Yemen fighters allied to exiled government claim seizure of tons of Iranian-supplied Houthi weapons
For years, the US Navy and other Western naval forces have seized Iranian arms being sent to the Houthis, who have held Yemen's capital since 2014 and have been attacking ships in the Red Sea over the Israel-Hamas war.
The seizure announced Wednesday, however, marked the first major interdiction conducted by the National Resistance Force, a group of fighters allied to Tariq Saleh, a nephew of Yemen's late strongman leader Ali Abdullah Saleh.
The Houthis and Iran did not immediately acknowledge the seizure, which the National Resistance Force said happened in late June.
A short video package released by the force appeared to show anti-ship missiles, the same kinds used in the Houthis' recent attacks that sank two ships in the Red Sea, killing at least four people as others remain missing.
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Time of India
32 minutes ago
- Time of India
Indian firm shipped explosives to Russia despite US warnings
Live Events WASHINGTON WOOS NEW DELHI (You can now subscribe to our (You can now subscribe to our Economic Times WhatsApp channel An Indian company shipped $1.4 million worth of an explosive compound with military uses to Russia in December, according to Indian customs data seen by Reuters, despite U.S. threats to impose sanctions on any entity supporting Russia's Ukraine war of the Russian companies listed as receiving the compound, known as HMX or octogen, is the explosives manufacturer Promsintez , which an official at Ukraine's SBU security service said has ties to the country's official said that Ukraine launched a drone attack in April against a Promsintez-owned factory. According to the Pentagon's Defense Technical Information Center and related defense research programs, HMX is widely used in missile and torpedo warheads, rocket motors, exploding projectiles and plastic-bonded explosives for advanced military U.S. government has identified HMX as "critical for Russia's war effort" and has warned financial institutions against facilitating any sales of the substance to HMX sale to Russian firms has not been previously defense manufacturers have been working around the clock for the past several years to sustain President Vladimir Putin's war in Ukraine, which intensified with Russia's full-scale invasion of its neighbor in which has recently forged closer ties with the United States in an effort to counterbalance China's growing influence, has not abandoned its longstanding military and economic ties with trade with Russia - especially its purchases of Russian oil - has remained robust, even as Western nations have tried to cripple Russia's war economy with sanctions.U.S. President Donald Trump threatened earlier in July to hit nations with a 100% tariff if they continued purchasing Russian U.S. Treasury Department has the authority to sanction those who sell HMX and similar substances to Russia, according to three sanctions lawyers. HMX is known as a "high explosive," meaning it detonates rapidly and is designed for maximum has no indication that the HMX shipments violated Indian government policy. One Indian official with knowledge of the shipments said that the compound has some limited civilian applications, in addition to its better-known military foreign ministry said in a statement: "India has been carrying out exports of dual-use items taking into account its international obligations on non-proliferation, and based on its robust legal and regulatory framework that includes a holistic assessment of relevant criteria on such exports."The U.S. State Department did not comment on the specific shipments identified by Reuters but said it had repeatedly communicated to India that companies doing military-related business are at risk of sanctions."India is a strategic partner with whom we engage in full and frank dialogue, including on India's relationship with Russia," a spokesperson said."We have repeatedly made clear to all our partners, including India, that any foreign company or financial institution that does business with Russia's military industrial base are at risk of U.S. sanctions."Russia's defense ministry did not respond to a request for comment."While India has not typically been among the primary jurisdictions used for circumventing sanctions, we are aware that isolated cases can occur," Ukrainian presidential adviser Vladyslav Vlasiuk told Reuters."We can confirm that the Russian company Promsintez has appeared on our radar in the past, including in connection with cooperation involving Indian counterparts," added Vlasiuk, President Volodymyr Zelenskiy's top sanctions identified two HMX shipments sent in December by Indian firm Ideal Detonators Private Limited, both of which were unloaded in St. Petersburg, according to the Indian customs data. An Indian government official with direct knowledge of the shipments confirmed shipment, worth $405,200, was purchased by a Russian company called High Technology Initiation Systems, the data show. The other shipment, worth more than $1 million was purchased by Promsintez. Both purchasers are based in Samara Oblast, near the border of Kazakhstan in southern Russia, according to the Detonators Private Limited, based in the Indian state of Telangana, did not respond to a request for and High Technology Initiation Systems also did not respond to requests for several Indian entities were sanctioned during the administration of former U.S. President Joe Biden for supporting Russia's war effort, sanctions were applied sparingly due to geopolitical considerations, according to two U.S. officials who worked on sanctions under Trump, Russia-related sanctions work has slowed to a trickle, and it is not clear if the United States will take further action against Indian companies doing business with Russia's defense has long sought closer relations with India to pull the South Asian country away from Prince, a partner at Washington-based law firm Akin, said the U.S. government often prefers to communicate its concerns privately to allies and only take punitive actions as a last resort.
