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Islamic World News ( 16 May 2025, NewAgeIslam.Com)

429 Illegal Religious Structures—Primarily Madrasas, Mosques, Eidgahs, And Shrines— Razed in Border Areas by UP Government

New Age Islam News Bureau

16 May 2025

· 429 Illegal Religious Structures—Primarily Madrasas, Mosques, Eidgahs, And Shrines— Razed in Border Areas by UP Government

· Appreciate Taliban Condemnation Of The Pahalgam Terrorist Attack, And Rebuff To Pakistan: External Affairs Minister

· Islamic Theocracy in Nigeria? Why Jihadists Can’t Win—But Can’t Be Defeated

· In A First, UAE Shuts Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque For Donald Trump’s Special Visit

· Crackdown on TikTok Users And Influencers In Afghanistan Intensified, Arrested For Activities Deemed “Unlawful”

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India

· Waqf Row: Supreme Court To Decide If Interim Order Needed

· Three Jaish-e-Mohammad terrorists killed, Valley’s local militant count at lowest

· BJP MLA Rajeshwar Singh slams Erdogan for Pro-Pakistan stand

· Operation Sindoor and the legal case for India’s right to self-defence

· Ram Gopal Yadav’s ‘Casteist’ Remarks On Vyomika Singh Spark Row

· India To Send Multi-Party Delegations Abroad To Rally Global Support Against Terrorism

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Africa

· ICC Says Libya Recognizes Authority Of War Crimes, Repression Probe

· Terrorists Sharing Old Videos Of Attacks After Suffering Heavy Casualty Against Troops – DHQ

· Nigerian Military Raid Terrorist Hideout In Sambisa Forest, Recover Weapons

· Tunisia Jewish pilgrimage sees low turn out amid security concerns

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North America

· Man who stabbed author Salman Rushdie faces sentencing in New York

· South Florida Muslims Celebrate Legislature’s Recognition of Muslim-American Heritage Month

· Sale and Destruction of Building Used as Chechen Mosque in Dagestan Exacerbates Tensions There

· NYU withholds diploma of graduate who condemned Gaza war

· NATO hit by corruption scandal

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South Asia

· Stability Of System, People’s Security Religious Duty Of All Officials, IEA Defence Minister

· Tajikistan, Afghanistan Strengthen Cooperation in Electricity Sector

· Appointments of SC judges: Merit often took a back seat

· UN Warns: 500 Health Centres in Afghanistan at Risk of Closure Due to Aid Cuts

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Arab World

· Saudi Arabia Condemns Israeli Military Escalation Targeting Civilians In Gaza

· How a KAUST team is using AI to transform date harvesting in Saudi Arabia

· Shoura Council Speaker Receives Speaker Of The Arab Parliament

· Saudi Arabia Attends IAACA Anti-Corruption Meeting

· Royal Commission for AlUla, Smithsonian collaboration

· Kokoro: authentic Japanese curry in the Saudi capital

· Taif rose farmers bid farewell to their most treasured harvest as season ends

· Saudi Arabia participates in the first executive committee meeting of IAACA

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Europe

· Meeting Told Of Eagerness For Dublin Mosque To Reopen

· 6 Bogaziçi University Students Arrested After Protesting Controversial Islamic Preacher

· Russia Plans To Hold Cultural Exchanges With Islamic World Countries

· Rabbi and Imam podcast seeks to build Jewish-Muslim bonds through frank dialogue

· UK in talks to send failed asylum seekers abroad

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Mideast

· Zionist Enemy Renews Administrative Detention Of Maqdeseyan Prisoner, Bans Those Guarding Al-Aqsa Mosque

· Hamas ‘Willing To Cooperate’ With Trump If US Puts Pressure On Israel To End War

· Iran, Algeria Urge Stronger Cooperation on Aiding Gaza

· Broadcaster Lineker Says Israel At Fault For Origins Of Gaza Conflict, Days Before Tweet Furore

· Syria and DP World ink $800 million deal for port development

· Israeli army kills 5 Palestinians in West Bank shootout as Smotrich calls for razing of towns

· US top diplomat Rubio meets Syrian counterpart; discuss Israel, human rights

· At UN Nakba commemoration, Palestinian president urges action on Gaza

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Southeast Asia

· PKR May Act Against Division Members Threatening Resignation, Warns Fahmi Fadzil

· Penang State Assembly pays tribute to ex-PM Tun Abdullah

· PM Anwar says Tatarstan has enormous potential, ready to develop ties with it

· Penang governor urges Putrajaya to fund Pan Island Link 1 project for improved traffic management

Compiled by New Age Islam News Bureau

URL: https://newageislam.com/islamic-world-news/primarily-madrasas-mosques-eidgahs-border/d/135554

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429 Illegal Religious Structures—Primarily Madrasas, Mosques, Eidgahs, And Shrines— Razed in Border Areas by UP Government

May 16, 2025

Lucknow: With a crackdown on four more illegal structures on Thursday, the total count has now reached 429, as Uttar Pradesh authorities identified 236 more unauthorised religious structures built on govt land within 10 km of the Indo-Nepal border.

The operation, spearheaded by local administrations under state government directives, aims to remove illegal structures—primarily madrasas, mosques, Eidgahs, and shrines (Mazars)—that were constructed without approval and are seen as potential threats to law and order along the sensitive international border.

District-wise breakdown of identified encroachments, includes. 95 madrasas, 2 mosques, and 3 shrines in Shravasti; 21 madrasas, 10 mosques/Eidgahs, and 7 shrines in Maharajganj; 31 madrasas and 9 shrines in Balrampur; 19 madrasas and 1 mosque in Siddharthnagar; 13 madrasas, 9 mosques/Eidgahs and 3 shrines in in Bahraich; 3 madrasas and 3 mosques in Lakhimpur Kheri; and 1 madrasa, 2 mosques, and 1 shrine in Pilibhit.

Officials stated that many of these structures were built on revenue or forest land without due legal process. In some cases, the structures are suspected of being linked to unregulated funding sources. Administrative sources confirmed that such encroachments near the border not only violate land laws but also pose potential threats to national security—especially in regions vulnerable to cross-border infiltration and religious radicalisation.

A senior officer in the home department noted that continuous monitoring is being carried out through satellite imaging and drone mapping. He added that local police and intelligence units are working in coordination to verify the background of the organisations managing these structures.

A senior govt official said, "This is not a campaign against any religion, but a legal exercise to reclaim government land and uphold the rule of law. No structure—religious or otherwise—will be allowed to stand illegally, especially in a border-sensitive area."

Source: indiatimes.com

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https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/lucknow/429-illegal-structures-razed-in-border-areas/articleshow/121196079.cms

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Appreciate Taliban Condemnation Of The Pahalgam Terrorist Attack, And Rebuff To Pakistan: External Affairs Minister

by Shubhajit Roy

May 16, 2025

Jaishankar spoke to Afghan counterpart Muttaqi

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In his first ever conversation with Taliban-ruled Afghanistan’s Foreign Minister Amir Khan Muttaqi, External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar Thursday underlined India’s traditional friendship with the Afghan people and continuing support for their development needs.

The conversation took place days after India and Pakistan agreed to stop military strikes in the wake of Operation Sindoor conducted after the Pahalgam terror attack, an incident condemned by the Kabul regime. Tensions between Afghanistan and Pakistan too have been running high.

This is also the first political-level contact and conversation since the Taliban captured power in Kabul in August 2021. In January this year, Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri met Muttaqi in Dubai.

The last political level contact took place in 1999-2000 when then External Affairs Minister Jaswant Singh was in touch with Taliban Foreign Minister Wakil Ahmed Muttawakil following the hijacking of Indian Airlines flight IC-814 to Kandahar in December 1999.

After his conversation with Muttaqi, Jaishankar, in a post on X, said, “Good conversation with Acting Afghan Foreign Minister Mawlawi Amir Khan Muttaqi this evening. Deeply appreciate his condemnation of the Pahalgam terrorist attack. Welcomed his firm rejection of recent attempts to create distrust between India and Afghanistan through false and baseless reports.” This is an apparent reference to reports in Pakistan that Indian missiles had hit Afghanistan, which India called “ludicrous”.

Keeping the lines open

While India is still to grant recognition to Taliban in Afghanistan, it has been providing humanitarian and development aid. Jaishankar’s conversation with Muttaqi follows Foreign Secretary Misri’s meeting with the Taliban minister in Dubai this January.

“Underlined our traditional friendship with the Afghan people and continuing support for their development needs. Discussed ways and means of taking cooperation forward,” he said.

The Taliban Foreign Ministry said, “The Acting Minister of Foreign Affairs of Afghanistan, Mawlavi Amir Khan Muttaqi, held a telephone conversation with the Minister of External Affairs of India, Mr Jaishankar.”

“In this conversation, discussions focused on strengthening bilateral relations, trade and elevating the level of diplomatic ties. The Afghan Foreign Minister described India as an important regional country and highlighted the historical ties with Afghanistan, expressing hope for further strengthening of these relations. He emphasised maintaining positive relations with all parties through a balanced policy. Mawlavi Amir Khan Muttaqi also requested facilitation of Indian visas for Afghan traders and patients, as well as the release and repatriation of Afghan prisoners in India,” it said.

“Jaishankar also acknowledged the historical ties with Afghanistan and stated that his country would continue its cooperation with Afghanistan, emphasising joint efforts in political and economic areas. Mr. Jaishankar further committed to promptly addressing the issue of prisoners and facilitating visa procedures. Both sides also stressed the development of the Chabahar Port,” the Ministry said.

In the last week of April, Delhi had sent M Anand Prakash, Joint Secretary in charge of Pakistan, Afghanistan and Iran in the Ministry of External Affairs, to Kabul.

Even before Prakash reached Kabul, the Afghan Foreign Ministry had condemned the Pahalgam terror attack.

“The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan categorically condemns the recent attack on tourists in the Pahalgam region of Jammu and Kashmir, and expresses condolences to the bereaved families,” its spokesman Abdul Qahar Balkhi said.

He said “such incidents undermine efforts to ensure regional security and stability.”

According to the Taliban statement, Muttaqi underscored the importance of expanding diplomatic and economic relations between Kabul and Delhi.

In January, in the first high-level bilateral engagement with the Taliban regime, Foreign Secretary Misri met Muttaqi in Dubai.

A statement from the Ministry of External Affairs had said that the two sides discussed various issues pertaining to bilateral relations as well as regional developments.

But it was not just a meet-and-greet sort of a meeting as it covered a range of issues – India’s “security concerns” in Afghanistan, the need for India to “consider engaging in development projects in the near future”, Delhi’s humanitarian assistance including support for rehabilitation of Afghan refugees from Pakistan, use of Iran’s Chabahar port for accessing the conflict-hit country, and cricketing ties between the two countries.

Source: indianexpress.com

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https://indianexpress.com/article/india/jaishankar-speaks-with-taliban-welcomes-its-support-on-pahalgam-and-rebuff-to-pakistan-10009265/

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Islamic Theocracy in Nigeria? Why Jihadists Can’t Win—But Can’t Be Defeated

By Publisher

May 16, 2025

By Julius Ogunro

Islamists are expanding their frontiers in Nigeria. The latest being Mahmuda, an Islamic terror group with ties to Boko haram, terrorising Kwara and several states around it. Because of its cross-border threat, the Beninese government recently closed its borders with Nigeria around the Baruten area.

Ansaru, a battle-tested Islamist group also connected to Boko Haram, is active in the Northcentral, especially in the Kogi area. Its forte is kidnapping for ransom and spreading its twisted ideology of Islamic puritanism.

In Nigeria’s northwest, the Islamic terror group, Lakurawa, is gaining ground, increasing its attacks on civilian and military infrastructure, especially in the Kebbi and Sokoto axis. Military intelligence says it recruits heavily among the disaffected and vulnerable youth of the local population.

Then, of course, Boko Haram and ISWAP dominate a large swath of land in Borno, Yobe and Adamawa states. It appears the military has conceded some territories to them, as no one dares venture to the areas they dominate and are the de facto authorities, collecting taxes and meting out justice Sharia-style.

Lately, there appears to be a resurgence of attacks by the Islamist groups across the country. Boko Haram and ISWAP, which appeared weakened after several years of sustained military onslaught and defections, seem to have resurged. Even worse, they have metastasised with a growing franchise network in the country. Especially in the Northeast, their attacks on the military have significantly increased, as well as the kidnapping of civilian travellers along the many dangerous routes in the region.

So much so that the Borno State governor, BabaganaZulum, recently stated, “It is unfortunate that the renewed Boko Haram attacks and kidnappings in many communities are almost daily without confrontation, signalling that Borno State is losing ground.”

It brings me to the point of this essay: What do the Islamists want? Why have they embarked on a seemingly endless and relentless war against the Nigerian state? And is there hope that someday, these jihadists will be pacified and somehow live peacefully with other Nigerians and be subjected to our secular laws and justice systems?

The chances are unlikely, closer to zero than one. That is because, unlike conventional crises, where the state can negotiate with the aggrieved parties and reach some form of compromise, that is nearly impossible with the jihadists. Because their end goal is anathema to the aspiration of the Nigerian state. They seek Islamic theocracy, a society governed by Islamic laws and jurisprudence in their purest forms, where they would be the lord of the manor, the judge and the executioners of Sharia, and this is contrary to the modern, religiously plural state which Nigeria is.

And then again, the jihadists’ actions are rooted in a strong faith in God, their sense that they are right and the Nigerian state is wrong, and it is a matter of time before they defeat the infidels, possibly through divine help. It is difficult to defeat such a mindset, as even death is considered a victory by the Islamists, a reward for the bravery exhibited here on earth. What compromise can be made with such a group? What concession can be given to them that would satiate their desire for an Islamic state, one not in conflict with Nigeria’s plurality and quest for equity?

To be clear, the idea of Islamic theocracy is not novel in contemporary times. Iran, Afghanistan and many of the Gulf states are governed in some form by Islamic laws and principles and function largely as a theocracy. Iran and Afghanistan appear to be the model states for Nigerian jihadists. Shia Islam is the legal framework in Iran, while a fundamentalist Sunni interpretation of the Sharia governs Afghanistan. Both countries have a Muslim majority population, as do Saudi Arabia and other Gulf States that practice the Shariah. In Iran, out of a possible 89 million people, about 99.4 percent of them are Muslims, while in Afghanistan, 99.7 percent of its 42 million people are Muslims.

Nigeria is different. It is multi-religious, multi-ethnic, and constitutionally a secular state. It is therefore impossible to implement a total Islamic law without infringing on the rights of Christians, traditional worshipers and other non-Muslims. Significantly, too, without conflicting with many provisions of the constitution that guarantee freedom of worship (or non-worship), movement, and equality before the law.

