World

protesters-splitting-bangladesh-says-sheikh-hasinas-ally-after-party-office-set-on-fire-in-dhaka

Fri Nov 01 21:28:26 IST 2024

Former Bangladesh Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina’s coalition, Jatiya Party’s central office in Dhaka, was set on fire following clashes on Thursday night.

Protesters vandalised Jatiya Party offices, pulled down signboards and smeared ink on party founder Ershad’s picture on the wall.

Reportedly, clashes erupted when protesters carrying the Chhatra Sramik Janata banner marched with a torch procession in front of the Jatiya Party's central office in the Kakrail area.

ALSO READ | When will Bangladesh seek extradition of Sheikh Hasina from India? Interim leader Muhammad Yunus clears the air

Jatiya Party chief Ghulam Muhammed Quader, who had also served as the former commerce minister under Hasina's leadership, said that such protesters were "splitting" the nation.

"The country is now divided," Quader was quoted by AFP.

"They disregard everyone else, splitting the country into 'pure' and 'impure' factions... They determine who is culpable and who is not, leaving no room for justification. Once they tag someone as culpable, it's final."

ALSO READ | Bangladesh president says no documentary evidence of Sheikh Hasina’s resignation

Meanwhile, Shakiluzzaman, a leader of Gono Audhikar Parishad, alleged that when they were passing in front of the Jatiya Party office, bricks were thrown at them from the roof of the office provoking the clash.

Gono Audhikar Parishad is one of the political parties that participated in the movement against Sheikh Hasina.

The Jatiya Party, founded by the late President Hussain Muhammad Ershad, was part of the Bangladesh Awami League-led Grand Alliance. The party participated in the last three general elections despite a major party BNP boycott.

"Jatiya Party terrorists themselves set fire to their office and escaped. Jatya Party acted as a proxy of the fascist Awami League in the 2014, 2018 and 2024 elections," Shakiluzzaman was quoted by ANI.

On August 5, Hasina, fled to India amid wide protests erupted in Bangladesh against a controversial quota system in government jobs. Hundreds of people died in the protests that erupted since mid-July.

did-german-cargo-ship-mv-kathrin-carrying-military-grade-explosives-for-israel-dock-at-egypts-alexandria

Fri Nov 01 15:12:37 IST 2024

A German vessel, reportedly carrying military-grade explosives for Israel, has run into a controversy after human rights lawyers filed a court appeal in Berlin seeking to block it from delivering the cargo to Israel's defence contractor Elbit Systems. MV Kathrin allegedly carries a 150-metric-ton shipment to be delivered to Israel’s biggest defence contractor.

LSEG data and vessel-tracking website Marine Traffic showed the vessel is docked in Egypt’s port at Alexandria on Monday. However, Germany-based Lubeca Marine, which owns the vessel, said the ship was never scheduled to make any port calls in Israel and had recently discharged its cargo in Bar, Montenegro.

The plea was filed by the European Legal Support Center (ELSC) on Wednesday on behalf of three Palestinians from Gaza. It argued that the shipment of primarily RDX explosives would be used in munitions for Israeli weapons to be used in Gaza. The explosives will be used to manufacture weapons, such as bombs, mortars, and rockets.

Though the ship is said to be in Egypt's Alexandria, it wasn't a smooth sail as Namibia denied it port access after discovering its military cargo in August. It also tried in vain to dock at various African and Mediterranean ports. In October, Portugal revoked the vessel’s flag forcing it to reflag in Germany, according to ELSC.

However, after reports surfaced that the ship was in Egypt now, the country's army issued a statement stating the reports were untrue. It denied allegations that it assisted Israeli military operations. "The Egyptian Armed Forces categorically deny what has been circulated on social media and suspicious accounts and what is being promoted about assisting Israel in its military operations in general and in detail," the army said in a statement.

Many human rights organisations have now rallied against the shipment reaching Israel. "The deadly cargo believed to be on board the MV Kathrin must not reach Israel as there is a clear risk that such cargo would contribute to the commission of war crimes against Palestinian civilians," said Nataša Posel, head of Amnesty International Slovenia.

Now that it has run into legal troubles, the fate of the vessel and its controversial cargo remains uncertain.

us-elections-how-will-the-swing-states-vote-in-2024-president-elections-trump-vs-harris

Fri Nov 01 14:58:42 IST 2024

With the new international political climate prevalent across the world, we are all increasingly becoming global citizens. As geopolitical and macroeconomic decisions impact economies across boundaries, information is our best way to understand what comes ahead and prepare for it. One such anchor event is the presidential elections in one of the most influential territories in the world, the United States of America.

When reporting news and information from the US regarding the elections, US outlets often speak of “swing states”. Let us see what they are and how they impact the presidential polls.

What is a swing state?

The US has a federal system of government made up of 50 states and the District of Columbia, where two parties primarily compete for the title of POTUS. Unlike a union structure in India, states in the US have sovereign jurisdictions too. The Tenth Amendment to the US Constitution gave US states the power to exercise any government functions that are not delegated to the federal government.

Therefore, states have more power, and they decide the political structure of the country. A swing state is a state that can go to either party, and they become focal battlegrounds where the presidential candidates focus their campaigning energy. Their opposite, the safe states, are usually determined by opinion polls leading up to the election. They are rarely prioritised during the election campaign.

States or Electoral College: what decides the winner?

Much like the Indian system of Lok Sabha elections that determine our ruling party and, therefore, who our Prime Minister would be, the US has a parallel system to India’s concept of constituencies distributed among the states. They are called the Electoral College.

However, the Electoral College is not a physical concept but rather just a process that is kept in place to determine who wins the presidency. The US Electoral College has 538 electors, and the presidential candidate needs a 270 majority in electoral votes to win.

To make up the Electoral College, the electoral votes are allocated among the 50 states. Each state gets a number of “electoral votes” equal to the number of senators and representatives in the US Congress. Over and above them, the District of Columbia is treated like a state for all electoral college-related things and allocated three electors.

In total, senators in the US Senate get two votes for the state they hail from, and the number of votes is equal to the number of its congressional districts. For 2024, the popular vote results of the general election from each state will decide which party gets to choose the president and their team. But it needn’t be so every election. The states can pass laws to determine who the electors are, as long as the law is enacted before the poll day.

Within each state, systems are a bit different. Most states employ a winner-takes-all approach. This means that the electoral votes all go to the winner in the state’s popular vote. However, two states—Nebraska and Maine—appoint two electors based on winners from each Congressional district and two appointed from popular votes like the other states.

These two states rarely exhibit a split vote, but they recently did so. Both Maine and Nebraska in 2020, Maine in 2016, and Nebraska in 2008.

Donald Trump won in 2016 by bagging just enough votes in major electoral college states. With just 77,000 votes more, Trump sealed his victory by edging Pennsylvania (by 44,292 votes), Wisconsin (by 22,748 votes), and Michigan (by 10,704 votes). Fast forward to 2020, Joe Bien won with a minute margin of 44,000 votes thanks to the states of Wisconsin, Arizona, and Georgia. If not, it would have been a 269-to-269 tie, triggering a reelection.

How will the Swing States vote?

The 2024 race between Donald Trump and Kamala Harris is now being heralded as one of the tightest contests. Therefore, the result will most probably be determined by the eight swing states.

Pennsylvania (19 electoral votes)

With 19 votes, Pennsylvania is the wing state to watch for! Since 1988, the state has always voted Democrat. However, the streak came to an abrupt end, with Donald Trump winning in 2016. Biden fought it back in 2020, but it is still on shaky ground. For Democrats to win, they need higher voter turnout. This might go Kamala Harris’ way in 2024, as per the latest poll trends.

Georgia (16 electoral votes)

Georgia has 16 votes due to its population rising. In 2020, Trump lost by just a bit more than 11,500 votes. However, before this, the state had always voted Republican since Bill Clinton’s 1992 victory. Georgia will have a massive impact on who determines the president.

North Carolina (16 electoral votes)

North Carolina, with 16 votes, is a dangerous place for Democrats. Obama won it in 2008, the first time since 1976, but lost it in the reelection. Trump won the past two elections here. Democrats are hoping that an increase in the number of youngsters, especially students, would tip the state in their favour. But historically, the state has swung to Trump.

Michigan (15 electoral votes)

Michigan is what you call a classic swing state. Trump won in 2016 but lost to Biden in 2020. However, before that, it was predominantly Democratic, with only Bush Sr’s 1988 feat as the lone republican victory in recent elections. After that, Michigan voted blue from 1992 through 2012.

Arizona (11 electoral votes)

Former Republican fort, Arizona, began its shift when it elected Bill Clinton in 1996 reelection. Biden won in 2020 with just a bit more than 10,400 votes, and signs point to Trump winning if supporters of former senator John McCain unite to tow the party line. However, it stands on thin ice for the state that is famous for the Grand Canyon.

Wisconsin (10 electoral votes)

In the latest judicial election back in April, the state voted against conservatives. If the trend tracks, Trump might have a hard time clawing Wisconsin from Harris. Back in 2020, Biden barely won. So, the state is still ripe for picking.

Nevada (6 electoral votes)

Desert state Nevada has been blue for the past four presidencies. However, Republicans have lost the state just by a whisker each time, giving it swing status. However, the rising urban population and dwindling rural numbers could point to one more victory for Democrats.

New Hampshire (4 electoral votes)

New Hampshire could become an upsetting battleground if it moves to red, given how major Republican veterans are back on the scenes. Historically, Democrats bagged the state since 2000, but the latest victory by Biden was just too close for comfort.

The impending election results in the US will have a reverberatory impact on developing economies of the East. With a past track record of anti-Indian policies by Trump and the fact that Harris is of Indian origin makes this election quite a spectacle for the country. US Election results will be out in the days following the counting starting November 5, 2024.

when-will-bangladesh-seek-extradition-of-sheikh-hasina-from-india-interim-leader-muhammad-yunus-clears-the-air

Fri Nov 01 08:21:09 IST 2024

Bangladesh's interim leader Muhammad Yunus has said that the country has no immediate plans to seek the extradition of Sheikh Hasina from India. The former Bangladesh Prime Minister fled Dhaka to India in August after rebellion in the country.

Yunus, in an exclusive interview with UK-based Financial Times, outlined the country's plans for Hasina's extradition, stating that Bangladesh would seek Hasina's return only after a verdict had been reached by the country's International Crimes Tribunal (Bangladesh) on the cases against her. The court had issued an arrest warrant against her in October.

"She is charged with crimes against humanity . . . when the verdict comes out, we'll try to get her back through the extradition treaty with India," he said. "I don't think we have a case to do that before a verdict is done."

The government's stance on delaying the extradition request is also seen as a tactic to avoid diplomatic tensions between Bangladesh and India.

Yunus also slammed Hasina's Awami League stating that the party exhibited all characteristics of fascism and had no place in the country's politics now. However, his interim government would not decide the fate of Awami League as it was not a political government, he said.

Yunus added that any decision on whether the League could participate in a future election would be decided by a consensus” of political parties themselves.

Meanwhile, analysts say that it is not easy to convict Hasina as the system to prosecute and punish high-ranking officials is often problematic. Legal experts say it could be difficult to prove that Hasina ordered law enforcement agencies to open fire on students during the protests due to the lack of documented evidence.

Even if the evidence is adequate, a conviction could be thwarted by political hurdles as Hasina still has a strong support base within the Awami League. Her supporters could project her prosecution as a personal attack on Hasina and her legacy, triggering violence and unrest among them, according to The Diplomat.

This will have a great impact on the political polarisation in the country which could affect Bangladesh’s fragile democratic fabric. Besides it will also set a bad precedent, prompting other leaders to keep an authoritarian grip on power for the fear of sharing Hasina's fate.

There could also be pressure from neighbours, including India and China, as Hasina shared a warm relationship with both countries.

us-imposes-sanctions-on-indian-firms-for-allegedly-aiding-russias-war-against-ukraine

Thu Oct 31 20:20:22 IST 2024

The United States has imposed sanctions on more than four private firms from India for aiding Russia amid its war ongoing against Ukraine.

Sanctions were imposed on over 350 firms across Russia, India, and China accusing them of providing products and services that enable Russia's war effort and aid its ability to evade sanctions.

This is not the first time that Indian firms have been targeted by US sanctions. The Treasury and State Department's effort is aimed at punishing third-party countries that are accused of providing material assistance to the Kremlin.

A US State Department official told Reuters that the latest move was the "most concerted push so far against third-country evasion."

Sanctions were also imposed on targets in the United Arab Emirates, Turkey, Thailand and Malaysia.

ALSO READ | India taking this seriously: US official over report on Pannun murder plot

"This should send a serious message to both the governments and the private sectors of these countries that the US government is committed to countering the evasion of our sanctions against Russia and to continue putting pressure on Russia to end its war in Ukraine," said the official.

Meanwhile, Deputy Treasury Secretary Wally Adeyemo said in a statement that the US and its allies will continue to take decisive action across the globe to stop the flow of technologies and weapons that aid Russia in its war against Ukraine.

Sanctions on Indian companies come at a time when the bilateral ties are under stress over the allegation of New Delhi's role in a plot to kill Sikh separatist Gurpatwant Singh Pannun in the US.

ALSO READ | Gurpatwant Pannun assassination plot: US media report reveals RAW official who ‘hired hit team’

The US has repeatedly warned against supplying Russia with Common High Priority Items.

The State Department official said there has been an increase in the export of such goods from India to Russia, as well as increased interest in taking action against the companies facilitating such activity.

“With India, we have been very direct and blunt with them about the concerns we have about what we see as sort of emerging trends in that country that we want to stop before they get too far down the road,” said the official.

who-is-karthik-naralasetty-indian-american-businessman-running-for-mayor-in-texas

Thu Oct 31 18:39:23 IST 2024

Karthik Naralasetty (35), an Indian-American businessman is running for Texas mayoral election, to be held on November 5. If Naralasetty wins, he will be the youngest mayor of Texas. Also, he would be the first Indian descent to be its mayor.

