New Age Islam News Bureau
29 September 2023
The
police have arrested the accused teacher Shaista and have started the
investigation, image via Hindustan
-----
India
·
Delhi Lynching Case: Minor Involved In Torture
Of Specially-Abled Muslim Youth, Say Cops
·
Varanasi district court rejects plea to stop
Archaeological Survey of India’s survey of Gyanvapi mosque premises
·
Provocative social media posts: Youth wing of
Indian Union Muslim League seeks incitement action on Kerala BJP
·
Allahabad HC junks Anjuman Intezamia Masajid
plea to name petitioner who sought transfer of Gyanvapi dispute
·
Make J&K terror free: Omar
·
New Delhi examining Afghan embassy's purported
communication on closing down operations: Sources
------
Pakistan
·
Joint Investigation Team Finds Imran
‘Mastermind’ Of May 9 Riots
·
Imran
Khan’s Lawyer, PML-N Senator Engage In Fistfight On Live TV
·
India Involved In Genocide Of Muslims, President
Alvi Tells a Delegation of UK Members Of Parliament
·
Leaders
urge unity as nation celebrates Eid Miladun Nabi with religious zeal and
fervour
·
PTI leader
Farrukh Habib, eight others arrested in Gwadar
·
Four
villagers killed as law enforcers’ raid turns deadly in Sakrand
·
Girl shot
dead, mother wounded in Karachi’s Surjani Town
·
Pakistan
condemns terrorist attack on Bahrain Defence Force
·
Aneeq
Ahmad urges nation to follow footsteps of Prophet Muhammad (SAWW)
-------
North America
·
U.S.
Treasury Sanctions Sudanese Islamist Leader, RSF Companies
·
CAIR
Condemns Racist Neo-Nazi Vandalism Targeting D.C. Church
·
US raised
Canada’s murder allegation with India – Reuters
·
US Senate
Passes Dress Code Bill As Govt Shutdown Looms
·
US worried
about worsening situation in Amhara, Blinken tells Ethiopia’s PM
------
Africa
·
Terrorists
On Motorbikes Kill At Least 12 Niger Republic Soldiers Near Mali, Burkina Faso
Border
·
Floods in
eastern Libya displaced over 16,000 children - UNICEF
·
UK:
Sudanese man arrested after migrant's body found
·
At least
ten Niger soldiers killed in militant attack
·
Nigerian
govt acquires new ‘attack helicopters’
---------
Europe
·
'Very
Dangerous And Very Clever' UK Student Built Kamikaze Drone For Islamic State In
His Bedroom
·
Gunman
goes on deadly shooting spree in EU city
·
French
watchdog demands criminal charges for porn producers
·
Netherlands:
Three dead after shooting incident in Rotterdad, suspect arrested
-------
Mideast
·
Iran Foils Serial Assassination Plot Against
Clerics, Judges, IRGC Members: Iran's Intelligence Minister
·
Israeli
Occupation Issues 2,618 Administrative Detention Orders Against Palestinians in
2023
·
Israel
reopens Gaza crossings, lets Palestinians back to work after two weeks
·
Group:
Israel has detained over 135,000 Palestinians since 2000
·
Palestinians
Condemn US Congressional Hearing As Unfair And Misleading
·
Iraqis who
fled Daesh blame political rot for tragic wedding fire
·
Israeli
Occupation Arrests Two Palestinians from Gaza
·
Israeli
Forces Clash with Palestinian Protesters in Beit Ummar, Leaving Two Injured
-------
South Asia
·
Afghan
Taliban Arrest 200 Terrorists After ChitralAttack
·
Taliban in
Talks on Loya Jirga Plan: Sarajudin Haqqani
·
Taliban
issues 13 directives in 2 years, restricting information access: AFJC Report
·
Turkey
rescues and detains 70 Afghan refugees
·
Afghanistan’s
Embassy in India closed due to unprecedented circumstances
·
UN Deputy
Sec-Gen Calls for Applying Pressure on Interim Afghan Government
·
Islamic
Emirate Expresses Condolences Over Iraq Wedding Fire Tragedy
·
25 Afghan
Nationals Released from Iraqi Jail and Repatriated
·
Washington
values relationship with Dhaka: US State Department
------
Arab World
·
Saudi
Arabia’s Evolving Relations With Israel And Their Impact On The Palestinian
Cause
·
Saudi
Arabia, China sign transport agreement
·
Saudi
human rights chief meets UK minister
·
Saudi,
Bahraini FMs chair coordination meeting in Manama
·
Saudi
Arabia’s transformation akin to Japan’s rise: Ambassador Iwai
·
Saudi
Ambassador to Türkiye Abu Al-Nasr presents credentials to Erdogan
--------
Southeast Asia
·
PM Anwar: Tabung
Haji Assets Parked Under Finance Ministry’s Special Purpose Vehicle To Be
Returned To Fund
·
Number of
flood evacuees in Kedah rises to 1,908, Perlis records 44 victims as of this
morning
·
PM: Govt Doing
Its Best To Help People Coping With Rising Prices Of Goods
·
Body of
baby girl found in rubbish bin
Compiled by
New Age Islam News Bureau
URL: https://newageislam.com/islamic-world-news/up-muslim-teacher-slap-hindu/d/130786
-----
UP
School Muslim Teacher Arrested For Asking Muslim Student To Slap Hindu
Classmateas a "Punishment”
The
police have arrested the accused teacher Shaista and have started the
investigation, image via Hindustan
-----
FPJ Web
Desk: September 29, 2023
Lucknow:
In yet another shocking incident from a classroom in Uttar Pradesh, this time
from Samhal district, a teacher at a private school allegedly ordered a Muslim
student to slap a Hindu classmate as a "punishment" for not correctly
answering a question. The incident took place on Thursday (September 28) and a
video doing rounds on social media showed the child speaking on camera about
the ordeal.
According
to media reports, the victim student's father filed a complaint against the
accused teacher identified as Shaista, who allegedly ordered the Muslim student
in the class to slap the Hindu student.
The
student's father registered a complaint against the teacher at the Asmoli
police station under Sections 323 and 153-A (promoting enmity on the basis of religion)
of the Indian Penal Code (IPC).
The
student is from class 5 and the Muslim student was told to slap the Hindu
student at the behest of the teacher, the father of the victim student told
police in his complaint. The father added that the incident had hurt the
feelings of his child and appealed for action to be taken against the teacher.
Police
said that a case has been registered under relevant sections of the Indian
Penal Code (IPC) and that action would be taken accordingly as per the
investigations into the case.
Muzaffarnagar
school incident
The
incident also brings back ugly memories of Muzzafarnagar school (Neha Public
School) where a teacher had ordered classmates of a Muslim student to slap him.
The video of the incident had created a furore and the incident made headlines
with demands for strict action to be taken against the teacher.
Source: freepressjournal.in
Please click the following URL to read
the full text of the original
https://www.freepressjournal.in/india/muzaffarnagar-rerun-up-school-teacher-arrested-for-asking-muslim-student-to-slap-hindu-classmate
-----
Muslim
Man Beaten For Wearing Skull Cap Inside College Campus In Uttar Pradesh
Photo: Khaama Press
------
September
28, 2023
MEERUT :
A young man was allegedly thrashed by a group of people here for wearing a
skull cap in a college campus where he had gone to deposit his sister’s fee.
A video
of the incident is now being widely circulated on social media.
In the
video, the man can be seen taking off the cap after the miscreants tried to
overpower him by grabbing his collar while another one picks up a brick.
According
to police, the incident took place on Monday when Mohd Sahil, a resident of
Lisari Gate locality, was standing in a queue at the fee counter.
Mohd
Imran, Sahil’s brother who filed a police complaint, said, “Sahil was
accompanied by our sister who is pursuing B.Sc at the college. Some youths
began passing communal slurs. They objected to his skull cap and demanded it to
be removed. Then they started slapping him. It was only after our sister
screamed for help that they fled.”
Notably,
the FIR does not mention the reason for the assault and the accused have been
booked as “unknown” under IPC sections 323 (voluntarily causing hurt), 504
(provocation with an intention to breach peace) and 506 (criminal
intimidation).
“We had
clearly mentioned in our complaint that Sahil was assaulted for wearing a skull
cap. We are in talks with the police and requesting them to include stringent
sections in the FIR,” said Imran.
Police,
however, said there was no “religious angle”.
SP
(city) Piyush Kumar said, “Preliminary investigations have revealed that the
victim was looking at his mobile phone and the youths attacked him thinking
that he was filming them. A probe is underway.” — IANS
Source: muslimmirror.com
Please click the following URL to read
the full text of the original
https://muslimmirror.com/eng/uttar-pradesh-muslim-man-beaten-for-wearing-skull-cap-inside-college-campus/
-----
Senate
Panel Okays Bill For Public Hanging Of Rapists In Pakistan
Chairman Senate Standing Committee on Interior Senator Mohsin Aziz
presides over a meeting of the committee at Parliament House Islamabad on Sept
28. — Senate website
------
Jamal
Shahid | Iftikhar A. Khan
September
29, 2023
ISLAMABAD:
A Senate panel on Thursday passed a bill by majority vote with some amendments
for publicly hanging rapists, despite opposition from the PPP, interior and
foreign affairs ministries.
The
bill, proposed by Senator Mushtaq Ahmed of Jamaat-i-Islami, aims to amend
sections 375, 375A, and 376 of the Pakistan Penal Code (PPC) and Schedule-II of
the Criminal Procedure Code (CrCP).
The
Senate Standing Committee on Interior, chaired by Senator Mohsin Aziz,
discussed these amendments to remove section D and introduce public hangings
for rapists. The demand for public hangings gained momentum following the
gang-rape incident on the Lahore-Sialkot motorway in September 2020.
Senator
Sherry Rehman of PPP strongly opposed public hangings, preferring life
sentences due to flawed verdicts and the lack of evidence linking deterrence to
public executions. She emphasised that civilised societies have largely abolished
executions as punishment.
Senator
Rehman questioned the effectiveness and ethical implications of the proposed
amendments, citing past use of capital punishment during Gen Ziaul Haq’s
dictatorship. She argued that public hangings would not deter crime but
increase societal brutality, especially among marginalised groups.
The
committee also approved the “Criminal Laws (Amendment) Bill, 2023”, moved by
Senator Mumtaz Zehri, focusing on proper treatment and medical examination
reports for rape victims through public and private hospitals.
They
addressed the issue of private jails and passed the “Criminal Laws (Amendment)
Bill, 2023”, co-sponsored by Senators Mushtaq Ahmed and Samina Mumtaz Zehri to
deter false imprisonment within residences.
Other
bills were discussed during the session, including one temporarily rejected due
to its sub judice status, and another was rejected.
The
committee also passed the “Rain Water Harvesting Facility in Urban Areas, Bill
2023,” to efficiently utilise rainwater, supported by CDA representatives.
Senator
Irfan Siddiqui raised concerns about a missing bill for almost 15 months and
decided to request a detailed report on the matter from relevant officials.
The
meeting was attended by various senators, including Saifullah Abro, Samina
Mumtaz Zehri, and Sherry Rehman, as well as bill movers Senator Mushtaq Ahmed
and Palwasha Muhammad Zai Khan, along with government representatives.
Amendments
to Sindh child labour laws
Separately,
officials briefed a Senate committee, calling for amendments to the Sindh Child
Prohibition Employment Act to discourage child domestic labour.
The
Senate Human Rights Committee, led by Senator Walid Iqbal, discussed the tragic
death of a nine-year-old girl in Ranipur, who worked as a minor housemaid and
allegedly suffered torture and sexual abuse.
During
the briefing, the human rights secretary stated that the incident occurred on
August 16, 2023. The accused were arrested on the same day. He suggested
amending the Sindh Child Prohibition Employment Act, adding that it lacked
provisions for preventing child domestic labour. He emphasised the need for an
inspection mechanism to monitor child domestic abuse effectively. Additionally,
there was a need for a consistent definition of “child” nationwide.
Regarding
concerns about alleged DNA sample tampering, officials denied the allegations
and explained that samples were sent to Jamshoro and Karachi Institute first.
Due to technology limitations and the case’s sensitivity, samples were later
sent to Lahore, and the DNA report would be available in the coming days.
The
committee expressed dissatisfaction with the Sindh Police for delaying the DNA
report. Senator Iqbal remarked that evidence tampering was a significant factor
leading to the avoidance of punishment in around 78 per cent of criminal cases.
Ayesha
Raza Farooq, Chairperson of the National Commission on the Rights of the Child,
mentioned that they had contacted the Sindh Child Protection Authority about
rumours of another minor being held captive at the same location, but received
no response.
The
Sindh Social Welfare secretary reported the rescue of eight young girls from
the site and a compensation of Rs1 million given to the deceased’s family.
Senator Walid Iqbal recommended that all provinces enact legislation to prevent
child domestic abuse and ensure justice in child abuse cases.
The
committee also discussed the illegal arrest of Pastor Luke Vicktor and Ghazala
Shafique in Jaranwala, Faisalabad. The committee instructed the RPO to submit
the inquiry report once completed.
Source: dawn.com
Please click the following URL to read
the full text of the original
https://www.dawn.com/news/1778432/senate-panel-okays-bill-for-public-hanging-of-rapists
-------
Saudi-Israel
Normalization ‘Impossible’ If Palestinian State Is Prerequisite: Pompeo
Former US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo (file photo by AP)
-----
29 September 2023
Former
US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo has ruled out the possibility of a
normalization deal between Saudi Arabia and the Israeli regime if such an
agreement required the creation of an independent Palestinian state with the
occupied al-Quds as its capital.
Pompeo
made the comment in an interview with Israel's Jerusalem Post newspaper on
Wednesday after Saudi Arabia's Ambassador to Palestine Nayef bin Bandar
al-Sudairi made an official visit to the occupied West Bank city of Ramallah.
During
the visit, Sudairi underlined that creating a Palestinian state with the
occupied al-Quds as its capital would be the “central point” of any prospective
agreement with the illegal entity.
“It is
impossible to imagine a two-state solution with the current Palestinian
leadership,” Pompeo said, accusing the Palestinian Authority (PA) of
"underwriting terrorism, taking money from Iran, paying citizens to kill
Israelis,” without providing evidence for his claims.
The
former US diplomat added, “It is very difficult to imagine how one would strike
a deal with the very leaders that have rejected every reasonable offer with
which they have been presented.”
Stressing
that every US president, whether Democratic or Republican, would support a
normalization agreement, Pompeo said it is in the US’s interest to have
security relations between the United States and Saudi Arabia and between
Israel and Saudi Arabia.
Sudairi,
who is also the Saudi ambassador to Jordan, was appointed last month as the
kingdom's non-resident ambassador to Palestine and consul general in al-Quds.
Saudi
Arabia’s newly appointed ambassador presents his credentials to Palestinian
President Mahmoud Abbas.
The
Israeli regime claims occupied al-Quds as its own capital, a status recognized
by the United States under then-president Donald Trump in 2017 but not by other
world countries. Israeli authorities bar Palestinian diplomatic activity in the
city.
The
Saudi ambassador’s appointment came amid reports that the Persian Gulf kingdom
is considering the prospect of establishing formal diplomatic relations with
Israel under US pressure.
In late
July, the administration of US President Joe Biden announced that a deal for
Israel and Saudi Arabia to normalize relations may be on the horizon following
National Security Adviser Jake Sullivan’s talks with Saudi officials in Jeddah.
In order
to sign a deal with Israel, Riyadh publicly asked Tel Aviv to implement the
2002 so-called Arab Peace Initiative, which conditions normalizing ties with
Israel on the establishment of an independent, sovereign Palestinian state
within the 1967 borders.
However,
members of the far-right Israeli regime, led by Prime Minister Benjamin
Netanyahu, say they will not make any concession to the Palestinians as part of
a potential deal for normalization of relations with Saudi Arabia.
An
adviser to Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has said the road to normalizing
with Saudi Arabia was “still long.”
Washington’s
efforts to add Saudi Arabia to the list of Arab countries that have signed the
Abraham Accords come at a critical time when Biden is seeking re-election and
Washington has failed to pull the kingdom farther from China’s orbit and hamper
Beijing’s efforts to expand its influence in West Asia.
The UAE,
Bahrain, Sudan, and Morocco signed US-brokered normalization agreements with
Israel in 2020 under former hawkish President Donald Trump, drawing
condemnations from Palestinians who censured the deals as “a stab in the back
of the Palestinian cause and the Palestinian people.”
Source: presstv.ir
Please click the following URL to read
the full text of the original
https://www.presstv.ir/Detail/2023/09/29/711723/Saudi-Israel-normalization-impossible-if-Palestinian-state-is-prerequisite-Pompeo-says
--------
Burkina
Faso Suspends French Media "Jeune Afrique" Magazine
Senegalese burn a copy of the French magazine Jeune Afrique during a
demonstration in Dakar on January 30, 2016.
Copyright © africanews
MOUSSA SOW/AFP or licensors
-----
28
September, 2023
Burkina
Faso announced on Monday evening the suspension of "all distribution
media" of the French media JeuneAfrique, which includes a print newspaper
and a website, after the publication of articles evoking tensions within the
Burkinabe army.
