Facebook In India Has Been Selective In Curbing Hate Speech And Inflammatory Posts, Particularly Anti-Muslim Content, Says Leaked Report
New
Age Islam News Bureau
24
October 2021
Facebook lacked enough local
language moderators to stop misinformation that at times led to real-world
violence in India, according to leaked documents. | Photo Credit: AP
-----
• Facebook In India Has Been Selective In Curbing Hate
Speech And Inflammatory Posts, Particularly Anti-Muslim Content, Says Leaked
Report
• 'We Don't Negotiate With Terrorists': Arab American
Student Shocked By NJ Teacher's Remarks
• Refrain From Showing Closeness And Intimacy, Pakistan
Media Regulatory Authority asks TV Channels
• Iran Ready For Nuclear Cooperation With Islamic
Countries
• Afghanistan Defence Minister: National Army Of
Afghanistan Will Be Delivering The Message Of Peace To The People In
Afghanistan And The World
• Head Of Muslim Council Of Britain 'Inspired' By
First Visit To Blackburn
India
• Muslims Not A Minority In India; Senior Congress
Leader Calls Them To Strive Towards Nation-Building
----------
North America
• ‘Mecca Of
Rowing’: Head Of The Charles Regatta Participants Grateful For Event’s Return
• UN nuclear watchdog warns of breakdown in monitoring
Iran
--------
Pakistan
• ‘Missing’ Balochistan MPAs Declare Support For Angry
Group
• US agrees to remain engaged in Pakistan’s health
sector
• Pakistan passes milestone of administering 100m
vaccine doses
• Pakistan personal data protection bill termed vague
----------
Mideast
• Islamic Unity Necessary To Neutralize Enemies’
Plots: Sunni Cleric
• Second Quad Will Extend India’s Reach, But May
Threaten Ties With Iran
---------
South Asia
• Islamic Emirate Reacts to Newly-Formed "High
Council of National Resistance of the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan”
• Islamic Emirate Denies Al-Qaeda Presence in
Afghanistan; Claimed By The Former US Peace Envoy
• Taliban assure UN of protecting their
administrations in Afghanistan
• MoI Rejects HRW Reports of Shia Evictions
• Seven killed in attack on Rohingya refugee camp in
Bangladesh
• Biden administration to resettle over 55 thousand
Afghan refugees
• ISIL claims responsibility for detonating power
pylon in northern Kabul
----------
Europe
• British aircraft airlift 102 people that have left
Afghanistan to the UK
• Uzbekistan goes to polls with no real challenge to
incumbent leader
---------
Africa
• Somali Government Says It Has Ousted Islamist
Militia From Town
• At Least 20 Killed as Somalia Troops Battle Moderate
Islamist Militia
• Buhari campaigned for Sharia law, apologize to
Sunday Igboho – Afenifere slams Malami
• Nakuru Muslim association leadership row rages in
court
• Christian, Muslims unite against climate injustice
• 65th birthday: Kwankwaso commissions rehab center,
Juma’at mosque in Kano
---------
Arab News
• Saudi Soldier Who Died In Iraqi Prison Finally Home
And At Rest
• Saudi data science camp graduates first student
group
• Pakistan’s PM welcomed in Madinah, Islam’s second
holiest city
• Saudi Arabia unveils road map to achieve a
carbon-neutral future
• King Salman receives telephone call from UN
secretary general
• Experts take part in hackathon to provide technical
solutions for charity work
---------
Southeast Asia
• Deputy Chairman Says Perikatan To Stay Loyal To
Federal Govt Even If Coalition Clashes With Umno In Melaka
• Nanta: GPS to contest all 82 seats in Sarawak polls,
no negotiation with Bersatu on share of seats
• What happened to the Cabinet's review of your
cabotage policy? Guan Eng asks Ka Siong
• Sarawak DCM: State’s demands over MA63 made in
Malaysia's best interest
• Ravaged by pandemic, art industry moots tax
incentives to encourage local buyers and patrons
• PAS deputy president moots six-14-eight formula to
win Melaka with Umno and Bersatu
• Johor DoE waiting for space agency's findings on
illegal toxic waste disposal
Compiled
by New Age Islam News Bureau
--------
Facebook In India Has Been Selective In Curbing Hate
Speech And Inflammatory Posts, Particularly Anti-Muslim Content, Says Leaked
Report
24-10-2021
Facebook lacked enough local
language moderators to stop misinformation that at times led to real-world
violence in India, according to leaked documents. | Photo Credit: AP
-----
Facebook in India has been selective in curbing hate
speech, misinformation and inflammatory posts, particularly anti-Muslim
content, according to leaked documents obtained by The Associated Press, even
as its own employees cast doubt over the company’s motivations and interests.
From research as recent as March of this year to
company memos that date back to 2019, the internal company documents on India
highlights Facebook’s constant struggles in quashing abusive content on its
platforms in the world’s biggest democracy and the company’s largest growth
market.
The files show that Facebook has been aware of the
problems for years, raising questions over whether it has done enough to
address these issues. Many critics and digital experts say it has failed to do
so, especially in cases where members of Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s ruling
Bharatiya Janata Party, or the BJP, are involved.
Modi has been credited for leveraging the platform to
his party's advantage during elections, and reporting from The Wall Street
Journal last year cast doubt over whether Facebook was selectively enforcing
its policies on hate speech to avoid blowback from the BJP. Both Modi and
Facebook chairman and CEO Mark Zuckerberg have exuded bonhomie, memorialized by
a 2015 image of the two hugging at the Facebook headquarters.
The leaked documents include a trove of internal
company reports on hate speech and misinformation in India. In some cases, much
of it was intensified by its own “recommended” feature and algorithms. But they
also include the company staffers’ concerns over the mishandling of these
issues and their discontent expressed about the viral “malcontent” on the platform.
