Netanyahu sends birthday wishes to Trump amid Israel-Iran conflict
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United News of India
2 hours ago
- United News of India
Israeli military-political command divided over PM Netanyahu's plans to conquer Gaza, warns of heavy casualties
Jerusalem, Aug 6 (UNI) Amidst Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's plans to fully occupy Gaza, much friction has emerged between the political and military establishment in the country, with senior military officials warning the premier that a full occupation of the Gaza Strip could result in heavy casualties among Israeli forces and endanger the lives of remaining hostages. The warning comes amid growing concerns over Netanyahu's reported push to seize complete control of the enclave, where the Israel Defence Forces (IDF) already hold over 75% of the territory, reports Times of Israel. According to Israeli broadcaster Kan, defence officials have estimated that such an operation could result in 'dozens' of soldiers being killed and many more wounded. They further cautioned that a sweeping ground campaign could jeopardise the lives of hostages under Hamas custody, particularly in areas the IDF has avoided due to this very fear. The move has created friction even among Netanyahu's supporters within the Israeli military leadership and its political command, with IDF Chief of Staff Lt. Gen. Eyal Zamir having reportedly advised the adoption of more cautioned and restrained approach. Lt Gen Zamir had proposed the encirclement of Gaza City rather than launch a full-scale military occupation to avoid both losses and structural damage. Netanyahu, however, is said to have rejected this recommendation and ordered plans to move ahead with the full military conquest. The Israeli PM's plans have also drawn criticism from opposition leaders, including from both Defence Minister Yoav Gallant and Opposition leader Yair Lapid, latter of whom terming the Israeli PM's plans 'a very bad idea.' Speaking during a security briefing, Lapid reportedly told Netanyahu that the Israeli public does not support such a move and warned that the cost — both in human lives and economically — would be too high. 'You don't send the State of Israel to war unless the majority of the people are behind you,' Lapid told Netanyahu. 'The price will be too heavy.' He urged the government to consider an alternative solution, suggesting that Arab states could take over the administration of Gaza, allowing Israel to focus on neutralising Hamas operatives, instead of getting entangled in prolonged occupation. Netanyahu, who held a three-hour security discussion with top officials yesterday, is expected to present the plan to the full security cabinet for approval today. Despite the military's warnings and the political command urging for alternatives, the cabinet is reportedly poised to greenlight the move. UNI XC ANV GNK
Indian Express
4 hours ago
- Indian Express
Trump doubles tariffs on India to 50%, but offers 21 days window for negotiations
Ramping up pressure on India before US negotiators are expected to reach India on August 25, US President Donald Trump on Wednesday doubled the tariffs on India to 50 per cent, but there is a 21-day window before the additional tariff of 25 per cent comes into effect, offering India a window to strike a trade deal. A White House statement said that the US will impose 'additional 25 percent ad valorem duty' above the 25 per cent reciprocal tariffs announced on August 1 to 'deal with the national emergency stemming from Russia's actions in Ukraine'. This tariff is deemed necessary and appropriate due to India's 'direct or indirect import of Russian Federation oil', which the President judges will more effectively address the national emergency, the executive order said. The additional tariffs dramatically raises pressure on India as most of its competitors such as Vietnam, Bangladesh and now China are not at lower tariffs. However, exporters said that US tariffs related uncertainty is already disrupting trade and that Indian exporters have grown wary of exporting to the US. About half of India's total exports of $80 billion are, however, in the exemption list that include products such as pharma and electronics goods. While the fresh order takes the total US tariffs to its highest on any country globally, it also offers a fresh window for discussion. The Indian Express had reported on Saturday that key economic ministries have been asked for inputs to sweeten the US trade deal stuck on India's resistance to US demand for access in the Indian agri market. 'This 25 percent ad valorem duty will be effective for goods entered for consumption, or withdrawn from warehouse for consumption, on or after 12:01 a.m. eastern daylight time 21 days after the date of the order. There are exceptions for goods that were loaded onto a vessel and in transit before this effective date and are entered for consumption or withdrawn from warehouse for consumption before 12:01 a.m. eastern daylight time on September 17, 2025,' the order read. NEW: President Donald J. Trump just signed an Executive Order imposing an additional 25% tariff on India in response to its continued purchase of Russian oil. Here is the text of the Order: By the authority vested in me as President by the Constitution and the laws of the… — Rapid Response 47 (@RapidResponse47) August 6, 2025 While New Delhi has called the targeting of India over the purchase of Russian oil 'unjustified and unreasonable' and vowed to take 'all necessary measures' to safeguard its 'national interests and economic security', Indian exporters are in a fix, scrambling to retain access to the US — their most valuable export market, accounting for nearly 20 per cent of India's total outbound shipments. Incidentally, China is the largest buyer of Russian oil, at about 2 million barrels per day, followed by India (just under 2 million a day) and Turkey. The US had agreed to lower tariffs on Chinese goods to 30 per cent from 145 per cent in May. The executive order does not make a mention of China, but instead stipulates a mechanism wherein the US Secretary of Commerce, in coordination with other senior officials, 'will monitor if any other country (beyond India) is