Rajya Sabha Query On the Inclusion of Non-Hindus in Administration of Temples as Non-Muslims Sought to Be Made Part of Waqf Property Boards
New Age Islam News Bureau
4 April 2025
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· Rajya Sabha Query On the Inclusion of Non-Hindus in Administration of Temples as Non-Muslims Sought to Be Made Part of Waqf Property Boards
· Muslim Scholars Call for Global Day of Rage to Condemn War of Extermination on Gaza
· UK Government Announces Fund to Combat Anti-Muslim Hate
· Bad Influence On Society’: Mosque Committee, Locals Block Theatre Performance in Bangladesh
· Norwegian Party Comes Under Fire for Nominating Imran for Nobel Peace Prize
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India
· Krishna Janmabhoomi Case: Muslim Side Moves Supreme Court After Hindu Side Claims Shahi Idgah Is ASI Monument
· Waqf Bill Passed by Rajya Sabha with 128 Votes for, 95 Against
· Jammu and Kashmir assembly speaker calls Waqf Amendment Bill a “violation of Indian constitution”
· Mirwaiz calls Waqf bill ‘direct interference’ in religious affairs
· 'Belief shattered': Two JD(U) leaders resign over party's support for Waqf bill
· Shivaji was a truly secular leader, he never attacked a mosque, says Nitin Gadkari
· Elderly Muslim man thrashed outside mosque for supporting Waqf bill; 3 arrested
· Stick to Route Given by Police: Calcutta HC On Ram Navami Procession
· Security beefed up in Jamia Millia Islamia after passing of Waqf Bill in Parliament
· Harsimrat’s ‘real tukde-tukde gang’ dig to worsen SAD-BJP rift
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Mideast
· UN Human Rights Chief Warns Of ‘High And Increasing Risk’ Of Israeli Atrocities In Gaza
· Palestinian Authority calls on Hungary to arrest Netanyahu
· GCC Secretary-General slams Israeli Occupation Minister's Al Aqsa Mosque storming
· Qatar condemns Ben-Gvir's storming of Al-Aqsa Mosque
· Drone strike kills three in south Lebanon: state media
· Macron, On Egypt Visit, To Go Near Gaza to Show Support For Ceasefire
· Oscar-Winning Palestinian Director Speaks at UN On Israeli Settlements
· Hundreds of thousands flee as Israel seizes Rafah in new Gaza ‘security zone’
· Lebanese leaders reach consensus on border demarcation to present to US envoy
· Israeli action in Gaza leaves more than 39,000 Palestinian children orphaned
· Ministry of Foreign Affairs condemns criminal Ben Gvir's storming of Al-Aqsa Mosque
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Europe
· Faisal Islam: This Is the Biggest Change to Global Trade in 100 Years
· £150,000 raised at foundation dinner for Islamic Relief
· Expansion of Ipswich mosque in former pub refused by leaders
· Muslim community join Haringey Cabinet Members and Cllrs for inaugural Eid celebration
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South Asia
· Islamic Emirate Vows a Bright Future for Afghanistan
· Listening to people’s demands key to system survival: Official
· Yunus urges BIMSTEC to act on Rohingya crisis
· IEA Consulate General and Sindh Police Chief Discuss Migrants’ Concerns
· Rise in executions of Afghan nationals in Iran sparks concern
· ZubLink Steps In to Support Digital Transformation in Afghanistan
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Pakistan
· Sardar Akhtar Mengal Warns of March On Quetta
· PM hails ‘hard work’ as March inflation falls to historic low
· Jail bosses defying court orders on visits to Imran: PTI
· President, Bilawal pay tribute to Zulfikar Ali Bhutto’s services to country
· Imran didn’t task anybody to negotiate with establishment, clarifies Barrister Saif
· President Zardari 'may be discharged in few days'
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Arab World
· How AI Can Be Leveraged To Reduce Food Loss, Improve Nutrition, And Cut Emissions
· Saudi Arabia leads Arab condemnation of Israeli raids on Syrian territory
· Scientific papers submission closes for Riyadh forum
· Saudi Arabia cracks down on environmental violators
· Saudi crown prince, Iranian president discuss regional developments
· Authorities foil drug trafficking across Kingdom
· KSrelief provides urgent medical, food assistance to crisis-hit regions worldwide
· Sharjah Police arrest 144 beggars, confiscate Dhs76,000 in Ramadan
· Gulf News Ramadan Feed Hope Campaign: 100+ grocery boxes distributed to labor camp families
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North America
· CAIR Condemns White Supremacist Banner Hung On Overpass in Utah
· EPIC Hires High-Profile Texas Attorney Who Says Mosque Is Victim Of ‘Racial Profiling'
· CAIR-CA Welcomes April as American Muslim Appreciation and Awareness Month in California
· Texas Governor Slows Developers on Islamic-Centric City
· Man gets six months in jail for vandalizing an Islamic center at Rutgers University
· 'So crazy' or a 'necessary evil'? - Americans react to Trump's tariffs
· 'Grateful and honoured': Tom Cruise pays tribute to Val Kilmer
· 'I could live 30 years - but want to die': Has assisted dying in Canada gone too far?
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Africa
· Popular Islamic Cleric, Idris Abdul’aziz Dies After Medical Treatment in India
· Kwara, Islamic Devt Bank to Spend $57.2m On Livestock Project
· South Sudan clashes kill 30: local official
· “The President Watched The Agony Of Lagosians” – Umahi Gives Update On Lagos Independence Bridge
· Museveni visits Juba amid tension in the oil-rich east African nation
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Southeast Asia
· ‘We didn’t find anyone alive’: Earthquake buries the faithful at Sagaing religious sites
· Ex-massage therapist found guilty of teaching doctrine contrary to Islamic laws
· Singapore detains teenager planning to kill Muslims
· Reaching out for peace in the Deep South — Mohd Hazmi Mohd Rusli
· Nusantara Sees Surge in Visitors During Eid Holidays
Compiled by New Age Islam News Bureau
URL: https://newageislam.com/islamic-world-news/rajya-sabha-non-hindus-waqf-property-boards/d/135061
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Rajya Sabha Query On the Inclusion of Non-Hindus in Administration of Temples as Non-Muslims Sought to Be Made Part of Waqf Property Boards
Basant Kumar Mohanty
04.04.25
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Can non-Hindus be included in the administration of Hindu bodies just as non-Muslims are sought to be made part of waqf property boards through the new amendment bill, the government was asked on Thursday in the Rajya Sabha.
The issue was raised during the debate on the Waqf (Amendment) Bill 2025, which was poised to be passed in the Upper House.
Congress leader Abhishek Manu Singhvi criticised the bill for not providing an equal playing field, deeming it arbitrary. He pointed to several state laws governing Hindu religious institutions, such as the Karnataka Hindu Religious Institutions and Charitable Endowment Act 1997, and the Tamil Nadu Religious Charitable Endowment Act 1959, which ensure that only members from the respective religious community manage the religious bodies.
Singhvi asked the House whether any religious institution had allowed members from other communities to manage it, citing Andhra Pradesh chief minister N. Chandrababu Naidu’s opposition to including non-Hindus in the management of the Tirupati temple.
“I have a long list of different religious institutions in different states. I want to ask this august House, is there any institution among these where a member of any
other community has been allowed to be nominated?” Singhvi asked.
“I thank and support Chandrababu Naidu, who said how can non-Hindus come in the Tirupati board. It is a fair point. Then on what basis is the government doing this? Why is such step-motherly treatment and different yardstick being applied to one particular community? I do not mean to say that you do this with other religions. It means you should not go ahead with biased thinking,” Singhvi said.
Trinamool Congress member Mohd Nadimul Haque said the bill went against the basic structure of the Constitution and fundamental rights. He slammed the government for the provision that only those practising Islam for five years are allowed to donate to religious bodies.
“No such condition is there for people of other faiths for donating to charity. Who will certify that this Muslim has been practising for five years? What is the definition of practising Muslim? Will a Muslim go to some authority for certification about his practising faith? This is a violation of Article 14 of the Constitution,” Haque said.
Sanjay Raut of Shiv Sena(UBT) said the bill was an attempt to distract public attention from US President Donald Trump’s reciprocal tariff imposed on India.
Leader of the House and BJP president J.P. Nadda said: “Our government is following democratic norms. We set up a JPC of 31 members. This bill is in the interest of the nation.”
Source: telegraphindia.com
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https://www.telegraphindia.com/india/rajya-sabha-query-on-the-inclusion-of-non-hindus-in-administration-of-temples-prnt/cid/2092312
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Muslim Scholars Call for Global Day of Rage to Condemn War of Extermination on Gaza
03 Apr 2025
Gaza - Saba: The International Union of Muslim Scholars affirmed on Thursday that "the crimes of the Netanyahu government in Gaza have crossed all limits," calling for "an end to the killing of women and children with destructive weapons, and to the hunger, thirst, and disease."
According to Safa News Agency, the union called in a statement for "the need to stand in solidarity with the people of Palestine through urgent action that includes all effective military, economic, and diplomatic means at the government level."
Source: saba.ye
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https://www.saba.ye/en/news3460185.htm
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UK Government Announces Fund to Combat Anti-Muslim Hate
By Vivek Mishra
Apr 03, 20
The initiative aims to track incidents, raise awareness of hate crime, and provide better victim support. iStock)
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THE UK government has announced a new fund to monitor anti-Muslim hate and support victims, with applications opening on 7 April.
The initiative aims to track incidents, raise awareness of hate crime, and provide better victim support.
Police data from last year showed that nearly two in five religious hate crimes targeted Muslims, a 13 per cent increase from the previous year.
The new fund will help collect detailed data on such incidents to inform government efforts against Islamophobia.
Minister for faith, Lord Khan, said the initiative is a step towards understanding and tackling the rise in anti-Muslim hate.
The grant recipient will work with local and national partners, including faith groups and government bodies, to document hate incidents and support victims.
Applications are open to single organisations or partnerships. The deadline for submissions is 18 May at 23:59.
Source: easterneye.biz
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https://www.easterneye.biz/anti-muslim-hate-uk-fund/
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Bad Influence On Society’: Mosque Committee, Locals Block Theatre Performance in Bangladesh
04 Apr 2025
Gazipur Correspondent: bdnews24.com
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Members of a mosque committee and other local residents have blocked a theatrical performance in Gazipur's Kapasia Upazila.
A performance of a play titled "Apon Dulal" was scheduled at the Raniganj Udayan Sangha ground in Durgapur on Thursday.
Raniganj Udayan Sangha, the organiser of the performance, said it had made preparations to perform the show and had held rehearsals for the last month. Local cultural activists have been staging performances of plays, musicals, and folk ballads on the ground for the last 52 years. The cancelled performance was to be the 52nd annual performance.
Khandaker Shahadat Hossain, a local theatre activist and organiser, said he and other members of the group had been at the local bazaar on Wednesday night when Raniganj Bazar Mosque Imam Azizul Haque, Mosque Committee President Sirajul Islam and others came and told them to cancel the performance. They also spoke of cancelling all other theatrical performances in the future. Later, the decorator’s staff came and dismantled the stage and the tents.
When asked, Imam Azizul Haque said: “Religious-minded people asked the organising committee not to stage the play as they are a bad influence on society. In these programmes, women theatre workers perform indecent behaviour, which has a negative effect on society. When we explained this to them, the organisers eventually refrained from staging the show for the betterment of society. No single person prevented them. Locals, especially dignitaries, decided to request the organisers to stop.”
Shahadat said: “Apon Dulal is a musical without any women characters. No actress was to take part in the performance. It’s a decent show. But they prevented us from staging it. All of our long preparations, labour and initiatives went in vain.”
Raniganj Bazar Mosque Committee President Sirajul Islam said, “These performances have a negative impact on society. We, as respected members of our community, decided to stop the staging of the play. Not only in Raniganj, no drama will ever be allowed to be staged in the entirety of Durgapur Union. We informed them of the decision.”
Asked about the situation, Kapasia Police Station chief Abdul Barik said neither the organisers nor those who opposed them informed police about the incident.
Source: bdnews24.com
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https://bdnews24.com/bangladesh/934f178337a2
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Norwegian Party Comes Under Fire for Nominating Imran for Nobel Peace Prize
April 03, 2025
The Partiet Sentrum, a Norwegian political party, faced backlash after it nominated incarcerated former prime minister and Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) founder Imran Khan for the Nobel Peace Prize for his “services related to human rights and democracy” — a move that has ignited a wave of criticism against the party in the Scandinavian country.
The Norwegian party announced via social media that they, in collaboration with an unnamed individual possessing nomination rights, had put forward the name of the ousted premier, Anadoulu Agency reported.
"We are pleased to announce on behalf of Partiet Sentrum that in alliance with somebody with the right to nominate, have nominated [Imran] Khan the former prime minister of Pakistan to the Nobel Peace Prize for his work with human rights and democracy in Pakistan," the party said on X.
The Nobel Peace Prize is one of five Nobel Prizes established by the will of Swedish industrialist, inventor, and armaments manufacturer Alfred Nobel, along with the prizes in Chemistry, Physics, Physiology or Medicine, and Literature.
The prize aims to recognise and encourage efforts towards peace, international cooperation, and the reduction of conflict.
Every year, the Norwegian Nobel Committee receives hundreds of nominations, after which they select the winner through a lengthy eight-month process.
The nomination period for this year's prize concluded on January 31, and the committee registered 338 candidates for the 2025 Peace Prize, of which 244 are individuals and 94 are organisations.
However, the committee does not disclose the names of the nominators or nominees for the prize.
The party refrained from disclosing the identity of the intermediary who facilitated the nomination, adding to the growing controversy. However, former PTI leader Shabaz Gill also took to X to announce Khan's Nobel nomination.
"Nobel For Khan! Thank you to the Centre Party, Norway @partiet_sentrum Geir Lippestad for keeping his promise from our Oslo meeting to support former PM [Imran] Khan’s Nobel Peace Prize nomination. Grateful to him, Miss Samina T and party officials for their efforts," Gill wrote on X, along with two videos featuring his meeting with Geir Lippestad, the leader of Partiet Sentrum and the Khan's nomination announcement.
The jailed founder of the PTI lost power following a no-confidence vote in April 2022 and has been incarcerated at Rawalpindi's Adiala jail since September 2023, owing to his legal woes comprising around 100 cases.
His nomination for the prestigious award has drawn sharp criticism, particularly within Norway, with allegations that Partiet Sentrum is leveraging the potential Peace Prize nomination for political gain.
According to the NRK News website, critics have accused the party of "using a possible Peace Prize nomination to win votes".
"What is happening here is probably that (Geir) Lippestad strongly wants a seat in the Storting. And he wants to secure as many votes as possible in the Norwegian-Pakistani community," said Kristian Berg Harpviken, the director of the Nobel Institute, according to the website.
There has been no official communication by the Oslo-based Nobel Prize Committee regarding the announcement by the Norwegian party.
This is not the first time Khan has been nominated for a Peace Prize. In 2019, Khan was also nominated for the Nobel Peace Prize for his efforts to promote peace in South Asia.
However, the cricketer-turned-politician had said that he was not worthy of the honour.
Khan, despite being behind bars for quite some time now, has been a subject of interest for foreign lawmakers, those from the United States and the United Kingdom to be precise, who have called for his release on multiple occasions.
International letters regarding Imran Khan
In a letter addressed to Pakistan's civilian and military leadership, US Republican Congressman Joe Wilson called on President Asif Ali Zardari, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, and Chief of Army Staff (COAS) General Asim Munir to release the 71-year-old former prime minister.
In the letter, he asserted that Khan's freedom would strengthen US-Pakistani relations.
A few weeks later, US Congressman August Pfluger joined Wilson and, together, urged Secretary of State Marco Rubio to engage with Pakistan to free incarcerated cricketer-turned-politician, calling him a victim of "judicial abuse".
Last month, despite multiple efforts by US lawmakers to free Khan, the US State Department refrained from directly addressing questions regarding his imprisonment.
During a briefing in March, the US State Department spokesperson Tammy Bruce declined to comment on "the internal frameworks of another country" when pressed on the issue.
A journalist from a Pakistani newspaper had asked Bruce whether US President Donald Trump would take "some sort of action" on Khan being jailed as "the most popular leader with the majority number of seats in parliament".
Source: thenews.com.pk
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https://www.thenews.com.pk/latest/1297535-norwegian-party-comes-under-fire-for-nominating-imran-for-nobel-prize
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India
Krishna Janmabhoomi case: Muslim side moves Supreme Court after Hindu side claims Shahi Idgah is ASI monument
Debayan Roy
04 Apr 2025
The Shahi Idgah - Krishna Janmabhoomi dispute took another interesting turn on Friday after the Supreme Court decided that it will examine the new claim raised by Hindu parties that the disputed structure is a protected monument under the Archeological Survey of India (ASI) and cannot be used a mosque [Committee of Management Trust Shahi Idgah vs Bhagwan Shrikrishna Virajman Next Friend and ors].
A Bench of Chief Justice of India (CJI) Sanjiv Khanna and Justice PV Sanjay Kumar issued notice to the Hindu parties on the appeal filed by Muslim side against an order of the Allahabad High Court which had allowed the Hindu's side plea to amend their suit and also make ASI a party to the case.
"As far as the question whether the ASI protected place can be used as a mosque is pending before us. We had stated that no effective interim order be passed and you never told this to the High Court. This will have to be dealt with in other matter on merits," the Supreme Court said today when the appeal filed by Muslim side came up for hearing.
The Bench also prima facie observed that the order by the High Court allowing the Hindu side's amendment application seemed to be prima facie correct.
The Hindu side's application before the High Court was based on the claim that an ASI-protected place cannot be used for worship as a mosque and the Places of Worship Act will not apply to such a structure.
"You have the right to amend plaint and implead parties. No parties retrospective or not is a separate issue. They can also amend the plea and raise the issue in replication that places of worship act will not apply. That is why impugned order appears to be correct. It's not a new case. He is entitled to challenge it when you raise a new defense," the Court remarked.
The Court eventually said that it will hear the case along with other related matters in the dispute on April 8.
The Hindu side initially approached the High Court with an application to make ASI a party to the case. They also sought amendment to the plaint filed by them initially.
They claimed that the mosque was declared as a protected monument by a 1920 notification issued by the Lieutenant Governor of the United Province. The notification was issued under Section 3 of the Ancient Monument Preservation Act.
Consequently, the Places of Worship Act, 1991 will not be attracted in the present case and the place cannot be used as a mosque, they argued.
The Places of Worship Act seeks to protect the status of all religious structures as it stood on the date of independence (August 1947) by barring courts from entertaining cases which raise dispute over the character of such places of worship.
The law, which was introduced during the height of Ram Janmabhoomi movement, seeks to protect the status of all religious structures as it stood on the date of independence by barring courts from entertaining cases which raises dispute over the character of such places of worship.
The Muslim side opposed the amendment plea by Hindu parties. They claimed that it was an attempt to negate the defence taken by the Muslim side based on the Places of Worship Act.
"The proposed amendments shows that the Plaintiffs are attempting to negate the defence taken by the Defendant that the Suit is barred by the Places of Worship Act 1991 by setting up a new case. The Plaintiffs are amending their Plaint, to try and wriggle out of the defence taken by the defendant that the suit is barred under the Places of Worship Act, 1991," the Muslim side argued.
However, the High Court on March 5 allowed the Hindu side's application and permitted them to amend their plea and also add ASI as a party to the case.
"Let amendment be incorporated in the plaint within a month. The defendant may file addition written statement within two weeks of incorporation of proposed amendment by plaintiffs," the High Court said in its order.
This led to the appeal before the top court.
The dispute itself arose after the Hindu side (plaintiffs) filed a suit before the civil court claiming that the Shahi Idgah Masjid (mosque) was built over Krishna Janmabhoomi land.
The civil suit was filed on behalf of a Hindu deity Bhagwan Shri Krishna Virajman and certain Hindu devotees. The plaintiffs sought the removal of the mosque from its current site.
The plaintiffs further claimed that there were various indications to support the view that the Shahi-Idgah Mosque is, in fact, a Hindu temple. Therefore, an application was made before the High Court to appoint a commissioner to examine the site.
The main suit was initially been dismissed by a civil court in September 2020, citing the bar on admitting the case under the Places of Worship Act, 1991.
However, this decision was overturned after an appeal before the Mathura District Court.
The Mathura District Court in May 2022 held that the suit was maintainable. The matter was later transferred to the High Court in 2023.
An appeal by the Muslim side before the apex court has challenged the Allahabad High Court order that allowed the plea moved by Hindu side seeking consolidation of the suits and transfer of the same from civil court to the High Court.
The Supreme Court is also seized of an appeal against the recent verdict of the Allahabad Court that deemed 18 suits relating to the Krishna Janmabhoomi-Shahi Idgah Masjid dispute maintainable.
Meanwhile, the top court had in December last year directed courts across the country to not pass any effective orders or surveys against existing religious structures in suits filed disputing the religious character of such structures.
The Court said that the Places of Worship (Special Provisions) Act of 1991 expressly prohibits institution of such suits and the same cannot proceed until the validity of the 1991 law itself is decided.
This order was passed in a separate case challenging the validity of the 1991 Act itself.
Subsequently, no effective orders were being passed by courts in such disputes including the Shahi Idgah case.
Source: barandbench.com
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https://www.barandbench.com/news/black-magic-act-targets-only-harmful-practices-not-legitimate-religious-practices-bombay-high-court
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Waqf Bill Passed By Rajya Sabha With 128 Votes For, 95 Against
Apr 04, 2025
The Waqf bill, after a smooth passage through Lok Sabha, breezed through the Rajya Sabha 24 hours later, after yet another marathon debate. On its way, it exposed a chink in the armour of the parties opposing the bill. The voting was 128 votes in favour of the bill and 95 against.
Just a few hours before the voting, Naveen Patkaik's Biju Janata Dal opened the gates for a "conscience vote' telling its seven upper house MPs that they would not be bound by a whip and could vote for whichever side they wanted.
The party's senior leader Sasmit Patra, in a post on X, said they took that view after taking into consideration the sentiments of "different sections of the Minority communities regarding the Waqf (Amendment) Bill".
