Fresh Anti-Hindu Attack On Social Media Over Planned Carolina Temple, That Will Have World’s Tallest Murugan Statue
New Age Islam News Bureau
03 November 2025
Under-construction Murugan temple in Carolina became the new target of Hindu hate on social media.
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· Fresh Anti-Hindu Attack On Social Media Over Planned Carolina Temple, That Will Have World’s Tallest Murugan Statue
· You Will All Die If You Come To Nigeria – Former Niger Delta Militant Leader, Asari Dokubo, Sends Warning To Trump, US Army
· UP: Imam Booked For Playing Loudspeaker At Shamli Mosque ‘Beyond Permissible Decibel Limit’
· Sugarush Music Festival Turns Jeddah Into A Retro Candyland Of Sound And Celebration
· Settlers Storm Al-Aqsa Mosque Under Israeli Occupation Forces' Protection
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North America
· Madison Masjid Hosts Meet Your Muslim Neighbour Event
· 'Have enough nukes to blow world 150 times': Nuclear testing, Mamdani & more — 10 things Donald Trump told 60 Minutes
· Trump tariffs head to Supreme Court in case eagerly awaited around the world
· US and China to reopen military hotlines – Hegseth
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Africa
· Nigeria, Germany Deepen Economic Ties As Trade Volume Rises To €3 Billion
· PDP Crisis Deepens As Makinde, Other Governors Plot Comeback Against Wike Camp
· Egypt's immense new antiquities museum opens after two-decade build
· Catholic Pope renews call for Sudan ceasefire and humanitarian corridors
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India
· Omar Abdullah Revives Age-Old ‘Darbar Move’ To Bridge Gap Between Jammu And Srinagar
· Taliban To Appoint Its 1st Diplomat In Delhi This Month; India And Afghanistan Set To Ramp Up Their Diplomatic Relations
· Rs 20 Lakh In Fake Notes Seized, Muslim Cleric Among Those Arrested in MP’s Khandwa
· ‘Even Trump Doesn’t Know What Could Happen Tomorrow’: Army Chief Upendra Dwivedi Says Future Threats Unpredictable
· PM Modi Invokes Operation Sindoor, Pakistan In Vote Hunt Ahead Of Bihar Election
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Arab World
· AlUla’s Timeless Heritage Earns Global Acclaim
· Traditional Houses, Farms In Qassim Transformed Into Year-Round Heritage Destinations
· Jeddah hosts fourth Japanese Speech Contest
· Saudi, UK foreign ministers discuss regional developments in Riyadh
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Mideast
· Israel says it received the remains of 3 hostages from Gaza as fragile ceasefire holds
· Gaza children gradually return to school after two years of war
· Iraq’s foreign minister calls for disarmament of ‘PKK elements’ in north
· Israeli Gaza strike kills 1, sides trade blame for truce violations
· Syrian leader to discuss sanctions, reconstruction in US visit: FM
· Qatar, Uzbekistan forge stronger ties for shared progress
· Oman’s maritime history through the ages: A legacy of profound cultural and civilizational heritage
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Europe
· Plans For Mosque In Birmingham Refused Amid Parking Fears
· Lancashire mosque seeks to boost its Islamic identity with new addition
· Protesters and government supporters clash on streets of Belgrade
· Kiev has received more Patriot missile systems – Zelensky
· Nato 'will stand with Ukraine' to get long-lasting peace, senior official tells BBC
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Southeast Asia
· VP Gibran: Indonesia Aims to Nurture Islamic Students Skilled in AI and Blockchain
· Indonesia's Prabowo Ranks 15th on the World's 500 Most Influential Muslims 2026 List
· ‘The Beast’ glides: Nanta celebrates Trump’s smooth ride as win for Malaysian roads
· Housing Minister reaffirms commitment to media freedom after recent controversy
· Malaysia calls for immediate end to violence in Sudan, protection of civilians
· Malaysia signs bilateral deals to boost CCUS investment and cut costs
· Malaysian King’s state visit to Saudi Arabia and Bahrain brings benefits
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South Asia
· Cultural Exhibition Held in Balkh to Honora Uzbek Language, Heritage
· Afghanistan Has Sovereign Right to Manage Its Waters: Mujahid
· Kabul, Tehran Review Draft Agreement for Upcoming Joint Economic Commission Meeting
· Afghanistan, China Discuss Economic Cooperation
· Herat’s Handwoven Carpet Exports Rise, Generating Over $270,000
· Powerful 6.3-Magnitude Earthquake Damages Historic Shrine in Mazar-e-Sharif, Killing Dozens
Compiled by New Age Islam News Bureau
URL: https://newageislam.com/islamic-world-news/anti-hindu-attack-carolina-temple-social-media/d/137502
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Fresh Anti-Hindu Attack On Social Media Over Planned Carolina Temple, That Will Have World’s Tallest Murugan Statue
Nov 3, 2025
Under-construction Murugan temple in Carolina became the new target of Hindu hate on social media.
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After Texas' Hanuman Statue, Ganesh Chaturthi procession drew anti-Hindu hatred on social media, now a planned Murugan temple in Carolina is at the centre of a fresh Hinduphobic attack. According to the website of the temple, the project, conceived in 2018, will have a temple, the world's tallest Murugan statue, a Tamil cultural museum and a Tamil library.
Stephen Horn, an independent journalist, reported that while the temple is still to be developed, the organization has been raising funds selling "blessed" sarees.
"Hindus have acquired over a hundred acres for a massive temple complex in the rural town of Moncure, NC. The Tamils plan to build the world's largest statute of their "warrior god" Murugan, which would be taller than the Statue of Liberty," Horn's viral post said. "However, the "Carolina Murugan Temple" site appears to still be largely undeveloped while the organization attempts to fundraise the millions and millions of dollars required with events such as a fundraiser today selling "blessed" Sarees," Horn added.
"Hindus in North Carolina have acquired over 130 acres of residential land and are CURRENTLY building a MASSIVE temple with plans for a 155-foot statue of Lord Murugan, the Hindu god of war. The statue will be taller than the Statue of Liberty..." former nuclear scientist for US Dept of Energy Matt Van Swol commented.
Texas Republican leader Alexander Duncan, who called Lord Hanuman a false god, said: "This is not what the Founding Fathers envisioned when they wrote the First Amendment".
The controversy came amid Vice President JD Vance distancing himself from his wife, Usha Vance's Hindu religion and hoping that one day she would embrace Christianity.
'We are also spreading love'
Stop Hindu Hate Advocacy Network posted the photos of tall Jesus Christ statues in India and replied that it is the same thing. "65 feet statue of Jesus in Puthiragoundampalayam, Salem, Tamil Nadu. Jesus statue at Velankanni Church, Nagapattinam, Tamil Nadu. You are spreading "love" in India. We are spreading "love" in North Carolina! Same to same!" the organization wrote.
Source: indiatimes.com
Please click the following URL to read the text of the original Story
https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/world/us/not-what-founding-fathers-envisioned-fresh-anti-hindu-attack-on-social-media-over-carolina-murugan-temple/articleshow/125040969.cms
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You Will All Die If You Come To Nigeria – Former Niger Delta Militant Leader, Asari Dokubo, Sends Warning To Trump, US Army
November 3, 2025
By Justina Otio
Former Niger Delta militant leader, Asari Dokubo, has warned United States President Donald Trump and the US military that Nigeria will be their graveyard if the military strike threat on the country is carried out.
Speaking via Facebook, he warned that US soldiers will be killed if they invade Nigeria in line with Trump’s threat.
The former leader of the Niger Delta People’s Volunteer Force (NDPVF) stated that the US is filled with insane people, and this is the reason Trump is their President.
He insisted that the killings in question are not about Christians alone, adding that Muslims are also being massacred.
Dokubo said: “Let Trump come with his America, they will all die, this lunatic wants to annex Canada, he wants Iceland, wants to kill the president of Venezuela, he wants to kill the Supreme leader of Iran.
“And that is why when they talk of America, I say it’s a sick country, a country of mad people, insane people, and that is why they can elect a lunatic as their president.
“Everybody knows that people are being killed left, right and centre, this is not a lie. But is it Muslim or Christian? I’m a Muslim who is in the oasis of non-Muslims.
“What I am today was not made by Muslims, I was made by non-Muslims, you people talk too much. We always tell you that we don’t just talk, we perform.”
Source: naijanews.com
Please click the following URL to read the text of the original Story
https://www.naijanews.com/2025/11/03/you-will-all-die-if-you-come-to-nigeria-asari-dokubo-sends-warning-to-trump-us-army/
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UP: Imam booked for playing loudspeaker at Shamli mosque ‘beyond permissible decibel limit’
Scroll Staff
Nov 3, 2025
Shamli district in Uttar Pradesh
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The police in Uttar Pradesh’s Shamli district have filed a first information report against an imam, or religious leader, for allegedly playing a loudspeaker at a mosque beyond the permissible decibel limit, The Indian Express reported on Monday.
Maulana Rafique Khan, the imam of Ghumthal village, had been repeatedly warned against breaching the decibel limit following complaints from residents, the newspaper quoted the police as saying.
However, the decibel level at which the loudspeaker was playing was not specified.
Khan was booked on a complaint by Sub-Inspector Sonu Chaudhary, who claimed that he found the mosque’s loudspeaker volume exceeding permissible levels during a routine patrol.
Manoj Verma, the station house officer of Baniyather Police Station, said that Chaudhary had previously warned the imam against playing the loudspeaker at a high volume, The Indian Express reported.
“When his [Chaudhary’s] instructions were ignored, the officer lodged a formal complaint that led to the registration of the FIR,” the newspaper quoted Verma as saying.
The FIR against Khan was filed under sections of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita pertaining to disobedience to order duly promulgated by a public servant and continuance of nuisance after injunction to discontinue.
Verma also claimed that some residents had earlier complained about the loudspeaker’s high volume.
A police team had visited the mosque and advised the imam to keep the sound within permissible limits, he was quoted as saying.
“Since no corrective action was taken and the violation was repeated, the police have now initiated legal proceedings in the matter,” The Indian Express quoted Verma as saying.
Ghumthal is a Hindu-majority village, unidentified police officers told The Indian Express.
Security personnel have been deployed at the village as a precautionary measure to prevent any untoward incident, Verma added.
Source: scroll.in
Please click the following URL to read the text of the original Story
https://scroll.in/latest/1088248/up-imam-booked-for-playing-loudspeaker-at-mosque-in-shamli-beyond-permissible-decibel-limit
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Sugarush Music Festival turns Jeddah into a retro candyland of sound and celebration
AFSHAN AZIZ
November 02, 2025
Shallal Theme Park in Jeddah was transformed into a retro candyland on Oct. 31 as BreakOut’s Sugarush Music Festival brought together a spectacular mix of music, color, and Halloween spirit. (AN Photo)
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JEDDAH: Shallal Theme Park in Jeddah was transformed into a retro candyland on Oct. 31 as BreakOut’s Sugarush Music Festival brought together a spectacular mix of music, color, and Halloween spirit.
From the moment guests entered, they were met with an explosion of creativity, giant candy sculptures, neon lights, and confetti storms. The highlight was the Ice Rink’s 360-degree stage, where international and local DJs delivered high-energy sets surrounded by an enthusiastic crowd.
The lineup featured a stellar mix of international acts including Charles B, Cosmic Gate, and NIFRA, alongside Saudi’s own Mind Maq and Malkin, who kept the beats flowing and the crowd moving late into the night.
French DJ Charles B, who performed in Saudi Arabia for the very first time, shared his excitement about the experience. “This is the first time, very first time in Saudi Arabia, and I feel blessed and honored to play here,” he said. “The energy was great, the people were super nice, and the welcome and hospitality were amazing. The stage setup was incredible. I played a bunch of unreleased music, some upcoming classical remixes, and even my very first song in Arabic. It felt really special.”
He added that performing in the Kingdom had a personal connection for him. “I actually grew up in an Arabic country, Morocco, and I’ve been heavily influenced by the music from North Africa to the Middle East. I’ve always listened to artists like Fairouz and many others, so being here felt like coming full circle.”
Legendary trance duo Cosmic Gate also took to the stage with their signature beats and immersive soundscapes. “The atmosphere in Jeddah was electric,” the duo said. “The crowd’s energy was incredible, you could feel their excitement with every drop. It’s amazing to see how passionate and open the Saudi audience is to global electronic music culture.”
As the night unfolded, visitors embraced the festive spirit with creative costumes and Halloween flair. From candy-inspired outfits to spooky characters, Shallal Theme Park became a colorful canvas of self-expression and joy.
Among the attendees was Abdullah Alsaeed, who came dressed as a prisoner, while his friend opted for a zombie look. He said: “The music, the lighting, and the crowd were amazing. We’ve never had a party like this before it’s incredible to have a space where we can let our inner child out, get dressed up, dance, and just feel free.”
Rana Ahmed, who was dressed up as a doll, said: “It honestly felt like stepping into another world. The visuals, the crowd costumes, and the music created such a happy vibe. Everyone was smiling, dancing, and just enjoying the moment. It’s amazing to see how Jeddah is becoming a place for such creative and fun experiences.”
Source: arabnews.com
Please click the following URL to read the text of the original Story
https://www.arabnews.com/node/2621198/saudi-arabia
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Settlers storm Al-Aqsa Mosque under Israeli Occupation Forces' protection
NOVEMBER 02, 2025
Israeli settlers stormed the Al-Aqsa Mosque compound on Sunday under the protection of Israeli occupation forces. The Palestinian news agency Wafa, citing the Jerusalem Governorate, reported that 648 settlers entered the mosque compound and performed Talmudic and provocative rituals in its courtyards while under the protection of occupation forces.
The Al-Aqsa Mosque has faced increasing incursions by settlers since the start of Israel's assault on the Gaza Strip, a development viewed as a serious escalation and a violation of the sanctity of the mosque.
Source: gulf-times.com
Please click the following URL to read the text of the original Story
https://www.gulf-times.com/article/714126/region/settlers-storm-al-aqsa-mosque-under-israeli-occupation-forces-protection
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North America
Madison Masjid Hosts Meet Your Muslim Neighbour Event
Nov. 3, 2025
Tatyana White
MADISON COUNTY, Ala. (WAFF) - People were invited to come out on Saturday and meet their Muslim neighbours in Madison County.
The Meet Your Muslim Neighbor event was held at the Madison Public Library.
Several local Muslim groups met, mingled, and answered questions.
Leaders said once people are able to get past stereotypes and misconceptions, they find a lot of common ground.
“Come out and talk to us and learn,” Madison Masjid Community Outreach Director Sammy Ajjuri said.
“Islam and Christianity are actually the two closest religions as far as similarity, and we want people to realize that. We have a whole chapter on Mary. We believe in Jesus. We believe in Him returning, and we have a lot of similarities.”
