'Sharm Nahi Aati' Terrorist': Bengaluru Professor Suspended Over Offensive Remarks against Muslim Student; Probe Underway
New Age Islam News Bureau
29 March 2026
• ‘Sharm nahi aati… terrorist’: Bengaluru professor suspended over offensive remarks against Muslim student; probe underway
• Pakistan secures Iran deal to send 20 ships through Strait of Hormuz
• Israel kills 9 rescue workers while 'on duty' in southern Lebanon Saturday
• Afghanistan continues to provide aid to families displaces due to Pakistani attacks
• Malaysia to bar foreign debit and credit cards from RON95 purchases to curb subsidy misuse
• Hezbollah: Targeting Israeli soldiers and vehicles in Bayyada
• Millions rally in US, Europe in ‘No Kings’ protests against Trump policies and Iran war
• US report flags Pakistan-based terror groups targeting India
• Neither Shah nor mullahs: Iran’s Resistance Units rally for a democratic republic
India
• What Jammu University gets wrong about removing ‘Muslim’ thinkers from the syllabus
• CM, Shah spar over Jangipur violence; Didi blames EC for shunting officers, Union home minister claims transfers helped reduce clashes
• Mamata Banerjee alleges voter deletions, targets ECI over poll ‘bias’
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Pakistan
• Israeli strikes and US troop buildup put Pakistan’s peacemaker role under pressure
• Missing Mediator: Imran Khan in a Pakistani Prison
• Pakistan cricketer in big trouble! PCB cracks down after ‘Queen’ jibe at Maryam Nawaz
• The U.S. Signals limits To Support in India-Pakistan Crisis
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Mideast
• Pezeshkian warns of Israel’s ‘vicious’ plan to expand Iran war across region
• The War With Iran May Be Ushering in a New Nuclear Age
• Jebelli: Martyr Shoaib’s brave stance challenged Zionist enemy's war machine
• At the Brink: A Strategy for Containing Tensions in the Tehran–Riyadh Triangle
• Raids Near Hormuz, Seizing Kharg: US Prepares For Weeks Of Ground Ops In Iran
• Major U.A.E. Aluminum Plant Damaged in Iranian Strike
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South Asia
• One killed, 10 injured as mini-bus strikes motorists in Eastern Afghanistan
• Family allegedly assaulted in mosque over wedding music in Chapainawabganj
• Pakistan undermining international norms in conflict with Afghanistan: Report
• Negotiating A New Ganga Waters Treaty With Bangladesh: Pitfalls Ahead
• Feature: Big dream in small classroom: Young education volunteers help rewrite Afghan children's future
• BGB personnel deployed across Bangladesh fuel stations to prevent 'illegal' stockpiling
• Bangladesh to decide on lifting IPL broadcast ban after minister’s return
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Southeast Asia
• Kelantan records 1,089 open burning cases since Jan 1, says Fire Dept
• Domestic Trade Ministry seizes RM32m in petrol and diesel, arrest 667 under Ops Tiris 3.0
• Met Malaysia issues thunderstorm and strong‑wind alert for multiple states until 5pm
• Police open murder probe after discovery of charred body, burnt motorcycle in Kulim
• Nga Kor Ming: 78 people complete community service for littering across six states
• MOF: Govt maintains fuel subsidies to cushion impact of rising global oil prices
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Arab world
• Islamic Resistance in Iraq escalates: Coordinated strikes on multiple Jordanian airbases
• Bahrain investigates death of jailed activist, denies Shia crackdown
• Leaders from Ansar Allah's Political Bureau Inspect Conditions of Defensive Forces in Al-Dhale'a
• Rain-revived Wadi Ayouj draws visitors as Northern Borders’ natural heritage flourishes
• Saudi passport directorate: Holders of expired visas can seek help through hotline 992
• Saudi Arabia advances environmental restoration, sustainability goals
• Religious affairs presidency expands digital outreach
• Saudi ambassador attends Estonia policy briefing
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Europe
• France opens terror probe after Paris Bank of America attack attempt
• Ukraine Seals Billion-Dollar Defense Partnerships with Saudi Arabia, Qatar, and the UAE
• Russian Shahed drones struck maternity hospital in Ukraine’s Odesa. 80 people were inside facility at time of attack
• The spiritual heritage of Lankaran: The Kichik Bazar Mosque
• Architect Sumayya Vally On Her Decades-Long Love Of Eyeliner
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North America
• Exclusive: Islamic Regime Issues Directive To Counter Potential US Ground Military Operations
• Full scale invasion or special ops? Inside Pentagon plan for US boots in Iran
• US Marine Corps Expeditionary Unit Arrives in Persian Gulf Region
• A Crude Ad About a Banana — And a Primary That Could Predict the GOP’s Future
• What is ‘OnlyFarms’? Trump unveils bizarrely named website to mark National Agriculture Day
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Africa
• Islamic Jihad Mourns Lebanese Journalists Ali Shuaib and Fatima Fatouni and Photographer Mohammed Fatouni
• BREAKING: Police Invite Activist Over Facebook Post Criticising Taraba SEMA Boss Audu, Questioning IDP Relief Distribution
Compiled by New Age Islam News Bureau
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‘Sharm nahi aati… terrorist’: Bengaluru professor suspended over offensive remarks against Muslim student; probe underway
Monica Singh
Mar 28, 2026
A controversy has surfaced at PES University in Bengaluru after a professor was accused of making offensive and communal comments toward a Muslim student during a classroom session. The incident, which reportedly occurred earlier this week, has sparked widespread criticism after a video of the exchange circulated online.
According to reports, the episode began when a student, identified as Affan, asked for permission to briefly leave the class. The request allegedly led to a heated reaction from the faculty member, Muralidhar Deshpande, who was seen in the video raising his voice and using inappropriate language.
In response to the backlash, the university administration has placed the professor under suspension while a detailed inquiry is conducted. A formal communication from the Vice Chancellor confirmed that action was taken following a student complaint, though it did not specify the exact nature of the allegations. The administration stated that the suspension is temporary and intended to ensure a fair investigation into the matter. Officials also reiterated that the institution maintains strict guidelines on professional conduct and classroom behaviour.
The situation has also led to further concerns among students. Some individuals claimed that those who supported the affected student have also faced disciplinary measures, though the university has not publicly confirmed these allegations. The Vice Chancellor acknowledged the seriousness of the issue, noting that faculty members are trained to manage classroom situations responsibly. He expressed surprise at the reported behaviour, especially given the professor’s academic background and long association with the institution as an adjunct faculty member.
The controversy has drawn political attention as well. The National Students' Union of India (NSUI) has filed a police complaint seeking strict action against the professor and demanding a public apology.
University authorities have emphasised that such an incident is unprecedented in the institution’s history. They assured that appropriate disciplinary steps will be taken based on the findings of the ongoing investigation. As the inquiry continues, the case has reignited discussions around inclusivity, sensitivity, and accountability within educational institutions.
Source: scroll.in
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Pakistan secures Iran deal to send 20 ships through Strait of Hormuz
28 Mar 2026
Pakistan's Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar hailed Iran's decision to allow 20 Pakistani-flagged vessels to transit the Strait of Hormuz [File: Shamil Zhumatov/Pool/Reuters]
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Iran has agreed to allow 20 Pakistani-flagged vessels to transit the Strait of Hormuz, in what Islamabad has called a meaningful step towards easing one of the worst energy crises in modern history.
He described Iran’s decision as “a harbinger of peace”, which could help restore stability to a region on the edge, hailing it as a “welcome and constructive gesture”.
Notably, he addressed his post directly to US Vice President JD Vance, Secretary of State Marco Rubio, US envoy Steve Witkoff and Iranian Minister of Foreign Affairs Abbas Araghchi, a signal that Islamabad, which is engaged in diplomatic efforts to end the war, views the deal as far more than a bilateral shipping agreement.
The strait has been effectively shut since the United States and Israel launched coordinated strikes on Iran on February 28, killing Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei and triggering a war that has killed about 2,000 Iranians and more than 1,100 people in Lebanon, and sent shockwaves through global markets.
“The Strait of Hormuz is not an oil chokepoint,” former Qatari minister Mohammed Al-Hashemi wrote in a column for Al Jazeera this week. “It is the aortic valve of globalised production – and like any valve, when it fails, the entire circulatory system collapses.”
Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) has, in the meantime, turned the strait into something resembling a checkpoint. Ships seeking passage must submit their cargo details, crew lists and destinations to IRGC-approved intermediaries, receive a clearance code, and be escorted through Iranian territorial waters.
Speaking at a Miami investor forum, he referred to it as the “Strait of Trump”, before catching himself. “Excuse me, I’m so sorry. Such a terrible mistake,” he told the crowd.
Iran has demanded formal international recognition of its authority over the strait as a condition for ending the war. Its parliament is drafting legislation to codify toll collection permanently.
Sultan Al Jaber, an Emirati minister, said the chokehold was “economic terrorism,” warning that “every nation pays the ransom at the gas pump, at the grocery store, at the pharmacy”.
