Latest news with #Freedom
Newsweek
14 hours ago
- Politics
- Newsweek
Did Mahsa Amini Die in Vain?
Advocates for ideas and draws conclusions based on the interpretation of facts and data. Newsweek AI is in beta. Translations may contain inaccuracies—please refer to the original content. Thousands of young women have risked their lives in the streets of Iran for what too many Americans take for granted: freedom. Those streets may once again become the battleground for Iran's future. The United States' breathtaking strike on Iran's nuclear program, in coordination with Israel, may have opened the door to what some hope will become the liberation of the Iranian people. It was a moment that seized the world's attention and reasserted America's role as a global superpower. Mahsa Amini became the symbol of the Woman, Life, Freedom movement when she died in a Tehran hospital in 2022, after being detained by Iran's morality police for allegedly violating the country's hijab laws. Her suspicious death sparked a wave of nationwide protests led by women and girls, igniting a global movement. Whether Amini's tragic death becomes a turning point depends on what comes next. Exiled Crown Prince of Iran Reza Pahlavi called on the broad resistance of women to return to the streets, using the social media platform X to mobilize action. A photo of Mahsa Amini is displayed during a protest against the current leaders of Iran outside of the United Nations on September 24, 2024, in New York City. A photo of Mahsa Amini is displayed during a protest against the current leaders of Iran outside of the United Nations on September 24, 2024, in New York momentum of this moment, years in the making, is fueled in part by Israel's military campaign, which has significantly weakened the Iranian regime's strategic infrastructure. The stated goal is to dismantle Iran's capacity to develop nuclear weapons. Still, the long-awaited opportunity for regime change could backfire. If mishandled, it risks unleashing a wave of mass executions and plunging Iran—and the rest of the world—into even greater danger than before the first bombs fell on what was once the Persian Empire. Supporters argue that Israel's campaign to eliminate Iran's nuclear facilities—including enrichment plants, missile bases, research centers, infrastructure, and oil refineries—is a justified national security measure. Iran's Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei has repeatedly vowed to destroy the state of Israel and bring an end to Western civilization. Israel has called on civilians to evacuate Tehran ahead of further strikes, a step it claims demonstrates its concern for noncombatants. The Israeli army has framed this as a moral act—one few militaries would consider in the midst of war. Yet, as Tehran empties, the voices of women like Mahsa Amini—those who would champion freedom—are also disappearing. The objectives of this war cannot be viewed in isolation. Experts warn that Iran's current regime could be replaced by one even more repressive and hostile to the international order. Regime change must ultimately come from within. Even Pahlavi has emphasized that he does not seek power for himself, but believes the Iranian people must determine their future through elections. "Help us isolate the regime," he told Newsweek. "Help us elevate the cause of freedom." The New Iran, a prominent opposition group, has voiced alarm about the risks of the current moment. Its founder, Iman Foroutan, recently sent a letter to Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu warning of the dangers of mixed messaging. "We are gravely concerned about a potential resurgence of one of the regime's most brutal tactics: The summary execution of political prisoners," Foroutan wrote. He cited reports from June 16 that at least 15 prisoners may have been executed in Dizelabad Prison in Kermanshah. The following day, he said, inmates at Tehran's notorious Evin Prison were being segregated, raising fears of an impending wave of executions behind closed doors. A nuclear-free Iran does not automatically mean the regime is finished. A decade from now, without political transformation, the world could find itself facing the same crisis again. If Israel truly supports the Iranian people, it must ensure they can participate in demonstrations that could shape the future of their country. The United States should do more to empower Iranians to determine their destiny. Mixed messages from Israel are undermining this cause. The Jewish state must issue clear and consistent guidance that supports the Iranian people's struggle for liberty. The West cannot afford to ignore a potential wave of executions. Iran has a long and bloody record of silencing dissent through mass killings. Iranians today are trapped between a sadistic regime and a war Israel started—with U.S. backing—to secure global security. That war may be necessary, even laudable, but it must not leave the Iranian people behind. They deserve the same freedom and safety that Israelis and Americans are fighting to preserve. President Donald Trump and Prime Minister Netanyahu must remain strategic, unified, and consistent in their message. Only strength—and moral clarity—will drive real change. If this moment is to mean anything, it must be a fight not just for security, but for woman, life, and freedom—to ensure that Mahsa Amini did not die in vain. Felice Friedson is president and CEO of The Media Line, a U.S.-based news agency, and founder of the Press and Policy Student Program, the Mideast Press Club, and the Women's Empowerment Program. She reports from Jerusalem and can be reached at ffriedson@ The views expressed in this article are the writer's own.
