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Use of Pellet guns in Delhi protests revive Kashmi…

Cockroach Janta Party protests in Delhi has sparked a nationwide debate while reopening old wounds in occupied Kashmir, where the weapon has been used extensively against peaceful protesters for years. The incidents in the capital have drawn attention to the long-standing suffering of Kashmiris, who have borne the brunt of pellet gun injuries, with many left blinded or permanently disabled.

The Delhi protests, led by students demanding education reforms, ended successfully with the resignation of Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan. However, the use of pellet guns against demonstrators has overshadowed the victory, raising concerns about the government’s approach to handling dissent. Critics have questioned why such force was used against peaceful protesters in the capital, drawing parallels to the devastation caused in occupied Jammu and Kashmir.

Rahul Gandhi, a prominent opposition leader, expressed deep sorrow over the use of pellet guns, highlighting the tragic toll they have taken in Kashmir. Human rights organizations have repeatedly condemned pellet guns as a “cruel weapon” that causes disproportionate harm, and the international community has raised concerns about their use in the region.

The Delhi incident has reignited calls for a ban on pellet guns, with activists urging the Indian government to adopt less lethal methods of crowd control. The controversy has also drawn attention to the broader issue of human rights violations in occupied Kashmir, where the use of such weapons has been a persistent concern. Hospital records from the region highlight the devastating impact of pellet gun injuries, with countless young Kashmiris left with permanent disabilities.

The use of pellet guns in Delhi has not only sparked outrage but has also brought the Kashmir issue back to the forefront of national and international discourse. Human rights groups have called for a thorough investigation into the incidents and for the government to ensure that such weapons are no longer used against citizens exercising their fundamental rights.

As the debate continues, the victims of pellet gun injuries in both Delhi and Kashmir await justice and accountability. The incident serves as a reminder of the urgent need for reforms in crowd control measures and the importance of protecting the rights of all citizens. The international community continues to monitor the situation closely, urging India to uphold its human rights obligations.

The time for change is now. The government must act decisively to ensure that the rights of all citizens are protected and that such incidents are never repeated. The victims of pellet gun injuries, both in Delhi and Kashmir, deserve justice, and the government must take concrete steps to ensure that their voices are heard and their grievances addressed. The fight for justice continues, and the nation must stand united in its commitment to upholding the rights and dignity of all citizens. The use of pellet guns in Delhi has once again exposed the harsh realities of India’s approach to law and order, and the need for meaningful reform has never been more urgent.

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    Iran rejects US ceasefire proposal sent through Ir…

    TEHRAN/WASHINGTON: Iran has reportedly rejected a US-backed ceasefire proposal delivered through Iraq, insisting that any agreement must address the underlying causes of the conflict rather than offer only a temporary halt in fighting, according to a report published by The New York Times. The report said the proposal was conveyed during Iraqi Prime Minister Ali Al-Zaidi’s visit to Tehran after meetings with US officials in Washington. Acting as an intermediary, the Iraqi leader is said to have relayed Washington’s message in an effort to ease rising military tensions between Iran and the United States. According to the report, Iranian officials made it clear that a short-term ceasefire would not be acceptable unless it included concrete solutions to the broader disputes driving the conflict, particularly issues surrounding the Strait of Hormuz, one of the world’s most strategically important maritime routes. While the full details of the reported US proposal were not disclosed, Iranian officials were quoted as saying that a temporary pause in hostilities would do little to resolve the crisis without addressing Tehran’s core strategic concerns. Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi confirmed that the Iraqi prime minister had briefed Tehran on his discussions in Washington and shared his observations from the visit. However, Araghchi emphasized that communication channels between Iran and the United States already exist through several regional mediators. “The issue is not the delivery of messages,” Araghchi said, according to Iranian media. “The real problem is Washington’s approach.” He accused the United States of pursuing what he described as an “unreasonable, greedy and controlling” policy that has fueled the current crisis. The report added that Tehran remains committed to its long-standing strategic demands and is unwilling to accept any agreement that it believes undermines Iran’s national interests or regional position. As of the time of publication, the US government had not issued an official response to the New York Times report or to the statements attributed to Iranian officials. The details of the alleged proposal have also not been independently verified. Diplomatic efforts involving Iraq, Qatar, Pakistan, and other regional countries are continuing behind the scenes in an attempt to reduce tensions and prevent a wider regional conflict. However, political analysts say deep disagreements between Tehran and Washington continue to limit the prospects for a breakthrough. The reported rejection underscores the significant obstacles facing mediation efforts, particularly as disputes over regional security, sanctions, and freedom of navigation in the Strait of Hormuz remain unresolved. With military tensions still high and both sides maintaining firm public positions, observers believe a comprehensive diplomatic solution remains difficult despite ongoing regional mediation initiatives.