The
"transitional government" has "responsibly decided to suspend
all JeuneAfrique distribution media in Burkina Faso until further notice, as of
this Monday, September 25", wrote government spokesman and Communications
Minister Rimtalba Jean Emmanuel Ouédraogo.
The
government justifies its decision by the circulation of "a new misleading
article on the website of the newspaper JeuneAfrique, entitled: "Au
Burkina Faso, toujours des tensions au sein de l'armée" and published on
Monday.
Announced
on Monday September 25, the Burkinabe government's decision is yet another
attack on press freedom.
"This
publication follows an earlier article on the same site", published on
Thursday, "in which JeuneAfrique alleged that 'in Burkina Faso, discontent
is rising in the barracks'", adds the Minister.
According
to the government, "these deliberate assertions, made without the slightest
hint of proof, have the sole aim of discrediting the national armed forces and,
by extension, all fighting forces".
Among
those interviewed by AFP in Ouagadougou, some still have access to the website,
while others reported difficulties in connecting.
Expulsion
of journalists
This
decision comes almost a year after Captain Ibrahim Traoré came to power in a
coup d'état, his second in eight months.
Burkina
Faso shares several of its borders with two other military-led countries that
came to power in coups: Mali since 2020 and Niger since the end of July.
In June,
the Burkina Faso authorities announced the suspension of the French TV channel
LCI for three months, after expelling the correspondents of the French dailies
Libération and Le Monde in April.
At the
end of March, they ordered the sine die suspension of the France 24 television
channel, after having suspended Radio France Internationale (RFI) in December
2022, French public media accused of relaying messages from jihadist leaders.
In
August, Burkina Faso also suspended a national radio station for a month for
interviewing an opponent of the military regime in Niger.
Source: africanews.com
Please click the following URL to read
the full text of the original
https://www.africanews.com/2023/09/28/burkina-faso-suspends-french-media-jeune-afrique-magazine/
--------
India
Delhi
lynching case: Minor involved in torture of specially-abled Muslim youth, say
cops
29.09.23
A minor
also took part in the torture of a specially-abled Muslim youth who was tied to
an electricity pole with saffron cloth and beaten to death in the capital on
Tuesday morning, Delhi police said on Thursday.
A police
officer said there was no “communal angle” to the lynching but the relatives of
the 26-year-old victim, Mohammed Isaar, suspect that he was killed on the
suspicion of stealing prasad from a Ganesh Chaturthi stall.
Even
among the six adults who have been arrested so far, three are teenagers. All
the accused are aged below 25 — a telling piece of statistics at a time pupils
in a school in Uttar Pradesh were asked to slap a Muslim child.
“The
minor, aged 16, has been apprehended and he has been charged under the Juvenile
Justice Act. He, along with six adults, had participated in the torture that
resulted in Isaar’s death,” said a senior Delhi police officer. The law
prohibits the identification of suspects aged below 18.
A police
officer identified the six arrested adults as Kamal (23), who runs a DJ
business; his brother Manoj (19), who owns a tailoring shop; Yunus (20), who
works for Kamal as a DJ; Kishan (19) and Pappu (24), both labourers; and Lucky
(19), who runs a momo stall.
All of
them have been charged with murder. “The autopsy report showed blunt-force
injuries all over Isaar’s body. The cause of death is shock and haemorrhage,”
the police officer said.
The
officer added: “The accused noticed the victim lurking around and took him to
be a thief. Later, they caught him and tied him to a pole and beat him up.
There was no communal angle to it.”
The
officer did not identify the object or objects that the accused had suspected
Isaar of trying to steal, sometime between 8am and 9am.
The
victim’s father, Abdul Wahid, a 60-year-old fruit vendor in Northeast Delhi’s
Sundar Nagri, said he believes that the murder of his son was a hate crime. The
police said the lynching took place less than 500 metres from Isaar’s home.
“My son
was mentally ill and he was lynched for eating prasad. Did he deserve to be
beaten to death even if he stole some prasad? He was roaming around in the area
and he could have been hungry. That’s why he may have picked up some prasad
from the stall to eat,” Wahid told The Telegraph on Thursday.
“I
believe they targeted him because of his religion and because he touched the
prasad. Several people witnessed the horrific torture of my son but none came
to Isaar’s rescue,” Wahid said.
“I want
justice for my son. I am illiterate and do not know what the police are
claiming. I'm sure that my son was brutally tortured and killed because of his
religion,” he repeated.
Source: telegraphindia.com
Please click the following URL to read
the full text of the original
https://www.telegraphindia.com/india/delhi-lynching-minor-involved-in-torture-of-specially-abled-youth-say-cops/cid/1969688
-----
Varanasi
district court rejects plea to stop Archaeological Survey of India’s survey of
Gyanvapi mosque premises
29.09.23
Piyush
Srivastava
The
Varanasi district court on Thursday rejected the Gyanvapi Masjid management’s
plea to stop the Archaeological Survey of India’s survey of the mosque
premises.
The
court also observed that it had already ordered the district administration to
preserve the “evidence” collected from the site by the ASI.
The case
relates to a demand from Hindu individuals and organisations to hand over the
mosque to Hindus on the ground that it had been built by demolishing parts of
the Kashi Vishwanath Temple, with which it shares its compound. The ASI survey
is expected to settle the historical claim.
The
Anjuman Intezamia Committee, which runs the mosque, had applied to district
judge Ajay Krishna Vishwesha saying the ASI was violating the official norms
for such surveys as well as Allahabad High Court’s order not to damage the
structure.
Sunil
Tripathi, a lawyer for the Hindu side, said on Thursday: “They want to stop the
survey because it’s collecting evidence that it was a temple before being
converted into a mosque during Mughal emperor Aurangzeb’s time.”
The
Muslim side has largely been reticent in public, citing the sub-judice status
of the matter. However, a committee member told some reporters on the condition
of anonymity that “we are in a position to prove that Gyanvapi was always a
mosque”.
“At the
moment, we haven’t much to say except that the ASI shouldn’t damage the
mosque,” he said.
“The ASI
told Allahabad High Court it wouldn’t inflict any injury to the structure but
is doing so freely. We also reminded the district court that the ASI was not
following the norm requiring it to pay a fee to the management of any
historical building before it starts a survey there.”
Source: telegraphindia.com
Please click the following URL to read
the full text of the original
https://www.telegraphindia.com/india/varanasi-court-junks-plea-to-stop-archaeological-survey-of-indias-survey-of-gyanvapi-mosque-premises/cid/1969691
------
Provocative
social media posts: Youth wing of Indian Union Muslim League seeks incitement
action on Kerala BJP
29.09.23
K.M.
Rakesh
The
youth wing of the Indian Union Muslim League has sought the registration of
cases against BJP leaders who had made provocative social media posts after
fake news broke about a soldier being attacked by the banned Muslim
organisation Popular Front of India.
Army man
Shine Kumar, 35, and his friend Joshi had falsely claimed that PFI members had
attacked Kumar in Kollam district and painted “PFI” on his back. As local and
national media widely covered the alleged incident, several BJP leaders cited
it to label Kerala a safe haven for Islamic radicals.
However,
grilled by the police, Kumar and Joshi allegedly confessed to having fabricated
the story to earn the soldier a better posting. Both were arrested on Tuesday.
On
Wednesday, the state general secretary of the Muslim Youth League, P.K. Firos,
sent a written complaint to the Kerala director-general of police seeking
action against those who tried to “foment communal tension” over the matter.
Firos
named BJP leader Anil K. Antony, party cyber warrior Pratheesh Vishwanath, the
pro-BJP channel Janam TV and the online portal Karma News.
“We
request you to book cases against all those who jumped to conclusions and took
to social media... even before the facts were available, with the sole
intention of fomenting communal tension,” he wrote.
BJP
leader Anil, son of Congress veteran A.K. Antony, had on Monday written a post
on X, saying: “A serving jawan was assaulted, his hands tied up, and PFI was
painted on his back by anti social (sic) miscreants in Kollam, Kerala
yesterday.
“Saddened
and shocked that even our armed forces personnel who we owe much for their
bravery and sacrifices find no safety in Kerala.” Anil alleged that under CPM
rule, Kerala “is becoming a dangerous radical Islamist hotspot…”
Source: telegraphindia.com
Please click the following URL to read
the full text of the original
https://www.telegraphindia.com/india/youth-wing-of-indian-union-muslim-league-seeks-incitement-action-on-kerala-bjp/cid/1969685
-------
Allahabad
HC junks Anjuman Intezamia Masajid plea to name petitioner who sought transfer
of Gyanvapi dispute
29th September 2023
By
Namita BajpaiExpress News Service
LUCKNOW: The Allahabad High Court chief justice has
rejected an application filed by Anjuman Intezamia Masajid (AIM), the management committee of Gyanvapi
mosque in Varanasi, urging the court to disclose the name of counsel or party
who had moved an application for transferring Gyanvapi mosque title dispute
case from the judge who had reserved judgment in the matter to another court.
In the
same application, the AIM had also submitted that the present proceeding may
not be restarted till disclosure of name in the interest of justice. Rejecting
AIM’s application, chief justice PritinkerDiwaker termed it as ‘bereft of any
merit’. He directed to list the bunch of cases relating to Gyanvpai title
dispute on October 4, 2023 for further hearing. The chief justice observed that
the identity of the applicant, who highlighted the procedural impropriety in
hearing of the writ petitions, was not material.
“What is
material and important is the sanctity of the court proceedings. The limited
purpose served by the application dated July 27, 2023 is that the procedural
impropriety arising in the proceedings got highlighted before the chief
justice, on the administrative side, so that mandatory procedures for hearing
of writ as per the rules of the court are complied with. It is otherwise open
for any party to apply for inspection of records of the writ proceedings and
ascertain the identity of the applicant who filed the said application dated
July 27,” said justice Diwaker.
He added
that filing of an application on the judicial side or making of prayer to defer
the hearing in the matters, for such reasons, appeared to be uncalled for. In
the present bunch of petitions filed by AIM and four others, the petitioners
challenged the maintainability of the suit filed before a Varanasi court
seeking restoration of a temple at the site where the Gyanvapi mosque exists.
One petition, which is connected with these petitions, has also challenged a
Varanasi court direction (dated April 8, 2021) to the Archaeological Survey of
India (ASI) to conduct a comprehensive survey of the entire premises of
Gyanvapi mosque.
Identity
of applicant was not material, says Diwaker
Rejecting
AIM’s application, chief justice PritinkerDiwaker termed it as ‘bereft of any
merit’. He said that the identity of the applicant, who highlighted the
procedural impropriety in hearing of the writ petitions, was not material. The
matter was listed for further hearing on October 4.
Source: newindianexpress.com
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Make
J&K terror free: Omar
29
September 2023
Mohit
Kandhari | Jammu
Former
Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister and National Conference vice president Omar
Abdullah Thursday threw a fresh challenge to the Union Territory administration
to make J&K terror-free and then remove the Armed Forces Special Powers Act
(AFSPA).
Reacting
to the recent statement of the Director General of Police Dilbag Singh about
terror-free Jammu and Kashmir, Abdullah said his party will play its role in
achieving this goal.
“Who can
object to it, other than the terrorists? No one will say that the DGP has said
anything wrong. Please make Jammu and Kashmir terror-free, we will also play
whatever role we can in this regard. But nothing can be achieved by just making
statements. How terror-free we are is evident from the Kokernag incident. After
such a long time, losing a Colonel, a major, a DySP of JK Police and a jawan is
not an ordinary incident,” he said.
“Your
aim is to make (JK) terror-free, please do it. Let it be proved on the ground.
Then remove the AFSPA. We will be the first ones to cheer for you,” he added.
Interacting
with the media persons at the party headquarters in Srinagar Omar Abdullah also
reiterated BJP does not want to hold any elections in Jammu and Kashmir as it
knows that people will punish them through ballot.
“They
(BJP) are not in a mood to hold elections because they know that people are not
with them. Leave Kashmir aside, BJP will be at the receiving end from the
people in Jammu as well. That’s why they do not have the courage to hold
polls,” Abdullah added.
“The
current dispensation does not seem to be in favor of even holding the local
bodies and panchayat elections, which the government played up in the Supreme
Court.
“Assembly
is a far cry, perhaps they are not willing to hold local bodies and panchayat elections
which they talked about a lot in the Supreme Court. The only election that we
believe will be held is the one to Parliament. They might find it difficult to
defer that. Other than that they don’t seem to be in a mood to hold any other
election because the mood of the people is to punish them through votes,” he
said.
In
response to another question, Abdullah charged that Lieutenant Governor Manoj
Sinha and some bureaucrats were the only people who did not want assembly
elections to be held in Jammu and Kashmir.
“There
is only one person and there may be a few officers around him who will be going
from here when the LG leaves, who does not want elections. Ask anyone on the
road. I am not saying they will vote for my party or a particular party but everyone
wants elections. There are a few yes men who visit the Raj Bhawan to mislead
the LG. I also headed a government for six years, these turncoats used to come
to my office as well,” he added.
Abdullah
was referring to a recent statement made by Sinha in which he claimed that 80
percent of people in Jammu and Kashmir were happy with the current dispensation
and did not want any change.
Source: dailypioneer.com
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------
New
Delhi examining Afghan embassy's purported communication on closing down
operations: Sources
PTI New
Delhi, 29.09.23
The
Afghan embassy in India has purportedly come out with a communication on closing
down its operations and New Delhi is examining its authenticity, sources have
said.
The
embassy has been headed by Ambassador Farid Mamundzay and it is learnt that he
is currently in London. Mamundzay was appointed by the previous Ashraf Ghani
government and he has been operating as the Afghan envoy even after the Taliban
seized power in Afghanistan in August 2021.
The
Afghan embassy in New Delhi has purportedly issued a communication on this
issue, the sources in the Indian government said on reports of the embassy
closing down its operations.
"The
authenticity of the communication and its contents are being examined,"
one of the sources said.
"This
is in the context of the ambassador being out of India for the past many
months, a steady departure of diplomats to third countries reportedly after
receiving asylum as well as reports of infighting amongst the embassy
personnel," the source said.
It is
learnt that the embassy has sent a communication to the Ministry of External
Affairs (MEA) on its decision to close down operations in the next couple of
days. There was no immediate response from the embassy on the matter.
In
April-May, the embassy was rocked by a power struggle in the wake of reports of
the Taliban appointing a charge d'affaires to head the mission, replacing
Mamundzay. Following the episode, the embassy came out with a statement that
there was no change in its leadership.
The
tussle for power had erupted after Qadir Shah, who was working as a trade
councillor at the embassy since 2020, wrote to the MEA in late April claiming
that he was appointed as the charge d'affaires at the embassy by the Taliban.
India is
yet to recognise the Taliban set-up and has been pitching for the formation of
a truly inclusive government in Kabul, besides insisting that Afghan soil must
not be used for any terrorist activities against any country.
Source: telegraphindia.com
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------
Pakistan
Joint
Investigation TeamFinds Imran ‘Mastermind’ Of May 9 Riots
Rana
Yasif
September
29, 2023
LAHORE:
The Joint Investigation Team (JIT) on Thursday termed Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf
chief Imran Khan and the party’s central, provincial, and local leadership as
the masterminds behind the May 9 incidents, declaring that the Jinnah House was
attacked with their consensus.
The JIT,
constituted to probe into the May 9 incidents under the supervision of DIG
Investigation Imran Kishwar, prepared the finding report which was later
submitted before an anti-terrorism court declaring Imran and the top PTI
leadership guilty of May 9 incidents by inciting people through a fake stance.
“Imran,
with the cooperation of central, provincial and local leaderships, constituted
this plan to push Pakistan towards civil war and the public was incited
throught fake and self-created stories,” the JIT report revealed.
The PTI
used public power for its vested interests so that the then top military
officers, federal, and provincial governments could be forced to tender their
resignations.
Through
a fake cipher story, the PTI chief incited the public against the then chief of
army staff General Qamar Javed Bajwa, saying the armed forces were doing
political engineering to expel him from power.
Then the
public was informed that Imran had tips that he might be gunned down like late
Salmaan Taseer, the former Punjab governor.
In a
similar way, the top PTI leadership by design took this mission ahead. Efforts
were made to divide armed forces by inciting low-ranked officers to not obey
the orders of the seniors and sometimes the police officers were threatened by
telling them that let the people decide whose government they wanted and if the
police intervened, the PTI would treat them like a work of the Pakistan
Democratic Movement (PDM).
The
media, social media, and other platforms were used for this purpose.
The
people were presented fake pictures under the garb of true freedom and Jihad.
The
people were incited to attack the state installations under the garb of
protests. “There are substantial evidences which prove the guilt of PTI chief
Imran Khan and his top leadership for incited people against the armed forces,
putting the county at risk.”
The wave
of protests stared when Imran was arrested on May 9, 2023 in Al-Qadir Trust
case and the protests continued for three consecutive days.
The PTI
workers on the direction of the PTI leadership attacked the Jinnah House, GHQ
building, Core Headquarters, ISI offices, airbases, state installations,
monuments of the martyred, Askari Tower, Military Library, residences of the
armed forces officers, army selection centre, petrol pumps, set ablaze public
properties and attacked several other sensitive places of the armed forces.
