Bombay HC Acquits All 12 Muslim Convicts In 7/11 Mumbai Train Blast Case, Court Observes, It Was "Hard To Believe They Committed The Crime"
New Age Islam News Bureau
21 July 2025
Image of Bombay HC used for representational purposes.
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· Bombay HC Acquits All 12 Muslim Convicts In 7/11 Mumbai Train Blast Case, Court Observes, It Was "Hard To Believe They Committed The Crime"
· Interfaith Marriage; Haryana Panchayat Dictat, Couple Be Separated And Social Boycott Of The Muslim Man's Family
· Jamaat-e-Islami Will Never Come To Power In Bangladesh: BNP’s Gayeshwar Roy
· From Military Coups To Elections: Where Is African Democracy Heading?
· Israeli Evacuation Order In Central Gaza ‘Devastating’ To Aid Efforts: UN
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India
· 'Love Jihad' AccusedMohammad Ali Says He Is A Victim, Wants To Convert to Hinduism Again
· Meat Pieces Found On Kanwar Yatra Route In Firozabad, Situation Under Control: Police
· Yogi Adityanath Blame On 'Infiltrators', Not Rowdy Kanwariyas Over CRPF Jawan Assault
· ‘Even Muslims are happy after Raj Thackeray and I were seen together’: Shiv Sena (UBT) chief Uddhav Thackeray
· Why UP’s Proposed ‘One District, One Cuisine’ Initiative Risks Flattening India’s Rich Food Heritage
· 11 Arrested In Punjab’s Phagwara ‘Beef Packaging’ Case, Forensic Report Awaited
· 'Humiliating' for country: Mallikarjun Kharge corners govt over Donald Trump's claim on India-Pakistan ceasefire
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South Asia
· IEA Issues Urgent Statement on Humanitarian Crisis in Gaza
· Afghanistan Journalists Center Condemns Ban on Live Images in Sar-e Pol
· Shishu hospital: Appointment of 65 doctors cancelled
· Purbachal Project: 6 Cases Against Hasina, 27 Others Transferred To Different Courts
· Muttaqi urges host countries to give returnees time to settle affairs
· WHO: Nearly Four Million Afghans Suffer from Drug Disorders
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Africa
· Muslim, Christian Prayers End Buhari’s Mourning Week
· Muslim Community Kicks Over Plateau’s Insistence On Withdrawal Of Soldiers
· ‘Certain Actors Have Chosen To Politicize Sensitive Welfare Issue’ – Police Speak On Protest
· Ceasefire agreement between Kinshasa and M23 revives hope for lasting peace in eastern DRC
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Mideast
· Libya Commander Haftar Seeks To Force International Engagement
· Children most affected by worsening malnutrition in Gaza Strip
· European powers plan fresh nuclear talks with Iran
· Recognized, independent Palestinian state could unlock disputed gas wealth, expert says
· Mufti of Oman: Grand Mufti of Oman calls on Arab & Islamic countries to mobilise in support of Gaza
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Southeast Asia
· Kelantan Ulama Backs Anwar’s Leadership For Malaysia’s Stability
· Azalina: Whistleblowers only get legal protection if they go to authorities, not the media
· Penang chief minister: PDC will fully cooperate with investigations into MBI investment scheme
· King gives royal assent to 20 laws including Media Council, Online Safety and EPF amendment Acts
· With Only 2.8 Million Malaysians Registered, Putrajaya Mulls Law To Mandate Mydigital ID As Adoption Stalls
· Melaka moves to protect Bukit Melaka archaeological heritage sites
· Singapore restaurateurs flee rising costs for cheaper lifeline in Johor Bahru
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Europe
· Mosque Members Raise £2,000 In Aid Of Cancer Charity
· Putin speaks of threat to Russian sovereignty
· EU working hard to portray Russia as ‘devil incarnate’ – Kremlin
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Arab World
· Saudi Students Win 7 Awards At STEM Contests
· Restoration Efforts Bring New Life To Saudi Historic Kasbat Al-Midmar
· Research Grants To Revive Saudi Arabia’s Craft Heritage
· King Salman receives written message from Eswatini monarch
· Jeddah’s private beach resorts growing in popularity
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North America
· 'Japanese First': Voters Back Trump-Inspired Party To ‘Make Japan Great Again’; Wins Big In Key Elections
· 'We sincerely apologize': Alaska airlines resume operations after entire fleet was grounded; IT outage resolved
· US crash horror: Stolen car rams bench killing two in Chinatown; investigation underway
Compiled by New Age Islam News Bureau
URL: https://newageislam.com/islamic-world-news/bombay-hc-muslim-convicts-train-blast/d/136243
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Bombay HC Acquits All 12 Muslim Convicts In 7/11 Mumbai Train Blast Case, Court Observes, It Was "Hard To Believe They Committed The Crime"
Online Desk, Agencies
21 Jul 2025
Image of Bombay HC used for representational purposes.
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Bombay High Court on Monday quashed and set aside the judgment of a special MCOCA court, which sentenced five people to death and another seven to life imprisonment for conspiring and executing a series of bomb blasts in Mumbai's Western Railway local line, that killed 187 people.
Acquiting all 12 convicts, a special bench of Justices Anil Kilor and Shyam Chandak observed that the prosecution has "utterly failed" to prove the case and it was "hard to believe they committed the crime."
"The prosecution has utterly failed to prove the case against the accused. It is hard to believe that the accused committed the crime. Hence their conviction is quashed and set aside," the HC said.
In a major embarrassment to the Maharashtra Anti-Terrorism Squad (ATS), which probed the case, the court noted that the prosecution has failed to even bring on record the type of bombs used in the crime and that the evidence relied on by it was not conclusive to convict the accused persons.
A series of seven bomb blasts ripped through the local lines in Mumbai on July 11, 2006, killing 187 people and injuring another 824. By August, 13 people were picked up by the ATS for their involvement in the case.
The ATS had claimed that the accused were members of the banned outfit Students' Islamic Movement of India (SIMI) and had hatched the conspiracy with Pakistani members of terror group Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT).
"Punishing the actual perpetrator of a crime is a concrete and essential step toward curbing criminal activities, upholding the rule of law, and ensuring the safety and security of citizens," the HC said in its 671-page judgment.
But creating a false appearance of having solved a case by presenting that the accused have been brought to justice gives a misleading sense of resolution, it added.
"This deceptive closure undermines public trust and falsely reassures society, while in reality, the true threat remains at large. Essentially, this is what the case at hand conveys," the bench said.
The court also drew an adverse inference on the prosecution for failing to examine important witnesses in the case and also for poor and improper sealing and maintenance of the recovered items - explosives and circuit boxes allegedly used to assemble the bombs.
"The prosecution has failed to even bring on record the type of bombs used in the alleged crime. Hence, the evidence of recovery is not sufficient to prove the offence against the accused," it said.
The court further discarded the alleged confessional statements of some of the accused in the case and said they seem to have been taken after torture was inflicted upon them.
"The confessional statements are found to be incomplete and not truthful as some parts are a copy-paste of each other. The accused persons have proved their case that torture was inflicted at the time," the bench said.
The court also discarded the test identification parade of the accused, noting the police concerned who conducted it had no authority to do so.
The HC also refused to accept the evidence given by witnesses, that included taxi drivers who drove the accused to Churchgate railway station, those who saw the accused plant a bomb, those who were witness to bombs being assembled and those who were witness to the alleged conspiracy.
"The witness statements are not credible or trustworthy and conclusive to convict the accused. The evidence is not safe to rely on and the defence has succeeded in shattering the same," it said.
The HC said witnesses identified the accused before the police during the identification parade four months after the incident and then in court four years later.
"These witnesses did not have enough opportunity to have seen the accused on the day of the incident to identify them correctly later. We do not find any such reasons to trigger their memory and recollect the faces," it said.
A special court in 2015 convicted 12 persons in the case, of whom five were sentenced to death and the remaining seven were given life imprisonment.
One of the convicts died pending hearing of the appeal. Another accused, Wahid Shaikh, was acquitted by the trial court after he spent nine years in jail.
Convicts Kamal Ansari, Mohammad Faisal Ataur Rahman Shaikh, Ehtesham Qutubuddin Siddiqui, Naveed Hussain Khan and Asif Khan were handed over death penalty for planting the bombs, the other set of convicts - Tanveer Ahmed Mohammed Ibrahim Ansari, Mohammed Majid Mohammed Shafi, Shaikh Mohammed Ali Alam Shaikh, Mohammed Sajid Margub Ansari, Muzammil Ataur Rahman Shaikh, Suhail Mehmood Shaikh and Zameer Ahmed Latiur Rehman Shaikh, were granted life terms.
The appeals filed by the convicts and the State were pending disposal in the High Court from 2015. It was taken up in July 2024, after some of the convicts urged for a speedy disposal of the case.
Appearing for some of the convicts, former Orissa High Court Chief Justice and now senior lawyer Dr S Muralidhar had pointed out the lapses in the investigation and alleged that the probe was "biased."
"Innocent people are sent to jail and then years later when they are released from jail there is no possibility for reconstruction of their lives. From last 17 years these accused are in jail. They haven't stepped out even for a day. The majority of their prime life is gone. In such cases where there is a public outcry, the approach by police is always to first assume guilt and then go from there," he had said.
Muralidhar also slammed the media trial of the accused conducted in such cases.
"Police officers take press conferences in such cases, and the way the media covers the case, it kind of decides the guilt of a person. In many such terror cases, investigating agencies have failed us miserably," he had said.
He had also argues that there is a "history of failure" in investigation related to terror incidents which has caused many innocent people to languish behind bars.
"And then after years, the accused are acquitted and then no one gets closure. We have a history of failures in probes in terror cases. But it is not too late now. The court can set it right," he had said.
"It is not just the accused but even his children, parents, relatives get tainted. And once tainted, Milords, this society is too cruel to them. No one will treat them properly. Please consider this factor too," he added.
Source: newindianexpress.com
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https://www.newindianexpress.com/nation/2025/Jul/21/711-mumbai-train-blasts-hc-acquits-all-12-accused-says-prosecution-utterly-failed-to-prove-case
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Interfaith Marriage; Haryana Panchayat Dictat, Couple Be Separated And Social Boycott Of The Muslim Man's Family
Jul 21, 2025
AI Image
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ROHTAK: A panchayat held in Patuwas village in Haryana's Charkhi Dadri district on Sunday directed that an interfaith marriage couple be separated and declared a social boycott of the Muslim man's family across three villages.
The four-hour meeting, attended by residents of Patuwas, Mahraana, and Kheri Sanwal villages, was convened over tensions sparked by the marriage of Shahid, a Muslim man, and Preeti, a Hindu woman, both from the district.
Village heads Kapoor Singh and Dharampal, who presided over the gathering, said Shahid would not be allowed to return. "His grandfather has agreed that Shahid will not come back to the village," said Dharampal. The panchayat further ruled out any social ties with Shahid's family. The village heads also stated that the couple would be separated.
Dharampal said, “The separation process is already under way.” The controversy erupted on July 3, when Shahid and Preeti were married through a nikah (Islamic marriage ceremony). Protests broke out on July 6 after villagers learned of the union, leading to the forced closure of shops owned by Muslims in the area.
Efforts on to defuse tensions
Police deployed personnel to Shahid’s family home to maintain peace, and security remains in place. Efforts to defuse tensions have been ongoing, with local leaders working under village head Dharampal to mediate the issue.
Both had signed affidavits agreeing to live separately and were released from a govt-run safe house to their families. However, dissatisfaction persisted among some village youth, prompting the Sunday’s panchayat.
Source: indiatimes.com
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https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/chandigarh/interfaith-marriage-case-muslim-man-marries-hindu-woman-haryana-panchayat-orders-separation/articleshow/122806034.cms
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Jamaat-e-Islami Will Never Come To Power In Bangladesh: BNP’s Gayeshwar Roy
July 21, 2025
Photo: Collected
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BNP Standing Committee Member Gayeshwar Chandra Roy said today that Jamaat-e-Islami will never come to power in Bangladesh – not even until the Day of Judgement.
"Everything Jamaat is saying now is intended to sabotage the election. Awami League isn't in power and they cannot tolerate the idea of BNP coming to power. But I know this for sure, Jamaat will never come to state power in Bangladesh… Other parties may come, but not them. That's certain," he said.
He made the remarks while speaking to journalists around 12:00pm at a programme held at the residence of Mir Sarafat Ali Sapu, BNP's Central Executive Committee Secretary for volunteer affairs, in Srinagar upazila, Munshiganj.
"They (Jamaat) cannot comprehend the sentiments of ordinary people. Without understanding the language of the masses, they seek to achieve their own agendas. Those who do not recognise the Liberation War, who say it was a war between India and Pakistan rather than a war for our independence – the people of Bangladesh no longer have the time to give importance to such statements. Their aim is to sabotage the election," he said.
Questioning further, Gayeshwar asked, "Those in Awami League who have committed crimes will face justice. But why shouldn't they be allowed to form a party?"
Also present at the event were BNP Joint Secretary General Abdus Salam Azad; Mir Sarafat Ali Sapu; former foreign secretary Mohsin Ali Khan; Munshiganj BNP Convening Committee members Awlad Hossain Uzzal and Jasim Molla; and Mahmud Hasan Fahad, organising secretary of the district's Women and Child Rights Forum, along with leaders and activists of BNP and its associate bodies.4
Source: thedailystar.net
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From military coups to elections: where is African democracy heading?
July 21, 2025
By Cristina Coellen
Demonstrators gesture to anti-riot police during demonstrations to mark the historic 1990 Saba Saba protests for democratic reforms in Nairobi, Kenya, 7 July 2025.
