‘Ex-Muslim’ Youtuber Salim Wastwik, Attacked By Two ‘Fanatic’ Brothers, Turns Out To Be A Murderer
New Age Islam News Bureau
25 April 2026
YouTuber Salim Wastik has been arrested by Delhi Police, with investigators revealing he was an absconding convict in a 1995 child murder case.
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· ‘Ex-Muslim’ YouTuber Salim Wastwik, attacked by two ‘fanatic’ brothers, turns out to be a murderer
· UN rights chief calls for arms freeze as report details widespread violations in Lebanon conflict
· Saudi Arabia condemns drone attacks on Kuwait border posts
· Watford, England: 66-year-old pastor arrested after criticising Islam while preaching
· CAIR OP-ED: Our different faiths teach us to love one another, not fuel anti-Muslim hate – Austin American-Statesman
· France voices concern about the spread of Islamist extremism in Sahel
· Jakim: State religious councils not involved in ‘zakat’ fraud allegations
· Pakistan clashes disrupt education for 12,000 students in Afghanistan
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India
· 'Betrayal of victims and their families': Asaduddin Owaisi slams Bombay high court's 2006 Malegaon blast verdict
· TCS Nashik case: Police seek accused remand to find shop where ‘Muslim region cap’ was purchased
· Saudi job to Op Sarp Vinash: J&K man who had key role in 2003 strike on terror stronghold dies at 63
· Uttarakhand High Court shuts door on PIL in Barelvi-Deobandi graveyard dispute, directs parties to civil court
· Erasing Urdu or removing an unfair barrier? J&K’s revenue recruitment row explained
· Army, BJP pay tribute to Operation Sarp Vinash hero who helped fight militancy in J&K
· Indian merchant navy officer among 21 on seized Gujarat-bound vessel held by Iran in Hormuz
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Mideast
· Australia refuses repatriation help for citizens in Syria camp
· Palestinians vote in first elections since Gaza war
· Gaza civil defence says Israeli strikes kill 13
· Syria can serve as corridor linking Gulf, Central Asia with Europe: President Al-Sharaa
· Is Israel’s ‘buffer zone’ expansion a bid to control Lebanon’s offshore gas?
· Iraq deadlock persists over next prime minister
· Israel PM says Hezbollah trying to ‘sabotage’ peace efforts with Lebanon
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Arab World
· Saudi Civil Defence urges flood caution as NCM forecasts heavy rain through Tuesday
· Saudi culture on display at Sarajevo book fair
· Saudi deputy FM meets US embassy official
· SDAIA showcases Saudi Arabia’s AI governance model
· ZATCA thwarts attempt to smuggle captagon pills, seizes contraband
· Health minister inspects Makkah facilities ahead of Hajj
· Jeddah’s ancient narratives inspire Saudi artist’s exhibition
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Europe
· Trial set for inmate accused of prison imam attack
· Reform investigates candidate for anti-Islam posts
· French foreign minister Barrot voices concern about 'terrorist threat' in the Sahel
· Halifax mosque demolition green-lit as new rebuild plan takes first step
· Update as Oxfordshire boy accused of having suicide vest
· Suspect named after racist slurs allegedly screamed through door of Liverpool mosque
· Mandelson under formal investigation by EU's anti-fraud office
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North America
· Donald Trump threatens UK with 'big tariffs' over digital services tax dispute
· CAIR-CT Welcomes Bethel Board of Education’s Recognition of Eid al-Fitr as an Official School Holiday
· CAIR, Co-Counsel Roula Allouch File Lawsuit Against Franklin Co. Ohio for its Unconstitutional Booking Photo Policy
· CAIR-CA Joins 1,000+ Muslim Delegates for 11th Annual National Muslim Advocacy Day on Capitol Hill
· US court blocks Trump order suspending asylum access, cites right to apply
· US justice department drops probe into Fed chairman Jerome Powell
· US to allow firing squads, gas, and electrocution for federal executions
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Africa
· Peter Obi donates another N5m to Bauchi Islamic school, after previous donation
· You Lack Imagination – Gbadebo Rhodes-Vivour Blasts Lagos Govt Over Monthly Sanitation
· Tinubu Meets Tajudeen Abass, Reps Members In Aso Rock
· Tinubu Government Increases Allowances, Welfare And Exit Package Of Nigerian Workers
· Nigeria sets up court martial over alleged 2025 coup plot
· Benin confirms Wadagni's presidential vote win
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Southeast Asia
· Selangor sultan urges Muslims to pay zakat through official channels
· PM Anwar urges JPJ to be more professional, firm in enforcement
· Communications ministry open-air cinema draws encouraging response
· Nearly 500 PDRM Hindu personnel take part in prayer ceremony
· Ringgit ends higher against most major currencies, flat against US dollar
· PM Anwar calls for stricter rules on charities, NGOs
· PM Anwar urges JPJ to be more professional, firm in enforcement
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South Asia
· Health minister orders withdrawal of three officials
· The Daily Star built strong readership through ethical journalism: Unesco representative
· WFP Warns Rising Hunger in Afghanistan Threatens Children’s Future
· Sanders blasts reported US plan to send Afghan allies to Congo as “immoral”
· Red Cross delivers aid to 17,000 families hit by border clashes in eastern Afghanistan
· Afghan allies stranded in Qatar face “bad or worse” choice as US weighs Congo relocation
· Former Afghanistan snooker chief killed in Kabul attack, officials say
Compiled by New Age Islam News Bureau
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‘Ex-Muslim’ YouTuber Salim Wastwik, attacked by two ‘fanatic’ brothers, turns out to be a murderer
Alok Singh
Apr 25, 2026
YouTuber Salim Wastik has been arrested by Delhi Police, with investigators revealing he was an absconding convict in a 1995 child murder case.
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His name is Salim Khan, and he kidnapped and murdered a 13-year-old boy more than three decades ago – and then jumped bail and seemingly vanished into thin air. That was more than 25 years ago.
He surfaced on YouTube in recent years – and was seemingly not recognised by anyone. Online, he expressed controversial opinions on Islam that earned him a certain committed audience, and a reputation as an “ex-Muslim”.
At the end of February this year, this YouTuber was attacked by two brothers who were allegedly provoked by his views on religion. Police described the two attackers, brothers Gulfam and Zeeshan as “fanatics”.
Within days, the Uttar Pradesh police gunned down both the brothers in separate encounters in Ghaziabad.
The dramatic twist in the tale came on Saturday (April 25) – when the Delhi Police Crime Branch caught up with the man himself.
Salim Khan alias Salim Ahmed, famous on YouTube as Salim Wastik, has been taken into custody for the crime he committed in 1995 – a full 31 years ago, police said.
A kidnapping, ransom call, and the murder of a child
Salim, who police said had been evading arrest for decades, and had reinvented himself as a “social activist”, was apprehended in Loni in Ghaziabad. He had been convicted in the abduction and murder of Sandeep Bansal, the 13-year-old son of a cement trader from North East Delhi, in 1997, Deputy Commissioner of Police (Crime) Sanjeev Yadav said.
“The crime took place in January 1995, when the child left home for school but never returned. The following day, the boy’s father received a phone call informing him that his son had been kidnapped and demanding a ransom of Rs 30,000 for his safe release,” Yadav said.
The caller told the traumatised father to deliver the money at a spot near the Loni flyover, police said. However, before any exchange could take place, suspicion fell on the martial arts instructor at the victim’s school.
That man was Salim Khan – the latter-day Salim Wastik.
Based on witness statements, police detained Salim. During interrogation, Salim allegedly confessed to the crime, and led the police to a drain in Mustafabad. There, police found the body of the child, Yadav said.
Further investigations revealed the involvement of an associate named Anil. It was this man – Anil – who had allegedly made the ransom calls and helped plan the kidnapping.
Both Salim and Anil were arrested. In 1997, two years after the murder, a court in Delhi convicted both men and sentenced them to life imprisonment, Yadav said.
Three years later, in 2000, Salim was granted interim bail by the Delhi High Court during the pendency of his appeal. He came out – never to return.
In 2011, while Salim was still absconding, the High Court upheld his conviction.
A ‘dead man’ who was reborn on the Internet – and escaped a murderous attack
Police officers said that during the time Salim was on the run, he went to great lengths to avoid capture. He managed to show up as “dead” in official records, the police said. And he then assumed a new identity – Salim Wastik, or Salim Ahmed, was born.
Over the years, the new Salim moved across parts of Haryana and Uttar Pradesh, working various jobs including as a furniture maker, police said. He eventually settled in Loni, Ghaziabad.
In Loni, Salim established his new life, running a shop selling women’s clothing and accessories. He also gained local recognition as a social activist and operated a YouTube channel, which helped him build a public profile under his assumed identity of Salim Wastik.
In the morning of February 27 this year, two brothers, Gulfam and Zeeshan, entered Salim’s home and allegedly attacked him with a razor, stabbing him in the abdomen and slashing his neck.
In a purported video of the alleged attack, two men wearing kurta-pyjamas were seen approaching Salim, who was seated on a sofa in his home office. The men had their faces covered by helmets they were wearing.
One of the men could be seen taking out a paper cutter from a pocket of his kurta and slashing at Salim’s neck. Salim was seen being dragged to the ground, and hit multiple times with a piece of glass from a broken table. The men could be seen leaving him lying on the bloody floor.
Salim Wastik survived the attack. He was admitted to hospital with deep wounds.
Police identified the attackers as 22-year-old Zeeshan and his older brother Gulfam (35). They said the brothers were “fanatics” who had been offended by the views on Islam that Salim Wastik expressed on YouTube.
On March 1, Zeeshan was shot dead in a police encounter in Loni. Two days later, on March 3, Gulfam was killed in the Indirapuram area, also in Ghaziabad. Both encounters took place at night, and police said they opened fire in each case in self-defence after the brothers fired at them. Both men were declared dead in hospital. Each of the brothers carried a bounty of Rs 1 lakh on his head.
Delhi Police step in – the end of the road for Salim Wastik
The story took a dramatic new turn on Saturday.
A dedicated team of the Anti-Robbery and Snatching Cell (ARSC) of the Crime Branch received specific intelligence about a man matching the description of the absconding convict, Salim Khan.
Acting on this input, officers conducted surveillance and cross-verified details using old photographs and fingerprint records. The investigation confirmed that YouTuber Salim Wastik was indeed the same person who had been convicted in the 1995 murder case, and had disappeared after jumping bail, police said.
A special team led by Inspector Robin Tyagi, under the supervision of ACP Sanjay Kumar Nagpal, was formed to apprehend him.
With assistance from the local police in Loni, the team successfully arrested the accused after weeks of tracking his movements. Ironically, after his discharge from hospital in March, Wastik was provided with security by the Uttar Pradesh Police.
During interrogation, Salim is learned to have told officers that after jumping bail, he continuously changed locations and identities to avoid detection. His ability to remain undetected for over two decades underscores significant gaps that investigators have now managed to close through persistent efforts and modern verification techniques.
After completing all legal formalities, the accused has been sent to Tihar Jail to serve his life sentence. Police officials stated that this arrest demonstrates their continued commitment to ensuring that even long-pending cases reach their rightful conclusion.
Source: indianexpress.com
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https://indianexpress.com/article/cities/delhi/ex-muslim-youtuber-murderer-more-than-25-years-10655387/
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UN rights chief calls for arms freeze as report details widespread violations in Lebanon conflict
EPHREM KOSSAIFY
April 24, 2026
A car loaded with personal belongings drives through the coastal southern city of Sidon on Apr. 24, 2026, as displaced residents return home after an extention of the ceasefire. (AFP)
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NEW YORK CITY: A UN human rights report published on Friday documented widespread deaths, displacements and damage to civilian infrastructure in Lebanon during the first three weeks of hostilities between Hezbollah and Israel.
The UN’s high commissioner for human rights, Volker Turk, called on all states to halt arms sales or transfers where there was a clear risk they could be used to commit serious violations of international humanitarian law.
The report said the escalation in Lebanon, which began in early March, has had significant and ongoing effects on a broad range of human rights issues, including the rights to life, health, education, food, housing, work, a safe environment, freedom of movement, and freedom of religion or belief.
It found that Israeli military operations in Lebanon have included direct attacks on civilians, among them medical personnel. It detailed incidents in which Israeli strikes hit and leveled multistory residential buildings, killing entire families.
Such actions may constitute serious violations of international humanitarian law, the report stated. Similar incidents have continued beyond the period under review, it added, including after a ceasefire was announced on April 16.
The report also documented the firing of unguided rockets by Hezbollah into residential areas in Israel, which damaged buildings and other civilian infrastructure. These strikes may also amount to serious violations of international humanitarian law, it said.
In many instances no warnings, or no effective warnings, were given of imminent Israeli attacks, the report said, which prevented civilians from being able to evacuate areas safely.
It added that evacuation orders that were broadly communicated by Israeli authorities, covering nearly 14 percent of Lebanon’s territory, had displaced more than a million people, according to Lebanese authorities. Given their scope and conditions, such orders might constitute forced displacement, it noted, which is prohibited under international humanitarian law.
Fifty-five localities in southern Lebanon near the border with Israel remain under such displacement orders, the report said. Civilians wishing to return to their homes must be able to do so safely, it added.
The research also documented repeated incidents of deadly attacks on health care workers and journalists, including a strike in southern Lebanon on Wednesday this week that killed Lebanese journalist Amal Khalil and injured photographer Zeinab Faraj.
Rescue teams, including members of the Lebanese Red Cross, who attempted to reach them reportedly faced obstruction by Israeli forces, including the use of a sound grenade and live fire targeting an ambulance, which delayed access to the site.
Medical personnel, journalists and other civilians in war zones are protected under international humanitarian law, and deliberately targeting them would constitute a war crime, the report said.
It further noted that civilian infrastructure, including health facilities, schools and religious sites, has been destroyed or severely damaged during the hostilities in Lebanon. Israeli attacks were reported to have burned or contaminated farmland, disrupting livelihoods and undermining the rights to food, work and a healthy environment.
The report also cited allegations that Israeli forces had used ammunition containing white phosphorus, which has highly incendiary effects.
The UN additionally expressed concern about rising communal tensions and reports of discriminatory practices that were hindering efforts by displaced people to access housing and other essential services.
Turk called for prompt, thorough, independent and impartial investigations into all alleged violations of international humanitarian law, for the findings to be made public and for those responsible to be held accountable.
He also called on all parties to ensure that the current ceasefire leads to a permanent cessation of hostilities and forms the basis for a lasting peace.
Source: arabnews.com
Please click the following URL to read the text of the original Story
https://www.arabnews.com/node/2641160/middle-east
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Saudi Arabia condemns drone attacks on Kuwait border posts
April 25, 2026
Saudi Arabia on Friday condemned attacks on Kuwaiti border posts by drones launched from Iraqi territory. (AFP file photo)
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RIYADH: Saudi Arabia on Friday condemned attacks on Kuwaiti border posts by drones launched from Iraqi territory, the foreign ministry said.
The Kuwaiti military said on Friday that two drones coming from the direction of neighboring Iraq struck border posts on its northern frontier with the country, causing damage but no casualties.
“This morning, two of Kuwait’s northern land border posts were targeted in a criminal act of aggression involving two explosive-laden drones guided by fiber-optic cables, originating from the Republic of Iraq, resulting in material damage but... no human casualties,” the military said in a statement on X.
Source: arabnews.com
Please click the following URL to read the text of the original Story
https://www.arabnews.com/node/2641195/saudi-arabia
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Watford, England: 66-year-old pastor arrested after criticising Islam while preaching
24 April 2026
A 66-year-old Christian pastor and grandfather, Pastor Steve Maile, has spoken out following his arrest for criticising the history of violent Islamism in Watford town centre while preaching and singing Christian hymns and pop songs in a busy public area. The incident has since gone viral on social media.
Footage of the incident on Saturday 18 April 2026, shared widely online, shows a large police presence surrounding Pastor Maile before officers place him in double handcuffs.
According to Pastor Maile, who is now being represented by lawyers at the Christian Legal Centre, he had been peacefully singing and preaching for around ten minutes, drawing on passages of the Bible and calling people to repentance.
Discussing whether Islam is a religion of peace, he criticised the history of violent Islam, but said he had compassion and wanted Muslims to be saved by Jesus.
He was, however, then suddenly approached by police who arrested him on suspicion of public order and hate-related offences.
Mocking what he is saying, the arresting policewoman says: “In the name of Jesus, get in the car.”
Steve is a singer who has released five albums and often sings famous songs and applies a Christian message to them. His music spans genres including hip-hop, jazz and opera.
Pastor Maile, who has been a pastor for 45 years and has no previous criminal record, says the arrest caused him significant physical pain and emotional distress.
He alleges he was handcuffed tightly for around an hour and a half, including with a so‑called “double lock”, despite repeatedly telling officers he was in agony.
He later required medical attention and splints for injuries to his hands.
Speaking about the moment of his arrest, Pastor Maile said he was shocked by the scale and speed of the police response. “One moment I was preaching the gospel, the next I was surrounded and in cuffs. I knew immediately this was wrong,” he said.
