French court upholds some of Syrian ex-leader Bashar Assads legal protections
PTI
Paris, Jul 25 (AP) France's highest court on Friday ruled that ousted Syrian President Bashar Assad had head of state immunity while he was in office and couldn't be prosecuted on allegations of war crimes and crimes against humanity.
But the Cour de Cassation said that since Assad is no longer in power, 'new arrest warrants may have been or may be issued against him for acts that may constitute war crimes or crimes against humanity".
The decision is a blow for activists who had hoped the court would set aside the head of state immunity, a decision that could have had far-reaching consequences for other leaders accused of atrocities. (AP) SCY SCY
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Economic Times
5 minutes ago
- Economic Times
Philippines voices concern over 'dangerous' Chinese actions after Scarborough Shoal collision
Synopsis The Philippines has condemned China's dangerous maneuvers and unlawful interference during a resupply mission to Filipino fishermen near Scarborough Shoal, resulting in a collision between vessels. The incident, which involved a Chinese navy ship ramming a Philippine Coast Guard vessel, has heightened tensions in the South China Sea. The U.S. AP In this photo, taken from video and provided by the Philippine Coast Guard, a damaged Chinese Coast Guard ship, right, is seen beside a Chinese Navy vessel, left, after they accidentally collided while chasing a Philippine fisheries boat near Scarborough Shoal in the disputed South China Sea on Monday Aug. 11, 2025. (Philippine Coast Guard via AP) The Philippines expressed serious concern on Tuesday over what it called "dangerous manoeuvres and unlawful interference" by Chinese vessels during a coast guard supply mission for Filipino fishermen in the Scarborough Shoal in the South China Sea. Manila's Coast Guard deployed three vessels on Monday to deliver supplies, such as fuel and ice, to dozens of fishermen operating around the disputed atoll when they encountered "hazardous" and "blocking actions" from Chinese vessels in the area. "Their actions not only posed a grave danger to Philippine personnel and vessels, but also resulted in the unfortunate collision between the two Chinese vessels," the Philippine foreign ministry said in a statement. Philippine Coast Guard footage showed a Chinese Coast Guard ship trailing the PCG vessel before a Chinese navy ship suddenly cut across its path, colliding with it and damaging the Coast Guard's forecastle. It was the first known collision between Chinese vessels in the area. "Our assessment is that the real objective of the PLA Navy ship is to ram our Philippine Coast Guard (vessel). That is also (the) assessment of our Philippine Coast Guard," Armed Forces of the Philippines Chief of Staff General Romeo Brawner told reporters on Tuesday. China's actions also drew condemnation from the United States, a treaty ally of the Philippines. "We condemn this latest reckless action by China directed against a Philippine vessel... and commend the Philippine Coast Guard for their professionalism and their offer to render assistance," U.S. Ambassador to Manila, MaryKay Carlson, said on X. China's defence ministry and its embassy in Manila did not immediately respond to requests for comment. On Monday, China's coast guard said it took necessary measures to expel Philippine vessels from waters around the Scarborough Shoal. The confrontation marks the latest in a series of incidents amid a period of heightened tensions between Manila and Beijing over territorial disputes in the South China Sea. A 2016 ruling of an international arbitral tribunal voided Beijing's sweeping claims in the region, saying they had no basis under international law, a decision China rejects. PCG spokesperson Jay Tarriela said the PCG offered medical and search-and-rescue assistance via radio, but received no response from the Chinese side. He added there was no confirmation on whether any Chinese crew members were injured during the clash. "Yesterday's incident demonstrates the importance of adhering to international maritime rules," the Philippine foreign ministry said. It reaffirmed its commitment to diplomacy and dialogue in resolving differences. Rear Admiral Roy Trinidad, Philippine navy spokesperson for the South China Sea, warned at a press briefing on Tuesday that similar incidents could happen again as long as China continued to conduct what he called "illegal, coercive, aggressive and deceptive" activities in the strategic waterway.
