AAMA 2024 Champions African Solidarity, Advocates for Free Movement and Human Rights Activism

The All-African Movement Assembly (AAMA) 2024, the largest gathering of African movements, activists, and human rights defenders, concluded its three-day event in Accra, Ghana, with a resounding call for Pan-African solidarity, free movement across the continent, and more robust human rights advocacy.

September 16, 2024
By Africans Rising

Borderless Africa: Free movement in Africa is a step towards complete decolonisation

Held from August 29th to 31st, the Assembly brought together over 400 physical participants, and more than 1,000 virtual attendees, all united in their commitment to advancing Africa’s development. A key theme that emerged from the Assembly was the push for a borderless Africa,
where all citizens can travel freely between countries without needing visas. According to the delegates, this would not only enhance the movement of people and goods but also strengthen intra-African trade, foster economic prosperity, and build fraternity among Africans.

Samia Nkrumah, President of the Kwame Nkrumah Pan-African Center and daughter of Pan-African icon Osagyefo Dr. Kwame Nkrumah, passionately advocated for this vision during her opening address. “We can achieve this with the necessary political will and determination. The time
for action is now”; she urged, emphasizing the need to carry forward the legacy of the African Union’s founding fathers.

The Assembly commenced with participants visiting the historic Cape Coast and Elmina Castles, where they were reminded of Africa’s painful past, including the exploitation of natural resources and the horrors of slavery. The tour, which included visits to the infamous ‘Condemnation Room” and the “Door of No Return”, served as a poignant reminder of the need to learn from history and work towards a united and free Africa.

The Assembly’s second day was marked by powerful speeches from Emma Nyerere and Samia Nkrumah, descendants of iconic African leaders Julius Nyerere of Tanzania and Kwame Nkrumah of Ghana. Both leaders reignited the call for African unity, emphasizing that solidarity is crucial in
tackling poverty, inequality, and neocolonialism. “The time has come for us to unite and face our challenges together”, said Emma Nyerere. Samia

Nkrumah echoed this sentiment, urging for renewed efforts towards political and economic integration across the continent.

A significant focus of the Assembly was the shrinking civic space in Africa, with increasing reports of crackdowns on dissent, harassment, abductions, and the killings of activists. Delegates stressed the urgency of collective dialogue and unified action to protect human rights and ensure
the rule of law.

Hardi Yakubu, Movement Coordinator of Africans Rising, called on African leaders to demonstrate the political will to champion the cause of a borderless Africa. “We must move beyond rhetoric and take concrete steps towards making this vision a reality”, he stated.

The Assembly also launched the Pan-African Solidarity Network to solidify support for human rights defenders. This idea arose in response to the multiple issues that activists encounter, which may be addressed more efficiently through a collaborative platform.

At the same time, the Africans Rising honoured activists for their contributions towards positive societal change.

Activism Awards
To top it off, on the evening of August 31st, the Pan-African Gala and Award night ceremony was held as one of the key events during the Assembly. We recognized and honored African activism through the presentation of three awards: ’Activist of the Year’, ‘Movement of the Year’, and the
‘Artistic Activist of the Year’. The awards support individuals and movements, aiming to bring positive societal change. We believe that activists deserve to be recognized and celebrated for their selfless efforts in pushing for a better continent for all. This year marked the 6th anniversary of the
awards initiative.

2024 Activism Award Winners
In the activist of the year award category, Seth Tsongo from the Democratic Republic of Congo was named the Winner followed by Mwami Samuel from Zambia who came in second, and Adel Azoun from Tunisia took third place.

In the Movement of the Year award category, Hand In Hand from Cameroon was named the winner, followed by Equal Education from South Africa. Sanitized Communities Konnect Foundation from
Ghana took third place.

Mwiza Zulu from Zambia was named the winner in the final category for Artistic Activist of the Year. Blanchard Bosey and Schela Mutaka, both from the Democratic Republic of Congo, came in second and third respectively. Each winner was given an award plaque, Africans Rising Souvenir and USD 1,000 prize for the winner, while the first and second runners-up received USD 500 and USD 300 respectively.

At the same time the winners of 2023 Africans Rising Activism Awards were celebrated and similar awards presented to them. Read more about these winners here: https://www.africansrising.org/winners-of-2023-activism-awards-announced/

Others recognized include the Invisible Giants, which celebrates the African women on the continent and in the diaspora working tirelessly in their communities for social change.