“Within seconds, they converged on me. Boom, the cuffs were on. Pain. Cuffs on for an hour and a half.
“I was so shocked; everyone was frozen with fear. I was not afraid. Is this a film? Is this reality? I knew it was illegal with righteous anger.”
He also alleges officers did not explain the grounds for his arrest or formally read him his rights before he was forcefully bundled into a police car.
Pastor Maile was first taken to Watford Police Station, where he describes being subjected to what he calls a humiliating and degrading process, before being transferred to Hatfield Police Station.
He says he was held for up to 10–12 hours, denied access to a toilet for a prolonged period, and that his family were not informed where he had been taken.
Police initially accused Pastor Maile of assaulting a teenager, an allegation he strongly denies and which he says was later dropped.
He remains under investigation for alleged hate-related public order offences connected to comments critical of Islam and LGBT lifestyles, which he maintains were Bible-based statements rather than calls to hatred or violence.
“I only ever preach or paraphrase the Bible,” Pastor Maile said. “I plead with people to come to Jesus. I do not attack individuals. I love everyone.”
Pastor Maile says the ordeal has had a lasting impact on him and his family, including sleeplessness and emotional exhaustion. Despite this, he says he does not intend to be silenced and remains committed to preaching peacefully in public spaces.
“They have picked on the wrong man. It was an awful experience being arrested in front of my family and children. This is a gross injustice,” he said. “I want to be acquitted. I want an apology. And I want to ensure this doesn’t happen to anyone else. I will continue to preach in Watford and I am not afraid.”
The Christian Legal Centre, which is supporting Pastor Maile’s case, says the incident, which is now with the Crown Prosecution Service, again raises serious concerns about free speech, freedom of religion, and disproportionate responses to lawful comments made against Islam in public.
Andrea Williams, Chief Executive of the Christian Legal Centre, said:
“Steve’s arrest is deeply troubling. A peaceful, Christian preacher was treated like a serious criminal for expressing his Christian beliefs and that Islam is a false religion in a public place. The footage raises fundamental questions about whether policing in this country is now criminalising Christianity while failing to apply the law equally and consistently. We are supporting Steve as he seeks justice, accountability, and an apology.”
Source: christianconcern.com
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https://christianconcern.com/news/pastor-steve-maile-watford-arrest-islam-criticism/
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CAIR OP-ED: Our different faiths teach us to love one another, not fuel anti-Muslim hate – Austin American-Statesman
April 24, 2026
Already we have shown each other that our faith doesn’t need to divide us. In fact, so much more unites us. Our religions might look different from the outside. But how beautiful is it to share common values?
May we be like the good Samaritan, finding ways to love one another and be open to true friendship with the many good Samaritans around us in our beautifully diverse state.
Source: cair.com
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https://www.cair.com/press_releases/cair-op-ed-our-different-faiths-teach-us-to-love-one-another-not-fuel-anti-muslim-hate-austin-american-statesman/
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France voices concern about the spread of Islamist extremism in Sahel
Apr 25, 2026
France's foreign minister on Friday voiced concern about the spread of Islamist extremism in west Africa, after talks with his Togolese counterpart in the capital Lome.
Violence by jihadist groups affiliated with Al-Qaeda and the Islamist State group has blighted the Sahel region for the last decade.
It is now spreading into northern regions of coastal countries such as Togo, after the military regimes in Burkina Faso, Mali, and Niger forced the withdrawal of French troops involved in the fight against militants.
Jean-Noel Barrot's visit to Togo is the first by a French foreign minister in 10 years. France is the former colonial power and Lome remains a rare ally of Paris in the region, even as it forges closer ties with Russia.
"We have a common concern, namely the security of the sub-region and, of course, the terrorist threat, which we all want to stem and contain," Barrot told reporters after talks with his counterpart, Robert Dussey.
"France is supporting regional initiatives to contain this scourge and enable countries in the sub-region to fully assume their security and sovereignty," he added.
Barrot arrived in Lome late Thursday and immediately held talks with Togo's leader, Faure Gnassingbe, praising Togo's role as mediator in places such as the Democratic Republic of Congo.
He said the country was also playing a "pivotal role" in the Sahel to find solutions at a regional level to fight against "the advance of the terrorist threat".
France is co-hosting a major summit on Africa in Nairobi next month.
Source: africanews.com
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https://www.africanews.com/2026/04/25/france-voices-concern-about-the-spread-of-islamist-extremism-in-sahel/
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Jakim: State religious councils not involved in ‘zakat’ fraud allegations
25 Apr 2026
PADANG RENGAS, April 25 — Malaysian Islamic Development Department (Jakim) has urged the public to continue trusting the tithe institution and let authorities investigate recent viral allegations of zakat fund misappropriation.
Its director-general, Datuk Dr Sirajuddin Suhaimee, said the State Islamic Religious Councils are not involved in the issue.
“The councils entrusted with managing zakat collection are not involved. Instead, a third party is believed to have misused the funds.
“The public should remain confident that state religious agencies are following all procedures and guidelines. Any conclusion must be based on official investigations,” he told reporters after launching the Jakim 2026 MADANI adopted village and MADANI adopted school programmes here yesterday.
He added that the issue of cross-state zakat payments has also been discussed by the Muzakarah Committee of the National Council for Malaysian Islamic Religious Affairs (MKI).
Sirajuddin said the Muzakarah Committee has decided on the matter and presented it to the Conference of Rulers, receiving royal assent that the act constitutes an offence.
“It is now up to each state to take action against any party from another state that collects zakat within its jurisdiction.
“Only authorised amil (zakat collectors) appointed by that state are qualified and empowered to collect zakat, be it zakat fitrah (obligatory charity at the end of Ramadan) or zakat on wealth, within that state,” he said.
Meanwhile, on the issue of halal certification, Sirajuddin said religious authorities in Melaka have taken action against a coffee and biscuit manufacturing company whose halal certificate was revoked, in collaboration with the Ministry of Domestic Trade and Cost of Living.
“We want to stress that any product whose halal certificate has been revoked can no longer be marketed as halal and must be removed from the market,” he said.
He advised traders to always check the halal status of the products they sell, while consumers are encouraged to verify through Jakim’s official portal or the Verify Halal application before making purchases.
Meanwhile, Sirajuddin said today’s programmes aim to boost community development across physical, spiritual and social aspects, aligned with MADANI Government goals.
For 2026, Kampung Buaya has been selected as the MADANI adopted village, while Sekolah Kebangsaan Tun Dr Ismail has been selected as the MADANI adopted school (SAM).
They have been allocated RM500,000 and RM100,000, respectively, with approval from the Ministry of Finance.
Additionally, the local community will receive RM30,000 worth of food baskets, RM15,000 in educational contributions from Tabung Haji, RM5,000 for Sekolah Rendah Agama Rakyat Al-Falahiyyah, and RM5,000 for Pertubuhan Kebajikan Anak Yatim Nur Hidayah. — Bernama
Source: malaymail.com
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https://www.malaymail.com/news/malaysia/2026/04/25/jakim-state-religious-councils-not-involved-in-zakat-fraud-allegations/217589
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Pakistan clashes disrupt education for 12,000 students in Afghanistan
By Fidel Rahmati
April 24, 2026
Fighting along the Afghanistan-Pakistan border has disrupted education for 12,000 students, as displacement and damage to schools worsen humanitarian conditions.
The United Nations said clashes between the Taliban and Pakistan have disrupted education for around 12,000 Afghan students in border areas.
Many children have been displaced or are unable to continue schooling, particularly in Kunar Province, where villages have been partially emptied and schools damaged.
According to reports, at least 22 schools in Kunar have been affected or destroyed, leaving thousands of children without access to classrooms and basic educational services.
The border has remained volatile for nearly two months, with both sides exchanging accusations, as Islamabad claims militant groups operate from Afghanistan territory, which the Taliban denies.
The escalation has triggered a broader humanitarian crisis, with thousands of families forced to flee their homes and seek shelter in temporary camps under harsh conditions.
Local educators say school buildings have been damaged and students who were previously attending classes are now cut off from learning opportunities.
Displaced families report severe hardship, with limited access to shelter, food, and education, and have called on the international community to provide urgent assistance.
The UN has also warned that hundreds of civilians have been killed since the clashes began, underscoring the growing impact of insecurity on vulnerable communities.
Source: khaama.com
Please click the following URL to read the text of the original Story
https://www.khaama.com/pakistan-clashes-disrupt-education-for-12000-students-in-afghanistan/
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India
'Betrayal of victims and their families': Asaduddin Owaisi slams Bombay high court's 2006 Malegaon blast verdict
Apr 25, 2026
HYDERABAD: Asaduddin Owaisi, chief of the All India Majlis-e-Ittehadul Muslimeen (AIMIM), has criticised the Bombay High Court’s decision to discharge four men accused in the 2006 Malegaon blasts case, calling it a “betrayal” of the victims and questioning the probe conducted by the National Investigation Agency (NIA).
He said the blasts, which killed 31 people and injured 312, targeted Muslims and raised concerns about the direction of the investigation.
"The accused all allegedly belonged to Abhinav Bharat. The explosions claimed 31 lives and injured 312. The blasts specifically targeted Muslims. Yet, maybe out of habit, the investigation agencies first arrested nine Muslims, who were eventually acquitted in 2016. In yesterday's order, the High Court criticised the NIA for its botched investigation," Owaisi said in a post on X.
Asaduddin Owaisi
He further questioned whether the NIA would challenge the verdict.
"Is the NIA going to appeal the order before the Supreme Court? Highly unlikely. This is a betrayal of all the victims and their families. This will be yet another terror attack where we will not even see its perpetrators being punished. To be a Muslim in India is to only wait for justice," he added.
Owaisi also cited earlier terror cases, alleging a recurring pattern in the way investigations have been conducted.
"This case has followed a similar trajectory to the 2008 blasts case. Rohini Salian, NIA's prosecutor, was on record saying that NIA asked her to go soft on the accused," he further wrote.
Family members of victims of the 2008 Malegaon blast had moved the Bombay High Court on September 9, 2025, challenging the special National Investigation Agency (NIA) court’s verdict that acquitted all the accused, including Pragya Singh Thakur and Prasad Purohit.
The blast, which took place on September 29, 2008, near a mosque in Malegaon town of Nashik district, Maharashtra, killed six people and injured 101 others. The High Court had listed the matter for hearing on September 9, 2025, before a division bench comprising Justice A.S. Chandurkar and Justice RR Bhosale.
The appeal, filed by six family members of the deceased victims, claims that the special court's judgment was flawed and seeks to overturn the acquittal.
They argued that the investigation was faulty and that the prosecution's case was weakened by the NIA's handling of the probe. The special court's conclusion that there was no cogent evidence to warrant a conviction is disputed by the victims' families, who argue that conspiracy cases often rely on circumstantial evidence.
The victims’ families also raised concerns about the National Investigation Agency’s special public prosecutor, alleging pressure to slow down proceedings against the accused. In their appeal, they claimed the investigation had been compromised and that crucial evidence was either ignored or mishandled.
Representing the families of six deceased victims, the petitioners urged the court to issue notices to all respondents, including those acquitted. Meanwhile, the NIA, which prosecuted the case, had not yet filed an appeal.
The 2008 Malegaon blast case was handed over to the National Investigation Agency (NIA) in 2011 from the Maharashtra Anti-Terrorism Squad (ATS). After a 17-year-long trial and the examination of hundreds of witnesses, a special NIA court acquitted all seven accused of charges under the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act, the Arms Act, and other provisions.
The court had examined 323 prosecution witnesses and eight defence witnesses before pronouncing the verdict. Seven people had been acquitted of all charges under the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act, Arms Act and other charges.
"Prosecution proved that a blast occurred in Malegaon but failed to prove that the bomb was placed in that motorcycle," Judge Abhay Lohati said.
The court also mentioned that there was some manipulation of medical certificates. The court concluded that the injured people were not 101 but 95 only, and there was manipulation in some medical certificates. The court also said there is no evidence of storing or assembling explosives in Prasad Purohit's residence, who was another accused in the case.
"No search of the spot was done by the investigating officer while doing the panchnama. No fingerprint, dump data or anything was collected from the spot. The samples were contaminated, so reports can't be conclusive and relied upon," the court said.
On the alleged role in the Abhinav Bharat organisation, the court said there was no evidence of the funds of the organisation being used for terror activities.
Source: indiatimes.com
Please click the following URL to read the text of the original Story
https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/hyderabad/betrayal-of-victims-and-their-families-asaduddin-owaisi-slams-bombay-high-courts-2006-malegaon-blast-verdict/articleshowprint/130507039.cms
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TCS Nashik case: Police seek accused remand to find shop where ‘Muslim region cap’ was purchased
Mohamed Thaver, Purnima Sah
Apr 25, 2026
The Nashik city police Friday sought remand of four accused in an alleged conversion case at TCS BPO on grounds that they had to find the shop from where a skull cap termed by the police a “Muslim religion cap” seen on the head of a victim in a video was purchased.
Further, the remand mentioned that after having sheer khurma, a dessert made in Muslim households during Eid, at the residence of the accused Tausif Attar, the victim said his head became heavy and he felt intoxicated, a claim the police want to investigate. The Mumbai Naka police, where the particular FIR no 166/26 was registered, sought a 10-day remand of the accused. The court remanded the four accused in police custody till April 29.
In all nine FIRs have been registered by Nashik city police, in which seven accused — some involved in multiple FIRs — have been arrested. The police have been taking custody of the accused in individual FIRs.
In this case, Attar, Danish Shaikh, Shahrukh Qureshi and Raza Memon have been named as accused and have been charged with sexual exploitation and religious conversion.
The remand report further says the accused took the victim home in a Maruti Zen car on the day the cap was put on his head and it was necessary to ask the accused about it and seize the vehicle. The police said they wanted to take the accused to the hotel where the victim was allegedly taken to consume non-veg food and conduct panchnama there.
“The victim said the accused took him to the hotel in a Maruti Swift car so the accused needs to be questioned so that the vehicle can be seized,” the remand reads.
The remand further mentions that after making the victim wear the religious cap, a photo/video of the same was uploaded on ‘TCS Nashik’ WhatsApp group that needs to be retrieved.
The report further mentions that the accused asked the victim to do their work and sent a faulty report to superiors when it came to his performance and also suggested black magic when it came to some family issues he was facing.
The defence argued that the police remand was not required as the police already had their mobile devices and hence physical custody was not required.
Source: indianexpress.com
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Saudi job to Op Sarp Vinash: J&K man who had key role in 2003 strike on terror stronghold dies at 63
Arun Sharma
Apr 25, 2026
When his brother was killed by terrorists in 2002, Fazal Tahir left his job as a supervisor at a marble company in Saudi Arabia to seek revenge. And that’s exactly what he did: he would be seen as instrumental in the Indian Army’s Operation Sarp Vinash, an exercise to purge Hilkaka — a hamlet nestled in the mountains of Surankote tehsil in Jammu’s Poonch — of terrorists who had established a parallel state there.
This week, the hero of Hilkaka, Tahir, a Muslim Gujjar , died of a heart attack in Uttarakhand and was laid to rest in his native Murrah village. He was 63, and is survived by two wives and three minor sons.
A Special Police Officer in Jammu & Kashmir Police, Tahir began working as a timber merchant after his retirement two years ago and was on a business trip to Uttarakhand when he had a heart attack.
“He called around 8 pm Wednesday to tell me that he had some chest pain and had visited a hospital. But he said he felt fine thereafter and told me he would return home Thursday. But half an hour later, I got a call from someone accompanying him. He had passed away,” his younger brother Maksood Fazal said.
Operation Sarp Vinash marked a turning point against cross-border terrorism in the area. It led to peace in Poonch district and neighbouring Rajouri, both along the Line of Control with Pakistan. Around 80 terrorists were killed during the operation.
Among those who died in the operation was paratrooper Sanjog Chhetri of 9 Para, who was posthumously awarded the Ashok Chakra in 2004.
But several believe the operation would not have succeeded without Tahir and his team of 20 people, all of whom gave up lucrative jobs in Saudi Arabia.
The hero of Hilkaka
When The Indian Express spoke to Tahir in 2023, he said that at the time of his brother Arif’s death at the hands of Lashkar-e-Toiba terrorists, he was earning Rs 50,000 a month in Saudi Arabia. The death of a terrorist had led to suspicion that Arif was an informer. He was abducted and killed.
On June 26, 2002, Tahir returned and soon after headed to the Indian Army’s Romeo Force, a special counter-insurgency unit headquartered at Palma in Rajouri district.
Tahir became an informer and was attached with troops at Surankote. In time, there was an uprising in the village too: a group of residents joined together to form the Indian Peace Pir Panjal Scouts, a local “undercover” counter-insurgency unit that eventually became part of the security forces. Tahir and some others were later recruited as Special Police Officers (SPOs) with a monthly honorarium of Rs 1,500 each and given weapons.
Since the money was insufficient, some locals working in Saudi Arabia began contributing 100 riyals a month for these SPOs. They were given specialised training by the Army and were eventually attached to the team from 9 Para and the police, which would launch the Hilkaka offensive at 12,000 ft on April 27 that year.