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Copyright © africanews
Copyright 2025 The Associated Press. All rights reserved
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Democracy is universal - and African: this is the premise of Senegalese journalist Ousmane Ndiaye's book “Africa against democracy: myths, denial, dangers”.
The text, released in French on 10 July, retraces the current crisis of democracy in numerous African countries, where, according to the journalist and former editor-in-chief of French TV channel TV5 Monde's Africa desk, leaders are embracing a rhetoric that overtly and officially "rejects democracy".
Not only military regimes
One facet of the problem is what Ndiaye calls the "khaki danger", the numerous military regimes that have come to power or ensured they stay in power in recent years.
Since 2020, nine military coups have been successful, with most taking place in West Africa and in particular the "Sahelian coup belt", as some analysts term it.
Assimi Goita, initally transitional leader of Mali, earlier this month signed into law a change to the presidential term that would allow him to stay in power without having been elected until at least 2030 - and likely beyond.
His counterparts in neighbouring Niger and Burkina Faso are also former coup leaders clad in uniform - and on their way to cement their grip on power.
But Ndiaye warns: it is not only generals and colonels who reject democracy, citing for instance the dubious argument of counter-terrorism or an unstable security situation.
"Take someone like Kaïs Saïd in Tunisia. He was democratically elected and nevertheless, his rhetoric casts doubts over democracy in the name of being against the system," says Ndiaye.
Democracy as a colonial product
Democracy is a Western concept: this is the notion that needs to be rejected immediately, says the author.
"In many places in Africa, there were forms of democracy that preceded the colonial era", he says.
The brutality of the colonial systems in many ways destroyed these egalitarian forms of governance and societal organisation, and led to an imposition of a Western and artifical way of democratising countries in the post-colonial period.
"Until now, what did we get in Africa? Democratisation processes coming from above or from outside. This is what I call a process of democratic evangelisation, which doesn't work," Ndiaye points out.
With his book, Ndiaye seeks to "re-universalise" democracy and shows that, although the way forward is lined with dangers - propaganda, repression of popular protest, an obsession with the West that is counterproductive to advancing the fight for democracy - there is hope: the joint force of citizens seeking freedom and equality.
Source: africanews.com
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https://www.africanews.com/2025/07/20/from-military-coups-to-elections-where-is-african-democracy-heading/
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Israeli evacuation order in central Gaza ‘devastating’ to aid efforts: UN
July 21, 2025
Palestinians gather as they carry aid supplies that entered Gaza through Israel, amid a hunger crisis, in Beit Lahia in the northern Gaza Strip July 20, 2025. (REUTERS)
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UNITED NATIONS, United States: An Israeli military order for residents and displaced people in Gaza’s Deir el-Balah area to move south dealt “another devastating blow” to humanitarian efforts in the war-ravaged territory, the UN’s OCHA aid agency said on Sunday.
The United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs “warns that today’s mass displacement order issued by the Israeli military has dealt yet another devastating blow to the already fragile lifelines keeping people alive across the Gaza Strip,” it said in a statement.
Source: arabnews.com
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https://www.arabnews.com/node/2608830/middle-east
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India
'Love Jihad' AccusedMohammad Ali Says He Is A Victim, Wants To Convert to Hinduism Again
Pankaj Jha
Jul 21, 2025
A man arrested in a large-scale illegal religious conversion racket has said that he is also a victim and that he wants to convert to Hinduism again, sources told NDTV on Monday. Mohammad Ali is among 10 people who were arrested by the Uttar Pradesh Police from six states in the 'love jihad' case last Saturday.
The probe began in Agra in March after two sisters -- aged 33 and 18 -- were reported missing. Agra Police Commissioner Deepak Kumar had said preliminary investigations found that the sisters were targeted by a gang involved in 'love jihad' and radicalisation.
"We found clues about their funding originating from the US and Canada," he had said.
Ali, a resident of Rajasthan who was Piyush Panwar before converting, has told the police about the conversion network.
Lodged in an Agra jail, he broke down during the initial interrogation by the police and said that he wanted to return home, sources said.
He also said he wanted to leave Islam and become a Hindu.
He said he wants to apologise to his parents, who broke ties with him after he converted to Islam.
How Piyush Panwar Became Mohammad Ali
The story of Piyush Panwar becoming Mohammad Ali started in 2021, when he first met Shana, a woman from Rajasthan's Tonk. They then fell in love and decided to get married, sources said.
Shana, however, put a condition, saying that Piyush will have to accept Islam. Piyush agreed and changed his name to Mohammad Ali in the same year.
Shana then rejected him after he was converted.
Ali, whose family had cut ties with him, then decided not to convert again and married a Muslim girl from Uttar Pradesh's Bareilly, according to sources.
How Mohammad Ali Became Part Of Conversion Racket
While trying to convert to Islam, he had come into contact with Mohammad Gaus, a member of the Popular Front of India (PFI), which was banned by the Centre in 2022 for its alleged links with global terrorist organisations.
Through Gaus, he met a cleric, Kaleem Siddiqui, in Delhi, who was convicted in a separate conversion case last year.
Ali then went to West Bengal for religious education. He stayed in the madrasas in Asansol, Bardhaman and Katwapara for three months.
About a year ago, he came in contact with a woman, Ayesha, from Goa on Instagram. Ayesha, who is also among the 10 people arrested by the Uttar Pradesh police, used to record the names of the girls who were converted to Islam.
The police have said that Ali is a close associate of Ayesha.
Ali, who was arrested in Jaipur, has also told the police that the members of the PFI and the Social Democratic Party of India (SDPI) are also linked with their network.
Besides Ali and Ayesha, the other accused arrested in the case under 'Mission Asmita', an ongoing initiative aimed at dismantling such illegal syndicates, have been identified as Hasan Ali and Osama from Kolkata, Rahman Qureshi from Agra, Abu Talib from Muzaffarnagar (Uttar Pradesh), Abdur Rehman from Dehradun (Uttarakhand), Mohammad Ali and Junaid Qureshi from Rajasthan, and Mustafa from Delhi.
"The modus operandi of the gang involved illegal conversion and radicalisation bears a signature of ISIS," the police had said.
The arrests come days after another man, Chhangur Baba, alias Jamaluddin, the mastermind of a religious conversion gang, was arrested by Uttar Pradesh Police's Anti-Terrorism Squad.
Source: ndtv.com
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https://www.ndtv.com/india-news/agra-love-jihad-case-how-piyush-panwar-became-mohammad-ali-and-then-a-love-jihad-accused-under-mission-asmita-8914641
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Meat pieces found on kanwar yatra route in Firozabad, situation under control: Police
20 Jul 2025
FIROZABAD: Panic briefly gripped parts of Firozabad on Sunday evening after pieces of meat were allegedly found on the kanwar yatra route near the Kotla crossing here, officials said.
According to police, the meat pieces were allegedly thrown from the flyover above the yatra route. However, swift action by the local police and administration helped prevent any untoward incident, they said.
"Some miscreants threw meat remains from the Kotla crossing flyover onto the road below.
Understanding the sensitivity of the matter, the police team on the spot immediately got the area cleaned," said Sanjul Pandey, the Station House Officer (SHO) of Uttar police station.
He added that to maintain calm, police personnel showered flowers on the passing kanwariyas.
"No kanwariya was harmed or disturbed by the incident.The situation remains completely peaceful, and the Yatra continues smoothly," he said.
Security has been tightened in the area, and an investigation is underway to identify those behind the incident, police added.
Source: newindianexpress.com
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Yogi Adityanath blame on 'infiltrators', not rowdy kanwariyas over CRPF jawan assault
Piyush Srivastava
21.07.25
A day after kanwariyas beat up a CRPF jawan, Yogi Adityanath was ready to again absolve the pilgrims of any blame for the violence accompanying their journeys, while showering rose petals on them from a helicopter and a makeshift roadside platform.
Some violent people had “infiltrated” the kanwariyas and were rioting to malign the Hindu pilgrimage, the chief minister said in a brief speech at a venue off the Delhi-Dehradun highway near Dulhera, Meerut.
On Friday, the Shaivite monk had praised the kanwariyas’ “devotion” and accused their critics for falsely maligning them.
Sunday’s partial climb-down — marking an acknowledgement of violence on the Kanwar Yatra routes — appeared forced by seven kanwariyas’ arrest on Saturday for kicking and punching a CRPF jawan at Mirzapur railway station.
Kanwariyas — who typically travel long distances to collect Ganga water and offer it at Shiva temples — have vandalised shops over prices at several places in western Uttar Pradesh and Uttarakhand since the month-long pilgrimage officially kicked off on July 11. They have damaged vehicles in bouts of road rage and blocked highways for hours.
“Inform the police if any rowdy element tries to violate law and order and hurts your religious sentiments. The administration will deal with them stringently,” Adityanath said.
“We have CCTV footage of the rioters. I have decided that those committing violence to defame the Kanwar Yatra will have their posters put up across (the state) after the pilgrimage is over.”
Adityanath added: “We will take strong action against them. We expect all Shiv Bhakts (kanwariyas) to cooperate. Remember, before 2017, the government used to prevent the Kanwar Yatra; they created hurdles on your way. Today, there is a government that respects your devotion. It’s our (kanwariyas’) responsibility to respect this.”
Adityanath’s government has earmarked a dedicated route for kanwariyas in western Uttar Pradesh and organises refreshment and medical camps along the highways for them.
Over 50,000 policemen are on duty along the Kanwar Yatra route. Government officials have been welcoming the pilgrims into their districts with garlands and petal showers apart from food packs and water.
Adityanath on Sunday surveyed the kanwar route from a helicopter and showered petals on the pilgrims from the sky.
Many previous governments had treated the Kanwar Yatra as any other pilgrimage and never made any special arrangements.
A Samajwadi Party government had banned them from taking along disc jockeys because the pilgrims often exhibited lewd and violent behaviour while dancing to their music.
Adityanath has been in Delhi since Saturday to meet senior BJP leaders amid speculation in Lucknow about impending changes to the state government and party unit.
The chief minister prayed at the Sri Dudheswarnath Temple in Ghaziabad onSunday.
Source: telegraphindia.com
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‘Even Muslims are happy after Raj Thackeray and I were seen together’: Shiv Sena (UBT) chief Uddhav Thackeray
July 20, 2025
Shiv Sena (UBT) chief Uddhav Thackeray has said that not just Marathi manoos (people) but people from other linguistic communities and even Muslims were expressing their joy after he and his cousin and Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS) president Raj Thackeray were seen together at a recent political event.
Uddhav Thackeray’s reaction came during an interview with Saamana editor and Rajya Sabha MP Sanjay Raut. The second part of the interview was published by the Sena (UBT) mouthpiece on Sunday.
“As both of us have come together, who’s got the problem? If they have a problem, they should sort it out on their end. Why should we think about it?
“Gujarati people and those from the Hindi belt also said, ‘Achcha kiya aapne (You did the right thing).’ If anyone is finding it difficult to digest, then I am not paying attention to it,” Uddhav Thackeray said when asked about joining hands with Raj Thackeray after 20 years.
Speaking about the ‘victory rally’ jointly organised by the MNS and the Shiv Sena (UBT) earlier this month in the wake of the state government withdrawing the order making Hindi the compulsory third language in Maharashtra schools, Uddhav Thackeray said, “The rally was not about Maharashtra versus other states. Even people from other states have appreciated our coming together. They have urged us to keep fighting in this manner.”
Raj and Uddhav Thackeray reunite | The long history of language agitation in Maharashtra
Meanwhile, urging Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis to take action against ‘errant’ ministers, the Sena (UBT) chief said, “Whether we agree or not, he is the chief minister. We expect good things will happen from him. We expect him to take strong action against his errant ministers. One after another, the ministers are found doing things that reflect badly on the government. It is affecting the image of the chief minister…”
In 2005, Raj Thackeray quit the undivided Shiv Sena, a party founded by his uncle Bal Thackeray, after reportedly feeling sidelined. Thereafter, he launched the MNS in March 2006.
Source: indianexpress.com
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https://indianexpress.com/article/cities/mumbai/raj-uddhav-thackeray-shiv-sena-ubt-muslims-10138592/
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Why UP’s proposed ‘One District, One Cuisine’ initiative risks flattening India’s rich food heritage
SADAF HUSSAIN
Jul 20, 2025
The first time I went to Lucknow, in 2013, I followed the usual script handed out by friends, family, and the internet. I sampled the famous galawat ke kebab at Tunday Kababi, biryani from Idrees, kachoris from Durga Khasta Corner, chaat from Royal Café, and, of course, a steaming kulhad of chai from Sharma Ji ki Chai. Lucknow’s food felt like a neatly curated checklist; one dish, one shop, one picture for each craving.
But moving and living in Lucknow has changed how I taste the city. Kebabs, chai, kachori, or even chutney — there are dozens of variations, each with its own loyal following and story. Chowk’s tangy khasta is nothing like Hazratganj’s buttery one, and the tea that fuels conversations in Aminabad tastes and feels different from the chai in Gomti Nagar. When people ask me for food recommendations today, my goal is simple: To make them see Lucknow beyond galawati kebabs and Instagram-famous shops.
That’s why the Uttar Pradesh government’s proposed “One District, One Cuisine” initiative, which got a boost after Lucknow’s nomination for “UNESCO’s Creative City of Gastronomy” got accepted, and through which the government intends to popularise one cuisine from each district, worries me. It sounds neat on paper — who wouldn’t want to link every district to a proud local delicacy? But food doesn’t work like that. A city’s culinary identity is not a single dish on a pedestal. It’s a messy, fragrant, indefinable table where stories, communities, and forgotten recipes coexist.
