Terrorists Not Only Betray India, But Also Islam: Shahi Imam Of Punjab Slams Blast Near Red Fort As ‘Shameful’ Attack
New Age Islam News Bureau
15 November2025
The Shahi Imam of Punjab led a protest in Ludhiana condemning the Delhi blast and reaffirming that terrorism opposes both India and Islam. (Express Photo
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· Terrorists not only betray India, but also Islam: Shahi Imam of Punjab slams blast near Red Fort as ‘shameful’ attack
· Qatar condemns settlers’ storming of Al Aqsa Mosque courtyards, attack on mosque in village of Kafr Haris
· Saudi Arabia strongly condemns West Bank mosque attack
· Mosque shootings and far-right skins: Teens playing Roblox exposed to extremist content
· CAIR Calls on Kentucky Leaders to Condemn Bomb Threat Targeting Islamic School
· ‘Nigeria Has Become One Of The Deadliest Countries For Christians’ – US Lawmaker
· From ‘no pork, no lard’ to ‘Muslim choice’: Navigating Malaysia’s halal certification maze
· Afghanistan Shifts Trade Routes from Pakistan to Iran Amid Rising Tensions: Reuters
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India
· 'MMC': PM Modi mocks Congress after NDA's Bihar win; calls it 'Muslim League, Maowadi' party
· Owaisi hits out at BRS, BJP; urges Muslims to become political power centres
· Indian Sikh Woman Missing In Pakistan Converted To Islam, Married A Local
· Pune techie arrested for alleged Al-Qaeda links, sent to judicial custody till November 28
· Bihar election results 2025: Nitish does it again; alliance returns with crushing 202 seats
· ‘Not going to convert her’: Zaheer Iqbal jokes as Sonakshi Sinha visits Mosque for first time
· JMI's Department of Architecture hosts international conference and exhibition
· Nowgam police station blast ‘accidental’, confirms J&K DGP; Lieutenant Governor orders probe, expresses anguish
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Mideast
· Drenched and displaced: Gazans living in tents face winter downpours
· Gazan mother forced to leave children behind for UK scholarship
· Palestinian leader Abbas turns 90, weakened by Israel and deeply unpopular
· Rocket attack in Syria’s capital wounds 1 person and causes damage
· Gaza authorities ‘levy fees on some privately imported goods’
· US, Saudi Arabia urge ‘swift adoption’ of UN Gaza resolution
· UN forces say Israel built walls inside Lebanon, Israel denies accusation
· Iran seizes tanker in Strait of Hormuz, US official says, as tensions remain high in region
· Hamas Mourns Head of Al-Quds Islamic Waqf Council
· Tehran hails peaceful Iraqi elections, pledges closer ties with Baghdad
· Syria joins Standards and Metrology Institute for Islamic Countries
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Arab World
· Saudi authorities thwart drug-smuggling attempts
· City of London delegation to promote investment on pioneering Saudi trip
· Saudi beekeepers and artisans take centre stage at Azka Farmers Market
· KSrelief distributes shelter aid in Afghanistan
· Falcon fetches SR351,000 at Saudi auction
· World Diabetes Day: Saudi Health Endowment Fund launches Insulin Pump Support Program
· Spring all year round: Storing seeds to improve vegetation cover in the Kingdom
· Saudi university develops AI system for camel herders
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Europe
· Russian drone slams into block of flats in deadly wave of strikes across Kyiv
· EU disgusted with ‘endemic corruption’ in Ukraine – Politico
· Chatham House hosts notorious Ukrainian neo-Nazi mob leader
· More rain forecast for Saturday before cold snap hits UK
· Peers call for more time to debate assisted dying bill
· US agrees deal to slash Swiss tariffs to 15% after golden charm offensive
· Orban vowing to sue EU over Russian gas ban
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North America
· CAIR Welcomes Life Sentence for Virginia Shootings of Hispanic Men
· CAIR-LA OP-ED: Case of Sami Handi Shows Why ‘Israel First’ Is a Threat to American Democracy – Common Dreams
· CAIR-MI Encourages Dearborn Residents to Ignore Planned Anti-Muslim March, Calling It an ‘Islamophobic Publicity Stunt’
· Trump rolls back tariffs on dozens of food products
· US justice department investigates Epstein's alleged ties to Clinton and banks after Trump request
· Trump says he will take legal action against BBC over Panorama edit
· Fyodor Lukyanov: Trump isn’t a warmonger, however...
· 'Won't be buying Starbucks': Mamdani calls to boycott coffee chain amid strikes across US; backs protestors
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Africa
· No allowed in Islam – Katsina Hisbah board destroys 120 cartons of alcohol
· Mali sees record surge in foreign kidnappings by jihadist groups
· DSS Re-Arrests Kuje Prison Escapee, Terror Suspect Obadaki
· Many Nigerians See Wike As A Bully And Tinubu’s Bulldog – Kachikwu
· We Apologise For Dragging You Into The Situation – FCT Officials Apologise To Wike Over Spat With Naval Officer
· Ramaphosa says Palestinians who arrived in South Africa will not be turned back
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Southeast Asia
· Indonesia prepares up to 20,000 troops for Gaza peacekeeping, focus on health and construction
· Anwar welcomes Trump’s role in Thailand-Cambodia border resolution
· Sabah titans enter the ring: Hajiji, Shafie, Bung submit nominations
· Anwar: Putrajaya ‘serious’ about resolving Sabah’s long-delayed 40pc revenue rights
· Sultan Nazrin confers state awards, medals on 205 recipients, including shuttlers Chen Tang Jie and Toh Ee Wei
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South Asia
· Mujahid Says U.S. Drones Still Violating Afghanistan’s Airspace Through Neighbouring Countries
· Ahead of ICT verdict, Hasina denies all accountability
· July charter, referendum: BNP softens stance, Jamaat still rigid
· Judges warn of strike after killing of Rajshahi judge’s son
· China Discovers Largest Gold Reserve Since 1949 in Liaoning Province
· Mohammad Yousuf Jahangir Defeats Turkish Rival to Win First Islamic Games Gold for Afghanistan
· South Korea, U.S. Sign Landmark Agreement to Advance USD 350 Billion in Strategic Investments
· Kabul Community Donates USD 10,000 to Celebrate Afghanistan’s Under-17 Futsal Team
Compiled by New Age Islam News Bureau
URL: https://newageislam.com/islamic-world-news/terrorists-red-fort-shameful-attack/d/137648
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Terrorists not only betray India, but also Islam: Shahi Imam of Punjab slams blast near Red Fort as ‘shameful’ attack
by Raakhi Jagga
November 14, 2025
The Shahi Imam of Punjab led a protest in Ludhiana condemning the Delhi blast and reaffirming that terrorism opposes both India and Islam. (Express Photo
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Maulana Muhammad Usman Rehmani Ludhianvi, the Shahi Imam of Punjab, led a protest against terrorism after Friday prayers outside the historic Jama Masjid in Ludhiana in the wake of Monday’s blast near the Red Fort in Delhi.
“The terrorist attack outside Delhi’s Red Fort is shameful. The terrorists are not only traitors to our country, India, but also to Islam, because terrorist organisations attack innocent, unarmed people in the name of Islam. This exposes the fact that these wicked people conspiring against India are simultaneously conspiring against Islam,” said Ludhianvi, who is also the national president of Jamaat Majlis Ahrar Islam Hind, which was part of India’s freedom struggle.
The Shahi Imam added, “Islam never, under any circumstances, permits attacks on unarmed, innocent, ordinary citizens. Then who are these people who repeatedly shower bombs and bullets upon defenceless people, and whose names surface before Muslims?”
Calling for strict and swift action by the Centre against those involved in terror activities “so that a clear message can be sent to the traitors”, Ludhianvi said, “Terrorism has no religion. Those arrested so far in connection with terror activities across the country include people with different kinds of names, not belonging to any one religion. Therefore, people using social media should also understand that it is wrong to target any one religion or community with hatred after a terrorist attack.”
Ludhianvi comes from a family of freedom fighters who opposed the formation of Pakistan during the Partition. The Majlis Ahrar Islam, the organisation currently headed by him, participated not only in India’s freedom struggle, but also led movements against the nation’s ‘traitors’.
The Shahi Imam reiterated his appeal to Muslims across the nation to raise their voice against terrorism, and to make the society aware of antisocial elements who try to link terrorism with Islam.
Source: indianexpress.com
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https://indianexpress.com/article/cities/chandigarh/terrorists-betray-india-islam-shahi-imam-punjab-slams-blast-near-red-fort-shameful-attack-10366059/
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Qatar condemns settlers’ storming of Al Aqsa Mosque courtyards, attack on mosque in village of Kafr Haris
NOVEMBER 15, 2025
Qatar has condemned the storming of the courtyards of the Al Aqsa Mosque by settlers and the attack on the Al Hajja Hamida Mosque in the Palestinian village of Kafr Haris, considering them blatant violations of the international law and resolutions of international legitimacy.
In a statement, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs affirmed that attempts to undermine the religious and historical status of Al Aqsa Mosque are not only an attack on Palestinians but also on millions of Muslims worldwide.
The ministry reiterated Qatar’s unwavering position on the just cause of Palestine and the legitimate rights of the brotherly Palestinian people, including their full right to practice their religious rites without restrictions and to establish their independent state within the 1967 borders, with East Jerusalem as its capital.
