NIA Arrests 2 Men, Associated with Hizb-ut-Tahrir, for 'Radicalising' Youngsters in TN, 'Promoting' Indian Laws as Anti-Islamic
New Age Islam News Bureau
01 July 2024
NIA
investigations revealed that they were involved in conducting secret classes to
radicalise youth. (Image for representation: News18)
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· NIA Arrests 2 Men, Associated with Hizb-ut-Tahrir, for 'Radicalising' Youngsters in TN, 'Promoting' Indian Laws as Anti-Islamic
· US Muslim Group Condemns Israeli New York Consul's 'Wake Up' Call against Muslims
· Ultra-Orthodox Protest against Order to Enlist In Israeli Military Turns Violent In Jerusalem
· Attacker Rips Headscarves off Muslim Women Walking through London
· Saudi Film Commission Joins Association of Film Commissioners International
India
· Aligarh Mob Lynching: 12 Days Later, Police Slap Robbery Charge On Victim Mohammad Farid
· Man succumbs week after mob attack in West Bengal, third such death in three days
· Couple Assaulted On Street: “Is TMC Declaring West Bengal A State Where Sharia Law Will Be Applied?”- Bengal BJP Chief
· Members of the Nasya Sheikh (Rajbanshi Muslims) Community In North Bengal Demand For Uplift
· Hindus and Muslims protest together in J&K’s Reasi as place of worship vandalized
· 12 detained as place of worship ‘vandalised’ in J&K’s Reasi
· All India Shia Personal Law Board writes to PM Modi to ensure arrangements for Muharram processions
· Odisha cow vigilantes stop truck carrying suspected beef, driver arrested Berhampur
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North
America
· US military raises alert level for Europe bases: reports
· New York Times first US paper urging Biden to drop out of 2024 election
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Mideast
· Palestinians say Israeli drone strike kills West Bank militant
· Israel army says Gaza militants fire barrage of ‘20 projectiles’
· Iran election shows declining voter support amid calls for change
· Zionist settlers storm blessed Al-Aqsa Mosque
· Israel says 18 soldiers hurt in Golan Heights
· Propane tank explosion in western Turkiye kills 5 people, injures 63 others
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Europe
· ISW: Ethnic and Religious Tensions Rise In Russia After Russian Official Criticises “Islamic Terrorism”
· UK government, British Airways sued over 1990 Kuwait hostage crisis
· Ukraine says Russian missile attack on Dnipro injures seven
· Hungary takes EU presidency echoing Trump but likely to lack bite
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Arab
World
· Saudi literature commission hosts seminar in Seoul book fair
· Saudi Foreign Ministry Highlights Women Empowerment in Diplomacy
· Rural farms in Madinah attract visitors
· Cairo Nights brings Egypt’s lively urban culture to Jeddah
· Arab oil dominates Japan’s crude supply in May
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South
Asia
· Saudi Arabia to Reopen Its Embassy in Kabul, Confirms Islamic Emirate Spokesman
· Pakistani government should not allow anyone to make remarks on sensitive issues, MoD
· Iran envoy outlines Tehran’s concerns on Afghanistan at Doha meeting
· Diplomats’ insights on first day of Doha meeting on Afghanistan
· Canada deems absence of independent voices at Doha meeting disappointing
· Islamic Emirate Delegate Mujahid Calls for Sanctions Relief and Economic Aid at Doha Meeting
· Islamic Emirate Delegation Meets with Representatives from Uzbekistan, Russia, and India Preceding Doha Meeting
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Pakistan
· Rallies, Jirgas in KP Oppose Azm-i-Istehkam Military Offensive
· Christian Man on Death Row for ‘Sparking’ Riots In Jaranwala
· Masood stresses for persevering efforts to boost Pak-US bilateral ties
· Fazl says PTI leadership 'lacks consistency' in its stance on talks with JUI-F
· Minister Asif slams Afghanistan for failing to act against militants
· Balochistan Govt Depts Told to Form Bodies against Women’s Harassment
· Ruling allies assail PTI for backing ‘anti-Pakistan’ US resolution
· 'PTI constitutes team for negotiation with JUI-F'
· Solution to all problems in politics lies in dialogue: Info Minister
· Shaza in China to represent Pakistan at Global Digital Economy Conference
· Pakistan announces start of second phase of expelling undocumented Afghan refugees
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Southeast
Asia
· Syamsinar Recounts Hajj Scam Ordeal: Abandoned and Hiding from the Saudi Police
· Durians not favoured in Middle East and Europe, Mat Sabu explains driving its export to China
· Sabahan young dancers triumph at Dance World Cup, win 3 gold medals
· 28 Migrants Stranded on West Java Coast After Reported Rejection by Australia
· Indonesia to Repatriate Remains of Japanese World War II Soldiers
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Africa
· Na’Allah bids farewell to the University of Abuja
· Tinubu, 36 govs lack will to tackle hardship – Osun Muslim community
· Cyril Ramaphosa names 'Unprecedented' Government of National Unity cabinet
· Kenya: The pain of the bereaved, calls for fresh protests
· Nigeria: Suspected female suicide bombers kill at least 18- Authorities
Compiled by
New Age Islam News Bureau
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NIA Arrests 2 Men, Associated with Hizb-ut-Tahrir,for 'Radicalising' Youngsters in TN, 'Promoting' Indian Laws as Anti-Islamic
JULY 01, 2024
NIA investigations revealed that they
were involved in conducting secret classes to radicalise youth. (Image for
representation: News18)
--------------
The National Investigation Agency (NIA) on Sunday arrested two men, associated with international pan-Islamist organisation Hizb-ut-Tahrir, for allegedly radicalising youngsters in Tamil Nadu.
The arrested men have been identified as Abdul Rehman alias Abdul Rahman and Mujibur Rehman alias Mujibur Rahman Altham Sahib, both from Thanjavur district, a statement issued by the NIA said.
The duo, who were arrested following extensive searches at 10 locations in five districts of the southern state, are members of the Hizb-ut-Tahrir, an international pan-Islamist and fundamentalist organisation that is working to re-establish the Islamic caliphate and enforce the constitution written by the outfit’s founder, Taqi al-Din al-Nabhani, the NIA said.
”NIA investigations revealed that they were involved in conducting secret classes to radicalise youth in extremist ideologies, promoting democracy and the Indian Constitution, law and judiciary etc. as anti-Islamic,” the statement said.
The trainees were taught that India was now ”Darul Kufr” (the land of non-believers) and it was their duty to transform it into ”Darul Islam” by establishing an Islamic State in the country by waging a violent jihad, the agency said.
”Today’s searches led to the seizure of digital devices (mobile phones, laptops, SIM cards and memory cards) and several incriminating documents, including books and printouts containing the ideology of Hizb-ut-Tahrir, Khilafa, Islamic State and proposed Khilafa government and its funding structures etc.,” it added.
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US Muslim group condemns Israeli New York consul's 'wake up' call against Muslims
30.06.2024
Credit: @CAIRNewYork, X
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Comments by Israel’s new consul general in New York, Ofir Akunis, urging New Yorkers to "wake up" against what he called a "radical Muslim occupation" have sparked sharp criticism from US Muslims.
The New York chapter of the Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR-NY) condemned Akunis's statement made in an interview with the New York Post.
Akunis likened New York’s situation to cities like London, Malmo and Paris, which he described as being under the occupation of "radical Muslims," urging New Yorkers to act before it was too late.
In a statement, CAIR-NY Executive Director Afaf Nasher said: "This false ‘wake up’ call is in reality a call to hatred and violence targeting New York Muslims and Arabs, and those perceived to be Muslim and Arab-American."
Nasher emphasized that Akunis' "false and hate-filled remarks should be repudiated by all political and religious leaders."
She also highlighted the rise in anti-Muslim discrimination and hate crimes in the US, pointing to the highest number of complaints received by CAIR in its 30-year history.
According to a civil rights report released by CAIR's national office earlier this year, they received 8,601 complaints in 2023, with half of them coming after Oct. 7, 2023. This was described as "the highest number of complaints received in CAIR's 30-year history."
In the interview, Akunis also referred to protests against Israel's attacks on Gaza, claiming that antisemitism he witnessed in New York was "the worst ever" since Jews began arriving in the United States in large numbers in the late 19th century.
Source: aa.com.tr
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Ultra-Orthodox protest against order to enlist in Israeli military turns violent in Jerusalem
June 30, 2024
Police detain an ultra-Orthodox Jewish
man during a protest against a Supreme Court order for ultra-Orthodox men to
begin enlisting for military service, on June 27, 2024. (AFP)
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JERUSALEM: Thousands of Jewish ultra-Orthodox men clashed with Israeli police in central Jerusalem on Sunday during a protest against a Supreme Court order for them to begin enlisting for military service.
The landmark decision last week ordering the government to begin drafting ultra-Orthodox men could lead to the collapse of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s governing coalition as Israel wages war in Gaza.
Tens of thousands of men rallied in an ultra-Orthodox neighborhood to protest the order. But after nightfall, the crowd made its way toward central Jerusalem and turned violent.
Israeli police said protesters threw rocks and attacked the car of an ultra-Orthodox Cabinet minister, pelting it with stones. Water cannons filled with skunk-scented water and police mounted on horses were used to disperse the crowd. But the demonstration was still not under control late Sunday.
Military service is compulsory for most Jewish men and women in Israel. But politically powerful ultra-Orthodox parties have won exemptions for their followers to skip military service and instead study in religious seminaries.
The long-standing arrangement has bred resentment among the broader public, a sentiment that has grown stronger during the eight-month war against Hamas. Over 600 soldiers have been killed in fighting, and tens of thousands of reservists have been activated, upending careers, businesses and lives.
Ultra-Orthodox parties and their followers say forcing their men to serve in the army will destroy their generations-old way of life. Earlier Sunday, thousands of men crowded a square and joined in mass prayers. Many held signs criticizing the government, with one saying “not even one male” should be drafted.
The ultra-Orthodox parties are key members of Netanyahu’s governing coalition and could potentially force new elections if they decide to leave the government in protest.
Party leaders have not said whether they will leave the government. Doing so could be risky, with Netanyahu’s coalition’s popularity lagging since the Oct. 7 Hamas attack that sparked the war.
Source: arabnews.com
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Attacker Rips Headscarves off Muslim Women Walking through London
Jul 1, 2024
The poster of the video denied any
involvement (Picture: Instagram/@batelxx)
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Footage shows a number of women wearing head coverings targeted by someone behind a camera in Kensington.
Instagram user Bahar Mahroo, who shared the video online, wrote: ‘Just as you take democracy away from us in Iran and force us to wear headscarves, since we have democracy in this country, we’ll pull off those very headscarves from you.’
Mahroo denied any involvement in the attacks and said she was only sharing the videos.
The Metropolitan Police said: ‘There is no place for this sort of behaviour in London.
‘We are in contact with one of the victims and an investigation is under way to establish the full circumstances and deal with any offences.’
It comes as Iranians head to the polls to vote for a new president, after the late Ebrahim Raisi was killed in a plane crash.
The elections have been dubbed a ‘sham’, with huge protests across Europe calling for a regime change.
Women in the country are subject to ultra-conservative laws by the ‘morality police’, which came to a head after Mahsa Amini died in custody in 2022 when officers accused her of not wearing her head covering correctly.
Earlier this month, Mahroo was attacked by supporters of the Iranian regime outside a community centre in Wembley.
A protest was being held for the late Iranian president Ebrahim Raisi.
Mahroo told the Jewish Chronicle: ‘I cried out telling them to stop. But then they sexually assaulted me, trying to grab my breasts.
Footage shows her companion Navid Bavi lying unconscious after being beaten and thrown to the floor.
Wearing a veil has been compulsory in Iran since 1983 following the 1979 Iranian Revolution.
Source: metro.co.uk
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Saudi Film Commission joins Association of Film Commissioners International
June 30, 2024
The Saudi Film Commission has officially
joined the Association of Film Commissioners International. (@FilmMOC)
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RIYADH: The Saudi Film Commission has officially joined the Association of Film Commissioners International, a global network of more than 360 film boards from more than 40 countries, the Saudi Press Agency reported.
The AFCI aims to support, empower and connect film boards the world over, fostering sustainable and integrated development in the international film industry, according to SPA. Through this membership, the Saudi Film Commission gains access to a range of services, including global networking with film authorities, insights into international best practices, special training and development programs, and the latest updates on industry advancements.
Joining the AFCI allows the Saudi Film Commission to elevate the Kingdom’s film industry and position Saudi cinema on the global stage. This membership also empowers national production companies and local talent, facilitating the exchange of experiences and knowledge with international counterparts.
The AFCI, founded in 1975, is a global non-profit organization and the sole entity of its kind, encompassing film boards from numerous countries on six continents. It is dedicated to empowering industry bodies and stakeholders to foster economic growth within the film production sector.
The association provides a comprehensive network that connects various resources, educational opportunities, and funding from different countries, thereby facilitating international co-productions. This comprehensive support benefits film authorities, production companies and professionals in the film industry.
According to SPA, the Saudi Film Commission’s membership of the AFCI is a strategic step toward realizing its vision of establishing the Kingdom as a global hub for the film industry. This move aims to bolster the national economy and elevate the Saudi film industry on local and international stages.
