Latest news with #Palestin
The National
22-07-2025
- Politics
- The National
Police operation for Donald Trump visit to be biggest since Queen's death
The US president is due to visit his golf courses in Ayrshire and Aberdeenshire between July 25 and 29 and policing of the visit is being described as 'significant and complex'. Assistant Chief Constable Emma Bond, who is heading up the operation, told journalists at a press briefing it was set to be the biggest event for the force since the death of Queen Elizabeth at Balmoral in September 2022. The Queen's coffin had to be transported from the Balmoral estate to Holyroodhouse in Edinburgh by road on a six-hour journey by hearse. Asked if it was the biggest operation since then, Bond said: 'I think it probably is.' READ MORE: 'Epstein Island' sign put up at Donald Trump's Scottish golf course Questioned about whether it was a bigger event then the Queen's death for Police Scotland, she went on: 'I would need to go back and look at specific numbers. 'It is a significant and complex operation, it will have an impact on a number of parts of Scotland and the priority is to make sure that it passes off with the least amount of disruption and the focus is on making sure that the president is safe while he is here and can enjoy his time.' It is not yet known where the president is planning to be on each day of his visit. It has, however, been confirmed he will meet with Prime Minister Keir Starmer while in [[Aberdeen]] and plans are being put in place for the president to meet First Minister John Swinney. Last time Trump visited in 2018 there were widespread protests and he was heckled as he played golf at Turnberry with his son Eric. (Image: Colin Mearns) Police Scotland is now encouraging protesters to get in touch with them if they are planning to stage a demonstration. Bond was asked specifically about what action might be taken around people showing support for Palestine Action and in particular whether people would be arrested if they wore t-shirts saying 'Genocide in [[Palestine]]. Time for Action'. There have been a number of people arrested in recent days for wearing such t-shirts, which has attracted widespread concern. Bond said she as unable to give assurances that people wearing these t-shirts would not be arrested. On the point of Palestine Action, she said: 'Any support for Palestine Action, be that in terms of clothes worn, be that in terms of banners held, would be regarded as and is now an offence under the Terrorism Act and people are liable to arrest for those offences.' She added: 'I couldn't be specifically proscriptive because it absolutely is down to what we assess on the ground and not everything is as clear cut as necessarily it might be in some circumstances. READ MORE: Tory MP Kit Malthouse in stark 'Hague' warning to David Lammy over Gaza 'We have had some cases where individuals have worn a t-shirt that says I support Palestine Action, those sorts of things are far clearer than we might face in other circumstances so I couldn't be proscriptive. The onus will be on us to show how the actions demonstrate support for Palestine Action if there are arrests made, that would need to be a criteria met.' Asked if people wearing the 'Genocide in Palestine, Time for Action' shirts could be assured they wouldn't be arrested because it's not a direct affiliation with Palestine Action, Bond said: 'No I can't give any assurances until I can understand the full context and circumstances because it may not just be what is being worn. It may be words that are being said alongside, so I think it would be wrong to look at one particular thing in isolation.' The force has submitted a request for 'mutual aid' to the force in Northern Ireland ahead of Trump's first visit since he was elected for a second term. A request for mutual aid is a formal agreement between different police forces to provide assistance to each other, especially during major incidents or when one force's resources are stretched. The Scottish Police Federation said on Monday it was seeking legal advice over plans surrounding the visit. General secretary David Kennedy said he was concerned Scotland does not have enough officers to handle such a major event. Bond said she was confident that concerns raised by officers would be resolved. 'Officers are making sacrifices on a daily basis to keep communities in Scotland safe,' she said. 'We work hard and the federation play an important role so we are working with them to make sure any issues or concerns they have are resolved but I'm confident with the plan we have in place and a key component of that is looking after the wellbeing and welfare of our officers.'
