'Asked His Name, Then Attacked': Muzaffarnagar Cleric On Way To Mosque Assaulted With Sticks, Bat; 5 Named In Fir
New Age Islam News Bureau
08 March 2026
· ‘Asked his name, then attacked’: Muzaffarnagar cleric on way to mosque assaulted with sticks, bat; 5 named in FIR
· HRW accuses Israel of ‘unlawfully’ using white phosphorus in new Lebanon attacks
· Iran will be the biggest loser from escalation: Riyadh
· ‘Wagging the dog’: Putin mocks EU-Ukraine relationship
· 'Will not sign other bills until Save America Act is passed': Donald Trump
· Sultan prays for peace, unity in Nigeria at Umrah
· Anwar raises alarm over teenagers lured into terror groups, urges vigilance to protect Malaysia’s peace
· Lithuania warns of ISIS-K recruitment threat
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India
· Police attach property of terror handler in Rajouri
· J&K man booked for posts on protests over West Asia war
· Vaishno Devi college seeks govt nod to restart MBBS course after controversy
· ‘Enlightened people of Bengal will never forgive TMC for insulting President Murmu’: Modi
· Ramadan giving: How Zakat is being channelled to transform lives across India
· ‘Corruption is security snatched from a family’: Lt Governor Manoj Sinha opens new high-tech ACB hubs in Jammu
· Expelled Congress leader Mohammed Moquim to launch new political party on April 8
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Mideast
· Trump says ending Iran war will be ‘mutual’ decision with Netanyahu
· Iran fires new missiles as Khamenei’s son takes charge
· Iran names Khamenei’s hard-line son Mojtaba as new supreme leader
· Oman’s Muscat airport limits private jet flights, email says
· Hezbollah says fighting Israeli forces who landed in east Lebanon
· Shelter rankings and shower-timing apps: Israelis, Palestinians adjust to Iranian rockets
· Bahrain circulates draft UN resolution demanding halt to Iran’s ‘heinous and deliberate’ Gulf attacks
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Arab World
· Saudi crown prince discusses regional situation with Ukrainian, Spanish leaders
· Saudi air defences destroy 3 ballistic missiles, 4 drones
· Authorities continue efforts to boost quality of life in Madinah
· Saudi minister receives Russian ambassador in Riyadh
· 2 killed, 12 injured after projectile falls on residential area in Al-Kharj
· Regional tensions spark rare hotel price falls in Makkah during Ramadan
· Nearly 2 million people cross Makkah miqats during Ramadan
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Europe
· Thug 'smashes window' of Glasgow mosque while women and children break fast inside
· Another EU country ready to veto Ukraine loan
· President of Iran Masoud Pezeshkian has phone call with President Ilham Aliyev
· IRA bomb victims' civil court case begins against Gerry Adams
· War fuels debate in Cyprus over UK military bases
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North America
· ‘They stole our country’: Iranian-Americans rally in Los Angeles backing strikes on Iran regime
· US will ‘make a ton of money’ from Iran war – senator
· CAIR-AZ Calls for Hate Crime Probe of Attack on Children at North Phoenix Mosque
· Improvised explosive found at protests near Manhattan's Gracie Mansion, Mamdani's official residence, NYPD says
· Blast outside US Embassy in Oslo investigated as possible terrorist attack
· Starmer and Trump speak for first time since president's Iran criticism
· Improvised explosive device thrown at anti-Islam protest outside mayor Mamdani’s mansion in New York City
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Africa
· Tunisians protest against US-Israeli war against Iran
· 2027: ‘It Is Haram To Sell Your Votes’ – Abdulsalami Abubakar
· Saraki Foundation to provide Ramadan Iftar meals in seven states, 52 Mosques in Kwara
· Sultan of Sokoto performs Umrah, prays for peace, unity in Nigeria
· ₦210 Trillion NNPCL Discrepancy: We Are Not Afraid To Question Tinubu If The Need Arises – Senate
· It Is Ridiculous To Say It Is Missing – Senate Knocks NNPCL Over ₦210 Trillion Discrepancy
· Ramadan: iftar on Zanzibar draws thousands to stadium
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Southeast Asia
· Stranded Malaysians urged to inform embassies for safe return
· VitaHealth & Watsons launch halal supplement campaign
· Anwar: Civil servants, mosque personnel to receive RM500 special aid on March 13, pensioners and veterans RM250
· Nation mourns Royal Professor Syed Muhammad Naquib al-Attas, a defining voice in Islamic scholarship
· Hannah Yeoh: Study on KL mayoral elections to be completed by end of March
· Muhyiddin’s corruption trial starts: Millions wouldn’t go to Bersatu if he wasn’t party president and PM then, prosecution says
· PM Anwar praises KPDN for Rahmah MADANI sales commitment
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South Asia
· Afghanistan risks famine if pressure on traders continues, chamber of commerce says
· UN Security Council to hold meeting on Afghanistan
· IEA Ready for Steadfast Response if Afghans Threatened
· Trade Between Afghanistan and Iran Continues Despite Regional Tensions
· Courageous Leadership Turns Challenges Into Opportunities
· Pregnant woman dies after Friday’s gas leak explosion in Dhaka’s Turag
· DRU calls for five-day newspaper holiday for Eid-ul-Fitr
Compiled by New Age Islam News Bureau
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‘Asked his name, then attacked’: Muzaffarnagar cleric on way to mosque assaulted with sticks, bat; 5 named in FIR
Mar 9, 2026
MUZAFFARNAGAR: A 28-year-old cleric was allegedly assaulted by a group of men in the Sarwat area under the Civil Lines police station limits on Sunday, police said to news agency PTI.
The victim, Mufti Abdul Wahab, was on his way to a mosque for prayers when he was attacked.
According to Circle Officer Siddharth Mishra, a case has been registered against five men — Lavi, Basant, Harish, Aditya and Rishabh — in connection with the incident. One of the accused, Lavi, has been arrested, while efforts are underway to trace the others.
In a complaint filed by Wahab’s family, it was alleged that the cleric was travelling on his motorcycle to the mosque when the men stopped him, passed objectionable remarks and asked his name before assaulting him with sticks and a bat.
Wahab was initially taken to the district hospital and later referred to a higher medical facility after his condition turned critical, police said.
Jamiat Ulema-e-Hind condemned the attack and demanded strict action against those involved. The organisation’s media in-charge, Maulana Sabir, termed the incident provocative and called for stringent action against the accused.
Police said security has been stepped up in the area following the incident.
Source: indiatimes.com
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HRW accuses Israel of ‘unlawfully’ using white phosphorus in new Lebanon attacks
March 09, 2026
An aircraft flies over Beirut, following an escalation between Hezbollah and Israel, in Lebanon. (Reuters)
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BEIRUT: Human Rights Watch on Monday accused Israel of “unlawfully” using white phosphorus over residential parts of a southern Lebanese town last week.
“The Israeli military unlawfully used artillery-fired white phosphorus munitions over homes on March 3, 2026, in the southern Lebanese town of Yohmor,” the New York-based rights group said in a report.
HRW added that it “verified and geolocated seven images showing airburst white phosphorus munitions being deployed over a residential part of the town and civil defense workers responding to fires in at least two homes and one car in that area.”
White phosphorus, a substance that ignites on contact with oxygen, can be used to create smokescreens and to illuminate battlefields.
But the munition can also be used as an incendiary weapon and can cause fires, horrific burns, respiratory damage, organ failure and death.
Israel — which kept up strikes targeting Hezbollah despite a 2024 ceasefire — launched multiple waves of strikes across Lebanon since last week and sent ground troops into border areas after the Iran-backed group attacked it.
The Israeli army has since repeatedly called on people living south of the Litani River, around 30 kilometers (20 miles) north of the Israeli border, to leave.
At least 394 people have been killed in Israeli attacks, Lebanese authorities said, registering more than half a million people as displaced.
“The Israeli military’s unlawful use of white phosphorus over residential areas is extremely alarming and will have dire consequences for civilians,” Ramzi Kaiss, Lebanon researcher at HRW, was quoted saying in the report.
“Israel should immediately halt this practice and states providing Israel with weapons, including white phosphorus munitions, should immediately suspend military assistance and arms sales and push Israel to stop firing such munitions in residential areas,” he added.
Lebanese authorities and HRW have over the past years accused Israel of using controversial white phosphorus rounds, in attacks authorities say have harmed civilians and the environment.
Lebanon’s state-run National News Agency on Sunday said Israeli forces targeted the towns of Khiam and Tal Nahas, near the border with Israel, “with artillery and phosphorus shelling.”
Last month, Lebanon accused Israel of spraying the herbicide glyphosate on the Lebanese side of their shared border, with President Joseph Aoun decrying it as a “crime against the environment.”
Source: arabnews.com
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https://www.arabnews.com/node/2635749/middle-east
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Iran will be the biggest loser from escalation: Riyadh
March 09, 2026
RIYADH: Saudi Arabia has sharply condemned what it describes as a sustained campaign of Iranian aggression against the Kingdom and fellow Gulf Cooperation Council states, cautioning Tehran that continued escalation will ultimately devastate Iran itself.
In a strongly worded statement issued Monday, the Saudi Ministry of Foreign Affairs declared that Iranian hostility toward its neighbors was “unacceptable under any circumstances,” and reaffirmed the Kingdom’s right to take whatever measures are necessary to protect its people, territory, and sovereignty.
Riyadh specifically condemned attacks on civilian airports and oil infrastructure, calling them a brazen violation of international law and a deliberate attempt to destabilize the region.
”The targeting of civilian airports and oil facilities is nothing but a demonstration of determination to threaten security and stability and a flagrant violation of international covenants and international law,“ the statement said.
The Ministry also pushed back against recent remarks by Iran’s President Masoud Pezeshkian, who had publicly stated that Tehran had no intention of attacking neighboring countries. Saudi officials rejected that assurance as hollow, arguing that Iranian strikes had continued unabated both during and after the speech, driven by what Riyadh called baseless pretexts.
Among the claims Saudi Arabia disputed was Iran’s allegation that the Kingdom had allowed fighter jets and refueling aircraft to launch from Saudi territory to participate in hostilities against Iran. Riyadh flatly denied this.
"The reality is that those aircraft are conducting air patrols to monitor and protect the airspace of the Kingdom and the GCC states from Iranian missiles and drones," the statement clarified.
The statement closed with a stark warning: if Iran presses ahead, it will bear the heaviest consequences — diplomatic, economic, and strategic — of its own making.
Source: arabnews.com
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‘Wagging the dog’: Putin mocks EU-Ukraine relationship
8 Mar, 2026
© Sputnik/Kristina Solovyova
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Russian President Vladimir Putin has likened the relationship between Ukraine and the European Union to “the tail wagging the dog,” saying that despite the aggressive behavior of the government in Kiev, Brussels keeps supporting it.
The Ukrainian authorities are preventing vital Russian oil from reaching Hungary and Slovakia via the Druzhba pipeline, which runs through Ukraine, claiming it was damaged by Russian strikes – claims Moscow rejects. Budapest and Bratislava have repeatedly accused Kiev of blackmail. They also say Brussels has sided with Ukraine instead of backing two EU member states.
“The situation is very strange,” Putin said on Sunday in an interview with Vesti. “I get the impression that we are dealing with a case where ‘the tail is wagging the dog’, and not the other way around.”
The Russian president called the stance taken by Kiev dangerous and aggressive. He stressed that Brussels is continuing to provide Ukraine with endless support, both in weapons and financial aid.
Commenting on the energy market, Putin emphasized that halting transit could further undermine the energy security of EU member states, as happened after the sabotage of the Nord Stream pipelines.
“Yet the EU prefers to continue the supply, effectively indulging the Kiev regime,” Putin added.
Putin criticized Western countries for the ongoing crisis in Ukraine, describing it as a “systemic mistake.” The president said the conflict began with Western support for a coup in Kiev, followed by the reunification of Crimea with Russia and unrest in southeastern Ukraine, including Donbass and Novorossiya.
“These are not our actions,” Putin asserted, adding that European countries were now “reaping what they have sown.”
Source: rt.com
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https://www.rt.com/russia/634160-wagging-putin-eu-ukraine-relationship/
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'Will not sign other bills until Save America Act is passed': Donald Trump
Mar 8, 2026
US President Donald Trump said that he will not sign any other legislation until Congress passes the Save America Act, calling it a priority measure that must move to the front of the legislative agenda.
In a post on his Truth Social platform, Trump praised conservative activist Scott Pressler and urged lawmakers to push the bill forward immediately, even suggesting the use of a filibuster to secure its passage.
"Great Job by hard working Scott Pressler on Fox & Friends talking about using the Filibuster, or Talking Filibuster, in order to pass THE SAVE AMERICA ACT, an 88% issue with ALL VOTERS. It must be done immediately. It supersedes everything else. MUST GO TO THE FRONT OF THE LINE," Trump wrote.
Trump also warned that he would block other legislation until the measure is approved.
"I, as President, will not sign other Bills until this is passed, AND NOT THE WATERED DOWN VERSION - GO FOR THE GOLD," he wrote.
The president said the legislation should include stricter voting requirements and other policy provisions.
"MUST SHOW VOTER I.D. & PROOF OF CITIZENSHIP: NO MAIL-IN BALLOTS EXCEPT FOR MILITARY - ILLNESS, DISABILITY, TRAVEL: NO MEN IN WOMEN’S SPORTS: NO TRANSGENDER MUTILIZATION FOR CHILDREN! DO NOT FAIL!!!" Trump said.
The Save America Act has been promoted by Trump allies as a measure aimed at tightening election rules and addressing broader cultural and political issues that have become central to conservative policy debates in the United States.
Source: indiatimes.com
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Sultan prays for peace, unity in Nigeria at Umrah
by Tajudeen Adebanjo
March 9, 2026
The Sultan of Sokoto and President-General of the Nigerian Supreme Council for Islamic Affairs (NSCIA), Alhaji Muhammad Sa’ad Abubakar, has performed Umrah in Makkah, Saudi Arabia, offering prayers for peace, security, and unity in Nigeria.
During the pilgrimage, the Sultan prayed for Nigeria, the Muslim community across the country, and the people of Sokoto State, where he sits on the ancestral Usmaniyyah throne. He also prayed for wisdom, good health, and guidance for the nation’s leaders to steer the country toward stability and progress.
Before leaving Medina, the Sultan had expressed satisfaction with the conduct of Nigerian Muslims, commending their resilience and peaceful disposition despite what he described as challenges and persecution faced by some members of the community.
He also urged Nigerians to refrain from actions or narratives that seek to portray Islam and Muslims negatively, noting that such efforts lack evidence in the Qur’an, the Hadith, or Nigeria’s diverse cultural traditions. According to him, such attitudes would neither discourage Muslims from practising their faith nor diminish their commitment to Islam.
The Sultan further expressed appreciation to Islamic leaders and traditional rulers across the country who ensured that religious activities, including the announcement of the Ramadan moon sighting, proceeded smoothly during his absence.
Among those he acknowledged were the Shehu of Borno and Deputy President-General (North) NSCIA), Alhaji Abubakar Ibn Umar Garbai El-Kanemi; the President of the Muslim Ummah of South West Nigeria and Deputy President-General (South) NSCIA, Alhaji Rasaki Oladejo; and the Secretary-General of the Nigerian Supreme Council for Islamic Affairs, Professor Is-haq Oloyede.
Source: thenationonlineng.net
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https://thenationonlineng.net/sultan-prays-for-peace-unity-in-nigeria-at-umrah/
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Anwar raises alarm over teenagers lured into terror groups, urges vigilance to protect Malaysia’s peace
09 Mar 2026
PUTRAJAYA, March 9 — Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim today expressed concern over the involvement of school-going teenagers in terrorist group activities in the country.
He said Inspector-General of Police Datuk Seri Mohd Khalid Ismail’s revelation about the existence of such activities must be taken seriously, as it could stem from misguided upbringing or exposure.
“Recently, schoolchildren — even those in their teens — were found to be involved in preparations for acts of violence, as revealed by the Inspector-General of Police. Our children (involved) could have been misled through wrong upbringing or exposure (at certain levels),” he said.
He said this while speaking at a gathering with staff of the Ministry of Domestic Trade and Cost of Living here.
Also present were Domestic Trade and Cost of Living Minister Datuk Armizan Mohd Ali and Chief Secretary to the Government Tan Sri Shamsul Azri Abu Bakar.
Mohd Khalid had said that police had thwarted an attempt to revive the ideology of a terrorist group with the arrest of six youths, including three minors, in a recent special operation.
According to Mohd Khalid, the suspects, aged between 16 and 21, were detained in a two-day operation launched by the Special Branch beginning Feb 14 in the Klang Valley, Johor, Kedah and Terengganu.
Anwar also urged Malaysians to remain united and safeguard the peace currently enjoyed in the country.
He said although the country remains peaceful, the public should not become complacent, while national defence agencies must remain on alert to face any possible threats.
“There are foreign elements that are jealous and want to interfere in our national political affairs. This should make us more vigilant,” he said. — Bernama
Source: malaymail.com
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Lithuania warns of ISIS-K recruitment threat
By Fidel Rahmati
March 9, 2026
Lithuania has identified the Afghanistan-based branch of the Islamic State, known as Islamic State Khorasan Province, as a potential threat to its national security, according to a newly published national security assessment.
The report, released on Sunday by Lithuania’s authorities, said the militant group has increased efforts to recruit individuals through social media platforms operating inside Lithuania.
According to the document, the online recruitment campaigns primarily target young people from Central Asia, with propaganda and extremist messaging circulated through digital networks.
Officials said recruitment attempts have also been reported among young Central Asian communities living in exile, many of whom currently reside in Lithuania and whose numbers have grown in recent years.
