Assam Cracks Down on "Terror": Madrassas Demolished, DGP Seeks Support of Islamic Bodies
New
Age Islam News Bureau
05
September 2022
Assam
DGP Bhaskar Jyoti Mahanta with Maulana Abdul Qadir- Secretary, Tanzim Council-
that runs majority of madrasas in Assam. (Twitter)
------------
•
At least 20 civilians killed in Al-Shabab attack in central Somalia
•
Afghan police report suicide bomb blast near Russian Embassy in Kabul
•
Agong: Islamic justice does not grant privileges, exemptions for wrongdoers
•
Flood-hit Pakistan breaches largest freshwater lake to avert overflow
•
Islamic Jihad: Israel Gradually Kills Palestinian Detainees Behind Bars
•
Delegation from Saudi Arabia’s Shura Council visits UAE counterparts
India
•
‘Hasina return important for India and secularism’
•
Uttar Pradesh: 'Muslim-sounding names' of wards changed in Gorakhpur's draft
delimitation order
•
UP: AIMPLB questions Yogi’s decision to survey madrasas
•
Communal Harmony on Display: Devotees Halt Ganpati Visarjan Yatra, Turn Off
Bhajan & Pay Respects at Mosque in Malad
•
Fatwa against Muslim BJP leader in Aligarh for Ganesh idol, ‘not scared’
•
Hyderabad: Muslim cabbie’s car attacked; allegedly forced to say ‘Jai Shree
Ram’
•
Dumka is the new axis of Islamist jihad in the heart of India; Shahrukh is just
a symptom
•
SC may hear today Muslim widow plea on razed home
•
Uttar Pradesh accelerates Muslim outreach through health and education related
infra projects
•
Rohingya repatriation, Bangladeshi channels on Indian networks could figure in
Hasina-Modi talks
•
Sticky bombs recovered from a hybrid terrorist in Sopore: Police
--------
Africa
•
Terrorists invade mosque, gun down Chief Imam, three others, abduct worshipers
•
Death toll from Sudan floods hits 112
•
Clashes rock western outskirts of Libyan capital
•
West behind continued fighting in northern Ethiopia: Scholar
•
Multi-national military exercise kicks off in Jordan
--------
South Asia
•
Blood feud between Taliban and Islamic State escalates with brutal killing of
cleric
•
Taliban using Indian assistance for their own families, not people in need:
Ahmad Massoud
•
Sheikh Hasina lauds PM Modi for evacuating Bangladeshi students from Ukraine,
calls India 'tested friend'
•
PM Hasina asserts Bangladesh will not face a fiscal crisis like Sri Lanka
•
Officials: Afghanistan Does Not Need a Constitution
•
Taliban Dy PM claims TAPI gas pipeline to take off soon
•
Pakistan quietly lodges protest with Afghan Taliban over drone charge
--------
Southeast Asia
•
Malaysia is becoming hub of higher education: minister
•
PAS needs to overcome barriers with non-Muslims: Hadi
•
Dr Sim: Sarawak govt has disbursed RM200m in grants to non-Muslim bodies via
charitable trust Unifor
•
PAS info chief says replying to Umno criticism requires ‘art’, but tells
Islamist party members to ‘attack’ DAP, Pakatan
•
Kit Siang agrees with Muhyiddin: No need to debate Hadi’s ‘root of corruption’
remarks
•
Cajole Umno, write 10 letters if needed, says PAS veteran
•
Burning determination turns aimless youth into fire chief
--------
Pakistan
•
Pakistani Taliban Ends Ceasefire with Islamabad for ‘Violating Agreement’
•
Starving flood victims face infectious diseases under open sky in Sindh
•
Turkish aid for the flood-hit: Pakistan Railway to receive goods in Zahedan
•
Pakistani terrorist caught along LoC dies of cardiac arrest
•
Pak rights minister highlights plight of Ahmadis as Nobel laureate’s grave
desecrated
•
PML-N, PPP want favourite COAS to escape graft cases: Imran
•
Pakistan must learn to live within its means, says Miftah
•
US delegation visits Dadu, vows help to flood-hit people
•
Ashrafi urges world personalities, organizations for flood victims support
--------
Mideast
•
Tempers flare between Hamas, Islamic Jihad
•
Iranian Top Commander Urges US Navy to Respect Int'l Laws
•
Hamas says it executed five Palestinians, including two for ‘collaboration’
•
Iran Arrests Members of Israeli-Linked Baha'i Spying Group
•
IRGC Navy Commander Underlines Iran's Pivotal Role in Establishing Security in
Persian Gulf, Sea of Oman
•
SNSC Dismisses Allegation on Russian Request for Evacuation of Iranian Forces
from Syria
•
Iran demands closure of IAEA probes for sustainable nuclear deal
•
Israeli army shot a Palestinian dead in West Bank raid: Palestinian Health
ministry
•
Venice Film Festival: Two jailed Iranian filmmakers vow to keep creating
•
Turkish warship docks in Israel as bilateral ties warm
•
Al-Qaeda in Yemen releases video of kidnapped UN worker: Monitor
•
Israel says ‘extremely worried’ about nuclear agreement with Iran
•
Yemeni government denies Houthi claims over new fuel ship restrictions
•
Turkish court orders pro-Kurdish member of parliament jailed on terrorism
charge
--------
Arab World
•
Turkish volunteers put smiles on orphans’ faces in Syria
•
Israeli delegation secretly visited Egypt to calm tensions: Report
•
A Syrian military helicopter crashes northeast of Hama, crew killed
•
Lebanon arrests five agents suspected of torturing Syrian detainee to death
•
Indian FM meets UAE President with letter from Modi during visit for trade
discussion
•
Iraq PM hosts US delegation for talks in Baghdad
•
Sadrist lawmakers challenge resignations from Iraqi Parliament
•
Iraqi parliament speaker calls for setting date for early elections
•
Turkish intelligence neutralizes senior PKK terrorist in northern Iraq
--------
North America
•
US Navy says vessels seized by Iran were unarmed, ‘posed no risk to naval
traffic’
•
US mediator in Lebanon-Israel maritime talks to arrive in Beirut this week
--------
Europe
•
Fire burns down mosque in northern France: Report
•
Stockholm should meet Türkiye’s demands for NATO membership: Swedish politician
•
Germany's logistics giant sees Türkiye as heart of supply chains
Compiled
by New Age Islam News Bureau
URL:
--------
Assam Cracks Down on "Terror": Madrassas
Demolished, DGP Seeks Support of Islamic Bodies
SEPTEMBER
04, 2022
Assam
DGP Bhaskar Jyoti Mahanta with Maulana Abdul Qadir- Secretary, Tanzim Council-
that runs majority of madrasas in Assam. (Twitter)
-----------
After
the demolition of multiple madrassas in a crackdown on terror, Assam Director
General of Police (DGP) Bhaskar Jyoti Mahanta on Sunday met representatives of
four Islamic organisations and sought their support and cooperation to bust
terror modules.
The
meeting comes after multiple arrests in Assam over alleged links with terrorist
groups Al-Qaeda Indian Subcontinent (AQIS) and Ansarullah Bangla Team (ABT).
After
the one-hour meeting, Mahanta said, “Today, we met Islamic organisations across
the state. Al-Qaeda, IS, ABT and other terrorist groups are eyeing Assam, but
the Muslim community in the state does not support such terrorist elements.
They want to help us maintain peace. Without their cooperation, we wouldn’t
have been able to bust Al-Qaeda and ABT modules in the state. We have urged
them to extend their support."
DGP
Mahanta said they have asked all private madrassas in the state to upload their
rules online. “There are thousands of private madrassas in the state. All
function on different rules as per their beliefs. We have asked all of them to
upload their rules online and given them six months," he added.
STREAMLINING
THE PROCESS
“A
portal will be opened. It should include accurate information about the
madrassa, information about the teachers, source of salary, etc. It is not
enough for a few people to come together and make any one person an imam. A
committee will be formed through representatives of political parties and
organisations. They will check whether the information about all madrassas is
included on the portal,” DGP Mahanta added.
Maulana
Abdul Quadir Sahab, general secretary of All Assam Tanzim Madrasa Qawmlya,
said, “We are thankful to the DGP for arranging such a meeting. We will support
Assam Police and state administration. We will survey all non-government
madrassas within six months and will try to streamline them for better
governance.”
Meanwhile,
Mufti Makibur Rahman Ajhari, president of All Assam Islamic Research Centre, said,
“There is no relation between the Quran and terrorists. We will monitor the
madrassas.”
THE
DEMOLITION
The
authorities of western Assam’s Bongaigaon district on Wednesday demolished a
madrassa allegedly linked to the al-Qaeda. Eight bulldozers were used to bring
down the madrassa, the third since the arrest of 37 people found to be direct
or indirect members of AQIS and ABT a month ago. The arrested included an imam
of a mosque and a few madrassa teachers, some allegedly involved in financial
transactions for ABT.
The
demolition followed the arrest of Mufti Hafizur Rahman, who had been teaching
at the Markazul Ma-Arif Quariayana Madrassa since 2018. He was arrested by the
police of Goalpara district from the Jogighopa area.
According
to the Bongaigaon District Disaster Management Authority, an order to demolish
the madrassa was issued on Tuesday as multiple activities with unspecified
number of people were being carried out from the structure without necessary
papers. The structure also appeared to be in hazardous condition, it said.
The
district police, which raided the madrassa on Tuesday, claimed to have found
several objectionable items and documents from the structure. “Some 200
students staying at the madrassa were evacuated on Tuesday night,” a district
police officer said.
On
August 4, Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma had said the police had
busted at least five modules of ABT since March this year.
Claiming
that Assam was becoming a hotbed for Islamist radicals, he said the terror
trainers were technology-savvy and used sophisticated methods to brainwash
young minds. Some of the “jihadists”, he said, were “masquerading as imams of
mosques or teachers of madrassas”.
Source:News18
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--------
At
least 20 civilians killed in Al-Shabab attack in central Somalia
Mohammed
Dhaysane
03.09.2022
MOGADISHU,
Somalia
FILE
PHOTO
--------
At
least 20 civilians in central Somalia were killed in an attack by the
al-Shabaab terrorist group on a convoy carrying food supplies, officials said
on Saturday.
The
victims in the attack, which took place near the district of Mahas in the Hiran
region, included drivers and passengers in the convoy, with the members of the
al-Qaeda-linked terror group burning eight vehicles, security officials in the
region told Anadolu Agency.
This
comes as the Horn of African nation is struggling with its worst drought and
food shortage in 40 years.
Mogadishu
condemned the attack, describing it as "barbaric" and vowing to
respond swiftly.
On
Twittter, Somalia's presidential envoy for drought response called for
immediate support to affected communities after the "devastating"
incident.
"The
terror group had blown up water wells in Hiran a few days ago. I call for
immediate support to these communities that face severe drought," said
Abdirahman Abdishakur Warsame.
Al-Shabaab
claimed responsibility for the deadly attack. The group has been conducting
deadly strikes in the country against government officials and African Union
peacekeepers since 2007.
Source:
Anadolu Agency
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--------
Afghan
police report suicide bomb blast near Russian Embassy in Kabul
September
05, 2022
Russia
is one of the few countries to have maintained an embassy in Kabul after the
Taliban took over the country more than a year ago. (File/Shutterstock)
-----------
KABUL:
A suicide bomber detonated explosives near the entrance of the Russian Embassy
in Kabul, police said on Monday, adding the attacker was shot dead by armed
guards as he approached the gate.
“The
suicide attacker before reaching the target, was recognized and shot by Russian
embassy (Taliban) guards ... there is no information about casualties yet,”
Mawlawi Sabir, the head of the police district where the attack took place,
told Reuters.
Russia
is one of the few countries to have maintained an embassy in Kabul after the
Taliban took over the country more than a year ago. Although Moscow does not
official recognize the Taliban’s government, they have been in talks with
officials over an agreement supply gasoline and other commodities.
Source:
Arab News
Please
click the following URL to read the text of the original story:
https://www.arabnews.com/node/2156461/world
--------
Agong:
Islamic justice does not grant privileges, exemptions for wrongdoers
By
Yiswaree Palansamy
05
Sep 2022
Yang
di-Pertuan Agong Al-Sultan Abdullah Ri’ayatuddin Al-Mustafa Billah Shah at the
inauguration ceremony of the new Pahang State Shariah Court Complex in Kuantan.
September 5, 2022. — Bernama pic
-----
KUALA
LUMPUR, Sept 5 — The principle of executing justice in Islam does not grant
privilege and exemptions to anyone who commits any wrongdoing, Yang di-Pertuan
Agong Al-Sultan Abdullah Ri’ayatuddin Al-Mustafa Billah Shah said today.
He
added that the same principle also forbids injustice to anyone, including those
who are not favoured, Malay news site Astro Awani reported today.
“The
principle of doing justice in Islam has been stated by Allah SWT as stated in
Surah An-Nisaa verse 35. “According to that verse, Islamic justice does not at
all give any privilege or exception to anyone who commits a wrongdoing, whether
it is oneself, close friends, family members or mothers and fathers,” the King
was quoted as saying during the inauguration ceremony of the new Pahang State Shariah
Court Complex in Kuantan, Pahang.
He
said that the law only has one principle, language, punishment and they apply
to everyone.
“Allah
SWT’s order contained in the verse has been further strengthened by the hadith
of the Prophet SAW which means: Verily, those who came before you have
perished, that is, if the one who steals is a high-ranking one. Then they are
left alone, but if the thief is the weak, then they are immediately punished.
“For
the sake of God, in whose power I am. If Fatimah binti Muhammad had stolen, I
would have cut off her hand,” Sultan Abdullah Ri’ayatuddin was quoted saying.
Source:
MalayMail
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--------
Flood-hit
Pakistan breaches largest freshwater lake to avert overflow
Sep
4, 2022
KARACHI:
Authorities in flood-hit Pakistan strategically breached the country's largest
freshwater lake on Sunday, a minister said, displacing up to 100,000 people
from their homes but saving more densely populated areas from gathering flood
water.
Record
monsoon rains and melting glaciers in Pakistan's northern mountains have
brought floods that have affected 33 million people and killed at least 1,290,
including 453 children. The inundation, blamed on climate change, is still
spreading.
Manchar
Lake, which is used for water storage, had already reached dangerous levels,
and the increased pressure posed a threat to surrounding areas in the country's
southern Sindh province, Sindh Irrigation Minister Jam Khan Shoro said.
He
said about 100,000 people would be affected by the breach in five councils, but
it would help save more populated clusters and also help reduce water levels in
other, harder-hit areas.
"By
inflicting the breach we have tried to save Sehwan town. Water levels on Johi
and Mehar towns in Dadu district would be reduced by this breach in the
lake," Shoro told Reuters on Sunday.
It
was not clear how many of the 100,000 asked to leave their homes would actually
do so.
Aside
from historic rainfall, southern Pakistan has had to contend with increased
flooding as a surge of water flowed down the Indus river.
The
country has already received nearly three times the 30-year average rainfall in
the quarter through August, totalling 390.7 millimetres (15.38 inches). Sindh
province, with a population of 50 million, was hardest hit, getting 464% more
rain than the 30-year average.
Being
downstream on the Indus river, the southern parts of the country have witnessed
swelling river waters flowing from the north. Pakistan's limited dams and
reservoirs are already overflowing and cannot be used to stop downstream flows.
Tarbela
dam in the north-west, has been at capacity - 1,550 feet and 5.8 million acre
feet - for weeks, according to NDMA data.
Downstream
in Sindh, barrages are under pressure with the Indus river in high flood level,
the NDMA said in its latest situation report.
Source:
Times Of India
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--------
Islamic
Jihad: Israel Gradually Kills Palestinian Detainees Behind Bars
2022-September-4
Islamic
Jihad made the statement on Saturday following the killing of Abu Mahameed, 40,
who died as a result of deliberate medical negligence at an Israeli hospital on
the same day, presstv reported.
The
statement said that Israeli crimes against prisoners and detainees are
intensifying and that Israel is systematically violating their legitimate
rights to life.
The
statement added that the martyrdom of Abu Mahameed inside an Israeli prison
reveals the regime’s criminal acts against Palestinian detainees.
It
further urged relevant human rights institutions to take a firm stance on the
issue of Palestinian prisoners and assume their responsibility in this regard.
Earlier,
Hamas reacted to the death of the prisoner, calling it a crime.
Abu
Mahameed, a resident of Beit Ta’mar in the occupied West Bank city of
Bethlehem, was arrested about two months ago in good health as he attempted to
enter Al-Quds for work. Israeli forces claimed he did not have a work permit at
the time.
According
to his family, the Palestinian inmate was suffering from a neurological
disorder before his arrest, and his condition deteriorated in jail. He was
transferred to Assaf Horveh Hospital at the beginning of August after his
health declined significantly.
The
Palestinian Prisoner’s Society (PPS) said that the targeting of Palestinians
under the pretext they had entered Israeli-occupied territories without a
permit has "escalated" since the beginning of the year, not only
through arrests but also through direct killings.
Abu
Mahameed’s death came two days after around 1,000 Palestinian prisoners
launched an indefinite mass hunger strike in Israeli prisons across the
occupied territories in protest against the regime’s custodial repression under
the so-called administrative detention policy.
There
are reportedly more than 7,000 Palestinians held in Israeli jails. Hundreds of
the inmates have been apparently incarcerated under the practice of
administrative detention.
Human
rights organizations say Israel violates all the rights and freedoms granted to
prisoners by the Fourth Geneva Convention. They say administrative detention
violates their right to due process since the evidence is withheld from
prisoners while they are held for lengthy periods without being charged, tried,
or convicted.
Palestinian
detainees have continuously resorted to open-ended hunger strikes in an attempt
to express outrage at their detention. Israeli jail authorities keep
Palestinian prisoners under deplorable conditions without proper hygienic
standards. Palestinian inmates have also been subject to systematic torture,
harassment, and repression.
Source:
Fars News Agency
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--------
Delegation
from Saudi Arabia’s Shura Council visits UAE counterparts
04
September, 2022
A
delegation from Saudi Arabia’s Shura Council began an official visit to the
United Arab Emirates on Sunday, the Saudi Press Agency reported.
The
speaker of the Shura Council Sheikh Dr Abdullah bin Muhammad al-Sheikh headed
the Saudi delegation.
Council
members including Major General Ali bin Muhammad al-Asiri, Major General Sami
bin Zaid al-Hazmi, and Dr Abdullah bin Omar al-Najjar will meet with members of
the UAE’s Federal National Council (FNC).
Dr
Abdullah will hold talks with Saqr Ghubash, speaker of the Federal National
Council, at the latter’s invitation.
The
two sides plan to discuss parliamentary relations between the two councils,
which serve as advisory bodies to the governments of their respective
countries.
Al
Sheikh noted the strengthening of ties between the UAE and Saudi Arabia, and highlighted
the work of the Saudi-Emirati Coordination Council.
The
Shura Council was established by the founder of the modern Saudi state, King
Abdulaziz, in 1927.
Saudi
Arabia’s King selects its 150 members, choosing a diverse mix of experts.
The
council has the power to propose new laws, which are then considered for final
approval by the King.