Source: gulf-times.com
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https://www.gulf-times.com/article/715037/qatar/qatar-condemns-settlers-storming-of-al-aqsa-mosque-courtyards-attack-on-mosque-in-village-of-kafr-haris
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Saudi Arabia strongly condemns West Bank mosque attack
November 14, 2025
Israeli security forces at the Hajja Hamida Mosque after it was attacked by Israeli settlers. Saudi Arabia condemned the attack, along with other Israeli and settler violations. (AFP)
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RIYADH: Saudi Arabia has strongly condemned an arson attack on a mosque by Israeli settlers in the West Bank.
The Kingdom’s Foreign Ministry said the attack on Thursday was part of “continued violations” by the Israeli authorities and extremist settlers against the Palestinian people.
The ministry also condemned the recent storming of Al-Aqsa Mosque’s courtyards by extremist settlers.
“The continuation of these attacks without deterrence contributes to undermining international and regional efforts to achieve peace and leads to escalating tensions and the perpetuation of the conflict,” the statement on Friday said.
It added that “international silence” around the attacks and the absence of accountability mechanisms weakens the foundations of the international order and undermines the principles of international law.
The Palestinian foreign ministry said Israeli settlers set fire to the Hajja Hamida mosque, near the town of Deir Istiya.
Israel’s military also said it killed two Palestinians described as “suspected militants” the same day.
On Wednesday, dozens of settlers stormed the courtyards of Al-Aqsa Mosque in Jerusalem, one of Islam’s holiest sites.
Incursions at the mosque have become increasingly common during the war on Gaza.
Source: arabnews.com
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https://www.arabnews.com/node/2622637/saudi-arabia
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Mosque shootings and far-right skins: Teens playing Roblox exposed to extremist content
14 November 2025
The evidence forms part of an ongoing investigation by ITV News into the gaming platform Roblox, with experts warning parents not to allow their children to use the platform, as George Hancorn reports
Warning: This report contains language and imagery that some people may find distressing.
The UK's Independent Reviewer of Terrorism Legislation has issued a warning after ITV News uncovered multiple examples of extremist content available on the gaming platform Roblox.
Jonathan Hall KC urged the Government to "start monitoring" the game, which is available to children as young as seven years old.
In collaboration with researchers at the Global Project Against Hate and Extremism (GPAHE), ITV News spent weeks on Roblox, posing as both a 13-year-old and an 18-year-old.
What we found was alarming.
Mosque shooting
One game, called 'Remove Kebab' — an internet meme that refers to killing Muslims — allows players to target worshippers at a mosque, as well as open fire at a secondary school.
Despite school shootings being more common in America, this game was still available to play in the UK.
Source: itv.com
Please click the following URL to read the text of the original Story
https://www.itv.com/news/2025-11-14/mosque-attacks-and-far-right-skins-roblox-teens-exposed-to-extremist-content
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CAIR Calls on Kentucky Leaders to Condemn Bomb Threat Targeting Islamic School
November 14, 2025
The Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR), the nation’s largest Muslim civil rights and advocacy organization, today called on state leaders to condemn a reported bomb threat targeting a Lexington, Kentucky, Islamic school.
Lexington police officials say the Lexington Universal Academy was evacuated as a precaution after a bomb threat on Friday morning. No hazardous devices were found.
In a statement, CAIR National Deputy Director Edward Ahmed Mitchell said:
“We are grateful that no explosive device was found and that students and staff are safe. A bomb threat targeting a Kentucky Muslim private school amid a sharp and coordinated nationwide rise in anti-Muslim rhetoric is both deeply troubling and predictable. We urge Kentucky’s political, religious and community leaders to condemn this alleged act of hate and stand in solidarity with the Kentucky Muslim community. No child should ever have to experience fear at school.”
He added that Washington, D.C., based CAIR is urging community leaders to utilize its “Best Practices for Mosque and Community Safety” booklet to help keep religious facilities safe. The advice in the booklet is applicable to all houses of worship.
Mitchell said that earlier this year, CAIR released its 2025 Civil Rights Report, Unconstitutional Crackdowns, which reveals that Islamophobia remains at record-high levels nationwide.
Earlier today, CAIR’s Michigan chapter (CAIR-MI) encouraged Dearborn residents of all faiths to ignore a planned anti-Muslim march, calling it an “Islamophobic publicity stunt.” An anti-Muslim activist claims he planned the march next Tuesday “to protect Americans from Sharia law.”
Yesterday, CAIR-MI welcomed the arrest of an Illinois man who allegedly made threats targeting a Dearborn Heights mosque.
CAIR-MI recently called for stepped-up police protection for mosques and Islamic institutions in that state after law enforcement authorities identified a person of interest from Texas who allegedly made threatening calls to the Islamic Institute of America in Dearborn Heights.
That statement came just one day after CAIR-MI welcomed terrorism charges filed against a Virginia-based white supremacist who allegedly threatened to “kill Muslims” at a Michigan mosque.
CAIR’s mission is to protect civil rights, enhance understanding of Islam, promote justice, and empower American Muslims.
La misión de CAIR es proteger las libertades civiles, mejorar la comprensión del Islam, promover la justicia, y empoderar a los musulmanes en los Estados Unidos.
Do you like reading CAIR press releases and taking part in our action alerts? You can help contribute to CAIR’s work of defending civil rights and empowering American Muslims across the country by making a one-time contribution or becoming a monthly donor. Supporters like you make CAIR’s advocacy work possible and defeating Islamophobia an achievable goal. Click here to donate to CAIR.
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Source: cair.com
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https://www.cair.com/press_releases/cair-calls-on-kentucky-leaders-to-condemn-bomb-threat-targeting-islamic-school/
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‘Nigeria Has Become One Of The Deadliest Countries For Christians’ – US Lawmaker
November 14, 2025
By Enioluwa Adeniyi
A United States Congresswoman, Nancy Mace, has raised strong concerns over what she described as rising attacks on Christians in Nigeria, warning that the country has become increasingly unsafe for religious minorities.
In a statement issued on Friday, November 14, 2025, the South Carolina lawmaker said, “Nigeria has become one of the deadliest countries in the world for Christians.”
She criticised the Joe Biden administration for its foreign policy stance on Nigeria, noting that the U.S. government had removed the country from the Country of Particular Concern (CPC) list.
According to her, the reversal was troubling. She said, “Meanwhile, President Biden removed Nigeria from the Country of Particular Concern list.”
Mace praised President Donald Trump, whom she credited with taking religious freedom more seriously, adding, “President Trump is working to reverse those decisions. 45/47 remains one of the most consequential presidents in American history.”
Trump Restores Nigeria To The CPC List, Threatens Possible Action
Her comments come amid renewed debate in Washington following Donald Trump’s announcement reinstating Nigeria as a CPC country over alleged attacks on Christians.
Writing on his Truth Social platform, Trump posted, “Christianity is facing an existential threat in Nigeria. Thousands of Christians are being killed. Radical Islamists are responsible for this mass slaughter.”
He declared, “I am hereby making Nigeria a ‘COUNTRY OF PARTICULAR CONCERN.’ But that is the least of it.”
Trump added that the U.S. may consider a military operation “if killings of Christians continue.”
However, another U.S. congressman, Bill Huizenga, has downplayed the likelihood of Trump launching any military intervention in Nigeria despite the former president’s fiery remarks.
Speaking with Arise TV, Huizenga explained that Trump’s comments were an expression of frustration rather than a signal of imminent military action.
He said, “I suspect that that is not a high priority of having actual military intervention, specifically in Nigeria. While I don’t envision a surprise attack, I don’t envision that there’s going to be a military response.”
Instead, Huizenga said Trump was more likely to pursue targeted sanctions.
“I would first and foremost encourage economic pressure and sanctions on both individuals and organisations. I think that would be the most effective,” he said.
Huizenga suggested that Trump’s foreign policy tendencies indicate a preference for diplomatic solutions, “Frankly, this President has been someone who has pursued peace rather than just expanding war. He would be very selective before doing anything militarily.”
He argued that sanctions could disrupt financial networks sustaining militant activity, “Sanctions really cut off the flow of money, cut off the flow of travel. We don’t know who exactly is financing much of these operations… but economic pressure will have a positive impact.”
Source: naijanews.com
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https://www.naijanews.com/2025/11/14/nigeria-has-become-one-of-the-deadliest-countries-for-christians-us-lawmaker/
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From ‘no pork, no lard’ to ‘Muslim choice’: Navigating Malaysia’s halal certification maze
Nov 15, 2025
KUALA LUMPUR – In Malaysia, the official halal certification is meant to reassure Muslim consumers that an establishment complies with their religious requirements, including being clean and free from forbidden ingredients like pork or alcohol.
However, not every outlet is willing or able to afford to pay for the certification.
Instead, some of them put up “no pork, no lard” and “no alcohol” signs in the hope of attracting Muslim consumers. A group calling itself Muslim-Friendly Watch (MFW) even attempted to introduce a label called “Muslim Choice” for such establishments.
On Nov 5, MFW was forced to disband after a public backlash against its “Muslim Choice” label, drawing attention to issues of consumer trust and regulatory oversight in one of the world’s most influential halal economies.
“This move reflects our obedience to the religious authorities and our awareness of the need to safeguard the welfare of the (Muslim community) and the good name of Islam in Malaysia,” MFW said in a statement. A check with the Registrar of Societies Malaysia website on Nov 15 showed that a group called the Muslim Friendly Watch is still active.
The move came after the Department of Islamic Development Malaysia (Jakim) – the federal Islamic agency which, among other responsibilities, regulates the halal certification – said on Nov 2 that it has never recognised the MFW’s label.
Jakim said that MFW, led by president Noorman Kamsani who appears to be involved in a consumer-focused non-governmental organisation based on news reports, continued to issue the label to eateries for a fee – despite an earlier warning in August 2024 that it was causing consumer confusion.
