Use Of Loudspeakers In Mosques Cannot Be Claimed As A Matter Of Right: Allahabad HC
New Age Islam News Bureau
25 January 2025
· Use Of Loudspeakers In Mosques Cannot Be Claimed As A Matter Of Right: Allahabad HC
· Christian Couple Sentenced To 5 Years In Prison, Marks First Conviction Under Anti-Conversion Law
· Man, from Pakistan, Jailed For 30 Years For Charlie Hebdo Meat Cleaver Attack
· Trump’s Revamped Muslim “Travel Ban” Has Another Target: Free Speech on Campus
· Islamic State Calls For Jihad In Sudan: Al Naba, The Islamic State’s Weekly Publication
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India
· Bihar Madrasa Students Forced To Chant “Jai Shri Ram” In Banka District
· The Waqf Wipeout: Ten Opposition Members Suspended Over Bill 'Rush' Protest
· Muslim Man Dressed As A Sadhu Was Not Arrested From Kumbh; AI Photo Viral
· Sambhal demolition: SC to hear contempt action plea against authorities after a week
· UP: Over 200 Waqf properties and Jauhar University claimed to be on government land
· Properties of 11 Pak-based terrorists attached in Kishtwar; process underway against 18 others
· Saffron split on 'Sanatan Board': VHP opposes All India Akhara Parishad's call for temple committee
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Europe
· Bomb Threat Disrupts Friday Prayer At Mosque In Western Germany
· Teenager charged with alleged terrorism offences after incident at Islamic Centre
· Belarus election: 'There is no alternative to Lukashenko'
· German conservatives ally with right-wing on migration
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North America
· CAIR-Philadelphia Islamic Activist Reacts To Local Teacher Allegedly Calling A Palestinian-American Student A 'Terrorist'
· US issues pause on foreign aid, leaked memo says
· 2020 election victory was stolen from Trump – Putin
· Trump lists perks should Canada become 51st US State
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Africa
· Notorious Terrorist, Bello Turji Ready To Surrender, Military Vows To Take Him Out
· Twenty-Five Families Challenge South African President On Apartheid Justice
· Kano Anti-Corruption Chairman Released After Arrest By Police Unit
· Kano Anti-Corruption Chairman Arrested Over Alleged ?4 Billion Diversion
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Mideast
· America The Great SatanWants Talks To Hit Islamic Establishment: Senior Cleric
· Gunmen kill 13 in Shia-populated villages in Syria’s Homs
· Israel UN envoy formally calls on UNRWA to vacate Jerusalem premises
· UN chief urges release of staff held by Yemen’s Houthi rebels
· Large drop in number of aid trucks entering Gaza on Friday
· Israeli refusal to fully withdraw from Lebanon sparks regional concerns
· Gaza life expectancy nearly half prewar levels: Study
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Arab World
· ‘Eltiqa’ Returns To Riyadh With Saudi And Brazilian Arts
· ‘Nusuk’ celebrates big win at 2024 World Summit Awards
· Italian navy vessel to dock in Jeddah
· Saudi Arabia: Low-calorie diet mandatory for serving Iftar meals in Grand Mosque
· Mecca Grand Mosque offers 24/7 healthcare with emergency centres
· How Saudi Arabia is making the construction industry greener and more sustainable
· Saudi Arabia to host multinational ‘Spears of Victory 2025’ military exercise
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Pakistan
· Not Possible For Govt To Plead With PTI For Talks, Says Senator Siddiqui
· Pakpattan man arrested over 'derogatory' social media post against CM Maryam
· Turkiye’s Erdogan to attend strategic cooperation meeting in Islamabad next month
· Chinese investors knock on SHC door over 'police harassment'
· Moroccan, Pakistani authorities claim multiple arrests over boat tragedy
· PDMA asks local administrations in Punjab to prepare for drought
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Southeast Asia
· PAS Lauds RM830,000 ‘Jihad’ Donation For Siti Mastura’s Defamation Suit, Says Supporters Prevented By-Election
· Inclusivity and sustainability to drive Malaysia and Asean’s resurgence, says PM Anwar
· Malaysia Maintains Lead In Global Islamic Finance
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South Asia
· Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan Rejects ICC Charges
· Instead Of Criticizing The Islamic System, Reform Ideas Should Be Shared With Government: Acting Minister Of Refugees
· Dhaka Trashes India.Com’s Report Against Yunus, Interim Govt
· IEA’s economic, diplomatic relations with world expanding
· Acting Defense Minister Meets Qatar Charge d’Affaires to Kabul
· Over 100 Gas Poisoning Cases reported in Heart, Western Afghanistan
Compiled by New Age Islam News Bureau
URL: https://newageislam.com/islamic-world-news/loudspeakers-mosques-allahabad-hc/d/134433
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Use Of Loudspeakers In Mosques Cannot Be Claimed As A Matter Of Right: Allahabad HC
January 24, 2025
The Allahabad High Court recently emphasized that religious places are primarily intended for offering prayers, and the use of loudspeakers cannot be claimed as a matter of right, particularly when such usage often causes inconvenience to nearby residents.
The observation came while dismissing a writ petition filed by Mukhtiyar Ahmad, who sought a directive from the state authorities to allow the installation of loudspeakers on a mosque.
The bench, comprising Justice Ashwani Kumar Mishra and Justice Donadi Ramesh, supported the state’s objection to the petition’s maintainability, highlighting that the petitioner was neither the mosque’s mutawalli nor had any ownership rights over it. The court ruled that the petitioner lacked locus standi and reiterated that loudspeakers are not an essential part of religious practices, further noting that their use is not a protected fundamental right.
Similarly, the Bombay High Court underscored the non-essential nature of loudspeakers in religious activities. A division bench of Justices A.S. Gadkari and S.C. Chandak directed strict enforcement of noise pollution norms and regulations. The court labeled noise pollution a significant health hazard and emphasized that denying the use of loudspeakers does not infringe upon religious rights.
The Bombay High Court further instructed the state government to ensure religious institutions adopt measures to control noise levels, such as installing calibrated sound systems with automatic decibel limits. The directions were issued while hearing a petition filed by two suburban Kurla housing associations—Jaago Nehru Nagar Residents Welfare Association and Shivsrushti Co-operative Housing Societies Association Ltd.—against noise pollution caused by loudspeakers on mosques.
In an earlier instance, the Allahabad High Court, in May 2022, ruled that the use of loudspeakers in mosques is not protected under fundamental rights. This decision came while dismissing a petition filed by Irfan, a resident of Uttar Pradesh’s Badaun district, who challenged an order by the Bisauli sub-divisional magistrate rejecting his request to use loudspeakers for Azaan.
Both courts have made it clear that while offering prayers is a fundamental right, the use of loudspeakers is not integral to religious practices. The rulings underline the importance of balancing religious freedoms with public health and welfare, reinforcing that noise pollution regulations must be strictly observed.
Source:muslimmirror.com
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https://muslimmirror.com/use-of-loudspeakers-in-mosques-cannot-be-claimed-as-a-matter-of-right-allahabad-high-court/
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Christian Couple Sentenced To 5 Years In Prison, Marks First Conviction Under Anti-Conversion Law
January 25, 2025
A special court in Uttar Pradesh’s Ambedkar Nagar district has sentenced Christian couple Pastor Jose Pappachan and his wife Sheeja Pappachan to five years in prison for allegedly attempting to convert people, marking the first conviction under the state’s stringent anti-conversion laws.
The court, led by Additional District Judge Ram Bilash Singh, also imposed a fine of Rs 25,000 on both individuals.
The case stemmed from a complaint filed by a member of the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) in January 2023, accusing the couple of attempting to convert people, particularly from Dalit and tribal communities.
The Pappachans maintained that their activities were centered around education, promoting sobriety, and organizing community events, not religious conversion.
The couple was charged under the Uttar Pradesh Prohibition of Unlawful Conversion of Religion Act and the Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes (Prevention of Atrocities) Act, 1989.
However, their defense was that their actions did not amount to proselytizing. Pastor Jose, a native of Kerala’s Pathanamthitta district, had previously faced threats and violence in Bihar in 2021, where extremist groups and local police attacked him due to his ministry work.
A. C. Michael, National Coordinator of the United Christian Forum (UCF), criticized the verdict, questioning how someone could be sentenced to prison based on mere suspicions of conversion without substantial evidence.
Michael labeled the conviction “unlawful” and pointed out the lack of proof to support the conversion charges. He emphasized that the couple’s activities—such as teaching, distributing Bibles, and organizing community meals—did not constitute coercive religious conversion.
The UCF also noted that the Allahabad High Court had granted bail to the couple in September 2024, ruling that such activities did not meet the criteria for unlawful conversion.
The case has stirred fears of increasing persecution of religious minorities in India. The United Christian Forum issued a statement warning that such convictions threaten Christian identity, particularly as government authorities have often turned a blind eye to attacks on minority communities while allowing those responsible to go unpunished.
The forum called for greater transparency in the enforcement of laws protecting religious freedom, urging unbiased investigations and court proceedings.
The Uttar Pradesh Prohibition of Unlawful Conversion of Religion Amendment Bill, amended in 2024, has generated significant controversy, with many arguing that it disproportionately targets religious minorities and marginalized groups, leading to widespread concerns about its impact on religious freedom in the state. — With Agencies Inputs
Source:muslimmirror.com
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https://muslimmirror.com/christian-couple-sentenced-to-5-years-in-prison-marks-first-conviction-under-anti-conversion-law/
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Man, from Pakistan, Jailed For 30 Years For Charlie Hebdo Meat Cleaver Attack
24 January 2025
A man has been jailed for 30 years for attempting to murder two people with a meat cleaver outside the former Paris offices of Charlie Hebdo in 2020.
Zaheer Mahmood, 29, from Pakistan, attacked and badly wounded two employees of the Premieres Lignes news agency, days after Charlie Hebdo had republished cartoons depicting the Prophet Muhammad.
He was unaware Charlie Hebdo had moved offices to a secret location after 12 people were killed there in a gun attack claimed by al-Qaeda following the original publication of the cartoons in 2015.
Mahmood was convicted of attempted murder and terrorist conspiracy. He will be banned from France when his sentence is served.
Five other Pakistani men, some of whom were under 18 at the time of their crimes, were jailed for between three and 12 years on terrorist conspiracy charges for supporting Mahmood.
The trial was held in the juvenile court in Paris due to their ages.
The court heard that Mahmood had planned his attack after Charlie Hebdo republished its cartoons of the Prophet in September 2020 to mark the opening of the trial of some of those responsible for the 2015 massacre.
The court was told that Mahmood was influenced by radical Pakistani preacher Khadim Hussain Rizvi, who had urged him to "avenge the Prophet".
Armed with a meat cleaver, he arrived at Hebdo's former offices in the French capital's 11th district, and attacked and seriously wounded two employees of the Premieres Lignes news agency, which has offices nearby.
Witnesses at the time described how they saw their colleagues "bloodied, being chased by a man with a machete".
His victims, a woman named "Helene", 32, and a 37-year-old man, were present at the sentencing but did not comment on its outcome.
Neither has accepted Mahmood's pleas for forgiveness.
"It broke something within me," the 37-year-old said, as he told the court of his lengthy rehabilitation process.
Mahmood arrived in France illegally in 2017, although initially claimed to arrive in 2019. He also lied about his age, claiming to be 18.
Mahmood's defence lawyer, Alberic de Gayardon, said his client lived and worked with Pakistanis and felt disconnected from France.
"He does not speak French, he lives with Pakistanis, he works for Pakistanis," Mr Gayardon added. "In his head he had never left Pakistan."
Source:bbc.com
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https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/crr0qj799xvo
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Trump’s Revamped Muslim “Travel Ban” Has Another Target: Free Speech on Campus
24 January 2025
Thousands of US students demonstrated in support of Palestinians over the past year. Now, those who are here on visas may be under threat. Vincent Ricci/SOPA Images via ZUMA Press Wire
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On Monday, President Donald Trump signed an executive order aiming to restrict immigration, titled “Protecting the United States From Foreign Terrorists and Other National Security and Public Safety Threats.” It has been described as a revival of his first-term Muslim “travel ban,” making good on a campaign promise to bring back the controversial rule.
Buried in the executive order is the fulfillment of another vow from the campaign: an attempt to find a way to easily deport pro-Palestine demonstrators.
While much of the new order mimics the old Muslim “travel ban” Trump signed on the first day of his first term in 2017, this order is more neutral on its face. This time, Trump is not explicitly naming specific countries to target, but asking agencies to submit a report within 60 days outlining countries from which to suspend immigration.
And then, tucked at the bottom, is a new provision that appears to explicitly single out new immigrants on ideological grounds—in particular, those on student visas who participate in protests against Israel’s war on Gaza.
It tells the secretary of state, attorney general, secretary of homeland security, and director of national intelligence to:
Student protesters against the bombing of Gaza do not generally describe themselves as preaching sectarian violence or undermining the constitutional rights of the American people. But conservative organizations like the Heritage Foundation certainly have. Last summer, the foundation claimed the pro-Palestine student encampments were Iran- and Russia-funded front operations motivated by “anti-American animus.” In fact, throughout the presidential election, Republicans over and over branded antiwar protesters as supporters of terrorism.
“They learned from their ‘mistakes’ the last time around,” legal scholar and University of Colorado associate professor Maryam Jamshidi told me of the new executive order.
While the scope of the order is vague, Jamshidi said this language “seems clearly targeted to foreign nationals involved in pro-Palestine protests, in particular foreign students on visas.”
Republicans have been threatening to deport these students for months.
Secretary of State Marco Rubio pressed to deport “pro-Hamas” students as early as October 19, 2023—back when he was a US senator representing Florida and less than two weeks after the Hamas attack on Israel. In Rubio’s confirmation hearing for secretary of state last week, he said the US would “revoke the visas” of anyone determined to be a “supporter of Hamas.”
“We know—based on statements that have been made by Trump and others—that new provisions will be used to target pro-Palestine protesters,” Jamshidi said.
In an October 2023 letter no longer available on Rubio’s Senate website, he calls on the Department of State to immediately work toward “identifying and deporting jihadist supporters.” Multiple pieces of legislation proposed the same idea last year. And since Trump’s election, members of the GOP have continued their calls for deportation as retribution against student protesters. (Notably, a leader of the extremist Zionist group Betar was quoted in the New York Post as using “facial recognition software” to create deportation lists on Trump’s behalf.)
An ad hoc coalition of legal advocates has spent the past year and a half answering questions from worried students who fear they might be next on the list. Trump and his team have “made it pretty explicit that their white supremacist, Christian nationalist agenda is motivating a lot of their decisions,” said Lamya Agarwala, an attorney with the Council on American-Islamic Relations.
Agarwala has been hearing from noncitizen student activists and, she said, from Palestinian students who aren’t activists at all, but fear their nationality alone will be enough to place them under suspicion.
“We see that this executive order claims to be about national security and public safety,” Agarwala said. But in practice, she sees it as “categorically attributing this idea of dangerousness to people who aren’t US citizens, to people who aren’t white, to people who don’t come from Christian-majority countries, and then using that as a basis to target them for exclusion from the United States—and for those who are already in the United States, attempting to remove them from the interior.”