The top
PTI leadership was on board either telephonically or through messages. The
public was incited through social media messages and video clips, directing
them to reach sensitive places, including the Jinnah House.
The
geofencing of Dr Yasmin Rashid, Hammad Azhar, Mehmoodur Rasheed, Ijaz Chaudhry,
Mian Alsam Iqbal and Murad Ras proved that they were engaged with the armed
workers.
During
investigation, it transpired that they were engaged before, after, and during
attacks on the sensitive places.
The
geofencing reports and CDRs showed that several accused who were earlier
present at Zaman Park, were later found at Jinnah House at the time of attack.
Challans
After
completing its investigation, the JIT submitted challans in 11 out of 14 total
cases, declaring accused Umar Sarfraz Cheema, Mian Rasheed, Yasmin, media
activists Khadija Shah, Sanam Javed, Tayaba Raja, Alia Hamza and others guilty.
Separate
FIRs were registered against them under different charges, including creating a
law and order situation, chaos, attacking Jinnah House, setting ablaze Askari
Tower, Shadman police station and public properties in response to former prime
minister Imran’s arrest.
Source: tribune.com.pk
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--------
Imran
Khan’s lawyer, PML-N Senator engage in fistfight on live TV
Sep 29, 2023
NEW
DELHI: Pakistani news channels have once again become the talk of the town as
the talk shows turned into a wrestling ring between Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf
(PTI) Chairman Imran Khan’s lawyer Sher Afzal Khan Marwat, and Pakistan Muslim
League (N) (PML-N) Senator AfnanUllah Khan.
In the
video, the two were engaged in heated arguments that ended up using abusive
language when all of a sudden lawyer Marwat attacked the senator. Eventually
resorted to slaps and started punching each other.
After a
few kicks and punches were exchanged before the duo, the TV crew present there
had to intervene and separated them before any further damage could take place.
Both leaders continued to verbally abuse each other even after being separated.
This video clip of the studio fight went viral and later Senator shared the
video on his X, formerly known as Twitter, account.
Sharing
the video on X, AfnanUllah Khan said that he does not believe in violence but
is a “soldier of Nawaz Sharif”.
"Marwat
attacked me in the talk show yesterday, I believe in non-violence but I am
Nawaz Sharif's soldier. The trick that has been put on Marwat is an important
lesson for all PTI and especially for Imran Khan, they will not be able to see
the shape, they will have to wear big black glasses," the senator said
through his post on X.
Meanwhile,
lawyer Sher Ali Khan Marwat in a post said that the TV show host was
"spreading misinformation" about the "unpleasant incident".
"He
is spreading rumours that my opponent was a superman. He is not telling the
reality which is that AfnanUllah ran away from the studio and took shelter in a
nearby room, which I came to know after watching his programme today,"
Marwat said. He also added that he plans to "initiate a defamation case
and criminal complaint" the senator.
This is
not the first time that such an incident has taken place on a talk show set.
In 2021,
former PPP lawmaker Abdul Qadir Mandokhel and then-PTI leader Firdous Ashiq
Awan, who has now joined the Istihkam-e-Pakistan Party (IPP), were involved in
a fight, as per Geo News.
The
incident’s video then went viral, in which the two could be seen getting into a
heated verbal exchange on a television show.
In the
verbal duel during the show, Mandokhel accused Awan of committing corruption.
Source: timesofindia.indiatimes.com
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India
Involved In Genocide Of Muslims, President Alvi Tells a Delegation ofUK Members
Of Parliament
September
29, 2023
Syed
Irfan Raza
ISLAMABAD:
President Dr Arif Alvi has said that India is involved in the genocide of
Muslims, persecution and suppression of minorities, burning and destroying
churches in Manipur, and extra-judicial killings of leaders of minority
communities regionally and internationally.
The
president was talking to a delegation UK’s members of parliament, who called on
President Alvi at the Aiwan-i-Sadr on Thursday, says a press release issued by
the presidency. Representatives of Pakistani and Kashmiri diaspora in the UK
also attended the meeting.
The
president and members of the UK’s parliament expressed deep concern over the
human rights violations in India-held Kashmir and the persecution of minorities
in India.
The
British parliament’s delegation was led by Shadow Minister Andrew Gwynne. The
meeting stressed the need for action by the international community to put
pressure on India to stop its human rights abuses in India-held Kashmir.
The
president told the UK team that the psyche of India was changing as it had been
influenced by the extremist Hindutva ideology, which aimed to marginalise
minorities, particularly the Muslims.
The
president said that Pakistan was committed to safeguarding the rights of its
minorities and it always took prompt action if any injustice was done to them.
Dr Alvi
also mentioned India’s efforts to change the demographic structure of
India-held Kashmir in order to turn the Kashmiris into a minority on their own
land.
He urged
the world to put pressure on India to reverse its illegal demographic changes
in occupied Kashmir.
UK
Shadow Minister Andrew Gwynne on his part expressed grave concern over the
human rights violations and denial of rights to the people of India-held
Kashmir.
“The
torture and brutalities being committed by India are unacceptable,” the UK
minister was quoted as saying by the press release.
Gwynne
mentioned the support for the Kashmiri cause in the British parliament and
underscored the need for putting pressure on India to hold plebiscite in
India-held Kashmir to grant the people of Jammu and Kashmir their right to
self-determination.
Source: dawn.com
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-------
Leaders
urge unity as nation celebrates Eid Miladun Nabi with religious zeal and
fervour
September
29, 2023
As Eid
Miladun Nabi (peace be upon him) was being celebrated with religious zeal and
fervour across the country on Friday, political leaders cited the Prophet
Muhammad’s (PBUH) example and called upon the nation to promote unity.
The day
dawned with a 31-gun salute in the federal capital and 21-gun salutes in all
the provincial capitals, Radio Pakistan reported. The report said that special
prayers for the unity of the Muslim Ummah and the progress and prosperity of
the country were offered in mosques after Fajr prayers.
Special
conferences, events, and Mehfil-e-Milad have been arranged to pay respect to
Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) and highlight his life and teachings.
In the
days leading up to Eid Miladun Nabi, buildings, streets, roads, mosques, and
houses were decorated with colourful lights.
‘Should
give importance to diversity’
In a
message on the occasion, President Arif Alvi termed the arrival of the Holy
Prophet (PBUH) as good tidings for relieving the suffering of humanity.
He said
the arrival of the Holy Prophet (PBUH) was the greatest and the most blessed
event in history, adding that humanity was honoured with the reward of guidance
and mercy from God due to the Holy Prophet’s (PBUH) arrival.
The
president said Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) was brought to this world as the “mercy
for all the worlds” and that his life was an embodiment of obedience to God,
justice, compassion, and love towards human beings.
President
Alvi said the Holy Prophet’s (PBUH) teachings were a universal and undying
source of guidance for mankind that presented solutions to uncountable
challenges being faced today and to be faced till the doomsday.
“In the
whole life of Holy Prophet Muhammad (PBUH), we find a perfect model not only
for faith and worship but also for all aspects of life.” President Alvi said,
emphasising that his teachings reflected the comprehensiveness and universality
of the message of Islam.
He said
Pakistan was a country with different cultures and religious diversity, adding
that, “We should give importance to this diversity and should work diligently
for the promotion of unity and better understanding among the fellow citizens.”
The
President urged us to ponder over the Holy Prophet’s (PBUH) teachings and to
promote these good values in our daily lives. He called upon every Pakistani to
pray to Allah to shower His blessings on the nation and the whole world.
Separately,
Prime Minister Anwaarul Haq Kakar urged the nation to obey the Holy Prophet’s
(PBUH) teachings of brotherhood and compassion besides following his message of
unity to become an example of tolerance and coexistence.
The
premier extended his greetings to the nation as well as the Muslim world. He
said the Muslims were fortunate to be the followers of the Holy Prophet (PBUH)
who was the embodiment of all traits being imitable for every human being.
‘Shining
example of tolerance and compassion’
Kakar
said the Holy Prophet’s (PBUH) life was a shining example of compassion,
tolerance and love, with his character teaching kindness, justice and mercy to
become a ray of hope in today’s divided world.
The
prime minister called for turning to the Holy Prophet’s (PBUH) teachings,
particularly at a time when Pakistan was faced with different challenges.
He also
called for compassion for the poor and needy as emphasised by the Holy Prophet
(PBUH). “Let us come together to help those who are struggling, become a
supporting hand for those in need, and build a better and more equal society
for all,” he remarked.
The
prime minister said the Eid Miladun Nabi was also a moment to renew the pledge
to inculcate the Holy Prophet’s (PBUH) values in our personal lives.
He
prayed to Allah to make Pakistan a cradle for peace, progress and brotherhood
and enable his countrymen to follow the Holy Prophet’s (PBUH) teachings both
collectively and individually.
Source: dawn.com
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--------
PTI
leader Farrukh Habib, eight others arrested in Gwadar
September 29, 2023
Behram
Baloch
GWADAR/QUETTA:
Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf’s central leader Farrukh Habib, along with eight other
people, was arrested in Gwadar by security forces.
Balochistan
Caretaker Minister for Information Jan Achakzai confirmed to Dawn the arrest of
the PTI leader with eight other people.
Officials
said that Mr Habib reached Gwadar and was staying in a local hotel. On a
tip-off about the presence of the PTI leader, who was minister of state for
information in the PTI government and president of PTI’s western Punjab wing,
security personnel in plain clothes conducted the raid and arrested Mr Habib
and eight other people.
Those
arrested in the raid include the brother and father-in-law of Mr Habib, who were
taken to an unknown place after their arrest.
Party
strongly condemns ‘enforced disappearance’
“The PTI
leader reached Gwadar along with his brother, father-in-law and six other
people to cross into Iran from Gwadar,” MrAchakzai told Dawn.
After
shifting Mr Habib, his brother and father-in-law to an unknown place, six other
people were handed over to Gwadar police. However, the police, after initial
investigation, released all the six people on bail.
Those
released on bail were: Jawad Ehsan Raza, Muhammad Mohsin, Abdul Jabbar,
Muhammad Nadeem, Muhammad Saqib Nasim and Mudassir. They belong to Lahore,
Karachi and Bahawalpur.
PTI
condemns enforced disappearance
Strongly
reacting to the development, Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf condemned what it called
the abduction of PTI west Punjab’s president and former Minister of State
Farrukh Habib and urged the Chief Justice of Pakistan to take immediate notice
of the “shameful efforts of promoting lawlessness by the state kidnappers in
the country so as to rein in the rising fascism and inhuman practice in the
country”.
According
to PTI’s Media Cell, a PTI spokesperson strongly condemned the enforced
disappearance of Mr Habib and said that the alarming upsurge in the state
operation and repression against the PTI ahead of the forthcoming general
elections was a shameful attempt to push the PTI, the only federal political
party, out of the electoral race.
The PTI
spokesperson said that every tactic of cruelty, coercion and brutality was
being used under the infamous plan to keep PTI Chairman Imran Khan and PTI out
of the electoral arena because they were petrified of the PTI leader’s rising
popularity in the country.
He said
that after getting relief from the courts in fake and fabricated cases based on
political revenge, the state machinery had resorted to shameful practice of
enforced disappearances and abductions of PTI leaders and workers to render the
courts ineffective.
Source: dawn.com
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--------
Four
villagers killed as law enforcers’ raid turns deadly in Sakrand
September
29, 2023
Mohammad
Hussain Khan
HYDERABAD:
Four villagers were killed and nine others, including four Rangers personnel,
wounded in an operation carried out by law enforcement agencies in a Sakrand
village to nab militants belonging to the outlawed Sindhudesh Revolutionary
Army (SRA) on Thursday, officials said.
Without
providing details, a Rangers spokesman said in a statement that an
intelligence-based operation was launched against high-value targets. Upon
seeing Rangers and police, “miscreants attacked the raiding team causing
injuries to four Rangers personnel” and killing of three “attackers”, he
calimed.
Confirming
the killing of four villagers, Benazirabad SSP Hyder Raza identified the
wounded Rangers personnel as Abdul Rasheed, Mohammad Awais, Mohammad Naeem,
Mohammad Owais Asghar and policeman Mohammad Asif.
He
claimed that the operation was carried out to nab SRA militants.
However,
Sindh United Party (SUP) secretary general Roshan Burriro said that those
killed were supporters.
He said
that a protest demonstration was underway on a section of the National Highway
and villagers were carrying coffins of the four persons killed in the operation
in Sakrand.
Giving
details about the raid, he said 24-year-old Liaquat Jalbani, who was a student
of Shaheed Benazir Bhutto University of Veterinary and Animal Sciences,
Sakrand, was in the custody of law enforcers since Thursday morning. “Law
enforcers had brought him to the house of AllahdadJalbani in Mari Jalbani
village where villagers, including women and children, gathered and tried to
get Liaquat freed.”
He said
that this led to a scuffle between security forces and villagers and the
situation escalated when law enforcers fired shots leading to the death of four
villagers and injury to as many.
SUP
Benazirabad district president Mujeeb Maachi identified the dead as Akhan Ali
and his brother Nizamuddin, Mehaar, and Sajawal. He said Allahdad and his other
son Imamuddin suffered critical injuries.
He said
that Liaquat Jalbani also suffered injuries, but was discharged from hospital
as he didn’t receive any bullet injury.
Police
sources told Dawn that Rangers along with a team of the Sindh police and
intelligence agency personnel entered the village for an operation, but met
with stiff resistance as around 100 to 200 villagers gathered there to question
their move.
The
police force left the place on the ground that it would not be viable to
continue their action, but other law enforcers did not retreat, the sources
added.
In a
statement, SUP president Zain Shah termed the incident “a gift of caretaker
government” which, he said, people of Sindh would not accept.
He
accused the Pakistan Peoples Party of taking vindictive actions before general
elections, and said that unarmed voters of SUP were targeted by police.
He urged
the Supreme Court to take notice of the incident and order a judicial inquiry.
Other
nationalist parties, including Sindh Taraqqi-pasand Party, Jeay Sindh Mahaz
(Chandio) and Jeay Sindh Qaumi Mahaz also condemned the incident and asked for
the judicial investigation of the matter.
Source: dawn.com
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Girl
shot dead, mother wounded in Karachi’s Surjani Town
September 29, 2023
KARACHI:
A three-year-old girl was shot dead while her mother wounded in Surjani Town on
Thursday, police said.
The
deceased girl was identified as Jannat Amir and her mother as Meerub Amir, 22.
They were targeted in Khuda ki Basti.
The
suspect, Sheikh Saud, who attacked the mother and daughter, managed to escape
from the crime scene. Police said the alleged killer was a relative of the
victims and attributed some personal dispute behind the incident.
Two
suspects shot dead by police, citizens
Two
suspected robbers were shot dead while another wounded by citizens and police
jointly in an encounter in Shah Latif Town on Thursday.
Police
said six robbers entered a house in Gulshan-i-Benazir. They held the owners
hostage at gunpoint and looted Rs1.6 million, one laptop, one cell phone and
one licensed pistol from them.
As they
were fleeing after the robbery, the victims raised alarm, alerting the
neighbours and area residents who chased the suspects and opened fire on them.
In the
meantime, a police patrol also reached on the spot and chased the suspects. In
an ensuing exchange of gunfire, two unknown suspects were gunned down and
another arrested in wounded condition. Their three accomplices managed to
escape.
Source: dawn.com
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https://www.dawn.com/news/1778406/girl-shot-dead-mother-wounded-in-karachis-surjani-town
--------
Pakistan
condemns terrorist attack on Bahrain Defense Force
September
28, 2023
Pakistan
has condemned the terrorist attack on Bahrain Defense Force position on the
southern border of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia which resulted in the martyrdom
of two Bahraini personnel and injured others.
In a statement on Thursday, Foreign Office
spokesperson Mumtaz Zahra Baloch said we extend deepest condolences to the
Kingdom of Bahrain, its brotherly people and families of the martyrs.
She said
we pray for full recovery of the injured members of the Bahrain Defense
Force.
Source: radio.gov.pk
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https://www.radio.gov.pk/28-09-2023/pakistan-condemns-terrorist-attack-on-bahrain-defense-force-in-ksa
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Aneeq
Ahmad urges nation to follow footsteps of Prophet Muhammad (SAWW)
September
28, 2023
Caretaker
Minister for Religious Affairs Aneeq Ahmad has urged the nation to follow the
footsteps of Prophet Muhammad (Peace Be Upon Him) to grab the success in this
world and life hereafter.
Addressing
the National Seerat-un-Nabi [Peace Be Upon Him] Conference in Islamabad today,
he said the glorious life of the Holy Prophet (PBUH) is a role model for entire
humanity and it is necessary to acquaint ourselves with the character and
teachings of the Holy Prophet Hazrat Muhammad (SAW).
Extending
his congratulations to the entire Muslim world on the auspicious occasion of
Eid Miladun Nabi (PBUH, he said our actions should represent those teachings
which have been taught by our Prophet (PBUH).
Quoting
the verses from Holy Quran, the Minister urged the Muslims to build up their
characters by following the Sunnah.
