Two Men Caned in Aceh for Same-Sex Relations Under Sharia Law
New Age Islam News Bureau
28 February 2025
Four Aceh residents prepare to face public caning at Taman Sari in Baiturrahman District, Banda Aceh, on Thursday, Feb. 27, 2025. Two men were caned after being convicted of same-sex relations under the province's strict Islamic law, while the other two received punishment for gambling. (Beritasatu.com/Taufik Kelana)
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· Uprising, aftermath: Human rights violated in 11,348 incidents in Bangladesh
· · Groomed girl was 'fixated on Hitler' before death
· BJP leaders propose renaming of Delhi’s Najafgarh, Mohammadpur and Mustafabad
· Sultan of Sokoto urges Muslims to look out for Ramadan crescent from today
· Two Men Caned in Aceh for Same-Sex Relations Under Sharia Law
· More than 1,000 Syrians died in airport prison under Assad, report says
· Germany launches center to combat ‘conspiracy theories’
· Global Imams Council calls on Canada to stamp out Islamic extremism
· Saudi interior minister, Syrian intelligence official discuss combating drug trafficking
· Senate human rights body calls for urgent reforms in prison system
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South Asia
· New Railway Deals Signed Between Afghanistan, Turkmenistan
· Bennett Report: Gender Apartheid in Afghanistan should be recognized as a crime against humanity
· Islamic bank deposits fall again on fragile confidence
· Seminar Highlights Economic Responsibilities of Islamic System
· Two arrested in Narayanganj student's gang-rape case
· Celebration of literature draws to close
· Grant NHRC power to probe disciplinary forces
· Massage of Deputy MoIC Mawlavi Muhajer Farahi on the advent of 63rd establishment anniversary of The Kabul Times
· Message of Mohammad Suhail Shaheen on the 63rd establishment anniversary of The Kabul Times
· The 63-year journey of The Kabul Times
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India
· Bajrang Dal’s ‘love jihad’ tableau during Shivratri celebrations sparks row in Bihar’s Munger
· Eminent Muslims write to PM Modi over Meghalaya varsity chancellor’s arrest, calls it ‘pure vendetta’
· Supreme Court refuses to entertain plea on stampede at New Delhi railway station
· From adversity to achievement: Three sons become doctors showing the power of resilience
· Transforming digital heritage: How AI is shaping the future of virtual museums
· Kerala Court grants bail to BJP’s PC George in hate speech case
· Darul Musannefin – Azamgarh’s pride
· ‘Political paths may differ but challenges faced are shared’: Mehbooba Mufti writes to Omar Abdullah, Opposition leader for support on Private Member Bills
· Stormy session likely as Waqf bill set to be tabled in House after Cabinet nod
· Jamia Masjid shut down in Srinagar following death of Mirwaiz Umar Farooq’s father-in-law, Kashmiri parties condemn move
· Paint friction at Sambhal mosque: ASI officials visit Shahi Jama Masjid
· Rush Hour: Court says Sambhal mosque is ‘alleged masjid’, BJP seeks to rename parts of Delhi & more
· Iron fist doesn’t spare funeral of Mirwaiz Umar Farooq kin: Kashmiri parties slam government
· Taj Mahal theatre for Hindutva theatrics, investigation into security lapses underway
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Africa
· LASEPA seals hotels, churches, mosques, factories over violations
· Rededicate yourselves to Allah, Hamzat enjoins Muslims
· Sudan facing ‘abyss’ unless war ends: UN
· Obasa Apologizes To DSS Over Lagos Assembly Incident
· Tax reform bills: Sharia council, Kano govt reject inheritance law, VAT rise, others
· Kaduna Commissioner To El-Rufai: Only God Decides 2027, Not You
· ‘Babangida Has Refused To Allow Vatsa Rest In Peace After Killing Him’ – Jonathan
· Lagos Police Restore Speaker Meranda’s Security Details Amid Assembly Crisis
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Southeast Asia
· Indonesia positioned to lead Muslim world, deputy FM says
· Non-halal certified outlets in Sarawak barred from using ‘Ramadan’ in buffet promo
· Muslim world experiencing trust deficit - PM Anwar
· Muslims advised to partake in modest iftar meals
· Ramadan Begins Early for Some Muslim Congregations in Indonesia
· Foreign Tarawih Imams In Perak Need Accreditation, Locals To Be Prioritised
· Action against unregistered traditional medicine practitioners from tomorrow
· Hud Aryan’s death ruled as drowning, no foul play suspected
· Sultan Nazrin congratulates KPKT for excellent performance
· Body of ship crew member found near Masjid Kristal
· Pahang Sultan wants end to debate over royal addendum on Najib
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Mideast
· A Christian town in Syria keeps the biblical language of Aramaic alive. But it fears for its future
· Talks to resume in Cairo on next phase of Israel-Hamas ceasefire
· Israel says to have ‘safety restrictions’ at Al-Aqsa for Ramadan
· Israel car ramming attack wounds 13 people at bus stop
· Sustainable City — Yiti and Ahli Islamic Oman sign partnership to advance sustainable urban development
· Libya’s Haftar meets French President Macron in Paris
· President Pezeshkian advocates stronger relations among Muslim states
· Turkish Muslim council urges stronger mosque security in France
· Union of OIC News Agencies signs a memorandum of cooperation with the Islamic Solidarity Fund
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Europe
· Remembering Ramadan: the holy Muslim month famous for fasting
· 'Our new mosque with unique museum is a dream'
· France hands light sentences to Russian consulate attackers
· Putin warns of attempts to sabotage talks with US
· Man who kicked out at police at riots jailed for four years
· Under Merz's CDU, life will only get worse for Germany's Muslims
· Muslim centre set to move to former Citizens Advice building
· Balsall Heath: Muslims gather to celebrate start of Ramadan
· UK-US trade deal could mean tariffs 'not necessary', says Trump
· King invites Trump for 'unprecedented' second state visit
· Groomed girl was 'fixated on Hitler' before death
· Tate brothers arrive in US after Romania prosecutors lift travel ban
· Austrian centrists agree government deal sidelining far right
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North America
· Their mosque burned down in the Eaton fire. They’re still determined to gather for Ramadan
· CAIR-LA Welcomes Anaheim Union High School District’s Free Ramadan Meal Kit Initiative for Fasting Muslim Students
· Key takeaways from Starmer's talks with Trump
· Starmer charms Trump, but any deals will have to wait
· Ontario's Doug Ford projected to win rare third majority government
· Did the White House help end the Tate brothers travel ban?
· US attorney general presses FBI to release all files on Epstein
· Death of Hackman and wife 'suspicious enough' for investigation, police say
· Gene Hackman's daughters and Clint Eastwood lead tributes to star
· Trump administration cutting USAID contracts by 90% – AP
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Arab World
· Salsola tetrandra shrub reappears in Northern Borders after decades-long absence
· Demand for Najran’s Al-Samraa brown wheat rises for Ramadan
· How Saudi Arabia is using advanced automated systems to tackle traffic congestion
· Saudi Border Guards thwart major drug smuggling operations in Asir
· KSrelief runs volunteer medical project in Port Sudan
· Royal Commission for Riyadh City launches Accessibility Program for People with Disabilities
· Riyadh governor receives newly appointed Japanese ambassador to Saudi Arabia
· Businesses gearing up for the Ramadan rush
· Saudi Center for Commercial Arbitration announces new board, advisory committee to enhance regional role
· Saudi doctors operate on conjoined twins from Burkina Faso
· 10 Arabian sand gazelles released in Thadiq National Park
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Pakistan
· Sajid Hasan terms son's drug trafficking case 'fabricated, harassment'
· Karachi police equip 50 mobiles with ANPR cameras
· JUI-F to play ‘more active role’ in toppling govt after April 20: Murtaza
· Poet’s detention during Zia regime echoes in SC military trials case
· PTI reduces salaries of staff by 50pc amid ‘financial crunch’
· Maleeha calls for integrating soft power into diplomacy
· Opposition sees fair polls as panacea for all ills
· Elahi gets exemption from court appearance
· NA passed more laws in fewer sittings
· Use of AI for water resources management discussed in Lahore
Compiled by New Age Islam News Bureau
URL: https://newageislam.com/islamic-world-news/same-sex-relations-sharia-law-men/d/134749
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Two Men Caned in Aceh for Same-Sex Relations Under Sharia Law
Taufik Kelana
February 27, 2025
Four Aceh residents prepare to face public caning at Taman Sari in Baiturrahman District, Banda Aceh, on Thursday, Feb. 27, 2025. Two men were caned after being convicted of same-sex relations under the province's strict Islamic law, while the other two received punishment for gambling. (Beritasatu.com/Taufik Kelana)
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Banda Aceh. Two men were publicly caned in Banda Aceh, Aceh Province on Thursday after being convicted of engaging in same-sex relations under the province’s strict Islamic law. The punishment, carried out at Taman Sari in Baiturrahman District, drew public attention.
The Banda Aceh Sharia Court found Apis Irawan, 24, and Delmaza Ahmad, 18, guilty of committing Jarimah Liwath—a term for same-sex relations—under Article 63, Paragraph 1 of the Qanun law.
Apis received 82 lashes after a three-stroke reduction for time served, while Delmaza was sentenced to 77 lashes following a similar reduction. Both men were visibly in pain during the caning, which was briefly paused every ten strokes to allow them to drink water and undergo medical checks. After completing their sentences, they were assisted by officers before being taken to a rest area.
Aceh’s Head of Islamic Law Affairs, Ridwan, said the offenders would be returned to their families after the punishment, emphasizing the role of family in preventing further violations. “Families play a crucial role in ensuring that individuals uphold Islamic values,” he said.
The two men were arrested in November 2024 after residents discovered them together in a rented room in Syiah Kuala District.
Alongside them, two other men—Banta Kemari and Nasrul—were also caned for gambling offenses under Jarimah Maisir. Banta received eight lashes, while Nasrul was caned 34 times after a one-stroke reduction.
Aceh is the only province in Indonesia that enforces Sharia law, granted special autonomy through a 2001 agreement with the central government. The Qanun Aceh, a set of Islamic bylaws, governs moral conduct, including prohibitions on alcohol, adultery, gambling, and same-sex relations. Despite Indonesia’s national laws not criminalizing same-sex relationships, Aceh’s special status allows it to impose such penalties.
Source:jakartaglobe.id
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https://jakartaglobe.id/news/two-men-caned-in-aceh-for-samesex-relations-under-sharia-law
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Groomed girl was 'fixated on Hitler' before death
Feb 28, 2025
Rhianan Rudd died aged 16 in a children's home in May 2022
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A schoolgirl who was groomed online by a far-right extremist in the US became "fixated" on Adolf Hitler and wanted to "blow up a synagogue" before she took her own life, an inquest has heard.
Rhianan Rudd, 16, downloaded bomb manuals, guides on guerrilla warfare and media glorifying white supremacy and Nazism, Chesterfield Coroner's Court was told.
Her mother referred her to the deradicalisation programme Prevent - but she was later arrested by counter-terrorism officers and then placed under investigation by MI5.
The court heard several months after the charges were dropped, Rhianan was found dead at a children's home in Nottinghamshire on 19 May 2022.
Aged 15, she was the youngest girl charged with terror offences in the UK, before the prosecution was discontinued.
Before the inquest evidence began, a statement paying tribute to Rhianan was read out on behalf of her mother, Emily Carter.
In it, she said her daughter had a love of horses and cats and had a passion for cooking, which was "one of the times she was the happiest" and that art became an outlet "when she couldn't say something".
But Ms Carter said Rhianan - who was autistic - became "fixated" on things due to her condition, and said: "Her being groomed was huge and I saw her change and it had a huge impact on her."
An email was read out from Rhianan's mother to Counter Terrorism Policing East Midlands (CTPEM) requesting help from the Prevent programme.
It said: "I need help with my 15-year-old daughter. She has a very unhealthy outlook on fascism – she also has massive dislikes for certain races and creeds.
"I have done my best to deter her from any such ideologies, but it seems to be falling on deaf ears. I would like some help on the matter."
The subsequent referral form said this started off as an interest in world wars, but then turned towards a "fixation on Hitler" and admiration for him.
"She classes herself as a fascist and has quite a lot of hate towards other races," the form stated.
Ms Carter said they were waiting for hospital treatment for Rhianan's mental health. The court also heard Rhianan had a "history of self-harm".
'Carving a swastika'
A report by CTPEM, in September 2020, outlined that a joint assessment had taken place and said "it does not meet the criteria for [a criminal investigation]", but if "things escalated" then it would be referred back to them.
Edward Pleeth, counsel for the inquest, read out another report from CTPEM later that month, which detailed that Rhianan had told her mother she "wants to go to a synagogue and blow it up", and has spoken about "slitting people's throats".
The report said: "[We need] to ascertain her online presence i.e. who is she speaking to? Is she being coerced by anybody in her way of thinking?"
Disclosure from MI5 was read to the court, which showed Rhianan was speaking to Chris Cook, a 23-year-old neo-Nazi from the US who sent her "racially-motivated links" to read.
The inquest was told the then-partner of Rhianan's mother, American Dax Mallaburn, also had an influence which was "not known" to Ms Carter.
The inquest heard a student at Rhianan's school provided a statement to senior staff, in which she repeated a desire to "blow up a synagogue".
In October 2020, Supt Stephen Riley, head of CTPEM, told the court two police officers attended Rhianan's home in Bolsover, Derbyshire, seizing a USB memory stick and a diary from her.
Analysis found PDF manuals on how to make a bomb and material of a far-right nature.
CPTEM then passed the information on to MI5, which opened an investigation.
The court was told on 20 October 2020, during a meeting, that police and MI5 had decided Rhianan would not be arrested because it was "believed to risk some impact on her mental health" and "could possibly lead to further self-harm and suicide attempts".
But after Rhianan was admitted to hospital in Chesterfield that same day after "carving a swastika" on to her forehead, the court was told a decision was made the following day to arrest her due to "new information and a risk to others".
Missed opportunity question
Despite Rhianan being assessed by Prevent after her mother made a referral in September 2020, her case was closed after a criminal investigation began the following month. At that stage her case was deemed to be beyond the remit of the deradicalisation scheme.
The inquest heard after Rhianan was arrested on 22 October 2020, MI5 discussed with the police officer running the investigation whether an "exception" on Prevent could be made for Rhianan, but the detective had said it could not.
Supt Riley said the detective was "following the guidance that was available in 2020".
Charges against Rhianan were dropped in late December in 2021, after a Home Office unit that deals with modern slavery and trafficking made a formal finding that she was a victim of exploitation.
But the court heard the referral to the Home Office was not made by police after they began investigating Rhianan in autumn 2020.
Rather, the inquest heard it was only made at the instigation of defence lawyers after she was charged in April 2021.
Supt Riley was questioned about whether there had been a missed opportunity for police to make a referral in November 2020, but he said that was not the case.
The inquest heard in 2020, counter-terrorism officers did not receive training about modern slavery referrals, even though the relevant legislation had been in force since 2015.
Source:bbc.com
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https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/c4g77e57q17o
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Uprising, aftermath: Human rights violated in 11,348 incidents in Bangladesh
Feb 28, 2025
Star photo
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A staggering 11,348 people fell victims to human rights violations -- including murders, injuries, torture, and attacks on minority communities -- in July and August 2024, according to a study by Manabadhikar Shongskriti Foundation.
The study, supported by the National Endowment for Democracy, was unveiled yesterday at the Jatiya Press Club.
The report is based on key informant interviews, focus group discussions, and conversations with 12,434 people reached through household surveys.
Between July 1 and August 5, 2024, physical injuries accounted for 75 percent of documented cases, threats 9 percent, killings 8 percent, and torture 7 percent.
In the later half of August, after Sheikh Hasina fled, attacks on properties surged, with 38 percent involving arson, 34 percent vandalism and looting, 26 percent attacks on properties of minority communities, and 2 percent attacks on temples and shrines.
Of the 881 individuals killed, 763 were shot dead, 69 burned alive, 45 beaten to death, one was stabbed to death, and another was hit with a brick, finds the study.
Of the victims, 340 were aged between 20 and 30, at least 223 between 10 and 20, and six aged below 10.
Twenty-nine percent of the killings took place in Dhaka division, 20 percent Chattogram, 11 percent Mymensingh, 10 percent Barishal, 9 percent each in Khulna and Rajshahi divisions, 7 percent in Rangpur, and 5 percent Sylhet divisions.
Of those killed, 568 were students, 164 workers, 85 roadside vendors, 23 private employees, and 9 teachers and others.
Of the dead students, 265 were in colleges, 136 in schools, 106 in madrasas, and 61 in universities.
Of the 7,873 injured, 35 percent were in Dhaka division, 17 percent in Chattogram division, 16 percent in Rangpur division, and 11 percent in Sylhet division.
Fifty-eight percent of the injured had to bear their treatment costs at private hospitals, 32 percent were treated at government hospitals, and only 10 percent were treated for free at private facilities.
Most victims refrained from seeking legal recourse.
Family members of only 300 of the deceased victims had filed cases. Many of those who had not filed cases said they were afraid or they were threatened not to do it.
From August 6 to 31, attacks on properties skyrocketed. Arson accounted for 333 cases, vandalism and looting 300 cases, attacks on minority properties 223 cases, and attacks on temples and shrines 20 cases.
The study found that 65 percent or 573 of alleged perpetrators were police personnel, 16 percent Bangladesh Chhatra League activists, 9 percent Awami League activists, 2 percent Jubo League activists, and 3 percent Border Guard Bangladesh personnel.
At least 44 policemen were killed in different places.
At least 353 women were injured, six killed, 68 tortured, and 113 threatened.
Nurunnabi Shanto, project coordinator of Manobadhikar Shongskriti Foundation, presented the findings at yesterday's event.
The study urges the government to provide legal aid, economic rehabilitation and urgent medical and psychological support for victims. It also recommends that the government take steps so that human rights abuses do not take place in the future.
It also urges comprehensive reforms to ensure accountability of police, constitutional amendments, an end to arbitrary arrests, and protections for democratic freedoms.
Saidur Rahman, chief executive of Manobadhikar Shongskriti Foundation, said a culture of fear persisted.
Human rights lawyer Salma Ali said there must be reforms in the police to make the force friendly towards women and children.
Source:thedailystar.net
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https://www.thedailystar.net/news/bangladesh/news/uprising-aftermath-human-rights-violated-11348-incidents-3835841
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BJP leaders propose renaming of Delhi’s Najafgarh, Mohammadpur and Mustafabad
February 27, 2025
Anil Kumar Sharma, BJP's Candidate from RK Puram Assembly
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Three of the leaders of Bharatiya Janata Party on Thursday demanded renaming of threeplaces from Delhi, Najafgarh as Nahargarh, Mohammadpur as Madhavpuram and Mustafabadas Shiv Vihar.
Anil Sharma from South Delhi constituency of RK Puram who is demanding renaming of Mohammadpur stated that this demand will be brought forth in the House as it’s the demand of the public.
“The Municipal Corporation of Delhi had passed the proposal to rename Mohammadpur village but the AAP did not approve this.
Now, the BJP will take required action,” he stated. Other cities like Prayagraj and some towns and districts have also been renamed in states ruled by BJP.
Several Hindutva groups have demanded the renaming of places associated with Mughal rulers.
Najafgarh’s renaming is proposed by Neelam pahalwan. Speaking to the media Neelam said people opposed Mughal emperor Shah Alam ll when he took his control over Najafgarh but during the 1857 revolt Raja Nahar Singh revolted against him, won the area and brought it into Delhi province.”
Delhi Minister Parvesh Verma also supported the idea of renaming Najafgarh while Mohan Singh Bisht said that Mustafabad needs to be renamed as Shiv vihar.
He stated, “It was promised during the elections and we are committed to fulfilling the promise.
Source:muslimmirror.com
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https://muslimmirror.com/bjp-leaders-propose-renaming-of-delhis-najafgarh-mohammadpur-and-mustafabad/
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Sultan of Sokoto urges Muslims to look out for Ramadan crescent from today
February 28, 2025
by Adamu Suleiman, Sokoto
The Sultan of Sokoto and President General of the Nigerian Supreme Council of Islamic Affairs (NSCIA), Alhaji Muhammad Sa’ad Abubakar III, has directed Muslims in the country to start looking out for the new moon of Ramadan 1446 AH today.
The Sultan urged those who sight the crescent of the new moon to report the sighting to the nearest district or village head for onward communication to the NSCIA president general.
A statement yesterday in Sokoto by the Sultanate Council Chairman of the Advisory Committee on Religious Affairs, Prof. Sambo Wali Junaidu, reads: “This is to inform the Muslim Ummah that Friday, February 28, 2025, which is equivalent Sha’aban 29, 1446 AH, shall be the day to look for the new moon of Ramadan 1446 AH.”
The statement also prayed Allah to help Muslims to peacefully and successfully discharge the religious duty.
Source:thenationonlineng.net
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https://thenationonlineng.net/sultan-urges-muslims-to-look-out-for-ramadan-crescent-from-today/
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More than 1,000 Syrians died in airport prison under Assad, report says
February 27, 2025
A damaged billboard in Damascus after Assad’s ouster in December. (Reuters)
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DAMASCUS: More than 1,000 Syrians died in detention at a military airport on the outskirts of Damascus, killed by execution, torture or maltreatment at a site that was widely feared, according to a report to be published Thursday tracing the deaths to seven suspected grave sites.
In the report, the Syria Justice and Accountability Center said it identified the grave sites by using a combination of witness testimony, satellite imagery and documents photographed at the military airport in the Damascus suburb of Mezzeh after the ouster of President Bashar Assad in December.
Some sites were on the airport grounds. Others were across Damascus.
Two of the sites, one on the Mezzeh airport property and another at a cemetery in Najha, show clear signs of long trenches dug during periods consistent with witness testimony from SJAC.
Shadi Haroun, one of the report’s authors, said he was among the captives. Held over several months in 2011-2012 for organizing protests, he described daily interrogations with physical and psychological torture intended to force him into baseless confessions.
Death came in many forms, he said.
Although detainees saw nothing except their cell walls or the interrogation room, they could hear “occasional shootings, shot by shot, every couple of days.”
Then there were the injuries inflicted by their tormentors.
“A small wound on the foot of one of the detainees, caused by a whipping he received during torture, was left unsterilized or untreated for days, which gradually turned into gangrene and his condition worsened until it reached the point of amputation of the entire foot,” Haroun said, describing a cellmate’s plight.
In addition to obtaining the documents, SJAC and the Association for the Detained and Missing Persons in Sednaya Prison interviewed 156 survivors and eight former members of air force intelligence, Syria’s security service that was tasked with the surveillance, imprisonment and killing of regime critics.
The new government has issued a decree forbidding former regime officials from speaking publicly and none were available to comment.
“Although some of the graves mentioned in the report had not been discovered before, the discovery itself does not surprise us, as we know that there are more than 100,000 missing persons in Assad’s prisons who did not come out during the days of liberation in early December,” said a colonel in the new government’s Interior Ministry who identified himself by his military alias, Abu Baker.
“Discovering the fates of those missing persons and searching for more graves is one of the greatest legacies left by the Assad regime,” he said.
Hundreds of thousands of Syrians are estimated to have been killed since 2011, when Assad’s crackdown on protests spiraled into a full-scale war. Both Assad and his father Hafez, who preceded him as president and died in 2000, have long been accused by rights groups, foreign governments and war-crimes prosecutors of widespread extrajudicial killings, including mass executions within the country’s prison system and using chemical weapons against the Syrian people.
Source:arabnews.com
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https://www.arabnews.com/node/2591875/middle-east
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Germany launches center to combat ‘conspiracy theories’
28 Feb, 2025
Germans who suspect that their relatives or friends have fallen for conspiracy theories can now seek official guidance, the Interior Ministry has announced. The government has launched a nationwide consultation center to combat “lies and disinformation.”
Known as the Advice Compass on Conspiracy Thinking, it was launched on Thursday and is accessible online or by phone. According to the ministry, it aims to provide “the most tailored help and advice possible” for those seeking guidance.
The center offers consultations and can refer individuals to specialized agencies if necessary, according to Minister for Family Affairs Lisa Paus, without specifying which agencies will be involved.
Interior Minister Nancy Faeser said that an “open dialogue on equal terms” is often difficult with individuals deeply immersed in conspiracy beliefs. She hailed the initiative as “an important building block in the holistic fight against extremism and disinformation.”
Paus described conspiracy theories as “poison for our democracy” and a burden on families and colleagues. The Interior Ministry claimed that these beliefs can lead to extremist ideologies and incite violence, highlighting anti-Semitic conspiracies as a major concern.
The German authorities have been raising the alarm over the supposed rise of conspiracy theories. This trend is often linked to the Querdenker (lateral thinking) movement, which emerged during the Covid-19 pandemic to oppose the lockdown measures and other government policies. Since then, Querdenker groups have organized protests against Germany’s foreign policy and weapons supplies to Kiev, which began in 2022 following the escalation of the conflict between Ukraine and Russia.
Some factions have also called for “regionality, direct democracy, and limiting the power” of the federal government. Officials and media outlets often associate Querdenker groups with conspiracy theories and far-right organizations. In 2021, the German domestic security agency (BfV) announced it would closely monitor some of the Querdenker groups, claiming that they could try to “delegitimize” the state and use legitimate protest to “provoke escalation.”
The announcement of the Advice Compass came just days after the right-wing Alternative for Germany party (AfD) secured second place in snap parliamentary elections, receiving 20.8% of the vote – a significant rise from the 10.4% they received in 2021. Despite the gains, the party remains ostracized by the other major political parties and is frequently labeled ‘far-right’ by officials and media.
Source:rt.com
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https://www.rt.com/news/613416-germany-advice-center-conspiracy-theories/
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Global Imams Council calls on Canada to stamp out Islamic extremism
Feb 27, 2025
OTTAWA — With Canada turning a worrying blind eye towards Islamic extremism, a group of Imams are taking a stand against dangerous ideologies.
Speaking at a press conference on Parliament Hill on Thursday, Spadina-Fort York MP Kevin Vuong called on both government and community leaders to take a stronger stand against extremism in Canada.
“While there has been much discussion about fentanyl, there is something equally as dangerous being trafficked in Canada — and that’s extremism and extremist ideology,” Vuong said.
“In the last seven months, Canada has been either the target of or exporter of at least seven (alleged) incidents of terror.”
Examples cited by Vuong include last year’s arrest of Ahmed Fouad Mostafa Eldidi, 62 and his son, Mostafa Eldidi, 26 — both accused of planning an ISIS terror attack in Toronto; 20-year-old Muhammad Shahzeb Khan, arrested in Quebec while allegedly attempting to cross the border to carry out an attack against Jews in New York City; and Taha Sleiman, 21, who’s accused of constructing bombs inside a Niagara Falls home.
All the identified cases are before the courts. None of the allegations against the men have been tested in court.
Imam Mohammad Tawhidi, of the Global Imams Council, better known on social media as the “Imam of Peace,” said Canadian Muslim leaders have a large role to play in battling extremism.
“Doing so does not make you an Islamophobe,” he said.
“In fact, it makes you someone who cares about religion and cares about the reputation of Islam, and the future of Islam.
Canada’s anti-terror laws seem to be having little impact in halting Islamic extremism.
Charlotte Kates — a leader of the Canadian-based terror organization Samidoun — travels extensively to spread her group’s message of hate, including to Sunday’s funeral of Hezbollah leader Hassan Nasrallah.
As well, Canada’s largest public servant union has yet to comment on social media posts made by negotiator Hassan Husseini, whose public support of Hezbollah triggered alarm among the Public Service Alliance of Canada’s Jewish members.
As well, law enforcement across Canada have turned a blind eye to regular hate rallies perpetrated by anti-Israel extremists, who have spent the past few years publicly celebrating the murder of Israeli men, women and children during Hamas’ Oct. 7, 2023 terror attack — pushing false narratives about Israel and parroting allegations of a so-called “genocide” in Gaza.
If left unchecked, Tawhidi said, extremist ideologies often infect the minds of impressionable youngsters, who carry the hate forward.
“I think this is very useful to have — Imams as well the authorities uniting their forces, resources and time to come to an understanding of how to protect the Muslim community and Canadian society from extremists who not only target the welfare of the Muslim community, but also the broader Canadian society.”
Source:torontosun.com
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https://torontosun.com/news/national/global-imams-council-calls-on-canada-to-stamp-out-islamic-extremism
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Saudi interior minister, Syrian intelligence official discuss combating drug trafficking
February 28, 2025
RIYADH: Saudi Arabia’s Minister of Interior Prince Abdulaziz bin Saud bin Naif received in Riyadh on Thursday the deputy chief of Syria’s General Intelligence Service Muwaffaq Doukhi, the Saudi Press Agency said.
The officials discussed cooperation in the field of combating drug trafficking.
Director of Syria’s Anti-Narcotics Department Khaled Eid, Director of the Criminal Investigation Department Marwan Al-Ali, and a number of senior officials attended the meeting.
Doukhi and Eid visited earlier the General Directorate of Public Security and the General Directorate of Anti-Narcotics in Riyadh.
The Syrian officials were briefed on the work mechanism, security tasks, and the latest technologies used in the directorates.
Source:arabnews.com
Please click the following URL to read the text of the original Story
https://www.arabnews.com/node/2591885/saudi-arabia
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Senate human rights body calls for urgent reforms in prison system
Jamal Shahid
February 28, 2025
ISLAMABAD: The Senate Functional Committee on Human Rights on Thursday voiced concerns about the dire conditions in prisons, particularly crowding and prolonged delays in justice for death row inmates.
A meeting of the committee, chaired by Senator Samina Mumtaz Zehri, was held at Parliament House to address the deteriorating prison conditions and human rights violations affecting thousands of incarcerated individuals.
The committee was briefed by the National Commission for Human Rights (NCHR) about the prison system and the enforcement of laws aimed at preventing torture. Discussions centered on critical issues such as the excessive pre-trial detention of prisoners, inadequate facilities for vulnerable groups and the systemic neglect of under-trial women and juveniles.
Expressing her frustration, Ms Zehri said while statistics were presented they failed to capture the true extent of the suffering endured by prisoners.
“Numbers alone do not reflect the human cost of these conditions. People who have not even been convicted face inhumane treatment with little hope for justice,” she stated.
Senator Irfan Siddiqui highlighted the excessive delays in Pakistan’s judicial process, pointing out that it takes an average of five years for a death penalty case to be finalised. He criticised the system for subjecting inmates to harsh conditions, stating, “Even after years of waiting, prisoners are forced to live in jails that serve more as punishment than rehabilitation centres.”
Unannounced jail visits to expose reality
To assess the situation firsthand, the committee proposed conducting surprise inspections of prisons across the country. Senator Zehri recounted her own experiences visiting jails, noting that in some facilities prisoners did not even have space to sleep. She condemned the mistreatment of inmates by junior prison officers, stating, “The real torture is not just physical, it is the systematic mental anguish inflicted on prisoners daily.”
The committee also resolved to draft recommendations for improving prison conditions and ensuring better coordination among various departments, including the police, FIA and ministries overseeing human rights and law enforcement.
Senator Zehri urged officials to take their responsibilities seriously, reminding them that while government employees received regular salary hikes, ordinary citizens, including prisoners, struggled to survive in harsh conditions.
The committee was informed that there were currently 3, 646 death row inmates in Pakistan’s jails. Punjab alone has 2, 212 death row appeals pending in Lahore High Court with an additional 276 cases awaiting Supreme Court’s review. The backlog of cases and slow legal proceedings resulted in prolonged uncertainty for those awaiting justice.
Overcrowding remained a major issue with prisons in Punjab operating at 73 per cent overcapacity, Sindh at 74pc and Balochistan facing 15pc overcrowding.
Meanwhile, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa’s prison system remained critically strained. The committee also noted that the criminalisation of begging had further burdened the system as law enforcement agencies continued to detain impoverished individuals without addressing the root causes of poverty.
Senator Zehri called for immediate legislative action to improve prison conditions. She urged the government to allocate sufficient funds for prison reforms under the Public Sector Development Programme (PSDP), stressing that investment in better facilities would ultimately benefit the entire justice system.
The committee also criticised the lack of accountability in cases of custodial torture with FIA representatives acknowledging that their authority did not extend to prison oversight.
“This is a failure of the system,” the chairperson stated, demanding urgent reforms to ensure that all detainees are treated with dignity and fairness.
Source:dawn.com
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New Railway Deals Signed Between Afghanistan, Turkmenistan
2025-02-27
KABUL(BNA): Afghanistan and Turkmenistan have signed three memoranda of understanding (MoUs) aimed at strengthening railway cooperation between the two countries. A technical delegation, led by the Deputy Minister of Railways from Afghanistan’s Ministry of Public Works, visited Ashgabat to finalize the agreements with Turkmenistan’s railway administration.
According to the Ministry of Public Works, one of the agreements, valued at $7 million, focuses on the expansion of the Torghundi-Herat railway station. The other two agreements pertain to the completion of the remaining 10 kilometers of the Aqina-Andkhoy railway and the detailed survey and design of a 55-kilometer rail line connecting Andkhoy to Shibirghan.
