Turkey halts trade with Israel over 'humanitarian tragedy' in Gaza
Ankara: Turkey has announced the suspension of all trade with Israel in response to the ongoing offensive in Gaza. Citing the deteriorating humanitarian situation in the region, the Turkish trade ministry stated that trade will remain halted until Israel permits an uninterrupted and sufficient flow of aid into Gaza. Last year, trade between the two countries amounted to nearly $7 billion.
Israeli Foreign Minister Israel Katz criticized Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, accusing him of disregarding the interests of the Turkish people and businesses and ignoring international trade agreements. In response, Israel has pledged to seek alternative trade partners and reduce economic ties with Turkey, including those with the Palestinian Authority and Gaza.
Turkey's Trade Minister Omer Bolat condemned Israel's uncompromising stance on a ceasefire and the dire humanitarian conditions in Gaza. He emphasized that Turkey's trade suspension is contingent upon the establishment of a permanent ceasefire and uninterrupted aid flow into Gaza.
The decision reflects the escalating tensions between Turkey and Israel, whose relations have deteriorated over recent decades, marked by diplomatic rifts and confrontations, including the 2010 Gaza flotilla incident. Erdogan's government has faced domestic pressure to take a firm stance against Israel, particularly after a significant electoral setback for his party earlier this year.
The announcement comes amid mounting international criticism of Israel's actions in Gaza, with the United Nations warning of a looming humanitarian catastrophe. Efforts to address the crisis have included the reopening of aid routes, but challenges persist in delivering essential supplies to those in need.
Meanwhile, the United States has urged both Israel and Hamas to agree to a ceasefire and negotiate the release of hostages held in Gaza. A proposed deal reportedly involves a 40-day ceasefire and a prisoner exchange, though Hamas' response is awaited.
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BMW hit-and-run case: HC refuses to release accused Mihir Shah on ground of 'illegal' arrest
Mumbai (PTI): The Bombay High Court on Monday refused to release Mihir Shah, the main accused in a BMW hit-and-run case, on the ground of "illegal" arrest.
Shah, the 24-year-old son of a former Shiv Sena leader, and his driver Rajrishi Bidawat had filed petitions in the HC claiming they have been illegally detained and sought immediate release.
Shah was arrested on July 9, two days after he allegedly rammed his BMW car into a two-wheeler in Mumbai's Worli area, killing 45-year-old woman Kaveri Nakhwa and leaving her husband Pradeep injured.
His driver Bidawat, who was also present in the car at the time of the accident, was arrested on the day of the incident.
As per their pleas, the police had not informed them the grounds of their arrest at the time, which they claimed was in violation of the law.
A division bench of Justices Bharati Dangre and Manjusha Deshpande on Monday dismissed the petitions.
"Both the petitions are dismissed," the court said.
The duo sought their release, claiming any further detention would be in utter violation of the constitutional mandate and a failure to comply with Section 50 of the Code of Criminal Procedure.
Under this section, the police, while arresting a person, have to communicate to him/her full particulars of the offence for which he/she is being arrested or other grounds for such arrest.
Both Shah and Bidawat are presently in judicial custody.
In their habeas corpus (produce the person) petitions filed in the HC in August, Shah and Bidawat claimed their detention was illegal and sought that they be released immediately.
Shah, in the plea, sought quashing of the orders passed by a local court remanding him first in police custody and then judicial custody.
He also sought for his arrest to be declared as illegal.
Shah is accused of speeding off towards the Bandra Worli Sea Link after the accident, even as the woman remained on the bonnet of the car and then got entangled in its wheels, for a distance of more than 1.5 kilometres.
As per police, Shah, who fled from the scene, was under the influence of alcohol at the time.
Mihir Shah's father and former Shiv Sena leader Rajesh Shah had also been arrested in the case, but was later granted bail.