Source: radio.gov.pk
Please click the following URL to read
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https://www.radio.gov.pk/28-09-2023/aneeq-ahmad-urges-nation-to-follow-footsteps-of-prophet-muhammad-saww
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North America
U.S.
Treasury sanctions Sudanese Islamist leader, RSF companies
28 September 2023
September
28, 2023 (KHARTOUM) – The U.S. Department of the Treasury’s Office of Foreign
Assets Control (OFAC) on Friday imposed sanctions on Ali Karti, a Sudanese
Islamist leader, and two companies, one belonging to the paramilitary forces
and the other is a Russian-based firm.
The
sanctions are aimed at holding accountable those who have undercut efforts to
find a peaceful, democratic solution in Sudan.
Karti, a
foreign minister under former Sudanese president Omer al-Bashir, has been
designated for being responsible for, or complicit in, or having directly or
indirectly engaged or attempted to engage in, actions or policies that threaten
Sudan’s peace, security, or stability.
OFAC
said Karti has led efforts to derail Sudan’s progress toward a full democratic
transition, including by undermining the former civilian-led transitional
government and the Framework Political Agreement process, which contributed to
the outbreak of fighting between the Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF) and the Rapid
Support Forces (RSF) on April 15, 2023.
The two
designated companies are RSF-affiliated companies generating revenue from and
contributing to the conflict in Sudan.
GSK
Advance Company Ltd (GSK) is ostensibly a Sudan-based information technology
and security company run by influential members of Sudanese security forces. In
fact, GSK has been used as a procurement channel for the RSF, one of the main
aggressors in the current conflict in Sudan.
Aviatrade
LLC is a Russia-based military supply company that has worked with GSK to
arrange the procurement of parts and supplies, as well as training, for
unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) previously purchased by the RSF.
GSK and
Aviatrade LLC were both designated for being responsible for, or complicit in,
or having directly or indirectly engaged or attempted to engage in actions or
policies that threaten Sudan’s peace, security, or stability.
The
sanctions freeze all assets of the designated individuals and entities subject
to U.S. jurisdiction and prohibit U.S. persons from engaging in transactions
with them.
The
sanctions are the latest effort by the U.S. to pressure the warring parties in
Sudan to stop fighting and reach a peaceful settlement.
Source: sudantribune.com
Please click the following URL to read
the full text of the original
https://sudantribune.com/article277758/
--------
CAIR
Condemns Racist Neo-Nazi Vandalism Targeting D.C. Church
Ismail
Allison
September
28, 2023
(WASHINGTON,
D.C., 9/28/2023) – The Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR), the
nation’s largest Muslim civil rights and advocacy organization, today condemned
racist neo-Nazi vandalism targeting a Washington, D.C., church’s Black Lives
Matter sign.
That sign
at the Metropolitan AME Church was defaced with images of Nazi swastikas.
In a
statement, CAIR National Communications Director Ibrahim Hooper said:
“Houses
of worship should be safe spaces for all faiths, not targets of racism and
hatred. We call on community leaders and public officials to speak out strongly
against the rising bigotry in our nation that inevitably results in such acts
of hate.”
Earlier
this year, CAIR welcomed legal action in the cases of vandalism targeting
churches in Washington, D.C., and Maryland.
He said
CAIR is urging religious institutions nationwide to take extra security
precautions by using advice offered in CAIR’s booklet, “Best Practices for
Mosque and Community Safety.” The advice
in the booklet is applicable to institutions of all faiths.
Washington,
D.C., based CAIR and the American Muslim community stand in solidarity with all
those challenging antisemitism, systemic anti-Black racism, xenophobia,
Islamophobia, white supremacy, and all other forms of bigotry.
CAIR’s
mission is to protect civil rights, enhance understanding of Islam, promote
justice, and empower American Muslims.
La
misión de CAIR esproteger las libertadesciviles, mejorar la comprensión del
Islam, promover la justicia, y empoderar a
losmusulmanesenlosEstadosUnidos.
Source: cair.com
Please click the following URL to read
the full text of the original
https://www.cair.com/press_releases/cair-condemns-racist-neo-nazi-vandalism-targeting-d-c-church/
--------
US
raised Canada’s murder allegation with India – Reuters
29 Sep,
2023
The
United States has encouraged India to cooperate with Canada's investigation
into the murder of a Sikh separatist leader, amid growing tensions between New
Delhi and Ottawa, Reuters has reported, citing an unnamed US official.
Neither
side publicly mentioned that the issue was discussed at a meeting between the
US Secretary of State Antony Blinken and Indian External Affairs Minister
Subrahmanyam Jaishankar in Washington on Thursday.
Earlier
this month, Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau alleged the “possible”
involvement of the Indian government in the killing of Hardeep Singh Nijjar –
without providing evidence.
While
India has dismissed the claim, Canada’s partners in the ‘Five Eyes’
intelligence-sharing alliance, which also includes US, UK, Australia, and New
Zealand, have voiced their “concerns,” and the US has stated its support for
Canada.
"Reports
that Canada asked the US to publicly condemn the murder and that we refused are
false and we would strongly push back on the rumors that we were reluctant to
speak publicly about this," a senior US administration official told CBC
News last week.
The
Indian foreign minister said earlier this week that New Delhi was open to
looking into any "specific" information that Canada provides, while
insisting that it has not been done yet.
"One,
we told the Canadians that this [extrajudicial killings] is not the government
of India's policy," Jaishankar said at an event in New York ahead of his
address to the UN General Assembly. "Two, we told the Canadians that look,
if you have something specific, if you have something relevant, let us know –
we are open to looking at it”.
Hardeep
Singh Nijjar was shot dead outside a temple in British Columbia in June. He had
been designated a terrorist by India in 2020.
Canadian
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, speaking on Thursday, said he was certain that Blinken would raise
the issue with Jaishankar.
“The
Americans have been with us in speaking to the Indian government about how
important it is that they be involved in following up on the credible
allegations that agents of the Indian government killed a Canadian citizen on
Canadian soil,” Trudeau said at a press conference in Quebec. US officials have
previously publicly encouraged the Indian government to cooperate with the
Canadian investigation.
Indian
media on Friday quoted Jaishankar as saying he had “exchanged notes on global
developments” with Blinken, pointing out that both sides “kept mum” about the
Canada row.
The
State Department’s readout said the two ministers had discussed “a full range
of issues,” including a new potential trade route – the India Middle East
Europe Economic Corridor (IMEC) – announced during the G20 Summit in New Delhi
this month, along with cooperation in defense, space and clean energy.
Jaishankar
and Blinken also discussed cooperation ahead of the India-US 2+2 Ministerial
Dialogue, which New Delhi is set to host in the first half of November. Blinken and US Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin
are expected to be at the 2+2 gathering, with Jaishankar and Defense Minister
Rajnath Singh representing India.
Source: rt.com
Please click the following URL to read
the full text of the original
https://www.rt.com/india/583747-blinken-jaishankar-talks-canada-allegations/
--------
US
Senate passes dress code bill as govt shutdown looms
28 Sep,
2023
The US
Senate unanimously approved a bipartisan resolution on Wednesday to restore a
longstanding dress code requirement that male senators wear long pants.
Democratic Senator John Fetterman’s gym-shorts-and-hoodie uniform was believed
to be the target of the resolution.
Senate
Resolution 376, the SHow Our Respect to the Senate (SHORTS) Act, was introduced
by Democrat Senator Joe Manchin, co-sponsored by Republican Senator Mitt
Romney, and sailed through Wednesday’s vote without vocal pushback from a single
senator, even as disagreements between and within both parties delay the
passage of spending bills required to keep the government from shutting down at
the end of September.
Senate
Majority Leader Chuck Schumer announced earlier this month that the chamber’s
traditional dress code – policed by the Senate Sergeant-at-Arms but apparently
not written anywhere into the rules or laws governing official business – would
no longer be enforced for senators.
While
Schumer himself pledged to “continue to wear a suit” despite demolishing the
“business attire” standard that Senate aides were still required to observe,
several dozen Republican senators and even Schumer’s fellow Democrat Manchin
immediately spoke out against the move.
“Allowing
casual clothing on the Senate floor disrespects the institution we serve and
the American families we represent,” an open letter to Schumer signed by 46 of
his colleagues insisted, urging the New York Democrat to “immediately reverse
this misguided action.”
Fetterman
became known for his hoodie-and-gym-shorts uniform while serving as lieutenant
governor of Pennsylvania before coming to Washington last year. While he
initially wore a suit on the Senate floor, since emerging from a prolonged
hospitalization for clinical depression earlier this year, he has made the most
of the opportunity extended by Schumer to resume wearing his preferred casual
clothing for work, causing some of his colleagues great consternation. Before
the dress code was repealed, those in violation were required to cast their
votes from outside the chamber.
Fetterman’s
detractors have long accused him of choosing his self-described “slob” uniform
to prop up a phony working-class persona, pointing out that it was his
privileged background – with parents who financially supported him into his 40s
– that allowed him to go into politics in the first place, taking a $150/year
job as mayor of Braddock, Pennsylvania.
While
the Senate was triumphing over sartorial anarchy, the House remained divided
over the funding bills required to keep the lights on in Washington past
Saturday. Republicans in the lower chamber have rejected the Senate’s
shutdown-avoidance proposal, which would only fund the government through
November 17, and instead hope to pass a series of spending bills of their own
on Thursday and Friday.
Source: rt.com
Please click the following URL to read
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https://www.rt.com/news/583741-senate-passes-dress-code-fetterman/
-------
US
worried about worsening situation in Amhara, Blinken tells Ethiopia’s PM
September
29, 2023
WASHINGTON:
The United States is worried about the situation in the region of Amhara, where
the United Nations has spoken of ongoing human rights violations, Secretary of
State Antony Blinken told Ethiopia’s Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed on Thursday.
“(He)
underscored the need to promote peaceful resolution through political dialogue
and protection of human rights,” State Department spokesperson Matthew Miller
said in a readout of their telephone conversation.
Earlier,
a UN-backed international commission of human rights experts on Ethiopia warned
that “violent confrontations are now at a near-national scale, with alarming
reports of violations against civilians in the Amhara region and ongoing
atrocities in Tigray.”
Ethiopia
announced a state of emergency in the Amhara region last month, and the experts
cited reports of “mass arbitrary detention of Amhara civilians,” including at
least one drone strike carried by government forces.
Organizers
of a prominent peace forum in Ethiopia also said the event has been postponed
as clashes between the federal government and fighters from a major ethnic
group continue to destabilize the region.
The Tana
High-Level Forum on Security in Africa said in a statement last week that the
annual gathering of African leaders, set for October, has been pushed back to
April 2024 “due to unforeseen circumstances.”
The
forum takes place in Ethiopia’s Amhara region, which has experienced months of
clashes as the federal government tries to disarm local fighters who had been
its allies in a recent two-year conflict in the neighboring Tigray region.
The Tana
forum describes itself as a platform for “African-led solutions to the
continent’s most pressing security challenges.” In recent years, some of those
challenges have occurred in the forum’s backyard as the government of Prime
Minister Abiy Ahmed struggles to contain ethnic groups that defy efforts to
centralize power.
There
are frequent reports from Amhara, Ethiopia’s second most populous region, of
deadly drone strikes, shelling and other violence in regional towns including
Lalibela. Fighting has also occurred in the town of Bahir Dar, where the peace
forum takes place. Bahir Dar residents told The Associated Press last month
they could hear military aircraft overhead and gunfire in the streets.
Calls to
the Tana forum went unanswered on Friday. The non-governmental organization’s
key partners include Ethiopia’s government, the Ethiopia-based African Union
and the United Nations.
Ethiopia
announced a state of emergency in the Amhara region last month, and the experts
cited reports of “mass arbitrary detention of Amhara civilians,” including at
least one drone strike carried by government forces.
Ethiopia’s
government often tries to cover up the extent of such violence and crackdowns,
barring the UN-backed experts, human rights researchers and journalists from
Tigray and other affected areas. The experts described the government’s attempt
at a justice process for victims as flawed, rushed and not trusted by many,
including those targeted by federal authorities and combatants.
Now
Ethiopia’s government wants to end the mandate of the UN-backed inquiry,
following the quiet end to a separate investigation backed by the African
Union. The UN Human Rights Council is set to decide early next month whether to
extend it.
On Sept.
21, some African countries spoke up at the UN council in support of Ethiopia’s
belief that it can deliver justice on its own.
Source: arabnews.com
Please click the following URL to read
the full text of the original
https://www.arabnews.com/node/2382461/world
--------
Africa
Terrorists
On Motorbikes Kill At Least 12 Niger Republic Soldiers Near Mali, Burkina Faso
Border
September
29, 2023
At least
a dozen soldiers in Niger Republic have been killed following an attack by
hundreds of armed insurgents on motorbikes in the country's southwest on
Thursday morning.
According
to a statement by the defense ministry on Thursday, Seven soldiers were killed
in combat while five others died in an accident while driving to reinforce the
unit that had come under attack.
The
attack took place about 190 km from the capital Niamey in Kandadji, near the
tri-border zone of Mali, Burkina Faso and Niger that has been the epicenter of
Islamist insurgencies in the Sahel region in the last few years.
Earlier
on Thursday, three sources including a senior military officer, who requested
anonymity because they are not authorized to speak to the media, that at least
ten soldiers were killed, Reuters reports.
Neither
the sources nor the defence ministry say which group was responsible. Local
affiliates of al Qaeda and Islamic State are active in the region and wage
frequent attacks on soldiers and civilians.
The
defence ministry statement said around a hundred insurgents were killed and
their motorbikes and arms were destroyed. It gave no further details.
Two
security sources said the army responded to the attack with ground troops as
well as helicopters, one of which was hit but was able to return to its base.
Niger is
run by a military junta that seized power in a coup in July, partly out of
discontent at the worsening security situation. Neighbouring Mali and Burkina
Faso have each had two coups in the last three years.
At least
17 soldiers were killed in another attack in southwestern Niger in mid-August.
France
said on Sunday it would withdraw its 1,500 troops from Niger before the end of
the year, after weeks of pressure from the junta and popular demonstrations
against the former colonial ruler, which had forces there to fight the
insurgents.
On
Thursday, several hundred pro-junta supporters gathered again in front of the
French military base in Niamey to demand that the troops leave.
Source: saharareporters.com
Please click the following URL to read the
full text of the original
https://saharareporters.com/2023/09/29/terrorists-motorbikes-kill-least-12-niger-republic-soldiers-near-mali-burkina-faso
--------
Floods
in eastern Libya displaced over 16,000 children - UNICEF
September
29, 2023
The
deadly floods that devasted eastern Libya on September 10 displaced over 16,000
children UNICEF warned on Thursday (Sep. 28).
Many
more are affected due to lack of essential services, such as health and safe
water supply, the UN's children agency added.
Storm
Daniel swept across cities including Derna, Albayda, Soussa, Al-Marj, Shahat,
Taknis, Battah, Tolmeita, Bersis, Tokra and Al-Abyar.
While
the number of children among the casualties is still unconfirmed, UNICEF fears
hundreds perished in the disaster, given that children account for about 40 per
cent of the population.
In the
hit region, out of 117 impacted schools, 4 were destroyed and 80 partially
damaged. This means children risk further disruption to their learning.
Some of
the displaced families are hosted in schools.
Waterborne
illnesses are a growing concern due to water supply issues, significant damage
to water sources and sewer networks, and the risk of contamination of the
ground water. In Derna alone, 50 per cent of water systems are
estimated to have been damaged.
"UNICEF
has been working with authorities and partners since the beginning of the
tragedy to respond to the urgent needs of children and families in the affected
areas," said Adele Khodr, UNICEF Regional Director in the Middle East and
North Africa, who has just returned from a visit to Al Bayda and Derna.
Khodr
also sounded the alarm on the psychological burden children bear.
UNICEF
is revising its humanitarian response appeal of US$6.5 million to integrate
initial recovery efforts with a focus on education, health and water. To date,
the body has received about 25 per cent of these funds.
UNICEF
has been supported the children in eastern Libya "since day two of the
crisis."
Sixty-five
metric tonnes of relief supplies have been delivered to affected areas,
including medical supplies for 50,000 people for three months, family hygiene
kits for almost 17,000 people, 500 children’s winter clothing sets, 200
school-in-a-box kits and 32,000 water purification tablets.
UNICEF
has also dispatched mobile child protection and psychosocial support teams to
help children cope with the emotional toll of the disaster.
Source: africanews.com
Please click the following URL to read
the full text of the original
https://www.africanews.com/2023/09/28/floods-in-eastern-libya-displaced-over-16000-children-unicef/
-------
UK:
Sudanese man arrested after migrant's body found
28
September, 2023
British
officers have arrested a man as part of an investigation into the death of a
woman who is believed to have perished while attempting to cross the English
Channel in a small boat, the UK's National Crime Agency said on Wednesday.
The
21-year-old Sudanese man was arrested for illegal entry and facilitating
illegal immigration in the southern English port city of Dover. The man, who is
in police custody, is suspected of piloting a boat that reached British waters
on Tuesday.
