UN Security Council members condemn Israel over deadly strike on Qatar
The United Nations Security Council has condemned the Israeli attack on the Qatari capital Doha on Tuesday and called for de-escalation in a statement agreed by all 15 members, including Israel’s chief ally, the United States. Council members issued the statement ahead of the emergency meeting on Thursday, which was convened to discuss Israel’s attacks targeting Hamas leaders in the Qatari capital, as it ramped up its offensive in Gaza City, forcing more than 200,000 to flee. Recommended Stories list of 4 itemsend of list Five Hamas members were killed, but the Palestinian group said its leadership survived the assassination bid. A Qatari security force member was also killed in the unprecedented attack, which has sent tensions in the region skyrocketing. Hamas leaders were meeting to discuss a new deal proposed by US President Donald Trump when the attack happened. “Council members underscored the importance of de-escalation and expressed their solidarity with Qatar,” said the statement, drafted by France and the United Kingdom, which nonetheless stopped short of explicitly mentioning Israel. It also emphasised that “releasing the hostages, including those killed by Hamas, and ending the war and suffering in Gaza” were “top priority”. More than 40 captives are still held in Gaza, but only 20 of them are believed to be alive. The US, which traditionally shields its ally Israel at the United Nations, appeared to deliver a strong rebuke to Israel, reflecting President Donald Trump’s purported unhappiness with the attack. Acting US Ambassador Dorothy Shea said: “Unilateral bombing inside Qatar, a sovereign nation working very hard and bravely taking risks alongside the United States to broker peace, does not advance Israel’s or America’s goals.” Advertisement “That said, it is inappropriate for any member to use this to question Israel’s commitment to bringing their hostages home,” she continued. Reporting from New York, Al Jazeera’s Gabriel Elizondo said that diplomatic sources had told him the US “pushed back” against stronger language against Israel in the statement, which was nonetheless “highly significant”. However, Shea had made it clear that “the US cannot and will not defend Israel’s attack on Qatar”. “Clearly, the US still backs Israel. Clearly, the US will still … protect Israel in the Security Council, but this was a bridge too far for the United States,” said Elizondo. “It will be interesting to see in the coming hours and days if we even get more clarification from the White House on this,” he added. After Tuesday’s attack, the White House had said President Trump was not notified in advance. Upon learning of the attack, the president had allegedly asked his envoy, Steve Witkoff, to warn Qatar immediately, but the attack had already started. ‘A new and perilous chapter’ The Security Council statement highlighted “support for the sovereignty and territorial integrity of Qatar”, underlining the country’s crucial role as “a key mediator” in peace talks between Israel and Hamas. Qatari Prime Minister Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman bin Jassim Al Thani flew in from Doha for the marathon three-hour session, telling the UNSC that Doha would continue its humanitarian and diplomatic efforts, but would not tolerate further breaches of its security and sovereignty. Blasting Israel’s leaders as “arrogant”, he said that the timing of the attacks during mediation efforts showed that the country intended to derail them. “Israel is undermining the stability of the region impetuously,” he said. UN Under-Secretary-General for Political Affairs Rosemary DiCarlo described Qatar as a “valued partner in advancing peacemaking” and expressed concern over Israel’s recklessness, saying that the strikes represented an “alarming escalation”. She pointed out that Israel’s war on Gaza had killed tens of thousands of people and almost completely destroyed Gaza, noting that the situation in the occupied West Bank, including occupied East Jerusalem, had “continued to spiral downward”. She also noted Israel’s other “dangerous escalations” across the region, involving Iran, Lebanon, Syria and Yemen. “The Israeli attack on Doha potentially opens a new and perilous chapter in this devastating conflict, seriously threatening regional peace and stability,” she said. Advertisement ‘A sign of madness’ In other interventions, Algeria’s ambassador to the UN, Amar Bendjama, said: “Israel behaves as if law does not exist, as if borders are illusions, as if sovereignty itself is a dispensable motion, as if the UN charter is an ephemeral text.” Noting Israel’s attacks on Syria, Lebanon, Yemen and “renowned peace broker” Qatar, he added: “This is not strength, it is recklessness. It is a sign of madness. It is the conduct of an extremist government, emboldened by immunity [and] impunity. A government driving the region and the whole world toward the abyss.” Israel’s UN envoy, Danny Danon, said Israel carried out its strike on Hamas leaders, who had directed attacks planned in the “luxury confines of Doha”. Danon said these were the “sole targets” of the attack, adding that they were “terrorists” rather than “legitimate politicians, diplomats, or representatives”. Al Jazeera’s Elizondo said the prevailing sentiment at the session was that “the world clearly stands behind Qatar”. “It was widespread support for Qatar and widespread condemnation of Israel,” he said. “You also saw countries wanting accountability for Israel’s continued crimes.” Adblock test (Why?)