During Trump’s first term, internal US Immigration and Customs Enforcement documents revealed that his team, at one point, considered implementing ideological purity tests—before eventually deciding not to pursue the move because it was unconstitutional. Under US law, noncitizens have the right to free speech. “Once you’re in the United States, whatever your status is, the US Constitution then becomes a basis to protect you,” Jamshidi said.
Nonetheless, the exclusion of noncitizens based on perceived ideology or speech acts goes much further back than Trump: The McCarran Internal Security Act, passed in 1950, excluded anyone defined as a communist, totalitarian, or fascist from the United States.
It’s a classic American “fearmongering tactic,” said Sadaf Hasan, a staff attorney at Muslim Advocates, a civil rights group formed in response to the passage of the Patriot Act. “Students are afraid of being labeled as terrorists, and now there’s more ammunition from this executive order to actually carry that out.”
Source:motherjones.com
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https://www.motherjones.com/politics/2025/01/muslim-travel-ban-trump-palestine-protest-free-speech-deportation/
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Islamic State Calls For Jihad In Sudan: Al Naba, The Islamic State’s Weekly Publication
January 24, 2025
Sudan is forgotten!” reads the headline of the editorial in this week’s Al Naba newsletter, the Islamic State’s weekly publication highlighting its global activities. In the commentary, the terrorist group’s editors explicitly make a call for jihad and argue that Muslims in Sudan should take up arms under the Islamic State’s banner.
The Islamic State now joins its rival, Al Qaeda, in fomenting violent jihad and encouraging Sudanese individuals and groups to join its cause. Al Qaeda first called for a Sudanese jihad in late 2022, just months before the country’s current civil war began.
“Among the wounds that are bleeding silently and without stopping are the wounds of our oppressed brothers in forgotten Sudan, where Muslims there are exposed to the most heinous crimes of murder, imprisonment, torture, violation of their honor, and the theft of their money and property,” the editorial states.
The Islamic State argues that both sides of Sudan’s brutal civil conflict are responsible for engaging in these activities, explicitly stating that “[Abdel Fattah] al Burhan and [Mohamed Hamdan Dagalo] Hemeti are enemies of Islam, as such they must be opposed, disbelieved in, and neither of them should be relied upon, no matter the outcome of the war between them.”
Burhan, recently sanctioned by the US Treasury Department, is the leader of the Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF) and the de facto leader of Sudan. Hemeti, also sanctioned by the US government, is the leader of the Rapid Support Forces (RSF), a continuation of the former Janjaweed militias responsible for the genocide in Darfur in the early 2000s.
Both the RSF and SAF were instruments of power under the regime of former dictator Omar al Bashir. Following Bashir’s deposal in early 2019, a transitional government led by both civilians and the military headed Sudan until October 2021, when the SAF removed all civilian leadership and declared military rule. The SAF and RSF then vied for power and influence under the military regime until the tensions finally turned to open bloodshed in April 2023.
Both the SAF and RSF have been accused of committing mass atrocities and grave human rights abuses since the civil war began.
The two main factions of the civil war, according to the Islamic State, “are part of the infidel world order, seeking to enforce the ignorant borders that restrict Muslims and imprison them.” The editorial continues by saying that “whoever follows the steps they took under the supervision of America and Saudi Arabia knows that they are both fighting against Sharia and are only loyal to the Jews and Christians.”
According to the terrorist group’s commentary, the solution to bring back the honor and dignity of Muslims in Sudan is quite simple: jihad. “Supporting Muslims in Sudan is the duty of every able Muslim, just as in Iraq, Syria, Yemen, Palestine, and elsewhere,” the editorial states. “This can only be achieved through jihad and fighting, or through spending money [to support jihad], or through encouragement [of jihad].”
In addition to extolling the virtues of supporting fellow Muslims, the Islamic State doubles down on its call to arms. “This is a message to the Muslim youth and mujahideen inside Sudan about working diligently to exploit the situation for the benefit of jihad, either through recruitment or preparation, in order to establish a nucleus that confronts the short-term dangers and help establish a long-term jihad.”
Speaking to regular civilians, the Islamic State ends its rant by encouraging them to turn to Islam, announce a jihad, and support the mujahideen since, according to the global jihadist group, this is the only way to save themselves.
Working towards jihad in Sudan
Though the Islamic State is just now publicly calling for jihad inside Sudan, it has quietly operated in the country with a dedicated cell since at least 2019—though recruiters and facilitators had been active before then. Sudanese fighters were among the largest foreign component of the Islamic State in Libya during its height in 2016, for instance.
Sudanese authorities previously attempted to quash the relatively small network by periodically announcing raids or arrests of Islamic State members, such as in September and October 2021, when authorities arrested over a dozen members and killed several others across Khartoum.
Nevertheless, the Islamic State’s Sudanese network has persisted. However, it does not yet appear to be a network for attacks; rather, for finances, procurement, and logistics for other Islamic State wings.
The United Nations Sanctions and Monitoring Team has periodically reported on this network. In July 2023, its report noted that the Islamic State’s network in Sudan contains between 100 and 200 people and is headed by a veteran Iraqi jihadist, Abu Bakr al Iraqi, who is a blood relative of former Islamic State leader Abu Bakr al Baghdadi.
Under Iraqi’s leadership, the network has been described as a “logistical and financial base […] from which transit and investment would take place.” The report also notes that Iraqi operates and maintains an array of businesses across both Sudan and Turkey, from which the profits are used to support the Islamic State across Africa, most notably its West Africa and Sahel Provinces.
Though the UN report doesn’t mention this, it is likely the Sudan cell also helps support the Islamic State’s Somalia Province, as Sudanese fighters represent a significant component of that group’s foreign fighters. The terrorist group’s Sudan network may assist additional Islamic State wings in Africa as well, though this support is unclear.
Not much else is known about the Islamic State’s activities inside Sudan. However, with the group’s now open call for jihad inside the country, a close eye should be kept on this network, as it may transition from a support role into an operational/attack one.
The Islamic State clearly already has a skeleton in place from which it could build a new so-called ‘province’ within the overall group’s structure. However, whether or not the Islamic State feels confident enough to transition to open warfare in Sudan remains the big question. Regardless, this scenario should be seen as a real possibility.
As mentioned, the Islamic State’s rival Al Qaeda has also tried to foment jihad inside Sudan. For instance, in October 2022, Abu Hudhayfah al Sudani, a veteran member of Al Qaeda, released a booklet in which he called for and incited jihad, providing a guide that prospective jihadists could use to form a unified group in his native Sudan.
So far, though, nothing has seemingly come from Al Qaeda’s call to arms, at least publicly. That said, the group has often operated more secretly than the Islamic State and thus could have some sort of clandestine cell.
It is also worth noting that Islamists are already fighting alongside the SAF, particularly the Al Baraa bin Malik Battalion, and other groups within the broader “Popular Resistance” umbrella under the tutelage of the military. Jihadists and other Islamists have also been freed in prison breaks since the civil war started. It is certainly possible that elements or individuals previously linked to Al Qaeda are already active and thus active alongside SAF—but this remains wholly unconfirmed.
Al Qaeda does have a longer history inside the country, as it was once based there in the early 1990s. The terrorist group has had various cells in Sudan throughout the years, such as a cell in Salamah, a suburb of Khartoum, in 2007; a cell in the Dinder National Park in 2012; and two organizations, Ansar al Tawhid and Al Qaeda in the Land of Two Niles, in the late 2000s to early 2010s.
In more recent years, Al Qaeda is not known to have been particularly active inside Sudan. However, as Abu Hudhayfah al Sudani’s booklet made clear, the group obviously wishes to be. Whether or not it makes a more concerted public effort in the face of the Islamic State’s separate call to arms remains to be seen.
At any rate, both global jihadist organizations have now openly called for jihad in Sudan, and the Islamic State is known already to have an existing network structure active inside the country. As the civil war continues to drag on—and deteriorate into additional chaos and atrocities—these jihadists may find more opportunities to latch onto publicly and catapult themselves into the conflict.
Source:fdd.org
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https://www.fdd.org/analysis/op_eds/2025/01/24/islamic-state-calls-for-jihad-in-sudan/
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India
Bihar Madrasa Students Forced To Chant “Jai Shri Ram” In Banka District
January 25, 2025
A video from Barahat block in Banka district, Bihar, showing madrasa students being forced to chant “Jai Shri Ram” has sparked outrage and gone viral on social media. Users have demanded swift action, tagging Bihar Police and Banka Police.
The Banka Police confirmed an investigation is underway, with four juvenile offenders arrested in connection with the incident. Authorities assured strict action against those responsible.
To maintain peace, a meeting was held between both communities under the direction of the Superintendent of Police, Banka, and chaired by the Sub-Divisional Magistrate. The Sub-Divisional Police Officer of Baunsi, Barahat Block Officer, Circle Officer, Circle Police Inspector of Baunsi, and Barahat Police Station Head also attended the meeting, ensuring law and order in the region.The incident has raised concerns about communal harmony, with authorities urging calm as investigations proceed.
“Both parties assured their commitment to maintaining peace and order. Currently, the situation remains peaceful, and law and order are normal”, reads the post. This alarming event has raised serious concerns about religious intolerance and the treatment of Muslims. — With Agencies Inputs
Source:muslimmirror.com
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https://muslimmirror.com/bihar-madrasa-students-forced-to-chant-jai-shri-ram-in-bihars-banka-district/
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The waqf wipeout: Ten Opposition members suspended over bill 'rush' protest
25.01.25
Ten Opposition members of the joint parliamentary committee examining the controversial waqf amendment bill were suspended for a day after they resorted to uproarious protests on Friday, accusing the panel chairman of manipulating the proceedings to rush the bill.
The Opposition members alleged that the ruling BJP was looking to use the politically sensitive bill to polarise voters ahead of the February 5 Delhi Assembly polls.
A waqf property is an endowment made by a Muslim for a religious, educational or charitable cause, and cannot be taken over for other purposes. The bill aims to reduce the waqf boards’ power to designate properties as waqf property.
The JPC, headed by BJP member Jagdambika Pal, plans to present its report to Parliament in the first week of the budget session, which starts on January 31.
Sources said the Opposition members shouted aggressive slogans against the chairman and accused him of working under pressure from the government to rush the report on the bill without due scrutiny.
“The agenda of Friday’s meeting was suddenly changed last night. The members were informed close to midnight,” Trinamool Congress MP Kalyan Banerjee, one of the suspended MPs, told reporters.
“What is happening in the meeting feels like an undeclared emergency. They are rushing the proceedings because of the Delhi elections.”
Pal has accused Banerjee of using abusive language against him and charged the Opposition members on the panel with deliberately disrupting proceedings.
“The agenda was changed to allow a delegation led by Mirwaiz Umar Farooq from Jammu and Kashmir to express their concerns before the panel. (It was) the Opposition (that) had demanded (that) Jammu and Kashmir’s voice should be heard, but they started protesting,” Pal told reporters.
“The way the Opposition members came into the Well and started shouting showed it was all deliberate. Kalyan Banerjee targeted me using un-parliamentary and abusive language. They accuse us of ignoring the voice of Muslims but today they were disrupted when a delegation from J&K was due to give its views.”
According to the earlier agenda, the panel was to discuss the amendments to the bill clause by clause on Friday. But the Opposition members had in a letter to Pal opposed this, seeking time to present their views relating to the committee’s trips to Patna, Calcutta and Lucknow for consultations.
The committee had returned from the visits on January 21 and the Opposition wanted the next meeting to be scheduled for January 30 and 31. Pal, however, denied this request.
The Opposition members wrote to Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla on Friday, complaining against Pal’s “unilateral” and “unfair” manner of conducting the JPC’s meetings and seeking more time given the complexity and sensitivity of the amendments.
“It is therefore prayed that the Chairman of the JPC may kindly be instructed to conduct the proceedings in a transparent and fair manner,” the letter to Birla said.
“The Chairman should postpone the 27th meeting so that the Opposition members can get the adequate time and opportunity to put forth our plea/ claims without any departure from the rules and procedures….”
After the ruckus and suspensions, the Kashmir ulema, led by the chairman of the Hurriyat’s moderate faction, Mirwaiz Umar Farooq, made a maiden appearance before the panel. The Mirwaiz opposed the bill.
The delegation presented a memorandum to Pal that said: “We believe that these amendments are completely against the interests of the Muslim community and also violate the universally accepted fundamental rights of communities.
“Waqf properties are personal properties dedicated by Muslims in the name of God for the benefit of their society and to help the underprivileged. Such Religio/ social institutions warrant least interference from the state. But the govt-proposed amendments represent a significant threat to the autonomy and functioning of this institution.”
The Mirwaiz told reporters the delegation had wanted the JPC to visit Kashmir. Since that did not happen, its members decided to personally carry the memorandum to the panel.
Source:telegraphindia.com
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https://www.telegraphindia.com/india/the-waqf-wipeout-ten-opposition-members-suspended-over-bill-rush-protest/cid/2079460
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Muslim Man Dressed As A Sadhu Was Not Arrested From Kumbh; AI Photo Viral
By - Srijit Das
24 Jan 2025
A photo of a sadhu being arrested by the police at the Kumbh Mela is viral claiming he is a terrorist named Ayub Khan, who disguised himself as a sadhu.
BOOM spoke to Uttar Pradesh Police who confirmed that the claim is false and that no such person with terror links was arrested from the Mela. We also confirmed that the viral photo has been generated using Artificial Intelligence (AI).
The photo is being shared with a caption, "'Ayub Khan' a militant was arrested in Kumbh Mela in Uttar Pradesh,. He had come as a sadhu and mingled with our sadhus. He had conspired to commit the greatest crime that his cult teaches. By God's grace, our sadhus noticed the actions of this terrorist and handed him over to the police."
Fact Check
BOOM found the claim of an Ayub Khan arrested from Kumbh Mela is misleading and the viral photo used to support the claim is AI generated.
We first ran a search for reports on the arrest of an Ayub Khan, as mentioned in the claim and found no news reports. However a further search led us to news reports about a youngster, Ayub Ali who was detained from the Kumbh Mela premises after he was caught suspiciously loitering around some camps.
Dainik Bhaskar reported the incident and clarified that Ali had accidentally entered the Mela area, being unaware that entry was only allowed after permission.
We then reached out to Rajesh Dwivedi, the Senior Superintendent of Police, Kumbh who confirmed that a youngster named Ayub Ali had been detained but clarified that he had been let go after questioning.
"We had detained Ayub Ali, a labourer, suspecting he might have malicious intent. Initially, there was confusion about his name, then he himself clarified that his name is Ayub Ali. After interrogating him, we found nothing suspicious. Preventive action has been taken, and he is not in our custody."When asked about the viral claim, Dwivedi said, "The claim is false. No militant named Ayub Khan, disguised as a Sadhu in Kumbh Mela was arrested."
Additionally, a reverse image search on the viral photograph showed found no credible source with the same information.