November 5 also coincides with the US presidential election, where its a tight race between Vice President Kamala Harris and former US President Donald Trump.

Speaking about his vision for The Hills, he says, “It should be a place where everyone thrives, regardless of their background.”

“As I run for mayor, I am driven by the lessons I’ve learned throughout my entrepreneurial journey, and I believe that, together, we can build a brighter, more inclusive future grounded in shared values and mutual respect,” his campaign website quoted him as saying.

Who is Karthik Naralasetty?

Born in Andhra Pradesh's Guntur, Naralasetty completed his early education in Delhi. Reportedly, he had arrived in the US to study computer science at Rutgers University.

He dropped out of the university and returned to India, where he started his first blood donation company- Social Blood.

He had started another venture, named ‘Pawsh’, with the aim of connecting dog owners with groomers.

Additionally, as a ‘self-taught product designer,’ he is a consultant with Apple, Walmart, and Levis.

His family includes his parents, spouse Aditi – they met during his early days in the US – and their children: Leilani and Jaivyn.

His family also consists of two dogs- Hachi and Hiro -and without the pets, ‘the home wouldn’t be complete.’

kamala-you-are-fired-thunders-trump-as-race-for-white-house-remained-razor-tight

Thu Oct 31 22:53:30 IST 2024

Vice President Kamala Harris and former President Donald Trump held competing rallies in Wisconsin while trying to outperform each other in the key battleground state as the race for the White House remained razor tight five days ahead of the election day.

The latest CNN polls showed that Harris has a narrow advantage in Michigan and Wisconsin, while she and Trump remain tied in Pennsylvania.

In Michigan, Harris holds a lead over Trump by 48 per cent to 43 per cent among likely voters, according to the findings.

Harris also leads Trump in Wisconsin, where 51 per cent support her to 45 per cent for Trump, but the race is tied in Pennsylvania, with both having 48 per cent support.

As the race for the White House remained very close, Trump mounted a sharp attack on Harris while using President Joe Biden's comments that appeared to call Trump's supporters "garbage".

Dressed in a garbage vest, Trump arrived at the venue of the rally in Wisconsin's Green Bay area in a dump truck and addressed several thousand of his supporters, arguing that Harris is not fit to become the President.

"My response to Joe and Kamala is very simple: You can't lead America if you don't love Americans, it's true. You can't be president if you hate the American people, which I believe they do, and Kamala Harris is not fit to be president of the United States," he said.

"Kamala, you are fired," Trump thundered.

Before the rally, Trump also spoke to reporters.

"How do you like my garbage truck? This truck is in honour of Kamala and Joe Biden," he said.

"For Joe Biden to make that statement -- it's really a disgrace," he said.

Earlier, Harris distanced herself from Biden's "garbage" remarks, saying she strongly disagrees with criticising anyone based on how they vote.

"I am sincere in what I mean: When elected president of the United States, I will represent all Americans, including those who don't vote for me, and address their needs and their desires," she said.

The Democratic Party leader also cautioned people against electing Trump.

"On day one, Donald Trump would walk into office with an enemies list," said Harris.

She also touched upon various policy issues, including how she plans to cut taxes on small businesses and expand healthcare coverage for families.

The US Presidential Election Day is on November 5.

Over 59 million Americans have already cast their votes in early voting.

Of the total number of early votes, 31,018,125 were cast in person and 27,952,363 were cast through mail, according to official details.

To win the race for the White House, the successful candidate will have to secure 270 of the 538 electoral votes up for grabs.

The seven key swing states which are seen to be crucial to determining the election results are Georgia, Michigan, Arizona, Pennsylvania, North Carolina, Wisconsin and Nevada.

-AP

days-before-us-presidential-election-trump-extends-diwali-wishes-by-invoking-plight-of-bangladeshi-hindus

Fri Nov 01 09:43:52 IST 2024

With four days left for the US elections, Donald Trump extended Diwali's wishes on Thursday by invoking the violence against Hindus and other minorities in Bangladesh. He also used the opportunity to slam Democratic candidate Kamala Harris and US President Joe Biden for "ignoring Hindus across the world and in America."

This is the first that Trump ever raised the issue of Bangladesh unrest and subsequent violence though it is two months since the event brought the Sheikh Hasina government down.

In a post on Truth Social, the Republican candidate, who called Prime Minister Narendra Modi his friend, said "Bangladesh remains in a total state of chaos".

"I strongly condemn the barbaric violence against Hindus, Christians, and other minorities who are getting attacked and looted by mobs in Bangladesh, which remains in a total state of chaos," Trump said.

He claimed that such a thing would have never happened on his watch, calling the currrent administration a disaster.

"Kamala and Joe have ignored Hindus across the world and in America," he said, adding that a government led by him would "protect Hindu Americans against the anti-religion agenda of the radical left."

"We will fight for your freedom. Under my administration, we will also strengthen our great partnership with India and my good friend, Prime Minister Modi," Trump said.

"Also, Happy Diwali to All. I hope the Festival of Lights leads to the Victory of Good over Evil," said the former president.

Harris, Biden celebrate Diwali

Diwali celebrations were held at many places in the US, including at temples and many iconic places across the country.

"This Diwali, may we show the power in the gathering of light. The light of knowledge, of unity, of truth. The light for freedom, for democracy, for an America where anything is possible," Biden said in a post on X.

Earlier this week, he hosted the largest ever Diwali at the White House by inviting some 600 eminent Indian-Americans from across the country.

Harris too put up a post wishing Diwali. "Tonight, we join more than 1 billion people across America and around the world lighting diyas and celebrating the fight for good over evil, knowledge over ignorance, and light over darkness," Harris said.

gaza-ceasefire-remains-elusive-as-israel-hezbollah-conflict-escalates

Thu Oct 31 17:54:34 IST 2024

With the Israel-Hezbollah fight intensifying, the Gaza ceasefire seems to have hit a roadblock. Though the ceasefire talks have progressed, both Israel and Hamas have not found a common ground regarding the Gaza ceasefire.

A senior Hamas official has said that the group rejects any proposal for a temporary ceasefire in Gaza and insisted on a lasting ceasefire. The Gaza war was triggered after the October 7 attacks against Israel.

"The idea of a temporary pause in the war, only to resume aggression later, is something we have already expressed our position on. Hamas supports a permanent end to the war, not a temporary one," Taher al-Nunu, a senior leader of Hamas told AFP.

A recent meeting between Mossad, CIA and Qatar PM in Doha discussed the proposal of a “short-term” truce of “less than a month.”

The proposal, reportedly, involves exchanging hostages for Palestinians jailed in Israeli prisons and increasing aid to Gaza. According to US officials, the proposal could pave the way for a permanent ceasefire.

Nunu says that the group has not received any proposal so far.

However, he reiterated the demands the terror group has been insisting on for months — “a permanent ceasefire, withdrawal [of Israeli forces] from Gaza, the return of displaced people, sufficient humanitarian aid to Gaza and a serious prisoner exchange deal."

It is believed that 97 of the 251 hostages abducted by the Hamas on October 7 remain in Gaza.

Meanwhile, there were also reports that Hamas has rejected a ceasefire proposal that would have brought the release of a small number of Israeli captives and a 30-day cessation of hostilities, but no withdrawal of Israeli forces from the Gaza Strip.

In November, a prisoner swap deal led to the release of about 100 Israeli captives in exchange for about 240 Palestinian detainees.

who-is-naim-qassem-after-hassan-nasrallah-deputy-named-hezbollah-chief-israel-says-not-for-long

Wed Oct 30 10:24:07 IST 2024

After the killings of Hezbollah secretary general Hassan Nasrallah and his successor Hashem Safieddine, the Lebanese militant group has elected Naim Qassem as its new chief.

However, Israel Defence Minister Yoav Gallant took to X and posted a photo of Qassem, saying, "Temporary appointment. Not for long."

Who is Naim Qassem?

Hezbollah announced that Naim Qassem, 71, was elected as new secretary general by its Shura Council. Qassem became Hezbollah deputy chief in 1991, when he was appointed by former secretary general Abbas al-Musawi. He continued in the role when Nasrallah succeeded al Musawi after the latter was killed by an Israeli helicopter attack in 1992.

Qassem had been serving as Hezbollah's spokesman, including during the past one year following the Hamas attack on Israel on October 7, 2023.

Unlike Nasrallah and Safieddine who wore a black turban to denote their Sayyed title (Prophet Mohammed's descendant), Qassem wears a white turban.

Qassem was born in Beirut in 1953 in the border village of Kfar Fila. He was initially part of Hezbollah ally Lebanese Shi'te Amal Movement. In 1979 he left the movement following Iran's Islamic revolution. He later joined Hezbollah and rose through the ranks.

i-will-represent-all-americans-harris-in-damage-control-after-bidens-garbage-remarks

Thu Oct 31 19:41:05 IST 2024

In an attempt to douse a raging controversy stoked by President Joe Biden with his “garbage” remarks, Democratic nominee Kamala Harris said she would represent all Americans if voted to power.

"I will represent all Americans, including those who don't vote for me," the vice president said on Tuesday, adding that she strongly disagrees with any criticism of people based on who they vote for.

Biden had stirred up a political storm after he allegedly termed supporters of Republican candidate Donald Trump as “garbage”. The President’s rhetoric was in response to the offensive statements made by Tony Hinchcliffe at a Trump rally on Sunday, where the comedian called Puerto Rico a “floating island of garbage”.

“The only garbage I see floating out there are his supporter’s’,” Biden said, according to a transcript of his speech released by the White House.

The White House later issued a clarification, saying Biden was referring to Hinchcliffe, not Trump. But the speech had already drawn social media backlash, with many equating them to the remarks of former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton in 2016 that half of Trump’s supporters were “deplorables.”

With the elections just a week ago, Harris sought to blunt the controversy, saying he disagrees with what the President said.

“First of all, he clarified his comments, but let me be clear: I strongly disagree with any criticism of people based on who they vote for," she told reporters.

“I am serious; what I mean when elected president, I will represent all Americans, including folks who don't vote for me and address their needs and their desires,” she was quoted as saying by USA Today.

Biden, too, took to X issuing an explanation. “Earlier today I referred to the hateful rhetoric about Puerto Rico spewed by Trump's supporter at his Madison Square Garden rally as garbage—which is the only word I can think of to describe it. His demonization of Latinos is unconscionable. That's all I meant to say. The comments at that rally don't reflect who we are as a nation,” he said.

Meanwhile, in response to a CNN query, the White House insisted that Biden had meant “supporter’s” rather than “supporters”.

“The President referred to the hateful rhetoric at the Madison Square Garden rally as garbage,” CNN quoted White House spokesman Andrew Bates as saying.

Harris is prepared to campaign in three more states, with the latest polls giving her a slight edge over Trump.

who-was-mustafa-ahmad-shahdi-idf-says-hezbollah-radwan-force-deputy-commander-killed-in-airstrike

Thu Oct 31 10:59:27 IST 2024

Israel Defence Forces said Mustafa Ahmad Shahdi, the deputy commander of Hezbollah's Radwan Force was killed in an airstrike in Nabatieh.

ALSO READ: Who is Naim Qassem? After Hassan Nasrallah deputy named Hezbollah chief, Israel says 'not for long'

The IDF said it targeted Hezbollah's command and control centres in Nabatieh and Baalbek areas of Lebanon on Wednesday.

Who was Mustafa Ahmad Shahdi?

Mustafa Ahmad Shahdi led several attacks against Israel and oversaw attacks against IDF soldiers in southern Lebanon, according the Israeli military. IDF said Shahdi was responsible for the Radwan Forces' operations in Syria from 2012 to 2017.

IDF said killing Shahdi was part of its effort to degrade Hezbollah’s Radwan Forces' capabilities to carry out terrorist activities against IDF troops and communities in the northern Israel.

A few days ago, IDF said it destroyed a staging area of Radwan Force that held command posts, numerous weapons and underground infrastructure.

Shadi's killing comes a day after Naim Qassem was elected as Hezbollah's new secretary general by its Shura Council. Hezbollah's former chief Hassan Nasrallah and his successor Hashem Safieddine were killed by the IDF.

Israel Defence Minister Yoav Gallant posted on X that Qassem's appointment is "temporary" and "not for long", hinting that the new Hezbollah chief too will be eliminated.

is-iran-set-for-a-strong-retaliation-against-israel-militarys-cryptic-tweet-sparks-debate

Wed Oct 30 19:49:54 IST 2024

Days after Israel carried out “precise” and “targeted” air strikes at multiple locations in Iran, pushing the Middle East further close to the brink of a regional war, two cryptic tweets from the Iran military on Wednesday have sparked concerns about an imminent retaliation.

“It’s almost time,” one of the posts says, along with eerie visuals of a clock ticking and a missile ready to launch. “The time of punishment is near” reads a text in the visual, in both English and Persian.

An hour later, the military shared another post in which it says “God’s retribution is near!”.

"Yahweh will bring a nation against you [Jewish wrongdoers] from far away, from the ends of the earth, like an eagle swooping down. Torah (Deuteronomy 28:49),” it says.

Even though Tehran has not made any statement on its plans for an immediate retaliation, the two posts on X are widely seen as an indication of the military’s preparation for a strike.

The internet is divided and the factions supporting both Tehran and Tel Aviv have flocked to the comments section to make war cries.

“Always behind you Iran. Hope you will be the first country who gives tough time to Israel,” writes one user, while another user accuses Iran of using proxies against other countries. “Stop your proxies. Stop your wars. You keep messing around, you’re going to find out,” he writes.

In a pre-dawn operation on October 26, Israel attacked military targets of Iran with a series of airstrikes in what Tel Aviv claimed a retaliation for the barrage of ballistic missiles the Islamic Republic fired upon Israel earlier in the month.

Iran government claimed that Israeli strikes had caused only “limited damage”, but its army admitted that four soldiers lost their lives in the attacks.

