On Monday, Israel launched air strikes in Lebanon after Hezbollah claimed to have attacked an Israeli position. This was the first such incident since a fragile ceasefire began last week to end ongoing fighting that has caused many deaths and forced people to leave their homes.
Both Israel and Hezbollah have been accused of breaking the ceasefire, which started on Wednesday to calm the violence that had affected people on both sides of the border. Israel believes Hezbollah violated the truce and has acted in response.
Hezbollah reported that it targeted an Israeli post near the contested area of Kfar Shouba. Israel’s military confirmed that Hezbollah fired projectiles at one of its positions at Har Dov, also known as the Shebaa Farms.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu described Hezbollah’s actions as a “serious violation” and promised a strong response. Defence Minister Israel Katz echoed this sentiment, stating that Israel’s military would take strong action. Soon after, Israel announced it was targeting places in Lebanon linked to Hezbollah.
In Lebanon, the speaker of parliament, Nabih Berri, accused Israel of breaking the ceasefire. He stated that Israel’s actions are a clear violation of the agreement.
In September, fighting escalated again when Israel shifted its focus from Gaza to Lebanon due to ongoing attacks from Hezbollah. French Foreign Minister Jean-Noel Barrot urged all sides to respect the ceasefire during a conversation with Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Saar. Saar dismissed the accusations against Israel, saying they were acting only in response to Hezbollah’s violations.
According to the deal, Hezbollah must pull back its fighters from areas south of the Litani river, and both Lebanese troops and UN peacekeepers should be present there as Israel withdraws over the next two months.
A committee made up of representatives from France, the UN, Israel, Lebanon, and the US is responsible for monitoring this agreement and addressing any violations. Berri criticized the committee for not acting on the more than 54 violations he claimed had occurred, and urged them to ensure Israel stops its actions in areas it occupies.
Despite the violence, the United States believes the ceasefire is still in place and is monitoring any potential violations. Recently, an Israeli strike reportedly killed one person in southern Lebanon, and an Israeli drone injured a Lebanese soldier in the east. The situation is tense as both sides continue to blame each other for the rising violence.
Category: World
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Israel Strikes Lebanon in Response to Hezbollah Attack: Tensions Escalate
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Joe Biden Pardons Son Hunter: A Controversial Move Explained
On December 1, President Joe Biden decided to pardon his son, Hunter Biden, lifting tax and gun-related charges against him. This came even after Joe had previously promised not to get involved with the Justice Department’s work. The pardon was issued just weeks before Hunter was supposed to be sentenced for his legal troubles.
Hunter Biden, aged 54, had been under investigation since December 2020, mostly about his business dealings in China. Reports showed that he failed to pay around $1.4 million in taxes and was caught up in a gun-related case. In June 2024, a court found him guilty of lying when he bought a gun, claiming he wasn’t addicted to drugs, while there was cocaine in his gun pouch.
Hunter Biden’s pardon covers any offenses from January 1, 2014, to December 1, 2024. After the pardon, his legal team released a document saying these legal issues were politically motivated, meant to attack Joe Biden during his presidential campaign.
Joe Biden defending his decision, explaining that he believed Hunter was treated unfairly due to pressure from his political enemies. In his statement, he said, “These charges only came about because my political opponents wanted to hurt me.” -
ISKCON Members Denied Entry to India Amid Concerns for Hindus in Bangladesh
In a surprising move, at least 54 members of the International Society for Krishna Consciousness (ISKCON) were stopped from entering India at the Benapole border. Though they had valid travel documents, Bangladesh’s immigration officials said their travel was “suspicious.” Some reports suggest that more than 70 Hindus were trying to cross the border.
One of the ISKCON members, Saurabh Tapandar Cheli, explained that they planned to attend a religious ceremony in India. However, immigration officials told them they needed permission from the government to enter. Benapole’s Immigration Checkpost Officer, Imtiaz Ahsanul Quader Bhuiyan, stated that they acted based on orders from higher authorities and consulted the police.
The ISKCON group claimed they did not receive clear reasons for their denial at the border, even though they had the correct passports and visas.
This incident comes amid rising tensions in Bangladesh, where Hindu minorities have faced violence from radical Islamist groups. Earlier in the week, India raised concerns about Chinmoy Krishna Das, a member of ISKCON in Bangladesh, who was arrested and denied bail.
Protests broke out in India, especially in West Bengal, where many people called for justice. The Indian government expressed worry about the safety of Hindus in Bangladesh and the rights of minorities to protest peacefully.
