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Islamic World News ( 18 Nov 2024, NewAgeIslam.Com)

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Calling political contest ‘vote jihad’ wrong, Hindu society must counter it: Ram temple treasurer

New Age Islam News Bureau

18 Nov 2024

Swami Govinddev Giri, the treasurer of Shri Ram Janmabhoomi Teerth Kshetra Trust.Credit: X/@GovindaDevGiri

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· Calling political contest ‘vote jihad’ wrong, Hindu society must counter it: Ram temple treasurer

· Netanyahu remains key obstacle to Middle East peace, says Israeli analyst

· The Biden administration wants ‘World War III’ – Trump Jr.

· Islamic scholars unite against gender-based violence in northern Nigeria

· Expand global collaboration in education, break traditional boundaries - PM Anwar

· Iran executes two Afghan citizens amid surge in Capital Punishments

· Four arrested for allegedly murdering woman in Sialkot: police

· King Salman approves hosting of 1,000 Umrah pilgrims from 66 countries

· Muslims face ‘bleak and dystopian’ climate in UK, says head of thinktank

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India

· Faith meets future: How AI digital twins are helping preserve churches, temples, and mosques

· Terrorist associate held in Jammu and Kashmir

· FIR lodged after JMM, Cong complain to EC against BJP video: ‘How far will you allow country to fall in name of Hindu-Muslim?’

· Seek nod for Friday sermon topics, waqf board tells Chhattisgarh imams

· Pinarayi's remarks on Thangal shows nexus with Sangh Parivar: Muslim League mouthpiece slams Kerala CM

· With split likely in Muslim vote, Shindes face uphill task in Solapur

· Secretary-General of Muslim Council of Elders meets with CEO of Shaolin Monastery

· Baba Siddique murder: Gujarat man held from Akola, 25th arrest in case

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Mideast

· Al-Houthi & Al-Rahwi participate in Martyr Festival inauguration & "Holy Jihad" exhibition

· Iranian Sunni scholars pen letter to Islamic world on Gaza

· Suspected attack by Yemen’s Houthi militia targets ship in the Red Sea

· Israeli court jails Palestinian WAFA journalist Rasha Herzallah for six months

· Cultural experts urge UN to shield Lebanon’s heritage

· Frankly Speaking: How do Palestinians perceive a new Trump presidency?

· Lebanon army says Israeli attack kills 2 soldiers

· The long road from Qatar to Makkah: A guide to pursuing Umrah

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North America

· Trump could be the end of Zelensky’s war effort, regime, and political career

· Here's when 'Dune: Prophecy' takes place in the movies' timeline, and what the Butlerian Jihad is

· Top Republican says Trump nominees are ‘disruptors’

· Xi says he will work with Trump in last meeting with Biden

· Who has joined Trump's team so far?

· Zelensky welcomes reported lifting of US restrictions on long-range weapons

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Africa

· How Lakurawa terrorists deceived us?Islamic cleric

· Activists highlight plight of world's hungry ahead of G20 summit in Brazil

· Minna Chief Imam Dies At 93

· Southwest Muslims Caution Tinubu Against Tax Reform Bill, Say President Should Listen To The Masses

· Food importation won’t solve Nigeria’s economic woes, South-West Muslims warn Tinubu

· Govs Threatening Reps To Withdraw Support For Tinubu’s VAT Bill Or Lose 2027 Tickets – Agbese

· ‘Nigeria Has Bigger Problems, Obsession With Badenoch’s Comments Is Entirely Diversionary’ – Laolu Akande

· Banditry: Matawalle Sues Journalists Over Alleged Defamation, Demands?60 Billion Damages

· Ondo Election: DIG Abiodun Commends Security Agencies

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Southeast Asia

· PM Anwar calls on Malaysians worldwide to support govt’s reforms, progress and global initiatives

· Govt prioritises rehabilitation, family reunification for children rescued from GISBH, religious affairs minister tells Dewan Rakyat

· Man arrested following discovery of suspected explosives in Miri mosque

· Cops can now freeze, seize mule bank accounts to prevent scam victims’ money from being withdrawn

· Sarawak police arrest man after suspected explosives found in Senadin mosque, later confirmed harmless (VIDEO)

· PM Discusses Halal Issues, DakwahWith Muslim Community In Brazil

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South Asia

· 8 get life term for killing farmer in Netrakona

· Committee Convenes to Review Land Allocation for Homeless Returnees in Kabul

· Badakhshan Disaster Relief Efforts Support Victims of Natural Disasters

· Afghanistan Deaf Union Heads Highlight Needs in Meeting with PM’s Office

· Man beaten to death in Kishoreganj

· Jubo League leader whose conversation with ex-PM went viral arrested

· Historical sites need protection, maintenance

· Ministry of Information and Culture Promotes Employment with Freelancing Program in Herat

· Higher Education Minister Highlights Equal Role of Emirati and Private Institutions

· Banks asked to keep LC margin on essentials’ import ahead of Ramadan

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Pakistan

· Council of Islamic Ideology chairman clarifies VPN proclamation

· Two killed in blast near mosque in S Waziristan

· Election tribunals yet to decide 83pc of disputes

· Local JUI-F leader killed in South Waziristan explosion

· Pakistan needs $390bn for low-carbon transition by 2050: ADB

· Govt’s policies, reforms have ensured economic stability: finance minister

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Arab World

· Saudi FM arrives in Rio de Janeiro ahead of G20 Summit

· Saudi defense minister meets with Chinese envoy to Kingdom

· Old school, new love: Analog tech captures hearts in Saudi Arabia

· Saudi authorities foil attempted smuggling of $2m worth of Captagon pills

· GCC secretary general receives Austria’s ambassador in Riyadh

· Saudi delegation gains insights on sustainable agriculture in Morocco

· Authorities bust drug smugglers across Saudi Arabia

· Misk Global Forum 2024 set to start in Riyadh

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Europe

· Biden allows Ukraine to strike inside Russia with missiles

· 'Massive' Russian attack causes Ukraine blackouts

· How long-range missiles striking Russia could affect Ukraine war

· Tallow Hill mosque 'breaks down barriers' at open day

· Keep protesting, says Navalny's widow at Berlin march

· Nordic neighbours release new advice on surviving war

· Russian ballet star Vladimir Shklyarov dies at 39

· German cruise missiles won’t be ‘game changer’ for Ukraine – defense chief

Compiled by New Age Islam News Bureau

URL: https://newageislam.com/islamic-world-news/vote-jihad-hindu-society-ram-temple-political/d/133747

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Calling political contest ‘vote jihad’ wrong, Hindu society must counter it: Ram temple treasurer

17 November 2024

Swami Govinddev Giri, the treasurer of Shri Ram Janmabhoomi Teerth Kshetra Trust.Credit: X/@GovindaDevGiri

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Pune: Swami Govinddev Giri, the treasurer of Shri Ram Janmabhoomi Teerth Kshetra Trust, said on Sunday that it was wrong to describe a political fight as “vote jihad”, asserting that the Hindu society must counter it. His comments come amid Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis’s attacks on “vote jihad” and calls to respond to it with ‘dharma-yudh’. Speaking to reporters, the Hindu seer said directions about whom to vote were earlier discretely issued from religious places by distributing pamphlets but slogans like ‘vote jihad’ are now being openly given. The religious leader said 'jihad' is equivalent to ‘dharma-yudh’“Calling a fight between two political parties 'yudh' is not right. But since ‘vote jihad’ is being openly advocated, it must be countered by the Hindu society without hesitation,” he said. Voting is the right and responsibility of good citizens, said the religious leader from Ayodhya Ram temple. “Being a true Hindu is pro-humanity, and treating everyone equally like Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj,” he said, adding, “We should tolerate injustice as well.” Earlier, referring to a purported appeal by an Islamic scholar for “vote jihad” against the BJP-led Mahayuti government, Fadnavis had called for a “dharma-yudh of votes” to counter it. During a few rallies in Pune ahead of the November 20 assembly polls, Fadnavis had played a video by Islamic scholar Sajjad Nomani and claimed that the slogan of “vote-Jihad” was raised. vote jihad, then you will also have to do dharma-yudh of votes,” Fadnavis had said in a swipe at the opposition Maha Vikas Aghadi.

Source:deccanherald.com

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https://www.deccanherald.com/india/calling-political-contest-vote-jihad-wrong-hindu-society-must-counter-it-ram-temple-treasurer-3280157

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Netanyahu remains key obstacle to Middle East peace, says Israeli analyst

RAY HANANIA

November 17, 2024

Chicago, IL: Donald Trump’s re-election as US president could help bring peace between Palestinians and Israelis, but such progress would require a change in Israel’s leadership, said prominent Israeli analyst Yossi Mekelberg.

Speaking during an appearance on “The Ray Hanania Radio Show” Thursday, Mekelberg argued that while there is “wide-ranging” speculation about what the upcoming US president might do in his second term, the current Israeli administration needs to step down before peace can be achieved.

“In my opinion, Israel needs to change the government, full stop. I mean, for everyone’s sake,” said Mekelberg, who is a senior consulting fellow at the Middle East and North Africa Program at Chatham House.

Mekelberg underscored the relevance of the 2002 Saudi Arabia Peace Plan, which offers normalization with Israel in exchange for a complete withdrawal from occupied territories and a resolution to the Palestinian issue. He described it as “the most viable option to solve the Israeli-Palestinian conflict (in such a way) that both sides are satisfied.

“When we talk about normalization and we think about the UAE or Bahrain or Morocco, it was Saudi Arabia (that was) the first to offer this to put it on the table 22 years ago,” he said.

The Saudi initiative, first proposed at the 2002 Arab League Summit in Beirut and reaffirmed in 2007, has repeatedly been rejected by Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s government. The plan offered Israel full normalization with Arab states in exchange for a complete withdrawal from occupied territories, including the Gaza Strip, West Bank, East Jerusalem, and the Golan Heights.

“This has been on the table for more than 22 years. And I think this has always been the right approach,” Mekelberg argued. “We know that there were discussions about normalization over the (past) year or so before October 7th. There is no way in the world, if Israel refuses to make concessions on the Palestinian issues, that normalization will be back on the table.”

Before the outbreak of the Hamas-Israel conflict in October 2023, US-brokered normalization talks between Saudi Arabia and Israel appeared within reach. Netanyahu himself referenced this possibility during his speech at the UN General Assembly in September 2023, claiming the region was on the cusp of a “dramatic breakthrough.” However, the escalation of violence in Gaza first and Lebanon after derailed those efforts.

At the recent Riyadh summit, both Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman and Saudi Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan reiterated that normalization with Israel would not be discussed without significant progress toward establishing a two-state solution. Mekelberg said this stance reflects a broader consensus among Arab leaders that resolving the Palestinian issue is key to achieving lasting peace.

“We saw what happens when the Palestinian issue is not resolved … For some people, when you say that, the interpretation is almost like justifying what happened on October 7th. Obviously not. No one ever can justify something like this,” he noted, adding that conflicts that are left “to fester will catch you in all sorts (of ways) and will lead certain people to do all sorts of things,” leaving leaders to deal with the “fallout.”

This approach “is much worse for Israel than working toward peace in the first place,” Mekelberg said, criticizing the current Israeli narrative that dismisses Palestinian leadership as incapable of negotiation.

Mekelberg acknowledged the widespread criticism of the Palestinian Authority, which was established in the 1990s under the Oslo Accords to govern areas of the West Bank and Gaza. The Fatah-controlled body has been accused of impotence and ineffectiveness, particularly during the current crisis. As a result, Tel Aviv has dismissed the possibility of negotiating with its leaders, raising questions about who could lead Palestinian territories toward a viable peace process.

“Israel needs change on so many levels,” Mekelberg emphasized, highlighting Netanyahu’s extended tenure in power, spanning 15 years almost consecutively and additional terms between 1996 and 1999.

“(He) is longest serving (prime minister), more than David Ben Gurion, who’s founder of the country. He’s a master manipulator. He understands the Israeli political system and psyche in a way that no one knows better than him and he managed to win (the) election. The fact that he, considering what happened only a year ago, is still prime minister, is a complete and colossal failure to defend Israel.”

Netanyahu, who previously served as prime minister from 1996 to 1999 and from 2009 to 2021, returned to office in 2022 despite facing long-standing corruption charges. The indictments, filed in 2019, allege breach of trust, accepting bribes, and fraud. While he relinquished other ministerial roles, he has held onto the premiership, using his coalition with Israel’s most extreme political parties to influence the judicial system and delay his trial.

Critics argue that Netanyahu has exploited Israel’s volatile situation to postpone legal proceedings. This week, the Jerusalem District Court rejected his request for a further delay, and he is scheduled to testify on Dec. 2.

Referring to Netanyahu as a “Teflon politician” to whom no scandal seems to stick, Mekelberg questioned how long he could maintain his position. “And, I will be the first to admit, I don’t always understand what is the appeal.”

Discussing the potential impact of Trump’s re-election, Mekelberg voiced cautious optimism about the former president’s ability to broker peace. He downplayed concerns over Trump’s far-right appointees, noting that if his first term is any indication, “there will be people coming and going in this administration probably within a year.” However, he stressed that Trump’s success would hinge on major changes within Israel’s political landscape.

The Ray Hanania Radio Show is broadcast every Thursday in Michigan on WNZK AM 690 Radio at 5 p.m. on the US Arab Radio Network and is sponsored by Arab News. To listen to the full episode or past shows, visit ArabNews.com/RayRadioShow. To get more information on host Ray Hanania, visit ArabNews.com or his website at RayHanania.com.

Source:arabnews.com

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

https://www.arabnews.com/node/2579670/middle-east

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The Biden administration wants ‘World War III’ – Trump Jr.

18 Nov, 2024

Donald Trump Jr. speaks during a campaign rally at Madison Square Garden on October 27, 2024 in New York City © Anna Moneymaker / Getty Images

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US President-elect Donald Trump’s eldest son, Donald Trump Jr., lashed out at the Democrats following reports that outgoing President Joe Biden has allowed Ukraine to use American-made long-range missiles to strike internationally recognized Russian territory.

Trump Jr., who campaigned alongside his father during the 2024 presidential election and has been helping him pick members of his future cabinet, did not mince words on social media.

“The Military Industrial Complex seems to want to make sure they get World War 3 going before my father has a chance to create peace and save lives,” he wrote on X on Sunday. “Gotta lock in those $Trillions. Life be damned!!! Imbeciles!”

The Biden administration previously restricted the use of ATACMS missiles by Ukraine, citing fears of possible retaliation by Russia. The White House, however, had decided to reverse its policy, according to reports by multiple news agencies. The White House and the Pentagon have chosen not to comment on the matter.

The reported decision is widely seen as a last-ditch effort to boost Ukraine’s military capabilities before Trump could assume office on January 20. During his re-election campaign, the president-elect cast doubt on the necessity of unconditional aid to Kiev and vowed to resolve the conflict by diplomatic means. His looming return to the White House made the Democrats, together with officials in Ukraine and the EU, worry that the new administration could abandon Ukraine.

Moscow has repeatedly stated that allowing Western weapons to be used deep inside Russia would be a signal of NATO’s direct involvement in the conflict. President Vladimir Putin said that Russia will take “appropriate decisions in response to the threats.”

Source:rt.com

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https://www.rt.com/news/607794-trump-jr-condemns-us-decision/

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Islamic scholars unite against gender-based violence in northern Nigeria

November 17, 2024

Islamic scholars from Northern Nigeria vowed to address the rising instances of gender-based violence (GBV) in the region, focusing on the protection of women and girls from its associated dangers.

Dr. Judith-Ann Walker, Executive Director of the Development Research and Project Centre (dRPC), emphasized that the increasing cases of GBV have become a significant concern, highlighting the urgent need for intervention.

Represented by Dr. Stanley Ukpai, Director of Projects, she spoke at a workshop organized by the dRPC in collaboration with the Centre for Islamic Civilization and Interfaith at Bayero University Kano.

The event was supported by the Ford Foundation and included leading Islamic scholars from Kano, Kaduna, Sokoto, Jigawa, and Zamfara states.

Walker stated that the project’s goal is to prevent GBV rather than just mitigate its effects.

She added that the workshop aims to develop strategies that utilize the influence of scholars, along with traditional and government officials, to mobilize citizens against GBV through an Islamic perspective, focusing on prevention in the northern states.

According to her, “It is worrying that cases of gender-based violence are increasing despite efforts by governments, civil society organisations and development partners in the region. This leads to the determination to explore the powerful voices of Islamic scholars to provide solutions through an Islamic perspective in dealing with the situation.

“Data collated from the Kano state centres, for example, indicate that in 5 years, over 1,334 cases of GBV were recorded while 671 cases were within July this recorded by the Hisbah board alone.”

Malam Ahmad Abdullahi Ahmad, the Coordinator of the Muslim Opinion Leaders Project, stated that the project’s goal is to enhance the abilities of Islamic leaders to address the increasing cases of gender-based violence (GBV) in the region.

He mentioned that a peer-to-peer study conducted in Egypt has allowed scholars to share experiences with prominent Islamic scholars there regarding how Islam addresses GBV cases.

Source:thenationonlineng.net

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https://thenationonlineng.net/islamic-scholars-unite-against-gender-based-violence-in-northern-nigeria/

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Expand global collaboration in education, break traditional boundaries - PM Anwar

BERNAMA

18-11- 2024

- BERNAMApix

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RIO DE JANEIRO: The traditional notion that students should rely heavily on certain countries or prestigious universities for their education is becoming increasingly irrelevant, said Prime Minister, Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim.

He said this was among the topics that was discussed in his meeting with Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva here earlier on Sunday.

“Both of us also agreed to work on collaboration in terms of research and development in the aspect of education.

“This is because the traditional thinking of total obsession and dependence on particular countries and particular universities, I think, is not obsolete, basically, quite not quite relevant with the dictates of the times,” he said at the celebration of Malaysia’s Yinson Holdings Bhd’s floating, production storage, and offloading (FPSO) unit, Maria Quitéria, which achieved its first oil production on Oct 15, 2024.

Hence, he said the various ministries, including on higher education, should now look at the possibility of collaboration between universities as well as on research and development.

“Which would mean, we will have more contact, communications and collaboration,” said Anwar, who is here for his first official visit and as a guest country for the G20 Summit.

The commitment towards fostering Global South centrality and neutrality should also include education, he said.

Anwar, who is also the Finance Minister, also took the opportunity to invite the business community present at the event to invest in Malaysia.

“We would certainly also welcome Brazilian investors into Malaysia.”

“President Luiz indicated to me that he may visit Malaysia during the ASEAN heads of government meeting next year, and that would also be a wonderful setting where captains of industry from Brazil will have the chance to expand their collaboration with Malaysian industry players,” he said.

Malaysia along with 16 other countries, including Chile, Qatar, Egypt, Singapore, Spain, United Arab Emirates and Vietnam are guest countries for the G20 Summit.

The G20 consists of 19 countries and two unions, namely Argentina, Australia, Brazil, Canada, China, France, Germany, India, Indonesia, Italy, Japan, Mexico, Russia, Saudi Arabia, South Africa, South Korea, Turkiye, the United Kingdom, United States, European Union (EU), and the African Union (AU).

Malaysia and Brazil celebrate the 65th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations this year.

In 2023, Brazil, the largest country ini South America, was Malaysia’s 20th largest trading partner, 29th largest export destination, and 17th largest import source.

Among Latin American and Caribbean countries, Brazil is Malaysia’s second-largest trading partner, second-largest export destination, and largest import source.

Source:thesun.my

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https://thesun.my/malaysia-news/expand-global-collaboration-in-education-break-traditional-boundaries-pm-anwar-JB13303587

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Iran executes two Afghan citizens amid surge in Capital Punishments

By Fidel Rahmati

November 17, 2024

The Iranian human rights organization Hengaw has reported the execution of two Afghan citizens, including a woman, by the Islamic Republic of Iran.

In a published report, the organization stated that the death sentences of four individuals, including two Afghan citizens, were carried out on Friday, November 15, in QezelHesar Prison.

According to the reports, one of the executed individuals was identified as Khalid Tajik, who had been sentenced to death on charges related to drug offenses.

Hengaw stated that the number of executions in Iran last week alone, including that of an Afghan woman, has reached at least 17 in various prisons across the country.

This comes amid a rise in executions in Iran, including those of Afghan citizens, prompting growing concerns about the increase in capital punishment.

Previously, United Nations human rights experts expressed concern over the surge in executions in Iran and urged the country to halt all executions of individuals sentenced to death.

According to statistics from the Iranian human rights organization, the number of executions in Iran has increased by 84% compared to the previous year, reaching 471 cases.

This alarming trend highlights a significant escalation in the use of capital punishment in the country.

The increase in executions underscores broader human rights concerns in Iran, particularly for vulnerable groups like Afghan migrants.

The international community must amplify efforts to address these violations, advocating for the suspension of executions and ensuring fair treatment for all individuals, regardless of nationality.

Source:khaama.com

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https://www.khaama.com/iran-executes-two-afghan-citizens-amid-surge-in-capital-punishments/

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Four arrested for allegedly murdering woman in Sialkot: police

Abid Mehmood

November 17, 2024

Sialkot police arrested a woman and her accomplices on Sunday for allegedly killing her pregnant daughter-in-law on the suspicion of witchcraft.

Earlier this week, 30-year-old Zara Bibi was allegedly killed by her mother-in-law and sister-in-law over a domestic dispute in tehsil Daska of district Sialkot on Tuesday.

The body of the victim was dismembered, stuffed into a sack, and disposed of in a drain.

Shabbir Ahmed, the victim’s father, reported to police that Zara was married to Qadir Ahmed, a resident of Kotli Meeran, tehsil Daska, four years ago and the couple had a two-year-old son.

Shabbir said when he called his daughter, he found her mobile phone switched off.

He went to meet his daughter at her in-laws’ residence in Kotli Meeran but found that she was not home, while her in-laws expressed ignorance of her whereabouts.

Shabbir alleged that Zara’s mother-in-law and her sister-in-law used to torture his daughter.

Malik Waqas Ahmed, the spokesperson for the Sialkot District Police Officer (DPO), told Dawn.com that the Motra Tehsil Police Station had registered a first information report (FIR) against five persons, including the mother-in-law Sughran Bibi.

Sialkot DPO Rana Umar Farooq formed an investigation team led by the Daska deputy superintendent of police (DSP) after Zara’s disappearance. The spokesperson added that police had taken one of the suspects, Abdullah, into custody. He was named in the FIR on the basis of suspicion.

Malik said that Abdullah confessed to killing Zara along with his family members during the investigation, adding that police arrested Sughran Bibi, her daughter Yasmin Bibi, and a relative named Mohammad Naveed after Abdullah identified them.

The spokesperson added that the four suspects confessed to the murder.

“During the police investigation, Sughran Bibi said that her daughter-in-law used to perform magic,” Malik told Dawn.com. “The suspect said that Zara Bibi had been strangled to death. Later, the dead body was cut into pieces and sealed in five sacks to hide it.”

Malik added that police had seized the murder weapon and that the victim’s face was burned so she could not be identified.

He added that the couple live abroad due to Qadir’s job and that Zara came to Pakistan fifteen days ago. “Ten days ago, I left Zara at her in-laws in Kotli Meeran,” he said.

Shabir said that Sughran Bibi and her daughter Yasmin Bibi did not like that Zara went abroad with her husband.

Shabir Ahmad said that Qadir returned to Pakistan after finding out about the murder.

DPO Rana Umar Farooq said that the investigation is ongoing and that police “will investigate the murder case from every angle”.

Source:dawn.com

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https://www.dawn.com/news/1873008/four-arrested-for-allegedly-murdering-woman-in-sialkot-police

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King Salman approves hosting of 1,000 Umrah pilgrims from 66 countries

November 17, 2024

RIYADH: Saudi Arabia’s King Salman has approved the hosting of 1,000 pilgrims from 66 countries to perform Umrah as part of the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques Programme for Hajj, Umrah, and Visit.

The pilgrims will be hosted in four groups during the current Islamic year which ends in the final week of June 2025.

The Minister of Islamic Affairs, Call, and Guidance and general supervisor of the Hajj and Umrah program Sheikh Abdullatif bin Abdulaziz Al-Sheikh thanked the Saudi leadership for enabling Muslims from different countries of the world to perform the minor pilgrimage with ease and peace of mind.

The minister said the hosting of the pilgrims is an extension of the great care that the leadership takes to serve Islam and Muslims.

