public consciousness.Prime Minister Fumio Kishida has faced increasing pressure to reform sexual abuse legislation.The age of consent in Japan shifted from 13 to 16, after multiple rape acquittals in 2019 caused a national outcry. And public discussion following last year’s investigation into Kitawaga has resulted in more men speaking publicly about the abuse they experienced. However, some survivors of abuse feel that despite their testimonies, justice continues to be elusive.Akimasa believes it is important that survivors are supported in reaching closure. In his view, this is something the new incarnation of Johnny & Associates has so far failed to deliver.”I want them to take responsibility. I think this is the biggest post-war sexual assault case in Japan. We shouldn’t let it fade away as if it’s a temporary problem. It’s important to keep a record as part of Japanese history.” If you have been affected by any of the issues raised in this story you can visit BBC Action Line.Related TopicsSexual violenceChild abuseJapanPop musicMore on this storyJapan’s J-pop predator – exposed for abuse but still reveredPublished6 March 2023The dark side of Asia’s pop music industryPublished26 January 2016Top StoriesGaza starvation could amount to war crime, UN human rights chief tells BBCPublished4 hours agoKing tells of ‘great sadness’ at missing Maundy servicePublished2 minutes agoDivers recover bodies from Baltimore bridgePublished1 hour agoFeaturesHow do I renew my UK passport and what is the 10-year rule?I’m not ashamed of who I am any more, says LionessCars, coal and gas… key cargo at Baltimore portFather of two among Baltimore bridge victimsThe Papers: Sewage ‘outrage’ and ‘King calls for kindness’ What are assisted dying, assisted suicide and euthanasia?‘We crowdfunded to help pay our son’s care costs’Tackling deepfakes ‘has turned into an arms race’Bill Nighy on playing an England manager with a differenceElsewhere on the BBCDid The Terminator predict the future correctly?!Beth Singler explores the creation and enduring influence of the film, 40 years after its releaseAttributionSoundsBlowing the lid on a baffling online scamPolly Weston’s determined to get to the bottom of the con involving a £138 dehumidifierAttributionSoundsCan you sort these monarchs into the correct order?Test your memory and reorder ten royal faces, from the earliest to the most recentAttributionBitesizeThe dressing room killing that shook wrestling’Villain of the ring’ Bruiser Brody’s extraordinary life, legacy and deathAttributionSoundsMost Read1Gogglebox star, 40, dies after fall from height2I’m not ashamed of who I am any more, says Lioness3Stone of Destiny takes centre stage at new museum4Harvard removes human skin binding from book5Divers recover bodies from Baltimore bridge6Gaza starvation could amount to war crime, UN human rights chief tells BBC7Thames Water races to find cash as problems worsen8Manhunt after stabbing in front of train passengers9Queen at Maundy service while King sends message10Easter travel warning as millions set to hit roads

[ad_1] The two individuals involved in sex abuse at Johnny Kitagawa’s agency are still alive, BBC is told.

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• newsinsightplus.com
• 14Image
• 5km
• March 10, 2024
• 0 Comments

