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Chemical burns, assaults, electric shocks - Gazans talk of torture in Israeli detention
Warning: This article contains distressing content Palestinian detainees released back to Gaza have told the BBC they were subjected to mistreatment and torture at the hands of Israeli military and prison staff, adding to reports of misconduct within Israel's barracks and jails. One man said he was attacked with chemicals and set alight. "I thrashed around like an animal in an attempt to put the fire out [on my body]," said Mohammad Abu Tawileh, a 36-year-old mechanic. We have conducted in-depth interviews with five released detainees, all of whom were arrested in Gaza in the months after Hamas and other groups killed about 1,200 people in Israel and took 251 hostage. The men were held under Israel's Unlawful Combatants Law, a measure by which people suspected of posing a security risk can be detained for an unspecified period without charge, as Israel set out to recover the hostages and dismantle the proscribed terror group. The men say they were accused of having links with Hamas and questioned over the location of hostages and tunnels, but were not found to be involved in the 7 October 2023 attacks - a condition Israel had set for anyone released under the recent ceasefire deal. Some of those freed under the deal were serving sentences for other serious crimes, including the killing of Israelis, but that was not the case for our interviewees. We also asked the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) and the Israel Prison Service (IPS) if there were any convictions or accusations against the men but they did not respond to that question. In the men's testimony: They each describe being stripped, blindfolded, cuffed and beaten Some also say they were given electric shocks, menaced by dogs, and denied access to medical care Some say they witnessed the deaths of other detainees One says he witnessed sexual abuse Another says he had his head dunked in chemicals and his back set on fire We have seen reports by a lawyer who visited two of the men in prison, and have spoken to medical staff who treated some of them on their return. The BBC sent a lengthy right of reply letter to the IDF which laid out in detail the men's allegations and their identities. In its statement, the IDF did not respond to any of the specific allegations, but said it "completely rejects accusations of systematic abuse of detainees". It said some of the cases raised by the BBC would be "examined by the relevant authorities". It added that others "were brought without sufficient detail, without any detail regarding the identity of the detainees, making them impossible to examine". It continued: "The IDF takes any… actions which contradict its values very seriously… Specific complaints about inappropriate behaviour by detention facility staff or insufficient conditions are forwarded for examination by the relevant authorities and are dealt with accordingly. In appropriate cases, disciplinary actions are taken against the staff members of the facility, and criminal investigations are opened." The IPS said it was not aware of any of the claims of abuse described in our investigation, in its prisons. "[A]s far as we know, no such events have occurred under IPS responsibility," it added. Dr Lawrence Hill-Cawthorne, co-director of the Centre for International Law at the University of Bristol, said the treatment the men described was "entirely inconsistent with both international law and Israeli law", and in some cases would "meet the threshold of torture". "Under international law, the law of armed conflict requires you to treat all detainees humanely," he said. "The obligations relating to the basic needs of detainees are unaffected by any alleged wrongdoing. Full Story from the BBC 08.04.2025 -
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World stock markets plunge again as Trump doubles down on tariffs