Iran's Foreign Ministry issued a statement saying it had a right to self-defence, and "considers itself entitled and obligated to defend against foreign acts of aggression."

canada-identifies-india-as-cyber-threat-for-the-first-time-but-its-greatest-enemy-is-another-asian-nation

Thu Oct 31 14:09:24 IST 2024

Amid the diplomatic tiff between both nations, Canada has identified India as a threat to its cyber security for the first time. The biennial National Cyber Threat Assessment released on Wednesday claims that India was creating a cyber programme, which it will use for espionage activities.

The agency has warned that India's cyber threat activity against Canadian individuals and organisations will increase as the diplomatic ties between the countries worsen. The head of the agency terms India as an "emerging threat" and would want to flex those cyber threat actions against Canadians.

But, the biggest threat to Canada's cyber security comes not from India, but another country. It is China.

The agency report terms China as the greatest threat to Canada, above all other state and non-state actors, and its capabilities to inflict damage on Canada's national security remain "second to none."

As per the report, Chinese cybercriminals compromised at least 20 networks connected to the Canadian government. "Among our adversaries, the PRC cyber program’s scale, tradecraft, and ambitions in cyberspace are second to none," reads the report.

The Chinese agents have compromised government data for the past five years and have managed to collect valuable information. However, there is no mention as to whether classified or personal data had been stolen by Chinese criminals.

Beijing's agents have also conducted spy activities against federal, provincial, territorial, municipal and Indigenous government networks in Canada.

But, why is China's spying on government networks? The spy agency says this is to ensure that Beijing has an advantage in China-Canada bilateral relations and commercial matters. The Chinese spies dedicate significant time and resources to study the target. The provincial and territorial governments are also targets as they have decision-making power over regional trade and commerce, including resource extraction.

"The information collected is also likely used to support the People's Republic of China's malign influence and interference activities against Canada's democratic processes and institutions," the report added.

Canada had earlier too warned that social media platform TikTok is being used by China to access personal data, posing a "threat to the way we live". China also uses its cyber abilities to support Beijing's goal of silencing activists, journalists and diaspora communities.

Besides India and China, the report also names Russia, Iran and North Korea. While Russian cyber threat actors target the Canadian government, military, private sector, and critical infrastructure networks, Iran uses an "aggressive" cyber operations program to "coerce, harass, and repress" its opponents and critics.

us-election-2024-trump-rides-garbage-truck-takes-dig-at-president-bidens-remark

Thu Oct 31 08:27:53 IST 2024

From the Boeing 757 with his name to a white garbage truck, also with his name.

Trust US presidential candidate Donald Trump to be dramatic! But his latest piece of showmanship in Green Bay, Wisconsin, will surely worry the Democrats, who are busy firefighting to manage the damage caused by US President Joe Biden 'garbage' remark earlier.

ALSO READ: ‘I will represent all Americans’: Harris in damage control after Biden’s ‘garbage’ remarks

While responding to offensive statements made by comedian Tony Hinchcliffe at a Trump rally on Sunday, where he called Puerto Rico a “floating island of garbage”, Biden said, “The only garbage I see floating out there are his supporter’s’,” according to a transcript of his speech released by the White House.

Though the White House later clarified that Biden was referring to Hinchcliffe, and not Trump, and that he had meant “supporter’s” rather than “supporters”, the damage was already done.

Trump, who was on the backfoot because of Hinchcliffe's remarks, was quick to latch on to Biden's remark, riding the garbage truck to rub it in. “How do you like my garbage truck,” Trump, wearing an orange and yellow safety vest over his white shirt and red tie, asked reporters. “This is in honour of Kamala and Joe Biden.”

ALSO READ: Is Kamala Harris losing the last lap against Donald Trump?

The former president and Republican candidate had distanced himself from Hinchcliffe's remarks on Puerto Ricans. “I don't know anything about the comedian. I don't know who he is. I've never seen him. I heard he made a statement, but it was a statement that he made. He's a comedian, what can I tell you. I know nothing about him.”

“I love Puerto Rico and Puerto Rico loves me,” Trump said from the garbage truck.

He took the stage for the rally later, still wearing the orange vest.

Trump accused Biden of referring to all his supporters as garbage."We're 'garbage.' And I call you the heart and soul of America," Trump said.

could-puerto-rico-racist-jibe-dampen-donald-trumps-prospects-in-pennsylvania

Tue Oct 29 20:27:27 IST 2024

A day after a US comedian called Puerto Rico a 'floating island of garbage' before a packed Donald Trump rally in New York, the president of the Republican party's branch in the island territory has demanded an apology from the former US president.

Angel M Cintrón, the party's chair on the island said he would not vote for Trump unless he said sorry for the speaker's comments.

Comedian Tony Hinchcliffe's at the Madison Square Gallery in New York sparked a row, which is likely to hurt Trump as the US election campaign enters its final week. Puerto Ricans form a large portion of the Latino vote in Pennsylvania, a key swing state.

"There's a lot going on, like I don't know if you know this but there's literally a floating island of garbage in the middle of the ocean right now...I think it's called Puerto Rico," said Hinchcliffe.

He also made racist comments against the Latinos claiming they "love making babies".

Both Republicans and Democrats criticised Hinchcliffe over his remarks. However, Danielle Alvarez, Trump's campaign spokesperson, in a statement said that "This joke does not reflect the views of President Trump or the campaign."

Not just the Latinos, Hinchcliffe's comments were also offensive to Jews and Black people.

Floria Republican, Rep Carlos Gimenez, who is a close ally of Trump, criticised Hinchcliffe's remarks and said, "This is not a joke. It's completely classless and in poor taste."

New York GOP Rep. Anthony D'Esposito said, "I'm proud to be Puerto Rican. The only thing that's 'garbage' was a bad comedy set."

Even Hollywood artists came to the forefront supporting Puerto Ricans. Latin artist Benito Antonio Martinez Ocasio, also known as Bad Bunny, shared on his Instagram, a video of Kamala Harris lashing out at Trump for delaying $20 billion hurricane aid in 2017.

Even, Jennifer Lopez and Ricky Martin shared the video and Harris's plan for Puerto Rico.

hezbollah-cleric-naim-kassem-picked-to-lead-the-lebanese-militant-group

Wed Oct 30 10:25:24 IST 2024

Hezbollah announced on Tuesday that it has chosen cleric Naim Qassem to lead the Lebanese militant group after the killing of its longtime leader Hassan Nasrallah in an Israeli airstrike on a Beirut suburb in late September.

The group said in a statement that Hezbollah's decision-making Shura Council elected Qassem, 71, as its new secretary-general and vowed to continue Nasrallah's policies "until victory is achieved."

Since Nasrallah's death as part of an Israeli offensive that took out many of Hezbollah's senior officials, the white-turbaned cleric with a gray beard has often been the public face of the Lebanese militant group. He is one of its founding members but is widely seen by supporters as lacking his predecessor's charisma and oratory skills.

In a televised speech earlier this month, Qassem, who carries the clerical title of sheikh, claimed Hezbollah's military capabilities were intact after Nasrallah's assassination and warned Israelis they will only suffer further as fighting continues.

Qassem has been sanctioned by the United States, which considers Hezbollah a terrorist group. His appointment came as no surprise since he had served as Nasrallah's deputy for 32 years and had also long been Hezbollah's public face, giving interviews to local and foreign media outlets.

This is a message to Lebanon and abroad that Hezbollah has reorganised itself, said Qassim Qassir, a Lebanese analyst close to Hezbollah.

Qassem's appointment shows Hezbollah is running its own affairs and not as some have reported that advisers from Iran's paramilitary Revolutionary Guard are now in charge of the group, Qassir added.

In an interview with The Associated Press in July, Kassem said he didn't believe that Israel had the capacity or had yet made the decision to launch a full-blown war with Hezbollah. But he warned that even if Israel intended to undertake a limited operation in Lebanon that stopped short of a full-scale war, it should not expect the fighting to remain limited.

A day after Hamas-led militants stormed into Israel on Oct. 7, 2023, killing some 1,200 people, mostly civilians, and abducting around 250 as hostages, Hezbollah began attacking Israeli military posts along the border with Lebanon, saying it was opening a backup front for its Hamas allies.

The attack triggered the yearlong Israel-Hamas war and Israel's retaliatory offensive in Gaza has killed over 43,000 Palestinians, according to local health authorities.

No one knows the consequences of igniting the war in Lebanon, regionally and even internationally, Kassem said at the time, speaking from the group's political headquarters in Beirut's southern suburbs.

He said he was proud of Hezbollah's achievements in its support front for Hamas, saying it "required sacrifices on our part."

Less than three months later, Israel expanded the war in Lebanon, leaving hundreds dead and more than 1.2 million people displaced. The invasion has caused wide destruction in southern and eastern Lebanon, as well as Beirut's southern suburbs that are home to Hezbollah's headquarters. Israeli troops engage in daily fierce clashes with Hezbollah in the border region as they try to push deeper into south Lebanon.

Hezbollah is still firing dozens of rockets and missiles into northern Israel and in recent days claimed an attack on an Israeli military base south of Tel Aviv. It also claimed responsibility for a drone attack that hit the home of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu earlier this month. No one was hurt in that attack.

Born in 1953 in the town of Kfar Fila in southern Lebanon, Kassem studied chemistry at the Lebanese University before working for several years as a chemistry teacher. He simultaneously pursued religious studies and participated in founding the Lebanese Union for Muslim Students, an organization meant to promote religion.

In the 1970s, he joined the Movement of the Dispossessed, a political organization that pushed for greater representation for Lebanon's historically overlooked and impoverished Shiite community.

The group morphed into the Amal movement, one of the main armed groups in Lebanon's civil war and now a powerful political party led by Parliament Speaker Nabih Berri. Kassem then joined the nascent Hezbollah, formed with support from Iran after Israel invaded Lebanon in 1982 and occupied the country's southern region.

From 1991, Kassem served as the group's deputy, initially under Nasrallah's predecessor, Abbas Mousawi, who was killed by an Israeli helicopter attack in 1992.

Kassem's pick to the helm of Hezbollah came a week after it confirmed that Hashem Safieddine a top figure who had been widely expected to succeed Nasrallah was killed in an Israeli airstrike on southern Beirut earlier this month.

Safieddine was Nasrallah's cousin and had close links to Iran where he spent years of his life. Safieddine's son, Rida, is married to Zeinab Soleimani, the daughter of Gen. Qassem Soleimani, head of Iran's elite Quds Force, who was killed in a US airstrike in Iraq in 2020.

"We ask God to help him in the great mission in leading Hezbollah and the Islamic Resistance, Hezbollah said in its statement about Kassem.

In another blow to Hezbollah, thousands of communication devices used by its members both fighters and workers with the group's civilian institutions exploded near-simultaneously in mid-September, killing 39 people and wounding nearly 3,000. Israel was blamed for the attack that left scores of others with permanent disabilities.

Kasse's pick is "proof that Hezbollah is not scared regarding the developments, Qassir also said.

is-kamala-harris-losing-the-last-lap-against-donald-trump-heres-what-poll-surveys-say

Wed Oct 30 15:32:38 IST 2024

Kamala Harris who has been leading over Donald Trump in poll of registered voters since July seems to be losing her ground in the final lap of the race.

Seven battleground states, including Pennsylvania, Nevada, Arizona, North Carolina, Georgia, Michigan and Wisconsin will decide the fate of the candidates in the neck-to-neck poll.

ALSO READ: Harris vs Trump: US president might not be announced on Nov 5, here is why

Among these Pennsylvania is the most important swing state in 2024. Though Harris is performing better than Biden in Pennsylvania, Trump is slightly ahead of the Democrat in the state.

New York Times poll of polls also gives Harris a slight edge of 49 per cent against Trump's 48 per cent, with the Republican leading by 2 per cent in Pennsylvania.

A survey by FiveThirtyEight also showed that Harris has a narrow lead in the national polls.

According to a Reuters/Ipsos poll released on Tuesday, the Vice President is ahead by a single percentage point over the former US President. With 44 per cent against 43 per cent, the poll held over three days has a margin of error of about three percentage points.

The survey covered a sample of 1,150 adults in the US, of whom 975 are registered voters. Respondents who appeared most likely to vote gave Harris a one-point lead over Trump, 47 per cent against 46 per cent.

Among Democrats, 89 per cent said they would certainly vote and 93 per cent of Republicans also showed similar enthusiasm. Compared to this, in an October 2020 Reuters/Ipsos poll, 74 per cent Democrats and 79 per cent Republicans said they would vote certainly. In 2020, a two-third of US voters cast their ballot and that was the highest polling in more than 100 years.

In an earlier poll held from October 16 to 21, Harris had a two-point lead over Trump.

gurpatwant-singh-pannun-releases-statement-after-canadian-minister-testifies-on-reports-washington-post-linking-amit-shah

Wed Oct 30 14:16:25 IST 2024

Canadian Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs David Morrison has testified that he was the one who "confirmed" to the Washington Post the name of Home Minister Amit Shah for a report that suggested the BJP leader was involved in the intelligence-gathering operations against Canadians.

"The journalist called me and asked if it was that person. I confirmed it was that person," Morrison told the committee during the hearing about allegations that the government shared classified information with the Washington Post. He did not provide further details or evidence.

The report, quoting unnamed sources, had alleged that Shah was one of the senior officials who authorised intelligence-gathering missions and attacks on Sikh separatists in Canada. The Home Ministry did not immediately respond but has dismissed Canada's prior accusations as baseless.

However, before the committee hearing, Canada had never named or mentioned Shah, sticking to the stance that the "plot could be traced back to the "highest levels of the Indian government."

Meanwhile, Sikhs for Justice, the U.S.-based secessionist group advocating for the creation of Khalistan, has jumped in with a statement against Shah. The group's legal counsel Gurpatwant Singh Pannun has released a statement calling for Amit Shah to be prosecuted.

