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Farah Elle's music is unusual for an Irish artist in its mix of bright pop and Middle Eastern-style phrasing

I dont know what its like to go and try to rebuild a country, so I just have to respect that, says Farah El Neihum, better known by her stage name, Farah Elle, about her mother Dr Fatima Hamroush.

Dr Hamroush, a consultant ophthalmologist, moved her family to Ireland from Libya in 1996 when Farah was two years old and when the Libyan civil war broke out in 2000, she was an active member of the opposition, setting up the Irish Libyan Emergency Aid organisation.

After Colonel Gaddafi was ousted from power in 2011, Dr Hamroush was appointed Minister for Health in the Libyan Transitional Government, which meant leaving Elle and her two brothers to their own devises at home in Julianstown, Co. Meath, while she spent a chaotic year in Benghazi trying to rebuild the country.

I was 17, doing my Leaving Cert and within two days of her being nominated she had to go and she was just goneThere was no time to process what was going on, she told Risn Ingle on the latest Risn Meets podcast.

Theirs was a very unique situation and while it was difficult, Elle is incredibly proud of her mother who she refers to as a "rock 'n' roll ninja" and queen of the art of the mix-tape.

Being brought up Muslim, music was not a massive part of Elles childhood but she has strong memories of those mix-tapes her mother would make for long car journeys, with songs by Abba and Boney M, as well as her fathers good signing voice.

She got her first proper keyboard as a 12-year-old, taught herself to play and has been banging out tunes on it ever since.

After years of weekend schooling in the Mosque in Clonskeagh, Elle is fluent in Arabic and goes between it and English in many of her songs. In this podcast you will hear her perform four of themlive in studio: Rajeen, Sunblock, Holiday and Laundry.

To listen to Farah Elle speak to Risn Ingle about music, her fascinating family, growing up Muslim in Ireland, and more, go to http://www.irishtimes.com/podcasts iTunes, Soundcloud or your preferred podcast app.

Read more:
Podcast: 'My mum tried to help rebuild Libya, I respect that' - Irish Times

Do they belong to the official coast guard, or do they just look like they do? Are they bringing refugees back to Libya in order to save them, or are they just planning to squeeze every last penny out of them? It can be difficult in Libya to distinguish between official and self-proclaimed maritime rescuers, to understand the links between the different groups and their respective motives.

No, his people are part of the official Libyan coast guard, a militia leader from the city of Az-Zawiyah, some 50 kilometers (31 miles) outside the capital, tells a reporter from the US newspaper Washington Post. Six years ago he had fought against then-dictator Moammar Gadhafi. Afterward, he and his men took over as the coast guard - though whether they're state-sanctioned or operating on their own goes unanswered by the Post reporter. In any case, the boat operated by the militia chief and his tribesmen is inscribed with the words "Libyan Coast Guard."

The refugees they pick up are handed over to other tribesmen, who take them to a specially built detention center. The militia leader says his men are not involved in what goes on at the detention center. And yes, there are patrols that charge refugee boats a fine in order to be allowed to pass. But those men do not belong to the coast guard - they are smugglers who wear similar clothing. That is why the international aid agencies think the coast guard is trafficking in humans, he tells the Post reporter.

Refugees picked up by Libyan boats are often taken to specially built detention centers

Desperate times

So who belongs to the country's coast guard? The situation on the Libyan coast is difficult, according to Gnter Meyer, head of the Center for Research on the Arab World at Johannes Gutenberg University in Mainz.

The Libyan coast guard has around 1,000 civil servants, all of whom are relatively badly paid. Converted, their wages come out to around 500 euros ($590) a month, though often they go months without getting paid. On the other hand, smugglers earn a considerable amount of money. Larger boats can earn up to 1 million euros per trip. "Parts of the coast guard are also involved in this situation," Meyer told DW.

The problem is exacerbated by the Western-backed unity government's lack of real power - it is reliant on the support of different militias. "That is why the people on the ships belonging to the Libyan coast guard are also associated with the most important militias," Meyer explained.

No standards for rule of law

The detention centers where refugees are housed are also lacking standards for rule of law. Journalists and human rights organizations have reported on serious human rights abuses taking place in the camps. The conditions are often poor, and people frequently go malnourished. Refugees are beaten and extorted, and women are sometimes raped and sold as sex slaves.

