Hindutva group members booked in Dehradun for allegedly assaulting, trying to evict Muslim vendors
New Age Islam News Bureau
10 February 2025
· Hindutva group members booked in Dehradun for allegedly assaulting, trying to evict Muslim vendors
· Pakistani Govt committed to completely eliminate terrorism: PM
· ‘No-one has the power’ to remove Palestinians from Gaza: Turkiye’s Erdogan
· Arab, Islamic world slams Netanyahu's remarks against Saudi Arabia, calling it unacceptable and irresponsible
· Western Azerbaijan Community urges global pressure on Armenia over ruined Azerbaijani mosque in Yerevan
· Trump wants to end birth right citizenship. Where do other countries stand?
· LEMU Imam to Muslims: Vote out candidates who oppose Sharia
· The Malaysian Governmentwon’t treat Muslims like babies
· Afghanistan Asserts No Security Threat to Neighbouring Countries
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India
· Muslim organizations to legally resist attempts to seize Waqf land: Jaamat e Islami Hind
· Muslims set up free medical camp for devotees walking to temple in Tamil Nadu
· UP demolishes portion of mosque 'built on encroached government land'
· 'Visiting families of victims now criminalised': Mehbooba Mufti on Iltija being stopped
· Uphold right of worship by Muslims at Sikkander Dargah: SDPI
· 'Beef biryani' on Aligarh Muslim University menu. Professor calls it 'typo'
· Political Storm Brews in Telangana over Muslim Reservation
· Manipur Chief Minister Biren Singh resigns amid violence in state
· Haryana YouTuber arrested for ‘posting fake Sambhal mosque vandalism video to increase followers’
· Nitish visits Maner Dargah as his silence over Waqf Bill baffles Muslims
· Kejriwal's Letter to ECI Seeking Benefits for Muslims during Voting Is Fake
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Pakistan
· JCP meets today for appointment of new SC judges
· Gandapur says unaware of Imran Khan's views about him amid corruption allegations
· PTI Senator Zafar seeks postponement of JCP meeting after SC judges’ letter
· Seven terrorists killed in two separate KP IBOs: ISPR
· IHC suggests Justice Dogar’s elevation to Supreme Court
· IMF mission to inspect regulatory, judicial system
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Mideast
· Iranians chant "Allahu Akbar" to mark Islamic Rev.
· After the ceasefire in Gaza, West Bank Palestinians face more Israeli barriers, traffic and misery
· Pezeshkian: Islamic countries can rebuild Gaza
· UN humanitarian chief says Gaza ceasefire has averted famine but any truce collapse brings danger
· Settler herds perform public Talmudic rituals in Al-Aqsa Mosque
· Iran marks 46th anniversary of Islamic Revolution
· PG Star Refinery among achievements of Islamic Revolution
· Trump repeats pledge to take control of Gaza even as pressure mounts to renew ceasefire
· Israel’s Netanyahu says Trump plan for Gaza ‘revolutionary’
· UN chief welcomes formation of new Lebanon government
· Brother says freed Israeli hostage suffered ‘hardest blow’ learning wife killed
· Israel says strikes Syria-Lebanon border tunnel used by Hezbollah for arms smuggling
· Al-Rahi warns Lebanon over ‘axis of degradation’
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Arab World
· 19 arrested after three drug gangs dismantled in Saudi Arabia, interior ministry says
· Boston Dynamics founder not concerned about robot takeover, warns against overregulation
· Saudi Royal Guards show skills in sports, combat
· Ramadan 2025: Prophet’s Mosque in Medina sets Iftar rules
· US Chamber of Commerce official discusses US-Saudi collaboration on AI policy
· Head of Muslim World League reviews medical program in Guinea-Bissau
· GCC secretary general receives chairman of Sumitomo Corporation in Riyadh
· Holy Kaaba’s Kiswah on display in Jeddah
· Saudi Arabia’s mental health revolution driven by awareness and accessibility
· Young Saudi’s journey to enrolling at one of the world’s oldest tailoring academies
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Europe
· Hundreds arrested in New Year illegal worker blitz
· Oxford mosque stabbing: Man not guilty attempted murder
· Why more young men in Germany are turning to the far-right
· Second Labour MP apologises over WhatsApp comments
· Zelensky offers new excuse for cancelling elections
· Russia to develop cooperation with ‘sensible’ partners – Lavrov
· Southport families 'try to find light in the dark'
· No excuses not to build 1.5m new homes, Rayner says
· How Spain's economy became the envy of Europe
· Man arrested after 'serious incident' in north Dublin
· Kosovo PM's party leading but short of majority, exit poll shows
· EU’s von der Leyen calls for alternative to NATO
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North America
· Trump says he will announce raft of new trade tariffs
· Trump defends Musk and says Doge will look at military spending
· China's tit-for-tat tariffs on US take effect
· 'Grease and rags' sewer fatberg halts Bryan Adams concert
· Taylor Swift, Lionel Messi, Jay-Z and Trump among big names at Super Bowl
· Singapore must adapt to ‘new reality’ amid US policy shift – senior minister
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Africa
· Libya uncovers 50 migrant bodies in mass graves
· Ramadan: Sokoto To Create Feeding Centres For Destitute
· Police May Dismiss, Demote AIGs Igweh, Owohunwa, Four Others
· Whereabouts Unknown As Police Deny Arresting Ohaneze Youth Council President
· ‘Your Actions Illegal’ – Police Crisis Deepens As Senior Officers Reportedly Threaten IGP Egbetokun
· Why We Want Two New Southern States – Ohanaeze Begs Tinubu
· Concerned Nigerians: Deji Adeyanju Steps Down, Hands Over To Key #EndSARS Organizer
· Namibia's founding father Sam Nujoma dies at 95
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Southeast Asia
· Selangor Sultan’s call to strengthen Muslim faith to be implemented immediately, says Mohd Naim
· 4 Perak imams suspended for not reading Razman-linked Friday sermon
· Singaporean student held by ISD; he role-played Christchurch terrorist to kill Muslims in online game
· Revoke Ramadan Bazaar Licence if Traders Sell It - PM
· Malaysia’s ASEAN Chair preparations among the best - Anwar
· KM204 fatal crash: Lorry Company to be charged in court on March 4
· Motorcyclist arrested for hurling profanities at authorities
· IGP secures High Court nod to pursue contempt case against blogger Papagomo
· Bukit Aman probing possible drug link in Setia Alam mall shooting incident
· Butterworth man and girlfriend charged with mother’s murder
· PM Anwar lauds civil servants’ efficiency, says Malaysia’s Asean chair preparations among the best
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South Asia
· Police charge batons, use water cannons on protesting teachers at Shahbagh
· MATS students continue protest in front of press club
· Kandahar Authorities Recover Thousands of Jeribs of Usurped State Land
· 1.5 Billion Afghani Township Project Breaks Ground in Kunduz
· WFP distributes 2,500 tons of pulses to Afghanistan
· US Veterans Coalition calls for resumption of Afghan Refugee Resettlement
· Mullah Khairullah Khairkhwa Visits 100-Bed Addiction Treatment Hospital in Lashkargah
· Court orders to freeze tax files of Nayeemul Islam Khan, his wife
Compiled by New Age Islam News Bureau
URL: https://newageislam.com/islamic-world-news/hindutva-group-dehradun-muslim-vendors/d/134575
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Hindutva group members booked in Dehradun for allegedly assaulting, trying to evict Muslim vendors
Feb 10, 2025
A first information report has been filed against at least five members of a Hindutva group, Kali Sena, for making allegedly inflammatory speeches urging residents in Uttarakhand’s Dehradun to evict Muslim tenants and assaulting shopkeepers, The Indian Express reported on Sunday.
The incident took place on February 4 when a group of 50 to 60 persons had gathered in Dehradun’s Nathuawala area to protest the alleged sexual abuse of a minor a day earlier.
The persons “incited people, giving a communal angle to [the sexual abuse case] and delivering provocative speeches, urging locals to assault and evict tenants from other communities living or running businesses in the area”, the newspaper quoted the FIR as saying.
The FIR was filed on a complaint by Sub-Inspector Sanjay Rawat, who is in charge of the Balawala outpost. It named the organisation’s Bhupesh Joshi and his associates Vaibhav Panwar, Acharya Vipul Bangwal, Ajay Captain and Rajendra Singh Negi, a retired Army officer, among others as persons accused in the matter, The Indian Express reported.
Subsequently, the group marched from Nathuwawala to the Donali area “while vandalising signboards and banners of shops owned by individuals from other communities,” according to the FIR.
At 4.30 pm on February 5, members of the organisation used social media to organise another gathering at the Donali trijunction, where they allegedly provoked the residents. “They threatened landlords and shop owners to evict tenants from other communities immediately, stating that if not done within seven days, they would forcibly remove them,” the FIR added.
Later on February 5, the group forcibly evicted Muslim vendors from the weekly bazaar near a school in the Lower Tunwala area, according to the FIR.
They allegedly said that the market was “Sanatani”.
“They also verbally abused and assaulted vendors from other communities, warning them against setting up shops in the future and threatening to kill them if they returned…,” the FIR was quoted as having alleged. “Additionally, several videos were made in which inflammatory speeches were recorded.”
The FIR said that the speeches given by members of the group had created communal tension in the area.
In September, the Uttarakhand Police booked 300 unidentified persons after 11 shops run by Muslims in the Chamoli district were vandalised in response to allegations that a member of the community had molested a 14-year-old girl.
In March 2024, a local traders’ organisation forced Muslim shopkeepers in Uttarakhand’s Dharchula to down shutters for three days after two minor girls were allegedly lured by men from Bareilly in Uttar Pradesh. The organisation, named the Dharchula Vyapar Sangh, had cancelled the membership of 91 traders, mostly Muslims, and called for their removal from the town.
Source:scroll.in
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https://scroll.in/latest/1078951/hindutva-group-members-booked-in-dehradun-for-allegedly-assaulting-trying-to-evict-muslim-vendors
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Pakistani Govt committed to completely eliminate terrorism: PM
February 09, 2025
Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif
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Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has commended the security forces for their successful operations against Fitna al Khwarij terrorists in Dera Ismail Khan and North Waziristan districts of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.
In a statement, he said the entire nation salutes the security forces for killing seven terrorists during these operations.
He reaffirmed the commitment to completely eliminate terrorism from the country.
Source:radio.gov.pk
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https://www.radio.gov.pk/09-02-2025/pm-commends-security-forces-over-successful-operations-against-khwarij-in-kp#google_vignette
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‘No-one has the power’ to remove Palestinians from Gaza: Turkiye’s Erdogan
February 09, 2025
Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan. (REUTERS)
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ISTANBUL: Turkiye’s President Recep Tayyip Erdogan said Sunday no one had the power to remove Gazans from their war-devastated homeland, dismissing Donald Trump’s plan to expel the Palestinians and let the US take control.
“No one has the power to remove the people of Gaza from their eternal homeland that has been around for thousands of years,” he told a late-night news conference at Istanbul airport before flying to Malaysia.
“Gaza, the West Bank and East Jerusalem belong to the Palestinians.”
Trump’s proposal to oust more than two million Palestinians living in Gaza and redevelop it prompted a global backlash that has enraged the Arab and Muslim world.
The US president announced his proposal on Tuesday at a joint news conference with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, who hailed it as “the first good idea that I’ve heard” on what to do with the tiny war-torn territory.
But Erdogan appeared to dismiss it as worthless.
“The proposals on Gaza put forward by the new US administration under pressure from the Zionist leadership have nothing worth discussing from our point of view,” he said.
In an interview with Palestinian television earlier on Sunday, Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan ruled out the idea of forcing out the Palestinians from Gaza.
“The displacement of Palestinians is unacceptable,” he told the station in remarks quoted by Turkish state news agency Anadolu, describing Trump’s proposal as historically ignorant.
The billionaire businessman said he would make the war-battered territory “unbelievable” by removing unexploded bombs and rubble and economically redeveloping it.
But he has not said how he envisaged removing its inhabitants.
“The US will take over the Gaza Strip and we will do a job with it, too. We’ll own it,” Trump said.
Source:arabnews.com
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https://www.arabnews.com/node/2589619/middle-east
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Arab, Islamic world slams Netanyahu's remarks against Saudi Arabia, calling it unacceptable and irresponsible
February 09, 2025
The Organization of Islamic Cooperation deemed Benjamin Netanyahu's remarks as an incitement against Saudi Arabia and an infringement on its sovereignty, national security, and territorial integrity, in flagrant violation of international law and the United Nations Charter.
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JEDDAH — The Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC), which groups 57 Islamic nations, joined several organizations and nations in the Arab and Islamic world in strongly condemning Benjamin Netanyahu's unacceptable and irresponsible remarks calling for "the establishment of a Palestinian state on Saudi land."
The OIC deemed the remarks as an incitement against Saudi Arabia and an infringement on its sovereignty, national security, and territorial integrity, in flagrant violation of international law and the United Nations Charter.
The OIC stressed that these racist remarks are part of the Israeli occupying power's ongoing denial of the historical, political, and legal rights of the authentic Palestinian people in their homeland, representing a desperate Israeli attempt to circumvent the national rights of the Palestinian people, including their right to return, self-determination, and the establishment of their independent state on their soil.
The pan Islamic body also renewed its rejection of the plans and attempts to displace the Palestinian people from their land, condemning this action as ethnic cleansing, a crime, and a flagrant violation of international law.
The OIC reiterated its call for the international community to intensify efforts to end the illegal Israeli colonial occupation and settlement in Palestinian territories and to ensure the sovereignty of the State of Palestine over the land occupied since 1967, with East Jerusalem as its capital.
The OIC also acknowledged the unwavering historical positions and tireless efforts of Saudi Arabia in providing all forms of support to the Palestinian people and their just cause, as well as its role in mobilizing international efforts to implement the two-state solution based on relevant United Nations resolutions and the Arab Peace Initiative.
Arab League
Arab League Secretary General Ahmed Aboul Gheit strongly condemned statements made by Netanyahu regarding the transfer of Palestinians to Saudi Arabia, denouncing the rhetoric as unacceptable and completely detached from reality. Aboul Gheit reaffirmed that the establishment of a Palestinian state will only take place on the land occupied in 1967, with East Jerusalem as its capital.
GCC
Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) Secretary General Jasem Albudaiwi strongly condemned the statements made by Israeli occupation against Saudi Arabia and their demand to establish a Palestinian state within Saudi territory.
Albudaiwi stated that these dangerous and irresponsible statements underscore the approach of the Israeli occupation forces in their disrespect for international laws, treaties, and the sovereignty of nations.
He reiterated the firm and steadfast stance of the Kingdom and the GCC countries in supporting the Palestinian people in obtaining their legitimate rights, highlighting the significant and valuable efforts made by Saudi Arabia and the GCC countries in regional and international forums to advocate for the Palestinian cause. "These efforts focus on the need for a two-state solution, supporting Palestinian sovereignty over all Palestinian territories occupied since June 1967, establishing an independent Palestinian state with East Jerusalem as its capital, and ensuring the right of return for refugees, in accordance with the Arab Peace Initiative and international resolutions," Albudaiwi stated.
The GCC chief renewed his call for the international community to take a serious and decisive stand against these aggressive Israeli statements, which threaten the security and stability of both the region and the world at large.
Arab Parliament
Speaker of the Arab Parliament Mohammed Ahmed Al-Yamahi strongly denounced the Israeli statements, warning that such rhetoric fuels regional conflicts and threatens security, stability, and global peace.
In a statement, Al Yamahi reaffirmed the Arab Parliament's categorical rejection of these remarks, emphasizing that they constitute a blatant violation of Saudi Arabia’s sovereignty and stability, as well as international law and legitimacy resolutions. He stressed that the Kingdom’s security is an integral part of Arab national security and that any attempts to undermine it are unacceptable.
Al Yamahi expressed the Arab Parliament’s full solidarity with Saudi Arabia in preserving its sovereignty, security, and national stability.
Pakistan
Pakistan has strongly condemned Netanyahu's statement suggesting the establishment of a Palestinian state on Saudi Arabia's territory, describing it as an irresponsible and blatant violation of international law, UN resolutions, and the principles of justice.
In a statement issued by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Senator Mohammad Ishaq Dar reaffirmed Pakistan's solidarity with Saudi Arabia, lauding the Kingdom's unwavering support for the Palestinian people and their legitimate rights. “Pakistan stands in solidarity with the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and commends its steadfast support for the Palestinian people and their just cause. Any attempt to undermine the Kingdom's firm position and distort its commitment to the Palestinian cause is highly regrettable,” Dar stated.
He emphasized Pakistan's commitment to working closely with Saudi Arabia and the international community to uphold Palestinian rights and seek a just, comprehensive, and lasting resolution to the Palestinian issue. Dar also urged the global community to condemn such provocative statements and hold Israel accountable for its continued attempts to undermine the peace process.
Egypt
Egypt has strongly condemned Israel's irresponsible and entirely unacceptable statements that incite against Saudi Arabia and call for the establishment of a Palestinian state on the Kingdom’s territory.
The Egyptian Ministry of Foreign Affairs reiterated its categorical rejection of these reckless remarks that undermine the Kingdom’s security and sovereignty. It stressed that the security and sovereignty of Saudi Arabia are a red line that Egypt will not allow to be crossed, emphasizing that the Kingdom’s stability and security are integral to the security and stability of Egypt and Arab nations.
Egypt further underlined that these Israeli statements against Saudi Arabia constitute an outrageous violation of established diplomatic norms and an infringement on the Kingdom’s sovereignty, as well as on the inalienable rights of the Palestinian people to establish their independent state on their full national territory in the West Bank, Gaza Strip, and East Jerusalem, based on the pre-1967 borders.
Egypt also underscored its full support for the Kingdom against these statements, calling on the international community to explicitly condemn them.
Jordan
The Jordanian government strongly condemned recent Israeli statements opposing the establishment of an independent Palestinian state on its national territory and calls for its creation on Saudi land.
The Jordanian Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Expatriates described these remarks as inflammatory and a clear violation of international law, relevant United Nations resolutions, and state sovereignty.
Jordanian Foreign Ministry spokesperson Ambassador Sufian Qudah criticized Israel’s continued provocative policies and rhetoric, stressing that such statements reflect an exclusionary and hostile approach that undermines regional stability. He reaffirmed Jordan’s categorical rejection of these remarks and called on the international community to condemn them. Qudah also called for an immediate halt to Israeli escalations in the occupied West Bank, pointing out continued incursions, settlement expansion, and land confiscation.
UAE
The United Arab Emirates has strongly condemned Netanyahu's provocative statements regarding the establishment of a Palestinian state within Saudi territory, categorically rejecting them as a flagrant violation of international law and the United Nations Charter. Minister of State Khalifa bin Shaheen Almarar underlined the UAE’s full solidarity with Saudi Arabia and its unwavering stance against any threat to the Kingdom’s security, stability, and sovereignty. He emphasized that Saudi Arabia’s sovereignty is an inviolable red line that no country should undermine or violate.
The UAE reiterated its firm rejection of any attempt to undermine the inalienable rights of the Palestinian people or forcibly displace them, stressing the need to halt settlement activities jeopardizing regional stability and undercutting prospects for peace and coexistence.
The minister reiterated UAE calls on the international community, the United Nations, and the Security Council to fulfill their responsibilities and put an end to unlawful practices conflicting with international law.
Oman
The Sultanate of Oman expressed its full solidarity with Saudi Arabia and firmly rejected Netanyahu's recent statements regarding the Kingdom’s sovereignty and territorial integrity.
The Omani Ministry of Foreign Affairs reiterated its steadfast support for the establishment of an independent Palestinian state on all its sovereign territory, with East Jerusalem as its capital, based on the 1967 borders. The statement emphasized that this stance aligns with international resolutions and the principles of international law, ensuring lasting stability in the region.
Qatar
Qatar has strongly condemned Netanyahu's provocative statements against Saudi Arabia. The Qatari Ministry of Foreign Affairs reaffirmed the State of Qatar's full solidarity with Saudi Arabia and called on the international community to decisively confront Israeli provocations.
The ministry also reiterated Qatar's firm position on the Palestinian cause and the legitimate rights of the Palestinian people, including the establishment of their independent state on the 1967 borders, with East Jerusalem as its capital.
Bahrain
Bahrain strongly condemned the irresponsible Israeli statements, deeming them a flagrant violation of international law and the UN Charter. The Bahraini Ministry of Foreign Affairs stressed Bahrain's full solidarity with Saudi Arabia and support for its security, stability, and sovereignty.
It also emphasized that a just and comprehensive peace in the Middle East depends on safeguarding the rights of the Palestinian people, preventing their displacement, and establishing an independent Palestinian state with full sovereignty.
Kuwait
The Kuwaiti Ministry of Foreign Affairs strongly condemned and rejected Netanyahu's statements against Saudi Arabia, expressing support for Saudi Arabia in safeguarding its stability and sovereignty.
The Kuwaiti foreign ministry reiterated its rejection of any attempts to displace the Palestinian people. It commended Saudi Arabia and other nations for their efforts in securing the legitimate rights of the Palestinian people, including the establishment of an independent state on the June 4, 1967, borders, with East Jerusalem as its capital.
Iraq
Iraq strongly condemned the provocative statements made by Netanyahu against Saudi Arabia. The Iraqi Ministry of Foreign Affairs unequivocally rejected the remarks as a blatant violation of Saudi Arabia's sovereignty, an assault on the legitimate rights of the Palestinian people, and a breach of international law and the UN Charter.
Iraq expressed its full solidarity with Saudi Arabia, emphasizing its security and territorial integrity. It stressed its firm support for the security and stability of nations and its refusal to undermine the national sovereignty of any state.
Source:saudigazette.com.sa
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Western Azerbaijan Community urges global pressure on Armenia over ruined Azerbaijani mosque in Yerevan
09 February 2025
The Western Azerbaijan Community has called on international organizations to pressure Armenia into restoring and protecting Azerbaijani monuments.
Footage circulating on social media shows a blogger capturing the ruins of a historic Azerbaijani mosque in the Tepebashi quarter of Yerevan, Caliber.Az reports, citing the Community's statement.
“These images make it clear that the mosque has now been turned into a place for alcohol consumption. This is an open provocation, violating the religious and cultural dignity of the Azerbaijani people," the statement reads.
The statement further accused Armenia of deliberately erasing Azerbaijani cultural traces: "The deliberate destruction of Azerbaijani cultural monuments by the Armenian side and the erasure of Azerbaijani cultural traces in present-day Armenia constitute a blatant violation of international law, including the 1954 Hague Convention and relevant UNESCO resolutions. Such actions by Armenia pose a serious obstacle to achieving peace and reconciliation in the region."
"We strongly protest against the destruction of the Tepebashi Mosque, a cultural heritage site, and the offensive use of its ruins. We call on UNESCO and other international organizations to take urgent measures, including pressuring Armenia to restore and protect the mosque and other destroyed Azerbaijani monuments," the Community said.
The Community demanded the Armenian government fulfil its obligations: "We demand that the Armenian government immediately fulfil its obligations to restore and safeguard all destroyed or falsified cultural monuments belonging to the Azerbaijani people."
For the record, the Tepebashi quarter in Yerevan was historically home to a significant Azerbaijani population before their displacement in the early 20th century. Many of the area's architectural and religious landmarks, including mosques, have since been demolished or repurposed.
Source:caliber.az
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https://caliber.az/en/post/western-azerbaijan-community-urges-global-pressure-on-armenia-over-ruined-azerbaijani-mosque-in-yerevan
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Trump wants to end birth right citizenship. Where do other countries stand?
10 Feb, 2025
President Donald Trump's executive order to end birthright citizenship in the US has sparked several legal challenges and some anxiety among immigrant families.
For nearly 160 years, the 14th Amendment of the US Constitution has established the principle that anyone born in the country is a US citizen.
But as part of his crackdown on migrant numbers, Trump is seeking to deny citizenship to children of migrants who are either in the country illegally or on temporary visas.
The move appears to have public backing. A poll by Emerson College suggests many more Americans back Trump than oppose him on this.
But how does this compare to citizenship laws around the world?
Birthright citizenship worldwide
Birthright citizenship, or jus soli (right of the soil), is not the norm globally.
The US is one of about 30 countries - mostly in the Americas - that grant automatic citizenship to anyone born within their borders.
In contrast, many countries in Asia, Europe, and parts of Africa adhere to the jus sanguinis (right of blood) principle, where children inherit their nationality from their parents, regardless of their birthplace.
Other countries have a combination of both principles, also granting citizenship to children of permanent residents.
John Skrentny, a sociology professor at the University of California, San Diego, believes that, though birthright citizenship or jus soli is common throughout the Americas, "each nation-state had its own unique road to it".
"For example, some involved slaves and former slaves, some did not. History is complicated," he says. In the US, the 14th Amendment was adopted to address the legal status of freed slaves.
However, Mr Skrentny argues that what almost all had in common was "building a nation-state from a former colony".
"They had to be strategic about whom to include and whom to exclude, and how to make the nation-state governable," he explains. "For many, birthright citizenship, based on being born in the territory, made for their state-building goals.
"For some, it encouraged immigration from Europe; for others, it ensured that indigenous populations and former slaves, and their children, would be included as full members, and not left stateless. It was a particular strategy for a particular time, and that time may have passed."
Shifting policies and growing restrictions
In recent years, several countries have revised their citizenship laws, tightening or revoking birthright citizenship due to concerns over immigration, national identity, and so-called "birth tourism" where people visit a country in order to give birth.
India, for example, once granted automatic citizenship to anyone born on its soil. But over time, concerns over illegal immigration, particularly from Bangladesh, led to restrictions.
Since December 2004, a child born in India is only a citizen if both parents are Indian, or if one parent is a citizen and the other is not considered an illegal migrant.
Many African nations, which historically followed jus soli under colonial-era legal systems, later abandoned it after gaining independence. Today, most require at least one parent to be a citizen or a permanent resident.
Citizenship is even more restrictive in most Asian countries, where it is primarily determined by descent, as seen in nations such as China, Malaysia, and Singapore.
Europe has also seen significant changes. Ireland was the last country in the region to allow unrestricted jus soli.
It abolished the policy after a June 2004 poll, when 79% of voters approved a constitutional amendment requiring at least one parent to be a citizen, permanent resident, or legal temporary resident.
The government said change was needed because foreign women were travelling to Ireland to give birth in order to get an EU passport for their babies.
One of the most severe changes occurred in the Dominican Republic, where, in 2010, a constitutional amendment redefined citizenship to exclude children of undocumented migrants.
A 2013 Supreme Court ruling made this retroactive to 1929, stripping tens of thousands - mostly of Haitian descent - of their Dominican nationality. Rights groups warned that this could leave many stateless, as they did not have Haitian papers either.
The move was widely condemned by international humanitarian organisations and the Inter-American Court of Human Rights.
As a result of the public outcry, the Dominican Republic passed a law in 2014 that established a system to grant citizenship to Dominican-born children of immigrants, particularly favouring those of Haitian descent.
Mr Skrentny sees the changes as part of a broader global trend. "We are now in an era of mass migration and easy transportation, even across oceans. Now, individuals also can be strategic about citizenship. That's why we are seeing this debate in the US now."
Legal challenges
Within hours of President Trump's order, various lawsuits were launched by Democratic-run states and cities, civil rights groups and individuals.
Two federal judges have sided with plaintiffs, most recently District Judge Deborah Boardman in Maryland on Wednesday.
She sided with five pregnant women who argued that denying their children citizenship violated the US Constitution.
Most legal scholars agree that President Trump cannot end birthright citizenship with an executive order.
Ultimately this will be decided by the courts, said Saikrishna Prakash, a constitutional expert and University of Virginia Law School professor. "This is not something he can decide on his own."
The order is now on hold as the case makes it through the courts.
It is unclear how the Supreme Court, where conservative justices form a supermajority, would interpret the 14th Amendment if it came to it.
Trump's justice department has argued it only applies to permanent residents. Diplomats, for example, are exempt.
But others counter that other US laws apply to undocumented migrants so the 14th Amendment should too.
Source:bbc.com
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https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/c983g6zpz28o
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LEMU Imam to Muslims: Vote out candidates who oppose Sharia
February 10, 2025
By Ishola Balogun
LAGOS—Chief Imam of Lekki Central Mosque, Sheikh Ridwan Jamiu, has called on Muslims to reject any governorship candidate who refuses to commit to establishing Shariah courts in the state.
While delivering the Jumaat sermon at Lekki Central Mosque last Friday, Dr Jamiu emphasized the importance of holding candidates accountable for their stance on Shariah courts. “Elections are coming, and any governorship candidate seeking your vote must be committed to establishing Shariah courts.