Noticing some glitches in the photo, we tested it on Hive Moderation, a tool that helps detect visuals generated using artificial intelligence. The result from Hive Moderation indicated that the image is AI-generated, stating that the input is 97.4 per cent likely to contain AI-generated or deepfake content.The Kumbh Mela, is a Hindu religious gathering that takes place once every 12 years and is globally known as one of the largest religious gatherings. The Mahakumbh Mela, the grander version of the event happens once every 144 years, marking this year as the 12th Maha Kumbh. The high security event held from January 13 to February 26, 2025, will see millions of Hindu devotees gathered at the banks of the Ganga in Uttar Pradesh. The crowd is made up of lakhs of sadhus, naga sadhus, a variety of Hindu religious groups and thousands of domestic and international tourists, with authorities expecting over 450 million visitors.
Source:boomlive.in
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https://www.boomlive.in/fact-check/muslim-man-dressed-as-sadhu-ayub-khan-terrorist-kumbh-mela-arrest-viral-ai-photo-fact-check-27576
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Sambhal demolition: SC to hear contempt action plea against authorities after a week
January 24, 2025
The Supreme Court has agreed to hear, after one week, a plea seeking contempt proceedings against authorities in Sambhal, Uttar Pradesh, for allegedly violating its verdict on property demolitions. The plea was presented before a bench of Justices B.R. Gavai and Augustine George Masih, according to a report by PTI.
Petitioner Mohammed Ghayoor, through his lawyer, requested a brief adjournment, citing personal difficulties faced by the arguing counsel. The bench accepted the request and scheduled the matter for hearing after a week.
The plea, filed by advocate Chand Qureshi on behalf of Ghayoor, claims that the Sambhal authorities violated the Supreme Court’s November 13, 2024, judgment. In that verdict, the apex court issued pan-India guidelines stating that no property should be demolished without first issuing a show-cause notice and giving the affected parties 15 days to respond.
According to the petitioner, authorities bulldozed a portion of his property on January 10-11 without any prior notice or opportunity for him or his family to present their case. The plea asserts that the petitioner and his family possessed all necessary documents, including approved maps, to substantiate their ownership of the property. Despite this, officials allegedly proceeded to demolish the premises without following due process.
The petitioner argues that such actions are a clear violation of the Supreme Court’s guidelines. He further emphasized that the demolition occurred arbitrarily, disregarding legal procedures designed to protect property owners from unjustified actions.
The Supreme Court, in its November 2024 ruling, had issued specific directions concerning property demolitions. It stated that demolitions without prior notice would not be permissible unless the structure in question was unauthorized and located in a public place, such as a road, footpath, railway line, riverbank, or other public property. Additionally, demolitions could proceed without notice if ordered by a court of law.
The plea has urged the Supreme Court to take strict action against the authorities for defying its guidelines, which aim to uphold the rule of law and prevent arbitrary demolitions. The matter will now be heard by the bench next week. — With Agencies Inputs
Source:muslimmirror.com
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https://muslimmirror.com/sambhal-demolition-sc-to-hear-contempt-action-plea-against-authorities-after-a-week/
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UP: Over 200 Waqf properties and Jauhar University claimed to be on government land
January 24, 2025
A recent report has revealed that over 200 properties claimed as Waqf in the Moradabad division are situated on government land. These include land associated with Jauhar University in Rampur and the Mahadev temple in Gumsani village, Sambhal.
Many of these properties are located in Moradabad district, where several hectares of government land were found to be registered under Waqf.
The verification of these properties was carried out by the government following instructions, with the Commissioner compiling data after meetings with district officials.
Around sixty houses belonging to Muslims were demolished by officials over allegations of encroachment in Chhattisgarh’s Ambikapur town. The forest department carried out the bulldozer action, calling the houses illegal encroachments on forest land.
However, residents claim that only Muslim settlements were demolished, while properties belonging to members of other communities remained untouched.
India’s Supreme Court recently banned the weaponization of demolitions as collective punishment against Muslims, declaring that any demolitions carried out without proper notice or legal permission amounts to contempt of court.
According to administrative records, there are 1,600 Waqf properties in Moradabad, but the Waqf Board claims over 8,000.
In the case of Jauhar University, the property was initially listed as Waqf but later claimed by an individual as enemy property. Similarly, the Mahadev temple in Gumsani, which spans 1.47 hectares, was incorrectly recorded as Waqf land. Upon investigation, it was found that the temple is situated on trust land, not Waqf land.
The administration, however, has not disclosed any resolution regarding this issue. Additionally, old records indicate an attempt to illegally occupy 6.5 acres of land, including the temple’s land, further complicating the situation.
Commissioner Anjaneya Kumar Singh stated that no action or further investigation is currently underway at the administrative level, with only information being sent to the government. It is believed that following amendments to the Waqf Board Act, significant changes may occur regarding these properties. — With Agencies Inputs
Source:muslimmirror.com
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https://muslimmirror.com/up-over-200-waqf-properties-and-jauhar-university-claimed-to-be-on-government-land/
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Properties of 11 Pak-based terrorists attached in Kishtwar; process underway against 18 others
Jan 25, 2025
JAMMU: Continuing its drive to eliminate terror networks in Kishtwar district, the Special Investigation Unit (SIU) of J&K Police Friday attached properties worth crores of rupees belonging to 11 Pakistan-based commanders of terrorist organisations.
“This operation is a crucial step in the fight against terrorism and attempts to revive insurgency in the Chenab Valley region,” a police spokesperson said here on Friday.
Officials said the process for attachment of properties of another 18 absconding terrorists, who have been identified, is underway.
Sharing details, Javaid Iqbal Mir, SSP, Kishtwar, said Friday's action followed probe in a case of criminal conspiracy and other charges under UAPA against the 11 terrorists.
The terrorists whose properties were attached are Shabir Ahmed alias Junaid, Jamal Din Naik alias Mudassir, Shabir Ahmed, Manzoor Ahmed, Ghulam Mohd Gujjar, Ghulam Nabi alias Majid, Mohd Shafi alias Amjad, Ghulam Hussain Sheikh, Bashir Ahmed Raina alias Showkat, Ghulam Ahmed alias Javid and Gulabu.
Source:indiatimes.com
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https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/properties-of-11-pak-based-terrorists-attached-in-kishtwar-process-underway-against-18-others/articleshow/117540262.cms
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Saffron split on 'Sanatan Board': VHP opposes All India Akhara Parishad's call for temple committee
Piyush Srivastava
25.01.25
The All India Akhara Parishad, the biggest umbrella organisation of sadhus, and the Vishwa Hindu Parishad, a key religious arm of the RSS, have developed differences over the call for an overarching outfit for control and upkeep of temples across the country.
While the AIAP wants a Sanatan Board, the VHP feels there is no need for such a body and that the traditional system of individual temples having their own committees should continue.
Ravindra Puri, the president of the AIAP, told reporters at the Mahakumbh on Friday, referring to its proposed meeting at the Mela on January 27: “We will organise a Mahakumbh of Sanatan at the Mela where some big decisions will be taken. Since Prime Minister Narendra Modi and (Uttar Pradesh) chief minister Yogi Adityanath are Hindu devotees, we want a Sanatan Board from them in gurudakshina.”
“We are still in the process of chalking out a detailed plan for the January 27 meeting where the demand for a Sanatan Board will be raised, but we hope the government is also making preparations to fulfill our wish,” Puri added.
VHP president Alok Kumar, however, said: “Members of the Akhara Parishad had spoken to us about their demand for a Sanatan Board and sought our support. But our view on this issue is different from theirs. We don’t want a Sanatan Board. Rather, we want the government to abolish the Muslim waqf boards too. There is no need to have such boards.”
“Let's see how things shape up, but we don’t agree with the Akhara Parishad. We believe that there is no need for waqf boards or a Sanatan Board,” Kumar added.
The AIAP wants the Sanatan Board to manage the affairs of all temples and their properties across the country. But Kumar said: “We don’t want the government or its organisations to manage the temples. The management of the Hindu shrines should remain in the hands of the people who manage them locally.”
Adityanath, also the mahant of the Gorakhnath temple, is known to work in close coordination with the VHP. Most leaders of the AIAP are said to be his close friends, too. The most powerful akharas of the country are based in Uttar Pradesh and Uttarakhand.
Many believe the idea of a Sanatan Board could have been floated by Adityanath. “We need to wait and see whether it is a serious demand or has been raised only to woo Hindu voters,” said a political observer who didn’t want to be identified.
Source:telegraphindia.com
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https://www.telegraphindia.com/india/saffron-split-on-sanatan-board-vhp-opposes-all-india-akhara-parishad-call-for-temple-committee/cid/2079470
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Europe
Bomb threat disrupts Friday prayer at mosque in western Germany
24.01.2025
German police evacuated and searched a mosque in the northwestern city of Duisburg following an emailed bomb threat.
The Marxloh Central Mosque, operated by the Turkish-Muslim umbrella group DITIB, received the threatening email overnight Thursday, prompting a police response early Friday morning, authorities said.
Police sealed off the area around the mosque and conducted a thorough search of the building. No explosive devices were found, and the all-clear was given several hours later. The Friday prayer service, which normally takes place around 1 p.m., had to be canceled.
The Marxloh Central Mosque, the largest Islamic house of worship in Duisburg, serves a significant Turkish-German community in the industrial Ruhr region.
Germany has experienced a rise in anti-Muslim racism and violence in recent years, driven by far-right political parties and movements, including the opposition Alternative for Germany, or the AfD.
In recent months, dozens of mosques across Germany have faced threats and violence, with some becoming targets of vandalism and arson attempts. Local Muslim organizations have called for increased police protection and stronger measures against hate crimes targeting religious institutions.
Germany, with a population of nearly 84 million, has Western Europe's second-largest Muslim population after France. The country is home to nearly 5.6 million Muslims, according to official figures.
Source:.aa.com.tr
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https://www.aa.com.tr/en/europe/bomb-threat-disrupts-friday-prayer-at-mosque-in-western-germany/3461519
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Teenager charged with alleged terrorism offences after incident at Islamic Centre
Erin Maguire
25 January 2025
A TEENAGER has been charged with alleged terrorism offences following an incident in Greenock yesterday.
Officers were called to outside the Inverclyde Islamic Centre on Laird Street shortly after 9am, with a 16-year-old later being arrested and held in custody.
In an update issued this evening, a spokesperson for Police Scotland said: “The 16-year-old youth who was arrested outside the Inverclyde Islamic Centre, Laird Street, Greenock, on Thursday, 23 January, 2025, has been charged with terrorism offences and is expected to appear at Greenock Sheriff Court on Monday, 27 January, 2025.”
Laird Street was cordoned off for several hours yesterday before reopening at around 12:45pm.
Source:yahoo.com
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https://uk.news.yahoo.com/teenager-charged-alleged-terrorism-offences-191119425.html
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Belarus election: 'There is no alternative to Lukashenko'
25 January 2025
There are times in history when countries are gripped by election fever.
January 2025 in Belarus is not one of them.
Drive around Minsk and you'll see no big billboards promoting the portraits of candidates.
There is little campaigning.
The grey skies and sleet of a Belarusian winter add to an overriding sense of inactivity.
And inevitability.
The outcome of the 2025 presidential election is not in doubt. Alexander Lukashenko, once dubbed "Europe's last dictator," who has ruled Belarus with an iron fist for more than 30 years, will be declared the winner and secure a seventh term in office.
His supporters call it an exercise in "Belarusian democracy". His opponents reject the process as "a farce".
Even Mr Lukashenko himself claims to lack interest in the process.
"I'm not following the election campaign. I've got no time," the Belarusian leader told workers at the Minsk Automobile Plant this week.
The workers presented him with a gift: an axe for chopping wood.
"I'll try it out before the election," promised Mr Lukashenko, to rapturous applause.
Four-and-a-half years ago, at a different enterprise, the leader of Belarus received a much cooler reception.
One week after the 2020 presidential election, Alexander Lukashenko visited the Minsk Wheels Tractor Plant. Leaked video showed him being jeered and heckled by workers. They shouted '"Go away! Go away!".
In 2020 the official election result – of 80% for Mr Lukashenko - had sparked anger and huge protests across the country. Belarusians poured onto the streets to accuse their leader of stealing their votes and the election.
In the brutal police crackdown that followed, thousands of anti-government protesters and critics were arrested. Eventually the wave of repression extinguished the protests and, with help from Russia, Mr Lukashenko clung to power.
The UK, the European Union and the United States refuse to recognise him as the legitimate president of Belarus.
Alexander Lukashenko's staunchest opponents (and potential rivals) are either in prison or have been forced into exile.
That is why this week the European Parliament passed a resolution calling on the EU to reject the upcoming presidential election as "a sham" and pointing out that the election campaign has been taking place "in an environment of severe repression which fails to meet even the minimum standards for democratic elections".
I remember interviewing Alexander Lukashenko last October, on the day the date of the presidential election was announced.
"How can these elections be free and democratic if the leaders of the opposition are in prison or abroad?" I asked.
"Do you actually know who the leaders of the opposition are?" Mr Lukashenko hit back.
"An opposition is a group of people who should serve the interests, at the very least, of a small number of people in the country. Where are these leaders you speak of? Wake up!"
Alexander Lukashenko is not the sole candidate. There are four others. But they seem more like spoilers, than serious challengers.
I drive four hours from Minsk to meet one of them. Sergei Syrankov is the leader of the Communist Party of Belarus. In the town of Vitebsk I sit in on one of his campaign events. In a large hall Mr Syrankov addresses a small audience, flanked by his party's emblem, the hammer and sickle.
His campaign slogan is unusual to say the least: "Not instead of, but together with Lukashenko!"
He is a presidential candidate who openly backs his opponent.
"There is no alternative to Alexander Lukashenko as the leader of our country," Mr Syrankov tells me. "So, we are taking part in the election with the president's team."
"Why do you think there is no alternative?" I ask.
"Because Lukashenko is a man of the people, a man of the soil, who has done everything to make sure we don't have the kind of chaos they have in Ukraine."
"You're fighting for power yourself, but you support another candidate. That is…unusual," I suggest.
"I am certain that Alexander Lukashenko will win a thumping victory. But even if he wins and I don't, the Communists will be the winners," responds Mr Syrankov.
"The main Communist in our country is our head of state. Lukashenko still has his old membership card from the days of the Soviet Communist Party."
Also on the ballot is Oleg Gaidukevich, leader of the right-wing Liberal-Democratic Party of Belarus. He, too, isn't running to win.
"If anyone dares to suggest the outcome of the election isn't known, he's a liar," Mr Gaidukevich tells me.
"It's obvious that Lukashenko will win. He has a massive rating….We're going to battle to strengthen our positions and prepare for the next election."
Mr Lukashenko's critics reject the assertion that his popularity is "massive". But there is no doubt he does have support.
On the edge of Vitebsk is the little town of Oktyabrskaya. Talking to people there I detect concern that a change of leader may spark instability.
"I want a stable salary, stability in the country," welder Sergei tells me. "Other candidates make promises, but might not keep them. I want to keep what I've got."
"The situation today is very tense," says Zenaida. "Maybe there are other people worthy of power. But by the time a younger leader gets his feet under the desk, makes those important connections with with other countries, and with his own people that will take a long time.
