Al-Molhed, Hamare Baraah, and Amaran: Three hateful propaganda movies of 2024

New Age Islam News Bureau

7 February 2025

·         Al-Molhed, Hamare Baraah, and Amaran: Three hateful propaganda movies of 2024

·         Zakir Naik holds credentials to teach Islam in Perlis, sources say

·         “Sharia is an agenda pushed by the North, it will lead to war in southwest” – Yoruba Imam

·         Doubling down on his proposal, Trump says Israel would hand over Gaza to the US after fighting is over

·         Stop Hasina from making false remarks

·         Temporary Ukraine ceasefire unacceptable – Moscow

·         Trump sanctions International Criminal Court, calls it 'illegitimate'

·         Terrorist plot in Chaman foiled, weapons seized

·         How AI is transforming Saudi Arabia’s digital services through Tawakkalna

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India

·         PM Modi’s speech in Rajya Sabha full of lies, half-truths: Congress

·         Minority commission chief visits Sambhal, says riot was ‘not communal’

·         Voted for BJP to take fear out of Muslims: Imams’ forum chief in viral video

·         Claims of custodial torture and youth’s suicide rock J-K’s Kathua, DM and police order enquiries

·         16 years as undertrial prisoner: Kerala’s Muslim youth Zakariya still in jail under UAPA

·         Stop survey of Waqf properties: Masood to Birla, JPC chair

·         Delhi HC reserves order on Engineer Rashid's plea for custody parole to attend Parliament

·         Elephant on rampage at Kerala mosque kills mahout, injures one

·         A dispute involving the temple and mosque at Tirupparankundram during 1915-16

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SoutheastAsia

·         Muslims' faith strong enough not to require supervision, says Rafidah

·         Cabinet To Discuss Guidelines For Events At Non-Muslim Houses Of Worship Tomorrow - PM

·         'Malang sekali' no action against Yeoh, ex-Islamic institute official testifies

·         Federal Court to hear Perlis govt’s bid to restore Muslim status of Hindu mum Loh Siew Hong’s children on April 8

·         End Muslim guidelines 'contest', Umno tells MCA, MIC, DAP, Gerakan

·         BIMB Holdings Partners RELDYN To Advance Shariah-compliant Digital Finance

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Africa

·         Egbe Agba Itesiwaju Yoruba Defends Shariah Panels, Calls for Unity in Yoruba Land

·         Mike Bamiloye to Christians: use social media responsibly

·         First Lady Mourns Victims Of Islamic School Inferno In Zamfara

·         US Citizens Now Come To Nigeria For Kidney Transplant – Shettima

·         Police Drop ₦1.3 Billion Fraud Charges Against Top Lagos GAC Member’s Son, Four Others

·         Ex-Lawmakers Oppose Proposal For 31 New States, Call For Regional Government

·         Telecom Tariff Hike: We’ll Go On Strike – TUC Threatens FG

·         Kogi Deputy Governor Orders Army, Police To Confront Kidnappers, Foils Abduction In Ejule

·         Tinubu Means Well For Nigerians, But It Is Not Enough – Fayemi

·         El-Rufai Accuses Kaduna Govt Of Interfering In Corruption Trial Of Former Aides

·         ‘Fuel Subsidy, Inflation, Reforms’ – SGF Akume Unveils 12 Nuggets Of Progress By Tinubu Gov’t

·         DRC Military Court Issues Arrest Warrant for Corneille Nangaa

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Mideast

·         Pezeshkian: Nuclear weapons have no place in Islamic Republic’s doctrine

·         Islamic Jihad considers Trump's statements regarding Gaza residents’ displacement as evasive racism

·         Training workshop held to prepare for Ramadan program, summer courses

·         Permits required for foreigners in mosques, KRG announces

·         Dozens of settlers storm al-Aqsa mosque under protection of Zionist enemy police

·         Syria’s ‘Caesar’ whistle-blower unveils identity

·         Over 10,000 aid trucks have entered Gaza since ceasefire: UN

·         Rubio to visit Middle East after Trump proposal for US to take over Gaza

·         UN’s World Food Programme needs 'all donors' support for Gaza's aid mission

·         Future looks dire for UN Palestinian refugee agency, says UNRWA chief

·         Lebanese government formation stalls over minister selection

·         Palestinian PM meets Arab League’s chief in Cairo

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South Asia

·         Protesters demolish Mujib’s murals, AL offices in different districts

·         No chance for price hike of essentials during Ramadan

·         AL offices, Mujib murals demolished in Dinajpur, Naogaon, Joypurhat

·         BJIM condemns surge in attacks on journalists, urges govt action

·         More AL leaders' houses smashed, torched

·         New Health Centre Inaugurated in Helmand Province

·         UNICEF distributes winter clothing to thousands of children in Afghanistan

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Europe

·         US should support World Bank and IMF - Bank of England boss

·         Harrow Mosque to host special event ahead of Ramadan

·         Concern UK's AI ambitions could lead to water shortages

·         Public invited to suggest names for next archbishop

·         Mesh victims still wait for financial compensation

·         Johnson UK's most damaging PM, says Reform UK chief

·         £22bn for 'unproven' green tech could raise bills, MPs warn

·         Santorini rocked by more earthquakes as uncertainty grows

·         How long could the Santorini 'seismic crisis' last?

·         Player was 'overwhelmed' after World Cup kiss, court hears

·         Fall in fertility rate becomes big challenge for provincial France

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North America

·         Trump has a devious plan for Gaza

·         US lawmaker wants Trump impeached

·         Senate confirms Project 2025 co-author as Trump budget chief

·         Unions sue Trump administration over USAID agency cuts

·         Panama says US 'spreading lies' over free canal passage

·         Judge halts Trump's government worker buyout plan

·         Baseball star Ohtani's interpreter jailed for $17m gambling fraud

·         US to restrict use of DeepSeek – WSJ

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Pakistan

·         Protesting Hyderabad lawyers continue sit-in for second day on National Highway

·         Lahore admin denies permission for PTI rally at Minar-e-Pakistan

·         Security forces neutralise 12 terrorists in North Waziristan IBO

·         Punjab CM announces Honhaar scholarships for students from other provinces

·         Pakistan continues to make headway in restoring economic stability: Fitch

·         Time to walk the talk on climate action

·         Senate panel questions 78 luxury vehicles for Wapda

·         PTI concerned over Imran’s health, seeks ‘urgent’ medical care

·         Peca changes challenged in Islamabad High Court

·         PM visits Fazl after JUI-F chief’s criticism of Peca law

·         Balochistan Assembly in-camera session on security next week

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ArabWorld

·         Saudi leaders send condolences to Swedish king after deadly school shooting

·         Riyadh festival pays tribute to ‘father of algebra’

·         Flynas airline to launch Jeddah to El-Alamein route

·         ‘Protein is overhyped,’ says top Saudi vegan blogger

·         Saudi Arabia elected member of executive committee of IAACA

·         Jeddah meeting highlights geospatial progress

·         Muslim World League chief inaugurates Qur’an contest in Guinea-Bissau

·         Riyadh library, AlUla commission to promote heritage and literacy

·         Souk Wonders event brings art, culture in Diriyah

Compiled by New Age Islam News Bureau

URL: https://newageislam.com/islamic-world-news/hamare-baraah-propaganda-movies-amaran/d/134550

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Al-Molhed, Hamare Baraah, and Amaran: Three hateful propaganda movies of 2024

February 7, 2025

By Madiha Shakeel

In 2024, films like Al-Molhed, Hamare Baraah, and Amaran caused widespread controversy for allegedly pushing Islamophobic narratives. These films have been accused of spreading false and harmful depictions of Islam, portraying Muslims in a negative light, and fueling existing prejudices. These incidents show how cinema continues to shape societal views and raise questions about the balance between creative freedom and social responsibility.

When the Court Gets Involved

One of the most contentious films of the year, Al-Molhed, faced legal challenges after Muslim clerics and intellectuals expressed concerns over its portrayal of Muslims. The film’s release was halted by a Supreme Court stay, citing potential risks to communal harmony. Critics argue that the film presents a skewed and misinformed view of Islam, using misleading imagery and narratives to suggest a dangerous link between the religion and extremism. This judicial action highlighted ongoing debates about artistic freedom and the potential consequences of divisive narratives.

Protests Over the Film’s Take

The release of Amaran led to protests in Tamil Nadu. Activists and community members accused the film of misrepresenting Muslims and demanded a halt to its screenings. The film was criticized for portraying Islam as a violent and intolerant religion, a claim many experts argue is based on false stereotypes and selective use of historical events. These portrayals are seen as dangerous as they fuel hate and division, rather than promoting understanding or dialogue. Demonstrations sparked intense debates on the responsibilities of filmmakers in a diverse society, emphasizing the fine line between creative expression and cultural sensitivity.

Digging Up Old, Harmful Narratives

A scholarly analysis published in Tandfonline linked the narrative of Hamare Baraah to historical Islamophobic tropes, drawing comparisons to Nazi-era propaganda films like The Eternal Jew. The study argued that these films perpetuate harmful stereotypes about Muslims, subtly reinforcing the idea that Islam is inherently dangerous. They continue to spread a false narrative of Muslims as “others,” positioning them as threats to national security and social order. By demonizing Islam and its followers, these films reinforce Islamophobic views and deepen societal divides.

Is Cinema Becoming a Tool for Propaganda?

In a deeper dive, Prof. Shamsul Islam, a retired political science professor from the University of Delhi, draws parallels between contemporary Indian films and Nazi-era propaganda, particularly the infamous The Eternal Jew. This 1940 Nazi documentary film, created under Joseph Goebbels’ directive, portrayed Jews as “parasitic” and “dangerous,” laying the groundwork for justifying violence against them.

Prof. Islam argues that films like Al-Molhed, Hamare Baraah, and Amaran echo these tactics by portraying Muslims in similar negative, dehumanizing roles. This comparison highlights the potential for cinema to perpetuate harmful stereotypes, transforming it into a tool for divisive ideologies.

These films are accused of spreading a false narrative that Islam, like Judaism in Nazi propaganda, is a threat to society, furthering Islamophobic sentiments among audiences.

Where Do We Draw the Line?

These controversies underline the powerful role cinema plays in shaping public attitudes. As audiences, critics, and creators continue to debate the boundaries of artistic freedom, it’s crucial to push for storytelling that respects India’s diversity while also upholding creative rights.

While filmmakers have the freedom to tell stories, they also bear a responsibility to avoid spreading false and harmful narratives that perpetuate hate and division.

The ongoing discourse around Al-Molhed, Hamare Baraah, and Amaran reflects a larger societal struggle against prejudice.

These films challenge viewers to critically examine the narratives they consume and encourage filmmakers to use their storytelling power responsibly in an inclusive and democratic society.

Source: muslimmirror.com

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https://muslimmirror.com/al-molhed-hamare-baraah-and-amaran-three-hateful-propaganda-movies-of-2024/

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Zakir Naik holds credentials to teach Islam in Perlis, sources say

Feb 7, 2025

Independent preacher Zakir Naik, who recently sparked controversy after being seen giving a speech in Perlis, holds an official credential to teach Islam in the state.

According to sources, the credential was issued by the Perlis Islamic Religious and Malay Customs Council (Maips) and signed by the Crown Prince of Perlis, Tuanku Syed Faizuddin Putra Ibni Tuanku Syed Sirajuddin Jamalullail.

The granting of this credential follows Section 118(1) of the Islamic...

Source: malaysiakini.com

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https://www.malaysiakini.com/news/733820

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“Sharia is an agenda pushed by the North, it will lead to war in southwest” – Yoruba Imam

 Jerry Wright-Ukwu

February 6, 2025

The Chief Imam of Yorubaland, Sheik Abdulraheem Aduanigba, has vehemently rejected the idea of imposing Sharia law in the Southwest region of Nigeria.

Speaking in a viral video, the Imam warned that any attempt to introduce Sharia in the six states of the region would ignite significant disunity and could lead to violent conflict.

Aduanigba said the region’s religious diversity is a major obstacle to the imposition of Sharia, noting that the Southwest is home to over 27 million Christians, 10 million traditional worshippers, and 23 million Muslims.

According to him, the introduction of Sharia would deeply alienate these communities, especially Christians and traditionalists, leading to societal upheaval.

His words: “Sharia cannot work in Yorubaland. We have three distinct religions: Christianity, Islam, and traditional religion. Attempting to impose Sharia on people who practice different beliefs will only sow the seeds of discord.”

He also pointed out that many Yoruba people celebrate both Islamic and Christian festivals, as well as indigenous customs.

According to him, the practice of Sharia, which mandates women to cover their heads and prohibits alcohol, would cause friction with those who do not adhere to these practices.

Aduanigba’s views contrast sharply with those of the Sultan of Sokoto, Alhaji Muhammadu Sa’ad Abubakar III, who has supported the imposition of Sharia in the Southwest.

The Imam said: “The introduction of Sharia would lead to conflict over cultural practices, such as women wearing uncovered heads or drinking alcohol.”

He further added that the financial contributions from Lagos’ breweries and hotels, which generate revenue that is then shared with the North, further complicate the Sharia debate, making it even less feasible for the Southwest.

In his closing statement, the Imam made it clear that Sharia, as promoted by the North, would not succeed in Yorubaland and would only provoke a dangerous backlash.

“Sharia is an agenda pushed by the North. If we impose it, it will lead to war,” he concluded.

Source: politicsnigeria.com

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https://politicsnigeria.com/sharia-is-an-agenda-pushed-by-the-north-it-will-lead-to-war-in-southwest-yoruba-imam/#google_vignette

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Doubling down on his proposal, Trump says Israel would hand over Gaza to the US after fighting is over

February 07, 2025

People walk past the rubble of destroyed buildings in Jabalia, northern Gaza Strip, on January 30, 2025. (REUTERS/)

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JERUSALEM/WASHINGTON: US President Donald Trump said on Thursday Israel would hand over Gaza to the United States after fighting was over and the enclave’s population was already resettled elsewhere, which he said meant no US troops would be needed on the ground.

A day after worldwide condemnation of Trump’s announcement that he aimed to take over and develop the Gaza Strip into the “Riviera of the Middle East,” Israel ordered its army to prepare to allow the “voluntary departure” of Gaza Palestinians.

Trump, who had previously declined to rule out deploying US troops to the small coastal territory, clarified his idea in comments on his Truth Social web platform.

“The Gaza Strip would be turned over to the United States by Israel at the conclusion of fighting,” he said. Palestinians “would have already been resettled in far safer and more beautiful communities, with new and modern homes, in the region.” He added: “No soldiers by the US would be needed!“

Earlier, amid a tide of support in Israel for what Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu called Trump’s “remarkable” proposal, Defense Minister Israel Katz said he had ordered the army to prepare a plan to allow Gaza residents who wished to leave to exit the enclave voluntarily.

“I welcome President Trump’s bold plan. Gaza residents should be allowed the freedom to leave and emigrate, as is the norm around the world,” Katz said on X.

He said his plan would include exit options via land crossings, as well as special arrangements for departure by sea and air.

Trump, a real-estate-developer-turned-politician, sparked anger around the Middle East with his unexpected announcement on Tuesday, just as Israel and Hamas were expected to begin talks in Doha on the second stage of a ceasefire deal for Gaza, intended to open the way for a full withdrawal of Israeli forces, a further release of hostages and an end to a nearly 16-month-old war.

Regional heavyweight Saudi Arabia rebuffed the proposal outright and Jordan’s King Abdullah, who will meet Trump at the White House next week, said on Wednesday he rejected any attempts to annex land and displace Palestinians.

Egypt also weighed in, saying it would not be part of any proposal to displace Palestinians from neighboring Gaza, where residents reacted with fury to the suggestion.

“We will not sell our land for you, real estate developer. We are hungry, homeless, and desperate but we are not collaborators,” said Abdel Ghani, a father of four living with his family in the ruins of their Gaza City home. “If (Trump) wants to help, let him come and rebuild for us here.”

It was unclear whether Trump would go ahead with his proposal or, in keeping with his self-image as a shrewd dealmaker, has simply laid out an extreme position as a bargaining tactic. His first term in 2017-21 was replete with what critics said were over-the-top foreign policy pronouncements, many of which were never implemented.

US Secretary of State Marco Rubio told reporters on Thursday that people would have to live elsewhere while Gaza was rebuilt. He did not say whether they would be able to return under Trump’s plan to develop the enclave, home to more than 2 million Palestinians.

Axios reported Rubio planned to visit the Middle East in mid-February with an itinerary that includes Israel, the United Arab Emirates and Saudi Arabia.

Displacement

What effect Trump’s shock proposal may have on the ceasefire talks remains unclear. Only 13 of a group of 33 Israeli hostages due for release in the first phase have so far been returned, with three more due to come out on Saturday. Five Thai hostages have also been released.

Hamas official Basem Naim accused Israel’s defense minister of trying to cover up “for a state that has failed to achieve any of its objectives in the war on Gaza,” and said Palestinians are too attached to their land to ever leave.

Displacement of Palestinians has been one of the most sensitive issues in the Middle East for decades. Forced or coerced displacement of a population under military occupation is a war crime, banned under the 1949 Geneva Conventions.

Details of how any such plan might work have been vague. Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Saar said different thinking was needed on Gaza’s future but that any departures would have to be voluntary and states would have to be willing to take them.

“We don’t have details yet, but we can talk about principles,” Saar told a press conference with his Italian counterpart Antonio Tajani. “Everything must be based on the free will of (the) individual and, on the other hand, of a will of a state that is ready to absorb,” he said.

A number of far-right Israeli politicians have openly called for Palestinians to be moved from Gaza and there was strong support for Trump’s push among both security hawks and the Jewish settler movement, which wants to reclaim land in Gaza used for Jewish settlements until 2005.

Giora Eiland, an Israeli former general who attracted wide attention in an earlier stage of the war with his “Generals’ Plan” for a forced displacement of people from northern Gaza, said Trump’s plan was logical and aid should not be allowed to reach displaced people returning to northern Gaza.

Israel’s military campaign has killed tens of thousands of people since Hamas’ October 7, 2023, cross-border attack on Israel touched off the war, and has forced Palestinians to repeatedly move around within Gaza in search of safety.

But many say they will never leave the enclave because they fear permanent displacement, like the “Nakba,” or catastrophe, when hundreds of thousands were dispossessed from homes in the war at the birth of the state of Israel in 1948.

Katz said countries that have opposed Israel’s military operations in Gaza should take in the Palestinians.

“Countries like Spain, Ireland, Norway, and others, which have levelled accusations and false claims against Israel over its actions in Gaza, are legally obligated to allow any Gaza resident to enter their territories,” he said.

Source: arabnews.com

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https://www.arabnews.com/node/2589304/middle-east

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Stop Hasina from making false remarks

Feb 7, 2025

Dhaka has lodged a strong protest against the "false and fabricated statements" made by deposed prime minister Sheikh Hasina, saying that those statements have been instigating instability in Bangladesh.

The foreign ministry yesterday summoned acting high commissioner of India in Dhaka, Pawan Badhe, and handed over a protest note, conveying deep concern, disappointment, and serious reservation. "Such statements are hurting the sentiments of the people in Bangladesh," it said.

It also emphasised that such activities by her are considered a hostile act towards Bangladesh and are not conducive to the efforts at establishing a healthy relationship between the two countries.

"She has been continuously provoking the students... If she restrained herself from making such remarks, these incidents might not have taken place," Foreign Adviser Touhid Hossain told a press briefing at his ministry yesterday.

He said in reference to the vandalism at Dhanmondi 32 and houses and other establishments of Awami League leaders across the country.

Hasina delivered her speech through social media on Wednesday night. Around the same time, hundreds of protesters destroyed the Bangabandhu Memorial Museum in the capital's Dhanmondi and other installations linked to Awami League in different parts of the country.

Dhaka requested New Delhi to immediately take appropriate measures, in the spirit of mutual respect and understanding, to stop her from making such false, fabricated, and incendiary statements using social media and other communications while she is in India.

Earlier, Dhaka had written New Delhi to restrain Hasina, who fled to India after her ouster on August 5 amid a mass uprising, from making speeches.

In December last year, the ministry also had sent a diplomatic note to the Indian government, seeking her extradition as she faces numerous cases for killings during the mass uprising in July-August last year.

Asked what was India's response, the adviser said the Indian government stated that they were not providing any platform to Hasina, but she was using her own phone and making statements. The platforms she is using are based in other countries, including in the US.

Responding to a query as to why the government did not properly act to prevent the destruction on Wednesday night, Touhid said it took a few days to stabilise the law and order after the August 5 changeover, but the remarks of Hasina were so aggressive that the students could not take it.

"But you know the army personnel rushed there and contained the incident. It could have been worse otherwise," he said.

Dhaka's relations with New Delhi strained since Hasina was sheltered in India.

Touhid said Dhaka tried to remove the uneasiness and establish a balanced relationship with New Delhi that is mutually beneficial, and that effort is continuing.

On the review of agreements signed with India during the Awami League regime, he said that the countries negotiate deals before signing, not afterwards.

"If both countries agree, they can go for review. Otherwise, you cannot cancel the deals. In the cases of commercial deals, parties can move to the courts in Singapore or the Netherlands. We don't want it to go that level," Touhid said.

He mentioned that power purchase deal with Indian company Adani was a bad deal, and the government will have to initiate if it wants to make any changes to the deal.

INDIA REGRETS DHANMONDI 32 VANDALISM

India yesterday said the vandalism of Sheikh Mujibur Rahman's residence at Dhanmondi 32 should be strongly condemned.

"It is regrettable that the historic residence of Sheikh Mujibur Rahman, a symbol of the heroic resistance of the people of Bangladesh against the forces of occupation and oppression, was destroyed on February 5, 2025," said Randhir Jaiswal, spokesperson for external affairs ministry, in response to queries of journalists in New Delhi.

He said, "All those who value the freedom struggle that nurtured Bangla identity and pride are aware of the importance of this residence for the national consciousness of Bangladesh.

"This act of vandalism should be strongly condemned."

BANGLADESH-PAKISTAN RELATIONS

Touhid said Pakistan Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar may visit Dhaka in April as part of improving bilateral relations, but did not detail the meeting agenda.

He said there are some unsettled issues for 54 years with Pakistan that Bangladesh will definitely mention. However, Bangladesh wants to see normal relations with Pakistan like those with another country.

"I don't see any reason to strain relations with the country by singling it out," he said, adding, "If the relations stand on the same position, it is neither good for us nor for them. We will definitely try to ensure our interest."

He said Pakistan took an initiative to normalise relations with Bangladesh and "we accepted that initiative".

Source: thedailystar.net

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https://www.thedailystar.net/news/bangladesh/news/stop-hasina-making-false-remarks-3817666

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Temporary Ukraine ceasefire unacceptable – Moscow

6 Feb, 2025

Russia will not accept a temporary ceasefire in Ukraine, since it will only be used by the collective West to reinforce Kiev until hostilities break out again, Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova has said.

Moscow is seeking only a lasting solution which will put an end to the ongoing crisis, Zakharova relayed on Thursday during a regular press briefing.

“A temporary ceasefire or, as many say, freezing the conflict, is unacceptable,” she stressed. “We need reliable, legally binding agreements and mechanisms that would guarantee that the crisis will not recur.”

Zakharova warned that a mere pause in the fighting “will be used by the West – the collective West as a whole or its individual representatives – to strengthen the military potential of the Kiev regime and, of course, to attempt an armed revanche,” she warned.

Moscow maintains a reserved position on the repeated pledges by the administration of US President Donald Trump to bring the conflict to an end, Zakharova signaled.

“Everything will depend on specific actions and on the plans of the new administration, embodied in these very actions. Right now there are a lot of words, a lot of statements. There is no clarity or precision regarding the steps being taken,” Zakharova explained.

Earlier this week, Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said engagement with Washington has increased since Trump took office. There have been contacts between “certain departments” of the two countries, he said, without providing any further detail.

Last Friday, Trump said that communication is ongoing between his administration and the Russian government and reiterated his goal of putting a swift end to nearly three years of hostilities.

Moscow has repeatedly signaled its willingness to settle the conflict through diplomacy, rather than on the battlefield, stating the potential negotiations must accept the “reality on the ground.”

Russia’s readiness for “tough” negotiations with the US was reaffirmed by Deputy Foreign Minister Sergey Ryabkov.

“The first step toward normalizing bilateral relations – based on the principles of mutual respect and equality – should be taken by the United States,” Ryabkov said, adding that the plans hatched by the administration of previous US President Joe Biden to inflict a “strategic defeat” on Russia have been foiled.

Source: rt.com

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https://www.rt.com/russia/612309-ukraine-temporary-ceasefire-unacceptable/

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Trump sanctions International Criminal Court, calls it 'illegitimate'

7 Feb, 2025

President Donald Trump has signed an executive order sanctioning the International Criminal Court, accusing it of "illegitimate and baseless actions targeting America and our close ally Israel".

The measure places financial and visa restrictions on individuals and their families who assist in ICC investigations of American citizens or allies.

Trump signed the measure as Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu was visiting Washington.

Last November, the ICC issued an arrest warrant for Netanyahu over alleged war crimes in Gaza, which Israel denies. The ICC also issued a warrant for a Hamas commander.

The International Criminal Court (ICC) is a global court with the power to bring prosecutions for genocide, crimes against humanity and war crimes.

In recent years, it has also issued arrest warrants for Russian President Vladimir Putin over alleged war crimes in Ukraine, Taliban leaders for "persecuting Afghan girls and women" and Myanmar's military leader for crimes against the Rohingya Muslims.

More than 120 countries are members of the court, including the UK and many European nations, but the US and Israel are not.

The Netherlands, which hosts the court, said it "regrets" Trump's order.

"The court's work is essential in the fight against impunity," Dutch Foreign Minister Caspar Veldkamp said on X.

A White House memo circulated on Thursday accused the Hague-based ICC of creating a "shameful moral equivalency" between Hamas and Israel by issuing the warrants at the same time.

Trump's executive order said the ICC's recent actions "set a dangerous precedent" that endangered Americans by exposing them to "harassment, abuse and possible arrest".

"This malign conduct in turn threatens to infringe upon the sovereignty of the United States and undermines the critical national security and foreign policy work of the United States government and our allies, including Israel," the order said.

The US is not a member of the ICC and has repeatedly rejected any jurisdiction by the body over American officials or citizens.

The White House accused the ICC of placing constraints on Israel's right to self-defence, while ignoring Iran and anti-Israel groups.

In his first term in office, Trump imposed sanctions on ICC officials who were investigating whether US forces had committed war crimes in Afghanistan. Those sanctions were lifted by President Joe Biden's administration.

Last month, the US House of Representatives voted to sanction the ICC, but the bill foundered in the Senate.

Trump's executive order said that "both nations [the US and Israel] are thriving democracies with militaries that strictly adhere to the laws of war".

During his last weeks in office, President Biden also criticised the ICC's warrant for Netanyahu, calling the move "outrageous" and saying there was no equivalence between Israel and Hamas.

Trump's signing of his latest executive order follows his announcement during a joint press conference with the Israeli prime minister on Tuesday about a plan for the US to "take over" Gaza, resettle its Palestinian population and turn the territory into the "Riviera of the Middle East".

After Arab leaders and the UN condemned the idea, the US president restated it on his Truth Social social media platform on Thursday.

"The Gaza Strip would be turned over to the United States by Israel at the conclusion of fighting," Trump wrote, referring to the war between Israel and Hamas that is currently under a ceasefire.

He repeated that the plan would involve resettling Palestinians, and that no American soldiers would be deployed.

His post did not make clear whether the two million residents of the Palestinian territory would be invited to return, leaving officials scrambling to explain.

White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt said on Wednesday any displacement would be temporary.

Secretary of State Marco Rubio said Gazans would leave for an "interim" period while reconstruction took place.

Netanyahu has praised Trump's "remarkable" plan to re-make Gaza. On Thursday, Israeli Defence Minister Israel Katz ordered the military to prepare for "voluntary departure" of Gaza's residents.

He said the plan would include departures via land, sea and air.

Trump signed the order as Netanyahu continued his visit to Washington, meeting lawmakers from both the Republican and Democratic parties on Capitol Hill.

The Israeli prime minister also presented a golden pager to Trump.