BBC HomepageSkip to contentAccessibility HelpYour accountLiveNotificationsHomeNewsSportWeatheriPlayerSoundsBitesizeMore menuMore menuSearch BBCHomeNewsSportWeatheriPlayerSoundsBitesizeCBBCCBeebiesFoodClose menuBBC NewsMenuHomeIsrael-Gaza warCost of LivingWar in UkraineClimateUKWorldBusinessPoliticsCultureMoreTechScienceHealthFamily & EducationIn PicturesNewsbeatBBC VerifyDisabilityWorldAfricaAsiaAustraliaEuropeLatin AmericaMiddle EastUS & CanadaIDF completes road across width of Gaza, satellite images showPublished9 hours agoShareclose panelShare pageCopy linkAbout sharingRelated TopicsIsrael-Gaza warImage source, עכשיו 14Image caption, Some of the work taking place in Gaza to build a new road as seen in the Israeli Channel 14 video uploaded to YouTube on 17 FebruaryBy Abdirahim Saeed, Tom Spencer, Paul Brown & Richard Irvine-BrownBBC Arabic & BBC VerifyThe Israel Defense Forces (IDF) has finished building a new road which runs across northern Gaza from east to west, according to satellite images verified by the BBC. The IDF told the BBC they were attempting to gain an “operational foothold”, and facilitate the movement of troops and equipment. But some experts fear it will used as a barrier, preventing Palestinians from returning to their homes in the north.Others said it appeared to be part of an Israeli plan to remain in Gaza beyond the end of current hostilities.In February, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu unveiled a post-war vision in which Israel would control security in Gaza indefinitely. International leaders have previously warned Israel against permanently displacing Palestinians or reducing the size of Gaza. What do we know about the road?It runs across north Gaza, with central and southern areas lying below it. It starts at Gaza’s border fence with Israel near the Nahal Oz kibbutz and finishes near the coast.It also intersects with the Salah al-Din and al-Rashid roads, the two major arteries running through the territory. Although there is a network of roads which connect east and west, the new IDF route is the only one which runs uninterrupted across Gaza.Satellite imagery analysis by the BBC reveals that the IDF has built over 5km (3 miles) of new road sections to join up previously unconnected roads.The initial section of the road in eastern Gaza near the Israeli border was established between late last October and early November. But most of the new sections were built during February and in early March.The new route is wider than a typical road in Gaza, excluding Salah al-Din. Imagery analysis also shows that buildings along the route, which appear to be warehouses, were demolished from the end of December until late January. This includes one building several stories high. The road spans an area which previously had fewer buildings and was less densely populated than other parts of Gaza. It also sits below a makeshift and winding route which the IDF had been using to move from east to west.An Israeli TV channel reported on the route in February, saying it was code named “Highway 749”. A reporter from Channel 14 travelled along parts of the route with the Israeli military. In the video, road construction vehicles and diggers were seen preparing for the construction of new sections of the route.How ‘Highway 749’ could be usedAnalysts at Janes, a defence intelligence company, said the type of unpaved road surface seen in the Channel 14 footage, was suitable for tracked armoured vehicles.The IDF did not go into this type of detail in its statement. “As part of the ground operation, the IDF uses an operational route of passage,” it said.Retired Brig Gen Jacob Nagel, former head of Israel’s National Security Council and a former security adviser to Mr Netanyahu, told BBC Arabic that the objective of the new route was to provide fast access for security forces when dealing with fresh threats.”It will help Israel go in and out… because Israel is going to have total defence, security and responsibility for Gaza,” he told BBC Arabic.He described it as “a road that divides the northern part from the southern part”.”We don’t want to wait until a threat is emerging,” he added.Maj Gen Yaakov Amidror, formerly of the IDF, had a similar view. The primary purpose of the new road was to “facilitate logistical and military control in the region”, he said.Image source, עכשיו 14Image caption, The Gaza coastline lies in the distance while the Hebrew white text reads ‘All the way west into the Gaza Strip’Justin Crump, a former British Army officer who runs Sibylline, a risk intelligence company, said the new route was significant.”It certainly looks like it’s part of a longer-term strategy to have at least some form of security intervention and control in the Gaza Strip,” said Mr Crump.”This area cuts off Gaza City from the south of the strip, making it an effective control line to monitor or limit movement, and has relatively open fields of fire.”Khaled Elgindy, a senior fellow at the US-based Middle East Institute, also thinks the road is a long-term project.”It appears that the Israeli military will remain in Gaza indefinitely,” he told the BBC.”By dividing Gaza in half, Israel will control not only what goes in and out of Gaza, but also movement within Gaza,” said the analyst.”This includes quite possibly preventing the 1.5 million displaced Palestinians in the south from returning to their homes in the north.”Additional reporting by Paul Cusiac, Alex Murray & Erwan Rivault Related TopicsIsrael-Gaza warMore on this storyWhat video and eyewitness accounts tell us about Gazans killed around aid convoyPublished1 MarchChecking Israel’s claim to have killed 10,000 Hamas fightersPublished29 FebruaryWalled site grows at Egypt border near GazaPublished22 FebruaryTop StoriesFirst official picture of Kate since surgery releasedPublished10 minutes agoLive. Labour won’t be able to turn things around straight away, Rachel Reeves saysUS military ship heading to Gaza to build portPublished6 hours agoFeaturesThe Papers: Gove’s extremism warning and Johnson in trip to VenezuelaGaza war fuels Jerusalem fears as Ramadan to beginIs Europe doing enough to help Ukraine?Your pictures on the theme of ‘speed’The people keeping the historic foot ferry afloatHow China’s boarding schools are silencing Tibet’s languageMan behind viral fake currency shocked by its successApple ‘like Godfather’ with new App Store rulesWhat a $1 deal says about America’s office marketElsewhere on the BBCHair-pulling, punching and kickingFootage from the moment a brawl erupts in the Maldives ParliamentAttributioniPlayerExploring the mysterious deaths of Nazi fugitivesThree brothers investigate whether a family connection may explain the truthAttributioniPlayerFrom triumph to tragedy…After more than 30 years of service, America’s space shuttle took to the skies for the last timeAttributioniPlayerCan they take on an elite boarding school?Five black inner-city teens must leave their old worlds behind…AttributioniPlayerMost Read1First official picture of Kate since surgery released2Doctor reveals how ‘brutal’ therapy tackled Rhod Gilbert’s cancer3Johnson flew to Venezuela for unofficial talks4King gives Scotland’s top honour to Prince Edward5Man arrested after Buckingham Palace gate crash6What a $1 deal says about America’s office market7IDF completes road across Gaza, satellite images show8Gove’s extremism warning and Johnson in trip to Venezuela9Attack victims hit out at extremism in open letter10Earl Spencer reveals abuse at boarding school

[ad_1] The IDF says it is to facilitate troop movements but experts fear it could be used as a barrier.

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• newsinsightplus.com
• 11s
• 1940s
• February 27, 2024
• 0 Comments

