Pujari-Granthi Samman Yojana: Rs 18,000 Dole For Temple, Gurdwara Priests while Mosque Imams' Salaries not paid for 17 month: AAP Plays Hindutva Card Ahead Of Delhi Elections
New Age Islam News Bureau
31 December 2024
AAP National Convener Arvind Kejriwal with party leader Saurabh Bharadwaj and others during a meeting with the priests of Delhi after the party announced the launch of 'Pujari Granthi Samman Yojana', if it is re-elected, in New Delhi.
PTI picture
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· Pujari-Granthi Samman Yojana: Rs 18,000 Dole For Temple, Gurdwara Priests while Mosque Imams' salaries not paid for 17 month: AAP Plays Hindutva Card Ahead Of Delhi Elections
· BJP’s Nitesh Rane: Kerala A Mini-Pakistan, Terror Vote For Rahul, Priyanka Gandhi
· 2024 Was ‘Deadliest Year’ For Pakistan’s Security Forces
· New Regime In Syria Said To Appoint Some Foreign Islamist Fighters To Military
· 2024 Year In Review: The Events That Testified To Saudi Arabia’s Transformation
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India
· SP delegation visits Sambhal, gives Rs 5 lakh each to families of Muslim youth killed in alleged police firing
· Muslim League Founded On This Day 118 Years Ago: 3 Things To Know About What Became Jinnah’s Party
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Pakistan
· PTI To Put ‘Two Initial Demands’ Before Govt In Jan 2 Talks
· NA speaker convenes govt-PTI in-camera meeting on Jan 2
· Imran retained 108 Toshakhana gifts, court told
· KP govt hopes Kurram peace accord will be inked today
· Overseas Pakistanis drawn to C-14 plots in Islamabad
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Mideast
· Islamic Jihad: Idea To Deploy Arab, Int'l Troops In Gaza Not Raised
· Settlers storm al-Aqsa Mosque against under police protection
· Gulf cooperation council chief affirms support for Syria during visit
· Ceasefire between Turkiye and US-backed SDF in northern Syria holding, Pentagon says
· French ministers in Lebanon for talks month into Israel-Hezbollah truce
· Israel must face consequences over Gaza campaign: UN experts
· Two killed in Gaza as aid convoy looted: WFP
· More than half of Syrian children out of school: Save the Children to AFP
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Arab World
· Museums Commission appeals for applicants in virtual reality competition
· Saudi adventurer triumphant after crossing the Empty Quarter
· King Salman, crown prince send condolences to US President Biden on death of Jimmy Carter
· British explorer Alice Morrison to embark on 2,500-km trek across Saudi Arabia
· Saudi program to train future ambassadors of moderation globally
· Syrian FM Al-Shibani receives invitation to visit Saudi Arabia
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North America
· US Says Guantanamo Inmate, Ridah Bin Saleh al-Yazidi, Sent Back To Tunisia
· What we know about US H-1B visas Trump supporters are clashing over
· Trump endorses Mike Johnson to remain as House speaker
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Southeast Asia
· MADANI Govt Marching On With Successes For A New Year Of Greater Prosperity
· Three men charged over fake quotations used to deceive Sultan Mosque
· Fatwa Council Guidelines: Muslims Can't Join Events With Christmas Trees
· Anwar’s ASEAN strategy: Advisory team with Thaksin signals bold regional leadership
· President Prabowo Claps Back at Critics, Reaffirms Commitment to Economic Self-Reliance
· Singapore sentences Malaysia syndicate ‘COO’ to 28 years in landmark drug money-laundering case
· Puspakom CEO warns against corrupt staff after JPJ inspection exposes unsafe vehicle pass
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South Asia
· Defending Territorial Integrity; Trait Of Brave Afghan Nation
· Deputy PM Mawlawi Hanafi Meets Head of Islamic Emirate Political Office in Qatar
· Salary Scale For Imam-Muezzins Soon: Adviser To The Ministry Of Religious Affairs
· Cops complicit in crimes must be brought to justice: Yunus
· Badakhshan Security Authorities Deny Rumors of Pakistani Military Presence in Wakhan
· Chinese Firm Hochin Power Eyes Energy Investments in Afghanistan
· UK arrests three Afghan men on human trafficking charges
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Africa
· ‘Nigeria Universities Will Soon Be Left With Alarming Underqualified Lecturers’ – ASUU
· Kenyans protest in Nairobi for end to abductions targeting government critics
· Court Orders DSS To Release President Of Miyetti Allah
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Europe
· Briton, 18, Jailed In Dubai Over Sex With Girl, 17
· Iran confirms arrest of Italian journalist
· German government accuses Musk of election interference
· Putin issues deadline to illegal immigrants
· German ex-minister urges ECB to use crypto as reserves
Compiled by New Age Islam News Bureau
URL: https://newageislam.com/islamic-world-news/pujari-granthi-samman-yojana-temple-hindutva/d/134205
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Pujari-Granthi Samman Yojana: Rs 18,000 Dole For Temple, Gurdwara Priests while mosque imams' salaries not paid for 17 month: AAP Plays Hindutva Card Ahead Of Delhi ElectionsPheroze L. Vincent
31.12.24
AAP National Convener Arvind Kejriwal with party leader Saurabh Bharadwaj and others during a meeting with the priests of Delhi after the party announced the launch of 'Pujari Granthi Samman Yojana', if it is re-elected, in New Delhi.
PTI picture
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The Aam Aadmi Party in Delhi on Monday announced a monthly dole of ₹18,000 to pujaris and granthis ahead of the election in the capital next year.
AAP national convener Arvind Kejriwal told reporters: “Today, I am announcing a scheme called the Pujari-Granthi Samman Yojana. Under this scheme, provisions have been made to provide a monthly honorarium to priests who perform worship in temples and to granthis who serve in gurdwara.
“I sincerely appeal to the BJP not to obstruct this scheme, as they have tried to do with others in the past. They sent police and filed false cases to block the Mahila Samman Yojana but failed. They tried to stop the Sanjeevani Yojana but could not. I request them not to create obstacles for this scheme for pujaris and granthis. Harassing or opposing this initiative would be a grave sin,” said the former chief ministerof Delhi.
Amid a tussle between the AAP government and the BJP-led Centre over the division of power in the capital, two Delhi government departments recently issued public notices disowning two other welfare scheme announcements by the AAP.
Kejriwal, however, did not explain why the scheme was restricted to two religious faiths. Several states have similar schemes to support pujaris or fund temples.
Chief minister Atishi posted on X: “When the Aam Aadmi Party forms the government in Delhi again, temple priests and gurudwara granthis who have been preserving and carrying forward our culture and civilisation for generations will be given an honorarium of ₹18,000 per month.”
In Delhi, a few Muslim clerics are paid by the waqf board, which gets government grants. Other faiths pay their priests through their private bodies not aided by the state. Delhi’s waqf board clerics on Monday protested near Kejriwal’s residence for non-payment of wages.
All India Imam Association leader Sajid Rashidi said: “Imams have not received their salaries for the past 17 months, so we are trying to convince the Delhi government to release this money to the waqf board before the elections because once the model code of conduct is implemented the entire process stops…. Around 250imams are affected.”
Political observers believe the AAP is playing the Hindutva card just before the elections to compete with the BJP. Schools have been ordered to specifically identify children of undocumented Bangladeshi immigrants. Previously, the AAP government had also funded pujas.
Soon after the announcement, the BJP and the Congress took digs at the AAP. BJP Delhi president Virendra Sachdeva told reporters: “We took this to court and the case will be heard on January 21, 2025. Now, they haveannounced this scheme to avoid answering why they gave allowances tomaulvis and imams since 2013 and not to pujaris.”
Congress Delhi chief Devender Yadav said in a statement: “…The Delhi government and the MCD (Municipal Corporation of Delhi) do not have the money to repair the broken roads, the city chokes with uncleared garbage. Vector-borne diseases like dengue and malaria have been on the rise, government hospitals are in a despicable condition without equipment, medicines and necessary staff and many other woes facing the people, for which Kejriwal has no answer.”
Source:telegraphindia.com
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https://www.telegraphindia.com/india/aap-announces-monthly-dole-of-rs-18000-to-temple-gurdwara-priests-ahead-of-delhi-elections/cid/2074399
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BJP’s Nitesh Rane: Kerala a mini-Pakistan, terror vote for Rahul, Priyanka Gandhi
by Alok Deshpande
December 31, 2024
Nitesh Rane is a BJP minister in Maharashtra
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CALLING KERALA a “mini-Pakistan”, BJP’s Maharashtra Minister Nitesh Rane has said that “all terrorists” vote for Congress leaders Rahul Gandhi and Priyanka Gandhi Vadra, referring to their election from Wayanad Lok Sabha constituency in the southern state.
Addressing a rally in Pune’s Purandar tehsil on Sunday, Rane said in Marathi: “Kerala is a mini-Pakistan… That is why Rahul Gandhi and his sister are elected from there. All terrorists vote for them. This is the truth, you can ask. They have become MPs after taking terrorists with them.”
As he faced sharp criticism from Opposition parties on Monday, Rane, who holds the Fisheries and Ports portfolios in the state, said he only sought to raise the issue of religious conversion of Hindus and “love jihad” in Kerala.
“Kerala is very much a part of our country. The declining population of Hindus is something that everyone should worry about. Religious conversion of Hindus into Christians and Muslims is becoming a daily occurrence there. Love jihad cases are also increasing there… I was comparing the situation with the way Hindus are treated in Pakistan. If a similar situation arises in Kerala, then we have to reflect on it. We want our Hindu Rashtra to remain a Hindu Rashtra, and Hindus should be protected in every way… I was just stating the facts so that everyone knows the situation. Whatever I said is based on facts… Let the Opposition, the Congress prove me wrong,” he said.
Standing by his remarks on Rahul and Priyanka, Rane said: “I said what even the local BJP leadership is saying, and anyone can check who are the people and the organisations supporting them (Rahul and Priyanka) there. Can the Congress come out and say that we are wrong and there is not a single terrorist organisation that supports them in the elections? Let them say that, then we will give more proof. Whatever I said was based on that. Let people know what is happening under the nose of the Congress leadership,” he said.
Criticising Rane for his remarks, the Congress on Monday demanded an explanation from the BJP.
“Nitesh Rane became a minister by swearing to keep the unity and integrity of the country intact. But he is calling Kerala a mini-Pakistan, and branding the Opposition’s voters as terrorists. Does this person have any right to remain in the Cabinet,” Congress spokesperson Atul Londhe said. “The BJP and Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis should clarify their stand on the issue,” he said.
“If a minister is terming Kerala as Pakistan, then what is the role of the Central Government? What is it doing,” senior Congress MLA Vijay Wadettiwar said. “His language is an attack on the Indian identity, terming voters of Rahul and Priyanka as terrorists is an insult to voters,” he said.
Rahul was elected to the Lok Sabha from Wayanad in 2019 and again in 2024, along with Rae Bareli in Uttar Pradesh. He retained Rae Bareli and vacated Wayanad, which was won by Priyanka in the recent bypolls.
Source:indianexpress.com
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https://indianexpress.com/article/cities/mumbai/bjps-nitesh-rane-kerala-a-mini-pakistan-terror-vote-for-rahul-priyanka-gandhi-9752324/
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2024 was ‘deadliest year’ for Pakistan’s security forces
Ikram Junaidi
December 31, 2024
• 685 security personnel laid down their lives amid 444 terror attacks across the country
• CRSS data shows KP and Balochistan were worst-hit by the violence
ISLAMABAD: With at least 685 members of security forces losing their lives amid a total of 444 terror attacks, 2024 turned out to be the deadliest year for civil and military security forces of Pakistan in a decade.
Equally alarming were the cumulative losses of civilians and security personnel: 1,612 fatalities, accounting for over 63pc of the total recorded this year and marking 73pc more losses compared to 934 outlaws eliminated.
The overall fatalities recorded this year were a record 9-year high, and over 66pc more than 2023. On average, nearly seven lives were lost daily, with November emerging as the deadliest month, compared to all other months of the year.
The violence took the heaviest toll on Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP) which topped in human losses with 1616 fatalities, followed by Balochistan with 782 fatalities.
These are key findings of the Annual Security Report 2024 issued by the Center for Research and Security Studies (CRSS) think-tank.
According to a report of the think-tank, in 2024, the country suffered 2546 violence-linked fatalities and 2267 injuries among civilians, security personnel, and outlaws. This tally of casualties stemmed from 1166 terror attacks and counter-terror operations, marking a grim year for the country’s security landscape.
Compared to last year, these figures mark an over 66pc surge in violence (2546 vs 1533 fatalities), over 55pc more injuries (2267 vs 1462) and around 49pc more incidents (1166 vs 784).
Regional impact
KP and Balochistan accounted for 94pc of all fatalities and 89pc of all incidents across the country.
While KP suffered most of the fatalities (over 63pc) recorded this year, followed by Balochistan (31pc), the highest surge in violence, compared to last year, however, was recorded in the latter province (90pc), followed by the former (65pc).
November was the deadliest month across all metrics; with the highest number of attacks (125), fatalities (450) and injuries (625) recorded compared to all other months of the year.
The fatalities recorded this year mark a record 9-year high, exceeding the 2016 level (2432) and highest since 2015 (4366).
“Moreover, the data collected over the last 10 years shows a sharp downward trend from 2015 to 2020, with fatalities declining each year by around 33pc on average. This 6-year-long declining and in fact, an encouraging trend in Pakistan’s security landscape, was followed by resurgence in 2021. This is evident from the fact that violence in the country constantly surged by 38pc spike in 2021, 15pc in 2022, 56pc in 2023 and 66pc in 2024 (almost 44pc yearly surge in violence on average since 2021),” the report says.
The highest number of violence and counter-violence-linked fatalities were recorded in KP’s newly merged districts bordering Afghanistan such as Kurram, North Waziristan, Khyber; other districts in KP with significant fatalities included Dera Ismail Khan, Bannu, and Lakki Marwat. These districts were followed by Balochistan’s Quetta, Kech, Kalat, and Musakhail districts.
Moreover, the fatalities in these most severely affected districts of Balochistan in 2024 alone were nearly equal to their combined total recorded over the previous three years (2021–2023), while a similar trend was observed in the hardest-hit districts of KP.
Source:dawn.com
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https://www.dawn.com/news/1882160/2024-was-deadliest-year-for-pakistans-security-forces
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New regime in Syria said to appoint some foreign Islamist fighters to military
30 December 2024
Members of the new armed forces, former rebels who overthrew Bashar al-Assad's government and now serve in the new Syrian government, stand in formation as they prepare for a military parade in downtown Damascus, Syria, Friday, Dec. 27, 2024. (AP Photo/Leo Correa)
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DAMASCUS, Syria — Syria’s new rulers have installed some foreign fighters including Uighurs, a Jordanian, and a Turk in the country’s armed forces, as Damascus tries to shape a patchwork of rebel groups into a professional military, two Syrian sources said.
The move to give official roles, including senior ones, to several jihadists may alarm some foreign governments and Syrian citizens fearful about the new administration’s intentions, despite its pledges not to export Islamic revolution and to rule with tolerance toward Syria’s large minority groups.
A Syrian government spokesperson did not reply to a request for comment on the thinking behind the appointments.
The sources said that out of a total of almost 50 military roles announced by the Defense Ministry on Sunday, at least six had gone to foreigners.
Reuters was not able to independently verify the nationalities of the individuals appointed.
Thousands of Sunni Muslim foreigners joined Syria’s rebels early in the 13-year civil war to fight against the rule of Bashar al-Assad and the Iran-backed Shiite militias that supported him.
Some foreign fighters formed their own armed groups while others joined established formations such as Islamic State as it rampaged across Iraq and Syria, briefly declaring a so-called caliphate before being routed by US and Iran-backed forces.
