Around 95 Percent Of Voters Removed After Bengal SIR In Nandigram Are Muslims, Shows Data
New Age Islam News Bureau
07 April 2026
The figures are based on an analysis by the Sabar Institute, a Kolkata-based public policy research organisation, which examined ECI voter roll data from supplementary lists 1, 2, 3, 4a, 7, 8 and 9. (PTI/Representative)
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· Around 95% of voters removed after Bengal SIR in Nandigram are Muslims, shows data
· Middle East war means ‘all roads’ lead to higher prices, slower growth, IMF chief says
· Debris falls near Saudi energy facilities as ballistic missiles shot down
· Register First, Nikah later: Northampton Imam and the Limits of Child Marriage Protection
· Tucker Carlson Says ‘No President Should Mock Islam’ After Trump’s ‘Praise Be to Allah’ Remark | Video
· Intellectual Crisis Holding Back Muslim Ummah – West Africa Professor Bashir Galadanci
· Malaysia looks to Singapore, Australia, Zimbabwe for new harmony and reconciliation Bill, eyes mediation over punishment
· China-Facilitated Dialogue Between Afghanistan and Pakistan: Prospects, Outcomes, and Developments
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India
· EC seeks report on BJP pick's 'love jihad' remark
· Why Gujarat HC rejected discharge plea of 5 accused in 2021 Bharuch ‘forced religious conversion’ case
· 5 arrested in interstate LeT racket run down, J-K police nab terror leader on the run for 16 years
· NIA probe into Pak drone 'terror plot', cross-border smuggling under lens
· ‘We have to not go by general perception’: Madhya Pradesh HC begins hearings in Bhojshala-Kamal Maula Mosque dispute
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Mideast
· Israeli military tells people in Iran to avoid using trains
· Iran defiant on eve of Trump’s ceasefire deadline
· Bridge linking Saudi Arabia to Bahrain closed over Iranian threats as Trump’s deadline nears
· Iran army dismisses Trump’s ‘rude, arrogant rhetoric’
· UN expected to vote on watered-down Hormuz resolution on Tuesday
· Israeli airstrike kills at least 10 near Gaza school as ceasefire strains
· Turkiye’s Erdogan accuses Israel of undermining peace initiatives
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Arab World
· Saudi environmental organization launches voluntary disclosure scheme to boost compliance
· Saudi creative explores intersection of art and light
· Maldives president arrives in Madinah
· Saudi, Jordanian foreign ministers discuss regional developments
· KSrelief expands aid to vulnerable communities
· Makkah chamber introduces program to train bus guides for Hajj season
· Rare 19th-century Qur’an on display in Makkah
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Europe
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· Azerbaijan-Georgia tighten grip on key trade and energy corridors
· Nine face murder charge over stabbing near mosque
· Azerbaijan, Türkiye discuss development of Islamic bonds
· Ukrainian drones target key US-linked oil hub in Russia – Defense Ministry
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North America
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· Wisconsin mosque leader detained by ICE in latest case tied to US antisemitism concerns
· CAIR-CT Condemns Anti-Jewish Social Media Posts Linked to Fairfield Prep, Calls for Urgent Action to Address Rising Hate in Schools
· CAIR-SFBA: Five Bay Area Cities to Honour Muslim Communities with AMAAM Proclamations Tuesday
· Trump threatens to jail journalist over Iran rescue raid ‘leak’
· No dude left behind: Donald Trump toots US success while warning Iran 'surrender or else…'
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Africa
· Burkina Faso: Govt. denies report alleging more than 1,800 killed since junta took power
· Nigeria troops rescue 31 abducted Easter worshippers in Kaduna attack
· Gen. Uba: ‘We Didn’t See Any Meaningful Action From Tinubu’ – Inibehe Effiong Frowns At Military Response To Terrorists
· Egypt releases activist Sherif Al-Rouby
· ‘Enough Of Hollow Rhetoric, Get To Work’ – Atiku Slams Tinubu Over Fresh Attack In Benue, Kaduna States
· Troops Kill Bandits, Neutralise Kingpin’s Son In Zamfara Raid
· Atiku Signs $1.2 Million Lobbying Deal With U.S Firm For 2027
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Southeast Asia
· Anwar backs Turkiye’s call for restraint in West Asia, praises Egypt, Oman and Pakistan mediating US-Iran tensions
· Malaysia mobilises major land and sea aid campaign for Gaza
· Communications minister settles defamation suit against Papagomo over Rawang mosque speech
· Widow claiming royal connections in lands in dock over obscene posts on TikTok, Instagram targeting Sultan Ibrahim and Brunei Ruler
· Anwar to urge Asean, China to fast-track South China Sea Code of Conduct at May summit
· Anwar: Malaysia’s fuel supply secure until June, thanks Iranian president for safe transit of ships via Hormuz
· Malaysia eyes halal hub boost amid global supply chain woes
· Greenpeace joins Gaza flotilla as over 70 vessels prepare to sail
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South Asia
· World Health Day: The Importance of Health in Building a Better Future for Humanity
· Shamsul Islam given charge of Armed Forces Division
· Afghanistan, Uzbekistan Firms Sign $65 Million Trade Deals
· Environmental Responsibility Is a Shared Duty for Government and Citizens
· Economic Development Hinges on Security: Global Crisis from Middle East and Beyond
· Self-regulation needed amid shift in AI
· Enforced disappearance: Ex-Jubo Dal leader files complaint against Hasina
Compiled by New Age Islam News Bureau
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Around 95% of voters removed after Bengal SIR in Nandigram are Muslims, shows data
Apr 07, 2026
The figures are based on an analysis by the Sabar Institute, a Kolkata-based public policy research organisation, which examined ECI voter roll data from supplementary lists 1, 2, 3, 4a, 7, 8 and 9. (PTI/Representative)
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There has been a striking pattern in voter list deletions in West Bengal’s Nandigram, with Muslims, who make up about 25% of the population, accounting for 95.5% of removals across seven supplementary lists. Non-Muslims, who constitute roughly 75% of the population, accounts for just 4.5%, according to data sourced from the Election Commission of India (ECI).
The figures are based on an analysis by the Sabar Institute, a Kolkata-based public policy research organisation, which examined ECI voter roll data from supplementary lists 1, 2, 3, 4a, 7, 8 and 9. In six of these, the share of Muslims removed ranges from 60.9% to 98.7%. The trend cuts across gender lines, with variations in male and female deletions, but a consistent religious skew.
The only exception is list 4a, where 100% of those removed were non-Muslim women, with no Muslim deletions recorded.
The disparity becomes sharper when compared with population share. If deletions were proportional, Muslims would account for about a quarter of removals. Instead, they make up nearly all of them (95.5%), according to the report.
A separate dataset from December 2025, based on the ECI’s Absent, Shifted, Deceased and Duplicate (ASDD) criteria, shows Muslims accounting for 33.3% of deletions and non-Muslims 66.7%. Even this indicates overrepresentation relative to population share, though far less pronounced than in the supplementary lists.
Voters whose names were deleted after scrutiny by judicial officers could appeal before 19 appellate tribunals set up by the ECI across West Bengal. April 6 is the last date for filing nominations for the first phase of the assembly elections, which includes Nandigram, scheduled to vote on April 23. As per election rules, electoral rolls are frozen after the nomination deadline, leaving deleted voters with a limited window, until 3 pm on April 6, to seek redress.
Nandigram remains one of West Bengal’s most politically sensitive constituencies. It was the site of the 2021 assembly election in which chief minister Mamata Banerjee lost narrowly to BJP’s Suvendu Adhikari. Any irregularity in voter rolls here carries significant political implications.
The ECI has not publicly commented on the religious composition of deletions in the constituency.
On Sunday, Banerjee at a rally in Samserganj said, “Cast your votes to take revenge for the deletion of people’s names, and against the SIR so that the results reflect that.” She alleged, “They (EC) have deleted names of some, while intimidating some others.”
Responding to the allegations, Sukanta Majumdar said, “The SIR was a constitutional duty to clean the rolls and prevent fraud, and the TMC was scared of a fair election.” He dismissed Banerjee’s claims as “fear-mongering” and accused her of “trying to shield illegal infiltrators and bogus voters”.
According to experts from the Sabar Institute, the data raises questions about the process followed, the criteria applied, and the reasons for the sharp divergence between population share and voter deletions, warranting a response from election authorities.
Source: hindustantimes.com
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https://www.hindustantimes.com/india-news/around-95-of-voters-removed-after-bengal-sir-in-nandigram-are-muslims-shows-data-101775504433258.html
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Middle East war means ‘all roads’ lead to higher prices, slower growth, IMF chief says
April 07, 2026
IMF chief Kristalina Georgieva said that Saudi Arabia has successfully redirected its oil exports, contributing to global market stability and supporting the global economy. Al-Eqtisadiah
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WASHINGTON: The war in the Middle East will lead to higher inflation and slower global growth, the head of the International Monetary Fund told Reuters on Monday, ahead of a forecast for the world economy planned by the global lender for next week.
The war has triggered the worst-ever disruption in global energy supply, with millions of barrels of oil production shuttered due to Iran’s effective blockage of the Strait of Hormuz, crucial for shipping one-fifth of the world’s oil and gas.
Even if the conflict is swiftly resolved, the IMF is set to reduce its forecast for economic growth and bump up its outlook for inflation, Kristalina Georgieva, managing director of the IMF, said.
The war is expected to dominate discussions among finance officials from around the world at next week’s spring meetings of the IMF and World Bank in Washington.
The Fund is expected to release a range of scenarios in its upcoming World Economic Outlook due on April 14. It signaled a possible downgrade in a March 30 blog post, citing the asymmetric shock of the war and tighter financial conditions. Without the war, Georgieva said the IMF had expected a small upgrade in its projection for global growth of 3.3 percent in 2026 and 3.2 percent in 2027 as economies continue to recover from the pandemic.
“Instead, all roads now lead to higher prices and slower growth,” said Georgieva, who will preview the spring meetings in a speech on Thursday. World Bank President Ajay Banga will present his view at an Atlantic Council event on Tuesday.
“We are in a world of elevated uncertainty,” the IMF chief said, citing geopolitical tensions, technological advancements, climate shocks and demographic shifts. “All of this means that after we recover from this shock, we need to keep our eyes open for the next one.”
The war has shrunk global oil supply by 13 percent, Georgieva said, with the impact rippling through oil and gas shipments and into related supply chains such as helium and fertilizers.
Even a rapid end to hostilities and a fairly rapid recovery will result in a “relatively small” downward revision of the growth forecast and an upward revision of its inflation forecast, she said. If the war is protracted, the effect on inflation and growth will be greater.
Poor countries will be hit hardest
Poor, vulnerable countries with no energy reserves will be hardest hit, Georgieva added, noting that many countries had little to no fiscal space to help their populations weather the price increases caused by the war, which in turn also increased the prospects of social unrest.
Georgieva said some countries had already asked for funding help, but did not name them. She said the IMF could augment some existing lending programs to meet countries’ needs. Eighty-five percent of the IMF’s members are energy importers.
Broad energy subsidies were not the answer, she said, urging policymakers to avoid government payments that could further inflame inflationary pressures.
The impact has been asymmetric, hitting energy-importing countries hardest, but even energy exporters such as Qatar are feeling the effect from Iranian strikes against their production facilities.
Qatar expects it will take three to five years to restore 17 percent of its natural gas production because of the damage, Georgieva said, while the International Energy Agency has reported 72 energy facilities have been damaged in the war, one-third of which have suffered significant damage.
“Even if the war is to stop today, there would be a lingering negative impact to the rest of the world,” she said.
Food security a concern
After the US and Israel attacked on February 28, Iran effectively closed the Strait of Hormuz, sending the price of crude oil and liquefied natural gas sharply higher. The international Brent crude benchmark settled near $110 on Monday, with cash benchmarks sourced to the Middle East at a substantial premium to that price.
The heads of the IMF, IEA and World Bank said last week they would form a coordinated effort to assess the energy and economic effects of the war.
Georgieva said the IMF was also engaging with the United Nations’ World Food Programme and Food and Agriculture Organization on food security.
The World Food Programme said in mid-March that millions of people will face acute hunger if the war continues into June. Georgieva said the IMF did not see a food crisis yet, but that could happen if the delivery of fertilizers was impaired.
Source: arabnews.com
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https://www.arabnews.com/node/2639020/middle-east
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Debris falls near Saudi energy facilities as ballistic missiles shot down
April 07, 2026
As of early Tuesday morning, local time, the ministry had not said which energy facilities were being assessed. (AFP/File)
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RIYADH: Damage assessment was ongoing early Tuesday as Saudi Arabia said debris from intercepted ballistic missiles had fallen “in the vicinity” of energy facilities.
“Spokesperson of the Ministry of Defense Major General Turki Al-Malki stated that seven ballistic missiles launched toward Eastern Region were intercepted and destroyed, and that debris from the missiles fell in the vicinity of energy facilities,” the Saudi Press Agency reported.
In addition to those seven, the Kingdom’s defense ministry said three other ballistic missiles fired toward the Eastern Province had also been intercepted, in a post on social media.
Iran has been firing missiles and drones at the Kingdom and other Arab Gulf countries ever since Israel and the US launched military attacks on Iran on Feb. 28.
Iran has slowly eased its blockage of the Strait of Hormuz to some traffic but Tehran’s actions in the vital waterway has spiked energy prices impacting economies worldwide.
Gulf countries have condemned Iranian attacks on vital energy infrastructure, and many other nations have criticized Tehran’s tactics during the war.
Iran has also hit Israel as well as US assets in the region.
US President Donald Trump set an ultimatum for Iran to agree to a deal or face “hell” if it failed to meet the 8 p.m. EDT Tuesday (midnight GMT) deadline.
“We have a plan, because of the power of our military, where every bridge in Iran will be decimated by 12 o’clock tomorrow night,” Trump said.
Iran pushed back on US pressure to quickly reopen the strait but said the country wanted a lasting solution to the war.
Early morning attacks
Activists reported new strikes targeting Iran’s capital, Tehran, early Tuesday morning.
The UAE began firing its air defense Tuesday morning, while Bahrain sounded its missile alert sirens in the kingdom, with both Gulf Arab countries facing a new barrage of Iranian fire.
Two people were killed in the Kurdish region of Iraq after a home was hit by a drone that authorities said had been launched from Iran.
The drone hit the home in the village of Zargazawi in Irbil province early Tuesday, the Counter Terrorism Directorate of the northern Kurdish region said in a statement. Officials condemned the attack, calling it a violation of international law.
The strike came as Iranian forces and allied militias targeted areas across northern Kurdistan with a wave of drones, rockets and missiles.
Source: arabnews.com
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https://www.arabnews.com/node/2639009/saudi-arabia
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Register First, Nikah later: Northampton Imam and the Limits of Child Marriage Protection
by Fatima Zehra
Apr 7, 2026
“You ought to have known the law had changed.” On 19 January 2026, those words concluded the “legal first” Northampton child marriage prosecution case. The imam (religious cleric) before the court solemnised an Islamic marriage (nikah) for two 16-year-olds, contrary to s121 3(A) of the Anti-social Behaviour, Crime and Policing Act 2014 (the Act). The case has been anointed as “the legal first,” depicting the narrow reach of law to underage marriages, even if coercion or use of force remains absent. While the sentencing remarks (the remarks) emphasising “child protection” remain crucial, this case prompts a more difficult legal question: does the law permit underage marriages by allowing a loophole for a religious marriage to be solemnised before the civil requirements are abided by, notably, which includes capacity and verification of age?
What is striking about this case is that it does not fit the familiar image of forced marriage as overt compulsion. That said, it was an underage marriage and an offence. Simultaneously, the court’s remarks recognise that while there was no coercion, deception or force, it cannot undermine the social harms of child marriage. Justice Choudhry’s remarks reflect the legislative shift embodied in the 2023 reforms, whereby child marriage is treated as harmful in itself even in the absence of violence or pressure.
The harm was assessed at the lowest level as the children acted voluntarily, and there was no evidence of any immediate psychological or physical harm. While the imam’s negligence (being unaware of the changes in law) was factored in, the remarks failed to address a more troubling point. This negligence was not merely confined to the English law but also the formalities of Islamic marriage, a domain in which the imam is presumed to be the expert. A valid nikah requires witnesses from both sides, and the bride requires a guardian present; in the nikah solemnised by the imam, none were present. The solemnisation appears to have simply relied on the imam’s willingness to proceed with marrying 2 minors. In this respect, the remarks not only underexplored the imam’s negligence but also the procedural sequence that made it possible for the marriage to occur. The legal process for marriage in England and Wales requires compliance with certain formalities, including age verification. In contrast, a religious ceremony can still be solemnised outside or before the legally prescribed route. For some citizens, including the minors in this case; the requirements are merely administrative, and the religious ceremony takes precedence. While the law itself might not recognise such a marital union, that does not render the harm unreal. This is precisely why a mandatory legal requirement penalising any religious ceremony solemnised before civil registration should be understood not as a bureaucratic palaver, but rather as a safeguarding measure.
Plainly, the structure of the legal intervention remains reactive rather than preventive. The legal framework continues to rely on the retrospective criminal sanction, intervening only after the minors were married 2.5 years ago. Despite placing substantial weight on child protection, the framework remains incapable of preventing underage religious marriage before it occurs.
Justice Choudary’s insistence that religion cannot “override compliance with the law” is crucial. Properly understood, this does not suppress religious marriage; it reinforces the subordination of religious procedure to law and civil legality. This is not an argument against religion or that Islamic marriages are problematic. Both Islamic nikah practice and English Law place weight on consent, formal responsibility in marriage and witnesses. This case is not intended to suppress religious marriage or depict a nikah or any religious marriage as a competing procedure against the state. Rather, to reorder the sequence in which authority operates. For the law’s ambition to be reflected in procedure, civil registration must be provided as the mandatory requirement for any religious solemnisation in England and Wales. The Pheras, a Chatunah or a Nikah, may follow; any religious rite may follow. Simply, ritual should be the successor to the register, not the other way round. Only then, safeguarding ceases to be a matter of belated prosecution and becomes one of legal design. What the Northampton case reveals is that the law does not require sharper penalties; it needs a different order.