The Debate
The arguments, though, were on expected lines. Minorities affairs minister Kiren Rijiju, opening the debate, dismissed allegations that the bill would harm Muslim interests and asserted that non-Muslims cannot interfere in the Waqf Board's affairs as its management, creation, and beneficiaries would remain exclusively Muslims.
Emphasizing his argument that the bill is not about religion but property and its management and aims to root out corruption, he said proof of ownership will now be required before a property is declared Waqf. This, he added, will eliminate the previous provision where any claim by the Waqf Board automatically led to its designation as Waqf property.
Mr Rijiju and Union minister Amit Shah had yesterday listed properties that were labelled Wakf, among them properties in Delhi's Lutyens zone, a 400-year-old temple in Tamil Nadu, land for a five-star establishment and even the old parliament building.
Congress's Syed Naseer Hussain, who responded to Mr Rijiju, said, "They are creating confusion about 123 properties. They are either masjids, burial grounds or dargahs".
"I want to submit a list of those," he said. "When the British occupied Lutyens' Delhi, these properties were handed over to the Waqf by them after construction of the area. These properties are with the Waqf. These were the ones that are being referred to by them in relation to 2013," he added.
There was also an acrimonious exchange between Mr Hussain and Amit Shah today, when the former questioned the BJP argument that at under the existing Waqf Act, people can't move court if they are aggrieved with the decision of the Tribunal. "This is false. How are there so many pending cases in the High Court and Supreme Court if none could move court?" he said.
"They (the Congress) did not keep a provision for a civil suit, which has a wide purview, in the court in the 2013 Act. They only have a provision for writ jurisdiction in the High Court, which has a very limited purview," retorted Mr Shah.
Speaking in favour of the bill, Union Minister JP Nadda accused the Opposition of attempting to divert and derail the issue and asserted that it would be good if they paid attention to the deprived sections of the Muslim community. He also questioned why India cannot make changes when Muslim nations are making Waqf properties transparent and digitized the system.
Congress's Mallikarjun Kharge said the bill should not be made into a prestige issue. "What you (government) are doing is not good. This will lead to disputes in the country. You are sowing seeds for disputes... I appeal to the Home Minister to withdraw this. What is the harm in rectifying the errors?" he said.
Giving what he called a "comparative statement," he said the Bill was passed in Lok Sabha with 288 Ayes and 232 Noes. "Did everyone accept it? This means that there are drawbacks (in the Bill). You should see this... If you go by 'jiski laathi uski bhains', this will not be good for anyone," he told the House.
Targeting the Centre over the provisions of the legislation, he said: "Why two non-Muslims are required (to be part of Waqf board)? In Tirupati, do you keep any Muslims? Are there Muslim members in the Ram Temple Trust? Let alone Muslims, you won't put a Dalit Hindu like me also there."
His words echoed AIMIM leader Imtiaz Jaleel, who said, "If non-Muslims are going to be appointed on the Waqf Board, are they going to include Imtiaz Jaleel in Shirdi Saibaba (temple) trust or Tirupati temple trust. If such a board comes up for the Sikh community, no non-Sikh can be appointed. So, why such things are for the Waqf Board only," he questioned.
What Next For The Bill
The Lok Sabha had passed the bill with a 288-232 vote in the early hours of Thursday after a debate lasting over 12 hours.
The proposed legislation -- which will be sent for President's sign-off next -- aims to amend the 1995 law governing Waqf properties.
The Contentious Provisions of Waqf Bill
The contentious provisions in the amended bill include mandatory inclusion of two non-Muslim members in the Central Waqf Council and Waqf Boards.
There is also the stipulation that only individuals who practiced Islam for at least five years can donate properties to Waqf. The Opposition has questioned how the government intends to determine who a practicing Muslim is. They have also argued that barring converts from making donations is an interference in the fundamental rights to practice religion and the law on equality.
Under the proposed law, government property identified as Waqf will cease to belong to it and the local Collector will determine its ownership. The bill also proposes that an officer above the rank of collector will investigate government properties claimed as Waqf. In case of disputes, the senior government official will have the final say on whether a property belongs to Waqf or the government. This replaces the existing system where such decisions are made by Waqf tribunals.
The Opposition as well as a section of the Muslim community interprets it as a government move to gain control over Waqf properties.
Source: ndtv.com
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https://www.ndtv.com/india-news/waqf-amendment-bill-passed-by-rajya-sabha-with-128-votes-for-95-against-day-after-lok-sabha-cleared-it-8081809
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Jammu and Kashmir assembly speaker calls Waqf Amendment Bill a “violation of Indian constitution”
April 3, 2025
Criticising the passage of Waqf Amendment Bill, the Jammu and Kashmir assembly speaker Abdul Rahim Rather called it a direct violation of the Indian constitution showing his deep concerns that the bill goes against section 25 which grants right to practice religion.
After a 12 hour long debate the bill was passed in the parliament despite several opposition parties criticizing and calling it anti-Muslim. The bill has triggered criticism across the country from political to religious groups and among ordinary Muslims who believe that the Bill aims to target the Waqf properties and seeks to expand the government’s authority over these properties which according to Muslims should be run by members who have been caretaking Waqf properties.
Reflecting on the Bill claiming it sets a dangerous precedent, Rather said, “It’s not a good idea to interfere in someone’s religion or personal affairs.” Rather added that it is an “intrusion into the religious affairs of Muslims.”
He also warned the government of serious consequences if constitutional rights are ignored under the pretext of “reform.”
Source: muslimmirror.com
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https://muslimmirror.com/jammu-and-kashmir-assembly-speaker-calls-waqf-amendment-bill-a-violation-of-indian-constitution/
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Mirwaiz calls Waqf bill ‘direct interference’ in religious affairs
Apr 04, 2025
Mutahida Majlis-e-Ulema (MMU), a representative forum of Islamic scholars and religious organisations in Jammu & Kashmir headed by Mirwaiz Umar Farooq, on Thursday expressed anguish over the passing of Waqf Amendment Bill in Lok Sabha, calling it a ‘deliberate attempt to undermine the religious and community institutions of Muslims and encroach upon them over time’.
The body said the Waqf has historically played a vital role in serving the socio-religious needs of the Muslim community and was vital to its sustenance.
“The amended bill is direct interference in the religious affairs of Muslims with a view to curtail the autonomy of these bodies by the Centre and control them further,” the MMU said in a statement.
On Wednesday, the Waqf (Amendment) Bill 2025 was passed in the Lok Sabha after a fiery debate.
The MMU called the bill a ‘deliberate attempt to undermine the religious and community institutions of Muslims and encroach upon them over time’ .
“In this regard, MMU has convened a meeting of its members on Monday to deliberate upon the matter . MMU leadership is already in touch with the All India Muslim Personal Law Board (AIMPLB) and other prominent Muslim organizations across India to discuss a collective and unified response to this development,” the statement added.
On Wednesday, Mirwaiz, who had led a delegation to meet joint parliamentary committee over the bill, said that none of their reservations were addressed.
“One watches the ruling party defend the indefensible Waqf Amendment Bill in Parliament,it is unfortunate and disturbing that not even one of the serious concerns and reservations raised by the Muslim organisations, including the MMU, before the JPC in New Delhi,was addressed by them. Crores of Muslims in India are like mute spectators and are haplessly watching their rights and institutions being blatantly undermined and feel greatly let down,” he said.
Source: hindustantimes.com
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https://www.hindustantimes.com/cities/chandigarh-news/mirwaiz-calls-waqf-bill-direct-interference-in-religious-affairs-101743708906253.html
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'Belief shattered': Two JD(U) leaders resign over party's support for Waqf bill
Apr 4, 2025
NEW DELHI: At least two individuals in Bihar on Thursday announced their resignation from chief minister Nitish Kumar's party, Janata Dal (United), or JD(U), due to disagreement with the party’s support for the Waqf (Amendment) Bill introduced by the central government.
Mohammed Qasim Ansari, claiming to be a senior JD(U) leader, and Mohammed Nawaz Malik, JD(U) minority pradesh secretary of Bihar, wrote separate letters to Nitish Kumar. In the letters, they said that Muslims no longer had trust in the party, which they earlier believed followed a secular path.
“Millions of Indian Muslims like us had unwavering faith that you are the flag bearer of a purely secular ideology. But now, this belief has been shattered. Millions of dedicated Indian Muslims and activists like us are deeply shocked by JDU's stand regarding the Waqf Bill Amendment Act 2024,” reads the letter written by Shah Nawaz Malik.
Ansari wrote that the Waqf Bill was “against Indian Muslims” and could not be accepted “under any circumstances.”
“This bill violates many fundamental rights of the Constitution. Through this bill, Indian Muslims are being humiliated and insulted. Neither you nor your party realises this. I regret that I gave many years of my life to the party,” he wrote.
However, JD(U) national spokesperson Rajiv Ranjan Prasad responded by saying that neither Ansari, from East Champaran, nor Malik, from Jamui, were part of the party’s official structure.
In a letter circulating on social media, Ansari described himself as JD(U)'s medical cell president in East Champaran and claimed to have been a candidate from the Dhaka assembly seat. However, the JD(U) did not contest Dhaka in the 2020 elections. That seat was won by the BJP’s Pawan Jaiswal, an ally of JD(U).
Rajiv Ranjan Prasad told news agency PTI, "I wonder what to say about things. I have been associated with the party for a long time. I say with full responsibility that neither person has been a part of our rank and file."
He added, "We admit that some genuine members of our party, like national general secretary Ghulam Rasool Baliyawi, are not very happy with the passage of the Bill. Their grievances will be dealt with at the appropriate level. But those who are coming up with the claim of resignation from the party, were never members in the first place."
Earlier in the day, Baliyawi and Syed Afzal Abbas, who heads the Bihar Shia Waqf Board, also expressed concern about the Bill. They said many suggestions made by Muslim leaders during meetings with the Joint Parliamentary Committee were not accepted. However, they did not speak against the party’s decision to support the Bill.
Parliament passed the Waqf (Amendment) Bill, 2025 in the early hours of Friday after a detailed discussion in the Rajya Sabha. The bill was approved in the Rajya Sabha with 128 members voting in favour and 95 opposing it. Earlier, it had cleared the Lok Sabha with the support of 288 MPs, while 232 voted against it.
Parliament approved the Waqf (Amendment) Bill, 2025, in the early hours of Friday following an extensive discussion in the Rajya Sabha. The bill secured passage in the Rajya Sabha with 128 votes in favour and 95 against, following its approval in the Lok Sabha, supported by 288 MPs while 232 were against.
The issue around the Waqf Bill is expected to continue in Bihar until the state assembly elections, which are scheduled for later this year.
Recently, the All India Muslim Personal Law Board (AIMPLB) held a protest in Patna, asking Nitish Kumar and NDA partners like Chirag Paswan to stop the Bill.
Nitish Kumar, who says he follows the ideas of Jayaprakash Narayan and Ram Manohar Lohia, has often spoken about his record on maintaining secular values, even while being a BJP ally since the 1990s.
He recently spoke about his government’s work for minorities at an event attended by Union home minister Amit Shah. He said that the RJD, which ruled Bihar for 15 years and got Muslim votes, had failed to stop Hindu-Muslim clashes.
The RJD, Congress, and Left parties are expected to use the Waqf Bill issue to criticise the JD(U) and are hoping to gain Muslim voters' support for the "Mahagathbandhan" alliance.
Source: indiatimes.com
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https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/belief-shattered-two-jdu-leaders-resign-for-partys-support-of-waqf-bill/articleshow/119963762.cms
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Shivaji was a truly secular leader, he never attacked a mosque, says Nitin Gadkari
By Shubhangi Shah
April 04, 2025
Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj, who laid the foundation of the Maratha empire, died at the age of 50 on April 3, 1680. More than three centuries have passed, but his life, valour, beliefs, and ideals continue to stoke interest, which is palpable from the significant number of films made and books written on him. Safe to say, people have tried making sense of the life of this Maratha warrior, through both fact and fiction; the latest being 'The Wild Warfront - Shivaji Maharaj: Volume 2', a historical novel written by celebrated Marathi writer Vishwas Patil, translated into English by Nadeem Khan, and published by Westland Books.
"Researching about the life of Shivaji has been the passion, obsession, and madness of my life," said Patil at his book's launch at a fully-packed Maharashtra Sadan in Delhi.
While speaking fondly of the Maratha warrior, Union minister Nitin Gadkari pointed out how Shivaji is a misunderstood figure. "He was even dubbed as a bandit by the British," the minister said.
While his valour continues to inspire, what is also interesting is how he stands different for different people. For Jyotirao Phule, Shivaji was the voice of the subaltern, and for Bal Gangadhar Tilak, he was the original Hindu nationalist, pointed out writer-politician Shashi Tharoor. "You had different interpretations even within Maharashtra," he said.
One thing is certain, Shivaji was 100 per cent secular, said Gadkari.
"Throughout history, he won several battles but never attacked a mosque," Gadkari said, adding how his troops consisted of Muslim soldiers, and how after defeating General Afzal Khan of Bijapur in the 1659 Battle of Pratapgarh, he ordered his army to bury the slain general with respect.
Tharoor pointed out how important it is to talk about Shivaji's secularism, which is often underappreciated by his admirers as well.
Gadkari also lauded the English translation of the book by Khan, from Marathi, as because of it, the story of Shivaji will reach a wider public.
Source: theweek.in
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https://www.theweek.in/news/india/2025/04/04/shivaji-was-a-truly-secular-leader-he-never-attacked-a-mosque-says-nitin-gadkari.html
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Elderly Muslim man thrashed outside mosque for supporting Waqf bill; 3 arrested
Apr 4, 2025
An elderly Muslim man in Uttar Pradesh’s Sambhal district was allegedly beaten up by a group of people outside a mosque after he expressed support for the Waqf bill.
Zahid Saifi, a BJP supporter and the brother-in-law of former Uttar Pradesh Minority Commission chairman Ashfaq Saifi, was attacked on Thursday evening after offering namaz at Abu Bakar mosque.
According to Zahid Saifi, he was leaving the mosque when a discussion about the Waqf Amendment Bill arose. When others criticised the bill, he defended it, stating it was correct. A group of men abused him for backing the bill, before assaulting him.
“When I came out after offering namaz, I was misbehaved with and I was told that you are not a Muslim but you have become a Hindu,” Saifi told India Today’s sister channel Aaj Tak.
Saifi claimed that the assailants, identified as Rizwan, Naushad, and Shoaib, along with others, attacked him with sticks and a sharp weapon, injuring his ear. The assailants fled the scene after the attack.
“I have been beaten with a stick and a sharp object has been hit on my ear due to which I am not able to hear any sounds and my ear has become numb,” he said.
Bystanders later took the injured Saifi to the police station, where authorities registered a complaint and sent him for medical treatment.
Saifi linked the attack to his political stance and family ties. “We are very happy with the passing of the bill. The mafia and those eating Waqf Board money will face problems, and the poor will get their rights. This is the fight, and that is why I have been beaten,” he said.
Following the attack, his brother-in-law Ashfaq Saifi wrote on social media that he and his family had received threats. “What crime have I and my family committed that we are being abused and threatened so badly?” he posted.
A police official said a case of assault was lodged and three suspects were arrested.
“The matter of assault on Zahid Saifi has come to notice. People have had disputes with the accused party earlier as well. A case has now been registered, and action is being taken,” the cop said.
Source: indiatoday.in
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https://www.indiatoday.in/india/uttar-pradesh/story/elderly-muslim-man-thrashed-outside-mosque-for-supporting-waqf-bill-3-arrested-2703846-2025-04-04
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Stick To Route Given By Police: Calcutta HC On Ram Navami Procession
by Tanusree Bose
April 4, 2025
Dismissing a petition filed by the Ram Navami Celebration Committee, the Calcutta High Court on Thursday directed that the Ram Navami procession in Bankura Town will take the route proposed by the police, with a diversion of 100 m to avoid the mosque. Justice Tirthankar Ghosh said there was no problem in holding the procession on the route given by the state administration.
During the hearing, Advocate General Kishore Dutt, appearing for the state, told the High Court: “We have given permission as per the route followed for the last three years.” However, the petitioner’s counsel submitted that they have applied for a particular route, “but that has been denied for the past three years”.
To this, Justice Ghosh remarked: “Where is the problem with the present route?” The state counsel said that since it is a vulnerable area, therefore the deviation was ordered. Justice Ghosh observed: “Why are you trying to create this culture? Control it. This year, you continue with the route given by the administration, but I will keep it pending.”
Source: indianexpress.com
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https://indianexpress.com/article/cities/kolkata/stick-to-route-given-by-police-hc-on-ram-navami-procession-9923658/
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Security beefed up in Jamia Millia Islamia after passing of Waqf Bill in Parliament
04.04.25
Security has been stepped up in sensitive areas of southeast Delhi like Jamia Nagar and educational institutes, including Jamia Millia Islamia, to ensure that law and order is not disturbed by anti-social elements over the contentious Waqf (Amendment) Bill, an official said on Friday.
Delhi Police along with paramilitary forces intensified security arrangements at multiple sensitive areas, he added.
"To maintain law and order at multiple sensitive areas, we have intensified night patrolling and additional deployment will be arranged," a senior police officer said.
The Bill was passed in Parliament in the early hours of Friday, with police beefing up security to avoid any untoward incident.
Source: telegraphindia.com
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https://www.telegraphindia.com/india/security-beefed-up-in-jamia-millia-islamia-after-passing-of-waqf-bill-in-parliament/cid/2092365
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Harsimrat’s ‘real tukde-tukde gang’ dig to worsen SAD-BJP rift
Apr 3, 2025,
Jalandhar: Shiromani Akali Dal MP Harsimrat Kaur Badal's speech against BJP in the Lok Sabha on Waqf (Amendment) Bill on Wednesday, in which she used expressions like "the real tukde tukde gang", "black at heart" and "dirty politics" for the saffron party, is set to add bitterness between the former allies.
As the debate around the bill is being keenly watched, Harsimrat made it a point to accuse BJP of taking control of Sikh shrines outside Punjab. At a time when there are strong apprehensions among Sikhs about the saffron party, Harsimrat appeared to be addressing the sentiments of the larger Sikh community also and trying hard to win back SAD's core constituency — the Sikhs. "The BJP does not have any Muslim representative in Parliament for the third consecutive term; they don't have a single woman from them, [then] from where they got so much concern and affection for the Muslims?" she said.
"A party whose entire politics is dependent upon polarisation between Hindus and Muslims; whose entire politics is around Pakistan, Musalman and Khalistan; from where they got so much concern for Muslims, their women, their properties? They speak in the language of dua (prayer), but they are black at heart, and the entire country knows about it," Harsimrat said. "All 24 Muslim MPs in Parliament are not supporting this bill. Except their [BJP's] own MPs, all opposition members who were part of the joint parliamentary committee opposed the bill, no minority is supporting the bill. If it was so good, they would have praised it," she said, amid strong encouraging voices from the opposition benches.
She said the fact was that as many as 27% of all waqf properties in the country were in Uttar Pradesh. Since the state is going to polls in one and a half years, this politics revolved around that election, she added.
Then she turned towards Sikh issues. "If you have so much concern for the minorities and want to bring a bill, I want to ask we, the Sikhs, have been seeking amendment in Article 25B for several years. Hum Sikh hein, Hum Hindu nahin hein... bring that bill and we will all support that," she said.
She then mentioned the demolition of Dongmar Sahib in Sikkim, Gurdwara Gian Godri in Haridwar, and Mangu Math in Orissa were demolished. "It is very good that you built Ayodhya temple, but if your intention was clean, then include two Muslims in its board," she said, adding: "Your intention is to take possession of Muslim properties and their money. The way you took control of Sikh shrines in Nanded and Patna Sahib, and now you are trying to do that in SGPC."
"Your black politics of bulldozer; your politics of divide and rule; you are the tukde-tukde gang; you are dividing people; at one point you create divisions among Muslims; at another, you create divisions among Sikhs." "You should understand the effect of your dirty politics; as you sow so shall you reap. The way you are treating minorities — Muslims, Sikhs, Christians in the country, you are creating trouble for our Hindu people staying in Christian and Muslim dominated countries," Harsimrat said.
Source: indiatimes.com
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https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/chandigarh/harsimrats-real-tukde-tukde-gang-dig-to-worsen-sad-bjp-rift/articleshow/119953000.cms
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Mideast
UN human rights chief warns of ‘high and increasing risk’ of Israeli atrocities in Gaza
EPHREM KOSSAIFY
April 04, 2025
NEW YORK CITY: The UN’s High Commissioner for Human Rights on Thursday expressed deep outrage over the killing of 15 medical and aid workers in Gaza on March 23, as he warned that “there is a high and increasing risk that atrocity crimes are being committed in the Occupied Palestinian Territory.”
Volker Turk called for an “independent, prompt and thorough” investigation into the deaths which, he said, raise “further concerns over the commission of war crimes by the Israeli military.” The perpetrators “must be held to account,” he added.
He was speaking during an emergency meeting of the Security Council requested by council member Algeria, supported by China, Pakistan, Russia and Somalia, to discuss the escalating violence in the territory.
Renewed Israeli military attacks on Gaza have killed more than 1,200 Palestinians since March 1, including at least 320 children, Turk said, adding that the situation has deteriorated after the brief respite provided by the ceasefire earlier in the year
“The temporary relief of the ceasefire has been shattered,” he continued, noting that ongoing Israeli airstrikes have targeted residential buildings, hospitals and schools, many of them sheltering displaced civilians.
“There was no let-up, even as Palestinian families celebrated Eid,” Turk told council members. The Israeli military has intensified its strikes on “camps for people who have been displaced numerous times.” This has displacing thousands of additional Palestinians “who have nowhere safe to go,” he said, as half of Gaza has been designated a no-go zone or placed under evacuation orders.
These actions, he added, violate international humanitarian law, particularly with regard to the protection of civilians during conflicts.
Turk also highlighted the worsening humanitarian situation as a result of the blockade imposed on Gaza by Israeli authorities since March 1, which has cut off vital supplies of food, medicine and fuel. The World Food Program has been forced to close 25 bakeries, he said, exacerbating the food crisis.
“Community tensions over food shortages are palpable, alongside reports of excessive use of force by local police,” he continued. “We are witnessing a return to the breakdown of social order that preceded the ceasefire.”