In
2013, a decree was issued stipulating that 20 percent of the council’s members
must be women.
The
UAE’s Federal National Council is made up of 40 members, half of which must be
women.
Half
of the FNC’s members are elected by Emirati citizens, while the other half are
selected by the rulers of the various emirates.
The
FNC has the power to pass draft laws and make suggestions to the royal families
of the emirates.
Source:
Al Arabiya
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--------
India
‘Hasina
return important for India and secularism’
Subhoranjan
Dasgupta And Tapas Das
05.09.22
Bangladesh
politics is heating up with the BNP-led Opposition’s resurgence ahead of the
general election, due next year. Shahriar Kabir, the most important secular
voice in Bangladesh, discusses the situation with Subhoranjan Dasgupta and
Tapas Das.
Q:
Led by the BNP, the Opposition has shaken off its long stupor and stormed
Dhaka’s streets against the price rise. Will its belligerence last till next
year’s elections?
Shahriar:
It has to be admitted that after more than a decade of non-resistance and
submission, the BNP-led Opposition has staged a massive protest in Dhaka
against the Awami League dispensation. The reason or cause behind this
agitation — the unprecedented rise in the prices of petrol and essential
commodities — is, of course, proper and righteous. But this demonstration, in
which hundreds participated, will be difficult to sustain till the next
election, due in December 2023.
Why?
Because there is no serious issue other than price rise that can galvanise the
Opposition…. As far as the alarming price rise is concerned, this is a
worldwide phenomenon that has struck Bangladesh along with many other countries
like India. But neither Bangladesh nor India started the Russia-Ukraine war.
Besides,
the price escalation in Bangladesh will not last long because its economy,
despite surging ahead in the industrial sphere, is predominantly agricultural.
Bangladesh produces its own rice, wheat, pulses, oilseeds, vegetables and other
essential commodities.Once harvesting begins in November with the celebration
of Nabanna, there will be a steady supply of fresh articles from the fields to
the urban centres and the prices will fall considerably. In other words, what
we witnessed two weeks ago — the massive agitation — will remain a flash in the
pan.
Q:
Apart from the price rise, a most undiplomatic statement by the foreign
minister has added fuel to the fire. The Awami League is clearly on the
defensive.
Shahriar:
There is no doubt that A.K. Abdul Momen, foreign minister of Bangladesh,
committed a diplomatic blunder by stating in public that “I have been to India and
have told my Indian friends that they should not leave any stone unturned to
ensure the Awami League’s victory in the election next year”. Such explosive
utterances can be made indoors but not in public.
Of
course, the Awami League was caught on the wrong foot and had to adopt a
defensive attitude. From Obaidul Kader, Awami League general secretary, to
other important politicians, everyone clearly stated that the foreign minister
had no right to speak in this manner because it amounted to direct acceptance
of foreign intervention in the political affairs of Bangladesh.
India,
as such, has no role in Bangladesh elections and no duty to sustain Sheikh
Hasina’s governance. But at the same time, contemporary geopolitics demands
that Sheikh Hasina be voted back to power for the well-being of India and the
entire subcontinent, which needs to remain secular and democratic.Whenever such
avoidable controversies arise, we need to go back to Bangabandhu, who gave all
credit to the powers that helped the freedom struggle — especially India and
Russia — but said categorically that they would not be allowed to dictate
Bangladesh in political and administrative matters. The incumbents are
determined to follow this basic principle.
Q:
The Awami League government wants to import EVMs from India. The Opposition has
rejected this proposal and advocated continuing use of the age-old ballot paper
system. Will this lead to another violent confrontation?
Shahriar:
This, frankly speaking, is a non-issue and should not lead to any violent
confrontation. While the Opposition is demanding a complete return to the
age-old ballot-in-the-box system, the government has selected 150 seats for EVM
counting while saying the remaining 150 seats will depend on the
ballot-in-the-box.In today’s fast-moving world of technology, we simply cannot
reject the computer and adopt a system totally dependent on feathered quills.
Q:
Ahead of Sheikh Hasina’s imminent Delhi visit, many voices are suggesting that
India should redraw the areas of cooperation and focus on new steps to
invigorate the bilateral relationship. In short, that Delhi’s attitude and
conduct should strengthen Sheikh Hasina’s position in an election year. What
can India possibly do?
Shahriar:
At one level, I certainly feel irritated — to say the least — when I hear
statements such as “India should help Bangladesh even more” or “India should
redraw its map of assistance and cooperation to help Bangladesh”.
The
basic question is, what has India not done for Bangladesh? Its soldiers laid
down their lives in thousands during the Liberation War. Had India, helped and
guided by the Mukti Bahini, not intervened in such a drastic manner, Bangladesh
would not have attained freedom in nine months.
Second,
despite its own grave difficulties, India gave shelter and care to almost one
million refugees (from Bangladesh). If certain elements in Bangladesh refuse to
acknowledge this massive cooperation, I would call these elements “gaddar”
(traitor) or “nimak haram” (ungrateful).
At
the same time, when I consider the appeal for more help from another angle, I
do think that the two countries should take steps to strengthen the amity
between them.
Two
important areas where they should and can work together, for their own
betterment and that of the entire subcontinent, are the Rohingya crisis and the
harnessing of the Teesta’s waters for both Bangladesh and India. I firmly
believe that the Teesta issue should be resolved before the election and a
comprehensive Teesta Accord, reminiscent of the Ganga-Farakka Accord, signed.
We
need a statesman like Jyoti Basu who had almost single-handedly carved out the
Farakka Accord. Will the chief minister of West Bengal, Mamata Banerjee,
display equally sagacious statesmanship?
I
am aware of the multi-level discussions taking place to channel the flow of 54
rivers. I congratulate this effort. But unless and until the Teesta problem is
settled, altercations and disputes will continue. No wonder, Sheikh Hasina has
pointedly invited Mamata Banerjee for a discussion in Delhi during her visit.
On
the Rohingya problem, it’s clear that the Myanmar junta will not accept their
return. Bangladesh has clothed and nursed lakhs of Rohingya refugees since
2017; it cannot bear this burden any longer.
Already
the impoverished Rohingyas in Bangladesh — and some of them in India — have
begun responding to the appeals of jihadis and terrorists out of desperation.
If something concrete is not done immediately, they will become a threat to
security and secularism on the entire subcontinent.
Source:TelegraphIndia
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click the following URL to read the full text of the original story:
https://www.telegraphindia.com/india/hasina-return-important-for-india-and-secularism/cid/1884571
--------
Uttar
Pradesh: 'Muslim-sounding names' of wards changed in Gorakhpur's draft
delimitation order
September
04, 2022
Gorakhpur:
A draft delimitation order issued by the Gorakhpur Municipal Corporation has changed
“Muslim-sounding names” of around a dozen wards, prompting a sharp reaction
from leaders of the Samajwadi Party and the Congress.
The
changing of names was part of the delimitation exercise, under which the number
of wards went up to 80 in Gorakhpur, with several of these named after iconic
personalities and freedom fighters.
A
senior official said on Saturday that people can file their objections within a
week and after their disposal, the delimitation will be approved.
Samajwadi
Party leader and Ismailpur corporator Shahab Ansari charged that changing of
names is an attempt at polarisation.
Ansari
said the party will hold a meeting in this regard on Sunday and a delegation
will meet the district magistrate to raise the objection on Monday.
Congress
leader Talat Aziz termed the name-changing exercise as a waste of money. “I
fail to understand what the government will achieve through this exercise,” the
leader asked.
Mayor
Sitaram Jaiswal said new names evoke the feeling of pride.
He
said wards were named after personalities like Ashfaqullah Khan, Shiv Singh
Chetri, Baba Gambhir Nath, Baba Raghavdas, Dr Rajendra Prasad and Madan Mohan
Malviya.
Municipal
Commissioner Avinash Singh said objections can be sent within a week to the
additional chief secretary, urban development department, Lucknow. After the
disposal of the objections, the delimitation will be approved, he said.
Gorakhpur,
the home town of Uttar Pradesh chief minister Yogi Adityanath, will now have 80
wards.
Miya
Bazar, Muftipur, Alinagar, Turkmanpur, Ismailpur, Rassolpur, Humayunpur North,
Ghosipurva, Daudpur, Jafra Bazar, Qazipur Khurd and Chaksa Hussain are among
the “Muslim-sounding names” that have been changed.
Source:Firstpost
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--------
UP:
AIMPLB questions Yogi’s decision to survey madrasas
5th
September 2022
Lucknow:
The All India Muslim Personal Law Board (AIMPLB) has questioned the Uttar
Pradesh government’s decision to survey unrecognised madrasas in the state.
The
AIMPLB has termed it a part of the “targeting” of the institutions by the
BJP-ruled states.
Qasim
Rasool Ilyas, executive member of the AIMPLB, said, “Madrasas are being
targeted in Uttar Pradesh and Assam. This is being done even though minority
institutions are protected under the law. In Assam, the government has gone as
far as to bulldoze some of the smaller madrasas while converting others to
schools. If the issue is that of restricting religious education and promoting
secular education instead, then why isn’t the government taking the same action
against gurukuls?”
The
Yogi Adityanath government in Uttar Pradesh has announced a survey of the
madrasas saying it wants to gather information on the number of teachers, their
curriculum, and the basic facilities available.
Ilyas
said that there is no clear estimate of the total number of madrasas in Uttar
Pradesh, but given that the Sachar Committee report said around 4 per cent
Muslim children studied in them, there are likely to be thousands.
The
AIMPLB said that the Sachar Committee estimate was itself a ‘gross
underestimation’.
Laying
out the structure of Islamic teaching, Ilyas said it was disseminated through
essentially three types of institutions — maktabs, which are religious classes
held inside masjids for several hours every day; smaller madrasas or hifz,
where younger students up to the age of 8-10 years are taught to memorise the
Quran; and aalimiyats or bigger madrasas where students are taught Islamic
ideology, the interpretation of the Quran as well as the word of Prophet
Mohammad and other theological matters.
It
is primarily at the level of aalimiyats that many madrasas are affiliated with
the Madrasa Board and receive partial funds and grants from the state
governments, he said.
Source:Siasat
Daily
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Communal
Harmony on Display: Devotees Halt Ganpati Visarjan Yatra, Turn Off Bhajan &
Pay Respects at Mosque in Malad
SEPTEMBER
05, 2022
Setting
a fine example of communal harmony, devotees halted a Ganpati Visarjan yatra
(Ganpati immersion procession) in Mumbai while passing a mosque and changed
their music from bhajan to ‘bhar do choli meri ya Muhammad’ as a mark of
respect.
The
Ganpati procession was headed for immersion on Sunday evening when it took a
pause in Malad outside a mosque on their way and paid respects by changing the
music for a few minutes, according to a report by the Times of India.
Meanwhile,
more than 3,900 Ganesh idols were immersed at beaches and artificial ponds
across Mumbai on the fifth day of the Ganpati festival on Sunday, news agency
PTI quoted an official from the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) as
saying.
As
many as 3,853 household idols, 15 Hartalika and 66 sarvajanik (community) idols
were immersed till 6 pm, the official said. At least 1,290 household, 13
Hartalika and 66 sarvajanik idols were immersed in the artificial ponds built
for the purpose in the different parts of the city, he said.
Source:News18
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Fatwa
against Muslim BJP leader in Aligarh for Ganesh idol, ‘not scared’
Sep
05, 2022
Muslim
BJP leader of Aligarh Ruby Asif Khan who has been issued a fatwa for
worshipping Ganesh at her residence said she is not scared of the fatwa as this
is nothing new for her. When she performed a puja at her residence after the
foundation stone of the Ram temple was laid, she faced similar action, the BJP
leader said to news agency ANI. "They have all stood against me. Now,
these people want to kill me. I am getting threats. I am not one to be afraid.
I will immerse Lord Ganesh. My husband is with me," Ruby Khan said.
According
to reports, Deoband Mufti Arshad Farooqui issued a fatwa against the BJP leader
calling her action 'un-Islamic'. In Islam, only Allah is worshipped. The same
decree issued against those who go against Islam is issued against those who
worship an idol, he said.
Source:
Hindustan Times
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Hyderabad:
Muslim cabbie’s car attacked; allegedly forced to say ‘Jai Shree Ram’
4th
September 2022
Hyderabad:
A Muslim man was allegedly harassed and forced to say ‘Jai Shree Ram’ by
multiple unidentified persons on the Shaikpet-Alkapur road on Saturday night.
In
a video posted to Youtube by Amjed Ullah Khan, spokesperson of Majlis Bachao
Tehreek (MBT), Syed Latifuddin, an Uber driver, alleged that he was driving
from Shaikpet via the Alkapur road to pick up a customer when a few people
started hitting his car’s windows.
“I
drove straight past them, but there was a roadblock. The men had followed me.
Two of them were on a bullet, and four were on an Activa. They reached my car
and started throwing rocks and demanded that I say ‘Jai Shree Ram’. I shoved
one of them and ran for a while. Because I was yelling for help, a small group
had formed around me, and they accompanied me back to the car,” the man
narrated in the video.
The
MBT leader asked Latif why he did not call the cops if this truly happened. “I
did call the cops, but there was no response. They finally came after an hour,”
he said.
In
another video, the MBT leader surveyed the damage to Lateefuddin’s car. He also
spoke to a person who claimed to have rushed to the spot when the commotion
happened on Saturday night.
Source:Siasat
Daily
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Dumka
is the new axis of Islamist jihad in the heart of India; Shahrukh is just a
symptom
September
04, 2022
Dumka
(Jharkhand): Back-to-back killings of two minors in Jharkhand’s Dumka has
raised serious eyebrows over what exactly may be going on in the area, more so,
since the hand of Islamic fundamentalist elements has come to light.
“These
are not just instances of just love jihad, as they appear to be prima facie. It
represents a sinister nexus between Islamic jihadists, many of whom have come
to take cover in this part of India from across Bangladesh, christian
missionaries and naxal elements in the adjoining districts of Pakur, Dumka,
Jamtara etc. Look at this from the perspective of creating sheer terror among
Hindus and changing the demography of the Santhal region,” said Vinay Kumar
Singh, internal security expert and a long-time PFI watcher.
The
larger process of population substitution that is underway in the Santhal
region, of which Shahrukh Hussain is only the tip, is the misuse and flouting
of the Santhal parganas Tenancy (SPT) Act, which prohibits the sale of tribal
land to non-tribals in the Santhal Pargana, contiguous with West Bengal.
Despite
the prohibition, Singh points that, a large number of Bangladeshi immigrants–a
lot of the cross over from West Bengal–are buying lands from brokers who
acquire tribal land as ‘charity’ from religious organisations at throwaway
prices. The demographic replacement of tribals is now spilling over to law and
order issues, manifesting in increased crime rate and cases of love-jihad.
For
instance, Shahrukh Hussain, who has been arrested for killing a minor girl by
setting her on fire, had come to settle in Dumka using the same process. As per
police, he had recently shifted from a temporary home in Shikaripada to his
maternal uncle’s home in Jaruadih, along with his mother, sister and brother.
He
used to work as a painter and, in no time, made a house for his family next to
his maternal uncle’s house on land bought via ‘charity’.
Meanwhile,
the co-accused in the case, Naeem is being linked to the banned Bangladeshi
outfit–Ansar-ul-Bangla, a front group of Al-Qaeda in the Indian subcontinent on
the basis of his browsing history. It has been found the Naeem was very
interested in the activities of the terror outfit as he regularly used to watch
videos of the organisation.
Naeem
has also confessed to giving petrol to Shahrukh a night before with which the
latter set the victim ablaze. As to police, the two went to the victim’s house
at 4am and perpetrated the crime.
News
reports from Dainik Jagran claim that brokers are illegally selling reserved
land through trusts and religious organisations on cheap rates, encouraging
settlement of immigrants.
Criminal
activities on the rise
Apart
from the two gruesome murders, local police recently busted a mini gun factory
from Sarua village. The factory was being run from a two-storey house belonging
to a Bihar resident who had confessed to buying the land cheap.
A
similar factory was busted in 2021 in Shikaripada area, where Shahrukh lived,
from where police had recovered gun-making equipment used in forging revolvers.
Source:Firstpost
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SC
may hear today Muslim widow plea on razed home
Sep
5, 2022
NEW
DELHI: The Supreme Court is likely to hear on Monday a petition by an elderly
widow, Hasina, accusing the Khargone administration in Madhya Pradesh of
demolishing her house under Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana as a retributive measure
a day after certain miscreants pelted stones at a Ram Navami procession when it
passed through her residential locality on April 10.
In
her plea, Hasina said she is "currently devoid of her means of livelihood,
shelter & in a state of shock".
Hasina
has moved the SC through advocate Akriti Chaubey, airing views similar to
Jamiat Ulama-i-Hind, which has already petitioned the top court for stopping
the governments from use of bulldozers even on the houses of those accused of
pelting stones, saying such demolition without following the due process of law
would render an entire family homeless, most of whom would be punished for the
fault of one member.
The
petition, listed for hearing before a bench headed by Justice Sanjiv Khanna on
Monday, stated the Khargone district administration demolished 16 residential
houses and 29 shops on April 11, a day after stones were pelted on a Ram Navami
procession leading to communal violence.
"The
petitioner, who is an elderly widow and a beneficiary of the PM Awas Yojana in
relation to the same property, was not able to show her (ownership) papers in
response to the show cause notice from the tehsildar's office, which was issued
on April 7, 2022," it said.
However,
the petitioner did not clarify when the notices were issued on April 7, how the
demolitions on April 11, a day after the stone-pelting, could be linked to the
communal violence.
Hasina
said she did not get an opportunity to respond to the notices in the face of an
unwarranted rushed demolition exercise undertaken by the administration during
the curfew which was clamped in the locality following the communal violence.
"In the charged atmosphere preceding the communal violence and the
subsequent clashes and restricted mobility, the petitioner had not been able to
respond to the notice. Further, the notice did not specify any date for
demolition," Hasina said.
Source:
Times Of India
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Uttar
Pradesh accelerates Muslim outreach through health and education related infra
projects
SEPTEMBER
05, 2022
The
State government has allotted ₹50 crore for setting up medical facilities and
hostel’s for girls in districts which has considerable Muslim population
After
winning the Lok Sabha by-elections in Rampur and Azamgarh, both seats dominated
by Muslim population, the BJP-led State government has intensified its outreach
programmes among the minority community as it plans to launch health and education-related
infrastructure development projects in areas across the State which have
considerable Muslim population.
The
State government, with the assistance from the Centre, has dedicated a fund of
roughly ₹50 crore to establish health and education related projects in
districts like Rampur, Saharanpur, Amroha, Bulandshahr, Hapur and Ghazipur. All
these districts have high Muslim presence. In Rampur district's Suar, a medical
facility would be established, while in Bulandshahr and Saharanpur, a 100-bed girl's
hostel would be set up, and a medical facility centre in Hapur would be
constructed from the fund. In few other districts also girl's hostels and other
facilities would be established from the fund.
The
party has claimed that the Muslim community is getting lion's share from the
development and welfare schemes of the BJP-led Central and State governments
and these initiatives would help further to consolidate the goodwill.