He added it would strengthen the bonds of brotherhood among Muslims in various parts of the world and develop fruitful communication between scholars and influential figures who are hosted by the program.

The program has benefitted people from more than 140 countries since it was launched, the minister said.

Source:arabnews.com

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https://www.arabnews.com/node/2579684/saudi-arabia

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Muslims face ‘bleak and dystopian’ climate in UK, says head of thinktank

17 November 2024

Islamophobia has become “brutally divisive” in the UK and failure to challenge its root causes will lead to more racist riots, the head of the UK’s leading race equality thinktank has said.

Shabna Begum, who became the chief executive of the Runnymede Trust earlier this year, said the country was entering a new phase in how it talks about Muslims.

“Sayeeda Warsi coined the term ‘the dinner table test’, but I think we’ve got even beyond that,” she said. “The way politicians talk about Muslims now is so derogatory, it’s in the most brutally divisive terms.”

She said that unless something changed in political rhetoric and policy, last summer’s riots would not be a one-off. “I think they will come back. That [the riots] was the ugliest representation of the years of racism that have been manufactured through the political media conversation. And if we don’t do something differently, that won’t be a one-off, and that ugliness will become just a regular feature of our politics.”

Speaking exclusively to the Guardian amid the launch of the Runnymede Trust’s report on Islamophobia, Begum said the devastating war in Gaza and the response to the ceasefire protests in the UK meant the issue had become “inescapable” and had to be confronted.

While she did not name specific MPs, Begum said Labour and the Conservatives had both been guilty of feeding a hostile climate for British Muslims that is “bleak and dystopian”.

She pointed to the reaction to the summer’s racist riots as particularly worrying, saying there was “a real reluctance to use the term Islamophobia during that period because no one wants to be seen to defend Muslims”.

She added: “Politicians are engaging in a popularity contest and that popularity contest is measured by how far they are willing to bully and demonise Muslims. And that has become not just an acceptable kind of currency, but a way in which to earn your political stripes.”

The report, backed by Lady Warsi, Amnesty International UK and the Muslim Council for Britain, explores the way Islamophobia is “intensifying” in different areas.

It notes in the four months to February 2024, the national project Tell Mama, which measures anti-Muslim attacks, recorded a 335% increase in hate incidents against Muslims compared with the previous year, most of them against women.

In the past year, 38% of all religious hate crimes recorded by the police were against Muslim people. There was a 13% increase in hate crimes against Muslims.

Almost two in five religious hate crimes are targeted against Muslims – the largest of any other religious community. Muslim people are disproportionately victims of assault (without injury), and of stalking or harassment.

According to the statistical bulletin, last year there were the highest recorded number of anti-religious hate crimes since records began. The police note this increase coincided with the Israel-Gaza conflict.

Much of this increase was driven by antisemitic incidents, which accounted for a third (33%) of all religious hate crimes. British Jews were more likely to be victims of criminal damage and arson, and malicious communication.

Begum said the issue went much further than violent, racist attacks. “We often focus on those more spectacular incidents of violence, which are real and inflict a deep and long-lasting harm on individuals and communities, but that can ignore the state-sponsored Islamophobia that rests within our legislation, our policies, and within our narratives,” she said.

Begum criticised what she described as a double standard for Muslims, who she said were criticised as failing to integrate if they did not participate in public life, but also criticised when they did. “Whether it’s through being governors at schools, as we see through the Trojan horse affair … we are seen trying to take over and hijack local schools. Or when we go on protest marches, along with many other people, we are described as hate marchers and Islamist extremists. And when we use our vote to express our political preferences, we’re described as sectarian and divisive.”

For Begum, politics has always felt deeply personal. Born in the 1970s to parents who migrated from Bangladesh, she spent her early years in Tower Hamlets in London as part of the large, vibrant Bangladeshi community there. “My parents ended up as accidental squatters because of the housing crisis and racism that was there at the time,” she said. She became a teacher in east London, where she thought intensively about what an anti-racist education looked like.

She changed careers after more than 20 years to do a PhD in the sociopolitical history of squatting. That put her in the orbit of Runnymede, where a six-month research contract led to her working her way to becoming chief executive.

While she welcomed the government announcement of a £15m community recovery fund to address the deeper roots of the riots, she called for substantial funding to tackle the deprivations caused by austerity and structural racism.

“Everyone wants communities to be cohesive and we’re not objecting to that. What we’re objecting to is a dispersal of insecure funds to community groups and not accepting that mainstream state infrastructures need to be provided, and challenging the broader story of who we are. There’s no point saying all Muslims are all bad, but go and have a cup of tea with them in your local community.”

Source:yahoo.com

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

https://uk.news.yahoo.com/muslims-face-bleak-dystopian-climate-160011703.html

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India

Faith meets future: How AI digital twins are helping preserve churches, temples, and mosques

18 Nov 2024

Early this month, the seat of the Roman Catholic church--the Vatican, which has been blending tradition with science and cutting-edge tech for decades, unveiled an artificial intelligence (AI)-powered digital twin of St. Peter's Basilica—a more than 400-year-old masterpiece of Renaissance and Baroque architecture that took over 100 years to complete.

The twin, developed in just a month in partnership with Microsoft and a Paris-based digital preservation company, Iconem, will provide millions worldwide with an immersive virtual experience of the Basilica.

While Iconem used multiple devices,including drones, 3D cameras, and lasers to capture more than 400,000 high-resolution images of the Basilica, the data was securely backed up and stored on Microsoft's Azure Cloud. Microsoft’s AI tools refined the digital twin, producing a 3D representation accurate to the millimeter, and also used AI to help detect and map structural vulnerabilities like cracks and missing mosaic tiles.

Digital twins or virtual representations of physical entities like manufacturing plants, buildings, temples, churches, mosques, or heritage sites, have been created over the last two decades using technologies like light detection and ranging (LiDAR) scanning, 3D mapping, and photogrammetry–the process of capturing images and stitching them together to build 3D models. Heritage Building Information Modelling (H-BIM) enhances digital twins by providing accurate 3D models.

For instance, the Aga Khan Trust for Culture (AKTCI) and Tata Trusts partnered with the Archaelogical Survey of India (ASI) for over a decade to restore Delhi’s Humayun Tomb and Nizamuddin Basti using laser scanners and 3D mapping. The ministry of tourism collaborated with Google for 'Incredible India' to create virtual walk-throughs of famous historical places. However, most of these models have traditionally been static.

Digital twins are now being empowered with AI, enabling detailed documentation, monitoring, and proactive conservation of heritage sites. They predict vulnerabilities, simulate impacts, and guide restoration using real-time data. The data is processed with computer-aided design (CAD) and geographical information system (GIS), integrated with internet of things (IoT) data from sensors, and simulated for various scenarios.

The ancient Roman city of Pompeii, as an example, has been digitally captured multiple times, but the AI-powered twin developed as part of the EU-funded RePAIR project used machine learning algorithms to help the digital twin reconstruct broken artefacts by simulating missing pieces based on historical patterns and materials analysis.

Likewise, following extensive war damage, Unesco is leveraging AI-powered digital twins to restore the iconic Mosul Al-Nuri Mosque in Iraq. While AI interprets drone and satellite data to create precise reconstructions and assess structural stability, the process includes simulating the mosque’s original acoustic properties and sunlight patterns to preserve its heritage.

After the devastating fire in 2019, a traditional digital twin of the Notre-Dame Cathedral in France was created to record its pre-fire condition. An AI-powered twin, however, has since been developed to guide restoration. IBM and Ogilvy for the Voice of Art project partnered with Pinacoteca, Sao Paulo's oldest museum, to use natural language processing (NLP), cognitive computing and machine learning (ML), aimed at allowing visitors to interact with specific paintings and sculptures in the museum, and enabling a personalised visiting experience.

Closer home, the Virtual Experiential Museum Ajanta (VEMA) uses digital technology to present Ajanta’s Unesco-listed cave paintings on large screens and online. Vizara Technologies, funded by the Department of Science and Technology in 2016, built 3D digital models of Indian heritage sites, including the Taj Mahal in Agra, Kashi Vishwanath temple, Konark Sun Temple in Odisha, Rani Ki Vav (stepwell) in Gujarat and the ruins of Hampi in Karnataka.

While early 3D scans created a static model of the Sun Temple, AI-powered enhancements now simulate the temple’s weathering due to salt-laden winds and heavy rainfall. Using predictive models, conservationists can plan targeted restoration for high-risk areas. AI also aids in reconstructing intricate sculptures by learning from existing patterns and comparing them to historical records.

Likewise, the archaeological site of Hampi in Karnataka, which is known for its complex stone architecture, benefits from AI-powered digital twins that analyze how foot traffic and vibrations from nearby modern activities are affecting the stability of its monuments. Machine learning helps predict structural vulnerabilities and recommends visitor management strategies to reduce impact.

Similarly, Hyderabad-based Hexagon created a digital twin of the tomb of Mohammed Quli Qutb Shah in Hyderabad in February by capturing images of the tomb from within and outside, and using cutting-edge technologies including reality capture, geospatial mapping, and 3D scanning along with AI tools.

The opportunities are immense, as we see. Advances in 3D AI generative content and modern photogrammetric scanning now enable non-specialists to create digital twins for historical research, according to a February 2023 paper by researchers from Lindenwood University who developed a digital twin of the Church of Santi Apostoli in Florence.

But challenges remain

The European Union points out that the fear of the infringement of data protection or copyright laws severely limits the uptake of the technology by museums and the cultural heritage sector. Besides, there's a lack of clarity on the commercial or business opportunities linked to the use of AI in museums and heritage organisations.

The Lindenwood Univeristy researchers point out that cultural heritage institutions face significant challenges in adopting standardized technologies for international collaboration. Diverse software, hardware, and pipelines hinder interoperability and reproducibility.

For instance, while HoloLens 2 has been popular for AR projects, its discontinuation has created uncertainty. Similarly, VR development faces fragmentation, with Meta Quest 2 dominating but competition looming from Apple and Google, they say in the paper cited above.

Further, varied software like Blender and Unity complicate unified workflows. The lack of global standards for methodology and archival longevity, combined with reliance on specialized technical expertise, further limits cohesive collaboration and sustainable development in the field. Given the opportunities that digital twins offer, these challenges need to be addressed.

Source:livemint.com

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Terrorist associate held in Jammu and Kashmir

November 18, 2024

Security forces have arrested a terrorist associate from Baramulla district of Jammu and Kashmir, officials said on Monday.

Showkat Ahmad Bhat, who hails from Kulgam district in south Kashmir, was arrested on Sunday from Janbazpora-Binner road in Baramulla district, they said.

An AK rifle, one magazine and some rounds were recovered from Bhat’s possession.

Bhat was reported missing last week from his Naganad village in D H Pora area of Kulgam.

Source:indianexpress.com

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FIR lodged after JMM, Cong complain to EC against BJP video: ‘How far will you allow country to fall in name of Hindu-Muslim?’

by Abhishek Angad , Asad Rehman

November 18, 2024

Hours after allies JMM and Congress complained against a video released by the BJP on social media that allegedly propagates a “false narrative” about a religious community ahead of the second phase of polling on November 20, the Election Commission of India Sunday evening said the video prima facie violates the Model Code of Conduct and directed “immediate action as per existing laws and procedures”.

The EC also instructed Jharkhand Chief Electoral Officer K Ravi Kumar to issue directions to social media platforms to “take down the referred post immediately” and to seek an “explanation” from the state BJP unit. Following this, the state BJP deleted the video, which it had posted Saturday night.

Earlier in the evening, Kumar told The Indian Express that on directions from the poll panel police have registered an FIR.

The JMM was the first to flag the video. An hour after the state BJP posted the video Saturday night, the JMM’s official X handle tagged the EC and wrote: “Will elections be held like this in the country now? How far will you allow the country to fall in the name of Hindus and Muslims? Now have some shame and wake up. Show me some courage. Today BJP has crossed all limits of shamelessness and vulgarity.”

The video shows a large group of people, including women and children, from a particular community entering the residence of a JMM supporter, and forcefully staying there. A post with the video said: “Look carefully at how big a mistake a wrong vote can become. So don’t make the same mistake this time as in 2019. Choose the right thing, choose BJP.”

In the ongoing elections, the BJP has pitched infiltration and illegal settlers from Bangladesh as a major campaign theme in Jharkhand, with Prime Minister Narendra Modi as well as other top leaders raising the issue at their rallies.

Reacting to the video, Chief Minister Hemant Soren told The Indian Express: “The mask has been lifted. The BJP is openly ruining the future of the country purely on politics of hatred and fear mongering and the Election Commission has sadly been turned into a helpless and mute spectator. It is now clear that the BJP has zero intellectual capital and has run out of actual issues.”

While the JMM wrote to state Chief Electoral Officer Kumar against the video, Congress general secretary in charge for communication Jairam Ramesh submitted a memorandum to the poll panel in Delhi, seeking orders to delete the video and registration of an FIR.

In its memorandum to the EC, the Congress said, “The content of the video uploaded by the BJP directly invokes religious identity as a call/appeal for votes; in complete violation of the provisions of the Model Code of Conduct and the Representation of the People Act, 1951.”

Urging the EC to take strict action against the BJP “to ensure that a political party, despite their status, is not emboldened to carry out election campaigns” outside the scope “electoral norms of conduct and electoral laws”, the Congress sought deletion of “all communal, divisive and malicious videos” from the BJP’s social media accounts.

The BJP said the video merely reflects the JMM-Congress mindset. “On June 2, 2023, the Special Branch of the Jharkhand Police issued a letter to all District Commissioners, cautioning against Bangladeshi infiltrators entering Jharkhand through madrasas. However, one year later, the Hemant government outrightly denied any such infiltration,” BJP spokesperson Ajay Shah said.

“These incidents, along with a statement from the Congress state in-charge openly promising free cylinders to infiltrators and the Congress’s pledge to promote madrasas, suggest that the JMM-INC alliance has been actively working to settle Bangladeshi infiltrators to expand their vote bank for political gain. The advertisement (video) merely reflects the mindset of the JMM-Congress,” he said.

In the evening, Arvind Anand, Principal Secretary at the Election Commission of India, in a communication to state Chief Electoral Officer Kumar wrote: “On perusal of the complaint, it appears that the above referred social media post is prima facie violative of the MCC. It is therefore directed to take immediate action as per existing laws and procedures.”

The communication also directed Kumar to serve a notice on Jharkhand BJP to “explain the alleged violation of provisions of MCC by the party on account of their referred directed to social media posts”.

“The party may be directed immediately take down the said post… and any related content from social media and any other form of media,” it said.

Speaking to The Indian Express earlier in the evening, Kumar said an FIR was registered at the cyber crime police station under relevant sections for violation of the MCC. “A takedown request of the video has been sent to X and we are awaiting action,” he said.

Source:indianexpress.com

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Seek nod for Friday sermon topics, waqf board tells Chhattisgarh imams

Nov 18, 2024,

RAIPUR: The Chhattisgarh Waqf board in a bid to let mosques in the state stay clear of controversy and undertake an image makeover has directed all Mutawallis (caretakers) at mosques and imams to seek approval on the topic of sermons to be delivered before the prayers every Friday. A circular to this effect was issued by the board on Sunday

"Yes, Chhattisgarh is first state to have taken such a decision because mosques have become a centre of politics where Mutawallis serve and impose their own political will and inclination on people by issuing 'fatwa' about whom to vote and not. This leads to disturbing the communal harmony in the society. The decision for approval on subjects of sermons to be sought for, is purely legal and as per the Waqf Act," Salim Raj, Chhattisgarh Waqf Board chairman told TOI.

Raj announced the decision during his visit to Jagdalpur where he had gone to look into the alleged financial irregularities being committed at mosques by Mutawallis. He added that as per the Waqf Act, Mutawallis' job and the meaning of this word is 'caretaker' of the mosque and they are supposed to be confined to their work as a caretaker, instead of indulging in other activities that disturb peace and communal harmony.

'I've issued order on WhatsApp'

"I have issued the order on a WhatsApp group as of now and will officially send it to all Mutawallis in mosques of the state. A mosque is a religious place of prayer and worship, not a political adda. The Jumma Namaz (Friday sermon) speeches should not have any political inclination or discussion or deliverance. The mosques should confine themselves to religious sermons and not a source of issuing fatwas for and against political parties," said Raj.

The order will be effective from the coming Friday (November 22) across all mosques in the state, he said. There are several complaints of financial irregularities by Mutawallis while many of them have never presented accounts since 1997, Raj said, adding that he's going to lodge FIRs against such offenders soon.

Reacting to the decision, Asaduddin Owaisi took to X stating, "The Waqf Board of the BJP government in Chhattisgarh wants that before delivering the Friday sermon, the Khatib should get his sermon checked by the Waqf Board and should not deliver the sermon without the permission of the Board. Now the BJP people will tell us what is Deen (path)? Now do we have to take permission from them to follow our Deen? The Waqf Board does not have any such legal power, even if it had, it would still be against Article 25 of the Constitution."

Source:indiatimes.com

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Pinarayi's remarks on Thangal shows nexus with Sangh Parivar: Muslim League mouthpiece slams Kerala CM

NOVEMBER 18 , 2024

Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan came in for a sharp rebuke from the Muslim League after he pilloried its state president, Syed Sadikali Shihab Thangal, during an election rally in Palakkad on Sunday. The editorial published in Muslim league mouthpiece 'Chandrika' slammed Pinarayi Vijayan for his remark, saying that it can only be seen as a reflection of his ties with communal forces.During the election rally, Vijayan referred to Shihab Thangal as a follower of Jamat-eIslami, and his behaviour was at variance with the celebrated legacy of the Panakkad family. He rallied against Thangal following Sandeep Varier's visit to the Panakkad family a day after he left the BJP and joined the Congress. Vijayan said that Shihab Thangal cannot be compared to his predecessor, who commanded everyone's respect and love. In the editorial 'Pinarayi shall not measure Panakkad', the League said that the Left government and the Chief Minister are condoning Sangh Parivar's attempts at communal polarization."This was clearly on dis play in the compassionate stand towards officials who were suspected for their allegiance to the RSS and Thrissur pooram controversy and for indefinitely delaying a solution on the Munambam issue. With his attempts to malign the Panakkad family and Thangal, he has lent support to Sangh Parivar," the editorial noted. If the Kerala Chief Minister feels unease and intolerance over a former BJP leader embracing a secular stand without any demands and arriving at Kodappanakkal house for blessings, how else can this be seen but as a display of his bond with Sangh Parivar. "It is not mere coincidence that Pinarayi chose to recollect the phase of political stasis resulting from the demolition of Babri Masjid to slam Thangal. When the country was embroiled in communal riots, Kerala became a haven of peace owing to the brave stand of Sayed Mohammad Ali Shihab Thangal. Pinarayi Vijayan is only belittling himself when he tries to dishonour historical moments for petty political benefits," according to the editorial. During his speech on Sunday, Pinarayi Vijayan said that Varier's visit to the Panakkad family renewed memories of the Ottapalam election held after the demolition of Babri Masjid. He said that although the Sangh Parivar demolished the mosque, the then Congress Prime Minister and the Union government supported the act. At that time, the IUML did not question the Congress party because they did not want to lose the Cabinet position, Pinarayi said. IUML National General Secretary P K Kunhalikutty termed CM's remarks unfortunate. "The Chief Minister is jealous of Thangal because he does what Pinarayi can't. People are witnessing the intervention of SadikaliThangal to uphold communal harmony in matters including the Munambam issue. Panakkad leaders don't need the good certificate of the government," Kunhalikutty said on Sunday.

Source: onmanorama.com

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With split likely in Muslim vote, Shindes face uphill task in Solapur

Nov 18, 2024

Solapur: Sushilkumar Shinde's life, from a constable to CM (2003-04) and Union home minister (2012-14), is filled with struggles and challenges. However, Shinde, 83, the veteran politician, perhaps faces the toughest political fight so far on his own turf, Solapur City Central constituency, where his protégé Chetan Narote is Congress's candidate from MVA alliance.

Considered the Shindes' "fortress", as Shinde's daughter Praniti represented it for three terms in the assembly before being elected to Lok Sabha from Solapur this year. Evidently at stake is the Shindes' reputation and Praniti's future political prospects, as Muslim voters (over 1 lakh) in Solapur City Central consolidated behind her, paving her way to victory over BJP's Ram Satpute by over 74,000 votes in the Lok Sabha poll.

In 2019 assembly poll, Praniti polled 51,440 votes against AIMIM candidate Farooque Shabdi's 38,821. After Praniti won Lok Sabha and Solapur City Central got vacant, 11 Muslim Congress functionaries made a joint demand to the father-daughter duo to give this seat to a Muslim candidate. Today, Congress faces disenchantment of this group of 11.

"Till Praniti held it as an MLA, Muslim aspirants in Congress kept quiet. After she went to Lok Sabha, the demand to nominate a Muslim from here grew," said Aasif Iqbal, Solapur City Congress spokesperson.

Though mostly confined to his palatial home in Solapur, senior Shinde still commands influence and meets streams of visitors. "After me, Praniti has nursed this constituency. We wanted Baba Bashumiyan Sayyed to contest this seat. But he refused, and Narote was nominated. All these talks of Muslims unhappy with us are wrong," said Shinde.

A former corporator, Sayyed wanted the Congress nomination from Solapur South but was offered Solapur City Central. Refusing it, Sayyed is now contesting the Solapur South seat on Prahar Janshakti party. With her father as a guide, Praniti keeps her ears to the ground, hopping from corner meetings to party rallies, seeking support for Congress candidate Narote, trying to convince voters, especially Muslims, that Congress alone can look after their interests.

"I have nursed this constituency like my baby. Now I want to hand this over to Narote, who has stood by Congress through thick and thin and will serve the constituency better than even me," she told TOI.

Mumbai Congress general secretary Asif Farooqui, after spending two days in Muslim pockets of this seat recently, sounded optimistic. "The grievance of a section of Muslim leaders is genuine, but they will be harming themselves if they split their votes and get swayed by emotional speeches made by AIMIM leaders," said Farooqui.

The fight in Solapur City Central seat is interesting. Congress's Narote is pitted against AIMIM's Shabdi, BJP's Devendra Kothe, and CPIM's Naraiyya Adam Master who got 10,505 votes in the 2019 assembly poll and enjoys goodwill of a part of the working class. Shabdi runs guesthouses in Mumbai, a reason for Congress labelling him an "outsider."

While BJP hopes to benefit from the split of Muslim votes between Congress and AIMIM, Congress is pulling out all stops to win this seat.

Source:indiatimes.com

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Secretary-General of Muslim Council of Elders meets with CEO of Shaolin Monastery

Nov 17, 2024

Baku (/topic/baku) [Azerbaijan (/topic/azerbaijan)], November 17(ANI/WAM): The Secretary-General of the Muslim Council of Elders, Judge Mohamed Abdelsalam, met with Shi Yongxin, CEO of the Shaolin Monastery (/topic/shaolin-monastery), on the sidelines of COP29 (/topic/cop29) in Baku (/topic/baku), Azerbaijan (/topic/azerbaijan). The discussion centered on the importance of uniting the efforts of religious leaders to address global challenges, with climate change being a primary focus. During the meeting, Judge Abdelsalam emphasised the significant role religions can play in driving impactful global change. He highlighted their ability to guide millions of individuals toward sustainable and responsible behaviours to protect Earth, humanity's shared home. He noted that the Faith Pavilion at COP29 (/topic/cop29) reflects the commitment of the Muslim Council of Elders, led by Dr Ahmed Al-Tayeb, Grand Imam of Al-Azhar, to amplifying the collective voice of religions in protecting the environment and its natural resources. Shi Yongxin praised the historic 'Document on Human Fraternity', which was co-signed in Abu Dhabi in 2019 by Dr Ahmed Al-Tayeb and Pope Francis. He also commended the Faith Pavilion initiative launched at COP28 in Dubai, describing it as a global platform for interfaith and intercultural dialogue and a practical step in involving religious leaders in climate change efforts. Shi Yongxin emphasized that the Pavilion embodies a message of peace and unity among religions to protect the planet. The Faith Pavilion at COP29 (/topic/cop29), running from November 12 to 22, features over 40 discussion sessions with the participation of 97 organizations representing 11 religions. It aims to build on the success of its inaugural edition at COP28 by strengthening interfaith collaboration for environmental protection, exploring best practices for sustainable adaptation, promoting sustainable lifestyles, and addressing the noneconomic impacts of climate change alongside mechanisms for climate justice. (ANI/WAM)

Source:aninews.in

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Baba Siddique murder: Gujarat man held from Akola, 25th arrest in case

17.11.24

The Mumbai Crime Branch on Sunday arrested a Gujarat resident from Akola in Maharashtra in the Baba Siddique murder case, taking the number of people held in the sensational incident to 25, an official said.

