Pentagon withdraws 700 Marines from LA after month-long deployment
The military deployment sparked fierce political debate over the federal government's use of military force in American cities. Despite court challenges, a federal appeals court upheld Trump's authority to control the California National Guard, further escalating tensions between the White House and state officials.The Marines' withdrawal follows last week's partial drawdown of National Guard forces, with about half of the 4,000 troops already removed from Los Angeles.Parnell praised the Marines for their conduct during the deployment. 'Their rapid response, unwavering discipline, and unmistakable presence were instrumental in restoring order and upholding the rule of law,' he said.President Trump has relied on the military as part of his crackdown on illegal immigration, vowing to deport millions and ramping up raids, including at California farms that had largely been spared during his first term. The administration has faced numerous lawsuits over its tactics.- EndsWith inputs from ReutersMust Watch
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Indian Express
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- Indian Express
‘No formal talks on F-35 jets yet': India clarifies after Trump tariff announcement
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The Hindu
14 minutes ago
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'Balanced', 'forward-looking': Pakistan hails 19% tariffs under U.S. trade deal
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The Hindu
14 minutes ago
- The Hindu
U.S. envoy visits distribution site in Gaza as humanitarian crisis worsens
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At a Friday (August 1, 2025) press conference in Gaza City, representatives of the territory's influential tribes accused Israel of empowering factions that loot aid sites and implored Mr. Witkoff to stay several hours in Gaza to witness life firsthand. 'We want the American envoy to come and live among us in these tents where there is no water, no food and no light,' they said. 'Our children are hungry in the streets.' In a report issued on Friday (August 1, 2025), Human Rights Watch called the current setup 'a flawed, militarised aid distribution system that has turned aid distributions into regular bloodbaths.' 'It would be near impossible for Palestinians to follow the instructions issued by GHF, stay safe, and receive aid, particularly in the context of ongoing military operations, Israeli military sanctioned curfews, and frequent GHF messages saying that people should not travel to the sites before the distribution window opens,' the report said. It cited doctors, aid seekers and at least one security contractor. Since the group's operations began in late May, hundreds of Palestinians have been killed in shootings by Israeli soldiers while on roads heading to the sites, according to witnesses and health officials. The Israeli military has said its troops have only fired warning shots to control crowds. Responding to the report, Israel's military blamed Hamas for sabotaging the aid distribution system but said it was working to make the routes under its control safer for those traveling to aid sites. GHF did not immediately respond to questions about the report. The group has never allowed journalists to visit their sites and Israel's military has barred reporters from independently entering Gaza throughout the war. International condemnations have mounted as such reports trickle out of Gaza, including from aid organisations that previously oversaw distribution. A July 30 video published Thursday (July 31, 2025) by the U.N. Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs showed an aid convoy driving past a border crossing as gunfire ricocheted off the ground near where crowds congregated. 'We were met on the road by tens of thousands of hungry and desperate people who directly offloaded everything from the backs of our trucks,' said Olga Cherevko, an OCHA staff member. Some of Israel's traditional allies have moved toward recognising Palestinian statehood hoping to revive prospects of a two-state solution. Germany has thus far refrained from doing so. On a tour in the occupied West Bank, the country's Foreign Minister Johann Wadephul, Germany's foreign minister called on Israel to be open to making peace and said Hamas militants should lay down their weapons and release the hostages. Speaking in the Christian-majority village of Taybeh, Mr. Wahedphul called Israeli settlements in the West Bank a key obstacle to a two-state solution. He condemned settler violence and destruction and criticised the Israeli military for failing to do more to prevent the attacks. The frequency of settler attacks in the West Bank have increased since the war between Israel and Hamas began, according to the United Nations. The conflict erupted on Oct. 7, 2023, when Hamas attacked southern Israel, killing around 1,200 people and abducting 251 others. They still hold 50 hostages, including around 20 believed to be alive. Most of the others have been released in ceasefires or other deals. Israel's retaliatory offensive has killed more than 60,000 Palestinians, according to Gaza's Health Ministry. Its count doesn't distinguish between militants and civilians. The ministry operates under the Hamas government. The U.N. and other international organisations see it as the most reliable source of data on casualties.
