World Archives | Page 16 of 26

Israeli Soldier Confessions Over Killings at Aid Centres Detail War crimes: Media Office

Fola Badmus3 months ago3 months ago01 mins

War crimes” are taking place at US and Israeli-backed aid distribution centres in Gaza, according to the enclave’s Government Media Office. The statement referencing “the shocking confessions” of Israeli soldiers published by the Haaretz newspaper of “deliberately shooting starving Palestinian civilians” near the aid points said the testimonies are evidence of “war crimes”. “The report’s direct military orders to fire on unarmed civilians who pose no threat, and the use of heavy machine guns, artillery, and shells against peaceful gatherings waiting for food, are further evidence that the Israeli occupation army is pursuing a systematic policy of genocide under the false guise of ‘relief’,” the media office said.

NATO Commits to 5% Defence Spending Target Backed by Trump Amid Internal Division

Fola Badmus3 months ago3 months ago03 mins

NATO member states have agreed to a significant increase in defence spending, pledging to allocate up to 5 percent of their national GDP to military and security-related sectors by 2035 — a major shift largely aligned with the long-standing demands of former U.S. President Donald Trump. The agreement, reached at a summit in The Hague on Wednesday, was described in the summit communique as a “quantum leap” in the bloc’s collective security strategy. The document outlined that member countries would annually invest 5 percent of GDP on core defence requirements and broader security-related expenditures, with a review scheduled for 2029 — notably, after the next U.S. presidential election. NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte called the development “transformational,” although some alliance members expressed concerns about their ability to meet the target. Spain, Belgium, and Slovakia were among those that acknowledged the ambitious goal may be difficult to achieve due to economic constraints. Former President Trump, who had previously criticized NATO members for not meeting existing defence commitments, welcomed the decision. Speaking at the summit, he said, “They said, ‘You did it, sir. You did it.’ Well, I don’t know if I did it, but I think I did.” The renewed commitment is seen by analysts as an effort to shore up the alliance’s deterrence against Russia and prepare for the possibility of reduced U.S. military engagement depending on the outcome of the 2024 presidential election. UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer also signaled strong support, announcing that the United Kingdom expects to reach 4.1 percent defence and security spending by 2027. While the pledge underscores NATO’s unity in principle, the stark differences in economic capabilities among member states suggest that meeting the 5 percent benchmark will likely become a key issue of debate in the coming years.

Iran, Israel Ceasefire Holds as Dozens Killed in Gaza

Fola Badmus3 months ago3 months ago04 mins

The US-brokered ceasefire between Iran and Israel appears to be holding as of Wednesday, as both sides signalled that their direct military confrontation had ended, at least for now, following 12 days of intense aerial and missile exchanges. Iranian lawmakers voted Wednesday in favour of suspending cooperation with the United Nations’ nuclear watchdog, state TV said, as an Iranian foreign ministry spokesman said Iran’s nuclear facilities had been “badly damaged” by US strikes. Meanwhile, in Gaza, Israeli fire killed over 50. The latest in a string of deadly incidents near aid distribution sites came after the United Nations had condemned the “weaponisation of food” in the Gaza Strip, where a US- and Israeli-backed foundation has largely replaced established humanitarian organisations. Civil defence spokesman Mahmud Bassal told AFP that Israeli fire targeted thousands of civilians waiting for aid in an area of central Gaza where Palestinians have gathered each night in the hope of collecting food rations. He added that the crowd was hit by Israeli “bullets and tank shells”. Iran on Wednesday branded NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte’s gushing note to President Donald Trump on US strikes targeting key nuclear sites as “disgraceful, despicable and irresponsible”. On Tuesday, Rutte hailed in a pre-NATO summit note to Trump what he called his “decisive action” in Iran, days after the United States conducted unprecedented strikes on its nuclear facilities. Rutte said the move “was truly extraordinary and something no one else dared to do. It makes us safer.” Iranian foreign ministry spokesman Esmaeil Baqaei hit back, saying it was “disgraceful, despicable and irresponsible for #NATO’s SG to congratulate a ‘truly extraordinary’ criminal act of aggression against a sovereign State.” Whoever “supports a crime is regarded as complicit,” Baqaei said in a post on X. President Donald Trump on Wednesday likened Washington’s strike on Iran’s nuclear facilities to the US dropping of atomic bombs on the Japanese cities of Hiroshima and Nagasaki to end World War II. “Actually, if you look at Hiroshima, if you look at Nagasaki, you know that ended a war too,” Trump said as he wrapped up NATO’s summit in The Hague. “This ended a war in a different way, but it was so devastating.” The head of Iran’s Revolutionary Guards command centre, Ali Shadmani, died of wounds sustained during Israel’s military strikes on the country, Iranian state media said on Wednesday. The guards’ command centre vowed “harsh revenge” for his killing, state media added. Israel’s armed forces had said on 17 June that it killed Shadmani, who it identified as Iran’s wartime chief of staff and most senior military commander.

LIVE: Israel-Iran Truce Holds Amid Regional Tensions 41 Palestinians Killed in Gaza Strikes

Fola Badmus3 months ago3 months ago02 mins

A fragile truce between Israel and Iran appeared to be holding on Monday following days of intense cross-border military exchanges. However, the violence in Gaza shows no signs of abating as Israeli forces reportedly killed 41 Palestinians in a fresh wave of airstrikes across the besieged enclave. According to Gaza’s Health Ministry, the latest Israeli bombardment targeted several areas, including central Gaza and Rafah, deepening the humanitarian crisis already exacerbated by months of conflict, food shortages, and mass displacement. While diplomatic channels remain active to de-escalate the broader Israel-Iran standoff—triggered by a series of missile attacks and counterattacks last week—Israeli operations in Gaza continue, with no current indication of a ceasefire on that front. Israeli officials have not commented on the Gaza casualties but insist their operations are focused on eliminating Hamas infrastructure and rescuing remaining captives. Meanwhile, regional actors and global powers continue to push for restraint. Qatar, Egypt, and the United Nations are said to be mediating between the parties to consolidate the Israel-Iran truce and expand it to Gaza. This is a developing story. More updates to follow.