“It is time we assert our constitutional rights. Shariah courts in the Southwest states are long overdue.
The Imam highlighted that the Nigerian Constitution recognizes Shariah citing sections 38 and 40, which guarantee freedom of religion and association, respectively.
Dr. Jamiu also addressed concerns about Shariah panels, stating that they serve as Alternative Disputes Resolution (ADR) mechanisms. “Section 177 allows any state to establish Shariah courts, which will adjudicate on marriage, divorce, custody of children, property law, inheritance, wills, and other civil matters,” he explained.
The Imam emphasized that Shariah courts are essential in Yoruba land and should be established in all Southwest states. “We have Shariah courts in the North, and it has not caused any harm to non-Muslims. It is not the business of non-Muslims; it is meant for Muslims alone,” he said.
Dr. Jamiu added: “It is time we assert our constitutional rights. Shariah court in the South west states is long overdue. Any candidate who refuses to commit himself into establishing a sharia court in your state, don’t vote for him.
Source:vanguardngr.com
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https://www.vanguardngr.com/2025/02/lemu-imam-to-muslims-vote-out-candidates-who-oppose-sharia/
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The Malaysian Governmentwon’t treat Muslims like babies
Feb 10, 2025
The cabinet on Friday decided that Muslims are able to safeguard their faith and do not need the government to act like a nanny and dictate to them rules for interfaith engagement.
Selangor's Sultan Sharafuddin Idris Shah likewise disapproved of the proposed guidelines for Muslims attending events at non-Islamic places of worship.
Umno Youth chief Dr Akmal Saleh criticised Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim for the U-turn but kept mum on pushback from the Selangor monarch.
There is no news whether a 2005 guideline from Jakim, which prohibits Muslims from attending celebrations with Christmas trees among others, still stands.
Old Harapan promise being ignored
In 2022, the Pakatan Harapan manifesto promised that whistleblowers can get protection if they go directly to the media.
But in 2025, coalition chief Anwar Ibrahim is singing a different tune, saying that whistleblowers going to the media lead to those accused being condemned before investigations are carried out.
Anwar, however, said that they would look into the matter - contradicting law minister Azalina Othman Said who said it would not be part of planned amendments to the Whistleblower Protection Act.
New M'sian ambassador to US soon
Malaysian Ambassador to the US Nazri Aziz will be returning to Malaysia permanently this month.
Nazri has been under fire for holding up a “Make America Great Again” sign at US President Donald Trump's victory rally last month.
However, the former Padang Rengas MP said he is returning because his contract is over, not because he was recalled.
Source:malaysiakini.com
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https://www.malaysiakini.com/newsletter/734059#google_vignette
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Afghanistan Asserts No Security Threat to Neighbouring Countries
2025-02-09
KABUL(BNA): In a recent statement, Mufti Abdul Matin Qane, spokesman for the Interior Ministry, emphasized that Afghanistan poses no threat to any countries. This declaration came after a special session of the UN Security Council, which addressed regional security concerns.
Qane firmly rejected the apprehensions expressed by several countries regarding potential threats emanating from Afghanistan. He assured that the security situation in the country is unprecedentedly stable, a significant improvement compared to the turmoil experienced over the past few decades.
Highlighting the Islamic Emirate’s governance, Qane stated that the regime maintains “absolute sovereignty” over all Afghanistan territories. He vowed that the government would not permit any individual or group to jeopardize the nation’s security.
In response to recent concerns, Qane acknowledged that some minor disruptive activities have been reported. However, he attributed these incidents to “seditious groups” operating from outside Afghanistan, asserting that the Afghanistan government remains committed to protecting its sovereignty and security.
Source:bakhtarnews.af
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https://www.bakhtarnews.af/en/afghanistan-asserts-no-security-threat-to-neighboring-countries/
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India
Muslim organizations to legally resist attempts to seize Waqf land: Jaamat e Islami Hind
February 9, 2025
New Delhi: Prof. Salim Engineer, Vice President of Jamaat-e-Islami Hind (JIH), strongly opposed the Waqf Amendment Bill 2024, stating that Muslim organizations would use all legal avenues to resist attempts to usurp Waqf land.
Speaking at JIH’s monthly press conference, he condemned the Joint Parliamentary Committee (JPC) for its biased conduct and failure to consider objections from millions of citizens. He asserted that the bill undermines religious and constitutional rights, particularly by removing the ‘Waqf by user’ principle, which could open historic religious sites such as mosques and dargahs to litigation and state appropriation. He criticized the bill for disrupting Waqf’s definition, weakening custodians’ roles, and limiting Waqf Boards’ independence, thus violating Article 26 of the Constitution.
JIH called on all secular parties, including NDA allies and the opposition, to oppose the bill, which it claims violates Articles 25, 26, 29, and 14 of the Constitution. Prof. Salim urged the government to withdraw the bill and instead focus on implementing existing Waqf laws effectively. He warned that if passed undemocratically, JIH would join the All India Muslim Personal Law Board (AIMPLB) and other Muslim organizations in legally contesting it to protect the rights of the Muslim community.
Concerns Over Mahakumbh Stampede and Media Suppression
JIH National Secretary Syed Tanveer Ahmed expressed deep sorrow over the Mahakumbh stampede in Prayagraj, which claimed many lives. He stressed the need for better crowd management and criticized the government for prioritizing VIPs over ordinary devotees. He also condemned alleged media suppression, stating that restrictions on coverage prevented necessary scrutiny of administrative failures.
Ahmed appreciated the Muslim community’s humanitarian efforts, highlighting how mosques provided shelter, food, and aid to stranded pilgrims, showcasing communal harmony and solidarity.
Analysis of Union Budget 2025-26
Prof. Salim Engineer also analyzed the Union Budget 2025-26, acknowledging income tax relief and fiscal prudence but criticizing the lack of focus on social welfare. He noted that despite JIH’s pre-budget recommendations, key issues like MGNREGA funding, urban employment, healthcare (4% of GDP), and education (6% of GDP) were ignored.
He warned that excessive interest payments (20% of expenditure) risk a debt trap and urged a shift towards equity-based, interest-free finance models. JIH called for a non-partisan economic policy that prioritizes social justice and equitable development over vote-bank politics.
Source:muslimmirror.com
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https://muslimmirror.com/muslim-organizations-to-legally-resist-attempts-to-seize-waqf-land-jaamat-e-islami-hind/
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Muslims set up free medical camp for devotees walking to temple in Tamil Nadu
Feb 10, 2025
In a heartwarming gesture, Muslim organisations have set up a free medical camp to assist devotees walking for miles to visit the Palani Murugan temple in Tamil Nadu as part of the Thai Poonam festival.
The medical camp, organised by the Quaid-E-Millat Foundation and Pudhu Ayakudi Jamat, provides essential aid to pilgrims, including water, electrolytes, first aid, and pain relief balms. With lakhs of devotees making the arduous journey, the camp aims to offer much-needed relief, particularly to elderly devotees and women struggling with leg pain.
“We have been conducting this medical camp for devotees visiting Palani Murugan temple for the third year, providing them with water and first-aid. We are doing this to create religious harmony between our community,” stated Ajmat Ali, representing Quaid-E-Millat Foundation.
For many devotees, the medical camp has been a crucial source of support. Ramesh, a devotee who has been walking for five days from Pudukottai, expressed gratitude for the assistance, stating, “This camp has provided us with much-needed relief.”
Thilagavathy, another devotee, praised the initiative, saying, “Every year, Muslims set up this medical camp here. I have seen them providing medicines, massages if required, and treating blisters caused by continuous walking.”
Source:indiatoday.in
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https://www.indiatoday.in/india/tamil-nadu/story/muslims-provide-free-medical-aid-to-devotees-walking-to-palani-murugan-temple-tamil-nadu-2677470-2025-02-10
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UP demolishes portion of mosque 'built on encroached government land'
Feb 10, 2025
LUCKNOW: A portion of a mosque in UP's Kushinagar district, about 325 km from Lucknow, allegedly built on 'encroached' land, was demolished by bulldozers in presence of security personnel and senior officials on Sunday.
Ram Bachan Singh, an activist, had complained on the CM's portal that the Madni Masjid was built after encroaching government land and demanded a survey. Later, the mosque management moved the Allahabad high court, which granted a stay on the encroached portion of the mosque. The stay was till Saturday.
The mosque's caretaker said Muslim community had purchased 32 decimals of land around 15 years ago to construct the mosque. He claimed there was no encroachment and the mosque stood on 30-decimal land.
The first complaint against the illegal construction was filed in 1999 by Ram Bachchan Singh, but no action was taken. The case resurfaced in December 2023 when an official inquiry was launched. Following a probe, the municipal administration issued three notices to the mosque committee on December 23, asking for legal documentation, but no valid papers were submitted. Consequently, a part of the structure was declared unauthorised.
The mosque committee challenged the demolition in the high court and secured a stay order until February 8. With the order expiring on February 9, the authorities promptly initiated the demolition drive.
Source:indiatimes.com
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https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/up-demolishes-portion-of-mosque-built-on-encroached-government-land/articleshow/118098241.cms
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'Visiting families of victims now criminalised': Mehbooba Mufti on Iltija being stopped
09.02.25
PDP president Mehbooba Mufti on Sunday lashed out at the authorities for preventing her daughter and party leader Iltija Mufti from addressing a press conference in Jammu.
"Visiting and offering solace to the families of victims has now been criminalised. This is evident from the latest actions of the police, who have detained Iltija at the Circuit House in Jammu, preventing her from addressing a press conference," the PDP president said in a post on X.
Earlier in the day, Iltija met the family of a youth who recently committed suicide after alleged torture by police over his suspected links with terrorists in Jammu and Kashmir’s Kathua district, party leaders said Mehbooba said the understanding of democracy by the ruling party seemed to be limited to conduct of elections only.
"This blatant disregard for our democratic rights as free citizens highlights a disturbing trend. It appears that the ruling party's understanding of democracy extends only as far as holding elections and forming a government, with little regard for the fundamental freedoms that underpin a true democracy," she said.
The former chief minister said it was "very unfortunate and ironical that one NC minister's visit to Bilawer was facilitated by police and Iltija is being punished for the same".
In a post on X earlier, Mehbooba said, “It's deeply saddening that she (Iltija) had to endure so many obstacles and travel like a fugitive just to offer comfort to the victim’s family. The ruling party has shirked responsibility conveniently attributing all issues to the Lieutenant Governor. However, as a responsible opposition PDP will always strive to reach out to the people to offer solace."
Makhan Din (25), a Gujjar youth from Billawar area of Kathua, ended his life by consuming insecticide at his home on Tuesday evening and recorded the act on a video claiming innocence. He denied any connection with terrorists, prompting separate probes by the police and the local administration.
Source:telegraphindia.com
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https://www.telegraphindia.com/india/visiting-families-of-victims-now-criminalised-mehbooba-mufti-on-iltija-being-stopped/cid/2082526
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Uphold right of worship by Muslims at Sikkander Dargah: SDPI
February 09, 2025
Tamil Nadu Government should uphold the right of worship by Muslims at Sikkander Badusha dargah, demanded the Madurai Wakf Rights conference held here on Sunday.
A resolution to this effect was passed at the conference, organised by Social Democratic Party of India, pressing for scrapping of Wakf Amendment Bill 2025 and to uphold the Places of Worship (Special Provisions) Act, 1991.
The conference also sought action against the religious fanatic groups which were trying to spread hate propaganda and disrupt social peace with regard to Sikkander dargah.
The party State president, Nellai Mubarak, addressed the meeting chaired by its leader, A. Mujibur Rahman.
Another resolution said that the u-turn on Tungsten mining proposal made by the Central and State Governments was due to the unity and continuous unified fight put up by the people cutting across caste and religious lines.
Complaining that sexual assault on college and school girl children was on the rise, the conference said that people were afraid of sending their children to educational institutions.
The State Government should take stringent steps against those indulging in crimes against women to ensure that women do not have any fear in venturing out of their houses.
Availability of liquor and narcotics substances in the society should be prevented to stop crime against women. As a first step, TASMAC shops near places of worship and educational institutions should be closed down.
Resumption of crushing operation in National Cooperative Sugar Mills in Alanganallur by the State Government taking over its administration was another demand.
Source:thehindu.com
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https://www.thehindu.com/news/cities/Madurai/uphold-right-of-worship-by-muslims-at-sikkander-dargah-sdpi/article69200198.ece
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'Beef biryani' on Aligarh Muslim University menu. Professor calls it 'typo'
Feb 9, 2025
The Aligarh Muslim University (AMU) in Uttar Pradesh has found itself at the center of a controversy after a notice surfaced stating that "beef biryani" would replace "chicken biryani" for Sunday lunch at Sir Shah Sulaiman Hall in the veracity.
The notice, dated February 9 and purportedly issued by two 'authorised' individuals, read: "The Sunday's lunch menu has been modified based on popular demand. Instead of chicken biryani, we will be serving beef biryani. This change is in response to numerous requests from our resident members. We hope you enjoy the new addition to our menu".
The notice, once discovered by university students, quickly went viral on social media, sparking widespread reactions.
In response, the AMU administration clarified that the incident was a result of a "typing error" and not an intentional decision.
A proctor professor stated that the notice was immediately withdrawn once the matter came to light. "AMU does not engage in any action that disrespects students' sentiments. Hostel dining menus are prepared with the consensus of students, ensuring that everyone's preferences and sensitivities are considered. The notice contained a clear typing error," he added.
Furthermore, the university has issued a show-cause notice to the two students responsible for releasing the controversial notice.
Source:indiatoday.in
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https://www.indiatoday.in/india/story/aligarh-muslim-university-beef-biryani-canteen-menu-up-administration-typing-error-2677255-2025-02-09
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Political Storm Brews in Telangana Over Muslim Reservation
February 10, 2025
HYDERABAD — The political landscape in Telangana has erupted in controversy following the Congress government’s proposal to include Muslims in the Backward Classes (BC) list. Union Minister of State for Home Affairs, Bandi Sanjay Kumar, has fiercely opposed the move, accusing the Congress of exploiting reservations for political gains and attempting to undermine the BC community.
Bandi Sanjay questioned the legitimacy of the proposal, challenging the Congress government: “How can Muslims be included in the list of backward classes? Is this your ancestral property?” He accused the party of engaging in vote bank politics and failing to distinguish between different communities for electoral benefits.
The BJP leader expressed concerns that including Muslims in the BC category would allow them to contest elections from BC-reserved seats across Telangana. He cited the Greater Hyderabad Municipal Corporation elections as an example, alleging that Muslim candidates had already contested BC-reserved seats, thereby depriving Hindu communities of their rightful representation. Furthermore, he claimed that AIMIM chief Asaduddin Owaisi and Chief Minister Revanth Reddy were working in tandem to weaken BC communities through political manipulation.
Bandi Sanjay also questioned discrepancies in the state’s caste census. He alleged that the Congress government had tampered with BC population data to fit its agenda. “In the SKS survey conducted during K. Chandrashekhar Rao’s tenure, the BC population was recorded as 51%. Why has it now decreased to 46% in Revanth Reddy’s caste census?” he asked.
Raising further doubts about Telangana’s population figures, Bandi Sanjay highlighted inconsistencies. “According to Election Commission records, the state has 3.35 crore voters, but the government claims the total population is 3.7 crore. Experts estimate this figure should be around 4.3 crore. Where have 60 lakh people gone?” he questioned, alleging deliberate exclusion from official records.
In response to this controversy, the BJP has launched state-wide protests, urging BC communities and Hindu organisations to resist the Congress government’s decision. “The Congress is working against the interests of the BC community, and we will not tolerate it. The people must unite and teach them a lesson,” Bandi Sanjay asserted.
As BJP protests escalate, the debate over Muslim reservation in Telangana is expected to intensify, with both political factions gearing up for a prolonged battle over the contentious issue.
Source:clarionindia.net
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https://clarionindia.net/political-storm-brews-in-telangana-over-muslim-reservation/?noamp=mobile
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Manipur Chief Minister Biren Singh resigns amid violence in state
February 9, 2025
Manipur Chief Minister N. Biren Singh resigned on Sunday, February 9, amid the Opposition’s move to introduce a no-confidence motion against his government. Singh was accompanied by 14 MLAs from the BJP and NPF, along with state BJP president A. Sharda and senior BJP leader Sambit Patra. After meeting the governor, Singh proceeded to the CM secretariat.
Singh’s Resignation Letter
In his resignation letter to the governor, Singh expressed gratitude to the central government for its support and developmental efforts in Manipur. He urged the central government to continue its initiatives, emphasizing key concerns such as preserving the territorial integrity of Manipur, tackling border infiltration, deporting illegal immigrants, and combating drugs and narco-terrorism.
Singh also highlighted the importance of a stringent biometric-based Free Movement Regime (FMR) and the timely completion of border infrastructure projects.
Political Career of N. Biren Singh
Nongthombam Biren Singh, 64, became the 12th Chief Minister of Manipur on March 15, 2017, after leading the BJP to its first electoral victory in the state. He secured a second term in the 2022 Assembly elections.
However, his tenure was marred by ethnic violence between the Meitei and Kuki-Zo communities, which erupted in May 2023 and overshadowed his leadership.
Singh’s Delhi Visit Before Resignation
A day before resigning, Singh flew to Delhi on a chartered flight, though officials did not disclose the purpose of his visit. Prior to this, he held a meeting with BJP-led ruling alliance MLAs at the CM Secretariat ahead of the assembly session scheduled for February 10.
At least 20 MLAs attended this meeting, which came after the Congress announced its plan to bring a no-confidence motion against his government.
Congress’ Reaction to Singh’s Resignation
The Congress termed Singh’s resignation as “belated” and reiterated its longstanding demand for his removal since the outbreak of violence in May 2023. AICC General Secretary Jairam Ramesh stated that the Congress was prepared to move a no-confidence motion against Singh’s government on February 10.
Ramesh also took a swipe at Prime Minister Narendra Modi, criticizing him for not visiting Manipur in the last 20 months despite his frequent foreign trips. He remarked that while Singh had finally stepped down, the people of Manipur were still awaiting the prime minister’s visit to address the crisis in the state. — With Agencies Inputs
Source:muslimmirror.com
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https://muslimmirror.com/manipur-chief-minister-biren-singh-resigns-amid-violence-in-state/
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Haryana YouTuber arrested for ‘posting fake Sambhal mosque vandalism video to increase followers’
Feb 9, 2025,
Bareilly: A youngster from Haryana has been arrested for allegedly inciting enmity and hatred between communities by uploading a misleading video of vandalism at a religious site, falsely claiming it was Sambhal's Mugha-era Shahi Jama Masjid, police said on Sunday. The video was shared widely on social media platforms, prompting the cybercrime police to register a case and launch an investigation.
Momin Khan, 22, was arrested by Sambhal cybercrime police after an FIR was lodged on Dec 6, 2024, based on sub-inspector Anil Kumar's complaint. Investigators found that the video had been uploaded on Momin's YouTube channel, which has around 19,000 subscribers. During interrogation, he allegedly told the police that he is a furniture craftsman and that his family members are labourers. He also admitted to sensationalising the video to increase his subscriber count.
Cybercrime inspector Amresh Kumar told TOI that Momin was presented in court and subsequently sent to jail on Sunday. "A case was registered under sections 196 and 353(2) of BNSS against an unknown person based on SI Anil Kumar's complaint. The investigation revealed that the YouTube channel belongs to Momin, a resident of Masit village in Haryana, who regularly uploaded videos on Islamic matters. This is the first arrest in the three cases related to Sambhal violence registered at the cyber police station. Investigations into the other two cases are ongoing."
Source:indiatimes.com
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https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/bareilly/haryana-youtuber-arrested-for-posting-fake-sambhal-mosque-vandalism-video-to-increase-followers/articleshow/118090821.cms
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Nitish visits Maner Dargah as his silence over Waqf Bill baffles Muslims
IMRAN MOJIB
February 9, 2025
Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar visited the historic Maner Sharif Dargah in Patna on Sunday to participate in the 756th Urs celebrations of Sufi Saint Makhdoom Shah Kamaluddin Ahmed Yahya Maneri.
Maner Sharif Khanqah in-charge Syed Shah Tariq Suharwardi Ainayatullah Firdausi and other devotees welcomed the Chief Minister and felicitated him by presenting a cap and a handkerchief.
He spent some time in the spiritual atmosphere, offered a ‘chadar’ with reverence and prayed for the peace, development and prosperity of Bihar.
Kumar has been a frequent visitor to Maner Sharif Dargah, a symbol of Bihar’s Ganga-Jamuni culture and mutual brotherhood, on the occasion of Urs. It reflects his resolve to strengthen religious harmony in the state and for the development of Bihar.
However, this visit bears special significance in the current political atmosphere. Muslims across Bihar are upset by the JDU’s stand on the proposed
Waqf Amendment Bill, which has been termed as the central government’s attempt to take control of mosques and dargahs.
Muslim community leaders have described it as an attempt to dismantle the Waqf system and further marginalise Muslims.
Nitish Kumar’s close aide and Union Minister Rajiv Ranjan Singh alias Lalan Singh was the most vociferous among the BJP allies in backing the contentious Waqf Amendment Bill in the Lok Sabha.
While the party’s Muslim faces openly criticised the Bill, a few other JDU leaders said that Muslim apprehensions must be addressed before it is finalised.
Kumar’s continued silence has baffled Muslims, who have been supporting the JDU despite its alliance with the BJP.
Recently, an RJD leader had erected huge hoardings across Patna accusing the chief minister of backstabbing Muslims over the Waqf Amendment Bill.
The sentiment is growing among common Muslims.
Navendu, veteran journalist and a keen political observer, said that former chief minister Lalu Prasad Yadav used to be the most popular political leader among Muslims.
Today, Nitish Kumar is the first choice of Muslim voters in Bihar. He has made genuine efforts to uplift the Muslim community in the state and it has won him immense admiration. But his continued silence over the Waqf bill might alter his reputation, he said.
Source:thestatesman.com
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https://www.thestatesman.com/india/nitish-visits-maner-dargah-as-his-silence-over-waqf-bill-baffles-muslims-1503396204.html
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Kejriwal's Letter To ECI Seeking Benefits For Muslims During Voting Is Fake
February 9, 2025
A morphed letter has surfaced with false claims that former Delhi chief minister and the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) convenor Arvind Kejriwal wrote to the Election Commission of India (ECI) ahead of the Delhi Assembly polls requesting special facilities for Muslim voters to felicitate their voting.
BOOM was able to confirm that the letter was edited. We reached out to AAP's chief media coordinator, Vikas Yogi, who confirmed that Kejriwal did not write any such letter to the ECI. Further, an Election Commission official confirmed to BOOM that no such letter was received by them.
The AAP conceded defeat in the recently concluded Delhi Assembly elections to the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP). With a margin of more than 4,000 votes, Kejriwal was defeated by BJP's Parvesh Sahib Singh, setting the stage for a thumping comeback of the BJP in Delhi after more than 26 years.
In the viral undated letter, Arvind Kejriwal purportedly addressed BC Patra of the Election Commission of India, stating that Muslim voters are discriminated against by 'Hindus and other religious groups'. The letter also claimed that Kejriwal requested the ECI to provide a 'pick and drop' facility for Muslim voters from home on polling day, exempt them from physical ID checks and extend voting hours exclusively for Muslims from 5 pm to 8 pm during the Delhi assembly elections.
The photo is being shared with the caption: "Read this note from Arvind Kejriwal to Election Commissioner of India for preferential treatment for the minorities to facilitate their voting."BOOM first observed that the letter carries the serial number 'NCO/25/10' but does not include a date. Following this lead, we went through AAP's official social media handle and found the original letter with the same serial number. The original letter was addressed to Prime Minister Narendra Modi on January 19, 2025.
In the letter, Kejriwal urged the Prime Minister to allocate land for constructing houses for government employees, particularly sanitation workers, as land in the national capital falls under the central government's jurisdiction.When compared with the original letter, we found that the date was erased in the viral version. We also noticed that the viral letter carries a signature attributed to Kejriwal at the bottom left, while the original one has a masked signature of Kejriwal at the bottom right.
The comparison of both the letterheads is shown below.
For further clarification, we reached out to AAP's chief media coordinator, Vikas Yogi, who refuted the viral letter, stating that Arvind Kejriwal did not write such a letter to the Election Commission of India. Yogi told BOOM, "No, it was not written by Kejriwal. The letter is fake." We also reached out to an EC official, who confirmed that the letter is fake, and no such document was received by the commission.
Source:boomlive.in
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https://www.boomlive.in/fact-check/arvind-kejriwal-letter-eci-muslim-voter-benefits-delhi-election-claim-fact-check-27734
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Pakistan
JCP meets today for appointment of new SC judges
By Web Desk
February 10, 2025
ISLAMABAD: Chief Justice of Pakistan Yahya Afridi is set to chair a Judicial Commission of Pakistan (JCP) meeting today for the appointment of eight judges to the Supreme Court.
The huddle, during today's meeting, will consider five senior judges from each of the four high courts, sources told Geo News.
It is expected that two judges each from the Sindh and Islamabad High Courts and one judge each from the Peshawar and Balochistan High Courts will be elevated to the Supreme Court.
However, ahead of the meeting, four Supreme Court judges, including two commission members, Justice Mansoor Ali Shah and Justice Munib Akhtar, have requested the postponement of the session.
The letter, also penned by Justice Ayesha A Malik and Justice Athar Minallah, called for the JCP meeting to be deferred "till the challenge to the 26th Constitutional Amendment is decided one way or the other".
The JCP's existing members, following the 26th Amendment, include CJP Afridi, Justice Shah, Justice Akhtar, Justice Amin-ud-Din Khan, Attorney General for Pakistan Mansoor Usman Awan, Federal Minister for Law and Justice Azam Nazir Tarar and representative of Pakistan Bar Council Akhtar Hussain along with members of parliament from both treasury and opposition benches.
Additionally, the commission’s Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) affiliated member, Senator Ali Zafar, has also conditionally called for the meeting’s deferral.
Meanwhile, six leading bar associations have rejected calls for protests and strikes against the JCP session.
In a joint statement, representatives of the Pakistan Bar Council, Supreme Court Bar Association, Punjab Bar Council, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Bar Council, Balochistan High Court Bar Association, and Sindh High Court Bar Association condemned the opposition to the meeting.
They accused certain political groups within the legal community of attempting to advance their controversial agendas through such protests.
The statements reiterated full support for the JCP’s proceedings, asserting that the commission’s composition remains well-balanced.
The bar associations also endorsed the 26th Constitutional Amendment and subsequent legislation, considering them integral parts of the Constitution.
They further asserted that only representative bodies have the authority to call for a strike.
Source:thenews.com.pk
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https://www.thenews.com.pk/latest/1281296-jcp-meets-today-for-appointment-of-new-sc-judges
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Gandapur says unaware of Imran Khan's views about him amid corruption allegations
By Abubakar Saddiq
February 09, 2025
PESHAWAR: Amid reports claiming the jailed PTI founder expressed displeasure over the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa chief minister, Ali Amin Gandapur has refused to comment on speculations, saying that he is unaware of Imran Khan's views.
Speaking to Geo News, CM Gandapur claimed that he was not being permitted to hold a meeting with the former premier at the Adiala jail.
"Whenever I met him [Imran Khan], he did not express any displeasure," said the KP firebrand chief minister. "However, I am not sure what's in the heart of the PTI founder," he added.
Ex-premier Khan had voiced his displeasure with Gandapur over his meeting with Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi, The News reported citing sources three days ago, after the federal government removed KP Inspector General Of Police (IGP) Akhtar Hayat.
The party leaders, who met Khan at the Adiala jail, said that Gandapur should have taken a firmer stand instead of accepting the appointment of a new IGP — Zulfiqar Hameed — in the province.
This came a few days after Khan reportedly censured Gandapur over alleged corruption in KP and lack of protests in the PTI-ruled province over his wife Bushra Bibi's arrest following the couple's conviction in the £190 million case on January 17.
Gandapur also commented on the future of dialogue with the coalition government, saying that the negotiation process could be restarted if the PTI demands are met.
He blamed the federal government for the failure of the dialogue as it "failed" to meet its demands.
The negotiations between the PTI and the coalition government — which commenced in late December — failed to witness any notable progress as the former ruling party refused to attend the fourth round of talks citing the government's failure to form a judicial commission to probe the May 9 riots and November 2024 protests.
Since then the Imran Khan-founded party has hinted at agitation and even held a rally in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa's Swabi a day earlier to observe 'Black Day' on Saturday — against alleged rigging in the general elections last year.
Commenting on the internal rift within the former ruling party, Gandapur said that it was a common matter in all parties as "opponents are present in every circle of parties who always try to undermine others".