The blockade amounts to collective punishment of Palestinians and might amount to the international crime of using starvation as a weapon of war, Turk said.
The situation is equally catastrophic in the West Bank, he warned, where Israeli military operations have resulted in hundreds of deaths and the destruction of refugee camps. Since Oct. 7, 2023, more 900 Palestinians have been killed there, including 191 children and five people with disabilities, and 40,000 have been displaced amid an alarming increase in state and settler violence. Some of these deaths, Turk said, might amount to extrajudicial “and other unlawful killings.”
In addition, he warned that “the announcement that residents must not return to their homes for a year raises serious concerns about long-term mass displacement.”
Turk expressed alarm at what he described as inflammatory rhetoric from senior Israeli officials, including calls for the annexation of Gaza and the forcible transfer of Palestinians from the territory. He said this raises grave concerns about the risk of international crimes and runs counter to the fundamental principle of international law that prevents the acquisition of territory by force.
“Dozens of Palestinian herding and farming communities have been forced to leave their homes and their ancestral lands, while restrictions on movement have paralyzed the economy and are shredding the social fabric,” Turk said.
Events during the past 18 months have made it “abundantly clear” that there is no military solution to the conflict between Israel and Hamas, he added. He called for a political resolution and reiterated that the only path forward is a negotiated two-state solution in line with UN resolutions and international law.
Turk urged the Security Council to prioritize the protection of civilians and ensure accountability for all violations of human rights law. He also demanded the immediate and unconditional release of all hostages and detainees, as well as unrestricted humanitarian access to Gaza.
The UK’s ambassador to the UN, Barbara Woodward, said her country “strongly opposes Israel’s decision to resume and expand its military operations in Gaza. Further fighting and bloodshed is in nobody’s interest and takes us further away from a deal to get the hostages home.”
She urged Israeli authorities to immediately reinstate the flow of humanitarian aid into Gaza.
“Blocking supplies and electricity from entering Gaza risks violating international humanitarian law,” she said.
The UK also condemns remarks by Defense Minister Israel Katz about the annexation of land in Gaza, Woodward added, and recent Israeli decisions to accelerate the establishment of settlements and outposts in the West Bank.
“There must be no forced displacement of Palestinians or reduction in the territory of Gaza,” she said.
Dorothy Shea, the charge d’affaires at the US mission to the UN, said Hamas was “solely responsible for the resumption of hostilities since March 18, refusing time and again to accept proposals to extend the ceasefire.
“For too long, Hamas has abused civilian infrastructure and facilities, cynically using it to physically shield its personnel and weaponry. Hamas’ reckless and contemptuous behavior has put civilians and humanitarian personnel at risk, purposefully placing them in the crossfire.”
Addressing events in the West Bank, Shea said that Washington supports what she described as “the efforts of the Israel Defense Forces to root out violent extremists in Jenin and Tulkarm.”
She called on the Palestinian Authority to carry through on its pledge “to end the practice of offering cash payments to the families of those who have carried out terrorist attacks, which for far too long incentivized violence against Israeli civilians and set back the prospects of peace.”
Slovenian envoy Samuel Zbogar lamented “the erosion of humanity, the erosion of protection of civilians, of respect for international law (and) of peace and security.”
He added: “More war does not bring more peace; not to Israel, not to Palestine, not to the region nor the globe. With each passing day, the region is less secure and the future is more unstable.”
He called on Israeli authorities to halt their operations in Gaza and the West Bank, and for an end to attacks on Israel.
“We call on Israel and Hamas to return to the agreement made in line with Resolution 2735, with the support of Egypt, Qatar and the United States,” Zbogar said. “The ceasefire must be restored, hostages must be released, aid must flow and dialogue must prevail.
“The only path to lasting peace can be the one of diplomacy. The only solution for ensuring lasting peace is the two-state solution endorsed by this council.”
Source: arabnews.com
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https://www.arabnews.com/node/2595843/middle-east
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Palestinian Authority calls on Hungary to arrest Netanyahu
April 03, 2025
RAMALLAH: The Palestinian Authority has urged Hungary to arrest visiting Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu under an International Criminal Court warrant over alleged war crimes in the Gaza Strip.
“The ministry calls on the Hungarian government ... to comply with the International Criminal Court’s arrest warrant by immediately handing Netanyahu over to bring him to justice,” the Ramallah-based Foreign Affairs Ministry said in a statement hours after Hungary announced it would withdraw from the ICC.
The governing body of the International Criminal Court voiced regret and concern over Hungary’s announcement that it was leaving the court, saying any departure harmed a “shared quest for justice.”
“When a state party withdraws from the Rome Statute (that established the ICC), it clouds our shared quest for justice and weakens our resolve to fight impunity,” the presidency of the Assembly of State Parties said in a statement.
The court is “at the center of the global commitment to accountability,” and the international community should “support it without reservation,” the statement added.
“Justice requires our unity.”
The governing body also extended an olive branch to Hungary, which earlier Thursday announced it was starting the one-year process to withdraw from the ICC.
Every court member “has the right to voice its concerns before the Assembly,” it said.
“The presidency strongly encourages Hungary to have a meaningful discussion on this issue.”
In the meantime, the body urged Hungary to “continue to be a resolute party to the Rome Statute.”
Budapest said it was quitting the ICC just as Prime Minister Viktor Orban hosted Netanyahu.
Source: arabnews.com
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https://www.arabnews.com/node/2595826/middle-east
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GCC Secretary-General slams Israeli Occupation Minister's Al Aqsa Mosque storming
03 Apr 2025
Riyadh: GCC Secretary-General Jasem Mohamed Al Budaiwi has decried an Israeli occupation minister's storming of Al Aqsa Mosque as a flagrant violation of Islamic sanctities.
Al Budaiwi said that Israeli National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir's storming of Islam's third holiest site, along with extremist colonists, is and an indication of the occupation forces' schemes to continue destabilizing security and stability in the Palestinian territories.
He dismissed such repeated moves as a grave violation of international law and the historical and legal status quo in Jerusalem and its holy sites.
They are a clear and blatant violation of the sanctity of the Al-Aqsa Mosque, a provocation of Muslim sentiments, and an exacerbation of tensions in the region, pushing the situation into a spiral of ongoing violence, he said.
Source: thepeninsulaqatar.com
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https://thepeninsulaqatar.com/article/03/04/2025/gcc-secretary-general-slams-israeli-occupation-ministers-al-aqsa-mosque-storming
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Qatar condemns Ben-Gvir's storming of Al-Aqsa Mosque
03 Apr 2025
Doha - Saba: The State of Qatar condemned the storming of Al-Aqsa Mosque by the so-called "Israeli National Security Minister" under the protection of Israeli enemy forces, the expulsion of worshippers, and the bombing of a clinic affiliated with the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees (UNRWA) in the Jabalia camp in the northern Gaza Strip.
The Qatari Ministry of Foreign Affairs affirmed, in a statement, that the repeated attempts to undermine the religious and historical status of Al-Aqsa Mosque are not only an attack on the Palestinians but also on millions of Muslims around the world.
Source: saba.ye
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https://www.saba.ye/en/news3460031.htm
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Drone strike kills three in south Lebanon: state media
April 04, 2025
Beirut: At least three people were killed in a “hostile” drone strike in the southern Lebanese city of Sidon on Friday, state media reported.
The attack took place around 3:45 am local time (0045 GMT) in a residential area of the city, the official National News Agency (NNA) reported.
It was not attributed to any party but came hours after Israel’s military said it carried out an air strike on a Hezbollah member in southern Lebanon.
“A hostile drone raided a residential apartment... in Sidon, causing two successive explosions that led to a fire and extensive damage,” reported NNA.
Emergency workers rushed to the scene where they recovered “the bodies of three martyrs,” the agency said.
The agency did not identify a target of the strike.
The earlier Israeli-claimed strike hit a car in a village near the border with Israel, injuring one person, NNA said.
Israel also struck Beirut this week, killing a Hezbollah official handling Palestinian affairs in the second such raid since a November ceasefire between Israel and the Lebanese militant group.
The Lebanese health ministry reported four dead in that strike, including a woman.
Lebanese leaders condemned the attack but Israel said it was in response to rocket fire, which Hezbollah denied.
Hostilities between Israel and Hezbollah spiralled into all-out conflict last September, and the group remains a target of Israeli air strikes despite the November 27 ceasefire.
Under the truce, Hezbollah is supposed to pull its forces north of the Litani River, about 30 kilometers (20 miles) from the Israeli border, and dismantle any remaining military infrastructure in southern Lebanon.
Israel is supposed to withdraw its forces across the UN-demarcated Blue Line, the de facto border, but has missed two deadlines to do so and continues to hold five positions it deems “strategic.”
Source: arabnews.com
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https://www.arabnews.com/node/2595864/middle-east
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Macron, on Egypt visit, to go near Gaza to show support for ceasefire
April 04, 2025
PARIS: French President Emmanuel Macron will go to an Egyptian port near the Gaza Strip next week to highlight concerns over the conflict in the Palestinian territory, his office said Thursday.
Macron will go to Arish, 50 kilometers (30 miles) from Gaza, next Tuesday during a visit to Egypt, officials said.
Macron will meet humanitarian and security workers next Tuesday to stress his “constant mobilization in favor of a ceasefire,” his office said in a statement.
Arish is a transit point for international aid intended for Gaza.
But food and other supplies have not been able to use the nearby Rafah crossing from Egypt into Gaza since a ceasefire between Israel and Hamas was suspended last month.
Macron is to go to Egypt on Sunday and on Monday will meet the country’s President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi.
Egypt has been a mediator in the Israel-Hamas conflict since the Ocxtober 7, 2023 Hamas attacks and Macron will stress “the urgency” of securing a new ceasefire so that Gaza’s population is no longer has to bear a “humanitarian catastrophe,” Israeli strikes are ended and Israeli hostages in Gaza are freed, the French leader’s office said.
A draft accord on treating Palestinian wounded brought out of Gaza is to be signed during the visit.
Source: arabnews.com
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Oscar-winning Palestinian director speaks at UN on Israeli settlements
April 04, 2025
UNITED NATIONS, United States: Palestinian director Basel Adra, who won an Oscar this year for co-directing a documentary on Israeli violence in the West Bank, sounded the alarm at the UN on Thursday, saying the situation was worsening despite the film’s success.
Adra was invited to speak by the UN Committee on the Inalienable Rights of the Palestinian People at a screening of his film, “No Other Land.”
The documentary chronicles the forced displacement of Palestinians by Israeli troops and settlers in Masafer Yatta — an area Israel declared a restricted military zone in the 1980s.
“I wanted the world to know that we live in this land, that we exist, and to see what we face on daily basis, this brutal occupation,” Adra told the UN.
The film depicts events like bulldozers demolishing houses and a school, as well as the provocations by Israeli settlers on Palestinian residents — including those which escalate to violence.
After a prolonged legal battle, the Israeli Supreme Court ruled in 2022 in favor of the Israeli army, allowing the expulsion of residents from eight villages in the region.
“Even after winning the Oscar, we went back to the same reality,” Adra said, adding that the situation was “only changing from worse to worse.”
“Almost every day, there is settlers attacks on Masafer Yatta and all over communities across the West Bank,” Adra continued.
Last week, Adra’s co-director and fellow Palestinian Hamdan Ballal reported he was attacked by Israeli settlers for winning the Oscar, saying he was detained by Israeli police for “hurling rocks” at which point he suffered a beating and “brutality.”
Rights groups have said that since the start of the Israel-Hamas war in Gaza — a separate Palestinian territory — there has been a spike in attacks by Israeli settlers in the West Bank.
Occupied by Israel since 1967, the West Bank is home to around three million Palestinians, as well as nearly half a million Israelis who live in settlements that are illegal under international law.
“No Other Land,” despite winning a prestigious Oscar, has struggled to find distribution in the United States, screening at only a handful of cinemas.
Source: arabnews.com
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https://www.arabnews.com/node/2595850/middle-east
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Hundreds of thousands flee as Israel seizes Rafah in new Gaza ‘security zone’
April 03, 2025
GAZA: Hundreds of thousands of fleeing Gazans sought shelter on Thursday in one of the biggest mass displacements of the war, as Israeli forces advanced into the ruins of the city of Rafah, part of a newly announced “security zone” they intend to seize.
A day after declaring their intention to capture large swaths of the crowded enclave, Israeli forces pushed into the city on Gaza’s southern edge, which had served as a last refuge for people fleeing other areas for much of the war.
Gaza’s Health Ministry reported at least 97 people killed in Israeli strikes in the past 24 hours, including at least 20 killed in an airstrike around dawn in Shejaia, a suburb of Gaza City in the north.
Later on Thursday, an Israeli airstrike killed at least 27 Palestinians, including women and children, inside a school building that served as a shelter for displaced families in Gaza City, local health authorities said.
The Israeli military claimed the attack hit key Palestinian “terrorists.”
Medics said three missiles slammed into the Dar Al-Arqam school building in Tuffah neighborhood in Gaza City, and the Israeli military said it struck a command center that militants had used to plan and execute attacks against Israeli civilians and army troops.
Rafah “is gone, it is being wiped out,” a father of seven among the hundreds of thousands who had fled from Rafah to neighboring Khan Younis, said via a chat app.
“They are knocking down what is left standing of houses and property,” said the man.
The assault to capture Rafah is a significant escalation in the war, which Israel restarted last month after effectively abandoning a ceasefire in place since January.
In Shejaia in the north, one of the districts where Israel has ordered the population to leave, hundreds of residents streamed out on Thursday, some carrying their belongings as they walked, others on donkey carts and bikes or in vans.
“I want to die. Let them kill us and free us from this life. We’re not living, we’re dead,” said Umm Aaed Bardaa.
In Khan Younis, where a strike killed several people, Adel Abu Fakher was checking the damage to his tent: “There’s nothing left for us. We’re being killed while asleep,” he said.
Israel has not spelled out its long-term aims for the security zone its troops are now seizing.
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said troops were taking an area he called the “Morag Axis,” a reference to an abandoned former Israeli settlement between Rafah and Khan Younis.
Gazans who had returned to homes in the ruins during the ceasefire have now been ordered to flee communities on the northern and southern edges of the strip.
They fear Israel intends to depopulate those areas indefinitely, leaving many hundreds of thousands of people permanently homeless while Israel seizes some of Gaza’s last agricultural land and critical water infrastructure.
Since the first phase of the ceasefire expired at the start of March with no agreement to prolong it, Israel has imposed a total blockade on all goods for Gaza’s 2.3 million residents, recreating what international organizations call a humanitarian catastrophe.
Israel’s military said on Thursday it was investigating the deaths of 15 Palestinian aid workers found buried in a shallow grave in March near Red Crescent vehicles, an incident that caused global alarm.
The military said troops fired on the cars, believing they carried fighters.
Israel’s stated goal since the start of the war has been the destruction of the Hamas militant group, which ran Gaza for nearly two decades.
But with no effort made to establish an alternative administration, Hamas returned to control during the ceasefire.
Fighters still hold 59 dead and living hostages Israel says must be handed over to extend the truce temporarily; Hamas says it will free them only under a deal that permanently ends the war.
Israeli leaders say they have been encouraged by signs of protest in Gaza against Hamas, with hundreds of people demonstrating in north Gaza’s Beit Lahiya on Wednesday. Hamas calls the protesters collaborators and says Israel is behind them.
The war began with an attack on Israeli communities on Oct. 7, 2023 with gunmen taking more than 250 hostages, according to Israeli tallies.
Israel’s campaign has so far killed more than 50,000 Palestinians, Gaza health authorities say.
Rafah residents said most of the local population had followed Israel’s order to leave as Israeli strikes toppled buildings there.
However, a strike on the main road between Khan Younis and Rafah stopped most movement between the cities.
The movement of people and traffic along the western coastal road near Morag was also limited by bombardment.
“Others stayed because they don’t know where to go, or got fed up of being displaced several times. We are afraid they might be killed or at best detained,” said Basem, a resident of Rafah who declined to give a second name.
Source: arabnews.com
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https://www.arabnews.com/node/2595836/middle-east
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Lebanese leaders reach consensus on border demarcation to present to US envoy
NAJIA HOUSSARI
April 03, 2025
BEIRUT: Lebanese leaders have reached a unified position on border demarcation to present to Morgan Ortagus, the US envoy, who is scheduled to arrive in Beirut before the end of the week.
President Joseph Aoun, Parliament Speaker Nabih Berri, and Prime Minister Nawaf Salam, agreed that there “will be no negotiations with the Israeli side regarding (a) prisoner swap or withdrawal from the Lebanese hills still occupied by the Israeli Army,” a source in the government told Arab News on Thursday.
“However, Lebanon is open to discussing disputed land border points,” the source added.
“Regardless of the US envoy’s proposals, the Lebanese stance remains unchanged,” said the source, who clarified that the Lebanese Army “is fulfilling its duties by being deployed south of the Litani River and confiscating weapons in the border area, as acknowledged by the US side overseeing the ceasefire monitoring committee and the UNIFIL forces.”
The source said that the military had made significant progress on the issue, destroying weapons and ammunition seized from Hezbollah sites.
Aoun told top security officials on Thursday that Lebanon’s interests comes above anything else.
He was speaking during a visit to the leadership of the Internal Security Forces and the General Security Directorate.
“We have a great opportunity to seize at all levels, and we must show the people that we are mature enough to build the state and that we will build it,” he said.
The president called on security bodies to “remain unaffiliated with anyone, serve only Lebanon’s interests, and enforce the law,” noting that “the world is ready to help us, but we must first help ourselves.”
Aoun stated: “Lebanon’s interest comes above anything else. It is the state that protects Lebanon, not its sects. Parties and sects prioritize their interests, whereas your duty is to serve Lebanon.
“You must reject any demands or interference that might harm the nation’s interests and prompt people to respect the law, keeping in mind that no request outside the law will be tolerated.”
Also on Thursday, Maronite Patriarch Bechara Al-Rahi, the highest Maronite religious authority in Lebanon, said the time “has come to unify weapons in Lebanon, as stipulated in the Taif Agreement.”
He also told the Lebanese Editors Syndicate that the military “needs strengthening and support from other nations, but the solution now is diplomatic, as we are incapable of engaging in war, and no one can confront Israel.
“What has the resistance achieved with all its weapons against the Israeli war machine,” he asked, adding “now is not the time for normalization with Israel, as there are other issues that must be addressed first, such as border demarcation and disarmament.”
Israeli Defense Minister Israel Katz said Israel would not withdraw from the five positions it controls in Lebanon.
He was speaking during a visit to an Israeli military site in southern Lebanon — one of the five hills still occupied since the ceasefire declaration in November.
At the site, which is near the Israeli settlement of Margaliot, Katz stated Israel’s presence at the five locations will be determined not by time but by the situation on the ground.
“Only if Hezbollah disarms and withdraws from the border can we discuss the withdrawal of the Israeli Army from these positions, and this matter is being coordinated with the Americans,” he said.
Katz anticipated “an increase in activity among Palestinian organizations, including Hamas, in Lebanon and Syria.”
He stated: “We are working to prevent the arming of Hezbollah and Palestinian organizations. The challenge will begin and intensify.”
Katz claimed that Hezbollah “is not a protector of Lebanon.”
He added: “The Iranians now realize that it is no longer capable of defending them.”
Elsewhere, an Israeli drone targeted a vehicle on the main road between Bint Jbeil and Yaroun in the border area.
The drone struck the vehicle from behind, resulting in two injuries, the Lebanese Ministry of Health said.
The Israeli military conducted airstrikes around Naqoura and one strike in the town’s center, targeting pre-fabricated homes as replacements for the destroyed houses and facilities.
These pre-fabricated facilities were being used to meet citizens’ needs, serving as a substitute for the municipal building, destroyed by Israel following the ceasefire, said Naqoura Mayor Abbas Awada.
He highlighted that recent aggression occurring in proximity to UNIFIL headquarters falls “under the jurisdiction of the five-member ceasefire monitoring committee and UNIFIL forces.”
Hezbollah’s Islamic Health Authority reported that Israeli strikes destroyed a “newly established civil defense center and damaged ambulances and firefighting vehicles.”
Meanwhile, the Lebanese Armed Forces have taken proactive measures, with military units removing “engineering obstacles placed by Israeli forces inside Lebanese territory” near Al-Labouna in the Tyre region.
The military also closed an unauthorized dirt road created by Israeli units in the same area.
In an official statement, the Lebanese Army Command affirmed its ongoing commitment to “addressing Israeli violations through close coordination with the ceasefire monitoring mechanism and UNIFIL.”
The Army Command condemned Israel’s “persistent violations of Lebanese sovereignty and targeting of civilians across multiple regions.”
In another development, UNIFIL Western Sector Commander Gen. Nicola Mandolisi conducted his first meeting with Khirbet Selem Mayor Mohammed Rahhal.
Their joint statement highlighted “UNIFIL’s commitment to facilitating the safe return of displaced residents and supporting Lebanese military operations through strategic partnerships with the Fifth Brigade and the Second and Fifth Rapid Intervention Regiments, key components in regional stabilization efforts.”
Source: arabnews.com
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https://www.arabnews.com/node/2595832/middle-east
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Israeli action in Gaza leaves more than 39,000 Palestinian children orphaned
April 03, 2025
LONDON: The Israeli onslaught in the Gaza Strip has orphaned thousands of Palestinian children — many of them losing both parents — which has left them with no means of support and no access to education.
The Palestinian Central Bureau of Statistics reported on Thursday that at least 39,384 children in the Gaza Strip have become orphans during the 534 days of Israeli attacks since October 2023, with 17,000 children losing both parents.
The PCBS reported that these children face a harsh reality, struggling to survive without support. Many are forced to live in tattered tents or destroyed homes, with little access to social services or psychological support.
Palestinian children, including orphans, endure profound mental disturbances daily, such as depression, isolation and fear, due to a lack of safety and proper guidance, the PCBS said. It warned that they are vulnerable to child labor and exploitation in a harsh environment due to the lack of adequate education and social support.
The education system in the Gaza Strip has been devastated by the conflict, which has destroyed 111 schools with another 241 severely damaged.
Additionally, 89 schools operated by UNRWA (UN Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East) have been bombed or damaged, preventing 700,000 students from accessing education for the current academic year, the PCBS added. Some UNRWA schools have been turned into humanitarian shelters for entire communities in Gaza.
