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Newly released files include emails detailing a shipment of sacred cloth from the Kaaba in Mecca to the United States, arranged through contacts linked to the United Arab Emirates and delivered to convicted paedophile Jeffrey Epstein.

The correspondence, dated February and March 2017, shows UAE-based businesswoman Aziza al-Ahmadi working with a man named Abdullah al-Maari to organise the shipment of three pieces connected to the Kiswa - the black, gold-embroidered cloth that covers the Kaaba at the centre of Islam’s holiest site in Saudi Arabia.

The Kiswa carries deep religious meaning for Muslims worldwide. Each year, the cloth is removed from the shrine and replaced with a new one, with parts of the previous Kiswa treated as highly valuable artefacts.

Emails in the Epstein files show the items shipped by air freight from Saudi Arabia to Florida via British Airways, with coordination spanning invoices, customs arrangements and delivery inside the United States.

The messages describe three separate pieces: one from inside the Kaaba, one from the outer covering that was used, and a third made from the same materials but not used. The correspondence describes the unused piece as a way to classify the shipment under “artworks”.

Wish that Columbine effect didn't happen outside the U.S.

cross-posted from: https://news.abolish.capital/post/25019

Jordan’s Minister of Foreign Affairs and Expatriates Ayman Safadi, revealed in a statement on X on Monday, February 2, that he discussed “the situation in the region and the efforts being made to de-escalate tensions” with his Iranian counterpart, Abbas Araghchi.

The Jordanian senior official declared that he asserted during his discussion with Araghchi “the necessity of adopting dialogue and diplomacy as the path to reaching a peaceful resolution for the nuclear issue and ending the tension.”

The most surprising part of Safadi’s statement was his confirmation that “Jordan will not be a battlefield for any party in any regional conflict, or a launch pad for any military action against Iran, and it will confront with all its capabilities any attempt to breach its airspace and threaten the safety” of the Jordanian citizens.

Safadi’s reassuring message to the Iranian minister of foreign affairs marks a considerable shift in Jordan’s diplomatic discourse towards the Islamic Republic, especially after it had been criticized for intercepting Iranian missiles and drones during Iran’s retaliatory attacks against Israel in October 2024, and June 2025.

The move also came one week after an Israeli media report claimed that Jordan, alongside the United Arab Emirates and the United Kingdom may provide “logistical and intelligence support” to the US military in its intended aggression against Iran.

Peoples Dispatch spoke to Dr. Issam Khawaja, general secretary of the Jordanian Democratic Popular Unity Party (known in Jordan as the Wihda Party), to explore the reasons behind the transformation in Jordan’s position towards Iran.

Iran’s decisiveness in managing the diplomatic battle prior to the aggression was a game changer

Dr. Issam suggested that Iran has demonstrated remarkable decisiveness and defiance in its reaction to the US threats during the last few weeks, which has in turn affected the attitude of the US allies in the West Asia region.

Dr. Issam Khawaja speaking at an event. Photo: Archive

“The Islamic Republic expressed its willingness to engage in the battle, without offering any concessions or showing any type of debility in terms of confronting the intended aggression. Iran further warned that any form of aggression on its territories, whether it would be limited or not, will be considered as an all-out war, and that it will react accordingly,” Khawaja noted. 

Read more: Iran says if attacked militarily, its response will not be “limited”

The Jordanian political leader believes that Iran’s decisiveness is based on true capabilities that enable it to take the necessary retaliatory action against any US assault, something which the Trump administration is also aware of.

“Iran learned how to rebuild its confrontation strategy from the 12-day war last June, and determined what deterrent tools should be employed in any future response.”

From Dr. Issam’s point of view, Iran has already emerged victorious even before the US offensive started, because it was able to delay or even prevent the war from occurring through its shrewd diplomacy.

“Preventing an aggression is a triumph on its own, as it would avert losses, suffering and destruction,” he asserted. 

