New Age Islam News Bureau
11 September 2023
Javed
Akhtar. PTI file
----
India
·
Bilateral
Trade, Defence Ties Feature In Talks Between Saudi Crown Prince Bin Salman And Prime
Minister Modi
·
Narendra
Modi urges Justin Trudeau to cooperate with India in dealing with Khalistani
threat in Canada
·
3,000
More To Be Arrested In 2nd Round Of Assam Child Marriage Crackdown: CM Himanta
Biswa Sarma
·
Humayun’s
Tomb To Qutub Minar: A Day Out In Delhi For Delegate Partners
------
South Asia
·
Afghanistan’s
Quest for Economic Recovery Amidst Challenges
·
UN
expresses concern over reduction in humanitarian aid to Afghanistan
·
Afghan
diplomat receives demarche for Chitral attack: Pakistani FM
·
France
respects Bangladesh's policy independence, PM says after talks with Macron
·
Sagar-Runi
murder: Probe report submission deadline extended for 103rd time
·
Dhaka,
Paris sign bilateral instruments on infrastructure, satellite system
------
Arab World
·
King
Salman, Crown Prince order air bridge to provide aid to Morocco earthquake
victims
·
Crown
Prince Mohammed hints at oil production rise in meeting with Japan’s PM
·
Crown
Prince Mohammed bin Salman holds bilateral talks with world leaders on the
sidelines of G20 summit in New Delhi
·
Areeb
Capital acquires property west of the Grand Mosque of Makkah for SR521 million
------
Southeast Asia
·
Malaysian Law On Revision Of Death Sentences
And Life Imprisonment Comes Into Force On Sept 12
·
Islamic
Affairs Minister: Jakim To Develop New Halal Certification Module To Produce
More Professionals In Halal Field
·
Azalina:
Prisoners Can Start Applying For Court To Review Death Sentences From Tomorrow
·
PM Lee:
Multilateralism hit by tensions between major powers, but Singapore has made
progress with ‘like-minded friends’
·
Tahfiz
fire murder appeals: Court upholds jail sentence of one youth, acquittal of
another
·
Speaker's
rejection on Zahid's DNAA motion sends out negative message, says MCA
-------
North America
·
US, Allied
Terrorist Groups Continue To Loot Syria’s Wealth, Strategic Resources: Damascus
·
‘US to
support economic recovery in Pakistan’
·
US,
Vietnam agree to deepen ties as China worries grow
·
Escaped US
killer seen farther afield with new look: Police
·
Canada’s
Trudeau stuck in India after aircraft breaks down
·
US
president and ‘Stalin’ shake hands at G20
-------
Pakistan
·
Caretaker Govt
Plays Down Escalation In Acts Of Terror
·
'Govt
launches massive crackdown against hoarders, smugglers across country'
·
Death
anniversary of Quaid-e-Azam Muhammad Ali Jinnah being observed today
·
Four
killed in road accident in Zhob District
·
No
criminal should be spared: Sarfraz Bugti
·
7
terrorists killed in Chitral gun battle: ISPR
·
No headway
in talks on Torkham issue
------
Mideast
·
Hezbollah:
Israel To Benefit From Hostilities In Palestinian Refugee Camp
·
Iran
Thwarted 400 Bombings Planned By Enemies: Intelligence Minister
·
Iran
Optimistic Prisoner Swap With US Will Happen In ‘Near Future’
·
Iran To
Host 150 Muslim Luminaries In 5th Mustafa Prize
·
Iran very
serious in confronting hostility of enemies: Leader
·
Iranian
Red Crescent ready to send aid to Morocco
·
Islamist
factions in a troubled Palestinian refugee camp in Lebanon say they will honor
a cease-fire
·
Iran
welcomes any EU initiative on boosting mutual cooperation: Deputy FM
-------
Africa
·
At Least
40 Killed In Airstrike On Market In Sudan's Khartoum, Volunteers Say
·
Morocco Earthquake:
Race Against Time To Find Survivors
·
Nigeria
Secret Police, DSS Arrests, Grills Central Bank Deputy Governor, Aishah Ahmad
·
Nigeria
ready to play vital role in G-20, Tinubu lobbies world leaders
------
Europe
·
UK police
arrests two persons amid claims of spying for China
·
Two dead,
four injured in Hungary air show crash
·
EU
greenlights seizure of personal phones and cars from Russians
·
Ukrainian
pensioner jailed for social media ‘likes’
·
Polish
ambassador blasts Ukraine over memorials to WW2 Nazi collaborators
·
France
accused of planning ‘aggression’ against Niger
·
West
failed to ‘Ukrainize’ G20 – Lavrov
·
Mosque
holds ceremony to reward excelling students
Compiled by
New Age Islam News Bureau
URL: https://newageislam.com/islamic-world-news/hate-patriotism-london-soas-javed-akhtar/d/130652
-----
'Where
Hate Is Proof Of Patriotism': Javed Akhtar While Receiving Honorary Degree In
London's SOAS University
Javed
Akhtar. PTI file
----
11.09.23
Amit Roy
Screenwriter
and lyricist Javed Akhtar spoke of the power of poetry when he was given an
honorary degree by the School of Oriental and African Studies in London.
Without
mentioning any names, he said: “Is it just a coincidence that the fascist
ideologies have not been able to produce one major poet? That is because poetry
is the language of love, peace, justice and equality.”
In his
acceptance speech, Akhtar began by saying: “We are living in the era of
post-truth where we arrive at conclusions before searching for logic and
reason.
“Where
favourable laws for the powerful corporates are called effort for development.
“Where
greed to take over oil resources of some places is called war on terrorism.
“Subjugating
and stripping a woman of all her rights is called protecting her dignity and
chastity.
“Where
hating the minorities is the ultimate proof of one’s patriotism.”
Akhtar,
who was accompanied by his wife and actor Shabana Azmi, went on: “We are living
in a world where all the means of information and communication, one after
another, are falling in the hands of the powerful.
“So in
these times many people are discontented, unhappy and frustrated and that is
why they are looking towards religion or its second line of defence —
spiritualism and Sufism. One must accept they provide solace to an average
person by making them look away from day-to-day realities. They give you
painkillers to relieve your pain, not to heal the injury, they never challenge
the status quo.
“On the
other hand, poetry provides you with the music of language, pleasure and
solace. But at the same time sensitises you to the pain and deprivation of the
world. Take a look at the poets of the twentieth century, from one end of the
world to another, you will see poets have turned their pens into swords, to
battle the evil forces of the world. Be it Pablo Neruda of Chile, Mahmood
Darvesh of Palestine, Breyten of South Africa, in India, Nazrul from Bengal and
Faiz from Punjab (now in Pakistan).”
He posed
the question: “Are such poets required today? The answer is a big ‘yes’.”
He
added: “Actually with great pride I must tell you that in India, in the late
thirties, there was a literary movement which lasted till the sixties. The
Progressive Writers Movement was a pan-Indian movement in which the authors and
poets
consciously passed a resolution undertaking the responsibility to write against
colonialism, economic exploitation and encourage women empowerment.”
Akhtar
concluded: “This movement created great literature but I have reservations
about the word ‘responsibility’. Responsibility is most often an imposition, I
believe it is not the duty but the right of every writer and poet to raise
their voice.”
Akhtar
said: “I hope that such patronage and felicitation of poets and writers will
encourage them to fully claim their right to speak and write and challenge the
status quo to usher in social change in the world.”
The
citation for Akhtar’s honorary award of Doctor of Literature last week was read
by Naresh Sharma, senior lecturer in Urdu and Hindi for SOAS’s School of
Languages, Cultures and Linguistics, who said: “If you (want to) know anything
about Bollywood cinema, and you have not heard about this guy, look up his back
catalogue — you will be amazed!
“Beyond
cinema, Javedsaab is a prominent Urdu poet with collections like Tarkash and
Lava, writing verses of profound social relevance whilst pushing the boundaries
of Urdu poetry.
“Javedsaab
has also made significant contributions to politics and social activism,
serving in the Rajya Sabha and championing the Copyright Amendment Act of 2012
— described as 'revolutionary', it secured royalties for lyricists and
composers.
“Beyond
this, he has been a leading voice in social justice campaigns, promoting gender
equality, communal harmony, and opposing religious extremism.”
Source: telegraphindia.com
Please click the following URL to read
the full text of the original
https://www.telegraphindia.com/world/javed-akhtar-speaks-of-power-of-poetry-while-receiving-honorary-degree-in-soas-university-london/cid/1965255
-----
Sufism
Plays Role In Developing Islamic Thoughts And Culture: Minister Bangladesh
Photo:
BSS News
-----
10 Sep
2023
DHAKA,
Sept 10, 2023 (BSS) - Education Minister Dr Dipu Moni today said Sufism has
been playing profound impacts in developing of Islamic thoughts and cultures
and is continuously playing role as a source of inspiration for people all over
the world.
"Sufism
is a mystical tradition of Islam that makes a path to self-realization. The
purpose of human existence is to create a world of harmony that can be achieved
through empathy and understanding," said Dr Dipu Moni.
The
minister was addressing the opening ceremony of the 4th International
Conference on Sufism titled "Sociology of Sufism, Full-Humanity and Divine
Quest for Social Harmony" at Dhaka University's Nabab Nawab Ali Chowdhury
Senate auditorium on DU campus.
DU Vice
Chancellor Prof Dr Md Akhtaruzzaman gave the welcome remarks in the programme
while Calcutta University history department professor Dr Amit Dey presented
the keynote speech.
"Sufism
has a long and rich history in the context of Bangladesh. It has played an
important role in the culture and society of the country and has remained as a
source of inspiration for thinkers and writers," said Dr Akhtaruzzaman.
The
two-day long conference was organized by Darul Irfan Research Institute (DIRI)
in collaboration with Dhaka University's Department of World Religions and
Culture.
Chattogram
BGMEA University of Fashion and Technology Prof. Dr. Mohammed Obaidul Karim,
Sajjadanshin of Gauchia Ahmadiyya Manjil and founder of Hazrat Maulana Shah
Sufi Syed Emdadul Haque Maizbhandari addressed as special guests.
DU Arts
faculty dean Dr Abdul Bashir, Dhaka University's WRC department Chairman and
ICSSPHDQSH 2023 convener Professor Dr. Mohammad Jahangir Alam and Darul Irfan
Research Institute (Diri) Managing Trustee Syed Irfanul Haque also addressed on
the occasion.
A total
of 102 research articles by researchers of 66 universities from 16 countries
including - Bangladesh, India, Sri Lanka, Malaysia, the United Arab Emirates,
Oman, Brazil, Sweden, Algeria, the United Kingdom, and the United States are
being presented in the conference.
Besides,
a photo exhibition on Sufism was also arranged on the premises of Senate
building.
Source: bssnews.net
Please click the following URL to read
the full text of the original
https://www.bssnews.net/news/146737
-------
Saudi
Arabia, India Sign 47 MoUs To Bolster Investment Landscape
September
11, 2023
RIYADH:
Saudi Arabia and India have signed a bilateral agreement to bolster the
investment climate in both countries, said a senior minister at the ongoing
Indian-Saudi Investment Forum in New Delhi.
Speaking
at the forum, Badr Al-Badr, the deputy minister of investor outreach at the
Saudi Ministry of Investment, said: “The Ministry of Investment of Saudi Arabia
and Invest India have signed a bilateral agreement to strengthen mutual
investments endeavors, and give the comfort zone to investors and traders to do
more business.”
The
deputy minister further revealed that both nations signed 47 memorandums of
understanding, including agreements between private and public sector undertakings.
“Saudi
Arabia and India are the right fit for each other. Your demand is our supply,
and our demand is your supply as well,” said Al-Badr.
Al-Badr
further urged Indian investors and businessmen to invest in the Kingdom.
“You
know Saudi Arabia as a long-term global superpower in traditional energy. But
you now know that we developed into something much more than that. Our dynamic
transformations have been created under the framework of Vision 2030,” said the
deputy minister.
Echoing
the sentiment, the Indian government felt the time was right to develop the
bilateral relationship into an alliance of strength and economic power.
“The
time is right, and the time is now. Forever, we knew the strength and power of
Saudi Arabia, and you knew what India stood for. So far, we were thinking with
our minds, and now, we are thinking with our minds and hearts,” said Invest
India CEO Nivruti Rai at the event.
The ISIF
in New Delhi seeks to explore investment opportunities across information and
communications technology, entrepreneurship, chemicals, energy and advanced
manufacturing sectors.
The
event is taking place on the sidelines of the official state visit to India by
Saudi Arabia’s Crown Prince and Prime Minister Mohammed bin Salman.
The
crown prince also led the Saudi delegation for the G20 leaders’ summit this
weekend to seek solutions to the world’s shared challenges.
The
Indian-Saudi Investment Forum follows several events hosted by investment
counterparts from countries such as Italy, Japan, Brazil and France.
The
forum is part of initiatives designed to attract foreign direct investment to
Saudi Arabia in line with its Vision 2030 and the National Investment Strategy,
which seeks to unlock $3 trillion in investment opportunities.
Source: arabnews.com
Please click the following URL to read
the full text of the original
https://www.arabnews.com/node/2371251/business-economy
------
Malaysian
Law On Revision Of Death Sentences And Life Imprisonment Comes Into Force On
Sept 12
Minister in the Prime Minister's Department (Law and Institutional
Reform) Azalina Othman Said. Photo: Bernama
------
11 Sep
2023
PUTRAJAYA:
The Revision of Sentence of Death and Imprisonment for Natural Life (Temporary
Jurisdiction of the Federal Court) Act 2023 or Act 847 will come into force on
Tuesday (Sept 12).
This
follows the commencement of the Abolition of the Mandatory Death Penalty Act 2023
(Act 846) on July 4.
Minister
in the Prime Minister’s Department (Law and Institutional Reform) Datuk Seri
Azalina Othman Said said the Cabinet had on Aug 30 agreed with the mechanism of
court proceedings in relation to the revision of mandatory death sentences and
life imprisonment as proposed after an engagement with stakeholders.
"The
implementation of the handling mechanism of court proceedings will allow all
1,020 prisoners who have been sentenced to mandatory death and life
imprisonment, to file an application in court to review their respective
sentences," she said in a statement on Monday (Sept 11).
She said
considerations that take priority in the implementation mechanism will include
factors like prisoner age, health status and sentence duration.
She said
the unity government will – through this agreed mechanism – see that prisoners
under mandatory death sentences who cannot afford counsel for the revision can
seek legal representation through court-assigned lawyers.
"Those
sentenced to life imprisonment can get (help) from the National Legal Aid
Foundation," she added.
She said
both forms of assistance reflected the government's stance of guaranteeing
access to justice and maintaining the principle of equality for all Malaysians.
She said
the enforcement of Act 847 also showed the government's commitment to promoting
and protecting universal human rights, and showed that Malaysia held firmly to
the principle of restorative justice.
"In
fact, this also proves the concern of the unity government in giving a second
chance to prisoners sentenced to death and life imprisonment to return to
society and their families as well as (for) their survival as ordinary
people," she said.
Source: thestar.com.my
Please click the following URL to read
the full text of the original
https://www.thestar.com.my/news/nation/2023/09/11/law-on-revision-of-death-sentences-and-life-imprisonment-comes-into-force-on-sept-12
-------
US,
Allied Terrorist Groups Continue To Loot Syria’s Wealth, Strategic Resources: Damascus
In this file picture, American military vehicles are seen in an oil-rich
region in Syria’s northeastern province of Hasakah. (Photo via social media)
-----
10
September 2023
Syria
says the United States and its allied Takfiri terrorist groups continue to
violate the country's sovereignty and plunder its wealth and strategic natural
resources.
Syrian
Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Expatriates made the remark in two identical
letters on Sunday, which were addressed to Secretary General of the United
Nations António Guterres and the rotating President of the Security Council
FeritHoxha.
Damascus
demanded that the US administration be held accountable for looting the
country's riches and be obliged to compensate for the unlawful act.
Syria
also called for an end to aggressive practices and violations of international
principles and the UN Charter by US occupation troops, who are illegally
present in the northeastern part of the country and the strategic southeastern
region of al-Tanf.
The
letters further noted that Washington and its allied terrorists plunder Syria’s
strategic assets in order to increase the strain of unilateral sanctions on
Syrian people, prolong their suffering, and deprive them of their national
assets.
The
Syrian foreign ministry put the damage inflicted on the Syrian oil and mineral
sectors as a result of "acts of aggression and sabotage" by US forces
and their allied terrorists at $115.2 billion.
The
Iraqi political faction affirmed that the presence of US forces in Syria is
aimed at supporting terrorist groups there.