Following the MoU signings, both countries are expected to finalize development contracts, paving the way for the projects to begin. The Afghan Ministry of Public Works emphasized that expanding, modernizing, and integrating the country’s railway network remains a priority. The ministry is actively engaging with regional and international partners to advance Afghanistan’s railway infrastructure.
Source:bakhtarnews.af
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Bennett Report: Gender Apartheid in Afghanistan should be recognized as a crime against humanity
By Fidel Rahmati-
February 28, 2025
Richard Bennett, the UN Special Rapporteur on Afghanistan, has called for the recognition of gender apartheid in Afghanistan as a crime against humanity. His remarks were made during the 58th session of the UN Human Rights Council in Geneva, where he presented his 20-page report on the country.
Bennett emphasized that the situation in Afghanistan, particularly for women, has deteriorated significantly since the Taliban regained power. He stressed the urgency of addressing the systematic oppression of women under the current regime within the framework of international law.
The report highlights that since the Taliban’s return to power, human rights violations in Afghanistan have worsened, with the systemic suppression of women becoming more severe. Bennett warned that the Taliban’s discriminatory policies against women are becoming more entrenched, with restrictive laws such as the “promotion of virtue and prevention of vice” reinforcing these measures.
Women and girls in Afghanistan have been subjected to harsh restrictions, including bans on education, employment, and public life. Bennett’s report underscores the need for immediate international action to improve the dire situation in Afghanistan, as women are being systematically deprived of their fundamental rights.
Additionally, the report points out the severe restrictions the Taliban have imposed on media and civil society. Journalists, activists, academics, and artists face harassment, arrest, and violence, while minorities continue to suffer from discrimination and a lack of protection.
The situation in Afghanistan remains dire, with women and girls bearing the brunt of the Taliban’s oppressive policies. As Richard Bennett pointed out, the international community must act quickly and decisively to reverse these injustices and push for greater protection and rights for Afghan women.
The worsening crisis in Afghanistan also highlights the broader human rights violations taking place across the country. The lack of international accountability for these actions, particularly in the context of the Taliban’s return to power, has led to a deepening crisis.
The UN and other global organizations must work together to hold the Taliban accountable for their actions. Additionally, it is essential for countries to pressure the regime to respect the rights of Afghanistan women and take meaningful steps to restore basic freedoms and opportunities for the population.
Source:khaama.com
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Islamic bank deposits fall again on fragile confidence
Feb 28, 2025
Depositors continued to move their funds out of full-fledged Islamic banks in the October-December period last year, a sign that many savers have yet to regain confidence in the Shariah-compliant banks due to alleged irregularities.
In contrast, conventional banks with Islamic banking branches and windows recorded an increase in the flow of funds during the period, according to Bangladesh Bank's (BB) quarterly report on Islamic banking in Bangladesh.
The report, released yesterday, showed that deposits at the 10 full-fledged Islamic banks declined to Tk 388,507 crore, the lowest since the April-June 2023 period.
This marked the second consecutive quarter that fully Shariah-compliant banks experienced fund withdrawals. As a result, overall deposits at these banks dropped by 4 percent year-on-year from Tk 403,850 crore in the October-December 2023 period.
Although deposits declined quarterly, overall deposits in Islamic banking grew marginally to Tk 439,580 crore compared to the previous quarter.
However, total savings at Islamic banks decreased by nearly 1 percent compared to the same quarter a year ago.
"The reason for the decline in deposits is that customers have lost confidence in full-fledged Islamic banks due to their poor health, which became evident after the ouster of the previous regime in August last year," said Fahmida Khatun, executive director of the Centre for Policy Dialogue.
"Savers would rather not keep their money in troubled banks."
The data follows a series of changes to the boards of several full-fledged Islamic banks, especially those associated with the controversial conglomerate S Alam Group, after the political changeover in August 2024.
The Bangladesh Bank restructured the boards of 11 banks, including Shariah-compliant ones, to bring discipline to the banking sector, which has been marred by loan scams, poor governance and rising defaulted loans.
Fahmida said that those who still wish to remain in Islamic banking have kept their deposits in healthier banks that either have Islamic banking branches or offer Islamic banking windows.
Among the 17 conventional banks with Islamic banking branches and 12 conventional banks with Islamic banking windows, some are considered healthy.
"Customers have likely kept their deposits in those banks," she said.
BB data showed that deposits at Islamic banking branches and windows of conventional banks stood at Tk 51,252 crore at the end of 2024, the highest in two years.
This amount was 30 percent higher than the Tk 39,554 crore recorded the year prior, and 12 percent higher than the previous quarter.
"Full-fledged Islamic banks are going through many uncomfortable events. As a result, many depositors are shifting their funds," said Shah Md Ahsan Habib, professor at the Bangladesh Institute of Bank Management.
The deposits are being moved to two destinations: conventional banks with Islamic banking branches and windows, and fully commercial banks.
He added that the central bank has taken several measures to assist crisis-hit banks and restore depositor confidence.
"But we have not yet seen any indication of renewed confidence among depositors, signalling that they can trust these banks with their funds," he said. "Our words and deeds have not been enough to provide confidence."
At the end of 2024, excess liquidity at Islamic banks increased by Tk 9,272 crore to reach Tk 9,435 crore.
The rise was due mainly to Tk 24,000 crore in liquidity support provided by the Bangladesh Bank to six Islamic banks as overdraft and demand loan facilities during the quarter.
The excess liquidity was up from Tk 163 crore in September 2024, but still lower by Tk 1,672 crore, or 15.05 percent, compared to the same period last year.
Ahsan said that while the intentions of the authorities are good, time may not be sufficient to restore confidence.
"Trust can be lost in an instant. But regaining it is time-consuming," he said.
Source:thedailystar.net
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Seminar Highlights Economic Responsibilities of Islamic System
2025-02-27
KABUL(BNA): The Acting Ministry of Industry and Commerce held a scientific and research seminar focusing on the economic responsibilities of the Islamic system, emphasizing economic development and the welfare of the people as essential indicators for societal progress.
During the seminar, Nooruddin Azizi, the Acting Minister of Industry and Commerce, outlined key initiatives aimed at bolstering the private sector. He underscored the importance of supporting domestic production through various measures, including tax exemptions on financial penalties and increased tariffs on imports of goods that compete with local products.
The ministry’s proposed actions also include the establishment of new industrial parks and enhancements to trade facilitation.
He announced plans to offer incentives to industrialists, establish a fund dedicated to private sector support, and create laboratories aimed at improving the quality of domestic production.
Source:bakhtarnews.af
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Two arrested in Narayanganj student's gang-rape case
Feb 28, 2025
A team of the Rapid Action Battalion (Rab) has arrested two men in connection with a case filed over raping a woman in Narayanganj.
The arrestees include the prime accused Nazmul Islam, 25, who was arrested around 3:00pm yesterday from the Purba Lamapara area in Fatullah. Later, another accused, Md Rony, 25, was arrested by Rab-1 from Gazipur around 7:15pm.
Lt Col HM Shazzad Hossain, commanding officer of Rab-11, confirmed the arrests during a press briefing at his office in Siddhirganj's Adamjee this evening.
According to the case statement, the victim and her husband were tenants in the house of the prime accused. On the night of February 18, Nazmul and his associates allegedly held the victim's husband captive, physically assaulted him, and recorded a video of the torture. Using the footage as leverage, they then gang-raped the woman.
The 20-year-old victim is a second-year student at Narayanganj Government Mohila College and works at a local garment factory, while her husband is employed at another factory.
The victim in the case statement said she called "999" on the night of the incident, but didn't get the necessary help. Police initially refused to register a case or arrange for an immediate medical examination.
On Tuesday, eight days after the incident, a case was recorded at Fatullah Model Police Station. The following day, under police supervision, the victim underwent a medical examination.
Outraged by the delayed response, students of Narayanganj Government Mohila College staged a protest yesterday, demanding the immediate arrest of all those involved.
Later in the day, leaders of the Bangladesh Chhatra Federation held a press conference condemning the police's alleged inaction. Farhana Manik Muna, president of the student wing, issued a 48-hour ultimatum, demanding justice for the victim.
Source:thedailystar.net
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Celebration of literature draws to close
Feb 28, 2025
After today, the fairgrounds will once again fall silent. While political gatherings may hum within the premises, the sound of flipping book pages will be absent.
Although the air may be filled with the fragrance of seasonal flowers, the sweet scent of new books will linger no more.
The day that brings sadness to book lovers has arrived once again -- today marks the end of the Ekushey Boi Mela.
Despite calls for an extension, the organising institution, Bangla Academy, has dismissed the idea.
Sarkar Amin, member secretary of the book fair management committee, stated, "Considering Ramadan and other surrounding factors, there has been no discussion about extending the fair. All activities will conclude within the scheduled time."
The book fair gates opened yesterday at 3:00pm. In the final moments, the venue was bustling with buyers and visitors. Those who had been unable to attend earlier due to busy schedules came with their families.
"Today is the day to buy books. I have visited the fair twice this year but haven't bought anything yet," said Masud Mia.
Nasimuzzaman Jony was seen chatting with friends by the lake. He mentioned that his campus is in Old Dhaka, so he usually buys books from Banglabazar. "But that doesn't mean I won't come to the fair. One of the main reasons for coming here is the chance to meet authors. Plus, taking pictures with them is a bonus!" he added.
Mazharul Islam, CEO of Anya Prakash, said, "The fair is being held in a different political situation this time, so there was some hesitation among people. But crowds have surged. Sales may have been lower, but the sheer number of people coming to experience books is still a positive sign. Even if they don't buy books now, they might in the future."
Meanwhile, poet Zakir Murad's two books, Mago Tomay Bhalobashi and Kobitar Shishmahal, have been published by Mohakal Publications. Additionally, journalist Nahid Hossain's book Katatater Diary was unveiled at the fair, highlighting the complex and historic relationship between Bangladesh and its two neighbours, India and Myanmar.
Source:thedailystar.net
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Grant NHRC power to probe disciplinary forces
Feb 28, 2025
The law pertaining to the National Human Rights Commission needs amendments to give the watchdog more investigative powers, speakers said at an event yesterday.
Organised by the law ministry and chaired by its additional secretary, the discussion addressed the challenges the NHRC faces and the path forward in this regard.
The law currently prohibits the commission from investigating disciplined forces.
Sultan Mohammed Zakaria, a former Bangladesh Country Specialist at Amnesty International, said the law should be amended to grant full investigative powers over disciplined forces, including the authority to summon evidence directly and conduct on-site inspections.
"Many instances of serious human rights abuse directly involve disciplined forces, and NHRC intervention is required to prevent impunity."
At present, the commission's recommendations are non-binding, and the government can choose to ignore its findings.
Zakaria proposed amending the law to make the NHRC's recommendations enforceable.
Eminent human rights lawyer Sara Hossain said, "The law doesn't allow the NHRC to intervene in sub-judice or under-trial cases. But it should be allowed to investigate the human rights violation aspects of cases even if they are sub-judice."
She also said courts should be allowed to refer cases to the NHRC for a perspective on human rights violations related to the case.
Mahdi Amin, adviser to BNP acting chairman Tarique Rahman, said there needs to be provisions for reparations in instances where false cases have been filed.
"My party has been the largest collective victim of human rights abuses. Over 60 lakh activists faced false cases. There are countries with entire populations lower than that number."
He stressed the need to ratify international conventions on human rights.
Pallab Chakma, executive director of Kapaeeng Foundation, said the law needs to specify a time for the government to respond to the NHRC's summons for reports, to ensure the commission can hold the government accountable.
Speakers also said the definition of "human rights" should include the rights to privacy, sexual orientation, and gender identity.
Meanwhile, Zakaria added that the NHRC needs to have financial autonomy. "The government needs to ensure that a fixed percentage of the national budget goes to the commission, or they should be given multi-year block funding. They should also be allowed to take external grants as long as it does not hamper the independence of the NHRC."
Dr Sharif Bhuiyan, deputy head of chambers at Dr Kamal Hossain and Associates, spoke about the need for the NHRC to be an autonomous institution by ensuring that the commission's recruitment is done independently.
At present, many members serve the commission on a voluntary basis, which means these are not their "real jobs," he said.
Zahid Hussain, human rights officer of the United Nations in Bangladesh, said the commission should have people who can act as a pressure group to address abuses by those close to power.
Kailash Robidas, a representative of the Dalit community, asked for a specific task force within the commission to deal with discrimination based on work and descent.
Dr Mohammad Mohiuddin, additional secretary of the law ministry's Legislative and Parliamentary Division, chaired the programme held at the Judicial Administration Training Institute.
Source:thedailystar.net
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Massage of Deputy MoIC Mawlavi Muhajer Farahi on the advent of 63rd establishment anniversary of The Kabul Times
February 28, 2025
The Kabul Times is the first English newspaper introducing the current situation and realities of Afghanistan to the world. With the blessings of the publication of the newspaper, the people could get information about their country. The Ministry of Information and Culture is making efforts to strengthen and enrich the newspaper further than ever and help it make innovation as much as to attract more readers. We have worked for the encouragement of all the staff who have long worked and are working hard for The Kabul Times and deeply thank them for their hard work and hope for their further efforts in reflecting the facts and realities, the current real image of Afghanistan as well as nationwide security and economic development to the world.
Source:thekabultimes.com
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Message of Mohammad Suhail Shaheen on the 63rd establishment anniversary of The Kabul Times
February 28, 2025
The Kabul Times is the first English newspaper that started its publication a few decades ago. Based on the need of time, the newspaper managed to cover national and international events for its readers. During different periods of time, it could do and is currently doing its duty successfully. This is the fact that if we say The Kabul Times is our language to the world. It has a special significance, particularly under the current sensitive condition of the country. Anyone who is aware of the situation knows it’s (The Kabul Times) importance. During the first round of the Islamic Emirate, when I was the Editor-in-Chief of The Kabul Times, there was a limited number of staff including journalists and translators with an insufficient budget, but they were doing their best to do their duty and fulfill their responsibility towards publishing a standard newspaper and offering it to the readers. They were successful in their work. Also, I see the same morale and high perseverance in the current Chief-in-Editor, staff, and personnel of the daily to offer a standard newspaper to its national and international readers. I appreciate them and wish them further success in their work. The Kabul Times
Source:thekabultimes.com
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The 63-year journey of The Kabul Times
February 28, 202
The Kabul Times news paper was established in 1341 (Solar Hijri), corresponding to 1962 (Gregorian calendar), under the management of the late Sabahuddin Kashkaki, who later served as Minister of Information and Culture during the tenure of the late Mohammad Musa Shafiq. This newspaper was the only English-language publication that started its operations under the Ministry of Information and Culture to reportintroducement’s achievements abroad and introduce Afghanistan to the world. At the beginning of its publication, the newspaper was issued once a week, consisting of four pages. In the 1960s, The Kabul Times dedicated a special page to students in which some English words were translated into Dari, facilitating learning for language enthusiasts. During the tenure of the late President Daoud Khan, the newspaper introduced specialized pag es, including economy, art and culture, historical issues, and others. The individuals responsible for these sections gathered the necessary content weekly, and journalists played a significant role in this process. This method continued for many years. At that time, the entire staff, including professional and service personnel, consisted of 30 individuals. However, during the communist era, particularly under the Parcham faction, this number increased to 1,200 people. Several new departments were created, and a library was established to enrich the newspaper with diverse content. During this period, the newspaper was renamed Kabul New Times, and its financial resources were provided by the Central Committee of the ruling party and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. The Hewad newspaper was affiliated with the Council of Ministers, while the Anis newspaper was linked to the National Front of the Homeland. A General Directorate named “Introducing Afghanistan” was also created under the Kabul Times for additional publications. A quarterly magazine called Ariana was published every three months, along with various bulletins. The English Yearbook was another publication under The Kabul Times, which summarized the annual activities of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. It included important content such as the President’s speeches, press interviews of both Afghan and foreign leaders, and joint declarations. Additionally, the yearbook featured domestic and international news as well as historical insights about Afghanistan’s rich past. Regardless of political ideologies, the chief editors of the newspaper, whether young or senior, maintained friendly and equal relations with their colleagues. They avoided biased behavior, ensuring a motivated and productive work environment. It is essential to shed light on some of the chief editors of The Kabul Times: • As mentioned earlier, the late Sabahuddin Kashkaki was the first chief editor. He was also the head of the journalism department at the Faculty of Literature and Human Sciences at Kabul University. • Abdul Aziz Danishyar was one of the most hardworking chief editors. • Noor Mohammad Rahimi also served as the newspaper’s chief editor. • Abdul Haq Wala and Azam Rahnaward were other chief editors; the former was a skilled writer, while the latter was a renowned novelist in Afghanistan, with numerous contributions in their respective fields. • Raheem Rafat, another talented chief editor, tragically lost both his life and profession in an airplane crash. During the first rule of the Islamic Emirate, despite the fact that the government printing press and its equipment were destroyed due to the civil war, the Kabul Times continued its publications normally. At that time, alongside competent chief editors, Suhail Shaheen—who is currently the Ambassador of the Islamic Emirate in Qatar—was responsible for managing the newspaper. Under his leadership, the newspaper continued its publications in accordance with the vision of the Islamic Emirate, and computers were introduced to facilitate its operations. Currently, The Kabul Times operates under the wise guidance of the Minister of Information and Culture and through the tireless efforts of its young chief editor and other colleagues. The newspaper is committed to achieving the lofty Islamic and humanitarian objectives of the Islamic Emirate, and we sincerely wish them continued success in this noble endeavor. Mir Ahmad Shah
Source:thekabultimes.com
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India
Bajrang Dal’s ‘love jihad’ tableau during Shivratri celebrations sparks row in Bihar’s Munger
by Santosh Singh
February 28, 2025
A “love jihad” tableau during Bajrang Dal’s Shivratri celebrations in Bihar’s Munger town Wednesday has sparked a political row in the state, with Opposition parties seeing it as an attempt to stoke communal sentiments.
Part of a 50-off tableaux procession in Munger, it is believed to have featured “gory images” and “communally charged” messages. The remaining tableaux had images of Hindu God Shiva and Goddess Parvati.
“Love Jihad” is a term used by some outfits to level allegations of religious conversions by marriage.
When asked, Munger’s Bajrang Dal convenor Saurabh S Sampanna told The Indian Express that it was meant to be a “social message”. “We did not name or target any religion and used some news items published in various newspapers. We wanted to draw people’s attention towards atrocities against Hindu women in the name of marriage.”
But Opposition parties Rashtriya Janata Dal and the Congress see the tableau as “inciteful”. “The state government should take note of such outrageous posters,” RJD spokesperson Mrityunjay Tiwari said.
Bihar Congress spokesperson Gyan Ranjan Gupta echoed the sentiments.
“The Constitution of India does not allow anyone to attack any religion directly or indirectly. The Bajrang Dal poster was in bad taste,” he said.
On its part, the BJP, which is part of the state’s ruling Nitish Kumar coalition, claims that the Bajrang Dal “does not function legitimately in Bihar as part of the RSS’s subsidiary wing”.
“If some local people are calling themselves Bajrang Dal members, we have no idea. But love jihad is a matter of great concern and its social message could have been given in a better manner than using some gory images,” he said.
Source:indianexpress.com
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Eminent Muslims write to PM Modi over Meghalaya varsity chancellor’s arrest, calls it ‘pure vendetta’
27.02.25
A civil society group comprising eminent Muslims on Thursday wrote to Prime Minister Narendra Modi, expressing deep concern over the arrest of the chancellor of private educational institution University of Science and Technology, Meghalaya (USTM) and urged him to ensure justice in the matter.
USTM chancellor Mahbabul Hoque was arrested from his Guwahati residence in the early hours of Saturday, police said. He was allegedly involved in a network that lured students with assurance of high marks through "fraud means", Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma had claimed.
"This arrest of a respected, non-political citizen and his prolonged incarceration have been aimed at demoralising a section of progressive members of society. It prevents efforts by enlightened citizens to strive towards establishing modern secular institutions of higher learning and medical facilities," the letter signed by former chief election commissioner S Y Quraishi, former Delhi Lt Governor Najeeb Jung, former Aligarh Muslim University vice chancellor Zameer Uddin Shah, former MP Shahid Siddiqui and industrialist Saeed Sherwani said.
"This is pure vendetta and we are confident that you will give directions for redressal," the civil society group 'Citizens For Fraternity' said.
In their letter to Modi, the group said Hoque was arrested in the early hours of Saturday "without an initial charge-sheet or arrest warrant and been lodged in Karim Gunj Jail, about 300 km from Guwahati".
"The charge-sheet made available a day after his arrest accuses him of encouraging mass cheating in Class 12 exam. The timing of arrest, on a Saturday morning when judicial redress is difficult, clearly smacks of vendetta by the Government of Assam against USTM and its founder," the letter said.
Source:telegraphindia.com
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Supreme Court refuses to entertain plea on stampede at New Delhi railway station
February 28, 2025
On Friday, the Supreme Court of India declined to entertain a petition requesting directions for crowd management following a tragic stampede at New Delhi railway station, where over 200 people were reportedly killed.
A bench consisting of Justices B.R. Gavai and P.K. Mishra questioned the claim of 200 deaths, asking, “Is there any proof that 200 have died?” The counsel representing the petitioner referred to several videos shared on social media platform X, which allegedly showed the incident.
The counsel also stated that the Railways had issued notices to witnesses present during the stampede.
In response, the bench suggested that the individuals who witnessed the incident could approach the court directly. It also inquired whether the petitioner believed that the authorities were neglecting the issue of crowd management.
The counsel explained that the petition aimed to ensure proper implementation of the National Disaster Management Act and related regulations for crowd control, which would prevent similar incidents in the future.
Despite the counsel’s arguments, the Supreme Court dismissed the plea and advised the petitioner to approach the Delhi High Court with the grievance instead. The counsel had named all the states and Union Territories as respondents in the case.
Earlier, on February 19, the Delhi High Court had directed the Railways to examine issues related to limiting the number of passengers and the sale of platform tickets, which had been raised in a Public Interest Litigation (PIL) filed regarding the stampede.
The High Court instructed the authorities to include in their affidavit details of the decisions made concerning these issues.
The tragic stampede occurred on February 15, when at least 18 people were killed as a massive surge of passengers gathered at the New Delhi Railway Station, trying to board trains heading to Prayagraj for the ongoing Maha Kumbh. — With Agencies Inputs
Source:muslimmirror.com
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From adversity to achievement: Three sons become doctors showing the power of resilience
February 28, 2025
In a striking display of resilience and determination, Rafiq Patel from Maharashtra, a sugar mill worker triumphed over his financial crisis and guided his three sons to become doctors.
With Rafiq and his wife, Rehan’s unbreakable spirit and relentless altruism, their three sons, Azharuddin, Mohsin and Ramiz are now practising doctors.
Rafiq’s sons did their early education in Moolgaon’s Zilla Parishad and then in Maulana Azad College in Aurangabad. All three sons then secured quota seats and graduated from medical college.
The story is particularly inspiring as all three brothers studied amidst challenging situations. The brothers utilised the same set of textbooks that were gifted from a local organisation for the eldest one among them.
The brothers credit their success to their parents and their maternal uncle, Sheikh Haju, a teacher who guided them through their studies.
Speaking about the inspiration behind pursuing this field, Dr Mohsin, the middle son said, “Our mother’s accident in 2006 inspired my elder brother to pursue this field as she had to stay in the hospital for 42 days for treatment. That was the time when all three of us realised that we wanted to help others.”
“If we are focused and put effort, success is always within reach,” says Azharuddin reflecting on his and his brothers’ inspiring journey.
Source:muslimmirror.com
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https://muslimmirror.com/from-adversity-to-achievement-three-sons-become-doctors-showing-the-power-of-resilience/
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Transforming digital heritage: How AI is shaping the future of virtual museums
February 28, 2025
By Fatma Faheem
In today’s digital age, virtual museums are changing the way people explore and experience cultural heritage. No longer bound by physical location, these online platforms make it easier for anyone to access art, history, and cultural artifacts from anywhere in the world. With the introduction of Artificial Intelligence (AI), virtual museums are entering a new phase, one that promises more personalized, interactive, and engaging experiences for users of all ages and backgrounds.
Personalized Experiences
AI makes it possible for virtual museums to customize experiences for individual visitors. Based on a user’s preferences and previous interests, AI can suggest specific exhibits or galleries, making the experience more relevant. For example, someone interested in ancient civilizations might be guided toward specific collections or galleries, provided with additional information on the artifacts they view. This personalization helps make virtual visits feel more immersive and engaging.
Enhancing Learning
AI is also transforming education in virtual museums. By understanding how users interact with exhibits, AI can adjust the content and presentation to match different learning styles. Whether someone is a student, a casual visitor, or an academic researcher, AI can create a more enriching learning experience by offering the right kind of information at the right time.
Improving Accessibility
One of the significant advantages of AI in virtual museums is its potential to enhance accessibility for individuals with disabilities. Through features like voice recognition, text-tospeech, and customizable interfaces, AI can help create a more inclusive environment. This ensures that everyone, regardless of physical limitations, can enjoy and engage with cultural heritage. For instance, virtual tours can be designed to cater specifically to those with visual or auditory impairments, making it easier for them to explore and appreciate exhibits.
Immersive Technologies
The combination of AI with Virtual Reality (VR) and Augmented Reality (AR) is taking virtual museum experiences to the next level. Imagine stepping into a recreated historical site, walking through ancient ruins, or examining an artifact in 3D, all from the comfort of your home. AIpowered virtual guides can answer questions, provide context, and even suggest related exhibits to explore, making the experience much richer and more interactive.
Ethical Considerations
While the integration of AI in virtual museums offers many benefits, it also raises important ethical questions. Concerns about privacy, data security, and potential biases in AI systems need to be addressed. Museums and AI developers must work together to ensure that these technologies are used responsibly, creating clear guidelines for transparency and fairness in how AI influences user experiences.
Impact in India
In India, AI is helping cultural institutions connect with more people than ever before. By making heritage collections available online, virtual museums are breaking down barriers, be they physical, geographical, or financial. AI-powered tools also make it easier to cater to different languages, interests, and accessibility needs, ensuring that cultural heritage is open to everyone, regardless of where they are or what their background might be.
Global Connections
Internationally, AI-driven virtual museums are playing a key role in fostering cross-cultural exchange. By giving users around the world access to diverse collections and exhibits, these platforms allow people to explore new cultures and histories from the comfort of their homes. This not only deepens understanding but also promotes global dialogue, helping to bridge cultural divides in ways that were previously unimaginable.
Looking Ahead
Artificial Intelligence is revolutionizing the way we interact with cultural heritage. From personalized museum tours to immersive learning environments, AI offers exciting opportunities for making virtual museums more engaging and accessible. However, it is equally important to navigate the ethical challenges this technology presents. By working together, museums and technology experts can ensure that AI enhances the future of cultural heritage while keeping it inclusive and responsible.
Source:muslimmirror.com
Please click the following URL to read the text of the original Story
https://muslimmirror.com/transforming-digital-heritage-how-ai-is-shaping-the-future-of-virtual-museums/
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Kerala Court grants bail to BJP’s PC George in hate speech case
February 28, 2025
BJP leader P.C. George was granted bail on Friday by a court in Erattupetta, Kerala, in connection with a hate speech case.
A magisterial court approved his bail after he had surrendered before it on Monday and was remanded to police custody that day. George, a former MLA, had surrendered following the rejection of his anticipatory bail plea by the Kerala High Court, which dismissed his petition and observed that granting bail in such a case could send the wrong message to society.
The case stems from allegations that George made hate-filled remarks against a minority community during a TV channel discussion.
The complaint was filed by Muhamed Shihab, a leader of the Muslim Youth League, who accused George of making statements that could incite religious hatred.
After his anticipatory bail was rejected by the Kottayam District Sessions Court, George approached the High Court. The case was registered by the Erattupetta police, who are investigating the matter.
Despite the court’s earlier rejection of bail, George was eventually granted release, although legal proceedings will continue regarding the hate speech allegations. — With Agencies Inputs
Source:muslimmirror.com
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https://muslimmirror.com/kerala-court-grants-bail-to-bjps-pc-george-in-hate-speech-case/
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Darul Musannefin – Azamgarh’s pride
February 28, 2025
By Asad Mirza
When we talk about the rich heritage of Urdu books, then every Urdu lover bemoans that the government is not doing enough for saving and promoting the Urdu language – a language which binds at least 70% of Indians, socially and literally.
Yet, few of us ponders that what the Urdu lovers themselves are doing for saving and promoting the language. Their concern becomes abundantly clear by the everyday decreasing sales of Urdu books and newspapers. Further, what they are doing to save institutions which have been the flagbearers in propagating and saving the language by publishing books on different topics in Urdu.
The answer is pretty obvious: nothing concrete except bemoaning and using hollow words.
One such institution is Darul Musannefin or Shibli Academy, just like the Rampur raza library of Rampur or the Khuda Baksh Library of Patna, in addition to a vast repertoire of books in private collections of individuals and organisations throughout India.
Darul Musannefin or Shibli Academy is a research academy based in Azamgarh, Uttar Pradesh. Its aim was to add authentic historical literature in Urdu so that people could have easy access to history. It was started as Darul Musannefin but later it was named after its founder Shibli Nomani.
Maulana Shibli Nomani, a Sunni Muslim scholar established it in Azamgarh in February 1914; after failing to establish the Academy in Lucknow, it was established in Azamgarh at Nomani’s mango orchard. It started working on 21 November 1914, 3 days after Maulana Nomani’s death under the guidance of Maulana Hamiduddin Farahi. Other founders included Maulana Syed Sulaiman Nadvi, Maulana Abdus Salam Nadvi and Maulana Masood Ali Nadvi.
Established just three days after Shibli’s death in 1914, the Academy is a leading institution of Oriental, Islamic and Mediaeval Indian Studies, and Azamgarh’s pride. It occupies nine acres donated by Shibli and his relatives. The centrepiece is a beautiful whitewashed building housing a massive library of over 1.5 lakh books and around 700 manuscripts, some of them rare, and an office. Staff residences, the mosque and a conference hall stand apart.
Shibli Academy, a treasure trove
The Academy’s library is a treasure trove. Its spacious central hall is furnished with sofas and chairs, which have been graced by personalities ranging from Mahatma Gandhi, to Jawahar Lal Nehru, Indira Gandi or in other words virtually every Indian Prime Minister and President, except the present dispensation, and scores of other Indian and foreign dignitaries. “Here have sat dozens of famous dignitaries,” Academy’s senior fellow Mohammed Umair Siddique Nadvi, told me on my recent visit to the acclaimed institute.
Mohammed Umair showed me rare books and manuscripts, including Persian translations of Ramayan and Mahabharata, and Sirr-e-Akbar, Persian translation of the Upanishads by Mughal prince Dara Shikoh, a great scholar. The excellent condition in which most of these rare books have been preserved over the years shows the dedication of the institution’s staff despite meagre resources. The gold embossed titles and pages decorated with gold border still retain their sheen.
Another gem is Monisul Arwah, a book on Sufi saint Khwaja Moinuddin Chishti by Dara’s sister Jahanara. “This is our most prized possession which Maulana Shibli found at an old bookshop in Lucknow and bought for Rs 100 in 1906. It was very dear to him and travelled to an international exhibition of rare manuscripts in Paris,” says Nadvi.
There’s a section where testimonies of some famous visitors, including Mahatma Gandhi, Madan Mohan Malaviya and Maulana Azad, are kept. Motilal Nehru and Jawaharlal Nehru, stayed at the Academy several times during their visits to Azamgarh. When Gandhi first visited it in the 1920s, the Academy’s founding secretary, Maulana Syed Sulaiman Nadvi, showed him the library by lantern light since electricity supply was erratic.
Another famous visitor was Bi Amma, mother of Muhammad Ali Jauhar and Shaukat Ali, freedom fighters and Khilafat Movement leaders better known as the Ali brothers.
But while the Academy is Azamgarh’s pride, it faces a severe financial crunch. It has only one librarian, 48-year-old Saleem Javed, son of the Academy’s former director Maulana Ziauddin Islahi, to look after the vast collection.
“I do whatever I can, but it is not possible for one person to look after so many books. I opened my eyes on this campus and have been working here for around 25 years, and will continue to do so.” says Javed, apparently resigned to his and the institute’s fate.
The funding crunch prevents the management from hiring more staff and expediting translation and digitisation of titles from Arabic, Persian and Urdu into other Indian languages and English.
The future of Darul Musannefin
The Academy’s primary purpose is to protect and propagate the scientific, authentic history and rational interpretations of Islam. It also upholds Hindu-Muslim harmony, or the much talked about Ganga-Jamuni Tehzeeb, and sheds light on the life and times of Maulana Shibli, yet so far no one has come forward to help the institute and its committed staff to restore the institute to its former glory. Before Independence, it received grants from Nizam of Hyderabad, Nawab of Bhopal, and others. But now that those streams have dried up, many say the cash-starved institution should look beyond its four walls.