Security services across Central Asia have previously warned about the spread of extremist propaganda online. Authorities in Kyrgyzstan earlier expressed concern about the recruitment of young people by ISIS-linked networks through social media.
International security assessments have also warned that several militant organizations remain active in Afghanistan despite the Taliban takeover in 2021. Reports from the United Nations Security Council say groups including Islamic State, Al-Qaeda and Tehrik-i-Taliban Pakistan continue to operate in the country.
Lithuanian authorities say the findings highlight the growing challenge posed by online radicalization and the need for stronger monitoring of extremist networks targeting vulnerable youth.
Meanwhile, officials in Kabul reject allegations that groups such as Al-Qaeda or ISIS-K are freely operating in Afghanistan, describing such claims as politically motivated.
Source: khaama.com
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https://www.khaama.com/lithuania-warns-of-isis-k-recruitment-threat/
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India
Police attach property of terror handler in Rajouri
Mar 9, 2026
JAMMU: Police in J&K’s Rajouri district Sunday attached immovable property belonging to man who has been declared a proclaimed offender in a terror-related case.
According to police, the attached property comprises 7 marlas of land owned by the proclaimed offender, Shafeeq Ahmed.
“The attachment proceedings were carried out after obtaining due permission from the competent court,” police said. “Further legal proceedings shall follow as per due process.”
Source: indiatimes.com
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https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/police-attach-property-of-terror-handler-in-rajouri/articleshowprint/129286860.cms
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J&K man booked for posts on protests over West Asia war
Mar 9, 2026
SINAGAR: J&K police have registered an FIR against a man running the Instagram page “Master Electrician” over posts related to recent protests about the ongoing war in West Asia.
In a statement, police said the content was provocative and intended at disturbing law and order in Kashmir.
This is the first time after recent widespread protests in Kashmir over the killing of Iran’s Supreme leader Ali Hosseini Khamenei that the police have officially acknowledged lodging an FIR in the matter.
According to the police statement, Chadoora police station in Budgam received information that Suhail Ahmad Bhat, a local resident, had uploaded videos on his Instagram account “Master Electrician” related to a recent protest over the ongoing situation in West Asia. “The videos were aimed at provoking youth and the general public, thereby posing a potential threat to public order,” the police said, without disclosing the content of the page. “Accordingly, an FIR has been registered and investigation initiated.”
Police have asked people to refrain from sharing unverified or provocative content on social media.
On Tuesday, police had said a case had been registered against National Conference MP Ruhullah Mehdi and former mayor of Srinagar Junaid Azim Mattu for “circulation of false, fabricated and misleading content across digital and social media platforms with the intent to create fear, disturb public order and incite unlawful activities.” However, police had not mentioned the recent protests. The FIR was registered under various sections of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita at the Cyber Police Station in Srinagar.
Source: indiatimes.com
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https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/jk-man-booked-for-posts-on-protests-over-west-asia-war/articleshowprint/129286723.cms
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Vaishno Devi college seeks govt nod to restart MBBS course after controversy
Fayaz Wani
09 Mar 2026
SRINAGAR: Two months after being derecognised, the Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Institute of Medical Excellence (SMVDIME) in J&K’s Reasi has reapplied to the National Medical Commission (NMC) seeking recognition and a Letter of Permission (LoP) to start an MBBS course for 50 students from the academic year 2026-27.
SMVDIME’s LoP was withdrawn for allegedly failing to meet essential standards amid controversy over the admission of Muslim students.
A faculty member of the medical college told this newspaper that the SMVDIME has again approached the NMC for seeking the LoP for starting an MBBS course for 50 seats beginning next academic year, 2026-27. Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Shrine Board manages and funds the SMVDIME.
“The SMVDIME has completed all formalities and submitted a new application to the NMC in February only. We have also paid a mandatory inspection and processing fee between `5 lakh and `10 lakh to the NMC,” the faculty member said.
On January 8, the NMC cancelled the LoP granted to SMVDIME in September 2025 to run a 50-seat MBBS course for the 2025–26 academic year, citing shortcomings. The decision came amid controversy over the admission of 42 Muslim students and one Sikh in the first MBBS batch of 50, triggering protests by Hindu groups who argued that admissions should be restricted to Hindus as the institution is funded by offerings from Hindu devotees.
Sources said it is unclear if any changes will be made to the admission process if recognition is restored. “There is no clarity yet whether there will be any quota system or whether the admission policy will be different from before ”.
They, however, said the institute is now preparing for a possible inspection by the regulatory body. “The faculty members and staff members have been asked to prepare for the NMC inspection, which may likely take place in April-May ”. As per regulations, a team of four assessors from NMC would visit the campus for inspection.
Source: newindianexpress.com
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https://www.newindianexpress.com/nation/2026/Mar/09/vaishno-devi-college-seeks-govt-nod-to-restart-mbbs-course-after-controversy
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‘Enlightened people of Bengal will never forgive TMC for insulting President Murmu’: Modi
08 Mar 2026
Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Sunday stepped up his attack on the All India Trinamool Congress (TMC) government in West Bengal over the treatment of President Droupadi Murmu, saying the “enlightened people” of the state would never forgive the party for “insulting” a tribal woman leader who holds the country’s highest constitutional office.
Speaking in the national capital after inaugurating two new corridors of the Delhi Metro and other projects, Modi said it was “deeply concerning” that the TMC government had shown a “grave insult” to the President.
His remarks came after Murmu expressed displeasure over the change of venue of a conference of the Santal tribal community in West Bengal on Saturday and the absence of Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee and her ministers during her visit.
Banerjee later accused the President of speaking “on the advice of the BJP” and questioned her silence on alleged atrocities against tribals in states such as Manipur and Chhattisgarh.
"It is said in our country that no matter how powerful a person is, he is ultimately destroyed by ego. Today, from the nation's capital, I am appealing to all of you that the dirty politics and arrogance of power of the TMC, which insulted the dignity of a tribal President, will soon be shattered. The enlightened people of West Bengal will never forgive the TMC for insulting a woman, a tribal, the President of the country, PM Modi said. While delivering his speech at the inauguration event of the Delhi Metro.
Modi had earlier posted on X criticising the TMC government, saying its actions had not only led to the mismanagement of the tribal community event but also amounted to an affront to the President, the Constitution and democratic traditions.
“President Murmu ji visited Bengal to attend a significant celebration honouring the Santal tribal tradition. However, the TMC chose to boycott this sacred and important event,” he said, adding that the people of the country, the tribal community and women would not forgive the party for the alleged insult.
Meanwhile, the Centre has sought a response from the state government by 5 pm on Sunday over the reported violations of protocol and security arrangements, sources said.
According to a PTI report In a letter to the state’s chief secretary, the Union home secretary asked for an explanation regarding alleged violations of the ‘Blue Book’ rules governing protocol, venue and route arrangements during the President’s visit. The confidential document lays down security and protocol procedures for the President, Vice-President and Prime Minister.
Sources said the communication sought clarification on the absence of Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee, the chief secretary and the Director General of Police to receive the President on her arrival , a departure from established protocol. According to them, only Siliguri Mayor Gautam Deb was present at the airport.
The Centre has also sought explanations over other alleged lapses, including the condition of facilities arranged for the President and the cleanliness of the route taken during the visit, sources added.
Preisdent Murmu had expressed disappointment over the low turnout at the Santal tribal community event.
The controversy has further raised the political temperature in the poll-bound state, where the Bharatiya Janata Party hopes to challenge Banerjee’s 15-year rule.
During the event, Modi inaugurated two new Delhi Metro corridors and laid the foundation stone for three more metro lines aimed at improving connectivity across the capital. He also launched and laid the foundation stone for projects worth Rs 15,200 crore under the central government’s General Pool Residential Accommodation (GPRA) redevelopment plan, taking the total value of projects announced to about Rs 33,500 crore.
On the occasion of International Women's Day, the Prime Minister said more than three crore women have achieved the milestone of becoming “Lakhpati Didi”, referring to households with an annual income exceeding Rs 1 lakh.
He also criticised the previous Aam Aadmi Party government in Delhi, calling it an “AAPda (disaster) government” and alleging that development work in the capital had been halted for the past 10 years.
Source: newindianexpress.com
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https://www.newindianexpress.com/nation/2026/Mar/08/enlightened-people-of-bengal-will-never-forgive-tmc-for-insulting-president-murmu-modi
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Ramadan giving: How Zakat is being channelled to transform lives across India
Zeeshan Shaikh
Mar 9, 2026
During the holy month of Ramadan, charity takes on special significance for Muslims across the world. Along with fasting and prayer, many use this period to fulfil their obligation of Zakat, a mandatory form of charity in Islam that requires financially able Muslims to contribute a portion of their wealth to those in need.
What is Zakat
Zakat is one of the five pillars of Islam and is intended to ensure that wealth circulates within society and reaches vulnerable sections of the community. It is generally calculated at 2.5 per cent of an individual’s savings, assets and accumulated wealth, provided it exceeds a minimum threshold known as nisab, which is determined based on the value of gold or silver. Those whose wealth equals the value of 87.5 grams of gold or 612.36 grams of silver are required to contribute Zakat.
In India, where Muslims constitute about 17.18 crore people or 14.2 per cent of the population, the amount distributed as Zakat each year is believed to be substantial, although there is no precise estimate. A statistical paper presented at a seminar organised by the Zakat Foundation of India in 2005 had estimated the figure at around ₹10,000 crore based on household income data of different religious groups.
Community activists believe that with rising incomes and population growth, the amount has increased significantly and could now be between ₹10,000 crore and ₹40,000 crore annually, particularly during Ramadan when many people prefer to discharge the obligation.
From charity to structured impact
Much of this charity is often distributed informally or in small amounts, which limits its long term impact. In recent years, several organisations have begun encouraging donors to channel Zakat through structured initiatives aimed at addressing issues such as education, poverty alleviation and legal aid.
One such effort is being led by the Mumbai based Association of Muslim Professionals, which has launched a nationwide campaign to support the education of economically disadvantaged students. The initiative encourages donors to sponsor a child’s education for an academic year with a contribution of ₹10,000, with the goal of supporting 10,000 students across more than 200 districts in India.
Students are identified through a verification process and the funds are transferred directly to educational institutions to ensure the assistance is used for school fees and related academic expenses.
“Every year, large amounts are distributed as Zakat in India, but the impact often remains limited because the funds are dispersed and unorganised. When community organisations channel these contributions through structured programmes, the support can reach those who need it most and create far greater long term impact,” said Aamir Edresy, founder president of the Association of Muslim Professionals, explaining the idea behind the initiative.
Zakat for legal aid and justice
Apart from education, Zakat funds are also being used to expand access to justice. Organisations such as the Mumbai based Global Care Foundation work with undertrial prisoners who remain in jail because they cannot afford legal representation or bail.
According to the organisation, it helped facilitate the release of more than 490 non habitual undertrial prisoners from jails in Mumbai, Pune and Nashik in 2025 by providing legal and financial support. The foundation also runs legal aid clinics in Mumbai, Govandi and Mumbra where volunteers provide guidance to families facing legal challenges.
Zakat money is also being used to support legal assistance for prisoners through initiatives run by organisations such as Jamiat Ulama i Hind.
“Islamic teachings specify several categories of people who can receive Zakat, including those who are in captivity or distress. Today, many undertrials remain in prison not because they are convicted, but because they lack the financial means to pursue their cases or secure legal representation. Zakat funds can therefore play an important role in helping such individuals access justice,” said advocate Shahid Nadeem, legal advisor to Jamiat Ulama i Hind.
According to the organisation, such support has helped provide legal assistance to more than 500 disadvantaged prisoners, many of whom have subsequently secured bail or acquittal.
Creating a cycle of community support
Across Maharashtra and other parts of the country, similar initiatives are emerging where community groups collect and distribute Zakat in a more organised manner to assist families facing financial hardship.
In some cases, beneficiaries who receive help through Zakat supported programmes later return to contribute when their circumstances improve, creating a cycle of community support.
“In many instances, students whose education was supported through Zakat later return to contribute once they are financially stable. We have seen several beneficiaries come back to support others after their own situation improves. Beyond addressing immediate hardship, Zakat also nurtures a sense of responsibility and encourages a culture of mutual support within the community,” said Imtiaz Shaikh, a member of Baitul Mal, an organisation that collects and distributes Zakat funds to those in need.
Source: indianexpress.com
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‘Corruption is security snatched from a family’: Lt Governor Manoj Sinha opens new high-tech ACB hubs in Jammu
Arun Sharma
Mar 8, 2026
Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha on Sunday said that transformative changes ushered in over the past five to six years have rendered the administrative system in Jammu and Kashmir transparent and dedicated to public service.
Arguing that J&K today “stands at a pivotal juncture”, he said, “Under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, we have established a faceless mechanism to eradicate corruption from government processes, eliminate delays, and deliver all services directly to ordinary citizens.”
The L-G made the remarks at the inaugural ceremony of the Anti-Corruption Bureau (ACB) headquarters building at Sidhra in Jammu, as well as the ACB APKS Branch, Awantipora.
He called upon the ACB to ensure that each decision, investigation and prosecution stands firm under scrutiny of the courts and said it must harness the authority granted by the Constitution to expose injustice, eradicate corruption entirely, and earn the trust of the people.
“Jammu and Kashmir no longer settles for mediocrity or the ordinary. It now dares to dream big. Among our people, a firm belief has taken root that a golden future lies ahead. Fulfilling this vision is also the responsibility of the officers and staff at the Anti-Corruption Bureau,” the Lieutenant Governor said.
He emphasised that the two buildings inaugurated on Sunday are not merely structures of steel, glass, and concrete — “they stand as a bold declaration of transparency in public life and a corruption-free Union Territory.”
He highlighted that the speed of the project’s execution has accelerated significantly over the past few years, adding that revolutionary progress in industry, infrastructure, agriculture, self-employment, health, power, and rural development across nearly every sector stemmed from a transparent and accountable governance model.
The L-G also asked ACB officers to conduct a daily self-audit of their work to strengthen credibility. “Your efforts should thrive on maximum collaboration. In today’s interconnected world, corruption knows no borders, and data scatters across various networks. Information held by one agency might form the crucial final piece in another’s probe, so genuine and timely cooperation is essential wherever needed,” he said.
He referred to corruption as not merely being a loss of public money, but as an opportunity stolen from youth. “It is security snatched from a family, it is the injustice inflicted on an elderly member of society,” he said.
“We must recognise that corruption is no abstract offence committed solely against the public exchequer, but a direct assault on the lives of living human beings,” he said, adding, “The ill effects of corruption extend far beyond economic damage. It scars the lives of multiple generations. We must work together to build corruption-free J&K.”
The newly established APKS Branch at Awantipora will cater to the ACB Police Station in Anantnag, which has jurisdiction over all districts of South Kashmir. The facility is expected to enhance operational efficiency, improve accessibility, and facilitate the timely handling of complaints and investigations in the region.
Shakti Kumar Pathak, director of ACB, spoke about the functioning of the bureau and the salient features of the newly constructed buildings. He said that the enhanced infrastructure would provide a conducive working environment and strengthen field-level vigilance operations.
Source: indianexpress.com
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Expelled Congress leader Mohammed Moquim to launch new political party on April 8
Subhashish Mohanty
09.03.26
Expelled Congress leader Mohammed Moquim on Sunday announced that he will launch a new political party, the Odisha Janata Congress, on April 8.
The party will be formally unveiled at the exhibition ground in Bhubaneswar, where its manifesto and logo will also be released.
Moquim said the new outfit would prioritise the empowerment of women, Dalits, tribals and other weaker sections of society. “There is a political vacuum in the state, and the emergence of a new political outfit is the need of the hour,” he said.
The former Cuttack MLA added that the party’s flag and necessary documents had already been finalised. A statewide membership drive will begin on the launch day. “We will connect with the grassroots and focus on public welfare, development and governance,” Moquim said.
He maintained that he had received the necessary approval from the Election Commission of India to float the party.
Political observers, however, say only time will tell whether the new outfit can establish itself as a credible regional force in Odisha’s crowded political landscape.
Moquim was expelled by the All India Congress Committee (AICC) in December 2025 for alleged anti-party activities. His daughter, Sofia Firdous, is currently the Congress MLA from the Cuttack-Barabati constituency.
Corruption cuffs
The Odisha vigilance on Sunday arrested a government engineer for allegedly amassing assets disproportionate to his known sources of income, officials said.
Pramod Kumar Ray, assistant executive engineer in the Derabish irrigation sub-division under Kendrapara irrigation division, was apprehended a day after disproportionate assets were found in his possession, officials said.
Source: telegraphindia.com
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Mideast
Trump says ending Iran war will be ‘mutual’ decision with Netanyahu
March 09, 2026
WASHINGTON: US President Donald Trump said on Sunday that when to end the war with Iran will be a “mutual” decision made with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.
Speaking by phone with The Times of Israel, Trump said Netanyahu will have input on resolving the conflict.
“I think it’s mutual ... a little bit. We’ve been talking. I’ll make a decision at the right time, but everything’s going to be taken into account,” said Trump.
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Iran fires new missiles as Khamenei’s son takes charge
March 09, 2026
TEHRAN: Iran fired its first missiles toward Israel on Monday after the appointment of the Islamic republic’s new supreme leader, Ayatollah Mojtaba Khamenei, state broadcaster IRIB said.
“Iran fires first wave of missiles under Ayatollah Seyyed Mojtaba Khamenei toward occupied territories,” IRIB said on its Telegram channel.
It posted a picture of a projectile bearing the slogan “At Your Command, Sayyid Mojtaba,” a Shiite religious reference.
Mojtaba Khamenei was selected to succeed his slain father despite threats by the United States and Israel to target him next.