Trump said that Washington has eased strikes on Iranian power plants for five days, a window that closes on Saturday. Israel has said its own strikes will continue regardless.
Source: www.aljazeera.com
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Israel kills 9 rescue workers while 'on duty' in southern Lebanon Saturday
By L'Orient
9 March 2026
Health Minister Rakan Nasreddine gives a press conference on Saturday, March 28, after the killing of nine Lebanese paramedics in southern Lebanon by Israeli strikes. (Photo provided by the press service of the Lebanese Health Ministry)
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Israel has killed a total of five health care workers and 46 first responders in Lebanon since the start of the war's escalation on March 2, Lebanese Health Minister Rakan Nasreddine announced on Saturday. On Saturday alone, Israel killed nine first responders, he added.
"The number of martyrs in the health sector amounts to 51, namely 46 rescuers and five health care workers," the minister said at a press conference. He added that nine hospitals in southern Lebanon have also been attacked over the past three weeks. In total, the ministry has recorded 75 attacks on rescue and health services since March 2, Nasreddine said.
According to Nasreddine, all nine rescue workers were on active missions when they were targeted. Four of them belonged to the Islamic Health Committee, affiliated with Hezbollah, while the other five were members of the Islamic Mission Scouts Association (al-Rissala), linked to the Amal movement.
On the night from Friday to Saturday, Israel killed seven rescuers. Two of them, Mohammad Nassif Zhour, from Yohmor al-Shaqif, and Mohammad Toufayli, from Kfar Tibnit, were killed and others wounded in an Israeli drone attack on Islamic Health Committee vehicles in Kfar Tibnit (Nabatieh), according to our correspondent. Two others, Mohammad Daher and Ahmad Onaissi, were killed in Jezzine, near the car where journalists Ali Choeib, Fatima, and Mohammad Ftouni were when they too were targeted by Israel. An Islamic Health Committee ambulance transporting victims of a strike in the Nabatieh region was also targeted between Qaaqaaiyet al-Jisr and Kfar Dajjal, wounding two rescuers.
The five Rissala rescuers were in an ambulance Israel targeted in Zawtar Sharqieh (Nabatieh). They have been identified as Atef Qaddouh, Hussein Ali Darwiche, Hassan Noureddine, Ali Hassan Jeha, and Ibrahim Zaher Abu Zeid.
After these successive attacks on ambulances, the Lebanese Red Cross stated in a statement that in order to respond to calls in the border areas of south Lebanon, it informs the United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL) and waits for secured passage to be assured. "The Lebanese Red Cross continues to carry out its missions while taking strict protective measures, following the injuries and painful losses suffered by its teams. It remains committed to making every effort and maintaining close coordination with UNIFIL, the International Committee of the Red Cross and the Lebanese Army to secure safe passage under these extremely dangerous conditions, while continually calling for respect for international humanitarian law and the protection of medical personnel and ambulances," the organization added.
Source: today.lorientlejour.com
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Afghanistan continues to provide aid to families displaces due to Pakistani attacks
Mar 28, 2026
Kabul [Afghanistan], March 28 (ANI): Amid escalating tensions following recent attacks by Pakistan's military in parts of Afghanistan, officials said that the process of delivering aid to residents of affected areas is ongoing, TOLO News reported.
Nooruddin Turabi, head of the National Disaster Management Authority, stated that aid distribution to residents displaced by the attacks is being carried out on the orders of the Prime Minister. He noted that the displaced population requires urgent and expanded support, and efforts are ongoing to address their needs.
"Anyone who has been displaced is being provided assistance based on our capacity. In coordination with other institutions, it has been decided that the eastern provinces will be assigned to the disaster management authority for aid delivery, while the southern provinces will be handled by Sermeyasht," Turabi said.
Meanwhile, Pakistan's Defence Minister Khawaja Asif said that military operations in Afghanistan would continue without a specific timeline, underscoring that there is no doubt about their continuation.
Political analyst Roman Shirzad criticised Pakistan, saying it has historically taken advantage of Afghanistan's vulnerabilities. He urged Afghan institutions, including defence, interior, and intelligence bodies, to remain vigilant and prevent external influence, TOLO news reported.
Experts have warned that continued tensions between Kabul and Islamabad could have serious implications for regional stability. They noted that the ongoing conflict risks worsening security conditions and increasing broader instability in the region.
Another political analyst, Jannat Fahim Chakari, said the prolonged conflict could have severe political and economic consequences for both countries, TOLO News reported.
The developments come after Maulana Fazlur Rahman, leader of Pakistan's Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam party, said at a press conference that Islamabad's attempts to control the Afghan government have been a mistake, adding that a stable and independent Afghanistan would serve Pakistan's interests. (ANI)
Source: www.tribuneindia.com
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Malaysia to bar foreign debit and credit cards from RON95 purchases to curb subsidy misuse
By Malay Mail
29 Mar 2026
Ministry of Domestic Trade and Cost of Living enforcement director-general Datuk Azman Adam reportedly said the move is to ensure subsidies are limited to eligible Malaysians and prevent misuse. — Picture by Yusof Isa
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KUALA LUMPUR: The use of foreign credit and debit cards to purchase RON95 petrol nationwide will reportedly be restricted in stages starting Wednesday.
According to Berita Harian, Ministry of Domestic Trade and Cost of Living enforcement director-general Datuk Azman Adam said the move is to ensure subsidies are limited to eligible Malaysians and prevent misuse, including by foreign-registered vehicles.
“Previously, there were many cases of vehicles with foreign registration plates refuelling using foreign debit or credit cards at self-service pumps, making it difficult for operators and authorities to detect such purchases,” he was quoted as saying.
Azman was quoted as saying that the measure also helps stations with many pumps detect leakages and ensure ineligible users cannot access subsidised fuel.
Source: www.malaymail.com
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Hezbollah: Targeting Israeli soldiers and vehicles in Bayyada
29-03-2026
The Islamic Resistance in Lebanon (Hezbollah) announced on Saturday that it targeted gatherings of Israeli soldiers and vehicles in the town of Bayyada with artillery shells and a drone.
"In defense of Lebanon and its people, and after monitoring an Israeli enemy force stationed in a house in the town of Bayyada, Islamic Resistance fighters targeted them at 14:30 on Saturday, March 28th, 2026, with a drone, achieving a direct hit,” Hezbollah stated in a press release that,” Hezbollah stated in a press release.
In a related development, Hezbollah announced that, “In defense of Lebanon and its people, the mujahideen of the Islamic Resistance targeted a gathering of enemy (Israeli) army soldiers and vehicles in the town of Bayyada with artillery shells at 14:45 on Saturday, March 28th, 2026.”
Source: ina.iq
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Millions rally in US, Europe in ‘No Kings’ protests against Trump policies and Iran war
29.03.26
Large crowds protested Saturday against the war in Iran and President Donald Trump's actions in "No Kings" rallies across the US and in Europe.
Minnesota's flagship event on the Capitol lawn in St. Paul drew Bruce Springsteen as its headliner. He and other speakers praised the state's people for taking to the streets over the winter in opposition to a surge of U.S. Customs and Immigration Enforcement agents.
Springsteen performed " Streets of Minneapolis," the song he wrote in response to the fatal shootings of Renee Good and Alex Pretti by federal agents. Springsteen lamented Good and Pretti's deaths but said the state's pushback against ICE has given the rest of the country hope.
"Your strength and your commitment told us that this was still America," he said. "And this reactionary nightmare, and these invasions of American cities, will not stand."
People rallied from New York City, with almost 8.5 million residents in a solidly blue state, to Driggs, a town of fewer than 2,000 people in eastern Idaho, a state Trump carried with 66 per cent of the vote in 2024.
Protests were mostly peaceful, but federal authorities deployed tear gas "due to demonstrators throwing large concrete blocks, bottles and other objects" in downtown Los Angeles, police said on the social platform X. LAPD also said protesters were later arrested for failing to disperse.
Earlier in Topeka, Kansas, a rally outside the Statehouse had people impersonating a frog king and Trump as a baby. Wendy Wyatt drove with "Cats Against Trump" sign from Lawrence, 20 miles to the east, and planned to drive back to her hometown for a later rally there.
Trump's immigration enforcement push, particularly in Minnesota, was just one item on a long list of protester grievances that also included the war in Iran and the rollback of transgender rights. Speakers at the Minnesota rally decried billionaires' economic power.
In Washington, hundreds marched past the Lincoln Memorial and into the National Mall, holding signs that read "Put down the crown, clown" and "Regime change begins at home." Demonstrators rang bells, banged drums and chanted "No kings."
Bill Jarcho was there from Seattle, joined by six people dressed as insects wearing tactical vests that said, "LICE", spoofing ICE, as part of what he called a "mock and awe" tour.
In New York, Donna Lieberman, executive director of the New York Civil Liberties Union, said during a news conference that Trump and his supporters want people to be afraid to protest.
