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Iran Dismisses US Criticism of Missile Program as 'Nonsense'

A woman walks along the side of a street in Tehran on September 15, 2025, a day ahead of the anniversary of the protest movement sparked by the death in custody of 22-year-old Iranian Mahsa Amini who was arrested for allegedly violating the dress code for women. (AFP)
A woman walks along the side of a street in Tehran on September 15, 2025, a day ahead of the anniversary of the protest movement sparked by the death in custody of 22-year-old Iranian Mahsa Amini who was arrested for allegedly violating the dress code for women. (AFP)
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Iran Dismisses US Criticism of Missile Program as 'Nonsense'

A woman walks along the side of a street in Tehran on September 15, 2025, a day ahead of the anniversary of the protest movement sparked by the death in custody of 22-year-old Iranian Mahsa Amini who was arrested for allegedly violating the dress code for women. (AFP)
A woman walks along the side of a street in Tehran on September 15, 2025, a day ahead of the anniversary of the protest movement sparked by the death in custody of 22-year-old Iranian Mahsa Amini who was arrested for allegedly violating the dress code for women. (AFP)

Iran on Wednesday dismissed as "nonsense" US Secretary of State Marco Rubio's criticism this week of the Islamic republic's missile program as an "unacceptable risk".

"He was speaking nonsense," foreign ministry spokesman Esmaeil Baqaei told journalists, adding the United States was "not supposed to comment on the defensive capabilities of a nation that has decided to preserve its independence at any cost."

The missile program was Iran's means "to stand against the greed, aggression and assaults of foreigners -- including the US and the Zionist regime", he said, referring to Israel.

During a Monday visit to Israel, Rubio vowed to maintain the "maximum pressure" policy of sanctions against Tehran which was imposed during US President Donald Trump's first term in office.

That policy saw Washington unilaterally withdraw from the landmark 2015 nuclear accord between Iran and world powers.

"A nuclear Iran governed by a radical Shiite cleric that possesses not just nuclear weapons potentially but the missiles that could deliver those weapons far away is an unacceptable risk, not just for Israel, not just for the United States, but for the world," Rubio said at a joint news conference with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.

The United States would press ahead with pressure on Iran until "they change course", he added.

In mid-June, Israel launched an unprecedented bombing campaign against Iran, triggering a war during which Iran responded with deadly missile and drone strikes.

The conflict -- which derailed high-level nuclear talks between Tehran and Washington -- saw the US striking key nuclear facilities in Iran.

In September Iran's security chief, Ali Larijani, said Tehran remained open to nuclear talks with Washington but ruled out any limits on its missile program.

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World

Taiwan Condemns ‘Dangerous’ Planned Chinese Navy Drill with Indonesia to Its East

Taiwanese soldiers carry fuel supplies towards AH-64E Apache Guardian and UH-60M Black Hawk helicopters during a refueling drill as part of the annual Han Kuang military exercise in Taoyuan on August 11, 2026. (AFP)
Taiwanese soldiers carry fuel supplies towards AH-64E Apache Guardian and UH-60M Black Hawk helicopters during a refueling drill as part of the annual Han Kuang military exercise in Taoyuan on August 11, 2026. (AFP)
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Taiwan Condemns ‘Dangerous’ Planned Chinese Navy Drill with Indonesia to Its East

Taiwanese soldiers carry fuel supplies towards AH-64E Apache Guardian and UH-60M Black Hawk helicopters during a refueling drill as part of the annual Han Kuang military exercise in Taoyuan on August 11, 2026. (AFP)
Taiwanese soldiers carry fuel supplies towards AH-64E Apache Guardian and UH-60M Black Hawk helicopters during a refueling drill as part of the annual Han Kuang military exercise in Taoyuan on August 11, 2026. (AFP)

Taiwan's government has condemned "dangerous" planned Chinese navy drills with an Indonesian warship off the island's east coast, saying Beijing was trying to create a false impression to the international community that it controls those waters.

China views democratically governed Taiwan as its own territory, and in June began coast guard patrols off the island's east coast, causing anger in Taipei and concern in Washington and some other Western capitals.

