Far-Left British Prime Minister Keir Starmer claimed on Monday that those who are demanding that there be investigations and accountability over the mass rapes of predominately white children in the country by Pakistani rape gangs — and the subsequent coverup by British officials — were trying to &#8220;jump on a bandwagon of the far-Right.&#8221;
Starmer&#8217;s remarks come after Elon Musk has repeatedly hammered the British government for days over the scandal, pumping out posts to his 210 million followers and exposing the violence that young girls have been subjected to along with the British government&#8217;s efforts to keep the scandal quiet so that riots would not break out.
“Those that are spreading lies and misinformation as far and as wide as possible are not interested in victims, they are interested in themselves,” claimed Starmer, who appeared nervous at times.
He said that those calling for investigations were doing so because they wanted to &#8220;jump on a bandwagon of the far-Right.&#8221;
“This is actually an important point about our politics, not what about what anybody may or may not say on Twitter,” he claimed.
Musk <a href="https://x.com/elonmusk/status/1876245946348208601">fired back</a> at Starmer on X: &#8220;What an insane thing to say!&#8221;
&#8220;The real reason is that it would show how Starmer repeatedly ignored the pleas of vast numbers of little girls and their parents, in order to secure political support,&#8221; Musk said. &#8220;Starmer is utterly despicable.&#8221;
The British newspaper The Telegraph highlighted the coverup of the mass rapes by British officials who were worried that exposing the crimes could lead to mass civil unrest and disrupt social cohesion.
The <a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20250104123556/https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/2025/01/04/grooming-gangs-scandal-cover-up-oldham-telford-rotherham/">report</a> highlighted extremely graphic and highly disturbing detailed accounts of the violent sexual assaults that the rape gangs inflicted upon young girls.

Prime Minister Keir Starmer Gives Speech On Plan To Cut NHS Waiting Times

Britain’s Keir Starmer: Those Who Want Probes Into Rape Gangs Are ‘Far Right’

