Protests Erupts After Beef Pieces Found Near Eidgah In Mathura; 11 Arrested
New Age Islam News Bureau
9 June 2025
Image used for representational purpose onlyFile photo | PTI
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· Protests Erupts After Beef Pieces Found Near Eidgah In Mathura; 11 Arrested
· Iran Offers To Broker India-Pakistan Peace During A Conversation With Shahbaz Sharif
· Questionable Polls Will Dishonour Sacrifice Of Martyrs: Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami
· Indian-Origin Democratic Socialist Zohran Mamdani In Contest To Become NYC's First Indian-Origin Muslim Mayor
· Novice UK Sailors Arrive In Jeddah After Surviving Epic Hajj Voyage
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India
· Odisha Government Bans Sale Of Meat And Liquor Near Shree Jagannath Temple In Puri
· Operation Sindoor: Another Pakistan Lie Exposed; Satellite Images Debunk Claim It Hit India's Adampur Airbase
· Seven Arrested For Allegedly Slaughtering Bull Calf On Bakrid In Madhya Pradesh
· 16 Arrested In Assam For Illegal Cattle Slaughter During Eid; CM Himanta Vows 'Strict Action'
· Congress Youth Leader’s House Attacked After He Criticises Tripura Govt, Police For Alleged Inaction Against Clashes On Bakrid
· After MP Medha Kulkarni’s ‘Demand’, Pune’s Sarasbaug Garden Closed By Civic Body
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Mideast
· Exposing US Human Rights Abuses Is ‘Jihad Of Clarification’: Iranian Dy FM
· Egyptian, Turkish FMs discuss Gaza ceasefire, mass graves in Libya
· Palestinians say Israeli fire kills 12 near aid sites, Israel says it fired warning shots
· Israeli forces seize Gaza aid boat carrying Greta Thunberg, ministry says
· Israel reveals tunnel under Gaza hospital, says body of Sinwar’s brother found there
· Israeli bulldozers flatten more Palestinian buildings in Tulkarm refugee camp
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South Asia
· UNHCR: Millions Of Refugees Unable To Celebrate Eid Al-Adha
· Bangladesh to observe World Accreditation Day with focus on empowering SMEs
· Yunus to take-off for London today on a four-day visit
· DMP bans rally, public gathering near Secretariat, CA's residence
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North America
· Hundreds ‘celebrate together’ at Staten Island Eid al-Adha fair
· Security guard stabbed at Frisco mosque while praying, mosque officials say
· Los Angeles protests intensify: Cars set on fire, tear gas and rubber bullets fired after National Guard troops arrive
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Arab World
· Makkah Deputy Emir Hands Over Kaaba's New Kiswa To Senior Keeper Al-Shaibi
· Veteran Mutawwif on serving pilgrims: ‘A privilege, not a duty’
· Gulf leaders congratulate Saudi leadership for organizing successful Hajj
· Centuries Of Hajj Documented In Travellers’ Chronicles
· Umm Al-Qura University becomes academic hub for Hajj
· Osaka Expo pavilion celebrates 70 years of Japan-Saudi relations
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Africa
· Catholic Church Urged To Help More As Education Costs In Africa Rise
· Monarch unveils rebuilt mosque to mark fifth anniversary
· Muslim community in Zimbabwe joins global observance of Eid al-Adha
· NUJ FCT Chair Greets Muslim Journalists On Eid-ul-Adha
· Tinubu Forgives Sanwo-Olu, Says ‘All Is Forgiven’ In Lagos Meeting
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Southeast Asia
· VP Gibran Envisions Halal Industry as Catalyst for Indonesia's Development
· Driven to distraction: Johor man blames wife for wrong-way stunt on Jalan Skudai
· Gerik crash: UPSI, operator say fatal bus was student-chartered and in good condition
· High Court dismisses committal bid by former KL Tower operator against govt, individuals, orders RM25,000 payment
· Connectivity at Putrajaya Hospital satisfactory, minor network issues in new wing, says Fahmi
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Europe
· Murder Inquiry Launched As Teenager Dies
· Tice denies Reform UK in chaos after Yusuf returns
· Germany planning major bunker expansion
· Paris wants to manufacture drones in Ukraine
· Biden’s Ukrainian spending ‘crazy’ – Vance
Compiled by New Age Islam News Bureau
URL: https://newageislam.com/islamic-world-news/protests-erupts-eidah-mathura-beef-arrested/d/135820
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Protests Erupts After Beef Pieces Found Near Eidgah In Mathura; 11 Arrested
08 Jun 2025
Image used for representational purpose onlyFile photo | PTI
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MATHURA: Pieces of meat suspected to be beef were found in an empty plot near an Eidgah on Barsana Road in Mathura district, sparking protests by members of some right-wing outfits, police said on Sunday.
The meat pieces were found in Govardhan area on Saturday night, they said, adding 11 accused have been arrested.
In a separate incident in the Mant area of the district, the recovery of a burnt cow carcass on the Yamuna Expressway service road on Saturday also led to protests by Hindu activists.
An FIR was registered in the Barsana Road incident under various sections of the Uttar Pradesh Prevention of Cow Slaughter Act against 24 named individuals and 50 unidentified persons, police said.
"Locals alleged that it was cow meat, samples of which have been sent to a forensic laboratory for examination," Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP) Shlok Kumar said.
Kumar said that after receiving information about the meat pieces near the Eidgah late Saturday evening, members of the Gorakshak Dal and some Hindu organizations gathered at the site and started protests.
"We reached the spot and pacified the crowd.
An FIR has been registered against 24 named individuals and 50 unknown persons. Strict action will be taken against the culprits," the SSP said.
On the basis of CCTV footage, police have arrested 11 accused in this case.
All the accused have been sent to jail, police said.
The arrested accused were identified as Saqir, Sohil, Intezaar, Ansar, Pintu, Asin, Sunny, Usman, Firoz, Farukh and Shekhar, all residents of Jain Gali, Govardhan.
Two knives, two axes, horns and animal skin kept in a sack were recovered from their possession, police said.
The accused allegedly carried out slaughter of an animal belonging to cow family in an empty plot on Saturday evening, after which people found an animal's head and pieces of meat lying there, police said.
In the Mant area, the finding of a burnt cow carcass enraged Hindu activists.
Mant Circle Officer Gunjan Singh said that some Hindu activists protested over the incident and demanded an FIR.
According to police, locals informed them that the cow's body had been lying there for two-three days before someone set it on fire on Saturday.
Local BJP leader Ashok Saraswat has filed a complaint on behalf of the Radharani Gauseva Trust in connection with this incident, police said.
Mant police station SHO Jasbir Singh said that the remains of the cow's carcass were cremated.
Efforts are underway to identify individuals who were present near the incident site, Singh said.
Source: newindianexpress.com
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https://www.newindianexpress.com/nation/2025/Jun/08/protests-erupts-after-beef-pieces-found-near-eidah-in-mathura-11-arrested
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Iran offers to broker India-Pakistan peace during a conversation with Shahbaz Sharif
09.06.25
Masoud Pezeshkian
File picture
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Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian on Saturday offered to mediate between India and Pakistan during a conversation with Pakistani Prime Minister Shahbaz Sharif, the Iranian media reported on Sunday.
“The Islamic Republic welcomes any measures and efforts towards establishing lasting peace between Pakistan and India, and it can play a mediating role to that aim,” Pezeshkian was quoted as saying during a phone conversation with Sharif on Eid-ul-Azha.
According to the Tasnim News Agency, the President emphasised that Iran’s principled policy entailed promoting de-escalation and fostering peace globally, particularly within the Islamic world.
Pakistan’s relations with Iran have been strained in recent years, particularly since Tehran conducted missile attacks in 2024 inside Balochistan against a Baloch insurgent group involved in insurgency in Iran’s Sistan-Baluchistan area.
This is the second time Iran has offered to mediate since the Pahalgam terror attack on April 22. Soon after the attack, Iran’s foreign minister Seyed Abbas Araghchi had in a social media post said: “Tehran stands ready to use its good offices in Islamabad and New Delhi to forge greater understanding at this difficult time…”
India has over the past 50 years bristled at the mention of third-party mediation, maintaining that all issues between New Delhi and Islamabad are bilateral as stipulated in the Simla Agreement. Though Pakistan has put the agreement in abeyance in response to India doing the same with the Indus Waters Treaty in the wake of the Pahalgam attack, Islamabad has always welcomed mediation.
Source: telegraphindia.com
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https://www.telegraphindia.com/india/iran-offers-to-broker-india-pakistan-peace-during-a-conversation-with-shahbaz-sharif-prnt/cid/2106833
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Questionable Polls Will Dishonour Sacrifice Of Martyrs: Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami
Jun 8, 2025
Photo: Collected
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Urging a fair, transparent, and dignified electoral process, Jamaat-e-Islami Ameer Shafiqur Rahman has said any election that disrespects the blood of the nation's martyrs will be unacceptable.
"We want a good election. No one should raise questions about it. Otherwise, we will fail to honour the sacrifice of our martyrs," said Shafiqur while addressing a meeting with professionals at the Kulaura Municipality auditorium this afternoon.
He further stressed that elections should remain free from both domestic manipulation and foreign interference. "It is not acceptable for any country to meddle in our elections, just as we do not interfere in theirs. We want friendship, not intervention," he said.
The Jamaat leader criticised past "attempts to implicate him in war crimes cases".
"I am a son of this upazila. Allegations were brought against me despite my age during the Liberation War and my lack of political affiliation at the time," he said.
He expressed gratitude to the residents of Kulaura, saying, "People here stood by me. Those who tried to label me failed multiple times. Not a single person from this upazila spoke ill of me. Their support is something I can never repay."
Calling for social harmony, Shafiqur said, "We want a society free from vengeance. We know who tried to wrong us, but we will not retaliate. If vengeance continues, the society will collapse into chaos. We seek justice, not vengeance, against those who committed actual crimes."
The Jamaat Ameer also addressed broader national issues, pointing to widespread corruption and socio-political syndicates. "If corruption and syndicates are identified properly, they can be destroyed, Insha Allah," he said.
He stressed the importance of moral and value-based education, criticising what he described as a decaying education system influenced by "Akash culture" (cable/satellite media). "Our family structure is breaking down. Education today often only teaches how to become rich, rather than how to become responsible citizens," he said.
"All educational institutions have been funded in some form by taxpayers. If students were taught to recognise that the nation's resources supported their growth, they would think twice before engaging in corruption," he argued, adding that educated citizens must feel accountable to the people who helped build their future.
Also present at the event were Jamaat Assistant Secretary General Advocate Ehsanul Mahbub Zubair; Sylhet Metropolitan Ameer and Central Working Committee member Md Fakhrul Islam; District Nayeb-e-Ameer Maulana Abdur Rahman; District Secretary Md Yamir Ali; Islami Andolan Bangladesh District President Maulana Abdul Quddus; Dhaka Paltan Thana Ameer Shahin Ahmed Khan; District Assistant Secretary Aziz Ahmed Kibria; and Municipal Ameer Hafez Tajul Islam, among others.
Source: thedailystar.net
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https://www.thedailystar.net/news/bangladesh/news/questionable-polls-will-dishonour-sacrifice-martyrs-shafiqur-3913336
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Indian-Origin Democratic Socialist Zohran Mamdani In Contest To Become NYC's First Indian-Origin Muslim Mayor
By HT News Desk
Jun 08, 2025
Zohran Mamdani pitched himself as the candidate to beat the incumbent NYC mayor, Andrew Cuomo.(AP)
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Indian-origin democratic socialist Zohran Mamdani has emerged as a surprise contender in the 2025 New York mayoral race and surged into the spotlight due to the coveted endorsement of Rep Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez.
At just 33 years old, Mamdani pitched himself as the candidate to beat the incumbent NYC mayor, Andrew Cuomo, with a focus on housing, public transit, and economic justice to win over voters.
If elected, Zohran Mamdani would be New York City's first Muslim and Indian American mayor.
Who is Zohran Mamdani?
Born in Kampala, Uganda, Zohran Mamdani moved to New York City at age seven and later became a naturalised citizen. His mother, Mira Nair, is a celebrated Indian-American filmmaker, and his father, Mahmood Mamdani, is a Columbia University professor.
According to the Associated Press news agency, Mamdani co-founded his college's chapter of Students for Justice in Palestine and entered public life with a clear message: economic justice for working-class New Yorkers.
Zohran Mamdani was elected to the state Assembly in 2020, representing a district in Queens. His most notable legislative accomplishment was pushing through a pilot program that made a handful of city buses free for a year.
Mamdani's mayoral campaign
Zohran Mamdani's mayoral campaign has been full of big promises — free child care, free buses, a rent freeze for people living in rent-regulated apartments, new affordable housing and raising taxes on the wealthy — all packaged in well-produced social media videos.