Much of the commentary focuses on the case being a legal first and the suspended sentence. It is submitted that the real significance lies elsewhere, for the ruling exposes the inadequacy of a framework which recognises harm in principle but continues to rely on “marriage certificates” being found. This legal first is to signify that, beyond its title, its implications must be assessed. It reveals the structural flaw that the problem is not the absence of penalties, but the absence of order. It is crucial to assess the ease with which the prohibition was circumvented. Practically, all it took to breach the law was £50, 2 children and a negligent imam.
Source: law.ox.ac.uk
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https://ohrh.law.ox.ac.uk/register-first-nikah-later-northampton-imam-and-the-limits-of-child-marriage-protection/
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Tucker Carlson Says ‘No President Should Mock Islam’ After Trump’s ‘Praise Be to Allah’ Remark | Video
April 6, 2026
Tucker Carlson (Photo credit: "The Tucker Carlson Show"/YouTube)
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Tucker Carlson issued a scathing rebuke of Donald Trump after the president appeared to mock Islam in his Easter morning warning for Iran.
During Monday’s episode of “The Tucker Carlson Show,” the conservative commentator took a moment to criticize the president’s recent Truth Social post, in which he threatened to destroy civilian infrastructure in Iran if the Strait of Hormuz wasn’t opened by Tuesday. Trump also controversially signed off the expletive-filled warning with, “Praise be to Allah.”
“So, obviously you’re mocking the religion of Iran,” Carlson sounded off. “Okay. If you seek a religious war, that’s a good idea. But, by the way, no decent person mocks other people’s religions. You may have a problem with the theology. Presumably you do, if it’s not your religion, and you can explain what that is. But to mock other people’s faith is to mock the idea of faith itself. And we should never mock that because at its core it is the acknowledgement that we are not in charge of the universe.”
As Carlson went on, he noted that “the message of all faith,” including in Christianity, is the idea that “you are not God, and only if you think you are do you talk this way.”
“But it’s not just mockery of Islam. And no president should mock Islam,” he continued. “That’s not your job. This is not a theocracy. We don’t go to war with other theocracies to find out which theocracy is more effective. We are not a theocracy. And God willing, we never will be, because theocracies corrupt the religion. No, this is a mockery not just of Islam.”
Per Carlson, Trump’s Easter message on Truth Social was also “a mockery of Christianity,” given it was sent on a holy day, featured profane language and promised “the murder of civilians,” all before the “Praise be to Allah” comment. The conservative commentator also took issue with Trump’s lack of explanation over the warning, adding, “We can’t support that. Under no circumstances can we support that.”
While Carlson added that viewers didn’t have to “hate Trump” over the post, he encouraged them to denounce this particular action. “A lot of his positions are the right positions, but you cannot support that,” he said. “That is evil. That is an intentional desecration of beauty and truth, which is the definition of evil.”
Watch Carlson’s full commentary below.
Carlson, who recently had a falling out with Trump over the Iran War, isn’t the first to criticize the president over his Sunday post on Truth Social.
Hakeem Jeffries also condemned the message, telling journalist Scott MacFarlane on Monday that Trump’s Sunday comments were far from “presidential behavior.”
“Something is really wrong with this guy, clearly. And, at minimum, we need a wellness check,” the House Minority Leader said. “He’s unhinged. He’s out of control. And this is not presidential behavior or anything close to it.”
In fact, the post has even elicited responses from both sides of the aisle, with everyone from Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.) to Piers Morgan to Marjorie Taylor Greene speaking out against the statement.
However, Trump has found some support in Washington, D.C., as far-right political activist Laura Loomer declared this is what she “voted for.”
“This is what I voted for,” she wrote on X Sunday. “Bomb jihadis back to the Stone Age where their mentality permanently lives. Trump said he’s going to bomb their infrastructure in Iran, and then he said ‘Praise be to Allah’. On Easter. Amazing. Just amazing. Strategic bombing wins wars.”
Source: thewrap.com
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https://www.thewrap.com/culture-lifestyle/culture/tucker-carlson-reacts-trump-praise-allah-easter-iran-warning/
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Intellectual Crisis Holding Back Muslim Ummah – West Africa Professor Bashir Galadanci
Apr 7, 2026
The Regional Coordinator of the International Institute of Islamic Thought (IIIT), West Africa, Prof. Bashir Galadanci, has identified an intellectual crisis as the root cause of the challenges facing the Muslim Ummah.
Speaking at an academic course organised by the IIIT Central Nigeria Office, Galadanci said the perceived political, economic and social decline in Muslim societies reflects deeper structural weaknesses in their knowledge systems.
Delivering a lecture titled “The Integration of Knowledge Project: A Research Undertaking,” he stressed that meaningful progress would remain elusive without urgent reforms in the intellectual foundation of Muslim communities.
He described educational dualism—the separation between secular and religious education—as a major obstacle to development, noting that it has produced a divided leadership class.
“This dualism has created professionals who understand the modern world but lack ethical grounding, and religious scholars who understand the texts but are disconnected from contemporary realities. This gap is where progress stalls,” he said.
Galadanci proposed the Integration of Knowledge (IOK) initiative as a solution, explaining that it seeks to harmonise revealed knowledge with modern scientific disciplines.
He noted that since its establishment in 1981, IIIT has promoted reforms to reshape knowledge production in Muslim societies.
He highlighted efforts to make Islamic knowledge more relevant to modern realities and to develop scholars grounded in both Islamic and contemporary disciplines.
He cited Islamic economics as a successful model of such integration.
Galadanci urged academics and policymakers to pursue research-driven reforms to address the root causes of the Ummah’s challenges.
“The weakness of the Ummah is not a lack of resources or population, but an intellectual crisis,” he said.
Source: dailytrust.com
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Malaysia looks to Singapore, Australia, Zimbabwe for new harmony and reconciliation Bill, eyes mediation over punishment
07 Apr 2026
PUTRAJAYA, April 7 — The drafting of the National Harmony and Reconciliation Commission (SKRN) bill, led by the Department of National Unity and Integration (JPNIN), will focus on preventive and conciliatory measures.
The Ministry of National Unity (KPN) said the move comes in response to recent developments and growing controversies over unity issues that have threatened social harmony.
In a statement today, the Ministry said that the proposal to set up the SKRN was initially approved in principle in 2019, but implementation was postponed in 2020 due to overlapping jurisdiction with existing bodies, including the Human Rights Commission of Malaysia (Suhakam) and the Royal Malaysia Police.
“The approach is not merely punitive; it prioritises early prevention, mediation and the resolution of issues in a harmonious and constructive manner,” the statement said.
KPN said the initiative aligns with international best practices, including Singapore’s Maintenance of Religious Harmony Act.
“The approach is also inspired by the Australian Human Rights Commission, which has a dedicated unit focusing on social cohesion through monitoring racial incidents, fostering strategic partnerships among stakeholders, and educating the public to address discrimination using non-legal methods such as mediation and advocacy,” the statement read.
KPN added that Zimbabwe’s National Peace and Reconciliation Commission also provides a useful model, highlighting early identification of potential conflict areas, community mediation and the development of preventive programmes to avoid recurring disputes.
“The ministry will ensure the commission can investigate issues affecting social harmony, summon relevant parties to give evidence, and issue recommendations and preventive measures to the government and relevant agencies,” the statement added.
It further noted that the commission is expected to conduct formal mediation processes and publish public reports, subject to certain restrictions in the interest of national security.
“JPNIN began stakeholder engagement sessions in early April. These inclusive sessions will continue, involving government agencies, enforcement bodies, NGOs, political parties, local communities and other relevant stakeholders,” the statement concluded. — Bernama
Source: malaymail.com
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https://www.malaymail.com/news/malaysia/2026/04/07/malaysia-looks-to-singapore-australia-zimbabwe-for-new-harmony-and-reconciliation-bill-eyes-mediation-over-punishment/215419
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China-Facilitated Dialogue Between Afghanistan and Pakistan: Prospects, Outcomes, and Developments
April 7, 2026
Niamatullah Ahmadzay
Part II
Several months have passed since the Pakistani military regime’s violations of Afghanistan’s sovereignty, yet no solution or resolution to this crisis is in sight. Most of the victims of these conflicts and aggressions are civilians, who are being targeted by the Pakistani military regime. After the attack on a rehabilitation hospital in Kabul, in which around 700 people were martyred or injured, the Pakistani military regime did not stop its destruction and indiscriminate bombings even during the days and nights of Eid.
Recently, the Afghan side and Pakistani representatives have sat at the table for peace talks and negotiations mediated by China. It is said that these talks are taking place in the city of Urumqi in China. The day before yesterday, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson stated in a press conference, “Talks between Afghanistan and Pakistan are steadily moving forward.”
The Afghan delegation includes representatives from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Mohibullah Wasiq and Abdulhai Qanit; a representative from the intelligence directorate, Yahya Takal; and representatives from the Ministries of Interior and Defense, Arifullah and Rohullah Omar. The spokesperson of Pakistan’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Tahir Andrabi, also said last Thursday that Islamabad’s delegation had arrived in Urumqi, China. Speaking at a weekly press briefing in Islamabad, he said that the Pakistani delegation includes several high-ranking officials, though he did not provide details about its composition. At the same time as the Afghan delegation was sent to China, the spokesperson of the Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Abdul Qahar Balkhi, stated that their delegation would hold official talks with the Pakistani side based on their principled stance. Alongside announcing the dispatch of the delegation, he reaffirmed the government’s consistent position. Balkhi said, “This process is being carried out at China’s request.” He further added that they hope “through diplomatic engagement based on mutual respect, non-interference, and constructive understanding, practical and lasting solutions to the issues between the two countries can be found.”
There is limited information available about the details and latest developments of these negotiations in China, but available reports indicate that there has been progress in the ongoing talks. Although the Afghan government’s position in both war and peace appears clear and highly inclined toward engagement, Pakistani officials and media have still not abandoned propaganda. Officials from Pakistan’s foreign and information ministries have stated that their policy toward Afghanistan has not changed with the start of the talks, and they will not stop their aggression or the so-called “Ghazab-ul-Haq” operations against Afghanistan.
Meanwhile, in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, a number of elders, influential figures, and members of civil society have begun efforts to organize a jirga and present themselves as mediators to establish a ceasefire and end the conflict between Afghanistan and Pakistan. Under the title of the Afghan-Pak Peace Jirga, the organizer of a meeting scheduled for Tuesday, Arbab Shahzad Khan, said, “We will ask the leadership of both countries to immediately reduce tensions and work toward peace.” Speaking at a press conference in Peshawar, the head of the Hila (Inspire) Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Research Center said that national, political, and tribal leaders of Pakistan, religious scholars, civil society activists, traders, and representatives of Afghans residing in Pakistan will participate in the jirga.
He also told BBC that “war is not the solution, and ultimately issues will be resolved through dialogue He added that the jirga will try to create a mechanism and framework for lasting peace between the two countries through mutual respect, confidence-building measures, and serious talks.
He further said that they will urge both sides’ leadership to reduce tensions.
China, which shares a border with both Pakistan and Afghanistan and maintains close relations with their governments, has made continuous diplomatic efforts to initiate these talks. Amid unprecedented deterioration in relations between Afghanistan and Pakistan and mutual accusations of severe attacks, China sent its envoy to Kabul and Islamabad to facilitate the resumption of stalled talks and remained in continuous contact with the relevant parties through its Ministry of Foreign Affairs. Earlier, on October 9, 2025, Pakistan carried out its first airstrike on Kabul. As a result, on October 19 of the same month, Qatar’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs announced that Pakistan and the Afghan government in Afghanistan had agreed to an immediate ceasefire. As planned, a meeting was later held in Turkey, but it ended without results. Meanwhile, Pakistan continued periodic bombings in various parts of Afghanistan, and reports of clashes between the two sides along the border persisted. This time, the China-mediated talks have raised hopes not for a comprehensive agreement but for a “precautionary understanding”—one that seeks to reduce tensions without necessarily promising a full resolution. While this development appears positive at first glance, deeper analysis shows that the problems in these relations remain fundamental, complex, and largely unresolved.
The main question now is when the tensions and crisis between Afghanistan and Pakistan might end and why this crisis is becoming more complicated day by day. From the beginning, the Afghan government has clearly stated its position and foreign policy—that it poses no threat to any neighboring, regional, or global country and does not allow terrorist groups to operate on its soil. In negotiations held multiple times in Qatar and Turkey, the Pakistani delegation withdrew from the table and created obstacles during the talks.
Afghan representatives stated that Pakistan has illegitimate, illogical, and unrealistic demands from Afghanistan. One issue in the disputes between Afghanistan and Pakistan is the presence of the TTP (Tehrik-i-Taliban Pakistan) on Pakistani soil. The Afghan government has repeatedly stated that it has not allowed TTP to operate in Afghanistan and that this is Pakistan’s internal issue. The Afghan government has expressed readiness to facilitate negotiations and reconciliation between Pakistan and TTP militants, to provide written assurances that they are not present or active on Afghan soil, but Pakistan continues to make illegitimate and unrealistic demands. Pakistan demands that the Afghan government hand over TTP members bound and eliminate their activities within Pakistan. The Afghan government has said it is unreasonable for a foreign country to conduct operations on another country’s soil and expect that country to capture militants for it. It insists that Pakistan should treat this as an internal matter and resolve it itself.
The Afghan government has also noted that TTP did not emerge after the Islamic Emirate returned to power but has been active for around twenty years.
It is clear to neighboring countries, mediators, and the international community that in the Afghanistan-Pakistan crisis, the Afghan government has from the outset pursued understanding and result-oriented dialogue; however, the Pakistani side has tried to sabotage negotiations and create tension in the atmosphere of talks. Within Pakistan itself, the government, political parties, people, and religious scholars also acknowledge that Pakistan is at fault in the conflict. It was expected that negotiations in Istanbul and Doha would yield results, but due to obstacles created by the Pakistani delegation, those talks were declared unsuccessful and sabotaged. It was hoped that Pakistan would demonstrate sincerity at the negotiation table and show genuine intent for cooperation and resolving issues.
This is not only the claim of Afghans and the Afghan government that Pakistan has consistently been at fault and interfered in Afghanistan’s affairs; former and current Pakistani politicians, scholars, and citizens share similar views. Mahmood Khan Achakzai, leader of the Pashtunkhwa Milli Awami Party and a member of Pakistan’s parliament, said in an interview that “Afghanistan has never desired war with Pakistan.”
Source: thekabultimes.com
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India
EC seeks report on BJP pick's 'love jihad' remark
Apr 7, 2026
T'puram: EC on Monday sought a report from Thiruvananthapuram district collector over BJP's Kattakkada candidate P K Krishnadas's controversial speech saying the victory of LDF or UDF would promote 'love jihad' in Kerala. EC has also sought legal advice on the matter.
At an election rally inaugurated by Union home minister Amit Shah, Krishnadas alleged that LDF and UDF were hand-in-glove with Social Democratic Party of India and Jamaat-e-Islami, and that votes in favour of either front would lead to widespread incidents of 'love jihad'. He further alleged that JEI or SDPI would control the govt if UDF or LDF came to office.
Krishnadas alleged that pro-Pakistan extremist organisations would actively promote 'love jihad'. "Hindu and Christian girls would be trapped in 'love jihad'. These elements would then use them for anti-national activities," he said.
Stressing that CPM and Congress were one and the same, he said, "Votes cast in favour of Congress or CPM would lead to 'love jihad'. Such a situation is likely to emerge in Kerala."
BJP state chief Rajeev Chandrasekhar sought to distance BJP from the comment, saying the party did not subscribe to the fears expressed by Krishnadas.
Source: indiatimes.com
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https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/ec-seeks-report-on-bjp-picks-love-jihad-remark/articleshowprint/130073070.cms
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Why Gujarat HC rejected discharge plea of 5 accused in 2021 Bharuch ‘forced religious conversion’ case
Aditi Raja
Apr 7, 2026
The Gujarat High Court has rejected the petition of five people, including two Muslim clerics, seeking discharge in a 2021 FIR filed in Bharuch district for the alleged conversion of 100 tribals from 35 Hindu families since 2006, stating that there was a prima facie case under the Gujarat Freedom of Religion Act, 2003, against them.
Justice Gita Gopi was hearing a petition challenging the order of the additional sessions judge of Bharuch, who rejected the applications seeking discharge in the case. The petitioners submitted that “innocent persons had been falsely arraigned” as accused in the case, were added as accused only during the investigation, and were not named in the 2021 FIR filed at the Amod Police Station.
The accused include Yusuf Jivan Patel, Ayub Barkat Patel, Ibrahim Puna Patel, Yakub Ibrahim Shankar, and Rizwan Mehboob Patel. Of these, Yusuf, Ayub and Ibrahim Puna Patel are said to be “converted Muslim”.
What the prosecution said
Assistant Public Prosecutor (APP) Bhargav Pandya relied on statements of 21 witnesses, who suggested that while the two clerics had allegedly delivered “lectures, which have been made viral, affecting the religious sentiments”, the other petitioners reportedly “provided money for the alleged religious fundings” and coerced conversion through marriage.
While prosecution said Yakub Ibrahim allegedly “delivered lectures affecting the religious sentiments and had created animosity between two communities” and also “allured the members of the SC and ST community by gifts in cash as well as kind”, Rizwan Patel conspired with Yakub to provide “money for conversion and had instigated many to renounce their religion and to adopt another religion as practiced by the applicants”.
APP Pandya also submitted that the accused had received money “from overseas… (which) has been used in the activity of conversion.” The other three applicants, said to be Hindus converted to Islam, were accused of alleged “forcible conversion” and “threatening” those from the SC and ST communities.
Ayub Barkat Patel is also accused of “forcibly” taking away the daughter of one complainant for “marriage by alluring her and forcibly converting her into the Muslim religion”, as per Pandya’s submissions before the HC. Pandya also submitted that “many documents… fraudulently created, in the form of Aadhaar cards as well as electronic records have been forged and used as true…”
What the Gujarat High Court said
Considering Pandya’s submissions, the HC said, “…it is a case of large-scale conspiracy with a scheme of converting the whole of the village where a large population of SC and ST members are there and by alluring them, by offering them incentives in the form of cash and things, which has been referred to in the statement of individual witnesses. The conversion is also by way of fraudulent marriage and all the co-accused are connected in the act…”
While stating in the present discharge applications, the court only has the “authority to find out whether there is a prima facie case against the applicants”, and “cannot run a mini-trial to find out the credibility” of the evidence and statements of witnesses collected by investigating officers.
