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Biden Announces $100bn Aid For Israel

Published

3 years ago

October 18, 2023

US President Joe Biden said Wednesday he would ask Congress this week for “unprecedented” aid for Israel, which is expected to be part of a $100 billion package that includes Ukraine support.

Visiting after Israel’s deadliest ever attacks at the hands of Hamas militants, Biden said he was committed to the decades-old US promise to ensure its ally has a “qualitative edge” over adversaries on the battlefield.

“We’re going to make sure you have what you need to protect your people, to defend your nation,” Biden said as he closed a brief solidarity visit.

“Later this week, I’m going to ask the United States Congress for unprecedented support package for Israel’s defence,” he said.

While Israel enjoys strong support in the US Congress, a growing number of lawmakers from the rival Republican Party have voiced doubts about billions of dollars in military support to Ukraine against Russian invaders.

A source familiar with the talks told AFP that Biden would propose a joint $100 billion package for Ukraine, Israel, Taiwan and the migration crisis at the US-Mexico border.

The package is intended to bypass congressional chaos and bring Democrats, who have sought additional aid for Kyiv for weeks, together with Republicans, who want funds to tighten controls on the southern border.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky visited Congress in September in a bid to persuade Republicans to keep the aid flowing.

Democratic Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer said Tuesday he would be working to approve an aid package for Israel “hopefully within the next few weeks”.

The package would include military, humanitarian, intelligence and diplomatic help, he said.

Tensions have also risen in recent months over Taiwan, the self-governing democracy that China claims and has not ruled out seizing by force.

The official US position on intervention is one of ambiguity, with the United States — which only recognises Beijing — focusing on providing weapons to Taiwan for its own self-defence.

Biden has said he would back sending US forces to defend Taiwan.

AFP

Related Topics:Biden Hamas war Israel Israeli Hamas war

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Indian Court Denies Bail To Nigerian Man Over Drug Charges

Published

3 hours ago

May 28, 2026

Editor

A court in India has denied bail to a 44-year-old Nigerian national, Cristian Soporuchukwu, who is currently facing drug trafficking charges in the country.

Cristian Soporuchukwu initially entered India on a business visa but was later arrested over allegations of involvement in the sale of hard drugs.

Reports indicated that after arriving in India, Soporuchukwu travelled through Goa, Delhi, and Mumbai, where he allegedly established links with suspected drug traffickers.

He was accused of purchasing MDMA crystals and distributing them to college students and information technology workers.

According to reports, operatives of the Beguru Police arrested Cristian Soporuchukwu in April 2025 for allegedly selling MDMA crystals around Begur Lake and the AECS Layout Road area.

The New Indian Express reported that the High Court of Karnataka subsequently dismissed the Nigerian’s bail application.

“The anti-narcotics wing seized about 1 kg of MDMA crystals, a pocket weighing machine, 10 zip-lock covers, a mobile phone and a scooter from him,” the report stated.

Justice V. Srishananda, while ruling on the bail application, reportedly held that errors relating to the grounds of arrest could not automatically justify bail in serious narcotics-related offences under the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances, NDPS, Act.

The court further noted that Cristian Soporuchukwu had allegedly overstayed his visa in India, according to the report.

Headline

Strait Of Hormuz: US Announces Sanctions Against Iran

Published

3 hours ago

May 28, 2026

Editor

The United States Treasury has announced sanctions against Iran’s Persian Gulf Strait Authority.

Treasury Secretary, Scott Bessent, said this in a statement on Wednesday.

The statement extended the threat of sanctions to anyone paying the fees, saying they may be providing support to and receiving services from Iran’s Revolutionary Guards, and therefore may be exposed to sanctions risk.

“The Iranian military’s latest attempt to extort global maritime trade is proof that Economic Fury has left the regime desperate for cash.

“Treasury has deprived the Iranian regime of revenue for their weapons programs, terrorist proxies, and nuclear ambitions,” Bessent said.

Bessent added that the US has succeeded in disrupting tens of billions of dollars’ worth of revenue from being accessible to Tehran.

Headline

US Launches New Airstrikes On Iran

Published

3 hours ago

May 28, 2026

Editor

The United States has launched new airstrikes in southern Iran.

The strike shot down four one-way attack drones that posed a threat around the Strait of Hormuz and then a ground control site.

A US official revealed that American forces struck an Iranian ground control station in Bandar Abbas that was about to launch a fifth drone.

The official described the strikes as purely defensive, saying the US intended to maintain the ceasefire.

Report says this is the second time in three days that the US has carried out self-defense strikes against Iranian military targets in southern Iran.

Recall that on Monday the US carried out airstrikes against Iranian missile locations and boats that US Central Command said were preparing to launch mines in the Strait of Hormuz.