The gift was a reference to Israel's deadly operation against Hezbollah in September last year, using booby-trapped communications devices.

Dozens were killed and thousands injured in the attacks, including some civilians, according to Lebanese officials.

Source: bbc.com

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https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/cx2p19l24g2o

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Terrorist plot in Chaman foiled, weapons seized

February 7, 2025

QUETTA: Security forces foiled an attempt to carry out terrorist activities in the border town of Chaman on Thursday by seizing a large quantity of weapons and ammunition, according to officials.

The operation was conducted in the Guldar Baghicha area of Chaman on a tip-off.

During the raid on a hideout of a banned organisation, security officials seized a heavy cahce of arms and ammunition, including anti-personnel mines, rocket launchers, grenade launchers, primer cards, safety pins and other equipment.

These items were believed to have been hidden by terrorists for use in sabotage activities, the officials said. No arrests were made during the operation.

Balochistan Chief Minister Sarfraz Bugti praised the successful operation by security forces and intelligence agencies in Chaman, calling it a testament to the timely and effective strategy against terrorism.

He commended the professional capabilities of the security agencies and extended his congratulations to the forces for their successful operation in foiling a major sabotage plan in Guldar Baghicha.

Source: dawn.com

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https://www.dawn.com/news/1890264/terrorist-plot-in-chaman-foiled-weapons-seized

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How AI is transforming Saudi Arabia’s digital services through Tawakkalna

RASHID HASSAN

February 06, 2025

RIYADH: As governments worldwide embrace digital transformation, artificial intelligence is playing a pivotal role in making public services more accessible and user-friendly.

From streamlining bureaucratic processes to enhancing user experiences, AI-driven platforms are redefining how citizens interact with their governments.

Saudi Arabia is at the forefront of this revolution, with its Tawakkalna app emerging as a model for digital governance and AI integration.

Originally introduced in 2020 to manage COVID-19 restrictions, Tawakkalna has since evolved into a comprehensive digital hub, providing seamless access to more than 600 government services.

Available in seven languages and accessible in 77 countries, the app has become an indispensable tool for Saudi citizens, residents and visitors alike.

From managing personal data, medical records and professional documents to accessing religious, educational,and legal services, Tawakkalna consolidates essential services into a single, user-friendly interface.

Users can request an ambulance, register for organ donation, access weather forecasts, or even find volunteering opportunities — all at their fingertips.

“In the context of Vision 2030, Saudi Arabia has placed AI at the core of its economic diversification strategy,” Muhammad Khurram Khan, a professor of cybersecurity at King Saud University in Riyadh, told Arab News.

“The Kingdom aims to become a global leader in AI, positioning the technology as a key enabler of smart cities, digital governance and advanced industries.”

The Saudi Data and Artificial Intelligence Authority, which oversees Tawakkalna, has continually updated the platform to improve efficiency and user experience.

In October 2023, the launch of Tawakkalna 2.0 marked a significant milestone in the app’s development, enhancing accessibility and streamlining government services.

Key features introduced in Tawakkalna 2.0 include a redesigned homepage for quick access to essential services and Wakeb services, a real-time update system that keeps users informed about important developments.

The platform also allows government and private sector partners to engage directly with users, further enriching the digital experience.

“Tawakkalna is not just a success story of a government app, but a model of how AI can be harnessed to drive innovation in the public sector, transforming digital governance and significantly enhancing the quality of life for residents and visitors alike in Saudi Arabia,” said Khan.

“As AI continues to drive the evolution of digital services, Tawakkalna stands as an example for other nations, highlighting Saudi Arabia’s growing role as a leader in the global AI race.”

Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030 initiative places digital transformation at the heart of national development. The government is actively integrating AI across sectors to enhance efficiency, transparency and accessibility.

Tawakkalna exemplifies this vision, allowing users to handle administrative tasks in a matter of seconds — errands that would otherwise require lengthy in-person visits to government offices.

With a focus on continuous improvement, Tawakkalna has expanded to include legal and business services such as Najiz, a Ministry of Justice classification service; university and training institution portals; and business sector support.

This reflects the Kingdom’s broader goal of fostering a thriving digital economy.

The success of Tawakkalna has not gone unnoticed. The app was named the top government platform in the Kingdom’s Digital Experience Maturity Index for 2024 and received the UN Public Service Award in 2022 for its innovative response to the COVID-19 pandemic.

The app’s journey from a pandemic management tool to a full-fledged super app underscores Saudi Arabia’s commitment to leveraging AI for public service excellence.

It also highlights how digital governance, when executed effectively, can simplify daily life while boosting efficiency and inclusivity.

As Tawakkalna continues to evolve, the SDAIA is exploring further enhancements to ensure the platform remains at the cutting edge of digital transformation.

Plans include expanding AI-driven personalization, integrating more predictive analytics for user needs and leveraging blockchain for greater security in government transactions.

For users in Saudi Arabia and beyond, the message is clear: Digital transformation is no longer a distant vision but a reality shaping everyday life.

Through AI-powered initiatives like Tawakkalna, the Kingdom is setting a precedent for how governments worldwide can embrace technology to create smarter, more efficient societies.

Source: arabnews.com

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https://www.arabnews.com/node/2589274/saudi-arabia

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India

 

PM Modi’s speech in Rajya Sabha full of lies, half-truths: Congress

February 6, 2025

The Congress strongly criticized Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s speech in the Rajya Sabha on Thursday, accusing him of distorting history and avoiding key public concerns.

The opposition party claimed Modi’s address was filled with “lies and half-truths” and failed to address pressing issues such as unemployment, economic inequality, inflation, and diplomatic challenges.

Modi, in his speech, accused the Congress of indulging in appeasement politics for votes and claimed that the BJP-led government followed the principle of Sabka Saath, Sabka Vikas. He alleged that the Congress prioritized family interests over national welfare.

Congress general secretary in-charge of communications, Jairam Ramesh, criticized Modi’s remarks, stating, “The prime minister’s capacity to divert, distort, and defame is truly staggering. His 90-minute speech was full of lies and half-truths.”

Ramesh also pointed out Modi’s repeated references to former Prime Minister Jawaharlal Nehru, calling it a “pathological obsession” and labeling the speech as “pathetic and unworthy” of the prime minister’s position.

Speaking to the media, Ramesh said that Modi’s speech was nothing but a continuation of his “river of lies.” He accused the prime minister of relying on two strategies—“Pradhan Mantri Congress Badnam Yojana” (a scheme to malign the Congress) and “PM Itihaas Tod-Marodh Yojana” (a scheme to distort history). According to Ramesh, Modi targeted Nehru and the Congress while ignoring real issues affecting the people.

Ramesh further questioned how the opposition could respond when the prime minister’s speech was based on “falsehoods and historical distortions.” He asserted that while they respect the office of the prime minister, it is difficult to respect someone who “never speaks the truth.”

During his address, Modi accused the Congress of being against B.R. Ambedkar, the chief architect of the Constitution.

He also referenced the Emergency (1975-77) and past instances of Congress allegedly suppressing free speech. The prime minister defended his government’s record, claiming it had uplifted the poor and stood by the middle class and the “neo-middle class.” — With Agencies Inputs

Source: muslimmirror.com

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https://muslimmirror.com/pm-modis-speech-in-rajya-sabha-full-of-lies-half-truths-congress/

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Minority commission chief visits Sambhal, says riot was ‘not communal’

Feb 6, 2025

Meerut: National Commission for Minorities (NCM) chairperson Iqbal Singh Lalpura on Thursday visited violence-hit areas in Sambhal to inspect the Mughal-era Shahi Jama Masjid and assess last year's clashes during a court-ordered survey of the site. He said the incident was not communal and assured that the commission would submit its report to govt after further consultations. Five locals died and several others — including 19 police personnel — were injured in the violence on Nov 24.

After his inspection, Lalpura interacted with locals, mosque committee members, and district officials. He also visited the PWD guesthouse, where he met people from minority communities and sought information from authorities about how the violence started, the origins of the mob, and how the stone-pelting and firing began. "The commission's role is to investigate incidents with communal undertones and provide alerts and recommendations to govt to prevent such occurrences," he said.

He added, "The violence that erupted during the mosque survey last year was not communal. The district administration was conducting the survey as per court orders. I have heard various perspectives, but before drawing any conclusions, different aspects must be examined, and more discussions are necessary. The commission will submit its report accordingly." When asked if he would return to Sambhal, Lalpura said, "If required, I will certainly come again."

Sambhal SDM Vandana Mishra told TOI that the commission chairman visited the violence-affected areas, spoke to people from all communities, and gathered details about the Jama Masjid before departing. The head of the mosque, Zafar Ali, said Lalpura inquired about Baju Khana and the number of gates in the mosque.

Source: indiatimes.com

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https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/meerut/minority-commission-chief-visits-sambhal-says-riot-was-not-communal/articleshow/117991193.cms

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Voted for BJP to take fear out of Muslims: Imams’ forum chief in viral video

February 6, 2025

Avideo All India Imam Association chief Moulana Sajid Rashidi stating that he cast his vote in favour of the BJP to counter the fear of the saffron party among Muslims against in the Delhi assembly elections surfaced on social media

He said he made the video viral to expose the Opposition parties that say the Muslims vote to defeat the BJP. “It is instilled in the minds of the Muslims that if the BJP comes to power, your rights would be taken away. Hence, I have voted (the BJP) to take this fear out of the Muslims,” Rashidi can be heard saying in the video.

Amit Malviya, in-charge of BJP’s National Information and Technology Department, shared the video on his handle on the social media platform X with a caption reading: ” BJP Sajid Rashidi of All India Imam Association says he voted for the BJP in the Delhi Assembly election. This is not an isolated instance, and the so-called ‘secular’ parties should be worried if Muslims also start supporting the BJP in a big way.”

Rashidi further said in his video, “If BJP forms a government in Delhi this time, I would tell Muslims if the saffron party takes away any of my rights in five years, I would highlight that too.”

The AIIA president said the urge to erase the fear in the minds of his community prompted him to make the video. How long can they (the Muslims) live with fear in the country?

Conceding that the alleged fear owes it to the speeches made by some BJP leaders, he said it is more to do with the Opposition parties who keep trying to scare the Muslim community.

“I have neither surrendered to the BJP, nor am I planning to join the party. Hence, I am open to speak against the saffron party in case its policies go against the nation and my religion.”

“My only intention is to remove the fear of the BJP from the minds of my community,” he added.

He said he was receiving threats for sharing his views on the BJP. People accuse him of joining hands with the saffron party, but he refutes all such allegations against him, saying he never had a word with any BJP leader regarding his step, nor did he meet anyone.

“If Muslims vote for the BJP,” he said, “they can have the right to raise questions against its policies in case anything goes against them.”

Source: thestatesman.com

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https://www.thestatesman.com/india/voted-for-bjp-to-take-fear-out-of-muslims-imams-forum-chief-in-viral-video-1503395084.html

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Claims of custodial torture and youth’s suicide rock J-K’s Kathua, DM and police order enquiries

by Arun Sharma

February 7, 2025

Amid claims that a Gujjar youth was tortured in police custody and died by suicide hours later, the district administration and the police in Jammu and Kashmir’s Kathua have ordered enquiries into the alleged incident.

On Wednesday, Kathua District Magistrate Dr Rakesh Minhas ordered a magisterial enquiry into the death of Makhan Din, a Gujjar youth from the district’s Billawar area.

Police maintain Din died by suicide at home by consuming insecticide on Tuesday evening.

The DM has appointed Anil Kumar, tehsildar, Lohai Malhar, to conduct an enquiry to ascertain the cause of death and submit a “detailed report within five days”. “Needless to mention here that he shall take statements of all relevant persons and adopt all requisite procedures under relevant rules,” the DM’s order read.

The order followed a post on X by PDP chief and former J&K chief minister Mehbooba Mufti that read: “Shocking news from Kathua: Makhan Din, aged 25 from Perody, Billawar, was detained by the SHO of Billawar on false charges of being an Over Ground Worker (OGW). He was reportedly subjected to brutal thrashing and torture, forced into a confession, and tragically found dead today. The area has been sealed off, and internet services have been cut, leading to widespread panic. There’s an ongoing crackdown, with more individuals being picked up.”

“This incident appears to follow a troubling pattern of targeting innocent youths on fabricated charges. I urge the DGP, J&K Police, to initiate an immediate investigation,” she wrote.

The Jammu and Kashmir police also have taken note of the incident. “Senior officers have ordered a departmental enquiry, which will be conducted by Shiv Kumar Sharma, DIG, Jammu-Samba-Kathua Range,” a police statement said.

“The enquiry officer has been directed to submit his report at the earliest to higher-ups,” it said, asking people not to pay heed to rumours and to cooperate with the police.

Denying that charge of custodial killing, police said the deceased is the nephew of a Pakistan-based militant, Swar Din alias Swaru Gujjar.

The police claimed he had been helping a group that attacked an Army convoy at Badnota, in which four soldiers were killed in July 2024.

“There was no custodial torture or injury. He was questioned and then got exposed, went home and committed suicide,” the police statement read.

A senior officer said Din was picked up for questioning earlier too about his alleged militant links. The officer claimed Din was let go from the police station to bring his mobile phone from home. However, on reaching home, he allegedly consumed insecticide, the officer said.

Following his death, senior district officials went to Din’s residence and assured his family of a fair and transparent investigation.

Dr Rameshwar Singh, the MLA from Bani, told The Indian Express that Din was picked up by police along with his 65-year-old father from their home at Perody village near Billawar town on Tuesday night.

Quoting Murid, the MLA alleged the father and son were tortured at the police station the entire night. In the morning, Din was allowed to go home, and after some time, Murid was also let off.

The MLA claimed Din had made a video of himself at a local mosque before committing suicide on Tuesday evening. As per the MLA, Din said in the video that he had been tortured and forced to confess to militant links.

“I have contacted Chief Minister Omar Abdullah and narrated to him the entire episode,” he said.

Source: muslimmirror.com

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https://indianexpress.com/article/india/custodial-torture-suicide-jammu-kashmir-kathua-9820958/

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16 years as undertrial prisoner: Kerala’s Muslim youth Zakariya still in jail under UAPA

February 6, 2025

Zakariya, a Muslim youth from Kerala, has spent 16 years in jail without conviction under the Unlawful Activities Prevention Act (UAPA). Arrested at 19 years old for his alleged involvement in the 2008 Bengaluru blasts, Zakariya continues to languish in Karnataka’s prisons despite a lack of evidence and witnesses retracting their statements.

On 5 February 2009, Zakariya, a resident of Calicut, was picked up by the Karnataka Police while heading to his workplace in Malappuram. His family was unaware of his whereabouts until he called them four days later, informing them of his arrest.

The authorities accused him of providing technical assistance for the 2008 bomb blast, but his trial has dragged on without a verdict.

Human rights activists and Zakariya’s family have been campaigning for his release, citing unjustified detention and an unfair legal process. The Free Zakariya Action Forum, along with the Association for Protection of Civil Rights (APCR), has taken up his case. Noushad NM, president of APCR’s Kerala chapter, called Zakariya’s imprisonment a human rights violation, noting that he was denied bail even to visit his bedridden mother, Beyummah, a cancer patient.

Zakariya lost his father at age 10, and his mother now depends on relatives for care. She recalls that Kerala Police visited their home a day before Zakariya’s arrest, inquiring about a passport application. It was only days later that she learned about his detention.

Adding to the injustice, two key witnesses withdrew their statements, claiming they had been forced to sign documents in Kannada, a language they did not understand. Yet, Zakariya’s bail pleas were consistently rejected. Over 16 years, he was granted parole only twice—once for his brother’s wedding and later for his funeral.

Noushad expressed deep concern over the slow judicial process, pointing out that Zakariya’s case is heard in an NIA court that sits for just one hour a month, making a timely trial almost impossible.

He also emphasized that Zakariya has already spent a period equivalent to the maximum sentence for his charges, yet remains imprisoned.

Comparing his case to that of anti-CAA activists Umar Khalid, Sharjeel Imam, and others, Noushad argued that Muslim prisoners face systemic discrimination under UAPA, which severely restricts bail.

In September 2020, Beyummah moved the Supreme Court, challenging the constitutionality of UAPA and calling for its repeal. Her petition underscores the grave misuse of anti-terror laws and demands justice for her son and others unjustly imprisoned. — With Agencies Inputs

Source: muslimmirror.com

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https://muslimmirror.com/16-years-as-undertrial-prisoner-keralas-muslim-youth-zakariya-still-in-jail-under-uapa/

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Stop survey of Waqf properties: Masood to Birla, JPC chair

Feb 7, 2025

Bhopal: Congress MLA from Bhopal Central constituency Arif Masood on Thursday wrote to Lok Sabha speaker Om Birla, Joint Parliamentary Committee (JPC) chairman on the Waqf (Amendment) Bill 2024 Jagdambika Pal and MP chief secretary Anurag Jain raising objections on the survey of Waqf Board properties.

He has demanded that the survey be stopped to avoid future complications. Masood argued that the rules and regulations of the survey were not being followed and in future there would be major disputes.

The JPC on the Waqf Amendment Bill ordered a survey of Waqf properties in the country. After this, the MP govt gave orders to commissioners and district collectors to start surveying Waqf properties in the state. The Waqf Board is the third largest landowner in the country after the Indian Railways and the defence forces. It has an estimated 9.4 lakh acres valued at Rs 1.2 lakh crore.

"I have demanded from the JPC that first you should upgrade the record of Waqf properties and only after that you take account of the properties of the board held in MP," Masood told reporters. "I have written to the Lok Sabha speaker, chairman of the JPC and the chief secretary. There is also a PIL before the MP High Court demanding that the records of Waqf properties be upgraded and consolidated. Notices have been issued to upgrade the records. Because between 1983 to 1989, a revenue gazette notification was issued but records were not upgraded," he said.

Masood has also appealed to Muslim organisations to write to the district collectors opposing the survey of Waqf properties. Masood alleged that some formalities were being done in the name of the survey. "No one is physically verifying the properties. The land meant for dargahs and crematoriums are being illegally encroached and farming has been carried out. Some land was also sold illegally by encroachers," he said.

MP Waqf Board chairman Sanwar Patel had accepted on record that 90% of the Board's land has been encroached upon.

The BJP state unit reacted sharply to Masood's demand. BJP media department chief Ashish Agarwal said, "Suspicion is on the every persons who are raising the objection to the survey. They must have made some irregularities in the name of Waqf Board. This is a double-engine govt and a regime led by PM Narendra Modi. Whether Masood or anyone else will not be spared if they are involved in irregularities. What is right according to the law will be implemented."

Source: indiatimes.com

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https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/bhopal/stop-survey-of-waqf-properties-masood-to-birla-jpc-chair/articleshow/117992674.cms

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Delhi HC reserves order on Engineer Rashid's plea for custody parole to attend Parliament

07 Feb 2025

NEW DELHI: The Delhi High Court on Friday reserved its order on a plea by jailed MP Rashid Engineer, facing trial in a terror funding case, seeking custody parole to attend the ongoing Parliament session.

Justice Vikas Mahajan heard the counsel appearing for the Baramulla MP as well as the National Investigation Agency (NIA) and said, "Judgement reserved."

The counsel appearing for the NIA opposed the grant of custody parole, saying Rashid had no vested right to attend Parliament. It was further said that he did show any "specific purpose" while seeking the relief and there were security concerns as well.

Rashid's counsel emphasised that his constituency was not being represented in Parliament and he ought to be allowed to attend the session.

"I represent the largest constituency of J&K. Don't prevent the representation when the process of inclusion has started. Don't stifle the voice of the constituency," the counsel argued.

The court was hearing Rashid's petition alleging that he had been left without any remedy after the NIA court dealing with his bail application left him in a limbo post his election to the Lok Sabha last year on account of it not being a special MP/MLA court.

As interim relief, he prayed for grant of custody parole.

Earlier, the NIA opposed Rashid's plea seeking interim bail to attend the Parliament session and said he had no such "right" as a parliamentarian.

In his petition, Rashid has urged the high court to either direct the expeditious disposal of his pending bail plea by the NIA court or decide the matter itself.

Rashid has been lodged in Tihar jail here since 2019 after the NIA arrested him under the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act in the 2017 terror-funding case.

Source: newindianexpress.com

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https://www.newindianexpress.com/nation/2025/Feb/07/delhi-hc-reserves-order-on-engineer-rashids-plea-for-custody-parole-to-attend-parliament

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Elephant on rampage at Kerala mosque kills mahout, injures one

Feb 7, 2025

An elephant went on a rampage at a mosque in Kerala’s Palakkad district, killing its mahout and injuring another person, the police said on Friday. The incident unfolded during a ceremony on Thursday around 10.30 pm at a mosque in the Kootanadu area.

According to eyewitnesses, the elephant named Vallamkulam Narayanan Kutty, attacked his mahout, identified as 42-year-old Kunjumon Ibrahim, during the annual ‘nercha’ ceremony organised to commemorate the saints laid to rest at the Koottanadu Shuhada Makham (mosque).

The elephant was eventually restrained and moved from the location, the police said.

The ceremony saw participation of several elephants from 28 teams in a procession. The elephant, reportedly, attacked Kunjumon while he was returning from the event, the police said.

He succumbed to his injuries while being taken to a hospital in Kunnamkulam.

This is not the first such incident of an elephant going on a rampage during a mosque ceremony in Kerala. On January 7, an elephant suddenly went wild, apparently agitated by the crowd, during a ceremony at a mosque in Malappuram.

In a separate incident in Coimbatore, Tamil Nadu, a wild elephant entered the premises of a temple and raided nearby shops. The incident was captured on a video, showing the elephant casually strolling through the temple archway, heading straight for shops stocked with fruits and coconuts typically sold as offerings or prasad.

Source: indiatoday.in

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https://www.indiatoday.in/india/kerala/story/elephant-runs-wild-kills-mahout-in-keralas-palakkad-during-mosque-ceremony-2676145-2025-02-07

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A dispute involving the temple and mosque at Tirupparankundram during 1915-16

 February 06, 2025

D. SURESH KUMAR

Around 110 years ago, a dispute had arisen between the administrators of the Madura Meenakshi Devasthanam and the Sultan Sikkandar Avulia Dargah that briefly warranted the intervention of the government. The Devasthanam was then administering the Tirupparankundram Subramanya Swamy temple, the first of the six abodes of Lord Muruga.

However, back then, the issue was not politicised and there was no involvement of “outsiders”, as is the case in the ongoing communal tensions in Tirupparankundram. It was dealt with by the administrators of the respective places of worship.

 Tirupparankundram hills row: How Privy Council settled the temple’s claim in 1931

It began in September 1915 when the Hukdars of the Dargah attempted to construct a mantapam at a ground in Nellitope for pilgrims to take rest, and even quarried stones from the hill for this. The Devasthanam manager protested. “The dispute centred on a path that diverges, with one side leading to the Durgah and the other to the Hindu shrines. The manager contended that the site had long been used by [Hindu] pilgrims for shelter and that the Durgah should not have exclusive rights over it,” wrote The Hindu’s ‘Own Correspondent’ under the heading ‘A Hindu-Mahomedan Dispute’ in his ‘Madura Notes’ column published on March 9, 1916.

Legal proceedings under Section 145 of the CrPc were initiated in the Court of the Deputy Magistrate, Melur Division. The Madurai Collector G.F. Paddison, a British ICS officer, on being consulted, offered to mediate if both parties agreed.

 Thiruparankundram row: DMK government will crush BJP’s attempt to divide people, says HR&CE Minister

At that time, the Devasthanam manager insisted that the whole rock was the property of the Devastanam and, “in support of his claim, cited a kyfeet (document) dated 11-1-1837, which stated that the village of Tiruparankundram and its surrounding hamlets had been given to the temple for ‘Tirugspadithanam’ by Parakrama Pandyan,” the Correspondent said in a subsequent report on the issue published on April 11, 1916.

The Mahomedans contended that in the inam title deed granting lands for the maintenance of the Sikkandar Mosque, the hill was referred to as ‘Sikkandar Dargah’. They also claimed around 1807, the Collector had ordered that the trees on the hill should be enjoyed by the Hukdars. Regarding the issue of quarrying, they argued the Devasthanam and Dargah authorities had the right to quarry stones for the construction of sacred edifices on the hill.

 Thiruparankundram row: T.N. govt. too soft on religious and caste outfits inciting trouble, says Selvaperunthagai

The Collector, however, ruled the Hukdars were wrong to quarry stones and attempt to construct the mantapam without approval. He added no burials should be allowed without a licence from the Taluk Board.

As a compromise, Paddison suggested a jointly constructed building for both communities to use as a resting place. While the Hukdars accepted this, the Devasthanam refused.

The Collector then decided to conduct a full inquiry, including an inspection of records. Meanwhile, a group of “respected Hindus from Madura” visited Nellitope. On the day of the inquiry, a High Court lawyer C.S. Narayanswami Iyer presented a petition “signed by more than fifty gentlemen who had visited Nellitope” and argued since the government had an interest in the dispute and was a party to the ownership of the hill, it would not be appropriate for the Collector to decide the matter. The petitioners, instead, preferred a solution through the court of law.

Paddison then concluded he could not settle the dispute amicably and “regretted that his attempt at a peaceful settlement had failed.”

Source: thehindu.com

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https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/tamil-nadu/a-dispute-involving-the-temple-and-mosque-at-thiruparankundram-during-1915-16/article69187503.ece

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SoutheastAsia

 

Muslims' faith strong enough not to require supervision, says Rafidah

Feb 7, 2025

Former minister Rafidah Aziz has emphasised that the faith of Muslims is neither fragile nor rooted in ignorance.

“We are not ignorant, our ‘iman’ (faith) so weak to have supervision,” she said in response to the debate concerning the proposed guidelines for Muslims.

She also noted that of late, there is a “sudden fervour” among...

Source: malaysiakini.com

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https://www.malaysiakini.com/news/733819

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Cabinet To Discuss Guidelines For Events At Non-muslim Houses Of Worship Tomorrow - PM

06/02/2025

PUTRAJAYA, Feb 6 (Bernama) -- The proposed guidelines for Muslims attending events at non-Muslim houses of worship will be discussed at tomorrow's Cabinet meeting, said Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim. He said this when asked after attending the launch of Audits on Government-Linked Companies at the Putrajaya International Convention Centre here today. “We will discuss that in the Cabinet meeting tomorrow,” he said briefly.The government is reportedly mulling over a new set of guidelines that covers the involvement of Muslims in celebrations, funerals, and ceremonies of non-Muslims, as well as visits and events held at non-Muslim houses of worship. Prior to this, the Religious Affairs Minister in the Prime Minister's Department Datuk Dr Mohd Na'im Mokhtar said that these guidelines were being developed to promote social and cultural harmony among Malaysia's diverse, multi-religious society. He explained that the guidelines are intended to provide Muslims with guidance on attending celebrations or ceremonies of other religious groups in a manner that is respectful, adheres to proper etiquette, and maintains Islamic faith. However, reports indicate that some groups have criticised the proposal, particularly the requirement to seek permission from religious authorities if the event involves Muslims, as well as ensuring that such events do not contain elements that may offend the sensitivities of Muslims.  -- BERNAMA

Source: bernama.com

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https://www.bernama.com/en/general/news.php?id=2389975

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'Malang sekali' no action against Yeoh, ex-Islamic institute official testifies

Feb 6, 2025

A former senior officer of Malaysia Islamic Strategic Research Institute (Iksim) testified it was “malang sekali” (unfortunate) that the authorities took no action against Hannah Yeoh over her memoir “Becoming Hannah”.

Testifying on behalf of Universiti Utara Malaysia (UUM) lecturer Kamarul Zaman Yusoff, Harizal Hassan told the Kuala Lumpur High Court that the youth and sports minister would have been in jail today if her memoir explicitly stated a religious agenda.

Source: malaysiakini.com

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https://www.malaysiakini.com/news/733769

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Federal Court to hear Perlis govt’s bid to restore Muslim status of Hindu mum Loh Siew Hong’s children on April 8

07 Feb 2025

PUTRAJAYA, Feb 7 — The Federal Court has rescheduled to April 8 the hearing of the Perlis state government’s review application to reinstate the religious status of Loh Siew Hong’s three children as Muslims.