“The Court, therefore, need not dwell on all the materials on record and minutely deal with each of the statements and proof… this Court does not find any reason to entertain the present application…” the order said.
What is the case?
At least 16 people were booked in the November 2021 FIR registered at Amod Police Station, under sections 152(B)(C)(assertions prejudicial to national interest, 153(A)(1) (Promoting enmity between different groups on grounds of religion, race, place of birth and doing acts prejudicial to maintenance of harmony), 295(A) (Deliberate and malicious acts intended to outrage religious feelings) as well as 120(B) (criminal conspiracy) of Gujarat Freedom of Religion Act and Indian Penal Code as well as The Scheduled Castes and the Scheduled Tribes (Prevention of Atrocities) Act, 1989.
As per the police case, Rizwan Patel and Yakub Shankar also collected Rs 14 lakh through donations from foreign countries to construct a prayer house and distribute money as an allurement to convert families to Islam. The prosecution also argues that no permission was obtained from the Bharuch district collector for such conversion activity.
While dismissing petitions to quash the 2021 FIR in December last year, the High Court observed that Abdul Adam Patel, also known as Fefdawala Haji, a UK national from Nabipur in Bharuch, accused of providing financial assistance for the religious conversion in the case, had not shown any willingness to cooperate with the investigation and chose not to remain present.
The court said it found no reason to entertain his plea and noted that he visited India 25 times before the FIR was registered.
Source: indianexpress.com
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https://indianexpress.com/article/legal-news/gujarat-hc-conversion-case-bharuch-discharge-rejected-10622924/
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5 arrested in interstate LeT racket run down, J-K police nab terror leader on the run for 16 years
07.04.26
Jammu and Kashmir police has busted an interstate Lashkar-e-Taiba terror module and arrested five people, including Abdullah, alias Abu Hureira, who has been on the run for 16 years and was able to set up bases outside the union territory, officials said on Tuesday.
Besides Abdullah, another Pakistani terrorist, Usman alias Khubaib, was also arrested in the major operation that involved police in Jammu and Kashmir as well as central agencies, they said.
Investigators searched 19 locations, including in Jammu and Kashmir, Rajasthan and Haryana, and recovered incriminating material. The probe unearthed a deep-rooted LeT network involved in providing logistics and financial support to terrorists.
Giving details, the officials said three Srinagar residents were among the five caught. Mohammad Naqeeb Bhat, Adil Rashid Bhat and Ghulam Mohammad Mir alias Mama were arrested for allegedly providing logistical support, including shelter and food to the terrorists, they said.
The officials said the probe indicates that a foreign terrorist managed to travel outside the country on the basis of forged documents and identity with the help of the Lashkar-e-Taiba network in other states.
The terrorists infiltrated into India about 16 years ago during which they remained active in various districts of the Kashmir Valley. Over the years, they handled and commanded about 40 foreign terrorists. Most of these have been killed by security forces.
Source: telegraphindia.com
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https://www.telegraphindia.com/india/5-arrested-in-interstate-let-racket-run-down-jammu-and-kashmir-police-nabs-terror-leader-on-the-run-for-16-years/cid/2155000
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NIA probe into Pak drone 'terror plot', cross-border smuggling under lens
Imran Ahmed Siddiqui
07.04.26
The National Investigation Agency has started a probe into the smuggling of arms and ammunition via drones across the India-Pakistan border, suspecting a larger conspiracy aimed at carrying out terror attacks in India.
A large consignment of arms, ammunition and improvised explosive devices (IEDs) was recovered from Punjab in February. Intelligence inputs suggest that Pakistan’s Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI) has activated its handlers to conduct terror attacks in several places across India, including Punjab and Delhi.
The case was earlier being probed by the Punjab police.
Sources on Monday said the Union home ministry had directed the NIA to register a case to probe the alleged role of a Pakistan-based terror operative, Jasvir Chaudhary, his Indian associate Shubham Kumar and other unidentified individuals.
An NIA official said "credible information" had been received that on Chaudhary’s directions, his Indian associates had obtained a large consignment of arms, ammunition and improvised explosive devices (IEDs) dropped via drones across the India-Pakistan border with the intention to carry out blasts at various places in Punjab, Delhi and other parts of the country.
In its order to the NIA, the home ministry said the case appeared to be a part of a criminal conspiracy hatched by a "foreign element" to carry out terrorist acts in India.
Considering the gravity of the offence and its security ramifications, national and international links and the need to unearth the larger conspiracy, the matter needs to be investigated by the NIA, the ministry said in its order.
Sources said drones flown from across the border had become a major source of narcotics and ammunition for operatives working with Pakistan-based terrorist groups. Over the past few years, the BSF has seized several consignments of arms, ammunition and narcotics airdropped from drones operated by terrorists across the border.
According to an analysis of data of drones intercepted by the BSF, nearly 80 per cent of the UAVs that flew in from across the border in the last four and a half years from Pakistan’s Punjab province had landed in Amritsar.
Data compiled by the BSF show that the menace of unmanned aerial vehicles has become serious over the past few years along the frontier. The force shot down one drone in 2020, 22 in 2022, 120 in 2023 and over 300 in 2024.
In January alone last year, the BSF intercepted 63 drones and sent them for forensic analysis.
The BSF is also planning to introduce artificial intelligence (AI)-powered "smart border observation and monitoring systems" along the frontiers with Pakistan and Bangladesh to crack down on cross-border smuggling, infiltration and the drone menace.
The proposed "Unified AI Platform", sources said, is aimed at securing the borders with automated and real-time intelligence while reducing reliance on human-intensive monitoring. The system will also offer real-time insight, and predict smuggling hotspots and infiltration routes for better resource allocation and operational planning and execution.
This advanced technology is likely to improve the BSF’s capabilities by assimilating live video streams directly from CCTV cameras, which will be processed on a video analytics server. The real-time surveillance using the AI-enabled system will ensure immediate analysis of smuggling hotspots and potential infiltration routes.
Source: telegraphindia.com
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https://www.telegraphindia.com/india/nia-probes-drone-based-arms-smuggling-across-india-pakistan-border-prnt/cid/2154926
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‘We have to not go by general perception’: Madhya Pradesh HC begins hearings in Bhojshala-Kamal Maula Mosque dispute
Anand Mohan J
Apr 7, 2026
The Madhya Pradesh High Court on Monday began daily hearings into the disputed Bhojshala-Kamal Maula Mosque complex in Dhar district, and observed while hearing arguments that “we have to not go by our general perception”.
The Bench comprised Justice Vijay Kumar Shukla and Justice Alok Awasthi.
Advocate Vishnu Shankar Hain began arguments on behalf of the petitioners seeking direction that “only members of the Hindu community have the fundamental right under Article 25 of the Constitution of India to perform puja and rituals… within the premises of Saraswati Sadan, commonly known as Bhojshala.”
Jain also prayed that “members of the Muslim community have no right to use any portion of the appropriate property for any other religious purpose”.
He submitted to the court that the “true nature of the premise in question is of a Saraswati temple…” He then proceeded to share photographs of the contested site, including inscriptions which he claimed were of Sanskrit and Pali origin, pillars of an ancient Hindu temple, a mandap of a temple and the image of a deity.
“I am not an expert in Islamic law, but to my understanding, images of deities can’t be in a mosque,” Jain argued.
To this, Justice Shukla asked, “Any research on this? We have to not go by our general perception. In a court of law, you have to support it.”
Jain argued that he would make his case on the basis of the ASI report into the disputed site, which said that a scientific investigation revealed the “existing structure was made from the parts of earlier temples”.
Jain submitted that an idol was present at the site till August 1935, and that it was then subsequently thrown out. “Idol can’t be there in a mosque,” Jain submitted.
When Jain began reading his chronology of historical events of the site, Justice Shukla asked, “Which book have you taken this reference from?”
Jain submitted that the events “happened 1,000 years back and this can’t be proved through any oral evidence except by history and literature… Both the parties are at liberty to present their historical reports to assist”.
The Bhojshala-Kamal Maula Mosque complex in Dhar has long been the subject of competing claims, with Hindu and Muslim groups asserting religious rights over the medieval structure. An ASI survey was ordered by the High Court last year to examine the nature and historical features of the site as part of ongoing proceedings.
Hindus regard the ASI-protected complex as a temple dedicated to Goddess Vagdevi (Saraswati), while Muslims consider it the site of the Kamal Maula mosque. Under an arrangement made in 2003, Hindus perform puja at the complex on Tuesdays while Muslims offer namaz on Fridays.
Source: indianexpress.com
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https://indianexpress.com/article/legal-news/we-have-to-not-go-by-general-perception-madhya-pradesh-hc-begins-hearings-in-bhojshala-kamal-maula-mosque-dispute-10622707/
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Mideast
Israeli military tells people in Iran to avoid using trains
April 07, 2026
TEL AVIV: The Israeli military on Tuesday told people in Iran not to use trains or go near railway lines.
“For the sake of your security, we kindly request that from this moment until 21:00 Iran time, you refrain from using and traveling by train throughout Iran,” the military posted on its Persian-language account on X.
“Your presence on trains and near railway lines endangers your life.”
Israel together with the US has been at war with Iran since their initial attacks on the Middle Eastern country on February 28.
Source: arabnews.com
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Iran defiant on eve of Trump’s ceasefire deadline
April 07, 2026
DUBAI/WASHINGTON: Iran and Israel traded attacks on Tuesday as Tehran defiantly refused to reopen the Strait of Hormuz and accept a ceasefire deal on the eve of a deadline set by US President Donald Trump to agree to his demands or get “taken out.”
Iran has rejected a US proposal brokered by Pakistan for an immediate ceasefire and the lifting of its effective blockade of the strait, followed by talks on a broader peace settlement within 15 to 20 days, according to a source aware of the plan.
The Iranian response consisted of 10 clauses, including an end to conflicts in the region, a protocol for safe passage through the Strait of Hormuz, lifting of sanctions, and reconstruction, official IRNA news agency reported. On Monday, Trump said “the entire country can be taken out in one night, and that night might be tomorrow night.” He vowed to destroy Iranian power plants and infrastructure if Tehran refused to agree before the deadline. Without a deal, Trump said “every bridge in Iran will be decimated” by midnight EDT (0400 GMT) on Wednesday and “every power plant in Iran will be out of business, burning, exploding, and never to be used again.”
FIGHTING UNABATED
Early on Tuesday, the Israeli military said it had completed a wave of airstrikes targeting Iranian government infrastructure in Tehran and other areas. It was operating air defense systems to intercept missiles launched from Iran.
Saudi Arabia intercepted ballistic missiles toward its eastern region with debris falling near energy facilities, its defense ministry said without specifying who launched the projectiles. Saudi Arabia has come under attack from hundreds of Iranian missiles and drones since the US and Israel launched the war on Iran on February 28, most of which were intercepted, authorities have said. Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates and Bahrain issued simultaneous public safety alerts on Tuesday.
Trump has brushed off questions that his vow to wipe out Iranian power plants would constitute war crimes, saying he was “not at all” concerned about the prospect.
“I hope I don’t have to do it,” he said.
Iran’s envoy to the United Nations said on Monday Trump’s threat to strike was “direct incitement to terrorism and provide clear evidence of intent to commit war crimes under international law.”
Iran’s deputy sports minister, Alireza Rahimi, called on artists and athletes to form human chains at power plants across the country on Tuesday, and its top military command said Trump was “delusional.”
A synagogue in the center of Iran’s capital was heavily damaged by a US-Israeli projectile on Tuesday, according to the semi-official news agency Mehr.
CHOKEHOLD
Oil prices hovered around $110 per barrel on Tuesday as Trump’s deadline loomed and little visible prospect of the reopening of the Strait of Hormuz, a key global oil transit chokepoint that has spurred inflation worries around the world.
Iran effectively closed Hormuz, a conduit for about a fifth of the world’s oil and natural gas supply that has proved a powerful bargaining chip for Tehran which it is reluctant to relinquish.
Brent crude futures rose 0.4 percent to $110.19 a barrel while US West Texas Intermediate crude futures climbed 0.8 percent to $113.31.
Trump was on the verge of a political crisis as Iran proved a tougher adversary than he predicted at the start of the conflict, which he said was aimed at stopping the country from building nuclear weapons and developing missiles to deliver them.
With 13 US service members killed since the conflict began, he found himself on an even more perilous ground when a US F-15E fighter jet was downed on Friday and one of the two airmen was left stranded deep inside Iranian territory.
A rescue mission by US commandos to extract the stranded weapons specialist officer to safety helped avert a disastrous escalation of a political crisis for Trump. Thousands of people have been killed across the Middle East in the war, including 3,546 in Iran, US-based rights group HRANA said, and nearly 1,500 in Lebanon where Israel has targeted the Iran-backed Hezbollah militia.
Source: arabnews.com
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Bridge linking Saudi Arabia to Bahrain closed over Iranian threats as Trump’s deadline nears
April 07, 2026
DUBAI: The King Fahd Causeway, a key bridge linking Saudi Arabia to the island kingdom of Bahrain, closed early Tuesday over threats from Iranian attacks.
The King Fahd Causeway Authority made the announcement in a post on X.
It said vehicle movements had been “suspended as a precautionary measure” over Iranian attacks targeting Saudi Arabia’s Eastern Province.
The Saudi defense ministry said early Tuesday that it has intercepted ballistic missiles targeting the region.
The 25-kilometer bridge is the only connection by road for Bahrain, home to the US Navy’s 5th Fleet, to the Arabian Peninsula.
US President Donald Trump has issued an ultimatum for Iran to reopen the Strait of Hormuz and threatened to bomb Iranian power plants and bridges if it doesn't by Tuesday 8 p.m. EDT.
Source: arabnews.com
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Iran army dismisses Trump’s ‘rude, arrogant rhetoric’
April 06, 2026
TEHRAN: Donald Trump’s “arrogant rhetoric” on the war on the Middle East is not hindering Iran’s soldiers, Tehran’s army said, after the US president on Monday threatened to raze Iran’s infrastructure.
“The rude, arrogant rhetoric and baseless threats of the delusional US president … have no effect on the continuation of the offensive and crushing operations of the warriors of Islam against the American and Zionist enemies,” said a spokesman for the army’s Khatam Al-Anbiya central command cited by the national broadcaster.
Trump told a news conference that “the entire country” of Iran “could be taken out in one night and that night might be tomorrow night,” if his ultimatum to reopen the Strait of Hormuz by 0000 GMT Wednesday was not met.
“Every power plant in Iran will be out of business, burning, exploding and never to be used again,” he said, threatening the same for the country’s bridges. “I mean complete demolition by 12 o’clock (0400 GMT), and it’ll happen over a period of four hours – if we wanted to.”
Source: arabnews.com
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UN expected to vote on watered-down Hormuz resolution on Tuesday
April 07, 2026
NEW YORK: The UN Security Council is expected to vote on Tuesday on a resolution to protect commercial shipping in the Strait of Hormuz, but in significantly watered-down form after veto-wielding China opposed authorizing force, diplomats said.
Oil prices have surged since the US and Israel struck Iran at the end of February, unleashing a conflict that has run for more than five weeks and seen Tehran largely close the Strait, a vital energy artery.
Efforts by Bahrain, the current chair of the 15-member Council, to secure a resolution have involved multiple drafts seeking to overcome opposition from China, Russia and others. The latest iteration, seen by Reuters, drops any explicit authorization of the use of force.
Instead the text, “strongly encourages States interested in the use of commercial maritime routes in the Strait of Hormuz to coordinate efforts, defensive in nature, commensurate to the circumstances, to contribute to ensuring the safety and security of navigation across the Strait of Hormuz.”
It says such contributions could include “the escort of merchant and commercial vessels,” and the text also endorses efforts “to deter attempts to close, obstruct or otherwise interfere with international navigation through the Strait of Hormuz.”
Diplomats said the watered-down version had a better chance of passing, but it remained unclear if it would succeed. It requires at least nine votes in favor and no vetoes from the five permanent members, Britain, China, France, Russia and the US
Bahrain, which has been backed in its efforts by other Gulf Arab states and Washington, issued a draft last Thursday that would have authorized “all defensive means necessary” to protect commercial shipping, but votes on this were postponed on Friday and Saturday.
Bahrain had previously dropped an explicit reference to binding enforcement.
Last Thursday, China opposed a resolution authorizing force, saying this would be “legitimizing the unlawful and indiscriminate use of force, which would inevitably lead to further escalation of the situation and lead to serious consequences.” Iran said on Monday it wanted a lasting end to the war, and pushed back against pressure to reopen the Strait, while US President Donald Trump warned the country could be “taken out” if it did not meet his Tuesday night deadline to reach a deal. Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi said on Sunday after speaking to his Russian counterpart that China was willing to continue to cooperate with Russia at the Security Council and make efforts to calm the Middle East situation.
Wang said the fundamental way to resolve the Strait issue was to achieve a ceasefire as soon as possible. China is the world’s largest buyer of oil moving through the Strait.
Source: arabnews.com
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Israeli airstrike kills at least 10 near Gaza school as ceasefire strains
April 07, 2026
CAIRO/GAZA: An Israeli airstrike killed at least 10 people and wounded several others outside a school housing displaced Palestinians on Monday, health officials said, the latest violence to overshadow the fragile US-backed Gaza ceasefire deal. Before the strikes, some Palestinians had clashed with members of an Israeli-backed militia, who they said attacked the school in an attempt to abduct some people, medics and residents said.
In the midst of the clashes, east of the Maghazi refugee camp in the central Gaza Strip, Israeli drones fired two missiles into the area, killing at least 10 people and wounding several others, they added.
It was not immediately clear how many civilians had been killed in the strikes, which hit in a closely packed neighborhood of mostly displaced Palestinians.
Ahmed Al-Maghazi, an eyewitness, said their area was attacked by members of the Israeli-backed militia who operate in the territory adjacent to where the Israeli forces are in control, before the militia opened fire.
“The residents tried to defend their homes, but the occupation forces targeted them directly,” he told Reuters.
