Srinagar, July 4: Security guards working for a U.S.-based aid group, the Gaza Humanitarian Foundation—reportedly part of an Israel-backed aid distribution effort—allegedly opened fire on Palestinian refugees seeking food and aid, according to an investigation by the Associated Press and BBC.

A former security subcontractor told the BBC that guards at the distribution sites used stun grenades and live ammunition, including machine gun fire, against unarmed civilians—elderly people, women, and children—accusing them of “moving too slowly” away from the area. The ex-contractor also claimed that some guards dehumanized the refugees, referring to them as “zombie hordes.”

In response to the BBC’s inquiry, the Gaza Humanitarian Foundation, which began operations in the region in late May, denied all allegations and stated that no civilians had ever been fired upon at their distribution sites.

Contractor accounts, along with videos, internal memos, and text messages reviewed by The Associated Press, provide a rare window into the Gaza Humanitarian Foundation (GHF)—a recently established, closely guarded U.S. aid group operating with Israeli support to supply food across the Gaza Strip. In June, Washington committed $30 million to keep the operation running, marking the first publicly disclosed U.S. contribution; other funding sources remain unclear.

Because GHF distribution centers sit inside Israeli‑controlled military zones, reporters have been unable to visit the sites.

Safe Reach Solutions, the logistics firm contracted by GHF, as per reports have said that no serious injuries have occurred at any location. The company acknowledged that, during the most chaotic early days of distribution, security staff occasionally fired warning shots into the ground—aimed away from civilians—to regain control of desperate crowds and “ensure everyone’s safety.”

The Gaza Humanitarian Foundation (GHF) has come under intense criticism from over 150 humanitarian organizations, including Oxfam, following reports that more than 500 Palestinian refugees have been killed since the aid initiative began operations.

In a sharp rebuke, Amnesty International stated that GHF “fails to adhere to core humanitarian principles and standards.” The rights group condemned the shift from 400 community-level aid points to just four heavily militarized distribution sites, describing them as overcrowded zones that push over two million refugees into unsafe and restricted areas.

Doctors Without Borders, the Nobel Peace Prize-winning medical charity, issued one of the harshest critiques, calling the GHF’s operations “slaughter masquerading as humanitarian aid.”

Allegations of refugees being shot at while queuing for food have surfaced repeatedly. Just last month, The New York Times reported that Israeli soldiers fired at civilians approaching an aid center.

Tehran, July 4: Iran on Friday announced that it has reopened its airspace that it had shut down on June 13 due to the war with Israel, state media reported.

“The Mehrabad and Imam Khomeini airports, along with airports in the north, east, west, and south of the country, have been put back into operation and are ready to provide flight services,” the official IRNA news agency said.

Domestic and international flights will be operated from all airports in the country, except for Isfahan and Tabriz airports, during the day from 5 am to 6 pm, authorities said.

Also, immediately after the infrastructure of Isfahan and Tabriz airports is ready, these two airports will also join the country’s air transport network, IRNA report stated.

Meanwhile, the United States on Thursday issued a new wave of sanctions against Iranian oil exports, since a ceasefire between Israel and Iran came into effect last month, AlJazeera reported. Among those targeted by the sanctions are Iraqi businessman Salim Ahmed Said and his United Arab Emirates-based company, which the US accused of smuggling Iranian oil by blending it with Iraqi oil, the report stated.

US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent said in a statement that “Treasury will continue to target Tehran’s revenue sources and intensify economic pressure to disrupt the regime’s access to the financial resources that fuel its destabilizing activities.”

In June this year, Iran shut its airspace entirely last month after Israel and the US launched a wave of air strikes, prompting Iranian retaliatory missile fire.

On June 13, Israel had attacked Iran, killing top Iranian military and security officials in targeted strikes. Iran retaliated on the same day, targeting sites in Israeli-occupied territories with missiles and drones.

On June 22 US joined the Israeli campaign and struck three Iranian nuclear facilities — Natanz, Isfahan, and Fordow. Iran responded a day later by launching missiles at the United States’ largest military base in West Asia, the headquarters of the United States Air Forces Central Command in Qatar. A day after that, on June 24 a ceasefire between the two countries was reached.

Meanwhile, the Pentagon in a recent assessment has said that Iran’s ability to build a nuclear weapon following the US strike on its nuclear facilities is “closer to two years” away.

