#nuus.txt

[khoesib]

Korean activists say Israeli captors physically and sexually assaulted flotilla activists

Doctors said that activists who were captured at sea while attempting to bring aid to Gaza were beaten to the point of severe muscle breakdo

Two Korean activists who were detained by Israeli forces after attempting to break the siege on Gaza and deliver aid recounted abusive treatment by their captors to local press on Thursday.

“After fully armed Israeli soldiers searched my body, I was dragged alone to a dark shipping container. The lights switched on, and whenever I looked at the light, they hit me in the face. Whenever my head was bowed, I was forced to look back up at the light,” said Kim A-hyun, 28, an anti-war activist who also goes by the name Haecho.

“[The Israeli soldiers] had tactical gloves on. After I was dealt a second blow to my cheek, I could hear a shrill sound in my ear. Following the third, I started to bleed from my nose and started to gag,” she said.

Kim Dong-hyeon, another activist who had participated in a humanitarian aid flotilla bound for the Gaza Strip, testified to similar conditions.

“My hands were tied, my body was searched, and I was continuously pummeled and kicked as I was being taken away. My wrists kept bleeding on account of having been bound so tightly, and I couldn’t feel my hands. My entire body, including my head and my legs, was in excruciating pain,” he said.

“When I started hyperventilating, I began to think that it was very likely that I might die,” he went on.

The two activists claim that they suffered serious health issues, including muscle damage and hearing loss, after being assaulted during their detention.

...

Kim A-hyun was diagnosed with a perforated eardrum as a result of the beatings she took to the face. Jonathan Victor “Seungjoon” Lee, a Korean American who was arrested alongside her, sustained a broken rib and other injuries after being tased.

“We are witnessing symptoms of rhabdomyolysis, which are usually apparent in victims of industrial accident cases involving crushes or those who have been severely injured in traffic accidents. The activists were released on Wednesday, but if that had been delayed by even a day and they had been subjected to more beatings, they would have suffered from severe harm,” said Dr. Lim Sang-hyuk, the director of Green Hospital.

The activists gave detailed testimonies of the abuse and torture they suffered during their arrest and aboard the prison boat.

“As soon as we boarded the boat, they pointed guns at us and subjected us to body searches. They hurled racist insults and curses at us the entire time. Male-passing people were tasered, while women and people perceived as female were subjected to sexual abuse,” said Kim A-hyun.

29/05/2026

[khoesib]

UN says Sudan hospital strike kills 70, warns of rising drone attacks - Radio Tamazuj

A hospital strike in Sudan’s East Darfur state has killed at least 70 people and

A hospital strike in Sudan’s East Darfur state has killed at least 70 people and injured more than 140, as the United Nations warned of escalating violence and a surge in drone attacks across the country.

Speaking at a U.N. press briefing in Geneva on Tuesday, a World Health Organization official said Al Daein Teaching Hospital, the main referral facility in the regional capital, was hit on March 20.

Initial reports put the death toll at 64, but it later rose to 70, including seven women and 13 children, according to Hala Khudari, the WHO’s acting deputy representative in Sudan. A total of 146 people were injured, including patients and relatives. One doctor and two nurses were killed, while eight other health workers were wounded.

The hospital, which serves more than 2 million people in Al Daein and surrounding areas, sustained heavy damage, particularly to its outpatient and emergency departments.

...

The WHO has verified 213 attacks on health care in Sudan since April 2023, resulting in more than 2,000 deaths and nearly 800 injuries. In 2025, Sudan accounted for 82% of reported deaths from such attacks globally, according to the agency’s monitoring system.

Separately, the U.N. human rights office warned of a sharp increase in drone strikes, which it said have killed more than 500 civilians between Jan. 1 and March 15, most of them in the Kordofan region.

Marta Hurtado, a spokesperson for the Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights, said drone attacks have continued in recent days. On March 21, a strike on a convoy of commercial vehicles in Al Daein reportedly killed 23 people.

25/03/2026

[khoesib]

Four Palestinians Killed in Gaza as Israeli Violations Persist during Eid

The Ministry of Health in Gaza reported that four Palestinians were killed and 14 injured over the past 24 hours, as Israeli violations of the ceasefire continue.

According to the ministry’s daily report, some victims remain trapped under rubble or in the streets, with ambulance and civil defense crews unable to reach them.

On the previous day, three Palestinians were killed and 14 others injured when Israeli aircraft targeted a vehicle in the Mawasi area of Khan Yunis, underscoring the continued attacks despite the ceasefire.

The ongoing assault on Gaza continues alongside simultaneous military operations in Lebanon and the broader regional escalation involving Iran.

Health authorities said that since the ceasefire came into effect on October 11, a total of 677 Palestinians have been killed and 1,813 injured.

The report also noted the recovery of 756 bodies during this period.