So, the Islamists’ vision of an Islamic Nigerian state is impossible to materialise as the country is presently constituted. In addition, it is doubtful they can defeat the Nigerian army. After many years of guerrilla warfare, they don’t hold significant territories and command real influence among the general population. But that is not to say they are weak and will disappear any time soon. Rather, the reverse seems to be true. The conditions for the festering of these groups continue to exist with widespread poverty, illiteracy, and unregulated madrasas (Islamic schools) increasing significantly. A war economy has also developed in the northeast, with the military leadership apparently living large on the enhanced budget and possibly lacking the incentive to crush the insurgents.

For the foreseeable future, we will live with the jihadist threat, and our children will probably inherit it. It may even get worse, as some Muslims in the southwest are already tinkering with the idea of implementing some forms of the sharia law, setting the stage for a conflict with Christians and other groups in the region, which is usually the first stage before a broader and deeper religious crisis emerges.

But defeating the Nigerian state and imposing Shariah (Afghanistan- or Iran-style) won’t happen. The Nigerian state will, however, continue to be fragile, fractured by the Islamist insurgency, and burdened by internal divisions, sporadic violence, and governance challenges.

Source: newsdiaryonline.com

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https://newsdiaryonline.com/islamic-theocracy-in-nigeria-why-jihadists-cant-win-but-cant-be-defeated/

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In a first, UAE shuts Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque for Donald Trump’s special visit

May 16, 2025

In a first-of-its-kind moment, the Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque in Abu Dhabi was closed to the public to welcome US President Donald Trump during his official visit to the United Arab Emirates.

White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt posted on X: “US President Trump at the Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque in Abu Dhabi. They shut down the Mosque for his special visit — the first time it has ever been closed for anyone in history. Historic moment!”

The visit began with a solemn tribute at the mausoleum of the UAE’s Founding Father, the late Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan. Accompanied by Sheikh Khaled bin Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi, Trump paused to reflect on Sheikh Zayed’s legacy, which the UAE says continues to promote global values of tolerance, coexistence and peace.

Trump’s delegation then toured the mosque’s grand halls and courtyards, where they were given insights into how the landmark serves as a centre for intercultural dialogue and understanding among diverse religions and civilisations, reports Arab News.

They were also briefed on the work of the Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque Centre, which aims to promote Islamic values and cross-cultural exchange on a global level.

Burj Khalifa donned in American colours

The visit formed part of Trump’s broader Middle East tour, which began in Saudi Arabia and Qatar earlier in the week. He arrived in Abu Dhabi, where he was received at the airport by UAE President His Highness Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan.

That evening, the Burj Khalifa lit up in red, white, and blue, the colours of the US flag, in celebration of the visit.

Leavitt described the visit as a “historic return to the Middle East”

Bilateral ties between the UAE and US were first established in the 1970s. Since then, the two countries have expanded cooperation across sectors including security, trade, energy, education, space exploration, and artificial intelligence.

Trump’s return visit also comes in the context of billion-dollar pledges secured earlier in his tour and is seen as an effort to deepen cooperation on development, economy, and strategic interests.

According to the UAE Ministry of Economy, non-oil trade between the two countries reached $32.8 billion in 2024, with the US ranking as the UAE’s sixth-largest global trading partner and the top partner outside Asia.

The UAE is also a major investor in the US, with estimated investments totalling $1 trillion across industries such as aviation, manufacturing, clean energy and advanced technologies.

Observers say Trump choosing the Gulf as his first stop again shows the region is still important for US foreign policy and business ties.

Source: indiatimes.com

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https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/world/us/in-a-first-uae-shuts-sheikh-zayed-grand-mosque-for-donald-trumps-special-visit/articleshow/121195205.cms

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Crackdown on TikTok users and influencers in Afghanistan intensified, arrested for activities deemed “Unlawful”

By Fidel Rahmati

May 15, 2025

The interim administration has escalated its crackdown on TikTok users and influencers in Afghanistan, arresting individuals for activities deemed “unlawful” by the regime.

The Taliban’s Ministry for the Promotion of Virtue and Prevention of Vice has reported the arrest of several social media users accused of engaging in “illicit activities.” Saif Khyber, the ministry’s spokesperson, released videos showing two TikTok users expressing regret for their actions. One such user, known as Haroon Pakora, appeared in a forced video in which he admitted his arrest was due to engaging in conversations with women on TikTok. He vowed to cease such interactions in the future and urged women, both inside and outside Afghanistan, not to join his live sessions anymore.

The Taliban’s Ministry for the Promotion of Virtue and Prevention of Vice issued a statement on May 11, 2025, warning that using social media for “unethical and unlawful purposes” would be subject to legal consequences. The ministry specifically targeted TikTok and PUBG, banning these platforms in Afghanistan earlier in 2023, claiming they mislead and corrupt young people. TikTok, in particular, has gained significant popularity among Afghan youth, many of whom rely on the platform for income in the absence of other job opportunities under Taliban rule.

As most formal employment opportunities in Afghanistan have diminished under Taliban control, many young people have turned to social media platforms like TikTok and YouTube as alternative sources of income. With the Taliban’s increasing restrictions on these platforms, this avenue for financial support is now under severe threat. For many Afghan youths, the continued repression of social media could eliminate one of the few remaining means of livelihood, exacerbating the economic challenges faced by the population.

Haroon Pakora, a well-known social media personality, became the subject of Taliban scrutiny after being detained for speaking with women on TikTok. In the viral video, Pakora pledges not to engage with women in future discussions, expressing remorse over his past actions. Some social media users have speculated that the video was recorded under duress, with reports suggesting that Pakora’s hair was shaved during the detention, though these claims remain unconfirmed. The exact circumstances surrounding his arrest remain unclear.

Saif al-Islam Khyber, another Taliban spokesperson, issued a stern warning to social media users, urging them to utilize these platforms for “education, reliable news, and legitimate business.” He emphasized that any “ideological deviation, insult, discrimination, or use of social media in ways contrary to religious values” would be considered a criminal act. The Taliban’s position on social media continues to grow stricter, as they intensify their control over digital platforms in Afghanistan.

On May 13, 2025, Shir Ali Mubariz, a popular TikTok influencer from Baghlan province, was also arrested by Taliban intelligence agents. Mubariz, known for his lighthearted and comedic live broadcasts on TikTok, was detained under allegations of “improper behavior” on social media. The Taliban’s crackdown on influencers, particularly those engaging in what they consider un-Islamic or immoral behavior, is part of a broader effort to regulate digital content in Afghanistan.

The Taliban’s tightening grip on social media and digital platforms highlights a broader trend of increased censorship and repression in Afghanistan. By cracking down on users, particularly those engaging in entertainment or lighthearted content, the regime seeks to ensure that online activities align strictly with its ideological and religious values. However, this strategy risks stifling the digital economy and further alienating the youth, who already face severe limitations in terms of employment and personal freedoms.

As the Taliban continues to impose stricter controls on social media, the future of digital platforms in Afghanistan remains uncertain. With young people relying on platforms like TikTok for income and expression, these restrictions could create significant social unrest and economic hardship. The international community’s response to the ongoing digital repression will play a crucial role in shaping Afghanistan’s future in an increasingly interconnected world.

Source: khaama.com

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https://www.khaama.com/crackdown-on-tiktok-users-and-influencers-in-afghanistan-intensified-arrested-for-activities-deemed-unlawful/

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India

Waqf row: Supreme Court to decide if interim order needed

May 16, 2025

NEW DELHI: Supreme Court on Thursday said it will on May 20 hear a limited number of advocates for several Muslim petitioners who have challenged the constitutional validity of the Waqf (Amendment) Act, 2025, only for the purpose of deciding the necessity and contours of any interim order required to be issued by the court.

SG Tushar Mehta said govt has filed a comprehensive affidavit on the three issues flagged by the court in its April 17 order: nomination of non-Muslims to Central Waqf Council and boards, validity of waqf-by-user without valid documents, and the process for identification of govt land under waqf.

Won’t permit any challenge to 1995 Waqf Act: SC bench

Perturbed after seeing a number of senior advocates appearing for the Muslim parties and speaking in different voices, a bench of CJI B R Gavai and Justice A G Masih said if merely scheduling the hearing takes so much of time and if this there is so much confusion as to who all should be permitted to argue, then the hearing cannot commence.

The bench asked lead counsel for the Muslim side, senior advocate Kapil Sibal, to coordinate with other counsels who are arguing against the amendments and file by Saturday a consolidated written submission on the need and shape of interim order. It asked Mehta to articulate his response and submissions by Monday.

During the hearing, advocate Vishnu Shankar Jain said the court should allow him to argue a petition challenging the Waqf Act, 1995, as well as the Waqf (Amendment) Act, 2025, both of which are discriminatory based on religion. The bench, however, asked, “How can you challenge the 1995 Act after 30 years?”

Jain said the petition also challenges certain provisions of the new waqf law as it has not addressed the unequal situation created in favour of Muslims by the 1995 Act.

The bench said, “Do not mix the issues. We will not consider any request for stay of any provision of the Waqf Act, 1995. Just because the Amendment Act, 2025 is challenged, no one can be allowed to jump in to challenge the 1995 legislation.”

Sibal said the assurance of the Union govt through the solicitor general on certain aspects should continue till May 20. Mehta said it will continue till May 20.

Source: indiatimes.com

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https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/waqf-row-supreme-court-to-decide-if-interim-order-needed/articleshow/121197351.cms

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Waqf Row: Supreme Court To Decide If Interim Order Needed

May 16, 2025

Won’t permit any challenge to 1995 Waqf Act: SC bench

Jain said the petition also challenges certain provisions of the new waqf law as it has not addressed the unequal situation created in favour of Muslims by the 1995 Act.

Sibal said the assurance of the Union govt through the solicitor general on certain aspects should continue till May 20. Mehta said it will continue till May 20.

Source: indiatimes.com

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

https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/waqf-row-supreme-court-to-decide-if-interim-order-needed/articleshow/121197351.cms

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BJP MLA Rajeshwar Singh slams Erdogan for Pro-Pakistan stand

May 16, 2025

Lucknow: BJP MLA Rajeshwar Singh sharply criticised Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan for his pro-Pakistan rhetoric and alleged alignment with radical Islamist networks. Calling Erdogan's stance "a dangerous endorsement of terrorism," Singh warned that such positions undermine global peace and embolden extremist forces.

"Turkey under Erdogan has aligned itself with extremist ideologies and terror-linked regimes. His support for Pakistan—a nation globally recognised for harbouring terror groups like Lashkar-e-Taiba and Jaish-e-Mohammed—is a direct threat to regional stability," he said.

Singh cited Turkey's repeated interference in Kashmir-related matters at global forums, its growing ties with hardline Islamist groups such as the Muslim Brotherhood, and the alleged use of Turkish territory as a haven for extremist ideologues. He also raised concerns over state-sponsored Turkish media promoting jihadist propaganda and anti-India narratives across South Asia.

"India stands for peace and sovereignty. Erdogan's actions weaken the global fight against terror," Singh added, urging the international community to diplomatically isolate regimes that support extremism in the name of religion.

Source: indiatimes.com

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https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/lucknow/bjp-mla-rajeshwar-singh-slams-erdogan-for-pro-pakistan-stand/articleshow/121196067.cms

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Operation Sindoor and the legal case for India’s right to self-defence

May 15, 2025

On April 22, 2025, a brutal terrorist attack in Pahalgam, Jammu and Kashmir, claimed the lives of 26 civilians, including 25 Indian tourists and one local Muslim guide. The assailants, reportedly affiliated with The Resistance Front—a group linked to Pakistan-based Lashkar-e-Taiba—targeted non-Muslim tourists, forcing them to recite Islamic verses before executing them. This heinous act, the deadliest on Indian civilians since the 2008 Mumbai attacks, has reignited tensions between India and Pakistan.

In response, India launched Operation Sindoor on May 7, 2025, conducting precision strikes on terrorist infrastructure in Pakistan-administered territories. The Indian government described these strikes as “focused, measured, and non-escalatory,” targeting camps of Jaish-e-Mohammed and Lashkar-e-Taiba without harming Pakistani military facilities.

The strikes were followed by a four-day period of intense cross-border hostilities, culminating in a ceasefire agreement brokered with U.S. mediation. Despite the ceasefire, Pakistan continued to violate the same, as reported by Indian Government.

The legal threshold: ‘Armed attack’ by non-state actors

According to Article 51 of the UN Charter, states have an “inherent right of individual or collective self-defence if an armed attack occurs.” For decades, debate raged over whether attacks by non-state actors—like terrorist groups—could trigger this right. However, post-9/11 state practice has shifted dramatically.

Tom Ruys, in his book “Armed Attack” and Article 51 of the UN Charter: Evolutions in Customary Law and Practice, notes a clear trend of states asserting self-defence in response to large-scale terror attacks even when not directly attributable to a state. Ruys identifies that customary international law has evolved to accept that non-state actors can commit “armed attacks” if the scale and effects are comparable to traditional military attacks. The 9/11 attacks and subsequent U.S. intervention in Afghanistan, supported by Security Council Resolutions 1368 and 1373, solidified this view. Ruys cites state responses post-9/11 as evidence that “armed attacks” need not emanate from a state to trigger the right of self-defence.

India, thus, has a strong basis in law to argue that if groups like Lashkar-e-Taiba or Jaish-e-Mohammed launch large-scale, orchestrated attacks such as the 2001 Parliament attack or the 2008 Mumbai carnage these qualify as armed attacks under Article 51.

Attribution and State responsibility

While non-state actor attacks may trigger self-defence, the issue of attribution i.e. linking the host state to the actions of the group, is crucial. Here, India’s position is further strengthened.

The International Court of Justice (ICJ) in the Nicaragua case (Case Concerning Military and Paramilitary Activities In and Against Nicaragua, 1986) established that providing “substantial involvement”—financing, training, or arming armed groups—can constitute indirect use of force. While the ICJ stopped short of equating this with “armed attack,” subsequent state practice has eroded this limitation. Ruys highlights a growing acceptance that when a state is “unwilling or unable” to prevent attacks from its territory, and provides tacit or active support, self-defence is lawful. This is the standard invoked by the US in Afghanistan, Turkey in Syria, and Israel in Lebanon. If India can provide evidence of active Pakistani complicity—or consistent failure to prevent groups from acting with impunity—it could justify proportionate defensive measures.

This is not a theoretical argument. The 26/11 Mumbai attacks were traced to handlers in Pakistan. Hafiz Saeed, the alleged mastermind, operated openly for years. Indian dossiers presented at the United Nations and FATF illustrate continued safe havens for terror infrastructure across the border. If another 26/11-style attack occurs, India would have a strong case to claim a breach of Article 2(4) by Pakistan and invoke self-defence under Article 51.

Necessity, proportionality, and reporting obligations

Even when a state lawfully invokes self-defence, it must adhere to two customary requirements: necessity and proportionality. Necessity means there are no viable alternatives—diplomatic or otherwise—to stop the threat. Given Pakistan’s persistent failure to act on actionable intelligence and its denial of complicity, this threshold could be considered met after another egregious attack. Proportionality requires that India’s response match the scale of the armed attack. This does not imply symmetry—e.g., a terrorist ambush need not be met with an ambush—but the response must be targeted and limited to neutralizing the threat.