According to the documents, Facebook saw India as of
the most “at risk countries” in the world and identified both Hindi and Bengali
languages as priorities for “automation on violating hostile speech.” Yet,
Facebook didn’t have enough local language moderators or content-flagging in
place to stop misinformation that at times led to real-world violence.
In a statement to the AP, Facebook said it has
“invested significantly in technology to find hate speech in various languages,
including Hindi and Bengali” which has resulted in “reduced the amount of hate
speech that people see by half” in 2021.
“Hate speech against marginalized groups, including
Muslims, is on the rise globally. So we are improving enforcement and are
committed to updating our policies as hate speech evolves online,” a company
spokesperson said.
This AP story, along with others being published, is
based on disclosures made to the Securities and Exchange Commission and
provided to Congress in redacted form by former Facebook employee-turned-whistle-blower
Frances Haugen’s legal counsel. The redacted versions were obtained by a
consortium of news organizations, including the AP.
Back in February 2019 and ahead of a general election
when concerns of misinformation were running high, a Facebook employee wanted
to understand what a new user in the country saw on their news feed if all they
did was follow pages and groups solely recommended by the platform’s itself.
The employee created a test user account and kept it
live for three weeks, a period during which an extraordinary event shook India
— a militant attack in disputed Kashmir had killed over 40 Indian soldiers,
bringing the country to near war with rival Pakistan.
In the note, titled “An Indian Test User’s Descent
into a Sea of Polarizing, Nationalistic Messages,” the employee whose name is
redacted said they were “shocked” by the content flooding the news feed which
“has become a near constant barrage of polarizing nationalist content,
misinformation, and violence and gore.”
Seemingly benign and innocuous groups recommended by
Facebook quickly morphed into something else altogether, where hate speech,
unverified rumors and viral content ran rampant.
The recommended groups were inundated with fake news,
anti-Pakistan rhetoric and Islamophobic content. Much of the content was
extremely graphic.
One included a man holding the bloodied head of
another man covered in a Pakistani flag, with an Indian flag in the place of
his head. Its “Popular Across Facebook” feature showed a slew of unverified
content related to the retaliatory Indian strikes into Pakistan after the
bombings, including an image of a napalm bomb from a video game clip debunked
by one of Facebook’s fact-check partners.
“Following this test user’s News Feed, I’ve seen more
images of dead people in the past three weeks than I’ve seen in my entire life
total,” the researcher wrote.
It sparked deep concerns over what such divisive
content could lead to in the real world, where local news at the time were
reporting on Kashmiris being attacked in the fallout.
“Should we as a company have an extra responsibility
for preventing integrity harms that result from recommended content?” the
researcher asked in their conclusion.
The memo, circulated with other employees, did not
answer that question. But it did expose how the platform’s own algorithms or
default settings played a part in spurring such malcontent. The employee noted
that there were clear “blind spots,” particularly in “local language content.”
They said they hoped these findings would start conversations on how to avoid
such “integrity harms,” especially for those who “differ significantly” from
the typical US user.
Even though the research was conducted during three
weeks that weren’t an average representation, they acknowledged that it did
show how such “unmoderated” and problematic content “could totally take over”
during “a major crisis event.”
The Facebook spokesperson said the test study
“inspired deeper, more rigorous analysis” of its recommendation systems and
“contributed to product changes to improve them.”
“Separately, our work on curbing hate speech continues
and we have further strengthened our hate classifiers, to include four Indian
languages,” the spokesperson said.
Source: Trt World
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original story:
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'We Don't Negotiate With Terrorists': Arab American
Student Shocked By NJ Teacher's Remarks
By Anthony Johnson
October 24, 2021
Muslim American student
Mohammed Zubi an Arab American student (Photo: DailyAdvent)
-----
RIDGEFIELD, N.J. -- An Arab American student said a
teacher answered his question about homework with a remark on terrorists,
making the high school senior feel uncomfortable and shocking fellow classmates
Tuesday morning.
Mohammed Zubi told our sister station WABC that he
asked the teacher for permission to finish an assignment at home during math class
at Ridgefield Memorial High School, located about 3 miles west of New York City
in Bergen County, New Jersey.
"I look around in shock," Zubi said.
"There's people laughing, and there's other people in shock. I turn around
and ask my friend, 'Did he really just say that?' and she said, 'Yes.'"
Following the Sept. 11, 2001, terror attacks, young
American Muslims have grown up facing hostility, mistrust and suspicion. In a
2017 Pew Research Centre survey of U.S. Muslims, nearly half of respondents
said they experienced at least one instance of religious discrimination within
the year before.
"The teacher got close to him and said, 'We don't
negotiate with terrorists,' knowing that Mohammed is Arabic and Muslim,"
Vuk Tomasese, another senior, told WABC.
The teacher, whose identity has not been verified,
later approached Zubi and said, "I didn't mean it like that,"
according to a statement from the Council on American-Islamic Relations' New
Jersey chapter.
"It's almost unbelievable. We're left speechless.
Why would a teacher say this to a student?" said Selaedin Maksut,
CAIR-NJ's executive director.
"I don't feel like going back. I'm really
uncomfortable," he said. "I don't want to see anyone, and I've been
in my room all day -- don't want to see my friends, especially after what that
teacher said to me."
Zubi's mother worked at Ridgefield High, and his older
siblings graduated from the high school. His older brother, Anas Zubi, said he
finds the remark very disturbing.
WABC reached out to the school superintendent for
comment. A spokesperson said the issue was a "personnel matter" and
that the district has nothing more to say at this point.
Source: ABC13.com
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original story:
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Refrain From Showing Closeness And Intimacy, Pakistan
Media Regulatory Authority asks TV Channels
Staff Reporter
October 24, 2021
A file view of Pakistan
Electronic Media Regulatory Authority headquarters in Islamabad. — Dawn
-----
ISLAMABAD: The electronic media regulator has directed
entertainment shows on TV channels to observe modesty and refrain from showing
closeness and intimacy on the screen.