Global stock markets plunged to pandemic-level lows Monday as Trump’s tariff blitz sparked panic selling, with the S&P 500 teetering on bear market territory and Asian indexes suffering historic crashes. The meltdown follows China’s retaliatory 34% tariffs and Trump’s vow to keep his “beautiful” trade penalties in place despite economic chaos—a crisis analysts warn could eclipse 2008’s financial collapse. Market Carnage: Asia Collapse: Tokyo’s Nikkei 225 cratered 7.8%, its worst day since 2020. Hong Kong’s Hang Seng nosedived 13.2%—its steepest single-day drop ever—while Shanghai’s index lost 7.3%. Europe’s Rout: Germany’s DAX briefly crashed 10% at open before stabilizing at -5.8%, mirroring Paris’ CAC 40 (-5.8%) and London’s FTSE 100 (-4.9%). U.S. Pre-Market: S&P 500 futures sank 3.4%, threatening to push the index into bear territory (-20% from peak), with Nasdaq futures down 5.3%. Tariff Domino Effect: Trump’s 10-50% tariffs on 185 nations—including 34% on China and 20% on the EU—met immediate retaliation. Beijing slapped 34% duties on U.S. goods, restricted rare-earth exports, and blacklisted 11 American firms. “This isn’t a trade war—it’s economic mutually assured destruction,” said Natixis’ Gary Ng. Key Flashpoints: Recession Warnings: JPMorgan slashed U.S. GDP forecasts to -0.3% for 2025, predicting 5.3% unemployment as tariffs bite. Supply Chain Chaos: Howmet Aerospace declared force majeure on Airbus/Boeing parts, while Amazon faces profit headwinds and Tesla halted Shanghai exports. Safe-Haven Rush: Walmart and Costco surged as investors fled to consumer staples; Bitcoin dropped 4% alongside risk assets. Corporate Casualties: Tech Wreck: Apple suppliers TSMC and Foxconn halted expansion plans, citing tariff uncertainty. Auto Apocalypse: Ford shares hit a 12-year low as EU tariffs threaten $2bn in annual losses. Energy Crisis: Chevron warned of $5/barrel oil price spikes if Middle East supply chains fracture. Political Fallout: Trump doubled down Sunday, calling tariffs “medicine” for a “sick” global trade system. But allies revolted: Israel’s Netanyahu seeks tariff relief in Monday talks, while Taiwan proposed zero-tariff negotiations. The EU is compiling a retaliation list targeting Kentucky bourbon and Florida oranges, and India eyes a bilateral deal to avoid U.S. duties. China’s Gambit: State media declared tariffs a chance to “turn crisis into opportunity,” vowing to boost domestic tech and rare-earth dominance. Goldman Sachs warns China’s GDP could drop 0.7% this year, but officials plan rate cuts and industry bailouts. Federal Reserve Dilemma: Jerome Powell faces a nightmare scenario: cutting rates to offset tariff pain risks hyperinflation from import price hikes. “We’re trapped between recession and stagflation,” said former Fed economist David Wilcox. Sector Breakdown: Tech: Nasdaq’s 5.3% drop reflects tariff costs on chips and cloud services. Energy: Brent crude sank to $63.25/barrel on demand fears, hammering Shell and BP. Pharma: Pfizer warned of drug shortages as India restricts U.S. API imports. Historical Parallels: The selloff’s speed—$6 trillion wiped in two days—rivals 2008’s Lehman collapse. But unlike 2020’s COVID crash, this crisis lacks a central bank “bazooka” fix. What’s Next: Fed Decision: Emergency rate cut likely by July, despite inflation risks. Corporate Exodus: U.S. manufacturers face “nuclear winter” unless Trump pauses tariffs, warns billionaire Bill Ackman. Market Reality Check: Citi warns earnings haven’t priced in full tariff impacts: “There’s ample downside left.” Why It Matters: This isn’t just a market correction—it’s a stress test for globalization. With rare-earth supply chains fracturing and SMEs facing bankruptcy, the world faces a choice: capitulate to Trump’s demands or risk a 1930s-style trade collapse. Based on a story by AP 08.04.2025 -
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Judges vs. Trump: Constitutional Clash Erupts Over Nationwide Injunctions
Federal judges have become the prime obstacle to Donald Trump’s most controversial policies, sparking a historic showdown over whether a single courtroom can halt White House directives for 331 million Americans. Republicans are now racing to rein in judicial power, accusing “rogue judges” of sabotaging Trump’s agenda—while Democrats warn the GOP’s crusade risks dismantling constitutional checks on presidential overreach. Injunction Explosion: Trump’s First Term: 64 nationwide injunctions blocked his policies—more than under Bush (6) and Obama (12) combined. 2025 Surge: Over 14 injunctions issued in weeks, including freezes on mass federal layoffs, birthright citizenship bans, and migrant deportation plans. GOP Counterattack: Bills by Rep. Darrell Issa (R-Calif.) and Sen. Chuck Grassley (R-Iowa) aim to limit judges to case-specific rulings, arguing nationwide orders “usurp presidential authority.” Crucial Cases: Birthright Citizenship: Multiple judges froze Trump’s order denying citizenship to U.S.