The
ministry stated that 150,000 barrels of Syrian crude oil are being smuggled out
of the country on a daily basis, adding that 59.9 million cubic meters of
natural gas as well as 413 thousand tons of refined gas, worth $21.4 billion,
have also been stolen.
Moreover,
vandalism and theft of specialized equipment have resulted in damages amounting
to $3.2 billion.
The
US-led military coalition, purportedly formed to fight the Daesh Takfiri
terrorist group, has also inflicted losses standing at $2.9 billion on Syria's
oil and gas facilities, the letters highlighted.
The
value of indirect losses to Syria’s economy amounts to $87.7 billion, which
includes lost benefits from crude oil, natural gas and refined gas as a result
of a sharp drop in their production, the letters read.
Iran
advises the United States to take its military forces out of Syria.
The
Syrian foreign ministry also called for an end to the illegal presence of US
occupation forces and return of Syria’s energy reserves and natural resources
to the Damascus government, so that it can improve the humanitarian and living
conditions of Syrians.
The
letters came on the same day that the US military used dozens of tankers to
smuggle crude oil from Syria’s northeastern province of Hasakah to neighboring
Iraq.
Syria’s
official news agency, SANA, citing local sources in al-Ya'rubiyah town,
reported that a convoy of 40 tankers left Syria through the illegal Mahmoudiya
border crossing on Sunday, heading towards Iraq.
The
sources added that another convoy of US occupation forces, consisting of 55
tankers, rumbled through the same border crossing hours later and entered Iraq.
The US
military has stationed forces and equipment in northeastern Syria, with the
Pentagon claiming the deployment is aimed at preventing the oil fields in the
area from falling into the hands of Daesh terrorists.
Damascus,
however, maintains that the unauthorized US deployment is aimed at plundering
the country’s rich mineral resources.
Source: presstv.ir
Please click the following URL to read the
full text of the original
https://www.presstv.ir/Detail/2023/09/10/710617/US,-allied-terrorists-continue-to-loot-Syria%E2%80%99s-strategic-resources,-says-Damascus
------
India
Bilateral
trade, defence ties feature in talks between Saudi Crown Prince Bin Salman and
Prime Minister Modi
Our Web
Desk, 11.09.23
Prime
Minister Narendra Modi on Monday held wide-ranging talks with Saudi Crown
Prince Mohammed Bin Salman Bin Abdulaziz Al-Saud, focussing on shoring up
bilateral trade and defence ties.
Bin
Salman is currently on a State visit to India following the end of the G20
Summit. Ahead of the talks, the Crown Prince was accorded a ceremonial welcome
at the forecourt of the Rashtrapati Bhavan.
Here are
the highlights of the discussion between Bin Salman and Modi.
PM holds
bilateral talks with Saudi Crown Prince
India-Saudi
Arabia partnership crucial for stability, welfare of region and world: PM Modi
We are
adding new dimension to our ties in tune with changing times: PM Modi at
India-Saudi Arabia Strategic Partnership Council meeting
Europe-Middle
East-India infra project discussed
For
India, Saudi Arabia is one of our most important strategic partners: PM Modi in
talks with Saudi Crown Prince
Saudi
Prince: We have to work together for humanity's benefit
Saudi
Prince: Will work diligently for infra projects
'India-Saudi
friendship much needed'
Saudi
Prince: We're working on future opportunities
Source: telegraphindia.com
Please click the following URL to read the
full text of the original
https://www.telegraphindia.com/india/bilateral-trade-defence-ties-feature-in-talks-between-saudi-crown-prince-mohammed-bin-salman-and-prime-minister-narendra-modi/cid/1965384
-----
Narendra
Modi urges Justin Trudeau to cooperate with India in dealing with Khalistani
threat in Canada
11.09.23
Anita
Joshua
Prime
Minister Narendra Modi on Sunday urged Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau
to cooperate with India in dealing with the threat posed by Khalistani elements
in Canada, stating that they posed a threat to the North American country too.
The
Prime Minister underscored this during his bilateral meeting with Trudeau on
the sidelines of the G20 Summit.
According
to an external affairs ministry readout, Modi conveyed India’s strong concerns
about continuing anti-India activities of extremist elements in Canada,
pointing out that they are promoting secessionism and inciting violence against
diplomats, damaging diplomatic premises, and threatening the Indian community
in Canada and their places of worship.
“The
nexus of such forces with organised crime, drug syndicates and human
trafficking should be a concern for Canada as well. It is essential for the two
countries to cooperate in dealing with such threats," the ministry said.
Source: telegraphindia.com
Please click the following URL to read
the full text of the original
https://www.telegraphindia.com/india/prime-minister-narendra-modi-takes-up-khalistani-threat-with-canadian-prime-minister-justin-trudeau/cid/1965239
------
3,000
more to be arrested in 2nd round of Assam child marriage crackdown: CM Himanta
Biswa Sarma
By
SukritaBaruah
Guwahati
| September 11, 2023
Assam
Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma on Sunday announced that the state would
launch the second round of its crackdown against child marriage within the next
few days, during which he said another 3,000 people would be arrested.
In
February this year, the Assam government had launched an unprecedented,
punitive crackdown against child marriage in the state in which around 3,141
people had been arrested within a span of a month. Those arrested included men
who had married underage girls as well as family members and religious leaders
who had facilitated these marriages.
Addressing
the National Executive of the BJP Mahila Morcha in Guwahati on Sunday, Sarma
said, “Six months ago, I had gotten 5,000 people arrested for child marriage. I
was waiting for G-20 [summit to conclude], and now, within 10 days, another
3,000 men will be arrested for child marriage,” he said.
“This
(child marriage) needs to be stopped. There is a law made that this should not
happen, but if this keeps happening time and again, then the daughters of a
particular section will never be able to go ahead. They will always be the
targets of oppression,” he added.
Earlier,
Sarma had said that the second round of arrests would be specifically targeted
at those who have participated in child marriage in the period after the last
crackdown earlier this year.
An
analysis of records of those arrested in the last crackdown showed that 62.24%
of those arrested were Muslims, while the rest were Hindus and people from
other communities.
A
district-wise break-up of the arrests showed that the top five districts in
terms of the number of arrests were Nagaon (224), Hojai (219), Dhubri (217),
Baksa (179) and Barpeta (174). In Baksa, a Lower Assam district with a mixed
population, Hindus and others constitute 62.64% of those arrested. The other four
districts are Muslim-dominated.
“Today,
some people say that I am anti-Muslim. But I think that by ending [triple]
talaaq, polygamy and child marriage, the amount of work we’re doing for
Muslims, no government of the Congress has ever done. We don’t see them as a
vote back. We want that there be liberty and freedom for women from
oppression,” Sarma said.
Since
the last crackdown, Sarma has said on different occasions that the government
was working towards “completely eradicating” child marriage in Assam by 2026.
Source: indianexpress.com
Please click the following URL to read
the full text of the original
https://indianexpress.com/article/north-east-india/assam/arrest-assam-child-marriage-crackdown-cm-himanta-biswa-sarma-8934571/
-----
Humayun’s
Tomb to Qutub Minar: A day out in Delhi for delegate partners
by Saman
Husain , Upasika Singhal
New
Delhi : September 10, 2023
As G20
delegates and their spouses visited various monuments in the Capital starting
Friday, Humayun’s Tomb seems to have left many, including Argentinian President
Alberto Fernández, fascinated.
“The
(Argentinian) President felt that the Humayun’s tomb is grander and prettier
than even the Taj Mahal…The delegation was extremely fascinated by its beauty,”
officials deployed on the field said.
On
Saturday, Turkey’s first lady, Emine Erdogan, visited the tomb. She was
escorted around the monument by an official from the Ministry of External
Affairs (MEA), which had also allotted translators and tour guides to accompany
the foreign dignitaries and explain to them the history of various monuments.
A
Turkish delegate accompanying the first lady to the 16th-Century monument also
drew its parallels with the Taj Mahal. “On a first look, it seems to be a
smaller version of the Taj Mahal,” Mariway, who goes by only one name, told The
Indian Express.
An ASI
official accompanying the entourage told them that Humayun’s Tomb was used as a
site to experiment with new architectural concepts, which was eventually
perfected by the Taj Mahal.
Mohamed
bin Zayed Al Nahyan, UAE President Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Taj Mahal hotel
in Central Delhi, Joe Biden, G20, G20 meet, G20 meeting, G20 Summit, G20
countries, India news, Indian express, Indian express India news, Indian
express India The Ertiga car was to report at ITC Maurya, Saturday. PTI
Earlier,
on Friday, delegates from the Netherlands, Nigeria, the UAE, and the European
Council visited the monument.
The next
stop for Erdogan was Qutub Minar, according to officials present at the Qutub
Minar complex. Meanwhile, the Argentinian delegation visited the Lodhi Garden.
Two
Saudi visitors, Ibrahim and Mohammad, who are accompanying Saudi Arabia’s Prime
Minister and Crown Prince Mohammed Bin Salman, were present at the Qutub Minar
Complex Saturday evening. When asked about the monument, they expressed praise
and awe for it. “It has been a good experience to look at the Indian
monuments,” Ibrahim said.
In media
room, some keep to themselves, others exchange notes At the international media
centre. (Express photo by TashiTobgyal)
Several
monuments including the Qutub Minar have been beautified for the visit by
international dignitaries.
“Every
time a delegation visits the monuments, orders are given just half an hour
prior to the visit and the whole premises is emptied out… no prior information
on which delegation is visiting the monument is provided to us,” an official
deployed on the field at the Humayun’s Tomb and Qutub Minar said.
Spouses
of the delegates also visited the cottage emporium near Janpath where they were
introduced to Indian art and handicrafts, sources said.
Prime
Minister Narendra Modi welcomes US President Joe Biden at the Bharat Mandapam
on Saturday. Prime Minister Narendra Modi welcomes US President Joe Biden at
the Bharat Mandapam on Saturday.
Later in
the day, the Turkish first lady visited NanajiDeshmukh Plant Phenomics Centre.
She posted on X, formerly Twitter: “We met with the spouses of the world
leaders in New Delhi as a part of the G20 Summit in India. We had the
opportunity to visit the NanajiDeshmukh Plant Phenomics Centre. At the centre
dedicated to the study of plant characteristics, we have been provided with
insights regarding plant species and the studies conducted to enhance
agricultural yield and promote environmental sustainability. #G20India .”
The
spouses of member countries also participated in a unique exhibition organised
by the Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers’ Welfare at IARI Campus, Pusa, which
featured a millet-focused live cooking session led by celebrity chefs. Besides,
agricultural technology from prominent Indian startups was displayed. In
addition, the guests interacted with Indian women agri-champions at a meet-up
titled ‘Agri-Street’.
As the
guests entered the premises, they were welcomed by two ‘millet rangolis’.
Prime
Minister Narendra Modi welcomes Germany’s Chancellor Olaf Scholz at the Bharat
Mandapam on Saturday. Prime Minister Narendra Modi welcomes Germany’s
Chancellor Olaf Scholz at the Bharat Mandapam on Saturday.
At the
live cooking session, in keeping with the theme International Year of Millets,
celebrity chefs KunalKapur, Anahita Dhondy and Ajay Chopra along with culinary
experts from the ITC Group, chef Kusha and chef Nikita, prepared a full-course
meal with millets as the starring ingredient.
While
chef Anahita created a Raw Banana Barnyard Millet Tikki topped with puffed
Amaranth, chef Kunal prepared a Jowar-Mushroom Khichda. For dessert, chef Ajay
rustled up Millet Thekua and Lemon Shrikhand Mille-feuille.
The
guests received a token of appreciation in the form of a hamper with handwoven
stoles crafted from silk sourced from the Sal forests of Chhattisgarh, a
handcrafted bell metal figurine created using an ancient wax technique, and a
Cheriyal painting.
Source: indianexpress.com
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https://indianexpress.com/article/cities/delhi/humayuns-tomb-to-qutub-minar-a-day-out-in-delhi-for-delegate-partners-8932580/
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South Asia
Afghanistan’s
Quest for Economic Recovery Amidst Challenges
September
11, 2023
Noman
Hossain
A few
months ago, Mullah Abdul Ghani Baradar, Afghanistan’s acting Deputy Prime
Minister for economic affairs, thanked the World Bank for its thorough
evaluation of the nation’s economy. The international institution highlighted
that Afghanistan managed to curtail inflation to 18.3% in 2022, which further
subsided to 1.94% in March 2023, down from 3.5% the preceding month. As per the
national records, exports between January and April 2023 reached USD 600
million, marking a growth of over 4% from the previous year, whereas imports in
the period between January and July 2023 surged by 32% from the same timeframe
in 2022.
The
promising economic indicators, which include local food production enhancement,
banking system improvements, and regularized salaries for public servants, led
MawlawiHibatullah Akhundzada, the Supreme Leader of the Islamic Emirate of
Afghanistan (IEA), to issue a decree on August 22. This decree mandates all
ministries and relevant agencies to foster trade facilitation at ports, transit
points, and highways, with a keen eye on the country’s commercial and economic
interests. The decree further emphasized treating the private sector favorably
and prioritizing domestic products to bolster local industry growth and
self-sufficiency.
The
Afghanistan Chamber of Commerce and Investment (ACCI) lauded this decree, with
Chairman Mohammad Yunus Momand expressing optimism about future export
increases. The ACCI also acknowledged the recent spike in transit transport and
made pleas for tax reductions, improved monetary transfer processes abroad, and
the promotion of Afghanistan’s clothing manufacturing.
Representatives
from the Afghanistan Industry Association highlight the country’s
self-sufficiency in 52 sectors, emphasizing the need to address the scarcity of
land and energy to bolster local production.
Key
economic reforms initiated by the “Taliban 2.0” have contributed to
stabilization efforts. These include effective revenue collection, preventing
multiple taxation by issuing tax receipts to transporters, and stringent
measures against smuggling and corruption.
Despite
initial economic downturns, stabilizing signs emerged, attributed partly to UN
cash injections for humanitarian assistance, governmental restrictions on
illicit imports, and sound macroeconomic management. Yet, the balance remains
delicate. A considerable portion of Afghans still struggle to meet basic needs,
relying heavily on humanitarian aid.
William
Biard, an Afghanistan specialist at the United States Institute of Peace
(USIP), commends the Taliban’s economic management but warns of potential
future declines reminiscent of the chaos post the Taliban’s takeover in August
2021. The economic plunge was aggravated by factors such as the termination of
financial aid, sanctions, and freezing of Afghanistan’s foreign exchange
reserves.
Remarkably,
despite these adversities, the Taliban’s economic governance has outperformed
many expectations. A significant catalyst for this resilience is their
inheritance of functional macroeconomic institutions. However, their lackluster
attention to social service delivery and limited support for the needy are
areas of concern, which now heavily depend on international humanitarian aid.
According
to USIP’s analysis, Afghanistan’s fragile economy faces threats from declining
humanitarian assistance and the effects of the Taliban’s opium poppy
cultivation ban. These factors, combined with depleting household coping
mechanisms, suggest a challenging winter ahead for Afghanistan.
To
bolster economic recovery, USIP recommends sustained humanitarian support,
efficient aid usage, and greater international cooperation focused on private
sectors and the broader economy.
Source: khaama.com
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https://www.khaama.com/afghanistans-quest-for-economic-recovery-amidst-challenges-87985/
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UN
expresses concern over reduction in humanitarian aid to Afghanistan
September
10, 2023
Fidel
Rahmati
The
United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA)
expresses concern about a budget shortage for providing humanitarian aid to
Afghanistan. More than 3 6600 children under five years old in Afghanistan are
deprived of essential aid packages.
On its
social media platform on Sunday, OCHA emphasised that due to the budget
shortage, access to primary healthcare services in Afghanistan has decreased by
approximately 100,000 people.
OCHA
provides statistics indicating that over 3 6600 children under five years old
are deprived of humanitarian aid packages in Afghanistan due to insufficient
funding.
Furthermore,
the UN’s humanitarian aid coordination office said that 173 mobile nutrition
and health centres in Afghanistan are at risk of closure due to budget
constraints.
According
to the agency’s report, out of 944,000 children under five years old, 1.8
million suffer from moderate to severe malnutrition, and 521,934 children under
five face severe acute malnutrition, depriving them of essential healthcare
services.
Previously,
OCHA had reported that one million women and girls in Afghanistan have been
deprived of humanitarian assistance.
This is
happening when the increase in poverty and hunger, especially among women and
children, has become a severe concern in Afghanistan.
