Latest news with #INSS
Vancouver Sun
3 days ago
- Politics
- Vancouver Sun
Strikes in Iran to continue, Israeli foreign minister tells diplomats
Israel's military operation in Iran will continue until its objectives are met, Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Sa'ar said on Wednesday. During a meeting with more than 30 foreign ambassadors at the scene of an Iranian rocket impact in Bat Yam, near Tel Aviv, Sa'ar said that the Iranian regime was 'making a mistake.' 'The Iranian regime deliberately targets population centres and murders civilians,' he said. 'They do not understand that the Israeli people are strong and massively support Operation Rising Lion,' he added. The operation, which Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has said is aimed at ending the threat to Israel posed by Iran's nuclear program and ballistic missiles, will continue until those objectives are met, said Sa'ar. Start your day with a roundup of B.C.-focused news and opinion. By signing up you consent to receive the above newsletter from Postmedia Network Inc. A welcome email is on its way. If you don't see it, please check your junk folder. The next issue of Sunrise will soon be in your inbox. Please try again Interested in more newsletters? Browse here. 'We are determined to continue until we reach our objectives. There are no negotiations,' he added. Eight people were killed on Sunday when an Iranian ballistic missile fell in a residential area of Bat Yam. A ninth person is still missing. It was the deadliest single hit since Operation Rising Lion began on June 13. So far, 24 Israelis have been killed and some 1,500 wounded by Iran's ballistic missile assault, according to Tel Aviv University's Institute for National Security Studies (INSS.) Nearly 4,000 Israelis have had to leave their homes as a result of Iranian attacks. From June 13 to noon local time on June 18, Iran had launched 19 barrages of over 400 projectiles at the Jewish state. Between 80 per cent and 90 per cent of the projectiles were intercepted, but more than 40 penetrated Israel's air defences. The largest share of the projectiles, or 45 per cent, were aimed at the centre of the country. Another 38 per cent targeted northern Israel and the rest its south, according to the INSS. In Iran, Israeli strikes have reportedly killed some 600 people, including more than 25 high-ranking military officers and 14 nuclear scientists, INSS wrote. Israeli aircraft and other forces have engaged more than 1,100 targets, including five sites connected with the Islamic Republic's nuclear program. Israel has reportedly destroyed about 120 rocket launchers, or a third of the Iranian arsenal. The Israeli offensive is widely regarded as effective and successful, having focused initially on personnel, nuclear sites and air defence systems. Israel on Sunday announced it had achieved total air superiority over Iran, meaning unrestricted movement in Iranian airspace.
National Post
3 days ago
- Politics
- National Post
Strikes in Iran to continue, Israeli foreign minister tells diplomats
Israel's military operation in Iran will continue until its objectives are met, Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Sa'ar said on Wednesday. Article content During a meeting with more than 30 foreign ambassadors at the scene of an Iranian rocket impact in Bat Yam, near Tel Aviv, Sa'ar said that the Iranian regime was 'making a mistake.' Article content 'The Iranian regime deliberately targets population centres and murders civilians,' he said. 'They do not understand that the Israeli people are strong and massively support Operation Rising Lion,' he added. Article content Article content The operation, which Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has said is aimed at ending the threat to Israel posed by Iran's nuclear program and ballistic missiles, will continue until those objectives are met, said Sa'ar. Article content Article content 'We are determined to continue until we reach our objectives. There are no negotiations,' he added. Article content Eight people were killed on Sunday when an Iranian ballistic missile fell in a residential area of Bat Yam. A ninth person is still missing. Article content It was the deadliest single hit since Operation Rising Lion began on June 13. So far, 24 Israelis have been killed and some 1,500 wounded by Iran's ballistic missile assault, according to Tel Aviv University's Institute for National Security Studies (INSS.) Article content Nearly 4,000 Israelis have had to leave their homes as a result of Iranian attacks. From June 13 to noon local time on June 18, Iran had launched 19 barrages of over 400 projectiles at the Jewish state. Between 80 per cent and 90 per cent of the projectiles were intercepted, but more than 40 penetrated Israel's air defences. Article content Article content The largest share of the projectiles, or 45 per cent, were aimed at the centre of the country. Another 38 per cent targeted northern Israel and the rest its south, according to the INSS. Article content Article content In Iran, Israeli strikes have reportedly killed some 600 people, including more than 25 high-ranking military officers and 14 nuclear scientists, INSS wrote. Israeli aircraft and other forces have engaged more than 1,100 targets, including five sites connected with the Islamic Republic's nuclear program. Article content
The Star
04-06-2025
- General
- The Star
Over 30,000 narcotic pills seized in W. Iraq
BAGHDAD, June 4 (Xinhua) -- Iraqi National Security Service (INSS) announced Wednesday the seizure of over 30,000 narcotic pills and the arrest of several suspects in two security operations in the western province of Anbar. In the first operation, one of the country's "most wanted" drug traffickers was arrested in the Ramadi district, INSS said in a statement, adding that the suspect had more than 3,000 Captagon pills and a quantity of crystal meth. The second operation targeted a warehouse engaged in "illegal activities," where Iraqi security forces seized over 30,000 smuggled psychotropic pills, it said. The INSS did not disclose details about the other arrests but stated that all detainees and confiscated substances were handed over to judicial authorities for legal action. The Iraqi government has waged "a war on drugs," identifying it as a main source of funding for terrorism.