He added that people used to criticise others within the party sometimes for seats or party tickets for the elections.
When questioned about allegations of corruption in KP, he replied that his administration believed in evidence not rumours. "If anyone has evidence of corruption, then the person should approach the committee formed by our party," he added.
Source:thenews.com.pk
Please click the following URL to read the text of the original Story
https://www.thenews.com.pk/latest/1281058-gandapur-says-unaware-of-imran-khans-views-about-him-amid-corruption-allegations
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PTI Senator Zafar seeks postponement of JCP meeting after SC judges letter
By Web Desk
February 09, 2025
ISLAMABAD: Expressing concerns over the controversy surrounding the seniority of the Islamabad High Court (IHC) judges, PTI Senator Barrister Ali Zafar has urged Chief Justice of Pakistan Yahya Afridi to postpone the Judicial Commission of Pakistan (JCP) meeting until the matter is settled “in accordance with the law”.
In a letter to the CJP, the lawmaker, who is also a member of the judicial commission, on Sunday said that it was deeply concerning that serious objections in writing had been raised by five sitting judges of the IHC and four judges of the Supreme Court over the matter.
“Accordingly this is to request for postponing the meeting of the JCP scheduled to be held on 10th February 2025,” read the letter.
“It is also gravely concerning that these objections have exposed the transferred judges to unjust criticism pertaining to their impartiality and integrity,” he added.
Earlier this month, President Asif Ali Zardari approved the transfer of one judge each from the Lahore, Sindh, and Balochistan High Courts to the Islamabad High Court (IHC) amid speculations that the capital court's next chief justice would be a "transferred judge."
On February 4, five judges of the capital sent a representation to the IHC Chief Justice Aamer Farooq and CJP Afridi against placing them down on the seniority list. They were of the view that seniority should be determined from the date of the new oath. The fresh transfers to the IHC have changed the seniority list, creating unrest among the judges.
Earlier this week, four SC judges, including senior puisne judge Justice Syed Mansoor Ali Shah, requested the CJP to postpone new appointments at the apex court until adjudication of challenges to the Constitution (26th Amendment) Act, 2024.
In a letter to the CJP, the top court judges requested: “The scheduled meeting and the appointment of the eight new Judges to the SC by the Judicial Commission of Pakistan (JCP) be postponed till the challenge to the 26th Constitutional Amendment is decided one way or the other.”
Besides Justice Shah, the letter was written by Justice Syed Mansoor Ali Shah, Justice Munib Akhtar, Justice Ayesha A Malik and Justice Athar Minallah.
The apex court judges stated that the meeting should be postponed “at least until the constitutional bench decides the applications for convening a full court to hear and determine that challenge and till the matter of the transfer of judges to the IHC and their seniority is finally determined on the judicial side (since we are given to understand that such challenges have been launched)”.
It is pertinent to mention here that terming the fresh postings of judges in the IHC “malicious” and an “attack” on the independence of the judiciary, three representative bar councils of the federal capital — the Islamabad Bar Council (IBC), Islamabad High Court Bar Association (IHCBA), and Islamabad District Bar Association (IDBA) —unanimously observed a strike and boycotted the proceedings of the high and district courts on February 3.
Source:thenews.com.pk
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Seven terrorists killed in two separate KP IBOs: ISPR
February 09, 2025
Security forces have killed at least seven terrorists in two separate intelligence-based operations (IBOs) in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, the Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) on Sunday.
A statement from the military’s media wing said: "On night [of] 8-9 February 2025, security forces conducted IBO in the general area Maddi, Dera Ismail Khan District on the reported presence of khwarij [terrorists]."
During the conduct of the operation, the ISPR said, the security forces engaged the terrorist's location and resultantly three terrorists were killed, while two others sustained injuries.
Meanwhile, another operation was conducted in the general area of Mir Ali, North Waziristan District. "In the ensuing fire exchange, four khwarij [terrorists] were effectively neutralised by the security forces, while three khwarij got injured," it added.
Sanitisation operations were launched to eliminate any other terrorists, the military's media wing added.
"Security forces of Pakistan are determined to wipe out the menace of terrorism from the country and such sacrifices of our brave soldiers further strengthen our resolve,” it concluded.
The operations are part of a sustained counter-terrorism effort as the country witnessed a surge in violent attacks since the Taliban returned to power in Afghanistan in 2021, particularly in the bordering provinces of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and Balochistan.
The country witnessed a sharp increase in terror attacks in January 2025, surging by 42% compared to the previous month, according to data released by the Pakistan Institute for Conflict and Security Studies (PICSS), a think tank.
The data revealed that at least 74 militant attacks were recorded nationwide, resulting in 91 fatalities, including 35 security personnel, 20 civilians, and 36 militants. Another 117 individuals sustained injuries, including 53 security forces personnel, 54 civilians, and 10 militants.
KP remained the worst-affected province, followed by Balochistan. In KP’s settled districts, militants carried out 27 attacks, resulting in 19 fatalities, including 11 security personnel, six civilians, and two militants.
The tribal districts of KP (erstwhile Fata) witnessed 19 attacks, leading to 46 deaths, including 13 security personnel, eight civilians, and 25 militants.
Balochistan also experienced a surge in militant activity, with at least 24 attacks, which claimed 26 lives, including 11 security personnel, six civilians, and nine militants.
In Punjab, two militant attacks were reported, leaving one security official injured. On the last day of January, militants launched a major assault on a police check post in DG Khan’s Jhangi area, but security forces repelled the attack without any casualties. Sindh and the federal capital, Islamabad, each witnessed one attack, though neither resulted in fatalities.
The month also saw two suicide bombings, both in Balochistan. The banned Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan claimed responsibility for one, while the proscribed Balochistan Liberation Army took credit for the other.
Source:thenews.com.pk
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IHC suggests Justice Dogar’s elevation to Supreme Court
Malik Asad
February 10, 2025
ISLAMABAD: The Islamabad High Court (IHC) has included Justice Sardar Mohammad Sarfraz Dogar in its list of nominees for vacant Supreme Court positions.
Initially, the IHC had forwarded the names of three judges — Chief Justice Aamer Farooq, Justice Mohsin Akhtar Kayani, and Justice Miangul Hassan Aurangzeb — to the Judicial Commission of Pakistan (JCP) for consideration. However, the administration has now revised the list to include Justice Dogar as well.
The JCP is set to meet today (Monday) to finalise appointments for eight vacant Supreme Court positions. Earlier this month, the commission sought nominations from all high courts, requesting a list of five senior judges from each.
The IHC initially nominated only three judges because the other two senior judges, Justice Tariq Mehmood Jahangiri and Justice Babar Sattar, did not meet the minimum requirement of five years of service.
However, Justice Dogar, along with two judges from the Sindh High Court and Balochistan High Court, was recently transferred to the IHC. Following his transfer, the IHC administration revised its seniority list and designated him as the senior puisne judge. Finally, his name has also been sent to the JCP.
Days before Justice Dogar’s name was added, five judges of the IHC approached Chief Justice of Pakistan Yahya Afridi and IHC Chief Justice Aamer Farooq to reclaim their seniority.
The judges argued that any transferred judge must take a fresh oath under Article 194 of the Constitution, which would place them at the bottom of the IHC’s seniority list.
This would render them ineligible for immediate consideration for the position of IHC chief justice, contradicting the Judicial Commission of Pakistan’s (JCP) Appointment Rules 2024, which stipulate that the chief justice of a high court must be selected from its three most senior judges.
According to the representation submitted by the judges, a judge takes an oath for the high court in which they are appointed. It further emphasised that according to the constitutional intent, a judge must take a fresh oath when transferred to another high court.
Based on this principle, the seniority of a judge transferred to another high court should be determined from the date of their new oath.
The judges clarified that their representation was strictly concerned with the seniority issue and was unrelated to the transfer of judges.
Coincidently, four judges of the Supreme Court also raised similar concerns and are also seeking the postponement of the JCP session until a decision on the petitions against the 26th Amendment.
“In the alternative, the JCP should wait until the Supreme Court’s constitutional bench decides applications seeking a full court hearing to determine the challenges or the matter of judges’ transfer to the Islamabad High Court (IHC) and their seniority is determined on the judicial side,” the judges wrote to CJP Afridi.
In a three-page letter, senior puisne judge Justice Syed Mansoor Ali Shah, Justice Munib Akhtar, Justice Ayesha A. Malik and Justice Athar Minallah stated that the induction of judges who were beneficiaries of the 26th Amendment would weigh heavily on faltering public trust enjoyed by the institution and unnecessarily make matters more complicated.
Referring to the recent transfer of judges to the IHC from different high courts under Article 200, the letter stated the transfer could neither be permanent nor open-ended; rather, it should be temporary and time-bound.
Judges transferred under Article 200(1) are required to take the oath of office in the transferred high court, the letter said, adding that there were obvious implications and consequences for the seniority of the transferred judge, who of course, will always retain and have a lien on their seniority in the high court of origin.
“How can this be? How can a judge who would and could not possibly have been eligible for any such consideration at all in his own high court, suddenly and in consequence of the alchemy of a prima facie constitutionally suspect and defective transfer become eligible to be considered for the Supreme Court? What cannot be done directly cannot be done indirectly,” the letter said.
“Quite obviously, the slate of candidates, if we may put it so, for consideration at the meeting appears to be constitutionally defective as both including a judge who ought not to be there and excluding one who ought to be (i.e. the fifth senior judge of the IHC). A legally permissible consideration of candidates appears therefore not to be possible in the present circumstances,” it added.
Source:dawn.com
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IMF mission to inspect regulatory, judicial system
Khaleeq Kiani
February 10, 2025
• Team in town to engage with financial, revenue, election bodies
• Assessment report to be published in July, measures to address corruption, governance vulnerabilities to be shared
• Pakistan required to publish corruption report under UN framework immediately after review
ISLAMABAD: The government on Sunday said the International Monetary Fund (IMF) was scrutinising the judicial and regulatory system as part of the ongoing $7 billion Extended Fund Facility (EFF) to address governance and corruption vulnerabilities.
A technical mission of the IMF is in town for a week-long examination of six key governance-related sectors and institutions, the Ministry of Finance said in a statement.
Pakistan made a commitment with the IMF in October to strengthen institutional capacities to fight corruption, support inclusive growth, and provide a level playing field for businesses and investments.
As a result, a structural benchmark had been set to publish by July 2025 a report on the Governance and Corruption Diagnostic Assessment (GCDA) to analyse critical governance and corruption vulnerabilities and identify priority structural reforms moving forward, the ministry said.
Sources said the mission would also be engaging with leading members of the superior judiciary besides the leadership of the financial, revenue, and election bodies to review their process.
The mission will examine the severity of corruption vulnerabilities across six core state functions. These include fiscal governance, central bank governance and operations, financial sector oversight, market regulation, rule of law, and anti-money laundering and counter-financing terror.
The IMF team will engage with the Finance Division, the Federal Board of Revenue, the State Bank of Pakistan, the Auditor General of Pakistan, the Securities and Exchange Commission of Pakistan, the Election Commission of Pakistan, and the Ministry of Law and Justice.
It said the GCDA report will recommend actions for addressing corruption vulnerabilities and strengthening integrity and governance, which will assist the government in bringing about reforms for promoting transparency, strengthening institutional capacities and achieving inclusive and sustainable economic growth.
The finance ministry said the IMF had long provided advice and technical assistance that helped foster good governance, such as promoting public sector transparency and accountability.
Traditionally the IMF’s main focus had been on encouraging countries to correct macroeconomic imbalances, reduce inflation, and undertake key trade, exchange, and other market reforms needed to improve efficiency and support sustained economic growth.
While these remain its main focus in all its member countries, the IMF has found that a much broader range of institutional reforms was needed if countries were to establish and maintain private sector confidence and thereby lay the basis for sustained growth, the ministry explained.
It added the Fund had identified that promoting good governance in all its aspects, including the rule of law, improving the efficiency and accountability of the public sector, and tackling corruption were essential elements of a framework within which economies can prosper.
In 1997, the IMF adopted a policy on how to address economic governance, embodied in the Guidance Note on the Role of the IMF in Governance Issues. To further strengthen the implementation of this policy, the IMF adopted in 2018 a new Framework for Enhanced Engagement on Governance (Governance Policy) to promote more systematic, effective, candid, and evenhanded engagement with member countries regarding governance vulnerabilities.
Under this policy framework, the IMF offers to undertake GCDA with member countries to analyse and recommend actions for addressing corruption vulnerabilities and strengthening integrity and governance in its member countries.
Following the analysis, GCDAs prioritise and sequence recommendations for systematically addressing the vulnerabilities. Since 2018, as many as 20 GCDA reports have been finalised and include Sri Lanka, Mauritania, Cameroon, Zambia, and Benin. Ten diagnostics are ongoing, and several are under consideration.
As part of its commitment to strengthening the capacity of relevant institutions to fight corruption to support inclusive growth and provide a level playing field for businesses and investments, Pakistan is also required to publish the full and complete UN Convention against Corruption Review Report immediately after the review process is completed.
The government has also committed, subject to the Supreme Court clearance, to consider enacting legislative amendments, if required, to the National Accountability Bureau (NAB) Ordinance to strengthen the NAB’s independence and effectiveness and empower the Provincial Anti-Corruption Establishments under the law to investigate money laundering related to corruption offences within their jurisdiction.
It will also allow them to request and receive financial intelligence from the Financial Monitoring Unit (FMU) as an investigating agency under the AML Act, and have sufficient resources and training to conduct parallel financial investigations.
Under a similar structural benchmark for end-February 2025, the government is required to amend the Civil Servants Act 1973 to ensure that asset declarations of high-level (BPS 17-22) public officials (including domestic and foreign assets beneficially owned by them or a member of their family) will be digitally filed and publicly accessible with sufficient safeguards over data protection and privacy of personal information.
Source:dawn.com
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Mideast
Iranians chant "Allahu Akbar" to mark Islamic Rev.
Feb 9, 2025
Tonight at 9:00 Tehran local time, the sounds of Allahu Akbar resonated throughout Iran on the 46th anniversary of the victory of the Islamic Revolution led by the late Imam Khomeini on February 11, 1979.
Various celebrations are held in Iran each year to mark the ten-day dawn (Fajr) between Imam Khomeini's return to Iran on February 1 and victory of the revolution 11 February.
Source:mehrnews.com
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After the ceasefire in Gaza, West Bank Palestinians face more Israeli barriers, traffic and misery
February 10, 2025
RAMALLAH: Abdullah Fauzi, a banker from the northern West Bank city of Nablus, leaves home at 4 a.m. to reach his job by 8, and he’s often late.
His commute used to take an hour — until Hamas’ attack on Israel on Oct. 7, 2023, after which Israel launched its offensive in the Gaza Strip.
The Israeli military also ramped up raids against Palestinian militants in the northern West Bank, and diverted its residents through seven new checkpoints, doubling Fauzi’s time on the road.
Now it’s gotten worse.
Since the ceasefire in Gaza between Israel and Hamas took effect, Fauzi’s drive to the West Bank’s business and administrative hub, Ramallah, has become a convoluted, at least four-hour wiggle through steep lanes and farm roads as Israel further tightens the noose around Palestinian cities in measures it considers essential to guard against militant attacks.
“You can fly to Paris while we’re not reaching our homes,” the 42-year-old said from the Atara checkpoint outside Ramallah last week, as Israeli soldiers searched scores of cars, one by one.
“Whatever this is, they’ve planned it well,” he said. “It’s well-designed to make our life hell.”
A ceasefire begets violence
As the truce between Israel and Hamas took hold on Jan. 19, radical Israeli settlers — incensed over an apparent end to the war and the release of Palestinian prisoners in exchange for Israeli hostages — rampaged through West Bank towns, torching cars and homes.
Two days later, Israeli forces with drones and attack helicopters descended on the northern West Bank city of Jenin, long a center of militant activity.
More checkpoints started going up between Palestinian cities, slicing up the occupied West Bank and creating choke points the Israeli army can shut off on a whim. Crossings that had been open 24/7 started closing during morning and evening rush hours, upturning the lives of hundreds of thousands of people.
New barriers — earthen mounds, iron gates — multiplied, pushing Palestinian cars off well-paved roads and onto rutted paths through open fields. What was once a soldier’s glance and head tilt became international border-like inspections.
Israel says the measures are to prevent Hamas from opening a new front in the West Bank. But many experts suspect the crackdown has more to do with assuaging settler leaders like Bezalel Smotrich, the finance minister and an important ally of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, who has threatened to topple the government if Israel does not restart the war in Gaza.
“Israel now has a free hand to pursue what it has wanted to in the West Bank for a long time: settlement expansion, annexation,” said Tahani Mustafa, a senior analyst at the International Crisis Group. “It was considered a potential trade-off.”
Asked why Israel launched the crackdown during the ceasefire, the Israeli military said politicians gave the order in part over concerns that the release of Palestinian prisoners — in swaps for Israeli hostages held by Hamas — could raise tensions in the West Bank.
The checkpoints all over the West Bank, it said, were “to ensure safe movement and expand inspections.”
“Checkpoints are a tool we use in the fight against terror, enabling civilian movement while providing a layer of screening to prevent terrorists from escaping,” said Lt. Col. Nadav Shoshani, an Israeli military spokesman.
Life disrupted
To spend rush hour at an Israeli checkpoint is to hear of the problems it has brought — Palestinian families divided, money lost, trade disrupted, sick people kept from doctors.
Ahmed Jibril said not even his position as manager of emergency services for the Palestinian Red Crescent protects him.
“We’re treated like any other private car,” he said, describing dozens of cases in which Israeli soldiers forced ambulances to wait for inspection when they were responding to emergency calls.
In one case, on Jan. 21, the Palestinian Health Ministry reported that a 46-year-old woman who had suffered a heart attack in the southern city of Hebron died while waiting to cross a checkpoint.
The Israeli military said it was not aware of that specific incident. But citing Hamas’ use of civilian infrastructure like hospitals to conceal fighters, the army acknowledged subjecting medical teams to security checks “while trying to reduce the delay as much as possible in order to mitigate harm.”
The UN humanitarian agency, or OCHA, reported that, as of last Nov. 28, Israel had 793 checkpoints and roadblocks in the West Bank, 228 more than before the war in Gaza.
The agency hasn’t updated the tally since the ceasefire, but its latest report noted a surge in “suffocating restrictions” that are “tearing communities apart and largely paralyzing daily life.”
A bubble bursts
With its upscale restaurants and yoga studios, Ramallah gained a reputation in past conflicts for being something of a well-to-do bubble where cafe-hopping residents can feel immune to the harsh realities of the occupation.
Now its residents, struck in numbingly long lines to run simple errands, feel under siege.
“All we want to do is go home,” said Mary Elia, 70, stalled with her husband for nearly two hours at the Ein Senia checkpoint north of Ramallah last week, as they made their way home to east Jerusalem from their daughter’s house. “Are we meant to never see our grandchildren?”
Suddenly, her face contorted in discomfort. She had to urinate, she said, and there were hours to go before they crossed.
A national obsession
Roll down the window at a bottlenecked checkpoint and the same soothing female voice can be heard emanating from countless car radios, reeling off every Israeli checkpoint, followed by “salik” — Arabic for open — or “mughlaq,” closed, based on the conditions of the moment.
These reports recently beat out weather broadcasts for top slot on the West Bank radio lineup.
Almost every Palestinian driver seems able to expound on the latest checkpoint operating hours, the minutiae of soldiers’ mood changes and fiercely defended opinions about the most efficient detours.
“I didn’t ask for a Ph.D. in this,” said Yasin Fityani, 30, an engineer stuck in line to leave Ramallah for work, scrolling through new checkpoint-dedicated WhatsApp groups filled with footage of soldiers installing cement barriers and fistfights erupting over someone cutting the line.
Lost time, lost money
It was the second time in as many weeks that his boss at the Jerusalem bus company called off his morning shift because he was late.
Worse still for Nidal Al-Maghribi, 34, it was too dangerous to back out of the queue of frustrated motorists waiting to pass Jaba checkpoint, which severs his east Jerusalem neighborhood from the rest of the city. Another full day’s work wasted in his car.
“What am I supposed to tell my wife?” he asked, pausing to keep his composure. “This job is how I feed my kids.”
Palestinian trucks, packed with perishable food and construction materials, are not spared the scrutiny. Soldiers often ask truckers to pull over and unload their cargo for inspection. Fruit rots. Textiles and electronics get damaged.
The delays raise prices, further choking a Palestinian economy that shrank 28 percent last year as a result of punitive Israeli policies imposed after Hamas’ attack, said Palestinian Economy Minister Mohammad Alamour. Israel’s ban on most Palestinian workers has left 30 percent of the West Bank’s workforce jobless.
“These barriers do everything except their stated purpose of providing security,” Alamour said.
“They pressure the Palestinian people and the Palestinian economy. They make people want to leave their country.”
Source:arabnews.com
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https://www.arabnews.com/node/2589647/middle-east
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Pezeshkian: Islamic countries can rebuild Gaza
09 Feb 2025
Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian stressed the need to build an international coalition, especially with the participation of Islamic countries, to support the people of Gaza and rebuild it, stressing that Islamic countries are certainly capable of rebuilding Gaza and bringing life back to its people.
President Pezeshkian said during his meeting yesterday, Saturday, with members of the Hamas leadership council, according to what was reported by the Iranian News Agency "IRNA", that your great achievements and the oppressed people of Gaza, in preventing the Zionist enemy from achieving its goals despite the high number of martyrs, is something worthy of appreciation and praise, congratulating all fighters and all the people of Gaza on this victory.
During the meeting, a member of the Hamas leadership council stressed that what contributed to the victory over the Zionist entity was not weapons and equipment, but rather the true faith in God Almighty and the firm determination to liberate the land.
Source:saba.ye
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UN humanitarian chief says Gaza ceasefire has averted famine but any truce collapse brings danger
February 09, 2025
CAIRO: Famine has been mostly averted in Gaza as a surge of aid enters the territory during a fragile ceasefire, the United Nations humanitarian chief said Sunday. But he warned the threat could return quickly if the truce collapses.
Tom Fletcher spoke to The Associated Press after a two-day visit to Gaza, where hundreds of trucks carrying humanitarian aid have arrived each day since the ceasefire began on Jan. 19.
“The threat of famine, I think, is largely averted,” Fletcher said in Cairo. “Those starvation levels are down from where they were before the ceasefire.”
He spoke as concerns grow over whether the ceasefire can be extended and talks are meant to begin on its more difficult second phase. The six-week first phase is halfway through.
As part of the agreement, Israel said it would allow 600 aid trucks into Gaza each day, a major increase after months of aid officials expressing frustration about delays and insecurity hampering both the entry and distribution of food, medicines and other badly needed items.
The UN humanitarian office has said more than 12,600 aid trucks have entered Gaza since the ceasefire took effect.
Fletcher urged both Hamas, which quickly reasserted its control of the territory in the hours after the ceasefire took effect, and Israel to stick to the deal that has “saved so many lives.”
“The conditions are still terrible, and people are still hungry,” he said. “If the ceasefire falls, if the ceasefire breaks, then very quickly those (famine-like) conditions will come back again.”
The internationally recognized mortality threshold for famine is two or more deaths a day per 10,000 people.
For months before the current ceasefire, food security monitors, UN officials and others had been warning of possible famine in parts of devastated Gaza, especially the north, which had been largely isolated since the earliest weeks of the 16-month war. Hundreds of thousands of Palestinians have been able to return to the north under the ceasefire.
“We can’t ... sit by and just allow these people to starve to death,” Cindy McCain, the American head of the UN World Food Program, told CBS in December. The Biden administration repeatedly urged Israel to allow more aid deliveries and warned that failing to do so could trigger US restrictions on military support.
Fletcher said more food and medical supplies are crucially needed for the territory of more than 2 million people, most of them displaced, and he expressed concerns about disease outbreaks due to the lack of basic health supplies. He also called for scaling up the delivery of tents and other shelters to those who have returned to their home areas, as winter continues.
“We must get tens of thousands of tents very rapidly in, so that people who are moving back, particularly moving back into the north, are able to take shelter from those conditions,” he said.
Fletcher entered the Palestinian territory through the Erez crossing between Israel and northern Gaza, where he said he drove through “bombed-out, flattened and pulverized” areas.
“You can’t see the difference between a school or a hospital or a home,” he said of the north.
He said he saw people trying to find where their homes had been and collecting the bodies of loved ones from the rubble. He saw dogs looking for corpses in the rubble, too.
“It is a horror movie. It’s a horror show,” he said. “It breaks your heart again and again and again. You drive for miles and miles and miles, and this is all you see.”
Fletcher acknowledged that some Palestinians have been angry at the international community over the war and its response.
“There was despair and anger. And I can understand the anger at the world that this has happened to them,” he said. “But there was also a sense of defiance as well. People were saying, ‘We will go back to our homes. We will go back to the places that we have lived for generations, and we will rebuild.’”
Source:arabnews.com
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Settler herds perform public Talmudic rituals in Al-Aqsa Mosque
09 Feb 2025
This morning, Sunday, settler herds stormed the courtyards of the blessed Al-Aqsa Mosque and performed public Talmudic rituals collectively under the protection of the Zionist enemy forces.
According to what was reported by the Palestinian Information Center, the Zionist enemy forces and extremist settler groups escalated their violations in occupied Quds and against the blessed Al-Aqsa Mosque.
The Palestine Information Center "Ma'ti" monitored 303 violations committed by the enemy and settlers in occupied Jerusalem during January 2025, while 6161 settlers stormed Al-Aqsa Mosque.
The center documented the martyrdom of one person in occupied Jerusalem as a result of the violations, while 11 others were injured.
The occupation arrested 86 citizens from Quds, carried out 70 raids and 33 house raids, and set up 27 military checkpoints.
The Zionist enemy issued one deportation order, carried out 16 shooting operations, and 20 attacks on holy sites, assaulted medical staff, and demolished 27 homes and properties, while settlers carried out six attacks and four settlement activities.
Calls are increasing to tighten the belt and hold fast to Al-Aqsa Mosque, and to mobilize efforts to confront the Judaization and division plans that the occupation and settlers are trying to impose, through the approach of imposing a fait accompli.
The calls stressed the need to mobilize and emphasize the Islamic nature of the blessed Al-Aqsa Mosque, and that no one has the right to the mosque, and to reject the enemy's plans aimed at demolishing the mosque and building the alleged temple.
The year 2024 witnessed continued violations by the Zionist enemy and extremist settlers in Al-Aqsa, and the intensity and pace of the incursions continued during the year, with the total number of Jewish extremists storming the blessed mosque reaching 59,584 extremist settlers.
Source:saba.ye
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Iran marks 46th anniversary of Islamic Revolution
Feb 10, 2025
The annual 22 Bahman march, commemorating the victory of Iran’s Islamic Revolution, will soon begin in Tehran and across the country.
Simultaneously, over 35,000 villages and 1,400 cities will witness mass rallies. Senior officials, political and religious figures, and military leaders have invited citizens to participate, emphasizing national unity and solidarity.
Source:mehrnews.com
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PG Star Refinery among achievements of Islamic Revolution
Feb 9, 2025
CEO of National Iranian Oil Refining and Distribution Company (NIORDC) Mohammad-Sadeq Azimifar emphasized the need for reforming energy sector governance.
He, who is the deputy oil minister, stated that the most notable accomplishments of the oil industry since the Islamic Revolution include the development of gas fields, advancements in the petrochemical sector, and the establishment of the Persian Gulf Star Refinery.
These achievements have led to increased gas production capacity, a surge in gasoline production, reduced dependence on imported petroleum products, completion of the value chain, growth in petrochemical exports, and overall economic growth.
He added that the development of oil and gas infrastructure, investment in new technologies, and localization of oil industry equipment are other key achievements during this period.
Azimifar stressed that one of the most neglected areas in the oil industry over the past 46 years has been the lack of attention to reforming energy sector governance.
While the development of oil and gas fields, increased refining capacity, and growth in the petrochemical industry have been prioritized, energy resource policy-making and management have faced fundamental weaknesses, negatively impacting the country's energy economy.
He noted that an inefficient subsidy system has led to a sharp increase in domestic consumption, particularly in gas and gasoline, resulting in significant energy waste and a lack of motivation for efficiency and optimized consumption.
This has not only pressured domestic producers but also reduced export revenues and increased the burden on the government budget.
In conclusion, Azimifar acknowledged that while Iran's oil industry has succeeded in developing infrastructure and boosting production, weaknesses in energy governance, the absence of structural reforms, and poor consumption management remain critical challenges that have not been adequately addressed and require fundamental revision.