Later on Monday, a leader of one of the Israeli-backed militias said in a video which Reuters couldn’t immediately authenticate that they killed some five Hamas members.
There was no immediate comment from Hamas, which brands those groups that operate in areas under Israeli control as “Israeli collaborators.”
Earlier on Monday, an Israeli airstrike killed one Palestinian and wounded a child as they traveled on a motorbike in Gaza City, medics said.
Medics said that Israeli forces killed another Palestinian when they opened fire on a vehicle in central Gaza, taking Monday’s death toll to at least 12. The Israeli military said they fired at the “unmarked vehicle,” which continued to accelerate toward troops despite “warning shots.”
The World Health Organization’s chief, Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, said a contractor in Gaza was killed during a security incident, prompting the organization to suspend medical evacuations from Gaza via Rafah to Egypt until further notice.
The Israeli military said two local employees of WHO were injured and that the incident was under review. WHO said that two of its staff members were present but were not injured in the incident.
The Palestinian group Hamas, which has run Gaza since 2007, and Israel have traded blame over violations of the ceasefire that kicked off in October.
The Gaza health ministry says Israeli fire has killed at least 700 people since the ceasefire began. Israel says four soldiers have been killed by militants in Gaza over the same period.
Hamas has continued to resist relinquishing its weapons, a major obstacle in talks to implement the next steps in US President Donald Trump’s proposed peace plan for Gaza. On Sunday, Hamas’ armed wing said that discussing the group’s disarmament before Israel fully implements the first phase of Trump’s plan was an attempt to continue what it called a genocide against the Palestinian people.
Hamas’ October 7, 2023, attacks on Israel killed 1,200 people, according to Israeli tallies.
Israel’s ensuing two-year campaign killed more than 72,000 Palestinians, most of them civilians, according to Gazan health authorities.
The offensive spread famine, reduced most of the strip to rubble, and displaced the majority of its population.
Source: arabnews.com
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Turkiye’s Erdogan accuses Israel of undermining peace initiatives
April 07, 2026
ISTANBUL: Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan on Monday accused Israel of undermining all efforts to halt the war in the Middle East, but said Ankara would continue to pursue any opportunity to advance a ceasefire.
“The Israeli government has continued to undermine all initiatives aimed at ending the war,” Erdogan said following a weekly cabinet meeting in the Turkish capital.
“If there is even the slightest chance to silence the weapons and open space for negotiations, we are making sincere efforts to seize it,” he added.
“Our hope is that this unlawful, senseless, illegitimate, and extremely costly war for all humanity will come to an end as soon as possible.”
Erdogan also said Turkiye has stepped up diplomatic contacts to achieve a ceasefire.
“As the war drags on, we have warned that the fire could spread to other countries. As we leave behind the 38th day of the conflict, we unfortunately continue to carry the same concerns for our region,” he said.
“In the face of increasing risks, I, as president, on one hand, and our ministers on the other, are accelerating our diplomatic contacts,” he added.
Turkiye has attempted to mediate an end to the hostilities, notably through negotiations conducted with Pakistan and Egypt.
Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan on Monday met with the US ambassador to Turkiye, Tom Barrack, who called the meeting “productive.”
“Turkiye’s partnership continues to be vital as we work toward @POTUS’s (Trump’s) vision for a more secure region,” the ambassador said on X, using Turkiye’s official name.
Fidan also spoke on the phone with his Iranian counterpart to discuss “the course of war and other developments,” a Turkish diplomatic source said.
Source: arabnews.com
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Arab World
Saudi environmental organization launches voluntary disclosure scheme to boost compliance
April 07, 2026
RIYADH: Saudi Arabia has unveiled a voluntary disclosure project designed to improve compliance with environmental rules and reduce the harm caused by violations.
The initiative, which was announced by the National Center for Environmental Compliance on Monday and will undergo a public consultation process through the national “Istitlaa” platform before it is implemented, will allow facilities to proactively report and rectify any environmental breaches.
Saad Al-Mutrafi, a spokesperson for the center, urged all stakeholders to take part in the survey and share their views on the proposed controls designed to limit environmental damage.
Under the scheme, facilities will be granted a grace period of up to 20 days from the date of a violation to correct it, provided the center had not previously identified the breach.
Organizations will have to submit a remediation and correction plan, Al-Mutrafi said, and cooperate with the regulator to verify the accuracy of data and implement required measures. He reiterated that disclosures would only be accepted if the violation was not previously known to the center or reported through other mechanisms.
Facilities will also be required to report violations through the center’s official channels and present corrective action plans within legally specified time frames.
The aim of the initiative is to encourage companies that have environmental impacts to strengthen their internal monitoring systems while balancing voluntary compliance with effective environmental protections.
It is also designed to ensure fair and transparent application of regulations by enabling facilities to report any noncompliance at an early stage and address issues before they escalate.
Source: arabnews.com
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Saudi creative explores intersection of art and light
NADA HAMEED
April 06, 2026
JEDDAH: When life dimmed unexpectedly for Saudi artist Nada Kayal in 2022, she turned to light.
What began as a personal refuge slowly transformed into Di Livings, a Saudi lighting concept that reimagines illumination not merely as function, but as emotion, atmosphere, and storytelling.
A serious illness brought uncertainty and forced moments of stillness, but also led the Jeddah-based designer back to her creative roots.
In the quiet space between diagnosis and recovery, drawing became therapy, and light became language.
“In the midst of it all, creativity became my source of comfort and strength,” Kayal told Arab News. “I found myself returning to drawing, designing and exploring ideas as a way to process and heal.”
Today, through her brand Di, Kayal creates artistic lampshades that explore the intimate relationship between design and light, pieces that glow with both intention and personal narrative.
With more than 15 years of experience in design and visual arts, Kayal’s attraction to light was long in the making.
“My passion has always been rooted in art, and I’ve long been drawn to the presence of light,” she said. “Exploring the relationship between the two felt natural.”
Rather than approaching lampshades as decorative accessories, she treats them as sculptural forms in dialogue with illumination.
Structure, fabric, and illustration are carefully considered to determine how light diffuses, softens, and settles into a space.
The result is lighting that feels less like an object and more like an atmosphere.
Kayal’s creative process begins by hand. Sketches flow freely before being refined digitally using Illustrator, where composition and precision come into play. The final designs are printed onto fabric and assembled into functional artworks.
“It’s a balance between intuition and precision,” she said.
Her inspiration often stems from quiet observation. Growing up in Jeddah, Kayal was captivated by the sculptural qualities of the city’s streets and roundabouts.
“The city feels like an open-air gallery,” she said.
Palms swaying against open skies, the coastline, desert tones, and even the presence of animals find their way into her illustrations.
Saudi landmarks also hold deep personal meaning, grounding her work in a strong sense of identity. She has extended this exploration into a series of postcards inspired by local sites.
Currently, Kayal is developing a new collection inspired by regions across the Kingdom, including Najd, Al-Qassim, and Sharqiyah, while looking ahead to future international influences.
Through careful interplay of light, color and material, she seeks to evoke calm, warmth and quiet reflection.
Kayal, who has showcased her work during Diriyah Season, believes her creations contribute to a broader shift in how lighting is perceived in interior spaces, transforming it from a purely practical necessity into a defining artistic element.
“I see my work as redefining light beyond its functional role,” she said. “It becomes something that deepens the connection between people and the spaces they inhabit.”
For Kayal, the ultimate measure of success is not visual appeal, but emotional resonance.
“A lasting impression means the work stays with you beyond the moment,” she said. “It leaves a feeling or memory that continues to resonate.”
She often notices it in people’s reactions, a sense of wonder at how something as simple as a lighting piece can evoke such depth.
In those moments, she believes the design transcends “objecthood” and becomes experience.
Source: arabnews.com
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Maldives president arrives in Madinah
April 06, 2026
MADINAH: The President of the Republic of the Maldives Mohamed Muizzu arrived in Madinah on Monday to visit the Prophet’s Mosque.
The president was received on his arrival at Prince Mohammad bin Abdulaziz International Airport by Madinah Gov. Prince Salman bin Sultan bin Abdulaziz and several other officials, the Saudi Press Agency reported.
Meanwhile, Saudi Vice Minister of Foreign Affairs Waleed Elkhereiji has met the Ambassador of China to the Kingdom Chang Hua, in Riyadh. The parties reviewed bilateral relations and discussed current developments in the region, the Foreign Ministry said on X on Monday.
Source: arabnews.com
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Saudi, Jordanian foreign ministers discuss regional developments
April 06, 2026
RIYADH: Saudi Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan met his Jordanian counterpart, Ayman Safadi, in Riyadh on Monday and reviewed relations between their countries, as well as regional developments.
They discussed ways to strengthen ties in various fields, in line with the directives from the leaderships of both countries, the Saudi Press Agency reported.
The ministers also addressed the latest developments in the region, and underlined the solidarity between Saudi Arabia and Jordan in efforts to confront Iranian aggression against them and other Arab states.
They described such actions as a violations of international law and the principles of good neighborliness, and stressed their support for measures aimed at safeguarding the sovereignty and security of states in accordance with international laws and conventions.
Their talks also covered the latest developments in Syria and Palestine. Both sides emphasized the need to halt Israeli violations, ensure the delivery of humanitarian aid to the Gaza Strip, and support efforts to enhance security and stability while reducing regional tensions.
Source: arabnews.com
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KSrelief expands aid to vulnerable communities
April 06, 2026
RIYADH: Saudi Arabia’s aid agency KSrelief continues to provide vital assistance to some of the world’s most vulnerable communities.
The organization distributed 1,000 cartons of dates in Yemen’s Shabwah governorate, benefiting 6,000 people, and handed out 50 shelter kits and tents to those affected by floods and winds in Marib, benefiting 139 people.
Nine aid trucks from KSrelief also arrived in Aden, carrying 6,480 food baskets to support the Yemeni people and ease their suffering, the Saudi Press Agency reported.
In Turkiye, a week-long KSrelief medical project with six volunteers from various specialties performed 18 cochlear implant surgeries to treat hearing loss.
The Saudi aid agency also distributed 24,300 hot meals to Palestinians in central and southern Gaza.
Since 2015, KSrelief has implemented 4,219 projects in 113 countries, spending more than $8.3 billion on food security, health, education, water and sanitation, shelter, and early recovery.
Source: arabnews.com
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Makkah chamber introduces program to train bus guides for Hajj season
April 06, 2026
RIYADH: The Makkah Chamber of Commerce, in cooperation with the coordinating council for bus guidance for pilgrims from abroad, has launched a seasonal employment program for bus guides to empower Saudi nationals to serve pilgrims during the Hajj season.
The first flight from Pakistan will leave the country for Saudi Arabia on April 18, the Pakistani religious affairs ministry said recently.
As the Royal Commission for Makkah City and Holy Sites advances Hajj 2026 preparations, moving to on-ground operations to enhance efficiency and serve pilgrims, the Makkah chamber program aims to attract and train Saudi nationals in bus guidance, enhancing the efficiency of transportation and movement between the holy sites while improving the overall pilgrim experience, the Saudi Press Agency reported.
The program is delivered through an integrated operational system that meets high standards of organization and safety.
Program sessions introduce the roles and responsibilities of bus guides, alongside special training to enhance field readiness and ensure participants perform their duties efficiently during the Hajj.
The chamber noted that the program reflects its ongoing role in supporting the local labor market and strengthening partnerships with relevant entities, in line with Saudi Vision 2030 goals to develop human capital and increase Saudization in sectors related to serving pilgrims.
Hajj, the once-in-a-lifetime journey for Muslims, is an annual five-day pilgrimage to the holy city of Makkah and, as one of the five pillars of Islam, requires physically and financially capable Muslims to attend at least once in a lifetime.
Occurring every year from the 8th to the 12th of Dhulhijjah, the last month of the Islamic calendar, it involves rituals in Mina, Arafat, and Muzdalifah, including wearing white Ihram cloth, circling the Kaaba, and stoning the devil pillars.
This year the Hajj will occur in the last week of May.
Source: arabnews.com
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Rare 19th-century Qur’an on display in Makkah
April 06, 2026
MAKKAH: The Holy Qur’an Museum in the Hira Cultural District of Makkah is showcasing a rare copy of the Qur’an dating back to the 19th century.
The manuscript reflects the reverence Muslims have historically shown for the Holy Qur’an, as well as their meticulous attention to artistic and decorative excellence, reported the Saudi Press Agency.
The Qur’an is adorned with intricate decorations, gilding, and floral motifs throughout its opening, middle, and concluding sections, showcasing the remarkable artistry of Islamic craftsmanship.
The manuscript has been carefully restored in the past, safeguarding its intricate artistic features for future generations, the SPA added.
Housed within the King Abdulaziz Library, the manuscript is testament to the library’s dedication to preserving Islamic heritage.
Source: arabnews.com
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Europe
Brendan Nicholls: Man accused of attack on Imam Ismet Purdic to plead guilty, court told
7 April 2026
A man accused of a road rage attack on an Islamic religious leader will plead guilty to charges at a hearing next month, a Melbourne court has been told.
Brendan Nicholls, 23, was charged with assault and criminal damage in January after an alleged incident involving Imam Ismet Purdic and his wife, Sabina, in Dandenong South in the evening of January 10.
Police allege Mr Purdic, who leads the Bosnia-Herzegovina Islamic Society (BHIS) Noble Park Mosque, was driving on the South Gippsland Hwy when occupants of a black Volkswagen Golf began hurling abuse and driving erratically about 7.40pm.
“F**k off b***h, Muslim b***h,” the driver, alleged to be Mr Nicholls’ co-accused, allegedly yelled.
Police have laid charges after an Imam was attacked in Dandenong South.
Mr Purdic’s car was allegedly damaged and he was allegedly punched in the head after pulling into a service station before bystanders intervened.
Mr Nicholls, an employee of Bunnings, appeared in Dandenong Magistrates’ Court on Tuesday afternoon, as his lawyer Aabed Anaki said four criminal cases against his client had “resolved” following discussions with police.
Mr Anaki asked for the cases to be adjourned off for an hour-long plea hearing on May 1.
Magistrate Hugh Radford agreed, remanding Mr Nicholls into custody at the Western Plains Correctional Centre until that date.
“You’ll appear via video link on that date,” the magistrate said.
“Noting all these matters have now resulted to a plea.”
A second man charged over the alleged offending is due to appear in Dandenong Magistrates’ Court on May 22.
Source: thewest.com.au
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https://thewest.com.au/news/brendan-nicholls-man-accused-of-attack-on-imam-ismet-purdic-to-plead-guilty-court-told-c-22103711
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Lavrov: Russia supports ties with Islamic world
6 April 2026
Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov said on Monday that Russia is focusing on strengthening ties with the Islamic world, including expanding trade and investment cooperation, AzerNEWS reports
"We are paying great attention to expanding trade and economic cooperation with the Islamic world and implementing joint investment projects," Lavrov said during a meeting with ambassadors of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) member states.
He pointed to the upcoming Russia-Islamic World KazanForum in May as a key platform to improve cooperation, noting invitations have been sent to OIC countries. "We advocate for the construction of a just, multipolar world order that opens up new opportunities for equal cooperation," Lavrov said.
Source: azernews.az
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Azerbaijan-Georgia tighten grip on key trade and energy corridors
7 April 2026
The state visit of the President of Azerbaijan, Ilham Aliyev, to Georgia yesterday was remembered as an important event not only for the two countries, but for the South Caucasus as a whole. At first glance, the visit to Tbilisi could be described as largely symbolic; however, its substance conveys far more.
Yes, diplomacy and formal protocol have their place, but the economic interdependence between the two states reveals an entirely different set of dynamics. It was a calculated move to reinforce one of Eurasia’s most consequential economic partnerships at a time when global trade routes, energy security and geopolitical alignments are all in flux.
The Azerbaijan–Georgia relationship has long been defined by pragmatism. Today, it is increasingly defined by necessity.
At the centre of this partnership lies energy. Georgia’s geographic position has turned it into a vital transit state for Azerbaijani hydrocarbons bound for European markets. The Baku–Tbilisi–Ceyhan pipeline and the Southern Gas Corridor appear to be more than infrastructure projects. Indeed, they are strategic lifelines that underpin Europe’s efforts to diversify energy supplies away from traditional sources.
In this context, President Aliyev’s visit can be read as a reaffirmation of reliability. For Baku, ensuring uninterrupted transit through Georgia is essential not only for maintaining export revenues but also for preserving its role as a credible energy partner to Europe. For Tbilisi, the stakes are equally high: transit fees, energy security and geopolitical relevance all depend on the smooth functioning of these corridors.
Nevertheless energy is only part of the story. The next phase of Azerbaijan–Georgia cooperation is increasingly shaped by transport and logistics, specifically, the development of the Middle Corridor linking China to Europe via Central Asia and the South Caucasus.
This corridor is no longer a theoretical alternative; it is becoming a competitive route. Rising volumes of container traffic, improved rail connectivity and digitalisation efforts are gradually transforming the corridor into a viable artery of global trade. Here again, coordination between Baku and Tbilisi is indispensable. Efficiency gains on one side of the border mean little without synchronisation on the other.
Aliyev’s visit, therefore, also signals a shared commitment to accelerate this transformation, particularly, reducing transit times, harmonising customs procedures and scaling infrastructure to meet growing demand.
However, the expansion of connectivity brings with it new complexities. Emerging transport initiatives in the region, including alternative east-west routes, introduce an element of competition that cannot be ignored. For Georgia, the prospect of routes that bypass its territory presents both a strategic and economic dilemma.
Azerbaijan appears acutely aware of this dynamic. Its continued investment in Georgian infrastructure, logistics and energy integration suggests a deliberate effort to keep Tbilisi structurally embedded within its broader regional vision. This is about preserving the status quo, as well as about managing competition through interdependence.
Overlaying these economic considerations is a shifting geopolitical landscape. From instability in the Middle East to evolving power dynamics between major global actors, external pressures on both Azerbaijan and Georgia have intensified. In different ways, both countries have faced scrutiny and demands from Western institutions, particularly on governance and political issues.
The response from Baku and Tbilisi has been notably aligned: a renewed emphasis on sovereignty, non-interference and regional decision-making. In this sense, Aliyev’s visit carries a message that extends beyond bilateral relations. It signals a broader aspiration for regional autonomy. It is the idea that South Caucasus states can shape their own economic and political trajectories without excessive external mediation.