Source: khaama.com
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https://www.khaama.com/un-expresses-concern-over-reduction-in-humanitarian-aid-to-afghanistan/
------
Afghan
diplomat receives demarche for Chitral attack: Pakistani FM
September
10, 2023
Fidel
Rahmati
Pakistan’s
Caretaker Foreign Minister, Jalil Abbas Jilani, has officially confirmed the
issuance of a demarche to the Afghan charge d’affaires in Islamabad. This
action comes in response to the recent attack on two military posts in the
Lower Chitral district of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa earlier this week.
During a
press conference, in response to a question about whether the issue had been
discussed with the interim Afghan government, it was reported that Pakistan
registered a strong protest over the incident. They summoned the Afghan Charge
d’Affaires (Cd’A) in Islamabad and handed him a protest note (demarche), as per
Dawn.com.
Jilani
described the incident as “very unfortunate” and emphasized that Pakistan takes
the increase in terrorism seriously. He stated that Afghanistan is responsible
for preventing attacks from their territory.
Additionally,
he spoke about a “close-knit conversation” with Kabul on an Aaj News show to
reduce terrorism and build peace between both nations. He said developments so
far were “positive,” and the government was actively trying to bring the two
regimes together on the same page.
“Previous
governments have worked to some extent in this manner, and now we are
developing the existing policy. This is a closed-room dialogue with the Afghan
government, and only positive developments have occurred. However, elements
from both sides of the border might impact the progress. However, we are moving
in the right direction,” he said.
When
asked about improving relations with India and Afghanistan, he emphasized that
Pakistan is actively working towards peace with neighbouring countries.
“The
Indian government needs to cooperate with us on various issues, especially
concerning Kashmir. I believe that without active dialogues, which benefit both
of us, there will be no concrete solution,” he said.
“Our end
goal is to achieve peace, and I am sure they (India and Afghanistan) also want
the same,” he concluded, highlighting a shared desire for peace as the ultimate
objective in Pakistan’s approach towards its neighbouring countries.
Following
the Chitral attack, Pakistani officials have shut down the Torkham crossing
border. This move has left Afghan traders and their properties stranded on both
sides, with a significant risk of loss. Despite Afghan officials’ calls for the
border’s reopening, it remains closed, causing growing concern and uncertainty.
Source: khaama.com
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https://www.khaama.com/afghan-diplomat-receives-demarche-for-chitral-attack-pakistani-fm/
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France
respects Bangladesh's policy independence, PM says after talks with Macron
Sep 11,
2023
Prime
Minister Sheikh Hasina today said France expressed its reverence and support to
Bangladesh's sovereign policy independence, particularly in the context of the
ongoing geopolitical instability and economic uncertainty.
"We
both hope that this new strategic move between Bangladesh and France will play
an effective role in establishing regional and global stability and
peace," she said in a joint press briefing after holding bilateral talks
at her office with visiting French President Emmanuel Macron.
She said
the cornerstone of this new relationship is based on the constitutional and
democratic continuity, development and good governance in Bangladesh over the
past one and a half decade.
"The
Government of France has expressed its satisfaction with the responsible and
committed activities of the Government of Bangladesh in protecting the
fundamental and human rights of its people," she said.
The
prime minister said the confidence of the French government in the spectacular
and consistent progress of the Bangladesh's economy was greatly appreciated as
well.
She
mentioned that France reiterated its commitment to stand by the people and the
government of Bangladesh in the implementation of Vision-2041 by continuing
privileges for Bangladesh to the trade facilitation of the European Union under
GSP+ scheme.
"In
our talks, we had detailed discussions aimed at advancing the bilateral
relations between the two countries and we were able to reach some
consensus," she said.
As
leading and responsible resident powers in the Asia and Pacific, the prime
minister said Bangladesh and France will act to ensure geopolitical stability
of the region.
As a
trusted development partner of Bangladesh, Hasina said France has assured
Bangladesh of its continued cooperation in infrastructure development.
"Besides,
they expressed their interest in providing advanced and specialised technical
assistance in building our strategic security infrastructure," the PM
said.
She
mentioned that Bangladesh welcomed France's leadership in combating the
negative effects of climate change and lauded President Macron's call for
establishing a sustainable fund.
In
addition, she said, there have been effective discussions with France on
educational, cultural and linguistic exchanges in the meeting.
Sheikh
Hasina, on behalf of the people of Bangladesh, expressed sincere thanks to the
French government and the people of France under the leadership of President
Macron.
A joint
statement on this visit will be issued shortly and further details will be
communicated from the responsible levels of the governments of the two
countries, she added.
"Today
is a historic day in the bilateral relationship between France and Bangladesh
that has been evolving for more than five decades," Hasina said.
The
prime minister said that the friendly ties that her father, the Father of the
Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman initiated in 1972 have reached a new
dimension.
Source: thedailystar.net
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https://www.thedailystar.net/news/news/france-respects-bangladeshs-policy-independence-pm-says-after-talks-macron-3416161
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Sagar-Runi
murder: Probe report submission deadline extended for 103rd time
Sep 11,
2023
A Dhaka
court today extended till October 15 the deadline for submitting the probe
report of a case filed over the murders of journalist couple SagarSarowar and
MeherunRuni in February 2012.
This is
the 103rd extension of the submission deadline.
Dhaka
Metropolitan Magistrate MdRashidul Alam passed the order after Rab Additional
Superintendent of Police KhondokerMdShafiqul Alam, also the investigation
officer of the case, failed to submit the report today, court sources said.
On
August 7 this year, the same court asked Rab to submit the probe report by
today.
Earlier,
two separate courts expressed dissatisfaction over the probe and the
investigators' failure to unearth the motive behind the murders and arrest the
real culprits.
Sagar,
news editor at private TV channel Maasranga, and his wife Runi, senior reporter
at ATN Bangla, were killed in the early hours of February 11, 2012, in their
rented flat in the capital's West Razabazar.
Their
only son MahirSarowarMegh, then 5, was home at the time. Nousher Ali Roman,
Runi's brother, filed a case with Sher-e-Bangla Police Station the following
day.
Source: thedailystar.net
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https://www.thedailystar.net/news/bangladesh/crime-justice/news/fresher-tortured-iu-students-again-3415891
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Dhaka,
Paris sign bilateral instruments on infrastructure, satellite system
Sep 11,
2023
Dhaka
and Paris today signed two bilateral instruments to enhance cooperation in
different fields including infrastructure and satellite, officials said.
The
documents were inked in presence of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina and France
President Emmanuel Macron at Karobi Hall of the Prime Minister's Office.
The
agreements are:
1. A
Credit Facility Agreement between Economic Relations Division (ERD), Bangladesh
and the France Development Agency (AFD), France on "Improving Urban
Governance and Infrastructure Program"
2.
Letter of Intent (LOI) on Cooperation between Bangladesh Satellite Company
Limited (BSCL) and Airbus Defence and Space SAS, France related to
Bangabandhu-2 Earth Observation Satellite System.
Earlier
in the day, Hasina and Macron held talks to explore new areas of cooperation
between the two countries.
Macron,
the first French president to visit Bangladesh in 33 years, arrived here in
Dhaka on Sunday evening after attending the G20 summit in New Delhi. The French
leader is scheduled to leave Dhaka at 2:00pm today.
Francois
Mitterrand was the last French president to visit Bangladesh on 22-24 February,
1990.
Total
trade between Bangladesh and France soared from 210M€ to 4.9 billion€ today
with France being the 5th country for exports.
French
companies are now involved in various sectors including engineering, energy,
aerospace and water sectors.
Source: thedailystar.net
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https://www.thedailystar.net/news/bangladesh/diplomacy/news/dhaka-paris-sign-bilateral-instruments-infrastructure-satellite-system-3416181
------
Arab World
King
Salman, Crown Prince order air bridge to provide aid to Morocco earthquake
victims
September
10, 2023
RIYADH:
Under directives issued on Sunday by King Salman and Crown Prince Mohammed bin
Salman, the King Salman Humanitarian Aid and Relief Center (KSrelief) will
operate an air bridge to provide relief aid to Morocco following a deadly
earthquake in the country, Saudi Press Agency reported.
Dr.
Abdullah bin Abdulaziz Al-Rabeeah confirmed that the assistance provided comes
out of the keenness of the king and crown prince to stand by and support those
affected by Friday's 6.8 magnitude earthquake.
The
disaster has killed more than 2,100 people — a number that is expected to rise.
Al-Rabeeah
said a Saudi search and rescue team from the General Directorate of Civil
Defense and teams from the Saudi Red Crescent Authority, led by KSrelief, will
be sent to participate in relief and humanitarian work for those affected and
rescue any survivors.
He added
that the gesture was “an extension of the humanitarian role played by the
Kingdom of Saudi Arabia in standing with those affected and in need around the
world in various crises and tribulations,” SPA added.
Source: arabnews.com
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https://www.arabnews.com/node/2371101/saudi-arabia
------
Crown
Prince Mohammed hints at oil production rise in meeting with Japan’s PM
September
11, 2023
TOKYO:
Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman told Japan’s Prime Minister Fumio Kishida on
Saturday that Saudi Arabia may consider an increase in oil production in
response to global demand, according to a statement from Japan’s Foreign
Ministry.
The two
leaders met in India on the sidelines of the G20 Summit.
During
the meeting, Kishida said he hopes Saudi Arabia would continue to play a
leading role in stabilizing the international crude oil market.
He added
that Japan and Saudi Arabia were seeking to further strengthen ties, including
on the clean energy “Lighthouse Initiative.” To support this initiative,
Japan’s Foreign Minister Yoshimasa Hayashi recently visited the Kingdom.
The
crown prince said he was pleased with the outcome of the meeting he had with
Kishida during the latter’s visit to Saudi Arabia in July and hoped cooperation
would be further strengthened.
Source: arabnews.com
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https://www.arabnews.com/node/2371321/saudi-arabia
------
Crown
Prince Mohammed bin Salman holds bilateral talks with world leaders on the
sidelines of G20 summit in New Delhi
September
10, 2023
NEW
DELHI: On the sidelines of the G20 leaders’ summit in the Indian capital New
Delhi, which drew to a close on Sunday, Saudi Arabia’s Crown Prince Mohammed
bin Salman held bilateral talks with several world leaders and their
representatives.
The
crown prince was in the city to lead the Kingdom’s delegation at the summit
before embarking on an official state visit at the invitation of India’s Prime
Minister Narendra Modi, which will take in trade talks and a business forum.
The
crown prince met Japan’s Prime Minister Kishida Fumio on Saturday, the parties
discussing developments in Saudi-Japanese relations. The nations have enjoyed
long-standing cooperation on energy, including hydrogen power.
Crown
Prince Mohammed bin Salman held bilateral meetings in New Delhi with a number
of world leaders, including Japanese PM Kishida Fumio. (SPA)
High-ranking
officials from both governments attended the talks, including the Kingdom’s
Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan; National Security Adviser Dr. Musaed
Al-Aiban; Minister of Commerce Dr. Majid Al-Qasabi; Minister of Investment
Khalid Al-Falih; and Minister of Finance Mohammed Al-Jadaan.
The
crown prince held talks with Sheikh Hasina, the prime minister of Bangladesh,
on Sunday morning, during which he reiterated the Kingdom’s commitment to
bolstering relations with the South Asian nation, according to the Saudi Press
Agency.
Source: arabnews.com
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https://www.arabnews.com/node/2370796/saudi-arabia
------
Areeb
Capital acquires property west of the Grand Mosque of Makkah for SR521 million
September
10, 2023
Areeb
Capital has successfully acquired a property within the Jabal Omar project in
Makkah for an impressive sum of SR521 million.
This
acquisition was facilitated by one of the company’s real estate funds,
overseeing the entire acquisition process.
Areeb
Capital is a rapidly expanding group headquartered in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia,
with Khalid Al-Jabri serving as the chief executive officer.
The
company specializes in innovative investment offerings across Saudi Arabia,
Europe, and North Africa.
The
property in question is strategically situated approximately 300 meters from
the western side of Al-Masjid Al-Haram, also known as “the Grand Mosque of
Makkah.”
This
mosque holds immense significance as a direction of prayer for millions of
Muslims.
Covering
an area of 3,065 square meters, the acquired property is designated for the
construction of a mixed-use tower, including residential apartments.
The
planned tower will boast a total built-up area exceeding 59,668 square meters,
with a saleable area of 36,921 square meters.
This
substantial acquisition underscores Areeb Capital’s optimistic outlook for the
broader Saudi market and, more specifically, the real estate sector in Makkah.
The
company’s move aligns seamlessly with the forward-thinking vision of Custodian
of the Two Holy Mosques King Salman and the visionary Crown Prince and Prime
Minister Mohammed Bin Salman.
Areeb
Capital’s press release also emphasizes its strong commitment to encouraging
foreign investors to participate in Makkah’s real estate sector, in compliance
with relevant regulations and laws.
This
initiative aims to contribute to the realization of the goals of Vision 2030,
the ambitious blueprint for making the Saudi financial market appealing to both
domestic and international investors.
By doing
so, Areeb Capital will play a pivotal role in driving economic growth and
diversifying income sources.
Furthermore,
the press release outlines Areeb Capital’s intention to make a portion of this
investment available through the “Cadaa” platform, set to launch during the
current quarter of 2023.
“Cadaa”
is a specialized investment platform designed to provide seamless and reliable
access to investments for all segments of the investment community.
It’s
worth noting that “Areeb Capital” holds a valid license (number 30-08119) from
the Capital Market Authority (CMA) in Saudi Arabia. — SG
Source: saudigazette.com.sa
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------
Southeast Asia
Law on
revision of death penalty, life imprisonment comes into force Sept 12
September
11, 2023
A total
of 1,020 prisoners who have been sentenced to mandatory death and life
imprisonment can now file an application in court to review their respective
sentences.
Minister
in the Prime Minister's Department (Law and Institutional Reform) Azalina
Othman Said said this follows the Revision of Sentence of Death and
Imprisonment for Natural Life (Temporary Jurisdiction of the Federal Court) Act
2023 (Act 847) which will come into force tomorrow (Sept 12).
This
follows the enforcement of the Abolition of Mandatory Death Penalty Act 2023
(Act 846) on July 4, 2023.
Azalina
said that the Cabinet, on Aug 30, agreed with the mechanism of court
proceedings in relation to the revision of mandatory death sentences and life
imprisonment as proposed after an engagement with stakeholders.
They
include the Attorney General's Chambers, the Federal Court chief registrar's
office, the Prisons Department, the National Legal Aid Foundation (YBGK), the
Malaysian Bar Council, the Sabah Law Society, the Advocates Association of
Sarawak, and the Prime Minister's Department's legal affairs division.
"Priority
to the implementation of this mechanism includes factors such as the prisoner’s
age, level of health, and the period of imprisonment, as well as other
considerations," she said.
She said
that one of the agreed mechanisms was that for prisoners who were sentenced to
death and were unable to appoint a lawyer to represent them in the sentence
review process, they could seek legal services through court-assigned lawyers.
For
prisoners sentenced to life imprisonment, they can get legal services from
YBGK, she said.
"These
two legal aid services offered reflect the government's priority and stance in
ensuring justice is given to all Malaysians," she said.
She
added that the enforcement of Act 847 through the mechanism agreed upon by the
Cabinet reflected the government's high commitment to promoting and protecting
universal human rights.
"This
proves that the principle of restorative justice in the criminal justice system
in Malaysia is always maintained.
"This
also proves the concern of the Unity Government to give a second chance to
prisoners sentenced to death and life imprisonment to return to society and
family and continue their survival as ordinary citizens," she said.
Source: malaysianow.com
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https://www.malaysianow.com/news/2023/09/11/law-on-revision-of-death-penalty-life-imprisonment-comes-into-force-sept-12
-----
Islamic
affairs minister: Jakim to develop new halal certification module to produce
more professionals in halal field
11 Sep
2023
KUALA
LUMPUR, Sept 11 — The Malaysian Islamic Development Department (Jakim) is
developing a new International Halal Executive Module to produce more professionals
in the Halal field.
Minister
in the Prime Minister’s Department (Religious Affairs) Datuk MohdNa’im Mokhtar
said he was confident that through the renewed module, the country would be
able to ‘export’ more professionals in the Halal field to other countries in an
effort to develop the Halal industry internationally.
“This is
an endorsement to the country because the new developed module can certainly
provide added value to new talents, both locally and internationally,” he told
reporters after attending a dinner in conjunction with the 13th Convocation of
the Halal Certificate Presentation, here last night.
The
three-day Halal Convocation which started on Saturday, gathered participants
from 84 countries while Jakim presented certificates to participants from 47
countries who were involved.
