Saudi Arabia says no to displacement of Gazans, rejects relations with Israel without Palestinian state
New Age Islam News Bureau
5 February 2025
Saudi Arabia on Wednesday said its long-held position that Palestinians must have their own independent state was firm and not open to negotiation. (@KSAMOFA)
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· Saudi Arabia says no to displacement of Gazans, rejects relations with Israel without Palestinian state
· 'Going to be hindrance for Christians, Sikhs, Muslims': Oppn as Gujarat forms panel for UCC
· Army vows to thwart foreign-backed proxies plans to disrupt Balochistan peace
· Islamic Jihad: "Tayasir" operation confirms Palestinian people's determination to confront enemy's crimes
· Police say around 10 people killed in Sweden school campus shooting
· Trump announces he wants US to ‘own’ Gaza: As it happened
· 21 Boys in Search of Islamic Education Rescued from Human Traffickers at Border
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Arab World
· People around the world want to remain healthy into old age, says Hevolution’s CEO
· Officials highlight importance of research ecosystems to develop Saudi health policy
· Saudi graduates of UK universities honored with awards for career success
· Saudi crown prince holds telephone call with UAE president
· German president visits King Salman Park Project in Riyadh
· UK health service is more of a ‘national sickness service,’ says head of top research program
· Saudi academy launches Arabic immersion program
· Bangladesh seeks deeper collaboration with Saudi Arabia on 50th anniversary of diplomatic ties
· Madinah launches portal for iftar providers
· Global Healthspan Summit opens in Riyadh, exploring new approaches to aging
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India
· Delhi polls: Viral pamphlet calling Arvind Kejriwal messiah of Muslims at least 5-year old
· Waqf Board Bill Will Further Push Muslims to the Margins
· Database: Hate crimes against Muslims in January 2025
· Telangana government declares holiday for Shab-e-Barat
· Okhla’s electoral campaigns add to civic woes
· BJP, SP set for crucial battle in bypoll in UP's Hindutva heartland
· Uttarakhand's UCC: A step backward for personal freedoms, say social influencers
· Mahakumbh stampede: Akhilesh Yadav calls out Modi-Yogi government over death toll suppression
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Pakistan
· Pakistan renews pledge to Kashmiris on Solidarity Day
· Remittances increased due to Pakistani expatriates' unwavering commitment: PM
· LCCI chief lauds SBP’s proactive role in promoting Islamic banking
· Govt to unveil Ramazan package without utility stores to prevent corruption: PM
· COAS rubbishes Indian military’s ‘hollow statements’, vows full throttle response to any ‘misadventure’
· Religious ministry announces reduction in Hajj package costs
· IHC judges want changes to seniority list undone
· Establishment denies receiving Imran’s letter
· Senate panel okays bill for stricter penalties on human smuggling
· Raja fears military trial over killing of Rangers men
· All provinces agree to impose agriculture tax: PM
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Mideast
· What four American doctors witnessed while volunteering in war-torn Gaza
· Hamas ready for talks with Trump administration, Hamas official tells RIA
· Netanyahu hails Trump as ‘greatest friend Israel has ever had’
· Leaders ‘should respect’ wishes of Palestinians to stay in Gaza: Palestinian UN envoy
· Trump won’t rule out deploying US troops to support rebuilding Gaza, sees ‘long-term’ US ownership
· Islamic Revolution’s support for Sunni community admirable, says cleric
· Iran's major progress after Islamic Revolution - Security
· Iraqi Sunni Provinces Suspend Work in Protest Against Federal Supreme Court Decision
· Sunni leaders condemn Iraq’s Federal Court ruling on “controversial” laws
· Assad-era minister turns himself in to new Syria authorities
· Israeli West Bank offensives displace thousands: officials
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Europe
· Plans for new Kurdish mosque submitted to council
· ‘Eye-catching’ minarets complete Blackburn mosque design
· Muslim convert guilty of plot to attack mosque and Islamic cleric
· Anjuman-e-Haideria Masjid: Fire caused by 'stray firework'
· Zelensky calls for nukes to ‘stop Russia’
· Moscow hasn’t received samples from Russia-bound flight’s crash site – RT source
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North America
· Google drops pledge on AI use for weapons
· Top Trump nominees advance as Senate confirms attorney general
· The opening salvos have been fired in Trump's trade war - what comes next?
· El Salvador offers to lock up US criminals in its mega-jail
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Africa
· Gov. Mutfwang speaks on alleged plans to ban loudspeakers in Plateau mosques
· Gov. Yusuf inaugurates Kano Sharia, Zakkat commissions
· Supreme Court strikes down controversial ‘Jihad Tax’
· You Called Tinubu Corrupt, I Won’t Apologise, Go To Court – Najatu Dares NSA Ribadu
· Nigeria Belongs To Us, Not World Bank, IMF – Fintiri To Tinubu
· Nigeria Immigration Service Appoints New PRO
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Southeast Asia
· New interfaith guidelines will hinder Muslim MPs, Syahredzan says
· Malaysia to outline new protocols for Muslims in interfaith events
· Bomb attack: Malaysians urged to stay vigilant when travelling to Thailand
· Explore Ughyur and Hui cuisines at KL Jalan Inai’s Meshrep China Xinjiang Muslim Cuisine
· Food stocks sufficient ahead of Ramadan, Sulaiman assures
· Uzbek President's IAMM Visit Set To Bolster Preservation Of Islamic Culture
· Govt challenges Najib’s judicial review on ‘house arrest’ addendum at apex court
· Sultan of Kedah chairs 268th Conference of Rulers Meeting
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South Asia
· 1994 attack on train carrying Hasina: HC acquits all 47 accused
· 2nd phase of Ijtema ends seeking blessings for Muslim Ummah
· BSEC ex-chairman Shibli Rubayat Ul Islam held in Dhanmondi
· Govt to ensure uninterrupted supply of essentials during Ramadan: Salehuddin
· Islamic Emirate’s Cabinet Reviews Key Economic, Social, Cultural Issues
· Development Projects in Badakhshan Province
· ANDMA Unveils Five-Year Strategic Plan in Kabul
· Da Afghanistan Bank to Auction $25 Million
Compiled by New Age Islam News Bureau
URL: https://newageislam.com/islamic-world-news/saudi-arabia-gazans-israel-palestinian-state/d/134533
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Saudi Arabia says no to displacement of Gazans, rejects relations with Israel without Palestinian state
February 05, 2025
Saudi Arabia on Wednesday said its long-held position that Palestinians must have their own independent state was firm and not open to negotiation. (@KSAMOFA)
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RIYADH: Saudi Arabia on Wednesday said its long-held position that Palestinians must have their own independent state was firm and not open to negotiation, a stance Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman has reiterated many times before.
The Saudi Foreign Ministry statement came shortly after President Donald Trump said he wants the US to own the Gaza Strip after all Palestinians are displaced from there and sent to other countries, where settlements will be constructed for them.
The Kingdom’s position has been a longstanding one with its leaders repeatedly calling for justice for Palestinians, who they say deserve a state of their own alongside Israel as a way to find a lasting solution to the decades long conflict.
Saudi leaders have repeatedly said any formal relations between the Kingdom and Israel hinge on the creation of a viable Palestinian state on the 1967 borders.
The ministry statement highlighted a speech by the crown prince at the Shura Council on September 18, 2024, where he stressed that Saudi Arabia will continue its tireless work towards the establishment of an independent Palestinian state with East Jerusalem as its capital, adding the Kingdom will not normalize ties with Israel without it.
The crown prince expressed a similar sentiment during the extraordinary Arab-Islamic summit in Riyadh on Nov. 11, 2024, where he stressed the continuation of efforts to establish a Palestinian state and demanded an end to Israeli occupation of the Palestinian territories.
He also urged more countries to recognize the State of Palestine, stressing the importance of mobilizing the international community to support the rights of Palestinians, which were expressed in the resolutions of the UN General Assembly by considering Palestine eligible for full membership of the world body.
“The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia also stresses its previously announced categorical rejection of any violation of the legitimate rights of the Palestinian people, whether through Israeli settlement policies, annexation of Palestinian territories, or attempts to displace the Palestinian people from their land,” the statement added.
Trump, standing next to Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu at the White House on Tuesday, said the Palestinians would be better off living outside of Gaza which has been bombed to rubble during Israel’s brutal 15-month attack.
“I don’t think people should be going back,” Trump said. “You can’t live in Gaza right now. I think we need another location. I think it should be a location that’s going to make people happy.”
The president insists Egypt and Jordan would have to take the Gazans he plans to displace. Both countries have rejected the idea outright.
Trump also did not rule out the use of American troops to help reconstruct the enclave and ensure the ownership of the territory, which he said could become the “Riviera of the Middle East,” given its temperate climate and prime location on the Mediterranean coast.
The Kingdom said that it’s the international community’s duty to work to alleviate the severe human suffering of the Palestinian people, who will remain in their land.
“Lasting and just peace cannot be achieved without the Palestinian people obtaining their legitimate rights in accordance with international legitimacy resolutions, and this is what was previously explained to the previous and current American administrations,” the ministry statement said.
Source:arabnews.com
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https://www.arabnews.com/node/2589054/saudi-arabia
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'Going to be hindrance for Christians, Sikhs, Muslims': Oppn as Gujarat forms panel for UCC
04.02.25
Representational image
Shutterstock
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The BJP government in Gujarat on Tuesday formed a committee headed by a retired Supreme Court judge to assess the need for the Uniform Civil Code in the state, and also draft a bill for the same.
While the Opposition said the decision was aimed at diverting attention from pressing issues ahead of the upcoming local body polls, the government claimed rights of the tribal communities will be protected if the UCC is implemented.
The five-member committee, to be headed by Justice (retd) Ranjana Desai, will submit its report within 45 days, following which a decision about implementation of the UCC will be taken, Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel told reporters here.
The committee will meet religious leaders, including those from the Muslim community, for consultations.
"To assess the need for a Uniform Civil Code and to prepare a draft bill, we have decided to form a committee under a former judge of the Supreme Court," CM Patel said.
Other members of the committee are retired IAS officer CL Meena, advocate RC Kodekar, former vice chancellor of Veer Narmad South Gujarat University Dakshesh Thakar and social worker Gita Shroff.
Notably, the BJP-ruled Uttarakhand has already implemented the UCC.
CM Patel said his government is committed to fulfil Prime Minister Narendra Modi's resolve of implemen the UCC across the country.
The panel will examine various aspects and take views of people from different walks of life, and an "appropriate decision" will be taken after perusing its report, the CM said.
Minister of State for Home Harsh Sanghavi said that the UCC, if implemented, will protect the rights of tribals.
"The UCC implemented by Uttarakhand presented a model before the country because it protects the customs and traditions of tribals. (Union) Home Minister Amit Shah has also clarified in Jharkhand that UCC will protect the traditions followed by tribals," Sanghavi said.
The committee will meet religious leaders, including Muslim leaders, to prepare the report, he added.
Shroff and Thakar said the state government's approach is sensitive and shows it is committed to closing the loopholes in laws and ensuring justice to all.
Leader of Opposition in the state assembly Amit Chavda said the BJP is more interested in the "politics of minority and majority".
"In Gujarat, there are 14 per cent tribals. The UCC will affect the culture, customs, religious rites and marriage system of the tribal society. Similarly, the Jain community of Gujarat, and the Devipujaks will also be affected," he claimed.
Even the Indian Constitution has given freedom to certain communities to pursue their customs and culture, the Congress leader said.
"Implementation of the UCC is in the jurisdiction of the central government, and not the state. But since there is internal fighting in the BJP all over Gujarat, and the government here has failed in every way, this announcement is an attempt to divert people's attention ahead of the local body elections," he claimed.
Aam Aadmi Party state head Isudan Gadhvi said the BJP raises the UCC issue whenever there is an election.
"Even today, 80 per cent of domestic disputes in Maldhari community are resolved by its own leaders. There is polygamy in the tribal society and all these will end if the UCC is implemented. Therefore, we believe the UCC is going to be a hindrance for Christians, Sikhs, Muslims," he claimed.
If the UCC is implemented in Gujarat, the BJP will not be able to win a single tribal seat, he said.
"I would also like to tell the BJP that it is not right to look at everything from the perspective of Hindu-Muslim or vote bank politics," Gadhvi said.
He claimed the issue has been raked up as local bodies polls are around the corner, it might be raised again before the assembly polls.
"BJP has done nothing about inflation or unemployment, it does not create jobs," he charged.
AIMIM leader Danish Siddique said the UCC was being used to target the Muslim community, and he does not have much hope from committee formed by the government to consider divergent views without a bias.
If tribals are kept outside the proposed law, it would not be a UCC, he said.
"We will put our side before the panel. When BJP targets Muslims over polygamy, it should know this is prevalent in other communities too. When one community is allowed (to have polygamy) and not others, then it is not UCC," he asserted.
Committee member Gita Shroff said she "firmly" believed that a common law will have many benefits. "In the past 30 years, I have seen difficulties faced by women and children in their fight for justice. UCC will help resolve this," she said.
Thakar said women are especially adversely affected due to personal laws, and the Supreme Court had directed in the Shah Bano case that contradictions in such cases be removed and a uniform law be framed.
"Even the Constituent Assembly framed guiding principles which have provisions for this. We know that Uttarakhand has implemented the UCC," he said. PTI PJT KA PD KRK GK
Source:telegraphindia.com
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https://www.telegraphindia.com/india/gujarat-forms-panel-to-assess-need-for-ucc-draft-bill-oppn-calls-it-diversionary-move/cid/2081561
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Army vows to thwart foreign-backed proxies plans to disrupt Balochistan peace
By Zarmeen Zehra
February 04, 2025
Chief of the Army Staff Gen Asim Munir presiding over 267th Corps Commanders’ Conference at the General Headquarters (GHQ) in Rawalpindi, February 4, 2025. — ISPR
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Days after a militant attack in Balochistan claimed the lives of 18 security personnel, the military's brass vowed to thwart nefarious designs of foreign-sponsored proxies attempting to disrupt peace in Balochistan.
The resolve was expressed during the 267th Corps Commanders’ Conference at the General Headquarters (GHQ) in Rawalpindi, chaired by Chief of Army Staff (COAS) General Asim Munir, according to a statement issued by the Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR).
"No one will be allowed to disrupt peace in Balochistan and nefarious designs of foreign-sponsored proxies attempting to mislead and radicalise the youth of Balochistan will be decisively thwarted with the unwavering support of the people of Balochistan," the forum reaffirmed.
The meeting came days after 18 soldiers were martyred while thwarting an "act of terrorism" in Balochistan, adding that 23 terrorists were killed in subsequent clearance operations.
The ISPR had said the terrorists attempted to establish roadblocks in the general area of Mangocher in Kalat district. "On behest of inimical and hostile forces, this cowardly act of terrorism was aimed at disrupting the peaceful environment of Balochistan by targeting mainly innocent civilians."
It said that security forces and law enforcement agencies were immediately mobilised, “who successfully thwarted the evil design of terrorists and sent twelve terrorists to hell, ensuring security and protection of the local populace".
However, the ISPR said that 18 soldiers "made the ultimate sacrifice and embraced martyrdom" during the conduct of operations, adding that sanitisation operations were being conducted and the "perpetrators, facilitators and abettors of this heinous and cowardly act, will be brought to justice".
Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and COAS Munir also visited Quetta and met security forces personnel at the Combined Military Hospital (CMH).
During today's conference, the participants paid profound tribute to the sacrifices made by the armed forces, law enforcement agencies (LEAs), and citizens who have laid down their lives in pursuit of peace and stability.
The participants expressed grave concern over the continued use of Afghan soil against Pakistan by terrorists and demanded "concrete and tangible actions" by the interim Afghan government.
"The forum stressed the imperative of concrete and tangible actions by interim Afghan government against Fitna Al Khawarij instead of denials as well as continuing with the strategy of undertaking all necessary measures in defence of Pakistan and its people," the military's media wing said.
The participants also underscored the need to accelerate people-centric socio-economic development initiatives in Balochistan, recognising the urgency of countering externally driven narratives of exclusion.
Commending the operational preparedness of all formations, the army chief emphasised the importance of sustained mission-oriented training, enhanced military cooperation, and the conduct of joint exercises in both conventional and counter-terrorism domains.
The forum undertook a comprehensive review of the regional, and internal security landscape, assessing the full spectrum of threats. The prevailing situation along the Line of Control (LoC) and the Working Boundary was discussed, said the statement.
In solidarity with the resilient people of Kashmir on the eve of Kashmir Solidarity Day, the forum strongly condemned the continued blatant human rights violations in Indian Illegally Occupied Jammu & Kashmir (IIOJK), recognising them as a grave threat to regional peace and stability.
Reiterating Pakistan’s unwavering support for the legitimate struggle of the Kashmiri people for their right to self-determination, as enshrined in relevant UN Security Council resolutions, the forum emphasised the significance of international engagement in addressing these persistent violations.
The forum also took serious note of the recent "reckless and provocative statements" from the Indian military leadership, terming them irresponsible and detrimental to regional stability.
While addressing the forum, the COAS said: "These hollow statements from the Indian military are indicative of their growing frustration and serve only to divert the attention of their masses and international community from their multiple internal fissures and blatant violations of human rights."
"Any misadventure against Pakistan will be responded with full and resolute force of the state, God willing," the army chief warned.
Concluding the conference, Gen Munir reaffirmed that the military leadership remains fully cognizant of the multifaceted challenges confronting the nation and is resolute in fulfilling its constitutional responsibilities with the steadfast support of the proud people of Pakistan.
Source:thenews.com.pk
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https://www.thenews.com.pk/latest/1279440-army-vows-to-thwart-foreign-backed-proxies-plans-to-disrupt-balochistan-peace
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Islamic Jihad: "Tayasir" operation confirms Palestinian people's determination to confront enemy's crimes
04 Feb 2025
The Islamic Jihad Movement in Palestine praised, on Tuesday, the heroic qualitative operation in the Tayasir area near Tubas Governorate, north of the occupied West Bank, which led to a number of deaths and injuries among the ranks of the Zionist enemy army.
The movement said in a statement: "This heroic operation comes as confirmation of the determination of our people and their resistance to confront the crimes of the criminal occupation that blows up homes, displaces families, and terrorizes civilians."
It added: "We ask God to have mercy on the heroic perpetrator." It stressed that the resistance of the Palestinian people will continue until the occupation is defeated.
Two Zionist soldiers were killed and six others were injured today in a shooting operation targeting a force from the Zionist enemy army at the Tayasir checkpoint near Tubas, north of the occupied West Bank.
Source:saba.ye
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Police say around 10 people killed in Sweden school campus shooting
5th February
The attack in Orebro has been described as the "worst mass shooting in Swedish history"
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Police say around 10 people have been killed in a shooting at an education centre in central Sweden, including the suspected gunman.
Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson described Tuesday's attack at Risbergska school in Orebro, 200km (124 miles) west of the capital city Stockholm, as the "worst mass shooting in Swedish history".
Police said they believe the male perpetrator to be among the dead and that he was not previously known to them. There was no immediately identifiable motive and he was believed to be acting alone, they said.
"It is difficult to take in the magnitude of what has happened today," Kristersson said at an evening news conference.
Police earlier warned the death toll could continue to rise as several people had been injured.
A number of the injured have been taken to hospital, with at least four people undergoing operations.
Police initially said five people had been shot, and the incident was being investigated as an attempted murder, arson and an aggravated weapons offence.
Local media later began reporting that several people had died, before police said "around 10" people had been killed but they "could not be more specific" about the number of fatalities.
They also confirmed there did not appear to be a "terror" motive behind the attack.
Police heard reports of a shooting taking place at Risbergska school - an adult education centre - at 12:33 local time (11:44 GMT). The facility sits on a campus that is home to other schools.
These centres are attended primarily by people who have not finished primary or secondary school.
Earlier, students at several nearby schools were being kept indoors "for security purposes".
"We don't want members of the public to go there," Orebro police chief Roberto Eid Forest warned.
The justice minister, who appeared alongside the prime minister on Tuesday evening, shared his condolences for those affected by the "tragedy" and reassured citizens that schools in the country would be safe to return to on Wednesday.
"[I've] never seen a school shooting of this magnitude," Gunnar Strommer said.
Nearby hospitals had cleared their emergency rooms and intensive care units to free up space for patients, local media reported.
Orebro University Hospital said five people injured by gunshot wounds were treated at its emergency room. An additional sixth person, not injured by a gun, had "minor injuries" treated, it said.
No children were among the people being treated there, the municipality for Orebro County said in an update.
Teacher Lena Warenmark told SVT, Swedish public radio, she heard around 10 gunshots close to her study.
Ali el Mokad, a relative of a man who is believed to have been studying at the school at the time of the attack, had positioned himself outside of a local hospital waiting to hear on his relatives' condition.
"It doesn't feel very good actually," Mr Mokad told Reuters news agency. He said that his cousin also knew someone at the school, and when she called her friend earlier, "she fell to the ground because she was crying so much".
"She thought what she saw was so terrible. She only saw people lying on the floor, injured and blood everywhere," Mr Mokad said, describing the scene his cousin's friend had witnessed.
Another witness, a student at the school, who gave only her first name, Marwa, described a difficult scene in which she and several others tried to save a person's life.
"A guy next to me was shot in the shoulder. He was bleeding a lot. When I looked behind me I saw three people on the floor bleeding," she told TV4 Sweden.
Marwa and another friend tried to help the injured person by wrapping a shawl around the man's shoulder "so that he wouldn't bleed so much".
"Everyone was so shocked."
Earlier in the day, Prime Minister Kristersson remarked on how today is "a very painful day for all in Sweden" as he shared that those who had a "normal school day" replaced "with terror" are all in his thoughts.
"Being confined to a classroom with fear for your own life is a nightmare that no one should have to experience," Kristersson said in a post on X.
He later asked people to give police the freedom and the space they need to do their work and investigations, as he also stressed that there was no further risks to attending school the next day.
More information will be shared by police and the Swedish government in the coming days, Kristersson added.
Source:bbc.com
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https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/c79d52gpd02o
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Trump announces he wants US to ‘own’ Gaza: As it happened
5 Feb, 2025
US President Donald Trump has proposed that the United States assume control of the Gaza Strip, describing the area as a “demolition site” that requires redevelopment.
Speaking at a joint press conference with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Tuesday, Trump outlined a plan for the US to clear unexploded ordnance, rebuild infrastructure, and create jobs and housing.
“The US will take over the Gaza Strip, and we will do a job with it too,” Trump told reporters.
Trump did not rule out deploying US troops to Gaza, stating, “If it’s necessary, we’ll do that.” “I do see a long-term ownership position and I see it bringing great stability to that part of the Middle East,” he said.
He described his vision as transforming Gaza into the “Riviera of the Middle East.”
A key aspect of the proposal involves relocating Gaza’s approximately two million Palestinian residents to neighboring countries such as Egypt and Jordan. Trump claimed that regional leaders supported the idea, though he did not provide details on how the relocation would be implemented.
Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu praised Trump’s proposal, calling it “thinking outside the box with fresh ideas” and expressing optimism about its potential to change history.
The announcement has drawn widespread criticism. Human rights organizations condemned the proposal as a form of ethnic cleansing, emphasizing that forced displacement violates international law.
Hamas officials also denounced the plan, stating that Palestinians would resist such efforts.
Additionally, both Egypt and Jordan have previously rejected similar resettlement proposals, citing concerns over regional stability and Palestinian rights.
This live stream has ended.
US Secretary of State Marco Rubio has expressed strong support for President Donald Trump’s proposal regarding Gaza.
“Gaza MUST BE FREE from Hamas. As @POTUS shared today, the United States stands ready to lead and Make Gaza Beautiful Again,” Rubio said on X. “Our pursuit is one of lasting peace in the region for all people.”
Rubio has consistently advocated for decisive action against Hamas. In October 2023, he emphasized that Israel “has no choice but to seek the complete eradication of Hamas in Gaza,” acknowledging the significant costs but asserting that failing to eliminate the group would have even more severe consequences.
Paul O’Brien, Executive Director of Amnesty International USA, has strongly criticized President Donald Trump’s proposal to relocate Gaza’s residents, stating that such an action would be “tantamount to destroying them as a people.”
He emphasized, “Gaza is their home. Gaza’s death and destruction is a result of the government of Israel killing civilians by the thousands, often with U.S. bombs.”
Amnesty International has previously condemned the US government’s continued military support to Israel, highlighting that US-made weapons have been used by Israeli forces to commit war crimes against Palestinian civilians in Gaza.
Rashida Tlaib, the only Palestinian American member of the US Congress, has accused President Donald Trump of “openly calling for ethnic cleansing” in response to his proposal to relocate Gaza’s residents and “level the site.”
In a post on X, Tlaib criticized the continued US funding to the Israeli government while cutting off federal funds to working Americans.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has praised President Donald Trump for thinking “outside the box” with his proposal for a US takeover of Gaza.
“I think it’s something that could change history,” Netanyahu said at a joint press conference with Trump earlier in the day, noting that both sides are discussing the possibilities.
“Your willingness to puncture conventional thinking – thinking that has failed time and time again – your willingness to think outside the box with fresh ideas will help us achieve all these goals,” he added.
The Israeli leader also stressed that Trump was the “greatest friend Israel has ever had in the White House,” highlighting several pro-Israel policies from Trump’s first term.
03:55 GMT
Democrats have responded with swift condemnation to Trump’s suggestion that the US should take control of Gaza.
Connecticut Senator Chris Murphy expressed his outrage on X, writing, “He’s totally lost it.”
In a follow-up post, he added, “I have news for you - we aren’t taking over Gaza.” Murphy further argued that Trump’s statement serves as a distraction, saying, “But the media and the chattering class will focus on it for a few days and Trump will have succeeded in distracting everyone from the real story - the billionaires seizing government to steal from regular people.”
California Congressman Eric Swalwell also weighed in on X, posting, “Wait what? The US is going to occupy Gaza?”
He went on to criticize the idea by referencing past promises, stating, “We were promised no more endless wars. By my count we are occupying Greenland, Canada, Panama Canal, and now..Gaza?”
Democratic Senator Chris Coons criticized Trump’s proposal for the US to take control of Gaza, telling NBC News, “That’s insane.” He added, “I can’t think of a place on Earth that would welcome American troops less and where any positive outcome is less likely.”
Saudi Arabia’s foreign ministry has issued a comprehensive statement in response to Trump’s proposal, reaffirming its “firm and unwavering” commitment to the establishment of a Palestinian state.
The ministry further stated that “permanent peace” cannot be achieved without Palestinians securing their “legitimate rights” to statehood.
Riyad Mansour, the Palestinian ambassador to the United Nations, has responded to Trump’s proposal for the US to take control of Gaza and relocate its residents to a “good, fresh, beautiful piece of land.”
“For those suggesting a happy, nice place for them, let them return to their original homes inside Israel,” Mansour stated in a video shared by the Palestinian mission to the UN on X.