Israel resumed intense bombing of Gaza in March and launched a new ground offensive, ending a ceasefire lasting nearly two months. At least 1,066 people have died in Gaza since Israel resumed its military operations, according to the local health ministry.
Source: arabnews.com
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https://www.arabnews.com/node/2595817/middle-east
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Ministry of Foreign Affairs condemns criminal Ben Gvir's storming of Al-Aqsa Mosque
03 Apr 2025
Sana'a (Saba) – The Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Expatriates condemned in the strongest terms the storming of the blessed Al-Aqsa Mosque by the criminal Itamar Ben Gvir, accompanied by dozens of settlers.
In a statement received by the Yemeni News Agency (Saba), the Ministry of Foreign Affairs considered the continued desecration of the first of the two Qiblas and the third holiest site in Islam a flagrant violation of international law and a provocation of the feelings of more than two billion Muslims around the world.
Source: saba.ye
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https://www.saba.ye/en/news3460170.htm
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Europe
Faisal Islam: This is the biggest change to global trade in 100 years
3 April 2025
The impact of these tariffs on the world economy will be huge.
They can be measured by the lines on a chart of US tariff revenue jumping to levels not seen in a century - beyond those seen during the high protectionism of the 1930s.
Or in the overnight stock market falls, especially in Asia.
But the true measure of these changes will be significant changes to long-standing global avenues of trade.
At its heart this is a universal tariff of 10% on nearly all imports into the US for every country, coming in on Friday night. On top of that dozens of "worst offenders" will be charged reciprocally for having trade surpluses.
The tariffs on Asian nations are truly remarkable. They will break the business models of thousands of companies, factories, and possibly entire nations.
Some of the supply chains created by the world's biggest companies will be broken instantly. The inevitable impact will surely be to push them towards China.
Is this just a grand negotiation? Well the US administration appears to be claiming the tariff revenue for planned tax cuts. The scope for quick adjustment seems limited. As one White House official said bluntly: "This is not a negotiation, it's a national emergency".
The US's formula for the so-called "reciprocal tariffs" basically just charges a country for having a goods trade surplus with the US, exporting more to America than it imports. Then even if there is no surplus it whacks up the charge at the universal baseline of 10%.
All this reveals two things. The aim of policy is to reduce the US trade deficit to zero. That is a remarkable rerouting of world trade flows and explains the specific punitive focus on Asia.
Secondly it is clearly the case that bilateral negotiations have not made much of a difference, or in fact any difference.
Deficits and surpluses are a normal part of a functioning trade system where countries specialise in what they are the best at making. The US has now spectacularly ended that logic.
But shifting factories will take years. Tariffs at this scale on East Asia especially at 30 or 40% will hike prices of clothes, toys and electronics much more quickly.
The question now is how the rest of the world responds.
There are opportunities for some consumers in Europe to benefit from cheaper diverted trade in clothes and electronics. Outside of an inward-looking number one world economy, the rest of the big economies may choose to integrate trade more closely.
As Tesla's slumping sales may illustrate, only part of this story is about the response of governments. These days consumers can retaliate too. It may be a new sort of social media trade war.
Europe could decide not to continue buying the consumer brands created in the US, and loved across the world.
The monopoly in the provision of social media services by big US tech could be shaken up.
And US authorities may need to raise interest rates to combat the inevitable spike in inflation.
A messy global trade war looks inevitable.
Source: bbc.com
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https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/cly1j2v4klzo
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£150,000 raised at foundation dinner for Islamic Relief
Shuiab Khan
4 April 2025
An Blackburn dinner raised a staggering £150,000 for the international charity Islamic Relief.
More than 100 people from across Blackburn with Darwen attended the event held on the final week of Ramadan at Akbar’s restaurant in the town centre.
Representatives from Islamic Relief were on hand to explain the work the charity is doing supporting pregnant women and maternity care in Gaza.
The event was organised and supported by the AD Foundation and attended by some of the leading businesses in the town.
Guests also took part in evening prayers before being served an iftar meal at the end of their daily fast.
People were encouraged to donate as much as they could, with four businesses stepping forward to donate £20,000 each to the appeal.
Islamic Relief revealed that by the time the temporary ceasefire was announced in January 2025, only 50 per cent of Gaza’s hospitals were still in partial operation.
Those that have remained open have faced a daily struggle to provide for wounded and traumatised patients due to critical shortages of medicine, fuel and basic supplies.
The appeal in Blackburn will go to supporting maternity units in Gaza with he charity using donations ‘to locally procure ingredients to prepare food, hygiene supplies, bedding, and any other essential item they can source’.
The WHO (World Health Organisation) estimates that there are approximately 50,000 pregnant women in Gaza, the majority of whom are displaced and haven’t received vital maternal care.
The charity said thousands have been forced to give birth in horrendous and unsterile conditions.
Find out more about Islamic Relief's work on the charity's website.
Source: yahoo.com
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https://uk.news.yahoo.com/150-000-raised-foundation-dinner-040000253.html
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Expansion of Ipswich mosque in former pub refused by leaders
3RD APRIL
By Shikhar Talwar
The expansion of a town centre mosque which was previously a pub has been refused by Ipswich Borough Council.
Plans were submitted to the council which would see an extension to the existing prayer hall at Nawrasy Mosque, formally the Mulberry Tree in Woodbridge Road.
Proposed works would include an extension at the first-floor level to provide additional teaching spaces and ancillary facilities, as well as structural alterations and demolition at the ground-floor level to provide an enlarged and better-proportioned area for prayers.
However, on Wednesday the planning committee decided to vote against the plans, again along with officers who in a pre-meeting report said the development would cause "substantial harm to the setting of the heritage assets".
Mojlum Khan, from BSC Multicultural Society, said that he had been approached by the organisers and added that there is a need for the expansion.
He added: "The project is a very busy centre at the moment.
"It meets people's social, cultural and religious needs. This extension was needed for the centre, primarily for people from Kurdish and Turkish backgrounds.
"The question here is going to be a balance between the features of the building and its historic looks, it is important we respect that, as well as the needs of the community, with people who may then not come back here.
"For me, it is important to do both and ensure that people can keep coming here."
However, councillors believed that the proposal to change the roof of the site and make it more flat would affect the historic heritage of the site.
George Lankester and Colin Kreidewolf both spoke positively of the project but added that they could not support it because of the effect that it would have.
Adam Rae, who abstained from voting, said: "When this centre was first opened, we were invited down, and I thought it was really good, and how they had converted the space.
"I am not too sure about this plan, when you take a listed building you are going to have to respect it, but I think this really changes the plans."
Source: ipswichstar.co.uk
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https://www.ipswichstar.co.uk/news/25057269.expansion-ipswich-mosque-former-pub-refused-leaders/
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Muslim community join Haringey Cabinet Members and Cllrs for inaugural Eid celebration
3 April 2025
Cllr Peray Ahmet was in attendance for this inaugural occasion at George Meehan House alongside Cabinet Members Cllr Ajda Ovat and Cllr Ruth Gordon, the MP for Southgate and Wood Green, Bambos Charalambous, and the Deputy Mayor of London and GLA Member for Enfield and Haringey, Joanne McCartney.
Following a warm welcome from the council’s Cabinet Member for Communities, Cllr Ovat, Naeem gave a beautiful recitation that was greeted by rapturous applause from the gathering.
Cllr Ahmet, Bambos Charalambous and Joanne McCartney delivered heartfelt speeches either side of the evening’s prayers and these were followed by similar remarks from the Deputy Lieutenant of Haringey, Captain Peter Baker RNR, RD, the Deputy Mayor, Cllr Ahmed Mahbub, the President of Wightman Road Mosque (also known as the London Islamic Cultural Society (LICS), Bibi Khan MBE and Cllr Ibrahim Ali.
A Poem for Peace from Shenola and music via Omar Esa then rounded off a very enjoyable and entertaining evening!
Thank you to all the representatives of our Muslim communities and other faith groups who came out in such strong numbers.
It was a pleasure and a privilege to spend such a special time in your company. We wish you all a blessed and joyous Eid. Eid Mubarak!
Source: haringey.gov.uk
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https://www.haringey.gov.uk/news/20250403/muslim-community-join-haringey-cabinet-members-cllrs-inaugural-eid-celebration
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South Asia
Islamic Emirate Vows a Bright Future for Afghanistan
2025-04-03
KABUL(BNA): Mawlavi Abdul Kabir, acting minister for refugees and repatriation, met with senior officials of the Islamic Emirate, religious scholars, tribal leaders, and former mujahideen to discuss Afghanistan’s security and development.
In a statement from the Ministry of Refugees and Repatriation, attendees praised the peaceful Eid celebrations nationwide, attributing the stability to what they described as the “results of the Islamic system” and the efforts of the Islamic Emirate.
Participants commended the administration’s progress across sectors and acknowledged security forces’ role in maintaining order. Mawlavi Abdul Kabir stated the Islamic Emirate is “working as a responsible government to secure Afghanistan’s future,” stressing public cooperation as vital for progress.
“Afghanistan’s stability and development are achievements of the Islamic system,” Minister Kabir said, adding that security forces and mujahideen “work tirelessly, with public support, to preserve lasting peace.”
The meeting comes as the Islamic Emirate seeks broader international engagement amid ongoing scrutiny over governance and human rights.
Source: bakhtarnews.af
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https://www.bakhtarnews.af/en/islamic-emirate-vows-a-bright-future-for-afghanistan/
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Listening to people’s demands key to system survival: Official
Khan Wali Ahmadzai
3 Apr 2025'
PUL-I-ALAM (Pajhwok): Listening to the demands and problems of the public is essential for the survival of the Islamic system, the deputy Interior Minister said on Thursday.
The Deputy Interior minister, local officials and a number of scholars, tribal elders and youth representatives participated in a public gathering titled “the implementation of the supreme leader’s decrees and strengthening unity of the public” in southeastern Logar province.
Addressing the gathering, Maulvi Mohammad Anwar Dinparwar, Logar’s deputy governor, assured that all decrees issued by the supreme leader of the Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan (IEA) were completely implemented in Logar and local officials made all their efforts to resolve all of the problems being faced by the people.
He further described the unity of the people of Logar important and said they all supported the Islamic system.
Maulvi Shareefullah, a representative of local scholars said that all of the decrees of the supreme leader about unpleasant traditions in society were implemented and local scholars prevented such bad customs.
Maulvi Abdullah Mukhtar, deputy Interior Minister) said, the people of this province needed to be further united and support the current system for the sake of the country.
Mukhtar also called on IEA officials to listen to the demands of the public and serve them when they need any service.
He also urged officials to ensure justice and allow no one to defame the Islamic system.
At the end of the gathering, a number of local tribal elders shared their problems and demands with the officials and emphasized that the IEA must address the problems of the people.
Source: pajhwok.com
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https://pajhwok.com/2025/04/03/listening-to-peoples-demands-key-to-system-survival-official/
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Yunus urges BIMSTEC to act on Rohingya crisis
Apr 4, 2025
Chief Adviser Prof Muhammad Yunus has said BIMSTEC should take more visible actions to engage Myanmar to bring stability in Rakhine for an enabling environment for return of the Rohingyas sheltered in Bangladesh.
Addressing the sixth BIMSTEC summit in Bangkok today morning, he said BIMSTEC can promote dialogue to resolve the internal conflicts, particularly between the conflicting parties in Rakhine.
Leaders of the seven BIMSTEC member countries, including Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Myanmar Senior General Min Aung Hlaing were present.
The leaders observed a minute of silence for the victims of recent earthquakes in Myanmar and Thailand ahead of the summit.
"Given the recent developments in Rakhaine State, amidst the warning of UNDP of an impending famine in Rakhaine, a humanitarian channel in Rakhine may be established for the supply of basic necessities to the people to stop further displacement from Rakhine," Prof Yunus said.
Bangladesh shelters 1.2 million Roingya, mostly the ones who fled military crackdown in Rakhine State in 2017. With the military takeover in 2021, Myanmar witnessed a civil war and the rebel group Arakan Army in Rakhine has taken control of about 90 percent of the state.
There is a looming humanitarian crisis, which has worsened with last week's devastating earthquake in Myanmar.
"The protracted Rohingya crisis, if unresolved, has the possibility to create instability in the whole region," said Prof Yunus.
He said Bangladesh encourages meaningful political participation of BIMSTEC member states in the "High-Level Conference on the Situation of Rohingya Muslims and Other Minorities in Myanmar" under the UN auspices, in September 2025.
Prof Yunus has also called upon all BIMSTEC leaders to extend their valued support in redeeming the collective commitments to revitalise BIMSTEC as Bangladesh assumes the BIMSTEC chairmanship today for the next two years.
"BIMSTEC has been in existence for 28 long years. To be candid, its impacts are not still felt across the member states and beyond," he said.
Signing and ratification of the Charter and formulation of the relevant Rules of Procedure has accorded the BIMSTEC processes and institutions considerable strength, he said.
"Our civil society and private sector particularly stress on BIMSTEC to take up tangible and result-oriented initiatives, and projects amongst our countries."
"We need a genuinely shared sense of mutual confidence and mutuality of interests, rising above our differences and divergences. Whatever we undertake or do collectively, we need to be driven by impact and results.
"Approaching the fourth decade, we need to re-discover the modalities and institutions of regional and sub-regional collaboration under BIMSTEC."
Prof Yunus said addressing inequality of income and choices, balancing economy and ecology need to be overriding objectives in pursuing our sectoral cooperation.
"While each of our countries pursue our national interests, we also need to appreciate the same of 'others' in the table in shaping and moving our wider cooperative agenda," he said.
He said within and beyond the region, resources - capacities - solutions abound to address many of our endemic challenges, like climate change.
"As much as we facilitate knowledge and technology amongst our seven countries, let us also open up to the world – the governments, the knowledge institutions, foundations, private sector – who would share our values and appreciate our needs."
Prof Yunus also described how the interim government was formed following a mass upsurge and then he was made the chief adviser and the reforms this government has undertaken.'
He affirmed the BIMSTEC leaders that holding the national elections of Bangladesh at the earliest possible is at the top of our agenda.
"I have assured our people that, once our mandate is fulfilled in the conduct of elections as well as the required reform is done, we shall hold a free, fair and participatory election.
"As we rebuild Bangladesh, we will continue to work steadfastly to ensure the constitutional rights of every citizen of the country whether they are women or members of ethnic and religious minorities."
Source: thedailystar.net
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https://www.thedailystar.net/news/bangladesh/news/yunus-urges-bimstec-act-rohingya-crisis-3863281
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IEA Consulate General and Sindh Police Chief Discuss Migrants’ Concerns
2025-04-03
KABUL(BNA): Mawlavi Syed Abdul Jabbar Takhari, the Consulate General of the Islamic Emirate in Karachi, met with Ghulam Nabi Memon, the Chief of Police of Sindh Province, to address the challenges facing the Afghan community in Pakistan.
During their discussion, Takhari urged the police to ensure that Afghans with valid documentation are protected from unwarranted actions.
Chief Memon responded positively, assuring Takhari of the Sindh police’s commitment to cooperating with the Afghan Consulate to alleviate these concerns.
Source: bakhtarnews.af
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https://www.bakhtarnews.af/en/iea-consulate-general-and-sindh-police-chief-discuss-migrants-concerns/
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Rise in executions of Afghan nationals in Iran sparks concern
By Fidel Rahmati
April 4, 2025
The execution of Afghan citizens in Iran has seen a significant increase in recent years, raising serious human rights concerns.
In the first quarter of 2025, reports indicate that nearly 21 Afghan nationals were executed in various Iranian prisons, including Chezel Hesar in Karaj, Shiraz, Bandar Abbas, Zahedan, Gorgan, Isfahan, and Borujerd. The majority faced execution on charges related to drug offenses.
This surge follows a troubling trend. In 2022, 16 Afghan citizens were executed, rising to 25 in 2023 and at least 80 in 2024, according to the Iran Human Rights organization. Afghan nationals now represent the largest group of non-Iranian executions in Iranian prisons.
The increase in executions coincides with the Taliban’s return to power in Afghanistan in August 2021, suggesting a possible correlation between the political shift and the rising number of Afghan executions in Iran.
In response to these developments, Abdul Malik Haqqani, the administrative deputy of the Taliban’s Supreme Court, visited Iran and urged Iranian officials to show leniency toward Afghan prisoners, advocating for alternative punishments over the death penalty. He also requested that Iran share a list of Afghan death row inmates.
The international community has expressed deep concern over these executions. The United Nations has called for investigations into reports of Afghan casualties along the Iran-Afghanistan border, emphasizing the need to protect migrant rights under international law.
These developments underscore the urgency for diplomatic engagement and international intervention to address the escalating human rights violations against Afghan citizens in Iran.
The sharp rise in executions of Afghan nationals in Iran highlights systemic issues within the Iranian judicial system, particularly concerning foreign nationals. The international community must intensify efforts to address these human rights violations, ensuring accountability and the protection of vulnerable populations.
Furthermore, the situation calls for a reevaluation of diplomatic relations between Afghanistan and Iran, aiming to establish safeguards for Afghan citizens and prevent further injustices.
Source: khaama.com
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https://www.khaama.com/rise-in-executions-of-afghan-nationals-in-iran-sparks-concern/
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ZubLink Steps In to Support Digital Transformation in Afghanistan
By Khaama Press
April 3, 2025
ZubLink LLC, a U.S.-registered web solutions company with a history in Afghanistan, has announced its strategic return to the Afghan market, offering digital services to support the country’s struggling business sector. The company, now based in Richmond, Virginia, aims to help Afghan entrepreneurs, startups, and organizations rebuild and strengthen their online presence through affordable web design, hosting, SEO, and digital marketing solutions.
Founded in 2011 in Afghanistan under the name Barg Sabz Web Designing (BSWD), ZubLink has since expanded its operations globally, serving clients across North America, Europe, the Middle East, and South Asia. With a team of experienced Afghan developers and designers, the company maintains strong professional and cultural ties to its origins and is positioning itself as a key digital partner for Afghan businesses seeking to navigate the current economic environment.
Over the past two decades, Afghanistan witnessed significant growth in its private sector. Following the fall of the Taliban regime in 2001, tens of thousands of businesses and startups emerged throughout the country. Encouraged by international aid, improved infrastructure, and increasing access to mobile and internet services, many young entrepreneurs launched ventures across industries ranging from media and education to e-commerce and technology. According to the World Bank, by 2020, Afghanistan had over 75,000 registered small and medium enterprises that collectively employed millions and contributed substantially to the national economy.
However, the abrupt change of government in August 2021 and the resulting political instability, international sanctions, and financial isolation dealt a heavy blow to the country’s economic framework. Many businesses were forced to shut down or severely scale back operations due to the lack of access to banking services, foreign markets, and professional tools necessary for digital growth.
In this context, ZubLink’s renewed focus on the Afghan market is seen as a welcome development by many in the business and tech communities. The company offers a full range of digital services, including custom website design, secure domain registration, performance optimization, e-commerce integration, and multilingual website solutions. In addition to its technical offerings, ZubLink is providing six months of free website maintenance for new clients and guarantees 24/7 live technical support with no reliance on automated chatbots.
Khushnood Nabizada, the founder and business development director of ZubLink, emphasized the importance of empowering Afghan businesses to compete in the global digital economy. He said the company is committed to delivering reliable and cost-effective digital tools tailored to the unique needs of Afghan clients, including NGOs, media outlets, educational institutions, and small enterprises.
Despite the country’s economic difficulties, digital opportunities continue to grow. Afghanistan’s internet penetration reached approximately 22 percent in recent years, according to data from the Afghanistan Telecom Regulatory Authority (ATRA), with more than 9 million users nationwide. As more Afghans gain access to smartphones and mobile internet, the need for reliable digital infrastructure and services becomes increasingly urgent.
ZubLink’s re-entry into the Afghan market is part of a broader effort to support digital resilience and local innovation. By offering localized solutions backed by global experience, the company aims to bridge Afghan entrepreneurs to international opportunities, helping rebuild the foundations of a tech-enabled economy.
Source: khaama.com
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https://www.khaama.com/zublink-digital-services-afghanistan-business-revival/
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Pakistan
Sardar Akhtar Mengal Warns of March On Quetta
Saleem Shahi
April 4, 2025
• BNP-M workers will leave Mastung for Quetta on 6th
• Govt warned of consequences if marchers stopped
• Police arrest JWP leader after party announces its march
QUETTA: With three rounds of negotiations failed to make any progress to end the BNP-M’s sit-in near Mastung, Sardar Akhtar Mengal on Thursday announced that in the next phase they would march on Quetta on April 6 to press the authorities for the release of Dr Mahrang Baloch and other BYC leaders.
As the sit-in entered its 6th day on Thursday, BNP-M Mengal, who held talks with the government representatives, reiterated that the sit-in will continue until their demands were met.
Speaking at the protest camp, he said those holding the sit-in at the Lakpass area will start heading towards Quetta on Sunday.
He asked all party workers, who were not present at the sit-in, to reach Lakpass by April 5 for making preparations for the long march.
“Party workers should hold a sit-in wherever they are stopped by the law enforcers,” said Mr Mengal, adding that if the government refused to give them way to continue their march then “we will make the way by ourselves”.
“If any hurdles are created to stop the march, the government will be responsible for the consequences.”
Meanwhile, the BNP leaders claimed that the government was digging trenches at the Quetta-Karachi Highway to stop the marchers.
JWP protest
Separately, the Jamhoori Watan Party (JWP) accused the governments of Sindh and Balochistan of using coercive tactics to suppress the democratic and constitutional rights of political parties and the general public.
The JWP, which has announced a long march today (Friday) from Dera Bugti to Quetta against the arrest of Dr Mahrang and others, claimed that the administration had blocked the roads connecting Sui with Sindh and Punjab.
Speaking at a presser at Bugti House Quetta, JWP Secretary General Mir Ibrahim Lehri Advocate and Information Secretary Mir Shams Kurd said local authorities had put barricades and boulders at diffident points to stop party workers from reaching Sui. They warned that if any untoward incident occurred during the march, the responsibility will lie entirely on the government and the relevant administration.
