Pahalgam Victim’s Widow, Aishanya Dwivedi: Why Are We Doing Hindu-Muslim? The Terrorists Were Not People But Monsters
New Age Islam News Bureau
04 May 2025
Aishanya Dwivedi
File picture
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India
• Shimla Municipal Corporation Orders Full Demolition Of Unauthorized Sanjauli Mosque After 15-Year Legal Battle
• India Must Keep Track Of Pak’s Strategic Fault Lines
• Govt’s Affidavit On Rise In Waqf Assets Not Accurate, Misleading: AIMPLB To SC
• Another Trinamool MP writes to Amit Shah on attacks on migrant workers from Bengal
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Pakistan
• Screws Tighten On Pakistan: Curb On Water Flow Through Baglihar; Crackdown On Ships, Trade
• Pakistan Defence Minister warns India it would strike any structure built on Indus River in violation of Treaty
• Pakistan soldier detained by border force in Rajasthan: Sources
• Pakistan Envoy Warns Of ‘Full Spectrum’ Nuclear Response If India Strikes, Says Conflict Is ‘Imminent’
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Mideast
• Iran says 'has every right' to enrich uranium, dismissing U.S. concerns
• Islamic Jihad: Arab, Islamic nations will not be safe from Israel’s aggression on Syria
• Waltz’s coordination with Netanyahu on Iran strike contributed to his firing – report
• UK police arrest seven Iranian nationals in counter-terrorism operations
• Iran reasserts uranium enrichment rights as further US talks delayed
• PFLP-GC terror group says leader was arrested by Syrian authorities
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South Asia
• No Right Violated In Afghanistan; All Secured Under Islamic Principles
• Thousands of Islamists rally in Bangladesh against proposed changes to women’s rights
• Islamic Emirate supports media outlets adhering to religious and Afghan values, spokesman
• Over 350 acres of lands approved Emirati in Kabul, ministry
• UNAMA report regarding human rights baseless, ministry
• Islamic Emirate Restores Thousands of Military Vehicles in Kandahar
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Arab World
• QU Hosts ‘International Conference On Complementary Medicine In Islamic Civilisation’
• Syria detains head of Palestinian group based in Damascus
• Saudi Interior Minister Reviews Prophet’s Mosque Security ahead of Hajj
• Sana'a undersecretary inspects summer programs in Old city mosques
• MIA hosts exhibition exploring cultural role of food across Islamic world
• Jeddah’s Balad Al-Fan Festival is haven for creative souls
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Southeast Asia
• Do You Put Malay-Muslim Interests First? Then Come And Join PAS, Youth Chief Tells Allies Within Umno
• ‘Don’t just stay in your bungalows’: Nga dares critics of URA to experience urban poor’s struggles, offers free rental in dilapidated flats
• Anwar urges calm as negotiations continue on Petronas-Petros dispute
• ‘Our prosperity and security are indivisible’: Anwar congratulates Singapore PM Wong after PAP’s election win
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North America
• Albanese Rides Anti-Trump Wave; 1st Australian PM In 21 Years To Win 2 Elections
• Mexico's president says she rejected Trump's plan to send US troops across the border
• US solar tariffs could drive Asia transition boom
• One strike and you’re out: Trump’s harsh ‘catch and revoke’ rule could cost foreign students their visa over minor offenses
• US court ruling throws Voice of America return into flux
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Africa
• SAPS Hunt For Gunmen After Fatal Shooting At Athlone Mosque
• $220m Fine: Quitting Nigeria Won’t Absolve Meta Of Liability – FCCPC
• APC chieftain dismisses NANS allegations against SeyiTinubu
• Rivers APC Crisis Deepens As Factions Clash Over Court Ruling
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Europe
• Bank Of England Set To Cut Interest Rates As US Tariff Impact In Focus
• Welcome recovery noted for rare British flower
• Zelensky criticizes Hungarian PM Orban for politicizing Ukraine's EU aspirations
• Russian drone attack on Kyiv injures 11, sparks residential fires, Ukraine says
• Ukrainian sea drones down 2 Russian Su-30 jets near Novorossiysk, military intelligence chief says
Compiled by New Age Islam News Bureau
URL: https://newageislam.com/islamic-world-news/pahalgam-victim-hindu-muslim-terrorists/d/135423
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Pahalgam Victim’s Widow, Aishanya: Why Are We Doing Hindu-Muslim? The Terrorists Were Not People But Monsters
03.05.25
Aishanya Dwivedi
File picture
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Shubham Dwivedi had finished saying the word “Hindu” before he was shot. His wife, Aishanya, standing beside him, didn’t realise what was happening until it was too late.
“They asked us, ‘Are you Hindu or Muslim?’ When we said we were Hindu, they just shot him,” she told BBC Hindi in an interview last week.
The young couple from Uttar Pradesh had recently married and were visiting Kashmir with family when terrorists struck in the Pahalgam area.
In a firm rebuke to attempts at communalising the incident, Aishanya emphasised what she believes is the true failure, not of the people but of the state.
“God knows whether it was a failure of intelligence, of planning, or just acknowledgement. But there was a failure. At home, our parents protect us. In a country, the government and the army are responsible for protecting us,” she added.
She said the terrain made it impossible to run or hide. “It is the kind of mountain that people can’t easily escape from. I don’t know how we escaped. I don’t know what higher power brought us down to safety.”
Prime Minister Narendra Modi promised that India will “punish every terrorist and their backers.” But to survivors like Aishanya, the wound isn’t just personal.”
Some sections of society have attempted to assign religious blame, but Aishanya insists that such division only compounds the tragedy.
Source: Www.Telegraphindia.Com
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Muslim Pandit, Pandit Mustafa Arif, Bridges Faiths By Translating Gita Into Simple Hindi
May 3, 2025
Ensconced in a sofa at his modest flat in a middle-class neighbourhood of Versova, Pandit Mustafa Arif holds a copy of the Bhagavad Gita in one hand. His wizened fingers reach the page where Krishna, guiding and encouraging Arjun in the epic battle of Mahabharat, pronounces: "You have the right to deeds, not to their fruit."
The next moment, Arif, 75, peering through a pair of thick glasses perched on his nose, quotes the poet Allama Iqbal: "Amal se zindagibantihaijannatbhijahanumbhi/Yeh khaki apnifitratmeinnanoorihainanaarihai (By deeds we make our lives, our heaven or hell/In our dusty nature, neither is there light nor a fiery fairy)."
"See the unmistakable similarities between Gita's shlok and Iqbal's couplet. Their emphasis is on deeds. A lot of Iqbal's shairi is inspired by the Quranic verses," explains Arif, whose deep study of Hindu and Islamic scriptures helped him find many commonalities between the two faiths.
Currently engaged in translating 700 shlokas of the Gita into 786 verses in simple Hindi, Arif wants to make the message of the Gita accessible to commoners. Free from heavy words and confusing imagery, Arif's compositions reach the heart.
As a trial run, the former Hindi journalist and now full-time spiritual practitioner who studied both Sanskrit and Arabic, recited six verses at Gita Jayanti celebrations last year held by cultural organisation Dr Shiv Mangal Singh Suman ShodhPratishthan at Ratlam. "Many scholars of Sanskrit and Gita appreciated my efforts. I resolved to encapsulate all the 700 Sanskrit shlokas in 786 Hindi verses."
Why 786 verses? "The number 786 is sacred for Muslims as the devout begin all their writings with this number," says the priest, adding that he is pained by the artificial gulf being created between two major communities in India and wants to make the wisdom in the holy books accessible to all.
Noted bhajan singer Pandit Rajiv Sharma and his three brothers, popular as Sharma Bandhu, are planning to sing Arif's creation titled ‘Gita Bharati' in a sequence of six verses.
