U.S. COURT CLEARS TECH GIANTS OF CONGO ABUSES

Not guilty.

That’s the verdict of a US federal appeals court in a case involving five tech companies accused of benefitting from child labour in Congolese mines. On 5th March, 2024, the US Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia made a 3-0 decision in favour of (Google’s parent company) Alphabet, Microsoft, Dell, Tesla and Apple Inc. in a case filed by 16 former Congolese child miners and their guardians.

The plaintiffs accused the companies of “deliberately obscuring” their dependence on child labour, in effect abetting the exploitation of many children to ensure steady supplies of cobalt. Some of the complainants were the guardians of children who’d been killed in cobalt-mining operations.

Continued…. The court ruled that buying cobalt in the global supply chain did not amount to “participation in a venture,” and there was no proof that the tech giants had anything more than a buyer-seller relationship with suppliers or had the power to stop the use of child labour.

Cobalt is in high demand as competition for market leadership in Electric Vehicle sales kicks into high gear. Nearly two-thirds of the world’s cobalt is mined in DR Congo. The country has 2-million artisanal miners working under horrible conditions, according to DelveDatabase, an online database. Four critical minerals - copper, nickel, cobalt and lithium - will generate $16 trillion in the next 25 years, according to the IMF.

DR Congo’s vast wealth is the key reason for the country’s long history of exploitation and conflict - from Belgian King Leopold II running the country as his private estate to Western tech firms churning out high-end goods using Congolese minerals.

Help raise awareness of the exploitation of Congolese children by sharing this video widely.

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MANDELA’S GRANDSON CALLS FOR OLYMPICS TO BAN ISRAEL

Nelson Mandela’s grandson has pointed out the double standard in international sports. 

Nkosi Mandela, a former South African National Assembly member, called for the International Olympic Committee to ban Israel from the upcoming Paris Olympics during a 3 June press conference in Moscow.

As Russia faces sports bans over the Ukraine conflict, Israel continues to participate despite the International Court of Justice stating in its provisional ruling that it is ‘plausible’ that Tel Aviv is committing g*nocide in Gaza.

Mandela argued that Israel’s treatment of Palestinians mirrors apartheid and, thus, should not permitted on the global sports stage. Apartheid South Africa faced an Olympic ban from 1964 to 1988, and every major world sports federation barred the regime until apartheid ended in the early 1990s.

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U.S. HOUSE VOTES TO SANCTION ICC OVER ISRAEL WARRANTS

The US House of Representatives voted 247-155 on 4 June to sanction International Criminal Court (ICC) officials for seeking arrest warrants for top Israeli officials, including Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.

Measures include visa restrictions and economic sanctions. House Speaker Mike Johnson said legal recourse against Israel sets a bad example and opens the door for countries that have faced US violence to consider similar charges.

In this video, @CodePink’s Medea Benjamin confronts Joe Wilson, a congressperson who has received $1 million from the arms industry and $300,000 from the Israeli lobby, according to @codepinkalert. His reason for voting against the ICC is that it ‘hates Jews.’ Anti-Semitism has been a go-to excuse, despite mounds of evidence that Israeli aggression over 76 years—marked by land theft, k*llings, kidnappings and apartheid—has caused instability and violence in Palestine.

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ANOTHER VIDEO OF IDF SOLDIERS MOCKING PALESTINIANS

Another shocking video has surfaced appearing to show Israeli troops mocking traumatised Palestinians.

According to @mintpress , the US news website, soldiers uploaded this video of themselves re-enacting people grieving loved ones in Gaza. They’ve covered their faces in dirt and mimic the pain and anguish being felt.

Offensive posts like this aren’t new.
At the start of the year, Israeli soldiers circulated videos of themselves gloating after they’d bombed Palestinian homes.

The death toll in Gaza currently stands at 36,550. Most of the dead are women and children and a further 80,000 have been injured since October 7th, 2023.

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SLOW BOMB SHIPMENTS TO ISRAEL CAUSING JOB LOSSES - U.S. REP

US Congressperson Ann Wagner said the state of Missouri's economy is at risk because the Biden administration is delivering weapons to Israel too slowly.

During a 22 May session of the US House of Representatives' Foreign Affairs Committee, Wagner grilled US Secretary of State Antony Blinken about a shipment of 6,500 JDAMs (Joint Direct Attack Munitions). These items convert free-falling bombs into 'smart munitions.' So far, Israel has k*lled more than 36,000 Palestinians with foreign military aid. However, Wagner said the shipment delay dents Washington's credibility as the 'arsenal of democracy.'

Continued….. Since Israel's founding in 1948, the settler-colonial state has received $310 billion in US economic and military aid. Additionally, Washington has since 2019 provided $3.8 billion annually in financial assistance, which will end in 2028. Since the 7 October escalation in the 76-year Israeli occupation of Palestine, the US has provided at least $26 billion in funding and made more than 100 weapons deliveries to Tel Aviv, of which only two had congressional approval. 