"God forbid we should end up like Ukraine."
In Belarus today there is fear of instability, fear of the unknown, and fear of the government. All work in Alexander Lukashenko's favour.
Source:bbc.com
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https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/cp9x0mjzl4mo
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German conservatives ally with right-wing on migration
24 Jan, 2025
Germany’s center-right Christian Democratic Union (CDU) has said that it will implement strict immigration laws even if it has to enlist the support of the right-wing Alternative for Germany (AfD) to pass them. The move marks the first time a mainstream German party has agreed to work with the AfD.
In a letter to party members seen by Politico on Friday, CDU leadership said that its lawmakers would introduce harsh immigration restrictions even “if only the AfD supports our proposals.”
“We will introduce motions in the German Bundestag [Parliament] that are exclusively in line with our convictions,” CDU leader Friedrich Merz told German news agency DPA later on Friday. “And we will introduce them regardless of who agrees with them.”
Since the AfD’s founding in 2013, the country’s mainstream parties have maintained a ‘firewall’ around the right-wingers, refusing to enter coalition talks with them and declining to introduce legislation that could only pass with their support.
However, German attitudes to immigration have hardened since former CDU leader and Chancellor Angela Merkel opened Germany’s borders to more than a million migrants in 2015, and the AfD is now the country’s second-most-popular party. Ahead of a general election next month, the AfD is polling at 20%, behind the CDU at 30% but ahead of Chancellor Olaf Scholz’s Social Democrats (SDP) at 17%, according to Politico.
Merz is expected to assume the chancellorship after the election. A recent survey found that Immigration is the top concern among voters. After an Afghan man allegedly stabbed a two-year-old child to death at a Bavarian school earlier this week, AfD leader Alice Weidel wrote to Merz offering to back any immigration restrictions proposed by his party.
”The firewall has fallen!” Weidel wrote on X on Friday. “The CDU and CSU have accepted my offer to vote together with the AfD in the Bundestag on the crucial issue of migration. This is good news for our country!” she added, referring to the CDU’s Bavarian sister party.
Source:rt.com
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https://www.rt.com/news/611594-germany-cdu-afd-migration/
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North America
CAIR-Philadelphia Islamic Activist Reacts To Local Teacher Allegedly Calling A Palestinian-American Student A 'Terrorist'
January 25th 2025
by Jasmine Brooks
DAUPHIN COUNTY, Pa. (WHP) — A teacher in the Central Dauphin School District is on administrative leave tonight after allegedly calling a Palestinian-American student a "terrorist".
The district issued a full response telling us they have "zero tolerance for hateful and racist speech" and have launched an internal investigation.
Jasmine Brooks spoke with the Executive Director of the Philadelphia Chapter of the Council on American-Islamic Relations.
In a statement, CAIR-Philadelphia Executive Director Ahmet Tekelioglu said:
“The fact that the School District has not spoken publicly about this incident to the date is a grave concern for our communities. Appropriate filings have been made with the Pennsylvania Department of Education as well as with Pennsylvania Human Relations Commission, who proactive outreach is deeply appreciated by our communities. We will take this opportunity during the School board meeting that our community will not tolerate such racist language, and expects more from the School District to inform its community about the incident and the steps it is taking, as it should have already happened.”
On Monday, CAIR-Philadelphia will hold a press conference outside of Linglestown Middle School at 6 p.m., ahead of the school board meeting.
Source:local21news.com
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https://local21news.com/news/local/council-on-american-islamic-relations-to-hold-press-conference-after-racist-allegations
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US issues pause on foreign aid, leaked memo says
25 Jan 2025
The US State Department has issued a halt to all existing foreign assistance and paused new aid, according to an internal memo sent to officials and US embassies abroad.
The leaked notice follows President Trump's executive order issued on Monday for a 90-day pause in foreign development assistance pending a review of efficiencies and consistency with his foreign policy.
The United States is the world's biggest international aid donor spending $68bn in 2023 according to government figures. The State Department notice appears to affect everything from development assistance to military aid.
It makes exceptions only for emergency food aid and for military funding for Israel and Egypt. The leaked memo's contents have been confirmed by the BBC.
"No new funds shall be obligated for new awards or extensions of existing awards until each proposed new award or extension has been reviewed and approved," says the memo to staff.
It adds that US officials "shall immediately issue stop-work orders, consistent with the terms of the relevant award, until such time as the secretary shall determine, following a review."
It also orders a wide scale review of all foreign assistance to be completed within 85 days to ensure the aid adheres to President Trump's foreign policy goals.
Secretary of State Marco Rubio - the US's top diplomat - has previously stated that all US spending abroad should take place only if it makes America "stronger", "safer" or "more prosperous".
One former senior State Department official told the BBC the notice meant a "potentially huge" impact on foreign aid programmes funded by the US.
"One can imagine, for example, the humanitarian de-mining programmes around the world suddenly being told stop work. That's a pretty big deal," said Josh Paul, who oversaw Congressional relations on weapons transfers at the State Department until late 2023.
Dave Harden, a former US Agency of International Aid (USAID) mission director in the Middle East, told the BBC the move was "very significant", saying it could see humanitarian and development programmes funded by the US around the world being immediately suspended, while the review is carried out.
He said it could affect a wide range of critical development projects including water, sanitation and shelter.
"The employees of the implementing partner or the [non-governmental organisation] would be able to be paid, but actual assistance, I think, needs to be halted," said Mr Harden.
"I have gone through [assistance suspensions] many times when I was the West Bank and Gaza mission director, but that was specific to that account. This is global," he said.
"Not only does it pause assistance, but it puts a 'stop work' order in existing contracts that are already funded and underway. It's extremely broad," he added.
The AFP news agency reported the funding freeze could also potentially affect Ukraine, which received billions of dollars in weapons under Trump's predecessor Joe Biden.
Rubio's memo, justifying the freeze, said it was impossible for the new administration to assess whether existing foreign aid commitments "are not duplicated, are effective and are consistent with President Trump's foreign policy".
Rubio has issued a waiver for emergency food assistance, according to the memo.
This comes amid a surge of humanitarian aid into the Gaza Strip after a ceasefire between Israel and Hamas began, and several other hunger crises around the world, including Sudan.
The memo also said waivers have so far been approved by Rubio for "foreign military financing for Israel and Egypt and administrative expenses, including salaries, necessary to administer foreign military financing".
The State Department has been approached for comment.
Source:bbc.com
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https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/ce9nx5k7lv0o
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2020 election victory was stolen from Trump – Putin
24 Jan, 2025
Russian president Vladimir Putin has said the 2020 US presidential election was “stolen” from Donald Trump, and that had the outcome been declared fairly, the Ukraine conflict might have been avoided.
“I cannot disagree with him that if he had been president, if his victory hadn’t been stolen in 2020, perhaps the crisis in Ukraine that arose in 2022 wouldn’t have happened,” Putin has said in an interview published by Russia 1 TV journalist Pavel Zarubin on Telegram on Friday.
In 2023 Trump claimed to American radio host Hugh Hewitt that the Ukraine conflict would never have begun if the 2020 US elections hadn’t been “rigged” and Joe Biden hadn’t replaced him in there Oval Office.
“[Putin] would have never done it if the election weren’t rigged, our election. It was rigged and stolen. If that election wasn’t rigged, if I were president, you would right now have millions of people living that are dead,” according to an interview transcript.
Trump has never admitted that he lost the 2020 election, despite courts failing to find evidence of widespread voter fraud. He eventually stepped down as president after a crowd of his supporters stormed the US Capitol building on January 6, 2021, interrupting the certification of Biden’s victory.
The Democrats accused Trump of inciting the riot and impeached him in 2021. Trump has denied any wrongdoing, dismissing the accusations as a “witch hunt.”
He has consistently alleged the 2020 election was blighted by irregularities, and that he lost despite winning 10 million more votes than Biden.
Hours after he was sworn in for his second term Trump pardoned around 1,500 people involved in the storming of the Capitol building. He described the defendants as patriots and hostages, insisting that their prosecution was politically motivated.
In June 2021, Putin criticized the US government’s response to the Capitol riot, accusing it of double standards. He argued that while Washington condemns crackdowns on anti-government protests abroad, it prosecutes its own citizens who express political dissent. “They weren’t just a crowd of robbers and rioters. Those people had come with political demands,” Putin stated.
Source:rt.com
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https://www.rt.com/russia/611582-trump-putin-stolen-election/
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Trump lists perks should Canada become 51st US State
24 Jan, 2025
US President Donald Trump has once again stated that he would love to see Canada become America’s 51st state, promising a list of perks to its citizens.
Trump made the remarks, echoing previous numerous suggestions that his his administration would somehow transform Canada into a part of the US, on Friday during a press briefing in North Carolina.
”The Canadian citizens, if that happened, would get a very big tax cut, a tremendous tax cut because they are currently very highly taxed,” he said.
Trump went on to claim that the Canadians wouldn’t have to worry about their military or many other issues. “They’d also have better health coverage - much better health coverage, in fact,” he asserted, adding, “I think the people of Canada would like it if it's explained [to them].”
During and after his election campaign, Trump has threatened to impose tariffs on Canadian goods, arguing that the measure would strengthen the US economy. He told reporters on Thursday that still plans to hit Canada with 25% tariffs starting February 1.
According to Trump, Canada joining the US would nullify any tariffs and create business opportunities.
The US is “losing $200 billion a year” to its northern neighbor, Trump insisted during the press briefing, blaming “poor management, especially in the last four years,” that has allowed the situation to become “very imbalanced.”
The US does not need Canadian cars, lumber, and food products “because we produce the same things right on the other side of the border,” he claimed.
Earlier this month, Trump shared two maps on social media showing Canada as an American territory, after Canada’s outgoing Prime Minister Justin Trudeau rebuffed his proposal to merge the countries.
Trudeau, who then announced that he would step down as prime minister and leader of the Liberal Party citing “internal battles”, said that Canada will never become a part of the United States.
Trump in turn suggested that the US could use “economic force” to absorb its northern neighbor, whose goods he threatened to hit with harsh tariffs.
On Thursday, Trudeau warned that Canada will respond with retaliatory tariffs and “prices for American consumers on just about everything will go up.”
Some media have pointed out, citing the US Bureau of Economic Analysis, that in fact, the US goods and services trade deficit with Canada was slightly above $40 billion in 2023.
Source:rt.com
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https://www.rt.com/news/611590-us-trump-canadians-offer/
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Africa
Notorious Terrorist, Bello Turji Ready To Surrender, Military Vows To Take Him Out
24 January 2025
Notorious terrorist kingpin, Bello Turji, has reportedly declared readiness to surrender to the Nigerian military.
Naija News reports that the Chief of Defence Staff, General Christopher Musa, made this known on Friday in an interview with Channels Television’s Politics Today.
Musa said that Bello Turji has been forced to discard most of those under him, after the military recently took out his second in command and other lieutenants.
Despite Turji’s reported willingness to surrender, the Defence Chief maintained that anybody who has engaged in killing innocent citizens, including the notorious terrorist, must not be spared.
He said, “They (terrorists) are within the communities; the people know them. So, sometimes when they see them, before you get the information, it’s like two hours – the man has moved. So, when the information gets to you, before you move, he has left that area.
“But I can tell you, we have taken out his second in command, we have taken out most of his lieutenants, in fact he is forced now to release most of the people under him. I am telling you that recently he is beginning to say that he doesn’t want anything, he is ready surrender.
“We want to take everybody out. Anybody who has killed should go, people like him should not be allowed to stay.”
Source:naijanews.com
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https://www.naijanews.com/2025/01/24/notorious-terrorist-bello-turji-ready-to-surrender-military-vows-to-take-him-out/
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Twenty-Five Families Challenge South African President On Apartheid Justice
24 January 2025
Twenty-five families of victims and survivors of political crimes from the apartheid era have filed a lawsuit against South African President Cyril Ramaphosa and his administration, claiming a failure to adequately investigate these offenses and provide justice.
The group is pursuing approximately 167 million rand (around $9 million) in damages, as detailed in a case submitted to the High Court in Pretoria on Monday, which was later publicized by the Foundation for Human Rights, an NGO that supports the families.
Additionally, they are requesting a court order that would require Ramaphosa to establish a commission of inquiry into the "political interference that led to the suppression of numerous serious crimes stemming from South Africa's history," as stated in a release from the applicants.
A representative for Ramaphosa indicated that his legal team would address the court documents appropriately, asserting that the president has never interfered with law enforcement operations or instructed them against prosecuting apartheid-era offenses.
For decades, South Africa was governed by a white minority regime that enforced systemic racial segregation, transitioning to a multi-racial democracy in 1994.
The African National Congress (ANC) has been in power since then, but last year it had to share authority with smaller parties after losing its majority in a national election.
The lead applicant in this case is Lukhanyo Calata, whose father, Fort Calata, was one of the "Cradock Four," a group of four anti-apartheid activists murdered in 1985.
Despite ongoing inquiries, no one has been held accountable for these crimes, and a third inquest is set to begin this year, although many key individuals associated with the killings have since passed away.
"The prolonged delay in achieving justice has effectively ensured that our families are denied justice forever," Calata remarked.
Other applicants include two survivors of the 1993 Highgate Massacre, where masked assailants killed five patrons at a hotel bar, along with relatives of other anti-apartheid activists who were murdered or went missing.
Source:africanews.com
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https://www.africanews.com/2025/01/24/twenty-five-families-challenge-ramaphosa-on-apartheid-justice/
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Kano Anti-Corruption Chairman Released After Arrest By Police Unit
25 January 2025
By Enioluwa Adeniyi
The Chairman of the Kano State Public Complaints and Anti-Corruption Commission, Muhuyi Magaji, has been released after being arrested by the Inspector General of Police Monitoring Unit on Friday.
Reliable sources who spoke with The Guardian disclosed that Magaji was taken into custody at his office by detectives who did not provide any explanation for the arrest at the time.
Sources within the Anti-Corruption Commission revealed that the officers insisted on arresting Magaji without disclosing their mission or reason for the operation.
Speculation suggests that the arrest may be connected to the commission’s ongoing investigation into the alleged diversion of ?4 billion and properties belonging to the Kano Agricultural Supply Company Limited (KASCO) during the immediate past administration.
Two weeks ago, the commission reported an attempted seizure of assets valued at over ?2 billion, including trailers, trucks, and minivans, allegedly linked to the former Managing Director of KASCO.
Magaji who was released on bail on self-recognition late Friday night, was required to provide a written statement before his release around 10:45 pm.
Naija News learnt that the police directed Rimingado to report at the Force headquarters in Abuja on Monday for further questioning.
The Kano State Police Command and the Inspector General of Police Monitoring Unit have yet to release an official statement on the incident.