This does not imply isolation. On the contrary, Azerbaijan and Georgia remain deeply integrated into global markets, certainly, based on mutual economic interests.
Crucially, this model appears to be working. Trade between the two countries has expanded steadily, investment flows remain robust, and joint infrastructure projects continue to deliver tangible benefits. More importantly, their cooperation has elevated both countries from peripheral transit zones to strategic connectors in the global economy.
For Europe, the implications are significant. Much of the continent’s energy diversification strategy and a growing share of its east-west trade depend, often quietly, on the stability of the Azerbaijan–Georgia axis. However, this dependence is rarely acknowledged with the same urgency as other geopolitical priorities.
President Ilham Aliyev’s visit to Georgia is a reminder that in an era of fragmentation, resilience is built not only through grand alliances but also through durable regional partnerships. The Baku–Tbilisi relationship, grounded in infrastructure, energy and shared strategic logic, is one such partnership.
And as global uncertainty deepens, its importance is likely to grow, whether Europe chooses to notice it or not.
Source: azernews.az
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Nine face murder charge over stabbing near mosque
7 April 2026
A total of nine teenagers have now been charged with murder over the fatal stabbing of an 18-year-old outside a mosque in Smethwick.
Zeshan Afzal was found with serious injuries following an incident on Oldbury Road on 20 February. He died from his wounds shortly afterwards.
Following another round of changes, West Midlands Police said two teenagers, aged 14 and 17, appeared at Wolverhampton Magistrates Court on Monday accused of murder.
The force added it was continuing to appeal for information and urged anyone with information who had not yet spoken to officers to do so.
Source: bbc.com
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https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/ce35yk3091jo
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Azerbaijan, Türkiye discuss development of Islamic bonds
06 April 2026
Kheyraddin Nasirzade
On April 3, 2026, the Baku Stock Exchange (BSE) hosted a delegation of leading financial institutions and technology companies from Türkiye.
According to Caliber.Az, the meeting was organised with the support of the Investment and Finance Office under the Turkish Presidential Administration.
“During the discussions, participants exchanged views on the development of financial products and treasury operations, the creation of technological and digital infrastructure, the sukuk market (Islamic securities), as well as portfolio management and investment services,” the BSE reported.
The BSE noted that the meeting is of great importance for strengthening partnerships between regional capital markets, developing new financial instruments, and implementing innovative solutions.
Source: caliber.az
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https://caliber.az/en/post/azerbaijan-turkiye-discuss-development-of-islamic-bonds
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Ukrainian drones target key US-linked oil hub in Russia – Defense Ministry
6 Apr, 2026
Ukrainian drones have attacked the oil infrastructure of the Russian port of Novorossiysk, which is operated by the internationally-owned Caspian Pipeline Consortium (CPC), the Defense Ministry in Moscow has reported. The CPC crude shipment hub on the Black Sea shore has been repeatedly targeted in suspected Ukrainian UAV strikes in recent months, prompting condemnation from Kazakhstan and the US.
The consortium ships oil from Kazakhstan through the Caspian Pipeline to a marine terminal in Novorossiysk, where it is loaded onto tankers bound for Europe and Asia. Among the CPC shareholders are major energy companies from Russia, Kazakhstan, several Western European countries and the US, including Chevron and ExxonMobil.
On Monday, the Russian Defense Ministry stated that overnight, “the Kiev regime conducted an attack on facilities at the marine transshipment complex in Novorossiysk, involving fixed-wing strike UAVs.” According to the statement, the strike was aimed at “destabilizing the global hydrocarbon market and stopping deliveries of oil products to European consumers.”
The latest attack also sought to “inflict maximum economic damage on the largest [CPC] shareholders – energy companies from Kazakhstan and the US.”
No casualties have been reported, but an unloading berth and four tanks were damaged.
Last November, the CPC’s office in Novorossiysk and one of the berths at its marine terminal were struck by suspected Ukrainian drones. The company stated at the time that it was the third act of aggression against a civilian facility protected under international law since the escalation of the Ukraine conflict in 2022. In February 2025, UAVs targeted the consortium-operated Kropotkinskaya oil pumping station.
Following the November attack, Kazakhstan’s Foreign Ministry lodged an official protest with Ukraine.
In February, Ukrainian Ambassador to the US Olga Stefanishina revealed that Washington had similarly filed a formal demarche with Kiev over the strike, in which “American economic interest was affected.”
In recent months, Ukraine has intensified its strikes on Russia’s oil infrastructure including refineries, pipelines, and terminals in an effort to disrupt the country’s ability to export crude. Moscow has accused Kiev of resorting to terrorist tactics and inflicting damage to third parties not involved in the conflict between the two nations.
Source: rt.com
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Armenia would do well to appreciate Russia’s support – senator
6 Apr, 2026
Armenian politicians should not underestimate the extent of Moscow’s support for Yerevan in the form of low gas prices, the vice speaker of the upper chamber of the Russian parliament, Konstantin Kosachev, has said. The senator’s comment came after a senior Armenian lawmaker suggested that Yerevan could drift further away from Moscow, should it reconsider advantageous supply terms.
In his remarks on Monday, Kosachev noted that the “current price of Russian gas is a potent stimulus for the development of many of Armenia’s economic sectors and a significant factor for social and political stability in the country.”
“It seems to me that it would be fair if Armenian politicians took into account the extent of Russia’s support to Armenia, instead of speculating on hypothetical changes to the pricing policy,” the Russian senator added.
He stressed that Yerevan is in a far better position in terms of energy security at a time when much of Europe is grappling with soaring oil and gas prices triggered by the ongoing US-Israeli aggression against Iran.
Speaking to reporters on Saturday, Alen Simonyan, the president of Armenia’s National Assembly, suggested that if Moscow raised gas prices, Yerevan would withdraw from the Collective Security Treaty Organization (CSTO) and the Eurasian Economic Union (EAEU).
Both groups are comprised of former Soviet republics, including Russia, Armenia, Belarus, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan.
During talks with Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan in Moscow last week, Russian President Vladimir Putin emphasized that there is a “considerable difference” between the price Yerevan pays for Russian gas at $177 per 1,000 cubic meters and those currently seen in the EU, which have exceeded $600.
In recent years, Armenia has increasingly adopted a pro-Western foreign policy direction, expressing a wish to join the EU and suspending its participation in the CSTO.
Yerevan has accused the organization of failing to adequately support the country during its conflict with Azerbaijan, which ended with the forcible transfer of the Nagorno-Karabakh region.
Russia argues that the CSTO could not have considered Baku’s military operation in the area as aggression against an alliance member, as Armenia never formally recognized Nagorno-Karabakh as its own territory.
Source: rt.com
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North America
New CAIR on Air Podcast: How do anti-Muslim hate and anti-Palestinian racism overlap?
April 6, 2026
How do anti-Muslim hate and anti-Palestinian racism overlap? Why have some politicians fanned the flames of such hate over the past year?
This week on CAIR on Air, our Research and Advocacy Director Corey Saylor breaks down the data from our 2026 Civil Rights Report, which documents the highest number of discrimination complaints we have ever received and what our society can do to turn the tide against hate.
Source: cair.com
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https://www.cair.com/press_releases/new-cair-on-air-podcast-how-do-anti-muslim-hate-and-anti-palestinian-racism-overlap/
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'Will pay a big price': Trump's warning for 'group' that kept guns US sent to Iran protesters
Apr 6, 2026
US president Donald Trump on Monday once again slammed the Iranian regime as he mentioned the '48-hour deadline to open Strait of Hormuz' and the guns US sent to protestors earlier this year but never reached them.
Talking about the weapons he said, "We sent to some guns. They were supposed to go to the people so they could fight back against these thugs. The people we sent them to kept them," said the US President while talking to reporters as he participated 2026 White House Easter Egg Roll with wife Melania.
Further giving a warning, he added, "I am upset with a certain group of people and they will pay a big price."
Trump had mentioned about sending guns on Sunday as well during an interview with Fox News, during which he said that the weapons were sent to Iranian ethnic group Kurds. "We sent guns to the protesters, a lot of them. We sent to the Kurds" said the US president, adding, "And I think the Kurds kept them"
Meanwhile in Monday's statement, Trump stated that Tuesday's deadline is final. Further talking about a possible ceasefire, Trump said that Iran "made a proposal, and it's a significant proposal. It's a significant step. It's not good enough."
"It could end very quickly, the war, if they do what they have to do. They have to do certain things. They know that, they've been negotiating I think in good faith," he further said.
Additionally asked on how targeting bridges wouldn't be a war crime, Trime defended saying, "Because they killed 45,000 in the last month. They kill protesters. They are animals."
Source: indiatimes.com
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https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/world/us/will-pay-a-big-price-trumps-warning-for-group-that-kept-guns-us-sent-to-iran-protesters/articleshowprint/130065644.cms
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Wisconsin mosque leader detained by ICE in latest case tied to US antisemitism concerns
APRIL 6, 2026
GRACE GILSON
The president of Wisconsin’s largest mosque was detained by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement last week, months after the State Department identified him as a threat to the U.S. foreign policy interest of combating antisemitism.
Salah Sarsour, 53, the president of the Islamic Society of Milwaukee and a Palestinian legal permanent resident of the United States, was arrested by ICE agents on Monday.
On Thursday, the Department of Homeland Security confirmed his arrest and accused the religious leader of lying about his prior convictions in Israel as a minor for “throwing a Molotov cocktail at the homes of Israeli armed forces and illegally attempting to possess weapons and ammunition.”
Sarsour’s attorneys say U.S. authorities have long known about his convictions, which they said were spurious. They said they believe Sarsour is being targeted for his pro-Palestinian advocacy.
“Our government should not be doing the bidding of a foreign government,” one of his lawyers told the Associated Press. “There’s no question in my mind is that this is to stifle the discourse on the Palestinian narrative.”
The arrest appears to be the latest example of the Trump administration seeking to deport a non-citizen involved in pro-Palestinian activism, amid an ongoing crackdown that began with a spate of arrests of pro-Palestinian demonstrators on campuses last year. Following legal challenges, none of the people arrested have been deported.
Months prior to his arrest, Secretary of State Marco Rubio identified Sarsour as a threat to the U.S. foreign policy interest of combating antisemitism, according to the New York Times.
“Salah Salem Sarsour is a terrorist convicted for throwing Molotov cocktails at the homes of Israeli armed forces. This illegal alien from Jordan lied on his green card application to gain legal status in the U.S.,” DHS Acting Assistant Secretary of Public Affairs Lauren Bis said in a statement. “Thanks to President Trump and ICE, this terrorist is out of American communities. This Administration will always put the safety of the American people FIRST and Make America Safe Again.”
Sarsour’s lawyers said his deportation paperwork identified him as a foreign policy threat, a claim they denied. A similar justification was used in the Trump administration’s ongoing deportation case against Mahmoud Khalil, the Palestinian protest leader at Columbia University.
Sarsour’s arrest has drawn condemnation from local religious leaders, Muslim groups and even the mayor of Milwaukee.
“The detention of Salah Sarsour, the president of the Islamic Society of Milwaukee, is an outrage,” Mayor Cavalier Johnson tweeted. “He is a legal permanent resident. There is no substantive evidence he has done anything wrong. This is another example of overreach and harm from the U.S. Immigration authorities.”
Sarsour, whose wife and four children are U.S. citizens, is being held at a detention center in Indiana, according to the Islamic Society of Milwaukee. His attorneys have filed a petition seeking his release.
“He is ready to fight tooth and nail to make sure that he’s not drug through the mud,” Ahmad told the Associated Press. “He wants to stay in this country.”
Source: jta.org
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https://www.jta.org/2026/04/06/united-states/wisconsin-mosque-leader-detained-by-ice-in-latest-case-tied-to-us-antisemitism-concerns
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CAIR-CT Condemns Anti-Jewish Social Media Posts Linked to Fairfield Prep, Calls for Urgent Action to Address Rising Hate in Schools
April 6, 2026
The Connecticut chapter of the Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR-CT) today strongly condemned the recent anti-Jewish social media posts reportedly made by students associated with Fairfield College Preparatory School targeting members of the New Canaan High School hockey team ahead of the state championship game.
The incident in New Canaan—alongside other recent incidents anti-religious hate in Connecticut schools, including last year’s incident in Waterbury where Muslim girls were beaten up —underscores the urgent need for comprehensive, coordinated responses to hate in educational settings. CAIR-CT supports legislation to set up a working group that addresses discrimination in schools. Wee urge the Connecticut legislature to pass HB-5328 pending legislation creating a body to address anti-Muslim racism.
The actions in New Canaan are deeply disturbing and wholly unacceptable. Hate speech—whether directed at Jewish, Muslim, or any other community—has no place in our schools or our society. CAIR-CT stands unequivocally against all forms of racism, bigotry, and hatred.
Recent years have seen a troubling rise in both anti-Muslim and anti-Jewish racism, driven in part by domestic extremist ideologies, including white nationalism, as well as global conflicts that too often spill over into local communities.
“We strongly condemn these actions and stand in full solidarity with the Jewish community,” said Farhan Memon, Chairman of CAIR-CT. “Hate is hate, whether it targets Jews, Muslims, or any other community, and it must be confronted wherever it appears. Our communities are strongest when we stand together against bigotry and uphold the dignity and humanity of all people.”
“For years, CAIR-CT has responded to numerous incidents in which Muslim students and organizations have been targeted in schools and colleges, as well as hate attacks on mosques and worshippers,” Memon added. “These experiences underscore the urgent need for a unified and consistent response to all forms of discrimination and violence.”
CAIR-CT calls on educational institutions across the state to foster environments rooted in respect, inclusion, and accountability, and to ensure that students are educated about the harmful impact of hate speech and discrimination.
CAIR-CT remains committed to working alongside all communities to confront hate and advance justice and dignity for everyone.
About CAIR-CT
CAIR’s mission is to protect civil rights, enhance understanding of Islam, promote justice, and empower American Muslims.
La misión de CAIR es proteger las libertades civiles, mejorar la comprensión del Islam, promover la justicia y empoderar a los musulmanes en los Estados Unidos.
Source: cair.com
Please click the following URL to read the text of the original Story
https://www.cair.com/press_releases/cair-ct-condemns-anti-jewish-social-media-posts-linked-to-fairfield-prep-calls-for-urgent-action-to-address-rising-hate-in-schools/
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CAIR-SFBA: Five Bay Area Cities to Honor Muslim Communities with AMAAM Proclamations Tuesday
April 6, 2026
Four city councils across the Bay Area along with the San Francisco Board of Supervisors will commemorate American Muslim Appreciation and Awareness Month (AMAAM) on Tuesday, April 7, with proclamations recognizing the history, contributions, and enduring impact of Muslim communities.
At each meeting, the presentation is expected during the opening minutes of the session. Media are encouraged to arrive before the listed start times.
WHAT: American Muslim Appreciation and Awareness Month proclamation presentations
WHEN/WHERE
Santa Rosa
WHEN: Tuesday, April 7, at 2:30 p.m.
WHERE: City Hall, Council Chamber, 100 Santa Rosa Avenue, Santa Rosa
AGENDA: Link
Proclamation: Link
San Francisco
WHEN: Tuesday, April 7, at 3:00 p.m.
WHERE: Legislative Chamber, Room 250 City Hall, 1 Dr. Carlton B. Goodlett Place San Francisco
AGENDA: Link
Proclamation: Link
Santa Clara
WHEN: Tuesday, April 7, at 5:30 p.m.
WHERE: City Hall Council Chambers, 1500 Warburton Avenue, Santa Clara
AGENDA: Link
Proclamation: Link
Fairfield
WHEN: Tuesday, April 7, at 6 p.m.
WHERE: Harry T. Price Memorial Council Chamber, 1000 Webster Street, Fairfield
AGENDA: Link
Milpitas
WHEN: Tuesday, April 7, at 7 p.m.
WHERE: City Council Chamber, 455 E. Calaveras Blvd., Milpitas
AGENDA: Link
CAIR-SFBA is an office of CAIR, America’s largest Muslim civil liberties and advocacy organization. Its mission is to enhance the understanding of Islam, protect civil rights, promote justice, and empower American Muslims.
Source: cair.com
Please click the following URL to read the text of the original Story
https://www.cair.com/press_releases/cair-sfba-five-bay-area-cities-to-honor-muslim-communities-with-amaam-proclamations-tuesday/\
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Trump threatens to jail journalist over Iran rescue raid ‘leak’
6 Apr, 2026
US President Donald Trump has threatened to jail the journalist who first reported the details of a rescue mission for the two crew members of the US F-15E Strike Eagle which was shot down over Iran last week, unless they reveal the source of their information.
Speaking at a White House press conference alongside top defense officials, Trump said that the pilot was recovered within hours on Friday, while the weapons systems officer – badly injured and hiding in a mountain crevice – was rescued early Sunday after a complex mission involving more than 150 aircraft.
Trump said the government had hoped to keep the second airman’s disappearance secret to prevent Iranian forces from capturing him. But after multiple news outlets reported that one crew member was still missing, Trump alleged the leaks had alerted Iran’s military and put the service member’s life in danger.
“We’re going to go to the media company that released it, and we’re going to say, ‘National security, give it up [the source] or go to jail,’” Trump told reporters. “The person that did the story will go to jail if he doesn’t say.”
“It became a much more difficult operation because a leaker leaked,” he said. “All of a sudden, the entire country of Iran knew that there was a pilot that was somewhere on their land that was fighting for his life.”
The rescue mission involved an immense armada of 155 US aircraft, including four bombers, 64 fighter jets, 48 refueling tankers, and 13 specialized rescue aircraft. The operation also involved hundreds of special operations troops, including Navy SEAL Team 6 commandos, who were inserted to extract the stranded airman.
Despite the mission’s success, with no American lives lost, the US suffered significant material losses. At least two transport planes became disabled at a remote Iranian air base during the extraction and were deliberately destroyed by US commanders to prevent them from falling into enemy hands. Additionally, two US Black Hawk helicopters were reportedly struck by Iranian fire, and an A-10 Warthog attack plane was hit but managed to limp back to Kuwaiti airspace, where its crew ejected.