Nine days after US-Israeli strikes killed Ayatollah Ali Khamenei and plunged the Middle East into war, Shiite clerics convened to choose the country’s third supreme leader since the 1979 Islamic Revolution.
An announcer on state television solemnly read a statement from the 88-member Assembly of Experts next to a picture of the new 56-year-old leader, who bears a striking resemblance to his father.
Mojtaba Khamenei “is appointed and introduced as the third leader of the sacred system of the Islamic Republic of Iran, based on the decisive vote of the respected representatives of the Assembly of Experts,” the statement said.
It said the clerical body “did not hesitate for a minute” in choosing a new leader despite “the brutal aggression of the criminal America and the evil Zionist regime.”
Apart from Israel, Iran also sent waves of missiles and drones to its Gulf neighbors.
Explosions were also heard early Monday in Qatar, home to a major US air base.
Kuwait's Ministry of Defense said its forces were dealing with aerial threats from iran.
Saudi Arabia's Defense Ministry also said the Kingdom's air defenses on Monday have shot down at least three ballistic missiles and four drones that have entered the Kingdom's airspace at past midnight.
The war came weeks after Iranian security forces crushed nationwide protests against the government, killing thousands. The younger Khamenei is considered a fellow hard-liner who will pursue his father’s rejection of dissent.
US President Donald Trump had previously dismissed the younger Khamenei as a “lightweight,” and insisted again Sunday that he should have a say in appointing a new leader.
“If he doesn’t get approval from us he’s not going to last long,” he told ABC News before the announcement was made.
Israel’s military had also warned any successor that “we will not hesitate to target you.”
Few expect major changes under the younger Khamenei, a trained cleric close to the Revolutionary Guards, the ideological arm of the military.
The Guards quickly pledged support for the new leader, who comes into the role with far less experience than his father, who had been president under the first supreme leader, Ayatollah Ruhollah Khomeini.
The Guards Corps said in a statement it was “ready for complete obedience and self-sacrifice in carrying out the divine commands” of the younger Khamenei.
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Iran names Khamenei’s hard-line son Mojtaba as new supreme leader
March 09, 2026
DUBAI/JERUSALEM: Iran on Monday named Mojtaba Khamenei to succeed his father Ali Khamenei as supreme leader, signaling that hard-liners remain firmly in charge, as the week-old US-Israeli war with Iran pushed oil above $100 a barrel.
Mojtaba, a cleric with influence inside Iran’s security forces and vast business networks under his father, had been viewed as a frontrunner in the lead-up to Sunday’s vote by the Assembly of Experts, a body of 88 clerics tasked with choosing Ali Khamenei’s successor.
“By a decisive vote, the Assembly of Experts, appointed Ayatollah Seyyed Mojtaba Hosseini Khamenei as the third Leader of the sacred system of the Islamic Republic of Iran,” the Assembly said in a statement issued just after midnight Tehran time.
Iran’s President Masoud Pezeshkian on naming the new supreme leader, said it is the manifestation of Iran’s will to strengthen national unity.
The position gives Mojtaba the final say in all matters of state in the Islamic Republic.
The White House did not immediately respond to a request for comment on the announcement of Iran’s new supreme leader.
Mojtaba’s appointment will likely draw the ire of US President Donald Trump, who said on Sunday that Washington should have a say in the selection. “If he doesn’t get approval from us, he’s not going to last long,” he told ABC News. Israel, ahead of the announcement, threatened to target whoever was chosen.
Mojtaba’s father, Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei, was killed in one of the first strikes launched against Iran more than a week ago.
Washington on Sunday ordered the departure of non-emergency employees at its embassy in Saudi Arabia, the latest drawdown of US diplomats as Iran has struck US facilities in the region.
The US military reported a seventh American has died from wounds sustained during Iran’s initial counter-attack a week ago, a day after Trump presided over the return to the United States of the remains of the six others killed.
The US-Israeli attacks have killed at least 1,332 Iranian civilians and wounded thousands, according to Iran’s UN ambassador.
Crude oil over $100 a barrel
The expanding war has severely impacted the oil trade and surging prices sparked a fall in share futures in Asia on Monday, amid fears of rising living costs. The dollar rose sharply against the euro and the yen.
US crude futures rose more than 20 percent in early trade on Monday, hitting their highest since July 2022, amid fears of tighter supply and prolonged disruptions to oil shipments through the Strait of Hormuz. Brent jumped 17 percent to $108.73 a barrel, having already soared 28 percent last week.
On Wall Street, S&P 500 futures ESc1 shed 1.6 percent, while Nasdaq futures NQc1 dived 1.7 percent.
Trump, in a social media post, said oil prices “will drop rapidly when the destruction of the Iran nuclear threat is over,” and said the price hike was “a very small price to pay for USA., and World, Safety and Peace.”
Defiance from Tehran
Iranian state media said the leadership of Iran’s armed forces had pledged allegiance to Mojtaba Khamenei and the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps said in a statement they are ready to follow the new supreme leader.
The Assembly of Experts met on Sunday to elect a new supreme leader despite threats that the body would be targeted, Iran’s security chief, Ali Larijani, said on state TV after the announcement.
Mojtaba Khamenei could lead the country under the current sensitive conditions, Larijani said, calling for unity around the new leader.
The announcement came after Tehran signaled defiance, despite Trump’s call for an “unconditional surrender.” Mohammad Bagher Qalibaf, Iran’s parliament speaker, said earlier that Tehran was not seeking a ceasefire.
Iran has launched strikes across the region in retaliation against US and Israeli attacks. The US State Department said on Sunday it had ordered non-emergency US government employees and their family members to leave Saudi Arabia due to safety risks, days after the embassy in the Saudi capital was damaged in a drone attack blamed on Iran.
Early on Sunday, the Saudi Defense Ministry said that it had shot down a drone that attempted to target the Diplomatic Quarter, a calm tree-lined neighborhood on the city’s western edge that hosts most foreign missions including the US embassy.
The US has already raised its warning level for Saudi Arabia and allowed some personnel to leave the country, and has ordered the departure of staff at embassies in Qatar, Kuwait, Jordan and Bahrain since the outbreak of the war.
Israel continued to target senior Iranian figures, including Abolqasem Babaian, the recently appointed head of the military office of the supreme leader, saying he was killed in a Saturday strike.
‘Dangerous new phase’
As fighting escalated on Sunday, day nine of the US-Israeli campaign against Iran, thick black smoke hung over Tehran, residents said, after strikes on oil storage facilities had lit up the night sky with plumes of orange flame.
Iran’s foreign ministry spokesperson Esmaeil Baghaei said the large-scale attack marked a “dangerous new phase” of the conflict and amounted to a war crime.
“By targeting fuel depots, the aggressors are releasing hazardous materials and toxic substances into the air,” he wrote on X.
Israeli military spokesman Lt. Col. Nadav Shoshani told reporters the depots were used to fuel Iran’s war effort, including producing or storing propellant for ballistic missiles. “They are a legal military target,” he said.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said his government would press on with the assault and strike Iran’s rulers “without mercy.”
“We have an organized plan with many surprises to destabilize the regime and enable change,” he said in a video statement.
Trump told reporters on Air Force One that he was not seeking negotiations to end the conflict, which has driven up global energy prices, disrupted business and snarled air travel.
“At some point, I don’t think there will be anybody left maybe to say, ‘We surrender’,” he said.
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Oman’s Muscat airport limits private jet flights, email says
March 09, 2026
MUSCAT: Oman’s Muscat International Airport has asked private jet operators to avoid using the site for “additional flights,” giving priority to government and commercial flights as fresh airspace closures hit the region’s attempts to increase travel, according to an email seen by Reuters.
“Due to the current crisis management measures at Muscat International Airport, flight movements are restricted to approved seasonal scheduled services only,” the airport authorities told charter plane operators on Friday.
The airport said this measure was necessary to manage congestion and ensure that airport capacity remains within acceptable limits.
The email, first reported by the Financial Times, asked that all airlines and operators cancel any slots falling outside the approved seasonal schedule and to refrain from submitting non-approved flight requests until further notice.
“The only additional flights that may be considered during this period are embassy-sponsored repatriation flights, subject to prior approval through the applicable diplomatic channels and on the condition that no commercial sale of seats is undertaken in connection with such operations,” the email added.
The outbreak of the US-Israel war against Iran has led to flight cancelations across the Middle East, leaving airlines and governments scrambling to support thousands of stranded passengers.
With most airspace in the region still closed over missile and drone concerns, some people have turned to private jets while charter flights and limited commercial services struggle to evacuate tens of thousands of travelers.
Travelers have shelled out high prices to get out of the Middle East, rushing to airports or heading over land to quieter hubs, with fighter jets occasionally escorting passenger jets.
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Hezbollah says fighting Israeli forces who landed in east Lebanon
March 09, 2026
BEIRUT, Lebanon: Hezbollah on Monday said it was engaging Israeli forces who landed in eastern Lebanon, the second such operation since the outbreak of the latest conflict with Israel.
In a statement, the Iran-backed group said it detected “the infiltration of approximately 15 Israeli enemy helicopters” from the Syrian side of the border in eastern Lebanon, an area where Hezbollah holds sway.
The group said its fighters “engaged the helicopters and the infiltrating force with appropriate weapons, and the confrontation” was ongoing.
Lebanon’s state-run National News Agency earlier reported “fierce clashes... toward the outskirts of the town of Nabi Sheet to repel Israeli forces that carried out a landing by helicopters” in the area.
An Israeli helicopter in the area was hit by the group, two Hezbollah officials in the eastern Bekaa region, where Nabi Sheet is located, told AFP on condition of anonymity.
Overnight on Friday, a failed Israeli commando operation in Nabi Sheet and its surrounding areas to find the remains of Ron Arad, an airman missing since 1986, killed 41 people.
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Shelter rankings and shower-timing apps: Israelis, Palestinians adjust to Iranian rockets
March 09, 2026
JERUSALEM: What is Israel’s best bomb shelter? And when is the best time of day to shower without interruption from a missile alert?
The Middle East war that began with US and Israeli strikes on Iran has provoked waves of retaliatory Iranian fire as well as some tricky questions for Jews and Arabs from Tel Aviv to Jerusalem.
A new app, which went viral in the country within hours of launching, uses statistical analysis of recent air raid alerts in specific areas to guide users on the optimal time of day to bathe, while limiting the chances of having to run for cover mid-wash.
“Can’t even take a shower. I’m naked in the dining room. Is that normal?” quipped an Israeli on a Telegram account with 60,000 followers, as an alert warning of incoming Iranian missiles ordered residents to head for shelter.
Time Out, a publication known for directing people toward trendy restaurants and cocktail bars, is also trying to help the public navigate the war.
It has published a list of desirable Tel Aviv beach spots based on their proximity to a shelter.
“We searched and found beaches that are near compliant protected areas (shelters) you can reach in just a few minutes’ walk if necessary. Don’t panic!“
Journalist Ofek Tzach has offered a ranking of Tel Aviv’s public shelters.
Among the low performers are one that he derides as packed with tourists, another “with barking dogs,” and a third he says is “quiet but with no one to talk to.”
- Married in bomb shelter -
There have also been endearing moments that have captured the public’s attention.
The wedding venue booked by Lior and Michael was no longer available, due to security restrictions, so the couple got married in a shelter — four levels below ground in a shopping center parking lot.
“It was a wonderful moment,” even if seventy percent of the people there were strangers, Michael told Israel’s Channel 13.
There has also been a surge of online advice on how to make time in shelters more bearable.
Books, music and cushions are popular recommendations, standing in contrast to the more austere guidance from Israeli authorities, which includes having a radio, batteries, a phone charger and ID papers.
For Palestinians living in Israeli-annexed east Jerusalem, responses to the relentless air raid sirens have tilted toward dark humor.
There are few public shelters in the eastern part of the city and private shelters are almost non-existent.
“At the moment, Palestinians are taking a plate of qatayef and going up to the roof” to watch the missiles, said a Facebook post by pastry chef Mohammad Alayan, referring to the dessert traditionally eaten during the Muslim holy month of Ramadan.
Palestinians in east Jerusalem regularly film rockets streaking through the sky from their rooftops.
Palestinians also took playful aim at a Facebook post by Jerusalem Mayor Moshe Lion detailing the proper conduct when an air raid siren sounds.
One comment on the post, apparently from a resident of the east Jerusalem refugee camp Shuafat, asked: “What is someone in Shuafat refugee camp supposed to do? Jump out the window?“
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Bahrain circulates draft UN resolution demanding halt to Iran’s ‘heinous and deliberate’ Gulf attacks
EPHREM KOSSAIFY
March 09, 2026
NEW YORK: Bahrain has circulated a draft resolution to the United Nations Security Council condemning missile and drone attacks by Iran against several Gulf states and demanding Tehran “immediately and unconditionally” halt its “provocations and threats to neighboring countries,” according to a draft text seen by Arab News.
It was distributed to council members on Sunday on behalf of the Member States of the Cooperation Council for the Arab States of the Gulf: Kuwait, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates.
The text condemns “unequivocally, in the strongest terms” what it called “heinous” Iranian missile and unmanned aerial vehicle strikes targeting the territories of the Gulf countries and Jordan. It states that such acts constitute “a breach of international law and a serious threat to international peace and security.”
The resolution would demand the “immediate cessation of all attacks” by Iran against these states and calls on Tehran to stop any provocations or threats toward neighboring countries, including through the use of proxy forces.
Diplomats told Arab News the council is expected to discuss the proposal during closed consultations on Monday. Bahrain is seeking co-sponsors for the draft, including from member states of the EU, the diplomats added.
The draft highlights the importance of the Gulf region to international peace and security and its vital role in the stability of the world economy, evoking Council Resolution 552 — adopted in 1984 — which reaffirmed the right of free navigation in international waters and sea lanes for shipping.
The text also expresses strong support for the sovereignty and territorial integrity of the Gulf states and Jordan and reaffirms the inherent right of “individual or collective self-defense in response to the deplorable armed attacks by the Islamic Republic of Iran,” under Article 51 of the U.N. Charter.
The draft also deplores Iran’s “deliberate targeting” of civilians and civilian infrastructure, “including airports, energy installations, objects necessary for food production and distribution, and critical civilian infrastructure, as well as the indiscriminate use of weapons in populated areas and their consequences for the civilian population, as well as attacks and threats on merchant and commercial vessels in and near the Strait of Hormuz and the disruption of maritime security and the adverse impact on international trade, energy security and the global economy resulting from destabilizing activities and regional tensions which constitute a violation of international law.”
The text further raises concerns about threats to maritime security and international trade, condemning attacks or threats against merchant and commercial vessels near the Strait of Hormuz and warning against any actions aimed at obstructing international navigation through the waterway or the Bab al-Mandab Strait.
The resolution would reaffirm that the navigational rights of commercial vessels must be respected under international law and notes that states have the right to defend their vessels against attacks that threaten freedom of navigation.
Council negotiations on the text are expected to begin this week, though diplomats said it was not yet clear whether the draft would be put to a vote or face opposition from some members.
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Arab World
Saudi crown prince discusses regional situation with Ukrainian, Spanish leaders
March 08, 2026
RIYADH: Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman held phone calls with global leaders to discuss the regional escalation and its repercussion on global peace and security.
In his discussion with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, the crown prince was assured of Kyiv’s solidarity and support to measures the Kingdom was taking to protect its territory, SPA reported.
Zelensky also condemned Iran’s attacks against Saudi Arabia.
Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez also expressed his country’s condemnation of the Iranian’s attacks on the Kingdom during his call with the crown prince.
Sanchez also emphasized his country’s rejection of any action that threatens Saudi Arabia’s security and sovereignty and affirmed Spain’s support for all measures to preserve it.
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Saudi air defenses destroy 3 ballistic missiles, 4 drones
March 09, 2026
RIYADH: Saudi Arabia's air defenses on Monday have shot down at least three ballistic missiles and four drones that have entered the Kingdom's airspace at past midnight, the Ministry of Defense said.
In a series of posts on X, the ministry said three ballistic missiles launched toward Prince Sultan Air Base in Al-Kharj were intercepted and destroyed.
Two drones were shot down in the northern part of the national capital, Riyadh city, another one aimed at the Shaybah oil field was intercepted in the Empty Quarter desert, and another one was destroyed in the northern province of Al-Jouf.
Monday's early waves of strikes in the Kingdom and other Gulf states seem to follow a pattern, with Iran launching missiles and drones in waves starting at midnight, continuing relentlessly until late in the day.
Saudi Arabia's air defenses had successfully intercepted and destroyed multiple numbers of missile and drones in the past days. Most of the missiles are aimed at the Prince Sultan Air Base, while many of the drones were targeted at the Shaybah field.
Video footage posted by the Ministry of Defense on X on Sunday showed some of the enemy drones being neutralized.
On Sunday, however, two people were reported killed and 12 injured after a projectile fell on a residential area in Al-Kharj governorate, where the Prince Sultan Air Base is located.
An official spokesman for the Saudi Civil Defense said that the two deceased were Indian and Bangladeshi nationals, while the dozen injured were all Bangladeshi residents. The victims were employees of a maintenance and cleaning company in the area.
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Authorities continue efforts to boost quality of life in Madinah
March 08, 2026
MADINAH: The Madinah Region Development Authority continues its efforts to enhance the quality of life in the holy city by developing pathways and public spaces that encourage movement and physical activity.
The initiatives aim to promote healthier, more active lifestyles among Madinah residents.
The projects include well-maintained pedestrian paths, safe bicycle lanes, dedicated bicycle stations, and barefoot walking areas.
These features provide residents and visitors with diverse options for daily exercise and form part of the authority’s strategy to promote public health and help prevent lifestyle-related diseases such as obesity.
