COVID-19 legal battle against Anthony Fauci

  At least 16 people were killed and around 130 others injured after a series of Russian drone strikes hit the Ukrainian city of Kryvyi Rih, Ukrainian authorities said. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said Russian forces targeted a shopping centre in the city in successive drone attacks. According to Zelenskyy, the second strike came about 30 minutes after the first, increasing the casualties and damage at the site. Emergency crews rushed to the area to search for survivors and assist the injured. The attacks also caused significant damage to civilian infrastructure, according to Ukrainian officials. Zelenskyy condemned the strikes as an act of terrorism and called for a stronger international response to Russia’s attacks on Ukrainian cities. He said the international community must take effective measures to prevent further attacks against civilians. Meanwhile, Russia’s Defence Ministry claimed that its forces had carried out strikes against Ukrainian ports and vessels that Moscow says support the Ukrainian military. Russia has repeatedly described such facilities as part of Ukraine’s military infrastructure. Ukraine, in turn, claimed that its forces had targeted a Russian oil refinery and a military airfield as part of its ongoing attacks on Russian military and energy-related infrastructure. The latest strikes come as fighting between Russia and Ukraine continues, with both sides increasingly targeting infrastructure and military facilities far from the front lines. The exchange of attacks has also raised renewed concerns over civilian safety as the war enters another phase of intense hostilities.

  JERUSALEM: Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu departed for Washington under extraordinary security measures amid growing concerns over potential threats from Iran. According to media reports, Netanyahu traveled discreetly and avoided the country’s main international airport, reflecting heightened security precautions ahead of his meeting with U.S. President Donald Trump. Reports stated that instead of departing from the usual Ben Gurion International Airport, Netanyahu left Israel aboard a special aircraft from Nevatim Air Base, a military facility in southern Israel. The unusual departure arrangements were reportedly made due to security concerns related to possible threats from Iran. The Israeli Prime Minister’s Office did not announce the departure time in advance and did not issue an official explanation for the extraordinary security measures. However, Israeli media cited security sources as saying that the changes were implemented because of concerns about potential Iranian threats. According to the reports, security precautions were also tightened within Israel before Netanyahu’s departure. Sources said that Sunday’s Israeli cabinet meeting was not held at the Prime Minister’s Office, as is customary. Instead, the meeting reportedly took place at a secret underground location for security reasons. Officials did not publicly disclose the exact location or provide additional details about the decision. Media also reported another unusual step taken during the visit preparations. Unlike previous foreign trips, Israeli authorities did not allow members of the Israeli diplomatic press corps to accompany Prime Minister Netanyahu aboard the official government aircraft. No formal explanation was given for excluding journalists from the flight, although reports suggested that the decision was linked to heightened security concerns. Netanyahu has now arrived in Washington, where he is expected to hold high-level talks with U.S. President Donald Trump. The meeting is anticipated to focus on several major regional and international issues, with Iran expected to dominate the agenda. Following his departure for the United States, Netanyahu shared a statement on social media outlining the objectives of his visit. He said that his discussions with President Trump would cover a wide range of issues affecting Israel and the Middle East. According to the Israeli leader, Iran would be the top priority during the meeting because of ongoing regional tensions and security concerns. Netanyahu stated that Israel’s primary goal remains ensuring the country’s security, strengthening its national defense, and expanding what he described as the “circle of peace” around Israel. He emphasized that cooperation with the United States continues to play a vital role in addressing regional challenges and promoting stability. The visit comes at a time of continued tensions between Israel and Iran, with both countries accusing each other of actions that threaten regional security. Analysts believe that discussions between Netanyahu and President Trump are likely to include Iran’s nuclear program, regional security, military cooperation, and broader strategic relations between the United States and Israel. In his statement, Netanyahu also said that he intends to express his condolences to President Trump over the passing of Lindsey Graham whom he described as a true friend of Israel. The Washington meeting is expected to be closely watched by international observers, as its outcomes could influence future U.S.-Israel cooperation and regional diplomatic developments.