LIVE: Charlie Kirk shot dead; new video, images of suspect shooter released
blinking-dotLive updatesLive updates, A federal manhunt is under way for anyone involved in the assassination of the conservative commentator and Trump ally. Published On 12 Sep 202512 Sep 2025 Click here to share on social media share2 Share Adblock test (Why?)
Belarus frees 52 political prisoners after US mediation
Belarus has released 52 prisoners following mediation by the United States, which has promised to grant Minsk sanctions relief. Lithuanian President Gitanas Nauseda said on Thursday that the prisoners, along with the US delegation, had crossed into Lithuania. Recommended Stories list of 3 itemsend of list “No man left behind! 52 prisoners safely crossed the Lithuanian border from Belarus today, leaving behind barbed wire, barred windows and constant fear,” he wrote on X. US President Donald Trump had called on Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko, a close ally of Russian President Vladimir Putin, to release detainees whom the US leader has described as “hostages”. Belarus later confirmed their release. In return for Lukashenko’s gesture, Washington will grant sanctions relief to Belarus’s national airline Belavia, allowing it to service and buy components for its fleet, which includes Boeing aircraft, the US embassy spokesperson in the Lithuanian capital Vilnius said. Relatives, friends and journalists gather near the US Embassy in Vilnius, Lithuania, ahead of the arrival of released prisoners from Belarus on September 11, 2025 [Mindaugas Kulbis/AP Photo] Sanctions relief It was the biggest batch of prisoners yet pardoned by Lukashenko, who is seeking to repair relations with the United States after years of isolation and sanctions on his former Soviet state. But it was far short of the 1,300 or 1,400 prisoners whose release Trump had called for in a conversation with Lukashenko last month, as well as in subsequent social media posts. Advertisement Those released include Ihar Losik, 33, a journalist sentenced in 2021 to 15 years in a penal colony on charges of inciting hatred and organising riots, the Belarus affairs section of the US embassy in Vilnius said. The embassy could not immediately confirm whether prominent critics of Lukashenko’s decades-old rule, such as human rights campaigner Ales Bialiatski, co-winner of the 2022 Nobel Peace Prize, were among those released. Belarusian veteran dissident Mikola Statkevich was among the 52 political prisoners, according to rights group Vyasna. “Among those released today is Mikola Statkevich,” it said on Telegram, adding that the 2010 presidential candidate had been sentenced to 14 years following the protests after the contested presidential elections of 2020. EU’s foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas announced that an EU staff member was among the released prisoners, thanking “US partners for their efforts”. Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya, leader of the exiled Belarus opposition whose husband, Siarhei, was released from jail in June, said Thursday’s release covered only 4 percent of those designated as political prisoners, and did not signal any real change of policy by Lukashenko. “We welcome their release, but in essence, this is a trade in human lives – people who should never have been imprisoned in the first place,” Tsikhanouskaya said in a statement released to the Reuters news agency in which she urged the European Union to maintain sanctions on Belarus until democracy is established. US envoy John Coale, who has been involved in the negotiations with Lukashenko, said he hoped for the release within a short time of all of the 1,400 Belarusian prisoners that Trump has described as “hostages”. “Our mission is to get them all out now,” Coale told Reuters. “Eventually, hopefully within a short period of time everybody will be out,” he said. ‘A global deal’ Belarus’s state news agency BelTA said those released included 14 foreign nationals – from Lithuania, Latvia, Poland, France, the United Kingdom and Germany. BelTA quoted Coale, the US deputy envoy for Ukraine, who headed the US delegation, as saying Trump had told Lukashenko that Washington wants to reopen its embassy in Minsk. Coale had earlier passed a letter from Trump in English to Lukashenko, signed “Donald”, BelTA showed. The fact that Trump had signed the letter simply “Donald” was “a rare act of personal friendship”, it quoted Coale as saying. “If Donald insists that he is ready to take in all these released prisoners, God bless you, let’s try to work out a global deal, as Mr Trump likes to say, a big deal,” said Lukashenko, who praised the US leader for seeking a peace deal in Ukraine. Advertisement “Our main task is to stand with Trump and help him in his mission to establish peace,” BelTA later quoted Lukashenko as saying, referencing Trump’s assertion that he has resolved six or seven world conflicts. Lukashenko has led Belarus through more than three decades of authoritarian rule. He said as recently as August 22 that he was not prepared to release “bandits” who might “wage war” against the state. Trump has said he plans to meet Lukashenko, long treated as a pariah by the West, and described him as a “very respected man, strong person, strong leader”. The prisoners were released a day after Poland shot down what it said were Russian drones over its territory, and on the eve of joint military exercises involving Russia and Belarus. Belarus shares borders with three NATO countries and with Ukraine. Lukashenko let Putin use Belarusian territory when invading Ukraine in 2022, but the Belarusian army has not directly participated in the war. Adblock test (Why?)
