In a significant development, the superintendent of Des Moines Public Schools, Ian Andre Roberts, was arrested by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) on Friday. Roberts, a citizen of Guyana, is accused of overstaying his student visa and faces additional charges related to firearms possession. ICE officials revealed that Roberts’ work permit expired in 2020, and he was apprehended on a fugitive warrant. The arrest occurred amidst a broader U.S. crackdown on immigration under President Donald Trump’s administration, which aims to deport all illegal migrants. Roberts is currently detained at an immigration center near Des Moines. ICE reported that he was found with a loaded handgun, $3,000 in cash, and a hunting knife. Authorities stated that Roberts initially fled from police in a vehicle provided by the school district but was later located with assistance from the Iowa State Patrol. Records indicate that Roberts entered the U.S. on a student visa in 1999 and was ordered to be deported by a federal judge in 2024. He also has a prior weapons charge from February 2020. The investigation into the handgun has been transferred to the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, as undocumented immigrants are prohibited from possessing firearms in the U.S. Roberts, who leads a district of approximately 30,000 students, has a distinguished background, including degrees from Georgetown and Harvard, and represented Guyana in track and field at the 2000 Sydney Olympics. School Board Chair Jackie Norris expressed uncertainty about the case’s details but emphasized Roberts’ integral role in the school community. ICE Director Sam Olson criticized the hiring process, questioning how Roberts was employed without proper authorization and with a prior weapons charge, calling it a wake-up call for the community.
分类： society
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Assata Shakur, black liberation activist exiled in Cuba dies at 78
Assata Shakur, a prominent figure in the Black Liberation Army who spent over four decades in exile in Cuba, has passed away in Havana at the age of 78. Known also as Joanne Chesimard, Shakur died on Thursday due to unspecified health issues compounded by her advanced age, as confirmed by Cuba’s foreign affairs ministry in a statement released on Friday. Shakur had been a fugitive since her 1979 escape from a New Jersey women’s prison, where she was serving a life sentence for her alleged involvement in a 1973 shootout that resulted in the death of a New Jersey state trooper and a fellow activist. Despite her conviction, Shakur consistently maintained her innocence. She resurfaced in Cuba in 1984, where she was granted political asylum by then-President Fidel Castro. Born JoAnne Deborah Byron in New York City in July 1947, Shakur grew up between the city and Wilmington, North Carolina. She was the step-aunt and godmother of the late rapper Tupac Shakur. Her activism began during her college years, initially with the Black Panther Party, which advocated for radical resistance against racial injustice and provided social services for Black communities. Later, she joined the more militant Black Liberation Army, composed largely of former Black Panthers. The FBI, which viewed these groups as threats, heavily surveilled them. The 1973 incident that led to her imprisonment occurred when her car was stopped by New Jersey police, resulting in a shootout that claimed the lives of state trooper Werner Foerster and activist Zayd Malik Shakur. Shakur was injured and subsequently arrested. She argued that her trial, conducted before an all-white jury, was unjust. In a 1998 interview with NBC News, Shakur stated that she fled the U.S. fearing for her life and believing she would never receive fair treatment. Her asylum in Cuba remained a contentious issue in U.S.-Cuba relations. Shakur was the first woman to be placed on the FBI’s Most Wanted Terrorists list, with both the FBI and New Jersey offering $1 million rewards for her capture. Her legacy has been immortalized in music, with references in songs like Public Enemy’s ‘Rebel Without a Pause’ and Common’s ‘A Song for Assata.’ She is survived by her daughter, Kakuya Shakur, who expressed profound grief over her mother’s passing on Facebook.
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Student fell from Cliffs of Moher due to ‘huge puddle’ – inquest
In a tragic incident at the Cliffs of Moher in May 2024, 20-year-old Roxan Bastaens, a student at the University of Edinburgh, lost her life after falling from the cliff edge. The Clare Coroner’s Court in Kilrush, County Clare, concluded that her death was accidental. Witnesses testified that the trail, initially protected, became slippery and lacked barriers. Roxan was walking single file with friends when she slipped near a large puddle, tumbling down the cliff. Despite efforts to save her, she fell into the water and was later recovered by an RNLI boat. The coroner confirmed her death was instantaneous and painless. This incident marks the second accidental death at the cliffs in 2024, prompting the Clare Local Development Company to close off large sections of the trail.