To find out about other upcoming events, visit the Madison Masjid’s website and Facebook page.
Click Here to Subscribe on YouTube: Watch the latest WAFF 48 news, sports & weather videos on our YouTube channel!
Source: waff.com
Please click the following URL to read the text of the original Story
https://www.waff.com/2025/11/02/madison-masjid-hosts-meet-your-muslim-neighbor-event/
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'Have enough nukes to blow world 150 times': Nuclear testing, Mamdani & more — 10 things Donald Trump told 60 Minutes
Nov 3, 2025
US President Donald Trump appeared on CBS’s 60 Minutes in his first interview with the network since settling a lawsuit with CBS News earlier this year.
Trump had famously walked out of a 60 Minutes interview with Lesley Stahl before the 2020 election, accusing the show of bias. Trump later sued the company over the newsmagazine’s interview with Kamala Harris, and Paramount reportedly paid $16 million to settle the case this summe
In his latest appearance, Trump defended his administration’s handling of key foreign and domestic challenges, from nuclear tensions and Middle East diplomacy to immigration, healthcare, and the ongoing government shutdown.
The sit-down, recorded Friday at his Mar-a-Lago residence with journalist Norah O’Donnell, aired Sunday night.
Here are ten key takeaways from the interview.
Claims that Russia and China are secretly conducting nuclear tests
President Trump alleged that both Russia and China have been secretly testing nuclear weapons underground. “Russia’s testing, and China’s testing, but they don’t talk about it,” he said. Asked why he recently ordered the United States to conduct its own nuclear tests, Trump explained, “You don’t necessarily know where they’re testing. They test way underground where people don’t know exactly what’s happening with the test.”
“Well, we have more nuclear weapons than any other country. Russia's second. China's a very distant third, but they'll be even in five years. You know, they're makin' 'em rapidly, and I think we should do something about denuclearization, which is gonna be some-- and I did actually discuss that with both President Putin and President Xi. Denuclearization's a very big thing. We have enough nuclear weapons to blow up the world 150 times. Russia has a lot of nuclear weapons, and China will have a lot,” he siad.
The Iran operation and nuclear deterrence
Speaking about Iran, Trump said that his administration had “blasted the hell out of them” to prevent Tehran from becoming a nuclear power. “You could’ve never had any kind of a deal if you had a nuclear Iran. And you essentially had a nuclear Iran,” he said.
He described meeting the pilots who carried out the strike and inviting them to the White House. “They told me something I didn’t know. They said, ‘Sir, for 22 years we’ve been practising this route … and you were the only president that let us do our job.’”
Trump praised them as “real American heroes,” adding, “When you can hit at midnight with no moon, with no vision, every single air shaft, where that bomb went deep into that mountain and exploded … they deserve to come to the White House.”
India-Pakistan tensions
During the interview, Trump acknowledged the precarious balance in South Asia, noting that the United States continues to monitor India and Pakistan closely. Although he avoided direct mention of current military developments, administration officials have said Washington remains wary of escalation in the region, especially given the ongoing nuclear concerns.
Trump once again claimed he helped prevent a potential nuclear conflict between India and Pakistan. “I think we're gonna get it done, yeah. I think he really wants to do business with the US,” Trump said, adding, “If it wasn't for tariffs and trade I wouldn't have been able to make the deals... They were going to war. They were gonna have a nuclear war with Pakistan.”
Trump cited comments by Pakistan’s prime minister, saying, “If Donald Trump didn't get involved, many millions of people would be dead right now.”
In May, India launched Operation Sindoor, carrying out precision strikes on terrorist camps located across Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Jammu and Kashmir in response to the Pahalgam terror attack, which had killed 26 civilians the previous month.
India has firmly denied any US involvement, reiterating that de-escalation was achieved solely through direct military communication between the two nations.
Mamdani, welfare, and a swipe at Obama
Trump repeatedly attacked former President Barack Obama’s legacy, linking him to what he called “a defective plan put into line by Barack Hussein Obama, who was a lousy president.” He even ridiculed the Obama Presidential Center project in Chicago, saying, “He’s building a museum that’s, like, four times over budget … The neighbourhood doesn’t even want ‘em.”
At one point, Trump hit out at New York Mayoral race front-runner Zohran Mamdani, invoking them in the context of what he sees as elite detachment from “real American” priorities.
“Communist, not Socialist. Communist. He's far--far worse than a Socialist. Oh, that's so crazy. Look. When I left New York, we were at the-- the epitome of it was a great city. It was doing great. It was a great city, but there were some bad sides, because we had a guy named de Blasio, who was the worst mayor. Like I say Biden was the worst president, de Blasio was the worst mayor in history,” the 47th POTUS said.
He went on to add, “I think he's probably gonna make de Blasio look great. I think he will make de Blasio look like one of our great mayors. De Blasio was the worst mayor we've ever had. Now I saw that, you know, but I was sort of leaving during that period of time.”
Immigration and the border crackdown
Trump used the platform to claim success in halting illegal immigration across the US-Mexico border. “We have a closed border right now,” he said. “For five months in a row, they have zero — think of this, zero people coming into our country through our southern border.”
He accused Mexico of allowing “their prisons to be emptied into our country,” calling it one of his administration’s greatest challenges. “Millions of people a year walked into our country totally unchecked, unvetted. They were criminals, murderers, drug dealers, people from jails and mental institutions,” he said.
On Venezuela and Maduro’s future
When asked if Nicolás Maduro’s days as Venezuela’s president were numbered, Trump said, “I would say yeah. I think so, yeah.”
Pressed by O’Donnell about speculation that the United States might be preparing strikes in Venezuela, Trump refused to confirm or deny it. “I’m not gonna tell you what I’m gonna do with Venezuela, if I was gonna do it or if I wasn’t going to do it,” he said, calling it a matter of national security.
He pointed to the rise of violent transnational gangs such as Tren de Aragua, saying Venezuela had “been bad” in exporting criminal networks.
Saudi Arabia, the Abraham Accords, and Israel
Asked about Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman’s upcoming visit to the White House and his insistence that the kingdom would not join the Abraham Accords without a two-state solution, Trump replied, “No. I think he’s gonna join.”
He added, “We will have a solution. I don’t know if it’s gonna be two-state. That’s gonna be up to Israel and other people, and me.”
Trump argued that peace in the Middle East was only possible because his administration prevented Iran from becoming a nuclear power.
Government shutdown: ‘Democrats’ fault’
The president squarely blamed Democrats for the ongoing government shutdown, now in its sixth week. “Democrats’ fault,” he said flatly, accusing them of refusing to vote for an extension that would reopen federal offices. “They don’t wanna give us an extension because they used to think it was good for them, but the polls are turning around.”
He said Democrats were suffering from “Trump derangement syndrome” and insisted, “All they have to do, Norah, is say, ‘Let’s vote.’ And you can open the economy during our interview.”
On healthcare and the fight over Obamacare
Healthcare dominated much of the domestic discussion. Trump said Democrats were blocking progress on reform. “We almost did it. We were one vote short. John McCain made a mistake, frankly,” he said.
He repeated his long-standing criticism of the Affordable Care Act, calling it “bad healthcare at far too high a price.” “It’s too expensive for the people,” Trump said. “They’re gonna get a very big increase this year.”
Democrats have pushed to extend subsidies under Obamacare to prevent premiums from doubling for millions of Americans. O’Donnell noted that “three quarters of these people that will see their healthcare premiums double live in states where you won in the last election.” Trump responded, “And I’m saying we can fix it.”
‘I won’t be extorted’: Trump refuses to negotiate over govt shutdown
Trump rejected calls to compromise with Democrats to reopen the government. “I won’t be extorted,” he said, insisting that he would not “give $1.5 trillion so that prisoners, drug dealers and people from mental institutions” could receive welfare or healthcare.
He also pressed Republicans to end the Senate filibuster, telling 60 Minutes, “Republicans have to get tougher. If we end the filibuster, we can do exactly what we want.”
Source: indiatimes.com
Please click the following URL to read the text of the original Story
https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/world/us/have-enough-nukes-to-blow-world-150-times-nuclear-testing-mamdani-more-10-things-donald-trump-told-60-minutes/articleshow/125046397.cms
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Trump tariffs head to Supreme Court in case eagerly awaited around the world
Nov 3, 2025
Natalie Sherman
What may be the biggest battle yet in Donald Trump's trade war is about to begin.
The Trump administration heads to the US Supreme Court on Wednesday, facing off against small businesses and a group of states who contend most of the tariffs it has put in place are illegal and should be struck down.
If the court agrees with them, Trump's trade strategy would be upended, including the sweeping global tariffs he first announced in April. The government would also likely have to refund some of the billions of dollars it has collected through the tariffs, which are taxes on imports.
The final decision from the justices will come after what could be months of poring over the arguments and discussing the merits of the case. Eventually they will hold a vote.
Trump has described the fight in epic terms, warning a loss would tie his hands in trade negotiations and imperil national security.
On Sunday, the president said he will not attend the hearing in person as he did not want to cause a distraction.
"I wanted to go so badly... I just don't want to do anything to deflect the importance of that decision," he said. "It's not about me, it's about our country."
Trump previously said that if he does not win the case the US will be "weakened" and in a "financial mess" for many years to come.
The stakes feel just as high for many businesses in the US and abroad, which have been paying the price while getting whipped about by fast-changing policies.
Trump's tariffs will cost Learning Resources, a US seller of toys made mostly overseas and one of the businesses suing the government, $14m (£10.66m) this year. That is seven times what it spent on tariffs in 2024, according to CEO Rick Woldenberg.
"They've thrown our business into unbelievable disruption," he said, noting the company has had to shift the manufacturing of hundreds of items since January.
Few businesses, though, are banking on a win at the court.
"We are hopeful that this is going to be ruled illegal but we're all also trying to prepare that it's setting in," said Bill Harris, co-founder of Georgia-based Cooperative Coffees.
His co-op, which imports coffee from more than a dozen countries, has already paid roughly $1.3m in tariffs since April.
A test to Trump's presidential power
In deciding this case, the Supreme Court will have to take on a broader question: How far does presidential power go?
Legal analysts say it is hard to predict the justices' answer, but a ruling siding with Trump will give him and future White House occupants greater reach.
Specifically, the case concerns tariffs that the Trump administration imposed using the 1977 International Emergency Economic Powers Act (IEEPA), which the White House has embraced for its speed and flexibility. By declaring an emergency under the law, Trump can issue immediate orders and bypass longer, established processes.
Trump first invoked the law in February to tax goods from China, Mexico and Canada, saying drug trafficking from those countries constituted an emergency.
He deployed it again in April, ordering levies ranging from 10% to 50% on goods from almost every country in the world. This time, he said the US trade deficit - where the US imports more than it exports - posed an "extraordinary and unusual threat".
Those tariffs took hold in fits and starts this summer while the US pushed countries to strike "deals".
Opponents say the law authorises the president to regulate trade but never mentions the word "tariffs", and they contend that only Congress can establish taxes under the US Constitution.
They have also challenged whether the issues cited by the White House, especially the trade deficit, represent emergencies.
Members of Congress from both parties have asserted the Constitution gives them responsibility for creating tariffs, duties and taxes, as well.
More than 200 Democrats in both chambers and one Republican, Senator Lisa Murkowski, filed a brief to the Supreme Court, where they also argued the emergency law did not grant the president power to use tariffs as a tool for gaining leverage in trade talks.
Meanwhile, last week the Senate made a symbolic and bipartisan move to pass three resolutions rejecting Trump's tariffs, including one to end the national emergency he declared. They are not expected to be approved in the House.
Still, business groups said they hoped the rebuke would send a message to the justices.
'An energy drain like I've never seen'
Three lower courts have ruled against the administration. After the Supreme Court hears arguments on Wednesday it will have until June to issue its decision, although most expect a ruling to come by January.
Whatever it decides has implications for an estimated $90bn worth of import taxes already paid - roughly half the tariff revenue the US collected this year through September, according to Wells Fargo analysts.
Trump officials have warned that sum could swell to $1tn if the court takes until June.
If the government is forced to issue refunds, Cooperative Coffees will "absolutely" try to recoup its money, said Mr Harris, but that would not make up for all the disruption.
His business has had to take out an extra line of credit, raise prices and find ways to survive with lower profits.
"This is an energy drain like I've never seen," said Mr Harris, who is also chief financial officer of Cafe Campesino, one of the 23 roasteries that own Cooperative Coffees. "It dominates all the conversations and it just kind of sucks the life out of you."
What could happen next?
The White House says that if it loses, it will impose levies via other means, such as a law allowing the president to put tariffs of up to 15% in place for 150 days.
Even then, businesses would have some relief, since those other means require steps like issuing formal notices, which take time and deliberation, said trade lawyer Ted Murphy of Sidley Austin.
"This is not just about the money," he said. "The president has announced tariffs on Sunday that go into effect on Wednesday, without advance notice, without any real process."
"I think that's the bigger thing for this case for businesses - whether or not that is going to be in our future," he added.
There is no clear sign of how the court will rule.
In recent years it has struck down major policies, such as Biden-era student loan forgiveness, as White House overreach.
But the nine justices, six of whom were appointed by Republicans, including three by Trump, have shown deference to this president in other recent disputes and historically have given leeway to the White House on questions of national security.
"I really do think arguments are available for the Supreme Court to go in all different directions," said Greta Peisch, partner at Wiley and former trade lawyer in the Biden administration.
Adam White, senior fellow at the American Enterprise Institute, said he expected the court to strike down the tariffs, but avoid questions like what constitutes a national emergency.
The case has already complicated the White House's trade deals, such as one struck in July with the European Union.
The European Parliament is currently considering ratifying the agreement, which sets US tariffs on European goods at 15% in exchange for promises including allowing in more US agricultural products.
"They're not going to act on this until they see the outcome of the Supreme Court decision," said John Clarke, former director for international trade at the European Commission.
In Switzerland, which recently downgraded its outlook for economic growth citing America’s 39% tariff on its goods, chocolatier Daniel Bloch said he'd welcome a ruling against the Trump administration.
His business Chocolats Camille Bloch is absorbing about a third of the cost of new tariffs on kosher chocolate that his firm has exported to the US for decades, aiming to blunt price increases and maintain sales. That decision has wiped out profits for the unit and is not sustainable, he said.
He hopes Trump will reconsider his tariffs altogether, because "that would be easiest".
"If the court were to make the tariffs go away of course we would see that as a positive sign," he said. "But we don't trust that that will bring the solution."
Source: bbc.com
Please click the following URL to read the text of the original Story
https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/cn4jyk9jyv3o
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US and China to reopen military hotlines – Hegseth
2 Nov, 2025
The US and China have agreed to reopen top-level military-to-military channels following a recent bilateral meeting of their top brass in Malaysia, according to War Secretary Pete Hegseth.