Having composed the Quran's message in 10,000 verses in simple Hindi titled ‘Ek Hi Hai Sarva Shaktiman (Almighty Is One)', he says, the work on the Gita is a logical progression.
"I came to the Gita after working on the Quran's message. The Gita is over 5000 years old and holds universal teachings," says Ratlam-born Arif, who graduated in Archaeology and Ancient Indian History from a college in Ujjain, which also became his initial karmbhoomi as he worked there as a journalist before moving to Delhi in 2000 after Atal Bihari Vajpayee became the PM.
Though the revered seer Swami DivyanandTirth Acharya Prakashnanda previously bestowed the title of ‘Pandit' and ‘Parshuram Shree' at an All India Brahman Samaj's Conference, Arif began prefixing his first name with Pandit only after Vajpayee began calling him a Pandit.Apart from editing BJP's magazine ‘SadhbhavnaSandesh', Arif also penned 131 panegyrics poems on Vajpayee in a collection called ‘Dharti par Atal mahan'.
On December 20, 2000, Vajpayee also unveiled his first collection of poems ‘YehDil Mange More' at the Parliament House.A unique feat that this Muslim Pandit achieved was when he was appointed a member of the administrative committee of the famous Mahakaleshwar Mandir in Ujjain. Though he doesn't hold this post any longer, he is a lifetime advisor to Ujjain's Bal Hanuman Temple.
Many other prestigious awards and honours that he was conferred with include one by Vishwa Hindi Academy and several others by social organisations for spreading communal harmony and fostering national integration and brotherhood.
Dividing his time between Mumbai and Ujjain, Arif says his task is to remove the misunderstanding among people because "we all are creations of one God."
Source: Timesofindia.Com
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Pakistan’s warfighting capabilities limited to 4 days; struggling with shortage of artillery ammunition
May 03, 2025
Pakistan's military is facing a critical shortage of artillery ammunition, severely limiting its warfighting capabilities to just four days. The shortage is attributed to the country's recent arms deals with Ukraine which have drained its war reserves.
Sources say, the Pakistan Ordnance Factories (POF), which supplies the military, has struggled to replenish supplies amid surging global demand and outdated production facilities. As a result, Pakistan's ammunition reserves can sustain only 96 hours of high-intensity conflict, leaving its military vulnerable.
Pakistan's military doctrine, centred on rapid mobilisation to counter India's numerical superiority, hinges on artillery and armoured units. Without sufficient 155mm shells for its M109 howitzers or 122mm rockets for its BM-21 systems, the army's ability to blunt an Indian offensive is severely compromised.
The social media posts on X in April 2025 claimed that critical 155mm artillery shells, vital for Pakistan's artillery-heavy doctrine, were diverted to Ukraine, leaving stockpiles dangerously low.
The POF, designed to meet domestic needs first, struggled to replenish supplies amid surging global demand and outdated production facilities.
However, with the sale of 155 MM ammunition to Ukraine, all 155 mm gun systems, including their self-propelled and MGS artillery, are without adequate stocks of ammunition.
The shortage of artillery ammunition has severe implications for Pakistan's military doctrine, which relies heavily on artillery and armoured units. Without sufficient ammunition, the Pakistan army's ability to blunt an Indian offensive is severely compromised.
Source say, due to lack of critical ammunition, Pak Military hierarchy is deeply concerned up to some limits of panic. The same was discussed in the Special Corps Commanders Conference on 02 May 2025 among many other things.
Earlier, Former Army Chief General Qamar Javed Bajwa acknowledged these limitations, stating that Pakistan lacks the ammunition and economic strength to engage in a prolonged conflict with India.
Sources say, intelligence reports suggested that Pakistan has constructed ammunition depots near the India-Pakistan border in anticipation of potential conflict.
Pakistan sailed its ammunition to distant wars, only to find itself stranded, its arsenals empty, and its defences teetering on the edge. The pursuit of short-term gain has left a long-term wound, one that could prove fatal in the next crisis.
Pakistan's economic crisis, characterised by high inflation, mounting debt, and dwindling foreign exchange reserves, has further impacted the military's operational capabilities. The army has been forced to cut back on rations, suspend military exercises, and halt scheduled war games due to fuel shortages.
Meanwhile, Pakistan has been left red-faced on another front. Pakistan-sponsored hacker groups such as "Cyber Group HOAX1337" and "National Cyber Crew" made unsuccessful attempts to breach some Indian websites on May 1. These hacking efforts were promptly identified and neutralised by cybersecurity agencies.
Among the latest provocations, the websites of Army Public School Nagrota and Sunjuwan were targeted and attempted to be defaced with messages mocking the victims of the recent Pahalgam terror attack. In another incident, a website catering to ex-servicemen's healthcare services was defaced, signalling Pakistan's growing frustration.
There have been repeated attempts made by hackers operating from Pakistan to attack Indian websites having linkages to children, old age veterans and other innocent people. Resorting to attacking veterans' and families' platforms reflects another low by Pakistan and their continuous attempts to operate in unethical ways.
The hacking of the Army Institute of Hotel Management's website and Indian Air Force veterans further illustrates the Pakistani establishment's intent to provoke and escalate tensions in the digital battlespace.
These brazen cyberattacks are part of a broader pattern of provocation by Pakistan, which has long employed terrorism and information warfare against India. It appears that Pakistan is testing India's restraint and patience.
Source: Economictimes.Com
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Legal rebuttal to Harvard's report from the Task Force on Combating Anti-Muslim, Anti-Arab, and Anti-Palestinian Bias
May 4, 2025
Demonstrators take part in an "Emergency Rally: Stand with Palestinians Under Siege in Gaza," amid the ongoing conflict between Israel and Hamas, at Harvard University in Cambridge, Massachusetts, October 14, 2023. (Photo: REUTERS/Brian Snyder)
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The Final Report of the Presidential Task Force on Combating Anti-Muslim, Anti-Arab, and Anti-Palestinian Bias (April 29, 2025) presents a deeply flawed and one-sided analysis of campus dynamics at Harvard University. While the report claims to address bias, it systematically downplays or ignores well-documented instances of antisemitism and anti-Israeli bias, perpetuating a narrative that unfairly vilifies Israel and its supporters. This rebuttal highlights its omissions and demonstrate how its recommendations could exacerbate divisions rather than foster genuine objectivity.
The Harvard Task Force report dedicates extensive attention to alleged anti-Muslim, anti-Arab, and anti-Palestinian bias while marginalizing the pervasive antisemitism and anti-Israeli hostility on campus. This imbalance is particularly striking given the well-documented surge in antisemitic incidents at Harvard following the October 7 Hamas terror attacks.
Selective Condemnation of Violence: The report repeatedly references the humanitarian crisis in Gaza but fails to contextualize it within Hamas’s initiation of the conflict through its brutal massacre of Israeli civilians. As Arthur A. Flower has reported, Harvard’s initial reluctance to condemn Hamas’s atrocities contributed to a climate where antisemitic rhetoric flourished.
Doxxing and Harassment of Jewish Students: While the report highlights doxxing trucks targeting pro-Palestinian students, it omits the coordinated harassment of Jewish and pro-Israeli students by groups like Harvard’s Palestine Solidarity Committee (PSC). There have been documented cases where Jewish students were labeled “Zionist oppressors” and subjected to intimidation.
IHRA Definition of Antisemitism: The report dismisses concerns about the conflation of anti-Zionism with antisemitism, despite the IHRA definition’s widespread adoption by governments and universities worldwide. Harvard’s failure to consistently apply this definition has allowed anti-Israeli rhetoric to escalate into overt antisemitism.
The report’s reliance on listening sessions and a joint survey with the Antisemitism Task Force raises serious questions about its objectivity:
Self-Selection Bias: The listening sessions overwhelmingly attracted participants who identified as pro-Palestinian, while Jewish and pro-Israeli voices were underrepresented. This skewed participation is evident in the report’s dismissive treatment of Jewish concerns.
