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Memri
12 hours ago
- Politics
- Memri
East Kurdistan National Center: 'Iran Is Taking Revenge For Its Defeats By Israel By Repressing The Kurdish People'
Following the twelve-day war between the Islamic Republic of Iran and Israel and the announcement of a ceasefire, more than 150 individuals in the city of Kermanshah, in East Kurdistan, were arrested and imprisoned by Iranian security forces. On Wednesday, June 25, 2025, three Kurdish Kolbars (border porters, or those who carry goods across the Iran-Iraq border) – Idris Ali, Azad Shojaei, and Rasoul Ahmad Mohammad – were executed by the Iranian regime. Below is statement and urgent appeal to the international community by the East Kurdistan National Center:[1] "These Executions Appear To Be Politically Motivated Acts Of Scapegoating" "Following the 12-day war between the Islamic Republic of Iran and Israel and the announcement of a ceasefire, the Iranian regime – having suffered major strategic and security failures – has turned to retaliate against the Kurdish people instead of addressing the real causes of its defeat. "On the afternoon of June 24, 2025, immediately after the ceasefire, more than 150 individuals in the city of Kermanshah were arrested and imprisoned by Iranian security forces. Subsequently, on Wednesday, June 25, 2025, three Kurdish border porters (Kolbars)[2] – Idris Ali, Azad Shojaei, and Rasoul Ahmad Mohammad – were executed on charges of assisting in the transfer of equipment and weapons allegedly used in the assassination of Mohsen Fakhrizadeh, a top figure in Iran's nuclear program. "These allegations are baseless and contradict earlier official statements. In December 2020, Mahmoud Alavi, then Minister of Intelligence under President Hassan Rouhani, publicly admitted that Iran's security services had failed to track down the perpetrators of Fakhrizadeh's assassination. "These executions appear to be politically motivated acts of scapegoating, intended to divert attention from the regime's recent military and intelligence failures. We are gravely concerned that the Islamic Republic – emboldened by its survival after Israeli attacks – may repeat the horrors of 1988, when, following Ayatollah Khomeini's acceptance of the ceasefire in the Iran-Iraq War, thousands of political prisoners were executed in mass killings. This time, accusations of espionage and collaboration with Israel may serve as the pretext for another wave of mass executions and widespread repression, particularly targeting the Kurdish population. "Condemning The Islamic Republic's Policy Of Collective Punishment Against The Kurdish People "During the nationwide Jin, Jiyan, Azadi (Woman, Life, Freedom) uprising that followed the killing of Jina (Mahsa) Amini in 2022, over 56% of those killed and persecuted were from East Kurdistan (Iranian Kurdistan), even though Kurds constitute only about 14% of Iran's total population. This stark disparity reveals the Islamic Republic's entrenched system of apartheid and structural oppression against the people of Kurdistan – a policy that continues to this day with increasing intensity. "We urgently call upon the United Nations, international human rights organizations, and states with influence over Iran to: "-Condemn the Islamic Republic's policy of collective punishment against the Kurdish people. "-Demand the immediate release of all recently detained individuals in Kurdistan. "-Prevent the use of politically motivated executions under false charges of espionage or terrorism. "-Launch urgent and independent international investigations into the treatment of detainees and the violation of nationalities and minority rights in Iran. "-Hold the Islamic Republic of Iran accountable for any crimes against humanity or grave violations of international human rights law. "Silence in the face of this injustice will pave the way for another catastrophe. The defenseless Kurdish people must not become the victims of a regime's military and political failures. Preventing another massacre is a shared responsibility of all those who stand for human rights and dignity. "East Kurdistan National Center (NNRK) "Date: June 25, 2025"
Hans India
21-05-2025
- Business
- Hans India
A Greener Tomorrow: How Pack8's Project Aranyam is Making an Impact