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First Post
7 minutes ago
- First Post
Can Delhi follow the Netherlands' example to end its stray dog crisis?
India's Supreme Court has ordered Delhi to remove all stray dogs from public spaces within eight weeks, putting the apex body at odds with many citizens. With rabies cases surging, could proven global models — like the Netherlands' zero-stray success and Bhutan's sterilisation drive — offer humane, effective solutions for India's canine problem? read more Commuters and stray dogs take shelter at a metro station from rain in New Delhi, India, September 13, 2024. File Image/AP India's Supreme Court has directed authorities in Delhi and neighbouring regions to remove all stray dogs from public spaces and place them in shelters within the next eight weeks. The Monday ruling follows months of disturbing reports of attacks by free-ranging dogs —some of them fatal — particularly involving children. Official records reveal an alarming escalation in bite incidents. Government figures from April this year indicated that January alone recorded nearly 430,000 dog bite cases nationwide, while the total for 2024 stood at 3.7 million. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD The State of Pet Homelessness survey by Mars Petcare places the country's stray dog population at about 52.5 million, with an additional eight million living in shelters. Estimates from local media suggest that Delhi alone may have as many as one million strays, although this number has not been independently confirmed. The apex court's decision was prompted by multiple reports of children being attacked, some of which resulted in rabies infections that proved fatal. In its ruling, the bench instructed the Delhi government to pick up strays from across the city and move them into designated facilities, adding that an animal helpline must be established within a week to ensure bite cases are promptly reported. 'Infants and young children, should not at any cost, fall prey to rabies. The action should inspire confidence that they can move freely without fear of being bitten by stray dogs. No sentiment should be involved,' the court said.. The bench also cautioned that any person or group obstructing the removal of stray dogs would face strict legal consequences. Once relocated, the dogs are not to be returned to streets, residential neighbourhoods, or public places. Solicitor General of India Tushar Mehta, representing the Delhi government, argued that current measures were inadequate, explaining that 'sterilisation only prevents the increase in their population, but it does not take away the power of the dogs to give rabies.' STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD The reaction to the SC stray dogs ruling While some see the court's decision as a vital step toward public safety, others question its feasibility. Delhi state cabinet minister Kapil Mishra welcomed the order, saying it would help free the city 'from the fear of rabies and stray animals,' and promised that 'special attention will also be given to the comprehensive welfare of stray animals.' सुप्रीम कोर्ट का ये ऑर्डर दिल्ली को रेबीज और बेसहारा पशुओं के भय से मुक्ति एक रास्ता दिखाता है CM @gupta_rekha जी के नेतृत्व में दिल्ली सरकार का पशु विभाग सभी एजेंसियों के साथ मिलकर इस आदेश का अध्ययन करके इसको समुचित लागू करने की दिशा में आगे बढ़ेगा इस आदेश को समयबद्ध तरीके… — Kapil Mishra (@KapilMishra_IND) August 11, 2025 Animal welfare groups, however, have voiced strong reservations. Conservation biologist Bahar Dutt questioned the practicality of the plan, posting on X: 'Where are the shelters to house thousands of dogs?' STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD Vidit Sharma, founder of Save A Stray, echoed this sentiment, insisting: 'We need mass vaccination & mass sterilisation — the only humane, proven ways to reduce conflicts.' Animal rights activist and Bhartiya Janata Party (BJP) leader Maneka Gandhi, also commented on the matter, saying, 'It is not a doable order… This is a very strange judgment given by someone who is in anger. Angry judgments are never sensible…' #WATCH | Delhi | On SC order to send all stray dogs in Delhi-NCR to shelters within 8 weeks, Animal Rights Activist and BJP leader Maneka Gandhi says, "It is not a doable order... This is a very strange judgment given by someone who is in anger. Angry judgments are never… — ANI (@ANI) August 11, 2025 She told ANI, '… There is no single government-run shelter in Delhi. In how many shelters would you put 3 lakh dogs? You don't even have one. To make those shelters, you have to spend at least Rs 15 thousand crore… You'll have to find 3000 places for shelters in places where no one lives. How will you find these many places?