THREATS AND INTIMIDATION

Boeing warns of job losses and cuts spending after strike

Theo Leggett & Natalie Sherman
Business correspondent & Business reporter, BBC News


Boeing is making immediate spending cuts and says it may temporarily lay off staff, as it grapples with a strike by more than 30,000 workers in the US.

The cuts include a freeze on hiring, "significant reductions" of spending at suppliers, and a ban on non-essential and first-and business-class travel, including by senior executives.

Boeing said the moves were aimed at preserving cash during the industrial action stand-off that executives have warned will worsen the firm's already perilous financial state.

"Our business is in a difficult period," chief financial officer Brian West wrote in a letter to staff.

"This strike jeopardizes our recovery in a significant way and we must take necessary actions to preserve cash and safeguard our shared future," he added.

The strike at Boeing began on Friday, hours after workers in Washington State and Oregon rejected a new four-year contract offer.

The proposed deal promised a 25% pay increase over four years and improvements to terms and conditions, and had been recommended to the workforce by union leaders.

Boeing itself described the offer as "historic", but the deal was overwhelmingly voted down by employees.

Talks are due to re-start on Tuesday, according to the union.

In the meantime factories building the 737 Max, the 777 and the 767 freighter have all been affected by the walk outs.

Boeing has asked suppliers to halt shipments of most parts for those planes, suspended non-essential capital spending and frozen spending on consultants.

The company, which employs more than 170,000 people, the majority of whom are based in the US, said it was also "considering the difficult step of temporary furloughs for many employees, managers and executives in the coming weeks".

The last strike at Boeing in 2008 lasted about eight weeks.

Boeing has said the impact of the strike will depend on its duration, but analysts say it could cost the firm billions of dollars if it lasts for a number of weeks.

Major ratings companies have warned that the stand-off could lead to a downgrade of the aerospace giant's credit rating, making it more expensive for the firm to borrow.

The company has been dealing with historic losses. Production has slowed as the firm responds to concerns about the quality of its manufacturing.

 

A pipeline has exploded and is on fire in a Houston suburb, forcing evacuations

 Firefighters were battling a pipeline fire in suburban Houston that sparked grass fires and burned power poles on Monday, forcing people in the surrounding neighborhood to evacuate. The fire began at 9:55 a.m.

LA PORTE, Texas (AP) — Firefighters were battling a pipeline fire in suburban Houston that sparked grass fires and burned power poles on Monday, forcing people in the surrounding neighborhood to evacuate.

The fire began at 9:55 a.m. in La Porte, located about 25 miles (40 kilometers) southwest of Houston.

Video footage from KTRK showed a park near the fire had been damaged and firefighters pouring water on homes near the blaze.

Officials have ordered residents in the Brookglen neighborhood area near the fire to evacuate, Lee Woodward, a La Porte city spokesperson said in an email.

“Please avoid the area and follow law enforcement direction. Further details will be released as available,” Woodward said.

The cause of the fire was not immediately known.

The Associated Press

Texas chemical plant explosion: Evacuations ordered in La Porte amid roaring pipeline fire

AP | | Posted by Shweta Kukreti
Sep 16, 2024 

Texas chemical plant explosion: Firefighters were battling a pipeline fire in suburban Houston that sparked grass fires and burned power poles on Monday

Firefighters were battling a pipeline fire in suburban Houston that sparked grass fires and burned power poles on Monday, forcing people in the surrounding neighborhood to evacuate.

Texas chemical plant explosion: Officials have ordered residents in the Brookglen neighborhood area near the fire to evacuate, Lee Woodward, a La Porte city spokesperson said in an email.(Reuters)

The fire began at 9:55 a.m. in La Porte, located about 25 miles (40 kilometers) southwest of Houston.
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Video footage from KTRK showed a park near the fire had been damaged and firefighters pouring water on homes near the blaze.

Officials have ordered residents in the Brookglen neighborhood area near the fire to evacuate, Lee Woodward, a La Porte city spokesperson said in an email.

“Please avoid the area and follow law enforcement direction. Further details will be released as available,” Woodward said.

The cause of the fire was not immediately known.

Owing to the power outage, residents in the vicinity might be evacuated. As per the Deer Park Office of Emergency Management, a section encompassing Wal-Mart and H-E-B has been closed to automobile traffic.