18/03/2026

[khoesib]

Shops shut as anti-immigrant protesters march through Durban

Over 1,000 take part in March and March demonstration

More than 1,000 people took part in a protest by anti-immigrant group March and March in Durban on Wednesday.

The marchers walked from King Dinuzulu Park to Point Road, finishing at Gugu Dlamini Park. Other groups, including representatives of the MK and ActionSA parties, joined the protest.

The group began marching at around 11 am. By the time they reached the city hall, halfway to Point Road, the number of protesters had risen to over 1,000.

Almost all the stores along the protesters’ route was shut.

Some protesters threw rocks and kicked storefronts. They shouted insults at reporters trying to film and photograph the march, and grabbed GroundUp’s camera several times.

At Point Road, the protesters demanded that police check buildings in the area for people they say are undocumented immigrants operating as drug dealers. One person from these buildings was arrested by SAPS.

Some of the protesters broke a gate at the back of one of the buildings, trying to get in.

Jacinta Ngobese-Zuma, the leader of March and March, told the media that legal immigrants have nothing to worry about and that they should also make their voices heard about illegal immigration in South Africa. “We don’t have a problem with people coming into the country. We keep on saying that.”

She said, “Immigrants must “come in legally, the same way we always go to other countries.”

“The protesters don’t hate foreigners, they just want them to go home,” said Mlungisa Duma, a member of the MK Party. “We want to make sure that our government does listen to our call when we tell them that there are drugs in some buildings in town.”

Metro Police spokesperson Victor Zungu said the protest had been peaceful and shopkeepers had closed their businesses voluntarily. No incidents of violence had been reported, he said.

The protest was still continuing at the time of publication.

06/05/2026

[khoesib]

Important information for anyone seeking to understand what is going on wrt the rolling back of trans rights in India:

Transgender Bill: Key changes on definition, medical board explained India.

Transgender law: Lok Sabha passes 2026 amendment narrowing definition, ending self-identification, mandating medical board certification and

The Transgender Persons (Protection of Rights) Amendment Bill, 2026, was passed by the Lok Sabha on Tuesday (March 24, 2026). This bill introduces fundamental changes to how the state recognises and protects transgender individuals, moving away from the principle of "self-identification" that was a cornerstone of the original 2019 Act.

...

Here are the key changes the bill proposes.

The 2019 Act defined a transgender person broadly as someone whose gender does not match the gender assigned at birth. The 2026 amendment removes this broad definition.

The bill notes that over the course of time, during the implementation of transgender protection law, "certain doubts and difficulties have arisen and are likely to arise" regarding the "expanse of the definition" of transgender persons.

It now limits the term to specific socio-cultural groups such as 'kinner', 'hijra', 'aravani', and 'jogta', or eunuchs or a person with biological intersex variations or congenital differences.

"The intent, object and purpose of the Act is and was to protect a specified class of persons socially and culturally known as transgender people who face societal discrimination of an extreme and oppressive nature. The purpose was and is not to protect each and every class of persons with various gender identities, self-perceived sex/gender identities or gender fluidities," the bill says.

The proposed legislation seeks to give a precise definition of the term "transgender" and exclude "different sexual orientations and self-perceived sexual identities" from the ambit of the proposed law. It underlines that a transgender person "shall not include, nor shall ever have been so included, persons with different sexual orientations and self-perceived sexual identities".

Medical Certification

Under the 2019 law, individuals could apply for a certificate of identity based on their self-perceived gender. The amendment removes the right to self-identification Now, the district magistrate will only issue a certificate after examining a recommendation from a designated medical board, headed by a chief medical officer or a deputy chief medical officer appointed by the Central government, State government or a Union Territory administration.

Under the 2019 law, in line with the Supreme Court's judgment, individuals could declare their gender identity based on self-perception. The 2014 Supreme Court judgment in National Legal Services Authority vs Union of India recognised self- identified gender as a fundamental right. However, critics say the new bill has rolled back this principle.

Mandatory Reporting of SRS

According to the bill, if a person undergoes sex reassignment surgery (SRS), they are now mandated to obtain a revised certificate, and medical institutions must report SRS details to the district magistrate.

Increased penalties

The bill significantly ramps up punishments for offences against transgender persons. It has created a new criminal category for "coerced assumption of transgender identity", penalising those who force others (through drugs, surgery, or deceit) to present as transgender. Kidnapping an adult to force a transgender identity carries 10 years to life imprisonment. Forcing a child into this car lead to life imprisonment and a Rs 5 lakh fine.

Provision to Change Name

The bill has a provision allowing transgender persons to change their first name in birth certificates and other official documents based on their certificate of identity.

While the government has argued the amendments ensure welfare reaches those facing extreme social exclusion due to biological conditions. Conversely Opposition MPs and activists have claimed that the bill is a regressive step that violates the fundamental right to dignity and privacy by stripping away the right to self- identification.

