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Ex-Jihadist Agents Appointed to Trump Advisory Board? Report Alleges Lashkar, Al-Qaeda Ties Ignored

Ex-Jihadist Agents Appointed to Trump Advisory Board? Report Alleges Lashkar, Al-Qaeda Ties Ignored

Time of India18-05-2025
Two controversial figures with past links to terror groups have reportedly been appointed to Donald Trump's Lay Leaders Advisory Board. Investigative journalist Laura Loomer identified Ismail Royer and Shaykh Hamza Yusuf as appointees, sparking concerns over White House vetting. Royer, a convicted jihadist, was linked to anti-India militant ops in Kashmir and allegedly to the 2008 Mumbai attacks. Yusuf, co-founder of Zaytuna College, has been accused of ties to Hamas and the Muslim Brotherhood and faces NIA charges in India. Watch
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$565m credit line for Maldives, talks on free trade pact
$565m credit line for Maldives, talks on free trade pact

Time of India

time25 minutes ago

  • Time of India

$565m credit line for Maldives, talks on free trade pact

PM Modi and President of the Maldives Mohamed Muizzu (Pic credit: AP) The turnaround in India-Maldives ties in the past 10 months - following the acrimonious removal of Indian military personnel from the strategically located country - seemed complete as India announced a fresh $565 million line of credit (LoC) for the Indian Ocean neighbour and signed an agreement to reduce its annual debt repayment burden by 40%. As President Mohamed Muizzu hosted PM Modi for the latter's first visit to the country under his presidency, receiving Modi at the airport, both sides affirmed their commitment to a bilateral investment pact and a free trade agreement, for which the terms of reference were finalised. Seven MoUs and agreements were signed. Muizzu had invited Modi as the guest of honour for the Maldivian independence day celebrations. India had extended an $800 million LoC in 2019 under the previous pro-India Maldivian Democratic Party govt but on this occasion the LoC is in Indian currency (Rs 4,850 crore). PM: India & Maldives will soon finalise an investment treaty The president said after his meeting with Narendra Modi it will be used for priority projects in defence, healthcare, education and housing. Foreign secretary Vikram Misri said Muizzu reiterated the Maldives's condemnation of the Pahalgam attack. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like They Were So Beautiful Before; Now Look At Them; Number 10 Will Shock You Reportingly Undo Muizzu has been seen as a pro-China leader in the past because of his association with the India Out campaign while in the opposition, and his insistence on driving out Indian military from the archipelago after taking over as president in Nov 2023. Muizzu travelled to India in Oct last year for an official visit, during which he said Maldives would do nothing to hurt India's security interests and would prioritise the relationship. The leaders then launched a Comprehensive Economic and Maritime Security Partnership to resuscitate the relationship. Modi said India is proud of the fact that it's Maldives's most reliable partner and that for India, it's always friendship first. "To give a new impetus to our development partnership, we have decided to provide a line of credit of $565 million, or approximately Rs 5,000 crore, to Maldives. It will be used for projects related to infrastructure development in line with the priorities of the people of Maldives," said Modi, calling the relationship older than history and as deep as oceans. One of the agreements signed is expected to bring down Male's annual LoC debt repayment from $51 million to $29 million. Modi said that both countries will soon finalise a bilateral investment treaty and their target now is "from paperwork to prosperity", adding a local currency settlement system under discussion will facilitate trade. There was focus on defence and security cooperation as the new defence ministry building built with Indian assistance was inaugurated. Asked whether there was any discussion about China, Misri said in a press briefing that India continued to work very closely with the Maldives on any issue that might "impinge on not just our security but our common security in this region that we share". Modi will participate in the independence day celebrations on Saturday and meet political functionaries. The visit saw the leaders virtually inaugurating a roads and drainage system project in Addu city and six high impact community development projects in other cities.

Joy Taylor blasts Donald Trump over Epstein links just days after Fox firing amid sexual misconduct scandal
Joy Taylor blasts Donald Trump over Epstein links just days after Fox firing amid sexual misconduct scandal

Time of India

time38 minutes ago

  • Time of India

Joy Taylor blasts Donald Trump over Epstein links just days after Fox firing amid sexual misconduct scandal