"Amit Shah has weaponized India's security agencies to hunt down and eliminate pro-Khalistan activists, even beyond India's orders," Pannun said, adding that the killing of Sikh extremist leader Hardeep Singh Nijjar on Canadian soil was not just an isolated crime but part of a well-thought-out policy executed under Shah's directives.

Pannun, who occasionally makes unsubstantiated statements, had earlier claimed that India's consulates in the U.S. and Canada were running a "spy network". He had also claimed that he was in close contact with Canadian officials to give proof against India but neither him nor the Canadian officials have ever revealed what the evidence was.

Also read: Top Canadian official admits she leaked 'intel on India' to US newspaper to ensure 'their side of story was heard'

Earlier in the day,Nathalie Drouin, the prime minister’s national security adviser, confessed to the committee that leaked 'intel on India' to a US newspaper to ensure 'their side of the story was heard'

top-canadian-official-admits-she-leaked-intel-on-india-to-washington-post-to-ensure-their-side-of-the-story-was-heard

Wed Oct 30 08:39:55 IST 2024

Canada prime minister’s national security adviser (NSA) Nathalie Drouin has admitted to leaking sensitive information on India's alleged interference in the murder of Sikh extremist leader Hardeep Singh Nijjar to the US newspaper Washington Post, stating it was done because "they felt it was necessary."

Drouin and Canada Deputy Foreign Minister David Morisson made the statement while appearing before the Foreign Interference Commission on Tuesday, according to Canadian newspaper National Post. Her statement invited widespread flak from Opposition Conservative Party MPs who alleged the duo revealed sensitive information which was otherwise not released to the Canadian public.

"We made a strategic decision to engage a respected international news outlet that had already published on the subject to ensure the record was straight and that our side of the story would be widely heard," Drouin told the panel. The official added that the move was part of shoring up Canada’s international case to our allies.

She also denied allegations that she released classified info to the Washington Post, stating that it only "contained the same information that was provided to opposition party leaders here."

Drouin's role in the alleged info leak came to light after The Globe and Mail published a report last week alleging that she, along with Morrison, shared sensitive information with the Post. The report that appeared a week ago said the duo asked the Post to "hold off on publishing the piece until after the police had spoken." The Post report had claimed that Union Home Minister Amit Shah ordered intelligence operations on Canadians.

However, Drouin's admission about the leak was met with criticism from the opposition camp. Conservative MP Raquel Dancho said she was disturbed that information Prime Minister Justin Trudeau didn’t reveal to Canadians was leaked to a U.S. newspaper. "I just find that kind of unfair to the Canadian public that details were released in advance to the Washington Post and confirmed to the Washington Post, but not provided to to Canada," she said at the hearing. "Don’t you find that odd?"

Drouin also told the MPs that the government tried to confront Indian officials "who cancelled several meetings abruptly" before a meeting in Singapore. Here the Royal Canadian Mounted Police laid out evidence "linking India to the violent criminal activities taking place in Canada". However, Indians rejected the evidence, she said.

However, she said stories began appearing in Indian media right away and the Canadian government felt it needed to go public.

shocking-idf-video-shows-hezbollah-tunnel-equipped-for-all-out-war-against-israel

Tue Oct 29 13:23:45 IST 2024

Israel's Chief of the General Staff LTG Herzi Halevi was seen inside a Hezbollah tunnel in southern Lebanon, showing well-equipped facilities that show the Iran-backed Shia group was preparing for an all-out war against Israel.

ALSO READ: Video shows what's inside Yahya Sinwar's bunker: Wads of cash, UN-labelled food rations and cache of weapons seized

Halevi says in the video that they have been saying for years that Hezbollah is preparing the area of the border for war.

"To the countries that doubted it, to the UN, to the UNIFIL force that was [stationed] up here… We caught this in time, before it was too late," the IDF chief says, adding that this infrastructure must not appear again in the future.

ALSO READ: VIDEO | Watch Yahya Sinwar, wife and children escaping through Khan Younis tunnel a day before Oct 7 attack

In the video, he says that well-developed tunnel system is not located far from the Israeli border. The tunnels have bathrooms, showers, kitchens and several weapon storage facilities. Halevi says one of the rooms in the tunnel system can accommodate an entire military company.

ALSO READ: Who funds Hezbollah? Israel claims it's a game of Monopoly, money comes from 2 sources: 'Iran and...'

"It's possible to stay here, live here, equip yourself here and head east for an invasion into Israel," Halevi says, pointing out that this evidence is key to understanding why the Israeli military is operating above and below ground.

He said the challenge will be to ensure that these structure do not return here.

During his visit, Halevi said he examined the the point of entry and how the intensity of the fighting was revealed by the amount of AK-47 bullets on the floor and how the IEDs stored in the tunnel were used against Israel.

He congratulated his officers for dismantling the infrastructure properly and eliminating Hezbollah fighters stationed there, adding that the new mission is to destroy it completely so that Hezbollah cannot operate from there again.

"Our task over the years to come will be to make sure that no new infrastructure is built

knife-edge-finish-looms-as-us-presidential-election-enters-final-week

Tue Oct 29 19:12:34 IST 2024

With just a week remaining for the United States election, Vice President and Democrat candidate Kamala Harris is set to deliver her campaign's closing argument on Tuesday from Ellipse near the White House.

Harris will deliver her arguments from the same place where the former president fomented the Capitol insurrection in 2021.

As the race for the White House entered its final week, both Harris and Trump have been looking for big moments to try to shift the momentum one way or the other. Both contenders are incredibly close as the race is coming to an end.

ALSO READ | Harris vs Trump: US president might not be announced on Nov 5, here is why

Reportedly, Harris has a small lead over Trump in the national polling averages since she entered the race at the end of July.

The most recent numbers suggest that Harris has 48 per cent of the vote, while Trump has 47 per cent.

With early ballot voting already started in some states, over 47 million people have already voted.

ALSO READ | Michelle Obama powers Harris’s campaign in Michigan, says Trump presidency would put women's lives at risk

Meanwhile, in a separate incident, ballot boxes in Portland, Oregon, Vancouver and Washington, are investigating after ballot boxes in both states went up in flames on Monday.

In Vancouver, officials described finding a suspicious device next to a ballot box moments after it caught fire.

FBI said it is coordinating with federal, state and local partners to actively investigate the two incidents.

"If he were elected, on day one he's going to sit in the Oval Office working on his enemies list. On day one, if I am elected, which I fully expect to be, I will be working on behalf of the American people on my to-do list," said Harris on Monday.

In Pennsylvania, the swingest of all swing states, Governor Josh Shapiro, a Democrat, said it was important for battleground voters to be reminded of the consequences of their choice this fall and for Harris to really drive home the stakes of this election.

He also said that Harris had the stronger argument on economic policies, reproductive freedom and the matter of chaos vs order.

Meanwhile, Trump seems to be all set to use planned remarks and intensify personal attacks at his Mar-a-Lago club in Florida on Tuesday morning to attempt to rebut Harris's speech.

high-drama-before-israels-cabinet-meet-ministers-get-surprise-text-telling-them-to-arrive-at-secure-location

Tue Oct 29 20:29:59 IST 2024

Drama ensued on Monday morning after Israeli cabinet ministers received a surprise message informing them that the location for the meeting had been shifted from the Prime Minister's Office. Though the officials intended to keep the details of the new location a secret, it was revealed in official notices by the Cabinet Secretariat, which later called it "a mishap."

This comes amid reports that Iran's Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei is reportedly considering options to strike back at Israel, in retaliation to Saturday's air raids.

The message informed the Cabinet members that the meeting "will take place in the Genari building in the Government Campus" and not in the Prime Minister's Office in Tel Aviv's Kiryat. The meeting would take place "in a secure, underground complex" and all advisors of ministers were told not to come, reported local media Ynet.

"There is no parking there. Please do not come armed; you will not be allowed to enter the building. There is no waiting area in the Yeshiva Complex and, therefore, only invitees, who have been approved to participate in the cabinet, will be allowed to enter the building," the message read.

Though no reason was mentioned for the sudden decision to shift the venue, reports claim that the drone attack on Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's house, which damaged his windows, has stoked concerns. There were also warnings about attempts to harm ministers and government symbols.

This comes amid reports that Tehran is assessing a variety of scenarios to target Israel, both inside the country and abroad. The options under consideration include the use of ballistic missiles and UAVs, attacks on embassies, activating couriers in Yemen, Syria, Iraq and Lebanon and targeted assassination of Israeli officials, according to Israeli local media Walla.

Iran's Foreign Ministry spokesperson Esmaeil Baghaei has said that Tehran will use all available tools to respond to Israel's attack. Iran has also submitted a formal complaint to the Secretary-General of the United Nations and the UN Security Council against Israel for using its airspace while attacking Iran.

Iraqi government spokesman Bassem Al-Awadi wrote in a statement published by state media that Iran has approached the UN against "flagrant violation committed by the Zionist entity by its aggressor aircraft violating Iraq's airspace and sovereignty, and using Iraqi airspace to attack the Islamic Republic of Iran, on October 26."

trending-leaked-video-israeli-air-force-f-16-almost-collides-with-another-fighter-jet-while-taking-off-to-attack-hezbollah

Mon Oct 28 18:49:50 IST 2024

An Israeli Air Force fighter jet preparing to take off for an attack on Lebanon almost crashed into another plane on a runway at an airbase on Saturday night, a leaked video footage showed.

WATCH | IDF soldiers ignore Jewish settlers stealing olives, farming equipment from Palestinian family in West Bank's Hebron

It was an F-16 fighter jet of the Israeli Air Force that avoided certain tragedy by a whisker ahead of taking off from the Ramat David Airbase in northern Israel. While on the runway to join an air raid targeting Hezbollah, the F-16 came close to another fighter aircraft of the Air Force which was crossing its path.

Sensing danger, pilots of both planes manoeuvred out of the way moments before coming into contact with each other, the leaked video showed.

It remains unclear how the video reached Israeli media from the Ramat David Airbase. Tel Aviv is treating the development as a safety incident and has started a probe, Times Of Israel said in a report. The Israeli media added that when contacted for a comment, the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) confirmed the video's authenticity. They blamed a faulty takeoff approval from the control tower for the incident. The team failed to spot the presence of another plane on the runway while giving take-off clearance for the F-16.

"The crews responded quickly and professionally and a serious safety incident was avoided," the IDF says, adding that the incident will be investigated further. There were no damage or injuries, Emanuel Fabian of the TOI wrote while sharing the viral video on X.

ALSO READ | Did Israel's air raids decimate the backbone of Iran's ballistic missile industry?

“The issuance of wrong take-off approval by the air traffic control tower, while another plane was on the runway,” the Times Of Israel report said.

The F-16 or General Dynamics F-16 Fighting Falcon is a US-made single-engine supersonic multirole fighter aircraft. Several US allies acorss the world including Israel, Ukraine, Venezuela and Turkey have these modern fighter aircraft at their dispense.

israel-s-cyber-attack-froze-iranian-radars-ahead-of-airstrike-glitch-helped-air-force-to-breach-tehran-s-airspace-claims

Mon Oct 28 19:45:13 IST 2024

How did the Israeli Air Force enter Iranian airspace on Saturday without raising alarms? Why did Tehran fail to activate its anti-aircraft defence systems before the Israeli payloads were dropped? Is it so easy for enemies to fly unnoticed to the Islamic Republic and hit multiple targets?

ALSO READ | Did Israel's air raids decimate the backbone of Iran's ballistic missile industry?

Questions are galore after Israel carried out a "retaliatory strike" on Iran, reportedly crippling its rocket-manufacturing ability apart from claiming the lives of four personnel. Another theory, vehemently denied by Tel Aviv, claimed that Iran was warned well in advance ahead of the Israeli jets' takeoff to conduct the so-called strike.

Radars jammed ahead of attack

As the debates wage on, prominent Jewish media have reported quoting the the country's public broadcaster KAN that the country's Air Force managed to evade Iranian radars ahead of the strike due to a "breach" in the defense systems. When Iran needed its radars the most on Saturday, their screens froze, limiting its capacity to intercept incoming threats, the reports said.

While the Iranian military was busy working on restoring the systems, the first wave of the Israeli strike occurred -- targeting these radars and similar strategically important defence systems. In other words, the glitch helped Israel to send the first wave of aircraft unnoticed into enemey territory, which was tasked with taking out the warning facilities before the glitch was fixed.

ALSO READ | Were Israel's airstrikes thwarted by Iran's air-defence system?

Once this objective was accomplished, it became risk-free for the remaining waves of Israeli pilots to shower hell on military bases in the subsequent attacks.

Did Israel jam Iranian radars?

However, none of the media reports claimed that the radar glitch was caused by a cyber attack by the Israel Defense Force (IDF) or any other security wing of the country. During the initial days of the war against Hezbollah, a coordinated blast of numerous pagers across Beirut had mortally injured several operatives of the organisation. Mosad was named the brain behind the attack that shocked the world.

Israel's cross-border attack came after Iran on October 1 launched around 200 ballistic missiles at Israel. Saturday's attack by the IDF is said to be a response to this largely ineffective aggression from Tehran -- its first recorded direct move against the rival nation.

why-did-x-suspend-ayatollah-khameneis-hebrew-account-a-day-after-message-to-israel

Mon Oct 28 13:01:21 IST 2024

Within hours after Iran Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei opened his Hebrew account on X, Elon Musk-owned social media platform has suspended the handle.

Currently the Hebrew handle, @Khamenei_Heb, shows it has been suspended for violating X's rules. The Iran Supreme Leader has two other accounts, one in English and another in Arabic.

ALSO READ: Who will succeed Ayatollah Ali Khamenei? Iran Supreme Leader is 'seriously ill': Report

Khamenei, 85, put up two posts in the Hebrew account. The first one read, "In the name of Allah, the most merciful." This was reported on his official English account, Khamenei.ir.