Furthermore, India would be required under Article 51 to report its actions to the UN Security Council. While the ICJ in Nicaragua held that failure to report does not invalidate self-defence, doing so enhances legitimacy and aligns with international expectations.

Precedents and India’s record of restraint

India’s past conduct reflects remarkable restraint. After the 2001 Parliament attack and 2008 Mumbai attacks, India refrained from immediate kinetic retaliation. Even the 2016 Uri attack prompted only a targeted “surgical strike” across the Line of Control—not full-scale war. Similarly, the 2019 Balakot airstrike after Pulwama was calibrated to avoid escalation.

India has not abused the self-defence doctrine. Its warnings today stem from a pattern of provocations that, under international law, arguably meet the “armed attack” threshold. The 2006 Israeli strike on Hezbollah in Lebanon, the Turkish operations against Kurdish fighters in Syria, and even French strikes in Mali post-terror attacks—all provide precedents where nations acted in self-defence against non-state actors across borders.

Conclusion: A lawful and measured posture

India’s assertion that any future act of terror from Pakistan will be considered an act of war is not an emotional overreach. It is a calculated legal stance grounded in evolving international law. As Ruys emphasizes, state practice and opinio juris since 2001 show that self-defence is no longer confined to state-on-state violence. India is signalling that the threshold of tolerance has ended, and future attacks will not be absorbed diplomatically. By pre-emptively warning of consequences, India is not violating the law — it is reinforcing it. If anything, it is Pakistan that must act urgently to avoid legal consequences of continued state complicity, willful negligence, or both.

Source: indiatimes.com

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https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/blogs/voices/operation-sindoor-and-the-legal-case-for-indias-right-to-self-defence/

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Ram Gopal Yadav’s ‘casteist’ remarks on Vyomika Singh spark row

May 15, 2025

Samajwadi Party leader Ram Gopal Yadav on Thursday kicked up a row by claiming that the PDA (backward, minority, Dalit) was responsible for the success of Operation Sindoor and that the BJP was quick to take “political mileage” out of it.

Speaking at an event in Moradabad, he noted, “Wing Commander Vyomika Singh is Jatav of Haryana. But the BJP considered her a Rajput, and BJP’s Madhya Pradesh minister abused Colonel Sofia Qureshi because she is a Muslim.”

“Marshal Awadhesh Kumar Bharti is a Yadav, who carried out Operation Sindoor. So, one is a Muslim, the second Jatav, and the third Yadav. These three belong to the PDA. So the PDA fought this entire war, then on what basis the BJP is trying to take credit for it?” he said.

Yadav also hit out at the Narendra Modi dispensation at the Centre for giving a political hue to the India-Pakistan escalation on the borders following Operation Sindoor.

“… there was a war with Pakistan for three days, then someone (US President Donald Trump) threatened and stopped the war. Peace cannot be compared to war, but evil should be treated with wickedness and it is what everyone wants,” he added.

“So far, whenever there has been a war between India and Pakistan, India has won. However, the political leadership never tried to take credit for it. First, the country’s current political leadership wants to grab the credit of the army,” he alleged.

The party general secretary also took offence to the ‘Tiranga Yatra’ taken out by the saffron party across the country to create awareness about Operation Sindoor. He questioned the BJP on why it did not include all other parties in the Yatra.

“… the BJP is taking out Tiranga Yatra in the country because the party is always in election mode. I want to ask two questions from the BJP. Firstly, did the BJP leaders and workers go to fight the war on the border and secondly, did their children go to the war?

“If it is not so, then why is only one party trying to take credit for it? The government should have taken out the Tiranga Yatra by taking all the parties in confidence,” he added.

Meanwhile, Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath reacted sharply to the controversial statement made by Yadav.

“The army uniform is not seen from ‘casteist glasses’. Every soldier of the Indian Army plays ‘Rashtra dharma’, not a representative of any caste or religion. Restricting a heroic daughter, by the Samajwadi Party’s national general secretary, to the periphery of caste is not only a demonstration of his party’s narrow thinking, but also a gross insult to the bravery of the army and the identity of the country,” he said in a social media post.

Source: thestatesman.com

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https://www.thestatesman.com/india/ram-gopal-yadavs-casteist-remarks-on-vyomika-singh-spark-row-1503433099.html

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India To Send Multi-Party Delegations Abroad To Rally Global Support Against Terrorism

Rajesh Kumar Thakur

16 May 2025

NEW DELHI: The NDA government is launching a major diplomatic campaign against terrorism, sending multi-party delegations abroad to present India’s stance on Pakistan-based terror groups following the launch of Operation Sindoor.

As part of the initiative, MPs from both NDA and key Opposition parties will visit five to six countries, including the US, UK, and Islamic nations, to engage with top officials and build international support.

These delegations will engage with heads of state and senior officials in countries including the United States, the United Kingdom, and several Islamic nations. The objective is to present India’s rationale behind launching Operation Sindoor and to consolidate international support against terrorism sponsored from across the border.

According to a senior government source on Friday, a multiparty delegation of MPs, including those from NDA allies and prominent Opposition leaders, is being constituted. These MPs will be thoroughly briefed and provided with documents and evidence detailing Pakistan’s involvement in terror activities against India. This marks a significant and unprecedented diplomatic outreach by the Indian government on the global stage.

Notable Opposition figures expected to be part of these delegations include Shashi Tharoor, who may lead a team of MPs to the UK and US; Asaduddin Owaisi, who has strongly condemned Pakistan for fostering terrorism in India following the Pahalgam terror attack, and is likely to be part of the delegation to Saudi Arabia and Qatar; and Shiv Sena (UBT) MP Priyanka Chaturvedi, who has vocally criticised Pakistan’s support for terrorist groups and has expressed full support for Operation Sindoor, cutting across party lines.

Union Ministers Rajnath Singh, Amit Shah, and JP Nadda; Leader of Opposition in the Lok Sabha Rahul Gandhi, Congress President and Leader of Opposition in the Rajya Sabha Mallikarjun Kharge; and other leaders during an all-party meeting on 'Operation Sindoor' in New Delhi, Thursday, May 8, 2025.

Indus Water Treaty will be held in abeyance until Pakistan 'irrevocably' stops cross-border terrorism: EAM Jaishankar

A source added that several other well-educated and articulate Opposition MPs could also be invited to join the delegations, alongside NDA allies such as JD(U), TDP, and others.

“It is expected that a delegation would comprise at least five to eight MPs or may go up depending upon the government decision to rope in many more as part of showing India’s political unity against terror. The multi-party delegations or NDA MPs (what would be final composition of delegation is likely to be decided soon) would have a 10-day visit to UK, US, UAE, Qatar and other countries for keeping India’s stand on terrorism with its new doctrine adopted with launch of Operation Sindoor,” remarked a source.

Sources further indicated that an official from the Ministry of External Affairs will accompany each parliamentary delegation during this diplomatic campaign related to Operation Sindoor.

https://www.newindianexpress.com/nation/2025/May/16/india-to-send-multi-party-delegations-abroad-to-rally-global-support-against-terrorism

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Africa

ICC says Libya recognizes authority of war crimes, repression probe

May 16, 2025

UNITED NATIONS: Libya has accepted the authority of the International Criminal Court (ICC) to investigate alleged war crimes in the country despite not being party to the Rome Statute, the court’s founding treaty, ICC chief prosecutor Karim Khan said Thursday.

“I strongly welcome the courage, the leadership and the decision by the Libyan authorities” to recognize the ICC’s jurisdiction over possible war crimes and repression committed since 2011 until the end of 2027, Khan added.

Source: arabnews.com

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

https://www.arabnews.com/node/2600913/middle-east

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Terrorists Sharing Old Videos Of Attacks After Suffering Heavy Casualty Against Troops – DHQ

May 16, 2025

By OladipoAbiola

The Defence Headquarters (DHQ), has submitted that a particular video making rounds on social media, purportedly showing terrorists overrunning a military base in Marte, Borno State and killing some soldiers, is fake.

The DHQ, in a statement on Thursday by the Director, Defence Media Operation, Major General Markus Kangye, said the video in question is old and from a different operation.

He added that terrorists and their sympathizers are behind the misleading video with the intention to create fresh fear in the minds of the public.

Kangye maintained that the video is not in any way related to the recent Marte incident and, based on reports of forensic analysis, was found to have been first posted on 7 December 2020 and is now being recirculated to mislead Nigerians.

He said, “The attention of the Armed Forces of Nigeria (AFN) has been drawn to a video currently circulating on social media, falsely presented as footage from the recent attack on troops in Marte, Borno State.

“Following a thorough analysis by relevant authorities, it has been confirmed that the video is not related to the Marte incident in any form.

“The visual content, terrain, and operational context clearly indicate that the footage is from an occurrence at a different location which was first posted on 7 December 2020.

“The video clip is being deliberately recycled and manipulated by criminal elements and sympathisers of terrorist groups to mislead the public and sow seed of fear, while aiming at dissuading the public from the gains being recorded by troops of the AFN in the ongoing operations across the country.”

The May 12 Attack

Naija News reports that the DHQ spokesperson confirmed an attack by terrorists on the Nigerian Military in Marte on Monday, May 12, but added that the troops successfully repelled the attack and killed several terrorists.

He urged the public to disregard the old video in circulation as the Nigerian Armed Forces are winning the war against terrorists, insurgents and other criminals.

“For the avoidance of doubt, troops of AFN in Marte came under attack on Monday 12 May 2025 at about 0300hrs (3 am).

“However, the troops were able to repel the terrorists after fierce gun battle with a large number of terrorists neutralized while others escaped with bullet wounds.

“Following this, the terrorist resulted in sharing an old clip as propaganda to mislead gullible members of the public.

“This act of misinformation is not only malicious but also a failed attempt to demoralize our gallant troops and undermine the confidence of Nigerians in the Armed Forces.

“The AFN condemns in the strongest terms this reckless dissemination of fake content and warns that those behind such disinformation campaigns will be identified and held accountable in accordance with the law.

“The Nigerian military remains fully committed and unwavering in its efforts at defending the sovereignty and territorial integrity of our nation.

“Our troops in the North East and across all theatres of operations remain resolute and are making significant progress in dismantling terrorist networks.

“We urge the general public to disregard the fake video and rely only on official sources for verified information on military operations.

“The support and cooperation of all Nigerians remain vital in the collective fight against terrorism and all forms of insecurity,” Kangye added.

Source: naijanews.com

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https://www.naijanews.com/2025/05/16/terrorists-sharing-old-videos-of-attacks-after-suffering-heavy-casualty-against-troops-dhq/

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Nigerian Military Raid Terrorist Hideout In Sambisa Forest, Recover Weapons

May 15, 2025

By OladipoAbiola

Troops of the Nigerian Military on Thursday, 15th May, overran terrorist hideouts in Sambisa Forest, Borno State.

According to a statement by the Nigerian Army, a joint operation between troops of Operation Hadin Kai and the Civilian Joint Task Force (CJTF) was conducted in the Sambisa Forest between 6 am and 12 pm.

The aggressive patrol and clearance operation targeted terrorist strongholds in Garin Malam Ali, Garin Glucose and Ukuba.

The troops successfully invaded the strongholds, forcing the insurgents to flee and abandon their arms and ammunition. Recovered items include various weapons and IED-making equipment. The exploitation of the Sambisa Forest is ongoing.

Recently, troops of the Nigerian Army neutralized the chief bomb maker of the Boko Haram terrorist group, AmirulBumma.

The Boko Haram bomb expert was killed alongside nine high-profile insurgents during a fierce battle with Nigerian troops in Sambisa Forest, Borno State.

Naija News understands the encounter took place in Bama Local Government Area during a clearance operation under Operation Desert Sanity 4.

Counter insurgency expert, ZagazolaMakama, who made the information known to our correspondent on Wednesday, said troops of the Nigerian Army’s 21 Armoured Brigade, 199 Special Forces, the Civilian Joint Task Force, and hybrid forces launched the offensive based on intelligence that insurgents were regrouping in a well-fortified enclave between Sabil Huda and Njimiya, near Alai Dala Stand.

Source: naijanews.com

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https://www.naijanews.com/2025/05/15/nigerian-military-raid-terrorist-hideout-in-sambisa-forest-recover-weapons/

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Tunisia Jewish pilgrimage sees low turn out amid security concerns

May 15, 2025

DJERBA, Tunisia: Only about 30 people turned up Thursday at this year’s Jewish pilgrimage on Tunisia’s island of Djerba amid safety concerns following a deadly 2023 attack and as the war in Gaza rages on.

The pilgrimage to the Ghriba synagogue, Africa’s oldest, has in the past drawn thousands of pilgrims from Europe, Israel and beyond, attracting international and local tourists as well.

But after a 2023 deadly attack on the synagogue that killed two worshippers and three police officers, fewer pilgrims have been turning out to make the pilgrimage.

“It has been difficult for people to come, given what’s happening in the world,” Rene Trabelsi, the event organizer, told AFP.

“The pilgrimage has gone through many difficult periods in its history,” he said.

This year’s activities were restricted to indoor events at the place of worship.

“In 30 years, I have never seen the Ghriba synagogue so empty,” said KhoudhirHanya, the synagogue’s manager.

“Usually even a week beforehand, pilgrims begin to arrive — sometimes up to 1,000 people.”

Earlier this month, a knife attack injured a local Jewish jeweller, but Trabelsi said it was unclear whether it was motivated by anti-Semitism, as authorities have not provided further details.

The pilgrimage is at the heart of Jewish tradition in Tunisia, where only about 1,500 members of the faith still live — mainly on Djerba. Many have left for Israel and France.

Organizers say more than 5,000 people, mostly from abroad, attended the pilgrimage in 2023, whereas up to 8,000 pilgrims had attended in previous years.

Security at the synagogue had already been tightened after previous attacks.

A suicide truck bombing in 2002, claimed by Al-Qaeda, killed 21 at the synagogue, and another attack in 1985 killed four worshippers and a police officer.

Source: arabnews.com

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

https://www.arabnews.com/node/2600887/middle-east

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North America

Man who stabbed author Salman Rushdie faces sentencing in New York

May 16, 2025

The man convicted of stabbing Salman Rushdie on a New York lecture stage in 2022, leaving the prizewinning author blind in one eye, is scheduled to be sentenced on Friday. A jury found Hadi Matar, 27, guilty of attempted murder and assault in February.

Chautauqua County District Attorney Jason Schmidt said he will request the maximum 25 years in prison for the Aug 12, 2022, attack on Rushdie and seven years for injuring a second man who was on stage with the author. The sentences must run concurrently because both victims were injured in the same event, he said.

Rushdie is not expected to return to court for his assailant's sentencing, the prosecutor said. During the trial, the 77-year-old author was the key witness, describing how he believed he was dying when a masked attacker plunged a knife into his head and body more than a dozen times as he was being introduced at the Chautauqua Institution to speak about writer safety.

