Muslim Residents of Several Pune Villages Forced to Flee After Boycott Calls by “Majoritarian Forces”, Allege Two Rights Groups
New Age Islam News Bureau
09 July 2025
Mulshi taluka in Pune district. | Google Maps
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· Muslim Residents of Several Pune VillagesForced to Flee After Boycott Callsby “Majoritarian Forces”, Allege Two Rights Groups
· Homes of 1,400 Bengali-Origin Muslim Families in Assam Bulldozed To Make Way For A Solar Power Project
· After Several Visits of Khaleda Zia’s BNP, Now Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami Delegation to Visit China
· Dangerous Precedent: Extremist Jewish Rabbi, Yehuda Glick, Storms Dome of Rock Inside Al-Aqsa Mosque
· Preacher Who Said Muslims Will Kill Jews Claims He's Done 'Nothing Wrong'
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India
· Murder Accusedof Junaid and Nasir, Cow Vigilante Lokesh Singla of Bajrang Dal, Dies by Suicide
· Component of Pulwama IED was ordered via Amazon: FATF
· Pakistan Ran Coordinated Anti-India Campaign During Op Sindoor, Forensic Analysis Finds
· Delhi court extends judicial custody of 26/11 Mumbai terror attack accused Tahawwur Rana till August 13
· ‘Anti-nation’ leash on social media: NIA, other central agencies to monitor digital content
· 2026 polls fight for Bengali Hindus, nationalist Muslims to retain identity: Samik
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South Asia
· Leaked Audio Reveals Hasina Ordered Lethal Force In Deadly Crackdown: BBC Investigation
· Govt Calls On Madrasas to Combat Drugs, Hizb ut-Tahrir Narratives
· Islamic Emirate Rejects ICC Arrest Warrants
· Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan Responds to UN General Assembly Resolution
· Public Health Minister Urges Restart of Stalled Hospital Projects
· Protesters demand removal of CCC CEO over allegations of irregularities
· Tajikistan orders Afghan Refugees to leave within 15 days
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Mideast
· Any New Folly By Enemies To Be Met With Surprising Response: Iranian Brigadier General
· Iran Proved It Can Take On Both US, Israel At The Same Time: Major General
· Why Israeli settler violence against Palestinians is surging in the West Bank
· Over 10,000 Palestinians detained in Israeli jails, excluding Gazans in military confinement
· Tunisia hands lengthy prison terms to top politicians and former security officials
· Palestinian teen dies from head injury after Israeli forces opened fire
· 3 dead in north Lebanon strike that Israel says hit Hamas militant
· Qatar says ‘we will need time’ for Gaza ceasefire
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Europe
· Moscow Police Detain Over 500 Migrants in Hostel and Mosque Raids
· Bee attack injures several dozens in France
· Russia declares Yale University ‘undesirable’
· After Francois Fevre, Another Macron CriticOlivier MarleixFound Dead in France
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North America
· Tweet from Powerful Silicon Valley VC Exec. Fuels Anti-Muslim Hate in NYC Mayoral Election
· Trump and Netanyahu Hold Second Meeting for Gaza Ceasefire Talks
· US State Dept on alert after hoaxer uses AI to impersonate Rubio
· Trump promises Zelensky ten missiles – Axios
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Africa
· Libya’s Eastern-Based Government Bars Entry of EU Migration Commissioner, Three Ministers
· UN Human Rights Office Says 'Deeply Troubled' By Kenya Protester Deaths
· Broken windows and lootings: Nairobi businesses deal with protest aftermath
· Amnesty International denounces lack of investigation into activists' abduction
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Southeast Asia
· Department Of Islamic Development Creates Module To Prevent Extremism Among Foreign Workers
· Indonesia Has Moral Legitimacy to Lead Islamic Economy: Former Vice President
· Anwar: ASEAN Centrality Must Be Region’s North Star Amid Global Instability
· Indonesia to host first international MQK in South Sulawesi
· ChemOne secures US$350m Islamic insurance cover for PEC
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Arab World
· Saudi Crown Prince Meets Iranian Foreign Minister Amid Regional Diplomacy Push
· Jazan’s stone castles draw travellers into the past
· Islamic Coalition Secretary-General receives Oman’s ambassador in Riyadh
· Golden-backed weaver builds its nest in the mountains of Asir
· Saudi team joins training on rainwater harvesting in China
· Saudi Arabia reaffirms support for Afghanistan’s security, stability
· Ithra Children’s Festival inspires creativity, curiosity
· DIB Arranges $1 billion sovereign financing for Pakistan
Compiled by New Age Islam News Bureau
URL: https://newageislam.com/islamic-world-news/muslim-residents-majoritarian-forces-villages/d/136128
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Muslim Residents of Several Pune VillagesForced to Flee After Boycott CallsBy “Majoritarian Forces”, Allege Two Rights Groups
Scroll Staff
Jul 08, 2025
Mulshi taluka in Pune district. | Google Maps
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Muslim residents of several villages in Maharashtra’s Pune district have been forced to flee their homes and shut businesses in the past two months amid boycott calls by “majoritarian forces”, two human rights organisations have alleged.
In a letter to the Pune divisional commissioner on June 30, the People’s Union for Civil Liberties and the Association for Protection of Civil Rights also urged authorities to act against those creating a “sense of insecurity” in Paud, Pirangut, Kolvan, Suatarwadi and the surrounding villages of Mulsi taluk.
The two groups had conducted a fact-finding exercise in the district on July 2 after reports emerged that residents of the villages were told “not to allow any Muslim to work or employ him/her in any business or profession or allow them to stay as a tenant”.
This came after a Muslim boy allegedly desecrated an idol of the Hindu deity Annapurna in Paud village on May 2, according to the letter.
“Some residents of the village beat him up and handed him over to the local police,” it said, adding that a case was registered and the boy was arrested.
Following this, political parties, including the Bharatiya Janata Party, organised protests condemning the incident. The situation was brought under control by the police, the letter said, adding that a few local leaders and activists also made efforts later to settle the matter.
However, placards and boards displaying notices banning Muslims from outside the village from entering the area began appearing in public places soon after, said the rights groups.
They alleged that Muslim shopkeepers, traders and vendors were also forced to close their businesses, compelling a few establishments dealing in scrap material to shut down and leave the villages.
“Moreover, we are told that with the ‘cooperation’ of local police, the identity proofs are checked and verified to ensure that no Muslim other than permanent/local Muslim resident be allowed to live in the village,” the human rights groups claimed.
They added: “Because of such terrifying, chilling atmosphere, many Muslim persons/families have been forced to leave their respective villages and to seek temporary shelter to some other place – many have been made to go back to their native places in other states.”
A few Hindus in the area also told the human rights groups that they had been told not to help anybody from the Muslim community, claimed the letter. “This is certainly undesirable and affecting peace and harmony in the villages.”
It further claimed that similar instances of a “boycott call” of the Muslim community were seen in Pune city in the past three months. Residents have been urged to boycott businesses owned by Muslims and not to avail any service from them, it added.
Such instances and messages circulating online have been brought to the notice of the police, the letter said. “However, despite that, such appeals, affecting the harmony in society, are being made openly and intermittently and as if with impunity,” it added.
In their letter, the People’s Union for Civil Liberties and the Association for Protection of Civil Liberties urged the divisional commissioner to conduct an inquiry into the matter and take action to restore normalcy in the villages.
They also asked the authorities to remove the notices calling for a boycott of Muslims.
The groups asked the divisional commissioner to “identify those anti-social elements who have been actively and deliberately threatening people due to their deep-rooted prejudices or for political reasons and to take necessary preventive action against them”.
They also sought instructions to the police to identify those circulating such “hate messages” and “boycott calls”.
Source: scroll.in
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Homes of 1,400 Bengali-Origin Muslim Families in Assam Bulldozed To Make Way For A Solar Power Project
Rokibuz Zaman
Jul 9, 2025
Around 1,400 Muslim families were displaced during an eviction driver in Assam's Dhubri district. | Special Arrangement
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The Assam government has demolished the homes of 1,400 Muslim families of Bengali origin from nearly 1,157 acres of government land in Dhubri district to make way for a solar power project, District Magistrate Dibakar Nath told Scroll on Tuesday.
The Assam Power Distribution Company Limited, which is heading the project, has already been allotted the land, Nath added.
Residents affected by the demolitions told Scroll that nearly 10,000 Bengali-origin Muslims, who had been living in the area for at least three to four decades, were displaced from Chirakuta 1 and 2, Charuakhara Jungle Block and Santeshpur villages under the Chapar revenue circle in Dhubri.
“These are erosion-hit people who lost their ancestral homes due to the Brahmaputra,” Towfique Hussian, a resident, told Scroll.
On March 30, the district administration submitted a proposal to convert the Village Grazing Land, a category of government land designated for cattle grazing, for the solar power project, according to minutes of a district-level land advisory meeting held on April 2.
The Assam Power Distribution Company Limited had acquired around 1,289 acres of government land for the plant.
According to the district administration, it had issued eviction notices in advance and made daily public announcements asking residents to vacate and dismantle their homes before Sunday.
Police personnel and bulldozers began arriving at the eviction sites on Monday.
The district authorities have allocated 300 bighas of land in Baizar Alga village for the rehabilitation of the affected people, according to the eviction notice issued by the Chapar revenue circle officer. It had earmarked Rs 50,000 for one-time relief for residents to transport their belongings.
Some of the residents have received the Rs 50,000 though others claimed they have not.
However, affected residents told Scroll that the rehabilitation site, Baizar Alga village, is in a low-lyring riverine area. "It gets flooded most of the time in monsoon," Nazrul Islam, a displaced resident, said. "People are reluctant to go there with no roads or any other communication."
“Many of the residents have already moved their belongings out of fear…Everyday people were moving,” Hussian said. “Those who did not move earlier, their homes were demolished on Tuesday.”
Some residents protested against the eviction drive and threw stones at the bulldozers, damaging three of them. The police lathi-charged the protesters.
Akhil Gogoi, independent MLA and chief of Raijor Dal, arrived at the eviction site on Tuesday. He told those displaced that he would request Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma to allot 165 acres for their rehabilitation.
Gogoi was subsequently detained by police for a brief period.
“This eviction is illegal and unconstitutional,” he later said. “The matter is pending before the Gauhati High Court. The Himanta Biswa Sarma government is demolishing homes unlawfully.”
Gogoi claimed that such evictions were being conducted against Muslims to capture Hindu votes. “The BJP [Bharatiya Janata Party] government is targeting the minorities just because they are Muslims,” he added.
Later in the day, Sarma said the state government will carry out another eviction drive on July 10 in the Paikar area, a reserved forest area in Goalpara district.
“Our aim is clear the encroached land and use them for the public,” the chief minister told reporters. “We are with the indigenous people of Assam while Akhil Gogoi stands for a particular community. That's our poltical ideology. We will keep doing our work.”
About 400 residents from the Charuabakhra Jangal Block village, who were living on the government land after losing their homes due to erosion caused by the Brahmaputra river, had moved the Gauhati High Court against the eviction notices in April.
The residents said that the action of the district authorities violated the judgement laid down by the Supreme Court in November.
The case is still pending in the High Court.
In November, the Supreme Court had held as illegal the practice of demolishing properties of persons accused of crimes as a punitive measure. It added that processes must be followed before removing allegedly illegal encroachments.
This is the fourth major eviction carried out in the last 30 days.
On June 16, Goalpara authorities demolished the homes of 690 families, all of them belonging to Bengali-origin Muslims, who were living on an allegedly encroached land in the Hasila Beel, a wetland.
The families told Scroll that many of them were living in the area before it was declared a wetland.
Ninety-three families of Bengali-origin Muslims were evicted on June 30 in Assam’s Nalbari district during an anti-encroachment drive on nearly 150 acres of village grazing reserve land in the Barkhetri revenue circle.
On Thursday, around 220 families were evicted during an anti-encroachment drive in upper Assam’s Lakhimpur district. The district authorities said the families were living on 77 acres of land at four locations, including three Village Grazing Reserves.
Since the BJP came to power in Assam in 2016, more than 10,620 families – the majority of them Muslim – have been ousted from government land, between 2016 and August 2024, according to data provided by the state revenue and disaster management department.
Source: scroll.in
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After Several Visits of Khaleda Zia’s BNP, Now Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami Delegation to Visit China
Jul 9, 2025
Photo: Chinese Embassy in Bangladesh
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After several visits by the BNP to China, a delegation of Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami is now going to visit China.
The Chinese Embassy in Bangladesh yesterday evening hosted a pre-departure reception for a high-level delegation of Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami.
Nine members of the delegation was present at event addressed by the Chinese Ambassador to Bangladesh Yao Wen and Jamaat Ameer Shafiqur Rahman.
A large delegation of BNP visited China last month at the invitation of Chinese Communist Party. Two other BNP delegations visited China earlier this year.
Source: thedailystar.net
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https://www.thedailystar.net/news/bangladesh/politics/news/after-bnp-now-jamaat-delegation-visit-china-3935446
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Dangerous Precedent: Extremist Jewish Rabbi, Yehuda Glick, Storms Dome of Rock Inside Al-Aqsa Mosque
08 Jul 2025
Al-Quds governorate reported that the Holy Sanctuary witnessed a dangerous precedent when the extremist Jewish Rabbi and former Israeli Knesset member, Yehuda Glick, stormed the Dome of the Rock inside al-Aqsa Mosque on Tuesday morning and gave Talmudic explanations to an accompanying delegation.
The Governorate added, according to the Palestinian Sanad News Agency, that Glick is one of the most prominent symbols of religious extremism in the occupying state and one of the most ardent defenders of the alleged "Temple Mount" narrative.
He calls for the imposition of Jewish sovereignty over al-Aqsa Mosque and regularly participates in incitement campaigns to storm it and perform Torah rituals inside it.
Al-Quds governorate explained that this storming coincided with a clear escalation in al-Aqsa Mosque courtyards since the beginning of July.
