Supreme Court Takes Up Plea To Ban Female Genital Mutilation Prevailing In Sections Of Muslim Community, Specially Dawoodi Bohra
New Age Islam News Bureau
29 November 2025
· Supreme Court Takes Up Plea To Ban Female Genital Mutilation Prevailing In Sections Of Muslim Community, Specially Dawoodi Bohra
· Arunachal Pradesh Muslim Cleric Confronted For Refusing To Chant 'Bharat Mata Ki Jai'
· How A Wave Of Muslim Politicians Came To Power Across The United States
· France Weighs Ban On Ramadan Fasting For Minors
· Nigerian Army Neutralises Terrorists, Arrests 57, Rescues 45 Victims
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India
· Eviction Drive In Assam: Over 1,500 Families, Mostly Bengali-Speaking Muslim, Affected
· Hindu Family Gifts Land To Muslim Journalist After Jammu Authorities Bulldoze His Home
· Rajasthan Governor accepts resignation of Udaipur University Vice-Chancellor after Aurangzeb remark triggers protests
· High Court quashes NSA against Assam MLA Aminul Islam, 6 months after he was detained for Pahalgam comments
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North America
· Muslim Group Sues Town Of Sayreville For Rejecting 25,363-Square-Foot Mosque
· Judge Orders Dallas Muslim Leader Deported After Holy Land Foundation Support Finding
· 'Treated very harshly': Trump pardons ex-Honduras president Hernandez ahead of elections
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Europe
· Pakistan-Born Millionaire Suleman Raza In Row For Hosting Reform’s Christmas Party
· Muslim World League chief to visit Azerbaijan for global conference
· Mosque plan for Langley Road church gets Highways ok
· EU issues warning to Ukraine over graft scandal
· German court arrests Nord Stream blast suspect
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Africa
· ‘Terrorists Still Hold 265 Pupils, Teachers One Week After Niger School Raid’
· Norway's Special Envoy to Sudan confirms there is no new US-backed peace proposal
· ‘We Have Lost Over 4,700 Members Since 2001’ – Plateau Muslim Community
· Terrorists Kill Three Immigration Officers At Kebbi Border
· ‘Boko Haram Have Placed Bounty On My Head’ – Rev Dachomo
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Mideast
· Israeli Authorities Issue Decision To Seize Inner Courtyard Of Ibrahimi Mosque
· Hezbollah leader leaves open possibility of new war with Israel
· Model OIC Summit highlights youth’s role in advancing justice for Palestine
· Syrian foreign minister calls on UN, Arab, and Islamic nations to act against repeated Israeli attacks
· Big Dreams For Palestinian Teens At Robot Show In Singapore
· Israel says nine more militants killed in Hamas tunnels
· UN watchdog urges Israel to probe Gaza ‘torture’ claims
· Germany’s Merz to make first visit to Israel
· ‘Palestinians Can’: Big Dreams For West Bank Teens At Singapore Robot Fest
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South Asia
· Islamic Emirate Seeks Balanced, Economy-Focused Relations with All Countries, Muttaqi Says
· Khalid urges all to help maintain peaceful environment ahead of polls
· Protecting Afghanistan’s Borders Sacred Duty, Beradar
· IEA Delegation Attends 3rd International North–South Transport Corridor Forum in Moscow
· People no longer want ‘old, rotten politics’
· Jamaat plans major overhaul of nomination list
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Arab World
· AlUla And Pompeii Game-Changing Partnership Shaping Future Of Cultural Travel
· Italy, Saudi creatives collaborate at Riyadh design event
· NOMAS hosts cultural evening celebrating Saudi heritage
· Saudi Arabia condemns Israeli strikes on Beit Jinn
· Prince Talal International Prize honors pioneer projects
· Saudi urban planners embrace bioswales for flood control
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Southeast Asia
· ‘New Law Must Not Impede Freedom Of Expression’
· Malaysia rejects en-bloc sales for urban renewal projects
· Anwar announces RM15 billion development boost for Sabah
· PM condemns assault on journalist Haresh Deol
Compiled by New Age Islam News Bureau
URL: https://newageislam.com/islamic-world-news/supreme-court-muslim-community-female-genital/d/137823
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Supreme Court Takes Up Plea To Ban Female Genital Mutilation Prevailing In Sections Of Muslim Community, Specially Dawoodi Bohra
Nov 29, 2025
NEW DELHI: Supreme Court on Friday agreed to examine a plea to ban practice of female genital mutilation (FGM) or female circumcision prevailing in Muslims, specially Dawoodi Bohra Muslim community and issued notice to Centre and ministry of law and justice seeking their response.
A bench of Justices B V Nagarathna & R Mahadevan issued notice on a PIL filed by NGO Chetna Welfare Society which alleged that the practice was not an essential part of Islam and it amounted to violation of rights of children who are forced to undergo FGM. Senior advocate Shashi Kiran and lawyer Sadhana Sandhu, appearing for the organisation told the court that various agencies including WHO, UN agencies and human-rights bodies have repeatedly called for states to prevent, criminalise and eliminate FGM as medical evidence showed that short-term and long-term physical and psychological harms are caused due to it.
"It is further submitted that there is not any independent law specifically banning this. The act itself falls under multiple offences relating to causing hurt under BNS, such as sections 113, 118(1), 118(2), and 118(3). Even in Pocso Act, touching the genitalia of a minor for non-medical reasons is a violation. It is submitted that WHO has classified FGM as a gross violation of human rights of girls and women. It violates the fundamental guarantees provided by Universal Declaration of Human Rights. Furthermore, FGM is a serious health concern as it can cause infections, problems relating to childbirth, and other severe physical impairments. In Dec 2012, UNGA adopted a unanimous resolution which called for elimination of FGM," the petition said.
It said approximately 75% of women of the community put their daughters to the barbaric practice of FGM and pleaded the court to intervene to put to end the practice. The petitioner said several countires including US, UK, Australia, and several African countries have banned FGM but India does not have a specific law banning FGM.
"Dawoodi Bohras are a religious denomination within Shia Islam. They are the most well-known Muslim community in India to practice FGC, known as Khatna in the community - a ritual that many Islamic scholars around the world do not endorse. While the Quran does not sanction FGC, Daim al-lslam, a religious text followed by this community, does endorses the practice," the petition said.
Source: indiatimes.com
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https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/sc-takes-up-plea-to-ban-female-circumcision-prevailing-in-sections-of-muslim-community/articleshow/125648877.cms
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Arunachal Pradesh Muslim Cleric Confronted For Refusing To Chant 'Bharat Mata Ki Jai'
Nov 29, 2025
APIYO leaders demanded the Imam say 'Bharat Mata ki Jai', but he refused, saying 'India Zindabad' was sufficient.
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A confrontation inside Naharlagun’s Jama Masjid in Arunachal Pradesh has now gone viral after two leaders of the Arunachal Pradesh Indigenous Youth Association (APIYO) challenged the mosque’s cleric for refusing to say “Bharat Mata ki Jai”.
The video of the incident, filmed on November 27, shows tempers rising quickly as more people gather and chants grow louder.
APIYO General Secretary Tapor Meying and President Taro Sonam Liyak are seen in the clip pressing the cleric to repeat the slogan. The cleric replies with “India Zindabad”, but the group insists he must use the exact phrase they demand.
During the argument, Liyak is heard saying, “Not every Muslim is a terrorist but why is every terrorist a Muslim?”, further escalating the situation. The cleric maintains his position, responding, “India Zindabad hi kaafi hai. Bharat Mata ki Jai nahi bolenge hum. (India Zindabad is only enough. Will not say Bharat Mata ki Jai)”
He is also heard explaining that he can say “Hindustan ki Jai” or “India ki Jai” but will not use “Bharat Mata”, saying a person has “only one real mother”.
The stand-off comes at a time when APIYO has been running a month-long campaign over what it describes as rising illegal immigration into Arunachal Pradesh.
The group had announced a bandh on November 25 over the alleged illegal construction of a Jama Masjid near the Naharlagun helipad, but called it off after the Home Department intervened and assured action.
During Thursday’s exchange, APIYO members questioned the cleric's identity and immigration status, alleging he may be a Bangladeshi Muslim who entered the protected state without the required Inner Line Permit (ILP) under the Bengal Eastern Frontier Regulation Act of 1873.
The clip has since spread widely across local social media channels, prompting sharp debates on patriotism, religious expression, and APIYO’s ongoing mobilisation in the region.
Police have not issued a formal response yet.
Source: indiatoday.in
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https://www.indiatoday.in/india/story/muslim-cleric-confronted-for-refusing-to-chant-bharat-mata-ki-jai-in-viral-video-in-arunachal-pradesh-2827927-2025-11-29
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How A Wave Of Muslim Politicians Came To Power Across The United States
November 28, 2025
New York City Mayor-elect Zohran Mamdani listens as President Donald Trump speaks in the Oval Office of the White House, Friday, Nov. 21, 2025, in Washington. (AP Photo/Evan Vucci)
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The 2025 election may well be remembered as a turning point for Muslim representation in American politics.
In New York City, Zohran Mamdani broke barriers by becoming the city’s first Muslim mayor-elect. In Virginia, Ghazala Hashmi’s victory in the lieutenant governor’s race marked another milestone — the first time a female Muslim candidate has won state-wide office in the United States.
The numbers tell the story: Of the 76 Muslim candidates on the ballot this fall, 38 emerged victorious, according to the Council on American-Islamic Relations.
For David Dulio, political science professor at Wayne State University, the rise in Muslim leaders is part of a broader trend.
“It usually starts at the lower levels, but it’s clearly becoming more mainstream — top-of-the-ticket stuff,” he said.
The trend echoes earlier chapters in American history when other ethnic and religious minority groups — from the Italians to the Irish and the Poles — reshaped American politics and power structures.
Mr. Dulio said Muslim Americans are now doing the same: injecting different perspectives into old debates, over everything from foreign policy to cultural identity, and challenging the status quo.
Ms. Hashmi framed her victory in Virginia as proof that “a child’s name, a family’s personal struggles, and a community’s identity are not barriers to belonging.”
“I have been deeply moved by the responses from those with diverse backgrounds and faith traditions who now feel a renewed sense of hope,” Ms. Hashmi said. “They understand how vital it is to have leaders who share their experiences and know their struggles firsthand, especially in halls of power where my community has never before been represented.”
Muslim momentum has been building for years.
Keith Ellison’s groundbreaking election to Congress in 2006 and his decision to swear on the Quran shocked the sensibilities of some Americans and marked a turning point.
Since then, Muslim leaders have steadily climbed up the ladder: Mr. Ellison became Minnesota’s attorney general, four Muslim members, all Democrats, serve in Congress, and others are vying to become the first Muslim to be elected to the U.S. Senate.
Campaigns are taking notice.
President Trump leaned into Muslim outreach during his 2024 run, courting leaders in Michigan and making inroads in Dearborn and Hamtramck — the country’s only Muslim-majority cities.
It was a reminder of how the gap in Muslim support for the two major parties is narrowing, according to Pew Research, which says 53% of Muslims identify as Democrat, and 42% as Republican.
The split reflects complex priorities.
Many Muslims align with Democrats on issues such as immigration and diversity, but lean Republican on family values and social conservatism, including in their opposition to transgender ideology.
Foreign policy has also played a role, particularly in Israel-Palestinian relations.
President Biden’s unwavering support for Israel alienated many Muslim voters, fueling movements like “Uncommitted” in Michigan that pressured Mr. Biden and the Democratic Party to demand an immediate end to the war in Gaza.
The concerns about Israel’s military actions have also created friction with the Christian right.
It also helped energize candidates such as Mr. Mamdani, who denounced Israel’s military campaign in Gaza as genocide and pledged to uphold the International Criminal Court’s warrant against Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu for war crimes if he sets foot in New York.
Yet Mr. Mamdani, accused by critics of stoking antisemitism, sought to bridge divides on election night, pledging to build a City Hall that “stands steadfast alongside Jewish New Yorkers” while affirming Muslim belonging in the halls of power.
Not everyone is celebrating.
In Texas, the rapid growth of Muslim communities has stirred alarm among conservatives. In Florida, Attorney General James Uthmeier warned that school vouchers were being used to “promote Shariah law,” the Islamic legal and moral code that conflicts with the U.S. Constitution, including the separation of church and state.
Republican lawmakers in Washington introduced the “No Shariah Act” to bar its practice nationwide.
Muslim leaders insist that moves to ban Shariah law are rooted in misunderstanding.
Still, the political ascendency of Muslim Americans is undeniable. As Ms. Hashmi said, “While I’m deeply honored to be the first, I know with certainty that I will not be the last.”
Source: washingtontimes.com
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https://www.washingtontimes.com/news/2025/nov/28/wave-muslim-politicians-came-power-across-united-states/
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France Weighs Ban On Ramadan Fasting For Minors
28 November 2025
A proposal by right-wing senators to prohibit Ramadan fasting for minors under 16 reignited the debate in France over religious freedom. Getty
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A proposal by French right-wing senators to prohibit Ramadan fasting for minors under 16 reignited the debate in the country over religious freedom.
For many, the proposal risks creating a climate of suspicion, thus further eroding “national cohesion”.
The controversial measure appears in a Senate report released on November 24 by members of the Republican Party. They argue that restricting fasting for children is necessary to protect them from “communitarian pressures”.
Over the course of six months, 29 Republican senators conducted hearings they say revealed attempts at “religious entryism” into public institutions, from schools to sports clubs.
Their report lays out 17 recommendations intended to curb Islamist influence, including bans on fasting and on the wearing of the veil by girls under 16 in public spaces, as well as tighter scrutiny of foreign funding for mosques and associations.
“We have made a harsh but realistic assessment,” said Jacqueline Eustache-Brinio, the Senator who oversaw the report. She argued that measures traditionally framed as religious freedoms can mask coercive social norms.