Mr Ibrahim Lehri recalled that JWP’s provincial president Nawabzada Gohram Bugti had given a 72-hour ultimatum to the government for the release of arrested women.
In a late-night development, police arrested Gohram Bugti from Dera Bugti. According to an official notification issued by the deputy commissioner, he was arrested under MPO-3 and shifted to Dera Bugti jail.
Source: dawn.com
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PM hails ‘hard work’ as March inflation falls to historic low
Mubarak Zeb Khan
April 4, 2025
ISLAMABAD: Pakistan’s headline inflation dropped to 0.7 per cent year-on-year in March 2025, marking the lowest reading since December 1965, according to data released by the Pakistan Bureau of Statistics (PBS) on Thursday.
The decline surpasses both market expectations and the Ministry of Finance’s projection, which had anticipated inflation between 1pc and 1.5pc for March. Research firm Arif Habib Limited (AHL) confirmed the 59-year low, citing State Bank of Pakistan (SBP) data.
The monthly inflation rate stood at 0.9pc, compared to a 0.8pc decline in prices in February and a 1.7pc increase in March 2024.
The slowdown in the inflation rate, measured by the Consumer Price Index (CPI), is primarily driven by lower prices of wheat and its by-products, perishable items like onions, potatoes, and certain pulses and a reduction in electricity charges.
These products hold significant weight in inflation calculations, making even minor price changes impactful in reducing the overall inflation rate.
The full effect of the electricity tariff cut, announced by the prime minister on Thursday, is expected to reflect in April’s inflation figures.
In contrast, sugar and edible oil prices are rising in the domestic market despite their declining rates globally. The government has permitted sugar exports, particularly to Afghanistan, citing surplus stock as the reason.
The CPI inflation dropped to 9.6pc in August 2024, marking the first single-digit figure in over three years, and a downward trend continued in the following months, except for a light spike in October.
Before that, inflation had been in the double digits since November 2021. In between, it peaked at 38pc in May 2023, driven by unprecedented food and energy prices.
Pakistan is currently experiencing disinflation, indicating a slowdown in the inflation rate. In contrast, deflation refers to a decline in overall price levels. According to PBS, average cumulative inflation over the past 50 months increased by 83pc, impacting the retail prices of all consumer items. This decline in inflation does not indicate a reduction in the cost of living.
Economic team’s efforts
In a statement, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif expressed satisfaction over the continuous decline in the CPI inflation. He said that bringing the inflation down to single digits was the PML-N’s election manifesto.
The premier said that the inflation rate in the country is at its lowest level in six decades. “This year, even during the month of Ramazan, the inflation rate was recorded at its lowest level in the past several decades,” he said.
PM Shehbaz said the reduction in the inflation rate is proof of the right direction of government policies and the government’s tireless work for public welfare. He claimed that the reduction in the inflation rate also has positive effects on the lives of the common man.
In the first nine months of FY25 (July-March), inflation averaged 5.25pc compared to 27.06pc during the same period last year. Analysts attributed the decline to lower global commodity prices, stable exchange rates, a high-base effect and better agricultural outputs.
The IMF has revised its inflation forecast for FY25 down to 9.5pc from the previous estimate of 12.7pc.
Food, core inflation
In March, urban inflation stood at 1.2pc year-on-year, while rural inflation was recorded at 0pc.
The food CPI was -1.7pc in urban areas and -5.4pc in rural areas, which means the prices actually fell as compared to the previous year. In contrast, the non-food CPI was 3.1pc and 5.6pc in urban and rural areas.
Core inflation, which excludes volatile food and energy prices, was recorded at 8.2pc in urban areas and 10.2pc in rural areas in March.
Amid falling inflation, the State Bank of Pakistan has lowered the interest rate to 12pc from 22pc in successive cuts.
Urban trends
As compared to the previous year, the food items whose prices increased in urban areas included pulse moong (31.02pc), butter (23.84pc), besan (21.66pc), honey (21.02pc), milk powder (20.63pc), pulse gram (19.42pc), sugar (18.75pc), fresh fruits (18.31pc), chicken (17.20pc), meat (15.87pc), vegetable ghee (15.69pc), fish (13.42pc), mustard oil (11.81pc), milk fresh (11.20pc) and cooking oil (11.08pc).
In contrast, the food items whose prices dropped in march included onions (71.15pc), tomatoes (53.77pc), wheat (34.53pc), wheat flour (34.52pc), fresh vegetables (31.36pc), tea (17.13pc), pulse mash (15.41pc), wheat products (12.51pc), pulse masoor (12.39pc), potatoes (7.40pc) and rice (5.75pc).
In the non-food category, the items whose prices jumped included motor vehicle tax (168.79pc), footwear (31.89pc), dental services (27.20pc), medical tests (15.53pc) and drugs and medicines (15.26pc).
The items whose prices decreased included electricity charges (21.65pc), motor fuel (7.01pc), liquified hydrocarbons (3.77pc), communication apparatus (1.28pc) and washing soap/detergents/match box (0.79pc).
Rural trends
In rural areas, the food items whose prices increases year-on-year included pulse moong (29.40pc), milk powder (26.72pc), besan (21.35pc), meat (21.17pc), honey (19.97pc), pulse gram (19.94pc), fresh fruits (19.15pc), sugar (18.55pc), chicken (16.76pc), butter (16.36pc), vegetable ghee (15.92pc) and cooking oil (14.69pc).
The food items that saw a fall in food prices included onions (71.13pc), tomatoes (56.33pc), wheat flour (36.38pc), wheat (34.83pc), fresh vegetables (34.25pc), tea (15.38pc), wheat products (15.14pc), pulse mash (13.39pc), pulse masoor (7.72pc), potatoes (6.39pc) and rice (5.69pc).
In the non-food category, the items whose prices increased included motor vehicle tax (126.61pc), education (25.88pc), dental services (19.53pc), drugs and medicines (17.23pc), recreation and culture (16.43pc), cotton cloth (13.69pc), tailoring (12.71pc), plastic products (12.47pc) and stationery (12.34pc).
On the other hand, the items whose prices fell included electricity charges (21.65pc), motor fuels (7.71pc), liquified hydrocarbons (4.79pc) and washing soaps, detergents and matchbox (0.65pc).
Source: dawn.com
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Jail bosses defying court orders on visits to Imran: PTI
Malik Asad
April 4, 2025
• Shibli files contempt plea against prison officials; laments lawyers, relatives, allies barred from meeting ex-PM
• Denies PTI engagement with establishment
ISLAMABAD: Leader of Opposition in the Senate Syed Shibli Faraz on Thursday filed a contempt petition in the Islamabad High Court (IHC) against the Adiala Jail authorities, accusing them of defying court orders that grant visitation rights to PTI founder Imran Khan.
The petition alleges systemic obstruction by the jail authorities, despite repeated judicial directives and formal undertakings.
The petition, filed under Article 204 of the constitution and the Contempt of Court Ordinance 2003 by PTI counsel Mohammad Shoaib Shaheen, cited the Secretary of the Interior, the Punjab Home Secretary, and the Superintendent of Adiala Jail as respondents.
It claims that Imran Khan’s lawyers, family members, and political allies have been repeatedly barred from meeting him, even on court-mandated visitation days.
It recalls that the IHC had previously issued multiple orders — most recently on March 24, 2025 — directing the jail authorities to adhere to a structured visitation schedule. The schedule included allowing six non-lawyer visitors daily while exempting legal consultations from quota limits.
However, the petitioner asserts, the officials ignored these directives with PTI leaders like Omar Ayub Khan and Shibli Faraz allegedly detained for hours outside the jail before being turned away.
The petition referred to earlier contempt cases where the jail superintendent and Punjab officials had apologised and pledged compliance. Despite this, the petition states that “no meetings have been permitted for the last five months, calling the acts wilful disobedience” of court orders.
On March 25 and 27, senior PTI leaders and lawyers, including Shibli Faraz and Hamid Khan, were denied entry to Adiala Jail. Imran Khan’s sisters were blocked from visiting him on a scheduled family day (March 25). Only one visitor, Azam Khan Swati, was permitted on April 1, despite a submitted list of six names.
The petition emphasises that contempt charges do not require prior notice to violators, only proof of order violations. It accuses the respondents of “ridiculing the authority of the court” and seeks criminal proceedings against them.
‘Direct attack’
Talking to media persons at the IHC, Senator Faraz criticised the lack of implementation of judicial decisions, calling it a direct attack on the rule of law.
He lamented that PTI leaders had been appearing before courts for the last three years in what he described as politically motivated cases. He referred to a recent decision by a three-member IHC bench, which had permitted PTI members to meet Imran Khan. However, he regretted, they were denied the opportunity, terming it “contempt of court”.
“If judicial decisions are not respected, then this country will become a monarchy,” he warned, adding that failure to implement court rulings raises serious concerns about the state of law and governance in Pakistan. He further questioned, “When even Supreme Court decisions are ignored, how can the people believe that they live in a country governed by a Constitution?”
The opposition leader dismissed speculation about PTI’s engagement with the establishment, stating he had only read such reports in the media and had no firsthand knowledge of any such discussions.
About the state of judiciary, he expressed disappointment, saying if a decision by a three-member bench could be disregarded by a prison superintendent, then the judiciary had been rendered ineffective.
“Courts have become powerless. If they are not impartial and do not act in the fear of God…, then this country will revert to a jungle where only the law of the jungle prevails,” he said.
Discussing the broader political climate, Mr Faraz criticised the “political suffocation” in the country, claiming that business activities had stalled and the courts had been neutralised. He vowed that PTI, as Pakistan’s largest political party, would continue its political activities despite restrictions.
He also voiced concerns about the situation in Balochistan, alleging that the province was being mishandled. “The people of Balochistan should be involved in decision-making rather than outsiders interfering in their politics,” he suggested.
Source: dawn.com
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President, Bilawal pay tribute to Zulfikar Ali Bhutto’s services to country
Syed Irfan Raza
April 4, 2025
ISLAMABAD: President Asif Ali Zardari and PPP Chairman Bilawal Bhutto-Zardari paid tribute to former prime minister Zulfikar Ali Bhutto for his services, struggle and sacrifices and vowed to carry forward his mission of making Pakistan a developed, sovereign, and people-friendly country.
In their separate messages on the 46th death anniversary of Mr Bhutto to be observed on Friday (April 4), they reiterated their resolve to take every possible step to protect the country’s sovereignty, democracy and the rights of the people.
Remembering Mr Bhutto as a great statesman, a courageous leader and the true representative of the people, the President said that Mr Bhutto set Pakistan on the path of development, sovereignty and public welfare.
“Shaheed Zulfikar Ali Bhutto gave the nation its first unanimous Constitution, laid the foundation of Pakistan’s nuclear programme and gave the country’s foreign policy an independent and sovereign identity,” President Zardari said.
He said that under Mr Bhutto’s leadership, Pakistan hosted the Islamic Summit Conference, paving the way for the unity of the Muslim Ummah.
The President also lauded Shaheed Bhutto’s empowerment of workers, farmers and the underprivileged by granting them their due rights.
In his message, Mr Bhutto-Zardari said: “On this solemn day, we pay tribute to Shaheed Zulfikar Ali Bhutto, the first directly elected Prime Minister of Pakistan, whose leadership resurrected a defeated nation from the ashes of despair.
“At a time when the people were despondent, and Pakistan had suffered a crushing blow in 1971, Shaheed Bhutto took charge with an unbreakable resolve. He (Bhutto) stabilised a broken country, uplifted the nation’s spirit, and set Pakistan on the path of progress,” the PPP chairman said.
His (Bhutto) diplomatic brilliance brought back 90,000 war prisoners from Indian captivity and reclaimed 5,000 square miles of our land through the Simla Agreement, an achievement unparalleled in our history,” Mr Bhutto-Zardari said.
He said that Mr Bhutto revolutionised Pakistan’s economy, agriculture and industrial sector and empowered the working class and gave them their due rights.
“His (Mr Bhutto’s) visionary labour and land reforms gave the common man dignity and ownership,” the PPP leader said.
He said Mr Bhutto gifted Pakistan a progressive and unanimous Constitution to ensure democracy and fundamental rights in the country.
His (Mr Bhutto’s) contributions to nuclear technology strengthened Pakistan’s defence and his dynamic foreign policy made Pakistan a respected voice in the Muslim world and on the global stage, the PPP chairman said.
“Today, as we remember his ultimate sacrifice, we reaffirm our commitment to his vision of a democratic, strong, and prosperous Pakistan. Shaheed Bhutto lives on in the hearts of the people,” he said.
Source: dawn.com
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Imran didn’t task anybody to negotiate with establishment, clarifies Barrister Saif
By Web Desk
April 03, 2025
Categorically rubbishing media reports, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP) government spokesperson Barrister Muhammad Ali Saif on Thursday clarified that incarcerated Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) founder Imran Khan did not assign him and KP Chief Minister Ali Amin Gandapur the responsibility of negotiating with the establishment.
The clarification came as reports have been circulating on mainstream and social media that the jailed PTI founder tasked KP CM and Barrister Saif to “re-engage” with the establishment during a recent meeting between the former prime minister and the duo in Rawalpindi’s Adiala jail.
Following the April 2 meeting, reports emerged that the KP CM and his aide convinced the PTI founder to engage in talks, after which Khan granted them the task.
KP CM Gandapur met Khan at Adiala Jail on Wednesday after nearly one and a half months. The two spoke for two and a half hours, discussing “institutional confrontations and criticism of party leadership on social media”.
Reacting to the speculations, Barrister Saif said: “Nobody was assigned a new task to hold negation with the establishment by the PTI founder.”
During their meeting with Khan, he said that discussions were held on the government’s affairs, terrorism, and Afghanistan. The PTI leader stated that the former prime minister gave instructions to the KP CM regarding governance.
Quoting Khan, Saif said that he would not talk to anyone for personal gains including securing release from jail.
A few days back, PTI Chairman Barrister Gohar dismissed speculations about a deal with the establishment, clarifying that the party had simply reestablished contacts.
The PTI chief had categorically said that final negotiations with the establishment had not even begun, and that the talk of a deal was baseless having no connection with ground reality.
PTI rejects reports of negotiations
Meanwhile, PTI Information Secretary Sheikh Waqas Akram dismissed reports about the meeting, saying that false claims were being circulated.
"No one went to convince the PTI founder to negotiate," he told Geo News, refuting that Khan had tasked anyone with talks.
He condemned efforts to twist facts for the government's benefit and clarified that Khan's discussion with Gandapur revolved around provincial government and party-related matters.
"Gandapur will present Khan’s directives before the party's political committee," Akram added.
Aleema irked
Meanwhile, Aleema Khan, PTI founder's sister, has expressed concerns over restricted access to her brother.
Reacting to the PTI leaders' meeting with the ex-PM, Aleema lamented the selective enforcement of meeting restrictions, saying that jail authorities had categorically told them family meetings were not allowed during gazetted holidays.
"Yesterday, April 1, was a gazetted holiday, and we were not permitted to meet our brother. The last time we saw him was on March 20. On March 27, we were also denied access," she said in a post on X.
Aleema further asked why others were granted access while family members were restricted.
"Are the gazetted holiday restrictions only for family? We have not been allowed to meet Imran, and he is also barred from speaking to his sons."
Source: thenews.com.pk
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President Zardari 'may be discharged in few days'
By Kamran Razi
April 03, 2025
KARACHI: President Asif Ali Zardari is making good progress in health recovery and could be released from the hospital in the coming days, his doctor Dr Asim Hussain said on Thursday.
Talking to journalists, Dr Asim said that the president is being treated by infectious disease specialists here at a private hospital.
Dr Asim said that the president’s condition is improving, adding that recent blood test reports have also indicated positive signs.
“Infectious diseases department experts examine President Asif Zardari three times a day,” he said, adding that shifting him from Nawabshah to Karachi for treatment was a good decision
Dr Asim further noted that visits have been restricted as a precaution due to COVID-19, the virus President Zardari tested positive for earlier this week. He added that the president's family is being provided with continuous health updates.
President Zardari was shifted to Karachi after experiencing health complications. Since then, he has remained in isolation, with close medical monitoring and multiple diagnostic tests carried out to assess his condition.
Senior political figures have expressed their concern and sent well-wishes. Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif spoke to the president by phone, offering prayers for his swift recovery and noting that the entire nation was praying for his health.
National Assembly Speaker Ayaz Sadiq held a telephonic conversation with President Zardari to inquire about his well-being.
The NA speaker expressed his best wishes for the president’s health and prayed for his swift recovery. During the conversation, Sadiq conveyed his hopes for Zardari’s full recovery.
Sindh Governor Kamran Tessori had also contacted President Zardari's physician, Dr Asim, to inquire about the head of state's health and wish him well.
Earlier, Sindh Minister Sharjeel Memon rejected rumours that the president was being moved to Dubai for further treatment, stating that Zardari was recovering well and would not need to travel abroad.
Source: thenews.com.pk
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Arab World
How AI can be leveraged to reduce food loss, improve nutrition, and cut emissions
LAMA ALHAMAWI
April 03, 2025
RIYADH: Artificial intelligence is revolutionizing nearly every industry, and food production is no exception. From precision farming to lab-grown meat, AI is enabling more sustainable, efficient, and innovative ways to feed the world’s growing population.
One of the most promising applications is the use of AI to tackle food loss — one of the biggest challenges facing global food security. Each year, an estimated $1 trillion worth of food is lost before it even reaches consumers due to spoilage, supply chain inefficiencies, and market rejections.
But AI-powered solutions are beginning to change that, helping to extend shelf life, maximize nutritional value, and reduce environmental impact.
At the forefront of this movement is Essence Food, a company that has combined AI, 3D printing, and advanced freeze-drying techniques to transform surplus produce into nutrient-rich, long-lasting food products.
Led by CEO and founder Marcio Barradas, the company is pioneering a data-driven approach to food preservation, proving that cutting-edge technology can turn food loss into opportunity — benefiting both the planet and public health.
During a 2017 TED talk, Barradas highlighted the crucial difference between food loss and food waste. He explained that food loss occurs early in the supply chain, before products reach consumers, while food waste happens at the consumer level.
The consequences of food loss are significant, leading to a drastic reduction in the volume of food available for consumption. Several factors contribute to this issue, including poor yields, quality inconsistencies, spoilage, and inefficiencies in transportation and storage.
One particularly troubling aspect of food loss is the rejection of perfectly edible fruits and vegetables by retailers due to aesthetic imperfections. This practice results in vast quantities of nutritious food being discarded before it ever reaches a plate.
Reflecting on his TED talk, Barradas told Arab News: “It was a call to the industry to wake up and stop wasting foods when they can actually monetize them. So it was sort of from trash to cash.”
Despite growing awareness of food loss, Barradas observed that as recently as 2019, no large-scale solutions had been implemented to tackle the problem effectively. Determined to change this, he launched Essence Food, a company dedicated to reducing food loss through advanced technology.
By integrating AI with the freeze-drying process, Essence Food repurposes surplus and rejected produce that might otherwise go to waste. This not only preserves valuable nutrients but also addresses long-term health and environmental concerns associated with food production.
Freeze-drying, unlike other dehydration methods, retains a greater percentage of a food’s original nutrients while significantly improving shelf life and product quality. These advantages make it an ideal technology for tackling food loss on a global scale.
After its initial launch in Spain, Essence Food quickly expanded its footprint in the Middle East, beginning with the UAE and now moving into Saudi Arabia.
“We presented it at Gulfood in Dubai, and amazingly, we won as most innovative startup back in 2019,” said Barradas, referring to the company’s 3D-printed products, which have been showcased at the prestigious food industry event.
“This allowed us to expand very fast in the region and start to see how we can optimize all the resources that exist, knowing there is a region that imports the majority of its fruits and vegetables.
“Encouraged by winning that award at Gulfood, what I saw is that in the Middle East, there is an advantage compared to Europe. It’s less bureaucratic. When the decision-makers here believe in something, they will bring it to the front and it will be implemented.”
Although freeze-drying and 3D printing are not new technologies, AI has revolutionized their efficiency. When Barradas founded Essence Food, the company was already “very proactive with machine learning.
“All our data was being stored and analyzed in terms of accelerating the processes, having better decision-making, and also using that machine-learning capacity to really teach our machines.”
As the company worked to develop a more efficient freeze-dryer, AI emerged as the key to optimizing the technique. “Now, the age of AI came really strong in the last two years. So, what we’re doing is a virtual library,” said Barradas.
Every fruit or vegetable that enters Essence Food’s freeze-drying process undergoes rigorous analysis in a laboratory. Strawberries, bananas, tomatoes, beetroot — each ingredient is tested to determine its precise nutritional content.
The data collected is then fed into a virtual AI library, creating a vast database of nutritional insights. This system allows for an unprecedented level of food customization, tailored to individual dietary needs.
“Having that library connected now with AI, you can only imagine how we can customize food for each individual.”
Barradas envisions a future where AI-driven food technology plays a direct role in preventive healthcare. Through Essence Food’s new smartphone app, users will be able to personalize their nutrition with nutrient-rich foods, including a healthier take on gummy bears.
“If I connect your mobile device, which you use every day, and it knows your steps and habits, everything is stored there. If you connect to this app that we are launching, you’ll be able to have customized gummy bears for the whole week,” he said.
“So, you’ll take two gummy bears a day, or one gummy bear a day, not to cure any disease, but to prevent you from getting any disease.”
He believes that modern diets have led to an over-reliance on supplements and pharmaceuticals. “We are only dealing with the consequences, with the symptoms, but we’re not fighting the causes,” he said.
Beyond nutrition, machine learning is also driving new sustainability initiatives within Essence Food’s freeze-drying technology.
One of the company’s most innovative breakthroughs is the recovery of water from fruits during the drying process. This reclaimed water has the potential to support vertical farming and other water-scarce agricultural initiatives.
“There’s something really amazing in this technology,” said Barradas. “It doesn’t need water, but it brings back water. So, any time you freeze-dry in the machine, it gives you potable water that was inside the fruits.”
The implications of this discovery are particularly relevant for regions like Saudi Arabia, where water scarcity is a pressing issue.
“If we load the machine with 40 kg of strawberries, we will be removing 35 liters, 32 liters, of potable water,” said Barradas.
This water recovery system can be integrated with vertical farming operations, creating a closed-loop system where food loss is minimized and essential resources are conserved.
