Spanish GSF activist returns home after allegedly biting Israeli official, hits out at 'kidnapping', detention in 'prison for terrorists'

Spanish GSF activist returns home after allegedly biting Israeli official, hits out at 'kidnapping', detention in 'prison for terrorists'

"Spanish Global Sumud Flotilla (GSF) activist Reyes Rigo arrived at Madrid airport on Monday to an emotional welcome from family and friends following her release from Israeli detention. Footage showed Rigo embracing relatives and supporters upon her return, after she was accused by Israeli authorities of assaulting a prison officer while in custody. “I am well. What my colleagues and I have experienced is nothing compared to what thousands of Palestinians have suffered,” Rigo said. “They have been suffering for many years and are rotting in prisons.” Rigo urged that more attention remain on the situation in Gaza. “What we really need to focus on is Palestine, denouncing the genocidal state of Israel, and demanding that the Spanish government file a complaint with the International Court of Justice for kidnapping 49 Spanish citizens in international waters,” she said. Rigo was among dozens of activists held in Israeli custody after naval forces intercepted the Global Sumud Flotilla earlier this month. While in custody, Israeli authorities accused her of biting a prison official, an allegation she denied. On Friday, Rigo reached an agreement with Israeli prosecutors to be deported after pleading guilty to two counts of assault and paying a fine of around €2,500 ($2,893). The final charge filed against her related only to a minor scratch. The Global Sumud Flotilla, which is known as the largest maritime mission attempting to break the marine blockage and reach Gaza, included more than 50 ships and delegations from 44 countries. Israeli forces seized the vessels and detained over 500 activists, all of whom have since been released."

Obama takes aim at companies cutting deals with Trump: ‘We have capacity to take a stand’

Obama takes aim at companies cutting deals with Trump: ‘We have capacity to take a stand’

Universities, law firms and businesses that have changed course should have stood by convictions, says ex-president Barack Obama took aim at institutions and businesses who made deals or worked out settlements with the Trump administration , noting on a new podcast episode: “We all have this capacity, I think, to take a stand.” In a talk with Marc Maron on the comedian’s last edition of his long-running WTF With Marc Maron , the former US president said institutions – including law firms, universities and businesses – that have changed course during the Trump administration should have stood by their convictions. Continue reading...

United flight UA1357 has declared and emergency and just returned to Washington

United flight UA1357 has declared and emergency and just returned to Washington

Pilots of an Airbus A319 to Raleigh Durham Airport have declared an emergency and returned to Washington. The United Airlines flight UA1357 departed Washington Dulles International Airport at 1:11 PM EDT to Raleigh Durham Airport. The Airbus A319-100 (registration N844UA) took off from runway 30 and turned left towards for a 1-hour flight to Raleigh. […] The post United flight UA1357 has declared and emergency and just returned to Washington appeared first on AIRLIVE .

Government made ‘every effort’ to support China spy case, says minister

Government made ‘every effort’ to support China spy case, says minister

Dan Jarvis accuses Tories of suggesting CPS charges were deliberately dropped ‘without a shred of evidence’ The government made “every effort” to support the trial of two men accused of spying for China , a minister has said as he accused the Tories of claiming the case was deliberately abandoned “without a shred of evidence”. Dan Jarvis, the security minister, issued a robust defence of Jonathan Powell in the Commons after reports that Keir Starmer’s national security adviser played a role in the collapse of the case. Continue reading...