Maulana Shibli had donated his own land with a mango orchard and persuaded close relatives to donate parcels of their land for Darul Musannefin, the library, printing press and publication of Maarif, the monthly journal founded in July 1916.
Since Urdu is shrinking, the library’s patrons have dwindled over the years. Today, it would help if more people started subscribing to Maarif for Rs 10,000 as a life member or even if subscribing to the same for Rs 400 or Rs 1800 towards annual or five years subscription, as a corpus of Rs 10 crore can bail out the institution and help implement its future development plans. In this regard any of the big business houses can also help, as part of their CSR responsibility.
Source:muslimmirror.com
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https://muslimmirror.com/darul-musannefin-darul-musannefin-azamgarhs-pride/
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‘Political paths may differ but challenges faced are shared’: Mehbooba Mufti writes to Omar Abdullah, Opposition leader for support on Private Member Bills
by Naveed Iqbal
February 28, 2025
Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) president Mehbooba Mufti Thursday wrote to the Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah and Leader of Opposition Sunil Sharma seeking their support for three Private Member Bills that her party plans to introduce in the upcoming session of the J&K Assembly.
In her letter, the former chief minister has underscored the continued “hardships” faced by the people of J&K since the developments of 2019. Stressing the need for collective action beyond party lines, she called for a united effort to address the grievances of the people.
The Bills that the PDP plans to introduce are Jammu and Kashmir (Regularization & Recognition of Property Rights of Residents in Public Land) Bill, 2025, seeking right to shelter; The Jammu and Kashmir Civil Services (Special Provisions for Regularization of Adhoc, Daily Wagers, Need-Based and Other Temporary Workers) Act, 2025 seeking job security and Jammu and Kashmir Prohibition of Alcohol Bill, 2025.
Apart from Abdullah and Sharma, Mufti also wrote to Congress leader Ghulam Ahmad Mir, Jammu and Kashmir People’s Conference chief Sajad Lone, Communist Party of India (Marxist)’s MY Tarigami, Awami Ittehad Party’s (AIP) Sheikh Khursheed and other independent MLAs, urging them to see these, not as an initiative of one party but as an “essential step to toward addressing public grievances”.
“These Bills seek to address urgent concerns affecting the daily lives of our people and uphold their aspirations,” Mufti said in her letter. “I look forward to your positive response and hope that we can move forward on these core issues together. Our political paths may differ, but the challenges faced by our people are shared, and so must be our resolve to address them.”
Source:indianexpress.com
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https://indianexpress.com/article/india/political-paths-may-differ-but-challenges-faced-are-shared-mehbooba-mufti-writes-to-omar-abdullah-opposition-leader-for-support-on-private-member-bills-9860328/
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Stormy session likely as Waqf bill set to be tabled in House after Cabinet nod
Preetha Nair, Mukesh Ranjan
28 Feb 2025
NEW DELHI: With the Waqf (Amendment) Bill 2024 expected to be introduced in the second leg of the Budget Session on March 10, Parliament may witness fierce resistance from the Opposition parties determined to block the Bill.
According to sources, the Union Cabinet on February 19 approved the updated Waqf (Amendment) Bill with the changes suggested by the Joint Parliamentary Committee (JPC), setting the tone for the contentious Bill’s introduction.
An Opposition member who is a part of the JPC said that the Opposition parties will fight unitedly against the Bill. The leader said that the INDIA bloc parties could sit together and plan a strategy before the Parliament session began.
The JPC report on the Bill was tabled in both Houses of Parliament on February 13, sparking strong opposition protests over the alleged redaction of certain portions of the dissent notes on the report. Later, the government tabled a corrigendum on it in Rajya Sabha. In January, the committee approved all amendments proposed by NDA members while rejecting Opposition changes.
Out of 44 amendments, the panel accepted only 14 changes suggested by ruling NDA members through a vote. The revised Bill, incorporating the approved amendments, was formally adopted by the panel on January 29.
After several deliberations, the JPC submitted its final report to Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla on January 30.
Congress MP Syed Naseer Hussain told this paper in an earlier interview that only 40- 50 percent of the members’ redacted portions of dissent notes were added back in the new version, and his party will take up the issue in the second leg of the session.
Key provisions of the Bill
Councils of both Central & State Waqf boards will have two Muslim women as members
The State Council will also have one member from the Muslim OBC community
State governments are allowed to establish separate Waqf boards for Aghakhani and Bohra communities
There is provision to protect women’s inheritance rights in
Waqf Alal Aulad (family waqfs)
Registered Waqf by User will continue to be recognised, except in cases where the property is under dispute or owned by the government
Source:newindianexpress.com
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https://www.newindianexpress.com/nation/2025/Feb/28/stormy-session-likely-as-waqf-bill-set-to-be-tabled-in-house-after-cabinet-nod
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Jamia Masjid shut down in Srinagar following death of Mirwaiz Umar Farooq’s father-in-law, Kashmiri parties condemn move
by Naveed Iqbal
February 28, 2025
Authorities in Srinagar shut down the Jamia Masjid Thursday after it was announced that funeral prayers for Ghulam Sibtain Masoodi, the father-in-law of Hurriyat Conference leader and Kashmir’s chief cleric Mirwaiz Umar Farooq, would be held at the mosque Thursday afternoon.
Mirwaiz Manzil, the office of Kashmir’s head cleric posted images of the closed off mosque on X, stating that “once again the authorities have sealed the gates of Jama Masjid Srinagar and cordoned its surroundings and informed that the namaz-e-jinazah of Dr. Ghulam Sibtain Masoodi, father-in-law of Mirwaiz-e-Kashmir, Molvi Mohammad Umar Farooq, who passed away yesterday night, and was to take place after zuhr prayers today, will not be allowed at Jama Masjid.”
Sibtain Masoodi was also the brother of NC leader and Pampore MLA retired Justice Hasnain Masoodi.
Political parties — including the ruling National Conference — have condemned the move. While Chief Minister Omar Abdullah offered his condolences to the Mirwaiz family, his party, the NC, said in a statement that such actions “are not only regressive but also demonstrate the hollowness of claims of normalcy in the region”.
“It is precisely these kinds of steps that reveal the lack of trust the authorities have in their own assertions of peace and stability,” the statement said. It underlined that “the police in their short-sighted approach, fail to realise that restricting such basic rights only further erodes the trust and goodwill of the people”.
Meanwhile, the Opposition Peoples Democratic Party accused NC of being “complicit by the silence” after the closure of Jamia Masjid at Nowhatta. Terming the decision “unfathomable and cruel”, PDP leader Iltija Mufti said: “One assumed that after an elected government there would be some relief but instead, they are complicit by their silence which has emboldened GOIs iron fisted policy of repression”.
Senior PDP leader Naeem Akhtar also attacked the National Conference for “protesting” like the electorate. Commenting on NC’s statement, he said: “Says the ruling party which commands an overwhelming majority… Janaza bhi nahin padwa sakte ho toh kya kar rahe ho wahan (If you can’t even perform a funeral, then what are you doing there?). Running with the hare and hunting with the hounds,” he said.
Source:indianexpress.com
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https://indianexpress.com/article/india/srinagar-jamia-masjid-shut-down-kashmiri-parties-condemn-9859451/
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Paint friction at Sambhal mosque: ASI officials visit Shahi Jama Masjid
Piyush Srivastava
28.02.25
A team of three members of the Archaeological Survey of India and the mutawalis of Sambhal’s Shahi Jama Masjid visited the shrine on Thursday afternoon to survey whether there was any need for painting the structure.
The team is to submit a report to Allahabad High Court on Friday morning. Justice Rohit Ranjan Agrawal gave the order on Thursday on the plea of the mosque committee, which had filed a petition to set aside the decision of the ASI to prevent them from cleaning, painting and white-washing the structure. They had stated that cleaning and painting were required before the Ramazan month starting March 1.
Four persons died in firing last November when an ASI team reached the mosque on court orders for a survey to find out whether the structure was built by demolishing a temple during the rule of Mughal Emperor Aurangzeb.
Hari Shanker Jain, who represented the Hindu petitioners, had appealed to the high court to prevent any painting, saying that the mosque committee could “tamper with the artefact signs and symbols of the temple if it was allowed to colour the walls”.
Mosque counsel S.F.A. Naqvi told the high court the ASI and the mosque management committee had agreed on January 13, 1927, that repair work could be done. The cost is to be borne by the endowment created for such a project. There is a provision for state help if the endowment funds fall short.
The ASI argued that another clause in the agreement, which stated that mutawalis wouldn’t undertake any repair of the mosque without the prior consent of the collector, had never been followed by the mosque committee.
Source:telegraphindia.com
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https://www.telegraphindia.com/india/paint-friction-at-sambhal-mosque-archaeological-survey-of-india-officials-visit-shahi-jama-masjid-prnt/cid/2086080
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Rush Hour: Court says Sambhal mosque is ‘alleged masjid’, BJP seeks to rename parts of Delhi & more
28.02.25
The Allahabad High Court has directed the Archaeological Survey of India to inspect the Shahi Jama Masjid in Uttar Pradesh’s Sambhal to determine whether it requires whitewashing before Ramzan. In its order, the court used the word “alleged” five times to describe the mosque, after a Hindu petitioner expressed concerns that the court may implicitly recognise it as a mosque.
The order came on a plea by the mosque management committee seeking permission for maintenance work before the Islamic holy month of Ramzan commences on Saturday. The Sambhal police opposed the request for maintenance, arguing that prior approval of the Archaeological Survey was mandatory.
Source:scroll.in
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https://scroll.in/latest/1079705/rush-hour-court-says-sambhal-mosque-is-alleged-masjid-bjp-seeks-to-rename-parts-of-delhi-more
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Iron fist doesn’t spare funeral of Mirwaiz Umar Farooq kin: Kashmiri parties slam government
Muzaffar Raina
28.02.25
Lieutenant general Manoj Sinha’s administration on Thursday disallowed funeral prayers for the father-in-law of Hurriyat chairman Mirwaiz Umar Farooq at Srinagar’s Jama Masjid, unwilling to relax its iron fist even during the separatist politician’s moment of grief.
The government’s move was condemned by politicians from across the separatist, pro-India divide, including the ruling National Conference. The deceased Dr Ghulam Sibtain Masoodi was also the elder brother of former Anantnag MP and incumbent Pampore MLA of the NC, Hasnain Masoodi.
The funeral prayers were later held at a mosque in uptown Barzulla. Hundreds, including National Conference president and former chief minister Farooq Abdullah, joined the funeral amid heavy rain.
Ghulam Masoodi was laid to rest at his ancestral graveyard in Khrew, Pampore.
The Mirwaiz, the chief cleric of Kashmir, said in a social media post that the authorities had sealed the gates of Jama Masjid, Srinagar, and cordoned off its surroundings.
“They have informed us that the namaz-e-jinazah (funeral prayers) of Dr Ghulam Sibtain Masoodi, which was to take place after the ‘zuhr’ prayers today, will not be allowed at Jama Masjid. I strongly condemn the authorities for the use and display of force and power even in moments of grief and religious rituals,” he said.
An X handle of the Mirwaiz’s political party uploaded pictures of the police restrictions outside Jama Masjid to prevent the funeral. The authorities had put up barricades outside the mosque and deployed police to prevent the gathering.
The organisation condemned the restrictions and said such an aggressive approach by the state authorities in a moment of mourning was not only unjustified but also contrary to human values and ethics.
“The organisation paid rich tribute to Dr Masoodi, acknowledging his remarkable social and humanitarian services,” the party said.
The ruling NC and the Opposition PDP condemned the LG’s administration.
“The decision is deeply regrettable and wrong. Such actions are not only regressive but also demonstrate the hollowness of claims of normalcy in the region. It is precisely these kinds of steps that reveal the lack of trust the authorities have in their own assertions of peace and stability. The police, in their short-sighted approach, fail to realise that restricting such basic rights only further erodes the trust and goodwill of the people,” the NC said in a statement.
PDP leader Iltija Mufti criticised the NC government for staying silent on such issues.
“Unfathomable and cruel that the authorities barred the funeral prayers of Mirwaiz sahab’s father-in-law at Jama Masjid today. One assumed that after an elected government there’d be some relief, but instead they are complicit by their silence which has emboldened the Centre’s iron-fisted policy of repression,” she wrote on X.
Chief minister Omar Abdullah posted a condolence message but made no mention of the bar on the funeral at the Jama Masjid.
Source:telegraphindia.com
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https://www.telegraphindia.com/india/iron-fist-doesnt-spare-funeral-of-mirwaiz-umar-farooqs-kin-kashmiri-parties-slam-government-prnt/cid/2086078
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Taj Mahal theatre for Hindutva theatrics, investigation into security lapses underway
Piyush Srivastava
28.02.25
A woman leader of a Hindu organisation has claimed to have entered the Taj Mahal with a Shivalinga hidden in her hair and worshipped it on the premises on Wednesday morning.
"I had to worship the god in this temple to Lord Shiva, which was usurped by a Mughal king," Meera Rathor, Agra district president of the women’s wing of the Akhil Bharatiya Hindu Mahasabha, told reporters on Thursday.
Taj Mahal authorities rejected her claim, saying CCTV footage showed no such security breach or religious activity on the premises.
Some Sangh Parivar outfits claim that the 17th-century mausoleum of Shah Jahan’s queen Mumtaz Mahal stands over the remains of the Tejo Mahalaya, an ancient Shiva temple.
"I carried the Shivalinga, (a bottle of) Gangajal and a matchbox — all concealed in my hair bun — on Wednesday on the occasion of Mahashivaratri," Rathor claimed.
"I worshipped Lord Shiva near the mehmankhana (guesthouse) after purifying the spot with Gangajal brought from the Mahakumbh (in Allahabad)."
There’s a ban on taking any religious symbol or inflammable object inside the premises.
Rathor has posted on social media a video of her purported activities at the Taj Mahal.
Prince Vajpayee, senior conservation assistant of the Archaeological Survey of India, Agra Circle, denied any security breach on Wednesday.
"Our initial probe indicates that an old video of someone doing puja on the Taj premises is in circulation on social media. We have checked our CCTVs and didn’t find such activity there," he said.
Source:telegraphindia.com
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https://www.telegraphindia.com/india/taj-mahal-theatre-for-hindutva-theatrics-investigation-into-security-lapses-underway-prnt/cid/2086081
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Africa
LASEPA seals hotels, churches, mosques, factories over violations
February 27, 2025
by Udeh Onyebuchi
In a sweeping enforcement operation, the Lagos State Environmental Protection Agency (LASEPA) has sealed multiple establishments across the state for violating environmental regulations.
The crackdown, which targeted noise pollution and the illegal siting of gas refilling plants, affected businesses in Surulere, Lagos Mainland, Agege, Kosofe, and other areas.
Among the establishments shut down were hotels, religious centres, gas plants and factories found to be flouting state environmental laws.
Those affected include Home Guest House, Feel at Home, Pholar Suites, Oak Spring Hotel and 18plus Hotel.
Assemblies of God Church, Redeemed Christian Church of God and Anwarul Islam Movement were also affected.
LASEPA’s General Manager, Dr. Babatunde Ajayi, stated that the enforcement exercise aimed to protect public health and safety.
“Environmental infractions, including noise pollution and the illegal placement of gas refilling plants, endanger lives and disrupt public peace. Our enforcement efforts are aimed at restoring order and ensuring compliance with the state’s environmental regulations,” he said.
The agency extended the operations to Festac Town, Abule Ado, Satellite Town, Ori Ade Amuwo, Agboju, Amuwo, Maza Maza, and Navy Town, where it sealed additional businesses, including lounges, bars, hotels, and warehouses.
Affected establishments included Woody’s Lounge, Lifestyle Hotel, The Redeemed Christian Church of God, Obiagu Bar Lounge & Event Center, Flexus Hotel & Suites, Fairview Hotel, Hot Sport Bar, and Bamade Park.
Warehouses such as Mikky Cosmetics, Global Habib (Ponmo/Cowskin Warehouse), and Royal Rose Company (Tyre Warehouse) were also shut down.
Ajayi reaffirmed LASEPA’s commitment to ensuring compliance with environmental laws, warning that enforcement actions would continue.
“Noise pollution and other environmental violations disrupt the peace and well-being of our communities. Today’s enforcement exercise underscores our zero-tolerance policy towards defaulters and our dedication to upholding environmental laws,” he said.
Source:thenationonlineng.net
Please click the following URL to read the text of the original Story
https://thenationonlineng.net/lasepa-seals-hotels-churches-mosques-factories-over-violations/
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Rededicate yourselves to Allah, Hamzat enjoins Muslims
February 28, 2025
by Tajudeen Adebanjo
Lagos State Deputy Governor, Dr. Kadri Obafemi Hamzat, has urged Muslim faithful to use Ramadan, as a period of devotion and contemplation, to rededicate themselves to the doing and promotion of the will of Allah.
Dr. Hamzat gave the advice while speaking as the keynote speaker at the 30th University of Lagos Muslim Alumni Pre-Ramadan Lecture (PRL), with the theme “Transformative Power of Ramadan” held at the J. F Ade Ajayi Auditorium, University of Lagos, Akoka, Yaba.
According to Hamzat, “I want to urge Muslim faithfuls to use this period of devotion and contemplation to rededicate ourselves to doing the will of Allah. Wherever we are, whatever our status is, we must promote the will of Allah. Our personal resolve to create impact individually will create such outstanding changes that will enable humanity to prosper.”
The Deputy Governor stated that Muslims must promote the will of Allah and must be able to replicate the haven Allah envisions for them, describing the month of Ramadan as sacred for Muslims. He stated that Muslims should extend the impact of Ramadan beyond the one-month fasting period.
The Deputy Governor urged Muslim clerics to domesticate their preaching in line with societal values, norms, and morals to build a better nation.
While highlighting some challenges facing humanity in the present day with the invention of technology and Artificial Intelligence (AI), Hamzat noted that the world has arrived at the most challenging part of human existence, as some of the issues are of social and economic significance as well as orientations and perceptions that impinge on humanity.
“We clearly must address them and quickly too. The tide of individualism, as a way of life, must be confronted and fast. The ebbing of the societal moral compass needs to be arrested. If we fail the consequences are just too high to contemplate,” he said.
Furthermore, he added that there is corruption, hunger, pervasive poverty, racism, and tribal profiling that drive humanity across the world.
Hamzat, therefore, underscored that the survival of the community depends on the extent to which the individual feels reasonably certain that his/ her interest is being served and is willing to give obedience for its continuity.
UMA President, Dr. Abdulmumin Alao, stated that the 30th Pre-Ramadan Lecture highlighted the immense benefits embedded in the holy month of Ramadan and how Muslims can find the right balance between the demands of their faith, and the rights of their neighbors which sometimes might be in conflict.
Alao stated that the annual Pre-Ramadan Lecture is an avenue to enlighten Islamic faithful more on their roles and responsibilities during the month of Ramadan and beyond.
“As an association of intellectuals, UMA decided to focus on this specific area of need when we noticed the huge shortage of Muslim manpower in the sector,” he said.
Vice-Chancellor, University of Lagos, Prof. Folashade Ogunmola who was represented by the Deputy Vice-Chancellor, Academics and Research, University of Lagos, Prof. Bola Oboh, said the purpose of fasting during Ramadan is not only to be able to reflect and have a closer working relationship with God, but also to be able to bring the Muslim faithful to the spiritual level that will impact even on people’s daily assignments and on the nation as a whole.
She said: “This is the 30th lecture and we are talking of transformative power. We are hoping that these transformative powers will really reflect in our nation as a whole. Nigeria is at a critical point, whether we like it or not, and I hope we will be able to reflect it in building this nation, Nigeria, into a prosperous nation for everyone, young and old, rich and poor.”
Source:thenationonlineng.net
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https://thenationonlineng.net/rededicate-yourselves-to-allah-hamzat-enjoins-muslims/
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Sudan facing ‘abyss’ unless war ends: UN
February 28, 2025
GENEVA: Sudan is facing the abyss and potentially hundreds of thousands of deaths unless the devastating war in the country ends and aid pours in, the United Nations warned Thursday.
UN human rights chief Volker Turk painted a bleak outlook for Sudan, where famine has already taken hold and millions have fled their homes amid intense fighting between rival forces.
Since April 2023, Sudan has been locked in a brutal conflict between army chief Abdel Fattah Al-Burhan and his former deputy Mohamed Hamdan Dagalo, who leads the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF).
“Sudan is a powder keg, on the verge of a further explosion into chaos, and at increasing risk of atrocity crimes and mass deaths from famine,” Turk warned the UN Human Rights Council.
He called the country “the world’s largest humanitarian catastrophe.”
“We are looking into the abyss. Humanitarian agencies warn that without action to end the war, deliver emergency aid, and get agriculture back on its feet, hundreds of thousands of people could die.”
Turk said more than 600,000 people were “on the brink of starvation,” with famine reported to have taken hold in five areas, including the Zamzam displacement camp in North Darfur.
Turk said five more areas could face famine in the next three months, while a further 17 are considered at risk.
He said an estimated 8.8 million people had been forced from their homes within Sudan, while 3.5 million more have fled across borders.
“This is the biggest displacement crisis in the world,” he said.
“Some 30.4 million people need assistance, from health care to food and other forms of humanitarian support,” he said.
Presenting his annual report on the human rights situation in Sudan, Turk said some of the acts it documented may constitute war crimes and other atrocity crimes.
Turk said the Sudanese people had endured “unfathomable suffering and pain” since the conflict began, “with no peaceful solution in sight.”
Responding to the report, Sudanese justice minister Muawiya Osman blamed the RSF for starting the war and accused them of having “forced people out of their regions, humiliating them, and trying to cleanse specific regions from their original populations, just like West Darfur.”
He accused the RSF of “blocking humanitarian deliveries” and said the government was committed to “just peace and stability across the country, to address the needs of the Sudanese people, maintain their dignity and end the suffering.”
However, Adama Dieng, the African Union’s special envoy on the prevention of genocide and other mass atrocities, said extreme violence against civilians — by both sides in the conflict — was widespread.
“The war has been characterised by targeting of civilians, including executions, abduction, torture, sexual violence, slavery and sexual slavery, looting of private property, indiscriminate bombardment,” Dieng told the Human Rights Council in a video statement.
“Sexual assault has reached such proportions that there have been reports of women committing mass suicide as the only way to avoid rape.”
Ghana, speaking for the African group, called for a “single, coordinated international effort” to resolve the crisis, but said the “utmost priority is to silence the guns,” paving the way for uninterrupted aid flows.
France said both parties were refusing to respect the fundamental rules of international humanitarian and human rights law.
Britain said the conflict was “wholly unnecessary” and said the perpetrators of abuses needed to be brought to account.
Source:arabnews.com
Please click the following URL to read the text of the original Story
https://www.arabnews.com/node/2591886/middle-east
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Obasa Apologizes To DSS Over Lagos Assembly Incident
By Daily Trust
27 Feb 2025
Hon Mudashiru Obasa has issued an apology to the Department of State Services (DSS) and the Nigerian Police Force over the incident at the Lagos State House of Assembly, on February 17, 2025.
In a statement he signed on Thursday, February 27, Obasa stated that the assault on the operatives was highly regrettable.
Part of the statement read: “On behalf of the Lagos State House of Assembly, I hereby apologise to the security agencies, for the embarrassment caused them, and in particular the assault on security operatives of the DSS as widely circulated in videos.
“We value you and the work you are doing. You are the ones we call on in our time of need for the protection of lives and property in and around the assembly and Lagos state. It is clear that the assembly requested for additional support and your presence on this particular day.
“This is what we have always done in the past. It is regrettable that security operatives of the DSS had to be assaulted in the hallowed chambers of our State Assembly. I hereby apologise unreservedly on behalf of the entire Assembly.
“The Lagos Assembly and Security agents have always enjoyed a cordial and respectful relationship, and we have always called upon you when there is a need to maintain law and order. We hope that this incident will not damage the good relationship that we have built and enjoyed over the years.
“We plead on behalf of those who have been charged to court and look forward to an amicable settlement of this matter to foster our continued partnership for the peace of our dear state and at large.”
The apology comes as Obasa returned to the Assembly complex earlier today, declaring that he has resumed his position as Speaker.
Meanwhile, three Assembly staff members have been granted bail after being charged with assaulting DSS operatives.
Source:dailytrust.com
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https://dailytrust.com/obasa-apologizes-to-dss-over-lagos-assembly-incident/
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Tax reform bills: Sharia council, Kano govt reject inheritance law, VAT rise, others
By Ibrahim Ramalan
February 27, 2025
he Supreme Council for Shariah in Nigeria, Committee of FCT Imams Initiative, Kano State Government, and former Presidential Adviser Professor Auwalu Yadudu have raised concern about the proposed law on inheritance, saying it will infringe on the religious rights of Christians and Muslims.
The stakeholders disclosed this on Wednesday during their various presentations at the House of Representatives Public Hearing on Tax Reform Bills convened by the House Committee on Finance at the National Assembly Complex, in Abuja.
The four bills are: The Nigeria Tax Administration Bill, the Nigeria Revenue Service (Establishment) Bill, the Joint Revenue Board Bill, and the Nigeria Tax Bill, which have been passed for a second reading by both the Senate and the House of Representatives.
In its presentation, the Sharia council represented by Professor Ahmed Bello-Dogarawa, acknowledged the importance of tax reforms but strongly opposed the proposed inheritance tax, stating that it conflicts with Islamic law and religious practices.
He said: “While we appreciate efforts to streamline tax laws, we cannot support a provision that contradicts deeply held religious principles. Taxing inheritance in this manner would create unnecessary tension and legal challenges.”
The council also called for the modification of the clause on inheritance tax and called for the entire expunging of Section 4(3) Part 1, Chapter 2 of the Nigeria Tax Bill.
“The new clause should read as either of the following: “In this section, the reference to family income or however called, shall not affect the operation of distribution of the estate under the Personal Law of the deceased.
The council also raised concerns over removing tax exemptions for religious institutions, warning that it could hamper their ability to provide community services.
“Any attempt to tax inheritance would be seen as an infringement on religious rights and could create legal disputes,” he said.
Mr Dogarawa added that if the federal government insists on maintaining inheritance tax, the bill should be amended to explicitly state that it does not apply to estates distributed under personal law (Sharia law, among others).
The council said the term “derivation” in the bill was vague and ambiguous, saying that it must be properly defined.
Professor Dogarawa said that derivation should be explicitly defined as the location where actual consumption takes place.
In its presentation, the FCT imam committee represented by Dr Umar Aliyu, the Imam of Banex Mosque Abuja, said his association strongly opposed any form of taxation on religious institutions and faith-based organizations.
He said religious institutions play a crucial role in community development and welfare; therefore, imposing taxes on mosques and religious centres would create financial hardships and discourage charitable activities.
Like the Sharia council, the Imams also opposed VAT increment but rather proposed a reduction of VAT rate from 7.5% to 5% or at best, the current rate of 7.5% should be sustained.
The association also proposed that the clause which seeks to stop the funding of TETFund, NASENI and NITDA by 2030 should be expunged from the bills.
The clerics also opposed the development levy, arguing that it would place unnecessary financial strain on religious institutions that are already playing a key role in supporting the needy.
Also, representatives from the Kano State Government voiced their general support for tax reforms but cautioned that certain sections would undermine state autonomy.
“We support tax modernization,” one official said, “but we must ensure that this process does not come at the expense of states’ constitutional rights and economic stability,” Mahmud Sagagi who made the presentation said.
Mr Yadudu, a professor of constitutional law, said the ‘supremacy clause’ and the repeated use of “notwithstanding” in the bills will undermine the supremacy of the Nigerian constitution.
“The act or the bill being proposed is given the supremacy status like the Constitution. Only the Nigerian Constitution has supremacy, and therefore if you were to enact any of these bills and you enact them on the basis that they are supreme over any other law which would contradict them, then that would be wrong, and that would be contrary to the Constitution,” he said.
He also observed that it is constitutionally wrong for the National Assembly to create tax boards for states and local governments as proposed in the bills.
Mr Yadudu said the proposed Nigerian Revenue Service board should consist of representatives from the 36 states and the FCT to make it truly federal.
He said: “In the boards that you have established, I think it is the tax administration, you are establishing a board, management board, giving the name National Revenue Service, but having members that are only ex-officials mainly with the chairman of the board and six representatives of geopolitical thoughts.
“I think this goes contrary to the federal character of this nation in that you either call it Federal Revenue Service Board, in which case you can have any number of ex-officials of your members or if you want to make it truly federal, then you should have each state represented on that board. My preference is that it will be federal.”
Source:dailynigerian.com
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https://dailynigerian.com/tax-reform-bills-sharia-council-kano-govt-reject-inheritance-law-vat-rise-others/
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Kaduna Commissioner To El-Rufai: Only God Decides 2027, Not You
28 February 2025
By Enioluwa Adeniyi
The Commissioner for Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs in Kaduna State, Sadiq Mamman Lagos, has declared that former Governor Nasir El-Rufai cannot dictate what will happen in 2027, insisting that only God will decide the outcome of the elections.
Speaking in an interview with journalists, Mamman Lagos also condemned El-Rufai’s remarks against President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and Kaduna State Governor, Uba Sani, warning the former governor to stay away from Kaduna politics.
Naija News reports that Mamman Lagos emphasized that political power belongs to God, not individuals who believe they control electoral outcomes.
“God will decide who wins the Governorship and Presidential election in 2027,” he stated.
Kaduna’s 255 councilors have also thrown their weight behind President Tinubu and Governor Uba Sani, endorsing them for a second term in 2027.
‘Governor Uba Sani Focused On Progress, Not Distraction’
Mamman Lagos took a swipe at El-Rufai, asserting that Governor Uba Sani has remained focused on governance and has never interfered in past administrations.
He said, “We must set the record straight by reminding all who care to listen that our good and amiable Governor had never at any time interfered with the running of the state in the previous administration.”
“He concentrated on initiating and passing bills in collaboration with fellow lawmakers at the Senate and his constituents to make life better for people. We see no reason he should at this time be distracted by someone who feels he has the monopoly to either make or mar individuals.”
The commissioner further listed several policy reversals made by Governor Uba Sani, aimed at correcting the “anti-masses policies” introduced by El-Rufai.
Mamman Lagos stated, “Go round and see for yourselves how Governor Uba Sani has succeeded in reversing virtually all the unpopular and various anti-masses policies of his predecessor who rode to power on the goodwill of the people and sacrifices made by grassroots politicians such as Uba Sani.”
“Governor Sani has surpassed the expectations of even the opposition who see in him a leader needed at this time to unite the people and restore the lost glory of the state. He has virtually touched all aspects of governance to bring success.”
‘People-Oriented Reforms Under Uba Sani’
Listing achievements of the current administration, Mamman Lagos said Governor Uba Sani has returned confiscated or demolished properties to their rightful owners, reversed high tuition fees imposed by the previous administration, and reinstated traditional rulers who were deposed.
He warned, “We want to use this opportunity to admonish this individual and his co-travelers to desist from making inflammatory and empty threats, as if he owns the key to political success in the next election.
“The electorate will decide who to pitch their tents with, and they can rely on Governor Uba Sani’s compassion and commitment to the masses.”
Kaduna Councilors Back Tinubu, Uba Sani For 2027
Meanwhile, Kaduna’s 255 councilors have declared that there is no vacancy in Aso Rock and Sir Kashim Ibrahim House in 2027.
peaking on behalf of the councilors, Muhammad Sani Badiko linked their endorsement of Uba Sani to his administration’s massive infrastructural developments.
“We score the Governor high on rural development, economic recovery, education, and healthcare positive intervention programmes for growth and innovation.
“We are going to mobilize grassroots support for the Governor’s reelection in 2027. We call on all political actors to sheath their swords and wait after 2031,” Badiko stated.
Source:naijanews.com
Please click the following URL to read the text of the original Story
https://www.naijanews.com/2025/02/28/kaduna-commissioner-to-el-rufai-only-god-decides-2027-not-you/
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‘Babangida Has Refused To Allow Vatsa Rest In Peace After Killing Him’ – Jonathan
28 February 2025
By Enioluwa Adeniyi
The family of the late General Mamman Vatsa has dismissed the newly released autobiography of former head of state, Ibrahim Badamosi Babangida (IBB) as a fabrication of lies, insisting that it is only fit as a reference material for criminals.
Naija News reports that both Babangida and Vatsa hailed from Niger State and shared a close friendship before Babangida, as Head of State, approved Vatsa’s execution over an alleged coup plot in 1986.
A Supreme Military Tribunal had found Vatsa and others guilty and sentenced them to death by firing squad. Despite an appeal, the Babangida-led military regime carried out the execution before a ruling was reached on the appeal.
‘A Collection Of Distorted Facts’
The Vatsa family reacted strongly to Babangida’s claims in his book that Vatsa’s execution was justified based on sufficient evidence implicating him in a coup plot. Babangida also argued that the decision was taken in the interest of national stability.