BBC HomepageSkip to contentAccessibility HelpYour accountLiveNotificationsHomeNewsSportWeatheriPlayerSoundsBitesizeMore menuMore menuSearch BBCHomeNewsSportWeatheriPlayerSoundsBitesizeCBBCCBeebiesFoodClose menuBBC NewsMenuHomeIsrael-Gaza warCost of LivingWar in UkraineClimateUKWorldBusinessPoliticsCultureMoreTechScienceHealthFamily & EducationIn PicturesNewsbeatBBC VerifyDisabilityWorldAfricaAsiaAustraliaEuropeLatin AmericaMiddle EastUS & CanadaUN’s top court hears key case on Israeli occupation of the Palestinian TerritoriesPublished3 hours agoShareclose panelShare pageCopy linkAbout sharingImage source, ReutersImage caption, A man waves a Palestinian flag outside the International Court of JusticeBy Anna HolliganBBC NewsThe UN’s top court, the International Court of Justice (ICJ), is hearing the final arguments in a case challenging Israel’s 56-year occupation of the West Bank and Gaza.The question at the heart of this week’s hearings is: What are the legal consequences of Israel’s occupation of the Palestinian territories? It may not have the drama of recent World Court cases, but leading international lawyer Philippe Sands told the BBC: “In terms of the legal outcomes, and solution that must ultimately be found, this is as significant as it gets.”This case was initiated by a UN General Assembly (UNGA) resolution in December 2022, before the 7 October attacks by Hamas last year, and Israel’s military response in the Gaza Strip. What arguments have been heard?On the opening day of hearings last week, Riad al-Maliki, the Palestinian Authority (PA)’s foreign minister, accused Israel of “colonialism and apartheid” and of violating the Palestinian people’s right to self-determination.He illustrated his presentation using a series of maps appearing to show the dramatic erosion of Palestinian territory.The final picture was shown of the Israeli prime minister, Benjamin Netanyahu, at the UNGA last September, holding up a map that he called the “new” Middle East in which all traces of Palestinian territory had been removed. “There is no Palestine at all on this map, only Israel, comprised of all the land from Jordan River to the Mediterranean Sea,” Mr al-Maliki told the hearing. “This shows you what the prolonged, continuous Israeli occupation of Palestine is intended to accomplish – the complete disappearance of Palestine and the destruction of the Palestinian people.”Image source, ReutersImage caption, Palestinian Foreign Minister Riad al-Maliki (left) told the hearing Palestinian territory was being eroded by the occupationInternational lawyer Paul S Reichler told the ICJ that permanent occupation is a legal oxymoron. An occupation which continues indefinitely becomes an annexation, he said.Philippe Sands, who was among the PA’s legal team, told the judges: “The right of self-determination… requires that UN member states bring Israel’s occupation to an immediate end. “No aid, no assistance, no complicity, no contribution to forcible actions, no money, no arms, no trade. No nothing.”Israel mulls ceasefire plan as progress reported’Dad, please don’t go out’: The Gazans killed as Israel freed hostagesIsraeli PM ‘missed chance’ to cut off Hamas cashMany countries used their 30-minute presentations to argue that the Palestinian people’s right to self-determination was being violated by Israel’s occupation.Israel declined to take part in the hearings, instead submitting a written statement arguing the proceedings were “harmful” to ongoing efforts to resolve the conflict, because the questions posed by the UN were prejudicial.However, Israel’s closest allies did participate. The United States told the ICJ that an order of withdrawal without security assurances would be detrimental to peace negotiations. It asked the judges to ensure any advisory opinion would serve to reinforce rather than destabilise the prospect of a two-state solution. Image source, ReutersImage caption, Richard Visek, a US state department official, attended the ICJ hearingThe UK went further than any other country, in asking the panel of 15 international judges not to issue an advisory opinion at all, because Israel had not consented to the process.This may in part be linked to another case at the ICJ brought by Mauritius against the UK with regards to the Chagos Islands, in which the UK made the same argument, and lost.A number of countries referred to the Hamas attacks in which about 1,200 people were killed and more than 250 taken to Gaza as hostages as evidence of Israel’s need for security. By extension they argued that any withdrawal of Israeli forces must be accompanied by security assurances.Why do these proceedings matter?If the ICJ issues a non-legally binding advisory opinion, it then goes to the UN General Assembly, which adopts a resolution. That would be significant and could constitute a catalyst for negotiations and set the legal parameters for a future negotiated settlement.If the court’s opinion is that Israel’s occupation is illegal, it will tell all UN bodies and nations they must do nothing to support or contribute to the current situation. Such a ruling could potentially have far-reaching trade implications, but of greatest significance would be the consequences for the legitimacy of Israel’s position. Countries like the US may find it increasingly difficult to continue to support Israel.The current case brought by the UNGA represents the first time since the 1940s that the UN’s highest judicial body has had a chance to address the totality of these issues.Over the past few weeks, some of the ICJ presentations have gone viral on TikTok, reflecting how legal arguments which can often feel remote and disconnected are resonating with audiences in this case, well beyond the ICJ’s Great Hall of Justice.Meanwhile, Human Rights Watch has accused Israel of committing acts amounting to “collective punishment” by ignoring a separate ICJ order to enable aid delivery to Gaza, and thus exposing the 2.3 million Palestinians trapped in Gaza to the prospect of starvation. On Monday, Israeli officials confirmed that a response had been delivered to the ICJ regarding the court’s demand, on 26 January, that Israel report back on a series of steps to prevent genocide from occurring in Gaza.The Israeli government has not yet said what the response contains.Related TopicsIsraelPalestinian territoriesInternational Court of JusticeMore on this storyWhat is the genocide case against Israel?Published30 JanuaryUN’s top court says Israel must prevent genocidePublished26 JanuaryTop StoriesAnderson refuses to apologise for Islamist claimPublished1 hour agoSweden’s bid to join Nato clears final hurdlePublished3 hours ago’Who will call me Dad?’ Tears of Gaza father who lost 103 relativesPublished3 hours agoFeaturesWhat is Nato and why is Sweden joining now?The Papers: Hunt tax cuts warning and ‘from Friend to Traitor’Gaza children search for food to keep families aliveListen: No Apology by Lee Anderson. AudioListen: No Apology by Lee AndersonAttributionSounds’Fewer children will be born’: Alabama embryo ruling divides devout ChristiansChris Mason: How the Gaza conflict is contorting UK politicsWill global energy prices fall this year?Brussels: Farmers protest leaves streets in chaos. VideoBrussels: Farmers protest leaves streets in chaosIn pictures: Celebrating the Lantern FestivalElsewhere on the BBCExperience Apollo 11’s adventure first-hand!Discover the awe-inspiring journey of Apollo 11 and its crew with newly released cockpit audioAttributioniPlayerWhich classic did Elbow cover?The band join the BBC Concert Orchestra in Radio 2’s Piano RoomAttributionSoundsWill this elite boarding school fit around them?Five black inner-city teens must leave their old worlds behind…AttributioniPlayerThe Swedish furniture king’s billionaire lifestyleDeconstructing IKEA founder Ingvar Kamprad and his eccentric way of livingAttributionSoundsMost Read1Wait for answers after mum dies in Spanish hospital2Palestinian PM resigns over new Gaza ‘reality’3Hunt tax cuts warning and ‘from Friend to Traitor’4US couple on hijacked boat feared killed5Anderson refuses to apologise for Islamist claim6US airman dies after setting himself on fire at Israeli embassy7Sweden’s bid to join Nato clears final hurdle8’Who will call me Dad?’ Tears of Gaza father who lost 103 relatives9By-election candidate’s death threats – Reform UK10Private diving team joins search for missing boy

[ad_1] The ICJ will issue an opinion on the legality of the occupation, though Israel has snubbed the hearings.

