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US Condemns Beijing’s South China Sea Nature Reserve Plan at Scarborough Shoal

The United States has condemned China’s plan to establish a so-called “nature reserve” at the disputed Scarborough Shoal, backing the Philippines in what Washington described as yet another act of regional coercion by Beijing. US Secretary of State Marco Rubio issued a strong statement on Friday, saying the proposal was “yet another coercive attempt” by China to assert sweeping maritime claims in the South China Sea. “The US stands with our Philippine ally in rejecting China’s destabilising plans to establish a ‘national nature reserve’ at Scarborough Reef,” Rubio posted on X. “This is another example of Beijing using pressure tactics to push expansive territorial claims, disregarding the rights of neighbouring countries.” China’s State Council announced earlier this week that it intends to create a protected ecological zone of 3,500 hectares at Scarborough Shoal, describing the move as essential for “biodiversity and sustainability”. But the announcement has triggered sharp responses from Manila. The Philippines’ Department of Foreign Affairs said it would file a formal diplomatic protest, calling China’s move “illegitimate and unlawful”. National Security Adviser Eduardo Año described the plan as a violation of multiple international agreements, including: “This is not about environmental protection,” Año said, “but about reinforcing China’s illegal control of a maritime feature that lies within the Philippines’ exclusive economic zone.” Ongoing Tensions and Regional Pushback Scarborough Shoal, also known as Huangyan Island in China, lies just 240km off the coast of Luzon. Though it falls within the Philippines’ EEZ, it has been effectively under Chinese control since a 2012 standoff. Beijing has since deployed coastguard and militia vessels to monitor the area, frequently blocking Filipino fishermen from accessing the shoal’s rich fishing grounds — a traditional livelihood for generations of coastal communities in Luzon. Analysts in Manila suggest China is using the “nature reserve” designation as a pretext for occupation. “Beijing is testing the Philippines’ resolve,” said Julio Amador III of Amador Research Services. “If there is no strong pushback, we can expect similar tactics to be used elsewhere.” In recent weeks, the Philippines has held joint naval exercises near the shoal with allies including Australia and Canada, simulating responses to aerial and maritime threats in disputed waters. Meanwhile, China has reiterated its claim to “sovereignty” over the shoal, saying it would “resolutely defend” the area. Beijing continues to assert control over almost the entire South China Sea, despite competing claims from Vietnam, Brunei, Malaysia, and the Philippines. The disputed waterway remains one of the world’s most strategically vital corridors, with over $3 trillion in annual trade transiting through it. The latest escalation adds further strain to the already fraught US-China relationship and highlights the growing strategic alignment between Washington and Manila in countering China’s influence in the region.

Nepal Gets First Female PM after Deadly Unrest

Fola Badmus7 days ago7 days ago04 mins

Nepal’s former Supreme Court chief justice Sushila Karki has become the country’s interim prime minister after deadly anti-corruption protests ousted the government. Karki, 73, was sworn in during a brief ceremony, becoming the first woman to lead the impoverished Himalayan nation after a deal was reached with the protest leaders. More than 50 people were killed in clashes with riot police during this week’s mass protests sparked by a ban on social media platforms. The ban was lifted on Monday – but by then protests had swelled into a mass movement. Angry crowds set fire to parliament and government buildings in the capital Kathmandu on Tuesday, forcing Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli to resign. Earlier on Friday, President Ram Chandra Poudel’s press adviser confirmed to the BBC that Karki would take the oath of office in the evening. The agreement between the president and the protest leaders was reached after days of consultations. Legal experts were also involved. Parliament is expected to be dissolved shortly, and the new government is tasked with conducting general elections within six months. Karki is widely regarded as a person of clean image, and is being supported by student leaders from the so-called “Gen Z” to lead the interim government. On Tuesday, she visited the protest site in Kathmandu where 19 people were killed in clashes with police the day before. She also met some of the injured who were being treated in hospital. Karki was born in a family with close contacts with the Koirala political dynasty from the country’s largest democratic party Nepali Congress, and later married the then leader party Durga Subedi. She has said that her husband’s support played a major role in her journey from a lawyer to Nepal’s chief justice in 2016. But Karki has not been free from controversy, having even faced an impeachment incident during her nearly 11-month tenure as chief justice. Nepal’s army has deployed patrols on the streets of Kathmandu, as the country reels from its worst unrest in decades. The protests were triggered by the government’s decision last week to ban 26 social media platforms, including WhatsApp, Instagram and Facebook – but they soon widened to embody much deeper discontent with Nepal’s political elite. In the weeks before the ban, a “nepo kid” campaign, spotlighting the lavish lifestyles of politicians’ children and allegations of corruption, had taken off on social media. And while the social media ban was hastily lifted on Monday night, the protests had by that stage gained unstoppable momentum.