SalmanbhaiIqbalbhai Vohra, a resident of Petlad in Gujarat's Anand district, was held from Balapur in Akola, some 565 kilometres from the metropolis, with the help of the police there, the Crime Branch official said.

The 66-year-old NCP leader was gunned down on October 12 near his MLA son Zeeshan Siddique's office in Bandra East's Nirmal Nagar area.

"Vohra had opened a bank account in May this year and had provided financial support to Nareshkumar Singh, brother of arrested accused Gurmail Singh, Rupesh Mohol and Harishkumar. He has also helped others connected to the crime," the official said.

Gurmail Singh from Haryana and Uttar Pradesh resident Dharmaraj Kashyap were held from the spot immediately after the murder.

The police recently got a major breakthrough in the case when it arrested alleged main shooter Shivkumar Gautam from Bahraich in Uttar Pradesh. Gautam, who was on the run since October 12, was held while trying to flee to Nepal, as per police.

Source:telegraphindia.com

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Mideast

Al-Houthi & Al-Rahwi participate in Martyr Festival inauguration & "Holy Jihad" exhibition

17 Nov 2024

Member of the Supreme Political Council Mohammed Ali al-Houthi and Prime Minister Ahmed Ghaleb al-Rahwi inaugurated the Martyr Festival and the "Holy Jihad" exhibition organized on Sunday by the General Authority for Martyrs' Families Welfare in Sana'a.

At the inauguration ceremony, member of the Supreme Political Council Mohammed Ali Al-Houthi delivered a speech in which he pointed out the importance of the Martyr's Festival to remember the heroism of the martyrs , the greatness of their sacrifices, and what the martyr leader Sayyed Hussein Badr al-Din al-Houthi emphasized, that martyrdom is life, embodying what is stated in the Book of God, "Do not think that those killed in the way of God are dead, but alive with their Lord."

He pointed out that the Qur'anic project is known for the concepts and values derived from the divine laws and the importance of the believer's connection to God and his interest in the Book of Allah.

Mohammed Ali al-Houthi pointed out that the martyr leader presented a Qur'anic project that inspired the values of society and its aspirations for freedom , independence and strengthened the faith-based identity, which angered those who attacked him from the first day of the project. He pointed out that the martyr leader embarked on the path of God with his knowledge and Qur'anic culture, which qualified him to be able to crystallize the Qur'anic project whose fruits Yemen is enjoying today.

"We say to those who are afraid and to all those who move today to talk about the Americans, that Sayyed al-Qaeda is continuing on the same path that the martyr commander walked on jihadistically through the culture of the Qur'an, which is what he talks about in his weekly speech," he added.

He continued, "We say to the American after Trump's return, the weapon with which they were bombing has been tested , it is the same weapon and the only thing that America did not use in its war on Yemen with Saudi funding is only nuclear, while the rest of the weapons have been used, and the Yemenis will not care about these weapons."

al-Houthi stressed that the Republic of Yemen was able to defeat the US Navy and neutralize its battleships, not because of its strength, showmanship or pride, but thanks to God Almighty, the Qur'anic approach and culture, and the close connection to the Holy Qur'an.

For his part, the Prime Minister noted that the inauguration of the Martyr's Festival comes within the framework of the martyr's anniversary and the events held on this occasion.

"The culture of martyrdom should prevail in our country, which is steadfast, patient, sacrificing, and steadfast in the defense of its homeland and its right to stability and development," he said, adding that the martyr's anniversary is a platform to draw lessons from the heroism and bravery of the martyrs whose souls ascended to their Lord.

"On this occasion, we recall our leading martyrs, including Sayyed Hussein Badreddin and other righteous martyrs, and how they were able, thanks to their adherence to the Quranic approach and the Prophetic guidance, and their blood sacrifices, although they were few in the beginning, to achieve the goals of this people's pride, freedom and dignity," he said.

"Today, as we enjoy security and stability, thanks first to God and then thanks to the martyrs' blood, we remember the martyr President Saleh Ali al-Sammad, who roamed the land and visited those stationed on the fronts in the midst of the battle, valiantly fighting for the sake of God in anticipation of the martyrdom he won," he added.

"At these moments, we remember the martyrs of the Resistance Axis , including the iconic martyr Hassan Nasrallah, the master of the Al-Quds resistance, Fouad Shukr, Hashim Safieddine, Ismail Haniyeh, Yahya Sinwar, and all the martyrs of the Axis who cheapened their lives and blood for the glory and dignity of the peoples of the region whose rulers wanted to humiliate them to serve the colonizer, the Great Satan, and the American, British, and Zionist evil leaders," he continued

At the inauguration, which was attended by Minister of Social Affairs and Labor Samir Bajaala, Undersecretary of the Interior Ministry for Security and Intelligence Sector Ali Hussein al-Houthi, and military leaders, the head of the General Authority for the Care of Martyrs' and Missing Persons' Families, Taha Gran, stressed the importance of commemorating the anniversary of the martyrs who were raised by God and by whom God strengthened His religion and the oppressed among His servants.

"Yemen, thanks to the martyrs' generosity and, has become echoing in the sky of glory and the kingdom of glory," he said, stressing that everyone is concerned with assuming the grave responsibility for the martyrs and their sacrifices by continuing the path of jihad, construction, change, establishing truth , justice, and consolidating the values, morals and principles that these martyrs have continued to uphold in the height of the challenges.

He stressed that everyone is responsible for bearing the heavy responsibility for the gift and sacrifices of the martyrs by continuing the path of jihad, construction, change, establishing truth , justice, and consolidating the values, morals and principles of those martyrs who remained steadfast to the truth at the height of the challenges.

The event, which was attended by Saleh Hamza, Deputy Chairman of the Martyrs' and Missing Persons' Families Welfare Authority, a number of officials, social figures and children of martyrs, featured a report on the martyr festival, reflecting the greatness of the martyrs' sacrifices and the positions they presented in defense of Yemen, its sovereignty and independence.

During the inauguration of the festival, the exhibition "Holy Jihad" was inaugurated with photos and models of the martyrs, including the stages of the Qur'anic project and the six wars on Sa'ada to the aggression launched by the US, Saudi and UAE coalition against Yemen and "Operation Al-Aqsa Flood" on October 7 and the role of the support fronts in supporting the Palestinians and supporting their cause.

The exhibition also contained photos and models of a number of leaders and revolutionaries of the 7th of October and the resistance axis from the support front in Yemen, Iraq, Lebanon and Iran, in addition to sections that include models of local military and military manufacturing equipment from various military industries.

Source:saba.ye

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Iranian Sunni scholars pen letter to Islamic world on Gaza

Nov 17, 2024,

The letter addresses revered scholars of Islamic countries such as Saudi Arabia, Egypt, Jordan, Tunisia, Iraq, Syria, Qatar, the Emirates, Turkey etc..

"Today, in the land of the First Qibla of Muslims, namely the holy Palestine, particularly in the resistant Gaza region, we are witnessing the crimes of the evil Zionist regime with the support of the great Satan, namely the United States, who resemble what the Surah Al-Ma'idah in holy Quran describes as "You will surely find the most intense of the people in animosity toward the believers [to be] the Jews and those who associate others with Allah."

The Iranian Sunni scholars further say that they decided to write to their Muslim counterparts after witnessing the crimes of the evil enemy, namely the Zionist regime which is armed to the teeth by the United States and several infidel European governments.

The Iranian scholars further warn against the previously announced Israeli regime's plan to annex the occupied West Bank and the besieged Gaza Strip with the support it might receive from the incoming Donald Trump administration.

The letter goes on to call on the Islamic world's scholars to operationalize their protest and take practical steps instead of just settling for issuing statements to condemn the Zionist regime's crimes.

The Iranian Sunni scholars continue to call on their counterparts in other countries to wage Jihad and take up arms as an Islamic duty to defend the Islamic territories.

They reiterated the call for financial support to the resistance forces and a full ban on the Israeli regime's products and exports to the regime.

"Join the Jordanian believers, prevent the exports of goods through their country from reaching the occupied lands, as the least one can do unless the war in Gaza stops. And with your presence, open the borders of Jordan for Jordanian youth to enter the holy Quds," the letter further reads, adding that "Join Egyptian believers at the Rafah border crossing and if you can reopen that border, and if not, at least camp there until the war stops, and put pressure on the Zionist regime's warmongers."

"Issue the fatwa of armed struggle (jihad) against the Zionists by any means to the Islamic Ummah, especially the youth," the Iranian Sunni scholars further say.

"In the end, while praying for you, the revered scholars, we declare that if we are united, the divine promise which is a victory for right versus wrong and the destruction of the infidels will materialize," the letter concludes.

Source:mehrnews.com

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https://en.mehrnews.com/news/224550/Iranian-Sunni-scholars-pen-letter-to-Islamic-world-on-Gaza

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Suspected attack by Yemen’s Houthi militia targets ship in the Red Sea

November 18, 2024

DUBAI: A suspected attack by Yemen’s Houthi rebels targeted a commercial ship late Sunday night traveling through the southern reaches of the Red Sea, though it caused no damage nor injuries, authorities said.

The attack comes as the rebels continue their monthslong assault targeting shipping through a waterway that typically sees $1 trillion in goods pass through it a year over the Israel-Hamas war in Gaza and Israel’s ground offensive in Lebanon.

A ship’s captain saw that “a missile splashed in close proximity to the vessel” as it traveled near the Bab el-Mandeb Strait connecting the Red Sea to the Gulf of Aden, the British military’s United Kingdom Maritime Trade Operations center said in an alert. The attack happened some 30 miles (48 kilometers) west of Yemen port city of Mocha.

“The vessel and crew are safe and proceeding to its next port of call,” the UKMTO added.

The Houthis did not immediately claim the attack. However, it can take the rebels hours or even days to acknowledge their assaults.

The Houthis have targeted more than 90 merchant vessels with missiles and drones since the war in Gaza started in October 2023. They seized one vessel and sank two in the campaign, which also killed four sailors. Other missiles and drones have either been intercepted by a US-led coalition in the Red Sea or failed to reach their targets, which have included Western military vessels as well.

The militia maintain that they target ships linked to Israel, the US or the UK to force an end to Israel’s campaign against Hamas in Gaza. However, many of the ships attacked have little or no connection to the conflict, including some bound for Iran.

The Houthis have shot down multiple American MQ-9 Reaper drones as well.

In the Houthi's last attack on Nov. 11, two US Navy warships targeted with multiple drones and missiles as they were traveling through the Bab el-Mandeb Strait, but the attacks were not successful.

Source:arabnews.com

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Israeli court jails Palestinian WAFA journalist Rasha Herzallah for six months

November 17, 2024

LONDON: An Israeli military court sentenced on Sunday the Palestinian journalist Rasha Herzallah to six months in jail and issued a fine of 13,000 shekels ($3,300).

Herzallah, 39, was working for the official Palestine News and Information Agency (WAFA) at the time of her arrest last June, when she was summoned for an investigation at the Israeli Huwwara detention center north of the occupied West Bank.

Her detention was extended five times before a charge of “incitement on social media” was brought in court.

She is the sister of Muhammad Herzallah, who died from his wounds in November 2023 after being shot in the head by Israeli forces during a raid of Nablus city, WAFA reported.

Herzallah’s court hearing was held at the Israeli Salem military base near Jenin, her family told WAFA. She is expected to be released from prison on Dec. 1.

She is among 94 Palestinian journalists currently detained in Israeli jails since Oct. 7, 2023.

WAFA reported that four female journalists, including Herzallah, Rola Hassanin, Bushra Al-Tawil, and Amal Shujaiyah, a journalism student from Birzeit University, remain in Israeli detention.

Source:arabnews.com

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https://www.arabnews.com/node/2579692/middle-east

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Cultural experts urge UN to shield Lebanon’s heritage

November 17, 2024

BEIRUT: Hundreds of cultural professionals, including archeologists and academics, called on the UN to safeguard war-torn Lebanon’s heritage in a petition published on Sunday before a crucial UNESCO meeting.

Several Israeli strikes in recent weeks on Baalbek in the east and Tyre in the south hit close to ancient Roman ruins designated as UNESCO World Heritage sites.

The petition, signed by 300 prominent cultural figures, was sent to UNESCO chief Audrey Azoulay a day before a special session in Paris to consider listing Lebanese cultural sites under “enhanced protection.”

It urges UNESCO to protect Baalbek and other heritage sites by establishing “no-target zones” around them, deploying international observers, and enforcing measures from the 1954 Hague Convention on cultural heritage in conflict.

“Lebanon’s cultural heritage at large is being endangered by recurrent assaults on ancient cities such as Baalbek, Tyre, and Anjar, all UNESCO world heritage sites, as well as other historic landmarks,” says the petition.

It calls on influential states to push for an end to military action that destroys or damages sites, as well as adding protections or introducing sanctions.

Change Lebanon, the charity behind the petition, said signatories included museum curators, academics, archeologists, and writers in Britain, France, Italy, and the US.

Enhanced protection status gives heritage sites “high-level immunity from military attacks,” according to UNESCO.

“Criminal prosecutions and sanctions, conducted by the competent authorities, may apply in cases where individuals do not respect the enhanced protection granted to a cultural property,” it said.

In Baalbek, Israeli strikes on Nov. 6 hit near the city’s Roman temples, according to authorities, destroying a heritage house dating back to the French mandate and damaging the historic site.

The region’s governor said “a missile fell in the car park” of a 1,000-year-old temple, the closest strike since the start of the war.

The ruins host the prestigious Baalbek Festival each year, a landmark event founded in 1956 and now a fixture on the international cultural scene, featuring performances by music legends like Oum Kalthoum, Charles Aznavour and Ella Fitzgerald.

Source:arabnews.com

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Frankly Speaking: How do Palestinians perceive a new Trump presidency?

November 17, 2024

DUBAI: Although the previous administration of US President-elect Donald Trump was seen as a staunch ally of Israel, VarsenAghabekian Shahin, Palestine’s minister of state for foreign affairs and expatriates, says Palestinians remain hopeful about his return to the White House.

In large part this is due to a perception that the international climate surrounding the issue of Palestinian statehood is fundamentally different to that which prevailed during Trump’s last administration, owed in large part to events in Gaza and the resulting wave of solidarity.

“I have to be hopeful. We have to remain hopeful,” said Aghabekian Shahin during an appearance on the Arab News current affairs program “Franking Speaking,” a week after President-elect Trump secured a powerful mandate in a deeply polarized US election race.

Her optimism, however, is tempered by the decades of frustration that Palestinians have felt under Israeli occupation. “What we have been hoping for, as always, is a Palestinian state with our sovereignty and our self-determination,” she told “Frankly Speaking” host Katie Jensen.

While Trump’s first term was marked by controversial moves such as recognizing Jerusalem as Israel’s capital and relocating the US embassy there from Tel Aviv, Aghabekian Shahin believes there remains a possibility for change.

“With the incoming president in the United States, our hope remains the same. We hope President Trump will take a more balanced approach ... and put on his agenda the rights of the Palestinians.”

During his last administration, Trump championed normalization agreements between Arab states and Israel under the Abraham Accords. However, Aghabekian Shahin says “peace will not be sustainable if Palestinians’ rights are not taken into consideration.”

In contrast with the period coinciding with Trump’s last administration, Aghabekian Shahin says there is now a global momentum behind Palestinian statehood, catalyzed by shifting alliances and growing public outrage over Israeli actions in Gaza.

“I think times today are different than they were a couple years ago,” said Aghabekian Shahin.

“The ongoing genocide in Gaza, the mounting pressure and dissatisfaction all over capitals in Europe … and the coalition today led by Saudi Arabia on the materialization of the state of Palestine — these are new dimensions that cannot be ignored.”

Israel’s military campaign in Gaza came in retaliation for the Oct. 7, 2023, Hamas-led attack on southern Israel, which killed more than 1,200 and saw 250 taken hostage. The conflict in the tiny Palestinian enclave has resulted in more than 43,700 dead and 1.9 million displaced.

International criticism of the scale of destruction in Gaza has intensified over the past year, with many questioning Israel’s adherence to international law. Israeli leaders could face war crimes charges before the International Court of Justice and the International Criminal Court.

One positive to emerge from the conflict is renewed interest in the long-dormant effort to achieve the two-state solution to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, which envisions an independent Palestinian state with East Jerusalem as its capital living peacefully alongside Israel.

Lauding Saudi Arabia’s diplomatic and humanitarian efforts, Aghabekian Shahin said a new international coalition spearheaded by the Kingdom to help expedite the two-state solution represented a source of hope for Palestinians.

This ambition was given further weight by the joint summit of the Arab League and Organisation of Islamic Cooperation that took place in the Saudi capital on Nov. 11, during which the leaders of 57 Arab and Islamic countries called on Israel to negotiate an end to the decades-old conflict.

“Saudi Arabia has been extremely important for aid and its support to the Palestinian people,” said Aghabekian Shahin. “The summit that was held in Riyadh is a very important message. Fifty-seven countries were present in the meeting, with clear decisions and a focus on ending the occupation.”

Saudi Arabia has explicitly linked the normalization of ties with Israel to progress on Palestinian statehood. Aghabekian Shahin said this position is “a very important step and something that pushes forward and brings a lot of hope to the Palestinian people.”

During the recent joint summit, Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman described Israel’s actions in Gaza as genocide, marking the first occasion that a Saudi official had publicly done so. Nevertheless, there are still several nations, including many of Israel’s Western allies, who have avoided using the term.

While acknowledging the scale of human suffering in Gaza, Aghabekian Shahin said the precise terminology is less important than addressing the atrocities that are taking place.

“Even if 300,000 people are killed in Gaza, God forbidding, some countries will not call it a genocide,” she said. “What is happening is a humanitarian catastrophe. ... Governments and people are more and more realizing that these atrocities cannot continue.”

Asked whether Hamas bears responsibility for triggering the carnage that has befallen Gaza, Aghabekian Shahin did not condemn the Palestinian militant group outright, focusing instead on the underlying conditions that have fueled the cycle of violence.

“Who takes the blame first and foremost is the belligerent occupation that has been suffocating Palestinian lives over seven decades,” she said. “Gazans were living in an open-air prison… When people as human beings are cornered and they don’t see a light at the end of the tunnel, then obviously violence erupts.”

Despite the grim reality of the situation and the intense animosity between the warring sides, Aghabekian Shahin underscored the importance of diplomacy and adherence to international law to resolve the conflict.

“Any violence perpetrated by any side is unacceptable,” she said. “We need to put violence aside and resort to mechanisms that will bring us closer to our liberation as per international law.”

This commitment to seeking peaceful solutions aligns with Aghabekian Shahin’s extensive background in academia, human rights advocacy, and as a veteran member of the Palestinian negotiations unit.

Before her ministerial appointment in April, she served in various roles, including as director of the Capacity and Institutional Building Project at the Office of the Palestinian President and commissioner-general of the Palestinian Independent Commission for Human Rights.

A member of Jerusalem’s Armenian community, Aghabekian Shahin has witnessed firsthand the pressures faced by minority groups in the city. She highlights the significance of the Armenian Quarter in the Old City, which has come under growing threat by far-right Jewish settlers.

“The land in question is invaluable,” she said, referring to a bitter ongoing legal dispute between the Armenian Patriarchate and an Australian-Israeli developer to lease an area of land in the Armenian Quarter to build a luxury hotel.

“This land is part and parcel of the heritage of the Armenian people for decades in Jerusalem,” said Aghabekian Shahin. “The community has a very good team of Israeli lawyers along with international lawyers who are working on the case.”

The Armenian Quarter in Jerusalem’s Old City has long been a symbol of Armenian identity and presence in the region. Aghabekian Shahin believes its preservation is vital not just for Armenians but for Jerusalem’s multicultural heritage.

The flight of Christian communities more broadly from Palestine and the wider Middle East is itself a bellwether of the decline of religious pluralism in the region. Aghabekian Shahin attributes this trend to the hardships of living under occupation.

“People are sick and tired of occupation,” she said. “They want a better future for their children. This better future cannot happen under occupation… With an end of occupation, there is an economic horizon and a future that people can look to.”

As Palestinians await clarity on the global stage, Aghabekian Shahin remains resolute. “What we hope for today is what we have always hoped for — a sovereign Palestinian state living in peace next to Israel.”

The stakes are high, however, not only for Palestinians but for the broader Middle East, where peace remains elusive. Aghabekian Shahin believes the next US administration will have to address the root causes of the conflict.

“Without justice for Palestinians, there will be no sustainable peace.”

Source:arabnews.com

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https://www.arabnews.com/node/2579666/middle-east

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Lebanon army says Israeli attack kills 2 soldiers

November 17, 2024

BEIRUT: The Lebanese army said an Israeli attack on Sunday killed two soldiers, accusing Israel of directly targeting their position in south Lebanon where the Israeli military is fighting Hezbollah.

“The Israeli enemy directly targeted an army center” in Mari in the Hasbaya area, causing “the death of one of the soldiers and the wounding of three others, one of whom is in critical condition,” the army said in a statement.

A separate statement shortly afterwards said “a second soldier” had died of his wounds.

Israeli fire has killed more than a dozen Lebanese soldiers since all-out war between Israel and the Iran-backed Hezbollah group erupted in September, according to an AFP tally of official announcements.

Source:arabnews.com

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The long road from Qatar to Makkah: A guide to pursuing Umrah

17 Nov 2024

Doha, Qatar: Making the journey from Qatar to Makkah by car? Here's everything you need to know about the 3,000-kilometer round trip that many pilgrims are choosing over flying.

The road trip offers something special—beautiful landscapes and the freedom to move at your own pace.

But careful planning is essential for this spiritual journey.

The path to Makkah has long been one of spiritual significance, testing both faith and preparation.

The journey requires careful preparation, starting with the basics: a valid Saudi tourist visa, which can now be obtained online through the Saudi Ministry of Foreign Affairs portal.

The long desert roads demand at least two drivers to share the wheel.

Summer months are best avoided, as the scorching heat can be dangerous if mechanical troubles arise, and holiday seasons often bring lengthy queues at border crossings.

The quiet hours of travel often provide time for reflection and prayer.

Source:thepeninsulaqatar.com

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https://thepeninsulaqatar.com/article/17/11/2024/the-long-road-from-qatar-to-mecca-a-guide-to-pursuing-umrah

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North America

Trump could be the end of Zelensky’s war effort, regime, and political career

17 Nov, 2024

How do you do damage control when you have already done so much damage? That is the conundrum Western and Ukrainian leaders are currently facing.

Since the triumphal comeback of former president and now president-elect Donald Trump in the US, it is very likely that he will follow through on his campaign promise to quickly end the proxy war in and through Ukraine.

That is good news, especially for a lot of Ukrainians – and Russians, too – who will, if things work out, not die in a war that could have been avoided in its entirety and has already been decided in Russia’s favor. For Western and Ukrainian leaders, things may feel a little more complicated: As Moscow is winning on the battlefield, to end the war at this stage will require major Ukrainian and Western concessions, going substantially beyond the deal that was on offer in the spring of 2022 but that the West made Kiev reject: Now, Ukraine will lose more territory – beyond Crimea, that is – and its toxic NATO “perspective,” too.

Russia has been consistently clear about its position: Neither Ukraine nor the West can expect peace “on the cheap.” Instead, a settlement will have to reflect their failure and Moscow’s success. There is nothing – as war goes – exceptional in that: If the West – currently wallowing in vulgar Russophobia – had managed to gain the upper hand, neither Russia nor its current government nor its leader could have expected anything but merciless punishment and humiliation. Indeed, it is likely that Moscow will, in the end, be more flexible and rational than the West would have been.

That Moscow, however, is certainly not in the mood to behave as if it had lost the war was the message that Germany’s lame-duck chancellor Olaf Scholz received when calling Russian president Vladimir Putin: Putin did not give an inch, reiterating Russia’s position on who is to blame for the conflict (NATO and its overreach, which is largely correct) and that Russia has always been open to negotiations (also correct). Finally, he reminded his caller that any “possible agreements” must take into account Russian national security interests and “rest on the new territorial realities, and, most importantly, eliminate the original causes of the conflict.” In translation: territorial losses and full neutrality and absolutely no NATO for Ukraine (not officially, not a little, not on the sly: This is a case of “nyet” means “nyet,” as granite as the Neva embankments in Putin’s native St. Petersburg).

