45 Killed in Bombing at WFP Site in Pakistan
In Pakistan, a suicide attack on a World Food Program distribution center has killed 45 people and left tens of thousands without food aid. The attack came in the district of Bajaur, where some 300,000 have recently returned after being displaced by U.S.-backed Pakistani operations against Taliban forces.
In Pakistan, at least 18 people were killed in a suspected U.S. drone strike earlier today. The attack came in the North Waziristan tribal region near the Afghan border. According to the Washington Post, the CIA has carried out at least 112 drone strikes in Pakistan this year. Earlier this month, the U.S. recalled the CIA station chief in Pakistan, Jonathan Banks, after a Pakistani journalist revealed Banks’ identity in a lawsuit over a fatal drone strike. The journalist, Kareem Khan, is seeking millions in compensation for the killing of his 18-year-old son and brother.
Report: All of Rig’s Defense Systems Failed During Explosion
The warning comes as a new independent investigation has found that the April 20th explosion on the Deepwater Horizon oil rig occurred because every single one of the rig’s defenses failed. According to the New York Times, every defense mechanism to prevent an explosion either didn’t work, was activated too late, or wasn’t deployed at all.
Dozens Protest Restrictions, Wall in West Bank
In Israel and the Occupied Territories, dozens of international protesters held a rally on Sunday against Israel’s West Bank separation wall and restrictions on Palestinian movement. At least nine people were arrested at an Israeli military checkpoint.
Protester: “We are a group of 80 people from all over France, demonstrating today to emphasize the problem of the Palestinian people. We wanted to pass this checkpoint, and as you could see, this was quite violent. They took people and several wounded people.”
Thousands Greet Return of Flotilla Ship in Turkey
Thousands of Palestinian solidarity activists, meanwhile, gathered at a Turkish port Sunday for the return of the flagship vessel in the Gaza-bound aid flotilla attacked by Israel earlier this year. Nine people were killed when Israeli troops stormed the Mavi Marmara and seized the boat along with several other ships. Israel released the Mavi Marmara in August, but it’s since been under repair.
Paveen Yaqub: “How many more humanitarian workers is Israel going to kill? When they kill one, thousands will stand in their place, and this is what we have to remind Israel. They can take our ships. They can keep taking our ships. They can keep taking our brothers. But they won’t take our spirit. They won’t take our determination. They won’t take our sense of humanity.”
Bolivia Recognizes Independent Palestinian State
Bolivia has become the latest Latin American country to recognize an independent Palestinian state in the Occupied Territories. Last week, Bolivia followed Argentina, Brazil and Uruguay in recognizing an independent Palestine in the West Bank and Gaza Strip. Bolivian President Evo Morales unveiled the decision.
Bolivian President Evo Morales: “Bolivia cannot continue waiting with arms folded in front of human rights problems, territorial problems, sovereignty problems. As other countries, like Brazil, recognize it as a state, Bolivia agrees with acknowledging the independence and sovereignty of the State of Palestine.”
– from democracynow.org