UP Bus Conductor Sacked for Stopping Bus for Passengers’ Namaz Break, Dies by Suicide in Uttar Pradesh

New Age Islam News Bureau

30 August 2023

 

File photo of bus conductor Mohit Yadav who died by suicide in UP's Mainpuri on Monday ( Image Source : Anup Mishra )

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India

·         J&K Administration Plans Unique ID For Every House, Street In Srinagar

·         National Human Rights Commission Issues Notice To Uttar Pradesh Officials In School Boy Slap Case

·         Full clarity on Jammu and Kashmir's statehood timeline on Aug 31: Solicitor General tells SC

·         After nudge by Supreme Court, Centre to make statement on restoration of J&K statehood

·         Uttar Pradesh slap case: Won't withdraw case against headmistress Tripta Tyagi, says Muslim student's kin

·         TN man detained near Indo-Pak border in Gujarat; border map, tools found in his bag

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North America

·         Christian, Muslim and Jewish Parents Appeal Federal Court’s Decision Allowing Maryland Schools to Force Trans Ideology on Their Kids

·         Pope warns that for some U.S. Catholics, ideology has replaced faith

·         US knew of Saudis’ persecution of African migrants but kept silent – NYT

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Europe

·         French Soldier Killed in Iraq In Battle With Islamic State Militants

·         Dutch Court ‘Trying’ Pakistani, In Absentia, For Threats To Anti-Islam MP, Geert Wilders

·         Ukrainian defenders destroy 43 out of 44 air targets during night attack

·         Design of the long-range killer and F/A-18 successor is maturing

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Mideast

·         ‘No concessions’ to Palestinians in exchange for Saudi deal: Israeli minister

·         Palestinian fears grow amid rising Israeli settler attacks

·         Clashes in Kurdish-held east Syria kill 22: monitor

·         Israeli PM orders ministries to get his OK before secret talks, as drama over Libya meeting persists

·         Algerian ex-minister indicted by Swiss over civil war ‘torture’

·         Egypt announces first direct flight from Cairo to Port Sudan

·         Syria’s Aleppo airport to resume operations following air strike -ministry

·         Iran's Raisi urges Japan to release frozen funds, then wavers

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Africa

·         Homosexuality Law Fuels Persecution, LGBTQI Communities Say

·         Nigeria Is in Big Mess Coupled with Poor Governance – Vice President, Shettima Admits

·         Coup in Gabon as military takes over government

·         Mali: UN faces 'difficult' next phase of MINUSMA pullout

·         PDP to APC: You ‘ve thrown Nigeria into hardship we ‘ve never experienced in past 70 yrs

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South Asia

·         Stop Enforced Disappearances, Demand 12 Bangladesh Human Rights Organisations

·         Afghanistan’s Astronomical Society Urges Girls to Continue Education From Home Amid Setbacks

·         Afghanistan’s fig shipment worth $300,000 to India burned in Pakistan

·         Gatco case: Charge framing hearing Sept 24 against BNP Chairperson Khakeda Zia and 14 others

·         24 mothers die daily from maternal mortality in Afghanistan: WHO

·         Foreign ministry official sent to jail in graft case

·         Contempt of court petition filed against 7 pro-BNP lawyers

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Arab World

·         Saudi Offers Aid to Coax Palestine into Backing Israel Normalization: Report

·         Saudi police-camera action shows Captagon operations foiled across Riyadh

·         Cabinet states govt entities need to verify availability of operating cards issued by TGA

·         Fighting in eastern Syria between US-backed fighters and Arab tribesmen kills 10

·         Israelis spend night in Saudi Arabia after plane makes emergency landing in Jeddah

·         President Al-Mashat tours Old Sana'a & performs noon prayer at Great Mosque

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Pakistan

·         PTI Censures Party Chairman Imran Khan’s Re-Arrest

·         Toshakhana sword: Conviction matters amidst suspension

·         Security forces kill four most wanted terrorists in Pishin

·         Caretaker PM invites Enertech Holding Kuwait for further investment in Pakistan

·         Imran to stay behind bars in cipher case: IHC suspends Toshakhana verdict

·         Shehbaz Sharif’s security enhanced in view of terror threats

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Southeast Asia

·         Cops Probing 'Imam Mustaqim' Facebook Account for Post Insulting Sultan OfSelangor

·         Najib and Arul Kanda's 1MDB audit case: Prosecution has not applied to extend deadline to continue appeal against acquittals

·         Apologise over 54,000 citizenship applicants from China remark or face police report, Kepong MP warns Bersatu info chief and PAS

·         Contract worker jailed eight months for threatening mum with scissors

·         Jobless man claims trial to hitting neighbour with steering lock, court denies bail

·         KEPCI Music Fest held by private sector, not govt: religious minister

Compiled by New Age Islam News Bureau

URL:     https://newageislam.com/islamic-world-news/bus-conductor-namaz-suicide-uttar-pradesh/d/130567

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UP Bus Conductor Sacked for Stopping Bus for Passengers’ Namaz Break, Dies by Suicide  in Uttar Pradesh

 

File photo of bus conductor Mohit Yadav who died by suicide in UP's Mainpuri on Monday ( Image Source : Anup Mishra )

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August 30, 2023

By Muslim Mirror Staff

August 30, 2023

Mohit Yadav, a bus conductor hailing from Mainpuri and formerly employed by Uttar Pradesh Roadways, tragically took his own life by leaping in front of a train on Monday. This distressing act followed his dismissal, stemming from a viral video that captured him halting a bus to allow two Muslim passengers to pray in Bareilly.

The incident, which occurred on the night of June 3, unfolded aboard a Janrath bus under the operation of Bareilly Depot. The bus, en route from Satellite Bus Stand to Kaushambi, was briefly halted by both Yadav and the driver, K.P. Singh, before departing from Bareilly. Passengers were left questioning the abrupt stop, to which they were informed that it was made to accommodate two Muslim passengers who sought to offer their prayers.

The situation escalated when a passenger named Satendra recorded a video of one of the praying passengers. This video was subsequently shared on various social media platforms, leading to outrage and a formal complaint lodged by Satendra with the Uttar Pradesh Transport Corporation via X, formerly Twitter.

The video depicted fellow passengers expressing their discontent over the bus being halted on the road at night to accommodate the prayers of just two individuals.

As the video went viral, it triggered a series of events that culminated in the termination of both the bus driver, K.P. Singh, and the conductor, Mohit Yadav. Acting upon the directives of Additional Regional Director (ARD) Deepak Chaudhary, ARD Sanjeev Srivastava executed the termination of their contracts.

Tragically, Yadav’s dismissal proved too much for him to bear, leading him to return to his hometown of Mainpuri, where he took his own life by leaping in front of a train. The news of his death sent shockwaves through the Bareilly Roadways community, prompting employees to halt work at the workshop in a poignant protest against the circumstances surrounding Yadav’s fate.

While the Mainpuri Railway Police have initiated an investigation into Yadav’s untimely death, this tragic incident has ignited conversations surrounding the complexities of religious accommodation within the workplace and the far-reaching repercussions of viral content.

Source: muslimmirror.com

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https://muslimmirror.com/eng/up-bus-conductor-sacked-for-stopping-bus-for-passengers-namaz-break-dies-by-suicide/

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Muslim Call to Prayer, Azaan, Can Now Be Broadcast Publicly In New York City Without A Permit

 

FILE — Worshipers in New York’s East Harlem neighbourhood take part in the traditional annual prayer commemorating the end of Ramadan, in front of the Masjid Aqsa-Salam mosque, on July 17, 2015. New York Mayor Eric Adams announced new guidelines Tuesday, Aug. 29, 2023, allowing mosques to broadcast the Muslim call to prayer on Fridays and at sundown during the holy month of Ramadan. (AP Photo/Bryan R. Smith, File)

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August 29, 2023

Karen Matthews

The Muslim call to prayer will ring out more freely in New York City under guidelines announced Tuesday by Mayor Eric Adams, which he said should foster a spirit of inclusivity.

Under the new rules, Adams said, mosques will not need a special permit to publicly broadcast the Islamic call to prayer, or adhan, on Fridays and at sundown during the holy month of Ramadan. Friday is the traditional Islamic holy day, and Muslims break their fast at sunset during Ramadan.

The police department’s community affairs bureau will work with mosques to communicate the new guidelines and ensure that devices used to broadcast the adhan are set to appropriate decibel levels, Adams said.

“For too long, there has been a feeling that our communities were not allowed to amplify their calls to prayer,” Adams said. “Today, we are cutting red tape and saying clearly that mosques and houses of worship are free to amplify their call to prayer on Fridays and during Ramadan without a permit necessary.”

Flanked by Muslim leaders at a City Hall news conference, Adams said Muslim New Yorkers “will not live in the shadows of the American dream while I am the mayor of the city of New York.”

The Adhan is a familiar sound in majority-Muslim countries but is heard less frequently in the United States.

Officials in Minneapolis made news last year when they moved to allow mosques to broadcast the Adhan publicly.

The adhan declares that God is great and proclaims the Prophet Muhammad as his messenger. It exhorts men — women are not required — to go to the closest mosque five times a day for prayer, which is one of the Five Pillars of Islam.

Somaia Ferozi, principal of the Ideal Islamic School in Queens, said New York City's new rules send a positive message to her students.

“Our children are reminded of who they are when they hear the adhan,” said Ferozi, who attended Adams' news conference. “Having that echo in a New York City neighborhood will make them feel part of a community that acknowledges them.”

Adams, a Democrat, enjoys close relationships with faith leaders from various traditions and has promoted the role of religion in public life.

He has at times alarmed civil libertarians by saying he doesn't believe in the separation of church and state.

“State is the body. Church is the heart,” Adams said at an interfaith breakfast earlier this year. "You take the heart out of the body, the body dies.”

A spokesperson for the mayor said at the time that Adams merely meant that faith guides his actions.

Source: nbcnewyork.com

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https://www.nbcnewyork.com/news/local/muslim-call-to-prayer-can-now-be-broadcast-publicly-in-nyc-without-a-permit/4633760/

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Birmingham Student Accused Of Terrorism Wanted To ‘Debate Against’ Views Of Islamic State, Court Hears

 

Birmingham Crown Court where the trial of Birmingham PhD student Mohamad Al-Bared entered its second day (Image: Martin O'Callaghan / Birmingham Live)

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 29 AUG 2023

Matthew Cooper PA

A University of Birmingham PhD student accused of plotting to make a drone capable of delivering a bomb was “fascinated” by so-called Islamic State because he wanted to argue against the terror group’s views, a court heard.

The second day of the trial of Mohamad Al-Bared, 26, heard he was not a supporter of Islamic State and his work on a drone was part of research into removing heat from electric motors. Prosecutors alleged at the trial, at Birmingham Crown Court, that the mechanical engineering graduate, from Coventry, intended to supply terrorists with a drone to carry a bomb or chemical weapon.

He has denied a charge alleging he engaged in conduct in preparation of terrorist acts to benefit a proscribed terrorist organisation between January 1 2022 and January 31 this year.

'He wanted to argue against it'

In his opening speech, Al-Bared's barrister, Alistair Webster KC, addressed Birmingham Crown Court on Tuesday, August 29, in a 20-minute opening speech outlining issues for the jury to consider during the case.

Telling jurors that Al-Bared was not a supporter of IS, Mr Webster said “thoroughly repugnant” material, including some related to beheadings, was found on devices linked to the defendant because he wanted to “debate” against their views.

Mr Webster said: “He accept he is fascinated by Islamic State and its mindset, but rather than supporting it he wanted to argue against it, in the mosque, online.”

Submitting that Al-Bared was highly intelligent and well-educated, the defence lawyer told the jury: “You will see some of his (university) work during this trial.

“The fact he was doing this sort of work and had these sorts of interests is important.” Adding that Al-Bared had been diagnosed with autism spectrum disorder while in custody, Mr Webster went on: “He has been examined by the psychiatrists for the prosecution and the defence.

Autism diagnosis

“They are in agreement, they both agree he suffers from autistic spectrum disorder, what some used to call Asperger’s.”

The condition was relevant because it affected how Al-Bared would present in court and, in the view of a psychiatrist, meant he showed features of obsessionality and fixated on interests to an abnormal degree, the court heard.

Although Al-Bared did not himself believe he had autistic spectrum disorder, Mr Webster said: “He’s wrong on that because both psychiatrists have come to the conclusion that he has.

“His case is his principal reason for interest in Islamic State was how they think, so he could debate against their point of view.” Urging jurors to see things through the prism of someone with the disorder when assessing Al-Bared’s mindset, Mr Webster said: “It’s very important and fundamental to a proper understanding of the case.

“You will have to decide whether this really was a man with a terrorist motivation. He was constructing a drone, and consulting others in relation to it, but for his own research purposes, totally unconnected with designing a weapon.”

Work on the drone had been linked to dissipating heat from electric motors and not on delivering any sort of weapon, he added.

“He had a great interest in religion – but many religions,” Mr Webster said of Al-Bared. “He accepts he was fascinated by Jihadism but his fascination by it does not by any means mean he embraced it.

“He does not accept he completed any form to join Islamic State or any other similar organisation.” Urging jurors to consider what was in the defendant’s head, Mr Webster concluded: “That, we say, was far more complicated than the prosecution would have you believe.”

Source: birminghammail.co.uk

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https://www.birminghammail.co.uk/news/midlands-news/birmingham-student-accused-terrorism-wanted-27616873

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Three Hanged For Iraq Terrorist Bombing, During The Islamic Holy Month Of Ramadan, That Killed More Than 300 People

 

Iraqi women mourn at the site of the bombing back in 2016

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By George Wright

BBC News

Iraq has hanged three people convicted of involvement in a vehicle bombing in Baghdad that killed more than 300 people and injured hundreds in 2016.

The bomb exploded as people were enjoying a night out during the Islamic holy month of Ramadan.

It was the deadliest single bombing in Iraq since the US-led invasion in 2003.

The Islamic State group (IS) has admitted carrying out the attack. IS has been defeated and lost control of territory, but still remains active.

The executions were carried out on Sunday or Monday, Prime Minister Mohammed Shia al-Sudani's office said. It did not name those executed.

A government source told AFP news agency that Ghazwan al-Zawbaee, held to be the IS mastermind behind the attack, was among those put to death. Zawbaee had been captured and returned to Iraq in 2021.

The prime minister informed victims' families that "the rightful punishment of death sentence" had been carried out against "three key criminals found guilty of their involvement in the terrorist bombing", his office said.

On 3 July 2016 a vehicle filled with explosives was blown up next to a crowded shopping centre in Karrada, a mainly Shia Muslim area of the Iraqi capital.

Many of the victims were killed by a fire that ripped through the building after the bomb blast.

Interior Minister Mohammed Ghabban resigned in the wake of the blast.

The then-Prime Minister, Mustafa al-Kadhimi, accused Zawbaee of being the "primary culprit" behind that attack and "many others".

IS, a Sunni Muslim group, once controlled 88,000 sq km (34,000 sq miles) of territory stretching from eastern Iraq to western Syria and imposed its brutal rule on almost eight million people.

Despite the group's defeat on the battlefield in Iraq in 2017 and in Syria two years later, it is estimated that thousands of militants remain active in both countries.

In March, the UN estimated that IS still had "5,000 to 7,000 members and supporters" across Iraq and neighbouring Syria, "roughly half of whom are fighters".

Source: bbc.com

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https://www.bbc.com/news/world-middle-east-66643208

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More Than 60 People Detained After A Gay Wedding In Nigeria

 

FILE- Sherwood Howard, right, and Nevada State Sen. Kelvin Atkinson

Copyright © africanews/ John Locher/AP

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August 29, 2023

Police in Nigeria said Tuesday they detained at least 67 people celebrating a gay wedding in one of the largest mass detentions targeting homosexuality, which is outlawed in the West African country.

The "gay suspects" were arrested in southern Delta state's Ekpan town at about 2 a.m. on Monday at an event where two of them were married, state police spokesman Bright Edafe told reporters. He said that homosexuality "will never be tolerated" in Nigeria.

Arrests of gay people are common in Nigeria, Africa's most populous country, where gay people can face up to 14 years in prison under the Same-Sex Marriage Prohibition Act. Accomplices face 10 years in prison. Enacted in 2013, the law has been condemned locally and internationally though it is also supported by many in the country.

Amnesty International's Nigeria office condemned the arrests and called for "an immediate end to this witch-hunt."

"In a society where corruption is rampant, this (same-sex) law banning same-sex relationships is increasingly being used for harassment, extortion and blackmail of people," Isa Sanusi, the organization's director in Nigeria, told The Associated Press.

Police in Delta stormed a hotel in Ekpan where the gay wedding was being held and initially arrested 200 people, Edafe told reporters. Later, 67 of them were detained after initial investigations, he said.

He spoke at a police station where the suspects were being paraded.

"The amazing part of it was that we saw two suspects, and there is a video recording where they were performing their wedding ceremony," he said. "We are in Africa and we are in Nigeria. We cannot copy the Western world because we don't have the same culture."

He reiterated that police officers in Nigeria "cannot fold their hands" and watch gay people openly express their sexual orientation in the country.