Organisers said two-thirds of RSVPs for the rallies came from outside of major urban centers. That included communities in conservative-leaning states like Idaho, Wyoming, Montana, Utah, South Dakota and Louisiana, as well in electorally competitive suburbs in Pennsylvania, Georgia and Arizona.
Organizers designated the rally there as the national flagship event. Before Springsteen took the stage, organizers played a video in which actor Robert DeNiro said he wakes up every morning depressed because of Trump but was happier Saturday because millions of people were protesting. He also congratulated Minnesotans for running ICE out of town.
"Donald Trump may pretend that he's not listening, but he can't ignore the millions in the streets today," said Randi Weingarten, president of the American Federation of Teachers.
Demonstrations were also planned in more than a dozen other countries, from Europe to Latin America to Australia, according to Ezra Levin, a co-executive director of Indivisible, a group spearheading the events. In countries with constitutional monarchies, people call the protests "No Tyrants," he said.
In Rome, thousands marched with chants aimed at Premier Giorgia Meloni, whose conservative government saw its referendum for streamlining Italy's judiciary fail badly this week. Protesters also waved banners protesting Israeli and US attacks on Iran.
Source: www.telegraphindia.com
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US report flags Pakistan-based terror groups targeting India
By: Nitish K Singh
Mar 29, 2026
A report by the US Congressional Research Service has reinforced India’s longstanding concerns over militant groups operating from Pakistan, particularly those focused on Jammu and Kashmir.
The report identifies several India- and Kashmir-oriented groups—including Lashkar-e-Taiba, Jaish-e-Mohammed, Harakat-ul Jihad Islami, Harakat ul-Mujahidin and Hizbul Mujahideen—as continuing to operate from Pakistani territory, posing enduring security challenges.
According to the analysis, Pakistan remains both a hub and a target for a wide range of armed non-state actors, many of which have been active since the 1980s. Despite repeated military operations and policy measures, networks designated as terrorist organisations by the United States and the United Nations have not been fully dismantled.
The report, intended to brief US lawmakers and prepared by South Asia specialist K Alan Kronstadt, categorises these groups into five types: globally oriented, Afghanistan-focused, India- and Kashmir-oriented, domestically focused, and sectarian, particularly anti-Shia outfits. It notes that 12 of the 15 groups listed are designated as Foreign Terrorist Organizations under US law, with most driven by Islamist extremist ideologies.
Among globally oriented groups, the report names Al Qaeda, Al Qaeda in the Indian Subcontinent and Islamic State Khorasan Province, while Afghanistan-focused groups include the Taliban and the Haqqani Network. Domestically focused outfits include Tehrik-i-Taliban Pakistan, Balochistan Liberation Army and Jaysh al-Adl, while sectarian groups include Sipah-e-Sahaba Pakistan and Lashkar-e-Jhangvi.
The report notes that a 2014 National Action Plan aimed to ensure that no armed militias operate in the country, but adds that multiple large-scale military offensives, including airstrikes and intelligence-based operations, have failed to eliminate these groups.
“Several major military offensives, including airstrikes, and hundreds of thousands of ‘intelligence-based operations’ have failed to defeat the numerous U.S.- and United Nations-designated terrorist groups that continue to operate on Pakistani soil,” it said.
At the same time, the report notes that Pakistan itself has suffered heavily from terrorism since 2003 and is currently among the countries most impacted by militant violence.
Source: www.indiatoday.in
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Neither Shah nor mullahs: Iran’s Resistance Units rally for a democratic republic
By Matin Karim
March 28, 2026
Amidst wartime conditions and the clerical regime’s persistent threats to crack down on dissidents, the brave activists of the People’s Mojahedin Organization of Iran (PMOI) Resistance Units have launched a new wave of anti-regime activities. On March 27, 2026, activists in the southeastern city of Zahedan took to the streets, projecting a message of defiance and readiness. By installing posters and holding placards, the Resistance Units reiterated their unwavering support for the Provisional Government announced by the National Council of Resistance of Iran (NCRI) and demanded a democratic republic that rejects all forms of dictatorship.
A core pillar of the Iranian Resistance is the rejection of any return to the monarchical dictatorship of the past, alongside the determination to overthrow the current theocracy. In Zahedan, this principle of “Neither Shah nor Mullahs” was on full display. Activists held placards reading, “A dictatorship is a dictatorship, whether with a turban or a crown,” and “No to shah, no to mullahs, yes to freedom and democratic republic.”
PMOI Resistance Units resume anti-regime activities, reiterating their support for the NCRI's Provisional Government and a democratic republic that rejects all forms of dictatorship. pic.twitter.com/KAdyyQ7Vs9
The Resistance Units directly challenged the concept of inherited rule—a poignant message as the mullahs’ regime operates as a hereditary dictatorship just like the ousted monarchy. Placards declared, “The son of Khamenei and son of the Shah will be of no use to anyone,” and reminded the public that “The sovereignty of the Iranian people is not the inheritance of the mullahs and the shah.”
The activities in Zahedan demonstrated widespread grassroots support for a democratic alternative to the current religious fascism. On February 28, 2026, the NCRI formally announced the formation of a Provisional Government to lead Iran through a transitional period following the regime’s overthrow. Founded on NCRI President-elect Maryam Rajavi’s Ten-Point Plan, the Provisional Government mandates the dissolution of suppressive bodies like the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC), rejects absolute clerical rule, and ensures gender equality and pluralism.
Echoing this roadmap, Zahedan activists held signs reading, “In face of the bloodthirsty tyranny of the mullahs, the people of Iran have introduced a democratic alternative.” Highlighting the contrast between the ruling regime and the Resistance’s vision, other placards read, “The slogan of the Provisional Government is peace and freedom,” and “There will be a spring in which the people will be in power and women will have an active role in political leadership.”
Currently, the Middle East has plunged into military confrontation, with foreign strikes targeting the Iranian regime’s military and nuclear infrastructure—a direct result of the mullahs’ illicit nuclear pursuits and regional proxy wars. However, the Resistance firmly maintains that military strikes from foreign powers will not bring true liberation.
In a recent message, Maryam Rajavi emphasized the safety of civilians and declared, “No future for Iran can be realized from the outside; it can only be built by the Iranian people themselves.” This sentiment was mirrored by the Resistance Units on the ground. Defying the regime’s security apparatus, activists in Zahedan made it clear who will bring about the dawn of a free Iran, holding placards that read, “The force that will free Iran from dictatorship are the people,” and “The overthrow of the mullahs’ regime requires fighters on the ground.”
Source: english.mojahedin.org
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India
What Jammu University gets wrong about removing ‘Muslim’ thinkers from the syllabus
Faisal CK
29-03-2026
The recommendation by a committee at Jammu University on March 22 to purge material about Muhammad Ali Jinnah, Syed Ahmed Khan and Muhammad Iqbal from the MA Political Science syllabus is a distressing signal about the state of higher education in India.
The decision has been framed as a response to public sentiment, but it is a fundamental misunderstanding of the purpose of a university. Aristotle once said that it is the mark of an educated mind to be able to entertain a thought without accepting it.
By removing apparently “controversial” figures, the university is telling its postgraduate students, who are ostensibly being trained for high-level analysis, that they are not intellectually mature enough to study the architects of the subcontinent’s history without being “corrupted” by them.
The primary casualty of this erasure is critical thinking. Studying the Two-Nation Theory advanced by Iqbal and Jinnah, alongside Khan’s concepts of Muslim distinctiveness, is essential to understanding the evolution of Muslim political dynamics in South Asia. Not reading the primary proponents of those ideas is akin to studying the French Revolution without mentioning the Jacobins or the Cold War without reading Karl Marx.
When a curriculum is sanitised to include only thinkers deemed “acceptable”, it ceases to be a tool of education and becomes an exercise in indoctrination. If students are not exposed to conflicting, uncomfortable, and even antagonistic ideas, the classroom transforms into a sterile echo chamber.
Source: scroll.in
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CM, Shah spar over Jangipur violence; Didi blames EC for shunting officers, Union home minister claims transfers helped reduce clashes
Snehamoy Chakraborty
29.03.26
Union home minister Amit Shah and chief minister Mamata Banerjee on Saturday got involved in a war of words over the transfer of dozens of officials across Bengal by the Election Commission, in the backdrop of violence in Murshidabad’s Jangipur during Ram Navami celebrations on Friday.
While Mamata claimed that Friday’s violence was a result of the removal of officers from her government, Shah asserted that Bengal witnessed comparatively less violence this year because the EC had removed officers considered close to Mamata.
“Ram Navami processions are carried out by our boys as well. They don’t stir riots. I don’t know why the administration is not taking action. Please don’t ask me. Everything (administrative control) has been taken away from me. Officers have been appointed according to their own preferences. They have selectively appointed BJP-affiliated officers. No matter what they do, we will come to power in Bengal,” said Mamata while addressing a poll campaign rally in Raniganj, West Burdwan, on Saturday.
