France halts Gaza evacuations after Palestinian student sparks antisemitism row
The student, who had been enrolled at the prestigious Sciences Po university in Lille, lost her accreditation after screenshots emerged on social media allegedly showing her reposting antisemitic content, including an image of Adolf Hitler accompanied by captions appearing to incite violence against Jews. The posts, reportedly shared in September, were widely circulated by pro-Israel accounts on X (formerly Twitter).Lille's chief prosecutor told AFP a criminal probe has been opened against the student for allegedly attempting to 'justify terrorism' and 'justify a crime against humanity.' French Interior Minister Bruno Retailleau also intervened, demanding the student's social media account be shut down. It has since been taken offline.The student arrived in France on July 11 under a programme that awarded scholarships for 'academic excellence' and had already passed through an initial security screening, according to a French diplomatic source. However, Foreign Minister Stphane Sjourn later confirmed that 'She must leave the country,' adding that discussions were underway regarding her deportation destination.Barrot emphasised that all Palestinians previously admitted to France through the evacuation programme will now undergo a second round of screening. 'We are not suspending humanitarian support. But we must understand how such a failure in vetting occurred,' he said.Since the start of the Israel-Hamas war on October 7, 2023, France has facilitated the evacuation of over 500 people from Gaza, including journalists, artists, students, and wounded children.The scandal has placed intense scrutiny on France's screening process and humanitarian intake policies amid growing political pressure and concerns about rising antisemitism.- EndsMust Watch
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Time of India
an hour ago
- Time of India
Why is Mathura Sridharan, Ohio's new solicitor general, being trolled?
Source: X/@OhioAG Indian-origin lawyer Mathura Sridharan, recently appointed as Ohio's 12th Solicitor General, has become the target of online trolling, much of it laced with racism and xenophobia. Her appointment, announced on July 31 by Ohio Attorney General Dave Yost, sparked a wave of derogatory comments questioning her Americanness and mocking her cultural identity, particularly her choice to wear a bindi. Yost, however, stood firmly by his decision. Sharing the news on X (formerly Twitter), he praised Sridharan's brilliance and qualifications: 'Mathura is brilliant… she won her argument at SCOTUS last year. Both the SGs she worked under (Flowers & Gaiser) recommended her. I told her when I originally hired her I needed her to argue with me. She does… All the time! Excited to promote her. She will serve Ohio well.' Source: The Federalist Society Despite her impressive credentials, some corners of the internet chose to focus on her heritage and appearance rather than her legal record. A particular point of contention was her wearing of a bindi, a traditional mark worn on the forehead, which for centuries has held cultural, spiritual, and aesthetic significance in South Asia. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Villas Prices In Dubai Might Be More Affordable Than You Think Villas In Dubai | Search Ads Get Quote Undo One user wrote, 'Well, the dot is discreet, but ultimately still visible.' Another commented, 'Why the f*** are you hiring some dothead pooja?' The comments didn't just stop at the bindi but one user even commented on her skin complexion, 'That jaundice doesn't look too good'. The Bindi: A mark of identity The bindi, sometimes referred to as a tikli, is far more than a decorative accessory. Rooted in Hindu traditions, it once symbolized everything from marital status to religious beliefs and caste. Spiritually, it's long been considered the ajna chakra—the point of consciousness or the third eye—in ancient Hindu philosophy. Traditionally made with vermilion, sandalwood paste, or sacred ash, the bindi has evolved over time. By the 20th century, it was common to use waxy substances like Vaseline to affix the red dot, while stencil-like bindi papers allowed wearers to experiment with geometric precision and ornate designs. Today, the bindi has expanded beyond its religious connotations, becoming a global fashion statement embraced by many, though often not without controversy. Sridharan's wearing of the bindi isn't an anomaly or act of defiance; it's simply a visible connection to her roots. Yet, in a political climate that increasingly scrutinizes identity, even such subtle expressions of culture can be weaponized.