Child rape

Great Britain

Keir Starmer

Pakistan

As Christians throughout the United States celebrate Christmas, tens of millions of their fellow believers face intense persecution for their beliefs and could be endangered if they choose to celebrate the birth of Jesus Christ.
Last year, at least 365 million Christians were persecuted for faith, including thousands who were killed and nearly 300,000 who were displaced, <a href="https://www.opendoorsus.org/en-US/persecution/persecution-trends/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">according</a> to persecution watchdog Open Doors. Open Doors, which puts out a top fifty watchlist every year tracking persecution, said that violent attacks on Christians have only increased in recent years, especially throughout Sub-Saharan Africa. 
“Those things are rising because the church is rising, because the church is growing, because the church is having impact and influence in areas, and the gates of hell are trying to stamp that out,” Open Doors President Ryan Brown told The Daily Wire. 
While many Christians in the West celebrate the birth of Jesus at their churches and with their friends and family, there are many countries where doing so would be dangerous. 
Here are ten of the worst places for persecution around the world, <a href="https://www.opendoors.org/en-US/persecution/countries/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">according</a> to Open Doors.
<h3>1. North Korea </h3>
The one non-Islamic country on the list, communist North Korea is notorious for its state enforced atheism and hatred of Christianity. Whole families can be sent to work camps if someone is found with a Bible in the Hermit Kingdom. 
According to Open Doors, there are around 400,000 Christians in the DPRK who regularly face heavy persecution. 
”Those in power see Christianity as being subversive and being a threat to their power. And in some cases they make an association because they see that as some kind of a tie to the West,” Brown told The Daily Wire. “In other cases it&#8217;s just this idea that anybody willing to lay down their life for something other than the state scares them.”
Brown said that many Christians who have successfully escaped North Korea will return to the country to “seek to live as Christ called them to live, to work and minister to their neighbors.”
<div id="attachment_818433" style="width: 980px" class="wp-caption aligncenter"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" aria-describedby="caption-attachment-818433" class="size-large wp-image-818433" src="https://dw-wp-production.imgix.net/2024/10/North-Korean-military-970x576.jpg" alt="North Korean military officers march during a welcoming ceremony, June 19, 2024, in Pyongyang, North Korea. Russian President Vladimir Putin is arriving to North Korea with a two-days visit. (Photo by Contributor/Getty Images)" width="970" height="576" srcset="https://dw-wp-production.imgix.net/2024/10/North-Korean-military-970x576.jpg 970w, https://dw-wp-production.imgix.net/2024/10/North-Korean-military-300x178.jpg 300w, https://dw-wp-production.imgix.net/2024/10/North-Korean-military-768x456.jpg 768w, https://dw-wp-production.imgix.net/2024/10/North-Korean-military.jpg 1024w" sizes="(max-width: 970px) 100vw, 970px" />Contributor/Getty Images</div>
<h3>2. Somalia </h3>
Known for its constant instability, Somalia is also a very dangerous country for the few hundreds of Christians estimated to live in the country. The predominant form of persecution there comes from Islamic radicals opposed to the growth of Christianity.
Somalia is the first Sub-Saharan country on the list, a region Brown said has been seeing increased violence. 
“There’s been a continued upsurge in violence throughout sub-Saharan Africa where there is a massive issue right now where a total of over 16.2 million Christians in [the region] that have been displaced,” he said. 
Brown urges Christians to join the “<a href="https://www.opendoors.org/en-US/getinvolved/arise-africa/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Arise Africa</a>” campaign which seeks to bring awareness to the widespread persecution in Sub-Saharan Africa. He urged them to pray for the African church and find ways to support them with educational and material needs.
<h3>3. Libya </h3>
This North African neighbor to Egypt was long ruled by dictator Muammar Gaddafi until 2011. The vast majority of Libyans are Sunni Muslims who adhere to Sharia Law. Libya is also home to just 35,000 Christians which is less than 1% of the country’s population. 
According to the U.S. <a href="https://www.state.gov/reports/2022-report-on-international-religious-freedom/libya/">Department of State</a>, &#8220;Muslims who converted to another religion faced intense social and economic pressure to renounce their faith and return to Islam.&#8221;
<div class="hHq9Z">
<div data-hveid="CBQQAA" data-ved="2ahUKEwjAkqfClb-KAxUv4MkDHVkJNe8QlcAGegQIFBAA">
<div class="KsRP6">
<div role="heading" aria-level="2" data-attrid="title"></div>
</div>
</div>
</div>
<h3>4. Eritrea</h3>
Located on the western bank of the Red Sea, Eritrea borders Sudan, Ethiopia, and Djibouti. While Christians make up nearly half (47%) of Eritrea’s population, they face deep challenges as the dictatorial government doesn’t tolerate Christianity <a href="https://www.opendoors.org/en-US/persecution/countries/eritrea/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">outside</a> of three recognized denominations. At least 1,000 Christians are currently estimated to be imprisoned there without having faced any formal charges.
<h3>5. Yemen</h3>
Christians are subject to intense persecution from Islamic radicals in Yemen, which is located at the southern tip of the Arabian Peninsula. In 2024, the Islamic Houthi rebels attacked numerous commercial ships and oil tankers passing through the Red Sea on their way to the Suez Canal, successfully disrupting a major international shipping lane.
According to Open Doors, only a small number of Christians live in Yemen. Like many other Islamic countries, people who convert to Christianity can face severe consequences, even from their families, for their decision.
<div id="attachment_692811" style="width: 876px" class="wp-caption aligncenter"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" aria-describedby="caption-attachment-692811" class="size-large wp-image-692811" src="https://dw-wp-production.imgix.net/2024/02/GettyImages-454468418-866x576.jpg" alt="SANAA, YEMEN - SEPTEMBER 1: Supporters of Yemen's Shiite Houthi group stage anti government protest at Taghyeer square in capital Sanaa, Yemen on September 1, 2014. Shiite Houthi group blocked several main roads across the Yemeni capital Sanaa on Monday in response to a call by their leader Abdul-Malik al-Houthi to escalate action against the government of Prime Minister Mohamed Basindawa. (Photo by Mohammed Hamoud/Anadolu Agency/Getty Images)" width="866" height="576" srcset="https://dw-wp-production.imgix.net/2024/02/GettyImages-454468418-866x576.jpg 866w, https://dw-wp-production.imgix.net/2024/02/GettyImages-454468418-300x200.jpg 300w, https://dw-wp-production.imgix.net/2024/02/GettyImages-454468418-768x511.jpg 768w, https://dw-wp-production.imgix.net/2024/02/GettyImages-454468418.jpg 1024w" sizes="(max-width: 866px) 100vw, 866px" />Mohammed Hamoud/Anadolu Agency/Getty Images</div>
<h3>6. Nigeria</h3>
While Nigeria is home to some very large churches, more Christians are killed in Nigeria than in any other country. In 2023, it was <a href="https://www.opendoorsus.org/en-US/stories/13-christians-killed-day-average/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">reported</a> that over 4,100 Christians were killed in the African country, largely due to Islamic persecution. 
&#8220;There were more people killed in Nigeria last year than all other places in the globe combined, nearly about 80% of those that were martyred for their faith occurred in Nigeria,&#8221; Brown said of those killed for their Christian faith. “In many ways, Nigeria is kind of a concentrated reflection of what we are seeing throughout Sub-Saharan Africa.”
Last year, over 150 Christians <a href="https://www.opendoorsuk.org/news/latest-news/nigeria-attacks-christmas/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">were</a> killed during Christmas Eve attacks by Islamic Fulani herdsmen.
<h3>7. Pakistan</h3>
Pakistan’s four million Christians also face intense persecution for their faith and are often openly prosecuted. According to <a href="https://www.opendoorsuk.org/countries-watch/pakistan/">Open Doors</a>, 1.8% of the population identify as Christian, but due to Pakistan&#8217;s strict blasphemy laws, very few can talk about their faith.
&#8220;Pakistan’s notorious blasphemy laws are often used to target minority groups, but Christians are disproportionately affected – in fact, roughly a quarter of all blasphemy accusations target Christians.&#8221;
Pakistani Christians also face &#8220;institutionalised discrimination&#8221; and are given &#8220;occupations that are deemed low, dirty and degrading – such as working as a sewer cleaner or on a brick kiln – are reserved for Christians by the authorities. Many are referred to as ‘chura’, a derogatory term meaning ‘filthy’.&#8221;
<h3>8. Sudan </h3>
Returning to Sub-Saharan Africa, Sudan’s two million Christians face intense persecution that has only been <a href="https://www.opendoorsus.org/en-US/persecution/countries/sudan/?gad_source=1&amp;gbraid=0AAAAAqQP2Ook0kQ403zkIS6qUIF6Z_g99&amp;gclid=Cj0KCQiAsaS7BhDPARIsAAX5cSBeC5bPV1MmoZNdmwvLl0noggWgPui5AlY9oIlBWuEjblqyMu-YM7UaAqfVEALw_wcB" target="_blank" rel="noopener">exacerbated</a> by the civil unrest in the country as the National Army and the Rapid Support Forces (RSF) battle it out for control. Millions of people, including Christians, have been displaced due to the fighting.
Brown said that Christians will often be targeted and mistreated in refugee camps and not be given access to equal support and aid.
<h3>9. Iran</h3>
Iran’s government targets Christians in Iran with a number of oppressive laws, <a href="https://www.opendoors.org/en-US/persecution/countries/iran/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">including</a> making conversion to Christianity illegal.
“The government views conversion as an attempt by the West to undermine Islam and the Islamic government of Iran,” Open Doors reports. “This means that anyone who is discovered to be a member of a house church can be charged with a crime against national security, which can lead to long prison sentences.”
<div id="attachment_823711" style="width: 874px" class="wp-caption aligncenter"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" aria-describedby="caption-attachment-823711" class="size-large wp-image-823711" src="https://dw-wp-production.imgix.net/2024/11/GettyImages-1037865852-864x576.jpg" alt="" width="864" height="576" srcset="https://dw-wp-production.imgix.net/2024/11/GettyImages-1037865852-864x576.jpg 864w, https://dw-wp-production.imgix.net/2024/11/GettyImages-1037865852-300x200.jpg 300w, https://dw-wp-production.imgix.net/2024/11/GettyImages-1037865852-768x512.jpg 768w, https://dw-wp-production.imgix.net/2024/11/GettyImages-1037865852.jpg 1024w" sizes="(max-width: 864px) 100vw, 864px" />Arnulf Stoffel/picture alliance via Getty Images</div>
<h3>10. Afghanistan</h3>
Only a few thousand Christians are estimated to be in Afghanistan, but they face intense cultural persecution from the Taliban, which has no tolerance for Christianity.
The next World Watch report from Open Doors comes out in January, and Brown urges Christians to try to remember their persecuted brethren through prayer and support on a more frequent basis. He said that much of the persecution is happening in places where the church is actually growing and active.
“Even in those places it seems most dark, and yes it is dark and yes there is evil, but that evil is there because there is a hope there, because there is a light there, because the church is present and the church is working,” he said.
<a href="https://get.dailywire.com/">50% OFF ALL DAILY WIRE ANNUAL MEMBERSHIPS FOR A LIMITED TIME!</a>