Time of India
33 minutes ago
- Time of India
German government denies rift over Israel's conduct in Gaza
This is an AI- generated image used for representational purposes only German Chancellery Minister Thorsten Frei on Wednesday dismissed concerns of a rift within Germany's coalition government over its position on Israel. An apparent split emerged after Germany opted not to join dozens of Western countries in signing a condemnation of the "inhumane killing" of Palestinian civilians in Gaza on Monday. What has Berlin said about the Gaza letter? Frei, Chancellor Friedrich Merz's top aide, said the coalition was united in its aims regarding Gaza, even if there were divisions over how Germany could achieve them. "There's not even a sheet of paper between the partners," Frei told German broadcaster ZDF. "Of course, you can have different views about the form and the path to a shared goal." On Tuesday, leading figures in the center-left Social Democrats (SPD), the junior coalition partner to Merz's Christian Democrats (CDU), urged the government to join a joint declaration signed by 28 states, including France, Italy and the UK, as well as the European Commission, the European Union's executive branch. It called for an immediate end to the war in Gaza and condemned Israel's actions. Germany has so far declined to sign on to the declaration. However, Frei defended the government's stance, saying the declaration lacked clarity in its sequencing of events. "It must be made clear that the starting point of this war was Hamas' attack on October 7, 2023, and that Hamas continues to hold hostages," he said. He added that Germany maintains "many channels of contact" with the Israeli government. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Swelling and internal bleeding in the brain, help this baby Donate For Health Donate Now Undo Frei emphasized that "the humanitarian situation in Gaza must change," and while Israel has the right to self-defense, protecting civilians is "a legal imperative under international law." What did the SPD say about the declaration? Matthias Miersch, the SPD's parliamentary leader, praised the signatory states, including Germany's "closest partners such as France, Canada and Austria," for sending "a clear signal." The countries involved condemned what they called the "drip feeding of aid" to Palestinians in Gaza and said it was "horrifying" that more than 800 civilians had been killed while seeking food and water. "If international law is systematically violated, there must be consequences," Miersch wrote on the platform X. "Germany should join the UK's initiative and not opt out here." "Starving children, destroyed infrastructure, attacks on people seeking help: That goes against everything that international humanitarian law protects," the senior SPD politician said. Reem Alabali Radovan, Germany's international development minister and an SPD member, said Tuesday she was disappointed by the decision. "The demands in the letter from the 29 partners to the Israeli government are understandable to me. I would have wished for Germany to join the signal sent by the 29 partners," she said. SPD foreign policy spokesperson Adis Ahmetovic and rapporteur for the Middle East Rolf Mützenich, both senior lawmakers within the party, also called on Germany to join the declaration. They stressed in a joint statement that "the situation in Gaza is catastrophic and represents a humanitarian abyss." How has Merz defined his position? German officials have said their stance on Israel is shaped by a unique responsibility, the Staatsraison (reason of state), rooted in the country's Nazi-era history and the Holocaust. They argued they can accomplish more through private diplomatic channels than with public declarations. Merz has said the European Council, the heads of state or government of the European Union, had already issued a joint declaration "practically identical in content to what is expressed in the letter" now circulating. He pointed to the Council's June statement, which deplored the humanitarian crisis in Gaza but was less emotional and bluntly critical of Israel and did not condemn its planned relocation of Palestinians to a so-called "humanitarian city" unveiled earlier this month. "I was one of the first to say very clearly, even in Germany, that the situation there is no longer acceptable," Merz said, pushing back on claims of any split. On Monday, he said he had spoken with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Friday, telling him "very clearly and very explicitly that we do not share the Israeli government's policy on Gaza." "The way the Israeli army is operating there is not acceptable," Merz said. Fractures within the ruling coalition, only in power since May, were already exposed over a dispute about the appointment of a Constitutional Court judge.