LIVE: Israel kills 42 in Gaza, UNSC condemns Doha attack

Israel Kills 42 in Gaza as UN Security Council Condemns Doha Strike

Fola Badmus1 week ago1 week ago04 mins

By Kamal Yalwa Published: 12 September 2025 At least 42 Palestinians were killed on Friday as Israeli airstrikes pounded multiple locations in the Gaza Strip, including densely populated refugee camps, according to local medical sources. Fourteen of the victims were reportedly from the same family. The deadly escalation came just hours after Israel launched a targeted strike on Hamas leaders in Doha, the capital of Qatar—an attack that has drawn sharp international condemnation. UN Security Council Holds Emergency Session In an emergency session held early Friday, members of the United Nations Security Council (UNSC) strongly condemned the Israeli airstrike in Doha, describing it as a violation of international law and a dangerous precedent for state sovereignty. Diplomats from several member states expressed alarm that the strike took place on Qatari soil—one of the region’s key mediators in previous ceasefire negotiations—and warned of the potential for broader regional destabilization. The Qatari government has not yet confirmed casualties from the Doha strike, but officials labeled the attack a “flagrant breach” of its sovereignty. Hamas Vows to Keep Fighting In response to both the Doha and Gaza attacks, Hamas reaffirmed its commitment to armed resistance, saying that Israel’s military actions would not alter its core demands. These include: A Hamas spokesperson said the group would not be “intimidated or coerced into surrender,” and that the movement is preparing for “prolonged confrontation.” Rising Civilian Toll Friday’s strikes targeted residential areas, including al-Shati refugee camp, where several homes were destroyed. Rescue workers and civilians continued searching for survivors under the rubble well into the morning. Hospitals in Gaza, already strained by months of conflict, are struggling to treat the influx of casualties. International Response While the United States has not issued a direct condemnation of the Doha strike, U.S. Ambassador to the UN said Washington is seeking “clarification” from Israeli officials. Several European and Arab nations have urged restraint and called for renewed diplomatic efforts. This latest round of violence adds to the growing death toll in Gaza, where thousands have been killed since the conflict reignited in late 2024. The humanitarian crisis in the enclave has reached catastrophic levels, with over 80% of the population displaced and critical shortages of food, water, and medical supplies.

Trump, Other World Leaders Condemn Charlie Kirks Assasination

World Leaders Condemn Assassination of Conservative Activist Charlie Kirk in Utah Shooting