Meanwhile,
Jakim director-general Datuk HakimahMohdYusoff said the department was
convinced that the initiative to develop a new module would enhance the Halal
certification process in other countries.
“The
current module is only a cooperation with the local Original Equipment Manufacturer
(OEM) with factories in other countries,” she said. — Bernama
Source: malaymail.com
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https://www.malaymail.com/news/malaysia/2023/09/11/islamic-affairs-minister-jakim-to-develop-new-halal-certification-module-to-produce-more-professionals-in-halal-field/90105
------
Azalina:
Prisoners can start applying for court to review death sentences from tomorrow
onwards as new law takes effect
By Ida
Lim
11 Sep
2023
KUALA
LUMPUR, Sept 11 — Prisoners in Malaysia who had been sentenced to death or to
life imprisonment can start applying for the courts to review their sentences
from tomorrow onwards, as a new law enabling such reviews by the Federal Court
will take effect from tomorrow, minister Datuk Seri Azalina Othman Said said
today.
Azalina,
who is a minister in the Prime Minister’s Department in charge of law and
institutional reform, said the federal government will enforce the new law —
known as the Revision of Sentence of Death and Imprisonment for Natural Life
(Temporary Jurisdiction of the Federal Court) Act 2023 or as Act 847 — on
September 12 (tomorrow).
This
follows the enforcement of another new law — the Abolition of Mandatory Death
Penalty Act 2023 — on July 4 this year.
Azalina
said the Cabinet had on August 30 this year agreed with the mechanism to
conduct court proceedings in relation to the revision of mandatory death
penalties and life imprisonment which had been proposed following engagement
sessions with stakeholders.
She listed
the stakeholders as including the Attorney General’s Chambers (AGC), the Chief
Registrar’s Office of the Federal Court (PKPM), the Malaysia Prisons
Department, the National Legal Aid Foundation (YBGK), the Malaysian Bar, the
Sabah Law Society, the Advocates Association of Sarawak (AAS) and the Legal
Affairs Division in the Prime Minister’s Department (BHEUU JPM).
“The
implementation of this mechanism to conduct court proceedings will enable all
1,020 prisoners who had been imposed the mandatory death sentence and life
imprisonment, to file applications in court to make revisions on their
respective sentences.
“Priority
for the implementation of this mechanism covers factors such as prisoners’ age,
health levels and length of prisoner’s imprisonment period and other
considerations,” she said in a statement today.
To
ensure access to justice and to uphold the principle of equality, the federal
government — through the agreed mechanism — has agreed that prisoners sentenced
to death and who cannot afford to appoint a lawyer to represent them in the
revision of their death sentence can obtain legal services through a
court-assigned counsel, she said.
As for
prisoners who are facing life imprisonment, they can seek legal services from
YBGK, she said.
Azalina
said both these legal aid services which are being offered reflect the
government’s priority and stance in ensuring justice is given to all
Malaysians, and that the enforcement of Act 847 — which enables the revision of
death and life imprisonment sentences — through the Cabinet-agreed mechanism
also reflects the government’s high commitment in promoting and protecting
universal fundamental human rights.
“This
proves that the principle of restorative justice in Malaysia’s criminal justice
system is always upheld,” she said.
“This
also proves the Unity Government’s care in giving a second chance to prisoners
who were sentenced to the death penalty and life imprisonment to return to
society and their family and continue their life as ordinary citizens,” she
said.
Both Act
847 and the Abolition of Mandatory Death Penalty Act 2023 received royal assent
on June 9 and were gazetted on June 16.
Under
Act 847, the Federal Court cannot review the conviction of anyone who was given
the mandatory death sentence, but will have the power to retrospectively review
the mandatory death sentences handed down — upon conviction for offences such
as murder, drug trafficking, firearm crimes — before Act 847 came into force
and even if their pardon application was previously rejected.
“Upon
reviewing the application, the Federal Court shall affirm or substitute the
sentence of the applicant in accordance with the Penal Code, the Arms Act 1960,
the Firearms (Increased Penalties) Act 1971, the Dangerous Drugs Act 1952 and
the Kidnapping Act 1961, as amended by the Abolition of Mandatory Death Penalty
Act 2023,” Act 847 states.
Under
Act 847, death row prisoners are allowed to file only once a written
application to the Federal Court within 90 days of this law coming into effect
to seek a revision of their death sentence, with the Federal Court empowered to
grant an extension of the timeline for the filing of the revision application
if there are good reasons to do so.
Similarly,
those who have been sentenced with life imprisonment can only apply once in
writing within 90 days of the law coming into effect to the Federal Court, and
with the Federal Court also able to extend the deadline for filing if there are
good reasons.
Under
Act 847, the Federal Court is to substitute the life sentence of prisoners who
applied for a revision of their sentence with imprisonment between 30 years to
40 years.
Source: malaymail.com
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PM Lee:
Multilateralism hit by tensions between major powers, but Singapore has made
progress with ‘like-minded friends’
11 Sep
2023
NEW
DELHI, Sept 11 — While tensions between major powers have affected multilateral
cooperation, what Singapore has done is to work with “like-minded friends”, and
there has been progress as a result, said Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong
yesterday.
He noted
that multilateralism is based on a mutual desire to achieve win-win outcomes.
“But if
there’s not the trust or if there’s not the goodwill, or in some cases where
you’re in conflict with one another, ‘I don’t want win-win, I want win-lose’.
And so that makes it very difficult to do multilateral cooperation,” he said to
the media at the end of his three-day working visit to New Delhi, India, where
he attended the Group of 20 (G20) Leaders’ Summit.
But
despite the current environment, smaller groups of “like-minded” people can
still come together to make progress “on a second-best basis”.
“Not
everyone is there, but those of us who are all participating, we can work
together. And I think that is happening,” said Lee.
On
Singapore’s part, while it “would much prefer” to have a big framework that
works for everyone, it acknowledges how things are in the current global
situation.
“So in
this environment, we do our best to make friends and in the bilaterals... to
see what we can work out,” he said.
Lee
cited the developments between Singapore and the European Union (EU) and the
United Kingdom as examples of how progress has been made in the current
environment.
Earlier
on Sunday, Lee met with the president of the European Commission Ursula von der
Leyen. They reafffirmed warm relations between Singapore and the EU, and
welcomed the recent launch of negotiations for the EU-Singapore Digital Trade
Agreement, said a spokesperson from Singapore’s Prime Minister’s Office.
Both
leaders also “exchanged views on the global geopolitical outlook and reaffirmed
the importance of upholding the rules-based multilateral order”.
Lee said
that in such bilateral discussions, on top of the interest in finding specific
areas of cooperation, there is also interest in “exchanging views,
understanding their perspectives on our region, and they wanting our
perspective on what’s happening in the world”.
“And I
think that these are very valuable contacts,” he said.
Singapore
is not a member of the grouping but has been regularly invited to the annual
summit and its related meetings. Lee attended the summit at the invitation of
Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, in India’s capacity as G20 president for
2023.
Over the
weekend, Lee spoke to an audience of global leaders about tackling climate
change, as well as the challenges facing multilateralism and how to overcome
them.
He also
held bilateral meetings with various leaders on the sidelines of the summit.
They include UK Prime Minister Rishi Sunak, with whom Lee issued a joint
declaration on Saturday upgrading bilateral relations between the two countries
to a “strategic relationship”.
G20
communique: Principles laid out, but substance takes time
The G20
leaders adopted a consensus declaration at the end of the first day of the
summit on Saturday. It covered a broad range of issues including the war in
Ukraine, but refrained from condemning Russia for the conflict.
Commenting
on the declaration, Lee said that many areas of desired cooperation were
“comprehensively covered”, be it on artificial intelligence, the reform of the
United Nations or multilateral development.
“We also
put in principles, how to address them, but the specifics of it, the actual
substance of the cooperation, I think that progress takes a lot of time in this
environment,” he said.
Distrust
between nations partly explains why certain deals cannot be achieved, said Lee.
“But
it’s also because ‘I don’t want you to have a successful result. And so I would
rather there not be an outcome than there would be an outcome’. There is some
of this dynamic in play,” he added.
Given
this context, Lee said G20 did well to have a communique and to have a meeting
where views over substantive issues could be ventilated.
Notably
absent from this year’s summit were Chinese President Xi Jinping — the first
time that he has skipped G20 — and Russian President Vladimir Putin.
Chinese
premier Li Qiang and Russian foreign minister Sergei Lavrov attended in their
stead respectively.
On China
— which currently has tense relations with the United States — Lee noted how US
President Joe Biden said “it would be better” if Xi had attended the summit.
“Nevertheless,
the discussions... proceeded. Premier Li Qiang was here. So as far as
engagements are concerned, I think the discussions proceeded,” he said.
“I do
not know the reasons why President Xi was not able to come or President Putin,
but obviously it would have been better if they were here.”
The
Prime Minister said that as the world environment becomes more complex, global
leaders will continue to find opportunities to cooperate on.
And
while not every collaboration would yield great results, progress will still be
made, said Lee.
India
has held the rotating presidency of the G20 since Dec 1 when it took over from
Indonesia. On Sunday, Modi handed over the ceremonial gavel of the presidency
to Brazil President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva, who will assume presidency for
2024. — TODAY
Source: malaymail.com
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Tahfiz
fire murder appeals: Court upholds jail sentence of one youth, acquittal of
another
11 Sep
2023
TEH
ATHIRA YUSOF
PUTRAJAYA:
The Court of Appeal has upheld the prison sentence on the youth found guilty of
killing 23 people in a fire at the Darul Quran Ittifaqiyah Tahfiz Centre in
2017.
It also upheld
the acquittal of another youth charged in the same incident.
The
three-judge panel chaired by Justice Datuk Abu Bakar Jais who sat together with
Justices Datuk CheMohdRuzima Ghazali and Datuk See Mee Chun made both decisions
unanimously on Monday (Sept 11).
On Aug
17, 2020, the first teenager, now 22, was convicted by the High Court for the
murders and ordered to be detained at the pleasure of the Yang di-Pertuan
Agong.
At the
same time, the High Court acquitted and discharged the other teenager, also
aged 22 now, for the same offence without calling him to enter his defence.
The
convicted youth subsequently filed an appeal against the conviction while the
prosecution appealed against the acquittal of the second accused.
Justice
CheMohdRuzima, in reading the judgment, said the High Court’s decision must be
upheld as it did not err in its decision to convict and sentence the accused.
Ruzima
said the panel agreed with the High Court findings on closed-circuit television
(CCTV) footage which decided the evidence presented by the prosecution was
strong.
The CCTV
footage from four different locations, namely a nearby Muslim Consumers
Association of Malaysia (PPIM) office, a petrol station, snooker centre, and
the appellant’s neighbour proved that he (the appellant) was involved in
causing the fire intentionally.
“It (the
CCTV) only points to one direction which is that PKK1 (the appellant) climbed
over the back fence of the tahfiz school together with an unidentified
individual to start the fire, causing 23 deaths.
“With
that the appellant’s appeal is rejected since there was no argument presented
by the defence regarding the sentence (jail) issued by the High Court, so the
decision is upheld,” he said.
On the
Court of Appeal's decision on the appeal by the prosecution, Justice
CheMohdRuzima said there was no reason to change the High Court's acquittal of
the co-accused.
The High
Court verdict found it was difficult to ascertain that the co-accused was
present at the scene during the particular time of the fire based on
testimonies of prosecution witnesses and CCTV footage, he said.
“The
decision... to release and acquit PKK2 (the co-accused) of all 23 charges at
the end of the prosecution case is correct in terms of facts and law.
“Therefore,
the prosecutor’s appeal is without merit and should be rejected, the decision
of the High Court is upheld,” he said.
On May
11 this year, in appealing against the acquittal, deputy public prosecutor How
May Ling argued that the fire must have been caused by more than one
perpetrator because it was impossible for a teenager to lift two gas cylinders
weighing 28kg at one go.
How said
one gas cylinder was placed vertically and the other horizontally in front of a
door before petrol was poured and an active lighter was placed there.
Haijan
Omar, counsel for both the accused, argued that there were no witnesses who
testified that the convicted youth had set the school on fire, adding that the
prosecution only relied on circumstantial evidence.
The
prosecution called a total of 71 witnesses, while six defence witnesses were
called to testify throughout the trial which began on May 30, 2018.
According
to the original charges, both teenagers, together with another unidentified
individual, were accused of murdering and causing the death of 23 people – 21
students and two teachers – at the tahfizcentre at JalanKeramatHujung, Kampung
Datuk Keramat, WangsaMaju here, between 4.15am and 6.45am on Sept 14, 2017.
They
were charged under Section 302 of the Penal Code for murder, read together with
Section 34, which provides for the mandatory death penalty upon conviction.
However,
Section 97(1) of the Children's Act 2001 provides that offenders under the age
of 18 cannot be subjected to the death penalty, which can be replaced with a
prison sentence as long as the Yang di-Pertuan Agong approves, in accordance
with Section 97(2) of the same Act.
Source: thestar.com.my
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Speaker's
rejection on Zahid's DNAA motion sends out negative message, says MCA
Olivia
Miwil
September
11, 2023
KOTA
KINABALU: Dewan Rakyat's rejection over the motion to discuss the
Attorney-General's (AG) explanation on the discharge of Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad
Zahid Hamidi's corruption case will send out a negative message to the people.
Institute
of Strategic Analysis and Policy Research (Insap) deputy chairman Datuk Dr
Pamela Yong said it does not bode well for the government to not address the
people's concerns head on.
"In
view that Ahmad Zahid is also the deputy prime minister, she is most concerned
with the decision of the speaker today and the negative message and impact that
comes with it.
"And
this will most definitely affect the people's confidence towards this unity
government.
"Therefore,
it really is prudent and imperative for Ahmad Zahid and Umno to come forward to
explain and convince the people otherwise," she said in a statement.
Yong,
who is also MCA deputy secretary-general, said that most people are hiding
behind the excuse that it was the court's decision to drop Ahmad Zahid's case.
She
added that till today, there has yet to be a clear and convincing explanation
with regards to the dismissal of Ahmad Zahid.
"We
are all ignoring the white elephant in the room, which is the repercussions and
the negative impact it has on Umno and Barisan Nasional as a whole, with MCA,
MIC, and PBRS being the BN component parties, all included.
"And
in the absence of this, the controversy and the negative repercussions
regarding his dismissal continues to snowball, stripping further the trust
deficit of the people towards BN dragging the component parties- MCA included-
down with it."
On Sept
4, Ahmad Zahid was freed from all 47 corruption charges for misappropriating
funds belonging to Yayasan Akal Budi (YAB).
Source: nst.com.my
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North America
US,
allied terrorist groups continue to loot Syria’s wealth, strategic resources:
Damascus
10
September 2023
Syria
says the United States and its allied Takfiri terrorist groups continue to
violate the country's sovereignty and plunder its wealth and strategic natural
resources.
Syrian
Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Expatriates made the remark in two identical
letters on Sunday, which were addressed to Secretary General of the United
Nations António Guterres and the rotating President of the Security Council
FeritHoxha.
Damascus
demanded that the US administration be held accountable for looting the
country's riches and be obliged to compensate for the unlawful act.
Syria
also called for an end to aggressive practices and violations of international
principles and the UN Charter by US occupation troops, who are illegally
present in the northeastern part of the country and the strategic southeastern
region of al-Tanf.
The
letters further noted that Washington and its allied terrorists plunder Syria’s
strategic assets in order to increase the strain of unilateral sanctions on
Syrian people, prolong their suffering, and deprive them of their national
assets.
The
Syrian foreign ministry put the damage inflicted on the Syrian oil and mineral
sectors as a result of "acts of aggression and sabotage" by US forces
and their allied terrorists at $115.2 billion.
The
Iraqi political faction affirmed that the presence of US forces in Syria is
aimed at supporting terrorist groups there.
The
ministry stated that 150,000 barrels of Syrian crude oil are being smuggled out
of the country on a daily basis, adding that 59.9 million cubic meters of
natural gas as well as 413 thousand tons of refined gas, worth $21.4 billion,
have also been stolen.
Moreover,
vandalism and theft of specialized equipment have resulted in damages amounting
to $3.2 billion.
The
US-led military coalition, purportedly formed to fight the Daesh Takfiri
terrorist group, has also inflicted losses standing at $2.9 billion on Syria's
oil and gas facilities, the letters highlighted.
The
value of indirect losses to Syria’s economy amounts to $87.7 billion, which
includes lost benefits from crude oil, natural gas and refined gas as a result
of a sharp drop in their production, the letters read.
Iran
advises the United States to take its military forces out of Syria.