Critics say his hopeful visions get blurry when it comes to detail, and have also questioned the cost and feasibility of his proposals, many of which would need support from the state Legislature and governor.
His open support of the Boycott, Divestment and Sanctions (BDS) movement, sharp criticism of Israel’s actions in Gaza, and vow to arrest Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu if he sets foot in New York have alienated some Jewish voters and drawn national scrutiny.
However, to win, Mamdani will need to expand his support beyond the city's young, progressive crowd to the more moderate voters who have been a critical factor in past elections.
Source: hindustantimes.com
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https://www.hindustantimes.com/world-news/us-news/who-is-zohran-mamdani-mira-nair-son-contest-nyc-first-indian-origin-muslim-mayor-101749378240721.html
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Novice UK sailors arrive in Jeddah after surviving epic Hajj voyage
HASHIM NADEEM
June 08, 2025
MINA: A group of six pilgrims with no previous sailing experience who set off from London on a 59-day maritime adventure have praised Saudi authorities for the welcome they received after finally completing their Hajj voyage.
The UK-based group, aged between 27 and 47, set sail on April 1 and arrived in Jeddah on May 27, just one week before the start of Hajj.
Each member brought a unique set of skills, from IT professionals to community organizers, but none had formal maritime training. Together, they learned to navigate, maintain their vessel, and endure weeks at sea, often facing unpredictable weather and challenging conditions.
The six pilgrims — Abdul Wahid, Tauseef Ahmed, Jody McIntyre, Dobbir Uddin, Taher Akhtar, and Ayaz Khan — made several stops across Europe and North Africa during their journey, sharing the highs and lows of life at sea with a growing community of followers on social media.
Speaking to Arab News at Mina during Hajj, Wahid, the captain, said that the voyage had been a memorable and life-changing experience.
His favorite moment came after setting off from the Gulf of Suez on the final leg of the journey. Seeing mountains in the distance — the first sign of Saudi Arabia after days of storms and rough seas — brought pure joy. In that moment, he knew they had made it.
Reflecting on their arrival and experience of Hajj, Wahid praised the exceptional care and organization. He said the pilgrimage itself felt calm and manageable compared with the challenges of the sea voyage.
Wahid said the Saudi authorities treated pilgrims like honored guests, with ambulances stationed throughout, volunteers offering water and ice packs, and a clear sense that everyone was committed to making the experience spiritual and memorable.
“They’re (Saudi authorities) looking after them (pilgrims), and they’re trying to make sure that there’s nothing you need. You’re walking down the street, the Boy Scout is there handing you an ice pack to put on your hot head... The policeman passes you a bottle of water... The fire station isn’t just a fire station, they’re standing outside spraying people down with water to cool them off,” he said.
“Every single person here is engaged in trying to make sure that Hajj is an enjoyable, spiritual, wonderful experience.”
Another crew member, Ayaz Khan, said that the challenge of sailing to Hajj was “about pushing himself beyond limits and embracing the spiritual significance of the pilgrimage.”
Khan also spoke of the profound welcome awaiting them onshore, saying that the reception was beyond anything he imagined — a dream come true.
His family had never been to Hajj before. When he told his mother he was sailing, she was worried, but he told her that this was bigger than him — it was the chance to complete a sacred journey.
The adventure route led the group through the English Channel and on to Marseille before passing the Mediterranean islands of Corsica, Sardinia, Sicily, and Crete. They sailed through the Suez Canal and finally the Red Sea before arriving in Jeddah.
The seafaring pilgrims spent almost two months off-grid and battling storms on the 1978 Westerly 33 ketch.
Khan said that the maritime pilgrimage has reminded the crew members that the path to spiritual fulfillment often requires navigating uncharted waters — both literally and metaphorically. But with perseverance, humility, and trust, even the most turbulent seas can lead to sacred destinations.
Source: arabnews.com
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https://www.arabnews.com/node/2603862/saudi-arabia
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India
Odisha government bans sale of meat and liquor near Shree Jagannath Temple in Puri
Subhashish Mohanty
09.06.25
The Odisha government on Sunday announced a ban on the sale of liquor within a two-kilometre radius of the 12th-century Shree Jagannath Temple in Puri.
Additionally, it plans to restrict the sale of non-vegetarian items along the 2.5-kilometre-long Grand Road — popularly known as Bada Danda — where the chariots of the three deities roll during the annual Rath Yatra. The road is flanked by hundreds of hotels that remain bustling with activity throughout the year.
Odisha law minister Prithiviraj Harichandan said: “We want to develop Puri as a pilgrim city. To project it as one of the best pilgrimage cities, we are going to take several steps. We will soon come out with a policy that bans the sale of liquor within a two-kilometre radius of the temple. There will be no bar within that area. Besides, we have decided to ban the sale of non-vegetarian items on the Bada Danda.”
However, it remains to be seen how the government plans to implement the ban on hotels lining both sides of the Bada Danda, where non-vegetarian dishes are commonly sold. Even residents of Puri have previously expressed discontent over liquor sales along the sacred route.
The minister also revealed the government’s broader plans to enhance Puri’s image as a top pilgrimage city. “We will soon release a plan to give a uniform appearance to all buildings on the Bada Danda. We have initiated work on how to standardise those buildings that face the Bada Danda. There will be a uniform height and a consistent front elevation for all buildings on the stretch. We will also consult private building owners about the issue of colour,” he said.
The government is currently coordinating with the Housing and urban development department to formulate a comprehensive plan for achieving uniformity in building heights and design along the sacred corridor.
Source: telegraphindia.com
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https://www.telegraphindia.com/india/odisha-government-bans-sale-of-meat-and-liquor-near-shree-jagannath-temple-in-puri-prnt/cid/2106836
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Operation Sindoor: Another Pakistan lie exposed; satellite images debunk claim it hit India's Adampur airbase
Jun 8, 2025
NEW DELHI: Since Operation Sindoor, Pakistan has been living with fantasies and pushing hard to make the world believe that it won during the conflict against India. With the use of doctored satellite images, fake visuals, and misinformation campaigns, Islamabad has been claiming that it hit Indian airfields and installations.
After the Operation Sindoor, Pakistan portrayed that it hit a Sukhoi-30MKI parked at Adampur air base in Punjab and destroyed an S-400 surface-to-air missile unit at Bhuj airfield in Gujarat. However, these assertions have been systematically dismantled by independent satellite imagery analyst Damien Symon, who has been closely examining these claims over the past month.
Adampur airbase: The Sukhoi that wasn't hit
One of the most prominent claims involved a strike on a Sukhoi-30MKI fighter jet at Punjab's Adampur airbase. The image shared to support this showed a fighter near what was presented as a burn mark.
But top imagery analyst Damien Symon revealed the truth: the image pre-dated the conflict, the aircraft was a MiG-29 under routine maintenance, and the so-called damage was engine soot buildup from testing, not a missile hit.
Bhuj airbase: Phantom strike on S-400
Another image claimed Pakistan had taken out an S-400 radar system at Bhuj airfield in Gujarat. A closer look showed dark patches on the ground, supposedly impact marks, which turned out to be oil stains in a vehicle maintenance yard. Worse, the image was captured well before hostilities began.
Adampur again: Faked crater marks on S-400
A separate claim involved alleged missile damage to the S-400 battery at Adampur. This time, the satellite image was digitally edited, with black dots added to mimic bomb craters. Comparison with current, unedited satellite images showed no such marks at the site.
Naliya airbase: A cloud's shadow, not a bomb
In one of the most absurd claims, Pakistan used an image of Naliya airbase to suggest a bombing raid had darkened the soil. Symon's analysis showed the "damage" was actually just a passing cloud casting a shadow on the runway.
Srinagar airport: A hazy lie
A blurry, low-quality image of Srinagar airport's civilian apron was circulated as proof of a Pakistani strike. But high-resolution satellite photos from multiple dates showed no damage whatsoever. The image was either misread or intentionally tampered with.
Chinese satellite firm joins the show
Adding an international twist, Pakistan also released imagery from a Chinese satellite company to "prove" another hit on Adampur. The supposed "damage" turned out to be a mark that had existed for months, visible in older satellite captures as well.
Jammu airport: Digital fakery exposed
In yet another instance, visuals claiming to show bomb damage at Jammu airport were widely shared. The "blackened spots" near the runway were proven false after high-resolution post-strike satellite photos showed a completely intact airbase. The original image had been digitally altered.
Across all claims, Pakistan has failed to demonstrate any actual damage to Indian airbases or assets in the wake of its attempted retaliation. In contrast, Indian airstrikes on Pakistani military sites, particularly Jacobabad and Bholari, have been more successful.
"Recent imagery from Bholari Airbase, Pakistan indicates that the hangar damaged in the Indian airstrike is now covered with tarpaulin possibly signaling repair activity/restoration is now underway," Damien Symon wrote in a post on X.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi's visit to Adampur airbase shortly after Operation Sindoor only reinforced the absence of any significant damage on Indian soil, a direct counter to the Pakistani narrative.
Source: indiatimes.com
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https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/operation-sindoor-another-pakistan-lie-exposed-satellite-images-debunk-claim-it-hit-indias-adampur-airbase/articleshow/121707469.cms
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Seven arrested for allegedly slaughtering bull calf on Bakrid in Madhya Pradesh
Anuraag Singh
09 Jun 2025
BHOPAL: Seven men from the minority community were arrested on Sunday for allegedly sacrificing a bull calf on Bakrid near a hillock in Ambadochar village under Chainpur police station area in Madhya Pradesh's Khargone.
Multiple packets containing 32 kgs of meat have been seized along with the sharp-edged weapons used to slaughter the calf.
While confirming the incident, sub divisional officer police (SDOP-Bhikhangaon) Rakesh Arya said that the seven arrested accused have been booked under Sections of the Arms Act, BNS and MP Cow Slaughter Prohibition Act. The samples of the seized meat have been sent for laboratory testing, Arya said.
All seven accused were produced in court and sent into judicial custody.
As per the FIR, the accused had bought the calf two months back for sacrificing it on Bakrid, and as planned, it was sacrificed.
Angered by the incident, activists of Hindu outfits have called for a bandh in Chainpur (Jhirniya) town of Khargone district on Monday.
'More mutton sold on Holi'
Meanwhile, the MP Mahila Congress’s working president Noori Khan has claimed that the sale of mutton shoots up from 4000 quintal to 20,000 quintal in the state on Hindu festival Holi.
While listing temples where goats are sacrificed, she questioned why only Muslims are targeted on slaughter of animals and consumption of meat.
She also demanded that installation of CCTV cameras on meat shops and presentation of valid ID proofs by customers for buying meat be made compulsory in MP.
Source: newindianexpress.com
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https://www.newindianexpress.com/nation/2025/Jun/09/seven-arrested-for-allegedly-slaughtering-bull-calf-on-bakrid-in-madhya-pradesh
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16 Arrested In Assam For Illegal Cattle Slaughter During Eid; CM Himanta Vows 'Strict Action'
08 Jun 2025
GUWAHATI: Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma on Sunday said 16 people were arrested in connection with illegal slaughter of cattle in the State during Eid.
Sarma said recovery of cattle parts was reported from multiple locations across Assam, and five illegal slaughter sites were found in two districts of Barak Valley- Gumrah, Silchar and Lakhipur in Cachar, and Badarpur and Banga in Karimganj.
People from the Hindu community blocked roads in Hojai during the day, alleging that some pieces of meat were thrown by miscreants on Saturday night, and while Muslims also held another roadblock and the police had to use batons to disperse protesters, a senior officer said.
Taking to X, he posted, “While our Constitution guarantees the right to religious freedom, it equally upholds the rule of law and public order. This Eid-ul-Zuha, disturbing incidents of illegal cattle slaughter and recovery of cattle parts were reported from multiple locations across Assam.”
He said in five instances, cattle parts were found from places including near Cotton University in Guwahati, Dhubri, Hojai and Sribhumi districts.
“We are committed to preserving communal harmony, but not at the cost of lawlessness or cruelty. Please be clear that strict action will be taken against all violators — irrespective of faith or background,” he further wrote.
Consumption of beef is not illegal in the state, but the Assam Cattle Preservation Act, 2021, bans cattle slaughter and sale of beef in localities where Hindus, Jains and Sikhs are in the majority and in areas within a five-km radius of a temple or satra (Vaishnavite monastery).
On Sunday, a huge number of people from the Hindu and Muslim communities came out in Hojai to hold protests separately, and they blocked roads and clashed with the police, the officer said.
"While the Hindus blocked roads at Barpukhuri area, where suspected cattle meat pieces were found at three places on Saturday. Following that, Muslims also came out and blocked a road at Bhuyanpatty as a countermeasure," he said.