Source: arabnews.com
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India
Aligarh mob lynching: 12 days later, police slap robbery charge on victim Mohammad Farid
01.07.24
Mohammad Farid aka Aurangzeb has been booked for armed robbery 12 days after he was lynched in an Aligarh city market, the murder opening up faultlines between communities.
Aurangzeb, 30, was beaten to death by alleged shopkeepers in the Ghas Mandi locality on June 18 — the brutality captured in video clips — with conflicting versions portraying him as an honest street vendor and a fleeing robber.
After the police arrested six shopkeepers on June 19 on the basis of CCTV footage, Hindu shopkeepers downed shutters for a day in protest.
Several Muslim families in the neighbourhood, on the other hand, put up notices saying they wanted to sell their homes, alleging they feared attacks on account of their religion. Point made, the notices were taken off.
On Sunday, Aligarh police registered a case of robbery against 10 people including Aurangzeb based on a complaint that a relative of one of the arrested suspects had lodged on June 19.
Aurangzeb’s mother Zubaida Begum had alleged that shopkeepers had lynched her son, who sold readymade garments, because they “didn’t want him to stand with his cart in front of their shops”.
But a woman from the family of arrested shopkeeper Mukesh Chandra Mittal complained to the police that Aurangzeb and two friends had barged into the family’s home, carrying weapons, and locked everyone in a room.
“They misbehaved with the women and left with some jewellery and about Rs 4 lakh in cash. While running away from my house, Aurangzeb fell on the road but his friends escaped…. He was caught by the people when we raised the alarm,” the complaint said.
Mittal, however, told reporters just before his arrest that Aurangzeb had entered his home to steal but fell off the first floor and suffered fatal injuries.
Aurangzeb’s post-mortem report says he had 22 injury marks.
In one of the videos, lasting 1.49 minutes, a mob appears to ask Aurangzeb to name his friends with whom he was allegedly doing a “recce” of the area (with crime on their minds). Someone in the mob purportedly shouts: “Break his knees.”
Another video, of 2.18 minutes, appears to show about 15 people surrounding and thrashing Aurangzeb, many of them wielding sticks. Aurangzeb appears to be apologising for something and pleading for mercy.
On Sunday, city superintendent of police Mrigank Shekhar Pathak told reporters: “The case has been registered against Farid, seven named friends and two unidentified people. An inquiry is on.”
Aurangzeb, the second among three brothers and three sisters, was unmarried.
Source: telegraphindia.com
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Man succumbs week after mob attack in West Bengal, third such death in three days
01.07.24
A 23-year-old man died at a hospital in West Bengal's Jhargram district a week after he was beaten up by some people, police said.
This is the third death in a mob attack in the state. Two other similar incidents took place in Calcutta and Salt Lake on June 28 and 29.
An injured Sourabh Sau was found lying on a road in the Jamboni area near Jhargram town by locals on June 22. He was admitted to a hospital where he succumbed to his injuries on Sunday.
The police registered a case against unnamed persons based on a complaint lodged by Sau's family on June 27.
His family, however, alleged that he was assaulted by a group of men engaged by a contractor who alleged that Sau had tried to steal parts of an earth mover that was parked on the roadside.
They claimed that Sau was out on his two-wheeler for some work, and while returning, he was resting under a tree. The earth mover machine was parked nearby.
On Saturday, a man identified as Prasen Mondal died after being thrashed by a mob in Salt Lake, while on Friday, Irshad Alam, a TV mechanic, was beaten to death at a state-run students' hostel in Calcutta's Bowbazar area.
Municipal Affairs and Urban Development Minister Firhad Hakim said "mass hysteria can only be countered by mass counselling".
Union minister Sukanta Majumdar, who is also the state BJP president, slammed the TMC government, alleging that it was failing to control such crimes.
Source: telegraphindia.com
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Couple Assaulted On Street: “Is TMC Declaring West Bengal A State Where Sharia Law Will Be Applied?”- Bengal BJP Chief
July 1, 2024
In response to a disturbing video showing a guy beating up two people—including a woman—on a street while onlookers look on, the opposition in West Bengal has launched a vicious attack on the government led by Mamata Banerjee.
The footage comes from Chopra in the Uttar Dinajpur district of north Bengal, according to opposition parties CPM and BJP. It is said that the incident happened during the weekend.
The man who can be seen beating the couple has been identified as Tajmul Alias and he is allegedly a local TMC leader of Chopra in Uttar Dinajpur district. As per the PTI, The incident took place following a decision of a kangaroo court.
The Incident
A small group of people is shown silently watching as a man is seen striking a woman with sticks several times in the footage. Even when she yells in agony, the attack goes on. Then he faces a man and begins striking him. The majority of the audience seems to be aiding the attacker rather than attempting to stop the assault. Eventually, the man reaches for the woman by her hair and kicks her.
While Tajmul was taken into custody by the West Bengal Police on Sunday, Chopra MLA Hamidul Rahaman referred to the woman’s actions as “unsocial.” He refuted the TMC’s connection to Tajmul, though.
Rahaman who is a TMC MLA told the reporters, “We condemn the incident. But the woman also did wrong. She left her husband, son, and daughter and became an evil beast. There is some code and justice according to Muslim rashtra. However, we do agree that what happened was a bit extreme. Now, legal action will be taken in this case,”
TMC party said that the matter will be investigated.
Union Minister and Bengal BJP chief Sukanta Majumdar took to ‘X’ and highlighted TMC MLA Hamidul Rahaman’s statement of referring to a “Muslim Rashtra”.
He posted asking, “Is TMC declaring West Bengal a state where Sharia law will be applied?”
BJP IT Cell head Amit Malviya posted on X saying, “This is the ugly face of Mamata Banerjee’s rule in West Bengal. The guy in the video, who is beating up a woman mercilessly… is famous for giving quick justice through his ‘Insaf’ Sabhaand is a close associate of Chopra MLA Hamidur Rahaman,”
TMC’s response
Kaniyalal Agarwal, the district president of TMC, linked the incident to the couple’s suspected extramarital affair, saying it “did not go down well with the villagers”.
He declared that the group would look into the incident.
While denouncing the event, TMC spokesperson Shantanu Sen also noted that similar kangaroo courts were frequently used during the Left Front government.
Source: newsx.com
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Members of the Nasya Sheikh (Rajbanshi Muslims) community in north Bengal demand for uplift
01.07.24
Members of the Nasya Sheikh (Rajbanshi Muslims) community in north Bengal have raised a slew of demands for their socio-economic development and the effective functioning of a development board that the state government constituted for them.
On Sunday, around 2,000 of them assembled at a meeting convened by the Nasya Sheikh Unnayan Parishad, an association of the community, at Rabindra Bhavan in Cooch Behar.
Aminal Haque, secretary of the central committee of the Parishad, said in 2021, the state had announced the creation of the Nasya Sheikh Development Board.
“However, the board has not been constituted in a full-fledged manner and is not working effectively for our development, unlike other development boards which the state has formed in north Bengal. The district magistrate of Cooch Behar has been the chairman of the board and none from our community has been put in the post,” he said.
At the meeting, Haque and other speakers also underscored that most of them are migrant workers and belong to weaker economic sections of society.
“There are school dropouts in our community and yet, funds allocated for the development of minorities are not being spent. We want the board to take appropriate initiatives and will wait for a month. If our demands are not met, we will launch protests from August,” added Haque.
Shaukat Ali, the South Dinajpur district secretary of the Parishad, said around 60 lakh Nasya Sheikhs live in north Bengal. “Being minorities, we belong to the OBC category and want the state to announce that women of our community will get monthly assistance of ₹1,200 under the Lakshmir Bhandar scheme like SCs and STs. As of now, they get ₹1,000,” said Ali.
Farid Akhtar Gazi, the Jalpaiguri district secretary of the forum, said the state should announce that they are the “sons of the soil” in north Bengal.
Source: telegraphindia.com
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Hindus and Muslims protest together in J&K’s Reasi as place of worship vandalised
30.06.24
A place of worship was allegedly vandalised by unidentified people in Jammu and Kashmir's Reasi district, triggering protests on Sunday by locals belonging to both the Hindu and Muslim communities, officials said.
Deputy Commissioner Vishesh Paul Mahajan said police have taken cognisance of the incident and assured the protesters that stern action will be taken against the culprits.
The place of worship was found vandalised by a visitor in a village in the Dharmari area on Saturday evening, sparking tension and spontaneous protests, with the protesters demanding that the culprits be identified and punished.
Members of both the Hindu and Muslim communities jointly staged the protests and said such incidents are a deliberate attempt to create a rift among them to harm the age-old brotherhood in the district.
The protesters blocked the main road in the district by burning tyres and staging a sit-in, the officials said, adding that they dispersed peacefully after senior police officers told them that an FIR has been registered and efforts are on to nab the culprits.
"Anyone trying to vitiate the peaceful atmosphere will not be spared. It is an attempt to create hurdles and sabotage developmental activities, besides communal harmony.
"This is my guarantee.... We will not tolerate any attempt to damage peace in the district," the deputy commissioner said.
Source: telegraphindia.com
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12 detained as place of worship ‘vandalised’ in J&K’s Reasi
June 30, 2024
The place of worship was found vandalised by a visitor in a village in the Dharmari area on Saturday evening, sparking tension and spontaneous protests, with the protesters demanding that the culprits be identified and punished.
Members of both the Hindu and Muslim communities jointly staged the protests and said such incidents are a deliberate attempt to create a rift among them to harm the age-old brotherhood in the district.
The protesters blocked the main road in the district by burning tyres and staging a sit-in, the officials said, adding that they dispersed peacefully after senior police officers told them that an FIR has been registered and efforts are on to nab the culprits.
“Anyone trying to vitiate the peaceful atmosphere will not be spared. It is an attempt to create hurdles and sabotage developmental activities, besides communal harmony. “This is my guarantee…. We will not tolerate any attempt to damage peace in the district,” the deputy commissioner said.
Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP), Reasi, Mohita Sharma said 12 people have been detained in connection with the incident.
A case under section 295 (injuring or defiling place of worship, with intent to insult the religion of any class) of the Indian Penal Code (IPC) has been lodged at the Arnas police station and further investigation is on, she added.
Sensing the gravity of the incident, the SSP has constituted an SIT under the supervision of the deputy superintendent of police, operations, Reasi, who along with his team is stationed in Arnas for the investigation of the case on priority.
Police teams swung into action and rounded up three suspects on Saturday night, while a series of raids continued on Sunday and around nine more suspects were apprehended for questioning, Sharma said.
The SSP appealed to people to maintain calm, peace and communal harmony in the district, assuring them that police are committed to solving the case and tracing the culprits at the earliest.
Source: indianexpress.com
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All India Shia Personal Law Board writes to PM Modi to ensure arrangements for Muharram processions
Jun 30, 2024
The All India Shia Personal Law Board has written a letter to Prime Minister Narendra Modi and urged him to ensure better arrangements for the upcoming Muharram procession. In their letter to PM, the Shia Board also talked about the problems faced by the Shia community during the Muharram processions.
"Hazrat Imam Hussain who along with his family and 72 companions had sacrificed their lives in the field of Karbala to save humanity which also included a 6-month-old child. In memory of such a great personality, Hindus, Muslims, Sikhs, Christians and people of every religion celebrate Muharram in India as well as all over the world. You are to be informed that this year Muharram is starting from July 8, where along with 7 to 8 crore Shia Muslim community spread across India, people of different religions also take out processions and tazias in large numbers," the letter said. The board urged the Prime Minister to ensure security arrangements on the routes determined by the state governments so that untruly elements cannot disturb the law and order.
"Keeping in mind the cleanliness of the routes of processions taken out during Muharram and the intense heat, arrangements for sprinkling water or water tanks should be made at various places on the roads," the letter read. "On the occasion of Muharram, tall processions of Tazias are taken out on traditional routes throughout India, in which many times people get electrocuted due to electric wires. Hence, proper arrangements should be made on the routes of the Tazias by directing the electricity department," the Shia Board further added.
Further, the Board asserted that the PM should direct the Chief Ministers of every state to ensure the Majlis' (people who hold mourning meetings), who stay awake the entire night do not face any kind of difficulty. "In the month of Muharram, mourning associations in the entire country including Lucknow, Uttar Pradesh, stay awake the entire night and hold Noha Khwani and Majlise (mourning meetings) in the memory of Hazrat Imam Hussain in Imambaras (religious places of worship) at various places," it said.
"You are requested to direct the Chief Ministers of every state to ensure that these Majlises (mourning meetings) are conducted safely and the district administration should ensure that the people mourning who go to these meetings, especially the elderly, children and women, do not face any kind of difficulty and make arrangements for their security," it added. (ANI)
(This story has not been edited by Devdiscourse staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
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Odisha cow vigilantes stop truck carrying suspected beef, driver arrested Berhampur
June 30, 2024
The police on Sunday seized a container truck full of meat in Odisha’s Ganjam district after local cow vigilantes stopped the vehicle suspecting that it was beef.
The driver of the vehicle, identified as A Khan of Haryana, was arrested since he did not have any document related to the consignment, a police official said.
The police sent samples for testing to find out what kind of meat was in the container.
Preliminary investigation has revealed that the container was on its way to Andhra Pradesh from Odisha’s Khurda when activists of a cow protection group accosted the vehicle near Pokadibandh in Chamakahandi police station area, suspecting that it was carrying beef.
“We reached the spot and seized the meat-laden vehicle. The driver was arrested as he could not produce valid documents authorizing him to transport the meat,” said Bidya Bharati Nayak, inspector-in-charge of Chamakhandi police station.