The Jordanian left leader explained that although Washington has been capable of moving forward with its planned aggression, Tehran’s firm stance has obliged it to re-calculate the possible consequences in the aftermath of the onslaught.

“The Trump administration might have thought of whether it will be able to contain unexpected developments, which would be of a larger scale than imagined. For example, the situation may transform into an infinite war that the United States would not be able to bear,” Khawaja reaffirmed. 

Dr. Issam also pointed out that even though Iran has kept the door open for negotiations, it has done so on the basis of parity, by upholding its principles, and rejecting the US conditions regarding its right to possess efficient defense capabilities. 

Iran’s intention to retaliate by attacking US military bases in the region has changed the equation

Dr. Issam maintained that Iran’s threats to target US military bases in host countries across West Asia, in the event of any US aggression may have pushed these countries, including Jordan, to distance itself from being engaged in prospective war.

“I think Iran has delivered a message to the Arab countries hosting US bases, that it will deal with them as inherent partners in the aggression against it, should they get involved directly or indirectly, by allowing the United States to use its bases on their territories or even their airspace in its war against the Islamic Republic,” Khawaja said. 

Dr. Issam praised Jordan’s stance as a “decision in the right direction”, as it would not allow the US bases in the country to be launch pads for any aggression that will violate Iran’s sovereignty, and inflict death and destruction on the Iranian people.

“Jordan should deal with Iran as a neighboring country, with which it has major interests in common that transcend disputed issues,” the head of Wihda Party emphasized. 

Read more: Trump announces ceasefire after Iran’s retaliatory attack on largest US military base in West Asia

The post Jordan will not be a launch pad for any military action against Iran, its foreign minister declares appeared first on Peoples Dispatch.

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Only 17% of Denmark’s citizens regard the United States as an ally country, while 60% see the US as an enemy, an Epinion poll commissioned for Danmarks Radio revealed.

This view of the US, driven by President Donald Trump’s statements about Washington’s need to control the Danish-owned island of Greenland, is shared by respondents across all political and age groups.

The poll, which involved 1,053 people, took place on January 21-28.

cross-posted from: https://news.abolish.capital/post/25025

Chicago, IL – Dozens of community members gathered on Thursday, January 29 at Malcolm X Community College to demand city officials hold Chicago Police Department (CPD) officers accountable for their violence against Black and brown communities and collaboration with Immigrants and Customs Enforcement (ICE).

The Community Commission for Public Safety and Accountability (CCPSA) set this year’s goals for itself, the Civilian Office of Police Accountability (COPA), and the CPD superintendent.

The meeting began with public comments. Community members demanded that the CCPSA publish all communications regarding CPD and ICE collaboration; an end CPD crowd control during immigration enforcement activities; an end to pretextual traffic stops; an end to CPD’s use of tactical teams; that the CCPSA choose a candidate for COPA head that has a strong record of being pro-accountability; and the removal of all current and former Oathkeepers and other members of white supremacist groups from the police force.

Omar Flores, co-chair of the Immigrant Rights Working Committee (IRWC) of the Chicago Alliance Against Racist and Political Repression (CAARPR) and a survivor of ICE’s violence, described the varied forms of harassment he has experienced.

“These things should not be allowed! We see plenty of instances when CPD is supposedly coming out, when the people are showing their righteous anger at what is happening, we see CPD do nothing when it comes to ICE violating our rights,” Flores said.

“It’s your guys’ job to be creative in this moment, because people’s lives are literally counting on it, as we’re seeing in Minneapolis,” Flores urged the CCPSA.

Brian Young, Jr., a resident of the historically Black and brown 25th Police District, expressed their disappointment at the CCPSA's history of inaction.

“We've been coming here since 2024, when Dexter Reed was killed by police officers over pretextual traffic stops, when this young man was killed and gunned down like a fucking animal in the streets,” Young Jr. said. “I organized and I came here with the community to demand an end to pretextual traffic stops – that was pushed onto the fucking backburner.”