Lawyer Daniel Farhan Zainul Rijal representing the Perlis state government confirmed the new hearing date to Bernama, when contacted. The hearing date initially set on February 20 has been vacated.

The new hearing date was fixed during a case management session held yesterday before Federal Court deputy registrar Wan Norazimin Kassim. Daniel as well as Loh’s lawyer A. Srimurugan attended the case management.

The Perlis government filed the review application with the Federal Court on October 30 last year, requesting the court to set aside its earlier decision rejecting the leave to appeal applications filed by the state government and three other parties.

The state government contended that the previous ruling had severely compromised their right to be heard. They are seeking a rehearing of the leave to appeal the application.

The application to seek leave to appeal was dismissed on May 14 last year, preventing the applicants including the Perlis Islamic Religious and Malay Customs Council (MAIPs), the Perlis State Registrar of Converts, Perlis Mufti Datuk Mohd Asri Zainul Abidin from proceeding with their appeals.

Loh had filed an affidavit opposing the review application.

On January 10 last year, the Court of Appeal nullified Loh children’s conversion to Islam and declared them as Hindus. The decision overturned the 2023 High Court’s ruling that had initially dismissed Loh’s judicial review to annul her children’s conversion.

The 37-year-old single mother filed the judicial review on March 25, 2022, seeking a declaration that her three children are Hindus and asserting that her ex-husband, M. Nagahswaran, who converted to Islam, lacked the legal capacity to register their children as converts without her consent.

The three children, who were initially placed under the care of the Social Welfare Department, were returned to Loh on February 21, 2022, after the High Court granted her habeas corpus application. — Bernama

Source: malaymail.com

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End Muslim guidelines 'contest', Umno tells MCA, MIC, DAP, Gerakan

Feb 7, 2025

Umno has urged all quarters, including BN component parties, to stop competing with each other in “polemicising” the proposed interfaith guidelines for Muslims.

Naming DAP and Gerakan as well, Umno secretary-general Asyraf Wajdi Dusuki said: “My advice is to leave religious matters like this to the relevant authorities to be discussed in an academic and informed manner.”

Source: malaysiakini.com

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BIMB Holdings Partners RELDYN To Advance Shariah-compliant Digital Finance

 06/02/2025

KUALA LUMPUR, Feb 6 (Bernama) -- Bank Islam Malaysia Bhd’s wholly owned subsidiary, BIMB Holdings Sdn Bhd, has partnered with RELDYN Tech Sdn Bhd to advance the Shariah-compliant digital finance landscape. Both parties entered into a strategic joint venture agreement today to establish FINODYN Sdn Bhd, a technology financial (TechFin) entity that will offer cutting-edge financial technology platforms, software, and services to the market. Under the joint venture, BIMB Holdings holds 40 per cent equity, while RELDYN owns 60 per cent of FINODYN. Bank Islam group chief executive officer (CEO), Datuk Mohd Muazzam Mohamed said the bank is leveraging advanced technology to build a resilient workforce that drives innovation and ensures a seamless, efficient digital banking experience for customers. He said Bank Islam’s digital transformation journey is centred on continuous innovation, financial inclusion, and future readiness. “By leveraging technology responsibly, fostering strategic partnerships, and embracing digital transformation, we remain committed to better serving our customers and communities.“Our investments in financial and human capital for digitalisation to create a future-proof bank are not a choice but an imperative,” he said in his keynote speech at the In Conversation Series: Building a Future-Ready Bank event today. Meanwhile, Bank Islam group chief digital officer Noor Farilla Abdullah said the purpose of the joint venture between BIMB Holdings and RELDYN is to market and sell software and platforms related to Islamic finance and Islamic banking. “This is one of our ways to also proliferate Islamic banking and Islamic finance solutions. The clientele segment for the joint venture is a business-to-business (B2B) entity,” she added. FINODYN will adopt a B2B model, focusing on delivering financial and banking platforms that provide Shariah-compliant financial solutions, consulting, maintenance, and support services to diverse businesses and organisations. The joint venture agreement was signed by BIMB Holdings chairman, Mohamed Iran Moriff Mohd Shariff and RELDYN CEO JayaPrasad Rao Ethamukkala, with Mohd Muazzam and RELDYN director, Jaya Malar Arumugam, serving as witnesses at the signing ceremony. The initiative aligns with Bank Islam’s five-year growth roadmap, LEAP25, which emphasises digital transformation as a  driver of long-term sustainability. The strategic partnership also enables Bank Islam to offer Islamic Banking-as-aService (iBaaS). The joint venture will be executed in three strategic phases. The initial phase, spanning up to two years, will focus on product and infrastructure development, followed by an accelerated sales phase to drive market penetration. Source: bernama.com

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https://www.bernama.com/en/business/news.php?id=2390120

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Africa

 

Egbe Agba Itesiwaju Yoruba Defends Shariah Panels, Calls for Unity in Yoruba Land

By Chimezie Godfrey -

February 6, 2025

The Egbe Agba Itesiwaju Yoruba, a leading coalition of prominent Yoruba leaders from the Southwestern States of Nigeria, Edo/Delta, Kogi, Kwara, and the diaspora, has issued a strong statement addressing the ongoing debate over the establishment of independent Shariah panels in Oyo Town and Ekiti State.

In their press release, the organization emphasized that Shariah has been an integral part of Yoruba culture and history for centuries, and warned against the recent wave of criticism and denigration from certain groups associated with the Yoruba nation. These groups, the Egbe Agba Itesiwaju Yoruba leaders stated, have not only opposed the Shariah panels but also insulted respected traditional and religious leaders—actions which, they argue, are at odds with the peaceful and respectful nature of the Yoruba people.

Agbaakin Tunde Adeleke, Worldwide President of Egbe Agba Itesiwaju Yoruba, stressed that the Yoruba people have long been known for their peaceful coexistence with all religions, particularly Islam and Christianity. He recalled how Islam was the first religion to establish a presence in Yoruba land, with traditional rulers and Muslim leaders becoming deeply integrated into the community. Adeleke noted that Yoruba people have always embraced religious diversity, pointing out that Muslim leaders became established figures in Yoruba governance and communities, with central mosques even being built beside royal palaces.

The group further emphasized that Shariah law has been part of Yoruba land for generations, dating back to the 19th century when Muslim communities in Lagos petitioned the colonial government for the establishment of Shariah. Despite the intervention of colonial rule, Shariah practices remained a significant part of Yoruba life, especially in cities such as Ede, Iwo, Ikirun, Epe, and Ibadan.

Pa Tafa Olawuyi, the Secretary General of the group, reiterated that the existence of Shariah panels in Southwestern Nigeria is not a new phenomenon. For nearly two decades, independent Shariah panels have been operating in Oyo, Osun, Ogun, and Lagos States. These panels, which were created by Yoruba Muslim leaders in response to the government’s failure to establish Shariah courts as outlined in the Nigerian Constitution, have been instrumental in resolving matters related to Islamic personal law, such as marriage, divorce, and child custody. Olawuyi noted that these panels have contributed to maintaining peace and stability in the region and are consistent with the Yoruba people’s historical practice of resolving issues through mediation by respected religious leaders.

The group also addressed the controversy surrounding the Sultan of Sokoto, Dr. Sa’ad Abubakar III, after certain Yoruba groups criticized him and the Fulani ethnic group. High Chief Kola Oriolowo, Publicity Secretary of the Egbe Agba Itesiwaju Yoruba, strongly condemned these attacks, calling them inconsistent with Yoruba values of mutual respect and courtesy. “This is not the way of the Yoruba people,” Oriolowo said. “Yorubas are bridge builders, not destroyers. We respect our leaders, and we stand against any actions that seek to sow division between our people and their Muslim brothers.”

The press release further emphasized that decisions regarding the establishment of Shariah courts should be made by Yoruba Muslim leaders, as they are the ones directly affected. It is not the place of non-Muslims to speak for them on this issue. The group’s stance aligns with the constitutional rights of Nigerian citizens, particularly the freedom of religion enshrined in Section 38 of the 1999 Constitution, which guarantees the right to practice and promote one’s faith.

In closing, the Egbe Agba Itesiwaju Yoruba called for unity, tolerance, and mutual respect among all people in Yorubaland. Agbaakin Tunde Adeleke urged Yoruba leaders to refrain from actions that could escalate tensions and divide the region along religious lines. “We must continue to uphold the ideals of peace, progress, and development that have long defined our people,” he concluded.

The leadership of Egbe Agba Itesiwaju Yoruba called on all to embrace the “Omoluabi” ethos—an embodiment of Yoruba ideals that emphasizes good character, maturity, and peaceful coexistence.

“May peace, tranquility, and progress continue to reign in our land,” the statement ended.

Source: newsdiaryonline.com

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https://newsdiaryonline.com/egbe-agba-itesiwaju-yoruba-defends-shariah-panels-calls-for-unity-in-yoruba-land/

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Mike Bamiloye to Christians: use social media responsibly

February 6, 2025

by Yewande Fasan

Evangelist Mike Bamiloye has reminded Christians of the importance of being mindful of their online presence.

He emphasised that believers will one day stand before the judgment throne of the Lord to defend how they used social media – either to support or oppose the kingdom of God.

Bamiloye’s message serves as a call to action, encouraging Christians to reflect on their social media usage and ensure it aligns with their faith.

“All you children of God on Social Media, be prepared to stand before the judgement throne of the Lord Jesus. to defend how you used it. For or Against the Kingdom of God”, he wrote on Instagram.

Source: thenationonlineng.net

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First Lady Mourns Victims Of Islamic School Inferno In Zamfara

February 6, 2025

Deji Elumoye in Abuja

The wife of the president, Senator Oluremi Tinubu, has mourned the 17 victims of the recent fire incident that gutted an Islamic school in Kaura Namoda, Zamfara State.

She has, therefore, commiserated with the government and people of the state over the tragic incident.

Mrs Tinubu stressed that the incident has brought to light the need for precautionary safety measures to be put in place in all public schools across the country.

A release personally signed by her on Thursday stated, inter alia: “I commiserate with the Governor of Zamfara State, Dr Dauda Lawal, and the people of Zamfara State on the tragic incident of the fire that gutted the Islamic school where 17 lives were lost.

“I pray Allah comfort and give the families and loved ones of the departed the fortitude to bear this painful loss.

“This once again, brings to mind the need for precautionary safety measures in all our public facilities.

“I pray that such will not reoccur not only in Zamfara State, but all over Nigeria.

“May Allah grant the souls of the departed Aljanah Fridaus.”

Source: thisdaylive.com

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US Citizens Now Come To Nigeria For Kidney Transplant – Shettima

7 February 2025

By Udeze Ekene

Vice President Kashim Shettima has said Nigeria was witnessing a surge in reverse medical tourism, with patients from the United States and other countries thronging the nation’s hospitals to seek affordable and high-quality kidney transplants.

Naija News reports that Vice President Shettima attributed the choice of Nigeria for treatment to affordability and high-quality expertise within the country’s medical community.

Speaking on Thursday during a courtesy visit by the Nigerian Association of Nephrology (NAN) at the Presidential Villa ahead of the association’s 37th Scientific Conference, Shettima stressed the need for further investments in specialized medical education to sustain this progress.

“There is reverse medical tourism these days fundamentally because of the level of care at some of our hospitals. Recently, thirteen patients from the United States came to Nigeria for kidney transplants… and they receive the same level of expertise available anywhere in the world,” he said.

Shettima, however, noted the financial strain on patients, many of whom sell their homes or rely on government support to afford transplants.

“While getting a kidney transplant is a significant challenge, life after a transplant presents even more difficulties. Many patients struggle with the cost of post-transplant care, including immunosuppressants, which are essential to maintaining their health,” he stated.

The Vice President recalled healthcare initiatives he had embarked on during his tenure as governor of Borno State, as well as the success of ongoing free maternal care programmes he introduced.

“At a hospital in my neighborhood, we provide a bag of rice and beans to every new mother. They record about 30 births daily, more than even the University of Maiduguri Teaching Hospital (UMTH). Over 4,000 deliveries have been recorded in less than eight months, with all medical expenses covered, including caesarean sections,” Shettima said.

He stressed the need for Nigeria to build its medical workforce, noting that when he was in Borno State as Governor, he took 60 female students to study medicine in Sudan.

“About 58 of them completed their education and passed the Medical and Dental Council of Nigeria (MDCN) licensing exams. Most of them are now in their medical residency programmes. The beauty of training women in medicine is that they are more likely to stay back and serve their communities.

“We must make deliberate and targeted investments in specialized healthcare education in this country, he added.

Source: naijanews.com

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https://www.naijanews.com/2025/02/07/us-citizens-now-come-to-nigeria-for-kidney-transplant-shettima/

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Police Drop ₦1.3 Billion Fraud Charges Against Top Lagos GAC Member’s Son, Four Others

7 February 2025

The Nigeria Police Force has withdrawn the ₦1.3 billion fraud charges filed against Gbolahan Obanikoro, son of Senator Musiliu Obanikoro, along with four other defendants.

Naija News reports that Senator Obanikoro, who is a former Minister, is a member of the influential Governance Advisory Council (GAC) of the Lagos State All Progressives Congress (APC) and an ally of President Bola Tinubu.

The decision to withdraw the charges was communicated to the Federal High Court in Lagos through a Notice of Withdrawal filed under Section 108(1) of the Administration of Criminal Justice Act, 2015.

The document, dated February 4, 2025, was signed by Chief Superintendent of Police Justin Enang but did not provide any reason for dropping the charges (marked FHC/L/902c/2024).

The notice simply stated: “Take notice that the prosecution hereby withdraws the above-mentioned charge against the defendants herein.”

The Special Fraud Unit (SFU) of the Nigeria Police Force, acting on behalf of the Inspector General of Police, had charged the defendants with five counts, including: Conspiracy, Obtaining money by false pretenses, False representation, Fraud and money laundering, Allegations Against the Defendants.

The police alleged that between May and September 2013, the defendants conspired to fraudulently obtain ₦1,356,057,330.43 from Access Bank Plc (formerly Diamond Bank) under false pretenses.

The prosecution claimed that the defendants misrepresented themselves to the bank, claiming to be involved in the business of importing cars from Dubai for sale in Nigeria and requesting the funds to finance the importation of new vehicles for resale.

Additionally, the defendants were accused of: Converting, transferring, and retaining the funds, knowing they were proceeds of unlawful activity; Unlawfully diverting ₦1 billion of the bank’s funds for personal use; Missed Court Hearing and Scheduled Arraignment.

The defendants were initially scheduled for arraignment on January 26, 2025, before Justice Ambrose Lewis-Allagoa, but failed to appear in court.

The prosecution, represented by Momoh Bello, applied for a bench warrant to compel their attendance, but Joshua Abel, counsel for the fourth defendant (M.O.B. Integrated Limited), opposed the request.

As a result, the judge rescheduled the arraignment to February 27, 2025.

Following the police’s official withdrawal of charges, sources indicate to The PUNCH that the hearing to strike out the case could take place today (Friday).

Source: naijanews.com

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https://www.naijanews.com/2025/02/07/police-drop-%e2%82%a61-3-billion-fraud-charges-against-top-lagos-gac-members-son-four-others/

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Ex-Lawmakers Oppose Proposal For 31 New States, Call For Regional Government

7 February 2025

By Enioluwa Adeniyi

A former member of the House of Representatives, Barth Nnanna, has strongly opposed the proposed creation of 31 additional states, arguing that it would be unmanageable, cumbersome, and chaotic for Nigeria.

Speaking in an interview with Punch, Nnanna, who represented Ogbaru Federal Constituency of Anambra State from 1999 to 2003, dismissed the plan as ill-advised, stating that what Nigeria needs is a return to a regional system of government, not additional states.

Nnanna further pointed out that the proposal was not balanced, noting that the South-East was shortchanged compared to other regions.

Rather than creating more states, Nnanna called for a return to the regional system of government, where federating units would have greater autonomy over their resources and administration.

Naija News reports that Nnanna joins a growing list of critics who have condemned the proposal by the House of Representatives Constitution Review Committee to create 31 additional states.

He said, “We look at the proposal and we can say that proposing additional 31 states to join the already existing 36 states will be too unwieldy to manage. Most of the existing 36 states are not viable and can’t stand on their own with the exception of three states, every other states depend on the handout from Abuja for survival and now they are proposing additional 31 states.

“What we had expected them to do is to first balance the states of the geopolitical regions. For instance, like the South-East that has five states should be giving additional states to balance the equation.

“Even with the proposal, it means South-East will given additional five states totalling 10 states. It means the region will be trailing North-West and South-West which may likely have 14 states each. You can see it is not balanced and there is no equity in the whole thing.

“Anyway, it is still a proposal; it will still be subjected to public scrutiny and acceptance. When it comes to that stage, the people will either accept it or reject it. But the truth is Nigeria doesn’t need additional states at the moment.”

Another former member of the House of Representatives, Ogbona Nwuke, said Governors may not support the creation of additional states.

Nwuke, who represented Etche-Omuma Federal Constituency of Rivers State in the Green Chamber, also questioned the viability of the proposed states.

He said, “It is very clear that state creation will not be possible without the support of the governors. And the way it stands state governors may not back state creation.

“Anyway, as we speak, not all states appear to be viable. And to talk about that number of states being created, if that is the will of the people across the country, then one will perhaps say there is nothing wrong with that. But let me note that state creation has never been handled by any civilian administration in Nigeria

“And previous attempts to create states have also not been successful. So, it will be nice to see what stakeholders will say when the issue of states creation is tabled before them.

“But looking at history, most states created in the country were by fiat by the military and none has been created by any civilian administration.”

Asked if he supports the creation of more states, he added, “We have six geo-political zones and we know that in the South East has been clamouring for one additional state.

“Now, in order to achieve a level of balance, which is missing at this time, we need to know the number of states because there has to be some balancing with Nigeria’s geographical expression.

“So, it is a critical matter, very serious matter which will demand more information, additional information on how the committee came to that number of states and then how those states will be distributed when it comes to Nigeria’s geo-political spread.”  Source: naijanews.com

Please click the following URL to read the text of the original Story

https://www.naijanews.com/2025/02/07/ex-lawmakers-oppose-proposal-for-31-new-states-call-for-regional-government/

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Telecom Tariff Hike: We’ll Go On Strike – TUC Threatens FG

7 February 2025

The Trade Union Congress (TUC) has warned that it will embark on a strike if telecom tariffs are increased by 50%, citing concerns over the impact of foreign exchange fluctuations on service costs.

Naija News reports that TUC President, Comrade Festus Osifo, made this declaration during an interview on Channels TV’s Politics Today on Thursday.

While acknowledging the rising operational costs incurred by telecommunications companies, Osifo argued that the core issue lies in foreign exchange mismanagement.

“If you know what the root cause of the problem is, why would you start looking at the symptoms? So, all the increments that we are seeing today are symptoms of the FX mismanagement,” he said.

He emphasized that the devaluation of the naira has negatively affected multiple sectors of the economy, leading to widespread price hikes.

Osifo disclosed that the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) has already met to discuss the matter, while the National Executive Council (NEC) of the TUC is expected to decide on the next course of action.

He urged the government to address the root cause of foreign exchange instability rather than pass additional costs onto consumers.

“So, all we are asking is that let us sit down, let us look at how we can go back to that root cause because we strongly believe that if that root cause is addressed, there is no need for these symptoms to prop up,” he added.

When asked whether the TUC would proceed with strike action if the federal government fails to intervene, Osifo responded unequivocally: “Yes. Correct.“

Source: naijanews.com

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https://www.naijanews.com/2025/02/07/telecom-tariff-hike-well-go-on-strike-tuc-threatens-fg/

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Kogi Deputy Governor Orders Army, Police To Confront Kidnappers, Foils Abduction In Ejule

6 February 2025

By Rachel Okporu Fadoju

An attempted abduction of motorists travelling along the Ejule and Ochadamu roads in the eastern part of Kogi State was thwarted by the  Deputy Governor’s convoy.

Naija News learnt that the incident occurred on Thursday at Ofejiji in Ochadamu, Ofu Local Government Area, shortly after the Deputy Governor’s convoy had passed through.

Confirming the incident, the Chief Press Secretary to the Deputy Governor, Emmanuel Unubi, in a statement, said the suspected kidnappers had targeted an 18-seater BD Express Bus, which was transporting passengers from Otukpo, Benue State, to Lagos.

Unubi said the security operatives swung into action after an alert about the kidnap attempt.

He said, “Fortunately, security personnel in the backup van of the Deputy Governor’s convoy quickly intervened after receiving the alert, preventing any abductions.

“After notifying the Nigerian Army, the Police, and local vigilante groups, the Deputy Governor directed them to confront the kidnappers and ensure their apprehension for prosecution.”

The Deputy Governor, Joel Salifu, while addressing the situation, expressed his concern over the ongoing attempts at kidnapping in the area.

He ordered security forces to establish a permanent checkpoint at the location, stressing that Governor Usman Ododo is committed to eradicating criminal activities and restoring peace to the state so citizens can rest without fear.

The Deputy Governor urged the youth of Ejule, Ochadamu and surrounding communities to refrain from unlawful activities and report suspicious behaviour or unfamiliar individuals, stressing that security is a collective responsibility.

He also warned those involved in such criminal acts to cease immediately or face the full force of the law.

Source: naijanews.com

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https://www.naijanews.com/2025/02/06/kogi-deputy-governor-orders-army-police-to-confront-kidnappers-foils-abduction-in-ejule/

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Tinubu Means Well For Nigerians, But It Is Not Enough – Fayemi

6 February 2025

By Justina Otio

The former Governor of Ekiti State, Kayode Fayemi has stated that President Bola Tinubu desire to give Nigeria the best is not enough in leadership.

He asserted that there must be a framework in place to bring about the change Nigerians are earnestly awaiting.

The All Progressives Congress (APC) chieftain shared his reservation on Channels Television’s Politics Today programme on Thursday.

The ex-governor, who described the president as his elder brother, said that intentionality is critical to the success of the Nigeria project.

“He (Tinubu) is well-meaning but well-meaning is not enough in leadership; intentionality is critical to success,” he said.

Fayemi said those in power know the truth but do not act the truth “because sometimes there are many mediating factors”.

He said, “President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has done many good things, we all must acknowledge that. He’s been bold to take on some of the most difficult decisions that previous leaders have been reluctant to take on.

“The fallout of those decisions has caused us huge cost of living crisis. Fuel subsidy removal, convergence of FX window.

“Whether you talk about student loan or other efforts at resisting insurgency, taming insecurity, tax policy reform, increase revenue into the federal coffers, some elements are there but need to come together.

“This is where effective policy framework go side by side with leadership acumen to get a change of narrative to the story. Maybe that’s the area where we need to do lots more.”

Source: naijanews.com

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https://www.naijanews.com/2025/02/06/tinubu-means-well-for-nigerians-but-it-is-not-enough-fayemi/

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El-Rufai Accuses Kaduna Govt Of Interfering In Corruption Trial Of Former Aides

6 February 2025

By Enioluwa Adeniyi

Former Kaduna State Governor, Nasir El-Rufai, has accused the administration of Governor Uba Sani of interfering in the ongoing corruption trial of two of his former aides, alleging that the government is frustrating their release from detention.

In a statement on his X account on Thursday, El-Rufai claimed that the ongoing cases against Bashir Sai’du and Jimi Lawal—who both served in his administration—have been politicized, with selective persecution aimed at his allies.

Naija News understands that the two former aides are facing corruption charges filed by the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC).

On January 21, 2025, the Federal High Court in Kaduna granted bail to Lawal, who served as a senior adviser, and three others arraigned for fraud and other financial crimes.

However, El-Rufai alleged that the Kaduna State government has ensured that only his loyalists are facing prosecution, while those who have aligned with Governor Sani’s administration remain untouched.

“For an explicit understanding on the scenario, it must be understood that since early 2024, numerous individuals who served under the El-Rufai administration have been selectively summoned and questioned by anti-corruption agencies,” he wrote.

He further stated, “Several others have seemingly escaped scrutiny due to their current positions within the Senator Uba Sani-led Kaduna State Government or at the national level. This selective approach raises concerns regarding the impartiality of the process.”

Claims Of Political Persecution

El-Rufai alleged that Sai’du was illegally abducted on December 31, 2024, by armed police officers on Governor Uba Sani’s orders and swiftly taken to a magistrate court in Rigasa, where he was remanded in Kaduna Prison until January 21, 2025.

“Both Bashir Sai’du and Jimi Lawal were later brought before the Federal High Court in Kaduna, facing charges filed by the ICPC. Additionally, the Uba Sani government filed another case against Sai’du at the State High Court,” he said.

KADGIS Accused Of Blocking Bail Release

Despite being granted bail with strict conditions, El-Rufai accused the Kaduna State Geographic Information Service (KADGIS) of deliberately blocking the verification of certificates of occupancy (C-of-O)—a required condition for their release.

He said, “In a surprising turn of events, KADGIS abruptly suspended verification services for C-of-O following the grant of bail. This development has impeded the lawful restoration of liberty of Bashir and Jimi.”

According to him, the suspension constitutes a violation of court orders, as the Court Registry had sent multiple reminders to KADGIS officials, which were ignored.

The former governor also alleged that despite meeting the bail conditions, a judge designated to sign the release order—in the absence of Justice Aikawa, who had traveled—has refused to do so.

“This apparent defiance raises suspicions of interference from higher authorities or political pressure,” El-Rufai claimed.

Source: naijanews.com

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https://www.naijanews.com/2025/02/06/el-rufai-accuses-kaduna-govt-of-interfering-in-corruption-trial-of-former-aides/

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‘Fuel Subsidy, Inflation, Reforms’ – SGF Akume Unveils 12 Nuggets Of Progress By Tinubu Gov’t

6 February 2025

The Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF), Senator George Akume, has reeled out twelve nuggets of progress under President Bola Ahmed Tinubu‘s administration.

Naija News recalls that Tinubu, a former governor of Lagos State, was declared the winner of the February 2023 presidential election by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).

Tinubu assumed office as Nigeria’s President, taking the Oath of Office on May 29, 2023.

Since assuming office, the Nigerian leader has unveiled some economic policies, some of which have been regretted by many Nigerians.

However, Akume, in a thread of posts via his official X handle on Thursday, noted that the incumbent administration, in just under two years, has brought about tangible progress.

According to him, efforts aimed at economic transformation began to bear fruit under President Tinubu.

He noted that money saved from Fuel Subsidy removal is now redirected to the subnational governments for grassroots development.

Akume maintained that the Tinubu government is making strides with structural reforms, particularly in agriculture, in order to sustain long-term agriculture and food security.

This, according to him, will boost the food supply and ease inflationary pressures, which will, in turn, benefit all Nigerians.

Below are the 12 Nuggets of Progress as reeled out by the SGF

“2025 has already started full throttle, and our Renewed Hope Agenda is in full swing. In just under two years, we are seeing tangible progress, as our efforts aimed at economic transformation begin to bear fruit under President @OfficialABAT

1- We’re working relentlessly to curb inflation and restore credibility to our monetary framework. By transforming the foreign exchange regime, we’re moving from an opaque system of preferential allocations to a more transparent, efficient market mechanism.

2- / Fuel Subsidy is now a thing of the past. The benefits of deregulation are becoming clearer as the new petrol marketing regime, based on market forces, strengthens the economy. Money saved is now redirected to the subnational governments for grassroots development.

3-  We are making strides with structural reforms, particularly in agriculture, in order to sustain long-term agriculture and food security. This will boost food supply and ease inflationary pressures, which will, in turn, benefit all Nigerians.

4- Our role in Mission 300, the World Bank initiative aimed at providing electricity access to 300 million people, cannot be overstated. Power infrastructure is key for economic growth & industrial expansion and we are poised to electrify all of Nigeria before we leave office.

5- Our focus on fostering a business-friendly environment, has never been in doubt. We are attracting sustainable investments, and driving private sector-led growth for a stronger economy while improving our Ease Of Doing Business Index.

6- We have implemented fiscal governance reforms, like automating the process of Import Duty Exemption Certificates (IDEC), strengthened our trade and taffiff organs, while also harmonizing tax laws in a bill presently before the National Assembly for consideration.”