The authority is focusing on boosting tourism, extending visitor stays, and reducing reliance on vehicles.
These initiatives are part of broader urban development efforts to modernize cities.
The approach promotes safer and more sustainable mobility options for pedestrians and cyclists.
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Saudi minister receives Russian ambassador in Riyadh
March 08, 2026
RIYADH: Saudi Arabia’s Deputy Minister for Political Affairs Saud Al-Sati received Ambassador of Russia to the Kingdom Sergey Kozlov in Riyadh on Sunday.
During the meeting, they discussed bilateral relations and various topics of mutual interest, the Foreign Ministry wrote in a post on X.
Meanwhile, Saudi Vice Minister of Foreign Affairs Waleed Elkhereiji participated in the Arab League Council session at the ministerial level via video conference.
The session condemned the recent Iranian attacks on several Arab countries, which targeted civilians, critical infrastructure, and diplomatic missions, the Saudi Press Agency said.
It also addressed measures for strengthening joint Arab action to promote regional security and stability.
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2 killed, 12 injured after projectile falls on residential area in Al-Kharj
March 08, 2026
RIYADH: Two people were killed and 12 injured after a projectile fell on a residential area in Saudi Arabia’s Al-Kharj governorate, the Saudi Civil Defense confirmed on Sunday.
An official spokesman for the SCD said units responded to the fall of a military projectile on a residential site belonging to a maintenance and cleaning company in the area, causing material damage, he added.
The two deceased were Indian and Bangladeshi nationals, while the dozen injured were all Bangladeshi residents.
The spokesperson stressed that attempts to target civilian objects are a flagrant violation of international humanitarian law, and that the procedures adopted in such cases have been implemented.
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Regional tensions spark rare hotel price falls in Makkah during Ramadan
March 08, 2026
MAKKAH: Hotel demand in Makkah during the final 10 days of Ramadan, traditionally the busiest period of the year, has softened this season as international pilgrims cancel bookings due to regional tensions impact on the aviation industry, causing lower prices as more flights get cancelled or rerouted, or as passengers prefer to delay their plans.
The shift has opened opportunities for Saudi citizens and residents as well as visitors from non effected areas and routes, who can now secure rooms near the Grand Mosque at prices rarely seen during Ramadan’s final nights.
Hotels that normally sell out months in advance are now accepting last-minute reservations.
With fewer international pilgrims arriving, some properties have lowered prices, creating unexpected savings for locals and allowing them to experience the holy nights near the Grand Mosque, Islam’s holiest site.
Makkah resident Kamel Ibrahim told Arab News that domestic pilgrims are benefiting from the shift.
“Those seeking hotel rooms in the central area of Makkah and Madinah should contact hotels directly rather than booking through applications,” he said.
“Some properties are offering discounts of up to 50 percent compared with typical Ramadan prices because thousands of reservations from abroad have been canceled.”
Arab News tested this by checking prices on the travel platform Wego. A one-night stay at a hotel in Makkah was listed at SR1,138 (about $303).
When the hotel was contacted directly, the same room was offered for SR1,032 (about $275).
The difference highlights how travelers already in the Kingdom can make savings by booking directly rather than through international platforms.
Travel data from Wego shows average nightly rates for hotels near the Haram can still reach about $400 (SR1,500), depending on proximity to the mosque and room views.
Sara Siyamek, front office supervisor of Tilal Jabal Al-Kaabah Hotel said occupancy near the Grand Mosque is lower than in previous years.
“Hotels in Makkah, particularly those surrounding the Grand Mosque, have been affected by the current situation in the Gulf region, which has directly impacted bookings during the last 10 days of Ramadan,” she told Arab News.
“According to indicators circulating in the accommodation sector, occupancy rates have declined by approximately 30 percent compared with previous years, even though the last 10 days of Ramadan typically see full occupancy.”
The decline in international arrivals has been linked to travel disruptions affecting several countries who send pilgrims to Saudi Arabia.
Wejdan Bugis is a mutawwif (someone appointed by the Ministry of Hajj to act as a guide for pilgrims) in Makkah who inherited the profession from her father and grandfather who traditionally guided pilgrims from East Asia.
Bugis told Arab News that flight disruptions are the main reason fewer pilgrims are arriving during the final days of Ramadan.
“Most pilgrims come from outside Makkah, and the main issue now is travel,” she said. “If flights are operating, people will come.
“But many travelers from Gulf countries cannot arrive unless they are already inside Saudi Arabia.”
Bugis said airport operations have been disrupted across the region. “When I arrived in Dammam, airport staff said international flights had been suspended and operations were limited, which has put pressure on Jeddah airport.
“Dammam airport is now very empty because many flights have stopped, and the number of people coming to Makkah is much lower,” she said.
Officials in Indonesia have urged pilgrims to delay departures, citing escalating tensions in the Middle East and flight cancellations affecting travel routes to Saudi Arabia, according to Antara News.
Reports also indicate that about 1,600 pilgrims from Malaysia were stranded in Saudi Arabia after flights were canceled due to regional airspace disruptions, according to The Star.
Maldives Islamic Minister Dr. Mohamed Shaheem Ali Saeed said authorities are working to assist about 150 Maldivian pilgrims who were unable to travel for Umrah during the final 10 days of Ramadan after flights from transit points were canceled, according to Edition.mv.
Despite the disruptions, some hotels in the city continue to maintain steady occupancy, especially from routes or areas unaffected by the tensions and given that Jeddah Airport, the main airport connecting the Holy City of Makkah, is located far away from Iran and has been operating with full capacity and uninterrupted since the beginning of the conflict.
“Despite current tensions in parts of the region and the flight cancellations we are seeing, the flow of pilgrims to Makkah for Umrah continues,” Talat Hafiz, an economist and financial analyst, told Arab News.
“For Muslims around the world, performing Umrah — especially at this time of year — remains a deeply important spiritual journey.
“Aviation authorities and airlines are adjusting routes to ensure safety, and safe aviation corridors remain available in the region, including through Saudi Arabia’s airspace.
“As a result, pilgrims are still able to reach the Kingdom, and the hospitality sector in Makkah continues to see strong demand.”
Abdulmughni Al-Twyri, a Makkah hotel consultant, said many pilgrims from Turkey, Pakistan, Uzbekistan and Tajikistan are already in the city, because they tend to stay for longer periods.
“Most of the guests in the hotels I consult for are Turks, Uzbeks and Egyptians,” he said.
He said that visitors from Gulf countries represent only a small share of pilgrims. “Less than 5 percent of the pilgrims come from Gulf countries,” he said.
Al-Twyri noted that hotels in areas such as Al-Aziziyah and Kudai continue to enjoy steady occupancy.
Pilgrims from Gulf countries typically stay in hotels close to the Grand Mosque, often in higher-end properties, and usually visit for short stays of one or two days.
In contrast, visitors from countries such as Turkey and Uzbekistan tend to stay in Makkah for longer periods, helping sustain occupancy in mid-range hotels.
Industry figures say the domestic market is helping to stabilize demand even as international travel fluctuates.
Ahmed Al-Maghrabi, former hotel director at Swissotel Al-Maqam Makkah, said the local market plays an important role.
“In my personal opinion, the local market will not be significantly affected,” he told Arab News. “International travel may fluctuate depending on the region, but the Kingdom remains a safe destination and Makkah continues to attract visitors.”
Analysts say the shift reflects temporary changes in travel patterns rather than a long-term slowdown in religious tourism.
“The desire of visitors from inside the Kingdom and abroad to stay in Makkah during Ramadan, particularly during the last 10 days, remains extremely strong,” said Hatem Al-Masoudi, a journalism and media specialist.
Source: arabnews.com
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Nearly 2 million people cross Makkah miqats during Ramadan
March 08, 2026
RIYADH: Nearly two million people have so far passed through the miqats of Makkah — the points past which all must enter the state of ritual cleanliness or ihram — during Ramadan this year.
The Royal Commission for Makkah City and Holy Sites said the total number of visitors so far had reached 1,855,775. CEO Saleh Al-Rasheed told the Saudi Press Agency the commission was ready to handle the month’s increased turnout, with field teams working to ensure smooth movement and stability.
The Al-Taneem Mosque received 372,110 visitors, while the number at Miqat Yalmalam reached 392,042, Miqat Al-Jahfa 201,005, Miqat Al-Sail Al-Kabir 554,813, Miqat Wadi Muharram 185,516, and Al-Ja’rana Mosque received 150,289 visitors.
Worshippers passing these sites must have taken care of their personal hygiene and are forbidden from wearing tailored clothing. Instead, men will wear the izar, which consists of two pieces of white cloth covering the lower body and shoulders, while women are required to wear modest clothing with a head covering.
Employees from the royal commission conducted 3,513 inspection tours with no security incidents recorded, reflecting the stability of operations at the sites.
There are a total of 800 people working at the various locations, distributed across the various miqats and mosques, who support the smooth delivery of services to visitors.
The influx of pilgrims comes as the last 10 days of Ramadan approach, typically a peak season for worshippers performing umrah.
Source: arabnews.com
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https://www.arabnews.com/node/2635687/saudi-arabia
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Europe
Thug 'smashes window' of Glasgow mosque while women and children break fast inside
Ryan Carroll
08 Mar 2026
A mosque in Glasgow has expressed "deep alarm" after a thug smashed its windows with a spanner-like object while children were inside.
Al-Farooq Education and Community Centre said women and kids were gathered in the mosque breaking their fast when the incident occurred on Saturday night, March 7.
The centre, which is located on on Dixon Avenue in Govanhill, said an individual approached the mosque at around 7.10pm with "what appeared to be a large spanner", and repeatedly struck a window, causing damage to the building.
The mosque shared in a statement on Facebook: "At the time, women and children were gathered in that area to break their fast (iftar) during the holy month of Ramadan.
"The attack caused significant distress, forcing mothers and children to move to another part of the building for safety.
"This incident follows a number of concerning acts directed towards the mosque and contributes to a growing sense of vulnerability within the local Muslim community."
The centre shared a photo of a smashed window in the centre along with its statement.
The mosque said officers have been informed.
Police Scotland have been contacted by the Record for comment.
Source: dailyrecord.co.uk
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https://www.dailyrecord.co.uk/news/scottish-news/thug-smashes-window-glasgow-mosque-36834570
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Another EU country ready to veto Ukraine loan
8 Mar, 2026
Bratislava is ready to block a planned EU loan for Ukraine if Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban is voted out of office in the upcoming election, Slovak Prime Minister Robert Fico has said. It would be a justified means of compelling Kiev to resume Russian oil supplies through the Druzhba pipeline, he said in a statement on Facebook on Sunday.
A €90 billion ($105 billion) EU emergency loan for Ukraine was vetoed by Orban last month after Kiev halted vital Russian oil supplies to both Hungary and Slovakia via the Soviet pipeline. Kiev claimed it was damaged by Russian strikes – something Moscow has denied. Hungary and Slovakia – both heavily dependent on Russian energy – accused Kiev of deliberately cutting it off in a bid to exert pressure on them.
“[Ukraine’s Vladimir Zelensky] is permanently harming us and he thinks that he will force us to change our stance on the war” Fico said.
The prime minister also slammed the EU loan by saying that it was essentially a “gift” since Kiev would not repay it. Its only purpose i to “motivate [the Ukrainians] to fight till the last soldier,” he argued.
“The most important message will be that Slovakia is ready to take up the mantle of Hungary if it is necessary,” Fico stated.
Hungary recently seized some $80 million worth of cash and another $20 million in gold bars that was being transported to Kiev by a Ukrainian team. The seizure was part of a money laundering probe. Ukrainian Foreign Minister Andrey Sybiga accused Budapest of kidnapping for detaining those escorting the cash.
Orban is also a longstanding opponent of Ukraine’s EU membership bid and military assistance to the country.
Earlier this week, Zelensky issued a thinly veiled threat against the Hungarian prime minister, saying he would let the Ukrainian military “speak to him in their own language.” Orban responded by stating that no threats to his life would change his position.
Source: rt.com
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https://www.rt.com/news/634185-eu-country-veto-ukraine-loan/
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President of Iran Masoud Pezeshkian has phone call with President Ilham Aliyev
9 March 2026
On March 8, President of the Islamic Republic of Iran Masoud Pezeshkian made a phone call to President of the Republic of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev.
President Masoud Pezeshkian expressed his gratitude to President Ilham Aliyev for his visit to the Iranian Embassy in Azerbaijan to offer condolences over the passing of the Supreme Leader of the Islamic Republic of Iran, Ayatollah Sayyid Ali Khamenei, and numerous civilians, as well as for his intention to provide humanitarian aid to Iran.
Noting that the incident involving airstrike on Nakhchivan had no connection with Iran, President Masoud Pezeshkian emphasized that the incident would be investigated.
President Ilham Aliyev once again expressed his condolences over the death of numerous civilians in the recent events in Iran.
The Azerbaijani President underlined the importance of investigating the incident that occurred in Nakhchivan.
During the telephone conversation, the heads of state exchanged views on the development prospects of joint economic projects.
Source: azernews.az
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https://www.azernews.az/nation/255444.html
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IRA bomb victims' civil court case begins against Gerry Adams
9 March 2026
Julian O'Neill
A civil court case brought by three IRA bomb victims against former Sinn Féin leader Gerry Adams opens in London on Monday.
The men are seeking a ruling that he is personally liable for decisions to plant car bombs in London and Manchester in 1973 and 1996.
They are suing him for a nominal £1 in damages for "vindicatory purposes".
Adams has stated he had "no direct or indirect" involvement and has repeatedly denied ever being in the IRA.
The civil case is being heard by Mr Justice Swift at the Royal Courts of Justice.
It is listed to last for seven days.
The action has been brought by John Clark, a victim of the Old Bailey attack in 1973, as well as Jonathan Ganesh and Barry Laycock, who were injured in the 1996 attacks in London's Docklands and at Manchester's Arndale Shopping Centre.
The three bombings were the first and last the IRA carried out in Britain.
More than 200 people were injured in the bomb left outside the Old Bailey in 1973 – the device had been transported by car ferry from Belfast to Liverpool.
It caused extensive damage.
More than 20 years later, two people were killed, and many others injured by an IRA bomb which had been left in a lorry in London's Docklands on 9 February 1996.
Just months later, a bomb exploded near Manchester Arndale shopping centre in June 1996.
More than 200 people were injured in what was described as the most powerful bomb to go off in Britain since World War Two.
The legal team representing the men has said it will present evidence from witnesses who include former IRA members, as well as retired police officers and soldiers.
Two witnesses have been granted anonymity and will be screened from view.
Adams, 77, will testify in his defence next week.
"I anticipate a number of witnesses will give hearsay evidence that because I was a senior republican during the conflict I must be responsible for these specific events," he wrote in the Andersonstown News newspaper last month.
"I had no direct or indirect involvement in these explosions.
"I will robustly challenge the unsubstantiated hearsay statements that are the mainstay of the claimants' case."
'For all IRA victims'
The victims' lawyers have said it will be the first time Adams will be cross-examined in an English court about his alleged leadership role in the IRA.
The judge will rule on the issue of liability "on the balance of probabilities".
The action commenced in 2022, just before the Legacy Act banned new civil claims related to the Troubles, although this is in the process of being reversed.
The claimants have raised more than £100,000 through crowdfunding to bring the case.
They said they were acting not just for themselves, but for all IRA victims.
As a result of a pre-trial ruling, Adams is unable to recover his legal costs from the claimants, believed to be six figures, should he successfully defend the action.
The IRA was responsible for around 1,700 killings during the Troubles.
Adams was once charged with IRA membership in 1978, but the case was dropped due to insufficient evidence.
His only Troubles-era convictions, for twice attempting to escape prison while interned without trial in the mid-1970s, where quashed in 2020.
He has been questioned in court before about his alleged IRA past - at the Ballymurphy inquest in Belfast in 2019 and during a libel case against the BBC in Dublin last year.
Source: bbc.com
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https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/cy4ww4dp33jo
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War fuels debate in Cyprus over UK military bases
9 March 2026
Jessica Parker
A drone strike on a British airbase in Cyprus has reignited an enduring debate about the UK's presence on the island.
It's a week since the drone punched a hole in a hangar at RAF Akrotiri.
That hole, for some in Britain, symbolises embarrassing gaps in UK hard power.
For some in Cyprus, it's another unwelcome result of British military overreach.
"We just want to have an independent Cyprus," said local business owner Natasha Theodotou.
She was holding a banner that read "British Bases Out" at a demonstration outside the presidential palace in the capital, Nicosia.
"Just as we're occupied by the Turkish government," said Natasha, "we are occupied by the UK."
She wants to see a unified country where Greek Cypriots and Turkish Cypriots live together.
Britain retained two major sovereign bases in Cyprus' south and south east, Akrotiri and Dhekelia, as part of a 1960 treaty that established the island's independence and ended its status as a British colony.
In 1974 Turkey invaded and took control of Cyprus' northern third in response to a Greece-backed military coup.
Not far from the protest tourists queue up at a checkpoint allowing passage into the Turkish-controlled part of Nicosia.
The city, which sits on the UN-patrolled buffer zone known as the Green Line, is sometimes called the world's last divided capital.
British military officials' best assessment is that the drone that hit RAF Akrotiri was launched in Lebanon by the Iranian-backed militia Hezbollah.
The UK government has said its bases in Cyprus are not among those that could be utilised by US bombers for "defensive" strikes on Iranian missile sites.
But the reported use of the base by American U-2 spy planes may explain why RAF Akrotiri was a target, as Iran and its proxies retaliated against US-Israeli strikes.
The UK has not taken part in any direct attacks on Iran itself.
Roughly 200 to 300 protesters joined the march on Saturday, carrying signs that were also pro-Palestine and critical of the US and Israel.