By the time the operation wound down in May, some 95 hideouts had been cleared and 80 terrorists killed, with the rest fleeing to Rajouri.
Amid rising insurgency in 2023, Tahir alleged that security forces had forgotten those who fought by their side in the early 2000s.
For their part, the Indian Army paid him a solemn tribute, calling him a “valiant son of the soil” who stood with the troops during Operation Sarp Vinash.
According to his brother Maksood Fazal, Tahir left behind a void. “He was not only a brave man, but also one who looked out for his people. After Op Sarp Vinash, he got one of the two panchayats in Murrah connected by road in 2007-08 and got electricity in 2022,” he says. “He was worried about the education of children in remote areas and got many of them admitted to schools in Rajouri, Udhampur and Jammu.”
Source: indianexpress.com
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Uttarakhand High Court shuts door on PIL in Barelvi-Deobandi graveyard dispute, directs parties to civil court
Somya Panwar
Apr 24, 2026
Holding that a dispute between two communities over burial space does not fall under the ambit of a Public Interest Litigation (PIL), the Uttarakhand High Court recently dismissed a plea filed by a man seeking burial rights and access to kabristan (burial ground for muslims) in the state’s Bhaniyawala village.
Observing that such community-specific disputes must be resolved through civil proceedings, Justice Manoj Kumar Gupta rejected the plea, which alleged that members of the Deobandi community were preventing the Barelvi community from using the kabristan.
“The right of burial being claimed by members of a particular community of Muslim as against the other community… would not be a matter falling under Public Interest Litigation…it is open to the petitioner and members of the said community to establish the said right in appropriate civil proceedings or by such other mode as may be advised,” the April 22 order said.
Justice Manoj Kumar Gupta Justice Manoj Kumar Gupta
Matter can’t fall under PIL: Court
The court held that a dispute over burial rights between members of different Muslim communities cannot be treated as a Public Interest Litigation.
The petitioner and the Barelvi community are free to claim the burial right through proper civil proceedings or any other appropriate legal method, the court said.
Fight for burial rights
The PIL was filed by Mohd. Sahzad, seeking burial rights in a Kabristan in the village of Bhaniyawala for the members of the Barelvi muslim community.
It was alleged in the PIL that members of the Deobandi community were using the burial ground and denying permission to members of the Barelvi community to use the kabaristan for burial.
Advocate Piyush Garg, representing Sahzad, argued that the Deobandi community was not allowing the Barelvi community to use the burial space, even though the Barelvi community has a larger population in the village as compared to the Deobandi community.
Madras High Court intervenes in church cemetery dispute
The Madras High Court, in a 2025 ruling, intervened in a church cemetery dispute, holding that the matter was not merely about property rights, but was touching on the deeply sensitive issue of the “dignity of the dead” and the sanctity of a Christian cemetery maintained by a Parish church.
Justice L Victoria Gowri was hearing the plea, filed by a parish member, who alleged that the church officials, in January, demolished the existing graves and tombs in a century-old cemetery, using three JCBs, without the consent of the families of the deceased or the broader church membership.
The high court noted that the tomb structures of existing graves were demolished without consultation or consent of the concerned families and said that it prima facie attracts the definition of “offering indignity to any human corpse” and “trespass in any place of sepulture”.
Responding to the the church office-bearers’s argument that under “canon law and ecclesiastical hierarchy”, the Bishop and Parish priest exercise ownership and control over church properties, including cemeteries, and can “permit demolition of tombs” in the cemetery, the court said that any holder of property, particularly religious property dedicated to public or community use, is a “trustee” subject to constitutional limitations, human rights norms and statutory restrictions.
“Describing the Bishop as ‘title holder’ does not mean that he has an absolute right to ‘plough the cemetery like a field’,” the court said.
The court observed that the church cemetery is a “sacred trust” held for the benefit of the faithful and for posterity, indicating that it is not a disposable asset in the hands of “administrators”.
Noting that the trial court did not examine the matter on the merits due to the absence of a requisite supporting affidavit, Justice Gowri directed the matter to be remanded to the trial court, observing that the defect was curable and the petitioners should be allowed to file the affidavit before passing any order on the merits.
Source: indianexpress.com
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Erasing Urdu or removing an unfair barrier? J&K’s revenue recruitment row explained
Bashaarat Masood
Apr 24, 2026
Earlier this month, the Jammu and Kashmir government made a significant change in the draft recruitment rules for revenue services – it removed Urdu, so far indispensable, as a requirement.
The draft rules, released on April 10 and now up for public feedback, have drawn protests, with political parties such as the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) calling it a move to “undermine the linguistic and cultural identity of Jammu and Kashmir”.
Compulsory knowledge of Urdu
Since the Dogra time, Urdu has been the official language of Jammu and Kashmir, with the first official land settlement, known as ‘Bandobast Qanooni’, recorded in Urdu. Initiated in 1887, these records were completed by 1894.
Similarly, the pre-partition land revenue records kept at Srinagar’s Muhafiz Khana are also in Urdu. The Muhafiz Khana has the original and official pre-partition land records of Pakistan-occupied Kashmir as well.
Since the first land settlement and subsequent records were registered in Urdu, knowledge of the language was made compulsory for revenue posts like Naib Tehsildar, Girdawar (revenue inspector) and Patwari (land record keepers). For recruitment to these posts, a candidate must have had a bachelor’s degree with knowledge of Urdu.
BJP’s opposition
For over a century, the move to make working knowledge of Urdu mandatory went unquestioned. That changed in 2025, when the Jammu and Kashmir Service Selection Board (JKSSB) — one of two government recruitment agencies — issued a notification for 75 posts of Naib Tehsildar in the revenue department. As always, the JKSSB specified that the second paper of the written test would check the candidate’s “working knowledge of Urdu”.
This drew protests from the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), which demanded that the requirement be dropped for Naib Tehsildar posts. Senior BJP leader Sunil Sharma, the J&K Leader of Opposition, also met Lt Governor Manoj Sinha, seeking his intervention to register the party’s opposition. Sharma contended that making one of the five official languages an eligibility criterion “violates constitutional principles and administrative impartiality and creates an unfair barrier”. He also argued that making Urdu a criterion puts candidates from Jammu at a disadvantage.
Five official languages
Before the abrogation of J&K’s special status, Urdu was the official language. However, in September 2020 — a year after the abrogation — Parliament passed the Jammu and Kashmir Official Languages Bill, 2020. The Bill added four more languages — Kashmiri, Dogri, Hindi and English — to Urdu as official languages, stating that these would be “used for all official purposes” in the Union Territory.
The CAT intervention
The mandatory working knowledge of Urdu was also challenged by some aspirants before the Central Administrative Tribunal (CAT) Jammu Bench. In July last year, agreeing with the BJP, the CAT (Jammu Bench) stayed the provision of the J&K Revenue (Subordinate) Service Recruitment Rules, 2009, which made knowledge of Urdu mandatory. It instead directed the Service Selection Board to accept candidates proficient in any of the five official languages — Hindi, Kashmiri, English, Dogri, or Urdu.
Opposition in the Valley
The latest move by the J&K revenue department has drawn protests from Kashmiri parties, which view it as linguistic hegemony of the BJP and an attempt to undermine Urdu — a language that has come to be associated with Muslims post-2014.
Opposing the draft rules, the PDP has sought its immediate withdrawal. “This move represents a deliberate attempt to sideline and erase Urdu from the administrative framework of the region, despite its historic and institutional significance. Urdu has for generations been the backbone of revenue records, land documentation, and official communication in Jammu and Kashmir,” the PDP said in a statement on X.
It added: “The PDP views this decision as part of a broader pattern of undermining the linguistic and cultural identity of Jammu and Kashmir. Such steps disregard the region’s history and the deep connection people have with the language.”
But it isn’t the only one. The ruling National Conference too has, in the past, opposed the move, calling it an attempt to “erase” Jammu & Kashmir’s cultural legacy. Soon after the Urdu row first broke out in July last year, NC chief spokesperson Tanvir Sadiq castigated the BJP’s stance.
“Urdu is not associated with any class, region, or religion, but is a historical and administrative language used in Jammu and Kashmir for over 130 years. During the reign of the Maharaja, all administrative work was conducted in Persian but later Urdu was adopted as a unifying language,” NC chief spokesperson Tanvir Sadiq said.
He added: “It is wrong to view every issue through a religious lens. The shajras (or ancestral land records) have long been written in Urdu and it is not possible to change all those documents now. There is a need to acknowledge Urdu’s historical role in administration, including the judiciary and revenue.”
Source: indianexpress.com
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Army, BJP pay tribute to Operation Sarp Vinash hero who helped fight militancy in J&K
Muzaffar Raina
25.04.26
The army and senior BJP leaders on Friday paid tributes to a tribal Muslim man on his death, recognising his role in helping reverse militancy in Jammu in the early 2000s, ushering in nearly two decades of relative peace.
The death of Tahir Fazal Choudhary has revived memories of a time when local Muslim support, mainly from tribal Gujjars and Bakerwals, bolstered the forces — a stark contrast to recent years when such help has become scarce.
Choudhary, 62, popularly called the hero of the Hill Kaka operation or Operation Sarp Vinash, passed away on Thursday following a cardiac arrest. Hundreds attended his funeral at Murrah village in Surankote in Poonch district.
Army’s Jammu-based White Knight Corps posted pictures of his funeral, showing senior officers and jawans shouldering his coffin and paying their final respects with salutes.
“With deep sorrow and immense gratitude, #IndianArmy bid a solemn farewell to Tahir Fazal, a valiant son of the soil who stood shoulder to shoulder with own troops during Op Sarpvinash in 2003. His daring spirit, unwavering courage and strong bond with the Indian Army remain a testament to his exceptional character. His indomitable valour will forever be etched in our hearts,” the army posted on X.
BJP’s Rajya Sabha member Ghulam Ali Khatana said the nation “has lost a brave, fearless, and true son”.
“Tahir Fazal Chaudhary was not just an individual, but a symbol of service to the nation. He dedicated his entire life to the protection of the country and society,”
he said.
Operation Sarp Vinash was one of the most successful anti-militancy operations in Jammu. Dozens of militants were killed in April and May 2003, playing a key role in reversing militancy in the region.
A police veteran said local support was key to turning the tide against militancy in those years. “Dwindling collaboration now poses a major challenge to containing the recent resurgence,” he said.
Source: telegraphindia.com
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Indian merchant navy officer among 21 on seized Gujarat-bound vessel held by Iran in Hormuz
24.04.26
An India-bound container vessel was seized by Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) in the Strait of Hormuz, with a merchant navy officer from Rajasthan's Sri Ganganagar district among the crew, his family said on Friday.
The vessel, identified as 'Epaminondes', was intercepted while heading towards India, and vice captain Sanjay Mahar (38), a resident of Sadhbhavana Nagar in Sri Ganganagar, is among the 21 crew members on board.
Speaking to his family, Sanjay Mahar said the crew is safe but described tense moments during the incident.
"There was firing from the Iranian side while they were crossing the Strait of Hormuz. All crew members immediately moved to a safe location inside the ship," Sanjay's father Om Prakash Mahar said.
The ship, sailing under the Liberian flag, had been waiting near the strait for the past three to four days for clearance to proceed to Mundra port in Gujarat.
"Firing began as soon as the vessel moved," Mahar said.
He said the family came to know about the incident through media reports but later received assurance from his son.
"He told us he is safe, but we are very worried. We appeal to the government to ensure the safe return of all Indian citizens on board," he said.
His brother, Subhash Mahar, said the family has approached local MLA Jaideep Bihani and urged authorities to escalate the matter.
"We have informed the MLA and requested that the matter be taken up with the chief minister and the prime minister. We hope the government will intervene and bring everyone back safely," he said.
The vessel reportedly has crew members from India, the Philippines, Ukraine and Sri Lanka.
Mahar, who has been working in the merchant navy for around 15 years, had left home about 20 days ago for duty in Saudi Arabia, his family said.
Source: telegraphindia.com
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Mideast
Australia refuses repatriation help for citizens in Syria camp
April 25, 2026
SYDNEY: Australia refused to help repatriate citizens related to suspected Daesh militants on Saturday, following a report that some Australian families are trying to return home from a camp in Syria.
National broadcaster ABC said four Australian women and nine of their children and grandchildren had left the Roj camp in northeastern Syria on Friday, citing the camp director.
Syrian forces were taking them to Damascus to help them fly back to Australia, it said.
“The Australian Government is not and will not repatriate people from Syria,” a government spokesperson said in a statement to AFP.
“Our security agencies have been monitoring — and continue to monitor — the situation in Syria to ensure they are prepared for any Australians seeking to return to Australia,” the spokesperson added.
“People in this cohort need to know that if they have committed a crime and if they return to Australia they will be met with the full force of the law.”
The government’s “overriding priority” was the safety of Australians and the protection of Australia’s national interests, the spokesperson said.
The group is among 34 Australians at the camp who failed in an attempt to return home in February, reportedly due to a coordination problem with the Syrian government.
At the time, Prime Minister Anthony Albanese said the government would not provide them with any support, declaring: “You make your bed, you lie in it.”
The repatriation of the families of Daesh members is controversial in Australia, with some politicians warning they pose a threat to national security.
The humanitarian organization Save the Children Australia filed a lawsuit in 2023 on behalf of 11 women and 20 children at the Roj camp, seeking their repatriation.
But the Federal Court ruled against Save the Children, saying the Australian government did not control their detention in Syria.
Source: arabnews.com
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Palestinians vote in first elections since Gaza war
April 25, 2026
RAMALLAH, Palestinian Territories: Palestinians in the West Bank and a central area of Gaza began voting Saturday in municipal elections in a first vote since the Gaza war, marked by a narrow political field and widespread disillusionment.
Nearly 1.5 million people are registered to vote in the Israeli-occupied West Bank, as well as 70,000 people in Gaza’s Deir El-Balah area, according to the Ramallah-based Central Elections Commission.
Polling stations opened at 7 a.m. (0400 GMT).
AFP footage from Al-Bireh in the West Bank and Deir El-Balah in Gaza showed election officials in polling stations as Palestinians came to cast ballots.
Most electoral lists are aligned with president Mahmud Abbas’s secular-nationalist Fatah party or running as independents.
There are no lists affiliated with Fatah’s archrival Hamas, which controls nearly half of the Gaza Strip.
In most cities, Fatah-backed tickets will run against independent lists headed by candidates from factions such as the Popular Front for the Liberation of Palestine (Marxist-Leninist).
Mahmud Bader, a businessman from the northern West Bank city of Tulkarem, where two adjacent refugee camps have been under Israeli military control for over a year, said he would vote despite having little hope for meaningful change.
“Whether candidates are independent or partisan, it has no effect and will have no effect or benefit for the city,” he told AFP.
“The (Israeli) occupation is the one that rules Tulkarem. It would only be an image shown to the international media — as if we have elections, a state or independence.”
In many cities, including Nablus and Ramallah, the seat of the Palestinian Authority, only one list has been submitted, meaning it wins automatically without needing a vote.
Polling stations in the West Bank will close at 7 pm, while polls in Deir Al-Balah will close at 5 p.m. to facilitate counting in daylight due to the lack of electricity in the war devastated strip, the elections commission told AFP.
UN coordinator Ramiz Alakbarov commended the commission for organizing a “credible process.”
“Saturday’s elections represent an important opportunity for Palestinians to exercise their democratic rights during an exceptionally challenging period,” Alakbarov said in a statement ahead of polls.
‘Confirmation of existence’
Gaza, which has been under Hamas control since 2007, will see its first vote since the legislative elections of 2006 that the Islamist movement won.
Abbas’s Palestinian Authority is holding elections only in Deir El-Balah “as an experiment (to test its own) success or failure, since there are no post-war opinion polls,” Jamal Al-Fadi, a political scientist at Cairo’s Al-Azhar University, told AFP.
Abbas, who is now 90 and has remained in power for more than 20 years without ever being re-elected, frequently promises legislative and presidential elections that have never taken place.
Deir El-Balah was chosen as it was one of the only places in Gaza where “the population has remained largely in place and not been displaced” by more than two years of war between Hamas and Israel, Fadi said.
Farah Shaath, 25, was excited to vote for the first time.
“Although it is unlike any election in the world, it is a confirmation of our continued existence in the Gaza Strip despite everything,” she told AFP.
The election commission says it has recruited polling staff from civil society organizations and hired “a private security company to secure polling centers” for the Gaza vote, spokesman Fareed Taamallah told AFP.
But a source from the commission in Gaza, who asked to remain anonymous, said that “Hamas police insisted on securing the electoral process in Deir Al-Balah.”
The source added that “this will be done by deploying unarmed security personnel in civilian clothing around polling centers,” which number 12 in Deir El-Balah.
Source: arabnews.com
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Gaza civil defense says Israeli strikes kill 13
April 25, 2026
GAZA CITY, Palestinian Territories: Gaza’s civil defense agency said Israeli strikes across the Palestinian territory on Friday killed at least 13 people, including five in an attack that targeted a police vehicle.