… This can't be done in two months… You'll have to employ 1.5 lakh people to just be sanitation workers, which will again cost crores… Firstly, when they go to get the dogs, there will be fighting in every street because feeders are not going to let the dogs go. Every day, there will be fights. Do we want this destabilisation situation? Other political parties will get into it to attack the BJP… When the dogs from here are displaced, dogs from nearby states will come to Delhi, as there will be more food here. Then, within a week, there will be another 3 lakh dogs in Delhi, and these will not be sterilised. Then will you start another sterilisation programme and spend hundreds of crores again?…' STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD Critics have also pointed out that the Supreme Court's instructions conflict with India's Animal Birth Control (ABC) Rules 2023. These rules stipulate that sterilised and vaccinated dogs should be returned to the same locations from which they were captured, a principle designed to prevent territorial disputes among strays and avoid the spread of disease between groups from different areas. Dogs walk on empty roads in New Delhi, India, September 10, 2023. File Image/Reuters However, the sheer scale of India's stray population, combined with the public health risks, complicates implementation. Between 2019 and 2022, official data recorded around 16 million dog bite incidents, and parliamentary data from 2023 estimates that rabies kills between 18,000 and 20,000 people annually in the country. Rabies, caused by a virus transmitted through saliva, invades the central nervous system and is almost always fatal without immediate treatment. What Delhi can learn from International models Bhutan's national drive India's neighbour Bhutan offers one example of large-scale, humane stray population control. The Himalayan nation achieved full sterilisation of its stray dogs in 2023 through its 'Nationwide Accelerated Dog Population Management and Rabies Control Programme.' Introduced in 2021, the initiative took inspiration from earlier sterilisation campaigns spread over 14 years. By its completion, 61,680 dogs had been sterilised — 91 per cent of them free-ranging — while 58,581 were vaccinated against rabies. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD Additionally, more than 32,500 pet dogs were microchipped and registered. The entire programme cost Rs.29 crore and involved 12,812 personnel. The Netherlands' journey to zero strays Perhaps the most frequently cited international example is the Netherlands, now recognised as the first country in the world to eliminate its stray dog population without resorting to mass euthanasia. The country's success was decades in the making. In the late 19th and early 20th centuries, the Netherlands faced a severe stray dog crisis driven by abandonment. Initial government responses — such as mandatory leash and muzzle laws, culling, and a 'dog tax' — were largely ineffective, and in some cases worsened the problem as financially burdened owners abandoned more pets. By the late 20th century, the country adopted a radically different approach focused on animal welfare, responsible ownership, and public participation. The core strategies included: Heavy taxes on store-bought dogs, encouraging adoption from shelters instead of commercial purchase. This policy dramatically increased adoption rates, helping move thousands of dogs off the streets. The CNVR programme (Collect, Neuter, Vaccinate, Return), which offered free veterinary services to sterilise and vaccinate stray dogs while ensuring their health through medical check-ups. Strict anti-cruelty laws, making abandonment and abuse criminal offences punishable by up to three years in prison and fines reaching €16,000. A dedicated animal police force tasked with rescuing animals, investigating abuse, and enforcing animal welfare laws. The Dutch government also ran nationwide campaigns promoting adoption, highlighting the benefits of rescuing animals from hunger, neglect and abuse. In a matter of months, over 70 per cent of female dogs were sterilised, drastically reducing the number of puppies born on the streets. The Netherlands framed stray dog management as not only a public health concern but also a moral and ethical obligation. Over a million dogs were adopted, rabies has been absent since 1923, and approximately 90 per cent of households now count a dog as a family member. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD Could the Netherlands' model work in Delhi? Translating the Dutch experience to Delhi would require more than a change in law — it would demand a sustained public health campaign, large-scale infrastructure investment, and a shift in public attitudes toward adoption and responsible ownership. The ABC approach in India already aligns with parts of the CNVR strategy used in the Netherlands. However, the execution in India has been inconsistent due to resource shortages, overcrowded shelters, and fragmented coordination between municipal bodies and animal welfare organisations. Stray dogs sit on a deserted street, on the day of the G20 summit in New Delhi, India, September 9, 2023. File Image/Reuters Critics of the Supreme Court's latest order argue that without expanding shelter capacity, veterinary services, and adoption incentives, relocation may only shift the problem from public streets to overcrowded facilities. The Netherlands' heavy taxation on pet store purchases could potentially be adapted for India, with proceeds directed toward sterilisation, vaccination, and shelter operations. Likewise, dedicated animal welfare enforcement units — similar to the Dutch animal police — could strengthen the legal deterrent against abandonment and abuse, which remains common in India. From a public health perspective, controlling stray populations is essential to reducing rabies cases. The World Health Organisation recognises mass dog vaccination as the most effective measure for rabies control, but sterilisation campaigns are equally vital for long-term population reduction. From an ethical standpoint, both the Bhutanese and Dutch models demonstrate that humane solutions are achievable when authorities and citizens work together. Also Watch: With inputs from agencies
Hindustan Times
7 minutes ago
- Hindustan Times
Elon Musk reacts as Vance publicly pleads for Trump and SpaceX CEO's reunion; ‘JD is a…'
Elon Musk lauded JD Vance as a 'good guy' and solidly backed President Donald Trump's power grab in Washington, D.C., only a day after the US Vice President urged him SpaceX CEO and Republican leader to get back together. Following Vance's plea, Musk made a flurry of posts on X next morning, voicing his support for the Trump administration's plan to send the National Guard to Washington.(AP) Vance expressed his opinion on the bitter spat between the Trump and billionaire on the far-right website The Gateway Pundit on Saturday, saying, 'My hope is that it just kinda cools down a bit.' 'I really think it's a mistake for him [Musk] to try to break from the president,' he said. 'My hope is that by the time of the midterms, he's kind of come back into the fold.' Also Read: Is Jimmy Kimmel planning to leave US after Trump's warning? Late-night host confirms Italian citizenship Here's how Musk reacted to Vance's plea Following Vance's plea, Musk made a flurry of posts on X next morning, voicing his support for the Trump administration's plan to send the National Guard to Washington and give Attorney General Pam Bondi command of the district's police department. 'Making America's cities safe & beautiful must start in our nation's capital,' Musk stated in response to Deputy White House Chief of Staff Stephen Miller's post. In another, he told Miller that Trump will set a fantastic example for all American cities if he makes the capital 'safe for all Americans.' When Trump aide Kari Lake reposted his declaration that he plans to make 'our Capital safer and more beautiful than it ever was before,' the former head of DOGE reacted saying, 'Excellent.' Musk hails Trump's speech, calls Vance a 'good guy' During a news briefing on D.C. crime and homelessness on Monday, Trump remembered his father telling him that 'if our capital is dirty, our whole country is dirty.' Musk praised POTUS' remarks saying: 'Well said.' Later Monday evening, Musk commented on Vance's discussion with Miller's wife, Katie Miller, on her own podcast. 'JD is a good guy through and through,' X owner wrote. After Musk's special government employee status expired in late May, the provisions of Trump's Big Beautiful Bill swiftly exposed significant policy differences between him and the President. This revelation made Musk and Trump targeting each other. While Musk claimed that Trump's name was in the alleged 'Epstein files', the President threatened Musk's government contracts. Later, Musk took U-turn, saying that he had gone 'too far' and removed his post regarding Trump's ties with Epstein. In response, Trump told reporters that Musk was a "good person" who had a 'really bad moment'.