The
arrest came after authorities in Calais, northern France, discovered the body
of a woman on a local beach on Tuesday.
The
Pas-de-Calais regional administration said the woman, believed to be a
24-year-old Eritrean migrant, was found on a beach in the French town of
Blériot-Plage after apparently falling from a boat attempting to cross the
English Channel.
The UK's
National Crime Agency said French authorities were investigating the death,
with support from British police.
The two
countries are working together "to identify those responsible for this
tragic death", said Craig Turner, deputy director of the National Crime
Agency.
British
Prime Minister Rishi Sunak's Conservative government has adopted an
increasingly punitive approach to those who arrive in the UK to report a crime.
British
Prime Minister Rishi Sunak's Conservative government has adopted an
increasingly punitive approach to people arriving by unauthorized means, such
as unseaworthy small boats crossing the English Channel. More than 45,000
people arrived in Britain by boat from northern France in 2022, compared with
28,000 in 2021 and 8,500 in 2020.
Nearly
24,000 migrants have arrived on British shores in small boats since January.
Source: africanews.com
Please click the following URL to read
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https://www.africanews.com/2023/09/28/uk-sudanese-man-arrested-after-migrants-body-found/
-------
At least
ten Niger soldiers killed in militant attack
September
29, 2023
NIAMEY:
At least ten Niger soldiers were killed in an attack by militants in the
country’s southwest on Thursday morning, three security sources told Reuters.
The
attack took place about 190 km (118 miles) from the capital Niamey in Kandadji,
near the tri-border zone of Mali, Burkina Faso and Niger that has been the
epicenter of Islamist insurgencies in the Sahel region in the last few years.
The
sources including a senior military officer, who requested anonymity because
they are not authorized to speak to the media, did not say which group was
responsible. Local affiliates of Al-Qaeda and Islamic State are active in the
region and wage frequent attacks on soldiers and civilians.
Two
security sources said the army responded to the attack with ground troops as
well as helicopters, one of which was hit but was able to return to its base.
Niger is
run by a military junta that seized power in a coup in July, partly out of
discontent at the worsening security situation. Neighbouring Mali and Burkina
Faso have each had two coups in the last three years.
However,
security analysts say attacks had been falling in Niger under ousted President
Mohamed Bazoum, who had tried to engage with Islamists and the rural
communities where they are rooted.
At least
17 soldiers were killed in another attack in southwestern Niger in mid-August.
France
said on Sunday it would withdraw its 1,500 troops from Niger before the end of
the year, after weeks of pressure from the junta and popular demonstrations
against the former colonial ruler, which had forces there to fight the
insurgents.
On
Thursday, several hundred pro-junta supporters gathered again in front of the
French military base in the capital Niamey to demand that the troops leave.
Source: arabnews.com
Please click the following URL to read
the full text of the original
https://www.arabnews.com/node/2382431/world
--------
Nigerian
govt acquires new ‘attack helicopters’
AbdulkareemMojeed
September
29, 2023
MD Helicopters
(MDH), a top aircraft manufacturing company, has announced a new contract deal
to deliver new “attack helicopters” to Nigeria.
The
aircraft is known as 12 MD 530F Cayuse Warrior Plus.
The
aircraft company announced the deal in a statement issued and shared with
PREMIUM TIMES on Thursday.
“MD
Helicopters (MDH) closed a contract with the Nigerian federal government for 12
MD 530F Cayuse Warrior Plus Scout/Attack helicopters during a signing ceremony
in Nigeria,” the statement by the agency said.
According
to the statement, the aircraft will be operated by the Nigerian Army Aviation
to effectively tackle the security challenges in the country.
It said
the acquisition of the new attack helicopters is part of ongoing efforts by the
federal government to enhance the capacity of the Nigerian Army Aviation
towards achieving constitutional responsibilities in a joint environment.
The
latest development came about three months after MDH in June announced that the
production of the first three of 12 Cayuse Warrior Plus Scout/Attack
helicopters selected by the Nigerian government earlier this year is underway
at their facility in Arizona.
At the
time, the company said the helicopters were chosen to support
counter-insurgency and counter-terrorism operations in Nigeria and are
scheduled to be delivered over the next two years.
On
Tuesday at the opening ceremony of the maiden Nigerian Army Aviation Seminar in
Abuja, the Chief of Army Staff (COAS), TaoreedLagbaja, hinted that the new
aircraft would operationalise the Nigerian Army aviation unit, which was set up
to improve ground troops’ agility, responsiveness, and efficacy during
operations.
While
stating that President Bola Tinubu has approved payment for the procurement of
12 attack helicopters for the Nigerian Army, MrLagbaja said the new aircraft
would also contribute to the overall operational success of joint and coalition
troops.
On his
part, MD Helicopters President and Chief Executive Officer, Brad Pedersen,
said: “MD Helicopters is grateful for the trust of the Nigerian government, and
we’re excited to showcase this purpose-built, best value solution to Nigeria
and the world.”
Delivery
The
company said they would commence delivering the aircraft to Nigeria in the
fourth quarter of this year.
“The
Cayuse Warrior is a proven tactical scout and light attack aircraft built from
the MD 530F design and valued for its unmatched power, safety, speed, agility,
and unparalleled confined area capabilities,” the statement said.
It said
the ‘Plus’ version features mission enhancements that include the weapons
system, avionics improvements, armour, and increased power performance and that
the Nigerian selection includes a complete ILS package, spares, pilot and
maintainer training, and a simulator.
Specifications
According
to the aircraft manufacturers, the Cayuse Warrior is one of the few
single-engine light/attack scout aircraft recently exercised successfully in
combat.
With
more than 60 years of proven combat effectiveness and reliability, MDH said the
aircraft has a highly demonstrated operational readiness rate and is valued for
its unparalleled power, safety, speed, agility, and confined area capabilities.
“This
smaller, lighter, uncomplicated workhorse features the lowest Direct Operating
Costs in its class. The ‘Plus’ version features mission enhancements that
include the precision weapons system, avionics improvements, and armour for
protection of its operators,” the company said in June.
Source: premiumtimesng.com
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https://www.premiumtimesng.com/news/headlines/629226-nigerian-govt-acquires-new-attack-helicopters.html
--------
Europe
'Very
dangerous and very clever' UK student built kamikaze drone for Islamic State in
his bedroom
29
September 2023
Mohamad
Al Bared, 27, was found guilty of building the weapon at his home in Coventry
and is facing a life sentence.
The
Birmingham University laser drilling specialist denied being an IS supporter
and said he built the bomb for his own research.
But prosecutors
said his online conversations made it obvious he was a radical who supported
the terror group - and had even filled out his own application form to join
them.
After
his conviction, Judge Paul Farrer KC told Al Bared: "The court is going to
have to consider whether the appropriate sentence is one of life imprisonment.
"You
have been convicted of an offence of the utmost gravity.
"A
long prison sentence is the inevitable consequence of that but the length and
nature of that sentence is a matter for careful consideration, and the court
will take that decision having received input from the Probation Service."
Al Bared
was arrested in January this year, when police found the drone at his house on
Kare Road. He was convicted of a single count of engaging in conduct in
preparation of terrorist acts to benefit a proscribed terrorist organisation.
Opening
the Crown's case in August, at the start of a five-week trial, prosecutor
Michelle Heeley KC told the court: "Police found a drone. They also found
material suggesting this defendant supported Islamic State, a terrorist
organisation."
The
court heard Al Bared, who lived with his parents, was arrested while driving at
the same time as the raid took place, and had a mobile phone which police also
seized.
After
showing the drone, which was contained in a large see-through plastic bag, to
the jury, the prosecutor said it was of a type which has landing gear and a
small digital camera.
"It
had all the components required for it to fly," MsHeeley added. "We
suggest it was being manufactured to deliver a bomb ... to fly into IS enemy
territory and deliver a chemical weapon or some other kind of device."
During
the opening day of the trial, MsHeeley also told how Al Bared had filled in an
IS application form and set up a UK-registered company to help plans for future
foreign travel.
Written
material saying the idea for the drone was "somewhat inspired by the
design of the Tomahawk missile" was also put before the jury, in what the
Crown said was Al Bared describing his build process.
MsHeeley
said of the evidence found on an electronic device, which also included
references to fuses, mechanical detonators and an "explosive" head:
"He is literally reporting back to someone about what it is that he is
doing.
"What
drone for legitimate use needs an explosive head?
"What
does need an explosive head is a drone that has been designed on a
missile."
Al
Bared's barrister, Alistair Webster KC, also made an opening speech, claiming
his client had studied IS-linked material, including video of beheadings,
because he wanted to "debate" against the terror group's views.
Mr
Webster said: "He accepts that he is fascinated by Islamic State and its
mindset, but rather than supporting it he wanted to argue against it, in the
mosque, online."
But Al
Bared was described by anti-terror officers as someone with an extremist
mindset who intended to cause mass casualties.
Commenting
on the investigation, Detective Chief Superintendent Mark Payne, the commander
of the West Midlands Counter-Terrorism Unit, said of Al Bared: "He has
built in his home address, using a 3D printer, a drone.
"He
has then researched chemicals including sarin and ricin and mustard gas.
"It
is our clear view that this man was very, very dangerous, that he was building
something that was a weapon to be used to deliver chemicals to cause harm to
people who didn't share his extremist views.
"This
is clearly somebody who had a terrorist mindset."
DCS
Payne said the inquiry had established that Al Bared - a "very, very
intelligent" student - was planning to travel abroad to Turkey, and
probably onwards.
"We
also found an application form for Islamic State on his devices," the
officer said.
"And
that alongside all the other evidence that we had gives us a really clear
picture of somebody who was intent on working with a terrorist organisation to
cause mass harm, and probably fatalities to innocent people."
Source: lbc.co.uk
Please click the following URL to read
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https://www.lbc.co.uk/news/uk-student-built-kamikaze-drone-for-islamic-state/
--------
Gunman
goes on deadly shooting spree in EU city
28 Sep,
2023
A
32-year-old medical student has been apprehended by Rotterdam police after
allegedly gunning down three people at an apartment and a downtown hospital,
marking one of the deadliest shooting incidents in a country where such
violence is uncommon.
The
shooting spree began on Thursday afternoon at an apartment building near the
suspect’s residence, where he shot a 39-year-old woman and her 14-year-old
daughter, police said. The woman died at the scene, while the girl passed away
after being rushed to a hospital.
The
gunman, who wore a bulletproof vest and combat fatigues, then shot and killed a
43-year-old professor in a classroom at the Erasmus Medical Center, where he
was a student, Rotterdam Police Chief Fred Westerbeke told reporters. The
shooter then allegedly set fires at both crime scenes and was eventually
captured by police under the hospital’s helipad. Police have neither identified
the suspect nor have they speculated on his motive.
“We see
his act as a targeted action, but it requires further research to gain clarity
about how and why,” Westerbeke said. Dutch Prime Minister Mark Rutte posted a
statement saying there was “great dismay after the dramatic events in
Rotterdam.” Rotterdam Mayor Ahmed Aboutaleb called the turn of events “a black
day.”
The
shootings led to chaotic scenes in the Dutch port city, including people
fleeing the hospital and wheeling patients out of the building on beds while
others barricaded themselves inside. Footage posted on social media shows
people running and screaming at the sound of a loud bang. Another clip shows a
man – possibly the suspect – apparently being detained by police with his hands
cuffed behind his back and a blindfold placed over his eyes.
Dutch
police fire ‘targeted shots’ at protesting farmersREAD MORE: Dutch police fire
‘targeted shots’ at protesting farmers
Dutch
King Willem-Alexander and Queen Maxima issued a statement expressing sympathy
for family members and friends of the shooting victims. “We also think of
everybody who lived in fear during these terrible actions,” they said.
A
shooting last year at a Dutch day care center for disabled children left two
people dead and two injured. In 2011, a gunman murdered five people and wounded
17 before killing himself at a mall south of Amsterdam.
Source: rt.com
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https://www.rt.com/news/583740-rotterdam-hospital-shooting-spree/
--------
French
watchdog demands criminal charges for porn producers
28 Sep,
2023
France’s
government-appointed High Council for Gender Equality has called for criminal
charges to be filed against porn producers, in a report released Wednesday.
As much
as 90% of explicit online adult content depicts verbal, physical, and sexual
violence against women, the watchdog’s report, titled “Pornocriminality:
putting an end to the impunity of the porn industry,” stated. Much of that
content is not only insulting and dehumanizing but rises to the level of
torture, constituting an egregious violation of French law, it continued,
demanding legal reforms that would allow producers to be more easily punished
for recorded acts of brutality.
Contracts
signed by the actresses in such films must be declared legally null and void
since it is impossible in France to consent to torture, trafficking, or sexual
exploitation, the watchdog argued, accusing the government of “inaction,”
denial, and coddling the industry’s alleged evildoers with “complete impunity.”
The
230-page report also called for Pharos, the country’s internet content police,
to expand its remit to include violence against women. Pharos agents are tasked
with investigating reports of illegal content, including fraud, terrorism, and
child porn, and forwarding substantiated examples to the relevant authorities
for punishment.
Several
court cases against porn producers are reportedly underway within the French
justice system, with charges that include rape, human trafficking, and torture.
However, the report insisted that such piecemeal retribution was not enough.
“For the
few dozen victims whose cases make it to the justice system, there are millions
of unchecked videos circulating, thriving on misogynistic violence and hatred,
to the general indifference,” the report explained.
Sylvie
Pierre-Brossolette, director of the gender equality group, doubled down on the
report’s conclusions to France Inter radio on Wednesday, denouncing the adult
film industry as “a factory for future rapists, future killers of women,” that
must be shut down. There is “no justification in 2023 for tolerating these
unlawful acts of unbearable torment,” especially where they could be seen by
minors, she added.
The
report cited figures recently released by regulator Arcom showing just over
half (51%) of 12-year-old French boys access porn on a monthly basis, while a
third of French girls have seen such content. This, it said, perpetuates a
culture of sexual violence that “chews up women.”
Advocating
a program of sex education for minors to include multiple sessions on the evils
of pornography, the group also called for banning minors from accessing such
platforms altogether as well as imposing steep fines and content blocks on
sites without effective age controls.
Source: rt.com
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https://www.rt.com/news/583725-france-gender-watchdog-criminalize-porn/
--------
Netherlands:
Three dead after shooting incident in Rotterdad, suspect arrested
Sep 29, 2023
AMSTERDAM:
A 32-year-old student was arrested after a "targeted" shooting
rampage in the Dutch city of Rotterdam left three people dead on Thursday, CNN
reported citing local authorities.
According
to police spokesman Fred Westerbeke, the shooting first erupted in a private
home on the city's Heiman Dullaert square.
The
suspected gunman fatally shot a 39-year-old woman and "seriously
injured" her 14-year-old daughter, before setting the house on fire. The
teenager was hospitalized but later succumbed to her injuries, CNN reported.
The
suspect later went into a classroom at the prestigious Erasmus University
Medical Center nearby, where he fatally shot a 46-year-old doctor.
The
alleged gunman - who studied at Erasmus University - was ultimately arrested
under the hospital's helipad, Westerbeke said.
"After
this, the shooter went to another part of the EMC. He also set a fire there.
The suspect was then arrested under the helicopter deck of the EMC by the
arrest team, the special interventions service," CNN quoted the police
spokesperson as saying.
The
authorities believe that the suspected gunman acted alone.
"We
see his act as a targeted action, but it requires further research to gain
clarity about how and why," Westerbeke added.
The
social media posts by local police described the suspect as tall with black
hair, wearing "combat-style" clothes and carrying a backpack. He had
a gun in his pocket and was wearing a bullet-proof vest when he was detained,
CNN reported citing Westerbeke.
CNN
affiliate NOS reported that the suspect has a criminal record, including being
convicted of animal abuse in 2021.
Netherlands'
Prime Minister Mark Rutte on Thursday afternoon expressed his "great
dismay" after the two shootings.
"My
thoughts are with the victims of the violence, their loved ones and all those
who have been in great fear. Many thanks to the people of the services for
their actions and assistance at the scene," the PM posted on X (formerly
Twitter).
Source: timesofindia.indiatimes.com
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---------
Mideast
Iran
Foils Serial Assassination Plot Against Clerics, Judges, IRGC Members: Iran's
Intelligence Minister
28 September 2023
Iran's
intelligence minister has announced that the country has managed to foil a plot
aimed at the serial assassination of several Sunni clerics, judges, and members
of the country's Islamic Revolution Guards Corps (IRGC).
Esmail
Khatib made the remarks during a speech in the holy city of Mashhad on
Thursday.
The
plot, which had been devised for implementation "on September 30,"
had been hatched towards "fueling ethnic and religious differences"
in the country, he said.
"The
enemies are after afflicting the country's eastern borders with
insecurity," Khatib noted, urging vigilance on the part of Shia and Sunni
clerics as well as relevant authorities.
The
remarks came after the Intelligence Ministry released a statement, announcing
that its agents had managed to frustrate a plot aimed at triggering as many as
"30 simultaneous explosions" throughout the capital Tehran.
Twenty-eight
terrorists were arrested in connection with the plot, which had sought to
target the city's "populous centers," the statement noted.