Despite an October ceasefire, Gaza remains gripped by daily violence as Israeli strikes continue and both the Israeli military and Hamas accuse one another of breaking the truce.
Eight people, including a child, were killed and several others injured when an Israeli airstrike hit a police vehicle in the Al-Mawasi area of the southern city of Khan Younis, said the civil defense agency, which operates as a rescue service under Hamas.
According to the territory’s interior ministry, two of those were police officers.
In a separate incident, three people — a woman and her two children — were killed when Israeli artillery struck residential homes near Kamal Adwan hospital in Beit Lahia in northern Gaza.
In a third attack, an Israeli aircraft struck another police patrol in Gaza City, the territory’s largest urban center, killing two people and injuring two others, it added.
The interior ministry confirmed that the two killed were police officers.
At Al-Shifa hospital, Mohammed Al-Qassas, the brother of one of the dead, told AFP “the war never stopped... this is not fair.”
Gaza’s Al-Shifa and Nasser hospitals confirmed the death tolls, publishing the names of 12 of the 13 victims.
The 13th victim was a 12-year-old whose identity could not immediately be confirmed.
The Israeli military did not immediately respond to a request for comment.
It later published a brief statement, saying: “Earlier today (Friday), IDF troops under the Southern Command identified armed Hamas terrorists in the northern Gaza Strip, who operated adjacent to the troops and posed a threat. In order to remove the threat, the terrorists were eliminated in an aerial strike.”
At Al-Shifa hospital, an AFP journalist saw relatives of the victims weeping over the dead, with at least three bodies seen exiting from the morgue.
In Khan Yunis, an AFP photographer saw dozens of onlookers gathered around the skeleton of a burnt-out car on a dirt road in the middle of a tent camp.
Hamas condemned the “barbaric Zionist attacks that reached all parts of the Gaza Strip since this morning,” denouncing the international community’s “failure to assume responsibilities toward stopping the ongoing crimes against our people.”
The October truce has largely halted the Gaza war that began after Hamas’s October 7, 2023 attack.
But violence has persisted, with at least 792 Palestinians killed since the truce began, according to Gaza’s health ministry, which is under Hamas authority and whose figures are considered reliable by the United Nations.
The Israeli military has reported five soldiers killed in Gaza since the start of the truce.
Media restrictions and limited access in Gaza have prevented AFP from independently verifying casualty figures or freely covering the fighting.
Source: arabnews.com
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Syria can serve as corridor linking Gulf, Central Asia with Europe: President Al-Sharaa
April 24, 2026
NICOSIA: President Ahmad Al-Sharaa said on Friday that the Syrian Arab Republic is positioned to become a secure strategic corridor linking Central Asia and the Gulf with Europe, as he presented a regional connectivity vision during an informal meeting of the EU and regional partners in Nicosia.
Speaking at a press conference after the summit, Al-Sharaa said the gathering marked a moment of political and strategic maturity reflecting a new geopolitical reality that goes beyond traditional frameworks of cooperation.
He said security in Europe and stability in the region are closely interconnected, requiring a spirit of partnership and shared responsibility among Mediterranean and regional states.
Al-Sharaa said current challenges, including disruption to global trade routes and risks stemming from the closure of the Strait of Hormuz, demand the development of new regional strategies capable of protecting supply chains and ensuring economic resilience.
He added that Europe needs Syria as much as Syria needs Europe, stressing that an Arab-European Mediterranean partnership has become an essential path for sustaining energy flows and safeguarding global supplies.
The president called on the international community to assume its responsibilities regarding continued Israeli violations of Syrian sovereignty, including ground incursions, airstrikes and repeated breaches affecting Syrian territory and airspace.
He said such actions violated the 1974 Disengagement Agreement and international law, warning that they undermined Syria’s recovery, reconstruction efforts and broader regional stability.
Al-Sharaa said protecting the new partnership path launched in Nicosia required firm action to compel Israel to halt its attacks immediately.
In that context, he said Syria is placing before its Mediterranean and Gulf partners the Four Seas Initiative and Nine Corridors Initiative, aimed at making the country a safe alternative artery connecting Central Asia and the Gulf to the heart of Europe.
Al-Sharaa said Friday’s meeting was paving the way for a broader milestone in Brussels on May 11, when Syria and the EU are expected to launch a high-level political dialogue.
The Syrian president took part in the meeting at the Filoxenia Conference Center in Nicosia at the invitation of Cypriot President Nikos Christodoulides and European Council President Antonio Costa.
Source: arabnews.com
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Is Israel’s ‘buffer zone’ expansion a bid to control Lebanon’s offshore gas?
NAJIA HOUSSARI
April 24, 2026
BEIRUT: Lebanon faces growing concern over what officials describe as potential Israeli encroachment onto its offshore energy resources, after the Israeli military published a map extending its buffer zone into the Mediterranean, raising questions about the fate of the Qana gas field.
The map, released by the Israeli army on April 19 amid a fragile ceasefire with Hezbollah, outlines the deployment of its forces following their advance into parts of southern Lebanon, which Israel said was intended to prevent direct threats to its northern towns.
Israel’s newly delineated “Yellow Line,” which marks the expanded buffer zone about 5-10 km into Lebanese territory, appeared to extend not only across areas south of the Litani River — where Israeli forces pushed deeper during the recent war — but also into maritime areas, including waters linked to the Qana gas field.
The development has triggered alarm in Beirut, particularly as Lebanon had secured exploration rights in Qana under a US-brokered maritime border agreement with Israel in 2022, following years of complex negotiations.
Analysts and observers warned that Israel’s expansion of its operational map into the sea could signal a shift toward asserting influence over offshore resources, mirroring what they describe on land as the doctrine of “forward defense.”
Lebanon now faces the challenge of how to respond to what it sees as a new threat to its sovereignty both on land and its offshore economic lifeline.
Retired Brig. Gen. Mounir Shehadeh, former head of Lebanon’s Military Court, said Israel would face significant challenges in attempting to control or exploit offshore gas resources.
“Control over gas fields is not that simple. A field is not just a maritime space,” he told Arab News, noting that fields such as Qana (Block 9) require extensive infrastructure, including drilling and production platforms and the involvement of international companies such as TotalEnergies.
He stressed that any temporary military control would not translate into the ability to extract gas or derive economic benefit.
“Maritime operations differ fundamentally from land occupation. Israel may assert military pressure, but it cannot legally operate gas fields unilaterally without the participation of international firms,” Shehadeh said.
Any company working in a disputed area without a formal agreement risks sanctions and legal disputes, he added, warning that the political and financial costs would be considerable.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said he plans to establish a buffer zone extending from Lebanese territorial waters in the south to the Syrian side of Mount Hermon, via its Lebanese slopes.
In Lebanon, officials have described the move as Israel “reshaping the map of the region.”
Shehadeh warned that any attempt to seize Lebanese oil fields would amount to a major regional escalation and a direct threat to the Eastern Mediterranean’s economic infrastructure, one that could spark a far wider confrontation, not a one-off operation.
Addressing whether the maritime border demarcation prevents such a move, Shehadeh said that the 2022 agreement, mediated by US envoy Amos Hochstein, serves as a significant deterrent.
“It clearly defines the maritime boundary, Line 23, and implicitly recognizes Lebanon’s right to develop the Qana field,” he told Arab News.
There is also an indirect mechanism for sharing revenues in the event of a geological extension, but its boundaries remain to be determined.
The agreement, Shehadeh said, is not a full peace treaty, but what prevents military violations depends largely on political balance and deterrence, not just the law.
“To be more precise: the agreement makes it difficult for Israel to act unilaterally, but it does not prevent it on the ground if it decides to escalate.”
Lebanese Minister of Energy and Water Joe Saddi said the Israeli map “does not change any of the facts established by the maritime border demarcation agreement,” and that “the agreement remains in effect, with no official amendment.”
The maritime border demarcation agreement between Lebanon and Israel is legally binding on both signatories and has been registered with the UN.
Lawyer Christina Abi Haidar, an expert in energy and governance law, said it would be illegal for Israel to cancel it unilaterally.
“Legally speaking, any change to the agreement requires the consent of both parties,” she told Arab News. “The agreement also stipulates that any party objecting must file a complaint with the American side, which has not occurred. At this stage, no changes are permissible.”
Israeli Energy Minister Eli Cohen said in mid-March that the Israeli government was considering canceling the maritime border demarcation agreement.
Abi Haidar warned that no company would move forward with drilling operations while the country remains at war.
She said it remains unclear whether Block 9 has been formally awarded to the consortium or approved by the Lebanese government.
“Either way, as long as the country is in a state of war, this is no moment to be talking about investment,” she said.
Even if the fighting ends, any continued Israeli presence in the occupied border strip would require Lebanon to escalate the issue diplomatically, including at the UN and with the US as mediator, she added.
However, Lebanon’s situation is largely without precedent.
“Here you have a country technically at war with Israel, yet one that managed to strike a maritime demarcation deal through American mediation,” she said, pointing out that Israel has not signed the UN Convention on the Law of the Sea — a factor that complicated negotiations and ultimately led Lebanon to accept US involvement in reaching the current arrangement.
Israel, meanwhile, appeared to be seeking to establish a buffer zone stretching from the slopes of Mount Hermon in Syria to Lebanon’s territorial waters, a move that could give it significant leverage in future negotiations over offshore resources.
It also casts a long shadow over the maritime demarcation agreement with Lebanon and the fate of the oil and gas reserves lying beneath the seabed.
Shehadeh dismissed Israel’s Yellow Line as having no legal standing.
“It carries no weight under international law,” he told Arab News.
“It is a military and media tool aimed at creating new realities on the ground and expanding Israel’s room for maneuver.”
He said extending the line into maritime areas suggests an attempt to merge land and sea into a single “operational zone,” calling it a “bargaining tactic” rather than a legitimate claim of sovereignty, and an effort to sidestep the maritime demarcation agreement between the two countries.
On safeguarding Lebanon’s rights, Shehadeh stressed that neither legal measures nor military capabilities alone are sufficient.
“The equation is a mixture of the two,” he said, adding that diplomatic pressure, particularly from the US and Europe, remains essential, given Washington’s role as the agreement’s sponsor.
Shehadeh warned that any targeting of gas infrastructure could provoke a response from Hezbollah, underscoring the need to resolve the issue through agreement rather than force.
“So far, Israel has not completely broken the agreement because it realizes that doing so could trigger a wide confrontation and destabilize its own fields as well,” he said.
While Israel may exert pressure and maneuver politically and militarily, it cannot unilaterally seize or operate Lebanon’s gas resources.
“Lebanon’s real guarantees lie in the presence of international companies, American backing, and a balance of deterrence on the ground,” he added.
In January, before the latest war between Israel and Hezbollah broke out, Lebanon signed an agreement with a consortium comprising French TotalEnergies, QatarEnergy, and Italian Eni to explore for gas in Block 8.
Lebanon has divided its exclusive economic zone into 10 blocks for oil and gas exploration. Seismic surveys have been conducted across most of them, with the exception of Block 8, which lies adjacent to the disputed maritime border with Israel.
According to unofficial estimates, Lebanon’s offshore gas reserves are estimated at 96 trillion cubic feet, and oil reserves at 865 million barrels.
Israel and Lebanon extended their shaky ceasefire by three weeks on Friday, President Donald Trump said, as the US remained at a standstill in negotiations with Iran to end the Middle East war.
Trump announced the truce extension as he met with ambassadors of the two countries and despite recent Israeli strikes in Lebanon and fresh rocket fire from Iran-backed Hezbollah, which was not part of the talks in Washington.
“I think there’s a very good chance of having peace. I think it should be an easy one,” Trump told reporters. The truce had initially been set to expire on Sunday.
Hezbollah reacted dismissively to Trump’s statement, warning that it would respond to any Israeli attacks.
Ali Fayad, an MP for the party, said extending the ceasefire “makes no sense” in light of continued “hostile acts” by Israel, saying they gave “the resistance the right to respond at the appropriate time.”
Source: arabnews.com
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Iraq deadlock persists over next prime minister
April 24, 2026
BAGHDAD: Iraq’s main Shiite alliance failed on Friday to agree on a new candidate for prime minister after US pressure stymied the chances of frontrunner Nouri Al-Maliki.
Leaders of the Coordination Framework — a ruling coalition of Shiite groups with varying ties to Iran who had initially nominated Al-Maliki — have been locked in intense discussions to settle the question of the premiership, but to no avail.
They have met three times this week.
After Friday’s meeting, the INA state news agency reported that they would meet again on Saturday to “decide on the candidate for the prime minister.”
In January, US President Donald Trump threatened to stop supporting Iraq if Al-Maliki — a two-time former premier with close ties to Iran — returned to the post.
In Iraq, a nomination by the largest Shiite bloc effectively brings a candidate to power through presidential appointment, but Trump’s threats reshuffled the cards.
Although the Coordination Framework has not yet officially withdrawn its backing for Maliki, its leaders are discussing other potential candidates.
They include incumbent premier Mohammed Shia Al-Sudani, intelligence chief Hamid Al-Shatri, and Bassem Al-Badri who heads a committee that bars members of Saddam Hussein’s Baath party from public office.
Iraq has long walked a tightrope between the competing influences of its allies, neighboring Iran and its archfoe the United States.
Source: arabnews.com
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Israel PM says Hezbollah trying to ‘sabotage’ peace efforts with Lebanon
April 24, 2026
JERUSALEM: Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu accused Hezbollah on Friday of trying to “sabotage” efforts to reach a peace agreement with Lebanon.
“We have started a process to reach a historic peace between Israel and Lebanon, and it’s clear to us that Hezbollah is trying to sabotage this,” he said in his first remarks after a ceasefire with Lebanon was extended.
The comments came as the Israeli military said it struck Hezbollah targets in a south Lebanon village in response to a “ceasefire violation,” after earlier warning residents to evacuate the community.
“A short while ago, the IDF struck military structures in the area of Deir Aames, from which rockets were launched toward the town of Shtula in Israel yesterday,” it said.
“The structures that were targeted were used by the Hezbollah terrorist organization to advance terrorist activities against IDF soldiers and the State of Israel,” it added.
The military’s Arabic-language spokesman, Avichay Adraee, had earlier warned residents of Deir Aames to “evacuate your homes immediately and move at least 1,000 meters outside the area.”
“Due to Hezbollah’s terrorist activity, the IDF is conducting targeted operations in the area,” he said on X.
Deir Aames is located north of the so-called “Yellow Line” in Lebanon, behind which Israeli forces are operating despite the ceasefire.
On Iran, Netanyahu said he “had an excellent conversation” with US President Donald Trump, without specifying when the pair spoke.
“He is putting very strong pressure on Iran, both economically and militarily. We are working in full cooperation,” he added.
Later on Friday, the Israeli military said its forces killed six Hezbollah fighters in a southern Lebanese town of Bint Jbeil during a clash that included a firefight.
“Following the identification, an exchange of fire began between the terrorists and the soldiers, during which the soldiers eliminated two terrorists,” the military said.
“Subsequently, the soldiers struck the structure from which the terrorists had been operating. In the strike, the four remaining terrorists were eliminated.”
Source: arabnews.com
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Arab World
Saudi Civil Defense urges flood caution as NCM forecasts heavy rain through Tuesday
April 25, 2026
RIYADH: The Saudi General Directorate of Civil Defense has urged the public to exercise heightened caution as thunderstorms, heavy rainfall, and flash flood risks are expected to persist across much of the Kingdom through Tuesday.
Residents have been advised to remain in safe locations, avoid valleys and flood-prone areas, and refrain from swimming in rainwater accumulations. Authorities stressed the importance of adhering to safety guidance issued via official channels.
According to the National Center for Meteorology (NCM), moderate to heavy thunderstorms are forecast across wide areas, including Riyadh, Makkah, Madinah, Qassim, Hail, Eastern Province, Northern Borders, Al-Jouf, Al-Baha, Asir, and Jazan. These conditions are expected to trigger flash floods, with accompanying hail showers and strong downdrafts.
The NCM also warned of active winds stirring dust and sand in parts of these regions, extending to Tabuk, which is likely to experience lighter rainfall but continued wind activity. Reduced visibility and hazardous driving conditions are anticipated in exposed areas.
Civil Defense highlighted that Makkah and Riyadh regions face a heightened risk of intense rainfall events, with similar weather patterns affecting much of the Kingdom. Light to moderate rain was already recorded in Jubail and Jubail Industrial City, signaling the broader system influencing eastern regions.
The NCM has said the prevailing conditions are linked to a seasonal transition period characterized by atmospheric instability.
Such weather patterns are typical during spring in the Arabian Peninsula, when shifting air masses and increased humidity create favorable conditions for thunderstorms, particularly over western highlands and central regions. These systems can produce localized but intense rainfall, increasing the likelihood of flash flooding in low-lying and desert areas.
Source: arabnews.com
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Saudi culture on display at Sarajevo book fair
April 24, 2026
RIYADH: The Ministry of Islamic Affairs, Dawah and Guidance, represented by the King Fahd Cultural Center in Bosnia and Herzegovina, is participating in Saudi Arabia’s pavilion at the 37th Sarajevo International Book Fair, held from April 22 to 27 at the Skenderija Center.