Other groups of foreign jihadists joined Islamist group Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS), which disavowed previous links to al-Qaeda and Islamic State and fought bloody battles against them before going on to spearhead the lightning advance that toppled Assad on December 8.
Ahmed al-Sharaa, the HTS-leader-turned de facto ruler of Syria, has purged dozens of foreign jihadi fighters as part of a campaign to Syrianize and moderate his group.
In remarks broadcast on Sunday, Sharaa said the new Syria “cannot be run by the mentality of groups and militias.”
Syria’s new rulers, drawn mainly from HTS, have indicated that foreign fighters and their families may be given Syrian citizenship and be allowed to stay in the country because of their contributions to the fight against Assad.
The Defense Ministry on Sunday announced 49 appointments to the army that included leaders of key Syrian armed factions.
Among them were several foreign fighters, three given the rank of brigadier-general and at least three others the rank of colonel, a Syrian military source said.
‘Token of recognition’
“This is a small token of recognition for the sacrifices Islamist jihadists gave to our struggle for freedom from Assad’s oppression,” an HTS source told Reuters.
Chinese Uighur Abdulaziz Dawood Khudaberdi, also known as Zahid and the commander of the separatist Turkistan Islamic Party’s (TIP) forces in Syria, was appointed a brigadier-general, a TIP statement said and the Syrian military source confirmed.
Two other Uighur fighters, Mawlan Tarsoun Abdussamad and Abdulsalam Yasin Ahmad, were given the rank of colonel, said the TIP statement published on its website, congratulating them and the Uighur community on the appointments.
All the names appear in Sunday’s Defense Ministry announcement, though the nationalities are not included.
The TIP is thought to have hundreds of fighters in Syria and aims to establish an Islamic State in parts of China and central Asia, where there is a large Uighur Muslim population.
Rights groups accuse Beijing of widespread abuses of Uighurs, a mainly Muslim ethnic minority that numbers around 10 million in the western region of Xinjiang, including the mass use of forced labor in camps. Beijing denies any abuses.
There was no immediate comment from the Chinese foreign ministry.
China labels the TIP a terrorist organization responsible for plots to attack overseas Chinese targets. Beijing has said TIP “gravely threatens” China’s interests and security overseas and that combating the group was China’s “core concern” in its counter-terrorism effort.
Turkish citizen Omar Mohammed Jaftashi and Jordanian citizen Abdul Rahman Hussein al-Khatib were also made brigadier-generals, the Syrian military source and the HTS source said.
Abdul Jashari, an ethnically Albanian fighter also known as Abu Qatada al-Albani, was appointed colonel, the military source said.
Jashari heads the Albanian jihadist group Xhemati Alban and was designated a terrorist by the US Treasury in 2016.
Egyptian Alaa Mohammed Abdel-Baqi was also given a military rank, the source said.
Egypt’s foreign ministry did not immediately respond to a request for comment.
Source:timesofisrael.com
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https://www.timesofisrael.com/new-regime-in-syria-said-to-appoint-some-foreign-islamist-fighters-to-military/
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2024 Year in Review: The events that testified to Saudi Arabia’s transformation
JONATHAN GORNALL
December 30, 2024
LONDON: In 1924, Riyadh was a small oasis town, covering less than one square kilometer and home to no more than 30,000 people.
One hundred years ago, the motor car had yet to displace the camel as the primary form of transport and the future capital of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia was still contained within the defensive walls that had encircled it for 200 years.
Today, Riyadh is a vast metropolis, the largest city on the Arabian Peninsula. Ever expanding, the capital is currently spread over 1,500 square kilometers and has a population close to eight million, largely reliant on the car.
In 2024, however, Riyadh took a significant step toward an increasingly sustainable future with the opening on Dec. 1 of the first three lines of a revolutionary new driverless metro system linking all parts of the city over 176 km of tracks.
Riyadh’s goal is not only to get bigger, but also to get better, leading the nation in following the blueprint of Vision 2030, the plan to transition the Kingdom away from an oil-dependent economy — and the new mass-transit system will relieve pressure on the roads by removing tens of millions of car journeys every year.
A decade in the making, by the end of January 2025 all six metro lines are expected to be open, with 190 trains serving 85 stations, initially carrying 1.2 million passengers a day and with a planned capacity of 3.6 million.
Treasured traces of the city’s past remain. Line 1, the Blue Line, which serves the north-south axis of the capital, passes close by the old town, where Al-Masmak Fort, once the largest building in Riyadh, dating back to the 19th century and recaptured by Abdulaziz Al-Saud in 1902, still stands in testimony to the Kingdom’s past.
As Riyadh has grown and changed, so too has the whole of Saudi Arabia, and 2024 has seen a host of events that together bear witness to just how rapidly the Kingdom is evolving, transforming itself into a global player and destination in the process.
The year in Saudi Arabia began as it is ending, with the Winter at Tantora Festival, the culture, art and music festival at AlUla, which this year started on Dec. 19 and continues until Jan. 11.
From its beginnings in December 2018, when the festival featured the Italian singer Andrea Bocelli and the French violinist Renaud Capucon, it has grown to become a globally recognized celebration of art, music, and culture, with many events taking place in the stunning mirror-walled Maraya concert hall in AlUla’s Ashar Valley.
An early highlight in the 2024 season was the classical concert on Dec. 27 by singer Abeer Nehme and The National Arab Orchestra, which celebrated the rich tapestry of Arab heritage.
At the other end of the musical scale in 2024 was MDLBEAST Soundstorm, the mid-December music festival which, with some justification, lays claim to being “the loudest weekend in Riyadh,” and this year featured acts including Eminem, Muse, David Guetta and Linkin Park.
Another mass-participation cultural event that is increasingly putting Saudi Arabia on the global entertainment map is Riyadh Season, a high-octane, multi-venue, six-month celebration that is billed as the biggest and most diverse entertainment festival in the world.
Starting on Oct. 12 in 2024, within two months the season had attracted more than 10 million visitors.
One highlight this year was the bout in the Kingdom Arena between light-heavyweight boxing champions Dmitry Bivol and Artur Beterbiev, won by the Russian Beterbiev, who became the first undisputed four-belt light-heavyweight champion since 2002.
By way of contrast, and summing up the eclectic diversity of the entire season, on Nov. 14 stars flew into Riyadh from around the world for the 45th anniversary celebration of Lebanese couturier Elie Saab.
The fashion show was attended by celebrities including Jennifer Lopez, Halle Berry, Celine Dion, Nadine Nassib Njeim, Monica Bellucci and Razane Jammal.
Over on the west coast in Jeddah, the fourth iteration of the Red Sea International Film Festival, which ran from Dec. 5 to 14, continued to reinforce its reputation as a rapidly emerging force in the global film industry.
Championing films from Saudi Arabia and the Arab world, Asia, and Africa, the festival featured conversations with global stars including Sarah Jessica Parker and Priyanka Chopra.
On the sporting front, this year the Kingdom added another sport to a rapidly growing portfolio that already embraces soccer, golf, boxing and Formula One. This year’s Saudi Arabian Grand Prix on the Jeddah Corniche Circuit, the second round of the F1 championship, was the fourth in the country and was won by Red Bull’s Max Verstappen.
In November, the Women’s Tennis Association finals were held in Riyadh for the first time, with a record $15 million prize purse on offer.
The final saw world No. 3 Coco Gauff beat Zheng Qinwen in what is slated to be the first of several such finals to be held in the Kingdom.
After her victory against the Chinese Olympic champion, the 20-year-old American praised the event as inspirational for young Saudis, “just to show young girls that, you know, their dreams are possible,” she said.
She added: “I’m literally no different than they are. We just maybe come from different places.”
By the time she retired, she said, she hoped there would be a Saudi Grand Slam champion.
But perhaps the biggest moment in Saudi Arabia’s 2024 came on Dec. 11, when global footballing body FIFA confirmed that the 2034 World Cup would be held in the Kingdom.
Hosting the 48-team tournament in 15 stadiums across five cities will bring in hundreds of thousands of fans and players, many of whom will be experiencing the Kingdom in person for the first time.
“For us, soccer or football is not only a sport,” Saudi Sports Minister Abdulaziz bin Turki Al-Faisal said after the news was announced, “it is a value that we share with the entire world.”
Saudi Arabia, he added, was “looking forward to hosting” many more events and making football history.
“This is the chance to invite you all to visit my country, to celebrate our culture, to see the greatest success story with your own eyes.”
Fun and games isn’t the only stage on which Saudi Arabia is opening up to the world.
In 2024 the Kingdom hosted a number of high-level global conferences, including biodiversity conference COP16 over the first two weeks in December, at which global pledges to combat drought and land degradation topped $10 billion and, in April, the World Economic Forum’s Special Meeting on Global Collaboration, Growth and Energy for Development.
Source:arabnews.com
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https://www.arabnews.com/node/2584772/saudi-arabia
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India
SP delegation visits Sambhal, gives Rs 5 lakh each to families of Muslim youth killed in alleged police firing
30 Dec 2024
SAMBHAL: A Samajwadi Party (SP) delegation on Monday visited Sambhal and distributed cheques of Rs 5 lakh each to the families of the Muslim youth allegedly shot dead by the UP police during a court-ordered survey of the Mughal era Shahi jama Masjid on November 24.
The cheques were distributed by Leader of Opposition Mata Prasad Pandey, who led the SP delegation, at the Public Works Department guest house.
He also interacted with the victims' families.
Speaking to reporters, Pandey stated that the UP police are harassing Muslims and that the government has no sympathy for them.
"They only know (underworld don) Dawood Ibrahim, they do not know Abdul Hamid or Brigadier Usman who sacrificed their lives for the security of the country's borders," he said.
"They do not have goodwill in their hearts, they are creating tension between Hindus and Muslims," the SP leader said.
Pandey further accused the BJP of creating bitterness among people for its benefit.
"Police have said that those killed in the violence were not shot by them. Whenever illegal weapons are seized, they keep them in a storehouse and when needed, they take them out and claim that the deceased were not killed by police bullets," he said.
At least five Muslim youth including a minor were killed when UP police allegedly opened fire on people protesting the court ordered survey of Mughal-era Shahi Jama Masjid in Sambhal's Kot Purvi neighbourhood. Though the police Though the police denied allegations of firing at the protesters, locals including the mosque committee chairman has accused the police of using country-made pistols to fire at the crowd.
The opposition parties have alleged a "conspiracy" in the police action against the protesters.
After the killings, the entry of outsiders into the district was banned. A delegation of Congress leaders led by Leader of Opposition in Lok Sabha Rahul Gandhi and party MPs Priyanka Gandhi and K C Venugopal was stopped by the UP police at the Ghazipur border with Delhi in early December. A delegation of SP MPs that had come to visit Sambhal was also stopped by police.
Source:newindianexpress.com
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https://www.newindianexpress.com/nation/2024/Dec/31/farmers-protest-sc-defers-hearing-on-shifting-dallewal-to-hospital-punjab-says-negotiations-on-2
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Muslim League Founded On This Day 118 Years Ago: 3 Things To Know About What Became Jinnah’s Party
by Yashee
December 31, 2024
On December 30 in 1906, the All India Muslim League, best known for securing India’s partition into two nations, was founded. At the time of its founding, in Dhaka, the League was mostly a collective of elite Muslim men, and remained so for almost three decades. Muhammad Ali Jinnah, eventually its tallest leader, was then in the Congress. It was only in the late 1930s that it turned into a more mass organisation, and under Jinnah, spearheaded the Partition agitation.
After Partition, the Muslim League was disbanded in India. In Pakistan and later in Bangladesh too, the League broke into factions and did not survive long. Here are 3 things you should know about the Muslim League, and its role in India’s politics.
01
Formation of the Muslim League
As the 20th century dawned, the rich and powerful Muslims in India had begun to realise the need for political leadership and representation within the community. The way the Congress had opposed the Partition of Bengal in 1905 made this feeling more urgent. Two notable developments took place before the formal setting up of the Muslim League — the movement to set up what is today the Aligarh Muslim University, and a meeting of prominent Muslims with Lord Minto, then Viceroy of India, in 1905, to demand more political representation for Muslims.
American historian Stanley Wolpert, in his 1984 book Jinnah of Pakistan, wrote, “On October 1, 1906, thirty-five Muslims of noble birth, wealth, and power, from every province of British India and several princely states, gathered in the regal ballroom of the viceroy's Simla palace in the Himalayas.”
They presented an address to the Viceroy, which said that “representative institutions of the European type are new to the Indian people”, and unless they were adapted with the greatest care and caution, this would “place our national interests at the mercy of an unsympathetic majority.”
Wolpert notes that this “was the first use of the words “national interests” by Indian Muslims in appealing to British rulers for help against the “unsympathetic” Hindu majority.”
Two months later, in Dacca (now Dhaka), the All India Muslim League was founded.
02
The Lucknow Pact, 1916
There were instances of the Congress and the Muslim League cooperating. In December 1916, the Congress under Bal Gangadhar Tilak and the Muslim League under Muhammad Ali Jinnah signed the Lucknow Pact, which envisaged working together to advance the cause of India's freedom from the British.
Put briefly, the pact called for more Indian, elected representation in bodies like the provincial and central legislatures and the central executive council, and the Congress agreeing to separate electorates.
03
The Lahore Resolution, 1940
From the Lucknow pact to the Lahore Resolution, both the League and Jinnah had transformed entirely, insisting on nothing but Partition. Jinnah by then had left the Congress, and the erstwhile champion of Hindu-Muslim unity was convinced that Muslims would not get fair treatment in “Congress's Hindu Rashtra” after Independence.
Thus, the Lahore Resolution, adopted by the All-India Muslim League during its general session in Lahore from March 22 to March 24, 1940, formally called for an independent state for India’s Muslims. March 23 is observed as Pakistan National Day to commemorate this resolution.
The resolution declared that “it is the considered view of this Session of the All India Muslim League that no constitutional plan would be workable in this country or acceptable to Muslims unless it is designed on the following basic principle, namely that geographically contiguous units are demarcated into regions which should be so constituted, with such territorial readjustments as may be necessary, that the areas in which the Muslims are numerically in a majority as in the North-Western and Eastern Zones of India, should be grouped to constitute “Independent States” in which the constituent units shall be autonomous and sovereign.”
The resolution also demanded that “in other parts of India where the Mussalmans are in a minority, adequate, effective and mandatory safeguards shall be specially provided in the constitution for them and other minorities for the protection of their religious, cultural, economic, political, administrative and other rights and interests in consultation with them.”
Source:indianexpress.com
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Pakistan
PTI to put ‘two initial demands’ before govt in Jan 2 talks
Dawn Report
December 31, 2024
ISLAMABAD: PTI’s negotiating team has decided to pursue two initial demands in its upcoming meeting with a government team, scheduled to be held later this week, in a bid to lay ground-work for taking the dialogue process forward.
A notification issued by the NA Secretariat on Monday said that National Assembly Speaker Sardar Ayaz Sadiq will chair an in-camera meeting between the negotiating teams of federal government and PTI on Jan 2, Dawn.com reported. This will be the second meeting between the two sides.
According to the notification, Mr Sadiq “will chair a 2nd meeting (in-camera) on negotiations between Treasury and Opposition on Thursday, the 2nd January, 2025 at 11:30am” at the Parliament House.
Meanwhile, sources said that the PTI had decided to limit itself to two initial demands in the talks scheduled for Thursday; the release of under trial political prisoners and the formation of a judicial commission to probe the events of May 9, 2023 and Nov 26.
Background discussions with party leaders revealed that it was annoyed by the “illogical and absurd statements” about the talks, being issued by government ministers, and wanted the ruling party to review its “nonsensical approach and create a favourable environment for talks”.
Sources said the party will share these demands with the government in writing on Jan 2, and is hoping for a resolution of these issues as confidence-building measures, before moving forward.