On the widely debated Tax Reform Bills, Akume wrote:

“7- This proposed tax reform bill, proposes exempting food, medicine, and essentials from VAT, and aims to reduce costs for households. This would benefit 82% of Nigerians, while only 18% of goods would see price hikes, making this bill a win win for all. 8- In the manufacturing sector, we’re working closely with entrepreneurs and propelling MSME growth to reposition the economy. We launched the FGN Loan Scheme for MSMEs and Manufacturing Enterprises last year, providing much-needed financial support to our entrepreneurs.

9- The Casual Jobs Scheme, launched for job creation within 10 SME clusters (such as fashion, beauty, and artisanry), focuses on empowering the informal sector and creating sustainable employment for this critical segment of society.

10- We have restructured and streamlined our social intervention programs, making them more efficient and prudent, instituting a new management that will drive the various schemes going forward. Monies have also been released so the suspended programs can resume.

11- While security challenges persist, we’ve increased military spending, prioritized police reforms, while we have made significant progress in the fight against insurgency, leveraging the collaborative efforts of the Military and sister agencies.

12- Our Internal Affairs/immigration efforts are also been widely applauded. We launched a Technology Innovation Complex- a data center complete with Visa and Passport Processing, to streamline immigration, enhance security, and attract investors to Nigeria.”

Akume added that numerous additional programs are currently being implemented across different sectors, with even more set to be introduced.

Among these is the forthcoming unemployment benefits scheme, which President Tinubu is expected to launch soon to support millions of unemployed youth in the nation.

The SGF said President Tinubu has pledged significant economic reforms, and he is actively translating these promises into concrete strategies aimed at fostering enduring change for the populace. It is essential to support President Tinubu to ensure the success of the Renewed Hope Agenda.

Source: naijanews.com

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https://www.naijanews.com/2025/02/06/breaking-fuel-subsidy-inflation-reforms-sgf-akume-unveils-12-nuggets-of-progress-by-tinubu-govt/

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DRC Military Court Issues Arrest Warrant for Corneille Nangaa

6 February 2025

The military justice system of the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) has issued an arrest warrant for Corneille Nangaa, accusing him of failing to prevent acts of torture under his authority. Signed by Colonel Magistrate Mbuta Muntu Parfait, the warrant orders his immediate arrest and transfer to the DRC.

Nangaa, the former head of the Independent National Electoral Commission (CENI), now leads the Alliance du Fleuve Congo (AFC) and is linked to the M23 rebel group, which recently took control of Goma. Authorities accuse him of human rights abuses, including the torture of a school director, amid ongoing clashes between the Congolese army (FARDC) and M23.

This move highlights the DRC’s efforts to hold key figures accountable in its long-running conflict. No response has been issued by Nangaa or his representatives.

Source: africanews.com

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https://www.africanews.com/2025/02/06/drc-military-court-issues-arrest-warrant-for-corneille-nangaa/

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Mideast

 

Pezeshkian: Nuclear weapons have no place in Islamic Republic’s doctrine

Feb 6, 2025

Tehran, IRNA – Iran’s President Masoud Pezeshkian says his country does not seek war and nuclear weapons, as the Islamic Republic’s doctrine rejects the massacre of innocent people under any circumstances. 

“War is not in our benefit; we are not seeking nuclear weapons. This is the fatwa of the Leader of the Islamic Revolution,” Pezeshkian said on Thursday, in reference to a religious decree by Ayatollah Seyyed Ali Khamenei, which bans the use of nukes and weapons of mass destruction.

The president added that even those “who make claims” inside Iran cannot push the country into going nuclear, because the “the doctrine of the Islamic Republic rejects the massacre of innocent people under any circumstances.”

President Pezeshkian made the comments in Tehran as he addressed more than 100 envoys from foreign countries and international organizations to Tehran on the 46th anniversary of the victory of the Islamic Revolution.

He said that the Israeli regime, which has conducted acts of aggression against all regional countries, raises issues against Iran’s nuclear activities.

That’s while the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) has inspected Iran’s nuclear sites whenever it has intended to do so, Pezeshkian said, adding that his country has no problem with more inspections, as it has no plans to acquire nuclear weapons.  

The Iranian president criticized Western media for their propaganda campaign against the Islamic Republic while remaining silent on the Israeli regime’s atrocities committed against the people of Gaza during its months-long war on the besieged Palestinian territory. 

“Unfair media around the world continue to label Iran every day as a source of tension in the region. They talk about human rights, but almost 14,000 children were killed in Gaza, women got killed and hospitals were destroyed before the eyes of people across the world,” he said.

Pezeshkian emphasized that global peace would be achieved only after people’s rights are respected regardless of their race, ethnicity, religion and beliefs.

“Tranquility will be attained through justice and fairness, equality, brotherhood and friendship, not war and bloodshed,” he said, reiterating that Iran seeks friendly ties with other nations.   

Source: irna.ir

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https://en.irna.ir/news/85742739/Pezeshkian-Nuclear-weapons-have-no-place-in-Islamic-Republic-s

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Islamic Jihad considers Trump's statements regarding Gaza residents’ displacement as evasive racism

06 Feb 2025

The Islamic Jihad Movement in Palestine considered US President Donald Trump's statements regarding the displacement of Palestinians from Gaza as "evasive racism wrapped in false humanity."

The movement said in a press statement last night: US President Donald Trump, while exercising his arrogance and putting our people in the Gaza Strip before a single option, which is displacement, should have remembered that 15 months of insane bombing with 80 thousand tons of American weapons did not succeed in displacing them.

Does he imagine that evasive racist statements wrapped in false humanity will displace them?!

The movement stressed that "the Palestinian people always have the option of resistance, which they have been practicing for more than a century, before and after Trump."

Source: saba.ye

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https://www.saba.ye/en/news3434661.htm

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Training workshop held to prepare for Ramadan program, summer courses

06 Feb 2025

An introductory workshop was held on Thursday in the capital Sana'a to prepare for Ramadan program and summer courses for the year 1446 AH.

The workshop, organized by the Technical Committee for Summer Activities and Courses, aimed to equip 48 participants from official bodies and province operations with the necessary knowledge and skills to effectively implement and monitor the programs.

Minister of Youth and Sports Dr. Mohammed al-Muwalad emphasized the importance of thorough preparation and the need for participants to be well-informed and equipped to handle any challenges that may arise during the course of the programs.

Abdullah al-Razihi, Undersecretary of the Ministry of Youth and Head of the Technical Committee for Summer Activities and Courses, highlighted the significance of these programs in fortifying youth, strengthening faith identity, and consolidating Quranic culture.

The workshop emphasized the importance of a three-pronged approach to summer schools, including model schools, open model schools, and model boarding schools.

This initiative reflects the commitment of the Ministry of Youth and Sports to providing enriching and impactful educational and recreational opportunities for youth during the summer months.

Source: saba.ye

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https://www.saba.ye/en/news3434539.htm

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Permits required for foreigners in mosques, KRG announces

2025-02-06

Shafaq News/ On Thursday, the Kurdistan's Ministry of Endowments and Religious Affairs announced that foreign nationals must obtain official approval before conducting religious activities in the region’s mosques.

“We want to make it clear that holding religious events, sermons, or Quran recitations by foreign individuals requires prior approval from the relevant authorities in the ministry,” the statement read.

In response to claims that the government had “banned foreigners from engaging in religious practices,” the ministry clarified in a statement that the requirement is merely a regulatory procedure, not a prohibition.

The ministry emphasized that the rule “aligns with similar regulations in other countries,” ensuring the proper organization of religious activities while “preserving the sanctity of mosques.”

Source: shafaq.com

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https://shafaq.com/en/Kurdistan/Permits-required-for-foreigners-in-mosques-KRG-announces

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Dozens of settlers storm al-Aqsa mosque under protection of Zionist enemy police

06 Feb 2025

Zionist settlers stormed on Thursday the courtyards of the blessed al-Aqsa Mosque under the protection of the Zionist enemy police.

The Palestinian News Agency reported that dozens of settlers stormed the eastern area of al-Aqsa Mosque in groups, and some of them performed Talmudic rituals.

Since the beginning of the comprehensive Zionist aggression against the Palestinian people in the Gaza Strip and the West Bank, in October 2023, the occupation forces have tightened their measures at the gates of al-Aqsa Mosque and the entrances to the Old City, and allowed more than 68,000 settlers to storm al-Aqsa.

Source: saba.ye

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https://www.saba.ye/en/news3434476.htm

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Syria’s ‘Caesar’ whistleblower unveils identity

February 07, 2025

BEIRUT: A Syrian whistleblower, who smuggled tens of thousands of pictures depicting torture under Bashar Assad, on Thursday revealed his identity for the first time, two months after the longtime ruler was toppled.

“I am First Lt. Farid Al-Madhan, the (former) head of the forensic evidence department at the military police in Damascus, known as Caesar,” he said in a televised interview with Qatari broadcaster Al Jazeera.

Identified at the time only as a Syrian military photographer under the pseudonym Caesar, he had fled the country in 2013, taking with him some 55,000 graphic images taken between 2011 and 2013.

Describing himself during the interview as a “son of a free Syria,” he said he was from the city of Daraa, “the cradle of the Syrian revolution.”

Following the outbreak of Syria’s civil war in 2011 with the brutal repression of anti-government protests, he said he was tasked with “taking pictures of victims of detention.”

These included “old men, women and children, who were detained at security checkpoints in Damascus, and from protest squares that called for freedom and dignity,” said Madhan, who added that he currently resides in France.

“They were detained, tortured and killed in bloody, systematic ways and their bodies were transferred to military morgues to be photographed and taken to mass graves,” he continued.

He said he postponed his defection from the government forces and fleeing the country in order to be able to “collect the largest number of pictures documenting and incriminating the Syrian regime apparatuses of committing crimes against humanity.”

He said the pictures were smuggled in a flash drive that he sometimes hid in his socks or a bundle of bread to escape government security checkpoints or those of the opposition.

The photos, authenticated by experts, show corpses tortured and starved to death in Syrian prisons.

Some people had their eyes gouged out. The photos showed emaciated bodies, people with wounds on the back or stomach, and also a picture of hundreds of corpses in a shed surrounded by plastic bags used for burials.

Assad’s government said only that the pictures were “political.”

But Caesar testified to a US Congress committee and his photographs inspired a 2020 US law which imposed economic sanctions on Syria and judicial proceedings in Europe against Assad’s entourage.

Germany, the Netherlands and France have since 2022 convicted several top officials from the Syrian intelligence service and militias.

Source: arabnews.com

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https://www.arabnews.com/node/2589305/middle-east

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Over 10,000 aid trucks have entered Gaza since ceasefire: UN

February 06, 2025

GENEVA: More than 10,000 aid trucks have crossed into Gaza since a fragile ceasefire took hold on Jan. 19, the UN humanitarian chief said on Thursday.

“We’ve moved over 10,000 trucks in the two weeks since the ceasefire, a massive surge,” Tom Fletcher said on X.

The UN under-secretary-general for humanitarian affairs and emergency relief coordinator added that he himself was “about to cross into northern Gaza with a convoy of aid.”

“Thank you to the many people making it possible to get these trucks of vital, lifesaving food, medicine, and tents through,” he said.

His comments come as Israel and Hamas prepare to negotiate the second phase of the ceasefire agreement, which has paused 15 months of relentless fighting and bombing unleashed after the deadly Oct. 7, 2023 attack.

With just a trickle of aid coming into the territory before the ceasefire deal, international aid organizations repeatedly reported crisis levels of hunger in the Israeli-besieged Gaza Strip and warned of looming famine.

The truce has led to a surge of food, fuel, medical, and other aid being allowed into Gaza and enabled people displaced by the war to return to the north of the Palestinian territory.

Under the Gaza truce’s ongoing 42-day first phase, 18 hostages have meanwhile been freed so far in exchange for some 600 mostly Palestinian prisoners from Israeli jails.

The Health Ministry in Gaza said Thursday that the death toll from the war in the Palestinian territory had reached 47,583.

The number of dead, published by the ministry, continues to rise every day as bodies discovered under the rubble are identified or people die from earlier wounds.

During the past 24 hours, 31 further deaths were recorded by the ministry, which also registered 111,633 wounded from the war.

Source: arabnews.com

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https://www.arabnews.com/node/2589292/middle-east

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Rubio to visit Middle East after Trump proposal for US to take over Gaza

February 06, 2025

WASHINGTON: US Secretary of State Marco Rubio will visit Israel and Arab states in mid-February, a State Department official said, making his first to the Middle East after a widely condemned proposal by President Donald Trump to displace Palestinians in Gaza.

Rubio will travel to the Munich Security Conference and to Israel, the United Arab Emirates, Qatar and Saudi Arabia from February 13-18, the senior State Department official said late on Thursday.

Rights groups have condemned Trump’s suggestion that Palestinians in Gaza should be permanently displaced as part of a US takeover of the enclave.

Rubio said on Wednesday that Palestinians in the enclave will have to relocate in the “interim” while it is rebuilt following the Israel-Gaza war.

The US official said Rubio would discuss Gaza and the aftermath of the Oct. 7, 2023, attacks by Hamas on Israel during the trip, and would pursue Trump’s approach of trying to disrupt the status quo in the region.

“The status quo can’t continue. It’s like wash, rinse and repeat. It becomes familiar and you begin to think this is just what life is and what we have to expect. President Trump and Marco Rubio believe that that’s not the case, that things can change,” the official said.

Since Jan. 25, Trump has repeatedly suggested that Palestinians in Gaza should be taken in by regional Arab nations such as Egypt and Jordan, an idea rejected by Arab states and by Palestinians. Trump’s suggestion echoed long-standing Palestinian fears of being permanently driven from their homes.

US ally Israel’s military assault on Gaza, now paused by a fragile ceasefire, has killed more than 47,000 Palestinians in the last 16 months, the Gaza health ministry says, and provoked accusations of genocide and war crimes that Israel denies.

The assault internally displaced nearly all of Gaza’s population and caused a hunger crisis.

The latest bloodshed in the decades-old Israeli-Palestinian conflict was triggered on October 7, 2023, when Palestinian Hamas militants attacked Israel, killing 1,200 and taking some 250 hostages, Israeli tallies show.

Source: arabnews.com

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UN’s World Food Programme needs 'all donors' support for Gaza's aid mission

February 06, 2025

ROME: The United Nations World Food Programme urged the international community and “all donors” Thursday to help feed millions of Palestinians in the Gaza Strip and rebuild the war-ravaged area.

The UN agency said it had provided more than 15,000 tons of food since a fragile January 19 ceasefire between Israel and Palestinian militant group Hamas, feeding more than 525,000 people, but that much more needed to be done.

“We call on the international community and all donors to continue supporting WFP’s life-saving assistance at this pivotal moment,” said Deputy Executive Director Carl Skau following a visit.

“The scale of the needs is enormous and progress must be maintained. The ceasefire must hold,” he said in a statement.

“In critical sectors beyond food — water, sanitation, shelter, even getting children back into school — we need to work together,” he said, insisting that “this requires funding.”

Helping Gazans become self-sufficient could be through re-establishing commercial markets and local food systems, such as farming and fishing, the agency said.

Skau’s visit to Gaza came as Israel and Hamas resumed negotiations on the second phase of the ceasefire agreement, which has paused 15 months of relentless fighting and bombing following Hamas’s deadly October 7, 2023 attack.

Source: arabnews.com

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https://www.arabnews.com/node/2589289/middle-east

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Future looks dire for UN Palestinian refugee agency, says UNRWA chief

February 06, 2025

BEIRUT: The head of the UN agency for Palestinian refugees said Thursday that while an Israeli ban has not yet forced the agency to cease operations, it faces an “existential threat” in the long run.

“I have been very clear that despite all the obstacles and the pressure the agency is under, our objective is to stay and deliver until we are prevented to do so,” Philippe Lazzarini, commissioner general of the UN Relief and Works Agency, also known as UNRWA, said in an interview with The Associated Press during a visit to Beirut.

Israel last week formally banned UNRWA from operating on its territory. As a result, Lazzarini said, international staff have had to leave East Jerusalem because their visas expired, but in Gaza and the West Bank there has been no immediate impact on operations.

Even in East Jerusalem, he said, health care and other services provided by UNRWA “are continuing, though not necessarily at the same scope it used to be.”

UNRWA is also likely to face increased pressure from the United States under the new Trump administration.

US President Donald Trump in recent days proposed permanently resettling the approximately 2 million Palestinians in Gaza in neighboring Arab countries and suggested the United States taking long-term control of Gaza.

Lazzarini called the proposal “totally unrealistic,” adding, “We are talking about forced displacement. Forced displacement is a crime, an international crime. It’s ethnic cleansing.”

Trump announced Tuesday that Washington will not resume funding for UNRWA — which had already been halted since January 2024 when the Biden administration stopped it following accusations by Israel that UNRWA staffers in Gaza took part in the Oct. 7, 2023 Hamas-led attack on southern Israel that sparked the war in Gaza.

Israel had alleged that 19 out of UNRWA’s approximately 13,000 staff in Gaza took part in the attack. UNRWA said it fired nine staffers after an internal UN investigation found evidence that they could have been involved.

While several other donor countries also suspended funding at the time, all but the US decided to resume funding.

Lazzarini called the loss of US support “a challenge,” but said the agency is appealing to Gulf Arab countries and other donors to increase their contributions. He described his agency as the target of a “massive disinformation campaign” with a politically motivated objective of dismantling it.

UNRWA’s opponents believe the agency has prolonged the Israeli-Palestinian conflict by giving refugee status to the descendants of Palestinian refugees who fled or were forced from their homes in what is now Israel in 1948, thus maintaining for them, in theory, the right of return.

Lazzarini said those who think that UNRWA can simply be dissolved and its responsibilities handed over to other institutions are mistaken.

UNRWA provides aid and services — including health and education — to some 2.5 million Palestinian refugees in Gaza and the occupied West Bank and east Jerusalem, as well as 3 million more in Syria, Jordan and Lebanon. Since the Israel-Hamas war began in October 2023, it has been the main lifeline for a population reliant on humanitarian aid in Gaza.

Lazzarini said that while replaceable by a functioning public institution, UNRWA provides essential public services that no other UN agency offers on such a scale. It has served as a “substitute in the absence of the state for the Palestinian refugees,” he said. He argued that the only way to end the agency’s mandate is as part of a political process resulting in a Palestinian state alongside Israel, so that “at the end of this process, the agency can hand over its services to an empowered Palestinian institution.”

The alternative, he said, is to “let the agency implode and abruptly end its activities, which would mean additional suffering for one of the most destitute populations in the region.”

Source: arabnews.com

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Lebanese government formation stalls over minister selection

NAJIA HOUSSARI

February 06, 2025

BEIRUT: Lebanese leaders were close to reaching a new government lineup on Thursday, three weeks after the designation of Nawaf Salam to form the Cabinet.

However, last-minute changes occurred after parliament speaker Nabih Berri rejected the name of the fifth minister, which was proposed by Salam in consultation with President Joseph Aoun, stalling the formation process.

A political source following the formation process told Arab News that “things didn’t reach a deadlock," adding that “there’s an understanding of the importance to reach a governmental lineup as soon as possible, and under this understanding, the name of the fifth Shiite minister is being reconsidered.”

The government, he said, might be announced in the coming two days.

Aoun received Salam and Berri at the presidential palace. Mahmoud Makieh, secretary-general of the council of ministers, was subsequently summoned, signaling that the governmental lineup was ready to be announced by Makieh.

However, Berri left the presidential palace two hours after the meeting, followed by Salam.

According to information circulating at the palace, the selection of the fifth Shiite minister remains the root cause of the problem.

Aoun and Salam insist on naming the fifth Shiite minister in the government in lieu of Hezbollah and the Amal Movement.

That is because they want to avoid repeating former premier Saad Hariri’s experience, whose government lost its legitimacy and collapsed in 2011 following the resignation of 11 Shiite ministers.

According to the political source, Salam insists on appointing Lamia Moubayed, who previously held the position of head of the Basil Fuleihan Institute of Finance, for the Administrative Development portfolio, a choice that Berri rejected.

The source said that the president was handling the issue, especially since Berri insists on having a say in naming the fifth Shiite minister, after having already proposed the names of the other four ministers in coordination with Hezbollah — figures close to them but not affiliated with any party.

On Wednesday night, after meeting Aoun, Salam reaffirmed his commitment to “forming a government with a high level of harmony among its members, committed to the principle of ministerial solidarity, and this applies to all ministers without exception.”

Salam emphasized his efforts to “form a reformist government composed of highly competent individuals, and I will not allow any element within it that could obstruct its work in any way.”

He stressed that “in the process of forming previous governments, there were inherited customs and narrow calculations that some find difficult to abandon or to accept a new approach in dealing with.

“However, I am determined to confront these practices and adhere to the constitution and the standards I have previously announced — excluding parliamentary candidates from joining the government and preventing the appointment of partisan figures.

“These standards provide an additional guarantee for the independence of the government's work, the integrity and neutrality of the upcoming elections, addressing the major challenges ahead, and laying the groundwork for reforms to rebuild the Lebanese state in a manner befitting its citizens.”

If formed, Salam’s government is expected to consist of 24 ministers, most of whom will be technocrats, according to leaked names.

Parallel to the government formation process, the fate of the Israeli withdrawal from the southern border area remains a source of Lebanese concern.

Aoun emphasized to the chief of staff of the UN Truce Supervision Organization, Maj. Gen. Patrick Gauchat, whom he met on Thursday, the necessity of “implementing Resolution 1701, ensuring the full withdrawal of Israeli forces from the territories occupied in the recent war, and releasing Lebanese prisoners.”

On Thursday, Israeli forces continued to demolish the remaining houses in the southern town of Kafr Kila.

The Israeli army issued a new warning to the residents in the border area that had not yet been evacuated, advising them not to move south.

Avichai Adraee, spokesperson for the Israeli military, said: “The Israeli army remains deployed in the field. Therefore, you are prohibited from returning to your homes in the areas in question until further notice. Anyone attempting to move south is at risk.”

On the Lebanese Syrian border, tensions escalated between the new Syrian administration and Lebanese tribal groups involved in smuggling through illegal crossings in Hawik — a town straddling both Lebanese and Syrian territories and populated by Lebanese-origin residents with Syrian citizenship. The Syrian administration is working to secure the border and close these crossings following recent rocket and artillery clashes.

A Lebanese security source reported that “two members of the Syrian administration were killed, and two others were captured.” Video footage circulated online showed the captives being beaten and bleeding.

Shells also struck the Lebanese border town of Al-Qasr, injuring a Lebanese soldier.

According to security reports, Syrian administration forces entered the town two hours later and deployed reinforcements to maintain control of the border.

Many residents of Lebanese origin fled the town toward Lebanese territory in the aftermath.

About 150,000 Syrians, mostly Shiites and Alawites, fled to the Baalbek-Hermel region following the fall of Bashar Assad’s regime in Syria.

Source: arabnews.com

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Palestinian PM meets Arab League’s chief in Cairo

February 06, 2025

LONDON: Palestinian Prime Minister Mohammad Mustafa said during his visit to Egypt on Thursday that the Palestinian Authority was coordinating with Arab countries to address the urgent reconstruction of the Gaza Strip.

Mustafa met Ahmed Aboul Gheit, the secretary-general of the Arab League, at the organization’s headquarters in Cairo. The parties discussed ongoing humanitarian efforts to assist residents of the Gaza Strip.

Mustafa said that Palestinians in Gaza were experiencing “a difficult period” following US President Donald Trump’s remarks about relocating them to other countries, including Jordan and Egypt, both of which had rejected the idea.

He commended the Arab League’s support and said that the PA had already set in motion actions for rebuilding the Gaza Strip. Israel has bombed the region into rubble since late 2023, killing about 47,000 Palestinians.

Mustafa added that Gaza was part of Palestinian territory and emphasized that PA’s priority was to support Palestinians in the area to remain in the enclave.

He said: “We want to assure our people in the Gaza Strip that we will not leave them in this situation, and the coming days will be better.”

The meeting was attended by Maj. Gen. Ziad Hab Al-Rih, Palestine’s minister of interior; Palestine’s Ambassador to the Arab League Muhannad Al-Aklouk; The Arab League’s Assistant Secretary-General for Palestine Ambassador Saeed Abu Ali; and Ambassador Hossam Zaki, the assistant secretary-general of the Arab League.

Source: arabnews.com

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South Asia

 

Protesters demolish Mujib’s murals, AL offices in different districts

Feb 6, 202

Protesters in Pabna, Chuadanga, Rangpur and Dhaka's Savar last night vandalised murals of Sheikh Mujibur Rahman, district Awami League offices, statues and portraits associated with the former AL leaders.

According to eyewitnesses, protesters vandalised took down nameplates and erased the names of Bangabandhu Student Hall and Sheikh Hasina Female Student Hall at Pabna University of Science and Technology (PUST) last night, said Md Kamruzzanan Khan, Proctor of PUST.

The name of Sheikh Russel Residential Hall at Pabna Edward College was also removed.

A rally was brought out from Pabna Edward College, where protesters chanted slogans against "fascism". Another group used a bulldozer to demolish the Ishwardi upazila AL office at Fakirer Bottola.

The Pabna district AL office, abandoned since August 5, was set on fire by demonstrators.

However, asked about the incidents, Additional Superintendent of Police Kazi Md] Shahnewaz said they had not received any complaints.

CHUADANGA

Protesters last night vandalised murals of Sheikh Mujib, known as Bangabandhu, and his wife Fazilatunnesa Mujib installed at the Deputy Commissioner's (DC) office, and AL's district office using hammers and axes.

The entire structure housing the murals was then demolished with an excavator.

The demonstrators later targeted the AL district office at the municipality intersection, where they tore down another mural of Sheikh Mujib, defaced portraits of Sheikh Hasina and other AL leaders, and trampled on the images in the middle of the road.

Similar acts of vandalism took place at the offices of zilla parishad and Sadar upazila parishad, where more murals of Sheikh Mujib were destroyed, witnesses said.

Chuadanga Additional Superintendent of Police (Crime and Operations) Kanak Kumar Das did not respond to multiple calls for comment.

RANGPUR

Three murals of Sheikh Mujibur Rahman were demolished in Rangpur last night.

Demonstrators also burned an effigy of former prime minister Sheikh Hasina and removed nameplates of Begum Rokeya University Rangpur (BRUR) halls named after Sheikh Mujib and his family.

The protesters also demolished at Carmichael College, and the DC office intersection.

The protest began on the BRUR campus, where demonstrators vandalised and bulldozed a mural of Sheikh Mujib, declaring the site an "Open Stage" (Muktomoncho).

They also removed the name of Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman Hall, renaming it Bijoy 24 Hall, and took down the nameplate of Sheikh Fazilatunnesa Mujib Hall.

The protesters then marched to Carmichael College, where they used hammers and axes to destroy another mural of Sheikh Mujib at the main entrance.

The final mural was bulldozed at the DC office intersection at around 12:45am.

The site was renamed Swadhinata Chattar (Independence Square), and banners featuring Abu Sayed, who was shot dead by police during the mass uprising on July 16, were placed there.

SAVAR

A group of protesters vandalised a mural of Sheikh Mujib and attacked the home of an Awami League (AL) leader in Savar early today.

Around 1:00am, demonstrators used hammers and metal objects to deface parts of a Sheikh Mujib' mural at Muktimor intersection, though the main structure remained intact.

They later placed a banner renaming the site 'Tin Shaheed Chattar' after the three individuals killed in the mass uprising.

Meanwhile, at least 30 people, wearing masks, vandalised the home of Shahabuddin Madbar, president of Ashulia Union AL, around 1:45am in Tongabari, Ashulia, locals reporters citing a CCTV footage.

According to Shahabuddin's wife, Shirin Akhter, the attackers first destroyed CCTV cameras, then smashed vehicles, set fire to a motorcycle, and ransacked the four-storey house, looting valuables. They fled after locals made announcements from a mosque, she said.

Source: thedailystar.net

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https://www.thedailystar.net/news/bangladesh/news/protesters-demolish-mujibs-murals-al-offices-different-districts-3817606

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No chance for price hike of essentials during Ramadan

07 Feb 2025

Md Aminul Islam

DHAKA, Feb 7, 2025 (BSS) – There is no chance for price hike of commodities including essential items during the upcoming Holy Month of Ramadan as there is sufficient stock of such items in the country.