Source:mehrnews.com
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Trump repeats pledge to take control of Gaza even as pressure mounts to renew ceasefire
February 10, 2025
MUGHRAQA, Gaza Strip: New details and growing shock over emaciated hostages renewed pressure Sunday on Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to extend a fragile Gaza ceasefire beyond the first phase, even as US President Donald Trump repeated his pledge that the US would take control of the Palestinian enclave.
Talks on the second phase, meant to see more hostages released and a complete Israeli withdrawal from Gaza, were due to start Feb. 3. But Israel and Hamas appear to have made little progress, even as Israeli forces withdrew Sunday from a Gaza corridor in the latest commitment to the truce.
Netanyahu sent a delegation to Qatar, a key mediator, but it included low-level officials, sparking speculation that it won’t lead to a breakthrough. Netanyahu, who returned after a US visit to meet with Trump, is expected to convene security Cabinet ministers on Tuesday.
Trump weighs in on Gaza again
Speaking on Sunday, Trump repeated his pledge to take control of the Gaza Strip.
“I’m committed to buying and owning Gaza. As far as us rebuilding it, we may give it to other states in the Middle East to build sections of it. Other people may do it through our auspices. But we’re committed to owning it, taking it, and making sure that Hamas doesn’t move back. There’s nothing to move back into. The place is a demolition site. The remainder will be demolished,” he told reporters onboard Air Force One as he traveled to the Super Bowl.
Trump said Arab nations would agree to take in Palestinians after speaking with him and insisted Palestinians would leave Gaza if they had a choice.
“They don’t want to return to Gaza. If we could give them a home in a safer area — the only reason they’re talking about returning to Gaza is they don’t have an alternative. When they have an alternative, they don’t want to return to Gaza.”
Trump also suggested he was losing patience with the deal after seeing the emaciated hostages released this week.
“I watched the hostages come back today and they looked like Holocaust survivors. They were in horrible condition. They were emaciated. It looked like many years ago, the Holocaust survivors, and I don’t know how much longer we can take that,” he said.
Israel has expressed openness to the idea of resettling Gaza’s population — ”a revolutionary, creative vision,” Netanyahu told his Cabinet on Sunday — while Hamas, the Palestinians and much of the world have rejected it.
Egypt said it will host an emergency Arab summit on Feb. 27 to discuss the “new and dangerous developments.”
Trump’s proposal has moral, legal and practical obstacles. It may have been proposed as a negotiation tactic to pressure Hamas or an opening gambit in discussions aimed at securing a normalization deal between Israel and Saudi Arabia.
Saudi Arabia condemned Netanyahu’s recent comment that Palestinians could create their state there, saying it aimed to divert attention from crimes committed by “the Israeli occupation against our Palestinian brothers in Gaza, including the ethnic cleansing they are being subjected to.”
Qatar called Netanyahu’s comment “provocative” and a blatant violation of international law.
Hostage families say time is running out
Families of remaining hostages said time is running out as some survivors described being barefoot and in chains.
“We cannot let the hostages remain there. There is no other way. I am appealing to the cabinet,” said Ella Ben Ami, daughter of a hostage released Saturday, adding she now understands the toll of captivity is much worse than imagined.
The father of a remaining hostage, Kobi Ohel, told Israel’s Channel 13 the newly released men said his son, Alon, and others “live off half a pita to a full pita a day. These are not human conditions.” Ohel’s mother, Idit, sobbed as she told Channel 12 her son has been chained for over a year.
Michael Levy said his brother, the newly released Or Levy, had been barefoot and hungry for 16 months. “The decision-makers knew exactly what his condition was and what everyone else’s condition was, and they did not do enough to bring him back with the urgency that was needed,” he said.
On Saturday, as Israelis reeled, former defense minister Yoav Gallant said on social media that the deterioration in hostages’ conditions was something “Israel has known about for some time.”
The ceasefire’s extension is not guaranteed
The ceasefire that began on Jan. 19 has held, raising hopes that the 16-month war that led to seismic shifts in the Middle East may be headed toward an end.
The latest step was Israel forces’ withdrawal from the 4-mile (6-kilometer) Netzarim corridor separating northern and southern Gaza, which was used as a military zone. No troops were seen in the vicinity Sunday. As the ceasefire began last month, Israel began allowing hundreds of thousands of displaced Palestinians to cross Netzarim and return to the north.
But the deal remains fragile. On Sunday, civil defense first responders in Gaza said Israeli fire killed three people east of Gaza City. Israel’s military noted “several hits” after firing warning shots and warned Palestinians against approaching its forces.
Cars piled with belongings headed north. Under the deal, Israel should allow cars to cross Netzarim uninspected. Troops remain along Gaza’s borders with Israel and Egypt.
Hamas spokesperson Abdel Latif Al-Qanoua said the troops’ withdrawal showed the militant group had “forced the enemy to submit to our demands” and thwarted “Netanyahu’s illusion of achieving total victory.”
Israel has said it won’t agree to a complete withdrawal from Gaza until Hamas’ military and political capabilities are eliminated. Hamas says it won’t hand over the last hostages until Israel removes all troops.
During the ceasefire’s 42-day first phase, Hamas is gradually releasing 33 Israeli hostages captured during its Oct. 7, 2023, attack that sparked the war in exchange for the release of nearly 2,000 Palestinian prisoners and a flood of humanitarian aid to Gaza.
Israel has said Hamas confirmed that eight of the 33 are dead.
Families of the hostages gathered in Tel Aviv to urge Netanyahu to extend the ceasefire, but he is also under pressure from far-right political allies to resume the war. Trump’s proposal for the US to take control of the Gaza Strip may also complicate the situation.
“They are dying there, so we need to finish this deal in a hurry,” said Ayala Metzger, daughter-in-law of hostage Yoram Metzger, who died in captivity.
The war in Gaza, sparked by Hamas’ attack that killed 1,200 people and took 250 hostage, has killed more than 47,000 Palestinians, according to local health authorities, who do not differentiate between fighters and noncombatants in their count. Much of the territory has been obliterated.
Violence in the occupied West Bank
Violence has surged in the occupied West Bank during the war and intensified in recent days with an Israeli military operation against Palestinian militants in the territory’s north.
On Sunday, the Palestinian Health Ministry said Israeli gunfire killed two women, one of them, Sundus Shalabi, eight months pregnant. It said Rahaf Al-Ashqar, 21, was also killed. The shooting occurred in the Nur Shams urban refugee camp, a focal point of Israeli operations.
Israel’s military said its police had opened an investigation.
Israel’s Defense Minister Israel Katz on Sunday announced the expansion of the operation that started in Jenin several weeks ago. He said it was meant to prevent Iran — allied with Hamas — from establishing a foothold in the West Bank.
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Israel’s Netanyahu says Trump plan for Gaza ‘revolutionary’
February 10, 2025
JERUSALEM: Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Sunday praised a proposal from President Donald Trump for US control of Gaza and the displacement of its population as “revolutionary,” following his return to Israel from Washington.
Trump sparked global outrage by suggesting on Tuesday, during a week-long visit by the Israeli premier to the United States, that Washington should take control of the Gaza Strip and clear out its inhabitants.
On his return to Israel, addressing his cabinet, Netanyahu said the two allies agreed on war aims set out by Israel at the start of its 15-month war against Hamas including “ensuring Gaza no longer poses a threat to Israel.”
“President Trump came with a completely different, much better vision for Israel — a revolutionary, creative approach that we are currently discussing” the Israeli prime minister said, referring to the president’s Gaza plan.
“He is very determined to implement it and I believe it opens up many, many possibilities for us,” Netanyahu added.
Despite criticisms from international allies and Arab states in particular, Trump on Thursday doubled down on the plan, saying the “Gaza Strip would be turned over to the United States by Israel at the conclusion of fighting.”
“No soldiers by the US would be needed! Stability for the region would reign!!!” he wrote in social media post.
Israeli Defense Minister Israel Katz later on Thursday ordered the army to prepare for “voluntary” departures from Gaza.
“This visit, and the discussions we had with President Trump, carry with them tremendous achievements that could ensure Israel’s security for generations,” Netanyahu said.
Washington on Friday announced the approval of the sale of more than $7.4 billion in bombs, missiles and related equipment to Israel.
The State Department signed off on the sale of $6.75 billion in bombs, guidance kits and fuses, in addition to $660 million in Hellfire missiles, according to the US Defense Security Cooperation Agency (DSCA).
Israel launched a hugely destructive offensive against Hamas in Gaza in October 2023 in response to the Palestinian militant groups October 7 attack.
The war has devastated much of the Gaza Strip — a narrow coastal territory on the eastern Mediterranean — but a ceasefire has been in effect since last month that has brought a halt to the deadly conflict and provides for the release of hostages seized by Hamas.
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UN chief welcomes formation of new Lebanon government
February 10, 2025
UNITED NATIONS, United States: UN chief Antonio Guterres has welcomed the formation of a new government in Lebanon, affirming the international body’s commitment to that country’s “territorial integrity, sovereignty and political independence,” a spokesman said Sunday.
“The United Nations looks forward to working in close partnership with the new government on its priorities, including the consolidation of the cessation of hostilities,” said a statement from spokesman Stephane Dujarric.
Dujarric was referring to a ceasefire agreement between Lebanon and Israel signed on November 27, with Beirut’s military due to deploy in the country’s south alongside UN peacekeepers as Israel withdraws from those areas over 60 days.
Fighting between Israeli forces and long-dominant Hezbollah since October 2023 has weakened the group, helping bring a new Lebanese government to power after almost two years of caretaker authorities being in charge.
New Prime Minister Nawaf Salam now faces the daunting task of overseeing the fragile Israel-Hezbollah ceasefire and rebuilding the country.
Salam said Saturday that he hoped to head a “government of reform and salvation,” pledging to rebuild trust with the international community after years of economic collapse blamed on corruption and mismanagement.
Long the dominant force in Lebanese politics, Hezbollah suffered staggering losses in a war with Israel that saw its leader Hassan Nasrallah killed in a massive air strike in September.
Hezbollah suffered another seismic blow with the ouster on December 8 of Bashar Assad in Syria, which it had long used as its weapons lifeline from Iran.
After more than two years of political stalemate, the weakening of Hezbollah allowed former army chief Joseph Aoun, widely believed to be Washington’s preferred candidate, to be elected president and Salam approved as his premier.
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Brother says freed Israeli hostage suffered ‘hardest blow’ learning wife killed
February 10, 2025
JERUSALEM: Freed Israeli hostage Or Levy suffered the “hardest blow” upon his release from Gaza when he learned that his wife was killed by Hamas militants in the 2023 attack in which he was abducted, his brother said Sunday.
On Saturday, Hamas militants released Levy along with two other hostages, Eli Sharabi and Ohad Ben Ami, as part of an ongoing ceasefire in Gaza.
“The hardest blow awaited Or when he was freed — his greatest fear was confirmed,” Michael Levy told journalists at a hospital where his brother is being treated.
“Einav, his beloved wife, was murdered on that cursed day. For 491 days, he held on to the hope that he would return to her. For 491 days, he didn’t know she was no longer alive,” Michael Levy added.
Or and Einav Levy had attended the Nova music festival when Hamas militants stormed it during their October 7, 2023, attack on Israel.
They had left their son Almog, two years old at the time, with his grandparents.
The usually inseparable couple, who met at school, tried to hide from the attackers along Route 232, the only path away from the festival.
According to the Hostages and Missing Families Forum, an Israeli campaign group, Einav was killed in the attack while Or was abducted along with other young men.
Until now, it had been unclear whether Or knew of his wife’s fate.
“He only found out yesterday,” said Michael Levy.
“Or is alive. He is here. But this happiness is mixed with an immense sadness, a pain that cannot be described.”
“After everything he went through, he finally met Mogi, his little son. A three-year-old boy who hadn’t seen his father for 16 months!” the brother added.
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Israel says strikes Syria-Lebanon border tunnel used by Hezbollah for arms smuggling
February 09, 2025
JERUSALEM: The Israeli military said it carried out an air strike on Sunday targeting a tunnel on the border between Syria and Lebanon used by the Lebanese militant group Hezbollah to smuggle weapons.
Israeli “aircraft conducted a precise intelligence based strike on an underground tunnel crossing from Syrian territory into Lebanese territory that was used by Hezbollah to smuggle weapons,” the military said a day after it struck a weapons depot used by Palestinian militant group Hamas in southern Syria.
In its strikes on Sunday, the military said it also struck “several other Hezbollah sites” in Lebanon.
Lebanon’s official National News Agency on Sunday reported “hostile Israeli warplanes” launching several raids at the Lebanon-Syria border, including one which targeted a crossing.
A fragile Israel-Hezbollah ceasefire has been in place since November 27, after more than a year of hostilities including two months of all-out war.
Despite the ceasefire, Israel has continued to carry out strikes on Lebanon, and both sides have repeatedly accused the other of violating the truce.
Under the deal, Lebanon’s military was to deploy in the south alongside UN peacekeepers as the Israeli army withdrew over a 60-day period.
Israel has carried out hundreds of strikes in Syria since its civil war broke out in 2011, mainly on Iranian-linked targets.
After a lightning rebel offensive toppled longtime Syrian strongman Bashar Assad in December, Israel carried out hundreds more air strikes on Syrian military assets in what it said was a bid to prevent them from falling into hostile hands.
Israeli troops also entered the UN-patrolled buffer zone separating Israeli and Syrian forces in the Golan Heights.
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Al-Rahi warns Lebanon over ‘axis of degradation’
NAJIA HOUSSARI
February 09, 2025
BEIRUT: Lebanon’s Maronite Patriarch Bechara Al-Rahi has warned that the country risks “slipping into degradation,” and called on its leaders to end what he described as national “stagnation.”
Delivering a sermon in St. George Cathedral in Beirut on Sunday to celebrate the Feast of St. Maron, the patron saint of the Maronites, Al-Rahi urged Lebanon’s political leaders and state institutions to “end the procrastination, the undermining of the judiciary, the loss of sovereignty and dignity, and the violation of the constitution.”
He added: “People are suffocating from the stagnation. Offer them a solution.”
Al-Rahi warned that “the real danger facing Lebanon is slipping into the axis of degradation.
“As much as we must remain neutral in a positive way, we must align ourselves with the axis of civilization, renaissance, and progress.”
He said: “Neutrality is more about preserving Lebanon’s unity than ensuring its survival. Neutrality equals internal security and foreign defense.”
Al-Rahi’s comments came a day after Lebanon formed a new government led by Prime Minister Nawaf Salam, a move that ended a two-year political deadlock in the country.
Salam and President Joseph Aoun attended the celebrations on Sunday along with Parliament Speaker Nabih Berri.
Following the Cabinet formation, Aoun said that the government did not include ministers affiliated with political parties.
“They will be cohesive, united, and work as a strong team to undoubtedly serve all Lebanese because their goal is only the interest of Lebanon,” he said.
Aoun said that the formation of the “reform and rescue government was based on competence, experience, specialization, and the ministers’ good reputation.”
The US, France, and the UK congratulated Lebanon on the government formation.
French President Emmanuel Macron personally phoned Aoun and Salam, and called on the new prime minister to carry out essential economic reforms.
According to the Elysee’s statement, Macron emphasized that “it is important that all parties collaborate to implement the ceasefire agreement in Lebanon.”
He also called on Israel to continue its withdrawal.
Macron affirmed France’s willingness to help establish stability on the Syrian–Lebanese borders.
The Lebanese government will carry out its duties until May 2026 when the next parliamentary elections will be held.
Most of the ministers appointed in Salam’s Cabinet graduated from the American University of Beirut, Universite Saint-Joseph de Beirut, or other leading American and French universities.
Both ministers proposed by Hezbollah and the Amal Movement are doctors at the American University of Beirut Medical Center.
Dr. Rakan Nassereddine, a specialist in arterial surgery, is the new minister of health.
The 36-year-old surgeon, who is from Hermel, is the youngest minister in the government.
Dr. Mohammed Haidar, director of nuclear medicine at AUBMC, has been appointed minister of labor.
The government is set to hold a meeting next Tuesday to form the committee tasked with drafting the ministerial statement.
The US Embassy in Lebanon welcomed the formation of the government.
In a statement, it urged “the drafting of a ministerial declaration that would assist Lebanon overcome the crisis and chart a course toward achieving its objectives.”
In reviewing the biographies of the appointed ministers, it is evident that a primary characteristic of the prevailing government is the expertise in the portfolios assigned to them.
The Foreign Minister, Youssef Raji, has held various diplomatic positions in Jordan, Ivory Coast, Morocco, and at the UN in Geneva, Belgium, and Washington.
Yassine Jaber, the minister of finance, is a former minister and MP representing the Shiite seat in the Nabatieh and southern regions.
He has been active in the construction sector in Lebanon since 1978 and continues to be involved to this day.
Gen. Michel Menassa, minister of defense, is a retired officer who served for several decades in the Lebanese Army.
He later became the Inspector General at the Ministry of Defense before his retirement.
Interior Minister Ahmed Al-Hajjar, a retired brigadier-general in the Internal Security Forces, was formerly head of the Internal Security Forces Institute.
Minister of Economy Amer Bizat is an investment expert who previously held the position of global head of Emerging Markets Fixed Income at BlackRock.
He also held portfolio management roles at UBS and Morgan Stanley Investment Management.
Joseph Saddi, the energy minister, previously worked at Strategy&.
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Arab World
19 arrested after three drug gangs dismantled in Saudi Arabia, interior ministry says
February 09, 2025
RIYADH: Three criminal networks involved in the smuggling and trafficking of drugs in the regions of Asir, Jazan, and the Eastern Province have been dismantled, an official source at the Saudi Interior Ministry said on Sunday.
The networks were transferring drugs to other parts of the Kingdom and laundered the money they gained, the source said.
19 people involved in the activities of these gangs were arrested, including five Ministry of Interior employees, seven Zakat, Tax, and Customs Authority employees, and three Ministry of Defense employees. The necessary legal measures were taken against them and they were referred to the Public Prosecution.
The Ministry of Interior said it announced the arrests to highlight that security authorities are vigilant against all criminal activity targeting the nation and its youth with drugs.
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Boston Dynamics founder not concerned about robot takeover, warns against overregulation
HAJAR ALQUSAYER
February 09, 2025
RIYADH: The idea that robots could take over the world is not a “serious concern,” said the founder of advanced robotics company Boston Dynamics, as he warned against excessive regulation at a Riyadh technology conference on Sunday.
“There’s some fear that robots are going to somehow get out of hand and take over the world and eliminate people. I don’t really think that’s a serious concern,” Marc Raibert said during the fourth edition of the LEAP summit.
While regulation is necessary, Raibert believes that excessive restrictions could slow progress.
He expressed his concern about “overregulation stopping us from having the benefits of AI and robotics that could develop because robots can solve problems that we face in addition to causing problems.”
He added that while regulating mature applications makes sense, limiting the technology too early could hinder its potential.
His comments were made during a fireside chat titled “The Future of Robotics and AI,” in which he highlighted the role of artificial intelligence-powered robots in elderly care and assistance for people with disabilities.
“We have a couple of teams working on physical designs, but more importantly on the intelligence and perception needed to be able to do those kinds of tasks,” Raibert said.
Beyond industrial use, robotics is expected to play an important role in healthcare, supporting patient care, people with disabilities, and elderly assistance, according to Raibert, who founded the leading robotics company in 1992.
“I think cognitive intelligence, AI, is going to help us make it a lot easier to communicate with the robot, but also for the robot to understand the world, so that they can do things more easily without having everything programmed in detail,” he added.
Raibert also introduced a project at his AI Institute called “Watch, Understand, Do,” which aims to improve robots’ ability to learn tasks by observing human workers.
The initiative focuses on on-the-job training, where a robot can watch a worker perform a task — such as assembling a component in a factory — and gradually replicate it. While this process is intuitive for humans, it remains a technical challenge for robots, requiring advancements in machine perception and task sequencing.
He pointed out that while humanoid robots are gaining attention, true human-like capabilities go beyond having two arms and two legs. He emphasized that intelligence, problem-solving skills, and the ability to interact effectively with the environment will define the next generation of AI-driven robotics.
Raibert discussed the differences between robotics adoption in workplaces and homes, explaining that industrial environments offer a structured setting where robots can operate more efficiently. He noted that robots are likely to become more common in workplaces before being integrated into homes.
However, integrating robots into homes presents additional challenges, including safety, cost, and adaptability to unstructured environments. He said while home robots will eventually become more common, their widespread adoption will likely follow the expansion of industrial and commercial robotics.
As part of LEAP, the Saudi Data and Artificial Intelligence Authority is gathering global AI leaders at its DeepFest platform during the fourth edition of the summit.
With more than 150 speakers, 120 exhibitors, and an expected attendance of over 50,000 people from around the world, DeepFest showcases a range of cutting-edge AI technology.
The event explores emerging technologies, fosters collaboration, exchanges expertise, and builds partnerships, contributing to innovation and strengthening cooperation among experts across diverse industries.
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Saudi Royal Guards show skills in sports, combat
February 09, 2025
RIYADH: Under the sponsorship of the chief of the Royal Guard, Lt. Gen. Suhail bin Saqr Al-Mutairi, the Royal Guard Presidency celebrated the graduation of security and protection course participants and the conclusion of the second sports league, the fourth shooting championship and the third infantry competition, the SPA reported on Saturday.
High-ranking officials, senior Royal Guard officers and members attended the event, which featured sports performances and competitions in various disciplines, and demonstrations of shooting and marching, showcasing the participants’ high level of readiness and proficiency.
At the end of the event, Al-Mutairi honored the winning teams in the sports league and shooting championship, as well as the top achievers in the infantry competition.
He also honored the graduates of the security and protection courses who successfully completed their training programs, becoming a valuable addition to the Royal Guard Forces.
He stressed the importance of such events in fostering a spirit of competition, discipline and professionalism among members of the Royal Guard and commended the participants’ level of performance in various competitions and training exercises.
This event comes in the framework of the Royal Guard Presidency’s commitment to developing the combat and athletic skills of its members, enhancing their constant readiness to execute assigned duties with efficiency and professionalism.
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Ramadan 2025: Prophet’s Mosque in Medina sets Iftar rules
February 09, 2025
Cairo: Providers of the Iftar (fast-ending) service at the Prophet’s Mosque in the Saudi city of Medina during the upcoming fasting month will be able to add two items to the basic menu of food, authorities in charge of the holy site have said.
The basic items for the sunset meal include dates, bread, yogurt, wrapped tissues and water.
The General Authority for Care of the Two Holy Mosques said the additional food items should consist of nuts, cupcakes, a pie, maamoul (a filled cookie), cream or stuffed dates.
The agency has called on the service providers to update their data as an essential condition for the continuation of the service and contracting accredited catering companies.
These companies are required to obtain a permit as one of the main conditions for contracting and providing meals.
The Authority has also requested the catering firms to communicate with a coordinator in the Prophet’s Mosque on delivering the Iftar meals to transport them to the designated fast-ending location.
Additionally, the agency has outlined a set of requirements for catering companies, which should be based in Medina and registered as catering contractors for the annual Islamic Hajj and Umrah pilgrimage.
Other requirements include that such a company should have an area with its affiliated facilities not less than 600 square metres, and designated sites for packing and packaging, with the provision of at least three licensed well-equipped vehicles for transporting refrigerated meals.
Moreover, the company should have a certificate of quality and experience in the field of catering along with well-trained personnel, and provide evidence that its record is free of violations over the past two years.
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US Chamber of Commerce official discusses US-Saudi collaboration on AI policy
HAJJAR AL-QUSAYER
February 10, 2025
RIYADH: As Saudi Arabia accelerates its adoption of artificial intelligence, a strong regulatory framework is emerging as a key driver of US-Saudi collaboration.
In an exclusive interview with Arab News on the sidelines of the LEAP 2025 technology conference, Steve Lutes, vice president for Middle East affairs at the US Chamber of Commerce, stressed the importance of implementing clear policies that inspire investor confidence.
“One thing that’s always at the core is to have the policy and regulatory environment that is going to give confidence and clarity to investors, risk-takers, and innovators,” Lutes said.
He added that Saudi Arabia maintains an open-door policy in working with the US Chamber and industry leaders to shape its regulatory framework.
“This will catalyze finance and fuel more investment, bring more innovation, and strengthen partnerships between the United States and Saudi Arabia in AI and across the broader economy,” he said.
Saudi Arabia recently announced plans to expand its trade and investment ties with the US to at least $600 billion over the next four years, according to the Saudi Press Agency.
Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman outlined the Kingdom’s strategy during a phone conversation with US President Donald Trump.
Lutes pointed to Saudi Arabia’s young, tech-savvy workforce as a key factor in advancing AI under Vision 2030.
“Saudi is a young country, and you have a young workforce that is embracing technology and wants to be right there, whether in the private sector or government, leading the way on technology innovation and adaptation,” he said.
He underscored that talent development, alongside a robust regulatory framework, will be critical in fostering AI innovation and scaling businesses in Saudi Arabia.
Ensuring Saudi Arabia has access to cutting-edge US technology is also a priority, Lutes noted, emphasizing that this access is essential for the Kingdom’s innovation ecosystem.
“It’s one of the things that we would put toward the top of the list,” he said, referring to high-performance AI hardware such as Nvidia’s advanced chips.
While acknowledging the importance of security measures, Lutes emphasized the need to balance protection with cooperation.
“Yes, we want to protect and make sure that the right measures are in place, but it’s absolutely critical that our strategic allies, like the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, have access to and the ability to tap into US technology.”
He emphasized the broader economic implications of this access, noting that US companies are already playing a significant role in Saudi Arabia’s AI-driven transformation.
“What’s going on here in the Kingdom is very important to our economic relationship in the United States and to the US companies that are already here, doing incredible things,” he said.
“We want to see that only grow, deepen, and create more jobs, more investment, more innovation, and more opportunities to strengthen the US-Saudi relationship.”
Lutes expressed optimism about the future of US-Saudi AI collaboration, highlighting the role of diplomacy in achieving shared goals.
“I’m an optimist, and I believe we will get to a good place in terms of that policy,” he said.
He added that efforts should focus on ensuring everything is fueled and catalyzed to accelerate partnerships between the US and the Kingdom, with the private sector leading the way.
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Head of Muslim World League reviews medical program in Guinea-Bissau
February 09, 2025
RIYADH: The head of the Muslim World League delivered a lecture and reviewed the league’s medical program during a visit to West African country of Guinea-Bissau.
The league secretary-general, Dr. Mohammed bin Abdulkarim Al-Issa, reviewed the medical program, which performs operations and distributes supplies in collaboration with the National Hospital in Bissau, the Saudi Press Agency reported.
The meeting was part of an official visit at the invitation of Guinea-Bissau’s prime minister, Rui Duarte de Barros.
Al-Issa earlier inaugurated a Qur’an competition and was awarded the country’s highest medal of honor for his efforts in religious diplomacy.
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GCC secretary general receives chairman of Sumitomo Corporation in Riyadh
February 09, 2025
RIYADH: Secretary-General of the Gulf Cooperation Council Jasem Albudaiwi received Masayuki Hyodo, chairman of the board of Sumitomo Corporation, and his accompanying delegation from the Japan Business Federation, in Riyadh on Sunday.
During the meeting, Albudaiwi said that the visit reflects the profound historical and economic ties between GCC countries and Japan, the General Secretariat said in a report.
He also stressed that Japan is a strategic partner for the region and underscored the mutual commitment to enhance bilateral cooperation in various fields.
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Holy Kaaba’s Kiswah on display in Jeddah
February 09, 2025
JEDDAH: Saudi Arabia’s Islamic Arts Biennale 2025 featured a series of events this week to celebrate the first public display outside Makkah of the whole Kiswah of the Holy Kaaba.
The exhibition allows visitors to admire the intricate weaving and embroidery of the Kiswah, a cloth that adorns the Holy Kaaba in the Grand Mosque in Makkah, made with silk, gold, and silver thread.
The second edition of the biennale is being held at the Western Hajj Terminal of King Abdulaziz International Airport in Jeddah until May 25.
It is hosted by the Diriyah Biennale Foundation, which aims to showcase Islamic craftsmanship and enhance understanding of Islamic cultural legacy.
The foundation said that the Kiswah of the Holy Kaaba, with its distinctive inscriptions and ornamentations, is “considered the highest form of creative production in Islamic arts,” and holds significance in the lives of Muslims worldwide.
The exhibition highlights Saudi Arabia’s key role in serving Islam and Muslims over the decades.
Since 1927, the King Abdulaziz Complex for Holy Kaaba Kiswa has been producing decorative embroidered clothes for the Holy Kaaba, which is replaced annually.