Survey Design Flaws: The joint survey’s framing implicitly equates criticism of Israel with antisemitism, yet the report does not grapple with this complexity. Flower has highlighted how similar surveys at other universities have been weaponized to silence pro-Israel perspectives.
Historical Context Omissions: The report’s historical analysis glosses over the long-standing exclusion of Jewish and Israeli perspectives at Harvard, particularly in Middle East studies programs. Harvard’s Middle East center often invites platform speakers who deny Israel’s right to exist.
Suppression of Pro-Israel Voices: While pro-Palestinian protests and encampments were permitted (despite violating campus policies), pro-Israel events were frequently disrupted or canceled due to security concerns. Flower has documented cases where Jewish student groups were denied equal access to campus resources.
Disciplinary Actions: The report condemns Harvard’s disciplinary measures against pro-Palestinian activists but ignores the lack of consequences for antisemitic harassment. For example, Harvard took no action against students who chanted “From the river to the sea,” a phrase widely recognized as a call for Israel’s destruction.
Donor Influence Narrative: The report suggests that external pressure skewed Harvard’s response toward antisemitism, but it ignores how pro-Palestinian donors and faculty have similarly influenced campus discourse. Some Harvard professors have signed petitions justifying Hamas’s violence.
Selective Application of Divestment: Harvard has divested from industries like fossil fuels and apartheid South Africa, but the report fails to acknowledge that singling out Israel—the world’s only Jewish state—echoes historic antisemitic boycotts. Such campaigns often violate Harvard’s own ethical investment guidelines.
Ignoring Palestinian Incitement: The report portrays Palestinian activists as victims while omitting their role in promoting violence. Harvard’s PSC celebrates Hamas.
Expanding Palestinian Studies: While academic inquiry is vital, the report advocates for programs that often exclude Zionist perspectives, reinforcing a one-sided narrative. Similar initiatives at other universities have become platforms for anti-Israel propaganda.
“Pluralism” as a Trojan Horse: The call for a “Center for Pluralism” risks privileging pro-Palestinian activism under the guise of inclusivity, as seen at universities like UC Berkeley.
Safety Concerns: The report demands protections for Muslim and Arab students but does not address the unique vulnerabilities of Jewish students, who face the highest rate of religiously motivated hate crimes in the U.S.
The Harvard Task Force report is a missed opportunity to address campus bias fairly. By amplifying one form of discrimination while downplaying another, it undermines the very inclusivity it claims to champion.
Only by addressing these issues with fairness and transparency can Harvard uphold its commitment to true diversity and intellectual rigor.
Puritans established Harvard College in 1636, shortly after arriving in Massachusetts Bay. Harvard's mission statement, given in 1642, was clearly evangelical: “Everyone shall consider as the main end of his life and studies, to know God and Jesus Christ, which is eternal life. Harvard students were required to study Hebrew. In 1685, Harvard had a commencement address delivered in the Hebrew language. In 1642, Harvard College's mission statement emphasized religious and intellectual development, stating that students should focus on knowing God and Jesus Christ. This was a core part of their studies and life in general.The motto, "In Christi Gloriam" ("For the glory of Christ"), further highlighted this Christian focus, according to Liberty Journal. Additionally, students were expected to read the Scriptures daily and be prepared to discuss them with their tutors.
Source: Allisrael.Com
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Hebatullah Akhundzada, the IEA Supreme Leader Urges Officials To Fulfil Their Responsibilities Under Sharia Principles
May 4, 2025
KABUL: Shaikh Mullah
Hebatullah Akhundzada, the Supreme Leader of the Islamic Emirate, during a one-day training and reform seminar for officials from the civil and military sectors of Kabul province, urged all officials to fulfil their responsibilities based on the Sharia principles, Arg said in a statement the other day. The Supreme Leader said: “When responsibilities are fulfilled with obedience and in accordance with the principles of Sharia, God will always support you, and you will never be defeated.”
The Supreme Leader stressed to the officials the significance of persevering through challenges in the path of Almighty Allah, admonishing against obedience to actions that contravene Sharia guidelines, and highlighting the divine approval associated with Sharia compliance.
“Do not fear any kind of hardship in the path of God. Make no exceptions in applying Sharia to anyone, because God’s satisfaction lies in the implementation of Sharia. Avoid arrogance, pride, self-importance, division, and distrust among each other. Do not be negligent, for negligence is not an acceptable excuse,” he said as quoted by the statement. The leader of the Islamic Emirate added: “Do not occupy yourselves with futile and purposeless activities. Do not fall for the enemy’s propaganda, as the enemy seeks to sow division among you through its messaging. You fought the enemy in jihad for twenty years; now you must resist its propaganda as well.”
Akhundzada stressed: “For hundreds of years, scholars and righteous people have been kept away from public worship and politics, and the world has continually tried to sideline them. The Islamic system, jihad, Sharia, and the laws of God had remained only in books and stories. But contrary to expectations, and by the grace of God Almighty, politics in Afghanistan is now in the hands of scholars and virtuous people. God has now placed us in a test that Muslims were deprived of for centuries. We are now facing it, so we must be extremely vigilant.”
Source: The kabultimes.Com
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India
Shimla Municipal CorporationOrders Full Demolition Of Unauthorized Sanjauli Mosque After 15-Year Legal Battle
May 3, 2025
The Municipal Corporation Court in Shimla on Saturday ordered the complete demolition of a five-storey mosque in the Sanjauli area, declaring the structure unauthorized.
Presiding over the case, Municipal Commissioner Bhupender Kumar Attri ruled that the mosque had been constructed in blatant violation of municipal building byelaws.
The court noted that no building permit, approved structural plan, or no-objection certificate (NOC) had been obtained from the Shimla Municipal Corporation. While an earlier order issued in October 2023 called for the demolition of the top three floors, the latest ruling extends the order to include the remaining two floors, mandating the razing of the entire structure.
Although the detailed written order is pending, the Commissioner announced the decision in open court, citing the failure of both the mosque committee and the Himachal Pradesh Waqf Board to establish legal ownership of the land.
Source: Www.Thestatesman.Com
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India Must Keep Track Of Pak’s Strategic Fault Lines
Manish Tewari
3 May 2025
The idea of Pakistan was conceptualised by a Muslim Gujur from the Gorsi clan named Rehmat Ali from Balachour that falls in my erstwhile Parliamentary Constituency of Sri Anandpur Sahib.
A “permanent student” at Cambridge University, he wrote a pamphlet at age 36 called “Now or never; are we to live or perish forever?” where he laid out the intellectual basis of a Muslim state to the northwest of India.
The name Pakistan comes from the first letters of Punjab, Afghania (NWFP), Kashmir, Sindh and the tan from the last letters of Baluchistan. An i was added later for ease of pronunciation. The name has nothing to do with the mythical gobbledygook that Pakistan means the land of the pure.
Source: Www.Asianage.Com
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Govt’s affidavit on rise in Waqf assets not accurate, misleading: AIMPLB to SC
May 4, 2025
Opposing the Centre’s contention that waqf properties registered a “shocking” 116% increase after the 2013 amendment to the waqf law, the All India Muslim Personal Law Board (AIMPLB) has said the claim is “unsupported and… scurrilous” and “conceals material facts”.
In its rejoinder affidavit filed on May 1, in response to the Centre’s counter-affidavit to petitions challenging the Waqf (Amendment) Act, 2025, the Board accused the government of “making a false claim… to mislead” the court.
It argued that “the Executive” through the amendments “is seeking to impose its own subjective understanding about essentials of Islam upon the believers of Islam” and that the amended law “brings self-administration under the Waqf Act to a grinding halt”.