Source: saba.ye
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Preacher who said Muslims will kill Jews claims he's done 'nothing wrong'
Oliver Pridmore
8 JUL 2025
The Nottingham Islam Information Centre in Bovill Street, Radford (Image: Joseph Raynor/Nottingham Post)
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The Nottingham man criticised by the charity regulator for an "inflammatory" sermon in the wake of the Hamas attacks in Israel claims he has done nothing wrong. The Charity Commission said Harun Adbur Rashid Holmes delivered a religious speech in October 2023, shortly after the October 7 attacks in Israel, which contained language such as "the hour will not begin until the Muslims fight the Jews and the Muslims will kill them until a Jew hides behind a rock or a tree".
The sermon also included statements that the Charity Commission says could be seen as encouraging people not to vote or to disengage from the democratic process, calling on attendees not to "busy yourselves with politics and voting". Mr Holmes has spoken publicly for the first time since the Charity Commission published its report, and he says his comments have been "taken out of context".
Saying he was simply quoting from Islamic texts regarding the day of judgement, Mr Holmes said: "It's not my words. I was talking about the end times, I wasn't talking about what's happening now in regards to that prophecy. I've done nothing wrong, it's just that this has been taken out of context by members of the far-right who are Islamophobic and don't like Muslims."
Mr Holmes said his congregation were interested to hear about "current affairs", hence he addressed the October 7 attacks. The former charity trustee also said that no regulators are perfect and that there are similarly controversial passages of text in the Bible.
Mr Holmes also claimed that Nottinghamshire Police did investigate his sermon around the time it was delivered in October 2023 and that this resulted in no further action being taken. Nottinghamshire Police has been contacted for comment in relation to this claim, but the force did not respond in time for publication.
The Nottingham Islam Information Point in Radford was set up in 2016 to provide relief to those in need, including by providing a support network for victims of Islamophobic attacks. The charity also helps to address misconceptions about the religion of Islam.
The Charity Commission's report said it recognised that some of the content of Mr Holmes' sermon was taken from scripture, but said the sermon was "given without the appropriate context to its source material and as such was inflammatory and divisive".
The regulator said: "There was no consideration given to how appropriate it would be to deliver such a sermon just six days after the events in Israel of 7 October 2023. To the regulator, it showed Mr Holmes lacked the good judgement expected of a trustee.
"Mr Holmes accepted that with hindsight the Hadith was sensitive, and he did not give sufficient context to it. The sermon did not further the charity's purposes, including to provide relief to those in need, and was not in the charity's best interests."
Hamas attacked Israel in the October 7 attacks in 2023, with more than 1,200 people killed and more than 250 hostages taken. This triggered a massive military response from Israel, whose army has since killed more than 50,000 Palestinians.
The regulator has disqualified Mr Holmes from serving as a trustee or from holding any senior charity role for three years, with this taking effect in July 2024. The commission also issued the Islam Information Point with a formal warning.
Stephen Roake, the assistant director of investigations and compliance at the Charity Commission, said: "In times of conflict, people expect charities to bring people together, not to stoke division. In this case, we found due consideration had not been given to the words and rhetoric used.
"The sermon was inflammatory and divisive, and we acted robustly and disqualified the trustee who gave the sermon. We also issued the charity with a formal warning. Following our intervention, the charity's remaining trustees have taken positive steps to improve their governance. This includes the introduction of a more robust events policy. All charities that host events and speakers should take note of this case and ensure they have sufficient due diligence in place."
Source: nottinghampost.com
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India
Murder Accusedof Junaid and Nasir, Cow Vigilante Lokesh Singla of Bajrang Dal, Dies by Suicide
July 9, 2025
Cow vigilante Lokesh Singla, accused in the murder and lynching of two Muslim men in Bhiwani in 2023, died allegedly by suicide on July 5, police said.
The development comes a month a video, allegedly recorded by Singla before his death and accusing senior Bajrang Dal members of mental harassment, went viral.
A FIR was registered on Tuesday based on a complaint filed by his wife. The police have invoked the offences of abetment to suicide and criminal acts done by multiple accused with a common intention.
In the video, purportedly sent to his wife on WhatsApp, three individuals have been accused of stalking, threatening, and attempting to frame him. “These men are harassing me, sending people to follow me, and trying to implicate me in fabricated cases,” he said in the video
Rajesh Kumar Chechi, Deputy Superintendent of the Government Railway Police Faridabad, said, “We will look into all the allegations thoroughly. All the three named in the video have been made accused in the FIR. The investigation is on. The body was released to the family after the autopsy.”
A Bajrang Dal member on condition of anonymity said in his personal capacity that due process of law should be followed.
“If Bajrang Dal members or anyone else has been named there should be strict action and a fair investigation regardless.”
Singla’s body was recovered near the train tracks on the Agra-Palwal route. He has three kids.
The Indian Express earlier reported that Singla was an informer and witness for the police in Haryana’s Nuh district during raids on alleged cattle smugglers, even accompanying police teams on raids.
Singla was among 13 accused initially named in connection with the alleged murder of Junaid and Nasir, and are part of cow vigilante groups. The list also includes Monu Manesar, a Bajrang Dal member and face of the cow protection task force of the Haryana government in Gurgaon.
A January 19 FIR in Ferozepur Jhirka station describes Singla as a member of a cow protection group. It stated that he had informed police that three men involved in cattle smuggling would be going to Rajasthan’s Ghatmika village and that they can be nabbed if a raid is conducted. Incidentally, Junaid and Nasir hailed from the same village.
Source: indianexpress.com
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https://indianexpress.com/article/cities/delhi/murder-accused-cow-vigilante-suicide-harassment-bajrang-dal-video-wife-10115386/
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Component of Pulwama IED was ordered via Amazon: FATF
Jul 9, 2025
NEW DELHI: Global terror financing watchdog Financial Action Task Force (FATF) has raised concerns about the exploitation of e-commerce platforms and online payment services to fund terrorist activities, citing cases from India, including the 2019 Pulwama attack, in which the Jaish-e-Muhammed (JeM) bought on Amazon a chemical that was added to the RDX used to kill CRPF troopers.
In a report, FATF also said the lone accused in the 2022 attack on security personnel at UP's Gorakhnath temple had transferred funds to the Islamic State using PayPal.
These cases, it said, illustrated the growing trend of terrorists leveraging online platforms to facilitate their activities. On the Pulwama attack in J&K, the report said, "Investigations revealed the cross-border movement of a large quantity of explosives into India. Notably, a key component of the improvised explosive device used in the attack - aluminium powder-was procured through EPOM Amazon, an ad network. This material was used to enhance the impact of the blast."
During its investigation, NIA had probed an accused named Waiz-ul-Islam and found that he had used his Amazon account to procure chemicals for making IEDs, batteries and other accessories on the directions of Pakistani JeM terrorists. "He personally delivered the items to JeM terrorists after procuring the incriminating material online as a part of the conspiracy to carry out the Pulwama attack," NIA had said in its chargesheet. "Accused Sajjad Bhat had purchased a Maruti Eeco car for the purpose of carrying out the IED attack," it added.
This chargesheet, filed in a special court in Jammu, named JeM chief Moulana Masood Azhar, his two brothers Rouf Asgar and Ammar Alvi, suicide bomber Adil Ahmed Dar and 15 others as accused.
On the temple attack, the FATF report said, "On April 3, 2022, the accused individual attacked security personnel at Gorakhnath Temple, influenced by the Islamic State's ideology," the report said.
As per FATF, the accused had been using a VPN for calling, chatting and downloading to evade detection, and had made 44 payments while using third-party transactions.
Source: indiatimes.com
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https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/component-of-pulwama-ied-was-ordered-via-amazon-fatf/articleshow/122328457.cms
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Pakistan ran coordinated anti-India campaign during Op Sindoor, forensic analysis finds
Mukesh Ranjan
08 Jul 2025
NEW DELHI: A deeper forensic lab analysis has revealed that Pakistan made a concerted online attempt to spread false narratives against India during Operation Sindoor, with most of the social media handles found to be Pakistan-based and apparently linked to the country’s armed forces and the ISI, officials said on Tuesday.
The forensic report was shared with central agencies, leading to a ban on several social media accounts belonging to Pakistan-based celebrities and some foreign nationals, they said.
Providing details of the analysis, officials said a “sizeable number” of these accounts disseminated identical or near-identical messaging in a well-coordinated manner. Cyber labs found the content was posted within a span of 30 to 40 minutes, with average engagement exceeding one million.
Officials noted that the posts, which carried a distinct “anti-India” tone and uniform messaging, were widely amplified—indicating centrally orchestrated information warfare.
“Initially, around 2,000 and, later, 2,300 additional social media accounts were suspended followed by further action,” one official said, adding that all these handles, directly or indirectly operated by the Pakistan Army and Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI), created and fuelled the “anti-India” campaign with fake content.
In the report, another official said, “The character, tone and timing of the content suggest the intent to amplify anti-India narratives. The messaging was uniform, suggesting possible centralised coordination.”
“Pakistan agencies facilitated and fuelled the propaganda, shared by alleged Pakistan-based news portals, further amplified by high-engagement accounts on various social media platforms, including Instagram, 'X' , YouTube, and Facebook,” the official added.
Officials said the timing of the disinformation posts was mainly between 6 pm and 11 pm, aimed at garnering maximum engagement across social media platforms.
“The analysis also revealed that individuals in the age group of 25 to 40 were the most active users in spreading ‘anti-India’ fake content. Some accounts were found to be circulating AI-generated and fake audio/video messages on various social media platforms,” the official added.
Source: newindianexpress.com
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https://www.newindianexpress.com/nation/2025/Jul/09/iaf-jaguar-fighter-jet-crashes-in-rajasthans-churu-pilot-among-two-killed
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Delhi court extends judicial custody of 26/11 Mumbai terror attack accused Tahawwur Rana till August 13
09.07.25
A Delhi court on Wednesday extended the judicial custody of 26/11 Mumbai terror attack accused Tahawwur Hussain Rana till August 13.
Special Judge Chander Jit Singh passed the order after Rana was produced before it through video conference after expiry of his judicial custody granted earlier.
Rana is a close associate of 26/11 main conspirator David Coleman Headley alias Daood Gilani, a US citizen. He was brought to India after the US Supreme Court on April 4 dismissed his review plea against his extradition to India.
On November 26, 2008, a group of 10 Pakistani terrorists went on a rampage, carrying out a coordinated attack on a railway station, two luxury hotels and a Jewish centre, after they sneaked into India's financial capital through the sea route.
As many as 166 people were killed in the nearly 60-hour assault.
Source: telegraphindia.com
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‘Anti-nation’ leash on social media: NIA, other central agencies to monitor digital content
Imran Ahmed Siddiqui
09.07.25
The government has asked the NIA and other central agencies to take action against those spreading anti-national, provocative and slanderous content and videos on social media, home ministry sources said on Tuesday.
The revelation came on a day X said it was “deeply concerned about ongoing press censorship in India” following the Centre’s alleged order to block as many as2,355 accounts.
Rights activists have in the past expressed apprehension about the potential misuse and overreach of the Modi government’s proposed plan to regulate social mediacontent.
A home ministry official on Tuesday said the NIA and other agencies had been directed to monitor digital content that could pose a threat to national security or spread anti-India propaganda.
The decision was taken after officials from several ministries, including home, law and justice, electronics & information technology and communication, held meetings and emphasised the need for accountability in the digital space.
“Freedom of expression cannot be a shield for irresponsible actions that endanger the nation’s unity, integrity and security,” said a home ministry official.
He, however, declined to comment on whether action would be taken against the Right-wing accounts and government-friendly influencers accused of spreading fake news, propaganda and hateful ideologies.
Sources said even the social media platforms had been prodded to monitor and curb the circulation of anti-national and misleading content.
“The government has made it clear to social media companies to implement stronger verification processes for influencers. Legal proceedings could be initiated against those influencers found to be promoting divisive narratives or misinformation,” a government official said.
Social media platforms have been asked to regularly update the government on the action taken against such posts and material at their end.
“Action will be taken under Indian law not only against those posting such content from outside India but also against individuals and networks that amplify or share such videos,” the official said.
A large number of anti-India videos have been blocked recently, including online videos of Khalistani separatist leader Gurpatwant Singh Pannun and his followers.
In March, the Supreme Court had directed the Centre to formulate a mechanism to regulate social media content after consulting all stakeholders but cautioned against censorship.
“We have suggested the solicitor-general to deliberate upon and suggest such a regulatory mechanism which does not impinge upon the right of free speech and expression but at the same time is also effective enough to ensure the parameters of such fundamental right as stated in Article 19 (4) of the Constitution,” the apex court had said.
It added that the draft regulatory mechanism should be brought into the public domain for feedback before any legislative or judicial measure is taken.
In 2022, the ministry of electronics & information technology had published draft rules that proposed the formation of an appeals panel that could overturn the decisions by social media platforms on content takedowns, which would have possibly made India the first country to bring Facebook, YouTube and Twitter to heel.
Later, the draft amendment to the Information Technology (Intermediary Liability and Digital Media Ethics Code) Rules, 2021, disappeared from the ministry’s website as a storm started to brew over the highly contentious move.
Source: telegraphindia.com
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https://www.telegraphindia.com/india/anti-nation-leash-on-social-media-modi-government-denies-x-claim-of-blocking-reuters-prnt/cid/2112107
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2026 polls fight for Bengali Hindus, nationalist Muslims to retain identity: Samik
Jul 9, 2025
Kolkata: Bengal BJP president Samik Bhattacharya said on Tuesday that the 2026 assembly elections will be a fight for Bengali Hindus and nationalist, educated sections of the Muslim community to retain their identity.
"This election is a fight to retain the existence of Bengali Hindus and nationalist, logical Muslims in the state. The forces of election in Bengal will not be hijacked by political parties this time," Bhattacharya said.