She said that the police started a detailed investigation into the matter. The container was carrying around 18 tonnes of meat.
Source: indianexpress.com
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North
America
US military raises alert level for Europe bases: reports
July 01, 2024
WASHINGTON: The US military has raised the alert level of several bases in Europe to its second-highest level, multiple American media outlets reported Sunday.
The American bases, located across Europe, were raised to the “Charlie” alert level, ABC News and CNN reported, both citing unnamed officials.
That level is ordered when “an incident occurs or intelligence is received indicating some form of terrorist action or targeting against personnel or facilities is likely,” the US Army says on its website.
The highest level “Delta” is applied when a terrorist attack has occurred or one is “imminent.”
The US European Command (USEUCOM) did not confirm the status change when contacted by AFP, but said: “we remain vigilant.”
The Pentagon meanwhile said that “due to a combination of factors potentially impacting the safety and security of US service members and their families stationed in the European theater, US European Command is redoubling its efforts to stress vigilance during the summer months.”
The US State Department currently advises American citizens in Germany, where the USEUCOM is headquartered, to exercise increased caution due to terrorism.
While no specific threat has been mentioned, European nations have been on heightened alert since gunmen in March killed nearly 150 people outside Moscow, an attack claimed by the Daesh group, an offshoot of the Al-Qaeda terrorist network.
France has also increased its state of alert ahead of the Paris Olympics, while Germany is currently hosting an international football tournament.
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New York Times first US paper urging Biden to drop out of 2024 election
30 June 2024
The New York Times has become the first US paper to urge the incumbent president Joe Biden to withdraw from the 2024 presidential election race following a weak debate performance against former president Donald Trump.
Biden, a Democrat, and Trump, a former Democrat who turned Republican, met on Thursday night at the CNN headquarters in Atlanta, without a live audience.
During the first round of debates ahead of the upcoming presidential election slated to be held in November, the presumptive nominees argued about the US economy, foreign policy, COVID, abortion and immigration, while exchanging multiple insults, name-calling one another’s family members and morals, and even challenging their rival to a Golf match.
On Friday, NYT's editorial board called on Biden, 81, to drop out of the race.
They said Democrats needed to find a better candidate to replace Biden.
NYT's editorial board cited Democrats admitting Biden was no match for Trump.
The appeal came after observers at the presidential debate noticed Biden appeared frail and confused, struggling to finish his sentences and mixing up words when speaking.
NYT's editorial board said in the article, “That is no longer a sufficient rationale for why Mr. Biden should be the Democratic nominee this year,” the editorial board wrote. “Voters… cannot be expected to ignore what was instead plain to see: Mr. Biden is not the man he was four years ago.”
The NYT board said Biden appeared on the debate stage “as the shadow of a great public figure,” who now “struggled” to articulate his own policy position and ultimately failed to adequately counter Trump who is just 3 years junior to Biden, but has a much better hold of himself.
The board wrote, “There are Democratic leaders better equipped to present clear, compelling and energetic alternatives to a second Trump presidency,“ adding, “It’s too big a bet to simply hope Americans will overlook or discount Mr. Biden’s age and infirmity that they see with their own eyes.”
The editorial board concluded that Democrats had a better chance of winning against Trump if Biden found a replacement and pulled out of the race.
After the debate, Biden said, “I know I’m not a young man, to state the obvious.”
“I don’t speak as smoothly as I used to. I don’t debate as well as I used to,” he added.
Biden went on to say, however, he saw himself as the best-qualified candidate for the presidency. “I know how to get things done. And I know, like millions of Americans know, when you get knocked down, you get back up.”
Likewise, Biden's team, who tried to justify the incumbent’s weak performance during the debate, said the president had been suffering from a cold and was “over-prepared and relying on minutiae.”
The second and final debate of the presumptive nominees is scheduled for September 10, 2024, and will be sponsored by ABC News. The location of the second debate has yet to be announced.
Source: presstv.ir
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Mideast
Palestinians say Israeli drone strike kills West Bank militant
June 30, 2024
NUR SHAMS: The Palestinian health ministry said an Israeli strike on Sunday in the occupied West Bank killed a man identified by the Islamic Jihad militant group as one of its commanders.
Contacted by AFP, the Israeli military did not immediately comment on the attack, which official Palestinian news agency Wafa said was carried out with a drone.
The Ramallah-based health ministry said a Palestinian man was killed and five other people were wounded “following a strike by the (Israeli) occupation” in the northern West Bank’s Nur Shams refugee camp.
Wafa identified the slain man as Saeed Izzat Jaber, 24.
Palestinian armed group Islamic Jihad later said “the martyred leader” was one of its commanders, adding that he had previously “survived several assassination attempts.”
Jaber’s killing “will strengthen our resistance” against Israel, the group said.
According to Wafa, the Israeli military had fired three projectiles from a drone at a house in the camp near the town of Tulkarm.
The Palestinian Red Crescent said its crews were treating two people wounded from “shrapnel following a strike on a house in the Nur Shams camp.”
The organization added that rescuers were initially unable to enter the targeted building “due to fire.”
An AFP correspondent later saw Nur Shams residents searching through the rubble, while blocks of concrete slabs lay scattered as a portion of the house was ripped off by the strike.
Even before the Israel-Hamas war in the Gaza Strip broke out on October 7, the West Bank saw a surge of violence which has since escalated to levels unseen in about two decades, with frequent military raids and attacks by Israeli settlers.
Israel has occupied the West Bank since 1967.
At least 554 Palestinians have been killed in the territory by Israeli forces or settlers since the Gaza war began, according to Palestinian officials.
Attacks by Palestinians in the West Bank over the same period have killed at least 15 Israelis including soldiers, according to an AFP tally of Israeli official figures.
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Israel army says Gaza militants fire barrage of ‘20 projectiles’
July 01, 2024
JERUSALEM PRESSE: Israel’s military said Palestinian militants fired on Monday a barrage of some “20 projectiles” from Gaza’s main southern city Khan Younis, and that forces were striking the suspected launch site.
“Approximately 20 projectiles were identified crossing from the area of Khan Younis. A number of the projectiles were intercepted and some of the projectiles fell inside southern Israel,” the military said, reporting no casualties.
The armed wing of Islamic Jihad said it had fired the salvo that targeted several southern Israel communities along the border with Gaza.
“We bombed ... the settlements along the Gaza Strip with a missile barrage in response to the crimes of the Zionist enemy against our Palestinian people,” the Al-Quds Brigades said in a statement.
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Iran election shows declining voter support amid calls for change
June 30, 2024
TEHRAN: The first round of Iran’s presidential election revealed shrinking support for reformists and conservatives even though some voters are pushing for change by backing the sole reformist candidate, analysts say.
Masoud Pezeshkian, the reformist contender and ultraconservative Saeed Jalili, led the polls held on Friday to replace the late President Ebrahim Raisi, who died in a helicopter crash last month.
Friday’s vote, marked by a historically low turnout, “clearly shows that both reformists’ and conservatives’ bases have considerably shrunk,” said Ali Vaez of the International Crisis Group think tank.
In the lead-up to the election, Iran’s main reformist coalition supported Pezeshkian, with endorsements by former presidents Mohammed Khatami and Hassan Rouhani, a moderate.
“The reformists brought out the big guns and tried their best to mobilize their base,” Vaez said on social media platform X, but “it was simply insufficient.”
Likewise, the conservatives failed to garner sufficient votes “despite the tremendous resources they deployed,” he added.
Vaez pointed out that the combined votes of Jalili and conservative parliamentary speaker Mohammed Baqer Qalibaf, who came in third, totaled 12.8 million.
That figure was well below Raisi’s nearly 18 million votes in the 2021 election.
Of the 61 million eligible voters, only about 40 percent cast ballots, marking a record-low turnout in the country where some people have lost faith in the process. More than 1 million ballots were spoiled.
For Vaez, the decline in turnout, from around 49 percent in 2021, was “a real embarrassment for the leadership” in Iran, where ultimate political power lies with the supreme leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei.
Political commentator Mohammed Reza Manafi said Pezeshkian’s lead reflected a push for “fundamental changes” regarding the economy and relations with the rest of the world.
However, those favoring Pezeshkian “do not expect a miracle or a quick solution but hope he can gradually prevent conditions from worsening,” Manafi added.
Iran has been reeling from the economic impact of international sanctions, contributing to soaring inflation, high unemployment, and a record low for the Iranian rial against the US dollar.
The vote also came amid heightened regional tensions over the Gaza war between Israel and Hamas and diplomatic tensions over Iran’s nuclear program.
Pezeshkian, an outspoken heart surgeon who has represented the northwestern city of Tabriz in parliament since 2008, came out on top thanks to his “clean record without any accusations of financial corruption,” said Manafi.
Official figures showed Pezeshkian had 42.4 percent of the vote, against 38.6 percent for Jalili.
The reformists have urged “constructive relations” with Washington and European capitals to “get Iran out of its isolation.”
In contrast, Jalili is widely recognized for his uncompromising anti-West stance.
He is a former nuclear negotiator and a representative of Khamenei on the Supreme National Security Council, Iran’s highest security body.
During his campaign, he rallied a substantial base of hard-line supporters under the slogan “no compromise, no surrender” to the West.
He staunchly opposed the 2015 nuclear deal with the US and other world powers, which imposed curbs on Iran’s nuclear activity in return for sanctions relief.
At the time, Jalili argued that the pact violated Iran’s “red lines” by accepting inspections of nuclear sites.
The deal collapsed in 2018.
In a Sunday column in the ultraconservative Javan daily, political expert Ali Alavi hailed Jalili’s “honesty and truthfulness, unlike the others.”
The candidate also received support from Ghalibaf, who, after Saturday’s result, urged his support base to back Jalili in next Friday’s runoff.
Two ultraconservatives who dropped out a day before the election have also endorsed Jalili.
But on Sunday, the reformist newspaper Etemad quoted former vice president Isa Kalantari as warning against a continued conservative grip on the government.
“The country will be in peril and face numerous problems and challenges,” he said.
Vaez said the “Jalili fear factor can’t be overlooked.”
“Many who didn’t vote in this round might vote in the next one: not because they hope for better, but because they fear the worst.”
Political analyst Mohammad Marandi, however, said Jalili may not be “the sort of radical that is depicted by his opponents.”
Marandi believes that under either of the two candidates, Iran will “continue to pursue strong ties with the Global South” countries.
He added that they “will still attempt to see what can be done with the nuclear deal,” though Jalili “will just approach it with more skepticism.”
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Zionist settlers storm blessed Al-Aqsa Mosque
[30/June/2024]
OCCUPIED AL-QUDS June 30. 2024 (Saba) - Dozens of herds of Zionist settlers on Sunday renewed their storming of the courtyards of the Blessed Al-Aqsa Mosque in Quds occupied city, under the protection of the Zionist enemy police.
Dozens of settlers stormed Al-Aqsa Mosque in groups, carried out provocative tours in its courtyards, and performed Talmudic rituals, under the protection of enemy forces, the Palestinian News Agency "Wafa" quoted eyewitnesses as saying.
The enemy police turned Old City of occupied Quds into a military barracks, and hundreds of police officers were deployed at close distances, especially at the gates of Al-Aqsa, the witnesses added.
They tightened their military procedures at the gates of the Old City and Al-Aqsa Mosque, and imposed restrictions on the entry of Palestinian worshipers.
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Israel says 18 soldiers hurt in Golan Heights
June 30, 2024
JERUSALEM: Israel’s military said on Sunday 18 of its soldiers were injured, one of them seriously, when a drone struck their position in the occupied Golan Heights, which border Lebanon.
The Israeli Defense Force (IDF) said in a statement the strike happened earlier on Sunday. It said since then, it had struck Hezbollah targets in southern Lebanon with air strikes and artillery fire.
Fighting between the IDF and Lebanon’s Hezbollah has been escalating, after it was triggered by the Gaza war.
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Propane tank explosion in western Turkiye kills 5 people, injures 63 others
June 30, 2024
ISTANBUL: A propane tank explosion at a restaurant in the western Turkish city of Izmir on Sunday left five people dead and 63 others injured, authorities said.
Security cameras recorded the explosion, which devastated the street and caused minor damage to surrounding buildings.
Interior Minister Ali Yerlikaya announced on social media that dozens of rescue personnel were immediately dispatched to the scene.
Izmir Gov. Suleyman Elban visited the injured at the hospital and announced that 40 of them had already been released.
Authorities have detained one suspect who might be responsible. The man had replaced the propane tank with a new one on Saturday.
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Europe
ISW: Ethnic and religious tensions rise in Russia after Russian official criticises “islamic terrorism”
30/06/2024
Russian ultranationalists continue to express growing doubt in Russian authorities’ ability to prevent another terrorist attack and further inflame ethnic and religious tension in the country, according to the Institute for the Study of War (ISW)
Russian Investigative Committee Head Alexander Bastrykin claimed on 29 June that Islamic terrorists were “able to carry their banner of terror” into Russia and called for the State Duma to respond to the threat, following the 23 June terrorist attack in the Republic of Dagestan, that killed 20 people.
However, Bastrykin’s comments prompted backlash from Chechen Republic Head Ramzan Kadyrov, who urged Russian officials to choose their words carefully and avoid characterizing all Muslims as terrorists, warning that such statements threaten the unity and stability of Russia’s socio-political situation.