“Yesterday (on Saturday), you (BJP) sparked riots in Raghunathganj (Jangipur). Shops were vandalised and looted. Who gave you the right to trigger riots in Raghunathganj? Who gave you the right to vandalise shops? We will take account of everything and no one will be spared,”
On Friday afternoon, a Ram Navami procession was taken out in Jangipur town. While passing through the town at around 4.15 pm, during prayers at a local mosque, participants in the rally allegedly played music and danced in front of the mosque, which led to a heated exchange between two groups. Then, some from the rally allegedly vandalised and set fire to around 40 shops owned by Muslims at Phultala More near Jangipur Hospital. Many of those affected alleged that despite the site being just 500 metres away from the Raghunathganj police station, cops and central forces initially failed to control the situation. The police resorted to a lathicharge “much later” to disperse the mob. As tensions escalated, Murshidabad Range DIG Ajit Kumar Yadav reached the spot at night to keep watch on the situation.
Source: www.telegraphindia.com
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Mamata Banerjee alleges voter deletions, targets ECI over poll ‘bias’
By Jayatri Nag
Mar 28, 2026
Kolkata: West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee on Saturday launched a scathing attack on the ECI over administrative reshuffle, Supplementary Lists, lack of transparency in publishing the Supplementary lists, transfer of IAS and IPS officers across the state was aimed at enabling the BJP to influence the Assembly elections. Banerjee also claimed that the “Muslim women have been mercilessly deleted” from Bengal SIR.
Source: scroll.in
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Pakistan
Israeli strikes and US troop buildup put Pakistan’s peacemaker role under pressure
Saeed Shah
29 Mar 2026
Intensifying Israeli bombing of civilian targets in Iran and an expanding US military force in the Gulf are casting a dark shadow over Pakistan’s hopes of hosting peace talks between Iran and the US.
tan is attempting high-wire diplomacy, using its relative neutrality as a country with good relations with Iran and the US, to provide a venue for negotiations. It is not a player in the Middle East and does not host any American military bases, so it does not bring the baggage of other potential regional mediators.
Pakistan’s de facto leader, military chief Field Marshal Asim Munir, has the US president’s ear, and Islamabad’s ties with Tehran have dramatically improved over the past couple of years.
Both sides have indicated their willingness in principle to talk, according to Pakistani officials. But the conflict is widening, there’s little trust and the stated positions of Tehran and Washington are far apart. Pakistani officials believe the biggest risk to any talks is Israel playing the role of spoiler.
Israel bombed two of Iran’s largest steel plants on Friday and civilian nuclear sites, which, Iran’s foreign minister, Abbas Araghchi, said contradicts President Donald Trump’s announcement of a pause in attacks on civilian infrastructure to give diplomacy a chance. Iran also said two universities were hit.
Iran’s core concern is to ensure an end to the war and that there are no future attacks by the US and Israel, said Maleeha Lodhi, a former Pakistani ambassador to the US.
Source: www.theguardian.com
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Missing Mediator: Imran Khan in a Pakistani Prison
by Junaid S Ahmad
29/03/2026
In recent days, Islamabad has been cast — by its own officials and attentive external actors — as a venue for backchannel contacts linked to the escalating U.S.–Israeli confrontation with Iran. The choreography is familiar: signals of readiness, hints of quiet facilitation, the projection of Pakistan as a responsible intermediary at a moment of regional strain. States host such efforts as a matter of routine diplomacy. Yet the dissonance here is hard to miss. As Pakistan presents itself as a bridge in a crisis it did little to avert, its most prominent political figure associated with a more independent vision of Iran’s regional role remains imprisoned within the same capital.
The Islamabad spectacle is therefore not merely about diplomacy. It is about political deflection. A regime with thinning legitimacy at home seeks borrowed significance abroad. It cannot generate authority through representation, so it pursues visibility through geopolitical performance. Host the talks. Carry the messages. Pose for the cameras. Let foreign relevance impersonate domestic credibility.
But this performance becomes especially obscene when set against Imran Khan’s imprisonment. Khan represented a distinctly different orientation toward Iran from that of Pakistan’s present custodians. He did not treat Iran as a subordinate issue to be handled within the constraints imposed by Saudi and American preferences. He understood that Iran’s isolation was not a natural condition of the region but a manufactured one, imposed by U.S. coercion, Israeli aggression, Gulf monarchic insecurity, and the political caution of dependent Muslim states.
This was visible geopolitically in Khan’s instinct for regional reconciliation. He sought to reduce antagonism between Iran and Saudi Arabia rather than merely rent Pakistan’s services to one camp against the other. More importantly, he was drawn to the possibility of a wider Muslim political formation not monopolized by Riyadh’s theology, money, and diplomatic disciplining. The aborted Kuala Lumpur summit was emblematic in this regard. It gestured toward a counter-hegemonic Muslim conversation involving Malaysia, Turkey, Qatar, Pakistan, and potentially Iran — a conversation not pre-cleared by the House of Saud. That Khan was effectively pressured into withdrawing from it was more than a diplomatic humiliation. It was a revelation of Pakistan’s dependency: a nuclear state told, in effect, that even its attendance at an alternative Muslim forum required monarchical permission.
Source: countercurrents.org
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https://countercurrents.org/2026/03/missing-mediator-imran-khan-in-a-pakistani-prison/
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Pakistan cricketer in big trouble! PCB cracks down after ‘Queen’ jibe at Maryam Nawaz
Mar 28, 2026
Naseem Shah has come under the scanner of the Pakistan Cricket Board after a now-deleted social media post from his official X account appeared to take a dig at Punjab (province of Pakistan) Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz during the opening game of the Pakistan Super League.
The post, which quote-tweeted a PCB update from the opener between Quetta Gladiators and Hyderabad Kingsmen in Lahore, read: “Why is she treated like the Queen at Lord’s?” It was widely seen as a remark aimed at Maryam Nawaz’s high-profile arrival at Gaddafi Stadium, where she was escorted by a large security convoy and later interacted with players.
The tweet was quickly deleted, with a follow-up message claiming the account had been hacked. However, as per The Daily Star, the explanation did not convince PCB officials. Within a day, the board served Naseem with a show-cause notice, citing a breach of his central contract and violation of media guidelines.
Source: timesofindia.com
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The U.S. Signals limits To Support in India-Pakistan Crisis
By: ABHINANDAN MISHRA
March 29, 2026
NEW DELHI: Senior American officials and diplomats in recent interactions have conveyed that the United States will not automatically align with India in the event of a crisis involving Pakistan, underlining that Washington’s decisions will be guided strictly by its own national interests, according to Indian officials familiar with the discussions.
The message, conveyed across multiple engagements in recent weeks, indicates that while India is seen as a key strategic partner, particularly in the Indo-Pacific, expectations of unconditional backing or a blank cheque in a conflict scenario with Pakistan are misplaced. This shift is underscored by a growing sense of “strategic realism” in Washington, where American interlocutors have described the “rules-based international order” as a “gauzy abstraction” that cannot supersede hard-nosed national priorities.
This philosophy suggests that the U.S. will no longer offer “moral” alignments, but rather “issue-based collaboration” that stops short of alliance-style security guarantees.
Officials who have been following these interactions said American interlocutors emphasized that the United States maintains working relationships with both India and Pakistan, and would prioritise regional stability and de-escalation in the event of heightened tensions, including those triggered by terror attacks.
They added that the US position reflects a consistent approach of managing escalation risks in South Asia rather than taking sides, even as it continues to acknowledge India’s concerns on cross-border terrorism.
Source: sundayguardianlive.com
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Mideast
Pezeshkian warns of Israel’s ‘vicious’ plan to expand Iran war across region
3/28/2026
Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian has warned against the Israeli regime’s “vicious” plans to expand the ongoing war with the Islamic Republic to countries across the region.
In a telephone conversation with Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Saturday, Pezeshkian said regional countries should remain cautious to ensure that their territory is not used by aggressors to attack other Muslim countries.
“Iran’s defensive response to the origin of these attacks is natural while the Islamic Republic considers Muslim countries as its brothers and does not wish for even a single Muslim to be harmed,” the president emphasized.
Pezeshkian noted that Muslim countries enjoy religious and human bonds and a vast capacity to confront common threats, particularly those arising from the Israeli regime.
He expressed appreciation for the Pakistani people’s support and solidarity with Iran in the face of the US-Israel military aggression and hailed great efforts by some friendly and neighboring countries, including Pakistan, to stop the imposed war.
Source: nournews.ir
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The War With Iran May Be Ushering in a New Nuclear Age
By Peter Martin
March 29, 2026
Donald Trump’s willingness to attack adversaries while rattling allies is threatening to push the world into a new nuclear age.
From the North Atlantic to the West Pacific, governments are debating more publicly than before whether they, too, must get the bomb. Germany and Poland, who have long been satisfied to sit under the US nuclear umbrella, have in the wake of Trump’s musings about taking Greenland welcomed French overtures about extending the country’s own strategic deterrent across the continent.