"This is not something that will be allowed in Nigeria," he said, adding that the suspects will be charged in court at the end of the investigation.

In a live broadcast of the suspects' parade by the police, one of those arrested said they were not attending the wedding ceremony and were at the hotel for another engagement.

Another suspect said he does not identify as a gay person and was arrested while on his way to a fashion show.

"On my way going to the event, police attacked me and took me to the police station," he said. "They said I have committed an offense while dressed like this but I don't know if cross-dressing is against the constitution of the land."

Activists have in the past accused the Nigerian police of using the same-sex prohibition law to carry out mass arrests that sometimes include straight people, including in 2017 when more than 40 people were arrested for allegedly being gay.

Nigeria is one of a growing list of African countries that have enacted laws criminalizing same-sex relationships, the latest being Uganda whose newly signed law carries a death penalty in some instances.

Source: africanews.com

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https://www.africanews.com/2023/08/29/more-than-60-people-detained-after-a-gay-wedding-in-nigeria/

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India

J&K administration plans unique ID for every house, street in Srinagar

30th August 2023

By Fayaz WaniExpress News Service

SRINAGAR: In a first, the Lieutenant Governor administration in Jammu and Kashmir will introduce a Unique ID No to every house, street and heritage site in the Srinagar district to help authorities identify people or places without any difficulties.

“Each house in Srinagar will be given a unique ID number. It will make it easier for people to find their address as there are many streets that have the same name and address which creates confusion,” said Divisional Commissioner Kashmir Vijay Kumar Bidhuri.

He said that it will also become easier for the administration to locate any address of any household in the state. The work on Unique ID started on a pilot project basis in SMC areas in Srinagar and a plate will be installed outside the houses. As per the 2011 census, the Srinagar district had 1, 91,678 households and a population of 12, 36,829 including 6, 51,124 males and 5, 85,705 females.

The project of allotment of Unique ID to every household and business venture in Srinagar was taken up in 2022. It will also be called Family No which will have an eight-digit code and the database with details of the families including their names, ages, qualifications, and employment status, among others.

According to the Digital Vision J&K document, “Each family will be provided with a unique alpha-numeric code called JK Family ID. The data available in the family database would be used to determine eligibility through automatic selection of beneficiaries for receiving social benefits.”

The database would identify each and every family in J&K and would collect the basic data of the family, provided with the consent of the family, in a digital format.

Source: newindianexpress.com

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https://www.newindianexpress.com/nation/2023/aug/30/jk-administration-plans-unique-id-for-every-house-street-in-srinagar-2609965.html

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National Human Rights Commission issues notice to Uttar Pradesh officials in school boy slap case

R. Balaji New Delhi,  30.08.23

The National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) on Tuesday took suo motu cognisance of media reports on the teacher of a primary school in Uttar Pradesh who asked some of her students to beat up their Muslim classmate for allegedly not doing his homework.

The incident, which took place at a school in Muzaffarnagar district on August 25, had triggered widespread criticism and calls for action after a video of headmistress Tripta Tyagi instructing the students to hit the sobbing boy harder went viral.

The commission has observed that the contents of the media report, if true, amount to a violation of the child’s human rights. It has issued notices to the Uttar Pradesh chief secretary and director-general of police, seeking a detailed report within four weeks.

The report should include the action taken against the teacher, the status of the FIR registered in the matter and compensation, if any, paid to the aggrieved family, as well as steps taken/proposed to be taken to ensure that such shameful incidents do not recur in the future, the NHRC said.

Quoting news reports, the commission said Tyagi, who also owns the school, has not been arrested yet.

The NHRC statement mentioned that the school did not meet the criteria of the education department.

Source: telegraphindia.com

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https://www.telegraphindia.com/india/national-human-rights-commission-issues-notice-to-uttar-pradesh-officials-in-school-boy-slap-case/cid/1962513

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Full clarity on Jammu and Kashmir's statehood timeline on Aug 31: Solicitor General tells SC

30th August 2023

By Shruti KakkarExpress News Service

NEW DELHI: Amid the Supreme Court’s prodding on a timeline for restoring statehood to Jammu and Kashmir, Solicitor General Tushar Mehta on Tuesday said he would make a positive statement on it on Thursday.

The assurance came before the Constitution bench led by Chief Justice of India D Y Chandrachud. He added that the Union Territory status of J&K is not permanent although Ladakh would remain as Union Territory. The court had said although it was conscious about converting J&K into Union Territory “in lieu of national security”, that status could not be permanent.

“Without putting you in a bind, you (SG) and AG (Advocate General) may seek instructions at the highest level whether there is some timeframe in view. Restoration of democracy is a very important survival component for our nation... We take your point that progress has begun,” the CJI said.

As the hearing on the hugely contentious issue continued for the 12th day, the apex court wanted to know from the government's law officers was the abrogation of Article 370 "really a logical step" to achieve J-K's complete integration with India.

Commencing his arguments, Advocate General R Venkataramani said there is no fundamental difference between the integration process of J&K and the constitutional integration process of the rest of the country. The bench questioned the attorney general as to how provision 3 of Article 370 can be given a go-by while abrogating the provision.

Article 370 (3) says, "Notwithstanding anything in the foregoing provisions of this article, the President may, by public notification, declare that this article shall cease to be operative or shall be operative only with such exceptions and modifications and from such date as he may specify: Provided that the recommendation of the Constituent Assembly of the State referred to in clause ( 2 ) shall be necessary before the President issues such a notification."

The CJI contended that Article 370 says the recommendation of the constituent assembly shall be "necessary" and "before" the President issues a notification, and so it cannot be a post facto recommendation.

The top court also questioned the Centre about the validity of its decision to divide the erstwhile state into two Union Territories, saying the petitioners who have challenged its decision contended it was beyond the powers of Parliament.

“...on the wide chasm between absolute autonomy as it existed on 26th January 1950 and complete integration brought about on Aug 5, 2019, it was substantially bridged by what was happening in between. So it was not a complete migration from absolute autonomy to absolute integration. Substantial degree of integration had already taken place in the between 1950 and 2019. So what was done in 2019, was it really a logical step forward to achieve that integration?” the bench remarked.

The bench also disagreed with S-G Mehta's contention and said from the plain reading of Article 370, it appears that the Constituent Assembly of Jammu and Kashmir was given overriding powers in respect of the state government, as the matters were to be placed before the CA for approval if concurrence or consultation had been obtained before it came into existence.

Several petitions challenging the abrogation of the provisions of Article 370 and the Jammu and Kashmir Reorganisation Act, 2019, which split the erstwhile state into two union territories - Jammu and Kashmir, and Ladakh - were referred to a Constitution bench in 2019.

(With additional inputs from PTI)

Source: newindianexpress.com

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https://www.newindianexpress.com/nation/2023/aug/30/full-clarity-on-jammu-and-kashmirs-statehood-timeline-on-aug-31-solicitor-general-tells-sc-2609893.html

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After nudge by Supreme Court, Centre to make statement on restoration of J&K statehood

R. Balaji New Delhi 30.08.23

The Supreme Court on Tuesday asked the Centre to place before it a “road map” and a “specific timeframe” by which it would restore statehood to Jammu and Kashmir, after which the government assured that it would come out with a statement on Thursday.

However, at the same time the Centre told the five-judge constitution bench hearing a batch of PILs challenging the abrogation of Article 370 that Ladakh’s Union Territory status “may remain for some time”.

“We will make a positive statement the day after tomorrow on Jammu and Kashmir after a meeting at the highest level. The Union Territory status of Jammu and Kashmir is not a permanent thing. So far as Ladakh is concerned, its Union Territory status is going to remain for some time,” solicitor-general Tushar Mehta told a bench headed by Chief Justice of India D.Y. Chandrachud.

The Centre’s assurance followed queries from the bench, which also had Justices Sanjay Kishan Kaul, Sanjiv Khanna, B.R. Gavai and Surya Kant, as to when full democratic process would be restored in Jammu and Kashmir in the form of statehood. The erstwhile state was bifurcated into the Union Territories of Jammu and Kashmir and Ladakh in August 2018.

“We do not want to bind you. We understand there are matters of national security involved. We know that preservation of the nation is the overriding concern. So, without putting you or the attorney (attorney-general R. Venkataramani) in a bind, can you seek instructions on whether there is some timeframe? Give us the specific timeframe as to when you will restore actual democracy. We want to record this.

“The government has to make a statement before us that the progression back to statehood will take place within a time. That this is not a Union Territory permanently,” Justice Chandrachud told Mehta.

The CJI added: “Democracy is important, although we agree that if we are to take the national scenario, reorganisation of the state can be done.”

In the post-lunch session, Mehta assured that he would make a formal statement on a specific timeframe and road map on Thursday. The court will be on a holiday on Wednesday owing to Raksha Bandhan.

Mehta recalled that the government had assured Parliament after the abrogation of special status that statehood would be restored to Jammu and Kashmir and read out Hindi transcripts of the statements made by Union home minister Amit Shah.

The bench asked the Centre how it intended to tackle the apprehension of critics that the power of carving out Union Territories cannot be exercised in a manner that would create an impression of abuse of power by the Union government in violation of the federal principles.

“You say it’s an issue of unrest and integration of a border state. If you concede that power to the Union of India, then how do you ensure that the abuse of power that they apprehend, the abuse of power will not be there?” the bench asked, to which Mehta said “this is a one-of-its-kind situation”.

However, Justice Kaul, who hails from Jammu and Kashmir, remarked: “It’s not one of a kind. We have had problems in Punjab, in the northeastern states...”

“The fact is unfortunately we cannot choose our neighbours. Your argument is of ‘border problems’. There are other border states where the situation may not be palatable. How do we distinguish between those border states and Jammu and Kashmir?” Justice Kaul asked.

Source: telegraphindia.com

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https://www.telegraphindia.com/india/after-nudge-by-supreme-court-narendra-modi-government-to-make-statement-on-jammu-and-kashmir-statehood/cid/1962514

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Uttar Pradesh slap case: Won't withdraw case against headmistress Tripta Tyagi, says Muslim student's kin

Piyush Srivastava Lucknow 30.08.23

The grandfather of the Muzzaffarnagar schoolboy who was slapped and smacked by his classmates on the instructions of the headmistress has said the family would not withdraw the police case against the teacher as the incident had left an everlasting impact on the child’s mind.

Bharatiya Kisan Union president Naresh Tikait and Union minister and BJP leader Sanjeev Balyan had urged the father of the child to withdraw the case in the interest of “communal harmony”.

“I am myself a member of the BKU but I am not going to pardon the headmistress, Tripta Tyagi, who made other kids slap and smack my grandson in the classroom. We will not withdraw the case against her. She has left an everlasting impact on the mind of our child,” the grandfather told reporters at his village in Muzaffarnagar district

on Tuesday.

While forcing the Hindu classmates to beat the child on August 24, Tyagi had been caught on camera declaring that Muslim pupils should be beaten up before they are sent back home because they do not do their homework well.

The grandfather said on Tuesday: “We have not yet withdrawn the complaint and wouldn’t do so. We want to teach the headmistress a lesson.”

The mother of the child also came forward and told reporters: “My son is still in shock. Tough action should be taken against the headmistress. She has committed

an unpardonable crime. I fail to understand why the police are delaying action against her.”

Ravi Shankar Mishra, the circle officer of the area, confirmed to reporters that the family had not taken back the case. “We have not received any application for withdrawal of the case,” he said.

Source: telegraphindia.com

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https://www.telegraphindia.com/india/wont-withdraw-case-against-headmistress-tripta-tyagi-in-uttar-pradesh-slap-case-says-muslim-students-kin/cid/1962512

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TN man detained near Indo-Pak border in Gujarat; border map, tools found in his bag

Published: 30th August 2023

BHUJ: Police have detained a man hailing from Tamil Nadu after he was found roaming suspiciously near the India-Pakistan border in Gujarat's Kutch district, an official said on Wednesday.

A hand-drawn map of the border area, a passport, some tools and an international ATM card were found in his bag, besides other items, after the man was apprehended on Tuesday evening, the official said, adding he was being questioned by local police and central agencies.

The man has been identified as Dinesh Laxmanan Thevar, a resident of Theni district in Tamil Nadu.

An investigation has been launched to find out his motive behind moving in the area, the Kutch-East police said in a statement.

He was detained by the state police's intelligence wing on a road connecting the Border Security Force's (BSF) Kuda outpost and Lodrani village of Rapar taluka on Tuesday evening, the statement said.

"A man from Tamil Nadu has been detained for questioning as he was found roaming near the international border yesterday. The suspect has not revealed much about his intent to come to Kutch. He is now being questioned thoroughly by local police as well as central agencies," Kutch-East Superintendent of Police Sagar Bagmar said.

A team of the State Intelligence Bureau during routine patrolling of the border area found Dinesh walking towards Lodrani village. When he did not give a satisfactory reply about his visit, he was taken to Balasar police station, the statement said.

Local police then searched his shoulder bag and found several articles, including a hand-drawn map showing bordering Kutch region and adjoining villages of Pakistan such as Nagarparkar and Islamkot, a screwdriver, spanner, cutting plier, scissors, a passport, driving license, PAN card and an international debit card, it said.

The police also found some food, a train ticket showing journey from Mumbai to Surendranagar and Rs 10,000 cash in the bag, said the statement.

The man he has been taken to another location for detailed questioning as he has not been providing satisfactory explanation to the local police, it added.

Source: newindianexpress.com

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https://www.newindianexpress.com/nation/2023/aug/30/tn-man-detained-near-indo-pak-border-in-gujaratborder-map-tools-found-in-his-bag-2610020.html

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Europe

 

French soldier killed in Iraq in battle with Islamic State militants

 29 August 2023

PARIS/BAGHDAD (Reuters) - A French soldier was killed in a four-hour firefight in Iraq when French and Iraqi forces raided an Islamic State hideout, Iraqi security sources said on Tuesday.

Three other French and five Iraqi soldiers were wounded in the clash in a rural area of Iraq's northern Salahuddin province on Monday evening, two security sources said.

The French Presidency confirmed the death and named the soldier as Nicolas Mazier of a French special forces unit taking part in a raid with Iraq's Counter Terrorism Service troops against an Islamic State hide-out.

The French and Iraqi forces landed by helicopters in the al-Eth area after an Iraqi air strike on the militants' position but came under intense attack, the sources said.

"It was clearly an ambush by terrorists," one Iraqi security source said. The battle lasted for more than four hours.

Iraq declared final victory over Islamic State in December 2017 but it still operates in separate groups in pockets of northern and western Iraq and still carries ambushes, assassinations and bombings across Iraq.

The hardline group has resorted to guerrilla tactics since it abandoned its goal of holding territory and creating a self-sufficient caliphate straddling Iraq and Syria.

Source: uk.news.yahoo.com

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https://uk.news.yahoo.com/french-soldier-killed-iraq-battle-122521483.html

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Dutch Court ‘Trying’ Pakistani, In Absentia, For Threats To Anti-Islam MP, Geert Wilders

August 30, 2023

AMSTERDAM: Prosecutors on Wednesday told judges they were seeking a 12-year sentence for a Pakistani who is being tried in absentia for allegedly inciting people to murder a Dutch far-right leader in 2018.

The 37-year-old suspect, identified in court as Khalid Latif, is charged with incitement to murder, incitement to criminal acts and threatening violence against Geert Wilders.

Wilders is a prominent provocateur whose anti-Islam views are well known. He has lived under constant police protection since 2004. Although he has never been in government, his Freedom Party is the third-largest in Dutch parliament.

Prosecutors said that Mr Latif — a former cricketer — posted a video in 2018, offering an Rs3 million reward for the Dutch politician’s murder. The offer came after Wilders said he planned to hold a contest for caricatures of Holy Prophet (peace be upon him).

Neither Mr Latif, nor any lawyer were present in the courtroom on Tuesday.

The Pakistani embassy in The Hague had no comment after the hearing and Mr Latif could not be immediately reached for comment.

Source: dawn.com

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https://www.dawn.com/news/1773012/dutch-court-trying-pakistani-for-threats-to-anti-islam-mp

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Ukrainian defenders destroy 43 out of 44 air targets during night attack

30 AUGUST 2023

OLENA ROSHCHINA

Ukrainian defenders destroyed 43 air targets out of 44 launched by Russian forces on the night of 29-30 August, including 28 cruise missiles and 15 attack drones.

Source: Ukrainian Air Force; Lieutenant General Mykola Oleshchuk, Commander of the Ukrainian Air Force

Details: Russian forces attacked Ukraine with air-launched cruise missiles and attack drones on the night of 29-30 August.

A total of 44 Russian air targets were recorded:

28 Kh-101/Kh-555/Kh-55 air-launched missiles from 11 Tu-95ms strategic aircraft from the Caspian Sea and Engels area;

16 Shahed-136/131 attack drones from the south and north (Primorsko-Akhtarsk, Kursk).

Air defence systems were responding in several Ukrainian oblasts, following the route of the missiles and drones. Anti-aircraft missile troops, fighter aircraft, mobile air defence fire teams and other weapons were involved in repelling the air strike.

