Iranian Foreign Minister insists Iran won't give up nuclear enrichment programme
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Middle East Eye
2 hours ago
- Middle East Eye
US senator asks tax authority to strip Muslim civil rights organisation of nonprofit status
Republican Senator Tom Cotton called on the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) on Monday to revoke the nonprofit status of the largest Muslim civil rights and advocacy organisation in the US, accusing it of providing material support to terrorists. In his letter, Cotton accused the Council on American-Islamic Relations (Cair) of purporting to be 'a civil rights organization protecting the rights of American Muslims' while having 'deep ties to terrorist organisations'. He alleged the organisation was listed as a member of the Muslim Brotherhood's Palestine Committee and that Cair participated in a meeting of Hamas supporters in Philadelphia. 'Tax-exempt status is a privilege, not a right, and it should not subsidize organisations with links to terrorism,' the letter said. Cair denounced the accusations as 'debunked conspiracy theories' in a statement sent to Middle East Eye. New MEE newsletter: Jerusalem Dispatch Sign up to get the latest insights and analysis on Israel-Palestine, alongside Turkey Unpacked and other MEE newsletters "Tom Cotton's baseless demand that the IRS target a nonprofit organization based on debunked conspiracy theories is an un-American political stunt straight from the McCarthy era and it's motivated by the senator's desire to protect the genocidal Israeli government from criticism," the statement said. Cair said it is an independent organisation that has spent over thirty years defending the US constitution, anti-Muslim bigotry and has "opposed injustice both here and abroad". Former Israeli prime minister urges Jewish Americans to bypass Aipac in Washington Read More » 'This is called moral consistency and Senator Cotton should try it, but he better check with his handlers at AIPAC first," Cair said, referring to the American Israel Public Affairs Committee, a pro-Israel lobbying group that has contributed over $230,000 to the senator. This is not the first time Cair has been subject to attacks for its pro-Palestinian advocacy; the organisation is just the latest in a list of pro-Israel campaigns that Cotton has run. In December, the senator introduced a bill in the Senate that sought to eliminate the federal use of the term 'West Bank' and instead implement the use of 'Judea and Samaria', the biblical name for what is now the occupied West Bank, claiming the terminology aligns with Israel's historical and biblical claims to the territory. In November 2024, after the International Criminal Court (ICC) issued arrest warrants for Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and his former Defence Minister Yoav Gallant on charges of using starvation as a method of warfare, as well as crimes against humanity, plus other charges, Cotton lashed out at the ICC. At the time, Cotton cited a US law that permits the president to use "all means necessary and appropriate" to free Americans or allies detained by the court. Passed in 2002, the American Service-Members' Protection Act, often referred to as the "Hague Invasion Act," was designed to shield US personnel from ICC jurisdiction. Rights groups argue the law aims to intimidate nations that support the ICC treaty. It authorises military action to rescue any American or allied citizen held by the court in The Hague, the Netherlands. 'The ICC is a kangaroo court and Karim Khan is a deranged fanatic,' Cotton wrote in a social media post on X. Khan is the chief prosecutor at the ICC.
Middle East Eye
3 hours ago
- Middle East Eye
Photo of Saudi Arabia's crown prince inside Jeffrey Epstein's mansion fuels criticism online
The New York Times on Tuesday ignited a wave of backlash after revealing a framed photograph of Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman displayed inside the New York City mansion of convicted child sex offender Jeffrey Epstein. The article, which takes readers inside the late convicted paedophile's seven-storey Manhattan home, features surveillance cameras positioned above his bed and in adjoining rooms, taxidermied animals, and provocative artwork, including a sculpture of a bride clutching a rope suspended from the ceiling in the atrium. Images from the home of Jeffrey Epstein show cameras in bedrooms and photos of him with: Donald Trump Steve Bannon Bill Clinton Elon Musk Larry Summers Mohammed bin Salman and more As well as memorabilia from Ehud Barak, Woody Allen, Bill Gates, and many others. Gift link 👇🏼 — Leah McElrath (@leahmcelrath) August 5, 2025 The revelation of the crown prince's photograph inside Epstein's mansion has sparked a storm of criticism on social media. Many social media users expressed their lack of surprise, with one remarking on another photograph of Mohammed bin Salman with George Nader, another convicted criminal and serial paedophile. 