A section of the mob at Bhuyanpatty clashed with the police personnel who resorted to "mild lathi-charge" to disperse the protesters, the officer said.
"The situation is now under control, and we have deployed additional forces from central paramilitary agencies. We are closely monitoring the development," he said.
The protest in Barpukhuri area is still underway, and the administration is talking to the agitators to clear the blockade.
Several people in Hojai town claimed that pieces of meat were thrown at their premises during the night.
However, the authorities have refrained from commenting on such allegations.
A Guwahati police officer told PTI that a piece of meat was found near the Cotton University campus in the heart of the city.
"The piece of meat was wrapped in a polythene packet. We have collected the sample and sent it for testing. Till we get a report, we cannot comment on anything," he added.
At Golakganj in Dhubri district, some meat pieces were thrown by miscreants near a temple in Nalia, another police officer said.
"The incident took place last night. We collected the meat and sent it for verification. There is no untoward incident here and everything is under control," he added.
Source: newindianexpress.com
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https://www.newindianexpress.com/nation/2025/Jun/08/16-arrested-in-assam-for-illegal-cattle-slaughter-during-eid-cm-himanta-vows-strict-action
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Congress youth leader’s house attacked after he criticises Tripura Govt, police for alleged inaction against clashes on Bakrid
by Debraj Deb
June 9, 2025
Tripura Congress youth leader Shahjahan Miah’s house in Agartala was attacked late Sunday after he criticised the state government and police for their alleged silence over a few incidents centring on alleged cow slaughter on Eid-al-Adha or Bakrid in the Gomati district Saturday.
In a video on his social media page, Miah could be heard lashing out at the Tripura Government and the police for purportedly failing to stand up to those who allegedly interrupted the customary animal slaughter on Bakrid. He was also heard insulting Chief Minister Manik Saha, and calling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) minority leaders “cheats”, and urging Muslims to “socially boycott” those from the community who are serving as leaders in the saffron party.
His comments sparked controversy online, and several netizens, including BJP activists, demanded action against the Congress leader. The ruling BJP filed a complaint late Sunday at the East Agartala Police Station against Miah.
After Miah’s house in the Shantipara area of Agartala was attacked, the police soon rushed to the spot and tried to bring the situation under control.
In his statement to the police, Miah said he was attacked by a band of goons as soon as he returned home from the Congress office. He also alleged that the attackers, who were purportedly brandishing firearms, wanted to kill him, but he locked himself inside a room. He said the group later assaulted his parents and wife.
Congress Working Committee (CWC) member and MLA Sudip Roy Barman, Tripura state Congress president Ashish Kumar Saha, and others visited his house later.
Roy Barman condemned the attack on Miah’s house, and said he would seek justice from the court. “He (Shahjahan) made a political attack on the chief minister in a Facebook live yesterday. He had an outburst over numerous incidents of attacks centring on Eid yesterday. Very rightly, these outbursts happened. But these attacks on his residence right next to a mosque speak volumes about how a fascist government is running in the state, led by the chief minister. There is no rule of law. These people who were seen involved in the attack on his residence tonight are all very close to him (CM). This incident must be in the knowledge of the CM. These are happening because he (CM) is indulging them,” Roy Barman said.
He also demanded immediate arrest and legal action against those he claimed were involved in the attack on Miah’s house. He said legal action would be initiated against everyone involved in such assaults, either now or later.
Speaking to reporters, a BJP leader said, “Shahjahan Miah made extremely derogatory comments against Chief Minister Dr Manik Saha, BJP Minority Morcha leader, and state minority board chairman Jashim Uddin among others. This is an attempt to destroy peace and tranquility prevailing in the state. We vehemently condemn it and have filed a complaint against the concerned Congress leader, demanding his immediate arrest”.
Chief Minister Saha’s family was ancestrally based at Shantipara. State Congress president Ashish Kumar Saha lives in the same area, and dropped Miah at his home on his way back from the party office last night.
Sunday’s incident came after clashes were reported on Bakrid, which was celebrated a day before, at different places in Udaipur in the Gomati district. Four people were detained for allegedly slaughtering a cow in public near a water body in the Chhanban area in Udaipur. A similar incident occurred in the Rajnagar area of Udaipur, where a minority family was accused of slaughtering a cow in the open.
In a separate incident, a group of Vishva Hindu Parishad (VHP) and Bajrang Dal activists intercepted a vehicle loaded with a few cattle, and handed them over to the West Agartala Police Station, suspecting that the animals were being illegally transported. However, the cattle owners claimed they had valid documents of sale and ownership.
In February 2022, the Tripura High Court ordered the state government to prohibit the sale of meat products in public places and streets and said the Agartala Municipal Corporation (AMC) should prepare a long-term plan for setting up abattoirs and slaughterhouses and ensuring the disposal of garbage appropriately and scientifically.
The order, passed by Chief Justice Indrajit Mahanty and Justice SG Chattopadhyaya, came in response to a Public Interest Litigation (PIL) filed by Advocate Ankan Tilak Paul, and was preceded by AMC’s decision to set up abattoirs or slaughter houses for handling animal slaughter for meat sale in the city.
The Agartala civic body issued a notification prohibiting the slaughtering and sale of meat in the municipal area on the occasion of Mahavir Jayanti. The municipal corporation also asked meat vendors to apply and get registered and necessary permission as part of he corporation’s plan to stop uncontrolled public slaughtering of animals.
Source: indianexpress.com
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https://indianexpress.com/article/india/congress-youth-leader-house-attacked-tripura-govt-police-inaction-clashes-bakrid-10055876/
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After MP Medha Kulkarni’s ‘Demand’, Pune’s Sarasbaug Garden Closed By Civic Body
June 9, 2025
The Pune Municipal Corporation (PMC) on Sunday kept the famous Sarasbaug garden in the heart of the city closed for the day, allegedly on the demand of BJP Rajya Sabha MP Medha Kulkarni, who cited that Bakri Eid celebrations in the garden would disturb the sanctity of a historical temple in the centre of garden.
The PMC administration had closed the gate of Sarasbaug garden with a board on display saying the garden was closed for the day and eating food was not allowed here. The civic administration did not respond to calls seeking reasons for the garden’s closure.
In a communication to PMC on June 6, BJP Rajya Sabha MP Kulkarni said, “There is a Peshwa-era Ganesh temple in Sarasbaug and is a place of worship for lakhs of Hindu people. The garden is situated around the temple. It has been observed that people of Muslim community turn up in large numbers in Sarasbaug Garden and consume meat by violating garden rules. This hurts sentiments of Hindu community.”
Various Hindu organisations have become aggressive towards the consumption of meat in the garden, she said, adding that they too had decided to hold a social event at Sarasbaug on June 8.
“There is a possibility of communal tension between the two communities if they come face to face. There seem to be truth in complaint by Hindu organisations as many people of the Muslim community come together and consume meat, which is spoiling the sanctity of temple. This can’t be tolerated,” said Kulkarni.
The BJP MP said, “The PMC should keep the garden closed on Sunday and only allow temple visitors through the gate. This should be done to avoid any untoward incident that would disturb the peace. However, the temple should be kept open for the Hindu community.”
Activist Anwar Sheikh has sought an explanation from the PMC on the exact reason why Sarasbaug Garden was closed.
“The decision to close Sarasbaug on the demand of an MP has violated the rights of the Muslim community. The PMC’s decision to close the garden on the occasion of Bakri Eid is against the fundamental right of people of the Muslim community. If the people of the muslim community are paying tax to the PMC, then they have the right to use public spaces like gardens and parks. Keeping them out due to the demand of an MP goes against the values of democracy,” he said.
He said that Muslims take their families to the garden the day after Eid to celebrate, but this year, Sarasbaug Garden was kept closed without giving any reason.
Sheikh has urged the PMC to not take such decisions in future to avoid hurting feelings of any religious community, protect the rights of Muslims and not to fall prey to the pressure of elected representatives. “The incident is sending a message that it was done to target only people of one community,” he said.
Source: indianexpress.com
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https://indianexpress.com/article/cities/pune/after-mps-demand-punes-sarasbaug-garden-closed-by-civic-body-10056057/
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Mideast
Exposing US Human Rights Abuses Is ‘Jihad Of Clarification’: Iranian Dy FM
Jun 8, 2025
Deputy Foreign Minister for Consular, Parliamentary, and Expatriate Affairs Vahid Jalalzadeh was speaking at a meeting on US human rights violations on Sunday.
Jalalzadeh noted that the phrase “American human rights” was first used by the Leader of the Islamic Revolution Ayatollah Seyyed Ali Khamenei and later pursued by Iran’s High Council for Human Rights.
He said such gatherings go beyond merely recounting past incidents. “The US has carried out various unilateral and cruel actions against the Iranian people, many of which clearly violate their own declared human rights principles,” Jalalzadeh said, citing US sanctions on medicine and treatment mentioned in a report by UN Special Rapporteur Alena Douhan on the negative impact of sanctions.
The official also said that Iran leads the global fight against imperialism, adding that exposing US rights abuses should not be limited to the Islamic Republic but extended globally.
Source: mehrnews.com
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https://en.mehrnews.com/news/232821/Exposing-US-human-rights-abuses-is-jihad-of-clarification
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Egyptian, Turkish FMs discuss Gaza ceasefire, mass graves in Libya
June 08, 2025
LONDON: Egyptian Foreign Minister Badr Abdelatty discussed developments in Gaza and Libya with his Turkish counterpart, Hakan Fidan.
The ministers, during a phone call on Sunday, highlighted the urgency of a ceasefire in Gaza and described the situation there as a “humanitarian disaster” amid Israeli attacks and military actions in the area.
They discussed efforts to achieve a ceasefire, secure the release of Israeli hostages and ensure the delivery of humanitarian, medical and shelter aid to the enclave.
Abdelatty and Fidan discussed recent developments in Libya, including the discovery of dozens of bodies in mass graves in the capital, Tripoli.
The Egyptian minister highlighted Cairo’s support for Libya’s unity and integrity, ensuring that Libyans can hold presidential and parliamentary elections simultaneously, without interference, as soon as possible, Kuwait News Agency reported.
Abdelatty said that Cairo and Ankara continue to cooperate in the economic, investment and trade sectors, and exchange views on urgent regional matters.
Source: arabnews.com
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https://www.arabnews.com/node/2603853/middle-east
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say Israeli fire kills 12 near aid sites, Israel says it fired warning shots
June 09, 2025
DEIR AL-BALAH: Israeli fire killed at least 12 people and wounded others as they headed toward two aid distribution points in the Gaza Strip run by an Israeli and US-backed group, Palestinian health officials and witnesses said Sunday. Israel’s military said it fired warning shots at people who approached its forces.
The past two weeks have seen frequent shootings near the new hubs where thousands of Palestinians — desperate after 20 months of war — are being directed to collect food. Witnesses say nearby Israeli troops have opened fire, and more than 80 people have been killed, according to Gaza hospital officials.
In all, at least 108 bodies were brought to hospitals in Gaza over the past 24 hours, the territory’s Health Ministry said. Israel’s military said it struck dozens of militant targets throughout Gaza over the past day.
Eleven of the latest bodies were brought to Nasser Hospital in the southern city of Khan Younis. Palestinian witnesses said Israeli forces fired on some at a roundabout around a kilometer (half-mile) from a site run by the Gaza Humanitarian Foundation, or GHF, in nearby Rafah.
Israel’s military said it fired warning shots at approaching “suspects” who ignored warnings to turn away. It said the shooting happened in an area that is considered an active combat zone at night.
Al-Awda Hospital said it received the body of a man and 29 people who were wounded near another GHF aid distribution point in central Gaza. The military said it fired warning shots in the area at around 6:40 a.m., but didn’t see any casualties.
A GHF official said there was no violence in or around its distribution sites, all three of which delivered aid on Sunday. The group closed them temporarily last week to discuss safety measures with Israel’s military and has warned people to stay on designated access routes. The official spoke on condition of anonymity in line with regulations.
The new aid hubs are set up inside Israeli military zones where independent media have no access. The GHF also said it was piloting direct delivery to a community north of Rafah.
Witnesses fear for their safety
Witnesses said the first shootings in southern Gaza took place at around 6 a.m., when they were told the site would open. Many headed toward it early, seeking desperately needed food before crowds arrived.
Gaza’s roughly 2 million Palestinians are almost completely reliant on international aid because nearly all food production capabilities have been destroyed.
Adham Dahman, who was at Nasser Hospital with a bandage on his chin, said a tank fired toward them.
“We didn’t know how to escape,” he said. “This is trap for us, not aid.”
Zahed Ben Hassan said someone next to him was shot in the head.