Quote from Air Force: "Air Force assets and personnel in cooperation with Ukraine’s Defence Forces’ air defence systems have destroyed 43 air targets within Kyiv, Cherkasy, Odesa and Mykolaiv oblasts, including 28 Kh-101/Kh-555/Kh-55 cruise missiles and 15 Shahed-136/131 attack drones."

Source: pravda.com.ua

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https://www.pravda.com.ua/eng/news/2023/08/30/7417652/

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Design of the long-range killer and F/A-18 successor is maturing

Boyko  Nikolov

Aug 30, 2023

In the realm of American aerospace defense, a trio of leading contractors are engaged in a vigorous competition to construct the aircraft for the Navy’s clandestine next-generation strike fighter program. Alongside this, two additional entities are endeavoring to manufacture the engine, as the service disclosed to Breaking Defense today.

In a report published on Sunday by Aviation Week, it has been revealed that esteemed aerospace giants Boeing, Lockheed Martin, and Northrop Grumman are all embroiled in keen competition to secure the contract for the construction of the aircraft set to supplant the Navy’s venerable F/A-18 fleet. Pratt & Whitney and GE Aerospace, both prominent figures in the engine manufacturing sector, have also been pinpointed as the key contenders in the race to provide the engines for this significant military project.

Upon solicitation of a viewpoint from Breaking Defense, a representative from the Navy elucidated, “The F/A-XX project has successfully navigated through the Concept Refinement Phase and has now transitioned into the Design Maturation stage. The Navy can affirmatively state that Boeing, Lockheed Martin, Northrop Grumman, GE Aerospace, and Pratt & Whitney are integral industry contributors to the F/A-XX Program.”

F-18 SH redeployment to Kuwait will be carried out by Boeing

The spokesperson elucidated that the service has pinpointed several pivotal factors that are instrumental in shaping the Air Wing of the Future and its corresponding Family of Systems. These elements include operational reach and capacity, the development of long-range kill chains, the integration of autonomy, and the incorporation of next-generation survivability mechanisms.

Although Boeing has not explicitly confirmed its participation in the competition, a statement from Steve Nordlund, the vice president and general manager at Boeing Air Dominance, offers insights into the company’s strategic direction. Nordlund articulates, “Boeing fighters constitute the mainstay of the contemporary carrier air wing, and our experiences are informing the multi-billion dollar strategic investment we are channeling into advanced open mission systems and the pioneering, fully digital factories of the impending future.”

In the statement, he expressed unflagging commitment towards assisting the US Navy in realizing its forthcoming vision, underscoring the imperative role of cooperation in progressing towards these ambitious goals.

Breaking Defense has received confirmation from a representative of Northrop Grumman that the firm is actively involved in the developmental activities associated with the Navy’s F/A-XX initiatives, though no further details were shared. This aligns with earlier statements made during the summer by Northrop’s CEO, Kathy Warden, affirming the company’s commitment to the pursuit of the Navy’s fighter program.

Northrop’s Aeronautics Systems President, Tom Jones, disclosed to Aviation Week, his organization’s strategic focus and investment in digital engineering, advanced manufacturing, and their legacy in designing and fielding aircraft with cutting-edge mission systems. He asserted, “These pivotal elements empower us to expeditiously design, execute, and sustain both our current and future systems.”

An official representative from Pratt & Whitney has affirmed the company’s involvement in the program. However, the representative refrained from providing additional commentary on the matter. Despite multiple attempts to solicit their input, spokespeople from Lockheed Martin and GE Aerospace remained unresponsive to press inquiries at the time this article was published.

The program, designated as “Next Generation Air Dominance” [NGAD], is the formal nomenclature for the Navy’s forthcoming strike fighter, a designation that interestingly mirrors that of the Air Force’s own next-gen fighter initiative, though they are disparate endeavors. The nature of this program is predominantly enveloped in an aura of secrecy.

Future next-gen F-18 SH could be a manned or unmanned version

Recent budget proposals indicate a shift in the Navy’s priorities, advocating for the allocation of funds towards the research and development phase of the NGAD, superseding the ongoing production of the venerable F/A-18 Super Hornets. This strategic choice, however, has been met with marked disapproval by congressional members whose constituencies economically thrive on the production of these legacy aircraft.

Insight into the progression of the Air Force’s Next Generation Air Dominance [NGAD] fighter suggests that it is outpacing the Navy’s corresponding development, with a prestigious award anticipated for the forthcoming year. Recent revelations from Northrop’s Warden indicate that the company has opted out of the competition for this advanced sixth-generation jet. In the wake of Northrop’s withdrawal, Lockheed and Boeing are presumed to be the exclusive contestants in the race to secure the Air Force’s program. However, neither of these heavyweight contenders has yet chosen to confirm this on public record.

In the race to construct the engine for the Air Force’s Next Generation Air Dominance [NGAD] program, Pratt and General Electric [GE] are engaged in a vigorous competition. In a recent announcement, a high-ranking service official unveiled renewed strategies that entail both corporations developing prototypes of the powerplant.

In a statement that has sparked considerable discussion, Air Force Secretary Frank Kendall indicated that the projected costs for the forthcoming NGAD fighter are likely to surpass those of the F-35 by a significant margin. He further suggested that the initial procurement strategy involves the acquisition of approximately 200 units of this high-priced aircraft.

Set to supersede the F-22 from the 2030s onward, the NGAD fighter, according to Kendall, will be under increased government jurisdiction in terms of data rights. He also mentioned that the construction of this state-of-the-art aircraft will be facilitated through an expanding network of non-traditional vendors, marking a departure from conventional practices.

Source: bulgarianmilitary.com

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https://bulgarianmilitary.com/2023/08/30/design-of-the-long-range-killer-and-f-a-18-successor-is-maturing/

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North America

Christian, Muslim and Jewish Parents Appeal Federal Court’s Decision Allowing Maryland Schools to Force Trans Ideology on Their Kids

August 29, 2023

Adiverse group of religious parents in Maryland are appealing a federal district court’s ruling that denied them the right to shield their children from storybooks that push pro-LGBT propaganda.

Earlier this year, the Montgomery County Board of Education took away parental notice and opt-outs for “inclusivity” books that advocate pride parades, gender transitioning, and pronoun preferences for kids as young as pre-kindergarten.

The books in question “champion controversial ideology around gender and sexuality,” rather than “focusing on basic principles of respect and kindness,” according to Becket Law, a non-profit public interest law firm that is representing the plaintiffs.

 For example, one book tasks three and four-year-olds to search for images from a word list that includes “intersex flag,” “drag queen,” “underwear,” “leather,” and the name of a celebrated LGBTQ activist and sex worker. Another book advocates a child-knows-best approach to gender transitioning, telling students that a decision to transition doesn’t have to “make sense”; teachers are instructed to say doctors only “guess” when identifying a newborn’s sex anyway.

The controversial books were announced last fall for students in pre-K through eighth grade.

After the School Board announced it would take away parental notice and opt-outs for the storybooks, a group of Muslim, Christian, and Jewish parents sued the School Board in federal court.

According to Becket, which describes its mission as “defending the freedom of religion of people of all faiths,” the diverse group of parents are united in their belief that the schoolbooks’ pro-LGBTQ messages are “age-inappropriate, spiritually and emotionally damaging for kids and inconsistent with their beliefs.”

“The Board forged ahead with its storybook mandate over the concerns of thousands of parents and its own principals,” said Grace Morrison, board member of Kids First, an association of parents and teachers advocating for notice and opt-outs in Montgomery County Schools. “But the School Board does not replace parents, who know best about how and when to introduce their elementary-age children to complex and sensitive issues around gender and sexuality.”

Last week, a federal district court judge ruled against the parents, writing that notice and opt-outs to the books are “not a fundamental right.” In the opinion, the judge even dismissed the claims of a religious couple whose daughter’s disabilities make it impossible for them to teach her their beliefs after the storybooks have been read to her. Today, the coalition of parents asked the Fourth Circuit to immediately restore their ability to help their own children on such complex issues and put a stop to the School Board’s no notice, no opt-out policy.

After the lower court upheld the book mandate, the parents filed an Emergency Motion for Injunction Pending Appeal to the Fourth Circuit Court of Appeals, hoping to have their right to raise their children as they see fit quickly restored.

“Children deserve the guidance of their parents when learning about complex issues around gender and sexuality,” said Eric Baxter, vice president and senior counsel at Becket. “That’s why we are asking the Fourth Circuit to step in to protect the right of parents to guide their children’s education consistent with their religious beliefs.”

The Court is expected to issue a preliminary decision on the Parents’ motion for an injunction early this fall.

Source: amgreatness.com

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https://amgreatness.com/2023/08/29/christian-muslim-and-jewish-parents-appeal-federal-courts-decision-allowing-maryland-schools-to-force-trans-ideology-on-their-kids/

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Pope warns that for some U.S. Catholics, ideology has replaced faith

By Elise Ann Allen

Aug 29, 2023

ROME – In a wide-ranging conversation with Jesuits in Portugal during his visit to Lisbon earlier this month for World Youth Day, Pope Francis touched on several hot-button topics, including criticism of his papacy among US Catholics, outreach to the LGBTQ+ community, and problems of chastity among clergy.

In a private Aug. 5 meeting with Jesuits during his visit to Portugal, Francis spoke to the roughly 130 Jesuits and answered several questions, including one from a Jesuit named Francisco who said he had spent a year on sabbatical in the United States and was troubled by the number of people, including bishops, who were critical of Francis’s papacy.

In his response, Francis said, “You have seen that in the United States the situation is not easy: There is a very strong reactionary attitude.”

This attitude “is organized and shapes the way people belong, even emotionally,” he said, and cautioned against what he calls “indietrismo,” meaning being backward-looking, saying this attitude “is useless and we need to understand that there is an appropriate evolution in the understanding of matters of faith and morals.”

He quoted from 5th century Gallic monk Vincent of Lérins, who said, “You develop a doctrine so that it is consolidated in years, expanded in time, and exalted by age.”

“Doctrine also progresses, expands and consolidates with time and becomes firmer, but is always progressing. Change develops from the roots upward, growing in accord with these three criteria,” Francis said.

To this end, the pope pointed to changes in the Catholic Church’s position on issues such as slavery, nuclear weapons, and the death penalty, saying the development of these teachings implies upward movement and shows that “change is necessary.”

Vincent of Lérins, he said, also makes a comparison between human biological development and the transmission of faith over the passage of time, saying, “Our understanding of the human person changes with time, and our consciousness also deepens.”

“The view of Church doctrine as monolithic is erroneous,” Francis said, saying some people “opt out” from this process of change and understanding, and “they go backward.”

“When you go backward, you form something closed, disconnected from the roots of the Church and you lose the sap of revelation,” he said, insisting that if healthy change is not embraced, “You go backward, and then you take on criteria for change other than those our faith gives for growth and change.”

Pope Francis said the effects of going backwards on morality “are devastating,” and that “the problems that moralists have to examine today are very serious, and to deal with them they have to take the risk of making changes, but in the direction I was saying.”

Again referring to the situation in the United States and the “climate of closure” among some American Catholics, the pope said this climate is present in some areas and when this is the case, “You can lose the true tradition and turn to ideologies for support.”

“In other words, ideology replaces faith, membership of a sector of the Church replaces membership of the Church,” he said.

“Those American groups you talk about, so closed, are isolating themselves. Instead of living by doctrine, by the true doctrine that always develops and bears fruit, they live by ideologies. When you abandon doctrine in life to replace it with an ideology, you have lost, you have lost as in war”, he said.

Asked about Catholic homosexuals who lead overall virtuous lives but believe their relationships aren’t sinful, Pope Francis spoke about the need for the Church to be welcoming and to be more flexible when it comes to so-called “sins of the flesh.”

He insisted, as he has done repeatedly, including several times in Portugal, that in the Gospels, “There is no discussion about the call being addressed to everyone. Jesus is very clear about this: Everyone.”

“Everyone has their own space in the Church,” and as pastors, “We help people live so that they can occupy that place with maturity, and this applies to all kinds of people,” he said.

Noting that there is a priest in the Diocese of Rome who works with the LGBTQ+ community, the pope said the issue of homosexuality in modern society “is very strong, and the sensitivity in this regard changes according to historical circumstances.”

Pope Francis said that one thing he does not like is that “we look at the so-called ‘sins of the flesh’ with a magnifying glass, just as we have done for so long for the sixth commandment.”

“If you exploited workers, if you lied or cheated, it didn’t matter, and instead sins below the waist were relevant,” he said.

When it comes to the individuals involved, “The most appropriate pastoral attitude for each person must be applied,” he said.

Francis insisted that as pastors, “We must not be superficial and naive, forcing people into things and behaviors for which they are not yet mature, or are not capable. It takes a lot of sensitivity and creativity to accompany people spiritually and pastorally.”

He then noted that his Wednesday general audiences are attended by a Charles de Foucauld sister named Sister Geneviève, who is in her eighties and is a chaplain at the Circus in Rome with two other sisters.

These sisters, the pope said, live in a mobile home near the circus and have a little chapel there, and they work a lot with people who are transgender individuals. He said he visited their house one day and when one of the nuns asked if she could bring the transgender people, he said yes.

“Then, after the first surprise, they made a habit of coming. Some write to me, and I email them back…I realized that these people feel rejected, and it is really hard,” he said, but insisted that, “everyone is called to live in the Church: never forget that.”

Pope Francis was also asked by the youngest Jesuit in the province how to develop and live out a proper formation in a hyper-sexualized and consumerist society.

In his response, the pope said, “We live in a worldly society, which worries me a lot,” calling spiritual worldliness a “recurring pitfall” that also effects consecrated life.

“You have to learn to distinguish: it is one thing to prepare for dialogue with the world – as you do with dialogue with the worlds of art and culture – it is another thing to compromise yourself with the things of the world, with worldliness,” he said.

Francis stressed the importance of dialoging with the world, “for we cannot live as though preserved like pickled food.”

“We must not be introverted religionists, smiling inwardly, talking inwardly, protecting our environment without engaging with anyone. We have to go out into this world with its values and faults,” he said.

The pope then recalled a speech he gave to priests working in the curia last year, during which he spoke about pornography and cell phone use and asked how many of them watch porn on their phones. One of priest, he said, later commented that, ‘You can see that he has spent hours in the confessional.’

In the past, problems such as this were more hidden, but “today, thank God, the door is wide open, and there is no reason for problems to remain hidden.”

“If you hide your problems, it is because you choose to do so, but it is not the fault of society, or even your religious community,” he said, saying one of the greatest current risks are the “hidden refuges of self-seeking, which many times involve sexuality, but also other matters.”

Pope Francis said that “I am not afraid of sexualized society,” but is more afraid of “how we relate to it. I am afraid of worldly criteria,” a term he said “encompasses everything, for example, the eagerness to promote oneself, the eagerness to stand out.”

In the lengthy Q&A session, the pope also spoke about prioritizing the poor and accompanying them so they do not become embittered, saying that in today’s world, “spirituality itself is leading us in that direction, toward an engagement with those on the margins, not only on the margin of religion, but also on the margin of life.”

He also touched on the Second Vatican Council and his ‘dream’ for the future of the Church, noting that many Catholics “question Vatican II without naming it. They question the teachings of Vatican II.”

“If I look to the future, I think we have to follow the Spirit, see what it tells us, with courage,” he said, saying his dream for the future “is to be open to what the Spirit is telling us, open to discernment and not caught up with functionalism.”

Francis also spoke on the problem of clericalism among both priests and laity, saying it affects both, but is “worse when it creeps into the laity. The clericalized laity are frightening.”

He also touched on the vocations crisis, including within the Jesuit order, as well as his own joys and challenges.

Pope Francis said that his greatest joy at the moment is “the preparation for the synod, even though sometimes I see, in some parts, that there are shortcomings in the way it is being conducted.”

Referring to the theme for the upcoming Synod of Bishops on Synodality, he said the aim “is not about going after votes, as a political party would.”

“It is not about preferences, about belonging to this or that party. In a synod, the principal figure is the Holy Spirit. He is the protagonist. So, you have to let the Spirit lead things,” he said, saying his greatest concern right now is war and the various conflicts raging throughout the world.

Source: cruxnow.com

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https://cruxnow.com/vatican/2023/08/pope-warns-that-for-some-u-s-catholics-ideology-has-replaced-faith

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US knew of Saudis’ persecution of African migrants but kept silent – NYT

29 Aug, 2023

Washington has also opted not to publicly raise reports of widespread abuse and indiscriminate killings

The US government has for long been aware of the alleged mistreatment African migrants have been systematically subjected to at the border between Yemen and Saudi Arabia, but has kept the issue out of the public arena, the New York Times has reported.

The alleged widespread abuse of migrants, primarily hailing from Ethiopia through the so-called ‘Eastern Route,’ which lies across war-ravaged Yemen, became known to US diplomats at least as early as last December, the newspaper claimed on Saturday. Washington, however, opted to keep silent on the matter, in an apparent effort not to strain its ties with Riyadh any further.

The US State Department contacted the newspaper, offering its take on the situation and somewhat corroborating the claims that the decision to keep the issue private had indeed been taken.

“The United States quickly engaged senior Saudi officials to express our concern,” the department told the NYT, adding that US officials “have continued to regularly raise our concerns with Saudi contacts.” It was not immediately clear whether the cited contacts had any effect or somehow impacted the migrant situation on the Saudi-Yemeni border, the newspaper noted.