The Centre’s counter-affidavit, while flagging “reported misuse of waqf provisions to encroach private properties and government properties”, said, “It is really shocking to know that after the amendment brought in the year 2013, there is 116% rise in auqaf area”. It referred to the data uploaded on the Waqf Management System of India (WAMSI) portal as proof.
Countering this, the Board said the “chart (showing the waqf property data) and relatable averment in the (Centre’s) affidavit, the way it has been projected, is completely misconceived and misleading, apart from being inaccurate”.
The rejoinder affidavit said, “It appears that in its affidavit Union of India is suggesting that all the properties registered as waqf before 2013 were immediately uploaded on WAMSI Portal when it became operational”.
The Board argued that “to say that the number of waqf properties reflected therein were the only registered properties is mischievous”. It further said, the centre’s affidavit “has carefully avoided making a statement that ‘all the registered waqf properties were uploaded on the web portal in the year 2013’. Since this crucial aspect is missing in the affidavit, the sanctity of this chart itself is seriously doubtful.”
Source: Indianexpress.Com
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Another Trinamool MP writes to Amit Shah on attacks on migrant workers from Bengal
Shiv Sahay Singh
May 03, 2025
Alleging a “disturbing pattern of targeted hostility” against Bengali workers in BJP-ruled States, Trinamool Congress Rajya Sabha MP Samirul Islam has written a letter to Union Home Minister Amit Shah urging him to direct all State governments to ensure the safety and dignity of Bengali-speaking citizens.
The letter by Mr. Islam, who is also chairperson of the West Bengal Migrant Welfare Board, comes a day after Trinamool Congress MP from Behrampore Yusuf Pathan wrote a similar letter to the Home Minister on the same issue, particularly in the neighbouring State of Odisha. Mr. Pathan said numerous videos documenting these attacks have circulated on social media, further substantiating the gravity of the situation and triggering widespread public concern.
The Trinamool Rajya Sabha MP said that many of these individuals, despite possessing valid identification documents such as Aadhaar cards, voter IDs, and passports, have been unlawfully held – some for several days – without substantiated cause.
“Several cases involve residents from various districts of West Bengal being detained in Gujarat, despite presenting multiple valid forms of identification,” Mr. Islam wrote in his letter.
Source: The Hindu.Com
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Pakistan
Screws tighten on Pakistan: Curb on water flow through Baglihar; crackdown on ships, trade
by P Vaidyanathan Iyer
May 4, 2025
JUST over 10 days after the Pahalgam terror attack that killed 26 people, India has ratcheted up its diplomatic offensive with a second set of measures against Pakistan: curbing water flow through the Baglihar dam; stopping the import of products; banning docking of Pakistan-owned ships and suspending the exchange of all mail and parcels.
The testing wasn’t lost on India. Turning the heat on Islamabad, the government put into effect a crucial next step as part of putting the Indus Water Treaty in abeyance.
The gates of the sluice spillways on the Baglihar dam have been lowered to restrict water flow to Pakistan’s Punjab as a “short-term punitive action,” a senior official told The Indian Express.
The Baglihar dam, over Chenab river, is designed as a run-of-the-river plant for hydro power generation. Chenab is one of the western rivers in the Indus Water system and the treaty allows for harnessing its waters for power generation.
“By doing this, even if the choke is for a short while, we demonstrate that we will take coercive steps… The Chenab river water irrigates Punjab farmlands, and Pakistan needs to realise we mean to punish them on all fronts,” the official said.
Source: Indianexpress.Com
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Pakistan Defence Minister warns India it would strike any structure built on Indus River in violation of Treaty
May 03, 2025
Pakistan’s Defence Minister Khawaja Asif has warned India that it would strike any structure that is built on the Indus River in “violation of the Indus Waters Treaty”, which was held in abeyance following the Pahalgam terror attack.
Ties between the two neighbouring countries plummeted following the April 22 Pahalgam terror attack that killed 26 people, mostly tourists.
India, among other punitive actions, announced the suspension of the 1960 accord, which governs water sharing between the two countries.
Source: Www.Thehindu.Com
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Pakistan soldier detained by border force in Rajasthan: Sources
May 3, 2025
A Pakistani Ranger, a member of the country's paramilitary force, has been detained by the Border Security Force (BSF) along the India-Pakistan border in Rajasthan, sources said on Saturday.
The development comes days after a BSF jawan was detained by Pakistani Rangers after he accidentally crossed the border, as tensions between the two countries run high following the recent terrorist attack in Jammu and Kashmir’s Pahalgam.
The Pakistani Ranger has been taken into custody by the Rajasthan Frontier of the BSF, sources said. Officials have not disclosed the identity of the detained Ranger or the specific circumstances leading to his capture.
On April 23, a day after the Pahalgam attacks, a BSF jawan, Purnam Kumar Shaw, was detained by the Pakistani forces along the international border in Punjab. Despite strong protests from the Indian side, Pakistan has refused to release him, even though such incidents, from either side, are typically resolved in a single flag meeting.
Source: Www.Indiatoday.In
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Pakistan envoy warns of ‘full spectrum’ nuclear response if India strikes, says conflict is ‘imminent’
May 04, 2025
The standoff between India and Pakistan has entered a dangerous phase. Following the deadly Pahalgam terror attack that claimed 26 lives, Pakistan’s Ambassador to Russia, Muhammad Khalid Jamali, has warned that his country would respond with its “full spectrum of power” if India launched a strike.
Speaking to Russian news outlet RT, Jamali said, “The frenzy media of India and the irresponsible statements coming out from that side has compelled us. There are some other leaked documents whereby it has been decided to strike some areas of Pakistan. So, that makes us to feel that this is going to happen and it's imminent.”
He added, “When it comes to India and Pakistan, we don't want to get involved into this debate of numerical strength. We will use the full spectrum of power – both conventional and nuclear.”
Source: Economictimes.In
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Mideast
Iran says 'has every right' to enrich uranium, dismissing U.S. concerns
May 03, 2025
Iran defended on Saturday (May 3, 2025) its "right" to enrich uranium despite growing Western concern that Tehran may be seeking nuclear weapons and as talks with the United States were delayed.
Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi said in a post on X that "Iran has every right to possess the full nuclear fuel cycle," citing Tehran's long-standing membership of the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT).
Under the NPT, signatory states are obliged to declare their nuclear stockpiles and place them under the supervision of the UN's nuclear watchdog, the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA).
Source: Www.The Hindu.Com
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Islamic Jihad: Arab, Islamic nations will not be safe from Israel’s aggression on Syria
04 May 2025
TEHRAN (Iran News) The Islamic Jihad Movement has said that the Israel’s aggressions are against all Arab and Islamic nations, especially Palestine, Lebanon, and Syria, and that the rest of the Arab regions will not be safe from these aggressions and their consequences.
According to the Palestinian news agency Sama, the Islamic Jihad Movement in a statement condemned the continuous aggressions of the Israeli regime on Syrian territory.
It said that these aggressions are clear evidence of the aggressive and expansionist plans of the occupying regime against the Arab and Islamic nations within the framework of dividing the region.
Source: Irannewsdaily.Com
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Waltz’s coordination with Netanyahu on Iran strike contributed to his firing – report
3 May 2025
US President Donald Trump was angered by his recently ousted national security adviser Mike Waltz’s hawkish position on Iran and coordination with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on military options to destroy Tehran’s nuclear program, contributing to his dismissal last week, according to a Saturday report.
Citing senior officials and Trump advisers, the Washington Post reported that Trump’s frustration with Waltz grew over time ahead of his firing.
According to the report, Trump’s displeasure with Waltz came even before the “Signalgate” affair, in which he was blamed for accidentally adding the editor of The Atlantic to a group chat on the Signal messaging app describing details of an imminent US bombing campaign in Yemen.
The report said he clashed with White House officials “since early in the administration,” specifically over his preference for using military force against Iran instead of the diplomatic route that Trump favored.