The Syrian
foreign ministry also called for an end to the illegal presence of US
occupation forces and return of Syria’s energy reserves and natural resources
to the Damascus government, so that it can improve the humanitarian and living
conditions of Syrians.
The
letters came on the same day that the US military used dozens of tankers to
smuggle crude oil from Syria’s northeastern province of Hasakah to neighboring
Iraq.
Syria’s
official news agency, SANA, citing local sources in al-Ya'rubiyah town,
reported that a convoy of 40 tankers left Syria through the illegal Mahmoudiya
border crossing on Sunday, heading towards Iraq.
The
sources added that another convoy of US occupation forces, consisting of 55
tankers, rumbled through the same border crossing hours later and entered Iraq.
The US
military has stationed forces and equipment in northeastern Syria, with the
Pentagon claiming the deployment is aimed at preventing the oil fields in the
area from falling into the hands of Daesh terrorists.
Damascus,
however, maintains that the unauthorized US deployment is aimed at plundering
the country’s rich mineral resources.
Source: presstv.ir
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------
‘US to
support economic recovery in Pakistan’
September
11, 2023
WASHINGTON:
US Senator Chris Van Hollen has said that the United States played a “very
instrumental” role in arranging the latest economic relief to Pakistan from the
International Monetary Fund (IMF) and would continue to support Islamabad’s
efforts to stabilise its economy.
At the
annual meeting of the DC, Maryland, Virginia (DMV) chapter of the Association
of Pakistani Physicians of North America (APPNA), Senator Van Hollen, who was
born in Karachi, also underlined the need for an enduring relationship between
the United States and Pakistan.
“The
United States has been very instrumental in making sure that the IMF came
forward with its emergency economic relief,” said the US senator while talking
to Pakistani journalists at the annual APPNA dinner.
“Obviously,
there are continuing challenges, but the United States recognizes that a good
relationship between the United States and Pakistan is important to Pakistan
and the United States, to regional stability and to security around the world,”
he added.
In July
this year, the IMF approved a 9-month Stand-By Arrangement (SBA) for Pakistan
for an amount of about $3 billion — 111 per cent of the country’s quota — to
support the government’s economic stabilisation programme and, as the senator
said, Washington played a key role in arranging this deal.
The
Biden administration, he said, was supporting Pakistan’s efforts to stabilise
its economy because “it wants to have very strong bilateral relations with
Pakistan. And this is why in the aftermath of the terrible flooding, you saw a
substantial US response”.
Mr Van
Hollen who, like President Joe Biden, is also a Democrat, assured Islamabad
that the Biden administration had no intentions of interfering in the internal
politics of Pakistan and was never involved in political engineering.
“Let me
be clear, the Biden administration was not interfering in Pakistani politics,”
said the US lawmaker when asked about the US role in Pakistani politics.
“I have
been in regular communications with the Biden administration over a period of
time and I can say with great confidence that they were not trying to engineer
anything with respect to Pakistan’s politics.”
The
dispute about the alleged US involvement in former prime minister Imran Khan’s
ouster refuses to go away as PTI supporters continue to raise it at various
fora, including news briefings and congressional panels.
In
Pakistan, Mr Khan is being investigated for allegedly leaking a diplomatic
cipher that the party chief claimed contained the evidence of US involvement in
his ouster from power in April last year through a no-confidence vote.
This has
further galvanized PTI supporters, as was evident at Senator Van Hollen’s press
talks where he was persuaded to respond to several questions about the Cipher
controversy and the Biden administration’s alleged role in Pakistani politics.
“The
main message is … it’s up to the people of Pakistan to decide their leaders,”
said the senator when asked what his message to Pakistani authorities was.
“In
order to make sure that the will of the people of Pakistan is heard and reflected,
there absolutely need to be fair and free elections.,” he said.
Explaining
America’s position on the current political turmoil in Pakistan, he said: “The
United States and other democracies, and most of the people of Pakistan have an
interest in making sure that the elections are free and fair.”
He said
that as a US senator, he was “watching things closely” and felt that “it’s very
important … most of all to the people of Pakistan … that there be free and fair
elections”.
Source: dawn.com
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------
US,
Vietnam agree to deepen ties as China worries grow
11 Sep
2023
HANOI,
Sept 11 — US President Joe Biden hailed closer ties with Vietnam on Sunday as the
two countries struck a deal to deepen cooperation, including on semiconductors,
but said he was not aiming to contain China.
The
“comprehensive strategic partnership” with Hanoi is part of Washington’s push
to bolster its network of allies around Asia and the Pacific in the face of
Beijing’s rising influence.
Biden
accused Beijing of seeking to bend the international order to its will.
“One of
the things that is going on now is China is beginning to change some of the
rules of the game, in terms of trade and other issues,” Biden said.
Sometimes
to Beijing’s chagrin, Washington has invested heavily in building alliances as
part of its Indo-Pacific strategy, including the Quad security dialogue with
India, Australia and Japan, and the AUKUS pact with Britain and Australia.
Biden
said he wanted establish clear ground rules for relations.
“I don’t
want to contain China. I just want to make sure we have a relationship with
China that is on the up and up, squared away, everybody knows what it’s all
about,” he said.
Biden
flew in to Hanoi straight from a G20 summit that failed to agree to a phase-out
of fossil fuels and highlighted deep divisions over the Russian invasion of
Ukraine.
The US
president said he had met Chinese Premier Li Qiang at the G20 — a meeting the
White House had not announced — and discussed “stability”.
Semiconductor
deal
Global
supply chain shocks and fears about US reliance on China for strategic
resources have further driven the push to boost ties with the likes of Vietnam.
The new
partnership includes an agreement on semiconductors, with the United States
committing to help Vietnam develop its capabilities and expand production.
There is
also a section on rare earth minerals, which used in the manufacture of
high-tech devices such as smartphones and electric car batteries.
Vietnam
has the world’s second-largest deposits of rare earths after China and US
officials say it has a key role to play as it looks to diversify and strengthen
its supply chains.
Biden
moved last month to restrict US investment in Chinese technology in sensitive
areas including semiconductors, quantum computing and artificial intelligence.
“This
can be the beginning of even a greater era of cooperation,” Biden said as he
met Nguyen PhuTrong, the head of Vietnam’s ruling Communist Party and the
country’s paramount leader.
“Vietnam
and the United States are critical partners at what I would argue is a very
critical time.”
The deal
puts the United States on a par with China — as well as Russia, India and South
Korea — at the top level of the Vietnamese hierarchy of diplomatic relations.
Trong
thanked Biden for his contribution to improving US-Vietnamese ties and said his
country would work hard to implement the new agreement.
Although
it is careful to be seen as not taking sides between the United States and
China, Vietnam shares US concerns about its neighbour’s growing assertiveness
in the contested South China Sea.
However,
The New York Times reported just ahead of Biden’s visit that Vietnam was
secretly arranging to buy arms from Russia in contravention of US sanctions.
The
report cited a Vietnamese finance ministry document that laid out plans to fund
arms purchases from the Kremlin through a joint oil and gas project in Siberia.
AFP has
contacted the Vietnamese government for comment.
US
Deputy National Security Advisor Jon Finer told reporters that Washington
acknowledged Vietnam’s decades-long military relationship with Russia.
But he
said there was “increasing discomfort on the part of the Vietnamese with that
relationship”, and the new partnership would help Hanoi “diversify away from
those partnerships” by allowing it to source from the United States and its
allies.
Human
rights
Biden
said he had raised human rights in his meeting with Trong and pledged to
“continue our candid dialogue in that regard”.
Vietnam
has a dire rights record. Government critics face intimidation, harassment and
imprisonment after unfair trials, and there are reports of police torture to
extract confessions, Human Rights Watch says.
While
Biden has often criticised China’s human rights record, he has largely stayed
quiet on Vietnam and campaigners feared he may not raise the subject.
On
Monday Biden visit a Hanoi memorial to his friend John McCain, the former US
senator shot down and held captive during the Vietnam War who in later years
helped rebuild ties between the two countries. — AFP
Source: malaymail.com
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Escaped
US killer seen farther afield with new look: Police
September
11, 2023
WASHINGTON:
As an intense US manhunt for an escaped killer entered its 11th day,
Pennsylvania authorities on Sunday released security camera pictures showing
the man had slipped through a search perimeter and changed his look.
DaneloCavalcante's
escape from the Chester County Prison in the northeastern US state sparked a
huge search, with hundreds of law enforcement officers as well as helicopters,
drones and search dogs out in force, while fearful locals locked their doors.
But
photos released Sunday showed the 34-year-old Brazilian national was no longer
sporting the dark beard and mustache seen in his original "wanted"
poster.
"He
is now clean-shaven and was wearing a yellow or green hooded sweatshirt, black
baseball style hat, green prison pants and white shoes," said a statement
from the Pennsylvania State Police.
Authorities
posted four pictures of Cavalcante, all apparently taken by a door-mounted
camera as he stood or sat on a house porch.
Police
said the convicted murderer had reportedly been seen overnight near the town of
Phoenixville, about 20 miles (32 kilometers) north of the prison and about 30
miles northwest of the major metropolis of Philadelphia.
Phoenixville
is the town where Cavalcante killed his girlfriend, Deborah Brandao, in April
2021. He had lived nearby.
Authorities
had previously said that Brandao's relatives in the area were under 24-hour
protection.
Police
said Sunday that the escapee was driving a 2020 White Ford Transit van,
reportedly stolen from a dairy in West Chester. But he abandoned it apparently
because of a lack of fuel, said Lt. Col, George Bivens of the Pennsylvania State
Police.
Early
Sunday, a reporter for the NBC affiliate in Philadelphia who drove through the
area said the only cars seen on the road were from law enforcement agencies.
Police carrying long guns were checking the area in the pre-dawn dark.
There
have been several sightings of the convict so far, including some in which he
was shirtless.
This
week state and local police as well as federal authorities searched in Kennett
Square in suburban Philadelphia, where the fugitive had been seen near a
botanical garden. They used drones, helicopters and sniffer dogs, but he still
gave them the slip.
"No
perimeter is 100 percent secure, ever," said Bivens, explaining the
failure to catch the man.
"Unfortunately
there are a lot of circumstances. There are a lot of issues associated with
that property. Tunnels, very large drainage ditches, things that could not be
secured," he added.
Bivens
said bad weather hampered the search from the air.
"In
the end I am confident we will capture him," Bivens said.
He said
Cavalcante had tried to contact two acquaintances in the Phoenixville area and
they called the police. Bivens said the fugitive's sister, who was in the
country without papers, has been arrested.
On
Wednesday, prison officials released a video showing how Cavalcante, who was
sentenced to life in prison for the murder of his girlfriend, was able to make
his escape.
It shows
the convict, then wearing a white T-shirt and jeans, crab-walking up two
parallel walls and then climbing to the roof before making his way over two
razor-wire fences. –AFP
Source: nst.com.my
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Canada’s
Trudeau stuck in India after aircraft breaks down
11 Sep
2023
NEW
DELHI, Sept 11 — Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and his entire
delegation were forced to extend their stay in New Delhi for the G20 summit by
an extra day Sunday when his aircraft broke down, Canadian officials confirmed.
Trudeau
arrived in India for the meeting of the leaders of 20 leading economies on
Friday.
He was
due to return home Sunday after laying a wreath at a memorial to Indian
independence leader Mahatma Gandhi, but a mechanical fault kept him in India
overnight.
The
Canadian High Commission in New Delhi referred AFP to a statement from Trudeau’s
office saying that the Canadian air force, which operates the plane, had
informed the delegation it “was experiencing technical difficulties”.
“These
issues are not fixable overnight, our delegation will be staying in India until
alternative arrangements are made,” it added.
Canada’s
CTV identified the plane as an Airbus, saying it was not clear when it would be
able to return, adding it “isn’t the first time” it had had problems.
Trudeau’s
presence at the G20 summit was lower-key than some of his G7 counterparts, and
came against a backdrop of tensions between his government and host India over
Ottawa’s handling of rightwing Sikh separatists.
New
Delhi accuses Ottawa of turning a blind eye to the activities of radical Sikh
nationalists who seek a separate Sikh homeland in northern India. — AFP
Source: malaymail.com
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------
US
president and ‘Stalin’ shake hands at G20
September
11, 2023
NEW
DELHI: A Stalin shook hands with a US president for the first time in decades
on the sidelines of the G20 summit in India at the weekend.
Rather
than the long-dead former Soviet dictator, the guests at the all-vegetarian G20
gala dinner in New Delhi included the chief minister of Tamil Nadu state, M.K.
Stalin, as well as US President Joe Biden.
M.K.
Stalin was born in 1953, days before Joseph Stalin died and was named by his
father after the Soviet leader.
The
smiling Indian minister posted a picture of himself shaking hands with Biden at
Saturday’s dinner, with Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi standing alongside.
But he
refrained from making any historical references on X, captioning it simply:
“Attended the #G20Dinner at Kaveri Table hosted by Hon’ble President of India.”
Others
were less restrained. X user psychicsoul2 replied: “Amazing, a US president is
meeting a Stalin after WW2.”
The
United States and the Soviet Union’s World War II alliance rapidly broke down
after the defeats of Germany and Japan, to be replaced by the Cold War.
India
was officially non-aligned, but leaned more towards the Soviet Union during the
period, and Moscow remains by far its biggest arms supplier.
Russian
monikers are not unheard of in India, particularly in the south, including both
Tamil Nadu and neighbouring Kerala, which has elected Communist governments for
much of the past six decades.
In 2021,
a man named Engels married in Kerala with his friends Marx, Lenin and Ho Chi
Minh looking on. And a wedding in M.K. Stalin’s state the same year saw
Socialism married off in front of brothers Communism, Leninism and Marxism.
Source: dawn.com
Please click the following URL to read
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https://www.dawn.com/news/1775238/us-president-and-stalin-shake-hands-at-g20
-----
Pakistan
Caretaker
govt plays down escalation in acts of terror
September
11, 2023
Syed
Irfan Raza
ISLAMABAD:
As Pakistan faces a surge in terrorist attacks, caretaker Interior Minister
Sarfraz Bugti on Sunday downplayed the increase in militancy, saying there was
no need for alarm as “a little surge [in terrorism] is not so big as to make us
panic”.
The
statement by the interim minister came amid reports of almost daily skirmishes
between the security forces and terrorists — the most recent being the
infiltration attempt in Chitral in which over a dozen attackers were killed
while several troops embraced martyrdom.
Speaking
about the Chitral attack at a press conference flanked by interim Information
Minister Murtaza Solangi, MrBugti confirmed that Afghan soil was being used
against Pakistan to foment violence.
He hoped
the Afghan government would uphold the Doha agreement, ensuring that its soil
was not used against anyone.
In reply
to a question, MrBugti said it was confirmed that the banned Tehreek-i-Taliban
Pakistan’s attack was launched from Afghanistan, but the government had yet to
ascertain whether only the TTP members conducted the attack or Afghan nationals
were also involved in it.
“It
doesn’t matter who carried out the attack. For us they are all terrorists,” he
added.
The
minister vowed that the country’s security forces will respond to such attacks
in future in a befitting manner. “Our response will be visible.”
The
minister commended the Pakistan Army’s swift response and the Chitralis’
resilience against terrorism. “The government will not allow anyone to impose
their agenda through force and will defend every inch of the territory,” he
said.
Crackdown
on hoarders
MrBugti
said the government had decided to launch a massive crackdown on smugglers,
hoarders and illegal immigrants while also announcing a cash reward for those
citizens who will provide information on these activities.
About
the prize money for informers, he said: “We are announcing prize money for
those people … who become our informants and tell us where smuggling and
hoarding, [including] of dollars, is happening. We are also setting prize money
for [information] on illegal immigrants and the FIA (Federal Investigation
Agency) is leading that [initiative].”
He said
a toll-free number would be set up at the FIA and interior ministry on which
any Pakistani could call to help the government.
He said
the action was also underway against culprits who had resorted to hoarding and
artificially setting prices of items such as wheat and sugar.
The
interim minister said the FIA has arrested 59 accused for being involved in
hundi/hawala businesses and 49 cases have been registered. “We will public
their names through media,” he added.
“The
entire cabinet and government have decided that all of our institutions and
provincial governments will go to the extreme against these evils of smuggling
and hoarding.”
MrBugti
said a “zero-tolerance” policy would be adopted against all hoarders and
smugglers, adding that the culprits would be sent to jail, prosecuted and
sentenced.
“It is
shameful that these people are living among us and doing these things to the
people of our country,” he stated.
The
minister added that even stricter punishments would be meted out to those
members of his ministry who were involved in such activities.