“They said it was a safe area from 6 a.m. until 6 p.m. ... So why did they start shooting at us?” he said. “There was light out, and they have their cameras and can clearly see us.”
The military announced on Friday that the sites would be open during those hours, and the areas would be a closed military zone the rest of the time.
Children cried over their father’s body at the hospital.
“I can’t see you like this, Dad!” one girl said.
Aid distributed inside Israeli military zones
The new aid hubs are run by GHF, a new group of mainly American contractors. Israel wants it to replace a system coordinated by the United Nations and international aid groups.
Israel and the United States accuse the Hamas militant group of stealing aid. The UN denies there is systematic diversion. The UN says the new system is unable to meet mounting needs, allows Israel to use aid as a weapon by determining who can receive it and forces people to relocate to where aid sites are positioned.
The UN system has struggled to deliver aid, even after Israel eased its blockade of Gaza last month. UN officials say their efforts are hindered by Israeli military restrictions, the breakdown of law and order and widespread looting.
Experts warned earlier this year that Gaza was at critical risk of famine, if Israel didn’t lift its blockade and halt its military campaign. Both were renewed in March.
Israeli officials have said the offensive will continue until all hostages are returned and Hamas is defeated or disarmed and sent into exile.
Israel says it identified Hamas chief Mohammed Sinwar’s body
On Sunday, Israel’s military invited journalists into Khan Younis to show a tunnel under the European Hospital, saying they found the body of Mohammed Sinwar, the head of Hamas’ armed wing, there after he was killed last month. Israel has barred international journalists from entering Gaza independently since the war began.
“(Israeli forces) would prefer not to hit or target hospitals,” army spokesperson Brig. Gen. Effie Defrin said. Sinwar’s body was found in a room under the hospital’s emergency room, Defrin said.
Hamas has said it will only release the remaining hostages in return for Palestinian prisoners, a lasting ceasefire and an Israeli withdrawal from Gaza. Talks mediated by the US, Egypt and Qatar have been deadlocked for months.
Israel’s military campaign has killed more than 54,800 Palestinians, according to Gaza’s Health Ministry. It says women and children make up most of the dead, but doesn’t say how many civilians or combatants were killed. Israel says it has killed more than 20,000 militants, without providing evidence.
The war has destroyed vast areas of Gaza and displaced around 90 percent of its population.
Source: arabnews.com
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https://www.arabnews.com/node/2603899/middle-east
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Israeli forces seize Gaza aid boat carrying Greta Thunberg, ministry says
June 09, 2025
JERUSALEM: Israeli forces have taken command of a charity vessel that had tried to break a naval blockade of the Gaza Strip and the boat with its crew of 12 including activist Greta Thunberg is now heading to a port in Israel, officials said on Sunday.
The British-flagged yacht Madleen, which is operated by the pro-Palestinian Freedom Flotilla Coalition (FFC), was aiming to deliver a symbolic amount of aid to Gaza later on Monday and raise international awareness of the humanitarian crisis there.
However, the boat was boarded during the night before it could reach shore, the FFC said on its Telegram account. The Israeli Foreign Ministry later confirmed that it was under Israeli control.
“The ‘selfie yacht’ of the ‘celebrities’ is safely making its way to the shores of Israel. The passengers are expected to return to their home countries,” the ministry wrote on X.
All passengers were safe and unharmed, the ministry later added. “They were provided with sandwiches and water. The show is over.”
Among the 12-strong crew are Swedish climate campaigner Thunberg and Rima Hassan, a French member of the European Parliament.
“The crew of the Freedom Flotilla was arrested by the Israeli army in international waters around 2 a.m.,” Hassan posted on X. A photograph showed the crew seated on the boat, all wearing life jackets, with their hands in the air.
The yacht is carrying a small shipment of humanitarian aid, including rice and baby formula. The Foreign Ministry said it would be taken to Gaza. “The tiny amount of aid that was on the yacht and not consumed by the ‘celebrities’ will be transferred to Gaza through real humanitarian channels,” it wrote.
Israeli Defense Minister Israel Katz ordered the military on Sunday to prevent the Madleen from reaching Gaza, calling the mission a propaganda effort in support of Hamas.
Israel imposed a naval blockade on the coastal enclave after Hamas took control of Gaza in 2007.
The blockade has remained in place through multiple conflicts, including the current war, which began after a Hamas-led assault on southern Israel on October 7, 2023, that killed more than 1,200 people, according to an Israeli tally.
Gaza’s health ministry says over 54,000 Palestinians have been killed since the start of Israel’s military campaign. The United Nations has warned that most of Gaza’s more than 2 million residents are facing famine.
The Israeli government says the blockade is essential to prevent weapons from reaching Hamas.
The United Nations’ special rapporteur on human rights in the Palestinian territories, Francesca Albanese, has supported the FFC operation and on Sunday, urged other boats to challenge the Gaza blockade.
“Madleen’s journey may have ended, but the mission isn’t over. Every Mediterranean port must send boats with aid & solidarity to Gaza,” she wrote on X.
Source: arabnews.com
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https://www.arabnews.com/node/2603890/middle-east
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Israel reveals tunnel under Gaza hospital, says body of Sinwar’s brother found there
June 08, 2025
KHAN YOUNIS: The Israeli army said on Sunday it had retrieved the body of Hamas’ military chief, Mohammed Sinwar, in an underground tunnel beneath a hospital in southern Gaza, following a targeted operation last month.
Another senior Hamas leader, Mohammad Shabana, commander of the Rafah Brigade, was also found dead at the scene along with a number of other militants, who are still being identified, said IDF spokesperson, Brig. Gen. Effie Defrin.
Israeli forces gave a small group of foreign reporters a tour of the tunnel that had been uncovered beneath the European Hospital in Khan Younis, which Defrin said was a major command and control compound for Hamas.
“This is another example of the cynical use by Hamas, using civilians as human shields, using civilian infrastructure, hospitals, again and again,” said Defrin.
“We found underneath the hospital, right under the emergency room, a compound of a few rooms. In one of them we found, we killed Mohammed Sinwar,” he said.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu announced Sinwar’s death last month, but Defrin said they now had his DNA which proved beyond doubt it was him.
Hamas has not commented on reports of the death of either Sinwar or Shabana.
Sinwar was the younger brother of Yahya Sinwar, the Palestinian militant group’s deceased leader and mastermind of the October 2023 attack on Israel that killed 1,200 people according to Israeli tallies, and which triggered the Israeli invasion of Gaza.
Shabana was one of Hamas’s most senior and battle-hardened commanders in southern Gaza. He played a central role in constructing the network of tunnels under the southern city of Rafah, which were used for ambushes and cross-border raids.
The drive to Khan Younis in Israeli military vehicles showed widespread devastation, with countless buildings lying in ruins, and piles of rubble collected at the roadside.
The Israeli military has raided or besieged numerous hospitals during the war, alleging that Hamas uses them to conceal fighters and orchestrate operations — a charge Hamas has repeatedly denied. While Israel has presented evidence in certain cases, some of its assertions remain unverified.
Defrin said the army had carefully planned the strike near the European Hospital in order not to damage it.
A large trench dug in front of the Emergency Room entrance led down to a hole in the claustrophobic, concrete tunnel, which was used as a hideaway by Hamas fighters, the army said.
During the search of the site, Israeli forces recovered weapon stockpiles, ammunition, cash and documents that are now being reviewed for intelligence value.
“We will dismantle Hamas because we cannot live with this terror organization right in our backyard, right across our border,” Defrin said.
More than 54,000 Palestinians have died during the ongoing Israeli assault, according to Gaza health authorities. The UN has warned that most of Gaza’s 2.3 million population is at risk of famine.
Source: arabnews.com
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https://www.arabnews.com/node/2603876/middle-east
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Israeli bulldozers flatten more Palestinian buildings in Tulkarm refugee camp
June 08, 2025
LONDON: Israeli forces have conducted demolitions for the third consecutive day in the Palestinian refugee camp of Tulkarm in the northern part of the West Bank, the site of military operations since January.
On Sunday, Israeli bulldozers resumed demolition of numerous residential buildings in the camp. The demolitions are part of the destruction plan of 58 structures in Tulkarm and 48 in the Nur Shams refugee camp.
More than 250 housing units and dozens of commercial establishments have been destroyed in both locations, according to Wafa news agency.
Residents say that an entire residential area in the Tulkarm camp has been reduced to rubble in recent days, with debris hindering access to surrounding buildings.
Israeli operations in Tulkarm for the past 133 days and in Nur Shams for the past 120 days have resulted in the deaths of 13 Palestinians and the displacement of almost 25,000 residents.
At least 400 homes have been destroyed and 2,573 damaged after Israeli forces sealed off roads and entrances with earth barriers and barred Palestinian residents from returning, the Wafa added.
Source: arabnews.com
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https://www.arabnews.com/node/2603855/middle-east
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South Asia
UNHCR: Millions of Refugees unable to celebrate Eid al-Adha
By Fidel Rahmati
June 8, 2025
UNHCR Chief Filippo Grandi warns millions of refugees worldwide, including Afghans, face hardship and cannot celebrate Eid al-Adha.
Filippo Grandi, the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR), has highlighted that millions of refugees worldwide, including many Afghans, are unable to celebrate Eid al-Adha this year.
On Friday, June 6, Grandi issued a message of Eid greetings while drawing attention to the plight of those displaced by war and facing severe economic hardships.
He emphasized that these vulnerable populations live under extremely difficult conditions in crisis-affected regions such as Gaza, Sudan, Bangladesh, and Afghanistan. Due to their circumstances, they are deprived of the opportunity to observe the celebrations they long for and deserve.
Since the Taliban took control of Afghanistan, a significant number of Afghan citizens have fled the country due to escalating security and economic challenges. This displacement has compounded the struggles faced by Afghan refugees during important cultural and religious holidays.
Grandi’s message serves as a reminder of the ongoing humanitarian crises impacting millions, underscoring the urgent need for international support and solidarity with displaced communities.
The inability to celebrate religious festivities like Eid al-Adha exacerbates the emotional and psychological toll on refugees, highlighting the broader impact of conflict and instability.
As the global community marks this important occasion, renewed efforts are essential to address the root causes of displacement and improve living conditions for refugees worldwide.
Source: khaama.com
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https://www.khaama.com/unhcr-millions-of-refugees-unable-to-celebrate-eid-al-adha/
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Bangladesh to observe World Accreditation Day with focus on empowering SMEs
Jun 8, 2025
Chief Adviser Professor Muhammad Yunus has called for a collective global initiative to support small and medium enterprises (SMEs), as Bangladesh prepares to observe World Accreditation Day 2025 tomorrow alongside other nations.
According to a statement issued from the Press Information Department (PID) today, this year's theme is "Accreditation: Empowering Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs)."
"This year's theme of the day appears to me as time befitting," he said, adding that the accreditation system plays a vital role in supporting SMEs by ensuring quality across all levels of the product and service supply chain.
In his message, the chief adviser said he is pleased to know that Bangladesh is participating in the global observance of World Accreditation Day.
"A large part of our gross domestic product (GDP) comes from the SME sector. The role of this sector is also very important in creating new jobs,' he added.
However, the chief adviser acknowledged that SMEs face ongoing challenges such as entry barriers to international markets, evolving consumer demands, and financial limitations.
"A collective global effort is needed to overcome these obstacles," he said.
The chief adviser further said the Bangladesh Accreditation Board, since its inception, has been working towards these goals.
"So far, the board has awarded accreditation to 155 organisations -- including laboratories, diagnostic centres, certification bodies, and inspection bodies -- according to international standards," he said. He also reaffirmed the interim government's commitment to the development of small and medium industries, saying it is "sincere about supporting sustainable industrialisation, trade, and investment for the country's desired development."
Source: thedailystar.net
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https://www.thedailystar.net/news/bangladesh/news/bangladesh-observe-world-accreditation-day-focus-empowering-smes-3913351
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Yunus to take-off for London today on a four-day visit
Jun 9, 2025
Chief Adviser Professor Muhammad Yunus will leave Dhaka for London this evening on a four-day official visit to the UK aiming to enhance bilateral relations.
"A flight of Emirates Airlines carrying the chief adviser and his entourage will depart Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport for London at about 7:30pm today," his Deputy Press Secretary Abul Kalam Azad Majumder told BSS.
On June 4, 2025, acting foreign secretary Ruhul Alam Siddique at a curtain-raiser briefing said the CA will be granted an audience with King Charles III and hold bilateral talks with British Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer.
UK Foreign Secretary David Lammy, along with other senior ministers, political leaders, and influential figures from the policy and business communities are expected to meet the CA.
In a significant recognition of his global contributions, Prof Yunus has been nominated by King Charles III for the "King Charles III Harmony Award 2025", honouring his lifelong work to promote peace, sustainability, and harmony between people and the environment.