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First Post
an hour ago
- First Post
‘Baron of Westarctica': How a UP man ran fake embassy from a Ghaziabad bungalow for 7 years
Harshvardhan Jain was arrested on Tuesday by the Uttar Pradesh Special Task Force (STF) for operating a fake 'Westarctica' embassy out of a rented house in Ghaziabad's Kavi Nagar. He posed as a 'Baron' representing Westarctica, a self-declared micronation claiming land in Antarctica and founded by a former US Navy officer. During the raid, officials recovered luxury cars with diplomatic plates, stamps from 34 countries, Rs 44 lakh in cash, and more read more Harshvardhan Jain was arrested on Tuesday by the Uttar Pradesh Special Task Force (STF). Image: News18 Until Tuesday, few people, even in his own Ghaziabad neighbourhood, had any idea what was going on inside his home. Now, he has been exposed as the man behind one of the most unusual cons recently. He posed as a diplomat from imaginary countries and shared edited photos with some of India's top leaders. Harshvardhan Jain was arrested on Tuesday by the Uttar Pradesh Special Task Force (STF). He had been running a fake 'Westarctica' embassy from a rented house in Kavi Nagar. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD During the raid, officials found luxury cars with diplomatic plates, 'diplomatic passports' linked to 12 micronations, stamps from 34 countries, Rs 44 lakh in cash, foreign currency, and an expensive watch collection. But who is Harshvardhan Jain? And how did he turn a bungalow in Ghaziabad into a fake embassy? Let's find out: Who is Harshvardhan Jain? The 56-year-old has claimed to live many lives. Police say he introduced himself as the 'Ambassador of Westarctica' and also claimed to be the 'consul' of Seborga, Lodonia, and Poulvia, which are micronations with no official recognition. He posed as a 'Baron' representing Westarctica, which claims land in Antarctica and was founded by a US Navy officer. Though the so-called country is not recognised by any official authority, Jain is accused of using its name, along with made-up titles and honorary positions, to gain access to high-profile groups. Notably, Jain holds an MBA from the London College of Applied Science, as well as another MBA from ITS College in Ghaziabad, India Today reported. His father was a businessman based in Ghaziabad, and the family owned marble mines in Rajasthan. After his father's death and facing financial difficulties, Jain came in contact with controversial godman Chandraswami. With his help, Jain moved to London, where he started several businesses. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD Investigating agencies say these companies were used to conceal unaccounted money, the report said. After Chandraswami's death, Jain returned to Ghaziabad and set up a fake embassy to trick people. He rented a grand bungalow in Ghaziabad and presented it as the 'Consulate-General in New Delhi' for Westarctica. The official Instagram page of Westarctica posted images of the house just before the police raid, claiming 'Baron HV Jain' had been heading the consulate since 2017 and often hosted charity events. He was seen driving luxury cars with false diplomatic number plates, distributing business cards and press passes that looked authentic enough to avoid suspicion, and for a moment, they worked. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD To appear credible, he even edited photos of himself with top leaders like Prime Minister Narendra Modi and former President Dr APJ Abdul Kalam. What is Westarctica? Westarctica is not a real country. It was created in 2001 by an American named Travis McHenry, who laid claim to an uninhabited part of Antarctica. It has a website, a self-proclaimed 'Grand Duke,' and a symbolic system of nobility. However, it is not recognised by the United Nations, the Indian government, or any official authority. How Harshvardhan Jain turned a bungalow into fake embassy Jain's 'embassy' in Ghaziabad managed to convince quite a few people. The bungalow displayed foreign flags, and his vehicles had number plates marked 'DC', short for Diplomatic Corps. Inside, there were documents with official-looking letterheads, forged IDs, fake seals, and edited photos with figures like Prime Minister Narendra Modi and former President APJ Abdul Kalam. #WATCH | Noida unit of UP STF busted an illegal embassy running in Ghaziabad and arrested Harsh Vardhan Jain, who was running an illegal West Arctic Embassy by taking a rented house in Kavinagar calling himself Consul/Ambassador of countries like West Arctica, Saborga, Poulvia,… — ANI (@ANI) July 23, 2025 STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD Officers say he used these props to appear credible, draw people into business arrangements, and offer fake diplomatic 'posts' to those willing to pay. According to NDTV, Jain was also linked to shell companies that may have been involved in hawala-like transactions. Through his so-called embassies, he promised job placements and business contacts abroad. But behind the grand setup was a bigger scam. Jain is accused of taking large sums from individuals and firms in return for overseas placements and special permissions for international ventures, News18 reported. 'He ran a broker network. People believed his promises because he looked the part — from fancy cars to custom-made diplomatic suits,' ADG (Law & Order) Amitabh Yash said. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD To appear credible, he even edited photos of himself with top leaders. Image: News18 What did the police find? The Special Task Force had been observing Jain for weeks after a tip-off. When officers raided the Ghaziabad property on July 22, they found: 4 luxury cars, including a Range Rover, Toyota Fortuner, and a Skoda, all with fake diplomatic plates. 18 spare number plates, many marked with 'DC' or 'CD,' symbols usually reserved for official diplomats. 12 forged diplomatic passports from Westarctica and other imaginary countries. Rs 44.70 lakh in cash, along with several foreign currencies. 34 fake seals, two press cards, two PAN cards, and a collection of forged documents, including letters from the Ministry of External Affairs, invitations, and nameplates. Jain has been charged with forgery, impersonation, cheating, and criminal conspiracy. The FIR has been filed at the Kavi Nagar police station. Police believe others may have helped him, including those who created documents, handled money, or promoted the fake setup within influential circles.