Earlier, Sunni Ittehad Council Chairman Sahibzada Hamid Raza — one of the PTI’s main parliamentary allies — announced that the party would give the government until Jan 31 to conclude the ongoing negotiations.
“The cut-off date for negotiations is Jan 31. On January 2, when our committee meets the government to continue the negotiations, Omar Ayub will formally give them this deadline,” he had said.
Earlier this month, PTI founder Imran Khan had formed a committee to negotiate with the government over the party’s demands, which included Opposition Leader in the National Assembly Omar Ayub, former National Assembly speaker Asad Qaiser, Secretary General Salman Akram Raja, KP Chief Minister Ali Amin Khan Gandapur and SIC chief Sahibzada Hamid Raza.
However, at the last meeting, the PTI side was only represented by Mr Qaiser, the SIC chief and MWM’s Senator Raja Nasir Abbas.
Meanwhile, the team formed by PM Shehbaz Sharif to negotiate with the PTI includes Deputy Prime Minister Ishaq Dar, PM’s political aide Rana Sanaullah, Senator Irfan Siddiqui (who has also been named spokesperson for the government team), PPP’s Raja Parvez Ashraf and Naveed Qamar, and IPP leader Aleem Khan, PML-Q leader Chaudhry Salik Hussain, Balochistan Awami Party’s Sardar Khalid Magsi and MQM-P’s Farooq Sattar.
Source:dawn.com
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NA speaker convenes govt-PTI in-camera meeting on Jan 2
By Web Desk
December 30, 2024
National Assembly Speaker Sardar Ayaz Sadiq has convened an in-camera meeting of committees representing the government and the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) on January 2 (Thursday) to defuse the prevailing political tensions in the country.
According to a statement issued by the NA speaker, the crucial meeting between the ruling alliance and Imran Khan-founded party will be held at parliament house on Thursday. The key huddle will begin at 11am, it added.
The upcoming meeting is a continuation of the December 23 huddle.
The PTI will present its demands in writing before the government's negotiation committee at the Jan 2 meeting as the first round of parleys ended in a conducive environment.
The PTI’s team, following a thorough consultation with the party leadership, has decided to present just two demands before the government in the upcoming meeting, said well-placed sources.
The former ruling party's demands include formation of a judicial commission to probe May 9, 2023 violent incidents and November 26 crackdown on PTI workers in Islamabad, and release all political prisoners, the sources added.
PTI leader and former NA speaker Asad Qaiser, however, said that their demands were clear. He demanded a commission to investigation May 9 and November 26 events and release of the PTI founder, who has been behind bars since August last year after he was sentenced in Toshakhana case-I — one of the dozens cases registered against the former premier since his ouster from power in April 2022.
All members of the PTI's negotiation committee would attend the next round of talks, he added.
In the previous meeting, the PTI was represented by former NA Speaker Asad Qaiser, Sunni Ittehad Council (SIC) Chairman Sahibzada Hamid Raza, and Majlis Wahdat-e-Muslimeen Allama Raja Nasir Abbas.
Questions were raised over the sincerity of the former ruling party in the negotiation process as other members of the Khan-founded party, including Leader of Opposition in the National Assembly Omar Ayub, PTI General Secretary Salman Akram Raja, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Chief Minister Ali Amin Khan Gandapur, senior PTI leader Hamid Khan skipped the key huddle.
From the government's side, a nine-member committee comprising Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar, PM’s political aide Rana Sanaullah, Senator Irfan Siddiqui, PPP’s Raja Parvez Ashraf, Naveed Qamar, Istehkam-e-Pakistan Party (IPP) leader Aleem Khan, Pakistan Muslim League-Quaid (PML-Q) leader and Religious Affairs Minister Chaudhry Salik Hussain, Balochistan Awami Party’s Sardar Khalid Magsi and Muttahida Qaumi Movement-Pakistan (MQM-P) leader Dr Khalid Maqbool Siddiqui —will attend the second round of talks with the PTI.
The long-anticipated talks between the rival parties began on December 23 during which it was decided that the former ruling party would present its demands in writing during the next round of talks.
The much-hyped meeting was held with the NA speaker in the chair during which both sides resolved to continue dialogue process.
Addressing a presser following the meeting, the NA speaker said that the PTI would present a charter of their demands in the next session.
Sadiq had thanked the government's leadership and senior leaders of the opposition for holding the talks in a positive environment.
"We discussed things about past and present and I hope that if we work together for the country's betterment, it will strengthen the political stability, strengthen democracy and help in dealing with challenges faced by Pakistan," he had added.
We want to bring betterment in Pakistan and end the political polarisation in and outside the parliament."
Source:thenews.com.pk
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Imran retained 108 Toshakhana gifts, court told
Malik Asad | Ikram Junaidi
December 31, 2024
• Aleema Khan claims her brother has refused ‘deal for freedom’, vowed to fight his cases
• Terms Toshakhana case ‘politically motivated’
• Omar Ayub meets member of UK House of Lords
ISLAMABAD: The custodian of the Toshakhana — the treasury where gifts received by state officials are deposited — on Monday informed the Special Court of the Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) that former prime minister Imran Khan had retained 108 gifts given to him while in office.
Special Judge Central Shahrukh Arjumand recorded the testimony of Binyamin, a section officer at the Cabinet Division, in the case involving a Bulgari jewellery set, allegedly purchased by Mr Khan from the Toshakhana at a throwaway price.
The hearing was held in a makeshift courtroom at Adiala Jail, where Mr Khan is incarcerated.
Evidence presented to the court included records from 100 newspapers related to Toshakhana gifts, a detailed list of 108 gifts received by Mr Khan, two official registers documenting gift transactions and documentation related to an appraisal by a private evaluator.
Bushra Bibi’s lawyer, Arshad Tabrez, conducted a partial cross-examination of the witness, while Mr Khan’s counsel, Salman Safdar, is scheduled to complete the cross-examination in the next hearing.
Three witnesses have testified in the case so far. Both Mr Khan and Bushra Bibi were present during the proceedings.
‘Case politically motivated’
Speaking to the media outside Adiala Jail, Aleema Khan, the sister of Imran Khan, criticised the Toshakhana case, terming it politically motivated. She likened the case to the conviction of Mr Khan and Bushra Bibi over retaining a Graff jewellery set.
She accused authorities of targeting her brother to suppress his political influence. She claimed that Mr Khan had reiterated his demand for a judicial commission to investigate the May 9 and Nov 26 incidents.
She said her brother has been in jail for nearly 18 months and refused any deals with the establishment or foreign powers.
She expressed confidence that the Toshakhana and Al-Qadir University cases, in which a decision is expected on Jan 6, would ultimately be resolved in the higher courts. She urged authorities to prioritise national security over political vendettas.
Aleema Khan revealed that Mr Khan had rejected offers of house arrest in Banigala, opting instead to fight all legal cases against him.
“My brother believes the May 9 conspiracy was aimed at crushing PTI, which is why those who have left the party are roaming free,” she said.
Reaction to White Paper
Meanwhile, PTI Central Information Secretary Sheikh Waqqas Ahmed, in response to Information Minister Atta Tarar’s White Paper on the PTI government’s performance in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, said the people of KP had already delivered their verdict on PTI’s performance by re-electing it to power for a third consecutive term on Feb 8, 2024.
He emphasised that the people of KP have consistently voted PTI into power with increasing strength, demonstrating their unwavering trust in the party and its founder.
Mr Akram made it clear that Imran Khan predicted 2025 was a year of change because “power grabbers have ruined the entire country and the system cannot sustain it anymore”.
Omar meets UK politician
In another development, Leader of the Opposition Omar Ayub Khan met Lord Qurban Hussain, a member of the UK’s House of Lords, at the opposition leader’s chamber in Parliament House, Islamabad.
Both the leaders exchanged views on strengthening democracy and deepening relations between the two countries.
Exchanging views on Pakistan’s current political climate, Mr Ayub emphasised that the rule of law, strong democratic institutions rather than individuals, and freedom of expression rather than repression constitute the core of democracy and serve as intrinsic foundations to the progress and prosperity of any nation.
Lord Qurban Hussain reaffirmed his steadfast commitment to strengthening Pakistan-UK relations and expressed his desire to see Pakistan emerge as a peaceful, just and progressive country.
Source:dawn.com
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KP govt hopes Kurram peace accord will be inked today
Manzoor Ali | Javid Hussain
December 31, 2024
PESHAWAR / KURRAM: The two warring sides in Kurram are likely to sign an agreement today (Tuesday) that would end the violence that has plagued the restive region for several weeks now, the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa government said on Monday.
“We are sure that an agreement would be signed during the meeting of the Grand Jirga, convened at 11am on Tuesday,” KP government spokesperson Barrister Muhammad Ali Saif told reporters at the Peshawar Press Club.
Former federal minister Sajid Ali Turi, who is also a member of the Grand Jirga, told Dawn that district administration had convened the Jirga in Kohat, wherein a peace agreement will be singed and other steps for lasting peace, including opening of roads, would be followed.
Barrister Saif, on the other hand, said that one of the warring sides had agreed to sign the peace agreement after through deliberations, while the other side asked for two days to discuss the proposals, on Saturday. “The Jirga will meet 11am on Tuesday and they will join it,” he said.
He said that de-weaponisation of the district was one of the thorniest issues, which led to a prolonged delay in the signing of an accord. He said that KP Apex Committee and provincial cabinet had also decided that the both parties have to surrender their weapons. He said that both sides would surrender their weapons and demolish the bunkers, while the road to the area would be opened in the next phase.
Barrister Saif said that if the road was reopened while both sides retained their weapons, then tensions could flare up again and spread across the entire district.
“As a precautionary measure, we are not going open the road till the signing of the peace accord and government is assured that both parties are ready to surrender their weapons,” he said.
He said that as long as both parties possessed heavy weaponry, then the authorities could be establish peace in the district.
He said that the situation in the Kurram has resulted into loss of lives and road to Parachinar was also closed due to the clashes. He said that previously authorities managed to get the both parties agree to ceasefire agreement for a week which has been now been extended for indefinite period of time. In addition to this, Barrister Saif said that both parties were respecting the ceasefire agreement. However, he said that wherever there were flare-ups and violation of peace agreement, authorities with the assistance of security forces intervened to contain them.
He said that provincial government was working to resolve this issue once and for all. He said that achieve this, a Grand Tribal Jirga has been constituted by the provincial government and Chief Minister Ali Amin Khan Gandapur himself travelled to Kohat at the start of jirga’s meeting.
Separately, Kurram residents are facing a crisis situation due to the closure of roads for past several weeks.
Mir Afzal Khan, a local elder told Dawn that the markets in the district have shut down after running out of edibles and other commodities. Besides, sit-ins were in progress in Parachinar, Sultan and Gosar areas of the district while another sit-in has started in Bagan area against the losses of houses and bazaars. The protesters are demanding of opening roads and compensation for their losses.
Source:dawn.com
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Overseas Pakistanis drawn to C-14 plots in Islamabad
December 31, 2024
ISLAMABAD: Overseas Pakistanis have shown a keen interest in Sector C-14, as the Capital Development Authority (CDA) has received around 500 applications from expatriates against 238 plots measuring one kanal.
December 30 was the deadline for the submission of applications, and over 1200 people, including around 500 overseas Pakistanis, applied for the plots in this sector. The CDA is going to hold e-balloting for allotting 238 plots measuring one kanal each against a fixed rate of Rs60 million. Sector C-14 is located in the foothills of Margalla along the newly built Margalla Road.
According to CDA officials, the civic agency, as per its announcement, will prefer overseas Pakistanis, and locals would be placed on the waiting list. “We have 500 applications from overseas Pakistanis against 238 plots, so we will hold balloting for the overseas first. It seems the majority of plots would be procured by the overseas Pakistanis,” said an official of the CDA.
He said all applicants were serious, as locals paid around Rs13,000 in the processing fee while overseas Pakistanis paid $50 in fees. The officer said that after concluding this auction, the CDA will also go for the auction of residential plots in another sector, likely I-12 and C-15.
Meanwhile, a press release said CDA Chairman Muhammad Ali Randhawa chaired a review meeting on Monday regarding the balloting of residential plots in Sector C-14. During the briefing, it was highlighted that the balloting process received an overwhelming response from the overseas Pakistanis and local citizens.
According to the press release, the CDA chairman expressed satisfaction with the progress of the balloting process in Sector C-14. During the briefing, it was said that after the submission of the deadline, the data was being reconciled, and a preliminary list of applicants would be published on the CDA’s website on or before January 3, while the applicants would have two days to raise any objections to the list, following which the final list would be prepared.
Meanwhile, the development work in the said sector is underway at full pace, with the CDA chairman saying that before the completion of the installments against a 10-month payment plan, the buyers would be handed over the possession of plots by the civic body.
On Monday, the CDA chief also met the chief operating officer of Iesco for the resolution of pending issues between the CDA and the power supply company, including grid stations for Sector C-14 and adjoining sectors.
Source:dawn.com
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Mideast
Islamic Jihad: Idea to deploy Arab, int'l troops in Gaza not raised
30 Dec 2024
The idea of the presence of Arab or international forces inside the Gaza Strip or the Salah al-Din axis is not present in the ongoing negotiations in Cairo and Doha, Deputy Secretary-General of the Islamic Jihad Movement in Palestine said late on Sunday.
"The Jihad Movement is an essential part of the discussions on stopping the aggression against our people in Gaza in the context of a prisoner swap deal," Dr. Muhammad al-Hindi added in a press statement to Al-Araby al-Jadeed newspaper.
"It is true that the Hamas movement is authorized to negotiate, but consultations with the movement are ongoing, and last week, extensive meetings were held with Hamas leaders in Cairo to discuss stopping the aggression and the exchange deal."
He noted that "what is happening in Gaza is a genocide committed by Israel with full American support and cover in an attempt to force displacement on our people in the Strip."
Regarding the Movement's vision for ending the war in light of the current contacts, Al-Hindi confirmed that "the completion of the exchange deal with Egyptian and Qatari mediation ends with the cessation of aggression and withdrawal from the Strip."
"Any continuation of aggression means that the confrontation will turn into a long-term war of attrition."
Regarding the "Jihad" vision for the post-war scene, Al-Hindi said: "The day after the cessation of aggression, there is a battle to provide relief to our people and rebuild."
"In this context, there was a path to forming a national consensus government to manage the West Bank and Gaza, and take on this task. In the face of the Palestinian Authority's rejection, Egypt proposed - with cover from the Riyadh Summit - the formation of a Gaza Support Committee, and responded to all the Authority's conditions in forming the committee and its legal and administrative reference to the Abu Mazen government and its formation under a decree from him. Until now, the Authority's approval to participate in it has not come."
He pointed out that "the support committee is made up of experts and not factions, and we do not participate in it, but we support this trend and the Egyptian proposal."
Al-Hindi expressed the tension in his movement's relationship with the PA in the occupied West Bank, against the backdrop of its fabricated aggression against the resistance in the Jenin camp in service of the enemy's agenda.
Source:saba.ye
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Settlers storm al-Aqsa Mosque against under police protection
Dec 30, 2024
The occupation forces tightened restrictions on the entry of Palestinian worshippers to al-Aqsa, imposing stringent military measures at all the mosque's gates, as well as around the Old City of al-Quds and its entrances, Al Mayadeen reported.
This incursion coincides with the fifth day of the Hanukkah holiday, the Jewish festival of light, during which settlers have called for increased incursions into the mosque, which continues until the end of this week.
The Al Mayadeen report added that in a relevant development, Israeli occupation forces also raided Wadi al-Qelt in Areeha, in the occupied West Bank, closing roads and streets near the Aqabat Jabr refugee camp with earthen berms.