How do you pick one dish to represent Lucknow when its foodscape includes street-side kachoris, temple prasads, majlis tabarruk, and home-cooked aloo gosht with a side of faith, migration, caste, and family history?
Food is part of our intangible cultural heritage, a way of life passed down through generations. Recipes, cooking techniques, and even the etiquette of dining are reflections of values, belief systems, and social identities. As Harvard anthropologist Theodore Bestor said, “the culinary imagination is the way a culture conceptualises and imagines food”. Reducing an entire district to one state-approved “representative” dish risks flattening that imagination, turning living traditions into branded commodities.
Just as there is no one “Indian” language, there is no one “Indian” food. India’s culinary heritage is enormous, shaped by local ingredients, caste-based cooking methods, and regional beliefs. For the longest time, the West thought Indian food meant butter chicken. Now, chefs like Vijay Kumar are changing that narrative; Semma, which serves South Indian food, has won Michelin stars three years in a row in New York. That’s what happens when you let food speak for itself instead of forcing it into a simplified box.
India’s diversity cannot be captured in a single dish. What we eat, how we eat and why we eat what we do are key to understanding India’s social landscape. It is a work of caste, class, religion, region and kinship. Consider Lucknow again. During Muharram, some distribute roti, others sharbat or khichda; during Shravan, some cook sabudana khichdi, others make makhana kheer or khamang kakdi. These are not just recipes but expressions of belief and community, woven into social interactions and rituals. Which one of these would you choose to represent “Lucknow’s cuisine”? And more importantly, who gets to decide?
Colleen Taylor Sen, in Feasts and Fasts (2014), describes Indian cuisine as “an active, ever-changing product of 5,000 years of political upheavals, migrations and conquests, revelries and lamentation”. How then can a policy like “One District, One Cuisine” hope to do justice to this dynamism? Social media already promotes homogeneity by amplifying the most photogenic or viral dishes. The algorithm favours popularity, not cultural nuance. When state policy mirrors that behaviour, we risk celebrating virality instead of vitality.
Food scholar Lucy M Long defines culinary tourism as “the intentional, exploratory participation in the foodways of another — participation including the consumption, preparation, and presentation of a food item, cuisine, meal system, or eating style considered to belong to a culinary system not one’s own.” Culinary adventuring, whether through street food in a far-off country or at an immigrant-run eatery in your own city, promotes diversity and understanding. A plate of kebabs in a Hazratganj restaurant might tell a story of aristocratic Awadhi refinement, while the same kebab in a Chowk stall speaks of street-side hustle and working-class ingenuity. A one-cuisine policy stands to kill curiosity by presenting a single, state-sanctioned narrative of what a place “tastes like”. Which story would “One District, One Cuisine” choose to erase?
Source: indianexpress.com
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11 arrested in Punjab’s Phagwara ‘beef packaging’ case, forensic report awaited
July 20, 2025
Amid growing political friction over the alleged targeting of migrants from West Bengal in opposition-ruled states, the Punjab Police have so far arrested 11 people, including six from the eastern state in connection with an alleged beef packaging operation near Phagwara.
The arrests follow a raid on July 2 based on a tip-off from Gurpreet Singh, national president of the United Gau Raksha Dal. Police also confirmed that one of the arrested accused is a minor and has been sent to a juvenile home. The 10 others are lodged at Kapurthala Central Jail. A Rohingya national from Myanmar is among the accused still absconding, with several others yet to be identified, police said.
Police said that the raid was conducted at a cold storage unit operating behind Jyoti Vaishno Dhaba in Chachoki village, located along the Ludhiana side of the GT Road. Suspected beef was recovered during the raid, and samples were sent for forensic testing, the results of which are awaited.
Those initially arrested included Mukhtiyar Alam, Azaad, Zakir Hussain, Rehana Alam, and Minjar Ali, and a juvenile all residents of Malda district in West Bengal; Taseem from Ghaziabad (Uttar Pradesh); Arsad from UP; and Madan Shah from Chachrari village in Jalandhar. Later, the alleged key accused — Vijay Kumar of Phagwara and Husan Lal of Chachoki village, Kapurthala — were also apprehended.
Inspector Usha Rani, Station House Officer of Phagwara City Police Station, told The Indian Express that the accused were reportedly involved in this illegal operation for the past 2-3 months. However, she clarified that no slaughtering was done on-site; only packaging of meat was allegedly taking place at the unit.
The case has triggered a political and religious backlash. Local leaders from Parshuram Sena and Brahmin Mandal condemned the incident and demanded that the case be handed over to the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) for a more transparent probe, citing its communal sensitivity.
Inderjit Karwal, vice-president of Shiv Sena Punjab, also appealed to CM Bhagwant Mann and DGP Gaurav Yadav to investigate the potential connections between the accused and local politicians, administrative officials, and law enforcement personnel.
The original complaint was lodged by Gurpreet Singh, who alleged that beef was being processed at the cold storage attached to Jyoti Dhaba and then supplied to Delhi and Srinagar. He claimed this posed a serious threat to communal harmony and urged for immediate police action.
A case was registered under Sections 299 (hurting religious sentiments), 325 (mischief by killing animals), and 111 (organised crime) of BNS along with provisions of the Punjab Prohibition of Cow Slaughter Act, 1955, and the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act, 1960.
Source: indianexpress.com
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https://indianexpress.com/article/cities/chandigarh/11-arrested-punjabs-phagwara-beef-packaging-case-forensic-report-awaited-10137841/
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'Humiliating' for country: Mallikarjun Kharge corners govt over Donald Trump's claim on India-Pakistan ceasefire
21.07.25
Leader of Opposition Mallikarjun Kharge on Monday termed US President Donald Trump's repeated claims that he mediated between India and Pakistan to bring about a ceasefire during Operation Sindoor in May as "humiliating" for the country, and asked the government for a clarification on the issue.
Kharge, and other Congress party members also demanded that Prime Minister Narendra Modi should give answers to the issues raised by them regarding the Pahalgam terror attack and Trump's claims on ceasefire during Operation Sindoor.
The House witnessed a brief adjournment due to opposition uproar during the Zero Hour, and also a walkout by Congress when the Rajya Sabha reassembled for the Question Hour at 12 noon.
Kharge, along with several opposition members in the Rajya Sabha, had submitted adjournment notices (under Rule 267) to take up discussion on the terror attack in Pahalgam and Operation Sindoor after suspending the listed business of the day.
Raising the issue during the Zero Hour, the Congress President made a case for a two-day debate on the Pahalgam attack, Operation Sindoor, alleged security lapses and foreign policy. "The Prime Minister should answer," he demanded.
Recalling that the Pahalgam terror attack that took place on April 22, Kharge lamented that the terrorists who carried the attack have neither been caught nor killed till date.
Jammu and Kashmir LG Manoj Sinha himself has admitted that there has been a lapse in Pahalgam, he added.
Kharge said all political parties had given unconditional support to the government. "In such a situation, we want to know from the government what is the complete situation?," he said.
The senior Congress leader further said the Chief of Defence Staff (CDS), Deputy Army Chief and one of the senior Defence Attache have made some revelations regarding Operation Sindoor.
"Apart from this, the government should also clarify its stand on the statement of US President Donald Trump, because he has claimed not once but 24 times that he got the ceasefire done. This is humiliating for the country," he said.
Responding to Kharge's demands, Leader of the House and Union Minister J P Nadda asserted that the government was ready to discuss all issues related to Operation Sindoor.
Chairman Jagdeep Dhankhar also assured agitating Opposition MPs that he will ensure a full-fledged discussion on the issue for as much time as members want.
Dhankhar said he will discuss the issue with leaders of various parties, as he adjourned the House proceedings briefly till 12 noon amid uproar by Opposition benches.
When the House met at 12 noon for the scheduled Question Hour, the Congress party again raised the issue, and later staged a walkout from the House in protest.
Operation Sindoor, initiated on May 7, 2025, in the aftermath of the Pahalgam terror attack, which claimed the lives of 26 innocent civilians, launched a calibrated, tri-services response that embodied precision, professionalism, and purpose.
Operation Sindoor was conceived as a punitive and targeted campaign to dismantle the terror infrastructure across the Line of Control and deeper inside Pakistan.
A ceasefire was announced on May 10.
Source: telegraphindia.com
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https://www.telegraphindia.com/india/donald-trumps-claims-on-ceasefire-humiliating-for-country-says-mallikarjun-kharge-in-rajya-sabha/cid/2114331
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South Asia
IEA Issues Urgent Statement on Humanitarian Crisis in Gaza
July 21, 2025
KABUL (BNA): The Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan (IEA) has released a strong statement condemning the ongoing humanitarian crisis in Gaza, where hundreds of thousands of individuals, particularly women and children, are enduring severe hardships due to violent conflicts and blockades.
In its statement, the IEA decried the “cruel aggression” and “brutal bombing” perpetrated by Israeli forces, highlighting the dire conditions of hunger, thirst, and disease that have gripped the region. The organization emphasized the urgent need for humanitarian aid, calling on Muslim nations and influential global actors to take immediate action to support the affected populations.
The IEA described the current situation as a grave violation of human rights, criticizing the use of humanitarian aid as a means of control and the ongoing suppression of civilians. It urged the international community to unite against the oppression faced by the people of Gaza, warning that failure to act would lead to accountability before God.
In a heartfelt prayer, the IEA called upon Almighty Allah to deliver the people of Gaza from their suffering and to hold accountable those responsible for their plight. The statement concluded with a plea for divine intervention and justice, urging all of humanity to recognize the severity of the situation.
Source: bakhtarnews.af
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https://www.bakhtarnews.af/en/iea-issues-urgent-statement-on-humanitarian-crisis-in-gaza/
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Afghanistan Journalists Center Condemns Ban on Live Images in Sar-e Pol
July 21, 2025
The Afghanistan Journalists Center has strongly condemned the recent ban on broadcasting live images in Sar-e Pol province, describing it as a clear violation of freedom of expression and media rights. The center warned that such restrictions severely limit public access to information.
The Department for the Promotion of Virtue and Prevention of Vice in Sar-e Pol issued the ban during a meeting held on July 14, 2025, with Khairullah Khairkhah, the department’s representative, informing local media outlets about the prohibition. According to the directive, media are barred from publishing any live images of living beings, including on social networks.
This restriction was previously enforced in nineteen other provinces such as Kandahar, Takhar, and Helmand. With Sar-e Pol now added, it becomes the twentieth province under this media limitation. Local sources report that this ban forced Sar-e Pol’s national television station to operate only as a radio, as officials refuse to take part in video interviews.
Several media outlets in Sar-e Pol, including private radios like Seda-e Sar-e Pol, Banoo, and Anbir, as well as the provincial branch of Bakhtar News Agency and the state-run Sar-e Pol publication, are heavily impacted by these new restrictions. A local journalist, who requested anonymity, confirmed that media work has been seriously curtailed by the ban.
The Afghanistan Journalists Center urged the Taliban to immediately revoke this and other anti-media orders to ensure an environment where journalists can operate freely and safely. The organization emphasized that protecting press freedoms is essential for an informed and transparent society.
The ban on live images in Sar-e Pol marks a troubling expansion of media restrictions in Afghanistan, further silencing journalists and limiting citizens’ right to information. Such measures undermine the principles of free expression and democratic engagement.
Source: khaama.com
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https://www.khaama.com/afghanistan-journalists-center-condemns-ban-on-live-images-in-sar-e-pol/
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Shishu hospital: Appointment of 65 doctors cancelled
July 21, 2025
The management board of Bangladesh Shishu Hospital and Institute has cancelled the appointment of 65 doctors who were recruited on an ad-hoc basis without any official circular.
Prof Md Mahbubul Hoque, director of the hospital, confirmed the development to The Daily Star yesterday.
The move came days after the health ministry launched an investigation into the appointments, following reports published in several newspapers.
According to media reports, the hospital authorities appointed 65 doctors on a six-month ad-hoc basis without issuing any recruitment circular. All of them had already been working at the hospital.
Mahbubul said the doctors were appointed on an ad-hoc basis due to a shortage of manpower. However, the management board on Saturday cancelled the appointments as it sparked controversy.
"The health ministry's probe committee also recommended cancelling the appointments," he said.
The board has also directed the authorities to initiate a recruitment process following due procedures as soon as possible, he added.
Source: thedailystar.net
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https://www.thedailystar.net/health/news/shishu-hospital-appointment-65-doctors-cancelled-3943976
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Purbachal project: 6 cases against Hasina, 27 others transferred to different courts
July 21, 2025
A Dhaka court today transferred six cases – filed against 28 people, including ousted prime minister Sheikh Hasina, her sister Sheikh Rehana, her son Sajeeb Wazed Joy and daughter Saima Wazed Putul – to four other courts for disposal of the allegations over irregularities in plot allocation under the Purbachal New Town project.
The courts are Special Judge's Courts-1, 4, 5 and 8.
Judge Md Zakir Hossain Galib of Dhaka Metropolitan Senior Special Judge's Court passed the order after six gazette notifications, summoning all the accused to appear before it today, were placed before the court.
Moreover, ACC Public Prosecutor Mir Ahmed Ali Salam appealed to the court for fixing a new date for framing charges against the accused in the cases as all formalities have been completed earlier.
Notably, Sheikh Rehana's son Radwan Mujib Siddiq Bobby, her daughters Tulip Siddiq and Azmina Siddiq, and several current and former officials of the Ministry of Housing and Public Works and Rajdhani Unnayan Kartripakkha (Rajuk) are among the accused.
On July 1, the same court directed the government to issue six gazette notifications summoning 28 individuals, including Hasina and Rehana in the same six cases.
The order came after police submitted reports on previously issued arrest warrants in the case, said court sources.