In another post, the Supreme Leader wrote that the Zionist regime made a mistake and erred in its calculations on Iran. "We will cause it to understand what kind of strength, ability, initiative, and will the Iranian nation has," he added.

ALSO READ: Will Iran retaliate against Israel? US warns Tehran: 'This should be the end'

Earlier, Khamenei was quoted as saying by the IRNA agency, saying, "The evil committed by the Zionist regime (Israel) two nights ago should neither be downplayed nor exaggerated."

Iranian officials should determine how best to demonstrate Iran's power to Israel, said Khamenei.

This come amid a New York Times report claiming that Khamenei was "seriously ill" and that his son Mojtaba, 55, is likely to succeed him as the next Supreme Leader. A final call regarding the successor will be taken by the Islamic Revolutionary Guards Corps (IRGC).

parliamentary-election-japans-ruling-party-is-certain-to-lose-majority-in-lower-house

Sun Oct 27 22:51:03 IST 2024

Japanese Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba's ruling coalition is certain to lose a majority in the key parliamentary election on Sunday.

According to Japan's NHK public television, Ishiba's Liberal Democratic Party and its ruling coalition with Komeito were certain to lose a majority of 233 seats in the lower house. The lower house (with 465 seats) is the more powerful compared to Japan's two-chamber parliament.

Reportedly, the extensive financial scandals affected the results.

By losing a majority, it would be difficult for Ishiba to get his party's policies through parliament.

After former Japanese PM Fumio Kishida stepped down, Ishiba took office on October 1. Though he hoped to garner support, he failed to address public outrage over the LDP’s actions.

“The results so far have been extremely severe, and we take them very seriously...I believe the voters are telling us to reflect more and become a party that lives up to their expectations," Ishiba told NHK.

There is also a possibility of a third coalition partner if Ishiba’s party completely loses the majority.

The LDP will still lead a ruling coalition and tackle key policies even if we lose the majority, added Ishiba.

He also indicated that the LDP is open to cooperating with opposition groups if that suits the public's expectations.

A total of 1,344 candidates, including a record 314 women, are running for office.

Earlier, the NHK exit polls indicated that the LDP was expected to win between 153 and 219 seats, down sharply from the comfortable majority of 247 it held previously. At the same time, Komeito was expected to win 21 to 35 seats.

As of early Monday, LDP won 173 seats and Komeito 22 for a total of 195 seats for the ruling coalition, while the main opposition Constitutional Democratic Party of Japan secured 137 seats, NHK said.

In Tokyo, Ishiba, during his final speeches, apologised over his party’s mishandling of funds and said only the LDP's ruling coalition could responsibly run Japan with its experience and dependable policies.

The Constitutional Democratic Party of Japan led by centrist leader Yoshihiko Noda, was expected to make significant gains, with exit polls suggesting a huge increase to as many as 191 seats from 98.

Potential new partners for the LDP include the Democratic Party of the People, a breakaway group from the CPDJ, which calls for lower taxes, and the conservative Japan Innovation Party.

zelenskyy-thinks-this-world-leader-can-influence-russia-to-end-the-ukraine-war

Mon Oct 28 13:22:27 IST 2024

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has said that he counts on Prime Minister Narendra Modi to influence the peace process to end the war in Ukraine. He added that blocking cheap energy resources and defence industrial complexes would decrease India's dependence on Moscow, thereby affecting its ability to wage wars against Ukraine.

"PM Narendra Modi can influence the end of the Ukraine war. This is the huge value of him in any conflict. This is the huge value of India," Zelenskyy told The Times of India in an exclusive interview.

He also stressed that the assertions of PM Modi that he is interested in peace should not end with words. "Modi is the PM of a really huge country from the perspective of population, economy, influence and impact. Such a country cannot just say we are interested in the end of the war. Even the enemy of peace, Putin, will say that he wants peace. This is a common thing. Especially for such a huge country like India, PM Modi can influence the end of the war," the Ukrainian President added.

He also suggested that India should reevaluate its Russia policy and impose sanctions on Russia. Asserting that the sanctions against Russia were working, Zelenskyy said that great economies like India, China, Turkiye and others actually helped Russia earn money by not imposing sanctions. "They helped Russia earn money, sometimes even with the understanding that the energy resource they are buying is helping fuel the war – if they re-evaluated their values, then the sanctions would be functioning fully," he said.

He added that Modi can do a lot to bring back children who were allegedly forcibly deported to Russia.

Zelenskyy's statement on Modi's influence in initiating the peace process comes just two months after the Prime Minister visited Kyiv and invited Zelenskyy to India. The Ukrainian President had then expressed interest in connection with India, and knowing more about its people.

However, the Ukrainian President was critical of countries which claim to be "neutral" in their stance, stating that one cannot be neutral because it would mean you are on the side of Russia. "And between the aggressor and the victim, there cannot be neutrality. I consider this a hidden support for Russia, and saying they would like to help to solve the conflict, in my opinion, they look more pro-Russia," he said.

georgias-pro-western-opposition-disputes-crucial-election-result-that-could-decide-its-eu-path

Sun Oct 27 19:50:18 IST 2024

Georgia's pro-Western opposition disputed the results of the parliamentary election after officials declared Sunday the ruling party led the crucial vote that could decide whether the country remains on the path to joining the European Union or comes under Russian sway.

The Central Election Commission said Georgian Dream won 54.8 per cent of Saturday's vote with almost 100 per cent of ballots counted. Following a divisive pre-election campaign, initial figures suggested turnout is the highest since the ruling party was first elected in 2012.

Georgian electoral observers, who stationed thousands across the country to monitor the vote, reported multiple violations and said the results do not correspond to the will of the Georgian people.

Georgian Dream has become increasingly authoritarian, adopting laws similar to those used by Russia to crack down on freedom of speech. Brussels suspended Georgia's EU membership process indefinitely because of a Russian law, passed in June.

Bidzina Ivanishvili, the billionaire founder of Georgian Dream who made his fortune in Russia, claimed victory almost immediately after polls closed and said, It is rare in the world for the same party to achieve such success in such a difficult situation. He had vowed ahead of the election to ban opposition parties should his party win.

Tina Bokuchava, the chair of the United National Movement opposition party accused the election commission of carrying out Ivanishvili's dirty order and said he stole the victory from the Georgian people and thereby stole the European future.

She indicated the opposition would not recognise the results and will fight like never before to reclaim our European future.

The UNM party said its headquarters were attacked on Saturday while Georgian media reported two people were hospitalised after being attacked outside polling stations.

The pre-election campaign in the South Caucasus nation of 3.7 million people, which borders Russia, was dominated by foreign policy and marked by a bitter fight for votes and allegations of a smear campaign.

Some Georgians complained of intimidation and being pressured to vote for the governing party.

Georgian Dream scored its highest share of the vote polling almost 90 per cent in the Javakheti region of southern Georgia, 135 kilometres west of the capital Tbilisi where it failed to get more than 44 per cent of the vote in any district.

Before the election, The Associated Press travelled to the region where many people are ethnic Armenians who speak Armenian, Russian and limited Georgian. Some voters suggested they were instructed how to vote by local officials while several questioned why Georgia needed a relationship with Europe and suggested it would be better off allied with Moscow.

Around 80 per cent of Georgians favour joining the EU, according to polls, and the country's constitution obliges its leaders to pursue membership in that bloc and NATO. Many fear that Georgian Dream is dragging the country toward authoritarianism and killing off hopes of becoming an EU member.

lebanon-war-hezbollah-commander-ahmed-jafar-maatouk-possible-successor-taken-out-in-israeli-air-strike-says-idf

Sun Oct 27 19:11:07 IST 2024

The Israel Air Force eliminated Ahmed Jafar Maatouk a.k.a Habib Maatouk, a commander of Hezbollah's elite fighting unit, on Friday, Tel Aviv said on Sunday. Habib Maatouk was the commander of the Iran-backed organisation in the Bint Jbeil area of southern Lebanon, the Israel Defense Force (IDF) said. Several other Hezbollah operatives, including those next to Maatouk in seniority, lost their lives in the strike, Israel claimed.

ALSO READ | Top Hezbollah commanders killed in Israeli strikes so far

While Hezbollah confirmed the death of Habib Maatouk, it didn't speak about his ranks and responsibilities in the organisation. However, IDF claims that his death is a major blow to the outfit, which now stands headless in the region.

Ahmed Jafar Maatouk was a senior commander in Hezbollah’s elite Radwan force in southern Lebanon, The Times Of Israel said in a report. Maatouk took over as the Radwan unit's commander after Israel had killed his predecessor Ali Ahmed Hussein in April. He was attached to the Hajjar regional unit of the Radwan force that was behind the attacks on northern Israel’s Ramim Ridge region. Hezbollah had fired rockets and drones towards Ramin Ridge amidst the war in Gaza, the TOI report said.

The IDF revealed that Maatouk and his comrades were killed in an airstrike on the southern Lebanon town of Jmaijmeh on Thursday night. The Hezbollah members were at a three-storey building at the time of the aerial strike.

ALSO READ | Who was Ibrahim Aqil, the Hezbollah leader killed in Israeli airstrike in Beirut?

On Thursday, Israel had also confirmed the elimination of Hamas commander Muhammed Jabara in Gaza. Meanwhile, Israeli defence minister Yoav Gallant on Sunday claimed that Hamas and Hezbollah are no longer an effective tool that can be used by Iran to hurt Israel

michelle-obama-powers-harriss-campaign-in-michigan-says-trump-presidency-would-put-womens-lives-at-risk

Sun Oct 27 18:58:07 IST 2024

Former first lady Michelle Obama rallied support for Kamala Harris’s presidential campaign in Michigan, delivering a powerful rebuke of Donald Trump and energising supporters with her call for integrity, compassion and visionary leadership.

Michelle Obama challenged men to support her as women's lives would be at risk if Donald Trump returned to power.

The rally in Kalamazoo was Obama's first appearance on Harris's campaign trail since she spoke at the Democratic National Convention. Michelle Obama’s top quotes from the speech:

1. "I hope you'll forgive me if I’m a little frustrated that some of us are choosing to ignore Donald Trump’s gross incompetence while asking Kamala to dazzle us at every turn.”

2. She urged voters to choose Kamala Harris not because she is a woman but “because Harris is a grown-up- and Lord knows we need a grown-up in the White House".

3. Stressing her support for abortion rights, Michelle Obama talked at length about the struggle for women to understand and care for their own bodies. She spoke about the dangers of childbirth as well and urged the men to understand the issues that women face. “So are you as men prepared to look into the eyes of the women and children you love and tell them you supported this assault on our safety?”

4. “If we don’t get this election right, your wife, your daughter, your mother, we as women will become collateral damage to your rage.”

5. “Do not buy into the lies that we do not know who Kamala is or what she stands for. This is somebody who understands you, all of you.”

Obama also threw light on the gaping gender divide between the candidates, with women powering Harris and men turning to Trump. Michigan is among the most critical states for Democrats.

With just 10 days remaining for the US presidential election, both Harris and Trump intensified their campaigns, focusing on the swing states.

Meanwhile, in Michigan--where Muslim and Arab American voters were not too keen to support Harris, Trump focused on attacking the Biden administration amid Israel's war in Gaza and Lebanon.

“When President Trump was president, there were no wars,” said Bill Bazzi, the current and first Muslim mayor of Dearborn Heights. Bazzi joined Trump’s campaign in Novi on Saturday.

khamenei-hints-irans-conscious-approach-says-israels-attack-should-neither-be-exaggerated-nor-downplayed

Sun Oct 27 17:05:27 IST 2024

A day after Israeli airstrikes, Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei on Sunday said that Tel Aviv’s attack should not be exaggerated nor downplayed. He added that Iranian officials should determine how best to demonstrate its power to Israel.

Amid tensions in the Middle East, world leaders including Qatar, and France have expressed concerns about further escalation with Iran’s possible retaliation.

The miscalculations of the Israeli regime must be disrupted, Khamenei added. It is essential to make them understand the strength, will, and initiative of the Iranian nation and its youth, he added.

ALSO READ | Who will succeed Ayatollah Ali Khamenei? Iran Supreme Leader is 'seriously ill': Report

Also, Khamenei has opened a new Hebrew-language account on X after the Israel airstrikes. "In the name of Allah the merciful and compassionate," read his first post.

The account has already crossed 10,000 followers.

Khamenei reposted the Hebrew post on his official English account, Khamenei. ir, which is verified and has over one million followers.

Reportedly, 85-year-old Khamenei is "seriously ill". Though there is no official confirmation regarding the health condition of the Iranian leader, concerns about his health raised confusion about who will succeed him.

ALSO READ | Ayatollah Khamenei has asked Iranian military to prepare for war against Israel but only under this condition

Iran's Supreme Leader's second son Mojtaba Khamenei (55) is likely to succeed him, according to reports.

Former President Ebrahim Raisi, the potential successor of Khamenei, died in a chopper crash in May.

Meanwhile, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Sunday said that Israel's strikes severely harmed Iran and that the barrage achieved all its goals.

Israeli Defence Minister Yoav Gallant said that Iran is no longer able to

effectively use its proxies Hamas in the Gaza Strip and Hezbollah in Lebanon against Israel.

"Over the past year, the security establishment led by the Israel Defense Forces turned the tide of the war and had unprecedented achievements in all arenas of fighting," he said.

Gallant also said that Hamas was no longer functioning as a military network in Gaza. Hezbollah’s senior command and most of its missile capabilities had been wiped out, he added.

israel-confirms-eliminating-three-top-hezbollah-commanders-in-southern-lebanon

Sun Oct 27 19:38:48 IST 2024

Israel Defence Forces on Sunday said it eliminated three Hezbollah commanders in southern Lebanon.

"The Commander of Hezbollah’s Bint Jbeil Area, Ahmed Jafar Maatouk, was eliminated in an IAF strike. A day later, the IAF also eliminated his successor and Hezbollah's head of artillery in the Bint Jbeil area," said IDF.