"Development
projects in Muslim-dominated areas is not a new thing it is going on since
2014. These initiatives will help further. The upliftment of Muslim community
is happening continuously under the BJP government, the community which
comprises nearly 18% of the state's population is getting more than 30 percent
share in the welfare schemes of Central and State governments like PM Awas
Yojana, PM Ujjwala Yojana, Mudra Loans and free ration scheme. I can say with
full responsibility that out of more than 13 crore beneficiaries of central and
state government's schemes in Uttar Pradesh roughly four crores are from Muslim
community," said Kunwar Basit Ali, president of State BJP's Minority
Morcha wing.
In
the recent times, the BJP is making a renewed effort to reach out to the Muslim
community with Prime Minister Narendra Modi in his speech at the BJP's national
executive stressed on the need for reaching out to the Pasmanda (backward)
Muslims. The party's outreach shows that it want to get a reasonable share of
Muslims votes, which were traditionally considered the vote bank of it's rival
parties in the politically significant state.
Source:
TheHindu
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Rohingya
repatriation, Bangladeshi channels on Indian networks could figure in
Hasina-Modi talks
Sep
4, 2022
NEW
DELHI: Some of the bilateral issues that Bangladesh Prime Minister Sheikh
Hasina hopes to take up with PM Narendra Modi during their engagement here this
week, could include concerns on communal violence in both countries that have
inevitable spill-over impact across borders, seeking help on repatriation of
Rohingya refugees back to Myanmar, and the long pending issue of allowing
Bangladeshi TV channels on Indian cable networks, apart from the pending river
water sharing.
While
there have been incidents of violence against minority Hindus in Bangladesh, it
has also had to deal with the adverse impact of CAA-NRC that was being
propagated by the Modi government till a year back, and BJP spokesperson Nupur
Sharma’s controversial statement that had its impact in most Muslim-dominated
countries including Bangladesh. The Hasina government that has been propagating
a secular state, has had trouble dealing with backlash from fundamentalists,
over these issues that otherwise seem to be part of India’s domestic politics,
say sources in Dhaka.
Speaking
to ANI, on the eve of her Delhi visit, Hasina on Sunday said, “… as long as we
are in power, we always give importance to well that (wellbeing of minority
Hindus) and I always tell them (Hindus) that you are our citizens. You should
own our country. But some incidents, sometimes take place, but we take
immediate action. Yet sometimes it happens… it's an unwanted situation but you
know very well it is not only in Bangladesh… even in India sometimes minorities
suffer… So I think that both the countries should show their magnanimity and on
our part, Bangladesh is a secular country, we have many religions… religious
harmony… So, when one or two incidents happen… especially my party... my party
people are very conscious on it and also my government… we take immediate
action, but it has to be from both sides (of the border). There should be more…
I mean cooperation with each other.”
Bangladesh
feels that since India too faces the problem of Rohingya refugees, India should
talk to Myanmar on repatriation of the refugees, the burden of which has been
weighing heavy on Bangladesh. “A number of Rohingyas are coming to Bangladesh
from India through fenced areas in recent times which is a matter of worry.
Bangladesh has asked India to take measures to halt the entry of the Rohingyas
as Dhaka reported the arrival of some Myanmar nationals in the past weeks,”
according to government sources in Dhaka.
During
the liberation war of Bangladesh, the No.8 building on Theatre Road in Kolkata,
was the first office of the "Mujibnagar Government." Hence the Hasina
government wants India to hand over the building to Bangladesh, so that
Bangladesh can preserve the historically important architecture.
Source:
Times Of India
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Sticky
bombs recovered from a hybrid terrorist in Sopore: Police
Sep
4, 2022
SRINAGAR:
In a first such instance in the Kashmir valley, security forces have recovered
sticky bombs or magnetic IEDs from a hybrid terrorist in Sopore township of
Baramulla district of the union territory, police said on Sunday.
The
militant, identified as Saqib Shakeel Dar, was arrested Saturday evening. He is
working as a hybrid terrorist of proscribed terrorist organization LeT and was
in a constant search of an opportunity to carry out attacks on security forces
and civilians.
Hybrid
terrorist is a term coined by security forces in Jammu and Kashmir to describe
those ultras who carry out a subversive task assigned to them by their handlers
before slipping back into normal life.
Speaking
to reporters in Sopore, in north Kashmir, SP Sopore, Shabir Nawab, said the
security forces laid a naka in Shangergund area of Sopore on a specific input
about the movement of a hybrid terrorist on Saturday evening.
The
hybrid terrorist was arrested and a pistol, a pistol magazine, eight pistol
rounds were seized from his possession, while sticky bombs were recovered from
a location told by him, the officer said.
Nawab
said after questioning the arrested ultra, security forces recovered three
sticky bombs or magnetic bombs and seven detonators from an orchard of village
Chek-i- Brath area. Further investigation is on, he said.
The
SP said it was for the first time that sticky bombs were recovered in Sopore.
Officials
said it was the first instance that the sticky bombs were recovered in the
valley. There have been a couple of such instances in Jammu region of the UT
earlier.
Sticky
bomb is a magnetic bomb, which sticks to a vehicle, it is a high explosive and
very destructive and dangerous to security forces and civilians and can cause
huge loss of life and property, the SP said.
Nawab
said the recovery of the bombs was a huge success for the security forces.
Earlier,
on July 3, six sticky bombs along with other arms and ammunition were recovered
from a terrorist hideout in Rajouri district of Jammu and Kashmir.
Source:
Times Of India
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Africa
Terrorists
invade mosque, gun down Chief Imam, three others, abduct worshipers
September
5, 2022
By
Ochogwu Sunday
Terrorists
suspected to be members of the Boko Haram fighters have attacked a Mosque in
Borno State, killing the Chief Imam and three other worshipers.
DAILY
POST learnt that the incident occured on Friday during the Fajr prayers in the
Ngulde community of Askira-Uba Local Government Area of the state.
According
to reports, the terrorists, numbering about 20, invaded the worship center and
opened fire on worshippers, leading to the death of three persons on the spot,
while another victim who sustained injury died in a hospital.
The
insurgents also reportedly looted livestock and foodstuff and set ablaze two
vehicles belonging to members of the Ngulde community.
The
Councilor representing Ngulde Ward, Hon Bilyaminu, who confirmed the incident
in a statement on Sunday, said the attack claimed four lives, while properties
worth millions of Naira were destroyed by the terrorists.
The
Borno State Deputy Speaker, Abdullahi Askira also confirmed the incident to
Daily Trust on Sunday.
According
to him, the terrorists invaded the community and asked the whereabouts of the
chairman of the local hunters/vigilantes who were their prime target.
He
said when the insurgents were not satisfied with the response, they went
straight to the Mosque and opened fire on the worshippers.
Terrorists
suspected to be members of the Boko Haram fighters have attacked a Mosque in
Borno state, killing the Chief Imam and three other worshipers.
DAILY
POST learnt that the incident occured on Friday during the Fajir prayers in
Ngulde community of Askira-Uba Local Government Area of the state.
According
to reports, the terrorists, numbering 20 invaded the worship center and opened
fire on worshippers, killing three persons at a spot while the other victim
died in a hospital.
The
insurgents also reportedly looted livestock and foodstuff and set ablaze two
vehicles in Ngulde community, which is located at some part of Sambisa forest
in the state.
The
Councilor representing Ngulde Ward, Hon Bilyaminu who confirmed the incident in
a statement on Sunday, said the attack “claimed four (4) lives and left many
with casualties, while properties and businesses worth millions of naira were
also destroyed and carted away by the insurgents.”
The
Borno State Deputy Speaker, who is also representing Askira-Uba constituency,
Abdullahi Askira, confirmed the incident to Daily Trust.
According
to him, the terrorists invaded the community and asked the whereabouts or house
of the chairman of the local hunters/vigilantes.
Source:DailyPost
Nigeria
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Death
toll from Sudan floods hits 112
04
September, 2022
More
than 100 people have been killed and tens of thousands of homes destroyed by
flooding caused by torrential rain since Sudan's wet season began in May,
police said Sunday.
Heavy
rains usually fall in Sudan between May and October, and the country faces severe
flooding every year, wrecking property, infrastructure and crops.
Last
month, Sudan declared a state of emergency due to floods in six states.
“The
number of people killed by floods and heavy rains has reached 112,” said Abdel
Jalil Abdelreheem, spokesman for Sudan's National Council for Civil Defence, a
unit of the police.
The
authorities had previously in late August given a figure of 79 dead from
flooding so far this wet season.
“A
total of 34,944 houses were completely destroyed while 49,060 were partially
damaged,” Abdelreheem told AFP, adding that around 115 people had been injured.
The
crisis comes as Sudan reels from deepening political unrest and a spiralling
economic crisis exacerbated by last year's military coup led by army chief
Abdel Fattah al-Burhan.
The
United Nations, citing government figures, said a week ago that the floods have
so far affected 226,000 people across Sudan.
The
eastern states of Gedaref and Kassala, North and South Kordofan state, River
Nile state, and the Darfur region were among the most badly affected, according
to the UN children's agency, UNICEF.
Source:
Al Arabiya
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Clashes
rock western outskirts of Libyan capital
03
September, 2022
Libyan
armed factions fought in the western outskirts of Tripoli late on Friday and
early Saturday as forces aligned with Abdulhamid al-Dbeibah’s government
further consolidated their control over the capital.
Fighting
took place in Warshafala, a district west of Tripoli that has been the site of
repeated clashes throughout the 11 years of violence and chaos since a
NATO-backed uprising ousted leader Muammar Gaddafi.
The
clashes, along with a major pro-Dbeibah group taking over a military
headquarters in southern Tripoli, come a week after Libya’s biggest bout of
warfare for two years, as several rival factions battled in and around the
capital.
Last
week’s fighting dislodged several groups that had aligned with Dbeibah’s rival
as prime minister - the former interior minister Fathi Bashagha who has been
appointed by the eastern-based parliament to head a new government.
The
standoff between the two men had lasted for months, with Libya’s powerful
eastern faction lined up behind Bashagha, while the numerous factions
controlling Tripoli and the rest of the northwest were divided.
Following
last week’s fighting, both Bashagha and Dbeibah have visited Turkey, which
helped the now-divided western factions fight off an eastern assault in 2020.
Turkey
retains a military presence around Tripoli, including drones that could play a
critical role in deciding the outcome of any major bout of warfare if it
decided to back a side.
Last
week there were unconfirmed reports that drones were used against factions
backing Bashagha.
Diplomacy
to resolve Libya’s crisis has faltered. Late on Friday, UN Secretary General
Antonio Guterres appointed a new envoy to Libya but with the UN Security
Council divided, it is unclear how much clout Abdoulaye Bathily will enjoy in
the role.
In
fighting late on Friday and early on Saturday, a witness said mortars were
being fired in Warshafana, a district of farmland, villages and patches of
urban sprawl between Tripoli and the western city of al-Zawiya.
During
last week’s fighting, a major Bashagha-aligned faction based in Zawiya was said
to be among groups that were repulsed from the outskirts of the capital.
In
the southern Tripoli district of Ain Zara, a powerful faction that backed
Dbeibah during last week’s fighting took over a security headquarters.
Source:
Al Arabiya
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West
behind continued fighting in northern Ethiopia: Scholar
Addis
Getachew
04.09.2022
ADDIS
ABABA, Ethiopia
Recent
hopes for peace in Ethiopia's northern Tigray region have largely been dashed,
with armed conflict resuming last week between Ethiopian government troops and
rebel forces as one scholar says the war is "sponsored by the West."
Tewodros
Zewdu Asfaw, a researcher on mixed identities in Ethiopia who is pursuing a
doctorate degree at York University, argues that the West is behind the
conflict in the Horn of Africa nation, where fighting broke out in November
2020 when forces of the Tigray People's Liberation Front (TPLF) attacked bases
of the federal army stationed across the northern region.
In
March this year, the Ethiopian government announced a humanitarian truce, which
was broken on Aug. 23 when heavy fighting erupted again between the two sides.
"The
war in the north, I believe, is sponsored by the West," Tewodros told
Anadolu Agency, tracing the friendship between the TPLF and US government back
to 1991, when the guerilla force, enjoying widespread support in Ethiopia,
reached the capital Addis Ababa after defeating the regime of Col. Mengistu
Haile Mariam.
He
accused the West of helping the TPLF establish and consolidate its power in
Ethiopia, adding that before the main rebel factions arrived at a London peace
conference in 1991, then-US Assistant Secretary of State for Africa Herman
Cohen, who was chairing the meeting, told the sides: "No democracy, no
cooperation."
"While
democracy needed to be conducted on a one-man-one-vote basis, the ethnic system
they constituted did not allow for this in practice because an ethnically
fragmented society was created in which the TPLF represented a constituency of
5 million people," Tewodros explained.
"Hence
the TPLF, being the victim of its own ethnic-driven policy, had to opt for
force at any given time to stay in power. That is at the root of the conflict
in northern Ethiopia today," he said.
According
to Tewodros, for peace to prevail in Ethiopia, an all-inclusive national
dialogue should be conducted, with the elites demonstrating due “honesty” in
the process, and he wished to be part of that national conversation to try and
contribute to that.
The
TPLF ruled Ethiopia for 27 years at the head of a four-party coalition called
the Ethiopian People’s Revolutionary Democratic Front (EPRDF). Its ouster in
2018 followed successive years of anti-government protests waged mostly by the
youth across the country.
After
the formation of the now-ruling Prosperity Party in December 2019, the TPLF
retreated into Tigray, where it re-established itself, as it rejected becoming
a part of the new political bloc led by Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed and
comprising of the other three parties in the EPRDF.
Grim
realities of war
Amid
the humanitarian decline that northern Ethiopia today faces, both the
government and rebels are trading blame for the fresh fighting that erupted
immediately after the UN's World Food Program accused the TPLF of looting
570,000 liters of fuel in Tigray's capital Mekele that was meant for
humanitarian aid distribution efforts.
On
Wednesday, the Ethiopian government claimed that the TPLF had opened new war
fronts in northwestern parts of the country, a significant expansion of the
conflict that was limited to just the Kobo front in the eastern Amhara region
to areas bordering Sudan.
"The
battles are fierce and the TPLF mobilized children and teens," an
eyewitness told Anadolu Agency, requesting not to be identified.
Meanwhile,
the World Health Organization's Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus,
who himself hails from the restive Tigray region, told a media briefing in
Geneva: "I will tell you my own story. I have many relatives there. I want
to send them money, but I cannot."
He
has been vocal in his criticisms of the Ethiopian government for the past
couple of years. For its part, Addis Ababa has accused him of breaching the
responsibility of a UN high office in an "unethical" manner.
There
had been a lull in the war since March after the government declared a
unilateral truce following nearly two years of fighting.
The
TPLF rejected talks under the mediation of the African Union, while the
government insists that this remains the only avenue for dialogue.
Thousands
of people, mostly civilians, have been killed and millions other displaced
since the armed conflict began in November 2020, with the UN blaming both sides
for the deaths.
Source:
Anadolu Agency
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click the following URL to read the full text of the original story:
https://www.aa.com.tr/en/africa/west-behind-continued-fighting-in-northern-ethiopia-scholar/2676345
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Multi-national
military exercise kicks off in Jordan
Laith
Al-Jnaidi
04.09.2022
AMMAN,
Jordan
A
multi-national military exercise kicked off in Jordan on Sunday, according to
the Jordanian military.
Forces
from 29 countries, including the United States, are taking part in the Eager
Lion 2022, military spokesman Mustafa Hiyari told a press conference.
He
said the 10-day training aims to raise preparedness and gain field expertise
for forces of the participating countries, he added.
According
to the spokesman, 4,300 military personnel and 1,000 civilian officers are
taking part in the training.
Source:
Anadolu Agency
Please
click the following URL to read the full text of the original story:
https://www.aa.com.tr/en/middle-east/multi-national-military-exercise-kicks-off-in-jordan/2676476
--------
South Asia
Blood
feud between Taliban and Islamic State escalates with brutal killing of cleric
Sep
03 2022
Atul
Aneja
New
Delhi, Sep 3: A deadly suicide bombing at a mosque killed prominent cleric,
signalling the escalation of a blood feud between the Taliban and the Islamic
State in Afghanistan.
The
twin blasts that killed Maulvi Mujeeb Rahman Ansari, is the third major strike
against clerics who are close to the Taliban. Known to be heavily infiltrated
by the Pakistani ISI, the Islamic State Khorasan Province (ISIS-KP) has been
responsible for the recent attacks on pro-Taliban clerics, belonging to the
Hanafi school of Sunni Islam.
Frida's
strike took place when a suicide bomber blew himself up after kissing Maulvi
Ansari's hand at the Ghazargah mosque.
Abdullah
Azzam, Deputy Secretary of Economic Affairs of the Prime Minister, wrote on
Twitter page that Maulvi Ansari and Taliban's acting foreign minister Mullah
Baradar were together ahead of the prayers, triggering speculation on whether
the duo was on the suicide bomber's hit-list.
The
blasts have apparently killed and wounded scores of people, who were rushed to
Herat hospital, which appeared overwhelmed by the scale of casualties.
Saturday's
strike likely mirrors the shadow war between the Taliban and Pakistan, which is
taking on its one-time protege that has turned "rogue". Taliban 2.0
has emerged as a strong Pashtun nationalist force that resides on either side
of the Durand line separating Afghanistan and Pakistan. Islamabad has been
alarmed by the rise of Pashtun nationalism, as it imposes pressure on
Pakistan's territoriality.
Last
month a massive blast in the Saiddiquiya mosque in Kabul killed prominent
pro-Taliban cleric Mullah Amir Mohammad Kabuli.
The
killing of Kabuli follows last week's suicide bombing of a high-ranking cleric,
Rahimullah Haqqani, a Taliban insider, who also belonged to the Hanafi School.
The ISKP had claimed responsibility of the suicide bombing at the Haqqani's
madrassah by a handicapped bomber who had hidden explosives in his prosthetic
leg.
According
to a report in the Long War Journal "a number of Pakistani groups are
known to operate inside Afghanista... Additionally a number of Pakistanis are
known to fight in the ranks of the Islamic State Khorasan Province
(ISKP)". An Armenian think tank was even more direct. In a piece in
Mirror-Spectator, Armenian Network State said, quoting experts that Pakistan
created ISKP by planting Lashkar-e-Taiba operatives in leadership positions in
the outfit.
Apart
from geopolitics, both Kabuli and Haqqani's killings signal a grim ideological
war between the Hanafi and the Salafi school that is being fought on Afghan
soil. The ISIS-KP cadres
Taliban's
ongoing feud with ISIS-KP also led to the killing of several fighters from
Daesh in a clash in Speen Aday area of Herat. In the armed clash, at least 4
people were killed, who were "identified" as daish fighters.
Source:DaijiWorld
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click the following URL to read the full text of the original story:
https://www.daijiworld.com/news/newsDisplay?newsID=996079
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Taliban
using Indian assistance for their own families, not people in need: Ahmad
Massoud
by
Shubhajit Roy
September
5, 2022
The
Taliban regime has used India’s humanitarian support for “their own forces and
their families, not the people truly in need”, according to Ahmad Massoud,
leader of the National Resistance Front of Afghanistan, which is the key
opposition to the Taliban.