Liturgy In Church: Procession Of Ministers, Bearing Holy Cross to Altar, As Congregation Stands In Wonder. Christians Rejoice In Celebration Of Divine Mass. Hymns Praise God

Here Are The 10 Most Dangerous Countries For Christians To Celebrate Christmas

Afghanistan

Bible

Catholics

Christianity

Christians

Church

Iran

Nigeria

North Korea

Somalia

An Islamic man from Pakistan was arrested in <a href="https://www.dailywire.com/topic/canada" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Canada</a> this week for allegedly planning a terrorist attack against Jews in New York City.
The U.S. Department of Justice said late on Friday that Muhammad Shahzeb Khan, 20, was charged with attempting to provide material support and resources to ISIS, a designated foreign terrorist organization (FTO).
Khan &#8220;attempted to travel from Canada to New York City, where he intended to use automatic and semi-automatic weapons to carry out a mass shooting in support of ISIS at a Jewish center in Brooklyn, New York,&#8221; prosecutors said.
He began posting on social media and on an encrypted messaging platform late last year that he supported ISIS and began distributing their propaganda, the DOJ said.
He allegedly told undercover law enforcement sources that he was working with a U.S.-based ISIS terrorist to carry out the attack and that he was trying to create an &#8220;offline cell&#8221; of ISIS terrorists who could launch a coordinated attack killing Jews at synagogues.
He wanted to carry out the attacks on either October 7 — the anniversary of Hamas&#8217; unprecedented terrorist attack in Israel last year in which 1,200 people were murdered — or on October 11, which is the Jewish holiday of Yom Kippur.
He was originally targeting a city only referred to as &#8220;City-1&#8221; in the indictment, but changed the target to New York City.
Khan said that the Muslims were &#8220;going to NYC to slaughter them,&#8221; which he planned to do by shooting them with rifles or using knives to &#8220;slit their throats.&#8221;
&#8220;Khan repeatedly reiterated his desire to carry out the attack in support of ISIS, and discussed planning for the attack, including by identifying rental properties close to Location-1 and paying for a human smuggler to help him reach and cross the border from Canada into the United States,&#8221; the DOJ said. &#8220;During one communication, Khan noted that &#8216;if we succeed with our plan this would be the largest Attack on US soil since 9/11.&#8221;
The DOJ only charged him with a single count of attempting to provide material support and resources to a designated foreign terrorist organization, which carries a maximum of 20 years in prison.
“The defendant was allegedly determined to kill Jewish people here in the United States, nearly one year after Hamas’ horrific attack on Israel. This investigation was led by the FBI, and I am proud of the terrific work by the FBI team and our partners to disrupt Khan&#8217;s plan,” said FBI Director Christopher Wray. “The FBI will continue to work closely with our partners to investigate and hold accountable those who seek to commit violence in the name of ISIS or other terrorist organizations. Fighting terrorism remains the FBI’s top priority.”

Islamic State/Iraq/Syria: A masked Islamic State soldier poses holding the ISIL banner somewhere in the deserts of Iraq or Syria. ISIL publicity image, 2015

Pakistani National Arrested In Canada For Allegedly Plotting Terror Attack In NYC

Canada

ISIS

New York City

Radical Islam

Terrorism

U.S.