Speaking to journalists in Minna, a spokesperson for the family and former Niger State Commissioner for Information, Culture, and Tourism, Hon. Jonathan Vatsa, criticized Babangida for distorting history.
Describing the autobiography as a “collection of distorted facts”, Vatsa insisted that it lacks credibility and should not be considered a reference material for future generations.
“It’s a collection of distorted facts called a book, written by a man without identity, which cannot serve as a reference book for the younger generation but a good reference book for criminal-minded people,” he stated.
‘Babangida Denied His Identity’
The former APC Publicity Secretary was visibly emotional as he spoke about how the Vatsa family had initially chosen to ignore Babangida’s remarks but decided to respond after reading the book.
According to him, Babangida, who changed his name from Badamosi to Babangida to align with a particular ethnic group, had no moral standing to speak about honour.
“Where did he get the name Badamosi from in the first place? Northerners do not bear that name. That name is synonymous with people from the South-West. A man who denied his tribe and identity is not fit to live,” Vatsa declared.
‘A Lily-Livered General’
Vatsa further attacked Babangida’s credibility, stating that the book exposes the former military ruler as a weak leader who lacked courage.
He criticized Babangida’s claim that it was the late General Sani Abacha who annulled the June 12 election, arguing that a true leader would have acted decisively rather than blaming others.
“How can he lie that it was Abacha who annulled the June 12 election if he was in control as the Head of State? He admitted in the book that the military was heavily politicized, and because of that, he couldn’t retire Abacha for fear of being killed by Abacha loyalists in the Army,” Vatsa fumed.
‘A Bunch Of Lies And Blackmail’
The Vatsa family believes the book has further damaged Babangida’s already battered image, describing it as “a bunch of lies and blackmail” rather than a genuine account of historical events.
“Unfortunately, the man he accused of annulling the June 12 election and all the actors in the controversy are no longer alive to defend themselves. That is why no serious-minded individual should take the book seriously,” he said.
Vatsa accused Babangida of continuing to trouble the late General’s memory and his family.
“Even in death, Babangida has refused to allow General Vatsa to rest in peace. He is still troubling the dead man and his entire family. Well, people have seen the end of our brother, but Babangida doesn’t know how he will end,” he stated.
‘A Celebration Of Evil’
The Niger State APC chieftain expressed disappointment at the prominent personalities who gathered for Babangida’s book launch, lamenting that Nigeria remains a country where people celebrate wrongdoing.
“No reasonable Nigerian who is benefiting from the current democratic system, which Abiola struggled and died for, should have donated towards this revelation of evil done to Nigeria and Nigerians called an autobiography,” he remarked.
Vatsa recalled that the late General Mamman Vatsa once warned that the day the Nigerian Army started insulting itself, others would follow suit.
“Through this book, Babangida has insulted himself, and others will join,” he concluded.
Source:naijanews.com
Please click the following URL to read the text of the original Story
https://www.naijanews.com/2025/02/28/babangida-has-refused-to-allow-vatsa-rest-in-peace-after-killing-him-jonathan/
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Lagos Police Restore Speaker Meranda’s Security Details Amid Assembly Crisis
27 February 2025
By Enioluwa Adeniyi
The Lagos State Police Command has reinstated the security details of the Speaker of the Lagos State House of Assembly, Mojisola Meranda, after an earlier withdrawal that sparked controversy.
Reports emerged on Thursday morning that security escorts attached to Meranda’s office and residence had been withdrawn, leading to speculation amid the ongoing leadership tussle in the Assembly.
The situation became more contentious when the security details of impeached Speaker, Hon. Mudashiru Obasa, were restored, after which he stormed the Assembly complex, declared himself Speaker, and presided over a plenary session with only a handful of lawmakers in attendance.
Police: Security Withdrawal Part Of Routine Audit
Addressing journalists at a press briefing on Thursday, the Lagos State Commissioner of Police, Moshood Jimoh, confirmed that four security personnel attached to Speaker Meranda had been reinstated.
Naija News reports that Jimoh clarified that the withdrawal of security aides was not politically motivated, stating that it was part of an ongoing nationwide audit of police personnel and firearms.
“The withdrawal of security details attached to the Speaker and other VIPs in the state is in line with an ongoing audit of police personnel and firearms,” he explained.
He further disclosed that the same audit process is being conducted in other state police commands across Nigeria, emphasizing that Lagos was not singled out.
The Lagos Assembly leadership crisis remains unresolved, with Obasa insisting that he remains the Speaker, while a majority of lawmakers continue to endorse Meranda’s leadership.
Source:naijanews.com
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https://www.naijanews.com/2025/02/27/just-in-lagos-police-restore-speaker-merandas-security-details-amid-assembly-crisis/
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Southeast Asia
Indonesia positioned to lead Muslim world, deputy FM says
February 27, 2025
Jakarta (ANTARA) - Indonesia should optimize its position as the largest economy among Muslim-majority countries to lead the Muslim world, which is expecting it to take on the role, according to Deputy Foreign Minister Anis Matta.
While sending off an Indonesian humanitarian team to Palestine here on Thursday, he emphasized that Indonesia can assume this role by assisting other nations.
"To lead is to give, and one of the instruments of diplomacy that the Foreign Ministry is employing is humanitarian diplomacy," the deputy minister said.
The Foreign Ministry has started coordinating humanitarian efforts with non-governmental organizations, such as the Dompet Dhuafa Foundation, which put together the Palestine humanitarian team, he said, adding that a USD200 million fund is expected to be collected for Palestine.
Indonesia's humanitarian diplomacy will also focus on the Balkans, with Croatia as the first target.
According to the deputy minister, Croatia's mufti has proposed the development of an Islamic center in the country and Indonesia will help with its development through Indonesian Aid assistance.
Skilled workers
Meanwhile, Matta said that several European countries have requested skilled workers from Indonesia to fulfill their workforce needs, mostly in the hospitality sector.
"Albania requested 20 thousand workers, while Hungary and Germany asked for 15 thousand. Such requests are also found in other European countries," he informed.
To satisfy the high demand, the government will cooperate directly with vocational schools across the country which, according to Matta, will "make Indonesia's vocational schools much more active."
The deputy minister also expects the deployment of skilled Indonesian workers in Europe to bolster the number of Indonesian diaspora in the continent.
Source:antaranews.com
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https://en.antaranews.com/news/346581/indonesia-positioned-to-lead-muslim-world-deputy-fm-says
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Non-halal certified outlets in Sarawak barred from using ‘Ramadan’ in buffet promo
BERNAMA
27-02- 2025
KUCHING: The Sarawak Islamic Religious Department (JAIS) will intensify enforcement efforts to ensure that only food outlets and hotels with halal certification are allowed to promote buffet offers using the word ‘Ramadan’ during the fasting month.
Deputy Minister of Utility and Telecommunications Datuk Dr Abdul Rahman Junaidi said that premises still in the process of obtaining halal certification are also prohibited from promoting Ramadan buffets.
“Based on the information I received, there have been no reports or complaints in Sarawak thus far because everyone is complying. JAIS officers have already advised the premises to obtain the certification first,” he told reporters after the presentation of donations and announcement of the zakat fitrah rate for 1446H, here today.
Earlier, JAIS in a statement said that hotels or food premises without halal certification are not allowed to use the term ‘Ramadan’ in their buffet advertisements, including phrases such as ‘Ramadan Buffet’, ‘Iftar Ramadan’, ‘Jom Iftar’, and ‘Guaranteed Halal’.
The restriction also applies to any wording that implies the food is suitable for Muslims to break their fast.
The ban is enforced under the Trade Descriptions Act 2011, which carries fines of up to RM500,000 and additional penalties not exceeding RM10 million, upon conviction.
At the same event, Abdul Rahman said the Sarawak Islamic Council has set the zakat fitrah rate at RM7.50 per person in Sarawak for this year.
Source:thesun.my
Please click the following URL to read the text of the original Story
https://thesun.my/malaysia-news/non-halal-certified-outlets-in-sarawak-barred-from-using-ramadan-in-buffet-promo-IB13745926
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Muslim world experiencing trust deficit - PM Anwar
BERNAMA
27-02- 2025
ALOR SETAR: The Muslim world is seen to be experiencing a trust deficit, where values of integrity, sacrifice, and contribution are often overshadowed by self-interest and material accumulation.
Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim said that certain leaders in the Muslim world talk about struggle, sacrifice, and contribution, yet they accumulate wealth beyond their means.
“They don’t set a good example. Yes, they have knowledge. Yes, they have some level of competence, but no values. There’s a trust deficit. You see in the multilateral system, they don’t care about rules.
“We see in ASEAN, which I happened to chair this year. I was in Vietnam yesterday, we were talking about the cornerstone of progress, rule-based. Who cares about rule-based now?
“If they follow the rules, they will not be plundering and exploiting the occupation and dehumanization of Gaza, Palestine,” he said at the meet-and-greet session with the students of Albukhary International University (AIU) here today.
Also present were Menteri Besar Kedah Datuk Seri Muhammad Sanusi Md Nor and AIU vice-chancellor and president Prof Datuk Dr Mohd Salleh Jaafar.
The Prime Minister said it is a major challenge for young people today to develop a strong sense of conviction and purpose in their studies and personal growth, to affect change in society, country and the international community.
“That is and must be our driving message,” he said.
Anwar further stated that the Muslim world is also seen as helpless as they don’t look at the fundamentals, but always bickering on petty issues.
“That’s why you ask me in the MADANI Government here. I say whatever is being said, we use this power and the unity to focus on the economy, to focus on quality education, to bring back that sense of confidence and some form of confidence and power – economic power dan social power.
“Otherwise, you can shout as much but nobody effectively cares,” he added.
Source:thesun.my
Please click the following URL to read the text of the original Story
https://thesun.my/malaysia-news/muslim-world-experiencing-trust-deficit-pm-anwar-FB13745374
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Muslims advised to partake in modest iftar meals
Qirana Nabilla Mohd Rashidi
28-02- 2025
PETALING JAYA: As the holy month of Ramadan is expected to begin this Saturday or Sunday, Federal Territories deputy mufti Sahibus Samahah Jamali Mohd Adnan reminded Muslims that the true spirit of fasting is to prioritise their spiritual growth and worship of the Almighty, not partaking in sumptuous meals at iftar (break of fast) gatherings.
“Muslims must choose humble meals over opulent ones, seek contentment in simplicity and fulfilment in devotion. Sadly, the United Nations Environment Programme reported that during Ramadan last year, 8.3 million tonnes of food was wasted by Malaysians at restaurants, bazaars and homes.”
Malaysia ranks fourth in Southeast Asia for food waste, with a rate of 81kg per capita per year, behind Laos at 97kg, Thailand at 86kg and Cambodia at 85kg.
Jamali said Muslims could better embody the true spirit of Ramadan through their iftar practices by emphasising simplicity, togetherness and reflection as Ramadan teaches the value of modesty, including in eating habits.
He said by experiencing hunger and thirst during the fast, Muslims are reminded of the struggles faced by the poor to learn about having empathy and social consciousness whereas iftar is a time to show gratitude for the blessings granted by Allah.
“Prophet Muhammad emphasised breaking fast with simple foods, such as dates and water, before consuming other simple dishes in moderation. Having such a practice not only follows his sunnah (tradition set by Prophet Muhammad) but also prevents wastefulness and ensures balanced nutrition.
“Allah forbids Muslims from overindulging in food. In Surah Al-An’am verse 141, He says, ‘And eat and drink, but do not be excessive. Indeed, He does not like those who commit excesses’.
“This verse reminds Muslims not to be wasteful or excessive when breaking fast since Ramadan is a month to discipline desires. If one eats excessively during iftar, it could undermine the spiritual benefits intended through fasting.”
He said Islam encourages moderation, gratitude and compassion when breaking fast, adding that extravagant buffets are often associated with large quantities of food waste.
Breaking fast with simple meals at home better reflects the sunnah of Prophet Muhammad, who would break his fast with sufficient yet modest food.
“Islam teaches that all actions are judged by intentions. If one chooses to have a luxurious iftar buffet with the intention of gathering with loved ones and it does not lead to waste or showiness, then it is permissible. However, if the purpose is to show off wealth, then it contradicts Islamic values.
“Ramadan is the best time to realise that many people are less fortunate and lack sufficient food for iftar, so breaking fast to share food with those in need is highly encouraged but wastefulness is forbidden.
“Prophet Muhammad says, ‘Whoever feeds a poor person until satisfied, Allah will admit him through a gate of paradise that no one else will enter’ (narrated by Tabarani).”
He recommended organising iftar at mosques or suraus for the less fortunate, with an open invitation welcoming even those of other faiths so that they too could understand the beauty of Islam.
This should be an alternative to exclusive events at luxury hotels or restaurants.
He reminded Muslims that since Ramadan buffets often lead to food wastage, switching to pre-packed meals could reduce wastage and ensure fairer distribution.
“The wisdom behind experiencing hunger by fasting serves as a lesson for Muslims to practise moderation and train themselves to be content with what they have.”
Source:thesun.my
Please click the following URL to read the text of the original Story
https://thesun.my/malaysia-news/muslims-advised-to-partake-in-modest-iftar-meals-AB13746886
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Ramadan Begins Early for Some Muslim Congregations in Indonesia
February 28, 2025
Jakarta. Several Muslim groups in Indonesia have started observing the fasting month of Ramadan earlier than the official government announcement. Among them is the An-Nadzir congregation in Gowa Regency, South Sulawesi, which began fasting on Friday, despite the government not yet declaring the first day of Ramadan.
Samiruddin Pademmui, leader of the An-Nadzir congregation, explained that their decision was based on moon observation and astronomical calculations, following the teachings of their spiritual leaders, Syamsuri Abdul Madjid and Ustaz Rangka Hanong Daey Kiyo.
“Based on our moon observation and calculations, and as a precautionary measure in line with the teachings of KH Syamsuri Abdul Madjid, the An-Nadzir congregation in Gowa began fasting on Friday, February 28,” Samiruddin told Antara news agency.
Other Muslim communities have also started fasting earlier. In Negeri Wakal, Central Maluku Regency, residents observed their first day of fasting on Thursday, February 27, as did members of the Tarekat Naqsabandiyah congregation in Padang, West Sumatra.
Meanwhile, Indonesia’s Religious Affairs Ministry is set to conduct an official moon-sighting procedure later today to determine the national start of Ramadan. The session will be led by Religious Affairs Minister Nasaruddin Umar.
Source:jakartaglobe.id
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https://jakartaglobe.id/news/ramadan-begins-early-for-some-muslim-congregations-in-indonesia
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Foreign Tarawih Imams In Perak Need Accreditation, Locals To Be Prioritised
28/02/2025
IPOH, Feb 27 (Bernama) -- Mosques and suraus in Perak intending to invite foreign imams for Tarawih prayers during Ramadan must apply for accreditation but are strongly encouraged to prioritise local imams. Perak Islamic Religion and Malay Customs Council (MAIPk) president Tan Sri Mohd Annuar Zaini said that foreign imams invited, including those from Saudi Arabia, must first obtain accreditation approval from the Sultan of Perak, Sultan Nazrin Shah. “Much like how we prioritise local goods; we have many tahfiz students, yet during Ramadan, we bring in foreign imams,” he said at a press conference on the announcement of Perak’s zakat fitrah rate for 1446H/2025M and the launch of the MAIPk Bestari application, here today. Earlier, it was reported that mosques and suraus in Terengganu are prohibited from using the services of foreign imams for Tarawih prayers and are encouraged to use local tahfiz students instead. Similarly, Selangor has maintained its ban on foreign imams leading Tarawih prayers. Meanwhile, Annuar said Perak does not impose any specific number of rak’ah for Tarawih. Previously, it was reported that Pahang had set a ruling for 20 rak’ah to be performed for Tarawih prayers during the upcoming Ramadan month. Source:bernama.com
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Action against unregistered traditional medicine practitioners from tomorrow
BERNAMA
28-02- 2025
KUALA LUMPUR: Starting tomorrow, traditional medicine practitioners who are not registered with the Ministry of Health (MOH) may be subject to legal action including fines and imprisonment under the Traditional and Complementary Medicine Act 2016 (Act 775).
MOH Traditional and Complementary Medicine Division principal assistant director Dr Tajul Iqmal Tajul Arus said this was following the second phase of the enforcement of the act against traditional medicine practitioners who havs yet to register with the MOH.
He said under the act, individuals who practise traditional and complementary medicine without a valid practice certificate, or do not display their valid certificate, may be subject to a fine not exceeding RM10,000 or imprisonment for a period not exceeding three months or both.
“Earlier during the transition period from March 1, 2021 to February 28, 2025, we placed more emphasis on the educational approach to the enforcement of this act.
“From March 1, 2025, we will begin legal action against traditional and complementary medicine practitioners in recognised fields of practice who are found to have violated and committed offences under this act,“ he said in a media briefing session on the enforcement of the act here today.
Dr Tajul Iqmal said under the act, a person who is not a registered practitioner cannot practice traditional medicine and can be fined not more than RM30,000 or imprisoned not more than two years or both for the first offence if they violate the law.
For subsequent offences, they can be fined a maximum of RM50,000 or imprisoned not more than three years, with the same punishment also being imposed on individuals who make false or misleading statements regarding traditional and complementary medicine services.
He said as of Feb 25, his department had received 18,802 registration applications from traditional and complementary medicine practitioners nationwide, covering seven recognised areas of practice.
The seven areas of practice currently recognised by the Ministry of Health include traditional Malay medicine, traditional Chinese medicine, traditional Indian medicine, homeopathy, chiropractic, osteopathy and Islamic medicine practices.
As of Jan 17, he said 14,312 local traditional and complementary medicine practitioners had been registered with the Ministry of Health, while 158 involved foreign practitioners and the highest registration involving Malay traditional medicine practitioners at 4,541.
Source:thesun.my
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Hud Aryan’s death ruled as drowning, no foul play suspected
theSun
28-02- 2025
PETALING JAYA: The death of 19-month-old Hud Aryan Mohd Nor Hafifi has been classified as drowning, with police ruling out any foul play.
Kelantan police chief Datuk Mohd Yusoff Mamat confirmed the findings, stating that a post-mortem conducted at Tanah Merah Hospital on Wednesday supported this conclusion.
“Police have classified the death of the boy, whose body was found about three kilometres from the place where he was reported missing, as drowning.
However, further investigation is still being carried out, and yesterday, we recorded statements from the boy’s parents and other witnesses,“ he told New Straits Times.
He also noted that no injuries were detected on the child’s body, and authorities are looking into whether negligence played a role in the incident.
“I have instructed the Tanah Merah police chief to investigate the case further,“ he added.
Hud Aryan was reported missing on Monday in Kampung Aira Kuala Tiga, prompting a large-scale search operation involving the Water Rescue Team, K9 Unit, and local villagers. His body was discovered at approximately 4.15pm on Wednesday, three kilometres from where he was last seen.
Source:thesun.my
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Sultan Nazrin congratulates KPKT for excellent performance
BERNAMA
28-02- 2025
KUALA LUMPUR: The Sultan of Perak, Sultan Nazrin Shah, yesterday granted an audience to Housing and Local Government Minister Nga Kor Ming at Istana Perak Changkat.
The Housing and Local Government Ministry (KPKT), in a post on Facebook, said that during the meeting, Nga presented the KPKT Report Card for the year 2024 on the performance of the ministry and its agencies.
It said Sultan Nazrin also congratulated and expressed his appreciation to the minister and all KPKT staff for their outstanding performance and success, including winning the National Development Award for the first time.
During the audience with Sultan Nazrin, Nga also presented His Royal Highness with a souvenir from the Solid Waste Management and Public Cleansing Management Corporation (SWCorp).
According to KPKT, various projects were implemented by the ministry in 2024 to improve people’s well-being, including repairing 4,814 housing units and building 245 new housing units for low-income groups with an allocation of RM104.4 million.
It also approved the construction of 7,243 MyKiosk units in 133 local government authorities (PBT) across the country within two years to improve the economic status and income of thousands of micro, small and medium entrepreneurs.
“As of December 2024, KPKT restored 927 projects or 112,747 private housing units with a gross development value (GDV) of RM92.48 billion within two years through the Sick and Abandoned Private Housing Project Task Force,“ it said.
Source:thesun.my
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Body of ship crew member found near Masjid Kristal
BERNAMA
28-02- 2025
KUALA TERENGGANU: The body of a ship crew member, who was reported to have fallen into the Sungai Terengganu estuary while cleaning the ship, was discovered floating near Masjid Kristal last night.
Kuala Terengganu police chief ACP Azli Mohd Noor said that Ahmad Nasaruddin Muhamad, 35, was found by restaurant workers at around 9.34 pm, approximately one kilometre from the site of the incident.
“We received a call from the public via the MERS 999 system,” he said, adding that the victim’s body was taken to Sultanah Nur Zahirah Hospital (HSNZ) for post-mortem. The identification process was carried out by the victim’s father and wife.
Meanwhile, the victim’s sister, Siti Zarina Muhammad, 42, said that while the family was deeply saddened, they were relieved that her youngest brother’s body had been found.
She added that her late brother had only a small wound on his head, believed to have been caused by striking a hard object during the fall.
“My late brother leaves behind his wife, who is eight months pregnant, and four daughters aged between four and 10,” she said.
Source:thesun.my
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Pahang Sultan wants end to debate over royal addendum on Najib
By Malay Mail
28 Feb 2025
KUALA LUMPUR, Feb 28 — Pahang Ruler Al-Sultan Abdullah Ri'ayatuddin Al-Mustafa Billah Shah has urged all parties to cease debating a royal addendum regarding ex-prime minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak’s parson, saying the matter is under legal review and should be respected.
Speaking at the Himpunan Pahang Bermunajat Raja Berdaulat gathering at the Sultan Ahmad 1 State Mosque yesterday, he called for restraint to prevent unnecessary confusion and disputes.
“Regarding the addendum decree, this matter falls under the jurisdiction of the responsible and trustworthy parties,” he was quoted as saying by Malaysiakini, stressing the importance of allowing the legal process to take its course.
He urged the public and stakeholders to respect established laws and procedures rather than engage in speculation or debate that could fuel misunderstandings.
“Avoid creating confusion or unnecessary debates,” he stated, adding that responsible governance requires patience and adherence to due process.
The Sultan also emphasized the values of honesty, trust, mutual respect, and openness in resolving issues, calling for unity and cooperation.
In February 2024, the Federal Territories Pardons Board — chaired by Al-Sultan Abdullah — halved Najib’s sentence from his SRC International trial conviction to six years.
Najib subsequently claimed that Al-Sultan Abdullah had also issued a “royal addendum” for him to serve the remaining sentence under house arrest.
While the existence of the royal addendum has yet to be officially confirmed, Najib’s legal team produced a letter from the comptroller of the Pahang royal household that Al-Sultan Abdullah, who was the 16th Yang diPertuan Agong when he chaired the meeting on Najib’s pardon, had issued such an order.
Earlier this month, Dewan Rakyat Speaker Tan Sri Johari Abdul rejected attempts to discuss the order in Parliament, saying it was being actively adjudicated.
Source:malaymail.com
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Mideast
A Christian town in Syria keeps the biblical language of Aramaic alive. But it fears for its future
February 28, 2025
MAALOULA: Church bells echoed across the rocky slopes of this ancient Syrian town on a cold Sunday morning. But few families remained.
Maaloula is one of the world’s few places where residents still speak Aramaic, the language that Jesus is believed to have used. The town is also home to Syria’s two oldest active monasteries. But since the fall of former President Bashar Assad in an insurgent offensive late last year, some residents fear their future is precarious.
After a few dozen people attended Divine Liturgy at the Church of Saint George, some residents sat in its courtyard and spoke of looting and harassment that they believe were targeted at their religious minority.
Father Jalal Ghazal said he woke one morning in January to a loud sound and ran outside to find streams of red liquid. He immediately feared the kind of targeted killing that occurred during the country’s 13-year civil war.
Instead, he discovered that some people had broken into apartments where clergy lived, vandalized them and threw bags of wine bottles from a balcony.
Many Christians in Syria felt they were collectively accused during the long conflict of siding with Assad, who came from the small Alawite sect and portrayed himself as the protector of minorities.
Residents of Christian-majority Maaloula, about 40 miles (60 kilometers) northeast of Damascus, sent a letter last month to Syria’s new Islamist government under former insurgent leader Ahmad Al-Sharaa, who has promised to protect religious and ethnic minorities.
“We want the guaranteed safe return of the Christians of Maaloula,” it read. “Maaloula is a red line. We will not let anyone encroach on its culture, heritage and sanctities.”
Nothing has changed since then, and the clergy of Maaloula hope for a chance to speak with authorities.
Maaloula still bears the scars of war. What it went through over a decade ago made global headlines and cast a light on Syria’s minorities at a time when anti-government rebels largely became more extremist.
In September 2013, rebels including Al-Qaeda-linked extremists took over the town. About two-thirds of Maaloula’s estimated 3,300 residents fled while fighters abducted 12 nuns.
The nuns were later freed for ransom, and Assad’s forces took back the town, banishing some Muslim residents who were accused of supporting armed opposition groups.
But since Assad’s fall, Maaloula’s Christians said some of those people have returned and carried out acts of vengeance including looting and vandalism. No one has been arrested.
Christians say they have lived in peace with local Muslims and that the perpetrators are unfairly targeting them for what Assad did.
“There are no guarantees,” the priest, Ghazal, said. “What we have to do is to try to reduce these incidents from happening.”
No police officers have been seen in the town recently. All the weapons and munitions in Maaloula’s police station were looted in the celebratory chaos following Assad’s fall.
Sameera Thabet was among many residents who fled that night to Damascus. “We were living in fear, wondering if we were going to get slaughtered again,” she said. “But the next day, we came back after we heard that our houses were being looted.”
Already, the war had left bullet holes in religious symbols and artifacts. Paintings and mosaics of Jesus and other Christian figures had been damaged and defaced.
Now residents and clergymen hope that Syria’s new leaders will protect them and their efforts to pass down Christian tradition and the Aramaic language. Many people who had fled the town have not returned.
Maaloula’s church officials have asked Al-Sharaa’s government for more security. In late December, some security forces came from the capital during the Christmas holiday to protect the Christians who decorated homes and lit a tree in the town square.
“They didn’t stay long. They came for two or three days then left,” a dejected-looking Ghazal said. “But our voices were heard.”
On a summit overlooking the town, Father Fadi Bargeel of the Church of Saints Sergius and Bacchus lit a candle before examining the long-damaged ruins.
The church overlooks the abandoned remains of a luxury hotel that became a de facto military base for armed rebels.
Bargeel said he’s trying to look to the future. He wants to encourage more people, especially children, to learn Aramaic or become more fluent.
“The moment a child is a born, the Aramaic language would be spoken at home.” he said. “When we started going to school as children, we didn’t know Arabic.” Now the language is mainly taught at home and is spoken more widely by older generations.
Though the town is largely empty, remaining residents try to carry on.
The Christmas tree still stood in the square. A few children fed stray dogs and cats loitering by a bakery.
Thabet said she trusts in God that their fate will be better. Unlike some residents, she has faith that Syria’s new leaders will make the country a civil state that’s inclusive of her and other Christians.
“God who put us on this land will protect us,” she said.
Source:arabnews.com
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Talks to resume in Cairo on next phase of Israel-Hamas ceasefire
February 28, 2025
CAIRO: Talks resume in Cairo Friday on a second phase of an Israel-Hamas ceasefire that mediators hope will bring a lasting end to the Gaza conflict, a day after Israel’s military acknowledged its “complete failure” to prevent the 2023 Hamas attack that sparked the war.
Mediator Egypt said Thursday that Israeli, Qatari and US delegations were already in Cairo for “intensive” talks on the next stage of the ceasefire, after a first phase only reached following months of gruelling negotiations.
“The relevant parties have begun intensive talks to discuss the next phases of the truce agreement, amid ongoing efforts to ensure the implementation of the previously agreed understandings,” said Egypt’s State Information Service.
The ceasefire, whose first phase is set to expire on Saturday, has largely halted the fighting that began when Hamas militants broke through Gaza’s security barrier on October 7, 2023, in an attack that resulted in the deaths of 1,218 people in Israel, mostly civilians, according to an AFP tally of official figures.
Israel’s retaliation has killed more than 48,000 people in Gaza, according to the health ministry in the Hamas-run territory, figures the UN has deemed reliable.
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu sent negotiators to Cairo on Thursday, after Hamas handed over the remains of four hostages in exchange for hundreds of Palestinian prisoners under the truce.
An internal Israeli army probe into the October 7 attack, released on Thursday, acknowledged the military’s “complete failure” to prevent it, according to a military official who briefed reporters about the report’s contents on condition of anonymity.
“Too many civilians died that day asking themselves in their hearts or out loud, where was the IDF?” the official said, referring to the military.
A senior military official said at the same briefing that the military acknowledges it was “overconfident” and had misconceptions about Hamas’s military capabilities before the attack.
Following the scathing probe’s release, Israel’s military chief General Herzi Halevi said: “The responsibility is mine.”
Halevi had already resigned last month citing the October 7 “failure.”
During their attack, militants seized dozens of hostages, whose return was a key objective of the war.
Netanyahu vowed to destroy Hamas and to bring home all the hostages, but has faced criticism and protests at home over his handling of the war and the hostage crisis.
A hostage-prisoner swap early Thursday was the final one under the initial stage of the truce that took effect on January 19.
Over the past several weeks, Hamas freed in stages 25 living Israeli and dual-national hostages and returned the bodies of eight others.
It also released five Thai hostages outside the deal’s terms.
Israel, in return, was expected to free around 1,900 Palestinian prisoners.
Israel’s Prison Service said that “643 terrorists were transferred from several prisons across the country” and released on Thursday under the terms of the truce after Hamas returned the bodies of four hostages.
Hours after the handover on Thursday, an Israeli campaign group confirmed “with profound sorrow” the identities of the four bodies.
Ohad Yahalomi, Tsachi Idan, Itzik Elgarat and Shlomo Mansour “have been laid to eternal rest in Israel,” said the Hostages and Missing Families Forum.
Israel Berman, a businessman and former member of the Nahal Oz kibbutz community where Idan was abducted, said that “until the very last moment, we were hoping that Tsachi would return to us alive.”
Among those freed in exchange was the longest-serving Palestinian prisoner in an Israeli jail, Nael Barghouti, who spent more than four decades behind bars.
He was first arrested in 1978 and sentenced to life imprisonment for the murder of an Israeli officer and attacks on Israeli sites.
“We were in hell and we came out of hell. Today is my real day of birth,” said one prisoner, Yahya Shraideh.
AFP images showed some freed prisoners awaiting treatment or being assessed at the European Hospital in Khan Yunis, southern Gaza, after their release.
Several freed Palestinian prisoners were hospitalized following earlier swaps, and the emaciated state of some released Israeli hostages sparked outrage in Israel and beyond.
After the swap, Hamas called on Israel to return to delayed talks on the truce’s next phase.
“We have cut off the path before the enemy’s false justifications, and it has no choice but to start negotiations for the second phase,” Hamas said.
Source:arabnews.com
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Israel says to have ‘safety restrictions’ at Al-Aqsa for Ramadan
February 27, 2025
JERUSALEM: Israel said Thursday that it will implement what it called “safety restrictions” at the Al-Aqsa Mosque compound in Jerusalem’s Old City during the Muslim holy month of Ramadan, which begins over the weekend.
During Ramadan, hundreds of thousands of Palestinians come to pray at Al-Aqsa, the third holiest site in Islam located in East Jerusalem — a sector of the Holy City occupied and annexed by Israel.
This year, Ramadan coincides with a fragile ceasefire in Gaza, which has largely halted fighting after a devastating war that left tens of thousands dead in the Palestinian territory.
“The usual restrictions for public safety will be in place as they have been every year,” Israeli government spokesman David Mencer said in an online briefing to journalists.
Last year, amid the Gaza war, Israeli authorities imposed restrictions on visitors coming to Al-Aqsa, particularly on those Palestinians coming from the occupied West Bank.
Only men aged 55 and older and women over 50 were allowed to enter the mosque compound “for security reasons,” while thousands of Israeli police officers were deployed across Jerusalem’s Old City.
Mencer indicated that precautions would be taken again this year.
“What we cannot, of course, and no country would countenance is people seeking to foment violence and attacks on anyone else,” he said, without detailing this year’s police deployment.
The Al-Aqsa Mosque compound is a symbol of Palestinian national identity.
By longstanding convention, Jews are allowed to visit but not pray in the compound, which they revere as the site of their second temple, destroyed by the Romans in 70 AD.
In recent years, growing numbers of Jewish ultranationalists have defied the rules, including far-right politician Itamar Ben-Gvir, who publicly prayed there while serving as national security minister in 2023 and 2024.
The Israeli government has said repeatedly that it intends to uphold the status quo at the compound but Palestinian fears about its future have made it a flashpoint for violence.
Last year, Israel allowed Muslims to worship at Al-Aqsa in the same numbers as in previous year despite the war raging in Gaza.