The Pakistan Media Regulatory Authority (Pemra) issued
a reminder to all TV channels, including those with landing rights in the
country, not to indulge in “airing objectionable dramas/content based on
indecent dressing, caressing, bed scenes and gestures, sensitive/controversial
plots and unnecessary detailing of event(s)”, which it said are highly
disturbing, distressing for the viewers and against the commonly accepted
standards of decency.
“On the prevalent trends in Pakistani drama industry,
Pemra is not only receiving numerous complaints from general public on Pakistan
Citizen Portal (PCP) and Pemra complaint call centre and feedback system but
also criticised on social media/whatsapp groups,” it added.
Pemra said a considerable stratum of society believed
that dramas are not depicting the true picture of Pakistani society.
“Hugs/caress scenes/extramarital relations,
vulgar/bold dressing, bed scenes and intimacy of married couple are being
glamourised in utter disregard to Islamic teachings and culture of Pakistani
society.”
Pemra reminded all satellite TV channels to refrain
from airing caress/hug scenes in dramas and properly review the content of the
dramas through “in-house monitoring committees” and edit/amend the same by
giving due consideration to above reservations and apprehensions of the
viewers.
The satellite TV licensees have been directed to stop
airing such content in dramas and ensure compliance with the Pemra laws in
letter and spirit.
Source: DAWN
Please click the following URL to read the text of the
original story:
https://www.dawn.com/news/1653684/pemra-asks-tv-channels-not-to-air-objectionable-content
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Iran Ready For Nuclear Cooperation With Islamic Countries
Oct 23, 2021
Javed Hadi
-----
"We are ready to cooperate with the Islamic world
in the development of nuclear technology in line with the welfare of the people
and Islamic societies, in order to pave the way for the new Islamic
civilization," Spokesman of the Atomic Energy Organization of Iran (AEOI)
Behrouz Kamalvandi said in remarks to mark the birthday anniversary of the Holy
Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) on a visit to some nuclear sites on Saturday while
being accompanied by the foreign guests attending the Islamic Unity Conference
underway in Tehran.
The Spokesman hailed the Muslim scientists for their
role in the progress of knowledge and sciences while calling on Muslim
societies to revive the great Islamic civilization through a rebirth and
Renaissance.
He also called for unity among Muslims in the face of
the Global Arrogance's unilateralism and bullying behavior.
Source: Mehr News
Please click the following URL to read the text of the
original story:
https://en.mehrnews.com/news/179983/Iran-ready-for-nuclear-cooperation-with-Islamic-countries
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Afghanistan Defence Minister: National Army Of
Afghanistan Will Be Delivering The Message Of Peace To The People In
Afghanistan And The World
By Najibullah Lalzoy
24 Oct 2021
Zara Mohammed (centre) speaks to groups on the day.
------
Afghanistan’s acting minister of defence Muhammad
Yaqoob Mujahid said that the national army of Afghanistan will be delivering
the message of peace to the people in Afghanistan and the world.
Muhammad Yaqoob Mujahid in his recent voice message
said that they are making sure that Afghanistan’s soil will not be used against
any other country in the region and world.
Muhammad Yaqoob Mujahid in his 30s, son of the
Taliban’s founder Mullah Muhammad Omar Mujahid is the youngest minister in the
Taliban’s caretaker cabinet.
He said that they are working to establish an army,
equipped with advanced weaponry that will have land and aerial capability and
will defend the homeland with the highest morale.
“We assure the people of Afghanistan that the army of
Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan will protect their all national interests.” Said
Mujahid.
The acting defense minister also said that the army
will be responsible to protect all of Afghanistan’s borders and will not allow
anyone to invade the soil.
Mujahid makes sure about the normal military and civil
activities of the ministry of defense at a time when there is no sign of a
national army after the previous one collapsed.
Source: khaama Press
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original story:
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Head of Muslim Council of Britain 'inspired' by first
visit to Blackburn
By Shuiab Khan
23rd October 2021
Zara Mohammed became the first woman and the youngest
person to lead the national organisation earlier this year.
It her first first visit to the town where she spent
time at the Jamea Masjid on Cumberland Street before meeting with members of
the Sisters4sisters group, BME Network and Humraaz at the Chai Station on
Cherry Street on Friday.
She said: “It has been a wonderful visit and I really
enjoyed meeting different communities and especially today’s celebration of
women.
“My favourite time about coming here is looking at
what local communities and what local women do because they provide a lifeline
to some of the most destitute and vulnerable and those that get left behind. I
am so happy to amplify that.”
Zara had earlier been invited to the town by Tauheedul
Girls’ Islam school where she was keynote speaker at the Inspire and Aspire
Conference.
“I told them a little bit about journey in leadership
and the challenges. It was also an opportunity to speak about the importance of
breaking through barriers and setting up new pathways for others to follow. And
also believing in yourself and telling them a good leader is a humble leader
and always willing to learn.”
Following the tragic murder of Sir David Amess last
week in his constituency, Zara said it was important to reassure all
communities during a deeply upsetting time for the country.
She said: “The whole country was in mourning. I spoke
to the Muslim communities that were very close to Sir David in Southend on Sea.
They expressed how much he meant to the Muslim community.
“Nationally, we knew there was a lot of anxiety and a
lot of fear of the backlash. So, we were very swift to get our response out.
Swift to get condemnation out and most importantly to reassure communities that
Sir David’s legacy wasn’t one about division and one about community building.”
Zara who hails from Scotland was keen to visit smaller
marginalised communities and admitted her biggest challenges in her first eight
months in charge came from her age rather than her gender.
“A lot of people find it very difficult when you are
the youngest person and there is a lot of blatant bias of what you can and
cannot do.
“As a national organisation we have to be connected to
our grassroots and for me it has been a privilege to meet local communities and
see the work they do because our success is in their success.