Alongside the Kiswah, the Islamic Arts Biennale 2025 will display an array of historical Islamic artifacts and contemporary artworks.
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Saudi Arabia’s mental health revolution driven by awareness and accessibility
WASAN AL-MAKHLAFI
February 09, 2025
RIYADH: Saudi Arabia is experiencing a shift in perceptions of mental health, driven by younger generations and supported by continuous education and outreach programs.
“In the past 20-30 years, there has been a huge advancement in the outlook towards mental health,” said Dr. Majid Al-Desouki, consultant psychiatrist and founder of Psyter, a Saudi mental health app.
In previous decades, mental health was considered a taboo topic, often misunderstood as a sign of weakness or moral failing.
Dr. Al-Desouki told Arab News about how in the past, this misunderstanding sometimes led to drastic measures taken against individuals who exhibited signs of mental illness.
“Previously people would be embarrassed to admit that they had a mental health problem and would do their best to make it hidden,” said Dr. Al-Desouki.
“Now people don’t have a problem waiting in the waiting area in the mental health clinic or mentioning to their friends ‘I’ve seen this professional, and I recommend them to you,’” he said.
The National Center for Mental Health Promotion plays a central role in Saudi Arabia’s mental health landscape.
Established in 2019 to advance awareness, education, and accessibility, it is one of the key government-backed organizations dedicated to tackling stigma and expanding support services.
The center provides consultations through its mental health service app, Qareboon, conducts training courses, and works to enhance support across rural and urban areas through psychological assistance programs and community activities.
According to Sara Al-Duhayan, a 23-year-old student who has sought mental health support and witnessed the changes in perceptions in Saudi firsthand, attitudes have shifted even within families.
“Five or so years ago, it was impossible for (my family) to acknowledge any sort of mental issue,” Al-Duhayan said.
“Now their viewpoint has changed. They realize it’s a normal thing for people to go through,” she added.
A key factor in this transformation is accessibility. Digital tools like Psyter and Qareboon have revolutionized how mental health support is provided in Saudi Arabia.
Psyter offers virtual therapy sessions, while Qareboon provides localized mental health resources and professional guidance. These platforms reduce the stigma of seeking help by allowing individuals to access support privately and conveniently.
Dr. Al-Desouki highlighted the practical benefits of such platforms, noting that for many people in rural areas, traveling to mental health clinics can be challenging due to time and distance.
“When it comes to geographical distance, people living in the extreme north of the country or the extreme south, if they’re in a village around Riyadh or any other city they’re not going to be able to find care anywhere near them,” Al-Desouki said.
“There must be a better way to help these people without having them either take a plane or drive and put themselves at risk of accidents just for an appointment,” he adds.
Digital tools offer a solution by saving time and bridging geographical gaps, making it easier for individuals to access support regardless of location.
Awareness campaigns have significantly reduced stigma. The National Center for the Promotion of Mental Health has promoted mental well-being through educational initiatives, community activities, and workplace programs across public and private sectors.
“Everyone is so much more aware about it,” said Al-Duhayan. “People encourage others to seek therapy and aren’t embarrassed to share their experiences.”
This shift is a testament to the effectiveness of continuous education and outreach programs.
Generational differences further illustrate the cultural shift. Younger Saudis, in particular, are at the forefront of this change, according to Dr. Al-Desouki. They openly discuss their struggles and actively seek help.
“A big reason for the change in perception is because a lot of the population is a younger generation who are more open to accessing mental health care and bettering themselves in that respect,” said Dr. Al-Desouki.
Older generations are also beginning to adopt a more accepting view of mental health. “Even that age group has changed in perception somewhat over the years,” he added.
Dr. Al-Desouki stressed the importance of maintaining the momentum of reducing stigma around mental health. “If you can prevent mental illness, the outcomes are much better than waiting for a condition to develop,” he said. “And a cornerstone of prevention is education.”
As Saudi Arabia continues educating its citizens and expanding mental health care access, it paves the way for a future where mental health is more widely embraced.
Sustained efforts in awareness and accessibility will ensure these changes endure, according to Dr. Al-Desouki.
“Mental health awareness is a continuous process; it shouldn’t stop,” he said.
Source:arabnews.com
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Young Saudi’s journey to enrolling at one of the world’s oldest tailoring academies
RAHAF JAMBI
February 09, 2025
RIYADH: Yousef Tammar is a 23-year-old Saudi bespoke tailor currently studying at one of the world’s oldest schools of its kind in Italy.
Currently enrolled at the Accademia Nazionale dei Sartori in Rome — a tailoring academy that traces its roots back to 1575 — the Jeddah native has gone on a personal journey, which reflects his deep commitment to craftsmanship.
Tammar’s passion for fashion was ignited at the age of 14. Initially driven by a desire to present himself well among family and peers, he soon found inspiration in the vast world of style through YouTube videos focused on men’s fashion. “Fashion became a way for me to express myself and connect with others,” he told Arab News.
Growing up in Saudi Arabia, where traditional garments such as the thobe dominate daily wear, Tammar’s early exposure to fashion was characterized by a limited variety of clothing. He noticed that deviating from the norm could attract unwanted attention.
But a pivotal moment in Tammar’s journey occurred during a family trip to Italy just before his final year of high school. This trip introduced him to the intricate world of tailoring and artisanal garment-making.
A visit to Fortela in Forte dei Marmi, where he met owner Alessandro Squarzi, opened his eyes to bespoke tailoring and niche ready-to-wear garments.
“Meeting Alessandro was like unlocking a door to a whole new world of fashion,” Tammar said. This experience solidified his interest in pursuing a career in the industry.
His choice to study in Italy was largely serendipitous; the right course in pattern-making and sewing happened to be available there.
Still, “Italy has this aura about it that makes you feel fashion in your bones,” he explained. Even if other options were available, he would still choose Italy for its rich fashion heritage and vibrant atmosphere.
Throughout his educational journey, Tammar learned valuable lessons that shaped his approach to tailoring. He described how he discovered a way to exceed his own limits, and learned the importance of maintaining composure during challenging times.
“Every challenge is an opportunity to grow,” he said.
The contrast between the Italian approach to tailoring and what he experienced in Saudi Arabia soon became clear.
In Italy, the emphasis is on handwork and artisanship, while the garments he encountered in Saudi Arabia were predominantly mass-produced, even in prestigious tailoring shops.
Saudi culture significantly influences contemporary fashion, particularly in menswear, where traditional styles tend to dominate.
“Mainstream Saudi culture keeps fashion somewhat dormant,” Tammar said, noting that the culture leans toward conventional shapes and cuts.
However, he sees potential in modernizing traditional Saudi garments, such as the thobe and daglah, incorporating them into contemporary designs.
The fusion of Western and Middle Eastern styles excites him, as it creates opportunities for innovative silhouettes and distinctive combinations. “Fusion can bring a refreshing perspective to fashion,” he said, emphasizing the importance of blending influences.
Studying abroad presented its own set of challenges for Tammar, particularly in terms of language. Learning Italian became essential for effective communication, but it was a challenge he embraced with enthusiasm.
“Learning a new language opened up a whole new world for me,” he said.
Another hurdle has been adjusting his sleep schedule to accommodate the demanding nature of his studies, which often see him working for 12 hours a day.
A highlight of his journey was designing a daglah for the Harrod’s Hive 2025 event in Riyadh. “Creating something for such a prestigious event was surreal,” he said.
Most rewarding, however, has been the realization of his aspiration to become a master tailor.
Looking ahead, Tammar aims to bring artisanship and luxury bespoke craftsmanship to Saudi Arabia.
“I want to create a space where tradition meets modernity,” he said, as he hopes to establish his own bespoke tailoring shop and start his own fashion line once he accumulates enough experience.
Tammar hopes to see a future in Saudi fashion characterized by locally made garments and fabrics. “We should aspire to be producers, not just consumers,” he said, envisioning a broader range of styles beyond the traditional.
Tammar describes his personal style as adaptive, varying based on occasion and mood.
“I believe in the power of versatility in fashion,” he said. His own style incorporates tailored elegance in some situations while opting for loose and comfortable fits for work.
While current trends may not capture his attention, Tammar still draws inspiration from his peers in the fashion world: “My classmates inspire me daily; we learn from each other.”
He said that his peers have had a significant influence on his approach to tailoring, including the designer, Noe Falchi, with whom he collaborated on a fashion show.
Speaking to aspiring tailors and designers in Saudi Arabia, Tammar emphasized the importance of devotion.
“You must be ready to commit fully to your goals,” he said, noting that success in the industry requires unwavering commitment.
He encouraged aspiring creatives to embrace change and remain open to growth, as adaptability is crucial in a dynamic field.
Sustainability is another cornerstone of Tammar’s philosophy. “We have a responsibility to promote sustainability in fashion,” he said. Each garment he creates is made to order, minimizing waste and ensuring that material consumption is carefully calculated.
Tammar’s journey demonstrates the power of passion, dedication and the fusion of different cultures, as he continues to carve out his path in the industry in Saudi Arabia and beyond.
Source:arabnews.com
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Europe
Hundreds arrested in New Year illegal worker blitz
February 10, 2025
Hundreds of migrants have been arrested since the start of this year as part of a UK-wide crackdown on illegal working, the government has said.
As part of a blitz to kick off 2025, enforcement teams raided 828 premises including nail bars, car washes, and restaurants and made 609 arrests - a 73% increase from January 2024 and the highest figure for any January on record.
Officials say many migrants are drawn in by false promises about their ability to live and work in the UK, which leads them to "risk their lives by crossing the Channel".
It comes as the government's immigration bill is set to be debated again by MPs on Monday. Shadow Home Secretary Chris Philp has called it a "weak bill that won't stop the boats".
A significant proportion of last month's raids took place at restaurants, takeaways and cafes, the Home Office said.
It also gave examples of arrests made in vape shops in Cheshire and a grocery warehouse in south London.
Those arrested made the journey to the UK through a mix of routes, including by crossing the Channel and by overstaying legitimately-granted visas.
Home Secretary Yvette Cooper said the government was boosting enforcement to "record levels" and that immigration rules "must be respected".
"For far too long, employers have been able to take on and exploit illegal migrants and too many people have been able to arrive and work illegally with no enforcement action ever taken," she said.
"Not only does this create a dangerous draw for people to risk their lives by crossing the Channel in a small boat, but it results in the abuse of vulnerable people, the immigration system and our economy."
From the start of the Labour government in July up to 31 January, 3,930 arrests were made over 5,424 visits by immigration enforcement officers.
A total of 1,090 civil penalty notices were also issued, with employers facing a fine of up to £60,000 per worker if found liable.
During the same period, four of the "biggest return flights in the UK's history" were also carried out, the Home Office said, returning more than 800 people.
But Reform UK leader Nigel Farage described the new figures released by the government as feeble, compared with the numbers that had entered the country.
Across the 31 days of January, there were 1,098 people who arrived in the UK illegally on small boats.
The government said it launched a social media campaign in Vietnam in December and Albania in January discouraging people from making the journey to the UK.
The adverts highlight stories from migrants who entered the UK illegally "only to face debt, exploitation and a life far from what they were promised", the Home Office said.
It comes as the government's Border Security, Asylum and Immigration Bill is set to be debated in the House of Commons in its second reading.
The bill aims to introduce a raft of new offences and counter terrororism-style powers to clamp down on people smugglers bringing migrants across the Channel.
But Labour ministers have not provided a specific target on when a drop in small boat crossings could be expected.
The Conservatives said they had put forward an amendment to the immigration bill in a bid to include their own immigration proposals: to double how long it takes migrants to get indefinite leave to remain and, after that, require them to wait five years rather than one before they can apply for citizenship.
Philp added that "an effective removals deterrent is needed" to stop small boat crossings, something he said Labour had scrapped, a reference to the former government's plan to send illegal migrants to Rwanda.
Source:bbc.com
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Oxford mosque stabbing: Man not guilty attempted murder
9th February
By Gee Harland
A jury has found a man not guilty of attempted murder but guilty of intent to cause grievous bodily harm instead.
Hassan Hussain, 25, was on trial at Oxford Crown Court accused of attempting to murder Kane Khan who was stabbed outside Oxford Central Mosque, off Manzil Way, on March 13 last year.
Mr Khan, who was attending an event at the mosque at the time, was hospitalised after running into back inside the gates to seek help.
He sustained a serious wound to his abdomen.
Hussain, of Nye Bevan Close, Oxford, was charged count each of attempted murder and causing grievous bodily harm with intent.
He was found not guilty on Friday (February 7) of attempted murder but guilty instead of causing grievous bodily harm.
Hussain will be sentenced at the same court on April 4.
Two other men were also on trial - Shahroz Khan, 24, of Mortimer Road, and Bilal Khan, 25, of Abingdon Road – charged with one count each of conspiracy to murder and conspiracy to cause grievous bodily harm.
Shahroz Khan had been accused of being a ‘spotter’ at the mosque, informing Hussain of Mr Khan’s movements.
Bilal Khan was accused of driving the trio away from Oxford following the incident.
Both men denied any involvement and were found not guilty on all counts.
However, Shahroz Khan will be sentenced on April 4 for unrelated offences.
Source:asianimage.co.uk
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Why more young men in Germany are turning to the far-right
February 10, 2025
"What my parents taught me is that they used to live in peace and calm, without having to have any fear in their own country," says 19-year-old Nick. "I would like to live in a country where I don't have to be afraid."
I meet him in a small bar on a street corner in the ex-mining town of Freiberg, Saxony – where he is playing darts.
It's a cold, foggy night in February with just over two weeks to go until Germany's national election.
Nick and his friend Dominic, who is 30, are backers or sympathetic to Alternative für Deutschland - a party that has been consistently polling second in Germany for more than a year and a half, as the far-right here and elsewhere in Europe attracts an increasing number of young people, particularly men, into its orbit.
One particular reason why Nick – and many other young German men – say they are afraid is the number of attacks in Germany involving suspects who were asylum seekers – most recently, the fatal stabbing of a toddler and a man in a park in the Bavarian city of Aschaffenburg. Immigration is now Nick and Dominic's main concern, although they don't oppose it in all forms.
"The people who integrate, who learn, who study here, do their work - I have no problems with them," says Dominic, though he is critical of anyone he sees as taking advantage of the asylum system.
"But these days such statements are seen as hostile," says Dominic. "You're called a Nazi because of Germany's past."
The AfD - which has long been accused of anti-migrant rhetoric - is celebrating endorsements from tech billionaire, Elon Musk, who owns the social media site X. He has hosted a live discussion with party leader Alice Weidel on the platform and dialled into a party rally.
Now, as Germany waits to see just how well the far-right does in the upcoming election, the question is why so many young men in particular are being drawn to the far-right and what the consequences could be for a country that's deeply conscious of its Nazi past.
Young men swinging to the right
Pew research in 2024 found that 26% of German men had positive views of the AfD compared to 11% of women, and the share of men holding this opinion has risen 10 points since 2022.
In the elections for the European Parliament in 2024, according to German exit polls the number of under 24-year-olds, both male and female, who voted for the AfD in Germany rose to 16 per cent, up by 11 points from 2019.
This comes at a time of rising general anxiety among young people according to a recent study by the German Institute for Generational Research.
In a sample size of 1,000 Germans aged 16 to 25, anxiety levels were the highest amongst respondents who class themselves as far-right while they were the lowest amongst people who put themselves in the middle of the political spectrum.
Women were more likely to be concerned for their rights and those of minority groups while men were found to be more worried about conservative values that are less based around rights.
Dr Rüdiger Maas, from the German think tank the Institute for Generational Research, says parties on the left often focus on themes such as feminism, equality and women's rights.
"Overall, men don't see themselves in these themes," he tells us. "That is why they have a tendency to vote further right."
Hard, populist right parties have also done well in countries such as France, Austria, the Netherlands, Poland, Spain and Italy.
"Sixty per cent of young men under 30 would consider voting for the far-right in EU countries and this is much higher than the share among women," says Prof Abou-Chadi, in analysis drawn from a subset of the 2024 European Election Study.
Message spreaders
As well as gender, migration and economic issues, social media is playing a part. Platforms like TikTok allow political groups to bypass mainstream, traditional media, which the far-right regard as hostile.
It's clear that AfD "dominates" TikTok when compared to other German parties, says Mauritius Dorn from the Institute for Strategic Dialogue (ISD). It has 539,000 followers on its parliamentary account, compared to 158,000 for the SPD who currently have the most seats in the German parliament.
And it isn't just official accounts but a "considerable number of unofficial fan accounts also help to disseminate the party's content", says Mr Dorn.
Through setting up 10 "persona-based" accounts with different user profiles, they found, "those users who are more on the right-wing spectrum… see a lot of AfD content whereas users from the leftist spectrum see a more diverse set of political content."
TikTok has said it doesn't "differentiate" between the right, left or centre of politics and works to stay at the "forefront" of tackling misinformation.
Dorn observes that other parties recognised sites such as TikTok "too late", which means they're playing catch-up in establishing a strong footprint on the platform.
We've met one AfD influencer, Celina Brychcy - a 25-year-old TikTokker who has more than 167,000 followers - 53% of whom are male, with 76% aged between 18 and 35.
She mainly shares dance, trend and lifestyle videos, but also pro-AfD content.
Ms Brychcy says she doesn't make money from promoting the AfD but does it because she believes in the cause and wants to "get a message across".
Her political ideals include wanting the return of military service, more support for mothers who want or need to stay at home and stricter border controls.
When I press her about whether her views amount to a rejection of multiculturalism she replied no, but believes people should "integrate."
"There are certain people who just don't fit in with us Germans," she added but repeatedly insisted she is not racist and doesn't have "anything against foreigners."
Anti 'role reversal'
Ms Brychcy is also against "role reversal" when it comes to the way men and women dress.
A reaction against "gender ideology" is another issue identified by Tarik Abou-Chadi, a professor of European Politics at the University of Oxford, as feeding far-right support amongst the young - something that is echoed by the Institute for Generational Research.
They asked first-time voters whether they found the LGBTQ+ trend "übertrieben", which literally means "exaggerated" or over the top. The respondents who showed the highest level of agreement with that question were those who planned to support the AfD.
When I challenge Ms Brychcy over whether that could be seen as retrograde, she replied that "biologically speaking, we are men and women" and thinks people should present accordingly.
Ms Brychcy tells me she has lost a couple of friends because of her politics - and now mostly spends time with those of a similar outlook.
She doesn't agree with those who view the AfD as a dangerous movement - rather one that would offer genuine, radical change.
When I ask Ms Brychcy if she considers herself as far-right, she says that on certain issues - such as border control and crime, "Definitely yes".
It's a striking reply, particularly as often, the label of far-right is rejected by supporters of the AfD, including by the party leader, Alice Weidel, who insists she heads a conservative, libertarian movement.
With the horrors of the Nazis further and further in the past, this is a generation that's grown up with parties like the AfD - whether that's on TV talk shows or in parliament after the AfD got its first MPs in 2017.
Prof Abou-Chadi believes that the far-right, generally, has become more normalised to the point, "They don't seem so extreme any more."
That's despite party scandals such as a talisman of the AfD's hard right, Björn Höcke, being fined twice last year for using a Nazi slogan, though he denied doing so knowingly.
The AfD, in three German states, is classified as right-wing extremist by authorities - including in Saxony, a designation the party unsuccessfully challenged in court.
It's a state where the number of "right-wing extremist individuals" had reached a "new high" - according to a report released last year by Saxony's domestic intelligence service - that showed data back to 2015.
Narratives questioned
In a shopping mall in the city of Chemnitz in Saxony, we meet a group of young men who – while they won't go on the record – tell us they're right wing.
Dressed in black, with uniformly short hair, they express beliefs that homosexuality is wrong and fear that the German "race" is under threat because of the growing migrant community.
They question narratives about their country's past, seemingly a reference to the Nazi era.
Diana Schwitalla has been teaching history and social studies for eight years. She says she has had to confront a case of Holocaust denial in the classroom and has heard other troubling remarks.
"We hear the Second World War was actually a good thing, and there was a reason people died then - and that this is good. Hitler is described as a good man," says Ms Schwitalla.
She adds, "Many students… very young students, {who} say it doesn't matter who I vote for, they'll do what they want 'up there' anyway. The question of who's 'up there', I don't get an answer to that."
We met her over the course of two days - including at an adult vocational college in Freiberg that sits on the grounds of a former Nazi concentration camp. Jewish women, brought from Auschwitz, were used for slave labour here to make parts for aeroplanes.
We did hear some talk of opposition to the levels of immigration into Germany plus a desire for national pride.
The first day we met Ms Schwitalla, she is helping to organise a mock election for the students as a way of engaging them about democracy at another college site in the town of Flöha – about 15 miles away from Freiberg.
We spoke to Cora, Melina and Joey, all 18.
Cora says she has heard men of her age express a desire for women to be in the home harking back to a time "when women took care of the children and when the husband comes home from work, the food is cooked". She likens it to the so-called "Trad Wife" trend of adhering to traditional gender roles.
Cora and Melina voice fears about a rollback of women's rights – including on abortion, even - remarkably - the right to vote. "Luckily that's not being discussed in politics yet," says Melina, "but I've heard discussions about women not being allowed to vote in elections anymore."
A small group of students line up to vote around lunchtime and we watch as the results come in with "Die Linke" scoring top - the left party that's relatively popular amongst the young but polling at only around five per cent nationwide.
The AfD came second, reinforcing what Prof Abou-Chadi has found, that, "younger people are much more likely to go for a further left or further right party than a centrist one".
Not a protest vote
The AfD, whose signature issues include security, borders and migrant crime, are now even embracing the concept of "remigration" - a buzz-word in Europe's far-right that's widely understood to mean mass deportations.
Speaking to people in Germany, it is clear that support for the AfD can not just be read as some form of protest vote, even if there is frustration with the parties that have traditionally governed Germany. Celina, Dominic and Nick - and others we spoke to - genuinely hope and believe that the AfD could set Germany on the path of radical change.
It's still the case that other parties will not go into coalition with the AfD but in January a non-binding motion was passed in the German parliament thanks to AfD votes for the first time.
Prof Abou-Chadi believes in the longer, -term, there could be an even more seismic change.
"And as soon as the more mainstream parties start giving up the 'firewall' or cordon sanitaire the far-right will start cannibalising the right.
"It's very likely that, in many or most European countries, the far-right parties will be the main party on the right – or already are," he says.
Parties like the AfD have worked hard to try and normalise themselves in the eyes of the public.
While there are people in Germany and Europe who view the far-right as an extremist, even anti-democratic, force - it appears that the 'normalisation' effort is working, not least of all among the young.
Top picture credit: Getty
Source:bbc.com
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Second Labour MP apologises over WhatsApp comments
February 10, 2025
A second Labour MP has apologised for comments made in a WhatsApp chat, after Andrew Gwynne was sacked as a minister over messages he sent to the same group.
Burnley MP Oliver Ryan said in a statement that comments he made in the group "were completely unacceptable" and he regretted "not speaking out at the time".
Fellow MP Gwynne was sacked as health minister on Saturday after the Mail on Sunday reported he sent a string of offensive and abusive messages in the WhatsApp group, which contained other Labour figures.
A government source told the PA news agency that the party's chief whip would speak to Ryan "and no action is off the table".
"I did not see every message, but I accept responsibility for not being more proactive in challenging what was said," Ryan added.
"I also made some comments myself which I deeply regret and would not make today and for that, I wholeheartedly apologise."
Ryan said the WhatsApp group, reportedly called Trigger Me Timbers, was created by his "MP and former employer, Andrew Gwynne".
He said he would co-operate fully with Labour's investigation, which began after Gwynne's messages were revealed.
Gwynne was suspended from the party and apologised in a statement on X for any offence caused by the "badly misjudged" comments.
In messages seen by the Mail on Sunday, Gwynne said he hoped a 72-year-old woman would soon be dead after she wrote to her local councillor about bin collections.
The former health minister also reportedly posted sexist comments about Angela Rayner, racist remarks about Labour MP Diane Abbott, and appeared to make light of antisemitism.
Ryan's participation in the group was reported by the paper the following day.
Following Gwynne's sacking, a government spokesperson said Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer was "determined to uphold high standards of those in public office" and "will not hesitate to take action against any minister who fails to meet these standards".
A Labour spokesperson added: "Swift action will be taken if individuals are found to have breached the high standards expected of them as Labour Party members".
Ryan, 29, said he was a member of the WhatsApp group between 2019 and early 2022, when he was a councillor on Tameside Metropolitan Borough Council. He was elected for the first time as an MP in July last year.
"Some of the comments made in that group were completely unacceptable, and I fully condemn them," he added.
"I regret not speaking out at the time, and I recognise that failing to do so was wrong."
An independent councillor on Tameside Borough Council, Kaleel Khan, said he had made a "hate crime report" to the police on Sunday after constituents contacted him with concerns about some of the messages.
He told the BBC: "What worries me is when you have an elected official mocking women, or mocking black people, Jewish people, and constituents too."
Khan said he had also written to ask the council to carry out an investigation into the actions of councillors in the WhatsApp group.
"I work with them, I am quite surprised at one or two of them, that they didn't call it out" he told the BBC, and added: "I am very, very surprised they did not put a stop to it and leave the group."
Also on Sunday, Conservative shadow cabinet office minister Alex Burghart told Sky News that he questioned whether members of the WhatsApp group called out Gwynne's remarks at the time.
"That was a big WhatsApp group with a lot of other Labour members - did any of them step in at the time? Did any of them call that out?" he said.
He added that Gwynne's message about the elderly constituent was "sort of quite a nasty attempt to do down an old person", and deemed another about someone's name sounding "too Jewish" as "sinister".
Source:bbc.com
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Zelensky offers new excuse for canceling elections
9 Feb, 2025
Holding an election during the conflict between Russia and Ukraine would be a disaster for Kiev for a number of reasons, ranging from popular disapproval to running the risk of losing its army, Ukrainian leader Vladimir Zelensky claimed this week.
Earlier, US President Donald Trump’s special envoy for the Ukraine conflict, Keith Kellogg, said Washington would like to see Kiev hold presidential and parliamentary votes before the end of the year. Elections have been suspended indefinitely by Zelensky, due to martial law.
Elections in Ukraine at this time would only benefit Russia, the Ukrainian leader claimed in an interview with ITV News. “The topic of elections has been brought up by Russians,” he said.
Moscow has called Zelensky’s legitimacy into question since his presidential term officially expired in May 2024. In late January, Russian President Vladimir Putin stated that the Ukrainian leader cannot sign international treaties as they could be declared null and void afterward due to his current status.
Putin noted at the time that the Ukrainian constitution does not envisage extensions of the president’s term, only authorizing this for the parliament, which he called a legitimate governing body in Ukraine. Moscow has not explicitly demanded that Kiev hold elections.
In his interview, Zelensky maintained that Russia only wants to see elections in Ukraine to bring about “destabilization.” He also claimed that the people do not want to have an election, and that he is “absolutely not afraid of them.”
“During this war, our population is against elections, all people are against it.”
According to Zelensky, having an election would require martial law to be lifted. “If we suspend martial law we will lose our army,” he said, explaining that Kiev would not be able to keep the troops on the front lines otherwise.
“People will come back home and will have every right to return home,” he said, adding that those who do not would still lose their “combat capability and morale.” Ukraine launched a massive mobilization campaign after imposing martial law, following the start of Russia’s military operation in February 2022.
Kiev has faced criticism over its heavy-handed approach toward mobilization. Numerous videos have appeared on social media showing Ukrainian conscription officers chasing potential recruits in the streets and subjecting them to abuse.
The mobilization campaign was also marred by widespread draft dodging, corruption, and desertion. Last year, the elite 155th Mechanized Brigade made headlines after around 1,700 members reportedly fled the unit without firing a single shot.
According to Zelensky, having an election with the troops still in the trenches is “not fair.” He also described it as nearly impossible “logistically,” with around 8 million Ukrainians now living abroad. Earlier in the interview, he called on Kiev’s Western backers to first provide Ukraine with security guarantees and economic aid sufficient to convince people who have fled the country to return.
Source:rt.com
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Russia to develop cooperation with ‘sensible’ partners – Lavrov
9 Feb, 2025
Russia is facing “critical challenges” in the international arena as it seeks to preserve the world order established after World War II from Western attempts to impose hegemony through militarism and to reject international cooperation, Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov said on Monday.
Washington and its allies have “thrown in their lot” with resurgent Nazism, “forceful domination and neocolonialism” as they seek to contain Russia and other nations they see as competitors, the foreign minister said in a video address commemorating a professional holiday dedicated to diplomats.