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• newsinsightplus.com
• 11s
• A50
• February 24, 2024
• 0 Comments

BBC HomepageSkip to contentAccessibility HelpYour accountLiveNotificationsHomeNewsSportWeatheriPlayerSoundsBitesizeMore menuMore menuSearch BBCHomeNewsSportWeatheriPlayerSoundsBitesizeCBBCCBeebiesFoodClose menuBBC NewsMenuHomeIsrael-Gaza warCost of LivingWar in UkraineClimateUKWorldBusinessPoliticsCultureMoreTechScienceHealthFamily & EducationIn PicturesNewsbeatBBC VerifyDisabilityWorldAfricaAsiaAustraliaEuropeLatin AmericaMiddle EastUS & CanadaSenegal’s President Sall agrees to step down in April but sets no poll datePublished12 hours agoShareclose panelShare pageCopy linkAbout sharingImage source, AFPImage caption, People nationwide gathered to watch President Sall being interviewed on Thursday eveningBy Mayeni JonesBBC West Africa correspondentSenegal’s President Macky Sall has said he will leave office when his term comes to an end on 2 April, but tensions remain over an election date.His recent decision to delay the vote, originally scheduled for Sunday, to mid-December sparked deadly protests.In a televised interview, Mr Sall said an election date would now be decided in political talks to start on Monday.But the opposition has refused to take part in the proposed dialogue dashing hopes of resolving the turmoil.Sixteen of the 19 presidential hopefuls have said they will not be turning up for what the president has termed a “national dialogue”. A number of civil society organisations have also declined to take part in the exercise. BBC Africa Live: Updates from around the continentSenegal steps back from the brink – but what next?Mr Sall, who is on his way to the Nigerian capital, Abuja, for an extraordinary summit of the regional bloc Ecowas, has been under pressure to announce a new date since Senegal’s highest court declared last week that the postponement of the poll was illegal. His original decree to delay the vote received strong condemnation from the international community.Many feared the postponement would lead to President Sall’s remaining leader of the country indefinitely in a region plagued by coups and military governments.Speaking on national television on Thursday evening, Mr Sall said he felt there was not enough time to vote in a new president by the time he steps down on 2 April. He said that the dialogue forum would decide what should happen if this was the case. In a show of good faith, the president said he was prepared to release the popular opposition politician, Ousmane Sonko, from prison. His arrest sparked nationwide protests last year.Dozens of the president’s opponents have already been set free since Senegal’s Constitutional Council ruled that his decision to postpone the election was illegal.But the fact that the president did not set a new election date has further fuelled suspicions by his critics that this is just another stalling tactic. President Sall has served two terms as Senegal’s leader and when he was first elected in 2012 he promised he would not overstay. His televised interview has not yet restored his country’s reputation as a bastion of democracy in an increasingly totalitarian region. More on Senegal’s political turmoil:’We feel betrayed’ – why anger has engulfed SenegalWhy West Africa’s united front is in tattersSenegal’s Ousmane Sonko – youth hero or rabble-rouser?Related TopicsSenegalAfricaAround the BBCFocus on Africa podcastTop StoriesWW2 bomb detonated at sea after removal through cityPublished42 minutes agoUK reaffirms Ukraine support on war anniversaryPublished3 hours agoTrump calls on Alabama to protect IVF treatmentPublished6 hours agoFeatures’King and tonic’ and potential abortion rule changeThe Creator’s Gareth Edwards on shaking up HollywoodIs this the most chaotic by-election ever? On the campaign trail in RochdaleFashion, fire and water: Photos of the weekWhat are the sanctions on Russia and are they working?Listen: No Return for Shamima Begum. AudioListen: No Return for Shamima BegumAttributionSoundsTurning regret into action after friends’ deathsFive things we learned from Married to The GameAttributionSportWhy jet streams mean ‘piggy-backing’ planes can fly across the Atlantic faster. VideoWhy jet streams mean ‘piggy-backing’ planes can fly across the Atlantic fasterAttributionWeatherElsewhere on the BBCExperience Apollo 11’s adventure first-hand!Discover the awe-inspiring journey of Apollo 11 and its crew with newly released cockpit audioAttributioniPlayerWhat is it really like to be a monk?’To be a monk is something very vast, very high and very beautiful’AttributioniPlayer’I smashed all my trophies’Bradley Wiggins opens up about his mental health and imposter syndromeAttributioniPlayerThe sound effect that became the ultimate movie in-jokeIt’s used in everything from Toy Story to Reservoir Dogs, but what is the Wilhelm Scream?AttributioniPlayerMost Read1WW2 bomb detonated at sea after removal through city2’King and tonic’ and potential abortion rule change3Dowden’s cancer check finds no evidence of disease4King Charles enjoys jokes in cards of support5Oprah and Nigella deepfaked in influencer ‘manifestation’ ads6Trump calls on Alabama to protect IVF treatment7Ukraine says it downs second A-50 Russian spy plane8Is this the most chaotic by-election ever? On the campaign trail in Rochdale9Odysseus Moon lander ‘tipped over on touchdown’10UK reaffirms Ukraine support on war anniversary

[ad_1] Mr Sall, who is on his way to the Nigerian capital, Abuja, for an extraordinary summit of the regional bloc Ecowas, has been under pressure to announce a new…

