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Three Egyptian Coptic Orthodox monks killed in South Africa monastery

Three Egyptian Coptic Orthodox monks killed in South Africa monastery

A 35-year-old male suspect has been arrested but police say the motive for the fatal stabbings is still unclear. Three Egyptian Coptic Orthodox monks have been stabbed to death in a monastery in South Africa. A 35-year-old man was arrested in connection with the killings, police said on Wednesday, but they were still to establish a motive for the crime, in Gauteng province. The suspect, whose name was not made public, was due to be arraigned in court on Thursday. The three monks were murdered on Tuesday inside the Saint Mark the Apostle and Saint Samuel the Confessor Monastery in Cullinan, a town 50km (30 miles) northeast of the capital, Pretoria, police said. “Three victims were found with stab wounds while the fourth victim that survived alleged that he was hit by an iron rod on his hand before fleeing and hiding in one of the rooms,” the police statement said. Nothing was taken from the scene, it added. Egypt’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs said it was “closely following the investigations into the killing of three Egyptian monks”. The Coptic Orthodox Church said all three monks were Egyptian nationals as it named them as Hegumen Takla el-Samuely, Yostos Ava Markos and Mina Ava Markos. “There is no doubt that it is a painful incident,” Pope Tawadros II said in a statement on Wednesday, calling the monks “martyrs” and saying that the church had sent a delegation to South Africa. “There are many rumours, but so far the truth of the situation has not become apparent. We console their families, we console the church there, and we console ourselves.” No date has been set for a funeral but the monks will likely be buried in South Africa where they served according to tradition, the pope added. Deadly attacks on places of worship in South Africa are rare, however, the Coptic Orthodox Church, one of the oldest Christian communities in the world, has been the target of assaults by Islamic fighters in Egypt and elsewhere. The church had in recent months condemned Israel’s continuing war on Gaza. Adblock test (Why?)

Israeli strike killed ‘clearly identifiable’ reporter in Lebanon: UN probe

Israeli strike killed ‘clearly identifiable’ reporter in Lebanon: UN probe

An Israeli tank killed Reuters reporter Issam Abdallah in Lebanon last year by firing two 120mm rounds at a group of “clearly identifiable journalists” in violation of international law, a United Nations investigation into the October 13 incident has found. The investigation by the UN Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL), summarised in a report seen and reported by Reuters on Wednesday, said its personnel did not record any exchange of fire across the border between Israel and Lebanon for more than 40 minutes before the Israeli Merkava tank opened fire. “The firing at civilians, in this instance clearly identifiable journalists, constitutes a violation of UNSCR 1701 (2006) and international law,” the UNIFIL report said, referring to the Security Council Resolution 1701. The seven-page report dated February 27 said further: “It is assessed that there was no exchange of fire across the Blue Line at the time of the incident. The reason for the strikes on the journalists is not known.” Under Resolution 1701, adopted in 2006 to bring an end to the war between Israel and Lebanese Hezbollah fighters, UN peacekeepers were deployed to monitor a ceasefire along the 120km (75-mile) demarcation line, or Blue Line, between Israel and Lebanon. As part of their mission, UN troops record violations of the ceasefire and investigate the most egregious cases. Besides killing Abdallah, the two tank rounds also wounded six other journalists at the scene, including two from Al Jazeera. Audio picked up by an Al Jazeera video camera at the scene showed the reporters also came under fire from 0.50 calibre rounds of the type used by the Browning machineguns that can be mounted on Israel’s Merkava tanks – likely from the same point as the tank, a report by the Netherlands Organisation for Applied Scientific Research (TNO) said last week. The TNO report concluded that an Israeli tank crew “likely” opened machinegun fire on the group of journalists near the border with Lebanon who were also targeted by shelling. An earlier report by Reporters Without Borders (RSF) said the journalists were deliberately targeted, although it did not attribute responsibility to Israel. Asked about the UNIFIL report, Israeli army spokesperson Nir Dinar said Hezbollah had attacked the army near the Israeli community of Hanita on October 13. It responded with artillery and tank fire to remove the threat and subsequently received a report that journalists had been injured. “The IDF deplores any injury to uninvolved parties, and does not deliberately shoot at civilians, including journalists,” Dinar said, referring to the Israeli army. “The IDF considers the freedom of the press to be of utmost importance while clarifying that being in a war zone is dangerous.” He said the General Staff’s Fact-Finding and Assessment Mechanism, which is responsible for reviewing exceptional events, will continue to examine the incident. According to the army’s website, the fact-finding team submits its reviews to the Israeli military’s legal affairs department, which decides whether a case warrants a criminal investigation. Reuters Editor-in-Chief Alessandra Galloni has called on Israel to explain how the attack that killed Abdallah, 37, could have happened and to hold those responsible to account. Al Jazeera has also urged the Israeli government to disclose the findings of its own investigation, noting after the release of the TNO report that the “incident strongly indicates intentional targeting, as confirmed by investigations”. The UNIFIL report was sent to the UN in New York on February 28 and has been shared with the Lebanese and Israeli militaries, two people familiar with the matter said. “[The] IDF should conduct an investigation into the incident and a full review of their procedures at the time to avoid a recurrence,” the report said in its recommendations. “The IDF should share their investigation’s findings with UNIFIL.” A UN spokesperson confirmed that the UNIFIL report had been shared with the parties. “We reiterate that all actors should uphold their obligations under international law, and that civilians, including journalists, should never be a target. Journalists and media professionals must be protected,” the spokesperson said. For its investigation, UNIFIL sent a team to the site on October 14, and also received contributions from the Lebanese armed forces and from an unnamed witness who was present on the hill when the strikes occurred, the report said. Details of incidents in UNIFIL’s area of operations are included in regular reports by the UN secretary-general on the implementation of Security Council Resolution 1701. UNIFIL’s investigations, however, are not usually made public, and Reuters was unable to determine if there would be any UN follow-up. UNIFIL spokesperson Andrea Tenenti said he was not in a position to discuss the investigation. UNIFIL’s findings lend further support to a Reuters investigation published on December 7 that showed that seven journalists from the AFP news agency, Al Jazeera and Reuters, were hit by two 120mm rounds fired by a tank 1.34km (0.8 miles) away in Israel. The group of reporters had been filming cross-border shelling from a distance in an open area on a hill near the Lebanese village of Alma ash-Shaab for nearly an hour before the attack. The day afterwards, the Israeli army said it already had visuals of the incident and it was being investigated. The army has not published a report of its findings to date. UNIFIL said in its report that it sent a letter and a questionnaire to the Israeli army requesting its assistance. The Israeli army replied, but did not answer the questionnaire. Reuters said it had not seen a copy of the Israeli army’s letter, the content of which was summarised in the UNIFIL report. Israel’s war on Gaza is one of the deadliest on record for journalists, with more reporters killed in the first 10 weeks following the October 7 Hamas attacks than have ever been killed in a single country over an entire year, according to the Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ). Al Jazeera cameraperson Samer Abudaqa was killed by an Israeli strike on December 15 while reporting at the Farhana school in

