Epstein survivor says abuse continued during his prison sentence

  India has stressed that maintaining peace along its disputed border with China is essential for improving relations between the two Asian powers. The statement comes amid reports of renewed encounters between Indian and Chinese troops in a remote part of the Himalayas. India’s latest remarks mark the second time in less than a week that New Delhi has addressed concerns over the border. The two countries have been attempting to rebuild relations after deadly clashes in 2020 severely damaged diplomatic ties. The issue is particularly significant ahead of the BRICS summit, scheduled to take place in New Delhi from September 12 to 13, where Chinese President Xi Jinping is expected to participate. Speaking at a regular media briefing on Tuesday, Indian Foreign Ministry spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal said New Delhi considers border matters with China extremely serious. He stressed that the situation along the disputed frontier would have a direct impact on the broader relationship between the two countries. Jaiswal said India had consistently communicated to Beijing that the condition of the border was closely connected to the overall state of bilateral relations. His comments came in response to questions about reports of a recent military encounter between troops from both countries. China’s Foreign Ministry and Defence Ministry did not immediately respond to requests for comment regarding the reported developments. According to news , Indian and Chinese military patrols reportedly came into contact in late July near Taksing, a remote village in Arunachal Pradesh’s Upper Subansiri district. The area lies along the border with Tibet and is located in the eastern Himalayas. China claims Arunachal Pradesh as part of what it describes as southern Tibet, referring to the region as Zangnan. India strongly rejects Beijing’s claim and maintains that Arunachal Pradesh is an integral part of Indian territory. The reported encounter allegedly occurred around 2.5 kilometres inside territory controlled by India. Chinese personnel reportedly withdrew from the area initially but returned in early August and set up two tents. However, Indian defence officials have rejected reports suggesting that the developments represent a significant increase in military tensions. The defence spokesperson responsible for Arunachal Pradesh described the reports as unverified and lacking sufficient evidence. A residents’ welfare organisation in the region had earlier raised concerns in a July 26 letter sent to local authorities. The group claimed that Chinese personnel were increasing their presence and moving into strategically important areas near the border. Reuters reviewed the letter. Military patrols from India and China occasionally encounter one another along their disputed 3,488-kilometre frontier. Such confrontations are not unprecedented, although they do not happen regularly. Relations between the two countries deteriorated sharply after a deadly confrontation in the western Himalayas in 2020. Twenty Indian soldiers and four Chinese troops were killed during the clashes, leading both sides to deploy tens of thousands of troops and large quantities of military equipment along the frontier. Tensions gradually began to ease after Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Chinese President Xi Jinping held talks in 2024. The two leaders agreed to take steps to end the prolonged military standoff and work toward reducing tensions. Despite those efforts, the latest reports highlight the continuing sensitivity of the border dispute and the importance of maintaining stability as India and China attempt to restore their broader relationship.

Syria and Russia have reached a new agreement regarding the future of two strategically important Mediterranean military sites, marking a major shift in Moscow’s role in the country after years of close military cooperation with the former Syrian government. According to Syria’s Foreign Ministry, the agreement will bring changes to the way Russia operates at the Hmeimim air base near Latakia and the Tartus naval facility on Syria’s Mediterranean coast. Both locations served as key Russian military positions during the rule of former President Bashar Assad, who relied heavily on Moscow’s political and military support throughout Syria’s long civil war from 2011 to 2024. The Hmeimim air base became one of Russia’s most important overseas military installations, supporting Russian air operations in Syria and strengthening Moscow’s influence in the eastern Mediterranean. Meanwhile, the naval base at Tartus provided Russia with its only major naval facility outside the former Soviet Union, allowing it to maintain a strategic presence in the region. Under the newly announced arrangement, Syria will assume control of the Hmeimim air base and the commercial section of Tartus port as part of its civilian administration. The remaining military areas at both locations will reportedly be transformed into joint training and qualification centers rather than serving as traditional Russian military outposts. Syria’s Foreign Ministry described the agreement as a “reorganization of the Russian presence” along the country’s coastline. The ministry said the deal represents the most significant step forward in negotiations that have continued for around 18 months and could open the door to a new stage in Syrian-Russian relations. Russia has not yet issued an official public response to the announcement. However, Moscow’s position in Syria has changed significantly since the fall of Assad’s government. During the uprising and subsequent conflict, Russia was one of Assad’s strongest supporters, providing military assistance that helped his government remain in power. After Assad was removed from office, Russia allowed him and his family to seek asylum, while many remaining Russian forces gradually withdrew from Syria. Despite these changes, Syria’s new leadership has attempted to maintain diplomatic relations with Moscow. Interim President Ahmad al-Sharaa has met Russian President Vladimir Putin in Moscow on two occasions since taking office, with the future of the Mediterranean bases being one of the main issues discussed during their talks. At the same time, Syria has expanded its diplomatic engagement with Western nations and regional Arab countries. Several states that had distanced themselves from Damascus during Assad’s crackdown on opposition movements have begun rebuilding relations with the new Syrian authorities. The United States has also removed many of the sanctions that had severely affected Syria’s economy, while European countries have increased diplomatic contacts. French President Emmanuel Macron’s visit to Syria in July marked another important step, with both countries announcing plans to appoint ambassadors for the first time in 14 years. The agreement over Hmeimim and Tartus reflects the changing balance of international influence in Syria. While Russia remains an important partner, the country’s new government appears to be pursuing broader relationships with multiple global and regional powers as it seeks to redefine Syria’s future after years of conflict.

AIMIM chief and Hyderabad MP Asaduddin Owaisi has strongly criticised the Allahabad High Court’s recent decision rejecting a Muslim student’s plea to wear a hijab with her school uniform. Reacting to the ruling, Owaisi described the decision as an “attack on Islam” and argued that judges cannot determine which practices are essential to a religion. “Islam is our religion, and we will decide what is essential in it,” Owaisi said, while questioning the court’s approach to matters of religious practice. The AIMIM leader also pointed out that the Supreme Court is already considering issues related to essential religious practices and freedom of religion. He argued that the Allahabad High Court should therefore have avoided making a ruling on the matter while the broader legal question remains before the apex court. Owaisi further claimed that the judgment conflicts with Articles 19 and 25 of the Indian Constitution, which protect freedom of expression and religious freedom. Defending the student’s right to wear a hijab, Owaisi said the decision concerns a personal and religious choice. He remarked that the student was wearing a hijab on her head, “not on her brain,” stressing that wearing the religious garment should not be viewed as a barrier to education or academic ability. He also warned that the ruling could discourage Muslim girls from pursuing education, particularly in Uttar Pradesh. According to Owaisi, Muslim girls already have relatively low enrolment at the secondary-school level in the state, and restrictions on religious attire could create additional obstacles for them. The controversy follows an Allahabad High Court ruling issued on August 21, in which a two-judge bench dismissed a petition filed by a Muslim student from a private school in Prayagraj. The student had sought permission to wear a hijab along with the prescribed school uniform. The student had already completed her high school education and wanted to continue in Class 11 at the same institution. Her petition challenged the school’s restriction on wearing the hijab as part of the uniform. The bench, comprising Justices J.J. Munir and Indrajeet Shukla, rejected the argument that wearing a hijab constitutes an essential religious practice in Islam. The judges noted that several High Courts have previously held that wearing a hijab is not an obligatory religious practice for Muslim women to the extent that failing to observe it would affect their faith. The court also maintained that students cannot unilaterally alter an institution’s prescribed uniform based on their individual preferences. The ruling has since sparked debate over the balance between uniform regulations, religious freedom and students’ rights in educational institutions.