Source:naijanews.com
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https://www.naijanews.com/2025/01/25/kano-anti-corruption-chairman-released-after-arrest-by-police-unit/
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Kano Anti-Corruption Chairman Arrested Over Alleged ?4 Billion Diversion
Details Of Obasanjo, Buhari Statements In Paris Court Over $2.5 Billion Mambilla Power Dispute Emerge
25 January 2025
By Enioluwa Adeniyi
Former Presidents Olusegun Obasanjo and Muhammadu Buhari have testified before the International Chamber of Commerce Court of Arbitration in Paris, France, denying claims that the Federal Government awarded a $6 billion contract for the Mambilla Power Project in Taraba State to Sunrise Power and Transmission Company Limited.
The arbitration case was initiated by Sunrise Power and its founder, Leno Adesanya, who are demanding $2.3 billion in compensation over an alleged breach of contract by the Federal Government.
In their testimonies, Naija News understands that Obasanjo and Buhari argued that the alleged 2003 agreement between the Federal Government and Sunrise Power is invalid.
They maintained that Sunrise obtained a letter of award, signed by a former Minister of Power, Dr. Olu Agunloye, just 24 hours after the Federal Executive Council (FEC) rejected the company’s proposal.
The former presidents urged the arbitration court to disregard the document, asserting it was not a legitimate government contract.
Agunloye, who served as Minister of Power during Obasanjo’s administration, is currently facing trial in Abuja on charges of forgery, disobedience of a presidential directive, and corruption concerning the Mambilla project.
The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) accused Agunloye of awarding a contract for the construction of the 3,960MW Mambilla Hydroelectric Power Station to Sunrise Power without budgetary provision, approval, or cash backing.
Agunloye has dismissed the allegations, claiming the government is using him as a scapegoat to discredit Sunrise’s case before the arbitration panel.
Corroborated Testimonies
The former presidents’ testimonies were supported by current Justice Minister and Attorney-General of the Federation, Lateef Fagbemi (SAN), former Justice Minister Mallam Abubakar Malami (SAN), former Power Minister Babatunde Raji Fashola (SAN), and former Water Resources Minister Engr. Suleiman Adamu.
Reports also indicated that former Justice Minister Mike Aondoakaa (SAN) was briefly present in Paris, although it was unclear whether he appeared for the Federal Government or Sunrise Power.
As of Thursday evening, Sunrise Power and its founder, Leno Adesanya, had yet to produce any witnesses at the arbitration hearing.
A source at the proceedings who spoke with TheNation said Obasanjo and Buhari were at their best to “defend the interest of Nigeria.”
The source added, “It is very important for nation’s case that the Minister of Justice and Attorney-General of the Federation, Lateef Fagbemi, was successful in bringing two former presidents – Chief Olusegun Obasanjo and Muhammadu Buhari to testify at the hearing
“By this action, the government of Nigeria sent a signal of its strong commitment to defending the nation’s interest.
“Both leaders-Obasanjo and Buhari-are known for speaking forthrightly and unequivocally, and this they were said to have exhibited in Paris.
“To the delight of the international team of lawyers representing Nigeria, the two past presidents did extremely well, exposing the Sunrise/Leno’s claim for what it is: an attempt at using fraud, deceit and lies to scoop settlement from Nigeria in the first instance, for the alleged violation of a 2003 contract for which there is no valid approval.”
The source branded Nigeria’s witnesses as “Team Nigeria” and united.
According to the source, “It was by and large a great showing, consolidated by the equally outstanding testimonies of former ministers Engineer Sulaiman Adamu, formerly of Water Resources, and Babatunde Raji Fashola, Power.
“The Arbitration Court in France had a week-long hearing 18th-23rd January in Paris on the ongoing dispute between Sunrise Company/Leno Adesanya and the government of Nigeria on the existence or the absence of a contract for the construction of the Mambilla Power Project.
“Although it is up to the chairman and other members of the tribunal to decide on who is right and who is wrong, it can be said at this point that Nigeria had a very good outing on the basis of certain facts that have emerged from Paris.”
The source said Sunrise and Leno Adesanya had not been able to produce any major witness.
The source added: “It is evident from the proceedings that the case of the complainants was rooted in a purported 2003 agreement.
“The 2003 contract was established not to have been validly in existence. This is worsened by the fact that the complainants failed to produce their major witnesses.
“The much-touted appearance of a one-time Minister of Power, Dr. Olu Agunloye, did not also materialise. He was the one who allegedly signed a letter communicating the approval of the contract 24 hours after its rejection by the Federal Executive Council (FEC) which meeting was presided over by Obasanjo.
“A third ‘key witness” a Senegalese lady, did not also appear at the hearing.
“So who spoke for Sunrise/Leno Adesanya?
“He did everything for and by himself.
“Another major setback suffered by the complainants was their over-reliance on an earlier witness statement deposed to by Abubakar Malami, Minister of Justice and Attorney General under President Buhari.”
Malami, on whose testimony the complainants made heavy weather, ended up lining up behind his former boss, President Buhari, to support and prepare him well for his (Buhari’s) testimony.
The source said, “This strategy had the dual benefits of ensuring Buhari’s successful testimony and at the same time pulling the rug from under Leno Adesanya’s feet.”
Source:naijanews.com
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https://www.naijanews.com/2025/01/25/details-of-obasanjo-buhari-statements-in-paris-court-over-2-5-billion-mambilla-power-dispute-emerge/
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Mideast
America The Great SatanWants Talks To Hit Islamic Establishment: Senior Cleric
Jan 24, 2025
"The world must know that the Iranian government's position towards America is the same stance adopted by late Imam Khomeini and the current Leader of the Islamic Revolution. Imam Khomeini said that America is the Great Satan. The current Leader has also adopted the same position and has expressed it on many occasions. Our message to the people who want talks with the US is that America wants negotiations to confront the Islamic Revolution," Ayatollah Khatami said in this week's Friday Prayers sermon in Tehran.
"A military attack on Iran will not work. Iran today is not the same Iran it used to be in the past. It rather is a powerful state that will confront you," the senior cleric said.
"If you bomb nuclear facilities, what will you do with nuclear knowledge Iranians have acquired?" he continued.
The Tehran Friday Prayers Leader further asserted that "Resistance is the only way to tackle America's obtuseness. Just as Gaza won with this resistance, we too will one day celebrate America's defeat during Friday prayers."
Source:mehrnews.com
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https://en.mehrnews.com/news/227355/US-wants-talks-to-hit-Islamic-Establishment-senior-cleric
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Gunmen kill 13 in Shia-populated villages in Syria’s Homs
Jan 24, 2025,
The UK-based Syrian Observatory for Human Rights (SOHR) said on Thursday that the Military Operations Administration, backed by local gunmen, conducted “a large-scale security campaign” in the western countryside of Homs, west of Syria, according to Press TV.
According to the report, “four civilians” were killed in unlawful “extrajudicial executions” in al-Ghozaylah al-Gharbiyah and al-Hamam villages. Ten people were also injured, while five were arrested during the raid.
Also on Thursday, the group said the security forces arrested five people in al-Kanisah village.
Three more people were arrested in Tarin village, where three others were injured in indiscriminate firing.
Moreover, 27 people were detained in Kafrnan village, while injuries were also reported.
The group also documented several assaults and abuses against locals, including being forced to bray and bark, while tombstones were destroyed.
Later in the day, the SOHR said unknown gunmen killed a man in “an extrajudicial killing” in Tasnin village in the northern countryside of Homa, after raiding his home.
Four bodies were also retrieved in al-Shinyah Village, northwest of Homs.
Meanwhile, unknown gunmen killed four people and injured two others east of Maryamin village, after they refused to remove the photos of their religious references.
Source:mehrnews.com
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https://en.mehrnews.com/news/227357/Gunmen-kill-13-in-Shia-populated-villages-in-Syria-s-Homs
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Israel UN envoy formally calls on UNRWA to vacate Jerusalem premises
EPHREM KOSSAIFY
January 24, 2025
NEW YORK: Israel’s Permanent Representative to the UN Danny Danon on Friday called on the UN relief agency for Palestine refugees to halt its operations in Jerusalem, and evacuate its premises in the city “no later than Jan. 30,” the day an Israeli ban on the organization is due to take effect.
Legislation blocking UNRWA from operating within Israel was approved overwhelmingly by the Knesset in October. The ban also prevents the country’s authorities from maintaining any contact with the relief agency.
Delivery of aid to Gaza and the West Bank requires close coordination between UNRWA and Israeli authorities. If the legislation is implemented as planned, Israel will no longer issue agency staff with work or entry permits, and coordination with the Israeli military that is essential for ensuring safe passage for aid deliveries will no longer be possible.
Since the start of the war in Gaza, Israel has relentlessly condemned and attacked the aid agency. More than 260 of its staff have been killed, while its schools — used by displaced Palestinians for shelter — have been bombed. A coordinated Israeli media campaign has attempted to discredit the agency by portraying it as a tool of Hamas.
As the date for enforcement of the Israeli ban approaches, Danon told UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres that UNRWA’s premises in Jerusalem must be vacated as stipulated by law.
The Israeli envoy said that the legislation came “as a direct response to the acute national security risks posed by the widespread infiltration of UNRWA’s ranks by Hamas and other terrorist organizations, and the agency’s persistent refusal to address the very grave and material concerns raised by Israel, and to remedy this intolerable situation.”
He added: “Months of good-faith engagement with the United Nations, and years of related grievances conveyed to UNRWA, have been met with blatant disregard, compromising its fundamental obligation to impartiality and neutrality beyond repair.”
Most UN member states consider UNRWA, the largest aid agency for Palestinians, to be the irreplaceable backbone of humanitarian operations. However, few levers have been pulled to try to ensure the agency’s existence.
Asked by Arab News about this discrepancy between public statements of support and meaningful action, and whether it means Western countries are undermining the same multilateral values on which they were founded, UNRWA Commissioner-General Philippe Lazzarini said: “The same question could be asked about the importance of international humanitarian law and the blatant and constant disregard of that law.
“You can ask the same question about the disrespect for the resolutions of the Security Council and the General Assembly. And you can ask the same question about the International Court of Justice’s ruling that Israel’s presence in the West Bank and East Jerusalem is illegal, and the court’s call for its withdrawal.
“And so, it’s obviously frustrating,” Lazzarini added. “What we have witnessed is an extraordinary ‘crisis of impunity,’ to the extent that international humanitarian law is almost becoming irrelevant if no mechanism is put in place to address this impunity.”
Source:arabnews.com
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UN chief urges release of staff held by Yemen’s Houthi rebels
January 25, 2025
UNITED NATIONS, United States: UN chief Antonio Guterres called Friday for the “immediate and unconditional” release of all humanitarian staff held by Yemen’s Houthis, saying the rebel group had detained seven United Nations workers.
The Iran-backed Houthis have held dozens of workers from the United Nations and other aid groups since the middle of last year, including 13 UN staff since last June.
“Their continued arbitrary detention is unacceptable,” Guterres said in a statement, adding that the “continued targeting of UN personnel and its partners negatively impacts our ability to assist millions of people in need in Yemen.”
“The United Nations will continue to work through all possible channels to secure the safe and immediate release of those arbitrarily detained,” the secretary-general said.
Reeling from a decade of war, Yemen is mired in a humanitarian catastrophe with more than 18 million people needing assistance and protection, according to the United Nations.
The latest detentions of UN staff come after United States President Donald Trump ordered the Houthis placed back on the US list of foreign terrorist organizations.
Re-listing the Houthis will trigger a review of UN agencies and other NGOs working in Yemen that receive US funding, according to the executive order signed on Wednesday.
Source:arabnews.com
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Large drop in number of aid trucks entering Gaza on Friday
January 25, 2025
UNITED NATIONS: More than 4,200 aid trucks have entered the Gaza Strip in the six days since a ceasefire began between Israel and Palestinian militants Hamas, the United Nations said, although there was a large drop in the number of loads delivered on Friday.
The UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) said 339 aid trucks crossed into Gaza on Friday, citing information from Israeli authorities and the guarantors for the ceasefire agreement — the United States, Egypt and Qatar.
This compares with 630 on Sunday, 915 on Monday, 897 on Tuesday, 808 on Wednesday, and 653 on Thursday.
The truce deal requires at least 600 truckloads of aid to enter Gaza each day of the initial six-week ceasefire, including 50 carrying fuel. Half of those trucks are supposed to go to Gaza’s north, where experts have warned famine is imminent.
When asked why there was a large drop in the number of aid trucks on Friday, OCHA spokesperson Eri Kaneko said the UN and humanitarian partners “have been working as quickly as possible to dispatch and distribute this large volume of assistance” to some 2.1 million people across the devastated enclave.
The influx of aid this week compares with just 2,892 aid trucks entering Gaza for the whole of December, according to data from the UN Palestinian relief agency UNRWA.
Aid is dropped off on the Gaza side of the border, where it is picked up by the UN and distributed. Data from OCHA shows 2,230 aid truckloads — an average of 72 a day — were then picked up in December.
Throughout the 15-month war, the UN has described its humanitarian operation as opportunistic — facing problems with Israel’s military operation, access restrictions by Israel, and more recently looting by armed gangs.
The UN has said that there has been no apparent major law-and-order issues since the ceasefire came into effect.
“We are also scaling up the broader response, including by providing protection assistance, education activities and other essential support,” Kaneko said.
Source:arabnews.com
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Israeli refusal to fully withdraw from Lebanon sparks regional concerns
NAJIA HOUSSARI
January 24, 2025
BEIRUT: Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu announced on Thursday Israeli troops would not withdraw from the border area of southern Lebanon in accordance with the time frame set in the ceasefire agreement with Hezbollah, amid claims that the Lebanese Army has not fulfilled its obligations.
Lebanon’s President Joseph Aoun held talks with France and the US to urge Israel to fully implement the agreement and withdraw within the stipulated timeframe to prevent the situation from deteriorating.
Caretaker Prime Minister Najib Mikati also called on the US to “intervene to ensure the implementation of Resolution 1701 and Israel’s withdrawal.”
On Friday, Netanyahu’s office said that “the gradual withdrawal from Lebanon will continue in full coordination with the US administration.”
However, the Israeli Cabinet decided that “the Israeli Army will remain in its current positions,” warning that “the Israeli Army is prepared for any scenario and will respond harshly and immediately to any violations by Hezbollah.”
Israeli media reports said “Israel is requesting an additional one-month delay in the withdrawal of its army from Lebanon and an extension of the ceasefire agreement.”
The Israeli Broadcasting Corporation said that “the political leadership has instructed the army to remain in the eastern sector of Lebanon,” noting that “the additional period before the complete withdrawal from southern Lebanon may range from days to weeks.”
The development accompanied continued Israeli operations in the border region, particularly in the eastern sector.
Army spokesperson Avichay Adraee claimed Israeli forces “uncovered several underground tunnel routes belonging to Hezbollah in Wadi Saluki, intended for the party’s members to take shelter,” asserting that “these routes have been destroyed.”
Adraee spoke about “the discovery of a stockpile of weapons inside a mosque, as well as a vehicle loaded with weapons, and hundreds of mortar shells, improvised explosive devices, rocket-propelled grenades, rifles and other military equipment.”
He said: “In another operation by the Golani Brigade, trucks loaded with heavy rocket launchers were found, along with weapons depots that contained large quantities of rocket shells, mortars shells, shoulder-launched rockets, improvised explosive devices and military equipment.”