Last week, Trump dismissed Waltz as national security advisor and announced his nomination as the next US ambassador to the United Nations, while Secretary of State Marco Rubio was named as his interim replacement.
Two of the people quoted by the Washington Post said that Waltz upset the US president by engaging in what the report described as “intense coordination” with Netanyahu on possible military options for Iran, prior to the premier’s White House meeting with Trump in February.
White House National Security Adviser Mike Waltz, left, listens as US President Donald Trump speaks in the Oval Office of the White House in Washington, March 7, 2025. (Pool via AP)
Source: Www.Timesofisrael.Com
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UK police arrest seven Iranian nationals in counter-terrorism operations
May 04, 2025
Britain's counter-terrorism police have arrested eight men, including seven Iranian nationals, in a number of raids across the country, the Metropolitan Police said on Sunday.
On Saturday, five men, four of whom are Iranian nationals, were detained on suspicion of terrorism offences over a plot to target a specific premises, while the nationality of the fifth man remains unknown.
"The investigation is still in its early stages and we are exploring various lines of enquiry to establish any potential motivation as well as to identify whether there may be any further risk to the public linked to this matter," said Commander Dominic Murphy, head of the Met's Counter Terrorism Command.
In separate operation on the same day, three Iranian nationals were arrested in London as part of another counter-terrorism investigation, the Met said in a separate statement.
Source: Www.Hindustantimes.Com
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Iran reasserts uranium enrichment rights as further US talks delayed
3 May 2025
Iran has defended its right to enrich uranium, doubling down on a long-held stance as the next round of nuclear negotiations with the United States in Oman were abruptly delayed.
Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi took to social media on Saturday to declare, “Iran has every right to possess the full nuclear fuel cycle,” referencing the country’s membership in the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT).
He added, “There are several NPT members which enrich uranium while wholly rejecting nuclear weapons,” underlining Iran’s argument that its nuclear activities are civilian in nature.
“Maximalist positioning and incendiary rhetoric achieve nothing except eroding the chances of success,” added Araghchi, in reference to the US position that Iran must stop all enrichment activities.
In a Thursday interview with Fox News, US Secretary of State Marco Rubio urged Iran to halt its enrichment efforts, arguing, “the only countries in the world that enrich uranium are the ones that have nuclear weapons.” However, countries like Germany, Japan and Brazil also conduct enrichment without possessing nuclear arsenals.
Source: Www.Aljazeera.Com
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PFLP-GC terror group says leader was arrested by Syrian authorities
3 May 2025
DAMASCUS, Syria —Officials of a small Palestinian terrorist group that was close to the ousted Syrian president, Bashar al-Assad, said their leader was arrested Saturday by the country’s new Islamist-led authorities.
The arrest of the leader of the Popular Front for the Liberation of Palestine-General Command (PFLP-GC) came after the armed wing of another Palestinian terrorist group, Islamic Jihad, said last month that the new authorities had detained two of its officials on unspecified charges.
The United States, which blacklists both Palestinian groups, the PFLP-GC and Islamic Jihad as terrorist organizations, has said it will not ease Assad-era sanctions on Syria until it has verified progress on priorities including acting against terrorism.
Speaking on condition of anonymity because of the sensitivity of the issue, a PFLP official told AFP that “Secretary General Talal Naji was arrested” in Damascus.
A second official confirmed the arrest, while a third said: “Naji was asked… to report to one of the security branches and has not returned. Most likely, he was arrested.”
Source: Www.Timesofisrael.Com
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South Asia
No right violated in Afghanistan; all secured under Islamic principles
May 4, 2025
In the world countries, human rights and the rights of women and girls are ensured based on their local laws and regulations.
In Islamic countries, women’s rights are compared to those under democratic systems and the people are satisfied with their country’s laws; either Islamic or democratic.
Soon after its return to power in August 2021, the Islamic Emirate announced that all of the country’s affairs, including foreign policy of the system, would be regulated in accordance with the Islamic Sharia law.
As the Islamic system declared at the very beginning of its re-establishment, the implementation of Sharia laws is the main and original aim of the last several decades of Jihad against internal seditions in the country and their foreign supporters.
However, some organizations are still unaware of the Sharia-based policy of the ruling Islamic system, or they want just to evade it.
Source: Thekabultimes.Com
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Thousands of Islamists rally in Bangladesh against proposed changes to women’s rights
May 03, 2025
Thousands of supporters of an Islamist group rallied in Bangladesh's capital on Saturday (May 3, 2025) to denounce proposed recommendations for ensuring equal rights, including ones related to property, for mainly Muslim women.
Leaders of the Hefazat-e-Islam group said the proposed legal reforms are contradictory to the Sharia law. More than 20,000 followers of the group rallied near the Dhaka University, some carrying banners and placards reading “Say no to Western laws on our women, rise up Bangladesh.”
Mamunul Haque, a leader of the group, demanded that the interim government's reforms commission be abolished and its members punished for the proposed changes. He said they hurt “the sentiments of the majority of the people of this country” by labeling the religious laws of inheritance as the main cause of inequality between men and women.
Source: Www.Thehindu.Com
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Islamic Emirate Restores Thousands of Military Vehicles in Kandahar
2025-05-04
KANDAHAR(BNA): Since the return to power of the Islamic Emirate, 12,000 military vehicles have been repaired and made operational at the workshop of the Kandahar Police Command, according to local officials.
Hafiz Rahmatullah Anas, head of the repair unit at the Kandahar Police Command, told Bakhtar News Agency that since the Islamic Emirate’s return, 12,000 military vehicles have been overhauled, with 2,300 of them repaired during the past solar year (1403) alone.
Source: Www.Bakhtarnews.Af
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Over 350 acres of lands approved Emirati in Kabul, ministry
May 4, 2025
KABUL: The Emirati Special Court approved as Emarati, up to 352 acres of land belonging to Mullah Ezzat Township in Paghman district of Kabul, according to a statement, the Ministry of Justice emailed to The Kabul Times, late on Saturday.
After reviewing documents related to more than 443 acres of land in Paghman district, within Mullah Ezzat Township, the Special Court for Hearing Cases of Usurped Emirati Lands covering the country’s central zone, approved about 352 acres of the land as Emirati (state-owned),” the statement said.
The Land Usurpation Prevention Commission had earlier reviewed the issue of over 443 acres of land in Mullah Ezzat Township under construction in Paghman district, Kabul province, and officially referred the issue to the Special Court for Hearing Cases of Usurped Emirati Lands.
Source: The kabultimes.Com
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UNAMA report regarding human rights baseless, ministry
May 4, 2025
KABUL: The Ministry for the Promotion of Virtue and Prevention of Vice of the Islamic Emirate has rejected in a statement the latest report by the United Nations Assistance Mission in Afghanistan (UNAMA) concerning the state of human rights in the country.
Labelling the report baseless, the ministry spokesperson, Saif al-Salam Khyber said that the country’s laws are implemented based on Islamic principles.
Khyber said: “This report is not only detached from reality, but it is also a blatant violation of Islamic values and a disrespect to our Sharia. We strongly condemn this move by a foreign entity that dares to challenge Islamic law and interpret Sharia-based rulings, such as the hijab, as a form of women’s deprivation.”
UNAMA stated that women in Afghanistan continue to be denied fundamental rights such as work, education, and independent access to services.
Source: Thekabultimes.Com
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https://thekabultimes.com/unama-report-regarding-human-rights-baseless-ministry/
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Islamic Emirate supports media outlets adhering to religious and Afghan values, spokesman
May 4, 2025
KABUL: KhabibGhufran, spokesperson of the Ministry of Information and Culture, said Saturday in a videotape that the Islamic Emirate supports the media outlets that adhere to religious and Afghan values and respect the privacy of individuals.
