Survivors of the atrocities committed by Joseph Kony’s Lord’s Resistance Army (LRA) in Uganda have expressed cautious optimism following the International Criminal Court’s (ICC) confirmation of charges against the fugitive rebel leader. Kony, who remains at large and is believed to be hiding in the Central African Republic (CAR), faces 39 counts of war crimes and crimes against humanity, including murder, rape, sexual slavery, and the use of child soldiers. The ICC issued an arrest warrant for Kony in 2005, but despite extensive manhunts and a $5 million U.S. reward for his capture, he has evaded justice. Evelyn Amon, a 42-year-old survivor who was abducted at age 11 and forced to become one of Kony’s wives, emphasized the need for justice and compensation for victims. ‘I cannot be happy like other women who went to school. I need justice for women who went through abduction like me,’ she told the BBC. The LRA, notorious for mutilating victims and abducting children, was formed in the late 1980s with the stated goal of establishing a government based on the biblical Ten Commandments. After being driven out of Uganda in 2005, the group operated in neighboring countries, engaging in poaching and illegal mining. Patrick Ochieng, born in LRA captivity after his mother was abducted and sexually assaulted, echoed the call for justice, stating, ‘He should first be arrested. The victims who suffered can’t wait—some of these victims are already dying.’ The LRA’s insurgency in northern Uganda resulted in over 100,000 deaths, the abduction of 60,000 to 100,000 children, and the displacement of 2.5 million people. Survivors like Muhammad Olanya, who witnessed the 2004 massacre of 70 people in Lukodi, continue to bear the scars of the conflict. The ICC’s decision to proceed with charges without Kony’s presence offers a glimmer of hope that justice may eventually be served.
作者： admin
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Eduscan Institute hosts ‘Inner Peace, Outer Health’ — A celebration of healing and empowerment
The Eduscan Institute, a pioneer in holistic education and empowerment for children of determination, is set to host a transformative event titled ‘Inner Peace, Outer Health: The Path to Healing’ on November 8 and 9, 2025, in Dubai and Abu Dhabi, respectively. The event, held at the Iranian Club in Dubai and the Indian Embassy in Abu Dhabi, will feature a Walk of Confidence, symbolizing inclusion, courage, and collaboration. Students from Eduscan Institute will walk alongside peers from Amity University, Symbiosis University, and other institutions, showcasing a united spirit of empowerment.
The event will also honor 12 Cancer Victors, women who have triumphed over cancer and now inspire others with their resilience. A highlight will be a soulful dance performance, ‘Healing Through Movement,’ by Vishaka Verma and her troupe, blending art and rhythm to emphasize the restorative power of music and movement. Ruby Ahluwalia, a senior Indian bureaucrat and founder of Sanjeevani… Life Beyond Cancer, will deliver a keynote address. Ahluwalia, a Stage 3 metastatic breast cancer survivor, has impacted millions through her organization, providing free holistic care to over 1.3 million underprivileged cancer patients.
Dr. Alka Kalra, founder and director of Eduscan Institute, emphasized the event’s broader purpose: ‘This is about rediscovering the strength within every individual. Our students, cancer victors, and the community embody resilience, compassion, and unity—the true spirit of the UAE Year of Community.’ Established in 1994, Eduscan Institute has empowered over 30,000 children through education, emotional development, and leadership training, guided by Dr. Kalra’s philosophy, ‘Leaders are not born, but made.’
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Eid Al Etihad: Dubai’s Salik to give recharge cards to winners of weekly contest
In celebration of the UAE’s 54th Eid Al Etihad, Dubai’s toll operator, Salik, has introduced an exciting weekly contest offering participants the chance to win recharge cards. From now until December 2, 2025, Salik will pose a question each week, with five lucky winners awarded two recharge cards worth Dh400 each. The initiative is part of Dubai’s broader National Month campaign, which runs from Flag Day on November 3 to Eid Al Etihad on December 2, 2025. This campaign aims to honor national occasions, foster pride in the nation’s journey, and engage all segments of society through a variety of national, community, and cultural events. Salik has encouraged residents to participate in the contest via a post on X, though details about the weekly questions remain undisclosed. This initiative not only celebrates the UAE’s unity but also provides an opportunity for residents to engage in a fun and rewarding activity during the festive period.