A Pakistani man charged with plotting with Iran to assassinate former President Donald Trump and other U.S. officials was allowed into the U.S. even though he was on a terror watchlist.
Asif Raza Merchant, 46, <a href="https://www.dailywire.com/news/feds-arrest-pakistani-man-with-ties-to-iran-for-alleged-plot-to-kill-trump-report" target="_blank" rel="noopener">was arrested</a> last month and charged in a murder-for-hire plot to assassinate a politician or U.S. government official on U.S. soil, the Department of Justice said in <a href="https://www.justice.gov/opa/pr/pakistani-national-ties-iran-charged-connection-foiled-plot-assassinate-politician-or-us" target="_blank" rel="noopener">a press release</a> on Tuesday.
Just The News <a href="https://justthenews.com/government/security/fbi-let-suspect-plot-kill-trump-us-parole-despite-terror-ties-iran-trip-memos" target="_blank" rel="noopener">reported</a> that Merchant was allowed into the U.S. by the FBI in April with special permission known as “significant public benefit parole,” despite being flagged on a terrorism watchlist and having recently spent time in Iran. The outlet obtained government memos showing that the FBI’s Joint Terrorism Task Force interviewed Merchant, fingerprinted him, and inspected his electronic devices when he arrived in Houston but allowed him to leave.
“Subject was polite and cooperative throughout encounter,” the FBI interview memo said. “&#8230; Subject&#8217;s notable travel outside of country of citizenship includes a recent trip to Iran.”
Merchant was arrested on July 12, just one day before Trump <a href="https://www.dailywire.com/news/trump-releases-statement-after-assassination-attempt" target="_blank" rel="noopener">was nearly assassinated</a> at a rally in Butler, Pennsylvania.
Immigration records reviewed by Just The News revealed that Merchant was on a watch list with a note calling him a “Lookout Qualified Person of Interest.”
Several law enforcement officials who spoke to Just The News said Merchant’s parole designation would allow agents to attempt to flip him into cooperating against terrorists or allow them time to determine why he was coming to the U.S. and who he was working with. Those tactics also came with the risk that they would lose track of Merchant, the officials told Just The News.
Merchant was also allowed to remain in the country beyond the expiration date for his parole.
After being allowed into the U.S., Merchant immediately contacted someone he thought could help him allegedly carry out the assassination, the DOJ said. That person contacted law enforcement and became a confidential source (CS) to assist law enforcement in its investigation of Merchant.
<a href="http://www.amiracist.com/" target="_blank" rel="noopener" data-saferedirecturl="https://www.google.com/url?q=http://www.amiracist.com/&amp;source=gmail&amp;ust=1722714742764000&amp;usg=AOvVaw1XzmEsRwzti1RFNuISwYgd">WATCH THE TRAILER FOR ‘AM I RACIST?’ — A MATT WALSH COMEDY ON DEI</a>
Merchant allegedly told the CS that he was assigned to recruit hitmen to steal documents or USB drives from a target’s home, plan protests, and kill politicians or government officials. Merchant expected the CS to plan the assassination and warned him that the target would be surrounded by security. Merchant said the assassination should take place after he left the country and indicated that he had been assigned this task by individuals in Iran or Pakistan.
Undercover federal law enforcement agents posed as hitmen and got Merchant to allegedly agree to $5,000 in payment for the assassinations.
“Notably, when the FBI arrived at his residence to execute the arrest as well as a search warrant for the residence, Merchant refused to exit his residence for approximately 20 minutes after the FBI announced their presence and the search warrant,” court documents said. “During the search, law enforcement agents searched Merchant’s wallet and found the handwritten note inside with the code words that Merchant invented to communicate with the CS about the assassination plot.”
Neither the DOJ nor court documents mentioned Trump as Merchant’s target, but The New York Daily News <a href="https://www.nydailynews.com/2024/08/06/pakistani-man-tied-to-iran-eyed-donald-trump-in-political-assassination-plot-source/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">said</a> a source told the outlet that this was the case.

Asif Raza Merchant

Pakistani Suspect In Plot To Kill Trump Was Allowed Into U.S. Even Though He Was On Terror Watchlist

Suspect In Plot To Kill Trump Was Allowed Into U.S. Even Though He Was On Terror Watchlist

assassination

Crime

Donald Trump

A Pakistani national with what FBI Director Christopher Wray called “close ties to Iran” was arrested and charged with orchestrating a scheme to reportedly <a href="https://www.cbsnews.com/news/pakistani-iran-murder-plot-u-s-officials/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">assassinate</a> former President Trump as well as other government officials.
According to court documents, in April 2024, Asif Merchant, 46, who revealed he has a wife and children in both Iran and Pakistan, came to the U.S. after spending time in Iran. He contacted someone about his alleged scheme; that person, who became a confidential source (CS), then contacted the FBI. In early June in New York, Merchant met the CS and outlined his alleged plot to commit a series of assassinations in the U.S.
<a href="http://www.amiracist.com/" target="_blank" rel="noopener" data-saferedirecturl="https://www.google.com/url?q=http://www.amiracist.com/&amp;source=gmail&amp;ust=1722714742764000&amp;usg=AOvVaw1XzmEsRwzti1RFNuISwYgd">WATCH THE TRAILER FOR ‘AM I RACIST?’ — A MATT WALSH COMEDY ON DEI</a>
“Merchant explained that his plot involved multiple criminal schemes: (1) stealing documents or USB drives from a target’s home; (2) planning a protest; and (3) killing a politician or government official,” the Department of Justice <a href="https://www.justice.gov/opa/pr/pakistani-national-ties-iran-charged-connection-foiled-plot-assassinate-politician-or-us" target="_blank" rel="noopener">stated.</a> &#8220;Merchant stated that the assassination would occur after he left the United States and he would communicate with the CS from overseas using code words. The CS asked whether Merchant had spoken to the unidentified ‘party’ back home with whom Merchant was working. Merchant responded that he had and that the party back home told him to ‘finalize’ the plan and leave the United States.”
On June 21, Merchant met with undercover U.S. law enforcement officers in New York, giving them $5,000 in advance.
“After Merchant paid the $5,000 to the UCs, one of the UCs stated, ‘now we’re bonded,’ to which Merchant responded ‘yes.’ The UC then stated ‘Now we know we’re going forward. We’re doing this,’ to which Merchant responded ‘Yes, absolutely,’” the DOJ stated.
Merchant was arrested on July 12, 2024, the day he planned to leave the country.
An assassination attempt against former President Trump occurred on July 13. No evidence has yet been offered to connect that event with Merchant.