According to Israel, these three Hezbollah commanders directed and carried out numerous terrorist attacks from the Bint Jbeil area including launching anti-tank missiles toward Israeli civilians and IDF troops operating in southern Lebanon.

After airstrikes on Iran, Israel on Sunday targeted Hezbollah in Lebanon.

So far, around 70 Hezbollah fighters have been killed by the Israeli military. Precision strikes were carried out on 120 targets in southern Lebanon destroying the group’s weapons factories and storage facilities in Beirut.

Bombings were reported in the southern cities of Tyre and Nabatiyeh.

Amid intensifying attacks, Hezbollah warned residents of more than two dozen towns in northern Israel to evacuate, as they had become legitimate targets. Similar warnings were issued to communities in the Israeli-occupied Golan Heights.

Meanwhile, at least 36 Israeli soldiers were killed since the ground operations began in Lebanon on September 30.

On Saturday, Hezbollah said that it had launched a drone attack against Israel's Tel Nof airbase. The group claimed it also targeted an intelligence base in the northern Israeli city of Safed with rocket salvo.

Israel strikes on Gaza kills 22

Israeli strikes on northern Gaza killed at least 22 people on Sunday. Also, in a separate incident, a truck rammed into a bus stop near the Israeli city of Tel Aviv, wounding 35 people. The attack occurred near the headquarters of Israel's Mossad spy agency.

who-will-succeed-aytollah-ali-khamenei-iran-supreme-leader-is-seriously-ill-report

Sun Oct 27 19:39:20 IST 2024

A day after Israeli attacks on Iran missile facilities, a report has suggested that Iran Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei is seriously ill. According to New York Times, the health condition of Khamenei has raised confusion about who will succeed the 85-year-old leader.

However, there is no official confirmation regarding the health condition of the Iranian leader. Iran's official IRNA news agency on Sunday released a statement quoting Khamenei's statement. According to the agency, Khamenei said Iranian officials should determine how best to demonstrate Iran's power to Israel. Israel's attack "should neither be downplayed nor exaggerated," IRNA quoted him as saying.

ALSO READ: Ayatollah Khamenei has asked Iranian military to prepare for war against Israel but only under this condition

Who will succeed Ayatollah Ali Khamenei?

Former President Ebrahim Raisi, who died in May, was the potential successor to Khamenei. The report suggests that with Raisi's demise, now Khamenei's second son Mojtaba, 55, is likely to succeed the Supreme Leader.

The Islamic Revolutionary Guards Corps is believed to take a final call on the successor.

ALSO READ: Will Iran retaliate against Israel? US warns Tehran: 'This should be the end'

In September 2022, Khamenei fell ill following which he cancelled public appearances and meetings. He was on bed rest and kept under observation by a team of doctors after undergoing a surgery for bowel obstruction.

Khamenei has been in power since August 6, 1989 following the death of the previous Supreme Leader, Ruhollah Khamenei. With 35 years of reign, he is the longest serving head of state in the Middle East. He was the Iranian President when he took over as the Supreme Leader. His reign saw the rule of six presidents, including Akbar Hashemi Rafsanjani, Mohammad Khatami, Mahmoud Ahmadinejad, Hassan Rouhani, Ebrahim Raisi and Masoud Pezeshkian.

Iran on Sunday said four of its soldiers died on Saturday in the attacks by Israel. The country's military said the IAF warplanes fired "very light warheads" to target border radar systems in Tehran, Ilam and Khuzestan.

ayatollah-khamenei-has-asked-iranian-military-to-prepare-for-war-against-israel-but-only-under-this-condition

Sun Oct 27 19:39:59 IST 2024

Iran's Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei has reportedly asked the Iranian military to "prepare for war" and devise plans to respond to Israel's attack. But, the Iranian action will depend on the severity of Israel’s attacks.

Iran will retaliate if Israel strikes its oil and energy infrastructure or nuclear facilities or if it assassinates senior officials. But, it would not if Israel limits its attacks to a few military bases or warehouses storing missiles and drones, according to The New York Times.

ALSO READ: Who will succeed Ayatollah Ali Khamenei? Iran Supreme Leader is 'seriously ill': Report

Iran has ordered the armed forces to be prepared for war but also to try to avoid it, especially after seeing the decimation of its allies in Lebanon and Gaza, the report quoted four unnamed Iranian officials.

If Israel's attack is severe, the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) may consider firing a barrage of over 1,000 ballistic missiles and disrupt the flow of global energy supplies and shipping moving through the Persian Gulf and the Strait of Hormuz. Iran's proxies in the region, including Hezbollah and Houthis, may also escalate attacks on Israel.

While Tehran is wary about a widespread conflict, it doesn't want to appear weak or vulnerable to the world, especially in the wake of Israel’s assassinations of multiple leaders of Hamas and Hezbollah, the NYT report added.

ALSO READ: Israel will retaliate to Iran's missile attacks. It could be via fighter jets or clandestine operations

Earlier, there were reports Israel could target oil facilities. It could also carry out targeted assassinations and take out Iran's air defence systems. A clandestine operation like the one that killed Hamas leader Ismail Haniyeh in Tehran two months ago was also considered. However, the US had opposed any attack on Iranian oil or nuclear infrastructure as it could escalate fighting.

A widespread conflict in the region won't help Iran's plans to negotiate with the West to help lift sanctions. "The thinking now is that if Israel’s attack is symbolic and limited, we ought to let go and end the ping pong of attacks," Nasser Imani, a political analyst close to the government, told The NYT in a telephone interview from Tehran.

However, IRGC has openly warned Israel that even with US assistance, it won't be able to ward off Iranian missiles. "Just as the Arrow anti-missile systems did not work during Operation True Promise 2 (the October 1 missile attack), the THAAD systems will not work either. Do not rely on THAAD, they have limited capabilities," IRGC chief Hossein Salami was quoted by Russian state news agency TASS quoted Salami.

harris-vs-trump-us-president-may-not-be-announced-on-nov-5-here-is-why

Sun Oct 27 14:24:22 IST 2024

The nail-biting United States presidential election is set to take place on November 5, however, the winner of the race between Democrat Kamala Harris and Republican Donald Trump may not be known for days after the polls end.

Based on early returns as the ballot votes are counted, one candidate may appear to be leading, only for a rival to close the gap as more votes are counted.

Back in 2020, the early trend had shown Trump leading on election night, however, there was a 'blue wave' later paving the way for the Democrat Joe Biden to overtake him. Here is where the swing states matter.

ALSO READ | Kamala Harris faces growing challenges as election day approaches

Reportedly, Democrats live in more populous urban areas making the counting process longer. Also, after Trump's false claims on mail ballots, Democrats embraced mail voting more readily, making the counting even more time-consuming.

The counting of mail votes takes longer than the counting of Election Day votes.

The seven swing states have their own rules for handling and counting ballots as well.

ALSO READ | US presidential election 2024: All about the 7 swing states that could sway results

How's the voting pattern in the swing states?

Arizona

Nearly 90 per cent of voters cast their ballots early and voting by mail is very popular in the state. Though officials can begin processing the mail ballots, including verifying the signatures and so on upon receipt, the results cannot be released until one hour after polls close.

Also, any mail ballots dropped off on Election Day itself cannot be processed until the polls have closed. The late-arriving ballot votes could overturn the expected results.

Georgia

In Georgia, early in-person voting is quite popular. The mail ballots, around 5 per cent of the vote, can be processed, however, the counting would begin only on Election Day.

According to the state law, all early votes--in-person and by mail--must be counted and reported by 8 pm on election night.

Ballots from overseas and military voters will be accepted up to three days after the election if postmarked by November 5, reported Reuters.

ALSO READ | Hurricane devastation adds new twist to US presidential poll season

Michigan

Michigan introduced early in-person voting for the first time and began permitting jurisdictions with more than 5,000 people to begin processing the mail ballots eight days before Election Day.

Nevada

In 2020, Nevada had a slow vote counting. Mail voting has become quite popular in the state and it is the only battleground that accepts late-arriving mail ballots.

Any ballot votes, postmarked by November 5, arriving within four days will still be counted. The late ballots tend to favour the Democrats, so a shift toward Harris could be witnessed as votes are counted after Election Day.

North Carolina

Both mail and in-person voting in popular in the state. Full results are expected by midnight. If the election is as close as polls suggest, the outcome in North Carolina may remain unclear for a week or more.

In 2020, Trump’s win in North Carolina was declared after 10 days of the election.

Pennsylvania

In 2020, the most important battleground state did not have a clear winner for four days after Election Day. There was a huge backlog of mail ballots back then.

Unlike other states, here the officials are not permitted to process mail ballots until 7 am ET on Election Day, further delaying the result.

Wisconsin

Similar to Pennsylvania, Wisconsin also does not officials to process or count mail ballots until the morning of the election. Also, many of the state's largest cities transport mail ballots to a centralised location for processing and tabulating. It can lead to significant batches of votes getting reported all at once in the early morning after polls close, reported Reuters.

iran-says-it-has-right-to-defend-itself-after-two-soldiers-killed-in-israeli-airstrikes

Sat Oct 26 19:01:17 IST 2024

After Israel attacked Iran’s military targets, the Iranian foreign ministry said they were entitled to defend themselves.

“On the basis of its inherent right to legitimate defence, stipulated in Article 51 of the UN Charter, the Islamic Republic of Iran considers itself to be rightful and duty bound to defend against the foreign acts of aggression,” said the ministry.

It further added that Iran will “employ all of the physical and spiritual capabilities of the Iranian nation to protect its interests and security.”

ALSO READ | 'Iran Dome': Arman, Bavar 373 and Iran's other air-defence systems explained

Meanwhile, Lebanon's Hezbollah on Saturday launched a drone attack against Israel's Tel Nof airbase, south of Tel Aviv, and also targeted an intelligence base in the northern Israeli city of Safed.

Hezbollah has intensified its attack on Israel, after Tel Aviv’s bombing of southern Lebanon, Beirut’s southern suburbs and Bekaa Valley, killing many of its leaders.

ALSO READ | Will Iran retaliate against Israel? US warns Tehran: 'This should be the end'

Israel had indicated that it was braced for a potential ‘retaliatory’ response but warned Iran against it.

IDF spokesperson Rear Adm. Daniel Hagari said, if Iran makes the mistake of beginning a new round of escalation, then we will respond.

Reportedly, two Iranian soldiers were killed in the overnight strikes. At least three Iranian Revolutionary Guards Corps missile bases were targeted in the strikes.

Israeli drones also targeted the Parchin military base on the outskirts of Tehran and the S-300 air defence of Imam Khomeini International Airport, said reports. The Israeli airstrikes were carried out in retaliation to a missile attack launched by Iran on 1 October.

Amid fears of Mideast tensions escalating, France along with many countries urged Israel to refrain from further escalation. In a statement, the French foreign ministry urged Israel to “refrain from any escalation or action likely to aggravate the context of extreme tension” in the region.

Iraq, Saudi Arabia, Qatar, Egypt, the United Arab Emirates and Pakistan have all condemned the attacks, while the UK and US have warned against further escalation.

did-israels-air-raids-decimate-the-backbone-of-irans-missile-industry

Sun Oct 27 08:52:21 IST 2024

After Iran downplayed the impact of Israel's Saturday air raids, reports claim the Israel Defence Forces (IDF) jets struck dozens of targets in Iran that were producing solid fuel for long-range ballistic missiles.

Despite stating it was "entitled and obligated" to defend itself after Israel's air strikes, Tehran soft-pedalled the impact and said "enemy planes were prevented from entering the country's airspace" and the attack only "caused limited damage". The strikes were conducted from Syrian and Iraqi air space, some of them close to the Iraqi border with Iran.

However, a report that appeared in US-based Axios said the IDF jets attacked a critical component of Iran's ballistic missile programme. It said the 12 "planetary mixers" used to produce solid fuels were targetted by the IDF. This sophisticated equipment was something Iran could not produce on its own and must have purchased from China, the report added, stating that its renewed production may take at least a year.

While Iran or Israel has not confirmed this, a senior US official told Axios that the strike cripples Iran's missile production capability. Decker Eveleth, an associate research analyst at CNA, a Washington think tank, also confirmed to Reuters that Israel also hit Khojir, a sprawling missile production site near Tehran.

Though Iran still has a big stockpile of ballistic missiles, the attack would limit its ability to replenish the ballistic missile stockpiles of its proxies like Hezbollah and the Houthis.

Israeli sources stated that four S300 air defence batteries were attacked in the operation. These were placed in strategic locations that protected Tehran and nuclear and energy facilities in Iran. The IDF raids also destroyed air-defence systems set up to protect several critical oil and petrochemical refineries but avoided the facilities themselves. Iran has also confirmed that none of the country’s oil facilities were damaged.

The sources said the Israeli air force attacked a factory for the production of drones and conducted a "symbolic" strike on a facility in the city of Parchin that was used in the past for the research and development of nuclear weapons.

Though Iran has confirmed that several of its radar systems were damaged in the attack and were being repaired, it did not mention any damage to missile or drone production sites.

Biden on Israeli retaliation

US President Joe Biden said Saturday that Israel has hit just military targets. "It looks like they didn’t hit anything other than military targets," he told reporters, adding that he hoped they were "the end".

US Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin too warned Tehran against responding to Israel’s strikes. Stating that he urged Israel to de-escalate tensions in the region, Austin added: "Iran should not make the mistake of responding to Israel’s strikes, which should mark the end of this exchange."

west-bank-how-israel-intelligence-units-idf-eliminated-hamas-terrorists-tasked-with-second-october-7-attack

Sat Oct 26 23:15:54 IST 2024

The Hamas wanted to execute a large attack on Israeli civilians to mark the first anniversary of the October 7 attacks, Tel Aviv claimed on Saturday.

According to the Israeli military, the plan to shock Israel with another bloody strike on October 7 was nipped in the bud by the Israel Defense Force (IDF) through the execution of the two Hamas leaders who were entrusted with leading the operation.