This year’s fair, the theme of which is “Book Path,” features 200 exhibitors from Bosnia and Herzegovina and around the world in an exhibition that covers more than 10,000 square meters.
The Saudi pavilion, inaugurated in the presence of Saudi Ambassador to Bosnia and Herzegovina Anas Al-Wusaidi, showcases the cultural center’s programs, publications, and activities. It includes a documentary highlighting the Kingdom’s cultural progress and the achievements of Saudi Vision 2030, as well as films introducing Saudi cities and tourist landmarks.
The pavilion also features educational and training programs, a “Saudi Culture” corner, a workshop on Saudi coffee preparation, an Arabic calligraphy corner, and a children’s area.
The ministry’s participation in the fair reflects the Kingdom’s leading role in serving Islam and Muslims inside and outside the Kingdom, its message of moderation and tolerance, and its commitment to strengthening cultural exchange.
Source: arabnews.com
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Saudi deputy FM meets US embassy official
April 24, 2026
RIYADH: Vice Minister of Foreign Affairs Waleed A. Elkhereiji met Alison Dilworth, charge d’affaires of the US Embassy to the Kingdom, in Riyadh.
During the meeting, they reviewed bilateral relations and discussed current developments in the region and issues of mutual interest, the Kingdom’s Foreign Ministry said on X.
The minister also met Ambassador of the State of Palestine to Saudi Arabia Mazen Mohammed Rateb Ghoneim.
During the meeting, they discussed the latest developments in the Palestinian territories and ways to enhance joint efforts to meet the aspirations of the Palestinian people.
Source: arabnews.com
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SDAIA showcases Saudi Arabia’s AI governance model
April 24, 2026
RIYADH: The Saudi Data and Artificial Intelligence Authority participated in the 29th session of the UN Commission on Science and Technology for Development, held in Geneva from April 20 to 24.
Under the theme “Science, Technology, and Innovation in the Age of AI,” the session gathered global representatives from governments, international organizations, and the private sector.
During the summit, SDAIA presented the Saudi model for regulating and developing the AI sector, highlighting the Kingdom’s leadership in data governance and the creation of reliable AI systems.
SDAIA emphasized Saudi Arabia’s active role in shaping international governance frameworks and its commitment to utilizing AI to achieve the UN Sustainable Development Goals 2030.
Coinciding with the Year of AI 2026, this participation reinforces the Kingdom’s position as a global hub for emerging technologies.
By sharing national expertise and expanding international cooperation, SDAIA continues to support the adoption of responsible AI practices, aligning with Saudi Vision 2030 to build an integrated national system driven by data and innovation.
Source: arabnews.com
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ZATCA thwarts attempt to smuggle captagon pills, seizes contraband
RASHID HASSAN
April 24, 2026
RIYADH: Officials from the Zakat, Tax and Customs Authority at Al-Haditha border crossing have foiled an attempt to smuggle a huge cache of captagon pills.
The authority, which seized the contraband, said on Friday: “ZATCA, in coordination with the General Directorate of Narcotics Control, thwarted an attempt to smuggle over 154,000 amphetamine (captagon) pills concealed within a shipment of tents arriving in the Kingdom.”
ZATCA’s spokesperson Hamoud Al-Harbi said that the seizure was made possible through the use of advanced security technologies and inspection equipment.
ZATCA coordinated with the General Directorate of Narcotics Control following the discovery, leading to the arrest of five individuals intended to receive the shipment in the Kingdom, he added.
Al-Harbi reaffirmed ZATCA’s commitment to tightening customs control over the Kingdom’s imports and exports, confronting smuggling attempts, and protecting society from the smuggling of the contraband.
This is in line with the most prominent pillar of ZATCA’s strategy, which is to enhance the security and protection of society by limiting attempts to smuggle such contraband and other prohibited items.
Al-Harbi urged citizens and residents to contribute to combating smuggling and protecting society and the national economy by reporting to the dedicated security number (1910), emailing (1910@zatca.gov.sa), or dialing the international number (009661910). All reports are handled with complete confidentiality and may result in a financial reward if the information is accurate.
Source: arabnews.com
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Health minister inspects Makkah facilities ahead of Hajj
April 24, 2026
MAKKAH: Saudi Arabia’s Health Minister Fahad Abdulrahman AlJalajel has completed a two-day inspection of facilities in Makkah in preparation for the upcoming Hajj season.
The visit reflects the Kingdom’s ongoing efforts to ensure high-quality and comprehensive services for pilgrims, in line with the Health Sector Transformation Program under Saudi Vision 2030, the ministry stated in a recent press release.
The tour included visits to central-area facilities, including the Ajyad and Al-Jiwar hospitals in the holy city, as well as the Command and Control Center at the General Authority for the Affairs of the Two Holy Mosques.
In addition, the minister reviewed the preparedness of private ambulance service providers for the Hajj.
AlJalajel also visited the King Faisal, Makkah General, King Abdulaziz, and Al-Noor Specialist hospitals. And the King Abdullah Medical City, one of the Kingdom’s leading referral centers for specialized care.
During the visits, he reviewed the operational readiness of emergency and intensive care units, response plans for critical cases, and coordination mechanisms between health and ambulance services.
Source: arabnews.com
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Jeddah’s ancient narratives inspire Saudi artist’s exhibition
AFSHAN AZIZ
April 24, 2026
JEDDAH: Sarah Alabdali is presenting her third solo exhibition, “The Legends of Motherland,” until May 24 at Al-Balad’s Al-Falah School in Jeddah.
The exhibition brings together paintings, prints, and collaborative works that reflect Alabdali’s journey as an artist and researcher whose work explores identity, material culture, and historic narratives.
Centered on Jeddah as the “cradle of myths” and the resting place of Eve, her work explores the shifting boundary between myth and history through abstract forms.
The exhibition features gouache and charcoal works alongside collaborative pieces with master khayamiya artisans from Cairo, as well as embroidered silk works from her brand Tabaa’. These materials connect textile practices with cultural memory and temporary structures, reshaping fragments of heritage into imagined forms.
Speaking about the setting of the exhibition, Alabdali said: “Al-Falah has long been a beacon of light for families in Jeddah, having nurtured some of the city’s most influential intellectuals over generations.
“It is a great honor to celebrate the legacy of the school and the remarkable figures who graduated from it. I chose this venue for what it represents culturally and historically, as well as for its proximity to the Tomb of Eve, an important point of reference and a central thread within the exhibition.”
She described her approach to inherited myths and lived reality as one of balance and coexistence, telling Arab News: “I navigate this tension through the use of symbols, metaphors, and layered visual language. By working across different mediums and creating contrasts in color and texture, I aim to hold both myth and reality in dialogue, allowing them to coexist rather than resolve into a single narrative.”
She added: “This exhibition is unlike anything I have worked on before. It includes original paintings, prints, and collaborative pieces. One collaboration is through our brand Tabaa’ and features embroidered silk works, and another with khayamiya tent makers from Cairo. Together, these works form an abstract journey through myth, history, and womanhood.
“Living in Jeddah is one experience, but delving into its hidden narratives, legends, and layered histories reveals an entirely different perspective. This process has required extensive research, conversations, and archival work, and the exhibition reflects the accumulation of that journey. It might be only the beginning of a bigger body of work.”
Qaswra Hafez, the founder of Hafez Gallery, said: “Hosting ‘The Legends of Motherland’ by Sarah Alabdali within the newly inaugurated space of Hafez Gallery in Al-Balad, located at Al-Falah School, marks a significant moment where contemporary art meets living heritage.
“This new location situates the gallery within one of Jeddah’s most culturally resonant sites, where historic architecture and contemporary dialogue intersect. By activating this space through Alabdali’s exhibition rooted in the myth of Eve as the symbolic grandmother of humankind, the project emphasizes the role of place as an active vessel of memory. It reinforces the gallery’s commitment to fostering meaningful artistic discourse while supporting the artist’s voice in exploring femininity, myth, and the evolving narratives embedded within Jeddah’s historic fabric.”
Currently based in Jeddah, Alabdali has expanded her work into literary storytelling following the 2025 publication of her first novel, “Departure in the Depths of Madinah.” Her brand Tabaa’ has recently opened a small shop in Al-Balad at Zawiya 97, and in addition hosts studio gatherings every two months.
Reflecting on what she hopes remains with audiences after the exhibition, she said: “Impact and a deepened sense of belonging.”
Source: arabnews.com
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Europe
Trial set for inmate accused of prison imam attack
April 25, 2026
A trial date has been set for an inmate at a high-security jail accused of trying to murder the prison's imam.
Roderic Vassie was stabbed five times in the head and neck after Friday prayers at HMP Full Sutton in East Yorkshire on 8 August 2025, the Old Bailey heard.
Ahmed Alid, 47, is charged with attempted murder, unauthorised possession in prison of a knife or offensive weapon and actual bodily harm.
Mrs Justice Cheema-Grubb told Alid, who appeared in court via video link from HMP Wakefield, that his trial would take place at Sheffield Crown Court on 30 November.
Prosecutor Philip McGhee told the court Alid, who was living in Hartlepool before being sent to prison, had "shouted words which suggest ideological alignment with Isis".
Alid is also accused of assault occasioning actual bodily harm on Wakefield prison officer Sarah Mitchell on 21 October 2025, after he had been moved to the jail.
He has been remanded into custody following the hearing on Friday.
Source: bbc.com
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https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/cwyk0d4perro
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Reform investigates candidate for anti-Islam posts
April 25, 2026
Miles Davis
Reform UK is investigating its candidate in the Plymouth City Council elections after he was accused of making a series of Islamophobic and antisemitic posts on social media.
According to an article in The Times, Ben Rowe, candidate for the Ham ward in Plymouth, urged protesters throwing bricks at police defending a mosque to "get rid of that filthy building" during the 2024 Southport riots.
Labour leader of Plymouth City Council Tudor Evans, who represents the Ham ward, said the comments were "utterly reprehensible and have no place in Plymouth".
The leader of Reform UK on Plymouth City Council, Steve Ricketts, said the party was "thoroughly investigating" the matter.
The leader of Reform UK, Nigel Farage, previously said there would be far more vetting of candidates in an attempt to "professionalise" the party.
According to the article in The Times, in a comment beneath a YouTube video in February, Rowe accused "the Jews" of "creating division by forcing other races on our societies" and described immigrants to the UK "breeding like rats".
The BBC has seen posts on Rowe's Facebook account with a blackface meme, images calling on people to 'Free the world of Islam' and pictures of fake shotgun shells loaded with bits of bacon.
In a statement, Evans called for Ricketts to join him in "condemning this candidate and calling for his suspension from his party".
Evans added: "Encouraging violence against a place of worship, spreading antisemitic conspiracy theories, dehumanising immigrants, and using racist and Islamophobic language is not only deeply offensive, but also dangerous."
Ricketts said: "My party is thoroughly investigating and this is with the disciplinary team.
"There is a process and that will be followed in this case – I can't comment further than that at this time."
In a public post on his Facebook page on Thursday, which has since been deleted, Rowe said: "This post may be my last. My bike has been vandalised costing me hundreds, I've had things posted, years ago, taken out of context.
"I just want to be a valued, contributing member of society and what better way than to be a councillor for my ward, delivering on issues your tax money goes to?"
He said he feared for his safety and said to those who were backing him: "Thank you all for your support. I will stick this through to the end."
Reform is fielding candidates in all 19 seats being contested in the Plymouth City Council elections.
Source: bbc.com
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French foreign minister Barrot voices concern about 'terrorist threat' in the Sahel
24/04/2026
France's foreign minister on Friday voiced concern about the spread of Islamist extremism in west Africa, after talks with his Togolese counterpart in the capital Lome.
Violence by jihadist groups affiliated with al Qaeda and the Islamist State group has blighted the Sahel region for the last decade.
It is now spreading into northern regions of coastal countries such as Togo, after the military regimes in Burkina Faso, Mali and Niger forced the withdrawal of French troops involved in the fight against militants.
Jean-Noël Barrot's visit to Togo is the first by a French foreign minister in 10 years. France is the former colonial power and Togo remains a rare ally of Paris in the region, even as it forges closer ties with Russia.
"We have a common concern, namely the security of the sub-region and, of course, the terrorist threat, which we all want to stem and contain," Barrot told reporters after talks with his opposite number, Robert Dussey.
"France is supporting regional initiatives to contain this scourge and enable countries in the sub-region to fully assume their security and sovereignty," he added.
Barrot arrived in Lome late Thursday and immediately held talks with Togo's leader, Faure Gnassingbe, praising Togo's role as mediator in places such as the Democratic Republic of Congo.
The country was also playing a "pivotal role" in the Sahel to find solutions at a regional level to fight against "the advance of the terrorist threat", he added.
France is co-hosting a major summit on Africa in Nairobi next month.
Source: france24.com
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Halifax mosque demolition green-lit as new rebuild plan takes first step
John Greenwood
24 Apr 2026
The next chapter for a Halifax place of worship can now begin, following planning permission being granted to demolish one of the town's mosques.
Calderdale planning councillors approved proposals last autumn for a new, state-of-the-art mosque to be constructed on the site of the Jami Masjid Noorani Mosque, situated at the junction of Gibraltar Road and Buckland Place, once the area is cleared.
The current mosque operates across several buildings, but a new structure will utilise the space far more effectively, members were told. This month, Calderdale Council planning officers have formally authorised the commencement of works.
Last autumn, planning officers had recommended rejecting the proposals, which have been in development for three years, due to insufficient parking provision. However, councillors overruled their recommendation to refuse the application based on inadequate parking spaces, which new developments would typically need to provide under recently adopted planning guidelines.
Councillors acknowledged the concern but questioned what difference it would make, given that the mosque currently relies on the same on-street parking arrangements. Both officers and councillors were impressed by the building's design – combining Islamic architectural elements and features with local materials and styles, which they believe will enhance the area's appearance.
Source: examinerlive.co.uk
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Update as Oxfordshire boy accused of having suicide vest
24TH APRIL
By Matthew J C Evans
An update has been issued after an Oxfordshire boy was accused of having a suicide vest and of supporting Islamic State (IS).
The 16-year-old, who cannot be named, has been charged with stockpiling weapons, explosives and a suicide vest at his family home.
From Didcot, he appeared at the Old Bailey in London today (Friday, April 24) with his trial now scheduled for next January, although that may change.
He is also accused of supporting IS and is suspected of sharing its propaganda on terrorist attacks as well as footage of battlefield explosions and killings.
His home was raided by counter-terrorism police on March 12.
The boy, who converted to Islam as a teenager, is said to have had swords in his possession as well as homemade explosives.
He faces seven terrorism charges including over the alleged possession of a suicide vest.
He was not asked to enter any pleas during the hearing.
According to the charges, it is said he sent a video “containing footage of Islamic State” to another person in November last year and the following month shared a “battlefield video containing footage of Islamic State”.
He is also accused of possessing extracts of IS manual Inspire 1, extracts of a document called 100 Deadly Skills, a suicide vest, a selection of knives and swords, and “homemade improvised explosive devices”.
The teenager faces two counts of disseminating a terrorist publication, three counts of possessing an article for the purpose of terrorism, and two charges of possessing material that may be of use for terrorist purposes.
Source: oxfordmail.co.uk
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Suspect named after racist slurs allegedly screamed through door of Liverpool mosque
Wesley Holmes
24 Apr 2026
A man has been charged after death threats and racist abuse were allegedly shouted through the open door of Britain's oldest mosque. The incident allegedly took placed in the reception area of the Abdullah Quilliam Society on West Derby Road, at around 7pm on Wednesday, April 22.
Merseyside Police said a 58-year-old suspect was arrested in connection with the incident and taken into custody. In an update today, April 24, a spokesman confirmed a man has now been charged.
Gary Davies, 58, of Marquis Street in Liverpool, has been charged with racially/religiously aggravated fear/provocation of violence by words/writing/behaviour and using threatening/abusive/insulting words/behaviour to cause harassment/alarm/distress.
He has been remanded to appear at Wirral Magistrate’s Court this morning.
A Merseyside Police spokesman said: "We would like to remind people not to share or comment anything on social media which could jeopardise criminal proceedings."
In a previous statement, the force said: "No one was harmed during the incident, but those present were understandably left distressed."
Liverpool neighbourhood chief inspector Andy Fielding said: “This would have been extremely distressing for those who witnessed the incident and heard his appalling abuse.
“A suspect was arrested a matter of minutes after the incident was reported and I hope this shows our communities how seriously we take all reports of hate crimes.
“There will be high visibility patrols in the area this morning and the coming days to offer reassurance to the community. If you have any concerns, please speak to one of our officers.
“Threatening or racially abusing someone simply because of their ethnicity or religion is truly abhorrent and has absolutely no place in Merseyside.