The comments come days after the Bengal BJP chief said his party was not against Muslims even though the minority community might be critical of BJP, in an apparent bid to dent the minority support base of Trinamool Congress.
"We are appealing to fence-sitters and critics of BJP. When they set the Indira Gandhi Cultural Center in Bangladesh on fire, Abul Bashar's books burnt along with poems of Joy Goswami," Bhattacharya had said in his first public address after being elected BJP president.
On Tuesday, he raised concerns about what he called "the rise of fundamentalist and fascist forces believing in Islam". He said Trinamool's policies have given rise to a situation in which Muslims were being attacked by Muslims.
"We are fighting against the lack of education and poverty among the Muslim community. We want Muslim youths to get into govt jobs based on merit, not through quota. They should not follow the ways of Afzal Guru. If Trinamool retains power in 2026, Bengal will remind us of what used to happen in Jammu and Kashmir," he said.
"I respect pluralism in politics and BJP believes in multi-party democracy. If pluralism and multi-party democracy are to survive in Bengal, the fundamentalist and fascist forces believing in Islam have to go," Bhattacharya added.
The state BJP chief met Dilip Ghosh, the former BJP national vice president on Tuesday. After meeting Bhattacharya, Ghosh said, "I have been with BJP. It has grown because of the sweat and blood of party workers. More than 150 workers were killed. I cannot forget that. Neither can BJP workers forget that. We will uproot Trinamool in 2026."
Bhattacharya, on his part, said party veterans will be frontrunners in the 2026 campaign. "There is no debate between veterans and newcomers. BJP advanced in Bengal only because veterans paved the way," he added.
Source: indiatimes.com
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https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/kolkata/2026-polls-fight-for-bengali-hindus-nationalist-muslims-to-retain-identity-samik/articleshow/122328028.cms
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South Asia
Leaked audio reveals Hasina ordered lethal force in deadly crackdown: BBC investigation
Jul 9, 2025
A deadly crackdown on student-led protests in Bangladesh last year was authorised by ousted prime minister Sheikh Hasina, according to an audio recording of a phone call verified by BBC Eye, reports BBC.
In the audio, leaked online in March, Hasina is heard saying she authorised security forces to "use lethal weapons" against demonstrators, saying that "wherever they find [them], they will shoot", states the BBC report.
According to UN investigators, up to 1,400 people were killed during the July uprising last year. Hasina, who has fled to India, and her party deny all charges against her.
BBC says that a spokesperson of Awami League said the recording did not indicate any "unlawful intention" or a "disproportionate response".
The leaked audio of Hasina's conversation with an unidentified senior government official is the most substantial evidence to date that she directly authorised security forces to open fire on anti-government protesters, the BBC report said.
The BBC World Service investigation, in collaboration with BBC Bangla, revealed previously unreported details of a police-led massacre in Dhaka, including a significantly higher death toll.
According to a source with knowledge of the leaked recording, Hasina was at her residence, Gono Bhaban during the phone call, which took place on July 18.
Police documents seen by the BBC show that military-grade rifles were subsequently deployed across Dhaka in the days following the call, the BBC reported.
According to the BBC, the recording is one of several involving Sheikh Hasina that were made by the National Telecommunications Monitoring Centre (NTMC).
The source of the leak remains unknown. Since the protests, multiple clips of Hasina's phone calls have surfaced online, many of them unverified.
The Criminal Investigation Department (CID) of the Bangladesh Police confirmed that the July 18 recording matched known audio samples of Sheikh Hasina's voice.
The BBC also conducted its own independent verification, sharing the recording with audio forensics experts at Earshot, an audio visual-equipment supplier in England. The analysts found no evidence of tampering or manipulation and said the speech was highly unlikely to have been synthetically generated.
Earshot concluded the recording was likely made in a room with the phone call played back on speaker, citing distinctive telephonic frequencies and background noise. They also identified Electric Network Frequency (ENF) throughout the recording, a frequency that's often present in audio recordings due to interference between a recording device and mains-powered equipment, an indicator that the audio has not been manipulated.
Further analysis of Hasina's speech patterns, including rhythm, intonation and breath sounds, revealed no synthetic artefacts, and consistent background noise levels, finds the BBC investigation.
"The recordings are critical for establishing her role. They are clear, properly authenticated, and supported by other evidence," British international human rights barrister Toby Cadman told the BBC.
Cadman is advising the International Criminal Tribunal (ICT).
An Awami League spokesperson told the BBC, "We cannot confirm whether the tape recording referenced by the BBC is authentic."
Alongside Sheikh Hasina, former government and police officials have also been implicated in the killings.
BBC Eye analysed and verified hundreds of videos, images and documents detailing police attacks on demonstrators over 36 days.
According to the BBC report, in one incident on August 5 last year, in the Jatrabari area of Dhaka, the investigation found at least 52 people were killed by police. Initial reports at the time suggested 30 dead in Jatrabari on that day.
The BBC investigation uncovered new details of the incident by compiling eyewitness videos, CCTV footage and drone imagery. It found that police opened fire indiscriminately after army personnel, who had been keeping them separated from protesters, vacated the area.
For more than half an hour, police fired at fleeing demonstrators attempting to escape through alleyways and onto highways. Officers later retreated to a nearby army camp. Protesters retaliated hours later, reportedly killing at least six police officers and setting fire to the Jatrabari Police Station.
A spokesperson for the Bangladesh Police told the BBC that 60 officers had been arrested over the violence in July and August last year.
"There were regrettable incidents in which certain members of the then police force engaged in excessive use of force," the spokesperson said.
"Bangladesh Police has launched thorough and impartial investigations."
"The Awami League categorically denies and rejects claims that some of its senior leaders, including the prime minister herself, were personally responsible for or directed the use of lethal force against crowds," a party spokesperson said.
"The decisions made by senior government officials were proportionate in nature, made in good faith and intended to minimise the loss of life."
The BBC said it had approached the Bangladesh Army for comment but received no response.
Source: thedailystar.net
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https://www.thedailystar.net/news/bangladesh/news/leaked-audio-reveals-hasina-ordered-lethal-force-deadly-crackdown-bbc-investigation-3935546
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Govt calls on madrasas to combat drugs, Hizb ut-Tahrir narratives
Jul 8, 2025
The government has called for strict legal measures to prevent the use and sale of drugs in areas surrounding madrasas.
Additionally, madrasas have been instructed to provide accurate interpretations of Quran and Hadith related to the narratives and propaganda spread by banned outfit Hizb-ut Tahrir.
The directive, issued yesterday by the Directorate of Madrasa Education, was sent to madrasa heads, management committee presidents, upazila and thana secondary education officers, district education officers, and deputy commissioners for immediate enforcement.
According to the circular, authorities have been urged to intensify awareness campaigns highlighting the dangers of drug abuse, encourage community-based social resistance, and ensure madrasa-based committees play a visible role in curbing narcotics.
The circular further noted that students must be made aware of the correct interpretation of Islamic texts to counter Hizb ut-Tahrir's messaging.
The directive follows decisions made at the 10th meeting of the Law and Order, of Advisory Council.
Source: thedailystar.net
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https://www.thedailystar.net/news/bangladesh/education/news/govt-calls-madrasas-combat-drugs-hizb-ut-tahrir-narratives-3935151
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Islamic Emirate Rejects ICC Arrest Warrants
2025-07-09
KABUL (BNA): The Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan has firmly dismissed recent announcements from the International Criminal Court (ICC) regarding the arrest and prosecution of its senior officials.
Mawlavi Zabihullah Mujahid, the spokesman for the Islamic Emirate, declared that such actions are inconsequential to their resolve and stance.
Mujahid reiterated the Islamic Emirate’s non-recognition of the ICC, stating, “We do not recognize any organization called the International Criminal Court, nor do we have any commitment to it.” He criticized the ICC for its perceived inaction regarding ongoing violence, particularly the situation in Gaza, where he claimed that the genocide of women and children is occurring daily.
He emphasized that the leadership of the Islamic Emirate has established a unique form of justice in Afghanistan, grounded in Islamic Sharia law. Mujahid condemned the ICC’s actions as a sign of hostility towards Islam and Sharia, asserting that accusations against the principles of Islamic law are disrespectful to the beliefs of Muslims worldwide.
Source: bakhtarnews.af
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https://www.bakhtarnews.af/en/islamic-emirate-rejects-icc-arrest-warrants/
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Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan Responds to UN General Assembly Resolution
2025-07-08
KABUL(BNA): The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan has issued a formal statement in response to the recent UN General Assembly resolution addressing Afghanistan’s security, economic development, counter-narcotics efforts, and humanitarian situation.
In its statement, the Ministry expressed concern that the Islamic Emirate’s perspectives were not considered during the drafting and approval of the resolution, leading to a disregard for ground realities in Afghanistan.
Despite this, the Ministry acknowledged and positively evaluated certain aspects of the resolution, particularly those that commend Afghanistan’s achievements, advocate for the removal of economic barriers, and encourage international engagement without competitive tensions.
The Ministry further indicated that it would assess the recommendations and demands outlined in the resolution, aligning them with Islamic values and national interests. They also expressed a willingness to explore potential avenues for cooperation with the international community.
Source: bakhtarnews.af
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https://www.bakhtarnews.af/en/islamic-emirate-of-afghanistan-responds-to-un-general-assembly-resolution/
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Public Health Minister Urges Restart of Stalled Hospital Projects
2025-07-08
KABUL(BNA): The Minister of Public Health, Mawlawi Noor Jalal Jalali, has called for the immediate resumption of stalled construction projects under the ministry’s portfolio, citing urgent public need for healthcare services.
During a meeting with Abdul Rahman Attash, head of the National Development Company, the two discussed strategies to restart incomplete health infrastructure projects, improve quality and speed of construction, and specifically addressed ongoing work at the Eastern Medical Complex and Kunar Provincial Hospital, according to the Ministry of Public Health.
“The public urgently needs access to healthcare services,” Jalali said. “That’s why we must work together to restart and complete these projects so our people can benefit from proper medical care.”
In response, Attash pledged that the National Development Company would prioritize these projects and ensure their swift completion to make healthcare facilities operational as soon as possible.
Source: bakhtarnews.af
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https://www.bakhtarnews.af/en/public-health-minister-urges-restart-of-stalled-hospital-projects/
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Protesters demand removal of CCC CEO over allegations of irregularities
Jul 8, 2025
A group of protesters demonstrated in front of the Chattogram City Corporation (CCC) this afternoon, demanding the removal of CCC Chief Executive Officer Sheikh Mohammed Tauhidul Islam, accusing him of corruption.
Witnesses said the demonstrators, under the banner of "Sachetan Chattogram Bashi", formed a human chain and staged a sit-in for an hour starting around 2:30pm. They alleged Tauhidul was a "disastrous corruptor and an Awami fascist".
Tauhidul joined the CCC in 2023, when Rezaul Karim Chowdhury -- elected from the Awami League -- was serving as mayor.
Speaking at the event, the protesters alleged that CEO Tauhidul is an accomplice of the fallen fascist Awami League regime and a key mastermind behind commission trading.
They claimed he has amassed wealth worth hundreds of crores of taka through corruption.
At one stage of the protest, CCC Chief Conservancy Officer Commander Ikhtiar Uddin Ahmed Chowdhury arrived at the scene and spoke with the protesters.
Addressing the protesters, he said, "If you have any demands, you should submit them in writing. We will discuss them with the mayor. But please maintain calm and do not create any chaos."
Later, Commander Ikhtiar told this correspondent that the protesters had handed over a memorandum. "As the mayor is currently abroad, I have received the memorandum and will hand it over when he returns," he added.
Contacted, CCC CEO Tauhidul denied the allegations, saying, "I am not involved in any sort of corruption or irregularities. I believe a vested quarter is trying to incite public anger against me, as I stand in the way of their interests."
Source: thedailystar.net
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https://www.thedailystar.net/news/bangladesh/news/protesters-demand-removal-ccc-ceo-over-allegations-irregularities-3935191
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Tajikistan orders Afghan Refugees to leave within 15 days
By Fidel Rahmati
July 9, 2025
Tajikistan has given Afghan refugees just 15 days to leave the country, sparking fear among thousands who face forced deportation despite holding legal residency documents.
Tajikistan has reportedly launched a campaign to arrest and forcibly deport Afghan refugees, including many who possess valid residency permits. According to multiple sources, the Tajik government has issued a 15-day ultimatum for Afghan migrants to leave the country, triggering widespread fear and uncertainty among the refugee population.
Afghan refugees have reported that these deportations are taking place without regard for their legal status. Many individuals who hold official residency documents and permits are still being detained and sent back to Afghanistan by force, often without prior notice or legal recourse.
Currently, over 13,000 Afghan nationals reside in Tajikistan. A significant portion of them are awaiting decisions on immigration cases, particularly resettlement opportunities through countries like Canada. Forced deportation at this stage could derail their applications and place them in immediate danger.
A large number of these refugees are former civil servants, military personnel, or individuals associated with the previous Afghan government. After the fall of the Afghan republic in August 2021, many fled to neighboring countries like Tajikistan to escape potential retribution by the Taliban. With these forced returns, their safety is now once again under threat.
Reports indicate that Tajikistani authorities have intensified their efforts over the past week, arresting dozens of Afghan men daily. These detentions have been concentrated in areas such as Vahdat township and the Rudaki district in the capital, Dushanbe. Many individuals were taken from their workplaces without informing their families.
This crackdown in Tajikistan mirrors increasing pressures in other neighboring countries. Both Iran and Pakistan have ramped up deportations of Afghan refugees in recent months, expelling thousands each day under increasingly aggressive and punitive measures.
Human rights organizations and refugee advocates have voiced grave concerns about the fate of those forced to return. Numerous reports have documented cases of violence, intimidation, and even extrajudicial killings of returnees in Taliban-controlled Afghanistan. Former government workers and activists remain especially vulnerable.
Despite these well-documented threats, Tajikistan has joined Iran and Pakistan in pushing forward with mass deportations. Regional governments appear determined to reduce their refugee populations, even at the cost of endangering lives and violating international protection norms.
