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Los Angeles Times
3 hours ago
- Politics
- Los Angeles Times
MAGA lost in Huntington Beach. That means it can happen anywhere
These are such crazy times that when I found myself desperate to cover some good news amid deportations and Trump overreach, I visited … Huntington Beach?! MAGA-by-the-Sea? The Orange County city that once elected MMA legend Tito Ortiz to its governing body, which currently includes guys named Chad and Butch? Where Mayor Pat Burns presides over council meetings with a small white bust of Donald Trump in front of him? The coastal community that's been a hotbed of neo-Nazi activity for decades? Whose factory setting is whiny gringo rage? Whose former city attorney, Michael Gates, sued California to keep out of his hometown everything from sanctuary state policies to affordable housing mandates and is now a deputy U.S. assistant attorney general for civil rights, which is like putting a butcher in charge of a vegan picnic? Can that Huntington Beach teach the rest of us a thing — or thirty — not just about how to stand up to despotism, but how to beat it back? Yep! Earlier this month, Surf City voters overwhelmingly passed two ballot initiatives addressing their libraries. Measure A nixed a parent review board, created by the City Council, that would have taken the power to select children's books away from librarians. Measure B barred the privatization of the city's library system, after the council had considered the idea. It was a resounding rebuke of H.B.'s conservatives, who had steamrolled over city politics for the past two and a half years and turned what was a 4-3 Democratic council majority three years ago into a 7-0 MAGA supermajority. Among the pet projects for the new guard was the library, which council members alleged was little better than a smut shop because the young adult section featured books about puberty and LGBTQ+ issues. Earlier this year, the council approved a plaque commemorating the library's 50th anniversary that will read, 'Magical. Alluring. Galvanizing. Adventurous.' MAGA. 'They went too far, too fast, and it's not what people signed up for,' said Oscar Rodriguez, an H.B. native. We were at a private residence near downtown H.B. that was hosting a victory party for the library measures. The line to get in stretched onto the sidewalk. A sign near the door proclaimed, 'Not All of Us in H.B. Wear Red Hats.' A banner on the balcony of the two-story home screamed, 'Protect Our Kids From Chad,' referring to City Councilmember Chad Williams, who bankrolled much-ridiculed 'Protect Children from Porn' signs against Measures A and B. 'Look, Huntington Beach is very conservative, very MAGA — always will be,' Rodriguez continued. We stood in the kitchen as people loaded their plates with salad and pizza. Canvas bags emblazoned with 'Protect HB' and the Huntington Beach Pier — the logo for the coalition that pushed for the measures — hung from many shoulders. 'But people of all politics were finally disgusted and did something together to stand up.' 'On election night, I was jumping up and down, because it was happening here,' said former Councilmember Natalie Moser, who lost her reelection bid last year and volunteered for Protect HB. 'It creates joy and enthusiasm, and I hope others can see what we did and take hope.' There was no chatter about the ICE raids that were terrorizing swaths of Southern California. A Spotify mix blared 'Don't Fear the Reaper,' AC/DC and the ever-annoying 'Hey, Soul Sister' by Train. The crowd of about 90 volunteers was mostly white and boomers. More than a few bore tans so dark that they were browner than me. We were in Huntington Beach, after all. And yet these were the folks that fueled Protect HB's successful campaign. They leaned on social media outreach, door knocking, rallies and a nonpartisan message stressing the common good that was the city library. Christine Padesky and Cindy Forsthoff staffed tables around the city in the lead-up to Election Day. 'Time and time again, I had people come up to me say, 'We're Republican, we're Christian, we voted for this council, but they've gone too far,'' Padesky said. Forsthoff, a Huntington Beach resident for 36 years, agreed. She had never participated in a political campaign before Measures A and B. 'When they [politicians] take such extreme steps, people will come,' she said. The bro-rock soundtrack faded out and the program began. 'My gosh, we did this!' exclaimed Protect HB co-chair Pat Goodman, who had been checking people in at the door just a few moments earlier. 