Mom says Texas cop choked boy before aiming gun at kids

(Shutterstock photo)
Updated 10 July 2018
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Mom says Texas cop choked boy before aiming gun at kids

  • The video, which has been viewed millions of times online, shows an El Paso officer briefly pointing his weapon at a group of boys.
  • According to court documents, Julian Saucedo was told multiple times to get off the roadway. But the video shows the officer who arrested him did not give such an order before approaching the teenager.

DALLAS, US: Court documents obtained Monday reveal inconsistencies between a police account and a viral video that shows a West Texas officer pointing a gun at a group of children before arresting a teenager recording the confrontation.
The video, which has been viewed millions of times online, shows an El Paso officer briefly pointing his weapon at a group of boys. One boy is heard cursing at the officer right before the officer draws his gun, points the weapon at the group and says, “Back up, (expletive).”
An internal investigation into the incident is ongoing and the officer remains on desk duty, said El Paso police spokesman Sgt. Robert Gomez on Monday. He did not identify the officer.
Elizabeth Flores told the El Paso Times the video started after the officer choked one of her sons and forced him to the ground. Flores said the video also shows two of her sons, Julian Saucedo and Jacob Saucedo, being taken into custody.
Officials previously said one minor and one adult were arrested. Both were taken into custody for interfering with the duties of a police officer, according to the officials.
The confrontation began after officers were dispatched for a criminal trespass call. Police received information that a large group of children might have been inside a vacant apartment without the owner’s permission, according to a complaint affidavit obtained Monday.
Officers detained the group, the affidavit said, but Jacob Saucedo walked off the wall and began cursing at the officer. The child also said he would leave, according to the document, and refused to get against the wall.
The video recording begins with Jacob Saucedo on the ground. Moments later, the officer is seen briefly pointing his handgun at the group before holstering the weapon. Children are heard hurling more profanities at police throughout the video. After pointing the weapon at the group, the officer drew a baton as another officer handcuffed Jacob Saucedo on the ground.
The officer then arrested teenager Julian Saucedo, who was filming the confrontation and handed off the phone to his mother before being taken into custody. The video shows her running away from the officer.
The affidavit, however, said an officer saw Julian Saucedo walk onto the road once his brother had been put in the back of a squad car. According to the affidavit, Julian Saucedo was told to get off the road. He did not comply and “attempted to walk near the patrol unit and behind officers at times.”
The video shows that both brothers were put into the cruiser at the same time.
According to court documents, Julian Saucedo was told multiple times to get off the roadway. But the video shows the officer who arrested him did not give such an order before approaching the teenager.
The footage does show the teenager being arrested after he is heard saying, “We’re gonna put a report on these two fools. It’s all good.”
The affidavit also did not mention that an officer drew his weapon during the confrontation.
Gomez said a complaint affidavit only speaks to the probable cause elements of the offense and the specifics of why authorities are charging a person with a crime.
“It’s not a full narrative of the full incident,” he said.


Algeria’s first KFC restaurant reopens without logo following Gaza protests

Updated 25 April 2024
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Algeria’s first KFC restaurant reopens without logo following Gaza protests

  • Protesters gathered outside outlet last week in solidarity with Palestinians
  • KFC parent company Yum! Brands has faced backlash for its ties with Israel

LONDON: Algeria’s first Kentucky Fried Chicken outlet has resumed operations after a temporary closure prompted by a series of pro-Palestinian demonstrations last week.

However, the restaurant, situated in the Algiers suburb of Dely Ibrahim, reopened its doors without the familiar Col. Sanders logo on its exterior.

It remains unclear if the outlet has had a change of ownership or remains under the umbrella of Yum! Brands, the parent company of KFC.

Demonstrators gathered outside the eatery on April 16, calling for a boycott and expressing solidarity with Palestinians amid the Gaza conflict.

Protesters draped in Palestinian flags voiced support for “Palestinian martyrs” while obstructing access to the storefront.

The restaurant has faced a backlash due to its perceived ties to Israel, with Yum! Brands having made investments in Israeli startups, including TicTuk, a company that allows customers to order food on social networks and message apps, and Dragontail, a system software company specializing in food processing.

In response, the Boycott, Divestment, Sanctions movement designated KFC’s sister company, Pizza Hut, as an “organic boycott target,” due to the “brands’ complicity in Israel’s genocide and apartheid against Palestinians.”

While the temporary closure of the KFC outlet was hailed as a success by demonstrators, its reopening sparked disappointment among some Algerians.

The incident underscores challenges and employment ramifications stemming from boycotts related to the Gaza conflict.

Since the start of the war, regional franchises of McDonald’s, one of the key boycotted brands, have distanced themselves from the parent company, arguing that they are 100 percent local.

The opening of a KFC branch in Algeria was noteworthy given the nation’s historical aversion to Western food chains, as well as its stringent foreign investment regulations, which typically prohibit the establishment of foreign food or beverage franchises.