With few countries offering relocation or asylum options, Afghan refugees in Central and South Asia find themselves in an increasingly desperate situation. Many are now forced to choose between uncertain futures in host countries and the deadly risks of returning to Taliban-ruled Afghanistan.
Source: khaama.com
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https://www.khaama.com/tajikistan-orders-afghan-refugees-to-leave-within-15-days/
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Mideast
Any New Folly By Enemies To Be Met With Surprising Response: Iranian Brigadier General
Jul 9, 2025
Brigadier General Ali Fadavi, in an interview with Yemen’s al-Masirah TV network, emphasized that the movements of enemies are being closely monitored, and that any new reckless or adventurous act will be met with a surprising response from the Islamic Republic of Iran.
He noted that since the very early days following the victory of the Islamic Revolution in the Israeli-imposed war, enemies have been lying in wait, but have consistently failed to achieve their objectives.
General Fadavi further stressed that the front of truth and Islam will remain victorious by the grace of God and that enemies are incapable of hindering this path to victory.
While the Zionist regime waged a war of aggression against Iran on June 13 and struck Iran’s military, nuclear and residential areas for 12 days, the US stepped in and conducted military attacks on three nuclear sites in Iran’s Natanz, Fordow and Isfahan on June 22.
The Iranian military forces conducted powerful counterattacks immediately after the aggression. The Islamic Revolution Guards Corps Aerospace Force carried out 22 waves of retaliatory missile strikes against the Zionist regime as part of Operation True Promise III that inflicted heavy losses on cities across the occupied territories.
Also, in response to the US attacks, Iranian armed forces launched a wave of missiles at al-Udeid air base in Qatar, the largest American military base in West Asia.
A ceasefire that came into force on June 24 has brought the fighting to a halt.
Source: mehrnews.com
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https://en.mehrnews.com/news/234128/Any-new-folly-by-enemies-will-be-met-with-a-surprise-response
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Iran Proved It Can Take On Both US, Israel At The Same Time: Major General
Jul 9, 2025
Major General Mohsen Rezaei, who took on the IRGC’s commandership following the victory of the country’s Islamic Revolution in 1979, made the remarks during a televised interview on Tuesday.
The successful reprisal, he said, harked back to the famous words, “I am the one who can challenge you” that was once uttered by Lieutenant General Qassem Soleimani, the former commander of the Corps’ Quds Force.
“This was truly proven” throughout the Iranian counterstrikes, said Rezaei, who is also on the Expediency Discernment Council that advises Leader of the Islamic Revolution Ayatollah Seyyed Ali Khamenei.
On June 13, the Israeli regime launched a series of airstrikes against Iran, backed by unprecedented American military and intelligence support.
Iran’s Armed Forces responded swiftly, first with comprehensive defensive maneuvers, and then by unleashing a rapid and relentless counteroffensive.
Codenamed Operation True Promise III, the reprisal struck with devastating precision deep inside the occupied Palestinian territories, targeting vital nuclear, military, and industrial sites.
Hundreds of ballistic missiles, many supersonic and equipped with multiple warheads, rained down alongside swarms of armed drones, pounding key centers, including the city of Tel Aviv, the regime’s economic core, occupied Haifa, its most critical deep-water port, and Be’er Sheva, the nerve center of the Zionist entity’s technological advancement.
Under intense pressure from the unyielding retaliation, the regime scrambled to seek a ceasefire just 12 days later, despite having had deployed the entire array of its own missile systems and also enlisted some of America’s most advanced missile platforms.
Among other things, the aftermath of the strikes left Bat Yam city, along the occupied Palestinian territories’ Mediterranean coastline, ravaged, resembling the Gaza Strip’s war-torn landscape, according to Israeli media outlets.
In addition, the Iranian forces targeted al-Udeid -- the US’s most crucial regional airbase that is located in Qatar -- with ballistic missiles in retaliation for American attacks on Iranian nuclear facilities near the end of the Israeli-imposed war.
‘No country dares strike US interests like Iran did’
Rezaei underlined that “no country dares carry out such strike,” referring to the counteroffensive targeting al-Udeid.
“Not even such a country as China makes so bold as to carry out such a strike.”
The official, meanwhile, dismissed American officials’ claims that only one of the Iranian projectiles had hit the facility, citing Qatari sources as reporting between five to six blasts at the site.
‘Iran on the ascent to the pinnacle’
The overall performance, he said, amounted to “a show of strength,” besides leading to “a rise in Iran’s stature in the region."
"In a sense, we have begun the ascent towards the pinnacle. But the important thing is not to stop, even though Israel and the US are trying hard to hold us back."
The retaliation further proved to many regional states that the Islamic Republic was “dependable.”
On US, Israel’s frustrations
Rezaei, additionally, enumerated the multiple instances of failure that had been experienced by the US and the Israeli regime during their combined aggression.
He noted how the duo had spent an entire year planning out their design for the aggression, and had even practiced carrying it out in such places as Greece and the Mediterranean Sea.
They, however, abjectly failed in their most important objective that had featured harming the Islamic Republic’s Leader or the members of its Supreme National Security Council, the former commander said.
Washington and Tel Aviv also stopped short of their subsequent goals, namely creating chaos in the country, having counterrevolutionary elements enter the capital Tehran, and bringing about the country’s disintegration.
In addition, the two parties had planned, to no avail though, to conduct extensive bombings against Iran’s entire military infrastructures, similar to what happened in Syria following Takfiri terrorists’ Israeli-backed escalation last year.
Rezaei identified the last objective that the regime and Washington had failed to realize as bringing the Iran’s airspace under their control.
The official further noted how the war’s $20-billion price tag for the regime and the depletion of American interceptor missile arsenals that the United States had spent no less than two years to manufacture at astronomical costs, as other instances of the duo’s failures.
The adversaries, however, are unwilling to confess to their frustrations, he said, while noting, "All of Israel’s defeats equate to our victories, including the costs the regime has borne, the collapse of its security, and its failure to achieve its objectives."
Source: mehrnews.com
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https://en.mehrnews.com/news/234129/Iran-proved-it-can-take-on-both-US-Israel-at-the-same-time
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Why Israeli settler violence against Palestinians is surging in the West Bank
JONATHAN GORNALL
July 08, 2025
LONDON: It began with an incident of the type that has become all too familiar in the West Bank, and yet has lately been overlooked by global media coverage distracted by the wars in Gaza and Iran.
On June 25, a force of about 100 of Israeli settlers, many of them masked, descended on the Palestinian West Bank town of Kafr Malik, 17 kilometers northeast of Ramallah.
It wasn’t the first time the town had been attacked, but this time was different.
Emboldened by right-wing ministers in Israel’s coalition government, settlers across the West Bank have become increasingly aggressive toward their Arab neighbors.
Kafr Malik, which sits close to an illegal settlement established in 2019, has been attacked again and again. But this time, the consequences went beyond harassment, beatings, and the destruction of property.
Accounts of what happened vary, but the basic facts are clear. In what The Times of Israel described as “a settler rampage,” the attackers threw stones at residents and set fire to homes and cars.
Men from the town formed a cordon to protect their families. In the words of a statement issued by the Israeli army, which until this point had not intervened, “at the scene, friction erupted between Israeli civilians and Palestinians, including mutual stone-throwing.”
The Israel Defense Forces then opened fire on the Palestinians, killing three men and wounding seven more, adding to a toll of more than 900 Palestinians killed in the West Bank and East Jerusalem since Oct. 7, 2023.
Five of the settlers were detained and handed over to the police. No charges have been forthcoming.
Daylight attacks like these have become increasingly commonplace in the West Bank, and routinely go unnoticed by the international community.
Attention was drawn to this one in part thanks to Saudi Arabia’s Foreign Ministry, which issued a statement denouncing “the continued violence perpetrated by Israeli settlers, under the protection of the occupation forces, against Palestinian civilians, including the attacks in the village of Kafr Malik.”
A statement released by Israeli human rights organization Yesh Din, which monitors settler violence in the West Bank, also condemned the latest violence.
“Under the auspices of (the) government and (with) military backing, settler violence in the West Bank continues and becomes more deadly by the day,” it said.
“This is what ethnic cleansing looks like.”
In the wake of the attack on Kafr Malik, Hussein Al-Sheikh, deputy to Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas, also laid the blame for settler violence on the Israeli government.
“The government of Israel, with its behavior and decisions, is pushing the region to explode,” he posted on X. “We call on the international community to intervene urgently to protect our Palestinian people.”
The “sad truth,” said Ameneh Mehvar, senior Middle East analyst at the independent conflict data organization ACLED, “is that this feels like deja vu, the same story repeating again and again.
“Although it’s not a new story, what is new is that settler violence is now increasing, with settlers becoming increasingly emboldened by the support that they’re receiving from the government.
“There is a culture of impunity. They don’t fear arrest, they don’t fear prosecution, and they don’t fear convictions. In the few cases when settlers are charged with an offense, less than three percent end in conviction.”
In November, Israel’s new defense minister, Israel Katz, announced that settlers would no longer be subject to military “administrative detention orders,” under which suspects can be held indefinitely without trial.
The orders remain in force for Palestinians, of whom, according to the Palestinian Prisoners’ Society, more than 1,000 remain detained, without charge or trial.
On July 3, figures released by the UN children’s fund, UNICEF, revealed that between Oct. 7, 2023, and June 30 this year, at least 915 Palestinians, including 213 children, have been killed in the West Bank and East Jerusalem.
More than 9,500, including 1,631 children, have been injured.
Reflecting the recent Israeli military activity in the area, 77 percent of child killings in 2025 have been in the northern governorates of the West Bank, with the highest number of fatalities — 35 percent of the total — in Jenin.
According to figures compiled by ACLED, among the dead are 26 Palestinians killed in West Bank incidents involving settlers or soldiers escorting or protecting settlers.
Settlers have killed around a dozen people, while five more have died at the hands of “settlement emergency squads” — civilians armed by the Israeli government in the wake of the Oct. 7, 2023, Hamas-led attack on southern Israel.
Seven were killed by the IDF, which intervened after arriving at scenes of violence initiated by settlers — exactly what happened at Kafr Malik.
that this year is on track to become one of the most violent years for settler violence since ACLED began its coverage in Palestine in 2016,” said Mehvar.
In addition, ACLED recorded more than 820 violent incidents involving settlers in the first six months of 2025 alone — a more than 20 percent increase compared to the same period last year.
“This means
Demonstrating just how emboldened settlers have become, many have clashed with units of the IDF in a series of incidents that began with the attack on Kafr Malik.
The settlers, who had been trying to establish an illegal outpost on Palestinian land near the village, turned on the soldiers, accusing the commander of being “a traitor.”
According to the IDF, they beat, choked, and hurled rocks at the troops, and slashed the tyres of a police vehicle.
Later that same evening, an army patrol vehicle in the vicinity was ambushed and stoned. The soldiers, who at first didn’t realize that their attackers were fellow Israelis, fired warning shots, one of which wounded a teenager, prompting further settler violence.
According to IDF reports, gangs of settlers tried to break into a military base in the central West Bank, throwing rocks and spraying pepper spray at troops, while in the Ramallah area an IDF security installation was torched.
These events have come as a shock to Israeli public opinion. In an editorial published on July 1, The Jerusalem Post condemned “the growing cancer of lawbreakers in (the) West Bank,” which “must be cut out, before it’s too late.”
It added that the “aggression by certain Jewish residents of Samaria (the Jewish name for the central region of the West Bank) against Palestinians” had been “overlooked during the past 20 months amid the hyperfocus on the Israel-Hamas war and the plight of hostages and then the lightning war with Iran,” but “it can’t be ignored — or swept under the rug — any longer.
“These fringe elements within the Jewish population … are not just terrorizing Palestinians — itself an affront — but they have no qualms about directing their violence against their fellow Israelis serving in the IDF.”
But singling out the extremist settlers for condemnation overlooks the reality that they have been encouraged and emboldened by the actions of ministers within the Israeli government, said Mehvar.
On May 29, defense minister Katz and finance minister Bezalel Smotrich authorized the construction of 22 new settlements and “outposts” in the West Bank.
They made no secret of the motive. The new settlements “are all placed within a long-term strategic vision,” they said in a statement.
The goal was “to strengthen the Israeli hold on the territory, to avoid the establishment of a Palestinian state, and to create the basis for future development of settlement in the coming decades.”
It was telling that the new settlements will include Homesh and Sa-Nur, two former settlements that were evacuated in 2005 along with all Israeli settlements in Gaza. Last year, the Knesset repealed a law that prevented settlers returning to the areas.
“The reality is that there have been so many incidents of violence, either by the army or by settlers, for a long time,” said Yair Dvir, spokesperson for Israeli human rights organization B’Tselem, the Israeli Information Center for Human Rights in the Occupied Territories.
“There is a state of permanent violence in the West Bank, which is happening all the time, and it’s part of the strategy of the apartheid regime of Israel, which seeks to take more and more land in the West Bank,” he told Arab News.
He accused the government of pursuing a policy of ethnic cleansing against the whole of Palestine. “And of course, it has used the war in Gaza to do the same also in the West Bank,” he added.
Keeping up with the unchecked proliferation of illegal outposts and settlements in the West Bank is extremely difficult because of the sheer pace and number of developments.
In November 2021, B’Tselem published a report revealing there were 280 settlements, of which 138 had been officially established by the state. In addition there were 150 outposts, often referred to as “farms,” not officially recognized by the state but allowed to operate freely.
Settlers had taken over vast areas in the West Bank, to which Palestinians had little or no access, B’Tselem reported in “State Business: Israel’s misappropriation of land in the West Bank through settler violence.”
Some land had been “officially” seized by the state through military orders declaring an area “state land,” a “firing zone,” or a “nature reserve.” Other areas had been taken over by settlers “through daily acts of violence, including attacks on Palestinians and their property.”