Chants included: "Say it loud, say it clear, British bases out of here."
The territory, kept by the UK, covers about 98 sq miles (254 sq km) and is even patrolled by a separate, special police force.
These Sovereign Base Areas (SBAs) are a lingering point of contention while also being highly interwoven into the island and a source of employment.
They encompass communities well beyond the fenced-off airbase of RAF Akrotiri, on the island's southern tip.
"I think that we'd be a lot safer without them here," said Shona Muir, holding up the British Bases Out banner with Natasha.
"Their presence alone here makes us more of a target."
A spokesperson for the Ministry of Defence told the BBC: "Our bases in Cyprus play a crucial role in supporting the safety of British citizens and our allies in the Mediterranean and in the Middle East."
"Just this week, we have flown Typhoon and F-35 fighter jets on sorties around the region, shooting down Iranian drones and defending innocent civilians from Iran's indiscriminate attacks," they added.
The Cypriot government has been at pains to stress that it's a UK base, not Cyprus, that was targeted by a drone and that Cyprus has no involvement in the ongoing conflict.
A UK foothold in the Eastern Mediterranean, RAF Akrotiri has long supported operations in the Middle East and, more recently, reportedly been used for surveillance flights over Gaza.
"We don't know what's happening in [the] British bases," said Stephanos Stavros, who also came to Saturday's demonstration.
"There are worries now that there are things there that we were not aware [of]."
Stephanos said the treaty establishing the bases should be complied with, but he wanted to see "full transparency".
This week, Cyprus' Foreign Minister, Constantinos Kombos, said the matter of British bases had been "on the agenda" for a long time.
"But I believe this is a conversation that one needs to have after we have a careful reflection as to what has transpired, especially in recent days and hours," he told BBC Newsnight.
Any renegotiation, in reality, would be extremely complex, given that the foundational agreements involved the UK, Greece, and Turkey as well as representatives from the Greek and Turkish Cypriot communities.
Source: bbc.com
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https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/cx2r1xldl1ko
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North America
‘They stole our country’: Iranian-Americans rally in Los Angeles backing strikes on Iran regime
Mar 8, 2026
Hundreds of Iranian-Americans gathered in Los Angeles on Saturday to express their support for recent attacks targeting Iran’s ruling regime, a week after a US-Israeli airstrike reportedly killed the country’s supreme leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei.
Demonstrators said the moment could mark a turning point for the Iranian people and a chance to end the Islamic Republic’s grip on power.
Rally calls for democracy in Iran
Protesters assembled near the federal building in Westwood, chanting slogans demanding the return of democracy to Tehran. Many waved Iranian flags and shared stories of exile, saying their families fled the country after the 1979 Islamic Revolution.
Several demonstrators rejected the idea that the current military strikes amount to a war, instead describing the situation as an opportunity to dismantle the ruling regime.
“It’s not a war. It’s a rescue mission,” one protester was quoted as saying by the New York Post, echoing a sentiment shared by several people at the rally.
Some protesters praise Trump, Netanyahu
A number of participants expressed support for US President Donald Trump and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, saying they believe the actions taken against Iran’s leadership could help free the country from authoritarian rule.
Mars, who was born in Shiraz and still has relatives in Iran, told reporters many Iranians see Trump as a “hero.”
“He will be remembered by Iranians the way Jewish people remember Cyrus the Great,” he said, referring to the ancient Persian ruler known for freeing the Jews from Babylonian captivity.
Another demonstrator, Shahrokh, who was born in Tehran and still has family there, said he was grateful for the actions taken by the US and Israel.
“We are very grateful,” he said.
Criticism of US Democrats
Some protesters also criticised Democratic leaders in the US for opposing regime change in Iran. Nazanin Jalalian, who now lives in Los Angeles with her mother after leaving Iran, urged American politicians to better understand the realities of life under the regime.
“Try living in Iran. Try going to Iran,” she said in response to comments opposing regime change.
Others at the rally argued that politicians who oppose intervention cannot claim to advocate for human rights if they ignore conditions in Iran.
Stories of exile and life under the regime
Many protesters said their families left Iran decades ago but still feel deeply connected to the country’s future. Amin, who was born in Tehran and whose parents still live there, said the demonstrations reflect hope for change.
“They stole our country 47 years ago,” he said. “We had to move to the US as refugees.”
Benjamin Basre, a Jewish Iranian immigrant whose relatives still live in Iran, described growing up under the regime as frightening.
“How do I describe the environment in Iran? It’s exactly like the Nazi regime,” he said, recalling how his grandmother once worried about whether neighbours would hide them if authorities targeted their family.
Community says voices often ignored
Some participants said they feel overlooked by US politicians despite the large Iranian-American population in Southern California.
Basre said many in the community want their perspectives heard when American leaders debate policy toward Iran.
“Over 700,000 Iranians live in Southern California alone,” he said. “They didn’t bother to ask how we feel.”
For many at the rally, the gathering was not just about politics but about expressing hope that change could eventually come to Iran.
Source: indiatimes.com
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https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/world/us/they-stole-our-country-iranian-americans-rally-in-los-angeles-backing-strikes-on-iran-regime-watch-video/articleshowprint/129270042.cms
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US will ‘make a ton of money’ from Iran war – senator
9 Mar, 2026
The US will control almost a third of the world’s oil and make record profits if it succeeds in toppling the Iranian government, hawkish Republican Senator Lindsey Graham told Fox News on Sunday.
Graham made the comments as global oil prices surged past $100 per barrel, which US President Donald Trump dismissed as “a very small price to pay” for the US-Israeli war against Iran, which was launched on February 28.
Graham described the cost of the attacks as the “best money ever spent,” arguing that the purpose is to prevent the country from developing nuclear weapons – which Iran has denied that it intends to do, insisting that its nuclear program is peaceful.
“When this regime goes down, we’re going to have a new Middle East, we are going to make a ton of money. Nobody will threaten the Strait of Hormuz again,” Graham said, adding that the US will install a “friendly” government in Tehran.
“Venezuela and Iran have 31% of the world’s oil reserves. We’re going to have a partnership with 31% of the known reserves. This is China’s nightmare. This is a good investment.”
Washington has also been seeking to control Venezuela’s oil sector after US commandos captured President Nicolas Maduro in early January. On Saturday, Trump formally recognized acting Venezuelan President Delcy Rodriguez, who has signaled the intention to cooperate with the US.
Iran has closed the Strait of Hormuz in response to the US‑Israeli attacks and has struck several tankers attempting to transit the crucial shipping route, leading to further disruptions in global energy flows. The Iranian military has also launched retaliatory strikes against American bases in the Gulf states.
Tehran has denounced the war as unprovoked aggression and vowed not to bow to Trump’s demand for “unconditional surrender.”
Source: rt.com
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https://www.rt.com/news/634201-us-ton-money-iran-graham/
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CAIR-AZ Calls for Hate Crime Probe of Attack on Children at North Phoenix Mosque
March 8, 2026
The Arizona chapter of the Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR-AZ), a chapter of the nation’s largest Muslim civil rights and advocacy organization, today called on law enforcement authorities to investigate a reported attack targeting children at a mosque in north Phoenix as a possible hate crime.
Washington, D.C., based CAIR also called on public officials and community leaders to repudiate the rising bigotry in our nation that can lead to such incidents.
Police are investigating the alleged aggravated assault on children outside the Islamic Center of North Phoenix that reportedly occurred in the early morning hours of March 7. A man allegedly shot what appeared to be a pellet or paintball gun in the direction of the mosque. The assailant reportedly hit multiple parked vehicles before he fled. No one was injured in the attack.
[NOTE: On Tuesday, March 10, CAIR: plans to release its annual civil rights report, titled “The Right to be Different,” during a news conference at its Capitol Hill headquarters in Washington, D.C. To obtain an embargoed copy of the report, media professionals may email: csaylor@cair.com ]
In a statement, CAIR AZ Executive Director Azza Abuseif said:
“Children and families gathering at a mosque for Ramadan prayers should never have to fear being targeted by violence or intimidation. Although we are grateful that no one was physically injured, an attack that appears to target a house of worship while children are present is deeply alarming.
“We urge law enforcement authorities to investigate this incident thoroughly, including the possibility that it was motivated by bias. Public officials and community leaders should also speak out clearly against anti-Muslim bigotry and all forms of hate that threaten the safety and well-being of our communities.”
Last month, CAIR-AZ called on Arizona residents of all faiths and backgrounds to urge their state legislators and Governor Hobbs to oppose an unconstitutional, bigoted bill, SB1018, that purports to ban “sharia law” from being enforced in the state.
The resurgence of “anti-Sharia” bills nationwide reflects a coordinated political effort to weaponize fear of Islam to for political reasons.
Last year, CAIR released a congressional briefing memo, “Weaponized Islamophobia: The Return of the Anti-Sharia Hoax,” to every member of the U.S. House of Representatives and Senate, along with a companion educational document titled “Sharia in American Life.”
In January, CAIR-AZ welcomed a letter sent to Arizona legislators signed by dozens of local civil rights, advocacy and faith-based organizations who strongly oppose a defamatory resolution attacking CAIR-Arizona by anti-Muslim lawmaker Rep. John Gillette, who has previously referred to Muslims as “savages.”
CAIR is America’s largest Muslim civil liberties and advocacy organization. Its mission is to protect civil liberties, empower American Muslims, and build coalitions that promote justice and mutual understanding.
La misión de CAIR es proteger las libertades civiles, mejorar la comprensión del Islam, promover la justicia, y empoderar a los musulmanes en los Estados Unidos.
Source: cair.com
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https://www.cair.com/press_releases/breaking-cair-az-calls-for-hate-crime-probe-of-attack-on-children-at-north-phoenix-mosque/
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Improvised explosive found at protests near Manhattan's Gracie Mansion, Mamdani's official residence, NYPD says
Andrew Ramos,
March 8, 2026
New York City Police Commissioner Jessica Tisch says at least one suspicious device recovered during clashing protests outside Gracie Mansion, the official residence of Mayor Zohran Mamdani, was an improvised explosive.
Tisch told reporters during a Saturday evening news conference that an anti-Islam protest on Manhattan's Upper East Side was organized by people associated with Jake Lang, a pardoned Jan. 6 rioter and far-right influencer, and was called "Stop the Islamic Takeover of New York City/Stop New York City Public Muslim Prayer."
The Lang-associated protest drew about 20 participants, Tisch said, beginning at about 11 a.m. near East End Avenue and East 87th Street. A counterprotest called "Run the Nazis Out of New York City/Stand Against Hate" drew about 125 participants, Tisch said.
Suspects arrested at clashing protests
NYPD officers arrived on the scene and separated the groups into designated protest areas, police said.
Tensions between the two groups began escalating, and at around 12:15 p.m., an individual from the initial protest used pepper spray against the counter-protesters, police said. Tisch said that suspect was later arrested.
Tisch said that shortly after 12:30 p.m., a counter-protester, identified as 18-year-old Emir Balat of Pennsylvania, lit and threw an ignited device toward the protesters. According to Tisch, witnesses saw flames and smoke as the device struck a barrier in a crosswalk, a few feet away from police officers. The device then extinguished itself.
In videos depicting the chaos, a man appears to yell "Allahu Akbar" just as Balat throws the device that Tisch described as "a jar wrapped in tape, importantly with nuts, bolts, and screws along with a hobby fuse." The videos were verified by the CBS News Confirmed Team. It is not clear from the videos who was shouting the words.
Balat allegedly then ran away and retrieved a second device from 19-year-old Ibrahim Nikk, also of Pennsylvania, then lit the device and started running with it before eventually dropping it, Tisch said.
Balat and Nikk were taken into custody. According to law enforcement sources, investigators were looking to determine if at least one was inspired by ISIS extremist messaging.
Devices contained explosive material, sources say
The NYPD Bomb Squad was called in to examine the devices. Tisch said it was unclear at the time whether the devices were functionable improvised explosive devices or hoax devices, and that they required further police testing and analysis.
"The NYPD Bomb Squad has conducted a preliminary analysis of a device that was ignited and deployed at a protest yesterday and has determined that it is not a hoax device or a smoke bomb. It is, in fact, an improvised explosive device that could have caused serious injury or death," Tisch said in a statement Sunday. "Further analysis will be conducted, including on a second device."
Law enforcement sources familiar with the investigation told CBS News that the devices contained triacetone triperoxide (TATP), a highly volatile, unstable explosive material which is often synthesized from acetone and hydrogen peroxide and appears as a white crystalline powder. The devices consisted of a sports drink bottle containing explosive material set inside a glass jar and surrounded by fragmentation, with a kind of fuse used for fireworks, the sources added.
"These devices were constructed with the intent to kill or maim," said Richard Esposito, CBS News law enforcement contributor and author of "Bomb Squad," a book featuring the NYPD's Bomb Squad.
The devices were rendered safe Sunday and a search was underway of Balat's and Nikk's residences, electronic devices and social media, according to sources.
Mamdani was inside Gracie Mansion
The NYPD confirmed the mayor was inside Gracie Mansion at the time of the demonstrations.
In a statement, a spokesperson for Mamdani said that "the 'Crusade Against Islamification' gathering held outside Gracie Mansion today by Jake Lang, a vile white supremacist, was despicable and Islamophobic. Thankfully, the Mayor and the First Lady are both safe, though the events are a stark reminder of the threats they both face regularly. The Mayor has spoken with Police Commissioner Tisch, and the NYPD is actively investigating the protest, counter-protest, and suspicious devices discovered outside Gracie Mansion."
Mamdani released the following statement following the NYPD's discovery that at least one device was an explosive:
Yesterday, white supremacist Jake Lang organized a protest outside Gracie Mansion rooted in bigotry and racism. Such hate has no place in New York City. It is an affront to our city's values and the unity that defines who we are.
What followed was even more disturbing. Violence at a protest is never acceptable. The attempt to use an explosive device and hurt others is not only criminal, it is reprehensible and the antithesis of who we are.
I want to thank the brave men and women of the NYPD who acted quickly to keep New Yorkers safe. Our officers ran toward danger without hesitation, demonstrating once again the courage and dedication it takes to protect this city every single day.
My administration is closely monitoring the situation and I remain in close contact with our Police Commissioner.
No other devices found
Police continued to search the area near Gracie Mansion for additional hazards, but Tisch said no other devices had been found.
Tisch added there was no indication that the incident was related to the war with Iran.
The NYPD said a total of six arrests were made at the protests, including Balat, Nikk and the suspect involved in the pepper spray incident. An additional three arrests were made for disorderly conduct and obstructing traffic.
The investigation is ongoing. The FBI New York's Joint Terrorism Task Force is also investigating.
Pat Milton, Richard Esposito and Mark Prussin contributed to this report.
Source: cbsnews.com
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https://www.cbsnews.com/philadelphia/news/gracie-mansion-protest-smoke-grenades/
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Blast outside US Embassy in Oslo investigated as possible terrorist attack
9 Mar, 2026
Norwegian police are investigating an explosion outside the US Embassy in Oslo as a possible act of terrorism. The incident occurred amid heightened security for American diplomatic missions and the US-Israel war with Iran.
The blast happened at around 1:00 AM on Sunday and caused minor damage to the entrance of the diplomatic compound. An explosive device appears to have been thrown at the building, Grete Metlid, the head of operational services at Oslo police, said at a press conference. Photographs from the scene show broken glass and fallen lamps near the entrance.
Shortly after the explosion, a video appeared on the embassy’s Google Maps page showing Iran’s slain supreme leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, accompanied by a message in Arabic: “God is great. We are the victors.” Police said they are aware of the clip and are examining it as part of the investigation.
“One of the hypotheses is that it is an act of terrorism,” Frode Larsen, the head of the Oslo police investigation and intelligence unit, told NRK.
Norway’s domestic security service (PST) has joined the probe and is investigating the incident as a high priority, with security tightened around the site. No arrests have been made so far.
American diplomatic missions worldwide have been placed on high alert following joint US-Israeli airstrikes on Iran that began on February 28. Iran responded by launching missiles and drones at American bases across the Middle East and at Israel.
US diplomatic missions in Dubai and Riyadh have reportedly been targeted by Iranian drones, prompting the State Department to close embassies in Saudi Arabia, Lebanon, and Kuwait; it has also urged US citizens to leave the Middle East.
At least ten people were killed in Karachi, Pakistan, when US Marines opened fire on protesters attempting to storm the American consulate on March 1.
More than 32,000 Americans have returned from the Middle East since the start of the conflict, according to the State Department.
US President Donald Trump has demanded unconditional surrender from Iran as the US military reportedly braces for a weeks-long campaign.
Source: rt.com
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https://www.rt.com/news/634206-explosion-us-embassy-oslo-terrorist/
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Starmer and Trump speak for first time since president's Iran criticism
9 Mar, 2026
Kate Whannel
Sir Keir Starmer and Donald Trump have spoken for the first time since the US president angrily criticised the UK's Iran response.
No 10 released limited details of the call, saying the two leaders discussed the situation in the Middle East and military cooperation between the UK and US.
On Saturday, the president said the UK was considering sending aircraft carriers to the Middle East but dismissed the prospect, writing on social media "we don't need people that join Wars after we've already won!" - while labelling Britain "our once great ally".
Sir Keir has previously said the UK would not join offensive actions, but agreed to let the US use British bases for defensive strikes on Iranian missile sites.
Trump has repeatedly expressed his frustration at the prime minister after he refused a US request to use UK bases for initial offensive strikes against Iran.
Earlier this week, Trump said he was "not happy with the UK", adding that Sir Keir was "no Winston Churchill".
Speaking to Sunday with Laura Kuenssberg, Foreign Secretary Yvette Cooper said Sir Keir Starmer was "right to stand up for Britain's interests" and that the UK government would not agree with the president "on every issue".