“When you are a citizen of this country, religion is irrelevant. Faith has no place in the public sphere,” Eustache-Brinio said.
But for many French Muslims, the proposed fasting ban risks doing more harm than good.
Madiha Belabed, a social worker in southern France, told Brussels Signal yesterday the report’s approach could “erode trust” between Muslim families and state institutions.
“A blanket ban risks creating mistrust and putting professionals in unmanageable situations,” she said.
“Who would be responsible for checking whether a child is fasting? Would families be punished? It’s impossible.”
Most Muslim families, she added, already approach fasting with flexibility.
“As a child, I didn’t fast every day,” Belabed said.
“I tried it now and then because I wanted to do what the grown-ups did. But there was no obligation. I was often reminded that fasting wasn’t required and that I could stop whenever I wanted.”
She said if she became a mother, she would allow her own child to try fasting gradually, “a half-day here or there”.
“Ramadan is above all a time of sharing,” she said. “That’s the value I want to pass on.”
A total ban, Belabed added, “feels stigmatising”, as if Muslim religious practice was “dangerous in itself”.
Following the report’s publication, several Muslim organisations, including the Association for the Defence against Discrimination and Anti-Muslim Acts and the Co-ordination of Muslim Associations in Paris, yesterday denounced what they described as the “stigmatisation” of their religious practices.
In a letter addressed to Gérard Larcher, President of the Senate, they accused lawmakers of exploiting Islam for political gain.
“This umpteenth report is part of a pattern that has become sadly familiar to millions of French citizens of the Muslim faith: The systematic political exploitation of their religious practices,” the letter said.
They also criticised what they called an “industrial production of suspicion” through biased investigations and sensationalist publications that distort the daily reality of France’s Muslims.
The senators’ recommendations were released shortly after a report by the national polling and market research firm IFOP, which described what it called a “process of re-Islamisation” among Muslims in France, especially the young.
The study, published on November 18, noted a rise in religious practice, stricter views on gender roles and increased exposure to Islamist ideas.
More than 1,000 Muslims were surveyed.
The Senatorial report and the IFOP survey have reinforced fears among some officials that France is drifting away from its secular republican model.
Muslims today make up about seven per cent of France’s adult population. In 1985 they were only 0.5 per cent.
Islam is now the country’s second-largest religion behind Catholicism.
Source: brusselssignal.eu
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https://brusselssignal.eu/2025/11/another-national-rift-over-islam-france-weighs-ban-on-ramadan-fasting-for-minors/
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Nigerian Army Neutralises Terrorists, Arrests 57, Rescues 45 Victims
November 28, 2025
By Enioluwa Adeniyi
The Nigerian Army on Friday confirmed that its troops neutralised dozens of terrorists, arrested 57 suspects, and rescued 45 kidnapped victims across Nigeria in the past week.
The Director of Defence Media Operations, Major General Michael Onoja, disclosed this in Abuja during the weekly military operations briefing.
Onoja said troops recovered large batches of arms, ammunition, and vehicles while dismantling terror and criminal networks across multiple operational zones in the country.
In the North-East region, troops of Operation Hadin Kai eliminated several terrorists, seized multiple terror camps, and rescued eight kidnapped commuters.
The defence spokesman noted that 11 terror collaborators were also arrested and handed over for further interrogation.
He added that air interdiction operations in Sambisa Forest neutralised additional insurgents and destroyed terrorists’ storage facilities.
Under Operation Fasan Yamma, troops killed multiple terrorists and bandits, arrested 15 suspects, and rescued 13 kidnapped victims across Zamfara, Kebbi, Sokoto, Katsina, Kaduna, and Niger states.
He disclosed that weapons and vehicles were recovered during field operations, alongside livestock intercepted from terror camps.
According to Onoja, troops also intercepted a suspected arms dealer caught transporting military-grade rifles with ₦4 million in cash and combat ammunition.
Speaking on operations in the North-Central region, Onoja confirmed that troops rescued 19 kidnap victims and arrested 11 terror suspects, including Umar Idi, also known as “Lere.”
The extremists were reported to have been taken down after coordinated intelligence tracking across high-risk hotspots in the Middle Belt.
In the Niger-Delta, troops stormed illegal refining hubs and destroyed 11 makeshift refineries used for oil bunkering and crude theft.
Onoja confirmed that troops foiled oil theft operations valued at over ₦173 million, arrested 13 suspects, and seized refined siphoned crude stored underground in metal tanks.
In the South-East region, troops of Operation Udo Ka rescued five kidnap victims, arrested seven criminal suspects in Enugu, and dismantled local terror hideouts.
The defence spokesman confirmed additional terror camps were neutralised via joint air-ground tactical offensives.
He further confirmed that Enugu’s forests were cleared via aerial bombardment of terror safe havens.
Onoja praised Nigerian Army troops for their courage and professionalism, while appealing for public intelligence support.
The defence spokesman reaffirmed military commitment to restoring peace and national stability.
Source: naijanews.com
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https://www.naijanews.com/2025/11/28/army-neutralises-terrorists-arrests-57-rescues-45-victims/
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India
Eviction Drive In Assam: Over 1,500 Families, Mostly Bengali-Speaking Muslim, Affected
Guwahati/ November 29, 2025
PTI
An eviction drive was launched in Assam's Nagaon district on Saturday (November 29, 2025) to clear encroachment from 795 hectare of reserved forest land, where around 1,500 families lived, officials said.
The drive was started in the Lutimari area in the morning amid heavy deployment of security, they said.
Notices were issued to the encroachers three months ago, asking them to vacate within two months. They had requested an additional month to vacate, and the district administration agreed to it, an official said.
Over 1,100 families, living in both pucca and kuccha houses, have already left with their belongings, dismantling the illegally-built structures, he said.
The remaining houses are being demolished in the drive, he added.
Some residents claimed that they had been living in the area for over 40 years and were unaware that it was forest land.
Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma had earlier claimed that over 160 sq km of land had been cleared of encroachment since he took over in May 2021.
More than 50,000 people have been evicted as a result of such anti-encroachment drives, according to him.
After a brief pause, the drives resumed from June 16, with more than 5,000 families evicted since then.
Most of the displaced people are from the Bengali-speaking Muslim community, who claim that their ancestors had settled in the areas where the eviction drives are being carried out, after their land in the 'char' or riverine areas was washed away due to erosion by the Brahmaputra.
https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/assam/eviction-drive-underway-in-assams-nagaon-over-1500-families-affected/article70338111.ece
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Hindu family gifts land to Muslim journalist after Jammu authorities bulldoze his home
28.11.25
A Hindu family in Jammu has come forward to gift a plot of land to a Muslim journalist whose house was demolished by civic authorities a day earlier.
The Jammu administration had on Thursday demolished the home of Arfaz Ahmad Daing claiming it was built on encroached land, a charge the city-based journalist said masked revenge for speaking truth to power.
Gulvinder@rebelliousdogra, a social media user from Jammu, posted a video on X saying: "An exemplary example of HINDU MUSLIM unity in #Jammu. A Hindu family from Jammu has come forward and has gifted 5 Marlas plot to a Muslim journalist whose 3 Marlas house was demolished yesterday. The divisive communal forces cannot end the centuries old brotherhood in Jammu."
The video shows the handover of the plot, with the man gifting the land, vowing to stand by the journalist and calling the demolition “cruel”.
In the footage, he is also seen criticising the BJP as well as Jammu & Kashmir chief minister Omar Abdullah.
The family’s act drew praise across social media even as questions continued to swirl around the circumstances of the demolition.
Daing, who runs the digital news portal Nees Seher India, said he was bruised and taken to a police station along with his two brothers while the house was being bulldozed.
He said officials of the Jammu Development Authority arrived with four bulldozers and between 700 and 800 police and security personnel, which he argued suggested an ulterior motive.
“I was not allowed to make a phone call. I was bruised. I said if you have to destroy it, do it, but it is my job as a journalist to inform... allow me to do it,” he told reporters.
A video circulating on social media showed dozens of policemen monitoring the demolition and preventing him from doing a live commentary once the structure was reduced to rubble.
“They want to teach journalists and social activists a lesson, those who want to do their work sincerely. If you are a sycophant, you are safe, but if you show truth, this will happen to you,” Daing said.
An official maintained the house was built on encroached land and that the demolition was part of a broader anti-encroachment drive.
Daing, however, said his family had lived there for 40 years and had received no notice. He insisted the action was selective.
Commenting on the incident, Gulvinder@rebelliousdogra posted on X: “Team of 100s, fleet of JCBs, all this to demolish just 1 house! No this is not a demolition drive against the Drug mafia, an OGW or Terrorist, BUT A JOURNALIST. While most of the state land in #Jammu is encroached by BJP leaders, a common man pays the price for speaking truth!”
Civil society members and several local voices criticised the administration, questioning why Daing’s home was demolished while high-profile politicians allegedly occupying state land remained untouched.
Jammu-based lawyer Sheikh Shakeel said the drive would have had meaning if “big fish” were targeted. He urged the Jammu Development Authority to verify the legal status of BJP leader–turned–Ladakh lieutenant governor Kavinder Gupta’s house in Excelsior Colony.
Source: telegraphindia.com
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https://www.telegraphindia.com/india/hindu-family-gifts-land-to-muslim-journalist-after-jammu-authorities-bulldoze-his-home/cid/2135240
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Rajasthan Governor accepts resignation of Udaipur University Vice-Chancellor after Aurangzeb remark triggers protests
Rajesh Asnani
28 Nov 2025
JAIPUR: Rajasthan Governor Haribhau Kisanrao Bagde has accepted the resignation of Mohanlal Sukhadiya University Vice-Chancellor Prof. Sunita Mishra, who recently courted controversy after referring to Mughal ruler Aurangzeb as an “efficient administrator.”
Her remark triggered strong reactions across Udaipur, leading to widespread student protests and a series of formal complaints.
The controversy began on 12 September during an international conference on “Roadmap for a Developed India” held at a local college. Speaking in a historical context, Prof. Mishra described Maharana Pratap, Prithviraj Chauhan and Akbar as good rulers, and referred to Aurangzeb as an “efficient administrator.”
The comments drew immediate backlash. Several student organisations launched protests, and MLA Vishvaraj Singh, a descendant of the former Mewar royal family, also expressed sharp displeasure over her statement.
Amid mounting pressure, Prof. Mishra initially refrained from resigning and instead proceeded on leave on 23 September. She still had eight months and nine days left in her tenure. Appointed on 6 August 2023, her term was scheduled to continue until 6 August 2026. However, her resignation has now been formally accepted by the Governor.
In addition to the student protests, multiple complaints were filed against Prof. Mishra. Taking these seriously, the state government constituted an inquiry committee chaired by the Udaipur Divisional Commissioner.
The committee examined the allegations and submitted its report to the government. Meanwhile, the state’s Technical Advisor, B. P. Saraswat, also criticised her remarks. Eventually, Prof. Mishra stepped down from the post of Vice-Chancellor.
Her resignation has reopened a broader debate: should historical discourse remain rooted in documented facts, or be shaped by public sentiment and contemporary sensitivities?
With the position now vacant, Mohanlal Sukhadiya University may get a new Vice-Chancellor within the next three months. A search committee will be formed on the Governor’s instructions.
The committee will invite applications from academicians with at least 10 years of professorial experience, shortlist the candidates and send five names to the Governor.
Governor Bagde will then recommend one name, which will be approved by Chief Minister Bhajanlal Sharma. This time, it is widely expected that the university may appoint an academic from Mewar or Rajasthan as its next Vice-Chancellor.
Source: newindianexpress.com
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https://www.newindianexpress.com/nation/2025/Nov/28/rajasthan-governor-accepts-resignation-of-udaipur-university-vice-chancellor-after-aurangzeb-remark-triggers-protests
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High Court quashes NSA against Assam MLA Aminul Islam, 6 months after he was detained for Pahalgam comments
by Sukrita Baruah
November 28, 2025
Over six months after All India United Democratic Front (AIUDF) MLA Aminul Islam was detained under the National Security Act, the Gauhati High Court has quashed his detention orders and directed that he be released if not wanted in any other case.
The legislator, who represents Assam’s Dhing constituency, was arrested on April 24 for statements in a political rally suggesting that the April 22 terror attack in Pahalgam was a “conspiracy” by the central BJP government. On May 14, he received bail in the case, but the very same day, he was detained under the NSA.
In its judgment issued on Thrusday and released on Friday, a Gauhati High Court Bench of Justices Kalyan Rai Surana and Rajesh Mazumdar ruled that the order to detain Islam under the NSA “stands vitiated” owing to an unexplained delay by authorities in dealing with his representation against his detention and to his not being informed of his right to represent to the central government until only after the Centre reminded the state government of the same. A lawyer from the team of Santanu Borthakur, Islam’s counsel, said that the MLA is expected to be released later on Friday.
Islam was arrested on April 24 on charges including BNS section 152, which pertains to “acts endangering sovereignty, unity and integrity of India”, a charge similar to “sedition” under the IPC. He was the first of 58 people from across Assam who have been arrested in a campaign by the Assam government to “detain Pakistan supporters” after the Pahalgam terror attack.
His detention under the NSA after he was given bail on May 14 was based on an order by the Nagaon DC, citing a report from the district Superintendent of Police that Islam “has been engaging in activities prejudicial to maintenance of public order and the security of the state” and reports on his speech to state that he is “satisfied that the said individual is likely to continue engaging in activities prejudicial to public order and the security of the state”.
Islam had filed a representation against this order on May 23, addressed to the Principal Secretary to the Government of Assam, Home and Political Department, and to the Chairman, Advisory Board for National Security Act, Assam. The court noted that this representation was forwarded to the relevant authorities on June 4, after 12 days had lapsed.