The communications are a key de-escalation mechanism that Beijing cut in 2022 after a formal visit to Taiwan, a self-governed region viewed by Beijing as an inseparable part of China, by then-House Speaker Nancy Pelosi. Late last year, under the administration of then-President Joe Biden, the two sides resumed military dialogue regarding the Indo-Pacific region, but broader channels remained severed.
Hegseth met with Defense Minister Admiral Dong Jun at the ASEAN summit in Kuala Lumpur on Saturday, just days after US President Donald Trump and his Chinese counterpart, Xi Jinping, sealed a trade deal that diffused weeks of tension amid a trade war flare-up.
“Admiral Dong and I... agreed that we should set up military-to-military channels to deconflict and deescalate any problems that arise,” Hegseth wrote on X on Sunday.
“We have more meetings on that coming soon,” he added.
However, just a day earlier, at the ASEAN meeting, Hegseth urged Beijing’s neighbors to strengthen their maritime forces to counter what he called “the threats we all face from China's aggression.” He accused Beijing of “illegal activities” in the South China Sea, which Beijing claims as its sovereign waters, and which is the subject of a number of overlapping claims by its neighbors.
Dong hailed his talks with Hegseth as “successful,” in a statement cited by Xinhua news agency.
He also expressed hope that Washington will honor its commitment to not try to “contain” China or pursue conflict, as well as to take a clear stance against “Taiwan independence,” Xinhua cited.
While the US officially adheres to the One-China policy, it continues military cooperation with Taiwan and supplies the island with arms.
Source: rt.com
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https://www.rt.com/news/627263-us-china-reopen-military-hotlines/
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Africa
Nigeria, Germany Deepen Economic Ties As Trade Volume Rises To €3 Billion
November 3, 2025
By Richard Ogunsile
Nigeria’s Minister of Foreign Affairs, Ambassador Yusuf Tuggar, has said that relations between Nigeria and Germany are growing stronger, with over 90 German companies now operating in the country.
Tuggar disclosed this during the German Unity Day celebration held in Abuja over the weekend, describing the partnership as a model of “innovation, resilience, and shared prosperity.”
Represented by the Chief of Protocol in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Ambassador Wahab Akande, Tuggar said the presence of German firms in Nigeria was boosting job creation and technology transfer.
“Over 90 German companies now operate in Nigeria, contributing to job creation and technology transfer, and reinforcing Germany’s position as Nigeria’s second-largest trading partner,” he said.
Trade Volume Rises to €3 Billion
According to the minister, bilateral trade between both nations has grown significantly, recording a 30 per cent increase and reaching an all-time high of €3 billion.
“The trade volume between Nigeria and Germany has surged by an impressive 30 per cent, reaching an all-time high of three billion euros. This milestone reflects not only the resilience of our economies, but also the mutual trust and shared vision that bind our nations,” Tuggar stated.
He noted that beyond trade, the two countries had deepened cooperation through strategic agreements covering education, renewable energy, security, and industrial partnerships.
While celebrating the unification of Germany and its enduring friendship with Nigeria, Tuggar commended Germany’s role as a global leader in innovation and diplomacy.
“Germany stands as a beacon of innovation, resilience, and global cooperation, which Nigeria is proud to count among its most valued partners,” he said.
He reaffirmed Nigeria’s readiness to continue working closely with Berlin to drive sustainable growth, economic diversification, and people-to-people connections.
In her remarks, the German Ambassador to Nigeria, Mrs Annett Gunther, announced that the German-Nigerian Binational Commission would hold its next meeting in Berlin in the first week of November.
“We will discuss ways to further expand this partnership, particularly in the areas of energy and climate cooperation, investment and mineral resources, cultural exchange and migration,” she said.
Gunther emphasised that both nations, as leading economies on their respective continents, were committed to strengthening their alliance and exploring new opportunities.
“Germany and Nigeria, as strong economies and the most populous countries in their respective continents, want to join forces and come closer together to adjust their partnership to new opportunities,” she added.
The ambassador described Nigeria as an indispensable ally in upholding global peace and the international rules-based order.
“Nigeria is a strong partner in preserving the international rules-based order, based on international law and the UN Charter, and a strategic partner for Germany in Africa,” Gunther said.
She reaffirmed Germany’s commitment to maintaining a robust cooperation programme with Nigeria, particularly in the areas of green energy, vocational training, and good governance.
Naija News reports that the growing economic engagement between both countries underscores the expanding role of Nigeria as a hub for German investment in Africa.
With new talks scheduled in Berlin and trade at a record high, officials on both sides say the focus is now on translating this momentum into sustainable development, technology exchange, and energy collaboration.
Source: naijanews.com
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https://www.naijanews.com/2025/11/03/nigeria-germany-deepen-economic-ties-as-trade-volume-rises-to-e3-billion/
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PDP Crisis Deepens As Makinde, Other Governors Plot Comeback Against Wike Camp
November 3, 2025
By Justina Otio
A report has indicated that the governor of Oyo State, Seyi Makinde and other governors are regrouping to remobilise support and challenge the Nyesom Wike-led faction of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) ahead of its national convention.
Despite preparations for its National Elective Convention scheduled for November 15 and 16 in Ibadan, Oyo State, the PDP remains enmeshed in internal wrangling over control of structures, zonal leadership, and convention arrangements.
Wike’s supporters have accused the Damagum-led leadership of bias and incompetence, citing unresolved disputes in the South-South zone and alleged disregard for micro-zoning principles.
Tensions escalated on Friday when the Federal High Court in Abuja granted an interim injunction restraining the party from holding its convention pending compliance with its constitution and the Electoral Act.
On Saturday, the Damagum-led NWC announced the suspension of National Secretary, Senator Samuel Anyanwu; National Legal Adviser, Kamaldeen Ajibade (SAN); Deputy Legal Adviser, Okechukwu Osuoha; and National Organising Secretary, Umar Bature, for alleged anti-party activities.
In a swift response, the rival faction led by Anyanwu counter-suspended Damagum, National Publicity Secretary Debo Ologunagba, Deputy National Chairman (South) Taofeek Arapaja, and others for alleged financial misconduct and incompetence.
However, sources close to Governor Makinde told Punch that Oyo bloc and allied governors are meeting to strategise on how to overturn the court injunction and reclaim control of the party’s direction.
A source said, “We are not folding our hands. We have the majority, and discussions are ongoing on how to appeal the judgment and keep preparations for the convention alive.”
Former presidential candidate, Gbenga Olawepo-Hashim, also condemned the court ruling halting the PDP convention, describing it as “a calculated move to weaken the opposition and weaponise the judiciary.”
He alleged that “both external pressures and internal sabotage are being deployed to stifle the PDP and entrench a one-party regime,” but assured that “true democrats will resist attempts to destroy multiparty democracy in Nigeria.”
Source: naijanews.com
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https://www.naijanews.com/2025/11/03/pdp-crisis-deepens-as-makinde-other-governors-plot-comeback-against-wike-camp/
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Egypt's immense new antiquities museum opens after two-decade build
November 3, 2025
Egypt’s much awaited museum showcasing the country’s ancient history opened on Saturday after more than two decades of construction.
Dignitaries, including prime ministers and presidents from around the world, descended on Cairo to attend the long-delayed grand opening.
It was an extravaganza of pharaonic imagery, a drone light show depicting ancient gods and pyramids in the sky, and local pop stars.
Located near the Giza Pyramids and Sphinx, it is the centrepiece of the government’s bid to boost Egypt’s tourism industry and bring cash into the troubled economy.
Speaking at the opening, Egyptian President Abdel-Fattah al-Sisi said Egypt was "writing a new chapter in the story of this ancient nation's present and future".
“This is the biggest museum in the world dedicated to a single civilization, Egypt's civilization, whose glamor and grace never dim,” he said.
“This glorious edifice is not only a house for keeping precious relics, but rather a live testimony to the genius of the Egyptian."
Construction on the $1 billion project began in 2005 under the then-President Hosni Mubarak. But work was interrupted by turmoil surrounding the 2011 Arab Spring uprising that brought him down.
The Grand Egyptian Museum is one of several megaprojects championed by al-Sisi since he took office in 2014.
He embarked on massive infrastructure investments aiming to revive an economy weakened by decades of stagnation and battered by the unrest that followed the uprising.
Packed with some 100,000 artefacts covering about seven millennia of the country's history, the museum is expected to attract 5 million visitors annually.
One of its main attractions will be the entire contents of the expansive collection of treasures from Tutankhamun's tomb.
Displayed together for the first time since it was uncovered in 1922, this includes the boy-king's golden burial mask, throne, and sarcophagus, and thousands of other objects.
Source: africanews.com
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https://www.africanews.com/2025/11/02/egypts-immense-new-antiquities-museum-opens-after-two-decade-build/
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Catholic Pope renews call for Sudan ceasefire and humanitarian corridors
November 3, 2025
Pope Leo XIV on Sunday renewed his appeal for a ceasefire in Sudan and the opening of humanitarian corridors.
The United Nations has accused fighters from the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces, which captured the city of al-Fashir recently, of killing non-Arab civilians and sexual assaults.
"It is with great sorrow that I follow the tragic news coming from Sudan, particularly from the city of al-Fashir in the tormented northern Darfur region,” the head of the global Catholic Church said.
“Indiscriminate violence against women and children, attacks on defenceless civilians, and serious obstacles to humanitarian action are causing unacceptable suffering to a population already exhausted by long months of conflict."
The pontiff called on the international community to act "with determination and generosity" to offer assistance and support to relief efforts.
He also called for prayers for Tanzania “after the recent political elections, clashes have broken out with numerous victims”.
"I invite everyone to avoid all forms of violence and to follow the path of dialogue," the Pope said.
The Tanzanian opposition claims that hundreds of people were killed this week during election protests.
Demonstrators were angry at the exclusion of incumbent President Samia Suhulu Hassan’s two main challengers.
The military was deployed to help police quell the protests and internet connectivity has been intermittent since the vote on Wednesday.
Source: africanews.com
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https://www.africanews.com/2025/11/02/catholic-pope-renews-call-for-sudan-ceasefire-and-humanitarian-corridors/
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India
Omar Abdullah revives age-old ‘Darbar Move’ to bridge gap between Jammu and Srinagar
03.11.25
Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah on Monday said the age-old 'Darbar Move' tradition was revived by his government to bridge the gap between the twin capitals of the erstwhile state and asserted that some things “should not be weighed by money”.
The tradition involves shifting the J&K government's offices from Srinagar to Jammu in the winter and vice versa in the summer.
The Civil Secretariat and other move offices closed in Srinagar on October 30 and 31, and started functioning from Jammu, the winter capital, on Monday for the next six months.
Abdullah said some people always try to create a wedge between Jammu and Srinagar and rake up 'Jammu versus Kashmir' for political advantage.
“We want to address that wedge and remove the distance,” he said.
The yearly move was started by the Dogra rulers nearly 150 years ago. Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha halted it in June 2021, citing the administration's complete transition to e-office, which, he said, would save around Rs 200 crore annually.
The decision drew sharp criticism from various quarters, including Jammu's business community, which termed the move a blow to trade and the traditional bond between the two regions. They had been pressing for the revival of the practice ever since.
On October 16, Abdullah fulfilled his election promise by reviving ‘Darbar Move’, bringing relief to the business community here.
“How important was this (decision), especially for Jammu, you might have come to know this morning. The journey (from my official residence to Civil Secretariat), which usually takes five minutes, took an hour with people pouring out on the streets and showering their love… Jammu was greatly affected when the ‘Darbar Move’ was stopped,” the chief minister said.
Abdullah said he fulfilled his responsibility by reviving the transition, expressing hope that the economy of Jammu and Kashmir would benefit from his decision.
“The most important thing is that everything should not be weighed in money. The ‘Darbar Move’ was stopped to save money. Some things are more than money, as it involves sentiment and unity between the two regions of Jammu and Kashmir,” he said, adding that the tradition is the "biggest way" to unite the regions.
By stopping the ‘Darbar Move’, he said, the unity of the two regions got affected, and “we tried to right this wrong”.
“It will be beneficial financially. But everything should not be weighed in money. If the ‘Darbar Move’ is weighed in money alone, then such decisions like curtailing the move are taken. The economy of Jammu will benefit (by reviving the tradition),” the chief minister said.
Talking about the arrangements for the move of employees, Abdullah said as the move is taking place after some time, it will take a few days for the government to address any shortcomings.
“We have to organise the offices, provide residential accommodation to employees, and make all other arrangements. For that, a special team of officers headed by an additional chief secretary has been constituted to look at all these things. I am very hopeful that Shaleen Kabra and his team will solve all the problems of the employees,” he said.
Abdullah said his government has been in office for only one year and promised that “things will keep changing for the better”.
Source: telegraphindia.com
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https://www.telegraphindia.com/india/omar-abdullah-revives-age-old-darbar-move-to-bridge-gap-between-jammu-and-srinagar/cid/2131013
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Taliban To Appoint Its 1st Diplomat In Delhi This Month; India And Afghanistan Set To Ramp Up Their Diplomatic Relations
Nov 3, 2025
NEW DELHI: India and Afghanistan are set to further ramp up their diplomatic relations with the appointment of a diplomat by the Taliban regime here this month. This will be the first official placement of a diplomat by the Taliban in India since their return to Kabul in August 2021 and will be followed - as conveyed by Kabul to Indian authorities - by the appointment of another diplomat in late December or early January.
The relationship has progressed steadily this year, culminating in an unprecedented visit by foreign minister Amir Khan Muttaqi to India last month. India has reinforced its role as a trusted partner of Afghanistan with its continued supply of aid and medical supplies to the country, even in the absence of an official recognition by the Indian govt of the dispensation in Kabul.
Muttaqi's visit saw India announcing its decision to upgrade its technical mission in Kabul to the level of embassy and also agreeing to accept Taliban diplomats. Both sides are expected to soon have a charge d'affaires leading their respective missions.
A Taliban spokesperson on Sunday expressed appreciation for India's donation of over 16 tonnes of anti-vector-borne disease medicines. "This latest donation underscores India's longstanding partnership and developmental support to Afghanistan. By contributing essential medical supplies, India reaffirms its role as a reliable partner in promoting health, stability and humanitarian cooperation in the region," he said.
Muttaqi's visit was significant as it also saw the Taliban backing India's sovereignty over J&K. India too has firmly supported Afghanistan's sovereignty and territorial integrity, at a time the Taliban's ties with Pakistan have hit a nadir because of heavy border clashes. The two countries have reached a ceasefire but the threat of an escalation is yet to fully dissipate. The Taliban this week accused Pakistan of working to create chaos in Afghanistan that would allow the US to return and take over Bagram airbase.