UN removes million barrels of oil from decaying Yemen tankerREAD MORE: UN removes million barrels of oil from decaying Yemen tanker

The allegations of inaction by Washington come in the wake of a fresh report by Human Rights Watch (HRW), released on August 21. The research claims, citing surviving witnesses, that Saudi border guards have killed “at least hundreds” of Ethiopian migrants and asylum seekers trying to cross the border from Yemen between March 2022 and June 2023.

The killings at the border apparently continued even later, at the time when the report was being prepared, the HRW noted. “Saudi border guards have used explosive weapons and shot people at close range, including women and children, in a pattern that is widespread and systematic,” the report reads. In some instances, the border guards tortured their victims, asking detained migrants “in which limb of their body they preferred to be shot,” as well as firing artillery pieces at migrants who were trying to flee back into Yemen.

While it was not immediately clear whether the killings were carried out by the border guards on their own or sanctioned by their higher-ups, the behavior amounts to “crimes against humanity” if it is actually a part of Saudi state-sanctioned policy, the humanitarian group noted.

Source: rt.com

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https://www.rt.com/news/582055-us-saudi-arabia-migrants/

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Mideast

‘No concessions’ to Palestinians in exchange for Saudi deal: Israeli minister

August 29, 2023

Jerusalem : An Israeli minister said that the government will not agree to “any concessions” to the Palestinians as part of a possible normalisation deal with Saudi Arabia, as has been reportedly demanded by Riyadh and Washington.

“We will not make any concessions to the Palestinians. It’s fiction,” Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich told Israel’s Army Radio on Monday, August 28.

Smotrich, who is the leader of the pro-settler Religious Zionist Party, said Israel is interested in establishing official ties with Saudi Arabia, but “it has nothing to do with Judea and Samaria”, Xinhua news agency reported.

Judea and Samaria is a frequently used Israeli term for the West Bank.

Smotrich’s statement comes after both Saudi Arabia and the United States have underscored several times in recent months that a US-brokered agreement between Israel and Saudi Arabia would necessitate positive developments toward a resolution to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict and the 56-year-old Israeli occupation of the West Bank and Gaza Strip. — IANS

Source: muslimmirror.com

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https://muslimmirror.com/eng/no-concessions-to-palestinians-in-exchange-for-saudi-deal-israeli-minister/

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Palestinian fears grow amid rising Israeli settler attacks

29 August 2023

By Yolande Knell

BBC News, Ramallah

There's been a dramatic rise in violence carried out by extremist Israeli settlers against Palestinian civilians in the occupied West Bank this year, with more than 100 incidents reported a month according to the UN. It warns that some 400 people have been driven from their land since the start of 2022.

Smashed cars and homes and shops set ablaze. Recent months have seen some of the worst ever scenes of settler violence in the occupied West Bank.

Some have turned deadly.

Posters in remembrance of 19-year-old Qusai Maatan, showing him astride his white Arabian horse, now surround a small roundabout in the village of Burqa, set among olive trees in the rolling hills north-east of Ramallah.

"He had a deeply caring nature. He'd always greet me warmly and check on me in a thoughtful way," says his grandfather, Abdul Moneim Maatan, his voice cracking. "His absence leaves a huge void."

On the evening Qusai was shot dead by an armed settler, his family say he had gone for a picnic with friends at the edge of the village. Locals describe how a confrontation with radical Israelis living nearby escalated quickly. Stones were thrown and at least one settler opened fire. In an unusually strong rebuke, Israel's closest ally, the US, described what happened here as "Jewish terrorism".

Two Israeli settlers and at least five Palestinians were arrested by Israeli security forces, who say they are still investigating the incident.

Settler attacks have become more common, says a young relative of Qusai, who is afraid to give her name.

"No-one knows who the next Qusai is going to be," she adds. "No-one is going to protect us. If, God forbid, there are any other confrontations or attacks, our government can't legally do anything."

While the Palestinian Authority (PA) governs in big Palestinian cities, Israel retains near exclusive control of 60% of the West Bank (known as Area C), presiding over law enforcement, planning and construction. An estimated 370,000 Palestinians live in Area C, which includes Burqa, and half a million Israeli citizens. Israel's new government, its most right-wing and nationalist to date, has openly declared its intention to double the number of settlers to one million.

Most of the world sees settlements as illegal under international law, though Israel disagrees.

Already 2023 has set an all-time record for settlement construction in the West Bank and for the legitimisation of outposts, according to settlement watchdog Peace Now. Outposts are often set up with a wink and a nod from Israeli authorities but without official permission.

In recent months, the Israeli government - which includes long-time settler activists in key cabinet posts - has completed or begun to legalise 15 settler outposts that were previously illegal under Israeli law, Peace Now says.

What looks like an official signpost leads me to the settler outpost of Oz Zion in an olive grove on a hilltop above Burqa. It was built on privately owned, officially registered land belonging to Palestinians in the village. There is a collection of white, prefabricated buildings, a rudimentary play area for the young children of six families which I am told now live here, and a pen of sheep.

"Our vision is that all of the land of Israel will be settled with Jews. It's our basic right. Our right is in the Bible," says Yehuda Lieber, a 26-year-old father of two. He is encouraged by the fact that some of those in government share his ideology and believes that eventually Israel will retroactively authorise his outpost.

"We have an expectation from the government that was elected by right-wing votes to settle the land, expand the settlements, and not hurt them," he says.

With a series of new outposts recently set up, he tells me the settlers' strategy is to block Palestinian statehood. Creating an independent Palestinian state in the West Bank and Gaza, with East Jerusalem as its capital, is a long-time goal of the internationally backed two-state solution to end the decades-old Israel-Palestinian conflict.

"What we're doing here and in other places that exist is to halt the establishment of the Palestinian state, which is being built in practice without asking anyone," Mr Lieber says.

Anti-occupation groups argue that as settlers have become emboldened by the current Israeli coalition government, settler attacks on Palestinians and their property have risen to a record high. The trend comes against the background of a surge in tensions in the West Bank this year, with near-nightly Israeli military raids and a spate of Palestinian assaults.

It has been the deadliest year for Palestinians and Israelis here for nearly two decades. More than 180 Palestinians have been killed in the territory - mostly fighters, but also many civilians, according to figures collated from PA sources. On the Israeli side, some 32 people have been killed, nearly all civilians - about half in the West Bank, excluding East Jerusalem.

Some deadly Palestinian militant attacks have led to violent rampages carried out in revenge by settlers, as seen in Huwara in February, following the shooting of two brothers from a nearby settlement, and TurmusAyya in June, after four settlers were killed outside a petrol station. Both of those assaults left a Palestinian dead. The top Israeli military spokesman recently commented that the spike in settler attacks, which he called "nationalist terrorism", was in turn driving Palestinians to attack Israelis.

Official figures from Israel's internal security agency registered a 15% increase in individual Palestinian attacks on civilians and soldiers across Israel and the Occupied Territories in the first seven months of the year compared to the same period last year. In 2022, the agency counted 1,317 uses of fire or pipe bombs, shootings, arson, and stabbings compared to 1,522 in 2023.

Israeli security forces have come under increased scrutiny with the rise in settler violence. They are often criticised for failing to intervene effectively and sometimes for apparently supporting acts of harassment.

The UN's humanitarian agency (OCHA) says it has registered over 700 incidents this year where settler violence has resulted in Palestinian casualties, damage to property or both. The number is the highest since it began recording such acts in 2006.

"Just to give you an idea, in 2021 there was an average of one incident of settler violence a day that we were recording. In 2022, there were two incidents of settler violence and in 2023 we have an average of three incidents of settler violence a day," says Andrea De Domenico, head of OCHA in the occupied Palestinian territory.

Mr de Domenico warns that Palestinian Bedouin and other herding communities in Area C are particularly vulnerable.

"We're seeing more and more pressure on Palestinian communities to leave their land," he tells me. "Recently there are three communities that have been completely removed."

At the start of August, the remaining families from al-Qabun, a herding community in the central West Bank, dismantled their homes and sheep pens to move to safer places. A total of 89 people were forced away, blaming Israeli demolition threats and settler intimidation.

"They used to stop outside our house at midnight and honk their car horns or send kids to harass us. They would scare the sheep and block them in, or empty out our water tank," says Ammar Abu Alia.

He worries for the future as he squeezes more than 100 of his flock into a pen on land which he is only able to rent temporarily. "What will we do?" he asks. "We'll be forced to sell. We'll have no livelihood."

Like the rest of her extended family, Nida Abu Alia - Ammar's sister - is now living in cramped accommodation in a village close to the land they lived on for generations. The mother of nine is bitter about the relative lack of attention paid to her community's plight.

"People said that this is Area C, but that's not right. It's the land of Palestine," she says. "Our displacement is a great loss. People must realise what's happening. If they don't, we will lose a lot."

Human rights groups warn that the forced transfer of Palestinians from their homes on occupied land could amount to a war crime by Israel, if it is proven that official steps amount to coercion.

At the same time, settlers and their supporters in the Israeli government are seeking to take advantage of the new political reality. Huge investment is planned to expand settlements and improve their infrastructure, cementing a Jewish presence in the West Bank and changing the landscape.

With their own leaders too weak to effect a serious change in course and a sense that settlers enjoy impunity, Palestinian anger and resentment is growing.

The ongoing developments only look set to deepen bitter hostilities.

Source: bbc.com

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Clashes in Kurdish-held east Syria kill 22: monitor

AFP

August 30, 2023

BEIRUT: Twenty-two people including three civilians have died in clashes in Kurdish-held northeastern Syria between US-backed fighters and members of an affiliated group whose leader was arrested, a war monitor said Tuesday.

“Sixteen local fighters and three members of the Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) have been killed” during the clashes in several villages in the east of Deir Ezzor province, the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights said, raising an earlier toll.

Three civilians including two children have also been killed in the violence, it added.

The US-backed, Kurdish-led SDF spearheaded the battle that dislodged Daesh group fighters from the last scraps of territory they controlled in Syria in 2019.

The affiliated group, the Deir Ezzor Military Council, is led by Ahmad Al-Khabil, also known as Abu Khawla, who was arrested in the city of Hasakah late Sunday, the Observatory said.

The move sparked tensions that deteriorated into clashes after gunmen attacked SDF positions, added the Britain-based Observatory, which has a network of sources inside Syria.

The charges against Khabil were not immediately clear. However, the Observatory and an activist told AFP he was known to have been involved in smuggling and had amassed considerable wealth over the years.

The Deir Ezzor Military Council, one of several Arab groups affiliated with the SDF, is responsible for security in parts of Arab-majority Deir Ezzor province.

Swathes of the province are part of a semi-autonomous administration in north and northeast Syria that the Kurds carved out following the defeat of Daesh.

The Kurds administer the area through local civilian and military councils in an effort to stave off any Arab discontent.

“What’s happening today is a settling of scores,” said Omar Abu Layla, an activist who heads the DeirEzzor24 media platform.

“Corrupt commanders felt they were in danger after Abu Khawla was arrested and have tried to turn it into a tribal and Arab issue in order to protect themselves,” he added, warning that the unrest could “negatively impact the region.”

The SDF has not commented, but said in a statement that it had launched “an operation to bolster security” on Monday in Deir Ezzor province against Daesh and “criminals... involved in drug trafficking and benefiting from arms smuggling.”

The operation was continuing “in order to arrest those involved in criminal activity,” added the statement.

The areas where clashes have occurred are along “a known smuggling route,” an SDF source said, requesting anonymity as they were not authorized to speak to the media.

Syria’s war has killed more than half a million people since it broke out in 2011, escalating into a deadly conflict that pulled in foreign powers and terrorists insurgents.

Source: arabnews.com

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Israeli PM orders ministries to get his OK before secret talks, as drama over Libya meeting persists

AP

August 29, 2023

JERUSALEM: Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu issued an order Tuesday mandating that his office approve all secret diplomatic meetings in advance, his spokesperson said, as officials scrambled to contain the growing diplomatic firestorm over Israel’s disclosure that its top diplomat had met with his Libyan counterpart.

The exposure of the first-ever known encounter between Israeli and Libyan foreign ministers ignited angry street protests in several Libyan cities and sent Libyan Foreign Minister Najla Mangoush fleeing to Turkiye for fear of her safety.

Libyan Prime Minister Abdul Hamid Dbeibah, who heads one of the country’s rival governments, said he was temporarily suspending Mangoush from her position over the reported meeting. Libya has a history of unremitting hostility toward Israel.

Netanyahu sent the directive Tuesday to all government ministries, requesting they receive approval from his office before conducting any covert political talks. The order also asked that Netanyahu personally approve the publication of news concerning such sensitive meetings.

A Netanyahu aide, Topaz Luk, said Netanyahu issued the order in response to fallout from the Libya scandal. It was not known if Netanyahu knew about Foreign Minister Eli Cohen’s meeting with Mangoush ahead of time.

Israel’s Foreign Ministry announced Sunday that Cohen met Mangoush in Rome last week in what it hailed as a “historic” step toward the normalization of ties with Libya.

Having established diplomatic ties with the UAE and Bahrain, during the Trump administration, Netanyahu’s government anxiously wants to do so with other Arab states to change its status in its long-hostile neighborhood and end its regional isolation.

But the backlash served as a glaring reminder that despite the warming ties between Israel and the Arab world, challenges remain as ordinary citizens in the region still oppose closer relations with Israel.

Within hours of the revelation, Mangoush was on a plane to Turkiye, Dbeibah announced her suspension and Netanyahu’s political opponents were seizing on the crisis to criticize the foreign minister and his lack of discretion.

A ministry official, speaking on condition of anonymity to discuss behind-the-scenes diplomacy, said the ministry was forced to go public after an Israeli news site learned about the meeting. Israeli media said the acting United States ambassador to Israel, Stephanie Hallett, had expressed American displeasure with the Israeli announcement in a meeting with Cohen on Monday. The US Embassy had no immediate comment.

In Libya, protests erupted for a second straight night Monday over the prospect of normalization with Israel. Demonstrators set tires ablaze, waved Palestinian national flags and chanted against Dbeibah, the prime minister.

The leader of Libya’s Tripoli-based administration in the country’s west, Dbeibah has defied calls for him to hand over power. The oil-rich nation has for years been split between two rival governments in its eastern and western halves. Each side has been backed by armed groups and foreign governments.

Libya was plunged into chaos after a NATO-backed uprising toppled longtime dictator Muammar Qaddafi in 2011. Qaddafi was hostile to Israel and a staunch supporter of the Palestinians, including radical militant groups.

Source: arabnews.com

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Algerian ex-minister indicted by Swiss over civil war ‘torture’

AFP

August 29, 2023

GENEVA: Former Algerian defense minister Khaled Nezzar has been indicted in Switzerland on charges of committing crimes against humanity in the 1990s during the civil war, state prosecutors said Tuesday.

The Office of the Attorney General of Switzerland (OAG) said it had filed an indictment in the Federal Criminal Court against the 85-year-old, who faces accusations including coordinating torture.

The 1992-2002 Algerian civil war between government forces and Islamists left up to 200,000 people dead.

“Nezzar is accused of violating the laws of armed conflicts in accordance with the Geneva Conventions between 1992 and 1994 in connection with the civil war in Algeria and of committing crimes against humanity,” the OAG said in a statement.

“It is alleged that at the very least he knowingly and willingly condoned, coordinated and encouraged the torture and other cruel, inhumane or humiliating acts, physical and psychological assaults, arbitrary detentions and convictions and extra-judicial executions.”

The civil war erupted after the army suspended an electoral process when the Islamic Salvation Front won the first round of a parliamentary vote in 1991.

The OAG opened criminal proceedings against Nezzar in 2011, following a complaint from the TRIAL International organization, which fights against impunity for war crimes.

Nezzar was living in Switzerland at the time but has since left the country.

The OAG abandoned the proceedings in 2017, concluding that the Algerian civil war was not an internal armed conflict as defined by law.

On appeal, the Federal Criminal Court in 2018 ruled against that decision, and the OAG resumed criminal proceedings.

The indictment, filed on Monday, alleges that Nezzar “knowingly and willingly created structures in order to eliminate the Islamist opposition according to his plan of action.”

“This led to the commission of war crimes and widespread and systematic attacks on civilians suspected of sympathizing with the opposition.”

The OAG documented 11 incidents, each with several allegations, alleged to have taken place between 1992 and 1994.

“The suspected victims are alleged to have been subjected to torture using water and/or electric shocks and other cruel, inhumane or degrading treatments,” it said.

The OAG stressed that the presumption of innocence applies to the accused.

The indictment “renews hope that victims of the Algerian civil war will get justice,” TRIAL International said on its website.

“Nezzar will be the highest-ranking military official ever tried for such crimes based on the principle of universal jurisdiction.”

The organization wants the trial to begin as soon as possible, citing Nezzar’s state of health.

The Collective of the Families of the Disappeared in Algeria (CFDA) on Tuesday celebrated a “historical legal victory,” calling a demonstration on Wednesday in Algiers to mark the International Day of the Victims of Enforced Disappearances.