“So actually, the country Iran put out a major notice – you all saw it – offering a very big award for anybody that captures the pilot,” Trump said. “So in addition to a hostile, very talented, very good, very evil military, we had millions of people trying to get an award. So when you add that to it, we have to find that leaker, because that’s a sick person.”
The president did not identify the outlet or reporter he was targeting. A White House official said an investigation is underway.
Trump also used the briefing to issue a new ultimatum to Iran, threatening to destroy the country’s civilian infrastructure unless Tehran agrees to reopen the Strait of Hormuz by Tuesday evening.
Source: rt.com
Please click the following URL to read the text of the original Story
https://www.rt.com/news/637512-trump-jail-iran-raid-journalist/
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No dude left behind: Donald Trump toots US success while warning Iran 'surrender or else…'
Apr 6, 2026
TOI correspondent from Washington: US President Donald Trump on Monday warned Iran that he is ready to go beyond destroying its power plants and bridges if it does not “cry uncle” before his Tuesday evening deadline.
“We have obliterated the country…they don’t want to say uncle (capitulate)....they should. Otherwise they will not have much left,” Trump told reporters as he strolled on the White House grounds mingling with children for the Easter egg hunt the First Lady was hosting.
Trump also maintained that his administration was talking to a third tier Iranian leadership (having eliminated the first two) whom he found much more reasonable even though they have refused to bow to US terms.
“We could leave right now and it would take them 15 years to rebuild what they have, but I want to finish it up,” Trump said, amid growing disquiet across America, including in MAGA circles, that he is driving the US into a quagmire in the Middle East and maybe crossing a war crimes red line.
Asked what he wanted to tell the American people who were against the war (a clear majority), Trump said they are “foolish” because the objective was to deny Iran nuclear weapons, which he claims they would have had if he had not interceded. Independent experts have challenged the Trump and Netanyahu assertion that Iran was close to producing a nuclear weapon.
Trump’s threat to bomb Iran into the “stone age” by destroying its infrastructure has alarmed many Americans who say such an action could amount to a war crime. Asked about this view, Trump justified his stand saying the Iranian regime had killed 45,000 people and while claiming the Iranian people “want to hear bombs go off because they want to be free.”
Trump is scheduled to speak about the US mission that rescued an American airman stranded in Iran later in the afternoon, providing details of an operation that while achieving the primary objective, is still enveloped in the fog of war and disputed claims.
Two MC-130J transport aircraft, serving as the mission’s logistical backbone at a clandestine desert staging site, suffered what the Pentagon termed "cascading mechanical failures." To prevent the seizure of advanced communications and navigation arrays, US forces are reported to have executed a standard scuttling procedure, reducing the planes to burnt out shells before the final extraction team departed Iranian airspace.
The destruction of these assets denied Teheran a potent, outright propaganda victory – although Iran tried to make the best of it – but it also raised questions about the Pentagon’s efficacy in terms of deployment of men and material. US military analysts meanwhile talked up the heroic feat of the stranded airman (who used the call sign “Dude 44”) who is said to have hidden in a mountain ridge 7000 feet high after ejecting from a F-15 fighter jet brought down by Iran.
Early Monday, Iran issued a statement claiming their Revolutionary Guard (IRGC) "repelled a desperate American incursion," asserting they had shot down the aircraft and captured several "mercenaries."
However, forensic satellite imagery and administration briefings suggest a more nuanced reality: the US aircraft were destroyed by their own crews, and all American personnel, including the rescued Colonel and several wounded commandos, were reported to have been successfully evacuated to a military medical facility in Kuwait. Iran has not produced any personnel it claims to have captured.
Meanwhile, the US rhetoric masks the staggering financial cost of the operation. With the loss of two MC-130Js and the F-15E, the hardware cost of this single rescue mission is estimated to exceed $400 million—a figure that does not account for fuel, munitions, or the massive carrier-based support required to maintain air superiority in the region.
Political pressure is also mounting domestically as well, with the administration facing a dual-front battle: justifying the high costs of a "limited" engagement and managing the optics of a war that is increasingly fought with AI and on social media, where there is growing unease about the motives for the war.
The Pentagon’s reliance on high-end AI infrastructure for real-time battlefield management was on full display during the rescue, as a CIA-led deception campaign is said to have flooded Iranian social media with false reports of the airman’s location.
This digital "chaff" reportedly confused IRGC command-and-control for a critical four-hour window, allowing the extraction helicopters to enter and exit without being targeted by Iranian countermeasures.
Source: indiatimes.com
Please click the following URL to read the text of the original Story
https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/world/us/no-dude-left-behind-donald-trump-toots-us-success-while-warning-iran-surrender-or-else/articleshowprint/130067115.cms
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Africa
Burkina Faso: Govt. denies report alleging more than 1,800 killed since junta took power
Apr 7, 2026
Burkina Faso has denied a report that more than 1800 civilians have been killed in acts constituting ‘crimes against humanity’ since Ibrahim Traoré forcibly took power three years ago.
Human Rights Watch, which released the report, blamed the majority of the killings on the military and allied militias, and the remainder on Islamist militants.
It is based on analysis of open source information including videos and satellite imagery, as well as discussions with witnesses and survivors.
One of the deadliest incidents described in the report dates back to December 2023, when the military and allied militias are said to have killed more than 400 civilians in the town of Djibo.
Survivors referred to the killings as brutal, and say they have suffered psychological trauma as a result.
The government denounced the organisation’s findings as false, and described them as ‘conjecture and serious unfounded claims’. It’s not the first time it has faced such accusations.
Burkina Faso is one of several west African nations that has seen coups in recent years. Among the others are Guinea and Gabon.
Source: africanews.com
Please click the following URL to read the text of the original Story
https://www.africanews.com/2026/04/06/burkina-faso-govt-denies-report-alleging-more-than-1800-killed-since-junta-took-power/
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Nigeria troops rescue 31 abducted Easter worshippers in Kaduna attack
Apr 7, 2026
Nigerian troops have rescued 31 worshippers abducted during Easter services in Kaduna state, the military said, following an attack that left several people dead.
The operation took place in Ariko, a village about 100 kilometres north of the capital, Abuja, where gunmen had stormed churches during celebrations. Soldiers engaged the attackers in a gunfight, forcing them to flee and abandon dozens of hostages.
Authorities said at least five people were killed in the assault, though local church officials reported a higher toll. Caleb Bawa Ma’aji, head of the Christian Association of Nigeria in Kaduna, said seven worshippers died, describing the incident as deeply tragic.
The attack targeted both Catholic and evangelical congregations and occurred despite a nationwide security alert issued for the Easter period, which included increased deployment around places of worship.
Kaduna state has seen repeated mass abductions in recent months. In January, more than 170 churchgoers were kidnapped during services. Some escaped, while others were released weeks later after negotiations.
The region remains one of the hardest hit by armed groups known locally as bandits, who frequently raid communities and carry out kidnappings for ransom. Although their motives are largely financial, security concerns have grown over possible links with jihadist groups operating in northeastern Nigeria.
The military did not clarify whether the attackers in Sunday’s incident were bandits or Islamist militants, referring to them only as “terrorists.”
Violence across northwestern and central Nigeria has persisted despite intensified military operations, drawing increasing international attention. US President Donald Trump has previously alleged that Christians in Nigeria are facing a “genocide,” a claim that remains disputed.
In a separate development, security sources said at least 65 suspected bandits were killed during a military operation in Zamfara state. The offensive was carried out in a different area from where police had earlier confirmed another mass kidnapping.
Source: africanews.com
Please click the following URL to read the text of the original Story
https://www.africanews.com/2026/04/06/nigeria-troops-rescue-31-abducted-easter-worshippers-in-kaduna-attack/
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Gen. Uba: ‘We Didn’t See Any Meaningful Action From Tinubu’ – Inibehe Effiong Frowns At Military Response To Terrorists
April 7, 2026
Human rights lawyer, Inibehe Effiong, has tackled President Bola Tinubu over his response to insecurity in the country, especially with the death of Brigadier General, Musa Uba.
Naija News recalls that General Uba was the Commander of the 25 Task Force Brigade in Damboa, Borno State, and was widely known for leading operations from the frontline in the fight against insurgency in Nigeria’s North-East.
The senior officer was killed after his convoy was ambushed by fighters of the Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP) near Wajiroko in the Damboa Local Government Area while returning from a routine military operation.
While some reports suggested he was captured and later executed, the Nigerian Army honoured him for his bravery and commitment to leading troops in combat against insurgents.
However, Effiong, while comparing the United States (US) and Nigerian military response to terror attacks and insecurity, pointed out the extent to which the American government is willing to go to defend and rescue its own.
In the post shared on 𝕏, Effiong said the US government went all out to rescue an American pilot in Iran, but Tinubu and his cronies in the villa left General Uba to die after being captured by terrorists in Borno State in November 2025.
He wrote, “I am currently watching a press briefing by President Trump, the CIA director, and his defense secretary about the rescue of an American pilot and a weapons system officer from the ground in Iran.
“The extent that America is willing to go to defend and rescue one American is just amazing.
“In Nigeria, a general was captured, killed, and humiliated by terrorists, and we didn’t see any meaningful action from Tinubu and his cronies in the villa.
“Members of the Nigerian Armed Forces are being paid very ridiculous wages.
“Yet, politicians and their families are living in opulence.”
Source: naijanews.com
Please click the following URL to read the text of the original Story
https://www.naijanews.com/2026/04/07/inibehe-effiong-frowns-at-military-response-to-terrorists/
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Egypt releases activist Sherif Al-Rouby
Apr 7, 2026
Egypt has released a well known-activist and leading member of the pro-democracy 'April 6th' rights movement that helped to prompt the nation’s uprising in 2011.
According to his lawyer, Sherif Al-Rouby was among several activists freed on Monday, a move he called ‘a positive development in… respect for rights and freedoms’.
Authorities on Monday also freed El-Sayed Moshagheb and Nermin Hussein, another person involved in the April 6 movement.
Al-Rouby was first detained in 2016 on fake news and terrorism charges. He has spent the majority of the past dcade behind bars.
When the country’s president re established the pardons committee four years ago, Al-Rouby was one of a string of high profile released. It was a move portrayed by the government as an overture towards its opposition.
However, authorities detained him three months later and he then remained in pre-trial detention.
The Egyptian Initiative for Personal Rights alleges he was subjected to medical negligence during his time in prison. Cairo has long come under fire for its human rights record, including detaining what activists refer to as political prisoners.
Source: africanews.com
Please click the following URL to read the text of the original Story
https://www.africanews.com/2026/04/06/egypt-releases-activist-sherif-al-rouby/
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‘Enough Of Hollow Rhetoric, Get To Work’ – Atiku Slams Tinubu Over Fresh Attack In Benue, Kaduna States
April 6, 2026
Former Vice President, Atiku Abubakar, has urged President Bola Tinubu to keep his promise to ensure bandit attacks against citizens do not recur.
Naija News reports that Atiku’s remark follows the fresh attacks in Plateau, Benue, Nasarawa and Kaduna States.
In a post via his verified 𝕏 handle on Monday, Atiku urged Tinubu to brace up to the challenges of governance instead of issuing hollow rhetoric.
Atiku maintained that the primary responsibility of government is the protection of lives and property and the promotion of the welfare of citizens.
The post read, “I wish to remind President Bola Tinubu to keep to his words that “this (Angwan Rukuba attack) will not repeat itself.” It does appear that those words are hollow because barely 72 hours, another attack in Benue State claimed over a dozen lives. The Commander-in-Chief should brace up to the challenges of governance.
“I am also concerned, like all well-meaning Nigerians about what is going on in a Nasarawa community where families had fled on foot amid threats of attack.
“And as if those are not enough, there was a fresh attack in Kaduna State at the weekend.
“The primary responsibility of government is the protection of lives and property and the promotion of the welfare of citizens.
“Enough of these hollow rhetoric, Mr. President. It is time to fold your sleeves and get to work.
“Meanwhile, my thoughts and prayers are with the families who may have lost a dear one in these attacks.”
Source: naijanews.com
Please click the following URL to read the text of the original Story
https://www.naijanews.com/2026/04/06/atiku-slams-tinubu-over-fresh-attack-in-northern-states/
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Troops Kill Bandits, Neutralise Kingpin’s Son In Zamfara Raid
April 6, 2026
Troops of Operation Fansan Yanma have launched a major offensive against the camp of a notorious bandit leader in Tsafe Local Government Area of Zamfara State, killing several fighters, including the kingpin’s son.
The operation, which took place on Saturday, targeted the camp of the wanted bandit leader Ado Alero, a figure widely linked to kidnapping and other criminal activities in the region.
The spokesperson for Operation Fansan Yanma, Capt. David Adewusi, confirmed the development in a telephone interview with Punch on Sunday.
According to him, the troops carried out a heavy assault on the bandits’ hideout, inflicting significant casualties.
“There was a major attack on Alero’s camp last Saturday in Tsafe LGA of Zamfara State, which resulted in the death of several bandits,” Adewusi said.
However, he noted that the exact number of casualties had not yet been officially verified.
“I cannot confirm the exact number of bandits neutralised during the operation at the moment, but I can assure you that many of them were killed during the attack.
“We are still assessing the situation and will make the details public soon,” he added.
Kingpin’s Son Reportedly Among Those Killed
Meanwhile, a report published on the Nigerian Armed Forces and Military News Facebook page claimed that at least 65 bandit fighters were killed during the operation.
Among those reportedly killed was Kachalla Iliya Sarki, identified as the biological son of Ado Alero.
The report also named other key figures allegedly neutralised during the raid, including senior lieutenants Dogo Sule and Iliya Mai Rasha.
According to the report, the bandit leader had mobilised about 300 motorcycle-riding fighters and reinforcements from allied groups.
However, the bandits were said to have been overwhelmed by superior military firepower, including precision airstrikes carried out during the operation.
The encounter also reportedly led to the death of seven vigilantes who were supporting the troops.
The report indicated that Ado Alero is believed to have fled toward Yankuzo town following the attack.
Security forces have since intensified efforts to track down fleeing members of the group and prevent possible retaliatory attacks on nearby communities.
Security operatives are also said to have heightened surveillance in surrounding areas as part of ongoing operations to dismantle remaining bandit cells linked to the notorious kingpin.
Source: naijanews.com
Please click the following URL to read the text of the original Story
https://www.naijanews.com/2026/04/06/troops-kill-bandits-kingpin-son/
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Atiku Signs $1.2 Million Lobbying Deal With U.S Firm For 2027
April 6, 2026
Former Vice President of Nigeria, Atiku Abubakar, has engaged the services of a United States lobbying firm ahead of the 2027 general elections in Nigeria.
Naija News understands that Atiku engaged the services of a Washington-based lobbying firm, Von Batten-Montague-York, L.C., in a 12-month deal worth $1.2 million (about ₦1.9 billion).
According to documents filed with the US Department of Justice, as reported by Premium Times, the deal was signed on 10 March and formally registered with the Foreign Agents Registration Act (FARA) Unit on 1 April.
According to the filing, the firm will provide strategic advisory services, congressional and executive branch engagement, and reputational management services targeted at US policymakers and institutions for Atiku.
The lobbying firm will “inform and, where appropriate, influence” the US government officials on issues relating to Nigeria, including democratic governance, regional stability, economic development, and bilateral relations.
The firm is also expected to shape Atiku’s policy messaging, coordinate meetings with the US officials, and manage his perception among policymakers in Washington.
The agreement outlines four key objectives: advancing understanding of Atiku’s leadership vision, strengthening his reputation in Washington, countering narratives from incumbent authorities, and building structured relationships across US institutions.
The services include preparing policy briefs, arranging meetings with members of Congress and executive officials, and advising on political and reputational risks.
Naija News reports that Atiku, who recently defected from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to the African Democratic Congress (ADC) is expected to seek the ADC presidential ticket for the 2027 presidency.
Source: naijanews.com
Please click the following URL to read the text of the original Story
https://www.naijanews.com/2026/04/06/atiku-1-2-million-u-s-firm-2027/
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Southeast Asia
Anwar backs Turkiye’s call for restraint in West Asia, praises Egypt, Oman and Pakistan mediating US-Iran tensions
By Dhesegaan Bala Krishnan
07 Apr 2026
KUALA LUMPUR, April 7 — Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim today said Malaysia fully backs Turkiye’s advocacy for all parties to exercise restraint in the West Asia war that erupted over a month ago.
Stressing the need for engagement over escalation, the prime minister also expressed concerns that the ongoing war could potentially fuel a new arms race in an already-volatile region.
Anwar said international law should be advocated and applied consistently in order for a rules-based order to have credibility.
“A rules-based international order cannot be invoked selectively.
“It cannot protect some while denying others their legitimate rights,” Anwar said at the inaugural Kuala Lumpur-Ankara Dialogue 2026 at the Grand Hyatt Kuala Lumpur, here, today.
Anwar also commended Egypt, Oman and Pakistan for mediating between Iran and the United States to swiftly resolve the conflict that has triggered a global trade and energy crisis.
The prime minister also urged for efforts to be directed towards a decisive resolution of the conflict rooted in international law, rather than merely managing it.
“The world has seen too many ceasefires that serve merely as interludes between escalations.
“As a true friend of both Iran and the nations of the Gulf Cooperation Council, Malaysia reiterates our principled position that it is in their collective interest to reclaim the peace of their region and unite in the face of external attacks,” Anwar said.
The war, he said, is also a stark reminder that Malaysia is not insulated from global energy supply disruptions.
While tackling supply shortages and immediate cost of living pressures, Anwar said the war is also pushing Malaysia to expedite its shift to more sustainable, diversified and cost-effective energy sources
“This is not merely an environmental necessity. It is a strategic imperative,” he added.
Source: malaymail.com
Please click the following URL to read the text of the original Story
https://www.malaymail.com/news/malaysia/2026/04/07/anwar-backs-turkiyes-call-for-restraint-in-west-asia-praises-egypt-oman-and-pakistan-mediating-us-iran-tensions/215400
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Malaysia mobilises major land and sea aid campaign for Gaza
6 Apr 2026
Malaysia launches Grand Sumud Nusantara Campaign 2026, a five-phase humanitarian effort to deliver aid and pursue legal action for Gaza
SEPANG: Malaysia has launched a major integrated campaign to deliver humanitarian support to Gaza. The Grand Sumud Nusantara Campaign 2026 will be executed in five distinct phases.
