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One Year After Morocco’s Earthquake: Ongoing Struggles in the High Atlas Region

Explore the challenges faced by communities in Morocco’s High Atlas region one year after the devastating earthquake. Discover the ongoing struggles, resilience, and efforts towards recovery in this poignant reflection on survival and rebuilding.

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One Year After the Earthquake: The Struggle Continues in Morocco’s High Atlas Region

One Year After the Earthquake: The Struggle Continues in Morocco's High Atlas Region

The rescue teams and bystanders have long departed, yet the remnants of homes still lie in chaotic heaps alongside the rugged roads. As the one-year anniversary approaches of the devastating earthquake that claimed nearly 3,000 lives across Morocco’s High Atlas, villages such as Imi N’tala bear the scars of that fateful day. Here, entire blocks were decimated when a massive section of mountainside collapsed, obliterating most structures.

Amidst the broken bricks, twisted rebar, and fragments of kitchen floors, the debris has been somewhat organized into neater piles. Nearby, plastic tents serve as temporary shelters for the displaced residents, some of whom are still waiting for financial assistance to rebuild their homes, while others are awaiting approval for their reconstruction plans.

The aftermath of the earthquake in Imi N’tala and surrounding areas is stark. The region, characterized by impoverished agricultural villages, remains accessible only via bumpy, poorly maintained roads. Last week, Associated Press reporters revisited several of these villages ahead of the one-year mark, revealing the ongoing struggles of the residents.

In certain areas, residents have begun to take matters into their own hands, commencing the rebuilding of their homes without official permission. Meanwhile, others, weary of the oppressive conditions inside plastic tents, have either returned to their damaged homes or relocated to larger cities, leaving behind their former lives.

In towns like Amizmiz and Moulay Brahim, streets have been meticulously cleaned, yet the sight of cracked buildings and heaps of rubble remains largely unchanged since the days following the calamity. Despite the challenges, the rhythm of daily life has slowly resumed in some of the larger towns of the province, where rebuilding efforts are underway for roads, homes, schools, and businesses. Some residents have even received metal container homes as part of the recovery efforts. However, the majority of those displaced from the 55,000 homes destroyed by the quake continue to face vulnerability to the summer heat and winter cold, living in plastic tents and growing increasingly impatient to return to their previous lives.

Mohamed Soumer, a 69-year-old retiree who tragically lost his son in last year’s earthquake, expresses his frustration over being prohibited from rebuilding his home on the steep mountainside due to safety regulations. He and his wife now find themselves living in a plastic tent near the ruins of their former home, dreading the prospect of moving to a larger, more expensive area. “Residents want to stay here because they have land where they cultivate vegetables to sustain their livelihoods,” he explains. “If they were to abandon this place, they would struggle to survive elsewhere.”

In the aftermath of the earthquake, the government promised monthly stipends for households affected by the disaster, along with additional funds for constructing seismically safe homes. However, residents have reported that the distribution of these funds has been inconsistent, leaving many still waiting for financial assistance or the initiation of rebuilding efforts.

Frustration has grown among residents in towns like Amizmiz and villages such as Talat N’Yaqoub, where protests have erupted over living conditions. They have voiced their discontent regarding the sluggish pace of reconstruction and have called for increased investment in social services and infrastructure, which have long been neglected compared to Morocco’s urban centers and coastal regions.

Officials estimate that the total cost of rebuilding will reach 10.8 billion euros and that it will take approximately five years to complete. While the government has made some progress by reconstructing segments of rural roads, health centers, and schools, the commission responsible for overseeing the reconstruction acknowledged last week the urgent need to expedite the rebuilding of homes.

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Dominique Pelicot Testifies in Harrowing Rape Trial

Join us as Dominique Pelicot courageously testifies in a harrowing rape trial, shedding light on the complexities of trauma and justice. Her powerful story raises crucial questions about the legal system and the importance of support for survivors.

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Dominique Pelicot Takes the Stand in Shocking Rape Trial

In a courtroom drama that has captivated France and garnered international attention, Dominique Pelicot, the man at the center of a harrowing rape trial, finally addressed the court. With tears streaming down his face, he recounted how his wife had been instrumental in helping him cope with a tumultuous past marked by trauma. He revealed that he had endured a sexual assault at the tender age of nine while hospitalized, and he also witnessed a gang rape during his teenage years while working as an apprentice electrician on a construction site.

“She didn’t deserve this, I acknowledge that,” Mr. Pelicot stated, his voice barely audible as he struggled to convey his emotions. The gravity of the situation weighed heavily on him, and the courtroom fell silent, straining to catch his every word.