The
explosions in question had sought to send across a false image of the
prevalence of insecurity in the country, sow despair and fear across the
society, and trigger chaos and protest, the ministry said.
The plot
had been designed for implementation on the anniversary of last year's
foreign-backed riots throughout the country, it stated.
The
riots spread out throughout the country last September following the
unfortunate death that month of a young girl named Mahsa Amini.
Amini
fainted at a police station and was pronounced dead days later at a Tehran
hospital. An investigation attributed her death to a medical condition,
dismissing allegations that she had been beaten by police forces.
Iran
says the 2022 riots were the result of foreign-backed elements exploiting the
incident.
Dozens
of terrorists affiliated with the Zionist regime and anti-revolution groups
have also been detained.
Also recently,
the Intelligence Ministry managed to discover 400 bombs, dozens of which had
been planned to be set off across religious gatherings across the nation.
Addressing
the issue of the foiled bombing plots, Khatib recently said, "We receive
many reports saying that they (the enemies) are trying to take advantage of
another [wave of] fabricated riots. During this time, we collected about 400
bombs, including more than 40 which were supposed to be set off in mourning
congregations of the first 10 days of [the lunar calendar month of]
Muharram."
Source: presstv.ir
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--------
Israeli
Occupation Issues 2,618 Administrative Detention Orders Against Palestinians in
2023
September
28, 2023
The
Commission of Palestinian Detainees and Ex-Detainees Affairs reported on
Thursday, September 28, 2023, that Israeli occupation authorities have issued
2,618 administrative detention orders against Palestinians since the beginning
of 2023 until the end of last month, September.
In a
statement released today, the Commission explained that in the past month of
September, Israeli military courts issued 296 administrative detention orders
against Palestinians, including 176 new orders and 120 renewal orders.
It also
revealed that the number of appeals filed by the Commission against
administrative detention decisions, which were considered, reached 42 appeal
cases, and the Israeli occupation courts rejected them without providing any
legal reasons.
Administrative
detention involves arresting individuals without charges or trial, and without
allowing the detainees or their lawyers to examine the specific evidence, as
Israeli authorities claim that administrative detainees have secret files that
cannot be disclosed.
Source: daysofpalestine.ps
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------
Israel
reopens Gaza crossings, lets Palestinians back to work after two weeks
Sep 29, 2023
GAZA:
Israel reopened crossing points with Gaza on Thursday, allowing thousands of Palestinian
workers to get to their jobs in Israel and the West Bank, after nearly two
weeks of closure prompted by violent protests along the border.
Around
18,000 Gazans have permits from Israeli authorities to work outside the
blockaded enclave, providing an injection of cash amounting to some $2 million
a day to the impoverished territory's economy.
The move
comes amid stepped-up international efforts by Egypt and the United Nations to
defuse tensions and prevent a new round of armed conflict in the enclave.
Qatar,
one of the main donors for Gaza, also helped with mediation efforts, said
Qatari envoy Mohammed Al-Emadi, who oversees Qatar's relief projects in Gaza.
For
around two weeks, protesters throwing stones and explosive devices have faced
off against Israeli troops who have responded with live fire, killing at least
one man and wounding dozens more.
Protests
on Wednesday were less intense, and so was the Israeli response. A Palestinian
official familiar with mediation efforts told Reuters the development came
"upon the request of mediators to de-escalate tensions".
Desperate
to go back to their jobs, workers began to flock to the Palestinian side of the
crossing soon after Israel made the announcement late on Wednesday.
"We
want to go to work and earn a living for our children because the situation was
too bad for us the past two weeks," said Khaled Zurub, 57, who works in
construction in Israel.
Cogat,
the Israeli Defence Ministry agency that coordinates with the Palestinians,
said security assessments would determine whether the border remained open.
In an
apparent sign of easing tensions, the so-called "Revolutionary
Youths" group, which has organised the protests in past weeks, said in a
statement it was suspending the demonstrations after securing promises from
mediators that Israel would stop provocative measures in Jerusalem and in
prisons and ease up the Gaza blockades.
Hazem
Qassem, a spokesman for the armed Islamist Hamas group that rules Gaza and
opposes peace deals with Israel, said Israel was constantly violating Gazans'
fundamental right to freedom of movement with repeated border closures and the
blockade of Gaza.
Israel
blocks many goods from entering Gaza with Egyptian backing, citing security
concerns, and also reserves the right to restrict exports.
According
to IMF figures, per capita income in Gaza is only a quarter of that of
Palestinians in the Israeli-occupied West Bank. The World Bank says
unemployment is nearly 50%.
Source: timesofindia.indiatimes.com
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-------
Group:
Israel has detained over 135,000 Palestinians since 2000
28
September 2023
A
prisoner advocacy group has said that the Israeli regime has detained more than
135,000 Palestinians since the outbreak of Al-Aqsa Intifada in September 2000.
The
Detainees’ and Ex-Detainees’ Affairs Commission said in a report on Wednesday
that the Israeli regime has persisted in detaining Palestinians from all
segments of the society.
It
further noted that almost 21,000 children and more than 2,600 girls and women
had been among those detained by Israeli forces during that span of time. Four
women had to give birth in prison under very difficult conditions.
The
commission added that of the members of the Palestinian parliament, a number of
ministers and hundreds of academics, journalists, and staff from civil society
and international organizations had been arrested.
It also
pointed out that half of the members of the Palestinian parliament were
detained and several ministers, as well as hundreds of academics, journalists
and national and international NGO workers.
The report
recorded a remarkable increase in administrative detentions, citing more than
32,000 such detention orders since 2000.
Elsewhere
in the report, the commission said that there are around 5,200 Palestinian
prisoners currently held by Israel.
The
number includes 38 women, around 170 children, more than 1,250 administrative
detainees, and 700 sick prisoners suffering from various health issues,
including 24 with cancer.
There
are thousands of Palestinians held in Israeli jails. Human rights organizations
say Israel violates all the rights and freedoms granted to prisoners by the
Fourth Geneva Convention.
Palestinian
prisoners are held for lengthy periods without being charged, tried, or
convicted, which is in sheer violation of human rights. Advocacy groups
describe Israel’s use of detention as a “bankrupt tactic” and have long called
on Israel to end its use.
According
to the Palestine Detainees Studies Center, about 60% of the Palestinian
prisoners detained in Israeli jails suffer from chronic diseases, a number of
whom died in detention or after being released due to the severity of their
cases.
The
campaign to free the persecuted Palestinian prisoners -- a prelude to the
liberation of occupied Palestinian territories -- has grown louder.
UN says
Israel using lethal weaponry
In a
recent speech before the UN Security Council, the UN Special Coordinator for
the Middle East Peace Process, Tor Wennesland, also confirmed that Israel is
holding 1,264 Palestinians in administrative detention.
He
further expressed grave concern over “the intensification of violence in the
Occupied West Bank and Israel – at levels not seen in decades – and the use of
increasingly lethal weaponry, including in densely populated areas.”
“Israeli security forces carried out 1,042 search-and-arrest
operations in the occupied West Bank, resulting in 1,504 Palestinians arrested,
including 88 children.”
During
the reporting period, extending from 15 July to 19 September, Israeli security
forces killed 68 Palestinians, including 18 children, during demonstrations,
clashes, security operations, attacks or alleged attacks against Israelis, and
other incidents.
The UN
envoy confirmed that a total of 2,830 Palestinians, including 30 women and 559
children, were injured, including 271 by live ammunition and 2,119 by tear gas
inhalation.
Wennesland
said settlements further entrench the occupation, fuel violence, impede
Palestinian access to their land and resources and systematically erode the
viability of a Palestinian State as part of a two-state solution.
Data
shows that as many as 206 Palestinians have been killed by Israel since the
beginning of this year.
A human
rights group says it has documented several cases of Israeli soldiers gunning
Palestinians across the occupied territories and peaceful Palestinian
protesters along the besieged Gaza Strip. Palestinians stress that such cases
must be taken to international courts and Israelis must be held accountable for
their atrocities.
Source: presstv.ir
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https://www.presstv.ir/Detail/2023/09/28/711704/Israel-Palestine-West-Bank-Gaza-UN-
--------
Palestinians
condemn US congressional hearing as unfair and misleading
September
29, 2023
ALI
YOUNES
WASHINGTON:
Palestinian officials in Ramallah on Thursday described a US congressional
hearing that accused the Palestinian Authority of supporting violence against
Israelis in the occupied West Bank as “misleading and unfair.”
Only
supporters of Israel were invited to attend the hearing of the House Foreign
Affairs Subcommittee on the Middle East, North Africa and Central Asia on
Wednesday, which discussed the implementation of the Taylor Force Act, a 2018
law that bans the provision of US financial aid to the PA on the grounds that
the authority “rewards Palestinians to murder Israeli citizens.”
Palestinian
officials told the Arab News that the organizers of the hearing failed to
invite them to present the views, and in doing so had revealed its “bias” in
favor of Israel and the anti-Palestinian sentiments of some members of
Congress.
The
hearing was led by Joe Wilson, a Republican member of the House of
Representatives who chairs the subcommittee. He accused the Palestinian
government of operating a system of “pay to slay,” in which Palestinians are
rewarded for killing Israelis, an allegation Palestinian officials vehemently
denied in comments to Arab News.
Eliot
Abrams, a pro-Israel former deputy assistant to the president and national
security adviser, and several other members of the subcommittee also accused
the PA of participating in a system that “honors and rewards terrorists.”
Several representatives of right-wing, pro-Israel US organizations who spoke
during the hearing made similar claims and called on US President Joe Biden to halt
financial aid to Palestinians.
Palestinian
officials said such allegations are “totally untrue” and “misleading.” Qaddura
Fares, the Palestinian minister of detainees’ affairs, told Arab News that such
US hearings treat Israel and its supporters in the US as the only sources of
information about issues involving the Palestinians or their cause.
He
described the hearing as “misleading and one-sided” given that Palestinians
were not invited to present their side of the story or even consulted. The
subcommittee should have asked Palestinian officials or their representatives
to participate, he added, in the interests of balance and fairness.
Fares
said the welfare-payment system to families of people killed or imprisoned by
Israel, which lies at the heart of the “pay to slay” allegations, operates in
accordance with Palestinian law, under which the government is obliged to
provide financial support to any family that loses its breadwinner as a result
of Israel’s actions as an occupying state.
Wasel
Abu Yousef, a senior Palestine Liberation Organization official, told Arab News
that successive US administrations and Congress have often engaged in “covering
up for the Israeli crimes against the Palestinian people” instead of supporting
the peace and security of both sides.
“The
issue of financial and moral support for the families of martyrs who were
killed by the Israeli occupation forces, and those who were detained by it,
cannot be neglected or bypassed by any Palestinian official,” he added
According
to Abu Yousef, 260 Palestinians have died as a result of Israeli actions so far
this year, and about 220 were killed last year.
Fares,
whose ministry helps to support the families of Palestinian detainees in
Israeli jails, said there are about 5,200 Palestinian prisoners in Israeli
prisons, including about 1,200 administrative detainees who are being held
without charge or trial, and 170 children under the age of 18.
Israeli
authorities imprison thousands of Palestinians each year, he added, for
nonviolent actions such as raising a Palestinian flag, participating in
anti-occupation protests, or political activism on college campuses.
He said
only 10 percent of Palestinian prisoners, about 500 in total, are serving life
sentences in Israeli jails, indicating that they were convicted of involvement
in the killing of Israeli citizens. In accordance with Palestinian law, Fares
said, the families of those people should not have to suffer, be held
responsible for their relative’s crimes, or be deprived of social support
services provided by the government.
JibrilRajoub,
a senior Fatah official, told Arab News the issue of Palestinian support for
the families of martyrs and detainees will only end when the Israeli occupation
of Palestinian land ends.
“It
appears that some members of the US Congress only care about supporting the
continuation of Israeli occupation, not an equitable peace between the two
peoples,” he said.
“This
issue is very sensitive for the Palestinian people because it touches the core
of their existence and their struggles to free their country and end the
Israeli occupation.”
Source: arabnews.com
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https://www.arabnews.com/node/2382466/middle-east
--------
Iraqis
who fled Daesh blame political rot for tragic wedding fire
September
28, 2023
HAMDANIYA,
Iraq: Iraqi Christians once driven from their village by Daesh are blaming
another enemy for an inferno that killed more than 100 of their friends and
relatives at a wedding this week: chronic political rot and lax governance.
After
returning from years of exile during Iraq’s war with the extremist forces,
residents rebuilding their lives in their hometown of Hamdaniya said that where
the vanquished terrorists had failed to kill them, corruption succeeded.
Daesh
“didn’t kill us, this catastrophe killed us,” Priest Boutros Shito said,
speaking at a local church hall while mourners buried the remains of their
loved ones.
Shito
lost both his parents, two of his sisters and two nephews to the fire, which
tore through a packed wedding hall in Hamdaniya, also called Qaraqosh, on
Wednesday. More than 100 people died, government officials said.
“In this
country, we always wait until a disaster occurs and then deal with the
results,” Shito said.
“Our
home is now empty of family because of greed and corruption.”
Government
officials have announced the arrest of 14 people over Tuesday night’s fire,
including the owners of the events hall, and promised a swift investigation
with results announced within 72 hours.
Prime
Minister Mohammed Shia Al-Sudani visited victims of the blaze at two local
hospitals on Thursday and said he directed that the strictest-possible legal
penalties be imposed “on those who were negligent and responsible for the
tragic fire incident.”
Witnesses
said the blaze began about an hour into the event when flares set fire to a
ceiling decoration.
They
said the hall had no visible fire extinguishers and few emergency exits and
that it took firefighters half an hour to get there.
It is
the latest in a series of tragic accidents across Iraq that have killed
hundreds of people in the last few years, including a fire at a Baghdad
hospital in 2021 and a capsized river ferry in Mosul in 2019.
All the
accidents have been blamed on negligence, lax regulations and corruption.
Criticism
of a lax approach to public safety is common in Iraq, a country where the state
has been weakened by recurring conflict since the 2003 US invasion, and where
services are impaired by pervasive corruption.
After decades
of dictatorship and internal oppression, the 2003 invasion unleashed violence
and civil war that fueled extremist groups such as Al-Qaeda.
In 2014,
in a spillover from the Syrian civil war next door, Al-Qaeda successor Daesh
marauded into northern Iraq and took over a third of the country.
Majority-Christian
Hamdaniya was among the scores of towns and cities Daesh fighters captured
after declaring an Islamic caliphate from nearby Mosul, Iraq’s second-biggest
city.
Most of
Hamdaniya’s inhabitants fled, fearing persecution and death at the hands of the
extremists.
Iraqi
and international forces expelled the terrorists from Hamdaniya in 2016 during
a campaign to defeat the group in Iraq and Syria. Many residents have since
returned with the Daesh threat gone.
But
after the wedding fire this week, some say any hopes for a better future are
being crushed by the reality of a haphazard and dysfunctional effort to rebuild
their homeland. The events hall where the fire took place this week was built
in 2016 right after the Hamdaniya was recaptured as a way to encourage the
return of normal life.
Source: arabnews.com
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--------
Israeli
Occupation Arrests Two Palestinians from Gaza
September
28, 2023
The
Israeli occupation forces announced on Thursday the apprehension of two
Palestinians who were allegedly attempting to cross the security fence from the
northern Gaza Strip. This comes amidst escalating tensions in the region
following recent Israeli actions at Al-Aqsa Mosque and against Palestinian
prisoners.
In an
official statement, the Israeli occupation stated that the two detainees were
apprehended while trying to breach the security fence, and they have
subsequently been transferred for investigation. The details of their
identities and motives remain undisclosed at this time, as Israeli authorities
continue to probe the incident.
Over the
past several days, the security fence area in the eastern Gaza Strip has become
a focal point for daily protests. Palestinian demonstrators have gathered to
express their outrage over Israeli attacks on Al-Aqsa Mosque and the treatment
of Palestinian prisoners.
Tensions
initially flared when Israeli forces clash with Palestinian worshippers at
Al-Aqsa Mosque on a daily basis. The clashes triggered international concern
and condemnation. Palestinian leaders have accused the Israeli occupation of
encroaching on the religious freedom of Muslims and violating the status quo at
the holy site.
Additionally,
Palestinian prisoners held in Israeli detention facilities have been a
contentious issue, with accusations to the Israeli occupation of mistreatment
and human rights abuses. Activists and organizations have called for the
release of these prisoners.
Source: daysofpalestine.ps
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--------
Israeli
Forces Clash with Palestinian Protesters in Beit Ummar, Leaving Two Injured
September
28, 2023
Israeli
occupation forces injured two young Palestinians following intense clashes that
erupted with Israeli occupation forces on Thursday evening in the town of Beit
Ummar, situated north of Hebron in the southern occupied West Bank.
Local
sources reported that the confrontations flared up when Israeli occupation
forces forcefully entered the Al-Dhahr area, which is adjacent to the
“CarmeiTzur” settlement. During the incursion, Israeli occupation soldiers
resorted to the use of live ammunition, rubber bullets, tear gas canisters, and
sound grenades to disperse the protesting Palestinians.