That is a summary of the minimum Moscow will demand, and if that minimum – and quite possibly more, such as an end to sanctions and a general, more far-reaching reset of the security architecture in Europe – is not met, then there won’t be peace, and Ukraine and the West will lose later and even worse. Russia is also unwilling to let the incoming US administration get away with setting itself up as an innocent peacemaker. Rather, Moscow expects that Trump’s Washington will correct “the criminal mistakes” of the current Biden administration, to quote the spokeswoman of Russia’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Maria Zakharova. In other words: No more free rides; and no easy showboating either.

It is true that, in the West, not everyone’s grief management is at the stage of acceptance yet. Some, for instance former NATO figurehead and current Ukraine booster Anders Fogh Rasmussen are still in denial, hoping that Trump will display his vaunted unpredictability, do exactly the opposite of what he has said repeatedly, and get even deeper into the Ukraine quagmire. In The Economist, Dmitry Kuleba, formerly Ukraine’s anti-diplomat-in-chief, offers a heady mix of copium, combining the usual stereotyping “history” fantasies (“Vladimir III”?) with an attempt to scare off Trump by arguing that he cannot “throw Ukraine under the bus.” Good luck with that approach! Trump’s answer to a dare from a former Ukrainian foreign minister well known for his habit of cajoling Westerners much more pliable than Trump may well be “watch me!” That is all the more likely as Trump seems to tilt toward those American hawks who see Ukraine as a burden to be shed before getting even more aggressive toward China.

Yet Kuleba is an outlier. As the Wall Street Journal notes, Trump’s policy of seeking peace is “finding growing acceptance among Ukraine’s European allies.” They, we learn, now “increasingly worry that time isn’t on Ukraine’s side in the war.” What can one even say anymore? Maybe: “Good morning! Time has never been on Ukraine’s side. Neither has demography. Or location. Or military-industrial-complex capacity (yes, even while supplied by the West). At this speed you will catch up with all of reality in a decade or so.”

Make no mistake, in EU-NATO Europe, the new sobriety is spreading beyond the circles of traditional skeptics. It is true that Hungary’s leader Viktor Orban and his foreign minister, Peter Szijjarto, have become only more outspoken in their opposition to the proxy war and its suicidal economic effects, calling on other parties of the European right to follow their example. But that is merely the tip of the iceberg. The fact that Germany’s Scholz has called Putin, after years of – futilely – trying to “isolate” the Russian president was, in and of itself, a great climbdown and clear sign that the mainstream center is beginning to get the message: the proxy war is lost, and it is very high time to look for a way out.

That is the true meaning of Scholz’s humiliating and richly deserved cave-in, and Ukraine’s president Vladimir Zelensky did not miss it. That is why he was irate, disparaging Scholz’s initiative as opening the “Pandora’s Box.” One Pandora’s Box that Zelensky does not have in mind but that his EU “colleagues” are certain to be worried about the most is that their prestige and careers as well have been staked on this proxy war.

The ripple effects of Trump’s return are already unmistakable all across the West and in Ukraine as well, even now, before the president-elect has even made any clear suggestions about how exactly he is planning to get peace done. What has been leaked, in any case, is detached from reality: No, Moscow has not fought this war to agree to any Western troops in some sort of 800-mile buffer zone in a Ukraine pumped up with even more Western weapons or to have the NATO nonsense merely postponed. Trump advisers allegedly selling such schemes to their boss will learn how Russians say “fuggedaboutit”; they’ll hear it a lot.

The same, incidentally, holds true for the more aggressive ideas of Trump’s designated national security adviser Mike Waltz. Waltz is generally seen as fitting in with Trump’s strategy of seeking a compromise on Ukraine. But he has also made harebrained statements about how easy it would be to economically coerce Russia, which – with embarrassing ignorance – he has disparaged as “essentially a gas station with nukes.” Either Waltz will quickly catch up on Russian realities, or, if he should stick to such arrogant delusions, he, too, will get to hear “fuggedaboutit” and nothing else in Moscow, while Russia will take more of Ukraine.

Meanwhile, Zelensky has made intriguing statements in a long recent radio interview clearly meant as a major public address: He acknowledged that the war will end faster under the incoming president. He also admitted that Ukraine’s ongoing (but not really) formation of fresh brigades is proceeding “very, very slowly”; he complained that, in reality, less than half of the weapons promised by the US have actually been delivered; and he signaled understanding for Ukrainian soldiers who retreat under intense Russian pressure and without any relief from those brigades that fail to get ready. His government’s position, he also told his listeners, is that people come first, territory second.

Clearly, Zelensky made this statement in specific context, desperately trying to put a positive – as it were, generous – spin on having to admit that Ukrainian troops are giving way on the battlefield. After all, those whose lives were wasted in hopeless meatgrinder defenses, such as the battles of Bakhmut or Avdeevka, are no longer around to be astonished at the rift between their experience and their president’s word. Those recently sent into the predictably senseless Kursk Kamikaze incursion are also getting fewer by the day. And yet, if one were to generalize from this narrow, dishonest context to Ukraine’s overall situation, putting saving Ukrainian lives over retaining devastated square kilometers would, obviously, be a whole, new – and for Zelensky’s rigid mind – sensational notion.

And there may be good reasons to generalize: Officially, Kiev still clings to the absurd idea of regaining its 1991 borders. But, in reality, now there are multiplying signs that the Ukrainian leadership is getting ready to trade territory for an end to the fighting. According to the New York Times, “two senior officials” – one named, one anonymous – have recently said that “defending Ukraine’s interests in potential talks would hinge not on territorial boundaries, which are likely to be determined by the fighting, but on what assurances are in place to make a cease-fire hold.” While the “territorial question is extremely important, but it’s still the second question […], the first question is security guarantees.”

Zelensky is now angling for a meeting with Trump. That, once it happens, will be an opportunity for him to sell his vague ideas about making peace, while staying “strong” – as expressed in that radio interview as well – to the great dealmaker himself. The problem with that approach is that Trump, obsessed with strength, can sense weakness, too. And, frankly, it takes no special skill to detect it in Kiev’s position. Zelensky, in his interview, claimed that the Europeans have helped Ukraine no less than the US. Clearly, he was trying to imply that the EU alone could, if need be, take over supporting Ukraine all alone. Trump would certainly not mind if the Europeans ruined themselves even more. After all, while the goal of handing Russia a crippling defeat has not been achieved, that of thoroughly subduing the Europeans, including by impoverishing them, has. Trump’s Washington will be no less ruthless than Biden’s in taking advantage of the perverse submissiveness of Europe’s elites. But, in terms of actually being able to withstand Russia, the idea of the EU going it alone is as unrealistic as Zelensky adviser Mikhail Podoliak’s scheme to offer Ukrainians as outsourced legionnaires to replace US troops in NATO-Europe.

One complication is all too often overlooked in Western commentary: Zelensky is not merely – or mostly? – struggling to keep Ukraine’s war effort afloat. He is also fighting for his own political (at least) survival. In general, the leaders of used-up proxies face many threats because, in essence, they lose their usefulness for their backers and may even inconvenience them, while, at home, the populations that they have sold out to other countries’ geopolitics may demand a reckoning.

In this context, we see rumors and leaks – to The Economist, no less – that an old nemesis of Zelensky, General Valery Zaluzhny (currently in de facto exile as a perfectly misplaced ambassador in London) might join a power struggle against the backdrop of Ukraine’s “ebbing morale.” In particular, there is speculation and, it seems, even some surreptitious activity, about presidential elections. If they were to be held next year – finally, after Zelensky’s constitutionally dubious overstaying in office – “internal polling seen by The Economist” (so many layers of intrigue here!) suggests Zelensky would lose. And why would Trump mind? He is on record blaming the start of the war on the Ukrainian leader. That’s a tad unfair, given how much the US and its EU-NATO vassals have done to make this catastrophe happen, but then, no one has ever been fair in this mess.

Even if Trump should not end up making Boris Epshteyn, who thoroughly scares Ukraine, his special envoy on Ukraine and Russia, things are looking bleak for Kiev’s ruling regime. The incoming US president is not merely about to catalyze the end of the war. He may end up bringing about the collapse of Zelensky’s catastrophic career in politics or even the Zelensky regime as a particular version of proxy war-based quasi-authoritarianism. And once this war is over, Europe’s elites as well will be left in the ruins of their own hubris and shortsightedness. The enormous damage that has already been done is irreversible and will reverberate for decades.

Source:rt.com

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https://www.rt.com/news/607783-trump-end-zelensky-career/

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Here's when 'Dune: Prophecy' takes place in the movies' timeline, and what the Butlerian Jihad is

18 Nov, 2024

"Dune: Prophecy" is HBO's prequel TV series to the critically acclaimed "Dune" movies directed by Denis Villeneuve.

However, it's completely separate from the films, so don't expect to see Paul Atreides (Timothée Chalamet) or Chani (Zendaya) pop up for a cameo.

It mainly follows Valya Harkonnen (Emily Watson) and her sister, Tula Harkonnen (Olivia Williams) as they work to establish the Sisterhood as an influential group that would eventually become the sect called the Bene Gesserit by Paul Atreides' time.

"Dune: Prophecy" is Warner Bros.' latest move to expand the "Dune" franchise, which has already grossed over $1 billion at the global box office. An upcoming video game, "Dune: Awakening," is also in the works.

Fans might wonder how "Dune: Prophecy" fits into the timeline. Here's what we know.

At the start of the first episode, a line of text clarifies that the series takes place over 10,000 years before the birth of Paul Atreides.

This establishes that the show is so far away from the films that the writers have the space to tell huge, long-running stories without worrying about impacting the events of the films and crossing over into the timeline of Timothee Chalamet's reign on the desert planet, Arrakis.

The TV series is based on the events of the "Great Schools of Dune" trilogy of books, written by Frank Herbert's son, Brian Herbert, and Kevin J. Anderson.

It's not a direct adaptation of the trilogy, but it pulls characters and storylines from the three books, which were published between 2012 and 2016.

The show also notes that it takes place "116 years after the end of the great machine wars." Fans will know that this refers to an event that shaped the "Dune" universe in a very specific way. Here's what to know about the "Butlerian Jihad."

The series' opening includes a brief look at the forces of humanity fighting against massive machines, giving fans the first depiction of the Butlerian Jihad in live action.

The Butlerian Jihad was the revolution against robots and artificial intelligence, which the "Dune" universe refers to as "thinking machines."

In the books, this happened because Omnius, the robotic ruler of the Synchronized Empire, had overthrown several planets in the universe, and there were fears that the machines would wipe out humanity completely.

The war lasted almost 100 years and was won when Omnius was defeated at the Battle of Corrin.

That's why there are no robots in the "Dune" franchise. Although there is still plenty of advanced technology present, none of it is controlled by free-thinking AI.

Source:businessinsider.in

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https://www.businessinsider.in/entertainment/news/heres-when-dune-prophecy-takes-place-in-the-movies-timeline-and-what-the-butlerian-jihad-is/articleshow/115402638.cms

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Top Republican says Trump nominees are ‘disruptors’

18 Nov, 2024

Washington's highest-ranking Republican has said that President-elect Donald Trump is tapping "disruptors" to lead his incoming administration.

"They are persons who will shake up the status quo," House Speaker Mike Johnson said Sunday on CNN's State of the Union. "I think that's by design."

Trump continues to announce officials who he wants to fill high-ranking positions in his administration, seeming to favour close allies over those with related policy experience.

Some of those picks have sent shockwaves through Washington and caused bipartisan concern. But those close to Trump say there are back-up plans in place if these nominees can't muster the support needed to be approved.

Trump's defence secretary pick Pete Hegseth has denied a sexual assault allegation and his potential attorney general Matt Gaetz is at the centre of an ethics scandal. His health secretary nominee, Robert F Kennedy Jr, is under scrutiny for his vaccine scepticism.

The president-elect's son, Donald Trump Jr, defended his father's nominees on Sunday, saying on Fox News that "we know who the good guys and bad guys are".

"It's about surrounding my father with people who are competent and loyal. They will deliver on his promises," he said. "They are not people who think they know better as unelected bureaucrats."

He noted some of the nominees are "controversial" and appeared to acknowledge some could face problems in the Senate, which is tasked with vetting thousands of presidential nominees and voting on their appointments.

"We do have back-up plans, but we're obviously going with the strongest candidates first," the president-elect's son said. "You know some of them are going to be controversial because they'll actually get things done."

Source:bbc.com

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https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/cqj09jrw52zo

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Xi says he will work with Trump in last meeting with Biden

18 Nov, 2024

Frances Mao

Chinese leader Xi Jinping has pledged to work with incoming President Donald Trump in his final meeting with current US leader Joe Biden.

But president Xi also took the opportunity to state China’s objectives in what appears to be a message to Donald Trump and the next administration in Washington.

In a robust readout of the meeting released afterwards, Beijing said President Xi had underscored that "a new Cold War should not be fought and cannot be won. Containing China is unwise, unacceptable and bound to fail".

Xi also said a stable relationship between China and the United States was "critical to both parties and the world".

The two met on Saturday on the sidelines of the annual Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (Apec) summit in Peru where they acknowledged "ups and downs" in relations over Biden's four years in office.

Speaking at Saturday's meeting, which was held at President Xi's hotel in Lima, the leader said that if the US and China "treat each other as opponents or enemies, engage in vicious competition and mutual harm, China-US relations will suffer setbacks or even regressions".

He added that Beijing's goal of a stable relationship with Washington would remain unchanged and that he would work with the new US administration "to maintain communication, expand cooperation and manage differences."

Biden, meanwhile, said strategic competition between the two global powers should not escalate into war.

"Our two countries cannot let any of this competition veer into conflict. That is our responsibility and over the last four years I think we've proven it's possible to have this relationship," he said.

Both leaders highlighted progress in lowering tensions on issues such as trade and Taiwan.

Analysts say US-China relations could become more volatile when Trump returns to office in two months, driven by factors including a promise to raise tariffs on Chinese imports.

The president-elect has pledged 60% tariffs on all imports from China. He has also appointed prominent China hawks to top foreign and defence positions.

During his first term, Trump labelled Beijing a “strategic competitor”. Relations worsened when he labelled Covid a “Chinese virus” during the pandemic.

Biden's time in office did see flare-ups in relations with China, including a spy balloon saga and displays of Chinese military firepower around Taiwan triggered by the visit of a senior US official.

China says its claim to the self-ruling island is a red line.

However, the Biden administration aimed to "responsibly manage" rivalry with Beijing after Trump's first term.

Beijing is likely to be most concerned about the president-elect's unpredictability, analysts say.

"The Chinese are ready to negotiate and deal, and probably hope for early engagement with the Trump team to discuss potential transactions," said Bonnie Glaser, managing director of the German Marshall Fund's Indo-Pacific Program.

"At the same time, however, they are ready to retaliate if Trump insists on imposing higher tariffs on China."

She added that China may also be "likely worried that they lack reliable back channels to influence Trump's policy".

Biden on Saturday acknowledged there had always been disagreements with Xi but added that discussions between him and the Chinese leader had been "frank" and "candid".

The pair held three face-to-face meetings during Biden's time in the White House, including a key summit last year in San Francisco where both sides came to agreements on combatting narcotics and climate change.

But Biden's White House also continued Trump-era tariffs. His government imposed duties in May targeting China's electric cars, solar panels and steels.

He also strengthened defence alliances across Asia and the Pacific to counter China's increasing assertiveness in the region. The outgoing president has also said the US would defend Taiwan if it were invaded by China.

Source:bbc.com

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https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/cx2l4dn802lo

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Who has joined Trump's team so far?

18 Nov, 2024

Donald Trump has made several contentious hires in his new administration, notably in the health, defence and justice departments.

Ahead of his return to the White House on 20 January 2025, the president-elect named Florida congressman Matt Gaetz as his nominee for attorney general.

He has named Pete Hegseth, a Fox News host and military veteran, as his pick for defence secretary. And he wants RFK Jr to be health secretary.

Marco Rubio is a safer pick as the next secretary of state. And billionaire supporter Elon Musk will play a role in cost-cutting.

Here is a closer look at the posts he's named replacements for, and the names in the mix for the top jobs yet to be filled.

We will start with the Cabinet roles - these require approval from the Senate. If four Republican senators and all the Democrats disagree to any individual then that nomination will fail.

Florida Senator Marco Rubio has been picked for US secretary of state, the president's main adviser on foreign affairs who acts as America's top diplomat when representing the country overseas.

Rubio, 53, takes a hawkish view of China. He opposed Trump in the 2016 Republican primary but has since mended fences.

He has long been courting the job of the nation's top diplomat and if approved, he will be the first Latino secretary of state in US history.

Pete Hegseth, a veteran and Fox News host who has never held political office, has been nominated to be the next defence secretary.

His appointment is one of the most highly anticipated in Trump's cabinet as the wars in Ukraine and Gaza rage on.

No personnel decision may be more critical to the trajectory of Trump's second term than his appointee to lead the Department of Justice.

After tumultuous relationships with both Jeff Sessions and William Barr, the attorneys general during his first term, Trump was widely expected to pick a loyalist who will wield the agency's prosecutorial power in the manner of an "attack dog".

He did just that with Florida congressman Matt Gaetz, whose confirmation is likely to be difficult, as members of both US parties are not fans of him.

Department of the Interior - Doug Burgum

Trump announced during a speech at Mar-a-Lago that he would ask Doug Burgum, the governor of North Dakota, to lead the Department of the Interior.

A software entrepreneur who sold his small company to Microsoft in 2001, Burgum briefly ran in the 2024 Republican primary before dropping out, endorsing Trump and quickly impressing him with his low-drama persona and sizeable wealth.

If confirmed, Burgum will oversee an agency that is responsible for the management and conservation of federal lands and natural resources.

Health and Human Services - Robert F Kennedy Jr

RFK Jr, as he is known, an environmental lawyer, vaccine sceptic and the nephew of former President John F Kennedy, is Trump's pick to lead the Department of Health and Human Services.

Despite having no medical qualifications, Kennedy, 70, would have broad remit over US federal health agencies - including those that oversee approval of vaccines and pharmaceuticals.

There has been speculation about his inability to pass a background check for security clearance due to past controversies, including dumping a bear carcass in New York's Central Park.

Veterans' affairs - Doug Collins

Former Georgia congressman Doug Collins has been chosen to lead the US Department of Veterans' Affairs, Trump announced on his Truth Social platform.

Collins was a Trump loyalist when he served in Congress from 2013-21. He was an outspoken advocate for the president-elect during both impeachment hearings.

An Iraq war veteran who now serves as a chaplain in the US Air Force Reserve, Collins left Congress for an unsuccessful bid for the Senate in his home state of Georgia.

Homeland security - Kristi Noem

South Dakota Governor Kristi Noem has been nominated for the key role of overseeing US security, including its borders, cyber-threats, terrorism and emergency response.

The agency has a $62bn (£48bn) budget and employs thousands of people. It incorporates a wide variety of agencies under its umbrella, ranging from Customs and Border Protection to the Federal Emergency Management Agency.

Energy - Chris Wright

Oil and gas industry executive Chris Wright will lead the Energy Department, where he is expected to fulfill Trump's campaign promise to "drill, baby, drill" and maximise US energy production.

Wright, the founder-CEO of Liberty Energy, has called climate activists alarmist and likened Democrats' push for renewables to Soviet-style communism.

In a video posted to his LinkedIn profile last year, he said: "There is no climate crisis, and we're not in the midst of an energy transition either."

Commerce secretary

The woman co-chairing Trump's transition team, Linda McMahon, is tipped as a key contender to represent US businesses and job creation in his cabinet - after previously serving as small business administrator during his first term.

Others who could fill this vacancy include Brooke Rollins; Robert Lighthizer; and Kelly Loeffler, a wealthy businesswoman who briefly served in the US Senate.

Treasury secretary

Trump is reportedly considering Robert Lighthizer, a free trade sceptic who led the tariff war with China as the US trade representative, as his chief financial officer.

Source:bbc.com

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https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/cx24gze60yzo

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Zelensky welcomes reported lifting of US restrictions on long-range weapons

17 Nov, 2024

Ukrainian leader Vladimir Zelensky has issued a thinly veiled threat to use US-supplied long-range missiles for strikes deep inside Russia.

The statement came after multiple Western news organizations reported that outgoing President Joe Biden’s White House had reversed its long-standing policy of not allowing Kiev to use the ATACMS missiles to hit targets on Russia’s internationally recognized territory.

“The plan to strengthen Ukraine is the Victory Plan, which I presented to our partners. One of its key points is long-range capabilities for our army. Today, there’s a lot of talk in the media about us receiving permission for respective actions,” Zelensky said at the end of his video address released on Sunday evening.

“But strikes are not carried out with words. Such things are not announced. Missiles will speak for themselves. They certainly will,” he added, without elaborating.

Ukraine has already been using the ATACMS and Franco-British SCALP-EG/Storm Shadow missiles to hit targets in Crimea and other four former Ukrainian regions that joined Russia after 2014.

The Biden administration had previously declined requests for the expansion of the strikes, however, citing concerns about possible escalation. The White House and the Pentagon declined to comment on the recent reports about the lifting of restrictions.

Multiple Western media outlets said that Kiev is expected to use the new capabilities in and around Russia’s Kursk Region, which was invaded by Ukraine in early August. Heavy fighting has been reported in the area as Russian troops launched an offensive aimed at pushing the Ukrainian forces back across the border.

Russia President Vladimir Putin warned in September that the expansion of strikes deep inside Russia using Western weapons would “significantly change the nature of the conflict.” He argued that such strikes would be impossible without the participation of foreign personnel. It would mean that “NATO countries are directly involved in the military conflict” with Russia, he said.

Source:rt.com

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https://www.rt.com/russia/607793-zelensky-atacms-missiles-russia/

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Africa

How Lakurawa terrorists deceived us ?Islamic cleric

November 17, 2024

by Muhammad Sabiu

A prominent Islamic cleric in Sokoto State, Sheikh Abdulbasit Silame, has revealed how the Lakurawa terrorists group deceived the people of Sokoto and Kebbi into believing they are in the two states to rescue them from bandits, kidnappers and cattle rustlers who have been terrorising the communities in the last one decade.

Sheikh Silame made the disclosure in a viral video he released on Friday.

The video tagged “Who are the Lakurawas?” revealed how the terrorists came into the country through the Sokoto and Kebbi State borders.

“When they first came, they were friendly and in order to be accepted. They told us they were on a mission to rescue the people of the areas from banditry, kidnapping and cattle rustling.

“As the years progressed, we came to understand that we were deceived. They are no longer the friendly people who told us their mission is to help us defeat the bandits who have been tormenting us for over a decade. But they equally have their own mission, which is to own lands and territories,” the sheikh explained in the video.

According to him, the Lakurawa are not Fulanis but Malians, Burkinabes and Nigeriens, adding that, “I think they have a mission against the Hausa/Fulani.”

He further described members of the group as “tall and lanky, most of who are not circumcised. We found out from the corpses of those killed. An indication they don’t associate with women.”

The scholar noted that the terrorists have started preaching their own ideology even though he has yet to identify what such ideology is.

“Now they have started preaching their ideology. But we are still trying to find out what their ideology is. They allow people to keep beards. They said people should raise their trousers above the ankle. The other day they also celebrated the birthday of the holy prophet Muhammad (SAW). In short, [we are not sure who they are] are they izalas or darika?” he queried.

According to the Islamic scholar, “The terrorist group seized people’s phones and scrutinised the phones. If they find out that the owner has downloaded songs on their phones, they’ll delete the songs and warn them never to download any song again.

“Among their antics in recent times was the burning of seized cigarettes from shop owners. They warned the shop owners to desist from selling cigarettes in the villages.”

The Islamic cleric lamented that the terrorists “have turned into a monster attacking villages and killing innocent people. The other day they came to Balle village and stormed the residence of the district head and forced him out and slaughtered him. They also attacked a military checkpoint and seized their weapons.

“They visit courts and monitor how the judges are handling cases. If they’re not satisfied they will ask the judge to step aside and deliver a fresh judgment.

“They also attend Friday prayers and if they find out that the Imam does not understand Arabic language, they asked him to step aside. One of them would now lead the congregational prayers. Or sometimes they pick a worshiper to lead.

“This group is deadly. We are made to believe that they are in possession of heavy ammunition more than even the bandits.”