“We want to create a synergy with vertical farming, where we recover food losses from these vertical farms in the desert, and with the water that we recover, we create more food,” said Barradas.
“Because Saudi Arabia, being such a vast region, and knowing the region where dates are grown, it will be amazing to bring the technology to the source and not bring the ingredient to Riyadh, for example, to transform it.
“Because the impact of transport and moving fresh ingredients is really big on the planet. We’re looking to go to the source of the ingredient to minimize everything that has to do with CO2 emissions.”
Source: arabnews.com
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Saudi Arabia leads Arab condemnation of Israeli raids on Syrian territory
April 03, 2025
RIYADH: Saudi Arabia has led Arab condemnation of Israeli airstrikes which violated the Syrian Arab Republic’s sovereignty and resulted in dozens of civilian and military casualties.
The Saudi Ministry of Foreign Affairs said the Israeli raids were “attempts to threaten the security and stability of Syria and the region through violating international laws.”
The Kingdom urged the UN Security Council’s permanent members to firmly address ongoing Israeli violations in Syria and the region, and called for the activation of accountability mechanisms.
Israeli airstrikes overnight targeted five areas in Syria, including the capital Damascus, and Hama Airport. Multiple people were injured while the actions, and a ground incursion, resulted in 13 fatalities.
Since the fall of the Bashar Assad regime in December, Israel has captured areas of Syria’s southern territory in a bid to keep the forces of the new government back from the border.
Egypt said on Thursday that Israeli raids represented a new and flagrant violation of international law. It called on international actors to compel Israel to end its occupation of Syrian territory and to respect the 1974 Disengagement Agreement.
Jordan’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Expatriates reiterated Amman’s support for Syria’s security, stability, and sovereignty. It stressed the need for Israel to adhere to international law and UN resolutions that call for respecting state sovereignty and non-interference in internal affairs.
Source: arabnews.com
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Scientific papers submission closes for Riyadh forum
April 03, 2025
RIYADH: The King Salman Global Academy for Arabic Language has closed submissions of scientific papers for its fourth annual international conference, set for mid-October in Riyadh, the Saudi Press Agency reported on Thursday.
Under the patronage of Saudi Minister of Culture Prince Badr bin Abdullah bin Farhan, the event will host experts, linguistic academies and organizations from more than 20 countries.
The two-day conference, themed “The Global Lexicography Industry: Experiences, Efforts, and Prospects,” continues the academy’s mission of advancing Arabic language research.
Abdullah Al-Washmi, secretary-general of the academy, said that the conference would aim to foster collaboration between the academy and linguistic institutions worldwide.
It will serve as a platform for experts to share insights, review successful initiatives in lexicography, and explore ways to modernize dictionary development through emerging technologies and artificial intelligence, he added.
The conference will also highlight key Arabic and international projects while facilitating knowledge exchange among linguists, language academies and technology experts.
Source: arabnews.com
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Saudi Arabia cracks down on environmental violators
April 03, 2025
RIYADH: The Special Forces for Environmental Security has arrested two Saudis and six expatriates from India, Pakistan, and Yemen for illegally exploiting sedimentary deposits in the Makkah region.
Authorities also seized five soil excavation machines, the Saudi Press Agency reported on Thursday.
In a separate case, a Saudi national was apprehended for grazing 12 camels in restricted areas of the King Abdulaziz Royal Reserve, and faces a fine of SR500 ($133) per camel.
A citizen was arrested in the Eastern Province for setting fires on vegetated land, an offense with a penalty of up to SR3,000.
Three citizens were detained for cutting protective fencing and unauthorized entry into the Imam Turki bin Abdullah Royal Reserve. Fines for fence damage can reach SR100,000, plus compensation, while unauthorized entry carries a SR5,000 fine.
A citizen in Riyadh was caught with two cubic meters of local firewood for commercial use. Fines for using local firewood and charcoal commercially can reach SR32,000 per cubic meter, while transporting, selling, or storing carries fines of up to SR16,000.
Environmental forces also arrested a Nigerian resident in Makkah for burning waste, damaging soil, and polluting the environment. Penalties for such activities can reach up to SR10 million.
Another citizen faces a fine of up to SR3,000 for unauthorized camping in the King Abdulaziz Royal Reserve.
Action has been taken against the violators, and they have been handed over to the relevant authorities.
Citizens are urged to report environmental violations by calling 911 in Makkah, Riyadh, and the Eastern Province, or 999 and 996 elsewhere in the Kingdom.
Source: arabnews.com
Please click the following URL to read the text of the original Story
https://www.arabnews.com/node/2595835/saudi-arabia
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Saudi crown prince, Iranian president discuss regional developments
April 04, 2025
RIYADH: Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman shared a call with Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian, the Saudi Press Agency reported early on Friday.
During the call, the leaders discussed recent developments in the region and reviewed several issues of mutual concern.
Source: arabnews.com
Please click the following URL to read the text of the original Story
https://www.arabnews.com/node/2595851/saudi-arabia
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Authorities foil drug trafficking across Kingdom
April 03, 2025
Riyadh: Saudi authorities carried out multiple drug-related arrests across the Kingdom, the Saudi Press Agency reported on Thursday.
Border Guard land patrols in the Halat Ammar sector of the Tabuk region foiled the smuggling of 352,275 amphetamine pills.
In Asir’s Al-Raboah sector, authorities arrested two Ethiopians with 50 kg of qat, while another operation led to the arrest of four Ethiopians smuggling 120 kg of qat.
In Jazan’s Al-Dayer sector, an Ethiopian was caught with 155,400 regulated tablets, and another smuggling attempt involving 995 kg of qat was thwarted.
The General Directorate of Narcotics Control arrested a Pakistani resident in Riyadh with 6.5 kg of methamphetamine, locally known as shabu.
Two citizens were arrested in the Hail region with 16,132 amphetamine tablets and 7.5 kg of hashish.
Preliminary legal procedures were completed, and all seized items were transferred to the relevant bodies.
Authorities have urged the public to report drug smuggling or selling by calling 911 in Makkah, Riyadh and the Eastern Province, or 999 in other regions.
Reports can also be submitted, in strict confidence, to the General Directorate of Narcotics Control at 995 or via email at 995@gdnc.gov.sa.
Source: arabnews.com
Please click the following URL to read the text of the original Story
https://www.arabnews.com/node/2595791/saudi-arabia
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KSrelief provides urgent medical, food assistance to crisis-hit regions worldwide
April 03, 2025
RIYADH: The Kingdom’s aid agency, KSrelief, is providing humanitarian assistance to assist some of the world’s most vulnerable people, the Saudi Press Agency reported on Thursday.
In Yemen, KSrelief delivered the fourth batch of dialysis solutions and supplies for kidney patients in Al-Mukalla district of Hadramout governorate.
Hadramout Assistant Deputy Gov. Fahmi Badhawi highlighted the importance of the supplies and expressed gratitude to Saudi Arabia for its support for Yemen’s healthcare sector and humanitarian efforts.
The scheme is part of Saudi Arabia’s broader efforts through KSrelief to provide healthcare services to patients and the injured, while improving Yemen’s medical sector, the SPA reported.
Meanwhile, KSrelief delivered food baskets to 155 families in Sahnaya town, Rif Dimashq governorate in the Syrian Arab Republic, benefiting 769 people. The agency also provided clothing parcels to 140 families in Aleppo governorate.
In Lebanon, KSrelief provided food baskets to 828 families in Western Bekaa, Akkar and Dannieh, and 467 food baskets in Beirut, benefiting 2,335 people.
In Sudan, KSrelief handed out 2,000 food baskets to displaced and needy families in Berber locality, River Nile State, benefiting 12,811 people, and 800 food baskets in Jebeit, Red Sea State, benefiting 4,720 people.
Since launching in May 2015, KSrelief has implemented 3,389 projects worth almost $7.9 billion in 106 countries, partnering with more than 300 local, regional and international organizations.
A recent KSrelief report shows the countries and territories benefiting the most from the agency’s projects: Yemen ($4.5 billion), Palestine ($514 million), Syria ($479 million), Somalia ($235 million) and other countries totaling $929 million.
Programs cover food security, early recovery, water sanitation and hygiene, health, camp coordination, education, protection, emergency aid, nutrition, and logistics and telecommunications.
Source: arabnews.com
Please click the following URL to read the text of the original Story
https://www.arabnews.com/node/2595785/saudi-arabia
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Sharjah Police arrest 144 beggars, confiscate Dhs76,000 in Ramadan
April 03, 2025
As part of their efforts to enhance community security and combat the phenomenon of begging, Sharjah Police revealed the results of “Begging is a Crime and Giving is a Responsibility” campaign aimed to raise awareness, which involved illegal exploitation of public funds.
Brigadier General Omar Al Ghazal, Director of Special Tasks Department at Sharjah Police, praised the efforts of field teams, which resulted in the arrest of 144 male and female beggars during the Holy Month of Ramadan and the confiscation of over Dhs76,000 found in their possession.
Al Ghazal also appreciated the vital role of the public in reporting beggars and their co-operation with the security authorities to curb this phenomenon by calling 901 or 80040 and identifying their locations, which contributed to the success of the campaign and achieving its desired goals.
Source: gulftoday.ae
Please click the following URL to read the text of the original Story
https://www.gulftoday.ae/news/2025/04/03/sharjah-police-arrest-144-beggars-confiscate-dhs76000-in-ramadan
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Gulf News Ramadan Feed Hope Campaign: 100+ grocery boxes distributed to labor camp families
April 03, 2025
Gulf News partnered with UAE Food Bank to deliver essential grocery items equivalent to 9000 meals to those in need during the Ramadan month. Gulf News volunteers distributed over 100+ grocery boxes at a local labor camp, providing families with rice, flour, oil, dates, and other staples for iftar meals.
The initiative reflects Gulf News' commitment to community service and solidarity during Ramadan. As captured in our video, the recipients' gratitude highlighted the impact of this modest yet meaningful gesture. The collaboration demonstrates how media organizations can leverage their platform beyond reporting to actively participate in addressing community needs during significant cultural observances.
Source: gulfnews.com
Please click the following URL to read the text of the original Story
https://gulfnews.com/videos/news/gulf-news-ramadan-feed-hope-campaign-100-grocery-boxes-distributed-to-labor-camp-families-1.500081470
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North America
CAIR Condemns White Supremacist Banner Hung On Overpass in Utah
April 3, 2025
The Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR), the nation’s largest Muslim civil rights and advocacy organization, today condemned the hanging of a banner promoting a White supremacist group on an overpass in Washington City, Utah.
A sign promoting the White supremacist group known as Patriot Front was allegedly found hanging on an overpass in Washington City near Exit 13 of Interstate 15 recently.
“We condemn this effort to spread hatred and division and stand in solidarity with the people and diverse communities of Utah against all forms of bigotry,” said CAIR National Communications Director Ibrahim Hooper. “Now is the time for all Americans to stand together against hate.”
He noted that CAIR has in the past responded to a number of bias incidents in Utah and to incidents involving the Patriot Front nationwide.
Washington, D.C., based CAIR and the American Muslim community stand in solidarity with all those challenging antisemitism, systemic anti-Black racism, xenophobia, Islamophobia, white supremacy, and all other forms of bigotry.
Source: cair.com
Please click the following URL to read the text of the original Story
https://www.cair.com/press_releases/cair-condemns-white-supremacist-banner-hung-on-overpass-in-utah/
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EPIC hires high-profile Texas attorney who says mosque is victim of ‘racial profiling'
4 April 2025
The East Plano Islamic Center, EPIC, and developers of the proposed EPIC City master-planned community have retained a high-profile Texas attorney to represent them after Gov. Greg Abbott launched multiple state investigations.
Over the past week, there's been fallout from some state leaders and people in the community in opposition to EPIC City, which is 402 acres proposed to house more than 1,000 homes, a K-12 school, sports complex, senior living, and stores with a mosque at the center.
It's located in both Collin and Hunt Counties in Josephine, TX, about 40 miles northeast of Dallas.
The group's attorney said he believes his clients are being targeted due to their faith.
"EPIC City is a thoughtful community designed for families, just like hundreds of others in Texas. The only reason it is being unfairly targeted is because there is a mosque in the plans instead of a church or a temple. That’s it,” said their attorney, Dan Cogdell. “This is fearmongering and political theater, and we intend to shut it down with the truth.”
Cogdell, a defense attorney and Principal & Founder of Cogdell Law Firm based in Houston, is known for his high-profile cases. Most recently, he represented Attorney General Ken Paxton in his 2023 impeachment trial, which he was acquitted. Some of Cogdell's other historic trials include the Branch Davidian Trial and Enron Trial, in which he won acquittals in both cases.
During a news conference on Thursday with reporters, Cogdell said he believes his clients are "suffering from essentially gubernatorial hate speech" and are "getting death threats" after multiple posts on the social media platform X from the governor.
"What's happened, primarily from Governor Abbott's office, is hate speech. I'm ashamed. I'm ashamed of the falsehoods that Abbott's office has been putting out. It's nonsense," said Cogdell. “For him to call this a compound is an outright lie, and it's an insult, and it's doing nothing but try to demonize faithful, religious, honest, hard-working people. I'm ashamed that he's gone that far."
The EPIC City received a lot of attention from some users on social media after a YouTube video from the mosque and developers describing the community.
The offices of Abbott and Paxton caught wind of the master-planned community in the works and announced they're investigating whether the proposed project is following the law.
Earlier this week, Abbott's office sent out a list of investigations EPIC, which is one of the largest mosques in North Texas, and Community Capital Partners (CCP), the developers of the community, are facing.
Texas Rangers are investigating EPIC and affiliated entities for potential criminal activities
Texas Workforce Commission is investigating EPIC and affiliated entities for potential discrimination in violation of the Texas Fair Housing Act
Texas State Securities Board is investigating EPIC and affiliated entities for potential financial harm to Texans
Texas Funeral Service Commission sent a cease-and-desist letter ordering EPIC to immediately stop all illegal funeral service operations
Attorney General of Texas is investigating EPIC and affiliated entities for potential violations of Texas consumer protection laws
In response to a Tweet from the governor stating he would prevent foreign adversaries from buying prosperities, Cogdell said, "These aren't foreign adversaries, these are Texans, Americans, these are United States citizens."
Their attorney said his clients haven't applied for permits yet and the plans are still in the early phases.
"Spoiler alert, they haven't started construction. They haven't even applied for the permits for him to say, 'Stop it, or the full weight of the law will come down on you.' Is just utter nonsense. It's insane," said Cogdell.
CCP was created by several members of EPIC with the vision to build a large community. Since the idea went people, the first phase, with 500 lots, sold out in less than 6 months.
"They have hired some of the best firms in the state, if not the country, to help them comply with what they're building. All they want to do is to build a community that allows them to live together with people who value family and faith. They intend to follow all the laws from the Fair Housing Standards Act and the zoning laws," said Cogdell about his clients.
"My clients are law-abiding Texans, law-abiding Americans and law-abiding Muslims," said Cogdell.
On Monday during a public hearing in front of Collin County Commissioners regarding the EPIC City plans, which happened to coincide with the investigation announcement from the state, an overflow of people showed up to express their concerns.
Some referenced the difference of faith, others talked about water supply, and some expressed worry over housing discrimination.
“The vision for EPIC City is simple. We want to build an inclusive community, one in which people of every background, faith, and culture can live together in harmony,” said Imran Chaudhary, President of Community Capital Partners, in a statement.
Thursday morning, Cogdell echoed the same thing.
"I would expect the majority of the people that live there are going to be Muslim community, because it's they're going to have a mosque there, not too many Christians go to a mosque. We expect that the vast majority of the folks that will end up living there will be Muslims, but it's open to anyone. Anybody can live there. I talked with my clients the other day, but I'll get (buy) a lot. It looks pretty cool to me," said Cogdell.
He said as of now, they haven't received any formal allegations and hope there won't be any.
"I extend an open invitation to Governor Abbott, to the Texas Rangers, to the Texas State Securities board, the Attorney General's office, or anyone else that wants to investigate us. Call me. We have an open invitation. You want to interview my clients, call me. I'll set it up. You want to look at books and records? Call me, I'll set it up. You want to come tour the property, call me, I'll set it up. You want to come to the mosque, call me, I'll set it up, but quite Tweeting lies, false information and nonsense," expressed Cogdell.
According to their attorney, members from the mosque and the developer have received death threats, with people posting their addresses online.
"They're afraid for their lives because of the falsehood that the governor's office has started. That's nonsense. That's not Texan, that's not American, that's nonsense, and it needs to stop, and it needs to stop now!" expressed Cogdell. “The only thing that makes sense to me as to why they're doing is, is it panders to a far right base that's not based in any reality or fact."
Thursday afternoon, EPIC posted its own press release on Facebook, stating, "We are proud Texans, American, and Muslims. We believe in the U.S. Constitution, the freedom of religion it protects and the laws of this land - and we follow them with sincerity and care. We abide by state and federal laws and have nothing to hide."
The group said they've seen an increase in hate since Monday's public hearing and regularly receiving calls and death threats.
"Our mosque leaders' personal home addresses have been shared, jeopardizing the safety of families. Due to the hateful attacks and a cease and desist letter by the Texas Funeral Service Commission, we have stopped funeral prayers for our loved ones," said the statement.
The EPIC City is operated by CCP, a for-profit company, which is separate from EPIC, the mosque, which is a registered nonprofit.
Source: nbcdfw.com
Please click the following URL to read the text of the original Story
https://www.nbcdfw.com/news/local/epic-hires-high-profile-texas-attorney-mosque-victim-racial-profiling/3808079/
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CAIR-CA Welcomes April as American Muslim Appreciation and Awareness Month in California
April 3, 2025
The California chapter of the Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR-CA), the nation’s largest Muslim civil rights and advocacy organization, today welcomed the start of American Muslim Appreciation and Awareness Month, observed each April to honor the achievements, service, and resilience of Muslim communities across the state.
In support of this year’s observance, state lawmakers introduced Senate Concurrent Resolution 45 (SCR 45) to formally recognize the month and highlight the vital role American Muslims play in shaping California’s civic, cultural, and economic life. Across the state, local governments will mark the occasion with proclamation ceremonies honoring the contributions of American Muslims in their communities.
Originally observed in August, American Muslim Appreciation and Awareness Month was moved to April in 2024 to align with the academic school year. The shift allows students, educators, and community members more opportunities to engage with the history, experiences, and contributions of American Muslims in meaningful and educational ways.
“This month is an opportunity not only to celebrate the many ways American Muslims enrich our state, but also to recognize the ongoing challenges our communities face,” said CAIR-CA CEO Hussam Ayloush. “With Islamophobia at an all-time high across the nation, this public recognition is not just symbolic—it is a critical step toward advancing inclusion, equity, and justice for all.”
CAIR San Francisco Bay Area (CAIR-SFBA) Policy Coordinator Musa Tariqadded: “By aligning American Muslim Appreciation and Awareness Month with the school year, we aim to foster a deeper understanding and appreciation of American Muslim contributions among California’s youth. This timing creates space for more meaningful engagement—in classrooms, public institutions, and throughout our communities.”
CAIR-CA encourages Californians to use this month as an opportunity to uplift Muslim voices, promote inclusive dialogue, and celebrate the shared values that strengthen our state.
CAIR-CA is a chapter of CAIR, America’s largest Muslim civil liberties and advocacy organization. Its mission is to enhance the understanding of Islam, protect civil rights, promote justice, and empower American Muslims.
Source: cair.com
Please click the following URL to read the text of the original Story
https://www.cair.com/press_releases/cair-ca-welcomes-april-as-american-muslim-appreciation-and-awareness-month-in-california/
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Texas Governor Slows Developers on Islamic-Centric City
By James Morley
03 April 2025
Texas Gov. Greg Abbott warned the developers of a controversial Islamic-focused city this week not to begin construction on the 400 acres north of Dallas, citing a failure to follow proper environmental protocol.
"The Texas Commission on Environmental Quality found that the group behind the proposed EPIC compound did not submit the required permits to begin construction," Abbott said, according to Fox4 in Dallas. "They must confirm within seven days that they are immediately ceasing any construction of their illegal project or face the full weight of the law. The state of Texas will enforce its laws and protect our communities from unlawful actions or threats posed by EPIC or its affiliates."
The proposed development by the East Plano Islamic Center would be constructed in Josephine, Texas, with plans to build nearly 1,000 homes, a faith-based primary school, and a mosque on 400 acres of land. The Muslim-centric housing development has received pushback from residents concerned that a community catering to a singular religious group violates several civil rights laws.
State Rep Salman Bhojani, D-District 92, said that objections to the plans for the so-clled EPIC City are a violation of the religious freedom.
"I'm here to fight for every Texan's right to religious freedom," Bhojani said. "I'm also a real estate attorney. I know a lot of developments in North Texas that exactly mimic [EPIC City]. So, there's nothing illegal about that. This is something that we should be protecting in the state of Texas, not demonizing it. Also, I think this is going to really increase the property value around Josephine."
The developer, Community Capital Partners, said it hopes to build a community where "people of every background, faith, and culture can live together in harmony," while noting that Islam will be at the forefront of the development.
After the much-publicized tensions between the developers and the governor's office, Community Capital Partners hired high-profile Texas lawyer Dan Cogdell on Thursday to represent the project, according to ABC8.
Cogdell, who recently represented Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton in his state securities fraud case, said the angst over EPIC City is "simply the victim of racial profiling."
Source: newsmax.com
Please click the following URL to read the text of the original Story
https://www.newsmax.com/newsfront/epic-city-greg-abbott-texas/2025/04/03/id/1205542/
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Man gets six months in jail for vandalizing an Islamic center at Rutgers University
April 3, 2025
A New Jersey man has been sentenced to six months in jail for breaking into a Rutgers University Islamic center on the Muslim holiday of Eid-al-Fitr and vandalizing it.
Jacob Beacher, of North Plainfield, will also have to serve a year of supervised release once he gets out under the terms of the sentence he received Tuesday. He pleaded guilty in October to the federal hate crime of damaging religious property.
Beacher initially was charged in April 2024 with single counts of intentional or attempted obstruction of religious practice and making false statements to federal authorities. The charges stemmed from a break-in at the Center for Islamic Life at Rutgers University in New Brunswick.
