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Libyan Officials Convicted for Dam Disasters Amidst Ongoing Political Corruption

Explore the recent convictions of Libyan officials linked to dam disasters, revealing a deeper issue of political corruption that continues to plague the nation. Uncover the implications for governance and accountability in Libya.

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Libyan Officials Convicted in Dam Catastrophe

Twelve officials in Libya have been found guilty and sentenced for their involvement in a catastrophic disaster that resulted in the deaths of thousands and devastated a significant portion of eastern Libya, as announced by the country’s chief prosecutor on Sunday. However, the verdict notably did not address the entrenched political elite, whom many Libyans hold accountable for a decade marked by political stagnation, rampant corruption, violence, and chaos—conditions that likely contributed to the tragic dam failures.

The convictions come nearly a year after heavy rainfall from a major storm struck in September, overwhelming the aging dams situated above the coastal city of Derna. This led to their catastrophic failure, unleashing a torrent of water that surged into the areas below. While the official death toll is reported at 4,352 according to the United Nations, over 8,000 individuals remain unaccounted for, with many believed to have been swept out to sea.

The flood wreaked havoc on much of Derna and its surrounding regions, displacing approximately 45,000 residents. In total, the disaster impacted around 1.5 million people, which represents about 22 percent of Libya’s total population, as detailed in a January report by the World Bank, the European Union, and the United Nations.

A statement issued by Libya’s Attorney General, Sadiq Al-Sour, revealed that the twelve convicted individuals were responsible for the management of the country’s dams. Although the prosecutors did not disclose their identities or specific charges, a Libyan television channel, Al-Ahrar, reported that one of those convicted was Ali Al-Hibri, the general manager of a government fund previously assigned to oversee the reconstruction of Derna following the civil conflict that has plagued the nation.

Al-Ahrar also indicated that the mayor of Derna at the time of the disaster was among those convicted, alongside Al-Hibri’s predecessor and a Libyan Central Bank employee. The defendants were handed prison sentences ranging from nine to 27½ years and were also fined, with some being ordered to repay funds obtained through what were described as “illicit means,” hinting at corruption-related charges. The court acquitted four defendants, as noted in the statement.

Despite these convictions, many Libyans feel a sense of disappointment regarding the lack of accountability following the disaster, which transpired even after years of warnings about the urgent need for maintenance and repairs on the aging dams. The nation’s top leadership remains intact, though many citizens assert that they have facilitated a culture of corruption and negligence that contributed to the catastrophe, and that their response to the disaster was severely inadequate.

The flooding resulted in damage to or destruction of approximately 18,500 homes, equating to about 7 percent of Libya’s overall housing stock, as highlighted in the January report by the international organizations. The report also estimated that the disaster inflicted more than $1.6 billion in damages and economic losses on the country.

Nearly eleven months after the devastating flood, reconstruction efforts have barely commenced, leaving many displaced individuals living in temporary accommodations or without homes to return to.

Islam Al-Atrash contributed reporting from Tripoli, Libya.

World

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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World

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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