“Unified Command is established with Deer Park handling the west side and La Porte handling the east,” stated the office. “A mobile command post is set up at East Blvd. and Spencer Hwy. HC Pollution Control is on scene.”

San Jacinto College has issued a shelter-in-place order, and evacuations have also been requested for the Brookglen community.

In a social media post, the college stated: “SJC Central remains under shelter in place. No fire on campus.”

“Emergency responders are on site. A shelter in place will remain for the San Jacinto College Central Campus until all clear is provided.”

After peddling lies, Jewish Chronical in upheaval

Israel's AG seeks investigation into information published in the Jewish outlet claiming Hamas leader Yahya Sinwar intended to smuggle hostages out of Gaza to Iran through the Philadelphy Corridor claiming information comes from IDF

UK-based news outlet Jewish Chronicle is facing outrage in Israel and among its readers, after it published unsubstantiated claims that the IDF found documents indicating Hamas planned to smuggle hostages out of Gaza to Iran through the Philadelphi Corridor. 
The paper said it severed ties with the freelance reporter. "It's every newspaper editor's worst nightmare to be deceived by a journalist," Chronical editor Jake Wallis Simons wrote on his X account on Sunday adding several columnists have said they would no longer work with the publication.

The incident came to a head after the UKs Jewish Chronicle, and Germany’s Bild, the largest and most influential newspaper in the country — claimed to expose highly confidential internal Hamas documents seized by the IDF, allegedly taken from the terror group's leader Yahya Sinwar's personal belongings.

Both publications echoed what Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu had claimed in speeches and interviews last week claiming that Sinwar was trying to sow discord among the Israeli public, had no real interest in a hostage deal and planned to smuggle hostages via underground tunnels under the Philadelphi Corridor to Egypt and from there to Iran.

An inquiry into all the materials collected from the start of the IDF operation in the Strip showed that no unit knew where these materials were sent nor what the source for the information allegedly obtained by the outlets, was.

The Bild, attributed the information to a proposal from another Hamas official. and the claim that Hamas was not interested in a deal, was never mentioned.


Jewish Chronicle's removed article

Opposition lawmakers demanded that a criminal investigation be launched following allegations on Ynet and its sister publication Yedioth Ahronoth suggesting a forgery and leak of the alleged "Sinwar documents" to foreign media.

Meirav Cohen a lawmaker for Yesh Atid said lies must have consequences. "Those spreading blatant falsehoods for political purposes must pay the price – whether they're low-ranking individuals or, even more so, senior officials."

"This is a cynical and dangerous misuse of classified documents, and as a body overseeing Israel's defense establishment, it’s our duty to discuss it, understand how it happened and determine what can be done to prevent the recurrence of leaks of classified information held by the IDF."

Residency for enlistment?

Israeli military recruits African asylum-seekers for war in Gaza

The Israeli military has reportedly been recruiting African asylum-seekers to support its war efforts in Gaza, offering promises of permanent residency in return. But refugee advocacy groups say they have reason to doubt that asylum seekers are receiving what was promised.


Issued on: 16/09/2024 - 

In this file photo, immigrants from Eritrea are seen walking in the Israeli city of Tel Aviv on April 5, 2018. © Jack Guez, AFP

By: Anaelle JONAH

Israeli media reported on Sunday that the government has been recruiting African asylum-seekers for the war in Gaza in return for being given permanent residency in Israel.

Military sources, speaking to Israel’s “Haaretz” news outlet, confirmed that the recruitment was being organised “with legal guidance from defense establishment advisers” but the manner in which the recruits will be used has not been made public.

Approximately 30,000 asylum-seekers, most from Sudan and Eritrea, resided in Israel as of 2020 but fewer than 1% of asylum claims are approved, according to Shira Abbo, director of public policy at Hotline for Refugees and Migrants, Israel's leading refugee advocacy organisation.

The UN’s 1951 Refugee Convention states that a refugee is someone who a host state or international body recognises as not being able to return to a home country due to a “well-founded fear of being persecuted”. In contrast, an asylum seeker is someone still awaiting that recognition.

“For many, their requests are not denied but pending for five, 10 years or more, leaving them in legal limbo,” Abbo said.