“The affidavits filed by the District Magistrate and the Joint Secretary to the Government of Assam, respectively, do not attempt to explain the delay caused in forwarding the representations to the concerned authorities. It is pertinent to note that the Superintendent of Jail, Nagaon, had forwarded the representations on 23rd May 2025 itself,” states the court in its judgement. It referred to the observation of a Constitution Bench of the Supreme Court in K M Abdulla Kunhi vs Union of India & Others that, “There is no period prescribed either under the Constitution or under the concerned detention law, within which the representation should be dealt with. The requirement, however, is that there should not be supine indifference, slackness or callous attitude in considering the representation. Any unexplained delay in the disposal of representation would be a breach of the constitutional imperative, and it would render the continued detention impermissible and illegal.”
The court also noted that the MLA had been informed of his right to represent before the Central Government 23 days after he was detained.
“…though the Central Government had received the full report regarding the preventive detention and although it was noticed that the petitioner had not been intimated about his right to represent to the Central Government at least upto 6th June 2025, the concerned authorities deemed it fit to give a closure to the matter only by advising the detaining authority to inform the petitioner of his rights. By the time the advice was given, the petitioner, who was detained on 14.05.2025, had already undergone detention for more than 23 days,” observed the court.
It cited a past judgment made by the court in Konsam Brojen Singh vs State of Manipur & Others that a detenue has the right to be afforded the earliest opportunity of making a representation against the order of detention and that the detaining authority is under constitutional obligation to inform the detenue of this right, the failure to do which “vitiates the detention order made even under the provisions of the National Security Act, 1980”.
“In the present case, there is no explanation for the time consumed by any of the authorities while dealing with the representation filed by the petitioner. Coupled with this, the petitioner was never informed about his right to represent to the detaining authority and further, his right to represent to the Central Government came to be informed to him only after the Central Government had reminded the Additional Secretary to the Government of Assam, with a copy to the District Magistrate, Nagaon,” the judgment said.
Directing that Islam be released, the court further said, “In view of what has been concluded above, the Court does not consider it necessary to go into the other points raised as the Court is satisfied that for the said one reason alone, the detention order stands vitiated and the other issues raised by the petitioner are not required to be examined.”
Earlier this month, AIUDF chief Badruddin Ajmal said that Islam would contest next year’s legislative assembly elections from behind bars if he is not released by then. “Aminul Islam has been in jail for the last eight months. He has been kept in jail with NSA charges as part of a conspiracy. He has done no such offence which merits the NSA. The offence he had been arrested for, he got bail within weeks. After that, he was jailed under the NSA. There is political motivation behind this,” he had said.
Source: indianexpress.com
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https://indianexpress.com/article/legal-news/high-court-quashes-nsa-assam-mla-aminul-islam-pahalgam-comments-10391361/
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North America
Muslim Group Sues Town Of Sayreville For Rejecting 25,363-Square-Foot Mosque
Nov 28, 2025
SAYREVILLE, NJ — The town of Sayreville is being sued by a Muslim religious group after the Sayreville Planning Board rejected a proposal to build a mosque and Islamic community center on Ernston Road.
The lawsuit was filed in federal court Nov. 21 and it is called Masjid Sadar, Inc. and Shameer Properties, LLC vs. the borough of Sayerville, according to court filings.
There is a small existing mosque currently located at 216 Ernston Road in Sayreville, in a small, two-story brown clapboard house. An Islamic group called Masjid Sadar wanted to tear down that existing building and rebuild a much larger mosque there, plus an attached Muslim community center. The proposed mosque would have taken up three lots: 212, 214 and 216 Ernston Road.
The owner of those lots is a man named Mohamed Shameer Sadar, under his company Shameer Properties LLC, based in Newark. The mosque would rent the land from him.
The original proposed mosque was going to be 42,687 square feet, but the Planning Board made the religious group reduce its size to 25,363 square feet. Still, the Planning Board rejected their proposal earlier this fall.
Masjid Sadar, Inc. and Shameer Properties sued, arguing they were discriminated against and also that their right to freedom of religion was being violated.
The Islamic group said they were subject to "unusual" and "burdensome, discriminatory and unreasonable" questioning from the town Planning Board about the mosque, including how much traffic the mosque would attract. The mosque said they had to show the town how they would control traffic during Friday prayer services and even explain carpet designs to the Planning Board, NJ.com reported.
The legal battle between the town of Sayreville and Sadar/Shameer Properties is not new: In 2022, the town of Sayreville sued Shameer Properties, alleging they failed to obtain various construction permits and a compliance certificate from the borough before they started work renovating the existing small mosque.
That year, the town also issued an emergency stop-work order on the mosque.
Residents in Sayreville and Old Bridge have been voicing concerns against the mosque for the past several years, including that it is too big, will be built in a residential area and will bring in too much traffic.
Source: patch.com
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https://patch.com/new-jersey/matawan-aberdeen/muslim-group-sues-town-sayreville-rejecting-25-363-square-foot-mosque
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Judge Orders Dallas Muslim Leader Deported After Holy Land Foundation Support Finding
NOV 28, 2025
A Dallas Muslim community leader will be deported after an immigration judge ruled he provided “material support” to the Holy Land Foundation, the Richardson-based charity whose leaders were convicted in a major terrorism financing case.
Marwan Marouf, 54, a Jordanian national who has lived in the United States for roughly 30 years, has served as the public relations and fundraising director for the Muslim-American Society’s DFW chapter. He has been held in U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) custody since September.
The Dallas Express previously reported that ICE arrested Marouf in September and charged him with lacking a valid entry document, soliciting funds for a Tier III undesignated terrorist organization, and providing “material support” to terrorism.
Marouf was initially charged with overstaying his visa. In recent weeks, the Department of Homeland Security filed additional allegations accusing him of soliciting funds for a terrorist organization, according to KERA.
During a hearing last Thursday, Immigration Judge Abdias E. Tida denied Marouf’s request for voluntary departure, citing donations he allegedly made to the Holy Land Foundation. Attorneys argued he should be granted post-conclusion voluntary departure to address an urgent cardiac condition — Brugada syndrome — before leaving the country. Tida rejected the request.
Marouf’s attorneys said they will not appeal due to the urgency of his medical condition. DHS told the court he will be deported to Jordan within two weeks.
Holy Land Foundation Background
According to reporting attributed to Fox News in a social media post, Marouf allegedly made financial contributions to the Holy Land Foundation. Federal prosecutors previously identified the organization as part of a U.S.-based support network for Hamas, a designated foreign terrorist organization. The charity was shut down in 2001, and several of its leaders were convicted in 2008 for funneling money to Hamas.
Under federal immigration law, individuals found to have provided material support to designated terrorist groups are generally barred from immigration relief.
Texas Context: State Scrutiny of Islamist-Linked Organizations
The deportation ruling comes as Texas officials have intensified scrutiny of organizations connected—directly or indirectly—to the Holy Land Foundation case.
Gov. Greg Abbott recently designated the Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR) and the Muslim Brotherhood as foreign terrorist and transnational criminal organizations under state law, as reported by The Dallas Express. The designation bars both groups from purchasing land in Texas and authorizes Attorney General Ken Paxton to pursue enforcement actions.
Abbott’s proclamation cited evidence introduced during the Holy Land Foundation prosecution, including documents and internal records linking CAIR to the Muslim Brotherhood’s U.S. network.
State Board of Education member Brandon Hall also raised concerns about CAIR’s involvement in curriculum discussions following the governor’s designation. Hall questioned why representatives of a terrorist-designated organization were participating in public comment sessions on state curriculum, a moment reported by The Dallas Express.
The Marouf ruling adds a new development to ongoing statewide discussions about the influence, operations, and legal exposure of groups previously connected to Hamas or the broader network identified in the Holy Land Foundation case.
Groups Supporting the Terrorist-Designated Organization Promote Counter-Narrative
Groups supporting the terrorist-designated organization, including the Muslim Legal Fund of America (MLFA), have circulated materials portraying Marouf as a community victim rather than someone found by a federal judge to have provided material support to the Holy Land Foundation.
A reposted Salon article includes emotional testimonials and claims the government’s allegations are politically motivated. These assertions contradict the findings of the Department of Homeland Security and Immigration Judge Abdias Tida, and The Dallas Express has not independently verified them.
Source: dallasexpress.com
Please click the following URL to read the text of the original Story
https://dallasexpress.com/city/judge-orders-dallas-muslim-leader-deported-after-holy-land-foundation-support-finding/
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'Treated very harshly': Trump pardons ex-Honduras president Hernandez ahead of elections
Nov 29, 2025
US president Donald Trump on Friday intervened in Honduras' politics by pardoning former president Juan Orlando Hernandez, just days before the country votes for a new president, and warned that US support to the country could be cut if his preferred candidate loses.
Hernandez was convicted in a US court last year for drug trafficking and given a 45-year sentence. He governed Honduras from 2014 to 2022 and was accused by US prosecutors of helping move nearly 400 tonnes of cocaine into the United States. He was extradited soon after leaving office, when the current president, Xiomara Castro, took power.
Trump’s announcement came through a social media post backing Nasry Asfura, the candidate from Hernandez’s right-wing party. Trump had already endorsed Asfura, but this time he went further, suggesting that future US aid depends on Asfura winning Sunday’s election.
On Truth Social, Trump wrote, "If he doesn't win, the United States will not be throwing good money after bad, because a wrong leader can only bring catastrophic results to a country, no matter which country it is." He issued a similar warning before Argentina’s election last month.
Screenshot 2025-11-29 053231
Asfura, a 67-year-old construction businessman and former mayor of Tegucigalpa, is in a close three-way race against leftist lawyer Rixi Moncada and right-wing TV host Salvador Nasralla.
Trump accused Nasralla, 72, of acting as a spoiler who would split the right-wing vote. He pointed out that Nasralla previously served as Castro’s vice president before resigning, and claimed he is now “pretending” to be anti-Communist.
Trump also criticised Moncada, calling her a “communist” and claiming her win would benefit Venezuela’s Nicolas Maduro and “his Narcoterrorists.”
The decision to pardon Hernández comes at a time when Washington is carrying out a large anti-drug operation in Latin America, where more than 80 people have been killed in strikes in international waters.
A New York jury convicted Hernandez in March 2024 for helping move cocaine from Colombia and Venezuela into the United States since 2004, years before he became president. After his sentencing, former US attorney general Merrick Garland said Hernandez had abused his office to support a major drug-trafficking conspiracy.
In his post on Friday, Trump said Hernández had been treated “very harshly and unfairly,” but did not explain further.
Source: indiatimes.com
Please click the following URL to read the text of the original Story
https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/world/us/treated-very-harshly-trump-pardons-ex-honduras-president-hernandez-ahead-of-elections/articleshow/125649378.cms
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Europe
Pakistan-Born Millionaire Suleman Raza In Row For Hosting Reform’s Christmas Party
November 28, 2025
A massive row has broken out among Croydon’s Muslim community over plans to hold a fund-raising event for Reform UK at the Grand Sapphire Hotel, a venue owned by Pakistan-born millionaire Suleman Raza.
Tickets for the Croydon Reform Christmas Party next Thursday cost up to £350 per head for the privilege of sitting at a “VIP-hosted” table, where the VIPs lined up have been listed variously as Lee “30 pence” Anderson MP, former Tory Assembly Member Keith Prince (Who he?) and Richard Tice, the party’s deputy leader.
The business-cum-political party led by racist grifter Nigel Farage is embroiled in controversy, from having its former leader in Wales jailed for 10 years for accepting money to lobby for Russian interests, to the widespread allegations of Farage’s own anti-semitic conduct when he was a pupil at the posh, fee-paying Dulwich College in the early 1980s.
And then there are the multiple resignations and suspensions of Reform UK councillors (39 at the last count) who were elected barely six months ago.
Earlier this year, Inside Croydon revealed how Farage’s party HQ had imposed a mayoral election candidate on Croydon, Sharon Carby, from Bradford. The only problem was that the 70-year-old Yorkshirewoman had died in September 2024…
The Reform event scheduled for December 4 has been advertised online to Reform members in Bromley, where they already have one councillor, Sutton and in Croydon.
Tickets are only for sale to Reform UK members. The Grand Sapphire ballroom can accommodate up to 1,200 seated guests for banquet-style dinners. Sources suggest there are fewer than 120 Reform members in Croydon.
Inside Croydon is unable to confirm that part of the evening’s entertainment will be a karaoke session at which Tice and Anderson will sing We’re Dreaming of a White Christmas.
And the irony of anti-immigration Reform choosing to hire a venue owned by a Muslim immigrant has not been lost on some.
But many in the Croydon Muslim community are deeply offended that Raza’s business should have ever accepted such a booking. It has been suggested that the hotel’s managers were not made aware that the booking was being made for a Reform event.
Enquiries today to the front desk of the venue, which sits alongside a Purley Way industrial estate, have confirmed that the event is still due to go ahead, despite protests and an appeal from the group Croydon Stand Up to Racism.
Now, some are threatening to boycott Raza’s businesses, which include the Spice Village chain of restaurants.
It has been suggested that the Grand Sapphire would consider cancelling the booking, but only if it received compensation for the lost business. Some estimate such a booking might be worth £20,000.
Staff at the hotel have said that they cannot cancel the booking, for fear that they might be accused of racism.
“Enough is enough!” one member posted to a south London Muslim social media page. “It’s time for us as a community to step up.
“Grand Sapphire Croydon is scheduled for hosting Farage and his band of racist cronies on December 4.
“This needs to be stopped!
“Grand Sapphire, Spice Village and many more enterprises of the owner Suleman Raza need to be boycotted unless he cancels entertaining Nigel Farage and his ilk.”