According to TRIAL, one of the victims withdrew their complaint under pressure, while another complaint was shelved this year because the victim was no longer reachable. A third victim recently died.

Source: arabnews.com

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Egypt announces first direct flight from Cairo to Port Sudan

August 30, 2023

CAIRO: Egyptian national carrier EgyptAir announced it will operate its first direct flight from Cairo to Port Sudan starting Sept. 1, the Egyptian civil aviation ministry said on Tuesday.

The decision comes after Sudanese authorities re-opened the airspace in the eastern sector of the country, after closing the entire airspace since April 15 after war broke out.

Since then, humanitarian and evacuation flights have operated out of Port Sudan airport on the Red Sea coast.

Source: arabnews.com

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Syria’s Aleppo airport to resume operations following air strike -ministry

REUTERS

August 30, 2023

CAIRO: Air traffic at Syria’s Aleppo airport will resume on Tuesday following an Israeli air strike.

Operations will restart at the airport at midnight (2200 GMT), Syria’s transport ministry said.

An Israeli air attack put the airport out of service on Monday, the Syrian defense ministry said, while regional intelligence sources said an Iranian arms depot was hit.

Israel has intensified strikes on Syrian airports and air bases in particular to disrupt Iran’s use of aerial supply lines to deliver arms to its allies, including Lebanon’s Iran-backed Hezbollah, which has also deployed fighters to back Syrian President Bashar Assad.

Damascus denies allegations that Iran, whose top military officials frequently visit Syria and have signed deals to supply advanced weapons, has an extensive presence in the country, saying they only have military advisers who help its armed forces.

Source: arabnews.com

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Iran's Raisi urges Japan to release frozen funds, then wavers

Reuters

August 29, 2023

DUBAI, Aug 29 (Reuters) - Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi called on Japan on Tuesday to display its independence from Washington by releasing Tehran's frozen assets amid U.S. sanctions - and then said the only blocked Iranian funds were being held in South Korea.

"Japan should act independently from the U.S. by releasing our blocked funds," Raisi said when asked by a Japanese reporter about $1.5 billion of blocked funds in Japan.

"I must clarify that our Central Bank earlier said we only had unjustly frozen funds in South Korea. All other assets abroad are at the disposal of Iran's Central Bank," Raisi said.

Tehran and Washington have reached an agreement in which five U.S. citizens held in Iran will be freed in exchange for $6 billion of Iranian assets frozen in South Korea.

On Aug. 10, Iran allowed four detained U.S. citizens to move into house arrest from Tehran's Evin prison. A fifth was already under home confinement.

Source: reuters.com

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Africa

 

Uganda: New anti-homosexuality law fuels persecution, LGBTQI communities say

August 29, 2023

Uganda’s new anti-gay legislation is persecuting the LGBTQI community according to human rights lawyers.

Since the new law was enacted in May, they say they’ve become a target for violence and left homeless because landlords are too afraid to allow them to rent.

Behind a gate, in a private location, people belonging to the Ugandan LGBTQI+ community continually live in fear.

But at least they have found some security in a country where they believe their sexual orientation mean they cannot live normally.

In May the Ugandan government introduced a widely condemned act which prescribes the death penalty for some homosexual acts.

Organisations including the World Bank have warned they might withdraw resources from the country as a result.

Many LGBTQI Ugandans are seeking refuge in neighbouring countries like Kenya or seek to emigrate in western countries fearing imprisonment and reprisals.

For those who have remained and have little or nowhere to hide.

With a pride flag on his back, this man is an activist and member of the LGBTQI community who has organised a safe house to shelter people who are homeless because the law penalizes landlords for housing LGBTQI people.

His name has been withheld by the Associated Press.

He says: "Insecurity has been happening to us alright, like two weeks back some two men fall into this fence and they killed more than 16 hens in our farm, good enough we have dogs they didn’t went the way they came our dogs fought with them, so insecurities are too much not only to us."

He told the AP that 45 LGBTQI people have been living here since the law was passed.

"As per now most of the LGBTQI people have been evacuated from their places of stay reason being if they find out that you have been in that house and you are gay, another thing they do is now starting attacking you. This law as now brought, not only to LGBTQI persons but Ugandans as all not to be safe, reason being right now Landlords are not safe because they may not know what may happen to them if they are hosting LGBTQI persons," he says.

Cases of harassment and other abuses

The Ugandan president Yoweri Museveni argues the Anti Homosexuality Act doesn’t persecute gay groups in Uganda and that they are living freely.

Nicholas Opio is the Executive Director of Chapter Four, an organisation that has been at the forefront of fighting for the rights of the sexual minority Ugandans and other human rights abuses.

He says the organisation is continually receiving cases of harassment and other abuses from LGBTQI people across the country.

Opio says the president is playing to the gallery to try and appease political donors.

"Having come under extreme backlash, what President Museveni and his government is doing is managing public fallout and by assuaging donor concerns seeking to paint a picture that all is well nobody's being targeted. The people that we speak to everyday have a different reality. They are being targeted, people are being victimized for their sexuality, organizations are being threatened with closure. So President Museveni and government officials are involving double speak," says Opio.

Now he and other Ugandan groups are going to court to ensure that the Anti Homosexuality law is repealed.

According to Opio the necessary paperwork has been filed and they’re awaiting a decision.

He says: "We are at this point precisely because the courts ducked away from its responsibility and deciding the substantive questions of the fundamental rights and freedom of sexual minorities in Uganda. This time around the court has no excuse because there is no procedural technical arguments, the court must confront the elephant in the room whether the Ugandan constitution protects every single Ugandan including sexual minorities."

He argues it is time of the country’s legal system to take responsibility.

"The court must make a decision one way or the other. We are hopeful that the court will agree with us that this law is one, vague, overly broad and leads to a violation or possible violations of fundamental rights and freedoms of sexual minorities and a host of rights: privacy, health, access to employment and all kinds of rights. Secondly, we hope that the courts will make a finding that the legislative role of parliament really is to protect and not exclude members of our community,” says Opio.

'A bad law'

Opio says the new law is a violation of human rights because it prohibits the protection of all Ugandan citizens.

"Even our going to court to challenge the law could be interpreted as promoting homosexuality. Precisely because of that absurdity, is the reason we are saying the law is a bad law,” says Opio.

While the legal battle continues residents of the safe house are concerned that a ruling will come too late to save the only place where they feel at ease.

The anti-gay legislation, which prescribes the death penalty for some homosexual acts, sets lengthy jail terms for offenses such as the promotion of homosexuality.

Rights activists and others have described the legislation as harsh, saying it reflects widespread homophobia in the country.

The U.N. Human Rights Office has said the Ugandan law is "draconian and discriminatory," describing it as "a recipe for systematic violations of the rights" of LGBTQ+ people and others.

Activists and some academics have challenged the law in court, but it remains unclear when hearings will begin.

Homosexuality is criminalized in more than 30 of Africa’s 54 countries.

Source: africanews.com

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Nigeria Is In Big Mess Coupled With Poor Governance – Vice President, Shettima Admits

August 29, 2023

Vice President, Kashim Shettima, has said that Nigeria's economic situation is in a big mess, adding that the country is chained by poor governance.

Shettima, who spoke on Monday, when he received in audience members of the Presidential Committee on Fiscal Policy and Tax Reforms led by the chairman, Mr. Taiwo Oyedele, at State House, Abuja, expressed optimism that his principal, Bola Tinubu would tackle.

Asking the committee to come up with roadmap that would transform the economy and take the country out of the woods, former governor of Borno State, said fiscal policy and tax reforms were a potent tool for resource mobilisation.

He charged the committee to make recommendations that would be quick deliverables in view of the current economic realities.

“The task before you is enormous; I believe you have the best brains to come up with a robust roadmap that will reposition our economy, addressing some of the fundamental issues underlying our fiscal and tax policies. Fiscal and tax policies are key to the realisation of any nation’s economic development.

“I believe you will come up with a roadmap to salvage our nation, we are in a big mess, but I have confidence in your team. This is a great nation chained by poor governance, chained by many challenges and my principal is a man of courage and conviction, he is a progressive man in the Nigerian political space.”

He assured the committee of the cooperation of the National Economic Council which he chairs.

He said, “Our focus should largely dwell on domestic resource mobilisation, especially, with trends in the world today, even the biggest economies in the world are faced with this reality.”

Shettima said fiscal policy and tax reforms were critical in meeting national aspirations, and this was taking global dimensions, with global realignment of forces, like the emergence of BRICS and other geo-political unions.

He, however, expressed confident in the capacity of the committee, adding, “I think the composition of this committee bears testimony to the seriousness that the president attaches to your mandate. Honestly, I am proud of you. I am personally conversant with some of the members of this committee, who are men and women of impeccable character, high integrity, committed and patriotic.”

Source: saharareporters.com

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Coup in Gabon as military takes over government

Chiamaka Okafor

 August 30, 2023

A coup has happened in Gabon as a group of senior military officers took over the government.

According to media reports early Wednesday, the senior military officers made this known through an announcement on national television.

“In the name of the Gabonese people … we have decided to defend the peace by putting an end to the current regime,” Aljazeera quoted the officers as saying.

They said they seized power in the central African country because elections held over the weekend were not credible.

They cancelled the elections, dissolved all state institutions and closed the country’s borders.

Gabon held an election on Saturday to elect a leader, the elections returned disputed after the electoral body announced incumbent President Ali Bongo as winning a third term.

Mr Bongo has been president since 2009 following the death of his father.

“The Gabonese Election Centre said Bongo had secured 64.27 per cent of the vote compared with 30.77 per cent for his main challenger Albert Ondo Ossa, after a process beset by delays,” Aljazeera said.

According to the BBC, gunshots are being heard across the capital, Libreville and the whereabouts of the president remains unknown.

The coupists claim to have the support of the armed forces.

The coup is coming barely a month after the 26 July coup in Niger which is creating a lot of political tension on the continent.

The coup in Gabon becomes the seventh coup in Africa since 2019.

Source: premiumtimesng.com

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Mali: UN faces 'difficult' next phase of MINUSMA pullout

August 29, 2023

The second phase of the withdrawal of UN peacekeepers from Mali will be very challenging due to a tight calendar and dangerous security conditions, the UN special representative to the country said Monday.

The UN peacekeeping mission, known as Minusma, has until December 31 to exit Mali after a decade of struggling to stabilize the country's security environment amid separatist and jihadist rebellions.

The 13,000-man mission was ordered to withdraw earlier this year under the demand of Mali's ruling junta, following the pullout of French troops in 2022.

Earlier this month four UN soldiers were wounded in an attack on operations to exit the Ber base in the north of the country.

Withdrawal operations in other areas were also targeted, El-Ghassim Wane, Special Representative of the Secretary-General, told the UN Security Council Monday.

He said the size of the convoys, involving hundreds of lorries, and the long distances they travel over inhospitable terrain leave them vulnerable.

Nearly 1,100 of the so-called Blue Helmet UN peacekeepers have returned to their countries, he said.

By September 30, about one-third of Minusma's civilian staff will have been pulled out, he said.

The second phase, through December 15, will involve abandoning six bases in northern, northeastern and central Mali.

"This phase will be incredibly difficult indeed," Wane told the council. "The terrain is difficult and insecurity is an ever present threat," he said.

Added to the difficulty is what Wane called "the paralysis" of the bodies responsible for monitoring the 2015 peace agreement signed between the Coordination of Azawad Movements (CMA) -- an alliance of predominantly ethnic Touareg groups -- and the then-civilian Mali government.

Nevertheless, Wane said, "We remain on the right track towards the missions closure, and that should be completed by the 31st of December."

He said the accelerated closure of the Ber base was illustrative. It came amid tensions in the area between the CMA and the Malian army, which is being aided by the Russian Wagner paramilitary group.

The last UN convoy leaving Ber took 51 hours to cover 57 kilometers (35 miles), Wane said. He said the military coup in neighboring Niger has also impacted the withdrawal operation.

"It is vital that we are able to transport equipment and materials through Niger" to reach key ports like Cotonou and Lome, he said.

Source: africanews.com

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PDP to APC: You ‘ve thrown Nigeria into hardship we ‘ve never experienced in past 70 yrs

August 29, 2023

Ibrahim Hassan-Wuyo

The Peoples Democratic Party ( PDP) has accused the All Progressives Congress ( APC) government led by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu of throwing Nigerians into a debilitating hardship that was never experienced in the past 70 years.

However, the APC Director of Publicity, Bala Ibrahim, said the PDP was still in its hangover after suffering electoral defeat, and could not be rational in its accusations.

According to him, the APC-led government was not more than 100 days old and would, therefore, need more time to effect changes.

However, the National Deputy Publicity Secretary of the PDP, Ibrahim Abdullahi who spoke in an interview with the BBC Hausa Service monitored on Tuesday, alleged that President Bola Tinubu has failed to improve the living condition of Nigerians through his unpopular policies like the removal of oil subsidy, devaluation of the Naira and the inability to surmount security challenges facing Nigeria. “

He said these had thrown Nigerians into misery as they could not even feed properly within the past two months.

” If you look at the entire Nigeria today, nobody, whether rich or poor, is comfortable.We don’t even have the middle class now.In all the geopolitical zones, no one sleeps with eyes closed.It even reached to the extent that people came out, including women to demonstrate .People have sworn that within the past 70 to 80 years, they never found themselves in such kind of hardship,” he said.

Reacting, the ruling APC debunked the accusation, saying the PDP should be blamed for the situation Nigerians found themselves but couldn’t accept the guilt.

The APC said it was just strong opposition and the pain of losing election that made the PDP to forget what it caused to Nigerians.

According to the APC Director of Publicity, ” the PDP is just trying to cover its shame. For the party to be making such accusations, it has forgotten how it threw Nigerians into hardship.”

” APC is yet to spend a hundred days in government. What the party had sown are yet to start germinating, talk less of harvesting or even to start enjoying the dividends of the good things it has for Nigerians. “

” For them to now say APC is the cause of the problems Nigerians are faced with,I don’t believe they are being rational,” he said.

He said ” it was the PDP that fractured Nigeria and if you want to heal the wound, it has to be painful. “

The PDP Deputy National Publicity Secretary, however, explained that it was now 9 years that the APC was in power.

According to him, “when they were handed over power, they said all those things that we couldn’t do, they will do it. They even promised that within a year, they will revive the economy and restore sanity. But whatever the Nigerian poor used to get during the PDP, be it food, fuel, value of the Naira, anything that comforted the poor, now it has gone seventyfold, where is the solution?”

Source: vanguardngr.com

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South Asia

 

Stop enforced disappearances, Demand 12 Bangladesh human rights organisations

Staff Correspondent

 Aug 30, 2023

Twelve human rights organisations yesterday issued a joint statement, expressing concern over the enforced disappearances and calling on the government to put an end to the practice, harassment of the victims' families, and to hold the perpetrators accountable.

The organisations came up with the joint statement ahead of International Day of the Victims of Enforced Disappearance, 2023, which is being observed today.

The twelve organisations are Anti-Death Penalty Asia Network (ADPAN), Asian Federation Against Involuntary Disappearances (AFAD), Asian Forum for Human Rights and Development (FORUM-ASIA), Asian Human Rights Commission (AHRC), Capital Punishment Justice Project (CPJP), International Coalition Against Enforced Disappearances (ICAED), International Federation for Human Rights (FIDH), Eleos Justice- Monash University, MaayerDaak, Odhikar, Robert F Kennedy Human Rights and World Organization Against Torture (OMCT).

Referring to the Odhikar's report from January, 2023 to June, 2023, the statement said over the last six months, 16 people, most of them opposition leaders or activists, became victims of enforced disappearance.

Among the victims, 15 later resurfaced alive while whereabout of one could not be traced, the statement read, adding that most of the victims took part in political rallies in the lead up to the national election due in January next year.

The statement urged the government to ratify the International Convention for the Protection of All Persons from Enforced Disappearance and give recognition to the competence of the UN Committee on Enforced Disappearance.

It also suggested to allow access to UN human right experts to assess situation of enforced disappearances in the country.

Source: thedailystar.net

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Afghanistan’s Astronomical Society urges girls to continue education from home amid setbacks

By Fidel Rahmati

August 29, 2023

Afghanistan has faced severe setbacks in various aspects, particularly regarding human rights, over the past two years. The education system has suffered the most. Nonetheless, the head of the Astronomical Society of Kayhana (Anjuman-e-NajumiKayhana in Persian) addresses Afghan girls, encouraging them not to remain silent and to pursue education from home.

The Cosmic Society recently achieved the top position in the International Astronomy and Astrophysics Olympiad. Amina Karimian, the society’s founder, told Khaama Press News Agency that the crucial matter is continuing the learning process, whether done from home or through formal educational channels.

According to Ms. Karimian, “Ignorance makes humans fearful and brings poverty. I urge Afghan girls not to stay silent and to seek knowledge and awareness from the resources they have.”

The Cosmic Society’s project was selected as the “Best Project” at the 16th International Olympiad on Astronomy and Astrophysics (IOAA) among 52 countries worldwide.

Amina Karimian, the founder of this society, states that despite Poland’s refusal to issue visas for their team, Afghanistan participated in the 16th edition of this competition held in Krakow, Poland.