"It is therefore a highly criminal business that goes on there," Meyer said. "Estimates range from one to one-and-a-half billion euros per year." Meanwhile, human trafficking remains one of the most important industries in Libya, especially in the south of the country, he added. Up to 90 percent of the total income generated in that region has been from smuggling.

Reducing the number of refugees

Despite these circumstances, the EU is planning to close the Mediterranean route in order to reduce the number of refugees. According to a press release published in July, the EU wants to support and expand the coast guard. To this end, Brussels has already allocated some 90 million euros. Now, another 46 million euros are to be invested. "It is important to ensure that human rights are respected," the statement said.

According to Gnter Meyer, it's doubtful whether this will help improve human rights standards. "In general around 500 members of the coast guard are to be trained, but if they know that they're entering the migrant-smuggling business and planning to pursue their own interests, this training could prove to be problematic," he said.

EU or smugglers?

The Libyan government is weak, and the majority of the country's population lives in poverty. As long as these two factors don't change, the coast guard is likely to be a desirable place to work, Meyer said. The same applies to the southern part of the country, where people from sub-Saharan Africa enter cross the border. There, too, migration can hardly be prevented because of the generous income it produces.

Many of the migrants seeking a new life on the other side of the Mediterranean are coming from this part of the country. As long as they continue to travel toward the coast, many Libyans will face a difficult choice: work with the EU, or join the smugglers who are reaping the profits.

See more here:
Libya's maritime rescuers caught between duty and temptation - Deutsche Welle

Libya, 10 August 2017- The Government of Libya has signed a USD 3.5 million agreement with FAO to strengthen its technical and functional national capacities in agriculture. The project aims to build capacities and to ensure more efficient and effective governmental agricultural support services to achieve greater synergies and impacts.

After hydrocarbons, agriculture is the second most important sector in Libyas economy. However, the socio-economic and environmental settings in which the agricultural sector operates present a number of challenges, such as low productivity and climate conditions, characterized by little and fluctuating rainfall, limited water resources and poor irrigation systems.

Libya has recognized the fundamental role of improved agricultural innovation systems in order to achieve agricultural sustainability, improve food security and livelihoods and economic development. In this context, we, the Government of Libya, represented by the Ministry of Agriculture, have requested technical assistance from our trusted partner FAO, said H.E. Mahmoud El-Tilisi, Permanent Representative of Libya to FAO.

Since 2006, the Government of Libya and FAO signed a number of agreements for technical cooperation. However, due to the country`s difficult security situation, the projects signed under a 5 year framework agreement (2012-2017) could not be implemented. As a consequence, the latest framework agreement has been extended from 2017 to 2022.

This capacity development project will critically contribute to upgrading the skills and the capacities of the staff of the Ministry of Agriculture in a wide range of technical areas, following a long period of instability. In the short term, it will contribute to strengthening the capacities of the Ministry in dealing with the immediate challenges to agriculture and livestock production. As well, the cadre of the Ministry will be provided with the tools and capabilities to prepare for the recovery of the agricultural sector, added Abdessalam Ould Ahmed, Assistant Director-General and Regional Representative of FAO Regional Office for the Near East.

FAO has been continuously active in building partnerships, networking, training and capacity development in the field of agricultural innovation. As capacity development is at the core of FAO's mandate, these comparative advantages position the organization well to implement this project and to achieve sustainable results with impact.

This is an innovative project that will not only strengthen Libyas national capacities but also capacity development programmes in regional institutions. The project will support the priority issues facing Libya in food security both now and in the future, said Sally Berman, FAO Capacity Development Officer.

The project is an entry point for strategic partnerships between FAO Libya and academia and research institutions in the country. It will generate significant and relevant knowledge to assist the Libyan Government through the training of more than 300 technicians and experts of the Ministry of Agriculture who would address the challenges faced in achieving food and nutrition security, said Mohammed Al-Ansi, OiC, FAO Libya.

The project contributes towards achieving the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development as it links to SDGs 1 and 2, to end poverty and hunger, as well as to other SDGs, such as SDG 6, which covers water sanitation, and SDGs 12 to 15, which deal with responsible consumption, climate action, life below water and life on land.

Read more here:
FAO partners with Libya to boost the country's national capacities in the agricultural sector - Reliefweb

MARION, Ark (localmemphis.com) - Black Lives Matter held a rally in honor of 16-year-old Aries Clark who was shot and killed by Marion police August 1st.