De facto Religious Affairs Minister Mohd Na’im Mokhtar also warned that MFW may be prosecuted under the Trade Descriptions Act, should it not desist.
The episode highlighted longstanding friction between official certification and a growing patchwork of unofficial claims on restaurant signboards and menus.
Alongside Jakim’s official halal logo, Malaysian diners routinely encounter terms including “pork-free”, “Muslim-friendly” and several other variations that aim to reassure Muslim customers but do not represent formal certification.
Some of these are put up by the food and beverage (F&B) establishments themselves. In August, the Selangor Islamic Religious Department said that the use of such signs is prohibited for eateries that do not have an official halal certificate, and that it is illegal to use terms that may mislead consumers.
These labels can create uncertainty for consumers in Malaysia, home to a Muslim-majority population where halal assurance is a daily priority.
The latest available survey on Malaysians’ attitudes on halal food found that they place high importance on official assurance. In a 2014 study by academic Aiedah Khalek, 95.1 per cent of respondents said eating halal food is important, and 79.2 per cent said they would not dine at a non-halal outlet.
In Islam, “halal” means “permissible” or “lawful” under Islamic law. Halal food products must not contain forbidden ingredients such as pork and alcohol, and an animal to be consumed must be slaughtered according to religious rites.
Mr Aziff Azuddin, research director of think-tank Iman Research, said the Jakim certification is particularly important for established businesses and serves as an indicator that an eatery is “religiously safe” to eat at. This is especially as consumers are scrutinising non-Muslim-owned businesses.
Meanwhile, “unofficial labels are usually targeted at Muslim consumers who are more lax about the label but still want some baseline assurance”, he said. “It’s also worth stating that Malay-Muslim consumers are also adventurous and do want to try new trends in the F&B market, and the market recognises this.”
“This is what led to the creation of these unofficial labels to cater to this specific class of Muslim consumers,” Mr Aziff told The Straits Times.
The cost of compliance
The stakes to get certified are high for those in the F&B business.
Mr Johan Ishak, the owner of a restaurant called Dim Sum and Me, is in the process of applying for Jakim certification. He said that Chinese eateries like his, in particular, need it.
“As long as there is no halal sticker, Malays normally just look and don’t go in because it looks like a Chinese restaurant,” he told ST. “It is a must if you are a Chinese restaurant in Malaysia. If not, you will lose at least 60 per cent of the market.”
Malays make up 58.2 per cent of the population as at the third quarter of 2025, according to the Department of Statistics.
Malaysia prides itself on the standard of its halal certification. When negotiating with the United States for the reciprocal trade agreement in October, Malaysia had initially asserted that its halal certification process must stay if American businesses wish to enter its market. The government will now recognise US halal certification offered by bodies recognised by Jakim.
The South-east Asian country is also a leading global halal exporter, exporting US$7 billion (S$9.1 billion) of such products in the first half of 2025. Halal products account for about 16.1 per cent of the country’s overall exports to markets such as China and Singapore, according to Deputy Prime Minister Zahid Hamidi in September.
Dr Aiedah, currently a senior lecturer at Monash University Malaysia, said the country’s certification remains among the most robust globally since it is supported by clear policies and consistent standards. It is integrated with global quality and hygiene benchmarks such as the ISO ones.
Obtaining Jakim certification is achievable but demanding, say industry players.
While the official annual halal certification fee is only around RM100 (S$30), the total cost – including compulsory compliance processes, training and consultants – can reach RM25,000 or more per application, according to halal consultant Abdul Fazmin Fakurruddin. Applications are typically processed within three to six months.
The journey involves registering a legitimate business, submitting ingredient lists, ensuring all ingredients are halal-certified, and appointing a full-time Muslim halal supervisor overseeing matters including hygiene compliance and meeting food safety requirements such as typhoid vaccination. Consultants and agents now help businesses navigate documentation and audits.
That said, requirements now are clearer than in the past.
Mr Michael Simon, who previously applied for halal certification for a cafe several years ago and is now doing so for an upcoming eatery, said the application process is more straightforward and friendlier now. “If you meet all the criteria laid out in the application form, it is much clearer and easier to get halal-certified,” he told ST.
Political dimensions of halal status
Some groups are seeking to redefine what halal certification should represent.
Political and activist groups have in the past proposed alternative halal logos. For them, it is not enough for a product or business to be certified halal – it must also be made or owned by Muslims.
In 2024, the Islamist Parti Islam SeMalaysia passed a motion at its annual congress vowing that it would instruct Jakim to introduce labels indicating whether goods are produced by Muslims or non-Muslims, should the opposition party return to federal power.
In 2022, the Malaysian Muslim Consumers Association proposed that the current halal logo carry one of three colours: green to signal a Muslim-owned business, orange for a joint venture, and red for a business owned by non-Muslims.
Jakim dismissed the suggestion as unnecessary.
Critics said such schemes risk diverting Malaysia from internationally accepted halal protocols, which focus strictly on ingredients, processes and safety rather than ownership.
On the other hand, the “Muslim Choice” issue was highly charged because it was considered an attempt by non-Muslim businesses to carve out a separate halal market, independent of Jakim, said Mr Aziff.
“This taps into existing socio-political perceptions that some non-Muslim businesses are willing to extract Muslim consumer money without genuinely understanding Malay-Muslim sensitivities,” he said.
He added that the creation of labels like Muslim Choice could indicate a lack of trust among some businesses in official institutions, prompting them to try to create their own “trusted” market.
Not all Muslims are strict about Jakim certification, however.
One consumer, who wished to remain unnamed due to the sensitivity of the topic, told ST they are fine with “pork free” or “Muslim-friendly” labels, as long as the outlet is transparent about ingredients and sourcing.
On Jakim’s role, the consumer added: “Any system can be influenced or manipulated when money and human factors are involved. The certification helps ease the mind. But many people, including myself, now rely more on our own judgment than depend fully on a single authority.”
Source: straitstimes.com
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https://www.straitstimes.com/asia/se-asia/from-no-pork-no-lard-to-muslim-choice-navigating-malaysias-halal-certification-maze
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Afghanistan Shifts Trade Routes from Pakistan to Iran Amid Rising Tensions: Reuters
By Fidel Rahmati
November 15, 2025
Afghanistan is increasingly using Iran’s Chabahar port to reduce dependence on Pakistan for trade, with bilateral commerce surpassing Pakistan, Reuters reported.
Afghanistan has increasingly turned to Iran for trade routes to reduce dependence on Pakistan, citing Afghan officials, Reuters.
Abdul Salam Jawad, spokesperson for Ministry of Industry and Commerce, told Reuters that in the past six months, trade with Iran reached $1.6 billion, surpassing $1.1 billion in trade with Pakistan during the same period.
Taliban officials have given traders three months to settle accounts with Pakistan and find alternative routes, signaling a strategic shift in regional commerce.
Mullah Abdul Ghani Baradar, Taliban deputy head for economic affairs, recently criticized the quality of Pakistani pharmaceuticals, stating imports should be halted to prioritize better standards.
Chabahar port in Iran, operational since a 2017 transport agreement with India, offers Afghan traders updated scanning equipment, 30% tariff discounts, 75% warehouse fee reductions, and 55% lower anchorage costs.
Analysts say the move reflects Afghanistan’s broader strategy to diversify trade, strengthen ties with Iran and Central Asian countries, and mitigate Pakistan’s historic dominance in Afghanistan commerce.
Pakistan’s Defense Minister Khawaja Asif has downplayed the impact, asserting Islamabad will not suffer economically from the reduction in trade with Afghanistan, despite being Afghanistan’s largest trading partner in recent years.
Source: khaama.com
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https://www.khaama.com/afghanistan-shifts-trade-routes-from-pakistan-to-iran-amid-rising-tensions-reuters/
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India
'MMC': PM Modi mocks Congress after NDA's Bihar win; calls it 'Muslim League, Maowadi' party
Nov 14, 2025
NEW DELHI: Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday took a sharp dig at the Congress, remarking that the party had turned into “MMC” — the “Muslim League Maowadi Congress.”
He made the comment during his victory address at the BJP headquarters after the Bihar assembly election results were declared. The BJP-led NDA registered a sweeping win over the Mahagathbandhan, of which the Congress is a key constituent.
“I say this with full seriousness — the Congress has now become the Muslim League Maowadi Congress, or MMC,” the prime minister said, adding that "internal divisions" would soon lead to a "split" within the party.
"A faction within the Congress is uncomfortable with the party's negative politics. Anger is brewing against the 'Naamdaar' (a reference to Rahul Gandhi) for the path he is taking the Congress on. Therefore, I fear that there could be another major split in the Congress," PM Modi added.
PM Modi further remarked that even the Congress’s allies have begun to realise that its “negative politics” is damaging them as well.
“Earlier as well, from this very stage, I had cautioned Congress’ allies that it is a 'liability' — a parasite that tries to absorb its partners’ vote bank for its own gain. That is why they should remain vigilant,” he stated.
In the Bihar assembly elections held on November 6 and 11, the BJP and its NDA allies swept more than 200 of the state’s 243 constituencies. The saffron party is now poised to emerge as the single largest party in Bihar for the first time.
In sharp contrast, the Congress and its Mahagathbandhan partners struggled to cross even the 50-seat mark. As counting neared completion, the Congress had not won a single seat and was leading in only six constituencies.