'I don't think those neighbors know who we are,' cracked Protect HB co-chair Cathey Ryder, hinting at the uphill battle they faced in a city where registered Republicans outnumber Democrats. 'Show them you're a supporter of good government.' She led everyone in the cheesy, liberty-minded chant that had inspired volunteers throughout the campaign. What do we want to do? Read! How do we want to read? Free! We were in Huntington Beach, after all. The speeches lasted no more than seven minutes total. The volunteers wanted to enjoy the brisk evening and gather around an outdoor fireplace to make S'mores and enjoy a beer or two. Besides, they deserved to revel in their accomplishment and discuss what was next — not just in Huntington Beach, but how to translate what happened there into a replicable lesson for others outside the city. The key, according to Dave Rynerson, is to accept political differences and remind everyone that what's happening in this country — whether on the Huntington Beach City Council or in the White House — isn't normal. 'As bad as things may seem, you can't give up,' the retired systems engineer said. 'You have to remind people this is our country, our lives, and we need to take care of it together.' Huntington Beach isn't going to turn into Berkeley anytime soon. It's one of the few California cities that has declared itself a nonsanctuary city and fully in support of Trump's immigration policies. The architect of MAGA's Huntington Beach takeover, Tony Strickland, was elected to the state senate earlier this year. His acolyte, Councilmember Gracey Van Der Mark, plans to run for assembly next year. But feeling the happiness at the Protect HB dinner, even if just for an evening, was a much-needed balm at a time when it seems nothing can stop Trump. And meeting regular people like Greg and Carryl Hytopoulos should inspire anyone to get involved. Married for 50 years and Surf City residents for 44, they own a water pipeline protection service and had never bothered with city politics. But the council's censorious plans for the library made them 'outraged, and this was enough,' said Carryl. 'We needed to make an impact, and we couldn't just sit idly by.' They outfitted one of their work trucks with large poster boards in favor of Measures A and B and parked it around the city. More crucially, the couple, both Democrats, talked about the issue with their neighbors in Huntington Harbour, an exclusive neighborhood that Trump easily won in 2024. 'When we explained what were the stakes, they listened,' Greg said. Carryl smiled. 'There's a quiet majority that, when provoked, can rise up and save the day.'
Globe and Mail
a day ago
- Health
- Globe and Mail
Sudanese refugees brace for a new threat to life and limb
Arbab Sharif Ahmad, 33, survived a massacre during an ethnic cleansing campaign, but his five-year-old son was executed in front of him. As Mr. Ahmad fled from the Arab-led Rapid Support Forces (RSF) in El Geneina, the capital of West Darfur in Sudan, a bullet shattered his knee. Over a year later, he lies in agony on the dirt floor of a makeshift hut in the remote Farchana refugee camp in eastern Chad, unable to walk properly and still awaiting surgery. 'One of my daughters, when she sees my injured leg or the crutches, she becomes scared and doesn't want to come near me,' he explains, adding that he now spends most of his days hiding inside his hut to avoid frightening her. Mr. Ahmad's story is echoed throughout Sector P1 of the new Farchana camp – known locally as the 'wounded sector'– which houses around 250 households of injured Sudanese refugees, most from the Masalit ethnic group. These families represent only a fraction of the more than 17,000 Sudanese refugees in Chad living with disabilities or severe medical conditions, according to the United Nations Refugee Agency. For those who barely escaped the RSF, survival in Chad presents a new ordeal. The country's fragile health care system is overwhelmed by what humanitarian agencies now call the world's largest humanitarian disaster. Refugees with serious injuries are going without treatment. But the crisis is expected to worsen as critical healthcare programs face discontinuation. To support Chadian hospitals, the World Health Organization (WHO) and Doctors Without Borders (MSF) have brought in foreign surgeons, mainly from other African nations, says Dr. Blanche Anya, the WHO's representative in Chad. 