The ISW notes that Bastrykin positioned himself as a prominent figure in Russia’s ultranationalist movement, placing himself at odds with Kadyrov, who often presents himself as a representative of Russia’s Muslim minority.
Russian President Vladimir Putin may weigh in on the debate between Bastrykin and Kadyrov to quell concerns and prevent a possible future conflict between the two officials, according to ISW.
Earlier Putin sought to address concerns within the Russian information space about the perceived threat posed by migrant and Muslim communities, following the 22 March Crocus City Hall attack, that killed over a hundred people. He did so by calling for changes to Russia’s migration policy, while at the same time denouncing Islamophobia and xenophobia.
Despite evidence linking the attack to ISIS-K, Russia blamed Ukraine, using the incident to justify escalating its aggression against Ukraine.
Source: euromaidanpress.com
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UK government, British Airways sued over 1990 Kuwait hostage crisis
July 01, 2024
LONDON: Passengers and crew of a British Airways flight who were taken hostage in Kuwait in 1990 have launched legal action against the UK government and the airline, a law firm said Monday.
People on BA flight 149 were taken off the Kuala Lumpur-bound plane when it landed in the Gulf state on August 2 that year, hours after Iraq’s then leader Saddam Hussein invaded the country.
Some of the 367 passengers and crew spent more than four months in captivity, including as human shields against Western attacks on the Iraqi dictator’s troops during the first Gulf war.
Ninety-four of them have filed a civil claim at the High Court in London, accusing Britain’s government and BA of “deliberately endangering” civilians, said McCue Jury & Partners.
“All of the claimants suffered severe physical and psychiatric harm during their ordeal, the consequences of which are still felt today,” the law firm added.
The action claims that the UK government and the airline “knew the invasion had started” but allowed the flight to land anyway.
They did so because the flight was used to “insert a covert special ops team into occupied Kuwait,” the firm added.
“We were not treated as citizens but as expendable pawns for commercial and political gain,” said Barry Manners, who was on the flight and is taking part in the claim.
“A victory over years of cover-up and bare-faced denial will help restore trust in our political and judicial process,” he added.
British government files released in November 2021 revealed that the UK ambassador to Kuwait informed London about reports of an Iraqi incursion before the flight landed but the message was not passed on to BA.
There have also been claims, denied by the government, that London knowingly put passengers at risk by using the flight to deploy undercover operatives and delayed take-off to allow them to board.
The UK government refused to comment on ongoing legal matters.
British Airways has always denied accusations of negligence, conspiracy and a cover-up.
The airline did not respond to a request for comment from AFP but said last year that the records released in 2021 “confirmed British Airways was not warned about the invasion.”
McCue Jury & Partners had announced in September its intention to file the suit, saying then that the hostages “may claim an estimated average of £170,000 ($213,000) each in damages.”
In 2003, a French court ordered BA to pay 1.67 million euros to the flight’s French hostages, saying it had “seriously failed in its obligations” to them by landing the plane.
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Ukraine says Russian missile attack on Dnipro injures seven
July 01, 2024
DNIPRO: A Russian ballistic missile attack on Ukraine’s city of Dnipro injured seven people, including a 15-year-old boy, and damaged scores of residential buildings, Serhiy Lisak, governor of the Dnipropetrovsk region said on Monday.
One of the injured was hospitalized, Lisak said on the Telegram messaging app.
He added that Russia’s drone and artillery attack on the Nikopol district of the Dnipropetrovsk region, which lies in Ukraine’s southeast, late on Sunday damaged five residential buildings, power and gas lines and other infrastructure.
Reuters could not independently verify the report. There was no immediate comment from Russia.
Both sides deny targeting civilians in the war, which Russia launched against its smaller neighbor in February 2022.
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Hungary takes EU presidency echoing Trump but likely to lack bite
July 01, 2024
BUDAPEST/BRUSSELS: Hungary’s nationalist government launches its presidency of the European Union on Monday with a Trump-like call to “Make Europe Great Again” after EU lawmakers questioned whether it should be allowed to take on the role.
Their concerns are based on Prime Minister Viktor Orban’s many clashes with Brussels over democratic norms.
Hungarian diplomats say the country will be an honest broker, while analysts say Budapest’s actions at the forefront of EU policy-making are likely to be restricted given that Brussels is in a transition phase following elections in June.
The presidency’s role is to set the agenda, chair meetings of EU members in all fields except foreign or euro zone matters, seek consensus among EU member states and broker agreements on legislation with the European Parliament.
It will take months for a new European Commission and the new members of parliament to be in their stride, analysts say.
That means that, even though far-right gains politicians potentially sympathetic to Hungary’s priorities made gains in the EU elections, the presidency’s ability to drive policy through is limited.
“There’ll only be a small influence on the legislative agenda. That starts much later, possibly at the end of the year, possibly at the beginning of next year,” said Pavel Havlicek, research fellow at the Association for International Affairs.
Hungary has said its priorities include pushing western Balkan membership of the EU, illegal migration and economic competitiveness.
Critics note its enlargement push does not include Ukraine.
Hungary has a history of blocking or delaying funds and arms for Ukraine, as well as maintaining ties with Moscow. It has also criticized EU efforts to cut dependence on China.
Ahead of its assumption of the EU presidency, the bloc hurried through new sanctions against Russia and launched membership talks with Ukraine.
Susi Dennison, senior fellow at the European Council on Foreign Relations, said a “ballsy” presidency launch suggested Hungary might seek to push its nationalist line.
Johannes Greubel, senior policy analyst at the European Policy Center, said some of priorities, such as on competitiveness, struck a chord with the rest of the EU, but this would likely be combined with right-wing rhetoric on migration, the Ukraine war and the rule of law.
“It is a presidency of a mixed narrative, but far-right elements will prevail.”
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Arab
World
Saudi literature commission hosts seminar in Seoul book fair
June 30, 2024
RIYADH: The Literature, Publishing, and Translation Commission organized a seminar on Sunday titled "The Role of Saudi Arabia in Teaching Arabic in Korea” at the Seoul International Book Fair 2024, where Saudi Arabia was the guest of honor.
The event featured Abdulaziz bin Abdulrahman Al-Dayel, the cultural attache at the Saudi embassy, who emphasized the profound historical importance of the Arabic language, Saudi Press Agency reported.
Al-Dayel elaborated on Saudi Arabia's extensive efforts to promote Arabic, highlighting its roots as one of the Semitic languages. He explained that Arabic diversified into several dialects until the revelation of the Quran in Classical Arabic, the dialect of the Quraysh, Tamim, Hawazin, and Al-Azd tribes, which unified the linguistic variations in the Arabian Peninsula.
Al-Dayel underscored Saudi Arabia's pivotal role in achieving recognition for Arabic as an official global language at the United Nations, one of the six internationally approved languages.
This milestone led to the establishment of World Arabic Language Day, celebrated annually on Dec. 18.
The cultural attaché highlighted the Kingdom's efforts in organizing seminars both domestically and internationally to promote Arabic learning. He noted the availability of institutes and colleges in Saudi universities for those interested in studying Arabic, as well as scholarships and free study programs to spread the language globally.
Among the most significant initiatives, he mentioned the King Salman Global Academy for the Arabic Language, which significantly contributes to promoting the language through poetry competitions, an online Arabic dictionary, and the Arabic Hackathon to support technology and artificial intelligence ideas.
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Saudi Foreign Ministry highlights women empowerment in diplomacy
July 01, 2024
RIYADH: The Kingdom’s Foreign Ministry held a seminar here on Sunday titled “The Role of Women in Diplomatic Work,” the Saudi Press Agency reported.
The event at the Prince Saud Al-Faisal Institute for Diplomatic Studies was held to mark last week’s UN International Day of Women in Diplomacy.
Among those who attended were Saudi Arabia’s Deputy Foreign Minister Waleed bin Abdulkarim Al-Khuraiji, female ambassadors to the Kingdom, and members of the foreign diplomatic corps.
The participants discussed the achievements and challenges facing women in the sector.
In his address, Al-Khuraiji highlighted the progress made in empowering women across various sectors in the Kingdom under the leadership of King Salman and Crown Prince Mohammad bin Salman, as part of Vision 2030.
He said Saudi Arabia women now serve as ambassadors, leaders of international organizations, and members of foreign missions and delegations.
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Rural farms in Madinah attract visitors
June 30, 2024
MADINAH: The Madinah region continues to attract visitors to numerous rural farms that have become popular natural retreats.
These locations have been developed to accommodate individuals and groups, providing guided tours and entertainment programs, along with a variety of food outlets.
Visitors to the rural farms can take part in a range of activities and programs. These include educational sessions on farming methods and crop care; insights into daily farm operations; and displays of various date varieties and other agricultural products.
There are also demonstrations of traditional industries and handicrafts, and opportunities to purchase dates directly from the farm shops. The farms also take part in agricultural celebrations and festivals.
The start of the date harvest season has resulted in an increase in the number of visitors, with many enjoying the recreational areas which are specifically designed for families and children.
The farms also house restaurants and cafes, offering a wide selection of dishes to cater to the tastes of visitors and local residents.
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Cairo Nights brings Egypt’s lively urban culture to Jeddah
June 30, 2024
JEDDAH: City Walk is back with the theme “Once Again,” and boasting a new zone, Cairo Nights, which is a portal into the lively streets of the Egyptian capital.
This year’s season includes new attractions and zones, while others have been renamed and rearranged to bring a fresh new experience for visitors.
Cairo Nights’ alleys are lined with shops brimming with authentic Egyptian goods, and sellers tempting visitors with their offerings.
Located on the side of the Red Sea Mall gate, the zone presents a fresh scene and vibe, with the sounds of Egyptian music and the fragrance of the country’s cuisine floating by.
On entering, the Arabic Theater on the right displays a poster advertising the Egyptian comedy play “Musical School” on its billboard. You see a cafe called Qahwat El-Set, or “The Lady’s Coffee,” opposite, where pictures of acclaimed Egyptian singers decorate the walls and traditional tables and chairs add a nostalgic atmosphere.
The Khan Al-Khalili alley is filled with shops selling all that is related to Egypt, from figurines of respected singers and miniatures of the pyramids and the Great Sphinx of Giza to traditional instruments like the drum and oud, paintings, tableware, belly-dancing outfits, and snacks.
Right where the alley ends on the left side, Locanda Royal Hotel awaits those looking for a fun time with friends and family. The experience takes visitors through an interactive story told by a new narrator at each stop. A certain task must be fulfilled before moving to the next one.
Next to the hotel, a house of terror stands tall offering visitors “Raya and Sakina,” a terrifying experience inspired by the story of the infamous Egyptian sisters. The scarers inside the house are all dressed in Egyptian clothes, consisting of a gown called a jalabiya, and traditional headwear.
The zone is filled with other attractions and dining locations, like Tant Restaurant and Gaw open cafe where a large statue of the singer Umm Kulthum is proudly displayed.
Cairo Nights will run for this season only — along with other zones including China Town, Bubbly, and Fun Land — until Aug. 17.
Entry tickets are available from the Visit Saudi app and Webook’s app and website. Doors open from 6 p.m. to 1 a.m.
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Arab oil dominates Japan’s crude supply in May
June 30, 2024
TOKYO: The Arab share of Japan’s oil imports for May, as reported by the Agency for Natural Resources and Energy, amounted to 62.44 million barrels — 95.3 percent of all the oil Japan imported that month. Imports during the month from the UAE, Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, Qatar, and the neutral zone between Saudi Arabia and Kuwait further underscored the strategic importance of these countries in Japan’s energy security.
The UAE was Japan’s top oil supplier, contributing 46.2 percent of total imports
Kuwait and Qatar followed with 5.44 million barrels (8.3%) and 2.73 million barrels (4.2%). The Neutral Zone provided 0.7 per cent of Japan’s total imports.
Japan continued with its sanctions on importing oil from Iran and Russia in May.
The remaining imports, 4.7 per cent, were sourced from a range of countries, including the US (3.2%), Central and South America (0.9%), Southeast Asia (0.4%), and Oceania (0.2%).
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South
Asia
Saudi Arabia to Reopen Its Embassy in Kabul, Confirms Islamic Emirate Spokesman
2024-06-30
KABUL(BNA): The spokesman of the Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan has announced that Saudi Arabia intends to reopen its embassy in Kabul soon.
Mawlavi Zabihullah Mujahid, the head of the Afghan delegation to Doha and the spokesman of the Islamic Emirate stated that during a meeting with the Saudi Arabian representative, constructive discussions were held between both sides in the lead-up to the Doha meeting.
Mujahid added that Saudi Arabia intends to reopen its embassy in Kabul as soon as possible. He mentioned that the Saudi Arabian representative, in this meeting, expressed a desire for better interactions with Afghanistan.
It is noteworthy that the Afghan delegation had previously met with special representatives from Russia and Uzbekistan in Doha.
