US revises travel warning for Israel as Iran issues ‘fatwa' against Trump, Netanyahu; Full details here
The US has added Israel and the West Bank under a Level 3 Reconsider Travel category on Tuesday.
Earlier, Israel was listed as a Level 4 Do Not Travel destination because of 'armed conflict, terrorism and civil unrest,' according to June 16 update.
'Terrorist groups, lone-actor terrorists and other violent extremists continue plotting possible attacks in Israel, the West Bank, and Gaza,' the new warning states. 'Terrorists and violent extremists may attack with little or no warning, targeting tourist locations, transportation hubs, markets/shopping malls, and local government facilities.'
It further states that violence can happen in Israel, the West Bank, and Gaza at any time due to the unstable and complex security environment. Flights into and out of Israel may be canceled or minimized by airlines due to heightened regional tensions. What we know about fatwa issued against Trump and Netanyahu
According to the New York Sun, Grand Ayatollah Naser Makarem Shirazi's fatwa, a religious decree similar to the one declared against award-winning author Salman Rushdie, encourages Muslims to overthrow Israeli and American officials for endangering the leadership of the Islamic Republic.
The decree states anyone or any organization that jeopardizes the unity and authority of the Ummah, the worldwide Islamic community, should be labeled a "warlord" or "mohareb"—one who fights a war against God. Iranian law allows people who are considered mohareb to be executed, crucified, have limbs amputated, or exiled.
Also Read: Netherlands Queen Maxima breaks silence on claims of mocking Trump in viral video; 'I said...' Trump says Israel accepts US-proposed 60-day ceasefire proposal
Meanwhile, Trump appealed to Hamas to accept what he described as a "final proposal" for a 60-day ceasefire with Israel in Gaza, which will be presented by negotiating officials from Egypt and Qatar.
Trump claimed on social media that a "long and productive" meeting between his delegates and Israeli officials over Gaza had taken place.
According to Trump, Israel has consented to the terms of a 60-day truce and 'during which time we will work with all parties to end the War.'
'I hope, for the good of the Middle East, that Hamas takes this Deal, because it will not get better — IT WILL ONLY GET WORSE. Thank you for your attention to this matter!' the US President stated.
Earlier in the day, Trump expressed optimism to reporters that Israel and Hamas terrorists in Gaza will be able to reach a ceasefire-for-hostages arrangement next week. On Monday, he will meet with Netanyahu at the White House.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
&w=3840&q=100)
First Post
19 minutes ago
- First Post
‘Look for somebody with plenty of credit cards': Jailed Philippine leader Duterte's message to his ‘girlfriends'
Rodrigo's 'girlfriends' have become a source of headache for the Duterte family. Many of them have travelled to the Hague over the past weeks to meet the former president but they were not allowed to enter the facility read more Former Philippine president Rodrigo Duterte delivers a speech during the proclamation rally for his political party PDP-Laban's senatorial candidates ahead of the midterm elections, at Club Filipino in San Juan, Metro Manila, Philippines, February 13, 2025. Reuters Former Philippines president Rodrigo Duterte, who is already facing a war crimes trial in the Hague, has a new headache knocking at his door: More than a dozen women who allegedly had relationships with the self-proclaimed 80-year-old womaniser. Rodrigo's son Paolo Duterte on Monday (June 30) visited his father at the ICC and passed on a message from the former president to all the women seeking to meet him in the Hague: 'To all his girlfriends – look for somebody else. Somebody with plenty of credit cards.' STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD It was not clear how many women Rodrigo dated but Paolo claimed to know of at least 13 in the city of Davao alone. His brother and Davao's acting mayor Sebastian meanwhile said there were only four—Duterte's former wife, Elizabeth Zimmerman, his current partner Cielito 'Honeylet' Avancena, Balaba and Egan. 'All of these fine ladies touched the life and heart of my father. No one is above or below the other, including my mother. It is what it is,' wrote Sebastian in a Facebook post. Meanwhile, Duterte's daughter and Vice-President Sara Duterte said in June that her father was 'smart' because 'when he separated from my mother, he didn't marry again … And therefore, now, nobody can claim Rodrigo Duterte because they're just all equally girlfriends.' The women have become a source of headache for the Duterte family. Several of them have travelled to the Hague over the past weeks to meet the former president but they were not allowed to enter the facility. On June 20, Veronica 'Kitty' Duterte, the 20-year-old youngest daughter of Rodrigo Duterte, posted on Instagram, sharply criticising an unnamed individual for attempting to get close to her father. Without disclosing the person's identity or gender, she condemned their 'audacity' for claiming to have performed duties for Duterte, accusing them of posing as his partner to gain access, visit him, and extract information for potentially harmful purposes. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD The post sparked widespread speculation among Duterte's supporters. Online discussions pointed to two individuals: Joyleen 'Girlie' Balaba, a 52-year-old councillor from Cagayan de Oro, and Jasmin 'Jasy' Egan, a former protocol officer at the presidential palace. Both reportedly travelled to The Hague recently. Nuelle Duterte, a psychiatrist and the former president's niece, shared with This Week in Asia that 'Girlie Balaba was an open secret in Davao City, widely known as one of his girlfriends. I saw her once at a local hospital in Davao when I was a medical student, and she was identified as 'Digong's [Rodrigo's] girlfriend'.' Rodrigo Duterte has remained evasive on the issue. When questioned by his son Paolo about Egan, he reportedly dismissed any connection, stating they had no 'relation.' Paolo recounted his father's lighthearted remark: 'They're not cousins, they're not siblings, so there's no relation.' Notably, Duterte was transferred to the Netherlands on March 12 to face charges of crimes against humanity at the International Criminal Court (ICC) related to his role in the deadly 'war on drugs' campaign. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD During his presidency, Duterte publicly urged law enforcement to pursue and eliminate individuals suspected of involvement in the illegal drug trade. The war crimes trial could see him sentenced up to 30 years in jail.
Time of India
24 minutes ago
- Time of India
US-Iran deal on cards? Donald Trump meets Saudi defence minister; Tehran sets terms for dialogue
Saudi defence minister Prince Khalid bin Salman (left) (Image: X) and US President Donald Trump (right) (Image: AP) US President Donald Trump met Saudi defence minister Prince Khalid bin Salman at the White House on Thursday to discuss de-escalation efforts with Iran, according to Fox News. Prince Khalid, who is the younger brother of Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman , also held talks with White House envoy Steve Witkoff and Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth . The meeting took place ahead of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu 's Monday meeting with Trump at the White House. Focus on de-escalation and peace: The meeting is crucial for Saudi Arabia as it wants to ease tensions in the region after the recent 12-day war between Israel and Iran. Talks also reportedly covered broader issues of ending the war in Gaza, negotiating the release of remaining hostages and working toward Middle East peace. The Trump administration wants to push for a historic peace deal between Saudi Arabia and Israel in the coming months. Fox news quoting their sources suggested that the meeting was not only about normalizing ties of Saudi Arabia with Israel but also about necessary steps required to reach it. The meeting comes just days after Trump said other countries have expressed interest in joining the Abraham Accords. The recent Middle East conflict dubbed the '12-Day War' saw Israel and the US target Iran's nuclear sites. Strengthening the Abraham Accords: The Abraham Accords, signed at the White House in September 2020 during Trump's first term are a set of agreements that aimed to normalize relations between United Arab Emirates, Bahrain, Morocco and Sudan. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like 5 Books Warren Buffett Wants You to Read In 2025 Blinkist: Warren Buffett's Reading List Undo US special envoy to the Middle East Steve Witkoff said on June 25 that expanding the accords is one of the president's 'key objectives' and predicted 'big announcements' about new countries joining soon. Last week, White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt named Syria as one of the nations Trump is eager to bring into the accords, noting their historic meeting in Saudi Arabia earlier this year during the US President's visit to the Middle East. Saudi-Iran dialogue: The Saudi defence minister spoke on the phone with Iran's Chief of the General Staff, Major General Abdolrahim Mousavi on June 29. 'We discussed developments in the region and the efforts being made to maintain security and stability,' Bin Salman wrote on X. . Witkoff is also planning to meet Iranian foreign minister Abbas Araghchi in Oslo next week to restart nuclear talks, according to Axios. The Iranian foreign ministry said Araghchi spoke on the phone Thursday with Norwegian foreign minister Espen Eide to discuss efforts to ease regional tensions. Trump on Iran talks: Speaking to local media on Thursday, Trump said Iran wants to initiate talks with the US and 'it is time that they do.' He added that the US does not want to hurt Iran. 'I know they want to meet and if it is necessary I will do it,' Trump said. Iran's conditions for talks: In an email interview with ANI, Iran's Ambassador to India, Iraj Elahi, said any negotiations with the US are meaningless unless Washington offers a 'credible guarantee' to prevent future acts of aggression by Israel and the US. 'As for negotiations with the United States, considering their betrayal of diplomacy and complicity with the Zionist regime in launching illegal attacks on Iran, while a diplomatic process was still ongoing, there will be no meaning or value in any talks unless a credible guarantee is provided to prevent the recurrence of such acts of aggression,' he said. Elahi was referring to two major military operations last month. On June 13, Israel launched 'Operation Rising Lion,' carrying out widespread airstrikes on Iranian soil that targeted nuclear sites at Natanz and Fordow and Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) command bases. Several senior IRGC commanders and nuclear scientists were reportedly killed. This was followed by US strikes on June 21–22 under 'Operation Midnight Hammer,' which also targeted Iranian nuclear infrastructure. Iran has strongly condemned both operations as blatant violations of international law and the UN Charter.