Source:mehrnews.com
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Gulf cooperation council chief affirms support for Syria during visit
December 31, 2024
RIYADH: Jasem Al-Budaiwi, Secretary General of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC), met on Monday with Syria’s new leader Ahmed Al-Sharaa in the capital Damascus, the Saudi Press Agency said.
Al-Budaiwi said the visit affirms the GCC’s support for Syria’s unity and stability to achieve security, prosperity, and development for the Syrian people.
The secretary-general, who was accompanied by Kuwait’s FM Abdullah Al-Yahya, said that the Gulf countries have always stressed the need to respect Syria’s sovereignty, independence and territorial integrity, reject foreign interventions, and combat terrorism and extremism, while respecting religious and cultural diversity in the country.
He condemned the repeated Israeli attacks on Syrian territory, calling on Israel to withdraw its forces from occupied Syrian lands.
Al-Budaiwi stressed that the Golan Heights are Syrian land and rejected any Israeli settlement expansion in the plateau.
He reiterated the need to lift economic sanctions on Syria and provide humanitarian and economic support to the Syrian people to alleviate their suffering and enhance efforts to rebuild the country.
He stressed the importance of supporting national reconciliation, rebuilding the Syrian state, ensuring civilian safety, the decision to dissolve militias and armed factions, and confining weapons to the state’s control.
The GCC “welcomes the UN's call to establish a special mission to support the political transition process in accordance with the principles of the UN Charter to help the Syrian people achieve a Syrian-led political process,” Al-Budaiwi said.
Source:arabnews.com
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Ceasefire between Turkiye and US-backed SDF in northern Syria holding, Pentagon says
December 31, 2024
WASHINGTON: The Pentagon said on Monday a ceasefire between Turkiye and the US-backed Kurdish Syrian forces around the northern Syrian city of Manbij was holding.
Washington brokered an initial ceasefire earlier this month after fighting that broke out as rebel groups advanced on Damascus and overthrew the rule of Bashar Assad. But on Dec. 19, a Turkish defense ministry official said there was no talk of a ceasefire deal between Ankara and the SDF.
“The ceasefire is holding in that northern part of Syria,” Pentagon spokesperson Sabrina Singh told reporters.
The SDF is the main ally in a US coalition against Daesh militants in Syria. It is spearheaded by the YPG militia, a group that Ankara sees as an extension of Kurdistan Workers Party (PKK) militants that it outlaws and who have fought the Turkish state for 40 years.
Turkiye regards the PKK, YPG and SDF as terrorist groups.
The US and Turkiye’s Western allies list the PKK as terrorist, but not the YPG and the SDF.
The United States has about 2,000 US troops in Syria that have been working with the SDF to fight Daesh militants and prevent a resurgence of the group, which in 2014 seized large swathes of Iraq and Syria but was later pushed back.
Source:arabnews.com
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French ministers in Lebanon for talks month into Israel-Hezbollah truce
December 30, 2024
BEIRUT: France’s top diplomat and defense chief arrived on Monday in Lebanon, where a fragile truce since late November ended intense fighting between Israel and militant group Hezbollah.
Foreign Minister Jean-Noel Barrot and Defense Minister Sebastien Lecornu met with Lebanon’s army chief Joseph Aoun, and on Tuesday are due to visit UN peacekeepers near the Israeli border.
A Lebanese army statement on social media said that Aoun and the visiting ministers discussed “ways to strengthen cooperation relations between the armies of the two countries and to continue support for the army in light of current circumstances.”
Aoun, who is being touted as a possible candidate for Lebanon’s president, has been tasked with deploying troops in the south of the country since the Israel-Hezbollah ceasefire came into effect on November 27.
Lecornu said on X that he is also due to meet with a French general representing Paris “within the ceasefire monitoring mechanism.”
“Our armies are, and will remain, committed to the stability of Lebanon and the region,” he said.
The monitoring body brings together Lebanon, Israel, the United States, France and the United Nations’ UNIFIL peacekeeping mission. It is meant to support the implementation of the ceasefire and assess violations.
On Thursday, UNIFIL said it was “concerned” by “the continued destruction” carried out by the Israeli army in southern Lebanon, despite the truce.
Lecornu and Barrot are scheduled to meet on Tuesday with French soldiers deployed with UNIFIL in south Lebanon.
Source:arabnews.com
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Israel must face consequences over Gaza campaign: UN experts
December 30, 2024
GENEVA: United Nations rights experts on Monday said Israel must face the consequences of “inflicting maximum suffering” on Palestinian civilians in Gaza, alleging Israel was defying international law and being sheltered by its allies.
“International humanitarian law comprises a set of universal and binding rules to protect civilian objects and persons who are not, or are no longer, directly participating in hostilities and limits permissible means and methods of warfare,” the 11 experts said in a joint statement.
“Rather than abide by these rules, Israel has openly defied international law time and again, inflicting maximum suffering on civilians in the occupied Palestinian territory and beyond.
“Israel continues to face no real consequences, largely due to protection offered by its allies.”
The Gaza war was triggered by the Hamas-led October 7, 2023, attack on Israel.
That resulted in 1,208 deaths, mostly civilians, according to an AFP tally of Israeli official figures.
Israel’s retaliatory military campaign has killed more than 45,500 people in Gaza, a majority of them civilians, according to figures from the Hamas-run territory’s health ministry that the UN considers reliable.
The experts highlighted alleged crimes against humanity committed by Israel “including murder, torture, sexual violence, and repeated forced displacement amounting to forcible transfer.”
They also noted alleged war crimes including “indiscriminate attacks on civilians and civilian objects... the use of starvation as a weapon of war” and “collective punishment.”
They said civilians were protected persons and did not constitute military objectives under international law.
“Acts aimed at their destruction in whole or in part are genocidal,” they added.
The experts called for urgent, independent and thorough investigations into alleged serious violations of international law.
“Israel’s continued impunity sends a dangerous message... Israel and its leaders must be held accountable,” they said.
The experts said they were particularly alarmed by Israel’s operations in the northern Gaza Strip.
Since October 6 this year, Israeli operations in Gaza have focused on the north, with officials saying their land and air offensive aims to prevent Hamas from regrouping.
“This siege, coupled with expanding evacuation orders, appears intended to permanently displace the local population as a precursor to Gaza’s annexation,” the experts said.
UN rights experts are independent figures mandated by the Human Rights Council. They do not therefore speak for the United Nations itself.
The 11 experts included the special rapporteurs on internally displaced persons; cultural rights; education; physical and mental health; arbitrary executions; the right to food; and protecting rights while countering terrorism.
Francesca Albanese, the special rapporteur on the rights situation in the occupied Palestinian territories, was also among the experts.
Israel has demanded her removal, branding her a “political activist” abusing her mandate “to hide her hatred for Israel.”
Source:arabnews.com
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Two killed in Gaza as aid convoy looted: WFP
December 30, 2024
GAZA STRIP: Two people have been killed in northern Gaza as gunmen attacked an aid convoy, the World Food Programme said Monday, prompting Hamas to accuse to UN agency of having failed to coordinate security.
Gazans face dire conditions after nearly 15 months of war, triggered by Hamas’s October 7, 2023 attack on Israel, with humanitarian agencies repeatedly warning not enough aid was reaching Palestinians in need due in part to looting as well as Israeli restrictions.
The World Food Programme (WFP) said in a statement that “a coordinated movement to bring in 40 trucks on behalf of humanitarian partners” on Sunday “was faced with violent, armed looting, resulting in the deaths of two.”
“Amidst the armed looting, five trucks of commodities were lost,” it added.
Hamas, the Palestinian group that runs the Gaza Strip, said in a statement that “a catastrophic mistake” by the WFP “claimed the lives of two citizens and injured dozens with bullets.”
“We hold it fully responsible and demand that it not violate the protocol followed regarding coordination to secure aid trucks,” the statement said.
The WFP said in its statement that for the past two weeks, “nearly every movement of aid through crossings in south and central Gaza has resulted in violence, looting and tragic deaths due to attacks and the absence of law and order along convoy routes inside Gaza.”
The organization said that it was still following “procedures of coordination set in place in previous months” and that it had “repeatedly warned of the dangers of movement in the absence of law and order” in the Palestinian territory.
For months, both Israel and aid agencies including the WFP have noted widespread looting by armed gangs, as well as civilians desperate for supplies.
Humanitarian agencies also say the delivery routes they take through Gaza are sometimes blocked by Israeli military activity.
Aid organizations have repeatedly warned of the deteriorating conditions in Gaza, saying civilians are starving and that aid shipments in recent months have been lower than at any time during the war.
Source:arabnews.com
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More than half of Syrian children out of school: Save the Children to AFP
December 30, 2024
DAMASCUS: About half of school-age children in Syria are missing out on education after nearly 14 years of civil war, Save the Children told AFP on Monday, calling for “immediate action.”
The overwhelming majority of Syrian children are also in need of immediate humanitarian assistance including food, the charity said, with at least half of them requiring psychological help to overcome war trauma.
“Around 3.7 million children are out of school and they require immediate action to reintegrate them in school,” Rasha Muhrez, the charity’s Syria director, told AFP in an interview from the capital Damascus, adding “this is more than half of the children at school age.”
While Syrians have endured more than a decade of conflict, the rapid rebel offensive that toppled president Bashar Assad on December 8 caused further disruption, with the UN reporting more than 700,000 people newly displaced.
“Some of the schools were used as shelters again due to the new wave of displaced people,” Muhrez told AFP.
The war, which began in 2011 after Assad’s brutal crackdown on anti-government protesters, has devastated Syria’s economy and public infrastructure leaving many children vulnerable.
Muhrez said “about 7.5 million children are in need of immediate humanitarian assistance.”
“We need to make sure the children can come back to education, to make sure that they have access again to health, to food and that they are protected,” Muhrez said.
“Children were deprived of their basic rights including access to education, to health care, to protection, to shelter,” by the civil war, but also natural disasters and economic crises, she said.
Syria’s war spiralled rapidly from 2011 into a major civil conflict that has killed more than 500,000 people and displaced millions.
More than one in four Syrians now live in extreme poverty according to the World Bank, with the deadly February 2023 earthquake bringing more misery.
Many children who grew up during the war have been traumatized by the violence, said Muhrez.
“This had a huge impact, a huge traumatic impact on them, for various reasons, for losses: a parent, a sibling, a friend, a house,” she said.
According to Save the Children, around 6.4 million children are in need of psychological help.
Muhrez also warned that “continued coercive measures and sanctions on Syria have the largest impact on the Syrian people themselves.”
Syria has been under strict Western sanctions aimed at Assad’s government, including from the United States and European Union, since early in the war.
On Sunday, Syria’s de facto leader Ahmed Al-Sharaa expressed hope that the incoming administration of US President-elect Donald Trump would lift sanctions.
“It’s very difficult for us to continue responding to the needs and to reach people in need with limited resources with these restrictive measures,” she said.
Source:arabnews.com
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Arab World
Museums Commission appeals for applicants in virtual reality competition
December 31, 2024
RIYADH: The Kingdom’s Museums Commission has appealed for applicants for its virtual reality competition, an innovative initiative aimed at enhancing education and promoting technological advancement in the sector, the Saudi Press Agency reported.
The competition, which opened on Dec. 6, invites young people to create immersive and interactive educational experiences that utilize virtual reality to spotlight Saudi Arabia’s cultural heritage and help transform the role of museums in society, the SPA added.
The competition targets a diverse range of participants, including students and graduates specializing in information technology, computer science, digital design, and fine arts.
Developers and programmers with an interest in virtual reality, as well as artists and designers keen to blend technology with art, have also been encouraged to apply.
The initiative also welcomes culture enthusiasts with a technological background who want to explore VR applications in museums, as well as storytellers with a passion for narrating the history and civilization of their cities or regions.
Successful participants will undergo a four-month training program designed to develop their skills in virtual reality design and programming.
The competition will unfold in four stages: the selection of trainees, VR training and development, the creation of interactive educational experiences, and the evaluation and judging of entries.
Winners will be celebrated through regional ceremonies held across the Kingdom.
The Museums Commission said its ambition was to inspire future generations and foster a deeper appreciation for cultural heritage through the initiative. By integrating cutting-edge technology and storytelling, the competition aims to reimagine museums as dynamic platforms for learning and engagement, it added.
Registration for the competition can be made on the official Museums Commission website and its social media channels.
https://www.arabnews.com/node/2584787/saudi-arabia
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Saudi adventurer triumphant after crossing the Empty Quarter
SALEH FAREED
December 30, 2024
JEDDAH: Badr Al-Shaibani, a Saudi Arabia adventurer and entrepreneur, has successfully completed a 600 km solo crossing of the largest sand desert in the world.
Al-Shaibani departed from Umm Hadid on Dec. 15, the site of a famous meteorite impact, where he set up his first camp. He walked for over 14 days and completed the journey on Dec. 29 at the breathtaking Umm Al-Hayesh Lake — one of the Empty Quarter’s natural wonders.
Speaking to Arab News after completing his adventure, 45-year-old Al-Shaibani said: “Crossing the Empty Quarter on foot is one of the most thrilling adventures I have ever done. It is a really special experience.
“I am so proud to be the first Saudi to traverse such a vast distance on foot, and I hope this journey inspires young Saudis to explore the nature of our country and spotlight Saudi Arabia’s diverse potential as a truly unique global tourist destination.”
His journey began by heading toward Tawil Al-Khatam, a challenging 200 km stretch that he traversed in five days at an average pace of 40 km per day.
Later on, Al-Shaibani continued toward Umm Al-Qurun, covering 90 km, before completing another 45 km to Bayd Al-Laha.
The third and final leg led him to the Al-Qa’d region near the Sabkha salt flats through a 60 km route. His expedition concluded at the breathtaking Umm Al-Hayesh Lake after trekking an additional 160 km.
From battling the weather to navigating endless dunes, this adventure pushed Al-Shaibani to the limit both physically and mentally. “I discovered the beauty and harshness of the Empty Quarter’s untamed wilderness, where there is a constant challenge, but the rewards are incredible.”
Speaking of challenges he faced, he said: “The first two days, I faced strong storms and winds called savi, and after a while the sun was also strong. Other than that, I am used to walking on ice or climbing mountains, but walking and climbing the soft sand was a big challenge for me. I really faced difficulty climbing the sand because it takes a lot of effort.”
Being so far from civilization exposed him to new experiences. “During the day I could see with my eyes. During the night, the exploration changes,” he said.
“Being alone in the darkness, you explore something you wouldn’t normally see during your life, it was an amazing scene which makes you wonder how Allah created this part of the world.”
He was happy to complete the adventure not only to add it to his achievements but also to document and capture the majestic beauty of the largest continuous sand desert in the world.
“The Empty Quarter, with its distinctive natural heritage and captivating beauty, stands as one of the Kingdom’s most remarkable yet largely undiscovered treasures,” he said.
“This destination has the potential to become a major attraction for tourists from home and abroad, especially with initiatives that promote desert tourism and encourage the exploration of the Kingdom’s unique natural environment.”
Al-Shaibani told Arab News he wants to inspire young people and champion Saudi Arabia as a land where heritage, nature and adventure converge.
Source:arabnews.com
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King Salman, crown prince send condolences to US President Biden on death of Jimmy Carter
December 30, 2024
RIYADH: King Salman and Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman on Monday sent cables of condolences to US President Joe Biden on the death of former US President Jimmy Carter, who died on Sunday aged 100.
According to the Saudi Press Agency, the king said: “We received the news of the death of former US President Jimmy Carter, and we express to Your Excellency, the family of the deceased and your friendly people our deepest condolences and sincere sympathy, hoping that you will not see any harm or misfortune.”
The crown prince sent a similar cable to Biden, SPA added.
Carter, who was in the White House from 1977 to 1981, died more than a year after entering hospice care, at his home in the small town of Plains, Georgia, where he and his wife, Rosalynn, who died at 96 in November 2023, spent most of their lives.