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Pakistani government should not allow anyone to make remarks on sensitive issues, MoD
June 30, 2024
KABUL: The country’s Ministry of National Defense, in response to the recent remarks of Khawaja Mohammad Asif, the Defense Minister of Pakistan, in a statement on Friday, called on the Pakistani government to not allow anyone to make remarks on sensitive issues. The statement said that the responsibility for any invasion, under any name or pretext, on the territory of Afghanistan would rest with the aggressor. “The recent remarks made by the Pakistani Defense Minister regarding the violation of Afghanistan’s national sovereignty are described as an ill-considered act and are likened to an attempt to muddy waters,” said the statement. According to the statement, the consequences of such remarks are not in anyone’s interest. The statement said:” The Islamic Emirate’s principled position is not to allow Afghan soil to be used against any other country.” It is worth mentioning that recently, the Pakistani Defense Minister said that his country could carry out attacks inside Afghan territory. The Kabul Times
Source: thekabultimes.com
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Iran envoy outlines Tehran’s concerns on Afghanistan at Doha meeting
June 30, 2024
Kazemi Qomi, Iran’s ambassador and special representative for Afghanistan, said he participated in the third Doha meeting to clarify Tehran’s concerns regarding Afghanistan.
On Sunday morning, posted on his social media platform X, he aimed to articulate Tehran’s positions, convey concerns about Afghanistan, and explain Iran’s humanitarian policies toward country residents to UN officials and participating nations.
According to Iran’s ambassador and special representative for Afghanistan, the complex and critical conditions in Afghanistan and the region necessitate comprehensive negotiations involving all parties.
Qomi expressed hope that the upcoming talks would alleviate the suffering of Afghanistan’s people and bring about peace, stability, security, sustainable development, and a government based on the people’s free will without foreign interference or domination.
The first day of the Doha meeting on Afghanistan was held on Sunday, June 30th, in Doha. Meanwhile, Zaher Jalali, the head of the Third Political Division at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Taliban, stated that discussions on the second day of the Doha meeting will focus on financial and banking sanctions, the private sector, drug trafficking, and the preservation of progress.
Notably, representatives from Afghan civil society and women are absent from this meeting.
Source: khaama.com
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Diplomats’ insights on first day of Doha meeting on Afghanistan
July 1, 2024
The first day of the third Doha meeting began yesterday with remarks from Rosemary DiCarlo, the UN Deputy Secretary-General. The closed-door session gathered representatives from over 25 countries, and at least five international organizations focused on Afghanistan.
Ms. DiCarlo deemed the start of this meeting productive, stating on her Twitter page, “It is the first time such a comprehensive international community segment meets with the Taliban.” She also expressed satisfaction with bilateral meetings with country representatives during her visit to Doha.
The Taliban’s delegation has not universally assessed its first-day experience at the Doha meeting yet. However, based on meetings held by Zabihullah Mujahid, head of the delegation, with representatives from regional and global countries, and his media interviews, the first day of this meeting seemed satisfactory for the delegation.
Ahead of the primary session in Doha at 6:00 PM local time, Rosemary DiCarlo delivered a speech. The host country’s representative followed with his remarks, and Zabihullah Mujahid addressed the gathering as the third speaker.
The full content is unavailable since the session was held behind closed doors. However, diplomats from participating countries disclosed parts of this hidden session to the media.
Asif Durrani, Pakistan’s Special Representative for Afghan Affairs, dispelled concerns about the international legitimacy of the Taliban in Afghanistan and told reporters present at the venue, “Recognition of the Taliban by either party was not raised during the first day of the third Doha meeting.”
Thomas West, the United States Special Representative for Afghanistan, also revealed that all parties discussed human rights issues and the status of women and girls in Afghanistan during the first day of this meeting.
The widespread governance issue in Afghanistan is another topic that is expected to be discussed in this meeting, particularly by Iran and Russia. Hossein Kazemi Qomi, Iran’s Special Representative to the President of Afghanistan Affairs, stated his primary goal in participating in this meeting was striving to establish comprehensive governance in Afghanistan.
David Sproule, Canada’s Special Representative for Afghanistan, is the only diplomat to formally condemn the agenda of the third Doha meeting, labeling the absence of women and Afghan civil society representatives in this meeting as disappointing.
The second day of this meeting is divided into two separate sessions, with reports indicating that the first session at 8:30 AM local time will focus on the private sector, while the second session before lunch at 11:30 AM local time will address anti-narcotics policy.
Source: khaama.com
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Canada deems absence of independent voices at Doha meeting disappointing
July 1, 2024
The Canadian Foreign Ministry described the absence of Afghan women, religious and ethnic groups, and human rights activists from the main Doha meeting as “deeply disappointing” in a statement issued on Sunday.
The ministry stated that without meaningful and equal participation of Afghan women in the Doha meeting, none of its objectives would be achieved.
Canada expressed deep dissatisfaction with the United Nations for not allowing independent Afghan faces outside the Taliban to attend the main Doha meeting, stating it would raise its protest with the UN this week.
Canada considers full, equal, and meaningful participation of Afghan women in the Doha meeting as a fundamental principle for the women’s agenda, peace, security, and conditions for peaceful, stable, and inclusive Afghanistan on women’s participation.
Like the United States, Canada also sent a representative to Doha despite criticism of the composition of participants.
The Canadian Foreign Ministry stated it consulted with Afghan civil society, human rights groups, and women to hear their concerns.
Canada’s representative, David Sproule, will advocate at Doha using voices on Taliban rights abuses. Canada seeks a UN special envoy for human rights and gender, tasked with implementing UN resolutions and promoting Afghan women’s participation.
Source: khaama.com
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Islamic Emirate Delegate Mujahid Calls for Sanctions Relief and Economic Aid at Doha Meeting
2024-07-01
KABUL(BNA): Zabihullah Mujahid, Head of the Delegation of the Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan, delivered a poignant speech at the inauguration ceremony of the Doha Meeting, organized by the United Nations and hosted by Qatar. The event gathered representatives from various countries and international organizations to discuss the pressing issues facing Afghanistan.
In his address, Mujahid extended gratitude to Qatar for its pivotal role in organizing the meeting. He emphasized the Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan’s commitment to positive engagement despite numerous challenges.
“Our participation in this Doha meeting demonstrates our dedication to constructive dialogue and addressing the unilateral and multilateral sanctions imposed on our officials and financial sectors,” Mujahid stated.
Highlighting the slow pace of easing sanctions on Afghanistan’s financial and trade sectors, Mujahid questioned the fairness of imposing restrictions on a nation that has endured decades of war and insecurity. He pointed out Afghanistan’s achievements, such as the near elimination of poppy cultivation, which went unrecognized by the international community, further exacerbating the economic challenges.
Mujahid outlined Afghanistan’s efforts towards economic independence, focusing on job creation, poverty alleviation, and business opportunities for women. He called for the removal of sanctions, provision of development aid, and unfreezing of Afghanistan’s national reserves to enhance economic capabilities.
“The main solution to the economic obstacles of Afghans is to remove unilateral and multilateral sanctions and allow the government and people of Afghanistan to utilize their capacities without restrictions,” he urged.
The speech also underscored strategic projects aimed at regional connectivity, such as the railway from Uzbekistan to Afghanistan and the TAPI gas pipeline project. Mujahid stressed Afghanistan’s role in the North-South corridor and its potential for regional stability and economic growth.
He called on Western nations to engage constructively with Afghanistan, respecting its sovereignty and cultural values to foster better bilateral and multilateral relationships.
Addressing the humanitarian crisis in Gaza, Mujahid condemned the ongoing genocide and questioned the moral authority of entities involved in human rights violations to lecture Afghanistan on such matters.
Mujahid proposed forming working groups to address critical issues, including the removal of sanctions, unfreezing of foreign reserves, and providing alternative livelihoods for Afghan farmers.
He concluded by urging effective and productive discussions at the Doha meeting to establish trust and demonstrate collective commitment to Afghanistan’s security, stability, and prosperity.
The third Doha Meeting represents a crucial opportunity for Afghanistan to engage with the global community, seeking support and collaboration for its path towards stability and economic development.
Source: bakhtarnews.af
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Islamic Emirate Delegation Meets with Representatives from Uzbekistan, Russia, and India Preceding Doha Meeting
2024-06-30
KABUL(BNA): The delegation of the Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan, attending the third Doha meeting in Qatar, has met with special representatives from Uzbekistan and Russia.
Mawlavi Zabihullah Mujahid, the spokesman for the Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan and head of the delegation, announced on his X page that, he had a productive meeting and exchange of views with Ismatullah Irgashev, the special representative of the President of Uzbekistan.
Mujahid added that Uzbekistan and Afghanistan have several economic projects together, and Uzbekistan expressed its support for the position of the Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan in the Doha meeting.
Additionally, in another tweet, Mujahid wrote that they also had an important meeting with Zamir Kabulov, the special representative of the President of Russia, where they discussed the expansion of relations between Afghanistan and Russia.
He further mentioned that Russia has expressed support for the position of the Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan. In response, the Islamic Emirate thanked Russia for its positive and constructive stance.
Moreover, Mawlavi Zabihullah Mujahid also reported that the delegation of the Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan met with J.P. Singh, India’s representative for Afghanistan, Pakistan, and Iran, and discussed strengthening relations between Afghanistan and India.
On the other hand, Zakir Jalali, head of the third political department of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Afghanistan, reported that Afghan delegation is scheduled to hold side meetings with representatives from India, Saudi Arabia, Kazakhstan, the United Kingdom, Norway, Indonesia, the Netherlands, and the United Nations today, prior to the official start of the third Doha meeting.
Jalali announced that the official opening of the third Doha meeting will take place today, June 30, from 6:45 PM to 8:45 PM local time. On the second day, the meeting will feature two sessions: the first will address financial and banking sanctions and the private sector, while the second will focus on combating drug trafficking and preserving progress.
He added that the third Doha meeting will conclude on the second day after discussing the aforementioned topics.
Previously, the Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan announced that the delegation is fully prepared to address critical agenda items, such as combating narcotics, financial and banking sanctions, and overcoming obstacles hindering private sector development.
Source: bakhtarnews.af
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Pakistan
Rallies, jirgas in KP oppose Azm-i-Istehkam military offensive
July 1, 2024
KHYBER: Rallies and jirgas were held in various cities on Sunday to voice opposition to the government’s plan to launch Azm-i-Istehkam military operation against militants.
Scores of Shalobar youth activists in Bara tehsil of Khyber district took out a motorcycle rally against any possible military offensive.
Led by president Pakhtun Student Federation’s Khyber chapter Abdul Wadud, the participants were holding white flags and placards inscribed with slogans for peace and rejection of military operation.
The rally started from Bara tehsil offices and then took a round of Shalobar, Malakdinkhel, Kamarkhel, Akkakhel, Sipah and Qambarkhel localities before converging at the Bara Bazaar.
Organisers said law and order situation had deteriorated in Bara with incidents of targeted killing on the rise.
Participants call for stopping infiltration of militants from borders
They said the Bara youth would continue to raise voice against the worsening law and order situation.
They said people of Khyber had been badly affected by the militancy and military operations in the recent past, and would not allow anyone to disturb the peace to make excuse for launching a new military offensive.
They said thousands of militancy-hit Bara families were still living in miserable conditions. They said military operations always resulted in displacement of large number of people.
Meanwhile, Bannu Qaumi Jirga has asked the police to play a proactive role to maintain peace in the region.
The Jirga met at Qazir Fazal Qadir Shaheed Park in Bannu city on Sunday to discuss matters pertaining to law and order situation and government’s decision to launch an operation against militants in the southern districts of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, including Bannu.
Bara youth hold a motorcycle rally in Khyber. — Dawn
The participants, who also included MNA Maulana Syed Naseem Ali Shah, regretted that police remained restricted to police stations after dusk, giving miscreants free hand to carry out their activities.
They said lawlessness and insecurity had been prevailing in the region for last two years. They said several policemen and elders had been targeted by militants in last couple of years.
They rejected any kind of operation in the region and asked the government and law enforcement agencies to focus on targeted and intelligence-based operations to eliminate militants.
They also stressed the need for activating the peace committee.
In Bajaur, scores of people on Sunday participated in a rally organised by Jamaat-i-Islami to protest the proposed military operation in the district.
During the rally, the main road remained closed to traffic for couple of hours.
The participants, many of them holding party flags, chanted anti-operation slogans, saying they were not ready for more military actions in their region.
JI district chief Sahibzada Haroon Rasheed, Haji Sardar Khan, party candidate for PK-22 by-election Abid Khan, Mohammad Hamid Sufi and others addressed the rally.
The speakers said the rally was held to oppose the proposed fresh military operation in the province announced by the PML-N-led federal government about a week ago.
Meanwhile, elders of Salarzai tehsil at a jirga also repeated their resolve to oppose the planned military operation until the local lawmakers, politicians and elders were taken into confidence over the issue.
People from different walks of life, including elders, youths and political activists, attended the jirga.
In Lower Dir, the Talash Dushkhel Qaumi Jirga on Sunday opposed the planned military operation and demanded of the federal and provincial governments and the army chief to handle the intruding militants on the borders.
The jirga, represented by over 300 elders, organised a session in Kalpani Talash with its president Mohammad Ibrahim in the chair.
The speakers were of the view that Dir was a peaceful district and its people would not let anyone to disturb peace. They said the residents were not ready to accept militancy and military operation on their soil.
They vowed the people would not leave their homes at any cost. The speakers demanded of the government and security agencies to stop infiltration of militants on the borders.
The jirga asked the federal government to review its decision regarding the launch of Azm-i-Istehkam operation. Later, the participants held a peace walk.
A peace march was also organised in Munda area the other day to voice opposition to any military action in Lower Dir.
The march was organised by Shalkandi Youth Jirga, which was attended mostly by students and youth. The participants carried banners and placards inscribed with slogans against militancy and in favour of peace.