-born children of undocumented migrants, calling it “blatantly unconstitutional.” Federal Purge: D.C. Judge James Boasberg (Obama appointee) reinstated 16,000 axed federal workers, ruling Trump’s layoffs “arbitrary and retaliatory.” Funding Freeze: Courts blocked Trump’s $3 trillion spending halt, deeming it “irrational and precipitating nationwide crisis.” Republican Fury: “These judges aren’t interpreting law—they’re staging a coup,” fumed Issa, whose bill would neuter injunctions by limiting relief to individual plaintiffs. Grassley accused Democrats of “judge-shopping” in liberal districts—a practice both parties exploit, with Trump now filing cases in single-judge Texas divisions. Democratic Defense: Senate Judiciary Chair Dick Durbin (D-Ill.) blasted GOP “hypocrisy,” noting Trump’s 100+ executive orders—many “clearly illegal”—necessitate robust judicial review. “Should Arizona kids have citizenship while Texas kids don’t?” asked Georgetown’s Steve Vladeck, defending injunctions as essential for uniform rights. Judicial Divide: Nationwide Orders: Obama-appointed judges like Boasberg argue broad rulings prevent “patchwork” enforcement. Targeted Relief: Maryland Judge James Bredar (Obama) recently limited a layoff injunction to 19 states, calling nationwide halts “rare and exceptional.” Supreme Court Showdown: The DOJ has begged justices to end “government-by-injunction,” filing emergency appeals on birthright citizenship and federal contracts. But with SCOTUS split 5-4 on a recent grant freeze case, the Roberts court faces its biggest separation-of-powers test since FDR’s court-packing scheme. Partisan Hypocrisy: Grassley admitted both parties cheer injunctions against opposing presidents: “We accept politics over principle.” But Durbin shot back: “This can’t be one rule for Republicans, another for Democrats.” What’s Next: The House shelved Issa’s bill after GOP infighting, but Grassley’s Senate version gains steam. Meanwhile, Trump’s social media attacks on “Obama judge” Boasberg have drawn rare rebukes from Chief Justice Roberts—setting the stage for a constitutional crisis if SCOTUS greenlights the injunction crackdown. Why It Matters: This isn’t just legal nitpicking—it’s about whether courts can protect millions from policies that might vanish before appeals conclude. As injunctions hit record highs, so do the stakes: weaken them, and Trump’s most extreme orders could take effect unchallenged. Based on a report from The Hill 08.04.2025 -
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IPhones to Hit $3.5K? Trump Tariffs Spark Apple Revolt
Apple faces a consumer mutiny as Trump’s “Liberation Day” tariffs threaten to send iPhone prices stratospheric—with the 256GB iPhone 16 Pro potentially tripling to $3,500 (£2,715). The tech giant’s shares nosedived 9.3% in a single day, vaporizing $311bn as analysts warned of “catastrophic” price hikes and a Samsung exodus. Price Surge Breakdown: iPhone 16 Pro: Could rocket from $1,100 to $3,500—a 218% spike Pro Max Shock: $1,599 model may hit $2,300 overnight Budget Blow: Base iPhone 16e to leap from $799 to $1,142 TechInsights reveals production costs for the 256GB Pro model will soar from $580 to $850, with Trump’s 54% China tariff forcing Apple to choose between profit margins and customer loyalty. “Goodbye iPhone, hello Samsung,” trended on X as users vowed boycotts, branding the devices “luxuries” in a cost-of-living crisis. Market Meltdown: The FTSE 100 plunged 5% to a one-year low, mirroring panicked sell-offs across Europe (DAX -6.5%, CAC 40 -5.3%). Asian markets tanked as Trump’s global tariff blitz—including 46% on Vietnam and 26% on India—threatened supply chains. Apple’s India pivot now looks “pointless,” analysts say, with relocation costs dwarfing tariff savings. Consumer Fury: Social Media Storm: “Stop buying iPhones!” demands dominate threads Samsung’s Edge: Lower tariffs on South Korean rivals could flip the market Luxury Label: “You don’t need it—it’s just a status symbol!” Apple’s Dilemma: CFRA’s Angelo Zino warns the firm can only pass 5-10% of costs to buyers without “killing demand.” All eyes are on September’s iPhone 17 launch, seen as Apple’s last chance to mask hikes as “premium upgrades.” Global Fallout: The Nasdaq tumbled 5.8% as tech stocks bled, with Meta, Nvidia, and Amazon joining Apple’s rout. “This isn’t trade policy—it’s economic warfare,” said one analyst as Trump’s 10% baseline tariff hit every import. What’s Next? Apple remains silent, but insiders hint at emergency talks with China and the White House. For now, the message is clear: your next iPhone might cost more than a Caribbean cruise. Based on a Daily Mail story 08.04.2025 -