The two methods of land seizure are often directly linked. “Settler violence against Palestinians serves as a major informal tool at the hands of the state to take over more and more West Bank land,” said the report.
“The state fully supports and assists these acts of violence, and its agents sometimes participate in them directly. As such, settler violence is a form of government policy, aided and abetted by official state authorities with their active participation.”
The report concluded that, in 2021, settlements in the West Bank were home to more than 44,000 settlers. But today, said Dvir, the figure is closer to 700,000.
“There has been a huge increase in the establishment of new outposts all over the West Bank in the past couple of years, even though all the settlements and outposts are illegal under international law,” he said.
“According to Israeli law, only the outposts are illegal, but they still get funding and infrastructure and, of course, are defended by the Israeli authorities.”
Mehvar fears the growth in officially sanctioned settlements is bound to see settler violence increase.
“There have always been attacks, but they were usually carried out at night, by a few individual criminals,” she said.
“But more and more we are seeing attacks in broad daylight, often in the presence of Israeli security forces, coordinated by settlers said to be communicating and organizing on WhatsApp groups.
“If more settlements are built, deep inside Palestine, not only will it make any hope of a Palestinian state almost impossible, but with so many settlers living in close proximity to Palestinian communities it will also make violence a lot more likely.”
Source: arabnews.com
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https://www.arabnews.com/node/2607419/middle-east
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Over 10,000 Palestinians detained in Israeli jails, excluding Gazans in military confinement
July 08, 2025
LONDON: More than 10,000 Palestinians are currently held in Israeli prisons, the highest prisoner count since the Second Intifada in 2000, Palestinian prisoners’ advocacy groups reported on Tuesday.
As of early July, some 10,800 prisoners are said to be held in Israeli detention centers and prisons, including 50 women — two of whom are from the Gaza Strip — and over 450 children. The figuresdo not include individuals detained in Israeli military camps such as Sde Teiman, where many people from Gaza are believed to be held and subjected to torture.
A total of 3,629 Palestinians are currently detained under administrative detention, a practice that allows Israeli authorities to hold individuals in prison without trial for six months, which is subject to indefinite renewals.
A further 2,454 detainees are designated as “unlawful combatants,” including Palestinians and Arabs from Lebanon and Syria.
Since the 1967 occupation of the Gaza Strip, the West Bank and East Jerusalem, over 800,000 Palestinians have spent time in Israeli jails, according to a UN report in 2023.
Source: arabnews.com
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Tunisia hands lengthy prison terms to top politicians and former security officials
July 09, 2025
TUNIS: A Tunisian court on Tuesday handed jail terms of 12 to 35 years on high-profile politicians, including opposition leader Rached Ghannouchi and former security officials, a move that critics say underscores the president’s use of the judiciary to cement authoritarian rule.
Among those sentenced on charges of conspiring against the state in the major mass trial, were Nadia Akacha, the former chief of staff to President Kais Saied, local radio Mosaique FM said. Akacha who fled abroad received 35 years.
Ghannouchi, 84, veteran head of the Islamist-leaning Ennahda party, was handed a 14-year term.
Ghannouchi who was the speaker of the elected parliament dissolved by Saied, has been in prison since 2023, receiving three sentences of a total of 27 years in separate cases in recent months.
A total of 21 were charged in the case, with 10 already in custody and 11 having fled the country.
The court sentenced former intelligence chief Kamel Guizani to 35 years, former Foreign Minister Rafik Abdessalem to 35 years, and Mouadh Ghannouchi, son of Rached Ghannouchi, to 35 years. All three have fled the country.
Saied dissolved the parliament in 2021 and began ruling by decree, then dissolved the independent Supreme Judicial Council and sacked dozens of judges, a move that opposition called a coup which undermined the nascent democracy that sparked in 2011 the Arab Spring uprisings.
Saied rejects the accusations and says his steps are legal and aim to end years of chaos and corruption hidden within the political elite.
Most opposition leaders, some journalists, and critics of Saied have been imprisoned since he seized control of most powers in 2021.
This year, a court handed jail terms of 5 to 66 years to opposition leaders, businessmen and lawyers on charges of conspiring as well, a case the opposition says is fabricated in an attempt to stamp out opposition to the president.
Human rights groups and activists say Saied has turned Tunisia into an open-air prison and is using the judiciary and police to target his political opponents.
Saied rejects these accusations, saying he will not be a dictator.
Source: arabnews.com
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Palestinian teen dies from head injury after Israeli forces opened fire
July 08, 2025
LONDON: A Palestinian teen died of his wounds six months after being shot when Israeli forces opened fire in the occupied West Bank city of Hebron, the Palestinian Ministry of Health announced on Tuesday.
Ahmed Al-Awiwi, a 19-year-old from the city, was shot in the head by Israeli forces during confrontations in Bab Al-Zawiya, which erupted after settlers stormed the area.
Al-Awiwi was admitted to Al-Ahli Hospital a week ago to undergo brain surgery. Subsequently, his health worsened, leading to his death on Tuesday evening, the ministry added.
This week, Israeli forces killed two Palestinians in the West Bank. Wissam Ghassan Hasan Ishtiya, 37, was shot on Sunday by Israeli forces in Salem, a village east of Nablus, after they stormed the area and surrounded two houses, firing live ammunition. Qusay Nasser Mahmoud Nassar, 23, also from Salem, was killed by Israeli fire.
Since late 2023, over 1,000 Palestinians have been killed in the West Bank, and 7,000 injured. Israeli forces conduct daily raids on villages and towns in the Palestinian territories, where they have maintained a military occupation since June 1967.
Source: arabnews.com
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3 dead in north Lebanon strike that Israel says hit Hamas militant
July 08, 2025
JERUSALEM: Lebanon said three people were killed Tuesday in a strike near Tripoli that the Israeli military said targeted a Hamas militant, the first on the north since a November ceasefire with Hezbollah.
The strike came amid ceasefire negotiations between Israel and Hamas in Qatar and as five Israeli soldiers were killed in combat in the Gaza Strip, one of the deadliest days for Israeli forces in the Palestinian territory this year.
Israel has kept up its strikes on Lebanon despite the November truce, mainly hitting what it says are Hezbollah targets but also occasionally targeting Hamas.
“A short while ago, the (Israeli military) struck a key Hamas terrorist in the area of Tripoli in Lebanon,” the Israeli army said in a statement, without providing further details.
In an updated toll, Lebanon’s health ministry said the strike on a vehicle “killed three people and wounded 13” in an area that is close to a Palestinian refugee camp.
An AFP photographer saw a burnt out car surrounded by the emergency services and onlookers.
Hamas claimed attacks on Israel from Lebanon during more than a year of cross-border hostilities launched by Hezbollah in October 2023 in support of its Palestinian ally.
Israel has struck Hamas operatives in Lebanon, including since the ceasefire.
In May, Hamas said one of its commanders was killed in a strike on the southern city of Sidon as Israel said it targeted “the head of operations in Hamas’s Western Brigade in Lebanon.”
Israeli strikes on south Lebanon remain common, but raids on the north have been rare.
In October, Hamas said one of its operatives was killed along with his wife and two daughters in a strike on their home in Beddawi, a Palestinian refugee camp near Tripoli. Israel’s military said it targeted “a senior member of Hamas’s military wing in Lebanon.”
In May, Palestinian president Mahmud Abbas visited Beirut for talks on disarming militants in refugee camps across Lebanon as the Beirut government seeks to impose its authority across all its territory.
The Israeli military said earlier that it had killed two militants of the Lebanese armed movement Hezbollah in two separate attacks on southern Lebanon Monday.
It identified one of them as Ali Haidar, a local Hezbollah commander whom it said was involved in restoring militant infrastructure sites in the area.
Hezbollah’s clout has diminished after it emerged bruised from a conflict with Israel last year, fueled by Israel’s war against Hamas in Gaza.
Israel, however, has kept up strikes against Hezbollah despite the ceasefire.
Israel said last week that it was “interested” in striking peace agreements with Lebanon and neighboring Syria.
The ceasefire aimed to end hostilities between Israel and Hezbollah after the Lebanese group launched a wave of cross-border attacks on northern Israel in solidarity with its Palestinian ally Hamas following its October 7, 2023 attack on Israel.
Source: arabnews.com
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Qatar says ‘we will need time’ for Gaza ceasefire
July 08, 2025
DOHA: Qatar said Tuesday more time was needed for negotiations for a Gaza ceasefire between Israel and Hamas, after US President Donald Trump voiced optimism about a possible breakthrough.
“I don’t think that I can give any timeline at the moment, but I can say right now that we will need time for this,” Qatar’s foreign ministry spokesman Majed Al-Ansari said as indirect negotiations continued into a third day in Doha.
Israel’s Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu was in Washington, meanwhile, on his third visit to the White House since Trump returned to power.
Trump, who is pushing for a ceasefire, expressed confidence a deal could be reached, saying: “I don’t think there is a hold-up. I think things are going along very well.”
Qatar, a mediator along with the United States and Egypt, said the meetings in Doha were focused on a framework for the talks, while a Palestinian official close to the negotiations said no breakthrough had been achieved so far.
Trump’s special envoy Steve Witkoff was set to join the talks in Doha this week.
On the ground, five Israeli soldiers were killed in combat in northern Gaza — one of the deadliest days this year for Israeli forces in the Palestinian territory.
Gaza’s civil defense meanwhile reported 29 killed in Israeli strikes on Tuesday.
Israel and Hamas began the latest round of negotiations on Sunday, with representatives seated in separate rooms within the same building.
At the White House, sitting across from Netanyahu, Trump said Hamas was willing to end the Gaza conflict, now in its 22nd month.
“They want to meet and they want to have that ceasefire,” Trump said when asked if ongoing clashes would derail talks.
An Israeli official accompanying Netanyahu to Washington said the proposal under discussion was “80-90 percent of what Israel wanted.”
“I believe that with military and political pressure, all the hostages can be returned,” the official told Israeli media.
According to Ariel Kahana of Israel Hayom daily, “President Trump and his advisers are currently exerting considerable effort to reach an agreement that would lead to the release of the hostages and could even end the war in Gaza.”
However, far-right National Security Minister Itamar Ben Gvir opposed negotiations with Hamas, saying that “there is no need to negotiate with those who murder our fighters; they must be torn to shreds.”
Netanyahu described the loss of five soldiers in Gaza as a “difficult morning” and mourned “our heroic soldiers who risked their lives in the battle to defeat Hamas and free all our hostages.”
Israeli military correspondents reported the deaths occurred due to improvised explosive devices near Beit Hanun in northern Gaza.
According to the Israeli military, 450 soldiers have been killed in the Gaza military campaign since the start of the ground offensive on October 27, 2023.
Gaza’s civil defense agency reported 29 people killed in Israeli strikes across the territory, including three children.
Mahmud Bassal, a spokesman for the agency, said nine of those were killed in a drone strike on a camp for displaced people in southern Gaza.
“I was in front of my tent preparing breakfast for my four children – beans and a bit of dry bread. Suddenly, there was an explosion,” said Shaimaa Al-Shaer, 30, who lives in the camp.
Media restrictions in Gaza and difficulties in accessing many areas mean AFP is unable to independently verify the tolls and details provided by the civil defense agency.
There was no immediate comment from the Israeli military when contacted by AFP.
The war has created dire humanitarian conditions for Gaza’s more than two million people.
While Israel has the full backing of the Trump administration, the US leader has increasingly pushed for an end to what he called the “hell” in Gaza and said on Sunday he believed there was a “good chance” of an agreement this coming week.
“The utmost priority for the president right now in the Middle East is to end the war in Gaza and to return all of the hostages,” White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt said.
The US proposal included a 60-day truce, during which Hamas would release 10 living hostages and several bodies in exchange for Palestinians detained by Israel, two Palestinian sources close to the discussions had earlier said.
Hamas was also demanding certain conditions for Israel’s withdrawal, guarantees against a resumption of fighting during negotiations, and the return of the UN-led aid distribution system, they said.
Of the 251 hostages taken by Palestinian militants during the October 2023 Hamas attack that triggered the war, 49 are still held in Gaza, including 27 the Israeli military says are dead.
Hamas’s October 2023 attack resulted in the deaths of 1,219 people, mostly civilians, according to an AFP tally based on Israeli official figures.
Israel’s retaliatory campaign has killed at least 57,575 people in Gaza, also mostly civilians, according to the Hamas-run territory’s health ministry. The UN considers the figures reliable.
Source: arabnews.com
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Europe
Moscow Police Detain Over 500 Migrants in Hostel and Mosque Raids
8 JUL 2025
Law enforcement authorities in Moscow detained over 500 migrants during raids on hostels and mosques in the city’s southeast, authorities said Tuesday.
The Moscow branch of Russia’s Investigative Committee, which probes major crimes, said the raids were aimed at “uncovering and combating channels of illegal migration.”
A video released by the law enforcement agency showed dozens of men lined up inside a building, after which they were led into a police van.
Authorities said more than 30 foreign citizens were deported or charged with administrative offenses. One person was on Russia’s federal wanted list, they added.
The military division of Russia’s Investigative Committee issued a separate statement saying the raids targeted naturalized citizens who failed to register for military service after receiving a Russian passport.
“More than 2,500 people were checked during the raids,” senior military investigator Oleg Vlasov told state media as he stood in front of dozens of detainees.
Vlasov said 40 naturalized Russian citizens were summoned to military enlistment offices, while 170 others were sent to police stations over immigration violations.
The Moscow raids followed similar mass detentions in the Kaliningrad and Smolensk regions in recent days, according to state media.
Source: themoscowtimes.com
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Bee attack injures several dozens in France
9 JUL 2025
Laura Gozzi
Several dozen people were injured - with three rushed to hospital in a critical condition - in an unusual bee attack in a French town, local authorities said.
Twenty-four passersby were hurt when hundreds of bees suddenly attacked people in the central-southern town of Aurillac on Sunday morning. The three in a critical condition are now stable.