Source: indiatimes.com
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https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/mmc-pm-modi-mocks-congress-after-ndas-bihar-win-calls-it-muslim-league-maowadi-party/articleshow/125330940.cms
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Owaisi hits out at BRS, BJP; urges Muslims to become political power centres
Nov 15, 2025
Hyderabad: AIMIM president and Hyderabad MP Asaduddin Owaisi on Friday thanked the voters of Jubilee Hills and Bihar, stating that their support had sent a clear message in both elections.
Addressing the media, Owaisi revealed that chief minister A Revanth Reddy had called him to express gratitude for AIMIM's support in the Jubilee Hills bypoll. The AIMIM did not field a candidate and instead backed Congress nominee Naveen Yadav. Owaisi said he congratulated the CM and hoped the govt would now focus on upgrading infrastructure, civic services, sewage and water systems, and housing in Jubilee Hills and across Telangana.
He criticised both the BRS and BJP, stating that despite their personal attacks on him and AIMIM, the BJP's attempts to polarise voters had failed, leading to the party losing its deposit. He added that the BRS continued its poor performance, particularly after ‘surrendering to the BJP' in the 2024 Lok Sabha polls.
Urging the Muslim community to take a more active role in public life, Owaisi said they must become political leaders and decision-makers rather than remain passive voters for any party. "Muslims are not captive labourers for anyone," he said.
Owaisi asserted that the AIMIM would continue to fight for public welfare and raise development issues forcefully. He described the Jubilee Hills verdict as indicative of a shift in voter mindset.
On a possible AIMIM-Congress understanding for the GHMC polls, he said it was too early to comment, but stressed that all parties must shed the notion that Muslims are a captive vote bank.
Source: indiatimes.com
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Indian Sikh Woman Missing In Pakistan Converted To Islam, Married A Local
Nov 15, 2025
An Indian Sikh woman has allegedly converted to Islam and married a man in Pakistan, showed a document, days after she went missing from the group of pilgrims that had visited the neighbouring nation to celebrate Guru Nanak Dev's Praksh Parv.
Sarabjit Kaur, 52, a resident of Kapurthala in Punjab, and other Sikh pilgrims crossed the Wagah-Attari border to enter Pakistan on November 4 under a bilateral deal facilitating visits to religious shrines. The Prakash Parv this year marked the 555th birth anniversary of Guru Nanak Dev. The group of 1,992 Sikh pilgrims returned to India on November 13 after spending around 10 days in Pakistan. Kaur wasn't with them.
A 'nikahnama' (an Islamic wedding contract) in Urdu has now surfaced, stating that Kaur had married Nasir Hussain, a resident of Sheikhupura, about 56 km from Lahore. She had converted to Islam and changed her name to Noor before her marriage, showed the document that could not be independently verified.
She was divorced and has two sons with her ex-husband, Karnail Singh, who has been living in England for nearly 30 years.
Kaur's passport was issued in Punjab's Muktsar district. Documents suggest she disappeared in Pakistan, with the immigration records missing her name for exiting Pakistan and entering India.
On Kaur failing to return to India, the Immigration Department here immediately informed the Punjab Police. The police have also sent a preliminary report to other Indian agencies. The Indian mission is in touch with the Pakistani authorities over her disappearance, news agency IANS reported, citing government sources.
The Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee (SGPC), the top body of Sikhs, sends a delegation of pilgrims to Pakistan every year to pay tribute at the historic gurudwaras, especially on Guru Nanak's Prakash Parv. Last month, the government had allowed the Sikh devotees to undertake the 10-day pilgrimage to the Nankana Sahib shrine across the border, about two weeks after refusing permission for the trip over security concerns.
Source: ndtv.com
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Pune techie arrested for alleged Al-Qaeda links, sent to judicial custody till November 28
14.11.25
A special court in Pune on Friday remanded in judicial custody till November 28 software engineer Zubair Hangargekar, who was arrested by Maharashtra ATS for alleged links with banned outfits such as Al Qaeda and Al Qaeda in the Indian Subcontinent as well as suspected involvement in radicalisation activities.
The court remanded Hangargekar to judicial custody after the ATS pressed for it while reserving the rights of his police custody.
ATS earlier told the court that, during searches, an old phone belonging to Hangargekar was recovered from one person.
"During the analysis of the contact list of the phone, five international phone numbers were found saved, comprising one from Pakistan, two from Saudi Arabia, and one each from Kuwait and Oman. The call detail records of the phone, however, do not show any calls to these saved numbers," the ATS had said.
The prosecution told the court that Hangargekar was questioned about the numbers, including one from Pakistan, but he had claimed he was unable to recall anything related to them.
The prosecution argued that it was crucial to extract information about the saved contact numbers and analyse the data retrieved from the accused's phone. But since this process would take additional time, the accused should be remanded to judicial custody, while the ATS reserved its right to seek the remaining 11 days of police custody if required, the agency told court.
Earlier this month, the ATS had told a Pune court that Hangargekar allegedly used to deliver religious discourses "aggressively" in the city's Kondhwa area.
During a house search there, the ATS seized mobile phones containing deleted PDF files titled 'Al Qaeda in the Indian Subcontinent (AQIS) and All Its Manifestations', it had said.
They also recovered an Urdu translation of a speech delivered by the late Al-Qaeda chief Osama bin Laden on Eid-ul-Fitr.
In addition, a magazine titled 'Inspire' was found, containing photographs of AK-47 training at the OSG Gun School and documents detailing the procedure to make an IED using acetone peroxide from an OSG bomb school, it told the court.
Source: telegraphindia.com
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Bihar election results 2025: Nitish does it again; alliance returns with crushing 202 seats
Nov 15, 2025
PATNA: National Democratic Alliance (NDA) won a stunning landslide in Bihar, with the governing coalition headed by chief minister Nitish Kumar bagging 202 of 243 assembly seats in a hugely one-sided outcome that underscores the JDU boss's political resilience despite two decades in office, and PM Narendra Modi's sway over voters, while deflating the Grand Alliance's Rahul Gandhi-led campaign against "vote theft".
The overwhelming victory puts BJP on a firm footing ahead of approaching encounters, especially in West Bengal and Tamil Nadu.
The outcome, which surpassed NDA's own expectations, is seen as a pro-incumbency vote conveying gratitude to Nitish Kumar, who put the state back on track after a widely perceived 15 years of anarchy, and marks a "coming of age" moment for women voters who turned out in huge numbers to reciprocate Nitish-led NDA govt's measures to empower them using a whole spectrum of means. It also speaks to the success of a strategy to overpower the numerically robust Muslim-Yadav combination with a broader tent covering "most backward classes", "non-Yadav backwards", extremely backward classes, and significant sections of Dalits.
It was the first time that women - including possibly those from the Yadav community - in a supposedly "socially backward" state made themselves felt as an independent electoral category. The landslide should potentially put Nitish Kumar on the way to becoming one of India's longest-serving CMs.
Also read | Bihar Election Results 2025: Top 10 winners and losers
Encouraged by largest party status, many in BJP may ask it to claim Bihar CM's chair
Bihar voters disregarded concerns about CM Nitish Kumar's health and past political flip-flops to vote overwhelmingly for him. JDU's score of 85, which would have looked improbable after the underwhelming 43 it managed five years ago, was facilitated also by perfect coordination with BJP.
Bihar Swipes Right Again: NDA Wins 80% Seats On Ni-Mo Wave; MGB Bites The Dust
BJP, fuelled by Modi's popularity in the state, has for the first time emerged as the single largest party in the state, an achievement that may encourage many in the party to stake claim to the chief ministership. BJP was also the glue for the coalition.
Other members of the NDA alliance - Chirag Paswan's Lok Janshakti Party, Union minister Jitanram Manjhi's HAM and Upendra Kushwaha's RLM - contributed to the thumping win with spectacular strike rates.
In contrast, the rival RJD-led Mahagathbandhan fared poorly. The Tejashwi-led RJD barely escaped the political ignominy of slumping below its poorest score of 22, which it had crashed to in 2010. Congress, in keeping with what has become a pattern, again fared disastrously, plumbing to an embarrassing single-digit score of 6. CPI-ML's streak of successes since 2020 also came to a halt, with the leftist formation winning 2.
Asaduddin Owaisi's AIMIM has secured 5 seats, but the significance of its success stretches beyond the numbers in that it reflects a yearning among Muslims to diversity options beyond "secular" options led by non-Muslims.
The coronation of Tejashwi, a CM-in-waiting for five years now, has been further delayed. He now must contend with the risk of BJP making overtures to Yadavs, with RJD having been out of govt for almost 20 years now. Nitish has never dropped his attempt to claim the Muslim vote and may redouble his efforts.
In terms of national politics, the Gandhi-led Congress is the bigger loser, with his "vote theft" claim not getting any traction with Bihar voters. Congress responded to the shock by sticking to its guns. But it may come under pressure from within to revisit the drawing board.
The biggest letdown, however, was Prashant Kishor, whose Jan Suraaj Party drew a blank, proving yet again that a successful career in political consultancy does not automatically translate into one's own political success.
Source: indiatimes.com
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https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/bihar-election-results-2025-nitish-does-it-again-alliance-returns-with-crushing-202-seats/articleshow/125339199.cms
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‘Not going to convert her’: Zaheer Iqbal jokes as Sonakshi Sinha visits Mosque for first time
Nov 14, 2025
Sonakshi Sinha and hubby Zaheer Iqbal created quite the buzz last year with their surprise wedding announcement. While many fans welcomed the happy news, some internet users reacted with criticism. Despite the negativity, the couple has remained unfazed, showing their confidence in their latest YouTube vlog. During a recent promotional trip to Abu Dhabi, they even made a lighthearted mention of the Special Marriage Act, the legal framework under which they tied the knot.