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Elon Musk and Prince Andrew named in new Epstein files
Newly released documents by Congressional Democrats have named billionaire Elon Musk and Prince Andrew in connection with the late financier Jeffrey Epstein, who was convicted of sex trafficking. The files, handed over by the Jeffrey Epstein Estate to the House Oversight and Government Reform Committee, suggest Musk was invited to Epstein’s private island in December 2014. Separately, a flight manifest from May 2000 lists Prince Andrew as a passenger on a trip from New Jersey to Florida alongside Epstein and his associate Ghislaine Maxwell, who was convicted in 2021 for her role in Epstein’s crimes. Both Musk and Prince Andrew have been approached for comment, with Prince Andrew previously denying any wrongdoing and Musk stating he declined Epstein’s invitation. The documents, part of the third batch released by the Epstein Estate, include phone logs, flight manifests, financial records, and Epstein’s daily schedules. Other prominent figures mentioned include internet entrepreneur Peter Thiel and former Trump advisor Steve Bannon. While the records do not imply awareness of Epstein’s criminal activities, they shed light on his extensive network of influential connections. Epstein died by suicide in August 2019 while awaiting trial. Sara Guerrero, a spokesperson for the Democrats, emphasized the importance of releasing more files to ensure justice for Epstein’s victims.
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New York office gunman had low-level CTE, medical examiner finds
In a tragic incident that shocked New York City, Shane Tamura, a 27-year-old gunman, opened fire in a Manhattan office building, killing four people before taking his own life. The New York City medical examiner’s office has since revealed that Tamura suffered from chronic traumatic encephalopathy (CTE), a degenerative brain disease often associated with high-contact sports like American football. The autopsy confirmed that Tamura had ‘low-stage CTE,’ a condition caused by repeated head trauma, which can lead to symptoms such as memory loss, depression, and progressive dementia. CTE can only be diagnosed post-mortem, and the medical examiner described the diagnosis as ‘unambiguous.’
Tamura, a former high school football player, drove from Las Vegas to New York City in July with an assault-style rifle. Police believe he intended to target the offices of the National Football League (NFL), located in the Park Avenue skyscraper. However, he took the wrong elevator and ended up in a different part of the building. In a suicide note left at the scene, Tamura reportedly blamed the NFL for concealing the effects of CTE and requested that his brain be studied. ‘Study my brain please,’ he wrote, according to a senior official who spoke to ABC News. He also expressed remorse, writing, ‘I’m sorry.’
Among the victims were NYPD officer Didarul Islam; Wesley LePatner, an employee of finance giant Blackstone; Julia Hyman, an employee at Rudin Management; and NFL employee Craig Clementi, who was seriously injured. Police noted that Tamura had a history of mental health issues, which may have contributed to the tragedy.
The incident has reignited discussions about the long-term effects of high-contact sports and the responsibility of organizations like the NFL in addressing the risks associated with CTE. As science continues to evolve, the physical and mental manifestations of CTE remain under study, highlighting the need for further research and awareness.
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Dubai sex-trade ring boss held by police after BBC investigation
Charles Mwesigwa, also known locally as Abbey, the alleged leader of a degrading sex-trade ring exploiting vulnerable women in Dubai’s upscale neighborhoods, has been detained in the United Arab Emirates (UAE). The arrest follows a BBC investigation that exposed Mwesigwa’s operations, including his admission to an undercover reporter that he could provide women for sex parties starting at $1,000 (£750). Mwesigwa, a former London bus driver, claimed the women could perform “pretty much everything” clients desired.
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Turkey abandons bid to force doner kebab rules on Europe
Turkey has abandoned its attempt to impose strict regulations on how doner kebabs are prepared across the European Union, a move that would have significantly impacted Germany’s thriving kebab industry. The proposal, which sought a ‘Traditional Speciality Guaranteed’ label, aimed to standardize ingredients and preparation methods, including meat types, slicing thickness, and marinades. However, the bid faced strong opposition, particularly from Germany, where the doner kebab has evolved into a distinct culinary tradition. German officials argued that the kebab has become an integral part of their national cuisine, diverging from its Turkish origins. The Turkish International Doner Federation (Udofed) had proposed that only specific meats, such as beef, lamb, or chicken, be used, while banning veal and turkey. The German version, often made with veal and served in flatbread with vegetables and sauces, would have been at odds with these rules. The bid’s withdrawal on September 23 followed widespread objections and failed compromise attempts. Germany’s kebab industry, which employs 60,000 people and generates €2.4 billion annually, celebrated the decision. Former German Agriculture Minister Cem Özdemir, of Turkish descent, emphasized that the doner kebab ‘belongs to Germany,’ reflecting its cultural integration.