He further emphasized that Palestinians want to return to their homes in Gaza, declaring, “Our homeland is our homeland... They want to rebuild Gaza—its schools, hospitals, and infrastructure—because this is where they belong and where they love to live. I believe leaders should respect the will of the Palestinian people.”
US President Donald Trump has announced that the United States will assume control over the Gaza Strip, following his meeting with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu at the White House.
“The US will take over the Gaza Strip. And we will do a job with it, too. We’ll own it and be responsible for dismantling all of the dangerous unexploded bombs and other weapons on the site,” Trump said, promising to “level the site and get rid of the destroyed buildings.”
Trump also said he is not ruling out deploying US troops to support his Gaza development plan.
“We’ll do what is necessary. If it’s necessary, we’ll do that. We’re going to take over that place,” he said.
Source:rt.com
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https://www.rt.com/news/612187-trump-wants-us-to-own-gaza/
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21 Boys in Search of Islamic Education Rescued from Human Traffickers at Border
05 February 2025
Twenty-one boys have been saved from being trafficked under the disguise of Islamic education (Almajiri) across the border of the country into neighbouring Niger Republic.
They were rescued, weekend, by immigration officers at the Geidam Border Control Post while their abductors were trying to transport them to Maine Saroua in Diffa Provinvce of Niger Republic.
The immigration officers subsequently handed them over to the National Agency Prohibition of Trafficking in Persons (NAPTIP), who transferred them to Niger State Government.
Speaking in Abuja, the Director General NAPTIP, Hajiya Binta Bello, said the boys were trafficked from their homes in Magama Local Government Area of Niger State and were being trafficked to Maine Saroua in Diffa district of Niger Republic.
The DG who handed over the children to the Niger State Governor, Usman Bago, explained that the children and their traffickers were intercepted by men of the Nigeria Immigration Nigeria, (NIS), on patrol at the Nigeria/Niger border in Yobe state.
She said: “The information we got was that they were being taken to an Islamic school in Niger. I asked the commissioner a while ago, are there no Islamic schools in Niger State? And he affirmed that there are many, many Islamic schools in Niger State.
“So my advice to the government of Niger State, is that they should counsel the parents and these children, they should rehabilitate them and ensure that they register them in Islamic schools that also teach Western education so that they can benefit the two.”
Niger governor said the state government would step up public enlightenment so that parent could understand better the damaging impact of handing over their children to individuals that are not trustworthy.
Represented by the Commissioner for Humanitarian and Disaster Management, Ahmed Yumu, the governor applauded the DG of NAPTIP for the effort at stopping human trafficking.
Source:thisdaylive.com
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Arab World
People around the world want to remain healthy into old age, says Hevolution’s CEO
HAIFA ALSHAMMARI
February 04, 2025
RIYADH: People around the world want to remain healthy and independent into old age, according to the chief executive of Saudi Arabia’s Hevolution Foundation, a nonprofit organization dedicated to extending healthy human lifespan.
“We at Hevolution do not like to use the word longevity,” said Mehmood Khan, CEO of the Hevolution Foundation, during the opening session of the organization’s Global Healthspan Summit in Riyadh on Tuesday, which has Arab News as a media partner.
“Most people that we serve around the world actually don’t want to live longer just for the sake of living longer. They want to be independent; they want to be functional mentally and physically,” Khan added.
The summit is back for its second edition in Riyadh, with health professionals, decision-makers, and investors gathering until Feb. 5.
The two-day conference aims to focus on issues surrounding diseases resulting from aging, their impact on society, economics, and overall health. At the same time the event is negotiating investment opportunities to improve the quality of health in the Kingdom and worldwide.
Khan added: “I have to acknowledge Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, whose vision has led to the creation of Hevolution today.
“His unwavering support, I can tell you, as recently as four or five days ago, he wanted to know if everything was on track.”
The CEO further touched on some of the keys for improving healthy human lifespan, including scientific research and the quality of healthcare.
He said: “This is no longer a discussion for a few experts and patients, and I like to use the word consumers because we are in the business of maintaining them as consumers and not becoming patients.”
Touching on the networking opportunities presented by the summit, Khan added: “You are all here in this unique gathering, which is unprecedented anywhere else in the world. This is your opportunity, and your opportunity is to communicate, to figure out how to collaborate, how to convene in smaller groups and subgroups, and to push the boundaries of science.
“For the entrepreneurs in this room, there is no other business in the world that is going to affect every single human in 8 billion people.
“You have the chance to create businesses that will not only give you financial opportunity, given the scale, but will touch the life of every single human being.”
He concluded his speech by noting the concept of “sadaqah jariyah,” an Islamic belief of doing good not only for now but for the long term.
Khan added: “If we do this today, the benefit of this, and the value of this, will not only be seen in our generation but for generations to come. That is a fundamental belief not only for Islam but probably for most faiths.”
Source:arabnews.com
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Officials highlight importance of research ecosystems to develop Saudi health policy
GHADI JOUDAH
February 04, 2025
RIYADH: Saudi Arabia is building a robust health research ecosystem to inform policy development and promote sustainable growth, three Saudi health officials said on Tuesday.
The comments were made during a panel discussion at the Global Healthspan Summit 2025 in Riyadh, which has Arab News as a media partner.
Speaking during the panel discussion titled “GCC Exchange,” Dr. Nouf Al-Numair, secretary general of the Saudi Ministerial Committee for Health in All Policies (HiAP), highlighted how the Kingdom is embedding health considerations into all sectors to tackle age-related diseases and foster collaboration across the Gulf Cooperation Council.
“In Saudi Arabia, we are governing HiAP at a higher level — it’s embedded within the central government,” said Dr. Al-Numair.
She added that through a ministerial committee exercising this topic, HiAP is supported by 11 ministries working together to activate health in all policies across the Kingdom.
Dr. Al-Numair highlighted Saudi Arabia’s focus on developing a strong research ecosystem as a foundation for addressing national challenges.
“This ecosystem is crucial because it informs policy development and research allows us to set priorities, understand challenges and proactively solve them through policies — not just isolated initiatives or programs,” she said.
Dr. Al-Numair outlined five key pillars essential for building a strong research ecosystem: Strong governance and alignment, building capabilities, clear funding mechanisms, data and digital infrastructure, and collaborative platforms.
“We need a robust governance structure to align research with national strategies,” she said, highlighting the importance of central coordination to ensure that research addresses priority areas.
Dr. Al-Numair said that investing in the workforce and preparing for futuristic jobs within the research environment is key to creating a sustainable ecosystem.
“A defined funding mechanism ensures that researchers, scientists and innovators are adequately supported to contribute to the ecosystem,” she added.
Digitalizing data and creating a comprehensive digital infrastructure is critical for enabling research and collaboration, she said.
Dr. Majed Al-Jeraisy, executive director of research and education at the Saudi NIH, further highlighted the challenges of building research infrastructure from scratch and highlighted the need to first change cultural mindsets.
“This is the most important element to start with,” said Dr. Al-Jeraisy. “We need to shift the mindset and culture around research before focusing on other key elements such as setting clear milestones and measurable goals within the strategy.”
Dr. Al-Jeraisy also highlighted the importance of recruiting high-caliber scientists to support the collaborative nature of research into extending the healthy human lifespan.
He said that this research requires a collaborative approach between scientists and clinicians.
“This integration doesn’t exist yet, so we need to foster more collaboration and even recruit experienced scientists from abroad to embed this culture within the system.”
Leveraging artificial intelligence and big data is another critical priority, Dr. Al-Jeraisy added.
“Without a robust database for our community, we cannot develop a strategy, road map, or even efficient planning and funding,” he said.
Dr. Al-Jeraisy added that having sustainable funding is crucial.
“Setting up infrastructure requires securing resources to support long-term healthspan and longevity research.”
He added that the field demands sustained momentum and stakeholder engagement over time.
Adding to the discussion, Dr. Walid Al-Keridy, director, home health care administration at the Ministry of Health, highlighted how the ministry is taking a holistic approach to address healthy longevity and lifespan in alignment with Vision 2030.
“In the Ministry of Health, our North Star and vision are to ensure that every individual in our society is not only living longer, but also healthier, supported by a resilient healthcare system,” Dr. Al-Keridy said.
He outlined the ministry’s guiding principles, which prioritize prevention, health and digital transformation, private-sector partnerships and program sustainability.
Dr. Al-Keridy highlighted the importance of designing programs that meet people where they are, linking them to Vision 2030 priorities and ensuring sustainability.
“We address this at multiple levels within the ministry through resilient programs that ensure value in the healthcare system. These principles are embedded in our initiatives, such as the value-based program and even in our contractual agreements with new therapies,” he said.
The “GCC Exchange” panel explored how Gulf countries are fostering collaboration to tackle age-related diseases and promote sustainable growth in healthspan research.
Dr. Al-Numair concluded by highlighting Saudi Arabia’s leadership in health policy and research innovation within the region.
“By focusing on governance, capabilities, funding, infrastructure and collaboration, we can build a health ecosystem that not only addresses current challenges, but also prepares us for the future,” she said.
Source:arabnews.com
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Saudi graduates of UK universities honored with awards for career success
TAMARA ABOALSAUD
February 04, 2025
RIYADH: A number of Saudi graduates of British universities were honored for success in their careers at an awards ceremony at the UK Embassy in Riyadh on Monday.
Now in its 11th year, the UK Study Alumni Award judged applicants in four categories: science and sustainability, culture and creativity, social action, and business and innovation.
Out of thousands of applicants, four winners were chosen for each category by a team of independent judges.
The Social Action Award was presented to Qamar Naith, assistant professor at the University of Jeddah, who created pioneering medical devices after overcoming her own battle with heart disease.
While studying at the University of Sheffield, Naith created three medical devices: the first for the early detection of strokes, the second for tracking post-operational changes, and the third for early detection of issues during pregnancy.
“UK universities have played a vital role in shaping my journey,” she said.
“The UK system in general, they motivate people to involve their real life in their education.”
Faisal Al-Zahrani, professor at King Abdulaziz University, received the Culture and Creativity Award for his work at MirZyme Theraputics, a biopharmaceutical company aimed at predicting and preventing complications during pregnancy.
Al-Zahrani spoke about how his grandfather had traveled around the south of Saudi Arabia 100 years ago, seeking knowledge before returning home to share his experiences.
“My dad inherited the love of education in his DNA and guided me for a decade until I became a full professor.”
MirZyme Theraputics brings together Saudi and British universities to carry out medical research.
Although unable to attend in person, Shoura Council member Amal Talat M. Qattan, scientist in the Department of Molecular Oncology at King Faisal Specialist Hospital and Research Center, won the Science and Sustainability Award for her research on precision medicine with a proactive approach.
Finally, the Business and Innovation Award was given to Raed Abu Dawood, who is the CEO of Saudi Aramco Technologies Co.
UK Ambassador to Saudi Arabia Neil Crompton told Arab News that what distinguishes the winners and finalists is that they have done amazing work on top of the rigor of academic stress.
He said that study abroad “makes friendships that last for a lifetime.”
Alicia Herbert, the UK’s special envoy for gender equality, spoke to Arab News about the importance of studying abroad in forming a strong bedrock for UK-Saudi relations.
“It’s about fundamentally understanding each other, there is nothing more powerful than visiting another country for a particular period of time and getting under the skin of it to understand what it’s about, and I think that’s exactly what exchanges like these do.”
This year, eight out of the 12 finalists for the awards were women.
Herbert said that although she had only been in the country for a few hours, she was struck by the progress of gender equality here in the Kingdom and by the speed at which it has happened.
“The statistics are … staggering,” she said.
Herbert added the progress is “incredible” but there is more to do in both countries and beyond to keep driving change forward.
Herbert herself grew up in the Caribbean and came to the UK as a student where she earned postgraduate degrees from the University of Cambridge and the London School of Economics, and 35 years later she is still in the UK.
Matthew Knowles, the British Council’s director for Saudi Arabia, Bahrain, and the Gulf spoke to Arab News about the rich academic and economic connections between Saudi Arabia and the UK.
He noted that there are around 17,000 Saudi students studying in the UK every year, split equally between men and women.
“A night like this is celebrating lots of different things, it is celebrating the connection that people have walked away with from their times studying and living in the UK; one of those slightly unquantifiable things,” Knowles said.
“The friends you make, the memories you create. The way that you learn to think, the different ideas you come across, it is an incredibly immersive and rich experience, a life shaping experience.”
Knowles cited the International Institute for Clean Hydrogen, a joint project by Newcastle University and King Fahd University of Petroleum and Minerals and their respective partners, announced in December 2024, as an example of the seeds that are planted through the student and academic exchange between countries.
Source:arabnews.com
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Saudi crown prince holds telephone call with UAE president
February 04, 2025
RIYADH: Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman phoned the President of the United Arab Emirates Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al-Nahyan on Tuesday.
During the call, the two leaders reviewed relations between their countries and areas of existing cooperation and opportunities for developing them, Saudi Press Agency reported.
Prince Mohammed and Sheikh Mohamed also discussed the latest regional and international developments and efforts made toward them to achieve security and stability.
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German president visits King Salman Park Project in Riyadh
February 04, 2025
RIYADH: German President Frank-Walter Steinmeier visited the King Salman Park Project in Riyadh on Tuesday, Saudi Press Agency reported.
He was accompanied by Saudi Ambassador to Germany Prince Abdullah bin Khalid bin Sultan and Minister of Commerce Majid Al-Qasabi.
Steinmeier and his delegation attended a visual presentation detailing the project and its current stages of implementation.
The German president left Riyadh on Tuesday and was seen off at King Khalid International Airport by Riyadh Gov. Prince Faisal bin Bandar and several other officials.
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UK health service is more of a ‘national sickness service,’ says head of top research program
RAHAF JAMBI
February 04, 2025
RIYADH: The UK’s National Health Service has been more of a “national sickness service” focusing more on treating disease instead of maintaining overall health and preventing illness, the head of a leading research program said during a Riyadh conference on Tuesday.
Raghib Ali, CEO of Our Future Health UK — the country’s largest health research project — made the remarks during a panel session at the second Global Healthspan Summit, of which Arab News is a media partner.
“The NHS has often functioned more as a national sickness service,” Ali said. “We need to pivot toward a model that prioritizes health maintenance rather than just treating diseases.”
Ali spoke about how his career began 25 years ago as a junior doctor in an emergency department.
He recognized a critical flaw in the health care system; too many patients were presenting with advanced diseases that had developed over decades.
“What we were doing as doctors was good, of course, we could treat our patients,” he said. “But too often, we were seeing patients with diseases that had developed over decades.
“If we could have found those people much earlier and intervened, we could have prevented or delayed those conditions significantly.”
Conditions such as heart attacks, strokes and cancers were often treated only after they became severe, highlighting the urgent need for earlier intervention.
The concept of healthspan — the period of life spent in good health — has gained traction as the traditional health care model has been criticized for overly focusing on disease management.
Despite advances in diagnostics and treatments, rising rates of multimorbidity, mental health issues and health inequalities are prevalent not only in the UK but across many parts of the world.
To combat this, Ali emphasized the importance of using new methodologies: “Innovative technologies — like polygenic risk scores and digital interventions — are vital in creating a more tailored approach to health,” he said.
Ali added: “Our goal is not just to extend life but to compress morbidity, ensuring that the period of ill health is as short as possible.”
While the adage “prevention is better than cure” has long been accepted, much of the research has focused on animal models rather than human populations.
To change this, Ali stressed the need for “a robust health research program that encompasses a diverse cohort of participants to understand how to improve healthspan effectively.”
Our Future Health UK was established to address gaps in research by creating a large, ethnically and socioeconomically diverse cohort that could provide valuable insights into healthspan interventions.
It aims to engage millions of individuals across various demographics, including younger populations, to understand the factors driving multimorbidity and how to effectively enhance healthy lifespans.
Ali highlighted the importance of making participation accessible and appealing to people from all walks of life.
“One of our key objectives is to decrease inequalities. We aim to make participation as straightforward as possible to engage individuals from all backgrounds,” he said.
Ali’s discussion emphasized that the future of healthspan medicine lay in effectively harnessing data.
By creating a comprehensive evidence base that includes insights from a wide range of participants, researchers hope to better understand which interventions are most effective and cost-efficient to develop large-scale public health strategies.
Source:arabnews.com
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Saudi academy launches Arabic immersion program
February 04, 2025
RIYADH: The King Salman Global Academy for Arabic Language has welcomed 50 non-native Arabic-speaking students for the second Linguistic Immersion program.
Held at the academy’s Riyadh headquarters, the program includes people from 20 countries and introduces two new tracks, according to the Saudi Press Agency.
Building on the success of the 2023 edition in Jeddah, which attracted more than 100 learners from 34 countries, the eight-week program aims to enhance participants’ Arabic skills for cultural and tourism purposes.
Students will gain a deep understanding of the language through an immersive experience focused on integration into Saudi society, the SPA reported.
The initiative aligns with the academy’s mission to promote Arabic globally and supports Saudi Arabia’s Human Capability Development Program.
Participants were selected through a precise admission process to ensure they met the criteria for the flagship initiative.
Divided into two tracks, the program caters to different learning needs. The tourism track equips 25 students, tourists and visitors with practical skills to navigate real-life scenarios in Arabic while exploring Saudi culture through field visits and training.
The cultural track targets university students and language center participants, enhancing their linguistic proficiency in a comprehensive learning environment.
The program follows the “Cultural Arabic” and “Touristic Arabic” courses, based on the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages at the B1 level. This enables participants to communicate effectively in Arabic across various contexts.
Using a communicative approach, the institute integrates grammar and syntax within skill-based, interactive activities. Learning is supported by group work, audio-visual material and reading resources.
Structured around an advanced curriculum, the program combines classroom lessons with cultural activities, such as hosting experiences with Saudi families, national celebrations like Founding Day and National Day, and weekly cultural trips.
Source:arabnews.com
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Bangladesh seeks deeper collaboration with Saudi Arabia on 50th anniversary of diplomatic ties
RASHID HASSAN
February 04, 2025
RIYADH: The newly-appointed Ambassador of Bangladesh to Saudi Arabia M. Delwar Hossain said his country seeks deeper collaboration with Riyadh to mark the 50th anniversary of diplomatic ties between the two countries.
In an exclusive interview with Arab News, Hossain said: “As far as our people are concerned, we have had a close relationship for centuries, but the state of Bangladesh was formed in 1971 and we established formal diplomatic relations with Saudi Arabia in 1975. Since then, our relationship has been growing progressively.
“We are planning to jointly celebrate. It will not be just celebration events. We want to take advantage of this milestone event to take our relationship to a new high,” said the envoy.
“We are expecting some exchange of high level visits to further consolidate our relationship. We are planning joint events in Riyadh as well as in Dhaka to mark this milestone in our diplomatic ties. There will be some exchange of cultural troupes that will help in better understanding of each other’s culture, and for better bonding between our people.”
He continued: “Bangladesh has an overwhelming Muslim population and our people view Saudi Arabia as the host of the Two Holy Mosques — we need to come here to fulfill our religious obligations, and the King of Saudi Arabia is custodian of the Two Holy Mosques. So, we see Saudi Arabia from that perspective.”
Some think that the Saudi-Bangladeshi relationship is mainly based on human resource cooperation. But, he said, that is not the full truth.
“Of course, we have right now about 3.2 million people staying in this country. Apart from that we have a very good relationship with Saudi Arabia in other sectors such as trade, investment, technical collaboration and Saudi assistance in infrastructure development in Bangladesh. In recent years our bilateral trade has witnessed considerable growth.”
Hossain said investment is significant. “We are in discussions, both at government and private level, to increase Saudi investment, and also some Bangladeshi investment in Saudi Arabia.”
Saudi companies are engaged in Bangladesh in different sectors, he said. Saudi company Red Sea Gateway is managing one seaport terminal, and other companies are interested in getting involved in managing key installations in Bangladesh.
“Until now we had mostly unskilled workers. Our target is now to bring some skilled workers, so that we can be a proud part of the ongoing development projects in the Kingdom,” said Hossain.
“We have a huge pool of professionals and wish to bring them here as there is vast employment prospects emerging from Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030 initiatives, including mega projects like NEOM, Red Sea, Qiddiya, Amala, and Diriyah developments.
“We have a good relationship in the energy sector. We recently had a discussion at the ministerial level to further strengthen our energy cooperation. We are thinking of something big with Saudi Arabia. We are becoming an energy hub — first we want to cater our national requirement and then aim to fulfill demand of some neighboring countries. We are hoping to come up with something concrete in the near future. It’s not just energy, we are also talking about the whole range of petrochemicals and fertilizers. There could be one or two joint ventures in fertilizers in Saudi Arabia,” said the ambassador.
“Our aim is to foster deep collaboration in the energy and agriculture sectors, to be more specific, and also further strengthen relationships in education and training, including information technology. Right now we have about 1,500 Bangladeshi students studying at Saudi universities on scholarships. We are hoping that more scholarships will be in place in the near future.”
On Bangladesh signing a Hajj agreement with Saudi Arabia for this year, the ambassador said: “This year it’s about 87,000. We have concluded the agreement in January this year for a smooth Hajj experience for Bangladeshi pilgrims.”
He also addressed Saudi support for the Rohingya people. “We are currently hosting about 1.5 million Rohingyas from Myanmar. To ensure their living conditions, we need help from the international community, and the Saudi government is very generous in taking part in humanitarian operations for those oppressed people.
“We are very much grateful to King Salman and Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman and for their overwhelming support, not only in humanitarian assistance, but also within international fora for the return and life of these people in their motherland, Myanmar,” said the ambassador.
“Saudi Arabia is extending wholehearted support for the resolution of the Rohingya crisis and also in humanitarian assistance, giving the stay in Bangladesh,” he added.
“We are thankful to the Saudi leadership. We have an excellent relationship with Saudi Arabia that is expanding rapidly. We work very closely with Saudi Arabia on many regional and global issues, within the UN and other regional and global forums, particularly under the aegis of OIC.”
Source:arabnews.com
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Madinah launches portal for iftar providers
February 04, 2025
RIYADH: The General Authority for the Care of the Affairs of the Grand Mosque and the Prophet’s Mosque has launched an online portal for iftar service providers at the Prophet’s Mosque in Madinah to update their information for Ramadan.
According to the authority, updating data is mandatory to continue service, along with contracting approved catering companies and complying with iftar service guidelines.
The list of approved companies will be provided after data updates to finalize contracts and issue electronic permits, the Saudi Press Agency reported.
Last month, the authority also launched a portal for charitable organizations and individuals to apply for iftar meal services inside the Grand Mosque in Makkah during Ramadan.
The service allows the selection of meal sites, with one meal site per person and 10 sites allocated for charitable organizations.
The authority highlighted the need to provide low-calorie meals for individuals with chronic diseases and diabetes.
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Global Healthspan Summit opens in Riyadh, exploring new approaches to aging
RAHAF JAMBI
February 04, 2025
RIYADH: The Global Healthspan Summit in Riyadh opened on Tuesday focused on the latest advancements in extending the healthy lifespan of humans.
In an interview with Arab News on the sidelines of the summit, Rakan W. Tarabzoni, chief operating officer of the Future Investment Initiative Institute, spoke about a health initiative that the organization introduced in Oct. 2024.
“We want all companies, all the hiring institutions to provide health checkups for the individuals, which means healthier employees, which means more productive employees, which means successful entities or companies,” he said.
“That will only happen if we help people to do preventive checkups before having to help them deal with the diseases after they happen.”
One of the key sessions on the opening day, “Science Beyond the Hallmarks of Aging: Exposomes, Microbiomes, Sexual Dimorphism, and Scientific Investigations around Healthspan,” delved into the latest advancements in understanding aging.
Dr. Felipe Sierra, chief science officer of the Hevolution Foundation, led the opening statement, setting the stage for an exploration of how recent scientific investigations are reshaping our comprehension of aging.
Dr. Dena Dubal, professor of neurology at the University of California, focused on the communication between different organs and their role in aging.
She emphasized the importance of studying these interactions rather than isolating individual organs.
Dubal said: “It’s fascinating to explore how different organs communicate. For instance, what signals does the kidney send to the brain.”
Her recent work highlights how biological sex impacts aging and health.
Dubal said: “True sex differences exist. For example, women live longer than men across the globe, and understanding the resilience behind this could lead to new medicines for both sexes.”
This understanding could lead to innovative treatments tailored for both genders, she said.
The session was moderated by Dr. Sebastien Thuault, chief editor of Nature Aging.
The summit, of which Arab News is a media partner, runs until Wednesday at the Four Seasons Hotel Riyadh.
Dr. Paul D. Robbins, associate director of the Institute on the Biology of Aging & Metabolism at the University of Minnesota, discussed the concept of cellular senescence, a state where cells stop dividing and contribute to aging and disease.
He noted: “Senescence is a hallmark of aging, and targeting these cells could potentially slow aging and extend healthspan.”
Robbins mentioned a significant initiative funded to map senescent cells across human tissues, aiming to identify which cells to target for therapeutic intervention.
Dr. James Kirkland, director of the Center for Gerotherapeutics at Cedars-Sinai Medical Center, highlighted pressing health issues in Saudi Arabia, stating: “There are two main diseases related to cell senescence that are now considered leading causes of death for both males and females.
“A leading cause of death for males is heart failure with preserved ejection fraction, for which there is no effective treatment. It’s a senescence-driven disorder along with fibrosis.”
He continued: “The leading cause of death for women in Saudi Arabia is triple-negative breast cancer.
“New drugs, including a class called senolytics, which the Hevolution Foundation is funding studies for, may make inroads against this deadly form of cancer.”
Kirkland pointed to increasing mortality rates from disorders related to exposomes, emphasizing the need for further investigation into these trends.
Dr. Pinchas Cohen, dean of the Leonard Davis School of Gerontology at the University of Southern California, advocated for more personalized approaches to health and aging.
He stressed: “We need individualized lifestyle interventions rather than a one-size-fits-all model. The Mediterranean diet, while beneficial, may not be effective for every population.”
His research emphasized the importance of tailoring interventions to individual genetic backgrounds and lifestyles to maximize their potential.
Cohen also highlighted mitochondrial health. He said: “By understanding mitochondrial DNA mutations and their effects on metabolism, we can develop targeted therapies that address the root causes of age-related diseases.”
Dr. Eric Verdin, CEO and president of the Buck Institute, discussed the evolution of biomarkers in aging research.
He noted: “Advancements in technology allow for the analysis of thousands of variables, which could revolutionize how we predict responses to treatments.”
Verdin also described how wearable technology is now being integrated into health monitoring: “These devices could serve as valuable biomarkers, providing real-time data on health status and aging.”
Sierra concluded the session by emphasizing the transformative potential of ongoing research in aging.
“We are on the brink of a revolution, fueled by new technologies and a deeper understanding of aging processes,” he said.
The summit will continue with discussions focusing on how researchers are continuing to unravel the intricacies of aging, and exploring the potential for novel interventions that improve quality of life for aging populations.
