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Anti-Netanyahu Protesters Clash with Israeli Police

People protest on a day of strike and resistance, amid the Israel-Hamas conflict, outside Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's residence in Jerusalem, June 27, 2024. REUTERS/Ronen Zvulun TPX
People protest on a day of strike and resistance, amid the Israel-Hamas conflict, outside Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's residence in Jerusalem, June 27, 2024. REUTERS/Ronen Zvulun TPX
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Anti-Netanyahu Protesters Clash with Israeli Police

People protest on a day of strike and resistance, amid the Israel-Hamas conflict, outside Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's residence in Jerusalem, June 27, 2024. REUTERS/Ronen Zvulun TPX
People protest on a day of strike and resistance, amid the Israel-Hamas conflict, outside Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's residence in Jerusalem, June 27, 2024. REUTERS/Ronen Zvulun TPX

Israeli police deployed a water cannon and made several arrests on Thursday as protests against Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's move to oust the head of the domestic intelligence service flared for a third consecutive day.

Thousands of Israelis have joined anti-Netanyahu demonstrations with opponents of the move to sack Shin Bet head Ronen Bar joining forces with protesters angry at the decision to resume fighting in Gaza, breaking a two-month-old ceasefire, while 59 Israeli hostages remain in the Palestinian enclave.

"We're very, very worried that our country is becoming a dictatorship," Rinat Hadashi, 59, said in Jerusalem. "They're abandoning our hostages, they're neglecting all the important things for this country."

On Thursday, police and demonstrators clashed as hundreds marched along the road leading to the prime minister's official residence in Jerusalem, where police said dozens of protesters tried to break through security cordons, Reuters reported.

Protests were planned later outside the Kirya military headquarters complex in Tel Aviv.

A day earlier there were angry confrontations between protesters and counter-demonstrators, highlighting divisions that have deepened since Netanyahu returned to power at the head of a right-wing coalition at the end of 2022.

Even before the war in Gaza, tens of thousands of Israelis were joining regular demonstrations protesting at a government drive to curb the power of the judiciary that critics saw as an assault on Israeli democracy but which the government said was needed to limit judicial overreach.

Since the start of the war, there have also been regular protests by families and supporters of hostages seized by Hamas during its assault on Israel from Gaza on Oct. 7, 2023 that have sometimes echoed the criticisms of the government.

Israel's cabinet is expected to meet on Friday to formally approve the dismissal of Bar, who has clashed with Netanyahu over a corruption investigation against aides in his office that the prime minister has called a politically motivated attack.

 

 

 

 

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World

US Judge Temporarily Blocks Trump’s Washington Arch

A protest structure stands near Memorial Circle, the proposed site for a Triumphal Arch, Thursday, Nov. 5, 2026, in Arlington, Va. (AP)
A protest structure stands near Memorial Circle, the proposed site for a Triumphal Arch, Thursday, Nov. 5, 2026, in Arlington, Va. (AP)
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US Judge Temporarily Blocks Trump’s Washington Arch

A protest structure stands near Memorial Circle, the proposed site for a Triumphal Arch, Thursday, Nov. 5, 2026, in Arlington, Va. (AP)
A protest structure stands near Memorial Circle, the proposed site for a Triumphal Arch, Thursday, Nov. 5, 2026, in Arlington, Va. (AP)

A judge temporarily blocked construction from beginning on President Donald Trump's proposed 250-foot (76-meter) triumphal arch in Washington late on Thursday, shortly after it won a key approval.

US District Judge Tanya Chutkan issued a 14-day restraining order following the National Capital Planning Commission 8-4 vote to approve the project after it heard from about 100 opponents, including Democratic lawmakers.

The Trump administration contends Congress approved the arch more than 100 years ago when it also authorized construction of a bridge across the Potomac River.

"The sheer improbability that a 100-year-old statute would contain authority, unknown to ‌every previous administration, ‌to erect a 250-foot arch at a principal location in the nation’s capital indicates ‌how ⁠far (the government) must ⁠stretch to justify this project," Chutkan wrote.

She said approval would result in construction for about three years "that will disrupt traffic, create noise, result in large-scale excavation, and more."