Source:arabnews.com
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Israel car ramming attack wounds 13 people at bus stop
February 27, 2025
JERUSALEM: Israeli police said a Palestinian man rammed a car into a bus stop in the north of the country on Thursday, wounding 13 civilians in an incident they were treating as a “terror” attack.
“At 16:17 today, Israel Police’s emergency dispatch received reports of a ramming attack at Karkur Junction, where a vehicle struck multiple civilians waiting at a bus stop,” police said in a statement.
Israel’s first responders, Magen David Adom, said a team treated injured people at the site of the incident, including a 17-year old girl who was in critical condition.
Police said 13 people, including a police officer, were wounded, and that two of them were in “serious” condition.
The suspect was a “53-year-old Palestinian from the Jenin area, (who) was residing in Israel unlawfully with his family,” the police statement said.
“The circumstances of his presence in Israel are under investigation,” the police said, adding that “preliminary findings indicate that he deliberately targeted civilians waiting at a bus stop.”
Israel’s military launched earlier this year a major offensive in the north of the occupied West Bank, deploying tanks into the area for the first time in 20 years.
Dubbed “Iron Wall” by the Israeli military, the operation came days after a ceasefire took effect in Gaza.
The raids have spanned multiple refugee camps near the cities of Jenin, Tulkarem and Tubas.
Military operations are commonplace in Jenin’s refugee camp, a bastion of Palestinian militancy.
Source:arabnews.com
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Sustainable City — Yiti and Ahli Islamic Oman sign partnership to advance sustainable urban development
February 27, 2025
MUSCAT: The Sustainable City — Yiti, Oman’s flagship sustainable development and the pioneering net zero emissions community, signed a strategic partnership on Thursday with Ahli Islamic Oman bank.
The partnership was formalized at a signing ceremony held on-site at The Sustainable City — Yiti, attended by senior executives from Yiti and Ahli Islamic Oman, along with key stakeholders.
As Oman’s largest sustainable urban development, Yiti integrates renewable energy, food production, water and waste recycling, smart mobility and climate-resilient infrastructure to create a “future-ready” community.
With 96 percent of its infrastructure already completed, the project is progressing toward its full realization by 2026, bringing together residential, commercial, hospitality and educational spaces designed to advance sustainable living.
“With an investment of nearly $1 billion, we are redefining the real estate landscape by integrating sustainability, innovation, and long-term value creation. This collaboration with Ahli reinforces our commitment to responsible growth, ensuring that we deliver a world-class, net-zero emissions community that aligns with Oman’s Vision 2040 and sets a benchmark for sustainable cities worldwide,” said Mohammed Al-Ghufaili, COO of Oman Tourism Development Company (OMRAN) Group and a board member of Yiti.
Yousuf Al-Rawahi, head of Ahli Islamic Oman, said: “Our collaboration with The Sustainable City — Yiti reflects the overall commitment and endeavor to support Sharia-compliant and sustainable investments that align with Oman Vision 2040.
“By providing the needed financial solutions, we empower individuals and businesses to be part of a groundbreaking net-zero emissions community. Together, we are fostering a responsible urban grown society, while ensuring long-term value creation, and contributing to a more sustainable future for many in the Sultanate of Oman.”
Developed by Diamond Developers in collaboration with OMRAN, Yiti spans nearly one million square meters along the Gulf of Oman coastline, and offers smart infrastructure, low-carbon living and sustainable tourism.
The development features a mix of residential, commercial, hospitality, educational spaces, two hotels, alongside essential community infrastructure such as schools, a nursery, an equestrian center, an indoor sports complex and outdoor leisure areas.
It has been designed to achieve net zero emissions by 2040, as a key contributor to Oman’s environmental and economic transformation.
Source:arabnews.com
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Libya’s Haftar meets French President Macron in Paris
February 27, 2025
BENGHAZI: Libya’s eastern military strongman Khalifa Haftar met French President Emmanuel Macron at the Elysee Palace in the French capital, his Benghazi-based forces said in a statement.
Haftar and Macron discussed “developments in the political process in Libya and the importance of supporting the UN mission’s efforts,” according to the statement posted on social media Wednesday evening.
Libya has struggled to recover from years of unrest since the 2011 NATO-backed uprising that overthrew longtime ruler Muammar Qaddafi.
The country remains split between the Tripoli-based Government of National Unity and a rival administration in the east aligned with Haftar.
A picture accompanying the statement showed Haftar and Macron shaking hands.
The statement said Macron emphasized Haftar’s “central role” in Libya’s political process and stability.
Contacted by AFP, the Elysee declined to confirm or deny the meeting.
Source:arabnews.com
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President Pezeshkian advocates stronger relations among Muslim states
February 27, 2025
Pezeshkian made the remark in a meeting with Malaysian Minister of Foreign Affairs Dato’ Seri Utama Haji Mohamad Bin Haji Hasan in Tehran on Wednesday.
“The Zionist regime (Israel) currently dares to commit acts of crimes and aggression in the region because Muslims are indifferent to each another,” he said.
He added that fostering synergy among officials and politicians of the Muslim world would play a very important role in removing differences, misunderstanding and poverty in the Muslim states.
“The Islamic Republic of Iran is prepared and emphasizes the expansion of communications with Muslim countries, including Malaysia, in all fields.”
Further in his remarks, Pezeshkian noted that the 8th Iran-Malaysia joint commission meeting was held in Tehran earlier on Wednesday after a 17-year hiatus.
“It is necessary to use the capacity of the joint commission to facilitate permanent exchanges among traders and merchants, intercultural communications and the transfer of experience in various economic, scientific and technological fields to create common interests,” the Iranian president emphasized.
He expressed hope that the exchange of meetings between the two countries would lead to the establishment of bilateral constructive interactions.
For his part, the Malaysian foreign minister said ties between Tehran and Kuala Lumpur are based on understanding and fraternity.
He expressed Malaysia’s willingness to boost ties with Iran and make use of the Islamic Republic’s capacities in the scientific, technological, academic, foodstuff and agricultural areas.
The minister noted that Iran and Malaysia have a common stance on regional and international issues, including the Palestinian issue.
Like Iran, he said, Malaysia condemns the Israeli regime’s crimes and genocidal acts against the oppressed people of Gaza and opposes any plan to forcibly drive Palestinians from their homeland.
Source:ifpnews.com
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Turkish Muslim council urges stronger mosque security in France
BY ANADOLU AGENCY
FEB 27, 2025
The Coordination Council of Turkish Muslims of France (CCMTF) sent a letter to the French Interior Ministry on Thursday, calling for enhanced security for Muslim places of worship amid the surge in anti-Muslim attacks in the country.
Ibrahim Alçı, the head of CCMTF, expressed the Muslim community’s concern about the rise in hostile acts targeting mosques.
The letter came after a fire destroyed the Franco-Turkish prayer hall in Jargeau overnight Feb. 25 - 26.
He pointed out that the incident occurred in the context of repeated threats following an anonymous letter received in 2023 and offensive graffiti found on the building’s windows in early February.
"Our worshippers, who come to mosques daily to pray and reflect, now fear for their safety," wrote Alçı.
He stressed that the situation "goes against the values of liberty, equality, and fraternity that form the foundation of our Republic."
He proposed several concrete measures to address the climate of insecurity, including installing surveillance cameras, increased police patrols around mosques and greater support for religious associations.
An investigation into "destruction by means dangerous to people" is ongoing, led by the territorial brigade of Jargeau and the research brigade of Orleans, said Alçı.
The municipality, meanwhile, has issued a safety order prohibiting access to the building, as its metal structure has been weakened.
The French Department Loiret MP Emmanuel Duplessy expressed republican support for the local Muslim community, condemning actions that undermine "equal rights and national unity."
Jargeau Mayor Sophie Heron emphasized that the prayer hall had been a space for social interaction and dialogue, open to the entire population.
With Ramadan set to begin in a few days, a temporary prayer space is expected to be set up to accommodate worshippers from the association.
Source:dailysabah.com
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Union of OIC News Agencies signs a memorandum of cooperation with the Islamic Solidarity Fund
February 27, 2025
The Union of OIC News Agencies (UNA) signed today (February 26, 2025) a memorandum of cooperation with the Islamic Solidarity Fund, in the presence of His Excellency the Secretary General of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation, Mr. Hissein Brahim Taha.
The memorandum was signed within the framework of the 68th session of the Permanent Council of the Islamic Solidarity Fund, which began today at the headquarters of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation in Jeddah and will conclude tomorrow.
The memorandum was signed on behalf of the Union by the Director General, Mr. Mohammed bin Abd Rabbo Al-Yami, while it was signed on behalf of the Islamic Solidarity Fund by the Fund’s Executive Director, Mr. Mohammed bin Suleiman Aba Al-Khail.
The memorandum aims to enhance cooperation between the two bodies of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation, media coverage, in addition to preparing and producing various reports and studies, organizing workshops and training courses, and specialized media forums for the benefit of the two parties’ employees and media professionals in member news agencies.
Source:ina.iq
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Europe
Remembering Ramadan: the holy Muslim month famous for fasting
27th February
By Sarah Millington
Tomorrow marks the start of Ramadan, and we’re looking back on the tradition and other aspects of Muslim life in the county.
Ramadan is the ninth month in the Islamic calendar, a holy month for Muslims, who fast, pray and practise introspection during this time.
Although widely celebrated, it is not a public holiday in most countries across the world, including the United States, Canada and the UK, so businesses and shops will be open as usual.
It is common to greet one another during Ramadan with expressions such as “Ramadan Mubarak,” which means “Have a blessed Ramadan,” or “Ramadan Kareem,” which translates as “Have a generous Ramadan.”
At the end of the month, during the celebration of Eid (also known as the Festival of Sweets) it is common to greet each other with Eid Mubarak – “Have a blessed Eid.”
Ramadan holds a special place in Islamic history, with its origins deeply rooted in the life of Prophet Muhammad, the principal figure of Islam.
Around 610 AD, according to Islamic tradition, Allah started sending him messages and revelations through the angel Gabriel.
These revelations were revealed over 23 years during Ramadan, the ninth month of the Muslim calendar, and were then compiled into a 114-chapter book that would become known as the Quran, the holy book of Islamic faith, that Muslims believe holds the words of Allah.
During Ramadan, fasting is obligatory for adults of the Muslim faith, meaning they do not eat or drink from sunrise to sunset. They also abstain from sexual intercourse.
At the end of the daily fast, during the night, Muslims share meals with family or friends, which is called Iftar.
As fasting is seen as a spiritual principle, Ramadan is also a time when people abstain from anything impure such as alcohol consumption, cigarettes, bad behaviours, and impure thoughts, and instead, dedicate themselves to prayer and charity.
Source:newsandstar.co.uk
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'Our new mosque with unique museum is a dream'
February 28, 2025
The family behind a new mosque which also houses a museum have said it is "a dream come true" to open after a major fundraising effort.
Al-Buraq Masjid and community hub has opened its doors in Blackburn, Lancashire.
Generations of the Zabier family have led the project, which has been seven years in the making.
Tabarik Zabier, 44, said he hoped it would "unite people in peace and harmony" and it was open to all of the community, regardless of religious backgrounds.
He added: "The last seven years have been gruelling, they have been very hard, there have been many different challenges, financially and with the building, but equally it has been an absolute pleasure.
"To see the gratitude on my father's face and to finally welcome this to the community is just fantastic".
The project to build the mosque off Devonport Road, began in 2018 but the build was halted due to the coronavirus pandemic.
The Zabier family, along with friends and community members, began a fundraising campaign called Team Buraq which included cycling challenges and walks to Mount Snowdon.
More than 22 Islamic artefacts, with some pieces dating back hundreds of years ago, are featured in the Islamic Museum inside the mosque.
"This is a first of its kind so we are very excited that we have this opportunity for people to see these artefacts," added Tabarik.
The mosque features a prayer hall and a women's zone and will be able to carry out funerals and marriage ceremonies.
There are also plans to run a foodbank within the hub.
"This is a first of its kind so we are very excited that we have this opportunity for people to see these artefacts," added Tabarik.
The mosque features a prayer hall and a women's zone and will be able to carry out funerals and marriage ceremonies.
There are also plans to run a foodbank within the hub.
Source:bbc.com
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France hands light sentences to Russian consulate attackers
27 Feb, 2025
A French court has sentenced two pro-Ukraine men who threw makeshift bombs at the Russian consulate in Marseilles on Monday to eight months of home arrest, multiple media outlets have reported. The Russian embassy in France has slammed the punishment as far too lenient for an attempted terrorist attack.
The two French nationals, referred to as Vasile H., 48, and Georges S., 59, were charged with “unauthorized manufacture of an explosive or incendiary device,” as well as “attempted property damage by means dangerous to people,” Le Figaro wrote on Thursday. Both were sentenced to eight months of home arrest, to be served with mandatory ankle monitoring bracelets, the newspaper added.
The men, both employees of the National Center for Scientific Research, had admitted their guilt in the arson attack, Reuters wrote on Thursday. Prosecutors had been seeking a year of monitoring for the pair, according to the outlet.
The attackers procured liquid nitrogen from their workplace and used it to fashion explosive devices. The super-cooled liquid gas is usually stored at below -196 degrees Celsius (-321 Fahrenheit) and rapidly turns into a gas once placed into a closed container, increasing the pressure, Le Figaro wrote, citing Vasile H. The two accomplices brought a thermos flask with the chemical, fashioned their makeshift explosives from plastic soda bottles and threw them onto the Russian consulate grounds, he reportedly explained.
“I threw a bottle but it fell next to the neighbor’s house. I ran away and I didn’t hear anything. I told myself that I had done it for nothing,” he reportedly said.
Georges S. admitted that had one of their explosive devices landed on a person, it would have caused injuries, according to Le Figaro.
The suspects were reportedly detained at a rally in support of Ukraine later the same day.
The Russian embassy in France protested the pair’s soft punishment in a statement on Thursday.
“The very lenient sentence handed down is absolutely inconsistent with the gravity of the crime – essentially, an attempt to commit a terrorist act,” the consulate stressed, adding that it was sheer luck that no one was hurt.
The “incompetence” of the perpetrators “does not relieve them of responsibility for what they did and cannot serve as a mitigating circumstance” in determining their punishment, according to the embassy.
The Russian Foreign Intelligence Agency warned last week that with diplomatic talks between Washington and Moscow taking place, Kiev may attempt to derail the ceasefire negotiations with terrorist attacks.
Source:rt.com
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Putin warns of attempts to sabotage talks with US
27 Feb, 2025
Some Western elites are “not happy” about the potential rapprochement between Moscow and Washington and will seek to “compromise” the recently resumed dialogue between the two powers, Russian President Vladimir Putin has said.
Under US President Donald Trump’s administration, Russia and the US have started to gradually restore contacts that were virtually non-existent for approximately three years under his predecessor, Joe Biden.
Earlier this month, high-ranking Russian and American delegations met in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. Following the talks, both nations agreed to work toward ending the Ukraine conflict and improving diplomatic and economic relations.
Speaking at the meeting of the board of the Russian Federal Security Service (FSB) officials on Thursday, Putin said that the contacts with the Trump administration “inspire hope.” The two sides are willing to work on restoring bilateral relations, as well as resolving the “systemic” issues in the global security architecture that led to the Ukraine conflict and other crises. Yet, some forces are forcing to prevent that from happening, the president warned.
“We realize that not everyone is happy to see Russia-US contacts resume. A portion of Western elites are still committed to maintaining instability in the world, and these forces will try to disrupt or to compromise the newly resumed dialogue,” he said. “We need to keep this in mind and leverage every possibility offered by diplomacy and special services to thwart such attempts,” he told the gathered FSB officials.
According to Putin, the new US administration is demonstrating “pragmatism and a realistic vision of things.” Moscow’s “partners” in Washington “have abandoned numerous stereotypes, the so-called rules, and messianic, ideological clichés of their predecessors, which, in fact, caused the crisis of the entire system of international relations,” he said.
Putin has indicated Moscow’s readiness to resolve the Ukraine conflict through peaceful means. He emphasized Russia’s aim of establishing an international system that ensures a balanced and mutual consideration of interests, creating a long-term, indivisible European and global security framework. This system would prevent the security of certain countries from being guaranteed at the expense of others, including Russia.
Since the Riyadh talks, Washington has said it was open to economic cooperation with Russia. On Thursday, diplomats from two nations held closed-door talks in Istanbul focused on restoring the work of their diplomatic missions. According to a Bloomberg report this week, Moscow and Washington have also been discussing cooperation in the Arctic.
Source:rt.com
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Man who kicked out at police at riots jailed for four years
27th February
A man who kicked out at police protecting a mosque and “whipped up” other young men to cause criminal damage during widespread disorder in Sunderland has been jailed for four years and eight months for riot.
John Kirtley, 27, was initially charged with violent disorder for his role in the violence on August 2, but police later upgraded that to the more serious offence of riot.
Newcastle Crown Court heard “highly intoxicated” Kirtley was an “active and persistent participant” in the disorder, which was one of several riots that broke out in the UK over the summer following online misinformation about the perpetrator of the Southport stabbings.
Kirtley was filmed at various points throughout the evening carrying an England flag and verbally abusing police, at one point saying: “Come on this is f****** England.”
Prosecutor Kevin Wardlaw said the defendant tried to stand in front of a police car to stop it from moving, threw stones at officers protecting a local mosque and kicked out a riot shield before jumping up and down “imitating a boxer’s stance”.
The court heard Kirtley was a leading member of a group throwing beer barrels at police officers and was seen “whipping up” other young men and encouraging them to damage windows of buildings in the city’s Keel Square.
Mr Wardlaw said the defendant, who at one point covered his face with an England flag, was seen wandering around “telling police the Government is to blame for this”.
In mitigation, the court heard Kirtley, who pleaded guilty to riot, was “highly intoxicated” at the time after drinking a bottle of vodka and was “not politically-minded in any way”.
Jailing him for four years and eight months, Judge Robert Spragg told the defendant: “Your behaviour on that day, fuelled by alcohol, was utterly disgraceful. You have brought shame on yourself and on the St George’s flag you chose to drape yourself in.”
Source:thenorthernecho.co.uk
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Under Merz's CDU, life will only get worse for Germany's Muslims
27 Feb, 2025
The last 18 months have been awful for Germany’s five and a half million Muslims and it looks like they are only going to get worse.
Making up around 6.6 percent of the population with three million citizens, negative portrayals of Muslims and Arabs play an outsized role in the media and in politics, particularly since the start of the Israel-Gaza conflict, but with very little representation in either of these spheres.
Things were already bad – an EU study on Islam in Europe last year found that Germany was the second worst country in Europe for anti-Muslim racism – but with the most right-wing Parliament in the Federal Republic’s history, many Muslims, Arabs and other minorities are worried.
The far-right Alternative for Germany (AfD) scored the best result for the German far-right since World War Two at 20.8 percent, with fifty mentions of “Islam” or “Muslim” in their manifesto, none of them positive.
And though Alice Weidel has promoted herself as a “libertarian conservative”, and much has been made by Elon Musk and the international press of her lesbian marriage to a woman of colour, but she also claimed that “the hijab doesn’t belong to Germany” and that Islam is incompatible with Germany’s constitution in 2017.
Though the party are going to be kept out of government by Germany’s famed “firewall” against cooperation with the far-right, Chancellor apparent Friedrich Merz of the Christian Democrats has made it clear that he is only going to accelerate Germany’s authoritarian decline, which primarily targets Arabs, Muslims and supporters of Palestine.
It does this in defence of the so-called Staatsräson, the doctrine that Israel’s security is one of Germany’s top priorities. This was initially just a rhetorical flourish by Angela Merkel on the floor of the Israeli Knesset but has since then taken on a life of its own.
After over a million went on the streets to protest his collaboration with the far-right on a vote aimed at restricting asylum Merz asked rhetorically in his final speech on the campaign trail in Munich where the pro-democracy protests were "when Palestinian flags were swung in this country.”
To Mr Merz, showing the Palestinian flag, which is flown at the UN headquarters, is more scandalous than purposefully voting alongside a far-right party which campaigned on “remigration”.
He also recently promised to expand the law on racial incitement to make it illegal to do “deny Israel’s right to exist” – a highly controversial formulation with little basis in actual international law, and which doubtlessly will include Palestinians showing images of historic Palestine.
Germany's case of déjà vu
One of Merz’s first moves after winning the election was to phone Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and invite him to Germany, despite the outstanding warrant from the International Criminal Court (ICC) for the war crimes of starvation as a method of warfare and of intentionally directing an attack against the civilian population.
Though Germany’s outgoing “traffic light” coalition made clear that they weren’t likely to arrest Netanyahu, they were not going to roll out the red carpet either.
Merz on the other hand considered the invitation “an open challenge against the scandalous decision of the International Criminal Court to describe the Prime Minister as a war criminal” according to Netanyahu’s office.
No wonder that only 12 percent of Germany’s Muslims voted for the victorious conservative party according to pollsters Forschungsgruppe Wahlen.
The move was condemned by Amnesty International as an “open call to break the law” and “not a good start as future chancellor” while the Left Party, who received the most votes from Muslims in this election at 29 percent criticised it sharply.
But Merz is just a particularly extreme member of the Staatsräsonquerfront, a German word I have coined to describe the alliance between far-right through to the right, centre and even elements of the so-called “antideutsch” left to defend Israel at any costs, including trashing freedom of opinion and assembly, restricting citizenship rights and continuing to deliver weapons to a man wanted as a war criminal by the world’s highest court.
Under the guise of the noble goal of fighting antisemitism in the land of the Holocaust, Islam and Arabs have been turned into a problem, with German politicians failing to see the historical irony in stirring hatred against one religious and ethnic minority to supposedly protect another one, and with the far-right as steadfast allies this time around, with key pieces of legislation against “antisemitism” initially coming from or being voted for by the AfD.
After October 7, Muslims were told by liberal darling and vice chancellor Robert Habeck — now thankfully retiring from frontline politics — that their protection from right-wing extremists was conditional on distancing themselves from Hamas, considered a terror group in Germany.
Sixty eight percent of Muslims in Germany have experienced discrimination in the last five years, with a sharp rise across Europe since 2022, so this danger is hardly theoretical. Mosques have already seen numerous bomb threats and property damage to mosques, as well as hate messages, the Muslim Coordination Council (Krm) in Cologne said in late January.
“In mosque communities, people are scared that fascists will come and take us away” newly-elected Left party politician Ferat Koçak told The New Arab on election night from the Arabic district of Neukölln. Koçak became the first Left MP to ever win outside of former East Germany.
“It is very important that we give people, our friends and neighbours, the feeling of security” he said, representing a growing anti-racist wing within his party, whose revival was one of the big surprises of the election.
Protecting citizens and inhabitants is one of the key jobs of a state – an actual Staatsräson– and should never be conditional on what people believe. We’ve seen Germany go down that route before, and it did not end well.
Source:newarab.com
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Muslim centre set to move to former Citizens Advice building
27th February
By Mark Smith
The former Citizens Advice office in Northwich is set to become the new home of the town’s Muslim community centre after plans were given the green light.
Chester West and Chester Council’s planning department has backed an application for the building on Meadow Court, which was previously home to the advice charity before its closure in 2020.
Northwich Muslim Community Centre has been running since 2012 at its existing premises on Church Road, but in planning documents said it has outgrown its current facilities due to the growing Muslim population in the area and the lack of space.
Services being offered at the new site would continue to include school visits, food bank and homeless food services, courses in Arabic, the Quran and Hadith, mother and baby group as well as interfaith community cohesion events.
The registered charity said there would be no external structural modifications except for signage. A design and access statement submitted in support of the scheme said the sale of the old facilities on Church Road had already been agreed in principal and the plan was to just transfer existing activities to Meadow Court.
It said: “We aim to restructure the existing space into prayer spaces by removing false walls to create a more open and inviting environment. This approach ensures minimal disruption while maximising the usability of the facility.”
It added the impact on highways and parking would be ‘minimal’.
It said: “Meadow Court boasts eight on-site car parking spaces, including dedicated disabled parking. Additionally, we benefit from nearby parking facilities such as the paid Euro Car Park, Watermans Car Park, a free on-street carpark, and access to Victoria Car Park and Memorial Hall Car Park.”
Granting approval, a planning officer’s report added: “The development is considered acceptable in principle and would not result in an unacceptable detrimental impact upon the visual character of the application site or adversely impact upon residential amenity.”
Citizens Advice Cheshire West closed its Northwich office during the pandemic in a bid to maintain social distancing but it was later confirmed it would not reopen.
Source:northwichguardian.co.uk
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Balsall Heath: Muslims gather to celebrate start of Ramadan
27th February
By Calum Banister
British Muslims have gathered in the West Midlands to celebrate the start of Ramadan.
The festivities took place in Birmingham's Balsall Heath neighbourhood, welcoming the holy month with speeches, charity activities, and an array of Middle Eastern cuisine.
The event was organised by humanitarian charity ISRA-UK, and attended by people of all faiths.
It was held at the Moseley Community Hub and featured a selection of quiches, pies, sandwiches, and desserts, alongside Middle Eastern dishes.
ISRA-UK managing director Saraya Hussain said: "Today’s event was to launch the beginning of Ramadan 2025 here at ISRA-UK, certainly in the city of Birmingham where we’re based and where there’s a high population of Muslims, around 340,000 of us, so it’s a very important time for the community.
"Traditionally, it’s known as the ‘month of mercy’.
"It’s also the month that the Qur’an was first revealed to the Prophet Muhammad, peace be upon him, and it’s also a month to allow people to become a little bit more spiritual, connect with their creator, become a little bit more disciplined because obviously it involves giving up food, drink and abstaining from worldly desires from dawn until dusk, so it’s a moment to become really introspective."
ISRA-UK is helping families prepare for Ramadan with their festive Iftar packs.
These include chocolate countdown calendars, children’s activity books, decorations, and donation boxes.
Habib Mohammed, charity operations manager, said: "We’re welcoming Ramadan and also celebrating over 40 years of ISRA-UK’s global aid jobs" target="_blank">work.
"Ramadan gives us time to reflect and give a thought to those suffering all around the world.
"We experience hunger, we experience patience and it’s all about spirituality and all about giving."
The event was attended by people of different faiths, including refugee and migrant worker Selbin Kabote.
He said: "Ramadan means a lot to me because I have many friends from the Muslim community.
"To me, Ramadan is similar to the Christian fasting as it’s a time of reflection and it’s a time of thinking about the needs of other people."
Source:asianimage.co.uk
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UK-US trade deal could mean tariffs 'not necessary', says Trump
28th February
A trade deal between the US and UK could happen "very quickly", President Donald Trump said at a joint press conference with Sir Keir Starmer.
Speaking during the prime minister's visit to the White House, Trump envisaged "a real trade deal" which could see the UK avoid the kind of tariffs the president has been threatening on some of the US's other trading partners.
The trip had been seen as a key moment in Sir Keir's premiership as he sought to influence Trump's decisions on topics including Ukraine, as well as trade.
Sir Keir kicked off his White House visit by presenting Trump with a letter from King Charles inviting him to an "unprecedented" second state visit to the UK.
Receiving the letter in front of cameras in the Oval Office, Trump said it would be a "great honour" and described the King as "a wonderful man".
Sir Keir said the offer of a second state visit was "truly historic". Traditionally US presidents have only been given one state visit.
Having confirmed he would be accepting the invite, Trump, along with Sir Keir took questions from reporters for 30 minutes.
The US president did most of the talking, setting out his stance on many subjects including the possibility of a Ukraine deal and the UK's potential agreement with Mauritius over the Chagos Islands.
On the plane to the US, Sir Keir reiterated his willingness to send British troops to Ukraine as part of a peace deal.
However, he argued that, without US security guarantees, Russian President Vladimir Putin could re-invade Ukraine.
Asked if he would provide such assurances, Trump said a minerals agreement he plans to sign with Ukraine on Friday could provide a "backstop".
He said "nobody will play around" if US workers were in the country, as part of the deal on minerals.
The US president was pressed on whether he stood by his accusation that Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky was a "dictator".
"Did I say that? I can't believe I said that," he said.
He later added he had "a lot of respect" for Zelensky, who he will host in Washington DC on Friday.
The UK's planned agreement with Mauritius over the Chagos Islands was one potential source of tension between the UK and US leaders.
However, Trump appeared to back the UK's approach saying he was "inclined to go along with it".
The deal would see the UK cede sovereignty of the Indian Ocean archipelago, but maintain control over the island of Diego Garcia, which includes a US-UK military airbase, by leasing it back.
After taking questions in the Oval Office, the two leaders took part in talks and then held a formal press conference, during which Trump repeatedly spoke about a possible US-UK trade deal which could be agreed "very quickly".
Referring to an economic, rather than a trade deal, Sir Keir said the UK and US would begin work on an agreement centred on the potential of artificial intelligence.
"Instead of over-regulating these new technologies, we're seizing the opportunities they offer," he said.
He said the UK and US had shaped the "great technological innovations of the last century" and now had the chance to do the same in the 21st Century.
"Artificial intelligence could cure cancer. That could be a moon shot for our age, and that's how we'll keep delivering for our people," he said.
Trump has repeatedly threatened to impose tariffs - import taxes - on many of its allies, including 25% on goods made in the European Union.
He also ordered a 25% import tax on all steel and aluminium entering the US - which could hit the UK.
Asked if Sir Keir had tried to dissuade the president from ordering tariffs against the UK, Trump said: "He tried."
"He was working hard I tell you that. He earned whatever the hell they pay him over there," he said.
"I think there's a very good chance that in the case of these two great, friendly countries, I think we could very well end up with a real trade deal where the tariffs wouldn't be necessary. We'll see."
In a bid to convince the president against UK tariffs, Sir Keir said the US-UK trade relationship was "fair, balanced and reciprocal".
Since leaving the European Union, successive British leaders have hoped to get a general free trade deal with the US.
In his first term as president, Trump said talks about a "very substantial" trade deal with the UK were under way.
However, negotiations stalled with disagreements over US agricultural exports and UK taxes on tech companies causing problems.
Source:bbc.com
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King invites Trump for 'unprecedented' second state visit
28 Feb, 2025
US President Donald Trump has been invited to the UK for a second state visit by the King.
Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer used his trip to the White House to present Trump with the invitation letter from King Charles.
Sir Keir said the president's last state visit in 2019 had been a "tremendous success" and that the invite for a second visit was "truly historic" and "unprecedented".
Speaking to reporters in the Oval Office after reading the letter, Trump said he accepted the invite and that it would be an "honour" to visit the "fantastic" country.
He added that King Charles was a "beautiful man, a wonderful man".
Traditionally second-term US presidents are not offered a state visit and have instead been invited for tea or lunch with the monarch at Windsor Castle.
King Charles' letter proposed a meeting to discuss details of the state visit at either Dumfries House or Balmoral, both in Scotland, a country to which Trump has connections.
His mother was born and brought up on the Hebridean island of Lewis. This year he is planning to open a new golf course in Aberdeenshire, to be named after his mother.
The letter, which Trump showed to the cameras, read: "Quite apart from this presenting an opportunity to discuss a wide range of issues of mutual interest, it would also offer a valuable chance to plan a historic second state visit to the United Kingdom.
"As you will know this is unprecedented by a US president. That is why I would find it helpful for us to be able to discuss, together, a range of options for location and programme content.
"In so doing, working together, I know we will further enhance the special relationship between our two countries of which we are both so proud."
Trump joked that he would have to check if the signature was real.
At a joint news conference later, Trump said a trade deal between the US and UK could happen "very quickly" and could see the UK avoiding the kind of tariffs the president has been threatening on other countries.
Sir Keir said the two countries would begin work on a new economic deal which would be centred on the potential of artificial intelligence.
During his visit Sir Keir also hopes to influence Trump as he seeks to reach a peace deal between Ukraine and Russia.
Speaking on the plane to the US, Sir Keir told reporters that a deal would not stop Vladimir Putin from invading Ukraine again, unless the US were able to provide security guarantees.
Asked if the US could offer such support, Trump said a proposed deal with Ukraine over access to critical minerals would provide "a backstop".
"We are a backstop because we will be over there, we will be working in the country," he said.
Since becoming prime minister, Sir Keir, who had previously been critical of the president, has sought to build a close relationship with Trump.
However, he did feel compelled to contradict the US president when he accused Volodymyr Zelensky of being a dictator.
Asked about his dictator comments, Trump said: "Did I say that? I can't believe I said that. Next question."
Pressed over whether he would approve the UK's potential deal to hand over the Chagos Islands to Mauritius, Trump said: "We're going to have some discussions about that very soon, and I have a feeling it's going to work out very well.
"I think we'll be inclined to go along with your country,"
In an interview after arriving in the US on Wednesday, Foreign Secretary David Lammy said the controversial deal would not go ahead unless the US supported it.
Under the proposal, the UK would cede sovereignty of the Chagos archipelago to Mauritius but would still be able to use one of the islands, Diego Garcia, which includes a UK-US military airbase.