Donald Trump Addresses National Association Of Black Journalists Convention

Pakistani With ‘Close Ties To Iran’ Charged In Scheme To Assassinate Trump, Others

Qassem Soleimani

Federal law enforcement officials announced on Tuesday that they have arrested a <a href="https://www.dailywire.com/topic/pakistan" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Pakistan national</a> with ties to the Islamic Republic of Iran for allegedly leading a serious plot to assassinate former President Donald Trump.
Authorities arrested 46-year-old Asif Raza Merchant in New York on July 12, the day before 20-year-old Thomas Matthew Crooks shot Trump during a rally in Butler, Pennsylvania.
&#8220;Merchant orchestrated a plot to assassinate a politician or U.S. government officials on U.S. soil,&#8221; the DOJ said. &#8220;In approximately April 2024, after spending time in Iran, Merchant arrived in the United States from Pakistan and contacted a person he believed could assist him with the scheme.&#8221;
The person whom he contacted immediately contacted law enforcement and became a confidential source (the CS), assisting law enforcement in their investigation.
Merchant told the CS in June that his assignment was to recruit hitmen who could carry out three objectives, including stealing documents or USB drives from a target’s home, planning a protest, and killing a politician or government official, court documents said.
Merchant wanted the CS to plan the assassination and warned that the target would have security &#8220;all around,&#8221; the DOJ said. Merchant, who allegedly indicated that he was being directed by individuals in either Iran or Pakistan, said that the assassination would take place after he left the country and that they would use secret code words to communicate.
<a href="http://www.amiracist.com/" target="_blank" rel="noopener" data-saferedirecturl="https://www.google.com/url?q=http://www.amiracist.com/&amp;source=gmail&amp;ust=1722714742764000&amp;usg=AOvVaw1XzmEsRwzti1RFNuISwYgd">WATCH THE TRAILER FOR ‘AM I RACIST?’ — A MATT WALSH COMEDY ON DEI</a>
Undercover federal law enforcement agents posed as the hitmen who would carry out Merchant&#8217;s assignments and agreed to a $5,000 payment to carry out the crimes.
&#8220;Notably, when the FBI arrived at his residence to execute the arrest as well as a search warrant for the residence, Merchant refused to exit his residence for approximately 20 minutes after the FBI announced their presence and the search warrant,&#8221; court documents said. &#8220;During the search, law enforcement agents searched Merchant’s wallet and found the handwritten note inside with the code words that Merchant invented to communicate with the CS about the assassination plot.&#8221;
While court documents did not specifically name any of the proposed targets, the New York Daily News <a href="https://www.nydailynews.com/2024/08/06/pakistani-man-tied-to-iran-eyed-donald-trump-in-political-assassination-plot-source/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">said</a> that a source indicated that Trump was one of the targets that Merchant discussed.
The U.S. Secret Service had <a href="https://www.dailywire.com/news/intel-of-iranian-plot-to-assassinate-trump-led-secret-service-to-boost-security-before-rally-shooting-reports" target="_blank" rel="noopener">reportedly</a> been tracking an Iranian assassination plot in the weeks prior to Crooks shooting the president last month. The Office of the Director of National Intelligence recently <a href="https://www.dailywire.com/news/iran-is-working-to-ruin-trumps-presidential-campaign-u-s-intelligence-assessment" target="_blank" rel="noopener">said</a> that Iran is trying to ruin Trump&#8217;s presidential campaign.
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-width="500" data-dnt="true">
This is Pakistani National Asif Merchant with ties to Iran who has been arrested in United States for a plot to assassinate former US President Donald Trump. <a href="https://t.co/BRhTBcKZHi">pic.twitter.com/BRhTBcKZHi</a>
&mdash; Aditya Raj Kaul (@AdityaRajKaul) <a href="https://twitter.com/AdityaRajKaul/status/1820919296974872664?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">August 6, 2024</a></blockquote>
<script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

Former President Trump And VP Nominee Sen. JD Vance Hold Rally In St. Cloud, Minnesota

Feds Arrest Pakistani Man With Ties To Iran For Alleged Plot To Kill Trump: Report

Western intelligence and defense officials are reportedly concerned about the missile that the <a href="https://www.dailywire.com/topic/iran" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Islamic Republic of Iran</a> used this week to conduct strikes in neighboring countries in the Middle East and Asia.
Iran launched attacks early this week inside Syria and Iraq, claiming that it targeted militant groups and Israel&#8217;s Mossad.
Iran then upped the stakes with their belligerent behavior when they launched attacks against militant groups inside Pakistan. Pakistan, which faces a giant adversary in India on the other side of the country, was forced to respond with its own attacks against groups inside Iran.
The attacks grabbed officials&#8217; attention due to the range and the accuracy that Iran&#8217;s missiles had, which far surpassed the capabilities of their old Soviet-era missiles.
The New York Times <a href="https://www.nytimes.com/2024/01/18/world/middleeast/iran-missile-program.html" target="_blank" rel="noopener">reported</a> that the West had long believed the only threat that Iran posed was its cyberattacks, which even then were limited compared to Western cyber abilities.
However, Iran&#8217;s ability to manufacture suicide drones by the thousands — which Russia is buying and using in Ukraine — combined with its use of its new Kheibar Shekan ballistic missile in this week&#8217;s attacks have forced officials to reconsider their defense posture toward Iran.
&#8220;Unveiled in 2022, the Kheibar Shekan is a solid-propellant precision-guided missile that has a range of 1,450 kilometers, or about 900 miles — meaning it can hit Israel,&#8221; the report said. &#8220;But what makes it stand out from the rest of Iran’s arsenal is that its warhead can nimbly maneuver with tiny aerodynamic fins to evade at least some traditional air-defense systems.&#8221;
<a href="https://onelink.to/dwapp" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" aria-describedby="sk-tooltip-9096" data-saferedirecturl="https://www.google.com/url?q=https://onelink.to/dwapp&amp;source=gmail&amp;ust=1700760801843000&amp;usg=AOvVaw2PQrVSrJfhxNb4LcARqniG">CLICK HERE TO GET THE DAILYWIRE+ APP</a>
Experts said that while Iran appears to have miscalculated with its attack on Pakistan, it was trying to showcase their newer missiles to appease their citizens after there have been multiple attacks carried out inside Iran over the last few weeks. They said Iran likely used the missiles to test them in combat conditions, send a message to Israel and the U.S., and to attract new customers as the nation becomes one of the top arms suppliers in the region.