Previous efforts to establish outlets without official approval, such as the brief appearance of a counterfeit “Starbucks,” have been met with swift action and closure.


Doner diplomacy: German president’s kebab trip to Turkiye sparks controversy

Updated 25 April 2024
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Doner diplomacy: German president’s kebab trip to Turkiye sparks controversy

  • German-Turkish say 60-kg kebab skewer brought from Germany in diplomatic mission reduces community’s contributions to stereotypical image

LONDON: German President Frank-Walter Steinmeier’s visit to Turkiye this week has stirred controversy after he brought along a 60-kg kebab skewer as part of his diplomatic mission.

Starting his three-day tour in Istanbul instead of Ankara, Steinmeier served kebabs at a reception, viewing it as a symbol of cultural exchange between the two nations.

“It is these special and intense relationships that bridge distances, and also some differences, today,” he said.

However, rather than emphasizing the close personal ties between Germans and Turks, the gesture drew criticism from many in the diaspora who viewed it as reducing their community’s contributions to a stereotypical image.

Germany, home to 2.7 million people of Turkish descent, welcomed hundreds of thousands of workers in the 1960s as part of its “guest worker” program, a bilateral agreement with Ankara to address labor shortages.

Turkish-Germans took to social media to condemn what they saw as a clumsy attempt to represent their community, accusing Steinmeier of failing to take them seriously or treat them as equals.

“Turkish-Germans discovered the 1st COVID vaccine in the world; some were movie directors who won awards on behalf of Germany, numerous writers, musicians, intellectuals from Turkey call Germany home,” wrote Evren Celik Wiltse, a professor of political science, on X.

“Of all of these, the (German) president chose the kebab maker to accompany him to (Turkiye)”, she added.

Berkay Mandıracı, a senior analyst of Turkish-German heritage at the non-governmental organization Crisis Group, acknowledged that the gesture was well-intentioned but felt it was “anachronistic and reductionist.” 

The faux pas, which risked overshadowing the celebration of 100 years of diplomatic ties between the two nations, received the approval of Arif Keles, a third-generation kebab shop owner invited on the delegation trip by Steinmeier.

Keles, who served kebabs during the reception, described the opportunity as a “great honor.”

The dish of thinly sliced meat cooked on a vertical rotisserie was introduced to Germany by Turkish migrants.

Packed with chopped vegetables and doused with mayonnaise, the doner kebab has gained iconic status.

Local sales of the kebab total an estimated €7 billion ($7.5 billion), an immigrant success story the German presidency wanted to celebrate as an example of “how much Turkiye and Germany have grown together.”

Relations between Berlin and Ankara have been strained by various disputes, including disagreements over the Gaza conflict.

Steinmeier, visiting Turkiye for the first time since assuming office in 2017, has had a challenging relationship with Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, criticizing him for his approach to concerns about democratic norms in Turkiye.

Turkish-Germans have long spoken up about economic and social exclusion. Last year, Germany agreed to significantly ease citizenship rules to allow more dual nationals, a move welcomed by many Turkish individuals who have lived in Germany for decades.

With AFP


Controversy erupts as British MP Lee Anderson misses St. George’s Middle Eastern heritage

Updated 24 April 2024
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Controversy erupts as British MP Lee Anderson misses St. George’s Middle Eastern heritage

  • The politician fails to acknowledge the patron saint of England’s connection to the Middle East in a video posted to celebrate St. George’s Day

LONDON: Reform UK MP Lee Anderson faced mockery after failing to acknowledge St. George’s historical ties to the Middle East in a recent social media post.

The former politician, who joined the far-right party after being suspended by the Conservatives for racist remarks about Mayor of London Sadiq Khan, shared a video on Tuesday commemorating St. George’s Day.

In it, Anderson proudly displayed red and white cufflinks matching the English flag. Also known as the St. George’s Cross, the symbol is historically associated with the Christian crusades.

“It’s St. George’s Day today and this country of ours has been a gift to the world,” Anderson said in the video.

In the accompanying caption, he wrote: “Trigger Warning. If you are a Guardian reading, advacado eating, Palestinian flag waving, Eddie Izzard supporting Vegan then this clip is probably not for your consumption.”

Anderson’s comments sparked amusement among users on X, where critics seized on his misspelling of “avocado” and highlighted the connection between Palestine and St. George, who is revered not only in England but also in parts of Africa, the Middle East, the Caucasus, and South America.

Comedian Shaparak Khorsandi quipped: “Who is going to tell him about St George’s connection to Palestine? (His mother was Palestinian, they too have a St. George’s day/feast. Though, to be fair, it is not known if he was related to Eddie Izzard),” referring to the actor/comedian.

Another user responded by sharing an image detailing facts about St. George, suggesting that if he were alive today, he would be considered an “immigrant” by Anderson’s standards, a group the Reform UK MP has repeatedly advocated should be deported.