Indian Express
an hour ago
- Indian Express
Daily subject-wise quiz : International Relations MCQs on African Union, Khmer Kingdom and more (Week 121)
UPSC Essentials brings to you its initiative of subject-wise quizzes. These quizzes are designed to help you revise some of the most important topics from the static part of the syllabus. Attempt today's subject quiz on International Relations to check your progress. 🚨 Click Here to read the UPSC Essentials magazine for July 2025. Share your views and suggestions in the comment box or at With reference to the African Union (AU), consider the following statements: 1. The AU's secretariat, the African Union Commission, is based in Nairobi. 2. The official languages of the Union and all its institutions are only Arabic and French. 3. It was officially established in 2002 as the successor of the Organisation of African Unity. How many of the statements given above are correct? (a) Only one (b) Only two (c) All three (d) None Explanation — The African Union (AU) is an intergovernmental organisation of the 55 member states located on the continent of Africa. — It was officially established in 2002 as the successor of the Organisation of African Unity (OAU, 1963-1999). Hence, statement 3 is correct. — The African Union Commission, the organization's secretariat, is headquartered in Addis Ababa. The organisation has a combined GDP of $3 trillion and 1.4 billion people. Hence, statement 1 is not correct. — However, its primary goal was to assist in the liberation of the continent's colonial countries. To accomplish this, the OAU mobilised diplomatic support and gave logistical assistance to liberation movements throughout Africa. — The official languages of the Union and its institutions will be Arabic, English, French, Portuguese, Spanish, Kiswahili, and any other African language. Hence, statement 2 is not correct. Therefore, option (a) is the correct answer. (Other Source: With reference to the World Economic Outlook, consider the following statements: 1. It provides a comprehensive picture of the global economy as well as details of individual countries. 2. It is published by the World Bank once every two years. Which of the statements given above is/are correct? (a) 1 only (b) 2 only (c) Both 1 and 2 (d) Neither 1 nor 2 Explanation — The International Monetary Fund (IMF) released the latest update of its World Economic Outlook (WEO). The IMF has 191 member countries, and its overall goal is to strive for their 'sustainable growth and prosperity'. It does so by fostering international trade, economic growth, and policies that encourage countries to cooperate, especially when it comes to monetary policy. The IMF releases the WEO twice every year, in April and October, apart from updating it twice — in January and July. Hence, statement 2 is not correct. — The WEO is the IMF's benchmark publication as it provides a comprehensive picture of the global economy as well as details of individual countries. Hence, statement 1 is correct. — The broader message is captured by the title of the update — 'Global Economy: Tenuous Resilience amid Persistent Uncertainty'. There are two main takeaways for the state of the global economy. — First, the global economy has proven to be resilient, albeit tenuous, and second, the outlook is plagued by persistent uncertainty. Therefore, option (a) is the correct answer. Consider the following statements: 1. Until July 20, this country was the 58th largest economy in the world. A day later, it rose three spots to the 55th rank, overtaking Ukraine, Qatar, and Hungary in the process as it added more than $50 billion, or roughly 30 per cent of its GDP, in 2024. 2. This is not the first time this country has seen such a huge increase in its GDP due to the base year revision. More than a decade ago, change in the base year from 1990 to 2010 had helped propel this nation to the position of Africa's largest economy thanks to an even-larger 89 per cent increase in the GDP to $510 billion in 2014. The above mentioned statements refer to: (a) Sudan (b) Nigeria (c) Tanzania (d) South Africa Explanation — On July 21, Nigeria's National Bureau of Statistics (NBS) published the results of its GDP rebasing exercise, which saw the base year of the indicator being updated to 2019 from 2010, among other changes. Nigeria's GDP in 2024 is now estimated at $243 billion in nominal terms, up from $187 billion forecast by the International Monetary Fund (IMF). — Nigeria's base-year revision exercise included other more meaningful changes in the manner in which the African nation calculates the GDP. This included increasing the scope of its methodology to include previously undercounted sectors such as digital services, pension fund operations, and e-commerce activities, among others. — This is not the first time Nigeria has seen such a huge increase in its GDP due to the base year revision. More than a decade ago, change in the base year from 1990 to 2010 had helped propel Nigeria to the position of Africa's largest economy thanks to an even-larger 89 per cent increase in the GDP to $510 billion in 2014. Therefore, option (b) is the correct