Leaders of Jamiat Ulama-i-Hind and Jamaat-e-Islami Hind Visit Violence Hit Haldwani, Raise Concerns on Shoot-At-Site Orders

New Age Islam News Bureau

12 February 2024

  

Muslim leaders comprising Jamiat Ulama-i-Hind and Jamaat-e-Islami Hind meeting with district administration.

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·         Leaders of Jamiat Ulama-i-Hind and Jamaat-e-Islami Hind Visit Violence Hit Haldwani, Raise Concerns on Shoot-At-Site Orders

·         Coalition Government Appears Inevitable in Pakistan After Imran Khan's Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf Vote Surprise?

·         Don't Burn, Read: Muslims Distribute Copies Of Quran With Dutch Translation

·         Twenty-Year Jihad Led to Establishment of Islamic System in Country, Mawlavi Kabir

·         Hamas Says Israel’s Rafah Massacre ‘Genocidal’ As Regime Uses ‘Banned Weapons’

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India

·         Muslim Family Forced to Chant ‘Jai Shri Ram’, Assaulted on Train to Mumbai

·         "Muslims Back Our Brand of Hindutva, Reject BJP's": Uddhav Thackeray

·         Modern Education Must Be Included in Madaris’ Syllabi, Assert Islamic Scholarsfrom Abroad and India

·         Gyanvapi Case: Allahabad HC Hears Muslim Side's Appeal Against 'Puja' In 'Vyas Tehkhana'

·         Gujarat Court Grants Bail to Mufti Salman Azhari in ‘Hate Speech’ Case

·         Qatar frees eight Indians months after dropping death sentences

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Pakistan

·         Bajaur Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf Decides to Challenge ‘Election Rigging’ In Court

·         Jamiat Ulema-i-Islam-Fazal Holds Sindh-Wide Protests Against ‘Stealing of Public Mandate’

·         Terrorist ringleader killed in intelligence-based operation in Khyber: ISPR

·         District autonomy is solution to Pakistan’s problems: Khalid Maqbool

·         JI's candidates challenge the polls result of Sindh Assembly's 4 constituencies

·         Pakistan police clash with Khan supporters at election protests

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Europe

·         Greeks Protest Against Same-Sex Marriage And Adoption Reform

·         'Stop the genocide': Spanish, Italian artists voice support for Gaza

·         EU council president denounces Trump’s ‘reckless’ NATO threat

·         Ireland says storming Rafah would involve serious violations of humanitarian law

·         France joins European countries in voicing concern over looming Israeli offensive in Rafah

·         Netherlands voices opposition to looming Israeli ground offensive in Rafah

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South Asia

·         2 Afghans who were detained at Guantanamo Bay for 14 years have been released, the Taliban say

·         Islamic Emirate Denies Trump’s Claims of Selling Military Equipment

·         Pakistan Election Impact on Afghanistan and Region

·         Irans’s Regional Contact Group for 'Cooperation' with Kabul: Qomi

·         Doha Meeting To Focus on Islamic Emirate, World Engagement: Deputy PM

·         Faiq: UN Special Envoy for Afghanistan Will Not Interfere With UNAMA

·         Environmental Issues Should Not Be Politicized: NEPA

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Mideast

·         We Are Ready to Engage in Further Wars with Israel: Syria FM

·         Iran Marks Islamic Revolution with Demand to Expel Israel from UN

·         IRGC commander warns US to keep distance from Iran

·         World leaders congratulate Iran on anniversary of Islamic Revolution

·         Lebanese Islamic Resistance targets espionage equipment at Ruweisat Al-Alam site

·         Humanity’s Future Depends on Govts Tackling War, Unfair Trade: UAE Minister

·         Israeli forces 'execute' Palestinian man with over 20 bullets in West Bank

·         IMF chief says Gaza war 'devastating' Palestinian economy

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Southeast Asia

·         M'sia A Democracy Not A Theocracy, Zaid 'Reminds' Umno Over Apex Court Ruling

·         KL Police Chief: Cops Probing Death Threats Against Lawyer Who Challenged Provisions Under Kelantan Shariah Criminal Enactment

·         Philippines landslide death toll jumps to 54 dead

·         Saudi Arabian embassy in M’sia commemorates International Day of the Arabian Leopard

·         PMI provides door-to-door health services for evacuees in Gaza

·         Malaysia condemns massive Israeli attack in Rafah

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Africa

·         Thousands In Morocco Protest Ties with Genocidal Israel

·         Projects’; N950Million To Build Emirs’ Palaces; N350Million For Mosques, Cemeteries

·         SA: Malema renews solidarity with Palestine at EFF manifesto launch

·         Al-Shabab claims attack in Somali capital that kills 4 Emirati troops and 1 Bahraini officer

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North America

·         Biden Urged Israel’s Netanyahu to Protect Civilians in Rafah, White House Says

·         Biden slams Trump’s ‘appalling’ NATO comments; alliance chief: He put allies at risk

·         US defence chief Lloyd Austin 'admitted to critical care unit': Pentagon

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Arab World

·         Closing Official Ansar Allah Website Under Pretext of Publishing Hate Content

·         Houthi rebels threaten to expand operations against Israel if Rafah invaded

·         10,000 Zamzam Water Vessels Distributed Daily at Prophet's Mosque

·         Saudi King, Crown Prince congratulate Raeisi on Rev. anniv.

·         Presidency of House of Representatives condemns continued US-UK aggression

·         Saudi HR minister heads delegation to Abu Dhabi Dialogue

·         Registration for Hajj opens for domestic pilgrims

·         Riyadh hosts global conference for a safer space future

Compiled by New Age Islam News Bureau

URL:    https://newageislam.com/islamic-world-news/jamiat-ulama-hind-jamaat-haldwani-shoot/d/131703

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Leaders of Jamiat Ulama-i-Hind and Jamaat-e-Islami Hind Visit Violence Hit Haldwani, Raise Concerns on Shoot-At-Site Orders

 

Muslim leaders comprising Jamiat Ulama-i-Hind and Jamaat-e-Islami Hind meeting with district administration.

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FEBRUARY 11, 2024

In response to the recent violence following the demolition of the Madrasa in Banbhoolpura, a joint delegation comprising representatives from Jamiat Ulama-i-Hind and Jamaat-e-Islami Hind visited Haldwani today to address concerns and express dissatisfaction with what they perceive as brutal and retaliatory actions by the administration.

The visiting delegation, including Maulana Hakeemuddin Qasmi, General Secretary of Jamiat Ulama-i-Hind, Deputy Amir of Jamaate Islami Hind Malik Muhtasim, Deputy Amir Jamaate Islami Hind Shafi Madani, Maulana Ghayur Ahmad Qasmi, Senior Organizer of Jamiat Ulama-i-Hind, Maulana Shafique Ahmad Al Qasimi, Senior Organizer of Jamiat Ulama-i-Hind, Laeeq Ahmad Khan, Syed Saajid, expressed their strong disapproval of the administration’s actions during discussions with SDM Paritosh Verma, City Magistrate Richa Singh, and local police station in-charge Neeraj Bhakuni.

During the review of the situation, the delegation raised concerns about the issuance of shoot-at-site orders without following proper protocol, resulting in the unnecessary loss of lives. They criticized the police for resorting to stone pelting, as observed in video footage, instead of employing non-lethal alternatives like tear gas before implementing the shoot-at-site order. Such actions are highly condemnable.

The delegation unequivocally opposed mass arrests of innocent people, intimidation of women and children in Muslim minority neighbourhoods. They urged the police to exercise restraint and called upon the district administration to take effective steps to restore peace and trust in Haldwani.

Furthermore, the delegation demanded that the families of those who lost their lives be provided with compensation of one crore rupees, and one family member should be offered employment. Recognizing the emotional sensitivity of religious matters in India’s diverse society, the delegation emphasized the need for authorities to avoid actions that could escalate tensions. They called for a careful and considerate approach, stating that the recent events in Haldwani could have been prevented with a more understanding and inclusive strategy.

The joint delegation from Jamiat Ulama-i-Hind and Jamaat-e-Islami Hind conveyed their concerns to the authorities in Haldwani and called for immediate action to address the grievances of the affected community. They highlighted the importance of preserving communal harmony and ensuring that justice is served to all parties involved.

The visit of the joint delegation and their interactions with local authorities reflect their commitment to seeking a peaceful resolution and addressing the grievances of the affected community in Haldwani. Their demands for accountability, compensation, and a more inclusive approach should be taken seriously by the authorities, in order to restore trust and prevent further escalation of tensions.

Source: muslimmirror.com

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https://muslimmirror.com/eng/muslim-leaders-comprising-jamiat-ulama-i-hind-and-jamaat-e-islami-hind-visit-haldwani/

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Coalition Government Appears Inevitable in Pakistan After Imran Khan's Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf Vote Surprise?

 

Photo: BBC.com

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12 February 2024

By Nicholas Yong and BBC Urdu

in Singapore and Islamabad

Pakistanis still do not know which party will form their next government or who their next prime minister will be four days after the hotly-contested general elections.

Despite former PM Imran Khan's detention and the many hurdles thrown at his Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI), independent candidates backed by the party stunned observers by winning 93 National Assembly seats, the most by any party. However, it is far short of the 169-seat simple majority required to form a government.

The Pakistan Muslim League Nawaz (PML-N) of another former PM, Nawaz Sharif, came in second with 75 seats. He was seen to have the backing of the country's powerful military and had been expected to coast to victory, five years after he left Pakistan in disgrace.

The Pakistan People's Party (PPP), led by political blue blood Bilawal Bhutto Zardari, came in third with 54 seats.

The constitution dictates that political parties must form a government by 29 February, or three weeks after election day. The National Assembly has a total of 336 seats, of which 266 are decided by direct voting and 70 are reserved - 60 for women and 10 for non-Muslims - and these are allocated according to the strength of each party in the assembly.

"It's a fragmented mandate where none of the parties have a simple majority. And yet they will have to find a common ground or form a coalition to exist," political analyst Rafiullah Kakar told BBC Urdu from Islamabad.

While both the PTI and PML-N have declared victory, a coalition government appears inevitable. As wrangling continues, independent candidates who did not win have flooded courts with vote-rigging allegations. Supporters of PTI have also staged protests outside Election Commission offices across the country.

So what comes next? There are a few possible scenarios:

Pakistan pact may shut out Imran Khan supporters

Against the odds, election shows Imran Khan's support is solid

Sharif's PML-N joins forces with Bhutto's PPP

One likely scenario could see PML-N forming a coalition with the PPP, as well as some smaller parties, Prof Samina Yasmeen of the University of Western Australia told the BBC's Newsday. The two parties formed an alliance to oust Mr Khan from power in 2022 and ruled until last August.

"The sticking point would be who would be the next prime minister (and) what would be the division in terms of the president's position, but also within the different provinces," she added.

The PML-N is courting the social liberal Muttahida Qaumi Movement (MQM), which won 17 seats. It is also looking to entice independent candidates to its side.

While Mr Zardari met a PML-N delegation led by Mr Sharif's brother Shehbaz in Lahore on Sunday, the PPP appears to be be taking its time to consider its options. The party's central executive committee is set to meet in Islamabad on Monday.

PPP forms alliance with Khan's PTI

Senior PPP leader Sherry Rehman said that the party's doors are open to all political forces, when asked by BBC Urdu if the party was willing to work with PTI

However Mr Khan's media advisor, Zulfi Bukhari, told the BBC that it is highly likely for the PTI to sit on the benches of the opposition instead of forming a coalition if it fails to muster a majority.

This echoes the earlier sentiments of Mr Khan, who is currently serving a 14-year prison sentence on various charges. He said in 2018 that a coalition government would be weak and that the country needed a strong government to get through the crises it was facing. Nevertheless, he went on to form a coalition with smaller parties such as the MQM.

PML-N forms coalition with PTI and other parties

This would be a remarkable turnaround for a party whose leader has been jailed, its party symbol taken away and scores of its supporters detained. But in these unprecedented times, nothing can be ruled out.

The call of PML-N senior leader Azam Nazeer Tarar's for a "participatory coalition government" where "all should join hands, appears to be a tacit acknowledgement that the PTI cannot be ignored.

"Even those who didn't vote for Imran earlier may feel a sense of injustice over how the army has treated him and his party over the past two years," Georgetown University's Uday Chandra told the BBC. "A sense of democratic fairness, common across the region, seems to have been violated."

He added: "By picking Independents, voters are sending a clear message to the army: let civilian democracy prevail."

PTI-backed independents merge with smaller party

One possibility that has been mooted is that the PTI-backed candidates may join a smaller party in a bid to form a coalition government. This is in order to combine their seats, and also to capitalise on the 60 National Assembly seats reserved for women.

A political party gets one woman's reserved seat for every 3.5 seats it has won. Independent candidates are ineligible for this since they do not belong to a party. Within 72 hours of the election results being finalised, they must also declare their intention to either join a party or sit as an independent parliamentarian.

However, Asma Faiz of the Lahore University of Management Sciences says it is "highly unlikely" that the PTI will be able to form a coalition government, as even alliances with smaller parties will still leave them short of a majority.

"For the PTI, there is no numerical advantage in reaching out to these miniscule parties except as a legal requirement to gain a foothold in a party," she said.

Source: bbc.com

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

https://www.bbc.com/news/world-asia-68271462

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Don't Burn, Read: Muslims Distribute Copies Of Quran With Dutch Translation

 

Photo: TRT Afrika

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2024-02-12

Copies of the Quran with Dutch translation were distributed in the Netherlands as part of the "Don't Burn, Read" event, after last month’s attack on the Muslim holy book by the leader of the racist and far-right Patriotic Europeans Against the Islamization of the West (PEGIDA) movement.

Galip Aydemir, president of the Arnhem Türkiyem Mosque Foundation affiliated with the Dutch Diyanet Foundation, told Anadolu that they aim to convey to the people why Islam and the Quran are sacred for Muslims.

He expressed a desire for unity and solidarity among the people of Arnhem, saying: "Let the Quran and all sacred texts not be burned, but read."

John Maters, a Dutch attendee who received a copy of the Quran, appreciated the event and criticised last month's provocative actions by Wagensveld.

"When you think about the provocative action carried out last month, you turn people into enemies against each other. I don't think you have to be religious to understand that this doesn't make any sense," he added.

Source: trtworld.com

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

https://www.trtworld.com/europe/dont-burn-read-muslims-distribute-copies-of-quran-with-dutch-translation-16946274

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Twenty-Year Jihad Led to Establishment of Islamic System in Country, Mawlavi Kabir

 

Deputy Prime Minister of the Islamic Emirate for Political Affairs, Mawlavi Abdul Kabir

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February 12, 2024

KABUL: The Deputy Prime Minister for Political Affairs Mawlavi Abdul Kabir, addressing the International Conference on Climate Change in the country’s eastern province of Nangarhar, said that the Islamic system has been established as a result of the 20-year Jihad and sacrifices of all Afghans. The conference which was held by the Ministry of Higher Education in cooperation with the National Environmental Protection Authority (NEPA) and hosted by Nangarhar University in Jalalabad city, was attended by university professors, internal and foreign climate change experts, and a number of officials, Arg said in a statement Sunday. Calling the conference important and thanking its organizers, Mawlavi Kabir expressed hope that the scientific research and proposals of the conference will help to reduce and contain the damages of climate change with the relevant departments, the statement said. The deputy PM Mawlavi Kabir said that the Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan (IEA) has active political ties with 38 countries of the world and added the enemies of the country were trying to spread propaganda through various channels to create disunity among Afghans. Without naming anyone, Mawlavi Kabir said the enemy did not want to see a stable political system in Afghanistan. “The IEA has established political ties with 38 countries of the world. Many countries have active embassies in Kabul, which meant IEA had been recognized,” the statement quoted Mawlavi Kabir as saying. According to Kabir, the aim of the Doha meeting is to improve global interaction with IEA. The entire country is under the control of the Islamic system, said Mawlavi Kabir, adding the previous government had only built the roads that were used by NATO and the U.S. forces to comfortably move and fight against the Mujahidin. Pointing to climate change, the deputy PM said despite Afghanistan not having any share in the climate change, the climate change has caused in decreasing underground water in the country. Also, according to the Ministry of Public Health, about one million Afghans are now suffering from respiratory diseases in the country. The deputy PM according to the statement, went on as saying that deforestation, excessive use of water, lack or absence of water dams and drought have caused climate change and affected millions of people in the country. He also instructed the Ministry of Agriculture, Irrigation and Livestock regarding the implementation of effective plans for the development of green areas, reforestation and reclamation of usurped lands in the country. M. Nabi Naibi

Source: thekabultimes.com

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https://thekabultimes.com/twenty-year-jihad-led-to-establishment-of-islamic-system-in-country-mawlavi-kabir/

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Hamas Says Israel’s Rafah Massacre ‘Genocidal’ As Regime Uses ‘Banned Weapons’

 

A destroyed mosque is seen following Israeli bombardments of Rafah in the southern Gaza Strip on Monday morning. (By AFP)

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12 February 2024

The Palestinian resistance movement Hamas has condemned the deadly Israeli attack on the southern Gaza Strip city of Rafah, saying the offensive was a “deepening of genocide” against the people of Palestine.