Massoud
also drew a link between Afghanistan under the rule of the Taliban and an
increase in violence in Kashmir.
In
an exclusive interview to The Indian Express from an undisclosed location in
the region, Massoud, the 33-year-old son of the legendary Ahmad Shah Massoud
who was known as the Lion of Panjshir, said, “I do not want power and my
struggle is for justice right now… my fight, it’s for justice and freedom.”
India
is in the process of sending 50,000 tonnes of wheat to Afghanistan through the
UN’s World Food Programme. But Massoud said that “Taliban has used [India’s]
humanitarian support for their own forces and their families, not the people
truly in need”.
“They
are not distributing aid justly, and they give it to one area more than the
others based on ethnicity,” he said. This is the first time that an Afghan
leader has made this charge against the Taliban.
Asserting
that Afghanistan has gone back to the “dark ages”, Massoud said that the
Taliban is harbouring Al Qaeda and other terror groups. “They are walking
around and operating freely,” he said.
Referring
to the American strike that killed Ayman Al Zawahiri, he said that the presence
of the Al Qaeda leader in central Kabul at the time of the attack was “not
surprising”.
“Giving
in to the will of the Taliban, is giving in to the will of terrorism,” he said,
as he lashed out at Pakistan for being a “mentor” to Taliban. “This is a fire
that Pakistan played with, and we will see sooner or later that it will
backfire at them,” he said.
“The
rule of the Taliban will be a safe haven, and especially when there is no
legitimate government in Kabul. It is a safe haven for many terrorist groups,
Jaish-e-Mohammed and many others, which are a threat to India and to all
countries in the region. For them to flourish, to use Afghanistan to operate,
to recruit and strategically target their own sort of targets,” he said.
“The
events in Kashmir have multiplied since the takeover of the Taliban. There is a
direct link between Afghanistan under the rule of the Taliban and the increase
in the violence in Kashmir and also increase in the violence of these terrorist
groups, because they see the possibility that if we continue the bloodshed and
the terror acts, just like the Taliban, we will also will be supported, we will
also be successful in establishing an extremist government somewhere else. It
is very important for all of us, to put all efforts together and to defeat this
extremist narrative, because it is spreading,” Massoud said.
Asked
about the difference in India’s approach from earlier when it is said to have
covertly helped his father Ahmad Shah Massoud’s Northern Alliance in the 1990s,
he said, “I think the difference in approach is the hesitation. India is still
in the process of assessing the situation. This hesitation is fatal. It is very
wrong. And we need immediate action before the ideology takes root or before
the terrorist finds a foundation.”
He
said, “It is very important to understand we are on the same page, and we are
continuing the same path of my father. So the sooner the hesitation is over,
the sooner we come to the conclusion that there should be a joint effort together
against terrorism in the region, the better. Because whether we like it or not,
we are the last line of defence of Afghanistan’s people against terrorism.”
He
said that he has reached out to India “all levels of the government” and sought
“political support” and “[military] logistics”.
Massoud
also said that he was offered a position in the Taliban government, when he met
the regime’s Foreign minister Amir Khan Mottaqi in Iran this year, and that he
had declined the offer.
On
the resistance being mounted by his fighters, he said there are about 3,500 of
them who are spreading out from Panjshir valley, and expanding to Herat,
Faryab, Mazhar, Kunduz, Baghlan, Takhar and Badakhshan.
Source:IndianExpress
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click the following URL to read the full text of the original story:
--------
Sheikh
Hasina lauds PM Modi for evacuating Bangladeshi students from Ukraine, calls
India 'tested friend'
Sep
4, 2022
DHAKA
(BANGLADESH): Bangladesh prime minister Sheikh Hasina lauded Prime Minister
Narendra Modi led initiative towards rescuing students of her country who were
stuck in eastern Europe following the outbreak of the Russia-Ukraine conflict.
In
a free-wheeling television interaction with ANI, prime minister Hasina, who is
set to visit India on Monday, also lavished praise on the Modi government's
gesture of providing Covid-19 vaccines to neighbouring countries under its
Vaccine Maitri programme when the pandemic was fast-spreading.
The
Bangladesh prime minister emphasized on closer cooperation between the two
neighbours. There can be differences but these should be addressed through
dialogue, she said adding that in a number of areas, India and Bangladesh had
precisely done that.
She,
however, marked out two areas for special praise where the Indian government's
support helped Bangladeshi citizens. One of these was the evacuation of
Bangladesh students, who like many Indians, were stuck in Ukraine and its
neighbouring countries after the outbreak of the conflict.
"I
really would like to express my thanks to Prime Minister that during this war
between Russia and Ukraine, many of our students were just stuck and they came
to Poland to shelter. But when you evacuate your students, Indian students,
they also brought our students back home. So it is really... You have shown a
clearly friendly gesture. I thank Prime Minister for this initiative,"
Hasina said.
She
was responding to a question about remarks often made especially by western
observers that there was a lack of cooperation among SAARC nations. To another
question about the Indian government's Vaccine Maitri programme, Hasina said it
was a very "prudent" initiative taken by PM Modi.
"I
really thank PM Modi for this initiative, and that way he... you know,
contributed vaccines to not only Bangladesh, also some south Asian countries,
and it's really very very helpful. And it's a really prudent initiative he has
taken, and beside that we bought vaccines with our own money, and also many
other countries also contributed," Hasina said.
Hasina
also gave details about her country's vaccination programme. Bangladesh has
administered Covid-19 vaccines to 90 per cent of its population. "Usually,
you know, people from our country, especially the village level, even in some
towns also, I found many people very much reluctant to take vaccine. They don't
want to take the... you know... the pinch of needle or 'sui nai lena hai' so...
but we have to pursue them. We told them that this is nothing but it will save
your life. So that way we engaged everybody, so that they make people... so it
was really very good initiative, this Vaccine Maitri itself... very good
initiative. I really support," she said.
Hasina
referred to India as a "tested" friend and said that country had
stood by Bangladesh in its hour of need, first in 1971 and then at later times
also.
"We
always remember their contribution during our 1971 war. And beside that even
1975, when we lost all my family members. So, the then Prime Minister, she gave
us shelter in India. Besides that, you see, these two countries, we are
neighbours, close neighbours and I always give importance and priority to
friendship with our neighbouring countries," she said.
The
relationship between the two countries should be for the betterment of their
citizens, she said.
Hasina
said even during the Covid-19 period, Indian leadership had shown their
positive intentions as both, the then President Ram Nath Kovind and PM Narendra
Modi visited Bangladesh as it celebrated its Independence Day.
Source:
Times Of India
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--------
PM
Hasina asserts Bangladesh will not face a fiscal crisis like Sri Lanka
05
September, 2022
Bangladesh
Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina has said her country will not face a situation
like the economic crisis in Sri Lanka although her government has sought loans
from global agencies amid a fall in its reserves and surging import costs.
In
an interview with Reuters partner ANI, aired ahead of her visit to India on
Monday, Hasina said that Bangladesh’s economy remained strong despite the
impact of COVID-19 and the Russia-Ukraine war.
Bangladesh’s
$416 billion economy has been one of the fastest-growing in the world for years
but dwindling foreign exchange reserves due to inflated import bills have
prompted the government to seek loans from global agencies, including the
International Monetary Fund (IMF).
“Bangladesh
has always timely (in paying) our debt; our debt rate is very low in the
context of Sri Lanka,” Hasina said. “Some people have raised this issue that
Bangladesh will be Sri Lanka, but I can ensure that that will not happen.”
Sri
Lanka reached a preliminary agreement with the IMF on Thursday for a loan of
about $2.9 billion, after the country plunged into a crisis due to economic
mismanagement and the COVID-19 pandemic wiped out its key tourism industry.
Source:
Al Arabiya
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click the following URL to read the full text of the original story:
--------
Officials:
Afghanistan Does Not Need a Constitution
By
Hadia Ziaei
A
Ministry of Justice representative said Afghanistan does not require a
constitution and can resolve its issues with only the application of Islamic
law.
In
a press conference, Abdul Karim Haider, the deputy minister of justice, stated
that Hanafi law serves as the framework for resolving people's problems.
"The
holy Quran, the Sunnah of Mohammad (PBUH), and the jurisprudence of every Islamic
country are the basis and the text of the constitution in general and in
detail," Haidar said.
"A
constitution for any government in the modern era is a crucial and a basic
requirement. No government in the modern era can function without a constitution,”
said Fazel Hadi Wazin, a university lecturer.
Regarding
political party activities, the deputy minister of justice noted that given the
current situation, there is no need for parties to be active.
Speaking
of the work being done by women lawyers in the country, he said that all women
would be provided their rights under Islamic law.
"The
Islamic Emirate will grant women the rights that Islam has granted them--when
the conditions are favorable," Haider said.
According
to ministry officials, the ministry is prepared to prepare the constitution in
accordance with Islamic law at the Prime Minister's request.
"We
are awaiting Amirul Muminin's direction. when he directs the creation of law.
The Hanafi law system, the Quran, and the Sunnah of Mohammad (PBUH) are its
sources, thus we are confident that a comprehensive law will be established
quickly to address everyone's concerns, Haidar stated.
Source:
ToloNews
Please
click the following URL to read the full text of the original story:
https://tolonews.com/afghanistan-179697
--------
Taliban
Dy PM claims TAPI gas pipeline to take off soon
3
September, 2022
Kabul
[Afghanistan], September 3 (ANI): Construction of the four-nation gas pipeline
project between Turkmenistan, Afghanistan, Pakistan and India (TAPI) that
remained suspended due to the volatile situation in Afghanistan will soon begin
in Herat province in northwest Afghanistan, media reports said citing Taliban
appointed Deputy Prime Minister Mullah Abdul Ghani Baradar.
Baradar
made these remarks during a meeting with scholars, tribal elders, domestic
investors, and local businessmen in Herat province. According to the
Taliban-run Bakhtar state news agency, the Taliban official told the people of
Herat in a meeting on Friday, September 2, that the province will benefit from
the TAPI project’s impending start of construction.
Talibani
appointed Deputy PM Baradar announced the establishment of an industrial town
in the Pol-e-Hashim region of Herat province adding that the construction of
the Pashdan and Shindand dams would soon be resumed, which came to a halt as
the previous government collapsed to the Taliban.
Construction
of Pashdan Dam in Herat province has come to a halt since the fall of the
previous government in August, leaving the fate of the project up in the air.
Pashdan
Dam, one of the largest infrastructure projects of Afghanistan, is situated in
Karukh district, 25km east of Herat city. The hydroelectric dam was scheduled for
completion by the end of 2021. However, work has been suspended on the project,
and the dam is only 85 per cent finished.
The
situation in Afghanistan since Taliban’s takeover has remained volatile.
Last
month, a number of blasts were reported in the capital city of Kabul, claiming
dozens of lives.
This
series of blasts comes on the heels of one year of Taliban rule in Afghanistan.
Rights groups said the Taliban have broken multiple pledges to respect human
rights and women’s rights.
After
capturing Kabul in August last year, the Islamic authorities have imposed
severe restrictions on women’s and girls’ rights, suppressed the media, and
arbitrarily detained, tortured, and summarily executed critics and perceived
opponents, among other abuses.
Source:ThePrint
Please
click the following URL to read the full text of the original story:
https://theprint.in/world/taliban-dy-pm-claims-tapi-gas-pipeline-to-take-off-soon/1115352/
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Pakistan
quietly lodges protest with Afghan Taliban over drone charge
Kamran
Yousaf
September
04, 2022
Pakistan
may have publicly expressed concerns over the Afghan Taliban allegations that
the country was allowing the US to operate drone from its soil, Islamabad has
privately conveyed in categorical terms to the de facto rulers of Kabul that
such public outbursts will be detrimental for the bilateral ties.
Official
sources told The Express Tribune that Pakistan was dismayed by the acting
Afghan defence minister’s allegations, reflecting the same mindset of the
previous Afghan administrations that blamed their own follies on Islamabad.
Sources
said Pakistan was not expecting such a public statement from the senior Afghan
Taliban leader given the fact that Islamabad had done so much for the interim
government since the Taliban returned to power.
Afghan
Interim Defence Minister Mullah Muhammad Yaqoob last week alleged that Pakistan
was allowing the US to operate drones from its soil.
“According
to our information the drones are entering through Pakistan to Afghanistan,
they use Pakistan’s airspace, we ask Pakistan, don’t use your airspace against
us,” said Mullah Yaqoob, who is the son of former Taliban spiritual leader
Mullah Omar.
Pakistan
rejected Afghan Taliban government's allegations that the country was allowing
the United States to use its airspace for drones, terming the charge as defying
diplomatic norms.
Responding
to allegations, Foreign Office Spokesperson Asim Iftikhar said that Pakistan
had noted, with deep concern, the allegation by the acting defence minister of
Afghanistan regarding use of Pakistan’s air space in the US counter-terrorism
drone operation in Afghanistan.
"In
the absence of any evidence, as acknowledged by the Afghan Minister himself,
such conjectural allegations are highly regrettable and defy the norms of
responsible diplomatic conduct," he added.
Pakistan,
he said, reaffirmed its belief in the sovereignty and territorial integrity of
all states and condemns terrorism in all its forms and manifestations.
"We
urge the Afghan interim authorities to ensure the fulfilment of international
commitments made by Afghanistan not to allow the use of its territory for
terrorism against any country."
The
allegation of US operating drones from Pakistan surfaced after the recent
killing of al Qaeda chief Aymen al-Zawahiri in Kabul. The al Qaeda chief, who
had a $25 million bounty on his head, was killed in a CIA drone strike when he
was standing at the balcony of a house located in the upscale Kabul
neighbourhood.
The
presence and killing of Zawahiri in Kabul was embarrassing for the Afghan
Taliban, who repeatedly pledged not to allow Afghan soil to be used again by
terrorist groups. The Taliban in particular made a commitment in Doha to cut
ties with al Qaeda.
Following
the killing of Zawahiri, questions were raised which base the US had used for
drone strike. Pakistan was named one suspect though Islamabad has vehemently
denied its involvement. The foreign office has already clarified that neither
the drone from Pakistan nor its air space wad used.
Source:Tribune
Pakistan
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--------
Southeast Asia
Malaysia
is becoming hub of higher education: minister
September
5, 2022
LAHORE:
Provincial Health Minister Dr Yasmin Rashid has said that it is encouraging
that Malaysia is becoming the desired destination of foreign students for
higher education and specialization.
She
said this while inaugurating a two-day Education Expo arranged by the Education
Malaysia Global Services (EMGS)for the benefit of students who are aspiring for
higher studies abroad at Avari Hotel on Saturday here. As many as 10 leading
universities of Malaysia have been invited to participate in the expo.
Dr
Yasmin Rashid said that Pakistan has cordial and brotherly relations with
Malaysia and this expo is a timely initiative which will benefit the students
who are aspiring for higher studies abroad.
“I
am happy to see that the Malaysian universities are offering higher studies in
multiple disciplines, including medicine,” she added.
EMGS
CEO Mohd Radzlan bin Jalaludin disclosed that the event is going to be an ideal
opportunity for Pakistani students, faculty and counsellors to meet the
Malaysian govt and universities representatives directly and discuss their
study and visa options.
Mohd
Radzlan bin Jalaludin said the students would be able to seek visa guidance
directly from the Malaysian government officials. He said that the
participating universities are offering generous scholarships up-to 50 per cent
and tuition fee waivers to the Pakistani students.
He
said that the enrolled students would have an option to get the US, UK and
Australia degree at one-third the cost in Malaysia and with the option to
transfer to UK or Australia to complete their degree.
Besides,
he added that the students could also get a dual degree from leading
international universities while completing their studies in Malaysia, where
the per month living expense for students is quite similar to what they spend
in Pakistan. He said that Malaysia being a Muslim country is especially safe
for girls for studies and work alike.
Source:Brecorder
Please
click the following URL to read the full text of the original story:
https://www.brecorder.com/news/40195672
--------
PAS
needs to overcome barriers with non-Muslims: Hadi
09-
04- 2022
ALOR
SETAR: PAS needs to overcome the barriers between the party and the non-Muslims
in a wise manner, says its president Tan Sri Abdul Hadi Awang.
He
said apart from Malay-Muslim parties, PAS should also approach and collaborate
with non-Muslim parties and non-governmental organisations (NGOs) through the
PAS Supporters’ Congress (DHPP).
“PAS
today has DHPP. DHPP must play a role among the non-Muslims. Look for parties,
look for NGOs including those that are run by non-Muslims, but don’t look for
those who are at odds with us,“ he said in his closing speech at the 68th PAS
Muktamar (annual general assembly) here today.
He
added that PAS also needed to reach out to non-Muslim voters, especially those
who did not have any party affiliation, to vote for Muslim candidates.
“If
DAP can nominate Indian candidates in Chinese areas, why can’t we attract the
Chinese community to support us during the general election, this is a weakness
we need to overcome,“ he said.
Meanwhile,
PAS secretary-general Datuk Seri Takiyuddin Hasan when met by the press after
the meeting, confirmed that negotiations concerning the ‘Muafakat Nasional’
pact with UMNO were being discussed officially and unofficially at ‘certain
levels’.
“When
we discuss with UMNO, it’s not necessarily with certain leaders, it might lead
to that direction, but as usual, we hold discussions at certain levels, which
we do not need to disclose,“ he said.
Source:TheSunDaily
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click the following URL to read the full text of the original story:
https://www.thesundaily.my/local/pas-needs-to-overcome-barriers-with-non-muslims-hadi-AF9777938
--------
Dr
Sim: Sarawak govt has disbursed RM200m in grants to non-Muslim bodies via
charitable trust Unifor
05
Sep 2022
KUCHING,
Sept 5 — The Sarawak government has disbursed more than RM200 million in grants
to non-Muslim bodies and houses of worships through its Unit for Other
Religions (Unifor), says Deputy Premier Datuk Seri Dr Sim Kui Hian.
He
said consistent grant assistance through Unifor is part of the government’s
efforts to look after the interest of all Sarawakians irrespective of race and
religion.
“Last
year, the government also allocated RM5 million Covid-19 operational expenses
to help non-Muslim houses of worships such as temples and churches and this year
another RM5 million has been allocated for the same purpose,” he told reporters
after officiating foundation work commencement ceremony for San Seng Tong
Centre for Buddhism Culture and Education here yesterday.
The
Public Health, Housing and Local Government Minister pointed out that Unifor
serves as a charitable trust to enable non-Muslim bodies to run their
activities.
“Unifor
does not belong to the government. It belongs to all other religions.
“This
charitable trust was set up with the view that in the future, non-Muslim bodies
and houses of worship will have funds to run their own activities,” he stated.
On
San Seng Tong Centre for Buddhism Culture and Education, Dr Sim said the
project costing around RM10 million is expected to be completed by 2024.
“This
morning, we have Lee Onn Group donating RM1.5 million and the late
philanthropist Chai Tze Khin and his wife who donated RM800,000 to the centre’s
construction funds,” he added.