However, the market system will remain consumer-friendly as the government has taken various measurers to keep the market price of essentials stable ahead of Ramadan, said industry insiders and authorities concerned while talking to BSS recently.

Apart from these, there were bumper production of different crops including potatoes, onions and other winter vegetables in the country this season which will help ensure market price of such produces stable.

Besides, the Advisers concerned including Finance Adviser and the Commerce Adviser have been conducting a series of meetings with the stakeholders to ensure smooth supply of essential commodities and keep their prices stable in the kitchen markets across the country.

Moreover, the concerned government agencies have already taken necessary steps to make the market system consumer friendly.

Talking to BSS, Meghna Group General Manager Taslim Shahriar said that there would be no crisis for edible oil and sugar during the Holy Month since there is sufficient stockpile of such items.

The annual demand for edible oil in the country is 20 lakh tons whereas the demand for edible oil during the single month of Ramadan usually rises to three lakh tons.

He said that they have sufficient stock of edible oil for which there is no such possibility of crisis.

Citing data from the Department of Agriculture Extension (DAE), Federation of Bangladesh Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FBCCI) said the production of soybean in the country in the last fiscal year (FY24) was 1.72 lakh metric tons, sunflower 27,000 metric tons and mustard 16.7 lakh metric tons.

In an effort to boost imports and control prices, the interim government waived customs duties on different essential goods, including edible oil, sugar, onions, potatoes, and dates.

Besides, the foreign exchange crisis eased up, clearing the way for opening Letters of Credit (LCs).

According to the data from the Bangladesh Trade and Tariff Commission (BTTC) till February 5, 2025, the international market price of non-refined soybean oil remained stable with $922.31 per ton which was $989 per ton one month back. The price of per kg non-refined soybean oil is Taka 116.75.

Besides, the international market price of refined palm oil has also declined with $1,072.50 per ton which was $1,167.50 per ton one month earlier. The price of per kg refined palm oil in Bangladesh is 126.18.

The stockpile and prices of major food grains and commodities like rice, wheat, sugar, chickpeas, dates, lentil, onion, ginger, garlic, salt, and potatoes are now in a considerate state in the country ahead of the Holy month.

Bangladesh Cold Storage Association President Mostafa Azad Chowdhury Babu said that the production of potatoes in this year totaled 1.30 crore tons against the fiscal target of 1.13 crore tons.

“Since, there was higher production of potatoes against the demand, potatoes are now being sold at Taka 10 per kg at farmers’ level which is Taka 20 to Taka 25 per kg at retail level,” he added.

Besides, the market of eggs is now stable while the prices and supply of winter vegetables are fine in the kitchen markets.

The consumers expressed their satisfaction and relief with the smooth supply chain thanks to the strong market monitoring and management by the concerned authorities.

The stockpile of major food grains is as follows:

Rice: According to the data of the Ministry of Food till February 5, the current stockpile of rice is 13.17 lakh metric tons.

Wheat: The current stockpile of wheat is 3.42 lakh tons.

Source: bssnews.net

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https://www.bssnews.net/news/244470

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AL offices, Mujib murals demolished in Dinajpur, Naogaon, Joypurhat

Feb 7, 2025

Awami League (AL) offices, properties of party leaders, and murals of Sheikh Mujibur Rahman were demolished across Dinajpur, Naogaon, and Joypurhat last night.

In Dinajpur, demolitions began at 10:00pm and continued past midnight. The district Awami League headquarters and the Dinajpur Sadar Upazila AL office were bulldozed, along with a structure belonging to former lawmaker Iqbalur Rahim.

Additionally, the Chirirbandar Upazila AL office was vandalized. In Naogaon, attacks began at 5:30pm with vandalism at the district AL office.

Half an hour later, the residence of former food minister, Sadhan Chandra Majumder, in Post Office Para was targeted.

Witnesses said the house was set on fire after breaking down the main gate and bulldozing sections of the property.

Local sources indicated that a procession, led by activists of the anti-discrimination student movement and local residents, marched from Muktir Mor to Sarishahati Mor before initiating the destruction. Protesters placed a banner reading "Public Toilet" in front of the demolished AL office.

In Joypurhat's Panchbibi upazila, two murals of Sheikh Mujibur Rahman at Panch Matha Chattar and the Freedom Fighter Complex at the bus stand, were demolished with an excavator. However, murals of the four national leaders and the seven Bir Sreshtho martyrs remained untouched. Witnesses reported that protesters chanted slogans against the Awami League, Sheikh Hasina, and Sheikh Mujib during the demolitions.

Following the fall of the previous government, parts of the murals had been defaced, but their main structures remained intact until this recent incident. After demolishing the mural at Panch Matha Chattar, the excavator was moved to the Freedom Fighter Complex, where the second Mujib mural was destroyed.

Source: thedailystar.net

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BJIM condemns surge in attacks on journalists, urges govt action

 Feb 7, 2025

Bangladeshi Journalists in International Media (BJIM) has expressed deep concern over the rising number of attacks on journalists across the country, calling for immediate government action to ensure press freedom and justice.

In a press statement released recently on their official Facebook page, BJIM condemned multiple incidents of violence against journalists, including a brutal attack on BanglaVision's Kuakata reporter, Jahirul Islam Miron. Miron was hacked with sharp weapons in front of his house on Tuesday evening and remains in critical condition.

The statement also highlighted Wednesday's assault on ATN News TV's senior reporter, Jabed Akhter, who was physically attacked allegedly by Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) activists while on duty. Two other journalists were also injured in the incident.

On the same day, Ekattor TV staff member Syed Mainul Ahasan Maruf and his colleagues, including their workplace driver, were assaulted while covering the demolition of a museum linked to the country's ousted prime minister's family. Additionally, independent24.tv staff reporter Mohammad Omar Farok was attacked by protestersfor refusing to follow their instructions during a live news report.

BJIM described the surge in violence as "alarming" and a sign of a "culture of impunity" that threatens press freedom in Bangladesh. The group urged the interim government to take swift action against the perpetrators, emphasising that such incidents were not expected under the new administration, which had replaced an autocratic regime notorious for media suppression.

The statement also called for proper medical care for the injured journalists until they fully recover.

Source: thedailystar.net

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https://www.thedailystar.net/news/bangladesh/news/bjim-condemns-surge-attacks-journalists-urges-govt-action-3818206

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More AL leaders' houses smashed, torched

Feb 6, 2025

Following the destruction and torching of Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman's house on Dhanmondi-32 last night protesters in Noakhali, Rajshahi, Narayanganj, Cumilla and Pabna demolished murals and busts of Sheikh Mujib and houses of Awami League leaders today.

NOAKHALI

The house of Obaidul Quader, general secretary of Awami League and former road, transport and bridges minister, was attacked, vandalised and torched in Companiganj today.

The protesters carried out the arson at the house in Bora Rajapur Mohalla area under ward-1 of Basurhat municipality around 1:00pm.

At this time, the two-storey building, tin-shed room and tin-shed kitchen of Quader's younger brother Abdul Quader Mirza, the president of Companiganj upazila unit of Awami League, and Shahadat Mirza, former mayor of Basurhat municipality, were also vandalised. A water tank and a car in front of the house were also set on fire.

No one was at home during the time of the attack.

RAJSHAHI

A group of protesters set fire to the house of Shahriar Alam, former state minister for Ministry of Foreign Affairs, today.

Protesters set fire to Shahriar's three-storey house in Chaksinga Mohalla of Arani Municipality in Bagha Upazila around noon.

Witnesses said that over 100 angry people coming on motorbikes from Bagha and Charghat upazilas gathered in front of the house and set it on fire.

ASM Asaduzzaman, officer-in-charge (OC) of Bagha police station, said that the protesters set the house on fire.

Later, the fire service reached the spot and put out the fire around 2:00pm.

He added that a training centre for BGMEA, a garment manufacturing and export company owned by Shahriar in Sataripara village, was vandalised and set on fire.

NARAYANGANJ

Pro-BNP lawyers vandalised murals and a bust of Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman at the Narayanganj Judge Court, the Deputy Commissioner's Office, and the Superintendent of Police's Office in Narayanganj city today.

Construction workers were called in and instructed to demolish these installations using hammers and crowbars.

Lawyers Sakhawat Hossain Khan, convener of BNP's Narayanganj city unit, and Abu Al Yusuf Khan Tipu, member secretary, led the demolition.

Abul Kalam Azad Zakir, public prosecutor of the judge court and a pro-BNP lawyer, was also present at the time.

Speaking to journalists, Advocate Sakhawat Hossain Khan said that, "The Awami League has desecrated the sacred judiciary by using these images of Sheikh Mujib. These murals were tools for politicising the administration. A revolution has taken place in Bangladesh, and now there is a neutral government. Hence, the administration must remain impartial. To prevent future political contamination of the judiciary and administration, Narayanganj's ordinary lawyers have removed these images. We want a fascism-free Narayanganj."

"Yesterday, the people demolished Sheikh Mujib's house at 32 Dhanmondi. In continuation, we are tearing down murals and images of Sheikh Mujib. This has been a longstanding demand of Narayanganj residents. We will remove every symbol and memory of the Awami League and Sheikh Mujib wherever they exist," Abu Al Yusuf Khan Tipu added.

BNP leaders also announced plans to demolish the ancestral home of former AL MP Shamim Osman in Chashara, known as Baitul Aman, in the afternoon.

Later, they vandalised his grandfather's house in Chashara in the evening.

When contacted, Narayanganj's Deputy Commissioner Mohammad Zahidul Islam Mia told The Daily Star, "I left for a programme in Araihazar early in the morning. I was there during the incident and am not fully aware of the details. We will take necessary actions after gathering information about this."

CUMILLA

Protesters demolished two murals of Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman in Cumilla city today.

They brought a excavator around 4:00pm to the Cumilla Judge Court premises and demolished a mural set up in front of the district sessions judge building.

After the demolition, Rashedul Haque, secretary of Student Movement Against Discrimination of Cumilla city unit addressing the people present said, "We will demolish all the signs of fascism."

Later, at the Cumilla City Park, another mural of Sheikh Mujibur Rahman was demolished using an excavator.

PABNA

Protesters also vandalised and torched the house of AL leader Abu Sayeed in Shalgaria village of Pabna Sadar upazila this evening.

They tore down the gate, vandalised the house and then set fire to it.

Abu Sayeed, vice president of Pabna Sadar upazila AL and also former chairman of Varara Union Parishad, was a key accused over the attack on protesters during the anti-discrimination student movement on August 4 last year that left two students dead and many injured.

Sayeed has been in hiding since the incident.

Agitating students earlier had brought out a protest rally demanding exemplary punishment of Sayeed.

JAMALPUR

The residence of Awami League organising secretary and former state minister Mirza Azam in Jamalpur town was vandalised and set on fire this evening.

According to witnesses, a bulldozer arrived in the afternoon and began demolishing the main gate and boundary wall of Azam's two-story house. Later, a group of protesters stormed the premises, vandalised the property, and set it on fire.

Source: thedailystar.net

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https://www.thedailystar.net/news/bangladesh/crime-justice/news/more-al-leaders-houses-smashed-torched-3817831

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New Health Center Inaugurated in Helmand Province

2025-02-06

HELMAND(BNA): Mawlav Noor Jalal Jalali, the Acting Minister of Public Health, inaugurated a new health center in the Sangin district of Helmand province, marking a significant step towards enhancing healthcare services in the region.

The project, valued at approximately 26 million Afghanis, aims to improve access to quality health services for local residents.

During his visit, Jalali expressed his satisfaction with the completion of the health center, emphasizing its importance in meeting the healthcare needs of the community. “We are striving to provide quality services to every citizen and to work in a way that addresses the needs of the people,” he stated.

The Ministry of Public Health is committed to expanding and developing the health system across various parts of Afghanistan. This initiative is part of a broader effort to establish a self-sufficient and standardized healthcare system for the future.

Source: bakhtarnews.af

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https://www.bakhtarnews.af/en/new-health-center-inaugurated-in-helmand-province/

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UNICEF distributes winter clothing to thousands of children in Afghanistan

By Fidel Rahmati

February 7, 2025

The United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) has stated that it has provided winter clothing to 35,000 children in Afghanistan.

In a report shared on its X account on February 5, 2025, the organization thanked the Swedish International Development Cooperation Agency (SIDA), noting that this aid will keep over 35,000 children warm during the winter.

According to the report, UNICEF’s winter aid packages include jackets, hats, trousers, coats, blankets, and socks.

This comes as poverty in the country has worsened in recent years, with many families unable to keep their homes and children warm.

UNICEF had previously stated that in 2025, more than 12 million Afghan children will need humanitarian assistance.

Meanwhile, poverty in Afghanistan has severely impacted children’s nutrition, with the UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) reporting that the number of children under five suffering from malnutrition is expected to rise to 3.5 million in 2025.

The UN agency has called for continued humanitarian aid to treat children suffering from malnutrition and emphasized that donor countries must not forget the mothers and children affected by this disease.

The provision of winter clothing by UNICEF is a crucial step in supporting vulnerable children in Afghanistan, where harsh winters exacerbate the already dire living conditions. However, as the number of children in need of aid grows, there is an urgent need for continued international support to address the broader challenges of poverty and malnutrition.

It is essential that both immediate and long-term humanitarian aid programs focus not only on emergency relief but also on sustainable solutions to improve the overall well-being of Afghan children. The international community’s role in providing assistance must remain steadfast to help mitigate the effects of ongoing poverty and instability.

Source: khaama.com

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Europe

 

US should support World Bank and IMF - Bank of England boss

February 7, 2025

The Governor of the Bank of England has urged continued US support for two major global economic institutions.

Andrew Bailey told the BBC he was "following extremely closely" whether the Trump administration will change its support for the International Monetary Fund (IMF) and the World Bank.

Sources in Washington said the two institutions were caught by a White House executive order for a review of United Nations (UN) and other international organisations.

Mr Bailey said it is "very important that we don't have a fragmentation of the world economy".

He said "a big part of that is that we have support and engagement in the multilateral institutions, institutions like the IMF, the World Bank, that support the operation of the world economy. That's really important."

There is growing concern in finance ministries and central banks around the world about US disengagement from the institutions, with radical changes to the global financial system now being floated in Washington DC.

The "Project 2025" suggested blueprint for Trump's presidency, which was authored by figures who are now key White House staff, recommended withdrawal from both institutions and termination of financial contributions.

It said the institutions "espouse economic theories and policies that are inimical to American principles of free market and limited government principles."

Following a White House executive order, all international intergovernmental organisations of which the US is a member will be reviewed to determine if they are "contrary to the interests of the US" and "can be reformed".

The six month review may then provide recommendations for withdrawal to President Trump.

Sources in the G20, or Group of Twenty - a club of countries that meets to discuss global economic and political issues - said that during his first term, Trump's team suggested abolishing the IMF at the 2018 Buenos Aires Summit.

The IMF and World Bank are specialised agencies of the UN.

The US is the largest shareholder in both the Fund and the Bank, institutions which were created by the post-war Bretton Woods Conference 80 years ago.

The IMF provides last resort lending for nations in financial trouble, and surveys economic problems.

The World Bank gives money and cheap loans to developing countries for poverty alleviation and development.

The Trump administration is yet to appoint staff to this area, but USAID's development spending is currently the focus of Elon Musk's Department of Government Efficiency cuts.

Some members of the administration are believed to be particularly focused on the World Bank's loans to China.

Asked about the possibility of the US leaving the Fund, the IMF said yesterday it had a "long history" of "working with successive US administrations".

Source: bbc.com

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https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/c20k2n3y42ko

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Harrow Mosque to host special event ahead of Ramadan

February 6, 2025

Harrow Central Mosque is set to host a Ramadan Souk Tour on Sunday, 16th February 2025, bringing together a diverse range of Muslim-owned businesses, cultural exhibits, and family-friendly activities.

The event, which is free to attend, will take place at Harrow Central Mosque & Masood Islamic Centre, 34 Station Road, HA1 2SQ.

This year, Ramadan is expected to begin on the evening of Friday 28th February 2025 and end on Sunday 30th March 2025, depending on the sighting of the moon

The Ramadan Souk tour will feature over 100 market stalls showcasing Islamic clothing, accessories, home decor, halal food, and handcrafted goods. The event is designed to celebrate the rich cultural and commercial contributions of Muslim entrepreneurs while offering visitors the opportunity to shop and network. This year’s tour will be across 11 different venues, include the Harrow Mosque.

Beyond shopping, the event will include workshops and activities for all ages. These may include children’s arts and crafts, Quran recitation sessions, talks on Ramadan preparation and Islamic history, food tasting stalls featuring traditional and contemporary halal dishes – and more.

With Ramadan coming up, this event provides a chance for families and individuals to stock up on essentials, discover new businesses, and engage with the community..

How to Attend

The event is free, and no prior registration is required. However, those interested in booking a stall or participating as a vendor can find more information on the official event page.

Source: harrowonline.org

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https://harrowonline.org/2025/02/06/harrow-mosque-to-host-special-event-ahead-of-ramadan/

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Concern UK's AI ambitions could lead to water shortages

February 7, 2025

Sir Keir Starmer's plan to make the UK a "world leader" in Artificial Intelligence (AI) could put already stretched supplies of drinking water under strain, industry sources have told the BBC.

The giant data centres needed to power AI can require large quantities of water to prevent them from overheating.

The tech industry says it is developing more efficient cooling systems that use less water.

But the department for science, innovation and technology said in a statement it recognised the plants "face sustainability challenges".

The government has committed to the construction of multiple data centres around the country in an effort to kick start economic growth.

Ministers insist the notoriously power-hungry server farms will be given priority access to the electricity grid.

Questions have been raised about the impact this might have on the government's plans for clean energy production by 2030.

But less attention has been given to the impact data centres could have on the supply of fresh, drinkable water to homes and businesses.

Parts of the UK, in the south especially, are already under threat of water shortages because of climate change and population growth.

The government is backing plans for nine new reservoirs to ease the risk of rationing and hosepipe bans during droughts.

But some of these are in areas where new data centres are set to be built.

The first of the government's "AI growth zones" will be in Culham, Oxfordshire, at the UK Atomic Energy Authority's campus – seven miles from the site of a planned new reservoir at Abingdon.

The 4.5 sq mile (7 sq km) reservoir will supply customers in the Thames Valley, London and Hampshire. It is not known how much water the massive new data centres now planned nearby could take from it.

The BBC understands Thames Water has been talking to the government about the challenge of water demand in relation to data centres and how it can be mitigated.

In a new report, the Royal Academy of Engineering calls on the government to ensure tech companies accurately report how much energy and water their data centres are using.

It also calls for environmental sustainability requirements for all data centres, including reducing the use of drinking water, moving to zero use for cooling.

Without such action, warns one of the report's authors, Prof Tom Rodden, "we face a real risk that our development, deployment and use of AI could do irreparable damage to the environment".

The tech industry tends to be cagey about water consumption. Most UK data centres contacted for this article did not respond to our inquiries.

Data centres use fresh, mains water, rather than surface water, so that the pipes, pumps and heat exchangers used to cool racks of servers do not get clogged up with contaminants.

The amount used can vary considerably depending on a number of factors including the surrounding environment; sites in colder, wetter parts of the world tend to require less.

Dr Venkatesh Uddameri, a Texas-based expert in water resources management, says a typical data centre can use between 11 million and 19 million litres of water per day, roughly the same as a town of 30,000 to 50,000 people.

His widely quoted calculations are based on arid, or semi arid, climates and do not take into account recent efficiency improvements or developments in AI.

Microsoft's global water use soared by 34% while it was developing its initial AI tools, and a data centre cluster in Iowa used 6% of the district's water supply in one month during the training of OpenAI's GPT-4.

Local resistance to data centres is growing around the world, particularly in areas where water is scarce.

In Chile, Google stopped building a data centre following concerns about its water use, and it redesigned the cooling system at another in Uruguay following local protests.

In the UK, Thames Water has warned data centres they could face restrictions on use during heatwaves.

In 2022, the company said it would review data centres' water use as it prepared to introduce a hosepipe ban during a summer draught.

But Foxglove, a group of campaigning lawyers, found evidence from Thames Water's strategy documents the following year that the firm still did not appear to know how much water its existing data centre customers were using.

Thames Water declined to comment. It signposted its recent five-year plan, which has been approved by the government.

This states that it has no legal obligation to service businesses, and can choose to restrict or refuse water to commercial customers; but this was written before the government designated data centres as Critical National Infrastructure, meaning they will face fewer planning restrictions.

Thames Water filed an objection to a planning application for a new data centre in a cluster in Slough, near Reading, in 2021.

But other proposals in the area have since succeeded: for example in August 2024 the firm Yondr announced that it would be building its third data centre campus there.

Foxglove CEO Martha Dark said: "The government must urgently explain how its plans for new data centres will not threaten our long-term supplies of drinking water."

A government spokesperson said: "We recognise that data centres face sustainability challenges such as energy demands and water use - that's why AI Growth Zones are designed to attract investment in areas where existing energy and water infrastructure is already in place."

In addition, recent changes made by the water regulator Ofwat would "unlock £104bn of spending by water companies" in the next five years.

The data centre industry argues that modern sites are already more efficient. Alternative cooling methods which do not require much water, such as free air cooling and dry cooling, are evolving.

Closed-loop cooling, which involves reusing water, will be deployed in Microsoft's new data centres in Phoenix and Wisconsin.

Aaron Binckley, vice president of sustainability at Digital Realty, acknowledged criticism around data centres' water usage but claimed that the sector was making "significant strides".

His company, which has 300 data centres worldwide, is trialling a new AI tool which analyses operational data and identifies water-saving measures. He says it is predicted to conserve nearly 4m litres of water per year.

Clearly, that is currently an expectation rather than a reality, but Mr Binckley says it proves that "AI can drive sustainability as well as technological progress".

In 2024 the Environment Agency wrote in a blog that by 2050, England alone would need an extra five billion litres of water every day – it says this is the equivalent of two million wheelie bins-full – just to serve the population.

But the regulator now needs more data in order to factor in new data centres' future needs.

For the time being, it is urging data centres to forecast and plan their water consumption - and to explore their own sources of water, such as water reuse.

"Meeting the increased water demand is not just for the water industry to solve," says a source.

Source: bbc.com

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https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/ce85wx9jjndo

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Public invited to suggest names for next archbishop

February 7, 2025

The public is being invited to suggest names for the next Archbishop of Canterbury following Justin Welby's resignation.

Mr Welby left the Church of England's most senior role in January after a damning report into a prolific child abuser associated with the Church.

His replacement will be the 106th appointment to the role, the incumbent of which is the spiritual leader of the worldwide Anglican Church.

Historically, candidates already hold senior leadership positions in ministry in the Church or elsewhere in the Anglican Communion. They must be aged at least 30 and are generally younger than 70.

Names can be submitted to the Crown Nominations Commission (CNC), the body charged with nominating the new archbishop.

The Church said the consultation, which runs until 28 March, was "an opportunity to gather the views of a wide range of people from across England and the Anglican Communion on the gifts, qualities and skills needed" for the role.

There will be no advert to which anyone can put their name forward to, with possible candidates instead "invited in" to the process.

People can submit their views on the Church of England website.

The 20-member CNC panel that will select the next Archbishop of Canterbury has yet to be formalised. For the first time it will include five members based in the Anglican Church abroad.

It will meet in May, July and September to "pray, reflect and nominate a candidate" and the chosen individual will require the votes of two-thirds of the 17 voting members.

The name will then be given to the prime minster who will take it to the King for approval.

Mr Welby resigned over the Church's handling of a sadistic abuser, John Smyth, who a report said had perpetrated brutal sexual, physical and mental abuse against more than 120 boys and young men since the late 1970s.

The report said Mr Welby had "personal and moral responsibility" and that he "could and should have done more" in the case.

After initially resisting calls to step down, he resigned on 12 November saying he was doing so "in sorrow with all victims and survivors of abuse".

But in early December, abuse victims reacted with "disgust" at a short farewell speech Mr Welby gave at the House of Lords, in which he made jokes. Mr Welby apologised the following day.

Before leaving the role he did not give a Christmas Day sermon at Canterbury Cathedral and did not broadcast a New Year's Day message, as he usually would through the BBC.

Source: bbc.com

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https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/cz9e23jlwdko

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Mesh victims still wait for financial compensation

February 7, 2025

Women harmed by pelvic mesh implants are still waiting for government compensation a year after a major report called for urgent action.

Patient safety commissioner Dr Henrietta Hughes, who made that recommendation, called it "an injustice" for the thousands of lives destroyed.

Some women were left in permanent pain, unable to walk, work or have sex, after the surgery to treat incontinence and pelvic organ prolapse.

The government says it remains "fully focused" on how best to support patients and prevent harm.

A Department of Health and Social Care official said: "Our sympathies are with those affected.

"This is a complex area of work and Health Minister Baroness Gillian Merron met with some of those affected before Christmas, and has committed to providing an update to the patient safety commissioner at the earliest opportunity."

Birth defects

Dr Hughes said: "It is very disappointing that women who have suffered so much harm are still waiting for redress.

"They need redress now and the government must act immediately."

Pelvic mesh was considered the gold-standard treatment for incontinence and prolapse in women for many years, to give weak or damaged tissue extra support.

But the net-like implant can erode and harden, cutting through tissue and causing serious pain.

The Hughes report also called on government to act quickly to help victims of another treatment scandal, involving an epilepsy medication.

If taken during pregnancy, sodium valproate can cause major birth defects - but for decades, women were not properly warned about the risks.

An estimated 20,000 children were exposed to the drug in the womb - and many now live with neurodevelopmental conditions, such as autism.

Joanne Cozens, whose son Thomas has Asperger's syndrome, said she was not properly informed of the dangers before she became pregnant.

She is one of many parents awaiting compensation and told BBC News: "Families have been struggling for decades now.

"We need justice."

Dr Hughes has recommended initial payments of £100,000 for sodium-valproate victims and £20,000 for women injured by mesh, followed by further payments for some, as well as some non-financial assistance to victims and their families.

Some women have already received undisclosed payouts from three mesh manufacturers, Bard, Boston Scientific and Johnson & Johnson.

Source: bbc.com

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https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/c75z9w592d4o

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Johnson UK's most damaging PM, says Reform UK chief

February 7, 2025

History will judge Boris Johnson as one of the most damaging prime ministers in British history, Reform UK chairman Zia Yusuf has said.

Yusuf told the BBC's Political Thinking podcast Johnson would not be welcome to join Reform UK.

The Reform UK chairman criticised Johnson's record on the Covid pandemic, immigration and public spending when he was prime minister between 2019 and 2022.

Yusuf said there was "nothing Conservative" about Johnson and branded the Tories an "extremely left-wing party" in government.

The BBC has asked Johnson's spokesperson for comment.

The party chairman spoke to the BBC's Nick Robinson days after Reform UK topped a YouGov opinion poll for the first time, edging in front of Labour on 24% and the Tories on 21%.

The rebranded Brexit Party came third in last year's general election, with 14% of the vote, but only gained five MPs, including party leader Nigel Farage.

Yusuf said if there was a general election tomorrow, the polling suggests Reform UK would win between 140 to 200 seats in the House for Commons.

He claimed Reform UK would win up to 400 seats at the next general election, although there is no polling to back that up.

At a new conference this week, Yusuf said Reform UK had almost 200,000 members, which is far higher than the number declared by the Conservative Party.

The BBC has been told Boris Johnson had lunch with Reform UK's main fundraiser Nick Candy, who is also an old friend, in Mayfair in late January.

But Yusuf told Nick Robinson he would not want the former PM to join Reform UK.

"History will judge Boris Johnson as one of the most damaging prime ministers in this country's history," he said.

The increase in net migration during Johnson's premiership was "a total betrayal of everybody who voted for Brexit, " he added.

"He took public spending close to Soviet Union spending.

"So there was nothing Conservative about him."

By contrast, Yusuf heaped praise on former Home Secretary Suella Braverman and said she would be welcome in Reform UK.

He said he had had several meetings with Braverman, whom he said had been "excommunicated" and made a "pariah" by the Conservatives, despite what he said were her far-sighted views on immigration.

A former banker who sold his tech start-up company for more than £200m, Yusuf described himself as a "proud British Muslim patriot", adding that his faith was important to him and he observed Ramadan.