With the Doha strike, Netanyahu has declared war on the world
And so Israel has struck again. On Tuesday, the Middle East’s favourite perennial aggressor launched missiles against the Qatari capital of Doha, targeting Hamas leaders involved in negotiations surrounding a proposal from the United States for a ceasefire in the Gaza Strip, where the Israeli genocide of Palestinians has officially killed more than 64,000 people in less than two years. To be sure, Israel has never been a fan of ceasefires – even ones proposed by the reigning global hegemon and most devout backer of Israeli atrocities. After all, the state’s very existence is predicated on wiping out Palestinians and engaging in unceasing belligerence. And while anyone harbouring an iota of common sense will have long regarded Israel as a rogue state, the unprecedented attack on Qatar appears to have opened some international eyes with regard to just how out of control the Israeli government actually is. For instance, world powers like Britain, France, and India – which have to varying degrees enabled the genocide in Gaza, among other acts of terror by the Israeli military across the region – have managed to muster uncharacteristic condemnation following the Doha strike. This is not to imply, of course, that targeting Hamas leaders in a country that happens to host the largest US military base in the Middle East is somehow more morally appalling than slaughtering tens of thousands of people in Gaza, most of them women and children. It is simply to observe that even apologists for Israel’s genocidal recklessness seem to have drawn a new red line – which is that the Israelis can’t simply go around bombing people and places as they see fit. Advertisement Following the strike on Doha, White House spokesperson Karoline Leavitt announced that “unilaterally bombing inside Qatar, a sovereign nation and close ally of the United States that is working very hard and bravely taking risks with us to broker peace, does not advance Israel or America’s goals”. Lest we rush to accord any sense of logic or reason to the current White House, Leavitt went on to add the disclaimer: “However, eliminating Hamas, who have profited off the misery of those living in Gaza, is a worthy goal.” For his part, US President Donald Trump has now “assured” the Qataris that “such a thing will not happen again on their soil”, in Leavitt’s words. And yet Qatar would be forgiven for feeling somewhat less than “assured”, given that it has already been made quite clear that Trump has forfeited control over what Israel does or does not do on other people’s soil. As a testament to this reality, Israel’s aptly named Defence Minister Israel Katz took to social media on Wednesday to warn that “Israel’s long arm will act against its enemies anywhere. There is no place where they can hide.” Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has meanwhile explicitly threatened Qatar, suggesting that this may not be the last the emirate sees of Israeli missiles: “I say to Qatar and all nations who harbour terrorists, you either expel them or you bring them to justice – because if you don’t, we will.” As usual, then, the country with the present monopoly on regional terrorism – not to mention nearly eight decades of Israeli ethnic cleansing, dispossession, and massacres of Palestinians – has taken the liberty of deciding whom to assign the role of “terrorists” and then attack. Considering Israel’s utterly mendacious definition of “terrorism”, it’s not only Qatar that needs to worry. As Netanyahu himself said, “all nations who harbour terrorists” are eligible for Israel’s version of “justice”, which in the end generally amounts to war crimes and wanton violations of international law. As Al Jazeera reported on Wednesday, Israel had conducted military attacks on no fewer than six countries in the past 72 hours alone. In addition to Palestine and Qatar, the “soil” of Lebanon, Syria, Tunisia, and Yemen had also been graced with Israel’s penchant for destruction. Now, it’s anyone’s guess as to who might be safe from Israel’s “long arm” – but the possibilities are few and far between. Decades ago, the Israeli spy agency Mossad had already shown itself to be perfectly comfortable with assassinating Palestinians on European soil. And now that there’s a full-blown genocide on in Gaza, the more “terrorists” that can be detected abroad, the better for Israel in terms of distracting from and validating its blood-drenched operations. Advertisement Israel may currently pride itself on the total impunity it enjoys, and its ability to wreak devastating havoc at will. But while it remains to be seen what other diabolical manoeuvres the “long arm” has up its sleeve, Netanyahu’s effective declaration of war on the world should at least serve as a wake-up call to those still wooed by the lethal oxymoron of Israeli “justice.” The views expressed in this article are the author’s own and do not necessarily reflect Al Jazeera’s editorial stance. Adblock test (Why?)