They added that efforts to “reach out” to the business to get them to cancel the event “have fallen on deaf ears”.
“What’s more upsetting is seeing a Muslin, ethnic migrant business prepared to facilitate the very people who campaign against Muslim, ethnic migrant immigrants.”
Suleman Raza failed to respond to Inside Croydon’s calls today.
Source: insidecroydon.com
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https://insidecroydon.com/2025/11/28/muslim-millionaire-in-row-for-hosting-reforms-christmas-party/
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Muslim World League chief to visit Azerbaijan for global conference
28 November 2025
Chairman of the Caucasus Muslims Office, Sheikh-ul-Islam Allahshukur Pashazade, has extended an invitation to Mohammed bin Abdulkarim Al-Issa, Secretary-General of the Muslim World League, to visit Azerbaijan and participate in a forthcoming high-level event in the country.
The meeting between the sides was held as part of Pashazada’s visit to Saudi Arabia, Caliber.Az reports per local media.
During the discussion, Pashazada announced that Azerbaijan is preparing to host several major international events in 2026, including a high-level conference on multiculturalism and Islamophobia.
The gathering will be organized by the Caucasus Muslims Office in partnership with the UN Alliance of Civilizations.
Pashazada extended an official invitation to Al-Issa to participate in the upcoming conference. Expressing his appreciation, the Secretary-General conveyed his gratitude for the invitation and affirmed his readiness to visit Azerbaijan.
Source: caliber.az
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https://caliber.az/en/post/muslim-world-league-chief-to-visit-azerbaijan-for-global-conference
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Mosque plan for Langley Road church gets Highways ok
28TH NOVEMBER
By Fintan McGuinness
Mosque plans for a former church in Watford have received a boost after Highways gave it the all-clear over traffic impacts.
The proposals for St Thomas United Reformed Church in Langley Road, which involve a community space and nursery as well, also received 84 positive responses compared to 37 objections during the consultation that closed last week.
Several people highlighted how the building has been empty since 2015, becoming a hub of drug abuse and dumping, with a common sentiment being that it “has stood empty and decaying for far too long”.
“The mosque's activities will be no louder or more disruptive than the church's were before,” one prospective attendee added.
They said their family usually drive to their mosque but having somewhere closer would let them leave the car at home and walk, taking pressure off of Watford’s road network.
A Parkside Drive resident said the church building “held a special place in my heart” because they used to play badminton, pool, and table tennis there when it was still open.
They hoped the plan will be approved so the area could have a “multi-functional community space” again.
Meanwhile, objectors near-unanimously highlighted parking and traffic concerns due to Langley Road already facing “severe” congestion.
With the proposal also including a nursery, café, meeting rooms, sport/events hall, and community spaces, some feared there could be a large increase in footfall and noise.
Several suggested it was not in-keeping with the nature of its residential surroundings and beyond the scope of its 'place of worship' use class.
One Langley Road resident said it would be “significant intensification of use on a relatively limited site” and “beyond what the local infrastructure could support”.
Some suggested the additional facilities would only benefit a small subsection of the community, although the project team have said they will be “open to people of all faiths and backgrounds”.
With many of the issues hinging on traffic and transport, Hertfordshire Highways’ response could prove crucial.
It considered the proposal "acceptable" from a transport perspective, having found the attendance peaks will not tend to be at peak traffic times and the site benefits from good transport links.
The final decision will be down to the borough council, which will consider a wider range of factors. December 19 is the target date for a decision.
If approved the site would become Masjid Al-Ummah. The scheme is separate to similar proposals for Leavesden Road Baptist Church.
Source: watfordobserver.co.uk
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https://www.watfordobserver.co.uk/news/25655813.mosque-plan-langley-road-church-gets-highways-ok/
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EU issues warning to Ukraine over graft scandal
29 Nov, 2025
Ukraine must prosecute and convict high-profile figures implicated in corruption schemes to be able to join the EU, the bloc’s Justice Commissioner, Michael McGrath, has said.
McGrath issued the warning in an interview with Politico published on Friday amid the latest twist in the $100 million graft scandal that has been rocking Ukraine over the last couple of weeks.
Earlier on Friday, Ukraine’s Western-backed anti-corruption agencies, the National Anti-Corruption Bureau of Ukraine (NABU) and the Special Anti-Corruption Prosecutor’s Office (SAP), raided the properties of Vladimir Zelensky’s powerful chief of staff, Andrey Yermak, who resigned later the same day.
In order to be able to join the EU – one of the cornerstone promises of the post-2014 Maidan authorities – Kiev must be able to actually prosecute and convict any high-profile figures implicated in corruption, McGrath stated. Ukraine will not receive any special treatment, and the bloc’s “rule of law standards” apply to all the aspirants, he warned.
“There has to be, in every candidate country, a robust system for dealing with alleged high-level corruption cases. You need to have a robust system for investigation and ultimately prosecutions and convictions and demonstrate a track record of effectiveness in that area,” McGrath said.
The ongoing corruption scandal erupted earlier this month, when NABU and SAP announced a probe into an alleged crime ring allegedly led by Timur Mindich, a former close business associate of the Ukrainian leader. The group is believed to have been siphoning funds from state-owned nuclear power operator Energoatom, a company heavily reliant on Western aid. Mindich managed a narrow escape, fleeing the country hours before his properties were raided.
Asked about Ukraine’s progress in fighting corruption, McGrath provided a vague answer, stating Brussels maintains “a very open and honest relationship with Ukrainian authorities” about the requirements the country has to meet to join the bloc.
“I think they are making best efforts to achieve the required standard. It is a journey, and we monitor developments closely, and we remain in ongoing contact with Ukrainian authorities about issues that come to our attention or that are reported publicly,” the commissioner claimed.
Source: rt.com
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https://www.rt.com/news/628642-eu-ukraine-corruption-warning/
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German court arrests Nord Stream blast suspect
28 Nov, 2025
A German court has issued a formal arrest warrant for a Ukrainian national allegedly involved in blowing up the Nord Stream gas pipelines in September 2022.
The 49-year old, identified by media as former Ukrainian military officer Sergey Kuznetsov, supposedly led a small group of Ukrainian saboteurs. According to the German authorities, the group rented a yacht and planted explosives on the pipelines using commercial diving gear. The explosion severed three of the four pipelines that carried Russian natural gas to Germany.
Moscow has dismissed this version of events as “ridiculous,” suggesting involvement of NATO countries due to the complexity of the sabotage operation.
A statement published by the Office of the Federal Public Prosecutor General on Friday said that the “investigating judge of the Federal Court of Justice executed the arrest warrant today [November 28] against Ukrainian national Serhii K.”
The man was apprehended in Italy in August and extradited to Germany on Thursday.
Another suspect in the case, identified as Vladimir Z., was detained in Poland in late September pursuant to a European Arrest Warrant.
However, in October, the Warsaw District Court struck down a German extradition request, ordering the suspect’s immediate release. The local media quoted Judge Dariusz Lubowski as arguing that Germany lacked jurisdiction, as the explosions occurred in international waters.
He went on to describe the blasts as “justified, rational and just.”
“Blowing up critical infrastructure during a war – during a just, defensive war – is not sabotage but denotes a military action,” the Polish judge concluded.
Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk also justified the sabotage, posting on X that “the problem with North Stream 2 is not that it was blown up. The problem is that it was built.”
Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov responded that Tusk’s statement reveals Poland’s willingness to condone terrorism as long as it hurts Russia.
Source: rt.com
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https://www.rt.com/news/628648-germany-arrest-nord-stream-suspect/
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Africa
‘Terrorists Still Hold 265 Pupils, Teachers One Week After Niger School Raid’
November 28, 2025
By Richard Ogunsile
More than one week after gunmen stormed St. Mary’s Catholic Primary and Secondary Schools in Papiri, Niger State, 265 teachers and pupils remain unaccounted for, marking one of the most troubling mass kidnappings in the North-Central region in recent years.
The Catholic Bishop of Kontagora, Bulus Yohanna, disclosed the fresh headcount on Friday, November 28, during an interview on Channels Television’s Sunrise Daily, confirming that 12 teachers and 253 schoolchildren are still listed as missing under the Kontagora Diocese records.
Naija News reports that the attack joined the latest in a growing series of abductions involving schoolchildren in the North-Central, reviving painful memories of mass kidnappings that have long harrowed communities across the region.
Narrating how the diocese tracked escapees after the attack, Yohanna said an initial 315 teachers and schoolchildren were declared missing, following a verified headcount at the kidnapping scene.
“We had 303 pupils and students missing and 12 teachers also not seen. We added that number to make it 315 that cannot be accounted for after taking the headcount,” the Bishop revealed.
He explained that some hostages escaped and later reconnected with their families, prompting the diocese to reconduct its tally based on verified phone confirmations from parents.
“Those that escaped went back home to their villages,” he said.
“When we started having calls of those that reunited with their parents, we were able to get 50 out of the 315, including staff and teachers who could not be accounted for. We deducted that number so we now have 265 as of now, that is the number that is missing.”
Yohanna confirmed that the diocese has formally submitted the verified names of the missing teachers and children to Niger State Governor, Umar Bago, for state-level rescue coordination and tracking.
The Bishop further disclosed that shock from the incident has claimed the lives of two parents, adding a tragic layer to the distress faced by families still awaiting updates.
The gunmen were said to have seized more than 300 children and staff from the Catholic-owned institutions, including victims as young as nursery-school age, some barely out of nursery classes.
CAN Demands School Security Reinforcement
Yohanna, who also chairs the Niger State chapter of the Christian Association of Nigeria, appealed for the immediate deployment of security agents to schools and community institutions across Niger State.
He asked the Federal Government to scale up proactive school protection, particularly for vulnerable rural communities with limited policing depth.
“Forwarded names for action, not politics,” he stressed, while pleading for urgent intervention.
Reacting to the abduction crisis, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, on Thursday, declared a state-backed manhunt for the perpetrators, ordering national security agencies to track, disrupt and rescue all persons still in captivity across the country.
The president reaffirmed that Nigeria’s territory will not be ceded to terrorists under his watch and ordered immediate action for rescue, disruption and arrest.
Naija News reports that in the same week, 25 schoolgirls were abducted from another institution, while 38 worshippers were seized from a church in Kebbi and Kwara States, a broad wave of simultaneous attacks that prompted Tinubu to categorise national security as a national emergency priority.
Source: naijanews.com
Please click the following URL to read the text of the original Story
https://www.naijanews.com/2025/11/28/terrorists-still-hold-265-pupils-teachers-one-week-after-niger-school-raid/
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Norway's Special Envoy to Sudan confirms there is no new US-backed peace proposal
November 28, 2025
The head of Sudan’s armed forces has welcomed a statement by Norway’s Deputy Foreign Minister and Special Envoy to Sudan that no new US peace proposal has been presented to the Sudanese government.
Last week General Abdel Fattah al-Burhan, who also heads Sudan’s Transnational Sovereign Council, had denounced what he said was a new US-backed plan that would disband the army. But at a meeting with Burhan in Port Sudan on Thursday, Andreas Kravik said it was a misunderstanding:
"The only proposal remains the one tabled several weeks ago. Suggestions to the country are without foundation. We urge all parties to continue engaging on the basis of that proposal, and it is also critical that a humanitarian truce is followed by an inclusive political process towards a unified and stable Sudan.”
In September, the US, Saudi Arabia, Egypt, and the UAE put forward a plan for a three-month humanitarian ceasefire in Sudan, intended to pave the way for a permanent end to the fighting and start the process of restoring an independent civilian government.
More than two years of fighting between Sudan’s armed forces and the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces has created what the United Nations calls one of the world’s worst humanitarian crises. At least 40,000 people have been killed and 12 million displaced.
Kravik urged the two parties to implement a humanitarian truce and reestablish a political process in the war-torn country.
Source: africanews.com
Please click the following URL to read the text of the original Story
https://www.africanews.com/2025/11/28/norways-special-envoy-to-sudan-confirms-there-is-no-new-us-backed-peace-proposal/
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‘We have lost over 4,700 members since 2001’ – Plateau Muslim community
November 29, 2025
By Lekkyez Auta
The Muslim community in Jos, Plateau State, has claimed that it has lost over 4,700 of its members since the outbreak of violent clashes in the state from 2001 to date.
The group under the auspices of Jasawa Community Development Association, JCDA, which made the disclosure at the prayer session held on Friday, November 28, 2025, at the Jos Central Mosque, said contrary to the widely held belief that only Christians in the state suffer from genocide, they too have been victims of attacks and killings.
White speaking during the session which marked the 17th commemoration prayers for the victims of the various crises in the state, the National President of JCDA, Yawale Muhammad, said the community has dutifully recorded Muslim victims from various crises in 2001, 2002, 2004, 2008, 2010, and others, and have documented the number of Muslims that were killed to stand at over 4,700.
Muhammad noted that the most devastating of the crises was that of 2008, where hundreds of Muslims were killed in the violence that broke out during the local government elections in Jos North local government area, where hundreds of people were killed.
“The Muslim Community is today, gathered here to mark the 17th commemoration of the killing of our brothers and sisters since 2001 to date,” Mohammad said.
He stressed that for over two decades, various crises, especially in Jos North, which has a large population of Muslims, have witnessed the killings of their members, including men and women, young and old, as well as across various councils of the state.
“For us, every 28th November is not just another date on the calendar. It is a date that subsumed other dates in which unfortunate crises had befallen us. It is also set aside for sober reflection, mourning, truth-telling, prayer, and renewed resolve,” Muhammad said.
Giving a further breakdown, the JCDA President said in 2001, over 700 Muslims were killed, while in 2002, hundreds of others were killed in Eto Baba, Jos.
“You will also recall that in 2004 during the Yelwa-Shendam crisis, at least 700 Muslims were slaughtered.