On the occasion of World Press Freedom Day, the spokesman stated that since the establishment of the Islamic Emirate, the ministry has been working to address the issues faced by the media in various fields.
“Over 15 media outlets have received operating licenses in the past year,” he said, urging all media to engage in responsible journalism.
Source: Thekabultimes.Com
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Arab World
QU hosts ‘International Conference on Complementary Medicine in Islamic Civilisation’
May 03, 2025
Qatar University’s (QU) Health Sector has organised the ‘International Conference on Complementary Medicine in Islamic Civilisation: Elements of Integration and Development’.
The event is dedicated to exploring the historical significance and modern applications of complementary medicine within Islamic heritage with QNB and Primary Health Care Corp (PHCC) being the Gold Sponsors of the conference.
The event gathered scholars, healthcare practitioners, and policymakers to explore the integration of traditional healing practices with modern healthcare and represents an important platform for highlighting the contributions of Muslim scholars in medical fields.
Professor Asmaa al-Thani, QU vice president for Medical and Health Sciences, said in her opening speech: “This gathering serves as an intellectual and scientific platform, drawing inspiration from our rich heritage of wisdom and knowledge.
“Through it, we aim to highlight how Muslim scholars contributed to laying the foundations of medicine with a holistic approach that integrates body and mind, treatment and prevention. In an era of rapid discoveries, the need for integrative medicine that cares for the whole person continues to grow.” She added: “This conference seeks to spotlight authentic knowledge treasures that can support the development of modern medicine and foster integration between modern and complementary practices within scientifically grounded, research-based frameworks.” Dr Zainab al-Musleh, Clinical Research assistant professor at QU and assistant chairman of the Research Network Group of Traditional Complementary and Integrative Medicine, stressed that the event marks a significant milestone in the ongoing focus on complementary and integrative medicine, reaffirming its growing role in healthcare and academic education.
Source: Www.Gulf-TimesCom
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Syria detains head of Palestinian group based in Damascus
03 May, 2025
Officials of a small Palestinian militant group that was close to ousted Syrian president Bashar al-Assad said their leader was arrested Saturday by the country's new Islamist-led authorities.
The arrest of the leader of the Popular Front for the Liberation of Palestine-General Command (PFLP-GC) came after the armed wing of another Palestinian group, Islamic Jihad, said last month that the new authorities had detained two of its officials on unspecified charges.
The United States, which blacklists both the PFLP-GC and Islamic Jihad as "terrorist" organisations, has said it will not ease Assad-era sanctions on Syria until it has verified progress on priorities including acting against "terrorism".
Speaking on condition of anonymity because of sensitivity of the issue, a PFLP official told AFP that "secretary general Talal Naji was arrested" in Damascus.
A second official confirmed the arrest, while a third said: "Naji was asked... to report to one of the security branches and has not returned. Most likely he was arrested."
Source: Www.Newarab.Com
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https://www.newarab.com/news/syria-detains-head-palestinian-group-based-damascus
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Saudi Interior Minister Reviews Prophet’s Mosque Security ahead of Hajj
4 May 2025
Saudi Minister of Interior Prince Abdulaziz bin Saud bin Naif bin Abdulaziz conducted an inspection tour on Saturday of the Security Operations Center at the Prophet's Mosque ahead of the annual Hajj. He reviewed ongoing efforts to ensure the safety and smooth movement of worshippers.
Accompanied by the Governor of the Medina Region, Prince Salman bin Sultan bin Abdulaziz, the interior minister was briefed on the center's functions.
The center utilizes top-tier technology to monitor worshipper movement and manage crowd flow within the mosque and its surrounding courtyards.
Source: english.aawsat.Com
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Sana'a undersecretary inspects summer programs in Old city mosques
03 May 2025
Sana'a - Saba: Ismail al-Jarmouzi, Assistant Undersecretary for Neighborhood Affairs, has inspected summer course activities in Old Sana'a district, visiting the Grand Mosque and al-Abhar Mosque.
Accompanied by local officials, he reviewed student participation in Quranic recitation and other skills, noting their engagement.
The Assistant Undersecretary praised the organizers' efforts and emphasized the importance of these courses in protecting youth from harmful influences and strengthening their faith and national identity.
Source: Www.Saba.Ye
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MIA hosts exhibition exploring cultural role of food across Islamic world
May 03, 2025
Museum of Islamic Art (MIA) announced "A Seat at the Table: Food & Feasting in the Islamic World", a large-scale exhibition exploring the cultural role of food across the Islamic world and within Muslim traditions. The compelling exhibition is organised by MIA in collaboration with the Los Angeles County Museum of Art (LACMA) and will be on view from 22 May till 8 November 2025.
It is curated by Dr Tara Desjardins, Senior Curator of Decorative Arts & Design, Lusail Museum, and TeslimSanni, Curatorial Affairs Researcher, Museum of Islamic Art. This exhibition is also a legacy project of the Years of Culture initiative, a programme of collaborations between Qatar and partner countries that seeks to nurture mutual respect and understanding by building long-term cultural, social and economic ties.
Director, Museum of Islamic Art, Shaika Nasser Al-Nassr said: "Food has always been a powerful expression of culture, identity, and hospitality across the Islamic world. With A Seat at the Table, MIA is proud to present an exhibition that not only celebrates the beauty of culinary traditions but also invites reflection on how this food continues to shape who we are today. This collaboration with LACMA, inspired by their seminal Dining with the Sultan: The Fine Art of Feasting exhibition, has allowed us to build a uniquely local perspective, weaving together the historical and the contemporary to tell a story that is deeply resonant and richly layered."
Featuring artworks and objects from the collections of MIA, Qatar National Library, Mathaf: Arab Museum of Modern Art, Lusail Museum and Qatar Museums' General Collections, the exhibition highlights the central role dining plays in Islamic cultures. Additionally, the exhibition delves into the evolving culinary traditions of the Islamic world, revealing both the distinctions and common threads that have shaped its rich gastronomic heritage over time.
Source: Www.Gulf-Times.Com
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Jeddah’s Balad Al-Fan Festival is haven for creative souls
SALEH FAREED
May 03, 2025
JEDDAH: Jeddah’s historic Al-Balad district has once again transformed into a vibrant hub of art for the second Balad Al-Fan Festival, which runs until June 13.
The festival, which began on April 5, and is organized by Zawiya 97 in cooperation with the Ministry of Culture, features more than 90 events, including artistic competitions, creative workshops, cultural talks, school workshops, live shows, and weekend markets.
Hashem Al-Shawi walks participants through the process of soap making at the festival while Khloud Nass prepares for her pottery class. (AN photos by Saleh Fareed)
Abdulrahman Al-Aseri, managing director of Zawiya 97, told Arab News: “Building on our mission at Zawiya 97 to enhance the cultural and artisanal presence in Historic Jeddah, we place creativity at the heart of our vision by bridging living heritage with the spirit of contemporary innovation. Through our participation in Balad Al-Fann 2, we present more than 90 artistic and craft events aimed at reviving Historic Jeddah with a crafting energy.”
Source: Www.Arabnews.Com
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https://www.arabnews.com/node/2599443/saudi-arabia
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Southeast Asia
Do you put Malay-Muslim interests first? Then come and join PAS, Youth chief tells allies within Umno
By Malay Mail
03 May 2025
KUALA LUMPUR, May 3 – Umno members who advocate for Malay-Muslim unity are encouraged to leave the party and join PAS instead, its Youth chief AfnanHamimiTaibAzamudden said today.
SinarHarian quoted him saying the Islamist party remains open to accepting individuals who align with its core principles of unity and who prioritise Islam and the Malay community above political power.
“There are two groups within Umno — those who want cooperation in the name of Malay-Muslim unity, and those who choose DAP for the sake of power,” he told a press conference here.