Source: indiatimes.com
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https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/taliban-to-appoint-its-1st-diplomat-in-delhi-this-month/articleshow/125041810.cms
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Rs 20 Lakh In Fake Notes Seized, Muslim Cleric Among Those Arrested in MP’s Khandwa
Nov 3, 2025
Panic gripped a small village in Madhya Pradesh's Khandwa district after police recovered fake currency worth nearly Rs 20 lakh from a local madrasa. The raid followed the arrest of a Muslim cleric in Maharashtra’s Malegaon, where he was caught with counterfeit notes a few days earlier.
POLICE RAID IN PAITHIYA VILLAGE
On Sunday evening, residents watched in shock as police teams arrived at the madrasa for a search operation. Inside the cleric's quarters, officers discovered a bag stuffed with fake Rs 500 and Rs 200 notes.
The accused, Zubair Ansari, had been appointed imam only three months ago. A native of Burhanpur, he had taken frequent leaves since joining. On 26 October, he told the management his mother was unwell and left the village, never to return. Days later, his arrest in Malegaon made headlines.
MALEGAON ARREST TRIGGERS KHANDWA CONNECTION
Malegaon Police had arrested Zubair and another man, Nazim Ansari, both from Burhanpur, on October 29 following a tip-off that they were travelling with fake notes. The duo was intercepted near Hotel Avon on the Mumbai–Agra Highway, where officers recovered Rs 10 lakh in counterfeit currency.
After verifying Zubair’s background, Malegaon Police alerted Khandwa authorities, who raided the Paithiya madrasa and uncovered nearly double that amount.
INVESTIGATION UNDERWAY
According to Additional SP Mahendra Tarnekar, the total value of the seized fake notes is estimated at around Rs 19 lakh. Most of the currency was in Rs 500 denominations, with some Rs 200 bundles also found.
Villagers identified Zubair from a viral video of his Malegaon arrest and alerted local police. Acting on the tip, Jawar police conducted a search under senior officers’ supervision. A case under relevant sections of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) is being registered.
WIDER NETWORK SUSPECTED
Police are now investigating the scale of the fake currency racket and the imam’s possible role in its operation. The probe aims to uncover whether the counterfeit notes were locally printed or circulated through a larger network spanning Madhya Pradesh and Maharashtra.
The madrasa committee has distanced itself from the accused. Kaleem Khan, head of the Paithiya mosque committee, said they were unaware of Zubair’s alleged criminal links.
Authorities expect further revelations once the Malegaon Police complete their interrogation of the two accused.
KAILASH VIJAYVARGIYA CALLS FOR STATE ACTION
Reacting to the incident, Madhya Pradesh Minister Kailash Vijayvargiya said that many madrasas were increasingly becoming “centres of illegal activities” and called for a comprehensive review of their functioning across the state.
“The madrasas, which were once centres of learning, are now turning into hubs of unlawful activity. Outsiders are coming and operating within them,” Vijayvargiya said in Indore.
He added that the government must collect detailed information about those teaching and working in madrasas.
“I will request the Chief Minister to take this matter seriously and formulate a policy to monitor all madrasas operating in the state,” he said.
Source: indiatoday.in
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https://www.indiatoday.in/india/story/rs-20-lakh-in-fake-notes-seized-in-madhya-pradesh-muslim-cleric-among-those-arrested-2812469-2025-11-03
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‘Even Trump doesn’t know what could happen tomorrow’: Army Chief Upendra Dwivedi says future threats unpredictable
by Anand Mohan J
November 3, 2025
Chief of Army Staff General Upendra Dwivedi spoke of the unpredictability of future threats while addressing a gathering of students at his hometown of Rewa in Madhya Pradesh on Saturday.
“Coming to what lies ahead, what the future holds and the challenges it will bring — in Hindi, we often describe this as asthirta (instability), anischitata (uncertainty), jatilta (complexity), and aspashtata (ambiguity). These four elements sum up what we can expect. Chaar kuch aisi cheez hain agar aapko simple words mein bolun toh aage aane wale din kaise honge yeh na aapko pata hai na mujhe. Kal kya hone wala hai, yeh bhi kisi ko nahi pata. Trump ji aaj kya kar rahe hain, mere khayal se Trump ji ko bhi nahi pata hoga kal kya karne ja rahe hain. (To put it simply, we don’t really know what the future will look like — what we should do, or what might happen tomorrow. Even Mr (Donald) Trump probably doesn’t know what he’s going to do tomorrow,” General Dwivedi said at TRS College in Rewa.
He said the armed forces face the same challenges “whether at the borders, through terrorism, natural disasters, cyber warfare, or the new frontiers like space warfare involving satellites, and chemical, biological, and radiological threats”.
“Then there’s information warfare… For instance, during Operation Sindoor, there were rumours that Karachi had been attacked. We, too, heard such reports and wondered where they came from and who started them. That’s how fast and confusing things can get,” he said.
Sharing the lessons learned from Operation Sindoor, General Dwivedi said, “First, Operation Sindoor wasn’t only about defeating the enemy — it was also about restoring sovereignty, integrity, and peace. When the Prime Minister told me that the operation would be named Sindoor, it reminded me how, during the Kargil war, the Army called its mission Operation Vijay, and the Air Force named its own Operation Safed Sagar. This time, the Prime Minister himself chose the name Operation Sindoor. And what was the biggest benefit of that? The entire nation united under a single name — Sindoor. It resonated emotionally across the country.”
In a battle, he said there would always be “a significant risk factor involved”.
“Whenever you launch an attack or come under enemy fire, you never know what will happen next. There is always uncertainty — you don’t know how many soldiers you might lose, what actions you’ll need to take, or how many civilians may be affected. Despite these risks, during this operation, we made sure that any position or setup that posed a threat to us was attacked directly. Even if it meant entering enemy territory, we went in up to 100 km deep and struck,” General Dwivedi said.
He said the armed forces were also “embracing change”. “We adopted new technologies, prepared to use drones, improved ammunition and precision missions. It was because we adapted that we achieved victory.”
He explained that today’s battles are not fought only with “boots on the ground”, but also with “minds on the ground”.
“That means we need your intellect, your participation. For example, when Pakistan was spreading fake news and rumours, a man from Secunderabad reached out, saying, ‘Sir, I have 3 lakh followers on Twitter. Tell me what to do — I’ll expose their fake news.’ We received many such offers from across the country. Some people, fired up with patriotism, said, ‘Recruit us into the Army.’ We had to tell them, ‘Not yet training is essential,’” General Dwivedi said.
He also spoke about Indian civilisation, saying, “Our culture is assimilative and inclusive, meaning whoever comes, we absorb them. Our roots are deep, our culture strong. People from every background have blended with us — be it those who brought Islam, Christianity, or any other belief from abroad, they all became part of Indian civilisation.”
He said India also “shared our culture with others, Buddhism spread from India to China, Japan, and Indonesia”.
General Dwivedi also made a plea to “Generation Z”.
“Generation Z is digitally fluent, technologically advanced, socially aware, and globally connected. They have access to information from all over the world. If such a powerful generation receives discipline and proper guidance, India could advance by several generations in just a moment, leap ahead by many ages. So, it means that in the coming days, Generation Z will be the fuel that drives India forward,” he said.
Source: indianexpress.com
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https://indianexpress.com/article/india/trump-tomorrow-army-chief-upendra-dwivedi-future-threats-unpredictable-10341542/
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PM Modi invokes Operation Sindoor, Pakistan in vote hunt ahead of Bihar election
J.P. Yadav
03.11.25
Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Sunday invoked Operation Sindoor and claimed it had left the Congress’s “first family” sleepless, injecting Pakistan and the military into the Bihar election campaign.
Modi had earlier, too, been accused of politicising the army when he urged first-time voters during the 2019 general election campaign to dedicate their votes to the Pulwama martyrs and the Balakot air strike on Pakistan.
“Explosions were happening in Pakistan during Operation Sindoor, but the Congress’s first family was spending sleepless nights here,” Modi told a rally at Ara in south Bihar, a region the Mahagathbandhan had dominated in the 2020 Assembly elections.
Modi added: “The naamdars (luminaries) of Pakistan and the Congress are yet to recover from the shock.”
Modi sought to portray the Opposition alliance as divided, claiming the RJD had “held a katta (country-made pistol)” to the Congress’s head to secure the projection of Tejashwi Yadav as prospective chief minister.
“The NDA is moving forward together to build a Viksit Bharat (developed India) while the Congress and the RJD are coming to blows,” he said.
Narrating what he termed the “inside story”, Modi alleged that “a day before the deadline for withdrawing nominations, a game of thuggery played out behind closed doors”.
“The Congress never wanted an RJD leader as the chief ministerial candidate, but the RJD did not miss the opportunity. They held a katta to the Congress’s head and stole the chief minister’s post,” the Prime Minister said.
He alleged that the Mahagathbandhan had sidelined the Congress from the campaign and the drafting ofthe manifesto.
“If there is so much hatred before the polls, imagine what will happen later. Such people cannot work for Bihar’s development,” he said.
Modi described the alleged Opposition infighting as a battle between “Bihar’s most corrupt family and the country’s most corrupt family”, adding that the Congress was determined “to defeat the RJD at every single booth”.
Reiterating the charge of “Jungle Raj” against the RJD, he said the party had “hollowed out” Bihar during its rule before the Nitish Kumar-led NDA brought the state “out of a difficult era”.
“My family members in Bihar are looking at the NDA’s honest manifesto on one side, and on the other side is a document of lies and deceit — the Mahagathbandhan’s manifesto,” he said.
Modi accused the Opposition of “patronising illegal immigrants”.
“Those who defend the infiltrators’ capture of Bihar’s resources are the biggest culprits against the public,” he said, urging voters to be “cautious about the RJD-Congress alliance”.
After addressing rallies in Ara and Nawada, the Prime Minister led a road show in Patna in the evening. These constituencies will vote on November 6.
Source: telegraphindia.com
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https://www.telegraphindia.com/india/pm-modi-invokes-operation-sindoor-pakistan-in-vote-hunt-ahead-of-bihar-election-prnt/cid/2130935
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Arab World
AlUla’s timeless heritage earns global acclaim
November 02, 2025
RIYADH: AlUla achieved a major milestone by winning three categories at the 2025 World Travel Awards to reinforce its position as one of the region’s top destinations.
The ancient city in northwest Saudi Arabia was named the Middle East’s Leading Cultural Tourism Project, the Middle East’s Leading Festival and Event Destination, and Saudi Arabia’s Leading Cultural Tourism Project.
The triple success continued AlUla’s impressive streak after it earned the same honors in 2024 and the Middle East’s Leading Cultural Tourism Project title in 2023.
AlUla’s success highlights its enduring appeal and commitment to sustainable, community-driven tourism rooted in authentic heritage, the Saudi Press Agency reported on Sunday.
A natural wonder with deep historic roots, AlUla captivates visitors with its desert landscapes and unique rock formations, forming a natural canvas of Arabian beauty.
Its prehistoric rock art depicts humans, animals, and abstract forms, revealing the social, cultural, and spiritual life of early inhabitants.
In the first millennium B.C. AlUla became the center of the Dadan and Lihyan Kingdoms — two of the Arabian Peninsula’s most advanced civilizations, known for their urban, commercial, and religious development.
In the first century A.D. Hegra became the southernmost city of the Nabataean Kingdom, renowned for its agricultural, architectural, and hydraulic engineering achievements.
The area was later annexed by the Roman Empire, becoming part of a wider trade and cultural exchange network.
Between the seventh and 12th centuries AlUla emerged as a key stop on the incense trade route, serving as a meeting point for traders and travelers from across the ancient world.
In the 20th century AlUla’s Hijaz Railway, built by the Ottoman Empire, linked major cities and facilitated Muslim pilgrimages to Makkah and Madinah.
Famous for its intricately carved tombs showcasing Nabataean artistry, Hegra was designated Saudi Arabia’s first UNESCO World Heritage Site in 2008.
In the 21st century — with UNESCO recognition and growing global interest in its cultural and historic legacy — AlUla has seen major conservation and sustainable tourism efforts, transforming it into a must-visit destination in Saudi Arabia.
AlUla’s history is retold through immersive experiences and a diverse calendar of events known as AlUla Moments, showcasing 200,000 years of human presence and 7,000 years of civilizations.
Established in 1993, the World Travel Awards honor excellence in travel, tourism, and hospitality, and are recognized globally as the industry’s hallmark of achievement.
Source: arabnews.com
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https://www.arabnews.com/node/2621193/saudi-arabia
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Traditional houses, farms in Qassim transformed into year-round heritage destinations
November 02, 2025
BURAIDAH: The Qassim region is reclaiming its authentic past through innovative youth initiatives that have transformed traditional houses and farms into vibrant heritage destinations, attracting visitors year-round.
This convergence of tradition and modernity enhances both the cultural and economic value of the region’s heritage, the Saudi Press Agency reported, and aligns with Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030, which emphasizes the development of domestic tourism and the preservation of national identity.
The city of Buraidah, along with several other governorates in the region, has seen a significant expansion of projects rehabilitating old buildings and converting them into cafes, restaurants, and hospitality venues with a traditional heritage character.
These efforts coincide with a growing interest from visitors and cultural enthusiasts in experiencing local heritage firsthand.
Heritage expert Shaker Al-Humaid said that recent years had led to a surge in interest to restore old houses and farms, transforming them into unique hospitality destinations, museums, and heritage sites.
These projects not only preserve the legacy of ancestors but also promote rural tourism.
Al-Humaid also said that young people’s growing awareness of national heritage has fueled initiatives that revive folk arts, traditional cuisine and handicrafts, offering visitors a cultural experience reflecting Qassim’s identity and historical roots.
These projects have revitalized old neighborhoods, highlighting mud-brick architecture and traditional decorations, and created distinctive tourist environments celebrating the region’s identity.
By involving local residents in sustainable heritage efforts, the projects support community development while boosting tourism investment.
Additionally, facilities and support provided by official bodies and municipalities have helped preserve the heritage character of historic towns and enhance their appeal to visitors.
Source: arabnews.com
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https://www.arabnews.com/node/2621205/saudi-arabia
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Jeddah hosts fourth Japanese Speech Contest
November 02, 2025
JEDDAH: The Consulate General of Japan in Jeddah organized the fourth Japanese Speech Contest at the King Fahd Public Library, in cooperation with the Saudi Association of Japan Graduates and Associates, and the Japanese community in the city.
The event marked the 70th anniversary of diplomatic ties between Japan and Saudi Arabia and aimed to promote cultural exchange, the Saudi Press Agency reported on Sunday.
Consul General Daisuke Yamamoto thanked library staff and the association for their continued cooperation in hosting the event.