India.com
20 hours ago
- Sport
- India.com
Andre Russell Joins Chris Gayle And Kieron Pollard In ‘THIS' T20 Milestone, Becomes Only The Third Player In The World To Achieve
Andre Russell finally showed his muscle as he put up a strong cameo of 30 from 13 balls in the Los Angeles clash against Washington Freedom. West Indian all-rounder Andre Russell has become only the third player in cricket history to smash 750 career sixes in T20 cricket. He reached 751 sixes, joining batting legends Chris Gayle and Kieron Pollard in this exclusive club. Most sixes in T20 cricket: 1 - Chris Gayle: 1056 sixes 2 - Kieron Pollard: 916 sixes 3 - Andre Russell: 751 sixes 4 - Nicholas Pooran: 641 sixes 5 - Alex Hales: 563 sixes A Momentous Milestone at MLC Russell's record-breaking six came during a thunderous spell in MLC 2025 against Washington Freedom, a platform where he has consistently showcased his raw power. Reaching 750 sixes in a single knock isn't just about milestones; it reflects the sustained dominance of a hitter who reshaped power batting in T20 cricket. What's Next for Russell? At 33, Russell continues to dominate formats around the globe: MLC, IPL, CPL, and more. As he climbs the sixes leaderboard, many wonder: Can he catch Pollard and even Gayle? The chase is on, and T20 fans will be watching closely. Freedom Pulls Off Another Thrilling 200+ Run Chase The Glenn Maxwell-led Freedom continued their sensational run-chasing form by pulling off yet another 200-plus target, sealing a five-wicket victory in a last-ball thriller. Just days after successfully chasing a record 221, the highest target in MLC history, they returned to hunt down 214, showcasing nerves of steel. The dramatic finish came after Glenn Phillips, on strike with scores level, was dropped by Jason Holder at mid-on. Phillips made the most of the lifeline, finishing unbeaten on 33 off 23 balls, while Obus Pienaar's quickfire 23 from 16 deliveries played a crucial supporting role. With this win, Freedom has now won five of their six matches, strengthening their grip on a playoff spot. In contrast, LAKR's struggles continue, with just one win from six games.
Hindustan Times
21 hours ago
- Sport
- Hindustan Times
Andre Russell falls to the floor in disbelief, dugout left dumbstruck as spectacular one-hander nearly forces Super Over
Major League Cricket saw some unbelievable drama unfold in a match between defending champions Washington Freedom and the Los Angeles Knight Riders, as their match at Grand Prairie Stadium in Dallas went right down to the wire. With the Freedom needing one run off the last ball of their chase, LAKR's stand-in captain Jason Holder nearly took a remarkable one-handed blinder to take it to a super over — only for the ball to pop out and seal the win for Washington in the most dramatic of situations. Jason Holder nearly took a one-handed blinder to force a super over in LAKR vs Washington Freedom in the MLC, with Andre Russell reacting by falling to the floor in the background.(Sportzpics) With Glenn Phillips on strike and Andre Russell bowling the final over, the field was up trying to prevent the single and force a shot over the top. The Kiwi batter went for it, but wasn't able to elevate over the tall Holder standing at mid-on. Holder had next to no time to react, however, and was only able to parry it. The all-rounder was quick to react, turning and putting in a full length dive to try and get the ball on the second attempt. While he got there at full extension, the ball agonisingly popped out as his elbow hit the ground, allowing the Freedom batters to scamper through and seal the match. Fletcher's century goes in vain, LAKR tough start continues It was a remarkable finish to a high-scoring game, as Holder just failed to take it to a super over in the most climactic fashion. The skipper wasn't the only one left unbelieving on the floor, as Russell hit the deck after he had spilled the initial chance, and watched on as his captain nearly made up for it. The Freedom thus chased down 214 in Texas, taking them to their fifth win in six matches this season, while LAKR slipped to five losses in six matches in a season that hasn't quite gone to plan. Earlier in the match, the Windies-heavy Knight Riders had ridden Andre Fletcher's 104(60) to score 213/4, and would have hoped for that to be enough. However, a furious start from Mitch Owen and some aggressive play through the middle overs from Glenn Maxwell ensured the defending champions were always in touch, before Glenn Phillips took them home in the final over.