Ms Karimian adds that she established the Cosmic Astronomy Society in 2018 and engaged in relatively modest activities solely through social media channels.

About the society, she said, “This society has 150 members and operates in various committees. 75% of the society’s members are young ladies, as they have shown more interest than boys.”

The International Astronomy Olympiad takes place annually, involving elite students from different countries in theoretical, observational, and astronomical data analysis sections. The competition lasts for ten days, from August 10th to 20th.

However, this year, despite the scattered presence of the Afghan team members in different countries and their lack of visas, only Ms Amina Karimian could participate in this competition by winning the first prize in the project category, representing Afghanistan.

Karimian emphasized that in the “Afghan Project,” they depicted the story of girls in Afghanistan over the past two years who have been deprived of the right to education, living with an uncertain fate and fear. This contrasts with other countries, where girls are provided facilities and engaged in learning and research.

The head of the organization said that the major problem is the lack of financial support. They did not get help from any organization despite being active. They had problems like paying for travel and working together, and some team members’ families were against them.

She said, “We are a scientific entity and have no relationship with politics or the government, nor do we want to.” According to the official, they plan to be better prepared for competitions next year and attract new members to introduce astronomy to the people of Afghanistan more effectively.

It is worth mentioning that with the resurgence of the Taliban in August 2021 in Afghanistan, the country’s educational system has suffered a significant setback. As a result, girls have been deprived of access to education, and seminaries or religious schools have gradually filled the void left by schools and universities.

Source: khaama.com

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https://www.khaama.com/afghanistans-astronomical-society-urges-girls-to-continue-education-from-home-amid-setbacks/

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Afghanistan’s fig shipment worth $300,000 to India burned in Pakistan

By Fidel Rahmati

August 29, 2023

Officials said local rioters deliberately torched a valuable Afghanistan fig shipment valued at $300,000 for India in Loralai, Balochistan, Pakistan.

According to a social media platform X, formerly known as Twitter, Abdullah Azzam, head of the Mullah Baradar’s office, said: “An Afghan car carrying figs worth 300,000 dollars to India was set on fire by local rioters in the Loralai area of Balochistan, Pakistan.”

Azzam urged Pakistani authorities that this reprehensible act is entirely unacceptable. Pakistan must take immediate measures to prevent such occurrences if it aims to enhance trade and transit ties between the two nations.

“Under no circumstances is this acceptable, and Pakistan must prevent such incidents if it has a good intention of boosting trade and transit between the two countries,” he added.

He warned Pakistani officials that these malicious deeds constitute grave offences and threaten bilateral trade and transit relationships.

“ Not only are such heinous actions serious crimes, but they will also severely damage bilateral trade and transit,” he said.

Reports indicate that the unruly mob executed a sequence of distressing events in the incident. Initially, they opened fire on the vehicle, dousing it with fuel before igniting the flames. Remarkably, this appalling act unfolded within proximity to a levies police post, raising questions about the effectiveness of law enforcement in maintaining order and preventing such criminal actions.

This brazen act of violence highlights the urgent need for Pakistan to bolster its security measures and law enforcement presence, especially in regions crucial for trade and transit.

“According to the sources, the mob first shot at the car splashed fuel on it, and then set it on fire. And this all occurred near a levies police post, “Azzam said.

Source: khaama.com

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https://www.khaama.com/afghanistans-fig-shipment-worth-300000-to-india-burned-in-pakistan/

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Gatco case: Charge framing hearing Sept 24 against BNP Chairperson Khakeda Zia and 14 others

Court Correspondent

Wed Aug 30, 2023

A Dhaka court yesterday set September 24 for hearing on charge framing against BNP Chairperson Khakeda Zia and 14 others in the Gatco graft case filed in 2007.

Judge Muhammad Ali Hussain of the Special Judge's Court-3 adjourned the hearing and set the new date, following petitions submitted by the defence,  said court sources.

Khaleda Zia, who is out of jail following an executive order from the government, is now undergoing treatment at Evercare Hospital.

Source: thedailystar.net

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https://www.thedailystar.net/news/bangladesh/crime-justice/news/gatco-case-charge-framing-hearing-sept-24-3406711

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24 mothers die daily from maternal mortality in Afghanistan: WHO

By Fidel Rahmati

August 29, 2023

The World Health Organization (WHO) has issued a clear warning about the situation in Afghanistan. Every day, around 24 mothers lose their lives due to preventable maternal causes. This tragic loss of life directly results from these mothers not receiving the necessary health assistance. This problem has been further exacerbated by a shortfall in funding, making it imperative to address these challenges promptly.

The WHO warned on a social media platform X, “Estimated 24 mothers die each day of preventable maternal mortality causes under the current funding.”

The organization added, “This number is projected to rise dramatically if the current funding shortage continues.”

The WHO has issued a recent warning regarding Afghanistan with a severely compromised health system. The report underscores the grave risks to millions of lives due to food insecurity and malnutrition, amplified by infectious diseases, ongoing outbreaks, and a harsh drought.

The report reveals a shocking increase in the demand for humanitarian assistance, soaring to 28.8 million people in 2023 from 18.4 million before the Taliban assumed power in August 2021.

This alarming escalation underscores the urgent requirement for intensified support and relief efforts in the affected region.

Within the health sector, the report indicates that a surprising 14 million individuals (encompassing 7.5 million children and 3.1 million women) are now set aside for health aid.

However, the report highlights a concerning disparity, with only 8.4 million people receiving assistance during the initial half of 2023. This shortfall emphasizes the need for enhanced efforts to bridge the gap and provide vital health support to vulnerable people.

The WHO’s funding for 2022-2023 amounts to US$480 million, with US$355 million implemented or available. Yet, a funding gap of US$125 million remains to uphold essential health needs for the remainder of 2023.

Source: khaama.com

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https://www.khaama.com/24-mothers-die-daily-from-maternal-mortality-in-afghanistan-who/

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Foreign ministry official sent to jail in graft case

Star Digital Report

Aug 30, 2023

A Dhaka court yesterday sent Md Zakir Hossain, an administrative officer of the foreign ministry, to jail after rejecting his bail petition in a case filed over amassing Tk 15.88 crore illegally.

Judge (in charge) of Dhaka Metropolitan Senior Special Judge's Court Faisal Atiq Bin Kader passed the order after Md Zakir surrendered before it seeking bail in the case.

Md Zakir, who was earlier posted at Bangladesh High Commission in Kenya, hailed from Bagerhat district.

According to the case statement, the Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) in its primary enquiry found information of houses, flats, cars and fixed deposit receipts (FDR) at different banks in Dhaka, which Md Zakir acquired through illegal means.

Following the enquiry, ACC Assistant Director Afnan Jannat Keya on March 14 last year filed the case against Md Zakir with its Integrated District Office in Dhaka.

The accused earned more illegal wealth which was beyond known source of income, according to the case statement.

Source: thedailystar.net

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https://www.thedailystar.net/news/bangladesh/crime-justice/news/foreign-ministry-official-sent-jail-graft-case-3406811

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Contempt of court petition filed against 7 pro-BNP lawyers

Staff Correspondent

Aug 30, 2023

A Supreme Court lawyer yesterday filed a contempt of court petition with the Appellate Division of the SC against seven pro-BNP lawyers for making "slanderous, derogatory and contemptuous" comments about two apex court judges.

Md Nazmul Huda submitted the petition through his lawyer Nahid Sultana Juthi to the apex court praying to it to draw contempt of court proceedings against the seven lawyers and to punish them for their comments about the two SC judges at a press conference held on the Supreme Court Bar Association premises on August 27.

The seven pro-BNP lawyers -- Md Kayser Kamal, Abdul Jamil Mohammad Ali, Fahima Nasrin, Md Abdul Jabbar Bhuiyan, Md Ruhul Quddus Kazal, Mohammad Mahbubur Rahman Khan and Gazi Kamrul Islam Sajal -- at the press conference demanded that the two SC judges are kept away from discharging judicial functions, and said otherwise they will enforce new programme demanding resignation of the judges after 48 hours, according to the contempt of court petition.

An Appellate Division bench is scheduled to hold hearing of the contempt of court petition today.

Meanwhile yesterday, the pro-BNP lawyers brought out a black-flag procession on the SC premises and its adjacent area, demanding resignation of two SC judges.

The lawyers have been placing their demands as the two SC judges reportedly said "they are oath-bound politician" while speaking to a discussion meeting organised by the SC on August 15.

Source: thedailystar.net

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https://www.thedailystar.net/news/bangladesh/crime-justice/news/contempt-court-petition-filed-against-7-pro-bnp-lawyers-3406706

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Arab World

 

Saudi offers aid to coax Palestine into backing Israel normalization: Report

30 August 2023

Saudi Arabia has reportedly offered to resume financial aid to the cash-strapped Palestinian Authority (PA) in a bid to gain Ramallah’s support for its efforts to normalize relations with Israel.

Citing unnamed Saudi officials, The Wall Street Journal reported on Tuesday that Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman first made the proposal in April, when Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas visited the kingdom.

During his meeting with Abbas, bin Salman said the Saudi funding would be renewed if the Palestinian president managed to re-assert control over areas of the occupied West Bank that have come under the sway of Palestinian resistance fighters, the report said.

The Saudi crown prince also claimed that any deal with Israel would not harm efforts to establish an independent Palestinian state.

According to the report, Saudi Arabia hopes that Abbas’s approval for a normalization agreement with the Tel Aviv regime would silence criticisms directed at Riyadh over abandoning the Palestinian cause.

Saudi Arabia has injected more than $5 billion into the PA since 1948. However, it began cutting funding in 2016, with aid dropping from $174 million a year in 2019 to zero in 2021.

The PA is now debating whether to back Saudi Arabia’s offer and is sending a senior delegation to the kingdom next week for talks on advancing the establishment of an independent Palestinian state.

Saudi Arabia has held out the offer to normalize ties with Israel since 2002 under the Arab peace plan which calls for a Palestinian state in the West Bank and Gaza Strip, with East al-Quds as its capital.

Riyadh has not publicly departed from that position, but some analysts believe that Riyadh would settle for much less.

According to The Wall Street Journal report, Saudi leaders told the administration of US President Joe Biden that they expect the PA could back their normalization bid even if an independent Palestinian state is not created, but that either way, the PA “won’t have any power to veto a Saudi-Israel deal.”

The US says no agreement has been reached yet to normalize ties between Saudi Arabia and Israel, adding that more discussions are needed before any such deal happens.

Abdullah Baabood, a nonresident scholar at the Malcolm H. Kerr Carnegie Middle East Center, said previously that it would be “extremely risky” for Saudi Arabia to normalize ties now when Israel is led by its most far-right and ultra-Zionist cabinet in history.

“It would undermine [the Saudis] reputation…as it tries to act as a leader of the Arab world,” he told the Middle East Eye news portal.

Recently, reports emerged of an agreement on the general outline of an Israeli-Saudi normalization pact.

Under the deal, Riyadh would secure American backing for a civilian nuclear program, as well as access to advanced weapons. In exchange, the kingdom would take major steps to distance itself from China and Israel would allow an independent Palestinian state.

Source: presstv.ir

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https://www.presstv.ir/Detail/2023/08/30/709890/Saudi-aid-Palestine-Israel-normalization

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Saudi police-camera action shows Captagon operations foiled across Riyadh

August 30, 2023

RIYADH: Riyadh police on Tuesday night carried out several security raids targeting drug dealers and their hideouts, as part of the Saudi war against the amphetamine drug known as Captagon.

The video footage of the raids shows security officers in cars chasing drug dealers around the city and seizing bags of Captagon pills.

The combined operation was carried out on Tuesday night, when police stormed a house and seized 442,000 pills of amphetamine pills hidden inside dart boards.

Three Syrian nationals were arrested.

The Saudi authorities continue in their crackdown on the supply and use of illegal narcotics with millions of amphetamine tablets seized almost every week.

The drug haul had a combined estimated street value of approximately $4.420 m to $11.05m according to research published in the International Addiction Review Journal, which said users paid in the range of $10 - $25 a pill.

Amphetamines are largely used by young men and teenage boys across the Middle East, and the money raised through the sale of narcotics usually is used in organized crime and terrorism.

At the same time, the authority called on all people to help in the fight against smuggling by contacting it on the number designated for security reports 1910 or via e-mail: 1910@zatca.gov.sa, or the international number +966 11 420 8417.

Source: arabnews.com

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https://www.arabnews.com/node/2364181/saudi-arabia

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Cabinet states govt entities need to verify availability of operating cards issued by TGA

August 29, 2023

JEDDAH — The Cabinet, chaired by Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Salman Tuesday at Al-Salam Palace in Jeddah, has stated that a government entities, upon contracting with a carrier, are obliged to verify the availability of operating cards issued by the Transport General Authority (TGA) for vehicles with a total weight of over 3,500 kilograms.

This measure is now in place instead of linking the disbursement of financial extracts for contracts for providing vehicle transport services to the document approved by the Transport General Authority (TGA) for each transport trip.

Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques briefed the Cabinet on the contents of the messages he had sent to the presidents of the Republic of Zambia, the Republic of Angola, the Republic of Seychelles, and the Union of Comoros concerning relations and ways to enhance cooperation in various fields.

In a statement to the Saudi Press Agency (SPA) following the Cabinet session, Minister of Media Salman Bin Yousef Al-Dosari said that the Cabinet addressed developments regarding Saudi cooperation with other countries.

This stems from the Kingdom’s keenness to undertake collective action and consolidate the multilateral approach to contribute to overcoming common challenges and to ensuring security and stability that support development and economic progress.

The Cabinet reaffirmed Saudi Arabia’s keenness on cooperation and trade integration for the prosperity of the global economy, which is evident in the pioneering efforts of G20 and the initiatives included in Vision 2030 to enhance the integration of the Saudi economy in regional and global systems.

The Cabinet also highlighted the country’s interest in developing new and promising sectors, and expanding its economic and developmental contributions, pointing to the launch of the master plan for logistics centers, which aims to strengthen the Kingdom’s link with global markets by taking advantage of its strategic location among three important continents.

The Cabinet approved the establishment of diplomatic relations between Saudi Arabia and each of Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, the Independent State of Samoa, the Republic of Nauru, the Republic of Kiribati, the Federated States of Micronesia and the Independent State of Papua New Guinea, at the level of non-resident ambassador, and authorized the minister of foreign affairs to sign the necessary draft protocols.

It approved a memorandum of understanding in the field of Islamic affairs between the Ministry of Islamic Affairs, Dawah and Guidance and the Uganda Muslim Supreme Council.

The Cabinet authorized the minister of industry and mineral resources to discuss with the Indonesian side a draft memorandum of understanding for cooperation in the field of mineral resources.

It authorized the minister of investment to discuss with the Slovak side a draft memorandum of understanding for cooperation in the field of direct investment promotion between the two countries.

The Cabinet authorized the minister of commerce and governor of the Saudi Standards, Metrology and Quality Organization to discuss with the Singaporean side a draft memorandum of understanding between the Saudi organization and the Singapore Standards Council.

It approved an agreement between the governments of Saudi Arabia and Sri Lanka to avoid double taxation and ban income tax evasion.

It authorized the minister of communications and information technology and chairman of the Saudi Space Agency to hold talks with the Japanese side regarding a draft memorandum of understanding between Saudi Arabia and Japan for cooperation in the peaceful use of outer space.

The Cabinet authorized the minister of finance and chairman of the General Organization for Social Insurance to hold talks with the Moroccan and Jordanian sides on a draft memorandum of understanding for cooperation in social insurance between the General Organization for Social Insurance of Saudi Arabia and the Deposit and Management Fund of Morocco, and a draft memorandum of understanding for cooperation in the field of social insurance between the General Organization for Social Insurance of Saudi Arabia and the Social Security Corporation of Jordan.

It authorized the minister of commerce and chairman of the National Competitiveness Center to sign the draft United Nations Convention on the International Effects of Judicial Sales of Ships.

The Cabinet approved the Agricultural Development Fund By-law. It amended the By-law of the Saudi Institute of Internal Auditors issued by Cabinet Decision No. 84 on Rabi I 25, 1432 Hijri. — SPA

Source: saudigazette.com.sa

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https://saudigazette.com.sa/article/635342/SAUDI-ARABIA/Cabinet-states-govt-entities-need-to-verify-availability-of-operating-cards-issued-by-TGA

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Fighting in eastern Syria between US-backed fighters and Arab tribesmen kills 10

29 August, 2023

Arab tribesmen clashed with US-backed Kurdish fighters in several areas of eastern Syria on Tuesday, leaving at least 10 people dead and others wounded, opposition activists and pro-regime media said.

The clashes are among the worst in recent years in the region along the border with Iraq where hundreds of US troops have been based since 2015 to help in the fight against the Islamic State (IS) group.

The clashes first broke out Monday, a day after the US-backed and Kurdish-led Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) detained the commander of a formerly allied group and several other members of his faction after they were invited to a meeting in the northeastern city of Hasakah.

Some Arab tribesmen in the eastern province of Deir Az-Zour were angered by the detention of Ahmad Khbeil, better known as Abu Khawla.

He heads the Deir Az-Zour Military Council, which was allied with the SDF in its yearslong battle against IS in Syria.