The Justice Department had said earlier that if the project had been approved, it expected an initial six to eight months of construction focused on excavation and foundation work could begin as soon as Thursday. Above-ground construction would start in May 2027 at the earliest, with the job expected to take 33 to 39 months total.

"It will snarl traffic for years, impact the nearby airport, and present even ⁠more serious threats to public safety that this commission has refused to acknowledge ‌and grapple with," said Representative Don Beyer, a Democrat who represents ‌northern Virginia.

The National Park Service also said late on Thursday it had approved the project.

The arch is among several costly ‌projects Trump is pushing in Washington despite opposition from local officials and conservationists. They include rebuilding the Reflecting ‌Pool at the Lincoln Memorial, constructing a massive White House ballroom and overhauling the Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts.

The arch has faced significant opposition in the courts. The state of Virginia and the District of Columbia sued the National Park Service and the Department of the Interior on Saturday, seeking to halt the start of construction, calling it "legally indefensible" and ‌arguing that Congress has not approved it.

They also raised a number of concerns about the project's impact on traffic

At an event on Monday to highlight ⁠improvements to the Lincoln Memorial ⁠Reflecting Pool, Trump said the arch would also serve as a military asset and would be able to house drones and snipers.

"It's right smack in the middle of everything, so very important for our military. But from a beautification standpoint, it'll be the most beautiful arch in the world," Trump said.

The arch, which would include an eternal flame and floodlights to make it visible to pilots, would be situated across the Potomac River from the Lincoln Memorial on a highway roundabout near the entrance to Arlington National Cemetery.

It would resemble the Arc de Triomphe in Paris, but stand more than 80 feet taller. It would also be nearly as tall as the US Capitol, which at 288 feet, can be seen across much of Washington. The site is near airplanes' final approach to Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport.

A rendering showed the flame would be held by a 60-foot-tall gold, winged female figure positioned atop the arch and flanked by gold flying eagles.

Critics say it would place some graves at Arlington National Cemetery in shadow, while the Trump administration said it would honor veterans.

World

Malaysian ex-PM Najib Leaves Jail for House Arrest after Paying Fine

Police stand guard outside the residence of jailed former Malaysian Prime Minister Najib Razak after a court issued an order allowing his transfer to house arrest, in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia November 6, 2026. REUTERS/Najjua Zulkefli
Police stand guard outside the residence of jailed former Malaysian Prime Minister Najib Razak after a court issued an order allowing his transfer to house arrest, in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia November 6, 2026. REUTERS/Najjua Zulkefli
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Malaysian ex-PM Najib Leaves Jail for House Arrest after Paying Fine

Police stand guard outside the residence of jailed former Malaysian Prime Minister Najib Razak after a court issued an order allowing his transfer to house arrest, in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia November 6, 2026. REUTERS/Najjua Zulkefli
Police stand guard outside the residence of jailed former Malaysian Prime Minister Najib Razak after a court issued an order allowing his transfer to house arrest, in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia November 6, 2026. REUTERS/Najjua Zulkefli

Malaysia's former prime minister Najib Razak left prison on Friday, an AFP reporter saw, after his party said he paid a $12 million fine allowing him to serve the rest of his corruption sentence under house arrest.

The 73-year-old former leader was jailed for his role in one of the largest-ever global plunders of a sovereign wealth fund, the now-defunct 1Malaysia Development Berhad (1MDB).

But King Sultan Ibrahim granted him a conditional pardon in September, allowing him to serve out the rest of his sentence at home provided he pay the fine.

"UMNO has completed all payment processes to the Kuala Lumpur High Court this morning," the United Malays National Organization said in a statement on Friday, referring to the 50 million ringgit ($12 million) penalty.

"UMNO hereby officially closes the special Najib Razak Solidarity Fund account, which was established to receive public contributions. There is no longer a need for public crowdfunding for this purpose."

Najib's aide, Ahmad Lutfi Azhar, also confirmed the payment and the former leader's lawyer Farhan Shafee said they had already obtained papers to transfer the former leader out of jail.

Shortly afterwards, an AFP reporter saw a silver car with Najib inside leaving the Kajang Prison compound, followed by a convoy of vehicles.