He expressed hope that the contest would strengthen cultural ties and help participants improve their Japanese language skills, the SPA added.
Japanese calligraphy artist Koka Awazu gave a live demonstration, with attendees and contestants trying their hand at calligraphy.
Contestants delivered speeches on the similarities and differences in life, culture, and education in Japan and the Kingdom.
Source: arabnews.com
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Saudi, UK foreign ministers discuss regional developments in Riyadh
November 02, 2025
RIYADH: Saudi Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan on Sunday received UK Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs Yvette Cooper at the ministry’s headquarters in Riyadh.
During the meeting, the two sides reviewed Saudi-British relations and discussed ways to strengthen and expand cooperation in various fields, the Saudi Press Agency reported.
They also exchanged views on the latest regional developments and ongoing joint efforts to promote security and stability, SPA added.
The meeting was also attended by the Undersecretary of the Ministry for Political Affairs Saud Al-Sati, Prince Musab bin Mohammed Al-Farhan and Mohammed Al-Yahya, advisers to the foreign minister.
Source: arabnews.com
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Mideast
Israel says it received the remains of 3 hostages from Gaza as fragile ceasefire holds
November 03, 2025
JERUSALEM: Israel on Sunday announced that the remains of three hostages had been handed over from Gaza and would be examined by forensic experts, as a fragile month-old ceasefire held.
A Hamas statement earlier said the remains were found Sunday in a tunnel in southern Gaza.
Since the ceasefire took effect on Oct. 10, Palestinian militants had released the remains of 17 hostages, with 11 remaining in Gaza, before Sunday’s handover.
Militants have released one or two bodies every few days. Israel has urged faster progress, and in certain cases it has said the remains aren’t of any hostage. Hamas has said the work is complicated by widespread devastation.
Israel’s military said official identification of these remains would be provided to families first.
Emotions around the remains have been high among families, who continue to rally weekly. On Saturday night, Moran Harari, a friend of the late Carmel Gat, urged Israel to have restraint.
“This cursed war has taken so many lives of dear people on both sides of the fence. This time, we must not fall into it again,” Harari said during a rally in Jerusalem.
Israel in turn has been releasing the remains of 15 Palestinians for the return of the remains of an Israeli hostage.
Health officials in Gaza have struggled to identify bodies without access to DNA kits. Only 75 of the 225 Palestinian bodies returned since the ceasefire began have been identified, according to Gaza’s Health Ministry, which has posted photos of remains in the hope that families will recognize them.
It is unclear if the Palestinians returned were killed in Israel during the Hamas-led Oct. 7, 2023, attack on southern Israel that sparked the war, died in Israeli custody as detainees or were recovered from Gaza by troops during the war.
The exchange has been the central part of the initial phase of the US-brokered ceasefire. The 20-point plan includes the formation of an international stabilization force of Arab and other partners that would work with Egypt and Jordan on securing Gaza’s borders and ensure the ceasefire is respected.
Multiple nations have shown interest in taking part in a peacekeeping force but called for a clear UN Security Council mandate before committing troops.
Other difficult questions include Hamas’ disarmament and the governance of a postwar Gaza, as well as when and how humanitarian aid will be increased.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said earlier Sunday that “there are still pockets of Hamas” in parts of Gaza controlled by Israeli forces.
“There are actually two in Rafah and Khan Younis, and they will be eliminated,” Netanyahu said during a Cabinet meeting.
The deadliest and most destructive war ever fought between Israel and Hamas began with the Hamas-led 2023 attack that killed about 1,200 people and took 251 others hostage.
Israel’s military offensive has killed more than 68,800 Palestinians in Gaza, according to Gaza’s Health Ministry, which doesn’t distinguish between civilians and combatants. The ministry, part of the Hamas-run government and staffed by medical professionals, maintains detailed records viewed as generally reliable by independent experts.
Israel, which has denied accusations by a UN commission of inquiry and others of committing genocide in Gaza, has disputed the ministry’s figures without providing a contradicting toll.
Source: arabnews.com
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Gaza children gradually return to school after two years of war
November 02, 2025
NUSEIRAT: The UN agency for Palestinian refugees, or UNRWA, announced this week that following the start of the ceasefire Gaza, it was reopening some schools in the territory, with children gradually returning to classes.
UNRWA chief Philippe Lazzarini said on X on Tuesday that more than 25,000 schoolchildren had already joined the agency’s “temporary learning spaces,” while some 300,000 would follow online classes.
At Al-Hassaina school in western Nuseirat, in the central Gaza Strip, classes had just resumed despite a shortage of classrooms.
Warda Radwan, an 11-year-old student, said she was looking forward to returning to her learning routine.
“I am in sixth grade now, but I lost two years of schooling because of displacement and the war,” she said.
During the two-year war between Israel and Hamas, Al-Hassaina, like many other UNRWA facilities throughout the territory, became a shelter for dozens of displaced families.
Their presence was still visible in the lines of laundry strung across the building’s three floors.
Radwan explained that classes “are restarting slowly” as the school is emptied of the families living there.
Then, she said, she and her classmates “can continue learning like we did before.”
In the school’s courtyard on Saturday, young girls lined up for the morning assembly, performing stretching exercises under their teachers’ supervision and chanting: “Long live Palestine!“
As classes began, about 50 girls crammed into a single classroom, sitting on the floor with no desks or chairs.
They responded enthusiastically to the teacher’s questions and eagerly copied the lesson from the blackboard into their notebooks, happy to be back in school after two years.
Another classroom hosted a similar number of older girls in their teens.
The conditions were identical — all sitting on the floor with notebooks resting on their laps.
Jenin Abu Jarad, a relative of one of the students, said she was thankful to see the children back in classes.
“Since Oct. 7, there has not been any school for our children,” she said.
“During this time, all they could do was fetch water, get food, or play in the streets. But thankfully, about a week to ten days ago, schools began reopening gradually,” she added.
Source: arabnews.com
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Iraq’s foreign minister calls for disarmament of ‘PKK elements’ in north
November 02, 2025
BAGHDAD: Iraq’s Foreign Minister Fuad Hussein on Sunday called on Kurdish separatist fighters who have withdrawn to the country’s north after waging a decades-long insurgency in Turkiye to disarm.
Kurdistan Workers’ Party, or PKK, began laying down its arms in July in a symbolic ceremony in northern Iraq after withdrawing its fighters from Turkiye to Iraq as part of a peace effort with Ankara.
But armed “PKK elements” remain in northern Iraq, notably in Sinjar and Makhmur, according to Hussein.
Speaking on Sunday during a joint news conference in Baghdad with his Turkish counterpart, Hakan Fidan, Hussein said: “We support the agreement between Turkiye and the PKK and look forward to the implementation of this agreement and the resolution of the PKK issue.”
He said the matter of the “PKK elements” in northern Iraq was discussed with Fidan.
Turkiye hopes that the PKK will end its armed operations in Iraq and withdraw from there, as well as in parts of Iran and Syria, Fidan said.
“We are working closely with Iraq, and I thank both Iraq and the Kurdistan region for their cooperation in this regard,” he said.
Sabri Ok, a member of the Kurdish umbrella organization, the Kurdistan Communities Union, this week said all PKK forces in Turkiye were being withdrawn to areas in northern Iraq “to avoid clashes or provocations.”
Hussein said 26 bilateral memorandums of understanding were being signed related to energy and security, as well as a critical water rehabilitation agreement, following talks last month.
Flights between Iraq and Turkiye are set to resume on Monday, ending a suspension that lasted over two years, said an official at Sulaymaniyah International Airport.
The PKK announced in May that it would disband and renounce armed conflict, bringing to an end four decades of hostilities with Turkiye,
The move came after PKK leader Abdullah Ocalan, who has been imprisoned on an island near Istanbul since 1999, urged his group in February to convene a congress and formally disband and disarm.
Source: arabnews.com
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Israeli Gaza strike kills 1, sides trade blame for truce violations
November 02, 2025
JERUSALEM/CAIRO: An Israeli airstrike killed a Palestinian man in the Gaza Strip on Sunday, health authorities said, as Israel and Hamas traded blame for violations of the tenuous truce that has mostly halted two years of war.
The Israeli military said its aircraft had struck a militant who was posing a threat to its forces. Al-Ahli Hospital said one man was killed in the airstrike near a vegetable market in the Shejaia suburb of Gaza City.
“There are still Hamas pockets in the areas under our control in Gaza, and we are systematically eliminating them,” Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said in broadcast remarks at the start of a cabinet meeting in Jerusalem.
Hamas released what it described as a list of violations of the ceasefire by Israel. Ismail Al-Thawabta, the director of the Hamas-run Gaza government media office, denied that Hamas fighters had violated the truce by attacking Israeli soldiers.
VIOLENCE NOT COMPLETELY HALTED
The ceasefire, which came into effect on October 10, has calmed most fighting, allowing hundreds of thousands of Palestinians to return to the ruins of their homes in Gaza. Israel has withdrawn troops from positions in cities and more aid has been allowed in.
Militants turned over all 20 living hostages held in Gaza in return for nearly 2,000 Palestinian convicts and war-time detainees held by Israel. Hamas has also agreed to turn over bodies of hostages, a process which is still incomplete and which it says is difficult, while Israel accuses it of stalling.
But violence has not completely halted. Palestinian health authorities say Israeli forces have killed 236 people in strikes on Gaza since the truce, nearly half of them in a single day last week when Israel retaliated for an attack on its troops. Israel says three of its soldiers have been killed and it has targeted scores of fighters.
The ceasefire was mediated by the United States, and both sides have appealed to Washington to halt violations.
The US Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, General Dan Caine, met on Saturday with Israel’s military chief Eyal Zamir during a visit to the region to discuss Gaza, the Israeli military said.
Netanyahu said any Israeli action in Gaza is reported to Washington. Hamas said the United States was not doing enough to ensure Israel abides by the ceasefire agreement.
About 200 US troops have set up base in southern Israel to monitor the ceasefire and help make plans for an international force to stabilize the enclave, as foreseen in later phases of US President Donald Trump’s plan to end the war.
There has been little sign of progress on the next stages so far, and major obstacles still lie ahead, including the disarmament of Hamas and a timeline for Israeli withdrawal from Gaza.
Source: arabnews.com
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Syrian leader to discuss sanctions, reconstruction in US visit: FM
November 02, 2025
MANAMA: Syria’s president will discuss issues including lifting remaining sanctions, reconstruction and counter-terrorism when he becomes the country’s first leader to pay an official visit to Washington later this month, the foreign minister said Sunday.
Ahmed Al-Sharaa is expected in the US capital in early November, Syria’s top diplomat Asaad Al-Shaibani told a panel at the Manama Dialogue in Bahrain.
“This visit is certainly historic,” he said.
“Many topics will be discussed, starting with the lifting of sanctions,” Shaibani said, adding: “Today we are fighting (the Islamic State) ... any effort in this regard requires international support.”
Discussions will also revolve around reconstruction after more than a decade of war, he said.
The foreign ministry in Damascus confirmed the trip would be the first ever visit to the White House by a Syrian president.
On Saturday, US envoy to Syria Tom Barrack said Sharaa was heading to Washington “hopefully” to sign an agreement to join the international US-led alliance against the Daesh.
Though it will be Sharaa’s first visit to Washington, it will be his second to the US after a landmark UN trip in September, where the former jihadist became the first Syrian president in decades to address the UN General Assembly in New York.
In May, the interim leader, whose Islamist forces ousted longtime ruler Bashar Assad late last year, met US President Donald Trump for the first time in Riyadh during a historic visit that led to the US leader vowing to lift economic sanctions on Syria.
Israel talks
Syria and Israel remain technically at war, but they opened direct negotiations after Assad was toppled by an Islamist-led coalition last December.
Trump has expressed hope that Syria will join other Arab countries that have normalized ties with Israel under the so-called Abraham Accords.
But Shaibani said that “regarding Syria and the Abraham Accords, this is an issue that is not being considered and has not been discussed.”
A Syrian official had said earlier this year that Syria expects to finalize security and military agreements with Israel in 2025, in what would be a breakthrough less than a year after Assad’s ouster.
Since December, Israel has deployed troops in a UN-patrolled buffer zone that separates the countries’ forces and has launched hundreds of strikes in Syria. Damascus has not retaliated.
“We do not want Syria to enter a new war, and Syria is not currently in a position to threaten any party, including Israel,” said Shaibani.
He said the negotiations underway were focused on “reaching a security agreement that does not undermine the 1974 agreement (cementing a ceasefire with Israel) and does not legitimize any new reality that Israel might impose in the south.”
Source: arabnews.com
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Qatar, Uzbekistan forge stronger ties for shared progress
NOVEMBER 02, 2025
The visit of His Excellency President Shavkat Mirziyoyev of the Republic of Uzbekistan to Doha this week to attend the Second World Summit for Social Development marks a significant milestone in the steadily deepening relationship between Qatar and Uzbekistan. It highlights not only the strong diplomatic ties that unite our two nations but also the shared aspirations for sustainable growth, social progress, and cultural understanding grounded in our common Islamic heritage.
Shared Heritage, Modern Vision
Both Qatar and Uzbekistan represent two vibrant centers of the Islamic world—one in the Gulf, the other in the heart of Central Asia—each with a rich legacy of scholarship, culture, and tolerance. Uzbekistan, the land of Bukhara and Samarkand, was once the beating heart of the Silk Road, where trade and learning flourished. Qatar, meanwhile, has emerged as a global hub for dialogue, education, and innovation in the 21st century.
The convergence of these histories and values gives special depth to their cooperation today. Both nations uphold the principles of dialogue, peace, and development championed by the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) and the United Nations.
Economic Synergy and Energy Partnership
Economically, Qatar and Uzbekistan are increasingly aligned in their ambitions. Uzbekistan’s ongoing reforms have opened new avenues for foreign investment, especially in energy, logistics, finance, and infrastructure—fields where Qatar possesses world-class expertise and capacity.
Qatar’s leading energy companies, including QatarEnergy, have expressed interest in contributing to Uzbekistan’s ambitious plans to modernize its gas infrastructure and expand renewable energy projects. This cooperation reflects a mutually beneficial dynamic: Qatar brings energy know-how and capital, while Uzbekistan offers promising markets and strategic access to Central Asia.
In turn, Uzbekistan’s growing textile and agricultural industries present opportunities for Qatari investors eager to diversify portfolios beyond hydrocarbons. Bilateral trade, though modest in volume today, is poised for further growth through enhanced connectivity and economic cooperation.
Social Development and Human Capital
The President’s participation in the World Summit for Social Development in Doha underscores both nations’ shared commitment to placing people at the heart of progress. The summit’s focus on education, equity, and sustainable livelihoods resonates deeply with the development agendas of Qatar and Uzbekistan.