"It's for the US president to decide what he thinks is in the US national interest, and that's for him to do.
"But it is our job as the UK government to decide what's in the UK national interest, and that doesn't mean simply agreeing with other countries or outsourcing our foreign policy to other countries."
Following the phone call between Trump and Sir Keir, Downing Street said in a statement: "The leaders began by discussing the latest situation in the Middle East and the military cooperation between the UK and US through the use of RAF bases in support of the collective self-defence of partners in the region.
"The prime minister also shared his heartfelt condolences with President Trump and the American people following the deaths of six US soldiers.
"They looked forward to speaking again soon."
Despite the criticism from Trump, Downing Street has defended its decision not to join the initial strikes and has reiterated that it does not want to participate in the wider offensive campaign in the Middle East.
Cooper said the UK would "provide defensive support when we see Iranian strikes on partner countries where British citizens are residing".
RAF jets have been sent to the region to shoot down missiles and drones fired by Iran at UK allies.
The UK aircraft carrier HMS Prince of Wales has been placed on advanced readiness but the foreign secretary would not confirm whether it would be sent to the region.
On Friday, former Labour Prime Minister Sir Tony Blair - who led the UK into the Iraq war in 2003 - told a private event that the UK should have backed the strikes from the beginning.
He said the US was an "indispensable cornerstone" of the UK's security, and that allies should "show up" regardless of who the current president is.
Cooper, who was a junior minister in Sir Tony's government when the UK joined the US invasion of Iraq, said it was "important to learn lessons from what went wrong" in that conflict.
She said that included "recognising that all our decisions need to be about what is right for British citizens".
The foreign secretary said "there are some people in politics who think we should just unquestioningly agree with the US whatever" while others "think we should never agree with the US" or "go along with joint action" but that neither was the right approach.
Appearing on the same programme, the Iranian ambassador in London warned the UK to be "very careful" about becoming further involved in the war.
Seyed Ali Mousavi said "if facilities or properties or bases are used against the Iranian nation", they would be considered "legitimate targets".
Reform UK's Robert Jenrick said his party did not think the UK should take part in offensive bombing raids over Iran but argued that the government should have let the US use UK bases "from the outset".
He told Kuenssberg that the "vacillation of the PM has damaged relations with the US significantly".
Speaking to Sky News, Conservative shadow home secretary Chris Philp accused the government of "a dereliction of duty" by failing to move warships to Cyprus or the Middle East ahead of the conflict.
"The problem is, those ships as we speak, are nowhere near Cyprus. They're nowhere near the Gulf," Philp said.
"They're tied up at the docks in Portsmouth because Keir Starmer and the Labour government showed no foresight whatsoever, even though they knew three or four weeks ago that America planned this action against Iran, they did not move those ships into the region."
Earlier this week, a small drone struck the runway at RAF Akrotiri, causing what the Ministry of Defence said was "minimal damage".
HMS Dragon - which has air defence capabilities - is currently in Portsmouth but is being sent to the Mediterranean to bolster security around the RAF base in Akrotiri in Cyprus. It is not expected to set sail until next week.
The crew of HMS Prince of Wales has been told they should be ready to leave in five days.
Asked if the UK had been slow to respond to the conflict, Cooper said the UK had "pre-deployed" fighter jets to the region along with 400 additional personnel.
She said that since the conflict had begun, the government had deployed additional typhoon fighter jets and Wildcat helicopters.
Meanwhile, Liberal Democrat leader Sir Ed Davey said a scheduled visit by King Charles to the US should be called off.
"At a time when Trump has launched an illegal war that is devastating the Middle East and pushing up energy bills for British families, it's clear this visit should not go ahead.
"A state visit from our King would be seen as yet another huge diplomatic coup for President Trump, so it should not be given to someone who repeatedly insults and damages our country."
Source: bbc.com
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https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/c05v28eqjyvo
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Improvised explosive device thrown at anti-Islam protest outside mayor Mamdani’s mansion in New York City
Mar 9, 2026
New York police say a device ignited during a protest outside the mayor’s official residence was an improvised explosive that could have caused serious harm.
The incident happened Saturday during a demonstration near Gracie Mansion on Manhattan’s Upper East Side, where a small anti-Islam protest and a larger counter-protest faced off.
According to the New York Police Department, tensions escalated during the demonstration organised by conservative activist Jake Lang, which was titled “Stop the Islamic Takeover of New York City.”
About 20 people attended the protest, while roughly 125 counter-protesters gathered nearby. Police had separated the groups with barriers before the situation turned chaotic.
I just survived an assassination attempt by these two Muslim men;
The homemade bomb they threw landed 3 feet in front of me.
The detonator failed to ignite, because God is on the throne of my life.
Officials said the confrontation began when a person from the protest group used pepper spray on the counter-protesters. Soon afterward, a counter-protester lit a small device and threw it toward the protest area. The object struck a barrier and landed a few feet from police officers before going out.
Authorities said the same person then obtained another device from a second individual. He lit the second object but dropped it before it exploded. Police moved quickly and detained those involved. No injuries were reported in the incident.
New York Police Commissioner Jessica Tisch later said the device was not a smoke bomb or a hoax. After a preliminary examination, the NYPD Bomb Squad confirmed that it was an improvised explosive device (IED) that could have caused serious injury or death. Investigators said the device appeared to be a jar wrapped in black tape and filled with nuts, bolts, and screws along with a fuse.
Police arrested two men in connection with the devices. Authorities identified them as 18-year-old Emir Balat and 19-year-old Ibrahim Kayumi, both from Pennsylvania. Several other people were also taken into custody during the protest for offences including the use of pepper spray, disorderly conduct, and obstructing traffic. In total, six arrests were made at the scene.
The protest took place outside Gracie Mansion, the official residence of New York City mayor Zohran Mamdani. City officials said the mayor was not harmed during the incident.
Mamdani condemned the violence and said using explosive devices during a protest is criminal and unacceptable.
During the protest, Jake Lang was seen carrying a pig while taking part in an anti-Islam demonstration during Ramadan. Social media users said it was meant to provoke Muslims during the holy month.
Lol. Can you Imagine, Jake Lang is bringing an entire roasted pig to Zohran Mamdani’s office in the middle of Ramadan.
Maybe at Paid Protests they should pass out Bacon 🥓 Sandwiches? 🤣😂 pic.twitter.com/BGFMtbjykm
Source: indiatimes.com
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https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/world/us/improvised-explosive-device-thrown-at-anti-islam-protest-outside-mayor-mamdanis-mansion-in-new-york-city/articleshowprint/129285846.cms
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Africa
Tunisians protest against US-Israeli war against Iran
March 9, 2026
Around one hundred people took to the streets of downtown Tunis, the Tunisian capital, to denounce US and Israeli action in Iran and show their support for the Iranian people.
The demonstrators waved Iranian and Palestinian flags, and held up portraits of the late Iranian Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei.
"The region has become a real hell. Under these conditions, Iran has no choice but to defend itself," one protester told the news agency AFP.
Protests against the American and Israeli war against Iran have also taken place in other parts of the world, including in front of the White House in Washington, in San Francisco and in Mexico City.
Source: africanews.com
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https://www.africanews.com/2026/03/08/tunisians-protest-against-us-israeli-war-against-iran/
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2027: ‘It Is Haram To Sell Your Votes’ – Abdulsalami Abubakar
March 8, 2026
Former Head of State, General Abdulsalami Abubakar, has warned Nigerians against selling their votes in the 2027 general elections.
Abdulsalami, during a Ramadan Tafsir held at his residence in Minna, emphasised that it is unreligious and Haram to sell votes.
Naija News reports that Haram is an Arabic term that means forbidden, unlawful, or sinful, referring to actions, items, or behaviours prohibited in Islamic law.
Urging Nigerians to treat their votes as a tool to elect credible leaders, he said, “Selling of votes is unreligious; your vote is very important, and it is Haram to sell your votes.”
General Abubakar also appealed to politicians to approach elections with civility, advising them to avoid bitterness, rancour, character assassination, and mudslinging, and to see elections as a competition with winners and losers rather than a do-or-die affair.
Speaking on the state of the nation, Abdulsalami called on Muslims to use the Ramadan period for the economy.
He said, “The economy is biting hard, and we are in a difficult situation. I am, however, happy that the well-to-do in society are helping the needy, and we should continue doing this.”
General Abdulsalami further urged Muslims not to abandon the lessons learned during Ramadan, but to remain committed to the ideals of Islam both during and after the holy month.
Source: naijanews.com
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https://www.naijanews.com/2026/03/08/2027-it-is-haram-to-sell-your-votes-abdulsalami-abubakar/
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Saraki Foundation to provide Ramadan Iftar meals in seven states, 52 Mosques in Kwara
March 8, 2026
Dare Akogun
The Abubakar Bukola Saraki Foundation has announced plans to commence its annual Ramadan Iftar Feeding Programme across seven states and the Federal Capital Territory to support Muslims observing the fast during the holy month.
The foundation, a brainchild of former Senate President, Dr Bukola Saraki, said the initiative would begin during the last 10 days of Ramadan and is aimed at assisting vulnerable members of the Muslim community by providing meals to break their fast.
In a statement issued on Sunday, the Executive Director of the foundation, Audu Musa, said the programme forms part of the organisation’s broader humanitarian outreach and commitment to supporting underserved communities across Nigeria.
According to him, this year’s edition will take place in Niger, Sokoto, Bauchi, Borno, Kaduna, and Plateau states, as well as the Federal Capital Territory, where meals will be distributed daily in two mosques per state.
The foundation, a brainchild of former Senate President, Dr Bukola Saraki, said the initiative would begin during the last 10 days of Ramadan and is aimed at assisting vulnerable members of the Muslim community by providing meals to break their fast.
In a statement issued on Sunday, the Executive Director of the foundation, Audu Musa, said the programme forms part of the organisation’s broader humanitarian outreach and commitment to supporting underserved communities across Nigeria.
According to him, this year’s edition will take place in Niger, Sokoto, Bauchi, Borno, Kaduna, and Plateau states, as well as the Federal Capital Territory, where meals will be distributed daily in two mosques per state.
So This Happened (EP 378) reviews: 25 Osun lawmakers defect as Adeleke consolidates power0:00 / 0:00
He added that about 100 fasting Muslims are expected to benefit from the feeding programme in each mosque per day.
“In Kwara State, where the foundation has traditionally maintained its widest outreach, the feeding programme will be held in 52 mosques across the state and will provide meals for thousands of Muslims during this period,” the statement partly read.
Speaking ahead of the rollout, Musa said the Ramadan season provides an opportunity for individuals and organisations to extend support to vulnerable members of society.
“At a time when the economic strain on many households has become increasingly evident, even providing a simple meal has grown more difficult than ever before, and the burden is felt most deeply by the vulnerable within our communities.
“It is in times like these that the importance of compassion and looking out for one another becomes even clearer. Acts of support, however modest, can bring relief and remind people that they are not alone in these challenging times,” he said.
Musa said the Ramadan feeding programme reflects the foundation’s long-standing commitment to humanitarian interventions in communities across the country.
He added that over the years, the foundation has implemented various initiatives in areas such as education, healthcare, humanitarian support, and community development.
According to him, volunteers and community leaders in the participating states have already begun coordinating logistics with mosque committees to ensure smooth distribution of meals during the last 10 days of Ramadan.
The foundation also urged Nigerians to use the Ramadan period to pray for peace, unity, and progress in the country.
Source: punchng.com
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https://punchng.com/saraki-foundation-to-provide-ramadan-iftar-meals-in-seven-states-52-mosques-in-kwara/
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Sultan of Sokoto performs Umrah, prays for peace, unity in Nigeria
MARCH 8, 2026
The Sultan of Sokoto and President-General of the Nigerian Supreme Council for Islamic Affairs (NSCIA), Alhaji Muhammad Sa’ad Abubakar, has performed Umrah in the Holy City of Makkah, offering prayers for peace, security, and unity in Nigeria.
This was contained in a statement by the Sultanate’s media team, and made available to The Authority newspaper in Kaduna on Sunday.
The revered monarch undertook the lesser pilgrimage on Thursday, March 5, 2026, corresponding with the 16th day of Ramadan 1447 AH. A photograph released by Media Team of the Sultan after the spiritual exercise showed the Leader Muslim Ummah of Nigeria alongside his two sons, Amir and Walid.
The Sultan prayed for Nigeria, the Muslim community across the country, and the people of Sokoto State, where he sits on the ancestral Usmaniyyah throne.
He also prayed for wisdom, good health, and guidance for the nation’s leaders to steer the country toward stability and progress.
Before leaving Medina, the Sultan had Wednesday night expressed satisfaction with the conduct of Nigerian Muslims, commending their resilience and peaceful disposition despite what he described as challenges and persecution faced by some members of the community.
He also urged Nigerians to refrain from actions or narratives that seek to portray Islam and Muslims negatively, noting that such efforts lack evidence in the Qur’an, the Hadith, or Nigeria’s diverse cultural traditions.
According to the Sultan, “Such attitudes would neither discourage Muslims from practising their faith nor diminish their commitment to Islam.”
He further expressed appreciation to Islamic leaders and traditional rulers across the country who ensured that religious activities, including the announcement of the Ramadan moon sighting, proceeded smoothly during his absence.
Among those he acknowledged were the Shehu of Borno and Deputy President-General (North) NSCIA), His Royal Highness Alhaji Abubakar Ibn Umar Garbai El-Kanemi; the President of the Muslim Ummah of South West Nigeria and Deputy President-General (South) NSCIA, Alhaji Rasaki Oladejo; and the Secretary-General of the Nigerian Supreme Council for Islamic Affairs, Professor Is-haq Oloyede.
The Sultan also prayed for traditional rulers across the country, noting his role as chairman of the council of traditional rulers alongside the Ooni of Ife, Oba Adeyeye Enitan Ogunwusi, who serves as co-chairman.
Reaffirming his commitment to a peaceful and united Nigeria, the Sultan called on leaders at all levels of government to guide citizens toward responsible speech through whatever channel of communication and conduct that respect the sensibilities of others.
He stressed that mutual respect and understanding among Nigerians remain essential for achieving lasting peace, security, and national development.
Source: authorityngr.com
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https://authorityngr.com/2026/03/08/sultan-of-sokoto-performs-umrah-prays-for-peace-unity-in-nigeria/
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₦210 Trillion NNPCL Discrepancy: We Are Not Afraid To Question Tinubu If The Need Arises – Senate
March 9, 2026
The lawmaker representing the Nasarawa West Senatorial District in the National Assembly, Aliyu Wadada, has claimed that President Bola Tinubu is unaware of the alleged ₦210 trillion discrepancy in the financial records of the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL).
Wadada, speaking during an appearance on Channels Television, stated that the Senate Committee on Public Accounts (SPAC) would not hesitate to question any government official, including the Minister of Petroleum Resources, President Bola Tinubu, if necessary.
However, he stated that the committee does not believe that Tinubu knows about the alleged discrepancies.
“We are not afraid of talking to the minister. When we get there, if the need arises…to invite the president or question the president, we will do so,” he said.
Responding to claims that the investigation may be politically motivated, Senator Wadada insisted that the probe is neither a witch-hunt nor influenced by partisan considerations.
He added that the committee would pursue accountability regardless of political parties and affiliations.
During its review of the NNPCL accounts from 2017 to 2023, the Senate Committee on Public Accounts identified two major figures it said were not properly substantiated.
These include ₦103 trillion recorded as accrued expenses and liabilities, which the company attributed to Joint Venture cash calls.
Lawmakers questioned the claim, noting that NNPCL generated about ₦24 trillion in revenue over five years, making the ₦103 trillion figure difficult to justify.
The committee also flagged ₦107 trillion listed as sundry receivables, described as funds owed to the company by banks and other entities but deemed “unverifiable” due to lack of transparency.
Lawmakers further questioned the ₦5.9 billion spent on the company’s rebranding, alongside alleged subsidy irregularities and disputed production costs. The current management has been asked to provide reconciled records after earlier explanations were rejected.
Source: naijanews.com
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https://www.naijanews.com/2026/03/09/%e2%82%a6210-trillion-nnpcl-discrepancy-we-are-not-afraid-to-question-tinubu-if-the-need-arises-senate/
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It Is Ridiculous To Say It Is Missing – Senate Knocks NNPCL Over ₦210 Trillion Discrepancy
March 9, 2026
The Chairman of the Senate Committee on Public Accounts (SPAC), Aliyu Wadada, has stated that the committee is not satisfied with the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL) over the alleged ₦210 trillion discrepancies in the company’s financial records.
Wadada made the disclosure during an appearance on Channels Television’s Sunday Politics.
The lawmaker, who represents the Nasarawa West Senatorial District in the 10th National Assembly, asserted that the explanations offered by the current NNPCL management, led by Group Chief Executive Officer Bayo Ojulari, were not satisfactory.
“We are not satisfied after it is being contained. What is contained in the audited financial statement of NNPC is the ultimate book or document that shows your financial dealings, both on the side of assets and liabilities,” he said.
He noted that the company recorded ₦103 trillion as accrued expenses under liabilities but failed to provide supporting details.
“NNPC under liabilities said the figures for their accrued expenses within that period were and are still ₦103 trillion. Then tell us how you got ₦103 trillion. None of the items had any figures linked to it, so that is indicting enough. Its liabilities figure is not acceptable because it is not substantiated,” he said.
The Senate committee chair also stated that the former Group Chief Executive Officer of the company, Mele Kyari, did not defend the ₦210 trillion claims during his time in office.
The controversy stems from the Senate committee’s review of NNPCL’s audited financial statements covering the period from 2017 to 2023.
During the probe, lawmakers flagged financial entries totalling ₦210 trillion, which they say the company has not adequately explained.