Rushdie spent 17 days at a Pennsylvania hospital and more than three weeks at a New York City rehabilitation centre. The author of "Midnight's Children," "The Moor's Last Sigh" and "Victory City" detailed his recovery in his 2024 memoir, "Knife."

Matar next faces a federal trial on terrorism-related charges. While the first trial focused mostly on the details of the knife attack itself, the next one is expected to delve into the more complicated issue of motive.

Authorities said Matar, a US citizen, was attempting to carry out a decades-old fatwa, or edict, calling for Rushdie's death when he travelled from his home in Fairview, New Jersey, to target Rushdie at the summer retreat about 112.6 kilometres southwest of Buffalo.

Matar believed the fatwa, first issued in 1989, was backed by the Lebanon-based militant group Hezbollah and endorsed in a 2006 speech by the group's secretary-general, Hassan Nasrallah, according to federal prosecutors.

Iranian leader Ayatollah Ruhollah Khomeini issued the fatwa after publication of Rushdie's novel, "The Satanic Verses," which some Muslims consider blasphemous. Rushdie spent years in hiding, but after Iran announced it would not enforce the decree he travelled freely over the past quarter century.

Matar pleaded not guilty to a three-count indictment charging him with providing material to terrorists, attempting to provide material support to Hezbollah and engaging in terrorism transcending national boundaries.

Video of the assault, captured by the venue's cameras and played at trial, show Matar approaching the seated Rushdie from behind and reaching around him to stab at his torso with a knife. As the audience gasps and screams, Rushdie is seen raising his arms and rising from his seat, walking and stumbling for a few steps with Matar hanging on, swinging and stabbing until they both fall and are surrounded by onlookers who rush in to separate them.

Jurors in Matar's first trial delivered their verdict after less than two hours of deliberation.

Source: indiatimes.com

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https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/world/us/man-who-stabbed-author-salman-rushdie-faces-sentencing-in-new-york/articleshow/121201902.cms

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South Florida Muslims Celebrate Legislature’s Recognition of Muslim-American Heritage Month

May 15, 2025

Commemorative Religious Service to Be Held at Florida’s First Mosque in Miami

The Council on American-Islamic Relations–Florida (CAIR-Florida), the state’s largest Muslim civil rights and advocacy organization, today announced a celebration marking the recognition of May 2025 as Florida Muslim-American Heritage Month, following resolutions passed by both chambers of the Florida Legislature.

To commemorate the occasion, a congregational religious service — known as Jumu‘ah Khutbah — will be held at Masjid Al-Ansar, Florida’s first Islamic center, located in Miami’s inner city. The sermon will be delivered by CAIR-Florida’s Imam Abdullah Jaber. Following the Friday prayer, remarks will be offered by Masjid Al-Ansar’s resident imam and founder, Imam Nasir Ahmad, a long-standing community leader.

CAIR-Florida attorneys, its youth coordinator, and other personnel will be present to provide orientation and counseling services to the community.

Several other Muslim organizations across Florida have confirmed their participation. The Islamic Circle of North America Relief (ICNA Relief) will lead a food and grocery distribution initiative for the local community. The South Florida Muslim Federation will also have representatives on site to assist attendees in accessing services offered by the 30+ Muslim organizations under its umbrella.

MEDIA COVERAGE:

All participating organization representatives and the referenced imams are available for on-camera, print, or audio media interviews.

The religious service will include a sermon by Imam Abdullah Jaber followed by congregational prayer and closing remarks by Masjid Al-Ansar’s resident imam, Nasir Ahmad.

Background on Florida Muslim-American Heritage Month:

In April, the Florida House of Representatives adopted HR 8069, a resolution introduced by Rep. Anna Eskamani and co-sponsored by Reps. Rita Harris and Angie Nixon. Shortly thereafter, the Florida Senate adopted SR 1384, sponsored by Sen. Carlos Guillermo Smith. Both resolutions recognize May 2025 as Muslim-American Heritage Month and celebrate the contributions and culture of Muslim Americans in Florida.

CAIR-Florida Policy Director Mari Marks stated:

“For the first time, a Muslim-American Heritage Month resolution has been adopted by both chambers of the Florida Legislature. We are deeply grateful to Representatives Anna Eskamani, Rita Harris, Angie Nixon, and Senator Carlos Guillermo Smith for championing this historic recognition.

Recognizing May as Muslim-American Heritage Month in Florida is not only a celebration but also a strategic step in amplifying the influence and contributions of Florida Muslims — both past and present.”

CAIR-Florida’s mission is to protect civil rights, enhance understanding of Islam, promote justice, and empower American Muslims.

La misión de CAIR-Florida esproteger las libertadesciviles, mejorar la comprensión del Islam, promover la justicia y empoderar a losmusulmanesenlosEstadosUnidos.

Source: cair.com

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https://www.cair.com/press_releases/south-florida-muslims-celebrate-legislatures-recognition-of-muslim-american-heritage-month/

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Sale and Destruction of Building Used as Chechen Mosque in Dagestan Exacerbates Tensions There

May 15, 2025

Staunton, May 13 – The complexities of restoring buildings to their rightful owners after they have been used by more than one, the ways in which such disputes play into larger issues of the status of ethnic communities, and the impact of ethnic diversity in Dagestan on all issues are very much on public view in the pulling down of a building most recently used as a mosque.

In Leninaul, a village in the Chechen portion of Dagestan which has been slated to get its own status as an official district later this year, officials sold off to the highest bidder a building that until a decade or so ago had been a store but more recently had been used as a mosque for the Chechen minority there (akcent.site/novosti/40875).

The winning bidder who paid ten times the opening bid then announced he was tearing down the building in order to put up a new one. That outraged the Chechens who argued that he was destroying their mosque which they had been using since 2020 and thus not only attacking a religious facility but destabilizing the situation in the region.

To outsiders, this may seem a small issue, especially as the authorities in Leninaul immediately offered the Chechens land for a new mosque. But that hasn’t calmed the situation, and it is quite likely that the dispute will escalate particularly if Chechen leader Ramzan Kadyrov chooses to support his co-ethnics in Dagestan as he has in the past.

Source: windowoneurasia2.blogspot.com

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http://windowoneurasia2.blogspot.com/2025/05/sale-and-destruction-of-building-used.html

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NYU withholds diploma of graduate who condemned Gaza war

May 16, 2025

Jake Lapham

New York University (NYU) has withheld the diploma of a student who used his graduation speech to accuse the US of supporting "genocide" in Gaza.

Undergraduate Logan Rozos told the crowd on Wednesday that he condemned the "atrocities currently happening in Palestine", drawing cheers and some boos.

An NYU spokesperson accused Mr Rozos of lying about what he had planned to say in the address in order to "express his personal and one-sided political views".

Pro-Palestinian advocacy on college campuses has become heavily politicised in the US, as the Trump administration cracks down on what it has called antisemitism at elite institutions, stirring a fraught debate about free speech.

NYU said it "strongly denounces" and was "deeply sorry" for Mr Rozos' remarks, adding: "This moment was stolen by someone who abused a privilege that was conferred upon him."

The college spokesman, John Beckman, said Mr Rozos' diploma would be withheld while NYU pursued disciplinary action against him.

After being introduced on stage, the undergraduate said he had been "freaking out about this speech", but that he felt compelled to speak out.

"The genocide currently occurring is supported politically and military by the United States, is paid for by our tax dollars and has been live-streamed to our phones," he said.

"I condemn this genocide and complicity in this genocide," Mr Rozos added in remarks that lasted about two-and-a-half minutes.

He did not specifically mention Israel, which emphatically denies accusations of genocide in Gaza, or Jewish people.

A since-deleted profile of Mr Rozos on NYU's website indicated he studied cultural criticism and political economy at a small liberal arts school within the campus.

In another online profile, Mr Rozos is described as an "actor, artist, and gay Black trans man".

NYU is one of 10 universities being investigated by Trump's antisemitism taskforce for incidents on campus since the Israel-Gaza war began in October 2023.

NYU was not, however, among 60 universities that were sent letters by the Department of Education warning of "enforcement action" if it did not protect Jewish students.

The US president's son, Barron, is a student at NYU, enrolled at its Stern School of Business.

Arguably the university under the most pressure from the administration is America's oldest, Harvard.

Trump has cut more than $2.6bn (£2bn) in funding, a decision that the university argues will hamper critical disease research.

Harvard has filed a lawsuit claiming the action is unlawful. It has also rejected a list of demands that the Trump administration said was designed to curb alleged discrimination.

Separately, several foreign students who took part in pro-Palestinian activism on US campuses have been detained in recent months.

The Trump administration alleges they have expressed support for Hamas, which the US, EU and UK designates as a terrorist group, and called for their deportation.

Lawyers for the students say they are exercising their right to free speech, accusing the government of "open repression of student activism and political speech".

Source: bbc.com

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https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/ckgxydg11ego

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NATO hit by corruption scandal

16 May, 2025

Police have conducted arrests and searches in several countries as part of a corruption investigation into current and former employees of the NATO Support and Procurement Agency (NSPA).

The raids, coordinated by Eurojust – the EU’s criminal justice agency – took place in Luxembourg, Belgium, the Netherlands, Spain, Italy, and the US. The alliance told Luxembourg Times on Wednesday that NSPA’s main headquarters in the Grand Duchy had initiated the probe.

“NATO – including the NSPA – is working closely with law enforcement to ensure that perpetrators are brought to justice,” spokeswoman Allison Hart said. “We are actively strengthening our ability to mitigate risks and root out misconduct,” she added.

NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte told reporters in Ankara on Thursday that the military bloc was working with the authorities. “We want to get to the root of this,” Rutte said.

The public prosecutor’s office in Luxembourg said that documents had been seized pertaining to suspicions that NSPA staffers had “used their positions to enrich themselves.”

Two people were arrested in Belgium and three in the Netherlands, officials said. Belgian prosecutors stated that the investigation centers around “possible irregularities in awarding contracts to defense contractors for the purchase of military equipment for NATO such as ammunition and drones.” The probe is also investigating the possible sharing of confidential information by NSPA employees with defense companies and money laundering.

Authorities in the Netherlands have said they arrested a former official with the Dutch Defense Ministry at Amsterdam Airport Schiphol on Monday. The former civil servant is suspected of taking bribes in 2023 related to the awarding of defense contracts.

The investigation takes place as NATO members are looking for ways to boost their own defense and produce more weapons to be delivered to Ukraine. In March, the European Commission unveiled a plan to raise €800 billion ($896 billion) to “rearm” the EU.

Source: rt.com

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https://www.rt.com/news/617659-nato-corruption-probe-procurement/

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South Asia

Stability Of System, People’s Security Religious Duty Of All Officials, IEA Defence Minister

May 15, 2025

KABUL: Mawlavi Mohammad Yaqoob Mujahid, the acting Minister of National Defence and Head of the Security and Clearance Commission, said that stability of the system and the protection of the people’s security is a religious and national duty of IEA’s officials.

According to a statement from the commission on Wednesday, he made the remarks during the meeting of the Security and Clearance Commission, stating that the security situation of the country and the progress made in this field have been discussed in the meeting.

According to the statement, reports and proposals from various provinces of the country were presented in the meeting, and emphasis was placed on the necessity of structural reforms in this regard.

The commission has been established to provide nationwide security, crack down on the activities of vicious groups in the country and bring reforms among Emirati security forces.

Source: thekabultimes.com

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https://thekabultimes.com/stability-of-system-peoples-security-religious-duty-of-all-officials-defense-minister/

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Tajikistan, Afghanistan Strengthen Cooperation in Electricity Sector

2025-05-15

KABUL(BNA): Dr. Abdul Bari Omar, CEO of Da Afghan BreshnaSherkat(DABS), met with Dalir Juma, Minister of Energy of Tajikistan, to discuss extensive cooperation in the electricity sector.

The meeting, which took place in Kabul, addressed key issues including power transmission and economic collaboration. Minister Juma expressed his approval of the Afghan delegation’s visit, highlighting the importance of Afghanistan as a neighboring Islamic country. He reaffirmed Tajikistan’s commitment to collaborate with Afghanistan in energy transmission, stability, and security.

Dr. Omar expressed appreciation for the invitation and emphasized the shared interests between the two nations. He noted that the Islamic Emirate is focused on fostering positive economic and political relations, especially with neighboring Islamic countries.

During the discussions, the CEO of DABS shared detailed insights into the vast opportunities and facilities available in Afghanistan’s energy sector. Both parties committed to broadening their cooperation, focusing on stability and development within the electricity sector.

Source: bakhtarnews.af

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https://www.bakhtarnews.af/en/tajikistan-afghanistan-strengthen-cooperation-in-electricity-sector/

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Appointments of SC judges: Merit often took a back seat

May 16, 2025

The High Court, in the full text of a verdict, has said that the appointments of Supreme Court judges were not always made on merit, and many unsatisfactory appointments were made to the High Court on political or other considerations, badly affecting the image of the country's judiciary.

"The scheme of our constitution for appointment of judges to the Supreme Court is, by and large, sound, but some defects or lacunae have come to surface in the actual working of the scheme.

"The impression, nevertheless, has prevailed that the appointment of the judges to the Supreme Court has not been always made on merit and many unsatisfactory appointments were made to the High Court on political, or other grounds with the result that the fittest persons were not appointed, which has badly affected the image of the judiciary of the country," the bench of Justice Md Akram Hossain Chowdhury and Justice Debasish Roy Chowdhury made the observations.

On April 28, the bench delivered the verdict after disposing of a writ petition that challenged the legality of four sections of the Supreme Court Judge Appointment Ordinance, 2025.

On February 26, Supreme Court lawyer MdAjmol Hossain Khokon submitted the petition as a public interest litigation to the HC, saying that sections 3, 4, 6, and 9 of the ordinance are contradictory to the constitution.

These sections deal with the establishment of the Supreme Judicial Appointment Council; functions of its secretary; powers and functions of the council; and recommendations for appointment of judges of the Appellate Division of the SC respectively.

Earlier on January 21, the law ministry issued the ordinance containing the provision for establishing the seven-member Supreme Judicial Appointment Council led by the chief justice to select suitable persons for appointing judges to the SC's appellate and HC divisions.

In the full text of the judgment, the HC observed that the Supreme Court Judge Appointment Ordinance, 2025, is desirable for a great interest of the nation.

The court said the president of Bangladesh has promulgated the ordinance to plug the loopholes in the present system with a view to eliminating favouritism or the impact of any political or party consideration in the matter of appointment of judges.

"Article 95 (1) of the constitution stipulates that the chief justice shall be appointed by the president, and the other judges shall be appointed by the president after consultation with the chief justice. Pursuant to the Ordinance, 2025, the Supreme Judicial Appointment Council has been established, consisting of individuals known for their integrity and independence, with a judicial background. The Council aims to ensure scrutiny in judicial appointments, eliminating the influence of political or other extraneous considerations before recommending candidates to the president.

"Experience tells us that wrong appointments not only affect the image of the courts, they also undermine the confidence in, and respect for, the judiciary amongst the litigants, the members of the Bar and the ordinary people at large," the HC judges observed in the full text of the verdict.