“We’ve worked with Umno before, although we’ve since parted ways. As for Bersatu, we had no prior cooperation but are now working together,” he said.
Source: Www.Malaymail.Com
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‘Don’t just stay in your bungalows’: Nga dares critics of URA to experience urban poor’s struggles, offers free rental in dilapidated flats
By Malay Mail
03 May 2025
KUANTAN, May 3 — Housing and Local Government Minister NgaKor Ming has today challenged critics of the Urban Renewal Act (URA) Bill to live in dilapidated flats to better understand the hardship faced by urban poor communities.
Nga, who is also the TelukIntan MP, said the offer includes rent-free stays in vacant units, aiming to provide critics with a firsthand experience of the residents’ struggles — highlighting how lawmakers recently found a python beside a flat during a visit.
“So, for those who object, I want to invite the MPs concerned — bring your wife, your children, stay there, and feel for yourself what the urban poor are going through,” he was quoted saying by Malaysiakini.
“Don’t just live in your own bungalow, go stay there... bring Datin Seri, let her live in a dilapidated flat and only then will you understand why we want to implement the Urban Renewal Act.”
Source: Www.Malaymail.Com
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Anwar urges calm as negotiations continue on Petronas-Petros dispute
By Malay Mail
04 May 2025
KUALA LUMPUR, May 4 — Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim expressed strong confidence today that the ongoing dispute between Petronas and Petroleum Sarawak Berhad (Petros) will be resolved fairly and respectfully.
He confirmed speaking with Sarawak Premier TunAbang Johari Openg yesterday to discuss the issue, consistent with previous understandings between the federal and state governments.
“Once the premier returns from his official visit to London, United Kingdom, we will promptly hold further discussions to finalise the matter,” Anwar said in a social media post earlier today.
In his statement, Anwar also urged all parties involved to refrain from making public pronouncements or pursuing unilateral actions regarding the dispute while discussions are ongoing.
The prime minister reaffirmed the federal government’s commitment to finding a solution that fully acknowledges Sarawak’s rights under the Malaysia Agreement 1963 (MA63), while simultaneously maintaining national unity and cohesion.
Source: Www.Malaymail.Com
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‘Our prosperity and security are indivisible’: Anwar congratulates Singapore PM Wong after PAP’s election win
By Malay Mail
04 May 2025
KUALA LUMPUR, May 4 — Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim today congratulated Singaporean counterpart Lawrence Wong following the People’s Action Party’s (PAP) sweeping victory in the island nation’s general election.
In a Facebook post, Anwar said the people of Malaysia and Singapore shared longstanding ties, adding that the prosperity and security of both nations are “indivisible”.
“As we look to the future, our two countries are building a habit of deep collaboration at all levels — a vital foundation as we navigate profound challenges to global order and international trade,” he added.
Anwar also highlighted the Johor–Singapore Special Economic Zone (SEZ) as a key initiative reflecting the growing cooperation between the neighbouring countries.
Source: Www.Malaymail.Com
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North America
Albanese rides anti-Trump wave; 1st Australian PM in 21 years to win 2 elections
May 4, 2025
Anthony Albanese became the first Australian prime minister to clinch a second consecutive term in 21 years on Saturday in a dramatic comeback against once-resurgent conservatives that was powered by voters' concerns about the influence of US President Donald Trump.
Peter Dutton, chief of the conservative Liberal party, conceded defeat and the loss of his own seat - echoing the fate of Canada's conservatives and their chief, Pierre Poilievre, whose election losses days earlier were also attributed to a Trump backlash.
Albanese's centre-left Labor Party had branded Dutton 'DOGE-y Dutton' and accused the Liberals of mimicking Trump and his dept of govt efficiency.
Source: Timesofindia.com
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Mexico's president says she rejected Trump's plan to send US troops across the border
May 4, 2025
MEXICO CITY: Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum said on Saturday that US President Donald Trump proposed sending American troops into Mexico to help her administration fight drug trafficking but that she rejected it.
Her remarks to supporters in eastern Mexico came in response to a Wall Street Journal article published the day before, describing a tense phone call last month in which Trump reportedly pressured her to accept a bigger role for the US military in combating drug cartels in Mexico.
"He said, 'How can we help you fight drug trafficking? I propose that the United States military come in and help you.' And you know what I said to him? 'No, President Trump.'"
White House National Security Council spokesman James Hewitt said in a statement later Saturday that Trump has worked closely with Mexico's president "to achieve the most secure southwest border in history."
Source: Timesofindia.com
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US solar tariffs could drive Asia transition boom
May 4, 2025
BANGKOK: Massive planned US duties on solar panels made in Southeast Asia could be a chance for the region to ramp up its own long-stalled energy transition, experts say.
The levies follow an investigation, launched before US President Donald Trump took office, into "unfair practices" in the countries, particularly by Chinese-headquartered firms.
If approved next month, they will pile upon tariffs already imposed by the Trump administration, including blanket 10-percent levies for most countries, and 145 percent on Chinese-made goods.
For the US market, the consequences are likely to be severe. China makes eight out of every 10 solar panels globally, and controls 80 percent of every stage of the manufacturing process.
The new tariffs "will practically make solar exports to US impossible commercially", said Putra Adhiguna, managing director at the Energy Shift Institute think tank.
Source: Timesofindia.com
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One strike and you’re out: Trump’s harsh ‘catch and revoke’ rule could cost foreign students their visa over minor offenses
May 4, 2025
In a dramatic escalation of its immigration enforcement agenda, the Trump administration has rolled out a new policy enabling the US government to revoke the visas of foreign nationals—students, workers, and visitors alike—for even minor legal infractions.
The “Catch and Revoke” directive, unveiled by Secretary of State Marco Rubio in the April 30 edition of the State Department newsletter, introduces a strict one-strike rule. “Whenever the government catches non-US citizens breaking our laws, we will take action to revoke their status,” Rubio stated, calling a visa “a privilege, not a right.”
While the policy outlines priority revocations for crimes like domestic violence and assault, its broad and ambiguous language has drawn backlash. “They stripped student visas from people for speeding tickets,” said Aaron Reichlin-Melnick of the American Immigration Council. “Now they're suggesting they'll do the same to everyone.”
The policy also singles out foreign students allegedly supporting Hamas or joining pro-Palestinian campus protests. Rubio blamed the Biden administration for failing to protect Jewish students during recent unrest on campuses. “They allowed campus buildings to be overrun by violent thugs,” he wrote.
Citing the Immigration and Nationality Act, Rubio said student visa holders found to support or endorse terrorist groups would be deemed inadmissible. The policy builds on intelligence-sharing with law enforcement to identify and cancel such visas immediately.
Source: Timesofindia.com
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US court ruling throws Voice of America return into flux
May 4, 2025
Washington: A US appellate court on Saturday ruled against allowing Voice of America staff to return to work, throwing its resumption of operations into question after President Donald Trump shuttered the broadcaster in March.
Voice of America (VOA), a US government-run news service for international audiences, has been off the air since Trump ordered the dismantling of the US Agency for Global Media (USAGM), which oversees VOA and other broadcasters including Radio Free Asia and distributes federal funding for their operations.
Two Trump-appointed judges, Neomi Rao and Gregory Katsas, wrote in their ruling the lower court "likely lacked subject-matter jurisdiction over USAGM's personnel actions."
The ruling throws plans for VOA employees to return to work into disarray, with several indicators emerging prior to Saturday's court ruling.
Source: Timesofindia.com
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Africa
SAPS hunt for gunmen after fatal shooting at Athlone mosque
By GarrinLambley
04-05-25
The Western Cape police are mourning the loss of a fellow officer after a 35-year-old female administrative clerk from Kraaifontein SAPS was fatally shot in a brazen daylight attack outside the Gatesville Mosque in Athlone on Saturday afternoon.