Fola Badmus1 week ago1 week ago05 mins

By Kamal Yalwa: September 11, 2025 Charlie Kirk, the conservative American activist and co-founder of Turning Point USA, was fatally shot on Tuesday while speaking at Utah Valley University during an event on his “American Comeback Tour.” The shocking incident, captured on video, has drawn widespread condemnation from leaders across the globe, including U.S. President Donald Trump and several current and former heads of government. Kirk, 31, was known for his prominent role in galvanizing young conservative voters and was a vocal supporter of President Trump. He had gained national attention for his media presence, grassroots organizing, and outspoken views on American politics and culture. President Trump issued a heartfelt statement on his Truth Social platform, mourning the loss of what he called “a legendary” American patriot. “The Great, and even Legendary, Charlie Kirk, is dead,” Trump wrote. “No one understood or had the Heart of the Youth in the United States of America better than Charlie. He was loved and admired by ALL, especially me, and now, he is no longer with us.” In a video posted to his X (formerly Twitter) account, Trump condemned the political violence and urged Americans to reflect on the consequences of what he called a toxic political climate. “It is long past time for all Americans and the media to confront the fact that violence and murder are the tragic consequences of demonising those with whom you disagree.” Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu also paid tribute to Kirk, calling him a “lion-hearted friend of Israel.” “Charlie Kirk was murdered for speaking truth and defending freedom. A lion-hearted friend of Israel, he fought the lies and stood tall for Judeo-Christian civilisation,” Netanyahu said, noting he had recently spoken with Kirk and invited him to Israel. “Sadly, that visit will not take place.” Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney expressed his shock at the assassination. “I am appalled by the murder of Charlie Kirk. There is no justification for political violence, and every act of it threatens democracy,” he wrote. “My thoughts and prayers are with his family, friends, and loved ones.” Former U.S. President Barack Obama also reacted to the tragedy, urging calm and unity in the face of such violence. “We don’t yet know what motivated the person who shot and killed Charlie Kirk, but this kind of despicable violence has no place in our democracy,” Obama posted on X. “Michelle and I will be praying for Charlie’s family tonight, especially his wife Erika and their two young children.” British Prime Minister Keir Starmer echoed similar sentiments, emphasizing the sanctity of free speech. “My thoughts this evening are with the loved ones of Charlie Kirk. It is heartbreaking that a young family has been robbed of a father and a husband,” he wrote. “We must all be free to debate openly and freely without fear – there can be no justification for political violence.” Authorities have not yet released the identity or motives of the shooter, and investigations are ongoing. Meanwhile, tributes continue to pour in from political allies, critics, and citizens alike, many of whom view Kirk’s killing as a stark warning about rising political tensions in America. Charlie Kirk leaves behind his wife, Erika, and their two young children.

Qatar’s Prime Minister Condemns Israeli Strike in Doha as State Terror Warns Mediation in Jeopardy