Yahoo
22-05-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Trump DHS blocks Harvard's ability to enroll international students
The Trump administration told Harvard University on Thursday it no longer would be allowed to enroll international students, a significant escalation in President Trump's war against the university. Kristi Noem, the head of the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), ordered Harvard to be taken off the Student and Exchange Visitor Program certification. Along with not allowing new foreign students, the DHS said the thousands of current foreign-born students at Harvard 'must transfer or lose their legal status.' 'This administration is holding Harvard accountable for fostering violence, antisemitism, and coordinating with the Chinese Communist Party on its campus,' Noem said. 'It is a privilege, not a right, for universities to enroll foreign students and benefit from their higher tuition payments to help pad their multibillion-dollar endowments. 'Harvard had plenty of opportunity to do the right thing. It refused. They have lost their Student and Exchange Visitor Program certification as a result of their failure to adhere to the law. Let this serve as a warning to all universities and academic institutions across the country.' International students made up 27 percent of Harvard's student body in the 2024-25 academic year, with nearly 7,000 enrolled. Such students typically pay more to their universities than those from the U.S. and contribute billions of dollars to the American economy. 'The government's action is unlawful. We are fully committed to maintaining Harvard's ability to host our international students and scholars, who hail from more than 140 countries and enrich the University — and this nation — immeasurably,' a spokesperson for the school said. 'We are working quickly to provide guidance and support to members of our community. This retaliatory action threatens serious harm to the Harvard community and our country, and undermines Harvard's academic and research mission,' they added. The New York Times was the first to report the news. One person familiar with the discussions told the Times that Harvard likely will mount a legal challenge to the move. The university and the DHS have reportedly been battling for days over records requests regarding information about Harvard's international students and their visas. The Trump administration has launched a multi-front pressure campaign against Harvard after the university refused to bow to its demands for changes to its admissions and hiring policies, as well as getting rid of diversity, equity and inclusion programs. The Trump administration and Harvard are already locked into a legal battle after the federal government pulled almost $3 billion in funding. Noem's announcement ramps up not only Trump's fight with Harvard but also his broader crackdown on international students. The administration has arrested numerous foreign students and faculty in the past three months, seeking to have them deported. Many of the high-profile cases were against individuals who have supported Palestine publicly on their campuses, with the White House arguing they post a threat to the foreign policy of the United States. Students have been arrested off the streets and during naturalization interviews, with several quickly transferred to a federal detention center in Louisiana, sometimes thousands of miles away from home. A judge ruled on Thursday to stop the federal government from terminating the legal status of international students across the country, arresting the individuals or transferring them outside the jurisdiction of residence. Updated at 2:57 p.m. EDT Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Malay Mail
21-05-2025
- Health
- Malay Mail
Dzulkefly: Malaysia, Palestine to boost health ties in workforce development, disease control
KUALA LUMPUR, May 21 — Malaysia and Palestine have agreed to strengthen strategic cooperation to strengthen a health system that is fair, resilient and based on universal human values. Health Minister Datuk Seri Dr Dzulkefly Ahmad said the cooperation was detailed during a bilateral meeting between him and his Palestinian counterpart, Dr Maged Abu Ramadan, today. Dzulkefly said the areas of cooperation discussed were health workforce capacity development, prevention and control of communicable and non-communicable diseases, and digital transformation efforts in health. 'This meeting further strengthens the close relationship between two Muslim countries with aspirations to strengthen a fair, resilient and humane health system. 'I also commend Palestine's success in implementing the polio vaccination campaign using nOPV2, an important step in public health preparedness,' he said in a post on his official Facebook. Dzulkefly said the entire discussion was held in Arabic as a diplomatic approach aimed at ensuring clear message delivery, strengthening mutual understanding and respecting the cultural backgrounds of both parties. At the same time, he reiterated Malaysia's stance raised at the recent 78th World Health Assembly (WHA78), which urged the international community not to remain silent on the ongoing humanitarian and public health crisis in Gaza. — Bernama
Miami Herald
12-05-2025
- Politics
- Miami Herald
Food security group warns Israeli blockade raises famine threat in Gaza
May 12 (UPI) --Gaza is under the threat of widespread famine as nearly 500,000 Palestinians are facing catastrophic food insecurity, the Integrated Food Security Phase Classification reported on Monday. About 96% of the population in the Gaza strip is facing high levels of acute food insecurity, classified as Phase 4, the organization says. About 22% are classified as facing catastrophic acute food insecurity -- Phase 5 -- which is described as "an extreme lack of food, starvation and exhaustion of coping capacities." "Goods indispensable for people's survival are either depleted or expected to run out in the coming weeks," the organization said, according to the United Nations. "The entire population is facing high levels of acute food insecurity. In a scenario of a protracted and large-scale military operation and continuation of the humanitarian and commercial blockade, there would be a critical lack of access to supplies and services that are essential to survival." This comes two months after Israel instituted a total blockade of Gaza, cutting off humanitarian aid. The United States has thrown its support behind a plan to deliver private aid to Gaza, U.S. Ambassador to Israel Mike Huckabee said on Friday. He did not say when aid will begin to arrive. "It is going to require the partnership not only of governments but of [non-government organizations], charitable organizations and nonprofits from around the world," Huckabee said. The Integrated Food Security Phase Classification shared skepticism of the plan for Israel to distribute aid into Gaza, citing "significant access barriers for large segments of the population." It adds that the proposal is highly insufficient. The organization warns that the Gaza Strip is likely to fall into a Phase 5 risk of famine by the end of September if Israel's large-scale military operation continues. "The latest announcements suggest that this worst-case scenario is becoming more likely," the IPC's report says. U.N. High Commissioner for Humanitarian Rights Volker Turk echoed IPC's skepticism of Israel's plan. Turk said in a statement that it threatens the existence of Palestinians in the Gaza Strip. "This would only compound the misery and suffering inflicted by the complete blockade on the entry of basic goods for almost nine weeks now," Turk said in a statement. "Gaza's residents have already been deprived of all lifesaving necessities, particularly food, with relentless Israeli attacks on community kitchens and those trying to maintain a minimum of law and order. Any use of starvation of the civilian population as a method of war constitutes a war crime." Israel's bombardment of Gaza continued throughout the weekend into Monday. A school for Palestinian refugees, operated by the United Nations, was struck in the attacks on Saturday. Four people were killed in a bombing at a United Nations Relief and Works Agency facility in North Gaza on Friday. The Palestinian Ministry of Health reports 52,862 Palestinians have been killed and 119,648 have been injured in the conflict. Copyright 2025 UPI News Corporation. All Rights Reserved.