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India
Delhi polls: Viral pamphlet calling Arvind Kejriwal messiah of Muslims at least 5-year old
4TH FEBRUARY 2025
BY PAWAN KUMAR
Polling for the 70 seats of the Delhi assembly elections is set to be held on February 5, with results slated for February 8. Against this backdrop, a pamphlet with a picture of former Delhi chief minister Arvind Kejriwal is doing the rounds on social media. It states that Muslims from New Delhi should vote for Kejriwal for the betterment of the community, and that he is the messiah of the community.
BJP and Narendra Modi supporter Jitendra Pratap Singh, who often spreads false information, shared an image of the pamphlet on his X handle and wrote, “On one hand Kejriwal is becoming a Hinduist, on the other hand his party is distributing such pamphlets in Muslim areas. The Hindus of Delhi should read this.” (Archived link)
BJP-supporter and verified X user @kreatelyMedia has often been found posting misleading and communal, hate-filled posts. @kreatelyMedia, too, made the same claim by tweeting the image. (Archived link)
Chandan Sharma, another X user who has been found spreading misinformation in the past, shared the image and made an appeal to residents of New Delhi to vote for BJP for the sake of their children’s future. (Archived link)
Alt News also received several requests to verify the image on the WhatsApp helpline (7600011160).
Fact Check
We performed a reverse image search of the viral image of the pamphlet, which led us to a report by Aaj Tak, published on February 6, 2020. According to the report, the same pamphlet had also gone viral during the 2020 elections. However, the report does not mention which party or individual was responsible for publishing it.
We noticed that the image in the Aaj Tak report shows a newspaper placed below the pamphlet with the date Thursday, February 6, 2020 written on it, indicating that the image of the viral pamphlet is not recent.
X handle @vimal_thinks also shared a picture of this pamphlet on February 6, 2020.
To sum up, a five-year-old picture of a pamphlet that calls Arvind Kejriwal the messiah of Muslims is falsely being shared in connection with the upcoming Delhi assembly elections.
Source:altnews.in
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Waqf Board Bill Will Further Push Muslims to the Margins
Nayeema Ahmad Mehjoor
05 Feb 2025
Only 5% Muslims' Representation in Indian Parliament
Muslims, who constitute less than 15% of India's population, have only 5% representation in the Indian Parliament. Furthermore, they occupy just 16 out of 265 Supreme Court judgeships and less than 250 out of 11,500 administrative officer positions.
According to most survey reports, this representation has reduced during the BJP’s rule since the party took reigns of power in 2014.
The Waqf Board, a crucial religious institution under the Muslim Personal Law, with a rich historical significance, currently represents the interests of Muslims. Its role has gained significant attention with the BJP government's proposed amendments to the Waqf Act.
Under the Indian Waqf Act 1995, the Waqf Board maintains Islamic Auqaf or religious properties, constitutes the Central and State Waqf Boards for different regions, and manages the treasury, registration, and survey work to further the welfare net around Muslim properties.
The Waqf Board oversees a staggering 9.4 lakh acres of land, on which approximately 9 lakh properties are built. According to its reports, its total value is estimated at a substantial 1.2 lakh crores, underscoring the significant stakes involved in the proposed amendments.
With thirty authorized Waqf Boards in India, resolving property and other disputes is a pressing issue. Currently, about forty-one thousand cases are registered with the Waqf Tribunal, highlighting the scale and complexity of the problem that needs immediate attention.
Some Muslim organisations have raised concerns about the Waqf Board's handling of property disputes, which have remained unresolved in the tribunal for decades. There have also been allegations of mismanagement and misappropriation of Waqf properties, with no satisfactory response from the Board.
The Board's appointments and operations have also sparked controversy among Muslims despite its claim to protect their properties and religious institutions.
Waqf Amendment Bill Reference to JPC
The BJP and those in unison with Hindutva ideology believe that the establishment of the Waqf gives special concessions to followers of one religion that is in contravention of the Indian Constitution.
The accusations against the Waqf Board are that it has thousands of acres of unregistered land, including the land of those who migrated to Pakistan after the partition of the subcontinent in 1947, which is controlled only by Muslims. Attempts are made to resolve property disputes internally instead of in the courts, raising eyebrows about the transparency of the board.
In this context, the BJP introduced the Waqf Amendment Bill to Parliament last year. This bill, if passed, could significantly alter the functioning and authority of the Waqf Board, potentially affecting the management and ownership of Muslim properties.
The opposition alliance, led by the Indian National Congress, created a ruckus in Parliament and demanded that the Waqf Amendment Bill be referred to a Joint Parliamentary Committee (JPC) for scrutiny. They raised concerns about the potential impact of the bill on the Muslim community and the transparency of the committee's proceedings.
The BJP government does not currently have a two-thirds majority to proceed, so a joint committee of Parliament was formed at the opposition's request. However, the inclusion of eleven opposition members in the 31-member body was seen as a strategic move by the BJP to maintain its dominance while voting, raising questions about the committee's impartiality.
After 36 debates in the JPC since August last year, the head of the parliamentary committee, Jagdambika Pal, announced that twenty-five amendments had been approved on the committee’s recommendations and submitted an amended act to the Speaker of the Parliament. The opposition leaders objected to the head of the JPC.
They revealed in a press conference that they were not allowed to speak, raise an issue, or give advice to the committee. The BJP, after getting the votes of its members, prepared a report. It was alleged that the report consisting of more than five hundred pages was not given to read, which will be passed as an amended bill during the current session of Parliament.
BJP's Attempt To Divide Muslims
The head of the JPC gloated that he had prepared the report after consulting representatives of twenty-five Waqf Boards and fifteen states. The report also included the public's opinions, which, according to the head of JPC, were formulated after reading ninety-three lakh emails.
Many amendments were proposed to the act, among which a few need to be mentioned here.
The First Amendment concerns Muslim property, which the government says is not in use but is under the control of the Waqf Board. A proposal to place that property under government control was made. Muslim scholars blamed that the BJP wanted to seize our religious property. The amendment to this clause could not go through and was dropped at this stage.
However, the Joint Parliamentary Committee recommended that unregistered properties be registered before the Waqf Amendment Act. After this amendment bill is passed, the Waqf Board will have to publicly register all used or unused properties and put their complete records on its website within six months so that no objection can be raised to their transparency.
The BJP parliamentarians have recommended establishment of separate Waqf Boards for the Aga Khani and Bohra communities, but some opposition members rejected the proposal outrightly. Muslim clerics considered this BJP’s attempt to further divide the Muslims into different sects and groups to keep its hold by enticing them.
After objections from Muslims, the suggestion was rejected that in case of any property dispute, the district collector would be included in the investigation team from the government. Opposition members raised the point that the involvement of a government official in the dispute and playing a neutral role will always become controversial.
An amendment to appoint a non-Muslim member to the Waqf Board has been approved. Now, the two top members will be one Muslim and one non-Muslim. Muslim scholars believe that this has fulfilled the BJP's long-standing dream of eliminating the Muslim institution's identity and gaining access to its records and assets.
Opposition Members in JPC oppose Amendments
Eleven opposition members of JPC called the formation and then the committee amendments a joke, saying that the BJP chairperson brought amendments and recommendations of his own accord. The members have notified the Speaker of Parliament about their displeasure and have refused to accept the amendments.
Trinamool Congress MP Kalyan Banerjee said the committee did not give us any documents. “We requested a discussion on each clause or section of the proposed document. The chairman rejected it without providing any justification for it. He voted and made his party parliamentarians vote, which amounts to the death of democracy in India,” Banerjee said.
Many opposition members were removed from the committee after the opposition created a ruckus.
Mirwaiz of Kashmir (religious preacher) and Hurriyat leader Mirwaiz Umar Farooq also attended the Waqf Board meeting but was not given a chance to speak, on which the BJP accused the Congress of stopping Mirwaiz from speaking.
Mirwaiz met other Indian religious leaders to oppose the amendments and pledged to establish a united front against it.
Mirwaiz, Ruhullah meet to oppose Waqf Bill
Meanwhile, to everybody’s surprise, Mirwaiz Umer Farooq and ruling party Jammu and Kashmir National Conference MP Agha Ruhullah met in Delhi. The meeting and the news of the Waqf Board launching an organised movement against the bill went viral on social media, raising questions about MP Ruhullah’s confrontational stand against his party politics.
Until now, NC has maintained a mute silence against the BJP’s anti-minority policies, especially on the Waqf Act amendment bill, which is in contravention to the policy adopted by its Member Parliament.
All India Majlis-e-Ittehad-ul-Muslimeen leader and MP Asaduddin Owaisi, while reacting on the amendment, said, “The Modi government's aim is not to save Waqf Board but to abolish Waqf, seize Muslim properties and disenfranchise them. With the amendments, this government is bent on grabbing our religious properties.”
“BJP wants Muslims disempowered from the affairs of the state and impose Hindutva on us. We condemn it and reject these amendments,” he further retorted.
Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah and former Chief Minister Farooq Abdullah have, as usual, distanced themselves from the opposition alliance by making cautious recent statements on the Waqf Amendments and declaring them the responsibility of the BJP government. On the contrary, the party's MP, Agha Ruhullah, and Muslim scholars actively participated in the campaign against it.
The Waqf Amendment Bill will be presented in Parliament in the next few days before the Delhi elections so that the BJP can earn Hindu votes in the Delhi Assembly elections by baking its bread.
However, defeating Arvind Kejriwal's AAP in Delhi is a big challenge not only for the BJP but also for the Congress, which is leaving no stone unturned to win minority votes. Meanwhile, the minorities seem helpless in the milieu of the Hindutva wave.
Source:kashmirtimes.com
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Database: Hate crimes against Muslims in January 2025
February 4, 2025
Database: Hate crimes against Muslims in January 2025
Since the BJP-led government took power in 2014, hate crimes against Muslims in India have seen a sharp increase. According to available data, around 85% of the perpetrators have been associated with the BJP or its sister Hindu organizations. In some cases, law enforcement agencies have been either unresponsive or hostile to the victims.
This page is dedicated to tracking and documenting hate crimes against India’s 200 million Muslims. Our goal is to systematically collect data on the date, location, motive, victim, perpetrator, and subsequent legal action, which will contribute to the creation of a searchable and analytical database. This resource will be made available to journalists, academics, and human rights activists to raise awareness and address the issue of hate crimes, fostering a safer and more inclusive India for all citizens, regardless of caste or creed.
Database of Hate Crimes in January 2025:
Below is a list of hate crimes recorded in the month of January 2025. This database will be updated regularly to ensure accuracy and completeness.
Serial number: 1
Date of Attack: January 1, 2025
Nature of Attack: Cow vigilantes, Physical Assault
Location: Ghatkesar city, Telangana
A berief summary of the incident:
On January 1, a cattle trader, Amir Qureshi, and his driver were assaulted by cow vigilantes linked to the Bharatiya Janata Yuva Morcha (BJYM) in Ghatkesar, Telangana. The attack, led by Pavan Reddy, the district president of BJYM, occurred around 11 PM when Qureshi was transporting six buffaloes he had purchased. The group accused him of illegal cow slaughter without evidence, resulting in a violent assault that left Qureshi severely injured. Eyewitnesses reported the mob forcibly removed Qureshi and his driver from their vehicle before attacking them. Police arrived shortly after the incident and transported the injured to Osmania General Hospital. The All India Majlis Ittehadul Muslimeen (AIMIM) demanded strict action against the attackers. The Ghatkesar police registered a case and initiated an investigation into the attack. The incident underscores the rising threat of cow vigilantism and its implications for communal harmony in India.
Source:muslimmirror.com
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https://muslimmirror.com/database-hate-crimes-against-muslims-in-january-2025/
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Telangana government declares holiday for Shab-e-Barat
February 4, 2025
The Telangana government has declared a holiday for Shab-e-Barat, observed on the 15th of Shaban, the eighth month of the Islamic calendar. Initially, the state government’s calendar included a holiday for Shab-e-Meraj on February 14, but it was categorized as an optional holiday rather than a general one.
With the sighting of the moon, it is confirmed that Shab-e-Barat will be observed next Friday. The occasion, also known as the “Night of Forgiveness,” is marked by prayers and visits to graveyards in remembrance of loved ones. Many also observe fasting.
While February 14 is not a general holiday, some schools in Telangana will remain closed in observance of Shab-e-Barat. In February, the state has three holidays—one general and two optional.
The optional holidays in February are:
Sri Panchami – February 3
Shab-e-Barat – February 14
The only general holiday in the month falls on February 26 for Mahashivaratri.
Minority educational institutions in Telangana traditionally observe a holiday on the day following Shab-e-Barat. Although not universally observed, many institutions and establishments grant a holiday to allow the community to commemorate this significant religious event. — With Agencies Inputs
Source:muslimmirror.com
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Okhla’s electoral campaigns add to civic woes
February 4, 2025
By Shajil Imam
The Okhla constituency in Southeast Delhi is facing significant challenges as political parties ramp up their election campaigns for the February 5 Delhi Assembly elections. Despite pledging to address the area’s poor civic amenities, local politicians are worsening the situation.
Okhla, a Muslim-majority constituency with a population of over 335,000 registered voters, has long struggled with inadequate infrastructure. The constituency encompasses areas like Madanpur Khadar, Khizrabad, Jasola, Aali, and Taimur Nagar. While Okhla’s demographic makeup includes 9.79% Scheduled Caste residents and no Scheduled Tribe residents, diverse population, largely Muslims, make it a politically significant battleground. The area’s infrastructure, however, falls behind many other parts of Delhi, especially South Delhi.
The area’s narrow lanes, choked sewers, traffic congestion and piles of garbage remain pressing issues for residents. Recently, the SPECT Foundation released a report titled “Segregated Citizens: The Lack of Civic Amenities in the Muslim Majority Parts of Delhi,” highlighted the deplorable state of civic infrastructure in the constituency. The report, among other things, also focussed on the pathetic living condition.
While the situation is no different in other constituencies, the people of Okhla are particularly wary of the promises made by contestants, having endured deplorable conditions for years. However, the situation has alarmingly deteriorated over the past decade.
Prominent candidates such as Amanatullah Khan from AAP, Ariba Khan from Congress, and Shifaur Rehman from AIMIM have been accused of disregarding campaign guidelines, littering the streets with disposable plates and cups, further clogging the already troubled sewer systems.
Popular youtuber Abdul Noor Shibli, whose Jamia Nagar Updates has gained significant traction, said: “The residents demand improvements in sanitation, healthcare, road infrastructure, and traffic management, which remain sore points as the election date draws near,” said Shibli. He added, “It’s not just the politicians; the people themselves lack civic sense. Take Shaheen Bagh, for example. The area became popular due to the protests against citizenship regime with numerous eateries flourishing. However, these establishments often contribute to the problems. Road and street encroachments are common, and they frequently litter the area, worsening the cleanliness issue.”
The overwhelming demand has been for basic civic amenities in the area for long. Residents are raising concerns about the disruptions caused by loudspeakers and processions. The noise levels, often exceeding 85 decibels, have become a nuisance, especially for students preparing for exams. Notably, experts warn that high decibel levels, exceeding the 65-decibel limit in residential zones, can cause hearing impairments and disrupt daily life. Schools, hospitals, and places of worship are particularly affected, as the noise in sensitive zones surpasses the 45-decibel limit set for the day and 55 decibels at night.
“Political leaders hold rallies, organize dinners, and make grand promises, the community’s day-to-day struggles with sanitation, garbage disposal, and traffic congestion continue to be ignored. Residents of Shaheen Bagh, a bustling neighbourhood known for its eateries and high-rise buildings, have expressed frustration with the unaddressed sanitation issues that plague the area,” said Quamar Ashraf, a media analyst, who resides in the locality. Ashraf held grim view of the polling campaigns due to intermittent disturbances in the wake of rallies and sloganeering. “The poll campaign has created an unsustainable environment, causing problems for those working from home,” he said.
“Voters, including students, elderly citizens, and working professionals, find themselves burdened by constant noise, traffic jams, and an ever-deteriorating environment,” said Naeem Raza, who runs a medical store in a narrow lane in Abul Fazal Enclave-I.
Residents are disappointed with the sitting MLA, as almost all the alleyways and lanes have been left dug up for months, causing hardship to vulnerable people, mainly schoolchildren, women, and the elderly. However, they do not expect good from other candidates as well. Many question whether promises of better roads, sanitation, and infrastructure will ever translate into action—or if political parties will continue campaigning in ways that worsen the very issues they pledge to address.
Source:muslimmirror.com
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https://muslimmirror.com/okhlas-electoral-campaigns-add-to-civic-woes/
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BJP, SP set for crucial battle in bypoll in UP's Hindutva heartland
Namita Bajpai
04 Feb 2025
LUCKNOW: The stage is set for the Milkipur assembly seat bypoll in the Faizabad parliamentary segment, a crucial battle between the ruling BJP and the main opposition Samajwadi Party (SP).
Polling in the reserved constituency, a part of the Hindutva heartland of Ayodhya, will be held on Wednesday with the results to be announced on February 8. Both Milikipur and Ayodhya assembly seats are part of the Faizabad LS constituency.
The bypoll for the assembly seat was warranted after sitting Samajwadi Party MLA Awadhesh Prasad vacated it following his victory in the 2024 Lok Sabha elections from Faizabad.
Prasad had drubbed BJP’s two-time MP Lallu Singh in a shocking defeat to the saffron brigade in Faizabad, which came in the backdrop of the consecration ceremony of Ram Lalla in Ram Temple by PM Narendra Modi on January 22, 2024.
The battle for Milkipur has settled for a direct contest primarily between the BJP and the SP with both parties deploying battery of senior leaders for campaigning. While BJP, keeping the caste configuration of the seat, has fielded Chandrabhan Paswan against SP’s Ajeet Prasad, son of Awdhesh Prasad.
The battle for Mikipur has become a direct contest primarily between the BJP and the SP with both parties deploying a battery of senior leaders for campaigning. Keeping to the caste configuration the BJP fielded Chandrabhan Paswan against SP’s Ajeet Prasad, son of Awdhesh Prasad.
However, Bhim Army chief Chandrashekhar Azad’s Azad Samaj Party has intensified the fight by fielding Santosh Kumar Chaudhary, the SP rebel. Meanwhile, the Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP) has already announced to keep clear of the contest.
With the BJP's prestige on the line after its defeat in the 2024 Lok Sabha elections, by winning the Milkipur seat, the party aims to reinforce its stronghold in Ayodhya, the heart of its political ideology, and counter opposition narratives on the Constitution and reservation.
Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath, who has taken charge, addressed around half a dozen public meetings, while a team of BJP ministers, MLAs, and leaders have been mobilised to secure a victory in the constituency.
The BJP is hopeful winning in Milkipur after its victory in the byelection to nine assembly seats in November, last year. The ruling party, which holds only five of the nine seats, wrested two – Katehari in Ambedkarnagar and Kundarki in Moradabad -- from SP.
The district unit chief of Ayodhya, Mithilesh Tripathi said that the BJP had held around 1000 big and small public rallies in the run-up to the bypoll, contacting every household in the constituency.
On the other, relying on its PDA formula to retain the seat, the SP has fielded Ajeet Prasad, son of Awadesh Prasad who is believed to enjoy respectable clout in Milkipur a Passi-dominated constituency.
Top SP leaders, including party chief Akhilesh Yadav and SP MP from Mainpuri Lok Sabha seat Dimple Yadav, addressed a public meeting and participated in road shows to win the support of voters.
According to political observers, Dalit and Brahmin votes will be the deciding factor in the bypoll. In the absence of BSP, both the BJP and SP are trying to woo Dalit voters. In 2022 assembly election, a large chunk of Brahmin votes went to SP. But BJP leaders of the Brahmin community campaigned in Brahmin-dominated villages to win support for the bypoll, claimed local sources.
Source:newindianexpress.com
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Uttarakhand's UCC: A step backward for personal freedoms, say social influencers
Aami V Shaju
04 Feb 2025
The Uniform Civil Code (UCC) in Uttarakhand has introduced a controversial set of regulations that require live-in couples within "prohibited relationships" to seek approval from religious leaders before registering their relationship. The law stipulates that couples in such relationships must obtain a certificate from a religious leader verifying whether the customs of their community permit such unions. If not, the registrar can reject the registration.
The UCC also takes public morality into account when deciding whether to approve a live-in relationship, raising questions about the state's role in regulating personal choices. The state had in February last year passed the Uniform Civil Code of Uttarakhand Act, 2024, a legislation designed to establish a unified set of personal laws governing matters such as marriage, divorce, adoption, inheritance and maintenance for citizens of Uttarakhand irrespective of their religion, gender, caste, or sex.
The political observers and social stakeholders were critical about the law as it restricts several of personal choices and freedom, though it is meant to equate every citizen under a single social law.
The provision requiring couples in "prohibited relationships" to seek religious approval is a form of moral policing. While it affects everyone, it’s particularly oppressive for interfaith couples, many of whom are Muslim-Hindu pairs already facing societal hostility. This law will make interfaith relationships even more vulnerable, emboldening vigilante groups to harass and target couples under the pretext of legality, they say.
Expressing strong disapproval of the UCC's approach, political analyst and social media influencer, Sumanth C. Raman, says such regulations could harm Uttarakhand's reputation, making it less attractive to investors and progressive individuals.
"People want to go to a place which is progressive, not regressive," he said, warning that the long-term effects of these laws could be damaging, even if the consequences are not immediately felt.
The UCC’s involvement in determining the morality of live-in relationships is another contentious issue. Sumanth believes the state should not be involved in regulating personal relationships between consenting adults.
Drawing from the Supreme Court's ruling that such relationships are not crimes, he stresses that it is not the state's business to decide what is morally acceptable in the private lives of its citizens. "It has been decriminalised, so the state should stay out of it," he adds.
"This is not just a legal issue; it’s about India’s soul. And the real question is, who is it meant to control, and why," asks author and activist Sairah Shah Halim.
Respecting Tradition vs. Individual Rights
The Act’s provision that allows couples in prohibited relationships to seek approval from their community leaders seems to be an attempt to balance tradition with individual rights. However, Sumanth believes this is "completely unnecessary" and constitutes an intrusion into personal privacy. He views this as an overreach of government authority, arguing that individuals should have the freedom to choose their partners without state interference. “It’s none of their business,” he remarks.
Shah Halim adds that; "If the UCC was genuinely about equality, it would focus on universal reforms across all communities. However, the emphasis often seems to fall disproportionately on selective personal laws, such as practices related to marriage, divorce, and inheritance. This selective scrutiny feeds into the narrative that customs of certain religion are somehow "regressive" and in need of state intervention, which stigmatises the entire community.
The UCC is being pushed in a political climate where anti-Muslim rhetoric has become normalised. From CAA-NRC to bulldozer politics, there's a pattern where laws are framed as neutral but disproportionately affect lives of people of different faith. The UCC fits into this broader agenda, making it feel less like a progressive reform and more like a tool for cultural domination, she adds.
By attempting to override Muslim personal laws, the UCC infringes upon the constitutional right to freedom of religion. This isn’t just about legal reform—it’s about imposing a majoritarian worldview that refuses to respect the diversity of India's social fabric. Muslims, along with other minorities, are being told that their identities and practices are negotiable in the name of "uniformity."
The state often weaponises the language of women’s rights to justify the UCC, claiming it will liberate Muslim women. But if women’s empowerment was truly the goal, why is the government silent on issues like rising violence against women, gender pay gaps, or female literacy? Shah Halim added.
Gender Bias in Prohibited Relationships
The categorisation of prohibited relationships in the UCC is gender-specific, listing 37 prohibited relationships for men and 37 for women. Sumanth acknowledges the significant gender bias inherent in these provisions, which stem from historical norms. He argues that all rules should be gender-neutral and questions whether these regulations will be enforced or remain a political tool used for noise-making. "If it’s something for political noise-making, then it might just stay on paper," he speculates.
The UCC Act is grounded in prohibitions similar to the Hindu Marriage Act and Muslim personal law, which aim to prevent relationships within certain family structures. While some argue that this is intended to protect genetic health, Sumanth dismisses this justification, pointing out that such cultural values are constantly evolving. He critiques the government’s preoccupation with cultural values, suggesting that it’s a matter of focus—providing basic services like healthcare and education should take precedence. He questions the validity of upholding historical cultural norms when they were not even a concern in medieval times, when emperors often had hundreds of wives.
Sumanth compares the UCC’s approach to that of authoritarian regimes that regulate citizens’ private lives. He suggests that India should focus on ensuring law and order, gender equality, and justice, rather than dictating the personal lives of its people. "The government has no business in this," he asserts, highlighting the need for balance between state responsibilities and the freedoms of its citizens.
The Future of Live-in Relationships under the UCC
Looking ahead, Sumanth foresees significant challenges in the future of live-in relationships under the Uttarakhand UCC. While social morals are fluid and evolving, he believes that ongoing government intervention will provoke resistance, particularly from traditional communities. He emphasises that what is considered moral today was deemed immoral yesterday, and societal norms will continue to change with time. "If someone had a harem of 100 women today, would we consider that moral? Of course not," he says, underscoring the evolving nature of moral values in society.
As the debate over the UCC in Uttarakhand continues, it raises profound questions about personal freedom, state interference, and the role of tradition in modern India. While Sumanth argues that individual rights should be prioritised, others may see the law as an attempt to protect cultural heritage. The future of the UCC will likely depend on how it is enforced, and whether it can strike a fair balance between protecting tradition and respecting personal freedoms.
Source:newindianexpress.com
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Mahakumbh stampede: Akhilesh Yadav calls out Modi-Yogi government over death toll suppression
05.02.25
J.P. Yadav
If the conscience of the “double-engine” government in Uttar Pradesh was not filled with guilt then why did it “suppress” the number of deaths in the Mahakumbh stampede, Samajwadi Party chief Akhilesh Yadav asked in the Lok Sabha on Tuesday.
He accused the Yogi Adityanath government of using a religious event for political gains and urged the Narendra Modi dispensation to place the “actual number of deaths” before Parliament. The former Uttar Pradesh chief minister demanded “strict punitive action” against those responsible for the “cover-up”.
“I want to ask the double-engine government, if there was no guilty conscience then why were the figures suppressed, hidden and erased? Hiding and erasing the truth is also a crime. Who will suffer the punishment for this?,” asked Akhilesh, who was speaking during the motion of thanks to the President’s address.
He accused the “double-engine” government of using a “religious event” for “political campaigning”, stressing that it was “disgraceful and condemnable”.
Akhilesh pointed out that the Adityanath government had made tall claims about organising an unprecedented digital Mahakumbh with the help of modern technology such as CCTVs, drones and live streaming.
“Those claiming to have organised a digital Kumbh could not give the digits of those killed (in the stampede),” Akhilesh told the Lok Sabha, evoking cries of “shame, shame” from the Opposition benches. He demanded an all-party meeting on the tragedy and the handing over the disaster management apparatus of the ongoing Mahakumbh to the army.