The
Centre for Buddhism Culture and Education project is an expansion of San Seng
Tong Temple. It will have a main shrine, kindergarten, youth centre, meditation
room, bedrooms, and multi-purpose hall for various activities and cultivate
future leaders of Buddhism.
Source:MalayMail
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--------
PAS
info chief says replying to Umno criticism requires ‘art’, but tells Islamist
party members to ‘attack’ DAP, Pakatan
By
Radzi Razak
04
Sep 2022
ALOR
SETAR, Sept 4 — Questioned by members on PAS’ silence in the face of Umno
criticism, the Islamist party’s information chief Khairil Nizam Khirudin today
said there needs to be some “dynamic considerations” before replying to the
Malay nationalist party.
He
added that there is an “art” to responding to scathing statements from Umno
president Datuk Seri Ahmad Zahid Hamidi and its information chief Shahril
Hamdan.
“To
respond or not needs consideration. That is an art that also comes with
information.
“We
are uneasy with the Umno president’s remark, but he is currently in the midst
of a court process,” Khairil said in his winding-up speech at the 68th PAS
annual congress here.
At
the same time, he said members of PAS wings were free to respond to any
statement from outsiders saying that his information department would fully
back them up regardless of whether they were in the “right or wrong”.
“Firstly,
if PAS Youth wants to show their manliness and defend the party, this is the
time to strike. Right or wrong, we will back you up. Same goes to the Muslimat.
“But
there is a need to make dynamic considerations. It needs to be taken when
talking about whether to strike or not,” he added.
Khairy
said it was a different matter when the party receives criticism from Pakatan
Harapan (PH) coalition, especially from the DAP component party.
He
said the party should not take a defensive approach but go on an all-out
offensive.
“I
call on the members here to go on the offensive, attack DAP and PH.
“The
biggest issue is the issue of integrity, but not many delegates touch on the
issue of integrity and corruption in their speech.
“We
will share all the data about the crimes of DAP, black economy and etc. Take
the data, use it in any situation, make sure the people know the crimes of PH
and its allies,” he alleged, without elaboration.
Source:MalayMail
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--------
Kit
Siang agrees with Muhyiddin: No need to debate Hadi’s ‘root of corruption’
remarks
04
Sep 2022
KUCHING,
Sept 4): Democratic Action Party parliamentarian leader Lim Kit Siang has
concurred with Perikatan Nasional chairman Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin that there
is no need to debate PAS president Abdul Hadi Awang’s “root of corruption”
remarks.
The
Iskandar Puteri MP said Hadi’s remarks were irrational, extremist, and without
any theoretical, theological or factual basis.
“Islam
is one of the great religions of the world and teaches human beings to be good,
but Hadi has no problem in condoning corruption and working with (former prime
minister Datuk Seri) Najib Razak, one of the masterminds of the mega 1MDB
financial scandal.
“Islam
does not differentiate among the races but Hadi keeps spouting irrational,
extremist and racist views,” he said in a statement today.
According
to Lim, there were some 1.8 billion Muslims in the world as of 2015, about 24
per cent of the global population, and the majority or 62 per cent of Muslims
globally live in the Asia-Pacific region like Indonesia, India, Pakistan,
Bangladesh, Iran and Turkey.
He
said only about 20 per cent of the world’s Muslims live in Middle East-North
Africa region where the religion originated in the seventh century.
“Corruption
is not a racial or nationality problem but Hadi continues to identify
corruption with race or nationality. There is not a single Muslim-majority
among the top 10 countries regarded as least corrupt, while three Muslim-majority
countries are among 10 countries regarded as the most corrupt in the world.”
He
said when the Transparency International (TI) started its annual Corruption
Perception Index (CPI) in 1995, Malaysia was way ahead of India, China and
Indonesia, which were ranked No.35 with 2.78 points (India), No.40 with 2.16
points (China) and No.41 with 1.94 points (Indonesia), out of 41 countries
surveyed.
He
added that Malaysia was, in 1995, ranked No.23 and scored 5.28 out of 10
points.
“After
27 years, in the TI CPI 2021, Malaysia is ranked No.62 out of 180 nations with
a score of 48 out of 100 points as compared to China which is ranked No.66 with
a score of 45 points, India ranked No.85 with a score of 40 points while
Indonesia ranked No.96 with a score of 38 points,” he pointed out.
Lim
said China, India and Indonesia had made great strides in fighting corruption,
particularly Indonesia which had improved its score from 1.94 points out of 10
to 38 points out of 100.
He
regretted that Malaysia was among the few countries which had regressed to the
extent that a former prime minister had just been jailed for a mega financial
scandal.
He
claimed that such scandal would have been covered up if there had not been a
change of government in the 2018 general elections.
“Instead
of spearheading the battle against worsening corruption in Malaysia, Hadi has
come out with a perverted version to give racial twist to the problem of
corruption in Malaysia — something the voters of Malaysia must not forget when
they go to the polls in the 15th General Election (GE15), whether this year or
next year.
Source:MalayMail
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Cajole
Umno, write 10 letters if needed, says PAS veteran
Predeep
Nambiar, Nora Mahpar, and Faiz Zainudin
September
4, 2022
PETALING
JAYA: A veteran PAS member has urged the party to continue wooing Umno to
restore political cooperation ahead of the coming general election.
Taiping
delegate Mahjube Hanafi said efforts to unify Malay and Muslim voters must
continue, as a strong bond had already been fostered among grassroots members
of PAS and Umno over the years.
Such
ties were now at their strongest level, he said at the party’s general assembly.
“We
must admit that Umno and its votes are important to strengthen Malay and Muslim
politics in the country. PAS should not forget Umno, as they will determine the
outcome of GE15,” he said.
“We
should continue writing to Umno to be with us during GE15 to ensure one-on-one
fights.
“We
should write 10 letters to Umno, if needed, for the sake of uniting the ummah,”
he said during a debate on a motion on unity of Malay-Muslim groups, including
Malay-Muslim political parties.
The
motion, tabled by another veteran member, Roslan Md Esa, was later unanimously
approved by the muktamar.
On
Thursday, Umno president Ahmad Zahid Hamidi had said it was time for the party
to move forward without PAS, seemingly shutting the door on any further
collaboration with the Islamic party through Muafakat Nasional, the political
pact the two parties forged in 2019.
He
was responding to PAS deputy president Tuan Ibrahim Tuan Man, who said the two
parties had never declared the alliance to be dead.
Zahid
said his party had decided to go solo because of PAS’ antics, adding that “PAS
themselves were always playing safe and were in bed with many partners”.
PAS
is one of the five component parties in Perikatan Nasional, which is headed by
Umno splinter party Bersatu.
‘PAS
must unite all parties’
Tenggara
delegate Nazari Mokhtar said PAS should unite not just Malay-Muslim parties but
other non-Muslim parties as well.
“We
should open ourselves (to others) as Islam is for all. We need to unite all. We
should be open to all, not just Malay and Muslim bases. PAS must be seen as a
hero that unites political parties again,” he said.
“PAS
for all” was a slogan adopted for the 2008 general election.
Source:Free
Malaysia Today
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Burning
determination turns aimless youth into fire chief
Faisal
Asyraf
September
5, 2022
PETALING
JAYA: From modest beginnings, Abdul Latif Mat Noor’s patience and drive proved
to be an unquenchable flame as he climbed the ranks of the fire and rescue
department.
Latif
had aspired to further his studies after completing the Sijil Pelajaran
Malaysia in the late 1980s but lacked the means to do so.
As
with many wide-eyed youths in their early 20s, he felt directionless in life
and would spend his days soul searching.
With
a lack of job opportunities available, the Perak native decided to try his luck
joining the fire and rescue department where he began as an administrative
staff at the department’s training academy in Kuala Kubu Bharu.
Latif
soon sought permission to join the training programme after being intrigued by
watching the firefighters in action.
“I
thought the job was to only contain fires. As a young man with no exposure to
firefighters’ work, I didn’t know the job scope was extensive,” he told FMT.
He
then built up his skills as he progressed through course after course before
becoming an open water rescue expert. His other expertise included containing
forest fires and searching for lost hikers.
Latif
witnessed his peers with higher academic qualifications obtaining promotions
ahead of him, but his self-belief and determination never wavered.
His
patience and endeavour would pay off when he was made Sungai Buloh fire chief
and operations commander in March last year.
Asked
if he ever doubted his leadership abilities despite his lack of higher
education, Latif admitted that he was no natural-born leader but said years on
the job gave him the belief and confidence in his ability to lead.
“When
senior officers and colleagues gave me moral support, and after attending
numerous courses and on-the-job training, I knew I had the confidence to lead
the team.”
Looking
back, the 56-year-old said he had no regrets over not furthering his studies
beyond SPM, adding that this was the path he had chosen.
On
what message he had to SPM students, he said: “There’s no shortcut in life, you
have to show your ability and prove your worth to your superiors.”
Source:Free
Malaysia Today
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Pakistan
Pakistani
Taliban Ends Ceasefire with Islamabad for ‘Violating Agreement’
By:
Manoj Gupta
SEPTEMBER
04, 2022
The
Pakistani Taliban has ended ceasefire with Pakistan after it claimed that the
government in Islamabad was not making enough efforts, and not fulfilling its
demands.
Tehrik-i-Taliban
Pakistan (TTP) spokesperson Mohammad Khorasani has said the Pakistani
government did not work towards making negotiations successful “so it is not
possible to continue the ceasefire,” sources told CNN-News18.
The
TTP further said it was ending the ceasefire over non-release of prisoners,
continued military operations and lack of communication from the government of
Pakistan.
The
militant outfit claimed that the government released some of their prisoners
but re-arrested them “in violation of the agreement”.
The
talks between Pakistan and the outlawed TTP had reached a deadlock as the
militant group refused to budge from its demand for the reversal of the merger
of erstwhile FATA (Federally Administered Tribal Areas) with the
Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa province.
The
breakdown in talks led to a spike in cross-border terrorist attacks by the TTP.
In
April, two dozen Pakistani security forces were killed in a series of
cross-border attacks. Some of the attacks filmed by the TTP showed the
terrorists using sophisticated weapons.
The
increase in attacks prompted Pakistan to launch air strikes across the border
targeting the TTP’s hideouts.
Islamabad
also in a rare move issued a stern warning to the Afghan Taliban not to allow
the Afghan soil to be used against the neighbouring country.
The
TTP was founded in 2007 in response to a Pakistani military operation clearing
the Lal Masjid in Islamabad. TTP founder Baitullah Mehsud was once considered
close aide of Pakistani’s ISI.
Source:News18
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Starving
flood victims face infectious diseases under open sky in Sindh
Faiza
Ilyas
September
5, 2022
KARACHI:
An alarming situation currently prevails in the flood-affected areas where
hundreds and thousands of flood-affected people, often forced to live under the
open sky, are grappling with hunger and disease, it emerged on Sunday.
According
to the latest July-Sept health department data, 660,120 have reported various
illnesses at government-run medical camps in flood-affected areas since July.
The
stats show that skin ailments and diarrhoeal diseases are rampant in
flood-affected areas — a total of 149,551 reported with diarrheal diseases
while 142,739 people reported with skin infections.
The
officials recorded 132,485 cases of acute respiratory disease, 49,420 cases of
suspected malaria, 101 cases of snake-bite and 550 cases of dog-bite.
Govt
data says over 600,000 people report with various illnesses at medical camps
There
were 185,274 cases of other illnesses.
In
an interview on Sunday, Health Minister Dr Azra Fazal Pechuho stated that over
47,000 pregnant women were in shelter camps in the province.
Hundreds
and thousands of people had contracted various diseases after the floods, she
added.
According
to officials, over 15,000 cases of skin infection cases, around 14,000 cases of
diarrhoeal diseases and more than 13,000 cases of acute respiratory illnesses
are being reported daily at government-run medical camps.
Numbers
much higher
Workers
engaged in relief efforts in the flood-hit districts, however, believed that
the actual number of cases was much higher as there were still several places
in the province where the government was yet to reach and start relief
operations.
“One
of the major challenges currently being faced in the disaster areas is lack of
shelter. Today, we have visited Mirpurkhan, Tando Muhammad Khan and Tando Adam
but couldn’t see a single government-run relief camp and people were forced to
live under the sky,” Dr Abdul Ghafoor Shoro, secretary general of Pakistan
Medical Association-Karachi said.
One
relief camp the team came across was being managed by the People’s Primary
Health Care Initiative on the Khipro road, he added.
“Skin
infections are common as the vast majority of people had remained exposed to
water for 10 to 15 days. The flooded areas are now breeding grounds for
mosquitos but the people neither have shelter nor mosquito nets.”
The
situation, Dr Shoro feared, would aggravate in the coming days and there was an
immediate need for urgent action.
“People
living under the open sky are forced to drink contaminated water. They are
getting little bit of food either from non-profit organisations or some
kind-hearted landlords.”
According
to health department officials, around 5m people have been displaced in the
devastating floods, which damaged over 1,000 health facilities in Sindh.
Of
them, 966 were partially damaged whereas 126 were completely destroyed.
Editorial:
Health catastrophe
The
highest number of partially damaged facilities were located in Sukkur (230)
followed by Larkana (199), Hyderabad (183), Mirpurkhas (171), Shaheed
Benazirabad (156) and Karachi (27).
Mirpurkhas
lost 65 health facilities followed by Hyderabad 22, Sukkur 17, Larkana 13,
Shaheed Benazirabad 7 and Karachi 1.
The
government data shows that while the cases of cholera were on the decline,
cases of diarrhea and dysentery are increasing in Sindh.
Source:
Dawn
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Turkish
aid for the flood-hit: Pakistan Railway to receive goods in Zahedan
Khalid
Hasnain
September
5, 2022
LAHORE:
The Pakistan Railways (PR) will receive relief goods-laden Turkish train in
Iran’s Zahedan city by the end of this week as necessary arrangements have been
made.
After
transshipment at Zahedan, the train would bring the goods to Taftan likely on
Sept 12, Dawn has learnt. The train carrying relief goods in 24 wagons was
dispatched by the Turkish government on Aug 30 to the Pakistan government to
help the flood-hit.
The
train moved from Turkey’s capital Ankara and entered the territory of Iran on
Sunday and is likely to reach Zahedan on Sept 9. According to senior officials,
the transshipment of the goods (unloading of the Turkish train and loading /
shifting the goods to Pakistani wagons) would be done at Iran’s Zahedan
station, about 100kms away from Taftan -- the country’s last station bordering
Iran.
“According
to my information, the train entered Iran’s territory on Sunday and now it is
on way to Zahedan where it is likely to reach on Sept 9. Before it reaches
Zahedan, we will dispatch our wagons for transshipment of the goods and
bringing them first to Taftan and then Dalbandin station -- around 300kms away
from Taftan,” Nisar Akhan, PR’s Quetta Division’s chief (Divisional
Superintendent), told Dawn on Sunday.
He
said Pakistan’s broad gauge railway line exists till Zahedan (Iran) and after
that the standard gauge rail begins that is commonly used for rail
transportation in Iran, Turkey and parts of Europe. That is why the
transshipment of the goods dispatched from Pakistan or Iran or Turkey is always
at Zahedan.
He
said since the transshipment process may take a couple of days, the Pakistani
train carrying these goods after being unloaded from Turkish train would
probably reach Taftan on Sept 12. He said the PR teams had already restored the
rail traffic between Dalbandin and Taftan after repairing the track damaged by
floods.
“Fortunately
some of our goods trains and wagons are already available at Dalbandin. And we
can use them for transshipment purposes,” he added.
He
said from Dalbandin, these goods would be transported to the flood-affected
areas by trucks as the rail track between Dalbandin and Quetta had been damaged
by floods.
PR
CEO Farrukh Taimur said the relief goods could not be transported through rail
network as the track at various places had been washed away by floods. “I am
currently on a tour to inspect the under-water railway tracks in Balochistan
and Sindh. The relief goods from Dalbandin to Quetta cannot be transported by
train.
Moreover,
it also cannot be transported from Quetta to other parts of the country by
train due to washing away of railway bridge No 221 near Hirok station on
Quetta-Sibbi section of main line-3,” he explained. “Therefore, we will
transport goods by road,” he added.
The
PR has already informed the public that the resumption of the train operations
may take a few days subject to receding of water on and along the rail tracks.
At present, the Rohri-Tando Adam section, Paddidan-Bhiria, Daur-Bandhi and
Bocheri-Nawabshah sections are inundated. The Nawabshah yard is also under
water whereas the signalling system at railway yards is also dysfunctional due
to inundation and power outages.
Source:
Dawn
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Pakistani
terrorist caught along LoC dies of cardiac arrest
Sep
4, 2022
JAMMU:
A Pakistani terrorist captured by Indian soldiers on August 21 died of a
cardiac arrest on Saturday while being treated for gunshots wounds at a
military hospital in J&K’s Rajouri, defence sources said. The man was
identified as Tabarak Hussain, resident of Sabzkot village of Koti in PoK.
He
was caught when the Army foiled two major infiltration bids and killed two
terrorists along the LoC in Naushera Sector of Rajouri between August 21 and
23.
Tabarak
disclosed that he was tasked by Pakistan’s spay agency ISI to recce forward
posts along with a group of terrorists in Naushera sector. He had said he was
paid Pakistani Rs 30,000 for the task.
Source:
Times Of India
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Pak
rights minister highlights plight of Ahmadis as Nobel laureate’s grave
desecrated
3
September, 202
Islamabad
[Pakistan], September 3 (ANI): Pakistan human rights minister Riaz Hussain
Pirzada on Friday said that the Ahmadi minority community in the country is
being subjected to grave human rights violations and because of the deep fear
instilled in them no one even dares to mention the name of Nobel Prize-winning
physicist Abdus Salam.
He
made the remarks while briefing the National Assembly’s Standing Committee on
Human Rights. Pirzada said it was unfortunate how the nation has overlooked its
national heroes, reported The Friday Times.
The
Ahmadis are not recognised as Muslims after the anti-Ahmadiyya ordinance was made
in the Constitution of Pakistan in 1984, which restricted the freedom of
religion for Ahmadis. Abdus Salam Centre for Physics in Pakistan was named in
honour of Dr Abdus Salam, who won Pakistan’s first Nobel Prize in sciences
1979, for his contribution to the electroweak unification theory.
However,
the situation in Pakistan continues to exhibit gory ‘Islamophobia’ against
Ahmadis. Pakistan is indubitably more phobic of the Ahmadiyya sect, and their
interpretation of Islam, reported The Diplomat.
The
grave of Abdus Salam (1926-1996) is in Rabwah in the Punjab province of
Pakistan. However, the grave was desecrated as from the English inscription on
the grave, the world “Muslim” has been erased from the phrase “the first Muslim
Nobel laureate.”
The
tombstone of Pakistan’s – and the Muslim world’s – first Nobel Prize winner Dr
Abdus Salam was desecrated, just like the other graves. It now reads:
“Professor Muhammad Abdus Salam, in 1979 became the first ****** Nobel laureate
for his work in Physics.”
Speaking
about the missing persons in Pakistan, the rights activist said that his
ministry had strived to overcome rights challenges confronting the nation
however it is not in a position to hold anybody accountable.