Source:bbc.com
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Groomed girl was 'fixated on Hitler' before death
28 Feb, 2025
A schoolgirl who was groomed online by a far-right extremist in the US became "fixated" on Adolf Hitler and wanted to "blow up a synagogue" before she took her own life, an inquest has heard.
Rhianan Rudd, 16, downloaded bomb manuals, guides on guerrilla warfare and media glorifying white supremacy and Nazism, Chesterfield Coroner's Court was told.
Her mother referred her to the deradicalisation programme Prevent - but she was later arrested by counter-terrorism officers and then placed under investigation by MI5.
The court heard several months after the charges were dropped, Rhianan was found dead at a children's home in Nottinghamshire on 19 May 2022.
Aged 15, she was the youngest girl charged with terror offences in the UK, before the prosecution was discontinued.
Before the inquest evidence began, a statement paying tribute to Rhianan was read out on behalf of her mother, Emily Carter.
In it, she said her daughter had a love of horses and cats and had a passion for cooking, which was "one of the times she was the happiest" and that art became an outlet "when she couldn't say something".
But Ms Carter said Rhianan - who was autistic - became "fixated" on things due to her condition, and said: "Her being groomed was huge and I saw her change and it had a huge impact on her."
An email was read out from Rhianan's mother to Counter Terrorism Policing East Midlands (CTPEM) requesting help from the Prevent programme.
It said: "I need help with my 15-year-old daughter. She has a very unhealthy outlook on fascism – she also has massive dislikes for certain races and creeds.
"I have done my best to deter her from any such ideologies, but it seems to be falling on deaf ears. I would like some help on the matter."
The subsequent referral form said this started off as an interest in world wars, but then turned towards a "fixation on Hitler" and admiration for him.
"She classes herself as a fascist and has quite a lot of hate towards other races," the form stated.
Ms Carter said they were waiting for hospital treatment for Rhianan's mental health. The court also heard Rhianan had a "history of self-harm".
'Carving a swastika'
A report by CTPEM, in September 2020, outlined that a joint assessment had taken place and said "it does not meet the criteria for [a criminal investigation]", but if "things escalated" then it would be referred back to them.
Edward Pleeth, counsel for the inquest, read out another report from CTPEM later that month, which detailed that Rhianan had told her mother she "wants to go to a synagogue and blow it up", and has spoken about "slitting people's throats".
The report said: "[We need] to ascertain her online presence i.e. who is she speaking to? Is she being coerced by anybody in her way of thinking?"
Disclosure from MI5 was read to the court, which showed Rhianan was speaking to Chris Cook, a 23-year-old neo-Nazi from the US who sent her "racially-motivated links" to read.
The inquest was told the then-partner of Rhianan's mother, American Dax Mallaburn, also had an influence which was "not known" to Ms Carter.
The inquest heard a student at Rhianan's school provided a statement to senior staff, in which she repeated a desire to "blow up a synagogue".
In October 2020, Supt Stephen Riley, head of CTPEM, told the court two police officers attended Rhianan's home in Bolsover, Derbyshire, seizing a USB memory stick and a diary from her.
Analysis found PDF manuals on how to make a bomb and material of a far-right nature.
CPTEM then passed the information on to MI5, which opened an investigation.
The court was told on 20 October 2020, during a meeting, that police and MI5 had decided Rhianan would not be arrested because it was "believed to risk some impact on her mental health" and "could possibly lead to further self-harm and suicide attempts".
But after Rhianan was admitted to hospital in Chesterfield that same day after "carving a swastika" on to her forehead, the court was told a decision was made the following day to arrest her due to "new information and a risk to others".
Missed opportunity question
Despite Rhianan being assessed by Prevent after her mother made a referral in September 2020, her case was closed after a criminal investigation began the following month. At that stage her case was deemed to be beyond the remit of the deradicalisation scheme.
The inquest heard after Rhianan was arrested on 22 October 2020, MI5 discussed with the police officer running the investigation whether an "exception" on Prevent could be made for Rhianan, but the detective had said it could not.
Supt Riley said the detective was "following the guidance that was available in 2020".
Charges against Rhianan were dropped in late December in 2021, after a Home Office unit that deals with modern slavery and trafficking made a formal finding that she was a victim of exploitation.
But the court heard the referral to the Home Office was not made by police after they began investigating Rhianan in autumn 2020.
Rather, the inquest heard it was only made at the instigation of defence lawyers after she was charged in April 2021.
Supt Riley was questioned about whether there had been a missed opportunity for police to make a referral in November 2020, but he said that was not the case.
The inquest heard in 2020, counter-terrorism officers did not receive training about modern slavery referrals, even though the relevant legislation had been in force since 2015.
Source:bbc.com
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Tate brothers arrive in US after Romania prosecutors lift travel ban
28 Feb, 2025
British-American influencers Andrew and Tristan Tate - who are facing trial in Romania on charges including human trafficking - have arrived in the US after Romanian prosecutors lifted a two-year travel ban.
Andrew, 38, and his brother Tristan, 36, have strongly denied the allegations against them. The two departed Bucharest on a private jet early on Thursday and arrived in Florida hours later, with Andrew telling reporters they are "misunderstood".
Romanian prosecutors stressed the case against them had not been dropped and that they remain "under judicial control" - meaning they have to regularly report to authorities and are expected to return to Romania.
However their exit has sparked concerns that prosecutors felt political pressure from the Trump administration. The US president said he knew nothing about the Tate brothers being released from Romania.
The Tate brothers are accused of human trafficking and forming an organised group to sexually exploit women in Romania. Andrew Tate is also accused of rape.
In the US they also face a civil case from a woman who alleges the brothers coerced her into sex work, and then defamed her after she gave evidence to Romanian authorities.
The brothers also face separate charges in the UK of rape and human trafficking. They deny all the allegations against them.
Upon arrival, Andrew Tate told reporters: "We live in a democratic society where it's innocent until proven guilty and I think my brother and I are largely misunderstood."
"There's a lot of opinions about us, a lot of things that got around about us on the internet," he said, adding that they are "yet to be convicted of any crime in our lives ever".
The brothers declined to answer questions about their release and Trump's role in them being allowed into the US.
A lawyer for the Tate brothers, Joseph McBride, said they will return to Romania at the end of March to meet the prosecutor before returning to the US.
"They feel secure in America for several reasons, the primary one being that Donald Trump is the president. As a result, they are excited to call America their home again," Mr McBride said in a statement.
Speaking in the White House after their plane landed, Trump said he knew nothing about the Tate brothers being released from Romania.
Asked if his administration pressured the Romanian government to release them, he said: "I know nothing about that. I don't know, you're saying he's on a plane right now?"
UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer, who was sitting next to Trump in the White House, said: "There's an English element here, so obviously it's important justice is done, and human trafficking is obviously, to my mind, a security risk."
On Thursday, the brothers arrived at Fort Lauderdale in Florida around 11:00 local time (16:00 GMT) and were seen disembarking the aircraft.
Their arrival follows comments made by Trump administration figures earlier this month.
The Tates have regularly posted messages in support of Trump, and Tristan Tate has said his brother's role in persuading "millions of young men" to back him "cannot be overlooked".
Romania's Foreign Minister has also told Romanian TV that Trump's envoy for special missions had raised the brothers during a conversation at the Munich Security Conference in Germany a fortnight ago.
Emil Hurezeanu said his discussion with Richard Grenell had been informal and he did not consider the approach "a form of pressure". Grenell told the Financial Times his support for the brothers was evident from his "publicly available tweets".
However, women who have brought sexual abuse allegations against the Tate brothers said last week they were "extremely concerned" by reports that US officials had asked Romania to relax travel restrictions for the men.
Andrew Tate is a self-described misogynist who has attracted millions of followers online, despite being previously banned from social media platforms for expressing his views.
He and his brother were first arrested in Romania in December 2022, with Andrew accused of rape and human trafficking and Tristan suspected of human trafficking.
They both denied the charges and spent several months under house arrest. A year later, in August 2024, they faced new allegations including sex with a minor and trafficking underage persons, all of which they deny.
A former kickboxer who had appeared on UK TV show Big Brother, Andrew had moved from the UK to Romania several years ago. However police in Bedfordshire are still seeking his extradition on separate and unrelated allegations of rape and human trafficking, as well as tax evasion.
In the UK, four British women have filed a civil case against Andrew Tate in the UK High Court, alleging that he raped and coercively controlled them. Tate denies all the allegations against him.
Those plaintiffs said it was clear he would not face criminal prosecution in Romania and appealed to UK authorities to take action.
"We are in disbelief and feel re-traumatised by the news that the Romanian authorities have given into pressure from the Trump administration to allow Andrew Tate to travel around Europe and to the US," the women said in a statement.
Elena Lasconi, who is running for the Romanian presidency in May's elections, six months after they were controversially cancelled, has called for the immediate resignation of the head of Romania's organised crime investigations directorate DIICOT, which made the decision to let the brothers leave.
"I am outraged!" she wrote on social media, "as a woman, a human being and a Romanian." Lasconi said prosecutors should explain publicly whether their decision had come as a result of external pressure.
Prosecutors from DIICOT have emphasised that the judicial conditions for the brothers have not changed.
Any violation of those obligations made in bad faith "may lead to the replacement of judicial control with a higher measure of deprivation of liberty", it said in a statement in Romanian.
Following a successful court appeal on Wednesday, the brothers also had multiple assets returned to them which had originally been seized by authorities - including six properties, six cars, and frozen bank accounts.
This comes after court limitations were "modified in order to allow the brothers to travel to the USA," the statement from the Tates' representative said.
The Tates are understood to be required to return to Bucharest at the end of March to satisfy the prosecutors' terms, however it is too early to say whether they will comply with them.
Romania is both a member of the European Union and a key Nato member state on the Western alliance's eastern flank. It has an extradition treaty with the US.
Senior Trump figures have also had the government in Bucharest in their sights over the court ruling that annulled last December's presidential election. Romanian intelligence services said far-right candidate Calin Georgescu had been supported by a flurry of TikTok accounts engineered by Russia.
Georgescu was indicted on Wednesday for attempted "incitement to acts against the constitutional order". He has denied any wrongdoing and has previously called the election annulment a "formalised coup d'etat". Prosecutors are still investigating the allegations of election fraud.
Source:bbc.com
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Austrian centrists agree government deal sidelining far right
28 Feb, 2025
Five months after the far-right Freedom Party won Austria's general election, a three-way coalition looks set to exclude it from power.
The conservative People's Party (ÖVP), the Social Democrats (SPÖ), and the liberal Neos say they have successfully completed negotiations to form a new administration - a record 151 days since the election was held in September.
The leader of the Eurosceptic, Russia-friendly Freedom Party (FPÖ), Herbert Kickl, called the tie-up a coalition of "losers" and called for a snap election.
Thursday's announcement follows the longest period of coalition negotiations in Austria's recent history, after two previous attempts to form a government failed.
The three-party government, which would be the first since the late 1940s, is due to take office next week, if all the parties approve the deal. The biggest hurdle is a vote at a Neos party meeting on Sunday, where a two-thirds majority is needed.
The new chancellor will be Christian Stocker of the ÖVP.
As he presented the new government programme with the leader of the SPÖ, Andreas Babler, and the Neos, Beate Meinl-Reisinger, Stocker said the negotiations had been "perhaps the most difficult in the history of our country".
But he said they had achieved "a breakthrough" that wasn't "a minimal compromise".
The three parties set out plans to avoid facing a European Union procedure for running an excess budget deficit, with measures including an increased levy on banks.
The programme also includes tougher asylum measures, including a temporary stop for family reunifications.
Stocker said there would be "an integration year for refugees" from day one of their arrival in Austria.
The three parties also said they reserved the right to impose an asylum freeze, if numbers of applications increased. They are also planning a headscarf ban for girls under 15.
The programme also emphasised that the government was "committed to a strong and better European Union".
In a post on social media, Kickl said: "I don't think this has ever happened before: a so-called 'government programme' before a government has even been formed."
Despite the FPÖ's unprecedented victory, topping the polls for the first time, Austria's President Alexander Van der Bellen first gave the ÖVP the mandate to form a government.
At the time, the leaders of all of the other parties ruled out making an alliance with Herbert Kickl.
However, the ÖVP's first attempt to forge a coalition with the Social Democrats and Neos failed at the beginning of January.
On 6 January, Van der Bellen gave Kickl the mandate to form a government.
But a few weeks later, the Freedom Party's talks with the conservatives also broke down, partly due to disputes over minister posts.
Political analyst Thomas Hofer told the BBC that there had been "no base of trust" between the two parties.
The ÖVP, the Social Democrats and Neos then started a second round of negotiations, which culminated in an agreement.
Thomas Hofer says their new alliance faces challenges.
"This is of course an emergency cabinet. It had to be built quickly and one can see that looking at the programme, The main message is that they are not Herbert Kickl, but that message will not last very long. They will have to negotiate more along the way."
Hofer says the parties "even have to guarantee inner party stability", and that their popularity could grow if they tackle "the massive problems ahead, but those problems are also a chance for the FPÖ", which he said had flourished in opposition.
According to opinion polls, a new election would see further gains for the Freedom Party.
Source:bbc.com
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North America
Their mosque burned down in the Eaton fire. They’re still determined to gather for Ramadan
February 27, 2025
By DANIEL AITKEN
The mosque in Altadena, which served a tight-knit Muslim community for 42 years, burned to the ground in one of the Los Angeles area’s deadliest fires in January — leaving the congregation heartbroken and without a place to pray and break their upcoming Ramadan fast together.
With that weighing on their minds, about 20 mosque members and a few connected families met on a recent Saturday at a local Islamic school to pray and share a meal, their first together since the fire. Many who came are living in motels or with family after losing their homes in the Eaton fire, which killed 17 people and scorched thousands of homes and over 14,000 acres across Los Angeles County.
With Ramadan just days a way, their volunteer imam, Junaid Aasi, had good news to share. Clad in a white robe, black jacket and prayer cap, he walked onto the plush blue prayer rugs and placed a small karaoke machine in the middle of the multipurpose room at New Horizon Islamic School.
Aasi announced the school was offering this space for four nights each week during Ramadan. There were gasps of relief, and utterances of “Alhamdulillah,” an Arabic phrase that means “praise be to God.”
Aasi said many in the community have been anxious about Ramadan and having this room, even if only for some days each week, is a blessing.
“Ramadan is not only a time when we pray and eat together, but we also help and support each other and others in the community,” he said. “This year, with so many who have lost so much, it’s going to be more important than ever.”
The imam, with a secular job as an IT professional, has volunteered at the mosque for the past 25 years. He has revisited the property since the fire. Sometimes, he says, he can still see everything the way it was when he closes his eyes.
The place where people would perform wudu — the ritual washing of hands, feet and face before coming in to pray. The thick carpets where they prayed. Copies of the holy Quran. A fig tree outside.
“I still can’t believe it’s all gone,” Aasi said.
He said many members are still displaced and hurting emotionally.
“One member just texted me that they were on their way here but stopped to check out their (burned) home,” Aasi said. They were so overwhelmed, he added, that they couldn’t bring themselves to the gathering.
Aaron Abdus-Shakoor, one of the mosque’s founders and current board president, lost his home, the building that housed his real estate business and several investment properties around Altadena. He said the mosque, which began in the 1970s as a meeting place for Nation of Islam members, evolved into a mainstream, multicultural Muslim community. It was called the Pasadena-Altadena Daawa Center until members in 1997 renamed it Masjid Al-Taqwa, which means “pious and god-conscious.”
“All these years, we’ve been good citizens,” Abdus-Shakoor said. “We’ve always kept our doors open and have tried to be a positive influence in the community.”
In the early days, the communal Ramadan celebration only happened on Eid al-Fitr, which marks the end of the holy month, he said. But for many years now, members have hosted a daily community iftar, the evening meal during Ramadan, which breaks the day-long fast.
For many, the mosque has been a second home.
Salah Eddine Benatia, an Algerian immigrant, has only been in the country three months. He discovered Al-Taqwa online and had been riding the bus from Pasadena for prayers.
“I felt so warmly welcomed by this community,” he said. “I miss home a lot especially around Ramadan. I was so sad when I heard the mosque burned down. Being here gives me a sense of being with family.”
Farzana Asaduzzaman, who has lived in the neighborhood since 2016, said Ramadan at the mosque has always been “a family affair.”
“Everyone brings food, we fast, we break our fast together,” she said. “The kids would play Uno, make arts and crafts, and assemble Eid gift bags. We would put up heaters in the outside area, sit down, sip hot chai and talk for hours.”
Asaduzzaman, her husband and their three children, ages 14, 10 and 3, lost their home in the fire as well. They spent two and a half years renovating the property before it burned down.
“Our masjid may be gone and our neighborhood may be gone, but our community is strong,” she said. “This is our support system. We’ll be together for Ramadan, no matter where it is. We’ll find a place where we can see our kids run around and where we can gather and be together again.”
For Mohammed AlDajani, a second-year medical student, the mosque was a five-minute walk from his condo, which was also lost in the fire. For AlDajani, who had no relatives or friends nearby, the mosque fulfilled the need for social and spiritual nourishment.
“The masjid was actually a nice incentive for me to move here,” he said. “It’s a place that has helped ground me in this community.”
AlDajani said, unlike many mosques he has attended, Masjid Al-Taqwa’s members represent many nationalities and ethnicities — Arab, African American, Afghan, Indian, Bangladeshi, Turkish and North African among them.
“I found that very unique,” he said.
Last year was his first Ramadan in Southern California. The mosque’s youth painted a mural of the Al-Aqsa Mosque in Jerusalem, a disputed holy site that has become a flashpoint in the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. As a Palestinian American, AlDajani said the community project touched him profoundly at a time when his heart was broken by the suffering of those in Gaza.
He said he learned about the Altadena mosque’s destruction even before he found out his home was gone.
“It’s just like my chest sank when I saw the images,” AlDajani said. “It was difficult because I was there for morning and night prayers every day. It was my little haven. It doesn’t feel right, having that empty space there.”
As he tries to find a place to rent, AlDajani says the mosque community has been “keeping him afloat.”
“Our prayer group still meets on the weekends,” he said. “I was anxious about Ramadan. It’s nice to know we’ll still be able to gather and pray, and this haven will still exist.”
Sakeenah Ali’s children, who attended Elliott Magnet Middle School across the street from the mosque, lost their school in the fire.
“They would hear the afternoon call to prayer from their school, which was very special,” she said, adding that she went out and saw the mosque burn and the parking lot covered in ash.
“Cars were on fire, trees were smoldering,” Ali recalled. “You could hear explosions everywhere – boom, boom.”
But she believes that her community is resilient.
“The key is to keep showing up,” Ali said. “Make sure we have our prayer time, stay connected and be consistent. We are going to rebuild.”
Source:dailybreeze.com
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CAIR-LA Welcomes Anaheim Union High School District’s Free Ramadan Meal Kit Initiative for Fasting Muslim Students
February 27, 2025
The Greater Los Angeles Area office of the Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR-LA) today welcomed the Anaheim Union High School District (AUHSD) initiative to provide free to-go meal kits for Muslim students who are observing fasting during Ramadan.
AUHSD recently announced that free meal kits will be available for students enrolled at an AUHSD school site to pick up each school day from Monday, March 3, to Friday, March 21. The meal kits are meatless and include both breakfast and lunch components. Families are required to fill out an online form to indicate their interest in receiving the free meal kit prior to pick up.
In the press release, AUHSD stated, “Offering meals to students observing Ramadan is an act of respect and support, while also ensuring they can maintain their energy levels and be active participants in their academic and social lives.”
During Ramadan, Muslims who observe fasting abstain from food and water from dawn until dusk, breaking their fast with a meal called iftar.
In a statement, CAIR-LA Executive Director Hussam Ayloush said:
“We commend AUHSD for its commitment to accommodating the needs of its diverse students. By offering free to-go meal kits during the month of Ramadan, the district prioritizes its students’ physical needs and well-being and helps foster an environment where students feel supported in their faith practices and tolerance and respect thrive. We hope that more school districts will take similar steps to ensure Muslim students feel seen and valued at school, not only during Ramadan but year-round.”
CAIR’s California chapter (CAIR-CA) recently released a resource guide to support Muslim employees, students, and community members in navigating school and the workplace during the month of Ramadan, including creating downloaded letter templates to assist Muslim employees and students in securing religious accommodations at work and school. CAIR-CA also sent letters to California school administrators providing education and advice on preparing for Ramadan.
CAIR-LA is Southern California’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
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Key takeaways from Starmer's talks with Trump
February 28, 2025
UK Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer has met US President Donald Trump during his first visit to the White House.
Here are some of the key moments as the pair took questions from reporters before and after the talks.
1. A surprise letter to Trump from King Charles
Sir Keir did not turn up to the meeting empty-handed.
Part way through their opening remarks, the prime minister reached inside his jacket pocket and pulled out an official letter from King Charles III - an invitation for a second state visit.
Trump appeared to be genuinely taken back for a few seconds, asking: "Am I supposed to read it right now?"
After taking a minute to read the letter, Trump said he accepted the invite and that it would be an "honour" to visit the "fantastic" country.
He added that King Charles was a "beautiful man, a wonderful man".
During Trump's first term as president, he met King Charles's mother, the late Queen Elizabeth II, during a three-day state visit in 2019.
Sir Keir said Thursday's invitation to host Trump once more for a second full state visit was "unprecedented".
2. Trump wanted to take charge
While cordial, the initial meeting in the Oval Office between Sir Keir and Trump left no doubt that the US president hoped to be firmly in charge.
The meeting was a pattern we've now seen six times with foreign leaders at the Trump White House, including with French President Emmanuel Macron earlier this week: Trump taking control of the room and using the opportunity to get his own messages, both domestic and international, across to the reporters there.
During their half-hour session, Trump leaned forward and slightly towards Sir Keir - wearing a nearly identical, but slightly different coloured tie to Trump's - dominating the conversation and taking charge of calling on reporters.
A joint afternoon news conference later began with a slightly more diplomatic and matter-of-fact tone, with both Trump and Sir Keir standing at their respective lecterns and going to considerable lengths to lavish praise on the other.
Trump joked he would have been president 20 years ago with Sir Keir's "beautiful" accent.
At one point, Sir Keir was asked about Trump's controversial call to make Canada – a member of the Commonwealth – the 51st state of the US.
"I think you're trying to find a divide that doesn't exist," Sir Keir replied.
Trump interjected quickly with the words "that's enough" before moving on – again taking control of the room as he stood next to a visibly surprised Sir Keir.
3. The similarities between Starmer and Trump
To put it gently, Sir Keir and Trump are from different schools of politics - both in their style and substance.
But asked to name their similarities Trump said: "He loves his country, and so do I."
What else do they share? Trump said "we like each other, frankly, and we like each other's country".
But the "common thread" between the two men was that "we love our country", Trump said.
4. Starmer a 'tough negotiator'
Sir Keir had a number of tricky topics to raise with Trump - from trade to US security guarantees for Ukraine - and at the beginning of their news conference he called his counterpart "a very tough negotiator".
Asked if the prime minister had convinced him not to impose trade tariffs on the UK, Trump said "he tried", adding: "He was working hard, I'll tell you that. He earned whatever the hell they pay him over there."
But he has said there was "a very good chance" of a trade deal "where tariffs wouldn't be necessary".
Such a deal, Trump said, could be made "pretty quickly".
Sir Keir spoke of a "new economic deal with advanced technology at its core".
5. Trump 'minded' to accept UK's Chagos deal
The UK is in talks with Mauritius about handing over the territory but continuing to lease one of the islands, Diego Garcia, which contains a UK-US military airbase.
The agreement has been mired in uncertainty after Trump's re-election as US president, given several US Republicans have argued it could deliver a potential security boost to China.
But during the meeting, Trump said he had a "feeling" the deal was going to "work out very well".
6. 'Did I say that?' Trump walks back comments on Zelensky
Last week, Trump made headlines by calling Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky a "dictator" in a social media post, echoing Russian claims about Kyiv's cancelled elections.
An election was scheduled for May 2024, but it was suspended because Ukraine has been under martial law since Russia began its full-scale invasion.
Asked by the BBC's Chris Mason about his use of the word "dictator", Trump replied: "Did I say that? I can't believe I would say that."
In the news conference later, Trump also appeared to have softened his attitude to Zelensky, praising him as "very brave" and saying the pair got on "really well".
Talking about the potential for a peace deal between Ukraine and Russia, Trump said "progress towards peace" would continue when Zelensky visits the White House on Friday. The two are expected to sign a major minerals deal.
7. Starmer hits back at free speech criticism
At the Munich Security Conference last week, US Vice President JD Vance attacked the UK and other European democracies, warning that "free speech is in retreat."
Asked about the comments, Trump called on his deputy to defend himself. Vance argued "there have been infringements on free speech that actually affect not just the British" but also "American technology companies and by extension, American citizens".
That led to Sir Keir cutting in, saying "we've had free speech for a very, very long time in the United Kingdom - and it will last for a very, very long time".
He rejected Vance's claim, saying "in relation to free speech in the UK, I'm very proud of our history there".
Source:bbc.com
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Starmer charms Trump, but any deals will have to wait
February 28, 2025
In Donald Trump's White House, the vibes really matter. The personal relationships he develops with other leaders can affect how those nations are treated.
So it was vital for British Prime Minister Keir Starmer to not only master the details of their discussions on Thursday but also to build a rapport with the US president.
The invitation from King Charles clearly set the right tone. Trump looked truly flattered that he would become the first person to enjoy a second state visit to the UK.
"And that's a great honour, because it's never happened before," the US president said at the start of their joint news conference. "I really do call it an honour, but it's not for me, it's for our country. It's respect for our country."
But the very diplomatic language deployed by Sir Keir over the war in Ukraine – like praising Trump for creating the conditions in which a ceasefire is being discussed – could not disguise significant disagreements over what a peace deal may end up looking like.
While Trump says he feels he can trust Russian President Vladimir Putin to stick to any deal, Sir Keir talked of the need to make sure that any truce endures and does not favour the aggressor.
The prime minister's message about increasing defence spending in the UK was clearly very welcome - but he did not walk away with any commitment from the US to participate in ongoing security guarantees for Ukraine once a peace deal has been signed.
The two men first met in the Oval Office just before lunch. But the friendly body language and warm atmosphere of that moment did not seem quite so pronounced when they emerged after lengthy talks about three hours later.
"You are a very tough negotiator… I'm not sure I like that, but okay," Trump told Sir Keir as they appeared before reporters after their meeting. And he did not seem to be entirely joking.
On the prospect of trade tariffs being imposed on UK exports to the US, the prime minister did seem to have made some progress.
Trump said Sir Keir had worked hard and "earned whatever they pay him over there" in making the case for a trade deal between the two countries instead. That would count as a significant victory for Britain, though any proposed deal would inevitably require lengthy and detailed negotiations.
Before this meeting it was unclear how the Labour leader's serious and sober demeanour would go down with the bombastic American president.
But carefully worded praise and flattery set the tone for the PM's first visit to the White House, with Sir Keir saying next to his US counterpart that "the UK has a true friend in the Oval Office".
And he was speaking Trump's language when he highlighted how the two countries were ranked one and two in the world as investment destinations, and for golfers too.
Trump responded enthusiastically to the promise of a new chapter in an historic partnership. "What a beautiful accent," he quipped when the prime minister finished his remarks. "I'd have been president 20 years ago if I had that accent."
There also appeared to be genuine respect toward the president over the issues on which the two leaders see eye to eye. On other significant matters, they seemed to have agreed to disagree. Which is probably as much as Sir Keir could hope for.
Tomorrow it is Volodymyr Zelensky's turn in the Oval Office. A week after Trump called him a dictator, he distanced himself from that description - and his opinion of the Ukrainian president seemed to have softened.
"I think we're going to have a very good meeting tomorrow morning. We're going to get along really well."
Source:bbc.com
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Ontario's Doug Ford projected to win rare third majority government
February 28, 2025
The leader of Ontario, Doug Ford, is projected to have won a third term in office, with voters in the Canadian province giving him a decisive victory.
Ford, who has led Ontario since 2018, called the snap election 15 months earlier than required, saying he needed a clear mandate to fight US President Donald Trump over tariffs he threatens to impose on Canadian goods.
Early poll results on Thursday indicate that his Progressive Conservatives secured a third majority in a row - a rare feat in Ontario politics - winning more than 80 seats out of 124 in the legislature.
The left-wing New Democratic Party came second, forming the official opposition, while the Liberals were in third place.
The election was called by the Canadian Broadcasting Corporation (CBC) 10 minutes after polls closed on Thursday evening.
Voter turnout appears to be near historic lows. As of 23:00 local time (04:00 GMT) with 97% of polls reporting, just over 44% of Ontarians had cast ballots in the election.
That is essentially tied to the lowest ever turnout of 44% in 2022.
Ford ran his campaign under the slogan "Protect Canada", reflecting his view that Canada needs to stand firm against US tariff threats.
Ford has appeared regularly on US television news networks in recent months as a de-facto spokesperson for Canada's position in its fight against the tariffs.
President Trump said on Thursday that the tariffs he plans to impose on Canada and Mexico will go ahead next week, after he delayed them a month in exchange for security assurances at the shared borders.
Around 75% of Canadian exports go to the US, and economists have warned that the tariffs would be devastating for Canada's economy while raising costs for Americans.
Ontario is home to a large automotive sector that is deeply intertwined with the US - car parts often make several trips back and forth across the US-Canada border before a vehicle is fully assembled and sold.
Ford has suggested that 500,000 of Ontario's 16 million people could lose their jobs if the US follows through on the blanket 25% tariffs.
He has called for strong retaliation, suggesting Canada cut its energy supply to the US and calling for provincial liquor stores to pull American booze from their shelves.
He has also proposed the idea of "Fortress Am-Can" - a slogan to sell Trump on a stronger energy alliance between the two countries in a bid to avoid tariffs altogether.
Opposition parties have criticised Ford for calling the snap election, accusing him of taking advantage of the rift in US-Canada relations to boost his own popularity. They also questioned the decision to push for a costly election amid economic uncertainty.
Ford has also been the subject of numerous controversies, including an ongoing criminal investigation into a deal to sell a piece of environmentally protected land for real estate development.
At a speech to supporters on Thursday, Bonnie Crombie, leader of the Ontario Liberals, said while the party fell short of forming government it should be "very proud" of the seats it gained.
"People counted us out. Tonight, you proved them wrong," said Crombie, who failed to win her own seat. She vowed to continue on as leader.
The last time a government in Ontario formed three consecutive majorities was last under Leslie Frost, a Progressive Conservative leader who won his third and final term in 1959.
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Did the White House help end the Tate brothers travel ban?
February 28, 2025
Andrew and Tristan Tate, the controversial British-American social media influencers accused of rape, human trafficking and money laundering, have been freed from travel restrictions in Romania after several high-level White House officials took an interest in their case.
It's unclear what, if any, role Donald Trump's administration may have played in their release, but one of Trump's top envoys is said to have raised the case with Romania's Foreign Minister Emil Hurezeanu at a security conference in Munich earlier this month.
Andrew Tate rose to fame after appearing on the UK reality show Big Brother, and later making a series of extreme and controversial statements about women and politics on social media.
The pair ran a webcam business and were charged with human trafficking and rape along with two Romanian female suspects in June 2023.
They also face separate, unrelated allegations of rape and human trafficking in the UK, and civil suits in the US and UK. They deny all the allegations, which their US lawyer calls "defamatory and unequivocally false".
On Thursday the brothers arrived in Florida after previously being banned from leaving Romania while the case against them is pending.
Lawyers for the pair say they will return to Bucharest for court hearings.
What is the White House saying?
When asked about the Tates at the White House on Thursday, President Trump said: "I know nothing about that."
But the brothers have been the subject of recent high-level discussions between the US and Romania.
Romanian officials say US counterparts brought up the brothers' case with the Romanian government earlier this month, a story first reported by the Financial Times.
And Trump special envoy Richard Grenell raised the issue again at a security conference in Munich.
Hurezeanu said the Tates were mentioned during that conversation, but denied being pressured to release the pair.
The Tate brothers are Trump supporters and also have ties to figures in his administration.
One of Tate's lawyers now works as White House liaison to the US justice department.
Paul Ingrassia was part of a team representing the Tate brothers in a defamation lawsuit they filed in Florida against several of their alleged victims.
Ingrassia also acted as Tate's publicist and says he got the influencer onto a show hosted by Tucker Carlson, the former Fox News host.
He has praised Tate in online posts. In one dating from July 2023, he called Tate "an extraordinary human being" who was offering "a dying West some hope for renewal".
Ingrassia did not respond to a request for comment on Thursday.
The Tates have also been talked about by several people in Trump's orbit, including Donald Trump Jr and Elon Musk.
Trump Jr once called Tate's detention in Romania "absolute insanity".
Musk reinstated Andrew Tate's account, which had been banned on X, and suggested, perhaps in jest, that Tate would make a good UK prime minister.