“The attack by the terrorist enemy army on the city of Rafah is a compounded crime, a deepening of genocide and forced displacement attempts waged against our Palestinian people,” Hamas said in a statement on Monday.

At least 100 civilians, mostly women and children, have been killed and nearly 230 others wounded in Israel’s extensive air raids and artillery strikes on Rafah on Monday. Dozens of people are also trapped under the rubble.

In the statement, Hamas said the “terrorist Netanyahu government and his Nazi army” blatantly disregard the decisions of the International Court of Justice issued two weeks ago, which prescribed urgent measures including stopping any steps that could be considered acts of genocide.

The movement held the US administration of President Joe Biden along with the Tel Aviv regime fully responsible for the massacre in Rafah, saying Washington gave Israeli prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu the green light for the strike.

The US provides Israel with money, weapons, and political cover to continue the war of genocide and massacres against the Palestinians, it emphasized.

“We call on the League of Arab States, the Organization of Islamic Cooperation, and the United Nations Security Council to take immediate and serious action to stop the Zionist aggression and the ongoing genocide crimes against unarmed civilians in the Gaza Strip,” the statement read.

Meanwhile, the director of Kuwait Hospital in Rafah, Suhaib al-Hams, said the Israeli army used internationally prohibited incendiary missiles in its raids on Rafah, resulting in injuries from amputations, brain injuries, and burns.

“We disbelieve in the world’s democracy, its false freedoms, and its false justice. Its duplicity has been revealed, and its disgrace has been exposed,” he added.

The Palestinian Red Crescent Society also said the number of martyrs of the Rafah massacre is likely to rise given the presence of missing persons under the rubble.

It emphasized that there were no sufficient ambulances to rescue the wounded after the bloody night in Rafah.

Source: presstv.ir

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

https://www.presstv.ir/Detail/2024/02/12/719935/Hamas-Israeli-strike-Rafah-deepening-genocide-against-Palestinians

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India

Muslim Family Forced to Chant ‘Jai Shri Ram’, Assaulted on Train toMumbai

11th February 2024

A 26-second video, reportedly filmed on January 24, shows a Hindutva mob beating up a Muslim man while his wife and minor daughter scream for help in front of Panvel police station. The video surfaced on the internet and quickly went viral.

The Muslim family had come to the police station after facing harassment by a group of 30-40 students while travelling in Madgaon LTT Express on January 19, as per reports.

According to the victim Asif, he was travelling with his wife and two minor daughters from his village in Kankavli to Mumbai when the incident took place.

As soon as they sat on their reserved seats, nearly 30-40 young men started chanting ‘Jai Shri Ram ‘slogans. While Asif and his family sat quietly, more people joined and started singing “Mere Bharat Ka BachhaBachha Jai Shri Ram Bolega“.

Asif said, “My wife was the only woman wearing a burqa. The group came near us and asked us to say Jai Shri Ram.  They were mostly students. After some time, their teacher came up to them and questioned their behaviour.”

When Asif objected, an argument ensued between them. “After that, they started harassing us by banging our seats, throwing tea on my daughter,” he told a local news channel.

When Asif requested the mob to leave them in peace but they not budge. He further said that upon alerting the railway officials, nothing was done. “The TC came, heard us and left. He did not initiate any enquiry against the mob,” he said.

“I questioned their teacher about the unruly behaviour of his students and which college did they belong to. I even tweeted the Rail Seva, Maharashtra deputy chief minister Devendra Fadnavis and the railway minister about the incident,” Asif said.

“Once we reached Panvel, the RPF approached us. This time, other members of our coach also complained about the students’ rowdy behaviour. When the RPF tried to nab the students, four of them escaped,” Asif said.

The Panvel RPF team asked us to lodge a complaint with the Railway Police Station. However, we were not even allowed to lodge a police complaint for whatever reason, Asif alleged.

Asif was finally able to lodge a complaint at the Kankavli police station.

However, on January 24, Asif and his family were asked to come to the Kankavli police station. There, he alleged the presence of a BJP leader who demanded he withdraw the complaint. “When I refused, around 15-20 men came and started attacking and tearing my clothes and demanding I chant ‘Jai Shri Ram’. My wife and children were screaming for help but no one came forward,” Asif said, adding he filed another complaint naming 11 people.

Source: siasat.com

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

https://www.siasat.com/muslim-family-forced-to-chant-jai-shri-ram-assaulted-on-train-to-mumbai-2975767/

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"Muslims Back Our Brand Of Hindutva, Reject BJP's": Uddhav Thackeray

February 11, 2024

Mumbai (Maharashtra): Chief Uddhav Thackeray on Sunday asserted that the Muslim community backed their brand of Hindutva which 'lights the stoves in their homes" and rejects that of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) which "burns their homes."

Addressing a gathering of Shiv Sena workers in Mumbai, Mr Thackeray said, "The Muslim community is coming with us. I ask them don't you know that I am the party chief of Shiv Sena and the son of a 'Hindu Hriday Samrat'. I am a staunch Hindu myself so why are you coming with me? They say that we have come to know that there is a difference between your Hindutva and the Hindutva of BJP. Your Hindutva lights the stove in our house and the Hindutva of the BJP burns the house," the Shiv Sena (UBT) chief said.

He further said that Ram is in our hearts and this is our Hindutva, and we are patriotic Hindus.

Earlier, Mr Thackeray said that the Prime Minister Narendra Modi-led BJP government awarded the Bharat Ratna to former Bihar Chief Minister Karpoori Thakur to lure voters from the eastern state in the upcoming Lok Sabha elections.

"Earlier there were rules on how many Bharat Ratna could be awarded and to whom and when they could be awarded. PM Narendra Modi is awarding it to whoever comes to his mind," Uddhav Thackeray said.

Listen to the latest songs, only on JioSaavn.com

"I am not saying that whoever has been conferred with the Bharat Ratna is wrong. They need votes in Bihar that's why Bharat Ratna has been awarded to Karpoori Thakur," he added.

Source: ndtv.com

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

https://www.ndtv.com/india-news/uddhav-thackeray-muslims-back-our-brand-of-hindutva-reject-bjps-5038492

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Modern Education Must Be Included in Madaris’ Syllabi, Assert Islamic Scholarsfrom Abroad and India

FEBRUARY 12, 2024

Pervez Bari

Jaipur – Well-known Islamic scholars from abroad and India strongly emphasised on including modern education viz. Mathematics, Science, Computers and technical education et al. in the curriculum of Madrasa education syllabus while addressing the assemblage in the graduation ceremony of the prestigious Jaipur-based Islamic seminary Jamea-Tul-Hidaya (Hidaya University) on Sunday.

The Convocation Ceremony of the Jamea-Tul-Hidaya was presided over by Maulana Fazl-ur-Rahim Mujaddidi, general secretary of the All India Muslim Personal Law Board, (AIMPLB). Dr. Al-Sheikh Ibrahim bin Nasir Al-Sawafi from Sultanate of Oman was the chief guest while Mufti Barkatullah Abdul Qadir Qasmi from England was the guest of honour on the occasion.

The other luminaries who were seated on the stage included Prof. Mohsin Usmani Nadvi from New Delhi, Maulana Ataur Rahman from Assam, Dr. Mujahid Salim (Jaipur), Noor Elahi Shamsi (Jaipur), Farooq Abbas Khatri (Jaipur), Abdul Hafeez Master (Jaipur) Amjad Osman Khan.

Delivering his presidential address Maulana Fazl-ur-Rahim Mujaddidi, who also happens to be Rector of the Jamea-Tul-Hidaya, said: “We have to connect the educational system and curriculum of our Madaris (Islamic schools) with economics because no knowledge can be effective unless it is connected with it. Great scientists, economists and mathematicians were born when our religious institutions imparting education were connected with economics. However, when we abandoned it, we started lagging behind in the progress of the world in comparison to other communities”. He appealed to the officials managing madaris all over the country to understand the requirements of the present era and pay attention to the intellectual and educational training of students while equipping them with religious and contemporary education before sending them on to the field of action in society.

Maulana Fazl-ur-Rahim Mujaddidi recalled that the education system and curriculum of Jamea-Tul-Hidaya is a dream of his great grandfather Hazrat Maulana Hidayat Ali Mujaddidi who had visualised it. Jamea-Tul-Hidaya is a revolutionary step in the field of Islamic education taken by a well known Islamic scholar as well as a great priest Maulana Mohammed Abdur Rahim Mujaddidi. This great idea was introduced by Hazrat Maulana Mohammed Hidayat Ali Mujaddidi (a great priest of his era) more than 75 years ago, and Hazrat Maulana Mohammed Abdur Rahim Mujaddidi gave it a practical shape. He planted that sapling and then fed it with his sweat, tears and blood.

Chief guest Dr. Al-Sheikh Ibrahim bin Nasir Al-Sawafi from Sultanate of Oman speaking on the occasion urged the Madaris managements to take up steps for students to learn and master Arabic as well as other languages. He said that any knowledge that is beneficial to humanity should be learned. Expressing his happiness on his visit of Jamea-Tul-Hidaya, he said that it has a curriculum that includes religious, contemporary and technical education. Students should study with perseverance and dedication. He stressed that other Madaris should also adopt this curriculum which is very much needed. Turning his attention towards the students, he urged them after leaving your alma mater should work for the propagation of Islam and welfare of Muslims.

Mufti Barkatullah Abdul Qadir Qasmi, Professor of Hadith and Fiqh in Ibrahim College of London, who is also an expert in Islamic banking, while hailing the noteable characteristics of Jamea-Tul-Hidaya curriculum, said that the education he had gained after toiling for 30 years was now available in only 12-13 years. Talking briefly about self that he did 10th, 12th, graduation and post-graduation but now you can do graduation directly. He said that such institutions like Jamea-Tul-Hidaya should be opened in every district of India to bridge the gap between ancient and modern education.

Prof. Mohsin Usmani Nadvi and Dr. Mujahid Salim also spoke on the occasion. While Maulana Fazl-ur-Rahim Mujaddidi administrated oath of commitment to the students who graduated as Muftis and Aalims from Jamea-Tul-Hidaya in this academic year.

Meanwhile, Maulana Hafiz Mohammad Ayaz of Delhi, a visually impaired student,  was cynosure of all eyes in the Graduation ceremony as he notched up top First position in the examination of one year Online Ifta course conducted by the Department of Ifta in Jamea-Tul-Hidaya. Besides Certificate he was presented Rs. 25,000/- as prize money along with a laptop. While, Maulana Eid Mohammad and Mohammad Ashraf Ali, both of Jaipur, bagged second and third position respectively. Both were presented certificates along with mobile phone sets as a prize for their performance.

“Nishan-e-Hidayat” Award to 3 ex-students every year

Meanwhile, Jamea-Tul-Hidaya’s three ex-students viz. Late Maulana Jameel Rahimi, Maulana Fazlur Rahim and Mufti Mohammad Adil Khan Rahimi Tonki were honoured with “Nishan-e-Hidayat” Awards for their exceptional performances in their respective fields. This award has been instituted by the management of Jamea-Tul-Hidaya from this year and shall be awarded every year now onwards to three ex-students of Jamea for their notable services in their areas of activities.

Features of Jamea-Tul-Hidaya Curriculum

In order to achieve its great goals, the Jamea-Tul-Hidaya has included religious studies, Quran and Hadith, Islamic jurisprudence, biography and history, Arabic, Urdu language and literature as well as modern sciences, geography, mathematics, English, and Hindi in its curriculum. The subjects of Modern Education have been included in such a way that religious studies are not affected and the students who graduate from here are self-sufficient in life. For this, technical education has been properly managed.

Some courses approved by the Central government are also offered to the students while they are in the Jamea, so that when the student graduates he will have a certificate of the government courses along with the credentials of the Jamea-Tul-Hidaya. Thereby they can be eligible to be admitted to modern universities along with students of other schools and colleges.

Accreditation from Saudi Arabia Universities

Saudi Arabian Universities namely Jamia Islamia (Madinah Munawara) and Jamia Mulk Saud (Riyadh) have approved the credentials of Jamea-Tul-Hidaya. Some graduates of Jamea are already enrolled in these universities and are studying there.

While there are hundreds of Jamea-Tul-Hidaya graduates who have received higher education in religious studies in other universities of the country and abroad. There are a large number of students who enrolled themselves in universities and studied modern sciences and many of these students are faculty members in Indian universities.

Meanwhile, three students of Jamea-Tul-Hidaya namely Mohammad Kamil, Mohammad Sufiyan and Mohammad Saadan delivered speeches in Arabic, Urdu and English respectively to exhibit their talent in public speaking.

At the outset of the Convocation ceremony Qari Inam-ul-Huq of Surat rendered Surah Al-Rahman from the Holy Qur’an in very impressive and imitable style which was appreciated by one and all. Later, Maulana Fazl-ur-Rahim Mujaddidi presented mementos while Dr. Mohammad Shoaib honoured all guests on the dais with a special scarf on the occasion.

The function was compeered with aplomb by Maulana Habib-ur-Rahim Nadvi and Maulana Mohammad Abrar Khan Nadvi. Mohammad Yameen and Mohammad Adil rendered Tararna of Jamea-Tul-Hidaya on the occasion.

Meanwhile, Maulana Mohammad Shamshad Nadvi, Qazi Dar-ul-Qaza All India Muslim Personal Law Board, Jamea Tul Hidayah, Jaipur and also faculty member of Jamea and another faculty member of Jamea Maulana Mukarram Mirza Husain Qasmi with their team put in untiring efforts to make the programme a great success.

Source: muslimmirror.com

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https://muslimmirror.com/eng/modern-education-must-be-included-in-madaris-syllabi-assert-islamic-scholars/

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Gyanvapi Case: Allahabad HC Hears Muslim Side's Appeal Against 'Puja' In 'Vyas Tehkhana'

FEBRUARY 12, 2024

The Allahabad High Court is hearing an appeal on Monday moved by the Anjuman Intezamia Masajid Committee (which manages Gyanvpai mosque in Varanasi) challenging the Varanasi District Court’s January 31 order allowing Hindus to perform prayers in the southern cellar of the mosque–Vyas Ji ka Tehkhana.

The hearing of the case began at 10 am as a fresh case in the single bench of Justice Rohit Ranjan Aggarwal.

In the hearing, first, the state government will file its reply telling what kind of arrangements have been made to allow prayer in the cellar in compliance with the court order. Following this, the Muslim side will present its argument.

The mosque committee moved the high court on February 2 within hours of the Supreme Court refusing to hear its plea against the Varanasi district court order and asking it to approach the high court.

The Allahabad High Court had not given any immediate relief to the Gyanvapi Masjid committee which had challenged the Varanasi district court order.

The Varanasi district court ruled on January 31 that a priest can perform prayers before the idols in the southern cellar of the Gyanvapi mosque.

Source: news18.com

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https://www.news18.com/india/gyanvapi-case-allahabad-hc-hearing-muslim-side-appeal-varanasi-court-order-puja-in-vyas-tehkhana-8775427.html

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Gujarat court grants bail to Mufti Salman Azhari in ‘hate speech’ case

FEBRUARY 11, 2024

Bhuj : A court in Gujarat’s Kutch district on Sunday granted bail to Mumbai-based Islamic preacher Mufti Salman Azhari in a second “hate speech” case registered against him in connection with a religious event organised at Samakhiali town of the district around two weeks back.

The cleric was granted bail by a court of Judicial Magistrate First Class (JMFC) Y Sharma at Bhachau, Samakhiali police sub-inspector Vishal Patel said.

After being granted bail, Azhari was taken to the Rajkot central jail from where the Arvalli police will take his custody in a third “hate speech” case registered against him at Modasa police station on Friday, Patel said.

On February 8, the Bhachau court had remanded Azhari in police custody till Sunday. When he was produced before the court on Sunday, Azhari’s lawyer moved a bail application. After hearing both sides, the court allowed his bail plea.

Azhari was on February 7 granted bail in the first FIR registered against him for delivering an alleged hate speech in B division police station limits in Junagadh on January 31. He had been held from Mumbai on February 5 in connection with this case.

A day after getting bail by the Bhachau court, he was arrested by the Kutch police in connection with an alleged inflammatory speech during a religious event at Samakhiari on January 31. He secured bail in the second case, registered on February 8, on Sunday.

On Friday, the preacher was booked in a third case for giving allegedly an inciting speech in an open ground in Modasa in Arvalli district on December 24 last year.

In Junagadh and Kutch, Azhari was booked under Indian Penal Code sections 153B (promoting enmity between different religious groups) and 505 (2) (making statements conducive to public mischief).

In Modasa, apart from sections 153B and 505(2), he has also been charged under section 298 for “uttering words with deliberate intent to wound the religious feelings of any person”.

Relevant sections of the Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes (Prevention of Atrocities) Act have also been invoked as he made derogatory remarks against the SC community in his speech, as per police. (With PTI inputs)

Source: muslimmirror.com

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https://muslimmirror.com/eng/gujarat-court-grants-bail-to-mufti-salman-azhari-in-hate-speech-case/

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Qatar frees eight Indians months after dropping death sentences

February 12, 2024

NEW DELHI: Qatar has released eight Indian ex-naval officers after dropping their death sentences, India’s foreign ministry said on Monday, crediting the Qatari emir for the decision more than 18 months after their arrest challenged diplomatic ties.