IRAN-POLITICS-MILITARY

Western Officials Concerned About Missile That Iran Used In Recent Attacks: Report

Military Weapons

World

<a href="https://www.dailywire.com/topic/pakistan" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Pakistan</a> announced early on Thursday morning local time that it had carried out military strikes inside of Iran after Iran killed innocent civilians inside Pakistan earlier this week during military strikes against a Pakistani militant group.
Pakistan’s Foreign Ministry said that the strikes were &#8220;highly coordinated&#8221; and specifically targeted &#8220;terrorist hideouts&#8221; in Siestan-o-Baluchistan province of Iran.
The operation, codenamed Operation Marg Bar Sarmachar, killed numerous terrorists inside Iran, the statement said.
&#8220;Over the last several years, in our engagements with Iran, Pakistan has consistently shared its serious concerns about the safe havens and sanctuaries enjoyed by Pakistani origin terrorists calling themselves *Sarmachars* on the ungoverned spaces inside Iran,&#8221; the statement said. &#8220;Pakistan also shared multiple dossiers with concrete evidence of the presence and activities of these terrorists.&#8221;
Pakistan said that Iran did not take the information seriously, did not act, and thus those terrorists have killed innocent Pakistanis.
&#8220;This morning’s action was taken in light of credible intelligence of impending large scale terrorist activities by these so called Sarmachars,&#8221; the statement said. &#8220;This action is a manifestation of Pakistan’s unflinching resolve to protect and defend its national security against all threats. The successful execution of this highly complex operation is also a testimony to the professionalism of the Pakistan Armed Forces. Pakistan will continue to take all necessary steps to preserve the safety and security of its people which is sacrosanct, inviolable and sacred.&#8221;
<a href="https://onelink.to/dwapp" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" aria-describedby="sk-tooltip-9096" data-saferedirecturl="https://www.google.com/url?q=https://onelink.to/dwapp&amp;source=gmail&amp;ust=1700760801843000&amp;usg=AOvVaw2PQrVSrJfhxNb4LcARqniG">CLICK HERE TO GET THE DAILYWIRE+ APP</a>
The statement took a swipe at Iran, saying that Pakistan &#8220;fully respects the sovereignty and territorial integrity of the Islamic Republic of Iran.&#8221; Earlier in the week, Pakistan condemned Iran for violating its sovereignty when Iran launched its strikes.
&#8220;As a responsible member of the international community, Pakistan upholds the principles and purposes of the UN Charter including territorial integrity and sovereignty of member states,&#8221; the statement said. &#8220;Guided by these principles, and in exercise of our legitimate rights within international law, Pakistan will never allow its sovereignty and territorial integrity to be challenged, under any pretext or circumstances.&#8221;

JF-17 Thunder fighter jet

Pakistan Carries Out Retaliatory Strikes Inside Of Iran

General

Military

<a href="https://www.dailywire.com/topic/pakistan" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Pakistan</a> threatened the Islamic Republic of Iran with &#8220;serious consequences&#8221; on Wednesday after Iran fired missiles and drones into the country that it claimed were aimed at militant bases near the border.
The strikes <a href="https://www.dailywire.com/news/iran-launches-missiles-drones-into-pakistan" target="_blank" rel="noopener">reportedly</a> targeted two bases of the militant group Jaish al-Adl after it mounted attacks against Iranian forces on the Pakistan-Iran border.
Pakistan&#8217;s Foreign Ministry <a href="https://mofa.gov.pk/press-releases/pakistans-strong-condemnation-of-the-unprovoked-violation-of-its-air-space" target="_blank" rel="noopener">said</a> that the attack resulted &#8220;in [the] death of two innocent children while injuring three girls,&#8221; adding that the violation of Pakistan’s sovereignty was &#8220;completely unacceptable and can have serious consequences.&#8221;
&#8220;It is even more concerning that this illegal act has taken place despite the existence of several channels of communication between Pakistan and Iran,&#8221; the statement said. &#8220;Pakistan&#8217;s strong protest has already been lodged with the concerned senior official in the Iranian Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Tehran. Additionally, the Iranian Charge d’affaires has been called to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs to convey our strongest condemnation of this blatant violation of Pakistan&#8217;s sovereignty and that the responsibility for the consequences will lie squarely with Iran.&#8221;
Foreign Minister Jalil Abbas Jilani <a href="https://mofa.gov.pk/press-releases/foreign-minister-receives-telephone-call-of-the-foreign-minister-of-iran" target="_blank" rel="noopener">told</a> his counterpart in Iran on Wednesday that the incident has caused &#8220;serious damage to bilateral ties between Pakistan and Iran&#8221; and that Pakistan reserves the right &#8220;to respond to this provocative act.&#8221;
<a href="https://onelink.to/dwapp" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" aria-describedby="sk-tooltip-9096" data-saferedirecturl="https://www.google.com/url?q=https://onelink.to/dwapp&amp;source=gmail&amp;ust=1700760801843000&amp;usg=AOvVaw2PQrVSrJfhxNb4LcARqniG">CLICK HERE TO GET THE DAILYWIRE+ APP</a>
Iran’s attacks inside Pakistan came only a day after it launched strikes inside Syria and Iraq, one of which was very close to the U.S. Consulate in Erbil, Iraq.
Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) claimed that they were targeting the “headquarters of spies” and “anti-Iranian terrorist gatherings in parts of the region.” The IRGC claimed the facilities it targeted belonged to Israel’s Mossad intelligence agency. Iran claimed that Mossad was behind “terrorist activities in the region.&#8221;

PAKISTAN-POLITICS-DEFENCE

Pakistan Threatens ‘Serious Consequences’ After Iran Launches Attacks Inside Country

Pakistan Threatens 'Serious Consequences' After Iran Launches Attacks Inside Country