25/03/2026

[khoesib]

Cardiff woman not guilty of expression of support for Hamas

A jury unanimously acquitted Kwabena Devonish, who was arrested after making a speech at a protest.

A woman who told a crowd that Hamas is "fighting for freedom" has been found not guilty of expressing support for a proscribed organisation.

Kwabena Devonish, 27, of Pentrebane, Cardiff, denied a charge of expressing an opinion or belief that is supportive of a proscribed organisation, namely Hamas, contrary to the Terrorism Act 2000.

Bristol Crown Court heard she attended a march in Cardiff in November 2023 and addressed a crowd gathered at Ty William Morgan in Central Square, telling them she was "sick of being told to condemn Hamas".

A jury acquitted Devonish, who was arrested in January 2024 after a video of her speech was posted on social media, of the single charge against her.

Supporters of the defendant cheered and clapped in the public gallery after the unanimous verdict was delivered by the jury on Tuesday afternoon following a two-day trial at the court.

During the trial, a video was played of Devonish speaking at the march, which took place on 11 November and was attended by about 500 people.

[khoesib]

Activists Condemn Transgender Bill Passage In Lok Sabha

Haste to pass the bill in Rajya Sabha as well is scary : NCP-SP leader Anish Gawande

New Delhi

Activists on Wednesday termed the passage of the Transgender Persons (Protection of Rights) Amendment Bill, 2026, in the Lok Sabha a "black day" for the community, saying that the government is in a hurry to pass it in the Rajya Sabha as well.

Speaking to PTI, NCP-SP leader Anish Gawande, the country's first openly gay national spokesperson of a political party, said, "This is a black day for human rights in India. The bill was passed without any concrete response to several valid concerns raised by the opposition, which shows the government's unwillingness to listen to constructive criticism."

He said there has been no meaningful engagement with the transgender community while drafting the legislation.

"How can you have a situation where Parliament discusses and passes a law meant for a community, which is protesting right outside Parliament against the same law?" he asked.

Questioning the government's claims, he said, "If it is protecting the transgender community from exploitation, then why are members of the transgender community opposing this bill?"

...

Grace Banu, a Dalit transgender activist, strongly opposed the bill.

"I do not accept this. I will fight against this. This bill is highly unacceptable. This is against my people, my community. This is against our legal rights and identity," Banu said.

"This is a black day for my community. They are forcefully imposing Hindutva ideology on us because of our identity. Today, it will go to the Rajya Sabha, so we have begun our advocacy with MPs in the Upper House. Let's see. We have hope, our fight will continue," Banu told PTI.

On meeting opposition leaders Rahul Gandhi and Priyanka Gandhi, Banu said, "They strongly oppose this human rights violation. They shared solidarity with us."

On the agenda if the bill is passed in the Rajya Sabha, Banu said, "We are going to fight it till our last breath because we have the responsibility to create a safe and secure environment for the future generation."

Activist Akkai Padmashali expressed deep concern, saying, "I resist, I fight against, I do not accept this. This bill is highly unacceptable."

Kabir Maan, a Delhi-based Dalit Transman, described the passage of the bill in the Lok Sabha as the "scariest thing" for the community.

"It feels like nobody is thinking while the government is just passing the bill anyhow. It's very heartbreaking," Maan told PTI.

25/03/2026

[khoesib]

Xenophobia crisis: Who is funding the June 30 fear-mongering?

Amid growing xenophobic violence in Durban, refugees are terrified as a June 30 deadline looms, exposing the urgent need to address who is f

On a dirty pavement outside Durban’s Home Affairs Refugee Reception Centre, a huddle of terrified people is waiting for June 30, an ominous deadline that anti-illegal immigration groups have set for undocumented foreigners to leave South Africa.

The threat now hangs over the city after more than a week of xenophobic violence, public assaults and inflamed social media mobilisation.

Beyond the fear and chaos, the question more people are asking is: who is organising and financing a movement that analysts warn could push South Africa towards another July 2021?

The traumatised group of about 60 people encamped outside the Home Affairs centre on Che Guevara Road over the weekend cuts a stark contrast to the strutting bravado of the aggressive anti-foreigner demonstrators who terrorised parts of Durban.

Both groups represent the state’s failure to deal with xenophobia.

The Che Guevara Road refugees say they are legal foreigners with papers to prove it, but are too scared to leave the makeshift roadside camp because of fears that thugs marauding through the city will attack them.

In the past week, their migratory story played out as they sought refuge at the Durban Central Police station, the Diakonia Centre (an inner-city hub for social and non-government agencies), and, finally, on the pavement in Che Guevara Road.

Their lives were turned upside down after a mob of xenophobes demanding their repatriation got the attention of eThekwini Mayor Cyril Xaba, who sent them to be verified at Home Affairs.

24/05/2026