How India came to embrace the politics of Hindutva

How India came to embrace the politics of Hindutva

As Modi religiously prepares for India’s elections, Sreenivasan Jain examines the tussle between Hindutva and secularism. The politics of Hindu nationalism have played a central role in the dramatic rise of the BJP and Prime Minister Narendra Modi. As the elections have neared, the Modi regime has turbocharged its Hindu-first agenda – best exemplified in the inauguration of the Ram Temple in the city of Ayodhya. Veteran journalist Sreenivasan Jain explains how the opening of this temple – and the whitewashing of its controversial past – illustrates how Modi and his party have made their brand of Hindu supremacism not only acceptable, but a key part of Narendra Modi’s appeal to Indians. Featuring: Asaduddin Owaisi – Member of the Indian Parliament Uma Bharti – Former Vice-President, Bharatiya Janata Party Hartosh Singh Bal – Political Editor, The Caravan Adblock test (Why?)

Biden-Trump sequel underway in history-making first presidential election rematch since 1956

Biden-Trump sequel underway in history-making first presidential election rematch since 1956

Minutes after they clinched the Democratic and Republican presidential nominations, President Biden and former President Donald Trump took aim at each other as their 2024 general election rematch fired up. “Donald Trump is running a campaign of resentment, revenge, and retribution that threatens the very idea of America,” Biden argued in a statement as he targeted his Republican challenger. And Trump, blasting his Democratic predecessor in the White House, charged in a social media post that Biden was “the Worst, Most Incompetent, Corrupt, and Destructive President in the History of the United States.” The 2024 rematch – which polls indicate most Americans are anything but enthused about – is now underway. GAME ON: TRUMP, BIDEN, CLINCH 2024 MAJOR PARTY PRESIDENTIAL NOMINATIONS And the general election campaign started earlier than at any point in 20 years – when then-Sen. John Kerry of Massachusetts locked up the 2004 Democratic nomination in early March and faced Republican President George W. Bush. The November showdown between Biden and Trump is the first rematch in the race for the White House since 1956, when Republican President Dwight D. Eisenhower defeated former Democratic Gov. Adlai Stevenson of Illinois as they faced off a second time. WHERE THE 2024 PRESIDENTIAL NOMINATION RACES STAND Trump is aiming to become only the second president to serve two non-consecutive terms. That hasn’t been accomplished in over 130 years, since Grover Cleveland, who won the White House in 1884 but lost re-election four years later, won back the presidency in 1892. With over seven and a half months to go until Election Day on November 5, Trump enjoys the early edge in public opinion polling – both in most national surveys and in many of the polls in five of the six key battleground states where Biden narrowly topped Trump to win the White House in 2020. CLICK HERE FOR THE LATEST FOX NEWS 2024 POLLING But in another key metric – fundraising – Biden currently enjoys the upper hand. The Biden-Trump rematch offers up stark contrasts when it comes to their style and demeanor, and on where they stand on key issues, such as the economy, health care and entitlements, immigration, abortion, foreign policy, the war in Ukraine, and America’s overseas role going forward. The 81-year-old Biden, who four years ago made history as the oldest American ever elected president, will continue to face questions about his mental and physical durability, even after last week’s vigorous State of the Union address. The president also needs to show that he can energize younger voters, progressives, and Black and Latino Americans, who are all key parts of the Democratic base. Biden is also facing primary ballot box protests – materializing in “uncommitted” votes – over his support for Israel in its war in Gaza against Hamas. The former president is also dealing with plenty of problems.  Trump, who last year made history as the first president or former president to face criminal charges, now faces four major trials and a total of 91 indictments – including federal cases on his efforts to overturn the 2020 presidential election and on handling classified documents. There’s also a $355 million civil fraud judgment that Trump is appealing. He will have to juggle his appearances in court with his time on the campaign trail.  The 77-year-old Trump will also need to court the sizable block of Republican voters who backed Nikki Haley in the GOP nomination race. The former U.N. ambassador and former South Carolina governor was Trump’s last remaining rival before ending her White House campaign last week. Haley’s support is shining a spotlight on Trump’s weakness with suburban and highly educated voters. Complicating matters further – the presidential rematch between Biden and Trump won’t be a two-candidate race. Democratic-turned-Independent candidate Robert F. Kennedy Jr. is working to place his name on state ballots across the country. Kennedy, a longtime environmental activist and high-profile vaccine skeptic who’s a scion of the famous Kennedy political dynasty, is grabbing double-digits in many general election polls. Green Party candidate Jill Stein and progressive independent candidate Cornell West are polling in the single digits. And the centrist group No Labels is moving ahead with plans to launch a third party “unity” presidential ticket. While third party and independent candidates didn’t play much of a role in the 2020 presidential election, they did in the 2016 showdown between Trump and Democratic nominee Hillary Clinton. And they may again in 2024. Get the latest updates from the 2024 campaign trail, exclusive interviews and more at our Fox News Digital election hub

More liberal cities, states ask private residences to house migrants amid overwhelming numbers

More liberal cities, states ask private residences to house migrants amid overwhelming numbers