In an era where sustainability is a necessity, Pack8 is leading the charge with innovative eco-friendly packaging solutions. Praveen Shinde, Founder of Pack8 is committed to eliminating single-use plastic waste, the company has transitioned to paper-based materials, already removing over 3,600+ tons of single-use plastic waste from the environment. One of its most ambitious initiatives, Project Aranyam, is not just about sustainability, it's about creating a long-lasting impact on the planet. With a goal to plant 1 million trees by 2030, this project directly offsets carbon emissions, fosters biodiversity, and provides employment opportunities for local communities. Key Achievements of Project Aranyam As per Akshay Mhole, who leads the sustainability initiatives at Pack8, The Project Aryanam has planted more than 14,169 trees, sequestering 283,380 kg of CO2 upon maturity. He says that the initiative is not just about planting trees but ensuring their long-term survival. Each tree is nurtured for up to five years, increasing its chances of thriving and maximizing its environmental impact. Beyond its environmental benefits, the project has also provided employment opportunities for local communities, making sustainability an economic driver. Purplle, one of India's leading omnichannel beauty destinations quoted 'At Purplle, we believe that every small step towards sustainability counts. Partnering with Pack8 and adopting HexCush Honeycomb paper rolls has helped us eliminate plastic waste while actively contributing to reforestation through the Aryanam Project. It's a powerful reminder that responsible packaging can drive real environmental change.' How Project Aranyam Works In Project Aranyam, whenever Pack8 processes a significant amount of paper at their factory, they give back to nature by planting a tree, integrating sustainability directly into the company's business model. Trees play a crucial role in carbon sequestration, with a single mature tree absorbing approximately 20 kg of CO2 per year. Beyond just planting, Pack8 focuses on creating Microforests, Agro Forests, and Miyawaki Forests, enhancing biodiversity while strengthening ecosystems. Unlike many tree-planting initiatives, Pack8 ensures long-term maintenance for every tree, making the project truly impactful. Pack8's Shift to Sustainable Materials Beyond tree planting, Pack8 is revolutionizing the packaging industry by replacing plastic with sustainable alternatives. The company has already eliminated 3,600+ tons of single use plastic waste by transitioning to paper-based packaging. Additionally, Pack8 is moving away from virgin kraft paper, embracing 100% recycled paper, a move that significantly reduces environmental impact while promoting responsible sourcing. In FY 24-25, they have processed 466 tons of recycled paper and for FY 25-26 they are projecting to process 3000 tons of recycled paper. Aligning with Global Sustainability Goals Project Aranyam aligns with six key United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). By absorbing CO2 and mitigating climate change, it contributes to Climate Action (SDG 13). Its reforestation efforts support biodiversity and restore ecosystems, addressing Life on Land (SDG 15). Urban tree plantations improve air quality and reduce heat islands, promoting Sustainable Cities and Communities (SDG 11). By prioritizing sustainable packaging solutions, Pack8 fosters Responsible Consumption and Production (SDG 12). The initiative also creates local job opportunities, helping to combat poverty (SDG 1), while food-bearing trees contribute to Zero Hunger (SDG 2). Pack8's 2030 Sustainability Goals By 2030, Pack8 aims to eliminate 10,000+ tons of single-use plastic waste through sustainable packaging alternatives. The company is also committed to planting 1 million trees, restoring green cover while offsetting carbon emissions. Another key target is to shift entirely to 100% recycled paper, ensuring responsible and sustainable sourcing of materials. How You Can Support Project Aranyam Sustainability is a collective effort, and every individual can contribute. By choosing Pack8's sustainable products, consumers directly support reforestation initiatives. Spreading awareness about Project Aranyam helps drive conversations around the importance of environmental restoration. Engaging in local tree-planting initiatives and adopting eco-friendly habits, such as reducing plastic use and conserving resources, can further amplify the impact. Conclusion Pack8's Project Aranyam is setting new standards for corporate responsibility, proving that business growth and environmental impact can go hand in hand. With every tree planted, Pack8 is building a greener tomorrow—(one tree at a time)*. As sustainability becomes a global priority, initiatives like Project Aranyam show that every action counts. Whether by choosing sustainable products, raising awareness, or participating in conservation efforts, we all have a role in shaping a healthier planet.