The jirga’s chairman, Mufti Izaz Ali Shah, said they would not let any bloodshed in the area. He said it was the professional responsibility of the security forces to provide peaceful environment to the people.
Source: dawn.com
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Christian man on death row for ‘sparking’ riots in Jaranwala
July 1, 2024
SAHIWAL: An anti-terrorism court (ATC) has awarded the death sentence to a Christian youth, who is alleged to have circulated a social media post that led to riots in the town of Jaranwala in August last year.
Sahiwal ATC Special Judge Ziaullah Khan announced the verdict, also sentencing the young man to 22 years in prison and imposing a fine of Rs1 million.
Dozens of Christian homes and around 20 churches were vandalised and ransacked by mobs in Jaranwala following allegations that a copy of the Holy Quran had been desecrated.
Punjab police had claimed last year that around 135 miscreants had been booked for the attacks on the minority community in Jaranwala.
But according to Advocate Akmal Bhatti, chairman of the Minorities Alliance, most of the accused had either been discharged or freed on bail. Hardly 12 people are currently facing trials, he said.
In March, a Faisalabad ATC had acquitted two Christian brothers who were ostensibly ‘framed’ for desecration after a police probe revealed that the two had been implicated in a blasphemy case over a personal enmity.
The convict was accused of sharing a social media post, which allegedly contained blasphemous content on a complaint by Sub-Inspector Amir Farooq of Dera Rahim police. He was picked up by police on intelligence reports three days after the riots.
The final judgment said he was awarded the death sentence and a fine of Rs500,000 under Section 295(C), 10 years rigorous imprisonment under Section 295(A), seven years under the Prevention of Electronic Crimes Act, and five years and Rs500,000 fine under 7(1) (G)-ATA.
Complainant Amir Farooq, who is now serving as SHO at the Ghala Mandi police, told Dawn that while the man in question did not produce the blasphemous content, he did share it on TikTok, where it went viral.
Source: dawn.com
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Masood stresses for persevering efforts to boost Pak-US bilateral ties
July 01, 2024
Masood Khan, the outgoing Pakistani envoy to America, Sunday stressed for persevering efforts to strengthen bilateral relations between Pakistan and the United States.
Pakistan on June 28 announced to appoint Additional Foreign Secretary Middle East Rizwan Saeed Sheikh as its ambassador to the US replacing Khan.
Addressing the farewell dinner organised in honour of Khan’s services, United States Principal Deputy Assistant Secretary Elizabeth Horst Friday praised Khan, for his efforts towards building "bridges between Islamabad and Washington".
"On behalf of the State Department, I just want to note that the US-Pakistan relationship is in the best place it's been in years, in part, in large part to what Ambassador Masood Khan has done to represent Pakistan, to build bridges between Islamabad and Washington," said Horst.
The US official acknowledged that the ties between the two countries, like any longstanding relationship, have experienced friction at times, but "because of you, we know how we can talk through this and we have a framework to talk through friction", she added.
Khan was given agrément by the US Department of State for serving as ambassador to Washington in February 2022. He was nominated for the post by the then prime minister Imran Khan in November 2021.
In his farewell note, the outgoing Pakistani envoy wrote: "A robust relationship between our two nations is work in progress, backed by a history of nearly 77 years."
As he completed his assignment as the ambassador of Pakistan to the US, he said since March 2022, after taking charge of the office, they had tried to build strong Pak-US relations.
The envoy thanked a host of entities including “American friends” from the administration, Congress, state governments and assemblies, International Financial Institutions (IFIs), think-tanks, media, civil society and the private sector, as well as the diaspora community for the support in building the bilateral ties.
“I am indebted to the influential Pakistani-American professional organisations that have helped me, our missions, and our two nations to navigate through challenging but promising landscapes,” he maintained.
Khan said he was confident that the same would extend full support to his successor as well.
“As I leave, I wish you all success and prosperity. Have faith in Pakistan and keep nurturing Pakistan-United States ties,” he concluded.
Source: thenews.com.pk
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Fazl says PTI leadership 'lacks consistency' in its stance on talks with JUI-F
June 30, 2024
ISLAMABAD: Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam-Fazl (JUI-F) chief Maulana Fazlur Rehman on Sunday stated that his party is ready to hold talks with the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI), lamenting that the leadership of the former ruling party lacked consistency on the matter of initiating dialogue with the former.
"Our stance and reservations against PTI are very serious," the politician said while expressing grave concerns regarding the Imran Khan-founded party's commitment in holding talks during a press conference in Islamabad.
He said his party's Majlis-e-Shura — top decision-making body — had declared the recent contacts with other parties a "political process".
The remarks come at a point where the two parties were reportedly on a verge of joining hands against the coalition government led by the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N).
Fazl's party has been holding meetings with the former ruling party after they both termed the February 8 elections "rigged" and also voiced shared concerns about the federal government's policies on the economy and the menace of terrorism in the country.
The Imran Khan-founded party and JUI-F jointly opposed the Centre's newly-announced anti-militancy operation, Azm-e-Istehkam, raising concerns that parliament was not taken into confidence on the matter.
In a meeting with senior PTI leader Asad Qaiser last week, Fazl agreed that the military operation was not the solution to the problems.
They also agreed on fulfilling the role of opposition in the National Assembly together, and also constituting a political committee to address various issues between them and formulate a political strategy.
Moreover, the two parties have maintained a rigid stance on the February 8 general elections, demanding fresh and transparent elections to "restore" democracy in the country.
However, Fazl on Sunday announced that his party's top decision-making body has decided to continue the "struggle" exclusively from its own platform instead of waiting to become a part of any alliance.
"Our stance and reservations against PTI are very serious," he said adding that the decision-making body had reviewed JUI-F's meetings with other political parties and declared it nothing more than a "political process".
He said that the JUI-F's decision-making body observed that the incumbent government in the Centre does not have the "ability" to address its reservations.
'PTI lacks consistency'
Speaking about a proposed dialogue, the seasoned politician said that his party welcomed PTI if they wanted to hold talks.
However, he said that the party still "lacked consistency", he added.
"Sunni Ittehad Council (SIC) chief ruled out an alliance with JUI-F. These are two contradictory opinions which we are finding difficult to establish a stance on," Fazl said while referring to the possible dialogue with PTI and the reluctance of its allied party to enter talks.
The JUI-F chief further stated that different delegations hold consultation on behalf of the jailed PTI founder but the party hadn't yet decided on a team for holding the dialogue.
He said that his party did not have any hesitation in creating a "better political environment" and it stood by the positive approach towards its political rivals.
The politician called on the PTI and SIC to remove the confusion regarding their position on holding a dialogue.
'Operation Azm-e-Istehkam inconsistent'
Turning his guns towards the federal government, Fazl, who was the chief of Pakistan Democratic Movement (PDM) — the multi-party alliance mainly consisting of PML-N and Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) — said that Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif issued clarification on the military action but the "people don't know who to trust".
Even the "Operation Azm-e-Istehkam" was "inconsistent", he added.
The government's decision to launch a new operation was taken during a meeting of the Central Apex Committee on National Action Plan (NAP) earlier this month, which was approved with the consensus of all stakeholders including provinces, Gilgit Baltistan (GB) and Azad Jammu and Kashmir (AJK).
"The entire nation stands with the army if it is the matter of country's defence," Fazl said, but asked why the incidents of terrorism spiked 10 times despite several military operations.
Fazl calls for 'unbiased polls' in country
He slammed his former ally PML-N, saying that JUI-F could not accept the February 8 polls results at any cost.
The JUI-F is among those opposing the results of the polls, which saw country's two major parties — PML-N and PPP — along with other political parties, forming a coalition government in the Centre.
Fazl once again called for "unbiased" nationwide elections, but termed the United States resolution calling for a probe into alleged irregularities in Pakistan's elections an interference.
JUI-F believes the US should stay away from Pakistan's affairs, he added.
Election will only be held in 2029: Tarar
However, Information Minister Attaullah Tarar opposed Fazl, said that the general election would only be held in 2029 upon completion of the constitutional tenure of the incumbent government.
While reacting to the JUI-F chief's presser, he said parliament was an appropriate forum to do politics in the current circumstances.
“Solution to all the problems in politics lies in negotiations and dialogue,” the minister added.
Tarar termed the JUI-F chief a “seasoned” and “respected” politician, urging him to appreciate the government’s economic policies that drove an increase in the foreign exchange reserves, and took the stock exchange to historic highest level.
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Minister Asif slams Afghanistan for failing to act against militants
June 30, 2024
Despite Pakistan’s repeated requests, the Afghanistan government’s evading its responsibility to take action against militants involved in cross-border attacks drew criticism from Defence Minister Khawaja Asif on Saturday.
Talking with BBC Urdu, the defence minister said the Government of Pakistan hoped that the Taliban government would "cooperate on the matter, nevertheless, Kabul is not ready to use force against the militants".
He said the government even offered to give Rs10 billion to transfer the militants to the western border areas, but it feared the militants could return to the Pakistan border from there as well.
It should be noted that Pakistan has times and again requested the Taliban government to stop cross-border terrorism from Afghanistan into Pakistan by preventing its territory from being used by the TTP and other terrorist groups.
In an interview with the Voice of America (VoA) Thursday, Asif had said that under the Operation Azm-e-Istehkam, Pakistan could target terrorist hideouts across the border in Afghanistan. He had also dismissed the possibility of negotiations with the banned Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP).
Meanwhile, Pakistan has also decided to participate in the United Nations-hosted talks on Afghanistan in the Qatari capital scheduled to start on June 30, diplomatic sources told Geo News.
Earlier this month, Taliban authorities had also confirmed their participation in the third round of the Doha talks, where Pakistan might raise its concerns on the cross-border terrorism.
Addressing the concerns on whether the fresh anti-terrorism operation was being launched under pressure, the minister said Operation Azm-e-Istehkam was not an army's demand, rather it was the government's need. He also clarified that there was no pressure from China as well for the operation.
In response to Asif’s statement, Jamiat Ulema e Islam-F (JUI-F) chief Maulana Fazlur Rehman said the manner in which the defence minister spoke was not a sign of improvement in Pak-Afghan relationships.
"Where decisions will be taken as a result of such war training, then they will meet the same response. We will not be left with any friend in the region through such decisions," he said.
To a query, Asif said Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) founder Imran Khan’s release from jail would not pose any threat. "The government is ready for talks. However, they did not believe that the PTI founder will take the offer of negotiations seriously,” he said.
Source: thenews.com.pk
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Balochistan govt depts told to form bodies against women’s harassment
July 1, 2024
QUETTA: The Balochistan women development department and the Quetta divisional administration have agreed to work together to provide assistance to women, protect them from harassment, and create opportunities for their advancement in all fields.
For this purpose, special committees will be formed in all government departments under the Anti-Harassment Act.
Dr Rubaba Khan Buledi, the chief minister’s adviser on Women Development, in a meeting with Quetta Commissioner Hamza Shafqat discussed efforts to promote gender equality in the province.
She said that as parliamentary secretary for health, she had established special spaces for women at various public places in Quetta, including courts, universities and airport.
These centres provide facilities for working women, including prayer rooms, baby feeding, and rest areas. However, some of the centers were still inactive, she noted.
She highlighted the need to provide a safe environment for women at workplaces, stating that harassment was a serious offense under the law and would not be tolerated.
She warned that any complaint of harassment would be thoroughly investigated, and those found guilty would be punished, including termination of employment.
The adviser said that all departments must establish anti-harassment committees under the Anti-Harassment Act, and progress reports be submitted.
A deadline would be set for all the departments to establish the committees, and if they failed to comply, the relevant administrative secretaries and the chief secretary would be informed in writing to take action against the relevant officials.
The Quetta commissioner expressed the hope that joint efforts would be made for women’s protection and progress.
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Ruling allies assail PTI for backing ‘anti-Pakistan’ US resolution
July 1, 2024
LAHORE/ISLAMABAD: The PTI has been accused of seeking the imposition of martial law and economic sanctions in the country by its political opponents.
In separate statements issued on Sunday, PML-N Senator Irfan Siddiqui and senior PPP leader Shehla Raza assailed the party for backing a resolution, recently passed by the US Congress, accusing it of using their resources and influence to secure the passage of an “anti-Pakistan” measure.
Senator Siddiqui, who is also chairman of the Senate Standing committee on Foreign Affairs, tweeted: “Their (PTI’s) next target is imposition of all sorts of sanctions including economic sanctions, against Pakistan”.
In his tweet, Senator Siddiqui further said that as the US elections were nearing, candidates were running around seeking support and donations from their voters.
He claimed that PTI leaders in Pakistan issued instructions for an organised campaign in the US, deploring that PTI voters had contributed money and used their influence for an anti-Pakistan resolution and called the passage of the resolution a major success for PTI.
Meanwhile, talking to reporters in Lahore on Sunday, Ms Raza said the PTI was fomenting politics of hatred and taking every step that could lead to the imposition of martial law.
Replying to a question, she said that there was a big difference between interference and conspiracy. “The US Congress resolution is open interference in our national affairs, while the PTI had been alleging that the cipher was a conspiracy [against its government].”
She sarcastically asked whether the PTI would get freedom at the behest of America or someone else.
The PTI-backed Sunni Ittehad Council is the only parliamentary party that opposed the National Assembly’s resolution against the US congress’ ruling, which had called for a probe into Feb 8 elections.