The award will be conferred at a formal ceremony at St James's Palace in London on June 12.
Established in 1990, The King's Foundation, a UK-based charity founded by the then prince of Wales Charles, bestows the prestigious award annually on individuals with exemplary achievements in sustainable development and humanitarian causes.
During the visit, Yunus is set to hold courtesy meetings with the secretaries-general of the Commonwealth and the International Maritime Organization (IMO), highlighting Bangladesh's broader international engagements.
As part of his public diplomacy efforts, he is expected to deliver a special speech at Chatham House, the Royal Institute of International Affairs, on June 11.
The chief adviser is expected to return home on June 14.
Source: thedailystar.net
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https://www.thedailystar.net/news/bangladesh/diplomacy/news/yunus-take-london-today-four-day-visit-3913506
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DMP bans rally, public gathering near Secretariat, CA's residence
Jun 9, 2025
The Dhaka Metropolitan Police has issued a public notice imposing a fresh ban on all forms of public gatherings, processions, and rallies near the Bangladesh Secretariat and the chief adviser's official residence, state guest house Jamuna, as well as surrounding areas.
The ban will be effective from June 9 until further notice, reads the notice issued on June 8.
According to the notice signed by DMP Commissioner Sheikh Md Sajjat Ali, the surrounding areas include: Hotel Intercontinental intersection, Kakrail Mosque intersection, Officers Club intersection and Minto Road.
The directive, issued under Section 29 of the DMP Ordinance, aims to maintain law and order and ensure security of the chief adviser.
Earlier on May 10, the DMP issued a similar notice prohibiting all forms of mass gatherings and processions in the areas adjacent to the Bangladesh Secretariat and the chief adviser's official residence in face of recent protests.
Source: thedailystar.net
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https://www.thedailystar.net/news/bangladesh/governance/news/dmp-bans-rally-public-gathering-near-secretariat-cas-residence-3913491
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North America
Hundreds ‘celebrate together’ at Staten Island Eid al-Adha fair
Jun. 08, 2025
STATEN ISLAND, N.Y. — On Sunday afternoon, the Muslim American Society of Staten Island Center in Dongan Hills hosted its Eid fair.
The light rain in the early afternoon didn’t keep the crowds away as hundreds turned out from all over Staten Island, and some from further away, to celebrate the Eid al-Adha holiday.
“What we’re doing today is we’re inviting the community, families and neighbors to come together and celebrate with us,” said Abdullah Akl, political director at the Muslim American Society of Staten Island.
“We came around to a lot of our neighbors and we gave them free passes to come with their friends and families, even if they’re not part of the Muslim community, just to be part of this day as we celebrate together,” he continued.
Akl estimated that as of 4 p.m., over 700 people had come to the fair based on the number of wristbands handed out.
The event included a closed-off section of North Railroad Avenue where organizers set up inflatable slides, a bouncy house, face painting, snow cones, and more.
“It’s nice to have this sense of community, and the rain hasn’t put a damper on anything. The turnout was really great and everyone is super friendly,” said Roan Alamari of Great Kills. “This is my first time coming to a fair here. I just moved to Staten Island, but I come to the mosque a lot.”
On the grounds of the center were a market’s worth of stalls featured dozens of vendors. They were from Staten Island and other parts of the city, selling food, crafts, clothing, and offering a respite from scattered showers during the event.
“Honestly it’s been really nice, and it gets us all together,” said Amar Khan, a resident of Dongan Hills. “The beautiful thing about this community is that people come in from all over to get together like this.”
On Friday, the Muslim American Society also hosted an Eid al-Adha prayer and celebration in Midland Beach to celebrate the holiday.
Abdelrahman Badawy, the resident scholar of the Muslim American Society Staten Island Center, estimated several thousand attended the prayer event.
“We honor the legacy of the Prophet Abraham, peace be upon him, and we try to follow in his footsteps, and it’s a time for families to unite together and pray to God together and to give thanks and to give to those who are in need,” Badawy told the Advance/SILive on Friday.
Source: silive.com
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https://www.silive.com/news/2025/06/hundreds-celebrate-together-at-staten-island-eid-al-adha-fair.html
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Security guard stabbed at Frisco mosque while praying, mosque officials say
Sara Hummadi
9 Jun, 2025
A security guard for the Islamic Center of Frisco was stabbed during a prayer on Saturday night, according to a statement from the mosque's board of directors.
Frisco police confirmed that they responded to a stabbing call around 10:57 p.m. at 11137 Frisco St on Saturday. Police say witnesses provided descriptions of the suspect and officers took the suspect into custody.
In a statement to Facebook, the board of directors said the security guard, Omar Yaqoob, was performing "Isha Salah," one of the daily prayers Muslims engage in, when the suspect allegedly stabbed Yaqoob.
The statement details that the attacker was allegedly a Muslim man who regularly attended the mosque for the past several months.
After the incident, Yaqoob was transported to a local hospital and treated for his injuries. Mosque officials say he is now in stable condition and recovering at home.
On Sunday morning, mosque officials posted to Facebook that the center would be closed "until further notice," but in the new statement, they said the mosque will reopen Sunday afternoon and resume regular scheduling.
"We extend our sincere gratitude to the Frisco Police Department for their prompt and professional response, and have requested extra police presence for the next few days," mosque officials said.
Source: nbcdfw.com
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https://www.nbcdfw.com/news/local/security-guard-stabbed-frisco-mosque-praying/3858816/
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Los Angeles protests intensify: Cars set on fire, tear gas and rubber bullets fired after National Guard troops arrive
June 9, 2025
Protests and demonstrations against the federal government’s immigration raids have further intensified in Los Angeles after US President Donald Trump deployed hundreds of National Guard troops to maintain law and order on Sunday against the objections of governor and mayor, as law enforcement officers fired tear gas and rubber bullets at protesters to quell the protest.
The clashes between protesters and officials come on the third day of the protest which began after Trump’s immigration crackdown in the region, and ignited due to the arrival of around 300 National Guard troops in Los Angeles which has spurred anger and fear among some residents.
By Sunday afternoon, protesters had gathered outside the Metropolitan Detention Center in downtown Los Angeles where several people were detained by the immigration officials during a raid conducted earlier. Targeting the newly deployed National Guards in the region, protesters directed chants of “shame” and “go home” at the troops, who stood with their long guns and riot shields.
As protesters moved closer to the national Guards, another set of uniform officers approached the group and threw smoke-filled canisters into the street. Thereafter, the Los Angeles Police Department (LAPD) was heard firing warning shots of crowd-control munitions to disperse the protesters.
UPDATE: More arrests are being made in Paramount, CA. A source tells me this wasn’t an immigration raid, but a staging area. #LosAngeles #California pic.twitter.com/nyJThz0duT
The LAPD alleged that the protesters had gathered unlawfully, and several protesters then moved to block traffic on the 101 freeway. The LAPD has said that “a number of people have been arrested” at the “Civic Center area” of downtown Los Angeles.
California Governor Gavin Newsom had objected to President Trump’s deployment of National Guard troops in Los Angeles, and urged the Republican leader to revoke the troop deployment which other Democratic governors called an “alarming abuse of power”. In a letter sent to Trump on Sunday, Newsom wrote the presence of the Guard was “inflaming tensions” in the city.
Trump had said that National Guard troops’ deployment in LA was necessary as Newsom and other Democrats have failed to quell recent protests targeting immigration agents.
Source: indianexpress.com
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https://indianexpress.com/article/world/protest-intensify-los-angeles-trump-national-guard-la-freeway-blocked-10055707/
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Arab World
Makkah Deputy Emir hands over Kaaba's new Kiswa to Senior Keeper Al-Shaibi
June 08, 2025
MAKKAH — On behalf of Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Salman, Deputy Emir of Makkah Region and Deputy Chairman of the Permanent Committee for Hajj and Umrah Prince Saud bin Mishaal handed over the Holy Kaaba’s new cover (Kiswa) to Abdul Malik bin Taha Al-Shaibi, the senior keeper of the Grand Mosque.
The handover of the Kaaba Kiswa, the black cloth covering the Kaaba, is a significant annual tradition in Islam, marking the start of the new Islamic year and preceding the Hajj season. The Kiswa handover ceremony is a demonstration of the leadership's care and attention to the Kaaba, Islam's holiest shrine.
The handover documents were signed by Minister of Hajj and Umrah and Chairman of the Board of Directors of the General Authority for the Care of the Affairs of the Grand Mosque and the Prophet’s Mosque Tawfiq Al-Rabiah, and Senior Keeper of the Grand Mosque Abdul Malik bin Taha Al-Shaibi.
The handover ceremony marks the upcoming replacement of the Holy Kaaba’s Kiswa on the first day of Muharram 1447 AH.
The new Kiswa was produced by the King Abdulaziz Complex for Holy Kaaba Kiswa using natural black-dyed silk, embroidered in gold and silver threads. The covering stands 14 meters high and features, in its upper third, a belt that is 95 centimeters wide and 47 meters long, composed of 16 pieces framed by Islamic decorative patterns. It is made up of five pieces of cloth, including the curtain that covers the Kaaba door, sewed together.
The handover ceremony is part of the preparations and procedures for replacing the Holy Kaaba’s Kiswa in the beginning of the year 1447 AH, reflecting the leadership’s care and attention to every stage from production to completion of the replacement.
Source: saudigazette.com.sa
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https://saudigazette.com.sa/article/652544/SAUDI-ARABIA/Makkah-Deputy-Emir-hands-over-Kaabas-new-Kiswa-to-Senior-Keeper-Al-Shaibi
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Veteran Mutawwif on serving pilgrims: ‘A privilege, not a duty’
June 08, 2025
MAKKAH: For more than 30 years, Mohammed Sabgha has witnessed the evolution of one of Islam’s most sacred professions — serving as a “Mutawwif,” or official Hajj guide, a hereditary calling that has shaped Makkah families for centuries.
The Tawafa profession is one of the oldest Hajj-related occupations, practiced exclusively by Makkah residents devoted to welcoming, hosting and guiding pilgrims through their sacred journey.
These guides coordinate every aspect of the pilgrimage — from airport reception and accommodation, to healthcare and ritual guidance — according to a Saudi Press Agency report.
Sabgha described it as a sacred inheritance: “This work passes from fathers to sons through generations. Serving Allah’s guests is a privilege, not a duty.”
Throughout his career, Sabgha has witnessed remarkable changes to Hajj, especially the rapid improvements of recent years.
“The pilgrim service system is enhanced every year — from crowd management and group coordination to medical care, ritual facilitation and overall experience,” he said.
The transformation reflects Saudi Arabia’s systematic approach to service excellence. The Ministry of Hajj and Umrah works with government agencies, private companies and nonprofit organizations in year-round planning cycles that begin immediately after each Hajj concludes.
“Every service is measured and evaluated. We identify areas for improvement and implement changes — all aimed at better serving pilgrims,” Sabgha said.
“The Kingdom invests enormous resources and spares no expense in fulfilling this sacred mission.”
He highlighted the Nusuk digital platform as particularly revolutionary, calling it “the foundation stone for delivering every service pilgrims need, regardless of type.”
Among countless pilgrim encounters, one story deeply moved Sabgha. “A few years ago, I served a man who had converted to Islam just months before his Hajj. He said his conversion was inspired by a specific Qur’anic verse.”
The pilgrim had been profoundly affected by verse 70 of Surat Al-Isra: “And We have certainly honored the children of Adam and carried them on the land and sea and provided for them of the good things and preferred them over much of what We have created.” Sabgha said: “He reflected deeply on the verse’s meaning — that Allah, the One God, honored humanity with intellect to distinguish good from evil and benefit from harm, in both worldly and spiritual matters.”
Source: arabnews.com
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https://www.arabnews.com/node/2603844/saudi-arabia
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Gulf leaders congratulate Saudi leadership for organizing successful Hajj
June 08, 2025
RIYADH: Leaders of the Gulf Cooperation Council nations have congratulated the Saudi leadership on successfully managing and organizing the Hajj pilgrimage, which nearly 1.4 million Muslims have undertaken since Wednesday, the Saudi Press Agency reported.
King Salman and Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman received on Sunday congratulatory messages from the UAE President Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed Al-Nahyan, King Hamad bin Isa Al-Khalifa of Bahrain, Sultan Haitham bin Tariq of Oman, Emir Tamim bin Hamad Al-Thani of Qatar, and Emir Meshal Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah of Kuwait.
Saudi Arabia has employed artificial intelligence and advanced technologies to manage this year's Muslim pilgrimage, one of the world's largest annual gatherings.