Source: Lancashire Telegraph
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India
Muslims Not A Minority In India; Senior Congress
Leader Calls Them To Strive Towards Nation-Building
Press Trust of India
October 23, 2021
Bengaluru: Senior Congress leader Rahman Khan on
Saturday said Muslims are not a minority in the country, and called upon them
to strive towards nation-building.
"There are about 20 to 22 crore Muslims in the
country; according to me, they are not minorities. How can 22 crore be a
minority? We have been giving such a colour," Mr Khan said.
Speaking to reporters, he said he has even written a
book 'Indian Muslims: The Way Forward' and asked the community to strive to
build the nation.
"We have to contribute to society. We should be
the givers and give to society, become good citizens. Instead of asking from
the government, we should give to society," he said.
Source: Ndtv
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North America
‘Mecca Of Rowing’: Head Of The Charles Regatta
Participants Grateful For Event’s Return
By Paul Burton
October 23, 2021
BOSTON (CBS) — It’s a Boston tradition unlike any
other. The Head Of The Charles Regatta is back this weekend after being
canceled for two years because of the pandemic.
“The environment is amazing. It really isn’t like any
other race in the world, and it’s amazing to be back after two years,” said
Ruth Axton, a rower from Georgetown University.
Source: Boston.Cbslocal
Please click the following URL to read the full text
of the original story:
https://boston.cbslocal.com/2021/10/23/head-of-the-charles-regatta-boston-return/
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UN nuclear watchdog warns of breakdown in monitoring
Iran
Leila Gharagozlou
Oct 24, 2021
The International Atomic Energy Agency has given a
warning that the UN monitoring programme in Iran is no longer fully “intact”,
after Tehran refused requests to repair cameras at an important site.
The watchdog's director general, Rafael Grossi, said
he had faced roadblocks in his attempts to initiate communication with Iran's
new hardline government.
Source: The National News
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Pakistan
‘Missing’ Balochistan MPAs declare support for angry
group
Saleem Shahid
October 24, 2021
QUETTA: With the return of four ‘missing’ MPAs from
Islamabad to Quetta on Saturday and their announcement of support for angry
lawmakers of the Balochistan Awami Party (BAP), success of the no-trust motion
against Chief Minister Jam Kamal Alyani cannot be ruled out as Nawab Sanaullah
Zehri has also joined hands with the disgruntled group.
The four MPAs went missing on the day when the angry
group with the support of the opposition parties tabled the no-confidence
motion in the Balochistan Assembly.
Source: DAWN
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of the original story:
https://www.dawn.com/news/1653733/missing-balochistan-mpas-declare-support-for-angry-group
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US agrees to remain engaged in Pakistan’s health
sector
APP
October 24, 2021
ISLAMABAD: The United States and Pakistan on Saturday
agreed to remain engaged for further bilateral collaboration in the health
sector to achieve sustainable development.
Federal Minister for Planning, Development, Reform and
Special Initiatives Asad Umar held a virtual meeting with the US Department of
States Coordinator for Global Covid Response and Health Security, Gayle E.
Smith at the Embassy of Pakistan, Washington, said a press release issued here.
Source: DAWN
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of the original story:
https://www.dawn.com/news/1653728/us-agrees-to-remain-engaged-in-pakistans-health-sector
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Pakistan passes milestone of administering 100m
vaccine doses
Ikram Junaidi
October 24, 2021
ISLAMABAD: Pakistan on Saturday announced that over
100 million doses of Covid-19 vaccine have been administered in less than nine
months.
Special Assistant to the Prime Minister on Health Dr
Faisal Sultan said in a video statement that with the passage of time the pace
of vaccination had increased and in the current month up to 1m doses were being
administered daily.
“We have passed a major milestone of administering
100m doses of vaccine. This success could not be achieved without support of a
number of departments and stakeholders. Firstly, I would thank the people of
Pakistan as they participated in the vaccination campaign. The National Command
and Operation Centre (NCOC) did a marvelous job. Moreover, federal and
provincial ministries and departments cooperated for the campaign,” he said.
Source: DAWN
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of the original story:
https://www.dawn.com/news/1653734/pakistan-passes-milestone-of-administering-100m-vaccine-doses
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Pakistan personal data protection bill termed vague
Kalbe Ali
October 24, 2021
ISLAMABAD: The Asia Internet Coalition (AIC) has
termed the draft Pakistan personal data protection bill 2021 vague in many
respect and made suggestions to make it of world standards.
In a letter to minister for IT and telecom Syed Aminul
Haq, the Asia Internet Coalition submitted recommendations to improve the draft
Pakistan Personal Data Protection Bill 2021.
“We are concerned that the Draft Bill’s
extraterritorial application is based on provisions that are too wide and
vague, which would even bring within scope foreign companies that neither
operate in Pakistan nor process data collected in Pakistan,” the letter written
by Jeff Paine, AIC Managing Director said.
At the same time AIC has suggested that properly
constituted data protection legislation has the potential to provide reliable
standards for businesses and consumers and ensure the secure and responsible
handling of personal data.
The AIC has said that as Pakistan’s digital economy
continues to grow, it was important that the country’s privacy laws take into
consideration three key goals including the value of data protection in
enabling a dynamic digital economy that protects consumers and facilitates
Pakistani enterprise.
The other two suggestions are the need to promote
data-driven innovation in Pakistan and consistency with global standards for
data protection.
Source: DAWN
Please click the following URL to read the full text
of the original story:
https://www.dawn.com/news/1653675/pakistan-personal-data-protection-bill-termed-vague
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Mideast
Islamic Unity Necessary To Neutralize Enemies’ Plots:
Sunni Cleric
Oct 23, 2021
Sunni Cleric
Molavi Abdul-Rahman Motahhari said in an interview
with IRNA that the foes and the Global Arrogance wanted to fulfill their goals
by dividing Muslims and that strengthening of Muslim unity would foil their
conspiracies.