CAARPR leader Kayla Nguyen described the CCPSA’s hesitance to investigate violations of the Welcoming City Ordinance despite 1500 people demanding an end to CPD and ICE collaboration at the CCPSA special listening session on January 8.

“We want collaborators addressed publicly, and we want them to face meaningful consequences now, because it is a shame that this city continues to wait to take action on wrongs the people know to be true,” Nguyen affirmed. “Why must the people of Chicago fight both our local law enforcement and ICE at the same time? The protection of CPD, not for our people, but for ICE, emboldens these federal killers and results in injuries to our Black and brown communities.”

The CCPSA then voted on their strategic priorities for 2026. These included a new traffic stop policy, preventative alternatives to public safety, and more accountability for collaborators with federal immigration enforcement.

Sandra Wortham was the only commissioner to vote “Nay” to the final priority regarding CPD-ICE collaboration, to raucous booing from the audience. Wortham demanded that the audience remember their decorum, to which audience members shouted, “Maybe you should remember who you protect and serve!”

The CCPSA additionally elected interim COPA chief LaKenya White to the permanent COPA chief position, who accepted all of the presented goals and strategic priorities, as did CPD Superintendent Larry Snelling.

Community members left the meeting hopeful regarding the strategic priorities, but resolved to continue to attend the next CCPSA meeting on Thursday, February 26 to hold the CCPSA accountable to these promised goals.

#ChicagoIL #IL #ImmigrantRights #InJusticeSystem #ICE #KillerICE #CPD #CAARPR

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cross-posted from: https://news.abolish.capital/post/25018

Mozambique is grappling with one of its worst flood disasters in recent years after weeks of heavy rainfall, compounded by emergency dam water releases, left vast parts of the country submerged, killing several people and affecting hundreds of thousands, according to government and humanitarian agencies.

The National Institute for Disaster Management (INGD) reported that, since October last year, flooding, triggered by persistent rains, has affected approximately 812,000 people across the country. Rising water levels have destroyed homes, schools, health centers and key road networks, severely disrupting livelihoods and access to essential services, with the loss of infrastructure at USD 644 million. The provinces of Maputo, Gaza, Inhambane, Sofala and Zambézia have been the hardest hit, with widespread damage to infrastructure and agricultural land. 

Although, in recent days, weather conditions have shifted, offering some relief to flood-affected areas. Uzna Malunga, based in Mozambique, told Peoples Dispatch that intense heat and sunshine over the past week have helped speed up recovery efforts.

“Since last week, the whole country has been experiencing very strong heat and intense sunshine. Under normal circumstances we would be complaining about it, but right now we are grateful because it’s helping to dry out the country faster,” she said.

She noted that access along major transport corridors have largely been restored, easing movement between provinces and supporting repair work.

“As of this week, the main roads have largely been restored. People are now able to move from one province to another, and we can see massive construction taking place on roads and highways,” Uzna added.

Despite the scale of the disaster, only a fraction of affected people are housed in formal accommodation centers. As of January 2026, 97 accommodation centers were hosting 100,153 individuals, representing 21,361 households. Despite the scale of the disaster, those accommodated in official centers account for only about 16% of the total affected population. Also, 353 schools have been affected since January 7, as well as four bridges and 1,336 kilometers of road.

Uzna said much of the emergency response has been driven by communities themselves, amid political tensions that have hampered coordinated action.

“Most of the response has been mobilized by the population itself, since politicians transformed this crisis into an opportunity to attack each other,” she said.

Local communities converted schools, churches, and public pavilions into shelters for displaced families. As a result, the start of the school year has been delayed in several areas.

“The school period was announced to start later this year because many people are still sheltered in school buildings,” Uzna explained.

Displacement of thousands and farming affected

Humanitarian agencies say that many displaced families are sheltering with relatives, in community buildings, or in spontaneous settlements that are not systematically monitored. Of the population currently hosted in accommodation centers, 25% are men, 38% women and 37% children, highlighting the impact on women and children.