The Kingdom's authorities provided over 1 million Muslim pilgrims with essential services during the Hajj, including water, food, accommodation, transportation, and healthcare at various holy sites in Makkah and Madinah.
Source: arabnews.com
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https://www.arabnews.com/node/2603873/saudi-arabia
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Centuries Of Hajj Documented In Travellers’ Chronicles
TAREQ AL-THAQAFI
June 08, 2025
MAKKAH: For centuries, the Hajj pilgrimage has stood as Islam’s most profound convergence of spiritual devotion and physical endurance.
This sacred journey, where the trials of travel merge with the sanctity of worship, has been meticulously documented by countless travelers, scholars and rulers whose written accounts have become invaluable chronicles of the history of Islamic civilization.
From barefoot pilgrims to seafaring voyagers and desert caravans, the Hajj experience has been preserved across generations through detailed testimonies, books and manuscripts that illuminate both the ritualistic and human dimensions of this transformative journey.
According to researcher and historian Saad Al-Joudi, the Hajj transcended its purely ceremonial function to become a comprehensive documentation project that captured the essence of Islamic society across different historical periods.
The Andalusian explorer Ibn Jubayr was one of the most meticulous chroniclers, providing exhaustive accounts of his maritime route from Andalusia through Alexandria to the Hejaz from 1183-1185.
His writings detail every stage of the pilgrimage sequence: The ritual consecration at designated boundaries (Ihram), the circumambulation of the Kaaba (Tawaf), the Sa’I (running between Safa and Marwa), the overnight vigil in Mina, the standing at Mount Arafat, the symbolic stone-throwing ceremony, and the final farewell circumambulation.
The renowned traveler Ibn Battuta, who set off on his pilgrimage in 1325, focused extensively on the logistical infrastructure supporting the routes to Makkah.
His accounts express wonder at the remarkable unity displayed by Muslims of diverse languages, ethnicities and cultures as they performed identical rituals in perfect synchronization.
He documented the overland passages from the Levant to Madinah, describing rest stations, temporary pilgrim markets and mobile medical facilities.
Majed Al-Yazidi, of Umm Al-Qura University, said that Hajj documentation extended beyond travel writers to include sultans and kings.
Abbasid caliph Harun Al-Rashid is said to have performed the pilgrimage several times, notably traveling on foot as an expression of humility.
The 13th-century Mamluk ruler, Baibars, established comprehensive supply networks and security installations for pilgrim caravans throughout the Levant and Arabian Peninsula, transforming the Hajj into an integrated socio-political undertaking.
The geographic scope of the pilgrimage routes reflects the civilizational breadth of the Islamic world.
Al-Yazidi said that pilgrims from Andalusia and Morocco predominantly traveled by sea, while those from Yemen and the Indian subcontinent used both sea and land routes.
Pilgrims from the Levant, Iraq and Egypt followed established paths, including the famous Darb Zubaidah, Darb Al-Kufa and Egyptian corridor.
These pilgrimage highways catalyzed the development and prosperity of numerous cities along their paths.
Al-Joudi highlighted how these travel accounts provided systematic documentation of Hajj rites.
These chronicles also captured behavioral patterns, regional clothing styles, commercial activities and accompanying cultural practices with remarkable precision.
Humanitarian and social dimensions of the pilgrimage are exemplified in the works of Abdul Ghani Al-Nabulsi, the scholar who began his journey in 1693.
Al-Nabulsi documented the extensive cultural exchanges occurring between pilgrims from East Asia to North Africa, recording gift exchanges, manuscript trading and intellectual discussions.
Al-Joudi emphasized that Hajj journeys were cultural, spiritual and humanitarian occasions that motivated numerous writers and travelers to document their rich details.
He said that among the most prominent was Ibn Battuta, who dedicated extensive passages in his book the Rihla to describing Hajj rituals, sanctuary conditions and caravan movements.
Al-Yazidi also highlighted scholar Mohammed Al-Amin Al-Shanqiti, who authored “The Hajj Journey to God’s Sacred House.”
His writings combine precise descriptions with jurisprudential insights and religious rulings, alongside personal observations and interactions with pilgrims from across the globe.
Modern Arabic literature has been enriched by numerous Hajj memoirs. Abbas Mahmoud Al-Aqqad’s “The Hejazi Journey” captures the spiritual atmosphere through a literary lens, while Ibrahim Abdul Qadir Al-Mazini’s “Journey to Hejaz” employs contemplative prose to explore both humorous incidents and profound spiritual experiences.
Mohammed Hussein Haikal’s “In the House of Revelation” offers intellectual and spiritual analysis of his Arabian journey.
Shakib Arslan’s “Pleasant Impressions in the Pilgrim’s Mind” and Ali Al-Tantawi’s “To the Land of Prophecy” combine travel narrative with reformist and educational perspectives.
The documentation tradition extends beyond Arab authors to include remarkable accounts by converts to Islam.
Leopold Weiss (Muhammad Asad) in “The Road to Makkah” and Takeshi Suzuki (Muhammad Saleh) in “A Japanese in Makkah” provide insights into the pilgrimage experience from the perspective of recent converts, demonstrating Islam’s universal appeal across cultural boundaries.
Al-Yazidi said that these diverse travel accounts, despite variations in language and approach, constituted a living historical archive of the Hajj across centuries.
Source: arabnews.com
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https://www.arabnews.com/node/2603864/saudi-arabia
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Umm Al-Qura University becomes academic hub for Hajj
TAREQ AL-THAQAFI
June 08, 2025
MAKKAH: As millions of pilgrims undertake Hajj pilgrimage, Umm Al-Qura University is leveraging its research capabilities to support one of the world’s most complex religious gatherings.
Dr. Wardah bint Abdullah Al-Asmari, vice rector for investment and community partnership, told Arab News that the university has committed all available resources to support Saudi Arabia’s Hajj and Umrah infrastructure, aligning with Vision 2030 objectives.
“We mobilize our human, scientific, administrative, and research capacities annually through specialized educational and training programs, field studies, and consulting services designed to elevate pilgrim experiences and service standards,” Al-Asmari said.
The university’s flagship effort this season, the Licensing and Qualification Program for Helpers of Pilgrims, has provided over 300,000 training opportunities through 20 worker modules and 50 packages for pilgrims available in 15 languages.
Other initiatives include the Rafid Al-Haramain program, offering more than 100,000 training slots and engaging over 3,000 participants from 30 organizations; and the Bus Guide Training Program, which certified 3,500 guides to assist with pilgrim transport.
As part of its global outreach, the university translates Friday sermons and Arafat Day speeches into more than 20 languages, reaching an estimated 600 million Muslims worldwide.
Academic departments have also integrated Hajj-focused curricula in medicine, nursing, computer science, and social sciences, covering crowd control, disaster management, and emergency response. Students gain hands-on experience through partnerships with the Ministry of Health at seasonal medical facilities.
Umm Al-Qura’s research arm, the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques Institute for Hajj and Umrah Research, deployed 34 researchers and 458 data collectors to conduct 17 studies this season.
These focus on crowd management, security protocols, sustainability measures, emerging technologies, artificial intelligence applications, and pilgrim satisfaction in 20 languages. The Institute for Research and Studies also contributes to national projects through consulting and research implemention.
Digital transformation is another major pillar. The university delivered 34,000 remote training courses through its Specialized Training platform. The modules cover critical areas such as elderly and disabled assistance, translation, guest experience, crowd management, and safety protocols.
Other digital initiatives include AI-driven data analysis, pilgrim-focused smart apps, innovation hackathons, and operating the Nusuk Card project center through Wadi Makkah Co.
Al-Asmari noted ongoing collaboration with key government bodies including the Ministry of Hajj and Umrah, Ministry of Health, and Ministry of Municipal Affairs, as well as the Royal Commission for Makkah City, Pilgrim Experience Program, Civil Defense, Border Guard, and Makkah Health Cluster.
These partnerships span research, training, performance metrics, and volunteer mobilization.
Volunteerism is central the university’s social responsibility mission. This year, 2,027 volunteers were trained in partnership with civil defense, health, and border authorities in health, awareness, and organizational services.
To meet growing sector needs, the university launched degree and diploma programs in Hajj and Umrah management through its specialized institute and colleges, attracting students pursuing careers in the expanding pilgrim services sector.
Looking ahead, Al-Asmari affirmed Umm Al-Qura’s ambition to expand research, partnerships, and tech innovation in line with the objectives of the Pilgrim Experience Program under Saudi Vision 2030.
Source: arabnews.com
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https://www.arabnews.com/node/2603861/saudi-arabia
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Osaka Expo pavilion celebrates 70 years of Japan-Saudi relations
June 08, 2025
OSAKA: Saudi Arabia’s pavilion at Expo 2025 Osaka is celebrating the 70th anniversary of diplomatic relations between Japan and the Kingdom — the two countries first established their partnership on June 7, 1955.
“The relations go beyond a mere economic partnership to reflect the depth and diversity of our ties,” said Ghazi Faisal Binzagr, Saudi ambassador to Japan and the pavilion’s commissioner-general.
“Today, we build on the strength of the past and harness the momentum of the present to jointly shape a new vision for the future. With Expo 2025 taking place in Osaka and Saudi Arabia hosting Expo 2030 in Riyadh, our two countries stand at the forefront of global exchange, showcasing the latest innovations and sustainable technologies, and contributing to shaping an inclusive future for all.”
The Saudi Pavilion has hosted various business events and highlighted trade opportunities offered by Saudi Vision 2030, strengthening economic ties between the two countries.
Additionally, it highlights the Kingdom’s role in bringing Japanese culture to the Middle East through local manga studios, whose works will be featured in August.
The pavilion aims to draw more Japanese tourists to Saudi Arabia, targeting 30,000 visitors annually before Expo 2030 Riyadh.
Saudi Arabia’s participation in Expo 2025 Osaka is part of the Saudi-Japan Vision 2030 strategy, which includes more than 80 projects across industries including culture, food, media and entertainment, energy, and education.
The pavilion, which offers more than 700 diverse and engaging events such as daily shows and live performances, has attracted more than half a million visitors since it opened in April.
Source: arabnews.com
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https://www.arabnews.com/node/2603858/saudi-arabia
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Africa
Catholic Church urged to help more as education costs in Africa rise
June 9, 2025
Across Africa, Catholic school like the Uganda Martyrs School in Kampala, have long been a pillar of affordable but high-quality education, especially for poor families.
Their appeal remains strong even with competition from other non-governmental investors now eying schools as enterprises for profit.
The growing trend toward privatisation is sparking concern that the Catholic Church may price out the people who need uplifting.
Schools run by the Catholic Church are not usually registered as profit-making entities, but those who run them say they would not be competitive if they operated merely as charities.
They say they face the same maintenance costs as others in the field and offer scholarships to exceptional students.
"A school like this one, it has several cost centres," Vincent Ssegane, director of studies in charge of examinations at Uganda Martyrs school.
"Look at the wage bill, for the teachers, feeding the students, maintaining these infrastructures, it is enormous. So, I think that one explains that rise and, of course, like you are intimating, the rising cost of living and the hiking prices."
"The rate of inflation has an impact, great impact on the cost of education because education is a service,” he added.
Tuition at the school was once as high as $800 but has since dropped to about $600 as enrolment doubled to nearly 5,000, according to the school's deputy headmaster.
Across the region, the Catholic Church has built a reputation as a key provider of formal education in areas often underserved by the state.
Its schools are cherished by families of all means for their values, discipline, and academic success.
Richard Kizito, a metal worker in Kampala whose four children attend Catholic schools, said the emerging risk for traditional Catholic schools is that they will cater only for the rich.
“Formerly we used to not pay fees, especially when I was young,” he recalled, saying he remembered “going for free, receiving books for free, pens and pencils for free”.
But now, parents are being priced out and unable to put their children in Catholic schools, he said.
“It is not because they don’t want, they want, but they cannot afford,” he said speaking about other parents.
“Because of the challenge of fees I cannot manage all the school fees for all my kids,” he added.
Kizito’s sentiment about the schools founded by the Catholic Church, known for their dedication to serving poor communities in Africa, mirrors wider complaints by others.
Many say the Church, as the largest non-governmental investor in education in sub-Saharan Africa, is not doing enough to ease the pressure many families face.
The growing trend toward privatisation is sparking concerns that it may be drifting from its mission and pricing poorer children out of its schools.
An inability to afford school costs is one of the main reasons why children do not complete their schooling, with sub-Saharan Africa having the world’s highest dropout rate.
Source: africanews.com
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https://www.africanews.com/2025/06/09/catholic-church-urged-to-help-more-as-education-costs-in-africa-rise/
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Monarch unveils rebuilt mosque to mark fifth anniversary
June 9, 2025
Oniru of of Iru Land, Abdulwasiu Lawal, has unveiled a mosque on Palace Road, Lagos Isand, as part of activities marking his fifth coronation anniversary.