Time of India
a day ago
- Sport
- Time of India
MLC 2025: Washington Freedom survive last-ball thriller to create league history; inch closer to playoffs
Jason Holder nearly pulled off a win for the Los Angeles Knight Riders in the MLC against Washington Freedom. (Sportzpics) Washington Freedom secured a thrilling five-wicket victory over LA Knight Riders in Dallas, chasing down 214 runs on the final ball of the match to strengthen their playoff qualification hopes in MLC 2025. Glenn Phillips and Obus Pienaar guided Freedom to victory in dramatic fashion, with Holder dropping a crucial catch at mid-on off the last delivery that would have sealed the game for Knight Riders. The Knight Riders posted a formidable total of 213/4 in their 20 overs, anchored by Andre Fletcher 's explosive century. Fletcher, who replaced Alex Hales in the lineup, scored 104 runs off 60 balls, featuring seven fours and six sixes. Go Beyond The Boundary with our YouTube channel. SUBSCRIBE NOW! Fletcher formed a commanding opening partnership with Unmukt Chand, who contributed 41 runs off 30 balls. The duo put on 130 runs in just 74 deliveries to set the foundation for a big score. LA Knight Riders: All You Need to Know | MLC 2025 Squad, Stars & Fixtures The Knight Riders' innings maintained momentum with quick-fire contributions from Sherfane Rutherford (20 off 11), Jason Holder (11 off 6), and Andre Russell (30 not out off 13). The team collected 59 runs in the final five overs, with Fletcher being tactically retired out with two overs remaining. Freedom's chase began explosively with Mitchell Owen taking charge. Owen scored 43 runs off just 16 balls, including multiple boundaries off Ali Khan and Holder, helping the team reach 73/1 in the powerplay. The middle overs saw Glenn Maxwell (42 off 23) and Andreas Gous keeping Freedom ahead of the required rate. However, the Knight Riders fought back through Holder and Tanveer Sangha, who claimed crucial wickets to put pressure on the batting side. Phillips and Pienaar came together with Freedom needing 60 runs from the final six overs. The pair managed the chase effectively, taking calculated risks and maintaining the required scoring rate. Mitchell Owens scored a rapid 16-ball 43 runs at the top of the order for Washington Freedom against Los Angeles Knight Riders in the MLC. (Sportzpics) The match went down to the final over with Freedom needing seven runs. Russell bowled exceptionally well, despite conceding a wide and a boundary early in the over, taking the game to the last ball. The dramatic finish saw Holder unable to hold onto a catch at mid-on off the final delivery, allowing Phillips and Pienaar to scramble the winning run. The victory moved Freedom to second place in the standings, ahead of Texas Super Kings. "Andre Russell and Jason Holder lay in disbelief as Washington Freedom eked out a five-wicket win over the LA Knight Riders in a high-scoring, last-ball thriller in Dallas." "Glenn Phillips and Obus Pienaar took Washington Freedom over the line." "Fletcher was even retired out as a tactical move with 12 balls to spare, which Russell and Holder hit for 23 runs." Major League Cricket 2025 Explained: Teams, Schedule & Where to Watch "With one needed of one, Jason Holder brought all his fielders in to stop the single, but ended up dropping a catch that came his way at mid-on, that ballooned up off his hands. He couldn't hold onto it on second attempt after putting in a dive, as Glenn Phillips and Obus Pienaar took the match-winning single." Brief Scores: LA Knight Riders 213/4 in 20 overs (Andre Fletcher 104, Unmukt Chand 41; Ian Holland 2-25) lost to Washington Freedom 214/5 in 20 overs (Mitchell Owen 43, Glenn Maxwell 42, Glenn Phillips 33*; Tanveer Sangha 2-35) by 5 wickets Game On Season 1 continues with Mirabai Chanu's inspiring story. Watch Episode 2 here.