Atlantic
18-04-2025
- Politics
- Atlantic
The Lies About Josh Shapiro Have Consequences
Early Sunday morning, a man named Cody Balmer allegedly attempted to burn down the official residence of Pennsylvania Governor Josh Shapiro, just hours after Shapiro and his family had finished their Passover seder. Photos from the scene captured the charred remains of the religious books they'd used that evening. In an affidavit for a search warrant, police said that the assailant had told a 911 operator that he'd targeted Shapiro 'for what he wants to do to the Palestinian people.' Balmer later told police that he'd planned to beat the governor with a hammer had he encountered him. He faces eight charges, including attempted homicide. Attempting to murder an American Jew over the actions of completely different Jews thousands of miles away in the Middle East is textbook anti-Semitism. But in the case of Shapiro, it's particularly perverse, because the governor supports Palestinian statehood and has been a harsh critic of Israel's leadership. 'I personally believe Benjamin Netanyahu is one of the worst leaders of all time,' he told reporters back in January 2024, months before then–Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer called on the Israeli prime minister to resign. Shapiro sharply condemned anti-Semitic protesters on university campuses but distinguished them from non-extremist demonstrators, and defended the prerogative of 'young people to righteously protest and question'—a stark contrast to the current administration, which has been deporting foreign students for their speech. Given Shapiro's actual positions, how might someone get the impression that he is somehow responsible for Israel's actions and in lockstep with its leadership? Most people would not even know, let alone care about, their Rust Belt governor's position on a foreign conflict. But most governors weren't the target of a national campaign effectively blaming them for Israel's conduct. Last summer, when then–Vice President Kamala Harris was choosing her running mate, Shapiro emerged as a top contender, thanks to his robust electoral popularity in an indispensable swing state. And just as quickly, hard-left activists and congressional staffers attempted to pressure Harris not to pick him. 'Tell Kamala and the Democrats now: Say no to Genocide Josh Shapiro for Vice President,' declared the site In an open democracy, there is nothing wrong with forcefully advocating for Palestinians or against Israel—whatever the Trump administration might say. But there was something very wrong with the Genocide Josh campaign. As political commentators noted at the time, no such campaign was marshalled against any other prospective vice-presidential front-runner, despite all of them having the same—or more hawkish—views on Israel as Shapiro. For example, Minnesota Governor Tim Walz, the preferred candidate of many in the anti-Shapiro movement, had a long pro-Israel record dating back to his time in the House of Representatives. As a congressman, he voted to condemn a United Nations resolution against Israeli settlements that President Barack Obama had allowed to pass; called Israel 'our truest and closest ally in the region, with a commitment to values of personal freedoms and liberties, surrounded by a pretty tough neighborhood'; and met with Netanyahu personally, releasing a photo to the media of the two of them standing side by side. As governor, Walz said of the Gaza campus protests: 'I think when Jewish students are telling us they feel unsafe in that, we need to believe them, and I do believe them,' adding that 'creating a space where political dissent or political rallying can happen is one thing; intimidation is another.' Some pro-Palestinian activists were arrested after protesting outside his residence. Walz and Shapiro advanced the same position on ending the Gaza war—except that Shapiro said that a solution would 'ideally' happen without Netanyahu, whom he called 'a destructive force for Israel over time,' whereas Walz never openly criticized the Israeli leader. None of this inspired any progressive pushback, presumably because Walz is not Jewish, and so was not seen as inherently suspect and secretly in hock to Israeli interests. Put another way, the Genocide Josh movement singled out a Jewish candidate for censure over Israel while tendentiously misrepresenting his stance on the issues in order to discredit him. This was not an expression of traditional sharp-elbowed American political discourse, but rather an echo of ancient antipathies. Since the attempted murder of Shapiro, we have learned that his assailant may have suffered from severe mental illness. Balmer's mother told CBS News that he 'went off his medication,' and that her pleas for local police to get him 'picked up' the week before had gone unanswered. In the aftermath of such incidents, there is often an unfortunate impulse to stigmatize mental illness as the source of societal prejudice. But those struggling with internal demons don't originate our external ones; they reflect them. In their confusion and pain, such individuals latch on to those already targeted by the broader culture and its preexisting pathologies, showing us not who they are, but who we are. This is why deeply troubled people—from Kanye West (now known as Ye) to the murderously disturbed —have more often gone after Jewish people than, say, the Amish. Weakened minds tend to be overtaken by strong currents. Crimes like the one against Shapiro hold up a mirror to our collective biases. In this case, it appears that high-profile deceptions and double standards about a Jewish politician's Israel stance contributed to an unwell person trying to kill him. The Passover attack is a warning: If we don't reckon with the lies about Jews in our public sphere, we will see more lies, and more of their consequences.