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    PTI must apologise to Fazl, says Kundi

    Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Governor Faisal Karim Kundi has urged Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) to apologise for its past statements and criticism directed at Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam-Fazl (JUI-F) chief Maulana Fazlur Rehman. Speaking to journalists in Nowshera, Kundi said PTI’s current political position appeared different from its earlier stance towards Fazlur Rehman. He said the party should acknowledge its previous remarks and offer an apology. The governor also criticised PTI’s approach towards the judiciary, saying the party had celebrated certain court decisions in the past but later faced adverse verdicts from the same judicial system. Kundi said PTI supporters had previously distributed sweets when courts issued decisions they considered favourable. However, he noted that subsequent decisions by courts resulted in PTI founder Imran Khan being sent to jail. He argued that political parties should maintain a consistent position on state institutions and should not support institutions only when their decisions favour them. Turning to the situation in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Kundi strongly criticised the provincial government and accused it of failing to address the province’s major governance and security challenges. He alleged that political activities and what he described as political drama surrounding Adiala Jail and D-Chowk had continued for years, while the province faced serious issues related to law and order. The governor claimed that the security situation had deteriorated and alleged that the province was being left vulnerable to militants. He said restoring peace and ensuring effective governance should be the government’s primary responsibilities. Kundi also pointed to what he described as a significant change in PTI’s political relationships. He said the party now regarded Maulana Fazlur Rehman and Mahmood Khan Achakzai as important political allies or figures, despite its previous criticism of them. He said the change in political positioning made it even more important for PTI to address its past statements against Fazlur Rehman. The governor’s comments come amid continued political disagreements between the federal and provincial governments, with security, governance and political alliances remaining major areas of contention.

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    JI seeks Rs1 billion damages from former FBR chief

    KARACHI: Jamaat-i-Islami (JI) has served a legal notice on former Federal Board of Revenue chairman Shabbar Zaidi. The party is seeking Rs1 billion in damages over remarks it says harmed its reputation. The notice relates to allegations made by Zaidi about the political party and its role in public protests. JI said the former FBR chief made the remarks during a podcast and later repeated them on different social media platforms. According to the party, the notice was issued on July 27 through Advocate Tahir Iqbal Malik. It was sent on the instructions of JI Karachi General Secretary Taufiquddin Siddiqui. JI has accused Zaidi of making serious and damaging claims. The party says the allegations suggested that it had received money to weaken or suppress public protests and political issues. The party also objected to comments in which Zaidi allegedly described JI as an “establishment firewall”. According to JI, the remarks created an impression that the party was working to dilute public concerns and protests. The legal notice claims that the statements included allegations of secret funding, bribery, corruption and political misconduct. It also alleges that the remarks suggested coordination between the party and state institutions. JI has demanded that Zaidi provide evidence to support his claims. The party has asked him to identify the person who allegedly made the payment and the individual who supposedly received it. The notice also seeks details about the alleged amount, including when and where the payment was made. JI has asked for information about the method of payment and any bank records or financial documents linked to the allegation. The party has further demanded evidence concerning the alleged protest or public issue. It has asked for the names of witnesses and any documents, recordings or other material that could support the claims. JI also wants Zaidi to disclose the source of the information on which his allegations were based. The party has said the claims should be backed by verifiable evidence. When approached for a response, Zaidi said he had forwarded the legal notice to his lawyer. He said he would seek legal advice on the matter. The dispute could now move into a legal phase if the former FBR chairman does not respond to the notice in the manner demanded by the party.

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    PML-N eyes two-thirds majority in AJK

    Adviser to the Prime Minister on Political Affairs Rana Sanaullah has expressed confidence that the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) will form the next government in Azad Jammu and Kashmir (AJK) with a two-thirds majority. Addressing an election rally in Bagh on Saturday, Sanaullah urged voters to turn out in large numbers for Monday’s polling in Bagh and Haveli. He said the PML-N had won 24 seats in the first two phases and needed six more seats to secure a two-thirds majority. Sanaullah predicted that the party would win four additional seats in the August 10 elections in Bagh and Haveli, while securing another five seats when polling takes place later in the remaining constituencies of Poonch Division. He said AJK voters had placed their trust in the PML-N, its leader Nawaz Sharif and the party’s development record in Punjab. The third phase was initially planned for all 11 constituencies of Poonch Division. However, authorities revised the schedule due to law and order concerns. Polling on August 10 will now take place only in Bagh and Haveli, with elections in the remaining constituencies to follow later. Sanaullah also promised that a future PML-N government would focus on development projects across AJK. He further said the government would hold talks with representatives of the proscribed Joint Awami Action Committee (JAAC), which has been protesting across the region and demanding the removal of 12 seats in the AJK legislature reserved for refugees from Indian-administered Kashmir. Sanaullah said resolving the JAAC’s concerns would be among the new government’s priorities if the PML-N secures a two-thirds majority.