The
clashes resulted in the injury of two young men who were struck by live bullets
in the foot and knee. Both injured individuals were swiftly transported to a
nearby hospital for urgent medical treatment. Additionally, several other
protesters suffered from suffocation due to tear gas inhalation and received
immediate care on-site.
The
tense situation in Beit Ummar underscores the ongoing Israeli violations in the
region, as Palestinians continue to resist Israeli occupation and settlements.
Source: daysofpalestine.ps
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-------
South Asia
Afghan
Taliban arrest 200 terrorists after Chitral attack
September
29, 2023
Kamran
Yousaf
ISLAMABAD:Interim
Foreign Minister Jalil Abbas Jilani on Thursday confirmed that the Afghan
Taliban made certain arrests following the Chitral cross-border terrorist
attacks, saying Pakistan would protect its sovereignty at all costs.
“Our
delegation recently visited (Kabul) and they were informed about the arrests,”
Jilani told a news conference here when he was asked to confirm reports that
the Afghan Taliban arrested around 200 terrorists of the banned
Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP).
He,
however, would not say if those arrested were Pakistani nationals.
“We want
the Afghan Taliban to proceed against them according to the law,” he replied to
another question about the possible extradition of the detained terrorists.
The
Afghan Taliban informed the Pakistani delegation, which recently visited Kabul,
about the arrest of the TTP terrorists for their involvement in the Chitral
attack. However, this was the first time the top Pakistani diplomat confirmed
the development and the first such instance when the Afghan Taliban took action
against the TTP.
There
was no official confirmation or statement issued by the Afghan Taliban about
the development.
Jilani
said the visit of the Pakistani delegation led by Ambassador Asif Durrani was
“very productive”. He further said Pakistan was concerned over the increase in
cross-border terrorist attacks.
“The
entire world also has expressed concerns,” he added.
The
Afghan Taliban not only made bilateral commitments but at a trilateral meeting
among Pakistan, Afghanistan and China in May. They also pledged not to allow their
soil to be used against any country.
“I am
hopeful that the Afghan Taliban government would fulfil those commitments and
the kind of cross-border attacks that happened over the past few weeks would
not happen again,” he said.
Jilani
also said Pakistan would use all the options on the table to protect its
territorial integrity and sovereignty, indicating the possibility of
cross-border strikes if the TTP threat was not eliminated.
Tensions
between Pakistan and Afghanistan have been running high in recent weeks because
of the TTP.
On Sept
6, hundreds of TTP terrorists launched an attack from across the border in
Chitral.
The same
day Pakistan and the Afghan border forces exchanged fire at Torkham. The key
border crossing remained closed for nine days.
The
visit of Durrani was seen as an effort by Pakistan to convey a clear message
that no more cross-border terrorist attacks would be tolerated.
It seems
that Pakistan’s hardened stance may have worked as the Afghan Taliban made
certain arrests to pacify the anger.
Jilani
also confirmed the cabinet’s decision to evict illegal Afghans living in
Pakistan. However, he claimed the policy was not country specific but against
all nationals living in the country illegally.
The
cabinet, through the circulation of a summary recently, approved a crackdown
against 1.1 million Afghans living in Pakistan illegally.
“We will
implement that policy strictly,” the foreign minister added.
On
Israel, the foreign minister made it clear that there was no change in
Pakistan’s policy.
He said
Pakistan’s position was clear that the issue of Palestine had to be resolved as
per the aspirations of the people of Palestine with pre-1967 borders and
al-Quds al Sharif as its capital.
“There
is no change in our policy,” he insisted, rejecting the impression Pakistan
would follow Arab countries in establishing ties with Israel.
“We will
not follow any other country’s policy.”
There
have been reports that Saudi Arabia and other Arab countries were inching
closer to establishing ties with Israel with concerns that Pakistan might come
under pressure to bring a shift in its policy.
Source: tribune.com.pk
Please click the following URL to read
the full text of the original
https://tribune.com.pk/story/2438270/afghan-taliban-arrest-200-terrorists-after-chitral-attack
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Taliban
in Talks on Loya Jirga Plan: Sarajuddin Haqqani
Fidel
Rahmati
September
28, 2023
In a newsletter, the Ministry of Interior
Affairs of Afghanistan announced on Thursday that Sarajuddin Haqqani had
engaged in discussions with media figures and political activists about the
current issues and their potential solutions.
In this
meeting, the Taliban Interior Minister emphasized that differences of opinion
and challenges should be resolved through consultation and coordination to
avoid missed opportunities.
The
Taliban Interior Minister, Haqqani, said they are ready to conduct
consultations and dialogue about a Loya Jirga to gain legitimacy.
Since
the Taliban seized power in Afghanistan, no nation has officially recognized
their government as legitimate.
Meanwhile,
he conveyed to experts and political activists that the current problems stem
from the gap between modern education and religious teachings.
Since
returning to power, the Taliban have heavily focused on religious education,
and according to reports, they have reduced the academic content of the
curriculum.
According
to a statement released by the Taliban Ministry of Interior Affairs, Sarajuddin
Haqqani spoke about the group’s relations with the region and the world, stating
that the government of the Taliban has “no problem with anyone.” He claimed
that the Taliban have upheld their promises in the Doha Agreement.
While
the Taliban Interior Minister talks about understanding and consultation,
critics argue that the group’s government has not provided space for the
activities of different intellectual movements. They point out that women’s
rights activists, the Taliban detain journalists and former security personnel
daily.
Furthermore,
they curtailed women’s access to education and employment, confining them to
their homes.
Source: khaama.com
Please click the following URL to read
the full text of the original
https://www.khaama.com/taliban-in-talks-on-loya-jirga-plan-sarajuddin-haqqani/
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Taliban
issues 13 directives in 2 years, restricting information access: AFJC Report
Fidel
Rahmati
September
28, 2023
Over the
last two years, the Afghanistan Journalists Center (AFJC) has meticulously
documented a concerning trend: the Taliban has consistently and deliberately
issued 13 directives. These directives have a clear and alarming objective — to
systematically restrict media freedom and curtail access to vital information
within the country.
To mark
the International Day for Universal Access to Information, the AFJC issued a
statement on Thursday, emphasizing the Taliban’s “disregard” for Afghanistan’s
Access to Information Law.
Over the
past two years, Afghanistan has witnessed a notable decline in media activities
and an “unprecedented regression in the realm of access to information,” as
stated by the organization. The Taliban’s directives, detailed in the
Afghanistan Journalists Center’s
statement,
encompassing various measures.
The
first guideline issued by the Taliban is the prevention of women working in
radio and television, such as the ban on female employees of the state-owned
National Television in Kabul. Prohibiting media coverage of protests and civil
demonstrations is another directive imposed by the Taliban on the media.
Following
the Taliban’s takeover of Afghanistan, the Ministry of Interior swiftly imposed
a ban on all forms of demonstrations, making it clear that any incidents
resulting from these protests would be the responsibility of the violators.
Restrictions
on access to information are among the other guidelines outlined by the
Taliban. The Taliban’s media authority issued these regulations in 11 articles
in September 2021.
Meanwhile,
the group prohibiting the publication of content conflicting with Islam,
insulting national figures, violating national and personal sanctities, and
publishing reports under the supervision of the Taliban’s media centre are some
rules imposed by the Taliban on the media.
Furthermore,
compelling the recognition of the Taliban as the government of Afghanistan
under the title of the “Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan” is another restriction
imposed by the Taliban on the media. So far, no country has officially
recognized this group.
The
prohibition on broadcasting women’s voices in some cities is another
restriction imposed by the Taliban. Based on this, the Taliban’s Information
and Culture Department in Helmand warned that under no circumstances should
women’s voices be broadcast.
The
Taliban also deemed gender segregation in the media mandatory, requiring male
and female hosts to appear in separate environments and with separate programs.
In
addition to the above, the Taliban’s Ministry of Promotion of Virtue and
Prevention of Vice declared it forbidden to hold interviews with opponents and
critics of the Taliban in the media.
Based on
this, the heads of four private television networks in Kabul, including Tolo
News, 1TV, Ariana, and Shamshad, were summoned to the Taliban’s Information and
Culture Department.
Broadcasting
programs on international television channels in Afghanistan, including Voice
of America, BBC, and Deutsche, have also been prohibited. The ban on working
with “banned” media is another aspect highlighted by the Taliban.
Restrictions
on publishing commercial advertisements with political, security, and social
content are among other regulations imposed by the Taliban on the media.
The
Afghan Journalists Center has raised concerns and pointed out that these
restrictions have severely hampered media operations, causing an unprecedented
setback.
Source: khaama.com
Please click the following URL to read
the full text of the original
https://www.khaama.com/taliban-issues-13-directives-in-2-years-restricting-information-access-afjc-report/
---------
Turkey
rescues and detains 70 Afghan refugees
Fidel
Rahmati
September
28, 2023
Turkish media reports that the coastal guards
of this country have rescued 70 Afghan refugees in the Çanakkale area and
detained 41 other “illegal” immigrants.
On
Wednesday, Turkish Anadolu Agency cited Turkish coastal guard forces reporting
that these individuals were detained and rescued from the Ayvacık town, also
known as “Canakkale.”
According
to reports, some of these refugees were aboard a rubber boat, which the Turkish
coastal guards identified and apprehended.
The news
bulletin states that 70 illegal immigrants of Afghan nationality, who had been
driven into Turkish territorial waters by Greek forces on a rubber boat, were
rescued and brought to the shore.
It
should be noted that these individuals were transferred to the migration office
of the Canakkale district in Turkey after going through legal procedures.
Previously,
Turkish security forces had reported the detention of over a hundred “illegal”
refugees, including Afghan citizens, in Edirne.
According
to reports, Turkey has detained at least four thousand Afghan refugees from
various cities since the beginning of this year.
This
comes when the Turkish government has emphasized its efforts to combat illegal
immigration.
Source: khaama.com
Please click the following URL to read the
full text of the original
https://www.khaama.com/turkey-rescues-and-detains-70-afghan-refugees/
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Afghanistan’s
Embassy in India closed due to unprecedented circumstances
Fidel
Rahmati
September 28, 2023
The
Embassy of Afghanistan in New Delhi has announced that it is compelled to cease
its operations due to unprecedented circumstances. In a statement, the Embassy
said that this decision was taken due to the lack of support from the Indian
government.
The
Indian Ministry of External Affairs has not yet commented on this matter.
The
Afghan Embassy in New Delhi has emphasized that its operations are being
suspended due to the lack of diplomatic attention from the Indian government.
The statement mentioned that over the past six months, the Afghan Embassy had
sent several diplomatic notes to the Indian Ministry of External Affairs.
However, none of these valid requests, including the Strategic Partnership
Agreement and other bilateral agreements, received attention.
The
statement further stressed, “Despite numerous requests regarding key concerns
about the diplomatic mission’s situation, educational initiatives, and support
for consular services, humanitarian aid coordination, and commercial assistance
to Afghan traders, necessary actions were not taken, or minimal support was
provided by the relevant authorities,” cited by Afghanistan International.
Before
diplomatic relations resumed between India and the Taliban in June of last
year, the Embassy did not receive Indian government support in diplomatic
matters.
After
the Indian Embassy in Kabul reopened, India consistently ignored the Afghan
Embassy in Delhi.
In
February of this year, Farid Mamundzai, the Afghan Ambassador to New Delhi,
stated that after the resurgence of the Taliban in Afghanistan, the Embassy in
Delhi no longer had any political relations with Kabul; however, it continued
to provide services to Afghan citizens in India.
In
August last year, the Indian Foreign Minister announced that some Indian
diplomats, excluding the Ambassador, had returned from Afghanistan.
Indian
Foreign Minister S. Jaishankar assured Afghan embassy staff of resuming their
duties and salary payments. Despite the Taliban’s takeover, India kept its
Kabul embassy without an ambassador.
Source: khaama.com
Please click the following URL to read
the full text of the original
https://www.khaama.com/afghanistans-embassy-in-india-closed-due-to-unprecedented-circumstances/
---------
UN
Deputy Sec-Gen Calls for Applying Pressure on Interim Afghan Government
September 28, 2023
UN
Deputy Secretary-General Amina Mohammed once again called for pressure on the
current Afghan government to ensure the women’s and girls’ rights to education
and work in Afghanistan.
Speaking
at the press conference, Mohammed said that the situation of women and girls is
getting worse day by day in Afghanistan.
“There
is a Women in Islam conference that is coming up that will be taking on some of
these issues, you will know that the OIC had sent a mission recently to
Afghanistan so we think the neighborhood's important as well (to) create that
pressure and that momentum, they're part of the international community and
they've got to put pressure to make sure that women's rights are back where
they should be in Afghanistan,” the UN Deputy Secretary-General said.
According
to some women’s rights activists, the Islamic Emirate should provide the rights
of employment and education to women and girls, in order to attract the trust
of the world.
"The
Islamic Emirate government must first establish credibility at the national
level if it hopes to earn credibility at the international level. How long they
would continue to disregard women and how far they would go to violate their
rights,” said Tafsir Seyaposh, a women’s rights activist.
"It
is the responsibility of the world and the current authorities of Afghanistan
to pay serious attention to the alarming situation that Afghan women have and
the situation that has isolated Afghanistan,” said Suraya Paikan, a women’s
rights activist.
Although
the Islamic Emirate has not yet commented on the remarks of UN Deputy
Secretary-General Amina Mohammed, it has previously denied the violation of
women’s and girls’ rights saying that their rights are ensured in Afghanistan
in accordance with the Islamic principles.
Source: tolonews.com
Please click the following URL to read
the full text of the original
https://tolonews.com/afghanistan-185300
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Islamic
Emirate Expresses Condolences Over Iraq Wedding Fire Tragedy
2023-09-28
KABUL
(BNA): The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan
has expressed its deepest condolences to the people and government of Iraq
following a tragic fire incident in the city of Hamdaniya.
The
incident, which resulted in numerous casualties, has deeply affected the
nation.
As
reported by international media, a devastating fire broke out at a wedding
party in the Hamdaniya region of Nineveh province, located in northwestern
Iraq, on Wednesday night. The incident led to the unfortunate loss of 114 lives
and left 150 others injured.
The
wedding hall was filled with over a thousand guests when the incident occurred,
adding to the magnitude of the tragedy.
The
Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan stands in solidarity with Iraq during this
difficult time.
Source: bakhtarnews.af
Please click the following URL to read
the full text of the original
https://bakhtarnews.af/en/islamic-emirate-expresses-condolences-over-iraq-wedding-fire-tragedy/
-------
25
Afghan Nationals Released from Iraqi Jail and Repatriated
2023-09-28
KABUL
(BNA): The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan
has successfully facilitated the release and repatriation of 25 Afghan
nationals from an Iraqi jail.
These
individuals were incarcerated due to a lack of legal residency documents.
Hafez
Zia Ahmad, the Deputy Spokesman of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, confirmed
in a statement that the release was made possible through the concerted efforts
of the Ministry and the Embassy of the Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan in
Baghdad.
The
necessary documents were issued to ensure their safe return to Afghanistan.
Source: bakhtarnews.af
Please click the following URL to read
the full text of the original
https://bakhtarnews.af/en/25-afghan-nationals-released-from-iraqi-jail-and-repatriated/
-------
Washington
values relationship with Dhaka: US State Department
Sep 29, 2023
The
United States has said it expects that the government of Bangladesh will take
all necessary actions to maintain the safety and security of all foreign
missions and personnel in the country, including those from the US.
"The
United States values its relationship with Bangladesh," US State
Department Spokesperson Matthew Miller told reporters at a regular briefing on
Thursday, September 28.
He,
however, said he is not going to discuss specific details around security at
the US embassy or the personnel that work in Bangladesh.
"I
will say that of course the safety and security of our diplomatic personnel is
of the utmost importance to us. And as per the Vienna Convention on Diplomatic
Relations, every host country must uphold its obligations to ensure the
protection of all diplomatic mission premises and take all diplomatic steps to
prevent any attack on personnel," Miller said while responding to a
question.
Asked
about US Embassy's remarks on visa restrictions on media, Miller again
refrained from mentioning media.
"I'm
not going to announce specific steps, preview steps that we might take from the
podium," he said.
The
spokesperson said they have taken steps to impose restrictions under the
secretary's authority against members of law enforcement, the ruling party, and
the political opposition who we believe to be responsible for or complicit in
undermining free and fair elections in Bangladesh.
"And
as we made clear when we announced this policy on May 24th - that's when we
announced the policy, not the imposition of sanctions on specific individuals -
but when we announced that policy, that it could be applied to any Bangladeshi
individual who we believe was responsible for or complicit in undermining the
democratic process," Miller said.
"So,
we retain the option to impose sanctions on other individuals if and when we
believe it's appropriate," he added.
Source: thedailystar.net
Please click the following URL to read
the full text of the original
https://www.thedailystar.net/news/bangladesh/diplomacy/news/addressing-air-quality-crucial-dhakas-sustainability-haas-3430181
--------
Arab World
Saudi
Arabia’s evolving relations with Israel and their impact on the Palestinian
cause
September
28, 2023
Firoz
Osman
Saudi
Arabia’s normalizing relations with the Zionist colonial entity Israel is a
fait accompli and is redolent of the its treacherous history of collaboration
with the British that led to the fragmentation of the Ottoman Khalifate.