According to local media, one of them was a 78-year-old woman who was stung 25 times and had to be resuscitated after a cardiorespiratory arrest.
Police and firefighters fenced off the area and a beekeeper was called in to smoke out the bees - a safe way to calm the insects.
A local woman called Andrée said she witnessed "very panicked people" trying to bat off the bees. "I could tell they were being attacked by something but I couldn't figure out what," she told French media.
The mayor of Aurillac, Pierre Mathonier, was reported as saying that Asian hornets threatening a beehive may have been the catalyst for the attack.
But Christian Carrier, the president of the regional beekeepers' union, was sceptical.
He told France Info that bees generally avoid leaving their colonies altogether in the presence of Asian hornets.
Instead, he said that the unusual incident may have been due to the bee colony becoming too large for its beehive and becoming "overactive" when the beekeeper handled it.
"It may be that [the bees] didn't have enough space and that their colony had no intention of swarming. This can trigger strong aggression," Mr Carrier said.
The mayor's chief of staff, Vincent Fournier, acknowledged the presence of Asian hornets could be one of the reasons for the bees' odd behaviour.
However, he also said the bees could have been stressed because of a problem with the queen bee, or could have been reacting to external factors such as "heatwaves, early blossoming in May-June and subsequent lack of food in July, or a sharp drop in temperatures".
"The causes of this incident will be analysed," he told the BBC, adding the beehives have now been moved to a location outside the town of Aurillac.
Source: bbc.com
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Russia declares Yale University ‘undesirable’
9 Jul, 2025
Russia has banned Yale University from operating within its borders, accusing the Connecticut-based institution of meddling in domestic affairs and attempting to destabilize its economy.
The Prosecutor General’s Office added Yale to the list of “undesirable” organizations on Tuesday. “The university’s activities are aimed at violating the territorial integrity of the Russian Federation, enforcing an international blockade, undermining its economy, and destabilizing the country’s socio-economic and political situation,” the office said in a statement.
Prosecutors claim that the Maurice R. Greenberg World Fellows Program at the Yale Jackson School of Global Affairs has been used to “train opposition leaders from foreign countries.” Russian opposition figure Aleksey Navalny and his close associate Leonid Volkov participated in the program in 2010 and 2018, respectively.
Navalny died in prison in February 2024 while serving a lengthy sentence on extremism charges. In 2021, a Russian court banned Navalny’s Anti-Corruption Foundation (FBK). Last month, Volkov, who lives outside Russia, was sentenced in absentia to 18 years in prison for his role in the organization.
Prosecutors alleged that FBK used “the knowledge and techniques” acquired at Yale to “escalate protest activities in Russia.” Prosecutors also claimed that Yale has worked to create a “legal framework” for using frozen Russian assets to fund the Ukrainian army. Moscow regards the freezing and seizure of its assets related to the Ukraine conflict as illegal and tantamount to theft.
Since 2022, Jeffrey Sonnenfeld, a professor at the Yale School of Management, and his team campaigned to pressure foreign companies to cut ties with Moscow and advocated for tougher sanctions. In a 2024 Fortune article, Sonnenfeld and Steven Tian, research director of the Yale Chief Executive Leadership Institute, credited themselves with helping the US Treasury design sanctions targeting Russia’s oil trade.
Source: rt.com
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After Francois Fevre, Another Macron CriticOlivier MarleixFound Dead in France
8 Jul, 2025
A senior French lawmaker known for his staunch criticism of President Emmanuel Macron has been found dead at his home in what authorities say was a suicide.
Olivier Marleix, a 54-year-old MP with the conservative Les Republicains party and longtime member of the National Assembly, was discovered hanged in an upstairs room at his residence in Anet, Eure-et-Loir, on Monday afternoon, according to the local prosecutor.
“At this stage, the involvement of a third party can be ruled out, making suicide the most likely cause,” public prosecutor Frederic Chevallier told AFP. An autopsy was reportedly scheduled for July 9.
Marleix, a longtime MP and former leader of the Les Republicains group in parliament, played a central role in inquiries into France’s industrial policy. He repeatedly accused Macron of mishandling the 2014 sale of French firm Alstom’s energy arm – a key supplier of turbines for nuclear plants – to US giant General Electric.
He also argued that Macron – then deputy secretary-general at the Elysee Palace – had overridden his superior at the time, Economy Minister Arnaud Montebourg, and later approved the controversial sale without proper oversight. In a letter to the prosecutor at the time, Marleix denounced what he described as a “corruption pact,” claiming that individuals with financial stakes in deals involving Alstom, Alcatel, Technip, and STX, later appeared as donors or organizers for Macron’s 2017 presidential campaign. Although the judiciary dismissed the accusations, Marleix continued to speak out publicly.
The son of former minister Alain Marleix, he was a vocal opponent of any alliance with the right-wing National Rally party (RN), despite narrowly retaining his seat in 2024 in a runoff against an RN candidate.
It follows another recent high-profile death that has stirred public speculation in France. On June 29, a 58-year-old plastic surgeon linked to Macron’s wife, Brigitte, was found dead after falling from a window in Paris. Medical examiners declared that Francois Fevre, who had reportedly promised to reveal details about alleged gender-related surgeries involving the First Lady, committed suicide. His sister disputed the finding, suggesting his death may have been connected to the interview he was due to give. The Macrons have faced persistent speculation over Brigitte’s gender – claims they have repeatedly denied and taken legal action against.
News of Marleix’s death drew swift reactions across the political spectrum. In a statement, Macron called him “an experienced politician” and said he respected their differences, as they stemmed from a “shared love” for the country.
Source: rt.com
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North America
Tweet from Powerful Silicon Valley VC Exec. Fuels Anti-Muslim Hate in NYC Mayoral Election
July 9, 2025
ByAnser Hassan
SAN FRANCISCO (KGO) -- In a recent tweet, Shaun Maguire, a partner at Sequoia Capital, posted about New York mayoral candidate Zohran Mamdani saying "Mamdani comes from a culture that lies about everything. It's literally a virtue to lie if it advances his Islamist agenda."
"Why is he saying that about any culture? That is inherently problematic. That is making a stereotype. That is making sweeping generalizations that is incredibly biased. It's racist," says Nadia Rahman, a political activist based in San Francisco.
Rahman says when someone like Maguire, a partner at one of Silicon Valley's most powerful venture capital firms, puts out a tweet like this which has over 5.5 million views since Tuesday afternoon, it normalizes hate.
"Someone who is in his role, and of his stature, sharing anti-Muslim, racist rhetoric, and not facing any consequences for his statements, normalizes those problematic ideas. And it gives permission for others to do the same," suggests Rahman.
Sequoia Capital has funded tech giants like Apple, YouTube and Nvidia.
In a rare rebuke, more than 900 tech founders sent an open letter to Sequoia Capital asking it to denounce Maguire's comments. The letter claims that Maguire has a documented pattern of anti-Muslim rhetoric over the past two years. The letter also states: "We cannot accept leadership from a firm whose partners engage in hate speech and spread bigotry."
Sequoia Capital did not respond to a request for comment.
"I felt the need to make a video explaining why I posted this. I believe that Zohran Mamdani is a wolf in sheep's clothing. I don't think he is who the world thinks he is. I don't think he is only a socialist. I believe he is also an Islamist," Maguire said in a new post on X, a 30-minute-long rebuttal to the criticism he faced about his tweet.
Maguire, who states that he is Jewish in the video, apologized for offending anyone. He says he was trying to make a distinction between Muslims and Islamists, who he described as followers of Islamism, a "political ideology like Communism."
But Maguire says he won't back down. He continued to attack Mamdani, raising concerns over Mamdani's stance on the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, and attacked Mamdani's father's scholarship, who is a professor at Columbia University, accusing both men of being Muslim radicals.
Maguire concluded the video by saying, "(He) is using the same strategies as the Ayatollahs in Iran, leading to the revolution there. And that we are in for very, very serious chaos in American if we don't take these types of threats seriously."
Maguire has his supporters, too. In a letter to Sequoia Capital, they praised Maguire, saying that they "commend his courageous stance on critical issues facing our industry and society."
But many are also raising concerns about the greater impact this can have on Silicon Valley.
Dilawar Syed spent three decades working in Silicon Valley and served as Deputy Administrator of the Small Business Administration in the Biden administration. He is calling out Maguire. He referred to Maguire's tweet as "Islamophobic," adding that tech leaders need to speak out as to not normalize bigotry.
"What I am concerned about is, if you are an entrepreneur today, and you have a great idea on starting a new business or breakthrough tech, would you feel comfortable, would you want to engage in this ecosystem, when you see this kind of divisive discourse online," says Syed. "You also want to see how the community responds to this when you have rhetoric that denigrates an entire culture, and entire people. So, I am concerned that we will not be able to maintain our competitive edge in the United States."
"This is a transformational moment with what's happing with AI. And all our focus needs to be how do we actually cultivate an environment where people feel comfortable, they feel supported, and we can go on to build big more things and make our country more competitive," says Syed.
Source: abc7news.com
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Trump and Netanyahu hold second meeting for Gaza ceasefire talks
July 9, 2025
US President Donald Trump and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu met on Tuesday evening for the second time in as many days to discuss the ongoing war in Gaza.
The meeting came after Trump's Middle East envoy Steve Witkoff suggested Israel and Hamas had one remaining issue to agree on for a 60-day ceasefire deal.
Netanyahu arrived at the White House shortly after 17:00 EST (21:00 GMT) on Tuesday for the meeting, which was not open to members of the press.
Earlier on Tuesday, Netanyahu met vice-president JD Vance. He also met Trump for several hours during a dinner at the White House on Monday.
It marks Netanyahu's third state visit to the US since Trump's second term.
The meeting of the two leaders lasted around two hours.
Netanyahu also spoke to the Republican House of Representative Speaker Mike Johnson.
Afterwards, the Israeli Prime Minister said he did not believe Israel's military campaign in Gaza was done, but that negotiators are "certainly working" on a ceasefire.
"We still have to finish the job in Gaza, release all our hostages, eliminate and destroy Hamas' military and government capabilities," Netanyahu said.
Witkoff later remarked that Israel and Hamas were closing the gap on issues that previously prevented them from reaching a deal, and that he hoped a temporary, 60-day ceasefire will be agreed on this week.
"We had four issues and now we're down to one", Witkoff said of the sticking points in negotiations.
He added that the draft deal would also include the release of 10 hostages who are alive, and the bodies of nine who are deceased.
Before the Israeli Prime Minister's meeting with Trump on Monday, a Qatari delegation arrived at the White House and spoke to officials for several hours, Axios reported, citing a source with knowledge of the talks.
Trump told reporters on Monday evening that ceasefire talks are "going very well". But Qatar, which has played a mediator role in negotiations, said on Tuesday morning that more time was needed for negotiations.
"I don't think that I can give any timeline at the moment, but I can say right now that we will need time for this," Qatar's foreign ministry spokesman Majed Al-Ansari said.
Before discussions resumed on Tuesday, a Palestinian source familiar with the talks told the BBC they have not made any headway.
The latest round of negotiations between Hamas and Israel began on Sunday.
The ongoing Gaza war began on 7 October 2023 when Hamas attacked Israel, killing 1,200 people and taking 251 hostages, according to Israeli figures. Israel's retaliatory offensive has killed at least 57,500 in Gaza according to the territory's Hamas-run health ministry.
Source: bbc.com
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US State Dept on alert after hoaxer uses AI to impersonate Rubio
9 Jul, 2025
An imposter attempted to contact US and foreign officials by using artificial intelligence to impersonate Secretary of State Marco Rubio, multiple media outlets have reported, citing State Department memos.
The hoaxer reportedly sent AI-generated voice and text messages that mimicked Rubio’s voice and writing style to at least three foreign ministers, a US senator, and a governor. According to the Washington Post, the culprit used the encrypted messaging app Signal and registered an account displaying the fake email address “marco.rubio@state.gov.” The messages reportedly began in mid-June.
A US official told the Associated Press that the messages were “not very sophisticated” and ultimately unsuccessful. “There is no direct cyber threat to the department from this campaign, but information shared with a third party could be exposed if targeted individuals are compromised,” the State Department said in a memo to US embassies, as cited by AP.
State Department spokeswoman Tammy Bruce confirmed the incident on Tuesday, saying the department is “currently monitoring and addressing the matter.” She added, “The department takes seriously its responsibility to safeguard its information and continuously takes steps to improve the department’s cybersecurity posture to prevent future incidents.”
In May, the FBI warned the public about “malicious actors” using AI-generated voice messages to impersonate senior US officials. The alert followed an incident in which someone hacked the phone of White House Chief of Staff Susie Wiles and sent fake calls and messages to her contacts.
Source: rt.com
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Trump promises Zelensky ten missiles – Axios
8 Jul, 2025
US President Donald Trump has promised to send more Patriot missiles to Ukraine, but the number will apparently be very limited, Axios has reported, citing sources briefed on a recent call between Trump and Ukrainian leader Vladimir Zelensky.
Last week, the Pentagon announced the suspension of some weapons shipments to Ukraine, including precision munitions and air defense interceptors, citing concerns over depleting US stockpiles.
On Monday, however, Trump stated that Washington would continue sending “defensive weapons” to Kiev. Pentagon spokesperson Sean Parnell has also confirmed that, at the president’s direction, the Department of Defense would “send additional defensive weapons to Ukraine.”
Trump did not disclose exactly which weapons would be delivered or in what amount, but according to Axios, the US leader told Zelensky during a phone call on Friday that the US would immediately send ten Patriot missile interceptors.
Each Patriot missile is said to cost approximately $4 million, and the US defense industry is currently believed to produce around 500 annually. US air defense protocols typically require at least two missiles to be shot to intercept a single incoming target.
Trump also pledged to help Kiev find other ways to get munitions. Trump has reportedly been pressing Germany to contribute more of its own weapons to Kiev, including one of its Patriot batteries.
Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth, who is said to have personally ordered the recent pause, has reportedly identified available Patriot batteries in Germany and Greece that the US could finance and redirect to Ukraine.
It remains unclear when the promised missiles will be delivered or whether additional shipments will follow. The latest pledge, involving only ten interceptor missiles, comes amid a broader trend under Trump of reducing US military support for Ukraine.
Unlike the administration of former US President Joe Biden, Trump has been seeking to negotiate a ceasefire between Russia and Ukraine. His administration has resumed direct talks with Moscow and been seeking alternative avenues for resolving the conflict.
Meanwhile, Moscow has criticized the conflicting statements coming out of Washington regarding weapons deliveries to Ukraine. Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov pointed out that the US is continuing to deliver weapons, while noting that European countries have been particularly active in supplying arms to Kiev. He stressed that such actions do not promote peace and just “help prolong hostilities.”
Russia had previously welcomed signs of declining Western military support for Ukraine, with Peskov stating that fewer foreign weapons could help speed a resolution to the conflict. At the same time, he cautioned that it was still too early to determine whether the trend will continue.
Moscow has consistently maintained that foreign arms shipments to Ukraine only lead to further bloodshed without affecting the overall outcome of the conflict.
Source: rt.com
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Africa
Libya’s eastern-based government bars entry of EU migration commissioner, three ministers
July 08, 2025
TRIPOLI: The European Union migration commissioner and ministers from Italy, Malta and Greece were denied entry to the eastern part of divided Libya on Tuesday as they had disregarded “Libyan national sovereignty,” the Benghazi-based government said.
The delegation had arrived to attend a meeting with the parallel government of Osama Hamad, allied to military commander Khalifa Haftar who controls the east and large areas of southern Libya, shortly after a meeting with the rival, internationally recognized government that controls the west of Libya.
The delegation included EU Internal Affairs and Migration Commissioner Magnus Brunner, Greek Migration and Asylum minister Thanos Plevris, Italian Interior Minister Matteo Piantedosi and Maltese Home Affairs Minister Byron Camilleri.
The Benghazi-based government said the visit was canceled upon the delegation’s arrival at Benghazi airport whereupon the ministers were declared persona non grata and told to leave Libyan territory immediately.
Members of the European delegation did not immediately respond to Reuters requests for comment.
The Hamad government had said on Monday all foreign visitors and diplomatic missions should not come to Libya and move inside the country without its prior permission.
Earlier in the day, the EU delegation had met in Tripoli with the UN-recognized government of Abdulhamid Dbiebah to discuss the migration crisis before flying to Benghazi.
Libya has become a transit route for migrants fleeing conflict and poverty to Europe across the Mediterranean since the fall in 2011 of dictator Muammar Qaddafi to a NATO-backed uprising. Factional conflict has split the country since 2014.
Dbeibah said during the meeting he had tasked his interior ministry with developing a national plan to tackle migration “based on practical cooperation with partners and reflecting a clear political will to build sustainable solutions.”
Source: arabnews.com
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UN Human Rights Office says 'deeply troubled' by Kenya protester deaths
July 8, 2025
The United Nations Human Rights Office (OHCHR) said on Tuesday it was "deeply troubled" by the killing of at least 10 people during the latest clashes between Kenyan police and anti-government protesters.
OHCHR spokesperson Ravina Shamdasani noted the use of lethal and non-lethal ammunition, tear gas and water cannon by police in their response to the demonstrations.
Authorities blocked major roads leading into the capital, Nairobi, and most businesses closed amid the strictest measures yet to contain the unrest on Monday.
Kenyan youth and others for weeks have been protesting against police brutality and poor governance while demanding President William Ruto’s resignation over alleged corruption and the high cost of living.
Shamdasani said the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Volker Türk called for a thorough and independent investigation.
Kenya's latest wave of violent demonstrations was sparked by calls for police accountability following the death of a blogger in police custody last month.
During protests on June 17, a police officer shot a civilian at close range, further angering the public.
At least 19 people were killed and more than 400 injured during protests against police brutality on June 25 which were timed to coincide with the one-year anniversary of anti-tax protests where parliament was stormed and over 60 people lost their lives.
Source: africanews.com
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Broken windows and lootings: Nairobi businesses deal with protest aftermath
July 8, 2025
In the wake of countrywide protests which turned violent in Kenya on Monday, traders were counting their losses following extensive damage to their businesses and buildings.
Police in Kenya clashed with demonstrators Monday during the latest anti-government protests, killing 10 people, according to the state-funded human rights commission.
Authorities blocked major roads leading into the capital, Nairobi, and most businesses closed amid the strictest measures yet to contain the unrest. Kenyan youth and others for weeks have been protesting police brutality and poor governance while demanding President William Ruto’s resignation over alleged corruption and the high cost of living.
July 7, known as Saba Saba, is a significant date in Kenya’s history, marking the first major protests 35 years ago that called for a transition from a one-party state to a multiparty democracy, which was realized in the 1992 elections.
Saba Saba is Swahili for Seven Seven.
Kenya's latest wave of violent demonstrations was sparked by calls for police accountability following the death of a blogger in police custody last month.
Source: africanews.com
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Amnesty International denounces lack of investigation into activists' abduction
July 8, 2025
Nobody has heard of Oumar Sylla, known as Foniké Menguè, and Mamadou Billo Bah, for an entire year. Nobody knows their whereabouts.
The two Guinean activists, members of the now-dissolved National Front for the Defence of the Constitution (FNDC), were arrested on 9 July 2024 at the latter's home in Conakry by armed men, before allegedly being taken by special forces to the Loos archipelago.
There, they have reportedly endured torture and interrogations.
Amnesty International has now called for "a prompt and transparent" investigation into the two activists' disappearance.
The two activists' fate is emblematic of the recent acceleration of forced disappearances and abductions, with Amnesty International denouncing a "climate of terror" by the junta in power in Guinea.
On 19 February 2025, the national coordinator of the Forum of Social Forces of Guinea (Forum des forces sociales de Guinée), Abdoul Sacko, was abducted and found the same day, according to his lawyers "in a critical state, tortured and abandoned by his abductors in the bush".
Another case is lawyer Mohamed Traoré. The former President of the Guinean Bar Association has testified that he was "subjected to abuse" after being abducted from his home on the night of 20 to 21 June 2025 by armed men.
"It's very, very difficult—very hard—for the families and loved ones of these individuals. We have had no communication from the Guinean state, let alone from the prosecutor who, during his only and single appearance, announced investigations into these disappearances. Since then, we've heard nothing," said Souleymane Sow, director of the Guinean branch of Amnesty International.
But as the radio silence from the authorities continues, the hope of finding the whereabouts of the activists soon is shrinking.
Source: africanews.com
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Southeast Asia
Department Of Islamic Development Creates Module To Prevent Extremism Among Foreign Workers
theSun
2025-07-08
KUALA LUMPUR: The Department of Islamic Development Malaysia (JAKIM) is working on a new module to tackle the spread of extremist beliefs among foreign workers in the country. The initiative involves cooperation with the Home Ministry and Royal Malaysia Police (PDRM) to ensure a structured approach in addressing radical influences.
Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department (Religious Affairs) Datuk Dr Mohd Na’im Mokhtar explained that the effort aims to safeguard Malaysia while also benefiting the workers’ home countries. “Some of these individuals are suspected of involvement in efforts to destabilise their governments,“ he said during the Corporate Zakat 2025 event.
JAKIM has consistently promoted moderation (wasatiyyah) through various programmes, aligning with the MADANI framework. “We want them to return to the true moderate teachings of Islam. If we can assist in rehabilitating their ideology, we are not only protecting our country but also helping to prevent threats in their countries of origin,“ he added.
Recent police reports revealed the dismantling of a militant cell linked to Bangladesh nationals, allegedly supporting Islamic State (IS) activities in Syria and Bangladesh. Inspector-General of Police Tan Sri Razarudin Husain confirmed the arrests on July 4.
In a separate update, Mohd Na’im shared that corporate zakat collections for the first quarter of 2024 reached RM76 million, with RM53 million contributed by 23 companies, including Tabung Haji and Bank Islam. He encouraged more firms to adopt zakat as part of their corporate responsibility to help reduce poverty. - Bernama
Source: thesun.my
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Indonesia Has Moral Legitimacy to Lead Islamic Economy: Former Vice President
July 9, 2025
Jakarta (ANTARA) - Indonesia has the moral legitimacy to pursue its ambition of becoming a global hub for the Islamic economy, former Vice President Ma’ruf Amin said on Tuesday.
He made the statement at the global launch of the State of the Global Islamic Economy (SGIE) Report 2024–2025 in Jakarta.
"As one of the countries with the largest Muslim population in the world, Indonesia has both the moral legitimacy and democratic support to take meaningful steps toward becoming the center of the global Islamic economy," Amin said.
He noted that the Islamic economy continues to grow not only in Muslim-majority nations but also in non-Muslim countries. This expansion is driven by several factors, including the rising global Muslim population — projected to make up 25 percent of the world’s total — and increasing prosperity in Muslim countries.
Technological advancement and digitalization have also played a key role in raising global awareness of the halal economy and its compliance with sharia principles, he added.
Amin emphasized that building Indonesia’s Islamic economy in the real sector, such as the halal industry and its supporting ecosystem, alongside Islamic financial services and Islamic social funds, would generate economic value and contribute to sustainable development goals (SDGs) by delivering social impact.
He also noted that the Indonesian government has integrated Islamic economic development into its national development strategies.
"This marks a pivotal moment, as planning and budgeting for Islamic economic development are now fully integrated into the country’s strategic documents," Amin said.
"It is now our shared responsibility to ensure these plans are aligned and implemented each year — both at the national level by ministries and government agencies, and at the local level by regional governments and related institutions," he added.
Source: antaranews.com
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Anwar: Asean centrality must be region’s North Star amid global instability
09 Jul 2025
KUALA LUMPUR, July 9 — Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim today underscored the need for Asean to stay united and resilient amid growing global instability, calling on member states to reinforce Asean Centrality as the region’s guiding principle.
Delivering his opening remarks at the 58th Asean Foreign Ministers’ Meeting (AMM) and related meetings here, Anwar said Asean must remain the region’s primary anchor for dialogue and cooperation, while continuing to offer value to its Dialogue Partners.
“Asean Centrality must be our North Star, as reflected in the continuous strengthening and innovation of Asean-led institutions.
“We must remain the region’s primary anchor for dialogue, just as our Dialogue Partners must continue to find value in engaging with us,” he said.
The prime minister described the current global landscape as one where old certainties are fading and new threats are emerging; hence, this meeting takes place amid the unravelling of assumptions, “where power unsettles principle, and calm can no longer be taken for granted”.
“The global order is fraying. Conflict, coercion, and mistrust now define too many relationships, and countless lives are being lost or overturned in their wake,” he said.
At the same time, Anwar expressed deep concern over ongoing crises, including the prolonged conflict in Gaza, the war in Ukraine, continued violence in parts of Africa and the worsening situation in Myanmar.
“In Gaza and Palestine, we witness the unrelenting suffering of an entire people, denied dignity and justice across generations. In Ukraine, war grinds on. Across parts of Africa, violence continues to displace and devastate. And in Myanmar, peace remains elusive, even as suffering deepens,” he said.
He also pointed to rising tensions in the Middle East, where the actions of one state against its neighbours threaten to spark a wider regional conflagration, and the risks are profound for energy security, global stability and the integrity of international law.
Anwar said that the multilateral system cannot endure if its principles are upheld only when convenient, and therefore, Asean must be among those who choose to stand for rules, even when others choose to retreat.
Reflecting on Asean’s origins, Anwar reminded delegates that the regional bloc was not built on ease or simplicity, but on the hard-earned trust between nations with complex histories.
“Yet we have preserved peace and expanded prosperity in ways few regions can equal. We did so by nurturing a habit of cooperation, a willingness to keep engaging, even when the past was difficult and the present testing,” he said.
He also stressed that Asean’s strength lies not in the absence of tension, but in its ability to manage it constructively.
“Our region’s strength lies not in the absence of tension, but in our commitment to manage it through mutual respect, continuous dialogue and the search for consensus. That is the Asean way and it must remain our guide,” he said.
Meanwhile, Anwar also expressed Malaysia’s strong support for Timor-Leste’s full accession to Asean, noting that its expected membership in October would mark a historic milestone.
“I urge all Member States to continue supporting Timor-Leste’s path to full integration, not only into our institutions but into our shared vision for the region’s future,” he said.
The 58th AMM and related meetings, held under Malaysia’s Asean Chairmanship for 2025 with the theme “Inclusivity and Sustainability”, will feature 24 ministerial-level meetings involving Asean Dialogue Partners and Sectoral Dialogue Partners.
The four-day high-level events bring together around 1,500 delegates, including foreign ministers from Asean member states, Timor-Leste, Asean Dialogue Partners, Asean Regional Forum (ARF) participants, Sectoral Dialogue Partners and senior Asean Secretariat officials. — Bernama
Source: malaymail.com
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Indonesia to host first international MQK in South Sulawesi
July 9, 2025
Indonesia’s Ministry of Religious Affairs will host the Musabaqah Qiraatil Kutub (MQK) — a competition focused on reading kitab kuning (classical Islamic texts written in Arabic) — in Wajo, South Sulawesi, from October 1 to 7.
According to Suyitno, Director General of Islamic Education at the ministry, this year marks the first international edition of the MQK, with participants from Malaysia, Singapore, Thailand, the Philippines, Brunei Darussalam, Vietnam, Myanmar, Cambodia, and Timor-Leste.
A total of 8,773 students from 1,218 institutions are expected to take part in the competition, including 1,161 Islamic boarding schools and 57 Ma'had Aly (advanced Islamic higher education institutions).
Suyitno noted that this year’s event is particularly special, not only because it will be held in eastern Indonesia but also because it will be conducted online.