Source: ThePrint
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PML-N,
PPP want favourite COAS to escape graft cases: Imran
Khalid
Hasnain
September
5, 2022
LAHORE:
Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf (PTI) Chairman Imran Khan on Sunday lashed out at the
Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) and Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) — major
coalition partners in the incumbent government — saying both parties were
opposing snap elections, because they wanted to “appoint an army chief of their
choice” in November to save their skin in corruption cases.
Addressing
a rally in Faisalabad, the former prime minister said PPP leader Asif Ali
Zardari and PML-N supremo Nawaz Sharif were making all-out efforts to bring
their “favourite” army chief after the retirement of the incumbent chief in November
this year. The new army chief should be chosen on merit, he said, adding Mr
Zardari and Mr Sharif were “traitors” and should not be trusted with the fate
of the country.
“They
want to bring their own army chief…they are afraid that if a strong and patriotic
army chief is appointed then he would ask them about the looted wealth,” Mr
Khan said, adding that the PPP and PML-N chiefs were sticking to the power
because of the fear of accountability.
“They
are sitting [in the government] because they want to bring in an army chief of
their choice through joint efforts,” he added. Imran Khan said the army chief
should be “appointed on merit…whoever is on the top of the merit list should be
appointed” to head the institution.
Gen
Qamar Javed Bajwa, who was appointed in 2016, is set to retire in the last week
of November. The army chief’s appointment is meant to be for three years, but
Gen Bajwa was given an additional three-year term in 2019 after a bit of
political drama.
Imran
Khan further said the opposition leaders were afraid of holding snap elections
because they know they will be wiped out from political arena when elections
are held in the country.
Source:
Dawn
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https://www.dawn.com/news/1708525/pml-n-ppp-want-favourite-coas-to-escape-graft-cases-imran
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Pakistan
must learn to live within its means, says Miftah
Monitoring
Desk
September
5, 2022
KARACHI:
Finance Minister Miftah Ismail has said the government wants to break a
boom-and-bust cycle that’s played out for decades, and help the country to
finally learn to live within its means.
Talking
to Bloomberg News, he said import payments should equal dollar inflows, which
means curbs on luxury items may remain in place for longer than currently
anticipated.
“I
want to see a Pakistan that lives within its means. That’s it,” he said.
“Nothing can happen in one year, but we can start.”
The
outlook has been further complicated in the aftermath of historic floods, which
could have an economic impact of at least $10 billion, adding to a list of
problems for the minister that includes political turmoil and raging inflation.
Less
than a week ago the International Monetary Fund (IMF) gave Pakistan a $1.16
billion lifeline to avoid imminent default. The country also secured pledges
for a total of $9bn in investments and loans from Qatar, Saudi Arabia, and the
UAE. Mr Ismail said he expects a $1bn investment in listed state-owned
companies to materialise in about a month.
Hopes
for economic growth of more than 3.5 per cent
On
Aug 29, Pakistan secured a bailout from the IMF to avert an imminent default as
the country deals with political turmoil and deadly flooding.
The
finance minister expects economic growth of more than 3.5 per cent for the
fiscal year that started in July, down from an initial target of 5pc. He
predicts that inflation, running at the highest in 47 years and the second
highest in Asia, is close to its peak and will average 15pc for the year.
Vegetable
prices, a key component, have already started to come down after shooting
higher following the floods, he claimed.
The
minister aims to spur Pakistan’s growth by avoiding unchecked imports of
everything from home appliances to cosmetics and the resultant chronic shortage
of dollars. The revival of the IMF bailout was the 13th for the country since
the late 1980s.
Pakistan’s
imports need to be equal to the dollar inflow from exports and from remittances
provided by citizens living abroad, according to Mr Ismail. The State Bank
figures show remittances in the second quarter running at record levels.
For
now, Pakistan has restricted certain imports, including those for automobiles
and automotive parts that’s seen Toyota Motor Corp. and Suzuki Motor Corp’s
local units temporarily halt production. Mr Ismail planned the measures to last
for an initial three months but the impact of the floods may see them extended.
Pakistan’s
export revenue is dominated by textiles, and much of its cotton crop was washed
away. The government will allow the textile industry to import as much cotton
as it needs to keep the looms running. Islamabad is now also importing tomatoes
and onions from Afghanistan, Iran and Turkey after shortages shot prices
higher.
Source:
Dawn
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https://www.dawn.com/news/1708523/pakistan-must-learn-to-live-within-its-means-says-miftah
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US
delegation visits Dadu, vows help to flood-hit people
Qurban
Ali Khushik
September
5, 2022
DADU:
A five-member delegation led by US Congress Representative Sheila Jackson Lee
on Sunday visited calamity-hit Sindh and met the flood survivors to assure them
that Washington will continue to support Pakistan in this difficult hour by
providing food, tents, and medicines to people displaced by the massive floods.
The
delegation accompanied by officials of the Foreign Office landed in Dadu after
taking an aerial view of the flood-hit areas in southern and northern parts of
the province.
Ms
Lee, while speaking to flood-hit families at PCB Ground in Dadu, assured them
of the US help. She said a large number of people in the flood-hit areas were
suffering from major devastation and added that Washington will continue to
lend a helping hand.
She
said the delegation will inform the US president, Joe Biden, about the
humanitarian crisis brewing in Pakistan.
US
Ambassador to Pakistan Donald Bloom said that the delegation conducted an
aerial view of the flood-ravaged areas and added that the US government would
assist the Pakistan to rehabilitate the flood-hit people.
During
their visit, the military officers and district administration also gave a
detailed briefing to the US delegation about the destruction caused by floods
across Sindh, particularly in the Dadu district.
Source:
Dawn
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https://www.dawn.com/news/1708517/us-delegation-visits-dadu-vows-help-to-flood-hit-people
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Ashrafi
urges world personalities, organizations for flood victims support
September
4, 2022
Prime
Minister’s Special Representative for Interfaith Harmony and Middle East Hafiz
Muhammad Tahir Mehmood Ashrafi has invited the world leading personalities and
organizations for supporting the flood victims in Pakistan.
Talking
with national and international media on Sunday, Ashrafi who is also the
Chairman of Pakistan Ulema Council, said that Pakistan alone could not cope
with the damages caused by the floods in different parts of the country.
Seeking
support to overcome this critical situation, he said the world should come
forward and witness itself the damages incurred due to flash floods in
Pakistan.
Besides
lauding the services of Pakistan Army and volunteers of religious organizations
in flood hit areas, he said the endeavors on the part of Palestine for
‘Pakistan Solidarity Day’ and assistance for flood victims were commendable.
He
said Pakistan was grateful to the United Arab Emirates, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Turkiye,
China, United Kingdom and United States for extending all out cooperation to
the flood victims in Pakistan.
In
the post-flood situation, the leaderships of Saudi Arabia, Qatar, United Arab
Emirates and Turkiye had expressed their bonds of love and brotherhood with
Pakistan.
Ashrafi
said we should seriously think about the climate change and its implications.
No doubt, the flood was a test from the Allah Almighty, but it had also
disclosed our shortcomings and negligence, he said proposing dams should be
built and the construction of other buildings on the rivers’ banks should not
be allowed. He said it should also be investigated why the roads and bridges
were made so weak which could not withstand by flash floods.
He
said Pakistan Army was the pride of the Pakistani nation and the service
rendered by it on the instructions of Chief of Army Staff General Qamar Javed
Bajwa in this difficult situation were exemplary as per its tradition.
He
lamented, “It is a pity that the political leaderships of the country could not
be united even after the flash floods,” adding the process of reconciliation
should be started within the country.
He
expressed the hope that Punjab Chief Minister Chaudhry Pervez Elahi and
President Dr Arif Alvi would play an important role in the process of
reconciliation.
Ashrafi
also made it clear that neither proscribed outfits were collecting donations
not participating in relief work anywhere in Pakistan.
Source: Pakistan Today
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Mideast
Tempers
flare between Hamas, Islamic Jihad
September
4, 2022
GAZA
CITY, Gaza Strip — Tension has been mounting between Hamas’ political leaders
and Palestinian Islamic Jihad over the deaths caused by the latter's rockets
during the recent military confrontation with Israel in the Gaza Strip.
The
confrontation started on Aug. 5 and ended on Aug. 7 with an Egyptian-sponsored
cease-fire agreement.
Hamas
and Islamic Jihad held a meeting on Aug. 22 in Gaza City. The two movements
said in a joint statement after the meeting, “The resistance shall continue
with high coordination between the two movements and all the factions.”
However,
according to exclusive information obtained by Al-Monitor from several leading
figures who attended this meeting, tension was high at the meeting, where Hamas
called on Islamic Jihad to financially compensate the families of the civilian
victims who were killed by its rockets that fell inside the Gaza Strip.
The
sources said that Islamic Jihad denied that any of its rockets fell inside Gaza
and rejected any responsibility in this regard.
The
recent confrontation killed 49 Palestinians, including 17 children and four
women, according to an Aug. 12 report by the Ministry of Health in Gaza.
Another
Hamas leader confirmed to Al-Monitor on condition of anonymity that his
movement called on Islamic Jihad to financially compensate the families of the
victims after Hamas, which has ruled the Gaza Strip since 2007, investigated
allegations that local rockets had landed in Palestinian areas and killed
Palestinians.
The
leader explained that the investigation team, consisting of members of the Gaza
ministries of interior and health, collected evidence indicating that
Palestinians were killed by locally made rockets. “The investigation team got
their hands on rocket shrapnel and local missiles that fell in residential
neighborhoods,” he added.
He
refused to comment on the number of Palestinian civilians killed by local
missiles.
The
Israeli Public Broadcasting Corporation cited an Aug. 25 Israeli army statement
as saying that 180 rockets fired by Islamic Jihad during the recent escalation
landed inside Gaza and killed more than 16 Palestinian civilians.
The
army statement detailed five failed Islamic Jihad rocket launches including one
that landed near the Imad Aqel Mosque in the middle of the Jabalia refugee camp
in the northern Gaza Strip and killed seven Palestinian civilians.
Islamic
Jihad denied the Israeli army’s statement. The group’s spokesperson Daoud Shehab
said in a statement to the Anadolu Agency on Aug. 25, “These are false
allegations through which the Israeli army is trying to mislead the public. …
These are blatant lies.”
Although
there is clear evidence to support the Israeli allegations, Islamic Jihad's
denial seems at least partially an effort to avoid paying financial
compensation to the families of the victims, at a time when it is suffering
from a stifling financial crisis. Its employees within its various media and
movement institutions have been receiving half their salaries for years,
leading many to resign.
No
Palestinian sources are willing to speak publicly about the issue of
Palestinian deaths caused by locally made rockets, as it is one of the most
sensitive issues affecting the relationship between Palestinian society and the
armed resistance factions. These factions insist that armed resistance enjoys
the confidence of a majority of Palestinians.
An
independent Palestinian political analyst told Al-Monitor on condition of
anonymity, “Being the largest armed faction in Gaza, Hamas feels the people
lost confidence in the choices of the resistance in the wake of the
disappointing outcome of the recent confrontation round, in which Palestinians
were killed by local rockets and no Palestinian gains were achieved.”
He
explained that this lack of confidence has made Hamas rush to investigate the
fighting and examine the issue of compensation to the families of victims.
On
Aug. 25, Islamic Jihad organized several simultaneous events in honor of the
victims in Gaza City, Damascus, Beirut and in the Jenin refugee camp in the
northern West Bank.
Hassan
Abdo, a political analyst with sources in Islamic Jihad, told Al-Monitor the
events sent “a message of defiance to Israel, which is trying to undermine the
confidence of the Palestinians in the resistance and Islamic Jihad.”
Abdo
explained that Israel, “which failed to confront the resistance’s missiles and
prevent them from falling within its territory, is now seeking to strike the
resistance supporters and to sow discord among the Palestinians who believe in
the option of armed resistance.”
Source:
Al Monitor
Please
click the following URL to read the full text of the original story:
https://www.al-monitor.com/originals/2022/09/tempers-flare-between-hamas-islamic-jihad
--------
Iranian
Top Commander Urges US Navy to Respect Int'l Laws
2022-September-4
Maj.
Gen. Mousavi on Sunday gave details about Iran’s recent seizure of two US sail
drones by Jamaran destroyer.
The
commander noted that the United States was informed through mediation that its
vessels are at a certain area; while it was warned to obey international rules.
"The
United States due to its aggressive nature is indifferent to nations’ rights
and international regulations," he added.
"The
US unmanned vessels are on the seas and are not careful about crossing paths of
other vessels so they may threaten the security of others," the military
official underlined.
"For
this reason, Iran seized one of the US vessels and then put it in a secure
place," Mousavi said, adding, The Iranian naval forces also stopped two US
sail drones in recent days and put them in a safe place; then the Islamic
Republic told the US about the place."
The
senior commander underscored that such a seizure has "no benefits"
for Iran and the country just does it to bring "security for other
vessels".
On
Thursday, the Iranian Navy’s Jamaran destroyer seized two US maritime drones
and then released them in the Red Sea in order to prevent naval incidents in
the international shipping lane, warning Washington to avoid repeating similar
incidents.
The
destroyer encountered the “data collecting” vessels during a routine operation
aimed at securing shipping routes and confronting piracy and maritime
terrorism, the Iranian Navy announced in a statement.
The
American side was “then urged to act responsibly concerning [the issue of]
naval security and prevent recurrence of such incidents".
It
marks the second such incident in recent days, as the naval forces of the
Islamic Revolution Guards Corps (IRGC) has recently seized one such American
unmanned surface vessel in the Persian Gulf as well.
The
US unmanned vessel, whose navigation communications had been cut off, was
controlled and towed by the IRGC Naval Force on Tuesday in order to maintain
the safety of routes taken by trade vessels and oil tankers.
Then,
the IRGC Navy cautioned the US Army to avoid repeating acknowledged mistakes
which endanger maritime safety in the Persian Gulf.
The
announcement noted that the presence of the “terrorist” US military forces in
the Persian Gulf has always posed a threat to the security and stability of
this sensitive and strategic region.
Tehran
stresses the presence of the trans-regional forces has been a cause of tensions
in the region, but says the country's forces are closely monitoring the entire
region. Iranian military officials added that peace and security in the region
can be achieved through cooperation among the regional states and in absence of
foreigners.
Back
in July, Commander of the IRGC Navy Rear Admiral Alireza Tangsiri declared
Iran's full preparedness to fight off any plot of enemies against Tehran at its
birth, stressing that the country's forces will teach a painful lesson to foes
in case they launch any act of aggression against Iran.
“If
the enemy takes any foolish measure to foment sedition or carry out an act of
aggression against the Islamic establishment, we will respond in a way that
would teach them and their allies a painful lesson and will nip that plot in
the bud,” Rear Admiral Tangsiri said on Monday.
He
added that the IRGC naval forces, which are deployed in the islands and along
the operational routes of the elite force, maintain their combat readiness at
the highest level in order to be able to carry out the most difficult missions
at any time.
Source:
Fars News Agency
Please
click the following URL to read the full text of the original story:
https://www.farsnews.ir/en/news/14010613000663/Iranian-Tp-Cmmander-Urges-US-Navy-Respec-In'l-Laws
--------
Hamas
says it executed five Palestinians, including two for ‘collaboration’
04
September, 2022
Palestinian
militant group Hamas ruling the Gaza Strip announced on Sunday that it executed
five Palestinians, including two for “collaboration” with Israel.
“On
Sunday morning, the death sentence was carried out against two condemned over
collaboration with the occupation [Israel] and three others in criminal cases,”
Hamas said in a statement, adding that the defendants had previously been given
“their full rights to defend themselves.”
Hamas’s
interior ministry provided the initials and years of birth of the five executed
Palestinians but did not give their full names.
The
two executed over “collaboration” with Israel were two men born in 1978 and
1968.
The
older of the two was a resident of Khan Yunis in the south of the blockaded
Gaza Strip. He was convicted of supplying Israel in 1991 with “information on
men of the resistance, their residence... and the location of rocket
launchpads,” Hamas said.
The
second was condemned for supplying Israel in 2001 with intelligence “that led
to the targeting and martyrdom of citizens” by Israeli forces, the statement
added.
Source:
Al Arabiya
Please
click the following URL to read the full text of the original story:
--------
Iran
Arrests Members of Israeli-Linked Baha'i Spying Group
2022-September-4
"A
sum of twelve members of the Israeli regime-backed group were identified and
arrested in different cities of Mazandaran province," the statement read.
"Two
of the leaders of this spy organization were trained in the Israeli
regime-backed group called Bait Al-Adl
located in the occupied territories and had formed a spy cell with the
members of the organization throughout Mazandaran province," it added.
The
Intelligence Ministry stressed that any activities of spy networks related to
the Israeli regime and counterrevolutionary groups are closely monitored by the
intelligence forces of the Ministry of Intelligence and their agents will
harshly and decisively be dealt with.
In
a relevant development last month, the Iranian Intelligence Ministry had
detained several members of a Baha'i spying cell with ties to the Israeli
regime.
"The
detainees were directly linked to an Israeli regime-backed group called Bait
Al-Adl based in the occupied territories," the statement read.
The
intelligence ministry statement added that, according to the obtained evidence,
the Bait Al-Adl gave instructions to the detained group in Iran in order to
revive Bahaism in the country.
"The
group was tasked with promoting Bahaism in educational centers at different
levels, particularly in the kindergarten across the country," the
statement said.
The
statement noted that the Iran-based group held different meetings with the
Israeli regime-backed group and briefed it on their activities to incite
protests against Hijab rules in Iran.
Although
members of the Baha’i sect have admitted to their crimes in various cases, the
West, specially the United States, claims that Iran has violated their human
rights due to its attempts to stop the illegal activities of the cult.
Iran:
Recently-Arrested Mossad Agents Planned to Explode Sensitive Military Facility
by Powerful Bombshttps://t.co/Zmyo7qkGAz pic.twitter.com/6kM6U6KgkX
—
Fars News Agency (@EnglishFars) July 27, 2022
Iran
has in recent months identified and arrested several members of spy networks
affiliated to foreign secret services.
The
Iranian Intelligence Ministry announced on Saturday that the country's security
agents have detained a Swedish national on charges of espionage.
"The
suspect has a history of travelling to the Israeli-occupied territories prior
to visits to Iran," the statement read.
Back
in mid-May, Iran arrested two French spies for attempting to stoke chaos and
social disorder in the country during protests by teachers. The two French
nationals, Cécile Kohler, 37, and Jacqeus Paris, 69, traveled to Iran in late
April as tourists but turned out to be spies for the Western agencies.
The
duo attempted to foment instability and social disorder in late May when some
teachers took to the streets in peaceful protests to demand fair wages and
better working conditions, according to the intelligence ministry.
Source:
Fars News Agency
Please
click the following URL to read the full text of the original story:
--------
IRGC
Navy Commander Underlines Iran's Pivotal Role in Establishing Security in
Persian Gulf, Sea of Oman
2022-September-4
"Today,
thanks to the efforts of the brave naval forces of the IRGC and the Army and
their round the clock monitoring and intelligence dominance, security has been
restored to the Persian Gulf and the Sea of Oman," Rear Admiral Tangsiri
stated on Saturday.