Qatar’s experience in human capital development—through initiatives like the Qatar Foundation and Education City—serves as a model for collaboration. Uzbekistan, with its large and youthful population, is undertaking substantial education reforms and digital transformation efforts that align with Qatar’s expertise in innovation and smart infrastructure.
Such cooperation not only strengthens bilateral ties but also contributes to a broader Islamic and global agenda for inclusive growth—where social justice, knowledge, and economic empowerment go hand in hand.
Cultural Diplomacy and Shared Values
Beyond economics, Qatar and Uzbekistan share a commitment to cultural diplomacy. Both nations invest in preserving Islamic art, architecture, and heritage, while also promoting modern creative industries. Cultural exchanges—through art exhibitions, academic cooperation, and media collaboration—enhance mutual understanding and reaffirm the role of culture as a bridge between civilizations.
Qatar Museums and Uzbek cultural institutions have already engaged in dialogue exploring partnerships that would bring Central Asian Islamic art to audiences in Doha and beyond. These efforts strengthen the spiritual and cultural fabric connecting the Gulf and Central Asia.
A Future of Cooperation and Stability
As global challenges grow more complex—whether in energy transition, climate change, or geopolitical uncertainty—the cooperation between nations sharing both vision and values becomes even more vital. Qatar and Uzbekistan are demonstrating that faith, modernity, and social progress can coexist harmoniously.
The visit of President Mirziyoyev thus stands as a testament to an expanding partnership—one that moves beyond diplomacy to encompass trade, education, energy, and shared human values. It embodies the spirit of South–South cooperation and the belief that prosperity is best achieved through collaboration, not competition.
As both nations chart their paths toward 2030 and beyond, the partnership between Qatar and Uzbekistan can serve as a model of constructive engagement in the Islamic world—a partnership rooted in mutual respect, cultural affinity, and a joint commitment to a fairer, more inclusive world.
Source: gulf-times.com
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Oman’s maritime history through the ages: A legacy of profound cultural and civilizational heritage
02/November/2025
Muscat: Oman's maritime history across the ages embodies a deeply rooted cultural and civilizational legacy, establishing the nation as a pioneering seafaring power and a bridge for intercultural communication, dialogue, and peace with diverse peoples worldwide. This heritage presents a distinguished civilizational portrait of the Omani people across all spheres of human endeavour.
An examination of Oman's ancient maritime legacy clearly reveals the enduring impact of core Omani values—integrity, honesty, and benevolent conduct. Their imprint remains visible today across Africa, India, China, and the islands of Southeast Asia, having played a pivotal role in consolidating human, religious, and cultural bonds. Consequently, Omani maritime history serves as a source of inspiration for successive generations in entrenching the principles of tolerance, cooperation, and openness.
This report details the defining features of Omani maritime history, its key geographical and symbolic milestones, and explores the contributions of pivotal figures and initiatives in building this heritage. It further examines how the Sultanate of Oman leverages this civilizational asset to bolster its contemporary global presence through soft power and cultural diplomacy.
Sheikh Hamoud bin Hamad Al Ghailani, a researcher in Omani maritime history, stated to the Oman News Agency (ONA) that every nation possesses its distinct culture. Oman, as an integral part of the global community, cannot disregard this cultural dimension, which manifests through both individual and collective mobility, inevitably involving a process of mutual influence with other nations, albeit to varying degrees of impact.
He emphasized that the Omani influence was distinctly evident in the dissemination of Islam, particularly across East Africa. This propagation was not achieved through coercion but was founded upon principled discourse, exemplary treatment, sincere cooperation, and trustworthiness. The genuine conviction of Omani Muslims notably attracted many Africans to Islam, as illustrated by narratives such as that of (Al-Amri) and the King of Uganda concerning a sacrificial rite, alongside similar accounts from India, China, and Southeast Asia.
He noted that historical influences of Omanis and Arabs in India included the (Zamorin) Raja of Calicut adopting Muslim attire despite his Hindu faith. In East Africa, the Omani cultural impact is evidenced by the emergence of an Arabic-language press, including publications such as (Al-Najah, Al-Nadi, Al-Falaq, Al-Nahda, Al-Ummah, Al-Islah, and the Official Gazette).
Regarding the Omani contribution to knowledge, he explained that scientific knowledge, particularly that derived from empirical practice, exerts a more profound and enduring influence. Through their extensive seafaring experiences, Omanis accumulated significant expertise, culminating in numerous scholarly works. The legacy of navigators like Ahmed bin Majid, his Omani predecessors such as Yazid Al-Omani, Ismail bin Ibrahim bin Mardas, Jaafar bin Lakis, and the contributions of Kutah, who charted maritime routes, provided foundational knowledge adopted by numerous nations who engaged Omani captains.
He highlighted the direct role of Omanis in spreading Islam across regions they reached, including China, Southeast Asia, India, and East Africa. In all these areas, Islam was disseminated through virtuous conduct, steadfast integrity, and refined ethics, countering narratives that its spread was reliant on military conquest.
The Omani presence in East Africa, he noted, assumed a unique character, remaining a tangible and living exemplar to this day. The era of Sayyid Said bin Sultan and the robust Omani presence offers a rich case study in the propagation of Islam, the Arabic language, and Omani customs and traditions.
He added that during Sayyid Said bin Sultan's reign, Zanzibar evolved into a hub of Islamic and Arab influence throughout East Africa. Islam spread primarily via Arab, particularly Omani, trading caravans. Among these Omani traders, renowned for their Islamic ethics, were missionary merchant sheikhs like Khamis bin Juma, instrumental in the conversion of (Muteesa I), alongside Sheikh Abdulrahman bin Obaid bin Hamoud, Hamad bin Mohammed Al-Marjabi, and Obaidullah bin Salim Al-Khadhouri.
He pointed out that Omani maritime activity has historically fulfilled multiple roles. The voyages of Omani vessels established economic and diplomatic ties with ancient civilizations, including those of the Indus Valley, Mesopotamia, and Pharaonic Egypt, later extending to East Africa and China. These interactions forged enduring relationships that persist today, subsequently strengthening diplomatic relations with brotherly and friendly nations.
Regarding the utilization of this maritime heritage as a form of soft power, Dr. Saleh bin Mohammed Al-Fahdi, Member of the State Council, told the Oman News Agency (ONA) that Omani maritime history constitutes a fundamental component of the nation's ancient heritage, instrumental in shaping the Omani character, its value system, principles, and outlook. This is fundamentally rooted in Oman's strategic geographical location, a significant divine endowment.
He elaborated that Oman has, since antiquity, served as a crucial nexus connecting the world's continents and linking East and West. Its privileged position attracted the attention of seafaring peoples and international traders. The ports of Muscat, Sohar, Qalhat, Sur, Samharam, Mirbat, and others functioned as vital hubs for reprovisioning, commercial exchange, and respite from arduous sea journeys, profoundly facilitating interaction between Omanis and peoples of diverse ethnicities, races, and cultural backgrounds.
History records the Omanis as masters of the seas, he stated, who traversed oceans reaching as far as China—a formidable achievement in the pre-Christian era. Chinese annals from ruling dynasties specifically document Omanis as the first Arabs to reach China, notably the port of Canton (modern-day Guangzhou).
He affirmed that the Omani people are inherently open to other cultures, tolerant, and integrate with others effortlessly, guided by their refined morals, honesty, and equitable dealings. These qualities distinguished them and garnered the interest of other societies, thereby facilitating the spread of Islam and its tolerant principles.
The Omani individual, he believes, has consistently been a source of soft power throughout history, owing to a character defined by high ethics, benevolent intentions, and noble objectives. This has cemented the historical image of Oman, shaped by its contributions to the advancement of nations and peoples in India, East Africa, and China, with enduring evidence remaining visible today.
He confirmed that mosques built by Omanis in China remain in use for prayers, reflecting the positive legacy of the Omani people through the centuries. The Omani was never perceived as an aggressor, oppressor, colonizer, or exploiter of others' wealth, but rather as a bearer of a lofty message, noble values, and authentic ethics.
He clarified that Oman's ancient maritime history itself constitutes a genuine asset of Omani soft power. Leveraging every facet of this history—its milestones, accomplishments, and narratives—will undoubtedly enrich the Omani culture that forms the national identity.
Regarding Omani nautical knowledge and its role in civilizational and commercial exchange throughout history, Khalid bin Ali Al Mukhaini, a maritime researcher, told the Oman News Agency (ONA) that the sea for Omanis was far more than a vast blue expanse; it represented destiny, identity, and a grand academy that shaped their civilizational trajectory. Oman's geography, with its coastline along three major bodies of water and a desert interior that pushed inhabitants seaward during droughts, compelled its people to embrace the waves. The sea became a conduit for sustenance, livelihood, and global interaction, fostering the emergence of Omanis as pioneers in navigation, shipbuilding, and as merchants transporting goods and aspirations between East and West.
Omani sailors, he added, inherited and refined sophisticated navigational expertise over generations. They celestial-navigated using stars, interpreted weather patterns to forecast rains and storms, and mastered the monsoon winds, which were crucial for their commercial prosperity. They meticulously documented knowledge of tides, straits, and islands, learning to read the sea like an open text—predicting storms from shifts in water colour or the flight of migratory birds. This prowess enabled global voyages and the production of detailed manuscripts and navigational almanacs that preserved their science.
On maritime instrumentation and geography, he indicated that Omani navigators employed traditional tools to conquer the unknown: the marine astrolabe, Ibn Majid's bearing tablets ("al-Khashabāt"), and the compass for direction-finding. The "Balad" (lead line), a rope with a tallowed lead weight, was used for depth-sounding and assessing seabed composition for anchoring. The hourglass and "Al-Batili" log were utilized for speed measurement, with later adoption of European charts and solar altitude observations.
He affirmed that Oman's unique location at the confluence of the Indian Ocean, Arabian Sea, and Arabian Gulf, endowed with extensive coasts and natural harbors, proved instrumental. The sea served as both an open textbook and a constant instructor, its lessons deepening with each voyage and return.
This specialized knowledge, he noted, underpinned the flourishing of Oman's trade with the East and West. The predictable monsoon winds made journeys safer and more economical. Omani vessels carried spices, timber, ivory, and gold from India and East Africa, returning laden with dates, copper, and horses. Consequently, the ports of Sur, Muscat, Sohar, Qalhat, and Mirbat transformed into vibrant international hubs, teeming with activity and commerce.
Dr. Badriya bint Mohammed Al Nahbani, a historian and academic, informed the Oman News Agency (ONA) that the "Jewel of Muscat" project was initiated to revive the 9th-century maritime trade route between Oman and the Arabian Peninsula, following the discovery of a corresponding shipwreck in Indonesian waters.
The project concept originated in Oman in 2006, she clarified, following a proposal by the late Sultan Qaboos bin Said to reconstruct the vessel and gift it to Singapore, thereby reinforcing the historical ties between the two nations. Oman financed the construction, while Singapore supported the voyage to its shores, making the project a symbol of bilateral cooperation and friendship.
Regarding the ship's role in revitalizing Oman's image as an influential maritime and commercial power in the medieval Indian Ocean, she indicated that the Jewel of Muscat serves as a modern replica of traditional Omani craft, demonstrating the skill of Omani sailors in overcoming voyage challenges. It also reanimated the collective memory of Oman's maritime heritage, making it tangible through live tracking via a dedicated website that allowed public monitoring of its journey.
The Jewel of Muscat, she added, encapsulated the spirit of the Omani navigator and his capacity for global engagement from its launch until its Singapore arrival, affirming his navigational and political capabilities. The vessel carried distinct political and economic significance within an authentically Omani cultural framework.
She affirmed that the Jewel of Muscat stands as a unique and successful paradigm of cultural diplomacy. Its docking in Singapore on 3 June 2010, was not a transient event but a defining cultural moment. The voyage became a permanent legacy, now housed as a historical exhibit at the Sentosa World Museum, where it continues to welcome international visitors, serving as a living testament to the depth of Omani maritime history.
Dr. Ahlam bint Hamoud Al Jahwari, historian and author, explained to the Oman News Agency (ONA) that Oman's geographical and natural position has, throughout the ages, constituted a focal point for civilizational interaction among nations and actively contributed to maritime commerce in the ancient Near East.
Oman assumed a historically prominent role in shaping regional commercial and maritime developments, she added, becoming a leading cradle of seafaring, thanks to its pioneering navigators who established it as a thriving maritime center, renowned for its numerous and diverse vessels and extensive trade networks. The sea became a vital artery for cultural transmission and fostering intercultural communication.
In the context of heritage revitalization, she noted that several Omani sailing vessels have undertaken historic voyages to retrace ancient routes and strengthen international ties, such as the 1980 voyage of the "Sohar" to China and the 2010 "Jewel of Muscat" expedition to Singapore.
She pointed out that Omani ships, whether sailing vessels like "Shabab Oman I" and "II" and "Zinat Al-Bihar," or other ships such as "Qahir Al-Amwaaj," "Al-Najah," "Nasr Al-Bahr," and "Al-Moazar," have consistently represented the Sultanate of Oman in international maritime events and competitions, strengthening bonds of friendship and peace between Oman and the world. Oman has been, and remains, a land of peace, a haven for culture and human exchange, and a cradle of global maritime navigation.
She noted that the "Al-Rahmani" is among the most notable Omani warships associated with the early Al Busaidi state, specifically with the fleet of Imam Ahmed bin Said Al Busaidi. The ship earned distinction for its heroic role in breaking the Persian siege of Basra in 1775, following a request for assistance from the Ottoman governor of Baghdad.
In a separate context, she highlighted the "Sultanah" as epitomizing the pinnacle of Omani maritime diplomacy in the 19th century. It established the first official maritime bridge between the Sultanate of Oman and the United States, sailing to New York Harbor in 1839 carrying a message of friendship and trade from Sultan Said bin Sultan to the U.S. President. Onboard was the Omani envoy Ahmed bin Al-Nu'man Al-Kaabi, representing the Sultan on one of the earliest diplomatic missions from an Arab state to the United States.
The Omani maritime heritage is not merely a recounted memory but a living present and a promising future—a mirror reflecting the authenticity of the Omani people and the profundity of a civilization that engaged the world through mutual respect and knowledge, not conquest and force. Through sails that reached the farthest horizons, Omanis carried their culture and ethics to other peoples, leaving an indelible imprint on human history.
Undoubtedly, this maritime heritage is not simply a historical chapter, but a cornerstone for present-day nation-building and an effective instrument for enhancing Oman's international stature, both culturally and humanitarianly. Furthermore, investing this historical legacy to reinforce national identity, promote dialogue, and build bridges represents the optimal strategy for its preservation and its confident and proud transmission to future generations.