Hamas promises to keep fighting after Israeli attack on Qatar
Qatar’s prime minister called the attack ‘state terror,’ as region plans response. Published On 11 Sep 202511 Sep 2025 Click here to share on social media share2 Share A spokesperson for Hamas has promised that the group will keep fighting after Israel attacked Qatar’s capital this week in an attempt to assassinate senior leaders of the Palestinian group, including negotiators engaged in talks on securing a ceasefire in Gaza. “The Israeli attack cannot dent our resolve by targeting our leaders,” Hamas spokesperson Fawzi Barhoum said in a news conference televised on Al Jazeera on Thursday. “The crime did not target the negotiating delegation, but rather the entire negotiation process.” Recommended Stories list of 4 itemsend of list The Hamas delegation was meeting in Doha to discuss the latest ceasefire proposal put forth by the US at the time of the attack, Barhoum said, adding that Israel’s goal was to “torpedo” the negotiating process. The attack came at a time when Qatar, one of the lead mediators between Israel, the United States and Hamas, had been trying to broker a ceasefire in Gaza, where Israel has killed more than 64,600 people since October 2023. Five members of Hamas were reportedly killed in the attack this week, including the son of Hamas’s exiled Gaza chief and top negotiator Khalil al-Hayya. At least one Qatari security official died in the attack, as well. The purpose of Israel’s missile attack was to “injure what Qatar symbolises, the support of all the aggrieved and oppressed,” Barhoum said. He also stressed that Hamas’s key demands — including the full withdrawal of Israeli troops from Gaza and reconstruction of the enclave — have not wavered. He described the ongoing siege, bombardment and mass displacement in Gaza as “a full-fledged war crime.” Advertisement Since Tuesday’s strike, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has threatened further attacks on Qatar. “I say to Qatar and all nations who harbour terrorists, you either expel them or you bring them to justice,” Netanyahu said. “Because if you don’t, we will.” Qatar’s Prime Minister Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman bin Jassim Al Thani responded by calling Israel’s attack on Doha “state terror” in an interview with US media outlet CNN on Wednesday. “There is a response that will happen from the region. This response is currently under consultation and discussion with other partners in the region,” the prime minister told CNN, adding that “the entire Gulf region is at risk”. Adblock test (Why?)
Who was Charlie Kirk? What we know about the shooting and the suspect
Charlie Kirk, a well-known conservative activist in the United States and staunch ally of President Donald Trump, was shot dead at an event at Utah Valley University. Video of the incident circulating on social media showed Kirk speaking to a large outdoor crowd when a loud crack, a gunshot, rings out. Recommended Stories list of 4 itemsend of list Kirk briefly clutches his neck before collapsing from his chair, sending attendees fleeing. He was 31 years old. Here is what we know: What happened? Kirk was on a speaking tour, and his stop at Utah Valley University was the first of at least 15 scheduled events at universities around the country as part of his “American Comeback Tour”. Before the shooting, he was seated at his “Prove Me Wrong” debating table, taking questions from an audience outdoors. Videos show that Kirk was going back and forth with a student about mass shootings and transgender people when he was shot. “Do you know how many transgender Americans have been mass shooters over the last 10 years?” Kirk was asked. “Too many,” Kirk responded as the crowd clapped. “Do you know how many mass shooters there have been in America over the last 10 years?” To which Kirk replied, “Counting or not counting gang violence?” Seconds later, Kirk could be seen struck in the neck as he falls from his chair. The scene after US right-wing activist and commentator Charlie Kirk was shot at a Utah Valley University speaking event in Orem, Utah [Trent Nelson/The Salt Lake Tribune/Reuters] According to reports, Kirk was shot about 20 minutes after he began speaking at approximately 12:10pm local time (18:10 GMT). Advertisement In video footage from the event, it can be seen how Kirk moved his hand towards his neck as he fell off his chair, sending the attendees running. In another clip, blood can be seen gushing from his neck immediately after the shot. No one else was shot during the event. Kirk’s wife and children were present during the incident. Where did the shooting happen? The shooting took place in the courtyard at Utah Valley University, located about 64km (40 miles) south of Salt Lake City. A spokeswoman for the university said Kirk was hit by a shot fired from the roof of the school’s Losee