Joy Taylor takes a jab at Donald Trump over Epstein files (Getty Images) Just days after her departure from Fox Sports, Joy Taylor stirred public debate by weighing in on reports linking Donald Trump to Jeffrey Epstein 's files. Her pointed social media post signaled a bold return to the spotlight, suggesting she's no longer holding back when it comes to political commentary. Joy Taylor takes a jab at Donald Trump over Epstein files just days after Fox Sports firing On July 24, Joy Taylor reposted a story from Complex on her Instagram Stories revealing that Donald Trump had reportedly been notified by the Justice Department that his name appears in documents related to Jeffrey Epstein, the late convicted sex offender. Alongside the post, Taylor wrote a biting caption: 'Water is wet.' The cryptic remark quickly caught fire online, with many interpreting it as a sarcastic confirmation that Trump's name showing up in such files was unsurprising — or perhaps long suspected. While Taylor didn't expand on her message, her decision to comment so soon after her Fox Sports departure suggests she's no longer interested in playing it safe in the public sphere. Joy Taylor's exit from FS1 followed sexual misconduct lawsuit and internal shakeups Taylor's social media moment arrives amid lingering questions surrounding her firing from FS1, where she co-hosted Speak with Keyshawn Johnson and Paul Pierce. Her name was recently included in a January sexual misconduct and discrimination lawsuit filed by former FS1 hairstylist Noushin Faraji. 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 The suit also named Skip Bayless and former executive Charlie Dixon, accusing Taylor of downplaying a groping allegation and mocking PTSD symptoms. Taylor has denied the accusations outright, calling them 'meritless and attention-seeking.' However, internal reviews reportedly uncovered additional concerns behind the scenes. Former FS1 host Cris Carter commented on the matter during a podcast appearance, saying, 'They had to tear all those shows down… That thing was ugly… Had to happen.' Donald Trump's Epstein ties spark renewed scrutiny amid political pushback Meanwhile, the Trump-Epstein connection continues to make headlines. A report from The Wall Street Journal claims that Attorney General Pam Bondi informed Trump during a May briefing that his name had surfaced in DOJ files related to Epstein. The White House has dismissed the reports as 'fake news,' insisting that appearing in documents does not imply wrongdoing. Still, Joy Taylor's post suggests public figures are no longer willing to stay quiet — especially when they feel uncensored. Also Read: Joy Taylor's FOX Sports scandal: Everything about the backstage drama, show cancellations, and lawsuit that led to her exit FAQs 1. Why is Joy Taylor in the news after her Fox Sports exit? She posted a controversial reaction to reports linking Donald Trump to Jeffrey Epstein, sparking political backlash. 2. What led to Joy Taylor's departure from Fox Sports? Taylor was named in a sexual misconduct and discrimination lawsuit, prompting a major shakeup at FS1. 3. Did Joy Taylor comment directly on Donald Trump? Yes, she shared a cryptic post seemingly mocking the resurfaced Epstein allegations involving Trump. For real-time updates, scores, and highlights, follow our live coverage of the India vs England Test match here. Catch Rani Rampal's inspiring story on Game On, Episode 4. Watch Here!

Trump says Hamas wants to die, urges Israel to ‘finish the job' in Gaza
Trump says Hamas wants to die, urges Israel to ‘finish the job' in Gaza

India Today

time44 minutes ago

  • India Today

Trump says Hamas wants to die, urges Israel to ‘finish the job' in Gaza

US President Donald Trump on Friday said Israel should escalate its military campaign in Gaza and 'clean it up' after Hamas rejected a US-backed ceasefire proposal, suggesting the militant group has no interest in peace.'Hamas really didn't want to make a deal. I think they want to die,' Trump said bluntly before leaving for a trip to Scotland. 'It's very, very bad. It got to be to a point where you have to finish the job.'advertisementThe president's warning came a day after his Middle East peace envoy, Steve Witkoff, announced that the United States was pulling back from ongoing negotiations to reassess strategy in Washington. Trump, who played a key role in negotiating the release of Edan Alexander — the last US-Israeli citizen held hostage by Hamas — said the group's refusal to compromise on the final stages of talks showed it was committed to continued violence.'Now we're down to the final hostages, and they know what happens after you get the final hostages,' Trump said. 'Basically because of that, they really didn't want to make a deal.'With the humanitarian situation in Gaza deteriorating rapidly, and reports mounting of starvation among civilians, Trump signaled that diplomacy may no longer be viable.'They'll have to fight and clean it up,' he said, backing Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's military campaign. 'They (Hamas) will be hunted down.'Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said Israel was now mulling "alternative" options to achieve its goals of bringing its hostages home from Gaza and ending Hamas rule in the envoy Steve Witkoff said Hamas was to blame for the impasse, and Netanyahu said Witkoff had got it Hamas official Basem Naim said on Facebook that the talks had been constructive, and criticised Witkoff's remarks as aimed at exerting pressure on Israel's behalf."What we have presented - with full awareness and understanding of the complexity of the situation - we believe could lead to a deal if the enemy had the will to reach one," he Qatar and Egypt said there had been some progress in the latest round of talks. They said suspensions were a normal part of the process and they were committed to continuing to try to reach a ceasefire in partnership with the HUNGERMass starvation has taken hold in Gaza, with international aid agencies warning that food and medical supplies are nearly depleted for the territory's 2.2 million residents. Israel's siege of the enclave — tightened in March and only partially eased in May — has left the population teetering on the brink of a man-made Gaza Strip does not need flying aerobatics,' said Ismail Al-Thawabta, head of the Hamas-run Gaza media office, dismissing recent airdrops by Israel and other countries as cosmetic. 'It needs an open humanitarian corridor and a steady daily flow of aid trucks to save what remains of the lives of besieged, starving civilians.'Over the past 24 hours alone, Gaza's health authorities reported nine more deaths from malnutrition and starvation. The toll is rising by the day, with dozens having already died in recent weeks due to worsening United Nations confirmed Friday that supplies of specialised therapeutic food — critical for treating children with severe acute malnutrition — are nearly gone. UN agencies blame Israeli restrictions for hampering humanitarian for its part, insists it has allowed sufficient food into the territory and accuses the UN of mismanagement. 'This is a deliberate ploy to defame Israel,' the Israeli foreign ministry said in a statement. The UN has pushed back, saying it is doing its best under highly restricted conditions and has demanded Israel provide evidence for claims that UN aid workers are affiliated with aid chief Tom Fletcher, in a letter seen by Reuters, asked Israel to substantiate its accusations, amid growing international scrutiny of Israel's role in worsening Gaza's humanitarian the war rages on. Palestinian officials said 21 people were killed Friday in Israeli airstrikes and gunfire, including five in a strike on a Gaza City school sheltering displaced families. Among the dead was journalist Adam Abu Harbid, whose body was carried through the streets with his blue flak jacket marked 'PRESS' laid across military campaign began after Hamas-led militants attacked border towns on October 7, 2023, killing around 1,200 people and taking 251 hostages. Since then, Gaza's health ministry says nearly 60,000 Palestinians have been killed in Israeli operations, with much of the strip reduced to rubble.- EndsTune InMust Watch

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