'Whenever Mohammed Bonesaw isn't orchestrating the murder of journalists (a reference to the Saudi journalist Jamal Khashoggi) and dissolving their remains in acid, he seems to enjoy posing for photos with pedophiles.' Another person commented, 'Personally, I think this is the least surprising one out of all of them.' New MEE newsletter: Jerusalem Dispatch Sign up to get the latest insights and analysis on Israel-Palestine, alongside Turkey Unpacked and other MEE newsletters Some questioned the public's reaction altogether. 'Is MBS considered a moral leader in any way?' one person asked, while others connected the scandal to Saudi Arabia's silence towards the ongoing war in Gaza, which several states, human rights scholars and institutions now qualify as a genocide. One Reddit user wrote, 'If this is true, it would explain a lot for why there's no coordinated military response to the genocide [in Gaza].' Another post on X added: 'This is why he supports 'Israel'.' Wonder why they're all working for Israel and against their people ? Saudi Arabia's King MBS, Pope, Emirati high level figure, Trump ... with their common pedophile friend Jeffrey Epstein. — MenchOsint (@MenchOsint) August 5, 2025 The criticism escalated as people connected the image to long-standing allegations of Gulf-Israeli collaboration. Sam Youssef, author and editor of American and International Affairs, asked: 'Do you now understand why Arab rulers kneel to Netanyahu and the Mossad?' Others saw the photograph as symbolic of regional betrayal. 'Basically, the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques was being managed by an Israeli agent. That's why Palestinians are helpless today. But not for long,' one person posted. Many expressed disbelief and concern over the Saudi crown prince's apparent proximity to Epstein. But the relationship between Epstein and Mohammed bin Salman isn't new. A year before his death, which was ruled a suicide in 2019, Epstein boasted of his ties to the crown prince during an interview with The New York Times. A 2019 report by The New York Times—Jeffrey Epstein claimed to have known Mohammed bin Salman (MBS), the de facto ruler of Saudi Arabia. During a 2018 interview with journalist James B. Stewart, Epstein gestured to a framed photograph of MBS displayed prominently in his… — Levantine Logic (@SyriaRetold) August 6, 2025 The crown prince was not the only high-profile figure whose image was exposed from inside Epstein's mansion. Framed photos of US President Donald Trump; former President Bill Clinton; Pope John Paul II; Mick Jagger; Elon Musk; Fidel Castro; CEO of DP World, Sultan Ahmed Bin Sulayem from the United Arab Emirates; and former prime minister of Qatar, Sheikh Hamad bin Jassim bin Jabr al-Thani were also in his home. Framed photograph in Jeffrey Epstein's Manhattan home shows him with the UAE's Sultan Ahmed Bin Sulayem, the current group chairman & CEO of DP World (X) In 2008, Epstein was convicted in Florida for soliciting prostitution from a minor, serving just 13 months in jail under a controversial plea deal. A decade later, he was arrested again on federal charges of sex trafficking of minors, accused of abusing dozens of underage girls between 2002 and 2005 in his homes in New York and Palm Beach. On 6 July 2019, Epstein was arrested and held at the Metropolitan Correctional Center in New York City while awaiting trial on sex trafficking charges. He died in his cell on 10 August 2019. Epstein's death has done little to quell public scrutiny. His connections to influential individuals, including former US presidents, royals, and billionaires, continue to fuel speculation about the extent of his network and whether justice was truly served.
The National
3 hours ago
- The National
Apple to announce new $100bn investment in US manufacturing
Apple was set to announce plans on Wednesday to invest another $100 billion in US manufacturing, as the iPhone maker seeks to avoid President Donald Trump's tariffs. The new commitment would bring its total pledge to invest in the US to $600 billion over the next four years. The company pledged in February to invest $500 billion and hire 20,000 workers. The investment was also expected to include moving towards assembling more critical components in the US, Reuters reported, quoting a White House official. The announcement comes after Mr Trump threatened to hit the Big Tech giant with a 25 per cent tariff for making its flagship devices outside the US. Apple shares were 5.91 per cent higher at $214.92 during afternoon trading. In the company's earnings call last week, Apple chief Tim Cook told investors that it had taken a hit of about $800 million from tariff-related costs last quarter and about $1.1 billion this quarter. Mr Cook told analysts during the call that the 'vast majority' of iPhones sold in the US come from India. Most other Apple products such as MacBooks and iPads that are sold in the US are made in Vietnam, he said. 'We obviously try to optimise our supply chain,' Mr Cook said at the time. 