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• newsinsightplus.com
• 37year
• 809Husband
• February 23, 2024
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BBC HomepageSkip to contentAccessibility HelpYour accountLiveNotificationsHomeNewsSportWeatheriPlayerSoundsBitesizeMore menuMore menuSearch BBCHomeNewsSportWeatheriPlayerSoundsBitesizeCBBCCBeebiesFoodClose menuBBC NewsMenuHomeIsrael-Gaza warCost of LivingWar in UkraineClimateUKWorldBusinessPoliticsCultureMoreTechScienceHealthFamily & EducationIn PicturesNewsbeatBBC VerifyDisabilityWorldAfricaAsiaAustraliaEuropeLatin AmericaMiddle EastUS & CanadaIsrael’s PM Netanyahu lays out Gaza plan for after the warPublished11 minutes agoShareclose panelShare pageCopy linkAbout sharingRelated TopicsIsrael-Gaza warImage source, ReutersImage caption, Under Mr Netanyahu’s plan, Palestinians with no links to armed groups would run GazaBy Jenny HillBBC News, JerusalemIsraeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has laid out his vision for a post-war Gaza. Under his plan Israel would control security indefinitely, and Palestinians with no links to groups hostile to Israel would run the territory. The US, Israel’s major ally, wants the West Bank-based Palestinian Authority (PA) to govern Gaza after the war. But the short document – which Mr Netanyahu presented to ministers last night – makes no mention of the PA. He has previously ruled out a post-war role for the internationally backed body. He envisages a “demilitarised” Gaza; Israel would be responsible for removing all military capability beyond that necessary for public order. There would be a “Southern Closure” on the territory’s border with Egypt to prevent smuggling both under- and overground. And “de-radicalisation” programmes would be promoted in all religious, educational and welfare institutions. The document suggests Arab countries with experience of such programmes would be involved, though Mr Netanyahu has not specified which. Why is the Gaza war happening?Under the plan Israel would also maintain security control over the entire area west of Jordan from land, sea and air. Mr Netanyahu has been under pressure – at home and internationally – to publish proposals for Gaza since he began his military operation. He is keen to restore a crumbling reputation as a leader who can keep Israel safe and will want to appeal to right wing hardliners in his coalition government. A spokesman for Mahmoud Abbas, the president of the PA, said Mr Netanyahu’s plan was doomed to fail. Nabil Abu Rudeineh said: “If the world is genuinely interested in having security and stability in the region, it must end Israel’s occupation of Palestinian land and recognise an independent Palestinian state.” Mr Netanyahu repeated his rejection of any unilateral recognition by Western countries of a Palestinian state.Meanwhile negotiators trying to broker a temporary ceasefire and the release of Israeli hostages are expected to meet in Paris. The US wants a deal in place before the Muslim holy month of Ramadan begins in just over a fortnight. And, as the humanitarian situation worsens in Gaza, there is international pressure too for the war to end. The Hamas-run Ministry of Health reports that more than 29,500 people, mostly women and children, have been killed since the war began in October.Israel’s military offensive was triggered by Hamas’s unprecedented attack on 7 October in which gunmen killed about 1,200 people – mainly civilians – and took 253 back to Gaza as hostages.Overnight the head of the UN body responsible for Palestinian refugees (Unrwa) warned that Gaza faces a “monumental disaster with grave implications for regional peace, security and human rights”.Mr Netanyahu – who has accused Unrwa workers of participating in the October attacks – aims to close the agency as part of his post-war plan and replace it with – as yet unspecified – international aid organisations. And he has insisted that he will continue his war until Israel has dismantled Hamas and Islamic Jihad – the second largest armed group in Gaza – and all Israeli hostages are returned. Related TopicsIsrael-Gaza warIsraelHamasMore on this storyHuge challenges for Israel on its vague ‘day after’ Gaza planPublished6 JanuaryTop StoriesLive. Thousands evacuated in Plymouth before unexploded WW2 bomb movedShamima Begum loses bid to regain UK citizenshipPublished1 hour agoLive. Death toll rises after huge fire in Valencia apartment blocksFeaturesThe ‘mind-bending’ bionic arm powered by AIWeekly quiz: What word did Emma Stone have trouble saying?Frontline medics count cost of two years of Ukraine warDozens of cars pile up after icy Chinese highway crash. VideoDozens of cars pile up after icy Chinese highway crashBengal famine: Searching for lost voices from WW2’s forgotten tragedyWhile energy cap has fallen, standing charges are going upThe young Bollywood star taking on HollywoodWATCH: Bodycam footage from Rust shooting aftermath. VideoWATCH: Bodycam footage from Rust shooting aftermathAlabama IVF row an election-year political bombshellElsewhere on the BBCFamily life with no filterLife is changing for the Jessops, but the chaos continuesAttributioniPlayerThe good, the bad and the bafflingWhen the British public leave a review, they almost always write something hilariousAttributionSoundsFrom the largest ship to disasters on deck…A closer look at times when cruise ships have caused commotionAttributioniPlayerShould I let my kids use AI for their homework?Aleks Krotoski and Kevin Fong answer the questions that really matter to usAttributionSoundsMost Read1Mansplaining TikTok reaction ‘crazy’, says golf pro2Shamima Begum loses bid to regain UK citizenship3Coronation Street actor John Savident dies aged 864Astronomers crack 37-year cosmic ‘murder mystery’5Top sumo wrestler demoted due to protege’s violence6US targets Russia with more than 500 new sanctions7Policeman charged with murder of missing Sydney couple8Miss Moneypenny actress Pamela Salem dies aged 809Husband ‘made millions’ eavesdropping on BP wife10Fossil reveals 240 million year-old ‘dragon’

[ad_1] And, as the humanitarian situation worsens in Gaza, there is international pressure too for the war to end. The Hamas-run Ministry of Health reports that more than 29,500 people,…

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• 000109Election
• 27yearold
• February 10, 2024
• 0 Comments