Fola Badmus1 week ago1 week ago06 mins

By Kamal Yalwa: DOHA, QATAR – September 11, 2025 Qatari Prime Minister Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman bin Jassim Al-Thani has launched a scathing rebuke of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu following an unprecedented airstrike in Doha that targeted Hamas leaders, calling the operation “barbaric” and warning it may have shattered any remaining hope for a ceasefire or the release of hostages from Gaza. Speaking exclusively to CNN’s Becky Anderson, Al-Thani accused Israel of undermining peace efforts by carrying out what he described as “state terror” in the heart of a sovereign nation engaged in ongoing mediation efforts. “We were thinking that we are dealing with civilized people,” Al-Thani said. “The action that Netanyahu took – I cannot describe it, but it’s a barbaric action.” The strike, which took place Tuesday in the Qatari capital, reportedly targeted senior Hamas figures, including the group’s chief negotiator, Khalil Al-Hayya. While Hamas initially reported five casualties among its members, Al-Hayya’s fate remains uncertain. “Until now… there is no official declaration,” Al-Thani said, when asked directly about his status. The attack also resulted in the death of a 22-year-old Qatari security officer. Al-Thani confirmed that additional casualties may be possible as authorities continue to assess the damage and account for those missing. Visibly enraged, Al-Thani reiterated the same message he delivered during a press conference shortly after the attack: “This is state terror. We are betrayed.” Ceasefire Mediation at Risk The airstrike came just hours before Hamas was expected to deliver a response to a new US-backed ceasefire proposal. Al-Thani, who had met with the family of a hostage earlier that morning, expressed grave concern that the timing of the attack may have killed any chance of securing the hostages’ release. “I think what Netanyahu has done yesterday, he just killed any hope for those hostages,” he said. Qatar has long served as a critical mediator between Israel, Hamas, and international stakeholders. However, the prime minister warned that his country is now re-evaluating its role. “Netanyahu has undermined any chance of stability, any chance of peace,” Al-Thani said. “I’ve been rethinking, even about the entire process for the last few weeks — that Netanyahu was just wasting our time. He wasn’t serious about anything.” He confirmed that Qatar is currently in “very detailed conversation” with the United States regarding its future involvement, adding that the government is “reassessing everything” tied to the mediation process. US Reaction and Diplomatic Fallout According to U.S. officials, President Donald Trump was informed of the strike shortly before it began — not by Israel, but by the Chairman of the Joint Staff, General Dan Caine. Trump subsequently directed White House envoy Steve Witkoff, who maintains close ties with Qatari officials, to brief Doha. While the U.S. has stopped short of formally condemning the strike, a spokesperson for President Trump said the administration is “concerned” by the developments. Al-Thani said Qatar has received repeated expressions of support from Washington. “I’m following up with all the US officials in order to see what kind of actions can be taken as we speak,” he said. Earlier this week, the U.S. unveiled a new ceasefire framework, which President Trump claimed had Israel’s full agreement. Qatar had pressed Hamas to accept the terms during talks in Doha, and the group was expected to deliver a formal reply Tuesday night — just hours after the strike took place. As regional tensions escalate, and the path to peace appears increasingly uncertain, Qatar’s leadership has signaled that any continuation of its mediation role will depend on reassurances that such violations of sovereignty will not be repeated.

Poland shoots down Russian drones: Will NATO enter war in Ukraine?

Poland Shoots Down Russian Drones: Is NATO Being Pulled Into the Ukraine War?

Fola Badmus1 week ago1 week ago05 mins

Tensions between NATO and Russia reached a new high this week after Polish and NATO forces intercepted multiple Russian drones that violated Polish airspace during Moscow’s aerial attacks on Ukraine. The incident, which occurred overnight Tuesday into Wednesday, marked the first direct military engagement between NATO forces and Russian assets since the full-scale invasion of Ukraine began in 2022. According to Poland’s military operational command, “unprecedented drone-type objects” crossed the border, triggering immediate response from Polish F-16 fighter jets, along with Dutch F-35s and Italian AWACS surveillance aircraft. One drone struck a residential building in eastern Poland’s Wyryki municipality, though no casualties were reported. Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk condemned the incident as a “large-scale provocation,” warning that while Poland is not yet in a state of war, the situation is now “more dangerous than at any time since the Second World War.” The drones reportedly entered Polish airspace during a wave of Russian strikes on western Ukraine. Poland shut down at least three airports, including Warsaw’s Chopin Airport, and urged residents in border regions to take shelter. Prime Minister Tusk said 19 drones were detected in total, calling the attack a direct threat to Polish citizens. “We are ready to repel such provocations,” he stated, adding that his government is in ongoing consultation with NATO allies. The incursion has sparked questions about whether this could draw NATO more directly into the war. Under Article 5 of the NATO treaty, an armed attack on one member is considered an attack on all, requiring collective response. However, Article 5 is not automatically triggered. It requires unanimous agreement among member states that the attack qualifies under the treaty’s definition of armed aggression. To date, Article 5 has only been invoked once — by the United States after the September 11, 2001, attacks. Not yet. While Poland has not moved to invoke Article 5, Prime Minister Tusk confirmed that Article 4 will be triggered instead. This provision allows for emergency consultations among NATO members when a country feels its security is under threat — often a precursor to more serious collective action. “Words are not enough,” Tusk said. “We need much greater support from our allies.” This is not the first time Article 4 has been used in the context of the Ukraine war. Several Eastern European nations invoked it in early 2022, shortly after Russia’s invasion began. The use of Article 4 signals the seriousness with which Poland views the airspace violation, and could pave the way for an expanded NATO response — militarily, diplomatically, or through increased troop deployments along the alliance’s eastern flank. While NATO is unlikely to rush into open conflict with Russia without further escalation, the line between defense and engagement is growing thinner as Russian military operations increasingly affect NATO territory, intentionally or otherwise. The drone incursion into Poland does not yet mean war between NATO and Russia — but it has moved the alliance closer to the edge. Whether that line will be crossed depends on Moscow’s next moves, and how NATO chooses to respond to what many see as a dangerous provocation.