“Violence and hate crime will never be tolerated in our communities. Merseyside Police has dedicated Hate Crime Co-ordinators and this particular incident is being investigated by specially trained officers. The teams monitor, assess, and investigate hate crimes across Merseyside, ensuring that victims are supported throughout the process, and do all in our power to ensure that offenders are put before the courts.
“We will continue to work closely alongside community organisations, including faith leaders, and would encourage anyone who has experienced or witnessed hate crime to come forward and contact us.”
Source: liverpoolecho.co.uk
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https://www.liverpoolecho.co.uk/news/liverpool-news/suspect-named-after-racist-slurs-33830279
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Mandelson under formal investigation by EU's anti-fraud office
25 Apr 2026
Paul Kirby
The EU's anti-fraud office has begun a formal investigation into Lord Peter Mandelson, who was sacked as UK ambassador to the US over his ties to late sex offender Jeffrey Epstein.
Lord Mandelson served as European trade commissioner from 2004 to 2008. The European Commission asked the European Anti-Fraud Office (Olaf) two months ago to look into allegations of misconduct during that four-year period.
Olaf confirmed on Friday that it had recently had "sufficient information" to launch an investigation, but said it was too early to say whether or not it involved allegations of fraud.
After Lord Mandelson left Brussels, he became UK business secretary until 2010.
Olaf is expected to look at exchanges with Epstein from Lord Mandelson's time as EU commissioner. It has confirmed its mandate covers all four years, and is limited to staff and members of EU institutions.
However, emails to Epstein have also surfaced surrounding the eurozone crisis in 2010. Among the allegations are that Lord Mandelson gave Epstein advance notice of an impending €500bn (£434bn) bailout, when EU governments decided to do "whatever it takes" to stop Greece's financial crisis spreading to other countries in the eurozone.
Lord Mandelson has not commented on the allegations but the BBC understands he has denied acting in any criminal manner and was not motivated by financial gain.
The anti-fraud office said it had no jurisdiction to prosecute and made clear that "if there is a criminal element we will pass it to the European Prosecutor's Office".
Olaf's role is to investigate allegations of fraud that relate to the EU's budget, as well as corruption and serious misconduct within EU institutions.
It can recommend sanctions against someone under investigation, but the decision has to be taken by relevant EU authorities. Among the recommendations possible are judicial, financial, administrative and disciplinary, so that could include revoking the former commissioner's pension.
Olaf told the BBC that any documents would now be analysed and that "IT forensics" would be done, insofar as they were available after so many years. It could not confirm whether further allegations had come to light since February.
Earlier this year, email exchanges between Lord Mandelson and Epstein emerged from that period, prompting the UK's Metropolitan Police to launch a criminal investigation into suggestions that he had passed on market-sensitive information during his time as business secretary in 2009.
Lord Mandelson was sacked as UK ambassador to the US in September 2025 as the extent of his friendship with Jeffrey Epstein became clear.
The scandal surrounding the peer's ties to Epstein continue to reverberate through UK politics, and this week the former top civil servant at the Foreign Office, Sir Olly Robbins, said he had been pressured to rush through Lord Mandelson's appointment as ambassador to the US.
Source: bbc.com
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https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/c77m242z2j8o
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North America
Donald Trump threatens UK with 'big tariffs' over digital services tax dispute
Apr 24, 2026
US president Donald Trump has threatened to impose tariffs on Britain if the government led by Keir Starmer does not scrap its digital services tax (DST).
Trump said in an interview with the The Telegraph that he would “put a big tariff on the UK” if the tax is not withdrawn, following disclosures from the Treasury that the measure had generated millions in revenue last year.
“I don’t like it when they target American companies, because basically, you’re talking about our great American companies, whether we like those companies that don’t like them, they’re American companies and the top companies in the world,” Trump said.
“We’ve been looking at it, and we can meet that very easily by just putting a big tariff on the UK. So they better be careful. If they don’t drop the tax, we’ll probably put a big tariff on the UK," he added.
The US president has criticised the levy as unfairly targeting American tech giants such as Apple, Google and Meta, as it imposes a 2% charge on revenues generated from social media platforms, search engines and online marketplaces.
The remarks come ahead of the upcoming visit of the King and Queen to the United States next week.
The tax also applies to UK-generated revenues of large search engines, online marketplaces and social networks, and has become an increasingly important source of income for the Exchequer amid the rapid growth of big tech firms.
Asked what level of tariffs Britain could face, Trump replied: “More than what they’re getting.”
The president struck a restrained tone when speaking about Starmer, saying the prime minister could only “recover” if he changed course on immigration.
“If he opened the North Sea and if his immigration policies became strong, which right now they’re not, he can recover, but if he doesn’t, I don’t think he has a chance,” Trump said, as cited by The Telegraph.
US officials have long criticised the tax as unfairly singling out American tech companies, and have also raised concerns that the Online Safety Act 2023 poses risks to free speech.
Source: indiatimes.com
Please click the following URL to read the text of the original Story
https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/world/us/donald-trump-threatens-uk-with-big-tariffs-over-digital-services-tax-dispute/articleshowprint/130484149.cms
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CAIR-CT Welcomes Bethel Board of Education’s Recognition of Eid al-Fitr as an Official School Holiday
April 24, 2026
The Connecticut chapter of the Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR-CT), a chapter of the nation’s largest Muslim civil rights and advocacy organization, today welcomed the Bethel Board of Education’s decision to officially recognize Eid al-Fitr as a school holiday.
“Recognizing Eid al-Fitr is more than a calendar change – it is a statement of inclusion, dignity, and respect,” said Farhan Memon, Chairman of CAIR-CT. “When Muslim students see their holidays acknowledged, they know they are fully seen and fully valued. This kind of leadership helps create safer, more welcoming schools for all children.”
He said CAIR-CT extended gratitude to the Bethel Board of Education, Superintendent Dr. Christine Carver, and the Board of Education for their thoughtful consideration and commitment to fostering an inclusive educational environment.
Memon added: “This historic decision affirms that Muslim students belong. It sends a clear message that their faith, traditions, and identities are valued and respected within the school community. This recognition can have a profound positive impact on students’ mental health by reducing feelings of exclusion, anxiety, and isolation that many Muslim students have historically experienced.
“The decision will also help foster greater understanding among students of all backgrounds. When schools recognize diverse religious and cultural traditions, they create opportunities for students to learn about one another, build empathy, and strengthen relationships across communities. That understanding is essential in combating bullying, discrimination, and hate.”
Eman Beshtawii, the president of Al-Hedaya Islamic Center added: “This recognition is a meaningful step toward ensuring that every student feels a true sense of belonging. It creates an environment where diversity is celebrated and all families feel welcomed. It’s a clear message that affirms Bethel’s appreciation of diversity, inclusion, and equity. “
Zia, a student in Bethel Public Schools who led the effort, said: “The moment our Board voted to recognize Eid was heartwarming. I felt a greater sense of belonging and felt truly seen. Seeing Eid recognized by our school district means so much to Muslim students like me. It makes us feel included and respected, and it shows that our community matters.”
This achievement would not have been possible without the dedication and leadership of local students, community organizers, and Al Hidaya Islamic Center. Their advocacy, persistence, and commitment to their community were instrumental in bringing about this meaningful change. The fifth-grade student Mariam, and Mysha, a student at Bethel Middle School, were overjoyed when the Board of Education officially recognized Eid al-Fitr.
Unfortunately, anti-Muslim bullying remains a serious concern in Connecticut schools. Last year, two Muslim students in Waterbury were violently assaulted in what authorities later classified as a hate crime. Read more HERE. CAIR-CT has also heard from numerous Muslim families across the state whose children have experienced harassment, many of which go unreported.
CAIR-CT encourages school districts across Connecticut to follow Bethel’s example and adopt inclusive policies that reflect the diversity of their student populations including Danbury, Cheshire, Berline, Meriden, Monroe and others.
CAIR-CT offers a comprehensive resource, the Back to School Resource Guide to help educators, administrators, and families foster safe and inclusive school environments.
CAIR-CT also offers the Educator’s Guide to Islamic Religious Practices designed to assist teachers, principals, administrators and other educators in formulating and implementing policies and programs that will help to create a supportive academic environment.
CAIR-CT is the Connecticut chapter of the nation’s largest Muslim civil rights and advocacy organization. Its mission is to enhance understanding of Islam, protect civil rights, promote justice, and empower American Muslims.
CAIR’s mission is to protect civil rights, enhance understanding of Islam, promote justice, and empower American Muslims.
La misión de CAIR es proteger las libertades civiles, mejorar la comprensión del Islam, promover la justicia, y empoderar a los musulmanes en los Estados Unidos.
Source: cair.com
Please click the following URL to read the text of the original Story
https://www.cair.com/press_releases/cair-ct-welcomes-bethel-board-of-educations-recognition-of-eid-al-fitr-as-an-official-school-holiday/
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CAIR, Co-Counsel Roula Allouch File Lawsuit Against Franklin Co. Ohio for its Unconstitutional Booking Photo Policy
April 24, 2026
The Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR), the nation’s largest Muslim civil rights and advocacy organization, today announced the filing of a lawsuit, in partnership with Ohio Attorney Roula Allouch, against Franklin County and seven officers who allegedly deprived three Muslim women the right to wear an Islamic head scarf, or hijab.
“Franklin County’s actions and policy are unquestionably unconstitutional,” said CAIR Staff Attorney Catherine Keck. “Officers at the facility teased, belittled, and threatened these women into compliance. People who are detained do not lose their religious rights and the County knew better.”
Franklin County has long maintained a policy requiring Muslim women to remove their hijabs when taking booking photographs at their detention centers. On April 24, 2024, the County and its officers denied three women, Dr. Sumaya Hamadmad, Hoda Elahinia, and Jane Doe, their constitutional right to wear hijab in accordance with that policy. Ignoring the women’s pleas, Franklin County officers demanded that the women remove their hijab, and, in one case, employed five officers to pin down and forcibly removed it. The officers then took each woman’s booking photograph without her hijab and shared the uncovered photographs on online databases.
Throughout the women’s detention, officers continued to torment them. One officer told Dr. Hamadmad that she “did not deserve nice treatment” when she attempted to cover herself and delayed her processing because of it. Another officer falsely told Ms. Elahinia that she “gave up” her constitutional rights when she got arrested. Yet another refused to even explain the headwear policy to Ms. Doe when she inquired why she was required to remove her religious covering.
As a result, the women were seen uncovered by multiple men and detainees both live in the facility and as memorialized through uncovered booking photographs. These photographs were subsequently shared with other state agencies and law enforcement entities, further amplifying the harm that the women experienced.
CAIR’s lawsuit now aims to hold Franklin County and its officers accountable under the Religious Land Use and Institutionalized Persons Act (RLUIPA) and Section 1983 of the Civil Rights Act of 1871. Several courts across the country have already, unequivocally, found similar policies unconstitutional.
Plaintiffs hope that this lawsuit will create lasting change in Franklin County. “While we endured the humiliating violation of our rights during detention at Franklin County, this lawsuit serves as a reminder that everyone—regardless of who or where they are—retains the right to dignity and safe religious practice at all times,” Hoda Elahinia reflects. “Ultimately, this lawsuit is about holding the powerful accountable and reclaiming our rights that should never have been stripped away.”
CAIR provides Know Your Rights Guides and toolkits for interactions with law enforcement. If you or someone you know believes their rights have been violated, contact CAIR LDF or your local CAIR Chapter for assistance.
CAIR’s mission is to protect civil rights, enhance understanding of Islam, promote justice, and empower American Muslims.
La misión de CAIR es proteger las libertades civiles, mejorar la comprensión del Islam, promover la justicia, y empoderar a los musulmanes en los Estados Unidos.
Do you like reading CAIR press releases and taking part in our action alerts? You can help contribute to CAIR’s work of defending civil rights and empowering American Muslims across the country by making a one-time contribution or becoming a monthly donor. Supporters like you make CAIR’s advocacy work possible and defeating Islamophobia an achievable goal. Click here to donate to CAIR.
Source: cair.com
Please click the following URL to read the text of the original Story
https://www.cair.com/press_releases/cair-co-counsel-roula-allouch-file-lawsuit-against-franklin-co-ohio-for-its-unconstitutional-booking-photo-policy/
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CAIR-CA Joins 1,000+ Muslim Delegates for 11th Annual National Muslim Advocacy Day on Capitol Hill
April 24, 2026
TheCalifornia chapter of the Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR-CA) recently joined more than 1,000 American Muslim delegates—a record number—for the U.S. Council of Muslim Organization (USCMO)’s 11th Annual National Muslim Advocacy Day in Washington, D.C.
Over the course of the two days, CAIR-CA attended nearly 30 meetings with members of Congress and congressional staff to advance policies that address critical issues impacting the American Muslim community, in addition to drop-by visits across Capitol Hill.
The primary focus of these meetings was to urge elected officials to:
Oppose the anti-Muslim Caucus and discriminatory legislation.
Demand an end to endless wars and the “Israel-First” agenda.
Defend free speech and protect the rights of immigrant communities.
In a statement, CAIR-CA CEO Hussam Ayloush said:
“During a time when anti-Muslim rhetoric is being weaponized in the highest levels of government, immigrant communities are living in fear of cruel and unlawful policies, and American taxpayer dollars are being used to fund illegal wars abroad, silence is not an option. Political change requires building grassroots power, developing coalitions, and engaging directly with elected officials.
“USCMO’s National Muslim Advocacy Day—with this year’s record-breaking number of congressional engagements—is proof that American Muslims are not standing on the sidelines in the face of injustice. We are showing up and demanding accountability from those in power to ensure our country truly stands for justice, freedom, and human rights for all people, both at home and abroad.”
CAIR-CA is a chapter of CAIR, America’s largest Muslim civil liberties and advocacy organization. Its mission is to enhance the understanding of Islam, protect civil rights, promote justice, and empower American Muslims.
Source: cair.com
Please click the following URL to read the text of the original Story
https://www.cair.com/press_releases/cair-ca-joins-1000-muslim-delegates-for-11th-annual-national-muslim-advocacy-day-on-capitol-hill/
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US court blocks Trump order suspending asylum access, cites right to apply
Apr 24, 2026
A US appeals court has blocked President Donald Trump’s executive order that suspended asylum access, which was a major part of his plan to tighten migration rules at the US southern border.
A three-judge panel from the US Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit ruled that immigration laws allow people to apply for asylum at the border, and the president does not have the authority to bypass that process.
The panel said the Immigration and Nationality Act does not allow the president to remove plaintiffs using “procedures of his own making,” or to suspend their right to seek asylum, or limit the process for hearing anti-torture claims.
“The power by proclamation to temporarily suspend the entry of specified foreign individuals into the United States does not contain implicit authority to override the INA's mandatory process to summarily remove foreign individuals,” wrote Judge J Michelle Childs, who was nominated to the bench by Democratic President Joe Biden, as quoted by AP.
ACLU attorney Lee Gelernt welcomed the decision, saying, “essential for those fleeing danger who have been denied even a hearing to present asylum claims under the Trump administration's unlawful and inhumane executive order.”
Judge Justin Walker, a Trump nominee, issued a partial dissent. Judge Cornelia Pillard, nominated by Democratic President Barack Obama, also heard the case.
Source: indiatimes.com
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https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/world/us/us-court-blocks-trump-order-suspending-asylum-access-cites-right-to-apply/articleshowprint/130500735.cms
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US justice department drops probe into Fed chairman Jerome Powell
Apr 25, 2026
Jemma Crew
The US justice department is dropping its investigation into the Federal Reserve chairman, Jerome Powell, over alleged building cost overruns.
US Attorney Jeanine Pirro said instead there would be an internal investigation led by the central bank's inspector general.
President Donald Trump has said the cost of the Fed's building renovations were too high, as part of a long-standing feud with Powell.
Powell's term is nearing its end and the US Senate is considering Trump's nominee for his replacement, Kevin Warsh. A key Republican, Thom Tillis, has withheld his support for Warsh unless the Trump administration would drop its investigation into Powell.
"American taxpayers deserve answers about the Federal Reserve's fiscal mismanagement, and the Office of the Inspector General's more powerful authorities best position it to get to the bottom of the matter," said White House spokesman Kush Desai in a statement.
"The White House remains as confident as before that the Senate will swiftly confirm Kevin Warsh as the next Federal Reserve Chairman to finally restore competence and confidence in Fed decision-making."
In her post on X, Pirro said she would not "hesitate to restart a criminal investigation should the facts warrant doing so".
The Fed declined to comment.
The inspector general's office said it was "actively working to complete our review, and look forward to making the results available to the public and Congress upon completion", declining to comment on a timeline.
Trump called for the Fed to lower interest rates after returning to office last year, and then began floating the idea of firing Powell - a step some said could be illegal.
Amid months of attacks, he branded Powell a "knucklehead" and claimed he was "doing a lousy job" after his repeated calls for rate cuts were ignored.
Last summer, Trump criticised the ballooning costs of the renovations, arguing it will cost $3.1bn (£2.3bn), much higher than the Fed's $2.5bn forecast. The Fed has said the renovations will reduce its costs over time.
