Twenty dead after Indonesia’s magnitude-7.7 earthquake, rescuers say

The United States Department of Defence has called on defence contractors to accelerate weapons production amidst growing anxiety over dwindling military stockpiles as hostilities with Iran persist. Deputy Secretary of Defence Steve Feinberg issued a formal directive on Wednesday, setting a 21-day deadline for defence industry leaders to deliver proposals aimed at driving significantly faster delivery timelines and boosting output for critical capabilities. The directive was initially revealed by The Washington Post following heightened scrutiny regarding the condition of US weapons reserves during the ongoing conflict. Spokesperson for the Department of Defence Sean Parnell verified the authenticity of the directive, noting that the submissions will directly shape the Pentagon’s budget request for fiscal year 2028. “The August 5 memo is real,” Parnell stated. “It will inform the fiscal year 2028 budget submitted to Congress for funding, and it is entirely consistent with our ongoing push to rebuild the defence industrial base.” Parnell added that direct engagement with weapons manufacturers is routine practice, defending the administration’s aggressive measures to expedite procurement schedules. He detailed that Feinberg is actively working to overhaul what he characterized as a broken, outdated, and overly intricate procurement framework, ensuring the military retains the capability to produce equipment at a pace that matches modern threat levels.

BOLOGNA: The death of a Moroccan businessman during a police restraint in the Italian city of Bologna has reignited Europe’s heated debate over migration, policing and the treatment of immigrants, with the case exposing the deeply personal human stories often overshadowed by political rhetoric. The incident comes as European governments face mounting pressure over migration policies. Just days after thousands of migrants crossed from Morocco into Spain’s North African enclave of Ceuta, Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni announced plans to suspend a free-movement agreement with Spain, reinforcing her government’s tough stance on immigration. Amid the political storm, the death of Abderrahim Fakir, a 42-year-old Moroccan-born entrepreneur who had spent most of his life in Italy, has become a symbol of the broader tensions surrounding migration and law enforcement. Videos recorded by local residents on July 19 showed police officers restraining Fakir face down on the ground for several minutes after responding to reports of a distressed man behaving erratically in a residential area. The footage, which quickly spread across social media, sparked widespread public outrage and renewed scrutiny of police conduct. Authorities said officers were responding to emergency calls about a man shouting, kicking garage doors and striking a vehicle. An autopsy and official investigations into the officers’ actions remain ongoing, while four Red Cross volunteers who were present are also under review. The tragedy triggered thousands of peaceful protesters to gather in Bologna, demanding accountability and justice for Fakir’s family. However, demonstrations later turned violent when a small group clashed with police, leaving dozens of officers injured and further intensifying political divisions. Friends, relatives and lawyers describe Fakir as far more than the image portrayed in political debates. Having arrived in Italy from Morocco at the age of six, he built a successful life, eventually owning a small metalworking company after years of hard work. Behind that success, however, he had been battling severe anxiety. According to his lawyer, Fakir feared deportation after complications involving his residency permit, despite living in Italy for nearly four decades. He had also been struggling financially as his business declined, forcing him to lay off several employees. Family members said he concealed his emotional pain, insisting everything was fine even as he sought psychiatric assistance weeks before his death. Sociologists argue that Fakir’s story highlights the dangers of reducing migration to political slogans while ignoring the human lives behind the headlines. As Italy awaits the outcome of official investigations, his family says they continue to trust the country’s justice system and hope the full truth surrounding his final moments will emerge.

A 14-year-old boy has gone on trial in Malaysia for the alleged murder of his 16-year-old schoolmate, Yap Shing Xuen, whose body was discovered with multiple knife wounds in a secondary school toilet near Kuala Lumpur. The accused, who pleaded not guilty, faces up to 40 years in prison and potential caning if convicted, though capital punishment is barred due to his status as a minor under Malaysian law. Police confirmed the recovery of a written note at the scene and cited potential online influence, sparking nationwide debate concerning the impact of social media algorithms, incel subcultures, and youth exposure to radicalising content. In response to growing public concern surrounding youth safety, Malaysian authorities have instituted a policy prohibiting children under 16 from maintaining accounts on major social media platforms.