The prosecuting attorney ruled that deadly force was justified in the case but the family is not satisfied with the ruling.

Only a handful of Black Lives Matter members showed up Friday and rallied in front of East Arkansas Youth Services.

They wouldn't answer reporter questions but did say they want to see the unedited surveillance footage.

Yoni Ziggler with Black Lives Matter says, "We want the raw footage. We feel it's a cover up.

Fewer than five Black Lives Matter members rallied in front of East Arkansas Youth Services in support of Aries Clark's family.

Clark's mom showed up but didn't stay long. She didn't want to talk on camera. Clark was shot and killed by Marion police officers when he refused to put down what looked like a gun.

Teddy bears represent the spot where Marion officers shot Clark. The shooting was caught on the officer's body camera.

Clark's weapon turned out to be a BB gun. The district attorney ruled deadly force was justified in this case.

The two officers will not be charged. Clark's' family and supporters are angry over the ruling and refuse to accept it.

"Things happen and there's nothing wrong into looking into it. I don't just accept what somebody says and that's it. On either side," says Sandra Hebron with the Commission on Religion and Racism.

Local 24 spoke to the Marion police chief earlier today.

He says he stands by the state's ruling that deadly force was justified and he stands by his officers.

Clark's family plans to file a civil suit.

Read more here:
Black Lives Matter Rally In The Rain In Honor Of Marion AR Teen - http://www.localmemphis.com

SACRAMENTO, Calif. (KCRA)

Tensions and a crossfire of words between Sacramento County Sheriff Scott Jones and the leader of the Black Lives Matter Sacramento movement continue to heat up as both sides hurl accusations at the other.

Black Lives Matter Sacramento sent a letter on June 28 addressed to Jones, accusing the sheriff's department of "atrocities" and "violence" against the black community, while issuing a set of 10 demands.

Click here to read Black Lives Matter Sacramento's letter to Jones

In response, Jones wrote a letter addressed to Tanya Faison, the leader of the Sacramento movement.

"Even though you chose not to sign the letter as the spokesperson for BLM Sacramento, I wanted to personalize my response to you," Jones wrote. "I wanted to extend you the courtesy to let you know that none of your demanded items will be forthcoming."

Click here to read Jones' letter to Faison

Jones goes on to say that in his opinion, "There are far more responsible, effective voices for the African American community here in Sacramento than you, Ms. Faison; in fact there is nothing local law enforcement can ever do that will earn your approval."

In a separate statement, Jones said that he has no issue with Black Lives Matter Sacramento, but with Faison herself.

"She has twice organized and hosted protests at my residence, screaming profanity and drawing chalk body outlines and inappropriate statements in the street, disturbing my neighbors and causing fear in my wife and children," Jones said. "She has posted my home address online several times and entertained online comments about assaulting and killing police officers."

Jones said that Faison "does not want better police, she wants NO police."

He added that Black Lives Matter is a movement that can contribute an important voice and bring important issues to the forefront, but the Sacramento chapter's message is being marginalized, causing responsible and constructive discourse to be weakened.

After Jones' letter and comments, Faison and Black Lives Matter Sacramento organized a protest Wednesday outside the Sacramento County Sheriff's Department.

Faison spoke in front of the department, addressing the issue and noting that the original letter sent to Jones was not written by her nor was it printed and mailed by her.

"He keeps making this about me when in fact we are asking for information for families that are asking questions and not being able to get the answers," Faison said. "So I think he needs to refocus on what the intent was of the original demands."

When asked about Jones' comments that nothing law enforcement do will make Faison happy, she said he hasn't tried to provide any information that they have requested.

"We made demands for some basic information," Faison said. "All he has to do is meet those demands."

As for Faison and the Black Lives Matter group going to Jones' house, Faison said they use many different ways to fight for the families.

"We are fighting for our freedom, and we are fighting for answers," Faison said. "And we are creative in our fight, and we will continue to be creative."

Faison called Jones' response to the organization's letter "petty and emotional," adding that Jones does not get to pick the leaders int he black community.

"He doesn't get to tell black people who their leaders are," Faison said. "We are not slaves. We're no longer living on plantations, so he doesn't get to make those deviations for people. We're free thinkers, and we do what we want."

The group said it has not decided what its next course of action is in order to get their demands met.

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Tensions flare between Sac sheriff, Black Lives Matter leader - KCRA Sacramento