Arbitrary detention victims urge Starmer to press Modi on jailed British Sikh

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Activist Jagtar Singh Johal has been held in Indian prison for nearly eight years without full trial

The sisters of the British-Egyptian human rights campaigner Alaa Abd el-Fattah have intervened for the first time since his release from prison in Egypt to call on Keir Starmer to push Narendra Modi to free a British Sikh activist when he meets the Indian prime minister next week.

Jagtar Singh Johal, from Dumbarton, has been held in an Indian jail for nearly eight years without facing full trial in what his supporters say is an arbitrary and egregious denial of justice by a British ally.

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NSW urged to stop strip-searches of young people after court ruling spotlights police conduct

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Supreme court rules police suspicion that a person is in possession of a prohibited drug ‘is not sufficient to conduct a strip-search’

Advocates are calling on the New South Wales government to scrap strip-searches of young people altogether, saying a landmark court ruling found “systemic” issues with the way police have been using their powers.

Justice Dina Yehia handed down her findings in the NSW supreme court on Tuesday in a class action brought by Slater and Gordon Lawyers and the Redfern Legal Centre against the state of NSW.

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Middle East crisis: Israeli minister says ‘last opportunity’ for Gaza City residents to flee – as it happened

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Israeli offensive intensifies amid reports Hamas will seek amendments to Trump’s Gaza plan

Here are some images coming in via the newswires today:

The International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) said that the “intensification of military operations in Gaza City” has forced the humanitarian organisation to temporarily suspend operations at its Gaza City office and relocate its staff to ICRC offices in southern Gaza “to ensure staff safety and operational continuity”.

The ICRC will continue to strive to provide support to civilians in Gaza City, whenever circumstances allow, from our offices in Deir al-Balah and Rafah, which remain fully operational. This includes providing medical donations to the few remaining health facilities in Gaza City and doing the utmost to facilitate the movements of first responders. In Rafah, the Red Cross Field hospital will continue to be a lifeline for the many wounded patients pouring in.

The ICRC has been in Gaza City for decades. Following the latest intensification of hostilities, ICRC teams stayed as long as they possibly could to protect and support the most vulnerable people. The ICRC remains committed to returning as soon as conditions allow.

The rapid and unimpeded passage of humanitarian assistance must be allowed and facilitated across the Gaza Strip.

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Treasury Targets Iranian Weapons Procurement Networks Supporting Ballistic Missile and Military Aircraft Programs – U.S. Department of the Treasury (.gov)

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  1. Treasury Targets Iranian Weapons Procurement Networks Supporting Ballistic Missile and Military Aircraft Programs  U.S. Department of the Treasury (.gov)
  2. US targets Iran’s nuclear program with new sanctions  The Hill
  3. Supporting Snapback of UN Sanctions on Iran with Additional Sanctions  U.S. Department of State (.gov)
  4. Trump administration imposes sanctions on some Iranian people and firms after UN decision  AP News
  5. U.S. targets Iran's nuclear program, weapons procurement  upi.com
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Macron doesn’t love the EU’s drone wall idea – politico.eu

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  1. Macron doesn’t love the EU’s drone wall idea  politico.eu
  2. With EU leaders discussing plans to counter Russian drones, what exactly is a ‘drone wall’?  CNN
  3. EU leaders back 'drone wall' to repel Russia after airspace violations  Reuters
  4. Von der Leyen and Costa psychodrama sees them struggle in Copenhagen  politico.eu
  5. As Russia menaces NATO skies, E.U. plans to build a shield against drones  The Washington Post
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China replaces high-level diplomat after reported detention

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Liu Jianchao, previously tipped to be next foreign minister, has not been seen publicly in months

China’s ruling Communist party (CCP) has replaced the head of its powerful international department two months after he disappeared from public life.

Liu Jianchao, an influential official who had been widely tipped to be the next foreign minister, was reportedly detained while returning from an overseas trip in late July. He has not been seen publicly since.

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Pro-Palestine flotilla heading towards Gaza ‘harassed by Israeli naval boats’

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Account of ‘intimidatory operation’ comes as Italy and Greece repeat call for Israel to guarantee safety of flotilla

A pro-Palestinian flotilla heading to Gaza has said it has been approached and harassed by Israeli naval boats that jammed one of its lead vessels’ communication systems as Italy and Greece reiterated calls for Israel to guarantee the safety of those onboard.

The Global Sumud Flotilla (GSF), carrying about 500 people including the climate campaigner Greta Thunberg and former Barcelona mayor Ada Colau, said it had an encounter with Israeli navy vessels that circled the fleet’s “lead boat for around six minutes” while remotely disabling its communication systems.

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