Calls intensified from border area residents following Israel’s announcement to gather on Sunday and demand to be allowed to return to their villages.
On Thursday, Parliament Speaker Nabih Berri was informed by US Gen. Jasper Jeffers, head of the international committee monitoring the implementation of the ceasefire agreement, of “Israel’s intention to extend the presence of its forces in several locations in southern Lebanon,” according to information distributed about the meeting. Berri told the general “that people will head to their villages on Sunday.”
In a statement, Hezbollah said that “Israel’s failure to adhere to the 60-day deadline is an attack on sovereignty that requires the state to act and address it, using all international means and conventions to reclaim Lebanese territories and liberate them from the grip of occupation.”
At the political level, Lebanon received further Gulf support for its new leadership.
Kuwaiti Foreign Minister Abdullah Ali Al-Yahya and the Gulf Cooperation Council’s Secretary-General Jasem Mohamed Albudaiwi, along with a delegation from the Kuwaiti Foreign Ministry and the GCC, held meetings with Lebanese leaders in Beirut on Friday.
This visit, along with the visit of Saudi Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan less than 24 hours earlier to Beirut, where he met with Lebanese officials and emphasized the importance of implementing Resolution 1701, carry exceptional importance in light of the developments in Lebanon and the wider region.
During his meeting with Aoun, Al-Yahya reaffirmed Kuwait’s “support, endorsement and commitment to standing by Lebanon to provide all necessary aid in all fields.”
He stressed “activating the Lebanese-Kuwaiti joint committees to address the issues raised according to Lebanon’s needs” was of the utmost importance, recalling that Lebanon “was the first country to condemn the Iraqi invasion of Kuwait through the stance of late Prime Minister Salim Al-Hoss.”
Albudaiwi conveyed the GCC’s “unwavering support for Lebanon and its sovereignty,” emphasizing its commitment to “the non-interference in Lebanon’s internal affairs.”
He affirmed that “the GCC is moving toward helping Lebanon in terms of economic development projects after implementing the intended reforms,” noting that “a Gulf program for Lebanon is set to be developed in cooperation with the future Lebanese government.”
Aoun said he hoped “for Kuwaitis in particular and the Gulf people in general to come back and visit Lebanon,” stressing that “the Arab countries’ unity is the cornerstone for confronting current challenges.”
The president affirmed that “after forming the government, we will establish new foundations for cooperation with the Gulf countries,” adding that “the main titles of these new foundations were included in the inauguration speech, which set the rules for building the state.”
Both Gulf officials met with Prime Minister-designate Nawaf Salam, who affirmed “the importance of working to confront the internal challenges faced by Lebanon during this period.”
Salam stressed “the significance of restoring Lebanese-Gulf relations, which he sees as a priority in the near future.”
The Gulf officials also met with caretaker Mikati and Berri.
The Kuwaiti minister and the GCC secretary-general held a joint press conference with Lebanese Foreign Minister Abdallah Bou Habibi following a meeting.
Al-Yahya said: “We reaffirm our solidarity with Lebanon, and our firm commitment to supporting its sovereignty and territorial unity, as well as the importance of implementing the UN Security Council resolutions, including Resolution 1701, and the Taif Agreement.
“We look forward to building the best relations with Lebanon and strengthening security and stability in the region,” he added.
Al-Yahya affirmed that “the GCC had called for the full adherence to the ceasefire agreement and the cessation of Israeli hostilities against Lebanon and the UN peacekeeping forces,” pointing out “the importance of the role played by the army and the security forces to achieve security in the country.”
He said: “We encourage the implementation of the intended reforms. There’s a historical chance to overcome the past challenges and start the reconstruction and development process in a way that achieves the Lebanese people’s prosperity aspirations.”
Al-Budaiwi stated: “We are very pleased with what we heard from the Lebanese leadership and its keenness to achieve the needed reforms and the internationally-recommended programs to ensure the country’s stability.
“These reforms constitute the right path toward Lebanon’s recovery. We believe in the necessity to implement these mandatory reforms and the security council’s resolutions, namely Resolution 1701, and the Taif Agreement.”
He reiterated the final communique of the ministerial committee’s extraordinary meeting in regard to supporting the five-nation group on Lebanon.
Source:arabnews.com
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Gaza life expectancy nearly half prewar levels: Study
ARAB NEWS
January 24, 2025
LONDON: Israel’s war in Gaza has led to a drop in average life expectancy of 35 years in the Palestinian enclave, a new study has found.
The Lancet journal published data suggesting that life expectancy had dropped to 40.5 years by September 2024, having been 75.5 years before Israel began its invasion in October 2023.
Researchers for the study at the University of Pennsylvania said the true average age could be lower as only data from those killed by war injuries was considered rather than overall casualty figures, which were likely exacerbated by the collapse of Gaza’s health system.
Casualty lists from Gaza’s health authorities were cross-referenced with a UN refugee list and census data to arrive at the findings.
“Our life expectancy results show that the … war in the Gaza Strip generated a life expectancy loss of more than 30 years during the first 12 months of the war, nearly halving pre-war levels,” the study’s authors said.
Despite the logistical issues caused by the war, the UN considers the Gaza health data — which claims that 47,000 have died — accurate.
The UN Human Rights Office said it verified the identities of 8,119 people killed from November 2023 to April 2024.
It added that 44 percent were children and 26 percent were women, with the largest age bracket 5-9-year-olds, and that around 80 percent of people were killed in residential buildings.
“Our case-by-case evaluation of the Gaza Health Ministry list of killed individuals did not detect any substantial errors or signs of intentional inflation,” the researchers said.
“It is highly likely that our central estimates underestimate true losses, because they do not include individuals reported missing or under the rubble.
“Even more importantly, our results do not include the indirect effects of the war on mortality.”
A separate Lancet study published earlier this month suggests that the 47,000-casualty figure may be an underestimate by around 40 percent.
Source:arabnews.com
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Arab World
‘Eltiqa’ Returns To Riyadh With Saudi And Brazilian Arts
January 24, 2025
RIYADH: The Confluence of Saudi-Brazilian Culture, or CONEXAO, will be held in Riyadh from Jan. 30 to Feb. 1, under the patronage of the Saudi minister of culture and chair of the board of trustees of the Royal Institute of Traditional Arts, Prince Badr bin Abdullah bin Farhan.
The exhibition, to be held at the King Fahad Cultural Center in Riyadh under the theme “Eltiqa: the Saudi-Brazilian traditional arts,” will offer a unique cultural and artistic experience, highlighting the artistic harmony between the two nations.
Following the success of the inaugural “Eltiqa” event with South Korea in 2023, this second edition reaffirms the Royal Institute of Traditional Arts’ commitment to fostering international cultural dialogue.
The CONEXAO program will feature five traditional Saudi performances and five Brazilian performances, culminating in a blended dance that integrates traditional artistic elements from both nations.
Additionally, a collaborative artwork created by two female artists from Saudi Arabia and Brazil will be showcased.
The event will include over 15 cultural activities, such as workshops and educational sessions on performing and visual arts, aimed at enhancing cultural understanding and strengthening connections between the two cultures.
CONEXAO is part of the institute’s initiatives to promote artistic movement and international cultural exchange in the Kingdom.
It aligns with the objectives of Saudi Vision 2030 by creating new cultural platforms to raise awareness of traditional arts and supporting efforts to preserve and share them locally and globally.
Source:arabnews.com
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https://www.arabnews.com/node/2587697/saudi-arabia
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‘Nusuk’ celebrates big win at 2024 World Summit Awards
January 24, 2025
RIYADH: The Saudi Ministry of Hajj and Umrah is the sole Saudi participant to win a 2024 World Summit Award in the Culture and Heritage category, thanks to its “Nusuk” platform.
The project competed against over 900 technical submissions from 160 countries.
Launched in 2003 and with more than 186 countries participating, the prestigious WSAs are held biennially and recognize impactful digital initiatives. They seek to bridge the global digital divide by honoring smart applications and creative online content. The WSAs are a key UN initiative, supported by the International Telecommunication Union.
The award reflects the Kingdom’s pioneering strategy in developing innovative technological solutions aimed at enhancing pilgrims’ experiences and highlighting cultural and heritage values.
It underlines the Saudi Ministry of Hajj and Umrah’s efforts to drive comprehensive digital transformation, in alignment with the goals of Saudi Vision 2030.
“Nusuk” is a suite of innovative technological solutions which facilitate the performance of pilgrimage rituals, address challenges and enhance operational efficiency.
It has already advanced significantly with the development of pioneering systems such as the Nusuk Card, Nusuk Masar and crowd management systems.
It also focuses on highlighting the Prophet’s biography and cultural landmarks in Makkah and Madinah, featuring more than 150 museums, monuments, restaurants, cafes and tourist destinations, among other notable sites that enrich the user’s experience.
Over 400 licensed guides are affiliated with the platform, offering customized excursions throughout the Kingdom to pilgrims.
The Ministry of Hajj and Umrah has said it is very proud of its achievement and reaffirmed its ongoing commitment to developing technological solutions that ensured the sustainability of the Hajj and Umrah sectors, facilitating easy access to smart services and ensuring a smooth and tranquil performance of the rituals.
Source:arabnews.com
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https://www.arabnews.com/node/2587711/saudi-arabia
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Italian navy vessel to dock in Jeddah
January 24, 2025
RIYADH: Italian Navy training vessel, the Amerigo Vespucci, will call at Jeddah on Monday for the first time, marking a historic moment in the ship’s 93-year history.
The vessel will dock from Jan. 27-30 at the Jeddah Yacht Club and Marina as part of its world tour.
During the tour, an initiative called “Villaggio Italia” will highlight Italian culture, beauty, naval training and maritime diplomacy, cuisine, science, research, technology, and industry through events and exhibitions.
As part of this, the “Italia Geniale” is a design presentation organized by the Italian Ministry of Business and Industry and the Ministry of Defense in collaboration with the ADI Design Museum.
The program features video and photography exhibitions, an Italian botanical garden display, and demonstrations of Italian craftsmanship and industry. The event will also host several meetings and seminars on tourism and Saudi-Italian relations, including a conference on the Blue and Space Economy. The conference will also address how sustainability, technological innovation and international cooperation can develop key sectors for economic and environmental progress.
Jeddah marks the vessel’s eighth stop after Los Angeles, Tokyo, Darwin, Singapore, Mumbai, Doha and Abu Dhabi. Known as “the most beautiful ship in the world,”, it represents Italy’s maritime heritage and rich naval traditions and serves as a symbol of Italian design excellence.
Source:arabnews.com
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Saudi Arabia: Low-calorie diet mandatory for serving Iftar meals in Grand Mosque
January 25, 2025
Cairo: Weeks before the start of the Muslim fasting month of Ramadan, Saudi authorities have made it clear that a portion of the fast-breaking meals to be served in the Grand Mosque, Islam’s holiest in Mecca, must include a low-calorie diet to suit people with chronic diseases.
The General Authority for Care of the Two Holy Mosques has launched a portal to receive requests from charitable organisations and benevolent individuals to provide the fast-ending Iftar banquets for worshippers inside the Grand Mosque during Ramadan, expected this year to begin on March 1.
The stipulations allow the would-be benefactors to choose the service locations, with one Iftar banquet per individual, and 10 per charity, and contracting with one of the catering companies approved by the Authority.
The state agency in charge of the mosque stressed the necessity of providing low-calorie meals for worshippers with chronic diseases and diabetics at a rate of 20% of the overall meals offered by individual benefactors, and 30% of meals from charitable groups.
In addition, the meals must be packed according to the accredited wrapping to guarantee the quality of the service.
Muslims abstain from eating and drinking every day from dawn to sunset during Ramadan.
The holy month traditionally marks the peak season of the Umrah or minor pilgrimage in the Grand Mosque.
Source:gulfnews.com
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https://gulfnews.com/world/gulf/saudi/saudi-arabia-low-calorie-diet-mandatory-for-serving-iftar-meals-in-grand-mosque-1.500022334
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Mecca Grand Mosque offers 24/7 healthcare with emergency centres
January 24, 2025
Dubai: Visitors to the Grand Mosque in Mecca are now served by three emergency healthcare centres offering 24-hour medical support.
Strategically located and managed by the Mecca Health Cluster in cooperation with the General Authority for the Care of the Two Holy Mosques, the centres aim to provide comprehensive and immediate care for worshippers.
The emergency centres include Haram Emergency Centre 1, situated on the first floor of the King Fahd Expansion near Gate 88; Haram Emergency Centre 3, located in the Saudi corridor near Gate Ismail and the funeral prayer area; and Haram Emergency Centre 4, on the first floor of the Saudi corridor near the Ajyad Bridge.
The Grand Mosque area is further supported by three main health facilities providing comprehensive medical care.
Ajyad Hospital, equipped with an intensive care unit, laboratory services, and a pharmacy stocked with essential medications, operates round-the-clock to serve pilgrims. Al Haram Hospital, located on the northern side of the mosque opposite King Abdullah Gate, specialises in emergency care for visitors.
To bolster emergency response, the Saudi Red Crescent has deployed several automated external defibrillators (AEDs) in collaboration with the General Authority for the Care of the Affairs of the Grand Mosque. These devices, designed to improve survival rates in cases of cardiac arrest, are strategically placed across key locations, including five units at the main gates, five in the circumambulation area, and five in the Saudi Third Expansion.
The General Authority provided a detailed explanation of AED usage, emphasising its simplicity: users need to activate the device via the green laser, position the electrodes as indicated, and follow the audio and visual prompts for delivering a shock to restore normal heart rhythms.
The Mecca Health Cluster collaborates with the General Authority to deliver primary and emergency healthcare as well as health awareness initiatives. This is in addition to ensuring high-quality medical services for all pilgrims visiting the sacred site.
The General Authority and the Ministry of Health also work hand in hand to launch various health awareness programs, further safeguarding the well-being of the millions who visit the Grand Mosque each year.
Source:gulfnews.com
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How Saudi Arabia is making the construction industry greener and more sustainable
WAAD HUSSAIN
January 24, 2025
RIYADH: Saudi Arabia is embracing sustainability as a core element of its Vision 2030 economic reform agenda, driving transformative practices across whole industries.
Nowhere is this more evident than in the Kingdom’s construction sector, where innovative solutions and eco-conscious strategies are reshaping the urban landscape.
Through cutting-edge technologies, collaborative efforts and the adoption of environmentally responsible materials, companies like Red Sea Global, SCG International, VEKR Environmental Services and SABIC are setting a high standard for sustainable development.
Red Sea Global has made environmental stewardship a priority across its mega-projects, ensuring that development enhances rather than disrupts the delicate ecosystem.
“At Red Sea Global, we have initiated several critical programs to safeguard endangered species such as the hawksbill turtles and sooty falcons,” Raed Al-Basseet, RSG’s group chief environment and sustainability officer, told Arab News.
“These efforts include habitat conservation, the protection of turtles’ nesting sites, and tagging programs to monitor their behaviors. On birds, we’ve established artificial nesting sites for the sooty falcon and implemented preventive measures to mitigate bird collisions.”