Source:arabnews.com
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British explorer Alice Morrison to embark on 2,500-km trek across Saudi Arabia
December 30, 2024
RIYADH: British explorer and television presenter Alice Morrison is preparing for a groundbreaking expedition that will see her traverse Saudi Arabia on foot, becoming the first person to journey from the Kingdom’s far north to its far south, the Saudi Press Agency reported on Monday.
Her ambitious five-month trek begins on Jan. 1, covering a distance of 2,500 km.
Accompanied by local guides and camels, Morrison will navigate Saudi Arabia’s diverse terrains, including its deserts, oases, and mountains.
Her journey is driven by three key objectives: to uncover new landmarks and historical insights, to spotlight the significant role of Saudi women in society, and to showcase the nation’s natural beauty and environmental conservation efforts, SPA added.
“I have been studying Arabic and the Middle East for 45 years,” she said as she reflected on her upcoming adventure. “Now, I get to explore the heart of Arabia.”
By retracing ancient caravan routes, Morrison said she is aiming to shed light on the historical narratives that defined the region while offering fresh perspectives on a nation undergoing rapid transformation and modernization.
A significant milestone on her route will be AlUla, a location steeped in history and heritage. This destination is familiar to Morrison, who featured it in her recent series “Arabian Adventure: The Secrets of the Nabateans,” which aired earlier this year on the BBC.
“The route I am taking is stuffed with history, so I’ll be searching for new sites. I’m also walking through climate change and will be recording my findings,” she explained. “The desert is a harsh mistress, and I am sure she will be teaching me many lessons along the route.”
Morrison is equally passionate about connecting with Saudi women during her journey, dedicating time to hear their stories and share their experiences.
“As a female explorer, I am willing to spend time with Saudi women telling their stories,” Morrison said, emphasizing the importance of engaging with local communities.
At 61, Morrison sees her expedition as an inspiration for others to pursue their dreams, regardless of age, and a means of fostering greater interest in and understanding of the Kingdom.
“I am a mid-life woman, and I hope my adventure inspires others to get out and follow their dreams. I couldn’t have attempted this at 25; I needed the life experience to get me here.”
Source:arabnews.com
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Saudi program to train future ambassadors of moderation globally
December 30, 2024
RIYADH: Saudi Minister of Islamic Affairs Sheikh Abdullatif Al-Asheikh and Minister of Education Yousef Al-Benyan recently inaugurated the Fellowship of Moderation and Fairness program for scholarship students in Saudi Arabia.
Launched at the Ministry of Islamic Affairs headquarters in Riyadh, the program is supervised by both ministries, Saudi universities and donor institutions in the nonprofit sector.
Al-Asheikh said that the program reflects the Kingdom’s commitment to serving Islam and Muslims, and aligns with its vision to promote moderation based on solid principles and authentic traditions.
The program combines rigorous scientific methodology with practical applications to train select international students at Saudi universities as ambassadors of moderation within their communities, he added.
The fellowship represents an integrated training system that fosters cognitive and leadership excellence, preparing graduates to address contemporary challenges and contribute to a cooperative and prosperous future.
President of King Abdulaziz University Tareef Al-Alaama said that the fellowship was launched in the summer with support from the Endowment of King Abdullah bin Abdulaziz for His Parents and under the direct supervision of the Ministry of Islamic Affairs.
The program attracted significant interest, with about 300 male and female students from various nationalities applying. After a thorough nomination and selection process, 60 people from 40 countries were selected.
Ten seats are reserved in honor of the minister of Islamic affairs for exceptional students from Muslim minority communities worldwide, recognizing their efforts in promoting moderation and combating hatred and extremism.
In conjunction with the program’s launch, the General Authority of Awqaf, the King Abdullah bin Abdulaziz Foundation for Developmental Housing and the Al-Rajhi Endowment pledged almost SR4 million ($1 million) to support the initiative.
The contributions highlight the program’s role in promoting the values of moderation, in line with the ministry’s mission and the directives of Saudi leadership.
Source:arabnews.com
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Syrian FM Al-Shibani receives invitation to visit Saudi Arabia
December 30, 2024
DUBAI: Foreign Minister of the transitional government in Syria, Asaad Hassan Al-Shibani, said on X on Monday that he had accepted an invitation from his Saudi counterpart Prince Faisal bin Farhan to visit the Kingdom, in what would be his first foreign trip since the ouster of former president Bashar Assad on Dec. 8.
“We look forward to building strategic relations with Saudi Arabia in all fields,” read a statement posted on the Syrian Arab News Agency's X account.
Al-Shibani has expressed optimism about the future of Syrian-Saudi relations, and has emphasized the importance of building strategic ties in all fields, SANA reported.
He added, “I am honored to represent my country and look forward to this opportunity to enhance cooperation and dialogue.”
It follows comments made by Syria’s new leader, Ahmed Al-Sharaa, who said Saudi Arabia had a major role to play in his country’s future during an interview with Al Arabiya, which aired on Sunday.
“Saudi Arabia has a major role in Syria’s future, and I take pride in everything it has done for us,” he said, adding that he spent his early childhood in Riyadh and hoped to visit the city again.
Al-Sharaa also praised recent Saudi statements as “very positive” and commended Riyadh’s efforts toward stabilizing Syria.
Earlier this month, a high-ranking Saudi delegation headed by an advisor to the Royal Court visited Syria and met with Al-Sharaa in Damascus.
Source:arabnews.com
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North America
US Says Guantanamo Inmate, Ridah Bin Saleh al-Yazidi, Sent Back To Tunisia
31 Dec, 2024
Guantanamo Bay inmate Ridah Bin Saleh al-Yazidi has been repatriated to Tunisia, the US Department of Defense says.
He was found eligible for transfer from the detention facility after a "rigorous interagency review process", a press statement said.
The Pentagon did not say if Mr Yazidi had accepted any guilt.
Since 2002, the Guantanamo Bay detention facility has been used to hold what the US describes as captured unlawful combatants during America's "war on terror".
The camp is part of a US naval base complex in south-eastern Cuba.
According to an unconfirmed report by the New York Times, Mr Yazidi was never charged and was approved for transfer more than a decade ago.
The newspaper also said he had been at Guantanamo Bay since the facility was first set up in 2002.
According to Monday's Pentagon statement, 26 detainees remain at Guantanamo Bay, of whom 14 are eligible for transfer.
Earlier in December, the Pentagon announced that the US had repatriated three other detainees, the Associated Press news agency reported.
The camp was established by the Bush administration to detain the most dangerous suspects for interrogation and the prosecution of war crimes.
Controversy has centred around the period of time detainees have been held without charge and the use of interrogation techniques.
Source:bbc.com
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What we know about US H-1B visas Trump supporters are clashing over
31 Dec, 2024
An immigration row has erupted between Donald Trump's supporters over a long-standing US visa programme.
The feud is about H-1B visas, which allow US-based companies to bring in skilled workers from abroad into certain industries.
Some immigration hardliners say the scheme undercuts American workers - but proponents say the visas allow the US to attract the best expertise from around the world.
The president-elect has weighed in, saying he supports the programme - despite being critical of it in the past - and tech billionaire Elon Musk has also defended it, saying it attracts the "top ~0.1% of engineering talent".
Here's what the data tell us about who gets into the US on these visas.
How many people are approved each year?
The H-1B visas for skilled workers were introduced in 1990. They are typically granted for three years, but can be extended for up to six years.
Since 2004, the number of new H-1B visas issued has been capped at 85,000 per year - 20,000 of which are reserved for foreign students with master's degrees or higher from US universities.
However, that cap does not apply to some institutions such as universities, think tanks and other non-profit research groups, so more are often issued.
People can only apply for an H-1B visa if they have a job lined up with a US-based sponsor company or institution.
The US government also approves extensions for those already working in the country.
Just over 386,000 H-1B applications were approved in the 2023 fiscal year (October 2022-September 2023), the latest year we have full data for, according to US Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) figures.
That includes almost 119,000 new H-1B visas and about 267,000 extensions to existing visas.
The 2023 total is down from more than 474,000 in 2022.
There have been efforts to restrict the H-1B further programme in the past.
In 2017, then-president Trump signed an executive order that increased scrutiny of H-1B visa applications. The order sought to enhance fraud detection within the scheme.
Rejection rates hit an all-time high under the first Trump administration, reaching 24% in the 2018 fiscal year, compared with rejection rates of between 5-8% under the Obama administration and between 2-4% under President Biden.
However, the total number of approved applicants under the Biden administration has been similar to that under Trump's first.
In the three years that followed President Trump's executive order (2018-2020), about 1.1 million applications were approved, with about 343,000 of those being first-time applicants.
In the first three years of the Biden administration (2021-2023), about 1.2 million applications were approved, with almost 375,000 being new applicants.
Demand often exceeds the amount of visas granted - in most years there are thousands more applications filed than approved.
In cases in which more applications are received than visas are available, US Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) effectively runs the H-1B programme as a lottery - which detractors believe highlights a fundamental flaw in the system.
"Ultimately, if you're going to have a skilled worker programme for 'skilled' workers, you don't award these visas via a lottery," said Eric Ruark, the director of research at NumbersUSA, an organisation that advocates for tighter immigration controls.
"Obviously, that's not how you find the best and the brightest."
We don't have a full report on the 2024 numbers yet, but preliminary figures suggest applications have increased sharply.
The number of eligible registrations published by the USCIS showed 758,994 applications in the 2024 fiscal year, compared with 474,421 in 2023.
With Trump headed back to the White House in January, Mr Ruark said he believes that the resolution of the H-1B debate will ultimately be among the factors that defines his presidency.
"Is that second term going to be pro-American worker, or revert to the old establishment Republican position that immigration is designed to help employers - at the expense of American workers?" he said.
"That's going to be a huge fight in the second term."
What industries and companies do they work in?
The vast majority of approved applicants work in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics.
Most are in computer-related occupations - 65% in the 2023 fiscal year.
This was followed by architecture, engineering and surveying - about 10% of people approved in 2023 worked in those sectors.
In terms of companies, Amazon was the top employer of people on H-1B visas in 2024, hiring more than 13,000 staff via the scheme.
Other familiar names like Google, Meta, and Apple feature high on the employer list - ranking 4th, 6th and 8th respectively.
Tesla, one of the companies owned by Elon Musk - who has backed the programme - ranked 22nd, employing more than 1,700 people on an H-1B visa.
California and Texas were the states with the most people working on an H-1B visa in 2024.
How much do they earn?
The median yearly income of people working in the US on an H-1B visa in 2023 was $118,000 (£94,046).
The median yearly income for people in computer and mathematical occupations across the US is about $113,000 - slightly less than those in similar sectors via the H-1B programme.
The median household income in the US is about $60,000 per year.
While opponents of the H-1B system often make the argument that H-1B holders undercut the salaries of American workers, some immigration lawyers and experts push back on that notion.
The vast majority of H-1B holders earn more than the "prevailing wage" for their occupation - a Department of Labor-determined figure that calculates the average wage paid to similarly employed workers in a particular part of the country.
Shev Dalal-Dheini, senior director of government relations at the American Immigration Lawyers Association, told the BBC that, while prevailing wages "are not a full labour market test", they are indicative of the fact that H-1B visa holders aren't negatively affecting the rest of the workforce.
"Let's say you're a software engineer in Washington DC. You look at the going rate for software engineers in DC, and you have to certify that you're paying at least that amount," said Ms Dalal-Dheini, who also worked on H-1B issues while as an official at USCIS.
"You're not really undercutting wages that way."
Additionally, Ms Dalal-Dheini said that US firms must also pay significant fees to file H-1B petitions, often in addition to lawyer fees.
"Companies that end up sponsoring H-1B [recipients] are looking at costs of up to $5,000 to $10,000 in addition to what you would have to pay an American worker," she said.
"The bottom line is that if they could find an American worker that was qualified, most companies would probably choose to hire that American worker, because it would be a cost savings."
Where are people coming from?
The vast majority of those approved come from India.
The latest data showed around 72% of visas were issued to Indian nationals, followed by 12% to Chinese citizens.
About 1% came from the Philippines, Canada and South Korea respectively.
Source:bbc.com
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Trump endorses Mike Johnson to remain as House speaker
31 Dec, 2024
US President-elect Donald Trump has endorsed Representative Mike Johnson to continue on in the role of House Speaker, just days before lawmakers are set to decide on who will hold the position.
The House of Representatives is scheduled to vote on a Speaker on Friday, during the first day of the 119th congressional session.
Johnson faces some opposition from within his own party after working with Democrats on a bipartisan funding plan earlier this month.
Republicans have a slim majority in the House, giving Johnson little room for defectors if he is to remain in the role, which he has held since October 2023.
Johnson, a Louisiana lawmaker, can afford to lose only two votes from his own party in order to keep the Speaker's gavel.
"Speaker Mike Johnson is a good, hard working, religious man. He will do the right thing, and we will continue to WIN. Mike has my Complete & Total Endorsement. MAGA!!!" Trump wrote in a social media post on Monday.
Kentucky Congressman Thomas Massie has already indicated he will vote no, despite the president-elect's backing of Johnson.
Several other Republicans appear to be undecided.
Trump's endorsement of Johnson may be the latest test of his influence over congressional Republicans, and if it will be enough to sway those who are undecided.
Johnson said in a statement posted on X, formerly Twitter, that he is "honored and humbled" to receive Trump's support.
"Together, we will quickly deliver on your America First agenda and usher in the new golden age of America," he said.
Republicans' frustration with Johnson stems from his handling of a recent government funding agreement.
Johnson reached the bipartisan deal with Democrats to avoid a government shutdown ahead of a 20 December deadline. Many Republicans did not support some of the Democrat-backed provisions included in the agreement.
Trump derailed Johnson's initial deal with the help of tech billionaire Elon Musk - who argued it contained wasteful spending - and called for an agreement that would also increase the federal borrowing limit.
The House of Representatives voted against the Trump-backed spending bill, with dozens of Republicans defying him by joining Democrats to reject the revised funding measure.
A final version of the bill, which eventually passed in both the House and the Senate, did not include a provision on the debt ceiling, raising the question as to whether Johnson's failure to meet Trump's demands had angered the incoming president, who will take office in late January.
The final bill removed measures sought by Democrats in the first version, including the first pay rise for lawmakers since 2009, healthcare reforms, and provisions aimed at preventing hotels and live event venues from deceptive advertising.
House Speakers have faced rebellions before.
Lawmakers ousted former Republican Speaker Kevin McCarthy in 2023, when hardliners in his party voted against him after he struck a deal with Senate Democrats to fund government agencies.
Source:bbc.com
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Southeast Asia
MADANI govt marching on with successes for a new year of greater prosperity
BERNAMA
31-12- 2024
KUALA LUMPUR: This year saw the MADANI Government riding a wave of successes through an economic boom, propelled by hard work throughout 2024 for the benefit of the people and country.
Among the key initiatives highlighted was the New Industrial Master Plan 2023 (NIMP 2030), which lays out a clear action plan over seven years, focusing on strategic investment, workforce development and a R&D culture for high-tech industries, with a vision to transform Malaysia into a high-income developed country by 2030.Tarikan pelancongan Malaysia
According to a provost of Malaysia University of Science and Technology (MUST), Prof Emeritus Dr Barjoyai Bardai, the implementation of NIMP 2030 as of the second quarter of 2024 continued to bear fruit with various important achievements recorded, including a 0.9 per cent increase in employment opportunities.
He said the 200,000 new job opportunities created were able to strengthen Malaysia’s position as an employment hub in the high-tech sector.
“Certainly, new jobs help the people but we need to be prepared for changes in the employment sector where employers and industries are focused on semi-skilled and skilled workers in line with the government’s efforts to migrate to an artificial intelligence (AI) and digital economy.