Meanwhile, the federal government has dismissed the idea that Lakurawa poses a threat to residents of Sokoto and Kebbi States and even the country, insisting that the nation’s security agencies are on top of the situation and the group will be flushed out soon.

The assurance was given by the National Coordinator of the National Counter-Terrorism Centre (NCTC), Major-Gen Adamu Laka, recently in Abuja.

Laka described the numerical strength of the Lakurawa as insignificant to pose a serious threat to the security agencies.

He advised Nigerians against spreading fear in the minds of the populace about the group through the social media as currently being done.

“Concerning the terrorists group, called Lakurawa, there is no cause for concern. The office of National Security Adviser is on top of the issue, that I guarantee you. The way it is being reported is not as bad as that. The total number [of Lakurawa] is not more than 150 or 200, it is very insignificant.

“However, they are looking for more people to join them and Nigerians being resilient, that is why the issue came up. If they had kept quiet within themselves, maybe things would not have been out.

“But they are looking for people to recruit, but we are on top of the issue. There are things I shouldn’t say, but we are on top of the issue.

“So, the issue of Lakurawa extending to Kebbi, Kaduna [shouldn’t arise.] How many are they? Are they that many that they can terrorise Kebbi and terrorise Sokoto? Now, they are coming all the way down to Kaduna? How? We’re talking about 150 people,” he said.

Source:tribuneonlineng.com

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Activists highlight plight of world's hungry ahead of G20 summit in Brazil

17 November 2024

Empty plates were scattered on the sands in Copacabana beach, Brazil, on Saturday (Nov. 16).

The protest which was organized by the NGO Rio da Paz or Rio for Peace sought to draw the attention of the leaders of the world's richest nations on the scourge of hunger.

Rio de Janeiro hosts this year's G20 summit which kicks off on Monday (Nov. 18).

“We brought 733 empty plates to the beach that represent hunger. And why this number? According to the United Nations, 733 million human beings starved in 2023.”

This figure is equivalent to one in eleven people globally and one in five in Africa.

READ ALSO: UN report says around 733 million people globally faced hunger in 2023

G20 countries agreed to a global alliance against hunger and poverty unveiled by Brazil last July. The alliance will be launched on the first day of the summit.

The reduction of poverty is one of Brazil's priorities for its current presidency of the group.

The main events of the G20 summit are scheduled taking on Monday and Tuesday.

The group of nations is expected to implement practical activities between 2025 and 2030 to accelerate the elimination of hunger and the reduction of poverty.

November 17th marks the 8th World Day of the Poor.

Source:africanews.com

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https://www.africanews.com/2024/11/17/activists-highlight-plight-of-worlds-hungry-ahead-of-g20-summit-in-brazil/

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Minna Chief Imam Dies At 93

by Abu Nmodu

18 Nov, 2024

The Chief Imam of Minna and one of the most prominent Islamic Scholars in Niger State, Mal Ibrahim Isah Fari, is dead.

He died at the age of 93 on Saturday night and was buried according to Islamic rites.

Niger State Governor Mohammed Umaru Bago has expressed grief over the death of the Chief Imam.

The Governor, through his Chief Press Secretary, Bologi Ibrahim, described the death of Mal Isah Fari as a sad loss to the State and the entire Muslim Community.

He acknowledged that the late Isah Fari was a humble and peaceful ambassador who always preached about love and togetherness.

The Governor said the deceased lived a selfless and fulfilled life, giving his all to the propagation of Islam. He added that his advice and wise counsel would be greatly missed.

Also, the Speaker Niger State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon Abdulmalik Muhammad Sarkin-Daji has expressed his condolences on behalf of the Assembly to the people of Minna Emirate over the death of Mallam Isah Fari.

The speaker described the late Mallam Ibrahim Isah Fari as a humble, pious, and bridge-builder who contributed significantly to the peaceful coexistence of Islam and other religions in the Emirate.

He also eulogised the deceased as a religious leader who always preached love, peace, harmony and togetherness and commiserated with the Muslim Ummah in Minna Emirate.

Source:leadership.ng

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Southwest Muslims Caution Tinubu Against Tax Reform Bill, Say President Should Listen To The Masses

Nov 17, 2024

IBADAN – Muslims in the South-West, under the platform of Muslim Ummah of South West Nigeria, (MUSWEN), have urged President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to listen to the cry of Nigerians on the proposed tax reform bill.

The advise was made by the MUSWEN President and Deputy President -General of Nigerian Supreme Council for Islamic Affairs (NSCIA), Alhaji Rasaki Oladejo at the 9th MUSWEN General Assembly on Sunday.

The event was attended by the Sultan of Sokoto, Alhaji Muhammad Sa’ad Abubakar, Deputy Governor of Oyo State, Barrister Abdul-Raheem Adebayo Lawal, Executive Secretary of MUSWEN, Professor Muslih Tayo Yahya and Director of Muslim Rights Concern, MURIC, Professor Isiaq Lakin Akintola.

According to Oladejo, “I want to urge Mr President to listen to the outcries from various groups and sections of the country on the proposed Tax Reform Bill. The current economic situation in the country requires serious caution to handle. The government should show more human feelings and put measures in place to mitigate the general suffering wrought on the citizenry by some of the economic policies.

He pointed out that the current economic situation in the country should be handled with serious caution, noting that the President should show more human feelings, and put measures in place in order to mitigate the general suffering in the country.

Oladejo urged Tinubu to spend the gains made on subsidy removal on security, infrastructure development, electrification, massive food production and employment-generating projects, stressing that food importation should not be an option to be considered, as it would make a mockery of subsidy removal.

“Although we recognize the fact that the situation is not the creation of the Tinubu administration, the government should do all in its powers to alleviate the sufferings of the people.

“That is the reason Nigerians overwhelmingly voted this government into office in the 2023 election, and the President should have no reason not to make life comfortable for the people.

“On their part, too, the people should be careful not to play into the hands of politicians who had never seen anything good in the administration.

“These are the political leaders who still carry on, more than one year after the 2023 general elections, as if we are still in the electioneering period. To them, any action taken by the administration is subject to politicization, as they never see anything good in whatever action taken or not taken by the government.

“Even though somehow harsh, the government’s economic policies are meant to correct the maladministration of the past and put the country on a firm economic footing.

“The government should spend the gains made on subsidy removal on security, infrastructure development, electrification, massive food production, and employment -generating projects.

“Let me, however, sound a note of warning that food importation should not be an option to be considered: it is not a solution because it would make a mockery of subsidy removal.

“Permit me to mention here that MUSWEN has been part of the distribution of palliatives to the needy. We consider this as a moral and religious obligation”.

Source:independent.ng

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https://independent.ng/southwest-muslims-caution-tinubu-against-tax-reform-bill-say-president-should-listen-to-the-masses/

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Food importation won’t solve Nigeria’s economic woes, South-West Muslims warn Tinubu

NOVEMBER 17, 2024

Rasaki Oladejo, the president of the Muslim Ummah of South-West Nigeria (MUSWEN), has warned President Bola Tinubub that importing food will not eliminate economic hardship in Nigeria.

Mr Oladejo gave the advice during MUSWEN’s 9th General Assembly 2024 on Sunday in Ibadan.

“Let me sound a note of warning that food importation should not be an option to be considered. It is not a solution because it will make a mockery of subsidy removal,” said the MUSWEN president.

Mr Oladejo said, however, that while the government’s economic policies were harsh, they were meant to correct the maladministration of the past and put the country on a firm economic footing.

The South-West Islamic leader urged the government to utilise the gains made from subsidy removal to improve security, infrastructure development, electricity, massive food production, and employment-generating projects.

The MUSWEN president also said the current economic situation in Nigeria required serious caution to handle, urging the government to show more human feelings.

He urged Mr Tinubu’s government to implement measures to mitigate the general suffering brought on the citizenry by some economic policies.

“Although we recognise the situation is not the creation of the Bola Tinubu administration, the government should do all in its power to alleviate the sufferings of the people,” Mr Oladejo said.

He added, “President Tinubu should make life comfortable for the people, even as I also urge Nigerians to be careful and not play into the hands of politicians who have never seen anything good in Tinubu’s administration.”

The Sultan of Sokoto, Sa’ad Abubakar, urged Muslims to assist the less privileged and sponsor more female Muslim students to become doctors.

Mr Abubakar pledged to continue sponsoring 12 female students in the South-West states to become doctors and urged Muslims always to be their brothers’ keepers.

“The unity of Islam is not negotiable, and Muslims should not allow anyone to come in between them,” he said.

Governor Seyi Makinde said Muslims in the South-West have much to do to foster unity in the region.

Mr Makinde pledged his administration’s readiness to support Muslims in Oyo.

Source:gazettengr.com

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Govs Threatening Reps To Withdraw Support For Tinubu’s VAT Bill Or Lose 2027 Tickets – Agbese

18 November 2024

By Justina Otio

The deputy spokesman for the House of Representatives, Philip Agbese, has said that some state governors are threatening to deny federal lawmakers return tickets in 2027 if they don’t withdraw their support for President Bola Tinubu’s Tax Reform Bills.

Recall that in September the President had submitted four tax reform bills to the National Assembly for consideration, following the recommendations of the Oyedele-led tax reforms committee.

The bills include the Nigeria Tax Bill 2024, which is expected to provide the fiscal framework for taxation in the country, and the Tax Administration Bill, which will provide a clear and concise legal framework for all taxes in the country and reduce disputes.

Others are the Nigeria Revenue Service Establishment Bill, which will repeal the Federal Inland Revenue Service Act and establish the Nigeria Revenue Service, and the Joint Revenue Board Establishment Bill, which will create a tax tribunal and a tax ombudsman.

The 36 state governors have, however, demanded the withdrawal of the executive bills, citing the need for more consultation and public input.

Agbese, while speaking in an interview with Punch, disclosed that the lawmakers will today (Monday) engage the Chairman of the Presidential Committee on Fiscal and Tax Reforms, Taiwo Oyedele, and other renowned tax experts on the bills.

Speaking further, he said that some governors are holding meetings ahead of the National Assembly resumption to consider the tax bills and other important legislations.

According to him, “Some of these governors are threatening members from their states. They have even gone far to threaten that they would deny members return tickets in 2027 if they support the bills.”

The threats notwithstanding, the Benue lawmaker said nothing would make him and his colleagues change course, provided the bills are targeted at revamping the economy.

He continued, “As far as we are concerned in the House of Representatives, nobody can stop us from supporting President Bola Tinubu’s bid to reboot the economy to work for the country.

“We are united across party lines to make sure the country works. This is the disposition of Speaker, Tajudeen Abass.”

While noting that lawmakers in the past could indeed be cajoled to give up their principles, the legislator reminded the governors that the 10th Assembly congressmen are a different breed of Nigerians.

He said, “The difference between the new crop of politicians in the House of Representatives is that we are intellectually sound, progressive-minded and pro-Nigeria.

“We were not elected by the governors but our constituents and as far as the legislation (bills) will work for those that elected us, we will support them unequivocally, wholeheartedly and powerfully to see the light of the day.”

Source:naijanews.com

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https://www.naijanews.com/2024/11/18/govs-threatening-reps-to-withdraw-support-for-tinubus-vat-bill-or-lose-2027-tickets-agbese/

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‘Nigeria Has Bigger Problems, Obsession With Badenoch’s Comments Is Entirely Diversionary’ – Laolu Akande

18 November 2024

By Oladipo Abiola

A former presidential spokesperson, Laolu Akande, has submitted that Nigeria has more pressing needs than for its leaders to be fixated on the comments of the leader of the United Kingdom’s Conservative Party, Kemi Badenoch.

Since her emergence as the UK Conservative Party leader, Badenoch and her activities have attracted fresh attention from Nigerians.

However, speaking during his segment on Inside Sources with Laolu Akande on Sunday, the former presidential aide said the focus on Badenoch’s remarks is diversionary for Nigeria.

Akande instead urged Nigerian leaders to focus on fixing the problems in the country, such as the constant collapse of the National Grid and leave Badenoch alone.

“Our obsession with Mrs. Badenoch’s comments is entirely diversionary.”

“Instead of focusing on her, we should be attacking our real problems. Who cares what she thinks? The bigger issue is the state of our country — we should be putting pressure on our leaders to solve fundamental problems like fixing the national power grid,” he said.

The former media aide to ex-Vice President Yemi Osinbajo, during the programme, also commended the Supreme Court for its recent dismissal of the lawsuit filed by 19 state governments challenging the constitutionality of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) and some other anti-corruption agencies in the country.

“The 7-member Supreme Court panel unanimously dismissed the suit, labeling it ‘selfish,’” Akande said.

“This ruling is a comforting rebuke against attempts to weaken our fight against corruption. It shows that while much has gone wrong in our country, redemption is not impossible if we remain steadfast.”

Source:naijanews.com

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https://www.naijanews.com/2024/11/18/nigeria-has-bigger-problems-obsession-with-badenochs-comments-is-entirely-diversionary-laolu-akande/

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Banditry: Matawalle Sues Journalists Over Alleged Defamation, Demands ?60 Billion Damages

18 November 2024

By Richard Ogunsile

The Minister of State for Defense, Bello Matawalle, has initiated legal proceedings against two prominent journalists from the northern region, Shu’aibuMungadi and Tijjani Ramalan, on the grounds of alleged defamation and malicious reporting.

In the lawsuit, designated as K/M2102/2024 and dated October 25, which copy was sighted by newsmen, the former Governor of Zamfara State is pursuing ?10 billion in general damages from each of the six defendants, along with a 10 per cent post-judgment interest on the total judgment amount until it is fully paid.

The other parties named in the lawsuit include the employers of the two journalists: Vision Media Services Ltd, Vision FM, Farin Wata Television, and Liberty Radio and TV.

In an affidavit supporting the motion for an interlocutory injunction, sworn by Alhaji Masudu Abdulkadir, the Minister’s personal assistant, it is asserted that the defendants, through their media outlets led by the first and second defendants, made statements and claims that tarnished the plaintiff’s reputation, accusing him of being a sponsor of bandits.

The deponent deposed, saying “That the plaintiff/applicant was the chief security officer and the executive governor of Zamfara State for four years and that during his tenure in office as the executive governor as well as chief security officer of the state, he tried and strived vigorously to tackle insecurity in all its ramification in the state.

“That from January 2024, the 3rd to 6th defendants in their respective stations, channels, pages, handles, YouTube and programmes chaired/anchored by the 1st and 2nd defendants started televising, airing, broadcasting, posting, spreading false, libelous, injurious and defamatory statements, utterances, assertions and allegations against the person, character and reputation of the plaintiff, presenting and painting him as sponsor of bandits and banditry as well as kidnappers and kidnapping in the North-West states of Nigeria, Zamfara State inclusive.

“That the said stations, channels, pages, handles, Youtube and programmes of the 3rd to 6th defendants anchored/chaired by the 1st and 2nd defendants cut across the said North-West states and are being tuned, listened and viewed by the innocent good populous people of those states, including Kano State as well as the entire world in respect of the online stations, channels and pages of the defendants.”

The deponent asserted that the plaintiff would be liable for damages should the main lawsuit be deemed frivolous. However, he emphasized that “if not restrained during the hearing and resolution of the main suit, the defendants will persist in damaging and undermining the character and reputation of the plaintiff.”

In the motion on notice submitted by Umar Said of Umar and Umar chambers, currently before Justice Musa Ahmad of the Kano State High Court, Bichi Division, Matawalle is requesting the court to issue “an order of interlocutory injunction prohibiting all defendants, along with their officers, staff, agents, servants, and employees, from further instigating, insinuating, airing, broadcasting, posting, uploading, or transmitting in any form any matters concerning the plaintiff and his office as related to the facts of this case, until the hearing and resolution of the main suit.”

Additionally, in a concurrent writ of summons, the plaintiff’s counsel has requested the court to declare that the allegations, statements, utterances, and assertions made by the defendants against the plaintiff during their various programs and postings from January 2024 to the present, which have been aired, televised, posted, and broadcast by them on their respective platforms, constitute defamation of the plaintiff’s character and reputation.

The plaintiff is also seeking other remedies, including “an order of perpetual injunction to prevent the defendants, their agents, assigns, or proxies, regardless of their designation, from further defaming the plaintiff and his reputation.

“An order of the court directing the defendants to tender type-written apology to the plaintiff for the said defamation of his person, character and reputation and same apology shall bear and contain a retraction of the said defamatory statements, utterances, allegations, posting and assertions against the plaintiff and shall be published conspicuously part of two newspapers (local and nationwide).”

Naija News understands that the court has scheduled a hearing for December 12, 2024.

Matawalle’s legal action follows a demand from a faction within the All Progressives Congress, known as the Akida Forum, for a comprehensive investigation into the minister of state regarding the escalating insecurity in the North-Western states.

This group, which staged a protest at the Department of State Services (DSS) headquarters, called on the security agency to independently inquire into the purported ties between Matawalle and specific bandits.

A similar appeal was made by the Governor of Zamfara State, Dauda Lawal, who urged Matawalle to resign from his ministerial role to vindicate himself.

Lawal also indicated that he had “formally reported the minister to the National Security Adviser and President Tinubu, providing them with relevant information.”

However, Matawalle has consistently refuted all allegations concerning his connections with bandits.

Source:naijanews.com

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Ondo Election: DIG Abiodun Commends Security Agencies

17 November 2024

By Justina Otio

The Deputy Inspector-General of Police for Saturday’s governorship election in Ondo State, Alabi Abiodun, has disclosed that some electoral offenders were apprehended during the election.

Speaking during a post election briefing, Abiodun insisted that electoral activities, from the initial stages of preparations to the final announcement of results, were secured with the highest level of integrity and professionalism by security agencies.

He argued that pockets of incidences recorded during the election were inconsequential, maintaining that security agents effectively took charge of the situation.

Abiodun stated that the public engagement lended credence to the electoral process and underpinned the foundation of the country.

He said, “I want to assure you of the continuous involvement of the Nigeria Police Force to ensure total serenity till the end and even after the election process.

“We have deployed more security operatives across the state to monitor and protect every area even after the electoral process, for the maintenance of law and other, as the police and other security agencies will not allow any post-election ugly incident in any part of the state.

“Tactical teams have also been put on red alert to forestall any act capable of causing breach of public peace.

“Our work does not end here; we will continue to advocate for a transparent electoral process and foster an environment where democracy can thrive.

“I urge all citizens to come together in a spirit of unity and cooperation. As we forge ahead, let us embrace our shared values and work collectively towards the betterment of our nation. Our strength lies in our ability to unite, regardless of our differences, and to support the democratic process that binds us together.”

Source:naijanews.com

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https://www.naijanews.com/2024/11/17/ondo-election-dig-abiodun-commends-security-agencies/

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Southeast Asia

PM Anwar calls on Malaysians worldwide to support govt’s reforms, progress and global initiatives

18 Nov 2024

RIO DE JANEIRO (Brazil), Nov 18 — Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim has called on all Malaysians, including those abroad, to continue supporting the government’s efforts in implementing beneficial initiatives.

“I want to emphasise that the current government has a strong team that will work hard to implement policies and strategies that benefit the people as a whole.

“The Madani government will also not compromise on corruption or with any parties that plunder the nation’s wealth,” he said.

He made these remarks at a dinner attended by approximately 200 members of the Malaysian diaspora and friends of Malaysia here on Sunday.

Anwar, who is also the Minister of Finance, highlighted the Madani government’s commitment to bringing significant change to the nation.

“I also touched on the series of visits to several countries, which have had a positive impact — not only strengthening bilateral relations but also bringing economic benefits to the country and its people,” said Anwar, who is in Rio de Janeiro for an official visit and to attend the G20 Summit. — Bernama

Source:malaymail.com

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https://www.malaymail.com/news/malaysia/2024/11/18/pm-anwar-calls-on-malaysians-worldwide-to-support-govts-reforms-progress-and-global-initiatives/157218

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Govt prioritises rehabilitation, family reunification for children rescued from GISBH, religious affairs minister tells Dewan Rakyat

18 Nov 2024

KUALA LUMPUR, Nov 18 — Rehabilitation efforts for children rescued under Op Global involving GISB Holdings SdnBhd (GISBH) are comprehensive, covering faith, counselling, patriotism, education and skills, the Dewan Rakyat was told today.

Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department (Religious Affairs) Datuk Dr Mohd Na’im Mokhtar said the focus extends to reuniting these children with their parents and families.

He said that the rehabilitation measures involve experts to ensure the children can reintegrate safely into society and reduce trauma risk from being victims of GISBH.

“These rehabilitation efforts require the dedication and commitment of various parties to ensure these children are not neglected and can resume normal lives in society,” he said during a question-and-answer session.

Mohd Na’im was responding to a supplementary question from Zakri Hassan (PN-Kangar) regarding rehabilitation efforts for GISBH children, especially concerning trauma risks.

To Zakri’s original question on steps taken to address the issue of GISBH, Mohd Na’im said the strategic cooperation between the National Security Council, Women, Family and Community Development Ministry, Home Ministry, Department of Islamic Development Malaysia, Royal Malaysia Police and state religious authorities is being reinforced.

Other measures include harmonising fatwas related to GISBH’s teachings, ensuring legal enforcement, providing rehabilitation for victims and members, and continuously monitoring the group’s activities. — Bernama

Source:malaymail.com

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Man arrested following discovery of suspected explosives in Miri mosque

18-11- 2024

PETALING JAYA: Police have arrested a man on Sunday (November 17) to assist in investigations after objects suspected to be explosive materials were discovered in a mosque in Senadin, Sarawak.

Miri district police chief Assistant Commissioner Alexson Naga Chabu said the police received a report on Sunday at around 1pm regarding the discovery of two packages that were suspected to contain explosive devices in the mosque.

Alexson said the 32-year-old suspect is a grass cutter, according to The Borneo Post.

After receiving the report, the Miri district police headquarters (IPD) Bomb Disposal Unit was dispatched to the scene.

“Following an investigation, the police confirmed that the packages were not explosive items,” he was quoted as saying.

The case is being investigated under Section 298 and Section 506 of the Penal Code.

Source:thesun.my

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https://thesun.my/malaysia-news/man-arrested-following-discovery-of-suspected-explosives-in-miri-mosque-MB13304118

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Cops can now freeze, seize mule bank accounts to prevent scam victims’ money from being withdrawn

18 Nov 2024

By Zaf Seraj

KUALA LUMPUR, Nov 18 — The police can now bar transactions and seize money from bank accounts suspected to be mule accounts, Deputy Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department (Law and Institutional Reform) M. Kulasegaran said today.

Speaking to the Parliament, Kulasegaran said this is possible after the Penal Code and the Criminal Procedure Code amendments in July came into force on October 30 — allowing the law to prevent the victim’s money from being transferred into another account.

“This amendment allows the police to not only seize but also to prevent the property from being used for other transactions with the aim of preventing money from victims of online scams from being withdrawn from mule accounts.

“And will further complement the existing provisions, namely Section 435 of Act 593 (Criminal Procedure Code) concerning the police’s power to seize property suspected of being stolen, including fraud, which learns more towards physical property,” the deputy minister said in response to Kepong MP Lim Lip Eng’s (Pakatan Harapan-DAP) question.

In response to Tumpat MP Mumtaz Md Nawi’s (Perikatan Nasional-PAS) supplementary question, Kulasegaran also said that it was possible for victims to recover their money, citing a case in Kota Kinabalu, Sabah.

Police officers ranked sergeant and above will have the power to freeze transactions or seize the money suspected to be involved in financial crimes.

However, the police can only freeze the accounts if:

There was reason to believe that an offence had been committed.

There was reason to suspect that the property had been used or was used with the purpose of committing an offence.

There is reason to believe that the property is evidence for an offence.

Additionally, he said a proposed Online Safety Bill will mandate online platform service providers to take down content reported as harmful and content suspected to be involved in financial crimes until an investigation is completed.

“Under the new Bill, online financial crimes are categorised as serious and will be given priority.

“If a certain content is reported as an online financial crime, platform providers have the responsibility to take down the content temporarily until further investigation is carried out,” Kulasegaran said.

The National Scam Response Centre said it has received 131,036 complaints from October 2022 to September 2024, and of that total, 52,836 were calls from victims of fraud and scams.

Singapore also recently introduced a Bill to authorise police to issue restriction orders to banks, limiting certain financial transactions for individuals suspected of falling prey to scams.

This Bill would cover money transfers, use of ATM facilities as well as all credit facilities.