Writ petitioner lawyer Ajmol, who went through the HC judgment, told The Daily Star that he was yet to decide about moving an appeal before the Appellate Division of the Supreme Court challenging the HC verdict.

Source: thedailystar.net

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https://www.thedailystar.net/news/bangladesh/news/appointments-sc-judges-merit-often-took-back-seat-3895851

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UN Warns: 500 Health Centers in Afghanistan at Risk of Closure Due to Aid Cuts

By Fidel Rahmati

May 16, 2025

The UN warns that U.S. aid cuts will lead to the closure of 500 health centers in Afghanistan, impacting millions.

Andrew Saberton, the Executive Director of the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA), warned that a $102 million reduction in U.S. aid would deprive 6.9 million Afghan women and children of essential healthcare services. This budget cut will significantly affect the operations of UNFPA’s health centers in Afghanistan, with 500 out of 900 clinics set to close.

Saberton, speaking to reporters in New York after his visit to several provinces in Afghanistan, described the consequences of the funding cut as “devastating.” He stressed that this humanitarian crisis, though often overlooked in global news, remains one of the world’s largest ongoing crises. During his visit, Saberton toured UNFPA-supported health centers in Kabul, Bamiyan, and border areas between Afghanistan and Pakistan.

He revealed that the United States had recently cut approximately $330 million from its global UNFPA budget, with $102 million directly affecting Afghanistan. Most of this funding had been allocated to family health services and mobile care units, which are critical in a country with one of the highest maternal mortality rates in the world.

This funding also supported vital psychological and social assistance programs for vulnerable populations. Saberton noted that the loss of this budget would severely impact women and children, particularly those in rural and underserved areas, who rely heavily on these services for their well-being.

Despite the challenges posed by the aid cut, Saberton reaffirmed that UNFPA will continue its operations in Afghanistan and remain committed to providing lifesaving services. However, he cautioned that the reduction in resources would make it increasingly difficult to meet the growing needs of the Afghanistan population.

The U.S. decision to reduce funding for UNFPA poses a significant threat to public health and humanitarian aid in Afghanistan. The closing of health clinics and the loss of essential services will disproportionately affect women and children, exacerbating an already dire situation.

As the humanitarian crisis in Afghanistan continues, it is crucial for the international community to provide the necessary support to ensure the survival and well-being of vulnerable populations. UNFPA’s continued presence in Afghanistan is vital, but without adequate funding, its ability to deliver essential healthcare will be severely limited.

Source: khaama.com

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https://www.khaama.com/un-warns-500-health-centers-in-afghanistan-at-risk-of-closure-due-to-aid-cuts/

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Arab World

Saudi Arabia condemns Israeli military escalation targeting civilians in Gaza

May 15, 2025

RIYADH: The Saudi Ministry of Foreign Affairs condemned Israel’s targeting of a major Palestinian hospital and the escalation of military actions against civilians in the Gaza Strip on Thursday.

The Gaza European Hospital in the southern city of Khan Younis, the only remaining facility providing medical follow-up for cancer patients in the enclave, announced it was out of service on Thursday after Israeli attacks damaged its facilities. Several Palestinians died and were injured due to the Israeli attacks, while roads leading to the hospital were destroyed.

The ministry said the Kingdom renews its “categorical rejection of the continuation of the Israeli crimes of genocide” against Palestinian civilians in Gaza.

“(The) Kingdom holds the Israeli occupation forces fully responsible for their continued violation of all international and humanitarian norms and laws,” the statement added.

Saudi Arabia called for an immediate ceasefire in Gaza, emphasized support for Palestinians and urged global accountability to end violations of international law by Israel, according to the Saudi Press Agency.

Source: arabnews.com

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https://www.arabnews.com/node/2600900/saudi-arabia

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How a KAUST team is using AI to transform date harvesting in Saudi Arabia

SULAFA ALKHUNAIZI

May 15, 2025

RIYADH: Saudi Arabia is transforming its agriculture sector with advanced robotics aimed at boosting productivity and sustainability.

Artificial intelligence-powered machines are automating date-palm harvesting and managing irrigation, addressing labor shortages while optimizing water use in the Kingdom’s arid climate.

Backed by major investments and ongoing field trials, the country is also positioning itself as a leader in smart farming, with the goal of increasing crop yields and enhancing food security.

A key initiative in this push is a research project led by a team at the King Abdullah University of Science and Technology, which is developing an AI-driven robotic system to support local date farmers.

The project, headed by KAUST Assistant Prof. Shinkyu Park, focuses on automating critical tasks in date palm cultivation — including harvesting, pollination, and tree maintenance. By integrating robotics with AI, the team aims to improve efficiency and deliver higher yields of more nutritious dates.

The research was motivated by the pressing need to modernize and automate traditional practices in Saudi Arabia’s date palm industry, a sector that has long been central to the nation’s food security and economy, Park told Arab News.

He said: “This research project seeks to reduce labor-intensive risks, enhance agricultural efficiency, and align with national priorities by positioning Saudi Arabia as a global leader in agricultural innovation.”

Saudi Arabia is the world’s second-largest date producer, according to the Food and Agriculture Organization, with production topping 1.9 million tonnes in 2024, as per data from the General Authority for Statistics.

But date harvesting is physically demanding. It requires farmers to climb tall trees and rely on years of experience to judge fruit ripeness — a clear opportunity for AI-powered robotics to make a meaningful impact, Park says.

To this end, the KAUST team, with support from the National Center for Palms and Dates, focused on precise date assessment to enable accurate harvesting using robotic systems.

Their research began with a well-established AI model that leverages high-resolution visual sensor data to identify individual dates and, at a later stage of the project, to classify both their species and ripeness — one of the project’s key milestones, Park noted.

“These models are continuously refined as we collect additional experimental data and gain insights from ongoing trials,” he said.

Park said AI will be integrated into every major stage of the process — from identifying ripe dates and guiding robotic arms around palm trees, to optimizing grasping and harvesting using advanced machine learning.

Building on that foundation, the system combines robotic arms with specialized tools and AI-driven software to handle essential tasks such as harvesting, pollination and palm tree maintenance.

“The system will be developed to autonomously identify dates, female flowers, and tree trunks to support these operations,” Park said. “The robotic arms are engineered for high-precision movement, enabling the selective harvesting of ripe dates without damaging surrounding fruit.”

In addition to harvesting, the robotic platform is designed to promote overall tree health. “Beyond harvesting, the system will also enhance palm tree health by enabling timely pesticide application to help prevent pest infestations and disease,” he said.

He pointed out that “the use of modern AI tools that leverage data is becoming essential in robotics, particularly when developing systems for deployment in complex, unstructured environments like date palm farms.”

“These AI-driven methods allow the system to adapt and improve over time,” he added. “AI will play a critical role in enhancing productivity by learning from operational data and continuously refining the robot’s performance across a range of agricultural tasks.”

To support this adaptability, the KAUST team’s robots are also fitted with vision-based systems and a range of sensors, including force/torque sensors at each joint. These components measure physical interactions during manipulation and provide real-time feedback to guide the robot’s actions.

Just as human farmers rely on fingertip pressure to sense whether they have successfully grasped a date, these sensors enable the robot to evaluate the quality of its grip on individual fruits.

Further improving the system’s learning capabilities, human input plays a key role. Demonstrations of date palm harvesting, pollination and tree maintenance serve as valuable feedback for refining the AI models.

By continuously integrating sensory data with human expertise, the system evolves over time — much like a human apprentice gaining skill through guided, hands-on experience.

Still, a key challenge is how to deploy these systems reliably in natural outdoor environments. Park said this is where the AI models and sensing technology must prove themselves.

“The camera systems we currently use have demonstrated strong performance in other complex domains — such as underwater robotics, as validated in other projects in our lab,” he said.

“However, to achieve the level of precision required for accurate date detection in outdoor agricultural settings, we are also exploring additional sensing modalities, including LiDAR (Light Detection and Ranging), to improve robustness under diverse environmental conditions.”

He noted that “these efforts are closely integrated with the iterative refinement of our AI models, particularly as we gather more data during upcoming field trials to ensure accurate and reliable classification of date varieties and maturity levels.”

As Saudi Arabia increasingly embraces AI across industries, concerns about automation replacing human labor have surfaced. Park emphasized, however, that this technology is intended to complement — not replace — human expertise.

“Experienced date palm farmers remain indispensable for advancing best practices and overseeing day-to-day operations,” he said. “The primary goal of the system is to reduce the physical demands of harvesting while making advanced technologies accessible, even to smallholder farmers.

“Beyond its technical objectives, the project also aims to cultivate local talent and attract global expertise, fostering sustainable development and promoting knowledge exchange within the field of agricultural robotics.”

Looking ahead, the KAUST team is preparing for real-world validation. During the 2025 field trial, Park said the research team aims to validate the first-year robotic system design under real-world farming conditions and collect extensive data to further enhance their AI models.

“These trials are essential for evaluating system performance, strengthening robustness, and accelerating progress toward full-scale deployment over the planned three-year development period,” he said.

“We intend to conduct field trials during every date harvesting season. While most of the engineering work is carried out in the KAUST robotics lab, these trials are critical for testing and validating the robotic system in practical agricultural environments.”

Source: arabnews.com

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https://www.arabnews.com/node/2600871/saudi-arabia

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Shoura Council speaker receives speaker of the Arab Parliament

May 15, 2025

RIYADH: The speaker of the Saudi Shoura Council, Dr. Abdullah bin Mohammed Al-Asheikh, received his counterpart from the Arab Parliament, Mohammed Ahmed Al-Yamahi, during the 19th session of the Parliamentary Union of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation member states.

During the meeting in Jakarta, the two reviewed the importance of parliamentary diplomacy carried out through active participation in regional and international conferences and forums.

They also discussed strengthening the mechanisms of joint Arab parliamentary action to serve Arab issues, as well as other topics of common interest.

Source: arabnews.com

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Saudi Arabia attends IAACA anti-corruption meeting

May 15, 2025

RIYADH: The Kingdom, represented by the Oversight and Anti-Corruption Authority, also known as Nazaha, took part in the first meeting of the Executive Committee of the International Association of Anti-Corruption Authorities, held on Thursday via video conferencing.

Nazaha President Mazin bin Ibrahim Al-Kahmous expressed his thanks to the association’s president and Commissioner of the Independent Commission Against Corruption in Hong Kong, Danny Woo, for organizing the meeting and for the association’s efforts to promote international cooperation in combating corruption.

He added that the Kingdom, represented by Nazaha, has paid significant attention to strengthening international partnerships in the fields of combating corruption and protecting integrity, and these efforts have resulted in a number of tangible achievements.

Al-Kahmous said that the Kingdom believes in the pivotal role played by the association in solidifying the principles of transparency and facilitating the exchange of expertise, knowledge and experiences.

Source: arabnews.com

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Royal Commission for AlUla, Smithsonian collaboration

May 15, 2025

MADINAH: The Smithsonian’s National Museum of Asian Art, and the Royal Commission for AlUla have formalized a collaboration agreement to enhance cultural exchange and establish a framework to broaden global understanding of northern Arabia’s ancient civilizations and cultural legacy.

The agreement supports the commission’s vision to transform AlUla into a world-class heritage destination and economic hub. Rooted in mutual dedication to cultural preservation and celebration, the collaboration will unlock new research opportunities and deepen insights into ancient Kingdom artistry, with special focus on the Dadanite civilization.

Experts will conduct joint initiatives in art conservation, historic research, archaeological exploration, and scientific analysis. The institutions will collaborate on exhibitions and artifact exchanges, bringing cultural treasures to international audiences.

Professional development programs covering exhibition curation, research methodologies, narrative development, and museum operations will enhance expertise among staff at AlUla’s museums and the Smithsonian.

Source: arabnews.com

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https://www.arabnews.com/node/2600884/saudi-arabia

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Kokoro: authentic Japanese curry in the Saudi capital

RAHAF JAMBI

May 15, 2025

If you are looking for an authentic taste of Japanese curry in Riyadh, look no further than Kokoro.

Nestled in Al-Yasmeen district, this cozy restaurant has made its way from Alkhobar and quickly captured the hearts of curry enthusiasts.

On entering Kokoro, you are transported into a minimalist Japanese setting that feels like stepping into a traditional home. The ambiance is warm and inviting, enhanced by the friendly staff who make you feel at home.

Kokoro specializes in Japanese curry, offering a delightful departure from the more common Indian curry. The menu features a variety of options, including chicken, shrimp, and beef curry. You will love the Kokoro Special, designed for two at a reasonable price of SR51 (about $14).

The curry here is distinctively good, offering a distinctive flavor profile. The spice levels range from 0 to 5.

You might start with some appetizers. The gyoza dumplings are a standout. They are perfectly cooked and flavorful, while the sweet potatoes are decent but don’t quite impress. For the main course, you might indulge in the chicken Katsu curry, which is crispy and juicy, and never disappoints.

The service is impressively fast.

Kokoro can get quite busy, so downloading the Requeue app to manage your wait time is recommended. While the line can be long, the food is undoubtedly worth it. You also must try both the shrimp and chicken Katsu; each dish is flavorful and well-spiced.

The vibrant flavors and cozy atmosphere here make it a memorable dining experience. If you are in Riyadh and craving Japanese curry, Kokoro is a must-visit.

Source: arabnews.com

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https://www.arabnews.com/node/2600881/food-health

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Taif rose farmers bid farewell to their most treasured harvest as season ends

TAREQ AL-THAQAFI

May 15, 2025

TAIF: As the Taif rose season comes to an end, the region’s farmers are reflecting on the challenges they have faced this year.

The season is one of the area’s most important agricultural and tourism events, marking the arrival of spring as rose farms across the highlands of Al-Hada, Al-Shafa and Taif’s terraced fields are transformed into breathtaking pink landscapes with intoxicating scents.

As it draws to a close, farmers work tirelessly to harvest the final blooms, while distillation plants extract the last precious drops of rose oil — each bottle of which is made from around 12,000 roses and can fetch prices up to SR1,800 ($480).

Despite weather-related challenges affecting yields, the Taif rose has preserved its renowned status.

Nestled among the towering mountains is the Taif Rose Terraces Farm, managed by Abdullah Al-Talhi. Speaking to Arab News, he discussed the current state of rose farming and its economic value, highlighting the impact of rainfall during the “dormant” period which negatively affected both the harvest and prices.

Rose season has a precise cycle which starts with pruning. If it rains during the following 40 days — a natural dormant period — the roses are at risk, as this phase requires dry weather for proper blooming.

Al-Talhi said the unexpected wet weather had provided this year’s biggest challenge, disrupting the plants’ natural rhythm, weakening the buds and causing them to bloom prematurely. This means a shorter flowering window and a faster decline in overall production.

“The rose season is like a gold harvest for farmers,” Al-Talhi said. “But when rain falls at the wrong time, the losses can be twofold.”

The lower yield significantly drove up the price of Taif rose oil, with a bottle reaching SR1,800 — an increase of SR600 on last year’s price.