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Colombian artists transform Pablo Escobar’s hippos and excesses into art
In Bogotá, Colombia, photographer Édgar Jiménez is showcasing his iconic portrait, “Adam and Eve,” at an art exhibition titled “Microdoses to Tame the Inner Hippopotamus.” The photograph captures two of the first hippopotamuses brought to Colombia by the notorious drug lord Pablo Escobar in the 1980s. Jiménez, who once served as Escobar’s personal photographer, recalls the perilous moment he took the shot from just four meters away, unaware of the danger posed by the animals. These same hippos later attacked and killed a camel. Escobar, who imported the hippos from a U.S. zoo, continued expanding his collection until his death in 1993. Today, their population has surged to over 160, leading them to be classified as an invasive species in Colombia. The exhibition, featuring works by 20 artists, uses the hippos as a lens to critique the legacy of Escobar and the broader narcoculture. Curator Santiago Rueda emphasizes that the show is not moralizing but invites reflection on the paradoxical nature of Escobar’s hippos. The exhibit includes diverse mediums, from oil paintings and graffiti to a unique cultivation of psychoactive mushrooms grown in hippo dung. One standout piece, “The Great Narco Ark” by Carlos Castro, depicts Escobar alongside animals descending from a military aircraft, symbolizing the excess and madness of the narcotics era. Another work, featuring a hippo nicknamed “El Gordo,” parodies the drug cartels’ bounty systems. Artist Camilo Restrepo highlights the irony of hallucinogenic mushrooms thriving in hippo dung, contrasting the ego-dissolving effects of these mushrooms with the ego-enhancing nature of cocaine. The exhibition, hosted at Casa Échele Cabeza, a project focused on drug regulation and harm reduction, opened on Thursday and offers a thought-provoking exploration of Escobar’s legacy and its cultural impact.
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British ex-soldier arrested over alleged murder of Kenyan woman in 2012
A former British soldier, Robert James Purkiss, is set to be extradited to Kenya in connection with the alleged murder of Agnes Manjiru, a 21-year-old woman whose body was discovered in a septic tank in 2012. Purkiss, 38, was arrested in Tidworth, Wiltshire, on November 6 by the National Crime Agency’s (NCA) National Extradition Unit following a warrant issued in September. He appeared at Westminster Magistrates’ Court on Friday, where he stated his intention to contest the extradition. His lawyers emphasized that he “vehemently denies” the murder charges.
Agnes Manjiru vanished on March 31, 2012, and her body was found three months later near a British army training camp in Nanyuki, approximately 124 miles north of Nairobi. At the time of her disappearance, she had a five-month-old baby. Reports indicate that on the night of her death, she was at a bar with friends where British soldiers were also present.
Manjiru’s family has long accused the British army of covering up her death and criticized Kenyan authorities for failing to conduct a thorough investigation. An inquest in 2019 concluded that she was unlawfully killed by one or two British soldiers, suffering stab wounds to the chest and abdomen. A 2021 Sunday Times investigation revealed that a British soldier had confessed to colleagues about the murder but continued to live in the UK after leaving the army.
In 2024, the British army launched an internal review into the conduct of its soldiers in Kenya, uncovering 35 suspected cases of sexual exploitation and abuse, nine of which occurred after such conduct was officially banned in 2022.
Manjiru’s niece, Esther Njoki, met with the UK’s defense minister last month to push for Purkiss’s extradition. In a statement issued through the family’s lawyers, Leigh Day, Njoki expressed relief over the arrest, calling it a significant step toward justice. Leigh Day partner Tessa Gregory described the arrest as a “huge moment” for the family, who have been seeking justice for over a decade. The family and their legal team hope for swift collaboration between UK and Kenyan authorities to ensure the suspect faces trial in Kenya.
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Super Boss Film Production & Studio launches in Dubai
Dubai’s vibrant creative scene has reached new heights with the grand opening of Super Boss Film Production & Studio, a state-of-the-art facility designed to cater to every aspect of media, art, and entertainment. Located in a prime area between Dubai Commerce City and Dubai Design District, the studio offers unparalleled accessibility while avoiding the hustle and bustle of heavy traffic, making it a go-to destination for industry professionals. The launch event attracted prominent figures from the creative, fashion, and media sectors, who were treated to an exclusive preview of the expansive and versatile space. Super Boss Studio is not just a production facility; it’s a comprehensive creative ecosystem, offering services ranging from film shoots, fashion shows, and podcasts to art exhibitions, commercials, and talk shows. Shiv, the visionary behind the project, emphasized the studio’s mission to provide a space where all creative pursuits can thrive under one roof. The studio combines luxury design with affordability, making it accessible to both established professionals and emerging talents. Beyond its production capabilities, the facility includes unique features such as a snooker and entertainment zone, a chill-out area, and a coffee rave corner, fostering collaboration and community. Additionally, the studio offers dedicated zones for private events, including art galleries and exhibition spaces, all designed with flexibility in mind. Shiv shared his vision of creating a culture of creativity, where every visitor feels inspired. With its world-class infrastructure, innovative environment, and strategic location, Super Boss Film Production & Studio is poised to become a cornerstone of Dubai’s rapidly growing media and entertainment industry, where imagination meets innovation.