About
the abduction of six teenage football players in Balochistan, the minister
claimed that the players were kidnapped by the banned Balochistan Republican
Army and efforts were underway for their recovery.
On
Thursday, caretaker Prime Minister Anwaarul Haq Kakar said a crackdown to
prevent cross-border smuggling was initiated across the country.
“The
crackdowns carried out during the last 48 hours against smuggling have yielded
positive results,” the premier had said without giving any further details.
Source: dawn.com
Please click the following URL to read
the full text of the original
https://www.dawn.com/news/1775260/caretaker-govt-plays-down-escalation-in-acts-of-terror
------
'Govt
launches massive crackdown against hoarders, smugglers across country'
September
11, 2023
Caretaker
Interior Minister Sarfaraz Ahmed Bugti has announced to launch a massive
crackdown against hoarders and said that there will be zero tolerance against
smuggling and hoarding.
Addressing
a news conference, along with Caretaker Minister for Information and
Broadcasting Murtaza Solangi, in Islamabad, he said all the state institutions
and provincial authorities are committed to go to any extent to eradicate the
menaces of smuggling and hoarding from the face of the motherland.
The
Interior Minister further said operation, against smuggling of wheat, sugar,
urea, dollars and other commodities, has been continuing and the government
recovered sugar and urea worth thousands of metric tons in various parts of the
country.
He said
59 people involved in the illegal business of hawala hundi, have also been
arrested. But, what an irony it is that now the elements involved in smuggling
have started hoarding of various things. However, he made it clear that no one
would be spared and the state machinery is determined to curb smuggling and
hoarding.
SarfarazBugti
also announced price money for Pakistani citizens, who will help the government
authorities, in identifying smuggling rackets. He said action will also be
taken against illegal immigrants in the country and soon price money will be
announced in this regard.
To a
question regarding terrorists' attacks from Afghanistan, Sarfaraz Ahmed Bugti
urged the Afghan government to abide by the Doha Agreement which ensures that
Afghan soil will not be used against any country.
He said
every inch of the country will be defended.
Source: radio.gov.pk
Please click the following URL to read
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https://www.radio.gov.pk/10-09-2023/caretaker-interior-minister-announces-to-launch-massive-crackdown-against-hoarders
------
Death
anniversary of Quaid-e-Azam Muhammad Ali Jinnah being observed today
September
11, 2023
The 75th
death anniversary of father of the nation, Quaid-e-Azam Muhammad Ali Jinnah is
being observed with due solemnity today.
In this
connection, Quran Khawani and Fateha Khawani will be held at the Mazar-e-Quaid
in Karachi.
Radio
Pakistan and Pakistan Television are broadcasting special programmes on this
occasion to pay tribute to Quaid-e-Azam for his unmatched services for freedom
of Pakistan.
Quaid-e-Azam
Muhammad Ali Jinnah passed away on this day in 1948 shortly after achieving
freedom for the nation.
President
Dr Arif Alvi has reiterated commitment to make Pakistan a modern Islamic
welfare state in accordance with the vision of Quaid-e-Azam Muhammad Ali
Jinnah.
In his
message on the occasion of death anniversary of Quaid-e-Azam, he said we will
have to follow the golden principles of the founding father for the development
of Pakistan. He said there is a need to work for the welfare of women, youth
and weaker segments of the society.
The
President said attention must be focused on providing education and eradication
poverty to make Pakistan a great country.
In his
message on death anniversary of Quaid-e-Azam Muhammad Ali Jinnah, Caretaker
Prime Minister Anwaar-ul-Haq Kakar said there is no better way to pay homage to
the founder of Pakistan than to make Pakistan an Islamic welfare state.
Anwaar-ul-Haq
Kakar said we have to eliminate all kinds of differences and work together day
and night for development of Pakistan.
He said
Pakistan is currently going through a difficult period and we need to adhere to
the principles of founder of the nation as much as ever.
Source: radio.gov.pk
Please click the following URL to read
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https://www.radio.gov.pk/11-09-2023/death-anniversary-of-quaid-e-azam-muhammad-ali-jinnah-being-observed-today
------
Four
killed in road accident in Zhob District
September
10, 2023
Four
persons, including Chairman Municipal Committee Zhob Khan Nasar, are killed in
a roadside accident at Sura Pul area of District Zhob on Sunday.
Caretaker
Chief Minister Balochistan Ali Mardan Khan Domki has expressed deep grief and
sorrow over the loss of precious human lives in the accident.
He
expressed sympathies with bereaved families and prayed for the departed souls.
Source: radio.gov.pk
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https://www.radio.gov.pk/10-09-2023/four-killed-in-road-accident-in-zhob-district
-----
No
criminal should be spared: Sarfraz Bugti
September
10, 2023
Caretaker
Interior Minister Sarfraz Ahmed Bugti says no effort should be spared in
disposing of criminal elements in the country.
He
stated this in a statement issued on Sunday while expressing sorrow and grief
over martyrdom of police constable Adeel Zafar in an encounter with dacoits in
Rawat.
Interior
Minister paid tributes to Constable Adeel Zafar for sacrificing his life in the
line of duty.
The
Minister also prayed for the early recovery of police officers who got injured
during this operation.
He
issued instructions for providing best medical facilities to the injured.
Source: radio.gov.pk
Please click the following URL to read
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https://www.radio.gov.pk/10-09-2023/no-criminal-should-be-spared-sarfraz-bugti
------
7
terrorists killed in Chitral gun battle: ISPR
September
11, 2023
RAWALPINDI:
Security forces killed seven terrorists while another six were critically
injured in an exchange of fire in Ursoon, Chitral district.
On
September 9, a firing exchange took place between security forces and
terrorists in general area of Ursoon, Chitral District, the Inter-Services
Public Relations (ISPR) said in a statement.
Troops
effectively engaged terrorists’ location and after an intense exchange of fire,
seven terrorists were killed while another six were critically injured.
Sanitisation
of the area is being carried out to eliminate any other terrorists found in the
area. Locals of the area appreciated the operation by security forces and
expressed their full support to eliminate the menace of terrorism from the
country.
Source: thenews.com.pk
Please click the following URL to read
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https://www.thenews.com.pk/print/1108648-7-terrorists-killed-in-chitral-gun-battle-ispr
-------
No
headway in talks on Torkham issue
Kamran
Yousaf
September
10, 2023
ISLAMABAD:The
main crossing between Pakistan and Afghanistan remained closed on Sunday for
the 5th day as talks between the two countries to reopen the border remained
inconclusive.
The
Torkham border crossing was shut on September 6 after an exchange of fire
between the Pakistan and Afghan border security forces.
The
clashes were triggered by the construction of a new post along the border by
the Afghan Taliban. Pakistan deems this construction as a violation of
understanding between the two countries.
The
Afghan Taliban said at least 2 of their border guards were killed in the
exchange of fire. The border has remained shut since then.
Read
more: Torkham border shuts after Pakistan-Afghanistan skirmish
The two
sides held talks to reopen the border on Sunday but these talks ended without
any agreement.
Sources
said the Pakistani side informed the Taliban officials that a decision to
reopen the border would be taken by the federal government.
There is
no official word yet from the government over the impasse. But officials
privately said Pakistan would not accept any construction of post that
challenges its territorial sovereignty.
The
Afghan government on Saturday issued a statement expressing concerns over the
closure of the border, saying it was causing huge losses to the businessmen.
Kabul has sought negotiations to resolve the issue.
Hundreds
of trucks and trawlers have remained stranded on both sides of the border
crossing while people who use the route for travel have also been suffering
since last Wednesday.
Read
more: Torkham border crossing closed, residents report gunfire
The
closure of the border following the clashes highlights the troubled
relationship between Pakistan and the interim Afghan Taliban government.
The day
Pakistan and Afghan forces exchanged fire at Torkham, hundreds of terrorists
from across the border attacked border posts in Chitral district. At least 12
terrorists from the banned Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) were killed while 4
Pakistani security personnel embraced martyrdom.
On
Saturday, Pakistani security forces and terrorists clashed in the general area
of Chitral, leaving at least seven militants dead.
The
latest encounter suggested that the TTP terrorists seem to have managed to
enter Chitral.
Pakistan
has also issued a demarche to the Afghan Charge D’affaires over the Chitral
attack, asking Kabul to tackle the TTP threat. The Afghan Taliban spokesperson,
however, denied Afghan soil was used in the Chitral attack.
The
evidence suggested otherwise as the TTP chief could be seen in a video
directing the militants, who carried out the Chitral attack. Pakistan seems to
have hardened its stance on the TTP issue and has been putting pressure on the
Afghan Taliban.
Some observers believe that it is possible
Pakistan has kept the Torkham border shut to pressure the Afghan Taliban into
taking action against the TTP.
Torkham
border crossing is a financial lifeline for landlocked Afghanistan.
Its
closure means that the economic situation of Afghanistan would only worsen at a
time when the Taliban regime is still under sanctions by the West.
Source: tribune.com.pk
Please click the following URL to read
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https://tribune.com.pk/story/2435177/no-headway-in-talks-on-torkham-issue
-------
Mideast
Hezbollah:
Israel to benefit from hostilities in Palestinian refugee camp
10
September 2023
A
high-ranking official with the Lebanese resistance movement Hezbollah has
expressed regret about continued tension at a Palestinian refugee camp in
Lebanon, saying the Israeli regime is the only side to benefit from hostilities
and clashes within Palestinian factions.
Hezbollah
Deputy Secretary General Sheikh Naim Qassem said on Sunday that the armed
clashes in the Ain al-Hilweh camp in southern Lebanon would lead to no victory
and serve the regime’s interests.
“We feel
so much regret about the conflicts in Ain al-Hilweh because these clashes are
between Palestinian brothers and have environmental effects,” Qassem said.
“Undoubtedly,
these incidents will not win any victory and none of the involved parties will
benefit from them,” he said. “These events are only in line with the interests
of the occupying regime because the camps for refugees must be calm to prepare
them to confront the enemy and prepare their return to their land after
liberation; not for war and conflict.”
Fresh
clashes in the Palestinian refugee camp in the city of Sidon in southern
Lebanon continued on Sunday for a fourth day. There has been no tangible result
despite rigorous efforts to establish a ceasefire and end the conflict between
the Palestinian groups.
Confrontations
in Lebanon’s largest Palestinian refugee camp have so far left five people dead
and dozens injured.
The
Palestinian Hamas resistance movement asks Hezbollah to help stop clashes
between Palestinian factions in a densely populated refugee camp in Lebanon.
The UN
agency for Palestinian refugees, UNRWA, said over 2,000 people were forced to
flee since the beginning of the clashes in the camp in late July, which
involved heavy weaponry.
The
violence erupted in the refugee camp when an unknown gunman attempted to kill a
member of an armed group named Mahmoud Khalil, but fatally shot his companion
instead. In the confrontations that ensued, Abu Ashraf al-Armouchi, a senior
commander with the Palestinian Fatah Party, who was in charge of security
inside Ain al-Hilweh, was killed along with several of his aides.
Local
media reports said many terrorists and extremists had infiltrated the camp,
targeting Fatah members and trying to create chaos.
A
ceasefire subsided the fighting but heavy confrontations sporadically resumed
afterwards.
Ain
al-Hilweh camp was established in 1948 to house Palestinians displaced by
Israeli forces during Nakba Day or “Day of Catastrophe,” when the Tel Aviv
regime was created at the expense of the forced expulsion of hundreds of
thousands of Palestinians from their homeland.
According
to the UNRWA, more than 63,000 people live in the camp.
Source: presstv.ir
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https://www.presstv.ir/Detail/2023/09/10/710614/Hezbollah-Palestinian-refugee-camp-Israel
------
Iran
thwarted 400 bombings planned by enemies: Intelligence minister
11
September 2023
Intelligence
Minister Esmail Khatib says Iran has recently foiled 400 bombings that were
plotted by the enemies in a bid to spark “fabricated riots” across the country.
Speaking
during a TV program on Sunday, Khatib said the enemies waged a hybrid war on
the Islamic Republic by pursuing acts of terror and trying to provoke riots in
the country.
“We
receive many reports saying that they (the enemies) are trying to take
advantage of another [wave of] fabricated riots. During this time, we collected
about 400 bombs, including more than 40 which were supposed to set off in
mourning congregations of the first 10 days of [the lunar calendar month of]
Muharram,” he added.
Foreign-backed
riots broke out in Iran last September, when 22-year-old woman Mahsa Amini died
in a hospital in the capital Tehran, three days after she collapsed at a police
station.
The
findings of an investigation into her death later attributed the tragic
incident to Amini’s pre-existing medical condition, debunking claims that she
was beaten by the police.
Rioters,
nonetheless, went on rampage across the country, causing massive material
damage to public property and, in some cases, lynching security forces as well
as civilians whom they regarded as supporters of the Islamic establishment.
Elsewhere
in his remarks, Khatib said that prior to the riots, the sworn enemies of the
Islamic establishment, including separatists, terrorists, and pro-Shah
elements, held meetings with over 50 intelligence agencies in different
countries and trained 200 media outlets to provoke the riots.
The
budget allocated to the 50 intelligence services that are operating against the
Islamic Republic is more than Iran’s annual budget, he noted.
He
further explained that the main intelligence services acting against Iran are
those of Britain, Israel, and the United States, which coordinate and direct
the activities of other agencies.
The
anti-Iran intelligence services, he continued, have set up a weapons factory
near Iran’s border with its products being smuggled into the country.
Source: presstv.ir
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https://www.presstv.ir/Detail/2023/09/11/710626/Iran-thwarted-400-bombings-planned-enemies-Intelligence-minister
-----
Iran
optimistic prisoner swap with US will happen in ‘near future’
September
11, 2023
DUBAI:
Iran is optimistic a prisoner swap with Washington will happen “in the near
future,” Iranian foreign ministry spokesperson said on Monday, adding that
Tehran’s frozen $6 billion assets in South Korea will be unblocked in the
coming days.
However,
Nasser Kanaani said the two issues were not linked to one another.
Sources
told Reuters last week that transfer of Iranian funds to banks in Qatar as
early as this week will trigger a carefully choreographed sequence that will
see as many as five detained US dual nationals leave Iran and a similar number
of Iranian prisoners held in the US fly home.
As a
first step, Iran on Aug. 10 released four US citizens from Tehran’s Evin prison
into house arrest, where they joined a fifth, who was already under house
arrest. Later that day US Secretary of State Antony Blinken called the move the
first step of a process that would lead to their return home.
Source: arabnews.com
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https://www.arabnews.com/node/2371351/middle-east
------
Iran to
host 150 Muslim luminaries in 5th Mustafa Prize
Sep 10,
2023
Hossein
Rabbani, the head of Isfahan’s Elites Foundation, said the 5th Mustafa Prize
ceremony will be held on October 2, when high-profile scientists in the field
of Artificial Intelligence convene in Isfahan from 57 Islamic countries.
The
prestigious ceremony will also host the 9th round of Science and Technology
Exchange Program (STEP), which is a platform organized by Mustafa Science and
Technology Foundation to expand the scientific network among the Islamic
world’s scholars by holding international events and laying the groundwork for
enhancing scientific synergy and cooperation.
“Awarding
a prize is regarded as a way of identifying outstanding people in scientific
fields and brings to the fore the existing capacities in different areas of
science,” Rabbani said.
“An
international award, like the Mustafa Prize, has profound impacts given its
media aspect,” he said, adding that it conveys the message that the Muslim
world pays attention to science and technology.
Mustafa
Prize was established in 2012 as one of the symbols of scientific excellence
and has been held biennially since 2015, recognizing leading researchers and
scientists of the Islamic world.
The
laureates are awarded $500,000, which is financed through the science and
technology endowment. They will also be adorned with Mustafa Medal and Honorary
Diploma.
The
prize is awarded in the four categories of Information and Communication
Science and Technology, Life and Medical Science and Technology, Nanoscience
and Nanotechnology, and All Areas of Science and Technology.
In 2016,
the Science Magazine called the prize “the Muslim Nobel.”
Source: mehrnews.com
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https://en.mehrnews.com/news/205869/Iran-to-host-150-Muslim-luminaries-in-5th-Mustafa-Prize
-------
Iran
very serious in confronting hostility of enemies: Leader
Sep 11,
2023
TEHRAN,
Sep. 11 (MNA) – The enemies are serious in their enmity and plotting, and the
Islamic Republic of Iran is also very serious in confronting them, the Leader
of the Islamic Revolution Ayatollah Seyyed Ali Khamenei said.