Al-Talhi said any unplanned climate shift posed a serious threat to such delicate agriculture and stressed the importance of protecting this symbol of regional culture: “The Taif rose is a reflection of who we are,” he told Arab News.

Hamid Al-Sufyani, who owns one of Al-Shafa’s historic rose farms, highlighted the growing global prestige of Taif rose products, which are used in the creation of some of the world’s most luxurious perfumes and exported to markets across Europe and the Gulf.

“Demand for Taif rose oil increases year after year,” he said. “It’s regarded as one of the purest and most valuable essential oils in the world. Just one bottle requires nearly 12,000 roses, each hand-picked with care.”

Al-Sufyani said the Taif rose was used to represent the city at international exhibitions and agricultural fairs.

“I’ve personally participated in events abroad and witnessed firsthand how the name ‘Taif’ is immediately associated with roses by enthusiasts around the world,” he explained.

“That reputation wasn’t built overnight; it’s the result of years of dedication by farmers and the continued support of various organizations.”

He emphasized that sustaining this reputation required not only consistent quality but also the need to stay up to date with advancements in distillation, preservation and marketing, and urged government institutions to increase their support for farmers, given the Taif rose’s cultural and economic importance.

Source: arabnews.com

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Saudi Arabia participates in the first executive committee meeting of IAACA

May 15, 2025

RIYADH: Saudi Arabia, represented by the Oversight and Anti-Corruption Authority, or Nazaha, participated in the first executive committee meeting of the International Association of Anti-Corruption Authorities, held virtually on Thursday.

The president of Nazaha, Mazin bin Ibrahim Al-Kahmous, expressed his gratitude to IAACA president and commissioner of Hong Kong’s Independent Commission Against Corruption, Danny Woo, for the valuable efforts made by the association to enhance international cooperation in combating corruption.

Al-Kahmous said Saudi Arabia has paid great attention to strengthening international partnerships in combating corruption and promoting integrity, resulting in several tangible achievements, according to a press release.

He noted that Saudi Arabia believes in the pivotal role played by IAACA in promoting transparency and facilitating the exchange of expertise, knowledge, and experiences.

He expressed hope that the Kingdom’s engagement with the association would lead to the launch of several key initiatives, including the periodic in-person general meeting of IAACA members in Hong Kong or on the sidelines of the Conference of the States Parties to the UN Convention against Corruption.

He also suggested the establishment of a mechanism to enhance the exchange of expertise among IAACA members in partnership with the GlobE Network, such as organizing joint workshops among members of the association.

Al-Kahmous invited all members to participate in the High-Level Conference on Measuring Corruption, scheduled to be held in New York Dec 2-4, 2025.

This event builds on the Global Initiative on Measuring Corruption launched by Nazaha in 2021.

The initiative is conducted in partnership with the UN Development Programme, the UN Office on Drugs and Crime, the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development, and the International Anti-Corruption Academy.

The IAACA is an independent, non-political organization with over 180 anti-corruption authorities worldwide. The association works to combat corruption, implement the UN Convention against Corruption, and achieve the UN Sustainable Development Goals, particularly mitigating corruption and bribery in all forms by 2030.

The association is committed to enhancing relationships with international and regional organizations to unify and advance efforts within the global anti-corruption community.

Source: arabnews.com

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Europe

Meeting told of eagerness for Dublin mosque to reopen

MAY 16, 2025

Children are eager to return to study the Quran at the Islamic Cultural Centre of Ireland's (ICCI) mosque, an online public meeting to discuss its closure has heard.

The facility in Clonskeagh in Dublin remains closed following fractious scenes at and outside a meeting at the centre on 19 April.

In a statement, the ICCI said the facility was closed "as a preventive measure to ensure the safety and security of the property, staff, children and members of the public".

Some 171 people have attended an online meeting to discuss the matter, which was hosted Abdul Hasseb.

The discussion was also attended by Joe Coleman, who was described by the host as an expert mediator.

Mr Hasseb, the spokesperson for the 'Muslim Community Ireland' group, said the meeting was held after a petition was organised by its members.

The members, he said, are unhappy about the closure of the mosque and it was established with the purpose of campaigning for the reopening of the centre.

Mr Hasseb said the committee has already held a press conference in relation to the closure, and contacted local TDs, saying they will meet Shay Brennan.

Mr Hasseb said tomorrow will be the fourth Friday that the mosque is closed, adding it is sad that people have become used to the facility being closed.

During the meeting, the committee presented the results of a survey of 247 members of the Muslim community.

The respondents, of which 46% were woman and 54% were men, mostly said the impact on the religious education of children in the community has been severe.

The report, with representation across the age groups, also found the majority of those surveyed said the Islamic Cultural Centre was extremely important to their family’s sense of belonging.

It showed that many reported feeling emotionally distressed and isolated because of the closure, while a little under half of the respondents said they have difficulty accessing religious services elsewhere.

The committee said people reported the mosque had been part of their daily routine and their children keep asking when they can go back to their Quran classes.

The group shared a statement from Imam of the mosque Sheikh Hussein Halawa, in which he apologised for not being able to attend.

He said it breaks his heart the mosque is closed and he has sought legal avenues, but cannot comment further.

He said: "My silence is not indifference, it out of necessity."

But Mr Hasseb said the committee will continue to push for further information.

He also shared a statement from the Ahmed Hasain, CEO of the ICCI, in which he said he had to comply with the board of directors directive to refrain from public comment.

Mr Hasain said it is his view that he has always been clear that the reopening of the mosque should not be linked to employment issues.

Mr Coleman, described as a mediator, addressed the meeting, saying he had reached out after seeing media reports on RTÉ and the Irish Times.

He said that he understands the motivation of the community who want the mosque reopened.

However, Mr Coleman added that he does not understand the coupling of the closure of the mosque with an employment dispute.

He said if the dispute is litigated it will take years to be resolved, adding that he does not know what the employment dispute is about and he does not want to go down that avenue.

He suggested the community agree on a representative to meet with the Islamic Cultural Centre board at a mediated meeting.

Mr Coleman said while mediation can be much quicker than litigation, it should not be rushed.

He said motivation is important and it is worth taking time to establish the motivation of both sides.

Source: rte.ie

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https://www.rte.ie/news/dublin/2025/0515/1513155-islamic-cultural-centre-of-ireland-mosque/

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6 Bogaziçi University students arrested after protesting controversial Islamic preacher

ByTurkish Minute

May 15, 2025

An Istanbul court has ruled for the arrest of six students from Bogaziçi University and imposed judicial supervision measures on nine others following a demonstration at the school protesting the appearance of a controversial Islamic preacher whose past remarks condoning child marriage have drawn widespread condemnation, the Anka news agency reported.

The arrests came after a protest on Tuesday, when the university’s Islamic Studies Club (BISAK) hosted theologian and author NureddinYildiz for an event titled “Islamic Sciences: For Whom and How Much?” Yildiz has been criticized for a 2015 statement in which he claimed that Islamic law does not set a minimum age for marriage, suggesting that girls as young as six could be legally wed.

Tensions escalated on campus as students and activists staged demonstrations, denouncing the university for allowing someone with “a mindset that legitimizes male violence and abuse” to speak. Protesters held banners that read “Bogaziçi is not the backyard of the government” and “There’s no place at our university for those who normalize violence and exploitation.”

Chanting slogans such as “Nureddin, get out, these campuses are ours” and “No to sharia, fascism and darkness,” the crowd attempted to march toward the event venue, prompting the arrival of riot police. Clashes broke out, and dozens of protesters were forcibly detained.

A total of 157 people were initially taken into custody during the police intervention. Of those, 97 were referred to the 13th Criminal Court of Peace in Istanbul for arrest on charges of resisting police officers. The Istanbul Governor’s Office confirmed that 58 men and 39 women were detained, and that 13 police officers sustained minor injuries, mostly due to falls during the scuffles.

While most detainees were released after processing late on Tuesday, 15 students were referred to court with a request for arrest. On Wednesday the court ordered the arrest of six students and released the remaining nine under judicial supervision, which includes travel bans and mandatory police check-ins.

The students are accused of resisting the police, according to their lawyers.

During the protest a student allegedly threw an object at Yildiz while he was speaking. The student was reportedly beaten by others in the room and removed from the venue.

Political criticism

The incident drew sharp criticism from opposition figures and human rights advocates. Republican People’s Party (CHP) Deputy Chair SevgiKiliç denounced the police response on social media, saying, “Trying to silence students through arrests is part of the authoritarian regime’s effort to control universities.” She also criticized the obstruction of lawyers attempting to see their detained clients.

CHP lawmaker MahmutTanal questioned the double standard in police conduct, asking why officers failed to intervene against pro-Yildiz demonstrators outside the university. “Why is tear gas, handcuffing and arrest used against students exercising their constitutional right to protest, while no action is taken against a group openly threatening them?” he said.

Another CHP lawmaker, ÖzgürKarabat, echoed the criticism: “Ninety-seven people were taken into custody, with tear gas and handcuffs, for raising their voice against a bigot who defends child abuse. Bogaziçi students are the pride of this country. No one will be left alone in this struggle.”

Bogaziçi University has been at the center of political unrest since 2021, when President Recep Tayyip Erdogan appointed a rector without internal elections, sparking protests over academic independence. The administration has since maintained a firm stance against student activism, with further disciplinary measures expected following this week’s protests.

Source: turkishminute.com

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https://www.turkishminute.com/2025/05/15/6-bogazici-university-students-arrested-after-protesting-controversial-islamic-preacher/

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Russia plans to hold cultural exchanges with Islamic world countries

15 May 2025

KAZAN. May 15 (Interfax) - Russia plans to conduct cultural exchanges with countries of the Islamic world, including Iran, Egypt, Morocco, the United Arab Emirates, Qatar, Kuwait, Tunisia, and Indonesia, Russian Culture Minister Olga Lyubimova said.

"The Russian Seasons large-scale cultural project is being carried out for the first time in Middle East countries this year in the line with the decision of Russian President Vladimir Putin. We also plan to hold cultural exchanges with Iran, Egypt, Morocco, the United Arab Emirates, Qatar, Kuwait, Tunisia, and Indonesia," Lyubimova said at the plenary session of culture ministers from the Organization of Islamic Cooperation member countries, titled 'Dialogue of Cultures as Basis for Preserving Identify and Diversity in Multipolar World'.

"There will be unprecedentedly large exchanges in the [Commonwealth of Independent States] CIS format with Azerbaijan, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, and Uzbekistan," she said.

"Islamic countries are actively developing today, making significant achievements in trade, the finance sector, innovations, and applied scientific research," Lyubimova said.

"Russia is open to the broadest possible business and humanitarian cooperation and is interested in strengthening existing ties and gaining new partners," she said.

Great attention is being given to major Muslim countries' accession to BRICS, she said.

"We count on their active participation in cultural events within this group," Lyubimova said.

"On our part, we are ready to use the entire potential of Russian culture that includes around 3,500 museums, more than 60 theaters, more than 42,000 libraries in total, and nearly 100,000 cultural establishments across our immense country," she said.

Source: interfax.com

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https://interfax.com/newsroom/top-stories/111444/

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Rabbi and Imam podcast seeks to build Jewish-Muslim bonds through frank dialogue

By ANNABEL SINCLAIR

May 15, 2025,

In the aftermath of 7 October, when many Jewish and Muslim relationships fractured, two Manchester faith leaders – Rabbi Dovid Lewis and Imam Nasser Kurdy – have chosen a different path: deeper friendship and dialogue. The commitment now takes centre stage in their new podcast, The Rabbi, The Imam and The Power of Dialogue, launched last week to model how people of faith can have difficult conversations without falling apart.

Imam Kurdy says the podcast was born of something deeper than interfaith theory – it was forged in personal trust. “I think our ability to dig deep, to trust the other person that if you dig, they will dig with you… We started to see into each other, that honesty, that person. And it was not something that was threatening or uncomfortable. We’ve reached that stage where we were so honest with each other.”

The pair first met over a decade ago at a community dialogue group in South Manchester. Their friendship deepened after Kurdy, a surgeon and Iay Imam originally from Jordan, survived a stabbing outside his mosque in 2017. Rabbi Lewis, leader of South Manchester’s Jewish community, was one of the first to reach out.

“We said, ‘How can we work together?’” recalls Lewis. “We did. When we did the shul and the mosque, we worked on a number of different events – cooking food for the local homeless shelter, lift-up projects.

That long-standing trust proved vital after the Hamas attacks and the war in Gaza, which Kurdy says “hit all of us” and forced both communities to “dig deep”. The pair say it was their friendship – already forged years earlier through shared projects and their support for one another after Kurdy was stabbed in 2017 – that made honest conversation possible. “He wasn’t just a local Imam that was stabbed,” says Lewis. “He was a friend.”

Their podcast, co-produced by Mark Schweiger and Philip Berman of Larchmont Productions grew from an earlier initiative – a series of joint school visits across Greater Manchester. “One of the things I sat with was, how can we get to the student, from a grassroots level, and show them that a Jew and a Muslim can stand side by side and coexist?” Schweiger said. “Today, we’ve probably been in front of 9,000 students.”

The school sessions – including stops at academies run by Manchester United, Manchester City, Everton and Liverpool – focus on modelling respectful disagreement. Lewis and Kurdy don’t aim to agree – they aim to understand. “It’s not about getting them to agree,” says Lewis. “It’s about: Okay, we understand each other. We know the other person’s pain. And we will do it in a way that doesn’t feel like treason to our own.”

They stress the principle of “face-to-face” dialogue, not side-by-side performative tolerance. “We’re not just giving you a faith view. We’re giving you a conversation,” Lewis says. “Two people who, on paper, should not get on – but who challenge each other as equals.”

This has made a real impression on students. One moment stands out: a young Syrian refugee rose in tears to ask a question. “I looked at his face and the pain,” said Lewis. “He doesn’t want my answer. All he wants is empathy. I just said, ‘I’m sorry. I feel for you. Let’s speak about that.’”

Imam Kurdy shares a similar philosophy. “We actually stress the basis on which we are standing. Equality in humanity. Equality in empathy. Equality in respect.

The podcast builds on that approach. Future episodes will explore faith, disagreement, youth leadership and online conflict. “If one teenager doesn’t react to that nasty post on Instagram or X, if they change their mindset… then the algorithm of the heart changes,” says Lewis. “That’s our real mission.”

While the podcast and school visits have been warmly received, the team acknowledge that a few individuals in both communities have sometimes questioned whether interfaith efforts are worth the effort. “It’s not criticism,” says Kurdy. “But you do occasionally hear it.” Lewis agrees: “Some people just say, ‘Why bother?’ There’s a sense of despair. But we’re doing this precisely because it’s hard — and because it matters.”

One school, Lewis adds, even cancelled its Holocaust memorial plans, citing “political sensitivities” – but told the parents not to worry because “the rabbi and the Imam are coming next month.” He shook his head at the logic: “Those two days are interrelated. But this shows the podcast is seen as a resource.”