“We have more than 17 million workers and 70 pct of them are unskilled and need training immediately, whereupon this also sends an important signal to the Human Resources Development Corporation Berhad (HRDF Corp) that it needs to invest more to improve the skills of these workers,” he told Bernama.
For more added value, the MADANI Government has also proven its commitment to developing highly qualified human capital, in line with the needs of modern industry with 1,057 technical experts having received training.Tarikan pelancongan Malaysia
Barjoyai said this was a bold initial step by the government led by Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim to send a group of national workers for training, thus upskilling local workers.
“In fact, we need to be quicker in sending our workers to undergo training for a month or three months through micro-credentials offered at higher learning institutions, particularly in AI and big data courses,“ he said.
Geo-strategist Prof Dr Azmi Hassan said that among the significant achievements of the MADANI Government this year can be seen through the total distribution of income from the Amanah Saham Bumiputera (ASB) of 5.75 sen which was announced on Dec 24.
In fact, he said that the increasingly strong position of the ringgit against the USD also reflects economic stability and foreign investor confidence in this country because the MADANI Government has succeeded in creating political stability throughout its more than two years of administration.
“This political stability reflects that investors have confidence in a strong economic structure, so the encouraging ASB dividend and the strengthening position of the ringgit are due to political stability.
“So I see this as a gift from the MADANI Government to the people of Malaysia because since 2018 ... political stability (in Malaysia) has been quite shaky,” he said when contacted by Bernama.Tarikan pelancongan Malaysia
The Senior Fellow of the Nusantara Strategic Research Academy said that when the country achieves political stability to drive longer term prosperity, the Cabinet can focus all its attention on forming policies for the benefit of the people such as the progress of NIMP 2030, which among other things aims to increase job opportunities.
“NIMP is more focused on increasing job opportunities and is like technical training because the prime minister emphasised in his MADANI concept to prioritise new and latest technologies in economic development, which is why it is stated that every citizen must understand what is meant by artificial intelligence,” he said, as 2025 will see the MADANI Government pursue greater ASEAN integration to drum up domestic investments.
Source:thesun.my
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Three men charged over fake quotations used to deceive Sultan Mosque
31 Dec 2024
SINGAPORE: Three men allegedly ran a scheme to deceive Sultan Mosque by submitting fake quotations for a digitalisation project in order to make a company's bid appear more attractive.
A fourth man, whose link to the scheme has not been specified, also allegedly lied to the Islamic Religious Council of Singapore (MUIS) about his connections to the company in question, Qirom Consulting.
The quartet – Mohamad Daud A Rahim, Mohd Nasir Mohd Sairi, Mohd Nasral Awang and Mohd Zairil Ismail – were charged on Tuesday (Dec 31).
Daud, 60, was the director of Qirom Consulting. He is accused of instigating Nasir, 59, and Nasral, 44, to issue fake quotations from their respective companies.
Sometime in August and September 2022, Nasir, the director of Fatiin Multimedia, allegedly falsified a quotation for S$24,900. He purportedly knew that Fatiin did not intend to undertake the digitalisation works.
Nasral, the director of Onaga Sys, is accused of doing the same with a fake quotation for S$56,000 in October 2022.
Daud then allegedly submitted the fake quotations to a finance and human resource manager of Sultan Mosque.
He is suspected of doing this to deceive Sultan Mosque into believing that Qirom's quotation for the digitalisation project was competitive, the Corrupt Practices Investigation Bureau (CPIB) said in a press release.
Daud faces two charges of abetting the falsification of accounts and two charges of corruption. Nasir and Nasral were each given a charge of abetting the falsification of accounts.
The fourth man, Zairil, 53, was a senior manager with the Mosque-Madrasah-Wakaf Shared Services.
This is a committee formed by MUIS to provide common financial and administrative functions for the sector.
In June 2023, Zairil came under internal investigation by MUIS.
During the probe, he allegedly lied to a MUIS deputy director that he did not have any personal or financial interest in Qirom, and had never received any payment from Qirom.
Zairil faces a charge of giving false information to a public servant, knowing it would likely cause the deputy director to cease further investigations into his connections to Qirom.
Separately, around Sep 5, 2023, Zairil allegedly had pepper spray without a licence. He faces one charge under the Arms and Explosives Act for this.
Corruption is punishable with a jail term of up to five years, a fine of up to S$100,000, or both.
The penalty for falsifying accounts is imprisonment for up to 10 years, a fine, or both.
For giving false information to a public servant, an offender can be jailed for up to two years, fined, or both.
"Organisations are strongly advised to put in place robust procedures, in areas such as procurement and internal audit, to prevent falling victim to corrupt acts by their employees," CPIB said.
Editor's note: This article has been amended to reflect that Mohd Zairil Ismail's charges are only in relation to Qirom Consulting and not the false quotations scheme. We apologise for the error.
Source:channelnewsasia.com
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Fatwa Council Guidelines: Muslims Can't Join Events With Christmas Trees
Dec 31, 2024
PAS is continuing to hammer DAP over a Christmas celebration at the Housing and Local Government Ministry.
Central to their argument is that minister Nga Kor Ming had not complied with a 2005 guideline issued by the National Fatwa Council on Muslims attending non-Muslim festive celebrations.
Source:malaysiakini.com
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https://www.malaysiakini.com/news/730262
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Anwar’s ASEAN strategy: Advisory team with Thaksin signals bold regional leadership
BERNAMA
31-12- 2024
BANGKOK: Malaysia’s Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim has displayed his political astuteness by appointing former Thai prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra to his advisory team, according to a veteran Thai journalist specialising in regional affairs
In an opinion piece published in the Bangkok Post recently, Kavi Chongkittavorn described the decision “reflects his (Anwar) understanding of regional traits and dynamics, where former leaders and influential figures can hold sway over multifaceted regional outlooks”.
According to him, several prominent names were reported in the media as prospective members of the team, including former foreign ministers of Singapore and Indonesia, George Yeo and Retno Marsudi.
“The Thai media believes former Cambodian prime minister Hun Sen is also in the team. In the future, other former Asean leaders could join the line-up,” he wrote.
Titled “Malaysia’s ASEAN chair with a twist”, Kavi said in his piece that Anwar’s sudden but strategic appointments are timely as Malaysia prepares to assume the ASEAN chairmanship in January 2025.Resipi masakan Malaysia
“If Anwar confirms the respective names as part of his team, Malaysia will gain the trust of Beijing, as the bloc tries to chart its diplomatic path in the coming months.
“As one of the parties in the South China Sea disputes, Malaysia has shown innovative approaches in managing ties with China individually and collectively with ASEAN,” he wrote further.
Malaysia, according to Kavi “wants to ensure its leading role in ASEAN, the organisation it helped found, maintains both its relevance and neutrality”.
However, Kavi reminded “various challenging issues await”.
Among others, in the coming weeks, Kavi said ASEAN will witness significant shifts in global geopolitics, with US President-elect Donald Trump playing a pivotal role in shaping international relations.
“Anwar recognises this reality and must balance Malaysian and ASEAN relations with both superpowers and regional players.”
On a personal level, Kavi said Anwar’s cordial ties with Thai leaders across the political spectrum and his understanding of Thailand’s political landscape must be noted.
“Appointing Thaksin, despite his long list of controversies, was secondary to his desire to show deference to Thaksin.Resipi masakan Malaysia
“It certainly helped turn the visit of his daughter, Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra last week (Dec 16) into a memorable trip.
Nonetheless, Kavi said the ongoing insurgency in southern Thailand demands attention, as both nations have a shared interest in resolving this longstanding conflict.
The veteran journalist believed that “if Anwar succeeds in these efforts during Malaysia’s ASEAN chairmanship, he will become a legendary leader in this part of the world”.
“These days, any visible effort to promote peace, national reconciliation, racial harmony, and freedom of expression would attract nominations for prestigious awards, including the Nobel Peace Prize.”
Bilaterally, Kavi said a closer collaboration between Bangkok and Kuala Lumpur would yield significant political dividends, too.
Now, the two countries can set a new standard in regional partnerships by tackling the southern problem as they did successfully during the communist scare of the 1970s.
Furthermore, Kavi said Anwar is keen to increase Malaysia’s profile and his role on the global stage.
“Now is the time for Anwar to act and boost Malaysia and ASEAN’s interests. He has shown his eagerness to lead the bloc in all multifaceted areas,” wrote Kavi.
Apart from key ASEAN-related summits, Kavi said Anwar has already scheduled a tripartite summit between the bloc, the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC), and China.
The ASEAN-GCC leaders had their first summit in Saudi Arabia in 2023.
“The upcoming May summit would further raise his and ASEAN’s profile on the broader geopolitical landscape,” he said.
Kavi highlighted that Anwar’s leadership during Malaysia’s ASEAN chairmanship presented an opportunity to reshape regional dynamics and assert Kuala Lumpur’s influence with his advisory team providing support.
“He is well-positioned to take on these surmountable challenges; however, success will depend on addressing domestic issues like sustaining economic growth, handling identity politics, solving the Rohingya crisis, and fostering closer ties with neighbours like Thailand, Singapore and Indonesia.
“If Anwar can capitalise on these opportunities, he could elevate Malaysia’s standing in ASEAN and secure his legacy as a transformative leader on the global stage,” he concluded.
Source:thesun.my
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https://thesun.my/malaysia-news/anwar-s-asean-strategy-advisory-team-with-thaksin-signals-bold-regional-leadership-GB13470556
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President Prabowo Claps Back at Critics, Reaffirms Commitment to Economic Self-Reliance
December 30, 2024
Jakarta. President Prabowo Subianto took a jab at his critics during a keynote speech at the National Development Planning Forum (Musrenbangnas) on Monday while reaffirming his administration's commitment to securing Indonesia’s future through economic self-reliance.
"A handful of people who think of themselves as smart always doubt the abilities of the Indonesian people. They often belittle their own nation, even though they hold professor titles from well-known universities. This inferiority complex makes them cynical about what their own nation does, even before we begin to work," Prabowo said at the National Development Agency (Bappenas) building in Jakarta.
Prabowo highlighted the values set by Indonesia’s founders, stating that the country's economy should be based on the principles of family and mutual support, which he called the foundation of Pancasila economics.
“Our first president introduced an eight-year universal development plan, and our second president followed with five-year plans. We are here at Bappenas to remind ourselves that our economy must be rooted in Pancasila, an economy based on family values,” Prabowo said.
Responding to ongoing scrutiny, Prabowo emphasized his government’s commitment to clean governance and prioritizing the people’s welfare in policy decisions.
“My government will not waver. We stand firm on the 1945 Constitution and the principles set by our founders. We are determined to build a government of integrity, and with good intentions and strong resolve, we will achieve it,” Prabowo affirmed.
Prabowo’s speech also emphasized the importance of food sovereignty as a key element of national security. “To protect our people physically, we must ensure they are fed. Achieving food self-sufficiency is essential for the survival of the nation. No country or civilization can endure without food. National development planning must focus on this basic need,” he said.
In addition to food security, Prabowo stressed the importance of energy independence for the nation’s sovereignty. “If we succeed in securing food self-sufficiency, we will, God willing, also achieve energy self-sufficiency in the coming years. This is in line with the cultural values of the Indonesian people,” he concluded.
Source:jakartaglobe.id
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https://jakartaglobe.id/news/president-prabowo-claps-back-at-critics-reaffirms-commitment-to-economic-selfreliance
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Singapore sentences Malaysia syndicate ‘COO’ to 28 years in landmark drug money-laundering case
31 Dec 2024
By Malay Mail
SINGAPORE, Dec 31 — A 58-year-old Singaporean man at the centre of a Malaysia-based drug syndicate has been handed a 28-year, nine-month jail sentence in what prosecutors have described as Singapore’s largest money laundering case tied to drug trafficking, Straits Times reported yesterday.
Lian Hoe Heng, described by Judicial Commissioner Christopher Tan as a “central piece of the drug enterprise,” coordinated the supply of narcotics into Singapore and laundered over S$1.27 million (RM4.17 million) in drug proceeds.
Prosecutors revealed that Lian laundered approximately S$203,000 of his own criminal proceeds and over S$1.07 million belonging to a syndicate member known as “Kadi.”
Lian pleaded guilty to five charges, including one for drug trafficking and four for money laundering. An additional 18 charges were taken into consideration.
According to the facts of the case, Lian admitted instigating another Singaporean, Tan Guosheng, to possess 249.99g of methamphetamine for trafficking — just shy of the 250g threshold that would have triggered the death penalty.
Tan, 30, was both a customer of the syndicate and an operative who helped Lian collect and distribute drugs. His case remains pending in court.
Between 2020 and his arrest in 2023, Lian operated as a key figure in the syndicate, receiving orders for drugs like methamphetamine, ketamine, cannabis, and MDMA, commonly known as Ecstasy.
He would relay these orders to Kadi, who arranged for their delivery to various locations in Singapore.
Lian was compensated with methamphetamine or a few hundred dollars per order.
He also directed customers to transfer payments to bank accounts in Singapore and Malaysia, retaining a portion of the funds as remuneration.
Lian laundered proceeds through his accounts, his girlfriend’s account in Vietnam, and via third parties, including one identified only as “Lao Ban Niang.”
Singapore’s Central Narcotics Bureau (CNB) uncovered Lian’s role following Tan’s arrest in October 2020.
Officers had intercepted Tan with crystal methamphetamine at his rented home in Kembangan.
Lian fled to Malaysia in 2018, living in Johor Baru while working under Kadi’s instructions.
He was arrested by the Royal Malaysia Police in March 2023 and repatriated to Singapore the following month.
Deputy Public Prosecutor Nicholas Khoo likened Lian’s role to that of a chief operating officer in a company, underscoring his significant involvement in the syndicate.
Lian’s defence lawyer, Choo Si Sen, had argued in return that financial hardship had driven him to join the syndicate.
Source:malaymail.com
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https://www.malaymail.com/news/singapore/2024/12/31/singapore-sentences-malaysia-syndicate-coo-to-28-years-in-landmark-drug-money-laundering-case/161603
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Puspakom CEO warns against corrupt staff after JPJ inspection exposes unsafe vehicle pass
31 Dec 2024
KUALA LUMPUR, Dec 31 — Puspakom CEO Mahmood Razak Bahman has issued a stern warning to staff involved in misconduct, stressing that they will not be shielded from internal disciplinary actions.
His remarks follow a surprise inspection by the Road Transport Department (JPJ) at Puspakom’s Wangsa Maju branch yesterday, where a vehicle deemed unsafe was found to have passed the inspection.
“To ensure the integrity of Puspakom inspections, the company will not hesitate to take appropriate action against the involved staff as provided under the terms and conditions of their employment contracts, including suspension or dismissal,” Mahmood was quoted as saying by news portal Sinar Daily today.
He also confirmed that two Puspakom staff members from the branch have been called by JPJ for questioning today, as part of the investigation into the incident.
He assured the public that Puspakom would take the necessary actions against any involved staff, which could include suspension or dismissal, depending on the findings.
The JPJ’s inspection, dubbed Op Mengejut Puspakom, was carried out nationwide on December 30, without prior notice to Puspakom, as directed by Transport Minister Anthony Loke.
During the operation at Wangsa Maju, JPJ’s team of 350 officers inspected 115 vehicles, issued 69 summonses, took action against 29 vehicles, and seized seven vehicles, including two lorries.
JPJ senior enforcement director Muhammad Kifli Ma Hassan revealed that several violations were discovered, including lorries operating with unsafe and worn-out retreaded tyres, posing a serious safety risk, national news agency Bernama reported yesterday.
Puspakom has pledged full cooperation with the authorities and urged the public to report any misconduct at their centres via the hotline at 1-800-88-2005 or email whistleblowing@drb-hicom.com.
