Trump, Netanyahu hold phone talks after Iranian missile fire: Israeli state media

Posted on by Vividh Bharathi

Jerusalem, June 8 (IANS) US President Donald Trump and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu spoke by phone on Sunday after Iran fired missile barrages at Israel in response to airstrikes in Beirut, Israel’s state-owned Kan TV news reported.

Neither Netanyahu’s nor Trump’s office immediately commented on the call.

Before the call, Trump told Israel’s Channel 12 News that he would tell Netanyahu not to strike back because he did not want US-Iran ceasefire negotiations to collapse, Xinhua news agency reported.

“What I would suggest to Iran: You’ve shot your missiles, that’s enough,” Trump told Fox News. “Get back to the table and make a deal.”

Trump also claimed that Washington and Tehran had been close to reaching an agreement before Iran launched the missiles earlier in the day.

“We’re very close. I would say an agreement would be signed on Monday, Tuesday or Wednesday of this coming week. And now this takes place,” he said.

“It’s certainly not going to help negotiations,” Trump said.

In another interview with US media outlet Axios, Trump said he will call Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and press him not to retaliate for Iran’s missile attack.

“I am going to call Bibi right now and tell him not to retaliate. Each of them had their fun. Israel had its strike, and Iran had its strike. We don’t need another one,” Trump said.

According to CNN, Iran fired at least 10 ballistic missiles toward Israel in at least three separate waves on Sunday. The Israeli military said all of the missiles were intercepted.

Two Israeli sources cited by CNN said Israel would deliver a “powerful” response to the attack, raising concerns about further escalation in the region.

The Israeli military said Sunday night that Iran has so far fired four missile barrages towards the country.

There were no immediate reports of injuries or damage. The missiles have triggered sirens across northern Israel.

–IANS

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Punjab Police arrest two shooters in Mumbai

Chandigarh, Aug 24 (IANS) In a major breakthrough against organised crime, Punjab Police have apprehended two shooters of Lucky Patial-Davinder Bambiha gang from Mumbai for their involvement in murder that took place in SBS Nagar last month, Director General of Police (DGP) Gaurav Yadav said here on Sunday.

Those arrested have been identified as Karan Ganger (25), a resident of Hoshiarpur, and Jaskarandeep Singh, alias Kallu (23), a resident of Garhshankar.

As per the information, Hardeep Singh was shot dead by at his Kulpur village in SBS Nagar on July 2.

DGP Yadav said the arrested accused Karan Rormajara and Jaskarandeep Kalu in connivance with US-based Jaskaran Singh, alias Kannu, had recently killed a person in Pojewal due to their personal enmity.

The arrested accused and Jaskaran Kannu are associates of Lucky Patial of the Bambiha gang, he said.

Sharing operation details, Senior Superintendent of Police (SBS Nagar) Mehtab Singh said following the murder a special investigation team (SIT) headed by the Superintendent of Police (Investigation) was constituted to probe the entire case.

He said police teams from Jalandhar and SBS Nagar, working on human and technical investigations, zeroed in on the location of the both the accused to be in Mumbai. AIG (Counter Intelligence) Navjot Singh Mahal said joint teams were sent to Mumbai and managed to apprehend both the suspects with the help of local police.

He said that the arrested accused were to be provided other targets by their foreign based handlers and such potential criminal acts have been averted because of their arrest.

A case dated July 3 was registered under Sections 103, 191 (3) and 190 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) and Sections 25 and 27 of the Indian Arms Act at police station of Pojewal in SBS Nagar.

–IANS

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Mixed reactions to Adoor Gopalakrishnan’s remarks on SC/ST filmmakers, police complaint filed (Ld)

Thiruvananthapuram, Aug 4 (IANS) Legendary filmmaker Adoor Gopalakrishnan’s comments on government funding for women and SC/ST filmmakers have sparked a flurry of reactions across Kerala, drawing criticism, political response, and even legal action.

On Monday, activist Dinu Weyil lodged a complaint at a local police station, seeking action under the Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes (Prevention of Atrocities) Act.

Weyil alleged that the filmmaker’s remarks were derogatory and suggested that individuals from these communities are prone to corruption.

“He made a blanket statement that tarnishes an entire section of society and implies that people from these communities are thieves,” Weyil said.

The controversy erupted on Sunday during the Kerala Film Policy Conclave, where Gopalakrishnan expressed concern over what he described as excessive government funding for debutant filmmakers from SC/ST and women’s categories.

“The government is providing Rs 1.5 crore to SC/ST filmmakers. I told the Chief Minister that while the intention is good, such large sums without proper training could lead to corruption. These new filmmakers should be given at least three months of intensive training,” he had said.

Adoor clarified that he never intended to insult or stereotype anyone, and that his comments stem from his six decades of experience in cinema.

“I have never made a film costing Rs 1.5 crore. For a newcomer, it’s a huge amount. I complete my films in 30 days with planned budgets. My suggestion was that, instead of giving Rs 1.5 crore to one person, it would be better to give Rs 50 lakh each to three deserving filmmakers. I spoke in favour of better outcomes, not against anyone,” he explained.

The remarks have drawn mixed responses from the state’s political leadership.

State Higher Education Minister Dr R. Bindhu criticised Gopalakrishnan’s statement, calling it “unnecessary.”

She said, “The government has a responsibility to support underrepresented communities. The scheme is well-intentioned and there is nothing wrong with it.”

However, Minister for Ports and Cooperation V. N. Vasavan defended the filmmaker, suggesting his words were misinterpreted.

“I don’t think Adoor said anything with negative intent. The media may have taken his remarks out of context,” Vasavan said.

While the debate continues to stir public discourse, police officials confirmed that the complaint filed by Weyil is under consideration.

Further action will depend on legal review and investigation.

–IANS

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Israeli army launches airstrikes on Lebanon’s Bekaa

Beirut, March 14 (IANS) The Israeli army launched multiple airstrikes in eastern Lebanon’s Bekaa region, according to Lebanese and Israeli sources.

Several Israeli airstrikes targeted the outskirts of the villages of Qousaya, Al-Sha’ara, and Janta in the eastern mountain range, Xinhua news agency reported quoting Lebanon’s state-run National News Agency.

Additionally, three sound bombs were dropped over the village of Kafr Kila in southeastern Lebanon, and an Israeli warplane flew “in a spiral pattern at high altitude over the city of Baalbek and its surrounding areas,” said the report.

“Israeli warplanes fired six air-to-ground missiles at the eastern mountain range near Baalbek,” a Lebanese security source told Xinhua, without providing further details.

Meanwhile, the Israeli military said Thursday that the Israel Defense Forces conducted an airstrike earlier in the day “on infrastructure at a site used by Hezbollah for manufacturing and storing strategic weapons” in Bekaa.

Since November 27, 2024, a US- and French-brokered ceasefire agreement between Israel and Lebanon has been in effect, bringing an end to prolonged clashes between Hezbollah and Israel triggered by the Gaza war.

Despite the agreement, the Israeli military occasionally carries out strikes in Lebanon, claiming to target “threats” posed by Hezbollah. Israeli forces also remain in several strategic locations in Lebanon despite the Februry 18 withdrawal deadline outlined in the agreement.

–IANS

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