Center, a campus building about 180 metres (200 yards) from the event area. It was not clear whether the shot was fired from a rooftop or an open window. Who was Charlie Kirk? Charlie Kirk was one of the most prominent conservative activists and media personalities in the US, and a trusted ally of President Trump. He co-founded Turning Point USA, a nonprofit conservative advocacy group, when he was just 18. Kirk’s group grew into the country’s largest conservative youth movement, and over the years, he became a central player in a network of pro-Trump influencers, often described as the face of the “Make America Great Again” movement. Trump often credited Kirk with bringing many young voters and voters of colour over to his side during the 2024 presidential campaign. He was also a sharp critic of mainstream media and threw himself into culture-war battles over race, gender and immigration. His provocative style won him a loyal support base but also fierce opposition. Cofounder and president of Turning Point, Charlie Kirk, speaks at the Conservative Political Action Conference [File: Kevin Lamarque/Reuters] Kirk also became a close friend of the president’s eldest son, Donald Trump Jr, with whom Kirk travelled to Greenland in January. He was also an early champion of Vice President JD Vance as Trump was deciding whether the senator would be his running mate. Kirk had 5.2 million followers on the platform X and hosted The Charlie Kirk Show, a podcast and radio programme that reached more than 500,000 listeners each month. He made regular appearances on Fox News, including a recent guest co-hosting slot on Fox & Friends. According to a report by The New York Times, Kirk never pursued a role within the administration. His aim was to reshape the Republican Party and, more broadly, American politics. “We want to transform the culture,” he told The New York Times Magazine in February. Kirk also built a fortune through his popular podcast, frequent speaking engagements and books, including his 2020 bestseller, The MAGA Doctrine. Advertisement On social media, he posted constantly, offering a right-wing perspective on a plethora of issues. In response to the fatal, unprovoked stabbing of a white woman by a Black man, Kirk posted this on X on Tuesday: Will Cain is 100% right. We have been propagandized by liars and fakers in the media to believe that America is a vicious, racist country and indiscriminate attacks on black people by whites happen all the time. But the numbers tell the truth. Black attacks on white people… pic.twitter.com/SHmlxAIhds — Charlie Kirk (@charliekirk11) September 9, 2025 What do we know about the shooter? There was confusion about whether a suspect was in custody. A “person of interest” was in custody on Wednesday evening, Utah Governor Spencer Cox said, though no charges were immediately announced. FBI director, Kash Patel, said on X: “The subject in custody has been released after an interrogation by law enforcement. Our investigation continues and we will continue to release information in the interest of transparency.” Beau Mason, the head of the Utah Department of Public Safety, said a suspect was described as being dressed in all-dark clothing. He said one shot was fired in the fatal attack. Six officers were working the event, and there were more than 3,000 people in attendance, according to Jeff Long, chief of the Utah Valley University police department. Kirk also had a private security team with him. “This is a dark day for our state. It’s a tragic day for our nation,” Utah Governor Cox said. “I want to be very clear that this is a political assassination.” What’s the latest on the ground? Currently, the campus is closed, according to
Tributes pour in for Charlie Kirk, conservative activist and Trump ally
Charlie Kirk, a right-wing activist and commentator who became a household name in the United States as an outspoken ally of President Donald Trump, has been shot and killed at a Utah college event. As the CEO and cofounder of the conservative youth organisation Turning Point USA, the 31-year-old Kirk attracted millions of viewers online for his outdoor debates on US college campuses. Recommended Stories list of 4 itemsend of list Video of the shooting circulating on social media showed Kirk speaking to a large outdoor crowd and, moments later, falling off his chair with his hands on his neck after a loud crack that sounded like a gunshot. He was pronounced dead after being brought to hospital in critical condition. Utah authorities said Kirk was killed with a single shot that likely came from the rooftop of a nearby building in what is believed to be a targeted killing. FBI director Kash Patel said a suspect in the shooting had been taken into custody but then released after interrogation. The subject in custody has been released after an interrogation by law enforcement. Our investigation continues