The
senior commander added that the naval forces of both the IRGC and the Army are
carrying out their missions forcefully and in full concert.
"Only
Iran and other regional countries are responsible for providing security in the
Persian Gulf and extra-regional countries have no responsibility here," he
noted.
The
commander of the IRGC’s Navy also hailed the Iranian forces for their efforts
to protect the region, vowing that Iran’s naval forces will be tough on the
enemies.
Back
in July, Tangsiri declared Iran's full preparedness to fight off any plot of
enemies against Tehran at its birth, stressing that the country's forces will
teach a painful lesson to foes in case they launch any act of aggression
against the country.
He
added that the IRGC naval forces, which are deployed in the islands and along
the operational routes of the elite force, maintain their combat readiness at
the highest level in order to be able to carry out the most difficult missions
at any time.
The
senior Iranian commander stated the neighboring countries in the region enjoy
the capability to ensure security in the important Persian Gulf region,
emphasizing, "There is no need at all for the presence of foreign
countries who want to be here with the justification of providing
security."
He
said that peace and security in the region can be achieved through cooperation
among the regional states and in absence of foreigners.
Iranian
officials have repeatedly underlined the necessity for the settlement of the
crises and problems in the region through collective cooperation among the
regional states, and underscored that the presence of foreigners is harmful.
Tehran
urged the neighboring countries to be extremely vigilant about any US-Israeli
plan that clearly aims to disturb the stability and order of the region.
Source:
Fars News Agency
Please
click the following URL to read the full text of the original story:
--------
SNSC
Dismisses Allegation on Russian Request for Evacuation of Iranian Forces from
Syria
2022-September-4
Asharq
Al-Awsat newspaper published an article on Friday claiming that Russia has
demanded Iranian troops withdraw from military positions West of Syria’s Hama
province as well as from positions in Central and Western Syria to prevent the
forces from being targeted by Israeli raids.
Nour
News, affiliated with Iran's SNSC, rejected the claim, and said the report was
"false" and Moscow has not made such a request from Tehran.
The
Saudi paper has also claimed that the demand came after the Tel aviv regime
conducted "several" airstrikes against Syria, but Nour News stressed
that "the Zionists' attacks were exaggerated".
"Falsification
of such news aims to boost the morale of the remnants of Takfiri terrorism in
Syria and also to portray the Zionist regime as an influential [player] in the
political and security equations of the region," the outlet added,
emphasizing that such false reports are not based on the current realities on
the ground in Syria.
The
news website pointed out that Iran has been offering military advisory support
to Syria at the request of the Damascus government and with the purpose of
fighting terrorism, noting, "The strategic cooperation among Iran, Syria
and Russia in the fight against terrorism in the region, especially in Levant,
will continue powerfully."
Iran
maintains an advisory mission in Syria at the request of Damascus with the aim
of helping it get rid of the foreign-backed militants who have been fighting
the Syrian government since 2011. Back in 2017, Iran’s advisory assistance
helped Syria defeat the Daesh (also known as ISIS or ISIL) terror group.
Source:
Fars News Agency
Please
click the following URL to read the full text of the original story:
--------
Iran
demands closure of IAEA probes for sustainable nuclear deal
05
September, 2022
Iran
is seeking the closure of the UN nuclear agency’s investigation of its nuclear
activities among other guarantees, in order to revive the country’s 2015 nuclear
deal with world powers, a senior Iranian official said on Monday.
“An
end to the agency’s probes is part of the guarantees that we are seeking to
have a sustainable and durable nuclear agreement,” Iranian foreign ministry
spokesperson Nasser Kanaani told a televised news conference.
Last
week, Iran sent its latest response to an EU-drafted text aimed at overcoming
an impasse to revive the nuclear pact, under which it had restrained its
nuclear program in exchange for relief from US, EU and UN economic sanctions.
Iran’s
demand risks hurting the chances of saving the deal because Washington has
rejected linking it to the agency’s investigation.
Source: Al Arabiya
Please
click the following URL to read the full text of the original story:
--------
Israeli
army shot a Palestinian dead in West Bank raid: Palestinian Health ministry
05
September, 2022
A
19-year-old Palestinian was shot dead by the Israeli army early Monday in
Qabatiya, south of Jenin in the occupied West Bank, the Palestinian health
ministry said.
“Taher
Mohamed Zakarneh was shot dead by the occupation [Israeli] bullets in
Qabatiya,” a Palestinian health ministry statement said, adding that he died
after being “hospitalized with a bullet to the head, a bullet to the right
foot, a bullet to the left thigh, and burns.”
The
Israeli army said it had “conducted counterterrorism activity in the city of
Jenin and in the town of Qabatiya and apprehended five wanted individuals
suspected of terrorist activity.”
“During
the activity, violent riots were instigated. The rioters hurled rocks,
explosive devices and Molotov cocktails at the forces and shots were heard in
the area,” the statement added.
“The
soldiers responded with live fire, hits were identified,” it said.
A
total of 17 individuals were arrested in overnight raids across the West Bank,
the army said.
On
Sunday, Palestinian and Arab-Israeli gunmen wounded six Israeli soldiers and
one civilian when they attacked a bus near the city of Tubas in the West Bank.
Source:
Al Arabiya
Please
click the following URL to read the full text of the original story:
--------
Venice
Film Festival: Two jailed Iranian filmmakers vow to keep creating
04
September, 2022
Two
jailed Iranian filmmakers have issued a defiant challenge to authorities in
Iran, vowing in a message to fellow cineastes at the Venice Film Festival that
they will not stop creating.
Mohammad
Rasoulof and Jafar Panahi – whose film “Khers Nist” (No Bears) is in
competition for Venice’s top Golden Lion prize – have both been behind bars
since July amid a crackdown on dissident voices in all sectors of society.
Rasoulof,
50, was arrested after having launched a petition from directors and actors
urging security forces to lay down their arms in the face of a wave of
protests. His anti-capital-punishment movie “There is No Evil” won the Golden
Bear at the Berlin film festival in 2020.
Fellow
prize-winning director Panahi, 62, was detained while seeking information about
Rasoulof’s whereabouts and told he had to serve a six-year sentence previously
handed out.
A
third filmmaker, Mostafa Aleahmad, was also arrested and jailed in July.
In
the statement issued Sunday by festival organizers, the directors said that as
members of Iran’s independent cinema movement with a calling to create, “those
in power see us as criminals.”
“The
history of Iranian cinema witnesses the constant and active presence of
independent directors who have struggled to push back censorship and to ensure
the survival of this art,” the directors wrote.
“While
on this path, some were banned from making films, others were forced into exile
or reduced to isolation. And yet, the hope of creating again is a reason for
existence,” said the statement.
“No
matter where, when, or under what circumstances, an independent filmmaker is
either creating or thinking about creation. We are filmmakers, independent
ones.”
Panahi
has won a slew of awards at international festivals for films critiquing modern
Iran, including the top prize in Berlin for “Taxi” in 2015, and best screenplay
at Cannes for his film “Three Faces” in 2018.
He
was arrested in 2010 following his support for anti-government protests and
later convicted of “propaganda against the system.” The six-year sentence he is
now serving relates to that conviction.
The
current repression in Iran, which comes one year into the rule of President
Ebrahim Raisi, the ultra-conservative former judiciary chief, is not only
targeted at artists.
Regime
critics from a wide range of sectors have been arrested, from trade union
activists, to campaigners against the enforced wearing of the headscarf for
women, to religious minorities.
Source: Al Arabiya
Please
click the following URL to read the full text of the original story:
Turkish
warship docks in Israel as bilateral ties warm
04
September, 2022
A
Turkish warship has docked in Israel for the first such visit in more than a
decade as relations between the US allies improve following fierce feuding over
the Palestinian cause.
The
frigate Kemalreis docked in Haifa on Saturday as part of NATO maneuvers in the
Mediterranean Sea, a Turkish official said. An Israeli official said Ankara had
submitted a preliminary request for the crew to disembark on shore leave.
A
Haifa port official said it was the first time a Turkish naval vessel had
visited since at least 2010, when bilateral ties were shattered by Israel’s
storming of a pro-Palestinian aid convoy that tried to breach its blockade of
the Gaza Strip.
Ten
Turks were killed by Israeli marines in that incident.
For
its part, Israel has voiced objections at NATO-member Turkey's hosting of
members of Hamas, a Palestinian militant group that is proscribed as a
terrorist group in the West.
Source: Al Arabiya
Please
click the following URL to read the full text of the original story:
--------
Al-Qaeda
in Yemen releases video of kidnapped UN worker: Monitor
03
September, 2022
Al-Qaeda’s
Yemen branch released a video on Saturday showing a United Nations worker who
was abducted in the war-torn country more than six months ago, the SITE
Intelligence Group reported.
Five
UN staff members were kidnapped in Yemen’s southern province of Abyan in
February while returning to the port city of Aden “after having completed a
field mission,” UN spokesperson Eri Kaneko told AFP at the time.
In
Saturday’s video message, apparently recorded on August 9, Akam Sofyol Anam,
identified by SITE as Bangladeshi, urges “the UN, the international community,
the humanitarian organizations, to please come forward... and meet the demands
of my captors,” without outlining the demands.
He
said he was facing “serious health trouble,” including heart problems, and
needed “immediate medical support and hospitalization,” according to SITE,
which monitors extremist activity.
Anam,
who SITE identified as the “director of the United Nations Office of Security
and Safety in Yemen,” said he and four colleagues were kidnapped on February
11.
Yemen
has been gripped by conflict since the Iran-backed Houthis took control of the
capital Sanaa in 2014, triggering military intervention by the Arab Coalition
in support of the government the following year.
Hundreds
of thousands have died, directly from fighting as well as indirectly, and
millions have been displaced in what the UN has called the world’s worst
humanitarian crisis.
Al-Qaeda
in the Arabian Peninsula (AQAP) and fighters loyal to ISIS have thrived in the
chaos.
“The
United Nations is in close contact with the authorities to secure their
release,” its spokesperson had said after the workers’ abduction in February.
Formed
in a merger of al-Qaeda’s Yemen and Saudi branches, AQAP has carried out
attacks on both rebel and government targets in Yemen as well as foreigners.
It
has also been accused of plotting attacks beyond the Middle East and its
leaders have been targeted by a US drone war for more than two decades,
although the number of strikes has dropped off in recent years.
Source:
Al Arabiya
Please
click the following URL to read the full text of the original story:
--------
Israel
says ‘extremely worried’ about nuclear agreement with Iran
Ayhan
Şimşek
04.09.2022
BERLIN
Israel
is “deeply concerned” about a possible nuclear agreement between world powers
and Iran, Israeli President Isaac Herzog said on Sunday.
Speaking alongside
German President Frank Walter Steinmeier in Berlin, Herzog said they are
closely following the ongoing talks to revive the 2015 nuclear deal.
“We're
extremely worried about a possible agreement because we’re worried about the
lack of sincerity, honesty and adherence to world rules by the Iranian regime,”
he said.
Herzog accused Iran
of not respecting international rules, and said Tehran has been openly calling
for the eradication and annihilation of Israel.
“So
why, why should the world trust Iran in any of its intentions?” he said, adding
that he raised the issue during his talks with Steinmeier today, and conveyed
Israel’s concerns.
Israel accuses Iran
of seeking to build a nuclear bomb, a claim denied by Tehran, which says its
program is designed for peaceful purposes.
Indirect talks
between the US and Iranian diplomats, mediated by the EU, concluded in Vienna
last month with an agreement on a draft text to revive the 2015 nuclear accord.
Tehran filed its
response to the EU draft agreement on Aug. 15, a week after the talks ended in
Vienna. The Biden administration responded to Iran's comments through the EU
coordinator.
EU’s foreign policy
chief Josep Borrell said last week that a resolution could be achieved very
soon.
“I
am hoping that in the coming days we are not going to lose this momentum and we
can close the deal,” he told reporters in Prague, after an informal meeting of
EU foreign ministers.
The 2015 nuclear
deal – officially named the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA) – was
signed by Iran, the US, China, Russia, France, the UK, Germany, and the EU.
Former US President
Donald Trump unilaterally withdrew the US from the deal in 2018 and reimposed
sanctions as part of a "maximum pressure campaign" on Tehran.
Source:
Anadolu Agency
Please
click the following URL to read the full text of the original story:
--------
Yemeni
government denies Houthi claims over new fuel ship restrictions
SAEED
AL-BATATI
September
04, 2022
AL-MUKALLA:
Yemen’s government has denied Houthi allegations about a new restriction on
fuel ships passing through the Red Sea Port of Hodeidah, following a fuel
shortage in Houthi-controlled areas.
It
said it had not imposed restrictions on the movement of such vessels entering
the port, now or in the past, accusing the Houthis of inventing the problem to
force people to buy fuel from the black market under their control to generate
revenue.
It
said measures governing the traffic of fuel ships through Hodeidah had not
changed since the start of a UN truce and that the Houthis were attempting to
circumvent the agreed-upon measures so their traders could import oil and
smuggle in weapons and other illegal goods.
“It
(the government) demanded that the militias put an end to the fabricated crisis
and stop their absurd practices to force fuel companies and traders to violate
legal procedures in Yemeni ports,” said the government statement, carried by
the official Saba news agency.
Under
the UN-brokered truce, which came into effect on April 2 and has been renewed
twice, the government and the Houthis agreed to stop fighting, allow commercial
flights to depart from Sanaa airport and fuel ships to arrive at Hodeidah
ports, and engage in direct talks to discuss opening roads in besieged Taiz and
other provinces.
The
government said the latest fuel crisis in Houthi-controlled areas was part of
the movement’s efforts to undermine the truce and restart the war. The Houthis
continued to breach the truce by refusing to open roads in Taiz, attacking
government troops with missiles and drones, amassing fighters outside key
cities, and organizing military parades in Hodeidah.
Residents
in Houthi-controlled Sanaa reported long lines of cars outside fuel stations
across the capital on Sunday, with drivers waiting hours to fill up.
The
Houthi-run Oil Company issued a circular allowing only 40 liters of gasoline
per car every six days and accused the Coalition to Restore Legitimacy in Yemen
of inciting the crisis by allegedly seizing nine fuel ships.
Analysts
in Yemen said the cash-strapped Houthis were seeking to generate billions of
riyals to fund their military activities by refusing to pump oil into official
fuel stations, forcing people to buy it from their black market.
“The
‘blockade’ was just an excuse for fuel shortage. Houthis create a fuel crisis
to force people to buy from their black market,” Nadwa Al-Dawsari, a Yemeni
conflict analyst, tweeted.
Source:
Arab News
Please
click the following URL to read the full text of the original story:
https://www.arabnews.com/node/2156226/middle-east
--------
Turkish
court orders pro-Kurdish member of parliament jailed on terrorism charge
04
September 2022
A
Turkish court has ordered the pre-trial jailing of a pro-Kurdish member of
parliament, accusing her of being a member of the Kurdistan Workers' Party
(PKK) militant group.
Semra
Guzel, a member of the Peoples' Democratic Party (HDP), was sentenced to jail
on terrorism charges while awaiting trial late on Saturday, a day after she was
arrested in the Turkish city of Istanbul, police and her lawyer said.
The
HDP denounced as “illegitimate and unethical” Guzel’s detention, after Turkish
Interior Minister Suleyman Soylu announced her arrest.
"Our
member of parliament being detained in an unethical way; the government making
this into propaganda material using inappropriate and ugly language shows the
ruling party's helplessness," the HDP said in a statement before the court
ruling.
Guzel
had her parliamentary immunity lifted in March after photos of her from several
years ago with a militant from the PKK circulated on Turkish media. An arrest
warrant was subsequently issued on a charge of membership of a terrorist
organization.
When
the photos first surfaced in January, Guzel said the person was her fiancé and
the photos were taken when she visited him during a peace process between
Turkey and the PKK that broke down in 2015.
uzel
said the investigation against her, based on material found after the militant
was killed in 2017, was not launched until she became a member of parliament a
year later.
Guzel’s
lawyer, Veysi Eski, rejected the charge against her as unfounded, calling it a
continuation of what he said were "political genocide operations"
against the HDP.
"A
person visiting an acquaintance in the organization (PKK) camp does not in and
of itself constitute the crime of membership of (a terrorist)
organization," Eski told Reuters.
Turkish
President Recep Tayyip Erdogan's AK Party and its nationalist allies frequently
accuse the HDP of being the PKK's political wing. Thousands of HDP members have
been tried in recent years over similar accusations. The party denies any links
to terrorism.
Militants
of the PKK — designated as a terrorist group by Turkey, the United States, and
the European Union — regularly clash with Turkish forces in the
Kurdish-dominated southeast of Turkey attached to northern Iraq.
A
shaky ceasefire between the PKK and the Turkish government collapsed in July
2015. Attacks on Turkish security forces have soared ever since.
Source:
Press TV
Please
click the following URL to read the full text of the original story:
--------
Arab World
Turkish
volunteers put smiles on orphans’ faces in Syria
Seda
Sevencan
03.09.2022
IDLIB,
Syria
Combing,
cutting, and braiding, Turkish volunteers have been cheering up nearly 3,500
girls -- mostly orphans -- in war-torn Syria, doing their hair under a
humanitarian project for several years.
The
Human Movie Team, a social media movement in cooperation with humanitarian
groups, has been carrying out the project named "Braids for hair and
brotherhood for hearts" in different parts of Syria since 2018.
Thanks
to the project, the children, many of whom have never had anyone to comb their
hair, are reminded of what it is to be a child and cared for.
Almost
2,000 girls living in refugee camps in northern Azaz were first included of the
project in 2018-2019, with cooperation from the Istanbul-based Humanitarian
Relief Foundation (IHH) and the For Children group.
In
cooperation with two humanitarian, volunteers brought smiles to the lips of
nearly 300 more girls living in refugee camps in the northern Jarabulus
district in 2020 by braiding their hair
A
total of 22 Turkish volunteers cleaned and braided the hair of 1,000 orphan
girls living in northern Idlib province this year, too.
Volunteers
from different parts of Türkiye participated in a two-day event that ended on
Friday with the support of the Orphan Foundation.
After
their hair was braided and adorned with colorful pins, the girls were given
gifts such as clothes, stationery, and toys.
'Love
and care is humanitarian aid'
"By
displaying their before and after photos, we're trying to tell the world how
good these children feel, how beautiful they look, and how their hopes swell
when they get cared for with this project," said project coordinator Tulay
Gokcimen.
Speaking
to Anadolu Agency after the project, Gokcimen said her organization got
feedback that the self-confidence and academic success of the children in the
project had increased, with people encouraging the group to continue their
efforts.
"Since
we've conducted this project mostly for orphan children, the love and care they
receive is really uplifting for them," she said.
"People
may ask why we go and do their hair instead of providing food and clothing in a
war zone -- that is, instead of more basic needs. They may think that way, but
love is the most basic need of a child, care is the most basic need of a child.
Children of war need this love, care, and attention, too. We think love and
care is humanitarian aid and humanitarian support for them," said
Gokcimen.