Sky News AU
2 days ago
- Politics
- Sky News AU
'Warping the news': Internal documents reveal how ABC News pushes diversity, equity and inclusion quota system
A Freedom of Information investigation has uncovered documents which reveal the extraordinary steps ABC journalists must take to hit 'woke' diversity targets which are altering the structure of stories going to air. The FOI probe has also uncovered documents which show the project is being spearheaded by the ABC's powerful news boss Justin Stevens, with one email suggesting he had accused staff of committing acts of racism in 2022. The DEI push is detailed in a document titled '50:50 Equality Project' which sets out the framework for how journalists collect sensitive racial data and even disability status of voices used in news reports. READ THE EQUALITY PROJECT DOCUMENT IN FULL The ABC has been pushed to achieve diversity of 50 per cent women, 15 per cent cultural and linguistic diversity, 3.4 per cent indigenous and 8 per cent disabled representation. These identity data points are then discussed at weekly editorial meetings. Language used by the authors of the internal policy document paints a picture of the bureaucratic challenges that journalists face when attempting to choose which contacts they can put in a story. To track the details of story subjects, the national broadcaster has implemented a system asking reporters to enter identity data into a centralised application. That sensitive data is then shared with entire teams who have been instructed to hold meetings discussing the findings. The document even provides talking points for how the journalists should use that personal data to trigger conversations. While the ABC stresses journalists should never sacrifice news report quality, critics of the scheme have labelled it woke, and a waste of resourcing. In the last few years as the ABC was ramping up its diversity push, news bosses have overseen a litany of failures, including millions of dollars of taxpayer funds squandered on failed court cases, and major editorial errors. Earlier this year Mr Stevens was forced to apologise to former special forces commando Heston Russell after his newsroom edited fake gunshots into footage, giving the impression the soldier was firing shots at civilians. Mr Russell was also awarded more than $400,000 after successfully suing the ABC for defamation in October, 2023. In April, The Australian War Memorial lodged a formal complaint that separate footage in an ABC Four Corners episode gave a 'false impression' the Last Post was being disrupted by the work of construction. And yesterday, the ABC lost a high-profile unfair dismissal case after illegally sacking former ABC presenter Antoinette Lattouf. The journalist was awarded $70,000 and the ABC is expected to be left with more than $1 million in legal bills, which will ultimately be paid for by the taxpayer. What must ABC journalists do to satisfy DEI targets? The 50:50 policy document tells ABC journalists they can assess the diversity status of potential talent by a combination of personal cues — including 'how they look' and 'how they sound'. 'The ABC must ensure it equitably represents the perspectives and the lived experience people of different genders, ages, sexual orientations, social and geographic backgrounds, and those with disabilities,' the document says. 'This is not about being tokenistic to meet diversity targets – it is about diversifying and expanding our contacts to find excellent new contributors to include in our stories.' Another metric is the amount of 'CALD' (culturally and linguistically diverse) people included in news stories. Staff are instructed to make a 'reasonable assessment' of whether talent is CALD based on 'how they look', 'how they sound', '(if) they openly identify with a particular group or community' and 'their name'. People are considered to be diverse only if they are from non-Anglo-Celtic countries which do not speak English. 'The ABC defines CALD (for workforce calculation purposes) as people who are from countries in which the main language spoken is not English. European languages are included in the calculation of CALD. 'Anglo-Celtic backgrounds (where English is the main language spoken) is not, so we do not count people of Anglo heritage from the UK, NZ, Canada or the US.' In regular daily or weekly editorial meetings, the amount of diversity is then used to 'prompt a discussion about the diversity' of stories. Inside the ABC News boss' email accusing staff of 'racist behaviour' The DEI push is being led by ABC News Director Justin Stevens, a highly paid news executive who says staff have experienced racism at the ABC in an email obtained in full by Sky News. 'Six months ago I emailed you about issues around diversity and inclusion in (ABC) News and talked about the experiences of some of our colleagues with discriminatory, non-inclusive and at times racist behaviour,' he wrote in December, 2022. The email did not detail Mr Stevens' evidence or whether his own staff had committed racist acts but came six months after he publicly apologised to anyone at the ABC who 'has ever experienced racism or bigotry in our workplace'. His apology at the time related to an internal investigation which alleged racist acts had taken place in ABC newsrooms. In the same email, Mr Stevens pushed for everyone to get on board with the new 'Talent Diversity Tracking' initiative. READ JUSTIN STEVENS' ALL STAFF EMAIL ON DEI TRACKING Mr Stevens conceded the changes could be 'awkward and uncomfortable' but would improve the representation of marginalised groups in Australia. 