and we will continue to release information in interest of transparency https://t.co/YXsG6YpFR5 — FBI Director Kash Patel (@FBIDirectorKash) September 10, 2025 Kirk was known for his polarising debates on hot-button topics, including transgender identity and abortion. An online petition calling on university administrators to prevent him from speaking on Wednesday had received nearly 1,000 signatures. With the rise of political violence across the US in recent years, Kirk’s killing has brought condemnation from both sides of the political spectrum. Advertisement Here are reactions to the news of Kirk’s death: US President Donald Trump President Trump, who survived two assassination attempts last year, wrote on his Truth Social platform that “The Great, and even Legendary, Charlie Kirk, is dead”. Playing the role of adviser and supporter in previous Trump election campaigns, Kirk developed a close relationship with Trump’s campaign team and his family. “No one understood or had the Heart of the Youth in the United States of America better than Charlie. He was loved and admired by ALL, especially me,” Trump wrote. “In honour of Charlie Kirk, a truly Great American Patriot, I am ordering all American Flags throughout the United States lowered to Half Mast until Sunday evening at 6 PM,” he said. President Trump shakes hands with Charlie Kirk during a Generation Next White House forum at the Eisenhower Executive Office Building on the White House complex, in Washington, in 2018 [File: Manuel Balce Ceneta/AP Photo] Former US President Joe Biden Joe Biden, who was running for president in 2020 when Kirk was a vocal ally of the Trump campaign, condemned the shooting on the X platform. “There is no place in our country for this kind of violence. It must end now. Jill and I are praying for Charlie Kirk’s family and loved ones,” he wrote. There is no place in our country for this kind of violence. It must end now. Jill and I are praying for Charlie Kirk’s family and loved ones. — Joe Biden (@JoeBiden) September 10, 2025 Former US President Barack Obama “We don’t yet know what motivated the person who shot and killed Charlie Kirk, but this kind of despicable violence has no place in our democracy. Michelle and I will be praying for Charlie’s family tonight, especially his wife Erika and their two young children.” We don’t yet know what motivated the person who shot and killed Charlie Kirk, but this kind of despicable violence has no place in our democracy. Michelle and I will be praying for Charlie’s family tonight, especially his wife Erika and their two young children. — Barack Obama (@BarackObama) September 10, 2025 Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu Kirk repeatedly professed his Christian Evangelical faith and was a staunch supporter of Israel during his on-air debates at college campuses. In a post on X, Israel’s Netanyahu regretted that the activist could not visit Israel as planned. “Charlie Kirk was murdered for speaking truth and defending freedom. A lion-hearted friend of Israel, he fought the lies and stood tall for Judeo-Christian civilization. I spoke to him only two weeks ago and invited him to Israel. Sadly, that visit will not take place. We lost an incredible human being. His boundless pride in America and his valiant belief in free speech will leave a lasting impact.” Advertisement UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer “My thoughts this evening are with the loved ones of Charlie Kirk. It is heartbreaking that a young family has been robbed of a father and a husband. “We must all be free to debate openly and freely without fear – there can be no justification for political violence,” he wrote. My thoughts this evening are with the loved ones of Charlie Kirk. It is heartbreaking that a young family has been robbed of a father and a husband. We must all be free to debate openly and freely without fear – there can be no justification for political violence. — Keir Starmer (@Keir_Starmer) September 10, 2025 Robert F Kennedy Jr, US Secretary of Health and Human Services “Once again, a bullet has silenced the most eloquent truth teller of an era. My dear friend Charlie Kirk was our country’s relentless and courageous crusader for free speech. We pray for Erika and the children,” Kennedy wrote on X. “Charlie is already in paradise with the angels. We ask his prayers for our country.” Hollywood actor Mel Gibson “The brutal murder of Charlie Kirk is nothing short of evil a cowardly attack on America’s very soul. Faith, family, freedom, the right to speak truth trampled by violence. My blood boils. Justice must be relentless and unforgiving,” he wrote. US Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth “If you knew him, you’d love him,” Hegseth told US troops, speaking of his admiration for and friendship with Kirk. “Taken by an assassin’s bullet – unfathomable,” Hegseth said. A prayer for Charlie Kirk and those who serve. pic.twitter.com/wWkEEvheRm