Addressing
a group of people from Sistan and Baluchestan, and South Khorasan provinces on
Monday, the Leader of the Islamic Revolution Ayatollah Seyyed Ali Khamenei said
that the world is on the verge of an evolution.
This
transformation includes several issues, including the weakening of the world's
arrogant powers, he said, adding that arrogant powers such as the US and some
European countries have weakened and will become weaker.
The
emergence of new regional and global powers is another part of this global
transformation, he added.
The
Leader went on to say that based on the received information, the American
government has created a group, the mission of which is to create a crisis in
countries, including Iran.
The
American government has found out that there are several sensitive issues in
Iran that can be turned into crises through provocation, Ayatollah Khamenei
highlighted, referring to the diversity of ethnic groups, religions, and the
issue of gender and women.
According
to the Leader of the Islamic Revolution, such dreams will never come true.
"The
enemies are serious in their enmity and plotting, and we are also very serious
in confronting them," the Leader noted.
Source: mehrnews.com
Please click the following URL to read
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https://en.mehrnews.com/news/205917/Iran-very-serious-in-confronting-hostility-of-enemies-Leader
------
Iranian
Red Crescent ready to send aid to Morocco
Sep 10,
2023
TEHRAN,
Sep. 10 (MNA) – In a message to the President of the House of Representatives
of Morocco, the Iranian Parliament Speaker announced the Iranian Red Crescent
Society's readiness to send aid teams to the Arab country amid the deadly
earthquake.
In his
message to Rachid TalbiAlami, Mohammad BagherGhlaibaf expressed condolences to
the people, lawmakers and government of Morocco on the deadly earthquake.
The
Iranian speaker further wished speedy recovery for the injured, forgiveness for
the dead, and for the survivors and all those who have lost loved ones
patience.
Ghalibaf
said that the Iranian parliament, the government and the people are ready to
stand alongside Morroco, adding that the Red Crescent Society of the Islamic
Republic of Iran is fully prepared to send relief and paramedical teams and
carry out humanitarian activities to the quake victims.
According
to the latest figures, the death toll from the Saturday 6.8 magnitude quake in
Morroco has risen to 2,100.
Source: mehrnews.com
Please click the following URL to read
the full text of the original
https://en.mehrnews.com/news/205894/Iranian-Red-Crescent-ready-to-send-aid-to-Morocco
-----
Islamist
factions in a troubled Palestinian refugee camp in Lebanon say they will honor
a cease-fire
September
11, 2023
SIDON:
Islamist factions in Lebanon’s largest Palestinian refugee camp said Sunday
they will abide by a cease-fire after three days of clashes killed at least
five people and left hundreds of families displaced.
Fighting
between Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas’ Fatah movement and Islamist groups
has rocked southern Lebanon’s Ein el-Hilweh refugee camp since Friday. Fatah
and other factions in the camp had intended to crack down on suspects accused
of killing one of their military generals in late July.
Besides
the five killed, 52 others were wounded, Dr. Riad Abu Al-Einen, who heads the
Al-Hamshari Hospital in Sidon that has received the casualties, told The
Associated Press. The UN agency for Palestinian refugees, UNRWA, however stated
that four people were killed and 60 others wounded.
The
Lebanese military said in a statement that five soldiers were wounded after
three shells landed in army checkpoints surrounding the camp. One of the
soldiers is in critical condition.
“The
army command repeats its warning to the concerned parties in the camp about the
consequences of exposing military members and positions to danger, and affirms
that the army will take appropriate measures in response,” the statement said.
Ein
el-Hilweh, home to some 55,000 people according to the United Nations, is
notorious for its lawlessness and violence is not uncommon in the camp. It was
established in 1948 to house Palestinians who were displaced when Israel was
established.
Lebanese
officials, security agencies and the UN have urged the warring factions to
agree on a cease-fire. The interim chief of Lebanon’s General Security agency
Elias Al-Baysari said that he will attend a Monday meeting between Palestinian
factions and urge the factions to reach a resolution.
The
clashing factions in the camp said in a statement published Sunday by Lebanon’s
state-run National News Agency that they planned to abide by a cease-fire.
UNRWA
said hundreds of families displaced from the camp have taken shelter in nearby
mosques, schools and the Sidon municipality building. The UN agency and local
organizations are setting up additional shelters after Lebanon’s prime minister
and interior minister shut down an initiative by the municipality, the Lebanese
Red Cross, and local community groups to set up a few dozen tents for families.
Palestinian
Red Crescent paramedics set up stations at the camp’s entrance to treat the
wounded and provided food packages to displaced families.
Among
the wounded was Sabine Al-Ahmad, 16, who fled the camp with her family. She was
being treated for shrapnel wounds. “We were running away and a shell exploded
over us,” she told the AP.
Dorothee
Klaus, Director of UNRWA in Lebanon, said armed groups are still occupying the
agency’s schools in the camp. “UNRWA calls on all parties and those with
influence over them to stop the violence,” Klaus said in a statement.
Several days
of street battles in the Ein el-Hilweh camp between Fatah and members of the
extremist Jund Al-Sham group erupted earlier this summer that left 13 people
dead and dozens wounded, and ended after an uneasy truce was put in place on
Aug. 3. Those street battles forced hundreds to flee their homes.
However,
clashes were widely expected to resume as the Islamist groups never handed over
those accused of killing the Fatah general to the Lebanese judiciary, as
demanded by a committee of Palestinian factions last month.
Lebanon
is home to tens of thousands of Palestinian refugees and their descendants.
Many live in the 12 refugee camps that are scattered around the small
Mediterranean country.
Source: arabnews.com
Please click the following URL to read
the full text of the original
https://www.arabnews.com/node/2371341/middle-east
------
Africa
At least
40 killed in airstrike on market in Sudan's Khartoum, volunteers say
10
September, 2023
At least
40 civilians were killed and dozens injured in an airstrike by the army on a
market in southern Khartoum, a local volunteer group said in a statement on
Sunday, marking the largest single-incident death toll since the war in Sudan
began in April.
Air and
artillery strikes in residential areas have intensified as the war between the
Sudanese army and paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF) nears the five-month
mark with neither side declaring victory or showing any concrete signs of
pursuing mediation.
Drones
carried out a series of heavy airstrikes on Sunday morning on southern
Khartoum, a large district of the city occupied mainly by the RSF, an
eyewitness who saw the strike told Reuters, asking not to be identified for
security reasons.
Images
shared by a body of local volunteers called the Southern Khartoum Emergency
Room showed many women and men injured as well as what appeared to be dead
bodies covered in cloth, some piled together.
Residents
of the area tend to be day workers who, cut off from jobs, are too poor to
afford the cost of escaping from the capital.
Mohamed
Abdallah, a spokesman for the Emergency Room, which tries to provide medical
and other services, said the injured had to be transported on rickshaws or
donkey carts.
In a
statement, the RSF accused the Sudanese army of carrying out the attack, as
well as other strikes. The Sudanese army denied responsibility and blamed the
RSF.
"We
only aim our attacks at the enemy's groupings and stations in different
areas," Brigadier General Nabil Abdallah told Reuters.
While
the RSF has fanned out across residential areas throughout the capital Khartoum
and neighbouringBahri and Omdurman, the army has used its advantage of heavy
artillery and air strikes to try to push them back, resulting in hundreds of
civilian casualties.
Strikes
in western Omdurman last week killed at least 51 people across two separate
days. With most hospitals closed and no functioning local government,
volunteers struggle to document the full extent of deaths.
Medical
aid agency MSF, which operates Bashair hospital in southern Khartoum, said on
social media network X, formerly called Twitter, that the crowded Gorro market
was hit at 07:00 (05:00 GMT), and that at least 60 people were wounded. Doctors
had stopped trying to count as they operated on torn body parts.
"Khartoum
has been at war for almost six months. But still, the volunteers… are shocked
and overwhelmed by the scale of horror that struck the city today,"
emergency coordinator Marie Burton said.
On
Friday, the Southern Khartoum Emergency Room said in a statement that the
hospital, one of few still operating, was threatened with closure as supplies
run out and staff struggle to reach it.
The army
and RSF began fighting on 15 April, after tensions arose over integration of
their troops in a new transition to democracy.
While
several countries have launched mediation efforts, none has succeeded in
bringing a halt to the fighting.
Source: newarab.com
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https://www.newarab.com/news/least-40-killed-airstrike-sudan-market-volunteers
------
Morocco
earthquake: Race against time to find survivors
September
11, 2023
Moroccan
rescue workers, backed by foreign teams, continued Monday in a race against
time to find survivors and provide assistance to hundreds of homeless people
whose homes were razed to the ground, more than 48 hours after the earthquake
that killed more than 2,100 people.
Morocco
announced on Sunday evening that it had responded favorably, "at this
stage", to offers from four countries "to send search and rescue
teams": Spain, Great Britain, Qatar and the United Arab Emirates.
These
teams have been in contact with their counterparts in Morocco with a view to
coordinating their efforts, the Interior Ministry said in a statement.
Spain
said it had already sent 86 rescue workers to Morocco, accompanied by dogs
specialized in searching for victims, while a Qatari humanitarian flight took
off on Sunday evening from the Al-Udeid air base on the outskirts of Doha,
according to an AFP journalist.
Other
offers could be accepted in the future "should needs evolve", the
ministry added.
Numerous
countries, from France to the United States and Israel, had offered to help
Morocco in the wake of the devastating earthquake, which left 2,122 people dead
and 2,421 injured, according to the most recent report.
Pending
the deployment of foreign rescue teams on the ground, the Moroccan authorities
have begun to erect tents in the High Atlas, where villages have been completely
destroyed by the earthquake.
Apocalyptic
landscape
Rescue
workers, volunteers and members of the armed forces are working to find
survivors and pull bodies from the rubble, particularly in villages in the
province of Al-Haouz, the epicenter of the quake south of the tourist city of
Marrakech in central Morocco.
In
Tikht, a small village near Adassil, a minaret and a handful of unpainted clay
houses stand amidst an apocalyptic landscape.
"Life
is over here," laments Mohssin Aksum, 33, a resident. "The village is
dead.
Not far
away, Moroccan security forces are digging graves for the victims, while others
are setting up yellow tents for earthquake survivors left homeless.
The
earthquake, which struck late on Friday evening and registered a magnitude of 7
according to the Moroccan Center for Scientific and Technical Research (6.8
according to the US Seismological Service), was the strongest ever measured in
Morocco.
Faced
with the scale of the destruction, solidarity is being organized in Marrakech,
where many residents have rushed to hospitals to donate blood for the victims.
"We're
collecting food to help the areas affected by the earthquake," Ibrahim
Nachit, a member of the Draw Smile association, told AFP. The association is
also planning to send a "medical caravan" to the worst-hit areas.
"I
think the food supplies collected today should be able to support at least 100
families for a week", added AbdeltifRazouki, vice-president of the
association.
Source: africanews.com
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https://www.africanews.com/2023/09/11/morocco-earthquake-race-against-time-to-find-survivors/
-------
Nigeria
Secret Police, DSS Arrests, Grills Central Bank Deputy Governor, Aishah Ahmad
September
10, 2023
The Department
of State Services (DSS) has arrested and detained the Deputy Governor of the
Central Bank of Nigeria in charge of Financial System Stability, Aishah Ahmad.
According
to NTA on its X (formerly Twitter) handle, Ahmad was arrested and detained over
the alleged fraudulent acquisition of shares in Polaris Bank, Titan Bank/Union
Bank.
The
report added that the CBN Deputy Governor is currently being interrogated on
how the $300 million to complete the acquisition of Union Bank was raised by
Titan Bank.
Her
arrest and grilling followed the arrest and detention of the suspended Governor
of the CBN, Godwin Emefiele, also by the DSS.
Ahmad
was appointed Deputy Governor at the CBN on March 23, 2018. As Deputy Governor
in charge of Financial System Stability, she is responsible for leading the
effort to promote a sound financial system in Nigeria; one of the principal
objects of the Bank as specified within the CBN Act. In this role, Ahmad is a
member of the CBN's Governing Board and Committee of Governors and Chairman of
the Financial Institutions Training Centre (FITC).
SaharaReporters
had reported how Emefiele had perfected plans to cover up his corruption
records when Muhammadu Buhari was Nigeria’s president.
Multiple
sources told SaharaReporters how Emefiele secretly sent the names of Mrs.
Aishah N, Ahmad, Deputy Governor, Financial System Stability Directorate and
Mr. Edward L. Adamu Deputy Governor, Corporate Services Directorate to
President Muhammadu Buhari for renewal.
The move
by Emefiele to nominate his stooges for re-appointment was part of plans to
cover his corruption records in the bank, it was learnt.
“Emefiele
has secretly sent Aisha and Edward’s names for renewal months before time to
stop the next government from appointing their own candidate and to allow them
to cover his back,” a source in the bank had told SaharaReporters.
“He has
paid the villa cabals millions in dollars to get the renewals approved. Edward
was that one on the audio SaharaReporters exclusively leaked.
“Aisha
is that deputy governor Samaila Isa Funtua and his son brought.”
SaharaReporters
had reported that Emefiele; the President of African Export-Import Bank
(Afreximbank), and Prof. Benedict Oramah; among others were under investigation
over the $300 million the pan-African multilateral financial institution gave
to Titan Trust Bank Limited to acquire 93.4 per cent stake in the Union Bank of
Nigeria Plc.
Others
being investigated were AminuYaro, a Northern business mogul and one Farouk
Gumel.
Sources
had told SaharaReporters that the EFCC, DSS, the Independent Corrupt Practices
and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) and the Nigerian Financial
Intelligence Unit (NFIU) were all investigating Oramah, Emefiele and others.
In
December 2022, the Peoples Gazette reported that Ahmad helped facilitate the
sale of Polaris Bank at a favourable price in order to be considered for the
position of CBN Governor.
The CBN
denied these allegations and described the sale of Polaris Bank aas an
institutional decision supervised by a committee of senior representatives of
the Asset Management Corporation of Nigeria (AMCON) and the CBN.
The CBN
stated that no other party made a higher purchase offer as alleged by the
newspaper.
Source: saharareporters.com
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https://saharareporters.com/2023/09/10/nigeria-secret-police-dss-arrests-grills-central-bank-deputy-governor-aishah-ahmad
-------
Nigeria
ready to play vital role in G-20, Tinubu lobbies world leaders
AdegbiteTaoheed
September 10, 2023
As
Africa’s largest economy and democracy, President Bola Tinubu has lobbied for
Nigeria’s inclusion in G-20 group, saying the country has the potential to play
a significant role within the group and contribute to creating a more just
world.
The
President made the call when he addressed world leaders, on Saturday, at the
18th G-20 Leaders’ Summit holding in New Delhi, India.
This is
according to a statement released and signed by the Special Adviser to the
President on Media and Publicity, AjuriNgelale, titled ‘President Tinubu to
G-20 leaders: As Africa’s largest market, economy and democracy, Nigeria is
ready to play vital role in G-20.’
“Nigeria
is poised, able, and willing to be a major player in this family of the G-20
and in shaping a new world, without whom, the family will remain incomplete,”
the President said.
According
to him, most of today’s pressing issues are international in character which
must be addressed with multilateral cooperation. He also acknowledged the vital
role of the G-20 in shaping a rules-based world order that promotes shared
prosperity and security.
He
added: “Therefore, stronger collaboration, cooperation, and partnerships among
diverse regions are the pathways to a peaceful, prosperous, and sustainable
future for the world.
“A world
that lives as one family, but is divided by staggering income inequalities and
uneven access to basic social goods by the vast majority of our people cannot
result in a peaceful and secure world where shared prosperity is achieved.”
Continuing,
the President, while welcoming the inclusion of African Union in the G-20,
noted that it will open the group opportunity for future membership in a manner
that “reflects the relative balance of power and inclusiveness of humanity as
One Family.”
Source: tribuneonlineng.com
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https://tribuneonlineng.com/nigeria-ready-to-play-vital-role-in-g-20-tinubu-lobbies-world-leaders/
------
Europe
UK
police arrests two persons amid claims of spying for China
September
10, 2023
LONDON
—- UK police have confirmed Sunday that two men, one in his 20s and another in
his 30s, were arrested under the official secret act in March, amid claims of
spying for China, said BBC Sunday.
The BBC
quoted the Sunday Times as saying one of the men, in his 20s, was a researcher
with links to several Tory MPs, adding that both men were taken to a south
London police station, and were subsequently released on police bail until a
date in early October.
“One of
the arrested men is alleged to have had links to security minister Tom
Tugendhat and foreign affairs committee chairwoman Alicia Kearns, among
others,” it added.