The war that erupted between Israel and Hamas after the attacks of October 7, in which three asylum seekers were among more than 1,100 killed, set off a wave of volunteerism among those living and working in Israel. Many asylum seekers, desperate to solidify their legal status, offered to enlist in civilian command centres and agricultural work. It was then, according to Haaretz, that military officials saw an opportunity to leverage this desire.
‘A life-or-death war for Israel’

One asylum seeker, identified only as “A” by Haaretz, shared his experience. Having arrived in Israel at the age of 16, he sought to integrate into society by joining the Israel Defense Forces (IDF). At the start of the war, someone claiming to be a police officer instructed him over the phone to report immediately to a security facility.

"They told me they were looking for special people to join the army. They told me this was a life-or-death war for Israel," he told Haaretz.

After several meetings with officials, A was informed that, if he enlisted, he would undergo two weeks of training alongside other asylum seekers and receive documents from the state of Israel.

However, he ultimately decided that military life was not for him and withdrew from the programme before training commenced.
Unfulfilled promises?

The Hotline for Refugees and Migrants has expressed concern over the lack of transparency, stating that while rumours of the benefits of military service have been circulating, the organisation has not been able to confirm any cases in which what has been promised has been delivered.

The recruitment practice has also been met with criticism for creating a quid pro quo when asylum should be decided on the basis of merit.

“Asylum status is granted due to persecution, not as part of a deal,” said Julia Grignon, professor of international humanitarian law and research director at the Institute for Strategic Research (IRSEM). “Enlisting in the military should never be a condition for obtaining refugee status.”

Some have argued that Israel is exploiting vulnerable people who fled their homelands in search of safety.

“The little information we have is alarming,” Abbo said. “Rights should come before obligations. It’s dangerous to recruit individuals without rights and expect them to risk their lives based on vague promises.”

The Israeli defense establishment maintains that its actions comply with the law.

The reports come amid a shortage of Israeli soldiers as the country’s war against Hamas nears the one-year mark. Israel’s Supreme Court ruled in June that ultra-Orthodox Jews, historically exempt from conscription, would now be required to serve.

Read more'An Israeli-style Wagner Group': The ultra-Orthodox military unit in Washington’s crosshairs

As the conflict continues, questions remain about whether these individuals will ever see the promises made to them fulfilled and what recourse, if any, they might have if the promises are not. Grignon admitted their options are likely limited.

“A UN body may call out Israel’s violation of international law, but that’s about it,” she said.

Israeli settlers raid, attack West Bank primary school

The Arab Al-Kaabneh school in the occupied West Bank was raided, with students and teachers attacked, according to local sources.


The New Arab Staff
16 September, 2024


Palestinians in the West Bank have been living under Israeli occupation since 1967 [Maja Hitij/Getty-file photo]


Israeli settlers raided and attacked a primary school in the occupied West Bank on Monday, also beating staff at the school.

The Arab Al-Kaabneh school northwest of Jericho was raided, with students attacked, according to local sources cited by the official Palestinian news agency Wafa.

According to local sources, settlers were armed with batons which they used to carry out the assaults, spreading widespread fear among residents. The sources added that the school remained under siege with students being trapped inside.

The Palestine Red Crescent Society said three people were wounded in the assault and were transported to a nearby hospital.

"The colonists [Israeli settlers] took control of the school and terrorised the children, which caused studies to be delayed and educational activities to be disrupted," Jamal Sliman Mulihat, a local resident told Wafa.

It comes as the Palestinian health ministry announced on Monday that 43-year-old Ahmed Omar Mahmoud Azqili had died, succumbing to wounds caused by gunfire from Israeli forces around a month ago in Jenin in the northern West Bank.

A Palestinian woman also miscarried on Sunday after Israeli forces attacked a family in the West Bank on Sunday in a violent storming of Hebron. Israeli forces descended on the woman's home, damaging property.

Israeli forces and settlers have escalated their attacks on the West Bank, with hundreds of Palestinians killed since the war on Gaza began in October.

At least 600 Palestinians have been killed in the occupied West Bank since 7 October, while raids on cities have become more frequent.

The Israeli military campaign in Gaza has killed at least 41,226 people, according to the coastal enclave's health ministry.

UN special rapporteur: ‘Palestinians have right to resist oppression’

September 16, 2024


UN special rapporteur Francesca Albanese said that Israel’s presence in the occupied Palestinian territory is unlawful and “constitutes an aggression against the right of self-determination”.