Earlier on April 10, 13 and 15, the same court issued arrest warrants against the 28 accused after taking cognisance of the charges brought against them in six cases.
On March 25, the ACC submitted six charge sheets against Hasina and others in the cases. Hasina is a common accused in all six cases.
The ACC has listed all the accused as fugitives.
On January 12, the ACC filed the cases with its Dhaka Integrated District Office against Hasina and others.
According to the ACC documents, Hasina, in collusion with senior Rajuk officials, had six plots of land allotted to herself, her son, daughter, younger sister, her son, and her daughter, in violation of existing regulations.
The six plots, each measuring 10 kathas, are in the diplomatic zone of Sector-27 in the Purbachal New Town project. On December 17, 2024, the ACC launched the probe into allegations of embezzlement totalling Tk 80,000 crore against Hasina and her family members from nine projects, including the Rooppur Nuclear Power Plant.
On December 22, 2024, the commission also launched an investigation against Hasina and Joy over allegations of laundering $300 million to the United States.
Source: thedailystar.net
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https://www.thedailystar.net/news/bangladesh/crime-justice/news/ekramul-killing-ex-al-mp-bodi-shown-arrested-sent-jail-3943816
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Muttaqi urges host countries to give returnees time to settle affairs
July 21, 2025
KABUL: The country’s acting Foreign Minister, Mawlawi Amir Khan Muttaqi, urged host nations to allow returnees time to settle affairs, according to a statement from the ministry on Saturday.
Muttaqi made remarks in a meeting with Filippo Grandi, the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR), the statement said.
Discussing the challenges faced by Afghan returnees deported from Iran and Pakistan, both sides exchanged views on the urgent humanitarian needs of forcibly returned Afghans and mechanisms for their support and assistance.
Minister Muttaqi stressed that returnees should be given adequate time in host countries to settle personal affairs, including the settlement of assets and property transfer, especially given the harsh summer conditions.
He reaffirmed the Islamic Emirate’s commitment to supporting returnees while emphasizing the country’s pressing need for increased international assistance to address widespread humanitarian challenges.
Meanwhile, Grandi assured that UNHCR would continue to closely monitor the situation of returnees and offer support through all available means.
He reaffirmed UNHCR’s decades-long partnership with Afghanistan, pledging ongoing assistance to Afghan refugees and returnees.
The Kabul Times
Source: thekabultimes.com
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https://thekabultimes.com/muttaqi-urges-host-countries-to-give-returnees-time-to-settle-affairs/
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WHO: Nearly Four Million Afghans Suffer from Drug Disorders
July 21, 2025
The World Health Organization (WHO) has revealed that approximately four million people in Afghanistan suffer from disorders related to drug abuse. During a recent visit to Kabul, the WHO’s regional head, Hanan Balkhi, emphasized the urgent need to strengthen health services to address this crisis.
Balkhi toured a women and children addiction treatment center in Kabul, which accommodates 100 beds. She praised the resilience and determination of the women undergoing treatment, stating that everyone deserves an opportunity to recover and rebuild their lives.
The WHO official highlighted the importance of collaborative efforts to improve Afghanistan’s healthcare landscape and respond swiftly to the country’s growing needs. Her visit underscored a call for collective action from local and international stakeholders.
During her trip, Balkhi met with key figures including the Taliban’s Minister of Health, UN representatives, diplomats from China, Pakistan, Indonesia, Turkey, and officials from the World Bank, European Union, and the Organization of Islamic Cooperation. Discussions focused on eradicating polio, enhancing addiction treatment, drafting national health policies, and securing funding.
Recent UN reports reveal a significant rise in injectable drug use in Afghanistan, even as traditional consumption of hashish and opium declines. The increasing use of heroin and methamphetamine presents new challenges, compounded by financial hardship, social stigma, and limited access to specialized treatment centers.
The WHO’s visit and its findings highlight the urgent need for increased healthcare investment and coordinated efforts to tackle drug addiction in Afghanistan. Without expanded resources and comprehensive policies, millions remain at risk.
International cooperation, sustained funding, and culturally sensitive treatment programs will be crucial to overcoming addiction challenges and improving public health outcomes across Afghanistan.
Source: khaama.com
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https://www.khaama.com/who-nearly-four-million-afghans-suffer-from-drug-disorders/
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Africa
Muslim, Christian prayers end Buhari’s mourning week
July 21, 2025
by Jide Orintunsin, Abuja and Bolaji Ogundele, Abuja
Events organised for the funeral of former President Muhammadu Buhari, who died last Sunday ended yesterday with Muslim and Christian prayer sessions in Abuja.
The activities started with the sending of Vice President Kashim Shetimma by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to London to bring Buhari’s body.
The President declared seven days of mourning and flying of flags at half-staff. These ended yesterday.
The President also declared Tuesday, the day Buhari was buried, as a public holiday.
On Tuesday, Buhari’s body was interred at his home in Daura before President Tinubu, Shettima, foreign heads of government and top government officials.
Also on Thursday an extra-ordinary Federal Executive Council (FEC) meeting was convened where tributes were paid to Buhari.
The meeting was attended by four of his children, including his only son Yusuf.
The President, while rounding off proceedings, renamed the University of Maiduguri after the late former president.
Muslim and Christian clerics yesterday in Abuja prayed for the repose of Buhari’s soul.
The special prayer sessions for the late President were coordinated by the Federal Government.
At the eighth-day fidau held at Ansar-Ud-Deen Mosque in Maitama, Abuja. Muslim clerics and politicians showered prayers and poured eulogies on the late President.
There was a recitation of the Holy Qur’an by Muslim clerics and a sermon on the importance of integrity and honesty amongst leaders.
Leading the du’a, the Chief Imam of the mosque, Dr. Musa Olaofe, described the late President as an epitome of honesty, integrity, and dedication. He prayed to Allah (SWT) to forgive his shortcomings, comfort his family, and grant them fortitude to bear the irreparable loss.
Eulogising the former President, the convener of the Fidau session, Alhaji Nasiru Danu (Sardaunan Dutse), said the late Buhari had set a template for all serving and future leaders to emulate.
Dignitaries at the prayer session included former Ministers Rotimi Amaechi (Transportation), Hadi Sirika (Aviation), and Hajia Sa’adiya Umar-Faruk (Humanitarian and Disaster Management).
Also, at the solemn national memorial church service, the Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF), Senator George Akume, urged Nigerians to reflect deeply on the legacies of the departed leader.
Akume described the former President as a disciplined and principled statesman who led with conviction, integrity, and an unwavering commitment to Nigeria’s unity and progress.
In a statement by the Director of Information and Public Relations in the Office of the SGF, Segun Imohiosen. The SGF said: “Though not perfect, he fought a good fight, finished the race, and kept the faith. His legacy in national security, social protection, and institutional reforms – including the Petroleum Industry Act – will remain part of Nigeria’s development history.”
Akume hailed President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for approving the renaming of the University of Maiduguri to Muhammadu Buhari University, Maiduguri, in a posthumous recognition of the former President’s contributions to national development.
Dignitaries at the special prayer session included the representative of Senate President, Deputy Senate Majority Whip Onyekachi Nwaebonyi, members of the National Assembly, ministers, top government officials, former Secretaries to the Government of the Federation, retired Permanent Secretaries, and other distinguished Nigerians.
Also, the family of the late President Buhari has expressed gratitude to the Federal Government, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, world leaders, and others for their support since the demise of their patriarch.
A statement by the Senior Special Assistant to the former President, Malam Garba Shehu, said the Malam Daura, the most senior member of the Buhari family, expressed the family’s gratitude.
According to the statement, Daura singled out President Tinubu and his wife, Senator Oluremi, for their role and that of Akume, before and after the passing of the former President.
The statement reads: “It is truly comforting to receive such support from the President and the Vice President, Kashim Shettima, who went to the United Kingdom, and here in Daura, for the days he and the ministers were during the mourning period. These have instilled confidence in all of us to face this loss with courage.
“We are deeply grateful to the President on his thoughtful gestures in declaring a public holiday and renaming the University of Maiduguri after Buhari.
“Our gratitude also goes to leaders of the various countries around the globe who either came in person, sent representatives, sent letters, or placed personal telephone calls to commiserate with us. Of special note were those of the King of England, King Charles 111, the Secretary General of the United Nations, the Deputy Secretary General, Amina Mohammed, the Chairman of the African Union, and that of the Committee of Heads of State and Government of ECOWAS countries, and our former Head of State, Abdulsalami Abubakar.
“Muhammadu Buhari’s demise is an irreparable loss and its pain is beyond words, but the general reaction and kind expressions give us the strength to cope with the loss of our esteemed family member and former leader of the country.”
Source: thenationonlineng.net
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https://thenationonlineng.net/muslim-christian-prayers-end-buharis-mourning-week/
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Muslim community kicks over Plateau’s insistence on withdrawal of soldiers
July 21, 2025
By Ado Abubakar Musa, Jos
Muslim communities in Plateau state have kicked against the call by state government to withdraw soldiers from flashpoints in the state.
Daily Trust reports that the state government had, on Friday, through the Special Envoy on peace and security to Governor Caleb Mutfwang, demanded the withdrawal of soldiers from crisis areas and replaced them with mobile policemen.
The call by the state government followed Tuesday morning attack in a community in Riyom LGA, where 27 people were reportedly killed.
The state government had blamed security personnel stationed there for failing to prevent the attack.
The state government also blamed the soldiers stationed in the area for failing to arrest the perpetrators of the attack.
However, reacting to the call for withdrawal of soldiers, in a press conference in Jos, the Muslim community rejected the call and urged the federal government to ignore it, noting that the presence of soldiers especially from Operation Safe Haven has helped restore peace in all parts of the state.
Sani Mudi, a leader of the Muslim community and member of Jama’atu Nasril Islam (JNI) in the state, who led the conference said the call to remove soldiers at this critical time is ill-timed, as military intervention is required to consolidate the existing peace.
He added that the soldiers had done wonderfully well and need to be commended.
He said, “Deployment of troops in Plateau has a history, and one of the basic facts about it is that the police were initially unable to prevent the challenges of the crisis. Obviously, the military had to be deployed to take over peace enforcement with the support of the police. Later, the concept of Operation Safe Haven was developed, with the addition of other security forces, including the police, and it has worked well in Plateau.”
According to Mudi, “In the beginning, the police were overwhelmed, and we suffered. So, military has to come in and has been impartial and neutral. They are sensitive to the nature of all communities, and all areas were adequately covered. The military has a fantastic approach in terms of dialogue with people – they don’t perceive everyone as a criminal but investigate first before taking action. They have done well in dialogue and have achieved a lot.”
Speaking during the conference, Barrister Lawal Ishaq, a community leader, said, “For us as a community, suggesting that soldiers be removed and replaced with police is unfair to the military. We urge the state government to rethink this call.
“Every rational person who understands what is happening will agree that the military has done very well, and attempting to remove them would take us back to undesirable times, “ he added.
Source: dailytrust.com
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https://dailytrust.com/muslim-community-kicks-over-plateaus-insistence-on-withdrawal-of-soldiers/
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‘Certain Actors Have Chosen To Politicize Sensitive Welfare Issue’ – Police Speak On Protest
By Retired Officers’
July 21, 2025
By Rachel Okporu Fadoju
The Nigeria Police Force (NPF) has clarified its stance on the public discussions surrounding the planned peaceful protest by retired police officers over pension-related concerns.
Naija News reports that in a statement issued by the Force Public Relations Officer, ACP Olumuyiwa Adejobi, on behalf of the Inspector-General of Police, the Force reaffirmed its commitment to the welfare of its retired personnel while cautioning against the politicisation of the protest.
Adejobi said it was disheartening that certain actors have chosen to politicise a sensitive welfare issue, weaponising the legitimate grievances of the retired colleagues for ulterior motives.
He acknowledged the legitimacy of the agitation for improved pension conditions and the demand for an exit from the Contributory Pension Scheme (CPS).
While urging calm among its officers, Adejobi admitted that the issue has persisted for over a decade and remains unresolved due to legal and administrative constraints beyond the powers of any Inspector-General.
The statement reads, “The Nigeria Police Force has noted the ongoing conversations surrounding the peaceful protest being organised by some of our retired officers in relation to their pension entitlements. While some of these accounts are grounded in fact and driven by good faith, others have been marred by misinformation, emotional manipulation, and calculated distortions designed to discredit the Government and undermine the present leadership of the Nigeria Police Force.
“It is disheartening to observe how certain actors have chosen to politicise a sensitive welfare issue, weaponizing the legitimate grievances of our retired colleagues for ulterior motives. Their intent is not reform, but disruption. Their tactics involve twisting facts, inflaming sentiments, and sowing distrust in the public space. These actions do a disservice not only to our noble institution, but to the integrity of public discourse in our country. We however remain focused on the real issue which is the welfare of those who once bore the burden of national security with courage and honour.
“The agitation for improved police pensions, particularly the call for exit from the Contributory Pension Scheme (CPS), is not a recent development. It has spanned over a decade. Since 2014, successive Inspectors-General of Police have demonstrated empathy, engaged critical stakeholders, and provided institutional support for this cause. Yet, despite these earnest efforts, the desired outcome has remained elusive; not for lack of will, but due to entrenched legal provisions, fiscal limitations, and administrative bottlenecks. The hard truth is that exiting the Police from the CPS lies beyond the remit of any Inspector-General, as the matter is deeply woven into a web of statutory mandates, inter-agency protocols, and policy inertia.
“Moreover, expert projections indicate that as the scheme matures, its benefits are expected to significantly improve. Officers retiring within the next five years are projected to receive significantly more favourable pension outcomes than those currently exiting the system. In practical terms, this means that the longer one remains in the scheme, the less likely they are to experience the same pension challenges. This evolving reality demands a pragmatic review of our approach.