Although US President Joe Biden has warned he would halt shipments if Israel went ahead with an offensive against the Gaza Strip's southern city of Rafah, he said the 26 May attack that k*lled about 45 Palestinian refugees did not cross his 'red line.'

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DECOLONISING MEDIA LANGUAGE ON PALESTINE

Subtle words and phrases used by the media can greatly influence your opinion of a story. And we want to draw your attention to a few that severely misrepresent what’s happening in Palestine.

In this episode of Africa in 90, @ahmed.ghoneim.official decolonises reports that happily call g*nocide a war, or colonialism a conflict.

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ZIONIST KILLS SOUTH AFRICAN OVER PRO-PALESTINE VIEWS

A self-declared former Zi*nist and allegedly an estranged adopted son of Julian Beare, a wealthy South African, appeared in court in the city of Durban, facing charges for k*lling a woman and injuring her husband and son. 

The 44-year-old suspect, Grayson Beare, said in this viral video that he attacked 46-year-old Halima Hoosen-Preston because she allegedly had laughed at his cousins in Israel being k*lled.

Authorities say the incident took place in Hoosen-Preston’s home in the early hours of 2 June. While the victim died on the scene, her husband and son remain in the hospital with serious injuries. Police had said they found a man with a blood-stained knife, but did not identify that person.

The victim’s 10-year-old daughter said she believed Beare attacked them for supporting Palestine. He had allegedly threatened to r*pe the girl.

Continued….. Beare appeared in court on Tuesday in ankle cuffs. The judge postponed the suspect’s court date to 11 June for a bail investigation and so Beare could undergo a mental examination. The state has said they will oppose any bail attempt. Reports have said Beare plans to plead not guilty.

According to news outlets, Beare’s estranged family released a statement expressing condolences to the victims and mentioning Beare’s years of treatment for mental illness and substance abuse.

Commenting on the incident, Africa4Palestine Communications and Campaigns Manager Alie Komape said attacks on pro-Palestine activists have increased across the country since the 7 October escalation in the Israeli occupation of Palestine.

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Damn Homie, in high school you was the man homie, the f*ck happened to you?”

Oh dear, @50cent - what were you thinking?

Nancy Pelosi collaborated with Donald Trump to further militarise the U.S. border and U.S. immigration policy. She backed regime-change efforts in Venezuela, attempting to overthrow Nicolas Maduro. Pelosi has helped pump ever more money into the U.S. Department of Defense to finance America’s wars worldwide. She is a long-time, active member of the pro-Israel lobby group AIPAC - supporting, earlier this year, a bill offering $17.6 billion in aid to Tel Aviv amid its war of destruction in Gaza. She has consistently rejected and worked against progressive policies within the U.S. She even received a special award from hospital lobbyists for blocking Medicare for All.

Continued…. She has disrespected the lives of Black people murdered by U.S. police forces, including that of George Floyd, when she said, “Thank you, George Floyd, for sacrificing your life for justice.” How dare she suggest George Floyd willingly gave his life as a sacrifice for America! No amount of kneeling on Capitol Hill in kente cloth will change Pelosi’s legacy.

Is Curtis James Jackson III, aka ‘50 Cent,’ going to be just another Black celebrity who gets used for photo-ops for crooked US politicians? Who next, Biden? Trump?

Many men wish you didn’t do this, bro!”

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RUTOS URGE KENYANS TO PRAY FOR HAITI MISSION

Kenya's 'anti-gang police mission' to Haiti is preparing for a showdown with armed Haitian groups who have made it clear they are not welcome. One of the armed leaders, Barbeque, has explicitly warned the Kenyan police that there will be "a massacre" when they arrive.

But Kenya’s president, William Ruto, is unfazed. He's convinced he's got God on his side - and is pushing "faith diplomacy." Ruto has sought counsel from evangelical leaders ahead of the dangerous mission. Together with his wife, he said the country was seeking a "spiritual solution" for Haiti - inviting the Kenyan nation to pray for Kenyan police officers.

But, to be on the safe side, he's also sought advice from security officials as well. As the saying goes, "God helps those who help themselves."

Continued…. Kenya's Haiti deployment is widely seen as a violation of the Caribbean nation's sovereignty at the behest of Western powers who no longer have the credibility to go in themselves. The unpopular venture was ruled unconstitutional by Kenya's top court. Still, Ruto is pushing on anyway - buoyed, no doubt, not just by his faith but also by his recent visit to the White House, where Joe Biden formally declared Kenya a non-NATO ally of the US.

Is this another example of the religion of Christianity being misused to push through an imperialist agenda? Much like when George Bush and Tony Blair reportedly prayed together in 2002 at Bush's ranch in Crawford, Texas, before bombing Iraq back to the Stone Ages?

Let us know your thoughts in the comments.