India vs Pakistan – Asia Cup 2025: Match start time, team news and lineups
One of the fiercest and most widely followed rivalries in sport will be in the spotlight once again when India clashes with Pakistan in cricket’s T20 Asia Cup 2025. Both teams will be riding a wave of confidence, given their recent form in T20 internationals. Recommended Stories list of 4 itemsend of list Defending champions India made a winning start to their campaign with a nine-wicket thrashing of hosts United Arab Emirates (UAE) in their Group A game in Dubai. Meanwhile, Pakistan enters the Asia Cup on the back of a tri-nation T20 series win against Afghanistan and the UAE in Sharjah. Here’s everything you need to know about the match: When and where is India vs Pakistan? The Group A fixture is scheduled for Sunday and will begin at 6:30pm (14:30 GMT) at the Dubai International Cricket Stadium in the United Arab Emirates (UAE). Why is Dubai hosting India vs Pakistan? India was slated to host the tournament as per the hosting rights schedule, and while the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) remains the official host of the tournament, it is being played in the UAE due to the recent conflict between India and Pakistan. Why doesn’t India play bilateral cricket series against Pakistan? The Indian government has barred its athletes and teams from competing against their Pakistani counterparts in bilateral tournaments in all sports. Indian athletes are also barred from travelling to Pakistan, forcing all India-Pakistan encounters in multination sports tournaments to be hosted at a neutral venue. Prior to the ICC Champions Trophy 2025, both countries agreed to host each other at a neutral venue during ICC events. India and Pakistan have mutually agreed to face each other only at neutral venues [File: Eranga Jayawardena/AP Photo] What’s the weather forecast for India vs Pakistan in Dubai? September is typically a hot month in the UAE, and this year is no different. Advertisement The weather forecast for Sunday is hot and humid, with highs of 41 degrees Celsius (105 degrees Fahrenheit) and partial cloud cover. It will get slightly cooler in the evening as the match will start just after sunset and the temperature will drop to 33 degrees Celsius (91 degrees Fahrenheit). What happened in the last India vs Pakistan match? The last meeting between India and Pakistan was at the same venue, Dubai, on February 23, in the group stage of the ICC Champions Trophy. A Virat Kohli batting masterclass helped India win by six wickets on a slow Dubai pitch, where Pakistan posted 241 in 49.4 overs. It was India’s 58th win over Pakistan in one-day internationals (ODI). Pakistan have beaten India 73 times in the ODI format. Virat Kohli celebrates after scoring his century and winning the match against Pakistan in the ICC Champions Trophy 2025 [File: Satish Kumar/Reuters] How many times has Pakistan won the Asia Cup? Pakistan have lifted the trophy on two occasions – in 2000 and 2012 – and qualified for the final five times. India are seven-time Asia Cup champions, with 11 appearances in the final. How many times has India beaten Pakistan in the Asia Cup? In their 19 clashes in the Asia Cup, India have beaten Pakistan 10 times and lost to their neighbours on six occasions. Three matches, including the group-stage match in 2023, were abandoned due to poor weather. When was the last time Pakistan beat India? Pakistan’s last Asia Cup win over India came in the 2022 edition in the UAE. Mohammad Rizwan top-scored with 71 runs in the Super Four clash, but it was Mohammad Nawaz’s 20-ball-41 that took Pakistan over the line in the run chase. Mohammad Rizwan was the top scorer in Pakistan’s win over India in 2022 [File: Satish Kumar/Reuters] How many times will India play Pakistan at the Asia Cup? While Sunday’s match is, so far, the only confirmed India vs Pakistan match at the Asia Cup, they could meet again on September 21 in a Super Fours clash, should they qualify for the second stage. The September 28 final offers cricket fans the chance of a third India vs Pakistan match in two weeks – if both teams qualify. India vs Pakistan: Head-to-head in T20Is Since the inaugural ICC T20 World Cup in 2007, the countries have met in 13 T20Is. India has won 10 times, including the first match in 2007, which was tied and then decided in a Super Over. Two of Pakistan’s three wins came in Dubai. Players to watch: India Abhishek Sharma: The fact that the young top-order batter has managed to carve a spot in a highly competitive T20 Indian batting lineup is enough to mark Sharma as one to watch in the Asia Cup. The 24-year-old boasts the highest career strike rate of 193 among all batters in T20s and backs it up with two centuries and half-centuries in the format. Varun Chakaravarthy: The 34-year-old leg-spin