China and Russia, both longstanding members of the exclusive club of nuclear-armed nations, have raised alarm about the risk of weapons proliferation in Japan and South Korea, even as they upgrade their own arsenals. The US, the only country to use a nuclear weapon against a civilian population, is assessing a return to atomic bomb tests to comply with an executive order by Trump after a hiatus of more than three decades.
Crews prepare to load an AGM-86B air-cruise launch missile trainer onto a B-52H Stratofortress at Minot Air Force Base, North Dakota.Photographer: Tech Sgt. Aaron D. Allmon II/US Air Force
Source: www.bloomberg.com
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Jebelli: Martyr Shoaib’s brave stance challenged Zionist enemy's war machine
Mar 29, 2026
Pars Today - Following the targeted assassination of journalists in southern Lebanon by the Zionist regime, the head of the Islamic Republic of Iran Broadcasting (IRIB) sent separate messages to the managers of Al-Manar and Al-Mayadeen channels, offering congratulations and condolences on the martyrdom of the resistance journalists.
According to Pars Today, Peyman Jebelli, in his message, congratulating and offering condolences on the martyrdom of Ali Shoaib, a reporter for Al-Manar channel, wrote: "During the years of jihad, his camera and voice exposed the oppression of the Zionist enemy, and his brave stance challenged the criminal war machine."
Jebelli, while expressing congratulations and condolences on the martyrdom of Ali Shoaib on behalf of the officials of Iran's National Media, stated: "We hope this martyrdom will be the beginning of victory over the American and Zionist enemies."
He also, in a message to the management of Al-Mayadeen network, congratulated and offered condolences on the martyrdom of the network's reporter, Fatima Ftouni. He described this criminal act as an attempt to assassinate the word of truth and aimed at silencing an inseparable part of the battle against the American and Zionist enemies. He prayed to Almighty God for the success of the resistance media in confronting the American-Zionist enemies.
Source: parstoday.ir
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At the Brink: A Strategy for Containing Tensions in the Tehran–Riyadh Triangle
3/29/2026
NOURNEWS – Amid a complex, multi-layered alignment, relations between Iran and Saudi Arabia stand at a juncture where any hasty decision could escalate into a costly confrontation for the region. It is a paradoxical situation in which the continuation of tensions ultimately benefits extra-regional actors more than anyone else.
Since the outset of the war, the strategy of the Islamic Republic of Iran has been grounded in actively responding to aggression by targeting the bases and interests of the aggressors across the region. This approach has not remained confined to the military domain; rather, in proportion to the adversary’s actions, it has gradually extended into industrial and infrastructural spheres. The policy has constituted a calculated response to hostile measures and an effort to prevent the expansion of threats.
Within this framework, Iran’s message is clear: any participation in aggression will carry a cost. At the same time, the complexity of the current situation—particularly within the region’s multi-layered environment—demands heightened caution from all parties and a deep understanding of what is described as the deceptive design of the United States and the Zionist regime to undermine the capacities of the Islamic world and to sow discord among Muslims. The manner in which the American–Zionist adversary is prosecuting the war has been crafted in such a way that any action could trigger a chain of unpredictable reactions.
The undeniable reality is that the continuation of war and the destruction of military, industrial, and oil infrastructure in Iran and Arab countries of the region ultimately serve the interests of the Zionist regime more than any other party. This dynamic has created a strategic paradox: actors who ostensibly stand on opposing sides are, in practice, engaged in mutual attrition to the benefit of a third party.
Source: nournews.ir
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Raids Near Hormuz, Seizing Kharg: US Prepares For Weeks Of Ground Ops In Iran
by: Pushkar Tiwari
New Delhi: The Pentagon is preparing for weeks of ground operations in Iran, including raids on Kharg Island and coastal sites near the Strait of Hormuz, as the war in the Middle East stretched into its fifth week, the Washington Post reported on Saturday.
The plans could involve raids by special operations and conventional infantry troops, but whether President Donald Trump would approve any of those plans remains uncertain, the Post reported, citing unnamed US officials. Any ground operation would stop short of a full-scale invasion, the report said.
The Post said the Trump administration is discussing the possible seizure of Kharg Island, which is home to Iran's largest oil terminal, and raids into other coastal areas near the Strait of Hormuz, which has been effectively blocked by Tehran since the war in the Middle East began last month, to "find and destroy weapons" that can target commercial and military shipping.
One person told the Post that the objectives under consideration would probably take "weeks, not months" to complete. Another said the potential timeline could take "a couple of months".
The official said that seizing Iranian territory will "embarrass" the regime of the Islamic Republic and create "valuable bargaining chips" in future negotiations.
"You've got to provide cover for the people on Kharg Island. That's the difficult task. Seizing it is not difficult. Protecting your guys once they are there is," the official said.
Source: www.ndtv.com
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Major U.A.E. Aluminum Plant Damaged in Iranian Strike
By Joe Wallace
29-03-26
Emirates Global Aluminium said its production plant at Al Taweelah sustained significant damage in an Iranian drone and missile attack on Abu Dhabi. Several employees were injured but no one died, the company said.
The plant includes a smelter that produced 1.6 million metric tons of cast aluminum in 2025 and a refinery that supplies the smelter with alumina, the metal’s main ingredient. Emirates Global Aluminium is owned by Mubadala, an Abu Dhabi sovereign wealth fund, and the government of Dubai.
Source: www.wsj.com
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South Asia
One killed, 10 injured as mini-bus strikes motorists in Eastern Afghanistan
29 March 2026
Kabul: One commuter was killed and 10 others sustained injuries as a mini-bus struck two motorists in east Afghanistan's Laghman province, said a statement of the provincial police office on Sunday.
A mini-bus, according to the statement, struck a three-wheel rickshaw and a motorbike simultaneously due to carelessness in the provincial capital Mehtarlam on Saturday afternoon, killing one on the spot and injuring 10 others, including five children and two women, Xinhua News Agency reported. Local News Aggregator
All the injured commuters have been shifted to the hospital for medical treatment, the statement said, calling on drivers to respect traffic rules and regulations while driving to avoid road accidents.
On March 1, at least three people were killed and six others injured in a highway accident in northern Afghanistan's Jawzjan province, the provincial police office said in a statement.
The incident occurred when two high-speed vehicles collided due to reckless driving in the Hadbakhshi region along the Jawzjan-Sari Pul highway, killing both drivers and a female passenger on the spot and injuring six others, including two children, the statement added.
Source: www.thehansindia.com
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Family allegedly assaulted in mosque over wedding music in Chapainawabganj
28 Mar 2026
Police have received a written complaint alleging that relatives of a bride were summoned to a mosque and assaulted for playing music at a wedding in Gomostapur Upazila.
"My parents are now in hiding out of fear. The attackers are threatening to beat them wherever they are found. We are living in extreme insecurity," said Tania Akhter, the bride’s aunt.
"No one was beaten. There was merely an argument because they violated a ban on music. For the past two years, playing music on sound systems has been socially prohibited in our village," Shariful said.
Source: bdnews24.com
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https://bdnews24.com/bangladesh/b29223ae408a#google_vignette
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Pakistan undermining international norms in conflict with Afghanistan: Report
Mar 29, 2026
Afghanistan, cannot evade strict requirements of international law governing the use of force, particularly in the territory of another nation. The norms necessitate proportional response and clear distinction between military and civilian targets, a report has highlighted.
Source: www.thehawk.in
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Negotiating A New Ganga Waters Treaty With Bangladesh: Pitfalls Ahead
By Aishwarya Parikh
March 29, 2026
In nine months the India’s treaty with Bangladesh on sharing Ganga waters will expire. There is no provision in the treaty for renewal, so a new treaty has to be negotiated. Recent articles in the Bangladesh media suggest a campaign is underway to shape the country’s position in the negotiations and that basically boils down to getting more water.Russia-India relations
“Bangladesh should declare the 1996 Ganges Water Treaty obsolete before negotiations formally begin,” urged the Daily Star, “because the alternative is negotiating from a position of considerable weakness as India demands more water from rivers that climate change has already dried up.”
In an article in TheIndiaForum.com, Tawfique Haq, Director of the South Asian Institute of Policy & Governance in Dhaka, he alleged that “During the dry season, India is required by the rules of the treaty to provide Bangladesh with a specific amount of water every ten days. India frequently denies Bangladesh its fair share of water during the period between 11 March and 10 May, when both countries’ water demand is at peak.
“Additionally, by releasing more water than is required during its remaining water-sharing seasons, India can declare itself in compliance with the agreement virtually any year.”
Source: stratnewsglobal.com
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Feature: Big dream in small classroom: Young education volunteers help rewrite Afghan children's future
2026-03-28
KABUL, March 28 (Xinhua) -- In a modest neighborhood of Kabul, a quiet transformation is taking place, not through large institutions or international funding, but through the determination of a small group of young people who refuse to let poverty define the future of their community.
The classroom is part of a network of free educational centers founded by 29-year-old doctor Ehsanullah Abedi and a group of young Afghan graduates who have turned their education into a means of service, proving that even with limited means, a determined community can shape a better future for its children.