Shafaq News
04-06-2025
- Health
- Shafaq News
INSS seizes over 30,000 narcotic pills in Al-Anbar raids
Shafaq News/ The Iraqi National Security Service (INSS) arrested multiple suspects and seized more than 30,000 narcotic pills in two separate operations in the western province of Al-Anbar. In a statement released on Wednesday, the agency said in the first operation, a joint security team apprehended 'one of the country's most wanted drug traffickers in Ramadi.' The suspect was caught in possession of over 3,000 Captagon pills and a quantity of crystal meth. The second operation, according to the statement, targeted a pharmaceutical warehouse engaged in 'unauthorized' activities. Authorities seized over 30,000 smuggled psychotropic pills and 2,500 unauthorized Tramal injections. All detainees and confiscated items were referred to the relevant judicial authorities for legal action. The General Directorate for Narcotics and Psychotropic Substances announced earlier that in the first quarter of 2025, the security forces arrested more than 3,000 suspects and seized over two tons of illicit substances.
Miami Herald
03-06-2025
- Business
- Miami Herald
Pension fraud scandal threatens stability of Lula government in Brazil
SANTIAGO, Chile, June 3 (UPI) -- Brazil's federal court has authorized freezing assets that belong to suspects, including former officials from the National Institute of Social Security, or INSS, and consulting firms, in connection with a massive pension fraud scheme that affected millions of retirees and pensioners. The pension fraud scheme, which operated between 2019 and 2024, diverted roughly 6.3 billion reais -- more than $1.1 billion -- through unauthorized deductions from the benefits of more than 6 million INSS recipients. While initial investigations suggest the unauthorized deductions began during the presidency of Jair Bolsonaro, the scheme's growth under President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva has placed his administration in a politically uncomfortable position -- particularly because one of the unions involved is led by Lula's older brother, Frei Chico. For Lula, who was previously jailed and later acquitted on corruption charges, these incidents pose a direct challenge to his image and his promise of a transparent government. A poll published May 30 by AtlasIntel showed disapproval of Lula's administration reached 53.7%, the highest since the start of his current term. Approval fell to 45.5%, down slightly from the previous month. The decline in support is attributed primarily to the pension scandal, as well as rising food and service prices and a perception of weak government response to economic problems. The Federal Police investigation, known as "Operation No Discount," identified at least 11 organizations, including unions and retiree associations, that received diverted funds over several years. About 97% of affected pensioners did not notice the deductions, which were often small amounts withdrawn monthly from modest pensions. Lula's government has moved to contain the fallout from the scandal, emphasizing in public statements that it was his administration that granted the Federal Police the autonomy to investigate and dismantle the scheme. The scandal already has triggered political fallout. Social Security Minister Carlos Lupi resigned, and several other officials, including INSS President Alessandro Antonio Stefanutto, were dismissed. The Federal Police have carried out more than 200 search and seizure operations and confiscated assets worth over 1 billion reais. The government has pledged to reimburse all affected pensioners by Dec. 31. More than 2 million people have submitted reimbursement requests. Since returning to office in January 2023, Lula has faced a difficult political landscape. His Workers' Party government has made some progress in stabilizing the economy and restoring social programs, but deepening political polarization and a fragmented Congress have complicated legislative efforts. Lula's relationship with Congress has been a key factor. He has been forced to make concessions to secure support for major reforms, including a tax overhaul, while Brazilians voice growing concern over issues such as public security and economic performance. Opposition lawmakers have called for a congressional investigation, a move that could keep the scandal in the public and media spotlight for months and increase political pressure on the administration. Beyond the political fallout, the pension fraud scandal highlights a sensitive and urgent issue: the long-term viability of Brazil's pension system. Copyright 2025 UPI News Corporation. All Rights Reserved.