He became Reform UK's chairman shortly after last year's general election, after previously being a member of the Conservative Party.

He revealed that he had donated £200,000 to the party during the campaign.

As party chairman, he was given the job of professionalising the party, wooing donors and increasing Reform UK's activist base.

He told Nick Robinson Reform UK only had 24 employees and "people don't quite appreciate what has been achieved in such a short time".

"So much of what we do is about laying the foundations for generations to come," he added.

Kemi Badenoch denied plans to make it harder for migrants to gain British citizenship - which was her first major polcy annoucement as Tory leader - was a response to the rise of Reform UK.

She dismissed its surge in the polls, saying she could remember when another insurgent party, the SDP, was "at 50% in the polls" in the 1980s, and insisted her party was concentrating on "doing the thinking" on policies that would improve lives.

Labour is also increasingly turning its fire on Reform UK, with Sir Keir Starmer attacking Farage's stance on NHS funding at this week's prime minister's questions.

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£22bn for 'unproven' green tech could raise bills, MPs warn

February 7, 2025

The government is committing billions of pounds to an "unproven" green technology for reducing planet-warming gases without considering the impact on consumers' bills, MPs have warned.

Carbon Capture, Utilisation and Storage (CCUS) facilities prevent carbon dioxide, produced by industry, being released into the atmosphere by capturing and storing it underground.

In October, the government pledged nearly £22bn for CCUS facilities and three quarters of the money will be raised from consumer bills.

But on Friday, the House of Commons' Public Accounts Committee raised serious concerns that the government had not properly assessed the financial impact on households and businesses.

"It is an unproven technology, certainly in this country. And we are concerned this policy is going to have a very significant effect on consumers' and industry's electricity bills," said Sir Geoffrey Clifton-Brown, chair of the Public Accounts Committee, a cross-party group of MPs which scrutinises public spending.

The government said that it would formally respond to the committee, but that CCUS was a "necessity not an option" for reaching its climate goals.

It said in a statement that this type of technology would make Britain's energy system secure, something that would lower electricity costs and bills.

The UK has a target to reach "net zero" - meaning no longer adding to the total amount of greenhouse gases in the atmosphere, by 2050. As the country switches to renewable energy and away from fossil fuels for heating homes and running cars, greenhouse gas emissions like carbon dioxide, also known as CO2, will fall.

But a small amount of gas will still need to be used to maintain electricity supply and there are some industries such as cement where there are few green alternatives. Carbon capture could prevent the CO2 produced by these processes from entering the atmosphere - and the government has bet achieving its climate goals on it.

Both the UK's independent climate watchdog and the UN's climate science body, the IPCC, agree that CCUS will be needed if countries want to reach net zero and avoid the worst impacts of climate change.

By 2050, the government wants carbon capture and storage to prevent the emitting of 50 million tonnes of CO2 - more than 10% of what the country currently releases - and has committed £21.7bn to achieving this goal.

The funding, announced in October, will go towards clusters of carbon capture projects in Merseyside and Teesside, which it said would create thousands of jobs and attract private investment.

Dr Stuart Jenkins, research fellow at the University of Oxford, pushed back on the committee's assessment of the technology.

"I really don't like the phrase "unproven" technology, it is not representative of the status of the technology as an engineering problem," he said.

Although there are no commercial CCUS sites in the UK, there are 45 commercial facilities already operating globally capturing around 50 million tonnes of CO2, and there are more than 700 being proposed or developed, according to the International Energy Agency.

But Dr Jenkins did agree with the Public Accounts Committee that there were questions about whether the government's current funding model was sustainable.

The committee have recommended that the full financial impact of the programme on consumers be properly assessed, taking account of cost-of-living pressures.

The committee did recognise the importance of early government support for novel technologies like CCUS to give confidence to the industry.

But it added it "was surprised" to discover that the government had signed two contracts with CCUS developers last year and not guaranteed that if the projects were successful that the government - and the public - would receive profits or benefits such as lower energy bills.

"If you were a venture capitalist investing this sort of sum of money, which is effectively what the taxpayers are doing here, you would expect to have a big equity stake in this whole thing," said Sir Clifton-Brown.

His committee recommended that any future contracts be changed to include profit-sharing mechanisms.

The government said that it expected the £21.7bn funding for CCUS to unlock £8bn in private sector investment over the next 25 years.

Mirte Boot, co-founder of Carbon Balance Initiative and research associate at University of Oxford, said her team's research suggests a better long-term model for financing could be introducing a carbon storage mandate - placing a legal obligation on fossil fuel producers to store a share of the CO2 they produce, or face a financial penalty.

"We argue that carbon storage mandates on fossil fuel producers are fair whilst also providing the kind of investment certainty that companies need," she said.

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Santorini rocked by more earthquakes as uncertainty grows

February 7, 2025

Several more earthquakes have struck waters around the Greek island of Santorini just hours after authorities there declared a state of emergency.

The tourist hotspot has been rocked by seismic activity this week with thousands of earthquakes recorded since Sunday.

On Thursday evening, a 4.6 magnitude quake was recorded at 20:16 local time (18:00 GMT) in the sea between Santorini and another island, Amorgos, followed by a 4.2 magnitude quake roughly two hours later.

Santorini residents have begun night patrols amid fears of looting on the island, which has largely been left deserted as most residents have left.

More than 11,000 people have departed as authorities report earthquakes are being recorded on a minute-by-minute interval.

Experts have warned it is unclear when this period of "seismic crisis" on the popular tourist island might end.

Thursday's quakes have so far not been as severe as the 5.2 magnitude shock which occurred on Wednesday in waters between the two Greek islands.

So far no injuries have been reported, and there has also been no major damage on the island.

But authorities are preparing in case a larger quake hits. On Wednesday, they warned of landslide risks to parts of the island.

Magnitude refers to the size of an earthquake, with increases marked as decimal points.

A magnitude 6.0 and above is considered severe, whereas a magnitude 5.2, the strongest experienced so far in the region, is considered moderate.

On Thursday, Greek officials said the state of emergency for the island would be in place for nearly an entire month, until 3 March.

Greece is one of Europe's most earthquake-prone countries. Seismologists have told the BBC it is difficult to predict how long the recent wave of seismic activity will last, with authorities warning it could go on for weeks.

"It is really unprecedented, we have never seen something like this before in [modern times] in Greece," said Dr Athanassios Ganas, research director of the National Observatory of Athens.

He told the BBC: "We are in the middle of a seismic crisis."

The "clusters" of quakes, which began on Friday, have puzzled scientists who say such a pattern is unusual because they have not been linked to a major shock.

Dr Ganas says they are seeing many earthquakes within a relatively small area, which don't fit the pattern of a main shock and after shock sequence.

Those remaining on the island have raised fears of a potential tsunami. They have built makeshift defences from sacks placed along the island's Monolithos beach, where buildings stand very close to the water.

Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis, who is expected to visit Santorini on Friday, struck an optimistic tone at a meeting of civil protection experts earlier on Wednesday.

"All plans have been implemented. Forces have been moved to Santorini and the other islands, so that we are ready for any eventuality," he said.

He asked residents to "stay calm and cooperate with the authorities".

Santorini is on what is known as the Hellenic Volcanic Arc - a chain of islands created by volcanoes - but the last major eruption was in the 1950s.

Greek authorities have said the recent tremors were related to tectonic plate movements, not volcanic activity.

Scientists cannot predict the exact timing, size or location of earthquakes.

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How long could the Santorini 'seismic crisis' last?

February 7, 2025

"We've put all our mattresses in the living room," says Georgia Nomikou.

The Santorini resident fears the impact of ongoing earthquakes on the Greek island, popular with tourists for its picture-postcard views.

But the idyll has been disrupted this past week by thousands of earthquakes.

Santorini, and other Greek islands in the region, are in the middle of an "unprecedented" seismic swarm or crisis - the name for an abrupt increase in earthquakes in a particular area.

About three-quarters of the island's 15,000 population have evacuated while authorities declared a state of emergency after a 5.2 magnitude quake, the largest yet, rocked the island on Wednesday.

Further, albeit smaller quakes, were felt again on Thursday.

The "clusters" of quakes have puzzled scientists who say such a pattern is unusual because they have not been linked to a major shock. So what's going on?

What is happening in Santorini?

Experts agree the island is experiencing what Greece's prime minister has called an "extremely and intricate geological phenomenon".

"It is really unprecedented, we have never seen something like this before in [modern times] in Greece," says Dr Athanassios Ganas, research director of the National Observatory of Athens.

Santorini lies on the Hellenic Volcanic Arc - a chain of islands created by volcanoes.

But it has not seen a major eruption in recent times, in fact not since the 1950s, so the reason for the current crisis is unclear.

Experts say they're seeing many earthquakes within a relatively small area, which don't fit the pattern of a mainshock-aftershock sequence, says Dr Ganas.

He said this began with the awakening of a volcano on Santorini last summer. Then in January there was a "surge" of seismic activity with smaller earthquakes being recorded.

That activity has escalated in the past week.

Thousands of earthquakes have been recorded since Sunday, with Wednesday's the most significant yet.

"We are in the middle of a seismic crisis," Dr Gasnas said.

Dr Margarita Segou from the British Geological Survey described the quakes as happening everyday "in pulses".

She says this "swarm-like behaviour" means that when a more significant earthquake strikes, for example a magnitude four, the "seismicity is increased for one to two hours, and then the system relaxes again".

How much longer will it last?

In short, it is impossible to tell. There are hopes that Wednesday's quake, which struck at night, will be the biggest one to hit the island.

But seismologists have told the BBC it is difficult to be sure. Authorities have warned the activity could go on for weeks.

Experts also do not know whether this chain of quakes are foreshocks leading up to a large earthquake or their own event.

Professor Joanna Faure Walker, an earthquake geology expert at UCL's Institute of Disaster Risk Reduction, said some large earthquakes do experience foreshocks - elevated levels of small to moderate seismic events - before the main shock.

But what is happening now are not volcanic earthquakes, say Dr Ganas. Volcanic earthquakes have a characteristic signature of low frequency wave forms and these have not been exhibited here.

Dr Segou told the BBC she and colleagues had analysed previous earthquakes in the region with machine learning - a data analysis method able to make predictions - to learn how earthquakes in the region in 2002 and 2004 came to an end.

The magnitude of those earthquakes were not as intense as the ones felt now she said. But the "signatures" of how they started and ended could help build a picture of what patterns to look out for.

Meanwhile, additional police units and military forces have been deployed to the island to help it cope with any major earthquake.

Ms Nomikou, who is president of Santorini's town council, said her family were staying put but had each packed a small bag, "ready to go if anything happens".

But some islanders say they are not fazed by the tremors.

"I'm not afraid at all," says one Santorini resident, who decided to stay put on the volcanic island despite thousands of her neighbours fleeing amid the ongoing earthquakes.

Chantal Metakides insists that she would not be joining her compatriots. "For 500 years, this house has lived through earthquakes and volcanic eruptions and it's still standing," she told AFP news agency, adding, "there's no reason why this should change".

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Player was 'overwhelmed' after World Cup kiss, court hears

February 7, 2025

Teammates of Spanish footballer Jenni Hermoso have given testimony in support of her account of feeling overwhelmed after being allegedly forcibly kissed by Spain's former football chief Luis Rubiales.

Her teammates Irene Paredes, Laia Codina, and Alexia Putellas appeared at the trial of Mr Rubiales in Madrid on Thursday, where he is accused of sexual assault and coercion.

Ms Putellas said Ms Hermoso had felt "overwhelmed" after the incident, while Ms Codina said she was "sad" and "not enjoying herself".

Mr Rubiales kissed Ms Hermoso on the lips during the 2023 Fifa Women's World Cup medal ceremony in Australia, triggering protests and calls for his resignation. He denies any wrongdoing.

Ms Hermoso had told the court on Monday she had never given permission to be kissed at the World Cup medal ceremony and felt "disrespected" as a woman.

Ms Putellas said she thought at the time the incident had been something "fortuitous" and a "misunderstanding" but Ms Hermoso then later showed her a video and said she did not know how it occurred to Mr Rubiales to kiss her, according to local Spanish media.

The court heard from Ms Paredes that while on the bus to the airport after the World Cup final, she told her teammates to stop making jokes about the incident, saying it was "serious".

Ms Putellas said that Ms Hermoso was "overwhelmed" on the plane back to Spain.

"She started crying from exhaustion," the Barcelona player added.

The 31-year-old said Ms Hermoso was asked to speak to Mr Rubiales on the plane who told her that she should "come out" and "deny that there was no consent" in the kiss.

"She was angry and she said that there was no need for him to explain the facts to her because she had experienced it, that she wasn't going to do that," Ms Putellas said.

Ms Codina told the trial that during the team's celebratory trip to the Spanish island of Ibiza, Ms Hermoso was "sad, she was not enjoying herself, far from it" even though it "should have been the best moment" of her life.

Three colleagues of Mr Rubiales are also on trial, accused of colluding in the alleged coercion: Jorge Vilda, coach of the World Cup-winning side, Rubén Rivera, the federation's former head of marketing, and former sporting director, Albert Luque. They all deny the charges.

On Wednesday, the court heard that Mr Vilda spoke to Rafael Hermoso - brother of Jenni Hermoso - on the flight back to Spain, telling him that Mr Rubiales feared for his position, according to local Spanish media.

Mr Vilda asked him to speak to his sister about her making a video with Ms Rubiales that would downplay the kiss.

The coach warned that his sister could face "professional and personal consequences" if she did not cooperate, Rafael Hermoso said.

Speaking in court on Monday, Ms Hermoso said she and the then-president of the Royal Spanish Football Federation hugged and celebrated at the football event, saying that he then grabbed her "by the ears and kiss[ed] me on the mouth".

"I didn't hear or understand anything," she said, adding that "a kiss on the lips is only given when I decide so".

The footballer said she felt "completely abandoned by the federation".

Prosecutors are calling for Mr Rubiales to receive a one-year prison sentence for sexual assault for the kiss.

They are also calling for him to be given a sentence of a year-and-a-half for coercion, for allegedly trying to pressure Ms Hermoso into saying publicly that the kiss was consensual.

Mr Rubiales denies the charges. The trial continues.

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Fall in fertility rate becomes big challenge for provincial France

February 7, 2025

Colomiers in south-west France is modern, spread out - and not very attractive.

Young couples came here from the nearby city of Toulouse to have children because property prices are far cheaper. It grew rapidly and now has a population of 40,000.

However, fertility rates have recently declined across France, and Colomiers has seen one of the biggest falls - 31% since 2018.

France used to stand out from its European neighbours for the high number of children born per woman during her child-bearing years.

Its fertility rate still remains above the European average, but it is falling sharply.

The number of births in France in 2024 was the lowest since 1919.

In January last year, President Emmanuel Macron called for a "demographic rearmament" with new reforms making it easier for people to have children.

These included increasing the financial aid both parents receive while they look after their newborn babies, for up to six months.

But it may take years for the policies to have an impact on France's demographic decline - especially as there have been four different governments in little over a year and the reforms have not yet come into law.

In a midwife's office in Colomiers, Laurence Loiseau is weighing three-week-old Léonie - Caroline and Teddy Rivat's second child.

The couple don't know whether they will have any more children, but already they are well above the average for the Occitanie region, where the fertility rate stands at 1.53 compared with the national 1.62.

Laurence Loiseau has been a midwife here for 30 years and has noticed a change in mindset. Hardly any of her 32-year-old daughter's friends have children, she says.

"They will try later in life but that means they will have more difficulty getting pregnant - and by the time they reach 40 it will be very difficult to have a second child."

Ms Loiseau adds she still sees families with three or four children, but that these usually come from poorer or immigrant backgrounds.

Raising children in France is expensive.

The last official government statistics a decade ago put the cost at about €6,800 (£5,700) a year to raise a child. Using those figures and including inflation, French economists say the figure now is close to €9,000 a year.

Margaux Biscaye - also a midwife in Colomiers – meets a lot of young women who come to see her for contraceptive advice.

She says that for an increasing number of young women between the ages of 20 and 30 having children is not a priority.

Some simply don't want any, says Ms Biscaye: "Often because of the world we live in right now. It's not a very optimistic period. Maybe they will change their mind but maybe not."

Paola Godard, who is 27 and works in the music industry, is adamant she will not have children of her own, though she might consider adoption.

Although financially she would be able to raise children, she does not think she could provide them with a safe future, she says.

She is worried by the rise of far right and by the potential impact of climate change in 20 years' time.

The Occitanie region is witnessing the second-fastest fall in the fertility rate across France.

Only Corsica is higher, because so many young people leave the island for job opportunities on the mainland.

Catherine Sourd from the National Institute of Statistics and Economic Studies (Insee) told the BBC the birth rate in Occitanie fell by 8.5% in 2023, compared with 6.5% nationally.

Ms Sourd says the fall is even steeper among women aged between 24 and 35, who are usually the most fertile.

Women are delaying having their first child compared with previous generations and settling into long-term relationships later in life, she says.

At the same time, the current economic uncertainty is weighing on young people's minds.

The same uncertainty during the financial crisis in 2008 also had a big impact on fertility in France and across Western Europe, with a sharp downward blip in births back then too, Ms Sourd says.

In Colomiers the number of primary school kids has fallen by 10% in the past seven years.

Xavier Vuiller works in educational management at the Victor Hugo secondary school. He and his Spanish wife, Noelia, have just one child, 12-year-old Paolo - and that won't change.

"My wife was very keen to pursue a personal career... so that she would have the same opportunities as I would have as a man. So we took the time to have a child and just one," Xavier says.

He adds that the falling pupils numbers will be felt in his own school in a few years' time as the dwindling number of primary school children move up to secondary schools.

The picture is similar further into the French countryside too, where fertility rates used to be higher. That's no longer the case either, according to government statistics.

In the cosy village of Gratens, south of Colomiers, Farid Achezegag, a sculptor, lives with his partner Marion Savy, a teacher, their 10-year-old daughter Maelle and a very large ginger cat.

Farid and Marion agreed to have just one child.

"It's the model I am used to – and I was quite happy as a single child," Marion says.

"I love my work and when I thought about becoming a mother I wanted to also have time for me. I am not selfish – I wanted to offer my child essential time just for her and still have my woman's life."

Farid's parents were Algerian immigrants. They had four children, but he does not want to go down the same path.

"Like Marion I was set on having one child," he said. "Your relationship with children in a big family is not the same."

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North America

 

Trump has a devious plan for Gaza

6 Feb, 2025

What could Donald Trump and Bianca Censori possibly have in common?

Trump is the US president and bestie of Israel’s Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, a man wanted by the International Court of Justice (ICC) “for the war crimes of starvation […] and of intentionally directing an attack against the civilian population; and the crimes against humanity of murder, persecution, and other inhumane acts.” Censori is a – very – visual artist and wife of publicly mentally unstable rapper Kanye West.

And yet both Trump and Censori have made a habit of staging attention-grabbing provocations for so long that they now seem to be running out of extremes in outdoing themselves.

For Censori, after full frontal de facto nudity at the Grammys, there’s really only live intercourse left (she may not know she’s long been beaten to that trick by faded Western “freedom/civil-society” favorite Nadya Tolokonnikova from ancient-history “Pussy Riot”). For Trump, you really have to wonder now: He has just delivered such a double whammy of sheer shock value that it’s hard to imagine him topping it again (and yet he will, of course).

While hosting Netanyahu in Washington – as the first foreign leader officially visiting, no less – Trump has declared that the US wants to annex the Gaza strip, ethnically cleanse its entire Palestinian population (he used different terms, of course, but so did the Nazis, and we do not parrot their euphemisms), and then develop the area into a “riviera” of high-end real estate and businesses.

Meanwhile, the Palestinian victims of this plan are supposed to be de facto expelled to neighboring countries – except Israel, of course, which is really Palestine (layers…) – such as Jordan and Egypt, both US “allies,” i.e. vassals, notwithstanding their explicit objections. Let’s note in passing that Trump’s “development” plans prove that Gaza can be rebuilt. The issue is not “technical” but political: Trump suggests rebuilding but only after a very violent mass eviction. Call it the real-estate-with-genocidal-oomph business model.

Yet, while Trump’s insane as well as evil – yes, that’s the word – ideas about Gaza’s future have attracted most attention, there are two scandals here: Even receiving Netanyahu is outrageous. And it remains so, even if the entire US “elite” – in truly bipartisan fashion – pretends it is normal, or even something to celebrate.

Meeting the Israeli leader – for anyone anywhere, really – is such a disgrace because Netanyahu is not “only” the object of an ICC warrant for war crimes and crimes against humanity. He is also one of the top perpetrators of Israel’s geocide against the Palestinians (a crime recognized by Amnesty International but that the ICC failed to acknowledge, clearly for political reasons), the leader of Israel’s vicious apartheid regime (as a UN report has long recognized), and a war monger addicted to assaulting neighboring countries via bombing, assassination campaigns, and direct invasions.

Israel is, by far, the worst source of violence and injustice (and thus more violence) in the Middle East. Beyond that region, its relentless settler-colonialist drive to dispossess, ethnically cleanse, and kill Palestinians and its ceaseless aggression toward its neighbors is constantly disrupting global stability.

The second reason American presidents, ideally, should not touch Netanyahu with a barge pole is, of course, exactly why they won’t stop embracing him in sordid reality: money. Israel has run the, by far, most successful foreign influence operation in modern history, even beating those of the US itself. While the whole West has been its target, the American establishment has clearly been the bull’s eye.

Hence, in an ideal world, from which we are very far, Americans would not celebrate Israeli leaders but rebel against them – AIPAC tea party, anyone? – since no other country has ever remotely done so much so successfully to undermine US sovereignty and dismantle what very little democracy has been withering away inside the rusty cage of oligarchy that America really is. None of this is a secret, an “antisemitic” smear, or a “conspiracy theory.” Indeed, the Jerusalem Post, for instance, has boasted of Zionist success in massively influencing US elections as recently as last November.

It is also well-known that Trump himself is a perfect example of this shameless buying – and being bought – among America’s “elite”: Zionist megadonor Miriam Adelson, for instance, bankrolled this campaign alone with 137 million dollars, making her family one of his top supporters, again. Her support for Israeli expansion and annexations is a matter of record. Since coming to power, and not for the first time, Trump has shown that he will pay his debts. For instance, by sending more 2,000-pound bunker buster bombs to Israel and lifting even the preceding Biden administration’s weak and symbolic sanctions against the ultra-violent settlers in the West Bank, who are in the process of producing their very own pogrom against the local Palestinians.

The US “elite’s” breathtaking, open, traitorous readiness to be corrupted by foreign interests as long as they are Israeli is one obvious reason why, in a sane world, Israeli leaders should find at least all other Americans highly averse.

The other, second scandal about smirking Netanyahu’s visit to Washington is, of course, Trump’s proposal to complete the Israeli campaign of genocidal ethnic cleansing. It makes no difference that Trump pretends not to understand the clear implications of his scheme. Trump’s hypocritical invocation of “humanitarian” intentions to “save” Gaza’s Palestinians from the wasteland that his predecessor Genocide Joe Biden mightily helped the Israelis make is – to say it in plain New York English – for suckers.

The fact is that the US president has publicly announced a plan to engage in an enormous crime under international law, together with Israel. That, in and of itself, is not new. But there are two things about Trump’s current move that make it special.

First, there is the backdrop of mass murderous violence and devastation that Israel has already inflicted since October 2023. Trump himself revealingly keeps referring to “1.7 or 1.8” million Palestinians alive in Gaza now. Yet there is general agreement that before the Israeli genocide campaign, Gaza’s population numbered at least 2.1 to 2.3 million. Clearly, the American president has seen or been told about figures that imply that not tens of thousands but hundreds of thousands of Palestinians have been killed by bombing, snipers, in mass executions, by blockade and starvation, and illnesses, deliberately promoted by the comprehensive destruction of infrastructure. Such an outcome was predicted in the gold-standard medical journal The Lancet back in July 2024.  

All of this – plus the long prior history of Israeli violence and in particular the systematic laying waste of Gaza since 2005 – Trump’s US now intends to reward with success. All that strenuous Western rhetoric about never “rewarding the aggressor”? It really seems to mean: Except when the aggressor is also a certifiable Israeli genocider. In the most immediate context, that American signal can only embolden Netanyahu and friends to break the current, fragile ceasefire which they punctuate with constant killings even now.

That is bad enough. But there is also a wider precedent here: Israel is dependent on American support for its extreme policies of genocide and war. What we are seeing, then, is a perverse tag team game: First the US provides Israel with everything it needs to devastate Gaza, then Israel creates a wasteland, and finally, Washington – “generously” – takes a look and finds that the only way to rebuild said wasteland is by first completing the total dispossession of its Palestinian inhabitants. Think about what a fine recipe that is for the rest of the world: Wreak havoc first, then swoop in to “save” the ruins by annexing them. If we let the US get away with it this time, this time will not be the last time.

That brings us to the one upside to Trump’s brutality: Unlike his predecessor Biden, Trump is not even trying to apply a fig leaf to his imperialism or his complete complicity with Israel. Where the Biden administration accompanied their co-genociding with nauseating hypocrisy, the Trumpists give it to us straight.

Don’t get me wrong: that doesn’t make Trump’s approach morally “better.” If you are still looking for fine distinctions between Trumpist and Democratic viciousness, stop wasting your time. It’s all the same bad old, if increasingly deranged, US establishment. Yet Trump’s frankness has one great advantage: The world needs to finally learn to do the obvious, namely – as they say in International Relations Theory – “balance” against Washington, the most dangerous rogue state on the planet. Trump’s lack of filters should make it easier even for the slowest to finally acknowledge that fact: Multipolarity is good but not enough.  Humanity has to learn to stand together to contain and deter the US. Pro-actively.

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US lawmaker wants Trump impeached

6 Feb, 2025

Democratic US Congressman Al Green has announced his intention to file articles of impeachment against President Donald Trump over his proposal to “take over” Gaza and resettle Palestinians.

Trump floated the idea this week during a White House press conference with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, to redevelop what he referred to as the “demolition site” that the enclave has become following the 15-month conflict between the IDF and Hamas.

He described his vision for transforming Gaza into the “Riviera of the Middle East,” outlining a plan for the US to clear the area, rebuild infrastructure, and create jobs and housing. Trump also reiterated his earlier call for Palestinians to be permanently resettled outside of the enclave.

Netanyahu praised the proposal, calling it “remarkable,” arguing that it simply gives Gazans the freedom to leave if they choose.

Speaking on the House floor on Wednesday, Green condemned Trump’s plan as “a dastardly deed” that amounts to ethnic cleansing, “especially when it emanates from the president of the United States, the most powerful person in the world.”

The Texas congressman also criticized Netanyahu, stating that the Israeli prime minister “should be ashamed, knowing the history of his people, to stand there and allow such things to be said.”

Trump’s proposal has sparked global outrage, with world leaders and humanitarian groups warning of dire consequences for regional stability and Palestinian rights.

Green went on to declare, that “the movement to impeach the president has begun,” vowing to introduce articles of impeachment for both his “dastardly deeds proposed” and “dastardly deeds done.”

Green tried three times to impeach Trump during the US president’s first term in office. All attempts failed.

Trump was nevertheless impeached twice during his first term by the Democrat-controlled House – first in 2019 for abuse of power and obstruction of Congress over allegations that he sought Ukraine’s help in the 2020 presidential election, and again in 2021 for inciting the January 6 Capitol riot after losing to Joe Biden. The Senate acquitted him both times.

“I did it before. I laid the foundation for impeachment and it was done,” Green stated on Wednesday. “I know that it’s time for us to lay the foundation again,” the congressman said.

However, according to a Politico report, Green’s new impeachment push is unlikely to gain much traction. The newspaper was told by the No.3 House Democrat Pete Aguilar that impeachment was not an immediate focus of his caucus.

Some media outlets also pointed out that Green had previously supported billions of dollars in US aid to Israel under the Biden administration, raising questions about his reluctance to pursue impeachment against the former president, who has faced widespread accusations of enabling Israeli “genocide” in Gaza.

Source: rt.com

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Senate confirms Project 2025 co-author as Trump budget chief

7 Feb, 2025

The US Senate has confirmed President Donald Trump's nominee to lead the White House budget office, Russell Vought, hours after Democrats staged an all-night hearing in the chamber in protest.