Akhilesh questioned the Sanatan Dharma credential of Adityanath, a saffron-robed monk, recalling how helicopters were used to shower flower petals on the congregation on the day of the stampede when “bodies were lying in hospitals”.
“When it was known that people had lost their lives and their bodies were lying in the mortuaries and hospitals, the government filled its helicopter with flowers and showered flower petals. What kind of Sanatani tradition is this, I want to ask the BJP members,” he said. The Treasury benches remained silent.
“God knows how many slippers, clothes and saris were lying there? And how did they clear it? They used JCB machines and tractor trolleys. Nobody knows where the bodies were thrown. But when stench started coming out, officials began a cover-up,” Akhilesh said.
He alleged that the media was also used in the alleged cover-up. “To hide everything, it is heard that some pressure and some sweeteners were given to the media so that the truth does not come out,” he said.
To buttress his charge against Adityanath, Akhilesh looked at the BJP benches and said they could find out for themselves that “the chief minister had not expressed condolences”.
“Seventeen hours after the President and the Prime Minister expressed condolences, the state government acknowledged people had lost their lives,” Akhilesh told the House.
“These are the people who cannot accept the truth even today,” he said.
Source:telegraphindia.com
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https://www.telegraphindia.com/india/mahakumbh-stampede-akhilesh-yadav-calls-out-modi-yogi-government-over-death-toll-suppression/cid/2081618
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Pakistan
Pakistan renews pledge to Kashmiris on Solidarity Day
By Web Desk
February 05, 2025
Pakistan is commemorating Kashmir Solidarity Day today (Wednesday), reaffirming its steadfast support for the Kashmiri people’s right to self-determination as recognised by UN resolutions.
Observed annually on 5th February, the day is a public holiday across the country, with solidarity walks held in various cities and in Azad Jammu and Kashmir (AJK).
Pakistan continues to stand with the people of Indian Illegally Occupied Jammu and Kashmir (IIOJK), emphasising its unwavering support for their struggle against Indian occupation and oppression.
In Islamabad, a rally is set to be held at Constitution Avenue. At 10am, sirens will sound, and a minute of silence will be observed in tribute to Kashmiri martyrs.
Posters and billboards highlighting the plight of Kashmiris have been placed at key locations, including airports and railway stations.
In Muzaffarabad, the AJK Legislative Assembly will hold a special session to express solidarity with those in Indian Illegally Occupied Kashmir (IIOJK).
Human chains will be formed at Mangla, Kohala, Bararkot, Azad Pattan, and Holar, symbolising unity between Pakistan and AJK. A special function will take place at Mangla Bridge in Mirpur, with similar events planned in Kotli and Bhimber districts.
In his message on Kashmir Solidarity Day, President Asif Ali Zardari said this day reminds the international community of its responsibility towards the oppressed Kashmiri people.
He said the United Nations should honour the promises made to the Kashmiris 78 years ago and support their struggle for their right to self-determination.
On the occasion, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif said the government and people of Pakistan annually observed the 'Kashmir Solidarity Day' to renew their steadfast support to the Kashmiri people’s just and legitimate struggle for realising their right to self-determination.
He said that in the interest of durable peace in South Asia, the international community should urge India to allow the Kashmiri people to freely determine their own future as a lasting peace could not be achieved by suppressing the genuine aspirations of the local people.
"The recent developments in the Middle East showed that the long-standing disputes should not be allowed to fester," the prime minister said in a message on Kashmir Solidarity Day.
A statement issued by the PM Office quoted PM Shehbaz as saying: "The right to self-determination is a fundamental principle of international law. Every year, the UN General Assembly adopts a resolution that stresses the legal right of people to decide their own destiny".
The prime minister said that the Kashmiri people had not been able to exercise this right, notwithstanding the passage of the last seventy-eight years.
"Today, the Indian Illegally Occupied Jammu and Kashmir (IIOJK) remains one of the most-militarised zones in the world. Kashmiris are living in an environment of fear and intimidation.”
The prime minister said the political activists and human rights defenders faced prolonged detention and confiscation of properties, adding the political parties, representing the genuine aspirations of the Kashmiri people, had been banned. The intent of these oppressive measures was to crush dissent, he added.
The PM further said that India was also taking steps to consolidate its illegal occupation of the IIOJK.
“Following its illegal and unilateral actions of 5 August 2019, India’s efforts have been aimed at engineering demographic and political changes so that the Kashmiris transform into a disempowered community in their own land,” he added.
The prime minister reiterated that the Jammu and Kashmir dispute would remain a key pillar of their foreign policy.
“Pakistan will continue to offer its unwavering moral, diplomatic and political support to the Kashmiri people till the realisation of their right to self-determination, as enshrined in the relevant UN Security Council resolutions,” he reiterated.
The prime minister also saluted the resolve and courage of the valiant Kashmiri people, who continued to render innumerable sacrifices in their struggle to achieve their fundamental rights and freedoms.
Armed forces reaffirm support for Kashmiris
Chairman Joint Chiefs of Staff Committee (CJCSC) General Sahir Shamshad, the services chiefs and the Pakistan armed forces also reaffirmed their unwavering support for the resilient people of IIOJK in their struggle for self-determination, the Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) said.
They also paid tribute to the indomitable spirit of the Kashmiri people, who have endured decades of oppression, state-sponsored brutality, and egregious human rights violations.
“Their unwavering resolve in the face of tyranny remains a beacon of courage and inspiration for the entire nation,” the military's media wing statement read.
The military's media wing said that the armed forces of Pakistan strongly condemn the ongoing grave violations of human rights in IIOJK, including extrajudicial killings, enforced disappearances, and arbitrary detentions.
These transgressions stand as a stark indictment of India’s blatant disregard for international law, humanitarian principles, and fundamental human rights, it added.
“We urge the international community, global human rights organisations, and the United Nations to take immediate and decisive action to address the plight of the Kashmiri people and ensure the implementation of United Nations Security Council resolutions by their aspirations”, the statement said while quoting CJCSC and services chiefs.
It further said that the Pakistan armed forces remain steadfast in their commitment to the just cause of Kashmir and resolute in their duty to safeguard Pakistan’s sovereignty and territorial integrity.
"We stand shoulder to shoulder with our Kashmiri brethren in their rightful pursuit of freedom and dignity, it concluded. Long live Pakistan! Long live Kashmir," the statement concluded.
Source:thenews.com.pk
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Remittances increased due to Pakistani expatriates' unwavering commitment: PM
February 04, 2025
Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has lauded the role of overseas Pakistanis in the country's development, saying that foreign remittances increased by 30% due to their unwavering commitment.
"Foreign remittances have increased by 30% [and] the national exchequer has benefited immensely," the premier said while addressing the Overseas Pakistanis Global Foundation's Convention in Islamabad on Tuesday.
He noted that overseas Pakistanis, through their hard work, were earning accolades.
Last month, the State Bank of Pakistan said remittances from overseas Pakistanis recorded inflows of $3.1 billion in December, reflecting a 29.3% increase compared to the same month last year.
The data showed that the remittances had not only recorded a yearly increase but also registered a 5.6% surge compared to the previous month.
Cumulatively, with an inflow of $17.8 billion, workers' remittances increased by 32.8% during the first half of the fiscal year 2024-25 (July-December) compared to $13.4 billion received during H1FY24, the central bank said in its statement.
During the convention, the prime minister also announced the immediate restoration of the Green Channel to facilitate the expatriates, vowing that his government would leave no stone unturned in resolving their issues.
Furthermore, PM Shehbaz said that prominent expatriates would be declared ambassadors at large with official blue passports.
Speaking on the occasion, Chairman Overseas Pakistanis Global Foundation Zahir Akhtar said expatriates fully assured their support and cooperation to the government and the armed forces to ensure a secure, progressive and prosperous Pakistan.
He said overseas Pakistanis are standing behind the armed forces to ensure the security of the country.
Overseas Pakistanis also thanked the Prime Minister for inviting them to the Prime Minister's House.
Source:thenews.com.pk
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LCCI chief lauds SBP’s proactive role in promoting Islamic banking
February 05, 2025
LAHORE - Lahore Chamber of Commerce and Industry, in collaboration with Faysal Bank, organised a seminar on Islamic banking to educate the business community on the principles and benefits of Islamic banking and its potential to revolutionize the financial sector.
LCCI President Mian Abuzar Shad, Faysal Bank President Yousaf Hussain, SAARC Chamber Vice President Mian Anjum Nisar, GM Faysal Bank Agha Mehdi Raza, Regional Manager Zohair Amjad Dar and Amer Waheed Chishti spoke on the occasion and shed light on the various aspects of Islamic banking. LCCI Executive Committee members Syed Salman Ali, Karamat Ali Awan and Aamir Ali were also present. The experts said that Islamic banking in Pakistan has witnessed significant growth since its inception, emerging as a robust alternative to conventional banking systems. The State Bank of Pakistan has played a pivotal role in fostering this sector by introducing regulatory frameworks and ensuring compliance with Islamic financial laws.
Faysal Bank President Yousaf Hussain shared that his bank is leading Islamic banking in Pakistan and currently operates 850 branches across Pakistan and aims to expand its network to 900 in the near future. He reaffirmed Faysal Bank’s commitment to leading the transition towards a fully Shariah-compliant banking system. He talked about the importance of eliminating interest-based transactions in accordance with Islamic teachings and urged the Lahore Chamber to support initiatives that educate the business community about interest-free banking. LCCI President Mian Abuzar Shad lauded the State Bank of Pakistan’s proactive role in promoting Islamic banking. He said that six Pakistani and six foreign Islamic banks are currently operating in the country. According to 2024 data, Islamic banks collectively operate over 5,000 branches, serving approximately 16.7 million account holders, with total deposits amounting to Rs 7,268 billion—representing 24% of the banking sector’s total deposits. Islamic financing has also gained significant traction, reaching Rs 3,504 billion, which accounts for 29% of total banking sector financing.
He further said that Pakistan’s Federal Shariat Court has declared the interest-based economic system as un-Islamic and has directed the government to transition towards a completely interest-free banking system by December 2027. The court has instructed authorities to ensure that all banking transactions and loans comply with Islamic principles. Mian Abuzar Shad reaffirmed LCCI’s dedication to supporting this transition and stated that the chamber has been actively organizing awareness sessions in collaboration with financial institutions. He noted that such initiatives help educate the business community on the principles of Islamic banking and financing, enabling them to make informed financial decisions. The seminar provided valuable insights into the differences between conventional and Islamic banking, equipping LCCI members with knowledge on Shariah-compliant financial solutions.
SAARC Chamber Vice President Mian Anjum Nisar, while addressing the seminar, emphasized the vital role of Islamic banking in Pakistan’s economic landscape. He stated that shifting towards a fully Shariah-compliant banking system is not just a religious obligation but also an economic necessity for sustainable growth. He highlighted that Islamic banking offers a stable and ethical financial system that minimizes risks associated with interest-based transactions. Mian Anjum Nisar urged businesses to adopt Islamic financial solutions and stressed the need for more awareness campaigns to educate entrepreneurs and investors about the benefits of interest-free banking. He also appreciated the collaborative efforts of LCCI and Faysal Bank in promoting this important cause.
Source:nation.com.pk
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Govt to unveil Ramazan package without utility stores to prevent corruption: PM
February 04, 2025
ISLAMABAD: Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has said that the government would unveil the Ramadan Relief Package this year sans the Utility Stores' role in efforts to prevent corruption and distribution of low-quality commodities to the people.
The government, last month, formed a seven-member cabinet committee to oversee the prompt shutdown of USC operations nationwide. The committee was also tasked with devising a strategy for distributing the Ramadan package in coordination with the Benazir Income Support Programme (BISP).
"As the month of Holy Ramadan is about to start, I have asked the Ministry of National Food Security to bring about a Ramadan package without Utility Stores. I had asked many months ago that this cannot go on with the Utility Stores,” the premier said while addressing a federal cabinet meeting on Tuesday.
He said that last year, the government had received immense complaints about the execution of the Ramadan Package run by the USC.
Referring to the polio vaccination drive, the prime minister mentioned the killing of a policeman Abdul Khaliq in Jamrud who was deployed for the security of the polio team, paying tribute to his sacrifice to make Pakistan a polio-free nation.
He also lauded the services of PM’s Coordinator on Health Dr Mukhtar, Polio Coordinator Dr Ayesha Farooq, secretary health and polio vaccinators for their tireless efforts to rid the country of this crippling disease.
Apprising the cabinet members of his Quetta visit, the prime minister said he visited the hospital to meet the security personnel who were injured in an anti-terror operation in Kalat in which 18 security personnel were martyred and 23 terrorists were eliminated.
“I met the injured. They had high morale and were even ready to sacrifice their lives for the country. These are the martyrs and Ghazis who are resolved to rid the country of terrorism and striving day and night for the cause,” he remarked.
He added that the soldiers of the army, police, FC and Rangers sacrificing their lives were bearing the brunt of the short-sighted policies of a past government which released thousands of terrorists.
Inflation and economic growth
The premier also expressed pleasure over monthly inflation coming down to a nine-year low of 2.4% from 28.73%.
He congratulated the entire nation, the cabinet members, particularly the finance minister, his team, FBR, and others, for their efforts during the last eleven months to bring inflation down to its lowest level.
"Now, we are fully striving to head toward economic growth… This is the main challenge. All of our energies will be focused on economic growth. Just like other targets, we will achieve this too," he resolved.
He told the cabinet members that on Monday, Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman sent a delegation to Pakistan and both sides signed an agreement under which the kingdom would provide oil worth $1.2 billion annualy on deferred payment.
Besides, the Saudi Development Fund will also provide a loan for a $40 million water supply scheme project in Mansehra.
He said that the entire nation would observe Kashmir Solidarity Day on Wednesday to express solidarity with their Kashmiri brethren.
Prime Minister Shehbaz also lauded the approval of agricultural income tax by all four provinces as per the IMF condition and thanked the chief ministers, President Asif Ali Zardari, Bilawal Bhutto Zardari, and Nawaz Sharif for their support in this regard.
Source:thenews.com.pk
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COAS rubbishes Indian military’s ‘hollow statements’, vows full throttle response to any ‘misadventure’
Umar Bacha
February 4, 2025
Chief of Army Staff (COAS) General Asim Munir on Tuesday rubbished recent “hollow statements” from the Indian military and vowed a befitting to any “misadventure” against Pakistan.
Indian Army Chief General Upendra Dwivedi claimed last month that “60 per cent of the terrorists eliminated” in Indian-occupied Kashmir (IoK) in 2024 were allegedly of Pakistani origin. General Dwivedi further alleged that “80pc of the remaining fighters in IoK were of Pakistani origin”. The remarks had elicited a strong response from the Pakistan Army.
A press release from the Inter Services Public Relations (ISPR) today said COAS Munir presided over the 267th Corps Commanders’ Conference at the General Headquarters where the comments from the Indian side came under discussion.
The ISPR said the high-level moot took “serious note of the recent reckless and provocative statements” from the Indian military leadership and termed them as being “irresponsible and detrimental” to regional stability.
The ISPR quoted the COAS as saying on the matter while addressing the military brass meeting: “Pakistan Army remains fully prepared to defend the country’s sovereignty and territorial integrity. These hollow statements from Indian military are indicative of their growing frustration and serve only to divert the attention of their masses and international community from their multiple internal fissures and blatant violations of human rights. Any misadventure against Pakistan will be responded with full and resolute force of the state.”
The meeting’s participants also discussed the prevailing situation along the Line of Control (LoC) and the Working Boundary near Sialkot.
The ISPR said that expressing solidarity with the “resilient people” of IoK on the eve of Kashmir Solidarity Day, the forum’s members strongly condemned the “continued blatant human rights violations” in IoK, recognising them as a “grave threat to regional peace and stability”.
The army brass reiterated Pakistan’s unwavering support for the “legitimate struggle of the Kashmiri people for their right to self-determination, as enshrined in relevant UN Security Council resolutions” and emphasised the significance of international engagement in addressing the persistent violations in the territory.
The forum undertook a comprehensive review of the regional and internal security landscape, assessing the “full spectrum of threats” to the country.
On other matters, the high-level moot expressed “grave concern over the continued use of Afghan soil” by the proscribed Tehreek-i-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) group for terrorist activities against Pakistan.
“The forum stressed the imperative of concrete and tangible actions by interim Afghan government against Fitna Al Khawarij (the term used by the state to refer to the TTP) instead of denials as well as continuing with the strategy of undertaking all necessary measures in defence of Pakistan and its people.”
The ISPR said the moot’s participants also stressed the need to accelerate “people-centric socio-economic development initiatives in Balochistan, recognising the urgency of countering externally driven narratives of exclusion”.
The forum’s participants vowed that no one would be allowed to disrupt peace in Balochistan and “nefarious designs of foreign-sponsored proxies attempting to mislead and radicalise the youth of Balochistan will be decisively thwarted with the unwavering support of the people of Balochistan.”
The army chief also commended the operational preparedness of all formations and emphasised the importance of sustained mission-oriented training, enhanced military cooperation and the conduct of joint exercises in both conventional and counter-terrorism domains.
Concluding the conference, the ISPR said COAS Munir reaffirmed that the military leadership remained “fully cognizant of the multifaceted challenges confronting the nation and is resolute in fulfilling its constitutional responsibilities with the steadfast support of the proud people of Pakistan”.
The ISPR added that the participants also paid “profound tribute to the sacrifices” made by the martyrs of the armed forces, law enforcement agencies, and citizens who laid down their lives in pursuit of peace and stability.
Kashmir cause foremost priority of govt: Amir Muqam
Separately, Federal Minister for Kashmir and Gilgit Baltistan Affairs Amir Muqam said that the Kashmir cause remained the foremost priority of the government, underscoring the nation’s unwavering commitment to the pressing issue.
Addressing a press conference in Islamabad today, Muqam stressed that the nation stood united and firmly behind Kashmiris in IoK, reiterating Pakistan’s unshakeable resolve to support their rightful struggle.
The minister asserted that Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s attempts to oppress the Kashmiris were unsuccessful. Muqam cited the recent elections, won by a Muslim majority party, as evidence of the Kashmiris’ resilience and resistance to oppression.
“This development underscores the ongoing tensions and complexities surrounding the Kashmir region, a longstanding point of contention between India and Pakistan,” he said.
Flanked by the convener of All Parties Hurriyat Conference AJK chapter, Ghulam Muhammad Safi, Muqam said they had planned a massive rally in Islamabad for tomorrow to mark the day in solidarity with Kashmiris.
He said that events would be held across the country, particularly in the provincial capitals where people would express their solidarity with Kashmiris.
The minister said the Indian army continued to violate human rights in IoK and exhibited aggression against locals which had made life difficult for the Muslim-majority region.
He said rallies and events would also be held in the embassies of Pakistan in foreign countries as a solidarity day being observed by Pakistan.
Source:dawn.com
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Religious ministry announces reduction in Hajj package costs
By APP & Web Desk
February 04, 2025
The federal government on Tuesday announced a reduction in Hajj package costs to provide financial relief to aspiring pilgrims besides unveiling a plan for refunds to those who went to pilgrimage last year.
Federal Minister for Religious Affairs Chaudhry Salik Hussain made the announcement in a press conference alongside Additional Secretary Syed Atta-ur-Rehman today.
He informed that the cost of the 40-day long Hajj package has been reduced by Rs25,000, bringing the total to Rs.1,050,000.
Pilgrims opting for this package will need to pay a third instalment of Rs450,000.
Similarly, Salik said the 25-day short Hajj package has been further reduced by Rs50,000, setting the new price at Rs1,100,000.
The third instalment for this package will be Rs500,000.
He said all pilgrims are required to submit their third instalment at the designated banks between February 6 to 14.
The country has introduced a short Hajj programme of 20 to 25 days to make the journey more accessible, easier, and comfortable which would enable pilgrims to choose their accommodation in Madinah for four to eight days.
The religious ministry has also ensured that every pilgrim will receive a notification regarding their payment status through the "Pak Hajj" mobile application, he added.
In another major development, the minister announced the refund of over Rs4.75 billion to the pilgrims who performed Hajj in 2024. He said the refunds have been categorised into seven different groups, based on factors such as accommodation in Mina, lodging in Makkah, and Maktab C allocation.
Additionally, savings from Qurbani refunds and airfare reductions are also being passed on to the pilgrims.
Highlighting the statistics of the refund process, Salik said 14% of the pilgrims (9,588 individuals) will receive Rs20,000, 5% (3,358 individuals) will receive Rs35,000, 19% (12,981 individuals) will receive Rs50,000, 23% (16,037 individuals) will receive Rs75,000, 26% (17,828 individuals) will receive Rs90,000, 10% (6,784 individuals) will receive Rs110,000, and 3% (2,228 individuals) will receive Rs140,000.
The refunds will be transferred through the designated bank branches.
Salik confirmed that the transfer of funds to nominated banks will commence within the next two days, ensuring timely financial relief for the pilgrims.
Last month, Pakistan and Saudi Arabia signed the annual Hajj agreement 2025 under which as many as 179,210 Pakistani pilgrims would perform the Hajj this year and will be offered special accommodation in Mina at reduced rates.
The Hajj, one of the world's largest religious gatherings, involves a series of rituals in Makkah and its surroundings in western Saudi Arabia that take several days to complete.
One of the five pillars of Islam, it must be performed at least once by all Muslims who have the means to do so.
Hajj, one of the fundamental pillars of Islam, is performed each year by millions of Muslims worldwide. Pakistan receives one of the highest Hajj quotas from Saudi Arabia.
Source:thenews.com.pk
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IHC judges want changes to seniority list undone
Malik Asad
February 5, 2025
• Five justices file representation, say seniority should be determined from date of new oath
• Justice Kayani loses another coveted portfolio to successor Justice Dogar
ISLAMABAD: The Islamabad High Court judges approached Chief Justice of Pakistan Yayha Afridi and IHC Chief Justice Aamer Farooq to reclaim their seniority in light of changes to the ranking following the transfer of new judges, particularly Justice Sarfraz Dogar from the Lahore High Court who became the senior puisne judge replacing Justice Mohsin Akhtar Kayani.
Besides losing his coveted position, Justice Kayani lost his representation in the Departmental Promotion Committee and the Administration Committee on Monday. In another order on Tuesday, the judge was stripped of the Inspection Judge of the Special Courts position.
A notification issued by the high court administration following the CJ’s approval stated that the charge had been assigned to Justice Dogar. Justice Dogar was appointed as LHC judge in June 2015, while the date of the appointment of Justice Kayani is Dec 23, 2015.
The administration also revised its seniority list and the changes were implemented after receiving approval from Chief Justice Farooq, with separate notifications issued by the registrar’s office.
The updated seniority list is as follows: Justice Dogar, Justice Kayani, Justice Miangul Hassan Aurangzeb, Justice Tariq Mehmood Jahangiri, Justice Babar Sattar, Justice Sardar Ejaz Ishaq Khan, Justice Arbab Muhammad Tahir, Justice Saman Riffat Imtiaz, Justice Khadim Hussain Soomro, Justice Mohammad Azam Khan, Justice Mohammad Asif and Justice Inaam Ameen Minhas.
Before these transfers, five out of 10 IHC judges had penned a strongly worded letter to the president and the CJP besides other high courts’ chief justices, opposing these transfers.
On Tuesday, these judges sent a representation to the chief justice of the IHC and CJP Afridi against placing them down on the seniority list.
A central concern raised by the judges was that a transferred judge would be required to take a fresh oath under Article 194, which would place them at the bottom of the seniority list within the IHC.
This would render them ineligible for immediate consideration for the CJ’s position, contradicting the Judicial Commission of Pakistan’s (JCP) Appointment Rules 2024, which mandated that the chief justice of a high court must be appointed from among the three senior-most judges of that court.
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 strictly concerned the seniority issue and was unrelated to the transfer of judges.
The development, however, sparked discussions within the legal community regarding judicial appointments and seniority criteria.
According to legal experts, since the appointing authority of the judges was the President of Pakistan, the judges could approach him for the redressal of their grievances.
They also believed that a judge could file the representation individually, as there was no concept or law for seeking to resolve any dispute related to service matters through a combined representation.
Source:dawn.com
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Establishment denies receiving Imran’s letter
Ikram Junaidi
February 5, 2025
ISLAMABAD: As the PTI doubled down on purported ‘remedial measures’ proposed by party founder Imran Khan in a letter to the army chief, the security sources on Tuesday claimed that the chief of army staff had not received any sort of letter from the incarcerated former prime minister.
As per the letter, which has not been shared with the media, there was a growing rift between the establishment and the masses and the army needed to reevaluate its policy to win over the public while Imran Khan had shared the reasons and suggestions to remedy this situation.
PTI interim chairman Barrister Gohar Ali Khan had said that Imran Khan, in his letter, had reminded the army chief that as a former prime minister and the founder of the country’s ‘biggest political party’, he wanted to point out “certain things because of which the distance between the people and the establishment is widening”.
However, security sources said the letter written by Imran Khan had not been received by the military and dismissed reports in the media about the existence of such a letter. They claimed that the military establishment was not interested in receiving such a letter.
They claimed that the PTI leadership had staged another drama and suggested that if the PTI was interested in holding talks, the party should contact politicians instead of the military establishment. They made it clear that if a letter is received it will not be entertained.
It may be mentioned that a similar situation had occurred after a meeting between the PTI leadership and the army chief.
The interim PTI chairman confirmed a meeting with the army chief, where he claimed to have “received a positive response”, but a statement attributed to security sources, however, denied any political aspect of the gathering.
Central Information Secretary Sheikh Waqas Akram suggested that the party founder’s proposed a viable and comprehensive solution and it should be paid heed to.
‘Remedial measures’
The PTI spokesperson, however, said the proposed remedial measures were the sole remedy to Pakistan’s deep-seated issues “before it’s too late”.
He said that the PTI founder suggested “best and most workable remedial measures”, which would not only help heal the nation’s wounds but would also provide a roadmap to put the country on the path of progress and prosperity.
He emphasised that Imran Khan always prioritised Pakistan’s interests, adding that Mr Khan was striving for constitutional supremacy, upholding the rule of law and genuine democracy.
“Zardari and Sharifs have a history of brokering deals and seeking NROs to escape punishment because their corrupt practices were well-known globally, and it was clear that their pursuit of power was driven by a desire to exploit their positions and accumulate wealth, rather than serve the country and its people,” he alleged.
He emphasised that Pakistan has reached a very critical juncture, stating, ‘it’s now or never’ to save the country from complete disaster, as the power elites ruined the very fabric of the country.
The PTI leader asserted that the nation was gearing up for a peaceful protest on February 8 across the country, marking the first anniversary of the “rigged” polls.
“February 8 was a day of gratitude when people rallied behind their leader, defying the odds to spark a silent revolution…but unfortunately, the public’s mandate was disregarded, and the PTI was robbed of its rightful victory in a brazen daylight polls heist,” he claimed.