Source: En.Irna.Ir
Please click the following URL to read the full text
of the original story:
https://en.irna.ir/news/84515113/Islamic-unity-necessary-to-neutralize-enemies-plots-Sunni-cleric
------------
Second Quad Will Extend India’s Reach, But May
Threaten Ties With Iran
Seema Guha
23 Oct 2021
India is now part of a second quadrilateral grouping,
this time in West Asia. India, US, Israel, and the UAE are together in a new
economic forum with the stated aim of promoting trade, maritime and energy
security, and fighting climate change. A few years ago such a quadrilateral
would have been unthinkable, but since ties between Israel and Sunni Arab
states have immensely improved, resulting in the signing of the Abraham
Accords, this is the new reality of the region.
The Abraham Accords between Israel and the UAE, and
with Bahrain, worked out during Donald Trump’s term as US President has brought
a sea change to the situation in West Asia. Before this, Israel and the Arab
states, despite being neighbours, had no diplomatic ties with each other. Saudi
Arabia, which many expected would also join in, had deferred the decision as
the custodian of Sunni Islam’s holiest shrines Mecca and Medina, King Salman,
was being extra cautious. Crown prince MBS is said to have been keen, but was
overruled by his father.
India has good bilateral ties with all the Gulf
Kingdoms. Trade links between the Arab states and India has existed for
centuries, and relations have never been bad as many Indians live and work in
the region. Political ties, however, were lukewarm. In the past, Saudi Arabia,
the UAE etc were seen as pro-Pakistan, which is also a Sunni Muslim nation.
Today all that has changed.
Since coming to power in 2014, Prime Minister Narendra
Modi has worked at transforming political ties with the region. He has done so
successfully, while at the same time promoting excellent relations with Israel.
The decision to engage with the Gulf region multilaterally will help New Delhi
to expand its role beyond its neighbourhood and gradually enter the global
stage. It will also help to further strengthen its ties with the US in the
international arena.
Source: Outlook India
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South Asia
Islamic Emirate Reacts to Newly-Formed "High
Council of National Resistance of the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan”
By TOLO News
24-10-2021
A number of officials of the former government along with
mujahideen leaders recently announced the formation of a new political movement
called the "High Council of National Resistance of the Islamic Republic of
Afghanistan,” which sparked reactions from the Islamic Emirate.
Abdulrab Rasul Sayyaf, a Jihadi leader, and Atta
Mohammad Noor, leader of the splinter faction of Jamiat-e-Islami, announced on
Facebook the formation of a new political movement, saying it consists of a
number of political mainstream groups in the country.
Source: Tolo News
Please click the following URL to read the full text
of the original story:
https://tolonews.com/index.php/afghanistan-175143
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Islamic Emirate Denies Al-Qaeda Presence in
Afghanistan; Claimed By The Former US Peace Envoy
By TOLO news
24-10-2021
The Islamic Emirate denied claims by the former US
peace envoy who voiced concerns over the presence of Al-Qaeda in Afghanistan.
“The reports that I have seen indicate that (leader of
Al-Qaeda) could be in Afghanistan or adjacent territory, I don’t know whether
the Taliban knows it or not,” he said.
Source: Tolo News
Please click the following URL to read the full text
of the original story:
https://tolonews.com/afghanistan-175145
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Taliban assure UN of protecting their administrations
in Afghanistan
By Najibullah Lalzoy
24 Oct 2021
Deputy Prime Minister of the Islamic Emirate of
Afghanistan, Abdul Salaam Hanafi met with UN secretary-General’s special
representative to Afghanistan Deborah Lyons in Arg (Presidential Palace) on
Saturday, October 23.
Abdul Salaam Hanafi asked for the UN’s cooperation in
different sectors and assured the special representative of protecting all UN’s
administrations in Afghanistan, said a spokesperson of the Taliban Zabiullah
Mujahid in a statement.
Source: khaama Press
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MoI Rejects HRW Reports of Shia Evictions
By TOLOnews
24-10-2021
Human Rights Watch (HRW) has reported that Taliban
officials in several provinces across Afghanistan have forcibly displaced
residents, especially the Hazara Shia communities, a claim rejected by the
Islamic Emirate.
The report says many of these evictions have targeted Hazara
Shia communities as well as people associated with the former government.
Source: Tolo News
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https://tolonews.com/afghanistan-175146
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Seven killed in attack on Rohingya refugee camp in
Bangladesh
October 23, 2021
In an attack on an Islamic seminary in a Rohingya
refugee camp in Bangladesh, gunmen kill at least seven people and wound 20,
amid escalating tensions in the settlements following the recent assassination
of a prominent Muslim leader.
According to police official Kamran Hossain,
"Rohingya miscreants" raided the Darul Ulum Nadwatul Ulama al Islamia
madrassa in the Balukhali refugee camp in Cox's Bazar near the border with
Myanmar on Friday, randomly shooting and stabbing the victims with guns and
knives.
Source: AlJazeera
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https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2021/10/22/bangladesh-rohingya-refugee-camps-seven-killed-police
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Biden administration to resettle over 55 thousand
Afghan refugees
By Najibullah Lalzoy
24 Oct 202
The US administration in an unprecedented decision
wants to permanently resettle 55,600 Afghan evacuees from the military bases of
the US to permanent houses.
Taking this number of Afghans from military bases and
bringing them to permanent houses is the biggest change to the resettlement
program since 1980.
Source: khaama Press
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ISIL claims responsibility for detonating power pylon
in northern Kabul
By Najibullah Lalzoy
23 Oct 2021
Islamic State in Iraq and the Levant officially
claimed responsibility for detonating a power pylon that cut the main power
line to Kabul and left the Afghan capital in complete darkness since Thursday.
In a statement released on the Telegram channel, the
group said that the soldiers of the caliphate detonated a bomb on an
electricity pylon in Kabul, to damage the electricity sector.
especially in the north of Kabul is not a new story,
the pylons would be detonating during the previous government that inflicted
millions of Afghani financial loss to DABS- de Afghanistan Breshna Sherkat
(Electricity body of Afghanistan).