The competition was officially launched on Tuesday by Minister of Religious Affairs Nasaruddin Umar, in an event attended by 10 Indonesian ambassadors to Southeast Asian countries, as well as the international participants.
Heads of the ministry’s regional offices, Islamic boarding school associations, and administrators from across Indonesia also joined the event virtually.
In his remarks, Minister Umar described the international MQK as a platform for students to read, interpret, and explain the content of traditional Islamic texts that have been passed down and taught by scholars over generations.
He emphasized that while many students can read Arabic fluently, deeper comprehension is essential.
“This competition is not about who reads Arabic the best, but who best understands the meaning of these classical texts,” he said.
Source: antaranews.com
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ChemOne secures US$350m Islamic insurance cover for PEC
SunBiz
2025-07-08
KUALA LUMPUR: Singapore-based petrochemicals, green energy and natural resources conglomerate ChemOne Group announced that the Islamic Corporation for the Insurance of Investment and Export Credit (ICIEC), a wholly owned subsidiary of the Islamic Development Bank (IsDB), has approved an insurance cover of US$350 million (RM1.4 billion) for Pengerang Energy Complex (PEC) in Johor.
This cover is structured to support Islamic banks participating in PEC’s project financing, underscoring the strong institutional confidence in PEC and its long term strategic value to the region.
“ICIEC’s support is a powerful validation of PEC’s financial strength and far-reaching development impact. PEC will drive regional industrial growth, create thousands of jobs, and support regional value chains, all while adhering to global standards for sustainable and responsible financing. We are honoured to lead one of Asia’s most impactful private-sector led financings,” said ChemOne chief financial officer Mayank Vishnoi.
The ICIEC cover is structured under a Murabaha financing facility, providing 90% cover on both principle and profit—significantly de-risking the transaction for participating Islamic banks including National Bank of Kuwait, Qatar National Bank, Al Rajhi Bank Malaysia and Al Rajhi Bank KSA.
Al Rajhi Bank KSA plays the role of lead Islamic bank and a coordinator to ICIEC as well as investment agent for the Islamic financing tranche.
In addition, the IsDB Group—through IsDB and the Islamic Corporation for the Development of the Private Sector (ICD)—has reinforced its commitment through a direct investment of US$150 million via Istisna-Ijara structures. The IsDB Group’s total support for PEC—combining direct investments and credit enhancement—now stands at over US$500 million, marking one of the group’s most substantial engagements in Southeast Asia.
ICIEC is backed by AA- and Aa3 credit ratings from S&P and Moody’s respectively, highlighting its strong financial fundamentals and key multilateral mandate to promote investment within member states.
The PEC is envisioned as one of Southeast Asia’s most advanced and sustainable energy and petrochemical facilities. Upon completion, the project will significantly boost regional supply capabilities in aromatics, clean fuels, and related products, all while adhering to international environmental, social, and governance (ESG) standards.
The strong support from multilateral institutions reflects PEC’s strategic role in supporting energy resilience and sustainability. The project is also aligned with Malaysia’s ambitions to enhance downstream capabilities and increase the value-add in its hydrocarbon sector.
Located in Johor’s Pengerang Integrated Petroleum Complex (PIPC) in Johor, PEC is set to be one of the world’s largest and most competitive integrated condensate splitter and aromatics facilities. It will utilise UOP Honeywell’s latest LD Parex technology to maximise energy efficiency, reduce emissions, and enhance feedstock flexibility, allowing the PEC plant to become one of the most advanced energy and carbon facilities in its class.
During construction, PEC will create approximately 7,000 jobs, with 300 operational roles post completion of which 80% of which will be filled by Malaysians. Local SMEs are expected to benefit from US$1.2 billion in contracts in the areas of fabrication, erection, civil work, and bulk supplies.
With a projected annual export turnover of US$5 billion, PEC is poised to position PIPC as a regional oil and gas hub and propel Malaysia’s position in the regional oil and gas value chain.
Source: thesun.my
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Arab World
Saudi crown prince meets Iranian foreign minister amid regional diplomacy push
July 08, 2025
JEDDAH: Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman met with Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi and his delegation at Al-Salam Palace in Jeddah on Tuesday, the Saudi Press Agency reported.
Their meeting came as part of ongoing efforts to strengthen ties between the two countries and navigate a turbulent regional landscape.
During the meeting, Prince Mohammed and Araghchi reviewed the state of Saudi-Iranian relations and exchanged views on recent developments across the region.
The crown prince underscored the Kingdom’s hope that the current ceasefire agreement between Iran and Israel would help lay the groundwork for enhanced regional security and stability.
Reaffirming Saudi Arabia’s longstanding support for diplomatic solutions, the crown prince stressed the importance of dialogue in resolving regional disputes and reducing tensions.
For his part, Araghchi expressed gratitude for the Kingdom’s stance in condemning Israeli aggression, and praised Prince Mohammed’s personal commitment to promoting peace and stability in the Middle East.
The meeting was attended by several senior Saudi officials, including Minister of Defense Prince Khalid bin Salman bin Abdulaziz, Minister of Foreign Affairs Prince Faisal bin Farhan bin Abdullah, and National Security Advisor Musaed bin Mohammed Al-Aiban.
Earlier in the day, Saudi Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan received his Iranian counterpart in Makkah, where the two officials also discussed bilateral relations and explored ways to foster regional cooperation.
Their talks focused on the evolving situation in the region and mutual efforts to safeguard security and stability.
Source: arabnews.com
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Jazan’s stone castles draw travellers into the past
July 08, 2025
RIYADH: The stone castles and ancient homes scattered across Jazan stand as silent witnesses to a rich history and architectural legacy spanning generations.
Beyond their aesthetic appeal, the structures play a crucial role in promoting sustainable tourism and form an integral part of Jazan’s tourism and cultural heritage.
The designs of these castles and stone houses vary widely and visitors are invited to gain insight into the traditional building methods and local materials used.
Residents ingeniously utilized available resources to create functional homes tailored to the needs and lifestyles of their communities.
Far from being mere dwellings, these castles and houses served as vibrant hubs of social and cultural activity. They hosted countless family gatherings, celebrations and social events, highlighting the strong cohesion of the local community.
They remain emblematic of regional identity. Today, the castles and stone houses of Jazan draw history buffs and eco-tourists alike, offering a glimpse of the Kingdom’s cultural tapestry and efforts to preserve Jazan’s legacy.
Source: arabnews.com
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Islamic Coalition Secretary-General receives Oman’s ambassador in Riyadh
July 08, 2025
RIYADH: Secretary-General of the Islamic Military Counter-Terrorism Coalition Mohammed bin Saeed Al-Moghedi received Oman’s Ambassador to the Kingdom Sayyid Najib bin Hilal Al-Busaidi at the coalition’s headquarters in Riyadh.
During the meeting, the two sides discussed ways to enhance cooperation between the coalition and Oman to combat terrorism and extremism, the Saudi Press Agency reported on Tuesday.
The ambassador was briefed on the role played by the coalition and the initiatives and programs it implements, including combating the financing of terrorism.
Al-Busaidi stressed his country’s keenness to continue its support for these efforts to achieve regional and international security and stability.
Source: arabnews.com
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Golden-backed weaver builds its nest in the mountains of Asir
July 08, 2025
RIYADH: Golden-backed weavers, known for their remarkable nest-building skills, are thriving in the majestic mountains of Asir, the Saudi Press Agency reported.
The small yellow bird gets its name from the elaborate nests its constructs using its strong beaks and claws.
Golden-backed weavers (Ploceus jacksoni) first select an area where they want to build a nest, typically choosing the small branches of a tree. They start with a ring of woven straw or grass and then complete the structure by intersecting threads at a specific angle.
The nest usually hangs from the branch to offer safe shelter for the bird’s offspring. The opening to the nest is narrow and faces downward to protect the young chicks from predators and other birds or animals.
Golden-backed weavers are known for their weaving ability, and are one of the most highly skilled species in the wild, according to SPA.
Additionally, the male bird structures the nest by manipulating threads of grass through its claws and beak, resulting in precise geometric shapes.
The bird has unique colors, with either a black or a brown head, and yellow feathers covering its entire body.
Golden-backed weavers, along with many other bird species, thrive in the southern Asir region due to its moderate temperatures, varied plant environment, and biodiversity.
The region has an area of 81,000 sq. km, and borders Yemen in the southeast and the Jazan region in the southwest.
Almost 500 species of birds have been recorded in Saudi Arabia, along with a variety of wildlife and 2,400 flowering plants, according to estimates.
Source: arabnews.com
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Saudi team joins training on rainwater harvesting in China
July 08, 2025
RIYADH: A Saudi team from the Ministry of Environment, Water and Agriculture is taking part in a training program organized by the Gansu Academy of Agricultural Sciences in cooperation with the Chinese Ministry of Commerce.
The team includes 12 specialists from the ministry’s water agency, the Saudi Irrigation Organization, and the National Center for Vegetation Cover Development and Combating Desertification, the Saudi Press Agency reported on Tuesday.
The course, being held in Lanzhou, China, from July 3-22, focuses on rainwater harvesting technologies and their applications. It is attended by representatives from China’s Ministry of Water Resources, along with several water experts and specialists.
The ministry said its participation aligns with efforts to implement international agreements and memoranda of understanding with partner countries. The course provides a unique platform for exchanging expertise in water-related fields, particularly rainwater harvesting, it added.
The course also covers the design of harvesting systems in rural and urban areas, improvement of collected water quality management and advanced purification technologies, the SPA added.
Supplementary irrigation techniques, economic evaluation of harvesting projects, concepts of sponge cities, water reuse, and the role of harvesting technologies in combating desertification and promoting sustainability are also explored.
The ministry said that the training features scientific lectures, practical workshops and field visits to innovative projects in several Chinese provinces.
The visits showcase systems for securing drinking water from rain, irrigated agriculture projects, sponge city initiatives, and integrated environmental models linking water technologies with urban and rural sustainability.
The ministry highlighted the importance of strengthening international cooperation and building national capacity in water management, according to the SPA.
This reflects its integrated approach to developing technical competencies, exchanging expertise with leading countries, advancing the water system and promoting sustainable, innovative solutions to water challenges in line with Vision 2030 goals.
Source: arabnews.com
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Saudi Arabia reaffirms support for Afghanistan’s security, stability
July 08, 2025
RIYADH: Saudi Arabia’s permanent representative to the UN, Ambassador Abdulaziz Al-Wasil, has reaffirmed the Kingdom’s support for Afghanistan’s security and stability, emphasizing the importance of respect for its sovereignty and territorial integrity.
Speaking during a UN General Assembly session in New York on the situation in Afghanistan, Al-Wasil expressed the Kingdom’s concern over the humanitarian and economic challenges facing the Afghan people.
He called for intensified international efforts to provide urgent relief and essential support to ease their suffering, the Saudi Press Agency reported on Tuesday.
The envoy highlighted the Kingdom’s humanitarian assistance to the Afghan people through its aid agency, KSrelief. He underscored the importance of empowering Afghan women by promoting their rights in education, employment, and public life.
Al-Wasil also emphasized the critical need to prevent Afghan territory from being used as a base for terrorist activities or drug trafficking, warning of the threats these pose to regional and global security.
He reaffirmed Saudi Arabia’s commitment to continuing its support for political, humanitarian, and development initiatives aimed at stabilizing Afghanistan.
So far, KSrelief has implemented 57 projects worth almost $54 million in Afghanistan, according to the agency’s website.
The projects cover food security, health, education, water and sanitation, as well as humanitarian emergency relief coordination.
Source: arabnews.com
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Ithra Children’s Festival inspires creativity, curiosity
July 08, 2025
RIYADH: The King Abdulaziz Center for World Culture, Ithra, on Monday launched its inaugural Children’s Festival, themed “What If?”, the Saudi Press Agency reported.
The festival combines creativity, learning, play, and exploration in an interactive setting to foster critical thinking, nurture imagination, and develop essential skills.
Running until July 26 at Ithra’s headquarters in Dhahran, the festival offers 50 activities designed to spark curiosity and inspire creative thinking.
These include hands-on workshops, live performances, water and family challenges, art spaces that encourage exploration and questioning, and a book exchange where children can swap books.
An interactive exhibition allows children to transform large white models into colorful artworks using foam tubes, the SPA reported.
The festival will also host the fifth Children’s Book Fair from July 14-19, featuring 20 local and international publishers specializing in children’s and young adult literature.
This year’s fair highlights South Korea as the guest of honor, with book signings, panel discussions, workshops, and opportunities to meet experts.
Source: arabnews.com
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DIB Arranges $1 billion sovereign financing for Pakistan
July 8, 2025
Dubai Islamic Bank (DIB), the world’s first Islamic bank and the largest in the UAE, has announced the successful completion of a landmark $1 billion syndicated term-finance facility for the Government of Pakistan, arranged in collaboration with a consortium of regional and international financial institutions. The five-year facility is an innovative transaction, partially guaranteed by a Policy-Based Guarantee (PBG) from the Asian Development Bank (ADB) — marking the first PBG transaction of its kind undertaken by ADB for the country.
The Islamic tranche, structured as an AAOIFI-compliant Commodity Murabaha, represents approximately 89% of the total facility which reflects the growing demand for Shariah-based financing and supports Pakistan’s strategic objective of expanding Islamic finance.
DIB acted as the Sole Islamic Global Coordinator and alongside Standard Chartered also served as the Joint Mandated Lead Arranger and Bookrunner. Other leading Islamic banks from the region included Abu Dhabi Islamic Bank, Ajman Bank and Sharjah Islamic Bank.
Minister of Finance, Government of Pakistan Muhammad Aurangzeb, stated that: “This landmark financing arrangement not only underscores the strong confidence of regional and international financial institutions in Pakistan’s economic reform trajectory, but also marks an important step in expanding our access to innovative and Shariah-compliant funding solutions. We deeply value the role of partners like DIB and ADB in supporting our efforts to ensure macroeconomic stability and sustainable growth.”
Source: gulftoday.ae
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