Iranian Missiles Destroy Six Israeli University Labs, Damaging Medical Research – Report

Fola Badmus3 months ago3 months ago02 mins

Six research laboratories at Ben-Gurion University of the Negev in Beersheba were destroyed in an Iranian missile strike on June 19, according to a report by The Times of Israel. The university confirmed the incident, stating that the attack dealt a devastating blow to years of critical research in medicine and biology. The missiles, part of a broader escalation between Iran and Israel, also damaged Soroka Medical Center, located near the university campus. Officials at Ben-Gurion University estimate the financial loss could run into tens of millions of dollars, not including the long-term impact on ongoing scientific work. Additionally, residential quarters housing nearly 100 students, faculty, and staff were hit during the strike, prompting emergency evacuations and leaving several people displaced. University officials described the attack as a severe setback to Israel’s scientific and medical innovation infrastructure, saying the labs housed research ranging from genetics and immunology to pharmaceutical development. The missile strike marks one of the most significant direct hits on academic institutions in Israel since the conflict intensified, raising concerns about the broader impact of the war on civilian infrastructure and intellectual capital.

Nigerian Student, Two Indians Arrested in ₹30 Lakh Drug Bust in Hyderabad’s Manikonda

Fola Badmus3 months ago3 months ago03 mins

The Telangana Anti-Narcotics Bureau (TGANB) on Sunday apprehended a Nigerian national and two Indian associates in Manikonda, Hyderabad, in connection with a major drug trafficking case. Authorities seized 107 grams of cocaine and 25 grams of ecstasy pills, with an estimated street value of ₹30 lakh The prime suspect, 22-year-old Chukwumeka Wisdom Onyeka, also known by aliases Victor Chukwu and Major Cartel, is a Nigerian national and BSc student at Gokul Global University, Gujarat. He had previously been arrested in a cocaine-related case in 2023, during which his Sudanese passport was seized. He was residing in Parra village, Goa. Two Indian nationals, Gopishetty Rajesh and Bommadevara Veera Raju, were also arrested. Initially drug users, the duo later transitioned into suppliers, catering to Hyderabad’s elite circles. They have all been booked under the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances (NDPS) Act. Authorities have identified several clients from the trio’s network, including individuals named Phani Raj, Pavithra Reddy, Satish, Sada Shiva, Sudhir, and Bhanu. Investigations revealed that Wisdom originally entered India in December 2022 on a student visa with a Sudanese passport. Following his arrest and release, he allegedly acquired a fake Nigerian passport through a handler named Max, also known by aliases Princewel, Buchi, and Gabriel—a suspected Nigerian drug kingpin based in Goa. Wisdom returned to Nigeria in September 2024, destroyed the forged passport, and re-entered India under his real name later that year. The police believe Max is operating a larger syndicate, recruiting foreign students under false identities to distribute narcotics across India. Further investigations are ongoing to dismantle the entire network.

Trump Says Some Undocumented Immigrants May Stay Based on Employer Recommendations

Trump Rejects Regime Change in Iran, Urges Calm Amid GOP Division

Fola Badmus3 months ago3 months ago02 mins

President Donald Trump on Tuesday stated that he does not support a regime change in Iran, just two days after hinting at the possibility in a social media post Speaking to reporters aboard Air Force One en route to the NATO summit, Trump said, “I don’t want it. I’d like to see everything calm down as quickly as possible.” He emphasized a diplomatic approach, describing Iranians as “very good traders, very good business people,” and expressed hope that the country could rebuild and thrive through peaceful means. Trump’s remarks appear to counter more hawkish voices within the Republican Party. Senator Lindsey Graham, a longtime critic of Iran and staunch Trump ally, maintained during a Senate hearing on Tuesday that “the only way you’re really going to have peace is for the regime to change its behavior, either through personnel or ideology.” The divide underscores the ongoing tension within the GOP over how to handle rising hostilities with Tehran. Meanwhile, prominent conservative commentator Charlie Kirk praised Trump’s stance, calling him “the peace president” in a post on X. Trump’s comments come amid heightened concerns over U.S. involvement in the escalating Israel-Iran conflict and efforts by European powers to revive diplomatic negotiations.

Iran Defends Missile Strike on US Base in Qatar as Self-Defence Under UN Charter

Fola Badmus3 months ago3 months ago02 mins

Iran has defended its missile strike on the United States’ Al Udeid Air Base in Qatar, describing it as a lawful act of self-defence under international law. Esmaeil Baghaei, spokesman for Iran’s Foreign Ministry, said on Tuesday that the attack was a direct response to the “unprovoked aggression” by the United States, which bombed three of Iran’s nuclear facilities on Sunday. Writing on X (formerly Twitter), Baghaei invoked Article 51 of the United Nations Charter, which permits member states to exercise the right to self-defence in the event of an armed attack. He emphasized that Iran remains committed to peaceful relations with its regional neighbours, but accused the US of deliberately trying to sow discord in the Middle East. “The Islamic Republic of Iran values regional cooperation and stability, but will not hesitate to defend its sovereignty against any form of aggression,” Baghaei wrote. The missile strike on Al Udeid—the largest US military base in the Middle East—marked a dramatic escalation in tensions following the recent US-Israeli strikes on Iranian targets, and comes amid heightened fears of a wider regional conflict.