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UAE: Sheikha Jawaher launches development projects, university grants in Morocco
Sheikha Jawaher bint Mohammed Al Qasimi, the Wife of Sharjah Ruler and Chairperson of the Sharjah Family and Community Council, has unveiled a series of groundbreaking development initiatives in Morocco. These projects, spearheaded by The Big Heart Foundation (TBHF), focus on education, economic empowerment, and the protection of children and women, aiming to create sustainable and transformative change in the region.
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Aircraft carrier Fujian, commissioned
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Fourth Palestine Action prisoner launches hunger strike over ‘systematic abuse’
A fourth individual detained in the UK in connection with alleged activities linked to Palestine Action has initiated a hunger strike, protesting their detention conditions and the government’s decision to proscribe the direct action group. Jon Cink, remanded at Bronzefield prison, joins Qesser Zurah, Amu Gibb, and Heba Muraisi in an open-ended hunger strike, citing “systematic abuse” by prison authorities. Cink’s detention stems from a June 2025 raid on RAF Brize Norton, where activists allegedly targeted military planes with paint and crowbars, claiming they were used in operations in Gaza and the Middle East. This incident prompted then-Home Secretary Yvette Cooper to ban Palestine Action in July 2025, equating it in British law to groups like ISIS or al-Qaeda. Supporting or belonging to the group now carries a potential 14-year prison sentence. The campaign group Prisoners for Palestine (PFP) announced the hunger strike after Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood failed to address their demands, including immediate bail, an end to communication interference, and the de-proscription of Palestine Action. More prisoners are expected to join the strike, potentially making it the largest coordinated hunger strike since the 1981 Irish republican protest led by Bobby Sands. PFP representative Audrey Corno highlighted disparities in treatment, noting that Zurah, Gibb, and Muraisi’s requests for medical attention and electrolytes were denied. Zurah was told her consumption of a fruit drink and noodle broth invalidated her hunger strike, despite her reported physical suffering. The Ministry of Justice declined to comment on individual cases or clinical management of hunger-striking prisoners. HMP policies mandate regular health assessments for prisoners refusing food, but details on clinical management remain unclear. Earlier in August, another Palestine Action-linked prisoner, T Hoxha, launched a hunger strike over deteriorating conditions, including suspended recreational activities and withheld mail. Corno also pointed to racial disparities in treatment, with Zurah allegedly manhandled by guards and placed on restricted status, while Cink was ignored. Zurah and Gibb suspect they are under a non-association order, limiting their interactions. Sodexo, which operates HMP Bronzefield, did not respond to requests for comment.
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Trump’s energy secretary slams UN climate conference in Brazil, where US absence is glaring
In a bold and controversial statement, U.S. Energy Secretary Chris Wright dismissed the COP30 environmental summit as a ‘hoax’ and criticized its approach to addressing climate change. Speaking at the conclusion of a two-day business conference in Athens, Greece, Wright expressed skepticism about the summit’s intentions, stating, ‘It’s not an honest organization looking to better human lives.’ He hinted at possibly attending next year’s summit to ‘deliver some common sense,’ aligning with the Trump administration’s rejection of global climate agreements and prioritization of fossil fuels. Wright’s remarks came as world leaders gathered in Belem, Brazil, for COP30, where they criticized U.S. President Donald Trump for his absence and his administration’s stance on climate change. The White House confirmed that no high-level U.S. officials would attend the summit, with spokesperson Taylor Rogers asserting that President Trump would not compromise the country’s economic and national security for ‘vague climate goals.’ Wright, a former fossil fuel executive, defended the U.S. position, arguing that global gatherings should focus on energy access, economic growth, and technological advancement rather than what he termed ‘fear-driven environmentalism.’ Meanwhile, at COP30, U.N. Secretary-General António Guterres warned of the accelerating pace of global warming and its dire consequences, including rising hunger, displacement, and environmental damage. Latin American leaders, including Colombia’s President Gustavo Petro, took aim at Trump’s absence, with Petro declaring, ‘Today Mr. Trump is against humanity.’ Brazil’s President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva struck a more conciliatory tone, expressing hope that Trump would eventually recognize the importance of green energy. The summit also highlighted the absence of leaders from China and India, the world’s largest greenhouse gas emitters. As the U.N. weather agency reported that 2025 is on track to be one of the warmest years on record, the Trump administration has continued to roll back climate policies, withdrawing from the Paris Agreement and prioritizing fossil fuel production. Critics, including environmental groups, have condemned these actions as a significant setback in the global fight against climate change.