“One of the episodes occurred in 2008, when post-election unrest in Jos resulted in over 1,000 Muslim deaths, followed by the 2010 multi-location attacks, including Dutse Uku, Gero, Kuru Jenta, and other areas, where more than 2,000 Muslims were reportedly killed.
“In 2011, violence at the Rukuba Road Eid praying ground left 20 worshippers dead while the 2021 Rukuba Road incident claimed hundreds of lives among Muslim travellers returning from a condolence visit to Sheikh Dahiru Bauchi. According to our records, we have lost 4,700 people.
“We have mass graves at Jos Zaria road Muslims cemetery, Narkuta Muslims cemetery, Dadin Kowa Muslims cemetery, Yelwan Shendam Muslim Cemetery, and others,” he added.
Also speaking at the prayer session, a community leader, Alhaji Shehu Masalla, said:
“November 28 is a special day for us as Muslims because we remember those who were killed during the period. We have lost property worth millions of naira. This day is very significant for us.”
Malam Hamisu Umaru, who led the prayer session, said the session was significant, especially for the victims, adding that the prayer is also meant to seek Allah’s help for the people of the state to remain in peace with one another, irrespective of their ethno-religious beliefs, noting that without peace, there would be no development.
Source: dailypost.ng
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https://dailypost.ng/2025/11/29/we-have-lost-over-4700-members-since-2001-plateau-muslim-community/
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Terrorists Kill Three Immigration Officers At Kebbi Border
November 29, 2025
By George Oshogwe
Islamic State in the Sahel Province (ISSP) terrorists, also known as Lakurawa, have reportedly killed three Nigeria Immigration Service (NIS) officers at the Bakin Ruwa Immigration checkpoint in Bagudu Local Government Area of Kebbi State.
According to Peoples Gazette, the terrorists, who attacked the officers at their duty post at about 11 p.m., burnt down the immigration vehicles and carted away the arms and ammunition belonging to the officers.
The officers killed were Ande Jerry, Audu Hudu, and an immigration officer simply identified as Abbas Major.
It was gathered that the Department of State Service (DSS) had earlier informed the NIS and other security agencies of impending attacks on security outposts or bases at Kamba and Bagudu LGAs of Kebbi State by the Lakurawa terrorist group.
“Intel further has it that the terrorists are particularly targeting NIS and NCS outposts, ostensibly to cart away Arms and use same in advancing their act of terror. In view of the above, it is advised that extra vigilance be exercised, aimed at denying them freedom of action, and frustrating their evil intention, please,” the intelligence report which The Gazette learned emanated from the SSS had said.
Over 24 hours after the incident that led to the death of three of the service’s officers, the NIS is yet to issue a statement regarding the incident.
Speaking to the aforementioned platform, Immigration sources disclosed that the Kebbi incident was not the first brutal attack that has led to the deaths of their colleagues in recent months.
A source said: “This is not the first time that terrorists are attacking and killing Immigrations and Customs officers at the borders, and our bosses, especially the CG is not saying or doing anything about it.
“The terrorists attack almost all our checkpoints from time to time. They’ve attacked and killed our officers at the checkpoints and borders in the North-West, North-East, North-Central, South-East, and South-South in recent months. Only our South-West borders seem safe.”
Source: naijanews.com
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https://www.naijanews.com/2025/11/29/terrorists-kill-three-immigration-officers-at-kebbi-border/
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‘Boko Haram Have Placed Bounty On My Head’ – Rev Dachomo
November 28, 2025
By Enioluwa Adeniyi
Outspoken Plateau State clergyman, Rev Ezekiel Dachomo, on Thursday raised fresh alarm over an alleged threat to his life by Boko Haram terrorists, claiming the insurgent group has placed a bounty on his head.
Dachomo, who serves as the Regional Chairman of the Church of Christ in Nations in Barkin Ladi Local Government Area, made the claim in a viral video shared on Thursday.
According to Dachomo, the threat followed his consistent stance against attacks on Christian communities in the Middle Belt and footage of killings, mass burials, and church attacks he has repeatedly publicised.
“Boko Haram, the Islamic terrorists, have placed a bounty on my head, and anyone who kills me first will be rewarded,” he said in the footage.
Naija News had earlier reported that his Facebook and Instagram accounts were recently taken down. At the same time, Meta has reportedly barred him from posting videos related to the killings of Christians, claiming such content could threaten Nigeria’s internal security.
However, Rev Ezekiel Dachomo maintained that his case was not based on rumour but what he described as “credible inside information.”
In the clip, he said Boko Haram was serious about eliminating him for calling attention to what he termed “Christian genocide” across Plateau State and the Middle Belt.
The clergyman said the threat was anticipated long before he began his advocacy, insisting that nothing, not even death, would stop him from speaking.
He said, “Before I embarked on this journey of exposing Christian genocide in Plateau and in Nigeria, I knew my life would be in danger, but I do not fear death.
“In fact, my death will be more dangerous to them than now that I am alive.
“This is not just about me; it is about every Nigerian who desires peace and safety. We need support to stand against this terrorism.”
Source: naijanews.com
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https://www.naijanews.com/2025/11/28/boko-haram-have-placed-bounty-on-my-head-rev-dachomo/
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Mideast
Israeli Authorities issue decision to seize inner courtyard of Ibrahimi Mosque
28 Nov 2025
The director of the Ibrahimi Mosque, Moataz Abu Sneineh, reported that Israeli occupation authorities have issued a decision to seize the inner courtyard of the Ibrahimi Mosque in the city of Hebron, in the occupied West Bank.
The Sannad News Agency quoted Abu Sneineh on Friday as saying that the occupation “has also seized the mosque’s electricity and water systems, in blatant disregard of all international conventions that guarantee the protection of religious and heritage sites.”
For her part, acting Mayor of Hebron Asmaa Al-Shurbati considered the decision “a direct threat to the Ibrahimi Mosque, which is listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site.”
Abu Sneineh had previously stated that the Israeli occupation is seeking to move from the phase of temporal and spatial division of the mosque to full control over it, through gradual policies and practical plans aimed at its complete Judaization.
He added that “attacks on the mosque have been increasing for about two years,” describing these developments as “an extension of a political approach aimed at depriving Muslims of the mosque and almost completely Judaizing it, including changes to its geographic, demographic, and structural features, the establishment of a new courtyard, encroachment on the authorities of the municipality and the religious endowments.”
Source: saba.ye
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https://www.saba.ye/en/news3598137.htm
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Hezbollah leader leaves open possibility of new war with Israel
November 28, 2025
BEIRUT: The head of Lebanese militant group Hezbollah said on Friday it retained the right to respond to Israel’s killing days ago of its top military commander and left open the possibility of a new conflict with Israel.
Naim Qassem spoke in a televised address as fears grew in Lebanon that Israel could escalate its bombardment of the country to compel Hezbollah to relinquish its arsenal across the country, which the group has repeatedly rejected.
Israel’s killing of Hezbollah’s top military commander Haytham Ali Tabtabai in a strike on Beirut’s southern suburbs on November 23 sharpened those worries.
Qassem said the group would “set the timing” for any retaliation, and said threats of a broader air campaign had no impact on the group — but that renewed war was possible.
“Do you expect a war later? It’s possible sometime. Yes, this possibility is there, and the possibility of no war is also there,” Qassem said.
Qassem did not explicitly say what the group’s position would be in a new war but said Lebanon should prepare a plan to confront Israel that relies on “its army and its people.”
Qassem also said he hoped Pope Leo’s upcoming visit to Lebanon “will play a role in bringing about peace and ending the (Israeli) aggression.”
Lebanon is under growing pressure from both Israel and the United States to more swiftly disarm Hezbollah and other militant groups across the country.
Moments after Qassem’s speech ended, Israeli military spokesperson Avichay Adraee said the Lebanese army’s efforts to seize Hezbollah weapons in the country’s south were “inadequate.”
“Hezbollah continues to manipulate them and work covertly to maintain its arsenal,” Adraee said in a post on X.
But Hezbollah has said it is unwilling to let go of its arms as long as Israel continues its strikes on Lebanese territory and its occupation of five points in the country’s south.
Source: arabnews.com
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Model OIC Summit highlights youth’s role in advancing justice for Palestine
28.11.2025
Turkish Deputy Education Minister Omer Faruk Yelkenci said Friday that the sharp-minded and courageous youth of the Islamic world could achieve together what the United Nations “failed to accomplish despite hundreds of resolutions,” as the 5th International Model OIC High School Summit continued in Istanbul.
Being held from Nov. 28 to Dec. 1 in Istanbul, the summit replicates the work of the 57-member Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC), giving high school students hands-on experience in diplomacy, negotiation, and multilateral decision-making.
Yelkenci said the presence of young delegates from across OIC countries offered “a great hope,” adding that their ideas and negotiations would guide adults in shaping solutions for global challenges.
His remarks came as the four-day summit, held under the theme "Justice for Palestine: Resistance Against Oppression," continued with committee work and high-level addresses focusing on Gaza and broader issues affecting the Islamic world.
Model OIC Club President Burak Omer Demir, addressing participants earlier in the day, paid tribute to Palestinians killed in Gaza and offered prayers for those “who are still standing against oppression, especially in Gaza and beyond.”
Demir said the war in Gaza revealed two fundamental truths: that the international order has failed to protect even the most basic human rights, and that no force can extinguish the resistance of people who are steadfast in their faith.
He described Gaza's resilience as "a lesson" for young people and urged delegates to unite, deepen cooperation, and equip themselves with the tools necessary to help reform the current international order.
Beyoglu Education and Culture Foundation (BECF) Chairman Saban Kurt also emphasized that every committee topic—from rebuilding conflict-affected regions to climate justice—is linked to the “shared pains” of the Islamic world, particularly Gaza.
“Every child suffering in Gaza, every attack on Jerusalem’s sanctity, gives meaning to your work here,” he said, noting that the summit has grown into a global platform drawing youth from dozens of countries.
He added that the delegates gathered in Istanbul “are already taking their place at the future tables of the OIC.”
As part of the ongoing program, World Ethnosport Confederation President Necmeddin Bilal Erdogan is scheduled to address a panel on the second day, while Türkiye’s Communications Director Burhanettin Duran will join the Sunday session.
The summit brings together 224 high school delegates from 56 OIC member states and countries with sizable Muslim communities. The previous High School Model OIC Summit was held on Jan. 4–7, 2024, under the theme “The Just Cause of Palestine: Establishing Permanent and Fair Peace.”
Source: aa.com.tr
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https://www.aa.com.tr/en/turkiye/model-oic-summit-highlights-youth-s-role-in-advancing-justice-for-palestine/3756702
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Syrian foreign minister calls on UN, Arab, and Islamic nations to act against repeated Israeli attacks
28.11.2025
Syria’s foreign minister called on Friday for the UN and Arab and Islamic nations to take action against Israel’s repeated attacks on its territory, condemning its strike on the town of Beit Jinn near Damascus as a deliberate assault on civilians.
On US social media company X, Asaad al-Shaibani slammed the “treacherous Israeli assault” on Beit Jinn, saying the attack “deliberately targeted innocent civilians” and warning that the continuation of such aggression threatens regional peace and security.
He said the continued strikes require “a firm international response,” adding that silence from the international community “only emboldens the aggressor to commit further crimes against civilians.”
The top Syrian diplomat called on the UN, the Security Council, and all Arab and Islamic nations to “shoulder their responsibilities” and confront the repeated Israeli attacks.
At least 13 people were killed, including women and children, and 24 were wounded early Friday in Israel’s attack on Beit Jinn and the road leading to it, in rural areas around the capital Damascus, according to official Syrian media.
The Israeli army said in a statement that six Israeli soldiers were injured, including three in critical condition, during the attack.
It claimed that it had detained members of “the Jaama Islamiya,” alleging that they “operated in the area of Beit Jinn in southern Syria and advanced attacks against Israeli civilians.”
The Israeli army staged 47 raids in southern Syria in November.
Government data shows that since December 2024, Israel has carried out over 1,000 airstrikes on Syria and more than 400 cross-border raids into the southern provinces.
After the fall of the Bashar al-Assad regime in late 2024, Israel expanded its occupation of the Syrian Golan Heights by seizing the demilitarized buffer zone, a move that violated a 1974 agreement with Syria.
Source: aa.com.tr
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Big dreams for Palestinian teens at robot show in Singapore
November 28, 2025
SINGAPORE: Palestinian student Razan Shawar has traveled for 24 hours to showcase her team’s AI-powered invention at the World Robot Olympiad in Singapore, telling AFP innovation — not war — should be why people hear about her country.
The 15-year-old high school student from Ramallah in the Israeli-occupied West Bank said she dreams of making “something big, so the world can know that the one who did this is Palestinian.”
Together with the rest of the Palestinian delegation, she traveled from the West Bank via Jordan and Dubai to attend the three-day global robotics tournament in Singapore, which ended on Friday.
More than 1,500 competitors from over 90 countries and territories gathered in the Southeast Asian city for the event, which aims to harness the innovative spirit of the world’s youth to address pressing challenges.
Malaysia stamped its class in the tournament, winning a third of the contested medals in various categories, according to an AFP tally.
Hong Kong, Costa Rica, Canada, and the Philippines were also among the first-place awardees.
For the Palestinian students, who left without a medal, it was important to represent their nation on the global stage.
Palestinian delegations have attended World Robot Olympiads since 2014, but the Israel-Hamas war meant they did not send representatives at all to the 2023 edition in Panama, and since then, no participants from the Gaza Strip — only the West Bank.
Competing in the Future Innovators senior category, this year’s Palestinian delegation created a robot that can boost agricultural production.
The “Agribot,” supported by artificial intelligence technology, works by measuring six key soil parameters like moisture, acidity, and nutrients using sensors.