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Gaza Bloodbath: 30+ Killed as Israel Bombs Bakeries, Hospitals & Refugee Camps"
Israeli airstrikes turned Gaza into a slaughterhouse overnight, killing over 30 Palestinians—including 15 women and children—as Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu flew to Washington for crunch talks with Donald Trump. Tents housing journalists, bread queues, and refugee camps became death traps in the latest onslaught, with harrowing footage showing a reporter engulfed in flames after his shelter was incinerated. Key Developments: Khan Younis Carnage: Strikes obliterated a tent and home, killing five men, five women, and five children. A later attack on journalists’ tents outside Nasser Hospital killed two, leaving six reporters injured—one critical Bakery Massacre: Six Palestinians, including three children, died while queueing for bread in Gaza City. Civil Defence teams dug bodies from rubble as flour stocks ran dry. Refugee Camp Horror: Shelling flattened parts of Jabaliya camp, killing four. At Al-Aqsa Martyrs Hospital, seven more bodies arrived—including a child and three women. Netanyahu’s Washington agenda includes Trump’s controversial 17% tariff on Israel and plans to discuss relocating Gazans—a move rights groups call “ethnic cleansing by another name.” The PM boasted of his “special bond” with Trump as Gaza’s death toll hit 50,695, with 115,338 wounded since October. Humanitarian Collapse: UNRWA warns food and fuel stocks are “critically low” after Israel’s month-long blockade. “People are eating grass,” said one aid worker, as hospitals overflow with burn victims and shrapnel cases. Hostage Stalemate: Hamas holds 59 hostages—24 believed alive—as Israel demands their release before halting the offensive. Netanyahu vowed to “keep fighting until Hamas is destroyed,” despite ICC arrest warrants for him and ex-Defence Minister Yoav Gallant over alleged war crimes. Global Fallout: The White House backs Israel’s resumed bombing campaign, while the ICJ deliberates genocide charges. Meanwhile, Trump’s tariffs threaten to spike prices for Israeli tech imports—a side plot to the main bloodshed. On the Ground: Journalists Targeted: Palestine Today’s Yousef al-Faqawi died in the Nasser Hospital strike. “They’re silencing witnesses,” said a surviving cameraman. Evacuation Orders: Israel told Deir al-Balah residents to flee after intercepting rockets from Gaza. One hit Ashkelon, lightly injuring a man. As Netanyahu lands in Washington, Gaza’s survivors dig mass graves with bare hands. “This isn’t war—it’s extermination,” said a nurse at Al-Aqsa, where children’s body bags line corridors. Based on a report from Sky News. 08.04.2025 -
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FTSE plummets to one-year low amid global stock market chaos
The FTSE 100 plummeted to a one-year low just minutes after opening, reflecting a worldwide market downturn sparked by fears of an international trade war. Investors are increasingly worried about a potential recession, following a dramatic sell-off that erased trillions from equity values. This turmoil began after Donald Trump's administration announced expansive tariffs last week. US President Trump, however, remained unconcerned about the significant market drop, describing the tariffs as necessary "medicine" to address deeper issues. Despite his reassurances, global markets remain on edge, with the FTSE 100 experiencing a drastic 5% drop within the first ten minutes of trading. The panic spread across Europe, with Germany’s Dax index tumbling 6.5% and France’s Cac 40 declining by 5.3%. Asian markets mirrored the unrest, as Hong Kong’s Hang Seng index fell over 12%, its most significant decline since the 2008 financial crisis. UK Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer warned that the "world as we knew it has gone" in the wake of these developments. Meanwhile, billionaire Bill Ackman, a former Trump supporter, called for a pause on the tariffs to prevent an "economic nuclear winter", highlighting concerns about diminishing confidence among global business leaders. Based on a report by The Independent. 08.04.2025
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