Source:malaymail.com
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https://www.malaymail.com/news/malaysia/2024/12/31/puspakom-ceo-warns-against-corrupt-staff-after-jpj-inspection-exposes-unsafe-vehicle-pass/161627
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South Asia
Defending territorial integrity; trait of brave Afghan nation
December 31, 2024
The people of Afghanistan are a nation of resistance, standing firm against invaders and occupiers for centuries. This nation has never been an aggressor in any war but was always prepared to defend its land and independence whenever there were foreign invasions. This is inborn in Afghans to defend their homeland and dignity as one and consistently show resilience against all forms of occupation and threat. The courage and undeterred resolve of the people of Afghanistan turned the defeats of Britain, Russia, and America into historical defeats in Afghanistan. Not only did it become a milestone in the history of the Afghans themselves but also a lesson for the whole world that this nation would not let their soil be surrendered before any invader but surely raised a challenge. As a fact, it has been made an international principle that no foreign power can stay in Afghanistan comfortably. Britain was the first of those empires that came forward with imperialistic ambitions to dominate Afghanistan. The Afghan soil saw for the first time in the 19th century when the then-Great Britain Empire desired to keep Afghanistan under its tutelage, bu because of people’s resistancemost particularly due to the striving of the British underwent a series of defeats. In the two Anglo-Afghan Wars, the people of Afghanistan showed that even an inch of their homeland would not be given up to the foreign powers and that Britain got nothing but defeat and heavy losses. Afghan resistance then became a total symbol of bravery and independence during this time. The Soviet Union and the Unfinished War After Britain’s failure, the Soviet Union entered Afghanistan in the 1980s with similar imperialistic intentions. The Afghans had something else to show once more: no foreign power could stay on their soil for an elongated period. Confident in their military might, the Soviet forces found themselves bogged down in a protracted war that not only drained them financially and humanely but also contributed to the collapse of the Soviet Union itself. Afghans fought against the Soviets and ultimately compelled them to retreat. This resistance, historic and unparalleled in any record, has been engraved in world memory as a milestone of the Afghan spirit. With the fall of the Soviet Union, America, along with NATO, invaded Afghanistan. This two-decade-long war was a hard test of the American and NATO contingents. The foreign troops in many areas of Afghanistan are under the control of these contingents, yet without any letup, they get resistance from the Afghan people. With superior technology and military power, the invading forces cannot crush the Afghan spirit. In 2021, when the U.S. and NATO had also suffered great losses, a treaty was signed, leading to their withdrawal from Afghanistan. It had been proved yet again that the Afghans would never succumb to slavery. It was a defeat for them once more by the Afghan resistance. One of the most striking features about Afghans is that they have never welcomed invasion or occupation. The Afghan people have never been aggressive in any way, shape, or form to their neighbors or other countries. They have always thought that to keep their nation safe and stable, they have to protect their territorial integrity and not let any foreign force enter their motherland. It is a spirit of resistance and bravery whereby, in case of any trespassing, the Afghan nation would get up and defend every inch of its land. Recently, Afghan forces have shown this commitment by attacking positions of invaders across the hypothetical Durand Line and destroying several of their centers. This act signifies the indomitable will of the people of Afghanistan, sending a message to the entire world that no one can occupy their land quite so easily. Defense of Independence and National Dignity the Afghan people have stood firm against every form of threat by neighboring countries or by global powers. The defense of the motherland, cultural values, and religious beliefs has always formed one of the fundamental principles of the Afghan nation. While the Afghan people have never wished for war with their neighbors, they have always called on them to come toward Afghanistan with cooperation and dialogue, without any form of aggression toward Afghan soil. These neighboring countries must understand that the Afghan people will never allow their sovereignty to be violated, and if necessary, they will defend their land from any form of threat. The Afghans have shown unparalleled determination, standing right against the colonial powers and invaders. This history of resistance continues to this date, witnessing time and again the defeats of the enemies and the triumphant returns of the Afghan people. It means that the Afghan people are always ready to defend their land, culture, and independence, and these characteristics are among the inherent and prominent features of the Afghan nation. They will never easily give in to any threat or invasion but will go on defending their homeland with dignity and bravery. Abdul Hai Nasiri
Source:thekabultimes.com
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https://thekabultimes.com/defending-territorial-integrity-trait-of-brave-afghan-nation/
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Deputy PM Mawlawi Hanafi Meets Head of Islamic Emirate Political Office in Qatar
2024-12-31
KABUL (BNA): Mawlawi Abdul Salam Hanafi, the Deputy Prime Minister for Administrative Affairs, met today with Alhaj Mohammad Suhail Shaheen, the Head of the Islamic Emirate’s Political Office in Qatar.
During the meeting, Suhail Shaheen provided a detailed report on the activities, accomplishments, and future plans of the Political Office in Qatar to the Deputy Prime Minister. He emphasized that the office continues to play a constructive and proactive role in strengthening the Islamic Emirate’s relations with regional and global countries while safeguarding its interests.
Mawlawi Abdul Salam Hanafi praised the efforts of the Political Office in Qatar, acknowledging its contributions to defending the Islamic Emirate’s interests and fostering ties with both the host nation and other regional and international countries.
He urged the office’s officials to focus on expanding these relations based on mutual respect and constructive engagement with regional and global nations.
Source:bakhtarnews.af
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https://bakhtarnews.af/en/deputy-pm-mawlawi-hanafi-meets-head-of-islamic-emirate-political-office-in-qatar/
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Salary Scale For Imam-Muezzins Soon: Adviser To The Ministry Of Religious Affairs
30 Dec 2024
DHAKA, Dec 30, 2024 (BSS)- Adviser to the Ministry of Religious Affairs Dr AFM Khalid Hossain today said the government has taken initiative to create a salary scale for imams and muezzins.
A gazette will be published after getting approval from the Chief Adviser soon so that they can improve their livelihood and they can perform their duties with dedication, he said.
The adviser said this during a views exchange meeting with teachers of mosque-based child and mass education programme and khatibs, imams, and muezzins at Patuakhali Islamic Foundation auditorium, a PID handout here said.
Khalid Hossain said imams and muezzins are highly respected figures in society. But they have been neglected for ages, he said adding even though there is sufficient money in the mosque-madrasa fund, but they are not given appropriate salaries and allowances to maintain their livelihood.
For this reason, he said the Ministry of Religious Affairs is working to create a unified salary structure for them in line with the 2015 salary scale.
Addressing on minority issues, Dr AFM Khalid Hossain said, "No incident of attack on minorities in Bangladesh occurred out of religious extremism. All attacks have political reasons,” he said.
Deputy Commissioner Abu Hasnat Mohammad Arefin, Governor of Islamic Foundation Board Syed Mohammad Masaddek Billah Al Madani and Maulana Shah Md Nesarrul Haque, among others, spoke on the occasion while DD of Islamic Foundation Asma Akther was in the chair.
Source:bssnews.net
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https://www.bssnews.net/news/234620
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Cops complicit in crimes must be brought to justice: Yunus
Dec 31, 2024
Chief Adviser Prof Muhammad Yunus yesterday said that police personnel found guilty of crimes must be held accountable while the innocents have nothing to fear and should be allowed to perform their duties.
He instructed the field-level administration and police officials from 33 districts of Dhaka, Chattogram, Mymensingh, and Sylhet divisions to work on maintaining law and order, fostering communal harmony, and ensuring preservation of agricultural products and smooth supply of fertiliser.
The chief adviser addressed the officials via videoconference from his office in the capital's Tejgaon.
He instructed the field-level officials to work tirelessly to keep the prices of essentials at a tolerable level and ensure their smooth supply during the upcoming Ramadan.
"Ramadan is approaching, and special attention have to be paid to market prices. You will have to work not only on the market prices but also on exploring ways to ease the transportation of goods.
"Paying special attention to rising commodity prices it is crucial now to ensure that they are not causing difficulties to the people. We must focus on controlling the prices and make every efforts to address the situation effectively," he said.
Yunus directed the administration officials to remain vigilant to ensure reforms are completed smoothly.
He mentioned that several of the 15 reform commissions will soon submit their reports. Following this, the government will engage in talks with political parties and citizens, paving the way for creating an electoral atmosphere in the country.
The chief adviser said the morale of the police had been affected by widespread criticism of their role during the mass uprising.
"It is important to rebuild their confidence. Those guilty must be held accountable, while the innocents should be allowed to perform their duties without fear…. This will help restore the credibility of law enforcers."
Yunus advised the administration officials to ensure that new school textbooks are distributed efficiently.
He noted that some students might not receive their new books on the first day of the new academic year. If books don't arrive on time, or if some students receive them while others do not, handling the matter in an orderly manner and keeping everyone informed will help maintain calm.
The chief adviser also urged the administration officials to work upholding the spirit of the July uprising so that people realise a missive change had taken place.
Yunus also called upon the administration officials to remain prepared for unforeseen events, such as floods, which often catch the government off-guard. The local administrations should be empowered to identify and address potential issues swiftly before the government in Dhaka becomes aware, he added.
A total of 19 officials, including divisional commissioners, police commissioners, range police chiefs, deputy commissioners and superintendents of police spoke at the event.
The chief adviser said the feedback and opinions shared by the officials would help the government make better decisions.
Cabinet Secretary Sheikh Abdur Rashid, who moderator of the event, said the chief adviser will soon hold a similar videoconference with the officials from the remaining 33 districts.
Source:thedailystar.net
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https://www.thedailystar.net/news/bangladesh/news/cops-complicit-crimes-must-be-brought-justice-yunus-3788296
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Badakhshan Security Authorities Deny Rumors of Pakistani Military Presence in Wakhan
2024-12-30
BADAKHSHAN (BNA): Officials from the Badakhshan Police Command have dismissed rumors regarding the alleged presence of Pakistani forces in Wakhan District as baseless.
Ehsanullah Kamgar, the spokesperson for Badakhshan Police, told Bakhtar News Agency that no reports have been received about the presence of Pakistani soldiers in the area.
He assured that security forces are fully prepared to counter any foreign threats along the country’s borders and are paying special attention to maintaining border security.
These remarks come in response to recent rumors suggesting the presence of Pakistani military personnel in the Wakhan region.
Source:bakhtarnews.af
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https://bakhtarnews.af/en/badakhshan-security-authorities-deny-rumors-of-pakistani-military-presence-in-wakhan/
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Chinese Firm Hochin Power Eyes Energy Investments in Afghanistan
2024-12-30
KABUL (BNA): The Deputy Minister of Energy at the Ministry of Energy and Water, Mullah Abdul Hadi Yaqoob, met with officials from the Chinese company Hochin Intelligent Power.
According to the Ministry of Energy and Water, representatives of the Chinese company expressed their willingness to invest in projects related to the generation, distribution, and expansion of electricity networks in Afghanistan.
For his part, The Deputy Minister welcomed the company’s interest in energy projects within the country and assured them of full cooperation from the ministry in this regard.
It is worth noting that several domestic and international companies have previously shown interest in investing in Afghanistan’s energy sector.
Source:bakhtarnews.af
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https://bakhtarnews.af/en/chinese-firm-hochin-power-eyes-energy-investments-in-afghanistan/
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UK arrests three Afghan men on human trafficking charges
By Fidel Rahmati
December 31, 2024
The UK’s National Crime Agency (NCA) reported on Monday the arrest of “three Afghan men” for trafficking refugees through Turkey, Iran, and the Balkans to Western Europe. The men face charges related to sexual crimes, including the rape of young refugee boys and blackmailing them.
The three men are part of a human trafficking ring that has been bringing thousands of refugees, mainly to France and Belgium, before smuggling them across the English Channel to the UK in small boats.
After a two-year joint investigation by Belgian police and the UK NCA, the traffickers were finally arrested in South London.
Ziyarmal Khan, 24, also known as “Boxer Bai,” was the first member of the gang to be detained on December 6th at Stansted Airport in London.
On December 18th, Zeeshan Bangash, 20, was arrested in Kentish New Road, London, and the third suspect, Saifur Rahman Ahmadzai, 23, also known as “President Hamza,” was arrested on December 30th in Hampstead, UK.
The UK NCA stated that the gang filmed their sexual abuse of young refugee boys and extorted money from them.
Last month, a Belgian court sentenced the three Afghan traffickers, along with 20 other gang members, to a combined 170 years in prison. Ahmadzai received 10 years, while Khan and Bangash each received three years in prison and a €3,000 fine. The men were convicted in absentia.
The plight of Afghan refugees, fleeing violence and persecution, remains dire, with many becoming victims of human trafficking along their perilous journeys. Despite international efforts, these vulnerable individuals often face exploitation, with traffickers taking advantage of their desperation for safety.
As the UK continues to be a primary destination for Afghan refugees, there has been an alarming rise in deportations and the tightening of borders. This, coupled with the ongoing instability in Afghanistan, leaves many refugees caught in a cycle of displacement, struggling for a sense of security and justice. The international community must do more to protect refugees and dismantle the trafficking networks exploiting their vulnerability.
Source:khaama.com
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https://www.khaama.com/uk-arrests-three-afghan-men-on-human-trafficking-charges/
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Africa
‘Nigeria Universities Will Soon Be Left With Alarming Underqualified Lecturers’ – ASUU
31 December 2024
By Rachel Okporu Fadoju
The National President of the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU), Prof. Emmanuel Osodeke, has highlighted the most significant challenges that lecturers faced in 2024.
Naija News reports that Osodeke, in an interview with Punch, expressed concern over the increasing number of Nigerian lecturers relocating abroad.
Osodeke said Nigerian universities would soon be left with a dwindling number of qualified lecturers if the relocation trend for green pastures continues.
He said, “Lecturers are finding it difficult to make ends meet. Many are struggling just to stay afloat. Additionally, the government still owes us three and a half months of arrears and a full year of wage awards. Many of our colleagues are leaving the country in search of better opportunities, and if this trend continues, Nigerian universities will be left with an alarming shortage of qualified lecturers.
“The government continues to establish new universities, but they seem to overlook the critical issue of staffing. Only a few qualified lecturers are teaching in our institutions, and if nothing is done to address this, Nigeria may soon be left with a severely underqualified teaching workforce.
“Funding has always been a challenge for university professors. It’s difficult for a professor to survive on just N450,000 a month, especially when they are spending over N200,000 on fuel alone due to the recent hikes in fuel prices. With the rising costs of electricity and other living expenses, it’s becoming increasingly hard for both lecturers and students. I can only imagine how students are managing to come to school under these circumstances.”
Source:naijanews.com
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https://www.naijanews.com/2024/12/31/nigeria-universities-will-soon-be-left-with-alarming-underqualified-lecturers-asuu/
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Kenyans protest in Nairobi for end to abductions targeting government critics
30 December 2024
Kenyan protesters took to the streets of Nairobi on Monday, calling for an end to abductions targeting government critics.
Police threw tear gas at demonstrators in a bid to disperse the crowd; opposition politician Senator Okiya Omtatah and several others were arrested.
Among the hundreds who had taken to the streets of Nairobi were relatives of those who have disappeared.
Serah Njeri, the mother of an abducted blogger, said, "I am here so that my child can be released. This is my child, I ask the government to please say where he is. I would rather you kill me, here I am. Many other people are here too with me, release our children please."
The Kenyan National Commission on Human rights has voiced concerns over a growing number of government critics who are thought to have been abducted.
According to the commission, 82 people have been abducted since demonstrations against the government in June.
Rights groups accuse Kenya’s police force of being responsible; police have denied the allegations, and insist that they are looking into the disappearances.
Some protesters blamed the government.
Okiya Omtatah said, "the government of (Kenyan) President (William) Ruto stop abducting people. These actions by the government which is targeting its critics, so this regime has become rogue and we are here to demand, to call the regime back to order. To demand that the regime follows the rule of law or it vacates office."
Several social media users disappeared after sharing AI generated images of the president, viewed as offensive by backers of the government.