Datuk Dr Ahmad Sani Araby Abdul Alim Araby, director-general of the Sumud Nusantara Command Centre, outlined the plan’s scope. It encompasses emergency aid delivery, international mobilisation and legal action on the global stage.
The first phase involves delivering 30 containers of aid weighing approximately 374 tonnes. This aid is currently stored near the Suez Canal in Egypt awaiting transfer to Gaza via the Rafah crossing.
“This effort is made possible through diplomatic cooperation between the Malaysian and Egyptian governments,” Ahmad Sani said. He expressed hope the aid would soon reach the people of Gaza.
The campaign’s second phase will feature an international press conference at the Rafah border. It aims to convey Malaysia’s stance that the Gaza conflict remains unresolved.
Malaysia will also participate in the Global Sumud Flotilla 2.0 mission as part of phase three. The mission this year sees representation from 100 countries, up from 44 last year.
Malaysia is sending five doctors and several ship crew members to join the flotilla. The country is a main organiser alongside the international mobilising committee.
Phase four involves Malaysia joining the inaugural World Sumud Parliamentary Congress in Brussels. Parliamentarians will discuss policy and diplomatic measures for the Gaza crisis.
The final phase entails pursuing legal action at the International Criminal Court in The Hague. This concerns the detention of activists in international waters during previous missions.
Ahmad Sani stated the entire effort is under the patronage of Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim. He said Malaysia is the first country to formally and collectively back the initiative.
Humanitarian figure Nadir Al-Nuri has been appointed Sumud Nusantara Chef de Mission. He brings experience as a founder and steering committee member of the global flotilla.
Ahmad Sani called on all Malaysians to continue supporting the humanitarian mission. He urged the public to exercise caution against unverified information on social media.
Source: thesun.my
Please click the following URL to read the text of the original Story
https://thesun.my/news/malaysia-news/malaysia-mobilises-major-land-and-sea-aid-campaign-for-gaza/
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Communications minister settles defamation suit against Papagomo over Rawang mosque speech
07 Apr 2026
KUALA LUMPUR, April 7 — The 2023 defamation suit filed by Datuk Fahmi Fadzil against Muhammad Azri Wan Deris, or ‘Papagomo’, over allegations that the Communications Minister gave a political speech at a mosque in Rawang, Selangor, was settled in the High Court here yesterday.
Fahmi’s lawyer, Asheeq Ali Sethi Alivi, said at a press conference that the case had been resolved amicably.
“This joint statement confirms that, after reviewing additional explanations and official statements in the newspapers, the plaintiff’s speech at Masjid Nurul Yaqin, Kuang, Rawang, Selangor, on July 30, 2023, was not a political campaign or a politically motivated statement.
“The matter stemmed from a misunderstanding that shouldn’t have arisen, and both parties have agreed not to make any statements beyond what’s set out in this joint statement,” he said after proceedings before Judge Datuk Raja Ahmad Mohzanuddin Shah Raja Mohzan.
Meanwhile, Asheeq said the defamation suit against independent preacher Ahmad Dusuki Abd Rani will proceed to trial tomorrow, after the parties failed to settle, with Fahmi set to begin giving his testimony.
Fahmi thanked his legal team for handling the mediation between two of the three defendants.
“Two of the three cases have cleared my name. The earlier allegations were unfair, baseless, and defamatory. I hope that in the future, people will verify their facts before posting on social media and take lessons from this incident,” he said.
Earlier, Fahmi’s defamation suit against Facebook user ‘N13 Kuang’, Mohd Fauzan Madzlan, over the same issue was settled in the High Court here.
According to his statement of claim filed on Sept 5, 2023, Fahmi alleges Wan Muhammad Azri, Ahmad Dusuki, and Mohd Fauzan of publishing defamatory statements accusing him of misusing a place of worship, namely a mosque, for election campaigning purposes and acting contrary to the decrees and orders of the Sultan of Selangor.
Fahmi claims that the defamatory statements were published on Mohd Fauzan’s Facebook account, as well as on Ahmad Dusuki’s Facebook and Instagram accounts on July 31, 2023, and on Wan Muhammad Azri’s TikTok and Facebook accounts on Aug 1, the same year.
According to Fahmi, the statements by the defendants are baseless, and the Selangor Islamic Religious Council has confirmed that he did not make any political speech as alleged by the defendants.
He is seeking general, aggravated, or exemplary damages and an injunction to prevent all defendants from repeating or causing the republication of the defamatory statements. — Bernama
Source: malaymail.com
Please click the following URL to read the text of the original Story
https://www.malaymail.com/news/malaysia/2026/04/07/communications-minister-settles-defamation-suit-against-papagomo-over-rawang-mosque-speech/215372
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Widow claiming royal connections in lands in dock over obscene posts on TikTok, Instagram targeting Sultan Ibrahim and Brunei Ruler
07 Apr 2026
JOHOR BAHRU, April 7 — A 49-year-old single mother who claimed to be a teacher to His Majesty Sultan Ibrahim was charged with sending obscene messages insulting Malaysian and Brunei royalty today.
Nurul Huda Mohd Bajuri pled not guilty after the two charges were read out before Sessions Court Judge Mohd Azhar Othman.
On the first charge, Nurul Huda was accused of knowingly transmitting obscene messages via TikTok under the account Ratu Nur Putri Ratu Balqis, where she claimed to be a teacher to Sultan Ibrahim, the Johor ruler, as well as other state monarchs, with the intention of upsetting others.
The second charge related to Instagram, where she allegedly posted under Ratu Nurul Huda Putri Ratu Balqis, claiming that Malaysian and Brunei rulers were “despicable and wicked” while invoking Islamic theology, reminding them that Allah is “above the seventh heaven.”
Both posts were reportedly accessed by a man at an apartment in Sri Larkin B, Jalan Tun Abdul Razak, around 4pm on March 27.
The charges were framed under Section 233(1)(a) of the Communications and Multimedia Act 1998, punishable under Section 233(2), which carries a maximum fine of RM500,000 or up to two years’ imprisonment, or both, as well as an additional RM5,000 fine for each day the offence continues after conviction.
Deputy Public Prosecutor Mohamad Afdhallan Syafiq Azmi proposed bail of RM15,000 for both charges with two local sureties.
Representing the accused, National Legal Aid Foundation lawyer Nurul Hidayah Mohammad Asri requested a lower bail, saying Nurul Huda works as a consultant earning RM3,000, and is a widow supporting her 16-year-old daughter.
Judge Mohd Azhar then set bail at RM8,000 for both charges with one local guarantor.
Nurul Huda was also ordered to surrender her passport, report to the nearest police station once a month, and refrain from harassing prosecution witnesses.
The case is set for mention on May 8, including the appointment of counsel and submission of documents.
Yesterday, three individuals, including a teenage girl, were detained in Taman Saujana to assist investigations into TikTok content containing alleged sedition, slander, and insults against Islam, the Johor royal institution, the Johor police, and Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim.
Among the videos was one in which a woman allegedly claimed to be a teacher to Sultan Ibrahim.
Two of the suspects were later released after agreeing to act as prosecution witnesses.
Johor Islamic Religious Affairs Committee chairman Mohd Fared Mohd Khalid said the woman’s claims and allegations were disseminated through several social media clips last week.
He added that the video content was found to contain deviant and misleading Islamic teachings.
Source: malaymail.com
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Anwar to urge Asean, China to fast-track South China Sea Code of Conduct at May summit
By Dhesegaan Bala Krishnan
07 Apr 2026
KUALA LUMPUR, April 7 — Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim today said he will urge his regional counterparts and China to expedite the conclusion of Code of Conduct (COC) on the South China Sea at the Asean Leaders’ Summit in Philippines next month.
Barring some recent tensions between China and the Philippines, Anwar said the contested waters remain relatively calm despite attempts to project the situation otherwise, particularly by the West.
“Neither us (Asean) nor China have shown any sort of antagonism, animosity, or for that matter, any intention to escalate the tensions.
“We have action relations in trade, commerce, military, and in every field possible,” he said at the inaugural Kuala Lumpur-Ankara Dialogue 2026, here, today.
“So, whether it is the Indian Ocean or the South China Sea, we (Asean) maintain our right and our fierce independence in attempting to resolve our problems and differences.
During the 2025 Asean Summit in Kuala Lumpur last October, Anwar said Chinese Premier Li Qiang has agreed to expedite talks on the COC.
Asean and China signed the non-binding Declaration on the Conduct of Asean and China (DOC) in 2002 and initiated talks for a legally-binding COC in 2013.
Both parties reportedly completed the second reading of the COC draft in 2023.
Source: malaymail.com
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Anwar: Malaysia’s fuel supply secure until June, thanks Iranian president for safe transit of ships via Hormuz
By Dhesegaan Bala Krishnan
07 Apr 2026
KUALA LUMPUR, April 7 — Malaysia has sufficient fuel supply to meet local consumption needs until June, Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim reiterated today.
Speaking at the Kuala Lumpur-Ankara Dialogue 2026, Anwar credited national oil giant Petronas for building robust ties with other oil producing nations that has ensured adequate fuel supply for Malaysia despite the ongoing war in West Asia.
“Although Malaysia is an oil producing nation, we are also a net importer because our products are of premium quality.
“But, our supply is adequate for the next few months,” he explained, after his keynote address at the Grand Hyatt Kuala Lumpur, here, today.
Similarly, Anwar also assured that Malaysia has adequate supply of liquified natural gas (LNG), owing to the country’s massive domestic production, long-standing import ties with Australia as well as Petronas’ successful partnership with the Canadian energy sector.
Anwar also expressed his gratitude to Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian for promising the safe passage of Malaysian ships carrying crude oil across the Strait of Hormuz.
Iran has tightened control over the crucial maritime route since the war began nearly 40 days ago, with the United States (US) threathening tougher military actions if the former refuses to reopen the waterway.
The first Malaysian ship safely sailed through the Strait of Hormuz yesterday, after Anwar secured safe passage for seven Malaysian vessels during his recent call with Pezeshkian.
Source: malaymail.com
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Malaysia eyes halal hub boost amid global supply chain woes
7 Apr 2026
Deputy PM Ahmad Zahid says global uncertainties offer Malaysia a chance to strengthen its position as a stable and trusted global halal hub.
TASEK GELUGOR: Global geopolitical uncertainties, which have impacted the world’s halal supply chains, should not be seen as a threat but as an opening for Malaysia to strengthen its position as a stable and resilient halal hub.
Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi said the conflict in West Asia, particularly involving strategic routes such as the Strait of Hormuz, has had a major impact on global supply chains, and sparked a domino effect on the halal industry, from rising logistics costs and shipment delays to uncertainty over market access.
He said halal products, particularly fresh food and temperature-controlled goods, were highly dependent on an efficient and stable global supply chain, while rising energy and raw material costs also put pressure on production costs.
“Despite these challenges, there is a reality that we need to look at more strategically, because this global uncertainty actually paves the way for Malaysia to strengthen its position as a stable, trusted and resilient halal hub.
“Our ability to diversify export markets, strengthen domestic supply chains and improve logistics efficiency will be the determining factors in ensuring the country’s halal industry continues to grow, even in a challenging global environment,” he said at the groundbreaking ceremony for Phase Two of the PERDA Halal Park Industrial Development Project at the Perda Food Park here today.
Also present were Deputy Minister of Rural and Regional Development Datuk Rubiah Wang, Deputy Chief Minister I Datuk Dr Mohamad Abdul Hamid, Malaysia External Trade Development Corporation (MATRADE) chairman Datuk Seri Reezal Merican Naina Merican and Penang Regional Development Authority (PERDA) chairman Datuk Dr Shaik Hussein Mydin.
Ahmad Zahid, who is also the Minister of Rural and Regional Development, said demand for global halal products, projected to reach around USD5 trillion by 2030, presents a huge opportunity for the country to expand its market share.
“This is because halal products are not just for Muslims, but for all religions and countries, with Malaysia becoming the trusted nation in the world in the production of halal products,” he said, urging halal product producers in Malaysia to continuously capitalise on this great potential.
The chairman of the National Halal Council also said that in 2024, Malaysia’s halal export value reached RM61.79 billion, with domestic products penetrating key markets such as China, Singapore, Japan, the United States and Indonesia.
He added that the food and beverage sector remained the largest contributor, with a value exceeding RM34.03 billion, followed by the growing halal ingredients sector.
Based on the Halal Industry Master Plan 2030 (HIMP 2030), he said the country has set clear targets, namely to increase the halal industry’s contribution to Gross Domestic Product (GDP) to 11 per cent, achieve an export value of RM70 billion and create about 700,000 highly skilled job opportunities.
Source: thesun.my
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Greenpeace joins Gaza flotilla as over 70 vessels prepare to sail
7 Apr 2026
Environmental group Greenpeace joins a major civilian flotilla to Gaza, providing maritime support to challenge the blockade and deliver aid.
PUTRAJAYA: Environmental organisation Greenpeace will join a major civilian-led mission to challenge the blockade of Gaza. Its vessel, the Arctic Sunrise, will provide technical and operational maritime support to the Global Sumud Flotilla.
The flotilla, involving over 70 boats and 1,000 participants from 70 countries, is scheduled to depart from Barcelona on April 12. It aims to support humanitarian access to Gaza and directly challenge Israel’s long-standing blockade.
“The Arctic Sunrise’s role is to provide technical and operational maritime support to ensure the safe transit of vessels across the Mediterranean before the flotilla completes the final 200 nautical miles to Gaza’s shores,” a GSF statement read.
The mission will carry hundreds of medics, teachers and eco-builders to offer expertise in healthcare, education and sustainable rebuilding. Greenpeace’s participation is seen as a valuable addition due to its record of protecting the seas and confronting injustice.
“This mission represents the largest civilian‑led maritime effort to directly challenge the decades‑long blockade imposed on Gaza and the ongoing humanitarian catastrophe facing Palestinians,” the statement added.
The Spanish NGO Proactiva Open Arms also announced its rescue vessel, Open Arms, will join the flotilla. Its participation brings additional humanitarian personnel and logistical support to the effort.
GSF stated this collaboration highlights the scale of civil society mobilisation amid perceived government failures. The flotilla’s itinerary features coordinated land and sea actions to challenge impunity and demand unrestricted access to Gaza.
“This collaboration between internationally recognised civil society actors is a significant show of solidarity in the global response to the siege and the genocidal conditions it perpetuates,” the statement concluded.
Source: thesun.my
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South Asia
World Health Day: The Importance of Health in Building a Better Future for Humanity
April 7, 2026
By: Azar Rasikh
Health is one of the most fundamental necessities of human life and serves as the cornerstone of sustainable development in societies around the world. No nation can achieve meaningful economic, social, or cultural progress without a healthy population. For this reason, international organizations and public health institutions across the globe continue to emphasize raising awareness about the importance of health and encouraging governments to strengthen their healthcare systems.
Each year on April 7, the world observes World Health Day, an occasion dedicated to highlighting pressing health challenges and promoting strategies for prevention and well-being. The day provides an opportunity for individuals, communities, and policymakers to reflect on the importance of both personal and public health. It also serves as a reminder that while governments have a responsibility to provide accessible and effective healthcare services, individuals equally play a crucial role in maintaining their own health and contributing to the well-being of society.
Healthy lifestyles—including balanced nutrition, regular physical activity, stress management, and access to quality healthcare—are among the most important factors that can improve global health outcomes. In an increasingly interconnected world, health is no longer just a national concern but a shared global priority.
The origins of World Health Day date back to 1950, when it was first officially observed by the World Health Organization following its establishment in 1948. The purpose of designating this day was to draw global attention to critical health issues and encourage countries to improve their healthcare systems. Each year, the organization selects a specific theme focusing on one of the world’s most pressing health challenges, such as infectious diseases, mental health, maternal and child health, nutrition, or the impact of climate change on human health. These themes help mobilize governments, media, and civil society to take coordinated and meaningful action.
In today’s world, health is understood as more than the mere absence of disease. According to the World Health Organization, it is defined as a state of complete physical, mental, and social well-being. This broader definition reflects the complex and interconnected nature of health, influenced by a wide range of factors including economic conditions, environment, education, and access to healthcare services.
Despite significant advances in medical science and technology, millions of people around the world still lack access to adequate healthcare. Poverty, armed conflict, inequality, and environmental challenges continue to pose serious threats to public health. At the same time, modern lifestyles have introduced new health risks. The overconsumption of unhealthy foods, sedentary behavior, excessive use of technology, and rising levels of stress have contributed to an increase in both physical and mental health issues.
Health plays a vital role in the development of societies. A healthy workforce is more productive, innovative, and capable of contributing to economic growth and social progress. Conversely, widespread illness can reduce productivity, increase healthcare costs, and slow down development. Countries that invest in healthcare systems—through vaccination programs, public health education, and improved living conditions—tend to achieve higher levels of social welfare and life expectancy.
Moreover, health is closely linked to social stability. Societies with healthier populations are better positioned to face challenges, maintain resilience, and move forward with optimism. In contrast, poor health conditions can exacerbate inequality and hinder long-term development.
Despite advancements, the world continues to face significant health challenges. Infectious diseases such as malaria, tuberculosis, and viral outbreaks still claim millions of lives each year. Recent global health crises have demonstrated how vulnerable even advanced healthcare systems can be when faced with widespread pandemics. These crises not only strain healthcare infrastructures but also disrupt economies and social systems.
In addition to communicable diseases, non-communicable diseases such as heart disease, diabetes, cancer, and hypertension are on the rise globally. These conditions are often linked to lifestyle factors and require long-term strategies focused on prevention, awareness, and behavioral change.
Mental health has also emerged as a growing global concern. Economic pressures, social challenges, conflict, and rapid changes in modern life have contributed to an increase in mental health issues such as anxiety, depression, and stress. Unfortunately, in many societies, mental health still does not receive the same level of attention as physical health. Raising awareness, improving access to mental health services, and reducing stigma are essential steps toward addressing this issue.
Governments play a central role in ensuring public health. Establishing efficient healthcare systems, providing access to medical services, training healthcare professionals, and ensuring the availability of essential medicines are among their key responsibilities. In addition, governments must implement policies that prevent disease and promote well-being, such as improving air quality, ensuring access to clean drinking water, enhancing nutrition, and encouraging physical activity.