Vought's nomination to lead the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) has been controversial due to his role as an author of Project 2025, a "wish list" of conservative priorities for Trump in his second term.

Democrats held the floor overnight into Thursday, delivering speeches criticising Vought's role in Trump's efforts to shrink the federal government.

But with Democrats the minority in the chamber, Republican votes for Vought were enough to confirm him to the new role by 53-47.

Project 2025 was created by the Heritage Foundation, one of Washington's most prominent right-wing think tanks, and calls for the entire federal bureaucracy, including independent agencies like the Department of Justice, to be placed under direct presidential control.

It also advocates for eliminating job protections for thousands of government employees, who could then be replaced by political appointees, and calls for a nationwide ban on abortion.

Vought wrote a key chapter in the document on the executive office of the president, and served as the Republican National Committee's 2024 platform policy director.

He will now administer the $6.75tn (£5.44tn) federal budget. He served in the same role during Trump's first administration.

Democrats are already outraged by Trump's budget decisions since returning to the White House, including the move to cut funding for the US Agency for International Development (USAID), reportedly allowing Elon Musk access to sensitive Treasury payroll documents, and his attempts to shrink the federal workforce with a buyout programme.

Faced with the quick pace of Trump's executive orders, Democrats rallied around funding and the federal budget in their overnight session, and sought to make an example of Vought in an attempt to tank his nomination.

Democrats painted Vought as Trump's "most dangerous nominee" due to his control over funds that have been allocated by Congress.

Democratic minority Senate leader Chuck Schumer described Vought as "the most radical nominee, who has the most extreme agenda".

"We want Americans every hour, whether it's 8pm or 3am, to hear how bad Russell Vought is and the danger he poses to them in their daily lives," he said on the Senate floor.

Democratic Senator Elizabeth Warren said Vought was already making radical changes to government, even before he was confirmed.

"Russ Vought was the puppet master behind the funding shut down that threw this country into chaos," Warren said, referring to last week's funding freeze on many federal projects.

Republicans hold a 53-47 majority over Democrats in the chamber, which made it impossible for the minority party to block Vought's confirmation without objections from Republicans.

Vought received the backing of all Republicans, including Utah Senator Mike Lee, who took X to congratulate him.

"If you like what you've been seeing from President Trump and DOGE, get ready, because Russ Vought is going to be a lean, mean, budget-cutting machine leading OMB," Lee wrote.

Source: bbc.com

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Unions sue Trump administration over USAID agency cuts

7 Feb, 2025

Two unions representing employees of the US Agency for International Development (USAID) have filed a lawsuit against President Donald Trump and his administration over the White House's plan to drastically shrink the department's staff.

On Thursday, USAID employees were told to expect the agency's staff to drop from about 10,000 to less than 300 globally, according to US media reports.

The lawsuit filed by the labour groups in Washington DC argues the president does not have the authority to shut down the agency.

Secretary of State Marco Rubio has said the US is "not walking away from foreign aid". The BBC has asked the White House, the state department, USAID and the treasury department for comment.

The Trump administration has said USAID is wasting money and needs to align with the president's policy priorities.

Thursday's lawsuit was filed by the American Foreign Service Association (AFSA) and the American Federation of Government Employees (AFGE). It is the first legal action related to Trump's measures to cut USAID.

In addition to Trump, the lawsuit takes aim at the US state department, USAID, the treasury department, the secretary of state and Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent.

The lawsuit argues that the president is violating the Constitution and federal law by attempting to dismantle the agency.

"Not a single one of defendants' actions to dismantle USAID were taken pursuant to congressional authorization," the lawsuit says.

"And pursuant to federal statute, Congress is the only entity that may lawfully dismantle the agency."

It calls for an independent acting director of USAID to be appointed, for USAID buildings to be reopened to employees, for the USAID website to be restored, for grants and contracts to be reinstated, and for mandatory evacuation notices to staff to be lifted.

It asks for a judge to immediately halt the implementation of the plan to "gut" USAID, which the lawsuit notes has been spearheaded by Elon Musk, due to the urgent need to resume to aid programmes.

"These actions have generated a global humanitarian crisis by abruptly halting the crucial work of USAID employees, grantees, and contractors. They have cost thousands of American jobs. And they have imperiled US national security interests," the lawsuit says.

It comes as thousands of USAID workers expect to be put on administrative leave from Friday night.

On Wednesday, Rubio defended Trump's moves against USAID, telling about 200 agency workers in Guatemala that the US does not plan to stop distributing aid to foreign countries. But he said that the programmes must align with US priorities.

"The United States is not walking away from foreign aid," America's top diplomat said. "It's not.

"We're going to continue to provide foreign aid and to be involved in programmes, but it has to be programmes that we can defend."

"It has to be programmes that we can explain. It has to be programmes that we can justify. Otherwise, we do endanger foreign aid."

Source: bbc.com

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Panama says US 'spreading lies' over free canal passage

7 Feb, 2025

Panama President José Raúl Mulino has accused the US of spreading "lies and falsehoods" after the US State Department claimed American government vessels were no longer required to pay a fee to transit through the Panama Canal.

US Secretary of State Marco Rubio has since rowed back on his department's claim, but called the fee for American vessels "absurd" due to a treaty binding the US to protect the canal if it comes under attack.

US President Donald Trump has repeatedly voiced his desire to regain control of the waterway since taking office and has refused to rule out retaking it by force. He is due to speak with Mulino on Friday.

The Panama Canal is a 51-mile (82km) passage that links the Atlantic and Pacific oceans across the Central American country.

All vessels are required to pay a fee, based on size and type, for crossing the waterway but US ships have priority of passage.

In a post on X on Wednesday, the State Department wrote: "U.S. government vessels can now transit the Panama Canal without charge fees, saving the U.S. government millions of dollars a year."

Mulino reacted to the statement by saying he rejects "this method of managing bilateral relations on the basis of lies and falsehoods."

He said he asked his ambassador in Washington to take "firm steps" to reject the claim, calling it "simply and plainly intolerable."

Mulino added that US government vessels, including navy vessels, paid "$6-7m [£4.8-5.6m] a year" for the right of passage.

"It's not as if the canal toll is breaking the economy of the United States," he added.

The Panama Canal Authority (ACP) also made a statement saying it had "not made any adjustment" to tolls, adding that it was open to establishing a dialogue.

After Rubio and Mulino's meeting, Panama announced it would not renew its membership of China's infrastructure-building programme, known as the Belt and Road Initiative.

Rubio welcomed this move, calling it "a great step forward", though Panama denied that the decision had been made at the request of the US.

Trump has expressed fears that China could close the canal to the US in the event of a crisis - something Panama and China have strongly denied.

On Wednesday, China's Foreign Affairs spokesman, Lin Jian, said its partnership with Panama was yielding "fruitful results" and urged the country to "resist external interferences."

Rubio met the canal's administrator, Ricaurte Vásquez Morales alongside Mulino on Sunday. America's top diplomat demanded that Panama make "immediate changes" to China's "influence and control" over the waterway.

This echoed Trump's inaugural address, where he stated that the canal was being operated by China and he wanted to "take it back."

Mulino has denied these allegations and rejected the plan, saying that the trade route "is and will remain" in Panama's hands.

The US built the canal in the early 20th Century but, after years of protest, President Jimmy Carter signed a treaty with Panama in 1977 to gradually hand back control of the waterway. Trump has called this "a big mistake" since returning to office.

US Secretary of State Marco Rubio has been on a tour of Central America to discuss migration and drug trafficking in the region.

Rubio's statement responding to Mulino's accusation of US "lies" was given at his last stop, the Dominican Republic.

Source: bbc.com

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Judge halts Trump's government worker buyout plan

7 Feb, 2025

A US judge has temporarily halted President Donald Trump's plan offering incentives to federal workers to voluntarily resign before a Thursday midnight deadline.

Federal Judge George O'Toole Jr said the plan would be paused until a hearing on Monday when he could determine the merits of a lawsuit filed by federal employee unions, reported CBS, the BBC's US partner.

The offer is part of an ongoing effort by the Trump administration to slash the size of the federal government.

The White House says more than 40,000 employees have accepted the offer to resign in exchange for pay until 30 September. Some workers have voiced confusion about the terms of the deal.

The order came hours before Thursday's 23:59 EST (04:59 GMT Friday) deadline for federal workers to accept the offer.

A lawyer for the justice department said federal employees would be notified that the deadline had been paused, CBS reported.

The White House appeared to see the temporary halt as a way to increase the number of resignations.

"We are grateful to the Judge for extending the deadline so more federal workers who refuse to show up to the office can take the Administration up on this very generous, once-in-a-lifetime offer," press secretary Karoline Leavitt said in a statement.

An Office of Personnel Management (OPM) statement said the agency would continue processing resignations until an extended deadline of 23:59 local time on Monday.

"The program is NOT being blocked or canceled," it said. "The government will honor the deferred resignation offer."

The Trump administration, which previously said it hoped for as many as 200,000 employees to accept its offer, told US media they expected a spike in participation just ahead of the deadline.

"It's going to save the American people tens of millions of dollars," Leavitt told reporters outside the White House's West Wing before the judge paused the programme.

The American Federation of Government Employees, a union, filed the lawsuit against the OPM, arguing it had violated the law, that it could not fund the deal, and that it had given conflicting guidance about its terms.

The union said in an email to members that the offer was part of an "effort to dismantle the civil service and replace the skilled, professional workforce with unqualified political appointees and for-profit contractors".

The union noted that Congress has not passed a budget for funding beyond mid-March, arguing that it was unclear whether agencies could pay workers until September.

On Thursday, the union said it was "pleased" by the judge's actions.

Some federal employees have described their shock at the buy-out proposal, which was delivered in the form of a late-night email with the subject line "Fork in the Road". Some thought the email was spam.

"The tone of the initial email was like 'you may be cut anyway,'" Monet Hepp, a medical support specialist at the US Department of Veterans Affairs, previously told BBC. "People were blindsided by it."

Democrats have questioned the legality of the resignation package and warned it would lead to a "brain drain" that would be "felt by every American".

"Without the expertise and institutional knowledge that so many federal employees bring to their work, our government will be incapable of responding effectively to national emergencies, serving the American public, or even carrying out routine operations," Democrats on the House Oversight Committee wrote in a letter to President Trump.

On Tuesday, the Central Intelligence Agency became the first national security department to extend the offer to its staff. Former US intelligence officials and several lawmakers have raised concerns that this offer could undermine US national security.

There are also reports of impending cuts to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), the weather-forecasting agency, and the Department of Health and Human Services.

Source: bbc.com

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Baseball star Ohtani's interpreter jailed for $17m gambling fraud

7 Feb, 2025

Ippei Mizuhara, the former interpreter of Los Angeles Dodgers baseball star Shohei Ohtani, has been sentenced to nearly five years in prison for a fraud and gambling scheme.

He was ordered to pay back nearly $17m (£13.6m) that he'd stolen from the star athlete and another $1m to the US Internal Revenue Service (IRS) in taxes.

Mizuhara, who had been Ohtani's English interpreter since his US Major League Baseball (MLB) debut in 2018, was fired amid media reports last year about his gambling activities, which prompted investigations into Ohtani's finances.

A probe revealed Mizuhara stole nearly $17m from the athlete to pay off debts owed to a southern California bookmaker.

He then lied on tax records to hide his actions. He pleaded guilty to bank and tax fraud charges.

"Mr Mizuhara had a unique position of trust that gave him power, brought him fame, and paid him well," said Acting United States Attorney Joseph McNally. "Unfortunately, he exploited this dream job to steal millions of dollars from his friend and confidant."

"This is a sad tale of an American success story gone wrong - so wrong that Mr Mizuhara will be spending years inside a prison cell."

Sitting in a courtroom in Santa Ana, California, Mizuhara was wearing a light black suit with his hands folded in his lap, staring straight ahead at the judge as he delivered his ruling.

When the verdict was announced, he was motionless.

Before being sentenced, he apologised for his actions.

"I am truly sorry to Mr Ohtani for what I have done. I know an apology will not fix the crime I committed," he said. "This mistake will impact me for the rest of my life and I'm prepared to accept the consequences."

The scheme threatened to derail Ohtani's career - currently one of baseball's biggest global stars - as questions swirled about whether he was involved in the gambling scheme.

His translator, at first, claimed the star was aware of his gambling addiction and loaned him funds - a claim that Ohtani initially confirmed. He later clarified that his comments to reporters were not accurate and part of Mizuhara's scheme, saying "all of this has been a complete lie".

The MLB has strict rules against sports betting and it is illegal in California, though it is allowed in 38 other US states.

Ohtani has largely remained silent on the matter but released a statement on the scandal back in March saying: "I am very saddened and shocked that someone who I trusted has done this."

In court, Judge John Holcomb said that after Mizuhara is released from prison, he will be on three years of probation, which will include drug and alcohol testing and continuing treatment for his gambling addiction.

Mizuhara has been granted a 45-day surrender date and will turn himself in on 24 March to serve his 57-month sentence.

Mizuhara, who was born in Japan, could also face deportation following the completion of his sentence.

Asked outside of the courthouse by the BBC about whether he will appeal, Mizuhara's attorney said "no comment."

Beyond the stolen funds, Mizuhara also purchased several autographed baseball cards using Ohtani's money.

These cards, valued at approximately $325,000, were intended for resale, but Ohtani has since petitioned a federal judge to gain ownership of the cards as part of the recovery process.

Mizuhara admitted to falsifying his 2022 tax return and underreporting $4.1m in income derived from the scheme. He owes about $1.15m in unpaid taxes, plus penalties and interest.

His sentencing was delayed several times before Thursday.

It was originally scheduled for 25 October last year, which would have coincided with the first game of the World Series in which Ohtani was playing, but prosecutors agreed to move it to 20 December. The Dodgers ended up winning the series.

The December date was then delayed to allow a forensic psychiatrist to evaluate Mizuhara's gambling addiction. Mizuhara's legal team used that report to argue for leniency, citing his co-operation and efforts to address his addiction.

During a previous court appearance, Mizuhara admitted to the charges against him and acknowledged his struggles with betting.

"I deeply regret my actions and the harm I have caused to Mr Ohtani and his family," Mizuhara said. "I let my personal issues spiral out of control, and I betrayed the trust of someone who gave me everything."

Source: bbc.com

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US to restrict use of DeepSeek – WSJ

6 Feb, 2025

Lawmakers in the US House proposed legislation on Thursday to ban the Chinese-developed AI chatbot application DeepSeek from all government-owned devices, the Wall Street Journal has reported.

DeepSeek has rapidly ascended to become the most downloaded app in the United States. However, concerns have been raised after analyses by cybersecurity experts have claimed that the application contains hidden code capable of transmitting user information to China Mobile, a state-owned telecommunications company prohibited from operating within the US. Washington has accused Beijing of being able to access sensitive data through its applications.

Beijing has dismissed the accusation as politically motivated “ideological discrimination.” China's foreign ministry has denied the allegations, asserting that the government does not require enterprises or individuals to collect or store data illegally. DeepSeek has not issued a public statement addressing these specific accusations.

”This should be a no-brainer in terms of actions we should take immediately to prevent our enemy from getting information from our government,” Democratic Congressman Josh Gottheimer stated. His colleague, Republican Representative Darin LaHood, echoed this sentiment, asserting, “Under no circumstances can we allow a CCP [Chinese Communist Party] company to obtain sensitive government or personal data.”

The proposed legislation mirrors previous actions taken against the Chinese-owned social media platform TikTok, which was banned from government devices in 2022 due to similar concerns regarding Beijing’s access to data.

The Chinese government has consistently dismissed US accusations against TikTok as unfounded and politically motivated.

TikTok has denied posing a national security threat and has taken steps to address US concerns. In 2022, it launched Project Texas to store American user data on US servers and proposed a “kill switch” to allow the government to shut down the site if it was non-compliant.

Facing legislation requiring ByteDance to divest or face a ban, TikTok has sued, arguing the law is unconstitutional. Despite these efforts, its future in the US remains uncertain.

Internationally, several countries have already taken steps to restrict or ban DeepSeek from state computer networks. Australia, South Korea, and Italy have prohibited the use of the app within their governmental operations, citing data-security concerns. In the United States, the US Navy and NASA have also blocked the application due to privacy and security issues.

Created by the Hangzhou-based startup DeepSeek Inc., the AI assistant bearing the same name launched in January and quickly surpassed US-based OpenAI’s ChatGPT as the top AI assistant on Apple’s App Store. Unlike its rival, which offers advanced features through a subscription model, DeepSeek-R1 is freely accessible.

Major US tech firms, including Nvidia, have seen their market value plummet. DeepSeek’s V3 and R1 models are seen as direct competitors to OpenAI’s GPT-4o and o1 reasoning models.

DeepSeek’s success has challenged the strategy of the previous US administration to block China from acquiring advanced chips from the US and the Netherlands.

Source: rt.com

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Pakistan

 

Protesting Hyderabad lawyers continue sit-in for second day on National Highway

By Web Desk

February 07, 2025

HYDERABAD: Protesting lawyers continued to stage sit-in on Friday for the second consecutive day on the National Highway in Hyderabad, halting commute to and from interior Sindh and Punjab, following escalation of hostile disposition between police and the legal fraternity in the city.

The lawyers have been holding demonstration at Wadhu Wah area for over 20 hours, resulting in formation of long queues of vehicles on the major thoroughfare, putting transporters and passengers into trouble.

Meanwhile, the lawyers have ended their protest from near KPT Underpass in Clifton, Karachi, and opened the road for traffic.

The discord between the two fraternities sprang up after Hyderabad police lodged a case against a lawyer for having a hooter and fancy number plate on his vehicle. Whereas, lawyers have alleged police of high handedness in the matter.

The Sindh Police have said they wanted resolution of the issue within the legal domain.

As per details, Bhittia Nangar police personnel intercepted Advocate Ali Raza about five days ago for having fancy number plate as well as tinted glasses. The legal practitioner reportedly cut and ran abandoning his vehicle, a Mehran car, which was challaned.

Following the incident, some lawyers reached the police station and warned of consequences if the case against their colleague was not withdrawn.

On the other hand, Hyderabad High Court Bar Association President Ayaz Tanyo claimed that police even detained Raza, in addition to lodging an FIR against him.

Then, Tanyo said, the lawyer hailing from Tando Allahyar was freed on his personal bail on Monday.

After that, the group of legal professionals sought suspension of Bhittai Nangar SHO Asghar Tunyo.

A slew of lawyers stormed Hyderabad SSP Farrukh Lanjar’s office on Tuesday, after the latter allegedly did not fulfil their demand, and held a demonstration within its premises. The protest was ended through negotiations led by Hyderabad DIG Tariq Razak DHarejo after more than 12 hours.

Meanwhile, over 10 station house officers (SHOs) and other many personnel of the Hyderabad police applied for a moth’s leave, refusing to work amid the prevailing circumstances.

DIG Dharejo visited the SSP office on Wednesday afternoon to raise the morale of the police officials and asked everyone to withdraw the applications and work as per the law.

Speaking to the media on the occasion, the DIG said the Sindh inspector general of police and home minister had taken notice of the entire situation.

He said that despite violation of the law, the Hyderabad police acted patiently. Speaking to the media, SSP Lanjar said that Raza was not the only person booked over fancy number plates as around 50 FIRs had been filed against fancy number plates in the last few days because no one was above the law.

Source: thenews.com.pk

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Lahore admin denies permission for PTI rally at Minar-e-Pakistan

By Zahid Shirwani

February 06, 2025

The Lahore city district administration on late Thursday rejected Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf's request to hold a public gathering at Minar-e-Pakistan on February 8.

The deputy commissioner denied permission citing security reasons.

The development came as the former ruling party announced marking February 8 (Saturday) — first anniversary of “rigged general elections” as a “Black Day”.

According to a statement issued by the Lahore DC, “The decision not to allow the rally was made to maintain law and order situation”.

There are important events scheduled in Lahore on February 8, such as a cricket match, an international speaker conference, and a horse and cattle show, the DC added.

The government official said that thousands of security personnel had already been deployed due to these events.

Earlier today, the Lahore High Court (LHC) instructed the deputy commissioner to decide by 5pm on PTI's request to hold a rally at the Minar-e-Pakistan.

Justice Farooq Haider issued the directive while hearing a petition filed by PTI Punjab Chief Organiser Aliya Hamza on February 3, seeking permission for the public gathering.

The former ruling party, following its negotiations with the government fell apart announced protest rallies against 2024 polls which it, along with other opposition parties, has time again decried for being marred with rigging resulting in alleged theft of its mandate.

The Imran Khan-founded party's ended negotiations after the latter's failure to form a judicial commission to probe the May 9 riots and November 2024 protests as per its charter of demands.

The dialogue process between the PML-N-led government and the PTI commenced in late December after months of heightened political tensions.

With the party also announcing a rally in Swabi on the said date, PTI Khyber Pakhtunkhwa President Junaid Akbar warned of agitation against the ruling coalition, saying that the party's desire to hold dialogue with the government was misconstrued as its weakness.

The PTI, in recent months, has taken to the streets on various occasions. The party's protests and power show in Islamabad last year resulted in a crackdown against party workers with leaders facing multiple cases.

Source: thenews.com.pk

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Security forces neutralise 12 terrorists in North Waziristan IBO

By Zarmeen Zehra

February 06, 2025

Security forces have killed at least 12 terrorists in an intelligence-based operations (IBO) in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa's North Waziristan district, the Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) said on Thursday.

A statement from the Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) said: “On February 5-6, security forces conducted an intelligence-based operation in general area Hassan Khel, North Waziristan District on the reported presence of khwarij [terrorists]."

“During the conduct of the operation, own troops effectively engaged the khwarij location and resultantly 12 khwarij were sent to hell,” the ISPR added.

However, during the exchange of fire, Lance Naik Muhammad Ibrahim, 34, a resident of District Hangu “fought gallantly” and was martyred.

"Weapons and ammunition were also recovered from the killed khwarij, who remained actively involved in numerous terrorist activities against the security forces as well as target killing of innocent civilians."

Sanitisation operations were being conducted to eliminate any other terrorists, the military's media wing added.

"Security forces of Pakistan are determined to wipe out the menace of terrorism from the country and such sacrifices of our brave soldiers further strengthen our resolve,” it concluded.

The operation is part of a sustained counter-terrorism effort as the country witnessed a surge in violent attacks since the Taliban returned to power in Afghanistan in 2021, particularly in the bordering provinces of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and Balochistan.

The country witnessed a sharp increase in terror attacks in January 2025, surging by 42% compared to the previous month, according to data released by the Pakistan Institute for Conflict and Security Studies (PICSS), a think tank.

The data revealed that at least 74 militant attacks were recorded nationwide, resulting in 91 fatalities, including 35 security personnel, 20 civilians, and 36 militants. Another 117 individuals sustained injuries, including 53 security forces personnel, 54 civilians, and 10 militants.

KP remained the worst-affected province, followed by Balochistan. In KP’s settled districts, militants carried out 27 attacks, resulting in 19 fatalities, including 11 security personnel, six civilians, and two militants.

The tribal districts of KP (erstwhile Fata) witnessed 19 attacks, leading to 46 deaths, including 13 security personnel, eight civilians, and 25 militants.

Balochistan also experienced a surge in militant activity, with at least 24 attacks, which claimed 26 lives, including 11 security personnel, six civilians, and nine militants.

In Punjab, two militant attacks were reported, leaving one security official injured. On the last day of January, militants launched a major assault on a police check post in DG Khan’s Jhangi area, but security forces repelled the attack without any casualties. Sindh and the federal capital, Islamabad, each witnessed one attack, though neither resulted in fatalities.

The month also saw two suicide bombings, both in Balochistan. The banned Tehreek-i-Taliban Pakistan claimed responsibility for one, while the proscribed Balochistan Liberation Army took credit for the other.

Source: thenews.com.pk

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Punjab CM announces Honhaar scholarships for students from other provinces

February 06, 2025

LAHORE: Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz has approved the expansion of Honhaar Scholarships Scheme for students from other provinces.

The same eligibility criteria, as implemented in Punjab, have been set for students belonging to other provinces, stated a statement.

The provincial chief executive gave her the go-ahead while presiding over a special meeting regarding higher education in Lahore.

During the meeting, she also increased the number of laptops for students in Punjab to 110,000. The meeting further decided to set a minimum eligibility criteria of 65% marks to qualify for a laptop in Punjab.

Maryam also formally approved the scholarship scheme for the students of second, third and fourth semesters in Punjab. She directed the establishment of a special helpline for the students of the scholarship and laptop scheme.

Speaking during the meeting, CM Maryam said that the Honhaar Scholarship and Laptop schemes were the right of every child and the responsibility of the government.

"Education and youth development are the real investments for the uplift of a nation and I want to see every child getting a laptop. Laptops and Honhaar scholarships are the right of students from other provinces as well," she added.

She noted that students from other provinces including Azad Kashmir, Gilgit-Baltistan, Balochistan and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa "are also our children".

"Every child who comes on merit should apply to obtain education at a quality institution, the government will pay his fee."

She added that the standard set for obtaining Honhaar scholarships in Punjab would remain the same for students from other provinces. "Provision of funds in any scheme for the well-being of students will not be allowed to become an obstacle." 

Source: thenews.com.pk

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Pakistan continues to make headway in restoring economic stability: Fitch

February 7, 2025

Global credit rating agency Fitch on Friday acknowledged Pakistan’s progress when it came to making headway regarding economic stability.

In a note, the agency said, “Pakistan has continued to make headway restoring economic stability and rebuilding external buffers.”

Last year, the agency had upgraded Pakistan’s long-term foreign-currency issuer default rating (IDR) to CCC+ from CCC on the back of the country’s deal with the International Monetary Fund (IMF).

According to Fitch, a CCC rating is a speculative or junk grade indicating the issuer has a high risk of defaulting on its debt obligations.

The agency acknowledged that the country’s economic progress on structural reforms “will be key to upcoming IMF programme reviews and continued financing from other multilateral and bilateral lenders”.

Additionally, the agency highlighted the disinflation trend in the country, noting that the central bank’s monetary policy stance helped the downward trajectory in inflationary pressure, which eased to 2.4 per cent in January.

The annual inflation maintained a decelerating trend, hitting a nine-year low at 2.4pc year-on-year in January, mainly due to a decline in prices of perishable food products.

The current situation in Pakistan reflects disinflation, which signifies a slowdown in inflation. In contrast, deflation occurs when the general price levels decline.

“Rapid disinflation reflects fading base effects from earlier subsidy reforms and exchange rate stability, underpinned by a tight monetary policy stance, which in turn has subdued domestic demand and external financing needs,” Fitch stated.

Regarding economic activity, Fitch highlighted that the activity was now benefitting from stability and falling interest rates, having been subjected to a tight monetary policy settings previously.

“We expect real value added to expand by 3.0 per cent in FY25,” it underlined, adding that “growth in credit to the private sector turned positive in real terms in October 2024 for the first time since June 2022”.

On positive developments, it highlighted the country’s strong remittance inflows, robust agricultural exports and tight policy settings allowed the current account (CA) to move into a surplus of about $1.2 billion — over 0.5pc of GDP.

“Foreign exchange market reforms in 2023 also facilitated the shift,” it highlighted, adding that when the agency upgraded the country’s rating CCC+, they had expected a “slight widening of the current-account deficit in FY25”.

Furthermore, it estimated that foreign exchange reserves were set to outperform targets under the IMF $7bn Extended Fund Facility and the agency’s previous forecasts.

“Gross official reserves reached over $18.3bn by end-2024, about three months of current external payments, up from around $15.5bn in June,” it added.

Source: dawn.com

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Time to walk the talk on climate action

Zaki Abbas | Syed Irfan Raza

February 7, 2025

• DawnMedia Breathe Pakistan International Climate Change Conference kicks off in capital

• World Bank official calls for end to subsidies, regrets how less than 20pc funds go to Global South

• Finance minister stresses capacity-building, says private-public partnership will drive action

• Ahsan Iqbal calls climate change ‘a lived reality’ that is intensifying in frequency and severity

• Ex-SBP governor sees domestic climate needs at $40-50 billion every year till 2050

• Gandapur says KP forests acting as carbon sink, removing 50pc of carbon in Pakistan

ISLAMABAD: In order to address climate change and mobilise finance, experts have called for reforms in the public and private sectors to rake in much-needed funds req­uired to address climate change, particularly adaptation.