He vowed that the PTI would hold its public meetings and rallies as per the set schedule because it was their democratic and constitutional right.
Source:dawn.com
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Senate panel okays bill for stricter penalties on human smuggling
Iftikhar A. Khan
February 5, 2025
ISLAMABAD: The Senate Standing Committee on Interior on Tuesday passed three bills to increase the punishment for offences related to human smuggling.
One of the bills proposed amendments to the Prevention of Trafficking in Persons Act, 2018, to include organised beggary as an offence.
The amendments proposed enhancing the prison sentence for human trafficking from seven years to ten years with a fine of Rs1 million.
The proposed sentence for crimes committed against children and women is 14 years in jail and a fine of up to Rs2m.
The statement of objects and reasons stated that the amendments had been enacted for “effective measures to prevent and combat the trafficking in persons, especially women and children”, and to promote and facilitate national and international cooperation on these offences.
It added that stricter sentences would create a deterrence against the offence.
As per the bill, Pakistani embassies in the Gulf countries, Iraq and Malaysia have complained that some citizens who come to these countries for religious and personal visits start begging there.
They have urged the authorities to take stern action against those involved in begging and the gangs behind them.
The agents and gangs involved in this practice easily dodge prosecution as beggary is not a crime in any law entrusted to FIA.
The Senate committee also passed amendments to the Prevention of Smuggling of Migrants Act, 2018, which would increase the punishment for human smuggling from five years to up to 10 years’ imprisonment.
The fine has been increased from Rs1m to up to Rs10m.
The amendments also increased the punishment for harbouring a foreign national illegally in Pakistan from one to three years to two to five years and doubled the upper limit of fine to Rs2m.
The committee also approved a bill seeking to amend the Emigration Ordinance, 1979, to do away with the court’s powers to release the accused after imposing a minor fine. The amendment proposed mandatory imprisonment with fine.
Interior Secretary Khurram Agha highlighted the rising cases of human trafficking, stressing the importance of stricter laws. He stated that the proposed legislation included measures to ensure stronger convictions and harsher punishments for offenders.
During the Senate committee’s meeting, FIA officials confirmed that 10 Pakistanis who had gone to Saudi Arabia on Umrah visas had been deported after they were found to be involved in beggary.
Repatriation of bodies
The bodies of four Pakistani nationals, who died in a boat tragedy near Morocco while attempting to reach Europe will arrive in the country today (Wednesday).
They were among the dozens who died on the boat carrying at least 86 migrants, including 66 Pakistanis.
Over 40 Pakistanis were reportedly murdered by African human traffickers in the Atlantic Ocean. However, local authorities could only recover the bodies of 13 victims, sources said.
As per diplomatic sources, the 13 victims have been identified as Sufyan Ali, son of Javed Iqbal; Sajjad Ali, son of Mohammad Nawaz; Raees Afzal, son of Mohammad Afzal; Qasnain Haider, son of Mohammad Banaras; Mohammad Waqas, son of Sanaullah; Mohammad Akram, son of Ghulam Rasool; Mohammad Arsalan Khan, son of Ramzan Khan; Hamid Shabbir, son of Ghulam Shabbir; Qaiser Iqbal, son of Moammad Iqbal; Danish Rehman, son of Mohammad Nawaz; Mohammad Sajawal, son of Rahim Din; Shahzad Ahmed, son of Wilayat Hussain; and Ehtisham, son of Tariq Mahmood.
The mortal remains of four of them — Mr Shabbir, Mr Khan, Mr Iqbal and Mr Sajjad — will arrive via Saudia flight SV726 at the Islamabad International Airport.
The victims were identified following an extensive verification process, for which their photos and fingerprints were sent to Nadra, according to sources.
Earlier, the return of 22 Pakistanis, who survived the tragedy, was completed on Saturday.
The survivors, hailing from different areas of Pakistan, returned to the country in batches.
Mohammad Asghar in Rawalpindi also contributed to this report
Source:dawn.com
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Raja fears military trial over killing of Rangers men
Nasir Iqbal
February 5, 2025
ISLAMABAD: Senior counsel Salman Akram Raja has expressed apprehension that he might be arrested and tried in a military court as he has been booked for the murder of three Rangers personnel during PTI’s Nov 26 protest.
He made these remarks before the Supreme Court Constitutional Bench on Wednesday while representing the father of Arzam Junaid, who was convicted by a military court in connection with the May 9 violence.
“I may have to present my defence to the military court on allegations of killing Ranger personnel,” the counsel said.
On Tuesday, the seven-judge Constitutional Bench, headed by Justice Amin-ud-Din Khan, resumed the hearing on a set of challenges to the Supreme Court’s order of nullifying the military trial of civilians — involved in violence on May 9 — in Oct 2023.
While hinting at the “arbitrariness of the system”, Mr Raja said it was the “sweet will of the authorities” to try cases either in the military court or Anti Terrorism Court.
During the hearing, judges continued to raise questions over the scope of Section 2(1)(d)(i) and (ii) of the Pakistan Army Act 1952.
The provisions state that any person outside the purview of the Act can be tried by a military court if they seduce or attempt to seduce an army personnel from his job or commit any offence under the Official Secrets Act, 1923.
Justice Mandokhail observed that the vires of these provisions were never discussed exhaustively in the F.B. Ali judgment, adding these provisions were meant to maintain discipline in the armed forces.
Justice Syed Hasan Azhar Rizvi asked where the trial of civilians — exploited by the enemy intelligence agencies to seduce or commit terrorism — would be conducted in case sections 2(1)(d)(i) and (ii) were set aside.
During the hearing, Justice Khan referred to the cases of blasphemy, where an SSP-level officer has to be appointed for investigation.
He said there had been a lot of “hue and cry” over the misuse of such laws and emphasised that laws were never struck down on the basis of mere misuse.
The counsel, Mr Raja, argued that Article 175(3) of the Constitution was applied across the board and then compared Pakistan with the Indian military justice system, where a tribunal consisting of retired judges of the Supreme Court and high courts and a retired major general was set up to hear appeals against the military trials of civilians.
The tribunals’ decision can also be challenged before the Indian Supreme Court, he said.
Both Pakistan and India shared a common British military justice system, but the Indian system has ensured the provision of an independent appeal forum, he added.
In India, the military justice system is open for judicial review, Mr Raja remarked, adding that tribunals issue speaking orders against which appeals are available. The military justice system is “no longer a dark hole in India”.
However, Justice Muhammad Ali Mazhar observed that the Indian Army Act has no sections equivalent to sections 2(1)(d)(i) and (ii) of PAA.
They have also not done away with the court martial system even though they have provided the right to appeal through the tribunal.
In Pakistan, a commanding officer convenes court martial proceedings, the counsel replied but conceded that these sections were unique to Pakistan only.
The judicial functions should be performed only by tribunals, the counsel said, adding when the civilian trials were done by the military courts the way they were done in May 9 cases, the constitutional guarantee to fair trial under Article 10A and Article 175(3) goes away.
“Heavens will not fall if Article 175(3) is invoked in favour of the civilians,” the counsel emphasised.
Justice Mandokhail questioned whether the court could invoke Article 187 stipulating “complete justice” in appeals under consideration.
In reply, the counsel said the court always has the power to invoke Article 187 to do complete justice.
Source:dawn.com
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All provinces agree to impose agriculture tax: PM
Syed Irfan Raza
February 5, 2025
• Set to introduce levy from July to meet IMF condition
• Govt to launch Ramazan Relief Package without utility stores
• PM praises security forces, hails decline in inflation
• Forms committee to fully operationalise Gwadar Port
ISLAMABAD: Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif revealed on Tuesday that all four provinces have agreed to impose an agriculture tax, fulfilling a key condition set by the International Monetary Fund (IMF).
Addressing a federal cabinet meeting, the prime minister lauded the provincial governments for their cooperation on the issue, acknowledging the role of all chief ministers, President Asif Ali Zardari, PPP Chairman Bilawal Bhutto-Zardari and PML-N President Nawaz Sharif in facilitating the agreement.
According to sources, the rate of agricultural tax will vary across provinces, with Punjab and Sindh expected to generate the largest share of revenue. The tax is set to come into effect from the next fiscal year, starting July 1, 2025.
Ramazan Relief Package
Meanwhile, the federal government will introduce the Ramazan Relief Package this year without involving utility stores to curb corruption and prevent the distribution of substandard commodities, PM Shehbaz Sharif said on Tuesday.
During a televised address at the federal cabinet meeting, the prime minister said that complaints from the previous year’s package had prompted this decision.
“I instructed months ago that this cannot go on with the utility stores,” the premier said, adding that the Ministry of National Food Security had been directed to develop an alternative solution.
PM honours polio team’s sacrifice
About the launch of the polio vaccination drive, PM Shehbaz mentioned the martyrdom of a policeman, Abdul Khaliq, who was deployed on the security of the polio team in Jamrud. The premier paid tribute to Mr Khaliq’s sacrifice to make Pakistan a polio-free nation.
He also lauded the services of PM’s Coordinator on Health Dr Mukhtar, Polio Coordinator,Dr Ayesha Raza Farooq, secretary of health and polio vaccinators for their tireless efforts to rid the country of this disease.
The prime minister also highlighted his visit to Quetta, where he met security personnel injured in an anti-terror operation in Kalat. The operation resulted in the martyrdom of 18 security personnel and the elimination of 23 terrorists.
“I met the injured [at the hospital]. They were in high morale and were even ready to sacrifice their lives for the country,” he said. “These are the martyrs and Ghazis who are resolved to rid the country of terrorism and striving day and night for the cause.”
PM Shehbaz said the soldiers of the army, police, FC and Rangers sacrificing their lives were actually bearing the brunt of the disastrous policies of a government in the past when thousands of terrorists were set free.
The cabinet offered Fateha for the martyred security personnel and the fallen policeman.
Inflation decline
The prime minister expressed pleasure over the inflation coming down to a nine-year low of 2.4 per cent in January from 28.73pc in the same month a year ago.
He congratulated the entire nation, the cabinet members, particularly the finance minister, his team and the FBR, for their efforts during the last 11 months to bring the inflation down to the lowest level.
“Now, we are fully striving to head towards economic growth… This is the main challenge. All of our energies will be focused on economic growth. Just like other targets, we will achieve this too,” he resolved.
He told the cabinet members that on Monday, Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman sent a delegation to Pakistan and both sides signed an agreement under which Saudi Arabia would provide oil worth $1.2 billion on deferred payment.
Besides, the Saudi Development Fund will provide a loan for a $40 million water supply scheme project in Mansehra.
He said that the entire nation would observe Kashmir Solidarity Day on Wednesday to express solidarity with their Kashmiri brethren.
Cabinet decisions
The federal cabinet formed a committee, led by Planning Minister Ahsan Iqbal, to accelerate the operationalisation of Gwadar Port.
PM Shehbaz directed the committee to organise an international conference to promote Gwadar’s economic potential globally. He also sought detailed reports on imports and exports through the port.
The meeting was informed that dredging of Gwadar Port had been halted between 2018 and 2022 due to “criminal negligence” but was resumed in 2022-23, restoring the port’s original depth.
The meeting was also informed that several public welfare projects had been completed in Gwadar, including the Pak-China Friendship Hospital, Gwadar Institute of Technical Education, Pak-China Primary School, Gwadar Livelihood Project, Gwadar Fisheries Processing and Export Zone, and Gwadar Solar Park.
The government is also laying the Main Line-4 railway network to connect Gwadar with other parts of the country. Meanwhile, the Gwadar-Quetta Highway is operational, improving connectivity for Turbat, Hoshab and Panjgur.
Source:dawn.com
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Mideast
What four American doctors witnessed while volunteering in war-torn Gaza
EPHREM KOSSAIFY
February 04, 2025
NEW YORK CITY: In December, as Israeli troops mounted a fresh assault on Gaza’s Kamal Adwan Hospital, its director, Dr. Hussam Abu Safiya, refused to comply with repeated orders to abandon his pediatric patients.
Just weeks earlier, the Palestinian doctor had buried his 15-year-old son, Ibrahim, in the hospital’s courtyard after he was killed in a drone strike. In November, he suffered shrapnel injuries of his own.
Even as Israeli forces mounted further air attacks around the hospital — claiming it was being used to shelter Palestinian militants — Dr. Abu Safiya refused to abandon his post until he was finally detained.
He was last seen in a now-iconic photograph walking toward a column of Israeli tanks on a debris-strewn street. Reports suggest he is in Israeli custody, although no charges have been brought against him.
“Dr. Hussam is representative of the attack on health care workers,” Dr. Thaer Ahmad, an emergency room physician from Chicago who recently returned from volunteering in Gaza, told a press conference at the UN headquarters in New York City on Jan. 31.
“Even wearing a white coat was deadly,” he said, describing what he witnessed in the embattled enclave. “We have normalized the killing of healthcare workers. That’s not just going to be a problem in Gaza — it’s going to be a problem worldwide. We need Dr. Safiya out.”
Israel has consistently denied deliberately targeting civilian infrastructure, claiming that Palestinian militants have used hospitals and residential buildings to store weapons and launch attacks, employing their occupants as human shields.
Since the Oct. 7, 2023, Hamas-led attack on southern Israel triggered the war in Gaza, some 62,000 Palestinians have been killed, according to the latest estimates, and much of the enclave’s infrastructure left in ruins by Israeli bombardment.
Dr. Ahmad was among four American doctors speaking after having returned from Gaza. While war’s horrors are often unfathomable from afar, the visceral realities they described have been burned into their memories forever.
They spoke of treating wounded children, watching Gaza’s healthcare system collapse, and struggling to save lives amid overwhelming destruction.
In the aftermath of the fragile ceasefire deal between Israel and Hamas, which came into effect on Jan. 19, the American doctors were at pains to highlight Gaza’s ongoing medical needs and the obstacles that healthcare workers face.
Despite a lull in the fighting, they warned that the suffering would continue and the death toll would rise if aid was not allowed to flow freely. By sharing their accounts, they hoped to encourage a coordinated effort to address the crisis.
Dr. Feroze Sidhwa, a trauma surgeon who has worked in crisis zones in Ukraine, Haiti, and Zimbabwe, described the impossible situation he encountered. “I’ve never seen a place like Gaza in my life,” he said.
During his brief time volunteering at the European Hospital in Al-Fukhari near Khan Yunis between March and April 2024, Dr. Sidhwa experienced the destruction of Gaza’s medical infrastructure.
He described a constant stream of patients — many of them children — in urgent need of care. Although there were only four operating rooms in the European Hospital, some 250 people needed daily wound care, he said.
Even more grim was the lack of trained medical personnel. According to Dr. Sidhwa, roughly one in 10 healthcare workers in Gaza have fled, and around one in 20 have been killed.
Many of Gaza’s most experienced doctors — those who ran departments and performed complex surgeries — are either dead, detained, or missing. The destruction of both human and physical resources has left the healthcare system on the brink of collapse.
As a result, several of Gaza’s most vulnerable have been evacuated by foreign governments and aid groups to receive care abroad. However, those who are evacuated are given no guarantee that they and their families will be permitted to return to their homes afterward.
“Under this ceasefire agreement, there is supposed to be a mechanism in place for medical evacuations,” said Dr. Ahmad. “We’ve still not seen that process spelled out.
“Without a second phase of the ceasefire and a clear plan for medical evacuations, we are setting up an illusion of hope for the people of Gaza that will be shattered the moment the fighting resumes.”
Dr. Ahmad said there were gaping holes in the medical evacuation process.
“Under the current ceasefire agreement, we are told that injured combatants will be allowed to exit through the Rafah crossing, but there is no formal process for evacuating children, even though they are equally at risk,” he said.
“If we can let an injured combatant out with three companions then surely we can ensure that children can be evacuated with their caregivers.”
Dr. Ayesha Khan, an emergency medicine specialist from Stanford University who also spoke at the press conference, said at least 2,500 children in Gaza are at risk of dying without evacuation or proper care.
“Families are living in constant fear,” she said. “If they manage to get their child out, there is no guarantee they can return, and that uncertainty is causing chaos.
“We know that chaos in a medical system increases mortality by 30 percent. Just by creating confusion, uncertainty, you are creating a 30 percent more effective killing machine.
“And this is exactly where the UN secretary-general, the UN organizations can help, because organizations bring organization and what we are advocating for, very strongly, is to have a centralized process, clear guidelines, and to have COGAT put in writing what is needed, both for what can enter into Gaza and what is needed to exit.”
COGAT is the Coordinator of Government Activities in the Territories — a unit in the Israeli Ministry of Defense tasked with overseeing civilian policy in the West Bank, as well as facilitating logistical coordination between Israel and the Gaza Strip.
Dr. Khan, who volunteered in Gaza between late Nov. 2024 and early Jan. 2025, described her shock at the severity of the injuries she witnessed, particularly among children.
“We had waves of children that even if another bomb was never dropped on Gaza, even if another bullet never hit a child in Gaza, these children would still die, and the reason is because they simply don’t have the adequate nutrition to heal,” she said.
She described the case of one girl whose foot injuries, caused by shrapnel, had gone untreated for months. Without access to basic nutrition or proper medical care, the wounds had festered and become infected.
In Gaza, where sewage-laden streets replace what might have been hospital rooms or secure shelters, these injuries would likely result in amputation — a fate that many children had suffered.
The doctors emphasized that the lack of essential supplies and equipment — including CT scanners, hospital beds, and even basic medications — was making it almost impossible to provide adequate care.
“The conditions are worse than any hospital I’ve worked in before,” said Dr. Khan.
“We’re talking about hospitals with bullet holes in the walls, operating rooms destroyed, and entire wards rendered useless. You can’t even get a full assessment for patients without risking their lives during transport to another facility.”
Despite these conditions, Dr. Khan also described the resilience she witnessed among Gaza’s medical professionals.
“Eighty percent of the healthcare workers at the hospital I worked in were volunteers,” she said. “These people are living in tents, getting one meal a day, yet they show up to work every single day, putting their lives on the line for their people. They are heroes.”
However, this resolve is being tested by the mounting restrictions, insufficient support, and a lack of international pressure on the parties involved to facilitate a proper aid response.
Dr. Ahmad called on Western medical institutions to take a stand, much like they did for Ukraine, to protect the rights of Palestinian healthcare workers and ensure that medical evacuations are carried out swiftly.
“The international medical community has a responsibility to advocate for these basic rights,” he said. “We cannot stand idly by and let this crisis escalate further. The people of Gaza deserve access to the care they need, and the world must not turn a blind eye.”
Palestinian health professionals like Dr. Abu Safiya, the detained director of Kamal Adwan Hospital, must be free and properly resourced to rebuild Gaza’s health system and deliver the urgently needed care, he said.
“Palestinians need to lead the response. Palestinians need to be treating Palestinians. And we need to be able to support that. And that’s what we mentioned to UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres, and he firmly believes in that as well.”
UN spokesman Stephane Dujarric told Arab News that Guterres was “very moved by the eyewitness reports that he heard from the four American doctors.
“They are really a symbol of the sacrifice that people are making in order to help civilians,” he said. “And the secretary-general was vocal that we will continue to push through our people on the ground for more medical evacuations.”
He added: “If they are evacuated for medical reasons, they have a right to come home.”
However, Dr. Mahmooda Syed, an emergency physician who has twice volunteered in Gaza, told the press conference that medical evacuations are only a very temporary solution to the “ongoing, more insidious problem, that is the complete devastation and damage to the infrastructure of Gaza.
“The roads are destroyed, the water system is destroyed and contaminated, the electricity grid is completely destroyed,” she said. “So, we do need to provide medical care to patients, but we also need to empower the people of Gaza to rebuild and recover their own state.”
The American doctors said they want to see medical needs urgently prioritized.
“The people we met in Gaza — they deserve life,” Dr. Ahmad said. “They deserve to heal. They deserve a future. And we need to make sure they have the chance to live it.”
Source:arabnews.com
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Hamas ready for talks with Trump administration, Hamas official tells RIA
February 05, 2025
GAZA CITY: The Palestinian Hamas movement is ready to establish contact and hold talks with the administration of US President Donald Trump, Russia’s RIA state news agency cited a senior Hamas official as saying in remarks published early on Wednesday.
“We are ready for contact and talks with the Trump administration,” RIA cited senior Hamas Politburo member Mousa Abu Marzouk as saying.
“In the past, we did not object to contacts with the administration of (former US President Joe) Biden, Trump or any other US administration, and we are open to talks with all international parties.”
It was not clear when RIA interviewed Marzouk, who was visiting Moscow on Monday for talks with the Russian foreign ministry.
Trump vowed on Tuesday that the US would take over the war-shattered Gaza Strip after Palestinians are resettled elsewhere and develop it economically, a move that would shatter decades of US policy toward the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.
Marzouk told RIA that talks with the US have become a kind of necessity for Hamas, considering that Washington is a key player in the Middle East.
“That is why we welcomed the talks with the Americans and have no objection to this issue,” he added.
Source:arabnews.com
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Netanyahu hails Trump as ‘greatest friend Israel has ever had’
February 05, 2025
WASHINGTON: Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu hailed Donald Trump as the “greatest friend Israel has ever had,” following a meeting between the two leaders at the White House.
“I’ve said this before, I’ll say it again: you are the greatest friend Israel has ever had in the White House,” Netanyahu told reporters after the meeting in Washington. “And that’s why the people of Israel have such enormous respect for you.”
Source:arabnews.com
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Leaders ‘should respect’ wishes of Palestinians to stay in Gaza: Palestinian UN envoy
February 05, 2025
UNITED NATIONS, United States: World leaders and people should respect Palestinians’ desire to remain in Gaza, the Palestinian envoy to the United Nations said Tuesday, after US President Donald Trump said he believed people from the territory should be resettled elsewhere “permanently.”
“Our homeland is our homeland, if part of it is destroyed, the Gaza Strip, the Palestinian people selected the choice to return to it,” said Riyad Mansour. “And I think that leaders and people should respect the wishes of the Palestinian people.”
On Tuesday, Trump met with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu at the White House, with the US leader saying he believed Palestinians should leave Gaza after an Israeli offensive that has devastated the territory and left most of it reduced to rubble.
Speaking ahead of the meeting, Trump said he wanted a solution that saw “a beautiful area to resettle people permanently in nice homes where they can be happy.”
At the United Nations, Mansour did not name Trump but appeared to reject the US president’s proposal.
“Our country and our home is” the Gaza Strip, “it’s part of Palestine,” he said. “We have no home. For those who want to send them to a happy, nice place, let them go back to their original homes inside Israel, there are nice places there, and they will be happy to return to these places.”
The war in Gaza erupted after Palestinian armed group Hamas’s October 7, 2023, attack, which resulted in the deaths of 1,210 people on the Israeli side, mostly civilians, according to an AFP tally based on official Israeli figures.
Israel’s retaliatory response has killed at least 47,518 people in Gaza, the majority civilians, according to the Hamas-run territory’s health ministry. The UN considers these figures as reliable.
The UN says more than 1.9 million people — or 90 percent of Gaza’s population — have been displaced by Israel’s offensive, with the bombing campaign having leveled most structures in the territory, including schools, hospitals and basic civil infrastructure.
The start of a ceasefire deal, which included the release of hostages held by Hamas and prisoners held by Israel, on January 19 saw Palestinians rejoice, with many returning to homes that no longer stood.
“In two days, in a span of a few hours, 400,000 Palestinians walking returned to the northern part of the Gaza Strip,” said UN envoy Mansour.
“I think that we should be respecting the selections and the wishes of the Palestinian people, and the Palestinian people at the end will make the determination, their determination.”
Source:arabnews.com
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Trump won’t rule out deploying US troops to support rebuilding Gaza, sees ‘long-term’ US ownership
February 05, 2025
WASHINGTON: President Donald Trump on Tuesday suggested that displaced Palestinians in Gaza be permanently resettled outside the war-torn territory and proposed the US take “ownership” in redeveloping the area.
Trump’s brazen proposal appears certain to roil the next stage of talks meant to extend the tenuous ceasefire between Israel and Hamas and secure the release of the remaining hostages held in Gaza.
The provocative comments came as talks are ramping up this week with the promise of surging humanitarian aid and reconstruction supplies to help the people of Gaza recover after more than 15 months of devastating conflict. Now Trump wants to push roughly 1.8 million people to leave the land they have called home and claim it for the US, perhaps with American troops.
Trump outlined his thinking as he held talks with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu at the White House, where the two leaders also discussed the fragile ceasefire and hostage deal in the Israeli-Hamas conflict and shared concerns about Iran.
“I don’t think people should be going back,” Trump said. “You can’t live in Gaza right now. I think we need another location. I think it should be a location that’s going to make people happy.”
Trump said the US would take ownership of the Gaza Strip and redevelop it after Palestinians are resettled elsewhere and turn the territory into “the Riviera of the Middle East” in which the “world’s people”— including Palestinians — would live. He offered no detail about what authority the US would use to take the land and develop it.
“We’ll make sure that it’s done world class,” Trump said. “It’ll be wonderful for the people — Palestinians, Palestinians mostly, we’re talking about.”
Egypt, Jordan and other US allies in the Mideast have cautioned Trump that relocating Palestinians from Gaza would threaten Mideast stability, risk expanding the conflict and undermine a decades-long push by the US and allies for a two-state solution.
Saudi Arabia’s foreign ministry issued a sharply worded reaction to Trump, noting their long call for an independent Palestinian state was a “firm, steadfast and unwavering position.” Saudi Arabia has been in negotiations with the US over a deal to diplomatically recognize Israel in exchange for a security pact and other terms.
“The duty of the international community today is to work to alleviate the severe human suffering endured by the Palestinian people, who will remain committed to their land and will not budge from it,” the Saudi statement said.
Hamas official Sami Abu Zuhri said on Wednesday Trump’s remarks about taking over Gaza are ‘ridiculous’ and ‘absurd’.
“Trump’s remarks about his desire to control Gaza are ridiculous and absurd, and any ideas of this kind are capable of igniting the region,” Abu Zuhri told Reuters.
Still, Trump insists the Palestinians “have no alternative” but to leave the “big pile of rubble” that is Gaza. He spoke out as his top aides stressed that a three-to-five-year timeline for reconstruction of the war-torn territory, as laid out in a temporary truce agreement, is not viable.
Last week, both Egyptian President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi and Jordanian King Abdullah II dismissed Trump’s calls to resettle Gazans.
But Trump said he believes Egypt and Jordan — as well as other countries, which he did not name — will ultimately agree to take in Palestinians.
“You look over the decades, it’s all death in Gaza,” Trump said. “This has been happening for years. It’s all death. If we can get a beautiful area to resettle people, permanently, in nice homes where they can be happy and not be shot and not be killed and not be knifed to death like what’s happening in Gaza.”
Trump also said he isn’t ruling out deploying US troops to support reconstruction of Gaza. He envisions “long-term” US ownership of a redevelopment of the territory.
“We’ll do what is necessary,” Trump said about the possibility of deploying American troops to fill any security vacuum.