Observed annually on the anniversary of St. George’s death with parades and marches, St. George’s Day was previously a national holiday and was once celebrated in England as widely as Christmas.

Born around AD 280 in what is now known as Cappadocia, Turkiye, St. George served as a soldier in the Roman army and fought in the crusade against Muslims. Beheaded in modern-day Palestine for refusing to renounce his Christian faith, St. George is revered by Christians, Druze and some Muslims as a martyr of monotheistic faith.

Renowned for his strength, courage and loyalty, St. George became a cherished figure in Europe and has been a symbol of English culture since the 14th century, despite never setting foot in the country.


Egypt reclaims 3,400-year-old stolen statue of King Ramses II

The Statue of King Ramses II is seen on the way to the Grand Egyptian Museum in Cairo, Egypt January 25, 2018. (REUTERS)
Updated 22 April 2024
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Egypt reclaims 3,400-year-old stolen statue of King Ramses II

  • Egyptian authorities spotted the artefact when it was offered for sale in an exhibition in London in 2013

CAIRO: Egypt welcomed home a 3,400-year-old statue depicting the head of King Ramses II after it was stolen and smuggled out of the country more than three decades ago, the country’s antiquities ministry said on Sunday.
The statue is now in the Egyptian Museum in Cairo but not on display. The artefact will be restored, the ministry said in a statement.
The statue was stolen from the Ramses II temple in the ancient city of Abydos in Southern Egypt more than three decades ago. The exact date is not known, but Shaaban Abdel Gawad, who heads Egypt’s antiquities repatriation department, said the piece is estimated to have been stolen in the late 1980s or early 1990s.
Egyptian authorities spotted the artefact when it was offered for sale in an exhibition in London in 2013. It moved to several other countries before reaching Switzerland, according to the antiquities ministry.
“This head is part of a group of statues depicting King Ramses II seated alongside a number of Egyptian deities,” Abdel Gawad said.
Ramses II is one of ancient Egypt’s most powerful pharaohs. Also known as Ramses the Great, he was the third pharaoh of the Nineteenth Dynasty of Egypt and ruled from 1279 to 1213 B.C.
Egypt collaborated with Swiss authorities to establish its rightful ownership. Switzerland handed over the statue to the Egyptian embassy in Bern last year, but it was only recently that Egypt brought the artefact home.

 

 


A Nigerian chess champion is trying to break the world record for the longest chess marathon

Updated 20 April 2024
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A Nigerian chess champion is trying to break the world record for the longest chess marathon

  • Tunde Onakoya, 29, is playing against Shawn Martinez, an American chess champion, in line with Guinness World Record
  • Onakoya, who founded Chess in Slums Africa, hopes to raise $1 million for children’s education across Africa

NEW YORK: A Nigerian chess champion and child education advocate is attempting to play chess nonstop for 58 hours in New York City’s Times Square to break the global record for the longest chess marathon.

Tunde Onakoya, 29, hopes to raise $1 million for children’s education across Africa. He is playing against Shawn Martinez, an American chess champion, in line with Guinness World Record guidelines that any attempt to break the record must be made by two players who would play continuously for the entire duration.
Onakoya had played chess for 42 hours by 10:00 a.m. GMT on Friday. Support is growing online and at the scene, where a blend of African music is keeping onlookers and supporters entertained amid cheers and applause.
The current chess marathon record is 56 hours, 9 minutes and 37 seconds, achieved in 2018 by Hallvard Haug Flatebø and Sjur Ferkingstad, both from Norway.
The record attempt is “for the dreams of millions of children across Africa without access to education,” said Onakoya, who founded Chess in Slums Africa in 2018. The organization wants to support education of at least 1 million children in slums across the continent.
“My energy is at 100 percent right now because my people are here supporting me with music,” Onakoya said Thursday evening after the players crossed the 24-hour mark.
On Onakoya’s menu: Lots of water and jollof rice, one of West Africa’s best known dishes.
For every hour of game played, Onakoya and his opponent get only five minutes’ break. The breaks are sometimes grouped together, and Onakoya uses them to catch up with Nigerians and New Yorkers cheering him on. He even joins in with their dancing sometimes.
A total of $22,000 was raised within the first 20 hours of the attempt, said Taiwo Adeyemi, Onakoya’s manager.
“The support has been overwhelming from Nigerians in the US, global leaders, celebrities and hundreds of passersby,” he said.
Onakoya’s attempt is closely followed in Nigeria where he regularly organizes chess competitions for young people living on the streets to boost his cause. More than 10 million children are out of school in the West African country — one of the world’s highest rates.
Among those who have publicly supported him are celebrities and public office holders, including Nigeria’s former Vice President Yemi Osinbajo, who wrote to Onakoya on X, formerly Twitter: “Remember your own powerful words: ‘It is possible to do great things from a small place.’“
The Guinness World Record organization has yet to publicly comment about Onakoya’s attempt, which could reach 58 hours by midnight on Friday. It sometimes takes weeks for the organization to confirm any new record.