"We
want to continue this project, especially for refugee camps in different parts
of the world," she said.
According
to the Orphan Foundation's latest report, the number of orphans in Syria
continues to rise as the civil war drags on for over a decade, with the latest
data showing that of 9 million children in the country, more than 1 million are
parentless.
Syria
has been locked in a vicious civil war since early 2011 when the Bashar
al-Assad regime cracked down on pro-democracy protests.
Source:
Anadolu Agency
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https://www.aa.com.tr/en/life/turkish-volunteers-put-smiles-on-orphans-faces-in-syria/2675763
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Israeli
delegation secretly visited Egypt to calm tensions: Report
05
September 2022
A
high-ranking Israeli delegation has secretly visited Egypt in order to calm
tensions that have recently affected ties between Cairo and Tel Aviv, a report
says.
On
Sunday, the London-based al-Araby al-Jadeed cited a radio station operated by
the Israeli army as saying Avi Gil, the military secretary of prime minister
Yair Lapid, heading a delegation that included senior military officials,
visited Egypt a week ago.
The
report said the visit was aimed to find “solutions” to disputes that erupted
between the two sides.
The
radio station said the intensified Israeli arrest campaigns and raids in the
occupied West Bank that constituted a breach of a pledge the regime made
following Egyptian mediation efforts aimed to end the latest Israeli military
aggression on the Gaza Strip were one of the issues that heightened tensions
between the two sides.
Israel
launched airstrikes on the Gaza Strip on August 5. The raid lasted for three
consecutive days, killing dozens of people, including 17 children and top
members of Islamic Jihad. Hundreds more were also injured during the Israeli
aggression. In response to the Israeli onslaught on Gaza, Islamic Jihad fired
hundreds of rockets at the Israeli-occupied territories, prompting the regime
in Tel Aviv to accept an Egyptian-brokered ceasefire.
The
Israeli radio station also said the Israeli decision to release Palestinian
prisoner Khalil Awawdeh who was on hunger strike for more than five months came
as part of efforts aimed to ease tensions with Cairo, saying that the decision
was made in coordination with Cairo.
According
to the report, Israel has also intensified its efforts to locate a mass grave
for dozens of Egyptian soldiers who were killed in the vicinity of al-Quds
during the 1967 war in order to ease tensions with Egypt.
That
comes as the recent Israeli media reports that revealed that at least 20
Egyptian soldiers were burnt alive and buried in an unmarked mass grave in the
area of Latrun, West of al-Quds, raised the ire of the Egyptian public.
Moreover,
al-Araby al-Jadeed cited Israel’s TV channel Kan as saying that the downing of
an Egyptian drone over the region of Naqab (Negev) in June “embarrassed” the
Egyptian side.
Back
then, an Israeli source said the aircraft, operated by the Egyptian military to
monitor Daesh activity in the northern Sinai desert, accidentally entered
Israeli airspace.
An
Egyptian official familiar with the Egyptian mediation efforts between the
Israeli regime and the Palestinian factions told al-Araby al-Jadeed on Sunday
that latest visit to Egypt made by the Israeli delegation followed a similar
one by Ronen Bar, the head of Israel's internal spy agency Shin Bet.
According
to the report, Bar visited Cairo on August 21 to contain tensions.
The
Egyptian official said the visits were aimed to “contain the Egyptian ire” over
the Israeli regime’s failure to live up to their commitments under the
Egyptian-brokered ceasefire agreement in Gaza that came into force on August 7.
The
Egyptian official said that the release of Khalil Awawdeh and Bassam al-Sa’adi,
a leader of the Islamic Jihad resistance movement, which had been set as a
condition for the truce, was discussed during the Israeli delegation’s visit.
The
official said it was agreed, during the visit, to release Awawdeh “as a first
stage” due to his serious health condition.
He
added that al- Sa’adi would be freed after the upcoming Knesset election
scheduled for November 1.
Awawdeh
ended hunger strike on Wednesday after the Israeli regime agreed to release him
in October.
Source:
Press TV
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https://www.presstv.ir/Detail/2022/09/05/688642/Israeli-delegation-secretly-visited-Egypt-tensions
--------
A
Syrian military helicopter crashes northeast of Hama, crew killed
04
September, 2022
A
Syrian military helicopter crashed northeast of the city of Hama on Sunday
during a training mission leaving the crew dead, state media agency SANA
reported, citing a military source.
SANA
said in a report that the helicopter crashed due to a technical error.
Photos
shared on social media showed the helicopter crashed between civilian
buildings.
Source:
Al Arabiya
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--------
Lebanon
arrests five agents suspected of torturing Syrian detainee to death
03
September, 2022
Lebanon
arrested five State Security agents Saturday on suspicion of torturing to death
a Syrian detainee, in the latest abuse allegation against the security
services, a judicial source told AFP.
The
arrests came on the orders of the government’s commissioner to the military
courts, Fadi Akiki, who had ordered an investigation into last month’s death in
custody, the source said.
The
young Syrian “died within three hours of his arrest after being subjected to
severe torture and beatings that triggered a heart attack,” the source said,
adding that the detainee was pronounced dead on arrival in hospital.
The
State Security agents arrested Bashar Abdel Saud on August 31 and took him to
an agency facility in Bint Jbeil in southern Lebanon for questioning with other
detainees.
The
agents wanted to “obtain a confession from the deceased suspect that he was the
leader of a cell” linked to ISIS but he “persisted in denying the allegation,”
according to the source.
In
pictures seen by AFP, the body of the deceased was covered in cuts and bruises.
The bodies of fellow detainees who survived their ordeal also bore signs of
torture.
The
State Security agency, which has faced multiple allegations of torture in the
past, said Abdel Saud’s death had been referred to the “competent authorities.”
Source:
Al Arabiya
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Indian
FM meets UAE President with letter from Modi during visit for trade discussion
03
September, 2022
UAE
President Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed received a letter from Indian Prime Minister
Narendra Modi ahead of a strategic dialogue between the two countries
furthering the free trade agreement signed earlier this year.
The
letter was delivered by Indian Foreign Minister Dr S. Jaishankar during a
meeting with the UAE President at al-Shati Palace, the Emirates News Agency
(WAM) reported.
Jaishankar
and Sheikh Mohamed discussed bilateral relations and cooperation across various
sectors as well as several regional and international issues of mutual concern,
according to WAM.
Apart
from the high-level meeting, Jaishankar met his UAE counterpart, Sheikh
Abdullah bin Zayed, to discuss and broaden economic relations as part of the
14th India-UAE Joint Commissions meeting linked to the Comprehensive Strategic
Partnership Agreement (CEPA).
The
two sides discussed ways to further strengthen the energy partnership and
two-way investments, according to a press release by India’s Ministry of
External Affairs.
The
ministers also “emphasized the importance of promoting start-ups and
entrepreneurship in different fields such as fintech, edutech, healthtech,
agritech, logistics and supply chains,” in addition to noting the possibility
of “linking instant payment platforms in either country, such as through the
United Payment Interface (UPI) of India.”
During
the meeting, Sheikh Abdullah highlighted the success of “the UAE and India… in
establishing an advanced and sustainable model for their strategic relations,
which has yielded many significant achievements across several sectors, adding
that the two countries are eager to strengthen them to advance their common
interests and those of their peoples,” WAM reported.
Meanwhile,
his Indian counterpart “stressed the keenness to strengthen and develop
UAE-India strategic relations to meet the aspirations of their leaderships, noting
that the strides made within the framework of their partnership are a source of
pride and a driver to seek more successes to achieve common development goals,”
according to the WAM report.
Among
those present in the meeting were Minister of State for Foreign Trade Thani
al-Zeyoudi, Minister of State for International Cooperation Reem al-Hashemy,
Minister of State Ahmed Ali al-Sayegh, the UAE president’s diplomatic adviser
Dr. Anwar Gargash, and UAE Ambassador to India Dr Ahmed Abdulrahman al-Banna.
Free
trade deal
The
CEPA was signed on February 18 and came into effect on May 1, 2022.
It
is expected to boost annual bilateral non-oil trade from $60 billion to $100
billion within the next three to five years, India’s prime minister’s office
said at the time.
“There
will be a huge flow of trade and investments between both nations and it’s
going to open the door for more business opportunities,” Thani al-Zeyoudi told
Reuters in February after the deal was made public.
The
agreement eliminates 80 percent of tariffs on UAE and India goods, while all
tariffs are to be removed within ten years, al-Zeyoudi said.
UAE
commodities like aluminum, copper and petrochemicals would benefit from the
removal of tariffs, he said.
The
deal also covers services, investments, intellectual property, and a commitment
by the UAE to grant 140,000 employment visas to highly skilled workers from
India by 2030.
India
is the second largest trading partner of the UAE, where each year billions of
dollars in remittances are sent home by more than three million Indians working
in the Gulf state.
Source:
Al Arabiya
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Iraq
PM hosts US delegation for talks in Baghdad
04
September, 2022
Iraqi
Prime Minister Mustafa Al-Kadhimi met US Assistant Secretary of State for
Middle Eastern Affairs Barbara Leaf for talks on the country's political crisis
Sunday.
At
least 30 people were killed and over 400 wounded last week after supporters of
Iraqi Shia cleric Muqtada al-Sadr clashed with Iraqi security forces inside the
heavily fortified Green Zone, the seat of Iraq's government.
The
clashes came after 10 months of political deadlock in the country.
Both
camps disagree over the appropriate mechanism to dissolve parliament and hold
early elections, key demands of al-Sadr.
Source:
Al Arabiya
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--------
Sadrist
lawmakers challenge resignations from Iraqi Parliament
04.09.2022
Lawmakers
affiliated with Shia cleric Muqtada al-Sadr on Sunday filed a lawsuit
challenging the acceptance of their resignation from Parliament.
In
June, 73 MPs from the Sadrist movement resigned amid a parliamentary standoff
over the formation of a new government in Iraq.
Parliament
Speaker Mohammad al-Halbousi later issued a decree terminating the membership
of the resigned lawmaker from the 329-seat assembly.
According
to the state news agency INA, the Federal Supreme Court set Sept. 28 as a date
to look into the appeal by the MPs.
Tension
has been running high across Iraq in recent weeks over the failure of Shia
groups to agree on a new prime minister since the country’s last elections Oct.
10, 2021.
Source:
Anadolu Agency
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--------
Iraqi
parliament speaker calls for setting date for early elections
04.09.2022
BAGHDAD
Iraq’s
Parliament Speaker Mohammad al-Halbousi on Sunday called for setting a date for
early elections amid tension over failure to form a new government.
The
call came one day after Prime Minister Mustafa al-Kadhimi urged the country’s
political parties to hold a new round of national dialogue on Monday to resolve
Iraq’s months-long political crisis.
“Setting
a date for early parliamentary elections and provincial polls by the end of
next year” should be on the agenda of the national dialogue, al-Halbousi said
in a statement.
He
also called for “electing a new president and a government agreed upon by the
people and political powers.”
Tension
has been running high across Iraq in recent weeks over failure of Shia groups
to agree on a new prime minister since the country’s last elections Oct. 10,
2021.
Source:
Anadolu Agency
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Turkish
intelligence neutralizes senior PKK terrorist in northern Iraq
Enes
Kaplan
04.09.2022
Turkiye's
National Intelligence Organization (MIT) neutralized a senior PKK terrorist in
northern Iraq, security sources said on Sunday.
Bedirhan
Abi, codenamed Darav Gevda, was the target of a surgical strike in the Sinjar
area, the sources noted.
The
sources detailed that Abi, who joined the PKK in 2011, operated in southeastern
Türkiye and northern Iraq and was involved in numerous attacks on security
forces.
Turkish
authorities use the term "neutralize" to imply the terrorists in
question surrendered or were killed or captured.
Source:
Anadolu Agency
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--------
North America
US
Navy says vessels seized by Iran were unarmed, ‘posed no risk to naval traffic’
03
September, 2022
The
US Navy publicly confirmed on Friday that an Iranian warship seized and
detained two US unmanned surface vessels in the Red Sea earlier in the week.
This
came two days after Iran tried and failed to seize a similar vessel in the
Gulf. “Jamaran (FFLG 76), an Islamic Republic of Iran Navy ship, seized two
Saildrone Explorer unmanned surface vessels operating near one another in
international waters before returning the vessels to the US Navy the next day,”
the US Navy said.
On
Friday, Iranian state-run media said that the country’s navy seized and
released two unmanned vessels, claiming they jeopardized maritime safety.
But
the US Navy pushed back on the claim, suggesting that they were unarmed and
taking unclassified photos of the surrounding areas while on an assigned
patrol.
“The
vessels posed no risk to naval traffic and had been operating in the general
vicinity of the Southern Red Sea for more than 200 consecutive days without
incident,” according to the Navy.
After
the US 5th Fleet detected an Iranian ship approaching the unmanned vessels, two
US guided-missile destroyers and another two MH-60R Sea Hawk responded.
Source:
Al Arabiya
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--------
US
mediator in Lebanon-Israel maritime talks to arrive in Beirut this week
04
September, 2022
Amos
Hochstein, the US diplomat mediating talks between Lebanon and Israel over
their shared maritime border, will be in Beirut at the end of the week, a
statement from Lebanon’s presidential palace said on Sunday.
The
statement said Hochstein would be in Lebanon to follow up on discussions with
the Lebanese side on the delineation, without providing more details.
The
US embassy in Beirut declined to comment.
Hochstein
was last in Beirut in late July for meetings with Lebanese officials.
At
the time, a senior Israeli official, speaking to Reuters on condition of
anonymity, said Hochstein would present a new Israeli proposal that “includes a
solution that would allow the Lebanese to develop the gas reserves in the
disputed area while preserving Israel's commercial rights”.
A
Lebanese official said the proposal would allow Lebanon to explore the entire
Qana Prospect, an area with the potential to hold hydrocarbons which crosses
beyond Line 23, a maritime line that was originally Lebanon's demand during
negotiations.
Hochstein
told local broadcaster LBCI after that trip that he expected exploration would
move forward in the area once the companies involved had the “legal and
diplomatic certainty” that would result from a deal.
Source:
Al Arabiya
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--------
Europe
Fire
burns down mosque in northern France: Report
Alaattin
Dogru
03.09.2022
A
fire completely burnt down a mosque in northern France late Friday night, local
media reported, with authorities suspecting an arson attack.
The incident took
place at the Rambouillet mosque in the Yvelines department of the Ile-de-France
region, according to Le Parisien newspaper.
An investigation has
been launched to ascertain the cause of the fire, French Interior Minister
Gerald Darmanin said on Twitter.
The mosque was built
at the request of the Muslim community living in the region in 2009 on an area
temporarily allocated by the Municipality of Rambouillet.
Source:
Anadolu Agency
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https://www.aa.com.tr/en/europe/fire-burns-down-mosque-in-northern-france-report/2676150
--------
Stockholm
should meet Türkiye’s demands for NATO membership: Swedish politician
Attilla
Altuntas
03.09.2022
STOCKHOLM
In
order to gain NATO membership, Sweden should meet Türkiye’s “legitimate” demand
that Stockholm take action against the YPG/PKK terror group, a Swedish
politician of Turkish descent said.
During
his visit to a Turkish cultural association in the capital Stockholm, Mikail
Yuksel, head of the Nyans political party, said that if his party is
represented in the parliament after Sept. 11 elections, they will work to
ensure the realization of the promises made to Türkiye.
Yuksel
said that his party experiences attacks by racists as well as anti-Türkiye
groups during its election campaign.
In
May, Sweden and Finland formally applied to join NATO, a decision spurred by
Russia's war on Ukraine.
However,
Türkiye, a NATO member for more than 70 years, opposed the two countries'
membership aspirations due to their tolerance and even backing for terrorist
groups.
Source:
Anadolu Agency
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Germany's
logistics giant sees Türkiye as heart of supply chains
Bahattin
Gonultas
03.09.2022
BERLIN
Germany's
logistics giant Rhenus, operating in Europe, Asia, and South America, considers
Türkiye the heart of various supply chains as the shock of the coronavirus
pandemic demonstrated the importance of the logistical availability of
factories.
"That's
why we've invested heavily in Türkiye over the last two years to ensure that
production is stable and reliable so that supply chains can really work,"
Tobias Bartz, Rhenus' CEO, told Anadolu Agency in an exclusive interview.
The
coronavirus pandemic, a global shock that hit health care, trade, finance,
education, business, and societies like few other ordeals in the past century,
was "extremely worrying," Bartz said, adding that at times, the
supply chain "disappeared".
"We
saw a little bit of light at the end of the tunnel after months," he said
of the virus outbreak, which affected the global economy via regular supply and
demand channels.
Following
the supply shock that began in China in February 2020, a demand shock took hold
as the global economy shut down, exposing vulnerabilities in the production
strategies and supply chains of firms across the world.
Bratz
emphasized that supply chain "uncertainties" during the pandemic were
prompting more businesses to bring manufacturing closer to home.
"I
think we can see now that certain factories are closing and opening in
different parts of the world. Logistical availability becomes more and more
important," he said.
Shifting
global supply chains
The
pandemic posed significant challenges for supply chains globally. Multiple
national lockdowns temporarily stopped the flow of raw materials and finished
goods, disrupting manufacturing as a result.
Many
multinational companies increased their plan to move production chains closer
to home in order to minimize problems with global supply chains and increased
shipping costs.
According
to research by Buck Consultants International, more and more European
industrial companies are bringing back production that they had previously
offshored. Straddling Europe and the Middle East, Türkiye hopes to utilize its
strategic location and strong manufacturing base to benefit from changes in the
global supply chains.
The
country poses a strong alternative to the pre-COVID production network based in
Asia as its sole center.
Türkiye
offers easy access to 1.3 billion people and a combined market worth $26
trillion in GDP in Europe, the Middle East and North Africa, and Central Asia
within a four-hour flight radius.
Explaining
that Rhenus has been working in the Turkish market for many years through their
agencies, Bartz said the company had maintained investments in Türkiye for
three years now.
"We
see the future in the country not only because it is an exciting production and
commercial market in itself, but also because it is at the heart of other
supply chains," said the company's CEO.
Pointing
to Türkiye's geographical advantage, as well as its highly skilled workforce
and strength in product and production, he said Rhenus is "looking at
connecting Kazakhstan, Azerbaijan, Georgia" with that country.
Türkiye
has global market access at the nexus of Europe, Asia, and Africa, thus
creating an efficient and cost-effective hub to major markets.
The
country's strategic location enables easy reach to markets across 16 different
time zones, from Tokyo to New York.
Bartz
said Turkish people are talented, culturally open, and connected with Europe,
and the logistical infrastructure is also good.
"The
road supports the structure of the railway. It is something that we benefit a
lot from," he said, adding that the company hoped to benefit from the
human resource market in Türkiye. "We want to add these people to our
global network."
Multinationals
are increasingly choosing Türkiye as a preferred hub for manufacturing,
exports, as well as management.
Bartz
said companies are seeking to spread their risks in Asia and also globally, and
in this case, Türkiye and India will be the winners at the highest level.
Rhenus
is a family company based in western Germany that has been operating in the
logistics industry for more than 100 years.
Source: Anadolu Agency
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