“The Palestinians – like it or not – have the right to resist the oppression,” she said.

The UN special rapporteur to the occupied Palestinian territory was speaking remotely at a news conference for the Office of the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights.

The caveat, she said, is that this resistance has to be done “within the realm and the limits of international law; therefore, civilians cannot be targeted, killed or taken hostage”.

The Gaza Strip has been under brutal bombardment since the start of the Israeli genocidal war on the Gaza Strip on October 7.

Besides the large number of casualties and the huge displacement of people, basic food, fuel, water and medical supplies have run out for the 2.3 million residents in Gaza due to the tight Israeli blockade and the massive destruction of infrastructure and facilities.

GENOCIDE

'12,000 minors, 710 infants': Names released of over 34,000 victims of Israel's war on Gaza

Anadolu staff |16.09.2024 - 



GAZA CITY, Palestine

Health authorities in the embattled Gaza Strip on Monday released the names of 34,344 Palestinians killed by the Israeli army in the course of its deadly onslaught against Gaza Strip, now approaching its grim first anniversary.

The list published by the Gaza Health Ministry in Gaza included the names of 11,983 minors under the age of 18 killed by the Israeli army.

The list also includes the names of 710 infants under a year old killed in Gaza by the Israeli army since last Oct. 7, as well as names of 2,734 Palestinians over 60 also killed by Israeli attacks.

Despite a UN Security Council resolution calling for an immediate cease-fire, Israel has continued its brutal offensive on the Gaza Strip following an attack by Palestinian group Hamas last Oct. 7.

More than 41,200 people, mostly women and children, have since been killed and over 95,400 injured, according to local health authorities.

The Israeli onslaught has displaced almost the entire population of the territory amid an ongoing blockade that has led to severe shortages of food, clean water, and medicine.

Israel also faces accusations of genocide for its actions in Gaza at the International Court of Justice.

*Writing by Ahmed Asmar

Archaeologists Reveal Viking Treasure Left Buried for 1,000 Years: 'Unique'

Viking Bracelet Made 1,000 Years Ago Found in Farmer's Field—'Real Shock'

By Aristos Georgiou

NEWSWEEK
Science and Health Reporter
Published Sep 16, 2024 

Archaeologists have unearthed a hoard of Viking treasure that was hidden for more than a 1,000 years.

The treasure was found on a mountainside in Årdal, Hjelmeland municipality, in Norway, the University of Stavanger (UiS) announced in a press release.

The treasure consists of four silver bracelets, each featuring different decorations. Based on their appearance, they have been roughly dated to the 9th-10th centuries, Volker Demuth, an archaeologist with the UiS Museum of Archaeology, who was part of the discovery team, told Newsweek.

This suggests the artifacts date to the Viking Age, a period in medieval history between roughly the late 8th and 11th centuries, when the Vikings—a Scandinavian seafaring people—raided, colonized, and traded widely across Europe and beyond.

The Viking treasure discovered in Årdal, Norway. The hoard consists of silver bracelets that are thought to be more than 1,000 years old. Volker Demuth/Museum of Archaeology, University of Stavanger


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"This is undoubtedly the most significant event of my career," Demuth told ScienceNorway.

The treasure was first spotted by UiS field archaeologists Mari Krogstad Samuelsen and Ola Tengesdal Lygre. The researchers were part of a team, alongside Demuth, who were brought in to survey the site before the construction of a tractor road on the mountainside by a local farmer, who owns the land.


"At first I thought it was a question of some twisted copper wires that you can often find in agricultural land, but when I saw that there were several lying next to each other and that they were not copper at all, but silver, I realized that we had found something exciting," Lygre said in the press release.

The treasure was found beneath the floor of what was once a small house that formed part of a larger Viking Age farm, according to the archaeologists. The house—whose remains are very well-preserved—may have belonged to slaves who lived on the farm, the archaeologists suspect.

"The excavation shows that there was a large and powerful Viking farm here, consisting of several houses for both people and animals. We have found remains of soapstone pots, rivets, knife blades and whetstones for sharpening tools," Demuth said.

Read more Archaeology

Medieval 'Vampire' Child Burial Used Extreme Measures to Keep Dead in Grave

Napoleon: 'Unique' Site Reveals Bloody Cleanup After Emperor's Last Battle


The fact that the treasure was found during a scientific excavation is significant because it enables archaeologists to place the bracelets in their proper context.