The clashes raise concerns of more divisions between US-backed Kurdish and Arab fighters in eastern Syria, where IS once enjoyed a wide presence.

US-backed fighters play a major role in targeting IS sleeper cells that still carry out deadly attacks.

The Britain-based Syrian Observatory for Human Rights, an opposition war monitor, reported that 10 Arab tribesmen and three SDF fighters were killed in clashes in the villages of Hrejieh and Breeha.

Another activist collective that covers news in the region, Deir Ezzor 24, said eight civilians were killed in the village of Hrejieh, where the fighting was the most intense.

The pro-regime Sham FM radio station said 10 people were killed in Hrejieh and Breeha and that dozens of civilians were wounded as well.

On any day, there are at least 900 US forces in eastern Syria, along with an undisclosed number of contractors. They partner with the SDF to work to prevent a comeback by IS.

Source: newarab.com

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https://www.newarab.com/news/fighting-eastern-syria-between-us-backed-fighters-and-arab-tribesmen-kills-10

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Israelis spend night in Saudi Arabia after plane makes emergency landing in Jeddah

29 August, 2023

A flight bound for Israel made an unscheduled stop in Saudi Arabia on Monday night following an emergency, with Israeli passengers spending the night in the kingdom despite the two countries having no diplomatic relations.

The flight bound for Ben Gurion Airport in Tel Aviv from the Seychelles suffered an electrical issue, forcing it to land at Jeddah Airport in Saudi Arabia.

Around 128 Israelis were onboard Air Seychelles HM022 and were subsequently offered overnight accommodation in airport hotels before a replacement flight returned them home on Tuesday.

Passengers were stuck on the plane for three hours before the Israeli foreign ministry and Saudi authorities allowed the Israelis to disembark.

Israel and Saudi Arabia have no formal diplomatic relations and Israelis are not officially allowed to enter the country.

However, Israeli bound flights have been able to pass through Saudi territory since 2022 following a controversial agreement.

Jeddah airport has become an alternative emergency landing site for Israel-bound airliners flying through Saudi airspace.

Passengers said they were given a warm welcome by hotel staff.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said he "greatly appreciate[s] the warm treatment of the Saudi authorities toward the Israeli passengers".

It comes as Israel seeks a normalisation agreement with Saudi Arabia in an initiative that is being pushed by the US.

Normalisation with Israel remains a controversial subject in Saudi Arabia.

There is widespread public sympathy for the Palestinians and the country's authorities continue to say they will not sign a normalisation agreement until Israel makes peace with the Palestinians.

The replacement flight that was scheduled to take off from Jeddah on Tuesday morning has since landed at Ben Gurion Airport near Tel Aviv, with all 128 Israeli passengers on board.

Source: newarab.com

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https://www.newarab.com/news/plane-full-israelis-makes-emergency-stop-saudi-arabia

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President Al-Mashat tours Old Sana'a & performs noon prayer at Great Mosque

[29/August/2023]

SANA'A August 29. 2023 (Saba)-His Excellency Field Marshal Mahdi Al-Mashat, Head of the Supreme Political Council, performed the noon prayer with crowds of worshipers at the Great Mosque in Old Sana'a.

President Al-Mashat exchanged conversations with the worshipers on many topics that touch the concerns of citizens.

After the prayer, President Al-Mashat visited the library of manuscripts in the Great Mosque, and was briefed on the valuable manuscripts in the library, including the Holy Qur’an of Imam Ali, peace be upon him, where he thanked those in charge of the library for their great efforts to preserve the precious manuscripts generations of the Yemeni people.

In addition, the President Al-Mashat toured the old city of Sana'a, met the citizens there and exchanged conversations with them. He also visited the popular markets in the old city and the handicraft markets.

He stressed the importance of preserving this economic heritage, which reminds the Yemeni people of the importance of self-sufficiency, in which old Sana'a was one of its important centers for many crafts and handicrafts.

The President Al-Mashat moved from Old Sana'a to the Tahrir Directorate and visited a number of shops on Ali Abdul-Mughni Street, and met with the citizens, listened to them and touched their concerns.

For their part, the citizens expressed their great satisfaction at meeting President Al-Mashat, stressing their support for the leadership in the face of the US-Saudi aggression until the country achieves freedom and independence.

He was accompanied by the Chief of the General Staff, Major General Muhammad Abd al-Karim al-Ghamari.

Source: saba.ye

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https://www.saba.ye/en/news3260845.htm

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Pakistan

 

PTI Censures Party Chairman Imran Khan’s Re-Arrest

August 30, 2023

Imran Adnan

LAHORE:

The PTI on Tuesday vehemently criticised the re-arrest of party Chairman Imran Khan, demanding an “open and transparent trial of baseless and frivolous cypher case”.

Following a pivotal meeting, the PTI core committee asserted that the re-arrest of the former premier, despite a clear release order from the Islamabad High Court (IHC), highlights a lack of adherence to the rule of law in the country.

The committee emphasised that the ongoing cipher case, among more than 180 false charges against the PTI chief, appears to be an autocratic manoeuvre aimed at compelling him to abandon his pursuit of real independence in the country.

The Constitution of Pakistan guarantees freedom to Imran Khan, the committee said, contending that certain extra-constitutional and democratic elements in power were determined to keep him in prison.

Drawing parallels to previous instances such as the Toshakhana case, the committee argued that deviations from legal protocols persist, exemplified by the special court's handling of the cipher case.

The committee labelled the special court's decision in the cipher case as unacceptable, as it appeared to disregard established criminal statutes. This deviation from the law, according to the committee, further tarnishes the court's credibility.

Highlighting a specific legal point, the committee pointed out that under Section 167 of the Criminal Code, the accused must be presented in court to secure physical and judicial remand.

Notably, Imran Khan, currently held in Attock Jail, was not presented before a special court, nor was his remand status disclosed before the IHC intervened to order his release.

Additionally, the committee underscored that no clear records exist regarding the scheduling of the trial pertaining to the special court's decision.

It censured the sequence of events whereby arrest in one case is followed by release in another, deeming it inconsistent with recent pronouncements by chief justice of the Peshawar High Court and the esteemed judge of the Islamabad High Court, Justice Babar Sattar.

The ongoing disregard for legal norms within the subordinate courts, as evidenced by the treatment of Imran Khan's cases, raises concerns about the integrity of the entire judicial system. The committee warned that such practices could lead to the erosion of justice and fairness within the state.

Furthermore, the PTI core committee contended that the prevalence of lawlessness, unchecked power, and constitutional violations by non-constitutional forces pose significant threats to the nation's stability. The same special court judge is accused of prolonging the physical remand of PTI Vice Chairman Shah Mehmood Qureshi, who remains in the custody of the Federal Investigation Agency (FIA), without clear justification. Moreover, this judge has seemingly “neglected” to address reports of ill-treatment and inhumane behaviour towards Qureshi, contrary to established protocols.

The committee also highlighted challenges faced by PTI Central President Chaudhry Parvez Elahi, who continues to experience “undue hardship” despite his health issues. The lower courts, the committee argued, are indirectly perpetuating state-backed violence and vengeance against PTI leaders and members, particularly women and workers currently incarcerated. Instead of curbing the rampant misuse of fabricated charges, these subordinate courts appear to be empowering state mechanisms to bypass legal procedures, wield excessive authority, and violate citizens' fundamental rights.

In a resolute statement, the committee maintained that the pursuit of true democracy, adherence to the Constitution, and the quest for genuine national freedom championed by Imran Khan will not waver in the face of criminal deviations from the law.

Despite the present constraints, the committee expressed optimism that the “chains of state oppression will soon break”, leading to a new era of freedom under Imran Khan's leadership.

It also expressed gratitude to the courageous workers who “stood firm against state brutality,” ultimately upholding the rule of law.

Source: tribune.com.pk

Please click the following URL to read the full text of the original

https://tribune.com.pk/story/2433156/pti-censures-imrans-re-arrest

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Toshakhana sword: Conviction matters amidst suspension

Hasnaat Malik

August 30, 2023ISLAMABAD:

Despite the suspension of his sentence, the former Prime Minister Imran Khan's conviction in the Toshakhana case remains intact. This will prevent him from contesting the upcoming elections unless the trial court's judgment is overturned.

Faisal Siddiqi Advocate stated that Imran Khan's legal team made a significant mistake by not requesting the suspension of the trial court's August 5 judgment. They only requested the suspension of his sentence and his release on bail.

"If a request had been made to suspend the trial court's judgment, the Islamabad High Court (IHC) would have extensively discussed the case's merits. Moreover, if the trial court's ruling had been suspended, Imran could have contested the upcoming elections," Siddiqi explained.

Hafiz Ahsaan Ahmad Khokhar Advocate highlighted that suspending sentences is routine in Pakistan's criminal justice system, particularly for cases with relatively brief jail terms. He cautioned against regarding the IHC's suspension of sentence as an extraordinary relief.

"The crucial aspect of this case is that the suspension of the sentence does not nullify Imran's conviction by the trial court, nor does it overturn his previous disqualification by the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) under Article 63(1)(p) and Article 63(H)," Khokhar elaborated.

Consequently, Imran Khan cannot contest elections or lead his party until both judgments are overturned by the high court.

"Until the ECP's order dated 21-10-2022 and the trial court's judgment dated 5-08-2023 are set aside, Imran Khan will remain disqualified for electoral politics in Pakistan under the provisions of Article 63(1)(p) and Article 63(H) of the Constitution," Khokhar added.

Interestingly, unlike the Supreme Court, the IHC's order did not question the conduct of the trial court judge, HamayunDilwar, or his judgment.

In an August 23 order, a three-member special bench of the Supreme Court noted that the trial court's final judgment appeared to defy the remand direction issued by the IHC.

The bench indicated that they would await the outcome of the IHC proceedings in the Toshakhana case before potentially taking up the case themselves.

PTI supporters are hopeful that Chief Justice of Pakistan (CJP) Umar Ata Bandial will provide relief to Imran Khan before his retirement.

Abdul Moiz Jaferii Advocate pointed out clear flaws in the Toshakhana verdict, indicating that the suspension of the sentence was expected. He mentioned that the trial court had neglected the IHC's order requiring a hearing on the maintainability of the ECP's complaint.

"This decision adds to the politically sensitive judgments in Pakistan where despite evidence for conviction, trials are rushed and handled haphazardly, diminishing their legitimacy," Jaferii said.

Jaferii said former prime minister Nawaz Sharif could not explain his wealth while Imran Khan faced allegations of misappropriation. "Their electorates don't care. Neither could be properly prosecuted."

Usama Khawar Ghumman Advocate, who is a professor at LUMS Law School, noted the judgment's interesting aspect: it refuses to consider the case's merits, even superficially. It only acknowledges that Imran was given a short sentence.

"However, considering the legal aspects is the wrong perspective for these cases. They are not seen as purely legal; they are perceived as political. The law is shaped by what the establishment wants.

"It's not about the law; it's about politics. If the establishment wants a politician in jail, they will find a legal pretext to disqualify them from the electoral race," Ghumman concluded.

Following his conviction in the Avenfield case, the Supreme Court had barred Nawaz Sharif from leading his party. Some lawyers now assert that Imran Khan has also been disqualified as the PTI chairman due to his unchanged conviction.

The debate continues about whether CJP Bandial will offer any relief to the PTI and its leadership before his retirement. This largely depends on the support he receives from other judges, especially regarding cases that may unsettle "powerful circles."

Although Justice Bandial couldn't rescue PTI leadership during their toughest times, he has managed to sustain hope for their supporters in several critical matters over the past year.

Source: tribune.com.pk

Please click the following URL to read the full text of the original

https://tribune.com.pk/story/2433151/toshakhana-sword-conviction-matters-amidst-suspension

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Security forces kill four most wanted terrorists in Pishin

August 30, 2023

In Balochistan, four most wanted terrorists of a banned organization have been killed in an exchange of fire with security forces in Pashin district.

According to a spokesman of Counter Terrorism Department, encounter took place during an intelligence based operation in Surkhab refugee Camp.

Source: radio.gov.pk

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Security forces have seized a huge cache of arms and ammunition from the terrorists.

https://www.radio.gov.pk/30-08-2023/security-forces-kill-four-most-wanted-terrorists-in-pishin-district

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Caretaker PM invites Enertech Holding Kuwait for further investment in Pakistan

August 30, 2023

Head of Emerging Markets Enertech Holding Kuwait, Yasir Malik called on caretaker Prime Minister Anwar ul Haq Kakar in Islamabad.

He informed the Prime Minister about Enertech's investment in Pakistan.

The Prime Minister appreciated Enertech's work in Pakistan and hoped that it would further increase its investment in Pakistan due to the government's business-friendly policies.

Source: radio.gov.pk

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https://www.radio.gov.pk/30-08-2023/head-of-emerging-markets-enertech-holding-kuwait-calls-on-caretaker-pm

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Imran to stay behind bars in cipher case: IHC suspends Toshakhana verdict

August 30, 2023

 Awais Yousafzai & Khalid Iqbal & Mumtaz Alvi

ISLAMABAD: The Islamabad High Court (IHC) on Tuesday suspended Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) Chairman Imran Khan’s sentence awarded to him in the Toshakhana case, but he will stay behind bars as he has been re-arrested in the cipher case.

Imran was subsequently sent on judicial remand till August 30 by Official Secrets Act court judge Abual Hasnat Muhammad Zulqarnan. The trial would also be held in the Attock Jail today (Wednesday).

Zulqarnan, Judge Special Court No.1 (Anti-Terrorism), Judge Designated Court (Official Secrets Act, 1923), directed superintendent Attock Jail to keep PTI Chairman Imran Khan in judicial lockup and produce him on August 30 before this court in the cipher case.

“That accused Imran Khan Niazi, s/o Ikramullah Khan Niazi, r/o Zaman Park, Lahore, is hereby ordered for judicial remand in case FIR mentioned above, who is already detained in district jail, Attock.”

The hearing of the case would be conducted in Attock Jail, according to a notification of the Ministry of Law and Justice. The special court has sent the written verdict to the Attock Jail superintendent. The judge remarked that the suspect is on judicial remand in a case under the Official Secrets Act. The suspect should be kept in jail and presented in court on August 30 Wednesday (today). Citing security concerns by the Interior Ministry, the notification of the Ministry of Law and Justice expressed its no objections to Imran Khan’s trial in Attock Jail on Wednesday (today) under the Official Secrets Act 1923 (Act no XIX 1923).

Reacting to the rearrest, Muhammad Shoaib Shaheen, the PTI chief’s counsel, said: “Imran legal team was intentionally left uninformed and kept in the dark. This constitutes a manipulation of justice.”

The cipher case pertains to a diplomatic cable which reportedly went missing from Imran’s possession. The PTI alleges that it contained a threat from the United States to oust Imran from power. Proceedings against PTI Vice Chairman, former foreign minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi, in the same case are also underway.

Earlier, the IHC announced the short verdict, which it reserved on Monday, wherein it directed the authorities to release the PTI chief on bail. The court directed the PTI chief to submit a surety bond of Rs100,000 against the bail. Member of PTI’s legal team Barrister Gohar said that the surety bonds have been prepared as per the court’s directives and will be submitted after the acquisition of the court order’s copy.

In the order issued in the evening, the court noted that the three-year jail term awarded to Imran “qualifies as a short sentence”.

“The arguments raised by both sides as to the jurisdiction and other issues involve a deeper appreciation of the matter which at the stage is not warranted, especially, where the sentence is a short one […],” it said.

The court pointed out in the order that even though long arguments were presented by both sides, such questions were left to be decided at the stage when the appeal was taken up for adjudication.

“For the above reasons, the instant application is allowed and the sentence awarded by the trial court dated Aug 5 is suspended; consequently, the applicant is ordered to be released on bail in the instant matter subject to furnishing bail bonds in the sum of Rs100,000 with one surety in the like amount to the satisfaction of the deputy registrar (judicial) of this court,” it ruled.

The verdict comes as a relief for Khan who had challenged his conviction and sentence awarded to him in the Toshakhana case. Earlier this month, a District and Sessions Court in the federal capital had sentenced Khan to three years in prison and imposed a fine of Rs100,000, after finding him guilty of corrupt practices related to the State Gift Repository — in a move that barred him from contesting elections due later this year.

The former prime minister, who has been disqualified from holding any public office due to the conviction, was arrested immediately after the trial court’s ruling on August 5 and has since been incarcerated in the Attock Jail.

Subsequently, Khan petitioned the high court against the Additional District and Sessions Judge (ADSJ) Humayun Dilawar’s decision to convict him in the Toshakhana case filed by the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP).

On Monday, a division bench comprising IHC Chief Justice Aamer Farooq and Justice Tariq Mehmood Jahangiri concluded the proceedings on the plea and reserved the verdict. Before the conclusion of proceedings, the counsel representing the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) Amjad Pervaiz presented his arguments opposing the pleas by the PTI chief. All the members of the Election Commission of Pakistan unanimously approved filing of the complaint in their decision, the lawyer remarked.

Amjad Pervaiz said the trial court held 44 hearings out of which Imran Khan only appeared in four. PTI counsel Sardar Latif Khan Khosa had focused on three aspects — suspension of his client’s short sentence, jurisdictional defect and improper authorisation — to defend the plea.