Powell took the highly unusual step of releasing a video in January disclosing that the justice department had served the Fed with subpoenas and threatened a criminal indictment over testimony he gave to a Senate committee about renovations to Federal Reserve buildings.
Calling the investigation "unprecedented", Powell said he believed it was opened due to Trump's anger over the Fed's refusal to cut interest rates despite repeated public pressure from the president. Trump said he did not "know anything" about the investigation.
It marked the first time Powell had publicly and robustly pushed back against the US president, as he warned that the independence of the US central bank was at stake.
"This is about whether the Fed will be able to continue to set interest rates based on evidence and economic conditions, or whether instead monetary policy will be directed by political pressure or intimidation," Powell said.
Lower interest rates make it cheaper to borrow, while higher rates dampen spending activity, helping to keep prices stable.
Trump, who cut his teeth professionally taking out loans as a property developer, has long confessed to liking a low interest rate policy.
He objected when the Fed raised rates in his first term, and has argued keeping rates too high could do unnecessary economic damage.
The Fed buildings being renovated are the Eccles and 1951 Constitution Avenue. The "overhaul and modernisation" will be the first works since they were constructed in the 1930s, and includes removal of asbestos and lead contamination.
Powell was nominated by Trump for the role as Fed chair in 2017 during his first term as president.
Last week, Trump threatened to fire Powell if he does not step aside at the end of his term next month.
Powell's term expires on 15 May, but he is planning to remain in post until his successor, Warsh, is confirmed by the Senate.
Source: bbc.com
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https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/cdxd1v0028vo
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US to allow firing squads, gas, and electrocution for federal executions
Apr 25, 2026
Max Matza
The US Department of Justice (DOJ) has directed federal prisons to expand the range of methods used for executions to include firing squads, gas asphyxiation and electrocution.
In a 48-page memo released on Friday, the department says this will "strengthen" the death penalty, "deterring the most barbaric crimes, delivering justice for victims, and providing long-overdue closure to surviving loved ones".
The previous administration had placed a moratorium on most federal executions. Before leaving office, former president Joe Biden gave clemency to 37 of the 40 federal death row prisoners.
President Donald Trump directed the DOJ to resume seeking executions on his first day in office last year.
The memo also defends the use of lethal injection, calling the drug pentobarbital "the gold standard of lethal injection drugs".
It has been the default means for federal executions since 1993 but has faced criticism by campaigners as being a cruel means of execution, and there have been challenges in recent years in sourcing the drug.
Broadening the means of executions "will help ensure the Department is prepared to carry out lawful executions even if a specific drug is unavailable", the DOJ said in an accompanying report.
Trump is a long-time supporter of the death penalty. In his first term, he ended a 20-year moratorium on executions committed by the federal government. Thirteen death row inmates were executed during that term.
On his first day back in office in January 2025, he signed an executive order directing the death penalty to be pursued again "for all crimes of a severity demanding its use", as well as in cases in which an illegal immigrant kills a law enforcement officer.
In a statement, Acting Attorney General Todd Blanche argued that "the prior administration failed in its duty to protect the American people by refusing to pursue and carry out the ultimate punishment against the most dangerous criminals, including terrorists, child murderers, and cop killers".
Democratic Senator Dick Durbin called the change "cruel, immoral, and discriminatory".
"Expanding the federal death penalty will be a stain on our history," he said in a statement on X.
Some states, which each have their own laws regarding the death penalty, have already turned to alternative methods.
Five states have firing squads, according to the Death Penalty Information Center.
In 2024, Alabama became the first state to kill a prisoner using nitrogen gas. Four other states have since adopted the use of nitrogen in executions.
Source: bbc.com
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https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/cg73l2d079ko
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Africa
Peter Obi donates another N5m to Bauchi Islamic school, after previous donation
Mojeed Oladipupo
April 24, 2026
African Democratic Congress (ADC) presidential aspirant, Peter Obi, has donated N5 million to support indigent students at an Islamic school in Bauchi state.
Obi disclosed this in a post on Thursday after visiting Madarasatu Intisharu Islam Qismu in Bauchi. He said the visit followed a meeting with Governor Bala Mohammed.
Obi said he had previously supported the school with N5 million for the provision of chairs and other items.
“Yesterday, Thursday 23rd April, after meeting with His Excellency the Governor Bala of Bauchi State, I proceeded to Madarasatu Intisharu Islam Qismu in Bauchi, where I had visited in the past and supported them with the sum of 5million naira to provide chairs and other items for the school,” he said.
He said he was impressed by the improvements recorded at the school and the enthusiasm of the students.
“On visiting yesterday, and seeing improvements that have been achieved and how enthusiastic the children are, I was glad and gave them another sum of 5million to support the scholarship of indigent students,” he said.
Obi emphasised the need for continued investment in education to secure the country’s future, saying: “We must invest in the lives of these children for our own future and for the progress of the country.”
Source: politicsnigeria.com
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https://politicsnigeria.com/2026/04/24/peter-obi-donates-another-n5m-to-bauchi-islamic-school-after-previous-donation/
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You Lack Imagination – Gbadebo Rhodes-Vivour Blasts Lagos Govt Over Monthly Sanitation
April 25, 2026
By Justina Otio
African Democratic Congress (ADC) chieftain, Gbadebo Rhodes-Vivour, has condemned the reintroduction of environmental sanitation exercise in Lagos State.
Naija News reports that the Lagos State Commissioner for Environment and Water Resources, Tokunbo Wahab, had announced that the state would restart its monthly environmental sanitation exercise.
Reacting to the development in a statement he shared on 𝕏 on Friday, Rhodes-Vivour described the approach as “parochial” and lacking innovation.
Rhodes-Vivour argued that shutting down a megacity like Lagos does not address the root of the problem.
“Shutting down a city of 20 million people to clean their immediate environment is parochial and lacks imagination,” he wrote.
He added, “For emphasis: the issue is not so much about cleaning your environment (which is great) but the logistics of waste management – starting from the collection, to disposal and recycling.”
According to him, without a systemic overhaul, the exercise would yield little long-term impact.
“Anything short of rethinking this system is cosmetic and unimaginative,” he stated.
Wahab had maintained that the exercise had been carefully planned and required collective responsibility.
“We cannot keep complaining about dirty surroundings and blaming government while shirking our own responsibilities. The care of our environment is a collaborative project between government and citizens,” he said.
He further disclosed that major transport unions had agreed to restrict movement during the sanitation window, adding that exceptions would be made for emergencies and critical activities such as scheduled flights and examinations.
“Tomorrow, let us show Lagos and the world that we are ready to take ownership of our environment. Two hours. One Saturday each month. A cleaner, healthier, flood-free Lagos for all of us,” Wahab added.
Source: naijanews.com
Please click the following URL to read the text of the original Story
https://www.naijanews.com/2026/04/25/gbadebo-rhodes-vivour-lagos-govt-monthly-sanitation-plan/
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Tinubu Meets Tajudeen Abass, Reps Members In Aso Rock
April 24, 2026
President Bola Tinubu held a private meeting with the Speaker of the House of Representatives, Tajudeen Abbas, and some members of the Green Chamber at the Presidential Villa in Abuja on Friday.
Naija News reports that the discussion took place shortly after the President and the lawmakers observed the Jumat prayer together at the mosque inside the State House.
The meeting was brief and was not included in the President’s official schedule for the day.
Sources at the Villa confirmed to Punch that Abbas arrived with a few lawmakers, including the Chief Whip of the House, Usman Kumo, who represents Akko Federal Constituency in Gombe State under the All Progressives Congress.
However, the details of what was discussed were not made known, as those who spoke said they were not aware of the issues raised during the meeting.
According to one of the officials, the lawmakers followed the President back to his office after the prayers, but no information was available about the purpose of their visit. Another aide noted that the meeting came shortly after a similar visit by senators earlier in the week, but it was not clear if both groups had the same request.
The identities of the other lawmakers who attended the meeting could not be confirmed.
The development comes about two days after the leadership of the Senate, led by Senate President Godswill Akpabio, also met with the President behind closed doors at the Villa.
Reports had indicated that the senators were seeking automatic tickets ahead of the 2027 general elections, but the President did not approve the request and instead maintained that state governors have the final say in selecting party candidates in their states.
Source: naijanews.com
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https://www.naijanews.com/2026/04/24/tinubu-meets-reps-members-aso-rock/#google_vignette
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Tinubu Government Increases Allowances, Welfare And Exit Package Of Nigerian Workers
April 25, 2026
The administration of President Bola Tinubu has approved an increase in the peculiar allowances, welfare benefits and exit packages for civil servants in Nigeria.
Naija News reports that this was confirmed by the Head of the Civil Service of the Federation, Didi Walson-Jack, during a press briefing in Abuja on Friday.
Walson-Jack said the increment affects workers under the Consolidated Public Service Salary Structure (CONPSS), and the Consolidated Research and Allied Institutions Salary Structure (CONRAISS).
According to her, the allowances have been structured to reflect across all grade levels, leading to better earnings for senior and junior officers.
The head of service said almost all allowances in the Public Service Rules have been revised.
According to her, one key reform is the approval of 100 percent Duty Tour Allowance (DTA), which is for civil servants attending approved training programmes irrespective of whether travel is involved or not.
She said, “Even if you are based in Abuja and attend training within Abuja, you are entitled to full DTA.”
Exit Package
Apart from salary-related adjustments, Walson-Jack disclosed that the federal government has also introduced an exit benefit scheme for retiring civil servants under the Contributory Pension Scheme.
The scheme, which provides 100 per cent of a retiree’s full emoluments as an exit package, in addition to their pension, takes effect from January 1, 2026.
She explained that the move is part of efforts to enhance dignity in retirement. She maintained that no public servant should leave service without adequate financial support.
The Federal Government equally confirmed the operationalisation of the Employee Compensation Scheme, aimed at financially protecting workers who suffer job-related injuries or death.
The move is expected to increase the take-home pay of civil servants and boost the morale of the government’s workforce.
Source: naijanews.com
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https://www.naijanews.com/2026/04/24/tinubu-increases-nigerian-workers/
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Nigeria sets up court martial over alleged 2025 coup plot
April 25, 2026
Nigeria has inaugurated a military court to try officers accused of involvement in a failed coup attempt, the country's Defence Headquarters said on Friday.
The move marks a significant step in the government’s response to a plot that authorities say could have ended decades of democratic rule.
The Defence Headquarters "inaugurated a General Court Martial to try 36 serving military personnel over alleged mutiny, aimed at overthrowing the government of the day," spokesman Major General Samaila Uba said in a statement.
The statement did not specify a timeline for the trials, but said that "proceedings of the court will be conducted with the highest standards of fairness."
Judges were sworn in on Friday, the Defence Headquarters said. Proceedings are being conducted behind closed doors.
State media reported that more than 30 accused officers were transported to a military facility in Abuja on Friday morning.
The identities of those facing trial have not yet been disclosed.
From denial to confirmation
Authorities initially denied any knowledge of a coup attempt late last year.
However, in January, the military announced it had thwarted a plot to overthrow the government and would prosecute those involved.
If successful, the coup would have ended a 25-year stretch of democratic governance in Africa’s most populous nation.
Separate civilian trial
In a related case, six civilians appeared before the Federal High Court earlier this week, pleading not guilty to charges linked to the alleged conspiracy.
Among them is retired major general Mohammed Ibrahim Gana.
Prosecutors allege the group conspired to wage war against the state and intimidate the president, Bola Tinubu.
They are also accused of failing to alert authorities about plans by Colonel Mohammed Alhassan Ma'aji, identified in local media as the plot’s mastermind.
A country with a coup history
Nigeria has a long history of military takeovers, having spent much of the post-independence period under army rule after gaining independence from United Kingdom in 1960.
Civilian governance was restored in 1999 and has continued since.
Following the initial denial of the coup plot, President Tinubu moved to reshuffle the country’s top military leadership, a decision widely seen as part of efforts to stabilise the armed forces.
Source: africanews.com
Please click the following URL to read the text of the original Story
https://www.africanews.com/2026/04/24/nigeria-sets-up-court-martial-over-alleged-2025-coup-plot/
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Benin confirms Wadagni's presidential vote win
April 25, 2026
Benin's finance minister Romuald Wadagni was officially confirmed to have won the west African country's presidential election, according to final results on Thursday.
The Constitutional Court confirmed the provisional tally announced last week, which gave outgoing president Patrice Talon's hand-picked successor a landslide win.
Many observers believe that the outcome of the 12 April vote was a foregone conclusion.
Teacher and former minister Paul Hounkpè was the only opposition candidate, while the main opposition party, The Democrats, was unable to take part due to an insufficient number of sponsorships.
"The court hereby definitively declares Mr. Kossi Mbueke Romuald Wadagni elected president of the Republic, and Ms. Mariam Chabi Talata vice president," the president of the Constitutional Court, Cossi Dorothe Sossa, announced at the institution's headquarters.
Wadagni will take office on Sunday, 24 May, Sossa added.
According to him, the court "has not identified on its own any irregularity of a nature to warrant the annulment of the electoral process" and has recorded no challenges to the provisional results.
He did not give Wadagni's final tally or voter turnout figures, which the provisional results had reported at 94% and 58.8% respectively.
Hounkpe, who took just under 6%, conceded defeat before the results were out.
Under Wadagni's 10-year stint as finance minister, Benin's public finances have been cleaned up and the deficit cut by a third to reach three percent of GDP.
He embodies continuity with the Talon era, which has seen the country enjoy rapid economic growth, an expansion in tourism and the completion of numerous infrastructure projects.
He nonetheless faces major challenges, including a huge wealth gap and insecurity in the north due to attacks blamed on jihadist groups.
Source: africanews.com
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https://www.africanews.com/2026/04/23/benin-confirms-wadagnis-presidential-vote-win/
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Southeast Asia
Selangor sultan urges Muslims to pay zakat through official channels
25 Apr 2026
Sultan Sharafuddin of Selangor calls on Muslims to use authorised channels for zakat, warning against unauthorised cross-state collections and stressing transparent distribution to asnaf.
SHAH ALAM: The Sultan of Selangor, Sultan Sharafuddin Idris Shah, has urged Muslims to understand the importance of paying zakat through authorised channels and ensuring its transparent distribution to eligible asnaf recipients.
In a Facebook post by the Selangor Royal Office, Sultan Sharafuddin said each state has its own collection and distribution system to ensure the welfare of asnaf is properly managed.
External parties should not cross state boundaries to collect zakat without permission from the relevant state authorities.
“The Sultan of Selangor calls on all Selangor residents to understand and reflect on the essence of today’s Friday sermon delivered in mosques across the state titled ‘Pay Zakat to Authorised Amil’,” the post said.
“His Royal Highness wants all of us to take heed and realise that zakat is an act of worship involving wealth and plays a significant role in assisting asnaf and strengthening the economic well-being of the Muslim community.”
In Selangor, the Selangor Islamic Religious Council (MAIS), with the consent of the Sultan, has appointed the Lembaga Zakat Selangor (Zakat Selangor) to manage all matters related to zakat collection and distribution.
The post also reiterated Sultan Sharafuddin’s reminder that zakat collected within a state must be distributed to asnaf in that same state, and that Muslims have a responsibility to protect the rights of asnaf from being misappropriated by irresponsible parties.
“Do not remain silent or conceal wrongdoing, as we may be considered complicit in injustice by denying the rights of asnaf,” the post stated.
“Muslims must understand that not only zakat, but any form of public fund collection involving the interests of Muslims in Selangor must obtain approval from the relevant authorities.”
Source: thesun.my
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https://thesun.my/news/malaysia-news/selangor-sultan-urges-muslims-to-pay-zakat-through-official-channels/#google_vignette
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PM Anwar urges JPJ to be more professional, firm in enforcement
25 Apr 2026
Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim calls on the Road Transport Department to enhance professionalism and firmness in traffic law enforcement, highlighting the need for integrity amid public scrutiny.
BATU KAWAN: Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim has called on the Road Transport Department (JPJ) to continue enhancing its professionalism and firmness in carrying out its duties, particularly in enforcing traffic laws.
He said that as an agency that deals directly with the public, every action taken by JPJ is subject to public attention and scrutiny, thus requiring a high level of integrity and efficiency.
“Sometimes when JPJ is firm, it is not well received by the public… if it is soft and overly lenient, it is pressured by the MACC (Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission).
“So JPJ officers are in a situation of direct monitoring, especially with today’s social media. Some criticisms are based on values and morals, while others are driven by malice and hatred… so the challenges we face are even greater,” he said.
The prime minister said this when speaking at the JPJ Day 80th anniversary celebration and JPJ MADANI Mega Carnival at the State Stadium grounds here today.
Source: thesun.my
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https://thesun.my/news/malaysia-news/pm-anwar-urges-jpj-to-be-more-professional-firm-in-enforcement/
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Communications ministry open-air cinema draws encouraging response
25 Apr 2026
Communications Ministry open-air cinema draws 230 residents for movie screening under the stars.
BUKIT MERTAJAM: The Communications Ministry, through the National Film Development Corporation Malaysia (FINAS), organised an open-air screening of “Babah” in Permatang Pasir tonight to make local films more accessible to the public.