Source:malaymail.com

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https://www.malaymail.com/news/malaysia/2024/11/18/cops-can-now-freeze-seize-mule-bank-accounts-to-prevent-scam-victims-money-from-being-withdrawn/157236

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Sarawak police arrest man after suspected explosives found in Senadin mosque, later confirmed harmless (VIDEO)

18 Nov 2024

MIRI, Nov 18 — Police arrested a 32-year-old man yesterday following the discovery of two objects suspected to be explosive devices inside a mosque in Senadin.

Miri police chief ACP Alexson Naga Chabu said the suspect is a local man who cuts grass for a living.

“The police received a police report yesterday on the discovery of two packages that looked like explosive items in a mosque in Senadin at around 1pm.

“The Bomb Disposal Unit from IPD Miri was dispatched to the scene and had taken the necessary precautions.

“Following an investigation, the police confirmed that the packages were not explosive items,” he said in a statement today.

Alexson said the case is being investigated under Section 298 and Section 506 of the Penal Code.

He urged the public to refrain from speculating on the case as it could cause public unrest.

“Anyone with information related to criminal activities is advised to approach the nearest police station or contact 085-433760,” added Alexson.

The discovery of the suspected bomb-like objects yesterday triggered panic among the mosque’s congregation and nearby residents.

Several police vehicles were seen patrolling the area and residents were advised to evacuate their homes while the objects were checked. — The Borneo Post

Source:malaymail.com

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https://www.malaymail.com/news/malaysia/2024/11/18/sarawak-police-arrest-man-after-suspected-explosives-found-in-senadin-mosque-later-confirmed-harmless-video/157202

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PM Discusses Halal Issues, DakwahWith Muslim Community In Brazil

17 Nov 2024

RIO DE JANEIRO, Nov 17 (Bernama) -- Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim began his programme today with a casual discussion session with the Muslim community here. He also reaffirmed Malaysia's commitment to assisting in halal-related matters, besides efforts to uplift the status of Islam through education and dakwah (teachings) to the Muslim community in Brazil. In the meeting, we were able to discuss and exchange views on the development of the ummah in this country,” he told reporters after meeting representatives of the only mosque here - the Masjid El Nur (Mesquita da Luz). The mosque was represented by its president, Mohamed Zeinhom Mohamed El Fateh Mohamed Abdien; its Imam, Sancho Jorge Mulungo @ Adam; the deputy director of the Social Department, Julia Leal Menezes; and its financial director, Abdullah AL Masri. Also present at the meeting was Foreign Minister Datuk Seri Mohamad Hasan.Anwar also presented contributions to the Muslim community here, including a specially printed copy of the Quran an 10 additional copies translated into Portuguese. He added that Malaysia will also mobilise efforts to support activities in the mosque. Anwar arrived in the bustling coastal city on Saturday (Nov 16) after attending the APEC Economic Leaders Week (AELW) in Lima, Peru, for his first official visit to Brazil. Apart from Malaysia, 16 other countries, including Chile, Qatar, Egypt, Singapore, Spain, United Arab Emirates and Vietnam, are guest countries for the Group of 20 (G20) Summit 2024 Anwar is here on the invitation of Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva. -- BERNAMA Source:bernama.com

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ttps://www.bernama.com/en/general/news.php?id=2364448

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South Asia

8 get life term for killing farmer in Netrakona

Nov 17, 2024

A Netrakona court today sentenced eight people to life imprisonment for killing a farmer in 2012.

Judge Md Hafizur Rahman of District and Sessions Judge's Court handed the judgment in the presence of the accused this afternoon.

The court also fined them Tk 20,000 each, in default of which, they will have to serve 5 more years.

The convicted individuals are Ismail Hossain, Kajal Mia, Mojibur Rahman, Ashrab Ali, Samedul, Shajahan Ali, Nazrul and Nurul Amin of Nanderchati village of Durgapur upazila.

According to the prosecution, Rafiqul Islam alias Rohit, son of Abdul Motaleb, was a supporter of a winning union parishad member candidate. This led to a conflict with supporters of the defeated candidate, Tota. In an act of anger, the accused allegedly killed Rafiq, who had gone to irrigate land on January 25, 2012, and disposed of his body by placing it in a sack.

The body was later discovered by the police. On January 26, 2012, a case was filed at Durgapur Police Station following a complaint lodged by Rafiq's father, A Motaleb.

Source:thedailystar.net

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https://www.thedailystar.net/news/bangladesh/crime-justice/news/8-get-life-term-killing-farmer-netrakona-3755131

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Committee Convenes to Review Land Allocation for Homeless Returnees in Kabul

2024-11-18

KABUL(BNA): The Ministry Urban Development and Housing convened a committee meeting to address the allocation of residential plots for homeless returnee and refugee families in Kabul, in accordance with a directive issued by His Excellency Amir-ul-Mu’mineen, the Supreme Leader of IEA.

The meeting, chaired by Kabul’s Deputy Governor, Mawlawi Mohammad Noor Khalil, brought together key representatives, including Mawlawi Rahimullah Sadeqi, Director of the Legal Property Certification Directorate of the Ministry of Housing and Urban Development, officials from the Kabul Department of Refugees, representatives from the Kabul Directorate of Agriculture and Livestock, and delegates from other relevant institutions.

During the session, the committee assessed two proposed areas for land allocation, the Arghandi area in Paghman District and the Gousfandarah area in Bagrami District.

The Ministry confirmed that the committee will prepare a comprehensive report on the viability of both locations and submit its findings to the central committee for final review and decision-making.

Source:bakhtarnews.af

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https://www.bakhtarnews.af/en/committee-convenes-to-review-land-allocation-for-homeless-returnees-in-kabul/

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Badakhshan Disaster Relief Efforts Support Victims of Natural Disasters

2024-11-17

BADAKHSHAN(BNA): The Badakhshan Disaster Management Authority, in collaboration with the Aga Khan Foundation, has distributed food aid to 315 families affected by natural disasters.

According to Mawlawi Mohammad Akram Akbari, Head of the Disaster Management Authority in Badakhshan, the aid package included a total of 1,260 bags of flour, 3,780 liters of oil, 3,780 kilograms of beans, and 472 kilograms of salt. The distribution took place in the presence of local officials and representatives from the Aga Khan Foundation across three locations in the Yamgan district, directly benefiting those affected by natural disasters.

The Head of Badakhshan Disaster Management Authority stated that the goal of this initiative was to support those in need and address the challenges faced by the victims of natural disasters.

Source:bakhtarnews.af

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https://www.bakhtarnews.af/en/badakhshan-disaster-relief-efforts-support-victims-of-natural-disasters/

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Afghanistan Deaf Union Heads Highlight Needs in Meeting with PM’s Office

2024-11-17

KABUL(BNA): The Head of the Prime Minister’s Office met with the President of the Afghanistan Deaf Union and provincial officials of the Union, stating that the leadership and officials of the Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan have always prioritized the interests of the people and are committed to addressing their issues.

According to a press release from the PM’s Office, Dr. Mullah Abdul Wasi, Head of the Prime Minister’s Office of the Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan, met with Sami-ur-Rahman, President of the Afghanistan Deaf Union, and provincial officials of the Union.

During the meeting, which was also attended by Mawlawi Gulzar Ahmad Haqqani, Head of Political and Public Affairs at the Prime Minister’s Office, Dr. Wasi remarked, “We are pleased to meet with a group of the community today who are determined and hardworking. Your demands, opinions, and suggestions are valuable to us.”

Jamil-ur-Rahman Nadim and Sami-ullahMaftoon, two instructors from the Afghanistan Deaf Union, shared that there are over 5,000 deaf individuals in the country, with 350 official representatives and one Union in each province for coordination. They presented their challenges, proposals, and concerns regarding the lack of suitable offices, financial and transportation facilities in both the capital and provinces, as well as issues the Union faces in higher and technical education.

Dr. Mullah Abdul Wasi assured them that the leadership and officials of the Islamic Emirate have always prioritized the welfare of the oppressed people of the country, tirelessly working day and night to resolve their problems.

He further added that the Prime Minister’s Office regularly meets with various sectors of society, listens to their concerns and opinions, and shares them with the relevant authorities for resolution.

Dr. Mullah Abdul Wasi also informed the Union officials that their requests and suggestions would be shared with the relevant departments and, given the available resources, will be addressed accordingly.

Source:bakhtarnews.af

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https://www.bakhtarnews.af/en/afghanistan-deaf-union-heads-highlight-needs-in-meeting-with-pms-office/

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Man beaten to death in Kishoreganj

Nov 18, 2024

A Hindu man was beaten to death over his alleged relationship with a Muslim girl in Nowabad Bhuiyan Bazar of Kishoreganj's Karimganj upazila early Saturday.

Ridoy Rabi Das, 21, worked at a hair salon in Nowabad Bhuiyan Bazar.

Locals said he had a relationship with a 16-year-old girl.

Lt Col Riazul Karim of Karimganj army camp said locals brought him there after he was beaten up. "He fell ill during interrogation. We hospitalised him."

The cause of his death could be known after autopsy and viscera reports, the army officer said.

Dr Kamrul Islam of President Abdul Hamid Medical College Hospital said army personnel brought Ridoy to the hospital around 2:15am on Saturday and he died an hour later. He had injury marks on different parts of his body, he said.

Locals said Ridoy and his cousin Shakil Rabi Das were brought to a club by the girl's relatives on Friday.

Local UP Chairman Mostafa Kamal, member Jahangir Miah, and Nowabad Bhuiyan Bazar committee President Manzil Miah were present at the club, said Shakil.

Shakil alleged that their phones were taken away and they were beaten up.

"After an hour, we were taken to a nearby army camp in an auto-rickshaw. At the camp, we were interrogated separately. I don't know what happened to Ridoy," he said.

Chairman Mostafa denied the allegation of beating up Ridoy. He said they just checked Ridoy's phone and sent him to the army camp.

Source:thedailystar.net

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https://www.thedailystar.net/news/bangladesh/crime-justice/news/man-beaten-death-kishoreganj-3755406

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Jubo League leader whose conversation with ex-PM went viral arrested

Nov 17, 2024

Police arrested Jahangir Alam, office secretary of Gaibandha's Gobindganj Jubo League unit, in Naogaon's Manda upazila in a vandalism case on November 15.

He was sent to jail through a court the next day, said police.

Bulbul Islam, officer-in-charge of the Gobindaganj Police Station, said Jahangir was arrested for vandalising the BNP's Gobindaganj office on August 3.

Faridul Islam, a BNP leader, filed the case against 89 Awami League leaders including former parliamentarian Abul Kalam Azad and Jahangir on November 7.

Mentionable, a phone conversation between Jahangir and former prime minister Sheikh Hasina went viral on social media on November 7.

Source:thedailystar.net

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https://www.thedailystar.net/news/bangladesh/politics/news/jubo-league-leader-whose-conversation-ex-pm-went-viral-arrested-3755261

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Historical sites need protection, maintenance

November 18, 2024

Afghanistan’s rich cultural heritage and historical sites span thousands of years, including archaeological sites and stunning architectural wonders. Despite facing numerous challenges, including conflict, neglect, and natural disasters, the country’s cultural and historical sites are a testament to its diverse history and vibrant traditions. This is why it is very important to preserve and promote these cultural treasures to help future generations appreciate and learn from the country’s remarkable past. The Minaret of Jam, with a towering structure standing at a height of 65 meters and dating back to the 12th century was built during the reign of the Gurid dynasty and served as a symbol of their power and influence. Renowned for its intricate architectural features and unique design, the minaret which is adorned with complicated and delicate and finest brickwork, geometric patterns and calligraphy, is feared to fall due to neglect from the past government, despite high expenditures used in its restoration. Due to its nearness to the Hari and Jam rivers, the historical minaret, which is a UNESCO World Heritage Site, is now facing erosion, water penetration, and surge, as well as earthquakes often happening in the locale, where the tower has now been tilting. Other historical heritage such as the giant Buddha Statues, Herat Citadel, Qala-e-Bost and other similar ancient sites of the country, is in dire need of preservation and maintenance. Recently, in the country’s southern province of Uruzgan, local officials have made a good plan to establish a security unit to protect the historical sites. According to reports, the officials are making efforts to restore the historical monuments and protect the historical sites in the province. The organs concerned should do their best to cooperate with the provincial information and culture directorate in the process of the historical monument’s restoration and ancient sites’ protection, as reports quoting the area residents and tourists, suggest that some historical sites have been damaged during the past long years of wars and natural events and urgently needed restoration. Dozens of domestic and foreign tourists often visit Uruzgan province, with numerous beautiful historical sites and natural attractions. The related organs should seriously pay attention to the restoration, maintenance as well as protection, and restoration of the country’s historical sites and monuments to draw attention from more tourists around the country and abroad and have the country’s natural attractions known to the world. On the other hand, the historical sites usurped by certain locals should be returned and the usurpers should be brought to law. Floods should be controlled, and the brinks of rivers flowing nearby should be fortified as rain and flooding season is getting nearer

Source:thekabultimes.com

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https://thekabultimes.com/historical-sites-need-protection-maintenance/

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Ministry of Information and Culture Promotes Employment with Freelancing Program in Herat

2024-11-17

HERAT(BNA): Qari Mohammad Younus Rashid, Deputy Minister for Youth Affairs at the Ministry of Information and Culture, announced the graduation of dozens of youth from a specialized freelancing program designed to create employment opportunities for young people.

Speaking at the graduation ceremony, the Deputy Minister emphasized the importance of nurturing youth talent and highlighted the success of the freelancing program in providing significant employment opportunities. He noted that similar freelancing training programs have been launched across various provinces to enhance youth employability and economic participation.

Addressing the gathering, Mohajer Farahi, Deputy Governor of Herat, underscored the critical need for investment and initiatives in the online business sector. He stated that such efforts not only generate employment but also strengthen the economy and contribute to poverty alleviation.

Several participants of the specialized freelancing course expressed optimism, stating that the online skills they had acquired would enable them to access opportunities in global markets.

The three-month freelancing program in Herat trained 30 young individuals, equipping them with essential skills for online work.

It is worth mentioning that the Ministry of Information and Culture’s Youth Affairs Department has implemented similar programs over the past two years across different provinces, aiming to enhance youth capacities and promote employment opportunities nationwide.

Source:bakhtarnews.af

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https://www.bakhtarnews.af/en/ministry-of-information-and-culture-promotes-employment-with-freelancing-program-in-herat/

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Higher Education Minister Highlights Equal Role of Emirati and Private Institutions

2024-11-17

KABUL (BNA): The Acting Minister of Higher Education, held a meeting with the founders and heads of private higher education institutions, stated that the Ministry does not differentiate between Emirati and private educational institutions.

According to a press release from Ministry of Higher Education, at the beginning of the meeting, Sheikh al-Hadith Mullah Nida Mohammad Nadeem, the Acting Minister of Higher Education, referred to private higher education institutions as an important part of the country’s educational system and emphasized that the Ministry makes no distinction between Emirati and private educational institutions.

The Acting Minister of Higher Education highlighted the importance of adhering to the instructions of the leaders of the Islamic Emirate, improving the quality of educational services, ensuring transparency, honesty, and accountability in the operations of educational institutions, and emphasized the strict implementation of these principles.

He also urged the professors and students of the country’s educational institutions to align their actions with the teachings of Islam.

Ahmad Popal, representing private higher education institutions, spoke and expressed gratitude for the Ministry’s attention to resolving issues faced by these institutions.

He also shared the demands and concerns of these institutions, which included extending the authority for private institutions to administer the entrance exams (Kankor) for another year, allowing graduates of private institutions to participate in the civil service exams if they meet the criteria set by Emirati educational institutions, accelerating the process of reviewing the files of faculty members from private institutions by Emirati universities and relevant departments of the Ministry, and other related issues. The Ministry’s leadership discussed and took necessary decisions on these matters.

At the end of the meeting, the founders and heads of private higher education institutions pledged to make every effort to standardize and improve the quality of their teaching in line with the principles and guidelines of the Ministry of Higher Education.

Source:bakhtarnews.af

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https://www.bakhtarnews.af/en/higher-education-minister-highlights-equal-role-of-emirati-and-private-institutions/

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Banks asked to keep LC margin on essentials’ import ahead of Ramadan

17 Nov 2024

DHAKA, Nov 17, 2024 (BSS) - The Bangladesh Bank (BB) has asked all banks to keep the letter of credit (LC) margin at a minimum level on the import of essential goods ahead of the holy month of Ramadan, based on their relationship with clients.

To this end, the central bank today issued a circular.

Banks have been asked to maintain the cash-margin rate for the import of rice, wheat, onion, pulse, edible oil, sugar, eggs, chickpeas, peas, spices, and dates based on their relationship with clients, in an effort to control commodity prices and ensure adequate supply during Ramadan.

The directive came into effect immediately and will remain in force till 31 March, 2025.

https://www.bssnews.net/business/224237

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Pakistan

Council of Islamic Ideology chairman clarifies VPN proclamation

Nadir Guramani

November 17, 2024

The Chairman of the Council of Islamic Ideology (CII), Allama Dr Raghib Naeemi, said that the “positive use” of virtual private networks (VPNs) in the country was very rare as they were largely used to access “immoral content” anonymously, and urged users to register their VPNs to ensure traceability and promote responsible use.

VPNs are widely used around the world to access content that may be inaccessible or blocked for internet users in their home country. In the case of Pakistanis, they are used to access X, among other restricted websites.

In a proclamation on Friday, the CII — which advises parliament on aligning legislation with Islamic teachings — said using VPNs to access “immoral or illegal content” was against Sharia.

CII Chairman Allama Dr Raghib Naeemi said Islamic laws allow the government to prevent actions that lead to the “spread of evil”, adding that any platform used for posting content that is controversial, blasphemous, or against national integrity “should be stopped immediately”.

While speaking on DawnNews TV programme ‘Doosra Rukh with Nadir Guramani’ yesterday, the CII chairman said that VPNs were being used to make it difficult to trace users allegedly accessing “immoral content”, such as blasphemous content or pornography.

“VPNs allow users to access immoral content online,” he said. “The majority of VPN activity is unregistered and it makes users untraceable.”

Asked about the impact of banning VPNs on businesses and other sites, Dr Naeemi maintained that registered VPNs will still be available for use.

“Registering VPNs will ensure that activity can be traced,” he added. “The use of VPNs for positive purposes is very rare. They are more or less used to access the immoral content I mentioned. The whole point of using them is anonymity.”

When asked if people can access immoral content through registered VPNs, the CII chairman reiterated that they will not be able to gain access. “We will monitor how many people have registered VPNs and how many use them for positive purposes.”

“The Council held a consultative meeting in 2023, our then-chairman Dr Qibla Ayaz brought these concerns forward and we passed them on to the PTA,” Dr Naeemi added. “We recommended that they shut down VPNs that enable access to immoral content.

“A worshipper brought up the issue during Friday prayers,” he added. “We elaborated on the question and the council chose to issue the press release.”

The Interior Ministry on Friday asked the Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA) to block “illegal VPNs” across Pakistan, citing their use by terrorists to “facilitate violent activities” and to “access pornographic and blasphemous content”.

In a letter to PTA on Friday, seen by Dawn.com, the interior ministry said that “VPNs are increasingly being exploited by the terrorists to facilitate violent activities and financial transactions in Pakistan.

“Of late, an alarming fact has been identified, wherein VPNs are used by terrorists to obscure and conceal their communications,” the letter said. “VPNs are also being used [to] discreetly access pornographic and blasphemous contents.”

“It is, therefore, requested to block illegal VPNs across Pakistan so that legitimate/registered VPN users are not affected.”

Additionally, registration of VPNs with PTA may be made till November 30, the letter stated.

Source:dawn.com

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Two killed in blast near mosque in S Waziristan

Our Correspondent

November 18, 2024

DI KHAN: A remote-controlled bomb explosion near Maulana Shehzada Wazir Mosque in the Azam Warsak Bazaar of Bermal tehsil in South Waziristan has claimed the lives of two individuals, and left five others injured, according to hospital sources.

Operations on other injured individuals are ongoing at the DHQ Hospital in Wana. According to DMS Dr Fazlur Rahman, an emergency has been declared in the hospital, and there is an urgent need for blood donations.

It is reported that unidentified individuals planted the IED bomb. Police have started investigating the incident. According to police sources, the tragic event occurred within the jurisdiction of Azam Warsak police station.

Local political and social leaders have expressed deep sorrow and strongly condemned the incident. It is noteworthy that members of Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam (F) were among the injured. A large number of JUI-F workers are present in the hospital with the injured. Reports indicate that South Waziristan JUI-F General Secretary Maulana Rafiuddin has also arrived at the medical facility.

Source:tribune.com.pk

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Election tribunals yet to decide 83pc of disputes

Iftikhar A. Khan

November 18, 2024

• 7 of 23 tribunals have not settled a single case, says Fafen

• Punjab tribunals lag behind with only 6.5pc cases resolved

• Balochistan leads as 59pc cases disposed of

ISLAMABAD: Election tribunals across the country resolved 20 more election petitions between Oct 10 and Nov 15, bringing the total to 60 — just around 17 per cent of the 350 disputes.

According to the Free and Fair Election Network’s (Fafen) latest report on tribunal performance, seven of the 23 tribunals have yet to decide any petitions.

While there has been a slight improvement in the pace of decisions over the past month, significant disparities remain among the provinces, with tribunals in Punjab, Sindh and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa lagging behind those in Balochistan.

The three tribunals in Balochistan have disposed of 30 out of 51 disputes (58.8pc), making them the most efficient. In contrast, the six tribunals in KP have decided only eight of 42 cases (19pc), while the five tribunals in Sindh have managed just 12 of 83 petitions (14.5pc).

Punjab, which faced delays in tribunal establishment due to jurisdictional disagreements between the Lahore High Court and the Election Commission of Pakistan, has resolved a mere 10 out of 155 cases (6.5pc).

In Punjab, four out of eight tribunals — composed of retired judges — have yet to begin hearings despite being formally notified.

Meanwhile, the Islamabad Capital Territory tribunal is waiting for the ECP to process transfer applications for three petitions filed by PML-N lawmakers declared winners from the capital.

Of the 60 petitions resolved so far, 51 relate to provincial assembly constituencies, while only nine concern National Assembly seats.

Among provincial cases, Balochistan accounts for 29 resolved petitions, Sindh nine, Punjab seven, and KP six. For NA constituencies, three decisions each were made in Punjab and Sindh, two in KP, and one in Balochistan.

Overall, 21pc of the 239 petitions concerning provincial seats have been resolved compared to just 9pc of the 111 disputes involving National Assembly constituencies.

Of the 60 petitions decided, 56 were dismissed, three were accepted and one was abated due to the petitioner’s death.

Among the dismissals, 22 were deemed non-maintainable, eight were withdrawn by petitioners, and five were dismissed for non-prosecution. A further 16 were rejected after full trials. Fafen has yet to ascertain reasons for the dismissal of five petitions due to the unavailability of judgement copies.

All resolved NA petitions were dismissed.

The three petitions accepted by tribunals pertain to Balochistan Assembly constituencies — PB-44 Quetta-VII, PB-45 Quetta-VIII, and PB-36 Kalat. Tribunals ordered re-polling in specific parts of these constituencies.

Two of these accepted cases were filed by Jamiat Ulema-i-Islam Pakistan (JUI-P) candidates and one by a National Party (NP) candidate, challenging two winners from the PPP and one from the Balochistan Awami Party (BAP).

A petition on PS-97 Karachi East-I was abated following the death of the petitioner, an independent candidate backed by PTI, who had contested the win of a MuttahidaQaumi Movement Pakistan (MQM-P) candidate.

Among the dismissed cases, 13 were filed by PPP candidates, 10 by unaffiliated independent candidates, six by PTI-backed independents, five by JUI-P, and four by PML-N.

Others included three each from NP and Awami National Party (ANP), two each from Jamaat-i-Islami and Pashtoonkhwa Milli Awami Party, and one each from BAP, Balochistan National Party (BNP), Balochistan National Party Awami (BNP-A), Grand Democratic Alliance, Hazara Democratic Party, Jamhoori Watan Party, Tehreek-i-Labbaik Pakistan, and Khadameen-i-Sindh.

Most petitions targeted winners from PML-N (14), followed by PTI-backed independents (13) and PPP (10). Other respondents included JUI-P (six), MQM-P (five), unaffiliated independent candidates (three), NP (2), and one each from BNP, BNP-A, and BAP..