Source: timesofoman.com
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Europe
Plans for mosque in Birmingham refused amid parking fears
Alexander Brock
November 03, 2025
Despite the plans for the Spring Road site attracting dozens of letters of support, more than 200 objections were received by the city council amid concerns over issues such as parking and the impact on nearby roads.
According to a council report, the area’s MP Jess Phillips submitted a formal objection to the application and pointed to the potential impact on parking and highway safety.
Acocks Green Councillor Roger Harmer also objected to the proposals, saying he was troubled by “traffic generation and potential congestion in the surrounding area”.
A council report said that the anticipated parking demand would not be “absorbed” by any single street in isolation.
“Instead, it would be distributed across multiple streets within the survey area,” it continued. “[This] would avoid concentrated pressure and ensure that the proposal does not result in unacceptable levels of congestion.”
One of the proposed conditions was that Friday prayers be limited to one session between 12.30 and 2.30pm.
The report said that Friday prayer, described as the busiest period of the week for Muslim worshippers, would avoid overlap with “school dismissal times and mid-afternoon commuter traffic”.
The plans were recommended for approval, with the report concluding: “The proposal would not have a detrimental impact on the functioning of the local highways network or result in adverse implications for highway safety.”
But councillors at a recent planning meeting expressed concern, with Councillor Gareth Moore saying: “I certainly don’t have an issue with places of worship but clearly they are notorious for having substantive parking issues associated with them.
“I don’t take any comfort from the assurances offered therefore I can’t support it.”
“Again, I’ve got no problem with the proposed use – no problem at all,” Coun Jane Jones added.
“But as someone who’s had a mosque in their ward in quite a built-up area on a busy road where parking was already a massive issue, it’s just caused unprecedented issues.”
“It’s not the mosque, it’s the location, so I’m afraid I’m going to be voting against,” she added.
Coun Colin Green added: “I note this application is right in Acocks Green town centre by the shops which is perennially difficult to find a parking space.
“I’m not against the conversion to a place of worship – is there reassurance parking spaces are actually adequate?”
A council officer told the meeting: “It’d be Friday afternoon where the parking demand would be at its highest.
“So to avoid that conflict of cars going in and out of the site at the same time, the idea was to restrict it to one per service.”
The council report concluded that the proposed development would “secure a long-term, socially beneficial use for a currently vacant building” and “contribute positively to the character and cohesion of the area”.
Those supportive of the plans also suggested they could promote sustainable travel given its location and reduce unnecessary travel by car.
“If [Friday prayer] is just restricted to one prayer, that would make a big difference,” Coun Mumtaz Hussain added at the meeting.
However, the majority of Birmingham’s planning committee remained unconvinced and voted to refuse the plans.
Source: expressandstar.com
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Lancashire mosque seeks to boost its Islamic identity with new addition
Aimee Seddon
2nd Nov 2025
A Burnley mosque wants to add a minaret to boost the buildings Islamic identity.
Daneshouse Islamic Education Centre has applied for planning permission for the enhancement to the Daneshouse Masjid in Burnley.
A minaret is a tower from which a muezzin calls Muslims to prayer
It also wants to cerate an additional floor at the place of worship at 53A Daneshouse Road Burnley.
A supporting statement submitted to Burnley Council says: “This report is in relation to an application for ‘alterations to roof form to create additional floor and addition of minaret’ at Daneshouse Masjid, 53A Daneshouse Rd, Burnley.
“The application site is approximately 494 square metres.
“It is c currently a mosque and community centre to the lower ground floor and classrooms above.
“The property is located on a brownfield site with a c collection of buildings of varied heights.
“On Daneshouse Road the main elevation of the mosque building extends one storey, with two-torey building to the west.
“To the North of the site the rear of the mosque is accessed at lower ground floor level.
“The proposal seeks to alter the roof form of the lower ground floor to the rear to accommodate an additional storey within the existing building.
“This will enable the mosque and education uses to be separated, thereby enhancing safeguarding arrangements and accessibility.
“The proposal also seeks to incorporate a minaret to the principal elevation, reinforcing the building’s identity as a mosque whilst remaining sensitive to the wider street scene.
“The design integrates harmoniously with the host property as the scheme uses natural coursed stone, roof tiling to match and glazing elements to complement the existing building.
“The minaret will be introduced to the front elevation to enhance the identity of the mosque.
“The introduction of the minaret is a recognised architectural feature of Islamic places of worship.
“Its inclusion strengthens the cultural and religious identity of the building, giving clear expression to its communal function while remaining respectful to the surrounding streetscape.
There will be no significant alterations to the elevation fronting Daneshouse Road, minimising impact upon visual amenity and ensuring the preservation of the character of the building.
“The only elevation change to the street-facing façade is the introduction of the minaret.
“The minaret will be constructed out of Corten.
“The use of Corten has been inspired by the Burnley College and University of Central Lancashire facades.
“The use of Corten is a staple of educational complexes within the town and will be a key change to the principal elevation, linking our building to other educational establishments.
“The proposal represents a sensitive and high-quality enhancement to an established mosque and community facility.”
Source: lep.co.uk
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https://www.lep.co.uk/news/lancashire-mosque-seeks-to-boost-its-islamic-identity-with-new-addition-5384550
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Protesters and government supporters clash on streets of Belgrade
3 Nov, 2025
Supporters and opponents of Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic and his ruling SNS party clashed on the streets of Belgrade on Sunday, marking the first anniversary of a train station canopy collapse that killed 16 people and sparked nationwide protests.
The protesters, many of them university students, have been demanding accountability for the tragedy in Novi Sad, which occurred on November 1, 2024, and have accused the government of corruption and mismanagement.
A crowd led by Dijana Hrka, whose son died in the collapse, gathered outside the Serbian parliament building.
Meanwhile, government supporters and students opposing the protesters’ tactics of blockading universities rallied in Pionirski Park, where they have been camping out since March.
Sporadic clashes broke out between the rival groups despite police efforts to separate them. RT Balkan reported that bottles and firecrackers were thrown. One person was arrested, police said.
Serbia’s Interior Ministry blamed “an organized group” within the anti-government protesters for the violence, saying that a tent in Pionirski Park had been set on fire. Supporters of the student blockade movement claimed that pro-SNS activists threw projectiles first.
Vucic, who has repeatedly claimed that the protests were incited from abroad, rejected allegations that his supporters were responsible for the clashes. “The blockaders can’t tolerate democracy or differing opinions,” he told Informer TV on Sunday. Vucic noted that several SNS offices have been set on fire since 2024.
Source: rt.com
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Kiev has received more Patriot missile systems – Zelensky
3 Nov, 2025
Kiev has received additional US-made Patriot air defense systems from Germany, Ukrainian leader Vladimir Zelensky has said.
Ukraine has been pressing its Western backers for more long-range weapons, including Tomahawk cruise missiles and additional Patriot batteries. The New York Times reported in May that although the country possessed eight Patriot systems, only six were operational.
In a post on X on Sunday, Zelensky thanked German Chancellor Friedrich Merz. “Our agreements have been fulfilled. More Patriots are now in Ukraine and being put into operation,” he wrote.
“Of course, more systems are needed to protect key infrastructure sites and our cities across the entire territory of Ukraine, and we will continue working to obtain them – not only at the political level with states and leaders but also directly with manufacturers of all necessary air defense systems and missiles for them,” he added.
The Russian Defense Ministry claims it has destroyed around 40 Patriot launchers since 2023.
While US President Donald Trump has declined to supply Ukraine with Tomahawks, he has allowed NATO countries to purchase American weapons on Kiev’s behalf. Moscow has maintained that no amount of foreign aid will change the situation on the battlefield in Ukraine’s favor.
Last month, Zelensky said Ukraine and the US were preparing a contract for 25 Patriot systems. He added that deliveries could take years unless EU states demonstrate “goodwill” by prioritizing Kiev or transferring systems they already possess.
With each system costing about $1 billion, Ukraine hopes to finance the purchases through an EU loan backed by frozen Russian assets. Russia has condemned any attempt to confiscate its assets as theft.
Source: rt.com
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Nato 'will stand with Ukraine' to get long-lasting peace, senior official tells BBC
3 Nov, 2025
Frank Gardner
Nato "will stand with Ukraine up to the day in which we will have them sitting around the table for a long-lasting peace", a senior official from the military alliance has told the BBC.
Admiral Giuseppe Cavo Dragone, chair of Nato's military committee since January, added from an operational point of view he considered the Russia-Ukraine war was bogged down, and "it was almost time to sit and talk because it's a waste of lives".
Pointing to the fact that Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine in 2022 had resulted in two more countries joining the Western alliance - Finland and Sweden - Adm Dragone described the war as a strategic failure for Russian President Vladimir Putin, despite recent slow, incremental advances by Russia on the battlefield.
"They will not get a friendly or puppet government like in Belarus. Putin will not succeed."
Asked if European nations were prepared to keep going with supporting Ukraine's defence, he said they were. It was beneficial, he believed that they had had something of a wake-up call and were now taking charge of their own defence.
In June, Nato members agreed to raise their defence spending to 5% of GDP by 2035. The move followed repeated urges from US President Donald Trump for members to do so.
On Russia's recent announcement about long-range, nuclear-powered weapons like the Burevestnik and the Poseidon, the former Italian chief of defence staff and naval aviator played down concerns by Nato, saying that it was a defensive nuclear alliance.
"We are not threatened by them," he said, "we are just ready to defend our 32 nations and our one billion people. We are a nuclear alliance."
On the risk of future invasions or attacks, Adm Dragone said if - and he emphasised the conditional here - there was to be anywhere it would likely be the Baltic states: Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania.
But he pointed out that as Nato states Article 5 would be requested - which considers an attack on one nation to be equivalent to an attack on all - and that Nato would come to their defence.
Asked if that included the US, he replied: "Yes, because they have committed to this and they have underlined that they are still in the business."
Of all Nato defence needs right now, Adm Dragone said air defence was the top priority. Recent incursions by Russian drones into Poland and Romania have prompted the alliance to upgrade its air defences.
Regarding the possibility of activating a notional "drone wall" on Nato's eastern borders, he said this would be done within months and that "the alliance's Allied Command Transformation in Norfolk [Virginia] is already working on that".
"There is a lot of stuff on the market which will fulfil our immediate needs so we set up a new activity which is Eastern Sentry... integrating all the air defence that we already have on our eastern flank.
"Airspace incursions are pretty frequent, we escort them out and that's basically the game," the admiral said.
Despite no sign that Russia is changing course on the war in Ukraine and despite signs that some members - notably Slovakia and Hungary - are increasingly opposed to supporting Ukraine's defence, Adm Dragone ended on a positive note.
"The alliance is reliable, it is mature, there is a cohesion which is our centre of gravity."
"The alliance is stronger than our adversaries, and we will stay with Ukraine up to the day that peace will break out," he added.
Source: bbc.com
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https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/czxng7kxnp9o
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Southeast Asia
VP Gibran: Indonesia Aims to Nurture Islamic Students Skilled in AI and Blockchain
Hendrik Yaputra
November 3, 2025
TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - Indonesia's Vice President Gibran Rakabuming Raka has stated that the government aims to produce tech-savvy Islamic students who can meet the challenges of the times. Gibran said the government wants to produce students who are experts in blockchain, artificial intelligence (AI), robotics, and biotechnology.
Gibran made the remarks while attending the Inauguration of the Management of the Ansor Youth Movement (GP Ansor) of Central Java Service Period 2025-2029 at the As Shodiqiyah Islamic Boarding School, Sawah Besar Street, Gayamsari District, Semarang City, Central Java, on Sunday, November 2, 2025.
"The Ansor youth must have good morals and religious knowledge, but it should be balanced with knowledge that can address the challenges of the times. We want to produce students who are experts in blockchain, artificial intelligence, robotics, and biotechnology," Gibran said, as quoted in the official statement from the Vice President's Secretariat.
He also asked the Management of the Ansor Youth Movement of Central Java to support government programs, such as free nutritious meals, free health checks, People's Schools, Garuda Schools, and social assistance. "Please support programs such as MBG, Free Health Checks, People's Schools, Garuda Schools, social assistance, and ensure that they are distributed well and reach the right targets," Gibran said.
Gibran said the government cannot work alone in realizing the vision, mission, and national development programs. He believes that partnerships with various parties, including youth and religious organizations such as the GP Ansor, are crucial steps to ensure that government programs run effectively and reach the right targets.
"The government needs young people who are enthusiastic about progress. Here, the role of GP Ansor has been proven as a youth organization that upholds the values of Islam and nationalism," Gibran said.
Gibran stated that the government is committed to creating extensive collaboration opportunities for youth and religious organizations, such as GP Ansor, to accelerate the achievement of national development targets. "Congratulations to all members of the GP Ansor Central Java Regional Board for the 2025-2029 Period. Congratulations on your duty, may you always bring new spirit and energy in your dedication to the organization, the people, and the nation," he said.
Meanwhile, the Chair of the GP Ansor Central Leadership Council, Addin Jauharudin, emphasized that GP Ansor will continue to prepare strong, competitive, and adaptive young cadres to face the changing times."The scope of Ansor cadres, in addition to focusing on religious and cadre education, is directed towards how all cadres can innovate, advance their human resources, and become catalysts for the development of young people in their respective regions," he said.
Addin also stressed the importance of cross-sector collaboration so that the presence of Ansor is truly beneficial to the community. "We must become productive cadres driving cooperative business groups with all parties, Military District Commanders, Police Sectors, Sub-districts, Governors, and all partners in accordance with the spirit of our laws," he said.
It is worth mentioning that the election of Muchammad Shidqon Prabowo as the Chair of the GP Ansor Central Java Regional Board was the result of a Regional Conference held in accordance with the organization's mandate after the XVI GP Ansor Congress in 2024.
Also present at the event were Central Java Governor Ahmad Luthfi, Semarang Mayor Agustina Wilujeng Pramestuti, and Central Java NU Regional Board Chair Abdul Ghafar Rozin.
Source: en.tempo.co
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Indonesia's Prabowo Ranks 15th on the World's 500 Most Influential Muslims 2026 List
Hendrik Yaputra
November 2, 2025
ince Mohammad bin Salman bin Abdul Aziz Al Saud (Prince MBS) of Saudi Arabia.
The top three positions are occupied by the Amir of Qatar, Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani (first), followed by the Mufti of Pakistan, Sheikh Muhammad Taqi Usmani (second), and Sheikh Al Habib Umar bin Hafiz (third).
Indonesia is further represented in the top 50 by Yahya Cholil Staquf, Chairperson of the Nahdlatul Ulama (PBNU).
Profile and Rationale
In its profile, The Muslim 500 identifies Prabowo as a strong nationalist leader who emphasizes economic development, food security, and a more assertive foreign policy.