ALSO READ | Terror threat: Israel urges citizens to leave tourist destinations in southern Sri Lanka

It was a West Bank-based cell of Hamas who was tasked with the daunting operation. The operatives in charge of planning and executing a second October 7 attack were identified as Zahi Oufi and Islam Oda by the IDF. While Oufi was neutralised by the Israeli Air Force on October 3 in Tulkarm of West Bank, it was a ground operation that got Oda, Jerusalem Post quoted the IDF as saying.

Hamas was forced to postpone the plan to execute the attack on October 7 as they lost Oufi. Oda, meanwhile, received the additional charge of leading the outfit in Tulkarm in his late comrade's place. However, he planned to strike Israel in the near future, IDF claimed sans giving any details.

It was a joint-op by Israel's internal security agency Shin Bet, National Counter-Terrorism Unit Yamam and the IDF that led to the elimination of Islam Oda. After Shin Bet was able to gather specific intelligence on his whereabouts, the combat units encircled him, leading to a gunfight.

Oda was killed in the encounter, following which the Israeli units found weapons and raw materials to make explosives, the Jerusalem Post said.

WATCH | IDF soldiers ignore Jewish settlers stealing olives, farming equipment from Palestinian family in West Bank's Hebron

On October 7, 2023, more than 1,200 men, women and children, including 46 Americans and citizens of more than 30 countries, were killed and 254 others were taken hostage by Hamas in a cross-border attack on Israel. The attack led to a full-fledged invasion of Gaza by the IDF which have claimed thousands of lives so far.

watch-idf-soldiers-ignore-jewish-settlers-steal-olive-farming-equipment-from-palestinian-family-in-west-bank-s-hebron

Sat Oct 26 22:30:19 IST 2024

As Israel is busy fighting Iran and its proxies as well as Hamas at multiple fronts, a video has surfaced from the West Bank that questions the integrity of the nation's defence units.

Released by pro-Palestine news handles on Saturday, the viral video showed Israel Defense Force (IDF) soldiers remaining silent spectators as a group of Jewish settlers in West Bank stealing farming equipment and harvest from a Palestinian family. According to the reports, the Israeli settlers intimidated the Arab family engaged in olive harvest before stealing their produce and farm equipment.

ALSO READ | Will Iran retaliate against Israel? US warns Tehran: 'This should be the end'

The incident reportedly occurred in the Tel Rumeida area of West Bank's Hebron city. The invaders donned koppels on their heads as they dragged away various items from the land, the video showed. The Palestinian family, including a woman, was seen coming out of their home towards the end of the video.

WATCH THE VIRAL VIDEO FROM WEST BANK HERE:

"A group of settlers attacked the Aseed family while they were picking olives in Tel Rumeida in #Hebron and stole the tarpaulins and some of the fruits. In full view of the soldiers in the area, without them intervening to stop them," one of the portals that shared the video said.

According to the Times Of Israel, Israeli settlers are never punished for such crimes as trespassing and looting against Palestinians in the West Bank. The Israel-based media added that there were no reports of arrests despite the face of many men being captured in the cameras.

Olive trees are a major agricultural crop in the Palestinian territories, where they are mostly grown for olive oil production. More than half of cultivable land in these regions is used to grow these trees. Olives are harvested between October and January.

ALSO READ | Were Israel's airstrikes thwarted by Iran's air-defence system?

Ever since the Israeli occupation of the West Bank, Hebron has been divided into two sectors — H1 Hebron, controlled by the Palestinian National Authority, and H2 Hebron, managed by Israeli authorities. The West Bank fell before Israel in 1967 after the Six-Day War. Over the last year, as many as 165 West Bank children are said to have died in Israeli strikes. 36 children fell prey to air strikes while 129 were killed by live ammunition, the Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR) reported.

not-as-a-celebrity-i-am-here-as-beyonce-endorses-kamal-harris-eminem-and-billie-eilish

Sat Oct 26 12:53:57 IST 2024

After Eminem in Detroit, it was Beyonce's turn to endorse Kamala Harris in Houston, the singer's hometown. She said she was did not come as a celebrity or a politician but as a mother.

ALSO READ: Watch Barack Obama rapping 'Lose Yourself' as Eminem campaigns for Kamala Harris

“I'm not here as a celebrity, I'm not here as a politician. I'm here as a mother,” the singer said during a rally on Friday night. Beyonce's remarks echoed the broader sentiment during the rally, which stressed on the strict abortion ban in Texas and rise in infant death rates due to birth defects.

Beyonce said she is a mother who cares deeply about the world her children lives in. “A world where we have the freedom to control our bodies, a world where we're not divided,” she added.

ALSO READ: Harris, Obama team up in Georgia eyeing Black votes as election day nears

Urging the supporters to vote, she said, “Imagine our daughters growing up seeing what's possible with no ceilings, no limitations.”

Beyonce, unlike in 2016 when she performed during the campaign rally of Hillary Clinton in Cleveland, did not perform in Houston. Eminem, too, chose not to perform during a rally in Detroit earlier this week. However, former US President Barack Obama who joined the rapper performed a rendition of Eminem's Lose Yourself.

In July, Beyonce's mother Tina Knowles endorsed Harris publicly. The same month, Harris began using Beyonce's 2016 song Freedom as her campaign's anthem after approval from Beyonce. The track from Lemonade reverberated once again during the rally on Friday.

Earlier, Billie Eilish and her brother Finneas O'Connel endorsed Harris. In September, Eilish said Harris and VP candidate Tim Walz are "fighting to protect our reproductive freedom, our planet and our democracy." Finneas said Americans should not allow “extremists control our lives, our freedoms, and our future.”

were-israels-airstrikes-thwarted-by-irans-air-defence-system

Sat Oct 26 11:37:49 IST 2024

Israel launched airstrikes on Iranian military targets early on Saturday in retaliation for the barrage of ballistic missiles fired by Tehran on Tel Aviv earlier this month, which damaged several buildings and air bases.

The AP reported witnesses as saying that at least seven explosions were heard in the Iranian capital. There was no immediate information on the number of casualties or the extent of damage.

ALSO READ: 'Iran Dome': Arman, Bavar 373 and Iran's other air-defence systems explained

The Israel Defence Forces (IDF), in a statement on Saturday, said it had launched “precise strikes” on military targets in Iran. “Like every other sovereign country in the world, the State of Israel has the right and the duty to respond,” the statement added.

Iran military, however, posted videos on X, showing its air-defence mechanism “successfully” targeting the incoming missiles.

On October 1, Iran had fired around 180 ballistic missiles at Israel, soon after IDF units began ground operations in Lebanon. While most of Iran's missiles were intercepted by Israel's air-defence mechanisms in place, some landed in central and southern Israel, damaging maintenance areas and office buidlings of the Israeli air force.

ALSO READ: Iran fired Emad and Ghadr variants of Shahab-3 missiles at Israel

There were fears that Israel might target Iran's nuclear facilities and oil installations in response to Iran's missile attack. But, it is believed that the US has been successful in persuading Tel Aviv against it.

ALSO READ: How conflict between Israel and Iran will hurt India's oil and gas supplies

Tel Aviv's latest strike could further push the Middle East into a crisis, as Iran had already warned that any strikes against it, will be met with stronger retaliation. Also, Iran-backed militant groups, including Hamas in Gaza, and Hezbollah in Lebanon, are already at war with Israel.

ALSO READ: Ayatollah Khamenei has asked Iranian military to prepare for war against Israel but only under this condition

While Iran's state-run media acknowledged the explosions heard in Teheran, they have downplayed it so far, even attributing it to the air-defence systems.

Iran closes airspace

Iran, early on Saturday, closed the country's airspace after the Israeli airstrikes. All flights have been cancelled till further notice. AP, after analysing flight-tracking data, reported that commercial airlines had left the skies over Iran, and across Iraq, Syria and Lebanon.

Iraq, too, suspended flights across all airports until further notice "due to regional tensions", the Iraqi state news agency INA reported.

Israel notified US ahead of airstrikes in Iran

The United States was notified by Israel ahead of its targeted airstrikes on Iran, US officials were quoted as saying by the AP and Reuters. The officials, who spoke on condition of anonymity, added that there was no US involvement in the Israeli operation.

US Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin, reportedly, had a call with his Israeli counterpart, Yoav Gallant.

Israel's strikes came soon after Secretary of State Antony Blinken returned to the US after a tour of the Middle East.

israel-airstrikes-iran-says-two-soldiers-killed-in-overnight-attacks-while-confronting-missiles

Sat Oct 26 16:15:20 IST 2024

Two Iranian soldiers were killed in the Saturday morning airstrikes by Israel, according to a local news outlet.

In a statement carried by the Arabic-language channel of the state TV, Al-Alam, the Iranian military said two of their "fighters made the ultimate sacrifice while confronting missiles launched by the criminal Zionist regime."

ALSO READ: Will Iran retaliate against Israel? US warns Tehran: 'This should be the end'

However, the Iranian military has not revealed the identities of the deceased soldiers. The targeted sites include military bases in Tehran, Ilam and Khuzestan provinces.

The Iranian military claimed that its air defences limited the damage done by the strikes.

This comes after Iran on October 1 launched around 200 ballistic missiles at Israel, killing a person in the West Bank.

Israel on Saturday said it targeted facilities where missiles fired at Israel were manufactured.

A fear of an all-out war between the two Middle Eastern countries has prompted the US and other major powers to urge restraint on both sides. Israel is already targeting Iranian proxies Hamas in Gaza and Hezbollah in Lebanon.

will-iran-retaliate-against-israel-us-warns-tehran-againts-escalation-this-should-be-the-end

Sat Oct 26 10:54:32 IST 2024

The US on Saturday warned Iran against retaliation after Israel attacked military bases in Tehran, Ilam and Khuzestan provinces.

This comes amid fears about a potential escalation in the Middle East tensions as Israel continues to strike Iranian proxies in Lebanon.

ALSO READ: Were Israel's airstrikes thwarted by Iran's air-defence system?

Washington said Israeli strikes targeting Iran should 'complete' exchange of fire between enemies. US President Joe Biden was updated about the operation as the attacks were carried out. A senior Biden administration official said there will be consequences if Iran attacks Israel, adding that the US is fully prepared to once again defend any attack.

The official said the US has direct and indirect channels with Iran. "And they know our position on multiple issues," he added.

Iran said its air defence system has countered Israel's attacks successfully though "limited damage" was caused to some location. Iran has suspended all flights until further notice after the strikes were announced by Israel.

Israel has intensified its attack on Hezbollah, an Iran-backed Shia militant group, which has been supporting Hamas in the ongoing conflict.

Israel revealed its planes safely returned home after completing the attack. The Iran Defense Forces said it targeted facilities where the missiles that Iran fired at Israel over the last year was manufactured.

harris-obama-team-up-in-georgia-eyeing-black-votes-as-election-day-nears

Fri Oct 25 17:19:34 IST 2024

In a bid to woo the Black voters in Atlanta's eastern suburbs, Vice President Kamala Harris appeared with former United States President Barack Obama in Georgia. This is the first time Obama is seen sharing the same stage with Harris during the campaign trail.

"Ours is a fight for the future," said Harris at the rally in Clarkston.

Reducing the cost of drugs, housing and groceries was a focus during the Georgia rally. "Healthcare should be a right and not just a privilege for those who can afford it."

While stressing her support for abortion rights, Harris referred to the death of Amber Nicole Thurman, a Georgia woman whose death was recently found to be a result of the state's abortion ban.

"Donald Trump still refuses to acknowledge the pain and suffering he has caused...women are being denied care during miscarriages."

A recent NBC poll has reported a decline in Harris’s favourability. Pollsters also suggested that Harris's campaign has been losing support among Black male voters. However, the democratic activists believe that there is no such dip in the support among the community.

It is also to be noted that Harris's campaign has been focusing on Black voters as the November 5 US presidential election is nearing. Harris has said she rejects the idea that her ethnicity entitles her to Black votes.

Attacking her opponent Donald Trump, Harris said that his "erratic behaviour" has become so common that people no longer take it seriously.

Actor Samuel L. Jackson, and directors Spike Lee and Tyler Perry also joined the trail and boosted the campaign.

iran-dome-arman-bavar-373-and-irans-other-air-defence-systems-explained

Sat Oct 26 11:49:44 IST 2024

Hours after Israel launched targeted airstrikes on Iran in retaliation for the barrage of ballistic missiles fired by Tehran earlier this month, Iran's military said that Israeli strikes caused only “limited damage”.

Earlier, Israel military issued a statement saying it had completed its strikes on Iran and that its planes have safely returned home. The statement added that the Israeli airstrikes targeted missile manufacturing facilities and surface-to-air missile arrays.

ALSO READ: Were Israel's airstrikes thwarted by Iran's air-defence system?

In a statement read out on state television, Iran's armed forces said its military bases in Ilam, Khuzestan and Tehran provinces were targeted, but its air defences limited the damage.

ALSO READ: US warns Tehran againts escalation: 'This should be the end'

A look at Iran's air-defence systems

Arman

Iran has been developing its air-defence systems over the years to counter any potential attack, especially from Israel. Prime among them is 'Arman', the anti-ballistic missile system that can intercept missiles and drones in the range of 180km, and can engage six targets simultaneously at distances between 120-180km.

ALSO READ: Ayatollah Khamenei has asked Iranian military to prepare for war against Israel but only under this condition

Bavar-373

The Bavar-373 can detect and intercept incoming missiles, drones, and aircraft at long ranges and high altitudes. It is designed and manufactured in Belarus. It is capable of intercepting fifth-generation fighter jets, including the American F-35. It can detect up to 100 aerial targets simultaneously and engage them with its Sayyad-4B missiles. It has a range of 300km and can reach an altitude of 120km.

AD-120

The indigenous AD-120 is a high-range, high-altitude surface-to-air missile system, which can intercept advanced aircraft, UAVs, and helicopters. It has a maximum range of 120km and a minimum of 7km. It can reach a maximum altitude of 27km, and has a diameter of 400mm. It carries a 90kg warhead, which can detonate both on impact or in proximity. The total weight of the missile is 995kg.