China's defense ministry said on Tuesday the drill, to take place in mid-August ‌at a location ‌east of Taiwan it did not detail, would be a "navigation exercise" ‌with ⁠an Indonesian navy ship, ⁠a highly unusual move given China does not generally hold exercises with foreign militaries near Taiwan.

The Indonesian navy and defense ministry did not respond to requests for comment.

Late on Tuesday, Taiwan's China-policy-making Mainland Affairs Council said the drill was a "military provocation" and Beijing should "immediately stop this dangerous behavior that undermines the status quo."

Following a recent series of Chinese actions, including so-called "routine law-enforcement patrols" to the east of Taiwan, China is now attempting to conduct military exercises with "relevant countries" in waters ⁠east of Taiwan, it said in a statement.

"This is, in reality, ‌political manipulation, 'exercises in name, expansion in fact', aimed at ‌creating a false impression before the international community that the Chinese communists have jurisdiction over waters east ‌of Taiwan," it added.

Taking lawmaker questions at parliament in Taipei on Wednesday, Wu Tien-jen, ‌assistant deputy chief of the general staff for intelligence, said the Indonesian warship China said would take part was on its way back from Japan rather than coming specifically to drill with the Chinese navy.

The ship was some 70 to 80 nautical miles off Taiwan's east, in the Pacific, he ‌added.

"Militarily this does not have a direct impact on Taiwan," he said. "It has a geopolitical significance." Taiwan's foreign ministry said separately that ⁠it had asked for a "clarification" ⁠from Indonesia on its taking part in the drill.

TAIWAN HOLDING ANNUAL WAR GAMES

Taiwan is in the midst of its annual Han Kuang war games, where it simulates how to beat back an attempted Chinese attack.

China's announcement came as US Under Secretary of War for Policy Elbridge Colby met with Indonesian Defense Minister Sjafrie Sjamsoeddin at his Jakarta office on Tuesday.

Sjafrie told Colby that expanding defense cooperation with the United States is not intended to establish a US military base in Indonesia, his office cited him as saying.

China recognizes no sovereignty claims by Taiwan's government and its military operates around the island on an almost daily basis.

Like most countries, Indonesia has no formal diplomatic ties with Taiwan, but the island is home to more than 300,000 Indonesian migrant workers.

Taiwan's government says only the Taiwanese people can decide their future and has repeatedly denounced Chinese military pressure.

World

Palestinian Students and Staff Sue Columbia University Alleging Discrimination

Protestors gather at the gates of Columbia University, in support of student protesters who barricaded themselves in Hamilton Hall, despite orders from university officials to disband or face suspension, during the ongoing conflict between Israel and the Palestinian group Hamas, in New York City, US, April 30, 2024. (Reuters)
Protestors gather at the gates of Columbia University, in support of student protesters who barricaded themselves in Hamilton Hall, despite orders from university officials to disband or face suspension, during the ongoing conflict between Israel and the Palestinian group Hamas, in New York City, US, April 30, 2024. (Reuters)
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Palestinian Students and Staff Sue Columbia University Alleging Discrimination

Protestors gather at the gates of Columbia University, in support of student protesters who barricaded themselves in Hamilton Hall, despite orders from university officials to disband or face suspension, during the ongoing conflict between Israel and the Palestinian group Hamas, in New York City, US, April 30, 2024. (Reuters)
Protestors gather at the gates of Columbia University, in support of student protesters who barricaded themselves in Hamilton Hall, despite orders from university officials to disband or face suspension, during the ongoing conflict between Israel and the Palestinian group Hamas, in New York City, US, April 30, 2024. (Reuters)

A ‌group of current and former Palestinian students and staff have sued Columbia University, alleging discriminatory treatment by the school against its Palestinian community since late 2023, according to a court filing in New York.

The lawsuit said the university failed to protect its Palestinian members from harassment and targeted them through what it cast as "unfair and biased disciplinary hearings."

Columbia has previously denied being discriminatory and has ‌condemned hate. ‌Local media reported that it declined ‌to comment ⁠on pending litigation. ⁠It did not respond to a Reuters request for comment.