BBC HomepageSkip to contentAccessibility HelpYour accountLiveNotificationsHomeNewsSportWeatheriPlayerSoundsBitesizeMore menuMore menuSearch BBCHomeNewsSportWeatheriPlayerSoundsBitesizeCBBCCBeebiesFoodClose menuBBC NewsMenuHomeIsrael-Gaza warCost of LivingWar in UkraineClimateUKWorldBusinessPoliticsCultureMoreTechScienceHealthFamily & EducationIn PicturesNewsbeatBBC VerifyDisabilityWorldAfricaAsiaAustraliaEuropeLatin AmericaMiddle EastUS & CanadaSenegal: Clashes spread over election postponementPublished33 minutes agoShareclose panelShare pageCopy linkAbout sharingImage source, ReutersImage caption, Parts of Dakar looked like a war zone on FridayViolent protests in Senegal against the postponement of presidential elections have spread across the country, with the first fatality reported.A student died in clashes with police on Friday in the northern city of Saint-Louis, an opposition leader and a local hospital source said.In the capital Dakar, security forces fired tear gas and stun grenades to disperse the crowds.The 25 February elections were last week delayed by MPs until 15 December.President Macky Sall had earlier called off the polls indefinitely, arguing this was needed to resolve a dispute over the eligibility of presidential candidates. Lawmakers later extended Mr Sall’s mandate by 10 months.Opponents of the move have warned that Senegal’s reputation as a bastion of democracy in an unstable region of West Africa is on the line.Opposition leader Khalifa Sall, who is not related to the president, earlier called the election delay a “constitutional coup”.The death of the student in Saint-Louis was reported by Khalifa Sall in a post on social media. “The hearts of all democrats bleed at this outburst of clashes provoked by the unjustified halting of the electoral process,” he said.The death was confirmed by a local hospital source speaking on condition of anonymity, and by an official at the university the student attended, according to the AFP news agency.The Senegalese authorities have not publicly commented on the issue.Ecowas in crisis: Why West Africa’s united front is in tattersThe country’s mass protests erupted last weekend. On Friday, demonstrators in Dakar fought running battles with security forces, throwing stones and burning tyres. President Sall has said he is not planning to run for office again – but his critics accuse him of either trying to cling on to power or unfairly influencing whoever succeeds him. Twenty candidates had made the final list to contest the elections, but several more were excluded by the Constitutional Council, the judicial body that determines whether candidates have met the conditions required to run. West Africa’s regional bloc Ecowas on Tuesday pleaded for Senegal’s political class to “take steps urgently to restore the electoral calendar” in line with the constitution.Senegal has long been seen as one of the most stable democracies in West Africa. It is the only country in mainland West Africa that has never had a military coup. It has had three largely peaceful handovers of power and never delayed a presidential election.This video can not be playedTo play this video you need to enable JavaScript in your browser.Media caption, ‘We deserve freedom’: Delayed election sparks protests, arrests in SenegalRelated TopicsSenegalMore on this storyWhy West Africa’s united front is in tattersPublished2 hours agoSenegal on the brink after elections postponedPublished3 days agoElection delay sparks protests, arrests in Senegal. Video, 00:01:09Election delay sparks protests, arrests in SenegalPublished4 days ago1:09Is Senegal’s democracy under threat?Published3 days agoAround the BBCFocus on Africa podcastTop StoriesClapham attack: Police to search Thames for suspect’s bodyPublished2 hours agoIsraeli soldier videos from Gaza could breach international law, experts sayPublished9 hours agoEx-Fujitsu boss ‘shocked’ by Post Office’s actionsPublished5 hours agoFeaturesDinosaur Island: 40 years of discoveries on SkyeThe Papers: Gaza bloodbath fears and King bonds with FergieIs Iceland entering a new volcanic era?Celebrities and the perils of oversharing daily routinesCash-strapped clubbers make their nights out countHave we lost faith in tech?Swift, swimming and snow: Photos of the weekAn ‘impossible’ country tests its hard-won democracyWeekly quiz: Who beat Miley to win Song Of The Year?Elsewhere on the BBCIt’s make or break timeAnother set of eager entrepreneurs hope to impress the fearsome panelAttributioniPlayerHow are jelly beans made?Gregg Wallace visits a Dublin factory that makes over ten million of the sweets per day!AttributioniPlayerIs this the greatest Jurassic predator that ever lived?Sir David Attenborough investigates a unique discovery: the skull of a giant, prehistoric sea monsterAttributioniPlayerThe sound effect that became the ultimate movie in-jokeIt’s used in everything from Toy Story to Reservoir Dogs, but what is the Wilhelm Scream?AttributioniPlayerMost Read1Man’s indefinite sentence a ‘serious injustice’2Celebrities and the perils of oversharing daily routines3Ex-Fujitsu boss ‘shocked’ by Post Office’s actions4Tory donors and 27-year-old among new peers5Mum found under coat in A&E died days later6Gaza bloodbath fears and King bonds with Fergie7Police to search Thames for Clapham attack suspect8Israeli soldier videos from Gaza could breach international law, experts say9Cash-strapped clubbers make their nights out count10Is Iceland entering a new volcanic era?

[ad_1] A first fatality is reported, amid warnings the West African nation could lose its image as a stable democracy.