On the first day of DawnMedia’s Breathe Pakistan International Climate Change Confe­rence, World Bank Global Director for Climate Change Valerie Hickey underscored the need for the removal of superfluous subsidies through policy reforms, such as mobilising domestic finance through taxes and expenditure. “…the mother of all policy reforms that will mobilise climate finance for which plumbing is absolutely critical is subsidies,” she said.

She alluded to a UN desertification moot in which it was revealed that $1 billion per day was needed to combat drought and desertification whereas $2 billion per day in agriculture subsidies was being doled out. She said these subsidies were counter-productive. She said globally there were subsidies to the tune of $1.5 trillion in the energy, agriculture, and fisheries alone, while calling for subsidy reforms.

At the start of her keynote, Ms Hickey admitted there was not enough money and the climate finance goal of $300 billion agreed at COP29 in Baku was insufficient. “It’s not (lot of money). Most of it is in lending. It’s not in grants. Most of it is already there. It’s not addition,” she said, claiming that there was not enough money whether it’s domestic or public budget, private finance, or international public finance.

“Even with climate finance, we have not optimised it. Seventy per cent of climate finance goes towards mitigation, but we heard today that mitigation isn’t really the issue […]. The issue is adaptation,” she added. “Out of all the climate finance, less than 20pc goes to the Global South, where the impacts of climate change are real,” she said.

She said carbon markets had huge potential in the compliance markets but the voluntary carbon markets, it has gone from $2 billion in 2022 to less than $725 million just one year later. Even as they grow, carbon markets are not going to be enough. The second silver bullet being talked about is private finance which can drive climate action. One of the reasons climate finance is not flowing is because there were disincentives. “The private sector is sitting on the sidelines,” she said.

The World Bank official said there was no data to base climate action on and until this problem was not fixed we do not want what is working and what is not working. “While there are no silver bullets when it comes to climate finance we need to remember the movie title that we have to look for it everywhere, for everyone, and all at once,” she concluded.

Two existential issues

Speaking at the climate finance session, Finance Minister Muhammad Aurangzeb said Pakistan faced two existential issues: one is population control and another is climate change. He said though there was a need to deal with mitigation, the real and bigger issue was adaptation.

On the issue of climate change, he said: “We’ve known the what and why. There’s no dearth of policy prescriptions. It’s ultimately about the how and who.” He also mentioned the National Adaptation Plan, the National Climate Finance Strategy laun­ched in Baku, and a green taxonomy framework. He disclosed the V20 (Vulnerable 20) climate prosperity plan was likely to be launched in April.

The minister also touched upon a recent long-term framework by the World Bank, saying as a part of its focused approach to tap global funds, Pakistan agreed to take action on population control and cli- mate action involving climate resilience and decarbonisation.

Debt for nature swaps are viable to move forward in terms of climate finance, the minister said, adding that besides financing, capacity building was also required to implement climate goals.

According to the minister, public-private partnerships will drive action for climate finance.

The finance minister also mentioned bureaucratic hurdles in access to climate finance, saying the Green Climate Fund takes a lot of time to process requests for direly and urgently required money.

The World Bank official, Ms Hickey, agreed that green climate funds have a “convoluted” procedure and it was very cumbersome to tap these funds. The paperwork could be made simpler, she said while agreeing with reservations about red tape in these funds.

Former State Bank of Pa­­kistan governor Sham­shad Akhtar called climate cha­nge a lethal threat, which has disrupted the economy, the textile, the livestock, as well as caused displacem­e­­nt. “Pakistan’s climate challenges require investments in the range of $US40 to 50 billion per year till 2050. Ironically, Pakistan’s current climate flows are one-sixth to one-eighth of the requirement,” she added.

The cost of climate inaction is $250 billion by 2030 and $1.2 trillion by 2050, she cautioned, saying the climate was an evolving challenge with economy-wide consequences as it affects food security, biodiversity, and the economy. SBP former governor Salim Raza spoke about carbon markets, both compliance and voluntary, to unlock finance for climate action.

‘Lived reality’

Earlier, Planning Minister Ahsan Iqbal delivered the inaugural address in the prime minister’s stead. He said Pakistan was paying for the emissions produced by the Global North and climate change was a “lived reality” for the country.

“We have endured catastrophic floods, rapid glacial melts, scorching heat waves and crippling droughts — all intensifying in frequency and severity.”

He said the conference was not just a discussion but a call to action. “We must move from awareness to impact, policy to execution and from independent efforts to collective responsibility,” the minister said, stressing the need for execution of policies and frameworks already existing in the country to combat the impact of climate change.

The same session was addressed by UN Resident and Humanitarian Coor­dinator Mohamed Yahya and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Chief Minister Ali Amin Gandapur. “Climate change is no longer a distant threat. It is happening now,” said Mr Yahya.

Recalling the 2022 monsoon floods which submerged one-third of the country under water, the UN official said, “A disaster of this magnitude should have been a wake-up call for the world, yet the emissions continue to rise.”

KP CM Gandapur said 37 per cent of KP’s land comprised forest area, making up 40-45 per cent of the forest cover of Pakistan. He highlighted, “As a carbon sink, were are removing 50 per cent of the carbon of Pakistan.” “According to the UNDP and World Bank research, for this much forest area, we need at least Rs332bn per year. I am not able to invest this much money but at least my province and my people are able to perform a job that requires this big an amount,” he said.

The finance minister made these comments at a session about climate finance at the conference in which Valerie Hickey, the global director for climate change at the World Bank, and former State Bank of Pakistan governors Shamshad Akhtar and Salim Raza also spoke.

On its first day, the two-day moot was addressed by federal ministers for finance and planning, the PM’s climate change coordinator, UN officials and civil society experts from different countries. Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, President Asif Ali Zardari, and Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz could not participate in the conference despite making a prior commitment.

Source: dawn.com

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Senate panel questions 78 luxury vehicles for Wapda

Khaleeq Kiani

February 7, 2025

ISLAMABAD: A Senate panel on Thursday expressed displeasure over the procurement of 78 luxury vehicles by the Water and Power Development Authority (Wapda) despite a ban on such purchases under the austerity policy of the federal government and unfinished probes into other financial irregularities.

Presided over by Senator Shahadat Awan, the Senate Standing Committee on Water Resources directed completion within six months of hundreds of inquiries, some of which have been going on for four decades.

Mr Awan highlighted that 187 audit paras pertaining to Wapda’s financial affairs were pending settlement, with some pending since 1985, and surprisingly, the ministry didn’t have any records in some cases.

The secretary of Water Resources assured the committee that the inquiries on all the audit paras would be conducted chronologically; however, priority was being given to foreign-aided projects.

Mr Awan also raised the audit objections to purchase 78 vehicles for Rs740 million. He wondered how these vehicles were purchased against the cabinet directive of austerity measures. He noted that the inquiry into these purchases was initiated in March 2022 and has not been completed.

He said one of the audit paras pertained to Rs29bn irregularities and it was strange that such a big financial scam did not attract inquiry by the water resources ministry. The Wapda officials said an inquiry had been ordered into the matter, and its findings would be shared with the panel, and responsibility would be fixed if wrongdoing was established.

The panel had taken up the matters of inquiries pending with the Ministry of Water Resources upon the recommendations of the Departmental Acco­unts Committee and Public Accounts Committee in the audit paras of Wapda.

The Wapda officials reported to the panel that 56 inquiries were conducted on the recommendations of the Public Accounts Committee, of which 43 were completed, 10 were still in progress, and the remaining three were being investigated by the National Accountability Bureau (NAB). Additionally, 381 inquiries were initiated upon the recommendations of the Departmental Accounts Committee, of which 308 were completed and 67 were pending. After detailed deliberation, the committee directed that the Ministry of Water Resources should provide the details of cases pending before the courts.

The panel also called upon the ministry and the Wapda to provide the details of individuals against whom responsibilities had been fixed upon the conclusion of inquiries.

Source: dawn.com

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PTI concerned over Imran’s health, seeks ‘urgent’ medical care

Ikram Junaidi

February 7, 2025

ISLAMABAD: The PTI has expressed concern over reports of Imran Khan’s rising sugar levels and irregular heartbeat, urging the government to provide him with access to medical facilities and allow doctors of his choice to examine him.

In a statement released on Thursday, the party’s information secretary, Sheikh Waqas Akram, criticised the government for denying the PTI chief his “constitutionally mandated rights and facilities”, as outlined in jail manuals.

“The PTI founder is being denied all facilities as part of a scheme to break him, both physically and mentally. Imran Khan’s health and well-being are of utmost importance to us and any negligence in providing medical care could have serious consequences,” Mr Akram observed.

He called upon the government to ensure Imran Khan’s regular medical checkup by “physicians of his choice”.

Mr Khan should be allowed to communicate with his sons as it is his “fundamental, legal and constitutional right”.

He called for the immediate release of Mr Khan, his wife, former foreign minister Shah Mehmood Qureshi and other PTI leaders.

“Imran Khan is being persecuted for an unrelenting dedication to reshaping Pakistan into a welfare state, where the government truly represents the people, rather than serving the interests of power-hungry elite.”

He criticised Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif for extending an olive branch to India despite its policy of genocide and ethnic cleansing in held Kashmir.

“Pakistan should not engage in talks with India until the latter softens its stance and reinstates Kashmir’s special status — before the unilateral constitutional amendment of Aug 5, 2019,” the PTI leader said.

Source: dawn.com

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Peca changes challenged in Islamabad High Court

Malik Asad

February 7, 2025

ISLAMABAD: A faction of the Pakistan Federal Union of Journalists (PFUJ) on Thursday filed a petition before the Islamabad High Court (IHC) challenging the Preven­tion of Electronic Crimes (Amendment) Act (Peca), 2025.

The petition, filed by Advocate Imran Shafique, argued that the legislation violated fundamental constitutional rights, particularly freedom of expression, press freedom and due process.

The petitioner contended that several provisions of the amended law were overly broad, vague and prone to arbitrary enforcement, posing a threat to civil liberties.

Key objections include the ambiguous definition of “social media platforms”, which could be applied to various online services, and provisions regulating “unlawful and offensive” content, which are considered subjective and open to misuse.

The petition also raised concerns about restrictions on criticism and dissent under the guise of preventing “aspersion”.

Furthermore, the petition highlighted the extensive powers granted to the regulatory authority under Chapter 1-A, particularly Sections 2C and 2B, which allowed for the removal and blocking of online content without sufficient oversight. The establishment of the council and tribunal under Sections 2(T) and 2(V) has been criticised for lacking independence and impartiality.

Additionally, the petition argued that the amendment act contradicted fundamental rights enshrined in Articles 2-4, 8, 10A, 14, 18-19A, 25, 33 and 37-38 of the Constitution. It asserted that the law disproportionately impacted journalists and media professionals, potentially stifling press freedom and investigative reporting.

The petitioner requested the court to declare Peca 2025 unconstitutional and void, while seeking an immediate injunction to prevent its enforcement, particularly against journalists.

Source: dawn.com

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PM visits Fazl after JUI-F chief’s criticism of Peca law

Syed Irfan Raza

February 7, 2025

ISLAMABAD: Days after Jamiat Ulema-i-Islam (JUI-F) chief Maulana Fazlur Rehman strongly rejected the recently enacted Prevention of Electronic Crimes Act (Peca) amendments, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Thursday visited his residence, ostensibly to inquire about his health.

Accompanied by Federal Information Minister Attaullah Tarar and Planning Minister Ahsan Iqbal, the prime minister presented Maulana Fazl with a bouquet.

The Peca amendments were passed by both houses of parliament and signed into law by President Asif Ali Zardari despite opposition from journalists and civil rights groups.

According to an official press release from the Prime Minister’s Office, the two leaders discussed the country’s political situation, with PM Shehbaz extending good wishes to Maulana Fazl.

Last week, the JUI-F chief endorsed journalists’ concerns about the Peca amendments, deploring that President Zardari allegedly reneged on commitments made regarding the law.

Maulana argued that the input and consent of journalists should have been considered before the legislation was passed.

Maulana Fazl claimed he had talked to President Zardari by phone to request him to take the journalist community into confidence over the law.

He said the president had assured him that he would talk to Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi upon his return from the United States.

However, the president later signed the law and did not honour the commitment, which was highly deplorable as this should not have happened at such a level, the JUI-F leader added.

He suggested that the input of the journalist community should have been considered in the law, which had a broad and direct impact on the media. He said the reservations regarding the misuse of the bill were justified in light of the history of such occurrences.

Source: dawn.com

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Balochistan Assembly in-camera session on security next week

Saleem Shahid

 February 7, 2025

QUETTA: Senior Minister Mir Zahoor Ahmed Buledi informed the Balochistan Assembly on Thursday that an in-camera session would be held on Monday to discuss the law and order situation in the province.

Mr Buledi emphasised that the law-and-order situation was not only dire but also complicated due to the involvement of “external elements”.

He highlighted incidents in areas such as Turbat, Kalat, and Zehri, which were of an extraordinary nature and said law enforcement agencies were actively working on resolving them.

Dr Abdul Malik Baloch, a member of the National Party, addressed the issue, saying: “We are aware of these incidents, but the government should announce its future course of action.”

He pointed out that people in Panjgur and Turbat are unable to travel on roads, as they remain closed two days a week due to the ongoing issue of missing persons.

“The government should tell us how this issue will be resolved, as people are suffering because of it,” Mr Baloch said.

Earlier, when the provincial assembly session began, opposition lawmakers from JUI-F staged a walkout in protest against the alleged interference of the government in their constituencies through the posting and transfer of government officials without consulting the local lawmakers.

Opposition leader Mir Younis Aziz Zehri condemned the government’s actions and said that officials were being transferred and posted without taking the assembly members into confidence.

He added that despite attempts to contact the chief minister to discuss the issue, his calls were not returned.

Mr Zehri noted that it had been a year since the formation of the assembly, yet no session had been held to assess the performance of various government departments.

He claimed that corruption was rampant in the education, health and agriculture departments in his constituency and that no government officer, including the deputy commissioner, had been allowed to complete their term in his area.

Following his speech, Mr Zehri, along with other JUI-F members, walked out of the session. Deputy Speaker Ghazala Gola later sent treasury members to bring them back into the house.

Once they returned, Public Accounts Committee Chairman Asghar Tareen, along with Syed Zafar Agha of JUI-F and Asfandyar Kakar of PPP, called for a judicial inquiry into the martyrdom of four Levies personnel and a civilian in the Daraban area while they were traveling to Dera Ismail Khan.

Mr Tareen demanded a thorough investigation to identify those responsible for this tragic incident.

Provincial Minister for Health Bakht Muhammad Kakar informed the house that a fact-finding tribunal had been set up to probe the incident involving the targeted attack on Levies personnel.

He mentioned that a Levies Resaldar had been suspended and that further investigations were underway.

The assembly members also discussed the issues of drug and arms smuggling in Pishin district.

They alleged that former Afghan military personnel were involved in opium cultivation in Pishin, Qila Abdullah, Zhob and other areas, following a ban on opium cultivation in Afghanistan.

Source: dawn.com

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ArabWorld

 

Saudi leaders send condolences to Swedish king after deadly school shooting

February 06, 2025

RIYADH: Saudi Arabia’s King Salman and Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman on Thursday sent messages of condolence to Sweden’s King Carl XVI Gustaf following a mass shooting on Tuesday at an adult education center in the city of Orebro.

In a statement carried by the Saudi Press Agency, the king strongly condemned the attack, which resulted in 11 fatalities and several injuries. He extended his sympathy to his counterpart in Sweden, the families of the victims, and the Swedish people, while wishing the injured a swift recovery.

The crown prince also conveyed his condolences in a separate message, echoing the king’s sentiments and condemning the attack as a “criminal act,” SPA added.

Swedish authorities identified the suspected gunman as 35-year-old Rickard Andersson, an unemployed recluse who may have been a student at the school.

Police believe he acted alone in the attack, and police described the aftermath as an “inferno.” Officials said Andersson killed nearly a dozen people before taking his own life in what is now considered Sweden’s deadliest mass shooting.

Investigations into the incident are continuing.

Source: arabnews.com

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Riyadh festival pays tribute to ‘father of algebra’

February 06, 2025

RIYADH: The STEAM Festival in Riyadh celebrates the legacy of 9th-century Muslim scientist Muhammad Al-Khwarizmi, one of the most prominent figures in the history of mathematics and informatics.

The event was organized by the King Salman Science Oasis as part of its efforts to spread knowledge and promote interest in science and innovation, the Saudi Press Agency reported on Thursday.

It aims to inspire students by showcasing Al-Khwarizmi’s achievements in mathematics, algebra, and algorithms, which laid the foundation for modern scientific and technical development.

The event featured interactive presentations and workshops highlighting his contributions to science, the SPA reported.

This initiative aligns with the oasis’s vision to enhance scientific and cultural identity, motivate future generations, and contribute to achieving Vision 2030’s strategic goals.

Al-Khwarizmi, known as “the father of algebra,” was a Persian mathematician, astronomer, and scholar who laid the foundation for modern algebra and computational mathematics.

He worked at the House of Wisdom in Baghdad during the Islamic Golden Age, writing influential texts on arithmetic, algebra, and geography.

His book introduced systematic solutions to linear and quadratic equations, giving rise to algebra. The term “algorithm” is derived from the Latinized version of his name, reflecting his lasting impact on mathematics and computer science.

Earlier, the oasis highlighted the pioneering work of scientist Mariam Al-Astrolabi, renowned for her contributions to astronomy and her creation of astrolabes, instruments used to determine locations and times for prayers. Her work also advanced marine navigation.

Additionally, the oasis hosted an event honoring Jabir ibn Hayyan, known as “the father of chemistry” for his groundbreaking discoveries in chemistry, such as hydrochloric acid, sulfuric acid, and gold water. His innovations, including distillation, played a key role in advancing both Islamic and Western chemistry.

Source: arabnews.com

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Flynas airline to launch Jeddah to El-Alamein route

February 07, 2025

RIYADH: Flynas, the Saudi Arabian airline, is to launch a new direct flight route connecting Jeddah with the Egyptian city of El-Alamein on the Mediterranean Sea.

The airline announced on Thursday that it will operate two weekly budget flights between Jeddah’s King Abdulaziz International Airport and El-Alamein International Airport, starting on July 1.

Flynas, a budget airline established in 2007, has been operating flights between Riyadh and El-Alamein — a popular tourist destination on the northwest coast of Egypt — since last year.

Flynas last month celebrated the start of its first direct flights between Riyadh and Entebbe in Uganda.

The airline currently operates about 139 routes to more than 70 domestic and international destinations across 30 countries, with more than 1,500 flights weekly, according to the Saudi Press Agency.

Source: arabnews.com

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‘Protein is overhyped,’ says top Saudi vegan blogger

NADA ALTURKI

February 06, 2025

RIYADH: Around nine years ago, Raoum Al-Suhaibani started a blog with the aim of sharing recipes and articles about her plant-based diet and lifestyle.

Known online as “Sukkari” after the dates from her home region of Al-Qassim, she has gained a prominent following and cultivated more than 640 thousand followers across her social media platforms.

“I knew I had a message that I wanted to share with people. I hated seeing people just dieting for years and yo-yoing on that, and because I struggled at the beginning, finding my journey to eating healthy and actually enjoying it instead of it being a struggle,” she told Arab News.

To critics who say veganism is not a balanced diet, she states: “Protein is overhyped. If anything, people should eat more fiber. No one is getting enough fiber, and they’re all having digestive issues. But instead of looking into that, (they’re) just like ‘keep cutting more food and cutting gluten’.”

Published in September, her cookbook “Tamr wa Tahina” (“Dates and Tahini”) was in the works for five years and includes some of her first blog recipes.

It not only offers cooking instructions, but also explains the nutritional value behind certain ingredients, offers solutions to common digestive issues like irritable bowel syndrome, and provides tips for hair and skin care.

Al-Suhaibani was keen to create simple recipes incorporating easily accessible and common ingredients.

“I do have a few unique ingredients in certain recipes, like black garlic or whatnot, but they are always optional, and I always like to try to give alternatives to people, because I know not everyone lives in a big city and has access to things like tofu and almond butter,” she said.

Al-Suhaibani’s journey began when she started posting the vegan recipes she had created. After she discovered vlogging on YouTube, she became intrigued by the idea of creators connecting with viewers.

“With YouTube, you feel really close to the creator. You can relate to them, even if they live a very different life from you,” she said.

She explained the video platform also allowed her to figure out what she wanted her own life to look like by discovering other lifestyles, furthering her horizons beyond Saudi Arabia.

“It helped me figure out what I want, and it’s what gave me a purpose to start a YouTube channel. I was like, oh, it’d be nice to show people that you can live a healthy life in Saudi. You can be vegan. You can be active,” she explained.

Al-Suhaibani decided to try a vegetarian diet for one week while studying in the US.

“I used to absolutely hate vegetables, and I always joked that I would never be a vegetarian. And then, literally the next year, I became vegetarian,” she said.

She wrote a research paper for one of her classes about vegetarianism and its impact on health, the environment, and the economy.

“That played a role in convincing me that it’s not just for my health. After the week finished, I just absolutely could not go back to eating even chicken,” she recalled.

Her decision opened up a world of options and challenged her creativity to switch up ingredients and come up with innovative meal ideas.

“Everyone thought it was going to be a phase,” she said. “After I graduated, I started thinking about dairy and eggs and how they don’t really make sense for us to consume as humans. I started doing my research about that too, because I’m the type of a person that doesn’t commit to something easily, but if I commit, I’m committed.”

She embraced a vegan diet around the end of 2016. “I always tell people who want to be vegan to do it gradually,” she said, emphasizing the importance of educating oneself on nutritional and ethical aspects.

Around the same time, she began practicing yoga after taking a university course and completed her yoga teacher training in India in 2017.

“As someone who had zero knowledge about yoga, it was pretty challenging. But even with that I was still drawn to it afterwards, and I wanted to continue,” she told Arab News.

“Before I started yoga, I had a lot of anger issues, and I think it helped calm me down a lot … No matter what I’m going through, how sad I am, how angry or frustrated, whatever it is, it just centers me,” she said.

“Tamr wa Tahina” is available to purchase at Jarir Bookstore and online at Sukkari Store, which also offers an e-book version.

Source: arabnews.com

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Saudi Arabia elected member of executive committee of IAACA

February 06, 2025

RIYADH: Saudi Arabia, represented by the Oversight and Anti-Corruption Authority which is otherwise known as Nazaha, participated in the 14th general meeting of the International Association of Anti-Corruption Authorities, which took place on Thursday via a videoconference.

In the course of the meeting, Saudi Arabia, represented by Nazaha’s President Mazin Al-Kahmous, was elected as a member of the executive committee of the IAACA, the Saudi Press Agency reported.

The move reflects the international community’s recognition of the Kingdom’s efforts and global status in combating corruption, mainly at the international level.

Al-Kahmous praised the vital role of the IAACA in promoting international cooperation, transparency, and integrity across nations.

He spoke of the association’s mission to facilitate knowledge and expertise exchange among countries and institutions dedicated to combating corruption, as well as to develop effective strategies for addressing the issue locally and internationally.

The Nazaha president also stressed the importance of building a network of international partners to support the implementation of laws and policies related to transparency and accountability.

Al-Kahmous reiterated the Kingdom’s commitment to working alongside member states and all stakeholders to make meaningful and effective contributions toward achieving the objectives of the IAACA.

The IAACA is an independent non-political and anti-corruption organization with over 180 agencies from different countries. It seeks to promote the implementation of the UN Convention against Corruption and achieve the UN’s Sustainable Development Goals to reduce corruption and bribery in all forms by 2030.

Source: arabnews.com

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Jeddah meeting highlights geospatial progress

February 06, 2025

JEDDAH: The 12th meeting of the Regional Committee of UN Global Geospatial Information Management for the Arab States, hosted by the General Authority for Survey and Geospatial Information, ended on Tuesday in Jeddah.

The gathering aimed to foster the exchange of insights, experiences and developments to enhance the role of geospatial information in achieving development goals within Arab countries, the Saudi Press Agency reported.

The meeting included a review of the Arab Committee’s 2024 annual report, progress monitoring across working groups, and contributions from international organizations on geospatial information in the Arab region.

Notable efforts by the UN Global Geodetic Centre of Excellence and the UN Global Center of Excellence for Geospatial Knowledge and Innovation were highlighted, along with updates on the Kingdom’s hosting of the UN Global Geospatial Ecosystem Center of Excellence, to be established in Riyadh.

Contributions from other regional committees of the UN Committee of Experts on Global Geospatial Information Management were also reviewed, the SPA reported.

The meeting discussed initiatives to empower Arab women in the field of geospatial information.

Source: arabnews.com

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Muslim World League chief inaugurates Qur’an contest in Guinea-Bissau

February 06, 2025

RIYADH: Under the patronage of Guinea-Bissau President Umaro Sissoko Embalo, Muslim World League Secretary-General Dr. Mohammed bin Abdulkarim Al-Issa inaugurated the Tijan An Nour Qur’an competition at the Lino Correia Stadium in Bissau.

Embalo awarded Al-Issa the country’s highest medal of honor for his efforts in religious diplomacy, as well as promoting civilizational peace and international cooperation.

Al-Issa highlighted the importance of such competitions in encouraging Qur’an memorization and enhancing participants’ societal roles.

The competition is West Africa’s most prominent Qur’anic event, featuring 20-part, 15-part, 10-part and five-part memorization categories.

It also includes training courses on Qur’an recitation, imam and teacher qualifications, and recitation correction.

Source: arabnews.com

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Riyadh library, AlUla commission to promote heritage and literacy

February 06, 2025

RIYADH: King Abdulaziz Public Library and the Royal Commission for AlUla have signed a memorandum of understanding to strengthen cultural and civilizational cooperation.

The agreement aims to promote knowledge exchange, support cultural tourism and enhance collaboration in various cultural fields, the Saudi Press Agency reported.

The deal was signed on Wednesday by the library’s general supervisor, Faisal bin Muammar, and the acting CEO of the commission, Abeer Al-Akel, in Riyadh.

Bin Muammar emphasized that the agreement aligned with the library’s mission to preserve Arab and Islamic heritage, as well as the Kingdom’s diverse cultural legacy.

He said that the library played a key role in safeguarding this heritage through its collection of manuscripts, books, documents, rare photographs, and publishing and translation projects.

Al-Akel described the partnership as a model for integrated efforts among government entities in line with Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030.

She highlighted the library’s rich knowledge and cultural archives, particularly in areas under the commission’s supervision.

The agreement includes collaboration in establishing libraries, hosting local and international exhibitions, and co-publishing books.

It also supports scientific research, promotes bilingual publications in Arabic and English, and exchanges visual and audio materials related to AlUla, Al-Mu’azzam, Tayma and Khaybar.

Additionally, the deal will activate the AlUla Reads initiative, introduce mobile library tours, and promote literacy through community events for children and families.

Training and development programs will build professional capacities through joint courses and workshops.

Source: arabnews.com

Please click the following URL to read the text of the original Story

https://www.arabnews.com/node/2589232/saudi-arabia

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Souk Wonders event brings art, culture in Diriyah

February 06, 2025

RIYADH: The Souk Wonders event, part of Diriyah Season, launched on Thursday.

The vibrant indoor market offers an immersive experience blending imagination, performing arts, and live entertainment, according to the Saudi Press Agency.

Running until Feb. 28 at Mayadeen Venue, the souk is one of the season’s premier artistic and entertainment programs.

The market features two daily shows with creative performances, including magic tricks, trampoline acts, high-wire stunts, and the traditional Saudi dance, Samri.

Visitors enter an enchanting atmosphere, welcomed by hosts in folklore attire matching the event’s theme, the SPA reported.

The venue includes a lively plaza with vivid colors and music, VIP lounges with premium hospitality, and a diverse culinary scene featuring local and international flavors.

Shopping experiences also spotlight the region’s diverse offerings.

Source: arabnews.com

Please click the following URL to read the text of the original Story

https://www.arabnews.com/node/2589220/saudi-arabia

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