Prosecutors have said Beacher damaged property at the site, including several religious artifacts and numerous other items that contained holy language from the Quran, Islam’s sacred scripture. Authorities said Beacher also stole a Palestinian flag and a charity box belonging to the center.
Beacher is not affiliated with Rutgers, officials have said.
The site was unoccupied when the break-in occurred around 2:40 a.m., prosecutors said. The overall damage was estimated at $40,000.
While speaking with the FBI two days after the break-in, Beacher said he was the person seen near the center in surveillance video, but he denied breaking into the site. The incident came a few weeks after the state attorney general’s office had reported a recent spike in bias incidents in New Jersey.
Source: washingtontimes.com
Please click the following URL to read the text of the original Story
https://www.washingtontimes.com/news/2025/apr/3/jacob-beacher-gets-six-months-jail-vandalizing-islamic-center-rutgers/
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'So crazy' or a 'necessary evil'? - Americans react to Trump's tariffs
April 4, 2025
US President Donald Trump announced sweeping tariffs on Wednesday including a 10% tariff on most countries.
Some of America's biggest trading partners will see even higher tariffs beginning 9 April.
The aggressive shift in trade policy makes clear where Trump stands on tariffs, but has left much of the world wondering what Americans - who are expected to see the side effects - think of the move.
We asked five people what they think.
Mary Anne Dagata, 71, Michigan
This Michigan resident thinks the pain Americans will feel will be temporary and worth it.
I know we're all going to get pinched in the pocket for a while. I think in the long run, it's going to get us out of the massive deficit that we're in.
I am concerned about the price of goods going up. I am going to end up being more particular about what I buy, basically I'll tighten the belt for a while.
But then I think it's going to go full circle and it's going to be a good thing for the economy and for people in general.
We've been the world's financial doormat for a while and we've gotta stop it.
Catherine Foster, 58, Florida
This soon-to-be-retiree worries about economic instability prompted by Trump's actions.
I'm very unhappy. I'm probably a couple of years away from retiring and I don't know if I'm going to be able to retire.
My 401k's not doing great, Social Security is on the line and I don't think the tariffs are going to help America's standing on the world platform.
Trump is not a king and I feel like our Congress and Senate is letting us down, both parties, by not pushing back [on tariffs].
They know better, and they're not doing anything. Why?
Ben Maurer, 38, Pennsylvania
This trucker welcomes the incoming tariffs and hopes they can help restore smaller US towns.
I feel like the way to kick-start investment back into US manufacturing is exactly this.
It's a necessary evil.
Up until the 70s, there were two steel mills [in my area] and then they closed. And up until the last 10 years, the sites have been abandoned
We might not get back everything, but even if we recover 30-40% of it, it's quite a bit of money and jobs.
Gloria Smith, 77, Washington DC
This retiree says she is on a fixed income and feels Trump administration officials don't appreciate how tariffs will affect her life.
I'm on a fixed income. I'm retired, so things are going to go up and I'm worried. It means less money that I'll have coming in.
What I'm trying to do is stock up on food because I think things are going to get really, really bad as far as shipping. Food is the one thing that you can't really cut from your budget.
If I can be honest, Trump's got all the money. He doesn't have to [worry about] food. Musk has all the things, so this isn't going to affect them. So they don't know about the pain.
They say 'a little pain', but how little is this pain?
Robin Sloan, 73, Maryland
Robin says she's trying to hold out hope, but she worries the economic turmoil will affect her and her family.
I'm worried. I'm worried about my retirement funds. I'm worried that he's going to make other countries hate us for what he's doing. I just think he's an idiot.
I have a son and he's 30. He has his own family and he's looking for work and he's struggling. This isn't going to help things. He has two children - 18 months and six.
I tend to be a glass half-full type of person, but the president and his ideas are just so crazy sometimes. My financial adviser, who I really trust, did say that some of Trump's plans are good and good for the finance market.
It gives me a little bit of hope, I guess. But then when you see the stock market plunging, it was like "oh, maybe not".
Source: bbc.com
Please click the following URL to read the text of the original Story
https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/c2ew79vy37vo
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'Grateful and honoured': Tom Cruise pays tribute to Val Kilmer
April 4, 2025
Tom Cruise has paid tribute to his Top Gun co-star Val Kilmer, who died earlier this week aged 65.
Appearing at CinemaCon in Las Vegas, Cruise led a crowd in The Colosseum theatre in a moment of silence to "honour a dear friend of mine, Val Kilmer".
"I can't tell you how much I admired his work, how much I thought of him as a human being and how grateful and honoured I was when he joined Top Gun," Cruise said of Kilmer, who played his rival Ice Man in Top Gun in 1986.
The 2022 sequel Top Gun: Maverick marked Kilmer's last movie role. Kilmer, also known for his roles playing Batman and Jim Morrison in The Doors, died Tuesday night in Los Angeles.
In Las Vegas, Cruise bowed his head in the cavernous theatre, which was packed with movie theatre owners and others who work in the industry.
"Thank you, Val - wish you well on your next journey," Cruise said afterwards.
Cruise was speaking during the Paramount Pictures presentation at CinemaCon. He also showed off a sneak peek trailer of Mission: Impossible - The Final Reckoning, which is set to be released later this year, and honoured the film's director Christopher McQuarrie, who was named CinemaCon's director of the year.
The trailer showed Cruise, who is famous for doing his own stunts, in a series of action-packed scenes - on fighter jets, in explosions and wing walking on a vintage plane.
As Hollywood paid tribute to Kilmer, Cruise had been one of the few stars who waited to publicly comment on the actor's death.
The star has been vocal about how much he enjoyed working with Kilmer. He said on Jimmy Kimmel Live! that he cried having him on set for Top Gun: Maverick.
"I was crying, I was crying. I got emotional," Cruise said on the show about working with Kilmer. "He's such a brilliant actor. I love his work."
Kilmer's family told US media that he died after coming down with a pneumonia. The actor had two tracheotomies while undergoing treatment for throat cancer.
The procedures forced him to use a voice box to speak, and in the 2022 film, he types on a screen to communicate with Cruise's character. Toward the end of their scene together, Kilmer's Iceman gets up from his chair and coarsely tells Cruise: "The Navy needs Maverick".
The two embrace and then Iceman pokes fun, questioning Cruise about who is the better pilot.
Source: bbc.com
Please click the following URL to read the text of the original Story
https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/cz95xd15480o
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'I could live 30 years - but want to die': Has assisted dying in Canada gone too far?
April 4, 2025
April Hubbard sits on the theatre stage where she plans to die later this year.
She is not terminally ill, but the 39-year-old performance and burlesque artist has been approved for assisted dying under Canada's increasingly liberal laws.
Warning: This article contains details and descriptions some readers may find disturbing
She is speaking to BBC News from the Bus Stop Theatre, an intimate auditorium with a little under 100 seats, in the eastern city of Halifax, Nova Scotia.
Illuminated by a single spotlight on a stage she has performed on many times before, she tells me she plans to die here "within months" of her imminent 40th birthday. She'll be joined by a small group of her family and friends.
April plans to be in a "big comfy bed" for what she calls a "celebratory" moment when a medical professional will inject a lethal dose into her bloodstream.
"I want to be surrounded by the people I love and just have everybody hold me in a giant cuddle puddle and get to take my last breath, surrounded by love and support," she says.
April was born with spina bifida and was later diagnosed with tumours at the base of her spine which she says have left her in constant, debilitating pain.
She's been taking strong opioid painkillers for more than 20 years and applied for Medical Assistance in Dying (Maid) in March 2023. While she could yet live for decades with her condition, she qualified to end her life early seven months after applying. For those who are terminally ill it is possible to get approval within 24 hours.
"My suffering and pain are increasing and I don't have the quality of life anymore that makes me happy and fulfilled," April says. Every time she moves or breathes, she says it feels like the tissues from the base of her spine "are being pulled like a rubber band that stretches too far", and that her lower limbs leave her in agony.
We meet April as, almost 3,000 miles away, MPs are scrutinising proposals to legalise assisted dying in England and Wales. They voted in principle in support of those plans in November 2024, but months of detailed scrutiny have followed - and further votes in the Commons and Lords are required before the bill could possibly become law.
This week, the BBC witnessed a man's death in California, where assisted dying laws are far more similar to those being considered in Westminster.
Critics say Canada is an example of the "slippery slope", meaning that once you pass an assisted dying law it will inevitably widen its scope and have fewer safeguards.
Canada now has one of the most liberal systems of assisted dying in the world, similar to that operating in the Netherlands and Belgium. It introduced Maid in 2016, initially for terminally ill adults with a serious and incurable physical illness, which causes intolerable suffering. In 2021, the need to be terminally ill was removed, and in two years' time, the Canadian government plans to open Maid to adults solely with a mental illness and no physical ailment.
Opponents of Maid tell us that death is coming to be seen as a standard treatment option for those with disabilities and complex medical problems.
"It is easier in Canada to get medical assistance in dying than it is to get government support to live," says Andrew Gurza, a disability awareness consultant and friend of April's.
Andrew, who has cerebral palsy and uses a wheelchair, says he respects April's decision, but tells us: "If my disability declines and my care needs got higher, I'd still want to be here. To know there's a law that's saying you could easily end your life - it's just really scary."
Before she was approved for Maid, April was assessed by two independent physicians who were required to inform her of ways to alleviate her suffering and offer alternative treatments.
"The safeguards are there," she says, when we press her about disabled people who feel threatened by assisted dying, or whether Maid is being used as a shortcut to better quality care. "If it's not right for you and you're not leading the charge and choosing Maid, you're not going to be able to access it unless it's for the right reasons," she adds.
There were 15,343 Maid deaths in 2023, representing around one in 20 of all deaths in Canada - a proportion that has increased dramatically since 2016 and is one of the highest in the world. The average age of recipients was 77.
In all but a handful of cases, the lethal dose was delivered by a doctor or nurse, which is also known as voluntary euthanasia. One doctor we spoke to, Eric Thomas, said he had helped 577 patients to die.
Dr Konia Trouton, president of the Canadian Association of Maid Assessors and Providers, has also helped hundreds of patients to die since the law was introduced.
The procedure is the same each time - she arrives at the home of the person who has been given approval for Maid and asks if they wish to go ahead with it that day. She says the patients always direct the process and then give her the "heads up and ready to go".
"That gives me an honour and a duty and a privilege to be able to help them in those last moments with their family around them, with those who love them around them and to know that they've made that decision thoughtfully, carefully and thoroughly," she adds. If the answer is yes, she opens her medical bag.
Demonstrating to the BBC what happens next, Dr Trouton briefly puts a tourniquet on my arm. She shows me where the needle would be inserted into a vein in the back of my hand to allow an intravenous infusion of lethal drugs.
In her medical bag she also has a stethoscope. "Strangely, these days I use it more to determine if someone has no heartbeat rather than if they do," she tells me.
A list of organisations in the UK offering support and information with some of the issues in this story is available at BBC Action Line
Some 96% of Maid provisions are under "track one" where death is "reasonably foreseeable". Dr Trouton says that means patients are on a "trajectory toward death", which might range from someone who has rapidly spreading cancer and only weeks to live or another with Alzheimer's "who might have five to seven years".
The other 4% of Maid deaths come under "track two". These are adults, like April, who are not dying but have suffering which is intolerable to them from a "grievous and irremediable medical condition".
That is in stark contrast to Labour MP Kim Leadbeater's bill to legalise assisted dying in England and Wales, which says patients must be expected to die within six months. The Westminster bill would not allow doctors to give a lethal dose – rather patients would have to self-administer the drugs, usually by swallowing them.
Death via intravenous infusion normally takes just a few minutes, as the lethal drugs go straight into the bloodstream, whereas swallowing the drugs means patients usually take around an hour or two to die, but can take considerably longer, although they are usually unconscious after a few minutes.
Dr Trouton told me she regarded the Canadian system as quicker and more effective, as do other Maid providers. "I'm concerned that if some people can't swallow because of their disease process, and if they're not able to take the entire quantity of medication because of breathing difficulties or swallowing difficulties, what will happen?"
'Canada has fallen off a cliff'
But opponents argue it's being used as a cheaper alternative to providing adequate social or medical support.
One of them is Dr Ramona Coelho, a GP in London, Ontario, whose practice serves many marginalised groups and those struggling to get medical and social support. She's part of a Maid Death Review Committee, alongside Dr Trouton, which examines cases in the province.
Dr Coelho told me that Maid was "out of control". "I wouldn't even call it a slippery slope," she says "Canada has fallen off a cliff."
"When people have suicidal ideations, we used to meet them with counselling and care, and for people with terminal illness and other diseases we could mitigate that suffering and help them have a better life," she says. "Yet now we are seeing that as an appropriate request to die and ending their lives very quickly."
While at Dr Coelho's surgery I was introduced to Vicki Whelan, a retired nurse whose mum Sharon Scribner died in April 2023 of lung cancer, aged 81. Vicki told me that in her mum's final days in hospital she was repeatedly offered the option of Maid by medical staff, describing it as like a "sales pitch".
The family, who are Catholic, discharged their mother so she could die at home, where Vicki says her mum had a "beautiful, peaceful death". "It makes us think that we can't endure, and we can't suffer a little bit, and that somehow now they've decided that dying needs to be assisted, where we've been dying for years.
"All of a sudden now we're telling people that this is a better option. This is an easy way out and I think it's just robbing people of hope."
'Not a way I want to live'
So is Canada an example of the so-called slippery slope? It's certainly true that the eligibility criteria has broadened dramatically since the law was introduced nine years ago, so for critics the answer would be an emphatic yes and serve as a warning to Britain.
Canada's assisted dying laws were driven by court rulings. Its Supreme Court instructed Parliament that a prohibition on assisted dying breached the country's Charter of Rights and Freedoms. The extension of eligibility for those who were not terminally ill was in part a response to another court decision.
In Britain, judges in the most senior courts have repeatedly said any potential change to the law around assisted dying is a matter for Parliament, after the likes of Tony Nicklinson, Diane Pretty and Noel Conway brought cases arguing the blanket ban on assisted suicide breached their human rights.
April knows some people may look at her, a young woman, and wonder why she would die.
"We're the masters of masking and not letting people see that we're suffering," she says. "But in reality, there's days that I just can't hide it, and there's many days where I can't lift my head off the pillow and I can't eat anymore.
"It's not a way I want to live for another 10 or 20 or 30 years."
Source: bbc.com
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https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/c3wxq28znpqo
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Africa
Popular Islamic Cleric, Idris Abdul’aziz Dies After Medical Treatment In India
April 4, 2025
By Rachel Okporu Fadoju
A Prominent Bauchi-based Islamic cleric, Idris Abdul’aziz Dutsen Tanshi, has died after a prolonged battle with an undisclosed sickness.
Naija News reports that Tanshi, the Chief Imam of Dutsen Tanshi Jummaat Mosque, died in Bauchi after returning from medical treatment in India.
One of the scholar’s close disciples, Abdulhakeem Shaaban Baban Keke, confirmed Tanshi’s death to LEADERSHIP on Thursday night.
He stated that the cleric breathed his last in Bauchi, shortly after returning from medical treatment abroad.
According to him, Idris Abdul’aziz remained dedicated to his scholarly work despite his long battle with illness.
However, due to his illness, Sheikh Abdul’aziz could not deliver sermons during the previous Ramadan and could not lead this year’s Eid prayers, an absence that his followers deeply felt.
Tanshi was widely respected for his unwavering commitment to the Sunnah and his staunch opposition to innovations or novelties introduced into religious matters that lack a basis in the Quran or the Sunnah, called Bid’ah.
His deep knowledge of Islam and efforts in promoting pure monotheism earned him the title “Dr. Tauhidi” among his followers.
Tanshi’s teachings, which were often delivered with clarity and conviction, shaped the understanding of Islam for many across Nigeria and beyond.
Source: naijanews.com
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https://www.naijanews.com/2025/04/04/popular-islamic-cleric-idris-abdulaziz-dies-after-medical-treatment-in-india/
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Kwara, Islamic Devt Bank To Spend $57.2m On Livestock Project
April 4, 2025
By Abdullahi Olesin
The Kwara State government in partnership with the Islamic Development Bank (IsDB), Saudi Arabia will expend $57.2 million on agricultural transformation initiative aimed at boosting livestock production and rural development in the state.
The state coordinator of the Special Agro Industrial Processing Zone (SAPZ), Engr. Busari Isiaka, disclosed this during an interview with newsmen in Ilorin, the state capital yesterday.
He said that the SAPZ will use the fund to establish a robust infrastructure for investors and local farmers in beef and milk processing.
Isiaka, who emphasised the significance of the project, noted that it is the first time a sitting governor is serving as the chairman of a steering committee for such an undertaking.
“For you to understand the importance of this project, it is a five-year initiative with joint funding from the state government and IsDB. Other states of the federation receive their support from the African Development Bank. Kwara is pioneering this collaboration with the Islamic Development Bank”, he said.
He also said that Kwara State’s early commitment to the project was evident in its swift payment of counterpart funds, making it the first state to fulfill its financial obligations, adding that the prompt action had allowed the state to progress significantly.
“The initiative is primarily focused on improving agricultural infrastructure, particularly in the livestock sector. With a core objective of enhancing livelihoods of rural communities. The SAPZ project will give special attention to youth and women while promoting food and nutritional security.
It is designed to provide sustainable solutions for livestock farmers by ensuring they have access to modern processing facilities,” he added.
Isiaka, who said that the project is being implemented in five local government areas – Ifelodun, Kaiama, Baruten, Asa, and Moro, added that it will feature agricultural transformation centres, “where local farmers can process raw materials such as milk before they are transported to an agro-industrial hub in Malete, Moro local government area, for further processing into dairy products like yogurt and cheese.
“The beef value chain will also be integrated into the project, with necessary facilities to support meat processing.
“To ensure a smooth execution, we conducted extensive environmental assessments and community consultations. We have profiled over 5,000 beneficiaries, ensuring that the infrastructure we are providing meets their needs, including access to potable water”, he said.
He said that the project, currently in its design phase, is expected to transition into full infrastructure development later this year.
Source: leadership.ng/
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https://leadership.ng/kwara-islamic-devt-bank-to-spend-57-2m-on-livestock-project/
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South Sudan clashes kill 30: local official
April 03, 2025
JUBA: At least 30 people were killed when a northern South Sudanese town was briefly overrun by an armed youth group, a local official said Thursday, following a cattle raid.
Clashes involving pastoralists and settled farming communities are common in the world’s youngest country, but this incident comes as tensions rise over South Sudan’s fragile political situation.
The attack in northern Ruweng Administrative Area began earlier in the week when a group of armed youth stole lambs before they were scared off by security forces, said Simon Chol Mialith, the local Minister of Information.
The following day, he told AFP, the group returned in greater numbers and attacked Abiemnom, and although “the youth and the security forces tried to defend the town, they were overrun by the Mayom armed youth.”
On Wednesday the South Sudan People’s Defense Force (SSPDF) drove the group from the settlement, Mialith said, where calm has now been restored.
“The number has risen to 30 people confirmed dead and over 40 persons wounded,” he said, without giving further details.
Local media reported that some of those killed were members of the armed groups, but AFP was unable to confirm this.
The incident comes as forces allied to President Salva Kiir and First Vice President Riek Machar clash across the country, sparking regional concern and threatening a fragile peace deal in 2018 that ended a five-year civil war.
South Sudan has been bedevilled by instability and insecurity since independence in 2011, and despite its natural oil resources remains deeply impoverished.
Source: arabnews.com
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https://www.arabnews.com/node/2595828/middle-east
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“The President Watched The Agony Of Lagosians” – Umahi Gives Update On Lagos Independence Bridge
April 4, 2025
By Oladipo Abiola
The Minister of Works, Dave Umahi, has expressed displeasure over the heavy traffic gridlock Lagosians experienced following the closure of the Independence Bridge.
Umahi disclosed that President Bola Tinubu is pained by the frustrating experiences Lagosians had to go through as a result of the closure of the bridge for maintenance and rehabilitation works.
The Minister added that though the rehabilitation of the bridge was necessary and designed, he wasn’t carried along when the Lagos Federal Controller of Works, Olukorede Kesha, eventually ordered the closure of the bridge.
Naija News reports the closure resulted in long hours of gridlock, with commuters and motorists stranded on Wednesday in the Victoria Island area of Lagos.
In the aftermath of the public outcry that trailed the gridlock, Umahi ordered the immediate reopening of the bridge.
Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu also visited the site on Thursday and apologized to Lagosians.
Umahi, who also visited the scene later on Thursday, said the controller decided to shut the bridge independently, adding that President Tinubu ordered him to visit the bridge and find an immediate solution to the crisis.
He acknowledged that the closure and repairs could have been better managed.
The Minister also assured that the bridge would be reopened by 3pm on Friday and the repair works would be completed at a later date.
“I am here as directed by Mr. President. The president watched the agony that Lagosians went through yesterday (Wednesday) for the reason of closing the Independence Bridge for rehabilitation.
“I am very displeased, even though the subject matter — the rehabilitation of the already collapsed returned wall of the Independence Bridge — is very important.
“He (Tinubu) has asked me to be in Lagos and to free the traffic. I have looked at the structural problem; I am aware of it.
“We designed the rehabilitation; however, unfortunately, when the bridge was closed, I was not informed. The controller made that decision on her own, which is very unfortunate.
“In a place like Lagos, it has always been the tradition that I, as the minister, should be informed before such closures.
“We should have also studied the implications of shutting down the bridge.
“Even though this was an emergency, we could have conducted an urgent evaluation of the potential impact before closing the bridge,” the Minister said.
Based on the development, Umahi warned all controllers and engineers that no road or bridge should be closed without first obtaining approval from the relevant authorities, adding that failure to adhere to the directives would attract disciplinary measures.
Source: naijanews.com
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https://www.naijanews.com/2025/04/04/the-president-watched-the-agony-of-lagosians-umahi-gives-update-on-lagos-independence-bridge/
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Museveni visits Juba amid tension in the oil-rich east African nation
April 4, 2025
Ugandan President Yoweri Museveni on Thursday arrived in the South Sudanese capital of Juba for a visit.