After completing their studies and working in hospitals, they chose a different path. Rather than focusing only on personal careers, they began saving money to establish small, community-based education centers for those who could not afford to study.
"We are very satisfied with our teachers, as most of them cooperate with us either for very small payments or on a voluntary basis," Abedi said. "At these centers, students receive instruction in core school subjects and foreign languages."
For many parents in this area, education remains out of reach, a difficult reality that weighs heavily on those who want a better future for their children. For these families, watching their children learn brings a sense of relief and a renewed belief that their children's future can be different.
Source: english.news.cn
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https://english.news.cn/20260328/a087440bc4db4fa7be051e205304de52/c.html
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BGB personnel deployed across Bangladesh fuel stations to prevent 'illegal' stockpiling
28 Mar 2026
Dhaka: As Dhaka steps up efforts to prevent illegal fuel stockpiling, Border Guard Bangladesh (BGB) personnel have been deployed at various depots nationwide to ensure uninterrupted supply, local media reported on Saturday.
Confirming the development on Saturday, BGB Public Relations Officer Md Shariful Islam said that the ongoing crisis in West Asia, coupled with global fuel shortages and rising prices, has prompted attempts at unauthorised stockpiling.
He added that BGB has been deployed under instructions from the country's Ministry of Home Affairs to counter the situation, leading Bangladeshi daily Dhaka Tribune reported.
Reports suggest that the deployment is being executed under a well-planned framework supervised by BGB headquarters, with temporary base camps established at secure locations to facilitate operations in regions distant from unit headquarters.
Since Wednesday morning, BGB members have been deployed at 19 depots across nine districts, including one in Dhaka, two in Kurigram, three in Rangpur, three in Rajshahi, two in Sylhet, three in Moulvibazar, three in Comilla, one in Brahmanbaria, and one in Sunamganj.
Source: www.thehansindia.com
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Bangladesh to decide on lifting IPL broadcast ban after minister’s return
by Vidushi Gaur
28-03-2026
Bangladesh Sports Minister Aminul Haque on Saturday said a decision on lifting the ban on broadcasting the Indian Premier League (IPL) in the country will be taken after consultations with Information Minister Zahiruddin Swapan.
The Sports Minister added that the Ministry of Information has already sought the opinion of the Ministry of Sports on the issue, and a final decision will follow after internal consultations.
Source: www.thehansindia.com
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Southeast Asia
Kelantan records 1,089 open burning cases since Jan 1, says Fire Dept
29 Mar 2026
KOTA BHARU, March 29 — The Kelantan Fire and Rescue Department (JBPM) has recorded 1,089 open burning cases from the overall total of 1,418 fire emergency calls received since January 1.
Its director, Farhan Sufyan Borhan, said that of the 1,089 open burning cases, 880 were bush fires, forest fires (114), garbage fires (70) and plantation fires (25), totalling 1,618 hectares statewide.
KUALA LUMPUR, March 26 — Next month’s draw for the 2027 Asian Cup in Saudi Arabia has been indefinitely postponed, the continental football body said today, amid the war in the...
SHAH ALAM, March 27 — Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim announced today that he will convene a meeting with all state leaders next week to ensure a coordinated national...
Source: www.malaymail.com
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Domestic Trade Ministry seizes RM32m in petrol and diesel, arrest 667 under Ops Tiris 3.0
29 Mar 2026
BUKIT KAYU HITAM, March 29 — The Domestic Trade and Cost of Living Ministry (KPDN) seized petrol and diesel worth more than RM32 million and arrested 667 people under the Ops Tiris 3.0 conducted nationwide from January 1, 2024 to March 27 this year.
KPDN deputy director-general of enforcement (operations) Shamsul Nizam Khalil said that during the period, 38,615 inspections were carried out and 1,371 cases were recorded.
Source: www.malaymail.com
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Met Malaysia issues thunderstorm and strong‑wind alert for multiple states until 5pm
29 Mar 2026
KUALA LUMPUR, March 29 — The Malaysian Meteorological Department (MetMalaysia) has issued a warning of thunderstorms, heavy rain and strong winds in several areas in the Peninsula, Sarawak and Sabah until 5pm today.
MetMalaysia said the states expected to be affected in the Peninsula are Penang (Southwest, Northeast and Seberang Perai Utara); Perak (Batang Padang and Muallim); Pahang (Cameron Highlands, Raub and Rompin); and Johor (Segamat, Kluang, Kulai, Kota Tinggi and Johor Bahru).
Source: www.malaymail.com
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Police open murder probe after discovery of charred body, burnt motorcycle in Kulim
29-03-2026
KULIM, March 29 — Police have opened a murder investigation following the discovery of a charred body alongside a burnt motorcycle at Ladang Anak Kulim yesterday.
Kulim police chief Zulkifli Azizan said the Terap Police Station received a call at 2.25 pm from a member of the public who stumbled upon the body while in the area.
“The individual had gone to the location to catch birds and had stumbled upon the burnt body and motorcycle. He then left the area and lodged a police report,” he said in a statement.
Based on the motorcycle’s registration, police managed to trace the victim’s next of kin, who reported that the 77-year-old man had been missing for four days.
Source: www.malaymail.com
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Nga Kor Ming: 78 people complete community service for littering across six states
29 Mar 2026
PUTRAJAYA, March 29 — A total of 78 individuals underwent Community Service Orders (CSOs) for minor littering offences in six states yesterday, said Minister of Housing and Local Government, Nga Kor Ming.
WASHINGTON, March 26 — US President Donald Trump insisted yesterday that Iran was taking part in peace talks, suggesting Tehran’s denials were because Iranian negotiators fear...
Nga added that the orders are part of an integrated enforcement strategy to curb littering in public spaces, stressing that if minor littering is left unchecked, it can clog drains, inconvenience local communities and even trigger flash floods in urban areas.
Source: www.malaymail.com
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MOF: Govt maintains fuel subsidies to cushion impact of rising global oil prices
29 Mar 2026
KUALA LUMPUR, March 29 — The government has reaffirmed its commitment to safeguarding the people and ensuring the stability of commodity prices despite rising global oil prices following the conflict in West Asia.
In a Facebook post today, the Ministry of Finance (MOF) said the government is continuing its efforts through the Subsidised Petrol Control System (SKPS) and the Subsidised Diesel Control System (SKDS), which provide targeted fuel subsidies for the land and water public transport sectors, as well as for the transportation of selected goods.
KOTA KINABALU, March 26 — Sabah is set to go ahead with its state-level Hari Raya Aidilfitri open house but will have a stronger emphasis on moderation and inclusivity, in line...
According to the infographic shared, the retail price of subsidised petrol under SKPS for public transport and goods transportation has been maintained at RM2.05 per litre.
Source: www.malaymail.com
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Arab world
Islamic Resistance in Iraq escalates: Coordinated strikes on multiple Jordanian airbases
Jawad Al-Samarraie
March 28, 2026
Baghdad (IraqiNews.com) – In a significant expansion of the ongoing regional conflict, the Islamic Resistance in Iraq (IRI) claimed responsibility for a wave of coordinated drone and missile strikes targeting five major military installations in Jordan early Saturday morning.
This marks the first time the umbrella group of pro-Iran militias has executed a synchronized, large-scale operation against multiple high-value targets outside of Iraq since the Epic Fury war began on February 28.
According to statements released by media channels related to the Islamic Resistance, and corroborated by regional military monitors, the strikes focused on airbases believed to be providing logistical and combat support to U.S. and Israeli operations:
The IRI stated that the six-strike hour was a response to Jordan’s role in facilitating what they described as direct and indirect support for the ongoing campaign against Iran and its allies. While the Jordanian Armed Forces (JAF) intercepted some of the incoming projectiles, witnesses reported hearing massive explosions near Azraq and the outskirts of Amman.
Source: www.iraqinews.com
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https://www.iraqinews.com/iraq/iri-strikes-jordan-airbases-march-28-2026/#google_vignette
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Bahrain investigates death of jailed activist, denies Shia crackdown
28 March, 2026
Bahrain said Friday it was investigating the circumstances of the death of a Shia activist in custody, adding he had been arrested for "espionage" on behalf of Iran.
A London-based NGO, the Bahrain Institute for Rights and Democracy (BIRD), had earlier called for an investigation into the death of 32-year-old Mohamed Almosawi, who was arrested at a checkpoint on 19 March.
Almosawi was held "in connection with a case of espionage, communication, and transmission of information" to Iran's Revolutionary Guards about the country's strategic sites "with the aim of targeting them", the interior ministry said.
"The Public Prosecution's special investigation unit has been tasked with investigating the incident and verifying the circumstances of the injuries as well as the causes that led to the death," it added.