The mosque was renovated by the monarch in fulfilment of his vision for an expanded place of worship for the area’s rapid urbanisation.
Oba Lawal thanked Allah, Oniru-in-Council, his family and friends for their support.
He urged the faithful to use this edifice to draw closer to God and to take ownership of the mosque, advising Muslims never to give up however their circumstances as they celebrate Eid al-Kabir.
Balogun of Iru, Chief Abayomi Daramola, said the inauguration coincided with activities marking the fifth anniversary of the monarch.
He congratulated the royal father, noting that blessings await those who build for God.
Daramola also noted its record six-month completion time, believing prayers offered there will benefit Oniru’s family and those who contributed.
Justice Lawal Akapo of the Appeal Court hailed the Oniru for creating a conducive place of worship.
He said the Oniru was continuing a family legacy, as the his ancestors were the first to build a mosque on Lagos Island
Iru/Victoria Island Local Council Development Area (LCDA) Chairman, Alhaja Rashidat Adu, praised the Oniru and his wife, Olori Mariam.
She said the reconstruction was a transformation and a sign of greater things for the kingdom.
Mr. Kola Abiola, son of the late winner of the annulled 1993 presidential election, Chief MKO Abiola, was among those, who witnessed Quranic recitations and a tour of the mosque.
Source: thenationonlineng.net
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Muslim community in Zimbabwe joins global observance of Eid al-Adha
June 8, 2025
HARARE-MUSLIMS across Zimbabwe have joined millions around the world in celebrating Eid al-Adha, one of the most sacred festivals on the Islamic calendar, marked by prayers, sacrifice, and acts of charity.
Also known as the Festival of Sacrifice, Eid al-Adha commemorates the profound act of faith demonstrated by the Prophet Abraham, who was willing to sacrifice his son in obedience to God’s command.
In Islamic tradition, this willingness was met with divine mercy, and a ram was provided for sacrifice in his son’s place.
The festival, which spans three days, is a time for reflection, spiritual renewal, and generosity, as communities come together to observe rituals and share with the less fortunate.
“When we celebrate the Festival of Sacrifice, we slaughter domestic animals. This symbolises the renewal of our covenant with our creator that we are willing to sacrifice what we value for the sake of God. It’s also a time to share with vulnerable groups, regardless of religious affiliation,” Muslim Leader, Imam Yusuf Anubi said.
The animals, typically goats, sheep, or cattle, are slaughtered according to Halal standards as prescribed by Islamic law.
“Islamic principles must always be followed when slaughtering an animal. First of all, the animal should be healthy and alive at the time of sacrifice. A sharp knife is a requisite and the slaughtering must be done in a single act to avoid unnecessary suffering and one must ensure it bleeds out completely with no leftover blood. However, the slaughtering is only performed by Muslims in the name of Allah,” Muslim community member, Mr Mustafa Office said.
The celebration also coincides with the completion of Hajj, the annual pilgrimage to Mecca one of the five pillars of Islam.
Hajj is a spiritual obligation for all able-bodied and financially capable Muslims and represents unity, humility, and complete submission to the will of Allah.
As Zimbabwe’s Muslim community observes this important religious occasion, the emphasis remains on faith, sacrifice, and compassion values that underpin the spirit of Eid al-Adha.
Source: zbcnews.co.zw
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https://www.zbcnews.co.zw/muslim-community-in-zimbabwe-joins-global-observance-of-eid-al-adha/
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NUJ FCT chair greets Muslim journalists on Eid-ul-Adha
by Nicholas Kalu, Abuja
June 9, 2025
Chairman of Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ) in Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Grace Ike, has felicitated Muslim journalists and the Muslim community on this year’s Eid-ul-Adha.
In a message on behalf of the council’s executive and members, Ike congratulated the Muslim faithful, describing Eid-ul-Adha as a sacred festival that symbolises sacrifice, obedience, compassion, and faith.
“These timeless values,” she noted, “not only enrich our spiritual lives but also serve as guiding principles for us as journalists in our pursuit of truth and service to humanity.”
She urged journalists to use the occasion to reflect on the significance of the season by fostering unity, supporting one another, and upholding professional integrity in the union and the country.
“May this season of sacrifice bring peace to our hearts, prosperity to our homes, and renewed strength to our bond as colleagues and comrades in the noble pen profession,” she added.
Ike concluded her message by wishing all Muslim members of the union and their loved ones a peaceful and joyful celebration.
Source: thenationonlineng.net
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https://thenationonlineng.net/nuj-fct-chair-greets-muslim-journalists-on-eid-ul-adha/
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Tinubu Forgives Sanwo-Olu, Says ‘All Is Forgiven’ In Lagos Meeting
June 8, 2025
By Enioluwa Adeniyi
President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has declared that he has forgiven Lagos State Governor, Babajide Sanwo-Olu, following a period of reported discontent between the two leaders.
Naija News reports that the reconciliation took place on Sunday in Lagos during a closed-door meeting with members of the Governor’s Advisory Council (GAC), who reportedly visited Tinubu to plead on behalf of the governor and other state actors perceived to have fallen out of favour with the president.
According to insiders who were present at the meeting and spoke with Arise TV, President Tinubu addressed the gathering after GAC Chairman, Alhaji Tajudeen Olusi, led the group to formally welcome him to Lagos and appeal for forgiveness.
“It’s all over now. All is forgiven,” Tinubu reportedly told the gathering, easing weeks of speculation surrounding his alleged grievances with Sanwo-Olu.
The president’s remark was met with visible relief among attendees. Governor Sanwo-Olu and several GAC members reportedly prostrated before the president, a traditional Yoruba gesture of remorse and respect.
While the exact cause of Tinubu’s displeasure was not revealed during the meeting, a source told THISDAY that there was no back-and-forth or demand for clarification from either side.
Source: naijanews.com
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https://www.naijanews.com/2025/06/08/tinubu-forgives-sanwo-olu-says-all-is-forgiven-in-lagos-meeting/
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Southeast Asia
VP Gibran Envisions Halal Industry as Catalyst for Indonesia's Development
Annisa Febiola
June 8, 2025
TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - Vice President Gibran Rakabuming Raka is optimistic that developing the halal industry is one way to turn Indonesia into a developed country. He mentions the huge opportunity for Indonesia, with a 245 million Muslim population.
"Indonesia has 245 million Muslims, one of the largest Muslim populations in the world. This means that we have market power in our own country," said Gibran in a monologue video uploaded on his YouTube account, GibranTV, on Saturday, June 7, 2025.
However, according to Gibran, a large Muslim population alone is not enough; it must be accompanied by economic independence and a robust halal industry. This includes independence in Sharia finance, halal food and beverage industry, Muslim fashion, halal cosmetics, Muslim-friendly tourism, and Islamic songs, films, and content.
The Vice President mentions that in 2024, Indonesia was ranked third in the Global Islamic Economy Index. "Our exports of halal products continue to increase. Over the past six years, growth has reached seven percent," Gibran said.
Moreover, he said that 15 of the world's top 30 halal production companies are from Indonesia. According to Gibran, this shows Indonesia's enormous potential in the halal industry.
However, he highlights that Indonesia has not yet become a major player in the global halal supply chain. This can be seen from Indonesia's position as the eighth-largest halal product exporter in the world. Meanwhile, Gibran said, other countries with much smaller Muslim populations can lead and rank first.
"This means that this sector is not only of interest to Muslim countries, but also to other countries around the world. It is considered one of the most attractive sectors," he said.
Gibran mentions that the halal lifestyle and branding are becoming more widespread worldwide. In 2022, global Muslim consumer expenditure reached US$2.3 trillion. He projects that this figure will continue to increase to US$3.1 trillion by 2027.
He believes the biggest potential lies in the halal food and beverage sector at 43 percent and Muslim fashion at 23 percent. "Many countries are targeting this, so we must move quickly and not be left behind. In order to provide the greatest benefit for the nation, we must maximize the local potential to take advantage of the global Sharia market space," said Gibran.
Source: tempo.co
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https://en.tempo.co/read/2015549/vp-gibran-envisions-halal-industry-as-catalyst-for-indonesias-development
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Driven to distraction: Johor man blames wife for wrong-way stunt on Jalan Skudai
By Malay Mail
09 Jun 2025
JOHOR BARU, June 9 — A domestic dispute took a sharp turn – literally – after a man drove against traffic on Jalan Skudai here in the early hours of Hari Raya Aidiladha.
Johor Baru South police chief Assistant Commissioner Raub Selamat said the incident occurred around 1.41am last Saturday, along Jalan Skudai, Pantai Lido.
He said local police were alerted to the incident by Bukit Aman after a video of a blue Perodua Aruz driving against traffic was widely circulated on Facebook.
“The vehicle was later traced through its registration number, and the driver was ordered to present himself at the Johor Baru South Traffic Police Station,” Raub said in a statement today.
He said the man, a local, turned up at the station at 11.30pm yesterdayt and admitted to driving against traffic after a disagreement with his wife.
“He claimed he lost focus and accidentally entered the wrong lane during the argument,” Raub said.
A urine test showed the man was not under the influence of drugs or alcohol.
The case is being investigated under Section 42(1) of the Road Transport Act 1987 for reckless and dangerous driving.
Raub urged eyewitnesses to contact Traffic Investigating Officer Inspector Mohd Zulpaka Bambo at 014-8861791 or head to the Johor Baru South Traffic Police Station to assist with investigations.
Source: malaymail.com
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https://www.malaymail.com/news/malaysia/2025/06/09/driven-to-distraction-johor-man-blames-wife-for-wrong-way-stunt-on-jalan-skudai/179724
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Gerik crash: UPSI, operator say fatal bus was student-chartered and in good condition
By Malay Mail
09 Jun 2025
IPOH, June 9 — The bus that crashed along the East-West Highway near Tasik Banding in Gerik this morning, killing 15 people, was privately hired by Universiti Pendidikan Sultan Idris (UPSI) students and not part of any official university programme.
UPSI vice-chancellor Prof Datuk Md Amin Md Taff said the students had arranged the bus rental themselves for their return to campus after the Hari Raya Aidiladha holidays.
“Sometimes, university students who come from the same village or nearby areas will rent a bus privately to go home and return to UPSI.
“So the bus they took was not hired by UPSI, but arranged on their own initiative. This has long been a common practice,” he was quoted by Berita Harian as telling reporters at the Raja Permaisuri Bainun Hospital here this afternoon.
The remains of some of the crash victims had been sent to the hospital’s forensic department for post-mortem examinations.
He said the university is still waiting for confirmation of the identities of the deceased.
“As of now, we have been told that 15 died, but the details of the students who perished are still being verified.
“We cannot reveal anything yet until we receive clearance from the Higher Education Ministry and the authorities,” he was quoted as saying.
He added that the university has set up a special operations room to assist families of the victims and is also providing welfare aid, including accommodation and financial support.
A collision between the bus and a Perodua Alza multi-purpose vehicle near Tasik Banding in the early hours of this morning resulted in 15 fatalities.
A spokesman for the bus company confirmed the vehicle was one of two chartered by UPSI students to return to their campus in Tanjung Malim, The New Straits Times reported separately.
He said both buses were in serviceable condition, had valid travel documents, and were driven by experienced drivers.
“The bus involved in the accident was well maintained and in good condition.
“All four personnel involved – two drivers and two assistants – had valid licences and more than 10 years of experience,” the unnamed bus company representative was quoted as saying.
He said the other bus returned to Kelantan this morning.
He added that the company will also provide its full cooperation with the authorities in the ongoing investigation.
Source: malaymail.com
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https://www.malaymail.com/news/malaysia/2025/06/09/gerik-crash-upsi-operator-say-fatal-bus-was-student-chartered-and-in-good-condition/179718
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High Court dismisses committal bid by former KL Tower operator against govt, individuals, orders RM25,000 payment
09 Jun 2025
KUALA LUMPUR, June 9 — The High Court here today dismissed the former operator of Kuala Lumpur Tower’s leave application to commence committal proceedings against seven individuals and the government.
The former operator, Menara Kuala Lumpur Sdn Bhd, and its parent, Hydroshoppe Sdn Bhd, are seeking contempt of court action against the eight for allegedly disrupting the administration of justice amid ongoing legal proceedings.
Judge Roz Mawar Rozain, who rejected the application, ordered the two companies to pay RM25,000 to the respondents, including Communications Minister Datuk Fahmi Fadzil.
Six other officials were also named as respondents, including Dang Wangi district police chief ACP Sulizmie Affendy Sulaiman, Federal Land Commissioner Datuk Muhammad Azmi Mohd Zain and Communications Ministry Secretary-General Datuk Mohamad Fauzi Md Isa.