Now 71 years old, Mr. Pelicot faces serious allegations of drugging his wife, Gisèle Pelicot, whom he has been married to for half a century, over a span of nearly ten years. Prosecutors contend that he used drugs to render her comatose, allowing him to rape her repeatedly. Furthermore, authorities allege that he went so far as to invite numerous men into their home, facilitating a nightmarish scenario where they, too, engaged in the assault of his wife.

Overall, 51 men, including Mr. Pelicot, are on trial concurrently, primarily facing charges related to the aggravated rape of Ms. Pelicot. Among them, one individual has already pleaded guilty to similar crimes, admitting to drugging his own wife to assault her and inviting Mr. Pelicot to partake in the horrific act while she was incapacitated.

Mr. Pelicot’s unexpected testimony came after a tumultuous start to the trial. Just a week in, he was stricken with severe health issues that forced him to miss four consecutive days in court. The head judge ultimately decided to postpone proceedings, as Mr. Pelicot was diagnosed with kidney stones, a kidney infection, and prostate complications, adding yet another layer of complexity to this already harrowing case.

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Meta Bans Russian State Media Outlets from Social Media Platforms

Explore the implications of Meta’s decision to ban Russian state media outlets from its social media platforms. Understand the impact on information dissemination and the ongoing battle against misinformation in the digital landscape.

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Meta Imposes Global Ban on Russian State Media Outlets

In a significant move, Meta Platforms, Inc., the parent company of Facebook, has announced the prohibition of Russian state media outlets, including RT (Russia Today) and Rossiya Segodnya, from all its social media platforms. The decision stems from the company’s concerns regarding the deceptive strategies employed by these media organizations to execute covert influence operations across the internet.

Meta made this announcement on Monday, emphasizing that the ban will be enforced worldwide across its various platforms, such as Instagram, WhatsApp, and Threads. The rollout of this ban is expected to take place over the coming days.

Statement from Meta

A spokesperson for Meta elaborated on the decision, stating, “After careful consideration, we have expanded our ongoing enforcement actions against Russian state media outlets. As a result, Rossiya Segodnya, RT, and other affiliated entities are now banned from our applications globally due to their involvement in foreign interference activities.”

For further insights into this development, watch the video in the player above.

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Trump Recalls Alleged Assassination Attempt While Golfing

Explore Donald Trump’s chilling recollection of an alleged assassination attempt he experienced while enjoying a round of golf. Delve into the tense moments and his reflections on safety, fame, and the unpredictability of public life.

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In a recent interview on the social media platform X, Republican presidential nominee Donald Trump recounted a harrowing incident he claims to have experienced while playing golf. Trump described how, during a peaceful Sunday morning round with friends, the tranquility of the day was abruptly shattered by the sound of gunfire in the air.

“It was a beautiful day, everything was just perfect,” Trump reflected. “Then all of a sudden, we heard shots being fired—probably around four or five in total.” He went on to explain that a Secret Service agent was the first to spot the suspect, who was allegedly armed with an AK-47, a powerful assault rifle.

“The agent saw the barrel of the weapon and immediately took action, returning fire at the barrel and aiming in the direction of the bushes,” Trump detailed. “I would have loved to have sunk that last putt, but we decided it was best to leave the scene promptly.”

Trump expressed his gratitude towards the agents and a vigilant civilian who aided in tracking down the suspect, who was eventually apprehended following a high-speed chase.

Suspect Faces Multiple Federal Gun Charges

The FBI has identified the suspect as Ryan Wesley Routh, accusing him of targeting Trump during his time at the golf club in West Palm Beach, Florida. According to an FBI report, Routh had allegedly hidden among the hedges of the golf course for an astonishing 12 hours. Authorities discovered an SKS-style assault rifle, a GoPro camera, and a bag of food at the scene.

The 58-year-old Routh is now facing two serious federal gun charges. If convicted on both counts, he could face a combined maximum sentence of 20 years in prison. Notably, neither of the charges is directly related to an assassination attempt. The first charge pertains to possessing a firearm despite a prior felony conviction, which carries a potential 15-year sentence, a fine of $250,000 (€225,000), and three years of supervised release.

The second charge involves possession of a firearm with an obliterated serial number, which could result in a five-year prison term, the same financial penalties, and also three years of supervised release. As the investigation continues, additional charges could be forthcoming.

While the motive behind Routh’s actions remains unclear, his digital footprint reveals strong political affiliations, particularly concerning issues surrounding Ukraine and China. Routh consistently expressed support for Ukraine across various social media platforms, even claiming to have orchestrated a recruitment scheme for international volunteers aiming to assist Ukraine in its fight against Russia’s invasion. This behavior has been denounced by Ukrainian soldiers and members of the International Legion, who disavowed Routh’s actions and motives.

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