Prabowo's political career, however, has been marked by controversies, particularly those linked to his military service. He was accused of committing human rights violations during Indonesia’s occupation of East Timor and in the final days of the Suharto regime in 1998. These allegations include the kidnapping of pro-democracy activists and involvement in the violent suppression of protests.
The accusations ultimately led to his dismissal from the military in 1998 and a temporary entry ban to the United States. Prabowo has consistently denied these allegations.
Since assuming office, Prabowo initiated a significant cabinet reshuffle in September 2025, replacing key figures such as the Finance Minister. This action came in response to national protests concerning issues like police conduct, the rising cost of living, and income inequality.
The Muslim 500 notes that Prabowo possesses a charismatic public speaking style and a notable ability to connect with both rural voters and the working class. Additionally, he is recognized for having represented Indonesia in various international competitions.
Source: .tempo.co
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‘The Beast’ glides: Nanta celebrates Trump’s smooth ride as win for Malaysian roads
By R. Loheswar
03 Nov 2025
KUALA LUMPUR, Nov 3 — Works Minister Datuk Seri Alexander Nanta Linggi has help up a viral video of US President Donald Trump’s motorcade travelling smoothly on Malaysian roads as evidence of the nation’s infrastructure quality.
He said the clip, which gained traction online over the weekend, reflected well on Malaysia’s road network and maintenance standards.
“It’s a pleasant and well accepted praise. It shows that our roads are in good condition and comparable to international standards,” he said after officiating the Road & Traffic Tech Expo (MyArtte) and the Malaysian Road Maintenance Convention (MRMC) 2025 here today.
The 13-second video, posted on the X platform by Trump’s Special Assistant and Communication Advisor Margo Martin, shows the presidential convoy cruising along a sleek, tree-lined highway en route from the Kuala Lumpur International Airport (KLIA) to the capital city.
Source: malaymail.com
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Housing Minister reaffirms commitment to media freedom after recent controversy
3 Nov 2025
Housing Minister Nga Kor Ming emphasises close media cooperation after apologising for recent incident with journalist during project launch.
KUALA LUMPUR: The Housing and Local Government Ministry has reaffirmed its commitment to media freedom and collaboration with press organisations.
Minister Nga Kor Ming stated that the MADANI Government consistently prioritises media freedom and has no intention of sidelining the media’s role.
He emphasised that a close relationship between KPKT and media representatives is crucial for effectively communicating government policies to the public.
KPKT held a morning tea session with major media associations at its Putrajaya office to strengthen this partnership.
The session included representatives from the National Union of Journalists Malaysia, Malaysian Media Council and Gerakan Media Merdeka.
“This session served as an open platform for exchanging views and ideas towards strengthening synergy between the ministry and the media,” KPKT said in a statement.
The gathering aimed to advance the Malaysia MADANI agenda for public well-being and national prosperity.
Also present were KPKT secretary-general Datuk Nor Azman Taib, NUJ president Low Boon Tat and secretary-general Teh Athira Mohamed Yusof.
The meeting followed Nga’s recent apology and withdrawal of a statement made against a journalist during a project launch in Bukit Bintang.
A viral video showed Nga responding sharply to a media representative’s question, drawing criticism from various quarters including NUJ and Geramm. – Bernama
Source: thesun.my
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https://thesun.my/news/malaysia-news/housing-minister-reaffirms-commitment-to-media-freedom-after-recent-controversy/
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Malaysia calls for immediate end to violence in Sudan, protection of civilians
3 Nov 2025
Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim calls for immediate cessation of violence and civilian protection in Sudan amid worsening humanitarian crisis
KUALA LUMPUR: Malaysia has demanded an immediate end to violence and full protection for civilians in Sudan amid a worsening humanitarian crisis in El Fasher and across Darfur.
Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim expressed deep alarm over the unfolding tragedy which he described as a humanitarian catastrophe.
He stated that mass killings, starvation and displacement are occurring on a scale that shocks the conscience.
“Reports of atrocities that may amount to crimes against humanity, even genocide, are intolerable,” Anwar said in a Facebook post.
He emphasised Malaysia’s solidarity with the Sudanese people and urged decisive international action to prevent further suffering.
The International Organisation for Migration reported that 1,205 people were displaced from Bara and Umm Ruwaba cities in North Kordofan state.
Another 360 people fled from Al-Abbasiya and Delami in South Kordofan due to worsening insecurity.
IOM teams estimated that 580 people fled Bara while 625 left Umm Ruwaba from the North Kordofan displacements.
The displaced moved to various locations within North Kordofan and several towns in White Nile state in southern Sudan.
Sudan’s army and the RSF have been locked in war since April 15, 2023, despite regional and international mediation efforts.
The conflict has killed 20,000 people and displaced more than 15 million as refugees and internally displaced persons according to UN and local reports. – Bernama
Source: thesun.my
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https://thesun.my/news/malaysia-news/people-issues/malaysia-calls-for-immediate-end-to-violence-in-sudan-protection-of-civilians/
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Malaysia signs bilateral deals to boost CCUS investment and cut costs
3 Nov 2025
Malaysia’s bilateral agreements with Singapore, South Korea and Japan will boost CCUS investment and reduce infrastructure costs
KUALA LUMPUR: Bilateral agreements with foreign countries are expected to increase investment and reduce carbon capture, utilisation and storage infrastructure costs in Malaysia.
Deputy Economy Minister Datuk Hanifah Hajar Taib said collaborations with Singapore, South Korea and Japan would establish Malaysia as a CCUS hub in the Asia-Pacific region.
She explained this would create new business opportunities including permanent carbon dioxide capture and storage services.
Hanifah Hajar was responding to Muhammad Islahuddin Abas regarding government measures to develop CCUS as a new national revenue source.
The government will implement a carbon dioxide capture pilot project in Kemaman’s iron and steel industry.
This pilot project will serve as a reference for assessing CCUS potential within industrial carbon integration efforts.
Strategic CCUS hubs will be developed to build complete ecosystems generating economic spillover benefits.
Malaysia possesses an estimated 13.3 gigatonnes of carbon storage capacity among the region’s largest.
Available storage sites could accommodate carbon dioxide captured from foreign sources.
Importing carbon dioxide from other countries would help offset high CCUS hub infrastructure development costs. – Bernama
Source: thesun.my
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Malaysian King’s state visit to Saudi Arabia and Bahrain brings benefits
3 Nov 2025
Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim confident King’s state visits to Saudi Arabia and Bahrain will yield abundant benefits for Malaysia and its people
KUALA LUMPUR: Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim expressed confidence that the state visit by His Majesty Sultan Ibrahim, King of Malaysia, to Saudi Arabia and Bahrain will bring abundant benefits and excellent returns for the people and the nation.
Anwar shared his sentiments in a Facebook post today, extending gratitude to His Majesty for undertaking the state visits to both countries.
The Prime Minister also offered prayers for Allah SWT’s blessings upon His Majesty and the delegation’s departure, seeking safety, well-being, and success throughout both state visits.
Anwar apologised for his inability to bid farewell to His Majesty personally due to health constraints.
Sultan Ibrahim departed for Saudi Arabia this morning for a state visit scheduled from today until November 6.
This visit forms part of continuous efforts to strengthen Malaysia’s bilateral relations with various countries for the interest and benefit of the people and nation.
The special aircraft carrying His Majesty took off from the Royal Malaysian Air Force base here at 9 am.
His Majesty is scheduled to proceed with his state visit to Bahrain on November 6. – Bernama
Source: thesun.my
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South Asia
Cultural Exhibition Held in Balkh to Honora Uzbek Language, Heritage
November 2, 2025
KABUL: The Department of Information and Culture of Balkh province, in collaboration with a group of local youth, organized a cultural exhibition celebrating the Uzbek language and heritage.
The event, held in Mazar-e-Sharif, featured scholars, poets, professors, and cultural figures who highlighted the historic and social significance of the Uzbek language in Afghanistan, the Ministry of Information and Culture said in a statement on Saturday.
Addressing the exhibition, Mawlavi Mohammadullah Zarar, Head of the Balkh Department of Information and Culture, said that the Uzbek language is not merely a means of communication but a vital part of the cultural and historical identity of the Uzbek community in Afghanistan.
He reaffirmed the Islamic Emirate’s commitment to promoting all ethnic groups, languages, and cultures across the country, ensuring their preservation and development.
Prof. Dr. Mohammad Saleh Rasekh, a lecturer at Balkh University, delivered a scholarly analysis of the Uzbek language’s role in Afghanistan, describing it as one of the richest and most literary languages in the region.
“Throughout history, Uzbek has played an influential role in literature, mysticism, politics, and science, with eminent figures like Ali-Shir Nava’i standing as symbols of its intellectual depth and cultural legacy,” the statement quoted him as saying.
The organizers said the goal of the program was to encourage youth to learn, speak, and write in Uzbek and to strengthen cultural unity among Afghans.
The event also included a special cultural exhibition showcasing traditional paintings, calligraphy, and local Uzbek cuisine, offering visitors a glimpse into the vibrant artistic and culinary traditions of the Uzbek community.
Participants praised the initiative as an effective way to promote interethnic harmony and to honor Afghanistan’s linguistic and cultural diversity.
Source: thekabultimes.com
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https://thekabultimes.com/cultural-exhibition-held-in-balkh-to-honor-uzbek-language-heritage/
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Afghanistan Has Sovereign Right to Manage Its Waters: Mujahid
November 2, 2025
KABUL: The spokesman for the Islamic Emirate, Zabihullah Mujahid, has reaffirmed Afghanistan’s full authority over its water resources, asserting the country’s right to build dams and irrigation projects on its rivers.
In an interview with a Pakistani media outlet, Mujahid said, “The management of Afghanistan’s waters and the construction of dams upon them are entirely the right of Afghanistan, just as Pakistan can control its waters within its own territory.”
He also clarified that Afghanistan maintains no political ties beyond trade and diplomacy with India, and described the issue of the Pakistani Taliban as a regional matter that both sides must resolve internally.
Source: thekabultimes.com
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https://thekabultimes.com/afghanistan-has-sovereign-right-to-manage-its-waters-mujahid/
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Kabul, Tehran Review Draft Agreement for Upcoming Joint Economic Commission Meeting
November 2, 2025
KABUL: The preparatory meeting for the upcoming Joint Economic Commission between the Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan and the Islamic Republic of Iran was held on Saturday at the Ministry of Finance.
The meeting discussed the draft memorandum of understanding (MoU) for the forthcoming commission meeting and reviewed the progress and outcomes of previous agreements reached between the two sides, the ministry said in a statement.
According to the statement, the meeting aimed to strengthen bilateral economic cooperation and ensure effective inter-ministerial coordination ahead of the official joint commission session.
During the discussion, attendees emphasized the importance of maintaining close coordination and conducting technical consultations with the Iranian delegation through the Ministry of Finance to ensure the successful conclusion of the new economic agreements.
The upcoming meeting of the Afghanistan–Iran Joint Economic Commission is expected to focus on key areas of mutual interest, including trade expansion, transit, investment, energy cooperation, and infrastructure development.
Officials expressed confidence that the new agreements will contribute to enhancing economic ties and fostering sustainable development between the two neighboring countries.
Source: thekabultimes.com
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https://thekabultimes.com/kabul-tehran-review-draft-agreement-for-upcoming-joint-economic-commission-meeting/
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Afghanistan, China Discuss Economic Cooperation
November 2, 2025
BISHKEK: Ambassador of the Islamic Emirate to Kyrgyzstan, Mawlavi Abdul Shakur Haqqani, met with Ms. Liu Jianping, the Chinese Ambassador to Kyrgyzstan, emphasizing Afghanistan’s key role in regional peace and development.
The meeting took place at the Afghan Embassy in Bishkek, where both sides discussed political, economic, and cultural issues, as well as ways to strengthen bilateral relations, the embassy said in a statement on Saturday.
The two diplomats exchanged views on regional security, peacebuilding efforts, and mutual trust among neighboring countries.
Ambassador Liu described Afghanistan as a nation of strategic importance and said that China is committed to enhancing cooperation with Kabul in multiple sectors.
She added that stability and prosperity in Afghanistan are essential for the security and progress of the entire region, expressing optimism that bilateral ties will continue to expand in the near future.
Source: thekabultimes.com
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https://thekabultimes.com/afghanistan-china-discuss-economic-cooperation/
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Herat’s Handwoven Carpet Exports Rise, Generating Over $270,000
November 2, 2025
HERAT: The Herat Chamber of Commerce and Investment, in a statement on Saturday, reported a significant increase in handwoven carpet exports from the province since the beginning of the current solar year, with total exports valued at more than $270,000, compared to $155,000 last year.
The statement said that the province’s exquisite handmade carpets have found markets in Australia, Germany, and Austria, where demand for Afghan craftsmanship continues to grow.
In a related development, Afghan carpets were recently displayed in 27 booths at a joint Afghan–Kazakh exhibition in Kazakhstan, drawing appreciation from foreign traders.
Business representatives praised the Afghan government’s efforts to expand global markets for this traditional product and to strengthen Afghanistan’s economic identity abroad.
Source: thekabultimes.com
Please click the following URL to read the text of the original StoryHerat’s Handwoven Carpet Exports Rise, Generating Over $270,000https://thekabultimes.com/herats-handwoven-carpet-exports-rise-generating-over-270000/
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Powerful 6.3-Magnitude Earthquake Damages Historic Shrine in Mazar-e-Sharif, Killing Dozens
By Fidel Rahmati
November 3, 2025
A powerful 6.3-magnitude earthquake struck Mazar-e-Sharif in northern Afghanistan, killing dozens, injuring hundreds, and damaging parts of the city’s historic Mosque shrine.
A 6.3-magnitude earthquake struck Mazar-e-Sharif in northern Afghanistan, killing dozens and injuring hundreds, while damaging parts of the city’s centuries-old shrine.
Authorities said the powerful tremor left at least 20 people dead in Balkh province and more than 75 injured, with casualties expected to rise as rescue efforts continue.
Footage shared on social media showed partial collapses of the Mosque complex, one of Afghanistan’s most revered religious and cultural landmarks. Local residents described scenes of panic as buildings shook violently and dust filled the air.
In nearby Samangan province, at least two people were reported dead and nearly 200 injured. The main highway between Samangan and Balkh was blocked by falling rocks and debris, leaving travelers stranded overnight.
The quake struck shortly before 1 a.m. local time, with tremors felt as far as Kabul. Emergency teams are working to clear roads and deliver medical aid to affected areas.
According to reports, rescue operations face significant challenges due to poor infrastructure, cold weather, and limited access to mountain villages.
The destruction of the Mazar-e-Sharif shrine adds a cultural dimension to the disaster, as historians and preservationists urge urgent restoration efforts to save one of Afghanistan’s most iconic landmarks.
Source: khaama.com
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