The men were charged with spying for Israel, according to sources, though India and Qatar did not confirm the charges. Their death sentence, handed down in October, was dropped in December.

India said seven of these officers have returned back to the country and some of the men told media on arrival in New Delhi that it was Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s “personal intervention” that helped free them.

New Delhi engaged in talks for months with Qatar after the men were arrested in August 2022 and the case challenged ties with Doha, a crucial natural gas supplier to India, one of the world’s top energy importers.

“We appreciate the decision by the Amir of the State of Qatar to enable the release and home-coming of these nationals,” the ministry said. The men were working on a submarine project with a private company for the Qatari authorities at the time of their arrest.

India says Qatar reduced sentence of death row ex-navy personnel

The announcement came days after Qatari and Indian firms signed their biggest single deal for supplies of liquefied natural gas and after Modi met Qatar’s emir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani on the sidelines of the COP28 climate summit in Dubai in December and discussed the “well-being of the Indian community in Qatar”.

Some of the men told news agency ANI after their arrival at New Delhi airport that they credited Modi for the decision. “It wouldn’t have been possible without his personal intervention and his equation with Qatar,” one of the men told ANI, which did not name any of the men.

More than 800,000 Indian citizens live and work in Qatar.

Source: brecorder.com

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https://www.brecorder.com/news/40288415/qatar-frees-eight-indians-months-after-dropping-death-sentences

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Pakistan

 

Bajaur Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf Decides To Challenge ‘Election Rigging’ In Court

February 12, 2024

BAJAUR: Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf workers on Sunday ended their three-day-long protest sit-in against the alleged manipulation of the election results of the party-backed candidates for two provincial assembly seats here after the PTI leadership decided to challenge the respective returning officers’ decision in court.

An announcement to this effect was made by PTI provincial vice-president Anwarzeb Khan at a news conference.

“We are going to end the protest sit-in against the unlawful and shameful act of change of results of our candidates by the ROs for PK-20 and PK-21 as the party’s central leadership has decided to challenge it in court,” said Mr Zeb, who was contesting PK-20 seat.

Accompanied by a group of party activists, including PTI Bajaur president Gul Zafar Khan, Gul Dad Khan, Mambar Khan and Jawad Iqbal, Mr Zeb said the protesters, also backed by other political parties, were committed to continuing the sit-in till the PTI-backed candidates were declared winner. However, he said the sit-in ended on the advice of PTI chairman Gohar Ali Khan, who telephoned Gul Zafar Khan on Sunday afternoon, requesting him to end the agitation.

JI leader asks independents to accept defeat with open heart

Anwarzeb, who was the minister in the last PTI government in the province, said they were going to challenge the change in results of both the constituencies in the Election Commission of Pakistan and the Peshawar High Court on Monday (today).

He said the party was not ready to accept the ‘daylight robbery’ on the people’s mandate. He said he was optimistic the court would decide the matter on merit. He said PTI candidates were the winners according to Form 45 of both the constituencies issued to the candidates’ polling agents by the polling staff.

He said the party leadership was grateful to the leaders and workers of other political parties for extending their full support to them during the protest sit-in.

Meanwhile, a group of PTI activists and polling agents for PK-20 and PK-22 claimed the Form 47, in which the Jamaat-i-Islami candidates – Maulana Waheed Gul and Sardar Khan – were declared as returned were fake and bogus.

Addressing a news conference at the Bajaur Press Club, PTI activists and polling agents led by Bajaur chapter vice-president Sikandarzeb Khan insisted the member of votes mentioned in Form 47 contradicted the number mentioned in Form 45.

Moreover, Mr Sikandarzeb pointed out that the Form 47 didn’t mention the names of the relevant returning officers.

Meanwhile, JI leadership on Sunday urged the PTI-backed independents to accept their defeat in PK-20 and PK-21 by showing sportsman spirit.

“We request the PTI candidates to accept their defeat in both the constituencies as winning and losing is a part of the elections,” Sahibzada Haroon Rasheed, JI Bajaur chief, said while talking to reporters in Khar.

Mr Rasheed said the JI candidates had won the seats on people’s support as the party was the ‘most popular’ in Bajaur.

Mr Rasheed said JI was a democratic party and believed in people’s mandate.

He also criticised the leadership and workers of other political parties for supporting the PTI protest sit-in against the election results.

Source: dawn.com

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

https://www.dawn.com/news/1813490/pti-bajaur-activists-end-protest-as-leadership-decides-to-challenge-rigging-in-court

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Jamiat Ulema-i-Islam-Fazal Holds Sindh-Wide Protests Against ‘Stealing of Public Mandate’

February 12, 2024

KARACHI: The Jamiat Ulema-i-Islam-Fazal (JUI-F) took to streets across the province and staged demonstrations, blocking the main highways connecting Sindh and Balochistan in protest over what it called ‘fraudulent’ elections.

In Karachi, a number of party workers converged on Hub River Road, blocking the key road link connecting with the main city. Maulana Abdul Sami Swati, a local JUI-F leader, said the Karachi sit-in was part of the Sindh-wide protest called by the party.

He claimed that the results were manipulated to favour the Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) and warned of continuing the protest for an indefinite period. He said the party had set a deadline for the ECP to accept their demands.

He demanded the issuance of Form 47 declaring JUI-F’s Mubeen Ahmed as the winner from Sukkur and other candidates from their respective constituencies in the districts of Larkana division.

UMERKOT: Activists of Umerkot chapter took out a rally, staged a protest demonstration and observed a sit-in, burning tyres against the alleged rigging in the general elections held on Feb 8 and called upon the ECP to take notice of it.

Jamaat, PTI also organise demonstrations

On the call of JUI-F Sindh secretary general Maulana Rashid Mehmood Soomro, activists of Umerkot took out a rally from Thar bazar to Teen Talwar Chowk led by Maulana Noor Muhammad Qirani, Yaqoob Nomani and others. They were carrying flags of the JUI-F and placards inscribed with slogans.

Chanting slogans, they called upon the ECP to take notice of the alleged rigging. They complained that the mandate of the nation had been stolen in the darkness of night.

They said that if the caretaker government was unable to hold free, fair and transparent elections and was bent upon to get established the government of the selected, why the money of the nation had been spent to make a mockery of the polls.

The protest leaders said they rejected those elections in which favoritism and nepotism had been witnessed by the entire world. They called upon the authorities to announce the results as per Form 45, otherwise, the scope of the protest would be broadened and they would observe sit-ins in front of the concerned departments.

They also burnt tyres, resultantly vehicular traffic to Samaro, Kunri, Pithoro, Dhoronaro, Chhor Cantonment, Mirpurkhas, Hyderabad, Karachi came to a halt for three hours.

NAWABSHAH: Likewise other parts of Sindh, JUI-F activists gathered on the National Highway at Sakrand, Qazi Ahmed, Moro-Dadu bypass and Naushahro Feroze on Sunday.

The protesters burnt tyres and blocked both tracks of the highway due to which a heavy traffic jam was witnessed for hours and commuters travelling to Karachi and upcountry remained stranded.

Addressing the protesters at the Sakrand bypass, JUI-F leader Moulana Rashid Mehmood Soomro said the whole election staff, including the district returning officers, were part of the planned and managed rigging to facilitate the Peoples Party.

He further said that the polling staff filled the ballot boxes with fake votes allover to get declared the PPP candidates as winners.

He claimed that if the finger prints were sent for forensics, all the PPP candidates, inclusive of its party chairman Bilawal Bhutto Zardari, would be defeated.

He said the protest was the first phase as they had not received any response from the concerned authorities on Saturday. In the next phase, they would hold demonstrations outside the deputy commissioners’ offices and taluka press clubs, and block the Sindh-Punjab border on the forthcoming Friday, he warned.

He threatened that if the justice was not done, they would surround the Sindh Assembly building and would not let anyone take oath.

Meanwhile, PTI-backed independent candidate for NA-207 (Nawabshah-I) Sardar Sher Mohammed Rind Baloch held a protest demonstration at the press club roundabout.

Addressing the workers and supporters, he said a historical rigging was committed in connivance with the DRO and all staff.

He further said he had defeated his rival Asif Ali Zardari at the majority of the polling stations, however, a massive rigging was done through a planned manipulation.

He announced to challenging the victory of Asif Ali Zardari in the election tribunal and high court.

SUKKUR: Workers of the JUI-F and their allies staged demonstrations and blocked the National Highway in protest against the alleged rigging in the election in Sukkur and Jacobabad.

Party workers blocked a section of the National Highway at Babarloi bypass and observed a sit-in, raising charged slogans against rigging in the elections.

On the occasion, Maulana Muhammad Saleh Indhar, Mufti Saud Afzal Halejvi, Ghulam Muhammad Kandhar, Maulana Abdul Karim Abbasi and others said that their mandate had been stolen in the rigged elections.

They said the presiding officers did not give Form 45 and their agents were pushed out of the polling stations in order produce the results against the JUI-F candidates.

JACOBABAD: Local leaders and workers staged a demonstration here at the Mehar Shah turning.

The enraged workers set old tyres on fire and blocked a section of the Indus Highway connecting Sindh-Balochistan.

JUI-F district president A.G. Ansari and Maleha Soomro, Mian Muhammad Soomro’s sister, and others told the journalists that during the election in Jacobabad, ballot papers were fraudulently stamped in favour of the PPP candidates.

Protest by JI, PTI in Hyderabad, Sukkur

HYDERABAD: Activists of the Jamaat-i-Islami and Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf (PTI) staged a joint protest sit-in outside the local press club on Sunday to condemn the alleged rigging in the Feb 8 polls in Hyderabad.

They said it was a ‘black chapter’ written in the history of Pakistan.

The candidates nominated by the JI and PTI for the polls addressed the protesters. JI deputy emir Dr Mairajul Huda Siddiqui, district emir Aqeel Ahmed Khan, Hafiz Tahir Majeed, Abdul Waheed Qureshi and others told the protesters that it was in fact ‘the blackest chapter’ written in the history on Feb 8.

Dr Mairaj said that the trend of robbing people of their vote must end now and added that democracy was murdered on the election day. He said the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) had become a farce and added that the murder of the mandate in 1970 had led to dismemberment of the country. He said the JI was committed to get the otherwise winners their right and added that people’s mandate was insulted on Feb 8.

He observed that people left their homes to express their will despite ‘rigging’. He said the PTI-backed independent candidates had won the elections, but forms 47 were changed to declare someone else as victorious. He said that polling stations were occupied by goons while the administration remained a silent spectator.

Hafiz Tahir Majeed, JI’s candidate for NA-220, alleged that the results were changed. He said protests were being staged for the last 48 hours in the country. He said Nawaz Sharif had returned to Pakistan only for loot and plunder.

PTI-backed candidate, runner up on NA-220, PTI divisional president Faisal Mughal said that family members of the PTI candidates were being harassed. He said that as Hyderabad District Bar leader he announced suspension of high court’s work in protest as people’s right was snatched during the Feb 8 polls.

Dr Mustansir Billa, PTI’s losing candidate on NA-219, said that those who had orchestrated the May 9 violent incidents made them lose elections. However, he said, the PTI tigers had turned the elections into a referendum.

He said Imran Khan was the only leader of the PTI. He stated that Khan even in the imprisonment had proved that everyone wrong; he was right.

SUKKUR: JI workers staged protests on Saeed Sarhandi Road in Sukkur against the alleged rigging in the elections and raised charged slogans.

Talking to the media persons, HizbullahJakhro, Zubair Hafeez Shiakh, and others said that people’s mandates had been disrespected during the elections 2024 across Pakistan.

They alleged that the authorities did not want to hold elections that was why they suspended the mobile phone service.

They added that despite such hurdles, people came out of their homes and polled their votes.

They alleged that with a record rigging, the results had been changed in favour of the Nawaz League, Pakistan Peoples and MQM-P.’

Source: dawn.com

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

https://www.dawn.com/news/1813407/jui-f-holds-sindh-wide-protests-against-stealing-of-public-mandate

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Terrorist ringleader killed in intelligence-based operation in Khyber: ISPR

 February 11, 2024

Iftikhar Shirazi

A militant ringleader was killed during an intelligence-based operation (IBO) in Khyber district of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa on Sunday, the military’s media affairs wing said.

According to a press release issued by the Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR), security forces conducted an IBO on the reported presence of a “high-profile terrorist”.

“During the conduct of operation, after intense fire exchange, high-value terrorist ringleader Surat Gul alias Saifullah of Daesh was sent to hell,” it said.

The ISPR said that weapons, ammunition and explosives were also recovered from the “terrorist commander”, who “remained actively involved in numerous terrorist activities, including targeted killing of innocent civilians as well as extortion and was highly wanted by the law enforcement agencies”.

“Sanitisation operation is being conducted to eliminate any other terrorist found in the area. Locals of the area appreciated the operation and expressed their full support to eliminate the menace of terrorism,” the ISPR said.

Last week, two militants, including a senior commander, were killed in an IBO in North Waz­iristan district.

On February 5, 10 police officials were martyred and six others injured in a pre-dawn attack by dozens of militants on a police station in Dera Ismail Khan, as violence escalated ahead of the general elections.

On February 2, the ISPR said that 24 terrorists were killed during firefights and clearance operations in the Mach and Kolpur towns of Balochistan over three days.

The statement had come after security for­ces had thwarted three “coordinated attacks” launched by terrorists using rockets and sophisticated weapons in Mach. The terrorists also targeted a hotel and six shops in the Kolpur area and set them on fire.

Pakistan has witnessed an uptick in terror activities in the past year, especially in KP and Balochistan after the banned militant Tehreek-i-Taliban Pakistan ended its ceasefire with the government in November 2022.

According to an annual security report issued by the Centre for Research and Security Studies, Pakistan witnessed 1,524 violence-related fatalities and 1,463 injuries from 789 terror attacks and counter-terror operations in 2023 — marking a record six-year high.

KP and Balochistan were the primary centres of violence, accounting for over 90 per cent of all fatalities and 84pc of attacks, including incidents of terrorism and security forces operations.

Source: dawn.com

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https://www.dawn.com/news/1813326/terrorist-ringleader-killed-in-intelligence-based-operation-in-khyber-ispr

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District autonomy is solution to Pakistan’s problems: Khalid Maqbool

February 12, 2024

The Muttahida Qaumi Movement-Pakistan (MQM-P) convener, Dr Khalid Maqbool Siddiqui, on Sunday said the solution to the problems being faced by Pakistan lied in district autonomy.

“We have given a recipe for running Pakistan and moving it in the right direction, after provincial autonomy, district autonomy is the solution to Pakistan’s problems”, he said, while speaking to the MQM-P gathering in Karachi’s Jinnah Ground.

The party had organised this gathering to celebrate its victory with 17 National Assembly seats in Karachi and Hyderabad in the General Election 2024.

Without naming the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf, he said that in 2018, those who were given 14 seats of Karachi by snatching the MQM-P mandate never raised their voice to increase even a drop of water for the city.

He vowed, “Now there will be no fault line in this city on the basis of language, because the MQM has united everyone.”

He added: “We recovered the population of 75 million in Karachi in the census, increased 53 UCs, and fought the case of this city in power corridors.”

MQM-P Senior Deputy Convener Mustafa Kamal said he had forgiven the disavowed party founder Altaf Hussain, advising him to give up the desire for leadership and choose the path of repentance.

He added, “I had held Altaf Hussain’s feet and got him treated. Today, those who are gathered around him are not his well-wishers, but still I urge him to think about his afterlife and choose to retire.”

Another senior deputy convener of the party, Dr Farooq Sattar, said that an organised, united and dynamic MQM-P had returned to Jinnah Ground after eight years.

He added that the process of developing Karachi had started, with a school being set up in the Governor’s House for 50,000 students where the best IT education would be provided to them free of charge.

He said the MQM-P fought the elections despite facing multiple challenges including those of delimitations, and emerged successful because of the confidence the Karachiites had reposed in the party.

Without naming the Pakistan Peoples Party and Jamaat-e-Islami, he commented that the parties occupying the local government system in Karachi should resign. “We will also start a movement to remove this mafia from the matric and inter boards as well”, he added.

Sindh Governor Kamran Tessori said the process of providing best economic opportunities to the youth of the country through education had started.

He added, “The doors of the Governor’s House are open to every citizen. I will go if any party celebrates an event and invites me”.

Source: thenews.com.pk

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

https://www.thenews.com.pk/print/1156845-district-autonomy-is-solution-to-pakistan-s-problems-khalid-maqbool

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JI's candidates challenge the polls result of Sindh Assembly's 4 constituencies

February 12, 2024

Jamaat e Islami's (JI) contesting candidates have challenged the results of the polls in the Sindh Assembly’s four constituencies.

Junaid Makati, a candidate from the Sindh Assembly’s PS-104 constituency, has challenged the February 8 polls result. His rival Muhammad Daniyal from Muttahida Qaumi Movement Pakistan (MQM-P) won the seat in this constituency, according to the result.