'And ultimately, we will do more in the United States.' Apple had planned this year to switch its assembly for all US-destined iPhones from China to India to avoid the escalatory tariffs Mr Trump had placed on Beijing. During his visit to Qatar this year, Mr Trump said there was 'a little problem' with Apple and recalled a conversation he had with Mr Cook in which the President said he did not want the company building in India. India has lately been in Mr Trump's crosshairs. The President on Wednesday imposed a 25 per cent tariff on New Delhi for buying Russian oil. The new tariff, due to take effect in three weeks, comes on top of a previously announced 25 per cent tariff that was set to be implemented on Wednesday. Mr Trump has accused the country of indirectly or directly buying Russian oil. India condemned the latest action as 'unfair, unjustified and unreasonable'. MATCH INFO Uefa Champions League semi-finals, second leg: Liverpool (0) v Barcelona (3), Tuesday, 11pm UAE Game is on BeIN Sports What can victims do? Always use only regulated platforms Stop all transactions and communication on suspicion Save all evidence (screenshots, chat logs, transaction IDs) Report to local authorities Warn others to prevent further harm Courtesy: Crystal Intelligence Fixtures (6pm UAE unless stated) Saturday Bournemouth v Leicester City, Chelsea v Manchester City (8.30pm), Huddersfield v Tottenham Hotspur (3.30pm), Manchester United v Crystal Palace, Stoke City v Southampton, West Bromwich Albion v Watford, West Ham United v Swansea City Sunday Arsenal v Brighton (3pm), Everton v Burnley (5.15pm), Newcastle United v Liverpool (6.30pm) Brief scoreline: Toss: South Africa, elected to bowl first England (311-8): Stokes 89, Morgan 57, Roy 54, Root 51; Ngidi 3-66 South Africa (207): De Kock 68, Van der Dussen 50; Archer 3-27, Stokes 2-12 Messi at the Copa America 2007 – lost 3-0 to Brazil in the final 2011 – lost to Uruguay on penalties in the quarter-finals 2015 – lost to Chile on penalties in the final 2016 – lost to Chile on penalties in the final Moon Music Artist: Coldplay Label: Parlophone/Atlantic Number of tracks: 10 Rating: 3/5 Company%20profile %3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EName%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20Envi%20Lodges%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EStarted%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3ESeptember%202021%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3ECo-founders%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20Noelle%20Homsy%20and%20Chris%20Nader%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EBased%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20UAE%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3ESector%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20Hospitality%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3ENumber%20of%20employees%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%2012%20to%2015%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EStage%20of%20investment%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3ESeries%20A%3C%2Fp%3E%0A Benefits of first-time home buyers' scheme Priority access to new homes from participating developers Discounts on sales price of off-plan units Flexible payment plans from developers Mortgages with better interest rates, faster approval times and reduced fees DLD registration fee can be paid through banks or credit cards at zero interest rates Revival Eminem Interscope Awar Qalb Director: Jamal Salem Starring: Abdulla Zaid, Joma Ali, Neven Madi and Khadija Sleiman Two stars Global state-owned investor ranking by size 1. United States 2. China 3. UAE 4. Japan 5 Norway 6. Canada 7. Singapore 8. Australia 9. Saudi Arabia 10. South Korea The Word for Woman is Wilderness Abi Andrews, Serpent's Tail Dhadak 2 Director: Shazia Iqbal Starring: Siddhant Chaturvedi, Triptii Dimri Rating: 1/5 Our legal consultant Name: Dr Hassan Mohsen Elhais Position: legal consultant with Al Rowaad Advocates and Legal Consultants. Panipat Director Ashutosh Gowariker Produced Ashutosh Gowariker, Rohit Shelatkar, Reliance Entertainment Cast Arjun Kapoor, Sanjay Dutt, Kriti Sanon, Mohnish Behl, Padmini Kolhapure, Zeenat Aman Rating 3 /5 stars The National's picks 4.35pm: Tilal Al Khalediah 5.10pm: Continous 5.45pm: Raging Torrent 6.20pm: West Acre 7pm: Flood Zone 7.40pm: Straight No Chaser 8.15pm: Romantic Warrior 8.50pm: Calandogan 9.30pm: Forever Young Company%C2%A0profile %3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3ECompany%20name%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3ETuhoon%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EYear%20started%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3EJune%202021%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3ECo-founders%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3EFares%20Ghandour%2C%20Dr%20Naif%20Almutawa%2C%20Aymane%20Sennoussi%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EBased%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3ERiyadh%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3ESector%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3Ehealth%20care%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3ESize%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3E15%20employees%2C%20%24250%2C000%20in%20revenue%0D%3Cbr%3EI%3Cstrong%3Envestment%20stage%3A%20s%3C%2Fstrong%3Eeed%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EInvestors%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3EWamda%20Capital%2C%20Nuwa%20Capital%2C%20angel%20investors%3C%2Fp%3E%0A