'WHO funded emergency medical teams to provide care for the people that were wounded. But this is very expensive, so we cannot sustain it,' she says, noting that funding for the surgical teams is only guaranteed through June. Dr. Anya cites broader geopolitical forces that have worsened the crisis. U.S. President Donald Trump's withdrawal from the WHO, suspension of foreign aid and dissolution of the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) have collectively drained critical resources. While U.S. contributions represent less than 10 per cent of WHO's Chad budget, according to Dr. Anya, she says they have a disproportionate impact on key programs such as maternal care and polio eradication, where the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) also provided personnel. The cuts also affect NGOs working with WHO to deliver essential health services. '[If] those NGOs that were supported by the U.S. government do not have the capacity to continue providing health services, of course, this will have a big impact on lives and increase mortality,' she says, adding that a large part of the population will lose access to health services. 'The type of population that will be most affected will be the vulnerable population, children, women.' According to Dr. Anya, WHO Chad is now seeking alternative funding while also drafting a list that ranks programs by priority to determine which can be maintained and which may need to be cut. The RSF and the Sudanese Armed Forces have been at war since April 2023. It's a conflict that has displaced millions of people, killed thousands and seen famines declared in parts of the country. In January, then-U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken classified the RSF's actions in Sudan as genocide. Survivors describe targeted killings of Masalit and non-Arab civilians by the RSF during their ongoing campaign of ethnic cleansing in West Darfur. Those who remained behind have reportedly been forced to renounce their ethnic identity and identify as Arab. 'They are targeting people based on race. If you are Black, they will just kill you,' says Ayub Abdallah, 25, who was shot and stabbed seven times while fleeing the city of El Geneina in West Darfur. Khalil Ahmad Khalil, 30, was shot in the leg by RSF militants inside his home. One and a half years after fleeing to Chad, his leg remains fractured in the shin, essentially split into two pieces. Doctors told Mr. Khalil he needs surgery, but they lack the capacity to perform it. 'You can see it's not fixed. It just moves,' he says, pointing to the exposed bone beneath tattered dressings. 'I am suffering from a lot of pain . . . I stopped going to the doctors because, unfortunately, I've lost hope.' Jumah Bakhit, 31, the chief of the camp's P1 sector, warns that if more time passes, many cases will become untreatable, noting that some refugees have already died due to lack of care. In Farchana camp, the only health care facility is a small primary care clinic run by the International Rescue Committee (IRC). According to a USAID Chad report, the NGO received US$5.3-million in 2024 from the U.S. State Department's Bureau of Population, Refugees, and Migration for its operations in Chad. But even that hasn't been enough. In a statement to The Globe and Mail, IRC confirmed that the clinic had experienced staff shortages in the past. Meanwhile, the organization in Sudan continues to face challenges related to qualified human resources, adequate infrastructure and the supply of drugs, consumables and other medical supplies. Patients with serious conditions are supposed to be referred to hospitals in nearby Adré or the city of Abéché. But in practice, many wait months without transfer, and even then, appropriate care is often unavailable. Kaltouma Khamis Arbab, 56, still has metal rods in her leg from a bullet wound that shattered the bones. The surgical hardware should have been removed months ago. She was told that the only facility capable of performing the procedure is in N'Djamena, Chad's capital 865 kilometres away by road – a trip she cannot afford physically or financially. 'This iron has been in my body for 13 months. It should have been removed last August,' she says. 'If nothing happens, we will try to remove it ourselves.' The risks in the camps extend far beyond lack of surgical care. According to Dr. Anya, the camps face continuous outbreaks of diseases such as measles, hepatitis E, malaria and yellow fever – driven by a combination of overcrowding, poor sanitation, malnutrition, limited access to clean water and the constant arrival of new refugees. Dr. Anya noted that the U.S. aid suspension would lead to a reduction in services and medical supplies, increasing the risk of disease transmission and higher mortality rates. 'The crisis is continuing, and resources are becoming very rare,' she says. For now, the wounded and sick are left waiting.