Protests took place at Columbia and around the US after the start of Israel's assault on Gaza following a deadly Palestinian Hamas attack in October 2023.

Protesters demanded an end ⁠to US support for its ally and ‌called for the divestment ‌of funds by universities from companies supporting Israel.

In ‌May 2025, Columbia suspended more than 65 students ‌for their role in shutting down the university's main library in a pro-Palestinian demonstration.

That demonstration came as the university was negotiating with President Donald Trump's administration, which ‌had cut its federal funding after accusing the university of tolerating antisemitism during pro-Palestinian ⁠protests.

Protesters, including some Jewish groups, say opposing Israel's assault on Gaza and its occupation of Palestinian territories is not antisemitic and advocacy for Palestinian rights should not be conflated with supporting extremism.

Columbia agreed to pay over $200 million to the US government to resolve federal probes and restore most of the federal funding in July last year.

Free speech groups condemned Columbia's protest crackdown in which students faced arrests, suspensions, expulsions and degree revocations.

World

One Dead, 172 Rescued as Second Ferry in Days Catches Fire in Indonesia

In this photo made from video released by the Indonesian National Search and Rescue Agency (BASARNAS), crew pull survivors from a passenger ferry Putri Yasmin that caught fire while traveling from the tourist island of Bali to neighboring island of Lombok toward a rescue ship in the waters of Lombok Strait, Indonesia, Wednesday, Aug. 12, 2026. (BASARNAS via AP)
In this photo made from video released by the Indonesian National Search and Rescue Agency (BASARNAS), crew pull survivors from a passenger ferry Putri Yasmin that caught fire while traveling from the tourist island of Bali to neighboring island of Lombok toward a rescue ship in the waters of Lombok Strait, Indonesia, Wednesday, Aug. 12, 2026. (BASARNAS via AP)
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One Dead, 172 Rescued as Second Ferry in Days Catches Fire in Indonesia

In this photo made from video released by the Indonesian National Search and Rescue Agency (BASARNAS), crew pull survivors from a passenger ferry Putri Yasmin that caught fire while traveling from the tourist island of Bali to neighboring island of Lombok toward a rescue ship in the waters of Lombok Strait, Indonesia, Wednesday, Aug. 12, 2026. (BASARNAS via AP)
In this photo made from video released by the Indonesian National Search and Rescue Agency (BASARNAS), crew pull survivors from a passenger ferry Putri Yasmin that caught fire while traveling from the tourist island of Bali to neighboring island of Lombok toward a rescue ship in the waters of Lombok Strait, Indonesia, Wednesday, Aug. 12, 2026. (BASARNAS via AP)

One woman died and more than 170 were rescued after a ferry caught fire off the Indonesian tourist island of Bali on Wednesday, a rescue official said, in the second such incident in days.

A navy vessel and other ships evacuated 172 people from the stricken passenger vessel, including two Australian tourists, search and rescue official Muhamad Hariyadi told AFP.

A 19-year-old Indonesian woman was declared dead, said Hariyadi, an official on Lombok island, where the ferry had been headed from Bali.

An AFP photographer at Lembar on Lombok's west coast saw one person brought ashore in a body bag.

Survivor Kiky Okta Pradika, 25, told reporters in Lembar he had grabbed a life jacket before jumping overboard with several other passengers.

"There were a few hours before there was any help," he said.

Hariyadi said passengers were evacuated on at least three different vessels, including a navy ship and another ferry that rushed to help in the early morning hours.

Search and rescue vessels were at the scene and a helicopter was conducting surveillance from the air.

Hariyadi earlier said there were no passengers or crew left on the blazing ferry.

There was no immediate information on people injured or missing.

Five people died last week when a ferry caught fire off Java Island.

Marine accidents are a regular occurrence in Indonesia -- an archipelago of more than 17,000 islands that relies heavily on boat connections for daily transport and tourism.

Lax safety standards and unpredictable weather are the main reasons for the disasters.

A ferry transporting more than 70 people sank while sailing near Selayar, a small island south of Sulawesi, last month.

Four bodies were recovered, but the search operation ended with 14 others still officially missing.