The road leading to Najib's upmarket residence was cordoned off with yellow police tape and traffic cones blocking access to the area, an AFP journalist saw at around noon.

Police had parked patrol cars and mobile vans as well as set up two tents near the entrance to the road, in preparation for crowd control.

- Money siphoned -

A Malaysian judge late last year rejected an original request to allow Najib to serve the rest of his time at home.

Najib was sentenced to 12 years in prison in July 2020 in a first trial over vast sums of money siphoned from a former 1MDB subsidiary called SRC International Sdn Bhd.

But a pardons board later halved the term, and his fine was reduced to 50 million ringgit.

His sentence in this case is scheduled to be completed by August 2028.

Days after Najib's December bid for house arrest was turned down, the ex-PM was again sentenced to another 15 years behind bars in a separate trial, also linked to the 1MDB graft scandal.

Najib has also been fined 11.4 billion ringgit for his role in the corruption scandal, which took place more than a decade ago.

He is currently appealing the 15-year sentence, which is only set to start once the six-year sentence is completed.

The son of one of Malaysia's founding fathers, Najib was groomed for leadership from a young age but fell from power spectacularly as public anger mounted over the corruption scandal.

Investigations under successive governments have ensnared him and his wife, Rosmah Mansor, in graft allegations since his loss in 2018 elections.

Prosecutors said Najib abused his positions as prime minister, finance minister and 1MDB advisory board chairman to move vast sums from the fund into his personal accounts.

According to investigators, proceeds from the fund were used to bankroll high-end real estate, a luxury yacht and precious artworks, including a Monet and a Van Gogh.

Fugitive financier Jho Low, who is seen as the mastermind behind one of the biggest financial heists in modern history from 1MDB, is still on the run.

Set up in 2009 under Najib, the fund was supposed to serve as an investment vehicle for major infrastructure and urban development.

But Low, through his proximity to Najib and other top officials, soon became a pivotal figure in schemes that diverted around $4.5 billion from 1MDB via shell companies and complex financial transactions, US and Malaysian prosecutors have said.

World

Belgium to Allow Home Searches for Suspected Illegal Migrants

Belgium's Prime Minister Bart De Wever speaks to the media following a European Union leaders' summit in Brussels, Belgium, June 19, 2026. (Reuters)
Belgium's Prime Minister Bart De Wever speaks to the media following a European Union leaders' summit in Brussels, Belgium, June 19, 2026. (Reuters)
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Belgium to Allow Home Searches for Suspected Illegal Migrants

Belgium's Prime Minister Bart De Wever speaks to the media following a European Union leaders' summit in Brussels, Belgium, June 19, 2026. (Reuters)
Belgium's Prime Minister Bart De Wever speaks to the media following a European Union leaders' summit in Brussels, Belgium, June 19, 2026. (Reuters)

Belgium's parliament ‌early on Friday approved a controversial law allowing police to enter the homes of suspected undocumented migrants who have ignored orders to leave the country.

The measure is part of a broader push by Prime Minister Bart De Wever's right-leaning coalition to limit migration and increase expulsions of those who have been denied the right to stay in the country.

The legislation has drawn strong ‌opposition from ‌human rights groups and lawyers, who ‌argue ⁠that allowing police ⁠to enter private homes for immigration enforcement risks undermining constitutional rights and privacy laws.

Around 3,000 people formed a human chain around Brussels' Palace of Justice on Wednesday evening to protest the bill. More than 50 other demonstrations and gatherings ⁠were organized in towns and cities across ‌the country, Belgian ‌media reported.

The law was finally approved by a ‌majority of lawmakers around 5 a.m. local time (0400 ‌GMT), following a lengthy debate that lasted throughout the night.

Searches will be limited to the homes of people who have been denied asylum in Belgium, ‌have ignored orders to leave and are seen to be a threat to ⁠public ⁠security.

Home searches must be agreed to by an investigative judge and can only occur between 5 a.m. and 9 a.m., with immigration officials present.

Ahead of the vote, Amnesty International urged lawmakers to reject the legislation, which it said could also affect people who help undocumented migrants.

The government has defended the measure as a tool to enforce deportation orders for people who are considered a danger to public order or national security.