Source:dawn.com

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Local JUI-F leader killed in South Waziristan explosion

Adam Khan Wazir

November 18, 2024

SOUTH WAZIRISTAN: A local JUI-F leader was killed and five others were injured in an explosion in Azam Warsak market of Lower South Waziristan district on Sunday.

According to police officials, a remote-controlled bomb exploded at 5pm when prayer leader Maulana Shahzada Wazir was leaving his mosque after prayers.

He survived the attack and was moved to a hospital in injured condition. Other injured were identified as Saddam, Shah Hussain, Noor Hussain and Zainullah. The deceased JUI-F leader was identified as Mufti Ejazul Haq.

The injured were treated at the District Headquarters Hospital, Wana, where an emergency was declared.

Two of the injured were shifted to Dera Ismail Khan in critical condition for further treatment.

Azam Warsak Police SHO Usman Wazir said unknown persons had planted the explosive device near the mosque, adding that Maulana Wazir was the target.

The local Wazir tribesmen have strongly condemned the attack and expressed deep regret and concern.

This is the second attack in as many days targeting a political leader.

On Thursday, Jamaat-i-Islami (JI) local chapter general secretary Mohammad Hamid Sufi was killed when unknown gunmen opened fire in Bajaur’s Khar tehsil.

The victim was going home after evening prayers when unknown assailants on a motorcycle ambushed him.

The 50-year-old man was critically wounded after receiving multiple bullets and was rushed to the district headquarters hospital Khar by local residents, where he died.

The law and order situation in the three merged districts of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, including South Waziristan Lower, South Waziristan Upper, and North Waziristan, has been deteriorating over the past year.

This has left the local Wazir, Mehsud, Dawar, Dottani, and Suleman Khel tribes in a state of fear. The tribes demanded that the federal and provincial governments take immediate steps to establish peace in Lower South Waziristan.

Soldier martyred

A soldier was martyred in a gunfight with alleged militants in the restive Tirah valley on Sunday, local sources told Dawn.

At least six militants were also killed in fierce clashes with security forces. The military’s media wing, Inter Services Public Relations (ISPR) has yet to confirm the incident.

According to sources, the clashes with militants, mostly affiliated with the banned Lashkar-i-Islam, took place near the Bagh Markaz, the main trading centre of the valley in Malakdin Khel area.

Locals said that clashes erupted at around 2pm when militants allegedly launched an attack on the army camp.

The security forces retaliated against the attack, which resulted in an intense gunfight. The attack confined people to their homes while shops in the Bagh Markaz market closed.

Local sources said scores of militants were also injured in the cross-firing.

It was also learnt that militants launched another attack after a brief lull in the evening.

Security forces pounded the alleged militant’s locations with artillery, sources said. Some residents claimed that forces also used gunship helicopters to attack militants in the nearby hilly areas.

As per sources, one of the mortar also hit the bazaar and caused a huge fire which gutted at least seven shops.

Some artillery shells also fell on houses, according to locals.

One person, identified as Fazle Rabbi, was injured and moved to Peshawar after initial treatment at Mishti Hospital in Orakzai district.

He was the president of a local farmers’ organisation.

The Tirah SiyasiIttehad and local traders have given a call for protests today (Monday) over the law and order situation in the valley.

Ibrahim Shinwari in Khyber also contributed to this report

Source:dawn.com

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Pakistan needs $390bn for low-carbon transition by 2050: ADB

Khaleeq Kiani

November 18, 2024

ISLAMABAD: Pakistan will require more than $390 billion in additional investment by 2050 through the coal-to-gas transition in the industry, electrification of transport and the replacement of gas with electricity for cooking to meet international commitments on reducing carbon emissions, according to an Asian Development Bank (ABD) report released on Sunday.

The report, Pakistan Low-Carbon Energy Outlook and Technology Road Map, noted that the required energy expansion plans imply major investment commitments.

In low-carbon scenario, hydropower generation requires an investment of $153bn, nuclear power $103bn, wind power $62bn, and solar $51bn. To handle growing power demand and maintain grid stability, $22bn investment in transmission and distribution is also required, the report said.

These large investments in the power sector are in addition to the investment required in the transport and domestic sectors to achieve energy efficiency savings. “Achieving such an ambitious investment programme will be challenging,” the Manila-based lending agency said.

It said the direct government funding was likely to be limited, so a majority of funds will have to come from the foreign and domestic private sector — through direct investment, equity funding, bank credits and bond issues — and international financial assistance, which would require major reforms. “The investment climate must be sufficiently encouraging for this large-scale funding to be possible,” it said.

The report noted that under the low-carbon scenario, total energy sector greenhouse gas emissions would be almost 23pc lower in 2030 and 36pc lower in 2050, compared with the business-as-usual scenario. Therefore, the same growth rate is possible, but with around one-third less emissions. This will require major policy initiatives to strengthen the system of financial intermediation, align incentives for the private sector with the goals of environmental policy, ensure the regulatory system supports these goals effectively, and develop a system of project preparation and implementation that meets the requirements of multilateral and bilateral donor organisations.

Only if there is major progress in these areas will it be realistic to think that the low-carbon scenario could be fully funded and implemented.

In addition, from the side of energy delivery, effective system planning, adequate mechanisms and incentives for supply- and demand-side flexibility, short-term system balancing, and stability procedures will be required to support a transition to a low-carbon pathway.

The report is based on the government’s ambition of achieving an upper middle-income country status by 2047. It said a key policy challenge for Pakistan was to maintain an acceptable rate of economic growth, meeting growing energy demand in an affordable manner, while minimising the damage caused by emissions and meeting government targets and its international commitments under the Paris Agreement on Climate Change.

Pakistan is highly vulnerable to the adverse effects of climate change and is among the top 10 countries most affected by climate change.

In 2016, as part of the climate change negotiations under the nationally determined contributions (NDCs), Pakistan proposed to reduce up to 20pc of national greenhouse gas emissions by 2030, taking 2015 as the base year.

In 2021, the government agreed to the revised NDCs that extended this target to an overall 50pc reduction by 2030, where 15pc is unconditional and the remaining 35pc is conditional on receipt of adequate international financial assistance.

The low-carbon scenario shows a strong effect of electrification and fuel-switching. The key mitigation opportunities from the demand side lie in the coal-to-gas transition in the industry, electrification of transport, and electricity replacing the use of gas for cooking, it said.

A key part of the low-carbon scenario involves a major shift to cleaner fuels. As per the goals, 26pc of total primary energy supply would come from natural gas and 22pc from cleaner fuels in 2050.

Source:dawn.com

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Govt’s policies, reforms have ensured economic stability: finance minister

November 17, 2024

Finance Minister Muhammad Aurangzeb on Sunday said that the government was committed to building on the hard-earned macro-stability to further strengthen the economy of the country, adding that “prudent economic policies” had led to substantial improvements.

Talking to the media in Islamabad on Sunday, he cited recent figures related to decreasing inflation and the surging foreign exchange reserves, saying that the government’s “prudent economic policies” had resulted in significant improvements.

“[There is a] reduction of inflation from 38 per cent to just seven per cent and the policy rate from 22pc to 15pct, while foreign exchange reserves have surged from two weeks of import cover to 2.5 months of import cover,” he said, according to state broadcaster Radio Pakistan.

Providing details about the discussions that took place between the Pakistani delegation and the various multilateral institutions during his visit to Washington DC in October, he said: “The international community, financial institutions, and rating agencies had commended the government’s efforts in leading the country’s economy from deficits to surpluses.”

He also mentioned that he engaged with his counterparts from various countries, including the United Arab Emirates (UAE), Saudi Arabia, China, Turkiye, and officials of the US treasury, while he also met up with officials of various rating agencies.

The finance minister said, “We were given a platform there to share with the comity of nations about how we achieved this turnaround in just 14 months.”

Talking about the recent visit of the International Monetary Fund (IMF) delegation to Pakistan, he said it is an ongoing dialogue process, and discussions were held on energy and SOE reforms, the privatisation agenda, and public finance.

“Such interactions and discussions are vital for mutual credibility and trust,” he said. “We have shared with the IMF our commitment towards the rightsizing of the federal government.”

The finance minister’s speech comes days after the IMF staff’s visit to Pakistan from Nov 12 to Nov 15.

The global lender on Saturday had said it agreed with the Pakistani government on the need to transfer “greater social and development responsibilities to provinces”.

The unscheduled visit discussed a $7-billion bailout within six weeks of its approval by the IMF board, but came too early for the first review of the Extended Fund Facility (EFF), due in the first quarter of 2025.

Firm compliance on taxation

Regarding revenue and taxation, he said the government was firm on compliance and enforcement and every sector will have to play its due role in this regard.

“The discussions with the IMF were very positive on the matter of revenue and taxation,” he said.

Earlier this month, the finance czar had admitted that the salaried class was already overburdened, saying that increasing taxes was not a solution, rather the expansion of the tax net should be the ultimate goal.

“Countries do not and cannot run on charity or donations,” he had said, adding that the economy needed taxes to sustain long-term growth.

He admitted, however, that these segments were already beyond the saturation point. “We cannot afford to tax more the same [classes] who have been taxed at a level which is not sustainable anymore,” he had said.

Existential issues

The minister also emphasised the need to talk about the existential issues facing the country which he said included “unchecked population growth and the climate emergency.”

“Someone said this yesterday as well and I endorse it that this is not only a charter of the economy but a charter of the environment as well.”

Aurangzeb said, “This is not something we can take consequentially. Today, we are asked about the IMF — however, we don’t take population and climate resiliency [even though] they are as important.”

Source:dawn.com

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Arab World

Saudi FM arrives in Rio de Janeiro ahead of G20 Summit

November 17, 2024

RIYADH: Saudi Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan arrived in Rio de Janeiro on Sunday ahead of this year’s G20 Summit, Saudi Press Agency reported.

Prince Faisal is leading the Kingdom’s delegation to the summit on behalf of Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman. The summit is due to take place on Monday and Tuesday.

The Kingdom’s delegation will participate in a number of meetings which will discuss international political and economic developments and address enhancing multilateral action to achieve global prosperity, SPA said.

Source:arabnews.com

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Saudi defense minister meets with Chinese envoy to Kingdom

November 17, 2024

RIYADH: Saudi Minister of Defense Prince Khalid bin Salman met with Chinese ambassador to the Kingdom Chang Hua on Sunday.

The meeting focused on reviewing the strong relations between the two nations and discussing various issues of mutual interest, Saudi Press Agency reported.

The session was attended by several high-ranking officials from both sides, SPA added.

Source:arabnews.com

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Old school, new love: Analog tech captures hearts in Saudi Arabia

WAAD HUSSAIN

November 17, 2024

RIYADH: In an era marked by digital convenience, analog technology is steadily making a comeback, with everything from vinyl records to film cameras experiencing a renaissance around the Kingdom.

Driven by a blend of nostalgia, artistry, and an appreciation for the tactile, this resurgence reflects a deeper cultural shift toward mindfulness and intentionality.

Arab News spoke to enthusiasts and entrepreneurs about the beauty, challenges, and personal connections that analog offers over its digital counterparts.

For music lovers, vinyl offers an experience that is impossible to replicate digitally. Fawaz Al-Sulaim, owner of Bohemia Records, said: “Experiencing music through vinyl or cassette brings you closer to it, like you’re there with the artists in the studio. You go through every song on the album as intended.”

Vinyl’s allure lies not just in its sound but also in its tangible presence. Holding a vinyl record offers a sense of ownership often missing in digital music, where ownership is more of a fleeting license.

Al-Sulaim said: “Analog represents physical media coming back — not just in a technical sense but as something people can hold on to.”

This revival is not limited to vinyl. Bohemia Records has seen an increase in CD sales, suggesting that physical formats resonate with people’s desire to own and cherish music collections.

The appeal of analog does not stop at music. In photography, the return to film presents a refreshing contrast to digital’s immediacy.

Haitham Al-Sharif, founder of Haitham Studio Film Lab in Riyadh, spoke to Arab News about film photography’s unique character, saying: “Film requires patience, thought, and a connection with the moment. You’re fully present, considering every exposure.”

Al-Sharif, who began his film processing journey at home, has seen a surge in Saudi interest, with his studio now serving thousands across the Gulf region.

Haitham Studio’s clients include people from seasoned photographers to students experimenting with their parents’ vintage cameras.

He said: “People come in for graduations, weddings, and even casual shots with disposable film cameras. Each frame has meaning, and the photographer remembers every shot.”

Running a film lab, however, is not without challenges. “We rely on older machines, specialized chemicals, and skilled technicians, which aren’t always easy to source locally,” Al-Sharif explained, adding that the support of Saudi Arabia’s growing art and tourism sectors could enhance this particular industry’s growth.

For retro tech enthusiasts like Zain Al-Mansour, the appeal goes beyond functionality. He said: “Listening to music on vinyl or snapping pictures with a vintage camera offers a joy that’s similar to making espresso — you savor the process as much as the end result.”

With an affinity for devices that evoke memories, Al-Mansour recently acquired a first-generation Tamagotchi, to help rediscover the simplicity and wonder of childhood technology.

Analog devices engage users on a personal level, prompting a more deliberate interaction than today’s instant gratification.

Al-Mansour said: “Retro tech is fascinating because it takes you back to a simpler time. The aesthetics of these devices, the physicality, and even the sounds they make add to their charm.”

For others, analog represents a form of self-expression. Bashayer Al-Bloushi sees a unique beauty in analog’s imperfections, which bring out details often missed in digital formats.

“Film photography forces you to capture moments with intention. There’s no instant review, so you’re careful about each frame,” she said.

For Al-Bloushi, analog provides a richer experience that digital cannot offer, allowing for a deeper connection to each captured moment.

Saja Al-Zahrani spoke about how analog media lets people embrace a slower, more mindful approach.

Al-Zahrani said: “There’s a warmth in vinyl’s crackle or film’s grain that digital can’t match.

“With analog, people reconnect with something real, something authentic.”

This tactile experience of using film or vinyl requires more focus, turning each interaction into a rewarding moment.

The value of analog media extends beyond nostalgia for Ebtsam Al-Dossary. Having grown up with film cameras, she sees them as reliable memory-keepers.

She said: “A camera doesn’t just store images; it keeps your memories safe. Digital files can vanish, but a physical photo endures.”

For Al-Dossary, the resurgence of analog formats is not just a trend; it’s a meaningful way to capture and remember moments more authentically.

As digital convenience reigns, this analog revival may underscore a collective yearning for experiences that slow us down, engage our senses, and encourage a mindful appreciation of art, music, and memories.

Whether it is the crackle of a vinyl record, the anticipation of developing a roll of film, or the tactile joy of a retro gadget, analog’s comeback offers a refreshing alternative to the fast-paced digital world.

In today’s digital landscape, the resurgence of analog offers a bridge between past and present, inviting us to reconnect with timeless traditions and meaningful experiences.

For enthusiasts across Saudi Arabia, this revival is about more than simply reverting to older technology — it is about rediscovering a different kind of connection, one in which every sound, image, and moment is fully appreciated.

Analog’s revival is redefining how Saudi society interacts with technology, pushing back against the trend of disposability and transient media. Each record played, photo developed, or gadget cherished represents a conscious choice to engage deeply with the experience.

Analog enthusiasts find joy in the imperfections, the weight of physical media, and the permanence these formats offer — qualities that digital often lacks.

With the rise in interest, local communities and businesses are emerging to cater to this renewed passion for analog. Haitham Studio and Bohemia Records are not just stores but spaces for Saudi artists, photographers, and music lovers to connect and share their passions. These communities thrive on a shared understanding of the value in slowing down and appreciating the process, rather than just the result.

In Riyadh, Al-Sharif has seen the effect firsthand. “We see customers coming back weekly, sometimes with friends, eager to develop their latest film rolls or browse the latest records,” he said. This sense of community is not just about shared interests; it is about shared values.

While the digital world offers unprecedented convenience and accessibility, analog serves a different purpose. Al-Sharif believes that both can coexist harmoniously. “Digital is essential for instant documentation, but analog is about timeless experiences,” he said.

Al-Zahrani, too, emphasizes that analog does not negate the value of digital but rather offers an alternative that complements it. “Both formats have their place, but analog asks something of you: it asks you to be present, to commit to the moment,” she said.

As Saudi Arabia invests in art, culture, and heritage, there is hope that analog’s value will continue to be recognized and supported. Whether through dedicated spaces like Haitham Studio or local events celebrating vintage tech, these efforts help sustain a trend that is not only about looking back but also about enriching the present.

The resurgence of analog formats is a reminder that technology can be more than just a tool. It can be an experience, a memory, and a form of art.

Source:arabnews.com

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Saudi authorities foil attempted smuggling of $2m worth of Captagon pills

November 17, 2024

JEDDAH: Saudi Arabia’s counter-narcotics authorities on Sunday foiled attempts to smuggle $2 million worth of Captagon drugs and nearly half a million unlicensed Pregabalin and Tramadol pills.

The Zakat, Tax and Customs Authority said in a statement that it had seized the illegal drugs and unlicensed pills at King Abdulaziz International Airport in Jeddah; the inland Dry Port in Riyadh; and Al-Batha Port.

Authorities at the airport in Jeddah found 200,000 Captagon pills hidden in mail parcels containing household utensils. The drugs have a street value ranging from $2 million to $5 million.

Captagon, a type of amphetamine, is used by young men and teenage boys across the Middle East and has a street value of between $10 and $25 a pill, according to research by the International Journal of Addiction Research.

The attempt to smuggle Captagon into the Kingdom was the second in less than a week. Counter-narcotics authorities uncovered a shipment of 12 million amphetamine pills on Wednesday at the Red Sea port of Jeddah which had been hidden inside a container of building materials.

The authorities also thwarted the smuggling of 403,124 unlicensed Pregabalin pills at the inland Dry Port near Riyadh. Pregabalin is a prescription-only drug for anxiety, epilepsy, and nerve pain treatment, but its abuse has led to several deaths in Saudi Arabia, the UAE and Jordan. In countries such as the UK it is illegal to buy or possess Pregabalin without a medical prescription.

An attempt to smuggle 1,990 unlicensed Tramadol pills — a prescription-only painkiller — and 500 grams of Shabu was thwarted at Al-Batha Port. The Customs Authority said the Shabu was found hidden in a shipment of washing machines.

The Customs Authority and the General Directorate of Narcotics Control have announced the arrest of 10 people in connection with the drug smuggling cases.

Source:arabnews.com

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GCC secretary general receives Austria’s ambassador in Riyadh

November 17, 2024

RIYADH: The Secretary-General of the Gulf Cooperation Council Jasem Al-Budaiwi received the Ambassador of Sri Lanka to the Kingdom Omar Lebbe Ameer Ajwad, and the Ambassador of Austria to the Kingdom Oskar Wustinger in separate meetings at the Secretariat General of the GCC in Riyadh on Sunday.

The parties reviewed bilateral relations and ways to further develop and strengthen them, as well as discussing various topics of common interest, the Saudi Press Agency reported.

The discussions also included an exchange of views on recent regional and international developments.

Source:arabnews.com

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Saudi delegation gains insights on sustainable agriculture in Morocco

November 17, 2024

RIYADH: The Sustainable Agricultural Rural Development Program, Reef Saudi, organized an international training program in Morocco, the Saudi Press Agency reported on Sunday.

The initiative aimed to enhance the skills of Saudi agricultural extension specialists and introduce them to the latest technologies.

As part of the program, the delegation visited the International Center for Agricultural Research in the Dry Areas, which collaborates with local and global institutions to boost agricultural production, enhance food security, and support farmers in addressing climate challenges.

Center officials briefed the delegation on key departments, including crop disease management, seed inspection and testing, entomology, pest control, and the seed bank, which preserves seed diversity for research and biodiversity conservation.

The delegation also toured the National Office of Agricultural Consulting, a public institution that provides extension services to Moroccan farmers, promotes modern agricultural technologies, and supports sustainable farming to advance rural development.

Additionally, they visited the National School of Agriculture, a leading institution specializing in agricultural sciences and training engineers to drive progress in Morocco’s farming sector. The delegation explored other institutions and gained insights into innovative practices.

Last month, Reef Saudi launched an international training initiative to enhance Saudi farmers’ skills, introduce them to modern farming techniques, and promote sustainable practices to improve productivity.

Source:arabnews.com

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Authorities bust drug smugglers across Saudi Arabia

November 17, 2024

RIYADH: Saudi authorities recently made several drug-related arrests and confiscations in operations across the Kingdom, the Saudi Press Agency reported on Sunday.

In Asir’s Al-Raboah sector, Border Guard patrols intercepted 80 kg of qat.

In Jazan’s Al-Dayer governorate, six Ethiopians were arrested for smuggling 90 kg of qat, while another attempt involving 19 kg was also thwarted.

In Jeddah, a Pakistani resident and a Saudi citizen were arrested for selling hashish.

Meanwhile, in Asir’s Al-Farshah governorate, a citizen was caught smuggling qat hidden in his vehicle.

Preliminary legal procedures have been completed for all the individuals involved and all seized items have been handed over to the relevant authorities, who have called on the public to report all information regarding drug smuggling or selling by calling 911 in Makkah, Riyadh, and the Eastern Province, and 999 in the rest of the Kingdom.

Alternatively, authorities may be contacted by email at 995@gdnc.gov.sa.

Reports of suspected cases of drug smuggling are treated with strict confidentiality. Financial rewards are offered for information leading to arrests.

Source:arabnews.com

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Misk Global Forum 2024 set to start in Riyadh

November 17, 2024

RIYADH: The eighth edition of the Misk Global Forum is set to take place at Mohammed bin Salman Nonprofit City, otherwise known as Misk City, on Nov. 18-19.

Boasting the theme “By Youth for Youth,” this year’s forum seeks to bring together young leaders from the Kingdom and around the globe, creating a platform for dialogue and collaboration.

The prominent international event will feature more than 150 speakers in over 100 panel discussions, along with 30 interactive workshops.

The event will showcase a roster of high-level figures in its panel discussions, including Badr Al-Badr, the CEO of the Misk Foundation, who is committed to empowering youth through education and innovation.

Abdullah Alswaha, the minister of communications and information technology, will bring his expertise in digital transformation and policymaking to the conversation, emphasizing the role of technology in shaping the future.

In addition, Steve Wozniak, the co-founder of Apple Computer, will share his insights on entrepreneurship and innovation, drawing from his extensive experience in the tech industry.

The leaders will engage in thought-provoking discussions that aim to inspire and equip young minds for the challenges of tomorrow.

Discussions are expected to cover topics such as sustainability, education, innovation, technology, health, culture, and climate change.

The topics will encourage those participating in the event to think creatively and work together on solutions to challenges faced by today’s youngsters.

MGF 2024 invites young people worldwide to come together, share ideas, and explore future possibilities.

The Misk Foundation is a nonprofit organization established in 2011 by Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman.

Through its various initiatives — including Misk City, Misk Art Institute, Manga Productions, Science Center, and Misk Schools — the foundation aims to foster an environment conducive to creativity and innovation.

Source:arabnews.com

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Europe

Biden allows Ukraine to strike inside Russia with missiles

18th November

US President Joe Biden has given the green light for Ukraine to use long-range missiles supplied by the US to strike Russia.

A US official has confirmed the move, a major change of US policy, to the BBC's US partner CBS.

For months, Ukraine's President Volodymyr Zelensky has been urging that the restrictions on the missiles, known as ATACMS, be lifted - allowing Kyiv to strike outside its own borders.

On Sunday he reacted to the reports, saying "such things are not announced, missiles speak for themselves".

Russian President Vladimir Putin has previously warned Western nations against such a move, saying it would represent the Nato military alliance's "direct participation" in the Ukraine war.

He was yet to comment on Sunday's reports although other senior Kremlin politicians described it as a serious escalation.

Washington’s decision on ATACMS is couched in terms of being limited to the defence of Ukrainian forces inside Russia's Kursk region, where Kyiv launched a surprise incursion in August.

In effect, the Biden administration is telling Ukraine that it will support its efforts to hold onto the small chunk of Russian territory it currently occupies, as a powerful bargaining chip for any possible negotiations in the future.

Serhiy Kuzan, chairman of the Kyiv-based Ukrainian Security and Cooperation Centre, told the BBC that Joe Biden's decision was "very important" to the country.

“It’s not something that will change the course of the war, but I think it will make our forces more equal.”

ATACMS can reach up to 300km (186 miles). Unnamed US officials have told the New York Times and the Washington Post that Biden's approval of Ukraine's use of the ATACMS came in response to Russia's decision to allow North Korean soldiers to fight in Ukraine.

