Big relief for Mahmoud Khalil, US judge orders release of ex-Columbia student held over Gaza protests
A US federal judge has ordered the immediate release of Mahmoud Khalil from immigration detention, delivering a major legal win for civil rights advocates. Khalil, a Columbia University graduate and prominent voice in pro-Palestinian protests against Israel's war on Gaza, was arrested earlier this year.
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Time of India
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- Time of India
Israel military says hit Hezbollah site in south Lebanon
Israel's military said Saturday its navy hit a Hezbollah "infrastructure site" near the southern Lebanese city of Naqoura, a day after Israel's foreign minister warned the Lebanese armed group against entering the Iran-Israel war. "Overnight, an Israeli Navy vessel struck a Hezbollah 'Radwan Force' terrorist infrastructure site in the area of Naqoura in southern Lebanon", the military said in a statement. Tired of too many ads? Remove Ads Tired of too many ads? Remove Ads Israel's military said Saturday its navy hit a Hezbollah "infrastructure site" near the southern Lebanese city of Naqoura, a day after Israel's foreign minister warned the Lebanese armed group against entering the Iran-Israel war."Overnight, an Israeli Navy vessel struck a Hezbollah 'Radwan Force' terrorist infrastructure site in the area of Naqoura in southern Lebanon", the military said in a military said the site was used by Hezbollah "to advance terror attacks against Israeli civilians".In a separate statement on Saturday, the military said it had "struck and eliminated" a Hezbollah militant in south Lebanon the previous day, despite an ongoing ceasefire between both a statement carried by the official National News Agency, Lebanon's health ministry said late on Friday that one person was killed in a "strike carried out by an Israeli enemy drone on a motorcycle" in the same south Lebanon November ceasefire aimed to end hostilities between Israel and Hezbollah, which sparked months of deadly hostilities by launching cross-border attacks on northern Israel in solidarity with Palestinian ally Hamas following its October 7, 2023 attack on army, which has been dismantling Hezbollah infrastructure as part of the truce, said earlier in June that the Israeli military's ongoing violations and "refusal to cooperate" with the ceasefire monitoring mechanism "could prompt the (Lebanese) military to freeze cooperation" on site inspections.
Time of India
an hour ago
- Time of India
'Can finally hug my wife, son...': What Mahmoud Khalil said after walking free from detention after 104 days; watch video
Mahmoud Khalil M ahmoud Khalil, a former Columbia University student and outspoken pro-Palestinian activist, walked free on Friday after spending 104 days in the La Salle Detention Facility. The Syrian-born permanent US resident had been detained since March 8 following immigration charges levelled by the Trump administration, which alleged ties to Hamas. Upon his release, Khalil expressed relief and defiance, pledging to continue advocating for Palestinian rights and criticising both the US government and his former university. 'Incredible men left behind' Speaking to reporters outside the detention centre, Khalil said, "I leave some incredible men behind me, over 1,000 people behind me, in a place where they shouldn't have been in the first place." He hoped the detention facility would one day be converted into a museum, calling it a symbol of "America's racist policies against immigrants." Family reunion and first plans Khalil was denied the chance to witness the birth of his son in April, but now looks forward to spending time with his wife and child. "Just hug my wife and son," he said when asked what he planned to do first upon returning to New York. "The only time I spent with my son was a specified one-hour limit that the government had imposed on us... so that means that now I can actually hug him and Noor, my wife, without looking at the clock," Khalil added. Judge questions motives behind detention Federal Judge Michael Farbiarz, appointed by former US President Joe Biden, ordered Khalil's release after raising concerns that the Trump administration may have detained him in retaliation for his campus protests. "There was at least something to the argument that there had been an effort to use the immigration charge here to punish Mr. Khalil," said Farbiarz. "And, of course, that would be unconstitutional." He added, "He is not a danger to the community, period, full stop." Administration backlash The Department of Homeland Security strongly criticised the judge's decision. "An immigration judge, not a district judge, has the authority to decide if Mr. Khalil should be released or detained," said DHS spokesperson Tricia McLaughlin. "On the same day an immigration judge denied Khalil bond and ordered him removed, one rogue district judge ordered him released," she added. "This is yet another example of how out-of-control members of the judicial branch are undermining national security." McLaughlin argued the Trump administration acted within legal bounds, stating, "It is a privilege to be granted a visa or green card... We expect a higher court to do the same." 'No one is illegal -- no human is illegal' Khalil also criticised Columbia University for investing in what he called "the genocide of the Palestinian people," and condemned the conditions at the Jena facility. "The moment you enter this facility, your rights leave you behind," he said. "Just a different reality about this country that supposedly champions human rights and liberty." He rejected claims he was a threat, saying, "No one is illegal -- no human is illegal. Justice will prevail no matter what this administration may try." Case not over Although Khalil has been released on bail, the Trump administration is appealing the decision and seeking to deport him based on additional allegations, including inaccuracies in his residency application and undisclosed past employment. Despite this, the activist remains optimistic. His wife, Dr Noor Abdalla, said, "This ruling does not begin to address the injustices the Trump administration has brought upon our family... But today we are celebrating Mahmoud coming back to New York."
New Indian Express
3 hours ago
- New Indian Express
Maharashtra reconstitutes panel on Karnataka border row
BELAGAVI: In a fresh move to bolster its stance on the boundary dispute with Karnataka, the Maharashtra government has reconstituted its high power committee. The committee will be headed by Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis. Several top leaders from different political parties of Maharashtra are on this panel, which was earlier headed by former CM Eknath Shinde. The 18-member committee includes DyCMs Eknath Shinde and Ajit Pawar, former CMs Sharad Pawar, Prithviraj Chavan, and Narayan Rane, and border affairs expert Prof Avinash Kolhe. Ministers Chandrakant Dada Patil and Shambhuraje Desai are on the core coordination team attached to the panel and are tasked with handling matters related to the Maharashtra Ekikaran Samiti (MES), a pro-Marathi outfit based in Karnataka. According to informed sources, the committee will draw up strategies to not only strengthen the boundary case stronger in the Supreme Court but would also dwell upon various alternatives which could help Maharashtra in the ongoing tussle. Sources said that MES leaders may be asked to provide information about the dispute which could benefit Maharashtra. It may be noted that at the behest of MES, the Maharashtra government is involved in a legal and political battle with Karnataka, staking its claim on hundreds of villages and towns of Karnataka along the border, including Belagavi, Khanapur, Karwar, Bhalki, and Nippani.