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Namibians warned against holding parties at cemeteries after ‘disgraceful’ event
Namibian authorities have issued a stern warning against holding social gatherings in cemeteries following a controversial incident at Gammams cemetery in Windhoek last weekend. The event, which featured seating arrangements, cooler boxes, and alcohol, has been widely condemned as disrespectful and inappropriate. Witnesses described the scene as chaotic, with car boots open, people drinking, and litter scattered across the sacred grounds. One resident expressed her dismay on Facebook, stating that the cemetery resembled a shebeen (informal drinking establishment) rather than a place of rest. In response, the City of Windhoek released a statement on Thursday, labeling the behavior ‘unacceptable’ and emphasizing that it ‘disrespects the dignity of the deceased and disturbs other grieving families.’ The authorities reminded the public that littering in cemeteries is a criminal offense and announced plans for ‘strict monitoring and enforcement’ to preserve the sanctity of burial sites. This incident is not the first time Gammams cemetery has been in the spotlight; in 2021, a man was arrested for firing shots during a funeral, and cars were reportedly spun in the parking area nearby. The Namibian government has reiterated that cemeteries are sacred spaces reserved solely for burials and remembrance, prohibiting social gatherings, alcohol consumption, and littering.
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Search resumes for missing fisherman after vessel ran aground
A comprehensive search operation is underway for a fisherman who went missing off the coast of County Sligo in the Republic of Ireland. The emergency response was initiated on Thursday evening at approximately 20:00 local time after a concerned member of the public reported a fishing vessel stranded near Mullaghamore Head. The multi-agency search effort, involving various rescue teams, is focused on the area off Mullaghmore and extends into Donegal Bay. The Royal National Lifeboat Institution (RNLI) confirmed that the search persisted throughout the night and resumed early Friday morning. A spokesperson for the RNLI detailed that the Sligo Bay and Bundoran RNLI’s inshore lifeboats were redirected from a routine training exercise by the Irish Coast Guard following the distress call. The alarm was raised after a grounded boat with its engine still running was spotted near Cliffoney Beach. The search operation also includes the Arranmore and Ballyglass RNLI’s all-weather lifeboats, the Irish Coast Guard helicopter Rescue 118 from Sligo, and the Killybegs Coast Guard’s inshore lifeboat. Additionally, the Gardaí (Irish police) are actively supporting the search efforts.
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China launches campaign to keep killjoys off the internet
In a sweeping effort to foster a more positive online environment, the Chinese government has launched a two-month campaign targeting social media posts that amplify negative and pessimistic sentiments. Spearheaded by the Cyberspace Administration of China, the initiative aims to curb narratives such as ‘studying is useless’ and ‘hard work is useless,’ which have gained traction amid economic slowdowns, high youth unemployment, and intense competition for education and jobs. This campaign reflects Beijing’s growing concern over the disillusionment among its younger generation, who increasingly question their future prospects. The government’s anxiety has manifested in a series of sanctions against influencers and platforms. Notably, content creator Hu Chenfeng saw his social media accounts wiped clean after a viral comment that many interpreted as reinforcing social divides. Similarly, Zhang Xuefeng, a prominent online tutor, faced restrictions on his accounts following controversial remarks about Taiwan and his blunt advice on social mobility. The campaign also extends to social media platforms like Xiaohongshu, Kuaishou, and Weibo, which have been warned to curb ‘negative’ content. While the government frames this as a move to create a ‘civilised and rational online environment,’ critics argue that such top-down efforts may fail to address the root causes of societal pessimism. Experts like Dr. Simon Sihang Luo of Nanyang Technological University caution that suppressing expressions of frustration could exacerbate mental health issues. Despite the crackdown, the underlying pressures driving China’s youth to ‘lie flat’ and retreat from the rat race persist, highlighting the challenges of addressing systemic issues through censorship alone.