"[The treasure] is a unique find, because we very rarely find such objects exactly where they were placed. As a rule, such valuable objects are discovered on fields that have been plowed, where an object has been completely taken out of its original context. Since the silver hoard has not been moved, it can give us completely new insights into life and society in the Viking Age," Demuth said.

"The find-spot has not been disturbed by modern activities, therefore the archaeological remains are comparably well preserved, directly underneath the surface," he told Newsweek.


Evidence from the excavation indicates that the farm was burned down at one point, which might explain why the treasure was buried. In fact, the age of the treasure coincides with a period of significant unrest in the Viking world.

"If people who lived on this farm had to flee from an attack, it would be natural to hide away the valuables you had before escaping to the mountains. And perhaps in a place where you wouldn't have thought that a treasure was hidden," Demuth said.

A map shows the location of the village of Årdal, in Norway's Hjelmeland municipality.

© OpenStreetMap contributors

A map shows the location of the village of Årdal, in Norway's Hjelmeland municipality. A Viking treasure, thought to be more than 1,000 years old, was found in the area.

Map: Ian RandallCreated with Datawrapper

The bracelets have not yet been completely excavated because they were removed from the site together with the surrounding soil. This block of earth is being carefully analyzed and the objects will be dug out in the lab under controlled conditions.

An initial survey indicated that the earth contains four bracelets, which appear to be made from "very pure" silver with almost no signs of corrosion, Demuth told Newsweek.

Thanks to the "excellent" preservation conditions of the archaeological context, researchers expect to obtain a more accurate date for when the treasure was hidden after analyzing samples from fireplaces and burnt features within the Viking building.

"This is an absolutely fantastic find, which gives us completely unique knowledge about one of the most central eras in Norway, namely the Viking Age," museum director Ole Madsen said in the press release.

Control of the Murdoch media empire could be at stake in a closed-door hearing in Nevada

A probate court in Nevada is set to begin reviewing evidence this week in a behind-closed-doors dispute that could determine who will control Rupert Murdoch’s media empire after his death

Scott Sonner
THE INDEPENDENT

SEPT 16, 2024

A probate court in Nevada is set to begin reviewing evidence behind closed doors in a case that could determine who will control Rupert Murdoch’s media empire after his death.

Murdoch, 93, arrived at court Monday for the hearing. Last year, he moved to change the terms of his irrevocable family trust in a bid to ensure that his eldest son, Lachlan, remains in charge of his cadre of newspapers and television networks, including The Wall Street Journal and Fox News Channel, according to reporting by The New York Times based on a sealed court document.

Evidentiary hearings in the case are scheduled to run through Tuesday of next week. The court has kept the hearings closed to the public and most documents sealed, largely rejecting requests for access by news organizations including The Associated Press.

The trust was originally set up to give equal control over Rupert Murdoch’s businesses to his four oldest children upon his death, according to the Times.

Murdoch stepped down as leader of both Fox News’ parent company and his News Corp. media holdings last fall. He is arguing that to preserve his businesses’ commercial value for all his heirs, the trust must be changed so Lachlan can ensure his newspapers and TV networks continue to have a conservative editorial outlook, the Times reported.

Lachlan succeeded his father as chairman of News Corp. in November. He's also executive officer at Fox Corp., home to conservative news network Fox News, the Fox broadcast and sports networks, and local TV stations. The media empire spans continents and helped to shape modern American politics.


Rupert Murdoch's bid to change the trust has pitted him against his other three children named as beneficiaries: James, Elisabeth and Prudence, and they have united to stop their father from revising the trust, according to the Times.

Irrevocable trusts are typically used to limit estate taxes, among other reasons, and can’t be changed without permission from the beneficiaries or via a court order.


Nevada Probate Commissioner Edmund J. Gorman of the Second Judicial District Court in Reno ruled this summer that Rupert Murdoch could amend the trust if he can show that he is acting in good faith and for the sole benefit of his heirs, the Times reported.

The court's ruling notes that Murdoch sought to give Lachlan permanent and exclusive control over his companies because the mogul was worried that a lack of consensus among his children could affect the strategic direction at his companies, including potentially leading to a change in editorial policy and content, according to the Times report

___

Associated Press writer Alex Veiga in Los Angeles contributed to this report.