JI’s candidate, Muhammad Akbar, has challenged the result of PS-123 while Muhammad Ahmed also challenged the polls result of PS-124.

On the other hand, the poll results for PS-126 have been challenged by JI’s candidate Nasarullah. MQM-P’s candidate, Muhammad Iftikar, got the victory in this constituency as per the poll results.

Source: nation.com.pk

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

https://www.nation.com.pk/12-Feb-2024/ji-s-candidates-challenge-the-polls-result-of-sindh-assembly-s-4-constituencies

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Pakistan police clash with Khan supporters at election protests

February 12, 2024

ISLAMABAD: Police fired tear gas to disperse supporters of jailed former Pakistan prime minister Imran Khan Sunday after his party urged protests outside election offices where they said rigging had taken place in last week’s national vote.

Clashes were reported in Rawalpindi city, south of the capital, and Lahore, in the east, while dozens of other protests were held across the country without incident.

Police warned earlier they would come down hard on illegal gatherings. There were no immediate reports of injuries from the protests.

Independent candidates — most linked to Khan’s Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) party — took the most seats in the polls, scuppering the chances of the army-backed Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) to win a ruling majority.

However, independents cannot form a government and the country faces weeks of political uncertainty as rival parties negotiate possible coalitions.

PTI leaders claim they would have won even more seats if not for vote rigging.

A nationwide election-day mobile telephone blackout and the slow counting of results led to suspicions the military establishment was influencing the process to ensure success for former premier Nawaz Sharif’s PML-N.

“Throughout Pakistan, elections were manipulated in a subtle way,” PTI chairman Gohar Ali Khan told a news conference Saturday, calling on supporters to “protest peacefully” on Sunday.

Authorities warned they would take strict action, saying so-called Section 144 orders were in place — a colonial-era law banning public gatherings.

“Some individuals are inciting illegal gatherings around the Election Commission and other government offices,” a statement from Islamabad’s police force said on Sunday.

“Legal action will be taken against unlawful assemblies. It should be noted that soliciting for gatherings is also a crime,” it said.

A similar warning was also issued in Rawalpindi, while dozens of police equipped with riot gear assembled near Liberty Market in Lahore.

In Rawalpindi, AFP staff saw police fire tear gas at a crowd of dozens of PTI supporters after they refused orders to stop picketing an office used to collect constituency election results.

Another gathering of around 200 PTI supporters in Lahore dispersed quickly when police moved in with riot shields and batons.

Local media said several people were detained in Karachi, in the south, when they refused orders to clear the area.

Imran Khan’s party defied a months-long crackdown, which crippled campaigning and forced candidates to run as independents, to emerge as the winners of Thursday’s vote.

Final results were announced Sunday, with independents winning 101 seats, PML-N 75, the Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) 54, and the Muttahida Qaumi Movement (MQM) 17.

Ten minor parties mopped up the remaining 17 seats, with two remaining vacant.

“The results have clearly indicated that no single party possesses a simple majority to establish a government,” said Zahid Hussain, a political analyst and author.

“The political future of the country from this point onward is highly uncertain.”

Still, PTI leaders insist they have been given a “people’s mandate” to form the next government.

“The people have decided in favor of Imran Khan,” party chairman Gohar Ali Khan told Arab News in an interview.

A coalition between the PML-N and the PPP — who formed the last government after ousting Imran Khan with a no-confidence vote in April 2022 — still seems the most likely outcome.

Pakistan’s military chief told feuding politicians on Saturday to show “maturity and unity.”

“The nation needs stable hands and a healing touch to move on from the politics of anarchy and polarization which does not suit a progressive country of 250 million people,” General Syed Asim Munir said in a statement.

The military looms large over Pakistan’s political landscape, with generals having run the country for nearly half its history since partition from India in 1947.

The military-backed PML-N, founded by three-time prime minister Sharif, declared victory as the party with the largest number of seats, but to form a government he will be forced to cut deals with rivals and independents.

Imran Khan was barred from contesting the election after being handed several lengthy prison sentences in the days leading up to the vote.

He was convicted this month of treason, graft and having an un-Islamic marriage in three separate trials among nearly 200 cases brought against him since he was ousted.

Source: arabnews.com

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

https://www.arabnews.com/node/2458341/world

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Europe

 

Greeks protest against same-sex marriage and adoption reform

February 12, 2024

A protest against legalising same-sex marriage and adoption in Greece drew several thousand people in Athens on Sunday ahead of a debate in parliament next week.

Some 4,000 people responded to a call by Orthodox religious groups, according to police. They gathered on central Syntagma Square, waving Greek flags and brandishing crosses anxd banners opposing same-sex parenthood.

“Hands off the children,” chanted the crowd, which featured several robed priests and supporters of the far-right party Niki, whose leader Dimitris Natsios was present.

The Orthodox Church of Greece — which has close ties to many government MPs — has said it is “totally opposed” to the reform, arguing that it “condemns” children to grow up in an “environment of confusion”.

Protester Efrosini, an Athens pensioner, said same-sex couples already have rights under a civil union reform adopted in 2015.

Even Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis, who is personally championing the Bill, has stressed that the changes would benefit just “a few children and couples”.

The Bill is expected to split Mitsotakis’ conservative New Democracy, with dozens of the party’s 158 lawmakers likely to oppose it or abstain.

However, it is likely to pass with the support of the main opposition Syriza party, whose leader Stefanos Kasselakis is gay, the socialist Pasok party and other smaller parties.

Source: thehindu.com

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https://www.thehindu.com/news/international/greeks-protest-against-same-sex-marriage-and-adoption-reform/article67837142.ece

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'Stop the genocide': Spanish, Italian artists voice support for Gaza

2024-02-12

Numerous artists at Spain's Goya Cinema Awards gala and Italy's Sanremo Music Festival reacted to relentless Israeli attacks on Gaza.

At the Goya Cinema Awards gala held in Spain on Saturday, Alba Flores, known for her character Nairobi in the famous Spanish TV series Money Heist, famous actress and singer Ana Belen, director Estibaliz Urresola, director Alejandro Martin and singer Salvador Sobral made statements condemning Israel's brutal war in Gaza.

In addition, many of the Spanish artists who attended the gala night gave the message: “Stop the arms trade. Immediate ceasefire in Gaza" with labels they attached to their palms or badges on their clothes.

The anti-war and "stop genocide" messages of some artists also attracted attention at the 74th Sanremo Music Festival in Italy.

Italian singer Dargen D'amico, one of the names who performed at the event, said: "History does not accept to remain silent. Hold the fire."

'Bombing hospitals for a piece of land'

Eros Ramazzotti, one of the world-famous Italian singers, said on the stage where he appeared as a guest artist on Feb. 8, said: "Nearly, 500,000 children live in conflict zones.”

Tunisian-Italian rapper Ghali Amdouni also attracted attention with the phrase, "They are bombing hospitals for a piece of land," in a verse of his song Casa Mia (My Home), which he sang at the festival.

Amdouni came in 4th in the final of the Sanremo Music Festival with this song. As Ghali left the stage after singing his song on the final night, he said: "Stop the genocide."

Israel's Ambassador to Rome Alon Bar, posted on his X account and did not hide his discomfort with the anti-war messages in Sanremo, claiming that the festival was used for "hate and provocative" discourses.

Source: trtworld.com

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https://www.trtworld.com/content/article/stop-the-genocide-spanish-italian-artists-voice-support-for-gaza-16945864

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EU council president denounces Trump’s ‘reckless’ NATO threat

2024-02-12

BRUSSELS: Donald Trump’s threat to stop defending NATO countries that fall short of spending commitments if re-elected in the US is “reckless”, said European Council President Charles Michel on Sunday.

“The Transatlantic Alliance has underpinned the security and the prosperity of Americans, Canadians and Europeans for 75 years,” said Michel on X, formerly Twitter. “Reckless statements on #NATO’s security and (Article) 5 solidarity serve only Putin’s interest” and “they do not bring more security or peace to the world”, he added.

“On the contrary, they re-emphasise the need for the #EU to urgently further develop its strategic autonomy and invest in its defence,” he continued. Article 5 stipulates that if a NATO country is victim of an armed attack, each member of the Alliance must consider the act as an attack against the whole group and take measures to provide aid to the country under threat.

Trump threatened Saturday, in the event he is re-elected in the United States, that he would not defend NATO members who had not met their financial obligations, and going further would “encourage” Russia to attack them. The former US president has regularly criticised allies of the North Atlantic Treaty Organization for underfunding the group. During a meeting in South Carolina, Trump said he had a conversation with the head of state of a NATO member, without naming them.

This statement came after Trump, likely the candidate to face Democrat President Joe Biden in November’s election, put pressure on Republicans in Congress to block a bill to provide new aid to Ukraine. The White House reacted sharply to Trump’s remarks.

“Encouraging invasions of our closest allies by murderous regimes is appalling and unhinged,” White House spokesman Andrew Bates said Saturday night.

Source: brecorder.com

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Ireland says storming Rafah would involve serious violations of humanitarian law

[12/February/2024]

DUBLIN February 12. 2024 (Saba) - Irish Deputy Prime Minister Michael Martin has confirmed that Zionist Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's announcement of the expansion of military operations in Rafah and orders to evacuate the civilian population constitutes a serious threat to an estimated 1.5 million Palestinians seeking refuge in the region and must be condemned.

“I have repeatedly stressed that international humanitarian law imposes a clear obligation on all parties, in all conflicts, to ensure the protection of civilians,” Martin said in a statement.

The Irish Deputy Prime Minister stressed that any military operation in Rafah, which is now effectively one of the largest and most crowded refugee camps in the world, would involve serious violations of international humanitarian law.

Martin added that the order to evacuate 1.5 million people, who have no safe place to go, threatens mass forced displacement, stressing that “this cannot be allowed to happen, adding all countries, including all EU member states, must demand an immediate ceasefire on humanitarian grounds.

He pointed out that "the lack of humanitarian aid over the past four months means that the United Nations estimates that 90 percent of the population faces severe food insecurity, with a serious risk of famine developing, and this is unreasonable."

“Freezing or withdrawing funding to UNRWA exacerbates these risks, and countries that have done so must urgently reverse this decision and resume funding,” Martin said.

Source: saba.ye

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France joins European countries in voicing concern over looming Israeli offensive in Rafah

Ahmet Gencturk

11.02.2024

France on Sunday joined numerous European countries in expressing concern over the looming Israeli ground offensive in Rafah, southern Gaza Strip.

“Rafah is today a place where more than 1.3 million people are taking refuge. It is also a vital crossing point for delivering humanitarian aid to the population of Gaza. A large-scale Israeli offensive in Rafah would create a catastrophic humanitarian situation of a new and unjustifiable dimension. To avoid disaster, we reiterate our call for an end to the fighting,” the French Foreign Ministry said in a statement.

Reiterating that Israel must take concrete measures to protect the lives of civilian populations in Gaza, the ministry added: “In Gaza, as everywhere else, France opposes any forced displacement of populations, prohibited by international humanitarian law.”

“The future of the Gaza Strip and its inhabitants can only be found in a Palestinian state living in peace and security alongside Israel,” it added.

On Friday, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu ordered the military to submit a dual plan to evacuate Palestinian residents from Rafah, home to more than 1 million residents seeking refuge from war, and to defeat the remaining "Hamas battalions."

Palestinians have sought refuge in Rafah as Israel pounded the rest of the enclave following an Oct. 7 incursion by the Palestinian resistance group, Hamas. The ensuing Israeli bombardment has killed more than 28,000 victims and caused mass destruction and shortages of necessities.

The Israeli offensive has left 85% of Gaza’s population internally displaced amid acute shortages of food, clean water and medicine, while 60% of the enclave’s infrastructure was damaged or destroyed, according to the UN.

In late 2023 South Africa filed a case at the International Court of Justice (ICJ), accusing Israel of failing to uphold its commitments under the 1948 Genocide Convention.

The UN court, in its interim ruling in January, ruled that South Africa’s claims are plausible. It ordered provisional measures for Israel’s government to desist from genocidal acts, and take measures to guarantee that humanitarian assistance is provided to civilians in Gaza.

Source: aa.com.tr

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Netherlands voices opposition to looming Israeli ground offensive in Rafah

Ahmet Gencturk

11.02.2024

The Netherlands on Sunday expressed its strong opposition to a looming Israeli ground offensive in Rafah, southern Gaza Strip.

Noting that Rafah hosts a vast number of Palestinians who fled from other parts of the besieged enclave of Gaza, Foreign Minister Hanke Bruins Slot said on X: “Hard to see how large-scale military operations in such a densely populated area would not lead to many civilian casualties and a bigger humanitarian catastrophe.”

“This is unjustifiable,” she stressed.

“It is of the utmost importance that negotiations quickly lead to a temporary humanitarian ceasefire, and eventually to a sustained cessation of hostilities,” she said.

On Friday, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu ordered the military to submit a dual plan to evacuate Palestinian residents from Rafah, home to more than 1 million residents seeking refuge from war, and to defeat the remaining "Hamas battalions."

Palestinians have sought refuge in Rafah as Israel pounded the rest of the enclave following an Oct. 7 incursion by the Palestinian resistance group, Hamas. The ensuing Israeli bombardment has killed more than 28,000 victims and caused mass destruction and shortages of necessities.

The Israeli offensive has left 85% of Gaza’s population internally displaced amid acute shortages of food, clean water and medicine, while 60% of the enclave’s infrastructure was damaged or destroyed, according to the UN.

In late 2023 South Africa filed a case at the International Court of Justice (ICJ), accusing Israel of failing to uphold its commitments under the 1948 Genocide Convention.

The UN court, in its interim ruling in January, ruled that South Africa’s claims are plausible. It ordered provisional measures for Israel’s government to desist from genocidal acts, and take measures to guarantee that humanitarian assistance is provided to civilians in Gaza.

Source: aa.com.tr

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https://www.aa.com.tr/en/world/netherlands-voices-opposition-to-looming-israeli-ground-offensive-in-rafah/3134231

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South Asia

 

2 Afghans who were detained at Guantanamo Bay for 14 years have been released, the Taliban say

February 12, 2024

ISLAMABAD: Two Afghan prisoners who were held in US custody for at least 14 years at the Guantanamo Bay detention center after 2002 were released from house arrest in Oman, a Taliban spokesman said Sunday.

Abdul Zahir Saber and Abdul Karim were released as a result of the efforts made by the Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan, Taliban interior ministry spokesman Abdul Mateen Qani said.

Senior Taliban officials posted photographs of Saber and Karim on social media with messages of congratulations. An official welcome ceremony is being organized in the capital, Kabul, for their return on Monday, Qani said.

The two men were held in Guantanamo until 2017, when they were transferred to the Gulf kingdom of Oman, where they spent the next seven years under house arrest, forbidden to travel.

The United States opened the detention center at Guantanamo Bay, in Cuba, under President George W. Bush in January 2002 after the 9/11 terrorist attacks and the invasion of Afghanistan to capture Al-Qaeda leader Osama bin Laden. It was intended at the time to hold and interrogate those suspected of having links to Al-Qaeda or the Taliban, who had sheltered bin Laden.

However, scores of suspects from multiple countries were later sent there and the detention center became notorious after reports emerged of detainees being humiliated and tortured.

Saber, who was originally from the province of Logar, was arrested by American forces on May 10, 2002, Qani said. In October that year, after four months in Bagram prison just outside Kabul, Saber was transferred to Guantanamo.

“As a result of the efforts of the Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan, after many years in prison and imposed restrictions will be removed, he will return to his homeland,” said Qani.

Karim, a resident of Tani district of Khost province, in the east, was arrested in Pakistan on Aug. 14, 2002. After a few months in prison there, he was handed over to American forces.

He was moved to Guantanamo in early 2003 and then to Oman in 2017.

Source: arabnews.com

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https://www.arabnews.com/node/2458336/world

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Islamic Emirate Denies Trump’s Claims of Selling Military Equipment

February 11, 2024

Zabihullah Mujahid, the spokesman of the Islamic Emirate, said that the military equipment left over from foreign forces is fully at the disposal of the caretaker government and rejected the claims of its being sold.

Mujahid added that if needed, this equipment will be used to ensure the security of Afghanistan.

The spokesman of the Islamic Emirate said: "The leftover equipment is effective for Afghanistan and we need security ourselves. We need these weapons. While we ourselves have gone through many wars, there is a greater need to preserve weapons here.”

Recently the former US president, Donald Trump, claimed that currently Afghanistan is one of the largest sellers of military equipment in the world. Trump, speaking at a National Rifle Association (NRA) gathering, called the withdrawal of US forces from Afghanistan "the most embarrassing moment in the history of our country," saying: "We left behind $85 billion dollars worth of equipment. … Afghanistan is now one of the largest sellers of military equipment in the world. They are selling our beautiful brand new equipment, we left hundreds of people behind including others that we could’ve taken but we left hundreds of Americans behind still there.”

Some analysts have different views regarding the presence of foreign forces and the maintenance of military structures in Afghanistan.

“It is clear what is left of the military equipment -- but these remarks by Trump are a press reaction. Because of his election campaign, he wants to create the impression that he will manage America's programs better,” Zalmay Afghanyar, a military analyst told TOLOnews.