Joseph McBride, a lawyer representing the Tates in a defamation case they have filed against several of their accusers in Florida, said in a statement: "They feel secure in America for several reasons, the primary one being that Donald Trump is the president."
The statement alleged that the Tates and others are victims of "weaponised legal systems" and "politically motivated prosecutions".
McBride did not respond to questions on whether White House officials played any role in the removal of travel restrictions against the Tate brothers.
The 'manosphere'
Trump and his advisers know the political power of the manosphere – a popular and very online subculture that attracts fans of mixed martial arts fighting, video games, cryptocurrencies and other stereotypically male pursuits.
It's a sprawling scene that includes men who reject the company of women entirely, a "pick-up artist" scene filled with tips on how to find casual hookups, and plenty of mainstream podcasts and YouTube channels filled with bro-type humour.
The president's advisers targeted the same audiences during last year's election campaign, when Trump, JD Vance and others in his orbit went on podcasts and did interviews with new media outlets.
The views of the Tate brothers lie at one of the manosphere's extreme edges. Andrew Tate himself has made no secret of his self-described misogynist – women-hating – and sexist views.
On podcasts and online clips he talks about how women are property, how men shouldn't allow girlfriends to go out without them or talk to other men.
In extremely graphic language, he's described violence against women and talked about how sexual assault victims bear responsibility for rape.
Tate and his brother at the same time sell a glamorous lifestyle of expensive properties, cigars and luxury cars that includes self-improvement messages directed at young men - an image that garnered him a large audience before he was booted off most mainstream social media platforms.
He told the BBC in a 2023 interview: "I preach hard work, discipline. I'm an athlete, I preach anti-drugs, I preach religion, I preach no alcohol, I preach no knife crime. Every single problem with modern society I'm against."
Like many other extreme influencers, in the face of criticism he often claims his posts are satire or jokes, mocking his detractors as his messages spread further, propelled by online outrage.
Trump supporters split
The pair's supporters were thrilled with his release and eager to proclaim their innocence, despite the outstanding charges against them.
Four British women who have filed a civil lawsuit against Andrew Tate meanwhile issued a statement calling on UK authorities to "take action", saying they were "in disbelief and feel re-traumatised by the news".
And support for the Tates is far from universal among Trump supporters and American conservatives, many of whom moved to immediately distance themselves from the brothers.
Ron DeSantis, the governor of Florida, where Tates landed on Thursday, said of their activities: "Florida is not a place where you're welcome with that type of conduct."
The state's attorney general later said he would open a preliminary inquiry into the Tates and said Florida has "zero tolerance for human trafficking and violence against women".
In the conservative Washington Examiner, podcaster Brady Leonard wrote: "Tate's obnoxious, misogynistic brand is toxic to everyone besides electorally insignificant corners of social media."
Matt Lewis, a US conservative political commentator who has been critical of Trump in the past, said advocating on behalf of Tate "fits in with the ethos of the Maga world right now, which is: 'let's be tough guys'".
"But I also think it speaks to a legitimate problem, which we have seen in the last couple decades, a problem with men...where there's an epidemic of loneliness, a sense the world is passing them by, a sense that modernity has made it harder to be successful as a husband and a father. I think that's had some real psychic effects," he said.
"There's a pretty good contingency of Trump's supporters who are probably going to welcome this guy and probably even see him as a victim of persecution."
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US attorney general presses FBI to release all files on Epstein
February 28, 2025
The US Attorney General has accused federal investigators of withholding thousands of documents related to sex offender Jeffrey Epstein, and asked the FBI to release all the information by Friday morning without any omissions.
In a public letter, Attorney General Pam Bondi asked FBI director Kash Patel to also investigate why thousands of documents related to Epstein probe were withheld by the agency.
Bondi released the "first phase" of newly declassified files on Thursday, but it contained no major new allegations about Epstein nor revelations about his associates.
Epstein was arrested in July 2019 on charges of sex trafficking and died by suicide while awaiting trial.
The attorney general demanded all information related to the disgraced financier be turned over by 08:00 EST (13:00 GMT) on Friday "regardless of how it was obtained".
"Late yesterday, l learned from a source that the FBI Field Office in New York was in possession of thousands of pages of documents related to the investigation and indictment of Epstein," she wrote in the letter. "Despite my repeated requests, the FBI never disclosed the existence of the files."
Additionally, Bondi directed FBI director Patel to conduct an immediate investigation into why her order to the FBI was not followed.
"You will deliver to me a comprehensive report of your findings and proposed personnel action within 14 days," she said.
In a post on X, Patel said the agency was "entering a new era—one that will be defined by integrity, accountability, and the unwavering pursuit of justice".
"There will be no cover-ups, no missing documents, and no stone left unturned," he wrote.
The declassified files largely contain documents that have been previously leaked but never released in a formal capacity by the US government, according to a statement released by the justice department.
The 10 files include a series of flight logs from Epstein's private jet, plus a partly-redacted "contacts list".
While running for the White House, President Donald Trump had promised to release the "Epstein list", a rumoured document that some believe may link high-profile individuals to sex crimes.
Bondi was also urged by Republican lawmakers to disclose all information about the disgraced financier.
On Thursday afternoon, the White House first handed over the initial batch of 200 files - in binders that read "The Epstein Files: Phase I" - to conservative influencers.
The influencers included political commentator Rogan O'Handley, known as DC Draino, as well as Libs of TikTok creator Chaya Raichik, US media reported.
But the limited information in the latest batch of files disappointed some Republicans, including Representative Anna Paulina Luna, who leads a House Republican task force on government transparency.
"I nor the task force were given or reviewed the Epstein documents being released today," Luna posted on X. "This is not what we or the American people asked for and a complete disappointment."
Conservative commentator Glenn Beck wrote: "The Epstein files are a total joke. Who is subverting POTUS?"
Most of the "Epstein docs" over the past several years have come out of civil litigation between one of Epstein's accusers, Virginia Giuffre, and his former girlfriend Ghislaine Maxwell.
The 66-year-old had pleaded guilty to soliciting prostitution from a minor in 2008.
Ghislaine Maxwell lost her appeal last year against her own sex trafficking conviction for helping Epstein sexually abuse young girls.
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Death of Hackman and wife 'suspicious enough' for investigation, police say
February 28, 2025
Oscar-winning actor Gene Hackman and his wife appeared to have been dead for "quite a while" when the couple and their dog were found on Wednesday afternoon at their home in the US state of New Mexico, police say.
Hackman, 95, was discovered in a side room near the kitchen of the house in Santa Fe, while his wife Betsy Arakawa, a 65-year-old classical pianist, was found in a bathroom.
Authorities reported no signs of injury but deemed the deaths "suspicious enough" to investigate and have not ruled out foul play. No cause of death was given.
In a wide-ranging career, Hackman won two Academy Awards for The French Connection and Unforgiven.
Three of Hackman's children from a previous marriage confirmed the death of their father and Ms Arakawa in a statement to the BBC.
"He was loved and admired by millions around the world for his brilliant acting career, but to us he was always just Dad and Grandpa. We will miss him sorely and are devastated by the loss," Elizabeth, Leslie and Annie Hackman said.
Warning: This story contains details some readers may find upsetting
The Santa Fe County Sheriff's office confirmed the deaths.
"On 26 February, 2025, at approximately 1:45pm, Santa Fe County Sheriff's deputies were dispatched to an address on Old Sunset Trail in Hyde Park where Gene Hackman, his wife Betsy Arakawa, and a dog were found deceased," the office said.
In a news conference on Thursday afternoon, Sheriff Adan Mendoza said: "It sounds like they had been deceased for quite a while, and I don't want to guess in reference to how long that was."
He added: "There was no immediate sign of foul play. Haven't ruled that out yet.
"This is an investigation, so we're keeping everything on the table."
A sheriff's detective who responded to the scene said that they believed the couple had been dead for some time because of Ms Arakawa's "decomposition" and "mummification" in the hands and feet.
"The male decedent also showed obvious signs of death, similar and consistent with the female decedent," said the search warrant.
Near Ms Arakawa's head was a portable heater, which the detective determined could have been brought down in the event that she abruptly fell to the ground.
Authorities say they have requested carbon monoxide and toxicology tests for both Hackman and his wife, and that a cause of death has not yet been determined as they await the results of the autopsy.
A prescription bottle and scattered pills were on the bathroom countertop close to her body. The couple's German Shepherd dog was found dead in a bathroom closet near to Ms Arakawa.
Hackman was discovered wearing grey tracksuit bottoms, a blue long-sleeve T-shirt and brown slippers. Sunglasses and a walking cane were next to the body.
The detective suspected that the actor had fallen suddenly.
The circumstances of their death were "suspicious enough in nature to require a thorough search and investigation", said the search warrant, because the person who called emergency services found the front door of the property open.
But the detective observed no sign of forced entry into the home. Nothing appeared out of place inside. Neither was there any indication that belongings had been rummaged through, or that any items had been removed.
Two other, healthy dogs were discovered roaming the property - one inside and one outside.
The couple's 2,300 sq ft ranch-style home, part of a gated community, was valued at around $1m, according to tax records.
The local utility responded and found no sign of a gas leak in the area. The fire department detected no indication of a carbon monoxide leak or poisoning, according to the search warrant.
The detective spoke at the scene to two maintenance workers, one of whom had called the emergency services.
The two workers said they sometimes conducted routine work at property, but rarely ever saw the couple.
They indicated that they communicated with them by phone and text, primarily with Ms Arakawa.
The two workers said they last had contact with the couple two weeks beforehand.
A recording of the 911 call obtained by the BBC shows the emotional caller telling a dispatcher how he found the two bodies.
"No, they're not moving," he says in the audio. "Just send somebody out here really quick."
The person, who made the call while standing outside the property and peering in through a window, is heard saying "damn" repeatedly.
Hackman met Ms Arakawa when she was working part-time at a California gym in the mid-1980s, the New York Times has previously reported.
He won the best actor Oscar for his role as Jimmy "Popeye" Doyle in William Friedkin's 1971 thriller The French Connection, and another for best supporting actor for playing Little Bill Daggett in Clint Eastwood's Western film Unforgiven in 1992.
A relative latecomer to Hollywood, Hackman's breathrough came in his thirties, when he was nominated for an Oscar for portraying Buck Barrow in 1967's Bonnie and Clyde - opposite Warren Beatty and Faye Dunaway - and again for I Never Sang for My Father in 1970.
Both films saw him recognised in the supporting actor category. He was also nominated for best leading actor in 1988 for playing the FBI agent in Mississippi Burning.
He played more than 100 roles during his career, including supervillain Lex Luthor in the Christopher Reeve-starring Superman movies in the 1970s and 1980s.
Hackman featured opposite many other Hollywood heavyweights including Al Pacino in 1973's Scarecrow and Gene Wilder in 1974's Young Frankenstein.
His last big-screen appearance came as Monroe Cole in Welcome to Mooseport in 2004, after which he stepped back from Hollywood for a quieter life in New Mexico.
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Gene Hackman's daughters and Clint Eastwood lead tributes to star
February 28, 2025
Gene Hackman's daughters and granddaughter say they are "devastated" and will "miss him sorely", as they led tributes to the movie star who has died aged 95.
Hackman was found dead along with his wife Betsy Arakawa and their dog at his home in New Mexico, US. No cause of death was given, but police said the situation was "suspicious enough" to merit investigation.
In a statement, daughters Elizabeth and Leslie, and granddaughter Annie said: "He was loved and admired by millions around the world for his brilliant acting career, but to us he was always just dad and grandpa."
Morgan Freeman who co-starred with Hackman in the 1992 movie Unforgiven - for which Hackman won an Oscar - described the actor as "incredibly gifted" while the movie's director Clint Eastwood said he was "extremely saddened" by the news.
Ralph Fiennes - nominated for an Oscar this year for Conclave - paid tribute to the late actor with a black and white portrait of a smiling Hackman, simply titled Gene Hackman 1930-2025.
Viola Davis called Hackman "one of the greats" while Tom Hanks posted on Instagram that: "There has never been a 'Gene Hackman Type.' There has only been Gene Hackman."
The Prince of Wales also issued a statement saying he was "so sad to hear the news".
"Hackman was a true genius of film who brought each and every character to life with power, authenticity and star quality," added Prince William, who is also president of Bafta.
Hackman's 1978 Superman co-star Valerie Perrine labelled him "a genius", while the Guardian's film critic said his death "marks the end" of the era of American new wave cinema.
The Godfather director Francis Ford Coppola, who worked with Hackman on the 1974 mystery thriller The Conversation, called Hackman "a great artist".
In a statement posted on Instagram, Coppola said: "Gene Hackman a great actor, inspiring and magnificent in his work and complexity.
"I mourn his loss, and celebrate his existence and contribution."
Hackman, who won two Oscars for his work on The French Connection and Clint Eastwood's Western Unforgiven, played more than 100 roles across his career.
They included supervillain Lex Luthor in the Christopher Reeve-starring Superman movies in the 1970s and 1980s.
Perrine, who acted opposite Hackman as his character's on-screen girlfriend Eve Teschmacher, described the late actor as "a genius" and one of the "greatest to grace the silver screen".
She posted on X: "His performances are legendary. His talent will be missed. Goodbye my sweet Lex Till we meet again."
Hackman appeared alongside Hollywood heavyweights including Al Pacino in 1973's Scarecrow, Gene Wilder in 1974's Young Frankenstein and Warren Beatty and Diane Keaton in 1981's Reds.
He also starred in the hit movies Runaway Jury and Wes Anderson's The Royal Tenenbaums.
The British Academy of Film and Television, said it was "saddened" to hear of Hackman's death, describing him as a "much-celebrated" actor with an "illustrious" career.
Spanish actor Antonio Banderas described it as being "a very sad day for the cinema's family".
Hank Azaria, the actor best known for voicing characters in The Simpsons, said "it was an honour and an education working with Gene Hackman" on 1996's The Birdcage.
"Mike Nichols said of his genius character acting: 'He always brought just enough of a different part of the real gene to each role he played.' Sending all my love to his family and friends.
Star Trek actor George Takei posted: "We have lost one of the true giants of the screen.
"Gene Hackman could play anyone, and you could feel a whole life behind it," he wrote.
"He could be everyone and no-one, a towering presence or an everyday Joe. That's how powerful an actor he was. He will be missed, but his work will live on forever."
Slumdog Millionaire star Anil Kapoor also called Hackman a "genius" performer. "A true legend whose legacy will live on," he wrote.
'End of an era'
As well as his Oscar wins, Hackman also collected two Baftas, four Golden Globes and a Screen Actors Guild Award.
The Guardian's film critic Pete Bradshaw wrote that Hackman's death "marks the end of one of the greatest periods of US cinema: the American new wave."
"Hackman was the gold standard for this era, ever since Warren Beatty gave him his big break with the role of Buck Barrow in Arthur Penn's Bonnie and Clyde (1967)," said Bradshaw.
"He was the character actor who was really a star; in fact the star of every scene he was in – that tough, wised-up, intelligent but unhandsome face perpetually on the verge of coolly unconcerned derision, or creased in a heartbreakingly fatherly, pained smile."
Adding: "He wasn't gorgeous like [Robert] Redford or dangerously sexy like [Jack] Nicholson, or even puckish like [Dustin] Hoffman; Hackman was normal, but his normality was steroidally supercharged."
The critic branded his performance "as the reckless, racist cop", 'Jimmy 'Popeye' Doyle, in William Friedkin's 1971 film The French Connection as "unmissable".
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Trump administration cutting USAID contracts by 90% – AP
27 Feb, 2025
The administration of US President Donald Trump plans to cut more than 90% of US Agency for International Development (USAID) contracts and a total of $60 billion in overall foreign aid worldwide, the AP reported on Thursday. The outlet cited an internal White House memo and filings in one of the federal lawsuits challenging the administration's plan.
Immediately upon assuming office, Trump suspended most US foreign assistance pending a three-month review to determine whether to continue or cease programs depending on their alignment with the new administration’s “America first” goals. USAID, Washington’s primary mechanism for funding political projects abroad, has found tens of billions dollars’ worth of approved grants frozen as a result.
NGOs and nonprofits formerly receiving grants and contracts from the agency have lodged multiple lawsuits against Trump and his administration, demanding the disbursement of already allocated funds.
Late on Wednesday, the US Supreme Court intervened in one of the cases, and temporarily blocked a ruling that demanded that the government release billions of dollars in grants and contracts by midnight, according to AP.
The administration plans to eliminate 90% of USAID contracts to the tune of $54 billion, AP reported, citing the memo and court filings. Nearly half of the State Department’s foreign aid grants also face the axe, to the tune of another $4.4 billion, according to the outlet.
The officials were “clearing significant waste stemming from decades of institutional drift,” the memo reportedly states. A further shakeup in how USAID and the State Department disbursed foreign aid was forthcoming “to use taxpayer dollars wisely to advance American interests,” it reportedly adds.
Trump and his newly appointed government efficiency czar Elon Musk have repeatedly accused USAID of misappropriating taxpayer money and rampant corruption.
The cuts are part of broader measures by the administration, and Musk’s recently formed Department of Government Efficiency, to cut down on ballooning government spending.
On Wednesday, the National Endowment for Democracy (NED) confirmed that it also had its government funding frozen. Officially a US State Department-funded nonprofit for distributing grants to pro-democracy causes abroad, the NED has faced numerous allegations over the years of acting as a CIA cut-out for toppling foreign governments.
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Arab World
Salsola tetrandra shrub reappears in Northern Borders after decades-long absence
February 28, 2025
ARAR: A vital pastoral shrub once widespread in the Hamad area of Saudi Arabia’s Northern Borders region has reappeared after a decades-long absence, the Saudi Press Agency reported recently.
Environment authorities have attributed the near extinction of the plant in the 1990s due to overgrazing.
Recently, the presence of the Salsola tetrandra shrubs had been reported in inaccessible, rocky areas, signaling the plant’s potential for recovery.
The plant is considered a crucial food source for wildlife and livestock. It also plays a critical role in preventing erosion, contributes to the sustainability of natural pastures, and reflects the Kingdom’s rich environmental diversity.
Authorities are intensifying efforts to enhance pasture rehabilitation programs and combat overgrazing, aiming to restore the plant to its previous ecological status.
National environmental protection efforts are expected to facilitate the broader return of the Salsola tetrandra in the coming years, bolstering environmental sustainability, and restoring balance to natural ecosystems in the Northern Borders.
The Kingdom has been at the forefront of a global campaign to restore the planet’s ecological balance, with an ambitious plan to plant 10 billion trees and shrubs.
Since the launch of the Saudi Green Initiative in 2021, the Kingdom has planted 100 million trees and shrubs and rehabilitated 118,000 hectares of degraded land.
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Demand for Najran’s Al-Samraa brown wheat rises for Ramadan
February 28, 2025
NAJRAN: Wheat produced in Saudi Arabia’s southern region of Najran is in high demand because of its wide use during Ramadan, the Saudi Press Agency reported recently.
Among the most popular type is the Al-Samraa brown wheat, known locally as Al-Bur Al-Najrani, a staple ingredient in numerous popular dishes such as Raqsh and Wafd.
“The increased demand for Najrani wheat during Ramadan is attributed to its high quality, nutritional value, and health benefits,” the SPA reported.
This particular variety is rich in vitamins B and E, folic acid, zinc, and fiber.
Al-Samraa is one of 13 products in Saudi Arabia that have been chosen by the Slow Food organization’s Ark of Taste. Slow Food is a US-based organization that catalogs “delicious and distinctive foods facing extinction” or that need to be recognized.
“By identifying and championing these foods, we keep them in production and on our plates,” stated the website of Slow Food, which has added more than 3,500 products from over 150 countries to its International Ark of Taste.
Earlier this month, the regional office of the Ministry of Environment, Water and Agriculture said Najran farmers expect to harvest their wheat crops in March.
Planting began in early October, just before the Kingdom’s winter. Farmers said their crops were cultivated without chemicals and that advancements in agricultural machinery have enhanced efficiency and product quality.
Last year, Al-Samraa was featured in the inaugural Najran Wheat Festival organized by the MEWA and Social Development Bank to showcase the region’s cultural heritage.
“This unhybridized, naturally grown wheat is a heritage we received from our ancestors,” farmer Mohammed Al-Mansour said, according to the SPA.
“We use minimal irrigation to protect it from pests, ensuring its high quality,” Al-Mansour added.
According to the Cooperative Agricultural Association West of Najran, traditional wheat cultivation involves meticulous land preparation and irrigation.
Farmers also rely on animals for land preparation and harvesting. Wheat farming has been made easier today with the introduction of modern planting methods and the use of advanced machinery.
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How Saudi Arabia is using advanced automated systems to tackle traffic congestion
MARCO FERRARI
February 27, 2025
RIYADH: Congestion is a major concern for residents of Saudi Arabia’s cities. Commuters in Riyadh alone lose an average of 52 hours in traffic annually, according to a 2024 estimate.
While projects like the Riyadh Metro, which opened the last of its lines in January, are doing their part to ease the flow of cars, the city’s population is still projected to grow from around 8 million today to 9.6 million in 2030, presenting further challenges.
The Saudi Data and AI Authority, in collaboration with government entities, has developed several systems that generate vast amounts of information on road traffic, ranging from a macro, citywide level to individual streets.
One of these is the Sawaher system, a national platform designed to analyze streams of images and videos using artificial intelligence and computer vision, providing real-time insights. One of its key use cases is in traffic management.
Another is the Smart C platform, which leverages data and artificial intelligence technologies to monitor, analyze, and predict operational indicators, supporting decision-making in smart city management.
“Riyadh is becoming a very busy city, so we need to be innovative, we need to act fast,” Mohammed Al-Buqami, general manager of product development at SDAIA’s Estishraf, told Arab News.
The system developed by SDAIA analyzes data in detail, identifying accident hotspots and comparing seasonal fluctuations.
Areas with a high number of fatal accidents are assessed for whether or not signage or road infrastructure can be improved to cut down on collisions.
“Ramadan specifically will have different spots than any other month in the year,” Al-Buqami said, as working hours and commuting patterns shift during the holy month.
When a recent event in Riyadh attracted a huge number of visitors, it caused a ripple effect of congestion. That is why SDAIA, in collaboration with government entities, decided to develop a new tool “to ensure that traffic at the gate does not cause congestion in the surrounding area or impact major roads,” Al-Buqami said.
Looking to the future and problems that may arise from a rising population, SDAIA is working to introduce new technologies, and recently carried out a bootcamp for budding AI experts who came up with the idea for a robot that detects cracks, potholes, and puddles on the city’s roads, as well as an automated accident response system.
While SDAIA is on the cutting edge of data analytics and automated traffic management, the Kingdom has been implementing advanced technology solutions for road safety for more than a decade.
Saher, the automated penalty system, was developed in 2009 and launched the following year by the Ministry of Interior, using a network of cameras and radars.
When cameras detect a violation such as speeding, not wearing a seatbelt, texting while driving, or other such offenses, the system retrieves the vehicle owner’s details from the database and automatically issues a fine sent to the driver via SMS.
“The Saher system illustrates how AI and automation can revolutionize traffic enforcement and improve road safety,” Hasan Al-Ahmadi, associate professor at the Department of Civil Engineering at King Fahd University of Petroleum and Minerals, told Arab News.
Saher operates continuously, ensuring consistent enforcement of traffic laws without relying on human oversight.
It can identify and track road users moving through cities, automatically recognizing number plates and allowing law enforcement officers to pinpoint stolen or wanted vehicles.
Saher cameras are placed at regular intervals and their watchful eye can detect infractions as minor as changing lanes excessively or not leaving enough room between vehicles.
The system uses machine learning to study driver behaviors over time, identifying trends such as habitual speeding or repeated violations. Insights from this analysis are used for educational campaigns or stricter penalties for repeat offenders, said Al-Ahmadi, who has published a number of research papers on automation and road safety in Saudi Arabia.
The professor noted that a number of studies have shown decreases of up to 30 percent in speeding violations and red-light infractions since Saher was introduced.
In Dammam, accident rates dropped by approximately 20 percent, while congestion was reduced by around 20 percent in Dammam and Jeddah.
Meanwhile, studies also show that emergency response times improved by between 20-30 percent, Al-Ahmadi said.
In 2016, road accidents were the leading cause of death in Saudi Arabia. A total of 21 people were killed in crashes every day — almost one every hour.
These findings spurred the government into action. By 2023, fatal accidents had fallen by 54 percent.
Data and analytics were a key part of this success, with the number of road cameras increasing by 320 percent from 2016 to 2021, according to a World Health Organization report. Analyzing data from the country’s death registry also played a part.
Al-Ahmadi sees a future where even more advanced technology can play a part in making Saudi Arabia’s roads safer.
Drone technology could be used for real-time traffic monitoring in areas with limited camera coverage, he said. Integrating intersection management systems with self-driving vehicles could be another advanced solution.
Al-Ahmadi also suggested that monitoring technology could be upgraded to analyze drivers’ facial expressions, blink rates, and head movements to detect fatigue or distraction.
As Saudi Arabia moves towards a more sustainable society, automated systems could also monitor vehicle emissions and impose penalties in high-pollution zones, Al-Ahmadi added.
While the Kingdom’s cities continue to grow at a rapid rate, the problem of congestion and road safety is not going anywhere.
However, with a combination of automated technology and continuous monitoring, as well as the introduction of new infrastructure projects, officials have found early success in reducing fatalities and look poised to keep the issue at bay.
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Saudi Border Guards thwart major drug smuggling operations in Asir
February 27, 2025
ABHA: Border Guard land patrols in Asir’s Al-Raboua sector thwarted the smuggling of 300 kg of qat. Initial legal procedures were completed, and the seized items were handed to the relevant authorities.
In a separate incident, land patrols operating in the Dhahran Al-Janoub sector apprehended a Saudi national attempting to smuggle 40 kg of hashish. The suspect was processed according to protocol and, along with the seized narcotics, handed to the relevant authorities.
Security officials continue to encourage public vigilance, urging citizens and residents to report any information related to drug trafficking or distribution. Reports can be made by dialing 911 in Makkah, Riyadh and the Eastern Province, 999 in all other regions, or directly to the General Directorate of Narcotics Control at 995. Information can also be submitted electronically via email.
Source:arabnews.com
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KSrelief runs volunteer medical project in Port Sudan
February 27, 2025
PORT SUDAN: The Saudi aid agency KSrelief carried out a volunteer medical project for general surgery in Port Sudan, Sudan.
The project involved 13 volunteers from various medical specialties.
During the campaign, the agency’s medical team successfully performed 11 operations.
The project was part of ongoing volunteer medical projects initiated by the Kingdom to assist needy and affected countries across the world.
Meanwhile, the agency was responsible for a volunteer medical project focused on cosmetic surgery for burn and disfigurement victims in the Mukalla City District in Hadhramaut governorate in Yemen.
During the project, which involved 11 volunteers from a range of medical specialties, the medical team examined 52 patients, and successfully performed 62 specialized operations.
Source:arabnews.com
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Royal Commission for Riyadh City launches Accessibility Program for People with Disabilities
February 27, 2025
RIYADH: The Royal Commission for Riyadh City has launched an Accessibility Program for People with Disabilities, which aims to provide an urban environment to allow people with disabilities — residents and visitors to the city — the ability to access, move around and practice various activities easily.
Ibrahim bin Muhammad Al-Sultan, the CEO of the RCRC, thanked King Salman and Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, who is also chairman of the board of directors at RCRC, and added: “The program is an extension of the support and interest of the wise leadership in caring for and empowering people with disabilities, and their integration as active members in society.”
He stressed that the program would contribute to improving the quality of life for residents and visitors, and that Riyadh would aim to become one of the leading cities in the field of universal access for people with disabilities.
He added that universal access was a basic human right, as Article 27 of the Basic Law of Governance said: “The state guarantees the rights of citizens and their families, including cases of illness, disability and old age.” Article 26 says: “The state protects human rights in accordance with Islamic law,” which prevents discrimination on any basis, including disability.
The program includes implementation of an access code in both Arabic and English, and contains the necessary tools to meet the requirements of all types of disabilities, with the aim of ensuring that the needs of people with disabilities are met in existing and future projects.
The code is scheduled to be applied gradually to buildings in the public and private sectors, starting from the first quarter of 2025.
The issuance of building completion permits and professional licenses issued by the Riyadh Municipality will be linked to the implementation of the comprehensive access code.
The move forms part of the efforts of the RCRC to improve the quality of life in the city and facilitate the daily lives of people with disabilities, in line with Saudi Vision 2030, promoting Riyadh as one of the world’s leading cities in terms of universal access.
The launch of the program also comes within the Kingdom’s efforts to support groups of people with disabilities, which included the establishment of the Authority for the Care of Persons with Disabilities.
Source:arabnews.com
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Riyadh governor receives newly appointed Japanese ambassador to Saudi Arabia
February 27, 2025
RIYADH: Riyadh Gov. Prince Faisal bin Bandar received at his office on Thursday Yasunari Morino, the ambassador extraordinary and plenipotentiary of Japan to the Kingdom, on the occasion of his appointment as ambassador.
Prince Faisal welcomed his guest and wished him success in his new role as ambassador to the Kingdom.
Source:arabnews.com
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Businesses gearing up for the Ramadan rush
AFSHAN AZIZ
February 27, 2025
JEDDAH: Businesses across the Kingdom — from food and beverage to e-commerce and hospitality — are preparing for one of the most anticipated and profitable times of the year with new product lines and marketing campaigns.
Nausherwan Hafeez, Saudi Arabia operations country manager at Amazon, told Arab News that staples including rice and oil are in high demand during Ramadan.
The company has introduced a product line named Ramadan Boxes, which includes essential items used for iftar, or breaking the fast.
Customers can choose to buy or donate these boxes, and Amazon will deliver them to local food banks, Hafeez said.
Meanwhile, businesses in the retail sector are also experiencing rising demand.
Mohammed Majid, sales manager of the Economy Saving Center, said that the Jeddah-based store has already seen a 70 percent increase in sales in the lead-up to Ramadan.
The retailer has also introduced a variety of Ramadan-themed products, from lighting and wall hangings to tissue boxes, plates, and cups, and is stocking products from local brands.
On the internet, Saleha Ameen, founder of an online store selling handmade prayer mats, beads, Qur’an stands, and scarves, said: “We have noticed a 40 percent increase in online shopping over the past two weeks leading up to Ramadan.
“There has been a notable rise in orders for customized prayer mats, with customers seeking personalized designs and symbolic letters in the beads.”
Local food brands including Soma are experiencing a significant rise in orders, particularly for grape leaves, fatteh and musakhan, which are commonly enjoyed during iftar.
Noura Abdullah, founder of Soma, said: “Ramadan is the busiest month for us, and we see a rise in sales of grape-leaf dishes that are popular during iftar.”
“To manage production and meet this increased demand, we rely on innovative technology and data analytics to optimize our operations, predict peak periods, and ensure that we can handle high volumes while maintaining product quality.”
Goody Kitchen, a digital platform owned by Goody, a prominent Saudi Arabia food brand, has also adapted its strategies to connect with consumers during Ramadan.
Noha Baik, brand experience manager at Goody Kitchen, said the company has published a Ramadan magazine listing recipes and “stories that highlight food, family, and tradition.”
Big hotels are also preparing to meet the increased demand.
Vipin Khattar, general manager of The Ritz-Carlton Jeddah, said: “This year we have focused on enhancing our iftar offerings, offering a selection of Saudi traditional dishes and creating an atmosphere that reflects the values of Ramadan.”
“We are using data analytics to tailor our offerings and ensure we meet guest preferences,” Khattar added. He said the hotel uses “AI-driven guest service tools” and allows mobile check-ins and in-app restaurant orders.
Monther Abou Alssil, general manager at Movenpick Hotel Tahlia Jeddah, said the hotel is offering an iftar menu with an Italian twist, and hosting a charity event.
“We are offering a culinary experience inspired by the heritage of Puglia, Italy, with Iftar menus created by an Italian chef from Puglia. The menu features traditional dishes like handmade orecchiette pasta, focaccia Barese, and fresh seafood,” he said.
“We will be hosting a charity event to invite individuals with special needs to break their fast with us, reflecting the values of generosity and community this Ramadan.”
He added that the hotel is focusing on “creating lasting connections.”
Source:arabnews.com
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Saudi Center for Commercial Arbitration announces new board, advisory committee to enhance regional role
February 27, 2025
RIYADH: The Saudi Center for Commercial Arbitration announced on Thursday that a royal order had been issued to reconstitute its board of directors for its fourth session, incorporating a diverse group of international and Saudi experts in arbitration, law, and business, the Saudi Press Agency reported.
The newly appointed board will serve until February 2028, with the aim of enhancing the center’s role as a leading arbitration institution in the Middle East and North Africa region, the SPA added.
The restructured board, which operates independently and without government affiliation, is responsible for overseeing the center’s strategy, policies, and procedural rules, while ensuring neutrality in arbitration case management.
Walid bin Suleiman Abanmi has been appointed chairman, with British barrister Toby Landau as vice chairman.