“In recognition of these constraints and shifting dynamics, the current Police leadership is pursuing a dual-track strategy of supporting the agitation in principle, while urgently exploring innovative, alternative solutions to address the immediate plight of our retirees. These include utilising internally generated revenues from police services to provide supplementary pension benefits; and mobilising private sector and corporate support for the establishment of targeted pension enhancement initiatives.
“These interventions are already underway and reflect a broader, more holistic strategy to elevate the welfare of our retired personnel, not merely through policy debates, but through tangible results. The Federal government has been sensitized enough and appropriate responses are being awaited
“Let it be stated unequivocally that this explanation is not intended to suppress the planned protest. On the contrary, it reflects a leadership that listens, understands, and engages in good faith. The Inspector-General of Police has interacted extensively with many retired officers over the past year, and several groups have since withdrawn their support for the protest, having appreciated the direction of current efforts. However, for those who still choose to proceed, their rights will be protected. The protest is scheduled to take place on Monday, 21st July 2025, primarily within the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) and any other State Command where prior notification has been duly given.
“Accordingly, the Inspector-General of Police has directed all Commissioners of Police to ensure the peaceful conduct of the protest within their jurisdictions, especially in the FCT and other states where formal notice has been received; provide adequate security coverage to our retired colleagues who have chosen to publicly express their grievances; prevent any hijack of the protest by miscreants, political actors, or non-retired agitators; sensitise officers and men under their command on the constitutional rights to peaceful assembly, and the obligation to show utmost respect to our retired colleagues; while deploying intelligence and operational resources to protect lives, maintain public order, and safeguard institutional integrity.
“The Inspector-General of Police charges all officers to note that this protest, described as “the mother of all peaceful protests”, must not only be peaceful; it must be exemplary, and as such should stand as a national model for dignified expression of grievance and responsible public order management. We must show, by conduct and command, that the Nigeria Police Force is both professional and humane. He further reiterates that this is more than a directive; it is a call to institutional responsibility, a test of our maturity, our values, and our discipline.
“Let us rise to this moment with wisdom, restraint, and unwavering respect for those who served before us. Serving officers are however warned not to be misled by those who either are ignorant of the ethics of our profession or are up for manipulations and disruption.”
Source: naijanews.com
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https://www.naijanews.com/2025/07/20/certain-actors-have-chosen-to-politicize-sensitive-welfare-issue-police-speak-on-protest-by-retired-officers/
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Ceasefire agreement between Kinshasa and M23 revives hope for lasting peace in eastern DRC
July 21, 2025
By Malaika Élysée
A long-awaited breeze of hope is emerging in the eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo. After years of violence and the displacement of countless civilians, a principle agreement has been signed between the Congolese government and the M23 rebel movement, often accused of receiving support from Rwanda.
The accord, signed in Doha under the mediation of Qatar, commits both parties to protecting civilians while fully respecting the territorial sovereignty of the DRC. In Goma, the capital of North Kivu province, which has been under M23 control since January, the announcement has sparked a cautious but genuine sense of optimism.
“We are very happy to hear they are trying to reach an agreement to end the war. It would be a great thing to see the country united again and people able to move freely without borders,” said Fidèle Kasereka, a local motorcycle taxi driver, speaking to Africa News.
“We want peace. We want real results from these negotiations, not just talks today followed by fighting tomorrow. We’re suffering deeply here,” added Adèle Faida, a Goma resident.
The agreement includes a permanent ceasefire and explicitly bans any military attacks, aerial bombardments, or territorial advances. For many residents, the announcement brings both relief and skepticism.
“Diplomacy sometimes requires military readiness, that’s true. But we, the people, don’t want weapons anymore. Weapons have left us hungry and have taken away our parents and our children. It’s unbearable,” said Gueule Mamlaka, another Goma resident.
The international community has welcomed the agreement as a “significant step,” while urging continued vigilance. France and the United Nations peacekeeping mission MONUSCO have stressed the importance of swift, concrete, and sincere implementation.
Among Congolese civil society and segments of the political class, the agreement is viewed as a symbolic but vital milestone on the path toward durable peace.
“We welcome the Doha talks. This is a step forward, a major breakthrough. The M23 and the government have both made commitments. We hope it leads to real dialogue, but the broader political crisis must also be addressed,” said political figure Grâce Omar.
The agreement took effect immediately. A monitoring mechanism is set to be established to ensure that all parties uphold their commitments. Direct negotiations are expected in the coming weeks, with the goal of reaching a comprehensive peace agreement by next summer, aligned with the protocol signed on June 27 between Kinshasa and Kigali.
Source: africanews.com
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Mideast
Libya commander Haftar seeks to force international engagement
July 21, 2025
TUNIS: Libya’s eastern authorities recently expelled a senior European delegation in a move analysts say was meant to send a message: the unrecognized administration backed by military leader Khalifa Haftar cannot be ignored.
On July 8, an EU commissioner and ministers from Greece, Italy and Malta were in Libya to discuss irregular migration from the North African country.
Their visit was divided in two, as is Libya, which is still grappling with the aftermath of the armed conflict and political chaos that followed the 2011 NATO-backed uprising that toppled longtime dictator Muammar Qaddafi.
The delegation first visited the capital Tripoli, seat of the internationally recognized Libyan government of Prime Minister Abdelhamid Dbeibah.
They then traveled to Benghazi, in the east, where a rival administration backed by Haftar and his clan is based, and with whom the EU has generally avoided direct contact.
Almost immediately, a reported disagreement prompted the eastern authorities to accuse the European delegation of a “flagrant breach of diplomatic norms,” ordering the visiting dignitaries to leave.
In Brussels, the European Commission admitted a “protocol issue.”
Tarek Megerisi, a senior policy fellow at the European Council on Foreign Relations think tank, said the scene at the airport “was a calculated move.”
Haftar was playing to EU fears of irregular migration in order “to generate de facto European recognition,” and thus “broaden relations with Europe away from just engagement with him as a local military leader.”
Turning the delegation away showed that declining to engage with the eastern civilian administration was no longer an option.
The complex situation in Libya has required unusual diplomacy.
European governments recognize and work with the Tripoli-based government and not the eastern administration, but still hold contact with Haftar’s military forces.
In their visit earlier this month, the European commissioner and ministers were meant to meet with eastern military officials.
But once at the Benghazi airport, they saw “there were people there that we had not agreed to meet,” a European official in Brussels told journalists on condition of anonymity.
“We had to fly back,” the official said, adding that “of course” it was linked to recognition of the eastern government.
Claudia Gazzini, a Libya expert at the International Crisis Group, said she did not believe “it was a premeditated incident.”
But “the question does present itself as to why” ministers from the eastern government were at the airport in the first place, and why Haftar would let it play out the way it did, she said.
“We can’t completely rule out that there was some particular issue or bilateral disagreement with one of the countries represented in the delegation,” Gazzini added.
Libya expert Jalel Harchaoui suggested Greece may have been the target.
On July 6, two days before the axed visit, “the Greek foreign minister had come to demand concessions on migration and maritime (issues) without offering any tangible incentives,” Harchaoui said.
Despite Haftar’s personal involvement, the July 6 visit “had yielded nothing,” added the expert.
Then, on July 8, “a Greek representative – this time as part of an EU delegation – wanted to negotiate on the same day with the rival Tripoli government, placing the two governments on an equal footing,” he said.
This was “an affront in Benghazi’s view,” Harchaoui said, and the administration wanted to “punish Athens.”
To Harchaoui, the diplomatic flap was a sign not to “underestimate” the Haftars’ foreign policy.
“The Haftar family is an absolutely essential actor” in tackling the influx of migrants or, for example, advancing energy projects, due to its key role in securing Libya’s eastern coast, said Harchaoui.
The message delivered at the Benghazi airport “is clear: take the eastern faction seriously,” he added.
Harchaoui said that the Haftars, already “rich in cash and strong” in terms of strategic assets, have recently increased efforts to “consolidate their legitimacy.”
Haftar himself was hosted in February by French President Emmanuel Macron, and in May by Russia’s Vladimir Putin.
And Haftar’s son, Saddam, recently visited the United States, Turkiye, Italy and Niger.
Even Ankara, which has provided support for the Tripoli-based government in repelling attacks from the east, “is now seeking to further profit off the Haftars through things like construction projects,” said Megerisi.
He added that Turkiye also has wider geopolitical ambitions, hoping to see the Haftars endorse a maritime border agreement in the eastern Mediterranean, which Tripoli had already signed but Athens regards as illegal.
Source: arabnews.com
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Children most affected by worsening malnutrition in Gaza Strip
July 21, 2025
NUSEIRAT: As malnutrition surges in war-torn Gaza, tens of thousands of children and women require urgent treatment, according to the UN, while aid enters the blockaded Palestinian territory at a trickle.
Gaza’s civil defense agency said it has noted a rising number of infant deaths caused by “severe hunger and malnutrition,” reporting at least three such deaths in the past week.
“These heartbreaking cases were not caused by direct bombing but by starvation, the lack of baby formula and the absence of basic health care,” civil defense spokesman Mahmud Bassal said.
Ziad Musleh, a 45-year-old father displaced from Gaza’s north to the central city of Nuseirat, said: “We are dying, our children are dying and we can’t do anything to stop it.”
“Our children cry and scream for food. They go to sleep in pain, in hunger, with empty stomachs. There is absolutely no food.
“And if by chance a small amount appears in the market, the prices are outrageous — no one can afford it.”
At a food distribution site in a UN-school-turned-shelter in Nuseirat on Sunday, children entertained themselves by banging on their plates as they waited for their turn.
Several of them had faces stretched thin by hunger, a journalist reported.
Umm Sameh Abu Zeina, whose cheekbones protruded from her thin face as she waited for food in Nuseirat, said she had lost 35 kg.
“We do not eat enough. I don’t eat, I leave the food I receive for my daughter,” she said, adding that she had a range of health conditions, including high blood pressure and diabetes.
Gazans as well as the UN and aid organizations frequently complain that depleted stocks have sent prices skyrocketing for what little food is available in the markets.
The UN’s World Food Programme warned in early July that the price of flour for bread was 3,000 times more expensive than before the war began more than 21 months ago.
WFP director Carl Skau, who visited Gaza City in early July, described the situation as “the worst I’ve ever seen.”
“A father I met had lost 25 kg in the past two months. People are starving, while we have food just across the border,” he said. “Our kitchens are empty; they are now serving hot water with a bit of pasta floating in it,” said Skau.
Source: arabnews.com
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European powers plan fresh nuclear talks with Iran
July 21, 2025
BERLIN: European powers plan fresh talks with Iran on its nuclear program in the coming days, the first since the US attacked Iranian nuclear facilities a month ago, a German diplomatic source told AFP on Sunday.
Britain, France and Germany, known as the E3, “are in contact with Iran to schedule further talks for the coming week,” the source said.
The trio had recently warned that international sanctions against Iran could be reactivated if Tehran does not return to the negotiating table.
Iran’s Tasnim news agency also reported that Tehran had agreed to hold talks with the three European countries, citing an unnamed source.
Consultations are ongoing regarding a date and location for the talks, the report said.
“Iran must never be allowed to acquire a nuclear weapon,” the German source said.
“That is why Germany, France and the United Kingdom are continuing to work intensively in the E3 format to find a sustainable and verifiable diplomatic solution to the Iranian nuclear program,” the source added.
Israel and Western nations have long accused Iran of seeking to develop nuclear weapons, a charge Tehran has consistently denied.
On June 13, Israel launched a wave of surprise strikes on its regional nemesis, targeting key military and nuclear facilities.
The United States launched its own set of strikes against Iran’s nuclear program on June 22, hitting the uranium enrichment facility at Fordo, in Qom province south of Tehran, as well as nuclear sites in Isfahan and Natanz.
Iran and the United States had held several rounds of nuclear negotiations through Omani mediators before Israel launched its 12-day war against Iran.
However, US President Donald Trump’s decision to join Israel in striking Iranian nuclear facilities effectively ended the talks.
The E3 countries last met with Iranian representatives in Geneva on June 21 — just one day before the US strikes.
Also Sunday, Russian President Vladimir Putin held a surprise meeting in the Kremlin with Ali Larijani, top adviser to Iran’s supreme leader on nuclear issues.
Larijani “conveyed assessments of the escalating situation in the Middle East and around the Iranian nuclear program,” Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said of the unannounced meeting.
Putin had expressed Russia’s “well-known positions on how to stabilize the situation in the region and on the political settlement of the Iranian nuclear program,” he added.
Moscow has a cordial relationship with Iran’s clerical leadership and provides crucial backing for Tehran but did not swing forcefully behind its partner even after the United States joined Israel’s bombing campaign.
Iran and world powers struck a deal in 2015 called the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA), which placed significant restrictions on Tehran’s nuclear program in exchange for sanctions relief.
But the hard-won deal began to unravel in 2018, during Trump’s first presidency, when the United States walked away from it and reimposed sanctions on Iran.
European countries have in recent days threatened to trigger the deal’s “snapback” mechanism, which allows the reimposition of sanctions in the event of non-compliance by Iran.
After a call with his European counterparts on Friday, Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi said the Western allies had “absolutely no moral (or) legal grounds” for reactivating the snapback sanctions.
He elaborated in a post to social media Sunday.
“Through their actions and statements, including providing political and material support to the recent unprovoked and illegal military aggression of the Israeli regime and the US... the E3 have relinquished their role as ‘Participants’ in the JCPOA,” said Araghchi.
That made any attempt to reinstate the terminated UN Security Council resolutions “null and void,” he added.