For Kurdy, the goal is simple: “Relationships need to be rekindled. Wonderful Jewish-Muslim relationships have just withered away. We want to bring them back together.”

Or as Rabbi Lewis puts it: “We’re here. We’re here to stay. And we need to speak. Not agree – speak.”

Source: jewishnews.co.uk

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UK in talks to send failed asylum seekers abroad

May 16, 2025

The UK is in talks with other countries to set up overseas "return hubs" for failed asylum seekers, Sir Keir Starmer has said on his first official visit to Albania.

The prime minister said the government had begun discussions about sending asylum seekers abroad for processing after their claims had been rejected in the UK.

He would not comment on which countries were involved, or where failed asylum seekers could be sent, but Albania said it was not part of the talks.

Sir Keir has travelled to Albania to announce separate measures to crack down on organised crime and illegal immigration.

The number of people crossing the Channel has passed 12,000 since January, putting 2025 on course to be a record year.

"We are in talks with a number of countries about return hubs," Sir Keir said at a news conference in Albania, alongside the country's Prime Minister Edi Rama.

"I see them as a really important innovation."

The BBC has previously reported that the proposals are focused on countries in the western Balkans – a region which includes Albania, Serbia and Bosnia and Herzegovina.

The proposals would apply only to asylum seekers whose claims had been rejected and who had no further routes of appeal in the UK.

It differs from the previous Conservative government's Rwanda scheme, which was scrapped by Sir Keir and involved sending migrants to have their asylum claims processed in the African country.

Italy has a similar scheme, which involves sending failed asylum seekers to Albania while they await deportation, but that plan has been held up by legal action.

Speaking at the news conference, Rama said the scheme was "a one-off with Italy because of our very special relationship".

Rama said the Albanian government had been asked by several countries if it was open to establishing similar schemes.

"We said no because we are loyal to our marriage with Italy," Rama said.

Sir Keir said the return hubs "were consistent with the work" the UK had done with Albania on reducing the number of migrants crossing the English Channel.

Conservative shadow home secretary Chris Philp said Rama's apparent rejection of talks about return hubs had turned the PM's trip into "an embarrassment".

Philp said: "Starmer jetted off and now the Albanian prime minister has made clear that there will be no UK return hubs in Albania.

"So, what was the point of this entire visit?"

The government said there has been a 95% reduction in Albanian small boat arrivals in the past three years, and that the number of Albanians returned has doubled in the past two years.

Immigration has been a strong focus of the government this week.

On Monday, the government set out plans to reduce the level of legal migration in a White Paper.

Sir Keir argued the proposals would bring the immigration system "back into control" and denied it was a response to the success of Reform UK in recent local elections.

The party led by Nigel Farage is promising to freeze non-essential immigration an take small boats in the Channel back to France.

In Albania, the prime minister announced further co-operation with Albania on tackling illegal migration and organised crime.

Sir Keir said: "The last government lost control of the borders. I am determined that we will retake control of the borders.

"That means that we have got to have a concerted effort to smash the gangs that are running this vile trade."

He said greater co-operation with Albania had "driven down those numbers" and that he wanted to "see more of that".

The prime minister announced the expansion of the Joint Migration Task Force - which shares intelligence and carries out operations against people smugglers in the Western Balkans - to include North Macedonia.

The enhanced co-operation with Albania will include measures to tackle a "revolving door effect", of migrants returning home, evading law enforcement and leaving the country again, the government said.

The plans also includes:

A new programme to help young Albanians reintegrate into society and find employment

Funding a new forensic evidence programme to share and track DNA of criminals in Albania to solve crimes in the UK

A further £1m investment to upgrade Albania's forensics, biometrics and digital capability

Greater intelligence sharing to allow local law, using UK-funded drones, to "snare gangsters" transporting migrants through the Western Balkans corridor

Source: bbc.com

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Mideast

Zionist enemy renews administrative detention of Maqdeseyan prisoner, bans those guarding al-Aqsa Mosque

15 May 2025

The Zionist enemy authorities renewed Thursday the administrative detention of Maqdeseyan prisoner Yaqoub Mahmoud Abu Asab (53 years old) for three months for the second time in a row.

His brother, Amjad, told the Palestinian Safa News Agency that the family was surprised today when his brother Yaqoub was not released while he was waiting outside the Negev Desert Prison, as he was scheduled to be released today.

The brother added that the Negev Prison administration informed the family, while they were outside the prison today, of the decision to renew his administrative detention for three months for the second time in a row.

He explained that his brother Yaqoub was arrested last April, and this is not the first time he has been arrested. He has been detained numerous times, totaling 15 years.

His brother explained that his brother Yaqoub was banished from Al-Aqsa Mosque for several years, placed under house arrest for several years, banned from travel for many years, and banned from entering the West Bank.

He pointed out that the enemy raided Yaqoub's home in the Al-Suwananeighborhood in At-Tur in Jerusalem several times, confiscated his vehicle and motorcycle, and seized his bank account, claiming that he had been receiving a salary from the Palestinian Authority for about seven years.

In this context, the enemy police at the Al-QishlaCenter today handed the activist Madeleine Issa from Kafr Qasim in the occupied Palestinian territories a ban on entering Al-Aqsa Mosque for a week, renewable for six months.

It is noteworthy that the enemy intelligence raided the home of the activist Madeleine Issa in Kafr Qasim at dawn today, arrested her, and took her to the Al-QishlaCenter in the Old City of occupied Jerusalem.

Source: saba.ye

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Hamas ‘willing to cooperate’ with Trump if US puts pressure on Israel to end war

May 15, 2025

LONDON: President Donald Trump can help bring peace to Gaza, a senior Hamas official said as he confirmed that the Palestinian group has told the US it is willing to hand over governance of the territory.

In an interview with Sky News on Thursday, Basem Naim said his organization has shared a ceasefire plan directly with officials in Washington and offered to hand over administration of Gaza “immediately if we reach an end of this war.”

The proposal called for “a prisoner exchange, total withdrawal of Israeli forces, allowing all the aid to get into Gaza, and rebuilding of the Gaza Strip without forceful immigration,” he added.

Naim said he believes Trump “has the capability and the will to reach this peaceful situation.”

He continued: “President Trump can do it if he exercises enough pressure on the Israelis to end this war immediately. We are ready to cooperate with him to achieve this goal of a more peaceful region.”

Hamas released American Israeli hostage Edan Alexander on Monday as Trump was beginning a tour of the Middle East, which included visits to Saudi Arabia, Qatar and the UAE. The group said the same day that it was in direct negotiations with Washington.

“We urge the Trump administration to continue its efforts to end this brutal war waged by the war criminal (Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin) Netanyahu against children, women and defenseless civilians in the Gaza Strip,” the group said.

Alexander was serving as an Israeli soldier when he was captured during the Hamas-led October 2023 attacks, in which 1,200 people were killed and more than 250 were taken hostage.

Israeli authorities responded with a brutal military offensive that has killed more than 50,000 Palestinians and reduced Gaza to rubble. A blockade on humanitarian aid since early March has prompted warnings that the territory could soon be gripped by famine.

Naim’s comments suggest Hamas, which is designated as a terrorist group by the US, believes Trump can play a key role in helping to secure an end to Israel’s ongoing offensive, which claimed the lives of scores more people on Thursday.

He said Hamas has accepted an Egyptian peace proposal under which a politically independent body would be formed to run Gaza.

“Before that, as long as we are still occupied people, we have all the right to continue defending our people and resisting the occupation,” Naim said.

Earlier reports that the US and Hamas were engaged in direct talks reportedly angered Israeli authorities. And despite the comments from Hamas officials this week, US officials maintain that the group is still not doing enough to end the war.

“Hamas has not demonstrated they are serious about peace,” a White House National Security Council spokesperson told Sky News, adding that Trump has demanded that the group lays down its weapons.

“Hamas continues to wrongfully hold hostages, including American bodies, in the dungeons of Gaza who could easily be freed, and have shown no changes in behavior to indicate they will cease to attack civilians,” he added.

The ranks of Hamas has been heavily depleted during the war against Israel, with thousands of its members killed, including a number of senior leaders. However, it continues to maintain a strong presence in Gaza and remains key to any ceasefire agreement.

Israel has ramped up its military operations in recent weeks as it moves to gain control of large sections of Gaza and take over aid distribution throughout the territory.

Source: arabnews.com

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Iran, Algeria Urge Stronger Cooperation on Aiding Gaza

May, 15, 2025

TEHRAN (Tasnim) – Iranian Parliament Speaker Mohammad BaqerQalibaf called for coordinated efforts with Algeria to facilitate humanitarian aid to Gaza, amid ongoing Israeli attacks and worsening conditions in the Palestinian enclave.

Qalibaf made the remarks during a meeting with Ibrahim Boughali, President of Algeria’s National People's Assembly, on the sidelines of the 19th high-level session of the Parliamentary Union of the OIC Member States in Jakarta.

He emphasized the need for unity among Muslim nations to confront Israeli aggression and uphold the rights of Palestinians in Gaza.

“The lack of unity among Muslim countries is evident,” Qalibaf said.

“Today, not only do some Muslim countries fail to support Palestine, but also a number of them back the Zionists in (its oppression).”

Qalibaf urged Muslim countries to find a solution and call on other nations to keep abreast of the Palestinian issue to help the nation achieve a final victory.

He called on the parliaments of Muslim countries to adopt a clear and transparent stance on the Palestinian issue.

He also highlighted the potential for Iran and Algeria to expand cooperation in areas such as industry, health, and transportation.

Boughali, for his part, said some countries are normalizing relations with Israel, which would not serve their interests but would rather embolden the regime to commit more crimes.

He added that forced displacement and lack of medicine and food are the current serious problems in Palestine and urged Muslim countries to take further steps towards restoring the Palestinians’ rights in international courts.

Since March 2, no humanitarian aid has reached Gaza. International agencies warn that 500,000 people, a quarter of Gaza’s population, risk starvation without resumed deliveries.

Israel resumed its brutal war on March 18, breaking a two-month ceasefire and exchange agreement with Hamas.

At least 52,928 Palestinians have been killed and 119,846 injured in Gaza since October 7, 2023, according to local sources.

Source: tasnimnews.com

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Broadcaster Lineker Says Israel At Fault For Origins Of Gaza Conflict, Days Before Tweet Furore

May 15, 2025

LONDON: English sports broadcaster Gary Lineker, at the centre of a backlash over a social media post, said that Israel is to blame for the origins of the Gaza conflict, because it turned the territory into an “outdoor prison.”

Speaking on Friday in an interview at the Football Business Awards days before he was accused of antisemitism over a post on X, Lineker said that his issues are with the Israeli government rather than Jewish people.

The BBC’s outgoing “Match of the Day” presenter criticized the actions of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu in Gaza as “completely out of proportion” to the Oct. 7 attacks.

Lineker’s post days later featured a pro-Palestinian message containing a rat emoji.

He later deleted the post and apologized but it sparked a furor among Jewish groups and BBC staff members, who have called for him to be sacked.

Lineker, 64, is preparing to host the final episodes of “Match of the Day” before returning to front the BBC’s FA Cup and FIFA World Cup 2026 coverage.

“Obviously, Oct. 7 was awful, but it’s very important to know your history and to study the massacres that happened prior to this, many of them against the Palestinian people,” he told The Telegraph in the Friday interview.

“Yes, Israelis have a right to defend themselves. But it appears that Palestinians don’t — and that is where it’s wrong. Palestinians are caged in this outdoor prison in Gaza, and now it’s an outdoor prison that they’re bombing.”

Lineker also questioned whether Israel could still legitimately argue that it was acting in self-defense. “I understand that they needed to avenge, but I don’t think they’ve helped their own hostage situation at all,” he said.

“People say it’s a complex issue, but I don’t think it is. It’s inevitable that the Israeli occupation was going to cause massive problems, and I just feel for the Palestinians.”

He said that “most” Jews now recognized that Israel’s actions have become too extreme. “The real heroes are the Jews who have spoken out against it,” he added.

Lineker, who was paid £1.4 million ($1.8 million) by the BBC last year, said that he was unfazed by the prospect of his comments provoking a negative reaction.

“I don’t really care about the backlash. I care about doing the right thing, or what I think is the right thing,” he said. “Some people can disagree, that’s fine. But I have to look at myself in the mirror. I think if you’re silent on these issues, you’re almost complicit.”

However, a number of BBC staffers said that Lineker should not be allowed to share his views publicly given his high-profile role at the BBC. They warned that it risked damaging trust in the corporation.

“The vast majority of BBC staff keep their views to themselves precisely because they work for the BBC,” said one.

“Why one individual is beyond that I simply don’t understand. The bosses need to take control. The value of all our collective work is at stake.”

Director-General of the BBC Tim Davie said that “the BBC’s reputation is held by everyone and when someone makes a mistake, it costs us.

“We absolutely need people to be the exemplars of BBC values and follow our social media policies, simple as that.”

Source: arabnews.com

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Syria and DP World ink $800 million deal for port development

May 16, 2025

CAIRO: The Syrian government and DP World signed a memorandum of understanding worth $800 million to develop Syria’s port of Tartous, Syrian state news agency SANA said on Friday, after the lifting of USsanctions cleared the way for the deal.

The deal to develop, manage and operate a multi-purpose terminal at Tartous includes cooperation in establishing industrial and free trade zones. DP World is a subsidiary of United Arab Emirates investment company Dubai World.

Syria is seeking to attract foreign investments to boost its struggling economy, and the deal was signed in the same week that US President Donald Trump announced plans to lift of sanctions on Syria during a visit to Riyadh.

Trump said he made the decision to lift sanctions after discussions with Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman and Turkish President Tayyip Erdogan, whose governments have both strongly urged the lifting of sanctions.

Trump had also met with Syrian President Ahmed Al-Sharaa ahead of the GCC summit in Riyadh on Wednesday.

US Secretary of State Marco Rubio said on Thursday that Trump intends to issue waivers under the “Caesar Syria Civilian Protection Act,” through which Washington imposed stiff sanctions on former President Bashar Assad’s government and secondary sanctions on outside companies or governments that worked with it.

Removing US sanctions that cut Syria off from the global financial system will also clear the way for greater engagement by humanitarian organizations working in Syria, easing foreign investment and trade as the country rebuilds.

Source: arabnews.com

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Israeli army kills 5 Palestinians in West Bank shootout as Smotrich calls for razing of towns

May 16, 2025

JERUSALEM/RAMALLAH: Israel’s military killed five Palestinian militants in the occupied West Bank on Thursday, hours after a pregnant settler was killed in a shooting, as hard-line pro-settler leaders including a government minister called for Palestinian towns to be razed.

The military said in a statement it had killed five “terrorists” and arrested a sixth who had barricaded themselves in a building in Tamoun, following an exchange of gunfire and the use of shoulder-fired missiles by Israeli soldiers.

The military wing of Palestinian militant group Islamic Jihad later issued a statement saying five of its members were killed while clashing with Israeli forces that surrounded their house in the town of Tamoun, north of the West Bank.