MrKuzan said Sunday's decision had come ahead of what was an expected assault by Russian and Korean troops, designed to dislodge Ukrainian forces from Russia's Kursk region. The offensive was expected within days.

Ukraine had earlier estimated there to be 11,000 North Korean soldiers in Kursk.

President Biden’s decision will also finally enable Britain and France to grant Ukraine permission to use long-range Storm Shadow missiles inside Russia.

Neither the UK nor France has yet responded to Biden's decision.

Last month, Zelensky confirmed that Ukraine had used US-supplied long-range missiles for the first time to strike Russian targets in the country's east.

For months, Ukraine has been battling to push back Russian troops who have been slowly advancing in the eastern Donetsk region towards the key city of Pokrovsk - a major supply hub for Ukrainian forces.

Moscow has also massively increased its number of drone strikes on Ukraine. More than 2,000 were launched in October, according to Ukraine’s general staff - a record number in the war.

Overnight on Saturday, Russia launched what is thought to be its biggest co-ordinated assault in months, killing at least 10 people. Around 120 missiles and 90 drones were launched, according to Zelensky.

Attacks continued on Sunday evening, with officials in Sumy region - near the Russian border - reporting another eight killed, including two children, after a missile hit a residential building.

Russian officials in the border region of Bryansk reported a Ukrainian drone attack on Sunday night but said its defences had shot down 26 drones.

Ukraine had for months argued that its allies had not provided the country with enough support to allow it to effectively defend itself.

Joe Biden, who will leave the White House in January, has been seeking to expedite further aid to Ukraine.

There are concerns that his successor, Donald Trump, will slow or halt any further support. He has described the military support as a drain on US resources and has signalled he will end the war, without explaining how this would happen.

The US has been the greatest supplier of arms to Ukraine. Between the start of the war and the end of June 2024, it delivered or committed to send weapons and equipment worth $55.5bn (£41.5bn), according to the Kiel Institute for the World Economy, a German research organisation.

Source:bbc.com

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'Massive' Russian attack causes Ukraine blackouts

18th November

A “massive” Russian missile and drone attack has targeted power infrastructure across Ukraine, the country's President Volodymyr Zelensky has said.

At least 10 people were killed in the strikes, which hit the capital, Kyiv, as well as multiple targets in several regions including Donetsk, Lviv and Odesa.

Ukraine’s largest private energy company, DTEK, said its thermal energy plants had suffered “significant damage”, resulting in blackouts.

The country's state-owned energy operator, Ukrenergo, says it will enforce "restriction measures" for the whole of Ukraine on Monday.

The co-ordinated assault overnight on Saturday was largest of its kind since early September, according to authorities and local media.

In total, around 120 missiles and 90 drones were launched, Zelensky said on Telegram.

"Peaceful cities, sleeping civilians" and "critical infrastructure" were targeted, Ukraine's foreign minister Andrii Sybiha said.

The Russian defence ministry reported that it had hit all its targets, saying that its attack was on "essential energy infrastructure supporting the Ukrainian military-industrial complex".

“Russian terrorists once again want to scare us with cold and lack of light,” was how President Zelensky put it.

Of course, anything that seeks to deny power to factories producing weaponry inevitably harms civilians too - indirectly, through the loss of electricity and frequently water, and directly, as missiles or fragments of missiles rain down from the sky.

The governor of the Odesa region, Oleh Kiper, said there had also been disruptions to heat and water supplies, although the latter was gradually being restored. Hospitals and other critical infrastructure were operating using generators.

Further east, the city of Mykolaiv was also hit. The region's leader, Vitaliy Kim, told the BBC that the people were resilient there, despite being attacked regularly.

"People are in a good shape and want to defend themselves. We do not want to lose our homes," he said.

In Kyiv, fragments from intercepted missiles and drones fell in several places, but there were no reports of injuries.

The attack was the eighth large-scale one targeting Ukraine's energy facilities this year, DTEK said in a statement, adding that its plants had been attacked more than 190 times since the start of Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine in February 2022.

Ukrainian officials fear the most recent strike could signal another concerted Russian attempt to deplete the power grid as winter arrives.

Having already endured two-and-a-half bitter winters since Russia’s full-scale invasion in February 2022, Ukrainians are bracing themselves for another.

“Here we go again" were the words of an official at one of Ukraine’s private energy companies, summing up the mood across the country on Sunday.

Through ingenuity and sheer determination, Ukraine has managed to survive each winter assault so far. There is every chance it will again, although its generation capacity is now less than a half of what it was in February 2022.

Poland, Ukraine's neighbour to the west, scrambled fighter jets to patrol its own airspace as a security precaution.

"Due to a massive attack by Russia, which is carrying out strikes using cruise missiles, ballistic missiles and drones against sites located, among other places, in western Ukraine, operations by Polish and allied aircraft have begun," Poland's Operational Command said.

Hungary, which neighbours both Ukraine and Poland, was also on alert after drone attacks struck the westernmost Subcarpathian region - about 20km (12 miles) from the Hungarian border.

The country's defence minister said the "situation is being monitored continuously".

These latest attacks come as both Ukraine and Russia continue to try to anticipate how US President-elect Donald Trump will act once his administration takes power in January.

Trump has consistently said his priority is to end the war and what he describes as a drain on US resources in the form of military aid to Kyiv. He has not said how.

There are fears in Kyiv that it may come under pressure to negotiate an end to the war that may favour Russia's advances - Moscow continues to control a large swathe of Ukrainian territory.

Zelensky has said he is certain the war with Russia will “end sooner” than it otherwise would have under the new Trump presidency.

Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov recently told Russian state media of "positive" signals from the incoming US administration. But Russia has denied that a phone call took place in which Donald Trump reportedly warned the Russian president against escalating the war.

However, for all the talk of the possible changes coming when Donald Trump enters the White House, Sunday's attacks seem to indicate that, for now at least, the war’s grim realities are not changing.

Meanwhile, the leader of Germany - another Ukrainian ally - has defended a phone call he had with Putin on Friday, something Kyiv criticised as an attempt at appeasement.

"It was important to tell him [Putin] that he should not count on the support of Germany, Europe and many others in the world for Ukraine waning, but that it is now also up to him to ensure that the war comes to an end," Olaf Scholz said on Sunday.

He added that the Russian president had given no indication of a shift in his thinking on the war.

Source:bbc.com

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How long-range missiles striking Russia could affect Ukraine war

18th November

The US has for the first time allowed Ukraine to use long-range missiles to strike targets inside Russia.

The outgoing Biden administration has told Kyiv it can use US-made ATACMS missiles for limited strikes inside Russia, according to CBS, the BBC's US partner.

Washington had previously refused to allow such strikes because it feared they would escalate the war.

The major policy reversal comes two months before President Joe Biden hands over power to Donald Trump, who is sceptical of US military aid to Ukraine.

Why has the US allowed Ukraine use ATACMS inside Russia?

Ukraine has been using the Army Tactical Missile System, more commonly known as ATACMS, on Russian targets in occupied Ukrainian territory for more than a year.

It has used ATACMS to strike airbases in the occupied Crimean Peninsula and military positions in the Zaporizhzhia region.

But the US has never allowed Kyiv to use the long-range missiles inside Russia – until now.

The Lockheed Martin ballistic missiles are some of the most powerful so far provided to Ukraine, capable of travelling up to 300km (186 miles).

Ukraine had argued that not being allowed to use such weapons inside Russia was like being asked to fight with one hand tied behind its back.

The change in policy reportedly comes in response to the recent deployment of North Korean troops to support Russia in the Kursk border region, where Ukraine has occupied territory since August.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has yet not confirmed the move. But he said on Sunday: "Strikes are not made with words ... The missiles will speak for themselves."

What effect will the missiles have?

Ukraine will now be able to strike targets inside Russia, most likely at first around the Kursk region, where Ukrainian forces hold over 1,000 sq km of territory.

Ukrainian and US officials expect a counter-offensive by Russian and North Korean troops to regain territory in Kursk.

Ukraine may use ATACMS to defend against the assault, targeting Russian positions including military bases, infrastructure and ammunition storage.

The supply of the missiles will probably not be enough to turn the tide of the war. Russian military equipment, such as jets, has already been moved to airfields further inside Russia in anticipation of such a decision.

But the weapons may grant Ukraine some advantage at a time when Russian troops have been gaining ground in the country's east and morale is low.

"I don't think it will be decisive," a Western diplomat in Kyiv told the BBC, requesting anonymity due to the sensitivity of the matter.

"However, it’s an overdue symbolic decision to raise the stakes and demonstrate military support to Ukraine.

"It can raise the war cost for Russia."

There are also questions over how much ammunition will be provided, said Evelyn Farkas, who served as deputy assistant secretary of defence in the Obama administration.

"The question is, of course, how many missiles do they have? We have heard that the Pentagon has warned there aren’t that many of these missiles that they can make available to Ukraine."

Farkas added that the ATACMS could have a "positive psychological impact" in Ukraine if they are used to strike targets such as the Kerch Bridge, which links Crimea to mainland Russia.

The US authorisation will also have a further knock-on effect: enabling the UK and France to grant Ukraine permission to use Storm Shadow missiles inside Russia. Storm Shadow is a Franco-British long-range cruise missile with similar capabilities to the American ATACMS.

Could it lead to escalation of the war?

The Biden administration had for months refused to authorise Ukraine to hit Russia with long-range missiles, fearing escalation of the conflict.

Vladimir Putin has warned against allowing Western weapons to be used to hit Russia, saying Moscow would view that as the “direct participation” of Nato countries in the war in Ukraine.

“It would substantially change the very essence, the nature of the conflict,” Putin said in September. “This will mean that Nato countries, the USA and European states, are fighting with Russia.”

Russia has set out “red lines” before. Some, including providing modern battle tanks and fighter jets to Ukraine, have since been crossed without triggering a direct war between Russia and Nato.

Kurt Volker, a former US ambassador to Nato, said: “By restricting the range of Ukraine’s use of American weapons, the US was unjustifiably imposing unilateral restrictions on Ukraine’s self-defence."

He added that the decision to limit the use of ATACMS was "completely arbitrary and done out of fear of ‘provoking’ Russia."

“However, it is a mistake to make such a change public, as it gives Russia advance notice of potential Ukrainian strikes.”

How will Donald Trump react?

The elephant in the room is that Biden is a lame-duck president, with just two months left in office before he hands power to President-elect Donald Trump.

Trump has not said whether he would continue the policy. But some of his closest allies have already criticised it.

Donald Trump Jr, Trump's son, wrote on social media: "The military industrial complex seems to want to make sure they get World War Three going before my father has a chance to create peace and save lives."

Trump has not spelled out what policy he will take on the war in Ukraine, beyond having vowed to end the conflict within a day, though never specifying how he would do so. Democratic opponents have also accused him of cosying up to Putin, whom he has repeatedly expressed admiration for.

Many of Trump's top officials, such as Vice President-elect JD Vance, say the US should not provide any more military aid to Ukraine.

But others in the next Trump administration hold a different view. National Security Adviser Michael Waltz has argued that the US could accelerate weapons deliveries to Ukraine to force Russia to negotiate.

Which way the president-elect will go is unclear. But many in Ukraine fear that he will cut off weapons deliveries, including ATACMS.

"We are worried. We hope that [Trump] will not reverse [the decision]," Oleksiy Goncharenko, a Ukrainian MP, told the BBC.

Source:bbc.com

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Tallow Hill mosque 'breaks down barriers' at open day

17th November

By Ryan Smith

THE WORCESTER community was 'brought closer together' at a special event at a city mosque which aimed to break down barriers.

People flocked to the mosque on Tallow Hill on Saturday to ask questions about Islam and the day-to-day life of being a Muslim.

The Imam of the mosque, Kahlil Saiyed, said he was impressed by the willingness of people in Worcester to learn more about his faith and to get to know them on a human level.

At the open day, guests were allowed into one of the mosque's prayer rooms, where they could talk to the Imam.

Visitors could also look around an exhibition where they could learn and ask questions about Islam.

People learned more about the value of the five pillars of Islam- faith, prayer, fasting, charity and pilgrimage.

Bawa Shabdullah, who gave many of the talks, told the Worcester News: "These events open dialogue and get rid of many of the misconceptions about Islam, it brings the Worcester community closer.

"People were very engaged, asked a lot of questions and I think a lot of people learned a lot about our religion, especially the spiritual side of things and how it is a religion for peace and for the entire world.

"This has been very successful and we hope to do more events like this in the future."

Police were also there in their Community Engagement Van and officers from Cathedral SNT were available to talk to about crime prevention advice and any concerns they may have.

There were also some freebies for youngsters to snap up on the day from the van.

After taking a tour of the mosque, people were invited to eat and chat with one another.

A variety of treats including cakes, samosas and croissants were served for people to eat.

The Imam Kahlil Saiyed said: "In Worcester, the community is very good, I was impressed with the feedback and interest we've got.

"People were willing to learn about Islam and then eat with us so we could see each other on a human level.

"A lot of people didn't realise Islam and Christianity were so interlinked.

"We want the mosque to be open for everyone and would like to continue engaging with the community."

Source:worcesternews.co.uk

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Keep protesting, says Navalny's widow at Berlin march

18th November

The widow of Russian opposition leader Alexei Navalny has urged thousands of supporters marching through central Berlin to continue their protests against President Vladimir Putin and the war in Ukraine.

"One protest alone won't change anything. We need to keep coming out," Yulia Navalnaya said, at the first rally she and other prominent opposition figures have led since being forced into exile.

People carried the blue-and-white Russian opposition flag as well as Ukrainian flags, while chanting "no to war" and "Putin is a killer" in Russian.

Many members of Russia's opposition have been exiled since the Kremlin escalated its crackdown on dissent, jailing hundreds - perhaps thousands - of people for their political views.

The opposition says it has three main demands - the "immediate withdrawal" of troops from Ukraine, the trial of Putin as a "war criminal" and the liberation of all political prisoners in Russia.

The Russian war on Ukraine was a major focus of the protest.

Ukrainians often accuse the Russian opposition of failing to appreciate their suffering, and failing to do enough to stop the war being waged by their country.

Just last week, Ukrainian protesters interrupted a speech by Yulia Navalnaya in Lisbon, playing the sound of air raid sirens and demanding that she condemn the war, which she did.

This march seemed in part an attempt to address that impression, although one protester said he didn’t agree with the prominent slogan "Putin = war", because the invasion of Ukraine is being fought and supported by many Russians.

Oleg Orlov, co-chair of the Nobel Peace Prize-winning organisation Memorial, who was sentenced to jail in Russia for his anti-war and anti-government statements, held a banner that read: "Victory for Ukraine, Defeat for Putin, Freedom for Russia."

Orlov now lives in Germany in enforced exile after he was released in a prisoner swap in August. He called for Ukraine's allies to continue supplying weapons.

"Victory for Putin in Ukraine will conserve his fascist regime in Russia for many years," he told the BBC.

"More weapons for Ukraine is important, including for the future of Russia - because if Putin wins, then Russia is defeated - that is, the Russia that all of us here dream of and that we want to build.

"Those in Europe who talk about peace at all cost in Ukraine, those prepared to appease the aggressor, do not understand the mine they are laying for the future of Europe itself."

The march ended outside the grand building of the Russian embassy on Unter Den Linden, where the three protest leaders clambered onto the back of a truck, linked arms and thanked the crowd for their support. They were greeted by cheers.

Navalnaya said her husband had always thought you should go to protests in the same way you go to work.

She urged people to march repeatedly, not only for themselves - but for Russians inside the country who can’t do the same, “for the political prisoners… and for those who have been killed.”

Vladimir Kara-Murza, who was freed from jail in August after spending over two years - 11 months of them in solitary confinement – told the BBC he was “proud” to see a “sea of faces” at the rally – although the march was smaller than some people had anticipated.

“There are millions in Russia who feel the same way, who are against the war, Putin’s regime. But in Russia it’s impossible to do what we just did here today. For the smallest act of protest you will end up in prison, as I did.”

In his speech, he called the embassy "a spy nest of Russia".

"It will be an embassy again," he vowed.

One young IT worker, Anastasia - originally from Kazan in Russia - said she left in March 2022 because she could not stay in a country waging a war that she opposed.

She said it was “impossible to protest in an authoritarian state”, adding that this is why the rally was so crucial.

The crowd was not huge, but it was diverse, including supporters of Alexei Navalny alongside anarchists and young men recruiting people to go and fight for Ukraine. We met protesters from as far away as Norway, Cyprus and Poland.

As Yulia Navalnaya was whisked away by police, for security, the crowd gathered beside a memorial for those killed in Ukraine - chatting quietly and singing along with a young man playing guitar.

One couple told the BBC that for them, this rally had given them a little hope - and sense that they weren’t alone.

“The mood now among Russians abroad is bad. People don’t believe in change. Everything looks bad. They see no point in protesting,” Polina said.

“Maybe they’re right. But there’s no shame in doing little; what's shameful is doing nothing. That’s what Alexei Navalny once said.”

Source:bbc.com

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Nordic neighbours release new advice on surviving war

18th November

Alex Maxia

On Monday, millions of Swedes will start receiving copies of a pamphlet advising the population how to prepare and cope in the event of war or other unexpected crises.

“If crisis or war comes” has been updated from six years ago because of what the government in Stockholm calls the worsening security situation, by which it means Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine. The booklet is also twice the size.

Neighbouring Finland has also just published its own fresh advice online on “preparing for incidents and crises”.

And Norwegians have also recently received a pamphlet urging them to be prepared to manage on their own for a week in the event of extreme weather, war and other threats.

In a detailed section on military conflict, the Finnish digital brochure explains how the government and president would respond in the event of an armed attack, stressing that Finland’s authorities are “well prepared for self defence”.

Sweden joined Nato only this year, deciding like Finland to apply after Moscow expanded its war in 2022. Norway was a founder member of the Western defensive alliance.

Unlike Sweden and Norway, the Helsinki government has decided not to print a copy for every home as it “would cost millions” and a digital version could be updated more easily.

“We have sent out 2.2 million paper copies, one for each household in Norway,” said Tore Kamfjord, who is responsible for the campaign of self-preparedness at the Norwegian Directorate for Civil Protection (DSB).

Included in the lists of items to be kept at home are long-life foods such as tins of beans, energy bars and pasta, and medicines including iodine tablets in case of a nuclear accident.

Oslo sent out an earlier version in 2018, but Kamfjord said climate change and more extreme weather events such as floods and landslides had brought increased risks.

For Swedes, the idea of a civil emergency booklet is nothing new. The first edition of “If War Comes” was produced during World War Two and it was updated during the Cold War.

But one message has been moved up from the middle of the booklet: “If Sweden is attacked by another country, we will never give up. All information to the effect that resistance is to cease is false.”

It was not long ago that Finland and Sweden were still neutral states, although their infrastructure and “total defence system” date back to the Cold War.

Sweden’s Civil Defence Minister Carl-Oskar Bohlin said last month that as the global context had changed, information to Swedish households had to reflect the changes too.

Earlier this year he warned that “there could be war in Sweden”, although that was seen as a wake-up call because he felt that moves towards rebuilding that “total defence” were progressing too slowly.

Because of its long border with Russia and its experience of war with the Soviet Union in World War Two, Finland has always maintained a high level of defence. Sweden, however, scaled down its infrastructure and only in recent years started gearing up again.

“From the Finnish perspective, this is a bit strange,” according to Ilmari Kaihko, associate professor of war studies at the Swedish Defence University. “[Finland] never forgot that war is a possibility, whereas in Sweden, people had to be shaken up a bit to understand that this can actually happen," says Kaihko, who's from Finland.

Melissa Eve Ajosmaki, 24, who is originally from Finland but studies in Gothenburg, says she felt more worried when the war broke out in Ukraine. “Now I feel less worried but I still have the thought at the back of my head on what I should do if there was a war. Especially as I have my family back in Finland."

The guides include instructions on what to do in case of several scenarios and ask citizens to make sure they can fend for themselves, at least initially, in case of a crisis situation.

Finns are asked how they would cope without power for days on end with winter temperatures as low as -20C.

Their checklist also includes iodine tablets, as well as easy-to-cook food, pet food and a backup power supply.

The Swedish checklist recommends potatoes, cabbage, carrots and eggs along with tins of bolognese sauce and prepared blueberry and rosehip soup.

Swedish Economist Ingemar Gustafsson, 67, recalls receiving previous versions of the pamphlet: “I'm not that worried about the whole thing so I take it pretty calmly. It's good that we get information about how we should act and how we should prepare, but it's not like I have all those preparations at home”.

One of the most important recommendations is to keep enough food and drinking water for 72 hours.

But Ilmari Kaihko wonders whether that is practical for everyone.

“Where do you stash it if you have a big family living in a small apartment?”

Source:bbc.com

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Russian ballet star Vladimir Shklyarov dies at 39

18th November

Frances Mao

The ballet world is mourning the death of Vladimir Shklyarov, one of its leading male dancers.

Shklyarov, a principal with the prestigious Mariinsky Theatre, was an "extraordinary artist" who inspired fans worldwide, one tribute said.

His death, announced by the St Petersburg company on Saturday, is being investigated by federal authorities, according to Russian media reports.

Mariinsky representatives told media he had fallen from the fifth floor of a St Petersburg building while on painkillers.

"This is a huge loss not only for the theatre's staff but for all of contemporary ballet," the company said in a statement on Saturday.

"Our condolences to the artist’s family, loved ones, friends and all the numerous admirers of his work and talent."

Shklyarov was married to fellow company dancer Maria Shklyarov, with whom he had two children.

Born in Leningrad, he studied at the famed Vaganova Academy of Russian Ballet, graduating in 2003.

He joined the Mariinsky Theatre the same year, becoming a principal in 2011.

Over 20 years with the company, he danced leads across several productions, including Giselle, Sleeping Beauty, Don Quixote, Swan Lake and Romeo and Juliet.

He performed at prestigious venues around the world, including the Royal Opera House in London and Metropolitan Opera in New York.

In 2014 and 2015, he featured as a guest artist at the American Ballet Theatre. The company issued a statement on Sunday mourning his "tragic loss."

"We mourn the tragic loss of Vladimir Shklyarov, an extraordinary artist whose grace and passion inspired audiences worldwide.

"Your light will continue to shine through the beauty you brought to this world," the company wrote on Instagram.

Shklyarov received several accolades during his lifetime, including the Léonide Massine International Prize in 2008. He was also appointed an Honoured Artist of Russia in 2020.

"He forever inscribed his name in the history of world ballet," the Mariinsky Theatre said.

Source:bbc.com

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https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/c0qd9w9125ko

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German cruise missiles won’t be ‘game changer’ for Ukraine – defense chief

18 Nov, 2024

The potential delivery of the Taurus air-launched cruise missiles to Ukraine will not significantly change the situation on the battlefield, German Boris Pistorius has said.

The defense chief made his comments in an interview with broadcaster ARD on Sunday, as some EU officials worry that the return of President-elect Donald Trump to the White House in January could eventually lead to the suspension of military aid to Kiev.

“There are arguments about the Taurus that are relevant to national security and NATO strategies, and we should not discuss them [publicly],” Pistorius said when asked if Germany should reconsider its decision not to supply Ukraine with the missiles with a range of 500 km (310 miles).

“At the same time, the Taurus would not be a game changer. Our mission is different. We now have to ensure that Ukraine continues to receive sustainable supplies,” the minister stressed.

In September, German Chancellor Olaf Scholz warned that providing Ukraine with cruise missiles would be tantamount to direct participation in the conflict with Russia.

“It would only be tenable to deliver [these weapons] if we determine and define the targets ourselves, and that is again not possible if you don’t want to be part of this conflict,” he said.

On Friday, Scholz and Russian President Vladimir Putin held their first phone call in nearly two years, with Scholz saying reaffirmed Berlin’s resolve to support Kiev.

The German leader currently faces a no-confidence vote and a snap election early next year after the ruling coalition collapsed over budgetary disagreements. Berlin has shifted billions of euros from domestic spending to Ukraine in recent years.

Pistorius’ interview coincided with multiple news organizations saying that US outgoing President Joe Biden had reversed previous policy of not allowing Ukraine to use American-made ATACMS missiles for strikes on Russia’s internationally recognized territory. Putin has stated earlier that the expansion of strikes using Western long-range weapons would “change the nature of the conflict” and signal NATO’s direct participation in the attacks against Russia.

Source:rt.com

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