She recalled that martial law had been imposed after the election held by Zulfikar Ali Bhutto’s regime in 1977 and the PTI desired a similar step after its ouster from power.
Talking about relations with its coalition partner PML-N, the PPP leader said that they still had some issues and concerns with the government, apart from the budget, adding that the PML-N had admitted its mistakes on many issues.
Regarding the PPP promise of offering 300 units of electricity free of cost, she said there was a lot of difference between the election manifestos of the PPP and the PML-N and that had her party come into power, it would have fulfilled its promise regarding the provision of free electricity.
She said her party desired that industries and shops should also be taxed, but had concerns regarding taxes on the salaried class. She said that many people associated with different economic sectors had not been brought into the tax net so far.
Source: dawn.com
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'PTI constitutes team for negotiation with JUI-F'
July 01, 2024
A day after Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam-Fazl (JUI-F) Emir Fazlur Rehman's remarks lamenting lack of consistency, the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) has formed a five-member negotiation team for holding talks with the former, sources told Geo News.
The sources say the PTI's negotiation team comprises PTI Chairman Barrister Gohar, former National Assembly speaker Asad Qaiser, party's Central Information Secretary Raoof Hasan, Senator Shibli Faraz, and NA Opposition Leader Omar Ayub Khan.
It is to be noted that the leadership of both parties, who have been arch rivals traditionally, have held multiple meetings since the February 8 polls due to their mutual concerns over the alleged interference and manipulation during the general elections.
Last month, PTI's Qasier called on JUI-F Emir Maulana Fazlur Rehman in Islamabad wherein both leaders agreed on fulfilling the role of opposition in the National Assembly as well as on the constitution of a political committee to address various issues between them and formulate a political strategy.
Both parties have also found common ground in their opposition to the recently announced anti-terror drive titled "Operation Azm-e-Istekham" announced by the Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif-led government.
During the said meeting, the PTI and the JUI-F leadership maintained that military operation was not the solution to the problems and stressed the role of political parties in achieving peace and stability in the province.
But speaking to the media in Islamabad a day earlier, Fazl said that the party's Majlis-e-Shura — the top decision-making body — has decided against becoming part of any alliance for now and has expressed "serious reservations" over the PTI in light of the reports that the two parties were on a verge of joining hands against the coalition government led by the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N).
"Our stance and reservations against PTI are very serious," he said, adding that the decision-making body had reviewed JUI-F's meetings with other political parties and declared it nothing more than a "political process.
Speaking about the prospects of dialogue, the politico said that his party welcomed PTI if they wanted to hold talks.
However, he said that the PTI still "lacked consistency", he added.
"Sunni Ittehad Council (SIC) chief ruled out an alliance with JUI-F. These are two contradictory opinions which we are finding difficult to establish a stance on," Fazl said while referring to the possible dialogue with PTI and the reluctance of its allied party to enter talks.
The JUI-F chief further stated that different delegations hold consultations on behalf of the jailed PTI founder but the party hadn't yet decided on a team for holding the dialogue.
He said that his party did not have any hesitation in creating a "better political environment" and it stood by the positive approach towards its political rivals.
The politician called on the PTI and SIC to remove the confusion regarding their position on holding a dialogue.
Source: thenews.com.pk
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Solution to all problems in politics lies in dialogue: Info Minister
July 01, 2024
Minister for Information and Broadcasting Attaullah Tarar has said the general election would only be held in 2029 upon completion of the constitutional tenure of the incumbent government.
Reacting to Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam (F) chief Maulana Fazl-ur-Rehman’s presser, he said the Parliament is an appropriate forum to do politics in the current circumstances. He said solution to all the problems in politics lies in negotiations and dialogue.
Attaullah Tarar termed Maulana a seasoned and respected politician and urged him to appreciate the government’s economic policies that drove an increase in the foreign exchange reserves, and took the stock exchange to historic highest level.
He lauded the government for strengthening the rupee and reducing trade deficit significantly.
Source: radio.gov.pk
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Shaza in China to represent Pakistan at Global Digital Economy Conference
July 01, 2024
Minister of State for IT and Telecommunication Shaza Fatima Khawaja is in China on an official visit to represent Pakistan at Global Digital Economy Conference 2024 starting in Beijing tomorrow (Tuesday).
The Minister of State will visit booths of Pakistani tech companies and meet their representatives. She will also attend “Euro Asia Pakistan Digital Economy Forum” and participate in the panel discussions.
Shaza Fatima will hold meetings with important figures relating to Information and Communication Technology.
The conference is aimed to expand global cooperation in the digital economy.
Source: radio.gov.pk
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Pakistan announces start of second phase of expelling undocumented Afghan refugees
July 1, 2024
According to international media reports, Pakistan will initiate the second phase of the contentious expulsion of undocumented Afghan migrants.
Al Jazeera reported on Sunday, July 1st, that over 800,000 individuals in Pakistan face potential deportation.
In the initial phase last November, approximately 541,000 Afghan migrants were forced to leave Pakistan, with some facing threats of detention and expulsion if they did not depart voluntarily.
Al Jazeera emphasized that the expulsion order follows a significant increase in armed attacks across Pakistan, which the Pakistani government has consistently attributed to groups and residents based in Afghanistan, although the Taliban deny involvement.
Filippo Grandi, the UN High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) in Islamabad, stated that Pakistan should look into the circumstances of undocumented Afghans before expelling them, as many “require international protection.”
According to the UN official, “They are refugees. They are not involved in terrorist activities; they just have fled and need protection. If Afghan nationals are involved in terrorist activities, they should be dealt with separately.”
Meanwhile, speaking to Al Jazeera, one Afghan refugee appealed to the international community and the Pakistani government to give them more time “to leave in a dignified manner.”
The migrant claimed that their homes are attacked at night, forcing them to leave the country in “very dire conditions.”
According to reports, Pakistan has not signed the 1951 UN Convention on the Rights of Refugees and lacks domestic laws and procedures for determining the status of individuals seeking international protection within its borders.
Meanwhile, international reactions continue to unfold regarding the expulsion of Afghan migrants from Iran and Pakistan, with recent reports from the Ministry of Migrants and Repatriation of Afghanistan indicating nearly 2,000 Afghan migrants have been expelled.
Source: khaama.com
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Southeast
Asia
Syamsinar Recounts Hajj Scam Ordeal: Abandoned and Hiding from the Saudi Police
June 28, 2024
Makassar. Syamsinar, a resident of Parepare, South Sulawesi, recounts her harrowing experience during this year's Hajj pilgrimage. Instead of a spiritual journey, she found herself evading the police in Saudi Arabia.
Syamsinar is among hundreds of Hajj pilgrims from Sidrap Regency, South Sulawesi, who were denied entry upon arrival at King Abdul Aziz Airport on June 14 for using visit visas instead of the required Hajj visas.
The 203 pilgrims from Sidrap, eager to fulfill their religious duties in Mecca, were thus unable to proceed with their journey.
Upon arrival in Saudi Arabia, Syamsinar and her fellow pilgrims were not provided with the promised facilities by their travel agency. Instead, they faced the bitter reality of being scammed. Syamsinar, along with other pilgrims, claimed they were abandoned upon arrival in Saudi Arabia.
The travel agency had promised them hajj visas, but what they received were multiple-entry or visit visas. Syamsinar had to constantly avoid the police in Saudi Arabia.
"This is a multiple-entry visa. When we asked for the visa, they always covered the biometric information, so we didn’t know what type of visa it was," Syamsinar told Beritasatu.com on Thursday.
Syamsinar only discovered that the visa provided by the travel agency was a multiple-entry visa upon arriving at the airport or shortly before the flight to Jakarta. Even the name tags they received were incorrect.
"This was a long journey, from Makassar to Jakarta, from Jakarta to Qatar, from Qatar to Riyadh, and then from Riyadh to Medina. It was still safe in Medina," she said.
Syamsinar protested to the travel agency because the promised eight days of preparation in Medina turned out to be only five days. When she complained to the travel agency, they retaliated by making a video of her, stating she was forbidden to enjoy the facilities provided by the travel agency.
"I am a victim because I feel cheated and wronged. They even made a video of me, forbidding me from eating the travel food and enjoying the travel facilities. Yet I paid in full one month before departure," Syamsinar lamented.
Upon returning to Indonesia, Syamsinar and several other pilgrims reported the Al Hijrah travel agency in Barru, South Sulawesi, to the police for alleged fraud.
"When we returned, some of us who passed through Barru stopped at the Barru Police Station. We have already reported it. My hope is that there are no more victims," she said.
The Indonesian Religious Affairs Ministry has strictly prohibited its citizens from embarking on the Hajj pilgrimage without the proper Hajj visas. Violations could lead to severe penalties including fines, deportation, and bans from returning to Saudi Arabia for up to 10 years.
Source: jakartaglobe.id
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Durians not favoured in Middle East and Europe, Mat Sabu explains driving its export to China
01-07- 2024
PETALING JAYA: Agriculture and Food Security Minister Datuk Seri Mohamad Sabu has explained that the focus on exporting durians to China is due to its population’s love for the fruit.
Mohamad said this is different from other regions like the Middle East and Europe, where durians are not favoured.
“Why focus on China? Because the Chinese eat durians. Arab countries do not eat durians yet.
In fact, they cannot even tolerate the smell.
He explained that it is similar to Europe, adding while there are some Europeans who work in embassies here and eat durians, but generally, are not interested in eating durians.
“China consumes durians on a large scale. They have hundreds of millions of people who can afford to spend.
“That’s why if we were to export to other countries, there would be a market, but not like China,“ he told the Dewan Rakyat today.
Mohamad’s answer was in response to the question from Datuk Seri Tuan Ibrahim Tuan Man (PN-Kubang Kerian) on why Malaysia is not exploring markets outside of China to promote durians.
He added that Malaysia will continue to strive to market its products worldwide.
“As for fish, there are many places we can export to where they need fish. There is still a high demand for pineapples, and we are not able to meet the international demand sufficiently.
“But for durians, China is indeed the focus. Imagine, if 10 per cent of their population eats durians, no matter how much we plant here, it still might not be enough for us to trade with China,“ he said.
Source: thesun.my
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Sabahan young dancers triumph at Dance World Cup, win 3 gold medals
01-07- 2024
KUALA LUMPUR: Waving the Malaysian flag high, Sabahan students shone at the prestigious Dance World Cup (DWC) finals in Prague, Czech Republic, claiming an impressive haul of three gold medals.
Talented young dancers from four Sabah schools—SK Mutiara, SK St. Agnes, SK Sri Gaya, and SK Bundu—stunned judges with their performances at the Dance World Cup in Prague, winning an additional two silver and two bronze medals.
SK Mutiara triumphed with gold in the Children Solo National and Folklore category, while SK Sri Gaya claimed gold in the Children Small Group National and Folklore category. SK St. Agnes added to the gold haul by winning in the Children Duet/Trio National and Folklore category.
Besides that, SK Mutiara also won silver in the Children Duet/Trio National and Folklore category, Children Small Group National and Folklore category (bronze), and Children Solo National Folklore (Boys) category (bronze). SK St Agnes also bagged a silver in the Children Solo National and Folklore category.
This year, 27 students from Malaysia, aged 11 and 12, competed against 3,750 dancers from 67 countries at the DWC World Finals held from June 27 to July 6.
Teachers and parents beamed with pride at this year’s achievements, having collaborated to raise funds to send the young dancers to Prague for the DWC World Finals—the Olympics of Dance—helping them fulfil their dreams of competing on the world stage.
Head of delegation Masdi Ahmad Mus said the students’ and teachers’ hard work over the months paid off as they excelled on the international stage.
“All the dancers practised daily for this tournament. They have made meticulous preparations for the best performance.
“We are overjoyed and thankful for winning three gold medals at the DWC World Finals. All the sacrifices and efforts of teachers and students finally paid off when they managed to make Malaysia’s name shine on the world stage,“ he told Bernama.
Masdi, who is the senior assistant for co-curriculum at SK Mutiara, said parents and teachers have been very involved in the preparation since March, after securing their ticket to represent Malaysia by winning the nationwide selection process held by the National Department for Culture and Arts.
For SK Mutiara, the participation of the eight students accompanied by eight teachers, required about RM300,000 to cover all expenses for the competition including airfares, accommodation, and food.
The outpouring of support from politicians and community leaders, companies, NGOs, and individuals proved to be instrumental in making the dreams of the students, school, and parents a reality as they managed to collect RM235,000.
“We have to bear the expenses for the DWC World Finals. We will organise various activities to raise funds to pay the debt when we return to Sabah.”
This is SK Mutiara’s second outing at the DWC World Finals. They previously won a gold medal in 2019.
Meanwhile, a teacher from SK Bundu Katres Kuntiw said this year two dancers from the school qualified in the DWC World Finals but only one flew to Prague due to financial constraints.
“We collected funds from representatives of the people and the public. Due to insufficient funds to support two dancers, only one dancer was flown to Prague.
“Last year, dancers from SK Bundu also qualified for the DWC World Finals in Portugal. Due to lack of funds, we had to give up the opportunity to perform on the international stage. This year, we are working hard to raise funds to send at least one dancer to Prague,“ she told Bernama when contacted.
Representing SK Bundu, a young dancer showcased a captivating traditional Murut dance in the Children Solo National and Folklore category, coming in a commendable fifth place. Year 6 student Pearl Cassandra Traver Ingging narrowly missed the bronze medal by a mere 0.11 points.