The president’s proposal was greeted with alarm by Democrats and a measure of skepticism by his Republican allies.
“He’s completely lost it,” said Sen. Chris Murphy, D-Connecticut “He wants a US invasion of Gaza, which would cost thousands of American lives and set the Middle East on fire for 20 years? It’s sick.”
“We’ll see what our Arab friends say about that,” said Sen. Lindsey Graham, a South Carolina Republican and a Trump ally. “And I think most South Carolinians are probably not excited about sending Americans to take over Gaza. I think that might be problematic, but I’ll keep an open mind.”
The White House’s focus on the future of Gaza comes as the nascent truce between Israel and Hamas hangs in the balance.
Netanyahu is facing competing pressure from his right-wing coalition to end a temporary truce against Hamas militants in Gaza and from war-weary Israelis who want the remaining hostages home and for the 15-month conflict to end.
Trump may be betting he can persuade Egypt and Jordan to come around to accept displaced Palestinians because of the significant aid that the US provides Cairo and Amman. Hard-line right-wing members of Netanyahu’s government have embraced the call to move displaced Palestinians out of Gaza.
“To me, it is unfair to explain to Palestinians that they might be back in five years,” Trump’s Mideast envoy, Steve Witkoff, told reporters. “That’s just preposterous.”
Trump also signaled that he may be reconsidering an independent Palestinian state as part of a broader two-state solution to the decades-long Israel-Palestinian conflict.
“Well, a lot of plans change with time,” he told reporters when asked if he was still committed to a plan like the one he laid out in 2020 that called for a Palestinian state. “A lot of death has occurred since I left and now came back.”
Netanyahu’s arrival in Washington for the first foreign leader visit of Trump’s second term coincides with the prime minister’s popular support sagging.
The prime minister is in the middle of weekslong testimony in an ongoing corruption trial that centers on allegations he exchanged favors with media moguls and wealthy associates. He has decried the accusations and said he is the victim of a “witch hunt.”
Being seen with Trump, who is popular in Israel, could help distract the public from the trial and boost Netanyahu’s standing.
“We have the right leader of Israel who’s done a great job,” Trump said of Netanyahu.
Netanyahu praised Trump’s leadership in getting the hostage and ceasefire deal. The prime minister also spoke glowingly of Trump thinking outside the box.
“You say things others refuse to say. And after the jaws drop, people scratch their heads and they say, ‘You know he’s right.’“
It’s Netanyahu’s first travel outside Israel since the International Criminal Court issued arrest warrants in November for him, his former defense minister and Hamas’ slain military chief, accusing them of crimes against humanity during the war in Gaza. The US does not recognize the ICC’s authority over its citizens or territory.
Netanyahu met with White House national security adviser Mike Waltz and Witkoff on Monday to begin the daunting work of brokering the next phase of a ceasefire agreement.
The Israeli leader said he would send a delegation to Qatar to continue indirect talks with Hamas that are being mediated by the Gulf Arab country, the first confirmation that those negotiations would continue. Netanyahu also said he would convene his security Cabinet to discuss Israel’s demands for the next phase of the ceasefire when he returns to Israel at the end of the week.
Witkoff, meanwhile, said he plans to meet with Qatar’s prime minister, Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al Thani, in Florida on Thursday to discuss the next phase in the ceasefire. Qatar and Egypt have served as key intermediaries with Hamas throughout the conflict.
Netanyahu is under intense pressure from hard-right members of his governing coalition to abandon the ceasefire and resume fighting in Gaza to eliminate Hamas. Bezalel Smotrich, one of Netanyahu’s key partners, vows to topple the government if the war isn’t relaunched, a step that could lead to early elections.
Hamas, which has reasserted control over Gaza since the ceasefire began last month, has said it will not release hostages in the second phase without an end to the war and Israeli forces’ full withdrawal. Netanyahu, meanwhile, maintains that Israel is committed to victory over Hamas and the return of all hostages captured in the Oct. 7, 2023, attack that triggered the war.
Source:arabnews.com
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Islamic Revolution’s support for Sunni community admirable, says cleric
Feb 4, 2025
Gonbad-e Kavus, IRNA – Abdolbaset Gharehbash, a Sunni cleric and the head of the Islamic Center in Gonbad-e Kavus, has said that thanks to the victory of the Islamic Revolution in Iran, the Sunni community across the country, particularly in Golestan Province, has received numerous services in transportation, water, electricity, gas, telecommunications, agriculture, schools, and health centers.
In an exclusive interview with IRNA on Tuesday, the Sunni cleric said that the services provided by the Islamic Republic over the past 46 years are incomparable to those of the previous regime.
He also said that the conditions of seminaries, schools, and mosques in Sunni areas were improper prior to the victory of the Islamic Revolution, but the attention to the Sunni community has improved, especially under the leadership of the Supreme Leader Ayatollah Seyyed Ali Khamenei.
Sunni elites and qualified individuals have been appointed to state positions, a move aimed at enhancing unity in practice, the cleric said.
Moreover, the cleric said that the Islamic system has helped Iranians promote a spirit of solidarity and resistance throughout the world.
He also urged the Iranian nation to participate in the upcoming nationwide demonstration on February 10, when people will mark the 46th anniversary of the victory of the Islamic Revolution.
Source:irna.ir
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Iran's major progress after Islamic Revolution - Security
Feb 4, 2025,
Since the Islamic Revolution, Iran has relied on resistance, public support, and Islamic teachings to become one of the safest countries in the world despite threats.
In the four decades following the Islamic Revolution, Iran has withstood severe military, terrorist, and economic threats, establishing a security model based on public trust, revolutionary forces, and strategic resilience.
Experience has shown that compromise with enemies undermines security, while resistance strengthens stability and sovereignty. The Islamic Republic has maintained its internal security and played a crucial role in ensuring regional stability and countering threats such as terrorist groups and foreign interventions.
Here's a look at the achievements of the Islamic Revolution in ensuring Iran’s stability:
- Four decades of experience have shown that appeasement destroys security, while resistance builds it.
- The Islamic Republic of Iran has successfully overcome the heaviest military, terrorist, political, cultural, and economic attacks over the past four decades with strength and resilience.
- Unlike all other revolutions, the Islamic Republic of Iran's security system was based on mercy and invitation.
- The security and peace the Iranians enjoy today are owed to the sacrifices and martyrdom of their heroes.
- Despite its ongoing struggle against oppressive and arrogant governments, the Islamic Republic of Iran is one of the safest countries in the world.
- The Islamic Republic of Iran's security is based on three pillars: Islamic teachings, reliance on the people, and adherence to the leadership.
- The Islamic Revolution transformed the brutal, torture-driven security of the Shah regime into a people-centered security based on trust, faith, and affection.
- Despite the full support of all global powers for the Shah, the people had no security even in their own homes back then. Yet, despite the conspiracies of all evil powers against the Islamic Republic, today Iran is one of the safest countries in the world.
- All ethnic, and religious conflicts, coups, terrorist attacks, bombings, and engineered uprisings were defeated by the presence of the people.
- Iran’s security model saved the region from the dangers posed by the US and ISIL.
- The unparalleled security of Iran today is the result of the strong presence of revolutionary forces alongside regional resistance.
Source:mehrnews.com
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Iraqi Sunni Provinces Suspend Work in Protest Against Federal Supreme Court Decision
04-02-2025
Official work has been suspended in the Sunni-majority provinces of Nineveh, Salahuddin, and Anbar, with all government offices set to close tomorrow in protest against the Federal Supreme Court’s decision to suspend the implementation of the general amnesty law.
The move comes amid growing outrage among Sunni political leaders, ministers, and parliamentarians, who have strongly opposed the court’s ruling. They have called for widespread demonstrations, with former Iraqi Parliament Speaker and leader of the Progress Pary, Mohammed al-Halbousi, issuing a sharp condemnation.
“We will confront and oppose this decision by all means, and we call for massive demonstrations that shake the foundations of injustice,” Halbousi declared. “We do not accept that the Federal Court be politicized and that legislation be disregarded. The general amnesty law was passed to provide justice to the innocent and oppressed, and we reject any attempt to allow terrorism to resurface.”
The Federal Supreme Court’s ruling, announced on Tuesday, temporarily halts the implementation of three recently passed laws concerning land restitution, general amnesty, and personal status after legal challenges were filed. The Iraqi parliament had approved the laws on January 21 following months of political wrangling.
• The land restitution law seeks to return lands confiscated under Saddam Hussein’s Baathist regime to their original Kurdish and Turkmen owners in Kirkuk and other disputed areas.
• The general amnesty amendment modifies the definition of affiliation with terrorist organizations under the 2016 law, a demand pushed by Sunni lawmakers who argue that many Sunnis have been wrongfully imprisoned since 2003.
• The personal status law amendment allows religious authorities to oversee marriage, divorce, and inheritance matters, a move backed by Shiite lawmakers but widely criticized by activists and women’s rights groups.
While the Federal Supreme Court has not provided an official explanation for the suspension, Iraqi media reports indicate that a Shiite lawmaker challenged the amendments, prompting the court’s intervention.
The court’s decision has deepened political tensions. Kurdish and Turkmen lawmakers insist that the land restitution law corrects historical injustices, while Sunni leaders argue that the general amnesty reform is crucial for fairness in the legal system. Meanwhile, women’s rights activists and over 130 lawmakers have voiced strong opposition to the personal status law amendment, warning that it could lead to child marriage and undermine women’s rights.
With the Federal Supreme Court now reviewing the case, the fate of these laws remains uncertain, further fueling Iraq’s political divisions.
Source:peregraf.com
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https://peregraf.com/en/news/8386
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Sunni leaders condemn Iraq’s Federal Court ruling on “controversial” laws
2025-02-05
Sunni leaders condemn Iraq’s Federal Court ruling on “controversial” laws
Shafaq News/ On Tuesday, political tensions in Iraq escalated as Sunni leaders in government and parliament denounced the Federal Supreme Court’s decision to suspend amendments to three “controversial” laws, accusing the judiciary of political interference and calling for urgent action.
Court Ruling and Legal Dispute
Iraq’s Federal Supreme Court, the country’s highest judicial authority, issued an injunction suspending amendments to the General Amnesty Law, Personal Status Law, and Property Restitution Law following a legal challenge by MPs. The petitioners questioned the laws’ legitimacy, arguing that Parliament passed them in a single vote rather than debating and approving each separately.
The amendments were approved in a January 21, 2025 session that also resulted to remove Speaker Mahmoud Al-Mashhadani, with lawmakers gathering signatures for his dismissal over alleged constitutional violations in the voting process.
Sunni Backlash and Calls for Action
The court’s ruling drew widespread condemnation from Sunni political factions, who argued that it “obstructs key legislation integral to a broader political agreement.”
Mohammed Al-Halbousi, Mohammed Ali Tamim Al-Jubouri, and Haibet Al-Halbousi, along with leaders from Al-Siyada, Taqadum, and the Iraqi National Project, were unified in rejecting the ruling, saying that the General Amnesty Law was designed to “rectify wrongful convictions,” and does not apply to individuals convicted of terrorism.
Sunni leaders further accused the court of deliberately blocking the law’s enforcement for political reasons. Mohammed Al-Halbousi vowed to challenge the decision through legal avenues and called for protests and institutional boycotts against what he described as “efforts to undermine the people’s will.”
Al-Halbousi accused the Federal Court of "interference in legislation, disregarding laws and issuing an unjust ruling against the innocent and wrongfully accused.”
In a statement, Al-Siyada called for a swift ruling on its constitutionality and accused lawmakers of exploiting the issue for “political gain” and “inciting unrest.”
The group reaffirmed its “respect for the Federal Supreme Court and the constitution” but strongly opposed the injunction. It argued that the Amnesty Law amendment was part of a political agreement among national factions and accused certain MPs of “deliberately obstructing its implementation.”
Meanwhile, Mohammed Ali Tamim Al-Jubouri stressed the urgent need for a Federal Supreme Court law, arguing that clearly “defining the court’s authority is essential to maintaining constitutional balance.” He urged political factions to honor commitments made during government formation, emphasizing that passing the legislation should be a top priority before the current parliamentary term ends.
Jamal Al-Dari, Secretary-General of the Iraqi National Project, called for an emergency leadership meeting to address the ruling, warning on X that “ongoing political disputes, evasion of agreements, and attempts to involve the judiciary in obstructing parliamentary decisions will push Iraq into further crises.” He condemned the use of the General Amnesty Law as a “political bargaining tool” and demanded the immediate enforcement of the political agreement, which he claimed “remains hidden from the public.”
Haibet Al-Halbousi and other Sunni lawmakers condemned the court’s use of injunctive orders, accusing it of “paralyzing Parliament’s legislative role.” He called the suspension of the General Amnesty Law a “direct violation of parliamentary authority” and questioned the constitutional legitimacy of Chief Justice Jassim Abboud Al-Amiri’s intervention in overriding Parliament’s decisions.
Source:shafaq.com
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https://shafaq.com/en/Iraq/Sunni-leaders-condemn-Iraq-s-Federal-Court-ruling-on-controversial-laws
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Assad-era minister turns himself in to new Syria authorities
February 04, 2025
DAMASCUS: A former minister under ousted Syrian president Bashar Assad has turned himself in, the interior ministry said Tuesday, making him one of the highest-profile figures captured by the new authorities.
“The minister of interior in the government of the defunct regime, Mohammed Al-Shaar, surrendered himself to the General Security Department,” an interior ministry statement said.
Shaar, the target of US and EU sanctions, was interior minister from 2011 to 2018 at the height of Syria’s 13-year civil war.
The security forces of the new authorities, which toppled the Assad government late last year, had been looking for Shaar and “raided sites where he had been hiding in the past few days,” the interior ministry said.
Since 2011, Shaar has been under European Union sanctions for involvement in “violence against demonstrators” who took to the streets that year to demand democracy.
The government’s brutal crackdown on the peaceful protests sparked a complex civil war that has killed more than 500,000 people and displaced millions.
Shaar was also among top officials, including Assad, who were slapped with US sanctions in 2011.
In 2012, a Lebanese lawyer filed a lawsuit against Shaar, accusing him of having ordered hundreds of killings in Tripoli in 1986 when he was in charge of security in the northern Lebanon port city.
Also in 2012, Shaar survived two bomb attacks.
In December, he sustained light wounds to the shoulder after a deadly suicide bombing at the ministry, a Syrian security source told AFP at the time.
That attack was claimed by Al-Nusra Front, the jihadist precursor of the Islamist Hayat Tahrir Al-Sham group which led the lightning rebel offensive that toppled Assad on December 8.
And in July 2012, Shaar narrowly escaped death in a bombing that killed four senior security officials including the defense minister and Assad’s brother-in-law, Assef Shawkat.
Assad himself has fled to Russia, an ally of his defunct government, and some former officials in his administration are also believed to have left Syria.
Source:arabnews.com
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https://www.arabnews.com/node/2589035/middle-east
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Israeli West Bank offensives displace thousands: officials
February 04, 2025
RAMALLAH: Israeli military offensives in two West Bank refugee camps have displaced nearly 5,500 Palestinian families since December, local and UN officials said Tuesday, amid escalating violence in the occupied territory.
The Israeli military describes its ongoing operations as “counterterrorism” efforts aimed at rooting out Palestinian militancy.
Jonathan Fowler, spokesman for the UN agency for Palestinian refugees (UNRWA), said an estimated 2,450 to 3,000 families have been displaced from the Tulkarem refugee camp.
Faisal Salama, head of the camp’s popular committee, estimated that 80 percent of the camp’s 15,000 residents have been displaced.
Both Salama and Fowler said that obtaining precise figures is challenging because of the security situation within the camp and its fluctuating population.
“The displaced people from the camp are scattered in the suburbs and in the city of Tulkarem itself,” Salama told AFP.
He said that six people had been killed and dozens wounded since the offensive began on January 25.
“The bombing of residential homes in the camp continues, along with destruction and bulldozing of everything.”
Salama also reported that the violence has severely restricted the movement of goods into the camp.
“There is a shortage of water, no electricity, no communication and a lack of essential supplies such as milk for children, diapers, and medicine,” he added.
Displacement has also been severe in Jenin, also in the northern West Bank, where the military launched an intensive assault it dubbed “Iron Wall” on January 21.
Fowler reported that 3,000 families — around 15,000 people — have fled Jenin refugee camp since December, initially when Palestinian security forces staged their own operation against militants and then later because of the Israeli offensive.
Displacement has surged in recent days after the military assault inflicted further destruction on the camp.
On Sunday, Israeli media and the Palestinian news agency Wafa reported that Israeli forces had demolished 20 buildings in a single coordinated detonation in the camp.
Both the Tulkarem and Jenin refugee camps are known strongholds of Palestinian militancy.
A gunman attacked an Israeli military checkpoint in the northern West Bank at Tayasir on Tuesday, fatally wounding two soldiers before troops shot him dead, the military said.
The Palestinian health ministry reported on Tuesday that 70 people had been killed by Israeli forces in the West Bank this year, 38 of them in Jenin.
Israel’s military says its forces had killed “approximately 55 terrorists” across the West Bank in January, without specifying the locations.
Its West Bank operations intensified following a ceasefire in the Israel-Hamas war in the Gaza Strip on January 19.
The Palestinian health ministry says Israeli troops and settlers have killed at least 884 Palestinians, including many militants, in the West Bank since the Gaza war began on October 7, 2023.
Over the same period, at least 32 Israelis have been killed in Palestinian attacks or during Israeli military raids in the territory, official Israeli figures show.
Source:arabnews.com
Please click the following URL to read the text of the original Story
https://www.arabnews.com/node/2589026/middle-east
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Europe
Plans for new Kurdish mosque submitted to council
5 FEB 2025
A second attempt to provide a mosque for town’s Kurdish community has been made. In January last year a proposal to convert a terraced house in Harrison Street, Blackburn, was rejected by Blackburn with Darwen Council on grounds of disturbance to neighbours, parking and highway safety.
Now a new planning application has gone in to turn a vacant two-storey late Victorian villa at 40d Preston New Road in the Corporation Park Conservation Area into a place of worship and Islamic education centre. The application from the committee secretary of the Kurdish Community Centre wants to reuse the former office building as a mosque and religious hub for around 20 worshippers.
A supporting statement from the Urban Future Planning Consultancy says: “The application site comprises a two-storey late Victorian villa, designed in the Gothic revival style, positioned to the eastern side of Preston New Road, Blackburn. The property lies within the designated Corporation Park Conservation Area and comprises of red brick, slate roof and has a gabled front elevation with a curved bay window.
“The site is currently vacant but has previously been in use as offices and as an NHS dentist. Consent is sought for the change of use of 40D Preston New Road, Blackburn from a vacant former dentist to an educational centre and place of worship.
“The building would comprise of a prayer facility for worship with classrooms for the madrassa/after school learning element. The ground floor worshipping element will also include other ancillary elements including hygienic ablution facilities.
“The proposal provides the opportunity for the direction of prayer to face to the Qibla. The first floor would feature three small classrooms for after-school madrassa classes
“There are very limited changes proposed to the building’s exterior. The applicant is looking to meet the needs of the area’s growing Muslim resident community.
“Within Blackburn with Darwen, the proportion of Muslim population is the third highest among all local authorities in the UK and the highest outside London. The worship/small madrassa element is not considered to be unduly noisy and there are many examples within the borough and beyond of where such facilities exist adjacent to residential properties.
“Community facilities such as churches, mosques, village halls etc are purposefully located within residential settings to serve the local community and the applicant confirms that most of the congregation reside in the surrounding residential streets and attend the site on foot. Average daily attendance for prayers would be around 20.
“No external call to prayer system or amplifying equipment would feature within the proposed scheme.”
Source:lancs.live
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https://www.lancs.live/news/lancashire-news/plans-new-kurdish-mosque-submitted-30931405
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‘Eye-catching’ minarets complete Blackburn mosque design
5 FEB 2025
Workers have completed the installation of two minarets at the top of one of Blackburn’s biggest mosque projects in recent years.
The new mosque, in Preston New Road, will act as a place of worship for people living nearby as well as people from neighbouring estates such as Beardwood.
The project which began in 2021 is being financed by billionaire EG Group founders Mohsin and Zuber Issa through their charitable arm the Issa Foundation.
The two minarets come as work continues at a brisk pace. In recent months the landscaping around the mosque has been completed and windows have been installed.
This week, workers could be seen on the roof of the building.
The mosque was shielded from the main road until recently.
The new mosque complex will aim to focus on sustainability with solar panels on the office building and the main building.
The mosque backs onto homes at the top section of Buncer Lane and is opposite one of the most historic buildings in town - the St Silas Church.
Westholme School used to have buildings on the site but these were demolished and plans were revealed for the mosque in December 2020.
The £5 million scheme was approved in mid-2021 but it is unsure what the cost for the final structures will be and if it has kept to budget.
It will be the seventh mosque within walking distance of the area to meet the demands of the community and alleviate some of the congestion, traffic and parking problems that can be witnessed during busy periods.
Source:lancashiretelegraph.co.uk
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https://www.lancashiretelegraph.co.uk/news/24906029.eye-catching-minarets-complete-blackburn-mosque-design/
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Muslim convert guilty of plot to attack mosque and Islamic cleric
4th February
A man has been found guilty of preparing for terrorist acts after threatening to “flatten” a mosque and plotting to attack an Islamic cleric.
Video footage released by West Midlands Police after Jason Savage was convicted showed the 35-year-old filming reconnaissance near a mosque in Wright Street, Small Heath, Birmingham.
On the video, Savage, from Fourth Avenue, Small Heath, recorded himself saying: “That seems like the best way to get away – the police will probably come from that way.”
As well as charting different routes into the mosque, Savage, who had adapted the handle of a knife found at his home, was heard to say: “Just needs the means now.
“Ask Allah to give man the means bro.”
Jurors at Birmingham Crown Court deliberated for five hours and 48 minutes before unanimously convicting Savage on Thursday of a single count of engaging in conduct in preparation for terrorist acts on or before March 14 last year.
A three-week trial was told Savage was arrested shortly after sending online messages to someone he did not know was an undercover officer, saying he was waiting to see what “opportunities come to present itself”.
Jurors also heard that Savage had taken screenshots of the West Midlands Police headquarters, police stations in Perry Barr and Stechford and various military locations in Birmingham, and told the undercover officer he was putting his neck on a “chopping block”.
Opening the case for the Crown on January 14, prosecutor Peter Ratliff alleged that Savage had planned to commit and film an attack.
He told the court the defendant converted to Islam at some point in the 2010s and followed an “extreme and violent” part of the Salafi movement of which organisations such as al Qaida and so-called Islamic State were “particularly notorious” examples.
Prosecutors alleged that Savage had carried out reconnaissance with a view to attacking a cleric, bookstore and mosque in the Small Heath area, whose approach to the Salafi movement was “entirely at odds” with his own.
The mosque, store and publishing house advocated a strand of Salafism that stresses the importance of non-involvement in social or political activism, the court heard, while the cleric was an “outspoken critic” of Islamist terrorism, arguing that it was entirely incompatible with the true essence of Islam.
Taking the jury through social media posts and other messages written by the defendant, Mr Ratliff said: “One of those he was in contact with was, although he didn’t know it, an undercover officer.
“A key feature of the defendant’s words and writings was his real disapproval of ‘disbelievers’ – but particularly those he considered were false followers of Islam.”
By February 2024, the court heard, Savage was referring to watching knife-fighting techniques on YouTube and posted a video of Osama bin Laden.
Mr Ratliff said Savage claimed the mosque he filmed outside needed “flattening” and spoke about how his alleged targets were to be “hunted down”.
Jurors also heard that at some point in early 2024 Savage broke the handle off a kitchen knife and replaced it with cloth, before changing his social media status to “Lone Wolf”.
On March 11, the court heard, Savage went to the area around the mosque and recorded three mobile phone videos.
Two days later, the jury heard, Savage made internet searches about homemade firearms and ammunition, including pipe guns, nail guns, firing pin mechanisms and shell casings.
His conduct also included research into the manufacture of components of firearms and the “lethal use of knives”.
Savage was remanded in custody by Mrs Justice Farbey, who ordered pre-sentence and psychiatric reports to be prepared before sentencing on April 11.
Source:asianimage.co.uk
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https://www.asianimage.co.uk/news/24907488.muslim-convert-guilty-plot-attack-mosque-islamic-cleric/
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Anjuman-e-Haideria Masjid: Fire caused by 'stray firework'
4th February
THE fire service has revealed what caused a blaze at a Bradford mosque in the early hours of this morning.
Firefighters were sent out to the Anjuman-e-Haideria Masjid, on St Mary's Road in Manningham just after 1am on Tuesday morning.
Six crews attended and tackled the blaze on the fourth floor.
Firefighters used breathing apparatus, a large jet, hose reels, and an aerial ladder.
The fire service says it's believed a "stray firework" was the cause of the blaze.
A spokesperson for the service said: "We were called at 1.22am this morning to a fire at a building on St Marys Road.
"Six crews attended and tackled a fire in a mosque on the fourth floor.
"Using breathing apparatus, a large jet, hose reels and an aerial ladder firefighters extinguished the fire.
"A stray firework into the roof is believed to be the cause of the fire."
Source:thetelegraphandargus.co.uk
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https://www.thetelegraphandargus.co.uk/news/24908400.anjuman-e-haideria-masjid-fire-caused-stray-firework/
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Zelensky calls for nukes to ‘stop Russia’
4 Feb, 2025
Ukrainian leader Vladimir Zelensky has proposed that the West should give Kiev nuclear weapons and more missiles “to stop Russia” or fast track his country into NATO.
On Tuesday, British journalist Piers Morgan published an excerpt from an interview with Zelensky in which he asked the Ukrainian leader why Kiev refuses any alternative to NATO membership ahead of possible peace negotiations, when he knows such a proposition is outright unacceptable to Moscow.
Zelensky responded that should Kiev be prevented rom joining the US-led bloc in the near future, then Ukraine will have the right to ask its Western backers: “What will be defending us against this evil this whole time?”
“Give us back nuclear weapons, give us missile systems. Partners, help us finance a one-million army, deploy your troops to the areas of our country where we want to stabilize the situation,” he went on to say.
Over the past months, Zelensky has repeatedly expressed regret that his country surrendered Soviet nuclear weapons stationed on its soil in exchange for security guarantees. Following the dissolution of the USSR in 1991, Ukraine inherited around 1,700 nuclear warheads, which however remained under Moscow’s operational control.
Russia has argued that Ukraine never had any nuclear weapons to begin with, as the Soviet assets legally belonged to Moscow. Russian officials have also repeatedly stated that the 1994 Budapest Memorandum, which resolved possession of the outstanding nuclear weapons, was then undermined by NATO’s eastward expansion, which threatened Moscow’s vital security interests. The US consigned the memorandum to irrelevancy by backing the Maidan coup in Kiev in 2014.
In an interview with US podcaster Lex Fridman last month, Zelensky similarly lamented that “nuclear weapons were the security guarantees that Ukraine had.”