Street protests were planned by the Islamist group Hefazat-e-Islam, which is linked to a more radical group named Jamaat-e-Islami, demanding a ban on ISKCON.
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Trump’s FBI Shake-Up: Who is Kash Patel?
Donald Trump wants to make big changes to the FBI by bringing in Kash Patel as its new leader. Many Republican senators support Trump’s decision, but they have different views on whether Patel is the right choice.
Senator Chuck Grassley from Iowa, who will lead the Senate Judiciary Committee when Republicans take charge in January, said Patel needs to show Congress that he can help rebuild trust in the FBI. However, Patel doesn’t have the experience that past FBI directors had, like Robert Mueller or Christopher Wray, who is the current director.
Trump’s announcement means Wray may have to resign or be fired when Trump starts his new term on January 20, 2025. Senator Mike Rounds from South Dakota said every president wants loyal people but praised Wray as a good man, questioning why change is needed.
Some Republicans support Patel. Senator Bill Hagerty from Tennessee said Patel could help clean up the FBI, which he believes has serious issues. He thinks Patel has the experience to make the needed changes.
During Trump’s first term, Patel worked with important government committees, helping uncover claims about Russia interfering in the election. Trump said Patel stands for truth and accountability.
Patel wants to remove government workers who he feels are disloyal to Trump. He believes the Justice Department needs a major makeover, aiming to have allies in power who will support rather than criticize the president.
Grassley criticized Wray for not doing his job well and called for more transparency at the FBI. Senator Ted Cruz from Texas thinks Patel is a strong candidate who would bring real change.
On the other hand, Democrats are against Patel becoming FBI director. Senator Chris Murphy from Connecticut says Patel’s only skill is agreeing with Trump to go after political opponents. -
Mob Harasses Bangladeshi Journalist: Munni Saha’s Shocking Incident
A well-known journalist from Bangladesh, Munni Saha, was surrounded by a shouting group of people in Dhaka on Saturday night. They accused her of being an “Indian agent” and claimed she wanted to make Bangladesh part of India. This happened when she was leaving her office in the Karwan Bazar area.
Videos of the incident were shared on social media, showing Munni inside her car while people yelled at her. In a clip, she can be seen standing among the crowd, trying to explain herself. She repeatedly said, “This is my country too,” but protesters insisted she was spreading false information.
The police showed up to help and took her away in a police vehicle. Initially, she was taken to Tejgaon Police Station and later moved to the Detective Branch office, making people worry about her safety. However, the police later explained that she was not arrested and was released the next morning. They mentioned that she had a panic attack during the incident.
Munni is reportedly wanted in connection with a case related to a student’s death during violent protests about school policies. The police said they released her because of her health condition and the fact that she is a journalist.
Other journalists in Bangladesh have also faced serious issues, with some being charged with serious crimes after major political changes in the country. -
Taiwan Responds to China and Russia’s Growing Military Threats
Taipei, Taiwan: Taiwan’s Mainland Affairs Council (MAC) has spoken out against China and Russia for creating problems in the Asia-Pacific region. On Friday, they pointed out that Chinese military actions in the Taiwan Strait are causing worries. Earlier this week, China and Russia conducted joint military activities that crossed into South Korea’s air defence zone, making the situation even more serious.
On Thursday and Friday, Chinese warplanes entered Taiwan’s airspace, crossing a line that usually separates the two sides. This included 30 aircraft, 15 naval vessels, and three high-altitude balloons. The Chinese military also carried out a patrol that aimed at Taiwan, which increased tensions in a region that is already tense.
In addition, China and Russia sent a group of 11 warplanes into South Korea’s defence zone on Friday, which led South Korea to send its jets to respond. This group included five Chinese and six Russian planes, which flew over the Sea of Japan and near South Korea’s coast. According to South Korean officials, Russian planes came from the northeast, while Chinese planes entered the area near a spot called Ieodo Rock before heading north.
The MAC strongly criticized these actions, stating that they show how the Chinese Communist Party causes instability in the Taiwan Strait and the wider Asia-Pacific area. The council condemned both countries for making the region less safe and referred to their actions as careless. The Taiwanese government reaffirmed its commitment to protecting regional security, denouncing the provocative steps taken by China and Russia. -
Trump Tells BRICS: Don’t Replace the US Dollar!
Former President Donald Trump, who is set to become the next U.S. President, recently spoke about the BRICS countries and their plan to possibly stop using the U.S. dollar. The BRICS group consists of Brazil, Russia, India, China, South Africa, Iran, Egypt, Ethiopia, and the United Arab Emirates. It was created to open up investment opportunities among these countries.