"The Islamic Emirate does not allow anyone to operate in the drug and arms trafficking sector and prevents this," said Hadi Quraishi, a military analyst.

Earlier, the Prime Minister of the Pakistani caretaker government, Anwaar-ul-Haq Kakar, claimed that the weapons left from the foreign troops in Afghanistan are being sold in the black markets, which was called baseless by the Islamic Emirate.

Source: tolonews.com

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https://tolonews.com/afghanistan-187375

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Pakistan Election Impact on Afghanistan and Region

Fidel Rahmati

February 12, 2024

The Pakistan Parliamentary elections took place on Thursday, February 8th, spanning the entire country. However, the announcement of the election results was delayed, causing anticipation and speculation among the people.

Khaama Press debuted its new X Space on Sunday evening, focusing on the “Pakistan Election Results: Impact on Afghanistan and the Region.” The event featured insights from Afghan political analysts and commentators, providing a platform for discussions on the significant implications of the Pakistan elections for both Afghanistan and the broader region.

WaisNasiry, an Afghan political analyst, commended Pakistan’s successful conduct of general elections despite numerous challenges. He noted the participation of over 34 political parties, with Tehreek-e-Insaf securing 101 parliamentary seats, followed by Muslim League-Nawaz with 74 seats and the People’s Party of Bilawal Bhutto with 54 seats.

Nasiry highlighted that none of the parties attained a majority, leading to speculation about a potential coalition government between the Muslim League and the People’s Party or between the Tehreek-e-Insaf and People’s Party led by Bilawal Bhutto.

The election outcome indicated that despite army support for the Muslim League led by Nawaz Sharif, independent candidates aligned with Imran Khan’s faction garnered the most parliamentary seats, as observed by Mr. Nasiry.

Contrarily, Aziz Maharaj, another political analyst, asserted that Pakistani politicians wield minimal influence in decision-making processes, with the military predominantly controlling affairs.

Both analysts concurred that Pakistani politicians prioritize national interests, contrasting with Afghan politicians who often neglect Afghanistan’s national interests in Favor of foreign agendas.

Nasiry and Maharaj emphasized the importance of Afghan politicians reassessing their priorities to better serve the nation’s interests, echoing sentiments of dissatisfaction with the current political landscape.

Source: khaama.com

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https://www.khaama.com/pakistan-election-results-impact-on-afghanistan-and-region/

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Irans’s Regional Contact Group for 'Cooperation' with Kabul: Qomi

 February 11, 2024

The Kabul-based Iran embassy said that establishing a regional contact group is aimed at cooperating with the Islamic Emirate.

Speaking at the 40th anniversary of Iran’s Islamic Revolution at the embassy, the country’s ambassador and special representative for Afghanistan said that Afghanistan is a focus of the international community.

“The first and foremost goal of the contact group is to provide cooperation with the current government in Afghanistan to achieve security and political stability and also to help the country for the betterment of the economy,” said Hassan Kazemi Qomi, the ambassador and special envoy of Iran for Afghanistan.

Hassan Kazemi Qomi accused the US of preventing the development of Afghanistan during their twenty-year presence in the country and said that Washington paid no attention to the development and infrastructure of Afghanistan.

The Iranian diplomat said that Afghanistan with its ample of resources, has the potential to meet not only its own needs but the needs of other countries as well.

According to him, Tehran has inked good economic and trade agreements with the caretaker government of Afghanistan.

“Afghanistan and Iran have potential capacity in the areas of industry, technology, transit, mines, agriculture, water, and energy. The countries, as big economies can meet each other’s needs,” said Hassan Kazemi Qomi, the ambassador and special envoy of Iran for Afghanistan.

The political deputy for the foreign ministry of the Islamic Emirate, who took part in the gathering, praised the bilateral relations between Kabul and Tehran and said that the Afghan government wants to strengthen engagement with the neighboring countries and the world.

“The Islamic Emirate wants to strengthen its engagement with the region particularly Iran and the rest of the world. We insist on the continuation of such engagement in the areas of security, economy and culture,” said Shir Muhammad Abbas Stanikzai, the deputy foreign minister of the Islamic Emirate.

Hassan Kazemi Qomi also said that Iran has always supported peace, stability and the fight against terrorism in Afghanistan and that Afghanistan’s many issues are still at the top of Tehran’s agenda.

Source: tolonews.com

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https://tolonews.com/index.php/afghanistan-187371

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Doha Meeting To Focus on Islamic Emirate, World Engagement: Deputy PM

February 11, 2024

The Deputy Prime Minister for Political Affairs said that the upcoming Doha meeting will be concentrated on the Islamic Emirate’s engagement with the world.

Speaking in a meeting with regional officials of Nangarhar province, Mawlawi Abdul Kabir said the caretaker Afghan government has met all conditions for recognition and asked the regional countries to act in recognizing the Islamic Emirate.

“We have been assured that the upcoming meeting of Doha will aim at encouraging the world to engage with the Islamic Emirate,” said the Deputy Prime Minister for Political Affairs, Mawlawi Abdul Kabir.

He said that the Islamic Emirate’s door is open for all its political opponents.

According to the deputy PM, 700 officials of the former Afghan government have returned to the country in the past two years.

“More than 700 former government officials including ministers and parliament members have returned to the country through the Contact Commission. They have also been given impunity cards,” said the Deputy Prime Minister for Political Affairs, Mawlawi Abdul Kabir.

In the meantime, officials of the chamber of commerce and investment of Nangarhar province asked for resolving trade problems with Pakistan.

They said that Pakistan has been creating problems for Afghan traders and has always breached their pledges.

“Pakistan has banned 212 items which cannot be imported through Karachi port to Afghanistan. We ask you to make you policies in line with the new government in Pakistan,” said Gul Murad, head of Nangarhar’s chamber of commerce and investment.

The deputy PM of the Islamic Emirate has insisted that Afghanistan is secure, and its soil will not be used to threaten other countries.

Source: tolonews.com

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Faiq: UN Special Envoy for Afghanistan Will Not Interfere With UNAMA

Mitra Majeedy

February 11, 2024

Naseer Ahmad Faiq, Chargé d'Affaires of the Afghanistan Permanent Mission to the UN, said that the mission of the UN Special Representative for Afghanistan will not interfere with UNAMA's operation in Afghanistan.

Faiq told TOLOnews the special envoy in Afghanistan would interact with everyone, including the Islamic Emirate, in order to address the Afghan issues and seek an international consensus on the matter.

"This is in cooperation and coordination with UNAMA; it does not interfere with UNAMA's mission, as stated in the resolution. The task of UNAMA is separate, but the special representative of the UN Secretary General is appointed by the Secretary General,” he said.

At the Doha meeting, the UN is expected to appoint a special envoy for Afghanistan; however, the Islamic Emirate has expressed opposition to this appointment and has not made any announcement regarding its attendance as of yet.

Some political experts have different views on the appointment of a UN special representative for Afghanistan.

"I think that the international community has realized that the interaction with the Islamic Emirate should be used as a test and practical actions should be seen, which is why they see the need for a new representative," political analyst Ahmad Munib Rasa said.

"The main problem in Afghanistan is between Afghans, and negotiations between Afghans are needed to solve this problem,” said Wahid Faqiri, another political analyst.

The UN Secretary General will convene a meeting of member-states and regional-organization special envoys on Afghanistan in Doha on February 18 and 19.

Some civil society activists and delegations from the Islamic Emirate have also been invited to this meeting.

Source: tolonews.com

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https://tolonews.com/afghanistan-187373

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Environmental Issues Should Not Be Politicized: NEPA

2024-02-11

KABUL (BNA): Hafez Aziz Rahman, the head of the National Environmental Protection Authority (NEPA), and Ruslan Edelgeriyev, the advisor to the President of the Russian Federation, held a discussion on climate change issues in Afghanistan.

The meeting, which also included Dmitry Zhirnov, the Ambassador of Russia to Kabul, was reported by the central NEPA office.

Edelgeriyev, recognizing climate change as a global threat, emphasized the importance of Afghanistan’s representation in international conventions on climate change, desertification, and biodiversity.

He pledged to invite Afghan representatives to these crucial meetings and revealed Russia’s plans to hold a conference on environmental issues. The conference will invite Afghan environmental protection officials and offer collaboration in training and capacity-building.

Rahman highlighted Afghanistan’s vulnerability to climate change, despite its minimal contribution to greenhouse gas emissions. He called on industrialized nations, which are responsible for major emissions, to support vulnerable countries like Afghanistan with technology, financial assistance, and cooperation.

The officials underscored that environmental issues should not be politicized, as they impact human well-being and the entire planet.

Dr. Zain al-Abidin Abed, the deputy head of NEPA, expressed concern over the Climate Change Convention’s lack of response to re-establishing relations with Afghanistan. He noted that 32 projects funded by the Green Climate Fund in Afghanistan were suspended after the new government took power due to the non-recognition of the Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan.

Both parties stressed the importance of continuing bilateral cooperation to address these global challenges.

Source: bakhtarnews.af

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https://www.bakhtarnews.af/en/environmental-issues-should-not-be-politicized-nepa/

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Mideast

 

We are ready to engage in further wars with Israel: Syria FM

Feb 11, 2024

TEHRAN, Feb. 11 (MNA) – The Syrian Foreign Minister said Sunday that his country is fully ready to engage in other wars with the Zionist regime, adding that, "It is Syria that decides when, where and how these wars will take place.

Syrian Foreign Minister Faisal al-Mekdad, who hosted Iranian Foreign Minister Hossein Amir-Abdollahian and his accompanying delegation in Damascus, held a joint press conference with Hossein Amir-Abdollahian.

The Syrian Foreign Minister offered congratulations to the Iranian delegation over the 45th anniversary of the victory of the Islamic Revolution.

Al-Mekdad added that, "The Iranian delegation had detailed talks with Bashar al-Assad, which discussed various issues in the region, especially the heroic resistance of the Palestinian nation."

"We and Iran have the same opinions and views on supporting the people of Gaza," the Syrian top diplomat added.

He went on to stress that the occupying US and Turkish forces "will finally leave Syria, because the Syrian nation is united in this decision that these aggressor forces must leave Syria, and we in Syria and our army have the necessary facilities to make this happen.

Mekdad went on to refer to the the racist Zionist regime against Syria, highlighting that, "The resistance of the Syrian Arab Republic against these military aggressions is a continuous resistance that has continued since the beginning of the idea that this regime would be established in Palestine and in the Arab region."

"As Bashar Assad said, Syria has been resisting the Zionist regime since 1948," the top diplomat said.

"The end of the occupation of the Zionist regime in the occupied Arab Golan territory is at the top of our priorities and is at the top of the list of our sacred missions. The Syrian nation is also trying to end this occupation," he continued.

"American, Israeli and Turkish occupations are all illegitimate and Syria must resist all of them," Mekdad further underscored.

"Syria is ready to pay the price for all these liberation operations. America's crimes against Syrian citizens will end, as well as America's illegitimate support to Israel in the occupation of the Syrian territory," the Syrian foreign minister concluded.

Hossein Amir-Abdollahian, for his part, said at the joint press conference that "In the meeting with Bashar al-Assad, Tehran and Damascus viewpoints were discussed and exchanged about the latest developments in the region."

"Today I was carrying the official and written invitation of the president of our country to Mr. Bashar Assad for an official visit to the Islamic Republic of Iran," he also said.

Amir-Abdollahian went on to say "I offer my condolences to the Syrian government and nation for the recent aggression done by the US on Syrian territory and the martyrdom of many Syrian brothers."

"Tehran strongly condemns the illegal presence of foreign troops in Syria," the Iranian foreign minister also said, adding that "The security of regional countries is a common concern of Tehran and Damascus."

Later, he pointed to the Zionist regime's war on Gaza and said that "Netanyahu sees his survival in the continuation of the war."

"I am announcing loud and clear from Damascus that the key to the return of lasting security to the region is to stop genocide and crimes by the Zionist regime and America. From the beginning of the crisis, Iran announced that war has never been a solution," Amir-Abdollahian added.

"The US cannot talk about the need to stop the war on the one hand, but at the same time not stop sending weapons to Tel Aviv," he added.

Source: mehrnews.com

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https://en.mehrnews.com/news/211920/We-are-ready-to-engage-in-further-wars-with-Israel-Syria-FM

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Iran marks Islamic revolution with demand to expel Israel from UN

2024-02-12

TEHRAN: Iran marked 45 years since its Islamic revolution with a ceremony Sunday in which President Ebrahim Raisi condemned arch foe Israel over the Gaza war and demanded it be expelled from the United Nations.

Since Iran’s 1979 revolution that overthrew the US-backed Shah Mohammad Reza Pahlavi, the region’s main Shiite Muslim power has had deeply hostile relations with Israel, the United States and Britain.

Tensions have spiralled further since the bloodiest ever Gaza war erupted on October 7 with the Palestinian militant group Hamas’s attack on Israel, in turn sparking violence between Iran-backed militant groups and US forces. Support for the Palestinian cause and harsh criticism of the United States — often dubbed the “Great Satan” in Iran — and Israel dominated ceremonies marking the anniversary.

In Tehran, Raisi accused the “Zionist entity”, Iran’s term for Israel, of committing “genocide” in Gaza with the support of the United States and other Western countries.

Supporters chanted “Down with the United States”, “Down with Israel” and “Down with the United Kingdom” at the square, where Iranian-made missiles and other military hardware were on display.

Raisi demanded that the “bombing of Gaza should be stopped as soon as possible” and declared that “the death of the Zionist regime has come”, in his speech to thousands at Azadi Square in western Tehran.

He asked about Israel: “How can a regime that has violated 400 statements and resolutions of international organisations adhere to UN covenants? “We believe that one of the important steps that should be taken is the expulsion of the Zionist regime from the United Nations.”

Iran has presented itself as one of the main supporters of Hamas in the war triggered by its October 7 attack on southern Israel, which left more than 1,160 dead, mostly civilians, according to an AFP tally based on official Israeli data.

Israel has vowed to eradicate Hamas and launched a military offensive that has killed at least 28,176 people, mostly women and children, according to the health ministry in the Hamas-run Gaza Strip.

Iran has hailed Hamas’s October 7 attack as a “success” but denied any direct involvement.

Crowds in Azadi Square held up portraits of the supreme leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, as well as of the founder of the Islamic Republic, Ayatollah Ruhollah Khomeini, and popular general Qasem Soleimani, who was killed in an US strike in January 2020.

Iran has been under crippling US sanctions since Washington’s 2018 withdrawal from a landmark deal which granted it sanctions relief in return for curbs on its nuclear programme.

The United States has accused Tehran of “actively facilitating” attacks on US forces in the Middle East and of backing attacks on Red Sea shipping by Yemen’s Houthi, charges Iran has denied.

Around Azadi Square, Iranian-made Qiam ballistic missiles, Shahed 136 drones and Simorgh satellite launchers were on display.

Western countries have accused Iran of supplying drones to Russia during the Ukraine war, which Tehran denies, and missiles to armed groups in the Middle East.

The celebrations come ahead of March 1 legislative elections, the first national vote since a large-scale protest movement shook Iran after the death of Mahsa Amini on September 16, 2022.

Amini, 22, died after being arrested for allegedly violating the Islamic republic’s strict dress code for women.

Source: brecorder.com

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https://www.brecorder.com/news/40288388/iran-marks-islamic-revolution-with-demand-to-expel-israel-from-un

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IRGC commander warns US to keep distance from Iran

Feb 12, 2024

TEHRAN, Feb. 12 (MNA) – Commander of IRGC Aerospace Force Brigadier General Amir-Ali Hajizadeh has warned the United States to keep its distance from the Islamic Republic of Iran.

Speaking to reporters during a rally held to mark the 45th anniversary of the victory of the Islamic Revolution on Sunday morning, Hajizadeh stressed that Iran does not seek war but is ready to confront any threat.

He also blamed the United States and Israeli regime for creating the ISIL terrorist group and spending billions of dollars to form a crisis in the West Asia region.

The people of America and Europe should understand where their rulers are spending the taxes taken from them, he added.

Israel launched hostilities in Gaza following a historic operation by the Gaza-based Hamas Resistance group against the occupying entity in retaliation for its intensified atrocities against the Palestinian people.

The United States has supplied Israel with weapons and intelligence support and blocked UN resolutions calling for a humanitarian ceasefire in the Palestinian territory.

Source: mehrnews.com

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https://en.mehrnews.com/news/211924/IRGC-commander-warns-US-to-keep-distance-from-Iran

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World leaders congratulate Iran on anniversary of Islamic Revolution

February 11, 2024

TEHRAN- Iran has witnessed memorable emotional outpourings, with world leaders sending congratulatory messages over the anniversary of the victory of the Islamic Revolution of 1979.

Ceremonies have been held across the world to commemorate the 45th anniversary of the glorious victory of Iran’s Islamic Revolution.

Along with ceremonies that took place in various countries, several world leaders sent messages of congratulations to Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi as well as the valiant Iranian nation. The messages came from the leaders of Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Belarus, Azerbaijan, the Vatican, Russia, China, Japan, South Korea, Armenia, Kazakhstan, Tajikistan, Spain, Hungary, Bangladesh, Denmark and Ireland.