Excitement over Abu Dhabi trip and Mosque visit
The actress opened up in her vlog about their trip, saying, “Today we are in Abu Dhabi, and our trip here is going to be exceptional." She revealed that she and her hubby had been invited to explore what the city has to offer. She mentioned that their journey would begin at the famous Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque. “I am very excited because this is the first time I will be entering a mosque. I’ve been to temples and churches before, but never to a mosque,” she added.
Zaheer’s lighthearted clarification
Zaheer humorously clarified, “Just for clarity, I’m not taking her there to convert her. We are only going to see it because it’s very beautiful.”
Hearing this, Sonakshi laughed and immediately responded, “Special Marriage Act, zindabad!”.
Fans applaud Zaheer’s wit
Iqbal’s clever comment earned plenty of praise from fans online. One user commented, “I love how he trolls the trollers by saying ‘koi convert hone nahi ja raha.’ Asli Sona got her asli sona (Zaheer).” Another supporter expressed their affection for him, saying, “I just love her husband. He’s so funny and his presence of mind is wonderful. This is what we call a happy married life. Love you two!”
Their private wedding under the Special Marriage Act
Sonakshi Sinha and Zaheer Iqbal got married in June 2024 following a seven-year romance. Their wedding was a private affair held at home, where they officially registered their union under the Special Marriage Act with family and close friends by their side.
Source: indiatimes.com
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JMI's Department of Architecture hosts international conference and exhibition
Nov 14, 2025
The Department of Architecture, Faculty of Architecture and Ekistics, Jamia Millia Islamia, organized the 7th International Conference on Islamic Arts & Architecture (ICIAA 2025), which commenced on November 11, marking the National Education Day. The event brought together scholars, practitioners, and students to explore the evolution, symbolism, and relevance of Islamic design and traditions. Comprising lectures, panel discussions, and an exquisite exhibition at the gallery, the conference aims to highlight and explore the cultural depth, richness, and global impact of Islamic arts and architecture.
Prof. Md. Mahtab Alam Rizvi, registrar, Jamia Millia Islamia, accompanied by the Chief Guest, Dr. Fariduddin Farid Asr, Cultural Counsellor, Iran Cultural House, New Delhi, inaugurated 'the Kaleidoscope', a Photography and Art Exhibition at the M.F. Husain Art Gallery. The exhibition display was curated by Dr. Mohd. Arshad Ameen, accompanied by Ar. Mohd. Rahil, Co-Curator from the Department of Architecture. The entry foyer featured photographs presented by the Iranian Embassy, along with miniature models, books, and travel guides that showcased the rich cultural heritage and architectural legacy of Iran. The displays strongly reflected the theme of Islamic arts and architecture through a vibrant selection of architectural features, motifs, renders and paintings.
The façade was adorned with Islamic jaali patterns painted by the students, while inside the gallery hall, an array of paintings in watercolor, acrylic, and mixed media embellished the walls. A striking mosaic mural of glass paintings, crafted during the workshop "Stained Palette" held on occasion of the 105th Foundation Day of the University under the guidance of Dr. Mohd. Arshad Ameen, welcomed visitors in its vivid eye-catching hues and intricate craftsmanship. In his inaugural address, Dr. Fariduddin Farid Asr appreciated the creative works of the students, highlighting the importance of art and aesthetics in architecture and emphasizing the need to sustain the legacy of Islamic architecture for future generations.
Source: indiatimes.com
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Nowgam police station blast ‘accidental’, confirms J&K DGP; Lieutenant Governor orders probe, expresses anguish
15.11.25
Jammu and Kashmir DGP Nalin Prabhat clarified that the massive explosion at the Nowgam police station in Srinagar was “accidental” and ruled out any sabotage. Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha has ordered a probe into the incident and expressed deep grief over the tragedy.
Prabhat said the explosives had been recovered during the investigation into a “white collar terror module” case and transported from Haryana’s Faridabad to the Nowgam police station, where they were kept securely in an open area within the premises.
“As part of the prescribed procedure, the samples of the recovery had to be forwarded for further forensic and chemical examination. On account of the voluminous nature of the recovery, the FSL (forensic science laboratory) team has been carrying out this process for the last two days,” he told reporters.
He said the FSL team was handling the material with “utmost caution” due to its unstable and sensitive nature.
“Unfortunately during this course, around 11.20 pm last night, an accidental explosion took place. Any other speculation into the cause of this incident is unnecessary,” he added.
Providing details of casualties, the DGP said, “One personnel of SIA (State Investigation Agency), three personnel of the FSL team, two crime photographers, two revenue officials who were part of the magistrate's team, and one tailor who was associated with the team, were among those killed.”
He added that 27 police personnel, two revenue officials, and three civilians from the adjacent area sustained injuries.
“The injured were immediately evacuated to the nearest hospital, where they are being treated. The police station building has been severely damaged, and even the adjacent buildings have been affected,” Prabhat said.
He noted that the extent of damage and the circumstances of “this unfortunate incident” are being assessed.
The DGP said the police stand in solidarity with the families of the deceased in this hour of grief.
Earlier in the day, Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha also expressed sorrow over the tragedy. “Deeply anguished by the loss of precious lives due to extremely tragic accidental blast at Nowgam police station in Srinagar. My condolences to the bereaved families. I pray for speedy recovery of the injured,” he said in an X post.
“I have ordered a probe to ascertain the cause of the accidental explosion,” Sinha added, reaffirming that all possible assistance is being provided to those affected.
Source: telegraphindia.com
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Mideast
Drenched and displaced: Gazans living in tents face winter downpours
November 15, 2025
GAZA CITY, Palestinian Territories: A barefoot Niven Abu Zreina swept an incessant stream of water away from her tent, as the season’s first big rain hit her makeshift displacement camp in Gaza City.
“I’ve been trying since morning to sweep away the rainwater that flooded our tent,” the Palestinian told AFP, her wet hijab sticking to her face.
“The scene speaks for itself. Rainwater soaked our clothes and mattress,” she said, while next to her a relative kept sweeping away the rain, also barefoot.
Mahmud Bassal, spokesman for Gaza’s civil defense agency, warned on Friday that the water had overwhelmed thousands of tents erected to cope with the mass displacement caused by the war.
“Since dawn today, we have received hundreds of appeals from displaced citizens whose homes and tents have been flooded by the rain,” Bassal said, adding that there were not enough tents to begin with.
- ‘What am I supposed to do?’ -
Located between the Sinai and the Negev desert on one side, and the Mediterranean Sea on the other, the tiny Gaza Strip receives almost all of its precipitation via strong rain in the late autumn and winter.
But with strict Israeli restrictions on the entry of goods and humanitarian aid, displaced Gazans have erected tents and makeshift shelters that are inadequate for downpours.
Last month’s truce between Hamas and Israel has eased part of the restrictions, but with about 92 percent of residential buildings damaged or destroyed during the war according to the UN, needs vastly supersede what little can enter on trucks.
A humanitarian source told AFP that restrictions on many materials required for building shelters, such as certain types of tent poles, were still not being allowed into Gaza.
Elsewhere in the camp bordering the Mediterranean Sea, a man used a broom handle to dislodge water accumulating in the center of a tarp he had set up as an awning for his tent.
In the camps’ low-lying areas, water pooled and accumulated before it could stream away toward the sea, leaving some children wading ankle deep in water.
Enaam Al-Batrikhi, an activist at the displacement camp, said she felt powerless when women came to her for help.
“How could I possibly help them?” she asked, adding that her own tent was flooded.
Nura Abu el-Kass, another displaced woman from the camp, said she found her mattress, blankets and clothes all soaked.
“My son sent me this tent, but it doesn’t protect us (from rainwater). What am I supposed to do?“
‘Not safe to live’ -
In the south Gaza city of Khan Yunis, Mohammed Shabat and his wife and five children were also struggling because of the weather, as cold drafts have been seeping through their tent’s openings.
“We live in a cemetery, and I have a baby. This tent does not protect us from the cold or the rain,” said Shabat, sitting on the sand between graves.
“Soon winter will come, and it will be very difficult,” he added.
Sitting by a stove built out of stacked concrete blocks, Shabat’s wife Alaa was preoccupied with the coming cold.
“A tent is not a safe place to live with young children. The cold wind penetrates the tent in the evening and the temperature is very low.”
The temperature in Gaza falls to between 15 and 20 degrees Celsius (59 and 68 degrees Fahrenheit) at night, but any dip in temperature brings added suffering to Gazans already struggling with inadequate shelters and lack of proper nutrition.
Source: arabnews.com
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Gazan mother forced to leave children behind for UK scholarship
November 14, 2025
LONDON: A Palestinian mother offered a prestigious scholarship at a British university said she was left with an “impossible choice” after UK officials told her she could not evacuate from Gaza with her husband and three children, The Independent reported on Friday.
Amany secured a Phoenix Space scholarship to study for an MSc in gender and international relations at the University of Bristol.
She was among several Gazan students whose evacuations had been delayed for months, prompting university leaders to warn British Prime Minister Keir Starmer that places were at risk of being lost.
This week, Amany was informed she could leave Gaza on Nov. 19, but would have to travel alone.
In an email from the UK Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office’s Gaza Departure Support team, officials told her: “We can only extend our offer to try and support your exit from Gaza to you individually, and not family members or dependents … your case for facilitated departure will not be progressed unless you confirm you would like us to facilitate your exit individually.”
The news has devastated the mother of three, who has a 10-year-old daughter, Taima, and two sons, Taim, 6, and Adam, 3.
“Every detail of my children’s happiness matters to me. How can I leave them?” she said.