Middle East

The Islamic Republic of Iran launched missiles and drones in an attack Tuesday on an anti-Iranian militant group inside Pakistan — a nuclear-armed country — in a move that threatens to rapidly increase already inflamed tensions in the region.
The strikes reportedly targeted two bases of the militant group Jaish al-Adl after it mounted attacks against Iranian forces on the Pakistan-Iran border.
The Associated Press <a href="https://apnews.com/article/iran-iraq-militant-bases-attack-05c7530d66fb05dd6f2868527003ba2d">noted</a> that Iran and Pakistan have long viewed each other with suspicion and that the strike could send relations between the two countries spiraling.
Iran&#8217;s attacks inside Pakistan came only a day after it launched strikes inside Syria and Iraq, one of which was very close to the U.S. Consulate in Erbil, Iraq.
Iran&#8217;s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) <a href="https://www.dailywire.com/news/iran-launches-ballistic-missile-strike-near-u-s-consulate-in-iraq">claimed</a> that they were targeting the “headquarters of spies” and “anti-Iranian terrorist gatherings in parts of the region”. The IRGC claimed the facilities it targeted belonged to Israel’s Mossad intelligence agency. Iran claimed that Mossad was behind “terrorist activities in the region,” which is false.
Several people were killed in the attacks, according to ABC News. No American casualties were reported.
<a href="https://onelink.to/dwapp" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" aria-describedby="sk-tooltip-9096" data-saferedirecturl="https://www.google.com/url?q=https://onelink.to/dwapp&amp;source=gmail&amp;ust=1705510074718000&amp;usg=AOvVaw0AUF_7JA6ijKSA6PhcgJG0">CLICK HERE TO GET THE DAILYWIRE+ APP</a>
The attacks come after Iran has activated its proxies throughout the region to launch more than 120 attacks against U.S. forces since October 17, just a little over a week after Hamas murdered 1,200+ Israelis in an unprecedented terrorist attack.
Other Iranian proxies, Hezbollah and Hamas, have continued launching attacks against Israel while the Iranian-backed Houthis in Yemen have launched dozens of attacks against merchant ships in international waters in the Red Sea.

Iran – Missile

Iran Launches Missiles, Drones Into Pakistan

Pakistan is reportedly deporting over 1.5 million Afghans from the country as part of the government&#8217;s removal of illegal immigrants as part of a “repatriation plan.”
“Of the roughly 4 million Afghans living in Pakistan, about 1.7 million people are thought to be in the crosshairs of this ‘repatriation plan,’” The Washington Post <a href="https://www.washingtonpost.com/world/2023/11/06/pakistan-undocumented-afghanistan-refugee-expel-migrants/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">reported</a>.
“The UN estimates that more than 200,000 Afghans without papers have left Pakistan for Afghanistan since Islamabad announced its &#8216;Illegal Foreigners Repatriation Plan&#8217; just over a month ago,” the Financial Times <a href="https://www.ft.com/content/d839746e-75e3-4dae-979b-d4160cddfe9c" target="_blank" rel="noopener">stated</a>.
The current interior minister, Sarfraz Bugti, cited security from terrorism as a driving force behind the decision; he said that 14 out of 24 major terrorist attacks in Pakistan in 2023 were executed by Afghan nationals.
He <a href="https://www.voanews.com/a/pakistan-to-begin-deportation-of-1-7-million-undocumented-afghans/7294939.html" target="_blank" rel="noopener">said</a> at the beginning of October, “All illegal immigrants residing in Pakistan have until November 1 to return to their countries voluntarily. And if they fail to leave by the deadline, all our state law enforcement agencies will unleash an operation with full-throttle to deport them.  &#8230; We have come under 24 suicide bomb attacks since January, and 14 of them were carried out by Afghan nationals. &#8230; We have evidence that Afghans were involved in these attacks and are taking up the issue through our foreign ministry with Taliban authorities in Afghanistan.”
<a href="https://onelink.to/dwapp" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" aria-describedby="sk-tooltip-9096" data-saferedirecturl="https://www.google.com/url?q=https://onelink.to/dwapp&amp;source=gmail&amp;ust=1687352286746000&amp;usg=AOvVaw2XxW0VTdKx-2nQAhkiTR8M">CLICK HERE TO GET THE DAILYWIRE+ APP</a>
&#8220;The military, which exerts heavy influence over the caretaker regime, is likely driving the policy,” Michael Kugelman the director of the South Asia Institute at the Wilson Center, said. “But it’s letting the caretaker regime — which need not worry about political blowback — take any public flak.”
After the Taliban took over Afghanistan in 2021, between 600,000 and 800,000 Afghans reportedly fled Afghanistan and settled in Pakistan. The Pakistani government has <a href="https://www.reuters.com/world/asia-pacific/afghans-return-taliban-rule-pakistan-moves-expel-17-million-2023-10-31/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">asserted</a> that only 2.2 million Afghans of the roughly 3.8 million living in Pakistan have a government-approved document that certifies their eligibility to stay in the country.
In July, after 12 Pakistani soldiers were killed in a terrorist attack, Pakistan’s military <a href="https://www.voanews.com/a/pakistan-terrorists-enjoy-safe-havens-in-afghanistan/7181276.html" target="_blank" rel="noopener">said</a>, “Such attacks are intolerable and would elicit an effective response from the security forces of Pakistan. The involvement of Afghan nationals in acts of terrorism in Pakistan is another important concern that needs to be addressed.”