Iran’s Ambassador to Russia Kazem Jalali said during a ceremony at the Islamic Center in Moscow on Friday evening that the U.S. has sought to be the only hegemonic power in the world following the fall of the Soviet Union.

A similar event was held at the Iranian Embassy in Beijing, with diplomats and foreign representatives, as well as media, cultural and economic figures in attendance.

Iran’s Ambassador to China Mohsen Bakhtiar reminded the participants of the numerous achievements and breakthroughs in various fields under the tutelage of the Islamic Republic over the last 45 years.

Each year on February 11, Iranians mark the overthrow of the U.S.-backed Pahlavi regime in a popular uprising led by Imam Khomeini, the leader of the revolution.

Source: tehrantimes.com

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https://www.tehrantimes.com/news/494737/World-leaders-congratulate-Iran-on-anniversary-of-Islamic-Revolution

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Lebanese Islamic Resistance targets espionage equipment at Ruweisat Al-Alam site

[11/February/2024]

BEIRUT February 11. 2024 (Saba) - The Islamic Resistance in Lebanon, led by Hezbollah, announced on Sunday the targeting of Zionist spy equipment at the Ruweisat Al-Alam site in the hills of Fikr Shuba and the occupied Lebanese farms of Shaba.

The resistance confirmed that direct casualties were achieved at this site, and that these strikes came in support of the steadfast Palestinian people in the Gaza Strip, and in support of their valiant and honorable resistance.

The Islamic resistance in Lebanon continues to target the positions of the Zionist enemy bordering occupied Palestine, achieving direct hits. Yesterday, the Islamic Resistance in Lebanon announced that it had carried out several military operations against positions and concentrations of enemy forces on the Lebanese-Palestinian border.

The military media of the Islamic Resistance in Lebanon published footage of the Zionist reconnaissance plane "Skylark 1-Lex", which it took control of, on Saturday.

In addition, the military media of the Islamic Resistance in Lebanon published scenes of operations against a number of targets belonging to the Zionist enemy army, at the border with occupied Palestine.

The video shows operations carried out by the mujahideen of the Islamic resistance against Zionist targets, both in the settlement of "Metulla" and the vicinity of the "Malikiyah" site.

In the targets shown by the military media, the resistance fighters were able to hit the targets directly, destroying them and setting them on fire.

Source: saba.ye

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https://www.saba.ye/en/news3304002.htm

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Humanity’s future depends on govts tackling war, unfair trade: UAE minister

February 12, 2024

DUBAI: The approach of governments today toward emerging challenges, including the high cost of war, growing fragmentation and de-globalization, and the acceleration of artificial intelligence, will define the future of humanity, the UAE’s Minister of Cabinet Affairs Mohammad Al-Gergawi warned on Monday.

In his opening remarks on the first day of the World Governments Summit in Dubai, Al-Gergawi urged governments to seek global collaboration.

“We can encourage trade and cultural connection to replace global economic division and polarization. We can work together to reduce the risks of technology and maximize its benefits,” he told delegates at the summit, which brings together world leaders and international organizations to address key challenges facing society.

He said there was a staggering cost of war and conflict, amounting to $17 trillion a year.

About 6 percent of the $17 trillion could combat some of humanity’s greatest challenges including hunger, illiteracy, cancer, and the absence of clean water, in one year, he said.

“Imagine what could be achieved if we invested more in addressing other challenges facing humanity?” he added. “The resources the planet contains is enough for us and for future generations, if we invest it well and use it for the benefit of humanity.”

While global economic integration has helped triple global domestic product since the end of the Cold War, Al-Gergawi warned that growing polarization and “clear transformations in international trade” was causing the decline of globalization.

Economic fragmentation will cost 7 percent of the world’s GDP, according to the International Monetary Fund, a figure that, Al-Gergawi said, would define the future.

The number of global trade restrictions introduced each year has nearly tripled since 2019, reaching almost 3,000 last year, according to the IMF.

“Today, we are witnessing more intense competition in the areas of technology, innovation, currencies, and an increasing internal focus in light of the rise of populism,” Al-Gergawi said. He urged governments to view globalization as a driver of development instead of a threat to national interests and local economies.

He also called on governments to seek benefit from the emerging new economic order, led by China and India, that already drive 50 percent of global economic growth. With more than 70 percent of global economic growth expected to come from the East, Al-Gergawi urged governments to leverage the transformation instead of confronting it.

The minister also warned of the rapid growth of AI, which could be a double-edged sword and cause harm if not deployed properly.

Studies predict that AI will take over 70 percent of tasks in various sectors, increasing human productivity. However, AI has helped produce three times more deep fakes in 2023 than the previous year. There were 500,000 pieces of fake content spread on the internet last year, distorting reality and changing attitudes.

“Media misinformation and the spread of fake news will be among the key challenges facing humanity,” Al-Gergawi warned.

“How can we guard the truth from distortion? Because the end result is mistrust in governments, media establishments, companies and individuals.”

Meanwhile, Klaus Schwab, founder and chairman of the World Economic Forum, urged the planet’s leaders to prepare for the new “intelligent era” that the globe is heading toward, which brings an abundance of opportunities.

He said world leaders need to harness technology to create a “humanocracy” and create an era where humans can flourish.

“At the core of this transformation is a commitment to ensuring that the benefit of technological advancement are equitably shared to reach an inclusive society,” he added.

World leaders must use technology to achieve development goals and establish an ethical framework to regulate rapidly growing technologies.

“Political leaders must combine three different dimensions. They need to be technicians and scientists, but also philosophers who are able understand interactions with these new technologies. They need to be humanists who also utilize the human aspect not just technology,” said Schwab.

“The future isn’t happening but government leaders are shaping the future.”

The three-day summit, running until Feb. 14, brings together 25 world leaders and heads of state, 140 governments, more than 85 international and regional organizations and institutions, and leading thought leaders and experts.

Participants will tackle pressing issues facing humanity across various sectors, including the global economy, technology, artificial intelligence, sustainability, finance and education.

Source: arabnews.com

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https://www.arabnews.com/node/2458476/middle-east

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Israeli forces 'execute' Palestinian man with over 20 bullets in West Bank

12 February 2024

Israeli forces have killed a Palestinian man execution-style, shooting him more than 20 times in the occupied West Bank after accusing him of trying to carry out a stabbing attack against them.

According to the official Palestinian Wafa news agency, 35-year-old Rami Rashid al-Batha was brutally gunned down by the regime's forces in the town of Battir, west of the city of Bethlehem on Sunday.

Israeli troops then withheld the victim's body for some time before handing it over to the Palestinian Red Crescent Society (PRCS).

The PRCS later reported that al-Batha was hit by live bullets in various parts of his body, which led to his instant death.

The Palestinian Health Ministry, for its part, said after examining al-Batha's body it was found that he had been hit by more than 20 bullets.

Al-Batha was killed near his house, which is located in the al-Sharafa area, at the entrance to the town.

The new fatality came less than two weeks after a unit of undercover Israeli special forces assassinated three young Palestinians inside a hospital in the northern part of the West Bank.

Palestinian media outlets reported that members of the Israeli hit squad were dressed as doctors, nurses, and even civilians during the attack, which targeted Ibn Sina Hospital in the west of the city of Jenin.

A group of United Nations special rapporteurs said subsequently that the assassinations may amount to war crime.

The regime has ramped up its aggression across the West Bank since early October 2023, when it began its genocidal war against the besieged Gaza Strip.

More than 350 Palestinians have been killed by Israeli forces across the occupied territory since then.

The aggression against Gaza has so far claimed the lives of over 28,000 Palestinians, mostly women and children, leaving more than 67,700 others wounded.

Israel's onslaught started after Gaza's resistance movements carried out a historic operation against the occupying entity in retaliation for its intensified atrocities against the Palestinian people.

Source: presstv.ir

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https://www.presstv.ir/Detail/2024/02/12/719922/Palestine-Israel-West-Bank-killing

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IMF chief says Gaza war 'devastating' Palestinian economy

11 February, 2024

The Gaza war has devastated the economies of both the embattled Gaza Strip and the occupied West Bank, the International Monetary Fund's chief said Sunday, adding that only "durable peace" would improve the outlook.

"The Palestinian economy's dire outlook is worsening as the conflict persists," managing director Kristalina Georgieva told the World Governments Summit in Dubai.

"Only a durable peace and political solution will fundamentally change it".

"Economically, the impact of the conflict has been devastating," Georgieva said.

In the war-ravaged coastal territory, economic activity dropped 80 percent from October through December compared with a year earlier, the IMF chief said.

In the West Bank, the drop was 22 percent, she added.

The larger Palestinian territory has been hit hard by Israel's withdrawal of 130,000 work permits, the proliferation of checkpoints that has heavily disrupted transportation, the loss of tourism, being cut off from Gaza and Israel's withholding of tax revenues from the Palestinian Authority.

The Gaza Strip has been under intense Israeli assault for over four months, since the October 7 Hamas attack on southern Israel.

Hamas' surprise attack resulted in the deaths of about 1,160 people, according to an AFP tally based on official Israeli figures. The group took more than 250 hostages too. It says the attack came in response to decades of Israeli aggression against the Palestinians.

Vowing to destroy the Palestinian group, Israel's unprecedented bombardment has killed over 28,000 people, mostly women and children.

Georgieva spoke at the opening of the World Government Summit, an annual gathering of top business and political figures in the United Arab Emirates, which runs until Wednesday.

Beyond the Palestinian territories, Gaza's war has also hit the tourism sectors of neighbouring countries such as Egypt and Lebanon, she said.

Meanwhile, attacks on commercial shipping by Yemen's Houthi rebels, which the group says are in solidarity with Palestinians in Gaza, is leading to "rising freight costs and reduced Red Sea transit volumes (which are) down by nearly 50 percent this year in our PortWatch data," Georgieva said in her speech.

For the Middle East and North Africa region as a whole, GDP growth is expected to improve from last year but will likely fall below earlier IMF projections, partially because of the Gaza war, the fund reported in its latest forecast last month.

The IMF now sees the economies of the region expanding 2.9 percent this year, a decrease of half a percentage point from its October forecast.

Source: newarab.com

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https://www.newarab.com/news/imf-chief-says-gaza-war-devastating-palestinian-economy

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Southeast Asia

 

M'sia a democracy not a theocracy, Zaid 'reminds' Umno over apex court ruling

12 Feb 2024

PETALING JAYA: Datuk Zaid Ibrahim has reminded Umno that Malaysia is not a theocracy following the party's reaction to the court verdict in the case of Nik Elin Zurina and her daughter against the Kelantan government.

The former law minister said the reactions of Malay politicians, especially Umno, to the case "showed how little they think about the country's future."

"Before Nik Elin’s case, didn’t these Umno leaders know that since 1957, we are not a theocracy but a civil law country?" he said in a post on X on Sunday (Feb 11).

"That means not every religious law should be in the books; that civil laws are the primary source of laws in governing this country," he added.

On Friday (Feb 9), the Federal Court, in an eight-to-one majority decision, ruled that 16 provisions for offences under the Kelantan Syariah Criminal Code Enactment (1) 2019 were null and void because the state legislature did not have the power to enact laws on said offences as there were federal laws covering the same matters.

"The Syariah system is for personal laws, but the general body of laws is not religious laws. They didn’t know? Then they must be sleepwalking," Zaid added.

He said Malay politicians seem unable and unwilling to explain to the people that the choice "is either we are a democracy governed by one set of general laws (civil law) like most countries are, or we are an Afghanistan/Iran-type theocracy."

Zaid pointed out that if Muslim leaders cared about Muslims’ interests, they would make the system more efficient, for example, being more transparent about how the Islamic Council collects and disburses zakat funds.

“When the system breaks down, you will lose more than the non-Muslims. Your economic rights, freedom, education and culture will suffer because you are not free anymore.

“Criminal laws will engulf you because they don’t like your morals. Your life will be different, and Malaysia will be unrecognisable,” he said.

Umno had said it would ask the Federal Government to look into calls for a constitutional amendment to empower the Syariah legal system following the Federal Court ruling.

Its deputy president Datuk Seri Mohamad Hasan said this was to avoid a repeat of issues surrounding the ruling made by the apex court over the Kelantan Syariah criminal enactment.

Source: thestar.com.my

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https://www.thestar.com.my/news/nation/2024/02/12/m039sia-a-democracy-not-a-theocracy-zaid-039reminds039-umno-over-apex-court-ruling

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KL police chief: Cops probing death threats against lawyer who challenged provisions under Kelantan Shariah criminal enactment

11 Feb 2024

KUALA LUMPUR, Feb 11 — Police are investigating the death threats against lawyer Nik Elin Zurina Nik Abdul Rashid following her constitutional challenge to strike down various provisions in a Kelantan state Shariah enactment.

Kuala Lumpur police chief Datuk Allaudeen Abdul Majid in a statement tonight said that Nik Elin Zurina had filed three police reports after she received several death threats on her social media platforms.

Allaudeen said police are investigating the three cases under Section 507 of the Penal Code for criminal intimidation and Section 233 of the Communications and Multimedia Act for offences related to using network facilities.

“One case had been referred to the Attorney General’s Chambers for further instructions, while investigations are still underway for the remaining two,” he said.

Police had also sought the Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission’s help to identify the social media account owners involved in this case.

“We would like to advise the public against issuing threats on social media, if convicted for criminal intimidation, offenders could be jailed a maximum of two year,” he said.

Earlier today, the New Straits Times reported that Nik Elin Zurina had filed three police reports after she received several death threats. These came after she challenged 18 provisions in Kelantan’s Syariah Criminal Code (I) Enactment 2019.

On Friday (February 9), the Federal Court, in an 8-1 majority decision, ruled that 16 provisions of offences under the Kelantan Shariah Criminal Code Enactment (1) 2019, were null and void, on the grounds that the State Legislature did not have the power to enact laws on said offences, because there were federal laws covering the same offences.

The Federal Court made the ruling after allowing a petition, filed by Nik Elin Zurina and her daughter, Tengku Yasmin Nastasha Abdul Rahman, to challenge the constitutionality and legality of 18 provisions of offences under the enactment.

Source: malaymail.com

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https://www.malaymail.com/news/malaysia/2024/02/11/kl-police-chief-cops-probing-death-threats-against-lawyer-who-challenged-provisions-under-kelantan-shariah-criminal-enactment/117544

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Philippines landslide death toll jumps to 54 dead

Feb 12, 2024

The death toll from a massive Philippine landslide near a gold mine abruptly rose to 54 yesterday, local officials said.

Nineteen bodies were recovered from beneath the rubble in the southern mountain village of Masara yesterday, with 63 other miners and residents still missing, said the municipality of Maco, and provincial disaster official Randy Loy.

The previous death toll given stood at 35.

The landslide buried a bus terminal for employees of a gold mining firm and 55 nearby houses on Tuesday night, leaving 32 other people injured.

Rocks, mud and trees slid more than 700 metres (2,300 feet) down a steep mountainside near the Apex Mining Co. concession, burying an 8.9-hectare (22-acre) section of the Masara community.

A three-year-old girl was pulled alive from under the rubble on Friday, in what rescuers described as a "miracle".

The authorities have vowed to continue the search until everyone listed as missing is recovered.

Landslides are a frequent hazard across much of the archipelago nation due to the mountainous terrain, heavy rainfall and widespread deforestation from mining, slash-and-burn farming and illegal logging.

Rain has pounded parts of the southern region on and off for weeks, triggering dozens of landslides and floods that have forced tens of thousands of people into emergency shelters.

Massive earthquakes have also destabilised the region in recent months.

Source: thedailystar.net

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https://www.thedailystar.net/news/asia/south-asia/news/coalition-talks-gather-pace-pakistan-3541641

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Saudi Arabian embassy in M’sia commemorates International Day of the Arabian Leopard

11-02- 2024

KUALA LUMPUR: The Saudi Arabian Embassy in Malaysia organised a mass ‘brisk walking’ activity at the Perdana Botanical Gardens in Kuala Lumpur on Saturday evening in conjunction with the International Day of the Arabian Leopard.

The Saudi Arabian Ambassador to Malaysia, Mesaad Ibrahim Abdullah Al Sulaim, also participated in the activity.

He told Bernama that the activity is aimed at spreading awareness about environmental issues affecting leopards in general and the Arabian leopard in particular.

February 10 is designated as the International Day of the Arabian Leopard by the United Nations (UN).

The 7-kilometre ‘brisk walking’ event, which started at 3 p.m. (Saturday), was attended by officials from the Saudi Arabian embassy, the Arab community in Malaysia, the general public, and a group of students from the Saudi Arabian School in Kuala Lumpur.

Secretary of the Saudi Arabian Ambassador to Malaysia, Nisreen Abu Bakr, added that the Arabian leopard, found in the Arabian Peninsula, is becoming extinct and rarely seen, with the remaining population estimated to be less than 200 individuals.

She explained that in addition to Saudi Arabia, the Arabian leopard is also reported to be found in Yemen, Oman, and the United Arab Emirates, and Saudi Arabia has taken initiatives to conserve the species, which is now on the verge of extinction.