The foreign minister pointed to the “invaluable contribution” Soviet diplomats made to the creation of the post-war world order in the late 1940s, including the establishment of the United Nations and the development of its Charter and its principles, which “remain relevant nowadays as well.” Lavrov called on the diplomats to “do everything possible” to defend Russia’s national interests and create safe, favorable conditions for the nation’s development and its citizens’ welfare.
“We will continue to develop diversified cooperation with all sensible partners, primarily the world majority,” the minister said, adding that Moscow would seek to strengthen ties to its neighbors as well as Eurasian, African and Latin American nations.
Together with “likeminded” nations, Russia would contribute to strengthening the multipolar world order and the establishment of a “Eurasian security architecture” as well as develop international cooperation mechanisms that would be free from “the destructive influence of the Western minority,” Lavrov stated.
His words came as Moscow remains engaged in a protracted military conflict against Kiev. Russia has repeatedly described the standoff as a proxy war led by the West in a bid to weaken the nation it sees as a competitor. It has also repeatedly pointed to what it called the “Nazi nature” of the Ukrainian government backed by Washington and its allies and called the “denazification” of Ukraine one of the key goals of its military campaign.
Russia has repeatedly warned that the West’s ever-increasing engagement in the ongoing conflict through military and financial aid to Kiev could lead to a direct clash between Moscow and NATO. It has also repeatedly stated that it was ready for dialogue and a diplomatic solution to the conflict as long as the reality on the ground is taken into account.
In fall 2022, four former Ukrainian territories, including the two Donbass republics and Kherson and Zaporozhye Regions, joined Russia following a series of referendums – a development that Kiev refuses to recognize.
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Southport families 'try to find light in the dark'
February 10, 2025
The parents of two children murdered in the Southport knife attack last summer have told of how they are "trying to find light in the dark", as they speak publicly for the first time.
Six-year-old Bebe King's parents, who cannot be named for legal reasons, and Jenni and David Stancombe, parents of seven-year-old Elsie Dot, have spoken to the Sunday Times about the girls.
They describe their daughters as confident, happy and affectionate.
The families also said the sentencing of the man who killed them should not have been televised as they wanted the girls to be remembered for their personalities not what happened to them.
Axel Rudakubana was given a life sentence with a minimum term of 52 years – one of the highest minimum terms on record – for murdering Bebe and Elsie and Alice da Silva Aguiar, nine, on 29 July.
Elsie's uncle Chris Stancombe and Bebe's father said there was too much detail about the girls' injuries during the sentencing hearing, which was broadcast live on news channels including the BBC.
Court proceedings are rarely televised in the UK but in recent years the judge's sentencing remarks are shown in some high-profile trials.
"The sentencing shouldn't have been televised," Mr Stancombe said.
Bebe's father added: "We know it has to be heard in court but why did the whole nation need to see it on television?"
The parents reflected on their daughters' personalities and how they wanted them to be remembered.
"Everyone says it, don't they?," Ms Stancombe, 35, said, "That they're one of a kind. But she truly was."
Mr Stancombe, 36, told of Elsie's energy and adventurous spirit.
Bebe's parents reflected on their daughter's kindness.
Her mother told the Sunday Times: "She had this power to connect with people and the relationships she had with all her family members were different but very special.
"She had this innate kindness. She had a spark."
The parents discussed their daughters' excitement for the dance class, which was run by Leanne Lucas, who was also stabbed.
They recalled the horrifying moment they discovered what had happened in the Hart Space.
Just before midday, Ms Stancombe got a call from a mother of one of the other children at the class who told her "something awful" had happened, adding: "Somebody's stabbed the kids."
Ms Stancombe said she "just ran".
"I left the whole house open and got in the car."
Bebe's dad said: "I got down Hart Street and saw straight away there were ambulances all over the place."
Rudakubana also attempted to kill eight other children, who cannot be named for legal reasons, Ms Lucas and businessman John Hayes.
The families told of how the tragedy had impacted their other children, including Elsie's younger sibling.
Mr Stancombe said: "You know you say to your kids every day, every night, 'I won't let anything happen to you'?
"How could I say that to [Elsie's sibling] now?"
In October, the Prince and Princess of Wales visited Southport to deliver messages of thanks to the victims' families and the emergency workers.
The couple met both Elsie's parents along with Bebe's parents.
It was the Princess of Wales' first public appearance since she finished chemotherapy.
'Powerful and heartfelt'
"That meant so much to Jenni," Mr Stancombe said. "Because it was her first public appearance.
"I won't say what they said to us, but what they shared with us was really, really powerful, and it was a powerful message and heartfelt, and it meant a lot."
The families welcomed plans, announced on 21 January by Home Secretary Yvette Cooper, for a public inquiry into the stabbings.
None of the parents have been able to return to work since the stabbings, the Sunday Times reported.
Elsie's parents have set up a charity, Elsie's Story, to help children in need.
Ms Stancombe said: "Everything she did was pure enthusiasm. It could be the most boring thing - even, like, David taking the bins out - and it was like, 'I'll come'.
"She was grateful for life."
Bebe's parents said they would try to live as full a life as they could for their daughter.
Her mother said: "She was the most positive, bubbliest girl and we have to honour that.
"We have to live for Bebe. And honour her. And find light in the dark."
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No excuses not to build 1.5m new homes, Rayner says
February 10, 2025
Deputy Prime Minister Angela Rayner has said there are "no excuses" to not build the 1.5 million new homes Labour promised in its election manifesto.
The government has said it will meet the house-building target in England by 2029, before the next general election.
BBC analysis shows the number of new homes in England continued to fall during the first six months Labour was in power.
Speaking to the BBC's Sunday with Laura Kuenssberg, Rayner said Labour knew hitting the target "was going to be really difficult", given housebuilding trends before it entered government - but said she was determined to meet it.
The housing, communities and local government secretary said that within a month of taking office, she was asked if she wanted to review Labour's housing target.
"I wasn't going to give up on the target," she said.
She said she was personally "determined to meet that 1.5 million target" and said policies such as reforming the planning system would "take time" to have an impact.
She added: "There are no excuses to not build those homes that people desperately need.
"And we mean business on this, because far too many people are not getting these homes."
Gillian Keegan, a former Conservative MP and education secretary, told the programme the pace of housebuilding was "too slow".
She said the Conservatives had also promised to build more than 1.5 million new homes in its 2024 election manifesto, adding that the party had made "a lot of progress" when in government "but the reality is, it's still too slow".
"The highest number we got to was about 249,000 in one year," she said.
"Now obviously we had to navigate Brexit, Covid and a war in Europe at the time.
"But that shows you the size of the challenge."
Labour hopes building more homes will reduce house prices and make buying and renting homes more affordable, especially for younger people.
Its target means building an average of 300,000 new homes a year - a number not achieved since the 1970s.
In recent years, the number of new homes built annually has been considerably below that figure.
The housing industry has expressed doubts about Labour's housing target and whether it can be reached by 2029.
The construction industry has warned it is dealing with a chronic shortage of skilled workers.
There are also concerns about the availability of basic building materials, including bricks and timber.
And many housing experts are unsure whether private housebuilders are able or willing to deliver enough new homes each year.
Speeding up home-buying
It comes as Rayner's department set out plans to speed up the house-buying process and give more power to leaseholders.
The government said it plans to cut transaction times by bringing in digital identity services and date-sharing.
At the moment, it can take months for paperwork relating to the sale of a home to be exchanged and checked by mortgage companies and others involved in the process.
The government said under a fully digitalised home-buying and selling process, "the information key parties need – from mortgage companies to surveyors – will be within reach immediately, with the necessary identity checks carried out once".
The housing department said it was working with the property market and the Land Registry to agree rules on data-sharing and digital ID verification services.
There are also plans to empower leaseholders to take control of their buildings more easily, through right-to-manage.
Right-to-manage lets some leasehold home owners take over management of the building - even without the agreement of the landlord - and gives them control over how their service charges are spent.
The government said it would introduce changes to the Leasehold and Freehold Reform Act 2024 on Monday.
Housing and Planning Minister Matthew Pennycook said the reforms build on the government's plan to deliver "1.5 million safe and decent homes in this Parliament, and our ongoing efforts to protect leaseholders suffering from unfair and unreasonable practices".
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How Spain's economy became the envy of Europe
February 10, 2025
It's a chilly mid-winter afternoon in Segovia, in central Spain, and tourists are gathered at the foot of the city's Roman aqueduct, gazing up at its famous arches and taking selfies.
Many of the visitors are Spanish, but there are also people from other European countries, Asians and Latin Americans, all drawn by Segovia's historic charm, gastronomy and dramatic location just beyond the mountains north of Madrid.
"There was a moment during Covid when I thought 'maybe tourism will never, ever be like it was before'," says Elena Mirón, a local guide dressed in a fuchsia-coloured beret who is about to lead a group across the city.
"But now things are very good and I feel this year is going to be a good year, like 2023 and 2024. I'm happy, because I can live off this job I love."
Spain received a record 94 million visitors in 2024 and is now vying with France, which saw 100 million, to be the world's biggest foreign tourist hub.
And the tourism industry's post-Covid expansion is a major reason why the eurozone's fourth-biggest economy has been easily outgrowing the likes of Germany, France, Italy and the United Kingdom, posting an increase in GDP of 3.2% last year.
By contrast, the German economy contracted by 0.2% in 2024, while France grew by 1.1%, Italy by 0.5%, and the UK by an expected 0.9%.
This all helps explain why the Economist magazine has ranked Spain as the world's best-performing economy.
"The Spanish model is successful because it is a balanced model, and this is what guarantees the sustainability of growth," says Carlos Cuerpo, the business minister in the Socialist-led coalition government. He points out that Spain was responsible for 40% of eurozone growth last year.
Although he underlined the importance of tourism, Mr Cuerpo also pointed to financial services, technology, and investment as factors which have helped Spain bounce back from the depths of the pandemic, when GDP shrank by 11% in one year.
"We are getting out of Covid without scars and by modernising our economy and therefore lifting our potential GDP growth," he adds.
That modernisation process is being aided by post-pandemic recovery funds from the EU's Next Generation programme. Spain is due to receive up to €163bn by 2026 ($169bn; £136bn), making it the biggest recipient of these funds alongside Italy.
Spain is investing the money in the national rail system, low-emissions zones in towns and cities, as well as in the electric vehicle industry and subsidies for small businesses.
"Public spending has been high, and is responsible for approximately half our growth since the pandemic," says María Jesús Valdemoros, lecturer in economics at Spain's IESE Business School.
Other major European economies have seen their growth stymied by their greater reliance than Spain on industry, which, she says, "is suffering a lot at the moment due to factors such as the high cost of energy, competition from China and other Asian countries, the cost of the transition to a more sustainable environmental model and trade protectionism".
Since Covid, the other major economic challenge for Spain has been the cost-of-living crisis triggered by supply-chain bottlenecks and the Russian invasion of Ukraine in 2022. Inflation peaked at an annual rate of 11% in July of that year, with energy prices hitting Spaniards particularly hard, but by the end of 2024 it had fallen back to 2.8%.
Madrid believes that subsidies it introduced to cut the cost of fuel consumption and encourage public transport use were key in mitigating the impact of the energy price rises, as well as several increases to the minimum wage.
At the height of the European energy crisis, Spain and Portugal also negotiated with Brussels a so-called "Iberian exception", allowing them to cap the price of gas used to generate electricity in order to reduce consumers' bills.
Mr Cuerpo argues that such measures have helped counter Spain's traditional vulnerability to economic turmoil.
"Spain is proving to be more resilient to successive shocks – including the inflation shock that came with the war in Ukraine," he said. "And I think this is part of the overall protective shield that we have put in place for our consumers and for our firms."
The country's green energy output is seen as another favourable factor, not just in guaranteeing electricity, but also spurring investment. Spain has the second-largest renewable energy infrastructure in the EU.
The latter is a boon for a country that is Europe's second-biggest car producer, according to Wayne Griffiths, the British-born CEO of Seat and Cupra. Although Spanish electric vehicle production is lagging behind the rest of Europe, he sees enormous potential in that area.
"[In Spain] we have all the factors you need to be successful: competitive, well-trained people and also an energy policy behind that," he says. "There's no point in making zero-emission cars if you're using dirty energy."
Despite these positives, a longstanding weakness of Spain's economy has been a chronically high jobless rate, which is the biggest in the EU and almost double the block's average. However, the situation did improve in the last quarter of 2024, when the Spanish jobless unemployment rate declined to 10.6%, its lowest level since 2008.
Meanwhile the number of people in employment in Spain now stands at 22 million, a record high. A labour reform, encouraging job stability, is seen as a key reason for this.
This reform increased restrictions on the use of temporary contracts by companies, favouring greater flexibility in the use of permanent contracts. It has reduced the number of workers in temporary employment without hindering job creation.
Also, although the arrival of immigrants has driven a fierce political debate, their absorption into the labour market is seen by many as crucial for a country with a rapidly ageing population.
The Socialist prime minister, Pedro Sánchez, has been outspoken in underlining the need for immigrants, describing their contribution to the economy as "fundamental".
The European Commission has forecast that Spain will continue to lead growth among the bloc's big economies this year and remain ahead of the EU average. However, challenges are looming on the horizon.
The heavy reliance on tourism - and a growing backlash against the industry by local people - is one concern.
Another is Spain's vast public debt, which is higher than the country's annual economic output.
María Jesús Valdemoros warns that this is "an imbalance that we need to correct, not just because the EU's new fiscal norms demand it, but because it could cause financial instability".
In addition, a housing crisis has erupted across the country, leaving millions of Spaniards struggling to find affordable accommodation.
With an uncertain and deeply polarised political landscape, it is difficult for Sánchez's minority government to tackle such problems. But, while it attempts to resolve these conundrums, Spain is enjoying its status as the motor of European growth.
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Man arrested after 'serious incident' in north Dublin
February 10, 2025
A man has been arrested after three men were injured in a suspected knife attack in Stoneybatter in north Dublin.
Irish police said they were called to a "serious incident" on Sunday afternoon, described by Justice Minister Jim O'Callaghan as a "random attack".
Two men are described as having serious but not life-threatening injuries, while the third person suffered a less serious injury. The men who are aged from mid-20s to mid-40s have been taken to hospital for treatment, police said.
Irish state broadcaster RTÉ News is reporting that those injured suffered "slashing type injuries".
'Thoughts with victims'
Taoiseach (Irish prime minister) Micheál Martin wished those injured in the "shocking attacks" in Dublin a "full recovery".
In a statement on X, he said: "Our thoughts are with the victims of the shocking attacks in Stoneybatter earlier today.
"I want to pay tribute to the Gardaí [Irish police] and emergency services for their prompt response.
"I wish all those injured a full recovery and urge anyone with any information to contact Gardaí."
Sinn Féin president and local TD (member of parliament) Mary Lou McDonald said in a post on X: "My thoughts are with those injured and their families. The community is in a state of shock.
"The Gardaí and emergency services are to be commended for their response."
The man, in his late 20s, was initially detained close to the scene of the incident by an unarmed uniformed police officer.
There was a large police presence in the area while emergency teams responded to the incident, which is thought to have happened across several streets in the Arbour Hill area of Stoneybatter.
Local Fine Gael councillor Ray McAdam told the PA news agency that residents were told to lock their doors and stay inside during the incident.
He said there was a "level of shock, a level of concern" in the community but the "overriding sense here in Stoneybatter is one of hope that those who have been impacted and injured will make a swift recovery".
Residents had been reassured by the quick police response, he added.
Police said they are continuing to investigate all the circumstances of what happened and added that a number of scenes are still in place in the area. Officers earlier said that there was no ongoing risk to the public.
They have also appealed for any witnesses to come forward, in particular those in the area between 14:30 and 15:30 local time who may have relevant video footage.
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Kosovo PM's party leading but short of majority, exit poll shows
February 10, 2025
Kosovo's Prime Minister Albin Kurti has claimed victory for his party in Sunday's parliamentary elections, although exit polls suggest he is short of a majority.
Kurti's ruling Vetevendosje party won around 40% of the votes, compared to 50% in 2021, exit poll projections say.
He said he was confident he will be able to form a government, adding: "We are the [winners] and this is confirmation of a good, prosperous and democratic government."
But, official results are unclear due to the failure of the Central Election Commission's counting system.
President Vjosa Osmani has called on the commission to "protect the integrity of the electoral process, ensuring that every vote is counted correctly".
The editor of the media group Koha said the president should sack the commission's chair.
Besnik Krasniqi said the failure of the system for preliminary results was "intolerable".
Koha news says centre-left party Vetevendosje will get 42% of the vote - securing 47 seats in the 120-member parliament.
The Democratic Party of Kosovo (PDK) is polling 21%, the Democratic League of Kosovo (LDK) is on 20%, and the Alliance for the Future of Kosovo (AAK) has 6%. The electoral commission is currently not giving any count updates, citing "technical problems".
Kurti came to power in 2021 when a coalition run by his party secured a small majority with over 50% of the vote.
Before any results were officially declared Kurti said: "Our coalition will form our third government.
"It will continue the work. The people won, Vetëvendosje won."
Kurti's popularity has been boosted by efforts to extend government control over the ethnic-Serb majority north.
But that has antagonised Kosovo's main backers - the EU and the US. Opposition parties advocate a more conciliatory approach, and have criticised the government's handling of the economy.
The centre-right LDK has campaigned on joining Nato, and restoring relations with the US. The PDK, also centre-right, was founded by former guerrilla fighters of the Kosovo Liberation Army.
"We are proud of the campaign and the election day. We await the results, but already we have reason to be optimistic," said Vlora Citaku, deputy PDK leader.
Meanwhile, AAK leader Ramush Haradinaj, a former prime minister of the country, said he was "looking forward to co-operating on the creation of an opposition government" to prevent Kurti's return to power.
Under Kosovo's constitution, 10 MPs must come from the Serb minority, and they will not co-operate with Kurti's party.
The remaining 10 seats are reserved for other minority ethnic groups, which have previously worked with Vetevendosje, which translates as "self-determination".
Kurti has previously said he would not co-operate with any of the opposition parties.
Kosovo unilaterally declared independence from Serbia in February 2008, after years of strained relations between its Serb and mainly ethnic Albanian inhabitants.
It has been recognised by the US and most major EU countries, but Serbia, backed by its powerful ally Russia, refuses to do so, as do most ethnic Serbs inside Kosovo.
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EU’s von der Leyen calls for alternative to NATO
9 Feb, 2025
European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen has called for an alternative to NATO, arguing that Europe must take greater responsibility for its own security. Her remarks come amid growing US demands for increased defense spending among members of the US-led military bloc, uncertainty over future support for Ukraine, and fears of a potential shift in Washington’s commitment to European security.
“NATO remains the foundation of our defense. But it is evident that we need a pan-European defense,” von der Leyen said in a press briefing in Lithuania on Sunday.
“Modern warfare requires a scale, technology, and coordination too big for any one nation to handle alone,” she added, asking for more funding, “both public and private.”
The strategy for the future of European defense will be presented to EU leaders by mid-March, she said.
Before the Ukraine conflict, French President Emmanuel Macron and former German Chancellor Angela Merkel were among the most vocal advocates for establishing an EU army.
In 2019, Macron described NATO as “brain dead” and urged European leaders to pursue a policy of “strategic autonomy” from Washington, which has influenced security policy on the continent through NATO since the end of World War II.
One of the suggestions was to create a “true, European army” to independently strengthen continental security.
Though then-NATO Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg warned that the move would “weaken the connection between North America and Europe,” Italy supported the idea. Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani has argued that the bloc cannot have a credible foreign policy without a joint military.
However, the idea faced strong pushback in other European countries. In 2024, then-top EU diplomat Josep Borrell suggested that while the bloc should aspire to boost the military capabilities of its members, this does not mean that it should create a common army.
Several EU states, including Denmark and Poland, have also signaled that they want their security guaranteed within the existing NATO framework.
Macron recently announced that France would double its military budget and urged other EU states to follow suit, citing the possibility of dwindling US interest in European security after Donald Trump’s return to the White House.
Since February 2022, the US has provided over $65 billion in military aid to Ukraine. However, Trump has questioned this support, stating that Kiev has “had enough,” while advocating for a peace agreement with Russia.
In 2022, after the escalation of the Russia-Ukraine conflict, the EU significantly ramped up defense spending. Since then, Germany, France, and other EU states have pledged record increases in defense budgets.
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North America
Trump says he will announce raft of new trade tariffs
10 Feb, 2025
President Donald Trump has said he will announce a 25% import tax on all steel and aluminium entering the US, a move that will have the biggest impact in Canada.
Trump also said that there would be an announcement later in the week about reciprocal tariffs on all countries that tax imports from the US, but he did not specify which nations would be targeted, or if there would be any exemptions.
"If they charge us, we charge them," Trump said.
He told reporters of his plans while traveling from his Mar-a-Lago resort in Florida to the Super Bowl in New Orleans on Sunday.
Canada and Mexico are two of the US's biggest steel trading partners, and Canada is the biggest supplier of aluminium metal into the US.
During his first term, Trump put tariffs of 25% on steel imports and 10% on aluminium imports from Canada, Mexico and the European Union.
But the US reached a deal a year later with Canada and Mexico to end those tariffs, although the EU import taxes remained in place until 2021.
Speaking aboard Air Force One, Trump said on Monday he would announce tariffs on "everybody" for steel and aluminium.
"Any steel coming into the United States is going to have a 25% tariff," he said.
In response, Doug Ford, the premier of the province of Ontario, accused Trump of "shifting goalposts and constant chaos, putting our economy at risk" in an online post. Canada's steel production is concentrated in Ontario.
Trump's comments also caused the stocks of major South Korean steel and car makers to fall. South Korea is a major exporter of steel to the US.
Meanwhile, Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese told parliament his government will "make the case" to the US for Australia to be given an exemption to any steel and aluminium tariffs - something they got during Trump's first term.
Albanese also said he has a meeting scheduled with the US president.
The shares of Australia's largest steel maker BlueScope were up about 1.6%. The company has a significant presence in Ohio where it operates the North Star Mill.
Trump's move mark another major escalation in Trump's trade policy, which has already sparked retaliation from China.
Tariffs are a central part of Trump's economic vision - he sees them as a way of growing the US economy, protecting jobs and raising tax revenue.
Earlier this month, Trump threatened to impose import duties of 25% on Canadian and Mexican products but later delayed that plan for 30 days – until early March - after speaking to the leaders of both countries.
He also brought in new US levies of 10% on all Chinese goods coming into the US. Beijing has retaliated with its own set of tariffs which took effect on Monday.
Trump also said he would announce more tit-for-tat tariffs on "Tuesday or Wednesday" and that they would take effect "almost immediately" after the announcement.
"The ones that are taking advantage of the United States, we're going to have reciprocal [tariffs]," he said. "It'll be great for everybody, including other countries".
On the trip to New Orleans, Trump also signed an proclamation designating 9 February "Gulf of America" day to celebrate his order renaming of the Gulf of Mexico, as his plane crossed the body of water.
Mexico argues the US cannot legally change the Gulf's name because UN rules dictate that an individual country's sovereign territory only extends up to 12 nautical miles out from the coastline.
Trump was also asked whether he had spoken to Russian President Vladimir Putin and replied: "I don't want to talk about it, and if we are talking, I don't want to tell you about the conversations too early, but I do believe we're making progress."
"I would imagine I would be meeting with Putin at the right time… at the appropriate time," he said.
Trump also repeated his unlikely suggestions that the US could take over Canada and the Gaza Strip, saying Canada would fare better as the "51st state" and that he was "committed to buying and owning Gaza".
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Trump defends Musk and says Doge will look at military spending
10 Feb, 2025
President Trump has defended Elon Musk's drive to shut down sections of the US government amid legal challenges, transparency concerns and questions over conflicts of interest.
"He's not gaining anything. In fact, I wonder how he can devote the time to it," Trump said Sunday.
Democrats have accused Musk of personally benefiting from some of the changes that the Trump administration is trying to push through, such as the proposed closure of the US Agency for International Development (USAID).
Trump said Musk's unofficial Department of Government Efficiency (Doge) would soon examine spending in the military and the Department of Education, possibly in the next "24 hours".
"Let's check the military," he said. "We're going to find billions, hundreds of billions of dollars of fraud and abuse, and the people elected me on that."
Earlier on Sunday, US defence secretary Pete Hegseth told Fox News he "welcomes" Doge putting military spending under the microscope.
"When we spend dollars, we need to know where they're going and why, and that has not existed at the defence department," he said.
Trump's comments on Musk and Doge came from an interview with Fox News journalist Bret Baier during a pre-game broadcast leading up to Sunday's Super Bowl.
During the interview, the president also said he was not satisfied with actions taken by Mexico and Canada on illegal drugs and border crossings.
He also said he was serious about his proposal to turn Canada into the 51st US state, an idea the wide majority of Canadians oppose.
Legal battles over Doge
Doge employees have entered several government departments since Trump took office and led the charge to try to shut down USAID.
In recent days, some Doge staffers have been spotted at the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau - an agency set up to protect consumers in the wake of the 2007-8 financial crisis.
CFPB employees in the bureau's Washington office have been told to work from home for at least a week, according to an email seen by BBC News.
However Trump's opponents have filed legal challenges to try to halt some of the changes and several of the president's executive orders.
On Saturday, a federal judge blocked Doge from accessing the personal financial data of millions of Americans held in Treasury Department records.
US District Judge Paul Engelmayer ordered Musk and his team to immediately destroy any copies of records.
The Trump administration has not responded to requests about Doge's activities, funding or the number of people it employs.
Courts have also paused Trump's order to end birthright citizenship, a plan to put thousand of USAID staff on leave and a large buyout offer to federal employees.
Republicans including Vice President JD Vance criticised Engelmayer's ruling. Vance alleged the injunction was illegal and wrote on X: "Judges aren't allowed to control the executive's legitimate power."
Alina Habba, a Trump aide, told Fox News earlier Sunday that there would be "repercussions for people" trying to "step in Trump's way".
Democrats meanwhile stepped up their criticism of Musk and Trump, but with Republicans in control of the White House and Congress, they have little leverage outside of legal action.
"Our courts are working as they should," Democratic Representative Ilhan Omar told CBS's Face the Nation. "What is not working is the way that the executive branch is behaving."
Democratic Senator Chris Murphy says Musk "stands to gain from the closure of USAID".
"It makes America much less safe around the world, but it helps China," Murphy told ABC News. "Elon Musk has many major business interests at stake inside Beijing."
Murphy called the Trump administration's actions "the most serious constitutional crisis" since the Watergate scandal.
"The president is attempting to seize control of power and for corrupt purposes," he claimed.
Trump picks Kansas City to win Super Bowl
Trump's interview restarted a tradition dating back about 20 years. The presidential interview has been absent from the Super Bowl pre-game for the last two editions after former President Joe Biden twice declined to appear.
President Trump himself refused to talk to NBC in 2018. This year he becomes the first US president to watch the game in person.
Fox News anchor Baier asked Trump about the differences between his second presidency and taking office for the first time in 2017.
"I had tremendous opposition [last time], but I didn't know people and I didn't have the kind of support I needed," Trump said. "I was a New York person, not a [Washington] DC person."
In response to a question about Canada, Trump said US trade deficits would justify annexation.
"I think Canada would be much better off being a 51st state, because we lose $200bn a year with Canada. And I'm not going to let that happen. It's too much," he said. "Now, if they're a 51st state, I don't mind doing it."
Administration officials have previously said the figure of $200bn includes both defence spending and the US trade deficit.
When asked if Canada and Mexico had satisfied the demands which led to tariff threats, Trump responded: "No, it's not good enough. Something has to happen, it's not sustainable."
The president also praised both Super Bowl teams and ultimately picked Kansas City to win the championship.
Source:bbc.com
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https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/czrljmzyz7xo
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China's tit-for-tat tariffs on US take effect
10 Feb, 2025
China's tit-for-tat import taxes on some American goods came into effect on Monday, as the trade war between the world's two biggest economies escalates and US President Donald Trump threatens to hit more countries with tariffs.
Beijing announced the plan on 4 February, minutes after new US levies of 10% on all Chinese products came into effect.
On Sunday, Trump said he would impose a 25% tariff on all steel and aluminium imports into the US, with a full announcement to come on Monday.
Speaking to reporters on Air Force One en route to the Super Bowl, he also said he was planning reciprocal tariffs on other nations - but did not specify which ones would be targeted.
China's latest tariffs on US goods include a 15% border tax on imports of US coal and liquefied natural gas products. There is also a 10% tariff on American crude oil, agricultural machinery and large-engine cars.
Last week, Chinese authorities launched an anti-monopoly probe into technology giant Google, while PVH, the US owner of designer brands Calvin Klein and Tommy Hilfiger, was added to Beijing's so-called "unreliable entity" list.