Investing in healthcare not only improves quality of life but also yields long-term economic benefits by reducing the burden of disease and increasing productivity. Public health policies must therefore be seen as essential investments rather than expenses.
The role of media in promoting health awareness is equally important. By providing accurate and reliable information, media outlets can help individuals make informed decisions about their health. Through educational programs, reports, and campaigns, the media can play a powerful role in fostering a culture of health and prevention.
In many developing countries, access to healthcare remains a significant challenge. Limited infrastructure, shortages of trained professionals, and economic constraints often prevent people from receiving adequate care. In such contexts, international cooperation and support from global organizations are crucial in strengthening healthcare systems and improving access to services.
At the individual level, maintaining health requires conscious effort and responsibility. Adopting a healthy lifestyle through balanced diets, regular exercise, sufficient rest, and avoiding harmful substances such as tobacco—can significantly reduce the risk of many diseases. Regular medical check-ups and early detection also play a key role in preventing serious health conditions.
Looking ahead, advances in science and technology offer hope for a healthier future. Innovations such as telemedicine, artificial intelligence in diagnostics, and the development of new treatments have the potential to transform healthcare delivery. However, achieving a healthier world will require sustained global cooperation, increased investment in health systems, and continued efforts to raise awareness.
World Health Day ultimately serves as a powerful reminder that health is one of the most valuable assets in human life and a fundamental pillar of sustainable development. Without health, true progress is impossible. This day calls on governments, organizations, and individuals alike to reaffirm their commitment to improving health outcomes and building stronger, more resilient societies.
Creating robust healthcare systems, promoting healthy lifestyles, increasing public awareness, and fostering international collaboration are all essential steps toward a healthier future. Health is a shared responsibility, one that lies not only with institutions and governments but also with every individual. By working together and prioritizing health, humanity can build a safer, stronger, and more prosperous future for generations to come.
Source: thekabultimes.com
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Shamsul Islam given charge of Armed Forces Division
07 Apr 2026
DHAKA, April 6, 2026 (BSS) - Prime Minister Tarique Rahman's Defence Advisor retired brigadier general AKM Shamsul Islam has been given the additional responsibility of overseeing the Armed Forces Division alongside the Ministry of Defence.
The government announced his appointment today.
According to a notification issued by the Cabinet Division today, Shamsul Islam's responsibilities have been re-designated with the status of a state minister as per the Prime Minister's intent.
He previously served as the chief security officer of former BNP chief Khaleda Zia and Tarique when he was the acting chairman.
Source: bssnews.net
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Afghanistan, Uzbekistan Firms Sign $65 Million Trade Deals
By Fidel Rahmati
April 6, 2026
Afghanistan and Uzbekistan businesses signed 10 trade agreements worth more than $65 million during a joint business forum in Kokand, in Uzbekistan’s Fergana region, Afghanistan’s Chamber of Commerce and Investment said.
The deals were signed at a meeting between private sector representatives from both countries, in what officials described as a fresh push to deepen regional trade and investment ties.
According to the chamber, the agreements mainly cover clothing, raw materials and pharmaceuticals, sectors seen as important for expanding cross-border trade and supply chains between the two neighbours. Afghanistan’s business representatives said the forum offered an opportunity to connect directly with Uzbek companies and explore new export and import channels.
Officials from the Afghanistan chamber said the signing of the memorandums marked an important step toward strengthening economic cooperation and broadening commercial relations with Uzbekistan. The Afghan delegation, led by chamber representatives and accompanied by dozens of businesspeople, also visited industrial and manufacturing sites during the trip.
The latest agreements come as Afghanistan increasingly turns to regional markets to offset economic isolation, banking restrictions and reduced access to global trade networks. Uzbekistan has emerged as one of Kabul’s most active regional economic partners, maintaining trade, energy and logistics links even as broader international engagement with Afghanistan remains constrained.
Trade ties between the two countries have expanded steadily in recent years, with both sides repeatedly expressing interest in boosting cooperation in manufacturing, energy, transport and agriculture. Uzbek officials have previously said they want to raise bilateral trade sharply and use Afghanistan as a key transit route linking Central Asia to South Asia.
Afghanistan and Uzbekistan have held a series of business forums and trade exhibitions over the past two years as part of a broader effort to strengthen economic integration. Previous meetings in Kabul, Mazar-i-Sharif and Uzbekistan have produced multimillion-dollar agreements, reflecting growing interest from both sides in expanding private-sector cooperation despite regional instability and financial constraints.
The $65 million in new agreements signals continued momentum in Afghanistan-Uzbekistan commercial ties at a time when regional trade is becoming increasingly important for Kabul’s economy.
Source: khaama.com
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Environmental Responsibility Is a Shared Duty for Government and Citizens
April 7, 2026
Environmental protection is no longer a distant concern reserved for future generations—it is an urgent and immediate responsibility that affects the health, stability, and prosperity of societies today. From air and water quality to land use and natural resource management, the environment underpins every aspect of human life. Safeguarding it requires a collective effort, where both government institutions and ordinary citizens play essential and complementary roles. When responsibility is shared and actions are aligned, meaningful and lasting progress becomes possible.
At its core, environmental responsibility is about balance—ensuring that human needs are met without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own. This principle requires thoughtful planning, disciplined use of resources, and a long-term perspective. Governments have the authority and capacity to establish policies, enforce regulations, and invest in large-scale environmental initiatives. Citizens, on the other hand, influence outcomes through daily behaviors, community engagement, and social accountability. Neither can succeed alone; it is the synergy between them that determines the effectiveness of environmental efforts.
The role of government is fundamental. Public authorities are responsible for creating the legal and institutional frameworks that guide environmental protection. This includes setting standards for air and water quality, regulating industrial emissions, managing waste, and protecting natural habitats. Strong policies, when properly enforced, can significantly reduce environmental degradation. For example, regulations that limit pollution or encourage renewable energy adoption can reshape entire sectors and drive sustainable development.
Beyond regulation, governments must also invest in infrastructure and innovation. Waste management systems, clean water supply networks, and sustainable energy projects require significant resources and coordination. Public investment in these areas not only improves environmental outcomes but also enhances public health and economic efficiency. Moreover, governments can support research and education, fostering innovation in areas such as climate adaptation, agriculture, and conservation.
Transparency and accountability are equally important. Environmental policies must be implemented fairly and consistently, with clear communication to the public. When citizens understand the reasons behind policies and see tangible results, they are more likely to support and comply with them. Open data, public reporting, and community consultations can strengthen trust and ensure that environmental governance remains responsive to the needs of the population.
However, the responsibility does not rest solely with governments. Citizens are the everyday stewards of the environment. Individual actions—such as reducing waste, conserving water, and using energy efficiently—may seem small, but collectively they have a profound impact. Simple habits like proper waste disposal, avoiding plastic overuse, and planting trees contribute to cleaner and healthier communities.
Community involvement amplifies these efforts. Local initiatives, such as neighborhood clean-up campaigns, tree-planting drives, and awareness programs, can mobilize people and create a sense of shared ownership. When communities come together around environmental goals, they not only improve their surroundings but also strengthen social cohesion. This grassroots engagement is often the driving force behind broader environmental change.
Education plays a critical role in shaping environmentally responsible behavior. Awareness about environmental issues, their causes, and their consequences empowers individuals to make informed decisions. Schools, media, and community organizations can all contribute to building a culture of sustainability. When environmental responsibility becomes a shared value, it influences choices at every level—from households to institutions.
In the context of Afghanistan, environmental responsibility carries particular urgency. The country faces challenges such as water scarcity, deforestation, air pollution in urban areas, and vulnerability to climate change. Rapid population growth and limited infrastructure have placed additional pressure on natural resources. Addressing these issues requires coordinated action that combines policy measures with community participation.
Encouragingly, there have been positive developments. Efforts to improve urban cleanliness, expand green spaces, and promote awareness about environmental protection are gradually gaining momentum. In cities like Kabul, initiatives to manage waste more effectively and reduce pollution are beginning to show results. At the same time, rural communities have demonstrated resilience and innovation in managing water resources and adapting to environmental changes.
To build on these gains, several measures are essential. Strengthening environmental regulations and ensuring their enforcement can help control pollution and protect ecosystems. Expanding access to clean energy sources, such as solar power, can reduce reliance on traditional fuels and improve air quality. Investment in water management systems, including irrigation and conservation techniques, is crucial for addressing scarcity and supporting agriculture.
Afforestation and land restoration should also be prioritized. Planting trees not only improves air quality but also prevents soil erosion and enhances biodiversity. Community-based forestry programs can involve local populations in conservation efforts, providing both environmental and economic benefits. Such initiatives create a direct link between environmental protection and livelihoods, making sustainability more attractive and achievable.
Another important area is waste management. Developing efficient systems for collection, recycling, and disposal can significantly reduce environmental pollution. Public awareness campaigns can encourage responsible behavior, while incentives can promote recycling and waste reduction. Collaboration between municipalities, private sector actors, and communities is key to building effective waste management systems.
Water conservation is equally critical. Simple practices such as reducing water wastage, repairing leaks, and using efficient irrigation methods can make a significant difference. Public education campaigns can raise awareness about the importance of water conservation, while government policies can support sustainable usage through regulation and infrastructure development.
Importantly, environmental responsibility must be inclusive. Youth, and marginalized communities often bear the brunt of environmental challenges but also have valuable insights and contributions to offer. Empowering these groups to participate in decision-making and implementation can enhance the effectiveness of environmental initiatives. Inclusivity ensures that solutions are comprehensive and responsive to diverse needs.
The private sector also has a role to play. Businesses can adopt environmentally friendly practices, invest in sustainable technologies, and contribute to conservation efforts. Corporate responsibility, when aligned with national goals, can accelerate progress and create new opportunities for green growth. Encouraging responsible business practices through incentives and regulations can further strengthen this contribution.
While challenges remain, the path forward is clear. Environmental responsibility must be embraced as a shared duty, requiring commitment, cooperation, and continuous effort. Governments must lead with strong policies and investments, while citizens must act with awareness and responsibility in their daily lives. Together, they can create a cycle of positive change that benefits both people and the planet.
In conclusion, protecting the environment is not an optional task—it is a necessity for survival, stability, and prosperity. A clean and healthy environment supports public health, economic development, and social well-being. For Afghanistan, embracing environmental responsibility offers an opportunity to build a more sustainable and resilient future. By working together—government and citizens alike—the nation can preserve its natural resources, improve quality of life, and ensure that future generations inherit a land that is not only livable but thriving.
Source: thekabultimes.com
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Economic Development Hinges on Security: Global Crisis from Middle East and Beyond
April 7, 2026
Economic development is inseparable from security. In recent years, escalating conflicts in the Middle East, Russia’s war in Ukraine, instability in Afghanistan, and Pakistan’s military regime have collectively contributed to a global economic crisis. These crises have disrupted energy markets, trade flows, and financial stability, underscoring the fragile link between peace and prosperity.
The Middle East remains the world’s energy hub, and wars in the region have triggered the largest energy supply shock in decades. Oil and gas prices surged, straining import-dependent economies and fueling inflation worldwide. Supply chain disruptions have affected industries from manufacturing to agriculture, while financial markets have reacted with volatility. Countries with limited reserves or weak fiscal buffers are disproportionately impacted, widening inequality between developed and developing nations.
Russia’s invasion of Ukraine continues to destabilize global trade and food security. Ukraine, a major exporter of wheat and corn, has seen its agricultural output curtailed, leading to higher food prices globally. Sanctions on Russia have disrupted energy exports, particularly natural gas to Europe, forcing countries to seek alternative suppliers at higher costs. The war has also strained global shipping routes and insurance markets, adding further uncertainty to international commerce.
Afghanistan’s persistent instability, marked by political uncertainty and weak governance, has hindered economic recovery. The country’s reliance on foreign aid and limited integration into global markets make it highly vulnerable to external shocks. Unemployment and poverty remain rampant, while the lack of security deters investment and development projects. This fragility contributes to regional instability, affecting neighboring economies and exacerbating migration pressures.
Pakistan’s military regime has created an environment of political uncertainty, discouraging foreign investment. Economic mismanagement, coupled with security concerns, has weakened growth prospects. Inflation, currency depreciation, and fiscal deficits have eroded public confidence. The regime’s focus on military priorities over economic reforms has further strained the country’s ability to contribute positively to regional stability.
The convergence of these crises has produced a global economic downturn. Rising energy and food prices have fueled inflation, prompting central banks to tighten monetary policies. This has slowed growth, increased borrowing costs, and heightened risks of debt distress in developing countries. Financial markets remain volatile, with investors wary of geopolitical risks. The crisis highlights how regional conflicts can reverberate across the global economy, affecting both advanced and emerging markets.
To mitigate these challenges, the international community must prioritize security and stability. Diplomatic efforts to resolve conflicts in the Middle East and Ukraine, strengthening governance in fragile states like Afghanistan and Pakistan, diversifying energy sources to reduce dependence on conflict-prone regions, and enhancing global cooperation to stabilize food and commodity markets are essential steps forward.
Economic development cannot thrive without security. The ongoing crises in the Middle East, Russia, Ukraine, Afghanistan, and Pakistan demonstrate how instability undermines growth and prosperity. A coordinated global response that addresses both security and economic resilience is essential to navigate the current crisis and lay the foundation for sustainable development.
Source: thekabultimes.com
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https://thekabultimes.com/economic-development-hinges-on-security-global-crisis-from-middle-east-and-beyond/
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Self-regulation needed amid shift in AI
7 APRIL 2026
The rise of artificial intelligence (AI) in journalism offers unprecedented opportunities, but it also raises urgent ethical concerns, industry experts warned at a policy dialogue in Dhaka yesterday.
The event, titled “Ethical Use of Artificial Intelligence in Bangladeshi News Media,” was organised by The Daily Star and Media Resources Development Initiative (MRDI) at The Daily Star Centre and supported by the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP).
Speaking at the programme, Shakhawat Liton, executive editor of The Business Standard, cautioned against legal regulation of AI in media.
“Our political and social culture is such that whenever a problem arises, we want to solve it through laws. By moving towards a legal framework for AI, we are indirectly handing the government another tool to control the media,” he said, adding that laws are generally designed to constrain rather than empower freedom.
Shawkat Hossain, head of online news management at Prothom Alo, argued that AI regulations should align with a media outlet’s editorial policy, and outsiders have no jurisdiction to dictate such rules.
Echoing this, Dr Md Saiful Alam Chowdhury, associate professor at Dhaka University, warned that seeking government regulation, given the authorities’ current level of AI literacy, could invite disaster.
Journalist Talat Mamun suggested that if 10 to 15 leading media houses set their own AI standards, it would create a trend, allowing the sector to self-regulate effectively.
MRDI Executive Director Hasibur Rahman outlined plans to develop a comprehensive AI guideline applicable to print, online, and television platforms, which any media organisation could adopt with ease.
Speakers also highlighted current AI applications in Bangladeshi media.
Shawkat noted that the 60-word news summaries in Prothom Alo’s “Shorts” app are almost entirely AI-generated. Yet, a lack of AI training among journalists remains a critical concern.
Kamal Ahmed, consulting editor at The Daily Star, said, “We are still far behind in using AI. But we cannot remain detached from this train. No matter how late, we have to get on board.”
Md Al Mamun, country director of BBC Media Action, stressed the importance of major investments in AI training, warning that unskilled oversight could result in significant errors.
Dr Sumon Rahman of University of Liberal Arts Bangladesh (ULAB) highlighted the intellectual necessity of mastering “prompt writing” to avoid bias and misinformation.
Dr Susan Vize, Unesco representative in Bangladesh, described the UN’s role in training journalists on AI tools, noting that around 3,500 journalists were trained alongside the Press Institute Bangladesh before the elections.
“I was actually a little bit surprised at the lack of knowledge of many of these people about AI,” she said.
She stressed the urgent need for localised, flexible codes of practice in Bangladesh and suggested that regional examples, such as those in Southeast Europe, could provide guidance to balance AI-driven efficiency with accountability and reliability.
Source: thedailystar.net
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https://www.thedailystar.net/news/bangladesh/news/self-regulation-needed-amid-shift-ai-4145336
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Enforced disappearance: Ex-Jubo Dal leader files complaint against Hasina
7 APRIL 2026
A former Jubo Dal leader yesterday lodged a complaint with the prosecution of the International Crimes Tribunal (ICT), accusing ousted prime minister Sheikh Hasina and several former top officials of enforced disappearance and torture.
Moshiur Rahman Mamun submitted the complaint to Chief Prosecutor Aminul Islam, naming former DGFI chief Lt Gen (retd) Sheikh Mamun Khaled, former inspector general of police Benazir Ahmed and others.
Mamun claimed he was first picked up in 2013 and held in secret detention for six days when Mamun Khaled was DGFI chief.
He alleged that he was again detained on February 23, 2015, while heading to Thailand from Dhaka airport, and kept blindfolded and handcuffed by plainclothes law enforcers for around six months.
“During my detention, I was inhumanely tortured,” he told The Daily Star.
He said he was later handed over to the Detective Branch on August 23 that year and shown arrested the following day.
A few days later, he was produced before a court and placed on remand, and spent nearly two years in Dhaka Central Jail before securing bail from the High Court.
According to a Daily Star report published on August 29, 2015, Mamun was sent to jail after being produced before a Dhaka court following a three-day remand in a case linked to a controversial phone conversation involving Nagorik Oikya Convener Mahmudur Rahman Manna and BNP leader Sadeque Hossain Khoka.
Meanwhile, a Dhaka court yesterday placed Mamun Khaled on a three-day remand in a case over the killing of furniture trader Mohammad Delowar Hossain during the July uprising, taking his total remand to 14 days.
Earlier, ICT-2 asked jail authorities to produce Mamun Khaled and former army officer Lt Gen (retd) Masud Uddin Chowdhury before the tribunal today.
Chief Prosecutor Aminul Islam recently said two arrested retired senior military officers were involved in activities that fall within the definition of crimes against humanity, including secret detention, killings and enforced disappearances.
Source: thedailystar.net
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https://www.thedailystar.net/news/bangladesh/news/enforced-disappearance-ex-jubo-dal-leader-files-complaint-against-hasina-4145301
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