Source: www.newarab.com
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https://www.newarab.com/news/bahrain-probes-death-jailed-activist-denies-shia-crackdown
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Leaders from Ansar Allah's Political Bureau Inspect Conditions of Defensive Forces in Al-Dhale'a
28 Mar 2026
Al-Dhale'a (Saba) – Acting Governor of Al-Dhale'a, Abdul Latif Al-Shaghdiri, along with members of Ansar Allah's Political Bureau, Dr. Taha Al-Mutawakkil, Abdullah Al-Na'ami, Ismail Al-Wazir, and Abdul Wahab Al-Washli, inspected the conditions of the defensive forces on the Maris front today.
The visitors conveyed the greetings of the Leader of the Revolution, Sayyid Abdul-Malik Badr Al-Din Al-Houthi, and the President of the Supreme Political Council to the defensive forces on the occasion of Eid al-Fitr, and presented them with an Eid gift convoy.
Source: www.saba.ye
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Rain-revived Wadi Ayouj draws visitors as Northern Borders’ natural heritage flourishes
March 29, 2026
RAFHA: Flowing waters and lush, rain-fed landscapes have turned Wadi Ayouj into a magnet for visitors, as residents and tourists flock to the site to witness the striking transformation following recent heavy rainfall in Saudi Arabia’s Northern Borders region.
Picnickers, photographers and nature enthusiasts gathered along the wadi’s banks, drawn by the rare spectacle of surging waters, refreshed and revived terrain — scenes that underscore the region’s growing appeal as an ecotourism destination.
Located southwest of Rafha governorate, Wadi Ayouj recorded a significant rise in water flow after moderate to heavy rains this week. The onrushing water widened the wadi’s course and reactivated ancient tributaries stretching toward Faydat Al-Ajramiyah, breathing new life into the surrounding landscape.
The surge also led to the overflow of Wadi Ayouj Dam, which spans 365 meters in length, stands 4 meters high, and has a storage capacity of more than 251,000 cubic meters.
Source: www.arabnews.com
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Saudi passport directorate: Holders of expired visas can seek help through hotline 992
March 28, 2026
RIYADH: Saudi Arabia’s General Directorate of Passports (Jawazat) has urged holders of expired visas to seek assistance through its hotline (992), as authorities expand support measures for those affected by recent regional disruptions.
The move comes as the Kingdom continues implementing Ministry of Interior directives covering visit, Umrah, transit and final exit visas that expired on or after February 25, 2026.
Visa holders can request extensions through the Absher platform via their hosts, with the process available until April 18 after payment of required fees.
Source: www.arabnews.com
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Saudi Arabia advances environmental restoration, sustainability goals
March 28, 2026
RIYADH: Saudi Arabia is accelerating efforts to restore degraded land, expand vegetation cover, and strengthen ecological balance as part of its long-term environmental strategy.
Minister of Environment, Water and Agriculture Abdulrahman Al-Fadhli recently announced the restoration of the first 1 million hectares of degraded land, a milestone under the Saudi Green Initiative.
These partnerships have supported afforestation and land restoration projects, enabling resource sharing and technical collaboration across the Kingdom, Saudi Press Agency reported.
In recent years, Saudi Arabia has adopted an integrated approach grounded in sustainability and innovation, contributing to the restoration of degraded land and the planting of more than 159 million trees.
The National Greening Program leads these efforts as the executive arm of the Saudi Green Initiative, overseeing targets that include rehabilitating 40 million hectares and planting 10 billion trees through 155 initiatives across 11 operational zones.
Source: www.arabnews.com
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Religious affairs presidency expands digital outreach
March 28, 2026
MAKKAH: The Presidency of Religious Affairs at the Grand Mosque and the Prophet’s Mosque recorded more than 366 million views of its digital content during the month of Ramadan, reflecting growing demand for trusted religious content and an expanding reach.
The engagement was driven by the diversity of content offered, including Qur’an recitations, scholarly lessons, awareness programs, multilingual sermons and women’s programs. This meets the needs of people both within the Kingdom and abroad and underscores the global message of the Two Holy Mosques.
The presidency strengthened its digital presence through an integrated media system that leverages modern broadcasting and publishing technologies, while intensifying the production of knowledge-based and awareness content to promote sound understanding, reinforce the values of moderation and expand outreach to diverse nationalities.
Source: www.arabnews.com
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https://www.arabnews.com/node/2637990/saudi-arabia
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Saudi ambassador attends Estonia policy briefing
Arab News
March 28, 2026
RIYADH: Saudi Ambassador to Estonia Nesreen Al-Shebel joined fellow heads of missions for a briefing by Estonia’s Minister of Foreign Affairs Margus Tsahkna on the Eastern European country’s foreign policy.
Discussions were also held on “current developments,” Al-Shebel said in a post on X on Saturday.
Source: www.arabnews.com
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https://www.arabnews.com/node/2637988/saudi-arabia
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Saudi ambassador attends Estonia policy briefing
Arab News
March 28, 2026
RIYADH: Saudi Ambassador to Estonia Nesreen Al-Shebel joined fellow heads of missions for a briefing by Estonia’s Minister of Foreign Affairs Margus Tsahkna on the Eastern European country’s foreign policy.
Discussions were also held on “current developments,” Al-Shebel said in a post on X on Saturday.
Source: www.arabnews.com
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https://www.arabnews.com/node/2637988/saudi-arabia
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Europe
France opens terror probe after Paris Bank of America attack attempt
March 29, 2026
PARIS - French anti-terrorism prosecutors have opened an investigation into a suspected attack targeting Bank of America's Paris headquarters after the reported overnight arrest of a man who allegedly tried to ignite an improvised explosive device outside the US bank's premises.
In an e-mailed statement to Reuters, the national anti-terrorism prosecutor's office said the investigation involves the suspected attempted destruction by fire or other dangerous means in connection with a terrorist plot, as well as the manufacture, possession and transport of an incendiary or explosive device.
The investigation also includes a charge of participation in a terrorist criminal association, covering potential links to accomplices or a broader network. It has been entrusted to the Paris police judicial unit and France's domestic intelligence agency, the DGSI.
"Well done to the rapid response team from the (Paris) police authority, whose actions thwarted a violent terrorist attack in Paris last night," French Interior Minister Laurent Nunez said in a social media post.
Source: www.asiaone.com
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https://www.asiaone.com/world/france-opens-terror-probe-after-paris-bank-america-attack-attempt
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Ukraine Seals Billion-Dollar Defense Partnerships with Saudi Arabia, Qatar, and the UAE
Dmytro Shumlianskyi
March 29, 2026
Following the signing of an agreement with Saudi Arabia, Ukraine and Qatar have entered into a defense partnership lasting at least 10 years, including joint weapons production. A deal with the UAE is expected “within the next few days.”
According to him, the agreement with Qatar was reached during a meeting with the country’s Emir, Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani, and Prime Minister Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al Thani.
“We discussed how to provide greater protection for people’s lives in our countries and agreed on a mutually beneficial defense partnership for at least 10 years. At the end of the meeting, our Chiefs of General Staff signed the relevant agreement, which предусматриє joint projects in the defense industry, the creation of co-production facilities, and technological partnerships between companies,” he said in his address.
Later, during a video call with journalists, Zelensky announced that a similar agreement with the UAE would be signed “within the next few days” and stated that all three agreements with Saudi Arabia, Qatar, and the UAE include 10-year cooperation.
Source: militarnyi.com
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Russian Shahed drones struck maternity hospital in Ukraine’s Odesa. 80 people were inside facility at time of attack
by Olena Mukhina
28/03/2026
Russia struck a maternity hospital in Odesa, Ukraine’s largest port city. More than 10 people were injured, and due to severe injuries, a woman and a man died in the hospital, Serhii Lysak, head of the Odesa City Military Administration, reports.
In the private sector, residential buildings caught fire, and more than 10 cars were damaged. The fires have now been extinguished, and hospital staff and patients have been evacuated.
At the time of the attack, 80 people were in the facility, including 33 medical workers, all of whom were in shelters, said Oleр Kiper, head of the Odesa Regional Military Administration.
All municipal services and special equipment are now operating on-site. Operational headquarters and mobile heating points have been deployed in buses and tents, where the injured receive all necessary assistance and consultations.
Source: euromaidanpress.com
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The spiritual heritage of Lankaran: The Kichik Bazar Mosque
29 March 2026
Azerbaijan has been renowned since ancient times for its religious diversity and traditions of tolerant coexistence among different faiths. For centuries, temples, mosques, and monasteries were built on its territory, creating a rich spiritual and cultural heritage. Among the many architectural monuments, the elegant mosques that adorn the cities and villages of the country stand out in particular. These structures not only served religious functions but also became centers of community life. One such mosque is the Kichik Bazar Mosque in Lankaran, which has preserved its historical and architectural significance to this day.
The mosque was built in 1904 and is located in the historic Kichik Bazar district, becoming a significant part of the city’s architectural landscape. Its construction was made possible through the initiative and contributions of Taghi Bey, Agha Bey, Molla Nasir, and the city’s residents, who sought to create a place for communal prayer and spiritual gathering.