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• 2023Top
• abandoned
• February 3, 2024
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BBC HomepageSkip to contentAccessibility HelpYour accountLiveNotificationsHomeNewsSportWeatheriPlayerSoundsBitesizeMore menuMore menuSearch BBCHomeNewsSportWeatheriPlayerSoundsBitesizeCBBCCBeebiesFoodClose menuBBC NewsMenuHomeIsrael-Gaza warCost of LivingWar in UkraineClimateUKWorldBusinessPoliticsCultureMoreTechScienceHealthFamily & EducationIn PicturesNewsbeatBBC VerifyDisabilityWorldAfricaAsiaAustraliaEuropeLatin AmericaMiddle EastUS & CanadaFederal judge indefinitely postpones Trump’s election meddling trialPublished19 hours agoShareclose panelShare pageCopy linkAbout sharingRelated TopicsIndictments of Donald TrumpImage source, Getty ImagesBy Nadine YousifBBC NewsA federal judge has postponed the election subversion trial of former US president Donald Trump while his appeal plays out in court.The trial was set to begin on 4 March, but will now be delayed indefinitely, Judge Tanya Chutkan said on Friday.The case is over Mr Trump’s alleged efforts to overturn the 2020 election results.His lawyers have argued that he should not face criminal charges because he was a sitting president at the time. The Republican frontrunner for president in November’s election was charged last year over his alleged efforts to overturn his 2020 loss to Democrat Joe Biden. The case could be delayed for several months as the appeal process plays out. Currently a panel of three federal appeals judges is weighing Mr Trump’s argument that presidents are immune from prosecution for possible crimes committed while they are in office, even after they leave the White House. It could rule as early as next week.The case is widely expected to end up before the US Supreme Court, where conservatives hold a 6-3 majority. Experts have said it could have a profound effect on the future of the American presidency and what is allowable by an individual who holds the office.The four counts in the indictment were: conspiracy to defraud the US, conspiracy to obstruct an official proceeding, obstruction of an official proceeding and conspiracy against the rights of citizens.Mr Trump, 77, has repeatedly denied any wrongdoing and has accused the Justice Department and the Biden administration of political persecution.He also faces three other criminal trials. One is related to alleged attempts to overturn the 2020 election results in the state of Georgia. Another is related to his alleged mishandling of classified documents after leaving office, and the third is related to an alleged hush-money payment Mr Trump made to porn star Stormy Daniels. With the delay of the federal election subversion case, Mr Trump’s first criminal trial will be over the alleged 2016 hush money payments, which is slated for 25 March in New York. Related TopicsIndictments of Donald TrumpDonald TrumpUnited StatesMore on this storyJudges sound sceptical of Trump’s immunity defencePublished9 JanuaryHow big are Donald Trump’s legal problems?Published20 December 2023Top StoriesO’Neill makes history becoming Northern Ireland’s first ministerPublished7 hours agoHistoric day stirs painful memories – and hope for change in NIPublished4 hours agoLive. Iraq warns of disastrous consequences for region after US strikesFeaturesCancer doctor takes gamble to treat his brain tumourWhy did US wait to retaliate for drone attack on its troops?Teenage killers tried to get away with Brianna murderCan ‘super libraries’ survive spending cuts?Confronting the Houthis: How powerful are Yemen’s rebel rulers?Watch: Footage of Brianna Ghey’s killers being arrested. VideoWatch: Footage of Brianna Ghey’s killers being arrestedHunt to uncover story of mysterious shipwreckMichelle O’Neill: Who is NI’s new first minister?What we know about US strikes in Iraq and SyriaElsewhere on the BBCHow did Britain lead the world into the jet age?An unlikely story of outstanding aviation achievement at a time of national austerityAttributioniPlayerThe sound effect that became the ultimate movie in-jokeIt’s used in everything from Toy Story to Reservoir Dogs, but what is the Wilhelm Scream?AttributioniPlayerHow are jelly beans made?Gregg Wallace visits a factory in Dublin that makes over ten million of the sweets per day!AttributioniPlayerScientists uncover alcohol’s hidden dangersInvestigating what alcohol is and why so many people love to drink itAttributioniPlayerMost Read1Imran Khan and wife jailed for illegal marriage2Teenager arrested over death of bus driver3I had a midlife crisis and ended up on Gladiators4Cancer doctor takes gamble to treat his brain tumour5Manhunt for Clapham attack suspect continues6How WW2 captives found a glint of light to live7’I want to stop babies being abandoned like I was’8Thousands join pro-Palestinian march in London9Teenage killers tried to get away with Brianna murder10What are routes out of this ‘dangerous moment’ in Middle East?

[ad_1] The federal trial was set to begin on 4 March, but is delayed as Donald Trump appeals the charges.