Other board members include Prof. George Afaki (France), Abi Smutny Cohen (US), Muhammad Abdul Raouf Muhammad (Egypt), Saud bin Abdullah Al-Ammari (Saudi Arabia), Abdulaziz bin Muhammad Al-Subaie (Saudi Arabia), Abdullah bin Muhammad Al-Ajlan (Saudi Arabia), Musab bin Suleiman bin Abdul Qader Al-Muhaidib (Saudi Arabia), and Jinju Tao (France/China).
In addition to the board’s reconstitution, the center has expanded its Rules Advisory Committee, renaming it the International Advisory Committee.
This newly formed body consists of 16 arbitration professionals, including independent international arbitrators, legal advisers with experience in leading arbitration institutions, corporate lawyers, and academic experts.
The committee’s primary role is to provide technical guidance, monitor global trends, and support the continuous development of the center’s procedural framework.
Abanmi thanked the Saudi leadership for their ongoing support, saying: “This formation supports and enables the center in achieving its ambitious new vision: to be the preferred choice for alternative dispute resolution in the MENA region and one of the leading arbitration centers in the world by 2030.”
He emphasized the center’s commitment to operational independence, ensuring impartiality in arbitration proceedings.
Hamed bin Hassan Mira, SCCA’s CEO, highlighted the strategic importance of the board’s new composition.
He said: “The inclusion of high-level international competencies will significantly contribute to the center’s growth on both local and global fronts.
“The International Advisory Committee will not only ensure alignment with best global practices but also serve as a driving force in refining procedural rules and enhancing service offerings.”
Source:arabnews.com
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Saudi doctors operate on conjoined twins from Burkina Faso
TAMARA ABOALSAUD
February 27, 2025
RIYADH: The Saudi Program for Separating Conjoined Twins began its 62nd operation this morning at the King Abdullah Specialist Children’s Hospital in Riyadh.
The twins, Awa (Hawa) and Kadidiata (Khadija) Dianda, first came to Riyadh on July 1 last year. They underwent diagnostic tests and screenings that revealed joining in the lower chest and abdomen, a shared pericardium (covering of the heart), liver and bowel.
A medical team of 26 specialists led by Dr. Abdullah Al-Rabeeah, adviser to the royal court and general supervisor of Saudi aid agency KSrelief, began the operation in accordance with directives from the Saudi leadership.
The Saudi Program for Separating Conjoined Twins has been active for more than 34 years and has evaluated 146 cases of conjoined twins from 27 countries.
Speaking to Arab News, Al-Rabeeah said that in the case of the Diandas, extensive joining in the abdomen and chest convinced plastic surgeons to place tissue expanders (balloons under the skin) to expand the skin for three-and-a-half months before the operation.
The operation will be completed over five phases.
“I am optimistic that, God willing, we will be happy to achieve the successful separation with a success rate exceeding 80 percent and we will also mark the continuation of this ambitious and global program,” Al-Rabeeah said.
The case was brought to the Kingdom’s attention after the Dianda family contacted the Saudi Embassy in Burkina Faso.
“Every year we celebrate Nov. 24 as conjoined twin international day and this is because of what Saudi Arabia has done to care for those twins,” Al-Rabeeah said.
Each case of conjoined twins is different from the last; whichever organs or connected tissue are involved determines the difficulty of each case.
Al-Rabeeah classified the cases, generally, as either joined in the head (craniopagus), the chest (thoracopagus), abdomen (omphalopagus), pelvis (ischiopagus), or joined in the back (pygopagus).
Dr. Nezar Al-Zughaibi, one of the doctors on the Dianda medical team who has about 50 separation operations under his belt, spoke to Arab News about what goes through his mind before a procedure of this magnitude.
“It’s mixed feelings, between excitement, between anxiety. But the more you do of these cases, the more comfortable you feel,” he said.
“I’m working with a great team; Dr. Rabeeah is like our godfather. He just takes care of everybody on the team. We support each other.”
Once the children are separated, the hospital erupts into a cheerful and joyous atmosphere, especially after seeing the happy tears on the parents’ faces, Al-Zughaibi said.
Twins are cared for by the program before and after the operation, as Al-Rabeeah said that follow-up care can be just as, or more important, than the operation itself.
“The first set (of twins) that we have done, we are still following them … twins who have now exceeded 35 years of age,” he said.
“It is a lifelong follow-up.”
Al-Zughaibi said that sometimes — especially for those that stay longer — patients form long-term friendships and even familial bonds with the medical staff.
Physical and psychological rehabilitation are both required, including counseling for the families.
And in some cases, prosthetic fittings with the proper physical care and cosmetic surgeries could be needed.
Amid the wait for the results of the latest operation, Al-Zughaibi and the staff are hopeful of a positive result.
“I always say each case has its own identity and its own risks and surprises. But for now, this is going smoothly and we’ll keep our fingers crossed it will continue as is,” he said.
Source:arabnews.com
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10 Arabian sand gazelles released in Thadiq National Park
February 27, 2025
RIYADH: The National Center for Wildlife — in partnership with the National Center for Vegetation Cover Development and Combating Desertification — has released 10 endangered Arabian sand gazelles into Thadiq National Park as part of its ongoing commitment to environmental sustainability.
The initiative is part of a comprehensive national strategy to reintroduce endangered native species to help restore ecological balance in natural habitats.
This initiative aims to enhance biodiversity within the park, boost its tourist appeal, and support the center’s environmental sustainability efforts.
National parks serve as vital ecological corridors, linking protected areas and enabling wildlife to move freely within their natural habitats.
Mohammed Qurban, the CEO of the National Center for Wildlife, said that reintroducing species was a key step toward strengthening environmental sustainability, maintaining ecosystem resilience, and enriching biodiversity.
Source:arabnews.com
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Pakistan
Sajid Hasan terms son's drug trafficking case 'fabricated, harassment'
February 27, 2025
Veteran actor Sajid Hasan said on Thursday that his son, Sahir Hasan, was unlawfully arrested by the police in a "fake case" without a warrant despite not finding any evidence against him.
He claimed the police were dragging Sahir in a fake case due to pressure because of the alleged use of drugs by Armaghan, the prime suspect in the Mustafa Amir kidnap and murder case.
"I strongly condemn the unlawful arrest," said the actor via a public statement, breaking his silence over his son's arrest in the drugs case.
The actor claimed that his son was taken into police custody without a warrant, solely based on a statement made by an accused in the Mustafa murder case.
Sajid's statement came after Sahir was sent to jail on judicial remand by a judicial magistrate two days ago, following the investigation officer's plea to complete the investigation.
An interrogation report stated that Sahir was allegedly a drug addict for 13 years and started selling expensive and imported drugs two years ago. It added that he received money via the bank account of his father's manager.
The report further claimed that two more suspects, Bazil and Yahya, used to send drugs to Sahir via courier.
"When no evidence was found against him, the police, instead of releasing him, fabricated an FIR to justify this blatant violation of his rights," Sajid said.
"No drugs or contraband were recovered from Sahir. The police further violated legal procedures by unlawfully raiding our home without a warrant. As per the law, they were required to record the raid, arrest, seizure, and any alleged recovery on video, yet they failed to do so," said Sajid.
He also termed the police's claim "entirely false" regarding the recovery of "557 grams of marijuana".
Slamming the accusations, Sajid said: "This is nothing more than a deliberate attempt to frame my son, harass our family, and divert public and media attention from the real issue—the murder case against Armaghan for Mustafa Amir’s killing."
He pinned hope on the judiciary to see through "this baseless case, uphold justice, and acquit my son of these false charges".
The actor, who gained fame from the drama Dhoop Kinare, also expressed his deep disappointment with the "misreporting by certain sections of the media, which is unfair and irresponsible".
"False narratives and speculative reporting only serve to defame my son, my family, and me. I call upon the media to uphold journalistic integrity, report the facts accurately, and refrain from spreading misinformation that damages innocent lives."
The Dasht-e-Tanhai actor demanded an "immediate, transparent, and impartial investigation into this grave miscarriage of justice".
He asserted that his son must not be made a scapegoat in an effort to shield the real culprits and called upon the authorities to ensure that justice prevails.
Some reports claimed that Armaghan's statement before the investigators for purchasing drugs from Sahir led to the latter's arrest.
The whole saga unfolded after Armaghan opened fire at a team of the Anti-Violent Crime Cell (AVCC) — a specialised unit of the Karachi police responsible for tackling cases related to murder and extortion — during a raid at his residence in Karachi's DHA earlier this month. The unit was investigating the disappearance of Mustafa, a BBA student who had gone missing on January 6.
Mustafa's body was found by police in a car near the Hub checkpost on January 12 and buried by the Edhi Foundation on January 16. The body was later exhumed and subsequently buried after an initial DNA profiling report confirmed that the mortal remains belonged to Mustafa.
Source:thenews.com.pk
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Karachi police equip 50 mobiles with ANPR cameras
By Raheel Salman
February 28, 2025
KARACHI: The Karachi police are set to enhance surveillance under the Community Policing Karachi (CPK) project by equipping mobile units with Automatic Number Plate Recognition (ANPR) cameras, allowing for real-time vehicle identification and tracking.
According to CPK Chief Murad Soni, these cameras are already operational in several locations, including Defence, New Sabzi Mandi, Azizabad, and Soldier Bazaar, along with 16 police stations across the city.
Building on this initiative, police officials plan to install ANPR cameras in 50 police mobiles this week, ahead of Ramadan.
Soni said that the system will provide real-time alerts on whether a vehicle is stolen and will be integrated with the Talash app for advanced verification. He further explained that the Talash app will allow officers to conduct fingerprint scans to verify if a suspect has a criminal record or is a wanted fugitive anywhere in Pakistan.
The new system is designed to deliver swift identification, determining within 30 seconds whether a vehicle is stolen. Once an ANPR camera captures a number plate it shows the phone number of the person the vehicle is registered to, and it cross-references the information with existing law enforcement databases.
If a stolen vehicle is detected, the system immediately alerts officers with an audible beep. Additionally, data from the ANPR system has been merged with the Anti-Vehicle Lifting Cell (AVLC) records to ensure real-time reporting and efficient crime tracking.
The introduction of ANPR cameras in police mobiles is expected to significantly curb vehicle theft and snatching incidents in Karachi.
Source:thenews.com.pk
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JUI-F to play ‘more active role’ in toppling govt after April 20: Murtaza
By Web Desk
February 27, 2025
Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam-Fazl (JUI-F) on Thursday announced it would “play more active role” against the PML-N-led collation government in Centre after April 20.
Speaking on Geo News show 'Aaj Shahzeb Khanzada Kay Sath', JUI-F Senator Kamran Murtaza: “The [JUI-F] will play more active role against the government. We do not want to sit with the government.”
"It will never happen. If anyone thinks JUI-F will side with the government, they are mistaken," the JUI-F leader categorically said.
Responding to a question about differences between the JUI-F and the PTI, Murtaza said that his party certainly had a “bitter” experience, adding that the differences were yet to be resolved.
“We have converted the bitter past into a working relationship,” he added.
He, however, said that both parties were on the same page over some issues, including "massive rigging" in the February 8, 2024 general elections and "violation" of the Constitution by the incumbent government.
Responding to a question, the senator said that the JUI-F was not part of the Tehreek-e-Tahaffuz-e-Ayeen-e-Pakistan (TTAP), adding that they attended the two-day conference as an observer.
When asked if the JUI-F would join the PTI’s protest call after Eid-ul-Fitr, the senator said that it would be premature to say whether his party would be part of the protest or not.
Opposition alliance calls for national dialogue
Earlier in the day, the TTAP, a multi-party opposition alliance, stressed the need for a national dialogue to steer the country out of the economic and political crises amid "worsening" situation.
In their joint declaration issued after the conclusion of the two-day grand moot in the federal capital, the opposition parties stated: “The country’s deteriorating situation demands a joint strategy to stabilise Pakistan through national dialogue.”
The opposition's two-day conference held with TTAP chief Mahmood Khan Achakzai in the chair at a local hotel in Islamabad.
The solution to the country’s problems lies in rule of law and supremacy of the Constitution, it added.
The moot held the "rigged" February 8, 2024 general elections responsible for the ongoing economic, political and social crises facing the country.
“Current parliament has no moral, political and legal standing,” read the statement.
The opposition’s moot demanded to abolish all amendments that contradict the spirit of the Constitution. The conference called the “rampant violation of constitutional and human rights” a complete negation of the rule of law in the country.
Referring to the crackdown on the opposition parties, the moot asserted that the violation of “human rights” was proof of the "fascism" of the incumbent government.
“The country’s Constitution does not allow any Pakistani citizen to be harassed or arrested for any political activity,” the declaration added.
The opposition parties demanded the incumbent government release all the political prisoners in the country. It also urged the federal government to revoke recent amendments to the Peca (Amendment) Act, 2025.
It further said that the water resources should be distributed among provinces in accordance with the 1991 water agreement.
Fresh and transparent elections was the sole solution to the country’s current crisis, read the joint declaration.
Addressing the conference, SIC chief Sahibzada Hamid Raza condemned the attempts to obstruct the event, saying that efforts were made to prevent the gathering from taking place.
He criticised the restrictions on political discourse, remarking that even a small group of individuals can no longer hold discussions in the capital.
Raza highlighted that the attendees included members of the National Assembly and Senate. Expressing his concern over the state of democracy, he said that it was at least reassuring that voices advocating for constitutional supremacy were still being raised.
‘Attention seeking’
For his part, PML-N Senator Talal Chaudhry termed the opposition alliance’s allegations against the government an attempt to seek media attention.
Talal, who was sworn in as state minister earlier today, said the “divided” opposition which had no chance of uniting resorted to such tactics in a bid to prove that their anti-government moot was successful.
He was referring to the opposition’s claims that the government was pressuring a hotel administration to deny it a permission to hold conference.
The minister claimed that the hotel administration revoked the permission for the conference as the opposition failed to provide required documents.
Maintaining that the government was not scared of any opposition alliance, Talal said the PTI’s attitude was not political.
Recalling the actions of the Imran Khan-founded party following its ouster from power in April 2023, he questioned why did PTI achieve by dissolving its provincial governments in Punjab and KP and stepping down en masse assemblies.
Source:thenews.com.pk
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Poet’s detention during Zia regime echoes in SC military trials case
Nasir Iqbal
February 28, 2025
• Justice Hilali asks which of Ahmad Faraz’s poems landed him in jail
• Accused cannot be handed over to military unless charge read out, CB told
• Counsel terms reasons given by ATC for transfer of accused ‘ridiculous’
ISLAMABAD: The military detention of celebrated poet Ahmad Faraz during Gen Ziaul Haq’s martial law was referenced on Thursday before the Constitutional Bench (CB) hearing appeals against the military trials of civilians, when Justice Naeem Akhtar Afghan noted that in the era of social media, the defence adopted by the poet would not have held water.
“Ahmad Faraz had adopted the plea before the Lahore High Court (LHC) upon arrest that he had no other resource to communicate his poetry, but the same plea would not have been available if taken in the age of social media,” observed Justice Afghan, in a lighter vein.
Headed by Justice Aminuddin Khan, the seven-judge bench had taken up a set of intra-court appeals against the Oct 23, 2023, five-judge order of nullifying the trial of civilians by military courts involved in the May 9 violence.
Justice Afghan observed that during the proceedings before the high court the poet had contested that the poem was written by him, but Justice Muhammad Afzal Zullah, who was heading the LHC bench, had observed that he had written a poem that expressed the feelings of a soldier.
The observation came when Faisal Siddiqi, who was representing civil society, cited the 1977 LHC case to substantiate his contention that an accused becomes subject to the Pakistan Army Act (PAA) 1952 only when the charge is read out before handing him over to military authorities.
The poet was charged with reciting a poem to an army officer, and later handing over a typed copy with the alleged intention to seduce the officer into rebellion. The LHC, however, had ruled that Faraz was not subject to the PAA and ordered his release forthwith.
“Which poem landed Ahmad Faraz in jail, since all his poems have been learnt by heart,” wondered Justice Musarrat Hilali, recalling how she used to make a lot of fuss as a lawyer in the Bar whenever she lost a case.
“I used to say that judges are like truck drivers, they signal to one direction but turn the opposite way,” Justice Hilali observed, suggesting the counsel pick up what she was saying.
When Justice Syed Hasan Azhar Rizvi wondered, in jest, whether Justice Hilali also drove a truck, she replied in the affirmative, adding that her father was a freedom fighter who had spent a major chunk of his life in prison.
The poetry her father used to write was read by someone at a Pashtun jirga after his death and the one who recited the poem was arrested.
The counsel then cited the application of commanding officers seeking transfer of the custody of the accused. The applications began with words that initial investigation constitutes an offence under the Official Secrets Act, 1923.
These words are an admission that the investigation had not yet been completed, the counsel contended, adding that the reasons given by the anti-terrorism court (ATC) for the transfer of the accused were ridiculous.
He emphasised that by ordering the transfer the ATC’s administrative judge had declared the accused guilty, adding that when the investigation had not yet been completed the administrative judge had no such authority.
Under Section 59(1) of PAA, the custody of only military officers can be sought from the civil court if they were involved in murder and any other crimes, contended Mr Siddiqi.
He said the detention of the accused was possible only when he becomes subject to PAA. Thus, he added, unless formal charges were framed the accused cannot be court-martialled.
The CB will now resume hearing the case on Monday.
Source:dawn.com
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PTI reduces salaries of staff by 50pc amid ‘financial crunch’
Ikram Junaidi
February 28, 2025
ISLAMABAD: After delaying their salaries for so many months, the Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf (PTI) has informed its staff that they will have to face a 50 percent cut in their salaries due to a purported financial crunch.
The staffers, who faced raids and spent months in jail, said that they should be paid 100 per cent of their salaries as they also have to run their households. They alleged that parliamentarians belonging to the PTI increased their salaries, but they were not showing interest to clear the dues of their employees.
PTI Central Information Secretary Sheikh Waqas Akam said that he cared a lot about the party employees and wrote a note opposing the suggestion that the salaries be slashed by 50pc. A staffer, wishing not to be quoted, said that there were 25 to 28 paid staffers of the PTI who get from Rs35,000 to Rs200,000 salaries. He said they were hired for accounts, offices, and the media wing of the former ruling party.
“The overall expenditure of secretariats in Islamabad and Lahore and salaries of paid staff is around Rs4 million per month. However, after the raid in July last year at the PTI secretariat, a number of staffers were arrested. It was unfortunate that our salaries were stopped while we were in jail. Later, when we were released and started working, our salaries could not be released for many months,” he said.
He said that last year Raoof Hasan arranged some money and cleared some of the dues of employees, but later on, our salaries were delayed again.
“In October 2024, we were informed by the high-ups that the party does not have funds to pay bills of the chairman’s office in Banigala, so the amount of bills will be deducted from the salaries of staff to avoid disconnection of utility services,” he said.
“While the salary of almost five months is pending, we have been informed that the salaries will be slashed by 50pc from November. It is unfortunate that parliamentarians, belonging to the PTI, have increased their salaries, but they are least bothered regarding staff and their families,” he said.
Another staffer said that if the party did not have the courage to stand against the powers that be, it should not have taken such an aggressive stance. “Now we are suffering because of the aggressive policy of the party,” he added.
“It is also unfair to deduct 50pc salary of those who are getting Rs200,000 and those who are getting just Rs35,000. Founding chairman Imran Khan, last year, directed provincial and federal legislators to contribute Rs 240,000 each, but even that amount could not be collected,” he claimed.
It is worth mentioning that PTI is considered to be the richest party in terms of getting donations, as it gets donations from within the country and also from abroad. However, the party’s former leader, Sher Afzal Marwat, has many times alleged that there was corruption in party funds, which were generated through donations, and tens of millions of rupees were being paid to ‘favourite’ lawyers in terms of fees.
A senior leader of the party, wishing not to be quoted, said that it was a fact that the party was facing a financial crunch.
“Since May 9 [2023] as many as 10 departments, including the Federal Investigation Agency (FIA), the National Accountability Bureau (NAB) and others, have been taking action against us. They have seized a number of bank accounts and blocked the ways to generate funds. They start investigations into those who give us donations. Because of it, other donors also hesitate to transfer money to avoid a crackdown against them,” he said.
Party’s Central Information Secretary Sheikh Waqas Akram, while talking to Dawn, said that he was aware of the financial crunch being faced by the PTI.
“Founding Chairman Imran Khan had directed all the ticket holders of provincial and national assemblies, whether they won or lost, to deposit Rs240,000 at once [for a year] or in two installments, i.e., Rs120,000 after every six months,” he said.
He said that, despite that, there were financial issues, but he strongly opposed the summary when it was suggested to reduce the salaries by 50pc. He also agreed that it was unfair to slash salary from the back date. “I hope that situation will improve in the coming days and staffers will be paid. The party really cares about their families,” Sheikh Waqas assured.
Source:dawn.com
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Maleeha calls for integrating soft power into diplomacy
February 28, 2025
ISLAMABAD: Pakistan must integrate soft power into its foreign policy and diplomacy to strengthen its international standing, former envoy Dr Maleeha Lodhi said.
Speaking to members of the Asia Study Group in Islamabad in a conversation with historian Dr Dushka Saiyed, Dr Lodhi defined soft power as the ability to persuade and att-ract, distinguishing it from hard power, which relies on military and economic strength. A nation’s soft power, she noted, derives from its culture, values, and foreign policy conduct.
“Many countries, including the global powers, effectively use soft power to enhance their clout and international influence,” she said. “In today’s multipolar world, where power is dispersed, the role of soft power has become even more critical.”
She identified four key factors amplifying the importance of soft power: the shift towards a multipolar world, an increasingly competitive global environment, the rising significance of foreign public opinion in shaping a country’s image, and the opportunities provided by the digital age to project positive attributes internationally.
Branding is a crucial tool in modern diplomacy, Dr Lodhi said, noting that countries use art, music, and literature to cultivate a favourable international image. Drawing from her experience in both bilateral and multilateral roles, she explained how public diplomacy efforts could reshape narratives and facilitate diplomatic achievements.
The former envoy cited examples from her tenure at the United Nations, where she leveraged cultural diplomacy to mobilise electoral support for Pakistan in UN elections.
She recalled organising concerts at the UN featuring Rahat Fateh Ali Khan and the Sachal Jazz Ensemble, as well as hosting a Pakistan street food festival and an Eid celebration. Two film festivals she spearheaded in New York, with backing from the Pakistani community, also helped promote a positive image of the country.
“Soft power is about winning hearts and minds,” Dr Lodhi said. “In an era where perception shapes policy outcomes, Pakistan must prioritise public diplomacy to advance its foreign policy objectives.”
Source:dawn.com
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Opposition sees fair polls as panacea for all ills
Ikram Junaidi
February 28, 2025
ISLAMABAD: A two-day opposition conference ended on Thursday with a declaration that the crises engulfing the country could only be addressed through free and fair elections, and ensuring the supremacy of the Constitution and rule of law.
The moot kicked off in the capital on Wednesday at the Legend Hotel, where opposition parties gathered to discuss issues related to constitutional breaches, human rights violations, freedom of speech, and political instability in the country.
On the same day, the opposition had alleged that the government wanted to suppress their moot by pressuring the hotel to revoke their registration.
However, the conference was held on the second day as well at the same venue, and Tehreek Tahaffuz-i-Ayeen Pakistan (TTAP) leaders were of the view that the obstacles created by the government only helped amplify their gathering at national and international levels.
“We are thankful to the government because, if it did not create hurdles, we might not get so much attention at the national and international level. Throughout the day I got calls from international media houses as they were concerned about how a government can deprive people of the right to assembly even behind closed doors,” PTI Central Information Secretary Sheikh Waqqas Akram claimed while talking to Dawn.
According to the PTI spokesperson, the JUI-F led by Maulana Fazlur Rehman was not part of the alliance, but Maulana Abdul Ghafoor Haideri attended the conference. He said the JUI-F believed in ‘solo flight.’ Mr Akram hoped that the conference would pave the way for a movement against the federal government after Ramazan.
PTI leader Asad Qaiser termed the conference an attempt to restore democracy. “It was a lawful activity, but the management of the hotel was threatened that not only a fine of Rs10 million would be imposed but the hotel would also be sealed. They [hotel administration] were worried, rather frightened, but we held the conference (anyway),” he said.
Those who attended the conference on Thursday included former prime minister Shahid Khaqan Abbasi, Omar Ayub, Salman Akram Raja, and others.
A heavy contingent of Frontier Constabulary and police was deputed outside the hotel. Mr Ayub said that he was surprised by the intelligence of those who suggested to Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi to stop the conference.
Declaration
According to the declaration issued after the conference, the political parties unanimously agreed that the solution to the country’s problems lies only in the supremacy of the Constitution and the rule of law. They also agreed that elections held on February 8 last year were apparently responsible for the country’s current political, economic, and social crisis. They believed that parliament had lost its moral and political value.
The participants demanded that the amendments that were alleged to be in conflict with the Constitution must be declared null and void. It may be noted that the recently passed 26th Amendment, which alters the procedure for the appointment of judges to superior courts, has been opposed by the opposition parties, which believe that the amendment was a threat to the independence of the judiciary.
The opposition leaders also suggested that the government stop violating the constitution and human rights, as it was nothing but evidence of fascism. According to them, the Constitution does not allow citizens to be harassed, arrested, or imprisoned for participating in political activities and demanded the release of political prisoners without any delay.
They also asked the government to repeal the recently passed PECA amendments, terming them against media freedom. They also stressed that the government give attention to the grievances of people of Balochistan, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Punjab, and Sindh. They also suggested that the water should be distributed as per the 1991 Water Accord because otherwise the situation of law and order could not be addressed. It may be noted that the issue of the development of a new canal command had caused a stir in Sindh when approval was granted for six new canals from the Indus last year, leading to widespread protests.
According to the opposition leaders, the issues of the country could only be solved through a free and fair election. They vowed to continue their struggle to implement the declaration and address the issues of Pakistan.
Source:dawn.com
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Elahi gets exemption from court appearance
Wajih Ahmad Sheikh
February 28, 2025
LAHORE: An accountability court on Thursday allowed a permanent exemption to former Punjab chief minister Pervez Elahi from appearance in a reference against him regarding kickbacks in development projects.
Duty Judge Qaiser Nazir Butt announced the decision on Mr Elahi’s request, granting him exemption from personal appearance due to illness.
Instead, a pleader, Advocate Anwar Hussain, will appear on his behalf in the trial proceedings.
During the hearing, co-accused and former principal secretary Muhammad Khan Bhatti appeared before the court.
Previously, the case was being heard by presiding judge Zubair Shehzad Kayani, but due to his transfer, the duty judge conducted the proceedings.
The duty judge observed that the prosecution witnesses should not be summoned until a new regular judge was appointed in the court.
The hearing was adjourned to March 12.
The NAB reference alleged that Muhammad Khan Bhatti, being principal secretary to the then chief minister Mr Elahi, manoeuvered the award of contracts in favour of blue-eyed contractors in connivance with other suspects including officials of government departments.
It said the suspect released full payment to the contractors even before the commencement of the construction on the project only to receive kickbacks.
The bureau alleged that money from the corruption committed by Mr Bhatti had been transferred into the bank accounts of Mr Elahi and his son Moonis Elahi.
Source:dawn.com
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NA passed more laws in fewer sittings
Iftikhar A. Khan
February 28, 2025
ISLAMABAD: The current National Assembly passed more laws in its first year than its predecessor, despite meeting for fewer hours, a clear indication that legislation was rushed through parliament.
Some of the laws passed during the first year of the 16th National Assembly have far-reaching implications, like the 26th Constitutional Amendment and the Prevention of Electronic Crimes (Amendment) Act, 2025.
In its annual analysis of the legislature, the Pakistan Institute for Legislative Development and Transparency (Pildat) noted that the 16th NA was convened for fewer working days and hours compared to the previous one.
Since the inaugural session on February 29, 2024, 93 sittings were convened with 212 working hours.
The 15th National Assembly, in its first year, held 96 sittings and met for 297 hours.
Despite a considerable reduction in working hours, the 16th NA passed 47 bills in its first year, up by 370pc compared to the 10 bills passed during the first year of the 15th NA.
Several laws were “hurried for passage” without review by MNAs and without being referred to relevant standing committees, Pildat noted.
The existing government relied heavily on presidential ordinances for legislation, as 16 ordinances were laid in the NA for approval, compared to seven in the 15th and 12 in the 14th NA.
This reflected a “growing trend toward executive-driven legislation”.
Attendance
Pildat also found that the trend of scant attendance by prime ministers remained consistent in the new government as well.
Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif attended only 18 per cent of the total sittings — 17 out of the total 93 sittings.
His predecessor, Imran Khan, attended only 18 out of 96 sittings in the first year of the 15th National Assembly.
Before him, PM Nawaz Sharif attended only seven out of 103 sittings in the first year.
In comparison to PM Shehbaz, Leader of the Opposition Omar Ayub Khan attended 67pc of the sittings.
Mr Khan was also the most vocal MNA, with a recorded talk time of 13 hours and 28 minutes.
From the treasury side, Khawaja Asif, the minister for defence, spoke for 5 hours and 30 minutes.
Other MNAs with the most talk time were Bilawal Bhutto-Zardari, Attaullah Tarar and Maulana Fazlur Rahman. The overall attendance of MNAs declined to 66pc on average from 73pc during the previous assembly.
However, Pildat said the existing system makes no distinction between a member who attended the sittings for five minutes and someone present for five hours.
The cost paid by taxpayers for each MNA to attend these sittings stood at Rs37.9m.
The per-hour cost of a session in the first year of the 16th NA stood at Rs60.08m with an average budget per sitting of Rs136.96 million.
Other issues
The Pildat analysis highlighted that the current assembly violated its rule on the formation of standing committees.
Rule 200 of the Rules of Procedure and Conduct of Business in the National Assembly dictates that the standing committees must be elected within 30 days of the election of the prime minister.
PM Shehbaz was elected on April 3, 2024. However, committees were not made functional until May 17, well beyond the one-month deadline.
Parliamentary sanctity was also violated when plainclothes men entered the Parliament House and detained at least 10 opposition MNAs on September 10, 2024.
Those detained included Sher Afzal Marwat, Malik Amir Dogar and Zain Qureshi.
“The use of force within the Parliament House represents a significant challenge to the supremacy of the Parliament, raising broader questions about the state of democracy in Pakistan,” Pildat said. The speeches of opposition members were also censored by the state-run Pakistan Television.
Source:dawn.com
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Use of AI for water resources management discussed in Lahore
February 28, 2025
LAHORE: The Water and Power Development Authority (Wapda) on Thursday organised a day-long conference on application of artificial intelligence (AI) for water resources planning and management with a view to fostering innovation by exploring the potential of AI in improving water resources sector.
The conference was held on Thursday at Wapda House, Lahore, where Wapda member (water) Jawaid Akhtar Latif was the chief guest.
It was attended by eminent scholars, researchers and students belonging to various universities across the country including NUST, GIKI, FAST, UET Lahore, LUMS, COMSATS, UET Taxila, Lahore College for Women University, Punjab University and QUEST, Nawabshah, and Mehran University, Jamshoro.
The participants engaged in vibrant discussions on how AI technologies can transform the management and sustainable utilisation of water resources in Pakistan.
Addressing the opening session, Akhtar Latif said this conference marks Wapda’s initiative to foster innovation and knowledge sharing in water resources, a series designed to strengthen collaboration with academia and shape the future of water management in Pakistan.
Water resources are fundamental to our nation’s existence and management of water resources are crucial. Artificial Intelligence offers unprecedented capabilities for analysis, prediction, and management, revolutionising our approach to complex water-related issues.
The conference showcases the forefront of AI’s application in addressing critical water resource challenges in Pakistan and beyond.
Wapda is playing a pivotal role in safeguarding this critical foundation.
The conference featured three technical sessions where researchers from across the country presented their research papers, which were thoroughly reviewed by a high-level technical committee. The research papers were focused on application of AI on hydropower, water resources, predicting and preventing climatic effects like glacial lake outburst flood and extreme events (floods and droughts), ground water, water distribution, drainage & hill torrents and improving environmental impacts and socio-economics of water resources interventions.
Prof Dr. Muhammad Irfan, principal & dean, School of Civil & Environmental Engineering, NUST, Islamabad, made a detailed deliberation on “leveraging AI in water resources planning, engineering & management”.
Prof Dr Atiqur Rehman, director, Centre of Excellence in Water Resources, UET Lahore highlighted “AI-driven Innovations in Water Resources Planning and Management” and Qurat ul Ain Ahmad, head of Water Resources and Glaciology Section, Ministry of Climate Change, shed light on the climate change-related water challenges of Pakistan.
Keynote speakers at the event underscored the growing importance of AI in water resource management, with applications in dams, hydropower, and groundwater addressing environmental and socio-economic challenges.
AI can be utilised to enhance decision-making, improve water efficiency, optimise dam operations, and maximise hydropower generation, promoting sustainable development.
Source:dawn.com
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