The programme’s casual, open-air concept received an encouraging response, with about 230 residents and their families attending to enjoy a movie under the stars.
The programme was organised with FINAS, Community Communications Department (JKOM), and the Information Department to bring quality entertainment closer to the people, said Communications Minister Datuk Fahmi Fadzil.
“Babah is among the films that have won various awards. I am proud to be here tonight with the cast and the local community.
“I hope programmes like this will not only give the residents of Kampung Pematang Pasir an opportunity, but also young people and especially children, to enjoy a movie-watching experience in a relaxed and comfortable setting,” he told reporters at the event tonight.
Also present was Ministry of Communications secretary-general Datuk Abdul Halim Hamzah.
Fahmi added that the open-air movie format is also suitable for expansion to more locations nationwide.
Tonight’s programme was livened up by the presence of lead actors Qi Razali and Cristina Suzanne Stockstill, along with a brief Safe Internet Campaign session and a lucky draw.
Source: thesun.my
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https://thesun.my/news/malaysia-news/communications-ministry-open-air-cinema-draws-encouraging-response/
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Nearly 500 PDRM Hindu personnel take part in prayer ceremony
25 Apr 2026
Nearly 500 police officers and family members join a special Hindu prayer ceremony as part of the 219th Police Day celebration, highlighting unity and diversity within the force.
KUALA LUMPUR: Nearly 500 Royal Malaysia Police personnel and their family members took part in a special Hindu prayer ceremony held in conjunction with the 219th Police Day celebration at the Sri Maha Muniswarar Temple tonight.
Bukit Aman Criminal Investigation Department director M. Kumar said the programme reflected PDRM’s commitment to fostering harmony while embracing religious and cultural diversity within the organisation.
“What makes Malaysia unique is our diversity. Despite coming from different backgrounds, the level of unity among Malaysians remains strong.
“What keeps us together is tolerance and mutual understanding. Although Islam is the official religion, the government has always upheld the right of every community to practise its own culture, beliefs and religion,” he told reporters after the ceremony.
Now in its fifth year, the event was attended by Hindu officers and personnel from Bukit Aman as well as various contingents across the Klang Valley.
Beyond its religious significance, Kumar said the ceremony also served as a platform to honour the contributions, dedication and sacrifices of Hindu members throughout their service in the police force.
As part of the event, recognition was given to 15 children of police officers and personnel for outstanding achievements in academics, including the Sijil Pelajaran Malaysia, as well as accomplishments at the university level and in sports.
Kumar said PDRM personnel from other faiths also hold religious observances according to their respective beliefs, reflecting the force’s continued commitment to unity and inclusivity within the nation’s security services.
Source: thesun.my
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https://thesun.my/news/malaysia-news/nearly-500-pdrm-hindu-personnel-take-part-in-prayer-ceremony/
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Ringgit ends higher against most major currencies, flat against US dollar
24 Apr 2026
The Malaysian ringgit closed higher against most major currencies on Friday, while remaining stable versus the US dollar
KUALA LUMPUR: The ringgit closed higher against most major currencies on Friday, while remaining stable versus the US dollar.
At 6pm, the ringgit was unchanged at 3.9630/9670 against the greenback.
Bank Muamalat Malaysia Bhd chief economist Mohd Afzanizam Abdul Rashid said the government is adopting a targeted approach to improve small businesses’ access to financing during challenging times, helping to underpin overall market sentiment.
The ringgit appreciated slightly by 0.09% to RM3.9615 against the greenback in the early session.
Meanwhile, he noted that the US Dollar Index was steady at 98 points as developments on negotiations between the United States and Iran were not forthcoming.
“It appears that the markets are hopeful that some resolution can be achieved between the two countries,” he told Bernama.
At the close, the ringgit traded firmer against a basket of major currencies.
It rose against the euro to 4.6312/6358 from 4.6343/6390 at the close on Thursday, inched up versus the Japanese yen to 2.4808/4834 from 2.4809/4836 yesterday and strengthened against the British pound to 5.3429/3483 from 5.3504/3558 previously.
At the same time, the local currency traded mixed against regional peers.
It appreciated against the Singapore dollar to 3.1009/1043 from 3.1041/1075 yesterday, and appreciated against the Philippine peso to 6.52/6.53 from 6.55/6.56 yesterday.
However, the local currency fell against the Thai baht to 12.2183/2363 from 12.2066/2242, while easing against the Indonesian rupiah to 230.0/230.3 from 229.2/229.5.
Source: thesun.my
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https://thesun.my/news/malaysia-news/ringgit-ends-higher-against-most-major-currencies-flat-against-us-dollar/
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PM Anwar calls for stricter rules on charities, NGOs
24 Apr 2026
Stricter regulations are needed to control and monitor the spending of charitable bodies and non-governmental organisations (NGOs) to prevent misconduct and misappropriation, according to Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim
JOHOR BAHRU: Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim has called for stricter regulations to control and monitor the spending of charitable bodies and non-governmental organisations (NGOs) in order to prevent misconduct and misappropriation.
He said this includes oversight of NGO funds belonging to humanitarian bodies, welfare organisations, death benefit funds, trusts, or foundations that collect donations from individuals and private companies.
Anwar also wants the Registrar of Companies to be responsible for reviewing and ensuring that reports submitted by NGOs are examined more transparently.
“I am currently reviewing a briefing on this matter. All NGOs must also follow several strict procedures, because misconduct appears to be widespread. People go to mosques, collect donations for Palestine, but the aid does not reach its destination. So how is this monitored?
“I will bring this matter up for discussion so that everyone is held accountable to ensure these funds are not misused,” he said during a meet and greet session with staff of the Institute of Teacher Education (IPG) and Sixth Form Centre students at the IPG Temenggong Ibrahim campus here today.
Anwar was responding to a question from the honorary treasurer of the institute’s Student Representative Committee, who wanted to know whether the committee could apply directly to the Prime Minister’s Office for contributions.
In February, an NGO secretary advocating for the people of West Asia, particularly Gaza, Palestine, was detained by the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) on suspicion of misappropriating approximately RM4.2 million.
Elaborating further, Anwar said strict oversight is necessary because there have been previous cases where Islamic NGOs collected funds but used them for personal purposes.
Their modus operandi, he said, includes going to various places, including mosques, to collect donations supposedly meant to help the Palestinian people.
“It’s not exactly corruption, because they collect the money legally and have the proper certificates, claiming the money is for Palestine. If they collect RM100 million but only spend RM20 million on Palestinians, they say the remaining RM80 million is for operational costs.
“At first, we thought these were cases of collecting tens of millions of ringgit for Palestinian aid, but the money ended up being spent on development projects and properties in Kuala Lumpur,” he said.
Source: thesun.my
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https://thesun.my/news/malaysia-news/pm-anwar-calls-for-stricter-rules-on-charities-ngos/
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PM Anwar urges JPJ to be more professional, firm in enforcement
25 Apr 2026
Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim calls on the Road Transport Department to enhance professionalism and firmness in traffic law enforcement, highlighting the need for integrity amid public scrutiny.
BATU KAWAN: Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim has called on the Road Transport Department (JPJ) to continue enhancing its professionalism and firmness in carrying out its duties, particularly in enforcing traffic laws.
He said that as an agency that deals directly with the public, every action taken by JPJ is subject to public attention and scrutiny, thus requiring a high level of integrity and efficiency.
“Sometimes when JPJ is firm, it is not well received by the public… if it is soft and overly lenient, it is pressured by the MACC (Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission).
“So JPJ officers are in a situation of direct monitoring, especially with today’s social media. Some criticisms are based on values and morals, while others are driven by malice and hatred… so the challenges we face are even greater,” he said.
The prime minister said this when speaking at the JPJ Day 80th anniversary celebration and JPJ MADANI Mega Carnival at the State Stadium grounds here today.
Source: thesun.my
Please click the following URL to read the text of the original Story
https://thesun.my/news/malaysia-news/pm-anwar-urges-jpj-to-be-more-professional-firm-in-enforcement/
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South Asia
Health minister orders withdrawal of three officials
25 APRIL 2026
Health Minister Mohammad Sakhawat Hossain yesterday ordered the withdrawal of three hospital officials in Munshiganj, citing the dissemination of incorrect information to the media.
The officials are Munshiganj General Hospital Superintendent Dr Ahammad Kabir, Civil Surgeon Dr Kamrul Zomadder, and stenotypist Md Mizanur Rahman from the Civil Surgeon’s Office.
The minister directed the withdrawals during a surprise visit to the 250-bed Munshiganj General Hospital in the evening.
There, addressing the journalists, he said the recent rise in measles cases is due to past governments’ failures in ensuring regular vaccination for children.
“No nationwide measles vaccination campaign was carried out in the last six years. Due to this failure, many children were left unvaccinated, leading to the current outbreak,” he said.
The minister added that the government has now launched a nationwide measles vaccination drive to contain the situation. Initially introduced in 30 upazilas, the programme has been expanded across the country since the 20th of this month.
“We hope the measles situation will come under control soon with this ongoing campaign,” he said.
Earlier, the minister held a meeting to review healthcare services in Munshiganj.
Source: thedailystar.net
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https://www.thedailystar.net/news/bangladesh/news/health-minister-orders-withdrawal-three-officials-4160041
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The Daily Star built strong readership through ethical journalism: Unesco representative
24 APRIL 2026
Unesco Country Representative in Bangladesh Susan Vize has said The Daily Star has built a strong readership through its commitment to ethical journalism, fact-checking, and detailed reporting.
“Not everything is perfect. No one is perfect. But I think the fact that you try to present a balanced approach with different opinions is really important,” she said at the 35th anniversary of The Daily Star today.
She said independent media are vital because open dialogue helps address issues of public concern.
Referring to the attack on The Daily Star building on December 18 last year, she said such incidents could be fuelled by misinformation and disinformation, which is deeply undesirable.
She said the media here has lost a lot of trust of the wider public.
“This is not The Daily Star in particular. The media reform commission had a survey done on trust in the media, and it showed that there is a general lack of trust in the media.
“It is something that has to be built over the long term. The media needs to engage with the public -- not simply sit in an ivory tower and disseminate information, but foster dialogue and ensure its reporting reflects the community,” Susan Vize said.
Source: thedailystar.net
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https://www.thedailystar.net/news/bangladesh/news/the-daily-star-built-strong-readership-through-ethical-journalism-unesco-representative-4159741
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WFP Warns Rising Hunger in Afghanistan Threatens Children’s Future
By Fidel Rahmati
April 25, 2026
World Food Programme warns worsening hunger and malnutrition in Afghanistan endanger millions of children amid a deepening humanitarian crisis.
The World Food Programme has warned that rising hunger and malnutrition in Afghanistan are putting the future of millions of children at risk.
The agency described the situation as a “silent emergency,” stressing that worsening food insecurity is rapidly deepening the country’s humanitarian crisis and threatening vulnerable families.
In a statement and video shared on X, the WFP said hunger and malnutrition are “stealing the future” of Afghan children at an unprecedented scale.
It added that for many families, food assistance remains the only barrier between survival and extreme deprivation, urging sustained international support, including contributions from donors such as the United Kingdom.
A recent report by United Nations agencies highlighted a sharp global rise in hunger, with Afghanistan identified as one of the most severe humanitarian hotspots.
The report links worsening food insecurity to conflict, climate shocks, and economic collapse, factors that continue to drive acute hunger levels across multiple regions.
In Afghanistan, prolonged drought, economic decline, mass return of migrants, earthquakes, and reduced international aid have compounded the crisis, leaving millions of mothers and children malnourished.
Aid organizations warn that without urgent and sustained funding, the humanitarian situation will continue to deteriorate, with long-term consequences for child development and national stability.
Source: khaama.com
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https://www.khaama.com/wfp-warns-rising-hunger-in-afghanistan-threatens-childrens-future/
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Sanders blasts reported US plan to send Afghan allies to Congo as “immoral”
By Fidel Rahmati
April 25, 2026
US Senator Bernie Sanders criticizes a reported plan to send Afghan allies to Congo, calling it immoral and warning they face serious risks.
Bernie Sanders said Afghans who worked alongside United States forces risked their lives and should not face abandonment or unfair treatment.
Writing on X, Sanders said these individuals were promised safety and protection in return for their support during US military operations in Afghanistan.
He warned that forcing them to choose between returning to Taliban-controlled Afghanistan or relocation to unfamiliar countries would be “cruel and immoral.”
The comments come as Donald Trump said his administration is considering relocating about 1,100 Afghan refugees currently stranded in Qatar.
Under the proposal, refugees could be transferred to the Democratic Republic of the Congo, raising concerns among lawmakers and rights groups about safety and long-term stability.
Many of these Afghans include former interpreters, security personnel, and support staff who assisted US forces and remain at risk if returned to Afghanistan.
Human rights advocates warn that relocation without clear guarantees or voluntary consent could violate international protections and expose vulnerable individuals to further harm.
Source: khaama.com
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https://www.khaama.com/sanders-blasts-reported-us-plan-to-send-afghan-allies-to-congo-as-immoral/
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Red Cross delivers aid to 17,000 families hit by border clashes in eastern Afghanistan
By Fidel Rahmati
April 24, 2026
Red Cross sends emergency aid to 17,000 families in eastern Afghanistan, as border clashes disrupt access, displace communities, and deepen humanitarian needs.
The International Committee of the Red Cross said it has delivered emergency assistance to 17,000 families affected by fighting in Nuristan Province.
Aid shipments, including food, hygiene kits, and essential supplies, have reached remote districts such as Kamdesh and Barg-e-Matal, where access had been severely restricted.
The organization said trucks carrying relief items have arrived in affected areas, with displaced families among the primary recipients of the assistance.
Access routes to these regions were blocked for nearly two months due to clashes between Afghan Taliban forces and Pakistan, leaving communities isolated and vulnerable.
Local residents had earlier warned of looming famine conditions, as food shortages worsened and basic services remained disrupted in the mountainous border regions.
The aid operation was carried out in coordination with the Afghanistan Red Crescent and the World Food Programme, highlighting the need for joint humanitarian responses.
A temporary reopening of routes followed local mediation between tribal elders from both sides of the border, allowing limited access for aid deliveries.
The ICRC said continued humanitarian access remains critical, as thousands of families still face severe shortages and uncertain living conditions in the affected region.
Source: khaama.com
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https://www.khaama.com/red-cross-delivers-aid-to-17000-families-hit-by-border-clashes-in-eastern-afghanistan/
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Afghan allies stranded in Qatar face “bad or worse” choice as US weighs Congo relocation
By Fidel Rahmati
April 24, 2026
Afghan allies who supported U.S. forces remain stranded in Qatar, facing uncertainty as Washington weighs relocation to Congo or potential return to Afghanistan.
The New York Times reported that Afghan nationals who worked with US forces remain in limbo at a former US base in Qatar.
Many are former interpreters, special forces members, and relatives of US personnel, and fear serious risks if returned to Afghanistan.
The report said the Donald Trump administration is considering relocating up to 1,100 refugees to Democratic Republic of the Congo, though no final deal has been reached.
Some residents say they are under pressure to accept returning packages to Afghanistan, describing their situation as a choice between “bad and worse.”
More than 200 individuals have left the camp in recent months, while many others continue to wait for resettlement decisions amid uncertainty over US immigration policies.
Critics warn that relocation to Congo may not be safe or voluntary, given the country’s own humanitarian challenges and internal displacement crisis.
Zabihullah Mujahid has welcomed returns but has not addressed concerns over safety and human rights for those who go back.
The fate of these refugees remains unresolved, highlighting broader challenges in fulfilling US commitments to Afghan partners after the 2021 withdrawal.
Source: khaama.com
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https://www.khaama.com/afghan-allies-stranded-in-qatar-face-bad-or-worse-choice-as-us-weighs-congo-relocation/
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Former Afghanistan snooker chief killed in Kabul attack, officials say
By Fidel Rahmati
April 24, 2026
Taliban officials confirm former Afghanistan snooker federation head killed in Kabul, as investigations begin and concerns persist over targeted violence in capital.
Wahidullah Asghari, former head of Afghanistan’s national snooker federation, has been killed in an armed attack in Kabul, Taliban authorities said.
A spokesman for the Taliban sports authority confirmed the incident, calling his death regrettable and saying an investigation is underway to identify those responsible.
Officials said Asghari had played a key role in developing cue sports in Afghanistan and led the federation for several years.
Unconfirmed reports from sports sources suggest he had gone missing near his home in the Qala-e-Fathullah area before his body was later returned to his family.
The motive behind the killing remains unclear, underscoring ongoing concerns about security incidents in Kabul despite official assurances of improved stability.
Afghanistan’s sports community has faced repeated disruptions in recent years, with violence and political instability affecting athletes, officials, and sporting events.
Some local media reported that snooker qualification tournaments were suspended following the incident, reflecting the broader impact on sporting activities.
Authorities said efforts are continuing to investigate the killing, as calls grow for accountability and better protection for public figures and professionals.
Source: khaama.com
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https://www.khaama.com/former-afghanistan-snooker-chief-killed-in-kabul-attack-officials-say/
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