The organization has also embraced advanced technologies to protect marine ecosystems.
“RSG is leveraging state-of-the-art technologies, including drone surveys equipped with multispectral cameras and satellite imagery for coral reef mapping,” Al-Basseet said.
These tools ensure the real-time monitoring of coral reefs, mangroves and seagrasses, while helping respond swiftly to environmental changes.
RSG’s achievements extend beyond conservation. The company’s renewable energy initiatives have resulted in the installation of more than 760,500 solar panels, reducing CO2 emissions by 46,350 tonnes annually.
Additionally, its mangrove nursery produced more than 1 million seedlings in 2024, with a target of reaching 3 million this year.
“Our commitment to achieving a net conservation benefit of 30 percent by 2040 is integral to our vision of creating harmonious development,” Al-Basseet added.
Another key player in Saudi Arabia’s sustainability journey is SABIC, a global leader in materials innovation and environmental solutions.
SABIC’s Jubail headquarters, which has been certified with LEED Gold, stands as a symbol of green construction.
The building incorporates solar energy systems, wind turbines and electric vehicle charging stations, while also utilizing water recycling systems and low-energy lighting controls.
Beyond infrastructure, SABIC is pioneering efforts in carbon capture and utilization. The company operates the world’s largest CO2 purification and liquefaction plant, capturing 500,000 tonnes annually to convert into valuable products such as methanol and ammonia.
These initiatives reflect SABIC’s broader goal of achieving carbon neutrality by 2050, with an interim target of reducing greenhouse gas emissions by 20 percent by 2030.
In addition to these efforts, SABIC has launched a circular carbon economy model, promoting renewable energy, chemical recycling and afforestation projects.
The company’s recent exports of low-carbon ammonia to global markets, including Japan and South Korea, highlight its leadership in sustainable industrial practices.
Sustainability in construction is not just about preserving nature but also about adopting technologies that redefine how buildings are constructed. SCG International, a global leader in green building solutions, is paving the way for technological innovation in the Kingdom.
“3D printing technology enables accelerated construction timelines, reducing time by up to 30 to 50 percent and labor requirements by 50 percent,” Abhijit Datta, managing director of SCG International, told Arab News.
“It significantly reduces material waste and ensures no leftover raw materials, contributing to a cleaner and safer working environment, by lowering dust and noise levels.”
Among its innovations, SCG’s concrete fabric offers a sustainable solution for erosion control and water management.
“This flexible material conforms to various shapes, reducing logistics costs and emissions while ensuring durability,” Datta said.
The company’s commitment to local empowerment is equally noteworthy. SCG actively collaborates with Saudi firms to train teams in low-carbon cement and ready-mix consultancy services.
Despite recent progress, the adoption of sustainable construction technologies has faced difficulties.
“One of the primary challenges is the high upfront cost of sustainable building practices, which can be a concern for clients,” Dana Al-Damegh, an environmental consultant at VEKR Environmental Services, told Arab News.
“Many are not fully aware of the long-term benefits, including cost savings and enhanced efficiency, that sustainable materials can offer.”
Another pressing issue is the scarcity of resources.
“There is currently a shortage of locally sourced materials, which poses a challenge to sustainable construction efforts,” Al-Damegh said.
“This scarcity extends to skilled manpower as well, which further impacts the ability to fully leverage local resources. Addressing these gaps is crucial for achieving greater sustainability in the sector.”
Nonetheless, Al-Damegh is optimistic about the future. “The collaboration between environmental services companies and regulatory bodies has been instrumental in driving progress,” she said.
As the Kingdom advances its Vision 2030 reform agenda, the focus on green construction continues to grow. The integration of advanced technologies, development of local supply chains and investments in education as well as training will be critical to scaling sustainable practices.
“The successful implementation of sustainable methods requires collaboration, commitment and the right resources,” said Al-Damegh. “All of which are becoming increasingly accessible in Saudi Arabia’s evolving environmental landscape.”
Source:arabnews.com
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Saudi Arabia to host multinational ‘Spears of Victory 2025’ military exercise
January 25, 2025
RIYADH: The “Spears of Victory 2025” military exercise will begin next week at the Air Warfare Center in Saudi Arabia, the Saudi Press Agency reported.
The exercise will run from Jan. 26 to Feb. 6, and feature participation from 15 countries, underscoring the global commitment to strengthening military collaboration.
Countries contributing forces include Bahrain, Greece, France, Qatar, the UK, US, UAE, and Pakistan. Seven additional nations — Australia, Egypt, Italy, Jordan, Morocco, South Korea, and Spain — will take part as observers, SPA added.
Air Force Maj. Gen. Mohammed bin Ali Al-Omari, the exercise commander, said the aim was to enhance combat readiness, foster the exchange of expertise in planning and execution, and unify the concept of joint military action.
The exercise will focus on addressing current and emerging threats, advancing tactical capabilities, and promoting joint operational strategies, he added.
Participating forces will engage in complex tactical operations designed to simulate threats in an advanced electronic warfare environment, according to SPA.
These operations will integrate branches of Saudi Arabia’s armed forces, the Ministry of the National Guard, and the Presidency of State Security, alongside military contingents from other nations with active forces on the ground.
Source:arabnews.com
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Pakistan
Not possible for govt to plead with PTI for talks, says Senator Siddiqui
By Web Desk
January 25, 2025
Castigating the PTI for suspending the negotiation process, the PML-N-led coalition government on Friday said they would not plead with the former ruling party to hold talks with it.
Speaking on Geo News programme 'Aaj Shahzeb Khanzada Kay Sath', Senator Irfan Siddiqui, spokesperson for the government's negotiation committee said: “Now, it is not possible that we plead with them [PTI] to return and resume talks.”
His remarks came hours after PTI Chairman Barrister Gohar Ali Khan announced that his party would not attend the fourth round of talks scheduled for January 28.
A day earlier, the Imran Khan-founded party “called off” the negotiation process due to “non-cooperation” of the government and delay over the formation of a judicial commission to probe the May 9, 2023 violent protests and crackdown on party protesters in Islamabad on November 26 last year.
The PTI and the ruling coalition had been engaged in the talks aimed at defusing political tensions in the country for nearly a month. Both sides held three rounds of talks so far.
The dialogue ended in deadlock as the Khan-founded party was of the view that they would attend the fourth round of talks only if the government formed the judicial commission while the ruling alliance was saying that they would give their written response to the PTI’s demand in the next round of negotiation.
During the talk show today, Siddiqui said: “PTI called off dialogue without waiting for our response.”
Referring to the third round of talks, he said that the PTI negotiators did not apprise them of their condition that they would stop dialogue process if the judicial commission was not formed.
Earlier this week, the incarcerated PTI founder — who has been behind bars since August last year in multiple cases ranging from corruption to terrorism — had directed his party to withdraw from talks if the judicial commission was not formed with seven days.
“PTI made our response completely irrelevant,” Siddiqui said today, adding that they were looking at everything in line with the Constitution, rules and regulations.
Lambasting the PTI, he said the former ruling party had made a mockery of the negation process. He further said that National Assembly Speaker Ayaz Sadiq, who is playing the role of mediator, contacted the former ruling party and sought their opinion.
“Perhaps this party [PTI] was not formed for negotiations. They have May 9 and a final call,” he said referring to the violent protests.
The senator also raised questions over the PTI’s sincerity in the negotiation process.
Source:thenews.com.pk
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Pakpattan man arrested over 'derogatory' social media post against CM Maryam
By Murad Khan Asim
January 24, 2025
Police on Friday arrested a man in Punjab's Pakpattan city for violating the Prevention of Electronic Crimes Act 2016 (Peca) by allegedly allowing insulting post targeting Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz to be shared in a WhatsApp group.
According to a first information report (FIR) — a copy of which is available with Geo News, a post using "dirty language" against the Punjab CM was uploaded to a WhatsApp group.
"The suspect deliberately uploaded an immoral, insulting post on the group, while the admin, being aware of the post's offensive and illegal nature, did not delete it, but rather gave the opportunity to other group members to see the post,” stated the FIR.
It further said that the group admin — who was arrested — was "trying to spread chaos among the public".
The FIR was registered against the suspect and the group admin under Section 20 of Peca and Section 509 of the Pakistan Penal Code.
Meanwhile, the Pakpattan police have confirmed the arrest of the group admin, saying that the suspect shared an insulting post against the CM Maryam in the WhatsApp group. “The group admin has been arrested,” they added.
The development came a day after the National Assembly passed the controversial Prevention of Electronic Crimes (Amendment) Act, 2025, making changes to the existing cybercrime laws, drawing severe criticism from journalist bodies.
The draft titled "Prevention of Electronic Crimes (Amendment) Act, 2025" includes new definitions, the establishment of regulatory and investigative bodies, and stricter penalties for disseminating "false" information.
The government aims to lower the punishment for spreading “fake information” online to three years, according to a draft of the document, while they may also face a fine of up to Rs2 million.
"Whoever intentionally disseminates, publicly exhibits or transmits any information through any information system, that he knows or has reason to believe or has reason to believe to be false or fake and likely to cause or create a sense of fear, panic or disorder or unrest in general public or society shall be punished with imprisonment which may extend up to three years or with fine which may extend to two million rupees or with both,” Section 26A of the bill said.
The newly amended bill also proposed the establishment of the Social Media Protection and Regulatory Authority (SMPRA), the National Cyber Crime Investigation Agency (NCCIA) and the Social Media Protection Tribunal.
Source:thenews.com.pk
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Turkiye’s Erdogan to attend strategic cooperation meeting in Islamabad next month
Baqir Sajjad Syed
January 25, 2025
ISLAMABAD: The seventh meeting of the Pakistan-Turkiye High-Level Strategic Cooperation Council (HLSCC) is set to take place in Islamabad next month.
Although official dates have yet to be announced, the meeting is tentatively planned for Feb 12 and 13.
The HLSCC, which serves as the primary mechanism for steering bilateral cooperation, is co-chaired by the prime minister of Pakistan and the president of Turkiye.
Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, accompanied by a high-level ministerial delegation, is expected to visit Pakistan for the session.
The council, originally established in 2009 to implement the Strategic Economic Framework (SEF) agreed upon by the two countries, was renamed in 2013 during its third session to reflect the strategic nature of the relationship.
The sixth session was held in February 2020, and the seventh meeting, initially planned for 2022, was delayed.
The upcoming HLSCC session will focus on strengthening defence and security collaboration, enhancing trade, boosting economic cooperation, and deepening cultural ties between the two countries.
In a preparatory meeting held on Friday, Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar reviewed progress on the Strategic Economic Framework 2020-24 and discussed recent initiatives to bolster bilateral ties.
“The meeting was aimed at preparing a comprehensive roadmap for enhancing trade, economic, and investment cooperation between Pakistan and Turkiye,” the Foreign Office said in a statement.
“It explored new proposals to strengthen the economic ties between the two countries and forms part of the preparations for the seventh session of the High-Level Strategic Cooperation Council to be held in Islamabad.”
Source:dawn.com
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Chinese investors knock on SHC door over 'police harassment'
By Amin Anwar
January 24, 2025
Six Chinese investors on Friday moved the Sindh High Court seeking protection against extortion and alleged harassment by police officials in Karachi.
In their petition, the Chinese investors, while expressing their disappointment over the "culture of bribe" in the local police, have said that they would be left with no other option but to leave for Lahore or return to their homeland.
“Police [officers] demand bribes from the airport to our residences. We are made to wait for hours at the airport in the name of [arranging] bulletproof vehicles,” read the petition.
The Chinese businessmen alleged that police officials, after receiving bribes, took them to their residences in their vehicles.
In addition to this, the Chinese investors said that they had been deprived of the right to free movement and holding business meetings.
The interior ministry, chief secretary, IG, CPEC security, officials of Malir district police, Chinese embassy and others were made parties in the case.
The court sought a response from the Sindh IG and others within four weeks.
'Sindh govt vows full security for Chinese investors'
Last month, Sindh Senior Minister Sharjeel Inam Memon said that the federal and provincial governments had always embraced foreign investors.
He said the Sindh government was working with an active public-private partnership mode and full facilities will be provided in all respects to the investors on a public-private partnership basis.
Addressing a conference at a hotel in Karachi, he added that Chinese investors were interested in investing in the medical city and transport sector in Karachi and President Asif Ali Zardari, on behalf of the Sindh government, had offered full support to Chinese investors.
He maintained that a combination of Chinese technology and the opportunities available in Pakistan is the way forward for further development and vowed that his government would extend full security to the Chinese investors.
Source:thenews.com.pk
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Moroccan, Pakistani authorities claim multiple arrests over boat tragedy
Waseem Ashraf Butt
January 25, 2025
• PM-led task force to combat human trafficking syndicates
• High-level probe team briefs top functionaries on findings from Morocco visit
GUJRAT: Authorities in Morocco and Pakistan have claimed the arrest of around half a dozen suspects said to be involved in an attempt to traffic around 65 Pakistanis from Mauritania to Europe, which resulted in the deaths of over 40 Pakistanis in the Atlantic Ocean earlier this month.
Most of the Pakistani victims on board the ill-fated vessel were murdered by African human traffickers, according to the findings of a high-ranking government team that was sent to Morocco to probe the Atlantic boat tragedy.
Sources privy to the findings of the high-level delegation said that the Moroccan navy had arrested at least half a dozen African human traffickers and legal proceedings had been initiated against them under local laws.
Separately, Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) officials claimed to have arrested at least five human traffickers, including two from Sialkot who are suspected of sending one of the Morocco boat tragedy victims abroad.
The two men from Sialkot’s Sambrial tehsil are accused of being involved in the attempt to traffic Amir Ali — one of the men who perished on the ill-fated migrant boat — to Spain after extorting a sum of Rs5.3 million from him.
In addition, a spokesperson for FIA Gujranwala said that at least three other suspected traffickers, involved in different cases had been arrested during the raids at different locations in the region.
Task force formed
Also on Friday, PM Shehbaz Sharif formed a special task force — which he will lead — to combat human trafficking syndicates operating in Pakistan.
“We will bring the perpetrators involved in human trafficking to justice,” the prime minister resolved while chairing a meeting to review steps taken to curb human trafficking.
Stressing the need to accelerate action against those involved in human trafficking, the prime minister directed all relevant departments, including the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, to play an active role in identifying human smugglers.
The meeting was informed that six organized human trafficking groups had been identified, 12 FIRs filed, 25 individuals identified, three key suspects arrested, and the names of 16 individuals had been added to the passport control list.
The meeting was also updated on actions taken against suspected FIA personnel and officers, and briefed on the report submitted by the high-powered overseas investigative committee.
Report from Morocco
Sources in the FIA privy to the findings of the government team that visited Morocco earlier this month told Dawn that survivors had narrated their ordeal at the hands of African human traffickers, who had allegedly tortured and murdered their compatriots before throwing their bodies into the sea.
The team, which included officials from the foreign ministry, FIA and Intelligence Bureau, spent four to five days in Morocco, has also briefed Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar and is also expected to present its findings to the PM soon.
The government is expected to devise its formal stance on the Moroccan boat tragedy in light of the report.