Amnesty International says forced displacement in Gaza ‘unlawful and inhumane’

Fola Badmus1 week ago1 week ago02 mins

The rights watchdog says that Israel’s mass evacuation orders for Gaza City have compounded genocidal conditions in the strip, where Israeli authorities continue to severely restrict humanitarian assistance and Israeli attacks kill scores of civilians. “The order issued yesterday morning by the Israeli military for the mass displacement of Gaza City residents is cruel, unlawful, and further compounds the genocidal conditions of life that Israel is inflicting on Palestinians,” Heba Morayef, Regional Director for the Middle East and North Africa at Amnesty International, said in a statement. The press release quotes a medical worker in Gaza describing the impossible dilemmas of another round of forced displacement. “I don’t want to leave my patients, the little children whose bodies are too frail to deal with yet another displacement, but I don’t know what to do. It’s like having to choose between two deaths: death by bombardment or the slow death of displacement, not knowing where to go,” they said. “I have already been displaced on 15 occasions; I couldn’t sleep a wink for the past few nights because of the heavy bombardment nearby, and we’re still trying to go to our work to treat the children, but we have collapsed.”

Israel launches airstrikes on Yemen’s capital Sanaa, day after bombing Doha

Fola Badmus1 week ago1 week ago03 mins

Published By Kamal Yalwa: September 10, 2025 Sanaa, Yemen – At least nine people have been killed and more than 100 injured after Israeli warplanes carried out airstrikes on Yemen’s capital, Sanaa, and the northern al-Jawf governorate on Wednesday. The attack comes just a day after Israeli forces reportedly struck Hamas leaders in Doha, Qatar. Yemen’s Ministry of Health reported 118 people wounded in what it described as Israeli aggression, noting that the death toll could rise as emergency teams continue rescue operations. The airstrikes targeted several civilian and government sites, including a medical facility on al-Sitteen Street in southwest Sanaa, residential homes in the al-Tahrir neighborhood, and the local government compound in al-Hazm, the capital of al-Jawf. The Moral Guidance Headquarters was also hit, according to Houthi-run Al Masirah TV, which reported casualties and property damage. Houthi military spokesperson Yahya Saree said the group responded with surface-to-air missiles, claiming that some Israeli aircraft were forced to retreat before releasing their weapons. In a statement, the Israel Defense Forces confirmed the attack, saying its air force targeted Houthi military positions, public relations offices, and fuel storage sites used for logistics and combat support. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu stated the airstrikes were in response to a recent Houthi drone attack on Ramon Airport in southern Israel. Netanyahu said Israel would continue to strike back against any entity that targets it, warning that anyone who attacks Israel will be pursued. This strike is the latest in a series of Israeli attacks on Yemen. Last month, an Israeli air raid reportedly killed top Yemeni officials, including Prime Minister Ahmed al-Rahawi. The Houthis accused Israel of attempting to pressure the group into withdrawing its support for Gaza. They reiterated that their operations would continue until a ceasefire is achieved in the Palestinian territory, where more than 64,000 people have reportedly been killed since the war began in October 2023. The Houthis have also maintained a maritime blockade on Israeli-linked ships passing through the Red Sea and have launched drone and missile attacks on Israeli territory in support of Palestinians.