“I can’t bear leaving my children in such unbearable and horrible circumstances. The ceasefire is just a word on paper, on the ground there are bombardments,” she added.
Amany’s family has been displaced seven times during the war, and their home was destroyed by Israeli strikes.
She told The Independent she will decline the scholarship unless she can travel with her children.
“My kids are my priority. They are more important than any dream or ambition,” she said.
Her situation arises despite a recent policy change that allows dependents of Gazan scholarship students to come to the UK, in limited circumstances only, including meeting strict financial requirements and studying at PhD or research level.
Amany described the decision as “deeply unfair and discriminatory,” adding: “I didn’t expect this from a country that advocates for inclusion, human rights, and the rights of children. We aren’t seeking asylum, it’s a temporary measure to allow me to study and find safety for a year.”
A Home Office spokesperson had previously said the UK was supporting the evacuation of eligible dependents “on a case-by-case basis” and acknowledged that students from Gaza had “endured unimaginable hardship.”
Source: arabnews.com
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Palestinian leader Abbas turns 90, weakened by Israel and deeply unpopular
November 15, 2025
CAIRO: Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas turns 90 on Saturday, still holding authoritarian power in tiny pockets of the West Bank, but marginalized and weakened by Israel, deeply unpopular among Palestinians, and struggling for a say in a postwar Gaza Strip.
The world’s second-oldest serving president — after Cameroon’s 92-year-old Paul Biya — Abbas has been in office for 20 years, and for nearly the entire time has failed to hold elections. His weakness has left Palestinians leaderless, critics say, at a time when they face an existential crisis and hopes for establishing a Palestinian state, the centerpiece of Abbas’ agenda, appear dimmer than ever.
Palestinians say Israel’s campaign against Hamas that has decimated Gaza amounts to genocide. Israel denies the accusation and has tightened its lock on the West Bank, where Jewish settlements are expanding and attacks by settlers on Palestinians are increasing. Right-wing allies of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu are pressing for outright annexation, a step that would doom any remaining possibility for statehood.
For now, the US has bent to Israel’s refusal to allow Abbas’ Palestinian Authority to govern postwar Gaza. With no effective leader, critics fear Palestinians in the territory will be consigned to live under an international body dominated by Israel’s allies, with little voice and no real path to statehood.
Abbas “has put his head in the sand and has taken no initiative,” said Khalil Shikaki, head of the People’s Company for Polls and Survey Research, a Palestinian pollster.
“His legitimacy was depleted long ago,” Shikaki told The Associated Press. “He has become a liability to his own party, and for the Palestinians as a whole.”
Within the pockets of the West Bank that it administers, the PA is notorious for corruption. Abbas rarely leaves his headquarters in the city of Ramallah, except to travel abroad. He limits decision-making to his tight inner circle, including Hussein Al-Sheikh, a longtime confidant whom he named as his designated successor in April.
An October poll by Shikaki’s organization found that 80 percent of Palestinians in the West Bank and Gaza want Abbas to resign. Only a third want the PA to have full or shared governance of the Gaza Strip. The survey of 1,200 people had a margin of error of 3.5 percentage points.
Arafat’s successor
It’s a long way from 20 years ago, when Abbas was elected president after the death of Palestinian leader Yasser Arafat amid hopes he could negotiate an independent state.
The first blow came in 2007, when Hamas drove the PA out of the Gaza Strip in a violent takeover. Hamas’ rule entrenched a split between Gaza and the West Bank, the Israeli-occupied territories that the Palestinians seek for a state.
Abbas was left in charge of pockets around the West Bank’s main population centers. But his power is crippled because Israel has a chokehold on the economy, controlling the West Bank’s resources, most of its land and its access to the outside world.
Netanyahu, who took power in 2009, rejects the creation of a Palestinian state. His “strategy from Day 1” has been to weaken the PA, said Ehud Olmert, who preceded Netanyahu as prime minister and perhaps came the closest to reaching a peace deal with Abbas shortly before being forced from office.
Netanyahu’s aim, Olmert said, is to “prevent any genuine chance to come along with some compromise that could have been implemented into a historical agreement.”
Cooperation with Israel
The campaign of weakening the PA comes even though Abbas has abided by a major role demanded by Israel and the international community: security cooperation with Israel. The PA trades intelligence with Israel on militants and often cracks down on armed groups.
To many Palestinians, that makes the PA a subcontractor of the occupation, suppressing opponents while Israel swallows up an increasing amount of the West Bank.
“It has chosen to put itself hand-in-hand with the Israeli occupation, even as (Israel) acts to make it more fragile and weaker,” said Abdaljawad Omar, an assistant professor of philosophy and cultural studies at the West Bank’s Bir Zeit University.
Netanyahu frequently accuses Abbas of not genuinely seeking peace and of inciting violence against Israel. Netanyahu’s government has repeatedly withheld transfers of tax money that Israel collects for the PA, because of stipends paid to families of those imprisoned or killed by Israel.
Despite reforms to the stipend system, Israel is withholding some $3 billion, according to the PA. That has worsened an ongoing economic crisis in the West Bank.
Israel’s campaign against the PA is “pushing it to the edge of collapse,” said Ghassan Khatib, who was Palestinian planning minister under Abbas in 2005-06.
Khatib defended what Abbas’ supporters call his policy of “practical realism.” By working to prevent violence, Abbas has stayed credible on the international stage, he said, trying to build international backing and winning official recognition of a Palestinian state by a growing list of countries.
But that hasn’t brought any successful pressure from the US or Europe against Israel to stop settlement expansion or reach a peace deal.
Preventing alternatives
At a time when Israel’s far right is pushing for “the eradication of the Palestinians,” Omar said, Abbas’ pragmatic realism is “a form of national suicide.”
Fearing rivals, Abbas has prevented widescale participation in government, alternative leadership or popular movements even for significant non-violent resistance or civil disobedience against Israel, he said.
“Politics has been removed as a way for young people to engage, to stand against occupation,” said Omar, who was 17 when Abbas came to office.
Shikaki said Abbas’ inaction only fuels support for Hamas, which portrayed its Oct. 7, 2023, attack on southern Israel as aimed at ending Israel’s occupation.
Even if some Palestinians believe the attack was disastrous, “they see Hamas as trying to do something on behalf of the Palestinian people,” he said. “They see Abbas is doing nothing.”
Reform attempts
US President Donald Trump’s plan calls for an international council to run the Gaza Strip after Hamas is removed, with a Palestinian administration carrying out day-to-day services. It holds out the possibility of the PA taking control if it carries out unspecified reforms to the council’s satisfaction.
Abbas has made some gestures toward change.
He has promised legislative and presidential elections within a year after the war in Gaza ends. This week, meeting with French President Emmanuel Macron, he announced a Palestinian-French commission to draw up a new constitution. In a high-profile move against corruption, the transport minister was removed in October and put under investigation on allegations of bribery, according to local media.
Palestinians are skeptical. In the PCPSR poll, 60 percent of respondents said they doubted Abbas will hold elections. It found that if a vote were held, the clear winner would be Marwan Barghouti, a senior figure from Abbas’ Fatah faction imprisoned by Israel since 2002. Abbas would come a distant third behind any Hamas candidate.
Ines Abdel Razak, co-director of Palestine Institute for Public Diplomacy advocacy group, said the US and Israel don’t have an interest in real democratization..
“That would mean all Palestinians would actually have a voice,” she said. “Any effective ruler would confront the Israeli occupation.”
Khatib said Israel will likely be able to keep the PA out of Gaza, since uniting it with the West Bank would only boost Palestinian demands for statehood.
“Israel is the party that is calling the shots on the ground,” he said.
Source: arabnews.com
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Rocket attack in Syria’s capital wounds 1 person and causes damage
November 14, 2025
DAMASCUS: Rockets were fired at a home in Syria’s capital on Friday night, wounding one person and causing damage, state media reported.
It wasn’t immediately clear who was behind the rocket attack in Damascus’ western neighborhood of Mazzeh 86. An Associated Press journalist at the scene said that security forces cordoned off the area and prevented anyone from getting close to the building that was struck.
State television reported that one woman was wounded in the blast, which was caused by an attack by “unknown assailants,” adding that security forces were investigating.
State news agency SANA also said that one woman was wounded in the Friday night explosion, and that the blast was caused by rockets that were fired from a mobile launcher.
Explosions aren’t uncommon in the Syrian capital, but have decreased in recent months.
Since the fall of President Bashar Assad’s government in December last year by insurgents who took over his seat of power in the capital, there have been several explosions in Damascus.
Israel has also carried out hundreds of airstrikes around the country since the end of the 54-year Assad dynasty, mainly targeting assets of the Syrian army.
Source: arabnews.com
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Gaza authorities ‘levy fees on some privately imported goods’
November 14, 2025
CAIRO: From regulating the price of chicken to levying fees on cigarettes, Hamas is seeking to widen control over Gaza as US plans for its future slowly take shape, Gazans say, adding to rivals’ doubts over whether it will cede authority as promised.
After a ceasefire began last month, Hamas swiftly reestablished its hold over areas from which Israel withdrew, killing dozens of Palestinians it accused of collaborating with Israel, theft, or other crimes. Foreign powers demand that the group disarm and leave the government, but have yet to agree on who will replace them.
Now, a dozen Gazans say they are increasingly feeling Hamas’ control in other ways.
Authorities monitor everything entering areas of Gaza held by Hamas, levying fees on some privately imported goods, including fuel and cigarettes, and fining merchants seen as overcharging for goods, according to 10 Gazans, three of them merchants with direct knowledge.