BABYLON %3Cp%3EDirector%3A%20Damien%20Chazelle%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3EStars%3A%20Brad%20Pitt%2C%20Margot%20Robbie%2C%20Jean%20Smart%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3ERating%3A%204%2F5%3C%2Fp%3E%0A The specs Engine: 3.9-litre twin-turbo V8 3.9-litre twin-turbo V8 Power: 640hp 640hp Torque: 760nm 760nm On sale: 2026 2026 Price: Not announced yet Ferrari 12Cilindri specs Engine: naturally aspirated 6.5-liter V12 Power: 819hp Torque: 678Nm at 7,250rpm Price: From Dh1,700,000 Available: Now Conflict, drought, famine Estimates of the number of deaths caused by the famine range from 400,000 to 1 million, according to a document prepared for the UK House of Lords in 2024. It has been claimed that the policies of the Ethiopian government, which took control after deposing Emperor Haile Selassie in a military-led revolution in 1974, contributed to the scale of the famine. Dr Miriam Bradley, senior lecturer in humanitarian studies at the University of Manchester, has argued that, by the early 1980s, 'several government policies combined to cause, rather than prevent, a famine which lasted from 1983 to 1985. Mengistu's government imposed Stalinist-model agricultural policies involving forced collectivisation and villagisation [relocation of communities into planned villages]. The West became aware of the catastrophe through a series of BBC News reports by journalist Michael Buerk in October 1984 describing a 'biblical famine' and containing graphic images of thousands of people, including children, facing starvation. Band Aid Bob Geldof, singer with the Irish rock group The Boomtown Rats, formed Band Aid in response to the horrific images shown in the news broadcasts. With Midge Ure of the band Ultravox, he wrote the hit charity single Do They Know it's Christmas in December 1984, featuring a string of high-profile musicians. Following the single's success, the idea to stage a rock concert evolved. Live Aid was a series of simultaneous concerts that took place at Wembley Stadium in London, John F Kennedy Stadium in Philadelphia, the US, and at various other venues across the world. The combined event was broadcast to an estimated worldwide audience of 1.5 billion. Tenet Director: Christopher Nolan Stars: John David Washington, Robert Pattinson, Elizabeth Debicki, Dimple Kapadia, Michael Caine, Kenneth Branagh Rating: 5/5 Sweet%20Tooth %3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3ECreator%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3EJim%20Mickle%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EStarring%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3EChristian%20Convery%2C%20Nonso%20Anozie%2C%20Adeel%20Akhtar%2C%20Stefania%20LaVie%20Owen%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3ERating%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3E2.5%2F5%3C%2Fp%3E%0A Schedule for Asia Cup Sept 15: Bangladesh v Sri Lanka (Dubai) Sept 16: Pakistan v Qualifier (Dubai) Sept 17: Sri Lanka v Afghanistan (Abu Dhabi) Sept 18: India v Qualifier (Dubai) Sept 19: India v Pakistan (Dubai) Sept 20: Bangladesh v Afghanistan (Abu Dhabi) Super Four Sept 21: Group A Winner v Group B Runner-up (Dubai) Sept 21: Group B Winner v Group A Runner-up (Abu Dhabi) Sept 23: Group A Winner v Group A Runner-up (Dubai) Sept 23: Group B Winner v Group B Runner-up (Abu Dhabi) Sept 25: Group A Winner v Group B Winner (Dubai) Sept 26: Group A Runner-up v Group B Runner-up (Abu Dhabi) Sept 28: Final (Dubai) If you go Flying Despite the extreme distance, flying to Fairbanks is relatively simple, requiring just one transfer in Seattle, which can be reached directly from Dubai with Emirates for Dh6,800 return. Touring Gondwana Ecotours' seven-day Polar Bear Adventure starts in Fairbanks in central Alaska before visiting Kaktovik and Utqiarvik on the North Slope. Polar bear viewing is highly likely in Kaktovik, with up to five two-hour boat tours included. Prices start from Dh11,500 per person, with all local flights, meals and accommodation included; If you go Where to stay : Courtyard by Marriott Titusville Kennedy Space Centre has unparalleled views of the Indian River. Alligators can be spotted from hotel room balconies, as can several rocket launch sites. The hotel also boasts cool space-themed decor. When to go : Florida is best experienced during the winter months, from November to May, before the humidity kicks in. How to get there : Emirates currently flies from Dubai to Orlando five times a week. The specs AT4 Ultimate, as tested Engine: 6.2-litre V8 Power: 420hp Torque: 623Nm Transmission: 10-speed automatic Price: From Dh330,800 (Elevation: Dh236,400; AT4: Dh286,800; Denali: Dh345,800) On sale: Now