'Talking about these issues can be awkward and uncomfortable – but it's vital we do in order to make the workplace positive for everyone,' he said. 'A key message from our people is that while we're improving the diversity of our workforce. We have a way to go to create a truly inclusive environment for all our people. Every one of us has a role to play in that. Everything we do in this area improves our journalism, making it more accurate and authentic, ensuring we're delivering for all Australians.' Mr Stevens wrote about the ABC's internal diversity tracking system, revealing that 'almost all news teams' had been storing sensitive data as early as 2022. 'Building on the 50:50 project, almost all News teams have now moved to the new talent diversity tracking system, designed to measure the representation of people with disability, women, Indigenous and culturally and linguistic diverse Australians,' he wrote. 'To help continue to increase the diversity of voices and faces in our coverage, the ABC is inviting all Australians to become part of our new Your Voice database. 'Teams across News and R&L will use Your Voice to source and store as many new diverse contacts as possible.' He also revealed that ABC journalists have been 'pilot testing' a new shared contact system known internally as the 'Your Voice' database which allowed journalists to easily find talent and voices for news stories in order to hit their diversity tracking KPIs. 'Already during the pilot testing phase more than 1500 people of many different backgrounds, locations and professional/lived experiences have made themselves available as experts and case studies,' he wrote. 'Every kind of diversity except viewpoint diversity' The ABC's diversity push has been criticised as being simply a woke waste of money, according to Scott Hargreaves, Executive Director of the Institute of Public Affairs. 'ABC management simply do not get it, warping the news the ABC presents to meet woke DEI goals is completely inconsistent with its Charter. Kim Williams and the Board should shut this down immediately,' he told Sky News. 'DEI is a cancer that eats out organisations from within by distracting it from its actual purpose and tying up staff with pointless tasks. 'The definition of news is what is of interest to the public and what is important. DEI goals for representation have nothing to do with achieving this aim.' Mr Hargreaves said the 'DEI warriors' at the ABC were interested in all kinds of diversity except for viewpoint diversity, which has led the broadcaster to sound like the 'Green-Left Weekly'. 'The ABC is no longer an institution of cultural importance in Australia as it once was. Too often the ABC fails to represent the diverse views of the community,' he said. 'While the ABC's taxpayer funding increases every year, its ratings continue to fall. It demonstrates the deep structural and cultural problems at the taxpayer funded broadcaster. 'Given the declining relevance and audience of the ABC, it is time the federal government review its funding levels and ensure it is commensurate with performance and viewership. Maybe then Australians might see some balance return to the taxpayer funded broadcaster.' 'Not quotas, just representation targets' The ABC's diversity guidelines insisted that these DEI requirements were not 'quotas' but instead were being used to 'effect real change'. This is despite the fact its internal language repeatedly refers to targets, benchmarks, and representation levels that should be measured, reported, and built upon. Sky News contacted the ABC to enquire about the document, and was directed to a report which said the broadcaster has accepted 15 recommendations from an independent review into ABC systems. The recommendations include that the ABC 'commit to being proactively anti-racist', 'create culturally safe support systems' and 'improve diverse representation'. It comes after Sky News revealed that staff were ordered to avoid commonplace phrases such as 'no can do', 'Chinese whispers' and 'gone walkabout' because they can be racially offensive. The advice was part of the new diversity and inclusion measures at the public broadcaster which came out of its internal racism review. The 4000-strong workforce at the ABC was told they must complete the compulsory 75-minute Building an Inclusive Culture training course by the end of the month. In that course was a section on avoiding 'language with racial connotations', with staff advised the following phrases can be offensive to people from 'those races' and provided with 'inclusive alternatives'. Instead of 'Chinese whispers', employees are told to use the term 'misinformation'. Rather than say someone has 'gone walkabout', it's suggested they use the word 'absent'. Staff are also told to avoid the phrase 'no can do' and instead say 'I can't help'. The ABC launched its new Inclusive Team Planning project in July 2024, as a response to an internal racism review prompted by the departure of former Q&A host Stan Grant, who accused the broadcaster of failing to support him in the wake of racial abuse stemming from his coverage of King Charles' coronation. Mr Grant called the issue an 'institutional failure' and the subsequent review found racism was 'systemic' in the ABC's ranks. Of 120 staff interviewed, only one said they had not personally experienced racism and that person was still aware of it happening at the ABC.