Tamoun is a Palestinian town about 35 km (22 miles) from the Israeli settlement of Brukhin, near which the heavily pregnant woman, TzeelaGez, was killed on Wednesday night in a shooting that drew strong condemnation from Israeli leaders.

The military said it was searching for those responsible for Wednesday’s shooting — whom it did not identify — though it was not immediately clear whether the Tamoun operation was linked.

There was no immediate claim of responsibility for the shooting, which occurred amid one of the largest Israeli military operations in the West Bank in two decades and while the Israeli military bombards Gaza.

Gunfire could be heard in Tamoun on Thursday, while Reuters footage showed flames and black smoke on the top floor of a house as Israeli soldiers stood on the street outside. The Palestinian WAFA news agency said the Israeli military was demolishing the house where the Palestinian men had been killed.

The Israeli military said soldiers had identified the “terrorists” in a building during an overnight operation in Tamoun and the nearby city of Tubas. It recovered rifles used by the militants in the building in Tamoun, it said.

The military also said that three armed individuals had been arrested in Tubas.

The Palestinian Health Ministry said the military had taken the bodies of four of the deceased. The local Red Crescent said it had recovered a fifth body from a burning building.

Demand for retribution

Gez, the pregnant woman, was shot near the Brukhin settlement while traveling to hospital with her husband to give birth. She was pronounced dead at the hospital where her baby was delivered by caesarean section, Israeli media reported.

The baby was reportedly in serious but stable condition, while Gez’s husband Hananel was lightly injured.

As retribution, Israel’s far-right Finance Minister, Bezalel Smotrich, said the nearby Palestinian towns of Bruqin and az-Zawiya should be destroyed, just as cities in Gaza have been.

“Just as we are flattening Rafah, Khan Younis and Gaza (in the Gaza Strip), we must also flatten the terror nests in Judea and Samaria,” Smotrich said on social media, employing the term often used in Israel for the West Bank.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said he hoped security forces would quickly find those responsible for Gez’s death, while President Isaac Herzog expressed his condolences to her family.

The chief of Israel’s general staff, Lt. Gen. EyalZamir, visited the troops searching for Gez’s killer on Thursday near Brukhin.

The Israeli military has killed dozens of Palestinians and destroyed many homes since it launched an operation in January in the West Bank city of Jenin to root out militants.

Those killed have included members of Hamas and other militant groups but also some civilians, including women and children.

Source: arabnews.com

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US top diplomat Rubio meets Syrian counterpart; discuss Israel, human rights

May 15, 2025

ANTALYA: US Secretary of State Marco Rubio met with Syria’s Foreign Minister Asaad Hassan Al-Shaibani in Turkiye on Thursday, the State Department said in a statement.

“(Rubio) welcomed the Syrian government’s calls for peace with Israel, efforts to end Iran’s influence in Syria, commitment to ascertaining the fate of US citizens missing or killed in Syria, and elimination of all chemical weapons,” the department said.

“The Secretary underscored the critical importance of protecting the human rights of all Syrians regardless of ethnicity or religion,” the department said.

Source: arabnews.com

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At UN Nakba commemoration, Palestinian president urges action on Gaza

May 15, 2025

UNITED NATIONS: Palestinian president Mahmud Abbas, at a UN event Thursday commemorating the Nakba, urged more action to end the war in Gaza, linking the historical displacement during Israel’s creation to the current conflict.

The United Nations has since 2023 commemorated the “Nakba” — “catastrophe” in Arabic — which refers to the flight and expulsion of an estimated 700,000 Palestinians during the creation of the State of Israel in 1948.

This year the anniversary is particularly painful, as Palestinians say history is being repeated in Gaza and the occupied West Bank.

Tens of thousands have been killed in Gaza and an aid blockade threatens famine, while Israeli leaders continue to express a desire to empty the territory of Palestinians as part of the war sparked by Hamas’s Oct. 7, 2023 attack.

“History is indelible and justice is not time bound,” Abbas said in a speech read out here by the Palestinian ambassador to the UN, Riyad Mansour.

“Today we stand before you, not only to commemorate the somber anniversary, but to renew the pledge that the ‘Nakba’ was not and will not be the permanent and inevitable faith of our people.”

Abbas said the war Israel has been waging for 19 month is a continuation of the “Nakba,” with the world standing by as Israel engages in “genocide” and starvation.

He said Israel’s goal was to remove the Palestinians from Gaza and steal land that should be part of a sovereign Palestinian state.

“The time has come for real and effective international action to stop this historic injustice and ongoing tragedy which has become a disgrace to humanity,” Abbas said.

The UN General Assembly is scheduled to hold a conference in June to promote a two-state solution to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. It will be co-sponsored by France and Saudi Arabia.

“Peace will require tangible, irreversible and permanent progress toward the two-state solution, an end to the occupation and the establishment of an independent Palestinian state, with Gaza as integral part,” said Khaled Khiari, assistant secretary-general for the Middle East, Asia and the Pacific.

Source: arabnews.com

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Southeast Asia

PKR may act against division members threatening resignation, warns Fahmi Fadzil

16 May 2025

KEPALA BATAS, May 16 — PartiKeadilan Rakyat (PKR) may take disciplinary action against division committee (AJK) members who threaten to resign following the recent divisional elections or disrupt the smooth running of the upcoming PKR National Congress.

Its communications director, Datuk Fahmi Fadzil, said such individuals could also be blacklisted from contesting in any re-election resulting from their resignation.

"The secretary-general (Dr FuziahSalleh) mentioned earlier that some divisions have AJK members threatening to step down simply because they disagree with or dislike the elected division chief.

"She stated that if such action is taken, the Party Election Committee (JPP), together with her, has decided that if a re-election becomes necessary, all those involved may be blacklisted and barred from contesting again,” he told reporters after attending the Jelajah Kita Keadilan event at Dewan Tok Mat Yahoo here last night, which was also attended by Fuziah.

Fahmi was responding to the actions of a group of division committee members from Lenggong and Masjid Tanah, who had threatened to resign following dissatisfaction with the results of the party’s divisional elections last month.

However, Fahmi, who is also the Minister of Communications, said that after further clarification was provided to both division committees, the groups decided to reconsider and ultimately withdrew their resignation plans.

He added that the election process had been lively and peaceful, with no incidents of violence, property damage, or public disturbance — making this round of elections more effective and better managed than in the past.

On preparations for the PKR National Congress from May 23 to 25 in Johor Bahru, Fahmi said arrangements are progressing smoothly. The Jelajah Kita Keadilan roadshow, organised by the Secretary-General’s Office and the JPP, has already visited several locations.

"The programme will continue until next week. It’s a positive and neutral initiative. We do not allow bloc or group campaigning. Even on polling day, the use of 'cai' (preferred candidate lists) will not be permitted.

"I’ve reviewed the election system — candidate photos are uploaded with a uniform light blue background — showing that we are moving away from factional politics. Instead, all candidates are contesting as part of the greater Keadilan family," he said.

The PKR National Congress, including the AMK and Wanita Congress, will take place from May 21 to 24, with polling scheduled for May 23. — Bernama

Source: malaymail.com

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Penang State Assembly pays tribute to ex-PM Tun Abdullah

Bernama

16-05- 2025

GEORGE TOWN: The Penang State Legislative Assembly (DUN) today offered its condolences and paid tribute to Malaysia’s fifth Prime Minister, Tun Abdullah Ahmad Badawi, who passed away at the National Heart Institute (IJN) on April 14.

Penang Governor, TunRamliNgah Talib, in gracing the First Meeting of the Third Term of the 15th Penang State Legislative Assembly, called on Muslim assemblymen to recite Al-Fatihah, while non-Muslims were invited to observe a moment of silence or offer prayers according to their respective faiths.

“Before we proceed with the discussions and debates of this sitting, let us take a moment to remember the immense contributions and service of the late Tun Abdullah, who has returned to the mercy of Allah,” he said.

Ramli also expressed his appreciation to the Penang Government for renaming the Bandar Cassia Expressway as JalanTun Abdullah Ahmad Badawi, calling the move more than a symbolic gesture.

“It is a sincere expression of gratitude for his leadership and the nation-building efforts he championed, particularly in promoting strategic development that has greatly benefited this state,” he said.

Ramli said he hoped the legacy of the Bayan Lepas-born statesman would continue to resonate in the history of Penang and remain deeply etched in the hearts of its people.

Fondly known as Pak Lah, Tun Abdullah passed away at the age of 85.

Born on Nov 26, 1939, in Bayan Lepas, Penang, he served as Member of Parliament for Kepala Batas from 1978 to 2008, and held the office of Prime Minister from Oct 31, 2003, to April 3, 2009, following the resignation of Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad.

He began his education at SekolahMelayuPermatangBertam in Kepala Batas, and later attended Bukit Mertajam High School, DaeratulMaarifil Al-Wataniah Religious School, and Methodist Boys' School, Penang.

Source: thesun.my

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PM Anwar says Tatarstan has enormous potential, ready to develop ties with it

Bernama

16-05- 2025

KAZAN: Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim said the Republic of Tatarstan has enormous potential and that Malaysia is ready to discuss trade and economic issues with it, such as Islamic banking and the halal industry in Kazan, the capital of the republic.

As of 2022, the population of Tatarstan stood at 3.9 million people, comprising more than 70 ethnic groups, with more than 50 per cent of the population being Muslim.

The prime minister said Malaysia is ready to work and develop ties with the republic, which is part of the Russian Federation. “I believe that Tatarstan has enormous potential, (there is) a large number of proposals. We are ready to work and develop our ties,“ Anwar said during a meeting with the Rais (Head) of Tatarstan Rustam Minnikhanov.

The meeting was held in the Kazan Kremlin and was attended by the Prime Minister of Tatarstan Alexey Pesoshin, the Deputy Minister of Energy of the Russian Federation Roman Marshavin, representatives of ministries and departments and heads of major machine-building enterprises.

Anwar led a delegation that comprises Minister of Agriculture and Food Security Datuk Seri Mohamad Sabu; Minister of Science, Technology and Innovation Chang Li Kang; Minister of Higher Education Datuk Seri Dr Zambry Abdul Kadir; and Minister of Plantation and Commodities Datuk Seri Johari Abdul Ghani as well as Malaysia’s Ambassador to Russia Datuk Cheong Loon Lai.

Meanwhile, Rustam, in a media statement, said that Anwar’s visit to Kazan was a significant event.

“We are very glad to see you. Your visit encourages us to work even more actively. Our contacts should be more intensive,“ he said, thanking Anwar for visiting Tatarstan and his participation in the Kazan Forum 2025.

“It is gratifying that a solid delegation of business circles is participating in the forum with you. The Kazan Forum has been held with federal status for three years now and is the main platform for establishing cooperation between Russia and the countries of the Muslim world.

“It is also a great honour for us that you participate in the meeting of the strategic vision group of the Russia-Islamic World (of the forum)”, said Rustam.

The Rais also thanked Anwar for the support provided by Malaysia, and emphasised that Tatarstan attaches great importance to the development of cooperation with Malaysia within the framework of friendly Russian-Malaysian relations. There is an increase in mutual trade turnover, ties are developing in agriculture, oil and gas and petrochemical sectors, IT technologies and in several other areas, he added.

“Our republic is a pilot region for the implementation of the principles of Islamic (partnership) banking and financing in Russia. We are also doing a lot of work in terms of developing the halal industry. These are also promising areas for our cooperation. Our colleagues from Malaysia provide us with great support. We learn from you, adopt the best practices,“ said the Rais.

Earlier, the Rais also presented the Malaysian Prime Minister with an English-language collection of poems by the classic poet of Tatar literature, GabdullaTukai.

Source: thesun.my

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

https://thesun.my/malaysia-news/pm-anwar-says-tatarstan-has-enormous-potential-ready-to-develop-ties-with-it-MN14085988

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Penang governor urges Putrajaya to fund Pan Island Link 1 project for improved traffic management

16 May 2025

GEORGE TOWN, May 16 — The Penang Yang diPertuaNegri, TunRamliNgah Talib, has urged Putrajaya to approve funding for the state’s Pan Island Link 1 (PIL1) project under the 13th Malaysian Plan.

He said the state government has applied for funding for the project under the first rolling plan of the 13th Malaysian Plan, and the application is currently under consideration.

“I wish to call on the federal government to give consideration to PIL1 as this project is expected to give a positive impact in terms of traffic management and dispersal in Penang,” he said in his speech at the state legislative assembly today.

He expressed gratitude to the federal government for its financial support for other mega projects in Penang, including the Juru-Sungai Dua Elevated Highway, the Mutiara Light Rail Transit (LRT) project, the Sungai Perak-Penang water project, and the expansion of the Penang International Airport (PIA).

“Besides that, I was made to understand that the Silicon Island project, which started on September 22, 2023, has shown positive developments,” he said.

As of April 25 this year, a total of 150 acres have been reclaimed, he said.

“With a targeted overall reclamation of 2,300 acres, this project is now 6.5 per cent complete,” he said.

He added that the project will bolster Penang’s position as one of the nation’s main economic drivers and its role in the country’s development.

Penang’s economy recorded a growth of 3.3 per cent in 2023, with a gross domestic product (GDP) of RM116 billion.

“This achievement is supported by two main sectors: the services sector (48 per cent) and the manufacturing sector (46.5 per cent),” he said.

Penang has remained one of the six main contributors to 73 per cent of the national GDP.

“Penang also recorded the highest GDP per capita at RM72,586,” he said.

In international trade, he said Penang recorded a total trade volume of RM788.1 billion in 2024, an 11.6 per cent increase compared to RM696.7 billion in the previous year.

The state has also continued to uphold and promote Islamic values, he said, citing the development of the KITAB Smart City Campus in Bandar Cassia, BatuKawan.

“This is a large project that will bring about long-lasting impact,” he said.

The project, located on 17.3 acres of wakaf land, includes the construction of a mosque and Islamic centre, a commercial centre, student accommodations, and Kolej Islam TeknologiAntarabangsaPulau Pinang (KITAB).

On the state’s water supply system, he said the Penang Water Supply Corporation (PBAPP) has invested RM1.185 billion in its Water Contingency Plan 2030 to meet increasing water demands by 2030.

“The long-term plan is the Sungai Perak treated water transfer project, which will meet water demands until 2050,” he said.

He noted that the project would benefit Penang and northern Perak through the Taman PerindustrianHijauBersepaduKerian (KIGIP).

Two new bills, the Penang Water Resources Board Bill 2024 and the Penang Water Resources Bill 2025, will be tabled at this sitting of the state legislative assembly, he said.

The aim of the bills, he added, is to strengthen the state’s water resource management through the establishment of the Penang Water Resources Board.

Source: malaymail.com

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

https://www.malaymail.com/news/malaysia/2025/05/16/penang-governor-urges-putrajaya-to-fund-pan-island-link-1-project-for-improved-traffic-management/176958

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Islamic World News ( 16 May 2025, NewAgeIslam.Com)

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