On
Sunday morning, UK prime minister spokesperson said Rishi Sunak had expressed
concerns about Chinese interference to a senior official from China.
Parliament’s
Intelligence and Security Committee issued a long-awaited report in July,
warning that the government had been slow to come to terms with the security
risks from Beijing.
“It
appears that China has a high level of intent to interfere with the UK
government, targeting officials and bodies at a range of levels to influence UK
political thinking and decision-making relevant to China,” the report said.
A
spokesperson said the prime minister had met Chinese Premier Li Qiang during
the G20 summit in India, and “conveyed his significant concerns about Chinese
interference the UK’s parliamentary democracy”.
Several
government sources declined to comment on security matters.
The
Metropolitan Police said: “A man in his 30s was arrested at an address in
Oxfordshire and a man in his 20s was arrested at an address in Edinburgh.
“Searches
were also carried out at both the residential properties, as well as at a third
address in east London.”
Both men
were taken to a south London police station, and were subsequently released on
police bail until a date in early October, it said.
The
Met’s Counter Terrorism Command, which oversees espionage-related offenses, is
investigating.
It is
reported the researcher had access to Tugendhat before he became security
minister in September last year.
Tugendhat
is said to have had only limited contact with the man, and no dealings with him
as a minister.
The man
has not been named — but the Sunday Times said he had lived in China for a
period.
Conservative
MP Kearns said she was aware of the paper’s report but declined to comment,
adding: “While I recognize the public interest, we all have a duty to ensure
any work of the authorities is not jeopardized.”
Asked
about the report on BBC One’s Sunday with Laura Kuenssberg, Justice Secretary
Alex Chalk said he could not comment on specific cases.
He
defended the current stance towards China, saying the UK was right to “engage”
with the country but Sunak had highlighted the need to “proceed with caution”.
The
arrests will reignite the debate over London’s relationship with Beijing. There
has been growing concern about Chinese espionage and also interference in
Parliament, with questions about whether more action should have been taken to
mitigate risks.
Last
year, an unusual parliamentary interference alert was issued regarding the
activities of Christine Lee.
MI5
alleged she had been carrying out political interference activities including
donating funds to support the work of MPs. This was all said to be on behalf of
China.
Other
countries, notably Australia and Canada, have also seen recent claims of
Chinese espionage or interference in politics, with the Chinese government
denying any such activity.
Tensions
have been increasing over both espionage and wider security threats in recent
years — but the last few months has seen attempts by both Washington and London
to stabilize relations with China.
The UK’s
Foreign Secretary James Cleverly visited Beijing less than two weeks ago and told
the BBC it would not be “credible” to disengage.
Reacting
to the arrests, Conservative MP Iain Duncan Smith said it was “time for us to
recognize the deepening threat that the CCP (Chinese Communist Party) under
(President) Xi now pose”.
He also
questioned the UK’s approach to China, adding: “What price was Cleverly’s
kowtow visit to Beijing?”
Tory MP
Tim Loughton said: “This is yet further evidence of how far the tentacles of
the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) reach into British institutions.
“Yet
again the security of Parliament has potentially been compromised, reinforcing
how we cannot view the CCP as anything other than a hostile foreign threat.”
Parliament’s
Intelligence and Security Committee issued a long-awaited report in July,
warning that the government had been slow to come to terms with the security
risks from Beijing.
“It
appears that China has a high level of intent to interfere with the UK
government, targeting officials and bodies at a range of levels to influence UK
political thinking and decision-making relevant to China,” the report said.
It noted
the challenges in prosecuting cases linked to espionage given that it was, at
that time, not a criminal offence to be an agent of a foreign intelligence
service.
MI5 and
the wider intelligence community have long complained that the old Official
Secrets Act was inadequate in dealing with hostile state activity. The US and
Australia both have been able to use a wider range of powers.
National
security legislation to provide new powers to investigate espionage and other
security threats did come into effect this summer in the UK, but this was after
the arrest of the two men which took place under the old Official Secrets Act.
— Agencies/BBC
Source: saudigazette.com.sa
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-------
Two
dead, four injured in Hungary air show crash
September
11, 2023
BUDAPEST:
A plane crashed during an air show in Hungary on Sunday, leaving two people
dead and four injured, officials said.
The show
took place at Borgond airport at Szekesfehervar city, some 70 kilometres
southwest of Budapest.
"Based
on preliminary information, apart from the pilot, there was one passenger on
the aircraft, and tragically, both lost their lives at the scene," police
said in a statement.
On the
ground, four people were injured, including three suffering severe burns,
according to a spokeswoman of the national ambulance service.
She
added those injured severely were a woman, a man and a girl, while a boy
suffered lighter injuries.
A video
in local media showed the plane – a 1951 North American Aviation T-28 Trojan,
according to media reports – tumbling from the sky and exploding on the ground.
"The
small plane came down next to a parked car, which caught fire from the impact
of debris," police said in the statement.
"The
crash occurred very close to the premises of the air show," the national
ambulance service spokeswoman told AFP.
Source: nst.com.my
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https://www.nst.com.my/world/world/2023/09/953693/two-dead-four-injured-hungary-air-show-crash
------
EU
greenlights seizure of personal phones and cars from Russians
Russian
nationals are effectively banned from taking many personal items with them when
traveling to the EU, the European Commission confirmed this week. Goods ranging
from personal cars and smartphones to soap and even toilet paper are sanctioned
and thus cannot be brought into the bloc even temporarily or during tourist
travels, it explained.
The
latest set of answers to the ‘frequently asked questions’ by the EU Commission
issued on Friday specifically focused on Russian cars. “It is not relevant
whether the use of the vehicles is private or commercial” as long as they fall
into the sanctioned goods category, it said.
The ban
covers “vehicles having a Russian license plate” and “registered in Russia,” the
commission’s statement said, adding that the duration of a car’s possible stay
in the EU is “not relevant.” The clarification came following a series of
incidents in which German customs authorities were seen confiscating private
Russian cars entering the country at least since July.
Moscow
then accused Berlin of “stealing” vehicles and warned its citizens against
bringing their cars into Germany. The German authorities justified their
actions by citing sanctions imposed against Russia as early as in 2014 and
expanded after Moscow launched its military operation in Ukraine in February
2022.
The
clarification on Friday by the EU Commission went even further and said that
not just cars but a wide range of other personal goods are subject to sanctions
as well if they originate from Russia. When asked whether Russian nationals can
temporarily bring personal goods and vehicles into the EU, including when
traveling as tourists, Brussels said “no,” adding that anything listed in Annex
XXI to the EU regulation on sanctions against Russia is banned.
The
Annex lists more than 180 categories of goods that, apart from private
vehicles, include smartphones and any other phones, cameras, women’s clothing,
various types of bags, footwear, soap, perfumery, and even toilet paper.
NATO and
EU nations first imposed sanctions on Moscow in 2014, when Crimea voted to
leave Ukraine and become part of Russia in the wake of the Maidan coup in Kiev
that year. Moscow has insisted that trade restrictions and the seizure of
assets and other Russian property are illegal and tantamount to theft.
Source: rt.com
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https://www.rt.com/news/582721-eu-seizure-phones-cars-russia/
-----
Ukrainian
pensioner jailed for social media ‘likes’
10 Sep,
2023
A woman
in Ukraine’s northern Chernigov Region was given a jail term of five years for
simultaneously justifying, denying, and glorifying Russia’s “aggression”
against Ukraine, local media reported on Friday, citing a court decision.
According
to court documents, the defendant, whose identity was not made public, ‘liked’
three posts on the ‘Odnoklassniki’ website. The platform is popular in Russia
and other former Soviet republics, particularly among the older population, but
is banned in Ukraine.
The
posts in question included a social media post, a video published by Russian
newspaper Komsomolskaya Pravda, and a “text and graphic material glorifying”
the actions of the Russian forces in Ukraine. The woman also used a function
that made all the posts she liked automatically reposted by her account, making
them visible for her 178 social media friends, the court said.
At the
court hearing, the defendant made a full confession and asked the judge not to
punish her particularly harshly. She also said she was acting “under the
influence of political shows” and did not understand that she was committing a
crime.
The
woman’s age was not revealed by the Ukrainian judicial authorities either. The
court documents only state that she was an elderly person with no prior
criminal records. Apart from sentencing her to jail time, the judge also
ordered the confiscation of the woman’s mobile phone and notebook, and demanded
she pay court expenses amounting to 18,122 hryvnas ($490).
The
sanctions against a number of Russian websites, such as Odnoklassniki, were
imposed by former Ukrainian President Pyotr Poroshenko in 2017. The ban was
extended by the current president, Vladimir Zelensky. Prior to the ban, around
24 million people – more than half of the country’s population – used Russian
sites.
In
January 2022, around a month before the conflict between Kiev and Moscow broke
out, a Ukrainian man was slapped with a fine of $350 for liking a post calling
for the overthrow of the government in Kiev. He was charged with undermining
national security.
Over the
course of the conflict with Russia, Kiev has further tightened its grip on the
media, internet, and politics with highly restrictive laws. In December 2022,
it adopted a media law which was slammed by the International Federation of
Journalists (IFJ) as having “systemic problems for democracy.”
Source: rt.com
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https://www.rt.com/russia/582726-ukrainian-pensioner-jailed-social-media/
-------
Polish
ambassador blasts Ukraine over memorials to WW2 Nazi collaborators
10 Sep,
2023
Ukrainian
authorities are “wrong” to erect monuments to war criminals, Poland’s
ambassador to Ukraine told the BBC on Saturday. Kiev’s continued veneration of
Nazi collaborators like Stepan Bandera is a source of “real pain” in Poland, he
said.
“You say
that war is no time to deal with the dead,” ambassador BartoszCichocki said in
an interview with the BBC’s Ukrainian office. “But I can answer you: war is
also not the time to erect monuments to criminals and name streets after them.”
By “the
dead,” Cichocki was referring to the murders of between 40,000 and 100,000
Poles between 1943 and 1944 in the regions of western Ukraine and eastern
Poland also known as Volhynia and Galicia. The Volyn Massacre, as the entire
ethnic cleansing campaign has become known, was carried out by the UPA, a
paramilitary wing of the Nazi-allied Organization of Ukrainian Nationalists
(OUN).
The OUN
was led at the time by Stepan Bandera, who today is celebrated by many
Ukrainians as a national hero. Streets in multiple towns and cities have been
renamed after Bandera, while the OUN leader has been honored with statues and
monuments, including a seven-foot likeness in the western Ukrainian city of
Lviv.
“It is
wrong in our Christian culture when loved ones cannot pray at the graves of their
brutally murdered ancestors, when they cannot find them and bury them, and at
the same time when monuments are erected to their murderers,” Cichocki said.
Cichocki
explained that Polish authorities are still awaiting permission from Kiev to
exhume a mass grave near the Ukrainian city of Ternopil. Should permission be
granted, he said that this would go a long way toward “building trust between
us.”
The
ambassador also lashed out at claims that the Polish side is “fanning” the
disagreement between Warsaw and Kiev.
“I very
often hear when a monument to Stepan Bandera is opened somewhere and the Poles
are indignant about it, they say, the Poles are fanning this topic,” he
remarked. “And why does no one ask those who open this monument why they do
it?”
The
issue of the Volyn Massacre was raised earlier this summer by Polish Foreign
Ministry spokesman Lukasz Jasina, who called on Ukrainian President Vladimir
Zelensky to “take more responsibility” and say “sorry” for the murders.
Ukrainian officials were indignant, with Kiev’s ambassador to Warsaw,
VasilyZvarych, declaring that “any attempt to impose on the Ukrainian president
or Ukraine [and tell us] what we must [do] about our common past is
unacceptable and unfortunate.”
Cichocki
said that for the time being, Warsaw will keep its disagreements with Kiev
“separate from the war,” and “help Ukraine defend itself.”
Source: rt.com
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https://www.rt.com/news/582723-poland-ukraine-bandera-monuments/
-------
France
accused of planning ‘aggression’ against Niger
10 Sep,
2023
Paris is
planning to intervene in Niger, as it continues to deploy troops to several
countries in the region, the West African state’s military government has
claimed. Relations between Niger and former colonial power France have
deteriorated since a coup in July.
“France
continues to deploy its forces in several ECOWAS (Economic Community of West
African States) countries as part of preparations for an aggression against
Niger, which it is planning in collaboration with this community organization,”
Colonel AmadouAbdramane, spokesman for the government in Niamey, said in a
statement broadcast on national television on Saturday, as quoted by AFP.
ECOWAS
has threatened to intervene in the country to restore its ousted president
Mohamed Bazoum to office. Top French officials have also stated several times
that Paris would support military action by the bloc.
However,
according to Niger’s military-appointed prime minister, Ali LamineZeine,
military action by ECOWAS is not supported by all member states. He also told
the media on Monday that the new government in Niamey was hoping to reach an
agreement with the bloc in the “coming days.”
Nigerien
military leaders have previously denounced the presence of French troops in the
country as “illegal” and demanded their prompt withdrawal.
While
speaking during the G20 summit in New Delhi, French President Emmanuel Macron
said that since his country doesn’t recognize the Nigerien military government,
any redeployment of its forces might be done only “at the request of President
Bazoum.”
Paris
already had to withdraw troops from Burkina Faso earlier this year. France also
pulled its forces out of Mali following tensions with the military government
after a coup in 2020.
Source: rt.com
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https://www.rt.com/africa/582702-france-accused-planning-aggression-niger/
------
West
failed to ‘Ukrainize’ G20 – Lavrov
10 Sep,
2023
The West
failed to make the G20 summit in New Delhi revolve around the Ukraine conflict,
thanks in no small part to the efforts of developing countries, Russian Foreign
Minister Sergey Lavrov has noted.
Speaking
to reporters on Sunday, Lavrov, who headed the Russian delegation at the
gathering, praised summit host India, which he claimed has helped to
consolidate the countries of the Global South. As a result, they stood up “to
protect their legitimate interests,” which made it possible “to prevent the West
from once again Ukrainizing the entire agenda” of the summit and diverting
attention from the urgent problems facing emerging economies.
The
foreign minister pointed out that the joint declaration “mentions the Ukraine
crisis, but only in the context of the need to resolve all conflicts” in
accordance with the principles of the UN Charter.
Lavrov
insisted that the G20 must focus on economic and financial issues, and praised
emerging countries, which prevented the meeting from turning into a
“politicized club.”
The
final G20 declaration, which was adopted on Saturday “highlighted the human
suffering and negative added impacts of the war in Ukraine with regard to
global food and energy security, supply chains, macro-financial stability,
inflation and growth.” It also acknowledged that some G20 members had differing
views on the hostilities between Moscow and Kiev.
Before
the declaration was released, Reuters reported that the paragraph on Ukraine
had been a major stumbling block as Western countries pushed for a strong
condemnation of Russia, an approach that encountered opposition from other
members.
Source: rt.com
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https://www.rt.com/russia/582700-west-failed-ukrainize-g20-lavrov/
------
Mosque
holds ceremony to reward excelling students
Nayan
Murthy
11 September 2023
A
Southampton mosque held a ceremony to reward students who excelled in the past
academic year.
Shahjalal
Mosque and Islamic Centre on St Mary's Road held its annual award ceremony on
September 3 aimed to allow the community to recognise children in Southampton
who got good grades.
Many
people from the area attended with the secretary of the Muslim Council of
Southampton, Rashidul Islam, saying how nice it was to see so many children and
parents attend the event.
Speaking
at the event, he said: “It's always a pleasure to see how the children are
doing well.
"We
are happy to celebrate their success and give them and others motivation to
continue with their successful path”.
Although
this event was to celebrate the best and brightest, he also stressed that those
who did not get their desired results should not lose hope.
Certificates
were given to everyone who had passed their GCSEs, A levels, degrees and
masters.
However,
the three best results were awarded with prize money and books.
The
first prize for GCSE results was presented to Adil Islam who got seven A*s and
two A’s.
Adil
said he was very happy to see so many people congratulating him and he hopes to
go and study medicine one day.
His
father, Alamgir Islam, said: “(I am) very proud of my son and I hope that he
continues with the hard work and become a doctor which he aspires to be”.
The
first place for A levels was received by Naseem Alom who achieved two A* grades
and one A.
Hafiz
Taif Molik Rahman was also awarded with a special award for memorising the
Quran.
Taif,
who is studying towards his law degree, said: “It was hard but I enjoyed it and
it was worth the hard work”.
His
father, ShajahanMolik Rahman, added: “I am proud of my son as it is not easy to
Memorise the whole Quran and I hope he will continue to strive to be a better
Muslim and human being”.
Source: uk.news.yahoo.com
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