The mosque represents a striking example of regional religious architecture, where traditional forms are harmoniously combined with a carefully considered spatial composition. The elongated rectangular volume of the building and its calm architectural lines integrate seamlessly into the surrounding urban environment. The proportions of the structure are meticulously calculated. The façades are designed with restraint, yet the rhythmic alternation of arched windows gives the building expressiveness and visual lightness. Wooden window shutters add warmth to the mosque’s façade, creating a picturesque accent.
The mosque’s entrance is particularly striking. The central portal is highlighted by an elegant canopy and a decorative arched composition, creating an impression that is both solemn and welcoming. The wooden entrance door, crafted from local timber, features a refined texture and is beautifully adorned with carvings and ornaments that reflect traditional artisanal craftsmanship. This portal provides a striking and ceremonial transition from the urban environment into the sacred space of the mosque.
The roof of the building is covered with ceramic tiles, giving the structure a characteristic historic appearance and reinforcing its connection to local construction traditions.
Source: caliber.az
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https://caliber.az/en/post/the-spiritual-heritage-of-lankaran-the-kichik-bazar-mosque
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Architect Sumayya Vally On Her Decades-Long Love Of Eyeliner
By Sumayya Vally
29 March 2026
I did not learn the confidence of drawing a line in an architect’s studio. I learned it in front of a mirror. In Laudium – a historically Indian township in South Africa – I grew up watching the women in my family watching their reflections and drawing lines around their eyes, before they headed into the outside world, into rooms that might not recognise them.
My grandparents emigrated from Gujarat just before the Partition in 1947. But the kajal – or as we’d call it, ithmid surma (a traditional kohl with medicinal qualities) – travelled farther than they did. It came to us through trade stalls and suitcases and gifts; carried by relatives returning from India or Mecca; tucked between prayer beads and carpets; purchased in Durban and Karachi. It held mineral dust, ash, antimony, oil, salt. It held stories: a medicine for sight; a talisman against the evil eye; a mark for travellers, mourners and the newly married. As a child, I understood that the line did not begin with me. It was a continuation.
There were various forms of ithmid surma: gel or paste in liner pots, not dissimilar to those at Chanel, or the powdered version. You applied it with a thin metal stick that you’d dip in water – sometimes zam zam – then in the powder, and finally along the inner rims of the eyes. At the age of five or six, I began wearing ithmid surma as a Sunnah practice.
In our religion, Islam, the Sunnah refers to the everyday gestures, habits and recommendations from the life of the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him), not as law, but as an example for and to Muslims everywhere. They extend to every facet of life, from the mundane to the monumental: what and how to eat, our conduct, dress and rituals. These practices are not only a means of continuity and symbolism, but they hold sacred ancient wisdom while remaining relevant in the present day.
Source: www.vogue.co.uk
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https://www.vogue.co.uk/article/architect-sumayya-vally-on-her-decades-long-love-of-eyeliner
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North America
Exclusive: Islamic Regime Issues Directive To Counter Potential US Ground Military Operations
Omid Habibinia
03/29/2026
The state-affiliated Tehran Times, citing “an Iranian security analyst,” reported that in the event of a US ground attack, Iran would seize the coastlines of the UAE and Bahrain.
A well-placed source told The Media Line that, under a newly issued directive, the regime ruling Iran is taking measures to prepare for a potential US ground assault, as well as to counter possible diversionary and disruptive operations in the capital and major cities, particularly in the south and northwest of the country.
According to exclusive information obtained by The Media Line, military and security units have been instructed to act independently, if necessary, under specific directives to counter a ground attack or hostile enemy invasion. This image shows one of Iran’s military exercises in recent years near the Strait of Hormuz. (Erfan Kouchari/Tasnim)
According to the source, the directive—circulated by bodies operating under the General Staff of the Armed Forces and, by implication, aligned with decisions of the Commander-in-Chief and his two key institutions, the Supreme Defense Council and the Supreme National Security Council—has been disseminated to various military and security units.
Source: themedialine.org
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US Marine Corps Expeditionary Unit Arrives in Persian Gulf Region
Dmytro Shumlianskyi
March 29, 2026
The 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit has entered the U.S. Central Command’s area of responsibility in the Persian Gulf.
In addition to personnel, the group includes helicopters, F-35 fighter jets, and amphibious and tactical assets designed for amphibious operations.
The unit departed from Japan on March 11. In addition, the USS Boxer amphibious assault ship, carrying around 2,200 Marines, is also heading to the Persian Gulf, having left California about a week later.
Source: militarnyi.com
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https://militarnyi.com/en/news/us-marine-corps-expeditionary-unit-arrives-in-persian-gulf-region/
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A Crude Ad About a Banana — And a Primary That Could Predict the GOP’s Future
29-03-2026
In early October, an unusual ad began airing on television in Oklahoma. It opened with Charles McCall, a former speaker of the Oklahoma House of Representatives and current candidate for governor, wielding a butcher knife over a banana in a kitchen. Looking into the camera, McCall said, “Let me be perfectly clear: Cutting this banana” — dramatic chop — “does not make it an orange.” The ad went on to tout McCall’s opposition to transgender rights, then concluded with McCall looking into the camera again. “I have a simple message for any lunatic pushing sex change for kids,” he said. Another chop. “You first.”
If you wanted a 30-second summary of McCall’s strategy in the upcoming GOP gubernatorial primary, this ad was it: a maximal serving of culture-war politics. More recently, he produced an ad vowing to stand with President Donald Trump to “crush the threat of radical Islam” and accused one of his opponents of letting “Radical Muslims infiltrate the OK State Capitol.”
When I interviewed McCall in late January, I asked him about the banana ad. A law enacted in 2023, when McCall was House speaker, expressly prohibits gender-transition procedures for minors. Was there an effort underway to roll back the bill? Did the state need to pass an even more stringent prohibition? “There are a lot of people in the state of Oklahoma that are concerned about those value issues, and they want to know where you stand on them,” he responded. “It’s not the only thing we are talking about and have been talking about, but that’s important to the Republican electorate.”
Polling suggests he isn’t exactly wrong. In a January survey conducted by Oklahoma pollster Cole Hargrave Snodgrass and Associates, 53% of likely Republican primary voters said cultural issues such as banning Sharia law and transgender surgeries for youth would be vital when deciding which candidate to support. Just 39% said those topics were less important than day-to-day government functions, namely public education, tax policy and infrastructure.
Source: www.notus.org
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What is ‘OnlyFarms’? Trump unveils bizarrely named website to mark National Agriculture Day
Mar 29, 2026
Donald Trump marked National Agriculture Day on Friday (Mar 27) by unveiling a new White House website, staging a large-scale event for farmers on the South Lawn, and announcing fresh policy measures aimed at an agricultural sector under pressure from rising costs and geopolitical tensions.
The initiative, branded “OnlyFarms,” sits at the centre of a broader ueffort by the administration to showcase its support for farmers as the industry grapples with the combined effects of tariffs and the ongoing conflict with Iran.
The new platform, called “OnlyFarms”, leans into an attention-grabbing name that clearly riffs on the adult subscription site OnlyFans. It’s hosted within the White House’s official website, but accessed through the OnlyFarms.gov address, which takes users to a page outlining the administration’s agricultural policies.
Source: timesofindia.com
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Africa
Islamic Jihad Mourns Lebanese Journalists Ali Shuaib and Fatima Fatouni and Photographer Mohammed Fatouni
29 Mar 2026
Gaza – Saba: The Islamic Jihad Movement in Palestine mourned the Lebanese journalists Ali Shuaib and Fatima Fatouni, and her brother, photographer Mohammed Fatouni, who were killed on Saturday in a treacherous Israeli attack on their vehicle while they were performing their journalistic duties in southern Lebanon.
In a press statement received by the Yemeni News Agency (Saba), the movement condemned in the strongest terms the Zionist enemy's targeting of journalists in Lebanon.
Source: www.saba.ye
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https://www.saba.ye/en/news3674132.htm
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BREAKING: Police Invite Activist Over Facebook Post Criticising Taraba SEMA Boss Audu, Questioning IDP Relief Distribution
March 29, 2026
The Executive Secretary of the Taraba State Emergency Management Agency (SEMA), Dr. Echuseh Audu, has been accused of attempting to use the Nigeria Police Force to intimidate and silence a human rights activist, Abdulmumin Imam, following his public demand for accountability over the distribution of relief materials meant for internally displaced persons (IDPs), vulnerable groups, and poor residents in Taraba State.
Audu, a senior public official overseeing one of the most critical humanitarian agencies in the state, reportedly filed a petition against Imam, accusing him of cyberbullying, criminal defamation of character, and criminal intimidation after he questioned whether relief materials under her watch were reaching their intended beneficiaries.
Sources familiar with the development told SaharaReporters that rather than responding transparently to the concerns raised by the activist, Audu allegedly reacted angrily and moved to involve law enforcement authorities.
Source: saharareporters.com
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URL: https://newageislam.com/islamic-world-news/bengaluru-professor-suspended-over-offensive-remarks-against-muslim-student/d/139449