Source: khaama Press
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Europe
British aircraft airlift 102 people that have left
Afghanistan to the UK
By George Allison
October 23, 2021
The Royal Air Force say in a news release that the
airlifts took place across two flights and both have landed safely in the UK.
Those on board will now receive support to begin their lives in the UK under
Operation Warm Welcome.
“While repatriation flights and individual relocations
have been taking place since the end of August, these flights are the first
military relocation of eligible Afghans and British nationals since the end of
the evacuation from Kabul, known as Operation PITTING. Those transported
include vulnerable Afghans who fall under the Afghan Relocations and Assistance
Policy (ARAP) who are eligible for relocation to the UK, and British nationals.
Further flights are due to arrive in the UK in the coming weeks with more
eligible people on board.”
Source: UkdefenceJournal
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Uzbekistan goes to polls with no real challenge to
incumbent leader
24-10-2021
Uzbekistan votes in a presidential election in which
incumbent President Shavkat Mirziyoyev faces no genuine opposition and is
almost certain to win a second term.
Mirziyoyev's predicted victory on Sunday will allow
him to deepen his largely successful reform campaign and likely lead to
Uzbekistan opening up further to foreign trade and investment - while retaining
a highly centralised political system.
Source: Trt World
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Africa
Somali government says it has ousted Islamist militia
from town
By Jake Thomas
OCT. 23, 2021
Oct. 23 (UPI) -- A regional government in Somalia says
it's in control of a town in the central part of the country after a clash with
an Islamist militia.
The fighting began early Saturday morning in the town
of Guri-El when Somali troops attacked bases held by Ahlu Sunna Wal Jama'a,
reports Voice of America, citing witnesses and regional officials.
Source: www.Upi.Com
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At Least 20 Killed as Somalia Troops Battle Moderate
Islamist Militia
Mohamed Olad
October 23, 2021
At least 20 people were killed and more than 40
wounded on Saturday when a moderate Islamist group clashed with Somali
government troops over control of a town in central Somalia, according to
witnesses and regional officials.
The clashes started at dawn Saturday morning when
government troops, who have been amassing on the outskirts of Guri-El, a
central Somali town some 400 kilometers north of the capital, Mogadishu,
attacked bases held by Ahlu Sunna Wal Jama'a (ASWJ) rebels.
According to residents, both sides used heavy
artillery, mortars, machineguns, and vehicle-mounted anti-aircraft guns during
a fierce battle in the streets.
Source: Voa News
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https://www.voanews.com/a/somalia-troops-battle-moderate-islamist-militia/6282882.html
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Buhari campaigned for Sharia law, apologize to Sunday
Igboho – Afenifere slams Malami
By Don Silas
October 23, 2021
The pan Yoruba socio-political organisation,
Afenifere, on Friday, slammed Abubakar Malami, the Attorney-General of the
Federation (AGF) and Minister of Justice, over the latter’s claim that Yoruba
agitator, Sunday Adeyemo popularly known as Sunday Igboho, has ties with major
sponsors of terrorism in Nigeria.
DAILY POST had reported that Malami, during a press
conference in Abuja on Friday, stated that the secessionist has 43 accounts in
different banks, stressing that some financers of Igboho have consistently
deposited funds in the accounts.
Source: Daily Post
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Nakuru Muslim association leadership row rages in
court
By Daniel Chege
October 23rd 2021
Two groups of Muslim faithful are embroiled in a row
over leadership positions in the Muslim Association of Nakuru (MAN).
Petitioners Faez Ahmed, Yusuf Kisangi and Ibrahim
Osman had challenged their ouster by Ali Shariff, Gibe Kassim, Bashir
Abdulrehman and Ahmad Rashid in a suit filed at the High Court in Nakuru.
Through their lawyer David Mong'eri, the three
petitioners accused the four of attempting to illegally and forcefully remove
them from office.
The officials accuse the four of calling for the
meeting "illegally, without authority, consent and or involvement of the
genuine officials and members".
“The intended meeting was scheduled through a
newspaper advertisement and it was set to unlawfully conduct the election of
the new office,” read the suit.
Source: Standard Media
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Christian, Muslims unite against climate injustice
By Adeola Ogunlade
Oct 24, 2021
As part of the global outcry against climate injustice
in Nigeria, Christians Association of Nigeria and Islamic Society of Nigeria
have called on government and other institutions to act immediately in
addressing the climate emergency in Nigeria.
This was stated at a walk and a forum put together
under the banner of Faith for Climate Justice by Green Faith. The event which
was a follow up to prayers and meditation vigils was peaceful as the group
noisily made their demands known outside the office of the Lagos State
governor, Babajide Sanwo-Olu.
The participants displayed placards with different inscriptions
including: ‘God created the earth, do not let your greed destroy it’,
‘Pollution is the enemy to a healthy life, embrace recycling for a better
society’, ‘Faith for Climate justice.’
Source: The Nation Onlineng
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https://thenationonlineng.net/christian-muslims-unite-against-climate-injustice/
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65th birthday: Kwankwaso commissions rehab center,
Juma’at mosque in Kano
By Mustapha Usman
October 23, 2021
As part of celebrations of his 65th birthday, a former
governor of Kano State, Rabi’u Kwankwaso, has commissioned a rehabilitation
center, Amana Sanatorium, and a Juma’at mosque in the state.
DAILY NIGERIAN reports that the Amana Sanatorium has
been established by Kwankwasiyya Foundation as a private rehabilitation clinic,
depression management and reformatory centre.
Speaking at the inauguration ceremony, held at the
premises of the centre, Jido, Dawakin Kudu Local Government area on Thursday,
Mr Kwankwaso said the facility was established to serve humanity.
Mr Kwankwaso, a former senator representing Kano
Central, said two years ago, when he celebrated his 63rd birthday, he
commissioned a female health collage, named after his mother, Nafisatu in his
hometown, Madobi Local Government.
