‘If Druze…' Syria Tribal Fighters ‘At Sweida Border' As Sharaa's Troops Block Entry Amid Truce
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Time of India
36 minutes ago
- Time of India
Israel's key airport attacked: Houthi millitants launch missile at Tel Aviv; bombing destroys port's dock again
Israel on Tuesday intercepted a ballistic missile launched by Yemen's Houthi militant group towards Ben Gurion International Airport near Tel Aviv, the Israeli military confirmed. The interception followed air raid sirens sounding across multiple regions of the country. Houthi military spokesperson Yahya Saree claimed responsibility for the strike, saying the group had targeted the airport using a 'Palestine 2' hypersonic ballistic missile. Saree had made a similar claim just hours earlier. — IDF (@IDF) Meanwhile, A Houthi security official, requesting anonymity to discuss sensitive matters, told AFP that "the bombing destroyed the port's dock, which had been rebuilt following previous strikes." The attempted strike came a day after Israel launched an airstrike on Houthi targets in Yemen's Hodeidah port. The operation was part of Israel's ongoing retaliation against the Iran-backed Houthis, who have been attacking vessels headed to Israeli ports and firing missiles into Israeli territory. The Houthis recently resumed deadly attacks in the Red Sea and Gulf of Aden, targeting ships they accuse of having links to Israel, to put pressure on Israel to end the Gaza war.
Hans India
an hour ago
- Hans India
Kerala Community Leader Sparks Controversy Over Religious Demographics And Birth Rates
A prominent Kerala community leader has generated significant controversy by making provocative statements about religious demographics and their impact on the state's political landscape. Vellapally Natesan, a key figure in the Hindu Ezhava community, has drawn criticism for his remarks connecting birth rates to electoral representation and warning about potential changes in Kerala's religious composition. During a leadership gathering of the Sree Narayana Dharma Paripalana Yogam in Kottayam on Saturday, Natesan made statements that have since sparked intense debate across Kerala's political and social circles. His comments addressed what he perceives as shifting demographic patterns and their implications for political influence within the state. Natesan expressed concerns about both major political coalitions in Kerala, claiming that the ruling Left Democratic Front and opposition United Democratic Front were providing preferential treatment to the Muslim community. He argued that these political alignments necessitated greater unity among Hindu communities to maintain their influence in state governance. The SNDP leader specifically addressed members of Kerala's largest Hindu caste group, suggesting that their collective action could determine electoral outcomes. He emphasized the potential power of unified community voting, stating that coordinated efforts could significantly impact who governs the state. His remarks included criticism of what he characterized as religious considerations influencing public policy decisions. Natesan referenced a recent educational controversy where extending school hours was discussed, citing objections from religious organizations about reducing holidays for traditional festivals as evidence of growing religious influence in administrative matters. The community leader invoked previous statements by former Kerala Chief Minister VS Achuthanandan regarding potential demographic changes by 2040, suggesting that such shifts might occur sooner than anticipated. He pointed to specific examples from electoral constituencies to support his assertions about changing population patterns. Natesan drew attention to constituency delimitation changes in different districts, arguing that seat reductions in some areas contrasted with increases in others, which he attributed to varying demographic trends. He specifically mentioned Alappuzha district experiencing constituency reductions while Malappuram district gained additional seats. This recent controversy follows earlier statements by Natesan that generated criticism in April, when he made contentious remarks about Malappuram district during a convention speech. His previous comments characterized the Muslim-majority district in terms that many found divisive and inappropriate for public discourse. The leader's statements reflect ongoing tensions in Kerala's complex religious and political landscape, where community identities intersect with electoral calculations. His appeals to specific demographic groups highlight the sensitive nature of religious representation in state politics. These remarks have prompted responses from various political parties and community organizations, with critics arguing that such statements promote divisiveness rather than unity. The controversy underscores broader debates about secularism, demographic representation, and political mobilization along religious lines. The SNDP Yogam, which represents significant portions of Kerala's Hindu population, plays an important role in the state's political dynamics. Statements from its leadership often carry considerable weight in community discussions and electoral considerations. Kerala's diverse religious composition has historically been a subject of political attention, with various communities seeking to maintain their influence in governance and policy-making. The current controversy adds another dimension to ongoing discussions about representation, demographics, and political strategy in the state.
Indian Express
2 hours ago
- Indian Express
Trump ‘caught off guard' by recent Israeli strikes in Syria and Gaza, says White House
US President Donald Trump was 'caught off guard' by the recent Israeli strikes in Syria and the IDF shelling that hit a Catholic Church in Gaza, said White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt on Monday (July 22). The incidents drew a prompt reaction from the US President, who called his staunch ally, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, to 'rectify' the situation, the White House press secretary said. 'The president enjoys a good working relationship with Bibi Netanyahu and stays in frequent communication with him. He was caught off guard by the bombing in Syria and also the bombing of a Catholic Church in Gaza,' Leavitt told reporters. 'In both accounts, the president quickly called the prime minister to rectify those situations,' she added. Trump 'wants the killing to end': Leavitt Leavitt said that Trump was deeply concerned about the increasing death toll in war-torn Gaza and that he wants the bloodbath to end. 'The president's message on this conflict we've seen in the Middle East taking place for far too long, that has become quite brutal, especially in recent days, you've seen reports of more people dying. I think the president never likes to see that. He wants the killing to end, and he wants to negotiate a ceasefire in this region,' the White House press secretary said. 'He wants to see all of the hostages released from Gaza. That has been a top priority for this president,' she added. Trump is pressing for an end to the ongoing war in Gaza and is also attempting to support the new Syrian government. However, the military operations by Israel have jeopardised these initiatives. Last week, the IDF strike on a Catholic church in the besieged Palestinian enclave, killing three people, sparked massive outrage. Additionally, Israel intervened during the latest outbreak of sectarian violence in Syria, bombing the country's capital, Damascus. Trump's special envoy to Syria, Tom Barrack, told The Associated Press that Israel's intervention in Syria 'creates another very confusing chapter' and 'came at a very bad time.' Leavitt further emphasised that Trump wanted to see peace and applauded his efforts to push humanitarian aid into Gaza. 'The president is the reason that aid is even being distributed in Gaza at all,' she said. 'It's a very difficult and complicated situation that the president inherited because of the weakness of the last administration. And I think he should be applauded,' Leavitt added. 'The president wants to see peace, and he's been pretty clear on that.' (With inputs from agencies)