RACIST DAD SHOVES SCHOOL OFFICIAL: ‘NO BLACK HANDSHAKE FOR MY DAUGHTER!’

In this viral video, a White father rushes to the stage during a graduation ceremony and shoves a Black superintendent away - after reportedly yelling, “I don’t want him touching my daughter.” His daughter was on stage at the time, receiving her graduation honours from Wisconsin’s Baraboo High School and in the process of shaking hands with other school notables.

According to a representative of the school district, a restraining order was filed against the parent with a hearing scheduled to be held on 14th June.

The same school made national headlines in 2018 when a photo emerged showing students doing the N*zi salute. One boy was seen forming his index finger and thumb into an ‘OK’ sign, a symbol that was co-opted by followers of far-right and White-supremacist movements online.

Video Credit: @Max TV Baraboo

U.K. PICKED RWANDA TO ‘DETER’ REFUGEES

A much better-developed Britain, ranking 15th on the Human Development Index, wants to ship asylum seekers to Rwanda, coming in at 161. Given the blood on the United Kingdom’s hands from centuries of destabilising the world and creating millions of refugees, taking in asylum seekers seems to many as the UK’s responsibility. 

We reacted to British tabloid newspaper The Sun’s coverage of the would-be accommodation in Kigali for the deportees. Human rights advocates have referred to the Rwanda scheme as ‘cruel and unlawful.’ African Stream Editor-in-Chief Ahmed Kaballo raised that UK Prime Minister Rishi Sunak has related deportations to Rwanda as a ‘deterrent,’ as fear of being shipped to an African country may minimise arrivals from across the English Channel.

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Palestine has become the latest state to apply with the International Court of Justice (ICJ) to join South Africa as a party in its gen*cide case against Israel.

If the court grants the request, Palestine could add an ad hoc judge to the 16-judge ICJ panel, comprised of 15 regular judges and one ad hoc Israeli judge.

Palestine became a signatory to the genocide convention in 2014, two years after the UN granted permanent observer status. Nicaragua, Colombia, Libya and Spain have applied to join the case, while several other states have stated intentions to intervene.

Continued…. In January, the ICJ ordered Israel in its provisional ruling to prevent acts of gen*cide against Palestinians and do more to help civilians, stopping short of ordering a ceasefire, as requested by South Africa. In May, responding to an emergency request filed by South Africa, the top court ordered Israel to ‘immediately halt its military offensive, and any other action in the Rafah Governorate.’

Israel has faced increasing international criticism for launching a military operation in the southern part of the Gaza Strip, where 1.5 million Palestinians are sheltering. Israel has ignored the ICJ’s orders, k*lling an additional 10,000 Palestinians since the 26 January ruling. Meanwhile, over 36,000 Palestinians, primarily women and children, have been k*lled in Israeli military operations since the 7 October escalation in the 76-year Israeli occupation of Palestine.

EGYPTIAN FANS CHANT FOR PALESTINE

Egyptian football fans have again shown their support for Palestinians, despite a crackdown by authorities.
Thousands of Al Ahly supporters chanted their allegiance during their sides recent CAF champions league final victory in Cairo.

There are restrictions on Palestinian flags at stadiums in Egypt, and dozens of people have been arrested for promoting Pro-Palestinian campaigns. However, judging by these scenes, the government can’t suppress the anger felt towards Israel’s obliteration of Gaza.

Egyptian football fans have a powerful political voice. Ultra groups from Al Ahly as well as from rival club Zamalek, played a leading role in the country’s 2011 revolution that deposed long-time ruler Hosni Mubarak. At that time, thousands marched on the capital’s Tahir Square. Some analysts believe the current government is fearful of another re-awakening of fan power.

Credit: @osalah188 & @khaledrizk47 / Tik Tok

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BURKINA FASO AWARDS RUSSIA’S FM HIGHEST HONOUR

On Wednesday, 5th June, Ibrahim Traoré awarded Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov his nation’s highest honour - the Order of the Stallion.

Moscow has become an increasingly important partner in the Sahelian nation’s fight against insurgents. Russia is also assisting Burkina Faso and neighbouring Mali to build nuclear power plants to increase the supply of energy across West Africa. Additionally, Ouagadougou and Moscow collaborate on health, economy, education, science and technology.

While in Burkina Faso, Lavrov insisted that Russia was willing to “support the just cause of Africans who are trying to get rid of neocolonial influence” and that “relations do not have a neocolonial character.” Commenting on the country and its people, he said, “I find this country very beautiful.

Continued….. In my opinion, I’ve seen some Burkinabe faces that I like, they’re friendly faces. I think it’s a people who have chosen freedom and who have chosen to be masters of their own destiny.”

Over the past few years, many Burkinabe citizens have expressed support for closer Russian partnership. In July 2023, President Traoré attended the Russia-Africa Summit, where he gave a speech about Western exploitation and noted the historic friendship between Russia and Africa.

What’s your reaction to Ouagadougou’s new direction of travel?