The lawmaker described the figure under investigation as staggering and difficult for any reasonable person to comprehend.
“The mind-boggling figure of ₦210 trillion, to every normal mind, cannot be comprehended, to say it is missing. It is ridiculous and not easily comprehended,” he said.
The committee has since issued summons to former top officials of the oil company, including Kyari, to appear before lawmakers and explain the discrepancies.
According to Senator Wadada, accounting standards require that figures recorded as either assets or liabilities must pass through the profit and loss account before they can be properly recognised in financial statements.
He added that the committee has resolved to invite former management officials of the national oil company to clarify the discrepancies in a public hearing.
“We are inviting them, the past leadership, to appear before the committee in a public hearing to clear the air in this controversial, ambiguous, and unacceptable conduct. Immediately after the Eid, we will be writing to them through the GMD of the NNPC,” the Senate committee said.
Source: naijanews.com
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https://www.naijanews.com/2026/03/09/it-is-ridiculous-to-say-it-is-missing-senate-knocks-nnpcl-over-%e2%82%a6210-trillion-discrepancy/
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Ramadan: iftar on Zanzibar draws thousands to stadium
March 8, 2026
Thousands took part in one of Zanzibar's largest communal Iftar meals at the island's Amani Stadium, where Muslims and non-Muslims gathered to break the fast at sunset during Ramadan.
"We have just managed to showcase to the whole world that Zanzibar is a destination of peace, unity and love," said Arif Abbas Manji, the head of the Zanzibar Commission for Tourism.
That the event drew so many people was also an intentional goal for the organisers.
"We aim to break a few records in terms of the number Iftar. The record, apart from Mecca and from Medina, the record was was at around 7000 people. So we aimed at 15,000 thousand people, to surpass it by about 100 percent", explained Arif Abbas Manji.
In Tanzania, around 37 percent of the population are Muslim. But on the island of Zanzibar, around 99 percent of the population share this faith.
Source: africanews.com
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https://www.africanews.com/2026/03/08/ramadan-iftar-on-zanzibar-draws-thousands-to-stadium/
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Southeast Asia
Stranded Malaysians urged to inform embassies for safe return
9 Mar 2026
Malaysians stranded in Gulf nations should notify embassies after securing flights home as airspaces reopen, enabling government monitoring and assistance
SEREMBAN: Malaysians stranded in several Arab countries have been advised to immediately notify the nearest Malaysian embassy if they have secured flights to return home.
Foreign Minister Datuk Seri Mohamad Hasan said this step is crucial for the government to update records and facilitate monitoring by authorities.
He stated that the government, through multiple agencies, is continuously monitoring security developments in the Gulf region.
“Alhamdulillah, the security situation there appears to be gradually improving, and many airspaces are reopening in stages,” he told reporters after presenting Ramadan aid in Mambau.
He confirmed airlines can now resume services to Saudi Arabia, Qatar and Dubai, allowing stranded individuals to return home safely.
Mohamad expressed appreciation to the governments of the UAE, Qatar and Saudi Arabia for their assistance to Malaysians at airports.
However, he noted some individuals were difficult for embassy officials to contact as they had already boarded return flights.
He stressed that those securing flights from Jeddah, Madinah, Dubai, Doha and Abu Dhabi should inform the embassy for better management.
This will enable Wisma Putra to better monitor Malaysians who remain stranded in the region.
He also advised those planning travel to Gulf countries, including for Umrah, to postpone until the situation stabilises.
Earlier, the Rembau MP presented Ramadan aid to 3,500 recipients in the Rantau state constituency.
The assistance involved more than RM600,000 for senior citizens and the asnaf.
Source: thesun.my
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https://thesun.my/news/malaysia-news/people-issues/stranded-malaysians-urged-to-inform-embassies-for-safe-return/
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VitaHealth & Watsons launch halal supplement campaign
March 9, 2026
VitaHealth partners Watsons to promote JAKIM-certified Halal supplements this Ramadan in Malaysia.
VITAHEALTH has kicked off the holy month of Ramadan with a timely message for Malaysian consumers: when it comes to health supplements, Halal certification is not merely a religious requirement — it is a mark of quality, safety and transparency that every consumer deserves.
The health supplement brand marked the occasion with the launch of its “Pilih Halal, Pilih VitaHealth” campaign, held in partnership with Watsons at Dancing Fish restaurant in Bangsar Shopping Centre. The event was officiated by Dr. KS Beh, Chief Executive Officer of VitaHealth Malaysia and Singapore, alongside Foo Hwei Jiek, Trading Director of Watsons Malaysia. Celebrity television host and actor Fahrin Ahmad and Islamic educator Muallim Muda Shamsul Aiman were also present to lend their support.
The campaign underscores VitaHealth’s ongoing commitment to ensuring its products meet the stringent certification requirements of Jabatan Kemajuan Islam Malaysia (JAKIM). According to the company, Halal compliance is maintained at every stage of the production chain — from ingredient sourcing and product formulation through to manufacturing, packaging and storage.
Speaking at the launch, Dr. Beh emphasised that Halal certification carries significance well beyond its religious context. “Halal is not solely about religious observance. It is also a recognised benchmark of safety, cleanliness, transparency and quality control,” she said, adding that such standards offer assurance to all Malaysians who prioritise product quality, not just Muslim consumers.
The campaign arrives on the back of a strong endorsement of VitaHealth’s Halal credentials. The brand was named Platinum winner of the SOBA Best Halal Product Award in 2025, an accolade that Dr. Beh said validates the company’s sustained focus on product integrity and consumer trust.
Founded in 1947, VitaHealth brings over 70 years of industry experience to its range of JAKIM-certified health supplements, which are formulated to address a wide spectrum of health needs across different life stages. As an Australian-owned brand and subsidiary of Vita Life Sciences — a company listed on the Australian Securities Exchange — VitaHealth operates to global quality benchmarks while serving regional markets.
The partnership with Watsons is central to the campaign’s reach. With more than 750 stores across Malaysia, Watsons provides the nationwide retail footprint needed to make Halal-certified supplements accessible to consumers in every corner of the country.
Caryn Loh, Managing Director of Watsons Malaysia and Chief Operating Officer of Health and Beauty Asia at AS Watson Group, said the collaboration reflects a shared set of values between the two brands. “Our collaboration with VitaHealth reflects our shared responsibility to provide accessible Halal-certified health solutions that meet the evolving needs of Malaysian consumers,” she said. “We are honoured to partner with brands that uphold high compliance standards while supporting healthier communities.”
VitaHealth’s full range of Halal-certified supplements is available at Watsons stores nationwide.
Source: thesun.my
Please click the following URL to read the text of the original Story
https://thesun.my/spotlight/vitahealth-watsons-launch-halal-supplement-campaign/
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Anwar: Civil servants, mosque personnel to receive RM500 special aid on March 13, pensioners and veterans RM250
By Anis Zalani
09 Mar 2026
PUTRAJAYA, March 9 — Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim said the government has announced that civil servants in Grade 15 and below will receive Special Financial Assistance (BKK) 2026 amounting to RM500.
The payments are scheduled to be disbursed on March 13.
“The assistance will be given to civil servants in Grade 15 and below, including those appointed on a contract basis,” he said in his speech at the Ministry of Domestic Trade and Cost of Living’s assembly here today.
He added that the government pensioners and veterans, whether pensioned or non-pensioned, will receive RM250 on the same date.
Anwar said this effort is to ensure the retirees will continue to receive support from the government.
“We want to ensure that our retirees and veterans are not left behind and continue to receive support.
“This assistance is also exempt from income tax,” he added.
In addition, he also said that the government will provide RM500 in special assistance to around 70,000 mosque and religious personnel, including imams (lead prayers), bilal (leading the call to prayer), siak (assist mosque activities), marbut (mosque caretaker), KAFA teachers and takmir teachers.
Source: malaymail.com
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https://www.malaymail.com/news/malaysia/2026/03/09/anwar-civil-servants-mosque-personnel-to-receive-rm500-special-aid-on-march-13-pensioners-and-veterans-rm250/211897
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Nation mourns Royal Professor Syed Muhammad Naquib al-Attas, a defining voice in Islamic scholarship
09 Mar 2026
KUALA LUMPUR, March 9 — The passing of Royal Professor Tan Sri Dr Syed Muhammad Naquib Al-Attas this evening has been mourned as a tremendous loss to Islamic scholarship and intellectual thought in the country.
Known for his influential work in philosophy, theology, and Islamic civilisation, Syed Muhammad Naquib was bestowed the title of Royal Professor of Islamic Education on October 23, 2024, honouring his exceptional contributions to the development of Islamic scholarship and education.
Born on September 5, 1931, in Bogor, Indonesia, he was married to Latifah Abdullah and blessed with four children, Sharifah Faizah Al-Attas, Datuk Dr Syed Ali Tawfik Al-Attas, Sharifah Shifa Al-Attas, and Syed Haidar Al-Attas.
The founder and director of the International Institute of Islamic Thought and Civilisation (ISTAC) was appointed Honorary Visiting Professor at the Centre for Advanced Studies on Islam, Science and Civilisation (CASIS), Universiti Teknologi Malaysia (UTM) in 2012.
Starting his career as a cadet officer in the Malay Army Regiment, he later made his mark in academia as Head of the Literature Division, Department of Malay Studies, Universiti Malaya (UM), in 1965.
Between 1968 and 1970, Syed Muhammad Naquib served as Dean of the Faculty of Arts at UM before taking on the leadership of the Department of Malay Language and Literature at Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia (UKM).
He was later appointed Dean of the Faculty of Arts at Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia (UKM) before founding the Institute of Malay Language, Literature and Culture (IBKKM) at UKM in 1973.
Syed Muhammad Naquib was also an Advisory Board Member for prominent international institutions, including the Al-Hikma Islamic Translation Series at the Institute of Global Cultural Studies, Binghamton University, Brigham Young University, and the Royal Academy for the Research of Islamic Civilisation, Encyclopaedia of Arab Islamic Civilisation in Amman, Jordan.
His leadership extended to international forums, where he chaired the Panel on Islam in Southeast Asia at the 29th International Congress of Orientalists in Paris and took part in the Unesco meeting in Aleppo, Syria.
Syed Muhammad Naquib’s lifelong contributions earned him numerous accolades, including the Iqbal Centenary Commemorative Medal from Pakistan’s President General Muhammad Zia Ul-Haq, the 2011 Tokoh Melayu Terbilang in conjunction with Umno’s 65th anniversary and the 2012 Merdeka Award for Outstanding Academic Achievement.
His passing was deeply felt nationwide, with an outpouring of condolences from social media users and government agencies extending their sympathies to the bereaved family.
Dakwah activist Syed Abdul Kadir Aljoofre, in a Facebook post, expressed his deep sorrow over the death of Syed Muhammad Naquib and prayed that Allah would grant him forgiveness and accept his deeds and contributions to the ummah.
In a Facebook post, the Selangor Islamic Religious Department extended its condolences to the family of Syed Muhammad Naquib following his passing.
The department described the late scholar as a prominent thinker of Islamic civilisation in the modern era, whose expertise spanned theology, philosophy, history, and literature.
“Among Allahyarham’s contributions was the establishment of ISTAC. May Allah place him among the believers,” the post said. — Bernama
Source: malaymail.com
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Hannah Yeoh: Study on KL mayoral elections to be completed by end of March
09 Mar 2026
KUALA LUMPUR, March 9 — A study on the proposal to introduce elections for the post of Kuala Lumpur mayor is expected to be completed by the end of this month.
According to Utusan Malaysia, Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department (Federal Territories) Hannah Yeoh said that so far, only an interim report has been received, as the study is still ongoing, including interviews with relevant stakeholders
She explained that the review does not focus solely on the mayoral election proposal, but covers a comprehensive examination of Kuala Lumpur’s governance under the Federal Capital Act 1960.
“By the end of March, the study should be finished. If not, they will meet us. They have already met once and produced an interim report, but interviews are still in progress,” she said at a briefing on strengthening fire safety in stratified buildings at the Kuala Lumpur Fire and Rescue Department today.
The findings of the study will be presented to the Cabinet before any decision is made on whether the proposal can be implemented or if amendments to the Federal Territories Department’s legislation are required.
The study is intended to guide the government in deciding the feasibility of holding elections for the Kuala Lumpur mayoral position.
Source: malaymail.com
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Muhyiddin’s corruption trial starts: Millions wouldn’t go to Bersatu if he wasn’t party president and PM then, prosecution says
By Ida Lim
09 Mar 2026
KUALA LUMPUR, March 9 — Former prime minister Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin’s trial over corruption charges involving RM225.3 million and money laundering charges involving RM200 million started today at the High Court in Kuala Lumpur, three years after he was charged in relation to his administration’s Jana Wibawa project.
In Muhyiddin’s trial, the prosecution in its opening statement today acknowledged that the millions of ringgit in this case “did not enter his own pockets”.
But the prosecution said these funds had allegedly entered the account of Muhyiddin’s “associate”, namely his political party Parti Pribumi Bersatu Malaysia.
The prosecution said this allegedly took place when Muhyiddin was Bersatu president and when he was the prime minister then with an indirect interest in the Jana Wibawa project.
“Evidence will show that if not for the accused being the Bersatu president and also the prime minister of Malaysia at the same time then, the Bersatu party would not get millions in ringgit in contributions,” deputy public prosecutor Datuk Wan Shaharuddin Wan Ladin said when reading out the prosecution's opening statement.
The prosecution said it would show the finance minister then had only acted based on Muhyiddin’s minutes and the finance minister did not receive any profits from that action, and that the finance minister’s associate, namely Umno, also did not obtain any gain.
Wan Shaharudin said the Court of Appeal had previously decided that Bersatu is an organisation under the MACC Act's Section 3 and that the power abuse charges against Muhyiddin were not defective.
Wan Shaharuddin said the prosecution will rely on documentary evidence, direct evidence and circumstantial evidence to prove its case, adding that it would call around 30 prosecution witnesses to testify.
Bersatu president Muhyiddin, wearing a brown jacket, was seen entering the courtroom at 8.43am along with some of his supporters.
In this trial, Muhyiddin is facing four abuse of power charges under Section 23(1) of the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission Act 2009, which were allegedly committed during the March 2020 to August 2021 period.
The four charges alleged that Muhyiddin used his position as Malaysia’s then prime minister and as Parti Pribumi Bersatu Malaysia president to obtain bribes totalling RM225.3 million from three companies and one individual (Bukhary Equity Sdn Bhd, Nepturis Sdn Bhd, Mamfor Sdn Bhd and Azman Yusoff) for his “associate”, namely his party Bersatu.
Muhyiddin is also facing three money-laundering charges, where he is alleged to have received illegal proceeds amounting to RM120 million and RM75 million that were deposited into Bersatu’s CIMB account during the February 2021 and July 2022 period, and also alleged of receiving RM5 million in illegal proceeds that were deposited into Bersatu’s AmBank account.
All seven charges were read out again to Muhyiddin today, including the amended fourth power abuse charge where the alleged bribe amount was changed from RM12 million to RM4.8 million.
Muhyiddin pleaded not guilty to all seven charges.
Before Wan Shaharuddin could read the prosecution’s opening statement, Muhyiddin’s defence lawyer Datuk Hisyam Teh Poh Teik had raised objections to all seven charges against his client, claiming that these charges were “bad in law”.
Among other things, Hisyam said the charges did not specify how Muhyiddin allegedly committed abuse of power, and said this would affect Muhyiddin’s defence and result in “prejudice and unfairness” to him.
Hisyam also objected to the money laundering charges which he said did not comply with Section 87(1) of Malaysia’s anti-money laundering law.
Hisyam said the lack of full particulars in the charges would impact his client’s defence, and highlighted the defence’s February 20, 2026 letter to the prosecution to complain about the allegedly vague charges and to ask if the seven charges were against Muhyiddin or Bersatu.
But Hisyam said Muhyiddin’s legal team is prepared to proceed with trial, but also left it to the prosecution to amend the seven charges to provide more details in the charges before the trial goes on.
Wan Shaharuddin said the trial should go on first and that Muhyiddin could still raise his objections at the end of the prosecution’s case, adding that the prosecution believes the charges are “perfect” and would not be amending them.
High Court judge Noor Ruwena Md Nurdi then decided to proceed with the trial first, noting that it is the public prosecutor who has the power to amend charges and the prosecution could amend the charges later on if it felt a need to do so.
The trial then proceeded with the first prosecution witness Mohd Syawaludin Said taking the stand to testify.
Bersatu vice-presidents Datuk Seri Ahmad Faizal Azumu and Datuk Mohd Radzi Md Jidin who are carrying out the duties of the Bersatu deputy president, and Bersatu secretary-general Datuk Seri Mohamed Azmin Ali were among those who were present in the courtroom today to show support for Muhyiddin.
Source: malaymail.com
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PM Anwar praises KPDN for Rahmah MADANI sales commitment
9 Mar 2026
Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim lauds KPDN’s dedication to Rahmah MADANI sales, which saw over 27 million transactions in 2025, ahead of a key cost of living council meeting
PUTRAJAYA: Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim today commended the Ministry of Domestic Trade and Cost of Living (KPDN) for its steadfast commitment to the Rahmah MADANI Sales Programme (PJRM).
He expressed his appreciation to the entire KPDN machinery for their work in implementing the initiative to help the people.
Anwar highlighted the increased effort required, particularly during Ramadan when the number of sales events rises significantly.
“Just imagine, in this month of Ramadan alone, PJRM is organising 1,898 ‘series’. This means you are working three to four times harder than in previous months, and I have yet to hear any complaints,” he said at a gathering with KPDN staff.
He stated he was proud of the personnel’s commitment to making the programme a success as it directly benefits Malaysians.