According to Lieutenant Colonel Malcolm Pojie, the tragic incident occurred at approximately 13:45, when two armed suspects targeted the victim and her 56-year-old companion as they were exiting their vehicle in the mosque’s parking lot.
Authorities have launched a murder and attempted murder investigation, led by detectives from the Anti-Gang Unit, as initial reports suggest the victims were deliberately targeted.
Source: Www.Thesouthafrican.Com
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$220m Fine: Quitting Nigeria Won’t Absolve Meta Of Liability – FCCPC
04-05-2025
Meta’s claim that it may be forced to exit Nigeria due to FCCPC’s recent order appears to be a calculated move aimed at inducing negative public reaction and potentially pressuring the FCCPC to reconsider its decision, the commission has said.
A statement from its director, corporate affairs, OndajeIjagwu yesterday said it investigated Meta Platforms and WhatsApp (jointly referred to as “Meta Parties”) for allegedly violating the Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Act (FCCPA) and the Nigeria Data Protection Regulation (NDPR) and found that meta parties engaged in multiple and repeated infringements of the FCCPA (2018) and the NDPR.
These infringements, according to the statement included denying Nigerians the right to control their personal data, transferring and sharing Nigerian user data without authorisation, discriminating against Nigerian users compared to users in other jurisdictions and abusing their dominant market position by forcing unfair privacy policies.
Source: Leadership.Ng
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APC chieftain dismisses NANS allegations against SeyiTinubu
By : David Meshioye
3 May 2025
A chieftain of the All Progressives Congress (APC) and National Leader of the Southern Youth Movement, Promise Lawuru, has dismissed as baseless recent allegations made against SeyiTinubu, son of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, by a factional leader of the National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS).
Lawuru, who addressed journalists in Warri, described the claims by the factional NANS President, AtikuIsah, as “fabricated lies” aimed at discrediting the Tinubu administration and maligning SeyiTinubu’s character.
Isah had accused the President’s son of orchestrating acts of bribery, abduction, torture, and using political thugs to disrupt the recent inauguration of the NANS leadership in Abuja. He further claimed SeyiTinubu offered him N100 million to support his father’s alleged re-election ambition in 2027.
Reacting to the allegations, Lawuru said the claims were not only unfounded but also lacked logic, noting that by the next election cycle, Isah would no longer hold office—assuming he was ever the authentic president of NANS.
Source: Guardian.ng
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https://guardian.ng/politics/apc-chieftain-dismisses-nans-allegations-against-seyi-tinubu/
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Rivers APC Crisis Deepens As Factions Clash Over Court Ruling
By Charles Opurum
May 3, 2025
The leadership crisis rocking the Rivers State chapter of the All Progressives Congress (APC) has taken a fresh twist, with two rival factions interpreting a recent Court of Appeal ruling to suit their opposing claims to legitimacy.
On Friday, the Port Harcourt Division of the Court of Appeal ruled on an appeal filed by the APC’s National Executive Committee against a High Court injunction restraining the party from conducting its congresses in Rivers State.
The appellate court held that issues concerning the internal affairs and leadership of a political party are not justiciable, thereby nullifying the earlier High Court order and striking out the suit filed by Peter Ohochukwu on behalf of the dissolved state working committee led by EmekaBeke.
Source: www.channelstv.com
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https://www.channelstv.com/2025/05/03/rivers-apc-crisis-deepens-as-factions-clash-over-court-ruling/
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Europe
Bank of England set to cut interest rates as US tariff impact in focus
04 May 2025
UK interest rates are set to be cut to 4.25% as the Bank of England eases costs for borrowers while it digests the impact of US tariffs on the economy.
Sandra Horsfield, an economist for Investec, said it is a “near-certainty” that borrowing costs will be eased further, with most participants in the financial markets pricing in a cut.
Inflation has fallen in recent months, which is likely to indicate to policymakers that interest rates – which are used as a tool to control inflation – can continue to come down.
“The new question now though for the MPC (Monetary Policy Committee) to consider is how the US trade policy shifts have changed the outlook for UK inflation,” Ms Horsfield said.
Economists have said UK economic growth is likely to be slowed by elevated levels of uncertainty – with some businesses set to pause investments, and consumers to decrease spending.
Source: Nation.cymru/Com
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https://nation.cymru/news/bank-of-england-set-to-cut-interest-rates-as-us-tariff-impact-in-focus/
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Welcome recovery noted for rare British flower
04/05/2025
A welcome recovery has been noted in the numbers of a rare British flower this spring.
The annual count of Snake's-head Fritillary at Iffley Meadows, Oxfordshire, recorded nearly 30,000 flowers, which represents a dramatic increase on last year's total of just over 6,000.
The Berkshire, Buckinghamshire and Oxfordshire Wildlife Trust (BBOWT) has held annual counts of the plant, which is Oxfordshire's official county flower, at the reserve since the early 1980s.
The very first count recorded only 500 flowers, but careful management of the reserve led to a peak of nearly 90,000 counted in 2015.
Numbers plummeted to a 30-year low in 2024 as prolonged flooding, heavy rain and high winds resulted in a devastating tally of 6,087 flowers.
Source: www.Birdguides.Com
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Zelensky criticizes Hungarian PM Orban for politicizing Ukraine's EU aspirations
May 3, 2025
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky sharply criticized Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban, accusing him of dragging Ukraine into domestic Hungarian election issues and engaging in "very dangerous activities".
Addressing Orban's remarks about Ukraine's EU membership, Zelensky referenced an opposition poll in Hungary revealing "70% support Ukraine joining the EU".
Zelensky believes Orban's actions are tied to involving Ukraine in Hungary's internal political strife ahead of the 2026 elections. "Just don't drag us into your elections. He (Orban) is doing this by blocking us in the EU. Ultimately, this approach isn't going to be successful. Why? Because the people there stand with Ukraine," Zelensky asserted.
Source: Uawire.Org
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https://uawire.org/zelensky-criticizes-hungarian-pm-orban-for-politicizing-ukraine-s-eu-aspirations
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Russian drone attack on Kyiv injures 11, sparks residential fires, Ukraine says
04 May 2025
A Russian overnight drone attack on Kyiv injured at least 11 people, including two children, and set several residential buildings throughout the city on fire, the military and officials of the Ukrainian capital said on Sunday.
Falling debris from destroyed drones sparked fires at residential buildings in Kyiv's Obolonskyi and Sviatoshynskyi districts, Timur Tkachenko, head of Kyiv's military administration, said on social media.
Ukraine's emergency service said on the Telegram messaging app that 76 firefighters were involved in putting out the overnight fires in Kyiv, which also included a small blaze in the central Shevchenkivskyi district.
It said on Telegram that 80 drones were lost, in a reference to the Ukrainian military using electronic warfare to redirect them, or they were drone simulators that did not carry warheads.
Source: Www.Timeslive.Co.Za
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Ukrainian sea drones down 2 Russian Su-30 jets near Novorossiysk, military intelligence chief says
May 4, 2025
Ukraine's military intelligence agency (HUR) shot down two Russian Su-30 fighter jets using air-to-air missiles fired from Magura-7 sea drones near Novorossiysk on May 2, HUR chief KyryloBudanov told the War Zone on May 3.
The operation marks the first time in history that fighter jets have been downed by unmanned boats. Initially, reports confirmed the destruction of only one jet, but Budanov later clarified that two aircraft were hit.
According to HUR, Group 13, a special operations unit within the agency, executed the strike. A video of the first downed Su-30 was released and widely shared on social media, though no visual evidence of the second strike has emerged.
World first: On May 2, 2025, the @DI_Ukraine special operations unit, in coordination with the Security Service of Ukraine and Defence Forces of Ukraine, eliminated a russian Su-30 fighter jet in the Black Sea.
Source: kyivindependent.com
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