The United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) reported that preliminary government data indicate more than 513,000 people have been affected, over half of them children. UNICEF further noted that over 50,000 people have been forced to flee their homes and are currently sheltering in 62 temporary centers, many of which are overcrowded and lack adequate water, sanitation, and health services.

Food production has also been severely affected, according to La Via Campesina in Mozambique. In the country alone, nearly 60,000 hectares of cultivated land and more than 58,000 head of cattle and poultry have been permanently lost to flooding, affecting at least 83,000 peasant producers. This loss is expected to deepen food insecurity and increase the need for food assistance.

Mozambique is highly vulnerable to climate-related disasters, including floods, cyclones, and droughts, due to its long coastline, and major river basins. The current floods come as climate scientists warn that extreme rainfall events in southern Africa are becoming more frequent and severe, placing increasing pressure on already fragile infrastructure and disaster-response systems.

Beyond emergency shelter, communities have also taken the lead in providing support through informal networks.

“We self-organized fundraising efforts and support systems to help those affected,” Uzna said. While conditions have improved in some areas, concerns remain as the rainy season is not yet over.

“We know there is still more rain to come, so preparations are being made to endure what lies ahead,” she added.

Authorities and humanitarian partners continue to carry out rescue operations, assess damage and scale up assistance.

The post Mozambique floods affect over 500,000 as heavy rains devastate multiple provinces appeared first on Peoples Dispatch.

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One month after the US military aggression against Venezuela on January 3, Russian citizens mobilized in Moscow near the Venezuelan Embassy. From there, they condemned the attack—which left more than one hundred people dead—and demanded the release of President Nicolás Maduro and his wife, Congresswoman Cilia Flores, whom the White House is holding hostage.

The participants gathered to demand the release of the kidnapped president and his wife, whom Washington is subjecting to a rigged, politically biased trial on baseless drug trafficking charges. These charges were incorporated into the narrative used by the Trump Administration to justify the aggression against the homeland of Bolívar and Chávez and to disguise its true interest: controlling the oil and other resources that belong to the Venezuelan people.

The solidarity event was organized in cooperation with the Communist Party of Russia. According to the organizers, the event in Moscow is part of an international campaign in support of the Caribbean nation.

During the demonstration, the Venezuelan ambassador to Russia, Jesús Salazar Velázquez, thanked “all political parties and the Russian government for their firm support against the kidnapping of Nicolás Maduro and for demanding his prompt release.” He reiterated that the U.S. aggression constitutes a grave violation of the Charter of the United Nations. He denounced the U.S. for using lies to perpetrate the attack and for now threatening Cuba and other countries.

(sorry for no archive, it's not working for me atm)

‘When asked hypothetically what he would do if President Trump was near him, Davies claimed that he would attempt to kill President Trump with his bare hands,” a news release said.

A serious man.

Our girlboss Bari Weiss is failing upwards so hard she hit her head on a glass ceiling and got concussed

https://www.mediaite.com/media/news/cbs-news-expected-to-cut-ties-with-newly-announced-contributor-over-links-to-epstein-report/

The French offices of Elon Musk's X have been raided by the Paris prosecutor's cyber-crime unit, as part of an investigation into suspected offences including unlawful data extraction and complicity in the possession of child pornography.

https://www.the-independent.com/news/world/americas/ice-deported-ireland-undocumented-tribeca-condo-b2912296.html?test_group=lighteradlayout

In Florida, the state’s attorney general has encouraged people with undocumented exes to report them to ICE. The top ICE official at the agency’s Puerto Rico field office said investigators today receive “revenge tips” they never got previously, telling NPR that people are turning in “a neighbor that they don’t get along with, or an ex-husband, ex-wife, ex-boyfriend, ex-girlfriend.” Last year, after a 29-year-old NYPD sergeant was spurned by a woman he met online, he allegedly threatened to have her deported by ICE.

Between January and September 2025, the U.S. deported 99 Irish citizens, a 50 percent increase compared to a year earlier, and an 1,880 percent increase over the five people deported back to Ireland in 2021.