“We are currently in the stage of preserving this leopard species from further extinction, protecting them from becoming victims of illegal hunting activities,“ she added. – Bernama

Source: thesun.my

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https://thesun.my/local_news/saudi-arabian-embassy-in-m-sia-commemorates-international-day-of-the-arabian-leopard-HK12090403

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PMI provides door-to-door health services for evacuees in Gaza

February 11, 2024

Jakarta (ANTARA) - The Indonesian Red Cross (PMI) is cooperating with a medical aid agency in Gaza to open door-to-door health services, visiting one tent after another, with a target of providing services to 1,000 evacuees.

"After the target is achieved, PMI will continue the health services and reach out to several other emergency shelters," the head of the PMI Humanity Team for Gaza, Arifin Muh Hadi, said in an official PMI statement received here on Sunday.

Hadi, who is currently in the Rafah border area, said that the PMI is providing door-to-door services to make it easier for evacuees to access health services. Moreover, many evacuees are unable to move to visit emergency health service facilities.

Entering its 128th day, Israel's attack on Gaza, Palestine, has resulted in the total destruction of a number of infrastructures in the Gaza area, including a number of hospitals.

The UNRWA, in its report, stated that health services' function and access have been disrupted due to the limited access to electricity and water. Currently, there are only four out of 22 UNRWA health centers that are still operating.

The PMI's effort to provide door-to-door services, according to Hadi, is very effective as the number of patients is surging amid the limited health facilities.

Head of Disaster Management at PMI, Ridwan Sobri Carman, stated that in providing health services, PMI's volunteers are spread into two teams.

"Each team is supported by one doctor and two nurses. The two teams continue to try to provide services at several shelters in Rafah, Gaza, and Khan Younis," Carman explained.

The PMI's door-to-door mobile health clinics align with WHO's call for increased immunization coverage and the provision of non-communicable disease medicines, psychotropic drugs, and anesthetics to meet people's needs.

Source: antaranews.com

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https://en.antaranews.com/news/305625/pmi-provides-door-to-door-health-services-for-evacuees-in-gaza

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Malaysia condemns massive Israeli attack in Rafah

February 12, 2024

PUTRAJAYA: Malaysia condemns in the strongest terms the large-scale offensive in Rafah where millions of displaced civilians are seeking refuge.

The Foreign Ministry said the inhumane assault will worsen the current humanitarian catastrophe, exacerbate tension in the region, and further derail efforts towards immediate cessation of hostilities and permanent ceasefire.

"Malaysia demands Israel immediately desist and abide by its obligations under international law," it said in a statement.

Wisma Putra emphasised that the dastardly military operation clearly indicates the key goal by the Zionist regime to annihilate the Palestinians from their own land.

It also clearly shows the regime's blatant disregard of fundamental principles of international law and a clear contempt of the rulings by the International Court of Justice (ICJ) on Jan 26 on the six provisional measures.

"The international community cannot let this belligerent act by one of its members continue without impunity," it stated.

According to Wisma Putra, Malaysia echoes the calls by the United Nations secretary-general for an immediate halt to the vile plan and urges the United Nations Security Council (UNSC) to take swift and decisive action to stop the massacre being perpetrated by the Zionist regime.

"This includes compelling responsible members of the international community to suspend support to the regime," it added.

Wisma Putra said Malaysia's resolute support and solidarity with the Palestinian people remained unwavering, including towards their right to self-determination, the establishment of an independent and sovereign State of Palestine, based on pre-1967 borders, with East Jerusalem as the capital of Palestine, and accepted as a full member of the UN.

Palestinian news agency WAFA reported that the Israeli attack on Rafah early Monday morning killed more than 100 civilians, including women and children, with hundreds more injured.

About 1.4 million Palestinians are now in Rafah after the Israeli military forced a mass displacement of residents from the north to the south of Gaza. — Bernama

Source: nst.com.my

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https://www.nst.com.my/news/nation/2024/02/1012489/malaysia-condemns-massive-israeli-attack-rafah

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Africa

 

Thousands in Morocco protest ties with genocidal Israel

2024-02-12

RABAT: Thousands of Moroccans on Sunday again took to the streets of their capital to call for an end to their country’s ties with Israel, which they denounced for “genocide” in Gaza.

In late 2020, Morocco established diplomatic ties with Israel under the Abraham Accords brokered by the United States which saw similar moves by the United Arab Emirates and Bahrain.

As part of the deal, Rabat received Washington’s recognition of its claim to sovereignty over the disputed territory of Western Sahara.

Since the Israel-Hamas war in Gaza began on October 7, several large-scale demonstrations in the North African kingdom have called for the abrogation of the normalisation deal.

Source: brecorder.com

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https://www.brecorder.com/news/40288391/thousands-in-morocco-protest-ties-with-genocidal-israel

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EXCLUSIVE: Zamfara To Spend N3Billion On ‘Consultancy Services For Government Projects’; N950Million To Build Emirs’ Palaces; N350Million For Mosques, Cemeteries

February 11, 2024

The Zamfara State government led by Governor Dauda Lawal will spend N3 billion as “payment for consultancy services for government projects and programmes” in 2024, SaharaReporters can report.

The amount is contained in the state’s 2024 appropriation bill of N426 billion signed into law by the governor in December 2023.

The approved budget was tagged as the Budget of Rescue.

The budget estimate has N118 billion allocated for recurrent expenditure, which is 27 per cent and the sum of N308 billion which is 75 per cent, was allocated for capital expenditure.

A check on the budget by SaharaReporters also revealed that 950 million was budgeted for the construction of nine palaces for traditional rulers in the state.

They are the Emirs of Anka, Bungudu, Maru, Tsafe, Kaura, Namoda, Moriki, Bukkuyum and Bakura.

Construction of mosques across the 14 local government councils in the state will cost the government N200 million while another N150 million will be used to build cemeteries.

Zamfara, like other North-West states, has in the last 10 years faced devastating attacks from bandits.

In 2019, the state government entered a peace agreement with the gunmen.

About 15 brand new Hilux vehicles and cash gifts were given to leaders of different 'repentant' gangs of bandits by the immediate past governor and current Minister of State for Defence, Bello Matawalle in 2020.

But despite all these, communities in the state were still attacked and residents were kidnapped and/or killed.

Source: saharareporters.com

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https://saharareporters.com/2024/02/11/exclusive-zamfara-spend-n3billion-consultancy-services-government-projects-n950million

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SA: Malema renews solidarity with Palestine at EFF manifesto launch

February 11, 2024

The leader of South Africa's third largest political party addressed a packed 56,000-capacity Moses Mabhida Stadium in Durban on Saturday (Feb. 10).

Julius Malema who launched the EFF's election manifesto renewed his commitment towards the people of Palestine and claimed support for Russia, saying that "NATO is disguising as Ukraine" .

“We thank you, the people of South Africa, for loving the people of Palestine. Continue to show them love against apartheid Israel. Russia is our home and...Palestinian is our home, and Palestinians must know they've got a home in South Africa. We will never retreat. We are not scared of the Jewish power.”

The leader of the Economic Freedom Fighters took aim at Israel's Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu accusing him of being a "warlord".

The military campaign conducted in Gaza by Israel's war cabinet has killed over 27,000 Palestinians and wounded over 66, 000.

“The people of Palestine are not against the Jewish nation. The people of Palestine do not want to kill Jewish women and children. The people of Palestine want their self-determination. If there is anyone who is killing innocent people, that's (Israeli Prime Minister) Netanyahu. He's a warlord, an international criminal, and he must be charged.”

The date for this year's general elections is yet to be announced.

Land redistribution and the country's electricty crisis are top priorities for the Economic Freedom Fighters

Their slogan was announced as "Jobs and land now! Stop load-shedding".

Popular among the youth

The EFF is popular among many disenchanted South Africans, especially the youth, due to its radical policies which include the expropriation of white-owned land and the nationalisation of mines and banks.

Malema announced the Economic Freedom Fighters slogan for the coming elections as "Jobs and land now! Stop load-shedding".

A former ANC youth leader who was expelled from the party before forming his own, Malema is among the ruling party's staunchest critics and an outspoken lawmaker who has become a thorn on the side of the ANC and South African President Cyril Ramaphosa.

The party garnered 10% of the national vote in the country's 2019 elections to become the third largest opposition party.

Malema said the party would stop the power blackouts that are currently impacting the country's economy and would create jobs through, among others, the creation of social housing and road infrastructure.

He also promised to jail politicians and public servants who are implicated in corruption and vowed to introduce incentives for police to fight the country's high prevalence of crime.

Source: africanews.com

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https://www.africanews.com/2024/02/11/sa-malema-renews-solidarity-with-palestine-at-eff-manifesto-launch/

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Al-Shabab claims attack in Somali capital that kills 4 Emirati troops and 1 Bahraini officer

11 Feb 2024

DUBAI: The al-Qaida-linked militant group al-Shabab claimed an attack that killed four Emirati troops and a Bahraini military officer on a training mission at a military base in the Somali capital, authorities said on Sunday.

The attack on Saturday targeted the troops at the General Gordon Military Base in Mogadishu. Details about the attack and whether it killed others remained scarce Sunday, though Somali President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud offered his condolences to the UAE for the loss of its troops.

Early Sunday, the UAE's state-run WAM news agency reported the killing of three of its troops and the Bahraini officer in a “terrorist act". A fourth later died en route back to the Emirates, WAM reported.

WAM released footage of three flag-draped caskets coming off of an Emirati Boeing C-17A Globemaster III at Al Bateen Executive Airport in Abu Dhabi with an honour guard present.

WAM identified the dead as a colonel, two warrant officers and a corporal.

Anwar Gargash, a senior Emirati diplomat, offered condolences to those killed and a quick recovery for the wounded.

“No treacherous act will prevent us from continuing the message of security and safety and combating extremism and terrorism in all its forms,” Gargash wrote on X, formerly Twitter.

The military of Bahrain, an island nation in the Persian Gulf off the coast of Saudi Arabia, later acknowledged the death of a major in a statement carried by the state-run Bahrain News Agency.

Al-Shabab claimed the attack in a statement online, alleging it killed multiple people involved in the Emirati military effort. It described the UAE, a federation of seven sheikhdoms on the Arabian Peninsula, as an “enemy” of Islamic Shariah law for backing the Somali government in its efforts to battle al-Shabab.

Al-Shabab, or “the youth” in Arabic, is a Sunni Islamic extremist group in Somalia born out of that country's years of anarchy following its 1991 civil war. The affiliate of al-Qaida once held Mogadishu. Over time, an African Union-led force, with the backing of the US and other countries, pushed the militants out of Mogadishu. In the years since, al-Shabab has remained a threat as it seeks to overthrow the Western-backed Somali government.

Al-Shabab has carried out attacks in neighbouring Kenya as well, since Nairobi provides troops and materiel to the African Union force in Somalia. The US under every president since George W. Bush has launched airstrikes against militants in Somalia, with the number of strikes now exceeding 300, according to New America, a Washington-based security think tank. The vast majority of those strikes took place under then-President Donald Trump.

The US Embassy in Somalia on Sunday condemned what it called a “cowardly attack” against the training mission.

“We extend our deepest condolences to the loved ones of those who lost their lives in yesterday's deplorable terrorist attack against UAE military trainers and Somali soldiers valiantly working to advance the nation's stability,” the embassy said.

Somalia has also been an intense interest for Gulf states, particularly during the Qatar diplomatic crisis that gripped the region for several years and saw four nations including the UAE boycott Doha in a political dispute. Somali troops once seized millions of dollars of Emirati cash from a jet at gunpoint, sparking a diplomatic incident between Mogadishu and the UAE that halted its troop training programme there.

The UAE in recent years has increasingly invested in ports in East Africa, including in Somalia's breakaway Somaliland region. Securing Somalia fits into the Emirates' wider concerns about security in the Gulf of Aden and the Arabian Sea, particularly as Somali piracy has resumed after years amid attacks by Yemen's Houthi rebels on shipping in the region over Israel's war on Hamas in the Gaza Strip.

In 2019, al-Shabab claimed an attack that killed a man working for Dubai's P and O Ports.

Source: newindianexpress.com

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https://www.newindianexpress.com/world/2024/Feb/11/al-shabab-claims-attack-in-somali-capital-that-kills-4-emirati-troops-and-1-bahraini-officer

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North America

 

Biden urged Israel’s Netanyahu to protect civilians in Rafah, White House says

February 11, 2024

WILMINGTON: US President Joe Biden told Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Sunday that Israel should not proceed with a military operation in Rafah without a plan to ensure the safety of the roughly 1 million people sheltering there, the White House said.

Biden’s call with Netanyahu happened days after the US leader told reporters that Israel’s military response in the Gaza Strip was “over the top,” reflecting growing concern and frustration over the rising death toll of civilians in the Palestinian enclave.

The US president reaffirmed the shared goal of seeing Hamas defeated and ensuring the long-term security of Israel, but also called for “urgent and specific steps” to increase the throughput and consistency of humanitarian aid to Palestinian civilians trapped in Gaza, the White House said in a statement.

Aid agencies say an assault on Rafah, located in the southern part of Gaza on the border with Egypt, would be catastrophic. Israel’s military ordered civilians to flee south before previous assaults on Gaza’s cities, but now there is no obvious place to go and aid agencies have said many people could die.

Biden “reaffirmed his view that a military operation in Rafah should not proceed without a credible and executable plan for ensuring the safety of and support for the more than one million people sheltering there,” the White House said.

The two leaders also discussed ongoing efforts to secure the release of all remaining hostages taken by Hamas during the Islamist militant group’s Oct. 7 attack on Israel, the White House said.

“The President emphasized the need to capitalize on progress made in the negotiations to secure the release of all hostages as soon as possible,” the White House said.

It added that Biden and Netanyahu agreed to remain in close contact.

Hamas-run Aqsa Television on Sunday quoted a senior Hamas leader as saying that any Israeli ground offensive in Rafah will “blow up” the hostage-exchange negotiations.

Netanyahu’s office has said it had ordered the military to develop a plan to evacuate Rafah and destroy four Hamas battalions it says are deployed there.

’OVER THE TOP’

Biden and Netanyahu spoke on Sunday for the first time since the US president told reporters on Thursday that Israel’s military response to Hamas had been “over the top,” his most critical comments on a war that has now killed more than 28,000 Palestinians.

The president, who is spending the weekend at his home in Wilmington, Delaware, spoke with Netanyahu on Sunday morning, a White House official said.

The Israeli prime minister told the “Fox News Sunday” program earlier on Sunday that he had not talked with Biden since his “over the top” comment and did not know what the US leader meant by it.

Asked in an interview with ABC’s “This Week” program aired on Sunday how many Israeli hostages held in Gaza are still alive,

Netanyahu said

“enough to warrant the kind of efforts that we’re doing.”

Health authorities in Gaza, which is controlled by Hamas, estimate more than 28,000 Palestinians, mostly civilians, have been killed in the region since the conflict began in October.

Palestinian health authorities say around 70 percent of those who have been killed were women or children under 18. The World Health Organization has described the Palestinian Health Ministry system for reporting casualties as “very good” and UN agencies regularly cite its death toll figures.

Hamas gunmen killed 1,200 Israelis and took around 250 hostages back to Gaza in the October assault that triggered the conflict.

Source: arabnews.com

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https://www.arabnews.com/node/2458306/middle-east

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Biden slams Trump’s ‘appalling’ NATO comments; alliance chief: He put allies at risk

February 12, 2024

WASHINGTON — US President Joe Biden slammed as “appalling and dangerous” comments by Donald Trump downplaying his commitment to NATO, warning Sunday that the former president intends to give Russian leader Vladimir Putin “a greenlight for more war and violence.”

Biden spoke after Trump said in a speech Saturday that he would “encourage” Russia to attack members of NATO who had not met their financial obligations, his most extreme broadside against the military alliance he has long expressed skepticism about.

Those comments, at a campaign rally in South Carolina, prompted stark warnings at home and abroad that he was putting the military alliance in peril, renewing doubts over the US commitment to the mutual defense treaty if the former president and current Republican frontrunner wins in November.

“Donald Trump’s admission that he intends to give Putin a greenlight for more war and violence, to continue his brutal assault against a free Ukraine, and to expand his aggression to the people of Poland and the Baltic States are appalling and dangerous,” Biden said in a statement.

Trump had described what he said was a conversation with a fellow head of state at an unspecified NATO meeting.

“One of the presidents of a big country stood up and said, ‘Well, sir, if we don’t pay, and we’re attacked by Russia, will you protect us?’ I said, ‘You didn’t pay, you’re delinquent?'”

“No, I would not protect you. In fact, I would encourage them to do whatever the hell they want.”

Trump has regularly criticized allies of the North Atlantic Treaty Organization for not meeting a goal of spending at least two percent of GDP on defense.

“You got to pay. You got to pay your bills,” Trump, who is almost certain to be the Republican nominee for this year’s presidential election, said Saturday.

Trump’s remark comes after Senate Republicans on Wednesday rejected a bipartisan bill that would have included sorely needed funding for Ukraine, plus aid for ally Israel, along with reforms to address the US-Mexico border crisis.