However, the electoral body’s lawyer termed the objections to the maintainability of ECP’s complaint as baseless during Monday’s hearing. He claimed that witnesses presented by the defence were not relevant as these were tax consultants, whereas the complainant accused the ex-PM of submitting a false declaration of assets. He also objected to the request for suspension of Khan’s sentence, saying this was not a matter of right but the discretion of the court, which could be exercised judiciously.

Ahead of the Toshakhana verdict, the PTI filed a new plea seeking the court’s directive to stop the authorities from arresting PTI chairman in any case. The plea was filed in the IHC by the PTI chief’s lawyer Salman Safdar. The petition was filed in the court to restrict the Federal Investigation Agency (FIA), National Accountability Bureau and police from arresting Khan.

Meanwhile, the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) core committee strongly condemned the re-arrest of PTI Chairman Imran Khan in a “frivolous cipher case” despite the clear orders of his release by the Islamabad High Court (IHC).

The PTI core committee termed the cipher case as ‘frivolous and meaningless’, demanding an open hearing of the case, which was one of the over 180 false, fabricated and fake cases registered against the PTI chairman under a nefarious plan to force him to shun his struggle of making Pakistan an independent country in true sense.

The PTI members said the Constitution and law guaranteed his (Imran Khan) complete freedom and release from prison but the extra-constitutional and democratic elements occupying the state were adamant to keep him in the prison.

The PTI committee stated that like a judge who sentenced PTI chairman to jail in the Toshakhana case by flouting all rules and regulations, the judge of the special court also kept him in prison in total disregard of the Constitution and laws. They said that the unacceptable decision of the special court in the Cipher case was a complete negation of the criminal code and totally against the law of the land.

The participants of the meeting were of the view that it was essential to present the accused in court to obtain physical and judicial remand under Section 167 of the Criminal Code. They contended that the PTI chairman, who was illegally imprisoned in Attock Jail, was neither presented before the special court nor the decision of his remand made public prior to the release order of the IHC. They said that the date and time of conducting the trial on the said decision of the Special Court was not mentioned, adding that the arrest in another case after being released in one fake and false case was also a clear negation of the recent decisions given by Chief Justice Peshawar High Court and IHC Judge Justice Babar Sattar. The PTI core committee said that the continuous deviation of the sub-courts from the rules and regulations in the case of PTI chairman was a moment of great concern for the entire judicial system, fearing it could preclude the complete collapse of the justice system of the country. They expressed alarm that the widespread lawlessness, naked use of state power and constitutional violation in the country at the behest of extra-constitutional and law-enforcement forces were creating existential threats for the country. It was said that the same judge of the special court was extending the physical remand of PTI Vice Chairman Shah Mehmood Qureshi without reasonable justification, who was in the illegal custody of FIA, adding that the same judge was also unable to take action against the FIA officials for their ill-treatment and inhuman behaviour with Qureshi. They stated that PTI President Chaudhry Parvaiz Elahi was also being subjected to the worst treatment despite his illness.

Source: thenews.com.pk

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https://www.thenews.com.pk/print/1104943-imran-rearrested-in-cipher-case-after-ihc-suspends-toshakhana-verdict

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Shehbaz Sharif’s security enhanced in view of terror threats

August 30, 2023

Asif Mehmood Butt

LAHORE: The Punjab government has decided to conduct a detailed security audit of former prime minister Shehbaz Sharif’s residences in Lahore and his travel routes.

Sources told Jang that this decision was taken in a meeting of the Provincial Intelligence Committee held recently, which was presided over by the Additional Chief Secretary Interior Punjab.

In the meeting, DIG Operations Lahore, DIG CTD Punjab, Director Intelligence Bureau, Additional Secretary Internal Security, representatives of ISI and Military Intelligence, commissioner and police chief of Faisalabad, DIG Special Branch Intelligence while deputy commissioners and police chiefs of Faisalabad, Multan and Attock also participated in the meeting.

Sources said that the DIG Operations, Lahore, showed a highly confidential letter sent by the federal government to the members of the intelligence committee, saying the former prime minister is facing serious threats from the banned Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP). The federal government has issued orders to ensure foolproof security for former prime minister.

Sources said that the intelligence committee decided that CCPO Lahore should immediately inform Shahbaz Sharif’s security team about the threat.

The DIG Operations told the committee that the security of Shehbaz Sharif has been increased and it is necessary to provide him four double cabin vehicles and police personnel who would escort him in his movement throughout the province.

Sources said CTD officials told the meeting that the TTP and Tehreek-e-Taliban Afghanistan have sleeper cells in Punjab. CTD officials revealed that most security guards recruited in various housing societies and schemes of Punjab belong to Afghanistan and tribal areas and majority of them are extremists’ sympathisers who could provide shelter and logistical support to the members of the sleeper cells.

CTD officials said that unfortunately none of the security guards from the housing schemes and societies were registered in the respective police stations. The CTD officials recommended to the Provincial Intelligence Committee that a fresh security audit of all security companies should be conducted immediately, making registration of the security guards with the respective police stations mandatory.

Source: thenews.com.pk

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https://www.thenews.com.pk/print/1105062-shehbaz-s-security-enhanced-in-view-of-terror-threats

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Southeast Asia

 

 

Cops probing 'Imam Mustaqim' Facebook account for post insulting Sultan of Selangor

By Muhammad Yusry

30 Aug 2023

KUALA LUMPUR, Aug 30 — The police said they have opened an investigation into a Facebook account named and owned by one “Iman Mustaqim” following a post that allegedly insulted the Sultan of Selangor.

Federal Criminal Investigation Department (CID) director Datuk Seri Mohd Shuhaily Mohd Zain said the post is considered insensitive and derogatory which could potentially cause disloyalty and unrest among the public, especially on race, religion and the royalty (3R).

“The post was posted on the account page on Aug 28 and the Bukit Aman Classified Crime Investigation Unit (D5) is on the case now,” he said in a statement yesterday.

The case is being investigated under Seksyen 4(1) of the Sedition Act 1948 and Section 233 of the Communications and Multimedia Act 1998.

Suhaily also urged the public to not speculate and refrain from spreading misinformation which could affect the investigation.

The defamatory post that went viral on social media had accused Sultan Sharafuddin Idris Shah of not guarding Islam.

Earlier this week, the Malay Ruler ordered the immediate establishment of a special committee to conduct an in-depth and critical study on the competency of state legislative assemblies to enact Islamic laws under state enactments and the jurisdiction of Shariah Courts.

Sultan Sharafuddin, who is also the National Council for Islamic Religious Affairs chairman, said this is due to the number of cases under the jurisdiction of Shariah Courts being challenged at the Federal Court, particularly concerning the competency of state legislative assemblies in formulating and approving Islamic laws, as well as the jurisdiction of the Shariah Courts that preside over them.

Source: malaymail.com

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https://www.malaymail.com/news/malaysia/2023/08/30/cops-probing-imam-mustaqim-facebook-account-for-post-insulting-sultan-of-selangor/88011

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Najib and Arul Kanda's 1MDB audit case: Prosecution has not applied to extend deadline to continue appeal against acquittals

By Ida Lim

30 Aug 2023

KUALA LUMPUR, Aug 30 — The prosecution has not asked the Court of Appeal to extend the deadline for it to file the court papers needed to continue its appeal against the acquittal of former prime minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak and former 1MDB CEO Arul Kanda Kandasamy over the alleged tampering of the auditor-general's audit report on 1MDB.

But the prosecution has also not said whether it intends to drop its appeal against Najib and Arul Kanda being acquitted, lawyers have said.

When contacted, Arul Kanda's lawyer Datuk N. Sivananthan said the appeal is now scheduled before the Court of Appeal panel in open court on September 12 “with the presence of both Arul Kanda and Najib being required”.

When asked if the prosecution has indicated whether it will discontinue its appeal against the acquittal of both Najib and Arul Kanda, Sivananthan told Malay Mail: “They haven't indicated”.

Lawyer Jasmine Cheong also appeared today for Arul Kanda in a case management of the appeal at the Court of Appeal.

When contacted by Malay Mail, Najib's lawyer Alaistair Brandah Norman also confirmed that the appeal is now set for a physical mention before a panel of judges at the Court of Appeal on September 12.

When asked if the prosecution has filed an extension of time application in order to file the petition of appeal or if the prosecution has indicated whether it will discontinue the appeal, Alaistair who attended the case management told Malay Mail, “none as far as I'm concerned”.

Last Monday, Sivananthan said the prosecution had not filed the petition of appeal — which is required for it to continue with its appeal — within the deadline due in the first week of July this year.

Sivananthan on that day confirmed that the prosecution had never applied for an extension of the deadline to file these documents at the Court of Appeal.

Asked if the prosecution’s failure to file the petition of appeal within the deadline means that the appeal against Najib’s and Arul Kanda’s acquittal would not be able to continue, Sivananthan had said that the appeal could be continued if the prosecution obtains from the Court of Appeal an extension of the deadline to file the petition of appeal.

Sivananthan had said the prosecution could apply for an extension of time even after the deadline for the petition of appeal’s filing has lapsed.

Sivananthan had also confirmed the appeal has to be officially recorded as struck off by the Court of Appeal before it can be regarded as discontinued, but said the appeal has yet to be discontinued or struck off.

Arul Kanda was previously reported to have sent a representation letter to the Attorney General's Chambers on July 20 to ask the prosecution to withdraw its appeal against his acquittal in the case.

Alaistair confirmed on August 28 that Najib has not filed any representation letter to the attorney-general to ask for the appeal in the 1MDB audit case to be discontinued.

After the High Court acquitted Najib and Arul Kanda on March 3, the prosecution filed the appeal against their acquittals on March 9 this year.

Source: malaymail.com

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https://www.malaymail.com/news/malaysia/2023/08/30/najib-and-arul-kandas-1mdb-audit-case-prosecution-has-not-applied-to-extend-deadline-to-continue-appeal-against-acquittals/88064

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Apologise over 54,000 citizenship applicants from China remark or face police report, Kepong MP warns Bersatu info chief and PAS

By Muhammad Yusry

30 Aug 2023

KUALA LUMPUR, Aug 30 — Kepong MP Lim Lip Eng today called on Parti Pribumi Bersatu Malaysia (Bersatu) information chief Datuk Razali Idris and PAS to retract their false claim that Putrajaya is granting Malaysian citizenship to 54,000 Chinese nationals.

Lim said the statement was slanderous, and demanded both parties apologise publicly or he would lodge a police report on the matter against them.

“The government has denied the allegations (since) the first time it appeared in virtual spaces earlier this month.

“Therefore, the statements of Razali and PAS are defamatory, full of lies and disparaging the sovereignty of the country,” he said in a statement.

He said Razali and PAS’s statements violated among others, Section 499, 504, 505 (b) and 505 (centre) of the Penal Code, Section 4 of the Sedition Act 1948, Section 233 (1) of the Communications and Multimedia Act 1998 and Section 4(1) and 8A of the Printing Machines and Publications Act 1984.

“Therefore, I give 24 hours to Razali and PAS who make such false, defamatory and malicious statements to publicly apologise and withdraw the relevant statements or I will file a police report against them,” he said.

On Monday, PAS in a Facebook post quoted Razali as urging the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) to investigate the home minister, the Home Ministry and the National Registration Department (NRD) over the alleged claim that 54,000 Chinese citizens are in the process of being granted Malaysian citizenship.

Razali said that the authorities should still investigate the matter even though the allegations were denied by both the home minister and Communications and Digital Minister Fahmi Fadzil.

This is despite the NRD already clarifying on August 18 that the 54,000 citizenship applications mentioned by the home minister during a press conference on January 9 referred to applicants from various backgrounds and countries, not only China.

NRD said the 54,000 applications mentioned by Saifuddin Nasution referred to the total applications received between 2017 and 2022 and it included applications from diverse backgrounds and countries of origin.

At the time, Saifuddin had said that there are 54,000 applicants out of which 7,000 have been approved while 36,000 are currently being processed.

Supporters of PAS and Perikatan Nasional are adamant that the applicants would become DAP voters.

Source: malaymail.com

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https://www.malaymail.com/news/malaysia/2023/08/30/apologise-over-54000-citizenship-applicants-from-china-remark-or-face-police-report-kepong-mp-warns-bersatu-info-chief-and-pas/88023

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Contract worker jailed eight months for threatening mum with scissors

30 Aug 2023

By ILI AQILAH

IPOH: A 48-year-old contract worker who threatened his mother with a pair of scissors has been jailed for eight months by a Magistrate's Court here.

V Kumaran pleaded guilty after charges under Sections 506 and 323 of the Penal Code were read together with Section 326A of the same Code before Magistrate S Punitha on Wednesday (Aug 30).

Kumaran was accused of threatening to kill his mother using a pair of scissors at a house in PesaraKlebang Jaya at about 4pm on Sunday (Aug 27).

He was said to have been dissatisfied after his mother refused to give him money because she only had RM50 left to buy groceries.

He took the money and returned RM20, after which his mother told him to stay at home.

Kumaran then dragged his mother into her bedroom and pushed her, causing her to fall on the bed and onto the floor.

The accused then attempted to choke her before taking the scissors and pointing it at her neck, threatening to kill her and take his own life.

He was arrested at about 3.20pm the following day.

Lawyer Siti Hajar Hamzah, who represented the accused, said her client loved his mother and had been under a lot of stress.

“My client is not married and has been taking care of his mother alone. He is a contract worker and earns about RM60 daily.

“He was stressed as none of his siblings are helping to take care of their mother. Therefore I hope the court would consider a minimal punishment,” she added.

Punitha ordered Kumaran to be jailed for four months for the charge under Section 506 for criminal intimidation, and eight months for the second charge of voluntarily causing hurt.

She ordered the sentences to run concurrently from the date of arrest, so Kumaran only has to serve eight months in jail.

DPP Muhammad Fahmi Kamaluddin prosecuted.

Source: thestar.com.my

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https://www.thestar.com.my/news/nation/2023/08/30/contract-worker-jailed-eight-months-for-threatening-mum-with-scissors

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Jobless man claims trial to hitting neighbour with steering lock, court denies bail

30 Aug 2023

RSN MURALI

MELAKA: A 53-year-old unemployed man pleaded not guilty at the Sessions Court here to a charge of hitting his neighbour with a steering wheel lock, inflicting grievous injuries on the victim.

Ahmad Baba's plea was recorded before Sessions judge Mohd Sabri Ismail here on Wednesday (Aug 30).

According to the facts of the case, the accused allegedly hit Zulhelmi Md Yusof, 42, with a 54cm-long steering wheel lock, causing serious injuries.

The offence was allegedly committed at a house at Jalan Kesidang 2/17, Lorong Pandan in Melaka Tengah district at 6.30pm on Aug 22.

Ahmad was charged under Section 326 of the Penal Code for voluntarily causing grievous hurt, which provides for imprisonment of up to 20 years, a fine or whipping upon conviction.

DPP Muhammad Nazrin Ali Rahim urged the court not to grant bail as the victim lived right next door to the accused.

The court then denied bail to Ahmad, who was unrepresented, and fixed Oct 24 for next mention.

Source: thestar.com.my

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https://www.thestar.com.my/news/nation/2023/08/30/jobless-man-claims-trial-to-hitting-neighbour-with-steering-lock-court-denies-bail

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KEPCI Music Fest held by private sector, not govt: religious minister

30 Aug 2023

KUALA LUMPUR – The religious affairs minister has clarified that the Kepci Music Fest held in conjunction with KFC’s golden jubilee in Shah Alam, Selangor last Saturday was not organised by the government.

Datuk Mohd Na’im bin Mokhtar said the programme was organised by the private sector, which stirred controversy after a group of young tahfiz students were seen at the event.

“The Prime Minister's Department (Religious Affairs) has contacted the organisers and asked for an explanation regarding the issue.

“The organisers have said that the invitation to the (tahfiz) students to attend the carnival programme and concert was done by a third party who sponsors the underprivileged and needy, including tahfiz students from the Rohingya community madrasah in Shah Alam,” he said in a video uploaded on Facebook today.

Na’im also advised all parties to be more careful and mindful of religious sensitivities, etiquette and Eastern values and practices when organising programmes. 

He said programme organisers must also take into account content appropriateness and its audience, especially those involving tahfiz students and youngsters.

“My advice is to make it (the issue) a warning to everyone to ensure that they follow the guidelines that have been prepared. I have asked the [Islamic Development Department, or Jakim] to call the relevant parties to take appropriate action,” he said.

Yesterday an individual, Andrie Ung Han Xiang, admitted that he was responsible for bringing the tahfiz students to the concert and that this was done to give the opportunity to orphans and those underprivileged the experience of attending such a programme.

Ung said the children, seen wearing green robes and white turbans in a post that went viral, were from the Watahfiz al-Quran Rohingya Madrasah in TTDI Jaya and that they are Muslim Rohingya refugees and can hardly communicate in Bahasa Melayu. – Bernama, August 30, 2023

Source: thevibes.com

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https://www.thevibes.com/articles/news/98339/kepci-music-fest-held-by-private-sector-not-govt-religious-minister

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