  Global human rights organization Amnesty International has strongly condemned the use of force against young people in India, expressing serious concern over reports of violence during recent demonstrations. The organization has urged Indian authorities, particularly the police, to immediately stop using excessive force against peaceful protesters and to uphold the fundamental rights guaranteed under international human rights law. In a statement, Amnesty International said it was deeply concerned about the suppression of peaceful dissent in India. According to the organization, young demonstrators exercising their right to express their opinions were met with unnecessary and excessive force by law enforcement agencies. Amnesty stressed that the right to peaceful assembly and freedom of expression are essential democratic freedoms that must be protected, not restricted. The human rights group further stated that authorities imposed several measures to prevent protesters from reaching the Parliament House, where many intended to demonstrate peacefully. Barricades were reportedly erected across key routes leading to the area, limiting public movement and restricting access to the protest site. Such actions, Amnesty argued, hindered citizens’ ability to exercise their democratic rights and raised concerns about the government’s handling of peaceful public gatherings. Amnesty International also criticized the suspension of public services during the protests. According to the organization, metro services were disrupted and mobile internet access was temporarily shut down in several areas. The group noted that internet shutdowns and transport restrictions not only affect demonstrators but also disrupt the daily lives of ordinary citizens, limiting communication, access to information, and emergency services. Amnesty has repeatedly argued that blanket internet restrictions are inconsistent with international human rights standards and should only be used under exceptional and legally justified circumstances. The organization emphasized that the use of batons (lathi charge), tear gas shelling, and other crowd-control measures should always comply with the principles of necessity, legality, and proportionality. It maintained that law enforcement officials should prioritize dialogue and de-escalation over the use of force, especially when dealing with peaceful assemblies.   Amnesty International has called on the Indian government to conduct an immediate, independent, and impartial investigation into allegations of excessive police force, including reports of baton charges and shelling against protesters. The organization said that any officials found responsible for violating human rights should be held accountable through transparent legal processes. The human rights body reiterated that governments have a responsibility to protect the rights of all citizens, including young people who participate in peaceful demonstrations. It urged Indian authorities to respect freedom of expression, freedom of assembly, and access to information while ensuring that policing practices remain consistent with international human rights obligations. Amnesty International concluded by emphasizing that safeguarding democratic freedoms is essential for maintaining public trust and strengthening the rule of law. The organization called on Indian authorities to take immediate steps to protect the rights of peaceful protesters, ensure accountability for any abuses, and prevent similar incidents from occurring in the future.

  India’s Leader of the Opposition in the Lok Sabha and senior Congress leader Rahul Gandhi has strongly criticized the country’s education system, describing it as deeply flawed, expensive, and plagued by irregularities. His remarks came while expressing solidarity with students who have been protesting over issues related to entrance examinations and alleged paper leaks. Speaking on the growing concerns surrounding India’s education sector, Rahul Gandhi said he fully supports the feelings, frustrations, and struggles of students. He stated that the anger displayed by young people is understandable, considering the hardships they have been facing in recent years. According to him, the treatment meted out to students has naturally led to widespread dissatisfaction and protests. Rahul Gandhi argued that India’s education system is not only affected by corruption and alleged manipulation but has also become financially unbearable for ordinary families. He said that the cost of appearing in entrance examinations has increased significantly, placing an enormous financial burden on parents and students. He criticized what he described as an education system that forces families to spend huge amounts of money merely to compete for admission to educational institutions. The Congress leader claimed that charging such high fees for entrance examinations amounts to exploiting families who are already making financial sacrifices to secure a better future for their children. He said many parents invest their savings and borrow money in the hope that their children will receive quality education and fair opportunities. However, according to him, the current system fails to reward those sacrifices. Rahul Gandhi further alleged that after collecting large sums of money from students and their families, authorities often announce that examination papers have been leaked or compromised. He said such incidents destroy the trust of students who spend months, and in many cases years, preparing for highly competitive entrance examinations. The cancellation of exams or questions surrounding their credibility not only wastes students’ time but also causes severe emotional stress and uncertainty about their future. He maintained that repeated incidents of paper leaks and examination irregularities have created frustration among young people across the country. In his view, students have every right to raise their voices and demand accountability from the authorities responsible for conducting these examinations. Gandhi said the protests taking place on the streets reflect the genuine concerns of India’s youth rather than being acts of unnecessary agitation. According to Rahul Gandhi, the government should focus on creating a transparent, affordable, and reliable education system that ensures equal opportunities for all students, regardless of their financial background. He emphasized that education should empower young people instead of becoming a source of anxiety, financial hardship, and disappointment. His comments come at a time when debates over examination management, paper leak allegations, and the rising cost of education continue to dominate public discussion in India. Student groups and opposition parties have repeatedly demanded stronger safeguards to prevent examination irregularities and greater accountability from the authorities. Rahul Gandhi concluded by reiterating his support for students, saying their concerns are legitimate and deserve immediate attention. He stressed that the future of the country depends on its youth and that protecting the integrity of the education system should be a national priority.