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• January 27, 2024
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BBC HomepageSkip to contentAccessibility HelpYour accountLiveNotificationsHomeNewsSportWeatheriPlayerSoundsBitesizeMore menuMore menuSearch BBCHomeNewsSportWeatheriPlayerSoundsBitesizeCBBCCBeebiesFoodClose menuBBC NewsMenuHomeIsrael-Gaza warCost of LivingWar in UkraineClimateUKWorldBusinessPoliticsCultureMoreTechScienceHealthFamily & EducationIn PicturesNewsbeatBBC VerifyDisabilityWorldAfricaAsiaAustraliaEuropeLatin AmericaMiddle EastUS & CanadaHow Kenya’s judges stood up to President William RutoPublished53 minutes agoShareclose panelShare pageCopy linkAbout sharingImage source, Getty ImagesImage caption, Chief justice Martha Koome swore in William Ruto as president in 2022By Basillioh RukangaBBC News, NairobiFollowing weeks of bitter rows and mud-slinging between President William Ruto and Kenya’s judges, two separate courts have ruled against the government, both on matters close to the president’s heart.Firstly, a court on Friday ordered the government to stop taking payments for a new housing levy and just an hour or so later, a different court said the president could not send 1,000 police officers to Haiti, as Mr Ruto had promised the UN.Analysts see this as a sign that Kenya’s judges remain fiercely independent despite what they see as the president’s attempts at intimidation.Mr Ruto has recently launched a series of extraordinary attacks on the judiciary, accusing unnamed judges of corruption, while criticising those who went to court to stop government projects. He was responding to a previous series of rulings against his administration, one of which was last week overturned. Before Friday’s rulings, a lawyer who was in the team that designed the current constitution told the BBC that Kenyans would, in light of the continued criticism of the judiciary, “be keen on seeing whether now, we are going to see decisions which are more favourable to the state”.Bobby Mkangi said the rhetoric against the judges had been “engineered towards achieving an outcome where the judiciary will fall to the weight of the executive”.But this does not seem to have happened.Law Society of Kenya president Eric Theuri told the BBC after the ruling on the housing levy that while the criticism was “in a way intended to intimidate the court”, the outcome of the case was “not surprising” as the government had presented a “very weak case”.”We expected and were hopeful that the court would be able to look at the law and make the decision on the basis of the law and not anything else,” he said.In recent weeks, the president’s attacks on the judges triggered a backlash from Kenyans, including politicians and civil society.Mr Mkangi said the “executive and presidency leading the onslaught” had created “pressure” against judges, adding that it remained to be seen whether this would translate to favourable rulings.He said “the judiciary did indeed feel the pressure and felt commanded by the pressure” to request an unprecedented meeting linked to matters live in court between the chief justice and the president.But he questioned the “philosophy of leadership” of Chief Justice Martha Koome, who requested the meeting, adding that this was bound to arouse suspicion.The meeting on Monday became a subject of intense national debate, amid a perception that the judiciary was giving in to the executive.Chief Justice Koome herself had warned that the “threats and declarations” against the judiciary were “extremely serious”.She said they were an “assault against the constitution, the rule of law and the very stability of the nation and can lead to chaos and anarchy in our motherland”.But her request to meet the president and her subsequent attendance raised questions.Image source, AFPImage caption, Kenyan lawyers held protests in support of the judiciaryMr Theuri, the LSK president, told the BBC the outcome of the meeting appeared as if the judiciary had gone to the executive with a “begging bowl… Ultimately it goes towards undermining judiciary’s independence and autonomy.”Ekuru Aukot, the leader of the opposition Third Way Alliance, told a local television station that the chief justice had allowed herself “to go into dialogue with the person intimidating them”.The BBC contacted the government spokesman’s office and the presidency for comment on the accusations of undermining the judiciary.After the meeting, statements by both the chief justice and the presidency maintained that they were committed to upholding the rule of law and the independence of the judiciary. The chief justice said they had agreed that specific measures would be presented to speed up corruption cases. It was also resolved that MPs and the government would support increased funding for the judiciary, including to hire more judges. Despite the meeting, the criticism of the judges continued.On Thursday, the Kenya Magistrates and Judges Association (KMJA) said it had “noted with deep concern the continued atavistic attacks against the judiciary, individual judges and magistrates by the political class even after the tripartite meeting”.It said the courts would now take consider taking legal action against individuals attacking the judiciary, individual judges, and magistrates.Earlier this week, the Supreme Court took the extraordinary step of indefinitely barring prominent pro-government lawyer Ahmednasir Abdullahi from appearing before it, after accusing him of “running a campaign aimed at scandalising, ridiculing and out-rightly denigrating this court”. Mr Abdullahi said it was a “badge of honour” on X, and later said that he would file a petition against the ban at the East African Court of Justice in neighbouring Tanzania rather than “waste time in Koome’s corrupt court”.The rift between the judiciary and the political class is only expected to widen, as each side stands firm.Despite the rulings, Mr Ruto has vowed to continue with the government’s projects, which may result in further confrontation with the judiciary.There are fears that this could set the stage for other Kenyans to disobey court rulings, causing “anarchy” as the chief justice had warned.The KMJA noted on Thursday that in the western town of Eldoret, “an elected political leader had mobilised and led a gang to destroy a property which is still the subject of litigation before the courts”.As the court ruled on Friday, Mr Ruto said he had enough public support to continue with the housing projects, which he said was creating many jobs for young Kenyans.”The will of the people of the people is the will of God,” he said, speaking in Swahili to a crowd at a town in central Kenya, adding that the plan would continue despite the temporary setback.The president said the government would appeal against the ruling and parliament would work on a new housing fund act that would allow the programme to continue.One can only imagine Mr Ruto’s reaction if that were then to be challenged in court.You may also be interested in:Blow for Ruto as court blocks Kenya housing taxKenya court blocks police deployment to HaitiKenya’s leader compared to biblical tax collector Kenya protests: I feel betrayed by William RutoRelated TopicsKenyaTop StoriesTrump must pay $83.3m for defaming E Jean CarrollPublished9 hours agoOil tanker on fire after Houthi missile attackPublished1 hour agoWWE boss Vince McMahon quits after sex abuse claimPublished6 hours agoFeaturesWhy defamation defeat is a double-edged sword for TrumpBali bomb families face accused at Guantanamo BaySumo, Surfing and Sabalenka: Photos of the weekThe Papers: ‘The King’s fine’ and ‘Klopp shock’Golden age or dying days for British theatre?Israel reined in by ICJ ruling – but will it obey?Fierce row after sacking of ABC presenter over Gaza postWoodpeckers and sparrowhawks: Your Birdwatch 2024 pictures’It’s my calling to stop knife-crime killers’Elsewhere on the BBCA Scottish wild swimming road-trip!Julie Wilson Nimmo and Greg Hemphill take the plunge at Scotland’s breath-taking wild swimming spotsAttributioniPlayerScientists uncover alcohol’s hidden dangersInvestigating what alcohol is and why so many people love to drink itAttributioniPlayerCould this Italian dream turn into a real nightmare?Amanda Holden and Alan Carr don their boiler suits to renovate a dilapidated house in TuscanyAttributioniPlayerBritish television’s greatest double actEric and Ernie share their remarkable journey through TV appearances, rare radio material and BBC archivesAttributioniPlayerMost Read1Trump must pay $83.3m for defaming E Jean Carroll2Oil tanker on fire after Houthi missile attack3‘I thought mum left me, she’d been sent to prison’4WWE boss Vince McMahon quits after sex abuse claim5The Papers: ‘The King’s fine’ and ‘Klopp shock’6Warning over children using viral skincare products7’What terminal cancer has taught me about life’8Who won The Traitors: TV final reveals all to fans9Jess Glynne says she ‘fell out of love with music’10Defamation defeat a double-edged sword for Trump

[ad_1] Following weeks of bitter rows, two separate courts have ruled against the government.

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