Several liberal cities and states have been expanding ways of dealing with the surge of migrants coming into their jurisdictions, including asking residents to help house immigrants to relieve pressure on the shelter system. Denver officials recently told local outlets that the city is looking for alternative ways to house migrants. Fox 31 reported that the city recently emailed Denver rental property owners asking if they would be interested in renting to migrants who need housing. It comes as the city is scaling back its migrant services in an attempt to reduce the budget deficit by nearly $60 million and consolidate shelters. DENVER PLEADS WITH PROPERTY OWNERS TO RENT TO MIGRANT ‘NEWCOMERS’ “We put out a feeler to all the landlords we have connections with,” an official for Denver Human Services told the outlet. “Basically said, listen, we’re going to have some newcomers who are going to need housing.” They are setting a rent cap of $2,000 and say the effort is being supported by nonprofits that are connecting migrants with various forms of housing. But it’s one of a number of ideas floated as a solution by cities that have seen themselves overwhelmed by migrant numbers. In New York City, Mayor Eric Adams in June floated the idea of eventually housing migrants in private dwellings and paying landlords of homeowners. He suggested it as he announced that a number of faith-based services had agreed to shelter migrants. “It is my vision to take the next step to these faith-based locales and then move to a private residence,” he said. “We can take that $4.2 billion, or $4.3 billion maybe now, that we potentially have to spend, and we can put it back in the pockets of everyday New Yorkers, everyday houses of worship instead of putting it in the pockets of corporations, and some of those corporations come from outside of our city.” In Chicago, a sanctuary city, suburban lawmakers proposed in January that residents be allowed to sign up to host migrants in their homes. “You know, we do hear from constituents on both sides of this: what are we going to do to preemptively stop this? And then we hear from people that tell us we should do more, so we do have a very affluent community, a lot of big homes, and what I’d like to do is direct staff to create a sign-up sheet … for individuals that would be willing to house migrant families,” Naperville, Illinois, Councilman Josh McBroom said.  “And if there’s people that would do that, God bless them. So, if we could raise awareness in that way, I think we need to find out. I think we need to find out who would be willing to house migrant families,” he said. The proposal was later nixed, according to Patch.com, with Naperville’s city council determining state and federal agencies would handle any such action. NYC MAYOR ERIC ADAMS WANTS TO HOUSE MIGRANTS IN CHURCHES, PROPOSES PRIVATE RESIDENCES DOWN THE ROAD  In Massachusetts, Lt. Gov. Kim Driscoll asked state residents to open their doors in August after the state saw a shortage of shelters. “Most importantly, if you have an extra room or suite in your home, please consider hosting a family. Housing and shelter is our most pressing need and become a sponsor family,” Driscoll said. Driscoll’s comments echoed Gov. Maura Healey’s statement that called on residents to “offer a helping hand.” MASSACHUSETTS OFFICIALS ASK RESIDENTS TO LEND ‘HELPING HAND,’ OFFER MIGRANTS ‘AN EXTRA ROOM’ “This is a national issue that demands a national response,” Healey said during a press conference. “In the meantime, we’re simply asking the federal government to use the tools already available to give these brave parents a chance to work and support their families. At the same time, we’re calling on everyone in Massachusetts to come together, help us meet this moment in our state and offer a helping hand.” Meanwhile, in Michigan, state officials asked residents in February to house refugees in their homes and help them to resettle. The state Department of Labor and Economic Development said volunteers who wish to participate must commit for at least 90 days as part of the refugee support program. Sponsors would be expected to support newly arrived refugees by greeting them at the airport, securing and preparing initial housing, enrolling children in school and helping adults find employment. Fox News’ Michael Dorgan, Danielle Wallace and Greg Wehner contributed to this report.

Massive coalition forms to protect left-wing ‘Squad’ members against onslaught of election spending

Massive coalition forms to protect left-wing ‘Squad’ members against onslaught of election spending

A coalition of nearly two dozen liberal groups has banded together to protect progressive left-wing “Squad” members in Congress from an onslaught of spending before the November elections.  The coalition, Reject AIPAC, was launched to counter the proposed big-money spending by entities linked to the American Israel Public Affairs Committee (AIPAC). The coalition seeks to rally behind Democrat politicians such as Reps. Ilhan Omar of Minnesota, Cori Bush of Missouri, Jamaal Bowman of New York and Summer Lee of Pennsylvania.  AIPAC has vowed to target those progressive lawmakers, and others, over their criticisms of Israel. EMBATTLED REP CORI BUSH FACES CAMPAIGN CASH CRUNCH; TRAILS DEM PRIMARY CHALLENGER IN MONEY ON HAND “Reject AIPAC is a broad coalition of progressive groups working together to take on the American Israel Public Affairs Committee (AIPAC) and its affiliated dark money Super PACs across electoral, political, digital and organizing strategies,” its website states.  “The coalition calls on candidates for federal office to take the Reject AIPAC Pledge to not take endorsements or contributions from AIPAC and/or aligned PACs.” Reject AIPAC’s strategy revolves around connecting grassroots organizations behind a seven-figure “electoral defense campaign” to shield the progressive lawmakers targeted by AIPAC, the Associated Press reported.  SWISS BILLIONAIRE HANSJÖRG WYSS RECENTLY POURED OVER $60M INTO PROPPING UP LEFT-WING GROUPS AND CAUSES AIPAC has committed $100 million to efforts to defeat the Squad members and progressive lawmakers.  “We are proud to engage in the democratic process to strengthen the US-Israel relationship and we will not be deterred in our efforts by an extremist anti-Israel fringe,” an AIPAC spokesperson told Fox News Digital in a statement in response to the counter-campaign.  A coalition partner in Reject AIPAC, which did not respond to Fox News Digital’s request for comment, said they would ensure the progressive lawmakers have the resources to fight back.  “These are a handful of Black and brown progressive incumbents who are under attack from a threat of $100 million in spending and usually Democratic leadership and establishment is up in arms anytime someone primaries an incumbent,” Justice Democrats communications director Usamah Andrabi told AP.  “But the energy is a little lighter when it comes to some of these progressives, and so we are coming together to ensure that they have the resources to defend themselves against AIPAC,” they added. Reject AIPAC’s alliance includes far-left groups such as Justice Democrats, US Campaign for Palestinian Rights Action, Jewish Voice for Peace Action, IfNotNow Movement, Working Families Party and Sunrise Movement, their website states.