In addition, preparations are underway to repatriate the Pakistani survivors, as well as the bodies of the deceased that were recovered from the ill-fated migrant vessel. Sources say that although legal formalities are being completed, but the timeframe for their repatriation was yet to be finalised.
As per media reports, at least 44 Pakistanis are feared dead, while the bodies of ten of the deceased are currently in a Moroccan hospital. Of them, eight have been identified, while the identities of the two remaining corpses will be determined through DNA testing.
Source:dawn.com
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PDMA asks local administrations in Punjab to prepare for drought
Imran Gabol
January 25, 2025
LAHORE: The Provincial Disaster Management Authority (PDMA) on Friday issued a severe drought advisory for Punjab due to 40 per cent below normal rainfall for the first time in the province’s history.
The advisory, directed to all divisional and deputy commissioners, followed a similar alert issued by the Pakistan Meteorological Department’s National Drought Monitoring Center (NDMC).
The NDMC advisory noted that from September 1, 2024 to January 15, 2025, the rainfall across Pakistan was 40 per cent below normal, with a reduction of 42pc in Punjab.
This drastic reduction in rainfall is expected to exacerbate water stress in cultivated lands, particularly in rain-fed regions, due to the limited supply of irrigation water for Rabi crops.
The persistent drought conditions in Punjab’s rain-fed regions are anticipated to worsen in January, February and March in the absence of significant rainfall.
The PDMA has requested local administrations to take pre-emptive measures for drought risk management in their respective divisions and districts.
PDMA Director General Irfan Ali Kathiya said farmers should be informed in advance about the possible water shortage.
He directed the administrations to make advance arrangements for the expected water shortage in Thal and Cholistan.
The School Education Department will also be involved in creating awareness about measures to prevent crops from damaging.
Source:dawn.com
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Southeast Asia
PAS lauds RM830,000 ‘jihad’ donation for Siti Mastura’s defamation suit, says supporters prevented by-election
By Malay Mail
25 Jan 2025
SHAH ALAM, Jan 25 — PAS reportedly said today that its supporters have managed to prevent a by-election by donating RM830,000 to pay for damages and costs after its Kepala Batas MP Siti Mastura Muhammad was sued for defamation.
Sinar Harian cited party spiritual adviser Datuk Hashim Jasin said that with the donation, Siti Mastura would not need to be declared bankrupt — and therefore supports have “symbolically defended” the Islamist party’s seat.
“There is no need for her to be declared bankrupt because the payment was made on the stipulated date. A by-election is also unnecessary as a result of complying with the court order.
“If a by-election were to be held, the cost would certainly be higher,” he reportedly said.
Hashim also confirmed that the full amount was fully funded through its donation campaign, which the party dubbed as “jihad” — or a struggle for the sake of Islam.
“Of course, she couldn't pay [the amount] alone. So, everyone needed to help a little to reach the target. This is the attitude and practice of PAS since the beginning and forever,” he said.
In December, Penang High Court Judge Datuk Quay Chew Soon ruled that Siti Mastura’s remarks linking DAP leaders Lim Kit Siang, Lim Guan Eng, and Teresa Kok to the late Communist Party of Malaya leader, Chin Peng, and Singapore’s Lee Kuan Yew were defamatory and uttered with malice.
He awarded global damages of RM300,000 in favour of Kit Siang, RM250,000 in favour of Guan Eng, and RM200,000 in favour of Kok. He then ordered that Siti Mastura pay RM25,000 in costs to each plaintiff.
Kit Siang, Guan Eng, and Kok filed defamation suits against Siti Mastura on November 27, 2023.
The suit was filed over a speech by Siti Mastura at a ceramah during the Kemaman by-election campaign period.
The Penang PAS Muslimat deputy chief claimed that Kit Siang, Guan Eng, and the latter’s wife Betty Chew had ties to Chin Peng and Lee.
She also mentioned other DAP leaders, including Kok, Teluk Intan MP Nga Kor Ming, and Beruas MP Ngeh Koo Ham.
Source:malaymail.com
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https://www.malaymail.com/news/malaysia/2025/01/25/pas-lauds-rm830000-jihad-donation-for-siti-masturas-defamation-suit-says-supporters-prevented-by-election/164512
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Inclusivity and sustainability to drive Malaysia and Asean’s resurgence, says PM Anwar
25 Jan 2025
KUALA LUMPUR, Jan 25 — Inclusivity and sustainability should be the cornerstone of Malaysia and Asean’s resurgence, by choosing to share prosperity fairly, without leaving anyone behind, said Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim.
He said that under Malaysia’s chairmanship, the Asean bloc is committed to the Asean centrality principle, which allows for free cooperation with the United States, China, India, Europe and other countries without having to take sides or being bound by external conflicts.
“Alhamdulillah, the Malaysian delegation’s mission to four countries — the United Arab Emirates, the United Kingdom, Belgium and Switzerland — has concluded.
“I also used this mission to uphold Asean’s close relations as the strength of our region,” he said in a Facebook post today.
Anwar said he had observed an important matter during the mission to the four countries, which included strengthening bilateral relations, attracting investments and boosting trade.
He added that despite the political complexities, the leadership and people of these countries focused entirely on the economy, the culture of knowledge, skills, expertise and artificial intelligence.
“This attitude should be emulated, rather than constantly discussing trivial issues that tear us apart and cause harm,” he said. — Bernama
Source:malaymail.com
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Malaysia Maintains Lead In Global Islamic Finance
24/01/2025
KUALA LUMPUR, 24 Jan (Bernama) -- Malaysia has once again topped the global Islamic finance rankings, securing the number one spot in the 2024 Islamic Finance Development Indicator (IFDI). Deputy Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department (Religious Affairs), Dr Zulkifli Hasan praised the achievement and emphasised the key role of institutions like Bank Islam, International Islamic University Malaysia (IIUM) and Amanah Ikhtiar Malaysia in shaping the nation’s Islamic finance sector. The latest report by the Islamic Corporation for the Development of the Private Sector (ICD) and the London Stock Exchange Group (LSEG) shows Malaysia leading with a score of 144 points, followed by Saudi Arabia (119), the United Arab Emirates (88), Indonesia (85) and Pakistan (75).The report highlights various sectors, asset classes and the broader ecosystem supporting Islamic finance. In his Facebook posting, Zulkifli also credited Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim for his early promotion of Islamic finance, even before becoming a minister. Notably, Anwar led the establishment of the Islamic Youth Cooperative (KBI) in 1977, which was the first institution in Malaysia to offer Shariah-compliant financial products, including interest-free loans to the Muslim community
Source:bernama.com
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https://www.bernama.com/en/general/news.php?id=2386348
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South Asia
Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan Rejects ICC Charges
2025-01-24
KABUL(BNA): The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan has issued a strong statement condemning the recent request for the arrest of the Supreme leader, and Sheikh Abdul Hakim Haqqani, the head of the Supreme Court, by the International Criminal Court (ICC).
The ministry characterized the allegations made by the ICC prosecutor as lacking a fair legal basis and being driven by political motivations.
In its statement, the Islamic Emirate emphasized that these accusations arise at a time when Afghanistan enjoys comprehensive security, allowing its citizens to experience peace after years of unrest. The ministry highlighted the elimination of private prisons, kidnappings, and the influence of warlords, asserting that these developments reflect a positive transformation in the country.
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs expressed disappointment that the ICC has seemingly overlooked the war crimes and crimes against humanity committed by foreign forces and their local collaborators during the two-decade occupation of Afghanistan. This oversight, the ministry argued, further diminishes the credibility of the ICC and undermines its position on the international stage.
Additionally, the statement criticized the ICC for attempting to impose a singular interpretation of human rights that disregards the religious and cultural values of diverse nations around the world.
The Islamic Emirate’s firm rejection of the ICC’s charges underscores ongoing tensions between Afghanistan and international legal bodies, as the country navigates its post-conflict landscape.
Source:bakhtarnews.af
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https://www.bakhtarnews.af/en/islamic-emirate-of-afghanistan-rejects-icc-charges/q
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Instead Of Criticizing The Islamic System, Reform Ideas Should Be Shared With Government: Acting Minister Of Refugees
January 25, 2025
Acting Minister of Refugees and Repatriation Mawlawi Abdul Kabir has said that instead of criticizing the Islamic system, efforts should be made to share reform ideas with the relevant government institutions.
Speaking at a madrassa graduation ceremony in Khost province, Abdul Kabir said that the Islamic Emirate maintains relations with the region and the world to solve problems in the light of Islam and in order to strengthen the Islamic system.
He added that the demands of the region and the world on Afghanistan are met by the policy of the Islamic Emirate and the international community is not concerned about use of Afghanistan's soil against countries.
He also stressed that the country's national budget is funded by the Islamic Emirate.
Source:ariananews.af
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https://www.ariananews.af/instead-of-criticizing-the-islamic-system-reform-ideas-should-be-shared-with-government-abdul-kabir/
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Dhaka trashes India.com’s report against Yunus, interim govt
Jan 24, 2025
The news published on India.com is "false and part of an Indian-orchestrated propaganda campaign" against Bangladesh's Chief Adviser Professor Muhammad Yunus, his family members and the interim government of Bangladesh, said Chief Adviser's press wing today.
Yunus did not donate any money to the Hillary Clinton Foundation as claimed in the post, said its fact-checking wing.
His friendship with the Clintons has not benefited his daughter, Monica Yunus, and, contrary to the claim, she never held any position in Joe Biden's administration, said the CA's press wing.
The report of Prof Yunus receiving millions of dollars in loans while Hillary Clinton served as US secretary of states is also false, it said in a Facebook post.
Yunus also played no role in the World Bank's decision to scrap any loan deal for the Padma Bridge project, according to the CA's press wing.
Source:thedailystar.net
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https://www.thedailystar.net/news/bangladesh/news/dhaka-trashes-indiacoms-report-against-yunus-interim-govt-3807471
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IEA’s economic, diplomatic relations with world expanding
January 25, 2025
Afghanistan, under the Islamic system, has opened a brand-new chapter of relations with the world aiming at ending the past long years of decline. The Afghan nation is stepping toward strength, prosperity, and pride as the Islamic Emirate’s relations widen with the world and regional countries both economically and politically. In his latest meeting with the country’s Foreign Minister Mawlavi Amir Khan Muttaqi, Cenk Ünal, the Turkish ambassador in Kabul assured of his country’s continued efforts to enhance diplomatic relations with the Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan. The two countries’ authorities discussed bilateral relations including strengthening diplomatic relations alongside other regional issues. Türkiye has already facilitated the work of Islamic Emirate diplomats in Istanbul and Ankara, a move that has been highly welcomed and appreciated by the Islamic Emirate authorities. The two countries’ religious scholars’ meeting and their exchange of views about various issues, including economic and political relations further strengthened ties between the two nations. According to the country’s media, the Islamic Emirate’s Foreign Minister met with Roza Otunbayeva, the UN Secretary-General’s Special Representative for Afghanistan and head of UNAMA, and discussed the country’s economic stability assuring rapid economic growth. Bilateral relations and economic cooperation have also been discussed in the country’s foreign minister’s meeting with Alireza Bekdeli, the acting ambassador of Iran in Kabul. Also, Robert Chatterton Dickson Chargé d’Affaires of the UK to Afghanistan, in a meeting with Mawlavi Zakirullah Zakir, the General Director of the Office of the Deputy Prime Minister for Political Affairs, said that the United Kingdom remains committed to sustaining its support for Afghanistan across various sectors. Asserting that the British government is committed to cooperating with Afghanistan in addressing the challenges posed by climate change and mitigating its adverse impacts, he underscored that challenges should be addressed through constructive dialogue and engagement. Most of the world and regional countries have recently resumed diplomatic relations with the Islamic Emirate and the relations are further expanding. Undeniably, the Islamic Emirate has achieved eye-catching progress in various sectors, especially in the fields of security and economic stability since its power takeover more than three years ago. Unlike former government corrupt elusive officials who incited public hatred against themselves and their corrupt regimes, the ruling Islamic system is making efforts to uproot poppy, promote a legitimate corps, and dry out the root of corruption throughout the government institutions. Also, the implementation of thousands of small and big uplift schemes, besides the resumption of work on hundreds of major projects as well as seeking fact-and-reality-based diplomatic ties with the world are all the reasons drawing the world countries’ interest in resuming positive engagement with the Islamic Emirate. All the hard work and accomplishments made in the short term by the current system indicate the country’s way toward meaningful political stability. Women’s empowerment and encouraging their entrepreneurship in various fields, under the Islamic Sharia law are the indicators of the current system’s productive efforts to lead the nation toward prosperity and convince the world that the Islamic system supports and treats all Afghan genders equally. The regular launch and completion of development projects, and thriving exports of the country’s different commodities abroad including high-quality saffron and other medicinal herbs, as well as dried fruits that flourish the country’s economy, can also be counted among the Islamic Emirate’s achievements driving the attention of the world markets on one hand and the other hand sending a positive message to the world that Afghanistan, after sure security restoration is stepping up towards economic and political stability.
Source:thekabultimes.com
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Acting Defense Minister Meets Qatar Charge d’Affaires to Kabul
2025-01-24
KABUL(BNA): Mawlavi Mohammad Yaqoob Mujahid, the Acting Minister of National Defense of the Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan, held a meeting with Mirdef Alqashouti, the Charge d’Affaires of the Embassy of Qatar in Kabul.
During the meeting, Ministr Mujahid praised Qatar as a “friend and partner country,” highlighting the importance of strengthening and maintaining robust relations between the two the countries.
This meeting follows Mujahid’s previous engagement with the Saudi Arabian Ambassador to Afghanistan, indicating a broader effort to foster diplomatic and economic relationships with key regional partners.
Both sides reiterated their dedication to ongoing cooperation and mutual support in addressing shared challenges and opportunities.
Source:bakhtarnews.af
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Over 100 Gas Poisoning Cases reported in Heart, Western Afghanistan
ByFidel Rahmati
January 24, 2025
Officials at Herat Regional Hospital in western Afghanistan have reported 123 cases of gas poisoning in the province over the past two months.
Farhad Afzali, the chief physician at Herat Regional Hospital, stated on Thursday, January 23, that three individuals have died as a result of gas poisoning during this period.
According to him, among the reported cases, 68 were women who were transferred to the hospital due to gas poisoning.
Two days ago, three young individuals in Parwan and Herat provinces also lost their lives due to gas poisoning incidents.
Each year, with the onset of winter, gas poisoning incidents claim the lives of citizens in several provinces across the country, highlighting a recurring seasonal issue.
This comes amid the winter season, harsh cold weather, and a lack of electricity and heating in the country.
The rise in gas poisoning cases underscores the need for increased public awareness about safe heating practices, particularly during the winter season. Preventive measures and public education campaigns can help reduce these incidents and save lives.
Authorities and healthcare organizations should prioritize providing resources and guidance to ensure the safe use of heating equipment. Addressing this issue can significantly decrease fatalities and improve the well-being of affected communities.
Source:khaama.com
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https://www.khaama.com/over-100-gas-poisoning-cases-reported-in-heart-western-afghanistan/
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