In her judgment, Judge Roz Mawar ruled that the court was not satisfied there was a prima facie case to warrant the granting of leave for contempt proceedings.
She further held that the court was not persuaded by Hydroshoppe’s assertion of encroachment on its properties, regardless of the manner, given that its contract with the government had lapsed on March 31.
The court also dismissed the inter partes injunction application by Hydroshoppe and Menara KL, ordering both companies to pay RM20,000 each in costs to the government, as well as to LSH Service Master Sdn Bhd, LSH Best Builders Sdn Bhd and Service Master (M) Sdn Bhd.
The court then fixed July 14 to hear the striking-out applications filed by Fahmi and the three companies.
Hydroshoppe and Menara KL filed a breach of contract suit against the respondents, alleging that LSH Capital and its subsidiaries induced a breach of an agreement purportedly reached with the government during a meeting in August 2022.
The plaintiffs further claimed that the respondents engaged in dishonest assistance and are seeking a declaration that the award of the KL Tower concession to LSH Service Master is void and unlawful.
In addition, they are claiming an estimated RM1 billion in damages and are seeking the concession of the iconic Kuala Lumpur landmark to be transferred back to them. — Bernama
Source: malaymail.com
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https://www.malaymail.com/news/malaysia/2025/06/09/high-court-dismisses-committal-bid-by-former-kl-tower-operator-against-govt-individuals-orders-rm25000-payment/179708
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Connectivity at Putrajaya Hospital satisfactory, minor network issues in new wing, says Fahmi
By Anis Zalani
09 Jun 2025
PUTRAJAYA, June 9 — Communications Minister Datuk Fahmi Fadzil today said the management of Putrajaya Hospital had expressed satisfaction with the overall internet and mobile network coverage within the facility.
However, he noted that concerns were raised regarding connectivity issues in the hospital’s newly built wing.
“I took the opportunity to speak with hospital management regarding internet connectivity within the hospital premises. Overall, they expressed satisfaction with both internet and mobile coverage.
“However, they noted some issues in the new wing involving one of the telecommunications service providers,” he told reporters after presenting a contribution under the Kasih@Hawana Fund here today.
He said the provider in question would be asked to assess and optimise its services in the affected area to ensure consistent and reliable coverage for patients, staff and visitors.
Last year, Fahmi said that hospitals were identified as one of the top seven priority areas for improved network coverage.
He said that while some public hospitals have continued to face connectivity challenges, the broader initiative aimed to resolve long-standing in-building mobile coverage issues and support the integration of 5G technology for more advanced medical applications.
Source: malaymail.com
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https://www.malaymail.com/news/malaysia/2025/06/09/connectivity-at-putrajaya-hospital-satisfactory-minor-network-issues-in-new-wing-says-fahmi/179707
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Europe
Murder inquiry launched as teenager dies
9 JUN 2025
A murder investigation has been launched after a teenage boy died in north Manchester.
Officers, paramedics and the air ambulance were called to Nevin Road in the New Moston area of Manchester at about 17:00 BST, Greater Manchester Police said.
The force has not yet said how the boy died. Three people have been arrested in connection with the incident.
Supt Marcus Noden said it was "distressing and heartbreaking" that a boy had lost his life and urged witnesses to come forward.
The force said it was "still trying to establish the circumstances" around the incident and several areas had been cordoned off, including outside the Fairway Inn Pub on Nuthurst Rd.
An air ambulance was scrambled to the scene, landing in Nuthurst Road Park, a short distance away from Nevin Road.
Detectives said the boy's family was being supported by specialist officers.
Supt Noden appealed for anyone with information to come forward.
He said they wanted to hear from "anyone who was in the Nevin Road area" who saw the incident take place.
"We will bring updates as we get them as the investigation continues," he added.
Source: bbc.com
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https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/c9918glkxrvo
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Tice denies Reform UK in chaos after Yusuf returns
9 JUN 2025
Reform UK's deputy leader Richard Tice has insisted the party knows "exactly what it is doing" following a 48 hours in which its chairman Zia Yusuf resigned, before returning in a different role.
On Thursday, Yusuf dramatically quit, saying in a social media post that trying to get the party elected was not "a good use of my time".
However, two days later he said he would be coming back to lead the party's unit tasked with identifying spending cuts at councils, which is inspired by the US Department of Government Efficiency.
Tice told the BBC's Sunday with Laura Kuenssberg that chairing the party was "a tough, brutal job" and Yusuf was "essentially exhausted" after 11 months in the role.
"It's a massive job, and as we were growing incredibly fast - essentially that job was too much for one person, so we're reorganising.
"I'm delighted that Zia is staying with the party and he's going to be focusing on our Doge unit."
Yusuf announced his initial decision to quit in a social media post but did not expand on his reasons for leaving.
However, it came shortly after he criticised Sarah Pochin - Reform's newest MP - who used her question at Prime Minister's Question to ask if the government would ban the burka, a veil worn by some Muslim women that covers their face and body.
Asked about Pochin's intervention on X, Yusuf - who is a Muslim - said: "Nothing to do with me. Had no idea about the question nor that it wasn't policy.
"Busy with other stuff. I do think it's dumb for a party to ask the PM if they would do something the party itself wouldn't do."
Announcing his decision to return to the party on Saturday, Yusuf said his initial resignation was "born of exhaustion" following "11 months [of] hard work and exhaustion".
Party leader Nigel Farage said Yusuf had been subject to "pretty vile abuse" adding: "He overreacted to it and he admits himself it was a mistake."
The Liberal Democrats said Reform UK were playing "musical chairman" while Labour characterised the events as a "humiliating hokey-cokey".
Asked if it made the party look chaotic, Tice said: "No, we know exactly what we're doing."
He continued: "Zia was essentially exhausted because he'd been working 24/7 for the last 10 or 11 months voluntarily.
"There's high pressure, it's a big, tough, brutal job chairing a fast growing political party. But it's great news he's with us, on we go."
The party is expected to appoint a new chairman and deputy chairman next week.
Source: bbc.com
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https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/c20q4ql7pe2o
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Germany planning major bunker expansion
8 Jun, 2025
Germany is accelerating plans to expand and modernize its civil defense infrastructure as its European NATO allies pursue rapid militarization in preparation for a potential direct confrontation with Russia, according to Ralph Tiesler, head of the Federal Office of Civil Protection and Disaster Assistance (BBK).
Germany currently has only 580 operational shelters with room for about 480,000 people – less than 1% of the population. In a series of interviews with the country’s media last week, Tiesler said that to address this shortfall, the BBK plans to convert underground garages, metro tunnels, and public basements into shelters capable of accommodating one million people, complete with food, toilets and sleeping areas.
“New bunkers with the highest protection standards cost a lot of money and take time. We need faster solutions,” Tiesler told the Suddeutsche Zeitung, noting that a full national shelter plan is expected to be presented later this summer.
“Nearly every basement can become a safe place in the event of an attack,” he said in a separate interview with Zeit, encouraging citizens to reinforce windows, stock essentials, and prepare to shelter for extended periods.
Tiesler called a scenario involving Russian tanks rolling into Berlin unlikely – but warned that as a major NATO logistical hub, Germany would become a target for “selective strikes” in the event of an eastern front conflict.
German hospitals are being assessed for their ability to treat mass casualties, with Tiesler warning that the health system could face up to 1,000 additional patients per day in a wartime setting. Other plans include doubling the number of warning sirens nationwide, upgrading emergency apps to include missile strike instructions, and possibly introducing a national civil service requirement.
German Chancellor Friedrich Merz announced last month that he intends to make the Bundeswehr the “strongest army” on the continent. Defense Minister Boris Pistorius reportedly hopes for a “drastic increase” to the country’s military budget, up to €90 billion ($102 billion) by 2028.
Tiesler has insisted that civil protection must not be neglected, calling for €30 billion over the next decade – including at least €10 billion by 2029, the year German officials have repeatedly cited as the deadline for Berlin to be "ready for war.”
Moscow has repeatedly dismissed claims that it intends to attack NATO or EU countries as “utter nonsense,” accusing the West of using fear to justify soaring defense budgets. Russian officials have also condemned Western Europe’s militarization drive, expressing concern that, rather than supporting US-led peace initiatives for the Ukraine conflict, the EU and UK are instead gearing up for war with Russia.
According to a recent survey, Germany has now replaced the US as the country Russians view as most unfriendly.
Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov recently stated that Germany’s military buildup and arms deliveries to Kiev show Berlin’s “direct involvement” in the conflict. He warned that the country is “sliding down the same slippery slope it already followed a couple of times in the last century – toward its own collapse.”
Source: rt.com
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https://www.rt.com/news/618819-germany-bunkers-militarization-plans/
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Paris wants to manufacture drones in Ukraine
9 Jun, 2025
Paris is pushing France’s largest automaker, Renault, to establish a military drone production operation in Ukraine, the company has confirmed. Kiev has been significantly intensifying drone attacks on Russian infrastructure.
During the final week of May, 2,300 Ukrainian UAVs were shot down after being sent across the border to target Moscow and other regions, according to the Russian Defense Ministry.
“We have been contacted by the [French] Defense Ministry about the possibility of producing drones,” Renault said in a statement to several media outlets, including Reuters, on Sunday. Although “discussions” on the issue have taken place, the company insisted that “no decision has been taken at this stage,” and that it is awaiting further details from the ministry.
French Defense Minister Sebastien Lecornu first revealed the plan on Friday, describing it as an “unprecedented partnership” in an interview with broadcaster LCI.
“We are going to embark on a completely unprecedented partnership… to equip production lines in Ukraine to… produce drones,” Lecornu said, noting that the project would involve both a major carmaker and a smaller defense contractor.
Renault could be tasked with setting up drone assembly lines “a few dozen or hundreds of kilometers from the front line” in Ukraine, France Info reported on Sunday.
According to the newspaper Ouest-France, the project could also involve Delair – a Toulouse-based drone manufacturer that supplies UAVs for border surveillance, reconnaissance, intelligence, and special operations forces. The company has previously delivered kamikaze drones to the French Defense Ministry, which were later sent to Ukraine.
Lecornu described the initiative as a “win-win” for Paris and Kiev, claiming no French personnel would be deployed to Ukraine.
The production lines would be operated by Ukrainian workers, and the drones built for the country’s military would also be used by the French Armed Forces for “tactical and operational training that reflects the reality” of modern warfare, he said.
Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov condemned the strikes as deliberate attempts to sabotage peace talks. Moscow has repeatedly warned that any weapons production facilities in Ukraine are considered legitimate military targets and subject to “unequivocal destruction.”
Source: rt.com
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https://www.rt.com/news/618818-paris-renault-produce-drones-ukraine/
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Biden’s Ukrainian spending ‘crazy’ – Vance
8 Jun, 2025
Washington was spending “crazy” amounts of money on Ukraine under the administration of former President Joe Biden without any thought regarding diplomacy, US Vice President J.D. Vance has said.
Earlier this year, US President Donald Trump restarted diplomatic relations with Moscow, which had been frozen since Biden cut ties after the escalation of the Ukraine conflict in 2022. Trump has also repeatedly criticized the massive flow of military aid Washington provided to Kiev under his predecessor’s leadership.
“What happened with the Biden administration, man, it's crazy. They were spending so much money all over the world, they weren't engaged in diplomacy at all,” Vance said in an interview with American comedian-turned-podcaster Theo Von which aired on Saturday.
“They sent $300 billion to Ukraine, for example, and you never had the president of the United States actually trying to force a diplomatic settlement,” he said.
The US vice president described the conflict as “vicious.”
“The Russia-Ukraine thing is the most vicious thing,” Vance said, adding that he’s pleased that Washington is trying to bring about a “settlement.”
The current US administration has engaged Russia in several high-level meetings in recent months. The diplomatic push has also led Kiev and Moscow to restart direct negotiations for the first time since 2022, when Ukraine unilaterally pulled out from the first Istanbul talks.
In April, Trump signed a major minerals exploitation deal with Kiev, an agreement he has proclaimed would help Washington recoup the massive amounts of money it has spent on supporting Ukraine under Biden.
The deal gives the US priority access to Ukrainian mineral wealth but does not include formal security guarantees for Kiev, a point that it had insisted on for months in the preceding negotiations.
Apart from curtailing Ukraine-related spending, the current US administration has moved to cut all foreign aid as part of an effort to trim the bloated federal budget.
This “America first” switch is part of Trump’s pivot away from a “decades-old approach to foreign policy,” Vance said last month. “The era of uncontested US dominance is over,” he said, promising that Washington will be turning away from “open-ended conflicts.”
Source: rt.com
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https://www.rt.com/news/618817-bidens-ukrainian-spending-crazy/
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