Museveni’s visit to Juba comes amidst tension in the oil-rich east African nation after Riek Machar, who serves as one of the country’s vice presidents, was arrested in the capital towards the end of last month. Museveni was received at Juba International Airport by President Salva Kiir.
The two then held a private meeting before the Ugandan president returned to Uganda. Recent weeks have seen increased tension in the country following Machar's arrest.
Machar’s political group has said that a 2018 agreement that's the basis for relative peace after a brutal civil is effectively over, raising fears of a return to warfare as government troops loyal to Kiir battle soldiers and armed militia loyal to Machar.
Museveni’s visit also comes on the heels of the arrival of the African Union mediators who are in the South Sudanese capital to assess the situation in the country.
Source: africanews.com
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https://www.africanews.com/2025/04/03/museveni-visits-juba-amid-tension-in-the-oil-rich-east-african-nation/
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Southeast Asia
‘We didn’t find anyone alive’: Earthquake buries the faithful at Sagaing religious sites
APRIL 4, 2025
By FRONTIER
The Moe Kya Jamay Mosque in Sagaing town was full of worshippers when a 7.7-magnitude earthquake struck at 12:51pm on March 28, nine minutes before Friday prayers were due to start. The sudden, violent shaking sent the attendees running for the exit, even as the mosque began collapsing around them.
Not all of them managed to escape.
Ko Htoo Htoo, 30, was one of the lucky ones who made it outside.“We started pulling people out,” he said, but 10 minutes later a second earthquake, of 6.4 magnitude, shook the earth with such force that it collapsed the rest of the mosque. “People who were trying to rescue those inside were also crushed,” he told Frontier as tears filled his eyes. “I escaped because Allah saved me.”
He says he can’t forget the scene, standing outside the ruined building surrounded by worshippers’ sandals, which they had removed before entering for the prayer service. The blood of their owners was seeping from the rubble.
Htoo Htoo, who asked Frontier to withhold his real name for security reasons, said about 150 people were at the mosque, a higher number than usual because the day marked the end of the holy month of Ramadan. Only a few dozen survived.
Although the earthquake occurred on Friday, no well-trained or properly equipped rescue teams arrived at the mosque to help until four days later. Until then, the only people at the site were Muslim volunteers from nearby areas.
“We had to work on our own, using our hands, hammers and chisels. We didn’t find anyone alive, only dead bodies,” Htoo Htoo said.
By the time a rescue team from Malaysia arrived on Tuesday, volunteers had found about 50 dead bodies, with many more remaining under the mosque’s rubble. When Frontier visited the site on that day, the smell of decaying corpses in the scorching heat was making some people faint.
“The families are crying and begging us to look for their loved ones, so we keep digging up the bodies one by one,” one Muslim volunteer told Frontier.
A total of three mosques collapsed during the earthquake in Sagaing town, and Htoo Htoo estimated that at least 350 Muslims died as a result. The Spring Revolution Myanmar Muslim Network said on March 31 that the earthquake killed up to 700 Muslims in Myanmar, and damaged or destroyed about 60 mosques in Sagaing and Mandalay regions. Many mosques were in poor repair because discriminatory local authorities have for years refused permission for renovations.
The earthquake also killed many Buddhists in Sagaing town. Sagaing Hill, on the eastern side of the town overlooking the Ayeyarwady River, is famous for its monasteries, where thousands of monks and nuns live. Frontier saw that many of the monasteries had collapsed into huge piles of bricks that had not yet been cleared as of Tuesday.
According to residents, many of the monasteries were sheltering large numbers of children who had fled conflict areas in Sagaing Region, and many of them were trapped under the rubble.
One of the collapsed monasteries was the three-storey Yadanar Theingi, where about 20 girls were stuck under the debris.
“No rescuers came [to the monastery] for two days after the earthquake,” a Sagaing resident told Frontier. “During that time we could hear the children screaming for help. With the help of the monks and nuns, we dug as much as we could with our bare hands, but we couldn’t do anything. All the children died.”
‘They can only search for dead bodies now’
Mosques and monasteries were not the only sites in the town where assistance was slow to arrive. Controlled by the junta in a region where large swathes of territory are in the hands of resistance groups, Sagaing town is one of the few places where the regime had not cut off internet services. However, electricity and mobile phone service broke down for two days after the earthquake.
To make matters worse, rumours circulated that the junta was not allowing aid groups to access the town. Rescue teams were therefore hesitant to go there, and instead opted to head for Mandalay and Nay Pyi Taw, which were also badly affected by the quake.
When mobile internet lines were restored on Sunday, residents were able to get online and explain the situation to those outside the area.
“The only remaining bridge to enter the town was damaged. That’s why regime officials barred vehicles from using it freely. However, they allowed cars to cross in groups,” a Sagaing resident told Frontier. “But due to the rumours, our town suffered more losses than it should have if people had come more quickly.”
This “remaining bridge” was opened in 2008 and connects Sagaing and Mandalay regions across the Ayeyarwady River. The older, colonial-era Ava Bridge to the south was completely destroyed by the earthquake.
Once rumours were dispelled that the junta was stopping aid teams from reaching Sagaing, rescue and recovery groups started to arrive in the town on Monday. However, by that time the crucial 72-hour rescue window had already passed. When Frontier visited Sagaing on Tuesday, many volunteer groups were heading to the town, and the roads were jammed with traffic. Frontier spent more than two hours travelling from Mandalay to Sagaing town across the new bridge, a journey that normally takes less than 45 minutes.
By that time, the smell of corpses had permeated the town, and residents and the local rescue teams looked haggard and exhausted.
Frontier estimates that three quarters of the buildings in Sagaing town were badly damaged or completely destroyed. Rescue teams estimated that the earthquake killed at least 800 people out of a total population of 84,000. The regime said 3,145 people had been confirmed dead across the country as of Friday.
“There are so many deaths in this small area. The local rescue teams and firefighters in the town aren’t enough,” a resident told Frontier. “Many people who were trapped under the rubble died because no one could rescue them in time. By the time rescue teams from outside arrived, many trapped had already died. They can only search for dead bodies now.”
During the first three days after the earthquake, as Sagaing town was struggling to rescue victims on its own, regime forces were largely absent. Junta firefighter teams were seen in the town but residents say they were few and far between.
It wasn’t until Sunday that soldiers arrived to help, but they limited their work to clearing debris from monasteries.
“The military has been doing demolition and cleanup at famous monasteries, but that’s all,” one local told Frontier. “They aren’t doing anything for the town’s residents. We have to do everything ourselves.”
Another resident who witnessed about 30 soldiers clearing debris from a well-known monastery on Tuesday and Wednesday said most of them looked like conscripts who were being forced to work under the watchful eye of two armed soldiers.
“They look like prisoners doing forced labour. They were newly conscripted soldiers, and two soldierThe country’s current Mufti is Dr Nazirudin Mohd Nasir.
s were standing guard ready to shoot them if they tried to escape,” the resident told Frontier.
‘There just aren’t enough people’ to help
Meanwhile, as more help arrives to dig through the rubble of Sagaing’s collapsed buildings, the town’s general hospital is overwhelmed. When Frontier visited on Wednesday, more than 200 injured people occupied beds that had been set up outdoors in the hospital compound. The building itself did not appear to be badly damaged, showing just a few cracks in the walls, but there were fears that it could collapse during one of the frequent aftershocks still rattling the area.
The constant flow of injured people entering the hospital has been a severe strain on the small trained medical staff of 30 or 40, aided by another 40 or so volunteers who lack proper training. Meanwhile, the hospital also faces shortages of medicine and other supplies.
“I’ve never worked on something like this before and I’ve never learned first aid. But I’m helping here because there just aren’t enough people,” said Ko Soe, a member of a volunteer group in Sagaing who asked for his name to be withheld for his safety.
He admitted that the hospital is unable to effectively treat many patients due to the lack of expertise among the volunteers and the scale of the catastrophe.
“There was a monk who had his leg crushed by the rubble. The hospital staff couldn’t treat him immediately and when the leg was full of pus and started to rot they had to cut it off below the knee,” he told Frontier.
“The equipment is also insufficient. There was another patient who needed a steel rod in his broken arm. But all the hospital staff could do was bandage it, and then they told the patient to get treatment at another hospital.”
Source: frontiermyanmar.net
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https://www.frontiermyanmar.net/en/we-didnt-find-anyone-alive-earthquake-buries-the-faithful-at-sagaing-religious-sites/
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Ex-massage therapist found guilty of teaching doctrine contrary to Islamic laws
Shaffiq Alkhatib
APR 04, 2025
SINGAPORE – A former massage therapist was convicted on April 4 of one count of teaching a doctrine contrary to Islamic laws.
Mohd Razif Radi, 67, who is not an Islamic teacher under the Asatizah Recognition Scheme, taught his followers that gambling could be made permissible and that a man and a woman could enter into a “spiritual marriage”.
The Islamic Religious Council of Singapore (Muis) states on its website that gambling is prohibited in Islam.
It defines a spiritual marriage as one that occurs without several elements, such as witnesses, a formal solemnisation and dowry.
“In most cases, there are no limitations on the number of women ‘married’ to a man through such deviant spiritual marriages,” says Muis.
Razif also claimed that he could summon the spirit of “Mbah”, who was purportedly Prophet Muhammad or from the Prophet’s lineage.
On April 4, District Judge Shaiffudin Saruwan found the Singaporean guilty of a charge under the Administration of Muslim Law Act.
The judge noted that Singapore’s top Islamic leader, the Mufti, had said that the doctrine was contrary to Islamic laws.
The country’s current Mufti is Dr Nazirudin Mohd Nasir.
Get key highlights in the lead-up to Polling Day. You will also receive the ST Morning Briefing.
Judge Shaiffudin also noted that there were common threads in the testimonies of eight prosecution witnesses who testified that they attended Razif’s classes.
Among other things, they said Razif claimed that gambling and spiritual marriages could be made permissible, and that he was able to summon “Mbah”.
The judge noted that the witnesses were consistent in their testimonies.
During the trial, a man, who cannot be named due to a gag order, told the court on June 24, 2024 that he attended two of Razif’s lessons held at another person’s home in Teck Whye in either 2004 or 2005.
Razif told the attendees that gambling proceeds from 4-D and Toto could be “cleansed” and used as capital for businesses.
The witness testified that his wife and her female cousin introduced him to Razif’s classes.
The lessons were conducted after the Muslim maghrib prayers in the evening and ended at around 11pm.
At times, Razif would get “possessed” and take on the role of “Mbah”.
The witness said Razif usually spoke with a Singaporean Malay accent but when “Mbah” purportedly took over his body, he spoke with an Indonesian accent.
On June 26, 2024, another witness, who cannot be named, told the court that Razif believed in having 13 wives.
“He suggested that we do a (spiritual marriage) and look for ladies out there to pursue his belief to get these 13 wives,” said the witness.
He testified that he was present when Razif took a female business owner as his “wife” in a spiritual marriage.
The witness and his then wife attended the classes together from 2004 to 2007.
After that, he stopped attending while she continued. She later became cold towards him and wanted a divorce in 2008.
The divorce was finalised two years later. The man did not say if she became one of Razif’s spiritual wives, but she set up a business with the former massage therapist.
The witness told Judge Shaiffudin that the marriages of other men also ended similarly.
Razif, who took the stand in November 2024, denied multiple allegations against him, saying that he had not conducted religious classes.
Speaking through a Malay-language interpreter, he said he met the witnesses as friends, not in classes.
Razif, who denied taking on the role of “Mbah” during such meetings, added that he never heard of “spiritual marriages” before the start of the court proceedings against him.
As for the accusations about his views on gambling, he said: “I do not do anything outside the teachings of Islam.”
His bail was set at $10,000 on April 4. His mitigation and sentencing will take place on May 26.
Shaffiq Alkhatib is The Straits Times’ court correspondent, covering mainly criminal cases heard at the State Courts.
Source: straitstimes.com
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https://www.straitstimes.com/singapore/courts-crime/ex-massage-therapist-found-guilty-of-teaching-doctrine-contrary-to-islamic-laws
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Singapore detains teenager planning to kill Muslims
April 03, 2025
A Singaporean teenager allegedly planning to kill dozens of Muslims outside several mosques has been detained, the city-state's Internal Security Department said on April 2.
The 17-year-old boy was detained in March, the ISD said in a statement, adding that he had regarded white supremacist Brenton Tarrant — who in 2019 had killed worshippers at mosques in New Zealand — as a "hero."
ISD also said he had "identified as an 'East Asian Supremacist'," and had decided on five mosques across Singapore for his post-Friday prayer attacks.
"This boy wanted to kill at least 100 Muslims, so that he could kill more Muslims than Tarrant had killed. He also wanted to live-stream his attacks," Home Minister K Shanmugam told reporters.
"When he was arrested... he had already made a number of attempts to get a gun. He told ISD quite openly if he had gotten a gun, he would have carried out his attacks."
The teen had been in online contact with 18-year-old Nick Lee, who was detained in December for having similar plans.
The multicultural country has seen several cases in recent years where young Singaporeans have been detained for allegedly making attack plans following exposure to extremist content online.
In 2024, authorities arrested a teenage boy who was allegedly planning an Islamic State group-inspired stabbing attack at a busy suburb.
In the same statement on April 2, the ISD also said a 15-year-old girl was placed under a restriction order in February, forbidding her from travelling or having access to the internet without the approval of the ISD director.
It is alleged that between July 2023 and December 2024, the girl was in at least eight short-term romantic online relationships with overseas-based Islamic State group supporters.
"She went to pledge allegiance to an ISIS chatbot," said Shanmugam. "She wanted to fight and die for ISIS, she looked up flights to go to Syria, she thought of how she was going to save money to plan for her travels."
He added that the trend of rising radicalism and extremism of young people via the internet was "concerning."
ISD said "self-radicalisation can happen very quickly."
"In the case of the 15-year-old, it only took weeks," it said, appealing for the public to "be vigilant to signs."
Source: ucanews.com
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https://www.ucanews.com/news/singapore-detains-teenager-planning-to-kill-muslims/108373
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Reaching out for peace in the Deep South — Mohd Hazmi Mohd Rusli
03 Apr 2025
APRIL 3 — Southern Thailand, with its unique historical, cultural, and religious background, has long been trapped in a bloody conflict involving separatism, ethnic tensions, and religious ideology. This region, which includes the three Malay-Muslim majority provinces of Pattani, Yala, and Narathiwat, has experienced tensions between the Thai government and insurgent groups demanding greater autonomy for the Malay-Muslim population that dominates the area.
I have had the opportunity to travel to southern Thailand several times and have always been amazed by its vast potential. The region is rich in culture, offers a variety of delicious local delicacies, showcases breathtaking landscapes, and is home to warm and hospitable communities. One cannot help but admire the beauty of timeless Malay architecture in landmarks such as Masjid Wadi Al-Hussein, Istana Yaring, and Istana Teluban—remnants of the once-glorious Pattani Sultanate.
At times, the cultural similarities are so striking that I momentarily forget I have crossed the border from Kelantan into a neighbouring country.
The history of conflict and causes of tension
The conflict in southern Thailand began decades ago when the Thai government implemented stricter integration policies in the south. The struggle against injustice started as a response to cultural and religious oppression, where the local population felt that their identity as Malay-Muslims was being disregarded within the predominantly Buddhist state structure. This uprising intensified in 2004 when violence escalated with major attacks targeting security forces, government institutions, and civilians.
According to Thai’s English news outlet, The Nation, there have been nearly 10,000 attacks in the past two decades. Recently in March 2025, a tragic bombing in Sungai Golok, which claimed the lives of two Thai security personnel and injured eight others, highlighted the severity of this conflict. This incident once again demonstrates that the situation in southern Thailand remains volatile and that the long-desired peace is still far from being achieved.
Peace efforts between Southern Thailand and Bangkok
In an effort to achieve peace, the Thai government has initiated several negotiation efforts with insurgent groups in the south. In 2013, a peace negotiation process led by Malaysia began, known as the ‘Southern Thailand Peace Process.’ This was a positive step in the efforts of both sides to find a fair and sustainable solution.
The negotiations provided a platform for direct discussions between Thai government representatives and insurgent group representatives, who had previously operated covertly. Malaysia, as a neighbouring country with close ties to Thailand, played a facilitating role in this process. Although the negotiations have not always led to significant resolutions, they demonstrate a willingness on both sides to continue dialogue.
The Bangkok government has also introduced several initiatives to strengthen relations with local communities, including policies that grant greater freedom in religious and educational matters in southern Thailand.
Development programs aimed at improving the local population’s standard of living have also been implemented, although significant challenges remain in addressing poverty and social injustice.
The failure of assimilation in Southern Thailand
Although the Thai government has attempted to assimilate the Malay-Muslim population in the south by introducing integration policies and Thai-language education, these efforts have not been a total success. The assimilation process faces significant challenges, primarily due to the deep cultural and religious differences between the southern population and the Buddhist-majority Thai population.
Similar to the situation in other countries, such as France’s approach to its Muslim communities in the suburbs (banlieues) and the Kurdish population in Turkey, assimilation efforts that suppress cultural identity often fail, leading to ongoing tensions and dissatisfaction among marginalised communities.
Additionally, the failure to meet demands for autonomy and local community rights has exacerbated tensions and fuelled the struggle for justice. This suggests that the Thai government’s assimilation efforts have been more focused on standardisation rather than solutions that appreciate the cultural and religious diversity of southern Thailand.
Adopting Malaysia’s approach: A guide for Thailand
Malay culture is recognised as the foundation of Malaysia’s national culture, as outlined in the National Cultural Policy of 1971. This policy aims to unite Malaysia’s diverse ethnic and cultural groups under a national identity while respecting existing diversity. Despite this diversity, Malay culture is acknowledged as the core of the national identity within this policy.
Malaysia’s approach, which allows non-Malay ethnic groups to practice their languages and cultures, could serve as a useful example for Thailand. Malaysia has successfully fostered social harmony by recognising each ethnic identity, allowing them space to flourish without suppressing cultural and religious diversity. By granting greater autonomy to the communities in southern Thailand regarding religious and cultural matters, Thailand could create a more inclusive environment.
Malaysia has also demonstrated how multilingual education can strengthen interethnic unity. The teaching of native languages, such as Malay, in Malaysian schools not only helps preserve cultural identity but also fosters understanding and tolerance among different ethnic groups. Thailand could adopt this policy by giving greater recognition to the Malay language and Islamic culture, without compromising national integration.
Moreover, the Thai government could observe Malaysia’s role as a facilitator in peace negotiations. Malaysia, which has close ties with both Thailand and the Malay-Muslim communities in the south, can play a crucial role in bringing different parties together. As demonstrated in the Malaysia-led southern Thailand peace process, Malaysia can continue to assist in ensuring dialogue between the Thai government and insurgent groups remains constructive.
Listening to the voices of the people
One of the key steps in achieving peace is listening to the voices of the people. Conflict resolution cannot be achieved without involving local communities in the negotiation process. Therefore, honest dialogue between the Thai government and representatives of insurgent groups must be prioritised. Local leaders, religious scholars, and community figures must be given a platform to express their concerns and hopes, with the goal of reaching a broader consensus on the future of the region.
Additionally, empowering local communities is crucial. Peace cannot be achieved solely through military strength but also through economic, educational, and social empowerment. By providing better economic opportunities, ensuring access to quality education, and improving infrastructure in affected areas, the Thai government can reduce local grievances and minimise support for violence.
Promoting tolerance and integration
It is important to remember that peace is not only about resolving armed conflict but also about creating conditions where people can live harmoniously and work together to build a better future.
This requires a change in attitudes and perceptions towards religious and ethnic differences, as well as efforts to strengthen unity among all levels of society.
Achieving peace in southern Thailand is a long journey that requires commitment, patience, and courage from all parties. A peaceful resolution is not something that can be achieved overnight, but with an inclusive approach — one that involves open dialogue, economic empowerment, and international support — a stable and peaceful future for southern Thailand may be within reach.
The ongoing efforts between the people of the south and the central government in Bangkok through continuous negotiations are positive steps, but they require greater sincerity and commitment from all parties to ensure that peace can be achieved and sustained for a better future.
*Associate Professor Mohd Hazmi Mohd Rusli is a Coordinator with the International Law Unit, Faculty of Syariah and Law at Universiti Sains Islam Malaysia, and a Visiting Researcher at the Asian Institute of International Affairs and Diplomacy, Universiti Utara Malaysia (AIIAD, UUM Kedah).
Source: malaymail.com
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https://www.malaymail.com/news/what-you-think/2025/04/03/reaching-out-for-peace-in-the-deep-south-mohd-hazmi-mohd-rusli/171767
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Nusantara Sees Surge in Visitors During Eid Holidays
Yovanda Noni
April 4, 202
Nusantara. The number of visitors to Indonesia’s future capital, Nusantara, has seen a significant uptick during the Eid al-Fitr holiday season. Daily visitor numbers rose from around 8,000 on the first day of Eid (April 1) to over 14,100 by April 3.
To accommodate the growing interest, the Nusantara Authority has extended visiting hours at the under-construction capital. Additional bus fleets have been deployed, while efforts are underway to improve traffic flow and parking arrangements to ensure a smooth experience for the public.
“We are currently conducting simulations for managing entry and exit access, especially regarding parking, in light of the extraordinary surge in visitors,” said Thomas Bolodadi, Deputy Head of the Nusantara Authority.
While optimizing the tourist experience, the authority is also working to ensure that ongoing construction and maintenance activities remain uninterrupted. One of the main challenges, Thomas noted, is limited parking availability.
To address this, the authority is exploring alternative parking locations at strategic points, such as in front of the Bank Indonesia building, near the Civil Servant housing area, and around Hermina Hospital.
Additionally, mitigation measures are being put in place to prevent overcrowding. “We are anticipating continued growth in visitor numbers by implementing a more efficient traffic and access system,” Thomas said.
Visitors are required to register via the IKNOW application before entering Nusantara’s core area, which includes high-level government buildings such as the future presidential palace. Visiting hours are from 9:00 a.m. to 5:30 p.m.
Source: jakartaglobe.id
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https://jakartaglobe.id/news/nusantara-sees-surge-in-visitors-during-eid-holidays
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URL: https://newageislam.com/islamic-world-news/rajya-sabha-non-hindus-waqf-property-boards/d/135061