Source: Daily Nigerian
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https://dailynigerian.com/birthday-kwankwaso-commissions/
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Arab News
Saudi soldier who died in Iraqi prison finally home
and at rest
TAREQ AL-THAQAFI
October 24, 2021
MAKKAH: After three decades, Capt. Abdullah Al-Qarni,
a Saudi soldier who was captured by Iraqi forces during Operation Desert Storm
and died in an Iraqi prison, finally returned home this week.
His remains arrived at King Abdulaziz airport on Oct.
21 and were taken to Makkah for funeral prayers and burial at the city’s
Cemetery of Martyrs.
The chain of events that led to his death began on
Aug. 2, 1990, when Iraqi forces invaded Kuwait and took over the capital city
within a matter of hours. The surprise attack was the beginning of a
seven-month occupation of the country. In response, troops, tanks, artillery,
ships and aircraft from more than 40 allied countries, led by the US, mobilized
and gathered in the Saudi Arabia’s Eastern Province and the capital, Riyadh,
for Operation Desert Storm, with the aim of driving the invaders out of Kuwait.
Source: Arab News
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https://www.arabnews.com/node/1953831/saudi-arabia
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Saudi data science camp graduates first student group
SPA
October 24, 2021
RIYADH: The Saudi Data and Artificial Intelligence
Authority celebrated on Friday the graduation of the first 35 graduates of the
data science camp launched in July.
The SDAIA academy initiative aims to graduate more
than 900 young professionals in data science and artificial intelligence during
2021.
The graduation ceremony was attended by Saudi Minister
of Communications and Information Technology Abdullah bin Amer Al-Swaha and
SDAIA President Dr. Abdullah bin Sharaf Al-Ghamdi, among other officials.
The event will now move to workshops and training
sessions aimed at building attendees skills and the opportunity to complete the
final versions of their artworks.
Source: Arab News
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https://www.arabnews.com/node/1953841/saudi-arabia
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Pakistan’s PM welcomed in Madinah, Islam’s second
holiest city
SPA
October 24, 2021
MADINAH: Pakistan’s Prime Minister Imran Khan and his
accompanying delegation arrived in Madinah on Saturday to visit the Prophet’s
Mosque.
Source: Arab News
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https://www.arabnews.com/node/1953861/saudi-arabia
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Saudi Arabia unveils road map to achieve a
carbon-neutral future
FRANK KANE
October 23, 2021
RIYADH: Saudi Arabia, the biggest oil exporter in the
world, has committed itself to a carbon-neutral future at the Saudi Green
Initiative in Riyadh.
Announcing a plan to reach “net zero” in carbon by
2060, Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman on Saturday said the move was in line
with the Kingdom’s development plans, “while preserving and reinforcing its
leading role in the security and stability of global energy markets.”
Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman announcing a plan to
reach net zero by 2060 at the opening of the Saudi Green Initiative forum.
(Screen grab from SGI video)
In a related announcement, Amin Nasser, the president
and chief executive of Saudi Aramco, revealed plans to make the world’s biggest
oil company a “net zero” operation by 2050. “The road will be complex and the
transition will have challenges, but we are confident we can meet them and
accelerate our efforts to a low-emission future,” he said.
The pledges were the most eye-catching items on a day
when Saudi Arabia reasserted its ambition to lead the world in the battle
against climate change, while retaining its traditional leadership in oil and
gas markets.
Also notable was a commitment to double the amount of
carbon the Kingdom will cut in its domestic economy, removing 278 million tons
of the pollutant per year by 2030.
“These initiatives aim at modifying the Kingdom’s
energy mix, rationing and increasing the efficiency of energy production and
use, and investing in new energy sources, including hydrogen,” the crown prince
said.
He also unveiled the first phase of the plan to
eventually plant 10 billion trees in the Kingdom over coming decades, with an
initiative to plant 450 million trees by 2030, rehabilitating 8 million
hectares of degraded land, and allocating new protected areas, to bring the
total of protected land in Saudi Arabia to more than 20 percent of its total.
Much of the domestic initiative will be focused on the
capital Riyadh, already in the middle of a “green” regeneration. “The transformation
of Riyadh into one of the world’s most sustainable cities is already underway,”
the crown prince said.
The first set of the new “green” initiative would
require investment of SR700 billion, boosting job creation in Saudi Arabia and
presenting investment opportunities for the growing private sector, in line
with the Vision 2030 strategy to reduce economic dependency on oil.
But it was the net zero commitment and the pledge to
remove twice as much carbon than before that caught the attention of the hundreds
of attendees in Riyadh, coming as it did just days before the start of the UN’s
COP26 summit on climate change in Glasgow, Scotland.
The Kingdom joins a growing number of countries that
have pledged net zero by 2060 — such as China and Russia — rather than the
accelerated goal of 2050 some Europeans and North Americans want.
Some environmental activists have in the past
criticized the Kingdom for not adopting a net zero target, and for not doing
more to cut domestic carbon output. The new targets will go a long way to
satisfying critics of the Kingdom as part of the debate on “nationally
determined contributions” (NDC) that could figure prominently in COP26.
Nasser said: “We have to consider that this
announcement comes from the biggest hydrocarbon producer in the world. To make
that type of commitment is something great, and I’m sure others will follow the
leadership of the Kingdom.”
Prince Abdulaziz bin Salman, the Saudi energy
minister, thought that the Kingdom could meet the net-zero commitment before
the 2060 timetable, using the framework of the Circular Carbon Economy, which
aims to reduce, reuse, recycle and remove CO2 greenhouse gasses.
He said that technologies to help meet the new targets
would be fully mature by 2040, boosting the plans to meet the goals and
providing an example to others.
Source: Arab News
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https://www.arabnews.com/node/1953751/saudi-arabia
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King Salman receives telephone call from UN secretary
general
ARAB NEWS
October 23, 2021
RIYADH: King Salman received a telephone call from the
UN secretary general Antonio Guterres on Saturday.