Zawya
3 days ago
- Health
- Zawya
Sudanese refugees in Chad are safe from bombs but struggling to survive
In Tine and Oure Cassoni camps in eastern Chad, close to the border with Sudan, Médecins Sans Frontières is increasing our support for recently arrived Sudanese refugees. In these overcrowded camps, people face harsh conditions and limited access to food, shelter, water, and healthcare. The current humanitarian response is grossly insufficient, and greater support from additional organisations is urgently needed. An estimated 80,000 people have crossed the border from North Darfur, Sudan, to eastern Chad, arriving in or passing through Wadi Fira and East Ennedi provinces, since the end of April.1 These newly arrived refugees, a majority of whom are women and children, fled El Fasher and its surrounding camps after intense attacks from the Rapid Support Forces. While they are safe from bombs in Tine and Oure Cassoni camps, which are separated by 130 kilometers, they are now enduring severe overcrowding and have only limited access to essential medical services. For them, the road from El Fasher to Chad, which can take up to 10 days travelling, was plagued by violence and hardship. In both camps, our teams are hearing harrowing stories of violence suffered in North Darfur and on the journey to eastern Chad. Many people have been hurt or seen men and boys beaten, injured or killed, and women and girls raped. Some people reportedly died of thirst on the way. Care after surgery Mahanat, who is 11 years old, lost his left hand on 11 April, when the Rapid Support Forces (RSF) launched a massive ground offensive on Zamzam camp, which housed 500,000 people, near El Fasher. According to the UN, hundreds of people were killed in April alone and the camp has been completely emptied.2 Mahanat escaped the deadly attacks and is now in Tine camp with his mother. 'Mahanat's father was killed during the attack on Zamzam camp. His left hand got ripped off by a shrapnel bomb, some got stuck in his right eye,' says Mahanat's mother. 'He arrived at the MSF clinic in the Tine camp several weeks ago. Each time, doctors and nurses struggled to even access the wound as the child was traumatised and in immense pain. Over the days, with time, patience and trust, Mahanat accepted care.' Our teams have been treating people's physical wounds from gunshots, shrapnel bombs and landmines. We are helping patients with amputations through pain management and infection prevention and control measures, such as applying sterile bandages to keep wounds clean and dry. In Tine, we have recently added a mental health component to our work to better support patient recovery. Meeting people's growing needs While we scaled up our activities in Tine camp in April, the overall situation remains largely unchanged due to people's overwhelming needs. MSF continues to do our utmost but a coordinated and strengthened response from other humanitarian actors is essential to meet the urgent demands on the ground. 'Again, we ask donors, the UN and humanitarian organisations to start providing or scale-up support in terms of food, shelter, sanitation and medical care including mental health services. The current response is grossly insufficient,' says Claire San Filippo, MSF's emergency coordinator for Sudan. We are increasing the availability of essential healthcare services in Tine and Oure Cassoni camps. Since April 2025 to the time of writing of the article, we have carried out over 7,700 consultations at the Tine health post. We are concerned about the global rate of malnutrition among children under five in the camp, which is as high as 18%, with 3% being severely malnourished. To assist in curbing the spread of measles in the camp, we have vaccinated 5,755 children. Pregnant women and survivors of sexual violence can receive care at the health post, and our staff are able to refer critical patients to local hospitals. From April 2025 until now, 1,322 consultations on sexual and reproductive health have been carried out. During the last four weeks of activities, 16 survivors of sexual violence were seen at the health post. To support people's overall health in the camp, we have built 40 emergency latrines. MSF is the only organisation in the camp providing people with water, which remains a huge problem for residents. Whilst we were providing the minimum requirement per person per day, the sudden increase of the number of people in the camp due to the halt of relocations means that the needs have now increased. "Again, we ask donors, the UN and humanitarian organisations to start providing or scale-up support in terms of food, shelter, sanitation and medical care including mental health services. The current response is grossly insufficient." Claire San Filippo, MSF's emergency coordinator for Sudan In Oure Cassoni camp, we carried out a rapid evaluation of the situation in order to understand people's needs and prepare for an appropriate response. For the time being, we are supplying water through Water Trucking whilst exploring more sustainable interventions. While this camp was already home to 56,000 people, an additional 40,000 refugees have been accommodated there last April. These new arrivals have set up with what they have, but they are living in makeshift shelters and without latrines and other basic infrastructure. While a humanitarian response in underway for these newly arrived refugees, our teams are aware of the many unmet needs, and of the many more people expected to arrive from North Darfur. 'The number of people arriving at the Tine border point is not expected to decrease over the coming weeks,' says San Filippo. 'The upcoming rainy season is likely to worsen the already poor living conditions, spread disease, exacerbate food insecurity and the lack of sanitation. We are deeply alarmed by the difficult conditions in the Tine and Oure Cassoni camps. Large-scale humanitarian action is urgently needed to prevent the situation from deteriorating further.' Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Médecins sans frontières (MSF).