Azarakhsh

The Azarakhsh missile system is a short-range, low-altitude surface-to-air missile which can identify and destroy targets up to a range of 50km with four ready-to-fire missiles. It has a length of 3000mm, a diameter of 127mm, and a total weight of 70 kg, and carries a 4.5kg warhead, providing a maximum range of 10km. It has an infrared detection system, and radar and electro-optic systems to detect and intercept targets, and can be mounted on vehicles.

Zoubin

It is a short-range air-defence system, which is, reportedly, highly effective against drones and low-altitude cruise missiles. Zoubin, which has 360-degree ability, is capable of tracking 100 targets and simultaneously engaging eight with its missiles. It can detect targets up to 30km away, with a firing range of 20km.

Iran's other surface-to-air missile defence systems include:

Russian-manufactured S-200s, S-300s

US-made US MIM-23 Hawk, HQ-2J and Khordad-15

Short-range Chinese-made CH-SA-4 and 9K331 Tor-M1

Talaash 4

Kamin-2 (also known as Mersad 16)

cross-border-class-actions-and-corporate-accountability-the-brazil-dam-collapse-trial-in-london

Fri Oct 25 18:54:03 IST 2024

These sort of cases, involving class action and cross-border jurisdiction, are nothing new to RB, who has extensive experience in civil litigation within these realms. The Brazil dam collapse case holds particular relevance and interest for RB, given his background in handling complex international legal disputes that demand intricate legal gymnastics. As an internationalist, global traveller, and human rights lawyer, RB’s engagement with similar issues, such as the high-profile cross-border kidnapping case involving John Buckley and Ecuador, highlights his deep understanding of the challenges posed by international jurisdictional boundaries.

This Brazil case floats naturally within RB’s expertise, aligning with his commitment to pursuing justice across borders. RB’s involvement in such matters reflects his holistic approach to international law, where human rights, corporate accountability, and the complexities of global governance intersect. His vast legal experience makes him adept at navigating the multifaceted legal frameworks often required in class actions with cross-border implications.

Brazil Dam collapse liability trial opens in London’s High Court

Background of the case

The case of the Fundão Dam collapse is a high-profile environmental litigation currently being heard at the Rolls Building in London. It concerns the catastrophic failure of a tailings dam in Minas Gerais, Brazil, in November 2015. The collapse is regarded as one of Brazil’s worst environmental disasters, killing 19 people, destroying entire villages, and contaminating the River Doce, a crucial water source for local communities. The Fundão Dam was jointly owned and operated by Samarco, a subsidiary co-owned by two mining giants, Vale and BHP. The disaster has led to extensive legal battles both in Brazil and the UK, as affected communities and environmental groups seek compensation for the devastation caused by the dam’s collapse.

The legal battle

The current litigation is brought against BHP by a group of over 6,20,000 Brazilian claimants, represented by London claimant firm Pogust Goodhead. The claim seeks up to £36 billion in damages, marking it as one of the largest environmental claims ever pursued in English courts. BHP, once listed on the London Stock Exchange, denies liability and maintains that the UK case is unnecessary, duplicating legal proceedings already underway in Brazil. The company also points to the ongoing work of the Renova Foundation, a non-profit established to manage reparations and environmental recovery efforts following the disaster.

The trial, expected to last 12 weeks, is being heard by Mrs. Justice O’Farrell. The initial stage of the proceedings will focus on opening submissions, where both parties will lay out their arguments. The claimants’ legal team, led by Alain Choo Choy KC, has produced a 299-page skeleton argument detailing the corporate structure and liabilities of BHP Group. On the other side, BHP’s skeleton runs to 308 pages, with opening submissions anticipated to continue through Thursday.

Key legal issues

The case raises critical questions about corporate responsibility and cross-border jurisdiction. The collapse occurred in Brazil, but the litigation is being pursued in English courts because of BHP’s previous listing on the London Stock Exchange and its operations in multiple jurisdictions. BHP has argued that the claims should be dealt with in Brazil, where legal proceedings are already ongoing, and that the UK action represents a duplication of these efforts.

At the core of the trial is the question of whether BHP, as a co-owner of Samarco, bears responsibility for the dam’s collapse and its environmental and human toll. The claimants argue that BHP, as an international mining giant, should be held accountable for its role in the disaster and that the existing reparations process in Brazil has been insufficient. The application of Brazilian law by English judges is another key aspect of the trial, adding complexity to the proceedings given the differing legal frameworks and standards between the two countries.

Environmental and social impact

The Fundão Dam disaster had far-reaching consequences beyond the immediate loss of life and destruction of homes. The dam collapse released millions of cubic meters of toxic waste, severely affecting the River Doce and surrounding ecosystems. The floodwaters carried mud and debris over a vast area, displacing thousands of people, destroying local economies, and polluting water supplies. The environmental impact of the disaster has been described as a generational catastrophe, with the recovery of affected areas expected to take decades.

The Renova Foundation and Brazilian proceedings

BHP has pointed to the Renova Foundation as evidence of its commitment to remedying the damage caused by the disaster. The foundation, established in 2016 as part of an agreement between BHP, Vale, and Brazilian authorities, has been tasked with coordinating reparations and environmental restoration efforts. BHP argues that the work of Renova, alongside ongoing legal actions in Brazilian courts, makes the UK litigation unnecessary.

However, the claimants argue that the foundation’s efforts have been slow and insufficient, leaving many victims without adequate compensation. They contend that a UK ruling is needed to ensure that justice is served and that the full extent of the damage is acknowledged.

Broader implications

The trial has attracted significant international media attention, with the potential for far-reaching consequences for corporate accountability in environmental disasters. If the claimants are successful, it could set a precedent for holding multinational corporations accountable for their actions across borders, particularly in cases where local justice systems are perceived to be inadequate. The case also underscores the growing trend of environmental litigation being pursued in international courts, as affected communities seek justice beyond their home countries.

For BHP, a ruling against the company could have serious financial and reputational consequences, further highlighting the risks faced by large corporations operating in industries with significant environmental and social impacts.

Conclusion

The trial marks a critical moment in the ongoing efforts to hold BHP accountable for the Fundão Dam collapse. Over the next 12 weeks, the court will hear detailed arguments from both sides, with the outcome likely to have significant implications for corporate responsibility, environmental law, and cross-border jurisdiction. As the trial progresses, the focus will remain on whether BHP will be held liable for one of the worst environmental disasters in Brazil’s history and how English courts will navigate the complexities of applying Brazilian law in this landmark case.

canada-to-reduce-immigration-targets-as-trudeau-acknowledges-his-policy-failed

Thu Oct 24 22:56:09 IST 2024

Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau said on Thursday that the country will significantly reduce the number of new immigrants it allows into the country after acknowledging that his government failed to get the balance right coming out of the pandemic.

Trudeau's Liberal government was criticised for its plan to allow 500,000 new permanent residents into the country in each of the next two years. On Thursday, he said next year's target will now be 395,000 new permanent residents and that the figure will drop to 380,000 in 2026 and 365,000 in 2027.

ALSO READ | End of Justin Trudeau era? Here's why Canadian PM was asked to resign by his own party MPs

In the tumultuous times as we emerged from the pandemic, between addressing labour needs and maintaining population growth, we didn't get the balance right, Trudeau said.

Immigration is essential for Canada's future, but it must be controlled and it must be sustainable.

Trudeau, who is facing calls from within his own party not to seek a fourth term, has endured mounting criticism over his immigration policies and the negative impact that population growth has had on housing affordability.

He said his government will reduce the number of immigrants Canada brings in over the next three years, and that this will freeze population growth over the next two years. Canada reached 41 million people in April. The population was 37.5 million in 2019.

Trudeau said Canada needs to stabilize its population growth to allow all levels of government to make necessary changes to health care, housing and social services so that it can accommodate more people in the future.

Immigration Minister Marc Miller said the lower immigration numbers will help with the country's housing shortage.

He also acknowledged the change in public opinion about immigration.

That volume that we have put forward is of concern, Miller said.

Miller said the government sees the pressures facing Canadians, and that it must must adapt its policies accordingly. He said government leaders have listened and will continue to protect the integrity of the immigration system and grow Canada's population responsibly.

We are an open country, but not everyone can come to this country, he said, noting that Canada will continue to welcome outsiders and that the government's immigration targets remain ambitious.

Trudeau's government has long touted Canada's immigration policy and how Canada is better than peer countries in welcoming newcomers and integrating them into the economy.

Pierre Poilievre, the leader of the opposition Conservative Party, accused Trudeau of destroying the national consensus on immigration.

He has destroyed our immigration system through his own personal incompetence and destroyed 150 years of common sense consensus with the Liberals and Conservatives on that subject," Poilievre said.

He cannot fix what he broke on immigration and housing or anything else because he is busy fighting his own caucus, he added.

Poilievre was referring to calls by some lawmakers from Trudeau's own party to not run for a fourth term. Those calls represent one of the biggest tests of Trudeau's political career, but he said Thursday that he intends to stay on through the next election.

Nelson Wiseman, professor emeritus of political science at the University of Toronto, said the Trudeau government messed up badly on immigration.

"The government's logic to grow the economy and sustain an aging Canadian population by bringing in more young immigrants was sound. But Ottawa has little control over meeting the housing, health, education, and other welfare needs of residents, whether they are citizens or immigrants, Wiseman said.

"These are all provincial government responsibilities, and there was little cooperation or coordination between the two levels of government," he said.

A certain percentage of Canadians have always been xenophobic, but much less so than in some other countries, Wiseman said.

Many Canadians have turned against the recent growing immigrant and temporary worker/student influx because of the growing housing, health, education, and other welfare challenges. Ottawa has read the polls and is responding according," he said.

sri-lankan-police-arrest-three-over-threats-to-israelis-at-arugam-bay

Thu Oct 24 22:42:59 IST 2024

Three persons were arrested by the Sri Lankan police on Thursday relating to the suspicion of plotting an attack against Israeli tourists in the eastern coast surfing resort of Arugam Bay.

The Terrorism Investigation Division of the police arrested the three suspects, who were Sri Lankan nationals.

ALSO READ | Terror threat: Israel urges citizens to leave tourist destinations in southern Sri Lanka

According to public security minister Vijitha Herath, police were interrogating the suspects.

Earlier, based on Indian intelligence information, in a warning attack between October 19 and 23, police announced the arrest of two persons.

The US embassy and the British High Commission in Colombo on Wednesday issued statements warning their citizens that they had received credible information targeting Arugam Bay and urged tourists to avoid the area until further notice.

The opposition had criticised the government saying that the public was not informed of the threat until the US embassy issued its travel advisory.

"We did not inform the public until the information could be verified," said Herath.

"Intelligence agencies received information about...potential threats to the safety of the tourists who visited Sri Lanka. Upon receiving that information, we immediately took action," he added.

Herath also said that swift action was taken by the government to provide security at all coastal areas and tourism sites after intelligence reports of threats.

He said US Ambassador Julie Chung had informed the government of the travel advisory on the Arugam Bay security situation.

The US has warned its citizens to avoid the popular tourist resort on the eastern coast until further notice. Meanwhile, according to the police, security has been extended to the southern coast and the southeastern resort areas as well.

Amid the Israel-Hamas war, Sri Lankan Muslim minority groups have expressed concerns and they condemned the wars in Gaza and Lebanon. Several anti-Israel protests were staged in various parts. Many posts have appeared on social media calling for a boycott of Israeli businesses on the east coast as well.

In the wake of the threat, police have set up a hotline for tourists in case of any emergency or assistance.

will-former-model-stacey-williamss-groping-allegation-affect-donald-trumps-poll-prospects

Thu Oct 24 17:31:26 IST 2024

In the latest allegation, former United States President Donald Trump was accused of groping model Stacey Williams, who had met the Republican candidate through the late sexual abuser Jeffrey Epstein back in the 90s.

The model, Stacey Williams, alleged that the former US president touched her sexually in Trump Tower back in 1993. It was a "twisted game" between two men, she said.

Williams said she had met Trump in 1992 at a Christmas party after being introduced by Epstein, who had casually dated her for a few months.

"Donald and he were really, really good friends and spent a lot of time together," said Williams.

The groping incident took place in 1993 when Epstein suggested to visit Trump at Trump Tower while they were on a walk.

Later, Epstein was convicted of sex offences and killed himself in prison in 2019.

Williams alleged that the moment she met Trump at the Tower, he had pulled her closer and started groping her. "Hands were all over my breasts, waist and buttocks," she said.

Being frozen by the incident, she recalled that she was in a "deeply confused" state.

Denying the allegations, Karoline Leavitt, the press secretary for Trump's campaign, said that these accusations were "unequivocally false".

"These accusations, made by a former activist for Barack Obama and announced on a Harris campaign call two weeks before the election...is a fake story," the statement read.

Williams, 56, a native of Pennsylvania, has shared her allegations on social media posts earlier. The details of the alleged incident were shared by Williams on a call on Monday organised by a group called Survivors for Kamala, which supports Democratic presidential candidate Kamala Harris.

This is not the first sexual misconduct allegation against Trump. The Survivors for Kamala also took out an ad in the New York Times this week, signed by 200 survivors of sexual and gender violence.

During the call, Williams said that Epstein was angry at her after they left Trump Tower. "Why did you let him do that?" Epstein had asked leaving her feeling "disgusted" and "utterly confused".

At the Trump Tower, Williams had mentioned that she had seen both men exchanging smiles when Trump was touching her inappropriately, reported the Guardian.

About two dozen women have accused Trump, who has been convicted of multiple felonies, of sexual misconduct dating back decades.

A former model Amy Dorris has also accused Trump of sexual misconduct.

Last year, a jury found Trump liable for sexually abusing the columnist E Jean Carroll in 1996 and awarded her $5m in a judgment.