During the call, Guterres welcomed the Saudi Green and
Middle East Green initiatives, and praised initiatives announced by Crown
Prince Mohammed bin Salman at the Saudi Green Initiative forum held in Riyadh.
Source: Arab News
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https://www.arabnews.com/node/1953746/saudi-arabia
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Experts take part in hackathon to provide technical
solutions for charity work
ARAB NEWS
October 23, 2021
RIYADH: Hundreds of experts took part in an innovation
hackathon to provide technical solutions for charitable work.
The event was hosted by the Charitable Committee for
Orphan Care, Ensan, and was aimed at developing charity work in modern ways,
helping specialists and stakeholders to improve performance in ways that would
be reflected in the quality of life for beneficiaries and the provision of
services.
Source: Arab News
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https://www.arabnews.com/node/1953741/saudi-arabia
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Southeast Asia
Deputy chairman says Perikatan to stay loyal to
federal govt even if coalition clashes with Umno in Melaka
24 Oct 2021
IPOH, Oct 24 — Perikatan Nasional (PN) will not
withdraw its support for the federal government even if the coalition clashes
with Umno in the Melaka state election on Nov 20, said PN deputy chairman Datuk
Seri Ahmad Faizal Azumu.
“It has not crossed our mind (to withdraw support)
because we can see the government is striving to do its best through the
Malaysian Family concept that has been launched.
Source: Malay Mail
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Nanta: GPS to contest all 82 seats in Sarawak polls,
no negotiation with Bersatu on share of seats
24 Oct 2021
KUCHING, Oct 24 — There will not be any negotiations
between Gabungan Parti Sarawak (GPS) and Parti Pribumi Bersatu Malaysia
(Bersatu) on the share of seats in the coming state election, said GPS
secretary general Dato Sri Alexander Nanta Linggi.
“I would like to stress (that) no such negotiation has
ever been or will be held. In fact, GPS will contest in all 82 seats,” he said
in a statement today.
Nanta issued the statement to “correct the wrong
message” carried in news outlets, which claimed that he confirmed such
negotiations had taken place.
Source: Malay Mail
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What happened to the Cabinet's review of your cabotage
policy? Guan Eng asks Ka Siong
BY R. LOHESWAR
24 Oct 2021
KUALA LUMPUR, Oct 24 — DAP’s Lim Guan Eng is wondering
what happened to the Cabinet’s review of Transport Minister Datuk Seri Wee Ka
Siong’s cabotage policy in relation to repairs of submarine cables.
Lim noted that it was now the last week of the month
and yet there has been no announcement of the Cabinet outcome, contrary to
Wee’s previous remarks that it will be known by early October.
“On October 5, Wee posted on his Facebook that the
Cabinet will finalise the cabotage policy by early October, indicating a review
of existing policy on repairs of submarine cables. This is already the end of
October, what is the outcome of the Cabinet decision?” Lim asked in a
statement.
Source: Malay Mail
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Sarawak DCM: State’s demands over MA63 made in
Malaysia's best interest
24 Oct 2021
KUCHING, Oct 24 — Sarawak’s demands relating to its
rights under the Malaysia Agreement 1963 (MA63) were made not just in the best
interest of the state alone, but also of Malaysia, according to Deputy Chief
Minister Datuk Amar Awang Tengah Ali Hasan.
He said negotiations to restore the rights of the
state which may have been deliberately or inadvertently eroded was among the
main agenda of the state government led by Gabungan Parti Sarawak (GPS).
“We will continue to fight because these are our
rights that should be returned to us. We are thankful that there is a venue to
discuss this matter, with the Prime Minister (Datuk Seri Ismail Sabri Yaakib)
resuming negotiations through the Special Council on MA63.
Source: Malay Mail
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Ravaged by pandemic, art industry moots tax incentives
to encourage local buyers and patrons
24 Oct 2021
Arab world
GEORGE TOWN, Oct 24 — The art industry was among those
hit hardest by the 18 months of the Covid-19 pandemic and needed urgent support
for survival, according to Penang Art Society president Ch’ng Huck Theng.
He said art has not only been seen as non-essential during
the pandemic, it was also neglected and forgotten when the government was
allocating aid and incentives to revive the economy.
“The spending on art has dropped dramatically and
these past 18 months have been devastating for artists and those in the industry,”
he said.
He said the only way to bring back some life to the
industry was for the government to provide some form of incentive to
individuals and corporations to support the local artists.
Source: Malay Mail
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PAS deputy president moots six-14-eight formula to win
Melaka with Umno and Bersatu
24 Oct 2021
BY R. LOHESWAR
KUALA LUMPUR, Oct 24 — PAS deputy president Datuk Mohd
Amar Nik Abdullah has proposed a formula for his party, Umno and ally Bersatu
that he says will provide the best outcome in next month’s Melaka election and
avoid a conflict of interest.
He said Umno should contest in 14 seats and let PAS
run in six seats and Bersatu take the remaining eight out of the 28-seats in
the state legislative assembly, Mingguan Malaysia reported today.
Source: Malay Mail
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Johor DoE waiting for space agency's findings on
illegal toxic waste disposal
24 Oct 2021
JOHOR BARU, Oct 24 — The Johor Department of
Environment (DoE) is still waiting for a detailed report from the Malaysian
Space Agency (MYSA) pertaining to its claim of Johor being one of the four
states identified by the agency as locations for illegal toxic waste disposal.
“I have also referred the matter to the headquarters
and it is also waiting for the same report from the agency,” he told reporters
after an integrated operation against commercial vehicles at the Skudai Toll
Plaza Southbound, here today.
He said this when asked to comment on newspaper report
which quoted Mysa as saying that four states, namely Selangor, Johor, Pahang
and Perak are identified as having many areas used as illegal toxic waste
dumps.
Source: Malay Mail
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