When asked what the latest intelligence might show, Sean Parnell, the Pentagon’s chief spokesperson, told reporters at a Pentagon briefing that the administration’s stance is unchanged that Iran’s nuclear sites were “completely obliterated,” ABC News reported.

Iran had been involved in “indirect negotiations” with the United States over its nuclear program and US and international sanctions on Tehran when Israel attacked. New talks were due to take place shortly but were effectively canceled when the Israeli attacks began war began.Italy and Oman had hosted earlier rounds of the indirect negotiations between Iran and the United States.

International Atomic Energy Agency.(IAEA) Director General Rafael Grossi said last week that he believed Iran could begin enriching uranium in a matter of months.

Foreign Minister Abbas Araqchi said that Iran has rejected the European Union’s latest effort to start negotiations aimed at halting Iran’s nuclear program. (ANI)

Port of Spain, July 4: Highlighting that India is today the fastest growing major economy in the world and is all set to become the third largest one soon, Prime Minister Narendra Modi said on Thursday while addressing the Indian community in Trinidad and Tobago.

“The fruits of India’s growth and progress are reaching the most needy,” he added while stressing that India’s growth and development is reaping benefits for the poor and the underprivileged through welfare schemes launched by the Central and state governments.

“The World Bank has noted that India has lifted more than 250 million people above extreme poverty in the last decade. India’s growth is being powered by our innovative and energetic youth,” the Prime Minister noted.

“Today, India is the third largest startup hub in the world. Nearly half of these startups also have women as directors. Nearly 120 startups have got unicorn status. National missions for Artificial Intelligence, Semiconductor and Quantum computing are becoming the new engines of growth. In a way, innovation is becoming a mass movement,” he said.

“India’s Unified Payments Interface (UPI) has revolutionised digital payments. Nearly 50 per cent of the world’s real-time digital transactions take place in India. I congratulate Trinidad & Tobago for being the first country in the region to adopt UPI. Now sending money will be as easy as sending a ‘good morning’ text message! And I promise, it will be faster than West Indies bowling.”

“Our Mission Manufacturing is working to make India a manufacturing hub. We have become the world’s second largest mobile manufacturer. We are exporting railway locomotives to the world.”

“Our defence exports have increased 20-fold in just the last decade. We are not just making in India. We are making for the world. As we grow, we are ensuring that it is of mutual benefit to the world,” PM Modi said.

“Today’s India is a land of opportunities. Whether it is business, tourism, education, or healthcare, India has a lot to offer,” he added.

“Your ancestors took a long and difficult journey, over a 100 days across the seas, to reach here – Saat Samandar Par! Today, that same journey takes just a few hours. I encourage you all to visit India more, in person, not just virtually on social media!”

“Visit the villages of your ancestors. Walk the soil they walked on. Bring your children, bring your neighbours. Bring anyone who enjoys chai and a good story. We will welcome you all – with open arms, warm hearts, and jalebi!” PM Modi added.

The Prime Minister also thanked the Indian diaspora present for the love and affection showered upon him by the Carribean nation.

PM Modi thanked Prime Minister Kamla Persad-Bissessar for honouring him with Trinidad and Tobago’s highest national award.

Praising India’s space programme in Trinidad and Tobago, Prime Minister Modi also highlighted that the country named Chandrayaan-3 probe’s landing site on the Moon as ‘Shiv Shakti point’.

“An Indian astronaut is onboard the International Space Station as we speak. We are now working on a manned space mission, ‘Gaganyaan’. Soon, an Indian will walk on the moon, and India will have its own space station,” he said, while addressing the Indian community in Trinidad and Tobago.

PM Modi also said that India is sharing the “fruit of its achievements with the rest of the world”.

“I am sure everyone among you feels proud when India grows. For New India, even the sky is not the limit. You all must have cheered when India’s Chandrayaan landed on the moon. The place where it landed, we have named it Shiv Shakti point,” the Prime Minister said.

He also hailed the Indian community in Trinidad and Tobago, calling them ‘Rashtradoot’ and as the “Ambassador of values and cultures”.

“We deeply value the strength and support of our diaspora. With over 35 million people spread across the world, the Indian diaspora is our pride. As I have often said, each one of you is a Rashtradoot – an Ambassador of India’s values, culture and heritage,” the Prime Minister added.