directly or indirectly importing Russian Federation oil and recommend further action'. Indian officials have indicated that the US is unwilling to negotiate sectoral tariffs — such as those on steel and automobiles — which have already impacted nearly $5 billion worth of Indian exports. Evan A. Feigenbaum, Vice President for Studies at the Carnegie Endowment for International Peace, said on Monday that US-India relations may now become a political football, especially in New Delhi. He warned that the core understandings that enabled closer ties may be at serious risk, as New Delhi had largely assumed Washington would take political risks to strengthen the relationship — something Trump has not done and clearly will not do. Feigenbaum added that the split in relations is further underscored by Trump's effusive praise for Islamabad and recent engagement with Pakistan's army and government — developments that raise obvious concerns in New Delhi. 'The United States was roiled by India's ties to Iran, Myanmar, and later Russia. Trump and his administration are now moving to sanction and tariff India over its oil trade with Russia. This significantly shifts the bar for bilateral relations,' he said. Ravi Dutta Mishra is a Principal Correspondent with The Indian Express, covering policy issues related to trade, commerce, and banking. He has over five years of experience and has previously worked with Mint, CNBC-TV18, and other news outlets. ... Read More
Economic Times
5 hours ago
- Economic Times
Iran executes top nuclear scientist Rouzbeh Vadi accused of spying for Mossad — shocking details emerge
Iran executed nuclear scientist Rouzbeh Vadi for allegedly spying for Israel's Mossad, sparking international outrage. Vadi was accused of leaking sensitive nuclear data during meetings in Vienna. This execution highlights Iran's intensified crackdown on suspected spies following increased tensions with Israel, raising concerns among human rights organizations about potential secret trials and further executions. Tired of too many ads? Remove Ads Tired of too many ads? Remove Ads Why was Rouzbeh Vadi arrested and killed? How did Mossad supposedly hire and train him? Tired of too many ads? Remove Ads Why is Iran so strict about spying? FAQs Iran has executed one of its top nuclear scientists, saying he was spying for Israel's Mossad. This has caused outrage all over the world. A well-known nuclear scientist was hanged after being found guilty of leaking sensitive nuclear data. This made people very worried about Iran's growing crackdown on people they think are killed Rouzbeh Vadi , a well-known nuclear scientist, because they thought he was spying for Israel's Mossad. Authorities said that Vadi gave out sensitive information about Iran's nuclear program during secret meetings in Vienna. The case shows how Iran has cracked down a lot since the war, and international human rights groups are warning that there will be more executions and secret its fight with Israel in June, Tehran's internal security measures have gotten a lot stricter. This move is sending shockwaves through the intelligence and human rights communities around the world, as per a report by Iran August 5, 2025, Vadi, a reactor engineer who worked for Iran's Nuclear Science and Technology Research Institute, was hanged. He was said to have worked with two nuclear scientists who were killed in the recent conflict between Israel and Iran to write technical papers. That connection, along with what Iran says was proof of secret cooperation with Mossad, sealed his officials say that Vadi gave important information about Iran's nuclear activities to Israeli intelligence. The court says he gave Mossad handlers information about fellow scientist Ahmad Zolfaghari, who was killed during the June war. Iranian intelligence kept an eye on him and arrested him in Tehran, allegedly after he met with Mossad officers in Vienna several court found him guilty of "hostile acts against peace and security" under Article 6 of Iran's law and sentenced him to death, saying he had committed serious crimes against national and international stability. The Supreme Court turned down his courts gave a detailed description of how they hired Vadi: an agent using the name "Alex" reportedly contacted him online and checked him out. Later, he met a handler named "Kevin," and Mossad is said to have marked him as a high-value source because of his job and say that Mossad sent Vadi to Vienna with strict security, where he took a polygraph test and had psychological learned about safe ways to talk to people in five different meetings and was told to report on nuclear issues within the organization on a regular basis. Iranian officials say that the payments were sent every month through crypto wallets, as per a report by Iran say that even though Vadi was hesitant at first to send large amounts of data, he eventually did give up sensitive information, including information about scientists who had been execution is part of a larger crackdown after the war. Since the June war between Iran and Israel, more than 2,000 people have been arrested. Many of them are accused of helping enemy states or spying on them online and in person. Gholamhossein Mohseni Ejei, the head of Iran's judiciary, has promised "decisive" punishment for traitors, and human rights groups are sounding the International and Iran Human Rights say that Iran will carry out more than 60% of the world's executions in 2024. There were 612 executions reported in the first half of 2025. At least six people have been charged with spying for Israel in the recent of them was Mohammad-Amin Mahdavi-Shayesteh, who was accused of being the leader of a cyber group linked to Mossad. The rising number of deaths has raised concerns around the world. Critics warn of secret trials, vague charges, and a scary environment for academics and political dissidents, as per a report by Iran death of Rouzbeh Vadi is the most recent and most well-known example of how Iran is tightening its grip on national was an Iranian nuclear scientist accused of passing classified nuclear data to Israel's authorities claimed he spied for Mossad and transferred sensitive information, resulting in a death sentence on espionage charges.