It takes precise readings with its mechanical arm, and the analysis can help farmers increase yield and reduce waste.
The students now aim to make it readily available to farmers who mostly rely on traditional methods, said Razan.
Jehad Abudayyeh, 16, said that agriculture “is so important in our country ... because it’s a way of life. I’m pleased that my project will help them.”
Team member Mustafa Assi, also 16 and hoping to become an IT engineer, dreams of a more conducive environment for technology to thrive.
“I hope my country will be safer and the war will end,” he said.
Razan hopes to shine a light on other aspects of Palestinian life apart from conflict.
“We want to show the world that we are not just under war, that we can ... stand here and show people and the world that we can do this, we can be in this competition,” she said.
“We made our project, we’re proud of it,” she added.
“Palestine has students who aim to be better, and show the world that Palestinians can.”
Source: arabnews.com
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https://www.arabnews.com/node/2624327/middle-east
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Israel says nine more militants killed in Hamas tunnels
November 28, 2025
JERUSALEM: The Israeli army said Friday it had found the bodies of nine Palestinian militants recently killed in its attempts to dismantle the tunnel network in the southern Gaza Strip.
During operations in eastern Rafah, soldiers “located nine additional terrorists who had been eliminated in the underground terror infrastructure,” the army said in a statement.
“Thus far, over 30 terrorists who attempted to flee the underground terror infrastructure in eastern Rafah have been eliminated.”
Multiple sources told AFP on Thursday that negotiations were underway regarding the fate of dozens of Hamas fighters holed up in southern Gaza’s tunnels, beneath areas under Israeli military control.
On Wednesday, Hamas called on mediating countries to pressure Israel to allow safe passage — the first time the Islamist group had publicly acknowledged the situation.
The US-brokered ceasefire between Israel and Hamas, with Egypt, Turkiye and Qatar as mediators, entered into force on October 10.
Under its terms, the Israeli army withdrew behind the so-called Yellow Line within the Gaza Strip, a boundary marked on the surface with yellow concrete blocks.
The Hamas militants are in tunnels located on the Israeli-controlled side of the Yellow Line.
A source from one of the mediating countries confirmed to AFP on Thursday that the United States, Egypt, Turkiye and Qatar have been discussing “with the aim of reaching a compromise that would allow Hamas fighters to leave the tunnels behind the Yellow Line near Rafah.”
“The current proposal would grant them safe passage to areas not under Israeli control, helping to ensure this does not become a friction point that leads to further violations or the collapse of the ceasefire,” the source added.
A prominent Hamas member in Gaza told AFP that the group estimated their number to be between 60 and 80.
On this subject, an Israeli government spokesperson told AFP earlier this month that Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu “is not allowing safe passage.”
The ceasefire remains fragile, with Israel and Hamas accusing each other of violating the terms, while the Gaza Strip remains in a deep humanitarian crisis.
The Gaza war was sparked by Hamas’s October 7, 2023 attack on Israel, which resulted in the deaths of 1,221 people.
Israel’s retaliatory assault on Gaza has killed at least 69,799 people, according to figures from the territory’s health ministry that the UN considers reliable.
The ministry says that since the ceasefire came into effect, 352 Palestinians have been killed by Israeli fire.
Source: arabnews.com
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UN watchdog urges Israel to probe Gaza ‘torture’ claims
November 28, 2025
GENEVA: A UN committee urged Israel on Friday to set up an independent investigatory commission to probe claims of torture of Palestinians, and warned the situation had “gravely intensified” since the start of the Gaza war.
The United Nations Committee against Torture said it was “deeply concerned about reports indicating a de facto state policy of organized and widespread torture and ill-treatment” in Israel.
The committee, whose 10 independent experts monitor how countries implement an international convention against torture, stressed that it “unequivocally condemned the attack perpetrated by Hamas and other groups on October 7, 2023 against Israel.”
But in a report published after a regular review of Israel, it “also expressed its deep concern over the disproportionate nature of Israel’s response to these attacks.”
And it decried “a range of policies adopted by Israel in the course of its continued unlawful presence in the Occupied Palestinian Territory,” warning that it risked leading to “cruel, inhuman or degrading living conditions for the Palestinian population.”
The experts called on Israel to “establish an independent, impartial and effective ad hoc investigatory commission to review and investigate all allegations of torture and ill-treatment committed during the current armed conflict.”
Israel should also “prosecute those responsible, including superior officers, and ensure the immediate entry of necessary humanitarian aid and aid workers into Gaza,” the committee members said.
During the review conducted in Geneva earlier this month, committee rapporteur Peter Vedel Kessing told the Israeli delegation the experts had been “deeply appalled by the description we have received... of what appears to be systematic and widespread torture and ill-treatment of Palestinians, including children.”
“It is claimed that torture has become a deliberate and widespread tool of state policy... from arrest to interrogation to imprisonment.”
The committee report highlighted allegations of widespread use of torture methods, including “repeated severe beatings, dog attacks, electrocution, water-boarding, use of prolonged stress positions (and) sexual violence.”
During the review, Israel’s ambassador to the UN in Geneva, Daniel Meron, rejected the allegations presented, branding them “disinformation.”
Israel, he said, was “committed to upholding its obligations in line with our moral values and principles, even in the face of the challenges posed by a terrorist organization.”
Source: arabnews.com
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Germany’s Merz to make first visit to Israel
November 28, 2025
BERLIN: German Chancellor Friedrich Merz will make his first official visit to Israel in December at a time of heightened tensions in the region, the German government said on Friday.
The German leader will arrive in Israel on December 6 and meet with Israel’s Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, and visit the Yad Vashem Holocaust memorial on December 7.
“In addition to bilateral relations, the continued stabilization of the Gaza ceasefire and other international issues will be at the center of discussions,” said deputy spokesperson Steffen Meyer.
The announcement comes days after Berlin decided to lift a partial arms embargo on Israel, imposed in August as a reaction to an escalation in its military offensive in Gaza.
Germany has been one of Israel’s staunchest supporters as it seeks to atone for the legacy of the Holocaust.
But in recent months, Merz has occasionally delivered sharp critiques of Israeli policy as German public opinion turns against Israel’s actions.
Germany, France, Italy, and the UK on Thursday called for an end to what they called increasing “settler violence against Palestinian civilians” in the occupied West Bank, a day after Israel’s military launched a new operation against Palestinian armed groups there.
The Israeli military carried out a fresh series of strikes against Hezbollah in southern Lebanon on Thursday, exactly a year into a ceasefire with the militant group.
Israeli forces on Friday killed 13 people in southern Syria in an operation condemned by Damascus as a “war crime.”
When asked about a possible visit to Germany by Netanyahu, who faces an ICC arrest warrant for alleged war crimes and crimes against humanity in Gaza, Meyer said it was “not a topic at the moment.”
Source: arabnews.com
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https://www.arabnews.com/node/2624303/middle-east
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‘Palestinians can’: Big dreams for West Bank teens at Singapore robot fest
29 Nov 2025
SINGAPORE, Nov 29 — Palestinian student Razan Shawar has travelled for 24 hours to showcase her team’s AI-powered invention at the World Robot Olympiad in Singapore, telling AFP innovation — not war — should be why people hear about her country.
The 15-year-old high school student from Ramallah in the Israeli-occupied West Bank said she dreams of making “something big, so the world can know that the one who did this is Palestinian”.
Together with the rest of the Palestinian delegation, she made the journey from the West Bank via Jordan and Dubai to attend the three-day global robotics tournament in Singapore that ended yesterday.
More than 1,500 competitors from over 90 countries and territories gathered in the Southeast Asian city for the event, aimed at harnessing the innovative spirit of the world’s youth to find solutions for pressing challenges.
Malaysia stamped its class in the tournament, winning a third of the contested medals in various categories, according to an AFP tally.
Hong Kong, Costa Rica, Canada and the Philippines were also among the first-place awardees.
For the Palestinian students, who left without a medal, it was important to represent their nation on the global stage.
Palestinian delegations have attended World Robot Olympiads since 2014, but the Israel–Hamas war meant they did not send representatives at all to the 2023 edition in Panama, and since then, no participants from the Gaza Strip — only the West Bank.
Palestinians can
Competing in the Future Innovators senior category, this year’s Palestinian delegation created a robot that can be used to boost agriculture production.
The “Agribot”, supported by artificial intelligence technology, works by measuring six key soil parameters like moisture, acidity and nutrients using sensors.
It takes precise readings with its mechanical arm, and the analysis can help farmers increase yield and reduce waste.
The students now aim to make it easily available to farmers who mostly rely on traditional methods, said Razan.
Jehad Abudayyeh, 16, said that agriculture “is so important in our country… because it’s a way of life. I’m very happy that my project will help them.”
Team member Mustafa Assi, who is also 16 and hopes to become an IT engineer, dreams of a more conducive environment for technology to thrive.
“I hope my country will be safer and the war ends,” he said.
Razan hopes to shine a light on other aspects of Palestinian life apart from conflict.
“We want to show the world that we are not just under war, that we can… stand here and show people and the world that we can do this, we can be in this competition,” she said.
“We made our project, we’re proud of it,” she added.
“Palestine has students who aim to be better, and show the world that Palestinians can.” — AFP
Source: malaymail.com
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https://www.malaymail.com/news/singapore/2025/11/29/palestinians-can-big-dreams-for-west-bank-teens-at-singapore-robot-fest/200069
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South Asia
Islamic Emirate Seeks Balanced, Economy-Focused Relations with All Countries, Muttaqi Says
November 29, 2025
KABUL: Mawlawi Amir Khan Muttaqi, Foreign Affairs Minister of the Islamic Emirate, in a meeting with Norway’s Chargé d’Affaires to Afghanistan, Per Albert Ilsaas, said that the Islamic Emirate seeks balanced, economy-focused relations with all countries, including Pakistan.
The sides discussed political developments, economic cooperation, humanitarian concerns, and regional issues, including Afghanistan–Pakistan relations, the ministry said in a statement on Friday.
He emphasized dialogue and stability over force and confrontation.
The Norwegian diplomat expressed regret over recent airstrikes in Kunar, Khost, and Paktika that resulted in civilian casualties.
He offered condolences and reaffirmed Norway’s support for constructive engagement with Afghanistan.
Both sides exchanged views on the challenges facing returning Afghan refugees and underscored the importance of expanding diplomatic ties.
Source: thekabultimes.com
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https://thekabultimes.com/islamic-emirate-seeks-balanced-economy-focused-relations-with-all-countries-muttaqi-says/
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Khalid urges all to help maintain peaceful environment ahead of polls
28 Nov 2025
DHAKA, Nov 28, 2025 (BSS) - Religious Affairs Adviser Dr. A F M Khalid Hossain today urged people from all walks of life to refrain from excitement, misinterpretation or any provocative activities ahead of the upcoming national election.
He made the call while addressing the International Quran Recitation Conference 2025 as chief guest at Baitul Mukarram National Mosque this afternoon.
The event was organised by the International Quran Recitation Association (IQRA), with Islamic scholars from home and abroad, diplomats, and mission heads in attendance.
Dr. Khalid said the country does not want any disorder that could hinder the election process. No one will be allowed to create unrest by misinterpreting religion, he warned, adding that only genuine Islamic scholars hold the authority to interpret religious matters, and the state will not accept any distortion of religious teachings.
"We will not engage in any activities that could make the election questionable or obstruct the power transfer process. Everyone must act responsibly, and every step must be taken with caution," he stressed.
Highlighting Bangladesh's strong position in Quranic education, he noted that Bangladeshi Hafez and Qari continue to earn international acclaim at global Hifzul Quran competitions. He credited the Islamic Foundation's Dini Dawat Department for its rigorous selection process that enables the country to achieve repeated success.
Dr. Khalid also assured that government initiatives to enhance facilities for Hafez, Qari, Imams, and Muazzins will continue.
Cabinet Division Joint Secretary Tanvir Ahmed attended the event as special guest, while IQRA President Sheikh Qari Ahmad Bin Yusuf Al-Azhari chaired the conference. Special Branch DIG Ezaj Ahmed and Islamic Foundation Director Harunur Rashid were also present.
Source: bssnews.net
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https://www.bssnews.net/news/336770
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Protecting Afghanistan’s Borders Sacred Duty, Beradar
November 29, 2025
KABUL: Deputy Prime Minister for Economic Affairs of the Islamic Emirate, Mullah Abdul Ghani Beradar, issued a stern warning to adversaries of Afghanistan, declaring that protecting the nation’s borders and soil is a sacred duty and any act of aggression will be met with a decisive response.
Speaking at the graduation ceremony of the sixth round of Special Commando Forces of the Ministry of National Defence, Beradar emphasized the critical role of Afghan forces in safeguarding the country’s sovereignty and territorial integrity, according to a statement from his office the other day.
He addressed the newly graduated commandos as protectors of Islam and the homeland, highlighting their responsibility to confront malicious elements and defend Afghan soil against any violation.
Beradar stated, “Protecting Afghanistan’s borders, standing firm against malicious elements, and defending Afghan soil is your sacred responsibility. We warn the enemies of this country not to look at our land with ill intentions, and not to test the patience of Afghans again. We will not allow anyone to violate our territory, and we will respond decisively to any act of aggression.”
The deputy prime minister further reaffirmed that the Islamic Emirate remains committed to maintaining respectful and mutually beneficial relations with neighboring countries and the international community, based on dialogue and cooperation rather than force.
During the ceremony, the Special Commando Forces conducted helicopter and ground tactical maneuvers, demonstrating their high level of training, discipline, and preparedness.
The event concluded with the distribution of appreciation certificates to the graduates and a closing prayer, underscoring the Islamic Emirate’s focus on strengthening national security and defending the country’s borders.