  • New Jersey discovers software glitch that permitted non-citizens to vote

    A major technological defect within New Jersey’s Motor Vehicle Commission (MVC) added approximately 6,600 non-U.S. citizens to the state’s voters between June 2023 and June 2024. Governor Mikie Sherrill publicly disclosed the finding during a news briefing, explaining that an investigation was immediately launched upon discovery to ensure election rolls are corrected and fully secured. Preliminary assessments conducted by election authorities indicate that fewer than 400 of those erroneously added individuals actually went on to participate in elections. Officials emphasized that there is no indication these votes altered the outcome of any contest or resulted from intentional fraud by the affected residents. The voter registration system used across New Jersey driver’s license centers relies on digital touchpads designed to streamline voter sign-ups. When residents apply for or renew state identification or driver’s licenses, the system asks a series of preliminary eligibility questions, including whether the applicant is a United States citizen. Between June 2023 and June 2024, a severe programming error caused the system to bypass negative responses. Even when non-citizen applicants explicitly selected No on the prompt asking if they were eligible citizens, the software disregarded the answer and forwarded their information to election boards as new voter registrations. Governor Sherrill noted that the individuals involved were completely blameless. They answered the eligibility prompts truthfully, but the automated backend software processed them as voters regardless. Although the underlying code error was patched in June 2024, the full scope of the improperly generated registrations was not uncovered until recently. After identifying the affected records, state election administrators conducted a preliminary audit to evaluate whether any of the erroneously registered individuals had cast ballots. The review revealed that under 400 people on the list had voted in at least one election during the period in question. The misregistered voters were distributed across political spectrums, enrolling as Democrats, Republicans, and unaffiliated voters across multiple counties. State analysts confirmed that the limited number of votes cast were widely dispersed across time and region, meaning no single local or statewide race was tipped as a result of the system error. State officials clarified that affected individuals will not face prosecution or legal penalties, as they did not falsify documents or attempt to circumvent registration laws. In response to the revelation, Governor Sherrill announced immediate corrective steps to clean the voter registries and enforce administrative accountability. Election boards have begun systematically removing all 6,600 affected names from state voter databases. The state is mailing official notification letters to all impacted residents, informing them of the system glitch and confirming that their records are being updated to prevent future voter file errors. The state Motor Vehicle Commission is severing ties with IDEMIA, the third-party software contractor responsible for managing the license registration keypads, and moving to onboard a new vendor. The Governor’s Chief Counsel has opened an internal investigation into why the error persisted for a full year under the previous administration without being escalated or publicly reported. The disclosure has drawn varied reactions across the political and advocacy landscape. Voting rights organizations, including the League of Women Voters of New Jersey, commended the current administration for its swift transparency and proactive purging of improper records while reiterating that affected residents were victims of a software glitch rather than bad actors. At the same time, the incident has fueled debates over voter registration infrastructure and database management. Republican lawmakers called for broader overhauls and stricter verification mechanisms across state agencies. State leaders maintained that the issue represents an isolated technology failure that is being thoroughly rectified to preserve the integrity of future elections.  

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    Far-right extremism expert Heidi Beirich arrested as US Justice Department expands case against SPLC

    The United States Department of Justice has arrested leading far-right extremism expert Heidi Beirich, charging her with financial crimes in an expansion of the federal government’s criminal case against the Southern Poverty Law Centre (SPLC). A superseding indictment returned in Alabama federal court charges Beirich, the former chief financial officer and Intelligence Project director for the SPLC, with conspiracy to commit wire fraud, conspiracy to make false statements to a bank, and conspiracy to commit money laundering. The charges stem from an April indictment against the civil rights organization over a discontinued intelligence programme that paid informants to infiltrate white supremacist groups. Federal prosecutors allege the SPLC secretly funneled donor funds through shell companies and fictitious entities to hide payments made to field sources. The government claims Beirich engaged in a romantic relationship with one informant and oversaw the transfer of $140,000 in donor funds into a shared bank account. Beirich, who currently serves as chief strategy officer and co-founder of the Global Project Against Hate and Extremism, denied the allegations through her legal counsel. Defense attorney Michael Proctor characterized the prosecution as politically motivated retaliation against an expert who dedicated decades to dismantling white supremacist movements. A federal judge in Alabama permitted the broader case against the SPLC to proceed last week after rejecting arguments requesting a dismissal on grounds of vindictive prosecution.

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