He also said: “This year, when we hosted the Pravasi Bharatiya Diwas in Bhubaneshwar, Trinidad and Tobago President Christine Carla Kangaloo ji was our Chief Guest. A few years ago, Prime Minister Kamla Persad-Bissessar Ji had honoured us with her presence.”

“At the Pravasi Bhartiya Divas, I announced several initiatives to honour and connect with the Girmitiya community across the world. We are mapping the past and bringing people closer for a bright future. We are actively working on creating a comprehensive database of the Girmitiya community. Documenting the villages and cities in India from which their ancestors migrated, identifying the places where they have settled, studying and preserving the legacy of the Girmitiya ancestors, and working to organise World Girmitiya Conferences regularly. This will support the deep and historic ties with our brothers and sisters in Trinidad and Tobago as well,” the Prime Minister added.

“I am sure that all of you welcomed the return of Ram Lalla to Ayodhya after 500 years… You had sent Holy water and ‘Shila’ for building the Ram Mandir in Ayodhya. I have also brought something here with a similar sense of devotion. It is my honour to bring a replica of Ram Mandir and some water from the Holy Saryu,” Mr. Modi said.

Highlighting that the sixth generations of the Indian diaspora in Trinidad and Tobago are set to receive their Overseas Citizenship of India (OCI) cards, Prime Minister Narendra Modi said on Thursday that the former are not just connected by blood or surnames as India wholeheartedly welcomed them.

“Today, I am happy to announce that OCI cards will now be given to the sixth generation of the Indian diaspora in Trinidad & Tobago. You are not just connected by blood or surname. You are connected by belonging. India looks out you, India welcomes you, and India embraces you,” Prime Minister Modi said, during his address to the Indian community in Trinidad and Tobago.

He also mentioned that PM Kamla Persad-Bissessar’s ancestors were from Bihar’s Buxar region.

“People consider her the daughter of Bihar… Bihar’s heritage is the pride of India and the world… Bihar has shown the way to the world in various fields for centuries. New opportunities will emerge from Bihar in the 21st century also,” he added.

The Prime Minister also welcomed the return of Ram Lalla to Ayodhya after 500 years with great joy and have deep faith and devotion towards Lord Ram.

Speaking to the Indian diaspora, PM Modi said, “We remember you had sent holy water and Shilas for building the Ram Mandir in Ayodhya.”

“I have also brought something here with a similar sense of devotion. I have also bought a replica of Ram Mandir and some holy water from River Sarayu,” he added.

PM Modi also said: “The Ram-Leelas in Sangre Grande and Dow Village are said to be truly unique. Shri Ram Charit Manas says, राम धामदा पुरी सुहावनि। लोक समस्त बिदित अति पावनि।। It means, the sacred city of Prabhu Shri Ram is so beautiful that its glory is spread across the world. I am sure you all welcomed the return of Ram Lalla to Ayodhya after 500 years with great joy.”

“Prabhu Shri Ram says that the glory of Ayodhya springs from the holy Sarayu. Whoever takes a dip in its water, finds eternal union with Shri Ram himself,” PM Modi said.

“You all know that earlier this year, the world’s largest spiritual gathering, the Maha Kumbh took place. I have the honour to carry water from the Maha Kumbh also with me. I request PM Kamla Persad-Bissessar ji to offer the holy waters of the Sarayu River and Maha Kumbh to the Ganga Dhara here. May these holy waters bless the people of Trinidad and Tobago.”

The Prime Minister also added: “I know the story of the Indian community in Trinidad and Tobago is about courage. The circumstances your ancestors faced could have broken even the strongest of spirits. But they faced hardships with hope. They met problems with persistence. They left the Ganga and Yamuna behind but carried the Ramayan in their hearts. They left their soil, but not their soul. They were not just migrants. They were messengers of a timeless civilisation. Their contributions have benefitted this country — culturally, economically and spiritually. Just look at the impact that you have all had on this beautiful nation.”

“Our bond goes beyond geography and generations,” PM Modi noted.

The Prime Minister also said: “Kamla Persad-Bissessar Ji — as the first woman Prime Minister of this country. Her Excellency Christine Carla Kangaloo Ji – as the female President. Late Basdeo Pandey, the son of a farmer, rose to become Prime Minister and a respected global leader. Eminent math scholar Rudranath Capildeo, music icon Sundar Popo, cricketing talent Darren Ganga, and Sewdass Sadhu, whose devotion built the Temple in the Sea. The list of achievers goes on.”