Over the weekend, President William Ruto insisted that the government would halt the abductions.
Source:africanews.com
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https://www.africanews.com/2024/12/30/kenyans-protest-in-nairobi-for-end-to-abductions-targeting-government-critics/
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Court Orders DSS To Release President Of Miyetti Allah
Dec 31, 2024
An Abuja High Court on Monday ordered the release of Alhaji Bello Bodejo, President of the Miyetti Allah Kautal Hore, from the Department of State Service (DSS) detention.
Justice Mohammed Zubairu, in a ruling, described Bodejo’s detention since Dec. 9 after his arrest and without being charged to court as unlawful.
Justice Zubairu made the order following an application for the order of habeas corpus subjiciendum moved against the respondents by Bodejo’s lawyer, Reuben Atabo (SAN).
The judge held that the application was meritorious having not been challenged by the Attorney-General of the Federation (AGF) and the DSS DG, who are 1st and 2nd respondents.
“The applicant is hereby released from the 2nd respondent’s detention,” he declared.
Justice Zubairu, however, said that Bodejo’s release from detention is not tantamount to an acquittal.
He, therefore, ordered Atabo, who appeared for him, to ensure that Bodejo is produced before the respondents should there be any reason to file charges against him.
He equally warned the respondents not to detain him beyond the constitutional provisions.
Bodejo, in an ex-parte motion marked, M/16976/2024, sued the AGF and DSS DG.
Bodejo, in the motion dated and filed on Dec. 19, had prayed the court to order his release from the detention of DSS pending the hearing and determination of the substantive application.
He also sought an order granting him leave to apply for the order of habeas corpus subjiciendum against the respondents.
Habeas corpus subjiciendum is a Latin phrase and a legal term used to describe a writ that is directed to someone who is detaining another person to inquire into the legality of the detention.
Justice Zubairu grant leave to Bodejo’s lawyer to apply for an order of habeas corpus.
He also ordered that the substantive application be filed within 24 hours from the day the order was made for the purpose of determining the merit or other wise of the application.
The judge held that having found out that Bodejo was yet to be arraigned before a court of law since his arrest, made an order that he should be produced before the court today, Dec. 30, or admit him to an administrative bail.
When the matter was called on Monday, Atabo informed the court that Bodejo was yet to be produced in court.
He, however, said that the respondent’s lawyer told him that his client was within the court premises.
He sought a stand down for him to be produced in court.
When the court reconvened, Bodejo, in company of security agents, walked into the courtroom.
Atabo then informed the court that his client was in court and that he was ready to move their substantive motion slated for today for hearing.
He said the motion, dated Dec. 24, was filed “pursuant to your lordship order that we should filed within 24 hours.”
He said it was also brought pursuant to Order 47 of the Civil Procedure Rules of the court and in compliance with Sections 34, 35, 36 of the 1999 constitution.
“We sought for your lordship order of habeas corpus subjiciendum commanding the respondents to produce the applicant from custody for the purpose of being released from detention and for such further order,” he said.
He said the application was supported by a 13-paragraph affidavit deposed to by Hauwa Bodejo, the senior wife to the applicant.
According to Atabo, before your lordship, there is no counter affidavit in opposition to the deposition of Hauwa Bodejo.
Citing a previous case, the senior lawyer argued that where there is affidavit and there is no opposition, it is deemed to be correct.
“We urge your lordship to deem the deposition of Hauwa Bodejo as the correct deposition,” he said.
The lawyer further said that Bodejo had been in detention from Dec. 9 and had not been charged to court.
“This is contrary to the provision of our constitution.
“We urge the court in the interest of justice and respect for the constitution of Federal Republic of Nigeria to invoke your judicial power under Order 47 to release the applicant in custody,” he prayed.
Atabo undertook to produce Bodejo before the court in the event of prosecution by the state.
Although the AGF was not represented in court, the DSS counsel, A.M. Danlami, told the court that they had not filed any counter affidavit in opposition to the applicant’s affidavit.
Danlami, who said he was not opposed to the application for Bodejo’s release, urged the court to make an order that Bodejo should be produced to the respondents in the event a charge is preferred against him.
Source:independent.ng
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https://independent.ng/court-orders-dss-to-release-president-of-miyetti-allah/
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Europe
Briton, 18, jailed in Dubai over sex with girl, 17
December 31, 2024
An 18-year-old Briton convicted of having sex with an underage 17-year-old British girl in Dubai has handed himself in to authorities there to begin a one-year jail sentence, a charity says.
Marcus Fakana, of Tottenham, north London, began a secretive romance in September with another Londoner, who is now 18, while both were on holiday with their families.
After returning home and seeing pictures and chats between the pair, the girl's mother reported the relationship to Dubai police, who arrested Fakana at his hotel. Sex with someone under 18 is illegal in Dubai.
The Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office said it was supporting a British man in the United Arab Emirates (UAE).
Fakana handed himself in to Dubai's Al Awir prison, according to the UK-based campaign group and charity Detained in Dubai.
He had been on bail and staying in temporary accommodation in Dubai since his arrest in September. His parents had to return to London to resume their jobs in a warehouse and as a cleaner to help pay for their son's accommodation.
'He is very brave'
Radha Stirling, chief executive of Detained in Dubai, which helps foreigners abroad and is an international authority on UAE law, said she had spoken with Fakana, who told her he would focus on his physical and mental health while in jail.
"Marcus is hopeful that in beginning his ordeal today, he will be home sooner than he would be if he appealed," she said.
"It is difficult to have the right words to tell a young man turning himself in for a year in Dubai prison.
"He's very brave and kind and I truly hope he will be home soon."
Fakana's family is being supported by the charity, which said his parents were hoping for a royal pardon and commuted sentence.
They are also pushing the UK government and Foreign Secretary David Lammy "for assistance".
A Downing Street spokesman said earlier this month: "The prime minister recognises it's an extremely distressing situation for Marcus and his family."
Previously, the charity explained both teenagers were on holiday with their parents in the UAE from the UK, where the age of consent is 16.
Fakana had told his family about the romance but the girl had not told hers.
The government of Dubai previously said: "Under UAE law, the girl is legally classified as a minor and, in accordance with procedures recognised internationally, her mother - being the legal guardian - filed the complaint."
It added: "Dubai's legal system is committed to protecting the rights of all individuals and ensuring impartial judicial proceedings."
Source:bbc.com
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https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/czr32zmyz6ro
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Iran confirms arrest of Italian journalist
December 31, 2024
Iranian authorities have confirmed for the first time that Italian journalist Cecilia Sala was arrested in the country on the grounds of "violation of the Islamic Republic's laws".
It comes as a US state department spokesperson told Italian daily newspaper La Repubblica that Ms Sala's case could be linked to the recent arrest of an Iranian citizen in Milan at the request of the United States.
Ms Sala, a 29-year-old journalist and the host of a popular news and foreign affairs podcast, was detained in Iran on 19 December, the day before she was supposed to fly home from a reporting trip.
She is now reportedly being held in solitary confinement in Teheran's Evin prison.
On 16 December, Iranian national Mohammad Abedini was arrested in Milan on charges of supplying electronic parts for drones to the Islamic Revolution Guards Corps (IRGC), resulting in the deaths of three American soldiers. The US is currently seeking Mr Abedini's extradition from Italy.
The US state department spokesperson quoted by La Repubblica said Ms Sala was being used as "political leverage".
Neither the Italian nor the Iranian governments have confirmed any link between Cecilia Sala and Mohammad Abedini.
However, on 21 December, Iran's Foreign Ministry summoned a senior Italian diplomat over Mr Abedini's arrest.
Italy denounced Ms Sala's arrest as "unacceptable" and Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani said that efforts to free her were "complicated".
"There is a certain amount of goodwill, especially in terms of the way Cecilia is being treated," he told Italian TV. However, he added that negotiations were "very delicate" and that he could not guess how long it would take to secure her release.
Ms Sala's employer, podcast company Chora Media, broke the news of her arrest on 27 December.
The company said it had initially kept quiet for a week on the request of Ms Sala's family and the Italian Ministry of Foreign Affairs "hoping this silence would lead to her swift release. Unfortunately, this has not yet happened."
Defence Minister Guido Crosetto said that the entire Italian government was "working tirelessly" to ensure Ms Sala's release.
"Negotiations with Iran won't be solved by involving Western public opinion... but through high-level political and diplomatic action," he wrote on X.
Ms Sala has been granted consular access and is in contact with her family by phone, the Iranian Culture Ministry said.
One of Ms Sala's colleagues at Chora Media said she had been allowed to receive a "care package" in jail with a panettone, chocolate, cigarettes and an eye mask to allow her to sleep despite the prison's bright lights, which are never turned off.
Cecilia Sala's popular daily podcast covers a different angle of a current affairs story in each episode.
The last one was published a day before her arrest and focused on Zeynab Mousavi, a female stand-up comedian who was detained by the Iranian authorities and placed in solitary confinement.
Source:bbc.com
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https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/ce3278qyql1o
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German government accuses Musk of election interference
31 Dec, 2024
The German government has accused tech billionaire Elon Musk of attempting to influence the country's upcoming federal elections, scheduled for February 23. According to Christiane Hoffmann, a spokesperson for the German cabinet, Musk is trying to sway public opinion in favor of the right-wing Alternative for Germany (AfD) party.
Musk triggered significant controversy in Germany after posting on X earlier this month that “only the AfD can save Germany.” This was followed by an op-ed in the German newspaper Welt am Sonntag last week, in which he defended the party against accusations of extremism and praised its economic policies.
“Elon Musk is indeed trying to influence the federal election through his statements,” Hoffmann said on Monday. She noted that while freedom of speech includes the right to express any opinion, including what she termed “the greatest nonsense,” it does not absolve individuals from the consequences of their words.
The AfD has been classified as a “suspected” extremist organization by Germany’s domestic intelligence service due to its harsh anti-immigration and anti-establishment stance. The party is currently polling second behind the conservative CDU/CSU bloc but remains widely shunned by other major parties, which have ruled out forming coalitions with it.
In his op-ed, Musk rebuffed criticism of the AfD, stating, “their portrayal as far-right is clearly false.”
“The traditional parties have failed Germany. Their policies have led to economic stagnation, social unrest, and an erosion of national identity,” Musk wrote. “Despite being labeled far-right, the AfD represents political realism that resonates with many Germans who feel their concerns are being ignored by the establishment.”
Friedrich Merz, the leading candidate of the CDU/CSU alliance and a potential future chancellor, described Musk’s intervention as “intrusive and presumptuous.” He stated that he could not recall a similar instance of interference in the electoral campaign of a friendly country. Lars Klingbeil, co-leader of the Social Democratic Party (SPD), compared Musk to Russian President Vladimir Putin, alleging that both were trying to weaken Germany by supporting the AfD.
A three-way coalition led by Chancellor Olaf Scholz collapsed in early November amid internal disputes over spending priorities. On December 16, the German leader lost a confidence vote in the Bundestag, heralding the end of his tenure at the helm of a minority government. A snap election has been scheduled for February 23.
Founded in 2013, the AfD has become more popular in recent years. According to a survey conducted by the INSA polling institute for Bild last week, AfD co-leader Alice Weidel, 45, is ahead of her rivals in the campaign to become the next chancellor. Weidel is due to be confirmed as the AfD’s nominee at a party conference next month.
Source:rt.com
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https://www.rt.com/news/610216-musk-germany-election-interference/
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Putin issues deadline to illegal immigrants
30 Dec, 2024
Russian President Vladimir Putin signed a decree on Monday ordering illegal migrants to either legalize their status or leave the country by April 30. The directive is part of a broader effort to tighten Russia’s migration policy.
“Foreign citizens and stateless persons in the Russian Federation… are obliged to leave the Russian Federation on their own or settle their legal status from January 1 to April 30, 2025,” the decree states.
Illegal immigrants who wish to stay must meet strict requirements, including submitting biometric data, undergoing medical checks for drugs, infectious diseases, and HIV, and pass tests on the Russian language, history, and legal system. They are also required to settle any outstanding debts and ensure their documents, such as work or residence permits, remain valid. Exceptions are made for undocumented foreign citizens who sign contracts with the military, allowing them to avoid deportation.
In 2024, new laws were introduced to track illegal immigrants through a register of “controlled persons.” From February 5 authorities will gain the power to expel undocumented foreigners without a court decision.
Additionally, organizing illegal migration has been classified as a particularly serious crime. Penalties include the confiscation of money and property acquired from facilitating human trafficking, thus stripping criminals of financial incentives and disrupting the operations of such networks.
The measures follow a terrorist attack at Crocus City Hall near Moscow in March, which killed 145 people and injured around 500. Investigators identified Tajik citizens as the perpetrators. The incident prompted Putin to call for a review of immigration policies, speaking at the St Petersburg International Economic Forum in June, at which he also emphasized a balance between addressing security concerns and maintaining the labor force.
“We cannot pretend this problem does not exist,” Putin said, while also noting the country’s reliance on migrant workers due to low unemployment and demographic challenges. Presidential press secretary Dmitry Peskov echoed this sentiment, stating, “Russia welcomes labor migrants for the dynamic development of the country,” but added that measures must ensure security and compliance with the law.
Recent legislative changes also include a law requiring migrant children to pass Russian language tests before enrolling in schools, reinforcing the government’s focus on integration.
The Ministry of Internal Affairs is expected to oversee the implementation of the new immigration regulations, marking a significant shift in Russia’s approach to stateless and undocumented persons. This change centralizes control and emphasizes stricter enforcement measures. Traditionally, migration policies in Russia have been managed through a more fragmented system that involved various regional and federal agencies.
Source:rt.com
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https://www.rt.com/russia/610207-putin-russia-illegal-immigrants-deadline/
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German ex-minister urges ECB to use crypto as reserves
30 Dec, 2024
The European Central Bank (ECB) should catch up with the “extremely progressive” incoming administration of President-elect Donald Trump and embrace crypto assets as part of its reserves, Germany’s former finance minister Christian Lindner told the dpa news agency over the weekend.
The politician praised cryptocurrencies like Bitcoin for playing a “significant” role in the increase of global prosperity, maintaining that accumulating such reserves was too good an opportunity to pass up. He also pointed to Trump’s pro-crypto stance as something both Brussels and Berlin should look up to.
“The new Trump administration is pursuing an extremely progressive policy when it comes to crypto assets such as Bitcoin,” he said, claiming that the Federal Reserve is supposedly considering “adding crypto assets to its reserves alongside currencies and gold.” Lindner did not provide any sources for this information.
Two weeks ago, Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell told a press conference that his agency was “not allowed to own Bitcoin.” He also stated that it was up to the US Congress to consider whether such a move should be made. “We are not looking for a law change at the Fed,” Powell added.
Trump has previously claimed he would make the US the “crypto capital of the planet.” Once a crypto skeptic himself, the president-elect has changed his stance and has recently insisted that all Bitcoin should be mined in the US. He also used bitcoin to buy cheeseburgers and beer for his supporters at a New York City bar.
His victory in the 2024 US presidential elections sent the Bitcoin’s price up, and the cryptocurrency surpassed the long-awaited $100,000 threshold as part of a rally fueled by investor expectations of crypto-friendly policies from the incoming Trump administration.
Lindner insisted that “Germany and Europe must not allow themselves to fall behind again” when it comes to cryptocurrencies, urging both the ECB and the German Central Bank (Bundesbank) to “examine whether crypto assets should also become part of the central banks' reserves.”
When asked by dpa whether investing in crypto would be a risky move, the former finance minister replied that no one should “invest everything in them.” He still maintained that crypto assets supported by a “decentralized system” could help mitigate political risks associated with traditional currencies.
Neither the ECB nor the Bundesbank have responded to Lindner’s proposals so far.
Source:rt.com
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https://www.rt.com/news/610211-german-minister-ecb-crypto-reserves/
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