Ismail Al-Thawabta, head of the media office of the Gaza government, said accounts of authorities taxing cigarettes and fuel were inaccurate, denying that the government was raising any taxes.
The authorities were only carrying out urgent humanitarian and administrative tasks whilst making “strenuous efforts” to control prices, Al-Thawabta said.
He reiterated Hamas’ readiness to hand over to a new technocratic administration, saying it aimed to avoid chaos in Gaza: “Our goal is for the transition to proceed smoothly.”
Hatem Abu Dalal, owner of a Gaza mall, said prices were high because not enough goods were coming into Gaza. Government representatives were trying to bring order to the economy — touring around, checking goods and setting prices, he said.
Mohammed Khalifa, shopping in central Gaza’s Nuseirat area, said prices were constantly changing despite attempts to regulate them. “It’s like a stock exchange,” he said.
“The prices are high. There’s no income, circumstances are difficult, life is hard, and winter is coming,” he said.
Reuters, citing multiple sources, reported this week that Gaza’s de facto partition appeared increasingly likely, with Israeli forces still deployed in more than half the territory and efforts to advance the plan faltering.
Nearly all of Gaza’s 2 million people live in areas controlled by Hamas.
Ghaith Al-Omari, a senior fellow at the Washington Institute think tank, said Hamas’ actions aimed to show Gazans and foreign powers alike that it cannot be bypassed.
“The longer that the international community waits, the more entrenched Hamas becomes,” Omari said.
Asked for comment on Gazans’ accounts of Hamas levying fees on some goods, among other reported activities, a US State Department spokesperson said: “This is why Hamas cannot and will not govern in Gaza.”
The PA is pressing for a say in Gaza’s new government, though Israel rejects the idea of it running Gaza again.
Munther Al-Hayek, a Fatah spokesperson in Gaza, said Hamas’ actions “give a clear indication that Hamas wants to continue to govern.”
In the areas held by Israel, small Palestinian groups that oppose Hamas have a foothold, a lingering challenge to it.
Gazans continue to endure dire conditions, though more aid has entered since the ceasefire.
A senior Gazan food importer said Hamas hadn’t returned to a full taxation policy, but they “see and record everything.”
They monitor everything that enters, with checkpoints along routes, and stop trucks and question drivers, he said, declining to be identified.
Price manipulators are fined, which helps reduce some prices, but they are still much higher than before the war began, and people complain they have no money.
The Gaza government employed up to 50,000 people, including policemen, before the war.
Al-Thawabta said that thousands of them were killed, and those remaining were ready to continue working under a new administration.
Gaza authorities continued paying them salaries during the war, though it cut the highest, standardizing wages to 1,500 shekels ($470) a month, Hamas sources and economists familiar with the matter said.
It is believed that Hamas drew on stockpiled cash to pay the wages, a diplomat said.
The Gaza government replaced four regional governors who were killed, sources close to Hamas said.
A Hamas official said the group also replaced 11 members of its Gaza politburo who died.
Gaza City activist and commentator Mustafa Ibrahim said Hamas was exploiting delays in the US plan “to bolster its rule.”
“Will it be allowed to continue doing so? I think it will continue until an alternative government is in place,” he said.
Source: arabnews.com
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US, Saudi Arabia urge ‘swift adoption’ of UN Gaza resolution
November 14, 2025
UNITED NATIONS: The United States, Saudi Arabia and several other Arab and Muslim-majority nations including Egypt and Turkiye called Friday for the UN Security Council to quickly adopt a US resolution endorsing Donald Trump’s peace plan for Gaza.
“The United States, Qatar, Egypt, the United Arab Emirates, the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, Indonesia, Pakistan, Jordan, and Türkiye express our joint support for the Security Council Resolution currently under consideration,” the countries said in a joint statement, adding they were seeking the measure’s “swift adoption.”
Last week the Americans officially launched negotiations within the 15-member Security Council on a text that would follow up on a ceasefire in the two-year war between Israel and Hamas and endorse Trump’s plan.
“We emphasize that this is a sincere effort, and the Plan provides viable path toward peace and stability, not only between the Israelis and the Palestinians, but for the entire region.
A draft of the resolution seen Thursday by AFP “welcomes the establishment of the Board of Peace,” a transitional governing body for Gaza — that Trump would theoretically chair — with a mandate running until the end of 2027.
It would authorize member states to form a “temporary International Stabilization Force (ISF)” that would work with Israel and Egypt and newly trained Palestinian police to help secure border areas and demilitarize the Gaza Strip.
Unlike previous drafts, the latest mentions a possible future Palestinian state.
Friday’s joint statement comes as Russia circulated a competing draft resolution to Council members that does not authorize the creation of a board of peace or the immediate deployment of an international force in Gaza, according to the text seen Friday by AFP.
The Russian version welcomes “the initiative that led to the ceasefire” but does not name Trump.
It calls on the UN secretary general to “identify options for implementing the provisions” of the peace plan and to promptly submit a report that also addresses the possibilities of deploying an international stabilization force in war-ravaged Gaza.
The United States has called the ceasefire “fragile,” and warned Thursday of the risks of not adopting its draft.
“Attempts to sow discord now — when agreement on this resolution is under active negotiation — has grave, tangible, and entirely avoidable consequences for Palestinians in Gaza,” a spokesperson for the US mission at the United Nations said in a statement.
While it seemed until now that Council members supported principles of the peace plan, diplomatic sources noted there were multiple questions about the US text, particularly regarding the absence of a monitoring mechanism by the Council, the role of the Palestinian Authority, and details of the ISF’s mandate.
Source: arabnews.com
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UN forces say Israel built walls inside Lebanon, Israel denies accusation
November 14, 2025
BEIRUT: United Nations peacekeepers said Friday that Israel’s army has built walls in south Lebanon near the UN-demarcated Blue Line, the de facto border, while Israel denied the accusation.
The United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon, which has been working with the Lebanese army to consolidate a truce between Israel and the Lebanese militant group Hezbollah reached last November, called the moves a violation of Lebanese sovereignty.
UNIFIL said in a statement that in October, it surveyed “a concrete T-wall erected by the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) southwest of Yaroun. The survey confirmed that the wall crossed the Blue Line, rendering more than 4,000 square meters of Lebanese territory inaccessible to the Lebanese people.”
“In November, peacekeepers observed additional T-wall construction in the area. A survey confirmed that a section of wall southeast of Yaroun also crossed the Blue Line,” it added.
When asked by AFP about the accusation, the Israeli military said: “The wall is part of a broader (Israeli military) plan whose construction began in 2022. Since the start of the war, and as part of lessons learnt from it, the (Israeli military) has been advancing a series of measures, including reinforcing the physical barrier along the northern border.”
“It should be emphasized that the wall does not cross the Blue Line,” it added.
Under the ceasefire, Israel was to withdraw its forces from south Lebanon, but it has kept them at five areas it deems strategic and has kept up regular strikes on Lebanon, mainly saying it is targeting Hezbollah sites and operatives.
UNIFIL said that “Israeli presence and construction in Lebanese territory are violations of Security Council resolution 1701 and of Lebanon’s sovereignty and territorial integrity,” referring to a UN resolution that ended a 2006 conflict between Israel and Hezbollah.
The resolution also formed the basis of last November’s truce, which sought to end more than a year of hostilities between Israel and Hezbollah including two months of all-out war.
UNIFIL said it had informed the Israeli army of the October findings and requested it move the walls, adding that the force would formally advise the Israeli army of the results of the November survey.
“We again call on the IDF to respect the Blue Line in its full length and withdraw from all areas north of it,” the UNIFIL statement said.
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Iran seizes tanker in Strait of Hormuz, US official says, as tensions remain high in region
November 14, 2025
DUBAI: Iran seized a Marshall Islands-flagged oil tanker as it traveled through the narrow Strait of Hormuz on Friday, a US official said, turning the ship into Iranian territorial waters in the first-such interdiction in months in the strategic waterway.
Iran did not immediately acknowledge the seizure, though it comes as Tehran has been increasingly warning it can strike back after facing a 12-day war in June with Israel that saw the US strike Iranian nuclear sites.
The ship, the Talara, had been traveling from Ajman, United Arab Emirates, onward to Singapore when Iranian forces intercepted it, said the US defense official, who spoke on condition of anonymity to discuss intelligence matters. A US Navy MQ-4C Triton drone had been circling above the area where the Talara was for hours on Friday observing the seizure, flight-tracking data analyzed by The Associated Press showed.
A private security firm, Ambrey, described the assault as involving three small boats approaching the Talara.
The British military’s United Kingdom Maritime Trade Operations center separately acknowledged the incident, saying a possible “state activity” forced the Talara to turn into Iranian territorial waters. Cyprus-based Columbia Shipmanagement later said in a statement that it had “lost contact” with the tanker, which was carrying high sulfur gasoil.
The company has “notified the relevant authorities and is working closely with all relevant parties — including maritime security agencies and the vessel owner — to restore contact with the vessel,” the firm said. “The safety of the crew remains our foremost priority.”
The Navy has blamed Iran for a series of limpet mine attacks on vessels that damaged tankers in 2019, as well as for a fatal drone attack on an Israeli-linked oil tanker that killed two European crew members in 2021. Those attacks began after US President Donald Trump in his first term in office unilaterally withdrew from Iran’s 2015 nuclear deal with world powers. The last major seizure came when Iran took two Greek tankers in May 2022 and held them until November of that year.
Those attacks found themselves subsumed by the Iranian-backed Houthis assaults targeting ships during the Israel-Hamas war in the Gaza Strip, which drastically reduced shipping in the crucial Red Sea corridor.