&w=3840&q=100)
Business Standard
36 minutes ago
- Business Standard
Trump, disappointed by call with Putin, to speak with Zelenskyy on Friday
US President Donald Trump said early on Friday he came away disappointed from a telephone call with Russian President Vladimir Putin because it does not appear the latter is looking to stop Russia's war against Ukraine. US attempts to end Russia's war in Ukraine through diplomacy have largely stalled, and Trump has faced growing calls - including from some Republicans - to increase pressure on Putin to negotiate in earnest. After speaking to Putin on Thursday, Trump plans to speak to Ukraine President Volodymyr Zelenskyy on Friday, he said in remarks to reporters on his return to Washington from a trip to Iowa. "I'm just saying I don't think he's looking to stop, and that's too bad." The two leaders did not discuss a recent pause in some US weapons shipments to Kyiv during the nearly hour-long conversation, a summary provided by Putin aide Yuri Ushakov showed. Within hours of their concluding the call, an apparent Russian drone attack sparked a fire in an apartment building in a northern suburb of Kyiv, Ukrainian officials said, indicating little change in the trajectory of the conflict. In Kyiv itself, Reuters witnesses reported explosions and sustained heavy machine-gun fire as air defense units battled drones over the capital, while Russian shelling killed five people in the east. "I didn't make any progress with him at all," Trump told reporters on Thursday. Zelenskyy told reporters in Denmark earlier in the day that he hopes to speak to Trump as soon as Friday about the pause in some weapons shipments first disclosed this week. Speaking to reporters as he left Washington for Iowa, Trump said "we haven't" completely paused the flow of weapons but blamed his predecessor, Joe Biden, for sending so many weapons that it risked weakening US defenses. "We're giving weapons, but we've given so many weapons. But we are giving weapons," he said. "And we're working with them and trying to help them, but we haven't (completely stopped). You know, Biden emptied out our whole country giving them weapons, and we have to make sure that we have enough for ourselves." The diplomatic back-and-forth comes as low stockpiles have prompted the US to paused shipments of certain critical weapons to Ukraine, sources told Reuters earlier, just as it faces a Russian summer offensive and growing attacks on civilian targets. Putin, for his part, has continued to assert he will stop his invasion only if the conflict's "root causes" have been tackled, making use of Russian shorthand for the issue of NATO enlargement and Western support for Ukraine, including the rejection of any notion of Ukraine joining the NATO alliance. Russian leaders are also angling to establish greater control over political decisions made in Kyiv and other Eastern European capitals, NATO leaders have said. The pause in US weapons shipments caught Ukraine off-guard and has generated widespread confusion about Trump's current views on the conflict, after saying just last week he would try to free up a Patriot missile defense system for use by Kyiv. Ukrainian leaders called in the acting US envoy to Kyiv on Wednesday to underline the importance of military aid from Washington, and caution that the pause in its weapons shipments would weaken Ukraine's ability to defend itself against Russia. The Pentagon's move has meant a cut in deliveries of the Patriot defense missiles that Ukraine relies on to destroy fast-moving ballistic missiles, Reuters reported on Wednesday. Ushakov, the Kremlin aide, said that while Russia was open to continuing to speak with the US, any peace negotiations needed to happen between Moscow and Kyiv. That comment comes amid some signs that Moscow is trying to avoid a three-way format for possible peace talks. The Russians asked American diplomats to leave the room during such a meeting in Istanbul in early June, Ukrainian officials have said.