bowler’s second foray into the Indian side has reaped him big rewards as he has taken 27 wickets in his last 12 T20I matches. Advertisement Players to watch: Pakistan Hasan Nawaz: Pakistan have often been criticised for their batters’ inability to match modern-day T20 batting strike rates, but in Nawaz, they seem to have found a solution to this problem. The 23-year-old has a strike rate of 174, with a T20 hundred and two fifties in his 16 matches. Sufiyan Muqeem: The left-arm wrist spinner has taken 25 wickets in his 17 T20Is since making his debut less than two years ago and has become a mainstay of the bowling lineup in limited-overs cricket. Sufiyan Muqeem has become a mainstay of Pakistan’s bowling attack in T20Is [File: Rick Rycroft/AP Photo] Form guide: India Prior to the Asia Cup, India hadn’t played a T20 match since hosting England in a five-match series in January and February. The T20 world champions won the series 4-1 to maintain their dominance at the top of the ICC T20 men’s teams rankings. In fact, India have only
After Qatar attack, Israel ambassador to US says ‘we’ll get them next time’
Israeli diplomat Yechiel Leiter says countries criticising Israel over launching air strikes on Doha will ‘get over it’. Published On 10 Sep 202510 Sep 2025 Click here to share on social media share2 Share Washington, DC – Hours after United States President Donald Trump promised that Israel would not attack Qatar again, the Israeli ambassador to the US suggested that his country could repeat its attempt to kill Hamas officials within the Gulf country. Speaking to Fox News late on Tuesday, Yechiel Leiter said if Hamas leaders had survived the Doha bombardment, Israel would target them again. Recommended Stories list of 3 itemsend of list “If we didn’t get them this time, we’ll get them the next time,” the Israeli envoy said. Israel launched air attacks in Doha targeting a Hamas delegation that was meeting to discuss Trump’s Gaza ceasefire proposal on Tuesday. But Hamas said its top leaders – including its Gaza chief Khalil al-Hayya – survived the assassination attempt, which killed six people, including a Qatari security officer. Countries across the world, including some of Israel’s Western allies, condemned the attack. The Israeli air raids appear to have violated several provisions of international law, including the United Nations Charter’s prohibition on aggression against sovereign states. Qatar described the strikes as “state terrorism” and called for a regional response against the government of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. Qatari Prime Minister Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman bin Jassim Al Thani accused Netanyahu of undermining regional stability and peace in pursuit of “narcissistic delusions” and personal gains. “Working to violate the sovereignty of nations without any care must not be overlooked and must be confronted by all means,” he said. Advertisement Trump, a staunch supporter of Israel, also expressed misgivings with the attack, but stopped short of publicly condemning it. “Unilaterally bombing inside Qatar, a Sovereign Nation and close Ally of the United States, that is working very hard and bravely taking risks with us to broker Peace, does not advance Israel or America’s goals,” he wrote in a social media post. Qatar is a major non-NATO ally of the US, and it has helped mediate several international agreements involving Washington. The Gulf country also hosts one of the largest US military bases in the region. The US president added on Tuesday that he spoke to Qatar’s emir and prime minister and “assured them that such a thing will not happen again on their soil”. But Leiter dismissed the US and international concerns, saying that Israel – which attacked at least five Arab countries over the past month – is changing the region “for the better” and working to “defeat Islamic extremism”. “Right now, we may be subject to a little bit of criticism. They’ll get over it,” he said. Israel receives billions of dollars in US military aid annually. Adblock test (Why?)
Pakistan and India: What’s the global cost of natural disasters?
Floods in Pakistan and India re-ignite the debate on the mounting cost of global disasters. Global natural disasters are striking harder and more often, with climate emergencies now breaking records year after year.The UN says a child born today faces a nearly nine in 10 chance of experiencing a catastrophic flood during their lifetime.The financial toll is staggering, with more than $200bn a year.That could rise to as much as $2.3 trillion, once knock-on effects are included.But who will pay when the storms hit? Nowhere is that question more pressing than in Pakistan and in India, which have been hit by one of the worst floods in decades. Published On 10 Sep 202510 Sep 2025 Click here to share on social media share2 Share Adblock test (Why?)