The Prime Minister, who is also Finance Minister, said he had instructed KPDN to increase the number of items sold at each PJRM from 40 to at least 50.
“This also takes into account the increase in purchases of fresh items during Ramadan and preparations for Hari Raya Puasa,” he said.
In 2025, a total of 25,708 PJRM events were held nationwide, recording more than 27 million purchase transactions.
Anwar will also chair the National Action Council on Cost of Living (NACCOL) meeting today to discuss early preparations for the National Cost of Living Action Plan (NCLAP) 2026-2030.
“The plan is among the strategic measures to address cost-of-living issues more comprehensively and effectively. Its framework will be presented at the NACCOL meeting that I will chair shortly,” he said.
Also present at the gathering were Domestic Trade and Cost of Living Minister Datuk Armizan Mohd Ali and his deputy Datuk Dr Fuziah Salleh, as well as Chief Secretary to the Government Tan Sri Shamsul Azri Abu Bakar.
Source: thesun.my
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South Asia
Afghanistan risks famine if pressure on traders continues, chamber of commerce says
By Fidel Rahmati
March 9, 2026
Afghan traders have warned that rising regional tensions and trade disruptions could push the country toward a serious food shortage if the situation continues.
Khan Jan Alokozay, a board member of the Afghanistan Chamber of Commerce and Investment, said Taliban authorities are pressuring traders to sell essential food items at lower prices despite increasing import costs.
He stated in an interview with Amu TV that the prices of several basic commodities have risen after key trade routes with Pakistan were closed and regional instability disrupted supply chains. Traders fear continued pressure could discourage imports and reduce food availability.
The warning comes as tensions between the Taliban administration and Pakistan have escalated into border clashes in recent weeks, further affecting the movement of goods between the two neighbors.
Both sides have traded accusations over the conflict. Pakistani officials say militants operating from Afghanistan territory have launched attacks inside Pakistan, while Taliban authorities deny the claims and accuse Pakistan of violating Afghanistan territory through cross-border strikes.
Alokozay said Afghanistan currently has enough food supplies in markets for about one to one and a half months, but warned that without alternative trade arrangements shortages could emerge.
He noted that rice imports are particularly vulnerable because Afghanistan largely relies on South Asian suppliers rather than Central Asian markets for the commodity.
Imports from countries such as Bangladesh typically arrive through Iran’s Bandar Abbas and Chabahar ports, but recent regional conflict and instability have disrupted these routes and slowed deliveries.
Alokozay urged stronger coordination between trade associations, chambers of commerce and the Taliban’s commerce ministry to address the crisis, warning that continued regional war could significantly worsen Afghanistan’s food supply situation.
Source: khaama.com
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UN Security Council to hold meeting on Afghanistan
By Fidel Rahmati
March 9, 2026
The UN Security Council is set to hold a meeting on Afghanistan on Monday, amid growing international concern about the country’s political, security and human rights situation.
The meeting will take place at 11:30 p.m. Kabul time and is expected to focus on recent developments in Afghanistan under Taliban rule, according to diplomatic sources.
Georgette Gagnon, head of the United Nations Assistance Mission in Afghanistan (UNAMA), is scheduled to brief council members on the latest situation in the country.
Further details about the agenda of the session have not yet been released, but the discussion is expected to address key political and humanitarian developments.
Human rights violations, particularly restrictions on women and girls, along with concerns about terrorism, remain among the major issues raised by the United Nations regarding Afghanistan.
The meeting comes days after International Women’s Day on March 8, when UN officials and human rights groups again called attention to severe restrictions imposed on Afghan women.
Several UN experts have warned that the continued limitations on women’s education, employment and public life could deepen Afghanistan’s humanitarian and economic crisis.
The Security Council discussion is expected to shape future international engagement with Afghanistan as pressure grows over rights and security concerns.
Source: khaama.com
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IEA Ready for Steadfast Response if Afghans Threatened
March 9, 2026
The Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan has always said that it does not want war with any country and allows no one to use Afghan soil against other, but reiterate that defending people is Afghanistan’s legitimate right.
An excerpt of interview of Mullah Mohammad Yaqoob Mujahid, the Minister of National Defense of the Islamic Emirate with a local media.
When we were negotiating with the Pakistanis, our effort was that all problems should be resolved through negotiations, understanding, and dialogue. We gave priority to this and we still do. We held negotiations with them several times through the mediation of the United Arab Emirates and sat together. After the last war took place, we held several meetings with the mediation of Qatar and Turkey and held discussions. Unfortunately, we did not reach any result. After that, Saudi Arabia stepped forward to mediate and negotiations were carried out through them. Those negotiations were still ongoing and had not concluded when once again they (the Pakistanis) started the war. From the course of the negotiations it appeared that the Pakistani side wanted to expand the ongoing war with Afghanistan. They made no effort to find a solution to this issue.
For example, our demand was this: you complain that the TTP is present in Afghanistan or that the Islamic Emirate supports them or provides them shelter and that they carry out attacks in Pakistan. Let us write this down while the mediators are present here—that Afghan soil will not be used against Pakistan and will not be used to harm Pakistan, and that Afghan soil will also not be used against Afghanistan or to harm Afghanistan. Let us write this and we are ready for it. You respect our territory and sovereignty, and we will respect yours. We also spoke about trade and commercial routes. We told them that you have always used the ports as a means of pressure. Whenever you want to exert pressure based on your policy, you immediately close the routes or create fear and pressure on the migrants, which is not a solution. You and we must focus on fundamental issues and should not close trade routes for political reasons. These routes are a necessity for ordinary people, traders, and the people of both countries. They are necessary for you and for us. These routes should not be closed for such matters or used as pressure, and our trade should continue. Even if we make little or much progress in the security and political fields, whether the situation is good or bad, the roads should not be closed to people or to trade. You should pay attention to these issues and adjust your policy accordingly. But they were making excuses.”
The Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan firmly believes in dialogue as the primary path to achieving lasting peace.
Afghanistan supports peaceful engagement and constructive discussions to resolve conflicts and reduce tensions. Dialogue and mutual understanding among nations are essential for maintaining regional stability and ensuring a secure future for all.
Afghanistan does not seek war and has no intention of initiating conflict with any country and the Islamic Emirate’s policy is based on peaceful coexistence and respect for the sovereignty of other states. Afghanistan prefers diplomacy and cooperation over confrontation and remains committed to efforts that promote peace and stability.
However, the minister also made it clear that the country will not remain silent in the face of aggression. While Afghanistan does not start wars, it possesses the determination and capability to defend itself if its sovereignty, territorial integrity, or people are threatened. The armed forces, he noted, are prepared to stand firmly against any form of external aggression.
The defense forces of the country are ready to safeguard the nation and protect the citizens of Afghanistan. Ensuring the safety, dignity, and independence of the country remains a top priority. The national defense forces, are the vital pillar in preserving national security.
Afghanistan’s approach is based on peace, dialogue, and cooperation. At the same time, the country will firmly defend itself against any aggressor and will always stand in protection of its people and national sovereignty.
Source: thekabultimes.com
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Trade Between Afghanistan and Iran Continues Despite Regional Tensions
March 8, 2026
Trade relations between Afghanistan and Iran continue to function normally despite the ongoing conflict inside Iran. Officials and business representatives say that commercial activities between the two neighboring countries remain stable, with goods continuing to move across borders without major disruption.
During a recent press conference in Herat, Iranian Consul General Ali Reza Rahmati confirmed that there are currently no restrictions on the transportation of commercial goods from Iran to Afghanistan. According to him, Iranian authorities are making efforts to ensure that trade routes remain open so that the people of Afghanistan do not suffer from the consequences of the war.
Rahmati explained that there are no obstacles from the Iranian side regarding the movement of goods destined for Afghanistan. He emphasized that maintaining the flow of trade is important for both countries, particularly for Afghanistan, which relies on imports of various essential goods. Ensuring open routes and continued trade is therefore considered a priority.
He also noted that all Iranian commercial ports that are connected with Afghanistan remain active and operational. These ports continue to facilitate the export of goods to Afghanistan, helping traders and businesses maintain normal commercial activity despite the broader regional tensions.
Meanwhile, Afghanistan’s private sector says that trade with Iran has continued without interruption. Business representatives report that significant quantities of goods have recently been purchased from Iranian markets and are being transported into Afghanistan through established trade routes.
According to business officials in Herat, the process of purchasing, transporting, and importing goods from Iran is continuing as usual. Over the past few days, traders have reportedly purchased large quantities of commercial goods from Iran, indicating continued confidence in cross-border trade.
Railway transportation has also remained active. Through the railway route connecting Iran and western Afghanistan, approximately 100 wagons of goods are imported into Afghanistan every day. This steady flow of cargo shows that trade infrastructure between the two countries continues to operate effectively despite the ongoing conflict inside Iran.
At the same time, some Afghan citizens are calling for greater attention to domestic production. While they acknowledge the importance of trade with neighboring countries, they believe that strengthening Afghanistan’s internal production capacity could reduce dependence on imports in the future.
Citizens emphasize that supporting local industries and producers would help Afghanistan become more economically resilient, particularly during times of regional instability. Increased investment in domestic manufacturing and agriculture, they say, could help the country rely more on its own resources.
Economic observers also note that strong trade relations with neighboring countries remain vital for Afghanistan’s economy. Iran is one of Afghanistan’s most important trading partners, supplying a wide range of goods including fuel, construction materials, food products, and other essential commodities.
Despite the intensifying conflict in Iran, economic relations between the two countries appear to remain stable. Officials confirm that key border crossings used for trade are still active and functioning normally.
These crossings continue to facilitate exports and imports between the two countries, ensuring that commercial goods can move efficiently across the border. As a result, traders and consumers in Afghanistan have so far not experienced significant disruptions in the supply of goods coming from Iran.
Overall, current developments suggest that Afghanistan-Iran trade relations remain resilient. While regional tensions continue, both sides appear committed to maintaining economic cooperation and ensuring that trade routes remain open for the benefit of businesses and ordina
Source: thekabultimes.com
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Courageous Leadership Turns Challenges Into Opportunities
March 8, 2026
Leadership is often tested not during times of comfort, but during periods of uncertainty, crisis, and adversity. History repeatedly shows that true leaders emerge when circumstances are difficult and when nations, organizations, or communities face obstacles that seem overwhelming. Courageous leadership is the kind of leadership that does not fear challenges but instead views them as opportunities for growth, reform, and progress. When leaders possess courage, determination, and a clear vision, even the most difficult situations can be transformed into pathways toward stability and development.
Challenges are an inevitable part of life and governance. No country, institution, or society can avoid them completely. Economic pressures, political disagreements, environmental crises, and social issues often create complex situations that demand wise decision-making. In such moments, leadership becomes the decisive factor that determines whether a society will fall into deeper difficulties or rise stronger than before. Courageous leaders refuse to surrender to circumstances; rather, they analyze problems carefully, make bold decisions, and inspire others to work together for solutions.
One of the most important qualities of courageous leadership is resilience. Resilient leaders maintain composure even when facing intense pressure. They do not allow fear or uncertainty to control their decisions. Instead, they remain focused on long-term goals and work patiently toward them. Resilience allows leaders to maintain stability within their institutions and to assure citizens or followers that progress remains possible despite temporary hardships. When people see their leaders standing firm, they gain confidence and motivation to continue moving forward.
Another defining trait of courageous leadership is the ability to transform obstacles into opportunities. Difficult situations often expose weaknesses within systems, whether administrative, economic, or social. While some leaders may ignore these weaknesses or delay addressing them, courageous leaders confront them directly. They see crises not merely as threats but as chances to introduce reforms, strengthen institutions, and improve governance. In many cases, the most meaningful improvements in a nation or organization occur precisely because leaders used challenging moments to initiate positive change.
Economic challenges provide a clear example of how courageous leadership can turn difficulties into opportunities. When economies face pressure—whether from global market shifts, limited resources, or unexpected disruptions—leaders must act with both creativity and determination. Instead of allowing economic difficulties to paralyze progress, visionary leadership encourages innovation, promotes efficient resource management, and supports policies that stimulate growth. By adopting long-term planning and encouraging productive sectors, leaders can transform economic hardship into the foundation for sustainable development.
Courageous leadership also plays a crucial role in strengthening unity within society. During difficult times, divisions may emerge as people struggle with uncertainty. A wise and brave leader works to bring communities together rather than allowing disagreements to deepen. Through dialogue, fairness, and clear communication, leaders can foster a sense of shared responsibility among citizens. Unity becomes a powerful force that helps societies overcome challenges collectively rather than individually.
Equally important is the moral courage that leaders must demonstrate. Leadership is not only about authority or decision-making; it is also about integrity and accountability. Moral courage allows leaders to make decisions that are just and beneficial even when such choices are not easy or popular. By upholding ethical principles and demonstrating honesty, leaders build trust with the people they serve. This trust becomes a valuable resource during times of crisis because citizens are more willing to cooperate when they believe their leaders act with sincerity and fairness.
Communication is another key element that distinguishes courageous leadership. In times of challenge, people seek clarity and reassurance. Effective leaders communicate openly about the difficulties they face while also presenting practical strategies for overcoming them. Transparent communication prevents misinformation, reduces fear, and encourages collective participation in solving problems. When people understand both the challenges and the plans to address them, they feel more confident about the future.
Education and knowledge also empower courageous leadership. Leaders who prioritize learning and expertise are better equipped to navigate complex problems. By consulting experts, analyzing data, and studying global experiences, leaders can design policies that are informed and effective. Courage does not mean acting recklessly; it means making bold decisions based on knowledge, preparation, and careful consideration.
In addition, courageous leadership often inspires innovation. When challenges appear insurmountable, new ideas become essential. Leaders who encourage creativity and initiative allow individuals and institutions to explore solutions that may not have been considered before. Innovation in technology, governance, and economic policy can dramatically change a nation’s trajectory. What once seemed like a crisis can become the catalyst for modernization and improvement.
Another significant aspect of courageous leadership is patience. Transforming challenges into opportunities rarely happens overnight. Sustainable progress requires time, persistence, and consistent effort. Leaders must remain patient while implementing reforms, understanding that meaningful change develops gradually. By maintaining steady commitment, they ensure that short-term difficulties do not distract from long-term achievements.
Moreover, courageous leadership recognizes the importance of empowering others. A single leader cannot solve every problem alone. By encouraging capable individuals to contribute their skills and ideas, leaders create strong teams that multiply the capacity for progress. Empowerment builds a culture of responsibility and initiative within institutions and communities, ensuring that solutions come from collective effort rather than individual authority alone.
Throughout history, societies that succeeded in overcoming adversity often did so because of leaders who possessed courage and vision. These leaders refused to be defined by the obstacles they faced. Instead, they focused on possibilities and opportunities that could emerge from hardship. Their determination inspired others and created an environment in which progress became achievable.
In today’s rapidly changing world, courageous leadership is more important than ever. Global challenges—from economic instability to environmental concerns—require leaders who are prepared to think creatively and act decisively. Nations and organizations must cultivate leaders who combine strength with wisdom, determination with patience, and authority with compassion.
Ultimately, courageous leadership is not about avoiding challenges but about confronting them with confidence and purpose. When leaders possess the courage to make difficult decisions, the vision to recognize opportunities within adversity, and the commitment to serve the greater good, challenges cease to be barriers. Instead, they become stepping stones toward a stronger, more resilient, and more prosperous future.
In this way, courageous leadership transforms trials into triumphs and proves that even the most difficult circumstances can become the foundation for lasting progress.
Source: thekabultimes.com
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Pregnant woman dies after Friday’s gas leak explosion in Dhaka’s Turag
March 8, 2026
A 25‑year‑old pregnant woman died today following a devastating gas leak explosion at a flat in the Dhaka's Turag area, which left ten family members critically injured early Friday.
The victim, Sonia Akter, succumbed to her injuries around noon while undergoing treatment at the National Institute of Burn and Plastic Surgery.
Dr Shawon Bin Rahman, resident surgeon at the institute, confirmed her death, saying that Sonia had suffered 100 percent burns, including severe airway injuries.
Her husband Rubel, 30, their three‑year‑old daughter Roza, and seven other relatives remain hospitalised with burn injuries.
The explosion occurred around 3:30 am on Friday on the second floor of a residential building in Kamarpara, sector 10 of Turag.
Sajed Matubbar, a relative living in the same building, said Sonia was six months pregnant.
Among the other victims are Rubel’s cousin Enayet, a Bangladeshi expatriate who had recently returned from Dubai, and his family, who were visiting from Madaripur’s Shibchar upazila.
The massive blast destroyed the walls of the flat and severely burned all ten occupants inside, Sajed added.
Source: thedailystar.net
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DRU calls for five-day newspaper holiday for Eid-ul-Fitr
March 8, 2026
Dhaka Reporters Unity (DRU) has demanded a five-day holiday for newspapers during this Eid-ul-Fitr.
In a statement issued today, DRU President Abu Saleh Akon and General Secretary Mynul Hasan Sohel said government officials are set to enjoy a seven-day holiday this Eid, while newspapers usually receive only three days off.
Subject to moon sighting, Eid-ul-Fitr is likely to be celebrated in Bangladesh on March 21. According to government directives, public officials will enjoy a seven-day holiday from March 17 to March 23.
The DRU leaders said limiting newspaper holidays to three days during Eid is discriminatory, adding that hawkers usually do not distribute newspapers during the festival.
Considering the situation, they urged the authorities to declare a five-day holiday for newspapers during the upcoming Eid.
They also noted that during the last Eid-ul-Azha, authorities had declared a five-day holiday for newspapers following a demand from DRU, and expressed hope that a similar decision would be announced for the upcoming Eid-ul-Fitr.
Source: thedailystar.net
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