Meanwhile, Suzilah Mohd Sidek, Ambassador of Malaysia to the Czech Republic said the young dancers are very talented.
“We in Prague were lucky to have the opportunity to witness the superb performances of the Malaysian participants, besides being moved by their victories in every category they competed in.
“I would like to congratulate their teachers who are involved in unearthing talent, training, and raising funds for them to continue their struggle while making Malaysia’s name on the world stage,“ she told Bernama.
Source: thesun.my
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28 Migrants Stranded on West Java Coast After Reported Rejection by Australia
June 30, 2024
Sukabumi. Dozens of migrants were stranded on the Sukabumi coast in West Java, causing anxiety among residents as they attempted to enter houses to hide from authorities over the weekend.
The 28 migrants from India, Bangladesh, and Thailand had previously attempted to enter Australia but were intercepted by the coast guard and ordered to return to Indonesia, according to a crew member of the boat that carried them.
A joint team led by the Sukabumi District Police arrested all 28 migrants and two Indonesian citizens who accompanied them, including Muhamad Agus from Samarinda, East Kalimantan.
Agus said they departed for Australia from Cilacap, Central Java, 17 days ago.
"A group facilitated their arrival in Cilacap by bus, and from there they sailed to Australia on a wooden boat," Agus said.
It took five days for them to reach the waters near Christmas Island, but they were intercepted by the Australian Coast Guard and detained for 11 days aboard the patrol ship.
"In short, we were eventually given a speedboat and ordered to return to Indonesia," Agus said.
He claimed that the speedboat was washed ashore at Tegalbuleud Coast in Sukabumi by a strong current.
Police said the migrants will be handed over to the immigration office for further proceedings.
Source: jakartaglobe.id
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Indonesia to Repatriate Remains of Japanese World War II Soldiers
June 30, 2024
Jakarta. The Indonesian government plans to repatriate the remains believed to be those of nine Japanese soldiers who died during World War II, an official said on Sunday.
The remains were retrieved from an area in Biak Numfor regency, Papua province, during excavations by a joint team of Indonesian and Japanese authorities from May 20-30.
"The finding was a positive result of the 2019 agreement between the Indonesian government, represented by the Ministry of Education and Cultural Affairs, and the Japanese Embassy in Jakarta regarding the excavation of remains of Japanese soldiers who died during World War II in Papua," said Hilmar Farid, the ministry’s director general of culture.
The remains have been flown to Jakarta for identification through DNA tests, Hilmar added.
The Japanese Empire occupied Indonesia during World War II from 1942 to 1945 and recruited millions of Indonesians as forced laborers.
"Regardless of what happened in the past, these ongoing efforts represent our mission to honor humanity and serve as a reminder to prevent a recurrence," he said.
Source: jakartaglobe.id
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Africa
Na’Allah bids farewell to the University of Abuja
JULY 1, 2024
The first time I met him, he was sitting in his office, in his characteristic agbada and Damanga cap, attending to some of his staff.
Every vice-chancellor who has ever passed through this much coveted office at the Senate building of the University of Abuja has had their strengths, but Na’Allah’s perceptiveness and work ethics were striking.
Whenever the staff were about to meet him with a memo for approval or discuss a proposal with him, they worried about their own level of preparedness to defend its contents, not his ability to appreciate or understand any technicality in whatever they would be presenting.
“The man will engage you, asking all sorts of questions to see whether you really know what you are talking about and even suggesting how well you might do it,” one senior professor had told me several days before this meeting.
So, when it was time for me to see him, I inched forward in my seat. Na’Allah had heard a bit of something about me, I got to learn later: that having worked as a journalist for several years as well as being a public relations specialist, and earning a doctorate in media arts, I had enough experience and capacity to promote the University which face he was well prepared to change.
But he wouldn’t be satisfied with mere reports about an individual; he would need proof of preparedness and competence from the person whom he would want to work with in that important office. Generally, this intuitive search for competence defines his approach to many of the appointments he has made in the past five years. When I was eventually redeployed to head the office of the Information and University Relations, Na’Allah assailed me immediately with series of assignments.
Every week, there were tons of emails and WhatsApp messages, memos and texts sharing contents to me to work on (such a workaholic, many have said he hardly sleeps), and then waiting expectantly for results.
It was only after he got satisfied with my expertise in handling such an assignment that his trust in me began to build up. Since then, whatever he wanted done, as far as it related to media or communications in the University, he shared it with me, saying sometimes, “Well, you are the professional, let’s know what you think.”
Though Na’Allah loved the glitz and glitter of the media more than many chief executives I have ever known, and was ever ready to grant even impromptu interviews, he would never impulsively make a statement. And he would stand firmly by whatever statement he has made without wavering at all. So as someone who handled his media activities and that of the University, I never faced the embarrassment of having to denounce and retract statements made by my chief executive officer.
Indeed, understanding effective communication is important for every leader who desires to build healthy relationship with the publics, and Na’Allah demonstrated on many occasions that he was a master of such art.
He started this relationship by instituting a two-way communication process in the University, taking advantage of the advancement in Information and communication technology by setting up a central listserve that connected students, staff and the entire university community, so that while he regularly bombarded them with messages, he searched through their comments for advice, responding to their queries and generally engaging with them.
Disciplined and strongminded, almost to the point of recalcitrance, Nallah cuts the picture of a leader who knows what he wants, why and how he wants it. With such determination, and closely working with the management of the university, Council and Senate, he has been able to remarkably transform the institution, making it emerge as one of the leading institutions recognised in the country now for its cutting-edge research, infrastructural growth and rising visibility, having taken it up from where his predecessors have left it.
Despite the general strike embarked upon by the national chapter of the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) for several months, and the effect of the Covid 19 pandemic that has sliced off a sizeable part of his five-year tenure, Na’Allah has been able to expand the university’s academic landscape, establishing four mega faculties such as Faculty of Communication and Media Studies, the Faculty of Environmental Science, Faculty of Nursing and Allied Sciences, and Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences; and setting up many centres as vehicles for conveying developments to the University.
There is no doubt that the growth and advancement witnessed in the University these past years has been driven by his ingenuity and a collective commitment among the staff.
However, in the weeks leading up to his exit, the University was in the news for an internal strike by members of ASUU over the placement of advertorial in the papers for the position of the vice-chancellor, in the absence of the Governing Council and other sundry issues; while some staff approached the court, in their attempt to resist the election of new members into the Council which the Federal government had already dissolved for a year and recently reconstituted.
This crisis has not really undermined the relative industrial peace and harmony the University has enjoyed for a long time during Na’Allah’s tenure. It has simply underscored the relationship between the perseverance of a leader in accelerating the machinery of governance in the overall interest of the system and the exploitation of the freedom inherent in the academic community by its members to exercise their democratic rights. It was a kind of crisis typical of a society witnessing a powerful process of transformation.
In any case, it is clear from the one week-long valedictory activities by staff and students for the vice-chancellor that Na’Allah has touched their lives in a memorable manner and lifted the University to greater heights.
He will be handing over, after a five-year tenure as vice chancellor at the University of Abuja, today, 1st July 2024.
The immediate past deputy vice-chancellor, academic, Professor Aisha Sani Maikudi, will be taking over from him and carrying on with the management of the affairs of the institution in a temporary capacity. Given that she has worked closely with Na’Allah in the last couple of years, it is expected that she will continue his good works, and also bring her experience, fresh perspectives and renewed vigor into the workings of this office to further advance the university’s mission and uphold the high standards set by her mentor. Such sustained growth will no doubt put the University on the same pedestal as the other highly esteemed universities in the world.
Maikudi will, like Na’Allah, find the management, students and staff of the university willing and ready to support her new administration.
But as Na’Allah leaves the University of Abuja holding his head high, and thanking me for the professional support I have given his administration, I just couldn’t help recalling that day when I first met him in his agbada and damanga cap in his office, and asking, as the English poet, Robert Southey, did in her Ode Written On the First of January: Canst thou rejoice–rejoice that Time flies fast?
Source: authorityngr.com
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Tinubu, 36 govs lack will to tackle hardship – Osun Muslim community
July 1, 2024
The Osun State Muslim community has said that both the President Bola Tinubu-led Federal Government and the 36 state governors have no political will to nip the claws of hardship bedevilling the country in the bud.
The group’s President, Sheikh Mustafa Ajisafe, stated this at a press conference to herald activities to commemorate the 1446 Hijrah at the Muslim Community Secretariat in Osogbo, the Osun State capital.
The Islamic cleric said political leaders in the country have no commitment towards addressing the present situation.
According to him, the present situation demands an aggressive agricultural revolution across the state, particularly in the southwest, where massive agriculture is on the decline.
“Our leaders lack the political will to fight the excruciating hunger ravaging the country as a result of economic crises around the world. Our leaders rather than concentrating on agriculture to reduce hunger, they were busy distributing motorcycles as empowerment.
“Instead of President Bola Tinubu focusing on rescuing the economy from inflationary crisis, he is busy with the politics of 2027. He is busy dissipating the energy of politics rather than good governance.
“The Governors are busy distributing motorcycles, hairdressing and beautician equipment to youths instead of revitalizing the various agricultural settlements to concentrate on their areas of comparative advantage with a view to pulling the country out of the woods.
“Until we have people whose love for the country and its people supersede that of their personal ambition, then, maybe they will lead the country into prosperity,” he said.
Source: dailypost.ng
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Cyril Ramaphosa names 'Unprecedented' Government of National Unity cabinet
01-07-24
South African President Cyril Ramaphosa named a new Cabinet on sunday evening after his African National Congress, the former main opposition party, and nine other parties agreed on the makeup of a coalition government of South Africa's seventh administration following weeks of haggling.
Ramaphosa's announcement of his new, "unprecedented" multi-party Cabinet came a month after the ANC lost its 30-year political dominance of Africa's most industrialized country in a national election, forcing it to seek coalition partners. The ANC's share of the vote slumped to 40% in the May 29 vote and it lost its parliamentary majority for the first time since it came to power at the end of the apartheid system of white minority rule in 1994.
Ramaphosa's party retained the largest share of ministerial positions as he appointed ANC officials to 20 of the 32 Cabinet minister roles in the new coalition. But there were six ministers from the Democratic Alliance, once the main opposition and the fiercest critic of the ANC, and Ramaphosa shared out the remaining ministerial posts among some of the smaller parties. The DA won the second largest share of the vote with 21%.
Others have also joined what the ANC called a government of national unity that is open to any of the 18 parties represented in Parliament. Some have refused to take part.
"We have shown that there are no problems that are too difficult or too intractable that they cannot be solved through dialogue," Ramaphosa said, noting the negotiations had been complex.
In some of his most significant Cabinet decisions, Ramaphosa reappointed Paul Mashatile of the ANC to continue as his deputy president. Ramaphosa also appointed Parks Tau of the ANC as the minister of trade and industry, an important portfolio that the DA was seeking and was at the heart of some of the tensions between the two parties.
DA leader Steenhuisen was appointed minister of agriculture, while Ramaphosa also brought the leaders of four other political parties into his Cabinet as new ministers.
“We have had to ensure that all the parties are able to participate meaningfully in the national executive,” Ramaphosa said.
Source: africanews.com
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Kenya: The pain of the bereaved, calls for fresh protests
30-06-24
Emotions run high in Kenya.
After days of bloody protests against proposed tax hikes and the removal of the bill, Kenyans were still shaken to the core.
The Kenya National Commission on Human Rights reported cases of abduction and arbitrary arrests.
During the June 25 protest alone, 26 people were killed, the body said. Many more were wounded.
A number of businesses are also counting losses following looting and burning down of buildings.
In a bid to find a lasting solution, William Ruto has been meeting different groups at the State House in an effort of finding a lasting solution following the protests.
The President has directed the setting up of a committee to address the concerns of youth who are dissatisfied with the state of the country's affairs.
However, calls for another protest this Tuesday (Jul. 2) persist, especially o, X (formerly Twitter). Some even demanding the president resign.
In anticipation of more protests, Nairobi still has a heavy presence of security personnel.
There were peaceful protests within capital's central business district and candle lighting gathering at the Jeevanjee Garden in honour of those who were killed during the Tuesday and Thursday protests.
Source: africanews.com
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Nigeria: Suspected female suicide bombers kill at least 18- Authorities
30-06-24
Suicide bombers in Gwoza, northeastern Nigeria killed at least 18 people on Saturday (Jun. 29).
The first suicide bomber detonated an explosive device during a marriage celebration at about 3 p.m., Barkindo Saidu, director-general of Borno State Emergency Management Agency, told reporters.
“Minutes later, another blast occurred near General Hospital,” Saidu said, and then there was a third attack at a funeral service by a female bomber disguised as a mourner. Children and pregnant women were among those killed.
The death comprised adult males, females, and children, according to the radio station.
No one has so far claimed responsibility for the the attacks, but Gwoza is in Borno state, which has been heavily impacted by an insurgency launched in 2009 by Boko Haram, an Islamic extremist group.
From its origins in the state, it has threatened the security of the Nigeria and destabilized the Lake Chad region.
In the past, Boko Haram has used women and girls in suicide bombings, prompting suspicions that some from the many thousands that they have kidnapped over the years. The resurgence of suicide bombings in Borno raises significant concerns about the security situation in the region.
Source: africanews.com
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