“Iran has shown that it is capable of defeating any delusional ‘dirty work’ but has always been prepared to reciprocate meaningful diplomacy in good faith,” Araghchi wrote.
However, the German source said Sunday that “if no solution is reached over the summer, snapback remains an option for the E3.”
Ali Velayati, an adviser to supreme leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, said last week there would be no new nuclear talks with the United States if they were conditioned on Tehran abandoning its uranium enrichment activities.
Source: arabnews.com
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Recognized, independent Palestinian state could unlock disputed gas wealth, expert says
July 21, 2025
LONDON: Official recognition of a Palestinian state would end legal ambiguities over the Gaza Marine gas field and secure the Palestinian Authority’s right to develop its most valuable natural resource, according to energy expert Michael Barron.
Barron, author of “The Gaza Marine Story,” estimates the field could generate $4 billion in revenue at current prices, with the PA reasonably earning $100 million annually for 15 years, The Guardian reported on Sunday.
“The revenues would not turn the Palestinians into the next Qataris or Singaporeans, but it would be their own revenue and not aid, on which the Palestinian economy remains dependent,” he said.
Gas was discovered in 2000 in the Gaza Marine field, a joint venture between BG Gas and the Palestinian Consolidated Contractors Co.
Despite initial hopes of ending energy shortages in the Gaza Strip, the project has been repeatedly stalled over ownership disputes, lack of sovereignty, and political instability.
“The Oslo Accords agreed in 1993 clearly give the Palestinian National Authority jurisdiction over territorial waters, the subsoil, power to legislate over oil and gas exploration and to award licenses to do so,” Barron said.
“Control over natural resources was an important element of (the) state-building agenda of the Palestinian leader Yasser Arafat. Israeli exploitation of Palestinian resources was and remains a central part of the conflict,” he added.
Israel has historically blocked development over concerns that revenue could reach Hamas, which controls the Gaza Strip. An Israeli court once ruled the waters a “no-man’s water” due to the PA’s lack of sovereignty, and Israel has long claimed any license 20 miles off the Gaza coast should be seen as a gift, not a right.
Barron said that if Palestine were recognized as a state, particularly by countries where major oil firms are based, it would “effectively end the legal ambiguity” and allow the PA to develop the field and achieve energy independence from Israel.
A separate controversy has emerged over Israeli-issued gas licenses in a disputed area known as Zone G.
Lawyers acting for Palestinian human rights groups recently warned Italian energy firm Eni not to proceed with exploration, saying “Israel cannot have validly awarded you any exploration rights and you cannot validly have acquired any such rights.”
Eni has since told Italian campaigners that “licenses have not yet been issued and no exploratory activities are in progress.”
Activist group Global Witness also argues the East Mediterranean Gas pipeline, which passes through waters claimed by Palestine, is unlawful and does not provide any revenue to the PA.
The 56-mile pipeline transports gas from Ashkelon in Israel to Arish in Egypt for export.
The issue has gained new attention following a UN report by Special Rapporteur Francesca Albanese.
She warned corporations of their potential legal liability for supporting Israel’s occupation of Palestinian territory, citing international court rulings.
Her report concluded companies have a “prima facie responsibility ‘to not engage and/or to withdraw totally and unconditionally from any associated dealings with Israel, and to ensure that any engagement with Palestinians enables their self-determination.’”
Israel has rejected the report in full.
Barron argues that, with Israel now self-sufficient in gas, “so long as a Palestinian state with unified governance is recognized, Israel will have no motive or legal right to block Palestine exploiting its single greatest natural resource.”
Source: arabnews.com
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Mufti of Oman: Grand Mufti of Oman calls on Arab & Islamic countries to mobilise in support of Gaza
July 21, 2025
The Grand Mufti of Oman, Sheikh Ahmed bin Hamad Al Khalili, on Sunday appealed to Islamic countries in general and Arab countries in particular, to come to the aid of their brothers in the Gaza Strip, who are being subjected to a crime of extermination committed by the Zionist enemy army.
Sheikh Al-Khalili said in a "blog post" on the "X" platform: "We follow with regret and pain the tragedy of dear Gaza from the suffocating siege unjustly imposed on it, and how it led to people falling in groups and alone from the effect of hunger."
He added: "It is surprising that this tragedy is recorded by the media moment by moment, but those who are related by blood and religion are not shaken by it, nor are those who claim to have conventions and laws, as if they are waiting for the sequel after they did not care about anything else; by God, how will they answer if they are asked before the hands of God Almighty, what sin did you kill for?"
He continued: "Thus, we appeal to the Islamic countries in general and the Arab countries in particular to come to the aid of their brothers sooner rather than later; this is the right of all humanity, and neither a sincere Muslim nor a genuine Arab would accept this injustice in any human being, Muslim or non-Muslim, although the right of Muslims among their brothers in Islam is greater.The Prophet (peace be upon him) said: "A Muslim is the brother of a Muslim; he shall not oppress him, nor shall he despise him, nor shall he hand him over."
The Grand Mufti of Oman continued: "We make this appeal to our brothers in the Arab Republic of Egypt and the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan: Leaders and peoples to push in the direction of expediting the opening of crossings and relief for the afflicted people of their neighbours and brothers in Gaza and Palestine, and we do not forget here to remind our distinguished scholars in the two countries to hasten to carry out their rights in this regard, especially Al-Azhar, represented by its Grand Imam and its distinguished scholars," Sheikh Al-Khalili said.
Sheikh Al-Khalili concluded his blog by saying: "In sum, we hope that all those with a living human conscience in the whole world will hasten to do so; everyone is responsible before God Almighty and no one is exempt from this responsibility. May Allah bear witness, and may Allah help us and support us."
Source: saba.ye
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Southeast Asia
Kelantan ulama backs Anwar’s leadership for Malaysia’s stability
theSun Local
2025-07-20
PUTRAJAYA: Deputy chairman of Jabhah Pondok Kelantan Syeikh Wazir Che Awang Al-Makki Hafizahullah has voiced strong backing for Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim’s leadership, urging stability under the MADANI government.
PUTRAJAYA: Deputy chairman of Jabhah Pondok Kelantan Syeikh Wazir Che Awang Al-Makki Hafizahullah has voiced strong backing for Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim’s leadership, urging stability under the MADANI government.
Syeikh Wazir cautioned against frequent government changes, noting Islam discourages short-term political instability. He advocated for a stable administration lasting up to 10 years to ensure policy consistency and socio-economic growth.
“In Malaysia, we see governments changing every five years, two years, or even after one year, resulting in shifting policies, the decline of religious schools, and a decline in all areas, (including) the economy. This is not the Islamic way,” he added.
Prime Minister Anwar earlier called for unity between ulama and leaders to address modern challenges like AI and digitalization. - Bernama
Source: thesun.my
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Azalina: Whistleblowers only get legal protection if they go to authorities, not the media
21 Jul 2025
KUALA LUMPUR, July 21 — Whistleblowers seeking protection under the Whistleblower Protection Act 2010 (Act 711) cannot make direct disclosures to the media; instead, they must first refer to legitimate enforcement agencies.
According to Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department (Law and Institutional Reform) Datuk Seri Azalina Othman Said, the move was important to ensure the information provided is authentic and to avoid the risk of disclosing state secrets.
“Many people ask why whistleblowers who go to the media can also be seen as among those being accused, but in reality, the procedure does not allow you to go directly to the media.
“Whistleblowers must go to the responsible agency because the agency wants to assess the validity of the information... we want to determine that the state secrets are not at the level mentioned by the whistleblowers, especially on national security issues,” she said during a question-and-answer session in the Dewan Rakyat today.
She was answering a supplementary question from Datuk Seri Dr Wee Ka Siong (BN-Ayer Hitam) regarding the government’s decision to amend the definition of eligible whistleblowers in Act 711 so as not to exclude whistleblowers from protection under the Act.
Azalina emphasised that fair legal procedures (due process) must be respected and the media should not be used as a place to pass premature judgement on any party.
“If a person, for example, goes to the media, there will be a premise of trial by media, meaning the media has already made a decision, the public has already made a decision about the offence, and this is also unfair to the legal process system in our country,” she said.
Responding to Wee’s original question about the current status of the Act’s amendment, she said the government is currently in the first phase of the amendment, which involves the establishment of a Whistleblower Protection Committee responsible for overseeing, collecting statistics, and data related to disclosures and complaints made under Act 711.
She said the amendments to be made for the second reading tomorrow will also involve proposals to improve Section 6 to ensure protection remains valid even if the disclosure touches on confidentiality aspects under other laws.
Addressing concerns about the safety of whistleblowers in high-profile cases, Azalina said that in terms of information confidentiality, Section 8 of Act 711 will continue to apply automatically to all individuals recognised as whistleblowers.
The identity and information related to the whistleblower are protected and cannot be disclosed without permission. The government also established an independent system like an ombudsman... because sometimes the problem with whistleblowers is when they provide information against law enforcement agencies.
“That is why when we look at the second phase, we really need an independent system called an ombudsman so that the guarantee is established and maintained,” she said.
Azalina said that in certain cases, whistleblowers who are also involved in misconduct can still be given protection under the Witness Protection Programme, based on the assessment of law enforcement agencies.
Responding to a supplementary question from Datuk Seri Takiyuddin Hassan (PN-Kota Bharu) regarding the whistleblower case in the Sabah mining scandal, Azalina said she would answer in general, as the case is ongoing and she could not comment in detail as it can be seen as sub judice.
However, she added that all whistleblowers must go through legal channels to be protected by law and hoped that the amendments to be presented would further strengthen the existing protection system. — Bernama
Source: malaymail.com
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Penang chief minister: PDC will fully cooperate with investigations into MBI investment scheme
By Opalyn Mok
21 Jul 2025
GEORGE TOWN, July 21 — Penang Development Corporation (PDC) has submitted documents to Bukit Aman’s special task force on Anti-Money Laundering (AMLA) to assist in investigations into the MBI investment scheme.
Penang Chief Minister Chow Kon Yeow said the Bukit Aman special task force visited PDC on July 9 as part of investigations to trace and verify the flow of funds associated with the MBI money scheme.
He said the special task force submitted an official request letter on July 9 for documents such as meeting minutes and financial documents related to the Penang World City (PWC) project.
They also requested documentation of payments made to PDC for the purchase of land by Mutiara Metropolis Sdn Bhd (MMSB), formerly known as Tropicana Ivory Sdn Bhd (TISB).
“The focus of the investigation, as conveyed to PDC, is to examine whether any of the funds paid to PDC by MMSB between 2011 and 2019 may have been linked to the MBI scam,” he said.
Chow, who is also PDC chairman, said PDC submitted all required documents to the Bukit Aman Special Task Force on July 18.
“It is important to highlight that PDC is assisting the authorities in its capacity as a stakeholder in past commercial transactions relevant to the probe,” he said.
He said the visit by the task force is part of a broader effort to track financial flows nationwide, involving multiple entities and jurisdictions.
“PDC has acted in accordance with due process throughout the period in question,” he said.
Chow said there are four agreements signed pertaining to the PWC project, namely, the purchase and development agreement between Chief Minister of Penang Incorporation (CMI), PDC and Ivory Properties Group Berhad (IPGB) on November 11, 2011, first supplemental agreement on October 24 in 2013, second supplemental agreement on June 23 in 2014 and novation cum supplemental agreement on November 1 in 2019.
He said MMSB stated that the reclamation works for PWC project is now at about 68 per cent completion as of July this year while the overall development progress is about 44 per cent completion.
He reiterated PDC’s commitment to transparency, integrity and full cooperation with all relevant enforcement agencies.
In March this year, Chow said PDC does not have any direct links to the defunct pyramid scheme MBI.
He had explained that PDC sold the RM1.07 billion Bayan Mutiara land through a request for proposal back in 2011 to Ivory Properties Group.
He said the sale of the land was for a mixed development project to be built on 102.6 acres of reclaimed land, now called the PWC project.
The Bayan Mutiara land sale was finalised in 2018 and the group appointed Tropicana Ivory Sdn Bhd to implement the project.
On November 1 in 2019, PDC signed a supplemental agreement for the change in equity for Tropicana Ivory where Hemat Tuah had bought over 100 per cent of the company so TISB was renamed as MMSB.
The scheduled completion for PWC is by November 11 in 2028.
It was reported earlier this year that a brother of MBI founder Tedy Teow Wooi Huat is the major shareholder of Hemat Tuah while another individual, holding 15 per cent share, is said to be Teow’s brother-in-law.
Source: malaymail.com
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King gives royal assent to 20 laws including Media Council, Online Safety and EPF amendment Acts
21 Jul 2025
KUALA LUMPUR, July 21 — The BERNAMA (Amendment) Act 2025, Parliamentary Services Act 2025, and Malaysian Media Council Act 2025 are among 20 Acts that have received royal assent from His Majesty Sultan Ibrahim, the King of Malaysia.
Dewan Rakyat Speaker Tan Sri Johari Abdul said other Acts include the Constitution (Amendment) Act 2025, Sabah Labour Ordinance (Amendment) Act 2025, Sarawak Labour Ordinance (Amendment) Act 2025, Labuan Companies (Amendment) Act 2025, and Labuan Trusts (Amendment) Act 2025.
Also granted royal assent were the Labuan Limited Partnerships and Limited Liability Partnerships (Amendment) Act 2025, Legal Profession (Amendment) Act 2025, Online Safety Act 2025, and Commercial Vehicles Licensing Board (Amendment) Act 2025.
“The Agong has also assented to the Anti-Money Laundering, Anti-Terrorism Financing and Proceeds of Unlawful Activities (Amendment) Act 2025, Tunku Abdul Rahman Foundation Fund (Amendment) Act 2025, Supplementary Supply (2024) Act 2025, and Constitution (Amendment 2) Act 2025.