Source: thekabultimes.com
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https://thekabultimes.com/protecting-afghanistans-borders-sacred-duty-beradar/
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IEA Delegation Attends 3rd International North–South Transport Corridor Forum in Moscow
November 29, 2025
MOSCOW: The Ambassador of the Islamic Emirate to Moscow, Mawlavi Gul Hassan Hassan, participated in the 3rd International Forum on the North–South Transport Corridor, the embassy said in a statement on Friday.
Addressing the forum, the ambassador highlighted the strategic importance of linking the North–South Corridor with the Lapis Lazuli Route and the Six Nations Ground Corridor, noting that such integration will contribute to major economic shifts across Eurasia.
Forum speakers also underscored that regional economic progress is closely tied to Afghanistan’s stability.
During the visit, Ambassador Hassan held discussions with the Governor of Astrakhan on economic cooperation, transit facilitation, and Afghanistan’s strategic role.
Source: thekabultimes.com
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https://thekabultimes.com/iea-delegation-attends-3rd-international-north-south-transport-corridor-forum-in-moscow/
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People no longer want ‘old, rotten politics’
Nov 29, 2025
Jamaat-e-Islami Ameer Shafiqur Rahman yesterday said people no longer want "old, rotten, and foul politics" and are seeking a change.
"They want to see a 'New Bangladesh'. And a 'New Bangladesh' cannot run on old formulas," he told a rally at the BRP ground in Dhaka's Bhashantek area.
Speaking as chief guest at the event organised in support of SM Khaliduzzaman, Jamaat's nominee for Dhaka-17, Shafiqur said people do not want to see any partisan government in the future. "They want a people's government -- one in which every official prioritises public interest over personal gains."
Referring to the July uprising, he said, "A great deal of blood and lives were sacrificed for change. People hoped fascism would leave this land forever. Sadly, it has not. A section of the fascists may have left, but fascism still remains."
He cited corruption, extortion, land grabbing, disrespect for women and attempts to destabilise the country as signs of persisting fascism.
On the national election, he said, "If people choose us, we will call upon all political parties and forces to stand with us. We will build the country together.
"Some have said if they are elected, they will form a government with all anti-fascist parties except Jamaat-e-Islami. We say to them: if the people elect us, we will not exclude you. We will build the country together with everyone."
He also claimed propaganda was being spread that Jamaat would confine women if it came to power. "We will respond to all such propaganda through our actions, not words. The days of misleading people with lies are over," he said.
"Every citizen has the freedom to practise any religious belief. There will be no coercion. In the next election, some of our candidates will be from minority communities. We want to bring the nation on a platform of unity through this," he said.
Source: thedailystar.net
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https://www.thedailystar.net/news/bangladesh/politics/news/people-no-longer-want-old-rotten-politics-4046126
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Jamaat plans major overhaul of nomination list
Nov 29, 2025
The Jamaat-e-Islami is bringing major changes to its nomination list by incorporating top student union leaders from Dhaka University and other institutions, civil society members, journalists, cultural figures and representatives of minority and ethnic groups.
The party would also leave a number of seats in support of strong candidates from its seven like-minded parties, Jamaat Assistant Secretary General Ahsanul Mahboob Zubair told The Daily Star.
The mostly Islamist electoral alliance plans to reveal the list after the election schedule is announced in early December, according to him.
"You will see major changes and attraction in the final list of our nomination as we want to make it inclusive," added Zubair, who also heads the party's media wing.
He said several frontline student leaders of the July uprising who won the central vice-president and general secretary posts in recently held student union polls at Dhaka University, Rajshahi University, Jahangirnagar University and Chattogram University, would be nominated for contesting the upcoming national election to woo young voters.
"We have also asked the student leaders that their respective duties in the central student unions of their universities are not hampered if they win the national election," Zubair said.
Leaders of Jamaat's student wing Islami Chhatra Shibir swept all these elections, securing almost all VP and GS posts.
Jamaat Secretary General Mia Golam Porwar told The Daily Star that considering the new political context and the young generation's expectations, the party has decided to bring forward young leadership.
"A significant number of our voters are young who couldn't cast their votes in the last three farcical national elections. We want to attract the young voters by nominating young candidates," he said.
Porwar also said Islamist parties were discussing an "understanding" for seat adjustments, adding, "Once the electoral understanding or alliance is finalised, candidates will be withdrawn from some constituencies."
The Jamaat had completed the nomination process in all 300 constituencies early this year, allowing its candidates to prepare the field far ahead of their opponents.
The party, however, faced criticism from different quarters for not nominating any candidates from minority and women.Asked about the matter, Zubair mentioned the party's recent decision to nominate several candidates from minority and ethnic groups. On the inclusion of women candidates, he said the party has an organisational system to pick the prospective candidates for running in the national election.
Around 80 percent of Jamaat's picks are new faces who have never contested an election before, while about 60 have experience in running for public offices.
At least 16 candidates are former presidents of Islami Chhatra Shibir, including Shafiqul Islam Masud, currently serving as the secretary of the party's Dhaka South unit.
Jamaat last saw major electoral success in the fifth (1991) and eighth (2001) parliamentary polls, winning 18 and 17 seats respectively. Ahead of the 2026 election, it is again seeking to lead an Islamist alliance with Islami Andolan Bangladesh and others.
Source: thedailystar.net
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Arab World
AlUla and Pompeii game-changing partnership shaping future of cultural travel
RASHID HASSAN
November 28, 2025
RIYADH: The heritage sites of AlUla in northwestern Saudi Arabia and Pompeii in southern Italy have come together in a groundbreaking cultural partnership.
The collaboration, which blends the rich legacies of the two UNESCO World Heritage Sites, is set to transform the experience of heritage tourism.
Two of the world’s most remarkable open-air heritage destinations in collaboration will redefine how travelers experience the past, offering visitors a deeper, more immersive connection to history.
The Royal Commission for AlUla recently hosted a high-level delegation from the Archaeological Park of Pompeii led by General Director Dr. Gabriel Zuchtriegel as part of the Saudi-Italian Cultural Cooperation Framework.
According to RCU, the visit marked a deepening of cultural ties between the two UNESCO World Heritage Sites and explored how shared expertise can enhance conservation, interpretation, and visitor experience.
Set amid sweeping desert canyons and lush oases, AlUla is a living museum of human civilization. Its signature site, Hegra, was the first place in Saudi Arabia inscribed on the UNESCO World Heritage List and is home to monumental tombs carved by the Nabataeans more than 2,000 years ago.
Over several days, experts from Pompeii and AlUla exchanged insights on how heritage sites can evolve to meet the expectations of modern travelers while safeguarding authenticity.
Phillip Jones, chief tourism officer at RCU, said the partnership shows how cultural destinations can learn from one another to deliver more meaningful experiences.
“Travelers today are not just looking at history; they want to feel part of it. Through collaborations like this, we are ensuring that when people walk through Hegra or Pompeii, they connect with the stories, craftsmanship, and cultures that shaped our world. It is about preserving the past while inspiring the traveler of tomorrow,” said Jones.
The visit also demonstrated the complementary nature of both destinations. While Pompeii represents a moment frozen in time, AlUla tells a story of resilience and continuity, where heritage, landscape, and living culture remain intertwined.
Dr. Abdulrahman Al-Suhaibani, vice president of culture at RCU, said: “Pompeii’s urban archaeology and AlUla’s landscape archaeology present two very different approaches to uncovering the past. By combining these perspectives, we are building new methods of conservation and site interpretation that can elevate the visitor experience for years to come.”
Zuchtriegel said: “Pompeii and AlUla share a belief that heritage can be a bridge between cultures. We are united by a mission to protect history and to invite visitors to engage with it responsibly, sustainably, and with wonder.”
By combining the expertise and conservation strategies of both sites, the collaboration seeks to not only preserve these iconic locations but also create more engaging experiences for modern travelers.
Future projects include the Pompeii G.R.E.E.N. Conference on Sustainable Heritage Management and joint exhibitions celebrating cultural exchange between Saudi Arabia and Italy.
Silvia Barbone, vice president of strategic partnerships at RCU, said: “This visit marks the first milestone since our partnership with Pompeii was signed in AlUla in the presence of Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni, symbolizing a new chapter in Saudi-Italian cultural cooperation. Through this collaboration, we will work together on heritage management and enhancing visitor experiences, integrating culture with landscape and agriculture to ensure that heritage remains a living resource, one that continues to educate, inspire, and sustain communities for generations to come.”
For travelers, this collaboration promises more engaging storytelling, advanced conservation techniques, and immersive experiences that bring history vividly to life, whether through walking the sunbaked streets of Pompeii or exploring the ancient tombs of Hegra.
Source: arabnews.com
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Italy, Saudi creatives collaborate at Riyadh design event
HEBSHI ALSHAMMARI
November 28, 2025
RIYADH: The first Salone del Mobile Milano in Saudi Arabia has helped to link creatives of the Kingdom and Italy ahead of a fair planned for next year, according to the organizers.
The event, which concluded on Nov. 28 after a three-day run at Riyadh’s King Abdullah Financial District, was held under the theme “Red in Progress.”
The event was inaugurated by Rakan Al-Touq, assistant minister of culture. The opening ceremony was attended by Prince Nawaf bin Abdulaziz bin Ayyaf, acting CEO of the Architecture and Design Commission, and Antonio Tajani, Italy’s deputy prime minister, and minister of foreign affairs and international cooperation.
Prince Nawaf said: “Hosting the world’s leading design and furniture exhibition in Riyadh reflects Saudi Arabia’s rising position within the global design landscape.”
He added that the partnership aims “to build a sustainable ecosystem where collaboration between Saudi Arabian and Italian designers drive innovation, knowledge exchange, and long-term opportunities.”
Maria Porro, president of Salone del Mobile Milano, said: “We believe great design emerges from dialogue, and today, Italian and Saudi Arabian designers are speaking to each other with curiosity, respect, and imagination.”
She told Arab News that the “extraordinary energy” of the Saudi Arabia design scene was the primary reason for organizing the event.
The demand was not for quick solutions, but meaningful ones, and spaces “rooted in Saudi Arabian identity, yet open to global innovation,” Porro added.
She urged young Saudi designers to understand their own culture and connect it to global practice. “Don’t try to imitate, try to contribute,” she said.
The “world is ready to hear new voices from Saudi Arabia,” she added.
Porro said that while luxury and brand remain important, sustainability was “no longer a secondary consideration” but “a real design driver.”
The exhibition featured 38 Italian brands presenting furniture, interiors, materials, lighting, and product innovation.
The Architecture and Design Commission presented its national initiative “Designed in Saudi,” which spotlighted emerging product designers from the Kingdom.
A dedicated handicrafts pavilion curated by the Ministry of Culture showcased Saudi Arabia artisans. In collaboration with the Royal Institute for Traditional Arts, the pavilion displayed an artistic piece titled “Nasaj” which incorporated five traditional crafts.
A cultural program of 13 talks and masterclasses ran for the duration of the event. The program opened with a keynote session titled “Shaping the Future of Design: Milan meets Riyadh,” featuring Prince Nawaf and Porro.
The participants discussed urban design, sustainable architecture, the impact of artificial intelligence on creative industries, and the preservation of craft traditions.
Source: arabnews.com
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NOMAS hosts cultural evening celebrating Saudi heritage
RAHAF JAMBI
November 28, 2025
RIYADH: NOMAS Riyadh welcomed guests on Thursday for a special cultural event, held in collaboration with Art of Heritage, which brought together Saudi craftsmanship, regional artistic traditions, and a culinary experience designed to honor the Kingdom’s diverse heritage.
NOMAS is a fine-dining restaurant located in the Marriott Riyadh Diplomatic Quarter, offering a culinary experience that blends traditional Saudi cuisine and heritage with a modern atmosphere. Opened in September 2025, it showcases Saudi identity through interiors designed locally, artisan-made details such as handcrafted lamps, and bespoke tableware that reflects stories and traditions from regions across the Kingdom.
The evening featured an intimate display of Saudi art and heritage pieces sourced from different regions of the Kingdom. Visitors were invited to explore intricate textiles, traditional designs, and handcrafted items that reflected the depth and richness of local craftsmanship. The display extended throughout the restaurant.
The gathering took place in the presence of Princess Nourah Al-Faisal, founder of Art of Heritage, who spoke to Arab News about the significance of the collaboration.
Princess Nourah said she hoped the event would encourage guests to look closely at the artistry around them, and stressed: “Please keep your eyes open tonight. Anything you see on the shelves, on the walls, even the pillows on the chairs, all of it comes from our artisans and craftspeople. There is so much detail in every piece, and we wanted visitors to feel surrounded by that history and creativity.”
She said that Art of Heritage was known for its traditional clothing, but the organization’s work extended far beyond fashion. “Everybody thinks we only do clothing, but a lot of what we produce are homeware items,” she said. “We have plates, cups … and we are moving more into tableware. This exhibition was a chance to showcase that variety.”
The curated dinner also highlighted Saudi culinary heritage, with NOMAS’ chef Ahad presenting a menu inspired by regional flavors and traditional ingredients. Guests were later treated to an evening of storytelling which celebrated the cultural influences behind the showcased artworks.
Princess Nourah expressed her appreciation of the partnership behind the event, and added: “We are very proud of the work we do at Art of Heritage, and we have found amazing partners in the Marriott team for this event. What better setting than a dinner like this to highlight our artisans and the beauty of their craft?”
She said: “Thank you so much for being here and for supporting the work of our craftspeople. It means a great deal to us, and I hope everyone enjoys discovering the stories behind each piece.”
Source: arabnews.com
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Saudi Arabia condemns Israeli strikes on Beit Jinn
November 28, 2025
RIYADH: Saudi Arabia on Friday strongly condemned the recent aggression carried out by Israeli occupation forces against the town of Beit Jinn in the Syrian Arab Republic.