answer. With reference to the places in news and the region associated, consider the following statements: 1. Zaporizhzhia nuclear plant – Iran 2. Sochi – Russia 3. Oaxaca region – Brazil How many of the pairs given above are correctly matched? (a) Only one (b) Only two (c) All three (d) None Explanation — More than 120 firefighters were trying to extinguish a blaze at an oil depot in the Russian city of Sochi that was sparked by a Ukrainian drone attack, regional Governor Veniamin Kondratyev said. — In the Krasnodar region on the Black Sea where Sochi is located, a fuel tank with a capacity of 2,000 cubic metres (70,000 cubic feet) was on fire, Russia's RIA news agency reported, citing emergency officials. — The International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) said that its team at Ukraine's Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Power Plant (ZNPP) heard explosions and saw smoke coming from a nearby location. — A 5.7 magnitude earthquake struck the southern Mexican state of Oaxaca, the German Research Center for Geosciences (GFZ) said. Therefore, option (a) is the correct answer. Which of the following organisations is known as the world's 'Atoms for Peace and Development'? (a) International Energy Agency (b) International Renewable Energy Agency (c) World Energy Council (d) International Atomic Energy Agency Explanation — The International Atomic Energy Agency is the world's central intergovernmental forum for scientific and technical cooperation in the nuclear field. — It promotes the safe, secure, and peaceful use of nuclear science and technology, therefore contributing to world peace and security and the United Nations' Sustainable Development Goals. — The IAEA, often known as the 'Atoms for Peace and Development' organisation within the United Nations family, is the international centre for nuclear cooperation. Therefore, option (d) is the correct answer. (Source: The Khmer Kingdom, which reached its political peak in the 12th and 13th centuries, encompassed which of these countries or portions of present-day countries? 1. Cambodia 2. Thailand 3. Laos 4. Vietnam 5. Myanmar Select the correct answer using the codes given below: (a) 1, 2, 3, 4 only (b) 2, 3, 4 and 5 only (c) 1, 2 and 5 only (d) 1, 2, 3, 4 and 5 Explanation — One of the conflicts drawing global attention in 2025 is the dispute between the Southeast Asian neighbours — Thailand and Cambodia. At its core lies a border. Stretching across 508 miles, this boundary was drawn when France occupied Cambodia in the late eighteenth century. — Cambodia is situated in mainland Southeast Asia, with Thailand to the west and Vietnam to the east. It shares its northeastern border with Laos. The ethnic majority of Cambodia, the Khmers, reached their political peak in the twelfth and thirteenth centuries, when the Khmer kingdom of Angkor encompassed portions of what are now Thailand, Laos, Vietnam, and Myanmar. Since the thirteenth century, however, this stronghold steadily weakened. Therefore, option (d) is the correct answer. Recently, Chin State was in the news due to a faceoff between two anti-military forces. Which country is this referring to? (a) Cambodia (b) Philippines (c) Thailand (d) Myanmar Explanation — Around 4,000 new refugees from Myanmar have entered Mizoram over the past few days following a renewed outbreak of fighting in the neighbouring country's Chin State. — The Chin State in Myanmar has been witnessing a faceoff between two anti-military junta forces – the Chin National Defence Force (CNDF) and the Chinland Defence Force (CDF) Hualnogram – since July 2. As a result, thousands of residents have streamed into Mizoram's Champhai district. Therefore, option (d) is the correct answer. The 'Two-State Solution,' often seen in news, refers to: (a) Division of the Korean Peninsula into North Korea and South Korea as two sovereign nations. (b) Creation of two independent states for Israelis and Palestinians living side-by-side in peace and security. (c) Separation of Sudan and South Sudan into two independent republics following a UN-mediated referendum. (d) Division of Cyprus into Greek and Turkish parts under a UN-brokered peace deal. Explanation — The Two-State Solution refers specifically to the proposal that Israel and Palestine should exist as two independent, sovereign states, coexisting peacefully within mutually agreed and secure borders. — This solution is supported by the United Nations and most of the international community, including India, as reaffirmed at the UN high-level conference in July 2025. — India stated that it's time to move from paper solutions to practical implementation through diplomatic dialogue. Therefore, option (b) is the correct answer. Daily Subject-wise quiz — History, Culture, and Social Issues (Week 119) Daily subject-wise quiz — Polity and Governance (Week 121) Daily subject-wise quiz — Science and Technology (Week 121) Daily subject-wise quiz — Economy (Week 121) Daily subject-wise quiz — Environment and Geography (Week 121) Daily subject-wise quiz – International Relations (Week 120) Subscribe to our UPSC newsletter and stay updated with the news cues