“You, the children of Girmitiyas, are not defined by struggle anymore. You are defined by your success, your service, and your values. Honestly, there must be something magical in the “doubles” and “dal poori” — because you have doubled the success of this great nation!” PM Modi said in his address to the Indian community here.

“When I last visited 25 years ago, we all admired the cover drives and pull shots of Lara. Today, it is Sunil Narine and Nicholas Pooran who ignite the same excitement in the hearts of our youth. Between then and now, our friendship has grown even stronger.”

“Benaras, Patna, Kolkata, Delhi may be cities in India. But they are also names of streets here. Navratra, Mahashivratri, Janmasthmi are celebrated here with joy, spirit and pride. Chowtal and Baithak Gana continue to thrive here.”

“I can see the warmth of many familiar faces. And I see curiosity in the bright eyes of a younger generation – keen to know and grow together. Truly, our bonds go well beyond geography and generations.”

Washington, July 4: A day before the US Independence Day, President Donald Trump, on Thursday, secured a massive political victory as Congress narrowly cleared his flagship tax and spending bill, advancing his second-term agenda with enhanced funding for his anti-immigration policies.

The bill squeezed past a final vote 218-214, meaning it can be on Trump’s desk to be signed into law on the July 4 Independence Day holiday.

“One of the most consequential Bills ever. The USA is the ‘HOTTEST’ Country in the World, by far!!!” Trump said on his social media platform ‘Truth social’ as he scented victory.

The bill “will be at the president’s desk for signature at a big, beautiful signing on Friday at 5 p.m. on the Fourth of July, just as the President always said and hoped it would be,” Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt said in a call with reporters.

The bill underlined the President’s dominance over the Republican Party, which had been wracked by misgivings over a text that will balloon the national debt and gut health and welfare support.

A small group of opponents in the party finally fell into line after Speaker Mike Johnson worked through the night to corral dissenters in the House of Representatives behind the “One Big Beautiful Bill”.

The timing of the vote slipped back as Democratic Minority leader Hakeem Jeffries spoke against the bill for nearly nine hours to delay proceedings.

The legislative win is the latest in a series of successes for Trump, including a Supreme Court ruling last week that curbed lone judges from blocking his policies, and US air strikes that led to a ceasefire between Israel and Iran.

His sprawling mega-bill just passed the Senate on Tuesday and had to return to the lower chamber for a rubber stamp of the Senators’ revisions.

The package honours many of Trump’s campaign promises: boosting military spending, funding a mass migrant deportation drive and committing $4.5 trillion to extend his first-term tax relief.

“Today we are laying a key cornerstone of America’s new Golden Age,” Johnson said.

But it is expected to pile an extra $3.4 trillion over a decade onto the country’s fast-growing deficits, while shrinking the federal food assistance program and forcing through the largest cuts to the Medicaid health insurance scheme for low-income Americans since its 1960s launch.

Some estimates put the total number of recipients set to lose their insurance coverage under the bill at $17 million. Scores of rural hospitals are expected to close.

While Republican moderates in the House fear the cuts will damage their prospects of reelection, fiscal hawks chafed over savings that they say fall far short of what was promised.

Johnson had to negotiate tight margins, and could only lose a handful of lawmakers in the final vote, among more than two dozen who had earlier declared themselves open to rejecting Trump’s 869-page text.

Trump has spent weeks hitting the phones and hosting White House meetings to cajole lawmakers torn between angering welfare recipients at home and incurring the President’s wrath.

Democrats hope public opposition to the Bill will help them flip the House in the 2026 midterm election, pointing to data showing that it represents a huge redistribution of wealth from the poorest Americans to the richest.

Jeffries held the floor for his Democrats ahead of the final vote, as he told stories of everyday Americans who he argued would be harmed by Trump’s legislation.

“This bill, this one big, ugly bill — this reckless Republican budget, this disgusting abomination — is not about improving the quality of life of the American people,” he said.

Extra spending on the military and border security will be paid in part through ending clean energy and electric vehicle subsidies — a factor triggering a bitter public feud between Trump and former supporter Elon Musk.