Zawya
3 days ago
- Business
- Zawya
Chad's Secretary of State for Petroleum, Mines and Geology Joins African Mining Week (AMW) 2025
Khadidja Hassane Abdoulaye, Secretary of State for Petroleum, Mines and Geology at Chad's Ministry of Mines and Geology, has joined the upcoming African Mining Week conference as a speaker. Taking place from October 1-3, 2025, in Cape Town, the event is the continent's premier event for mining stakeholders. Abdoulaye's participation will be instrumental in spotlighting Chad's vast mineral wealth, while connecting global mining stakeholders with emerging prospects in the Central African country. During African Mining Week 2025, Abdoulaye will take part in high-level panel discussions, exclusive networking opportunities and targeted investment forums, promoting Chad's mineral potential and secure strategic partnerships that will drive the country's mining industry forward. African Mining Week serves as a premier platform for exploring the full spectrum of mining opportunities across Africa. The event is held alongside the African Energy Week: Invest in African Energies 2025 conference from October 1-3 in Cape Town. Sponsors, exhibitors and delegates can learn more by contacting sales@ Chad is home to significant but underexplored mineral resources, including natron - used in soap and medicine production - gold, uranium, bauxite, base metals and granite. While mining is largely occupied by artisanal operations, geological mapping and seismic surveys are currently underway to better understand the country's mineral potential and unlock large-scale mining prospects. The Tibesti and Ouaddaï regions are rich in basement rock essential for the construction industry, while Tibesti also holds deposits of tungsten, tin, niobium and tantalum. Gold production, particularly in the Mayo-Kebbi region, is also currently dominated by small-scale mining operations. To attract investment and foster international collaboration, Chad has enacted a series of policies and programs focused on modernizing its mining sector. In August 2024, Chad's Ministry of Petroleum, Mines and Geology held discussions with Libya's National Mining Corporation to explore cooperation opportunities in investment, project development, knowledge exchange and capacity building. With commercial-scale mineral reserves believed to lie along the Libyan-Chadian border in the Tibesti region, this partnership could play a pivotal role in unlocking the area's full resource potential. As Chad expands exploration projects, African Mining Week presents an ideal platform for Abdoulaye to engage with prospective investors and technology providers. Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Energy Capital&Power.
IOL News
4 days ago
- Entertainment
- IOL News
Bumps and glam: celebrity pregnancy reveals that are making waves in 2025
Demi-Leigh Tebow is amongst the many celebrities who shared that they are pregnant. Image: Instagram From glamorous to simple pregnancy reveals, this year we have seen so many celebrities announce the heart-warming news of the next chapter of their lives: parenthood and expanding their beautiful families. Below are a few celebrities who have given fans a glimpse of their pregnancy in 2025: Media personality Bontle Modiselle and rapper Priddy Ugly shocked the internet with a comedic skit, 'DipStick Chronicles', that made waves on the internet as they announced that they are expecting their second child in April. Khanyisa Jaceni also joined the dipstick trend to announce her first pregnancy. The content creator and singer followed suit as she took to social media on April 11 to reveal that she has a bun in the oven. Jaceni also revealed that she's expecting a baby boy. Actress Rosemary Zimu shared a glimpse of her pregnancy journey in a stunning photoshoot by 'Batswadi Magazine' for their March issue, revealing that she's expecting her first child. Marise Pollard and her rugby husband, Handré announced in April that her baby girl is due in October. The couple shared an Instagram reel with their one-year-old son surrounded by nature in a beautiful green landscape with baby scans. The Pollards are not the only rugby couple that shared their pregnancy news this year. Anlia and Eben Etzebeth also revealed in May that they are expecting a baby girl. While Miné de Klerk and her husband, Faf, joined the Springboks baby boom this June and shared an Instagram reel that they are expecting a baby girl. Rihanna is also among the many celebrities who revealed their baby bumps. While fans speculated for months about her being pregnant with her third child, the singer made the internet buzz after she debuted her baby bump in style at the Met Gala this year. Savannah Saaiman and her husband, Chad, shared on Instagram in May that they are expecting twins after Chad posted a photo of the couple holding up what looks like a newspaper with the headline 'Saaiman twins coming Spring 2025.' The couple also shared a picture of the twins' ultrasound on the front page. Former beauty queen, Demi-Leigh Tebow, revealed in an Instagram reel that she's expecting her first child with her husband, Tim, holding baby scans while they kissed. The former Miss Universe 2017 also shared the gender of her baby; it's a girl. Nara Smith shared her pregnancy news on her social media platforms this June in a simple and cute short clip featuring her husband, Lucky, who kissed the growing baby bump at the end of the video.