At least 13 people were killed and 24 injured by Israeli forces during a raid on the southern village, according to the Syrian News Agency, SANA.
In a statement, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs affirmed the Kingdom’s rejection of all Israeli violations of Syrian territory and any attempts to destabilize the security and stability of Syria and its people.
“The Kingdom reiterates its demand to the international community, particularly the permanent members of the UN Security Council, to address the repeated Israeli violations of Syrian sovereignty and the criminal Israeli practices against the population in Syrian border villages and areas,” the statement said.
It called for the implementation of all relevant international resolutions and laws to “guarantee the sovereignty, unity, and security of Syria and its brotherly people.”
Source: arabnews.com
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Prince Talal International Prize honors pioneer projects
November 28, 2025
MADRID: AGFUND celebrated the winners of the Prince Talal International Prize for Human Development, honoring pioneer projects in the field of “Life Below Water,” the 14th sustainable development goal, in Madrid.
The event was held under the patronage of Queen Sofia, a member of the Prince Talal International Prize Committee for Human Development, and in the presence of Prince Abdulaziz bin Talal, chairman of the AGFUND board of directors and chairman of the prize committee, and Princess Haifa Al-Mogrin, Saudi ambassador to Spain.
Prince Abdulaziz bin Talal said that the fund believes true development is founded on justice, empowerment and partnership. He added that the Prince Talal International Prize was established to serve as a platform for outstanding initiatives, to foster creativity and innovation, and to showcase pioneering projects that advance the sustainable development goals.
In his statement, he expressed his gratitude to Spain for hosting the ceremony and congratulated the winners on their innovative solutions that strengthen the protection of marine ecosystems. He also expressed his hope that the achievement will inspire further innovation and dedicated efforts toward a more sustainable and prosperous future.
He said that the ceremony was being held at a time when the international community is preparing for a series of major global meetings, including summits on climate, sustainable development and financing for development, reflecting a greater responsibility and highlighting the importance of supporting international efforts to build a more sustainable future.
Nasser Al-Kahtani, AGFUND executive director, said that the prize is a key pillar of the Arab Gulf Program for Development’s strategy to support UN development organizations, highlighting its role in identifying and promoting sustainable development solutions.
Signora Mercedes Menafra, a member of the prize committee, said said the legacy of the prize reflects the late Prince Talal’s enduring developmental vision.
The prize carries a reward of $1 million awarded by AGFUND. Every year, the committee dedicates its theme to one of the sustainable development goals for competition.
Source: arabnews.com
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Saudi urban planners embrace bioswales for flood control
HAIFA ALSHAMMARI
November 28, 2025
RIYADH: During the fall and winter, parts of Saudi Arabia face bouts of heavy rainfall that can overwhelm drainage networks, particularly in older neighborhoods or areas with inadequate infrastructure.
Over the years, repeated flooding has caused fatalities and major damage to homes, businesses and public property. Jeddah is one of the clearest examples.
As reported by Arab News in 2015, past urban planning decisions allowed construction in natural flood valleys, creating structural vulnerabilities that surfaced whenever severe rain hit.
At the time, experts noted that infrastructure systems — from stormwater drainage and sanitation to roads, lighting, electrical grids and water services — had not been developed in tandem, leaving cities exposed. Ignoring the natural valley system further amplified the risk and led specialists to call for comprehensive flood strategies to correct earlier planning mistakes, according to Fares Al-Enzi, an academic affiliated with Prince Sultan bin Abdul Aziz University.
A 2019 King Saud University report echoed similar concerns, finding that rapid urbanization had expanded into natural waterways, blocking the movement of runoff and worsening flash flood incidents.
Since the launch of Vision 2030 in 2016, however, Saudi Arabia has been investing heavily in modern, resilient infrastructure to address these gaps. One nature-based solution increasingly being adopted is the use of bioswales.
Bioswales are vegetated channels that capture, filter and redirect stormwater, allowing it to gradually infiltrate the soil. Typically designed in linear, parabolic, trapezoidal or V-shaped forms, they slow the rush of runoff and help reduce surface flooding.
“Bioswales can be effective in Saudi Arabia when designed for the region’s rainfall behavior, which is infrequent but often intense,” said Abdulaziz Daghestani, area sales director of water utilities in MENA for Boston Landscape Co., and Saudi Arabia country director for Grundfos.
They help manage peak storm events by providing temporary storage and easing the load on drainage networks. “This reduces pressure on drainage networks and lowers the risk of sudden surges,” he told Arab News. “Their effectiveness increases when drought-tolerant vegetation and engineered soil mixes suited to arid conditions are used.”
Although often compared to rain gardens, bioswales handle larger quantities of water and are typically positioned along roads, parking lots or other impervious surfaces.
“At Grundfos, we see bioswales as an important part of decentralized stormwater management, complementing modern pumping and monitoring systems that help cities manage extreme rainfall more proactively,” Daghestani said.
Saudi soils vary widely, and many are low in permeability. To adapt, bioswales in the Kingdom often rely on engineered soil layers, gravel bases and underdrain systems that compensate for limited natural infiltration. Plant selection is equally critical.
“Native, heat-resistant vegetation maintains performance while minimizing irrigation needs,” he said. “These adaptations help bioswales function reliably despite clay-heavy soils and high temperatures.”
In urban centers, these systems can meaningfully reduce flood risks by directing and absorbing runoff. “In cities such as Jeddah and Riyadh, their benefits are most apparent when they operate alongside engineered infrastructure, like retention basins and controlled drainage systems,” Daghestani explained. “As part of an integrated approach, bioswales help manage peak storm events and support overall urban flood resilience.”
He added that Grundfos is collaborating with Saudi municipalities on hybrid stormwater solutions that pair nature-based designs with smart pumps and sensors for improved weather-response capabilities.
Beyond their flood-management role, bioswales also improve water quality. “Bioswales act as natural filtration systems, capturing sediments, oils, metals and other pollutants carried by stormwater,” Daghestani said. “Engineered soils and vegetation trap contaminants before the water enters drainage networks or natural ecosystems, reducing pollutant loads and lowering maintenance needs for hydraulic infrastructure. This is especially important in urban areas with higher impurity loads.”
Different types of bioswales are suited to different environments.
Grassed swales are simple, turf-covered channels suitable for parks and residential areas, capable of removing up to 71 percent of suspended solids with minimal maintenance.
Dry swales, built with engineered soil and gravel supported by perforated pipes, completely drain between storms and work well where natural infiltration is poor.
Wet swales are best for high-water-table areas; they retain a shallow water layer and function like narrow wetlands, offering habitat benefits in addition to stormwater control.
Vegetated swales, planted with native species, offer greater pollutant removal and enhance local biodiversity while improving the aesthetic character of urban landscapes.
As Saudi Arabia continues to expand its cities and strengthen its infrastructure, bioswales provide a practical and environmentally friendly tool for managing stormwater sustainably. When paired with advanced engineering systems and tailored to the Kingdom’s climate and soil conditions, they can help prevent the recurrence of past weather-related disasters and contribute to safer, more resilient cities for generations to come.
Source: arabnews.com
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Southeast Asia
‘New law must not impede freedom of expression’
29 Nov 2025
Malaysia’s proposed under-16 social media limits spark concern as experts warn that safeguarding youths must not compromise freedom of expression or digital participation.
PETALING JAYA: Universiti Teknologi Mara communication experts have cautioned that Malaysia’s proposed restriction on social media access for users aged under 16 must not unintentionally curtail the freedom of expression of young people.
Its Head of Strategic Communication Centre for Communications and Media Faculty Dr Wan Norbani Wan Noordin said it is important to understand that digital spaces play a central role in how today’s youths learn, communicate and participate in society.
“In terms of freedom of expression and civic participation, Gen Z has shown greater involvement in environmental preservation campaigns than previous generations, which is highly evident today.
“Setting a minimum age limit of 16 would not curtail freedom of expression but rather facilitate more mature and meaningful engagement, provided the right systems and trained personnel are in place.”
She said any regulation must be supported by clear governance structures and coordinated stakeholder involvement.
“Any new policy must be supported by the right systems and stakeholder groups, such as parents, teachers, ministries, telcos and counsellors. This move is necessary and long overdue, but it must be properly structured for continuity and sustainability.”
However, she warned that enforcement without adequate education could cause resistance among teens who have been active online from a young age.
“There would be psychological and emotional effects on those who have been online since they were 12 or 13 years old. Government agencies must be prepared with the systems and personnel to manage these challenges,” she said.
Universiti Teknologi Mara communication and media policy expert Assoc Prof Dr Tengku Elena Tengku Mahamad said international experience from the United Kingdom and Singapore shows that age restrictions could help reduce exposure to harmful content, but they are not effective on their own.
“Restrictions could help reduce harm, but they must not silence young voices. In the United Kingdom and Singapore, age limits only work when combined with strong digital literacy programmes and platform safeguards.
“What tends not to work are systems that young users can get around through VPNs, shared devices or borrowed accounts. These measures shift youths elsewhere, often into more private or unregulated spaces.”
She said Malaysia must consider how restrictions would affect youth identity-building and digital participation.
“For many young people, digital spaces are where they form identity, creativity and support networks. Policies that are too restrictive risk pushing them away rather than keeping them safer.
“The key is balance. Protecting minors is essential, but it should be paired with age-appropriate access, strong privacy safeguards and comprehensive digital literacy initiatives.
“Involving youth voices in policymaking could also ensure regulations are realistic and respectful of their rights.”
Source: thesun.my
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Malaysia rejects en-bloc sales for urban renewal projects
28 Nov 2025
Government confirms urban renewal will require owner consent, not forced relocation, with a focus on returning residents to improved units.
PUTRAJAYA: The government will not adopt the en-bloc sale model for urban renewal to prevent forced relocation and gentrification, said PLANMalaysia deputy director-general (Development) Saidin Lateh.
He stated the en-bloc approach, practised in Singapore and Hong Kong, contradicts the forthcoming Urban Renewal Bill, which guarantees owners the right to return to replacement units at no cost.
“We will not implement en-bloc sales,” Saidin told reporters after a dialogue session.
“Malaysia takes a different approach.”
He explained that securing 80% owner consent will initiate consultations and technical studies, but the process remains negotiation-based and no project can proceed without majority approval.
Saidin acknowledged that achieving full consent is nearly impossible due to untraceable owners, inheritance issues, and overseas migration.
“We must be realistic,” he said.
“If 95 owners agree but five do not, it would be unfair to disregard the majority who have long lived in substandard housing.”
Under the Bill, owners will receive larger, higher-quality replacement units without any payment, with relocation, temporary rental, and early maintenance costs covered by the developer.
Those opting to relocate will receive cash compensation based on market value.
To strengthen community confidence, government-linked companies, state-owned firms, UDA Holdings Bhd and MARA will be prioritised as developers.
The Urban Renewal Bill is expected to be tabled again in Parliament next month.
Source: thesun.my
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Anwar announces RM15 billion development boost for Sabah
28 Nov 2025
Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim reveals RM15 billion federal allocation for Sabah’s development, covering education, health, infrastructure and poverty eradication programmes.
KOTA KINABALU: The MADANI government has allocated substantial funding to Sabah for various development and welfare programmes, Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim announced today.
In a Facebook post, Anwar detailed that Sabah received RM5.87 billion for education, RM2.49 billion for health, and RM3.69 billion for infrastructure this year alone.
Employment and economic opportunities received RM162.77 million in federal funding.
“The MADANI Government has channelled the largest allocation for Sabah to help ease the cost of living, address the electricity and water supply issues, build hospitals, upgrade dilapidated clinics and eradicate hardcore poverty,” he said.
Anwar highlighted various cost of living initiatives including the BUDI95 programme, special diesel subsidies, and Sumbangan Tunai Rahmah benefits reaching over 842,000 Sabah recipients.
The Social Welfare Department provided assistance to over 68,000 Sabahans with an allocation of RM317.92 million.
On electricity, Anwar confirmed federal support continues despite Sabah’s regained regulatory authority, including RM1.2 billion for supply continuity and RM190 million for rural electricity projects.
The RM1 billion water supply project is expected to complete next year, covering new pipes in Tawau and upgrades in Kota Kinabalu, Penampang and Putatan.
Total water project allocation from 2023 to 2026 reached RM1.33 billion.
Health infrastructure developments include the ongoing RM125 million Sabah heart centre and 70% progress on upgrading 48 dilapidated clinics under an RM800 million Budget 2025 allocation.
Sabah received the most benefits from dilapidated school renovations, with 230 projects fully completed.
Hardcore poverty eradication showed remarkable progress, dropping from 23,651 household heads in February 2024 to just four in October.
Anwar attributed this success to focused programmes like Sejati MADANI, targeted assistance and village-level interventions.
“Choose a future that brings a ray of HARAPAN (hope) and one that truly works for the people of Sabah,” he urged voters.
Source: thesun.my
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PM condemns assault on journalist Haresh Deol
28 Nov 2025
Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim condemns the assault on journalist Haresh Deol, emphasising no violence against media personnel performing their duties.
PUTRAJAYA: Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim has condemned the assault on sportswriter and National Press Club deputy president Haresh Deol.
Communications Minister Datuk Fahmi Fadzil said the Prime Minister emphasised at today’s Cabinet meeting that there should never be any violence against journalists performing their duties.
“We will leave it to the authorities to conduct a thorough investigation,” Fahmi told a media conference after the meeting.
Haresh was assaulted by two individuals in Bangsar on Tuesday, with one recording the attack on a mobile phone.
Kuala Lumpur police chief Datuk Fadil Marsus confirmed yesterday that a suspect had been arrested and was believed to have targeted the wrong person.
Initial investigations suggest the attack stemmed from a personal motive involving alleged harassment of the suspect’s wife.
Source: thesun.my
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