Al Manar
27-03-2025
- Politics
- Al Manar
Escalating Israeli Assault on Gaza: Rising Death Toll, Humanitarian Crisis Worsens
Israeli occupation airstrikes on Gaza claimed the lives of 11 Palestinians on Thursday as the occupation's ongoing assault continues to devastate the besieged enclave. The humanitarian situation has significantly worsened, with the United Nations warning that famine is looming due to the ongoing blockade and restrictions on aid. Olga Cherevko, spokesperson for the United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) in Gaza, stated that the humanitarian situation has significantly worsened, particularly over the past week. She warned that 'the specter of famine is looming once again due to the closure of border crossings and 'Israel's' prevention of humanitarian aid from entering the Strip.' Innocent children endured a bloody night in Gaza as Israel intensified its violent airstrikes across the Strip. Since dawn today, more than 20 Palestinians were reported killed in Israeli attacks. — Quds News Network (@QudsNen) March 27, 2025 IOF Faces Reservist Crisis Meanwhile, the Israeli newspaper Haaretz reported that the Israeli occupation army is grappling with a crisis within its reserve forces amid expanded military operations in Gaza. The report noted that a significant number of reservists are unlikely to comply if recalled for duty. It also highlighted declining morale among Zionist reservists following the decision to breach the ceasefire agreement and resume hostilities. Hamas Spokesperson Martyred in Israeli Strike Hamas spokesperson Abdul Latif Al-Qanou was martyred in an Israeli airstrike targeting his tent in Jabalia, northern Gaza. Hamas mourned Al-Qanou, stating that 'targeting the movement's leaders and spokespersons will not break our resolve but will only strengthen our determination to continue the path of liberation.' 🟢 HAMAS: Hamas announced the assassination of Dr. Abd al-Latif al-Qanou, its spokesperson, in an Israeli strike on Jabaliya refugee camp. Hamas vowed that his killing would only strengthen their resolve for liberation. — The Palestine Chronicle (@PalestineChron) March 27, 2025 The Islamic Jihad Movement and the Palestinian Popular Resistance Movement also mourned Al-Qanou, condemning what they called a 'cowardly assassination.' The Popular Resistance Movement declared in a statement that 'the blood of the martyrs is a sacred trust that we will neither abandon nor compromise. It will be a curse upon the occupier.' Earlier this week, Israeli forces also assassinated senior Hamas leaders Ismail Barhoum and Salah Al-Bardawil. Journalists have not been spared either, as Israeli strikes killed reporter Hossam Shabat just hours after the assassination of Palestine Today correspondent Mohammad Mansour and his family. Rising Casualties Amid Intensified Bombardment Hospitals in Gaza reported receiving 25 martyrs and 82 wounded individuals in the past 24 hours. Since March 18, the death toll has risen to 855, with 1,869 injured. In Khan Younis, four Palestinians were injured when an Israeli airstrike targeted a home in Abasan Al-Kabira, east of the city. Additionally, an Israeli sniper shot and killed a Palestinian with disabilities in the Al-Zeitoun neighborhood, southern Gaza City. An Israeli sniper mercilessly shot and killed a disabled Palestinian man in Gaza, ending his life before he could even eat the biscuit he held in his hands. This is the harsh reality of the enclave; where every loaf of bread is soaked in blood. — Quds News Network (@QudsNen) March 27, 2025 Israeli enemy warplanes continued their raids on Gaza, even as Palestinians marked Qadr night, a sacred night in Islam. Medical sources confirmed that numerous casualties resulted from the overnight strikes. Unaccounted Emergency Crews in Rafah For the fifth consecutive day, the fate of 15 paramedics and civil defense personnel remains unknown after Israeli occupation forces besieged and targeted them in Rafah. The Palestinian Red Crescent expressed deep concern for their safety and held Israeli authorities fully responsible. The organization urged the international community to intervene immediately to ensure rescue teams gain access to the Tal Al-Sultan area in Rafah to determine the fate of the missing personnel. Massacres in Residential Areas Israeli airstrikes have continued to target residential areas, causing further bloodshed. A child was martyred and several civilians were wounded when Israeli warplanes bombed a home east of Khan Younis. At least 12 people were killed when Israeli strikes targeted the homes of the Bali and Qassem families in Beit Lahia, northern Gaza. Another seven were martyred and several others wounded in an attack on a home on Ahmad Yassin Street in the Al-Saftawi area, north of Gaza City. An Israeli strike also hit a tent sheltering displaced families in Al-Mawasi, west of Khan Younis, killing one Palestinian and injuring others. Civil defense teams reported dealing with at least 10 casualties, including a critically injured individual, in a strike on a tent belonging to the Zu'rob family in the Bir 19 area of southern Al-Mawasi. Furthermore, Israeli warplanes bombed a house near Al-Quds Open University in western Gaza City, leaving one person dead and others injured. More casualties were reported after another strike targeted a home in Al-Qarara, north of Khan Younis.