A foreign aid package that decouples the aid from the border issue entirely passed a key procedural vote in the US Senate on Sunday, though Republicans may yet block it from becoming law.

The $95 billion package includes funding for Israel and Taiwan, but the majority would go toward helping Ukraine rearm as it enters a third year of war since Putin ordered a full-scale invasion.

The White House had previously said Saturday that “encouraging invasions of our closest allies by murderous regimes is appalling and unhinged.”

NATO chief Jens Stoltenberg warned Sunday that “any suggestion that allies will not defend each other undermines all of our security, including that of the US, and puts American and European soldiers at increased risk.”

Source: timesofisrael.com

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https://www.timesofisrael.com/biden-slams-trumps-appalling-nato-comments-alliance-chief-he-put-allies-at-risk/

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US defence chief Lloyd Austin 'admitted to critical care unit': Pentagon

12 Feb 2024

WASHINGTON: US Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin has been admitted to the critical care unit as he undergoes treatment for a bladder issue, the Pentagon said late Sunday, in a statement citing his doctors.

"Tonight, after a series of tests and evaluations, the Secretary was admitted into the critical care unit at Walter Reed National Military Medical Center for supportive care and close monitoring," the statement read.

Austin's hospitalization comes weeks after it emerged that the 70-year-old had kept previous hospital stays secret and had not immediately informed US President Joe Biden of a cancer diagnosis, sparking criticism as the United States faces crises in the Middle East and Ukraine.

Austin effectively vanished from the public eye for treatment for prostate cancer in December and again in January after suffering complications from the procedure.

This time, the public was alerted around two hours after he was sent to the hospital on Sunday afternoon, and Deputy Secretary of Defense Kathleen Hicks "assumed the functions and duties" of defense chief just before 5:00 pm (2200 GMT), according to Pentagon spokesman Pat Ryder.

"At this time, it is not clear how long Secretary Austin will remain hospitalized," added the latest statement, attributed to Dr John Maddox and Dr Gregory Chesnut of the Walter Reed National Military Medical Center in Maryland.

"The current bladder issue is not expected to change his anticipated full recovery. His cancer prognosis remains excellent."

Source: newindianexpress.com

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https://www.newindianexpress.com/world/2024/Feb/12/us-defence-chief-lloyd-austin-admitted-to-critical-care-unit-pentagon

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Arab World

 

Closing official Ansar Allah website under pretext of publishing hate content

[11/February/2024]

SANA'A February 11. 2024 (Saba) - The German company Contabo closed the official Ansar Allah website, which was hosted on one of its servers, under the pretext of publishing content inciting hatred for Zionism.

The official website of Ansar Allah confirmed in a statement, a copy of which was received by the Yemeni News Agency (Saba), that this illegal measure, which violates the freedom of the press, publication, and expression guaranteed by international law and United Nations charters, is sufficient evidence of the falsity of the slogans of democracy and freedom of opinion and expression that the West pays lip service to.

He pointed out that the closure process came in the context of attempts to mislead world public opinion with the aim of covering up the crimes of genocide committed by the Zionist enemy against children , women in Gaza and Palestine in general.

The statement considered blocking the site, stealing the materials published on it, and fighting its extensions on the social networking sites “Facebook - YouTube” and other sites affiliated with the national authorities in the country as a form of aggression against Yemen as a result of its honorable position in support of the oppressed Palestinians.

He also considered it evidence of the inability of the Zionist lobby and its malicious arms to face the light of truth and a satanic measure that seeks to hide Zionist , American crimes and limit their publication to the world.

The statement noted that work is underway to operate the site, stressing that this measure will not weaken the site’s determination to confront the arrogance of the Zionist lobby and to continue revealing the facts with professionalism and credibility on the basis of “an eye on the Qur’an and an eye on the events.”

He stressed the continued support of the Palestinians by all means and capabilities, along with the rest of the free media, as part of the battle of the “promised conquest and holy jihad” in which the Yemeni people are moving, surpassing all difficulties.

Source: saba.ye

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https://www.saba.ye/en/news3303992.htm

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Houthi rebels threaten to expand operations against Israel if Rafah invaded

February 12, 2024

The Yemeni Houthi group has vowed to expand its operations against Israel if it escalates the war in Rafah in the southern Gaza Strip.

“We say to the Israeli entity that if there is any escalation in Rafah or Gaza, you should know that our path is escalation,” Mohammed Ali Al-Houthi, a member of the Supreme Political Council of the Houthis, said in a statement late Saturday.

He added that “as long as the human tragedy in Gaza worsens, and the injustice and mass killing of people in Gaza continues, operations will expand according to field data.”

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu ordered the army on Friday to develop a dual plan to evacuate civilians from Rafah and defeat the remaining Hamas battalions.

The Palestinians have sought refuge in Rafah as Israel pounded the rest of the enclave following the Oct. 7 Hamas incursion. The bombardment has killed over 28,000 people, besides causing mass destruction and shortages of basic necessities.

The Houthis have been targeting cargo ships in the Red Sea owned or operated by Israeli companies or transporting goods to and from Israel in solidarity with Gaza, which has been under an Israeli onslaught since Oct. 7.

Source:

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https://www.nation.com.pk/12-Feb-2024/houthi-rebels-threaten-to-expand-operations-against-israel-if-rafah-invaded

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10,000 Zamzam Water Vessels Distributed Daily at Prophet's Mosque

11 Feb, 2024

The General Authority for the Care of the Affairs of the Grand Mosque and the Prophet’s Mosque exerts all efforts to provide Zamzam water at the Prophet's Mosque so that the worshippers and visitors enjoy the blessed water.

 The authority directly supervises the transport of Zamzam water from Makkah to the Prophet's Mosque, in Madinah, through tankers equipped for this purpose; one tanker can carry 20 tons of water. Upon arrival in Madinah, authority monitors are responsible for unloading and sending samples of the water to the laboratory, to ensure it is safe. When it is determined that it is safe, the tankers are allowed to empty the water in the designated locations.

 The authority distributes 10,000 Zamzam water bottles daily in Al-Rawdah Al-Sharifa, in addition to providing 10,000 Zamzam water vessels inside the mosque.

Source: alriyadhdaily.com

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http://alriyadhdaily.com/article/2201ce360a4e4066be2190c2be7f2116

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Saudi King, Crown Prince congratulate Raeisi on Rev. anniv.

Feb 11, 2024

TEHRAN, Feb. 11 (MNA) – Saudi Arabia's King and its Crown Prince have offered congratulations to President Ebrahim Raieis on the anniversary of the Islamic Revolution.

The Saudi Arabia leader King Salman and his son Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman Al Saud have joined the other regional and world leaders to offer congratulations on the 45 anniversary of the Islamic Revolution in Iran in a message to President Ebrahim Raeisi.

In their messages, the Saudi King and Crown Prince offered the warmest and most sincere congratulations to Ayatollah Raisi on this occasion and wished the government and people of the Islamic Republic of Iran further progress and prosperity.

In messages sent on Saturday, leaders and top officials of Japan, South Korea, Singapore, Ethiopia, Uzbekistan, Tajikistan and Kyrgyzstan felicitated Raisi on the occasion of the victory anniversary of the 1979 Islamic Revolution.

Chinese President Xi Jinping had congratulated Raisi on the 45th victory anniversary of the Revolution in a message sent earlier in the day.

Kazakhstan’s President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev also conveyed a message to his Iranian counterpart, Ebrahim Raisi, congratulating him on the 45th anniversary of the victory of the Islamic Revolution. In his message, President Tokayev described Iran as a key partner for his country in the region and expressed his wishes for an excellent future for Iran.

Top Qatari officials including SheikhTamim bin Hamad Al Thani, Sheikh Abdullah Bin Hamad Al Thani, and Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman bin Jassim Al Thani who are respectively Emir of Qatar, the deputy Emir and the foreign minister of the country, extended messages of congratulations to President Raeisi.

President Ilham Aliyev of Azerbaijan also has sent a congratulatory letter to the President of the Islamic Republic of Iran Ebrahim Raeisi on the occasion of the country's Islamic Revolution anniversary.

Russia's Foreign Ministry spokeswoman has also offered congratulations to the Iranian government and people on the 45th anniversary of the Islamic Revolution

Source: mehrnews.com

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https://en.mehrnews.com/news/211914/Saudi-King-Crown-Prince-congratulate-Raeisi-on-Rev-anniv

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Presidency of House of Representatives condemns continued US-UK aggression

[11/February/2024]

SANA'A February 11. 2024 (Saba) - The Presidency of the House of Representatives held a meeting today, headed by the Speaker of the House and Chairman of the Board, Yahya Ali Al-Ra'i.

At the beginning of the meeting, Al-Fatiha was read as a sign of mercy for the souls of the martyrs of the homeland and nation who were martyred for the sake of God and to confront the invaders and occupiers.

The Presidency of the House of Representatives renewed its strong condemnation of the continued American-British aggression against our country.

These attacks were considered a violation of Yemeni sovereignty, a violation of international law and the United Nations Charter, a threat to international peace, a destruction of the capabilities of the Yemeni people, and an intimidation of the peaceful people. They reflect the extent of the failure of the Security Council to carry out its responsibilities in maintaining international peace and security and protecting civilians.

The Commission also reiterated Yemen's assurance of ensuring the security of international navigation in the Red Sea and the Arabian Sea, except for Israeli ships or ships heading to the occupied Palestinian ports.

The Commission indicated that the continuation of the American-British aggression against the Republic of Yemen comes to cover up the war crimes and genocide committed by the Zionist enemy against civilians in the Gaza Strip and the occupied Palestinian cities.

It stressed that the continuation of the American attacks will not deter Yemen from carrying out its humanitarian and moral role, performing its religious duty, and assuming its role and responsibilities in supporting the Palestinian people.

The Presidency of the Council praised the honorable and continuing Yemeni mass demonstration in organizing million-man marches that are in line with the directives of the leader of the revolution in support of the Palestinian people in Gaza.

The Commission held the American and British administrations responsible for the threat to maritime navigation and international trade in the Red Sea region, the Bab al-Mandab Strait, and the Arabian Sea, considering the presence of their forces and warships unjustified and illegal, and a form of occupation that must be fought by all countries overlooking the Red and Arabian Seas.

At its meeting, the Commission also condemned in the strongest terms the American aggression launched against a number of regions in Iraq, Syria and Lebanon, which resulted in a number of casualties.

These attacks were considered a blatant violation of the sovereignty of independent Arab countries and a flagrant violation of the United Nations Charter, international law, and all international, humanitarian and moral norms and conventions.

The Commission expressed Yemen's solidarity with the Arab peoples of Iraq, Syria and Lebanon, expressing Sana'a's keenness on security and stability in the region and putting an end to the horrific brutal crimes and massacres committed by the Israeli occupation forces in the occupied Palestinian territories.

It called on the United Nations, the UN Security Council and their affiliated UN bodies to review their accounts and work to impose respect for UN charters, the principles of international law and the provisions of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, and to put an end to the Zionist occupier’s continued disregard for international legitimacy and not allow UN bodies to be used as a vehicle for the American-Zionist desires that thirst for bloodshed and threaten peace in the region and the world.

The body called on parliamentarians all over the world to take urgent action in support, solidarity and defend the just cause of the Palestinian people in all Arab, regional and international parliamentary forums, stressing the right of peoples to resist aggression and occupation and to respond to any aggression from any country or coalition using all possible means.

Source: saba.ye

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https://www.saba.ye/en/news3304098.htm

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Saudi HR minister heads delegation to Abu Dhabi Dialogue

February 11, 2024

RIYADH: Saudi Minister of Human Resources and Social Development Ahmad Al-Rajhi chaired the Kingdom’s delegation at the seventh ministerial consultative meeting of the Abu Dhabi Dialogue, which was held in Dubai in the UAE on Feb. 10-11.

The meeting, which included Asian labor-sending and labor-receiving countries, drew 16 Gulf and Asian nations and several representatives from international organizations, private sector institutions, and civil society.

Al-Rajhi praised the Kingdom’s efforts to enhance cooperation between Asian countries sending and receiving laborers. He also spoke of the exchange experience and best practices that supported the economy of labor markets, developed skills, and helped countries keep pace with changes.

The meeting also looked at the vocational accreditation initiative and highlighted the lessons learned which help strengthen Abu Dhabi Dialogue member states’ efforts to address the various challenges related to labor markets.

Al-Rajhi met Bangladeshi Minister of State for Expatriates’ Welfare and Overseas Employment Shafiqur Chowdhury, and Minister for Labor, Employment and Social Security of Nepal Sharat Bhandari, with whom he discussed cooperation, exchange of experience and expertise, and looked at the Kingdom’s efforts and initiatives to improve the labor environment in line with Vision 2030.

Source: arabnews.com

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https://www.arabnews.com/node/2458136/saudi-arabia

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Registration for Hajj opens for domestic pilgrims

February 11, 2024

JEDDAH: The Saudi Ministry of Hajj and Umrah announced the opening of registration for prospective 2024 pilgrims who are Saudi citizens or residents in the Kingdom.

Those wishing to perform Hajj from the Kingdom can register via the ministry’s website localhaj.haj.gov.sa or through the Nusuk application on smartphones and tablets from 1 p.m. on Sunday, Feb. 11.

There they can review all Hajj package options, with booking priority given to those who have yet to perform Hajj previously.

To make it easier for registrants, the ministry has made it possible to either pay the total amount upon registration or pay partially according to the terms and conditions stated.

The ministry urged registrants to ensure accuracy of information when registering and selecting packages, highlighting the importance of not using the same mobile number for more than one application.

Inquiries can be sent to the ministry via email at care@haj.gov.sa, by calling the Pilgrims Care Center at 1966 from within the Kingdom or calling the unified number — 920002814 — from inside and outside the Kingdom, or through the beneficiary care account on X: @MOHU_Care.

Source: arabnews.com

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https://www.arabnews.com/node/2458141/saudi-arabia

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Riyadh hosts global conference for a safer space future

February 11, 2024

RIYADH: The inaugural Space Debris Conference, themed “Towards Securing the Future of the Global Space Economy,” kicked off in Riyadh on Sunday.

In attendance was Abdullah Al-Swaha, minister of communications and information technology and chairman of the Saudi Space Agency, and Mohammed bin Saud Al-Tamimi, CEO of the Saudi Space Agency.

The two-day conference brought together more than 260 experts from over 50 countries, including CEOs and leaders from the space industry worldwide.

An exhibition showcasing local and international companies specializing in space technologies and sciences was also part of the event.

The conference, held in collaboration with the UN Office for Outer Space Affairs, aims to increase awareness of the challenges posed by space debris and ensure a prosperous and secure future for space exploration.

The Kingdom is looking to outline a comprehensive strategy to tackle the challenges arising from space debris, focusing on legislation, policies, research, innovation, and the development of effective global mechanisms and governance to reduce the impact of space debris.

Al-Tamimi shed light on the continuous advancements in satellite technologies and space exploration. He emphasized the growing issue of space debris, which poses significant risks to spacecraft safety and could impede progress in this crucial area.

Al-Tamimi encouraged conference participants to share their ideas, experiences, and advice, underscoring the importance of collaboration in achieving tangible and impactful results.

He pointed out the increasing number of satellites being launched each year, which complicates the challenges of managing space debris. These challenges call for joint efforts and ongoing global cooperation, Al-Tamimi added.

He expressed optimism that the conference would serve as a critical turning point toward a safer and more sustainable future in space, ultimately benefiting all of humanity.

Sarah Al-Amiri, the UAE’s minister of state for public education and advanced technology and chairperson of the UAE Space Agency, said of the conference: “The event comes at a time when space activities are on the rise and there's a pressing need for a strong international partnership to tackle the challenges posed by space debris and promote sustainable space practices.”

Arti Holla-Maini, director of the UN Office for Outer Space Affairs, stressed the importance of working together and reaching a consensus on space laws, given the challenges associated with the ongoing launch of satellites. She called for an acceleration of efforts and a focus on overcoming key obstacles to advance in this domain.

Doreen Bogdan-Martin, secretary-general of the International Telecommunication Union, urged everyone to join forces in striving for a safe and clean space, advocating for collaborative progress to make international cooperation and shared determination the key drivers for sustainable space utilization.

At the conference, the Saudi Space Agency signed a memorandum of understanding with LeoLabs to enhance cooperation in space monitoring, share expertise, and explore collaborative opportunities. The partnership aims to support Saudi Arabia’s space industry growth, improve space situational awareness, and promote responsible management of low Earth orbit.

Al-Tamimi said that this memorandum underscores the Kingdom’s commitment to advancing its space industry, playing a key role in space surveillance, and actively addressing the emerging challenges in the field.

The Saudi Space Agency signed another MoU with NorthStar, a global leader in space object monitoring and tracking. This partnership aims to enhance cooperation in evaluating and exploring future opportunities while sharing knowledge in space situational awareness.

It also aims to support the Kingdom’s space industry expansion, promote research and development, and work toward the establishment of a center of excellence focused on space situational awareness, space traffic management, and sustainable space exploration. The partnership will also delve into various sensing technologies and advanced data analytics, contributing to the overall enhancement of the space sector.

Source: arabnews.com

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https://www.arabnews.com/node/2458091/saudi-arabia

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