from the past week. Stay updated with the latest UPSC articles by joining our Telegram channel – IndianExpress UPSC Hub, and follow us on Instagram and X. Manas Srivastava is currently working as Senior Copy Editor with The Indian Express (digital) and leads a unique initiative of IE - UPSC Essentials. He majorly writes on UPSC, other competitive exams and education-related projects. In the past, Manas has represented India at the G-20 Youth Summit in Mexico. He is a former member of the Youth Council, GOI. A two-time topper/gold medallist in History (both in graduation and post-graduation) from Delhi University, he has mentored and taught UPSC aspirants for more than five years. His diverse role in The Indian Express consists of writing, editing, anchoring/ hosting, interviewing experts, and curating and simplifying news for the benefit of students. He hosts the YouTube talk show called 'Art and Culture with Devdutt Pattanaik' and a LIVE series on Instagram and YouTube called 'LIVE with Manas'.His talks on 'How to read a newspaper' focus on newspaper reading as an essential habit for students. His articles and videos aim at finding solutions to the general queries of students and hence he believes in being students' editor, preparing them not just for any exam but helping them to become informed citizens. This is where he makes his teaching profession meet journalism. He is also the editor of UPSC Essentials' monthly magazine for the aspirants. He is a recipient of the Dip Chand Memorial Award, the Lala Ram Mohan Prize and Prof. Papiya Ghosh Memorial Prize for academic excellence. He was also awarded the University's Post-Graduate Scholarship for pursuing M.A. in History where he chose to specialise in Ancient India due to his keen interest in Archaeology. He has also successfully completed a Certificate course on Women's Studies by the Women's Studies Development Centre, DU. As a part of N.S.S in the past, Manas has worked with national and international organisations and has shown keen interest and active participation in Social Service. He has led and been a part of projects involving areas such as gender sensitisation, persons with disability, helping slum dwellers, environment, adopting our heritage programme. He has also presented a case study on 'Psychological stress among students' at ICSQCC- Sri Lanka. As a compere for seminars and other events he likes to keep his orating hobby alive. His interests also lie in International Relations, Governance, Social issues, Essays and poetry. ... Read More
Time of India
an hour ago
- Time of India
Macron slams 'abject cruelty' of Hamas hostage video
Live Events (You can now subscribe to our (You can now subscribe to our Economic Times WhatsApp channel French President Emmanuel Macron said on Sunday that Hamas showed "inhumanity without bounds" by releasing videos of two emaciated Israeli hostages held by the Palestinian militant group in and its Islamic Jihad ally have recently released three clips showing captives Rom Braslavski and Evyatar David, who were seized during the October 7, 2023 attack on Israel that triggered the war."Abject cruelty, inhumanity without bounds: this is what Hamas represents," said the French head of state of the "unbearable images"."The absolute priority for France is the immediate release of all the hostages," he added on the footage shared by the Palestinian Islamist groups, 21-year-old Braslavski, a German-Israeli, and 24-year-old David both appear weak and footage of David showed him digging what he said in the staged video was his own grave, triggering particular who has said France will recognise a Palestinian state in September, promised to "work without respite" for "the re-establishment without delay of a ceasefire, and to allow the mass delivery of humanitarian aid, still blocked at the gates of Gaza".But he also argued that Hamas must have no part ruling coastal strip once the war ends."We must have the total demilitarisation of Hamas, its complete exclusion from any form of governance and the recognition of Israel by the state of Palestine," he Macron, the European Union's top diplomat, Kaja Kallas, also condemned the videos as showing Hamas's "barbarity", insisting the Islamist militants disarm and release the dozens of hostages it still keeps in Foreign Minister Andriy Sybiga added his voice to the outrage, insisting that "Hamas's inhuman treatment of the Israeli hostages deserves a very strong condemnation"."People in Gaza should not remain suffering because of Hamas's heinous crimes. It must lay down its arms and release all hostages immediately," Sybiga added on and David are among 49 hostages taken during Hamas's 2023 attack still held in Gaza, including 27 the Israeli military says are of the 251 hostages seized in the attack have been released, some in exchange for Palestinians in Israeli 2023 attack resulted in the deaths of 1,219 people, mostly civilians, according to a tally based on official campaign in Gaza has killed at least 60,430 people, also mostly civilians, according to figures from the Hamas-run territory's health ministry. The United Nations considers those figures to be reliable.