Then, on
February 1945 US President F D Roosevelt met with King Abdul Aziz al Saud
resulting with the USA providing military protection in exchange for oil in
U.S. dollars.
It was
as early as in 2002 that the Saudi regime proposed the Arab Peace Initiative
calling for two states in Palestine, one for Jews in the lands occupied in 1948
and the other for the Palestinians in the land occupied in 1967, in return for
normalised relations. Israel rejected this proposal as it did all other
subsequent peace overtures.
The
Saudis were thus willing to abandon more than two-thirds of historic Palestine
and essentially condone the ethnic cleansing of the land from pre-1948 to
today.
Israel
has never made any concessions on territorial or other issues in more than 75
years. And it continues to usurp more Palestinian land under the smokescreen of
the so-called “peace process”.
In the
meantime, the de facto American and Israeli-backed ruler of Saudi Arabia,
Muhammad Bin Salman (MBS) embarked on an unprecedented wave of arrests that
rocked the House of Saud, entrenching his rule, imprisoning and killing a
number of leading religious leaders, royal family members that opposed him, and
Palestinian activists.
MBS told
Fox News that, “every day we get closer” to normalising ties with Israel. “We
don’t look at Israel as an enemy, we look to them as a potential ally with many
interests that we can pursue together”.
MBS’s
appalling litany of crimes continues unabated
The
brutal dismemberment of the Saudi dissident Jamal Khashoggi at its embassy in Istanbul, sawing his body
into pieces and dissolving it in acid, shocked the world.
The
Saudis propped up the military in a coup against Egypt’s first ever
democratically elected president Muhammad Morsi and aided the persecution of the
Ikhwan al Muslimeen (Muslim Brotherhood).
They
pulverised to smithereens the poorest Arab country Yemen. The Saudis have
committed egregious war crimes, impoverished and decimated this country,
devastating the land and leaving twenty of its 28 million people
near-starvation, with thousands killed.
Lebanese
Prime Minister Saad Hariri was pressurised by the Saudis to resign with the
intention of destabilising Lebanon.
The
Saudis imposed a strangulating siege on Qatar attempting to restrict its
sovereignty, bullied other members of the Gulf Coordinating Council (GCC),
proscribed Al Jazeera television and pushed for a regime change in Doha.
MBS,
having lost the war in Syria with its proxies being resoundingly defeated, has
attempted with its American and Israeli allies, to confront Hizbullah and Iran.
Moreover,
he has imposed severe restrictions on charities operating in the occupied
Palestinian territories and the transfer of donations from Saudi citizens for
the West Bank and the Gaza Strip. Anyone showing any kind of support for the
Palestinian cause can expect to be imprisoned or worse.
During
the crippling Israeli siege imposed on the Gaza Strip, Saudi Arabia has
basically abandoned the Palestinians living there. Saudi Imams are banned from
praying for the Palestinians or mentioning them in their supplications in
mosques across the Kingdom, especially in Makkah and Madinah.
The
Saudi regime has spent millions of dollars to reverse the popularity of the
resistance movements and demonise as “terrorists” the Muslim Brotherhood,
Hamas, Islamic Jihad, Ansarullah and Hizbullah, often using the sectarian card
to vilify Iran of having a “shia” agenda.
Palestinian
intellectuals opine that any project with apartheid Israel that is not based
within a resistance framework serves to normalize relations.
This
resistance framework should be based on recognition of the fundamental rights
of the Palestinian people and on the commitment to resist all forms of
oppression against Palestinians ending the occupation, establishing full and
equal rights for Palestinian citizens of Israel, and promoting and advocating
for the right of return for Palestinian refugees.
So long
as Israelʼs oppression continues, any engagement
with Israelis (individuals or institutions) that is not within the resistance framework, serves
to underline the normality of Israeli occupation, colonialism and apartheid in
the lives of people in the world. It is, therefore, imperative that people in
the world shun all relations with Israelis, unless based on co-resistance.
It is
the collaboration of these treacherous Arab regimes with Israel and the West
that has made Gaza into a disaster zone, starving its two million people and
caused its economy, health sector and infrastructure to collapse.
International
supporters of Palestine must refrain from participating in any event that
morally or politically equates the oppressor and oppressed and presents the
relationship between Palestinians and Israelis as symmetrical .
Such an
event should be boycotted because it normalizes Israelʼs
colonial domination over Palestinians and ignores the power structures and
relations embedded in the oppression.
The
example of South Africa elucidates this point perfectly, where reconciliation,
dialogue and forgiveness came after the end of apartheid, not before.
The sham
of a “ two-state solution, peace-process, reconciliation and
normalization” that does not aim to end
Zionist Israeli apartheid, occupation and oppression, is an injustice that
prolongs the oppression of the Palestinians.
Perhaps
the most perfidious than Saudi treachery is the Palestinian Authority (PA),
whose octogenarian leader, Mahmoud Abbas, openly connives with the Zionist
Israeli entity to oppress his own people. He unashamedly declared that the PA’s
association with Israeli intelligence is “sacred”.
The
Saudi custodians of the two holy sanctuaries in Makkah and Medina, viewed by
many as illegitimate, normalizing with a brutal racist settler colonial entity
that illegally occupies the third sanctuary al Aqsa in Jerusalem, could further
destabilize the volatile region.
Firoz
Osman is a medical doctor by profession and a highly-respected South African
commentator on the Zionist occupation of Palestine. A founding member and
executive member of Media Review Network, he has a special interest in
Palestinian political and resistance movements, Zionism, and Islamophobia
Source: muslimmirror.com
Please click the following URL to read
the full text of the original
https://muslimmirror.com/eng/saudi-arabias-evolving-relations-with-israel-and-their-impact-on-the-palestinian-cause/
-------
Saudi
Arabia, China sign transport agreement
September
29, 2023
RIYADH:
The transport ministers of Saudi Arabia and China — Saleh bin Nasser Al-Jasser
and Li Xiaopeng — signed an agreement on Wednesday to enhance cooperation
between the two countries.
The
agreement aims to see an exchange of expertise in modern transport methods,
including the use of high-tech methods to enhance roads, build autonomous
vehicles, and improve shipping and the running of ports.
During
his visit to China, Al-Jasser attended the World Forum on Sustainable Transport
in Beijing, and met with senior government officials, as well as leaders of
transport and logistics companies.
Al-Jasser
highlighted the importance of mutual cooperation and investments, saying Saudi
Arabia had ambitious plans for the industry as part of a national strategy for
transport and logistics.
Source: arabnews.com
Please click the following URL to read
the full text of the original
https://www.arabnews.com/node/2382601/saudi-arabia
-------
Saudi
human rights chief meets UK minister
September
29, 2023
RIYADH:
Hala Al-Tuwaijri, Saudi human rights commission president, met with Lord Tariq
Ahmad, UK minister for the Middle East, North Africa, South Asia and the UN.
On a
state visit to the UK, Al-Tuwaijri reviewed the Kingdom’s historic legislative
reforms and developments in the field of human rights since the adoption of
Saudi Vision 2030, stressing the keenness of the Saudi leadership to enhance
and protect human rights, the HRC said.
The HRC
president also visited the Slynn Foundation, discussing with officials there
ways to enhance cooperation and exchange expertise in the field of human
rights.
Source: arabnews.com
Please click the following URL to read
the full text of the original
https://www.arabnews.com/node/2382426/saudi-arabia
-------
Saudi,
Bahraini FMs chair coordination meeting in Manama
September
28, 2023
MANAMA:
RIYADH: Saudi Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan and his Bahraini
counterpart Abdullatif bin Rashid Al-Zayani chaired the second meeting of the
political coordination committee of the Saudi-Bahraini Coordination Council on
Thursday in Manama.
The two
sides reviewed bilateral relations, and discussed ways to enhance them and
boost cooperation, the Saudi Press Agency reported.
Prince
Faisal and Al-Zayani also presided over the first meeting of the council’s
preparatory committee, which evaluated the progress made in the work of the
subcommittees, and the initiatives launched during the council’s second meeting
in 2021.
They
also reviewed new initiatives that will be introduced during the council’s
third meeting, as well as draft agreements and memorandums of understanding
that will be signed between the two sides.
The
meetings are part of Prince Faisal’s visit to Manama, where he met with
Bahrain’s King Hamad and Crown Prince Salman bin Hamad.
Source: arabnews.com
Please click the following URL to read
the full text of the original
https://www.arabnews.com/node/2382386/saudi-arabia
-------
Saudi
Arabia’s transformation akin to Japan’s rise: Ambassador Iwai
September
29, 2023
Saudi
Arabia’s remarkable economic and social transformation now underway is much
like the rise of Japan several decades ago, according to Tokyo’s envoy Fumio
Iwai.
Japan’s
ambassador made the comments in a lecture on Sept. 28 titled “Experience of
Japan through Meiji Restoration” at Abdulrahman Al-Sudairy Cultural Center in
Sakaka, Jouf province.
Iwai
said there were considerable similarities between the two nations including the
developments in industry, culture, job creation, and the passion of the people.
He also
exchanged opinions with members of the audience during a question-and-answer
session.
Prior to
the lecture, Iwai met with Prince Faisal bin Nawaf bin Abdulaziz, the governor
of Jouf.
He had
earlier met with Jouf University’s president Dr. Mohammed bin Mufrij
Al-Huwaiti, and visited the local chamber of commerce, as well as the Nawwaf
Al-Rashed Heritage Museum.
In a
post on X, Iwai said the visit was a “fun experience, but at the same time very
difficult, especially in the question-and-answer session.”
“I once
again realized the limitations of my listening and understanding skills in
Arabic,” he added.
Source: arabnews.com
Please click the following URL to read
the full text of the original
https://www.arabnews.com/node/2382511/saudi-arabia
-------
Saudi
Ambassador to Türkiye Abu Al-Nasr presents credentials to Erdogan
September
28, 2023
ANKARA —
Saudi Arabia’s Ambassador to Turkiye Fahd bin Asaad Abu Al-Nasr presented his
credentials to Turkiye President Recep Tayyip Erdogan during a reception at the
Presidential Complex in Ankara on Wednesday. Some members of the Saudi embassy
and Al-Nasr’s family also attended the reception.
Abu
Al-Nasr, who served earlier as deputy minister for public diplomacy at the
Ministry of Foreign Affairs, took oath of office before Custodian of the Two
Holy Mosques King Salman on August 1 after appointing as ambassador-designate
to Turkiye.
Before
joining the ministry, Abu Al-Nasr served as director general of King Abdullah
International Center for Interreligious and Intercultural Dialogue (KAICIID),
based in Vienna, Austria. Holder of bachelor’s degree in political science and
master’s degree in comparative politics from the American University in
Washington DC, Abu Al-Nasr was a founding member and CEO of Al-Aghar Group.
Source: saudigazette.com.sa
Please click the following URL to read
the full text of the original
https://saudigazette.com.sa/article/636287/SAUDI-ARABIA/Saudi-Ambassador-to-T-uumlrkiye-Abu-Al-Nasr-presents-credentials-to-Erdogan
--------
Southeast Asia
PM
Anwar: Tabung Haji assets parked under Finance Ministry’s special purpose
vehicle to be returned to fund
By
ShathanaKasinathan
29 Sep
2023
KUALA
LUMPUR, Sept 29 — Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim today said that the
Tabung Haji assets that were handed over to a special purpose vehicle (SPV)
under the Ministry of Finance (MoF) will be returned to the Tabung Haji board.
Anwar,
who is also the finance minister, said that the move comes as Tabung Haji,
which manages the Haj pilgrimage fund, has overcome its previous financial
challenges and is now under more efficient management.
“I told
you from the beginning when I took over this position, once Tabung Haji is
being well managed, then the MoF will start discussions to hand over all the
assets that are currently entrusted to the SPV to Tabung Haji,” he said during
the launch of Tabung Haji’s 60th anniversary celebration here, today.
Anwar
also said that the transfer of assets temporarily held by MoF is to restore
confidence in Tabung Haji including fending off the various accusations and
slander hurled by irresponsible parties.
“The
return of these assets is also to disprove the claim of certain parties that TH
assets placed under the SPV were handed over to non-Muslim ownership, which is
not true at all.
“This is
also to put an end to the slander against the finance minister at the time who
allegedly transferred these assets to non-Muslims,” he said referring to Lim
Guan Eng who held the position during the previous PakatanHarapan
administration.
When
asked whether all the assets will be returned, Anwar answered in the
affirmative without specifying an exact figure.
“I have
spoken to my officers about it and the return of the assets might be done in
stages,” he said.
In 2018,
it was reported that Tabung Haji transferred its underperforming assets
amounting to nearly RM19.9 billion to the SPV as part of its financial
turnaround plan.
Source: malaymail.com
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Number
of flood evacuees in Kedah rises to 1,908, Perlis records 44 victims as of this
morning
29 Sep 2023
KUALA
LUMPUR, Sept 29 ― The number of flood victims at relief centres (PPS) in Kedah
recorded an increase, while in Perlis, it showed a drop this morning.
In
Kedah, the number of flood victims increased to 1,908 people from 576 families
this morning, compared to 1,813 people from 530 families last night.
Head of
the Kedah Disaster Management Secretariat of the Malaysian Civil Defence Force
(APM) Major (PA) Muhammad SuhaimiMohd Zain said the evacuees are accommodated
at 15 PPS in the KubangPasu (three), Pokok Sena (three), Baling (four) and Kota
Setar (five) districts.
The PPS
in KubangPasu are at SekolahMenengahKebangsaan (SMK) Changlun, SekolahKebangsaan
(SK) Malau and Dewan PPK LubukBatu, while in Pokok Sena, they are at SK Bukit
Hijau, MaahadTarbiyahDerang and SK PermatangLimau.
In
Baling, the PPS are at SK Iboi, SMK Jerai, SK KampungKeda and SurauAnnur, while
the five PPS in Kota Setar are at SK Taman Aman, SMK Kepala Batas, SK Seri
Gunung, SK Titi Gajah and SMK AlorMerah.
In
Perlis, the number of flood evacuees dropped to 44 people from 48 people
yesterday.
Perlis
APM director Lieutenant Colonel (PA) MohdIzaimiMd Daud said the evacuees,
involving 16 families, are accommodated at the PPS at SK Kubang Gajah hall.
They are
from KampungKubang Gajah and Alor Ara. he said when contacted by Bernama. ―
Bernama
Source: malaymail.com
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PM: Govt
doing its best to help people coping with rising prices of goods
29-09-
2023
KUALA
LUMPUR: Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim said the government is doing
its best to help the people cope with rising prices of essential goods.
Anwar
acknowledged that problems existed, and said that he had asked Domestic Trade
and Cost of Living (KPDN) acting minister Datuk ArmizanMohd Ali and deputy
minister Datuk FuziahSalleh to pay attention to the matter.
He said
Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi also focused on the
issue in the National Action Council on Cost of Living (NACCOL) Committee
meeting.
“There
is indeed a problem, I admit the problem with the (rising) prices of goods and
necessities. We also saw that some countries experienced major social unrest
due to restrictions on rice exports, and the increase in onion export taxes,
all of which have an impact on the economy and (prices of) goods.
“However,
we will try to resolve it. Whenever the Ministry of Finance has to assist, then
we will do it,” he told reporters after launching Tabung Haji’s 60th
anniversary celebration at Menara TH.
Asked if
his weekly audience with the Yang di-Pertuan Agong Al-Sultan Abdullah
Ri’ayatuddin Al-Mustafa Billah Shah scheduled for today will touch on the
Cabinet reshuffle, he said it was just a weekly audience he usually had with
His Majesty.
“Perhaps,
I’ll think about it later. There is no urgent need because there is only one
vacancy,” said the Prime Minister.
Currently,
the vacant position of KPDN Minister following the death of the incumbent, the
late Datuk Seri Salahuddin Ayub last July, has yet to be filled.
The
media previously reported the possibility of a Cabinet reshuffle in the near
future, with several ministers predicted to be dropped and the alleged
reshuffle will only take place after the Pelangai state by-election on Oct
7.-Bernama
Source: thesundaily.my
Please click the following URL to read
the full text of the original
https://www.thesundaily.my/local/pm-govt-doing-its-best-to-help-people-coping-with-rising-prices-of-goods-AA11553388
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Body of
baby girl found in rubbish bin
28-09-
2023
GEORGE
TOWN: The body of a baby girl, with the umbilical cord still attached, was
found in a rubbish bin of the flats in Farlim, here today.
Timur
Laut police chief ACP SoffianSantong said the naked body was found by a group
of cleaners at about 10 am.
He said
the body of the baby had been sent to the Penang Hospital.
Soffian
appealed to people who had information on the matter to contact the
police.-Bernama
Source: thesundaily.my
Please click the following URL to read
the full text of the original
https://www.thesundaily.my/local/body-of-baby-girl-found-in-rubbish-bin-DA11552067
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URL: https://newageislam.com/islamic-world-news/up-muslim-teacher-slap-hindu/d/130786