China has also imposed export controls on 25 rare metals, some of which are key components for many electrical products and military equipment.
Trump's announcement over the weekend of plans to impose a 25% tax on the US's steel and aluminium imports comes days after he reached deals with Canada and Mexico to avoid 25% tariffs that he had threatened on all goods from the countries.
He introduced similar measures during his first term as president, imposing 25% tariffs on steel and 10% on aluminium, but later granted several trading partners duty-free quotas - including Canada, Mexico and Brazil.
The EU import taxes were not resolved until the Biden administration took over the White House.
There was no mention on Sunday of which countries, if any, would be granted similar exemptions if these new tariffs are implemented in the following days.
His intention to implement reciprocal tariffs would fulfil an election campaign pledge to levy tariffs at the same rates that are imposed on US goods.
He also said import taxes for vehicles remained on the table after reports he was considering exemptions to universal tariffs.
Trump has repeatedly complained that European Union (EU) tariffs on imports of American cars are much higher than US levies.
Last week, Trump told the BBC tariffs on EU goods could happen "pretty soon" - but suggested a deal could be "worked out" with the UK.
The day after the latest US tariffs came into effect, Beijing accused Washington of making "unfounded and false allegations" about its role in the trade of the synthetic opioid fentanyl to justify the move.
In a complaint lodged with the World Trade Organization (WTO), China said the US import taxes were "discriminatory and protectionist" and violated trade rules.
But experts have warned China is unlikely to secure a ruling in its favour as the WTO panel that settles disputes remains unable to function.
Trump had been expected to speak to his Chinese counterpart Xi Jinping in recent days but the US president has said he was in no hurry to hold talks.
"China is much better prepared [than during Trump's first term]," said Scott Kennedy, an expert in Chinese business and economics at the Center for Strategic and International Studies.
"Although their economy cyclically has slowed down quite a bit, their technology capabilities are a lot greater than they were before and they have diversified their trade and investment with others".
Some of the many measures brought in by Trump since he took office on 20 January have been subject to change.
On Friday, he suspended tariffs on small packages from China, which, along with the additional 10% tariffs, came into effect on 4 February.
The suspension will stay in place until "adequate systems are in place to fully and expediently process and collect tariff revenue".
After the order ended duty-free treatment of shipments worth less than $800 (£645) the US Postal Service (USPS) and other agencies scrambled to comply.
USPS temporarily stopped accepting packages from China, only to U-turn a day later.
Source:bbc.com
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https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/cvg8zg7ll09o
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'Grease and rags' sewer fatberg halts Bryan Adams concert
10 Feb, 2025
A "large" sewer blockage caused by "fat, grease and rags" has forced the cancellation of a Bryan Adams concert in Australia on public health grounds.
The Grammy Award winning artist was due to perform at the RAC Arena in Perth on Sunday, but the city's water corporation said a blocked main risked backing up the venue's toilets.
Adams apologised to fans on social media - many of whom had lined up for hours only to be turned away - and thanked them for their "patience and support" before promising to try to reschedule the show.
The concert promoter said the cancellation was "bitterly disappointing" and would provide ticketholders with a full refund.
"While every effort was made for the show to proceed, this matter was outside of the control of Bryan Adams, Frontier Touring and RAC Arena," it wrote in a statement.
Perth's water corporation said the fatberg responsible for the disruption had already "caused several wastewater overflows" on the main road near the venue and urged the public to avoid direct contact with "pooled water" in the area.
"We apologise for the inconvenience this has caused and will provide further updates as required," it said in a post on Facebook, advising of the cancellation.
Adams - who is known for his tracks such as Summer of '69 and Please Forgive Me - made his Australian debut in 1984 and has remained a beloved performer across the country ever since.
"I'm really sorry we couldn't make this happen tonight — I was so looking forward to seeing you all," he posted on social media on Sunday.
The Canadian rock star is still due to play in Sydney, Brisbane, and Melbourne later this week.
Found in sewers around the world, fatbergs are formed when fat, oil and grease solidify and bind with items such as rags, or wet wipes.
They are known to cause serious blockages and environmental hazards. Last year, a fatberg weighing roughly the same as three double-decker buses was cleared from an east London sewer. And New York, Denver, Melbourne and Valencia have all found giant fatbergs blocking their waterways in recent years.
Source:bbc.com
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https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/c626qwvekl1o
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Taylor Swift, Lionel Messi, Jay-Z and Trump among big names at Super Bowl
10 Feb, 2025
One of the biggest sporting events in the world took place in New Orleans as the Philadelphia Eagles clinched this year's Super Bowl with an emphatic 40-22 victory over defending champions the Kansas City Chiefs.
The event did not just bring out the best the NFL has had to offer this season - but plenty of Hollywood A-listers, musicians and US President Donald Trump were spotted in the stands of the Superdome.
Before the match started, actor Jon Hamm introduced the Chiefs while Bradley Cooper brought the hype for the Eagles.
Below are a selection of images of celebrities at this year's Super Bowl.
Source:bbc.com
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https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/c75zgwpv06no
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Singapore must adapt to ‘new reality’ amid US policy shift – senior minister
10 Feb, 2025
Singapore must adjust to a far less predictable world in which the US is no longer willing to “underwrite the global order,” Senior Minister Lee Hsien Loong has said.
Speaking at a Chinese New Year celebration dinner on Saturday, Lee, who served as prime minister from 2004 to 2024, described the current geopolitical situation as “tense as ever” with “much uncertainty.” He attributed this to Washington shifting its focus to domestic challenges and reassessing its international commitments under the new administration of Donald Trump.
The minister argued that the US “takes a transactional approach to achieve immediate objectives,” adding that the White House views tariffs as a key policy instrument, a source of external revenue, and a means to pressure other nations into making concessions.
“The US is no longer prepared to underwrite the global order. This makes the international environment far less orderly and predictable,” he said, as quoted by Channel News Asia (CNA). He pointed to the Trump administration’s decisions to withdraw from the World Health Organization and the Paris Agreement on Climate Change.
“Singapore, like all other countries, must adapt to this new reality, even as we seek to maintain our strong ties and friendship with the US,” he added.
Singapore has historically maintained close ties with Washington, particularly in defense and economic cooperation. The two nations signed the Singapore-United States Free Trade Agreement in 2004, making the US Singapore’s largest foreign investor. A security agreement also allows American forces access to Singapore’s military facilities, and both countries participate in annual joint exercises such as Exercise Commando Sling and Exercise Tiger Balm.
Lee noted that shifting global dynamics, including rising US-China tensions, require Singapore to diversify its economic partnerships and strengthen regional collaborations.
“US-China relations remain fraught, with fundamental differences unresolved,” he said. “In Europe, the war in Ukraine is about to enter its fourth year. In the Middle East, there is now a temporary ceasefire between Israel and Hamas, and some hostages have been released, exchanged for prisoners. But the fundamental Palestinian issue remains unresolved – and probably worsened.”
He warned that while Southeast Asia remains largely stable, tensions in the Taiwan Strait and the South China Sea pose potential risks.
Source:rt.com
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https://www.rt.com/news/612426-singapore-us-new-world-order/
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Africa
Libya uncovers 50 migrant bodies in mass graves
9 February 2025
Libya authorities uncovered nearly 50 bodies this week from two mass graves in the country’s southeastern desert according to officials. It's the latest tragedy involving people seeking to reach Europe through the North African country.
19 bodies were found Friday in a farm in the city of Kufra.
Authorities posted images on its Facebook page showing police officers and medics digging in the sand and recovering dead bodies that were wrapped in blankets.
Migrants’ mass graves are not uncommon in Libya. Last year, authorities unearthed the bodies of at least 65 migrants in the Shuayrif region, 350 kilometers (220 miles) south of the capital, Tripoli.
Libya is the main transit point for migrants from Africa and the Middle East trying to make it to Europe. Human traffickers have benefited from more than a decade of instability, smuggling migrants across the country’s borders with six countries, including Chad, Niger, Sudan Egypt, Algeria and Tunisia.
Source:africanews.com
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https://www.africanews.com/2025/02/09/libya-uncovers-50-migrant-bodies-in-mass-graves/
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Ramadan: Sokoto To Create Feeding Centres For Destitute
By Abubakar Auwal
10 Feb 2025
The Sokoto State government has announced plans to create additional Ramadan feeding centres for the destitute in the state.
This was disclosed by Governor Ahmed Aliyu while commissioning the remodeled Ruggar Wauru Jumu’at Mosque in the state at the weekend.
He said, “Preparations are in top gear for the commencement of the 2025 Ramadan feeding programme in the state.
“We are determined to expand our feeding centres to areas where they don’t exist for the benefit of the needy, the vulnerable and the less-privileged persons in our society.
“We are also working to improve the quality of food served in the centres,” he assured.
Aliyu noted that his administration had so far renovated and constructed several mosques and Islamiyya schools.
The completed Jumu’at mosques, according to him, included: Sheikh Musa Lukuwa, Tahsinul Qur’an, Runjin Sambo, Sheikh Gumi, Unguwar Rogo, Sultan Maccido, Emir Yahaya Road, as well as those of Yabo and Gwadabawa, among others. Those of Kebbe, Illela, Shagari, Kware, Hassan Dan ‘Mu’azu, Buhari Dan Shehu, Sultan Maccido, Isah Mai Kware, Isa Wasagu, as well Usman Bin Affan, Gawon Nama Jumu’at mosques are currently undergoing renovation.
“All these are part of efforts to redeem our campaign promises of promoting religious affairs in the state.
“Be rest assured that my administration will continue to prioritise Islamic propagation in Sokoto, being a Muslim-dominated society, with Islam as its main religion,” he said.
He further said a monthly imprest of N300,000 and N500,000 have been given for the maintenance of 90 Jumu’at mosques within the state’s metropolis.
On the recently reactivated Hisbah Board in the state, Governor Aliyu said a lot of successes were recorded in the fight against social vices and other reprehensible practices.
He added that Hisbah is operating in the state without any interference from the state government and assured them of the state government’s continued support.
Source:dailytrust.com
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https://dailytrust.com/ramadan-sokoto-to-create-feeding-centres-for-destitute/
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Police May Dismiss, Demote AIGs Igweh, Owohunwa, Four Others
10 February 2025
By George Oshogwe Ogbolu
Assistant Inspectors-General of Police (AIGs) Benneth Igweh, Idowu Owohunwa, and four other senior officers are at risk of demotion or outright dismissal following allegations of age falsification and bypassing service regulations.
The information was confirmed to The Whistler by sources at Force Headquarters, referencing a February 7, 2025, wireless message directing the affected officers to appear before the Police Disciplinary Committee.
The officers summoned include: AIG Benneth Igweh, AIG Idowu Owohunwa, DCP Simon Lough (SAN), CP Aina Emmanuel, CP Salama Abdul, and Adepoju Olugbenga.
The officers were instructed to attend hearings in their “clean working dress”, with strict adherence to the daily dress code.
The hearings are set to take place from Monday, February 10, to Thursday, February 13, 2025.
A source disclosed that after the committee’s review, the officers face demotion to the ranks they were supposed to have retired on. Additionally, they may be required to refund salaries received during the extended period they remained in service.
“After the disciplinary committee, officers will be demoted and dismissed. They will be demoted to the ranks they were supposed to have retired on and pay the police the salaries they had received while serving during that period,” the source stated.
The Police Service Commission (PSC) had, on January 31, 2025, approved the immediate retirement of all officers who had either spent 35 years in service or had reached the age of 60.
Following this, Inspector-General of Police (IGP) Kayode Egbetokun, in a February 1, 2025, directive, ordered the immediate retirement of the affected officers.
However, the officers in question refused to retire, citing Egbetokun’s own tenure extension as justification for their continued stay in office.
Source:naijanews.com
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https://www.naijanews.com/2025/02/10/police-may-dismiss-demote-aigs-igweh-owohunwa-four-others/
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Whereabouts Unknown As Police Deny Arresting Ohaneze Youth Council President
10 February 2025
By George Oshogwe Ogbolu
The Imo State Police Command has denied any involvement in the disappearance of Igboayaka O. Igboayaka, the president of the Ohanaeze Youth Council (OYC), who was reported missing on Saturday night at around 7 PM.
Family sources disclosed to Daily Post that unidentified gunmen—reportedly dressed in black attire and numbering up to seven—arrived in a Sienna and a Lexus SUV before storming Igboayaka’s residence at Works Layout, Owerri, where they allegedly abducted him.
Efforts by family members, OYC members, and associates to reach him via his mobile phones have been unsuccessful, as all his lines were switched off immediately after the incident.
A family source revealed: “Since this sad news broke, attempts by teeming members of the Ohanaeze Youth Council, family members, friends, and associates to reach him through his mobile lines to ascertain his whereabouts have failed, as all his lines were switched off immediately after the ugly incident.”
In response to the abduction, the president of the Igbo National Council, Chilos Godsent, has called on security agencies, particularly the Nigerian Police Force, to investigate the incident and uncover those responsible.
The Imo State Police Command, through its spokesperson, DSP Henry Okoye, has denied any knowledge of Igboayaka’s whereabouts, stating that he is not in police custody.
However, Okoye confirmed that the police have launched an investigation into the incident and are making efforts to determine his location.
He further urged the public to provide any useful information that could assist in identifying those behind the abduction.
Source:naijanews.com
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https://www.naijanews.com/2025/02/10/whereabouts-unknown-as-police-deny-arresting-ohaneze-youth-council-president/
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‘Your Actions Illegal’ – Police Crisis Deepens As Senior Officers Reportedly Threaten IGP Egbetokun
10 February 2025
A retirement standoff is brewing within the Nigeria Police Force (NPF) as six senior police officers, accused of age falsification and circumventing service regulations, are demanding that Inspector General of Police (IGP) Kayode Egbetokun step down alongside them.
Naija News reports that the officers—Idowu Owohunwa, Simon Lough (SAN), Benneth Igweh, Aina Emmanuel, Salama Wakili Abdul, and Adepoju Olugbenga—have refused to retire, insisting that Egbetokun, who has also exceeded his official retirement age, must exit simultaneously.
Egbetokun had ordered the six officers, all of whom are either over 60 years old or have served for more than 35 years, to appear before a disciplinary committee at the Force Headquarters, Abuja, between Monday, February 10, and Thursday, February 13, 2025.
Reports indicate that the Force Disciplinary Committee (FDC) may either demote or dismiss the officers.
However, sources within the police reveal to SaharaReporters that the officers are challenging the legality of Egbetokun’s directives, claiming that all decisions made by him since his official retirement date of September 4, 2024, are null and void.
“They are insisting that if he must retire them, he must also retire himself, as he has also surpassed the retirement limit but remains in office due to the intervention of the President and the National Assembly,” a police source disclosed.
“They also said that every action taken by Egbetokun since last September 4, his official retirement date, is illegal, including, but not limited to, the issuance of retirement letters to them, which they have refused to honour.”
In a further twist, the officers have seized upon the directive to appear in their working dress, arguing that this is an official admission that they are still in active service.
“If he ordered them to report in uniform for disciplinary action after they have supposedly retired, then it means they are still in service,” another source stated.
The retirement controversy extends beyond these six officers, with nearly 500 police officers implicated in age forgery and service regulation violations.
While some officers have chosen to retire quietly, others have taken legal action, filing cases at the National Industrial Court.
Sources say the IGP’s legal team has assured some officers that they would not be forced into retirement.
On February 5, 2025, IGP Egbetokun issued a directive for the immediate retirement of officers who had exceeded 35 years of service or turned 60 years old. The decision was backed by the Police Service Commission (PSC) in a January 31, 2025 ruling.
Source:naijanews.com
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https://www.naijanews.com/2025/02/10/your-actions-illegal-police-crisis-deepens-as-senior-officers-reportedly-threaten-igp-egbetokun/
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Why We Want Two New Southern States – Ohanaeze Begs Tinubu
10 February 2025
The Ohanaeze Ndigbo, the apex Igbo socio-cultural organisation, has called on President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to demonstrate the political will and courage needed to address the historical imbalance in state creation across Nigeria.
The factional Deputy President-General of Ohanaeze Ndigbo, Mazi Okechukwu Isiguzoro, made this demand in a statement issued on Sunday in Abakaliki, titled “A Call for Equity: Proposed 31 States Must Acknowledge Southern Needs.”
He emphasized the need to increase the number of states in the South to 19, bringing them to parity with the North, which currently has 19 states.
Ohanaeze urged the President and the House of Representatives to focus on creating two states—one for the Southeast and another for the South-South—to end what they described as systematic intimidation against the aspirations of the Southern populace.
In the statement, Ohanaeze Ndigbo rejected the recent House of Representatives proposal to create 31 new states, describing it as an exercise in futility and lacking credibility.
“This proposal is an exercise in futility, characterized by a blatant lack of credibility and a fundamental misunderstanding of the criteria essential for the establishment of viable political entities,” the statement read.
The group commended the Deputy Speaker, Benjamin Kalu, for dismissing the proposal, arguing that such an excessive number of states would undermine the credibility of the legislative process.
Ohanaeze reaffirmed that any conversation about state creation should prioritize the Southern region, which has historically been underrepresented.
“The Northern region, currently endowed with 19 states—a configuration established by past military regimes—benefits from an unfair numerical advantage that has led to systemic inequities,” the statement continued.
The group argued that this disparity has been used as a tool for political and economic domination, marginalizing the South in governance and resource allocation.
Ohanaeze called on President Tinubu to take bold steps in correcting this imbalance by creating two additional Southern states.
The group proposed that the first new state should be in the Southeast, which currently has only five states, compared to seven states in the Northwest, adding that the second new state should be allocated to either the Southwest or the South-South, ensuring fairer political representation.
“This strategic adjustment is not merely a numeric correction; it represents a critical step toward addressing the long-standing grievances of the Southern populace and fostering a more equitable distribution of power across the federation,” Ohanaeze stated.
The organization urged President Tinubu to act decisively in correcting this imbalance, arguing that the creation of two additional Southern states is not just a policy issue but a “clarion call for justice, equality, and national unity.”
“By fostering this equity, President Tinubu will not only be advancing the cause of justice for the Southern regions but also dismantling the historical political and economic dominance that has marginalized our people for far too long,” the statement concluded.
Source:naijanews.com
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https://www.naijanews.com/2025/02/10/why-we-want-two-new-southern-states-ohanaeze-begs-tinubu/
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Concerned Nigerians: Deji Adeyanju Steps Down, Hands Over To Key #EndSARS Organizer
10 February 2025
By George Oshogwe Ogbolu
The Concerned Nigerians for the Protection of Human Rights and the Rule of Law, a prominent civil society organisation, has announced the appointment of Adebayo Raphael, a renowned human rights activist and pro-democracy advocate, as its new convener.
This transition follows the resignation of the group’s pioneer convener, Deji Adeyanju, who stepped down to focus on his law career and other personal endeavors.
The development was confirmed in a statement released by the group’s spokesperson, Agada Abuh Theophilus, in Abuja on Sunday.
According to the statement, Deji Adeyanju formally informed the organisation’s Trustees of his decision to step aside.
Speaking on Adebayo’s appointment, the group’s spokesperson emphasized that his leadership reflects his unwavering commitment to social justice and building a Nigeria that serves all citizens.
He said: “The appointment of Adebayo Raphael underscores his commitment to social justice and ensuring a Nigeria that works for all its citizens, regardless of their backgrounds.”
Before taking on this role, Adebayo served as the National Secretary of the OurMumuDonDo Movement (2015–2019), where he actively participated in protests against corruption, presidential junketing, gender profiling, electoral malpractices, and modern slavery.
Naija News reports that in 2017, he was a key organizer of the first nationwide peaceful protests against police brutality under the EndSARS-ReformPoliceNG Movement.
In 2020, he played a frontline role in coordinating the Abuja chapter of the #EndSARS protests.
Reacting to his appointment, Adebayo Raphael expressed his determination to engage more fiercely in advocacy for Nigerians, pushing for a society that benefits the majority rather than the privileged few.
He said: “I consider this an opportunity to engage more directly and fiercely with the current structure of the Nigerian state, which privileges the few and the worst of us over the majority and the best of us. I am firmly committed, surely with the support of the group as a whole, to defending and educating the common people of our country, who must now move beyond just being victims of the joyless conditions of life in Nigeria, to champions of a much more ideal society.”
The Concerned Nigerians group expressed deep gratitude to Deji Adeyanju for his years of dedicated activism.
Source:naijanews.com
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https://www.naijanews.com/2025/02/10/concerned-nigerians-deji-adeyanju-steps-down-hands-over-to-key-endsars-organizer/
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Namibia's founding father Sam Nujoma dies at 95
9 February 2025
Sam Nujoma, the fiery white-bearded freedom fighter who led Namibia to independence from apartheid South Africa in 1990 and served as its first president for 15 years, and became known as the father of his nation, has died. He was 95.
Nujoma's death was announced Sunday by current Namibian President Nangolo Mbumba, who said Nujoma died on Saturday night after being hospitalised in the capital, Windhoek.
"The foundations of the Republic of Namibia have been shaken," Mbumba said in a statement. “Over the past three weeks, the Founding President of the Republic of Namibia and Founding Father of the Namibian Nation was hospitalized for medical treatment and medical observation due to ill health."
"Unfortunately, this time, the most gallant son of our land could not recover from his illness," Mbumba added.
Mbumba said Nujoma “marshalled the Namibian people during the darkest hours of our liberation struggle."
Nujoma was revered in his arid, sparsely populated homeland in southwestern Africa as a charismatic father figure who steered it to democracy and stability after long colonial rule by Germany and a bitter war of independence from South Africa.
He spent nearly 30 years in exile as the leader of its independence movement before returning for Parliamentary elections in late 1989, the first democratic vote in the country. He was elected president by lawmakers months later in 1990 as Namibia's independence was confirmed.
Nujoma was the last of a generation of African leaders who brought their countries out of colonial or white minority rule that included South Africa's Nelson Mandela, Zimbabwe's Robert Mugabe, Zambia's Kenneth Kaunda, Tanzania's Julius Nyerere and Mozambique's Samora Machel.
Many Namibians credited Nujoma's leadership for the process of national healing and reconciliation after the deep divisions caused by the independence war and South Africa's policies of dividing the country into ethnically based regional governments, with separate education and health care for each race.
Even his political opponents praised Nujoma — who was branded a Marxist and accused of ruthless suppression of dissent while in exile — for establishing a democratic Constitution and involving white businessmen and politicians in government after independence.
Despite his pragmatism and nation-building at home, Nujoma often hit foreign headlines for his fierce anti-Western rhetoric. At a United Nations conference in Geneva in 2000, Nujoma stunned delegates when he claimed AIDS was a man-made biological weapon. He also occasionally waged a verbal war on homosexuality, calling gays “idiots” and branding homosexuality a “foreign and corrupt ideology.”
He once banned all foreign television programs, declaring they had corrupted the youth of Namibia.
Nujoma built ties with North Korea, Cuba, Russia and China, some of which had supported Namibia's liberation movement by providing arms and training.
But he balanced that with outreach to the West, and Nujoma was the first African leader to be hosted at the White House by former U.S. President Bill Clinton in 1993. Clinton called Nujoma “the George Washington of his country” and “a genuine hero of the world’s movement toward democracy.”
Nujoma also advocated for the advancement of women in a largely patriarchal region, saying “there is no shortage of competent and experienced African women to lead the way forward.” Namibia elected its first female president last year and President-elect Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah's term is due to start next month.
Nujoma grew up in a rural, impoverished family, the eldest of 11 children. His early life revolved around looking after his parents' cattle and the cultivation of land. He attended a mission school before moving to Windhoek and working for South African Railways.
He was arrested following a political protest in 1959 and fled the territory shortly after his release to go into exile in Tanzania. In exile, he helped establish the South West African People’s Organization and was named its president in 1960. SWAPO has been Namibia's ruling party since 1990, and Nujoma ultimately led it for 47 years until stepping down in 2007.
When South Africa refused to heed a 1966 U.N. resolution ending the mandate it had been given over the German colony of South West Africa after World War I, Nujoma launched SWAPO’s guerrilla campaign.
“We started the armed struggle with only two sub-machine guns and two pistols,” Nujoma once said. “I got them from Algeria, plus some rounds of ammunition.”
SWAPO never achieved military victory in an independence war that lasted more than 20 years, but Nujoma won wide political support during his exile, leading to the U.N. declaring SWAPO the sole representative of the Namibian people and South Africa ultimately withdrawing from the country.
As he mixed with world leaders, Nujoma was aware of his lack of education. He left school early to work and later attended night school, largely to improve his English. He said he instead dedicated his life to his country's liberation.
“Others got their education while I led the struggle,” he said.
Source:africanews.com
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https://www.africanews.com/2025/02/09/namibias-founding-father-sam-nujoma-dies-at-95/
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Southeast Asia
Selangor Sultan’s call to strengthen Muslim faith to be implemented immediately, says Mohd Naim
09 Feb 2025
PUTRAJAYA, Feb 9 — Efforts to strengthen the faith and religious understanding of Muslims in Malaysia, as decreed by Sultan of Selangor Sultan Sharafuddin Idris Shah, will be swiftly implemented by agencies under the Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department (Religious Affairs).
Minister Datuk Mohd Na’im Mokhtar said agencies such as the Department of Islamic Development Malaysia (Jakim) will collaborate with state Islamic authorities to enhance religious outreach efforts and reinforce Islamic faith.
He added that Jakim is also working closely with the Ministry of National Unity to organise the Harmony Dialogue programme, which promotes interfaith understanding and national unity.
“In addition, the Interfaith Harmony Committee Meeting platform will be utilised to further strengthen harmony and foster interaction between Muslims and non-Muslims,” he said in a statement today.
Mohd Na’im said this in response to Sultan Sharafuddin’s decree regarding the proposal to introduce guidelines for Muslims attending non-Muslim celebrations.
Yesterday, Sultan Sharafuddin firmly opposed the proposal, emphasising that as a multiracial and multi-religious nation, Malaysia must uphold religious tolerance, which should never be compromised.
As the Head of Islam in Selangor, His Royal Highness said the proposed guidelines were ill-timed, especially when Malaysians are actively fostering goodwill among different communities to strengthen national unity.
Sultan Sharafuddin also urged Muslims, particularly in Selangor, to continue to strengthen their faith and reminded all citizens to respect and acknowledge Islam as the religion of the Federation, as enshrined in the Federal Constitution. — Bernama
Source:malaymail.com
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4 Perak imams suspended for not reading Razman-linked Friday sermon
Feb 9, 2025
Four Perak imams have been suspended and had their allowances withheld for not reading a Friday sermon that the state Islamic Department (Jaipk) prepared.
The sermon on Jan 31, warned Muslims against committing slander, just days after Perak PAS chief Razman Zakaria falsely claimed that Youth and Sports Minister Hannah Yeoh was related to YTL Group founder Yeoh Tiong Lay.
Source:malaysiakini.com
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https://www.malaysiakini.com/news/734055
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Singaporean student held by ISD; he role-played Christchurch terrorist to kill Muslims in online game
FEB 10, 2025
SINGAPORE - A student who was influenced by far-right extremism started role-playing as a terrorist in an online game, where he pretended to kill Muslims in a mosque.
The 18-year-old Singaporean, whom the Internal Security Department (ISD) identified as Nick Lee Xing Qiu, had idolised Australian white supremacist Brenton Tarrant, who killed 51 people in two mosques in Christchurch, New Zealand, in March 2019.
Lee wanted to attack Muslims at a mosque in Singapore, and got a tattoo and T-shirts with custom prints of logos associated with neo-Nazi, white supremacist and far-right groups.
On Feb 10, ISD said it had issued an order of detention under the Internal Security Act (ISA) against Lee in December 2024.
ISD issued a restriction order to Singaporean housewife Hamizah Hamzah, 56, in January, and arrested Malaysian cleaner Saharuddin Saari, 34, in November 2024.
Hamizah and Saharuddin were self-radicalised supporters of Islamist militant and terrorist organisations.
ISD said Lee grew hostile towards Muslims in early 2023 after seeing Islamophobic and far-right extremist content on social media.
He spent several hours a day consuming extremist content online, and repeatedly watched live-streamed video footage of Tarrant’s attacks.
Soon, Lee started role-playing as Tarrant in a violent online simulation game.
Without naming the game, ISD said Lee downloaded video game modifications so that he could pretend to be Tarrant killing Muslims at the Al Noor Mosque in Christchurch – one of the mosques Tarrant had attacked.
By early 2024, Lee believed it would be justified to kill Malays and Muslims, and other ethnicities such as Mexicans, African-Americans, Indians and Jews.
