Foreign News
Biden Talks with Netanyahu and Abbas About Protecting Civilians

U.S. President Joe Biden has discussed efforts to protect civilians in separate calls with Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu amid the current outbreak of violence in the Middle East.
In his call with Netanyahu, Biden “reiterated his warning against anyone seeking to expand the conflict” and exchanged views on access for “innocent civilians” to water, food, and medical care, the White House said.
A week ago, Hamas militants carried out a massacre of Israeli civilians in border towns and at a music festival.
The number of dead stands at more than 1,300, according to army figures.
In response, the Israeli army began hammering the Hamas-ruled Gaza Strip.
More than 2,200 people have been killed so far and a ground offensive by the Israeli military is seen as imminent.
“As more information comes to light about Hamas’s brutal atrocities committed over the past week, President Biden reiterated the need for all countries to unequivocally condemn Hamas as a terrorist organisation that does not represent the aspirations of the Palestinian people,” the White House said in a readout of the call with Netanyahu.
In the call with Abbas, the Palestinian leader briefed Biden on his efforts to provide much-needed humanitarian aid to the Palestinian population, particularly in the Gaza Strip, according to the White House.
Biden also spoke with Abbas about U.S. efforts to work with the United Nations and Middle East partners to ensure that humanitarian aid is provided to the civilian population in Gaza, the White House said.
The two also discussed the need to maintain stability in the region. (dpa/NAN)
Foreign News
Iran Publicly Executes Man for Murdering Family of Four

Iran has carried out a public execution, hanging a man convicted of murder in the southern province of Fars, Iranian media reported on Tuesday.
The man was sentenced to death for allegedly killing a woman and her three children during a robbery with his wife, according to the Fars news agency.
His wife also received a death sentence, which was expected to be carried out inside a prison.
The execution took place near the crime scene, reports said.
Public executions are rare in Iran.
Human rights groups have long criticised the country’s use of capital punishment, accusing the judiciary of employing executions to silence dissent.
No fewer than 1,000 people were executed in Iran in 2024, according to United Nations figures.
Foreign News
CAF Sanctions Kenya Again over Crowd Trouble

The Confederation of African Football (CAF) has sanctioned African Nations Championship (CHAN) co-host, Kenya, for the second time in as many weeks over security breaches.
In a statement made available on Monday evening, the continental governing body said that it has limited entry to the 48,000-seat Moi International Sports Centre.
It also said that, known as Kasarani Stadium, can accommodate 27,000 fans for Sunday’s Group A match between Kenya and Zambia.
CAF said only electronic ticket holders would be allowed into the stadium, with thermal tickets prohibited.
The governing body warned that Kenya’s matches could be relocated from Kasarani Stadium if organisers fail to prevent further breaches.
“We trust these measures will be applied swiftly to protect competition’s integrity, ensure fan safety, and uphold confidence in Kenya’s commitment to the tournament,” CAF said.
The sanctions follow incidents on Aug. 10 when Kenya defeated two-time winner Morocco 1-0 in spite of playing the entire second half with 10 men.
The win put Kenya top of Group A with seven points.
The debutants would reach the quarterfinals with at least a draw against winless Zambia.
Last week, Kenya’s football federation was fined nearly 20,000 U.S. dollars for security lapses during the team’s 1-0 win over DR Congo in the tournament opener on Aug. 3.
In the latest case, CAF cited major lapses, including stadium gates and restricted service areas being overrun by ticketless spectators and holders of government-distributed physical tickets.
It also accused security personnel of losing control at exit points and allowing breaches of the perimeter fence that enabled thousands of ticketless fans to enter.
CAF had expressed alarm over the use of tear gas and flash grenades, reports of live ammunition fired near spectators and staff, and violent incidents such as stone-throwing at security personnel.
It also cited unsafe vehicle movement in spectator areas, inadequate police response, and the lack of medical incident reports in spite of injuries being reported.
Organisers were further criticised for insufficient communication tools and the absence of CCTV coverage at critical entry points.
Foreign News
Madonna Urges Pope Leo to Visit Gaza

Pop icon Madonna has made an appeal to Pope Leo XIV, urging him to visit the blockaded Gaza Strip amid a starvation crisis that has sparked international outrage.
“You are the only one of us that cannot be denied entry,” the U.S. singer wrote on social media platform X late on Monday.
“We need the humanitarian gates to be fully opened to save these innocent children.
“There is no more time,” she added.
Marking the 25th birthday of her son Rocco Ritchie on Monday, Madonna also announced plans to donate to humanitarian organisations working in Gaza.
“I feel the best gift I can give to him as a Mother is to ask everyone to do what they can to help save the innocent children caught in the crossfire in Gaza,” she wrote.
A United Nations (UN) agency said late last week that “acute malnutrition among children in Gaza has reached the highest levels.”
In July alone, nearly 12,000 children lower than five in age were identified as acutely malnourished, with another 2,500 found to suffer from severe acute malnutrition.
According to the UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA), this is the most life-threatening form.
Israel controls access roads to Gaza and has sealed off the coastal area.
Very little aid got into Gaza from March through May, when Israel began allowing in deliveries using a controversial private system that bypasses traditional UN agencies.
Under pressure from allies, Israel recently began permitting larger convoys into the territory, as aid airdrops take place overhead.
On Sunday, Irish rock band U2 issued a stinging critique of the Israeli government’s actions.
“We know Hamas are using starvation as a weapon in the war, but now so too is Israel and I feel revulsion for the moral failure,” frontman Bono wrote.