Trump told BRICS nations that if they plan to create their own currency or use another currency instead of the U.S. dollar, they should think again. He said, “Go find another sucker!” He emphasized that there’s no way the BRICS countries could replace the dollar in international trade. He warned that if they try, they would face 100% tariffs, which means they would pay double the taxes on goods they try to sell in the U.S.
At a recent BRICS summit in South Africa, leaders discussed the idea of a new shared currency, especially suggested by Brazil’s President, Luiz Inacio Lula de Silva. However, India, a significant member of BRICS, disagrees with moving away from the dollar.
India’s External Affairs Minister, S. Jaishankar, said that India is not targeting the dollar or looking to replace it. He explained that their trade sometimes faces challenges because some partners do not have dollars ready to use. So, they are finding ways to continue trading without causing trouble or intentionally ignoring the dollar.
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Kash Patel: The America First Champion Chosen by Trump for the FBI
Who is Kash Patel?
Kash Patel is a well-known figure in American politics. He worked closely with former President Donald Trump and has been a strong supporter of “America First” ideas. Recently, Trump appointed him to lead the FBI, the agency that helps keep the country safe from crime and threats.
Patel started his career as a lawyer and became a key member of Trump’s team. He has strong beliefs about fighting for American interests and believes in transparency, which means making things clear and understandable for everyone.
Some people see him as a fighter for justice, focusing on important issues like crime and national security. He wants the FBI to work for the people and keep them safe. However, not everyone agrees with him, and some worry about his approach.
In summary, Kash Patel is an important player in American politics, known for his strong opinions and commitment to making changes in how the FBI operates.
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Trump Warns BRICS: No New Currency or Face 100% Tariffs
US President-elect Donald Trump had a strong message for countries in the BRICS group (Brazil, Russia, India, China, and South Africa). He is asking them not to create or support a new currency that could replace the U.S. dollar. If they don’t listen, he warned they could face 100% tariffs—meaning their products would cost double when sold in the United States.
On his social media platform, Truth Social, Trump said, “We need a promise from these countries that they won’t create a new BRICS Currency or back another currency that could take down the powerful U.S. Dollar. Otherwise, they should expect 100% tariffs and will have to say goodbye to selling in the amazing U.S. Economy.”
He added, “Let them try to find another buyer. There’s no way BRICS can replace the U.S. Dollar in international trade. Any country that tries should prepare to say goodbye to America.” -
Pakistan Accepts Hybrid Model for Champions Trophy with Major Conditions
The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has changed its mind about a boycott threat and said it will accept a ‘Hybrid’ model for the upcoming Champions Trophy. However, they want this model to apply to all future International Cricket Council (ICC) events in India until 2031.
A PCB official reported that they are also asking for a bigger share of the money made from these events if they agree to the hybrid model. This model would mean that while India plays some of its matches in Dubai, Pakistan wouldn’t have to play any matches in India due to safety concerns. The Champions Trophy is scheduled for February-March next year.
Earlier, the PCB threatened to boycott the tournament if they didn’t get full hosting rights and if India’s request for matches at a neutral venue was accepted. Now, PCB Chairman Mohsin Naqvi stated that they will only host the Champions Trophy if it applies to all future ICC events as well, meaning Pakistan would not have to travel to India for any matches.
Until 2031, India is supposed to host three major ICC events, including the 2029 Champions Trophy which will be entirely in India. Because Bangladesh and Sri Lanka will co-host two other events, Pakistan doesn’t have to travel to India for these, except for the Champions Trophy in 2029.
The uncertainty around next year’s Champions Trophy is expected to be solved soon as the ICC team will discuss Pakistan’s demands. Their meeting on Friday didn’t reach an agreement, and the ICC has told PCB to either accept the hybrid model or risk being left out of the tournament. The delay has postponed the announcement of the tournament schedule.
The PCB source mentioned that Naqvi is standing firm on his views even under pressure. He’s also looking for a larger share of the revenue, increasing it from 5.75 percent. Although he hasn’t asked for extra hosting fees, he wants more financial support.
There is talk that Naqvi might have sought permission from the government to share this stance in the ICC meeting. As the interior minister, he could face backlash if PCB is seen to be backing down without real benefits.
Naqvi had earlier met with the Emirates Cricket Board to show Pakistan’s readiness to host the Champions Trophy, claiming everything is on track. However, the PCB has dismissed rumors that they would receive a bonus of $20 million on top of the $6 million hosting fees for agreeing to India’s demands. The PCB insists that it will continue to advocate for the hybrid model for all future matches between Pakistan and India at neutral venues.