He claimed at the time that “Ukraine used [the weapons] for protection” before handing them over to Russia.
Back in October, Zelensky also insisted that Ukraine could protect itself either by becoming a nuclear state or a member of NATO, adding that he strongly favored the latter option.
Several weeks later, the New York Times, citing anonymous officials, claimed that former US President Joe Biden “could allow Ukraine to have nuclear weapons again.” Commenting on the allegations, ex-National Security Adviser Jake Sullivan clarified that the idea was “not under consideration.”
In late December, Russian Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova said that Ukraine could only get hold of nuclear weapons through the transfer of “important components from the outside, from other states.”
In November, President Vladimir Putin emphasized that Russia would be compelled to utilize all available means of destruction if Ukraine were to acquire nuclear weapons. He stated, “What do you think - on the level of common sense - if the country with which we are essentially now engaged in military operations becomes a nuclear power, what should we do? In this case, use all - I want to emphasize this - precisely all the means of destruction at Russia’s disposal,” he stressed. “We will not allow this,” he added.
Source:rt.com
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https://www.rt.com/russia/612177-zelensky-demands-nukes-west-nato/
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Moscow hasn’t received samples from Russia-bound flight’s crash site – RT source
4 Feb, 2025
Moscow has not received any of the alleged “foreign objects” recovered from the wreckage of Azerbaijan Airlines Flight 8243 that crashed in Kazakhstan late last year, a source within Russia’s civil aviation industry close to the investigation of the incident has told RT.
The Russia-bound flight crashed in Kazakhstan on December 25 after sustaining damage mid-air in the skies above the city of Grozny in the Chechen Republic. On Tuesday, a preliminary report of the incident was released by the Kazakh authorities, who provided new details and shared imagery of the apparent “foreign objects” recovered from the crash site. The investigators abstained from speculating on the nature of the mangled pieces of metal that had been recovered, stating only they had been sent for examination.
The release of the report prompted speculation in some Western media outlets that the alleged “foreign objects” were consistent with shrapnel used in missiles deployed by the Russian-made Pantsir-S anti-aircraft system. Reuters reported that Azerbaijan was in possession of a piece that had supposedly been recovered from the wreck.
“The Azerbaijani side possesses a fragment of a Pantsir-S missile, which was extracted from the aircraft and identified through international expertise,” a senior Azerbaijani government official told the agency.
Such allegations do require “additional research and examination,” the source close to the investigation told RT. Moscow still has not received any of the “foreign objects” recovered from the plane, the source said, stating that it was still too early to speculate on their nature.
“The report of the Kazakh government commission does not identify [the objects], but states the need for additional study of their origin,” the source added.
Flight 8243 ended up crashing in Aktau, Kazakhstan after attempting an emergency landing. The plane’s crew assumed the aircraft had either collided with a flock of birds or suffered an on-board explosion, the transcript of the plane’s communications suggest.
The crash has prompted intense speculation about its causes, with theories including a strike of a Ukrainian drone and an accidental hit by Russian anti-aircraft defenses. While Moscow has offered an apology to Baku because the incident occurred in its airspace, it has neither admitted nor denied the potential involvement of its military and has urged awaiting the conclusion of the probe.
Source:rt.com
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https://www.rt.com/russia/612176-moscow-no-samples-recovered-azal-plane/
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North America
Google drops pledge on AI use for weapons
5 Feb, 2025
Alphabet, the parent company of technology giant Google, is no longer promising that it will never use artificial intelligence (AI) for purposes such as developing weapons and surveillance tools.
The firm has rewritten the principles guiding its use of AI, dropping a section which ruled out uses that were "likely to cause harm".
In a blog post Google senior vice president James Manyika, and Demis Hassabis, who leads the AI lab Google DeepMind, defended the move.
They argue businesses and democratic governments need to work together on AI that "supports national security".
There is debate amongst AI experts and professionals over how the powerful new technology should be governed in broad terms, how far commercial gains should be allowed to determine its direction, and how best to guard against risks for humanity in general.
There is also controversy around the use of AI on the battlefield and in surveillance technologies.
The blog said the company's original AI principles published in 2018 needed to be updated as the technology had evolved.
"Billions of people are using AI in their everyday lives. AI has become a general-purpose technology, and a platform which countless organisations and individuals use to build applications.
"It has moved from a niche research topic in the lab to a technology that is becoming as pervasive as mobile phones and the internet itself," the blog post said.
As a result baseline AI principles were also being developed, which could guide common strategies, it said.
However, Mr Hassabis and Mr Manyika said the geopolitical landscape was becoming increasingly complex.
"We believe democracies should lead in AI development, guided by core values like freedom, equality and respect for human rights," the blog post said.
"And we believe that companies, governments and organisations sharing these values should work together to create AI that protects people, promotes global growth and supports national security."
The blog post was published just ahead of Alphabet's end of year financial report, showing results that were weaker than market expectations, and knocking back its share price.
That was despite a 10% rise in revenue from digital advertising, its biggest earner, boosted by US election spending.
In its earnings report the company said it would spend $75bn ($60bn) on AI projects this year, 29% more than Wall Street analysts had expected.
The company is investing in the infrastructure to run AI, AI research, and applications such as AI-powered search.
Google's AI platform Gemini now appears at the top of Google search results, offering an AI written summary, and pops up on Google Pixel phones.
Originally, long before the current surge of interest in the ethics of AI, Google's founders, Sergei Brin and Larry Page, said their motto for the firm was "don't be evil". When the company was restructured under the name Alphabet Inc in 2015 the parent company switched to "Do the right thing".
Since then Google staff have sometimes pushed back against the approach taken by their executives. In 2018 the firm did not renew a contract for AI work with the US Pentagon following a resignations and a petition signed by thousands of employees.
They feared "Project Maven" was the first step towards using artificial intelligence for lethal purposes.
Source:bbc.com
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https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/cy081nqx2zjo
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Top Trump nominees advance as Senate confirms attorney general
5 Feb, 2025
US President Donald Trump's cabinet nominees have gained momentum as Robert F Kennedy Jr and Tulsi Gabbard cleared a key hurdle in the Senate, and Pam Bondi was confirmed.
The full Senate voted to approve Bondi as the next US attorney general, tasked with running the Department of Justice.
Kennedy, picked to be the next US health secretary, was advanced by the Senate Finance Committee in a 14-13 vote that split along party lines. Only Republicans voted in favour of him.
Gabbard chosen to serve as Director of National Intelligence, survived a narrow 9-8 vote before the Senate Intelligence Committee - also split along party lines.
Kennedy and Gabbard, both considered controversial picks, will now move to a vote before the full US Senate, which Republicans control 53-47.
Pam Bondi confirmed as US attorney general
Pam Bondi will become the country's top law enforcement officer on Tuesday evening after the Senate approved her by a 54-46 vote.
All Republican senators voted to confirm Bondi; Pennsylvania Senator John Fetterman was the only Democrat to vote in favour. The Senate currently is controlled by Republicans.
When she was nominated by Trump, he wrote on social media that she would end what he called the ''weaponization" of the justice department against Republicans and himself, which the Biden White House denied.
Born in Tampa, Florida, Bondi studied criminal justice at the University of Florida then received a degree from Stetson University College of Law. She was admitted to the Florida Bar in 1991.
A longtime Trump ally who has criticised the criminal cases against him, she was elected as Florida's first female attorney general in 2010, zoning in on opioid abuse and human trafficking.
Kennedy's nomination advances
During the confirmation process, Kennedy received some opposition from lawmakers of both parties due to his scepticism of vaccines.
Some also questioned whether he had enough expertise on matters including US public health infrastructure and healthcare programmes.
He spent much of his hearings, however, insisting he was not opposed to vaccines - nor a conspiracy theorist - but merely supported more stringent safety tests.
Still, senators often zeroed in on his past comments, including a podcast appearance where he said: "There's no vaccine that is safe and effective."
Senator Bernie Sanders, an independent who works with Democrats, praised Kennedy's "Make America Healthy Again" slogan. But the senator also showed pictures of baby clothes printed with anti-vaccine messages sold by Children's Health Defence, an organisation that the nominee led until recently.
Kennedy responded that he no longer had oversight of the group.
Although Kennedy's testimony last week did not win over any Democrats to his side, he did manage to secure the crucial support of Louisiana Republican Senator Bill Cassidy.
Cassidy, a physician, had expressed scepticism about Trump's nominee, but announced he would support him after being given "serious commitments" by Kennedy and the White House. This clears the way for a full Senate vote.
Kennedy is the son of Robert F Kennedy and the nephew of President John F Kennedy.
He initially floated a run for the Democratic presidential nomination in 2024, but later mounted an independent bid before dropping out and endorsing Trump.
The US political scion initially made his name as an environmental lawyer before turning to criticism of US healthcare - including food safety and anti-vaccine advocacy - in recent years.
As health secretary, Kennedy would be in charge of huge agencies such as the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), the National Institutes of Health (NIH) and the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services.
Kennedy has suggested that he will fire many of the people who work for these federal agencies, and Trump has said he would give his nominee broad leeway to reform the US food and healthcare systems.
Sceptical Republicans do not block Gabbard
Gabbard also faced opposition for some past controversial positions, including her decision to meet and defend former Syrian President Bashar al-Assad in 2017, as well as a previous push to obtain a pardon for National Security Agency whistleblower Edward Snowden.
At one point, Gabbard was pressed by both Republican and Democratic senators on whether she'd classify Snowden - who fled to Russia to avoid US law enforcement - as a "traitor". She declined to answer directly, saying only that he "broke the law".
She added that he had exposed "egregious illegal and unconstitutional programmes" that led to reforms, but she maintained that she would work to block future illegal leaks and disclosures.
Several senators also noted that Gabbard had defended Russia's invasion of Ukraine at the start of the war. Democratic Senator Michael Bennet accused Gabbard of agreeing that a "totalitarian state" was "justified in rolling over the peaceful border of Ukraine".
Still, Republican senators who were initially sceptical of Gabbard eventually rallied behind her.
On Monday, Senator Susan Collins of Maine said Gabbard had addressed her concerns. Senator Todd Young of Indiana announced a day later that he, too, would back Gabbard after he secured her commitment to "advance our national security".
Gabbard is a former congresswoman from Hawaii and a military veteran who served with a medical unit in Iraq.
She was previously a member of the Democratic Party, and had championed liberal causes like government-run healthcare while serving in Congress.
In 2020, she ran for the Democratic presidential nomination, and later dropped out and endorsed Joe Biden.
Gabbard left the Democratic Party in 2022, accusing them of being "warmongers" driven by "cowardly wokeness". She became an independent before becoming a Republican in 2024 and backing Trump's presidential bid.
If confirmed by the full Senate, she would manage a budget of more than $70bn (£55bn) and oversee 18 intelligence agencies.
Source:bbc.com
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https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/cz0le7x7274o
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The opening salvos have been fired in Trump's trade war - what comes next?
4 Feb, 2025
Just a day ago, Donald Trump was threatening a multi-front trade war with Canada, Mexico and China that would take the global economy into uncharted territory.
Twenty-four hours later, we're in a rather different place with the tariffs - or taxes - against America's closest neighbours and trading partners on hold for 30 days.
But the 10% tariffs on all goods imports from China have gone ahead, and Beijing has responded in kind. So what are the potential economic consequences of these opening salvos and could this turn into a broader trade war?
China is subject to significant US tariffs already and has been since Trump's first term. But the blanket nature of today's new levies from the White House on every single goods import from China - from toys, to mobile phones, to clothes - is new and significant.
Beijing's promised tariff retaliation - including new levies on imports from the US of oil, agricultural machinery and some cars - is far less sweeping. Yet the retaliation moves us into the arena of tit-for-tat action, where the country experiencing the tariffs feels it has no choice but to hit back to show its own citizens it can't be pushed around by a foreign power.
This is the dictionary definition of a trade war - and economic historians warn they tend to generate their own momentum and can rapidly spiral out of control.
Trump has used just about every justification under the sun for tariffs, from raising more tax revenue to boosting American manufacturing and rebalancing trade. But one thing recent days confirm is the new president regards them as a powerful way to compel other nations to do what he wants.
He threatened massive and punitive tariffs on Colombia when it initially refused to accept US flights of its deported nationals, but he lifted the threat when Bogota acquiesced.
The White House might also point to the response of Mexico and Canada yesterday as evidence tariff threats yield results. He had threatened to ride roughshod over his own North American free trade deal unless those nations tightened up on border control. Although how much extra those two countries actually promised yesterday on border security relative to what they were already doing is open to question.
Yet the problem with the White House using tariff threats in this way is that if other countries don't back down - or agreements are not reached - Trump might well feel he has no choice but to follow through or risk losing all credibility. And the targeted country might feel it has to respond with its prepared countermeasures, even if they would prefer not to.
That high-risk dynamic - where things could slip out of control in an atmosphere of distrust and political pressure - is why many analysts and economists are far from comforted by how things have played out with Mexico and Canada this week.
The other reason many economists fear Trump's intimidatory tariff diplomacy is its potentially chilling impact on business investment and confidence. US car firms have a deeply integrated industrial base across America, Mexico and Canada. Automotive parts cross those borders multiple times in the vehicle assembly process.
The levying of 25% tariffs on each of those movements would be disastrous for these businesses. Those North American tariffs have been paused for now, but it's very hard to see US or Canadian automotive executives committing to further investment in those cross-border supply chains any time soon - and perhaps for many years to come.
That will have negative implications for their productivity - and also for the wages of their employees in all three countries. The view of many economists is having cross-border supply chains makes these firms more productive than they would otherwise be and this raises US workers' wages relative to where they would be if they only manufactured in America.
These same effects apply on a global scale. In light of Trump's tariff threats against the European Union, how many US firms are likely to be going ahead with planned investments in Europe - and vice versa?
Countries such as Vietnam and Malaysia benefitted indirectly from the US tariffs imposed on China in Donald Trump's first presidential term, as multinationals shifted manufacturing out of China and into their territories to avoid the taxes and to continue exporting to America. But what if Trump now threatens tariffs against them too?
The huge uncertainty Trump's tariff threats have injected into the global economy - even if they don't always translate into actual new taxes - will likely already be doing damage.
Source:bbc.com
Please click the following URL to read the text of the original Story
https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/c7vdjpj7pe3o
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El Salvador offers to lock up US criminals in its mega-jail
4 Feb, 2025
El Salvador has offered to take in criminals deported from the US, including those with US citizenship, and house them in its mega-jail.
The deal was announced after US Secretary of State Marco Rubio met Salvadorean President Nayib Bukele during his visit to the central American nation.
Bukele - whose iron-fist approach to gangs has won him plaudits from voters but been heavily criticised by human rights groups - said he had offered the US "the opportunity to outsource part of its prison system".
Rubio said the US was "profoundly grateful" to Bukele, adding that "no country's ever made an offer of friendship such as this".
Rubio told reporters: "He has offered to house in his jails dangerous American criminals in custody in our country, including those with US citizenship and legal residency."
Referring to two of the region's most notorious transnational crime gangs, Rubio added that El Salvador would also take in deported migrants and "criminals from any nationality, be the MS-13 or Tren de Aragua".
Bukele later confirmed the offer on X, specifying that "we are willing to take in only convicted criminals (including convicted US citizens) into our mega-prison (CECOT) in exchange for a fee".
He added that "the fee would be relatively low for the US but significant for us, making our entire prison sustainable".
Since he came into office in 2019, Bukele has made cracking down on crime his government's priority.
The newly built maximum-security jail he referred to, Cecot [Terrorism Confinement Centre], is at the centre of his drive to lock up and punish the most violent gang members.
Take a look at graphs and maps of the mega-jail
The government celebrated the opening of the jail - which it says can hold up to 40,000 inmates - by releasing photos and videos of shaven-headed and tattooed prisoners stripped down to the waist being frogmarched along its corridors.
The treatment of inmates at Cecot, where scores of inmates are locked up in each windowless cell, has been criticised by rights groups.
But Bukele's crackdown on crime continues to be very popular with the vast majority of Salvadoreans who say they can go about their lives without threats from gang members for the first time in years.
However, some relatives of the tens of thousands of people which have been rounded up and jailed under emergency measures brought in by Bukele say their loved ones have been wrongfully rounded up in sweeping police round-ups.
Amnesty International has criticised the "gradual replacement of gang violence with state violence" in the country - a criticism dismissed by Bukele, who points out that his hardline approach to crime last February won him re-election to a second term with more than 84% of the votes.
El Salvador was the second stop on Secretary of State Rubio's first overseas tour as the US top diplomat.
His first stop was Panama, where he demanded that Panama make "immediate changes" to what he called the "influence and control" of China over the Panama Canal.
On Tuesday, he will hold meetings with officials in Costa Rica and Guatemala expected to focus on migration as well as countering Chinese influence in the region.
Since coming to office, US President Donald Trump has focused on speeding up the removal of undocumented migrants, with the promise of "mass deportations".
Source:bbc.com
Please click the following URL to read the text of the original Story
https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/c0jn5291p52o
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Africa
Gov. Mutfwang speaks on alleged plans to ban loudspeakers in Plateau mosques
ByUmar Audu
February 4, 2025
Governor Caleb Mutfwang of Plateau has denied reports making the rounds that his administration would ban the use of loudspeakers in the state.
A resident of the state, John Apollos-Maton, had reportedly submitted a petition to the governor, the commissioner of police, and the National Human Rights Commission, calling for the ban especially in mosques and other public places.
However, the petition sparked widespread debates on social media and conventional media.
Responding to the issues on Friday, Mr Mutfwang said he was not aware of the petition.
While dismissing the allegations, he said it was sponsored by crisis merchants.
“As a government, we are not aware of the petition. Those spreading the rumour know it’s untrue and are trying to cause harm in the state. We are investigating those behind the rumour,” he said.
Source:dailynigerian.com
Please click the following URL to read the text of the original Story
https://dailynigerian.com/gov-mutfwang-speaks-on-alleged-plans-to-ban-loudspeakers-in-plateau-mosques/
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Gov. Yusuf inaugurates Kano Sharia, Zakkat commissions
By Ibrahim Ramalan
February 4, 2025
Governor Abba Yusuf of Kano State has inaugurated chairmen, commissioners and members of the state Sharia, Zakkat and Hubusi commissions.
This is contained in a statement issued by the governor’s spokesperson, Sanusi Tofa, on Tuesday in Kano.
According to him, while inaugurating the bodies in Kano, Mr Yusuf emphasised Kano’s influential status in the Islamic world, citing its large number of renowned scholars, Islamiyya schools and Islamic study centres.
The governor explained that the appointees were selected on merit, competence and trustworthiness and expressed confidence that they would discharge their duties with dedication, enthusiasm and integrity.
He charged the Sharia Commission to foster unity among Muslims across different sects to enhance peace, stability and socio-economic development in the state.
Similarly, the governor tasked the Zakkat and Hubusi Commission to devise effective strategies to collect alms from wealthy individuals to support the less privileged thereby reducing poverty to the barest minimum.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the Sharia commission has Sheikh Abbas Daneji as chairman; Malam Yahaya Gwani Hadi as Permanent Commissioner I, and Sheikh Ali Dan Abba, Permanent Commissioner II.
Others are: Abubakar Ashafa; Malam Naziru Dorayi, Sheikh Mukhtar Mama, Sheikh Ibrahim Inuwa; Adamu Ibrahim; Abubakar Bala; Yawale Gulu; Aliyu Umar; and Sheikh Aliyu Harazimi, among others will serve as members.
The secretary of the commission is Sheikh Sani Ashir.
For the Zakkat and Hubusi Commission, Mr Yusuf listed Habibu Dan Almajiri as its chairman, Sheikh Nafi’u Umar Harazimi as Permanent Commissioner I, and Dr Ali Quraish, as Permanent Commissioner II.
Others are: Yahaya Hudu; Sheikh Hassan Kafinga; Sheikh Arabi Nufawa; Sani Umar; Prof. Garba Tofa; Adamu Andawo and Surajo Usman as members.
The rest are: Sheikh Adamu Guda; Inuwa Mustapha; Nura Badamasi; Abdullahi Sharifai and the representative of the Kano State Civil Service Commission to serve as members.
The governor expressed confidence that the newly-inaugurated officials would discharge their responsibilities effectively and contribute to the advancement of Islam, good governance and welfare of the people.
Source:dailynigerian.com
Please click the following URL to read the text of the original Story
https://dailynigerian.com/gov-yusuf-inaugurates-kano-sharia-zakkat-commissions/
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Supreme Court strikes down controversial ‘Jihad Tax’
BY SAFAALHARATHY TUE,
04/02/202
The Supreme Court has ruled the long-standing ‘Jihad Tax’ unconstitutional, marking a significant legal victory against a law that had been in place for over five decades.
The decision by the court’s Constitutional Chamber comes after lawyer Ali Al-Senussi Manaa filed a case challenging the legitimacy of Law No. 44 of 1970, which mandated a 3% salary deduction from employees earning more than 100 Libyan dinars. The funds were directed to the Libyan Jihad Fund, established 'to support Islamic struggles against colonial forces.'
Manaa argued that the tax was imposed without employees’ consent, placing an unjust burden on workers amid economic hardships. He also pointed out that Libya’s government has sufficient financial reserves to cover such expenditures, making the tax redundant.
The case was filed against key Libyan institutions, including the House of Representatives, the General National Congress, the Prime Minister’s Office, and the Ministry of Finance, as well as officials overseeing the Islamic Call Society, the Zakat Fund, and the Tax Authority.
Source:libyaobserver.ly
Please click the following URL to read the text of the original Story
https://libyaobserver.ly/inbrief/supreme-court-strikes-down-controversial-jihad-tax
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You Called Tinubu Corrupt, I Won’t Apologise, Go To Court – Najatu Dares NSA Ribadu
5 February 2025
By George Oshogwe Ogbolu
Prominent activist and politician Najatu Mohammed has challenged National Security Adviser (NSA) Nuhu Ribadu to take legal action over her recent remarks about him.
Naija News reports that Mohammed had alleged that Ribadu previously described President Bola Tinubu as corrupt but has now aligned himself with Tinubu’s administration as NSA.
In response, Ribadu, through his lawyer Ahmed Raji, issued a letter dated February 4 demanding a public apology and retraction, stating that the claims had caused him “unquantifiable damage.”
The letter refuted the allegations, stating that Ribadu had never made such remarks about Tinubu, Senator George Akume, or Senator Orji Uzor Kalu. It also accused Mohammed of inciting public sentiment against him and attempting to damage his reputation.
The letter further warned that failure to retract the statement within seven days and publish an apology in five national newspapers would result in legal action seeking exemplary damages.
The letter read: “Privately or publicly, our client has never expressed the above viewpoint about President Tinubu and/or Senators George Akume and Orji Uzor Kalu, which you attributed to him.
“In fact, our client has never held such a viewpoint about the president; hence, it came as a complete surprise to him when his attention was drawn to the aforesaid publication by you against him.
“In the foregoing premise, our client hereby challenges you to provide evidence of your allegations therein against him; which have cast him as double-faced, duplicitous, and deceitful in the eyes of right-thinking members of the society.
“Although masked as a clarion call to the North to rise up to your perceived injustice against the North by the government of the day, your publication is also inciting violence towards our client.
“Given this far-reaching ramification of your publication, our client will not sit back and watch his hard-earned reputation and goodwill destroyed by your malicious decision to not only lay false allegations against him, but also to cause the same to be published for the world’s attention.
“Your intention to bring our client to public ridicule, opprobrium, scorn, and shame, etc., is laid bare when it is considered that you deliberately caused the same to be published on social media, where it has since gone viral.
“Surely, the damage occasioned to our client by your deliberate but ill-advised action is unquantifiable. However, our client will be assuaged if you retract the said publication and tender an unreserved public apology to him in at least 5 [five] national daily newspapers within 7 [seven] days of receipt of this letter.
“If not, we have our client’s further instructions to seek redress against you in a court of law where exemplary damages will be claimed against you. Kindly be advised.”
However, in a telephone interview with Premier Radio on Tuesday evening, Mohammed stood by her statement, insisting that Ribadu had made the remarks while serving as chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).
“As EFCC chairman, Ribadu once said that Tinubu was among the most corrupt persons. And among the Nigerian governors, Tinubu was number one,” she claimed.
She added that the alleged statement was available in a YouTube video and maintained that she would not issue a retraction.
“What is wrong if I said he is bowing to Tinubu? What is he doing as NSA? What security is he providing to the nation? He does nothing other than praising Tinubu to secure his position,” she asserted.
Mohammed reiterated her refusal to retract her remarks and openly challenged Ribadu to take her to court.
“Nuhu Ribadu should take me to the Nigerian Supreme Court, please,” she declared.
Source:naijanews.com
Please click the following URL to read the text of the original Story
https://www.naijanews.com/2025/02/05/you-called-tinubu-corrupt-i-wont-apologise-go-to-court-najatu-dares-nsa-ribadu/
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Nigeria Belongs To Us, Not World Bank, IMF – Fintiri To Tinubu
5 February 2025
By Justina Otio
The Governor of Adamawa State, Ahmadu Umaru Fintiri has called on the Federal Government to reconsider its approach to economic management.
He lamented that the policies are inflicting severe hardship on Nigerians, adding that the country is currently bleeding.
Fintiri shared his reservation at the North East Zonal meeting of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) National Reconciliation Committee in Bauchi,
Stressing the need for an urgent policy shift, the governor argued that the country belongs to Nigerians and not the World Bank, International Monetary Fund (IMF) or other international bodies.
He asserted that foreign-driven economic models may not be suitable for Nigeria’s unique socio-economic realities.
“Nigeria is bleeding. We are suffering. There is too much anger and the FG’s economic policy is not working,” he declared.
He warned that the continued implementation of ineffective policies would only deepen the suffering of Nigerians and widen the gap between the government and the people.
The governor urged the President Bola Tinubu to do away with policies that would push the masses to tears.
“Whatever will make us cry must not be part of your policy because the country belongs to us. It does not belong to the World Bank, IMF, or the international community,” Fintiri asserted.
Source:naijanews.com
Please click the following URL to read the text of the original Story
https://www.naijanews.com/2025/02/05/nigeria-belongs-to-us-not-world-bank-imf-fintiri-to-tinubu/
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Nigeria Immigration Service Appoints New PRO
5 February 2025
The Comptroller General, Nigeria Immigration Service, Kemi Nana Nandap, has approved the appointment of Assistant Comptroller of Immigration, AS Akinlabi, as the new Service Public Relations Officer.
This was made known in a statement to Naija News signed by the Principal Staff Officer to The Comptroller General, CIS AA Aridegbe.
This appointment follows the posting of the immediate past Service Public Relations Officer, Deputy Comptroller of Immigration, KT Udo, as Passport Control Officer, Akwa Ibom State Command as contained in the Senior Staff Posting Order released on 31st January, 2025.
Naija News reports that Akinlabi hails from Ibarapa Central Local Government Area, Oyo State.