Calling himself an “East Asian supremacist”, Lee believed in the superiority of Chinese, Korean and Japanese ethnicities, and supported white supremacy as he felt Islam was a threat to white culture.
He was deeply convinced by the Great Replacement Theory, which claims white people in Western countries are in danger of being replaced by non-white immigrants.
Said ISD: “(Lee) believed that violent action had to be taken to prevent the Chinese majority in Singapore from being supplanted by what he perceived to be a rapidly growing Malay population.”
He wanted to start a “race war” between Chinese and Malays, and instigated others to attack Malays and Muslims by propagating discriminatory rhetoric on a social media account.
ISD said Lee wanted to carry out attacks against Muslims in Singapore with other far-right individuals he had met online.
Said ISD: “While he claimed to lack the courage to conduct an attack alone, he admitted that he would have participated in attacks together with his online contacts.”
Apart from a Tarrant-style attack using homemade weapons like guns and knives, ISD said Lee considered throwing Molotov cocktails at his Muslim neighbours during a religious holiday.
He searched online about how to make a Molotov cocktail but did not take any further steps.
ISD said Lee did not have a timeline to carry out the attacks, and investigations into his online contacts did not reveal any imminent threat to Singapore.
His family, teachers and schoolmates were unaware of his radicalisation.
Lee is the third Singaporean radicalised by far-right extremist ideologies to be dealt with under the ISA.
In December 2020, a 16-year-old Singaporean boy who planned terrorist attacks at two mosques here was detained under the ISA. The Secondary 4 student was also self-radicalised from watching Tarrant’s attacks.
Another Secondary 4 student who considered himself a white supremacist after being radicalised by far-right extremist propaganda, and planned to carry out attacks overseas, was handed a restriction order in January 2024.
ISD said far-right extremism is a growing security concern globally, and Singapore is not immune to this threat.
Though such ideologies are often associated with white supremacy, ISD said its broader messages promoting ethno-religious chauvinism, racism and xenophobia can still appeal to non-whites.
Noting that the three cases so far involved youths, ISD said: “Youths may be more susceptible to such ideologies and may gravitate towards the sense of belonging and identity that far-right movements appear to provide.”
ISD said it will take firm action against anyone in Singapore who supports, promotes or prepares to undertake armed violence.
It added that it is also critical to guard against hate speech and divisive rhetoric that could threaten the Republic’s multiracial and multi-religious society.
In 2022, the United Nations Office of Counter-Terrorism flagged its concern about extremists using video games to recruit youth by presenting their ideology in an immersive format.
It said the extremists developed modifications for popular video games, such as a map that allows players to experience the Christchurch massacre in both The Sims and Minecraft and create white ethnostates in Roblox.
In January 2023, a 16-year-old student in Singapore, who joined several Roblox servers with virtual worlds that replicated conflict zones occupied by terror group ISIS, was issued a restriction order.
ISD reminded the public to remain vigilant towards signs of radicalisation in people around them, which include:
Frequently surfing radical websites;
Posting/sharing extremist views on social media platforms, such as expressing support/admiration for terrorists/terrorist groups and the use of violence;
Sharing extremist views with friends and relatives;
Making remarks that promote ill will or hatred towards people of other races, religions or communities;
Expressing intent to participate in acts of violence overseas or in Singapore; and/or
Inciting others to participate in acts of violence.
Anyone who knows or suspects that a person has been radicalised should contact the ISD hotline on 1800-2626-473 (1800-2626-ISD).
Christine Tan is a journalist at The Straits Times reporting on crime, justice and social issues in Singapore.
Source:straitstimes.com
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https://www.straitstimes.com/singapore/sporean-student-18-with-far-right-beliefs-pretended-to-kill-muslims-in-online-games-held-by-isd
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Revoke Ramadan Bazaar Licence if Traders Sell It - PM
10/02/2025
PUTRAJAYA, Feb 10 (Bernama) -- Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim has warned that Ramadan bazaar licences found to have been resold will be revoked immediately. He stressed that this had to be done as lately there have been certain parties who sold their licences for easy profits. "If there is an association that charges a small fee for monitoring and cleanliness, I can understand, but not this (selling their licences"So, we must make sure we know who gets the licence, his job. If he transfers the licence, revoke it immediately,” Anwar said during a meeting with the staff of the Prime Minister's Department here today. He said the act of revoking Ramadan bazaar licences against traders who committed such an offence had been done by the Kuala Lumpur City Hall (DBKL) and should be emulated by other local authorities. "So, I hope this strict action in Kuala Lumpur sets an example… an example of good implementation. Imagine, people are trying to earn extra income during Ramadan to prepare for Aidilfitri with their families, but there are those who impose additional charges beyond the set rate. The Prime Minister emphasised that if action is not taken against such issues, they could lead to a greater breakdown of governance in the country. He added that if action is not taken, this is how the situation will be nationwide. From the smallest stalls to the largest giant projects. What is not rightfully theirs will be taken from them. "I believe this (enforcement) also needs to be carried out at ports and airports. We can see some orderly and efficient systems now but we have also noticed several violations that we need to monitor,” said Anwar. Meanwhile, the Prime Minister also invited all Muslims in Malaysia to prepare themselves ahead of the holy month of Ramadan in March. "Preparation here means at least reflecting on the meaning, essence and message of Ramadan for a more meaningful appreciation of the holy month. "Ramadan emphasises discipline, spiritual strength and confidence as well as a moderate attitude and greater concern for the fate of those who are marginalised and neglected,” he said. -- BERNAMA
Source:bernama.com
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https://www.bernama.com/en/general/news.php?id=2391002
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Malaysia’s ASEAN Chair preparations among the best - Anwar
BERNAMA
10-02- 2025
PUTRAJAYA: Malaysia’s preparations as the ASEAN Chair this year in effectively managing hundreds of programmes are being well implemented by civil servants, said Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim.
He said the management of ASEAN is not a matter of pride or position, but one that reflects the capability of civil servants in ensuring the country’s administration runs smoothly.
“This certainly requires assignments that are way more than usual. Our level of preparation for our events is among the best that I have seen
“Although not as grand as other countries, our level of efficiency, discipline and orderliness is very commendable,” he said at a meeting with the staff of the Prime Minister’s Department here today.
Anwar also took the opportunity to express his appreciation to civil servants who served with such dedication and diligence to ensure the smooth running of the country’s administration, particularly in preparing for official events involving international leaders.
“I chose to say this because thousands (of civil servants) at all levels are working on the preparations and, sometimes, such things never get mentioned in media or social media coverage.
“What gets mentioned are selected blunders or faults. Not wrong to highlight certain faults, but it’s also unfair not to report efforts that reflect high levels of efficiency,” he said.
The Prime Minister also shared his experience of trying out an electric vehicle (EV) that was presented by the President of Turkiye, Recep Tayyip Erdogan recently.
Yesterday, I happened to try out the EV presented by the President of Turkiye... he presented it to the Prime Minister but to me it is to the country, it is not my property. I can use it as long as I am the Prime Minister but, after that, I must give it back to the country,” he said.
Anwar said that while travelling to the Sri Perdana Complex on Sunday at about 1.30 pm, he saw dozens of civil servants from various agencies, including the Foreign Ministry, Prime Minister’s Department, the Royal Malaysia Police and Education Ministry, carrying out their duties to prepare for the official visit of the President of Turkiye.
“I saw many of them, with smiles on their faces, working hard to prepare for tomorrow (today) for the President of Turkiye... so I salute all of them for carrying out duties diligently,” he said.
The President of Turkiye, Recep Tayyip Erdogan will make a two-day official visit to Malaysia from today on the invitation of the Prime Minister.
The visit aims to reaffirm the solid relations between the two nations, which continue to advance based on long-standing ties, particularly following the elevation of relations to the level of Comprehensive Strategic Partnership (CSP) in July 2022.
Both leaders are expected to review the progress of Malaysia-Turkiye CSP relations, particularly in trade and investment, defence, halal, energy cooperation, disaster management, health, science and technology, and connectivity.
In 2024, Turkiye was Malaysia’s third-largest trading partner, largest export destination, and fourth-largest import source among West Asia countries.
The total trade between Malaysia and Türkiye was recorded at RM24.13 billion (US$5.28 billion) in 2024, reflecting an 18.7 per cent increase from 2023.
Source:thesun.my
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https://thesun.my/malaysia-news/malaysia-s-asean-chair-preparations-among-the-best-anwar-OB13651429
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KM204 fatal crash: Lorry company to be charged in court on March 4
BERNAMA
10-02- 2025
MELAKA: The lorry company suspected of causing the five-vehicle collision which claimed seven lives at Kilometre (KM) 204 of the North-South Expressway (PLUS) northbound, on Dec 23 last year, is set to be charged in court on March 4.
Melaka Road Transport Department (JPJ) director Muhammad Firdaus Shariff said that the case, filed under Section 57(1)(b)(vi) of the Land Public Transport Act (APAD) 2010, will be mentioned at the Alor Gajah Magistrate’s Court.
He added that JPJ is also seeking to forfeit the rights of the semi-tank trailer carrying cement powder, under Section 80(4) of the same law.
“We served a court summons to the Johor-based lorry company on Feb 7, and the case has been scheduled for mention on March 4.
“The charge pertains to overloading, as the lorry was found carrying 16,250 kilogrammes - 31 per cent above the permitted load limit,” he told reporters after a special operation, held in conjunction with the Chinese New Year celebrations, along the Lebuh Alor Gajah-Melaka Tengah-Jasin (Lebuh AMJ) near Melaka Sentral, last night.
The media previously reported that seven people were killed and 33 injured in a crash, involving a tour bus carrying 27 passengers, two lorries, a car, and a multi-purpose vehicle (MPV) at KM204 of the PLUS Expressway northbound.
Preliminary investigations found that the tour bus struck a lorry’s dislodged tyre in the middle lane, causing it to lose control and veer into the opposite lane, colliding with three other vehicles.
The tragic incident claimed the lives of five passengers in the MPV, as well as the driver and a passenger of the bus.
Source:thesun.my
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https://thesun.my/malaysia-news/km204-fatal-crash-lorry-company-to-be-charged-in-court-on-march-4-BB13651257
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Motorcyclist arrested for hurling profanities at authorities
BERNAMA
10-02- 2025
BUKIT MERTAJAM: The police arrested a motorcyclist for allegedly hurling verbal abuse at Road Transport Department (JPJ) officers and traffic police during a special operation held in conjunction with the Chinese New Year celebrations at the Penang Bridge Toll Plaza last night.
The 50-year-old man, who was travelling with his Indonesian girlfriend, was initially fined by the JPJ for riding with an expired Motor Vehicle Licence (LKM) and without insurance.
When informed that his motorcycle would be impounded due to the offence, he suddenly lost his temper, causing a commotion.
The situation escalated as the man became increasingly aggressive, provoking JPJ personnel and traffic police officers while shouting profanities and hurling abusive words.
Despite efforts by officers and his girlfriend to calm him down, he continued his unruly behaviour for over half an hour, before the police finally detained him and took him to the station for further action.
Meanwhile, state JPJ director, Zulkifly Ismail, said that the man was detained for obstructing a civil servant from carrying out his duties.
“On behalf of JPJ, we believe the public should have a better understanding of enforcement duties and refrain from acting beyond limits. Our goal is not to find fault or punish but to uphold the common good,” he said.
Earlier, during the operation, which ran from 8.30 pm to midnight, a total of 1,083 vehicles were inspected, with action taken against 211 of them. A total of 391 summons notices were issued for various offences.
Since the operation began on Jan 20 and continued until yesterday (Feb 9), authorities inspected 31,122 vehicles and issued 4,105 notices to motorcyclists, vehicle drivers, and other road users, for non-compliance with regulations.
Source:thesun.my
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https://thesun.my/malaysia-news/motorcyclist-arrested-for-hurling-profanities-at-authorities-KB13651092
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IGP secures High Court nod to pursue contempt case against blogger Papagomo
10 Feb 2025
KUALA LUMPUR, Feb 10 — Inspector-General of Police (IGP) Tan Sri Razarudin Husain obtained permission from the High Court here today to initiate committal proceedings against blogger Papagomo, whose real name is Wan Muhammad Azri Wan Deris, for failing to comply with a court order.
Judicial Commissioner Gan Techiong made the decision following an ex-parte hearing of the application by lawyers Raam Kumar and Norleena Jamal, who represented Razarudin.
“The hearing date for the inter-parte committal application will be set later,” Gan said.
Committal proceedings are legal actions taken against an individual accused of contempt of court for violating an issued order.
Razarudin filed the committal application against Wan Muhammad Azri on Jan 24, seeking to have the defendant imprisoned or fined for contempt of court after failing to comply with an injunction order issued on January 10.
The defendant had allegedly posted content about Razarudin on YouTube, TikTok, X and Telegram.
On January 10, the court issued an injunction prohibiting Wan Muhammad Azri or his agents from publishing or disseminating defamatory statements against Razarudin on any social media platform until the defamation suit is resolved.
Additionally, the court granted an injunction barring the defendant or his representatives from publishing or causing the republication of any statements, videos, statuses, comments, or any references to the plaintiff.
These materials relate to Razarudin’s position as IGP and in his personal capacity, whether in writing, verbally, online or via instant messaging platforms such as Telegram and WhatsApp.
Wan Muhammad Azri was also ordered to retract, remove and delete video postings on his YouTube, TikTok, Facebook, Telegram and X accounts dated December 14, 15, 20 and 22 last year, which contained defamatory statements against Razarudin.
On December 26 last year, Razarudin filed a RM3 million lawsuit against Wan Muhammad Azri over alleged defamation, which also involved Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim. — Bernama
Source:malaymail.com
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Bukit Aman probing possible drug link in Setia Alam mall shooting incident
By Soo Wern Jun
10 Feb 2025
KUALA LUMPUR, Feb 10 — The Bukit Aman Narcotics Crime Investigation Department (NCID) will conduct a thorough investigation into the Setia City Mall shooting before determining whether the case is drug-related.
Department director Datuk Seri Khaw Kok Chin said the Criminal Investigation Department (CID) had requested his department to examine the case from this angle.
“Whether the shooting involves drugs, we can only determine after a thorough investigation, if possible arrests are to be made.
“Otherwise, our comments are premature as we don’t have solid evidence to say that the shooting had any drug influence,” Khaw told a press conference at the Bukit Aman Police Headquarters today.
He added that the NCID had been working with the CID from the very beginning of the case.
Khaw was responding to the shooting incident that occurred at Setia City Mall on Saturday at 10.50pm, where a suspect fired four shots at a cleaner.
The victim managed to seek help, while the suspect moved to another level and discharged more shots before escaping by hijacking a Perodua Ativa at gunpoint.
Yesterday, Selangor police chief Datuk Hussein Omar Khan revealed that the suspect is a local man in his 30s with a history of criminal and drug-related offences.
He said the suspect has 11 prior records and is now the subject of an intense manhunt.
Source:malaymail.com
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Butterworth man and girlfriend charged with mother’s murder
10 Feb 2025
BUTTERWORTH, Feb 10 — A man and his girlfriend were charged in the Magistrate’s Court here, today, with the murder of his mother last month.
The accused, J. Ambrose, 24, and S. Litha, 20, nodded their heads in understanding after the charge was read out before Magistrate, Aini Adilah Muhammad Faizal, but no plea was recorded as the murder case falls under the jurisdiction of the High Court.
According to the charge, both accused were jointly charged with committing the act which caused the death of the man’s mother, JP. Virginie, 60, at a house in Bagan Ajam, Butterworth between 6.43 pm and 8.37pm, on January 31 this year.
They were charged under Section 302 of the Penal Code and, read together with Section 34 of the same code, which provides for the death penalty or imprisonment of not less than 30 years and up to 40 years. If not sentenced to death, the accused may also face a minimum of 12 strokes of the cane.
Deputy public prosecutor Nurameera Shahrul Azrin did not offer any bail as it was a non-bailable offence, while the two accused were unrepresented.
The court set April 14 as the date for re-mention and submission of chemist and post-mortem reports. — Bernama
Source:malaymail.com
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https://www.malaymail.com/news/malaysia/2025/02/10/butterworth-man-and-girlfriend-charged-with-mothers-murder/166170
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PM Anwar lauds civil servants’ efficiency, says Malaysia’s Asean chair preparations among the best
10 Feb 2025
PUTRAJAYA, Feb 10 — Malaysia’s preparations as the Asean Chair this year in effectively managing hundreds of programmes are being well implemented by civil servants, said Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim.
He said the management of Asean is not a matter of pride or position, but one that reflects the capability of civil servants in ensuring the country’s administration runs smoothly.
“This certainly requires assignments that are way more than usual. Our level of preparation for our events is among the best that I have seen
Although not as grand as other countries, our level of efficiency, discipline and orderliness is very commendable,” he said at a meeting with the staff of the Prime Minister’s Department here today.
Anwar also took the opportunity to express his appreciation to civil servants who served with such dedication and diligence to ensure the smooth running of the country’s administration, particularly in preparing for official events involving international leaders.
“I chose to say this because thousands (of civil servants) at all levels are working on the preparations and, sometimes, such things never get mentioned in media or social media coverage.
“What gets mentioned are selected blunders or faults. Not wrong to highlight certain faults, but it’s also unfair not to report efforts that reflect high levels of efficiency,” he said.
The prime minister also shared his experience of trying out an electric vehicle (EV) that was presented by the President of Turkiye, Recep Tayyip Erdogan recently.
Yesterday, I happened to try out the EV presented by the President of Turkiye... he presented it to the Prime Minister but to me it is to the country, it is not my property. I can use it as long as I am the Prime Minister but, after that, I must give it back to the country,” he said.
Anwar said that while travelling to the Sri Perdana Complex on Sunday at about 1.30pm, he saw dozens of civil servants from various agencies, including the Foreign Ministry, Prime Minister’s Department, the Royal Malaysia Police and Education Ministry, carrying out their duties to prepare for the official visit of the President of Turkiye.
“I saw many of them, with smiles on their faces, working hard to prepare for tomorrow (today) for the President of Turkiye... so I salute all of them for carrying out duties diligently,” he said.
The President of Turkiye, Recep Tayyip Erdogan will make a two-day official visit to Malaysia from today on the invitation of the prime minister.
The visit aims to reaffirm the solid relations between the two nations, which continue to advance based on long-standing ties, particularly following the elevation of relations to the level of Comprehensive Strategic Partnership (CSP) in July 2022.
Both leaders are expected to review the progress of Malaysia-Turkiye CSP relations, particularly in trade and investment, defence, halal, energy cooperation, disaster management, health, science and technology, and connectivity.
In 2024, Turkiye was Malaysia’s third-largest trading partner, largest export destination, and fourth-largest import source among West Asia countries.
The total trade between Malaysia and Turkiye was recorded at RM24.13 billion (in 2024, reflecting an 18.7 per cent increase from 2023. — Bernama
Source:malaymail.com
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https://www.malaymail.com/news/malaysia/2025/02/10/pm-anwar-lauds-civil-servants-efficiency-says-malaysias-asean-chair-preparations-among-the-best/166140
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South Asia
Police charge batons, use water cannons on protesting teachers at Shahbagh
Feb 10, 2025
Police today charged batons and used water cannons and sound grenades to disperse protesting teachers who were demonstrating at Shahbagh protesting cancellation of their appointments as assistant teachers in government primary schools.
The protesters began gathering at Shahbag intersection around 11:00am, according to our photographer on the scene.
In a statement, the demonstrators said the recruitment process was conducted in three phases, with the first and second phases completed and appointments made. However, no decision has been made regarding the third phase.
"A total of 6,531 candidates were included in the final merit list but have yet to receive their appointments. We urge the authorities to resolve this issue immediately," the statement added.
Source:thedailystar.net
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https://www.thedailystar.net/news/bangladesh/news/cops-use-water-cannons-charge-batons-disperse-teachers-shahbagh-3820636
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MATS students continue protest in front of press club
Feb 10, 2025
Medical Assistant Training School (MATS) students today staged a sit-in in front of Jatiya Press Club in Dhaka to press home their four-point demands, including recruitment to vacant 10th-grade positions and creation of more employment opportunities.
They took position there under the banner of the General MATS Student Unity Council around 6:00am.
If their demands are not met, they will start an indefinite hunger strike from noon, they said earlier.
Ahmad Ullah Mansur, a coordinator of the council, told The Daily Star, "The Ministry of Health and Family Welfare has assured us of fulfilling our demands. But no specific time has been set. That's why we have decided not to move from our demands."
Last night, the demonstrating students staged a sit-in at the Central Shaheed Minar around 10:00pm. But later this morning, they moved to the press club, our staff correspondent reports.
The students threatened to go for a hunger strike after police dispersed them with baton charges and sound grenades when they reached Shikkha Bhaban while attempting to march towards the Secretariat. At least 20 students were injured, eyewitnesses said.
They started their day's protest yesterday, blocking the road from Shahbagh to Dhaka University campus for over five hours since around 11:00am.
The students' other demands include abolishing the Health Professionals Board and forming a new regulatory body named the Medical Education Board of Bangladesh, ensuring higher education opportunities in clinical subjects aligned with the MATS curriculum, and renaming MATS to Medical Institute.
Source:thedailystar.net
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https://www.thedailystar.net/news/bangladesh/news/mats-students-continue-protest-front-press-club-3820601
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Kandahar Authorities Recover Thousands of Jeribs of Usurped State Land
2025-02-09
KANDAHAR(BNA): The Kandahar Land Usurpation Prevention Delegation has successfully recovered nearly 12,000 jeribs of land from usurpers.
This operation, which involved collaboration with local security forces, took place over the course of one month across Kandahar city and 19 districts within the province.
Mohammad Hanif Haqmal, spokesman for the Kandahar Agriculture, Irrigation and Livestock Department, reported that the delegation conducted a comprehensive review of approximately 86,396 jeribs of land during this period.
Haqmal highlighted that 11,951 jeribs of government land have been identified, consolidated, and recovered from illegal claimants.
Source:bakhtarnews.af
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https://www.bakhtarnews.af/en/kandahar-authorities-recover-thousands-of-jeribs-of-usurped-state-land/
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1.5 Billion Afghani Township Project Breaks Ground in Kunduz
2025-02-09
KUNDUZ(BNA): Construction has begun on a large-scale commercial and residential township in Kunduz province, funded by a 1.5 billion Afghani investment from the state-owned Spin Zar Company. The project will be developed on 35 acres of land.
Speaking at the inauguration ceremony, Mawlavi Abdul Ghafoor Shahidzai, head of Spin Zar Company, said the township is expected to be completed within two years. It will include eight six-story shopping complexes, 1,500 retail units, fuel stations, and other facilities.
Kunduz Deputy Governor Mawlavi Habib-ur-Rahman Sahib reaffirmed the government’s commitment to urban development, emphasizing its focus on infrastructure projects.
The initiative follows a recent decree issued by Amir-al-Mu’minin, the Supreme Leader, allocating 10,000 acres of land in the Abdan Desert for industrial parks.
Source:bakhtarnews.af
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https://www.bakhtarnews.af/en/1-5-billion-afghani-township-project-breaks-ground-in-kunduz/
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WFP distributes 2,500 tons of pulses to Afghanistan
By Fidel Rahmati
February 10, 2025
The World Food Programme (WFP) has announced that, with support from the European Union, Germany, South Korea, the United Kingdom, and the United States, it distributed 2,500 tons of pulses across Afghanistan last year.
The WFP stated on Monday, February 10, on X that legumes are a vital source of protein, nutrients, iron, minerals, and B vitamins. This assistance has helped 700,000 people across the country receive food support.
The report also highlights that it is estimated nearly 15 million people will face a humanitarian crisis and emergency levels of food insecurity in Afghanistan this winter.
The WFP has initiated food distribution to remote areas, where access is cut off due to snow and freezing conditions, to provide aid to those affected by the harsh winter.
However, the World Food Programme has warned that severe financial constraints have limited its operations in Afghanistan. Over three-quarters of the population is unable to afford a nutritious diet that meets their needs and prevents malnutrition.
As winter continues, the humanitarian crisis deepens with neighboring countries, such as Pakistan and Iran, forcibly deporting Afghan refugees. This forced displacement exacerbates the dire conditions, leaving refugees without shelter or food in already strained communities.
The international community must address the worsening crisis by providing sustained aid and pressuring neighboring countries to halt forced deportations, ensuring the survival of vulnerable populations amid harsh winters and economic instability.
Source:khaama.com
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https://www.khaama.com/wfp-distribute-2500-tons-of-pulses-to-afghanistan/
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US Veterans Coalition calls for resumption of Afghan Refugee Resettlement
By Fidel Rahmati
February 10, 2025
A coalition of U.S. veterans has written a letter to the U.S. Secretaries of State, Homeland Security, and Defense, urging the resumption of resettlement for qualified Afghan refugees. They called for Afghan refugees to be exempt from Trump’s executive order suspending refugee admissions.
Reuters reported on Monday, February 10, that Shawn Vandiver, head of the AfghanEvac, wrote a letter to U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio. In it, he warned that not resettling Afghan allies could damage future local support for U.S. forces in future conflicts.
Vandiver argued in the letter that failing to exempt Afghan refugees from Trump’s executive order sends a damaging message to adversaries, including ISIS, by implying that the U.S. abandons its allies.
A copy of the letter was sent to U.S. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth, a veteran of the Afghan war, and Secretary of Homeland Security Kristi Noem. Vandiver specifically urged the senior officials to grant an exemption for Afghan refugees from the suspension.
Vandiver stated that about 3,000 Afghan refugees are stranded in camps in Qatar and Albania, while approximately 50,000 others are stuck in Pakistan and other countries. He noted that these refugees, who helped U.S. forces, are in limbo and face an uncertain future due to the halt in the refugee program.
The Trump administration’s executive order halting refugee admissions has placed Afghan allies in an increasingly precarious situation. Many of these refugees risked their lives working alongside U.S. forces and now face uncertain futures, some stranded in foreign countries with limited options.
The policy of halting foreign aid and refugee resettlement for 90 days has sparked significant concern among U.S. allies, particularly those in Afghanistan who fear abandonment by the very nation they helped. This could erode trust in the U.S. military’s ability to honor commitments to its partners.
Experts warn that this policy could have long-term consequences for U.S. foreign relations and military operations. By abandoning Afghan allies, the U.S. risks damaging its reputation and losing the support of future partners in conflict zones, making it more challenging to build alliances in future military operations.
Source:khaama.com
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https://www.khaama.com/us-veterans-coalition-calls-for-resumption-of-afghan-refugee-resettlement/
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Mullah Khairullah Khairkhwa Visits 100-Bed Addiction Treatment Hospital in Lashkargah
2025-02-09
HELMAND(BNA): Mullah Khairullah Khairkhwa, the Acting Minister of Information and Culture, visited the 100-bed hospital dedicated to the treatment of addicts in Lashkargah, Helmand.
Accompanied by Mawlavi Abdul Rahman Muslim Kunduzi, the Governor of Helmand, and Mawlawi Fazli Ahmad Shafeeullah, the Director of Public Health, Minister Khairkhwa toured the medical and administrative facilities of the hospital.
During his visit, he expressed his appreciation for the dedication and efforts of the hospital staff, including doctors and administrative personnel. He highlighted the hospital’s significance, both in terms of its capacity and strategic location, emphasizing its role in the community.
The Acting Minister provided valuable guidance and recommendations aimed at enhancing the treatment protocols for patients. He underscored the importance of systematic and effective care, as the facility aims to rehabilitate addicts before reuniting them with their families.
Source:bakhtarnews.af
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https://www.bakhtarnews.af/en/mullah-khairullah-khairkhwa-visits-100-bed-addiction-treatment-hospital-in-lashkargah/
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Court orders to freeze tax files of Nayeemul Islam Khan, his wife
09 Feb 2025
DHAKA, Feb 9, 2025 (BSS) - A court here today ordered to seize tax files of Nayeemul Islam Khan, former press secretary of the ousted prime minister Sheikh Hasina, and his wife Nasima Khan Monty over graft allegations.
Dhaka Metropolitan Senior Special Judge Zakir Hossain Galib passed the order, allowing a plea of the Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC).
The ACC in its plea said the anti-graft body has already formed a two-member committee to probe allegations against the Khan couple of making suspicious transactions of depositing Taka 386 crore and withdrawing Taka 379 crore in 163 bank accounts. The ACC is probing allegations of amassing huge illegal wealth by the couple in their names and the names of their closed ones.
"For the sake of proper investigation of the case, their tax files should be frozen," the ACC said.
Source:bssnews.net
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https://www.bssnews.net/news/244889
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URL: https://newageislam.com/islamic-world-news/hindutva-group-dehradun-muslim-vendors/d/134575