“Also approved were the Fire Services (Amendment) Act 2025, Government Services Efficiency Commitment Act 2025, and Employees Provident Fund (Amendment) Act 2025,” he said during the Dewan Rakyat sitting today.
Separately, in his proclamation at the start of the Second Meeting today, Johari announced that the sitting will run for 24 days, with a key focus on the tabling of the 13th Malaysia Plan (13MP).
As such, he said this parliamentary sitting is expected to extend into the night to allow Members of Parliament ample time to debate and discuss the core elements of the 13MP.
“Key matters to be debated and considered during this session include Bills, motions related to the 13MP, the Auditor-General’s Report 2/2025, and the Annual Report and Financial Statements of the Human Rights Commission of Malaysia (SUHAKAM),” he said.
He also thanked all MPs who supported the enactment of the Parliamentary Services Act following its royal assent.
He said the Act has restored the autonomy of the Malaysian Parliament, strengthened the country’s democracy and reinforced the principle of separation of powers.
Johari also reminded all MPs that they are required to undergo health screenings by Nov 7, as implemented in the previous sitting.
He said the screenings are crucial in helping them detect early health issues and take prompt preventive measures.
The Second Meeting of the Fourth Session of the 15th Parliament begins today and runs until Aug 28, with the tabling of the 13MP by Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim scheduled for July 31. — Bernama
Source: malaymail.com
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With only 2.8 million Malaysians registered, Putrajaya mulls law to mandate MyDigital ID as adoption stalls
By Malay Mail
21 Jul 2025
KUALA LUMPUR, July 21 — The government is mulling new laws to encourage or mandate the registration of MyDigital ID among Malaysians, minister Datuk Seri Dr Zaliha Mustafa said in Dewan Rakyat today.
New Straits Times cited the minister in the Prime Minister’s Department (Federal Territories) saying the voluntary nature of the current system was a major barrier to widespread adoption.
“Encouraging wider adoption of MyDigital ID has been challenging due to its voluntary registration nature. This is one of the key issues that requires further discussion, particularly on strategies to boost citizen participation.”
“The government is currently exploring the option of introducing legislation that could either promote or require Malaysians to register for MyDigital ID,” she said in response to a supplementary question by Datuk Seri Dr Ronald Kiandee (PN-Beluran).
She said as of the second quarter this year, 2.8 million Malaysians had registered for MyDigital ID, up from 1.8 million in the first quarter.
“The number is expected to continue rising with the expansion of ‘use case’, referring to specific applications or services where MyDigital ID is used as a method of identity verification,” she reportedly said.
These use cases include logging into the MyGOV portal, the MyJPJ app, and SIM card owner verification.
Dr Zaliha said 35 government application systems have integrated MyDigital ID, with 17 more in progress and 21 under discussion.
Seven non-government systems have also been integrated, with two more in progress, totalling 82 systems, nearly double the March figure.
She added that six banks have completed sandbox testing for MyDigital ID under Bank Negara Malaysia’s supervision.
Launched in November last year, MyDigital ID is currently integrated with several government applications, including MySejahtera, the MyGov portal, and the Human Resources Management Information System (HRMIS).
MyDigital ID however does not replace the Malaysian identification card or MyKad for identification purposes.
Source: malaymail.com
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Melaka moves to protect Bukit Melaka archaeological heritage sites
21 Jul 2025
MELAKA, July 21 — The Melaka government has taken several strategic and technical measures to protect archaeological heritage sites around Bukit Melaka, to preserve the historical elements uncovered in the area.
State Tourism, Heritage, Arts and Culture Exco Datuk Abdul Razak Abdul Rahman said discoveries at Taman Larangan, located in front of the Melaka Sultanate Palace, include key structures such as the Melaka Fort alignment and Bastion Hendrica Lisa.
“Among the main steps taken are the continuation of excavation works in the area and surrounding Bukit Melaka, which holds significant historical evidence and potential for development as a new tourism product known as Archaeo-Tourism.
“Visitors will be able to experience how archaeological research is carried out. Laterite stone structures found on-site will be preserved in their original locations as heritage objects to maintain historical integrity, and will be integrated into the site’s development plan as open-air exhibits or part of a heritage interpretation centre,” he said during the Melaka legislative assembly sitting at Seri Negeri today.
He was responding to a question from Leng Chau Yen (PH-Bandar Hilir), who asked about the steps being taken to protect the heritage site.
Abdul Razak added that the state government is also running seminars, workshops, and exhibitions to raise public awareness of heritage value.
He said efforts to promote heritage education and raise community awareness will be enhanced through strategic collaboration with educational institutions, tourism agencies and other key stakeholders.
“Informational boards featuring QR code-based interpretations will be placed at the site to help the public appreciate its historical significance. The state government will also regulate development to ensure it does not compromise the heritage value of the site,” he said.
He emphasised that these initiatives reflect the state’s continued commitment to the long-term conservation of archaeological heritage, while laying a strong foundation for academic research, public education and sustainable heritage tourism development. — Bernama
Source: malaymail.com
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Singapore restaurateurs flee rising costs for cheaper lifeline in Johor Bahru
By Malay Mail
20 Jul 2025
SINGAPORE, July 30 — Struggling with high rents and labour shortages, Singaporean restaurateurs are turning to Johor Bahru for relief, drawn by lower costs and the hope of reviving their businesses.
Hyderabadi chef Govinda Rajan, who opened his first Malaysian branch of Mr Biryani just three months ago, is already eyeing expansion, calling it a much-needed lifeline as his Singapore outlets battle to survive, the South China Morning Post reported.
Across the city state, food and beverage (F&B) businesses are closing at the fastest rate in nearly 20 years, with 3,047 establishments shutting down in 2024 alone.
This year has already seen 1,404 closures in the first half, including long-time favourites like Crystal Jade’s Holland Village branch and Michelin-starred Poise.
Govinda and others say while ingredients in Malaysia may be pricier, the overall costs — from rent to wages — are far more manageable, helping restore profitability.
Singapore’s tight foreign worker policies and locals’ aversion to service jobs have further strained the sector, leaving many businesses short-staffed and financially squeezed.
Temasek Polytechnic’s Geoffrey Tai said more operators are expanding regionally to escape Singapore’s high overheads and tap into growing middle-class markets like Malaysia.
Lower operating costs have helped restaurateurs like Keith Koh, who opened a Muslim-friendly outlet of Lad & Dad in Kuala Lumpur in May, rediscover their passion and reduce burnout.
Still, Singapore saw 3,790 new F&B openings last year and nearly 2,000 more in the first half of 2025, though industry insiders warn many are underestimating the risks.
Chef-owner Bjorn Shen, who has expanded to Penang and Bali, said profits of 20–30 per cent are achievable abroad, compared to 5–7 per cent at best in Singapore, where most new restaurants fail within two years.
Source: malaymail.com
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Europe
Mosque members raise £2,000 in aid of cancer charity
20 JULY 2025
A Preston mosque has raised £2,000 to support the work of a cancer foundation.
Members of the Masjid-e-Salaam Mosque in Watling Street Road, presented the funds to Rosemere Cancer Foundation recently.
Mosque trustee Farouk Assenjee was joined by Rosemere Cancer Foundation and Head of Charities for Lancashire Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, Dan Hill and Royal Preston Hospital consultant respiratory physician and interventional pulmonologist Professor Mohammed Munavvar at the presentation.
Professor Munavvar. was in charge of the hospital’s Covid wards throughout the pandemic, and received funding from Rosemere Cancer Foundation for cutting edge equipment to help in the early detection of lung cancer.
The latest donation takes the total raised by Masjid-e-Salaam for Rosemere Cancer Foundation to £7,000. In addition to this, since 2015, the charity has received £100,000 from Preston Muslim Society.
Dan Hill said: “Thank you to everyone who is part of the Masjid-e-Salaam community for this wonderful donation and to Preston’s Muslim community as a whole for its excellent support over the last decade.
"The donations we have received have advanced Professor Munavvar’s work among other projects that have made a real difference to the lives of thousands of local cancer patients.”
Rosemere Cancer Foundation works to bring world class cancer treatments and services to cancer patients from throughout Lancashire and South Cumbria being treated at Rosemere Cancer Centre, the region’s specialist cancer treatment and radiotherapy centre at the Royal Preston Hospital, and also at another eight local hospital cancer units across the two counties.
Source: asianimage.co.uk
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Putin speaks of threat to Russian sovereignty
20 Jul, 2025
Russia would inevitably lose its sovereignty if it relies solely on oil and gas revenues and abandons domestic production in favor of imports, President Vladimir Putin has said.
In an interview with journalist Pavel Zarubin released on Sunday, Putin defended Russia’s decades-long effort to localize automobile manufacturing, saying it was essential for protecting the country’s economic and political autonomy.
He recalled that in the 1990s many of his government colleagues wanted to abandon efforts to develop the car industry and instead rely on foreign-made vehicles, a view that he opposed.
“We must talk about technological independence… If we buy everything with the oil and gas [revenues] – and now they [the West] are trying to cut us off from oil and gas – then Russia will simply lose its competitiveness, and with it, its sovereignty,” he said.
According to Putin, efforts to improve the domestic car industry began with cooperation with Western partners that were licensed to build assembly plants in Russia. Starting in the early 2010s, the authorities gradually tightened localization requirements, demanding that automakers produce more components domestically.
“This was serious work. We were essentially creating our own cars,” Putin remarked, adding that the effort paid off after the escalation of the Ukraine conflict in 2022, which saw an exodus of Western companies from Russia as Kiev’s backers introduced sanctions against Moscow.
Russia sold about 1.571 million new passenger cars in 2024 (up 48%), with Lada accounting for roughly 28% (436,155 units) and remaining the market leader, according to the analytical agency Autostat. However, all others spots in the top ten were occupied by Chinese brands. Russia’s Kamaz also distributed the most trucks in the country last year, despite an overall drop in sales, the agency said.
Putin has personally promoted the domestic automobile industry and has often been seen driving Lada and Kamaz vehicles. He also uses a limousine from the Russian luxury brand Aurus as his presidential car. In 2024, he gifted Aurus limos to North Korea’s Kim Jong‑un and Bahrain’s King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa.
Source: rt.com
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https://www.rt.com/russia/621738-threat-russian-sovereignty-foreign-technology/
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EU working hard to portray Russia as ‘devil incarnate’ – Kremlin
20 Jul, 2025
The EU is demonizing Russia in order to keep the Ukraine conflict running as Brussels still has not given up hope of suppressing Moscow, Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov has said.
In May, the EU adopted the €150 billion Security Action for Europe (SAFE) instrument to support members that are willing to invest in defense. The move came as part of a larger military buildup drive that began in the bloc after the escalation of the Ukraine conflict in February 2022 with the goal of countering what it perceives as the ‘Russian threat’. Moscow has dismissed claims that it intends to attack NATO countries as “nonsense,” saying that Western politicians are seeking to scare their populations to justify increased military spending.
In an interview with journalist Pavel Zarubin released on Sunday, Peskov said the EU “is creating an enemy for itself, doing focused, professional work both in their own society and abroad in order to portray Russia as the devil incarnate... in order to ensure the continuation of the conflict, in order to suppress Russia.”
The Kremlin spokesman added that there are discussions underway in the EU “about who will be paying for the feast.”
Earlier this week, several EU countries rejected a plan proposed by US President Donald Trump for European NATO member states to buy American weapons for Ukraine.
“Thank God the anti-Russian and militaristic ecstasy does not have universal backing” in the bloc, Peskov said.
Moscow has warned against supplying Western weapons to Ukraine, arguing that they only prolong the conflict and increase the risk of a direct clash between Russia and NATO.
In the interview, Peskov noted that Russian President Vladimir Putin “has repeatedly spoken about his desire to bring the Ukrainian settlement on to a peaceful path as quickly as possible.”
Russia has stated that it is ready to negotiate peace with Ukraine, though it has accused Kiev and its Western backers of not being interested in finding a long-term solution that addresses the root causes of the conflict.
Source: rt.com
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Arab World
Saudi students win 7 awards at STEM contests
July 21, 2025
JEDDAH: Saudi students secured seven international awards at the International Mathematical Olympiad on the Sunshine Coast, Australia, and the European Girls’ Olympiad in Informatics in Bonn, Germany.
Their participation was overseen by the King Abdulaziz and His Companions Foundation for Giftedness and Creativity, known as Mawhiba, in partnership with the Ministry of Education, the Saudi Press Agency reported.
They won six awards at the maths contest — three bronze medals and three honorable mentions — competing against 630 students from 110 countries.
Bronze medals were awarded to students from the Royal Commission for Yanbu, Madinah, and the Eastern Province education directorates. Honorable mentions went to participants from Jeddah, Riyadh, and the Eastern Province.
Since joining the competition, Saudi Arabia’s tally has grown to 12 silver medals, 48 bronze medals, and 22 honorable mentions.
At the informatics event, Saudi student Riefal Khaled Al-Hazmi, from Tabuk, won a bronze medal in a field with 226 participants from 60.
Mawhiba, together with the Ministry of Education and national partners, continues to develop initiatives that equip Saudi students with world-class skills, enhancing the Kingdom’s position in science and technology worldwide.
Source: arabnews.com
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Restoration efforts bring new life to Saudi historic Kasbat Al-Midmar
July 21, 2025
RIYADH: In the heart of Badr Al-Janoub governorate, the historic Kasbat Al-Midmar rises proudly from the old district — a striking reminder of Saudi Arabia’s deep architectural and cultural heritage.
Built more than 300 years ago, the kasbah, or watchtower, is a seven-story mudbrick structure designed in the traditional circular form, wide at the base and tapering as it ascends, the Saudi Press Agency reported.