He is a distinguished fellow of the Chartered Institute of Corporate Administration of Nigeria, and a seasoned Immigration Officer with a BSc in Accounting from the University of Ilorin, and a Master’s degree in International Affairs and Diplomacy from Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria in 2003 and 2015 respectively.
The new SPRO was enlisted into the Nigeria Immigration Service on 29th December 2006, and completed his Superintendent Basic Course at Immigration Training School, Kano, in December, 2007.
He also attended numerous specialised courses in Migration, Security, and Border management.
In January 2008, he was posted to the Service Headquarters where he gained extensive experience across various Directorates of the Service including Accounts and Finance, Protocol, Training and Staff Development, and Passport and other Travel Documents amongst others.
He was one of the pioneer Staff of the then newly established Nigeria Immigration Service (NIS) Contact Centre, where he meritoriously served and eventually became Second-in-Command (2 I/C) at the SERVICOM Unit which has direct operational nexus with public relations activities.
ACI Akinlabi has just concluded his assignment as an Immigration Attache at the Embassy of Nigeria, The Hague, Kingdom of the Netherlands before his appointment as the Service Public Relations Officer.
His appointment takes immediate effect and he is to deploy his wealth of experience in projecting, and sustaining the good image of the Service to the world.
Source:naijanews.com
Please click the following URL to read the text of the original Story
https://www.naijanews.com/2025/02/05/nigeria-immigration-service-appoints-new-pro/
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Southeast Asia
New interfaith guidelines will hinder Muslim MPs, Syahredzan says
Feb 5, 2025
Several lawmakers are looking to meet Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department (Religious Affairs) Na’im Mokhtar on the proposed new guidelines for Muslims attending events in non-Islamic houses of worship.
Bangi MP Syahredzan Johan said in an Instagram story that the guidelines would affect Muslim elected representatives, who are often invited to events in non-Muslim houses of worship.
Source:malaysiakini.com
Please click the following URL to read the text of the original Story
https://www.malaysiakini.com/news/733620
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Malaysia to outline new protocols for Muslims in interfaith events
By Muhammad Yusry
05 Feb 2025
KUALA LUMPUR, Feb 5 — The government is set to issue new guidelines for Muslim participation in Non-Muslim celebrations and ceremonies, said Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department (Religious Affairs) Datuk Mohd Na’im Mokhtar.
He stated that the guidelines will be finalised during the 126th Meeting of the Muzakarah Committee of the National Council for Islamic Religious Affairs Malaysia (MKI), scheduled to take place from February 25 to 27, 2025.
“Another guideline will be issued, namely, ‘Guidelines on the participation of Muslims in celebrations and funeral ceremonies of Non-Muslims, as well as visits and the organisation of events in Non-Muslim houses of worship.’
“These guidelines outline the participation of Muslims in non-Muslim celebrations,” he said in a Parliamentary written reply published late last night.
“Among other things, the participation of Muslims in such celebrations must not involve actions that could offend the sensitivities of the Muslim community.”
Mohd Na’im was responding to two Opposition MPs from PAS — Pokok Sena MP Datuk Ahmad Yahaya and Permatang Pauh MP Muhammad Fawwaz Mohamad Jan — who asked the government to state detailed guidelines regarding the celebration of other religious festivals by Muslims to avoid confusion among the public.
Among the new guidelines listed by Mod Na’im are:
Speeches or songs in the form of propaganda, dissemination of materials, or promotion of their religion;
Performances or speeches that insult or mock the beliefs of the Muslim community;
Holding events during times when Muslims are engaged in worship, such as during the call to prayer, congregational prayers, sermons, or Friday prayers;
Event locations must not be near mosques, suraus, Muslim cemeteries, or waqf lands;
The premises used must not display symbols or attributes of religions other than Islam.
“In addition, organisers must obtain permission from the relevant authorities and seek advice from Islamic religious authorities if the invitation involves Muslim leaders or individuals before conducting any celebratory event,” he added.
Mohd Na’im said this guideline also complements the 2005 Guideline and can still be used as a reference.
“Any provisions in the old guideline that contradict the new one will no longer be applicable,” he said.
Source:malaymail.com
Please click the following URL to read the text of the original Story
https://www.malaymail.com/news/malaysia/2025/02/05/malaysia-to-outline-new-protocols-for-muslims-in-interfaith-events/165539
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Bomb attack: Malaysians urged to stay vigilant when travelling to Thailand
BERNAMA
05-02- 2025
KOTA BHARU: Malaysians planning to visit Thailand are advised to remain cautious and adhere to the country’s security measures following the recent bomb attack in Narathiwat.
Kelantan police chief Datuk Mohd Yusoff Mamat stressed the importance of taking precautions to avoid any incidents that could endanger tourists’ safety.
“Travelling to Thailand has become a norm for Kelantan residents due to its proximity to the Malaysia-Thailand border.
“However, incidents like bomb explosions are unpredictable. In the past, some Malaysians have been injured in such attacks. Therefore, I urge travellers to stay alert and comply with Thailand’s laws and regulations,” he told reporters after the Kelantan Police Headquarters’ Monthly Assembly here today.
Mohd Yusoff also reminded Malaysians to avoid any activities that violate Thailand’s laws, as this could lead to complications and difficulties for the Malaysian government in assisting them.
He said this in response to questions about the recent bomb attack in Narathiwat.
Source:thesun.my
Please click the following URL to read the text of the original Story
https://thesun.my/malaysia-news/bomb-attack-malaysians-urged-to-stay-vigilant-when-travelling-to-thailand-OF13617393
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Explore Ughyur and Hui cuisines at KL Jalan Inai’s Meshrep China Xinjiang Muslim Cuisine
By Lee Khang Yi
05 Feb 2025
KUALA LUMPUR, Feb 5 — Have you noticed the boom of mee tarik shops all over the Klang Valley?
It definitely adds diversity to our food offerings but after trying out a few places, many fall short, leaving me disillusioned and searching for something better.
A friend had recommended Meshrep China Xinjiang Muslim Cuisine after trying out their food in the recent Chinese Muslim Food & Culture Festival held at 1 Utama Shopping Centre.
Things are done differently here at this restaurant housed in a bungalow along Jalan Inai, in KL city centre.
Through the lens of BBQ items and banquet style dishes, one gets to enjoy authentic Ughyur and Hui cuisine from Xinjiang.
It’s a popular place too. Everytime we visit, it’s packed with Mainland China natives and locals.
As servings are huge, one definitely needs to gather a group of people to enjoy the food.
Whatever I tried probably just scratched the surface of their menu offerings, which means more visits to deep dive into their food.
Navigating through their menu requires a little patience though as they were too busy for recommendations.
The menu is divided into sections like chef recommendations or the must try dishes, allowing you to be adventurous and order what tickles your fancy.
There’s also another section called “We Eat Everyday” that steers you towards daily meals like noodles, rice and breads.
There’s also a separate BBQ menu that offers extensive lamb, beef, chicken, fish and even seafood choices. If you’re stuck, just try to ask the owner’s wife for tips if she is not too busy.
What I noticed is that their lamb is exceptional. You get juicy meat brimming with flavour, as seen from the Xinjiang Original Lamb BBQ (RM10 per stick). Even the Beef Tenderloin (RM8 per stick) fell short, in terms of flavour.
The lamb skewers have a wide range of flavours. You can enjoy it cooked tandoori style or even skewered on a rose willow branch, which is popular in Xinjiang to add the fragrance of wood to the meat. .
Bigger groups can order the whole lamb too but that requires a one day pre-order. There’s also a lamb leg, including one stuffed in bread.
It doesn’t stop just at the meat as one can also enjoy the lamb kidney, liver and so forth. They also serve other meats like chicken, fish and beef.
The temptation to order every lamb item I have not seen before was great. In reality, I could only muster up stomach space for their Golden Lamb Pilaf Set (RM22), also known as polo.
Appearances are deceiving here. It looks ridiculously plain with a piece of lamb meat and pickled vegetables, served on the side.
Each rice grain was, however, infused with the lamb flavour, making it super addictive that one will be fighting for the last spoonful of the rice, cooked with carrots and Xinjiang raisins.
The classic dish is XinJiang Big Plate Chicken (RM88), or dapanji which is served in one hefty portion that can easily feed four people.
Essentially a stew, the dish features chopped chicken (they use the tougher kampung chicken here) and potatoes cooked with a medley of thick ginger slices, capsicum, garlic, chilli peppers, leeks, where it uses ground cumin, Sichuan peppercorns and star anise for flavour.
The sauce is magical with the spices and hit of the chilli pairing so well with the soft potatoes.
Ask for it to be topped with their Wide Hand Pulled Noodles (RM5). These noodles have a chewy texture and is so delicious you will be looking for more of it in the big plate.
Braised Stuffed Beef with Egg (RM49) caught our eyes as it sounded unusual.
Apparently it’s a Hui dish known as jia sha, where the minced beef is stuffed in between two egg pancakes and deep fried.
The deep fried pancakes, cut into diamond shapes, were paired with a sauce that has a bit of vinegar to give it a slightly tangy taste.
It’s good just on its own too.
We were recommended the Fried Pearl Noodles (RM18), an Ughyur dish. At one glance, it looks like a kids dish as everything is chopped into tiny pieces.
It’s a take on the classic Ughyur laghman except the hand pulled noodles is chopped into small pieces to create the “pearls”.
The noodles are combined with a stew of diced beef and vegetables, lightly flavoured with ground cumin, making it easy to eat with a spoon.
This is the perfect at-home dinner, where a big bowl will satisfy all your cravings as you watch Netflix.
Last but not least, make room for dessert like the Hui People Stick Rice (RM18).
It resembles an eight treasure rice pudding, popular in China. Here, the closest I have seen is served in Bei King, a Foochow restaurant in Sitiawan. Their version includes yam paste.
This version has fewer ingredients but it’s a dessert I would happily eat again.
Ignore the kitsch coloured sprinkles as underneath it you get red dates, nuts and raisins that top a soft mound of glutinous rice.
This version is served with a red date sauce that gives it just a touch of sweetness to bring the whole dessert together.
Do also pair your meal with their drinks like the Hui People’s Treasure Tea (RM8) served in a mug. It’s sweet with the red dates and you’re given a jug of hot water to refill.
Source:malaymail.com
Please click the following URL to read the text of the original Story
https://www.malaymail.com/news/eat-drink/2025/02/05/explore-ughyur-and-hui-cuisines-at-kl-jalan-inais-meshrep-china-xinjiang-muslim-cuisine/165522
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Food stocks sufficient ahead of Ramadan, Sulaiman assures
February 4, 2025
Jakarta (ANTARA) - Agriculture Minister Andi Amran Sulaiman has assured that national stocks of food are at safe levels ahead of the Ramadan Month, which is predicted to start between the end of February and early March 2025.
Addressing reporters at the Presidential Palace Complex, Jakarta, on Tuesday, Sulaiman emphasized that the government has been working to ensure sufficient stocks of staple commodities to keep their prices stable.
"We are working toward adequate stocks of cooking oil, meat, and rice. God willing, everything is under control," he said.
The minister expressed optimism that the current stocks of basic goods would be sufficient for the people to meet their needs during the Islamic holy month.
"We are confident that the prices of food commodities will remain stable during Ramadan," he added.
Drawing attention to rice, Sulaiman highlighted that Indonesia is expected to witness a boom in the production of the commodity to up to 14 million tons in the first quarter of this year, as per Statistics Indonesia (BPS).
In response, the government has decided to allocate a budget of Rp16.6 trillion (over US$1 billion) to state-run logistics company Bulog to absorb the large volume of rice projected to be produced by domestic farmers.
He also quoted President Prabowo Subianto as saying that the government should make the most of the rice harvest period from February to April this year.
The minister made the remarks after a meeting with the head of state to discuss viable measures to optimize the projected surplus in rice yields
He said that during the meeting, President Prabowo urged the Ministry of Agriculture and Bulog to accelerate the absorption of unhusked rice produced by farmers to ensure maximum profits for them while taming the prices of the commodity.
Source:antaranews.com
Please click the following URL to read the text of the original Story
https://en.antaranews.com/news/343697/food-stocks-sufficient-ahead-of-ramadan-sulaiman-assures
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Uzbek President's IAMM Visit Set To Bolster Preservation Of Islamic Culture
04/02/2025
KUALA LUMPUR, Feb 4 (Bernama) -- Uzbekistan President Shavkat Mirziyoyev’s visit to the Islamic Arts Museum Malaysia (IAMM) tomorrow is expected to further strengthen efforts to preserve Islamic culture in the country. IAMM Director’s Office senior manager Rashidah Salim said Islamic arts are one of Malaysia’s strengths, and various Islamic institutions in the country are prepared to share their expertise with Uzbekistan, including in the conservation of artifacts. “This visit (tomorrow) is quite special. Previously, we have travelled to Uzbekistan to establish professional ties, where we offered our expertise to the Center for Islamic Civilisation in Uzbekistan in 2023“Apart from the museum, several other institutions such as the Institute of Islamic Understanding Malaysia (IKIM) and universities in the country will contribute their expertise in organising interactive exhibitions as well as artifact conservation,” she said when met by Bernama today. Rashidah said during the visit tomorrow, Mirziyoyev will be presented with an exhibition of various Islamic manuscripts. The Foreign Ministry in a statement earlier said Mirziyoyev will be in Malaysia for an official visit from Feb 4 to 5, marking his first visit to the country since assuming office in December 2016.Mirziyoyev will be accorded an official welcoming ceremony at the Perdana Putra Building, Putrajaya, on Wednesday (Feb 5), followed by a meeting with Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim. In 2024, Malaysia’s trade volume with Uzbekistan declined 13.2 per cent to RM369.8 million (US$80.9 million) compared to RM426.1 million (US$94 million) in 2023. The balance of trade was in Malaysia’s favour, amounting to RM360.3 million (US$78.9 million). The same year, Uzbekistan remained Malaysia’s second-largest trading partner among Central Asian countries after Kazakhstan. -- BERNAMA
Source:bernama.com
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Govt challenges Najib’s judicial review on ‘house arrest’ addendum at apex court
By Malay Mail
05 Feb 2025
KUALA LUMPUR, Feb 5 — The government has filed an application for leave to appeal to the Federal Court against the Court of Appeal’s decision to grant Datuk Seri Najib Razak leave to initiate judicial review proceedings over his bid to serve the remainder of his jail sentence under house arrest.
In a statement, the Attorney-General’s Chambers (AGC) confirmed that the application was submitted yesterday, citing the need for legal clarity on the matter, according to a report published today in Free Malaysia Today.
The AGC highlighted that the Court of Appeal’s decision was reached through a split ruling, reflecting differing interpretations of the law among the three-member panel.
“This made it necessary (for an appeal to be filed) in order to obtain certainty and a clear decision from the Federal Court,” it said.
The AGC also emphasised that the case involved significant legal questions of public interest that required determination by the apex court.
“The AGC believes that this step is not only important to ensure justice in this case, but also to uphold the principle of rule of law and clarify the interpretation for the benefit of all parties.”
Last month, the Court of Appeal, in a split ruling, granted Najib leave to proceed with his judicial review to compel the government to execute a supplementary decree issued by the former king.
Justices Firuz Jaffril and Azhahari Kamal Ramli ruled in Najib’s favour, stating that new evidence presented by the former Pekan MP had overridden the High Court’s initial finding that his affidavits were based on hearsay.
They noted that Najib had obtained a copy of the addendum order from the Pahang ruler, who was the 16th Yang di-Pertuan Agong, after the High Court hearing in July.
However, Justice Azizah Nawawi dissented, upholding the High Court’s position that a mandamus order could not be issued against the pardons board.
She stated that there was no legal provision requiring the board to confirm or disclose the existence of a pardon order, including the addendum order.
Source:malaymail.com
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Sultan of Kedah chairs 268th Conference of Rulers Meeting
05 Feb 2025
KUALA LUMPUR, Feb 5 — The Sultan of Kedah, Al-Aminul Karim Sultan Sallehuddin Sultan Badlishah today presided over the 268th Meeting of the Conference of Rulers at Istana Negara.
The meeting was attended by the Sultan of Terengganu Sultan Mizan Zainal Abidin, Raja of Perlis Tuanku Syed Sirajuddin Jamalullail, Sultan of Selangor Sultan Sharafuddin Idris Shah, Sultan of Perak Sultan Nazrin Shah and the Yang Dipertuan Besar of Negeri Sembilan Tuanku Muhriz Tuanku Munawir.
Regent of Johor Tunku Mahkota Ismail was also in attendance.
The rulers of Pahang and Kelantan were represented by their Crown Princes, Tengku Hassanal Ibrahim Alam Shah and Tengku Muhammad Fakhry Petra, respectively.
Also present were the Governors, namely Tun Ahmad Fuzi Abdul Razak of Penang, Tun Mohd Ali Rustam (Melaka), Tun Musa Aman (Sabah) and Tun Wan Junaidi Tuanku Jaafar (Sarawak).
Yesterday, His Majesty Sultan Ibrahim, King of Malaysia, attended the pre-council meeting of the Conference of Rulers, also at Istana Negara.
The last meeting of the Conference of Rulers was held last October, presided over by Sultan Nazrin, who is also Deputy Yang di-Pertuan Agong. — Bernama
Source:malaymail.com
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South Asia
1994 attack on train carrying Hasina: HC acquits all 47 accused
Feb 5, 2025
The High Court today acquitted all the 47 accused, including nine people who were sentenced to death, from the case filed over the attack on a train carrying the then opposition leader, Sheikh Hasina, in Ishwardi 30 years ago.
The HC also scrapped the trial court judgement, which sentenced nine people to death, life imprisonment to 25, and 10 years' jail sentence to 13 accused in the case.
The High Court also asked the jail authorities to immediately release the accused, who are in the prison.
The HC bench of Justice Muhammad Mahbub Ul Islam and Justice Md Hamidur Rahman delivered the verdict after holding hearing on the death reference (trial court documents for confirmation of death sentence) and appeals filed by the convicted accused against the lower court judgement in the case, Advocate Maksud Ullah, a defence lawyer told The Daily Star.
He said the HC acquitted the accused from the case as the allegations brought against them were not proved.
There was no eyewitness in the case, he said, adding that those who have made statements as witnesses before the magistrate concerned were the people from a particular political party-Awami League.
Sheikh Hasina later ran the country for 15 years as the prime minister and was forced to resign and flee on August 5 last year following a mass uprising.
On September 23,1994, the former premier was travelling from Khulna to Niphamari's Saidpur by train and addressed several rallies at different railway stations on the way.
According to the case statement, as the train reached Paksey station in Ishwardi, it came under attack. Crude bombs were hurled and shots were fired. The attack continued until the train reached Ishwardi station. Many were injured while the Awami League president was unhurt.
Following the attack, Nazrul Islam, the then officer-in-charge of Ishwardi General Railway Police Station, filed a case against five members of the BNP and its associate bodies.
On July 3, 2019, a Pabna court pronounced the verdict of the case filed under the Explosives Substances Act, 1908.
The nine who got the death penalty are: AKM Akteruzzaman, former president of Ishwardi municipality unit BNP; Zakaria Pintu, general secretary of the BNP unit; Mokhlesur Rahman Bablu, ex-general secretary of the BNP unit and ex-mayor of Ishwardi municipality; Rezaul Karim Shahin, ex-leader of Ishwardi Government College Chhatra Dal unit; Azizur Rahman Shahin, convener of Ishwardi upazila Jubo Dal; and local BNP activists Shahidul Islam Atal, Shyamol, Mahabubur Rahman Polash and Shamsul Alam. They were also fined Tk 5 lakh each.
Later, the convicts filed separate appeals with the HC challenging the trial court judgement on them.
Source:thedailystar.net
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2nd phase of Ijtema ends seeking blessings for Muslim Ummah
Feb 5, 2025
The second phase of Bishwa Ijtema concluded today through "Akheri Munajat" seeking divine blessings for peace and prosperity of the Muslim Ummah.
The final prayer was conducted by Maulana Zubair, top spiritual leader of Shura-e-Nizam, Bangladesh.
The prayer began at 12:10pm and ended around 12:25pm.
Earlier, after Fajr prayers, Farooq Sahib, a senior Tabligh leader from Bangalore, India, delivered a sermon which was translated by Mufti Amanul Haque Sahib.
Around 10:00am, Maulana Abdur Rahman Sahib of India gave another sermon, translated by Maulana Abdul Matin Sahib of Bangladesh.
The first phase of the six-day Ijtema ended on February 2, while the second phase commenced on February 3.
The third phase of the Bishwa Ijtema, for followers of Maulana Saad Kandhalvi, is scheduled to take place from February 14-16.
The home ministry notification yesterday imposed two conditions upon the faction -- they will not be allowed to arrange Ijtema or participate in any Tabligh activities at the Tongi ground from next year.
The Saad followers have raised concerns over next year's Ijtema venue.
Maulana Abu Sayem, coordinator of the Saad followers' media team, told The Daily Star that they received a notification yesterday stating that they will not be allowed to hold the Ijtema at the current venue in Tongi next year.
"We received this information at the last minute. For now, we do not want to comment further. We will complete this year's Ijtema first and then discuss the matter with the government," he said.
Meanwhile, two more devotees attending the Bishwa Ijtema passed away at the Ijtema venue early today, bringing the total death toll to nine across both phases of the gathering.
The deceased have been identified as, Sujabat Ali Sarkar, 75 and Md Shamsul Alam, 60.
Habibullah Raihan, media coordinator of Shurai Nezam, Tabligh Jamaat Bangladesh, confirmed the information to The Daily Star.
Source:thedailystar.net
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BSEC ex-chairman Shibli Rubayat Ul Islam held in Dhanmondi
05 Feb 2025
DHAKA, Feb 4, 2025 (BSS) - Detective Branch (DB) of police tonight arrested former chairman of the Bangladesh Securities and Exchange Commission (BSEC) Shibli Rubayat Ul Islam from the city's Dhanmondi area.
Following his arrest, Rubayat, also former chairman and dean of the Faculty of Business Studies at the University of Dhaka, was taken to the DB office at city's Mintoo Road, a DB officer requesting anonymity confirmed BSS of it.
He however, declined to divulge more to this end. The arrestee will be produced before the court on Wednesday.
Source:bssnews.net
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Govt to ensure uninterrupted supply of essentials during Ramadan: Salehuddin
04 Feb 2025
DHAKA, Feb 4, 2025 (BSS) - Finance Adviser Dr Salehuddin Ahmed today said that the government will take all necessary measures to ensure an uninterrupted supply of essential commodities in the market during the holy month of Ramadan.
"We will not allow any decline in the supply of essentials at least until April to avoid any crisis during Ramadan," he said after a meeting of the Advisers' Council Committee on Government Purchase (ACCGP) at the Cabinet Division in the city.
Salehuddin mentioned that the government has been importing rice, lentils, soybean, fertiliser and LNG, which is placing a big pressure on foreign exchange supply.
"I have had meetings with the Bangladesh Bank governor to ensure continued foreign exchange supply to maintain the import of these essential commodities, including energy," he said, adding that keeping the energy supply stable is crucial for the economy.
He pointed out that the current economic challenges are a result of the actions of the previous government, which withdrew funds from the banks.
"Currently, only 12 banks are operational out of 60, while the remaining banks are facing difficulties," he added.
He also informed that the government plans to revise the national budget in April.
Salehuddin also mentioned that the government has implemented measures to raise taxes, aiming to reduce tax exemptions in various sectors.
Source:bssnews.net
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Islamic Emirate’s Cabinet Reviews Key Economic, Social, Cultural Issues
2025-02-04
KABUL(BNA): The Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan held its 15th cabinet meeting, chaired by Prime Minister Mullah Mohammad Hassan Akhund, to deliberate on pressing economic, social, and cultural matters.
According to the General Directorate of Affairs, the cabinet reviewed and made decisions on a range of national issues. Some matters were referred to designated committees for further evaluation, with reports expected in the next session.
Additionally, a delegation was assigned to address challenges faced by traders in Nangarhar’s industrial and commercial sectors. The team is tasked with facilitating solutions, improving conditions, and ensuring broader cooperation with the business community.
Meanwhile, Deputy Prime Minister for Administration, Mawlawi Abdul Salam Hanafi, has been directed to engage with senior officials from the Ministries of Defense and Interior, as well as the Intelligence Directorate, to address the concerns of security personnel stationed in remote regions.
Source:bakhtarnews.af
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Development Projects in Badakhshan Province
2025-02-04
BADAKHSHAN(BNA): A total of 95 development projects are currently being implemented in Badakhshan province, with investments exceeding 2.7 billion Afghanis. Din Ghulam Osama, the head of the economy department in Badakhshan, announced the progress during a recent statement to BNA.
The projects span various sectors, primarily focusing on agriculture, health, education, and disaster management. Additionally, initiatives in the private sector, particularly in vocational training, are also part of this extensive development effort.
Osama emphasized the significance of these projects in improving the living standards of the local population and fostering economic growth in the region.
Source:bakhtarnews.af
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ANDMA Unveils Five-Year Strategic Plan in Kabul
2025-02-04
KABUL(BNA): Afghanistan National Disaster Management Authority (ANDMA) of the Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan has officially reviewed its five-year strategic plan during a meeting held in the capital today. The meeting was led by Mullah Nooruddin Turabi, the head of the Authority.
In his remarks, Mullah Turabi emphasized that the draft plan had been circulated among all relevant ministries for feedback and was finalized after thorough evaluation. He announced that the plan would be widely publicized to ensure effective implementation.
The strategic plan focuses on several key areas: disaster prevention, preparedness, response, reconstruction, and mine clearance. Mullah Nooruddin Turabi urged international cooperation organizations to approach humanitarian issues without political bias and to support the agency in executing this plan. He also called for collaboration from related ministries and agencies to enhance the plan’s effectiveness.
Abdul Rahman Hashemi, a representative from a partnering international organization, commended the initiative, stating that the strategic plan serves as a practical guide for reducing and preventing natural disaster risks in Afghanistan.
Developed in consultation with various organizations and tailored to Afghanistan’s unique climate and disaster risks, the strategic plan is expected to greatly enhance the National Disaster Management Authority’s capabilities in managing crises effectively.
Source:bakhtarnews.af
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Da Afghanistan Bank to Auction $25 Million
2025-02-04
KABUL(BNA): Da Afghanistan Bank has announced an upcoming auction of 25 million US dollars scheduled for tomorrow, Wednesday, 5 February.
The tender invites eligible banks, exchange houses, and money service companies to participate in the bidding process.
Participants in the auction are reminded that successful bidders must settle their accounts by the end of the auction day. It is important to note that partial settlement of transactions will not be permitted. Winning bidders will be required to deliver their debts in cash to Da Afghanistan Bank within a specified timeframe.
This auction is part of the bank’s ongoing efforts to manage currency liquidity and stabilize the national economy. Financial institutions interested in participating should prepare their bids accordingly.
Source:bakhtarnews.af
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