PAKISTAN-AFGHANISTAN-DEPORTATIONS

Pakistan To Expel Over 1.5 Million Afghans, Cites Terrorism As Reason

Expulsion

A Christian community in Pakistan found itself under attack on Wednesday as a Muslim mob reportedly vandalized churches, torched homes, and burned Bibles after two Christians were accused of blasphemy. 
At least two churches were vandalized and one was burned in Jaranwala, a largely Christian area in the Faisalabad district in eastern Pakistan, <a href="https://apnews.com/article/pakistan-muslim-attack-churches-blasphemy-christian-faisalabad-bc671037bdd389af6b67e0292cc18582" target="_blank" rel="noopener">according</a> to the Associated Press. In addition to the mob – <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2023/aug/16/churches-attacked-faisalabad-pakistan-blasphemy-claim" target="_blank" rel="noopener">armed</a> with rocks and sticks – attacking places of worship, at least one home was demolished while several others were vandalized, though some reports say more churches were damaged. Many Christians were forced to flee their homes for safety. 
“We, Bishops, Priests and lay people are deeply pained and distressed at the Jaranwala incident in the Faisalabad District in Pakistan,” Bishop Azad Marshall, the moderator bishop of the Church of Pakistan, <a href="https://twitter.com/BishopAzadM/status/1691729068889354251" target="_blank" rel="noopener">posted to X</a> Wednesday. “A church building is being burnt as I type this message. Bibles have been desecrated and Christians have been tortured and harrased (sic) having been falsely accused of violating the Holy Quran.”
“We cry out for justice and action from law enforcement and those who dispense justice and the safety of all citizens to intervene immediately and assure us that our lives are valuable in our own homeland that has just celebrated independence and freedom,” Marshall added.
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-width="500" data-dnt="true">
Words fail me as I write this. We, Bishops, Priests and lay people are deeply pained and distressed at the Jaranwala incident in the Faisalabad District in Pakistan. A church building is being burnt as I type this message. Bibles have been desecrated and Christians have been… <a href="https://t.co/xruE83NPXL">pic.twitter.com/xruE83NPXL</a>
&mdash; Bishop Azad Marshall (@BishopAzadM) <a href="https://twitter.com/BishopAzadM/status/1691729068889354251?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">August 16, 2023</a></blockquote>
<script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>
Two Christian members of the community were accused by the mob of blasphemy, alleging that they desecrated a Quran by tearing out pages and writing insulting things in others, according to the AP. Pakistan has notoriously harsh laws relating to blasphemy, and those convicted of it can be sentenced to death. 
The AP notes that even a simple accusation of blasphemy is enough for a mob to lynch and kill the accused, who are often Christians. According to <a href="https://www.opendoorsus.org/en-US/persecution/countries/pakistan/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Open Doors</a>, a Christian organization committed to serving persecuted Christians worldwide, roughly 25% of blasphemy accusations are levied against Christians, who make up less than 2% of Pakistan’s population.   
Videos on social media have emerged showing the scenes in Pakistan, with the mob toppling crosses from the tops of churches, throwing furniture from windows, and burning fires in the streets. 
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-width="500" data-dnt="true">
Pakistan🚨 Alarming situation in Faisalabad. Christian community under attack over charges of Blasphemy.
Majority muslim mob has already burned 3 churches. Mob is heading to the 4th church in Faisalabad.
Several Christian homes, properties and churches have been burned down.… <a href="https://t.co/qjPjPFKaFf">pic.twitter.com/qjPjPFKaFf</a>
&mdash; Megh Updates 🚨™ (@MeghUpdates) <a href="https://twitter.com/MeghUpdates/status/1691744360906506433?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">August 16, 2023</a></blockquote>
<script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>
France24 news <a href="https://www.france24.com/en/live-news/20230816-mob-burns-pakistani-churches-vandalises-cemetery-over-alleged-blasphemy" target="_blank" rel="noopener">reported</a> that some videos showed mosque loudspeakers encouraging followers to demonstrate: &#8220;Christians have desecrated the Holy Koran. All the clerics, all the Muslims should unite and gather in front of the mosque. Better to die if you don&#8217;t care about Islam,&#8221; a Muslim cleric reportedly said.
&#8220;They broke the windows, doors and took out fridges, sofas, chairs and other household items to pile them up in front of the Church to be burnt. They also burnt and desecrated Bibles, they were ruthless,&#8221; one Christian who fled his home <a href="https://www.france24.com/en/live-news/20230816-mob-burns-pakistani-churches-vandalises-cemetery-over-alleged-blasphemy" target="_blank" rel="noopener">told</a> AFP.
<a class="c-link c-link--focus-visible" href="https://onelink.to/dwapp" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" data-stringify-link="https://onelink.to/dwapp" data-sk="tooltip_parent" aria-describedby="sk-tooltip-42712">CLICK HERE TO GET THE DAILY WIRE APP</a>
Anwaar-ul-Haq Kakar, the interim Prime Minister of Pakistan – which is 97% Muslim – posted to X that “Stern action would be taken against those who violate law and target minorities. All law enforcement has been asked to apprehend culprits &amp; bring them to justice.” However, as the AP notes, earlier video shows police officers failing to promptly intervene to stop the attacks. 
The crowd was eventually dispersed by police firing into the air and with assistance from Muslim clerics and Pakistani troops – and the promise to arrest the accused Christians. Police chief Rizwan Khan said that all people involved in the mob would be prosecuted. 
According to Open Doors, the police force in Pakistan “is more interested in appeasing local strongmen than implementing the law and protecting minorities.” The organization notes that Christians often sit in prison for years before the courts determine their fate. 
According to the <a href="https://twitter.com/MeghUpdates/status/1691744360906506433" target="_blank" rel="noopener">2023 Open Doors World Watch List</a>, of the top 50 countries that most severely and frequently persecute Christians, Pakistan ranks number 7, with the most frequent types of persecution being Islamic oppression, ethno-religious hostility, dictatorial paranoia, and organized crime.

TOPSHOT-PAKISTAN-RELIGION-CRIME-CHURCH

Muslim Mob Attacks Christian Churches And Homes In Pakistan Following Blasphemy Allegations

Muslim Mob Attacks Several Christian Churches And Homes In Pakistan Following Blasphemy Allegations

Religion

Menu