Originally built as a watchtower to safeguard nearby farmlands, it still looks out over the village and valley today.
The recently restored structure is now preserved under the supervision of the Kingdom’s Heritage Commission.
Surrounding the kasbah are the remnants of traditional mud houses, part of a network of historical fortresses and homes that reflect the enduring legacy of the region.
These buildings illustrate the ingenuity of local architecture and the importance of such fortifications in the daily life of previous communities.
Manea Naji Al-Saad, vice president of the Najran Society for History and Archaeology, told SPA that the governorate where aware that Badr Al-Janoub is rich in archeological sites, including old mud houses and Qishla Castle, which stands atop Mount Al-Qarah.
Nearby is Al-Thaghr Palace, a structure dating back to the First Saudi State. Built by the order of Imam Saud bin Abdulaziz bin Mohammad in 1221 AH, the four-story palace is made of stone and features a large protective wall and a deep central well.
The commission continues to protect and restore the region’s historic buildings, placing them on the National Antiquities Register as part of the Kingdom’s cultural legacy, the SPA reported.
Source: arabnews.com
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Research grants to revive Saudi Arabia’s craft heritage
July 21, 2025
RIYADH: Saudi Arabia’s Ministry of Culture, in collaboration with the Heritage Commission, has announced a new research grant initiative to study traditional handicrafts.
As part of the Year of Handicrafts campaign, the program invites scholars to examine how traditional crafts preserve cultural knowledge, embody inherited skills, fulfill social roles, and reflect economic practices that have shaped Saudi society.
The grant covers six research categories to provide insights into handicraft studies. Applications are open until Sept. 1, the Saudi Press Agency reported on Sunday.
Historical research will trace the development of surviving and lost crafts over time, examining how social, economic, and political changes have influenced them.
A second category focuses on craft promotion, investigating initiatives to support and institutionalize traditional handicrafts in contemporary Saudi society.
Economic impact and creative economy studies will analyze how handicrafts contribute to the national economy, including comparisons of domestic and international markets for handmade cultural goods.
Technology integration research explores how modern techniques, design and digital tools intersect with traditional methods to create market-ready products.
Social research will examine community relationships with handicrafts and how cultural perceptions affect the sector’s growth and sustainability.
The final category addresses conceptual frameworks, critically analyzing handicraft terminology, its evolution, and making comparisons with related concepts such as cultural industries, fine arts, and the roles of craftspeople versus artists.
Applicants must hold an advanced degree, master’s or doctorate, or demonstrate equivalent expertise through substantial research. Late submissions will not be considered.
Selected researchers must produce publication-ready papers suitable for peer-reviewed journals and comply with all guidelines and documentation on the grant website. Simultaneous submission to other funding bodies is prohibited unless the applicant withdraws from this program.
Beyond supporting individual projects, the grant aims to strengthen local expertise in handicraft studies, foster researcher networks, and promote traditional handicrafts as a key element of Saudi culture. Interested researchers can apply through the ministry’s website.
Source: arabnews.com
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King Salman receives written message from Eswatini monarch
July 21, 2025
RIYADH: King Salman received a written message from Eswatini’s King Mswati III regarding relations between their countries, Saudi Press Agency reported on Sunday.
The message was received by the Kingdom’s Deputy Foreign Minister Waleed Al-Khuraiji in Riyadh during a meeting with Prince Lindani, son of King Mswati and Member of Eswatini’s Parliament.
Relations between the two countries and ways to develop joint cooperation in various fields were reviewed during the meeting.
Source: arabnews.com
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Jeddah’s private beach resorts growing in popularity
July 21, 2025
JEDDAH: For a city with a historic connection to the Red Sea, Jeddah’s relationship with its coastline is entering a new chapter shaped by luxury, intentional design and a demand for privacy.
The city’s once-limited options have evolved into a range of private beach resorts offering everything from bohemian barefoot luxury to women-only wellness retreats.
Along Jeddah’s Obhur coast, a number of beach resorts have appeared in recent years, tailored for specific audiences and moods.
“Honestly, the development is very clear,” says Majda Abdulgader, a Jeddawi longtime beach lover who works as an education and social adviser.
“In the past, options were extremely limited, mostly confined to certain resorts or private chalets. But now there’s a wide variety of both public and private beaches, all focused on the overall experience; not just the location, but also the atmosphere, events, and safety.”
Each destination appeals to different sensibilities. Mangrove Beach Resort, for instance, offers women-only days and upscale, serene decor.
La Mer Beach Resort offers a more accessible mid-range option with a relaxed ambience, great for water sports, sunbathing or a quiet read by the shore.
Oia Beach Resort is another option with a Greek island feel, complete with whitewashed walls and deep blue pools.
The rise of women-only beaches — safe, respectful environments for women to relax and socialize — are allowing greater numbers of people to enjoy the sea on their terms.
Resorts like Le Ponte de l’Amitie and La Maison d’Obhur offer spa access, yoga sessions, and peaceful sunbathing in female-only spaces.
“My experience at Oia during a women-only day with my daughter was wonderful,” Abdulgader shared. “They genuinely care about the comfort of female visitors. What stood out to me was the high level of organization, respect, and privacy.”
According to resident Najla Bukhari, the expectations are clear: “People are mainly looking for a clean beach; the sand itself should be clean, with well-arranged and comfortable seating.
“A restaurant and music are important. If towels are provided, that’s even better. Showers and clean bathrooms with basics like tissues and shampoo are essential. And kids should have a separate area from the adults.”
For Noura Samargandi, a marketing professional who prefers to get tanned naturally after a good dip, privacy is key.
“I love tanning, and honestly, I just want to enjoy the beach without worrying about how I dress or who’s watching. That’s why I prefer places like La Maison or Boa Beach on their women-only days. It’s about freedom and feeling at ease.”
Meanwhile, Khalid Al-Abdulwasi, a 32-year-old software engineer and avid kite surfer, prefers open, uninterrupted access to the water.
“I go to La Mer a lot. It’s relaxed, not overly crowded, and great for watersports. I can bring my gear, get straight into the water and focus on the waves.”
Many of these private beaches carry global aesthetics such as minimalist decor, Mediterranean touches, and curated playlists. But some beachgoers hope to see more rooted, local influences.
“There are attempts to blend local culture with global trends,” Abdulgader observed. “But most tend to lean toward international styles.”
“I hope in the future we’ll see beaches that reflect more of the local identity — not just in design, but also in events and content.”
During events like the Jeddah Season, private beach resorts play a vital role in attracting both locals and tourists.
“They present a modern and appealing image of the city,” said Abdulgader. “They offer unique destinations for tourists. And demand increases significantly during big events since beaches are part of the fun and diverse event lineup.”
She added, “As the Bride of the Red Sea, Jeddah has huge potential. Many expats love the beach, and well-managed beaches provide them with an experience like what they’re used to back home. This makes Jeddah even more attractive as a place to live or visit.”
Despite the progress, there is growing awareness that beach access remains limited for some.
“We need reasonably priced beaches, sea trips, and options for families, youth, the elderly, and children, all while being mindful of different needs and privacy preferences,” Abdulgader urged.
Private beach resorts in the city come with price tags for entry that range from SR150 ($40) all the way up to SR345.
Meanwhile, Jeddah’s public beaches are more accessible options for families and tourists looking to enjoy the beauty of the Red Sea without breaking the bank.
Public beaches like Alexandria and Al-Mahazem are popular among residents and citizens alike.
Amira El-Sayed, an Egyptian expat living in Jeddah who works as a private math tutor, told Arab News that Alexandria Beach is one of her favorites.
“I’ve gotten used to spending my weekends at this lovely free beach. It’s fun for adults and has a special play area for children. I prefer to come early in the morning, before noon, to enjoy the clean sand and clear water before the beach gets crowded with families.”
Public beaches are open from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m., offering umbrellas, chairs, lifeguards and designated swimming zones to ensure visitor safety.
Source: arabnews.com
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North America
'Japanese first': Voters back Trump-inspired party to ‘Make Japan Great Again’; wins big in key elections
Jul 21, 2025
Japan’s ruling Liberal Democratic Party (LDP) lost ground in the parliamentary elections on Sunday, with new right-wing populist groups making gains. The results may mark a shift in Japan’s politics, which has remained stable for decades.
Out of the 124 upper house seats contested, two-thirds went to opposition parties. However, the main gains did not come from the traditional liberal opposition but from new parties that appealed to younger voters with nationalist messages.
Among these was Sanseito, a populist party led by Sohei Kamiya, a former supermarket manager and English teacher. Kamiya said before the election that he was inspired by US President Donald Trump’s “bold political style.”
Half of the 248-member upper house was up for reelection. The Democratic Party for the People (DPP) and Sanseito were the main winners among the nationalist groups. The DPP increased its seats from four to 17, and Sanseito grew from one to 14, according to interim results reported by Japanese media.
Sanseito began on YouTube during the Covid-19 pandemic, where it spread conspiracy theories about vaccines and global elites, as per a report by the South China Morning Post. The party entered mainstream politics with its "Japanese First" campaign.
"The phrase Japanese First was meant to express rebuilding Japanese people’s livelihoods by resisting globalism. I am not saying that we should completely ban foreigners or that every foreigner should get out of Japan," Sohei Kamiya said in an interview with Nippon Television after the election, as cited by the SCMP.
Sanseito’s platform includes opposition to vaccines and globalism and support for traditional gender roles.
Japan’s ageing population is growing alongside a rise in foreign-born residents, which hit a record of about 3.8 million last year, or around 3 per cent of the total population.
The LDP, led by Japanese Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba, and its junior coalition partner Komeito, needed 50 more seats to maintain their majority along with the 75 seats they already held. They won 47, three short of a majority and 19 fewer than before the vote.
The outcome follows the coalition’s earlier defeat in the lower house in October, making it a minority in both houses for the first time since the LDP was formed in 1955.
Despite the result, Ishiba said he would stay on. He said he does not want to create a political vacuum during a time when Japan is facing issues such as US tariff threats. However, he may face internal pressure to resign or form a new coalition.
The loss does not immediately lead to a change in government, since the upper house cannot pass a no-confidence motion. But it adds uncertainty about Ishiba’s leadership and Japan’s political direction.
Source: indiatimes.com
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https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/world/rest-of-world/japanese-first-voters-back-trump-inspired-party-to-make-japan-great-again-wins-big-in-key-elections/articleshow/122807502.cms
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'We sincerely apologize': Alaska airlines resume operations after entire fleet was grounded; IT outage resolved
Jul 21, 2025
Alaska Airlines resumed its operations on Monday after grounding all flights for about three hours due to an IT outage. This was the second time in just over a year that the airline had to halt its entire fleet.
"Alaska Airlines has resolved its earlier IT outage and has resumed operations. We sincerely apologize for the inconvenience, and encourage guests to check your flight status before heading to the airport," the airline said in a post on X.
Earlier in the day, the airline asked for a system-wide ground stop for all Alaska and Horizon Air flights, saying the outage had affected its systems.
The US Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) confirmed on its website that all Alaska Airlines mainline and Horizon aircraft were under a ground stop. Horizon is a subsidiary of Alaska Airlines.
In September, Alaska Airlines had also grounded flights in Seattle for a short time due to what it described as “significant disruptions” caused by a technology issue. That problem was resolved within a few hours.
Source: indiatimes.com
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https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/world/us/we-sincerely-apologize-alaska-airlines-resume-operations-after-entire-fleet-was-grounded-it-outage-resolved/articleshow/122808681.cms\
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US crash horror: Stolen car rams bench killing two in Chinatown; investigation underway
Jul 21, 2025
Two lives were tragically cut short on Saturday morning in Manhattan’s Chinatown when a stolen car careered off the road and slammed into a cyclist and a woman on a bench.
In a disturbing CCTV footage, a blue Chevy Malibu can be seen speeding through a traffic median at the intersection of Bowery and Canal Streets just after 7:30am.
The car struck 55-year-old Kevin Scott Cruickshank, a Chase Bank loan manager and father, who was riding his bicycle, and 63-year-old May Kwok, who had been seated nearby.
Kwok was thrown from sight in an instant, while Cruickshank, also a well-known local figure, appeared to be hit head-on. The Malibu, a rental vehicle that had been reported stolen, then crashed into an empty NYPD van moments later, according to the footage seen by the New York Post.
The alleged driver, Autumn Donna Ascencio Romero, 23, and passenger Kennedy LaCraft, 22, fled the scene on foot but were apprehended nearby by police. Officers said that drugs and alcohol were discovered inside the car.
Romero is already facing an unresolved case in Brooklyn involving a separate crash on 13 April in which a bystander was struck.
Cruickshank’s family issued a heartfelt statement confirming his death.
“It is with a heavy heart that we confirm that dear friend, neighbor, loving son and husband Kevin Cruickshank has been killed,” the family’s spokesperson told the New York Post.
“Kevin was a regular fixture in the neighborhood, known for his warm, welcoming spirit and love of helping his friends and neighbors."
The spokeswoman added that Kevin had a deep love for cycling and was often spotted returning from long rides through the neighbourhood.
“It’s heartbreaking to know he lost his life while doing something he truly enjoyed,” she said.
May Kwok, the second victim, was remembered by her brother as a “free spirit” who enjoyed walking around the neighbourhood and attending church.
The investigation remains ongoing, as authorities piece together what led to the fatal collision.
Source: indiatimes.com
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https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/world/us/us-crash-horror-stolen-car-rams-bench-killing-two-in-chinatown-investigation-underway/articleshow/122804537.cms
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URL: https://newageislam.com/islamic-world-news/bombay-hc-muslim-convicts-train-blast/d/136243