The years of tensions between Iran and the West, coupled with the situation in the Gaza Strip, exploded into a full-scale 12-day war in June.
Iran long has threatened to close off the Strait of Hormuz, the narrow mouth of the Arabian Gulf through which 20 percent of all oil traded passes. The US Navy has long patrolled the Mideast through its Bahrain-based 5th Fleet to keep the waterways open.
Source: arabnews.com
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Hamas Mourns Head of Al-Quds Islamic Waqf Council
15 Nov 2025
The Islamic Resistance Movement (Hamas) mourned the passing of Sheikh Abdul-Azim Salhab (79), head of the Jerusalem Islamic Waqf Council, a pillar of Jerusalem and Al-Aqsa Mosque, he passed away after a life dedicated to serving and defending the blessed Al-Aqsa Mosque and the city of Al-Quds.
In a statement of condolence obtained by the Yemeni News Agency (Saba), Hamas said, “The Sheikh was an example of steadfastness in religious and national principles.”
Source: saba.ye
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Tehran hails peaceful Iraqi elections, pledges closer ties with Baghdad
November 14, 2025
In a post on his X account, Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi wrote, "Congratulations to the brotherly people and government of Iraq for successful management of peaceful parliamentary elections."
"The election was a significant step forward in consolidating the democratic process in Iraq and in safeguarding the sovereignty and security of the nation," Araghchi further said.
"The Islamic Republic of Iran is determined to further strengthen its cordial relations with Iraq in all areas of mutual interest," he added in his post.
Spokesperson for the Iranian Foreign Ministry Esmaeil Baqaei also hailed the increased turnout of Iraqi voters and the peaceful holding of the elections, calling these developments valuable. He further expressed hope the legislative vote would set the stage to further cement solidarity, security and progress in neighboring Iraq.
A third message came from Aliakbar Velayati, an advisor to Leader of the Islamic Revolution Leader Ayatollah Seyyed Ali Khamenei, who also expressed congratulations, saying a bright future awaits cooperation between the two brotherly nations.
Iraqi Prime Minister Mohammed Shia al-Sudani’s supporting Reconstruction and Development list has scored “a major victory” in the November 11 parliamentary elections. The Independent High Electoral Commission said on Wednesday that al-Sudani’s coalition received 1.3 million votes, about 370,000 more than the next closest contender.
Iraqis voted for a new parliament on Tuesday. The Independent High Election Commission announced that a total of 12,003,143 nationals, out of 21,404,291 eligible voters, cast their ballots.
Speaking after the initial results were announced, al-Sudani said the voter turnout of 56 percent was “clear evidence of another success” that reflected the “restoration of confidence in the political system.”
The current parliament, dominated by Shia parties and blocs, began its term on January 9, 2022. The term ends on January 8, 2026. By law, Iraq must hold legislative elections at least 45 days before the end of the parliament’s term.
While al-Sudani’s list secured the highest number of votes, it is not clear whether he would once again be elected Prime Minister, according to West Asia analyst Alireza Majidi.
“The winner of the election doesn't always determine who becomes Prime Minister,” Majidi explained. “After the results are announced, the leaders of the various lists negotiate to form the largest parliamentary faction, and it's this faction that decides who will be Prime Minister, not necessarily the list that received the most votes.”
The analyst further explained the structure of the Iraqi Parliament, which has 329 seats. Nine seats are reserved for minorities, while the remaining 320 are divided among about 20 different lists: twelve Shia, four Kurdish, and four Sunni. In this situation, no single list typically holds a majority.
“If a list receives fewer than 60 seats, even if it leads in votes, it still can't form a government. Other groups can come together to create a coalition that surpasses it,” Majidi added.
The election results are widely viewed as a major victory for Iraqi Shias and the Resistance factions within the country, according to analyst Hossein Kazerooni, writing on his Telegram channel. This outcome occurred despite significant diplomatic and propaganda efforts by the United States aimed at preventing the election of individuals sympathetic to the Resistance groups—groups that form a main pillar of Iraqi security and heroically spearheaded the fight against Daesh terrorists in the 2010s.
“The results of the Iraqi parliamentary elections show an unexpectedly strong performance by factions aligned with the Resistance Axis,” Kazerooni wrote. “While al-Sudani still needs to form a coalition with other groups to establish a government, his winning list includes figures and parties that are fundamentally supportive of the Resistance.”
Source: tehrantimes.com
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Syria joins Standards and Metrology Institute for Islamic Countries
14/11/2025
The Syrian Arab Organization for Standardization and Metrology (SASMO) has joined the Standards and Metrology Institute for Islamic Countries (SMIIC), which operates under the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation.
SASMO said on Thursday, 13 November, that this accession will enhance Syria’s presence in regional and international standardization and quality systems and represents recognition of SASMO’s role in developing quality infrastructure and supporting the national economy.
According to the organization, Syria’s membership in SMIIC will open up prospects for technical cooperation and the exchange of expertise with standardization bodies in Islamic countries through:
Harmonizing standards, which will facilitate intra-Islamic trade and strengthen the competitiveness of Syrian products in Islamic markets.
Raising the efficiency of quality infrastructure through active participation in technical committees and the adoption of best international practices.
Supporting national industries so they can produce goods and services that comply with global requirements, thereby boosting local and international consumer confidence in Syrian products.
SASMO added in its statement that this step puts Syria back on the international standardization map and reaffirmed its commitment to applying up-to-date standards and specifications in a way that serves sustainable development goals and improves quality of life in Syrian society.
International standards and market needs
SASMO operates on the principle of “smart alignment”, taking international standards, such as those of ISO, IEC, and OIML, as a primary reference, while introducing national adaptations where necessary to reflect local production chains and environmental and economic conditions, according to what SASMO Director General Yaser Alaiwi previously told Enab Baladi.
Work is carried out through technical committees that include experts from various sectors, including industry, academia, regulators, customs, and consumer representatives. These committees review international draft standards and adapt their provisions, from materials to performance limits and testing methods, so they fit manufacturers’ capabilities and public safety requirements without compromising acceptable quality levels.
Alaiwi added that this mechanism is consistent with the law that established SASMO and its objectives of building a national system for standards and metrology that aligns with internationally accepted practices.
Conformity tools and international benchmarks
On Syria’s ability to meet international quality standards, Alaiwi explained that SASMO operates within an integrated framework that includes technical committees and a network of national laboratories that conduct testing and calibration, as well as monitoring international accreditation and practices in measurement and conformity assessment.
He noted that infrastructure levels, such as the number and equipment of laboratories and the extent of international accreditation, vary by sector. Some sectors are well equipped, while others need upgrades or broader accreditation, and work is underway to gradually develop this system.
SASMO also represents Syria in several specialized regional and international organizations, giving it access to approved technical references. Alaiwi pointed out that there is no unified global ranking that places countries in order in this field, since capacities vary according to several criteria, such as the number of accredited laboratories, the existence of a nationally recognized accreditation body, active participation in ISO and IEC technical committees, and export capacity.
He said the organization focuses instead on measurable performance indicators, such as increasing the number of accredited laboratories, improving testing efficiency, and obtaining regional and international recognitions, rather than seeking abstract numerical rankings.
Alaiwi concluded by stressing that SASMO is working to align the national standards system with international benchmarks while preserving the specific needs of the local market and is striving to develop testing and accreditation capabilities to protect consumers and support the competitiveness of Syrian products.
SASMO is the national body responsible for standards and metrology in Syria and covers a wide range of sectors, including foodstuffs, industrial, electrical and electronic products, construction materials, consumer goods, and medical equipment. Its responsibilities also include food standards linked to the Codex Alimentarius, about food safety.
Despite challenges related to infrastructure and limited technical awareness, SASMO continues to implement a roadmap to strengthen laboratory accreditation systems, expand technical support programs, and reinforce market surveillance, aiming to build consumer confidence at home and pave the way for Syrian products to access global markets.
Source: english.enabbaladi.net
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Arab World
Saudi authorities thwart drug-smuggling attempts
November 14, 2025
RIYADH: The Zakat, Tax and Customs Authority have thwarted two drug-smuggling attempts at the Al-Durrah and Rub’ Al-Khali border crossings, seizing 33,548 amphetamine pills and over 21 kg of methamphetamine hidden in a vehicle and truck.
The ZATCA’s spokesperson Hamoud Al-Harbi said the authority would continue to tighten customs controls across the Kingdom to protect society from drug smugglers, the Saudi Press Agency reported on Friday.
Al-Harbi urged the public to assist in their efforts and report crimes confidentially via the dedicated number 1910, email 1910@zatca.gov.sa, or the international number 009661910.
The ZATCA provides a financial reward for accurate reports.
Source: arabnews.com
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City of London delegation to promote investment on pioneering Saudi trip
CASPAR WEBB
November 15, 2025
LONDON: A delegation from the City of London — the UK capital’s oldest financial district, and a center for trade and commerce since Roman times — will use a visit to Saudi Arabia this week as an opportunity to learn about the very latest in modern infrastructure and city-building.
Tom Sleigh, chair of the City’s Planning and Transportation Committee, told Arab News in an interview on Thursday that the tour will also provide substantial opportunities to develop investments in real estate, cultural projects, and entertainment.
“I think it is very clear for everyone that Saudi Arabia has just got astonishing ambition when it comes to the built environment, when it comes to the development of cities, when it comes to investment in culture and sport and entertainment,” he said.
“That level of ambition, of course, helps when you have substantial funding behind it, but that ambition is really impressive. And I think other cities, and I would include London, need to remember that ambition really matters.”
The City’s two-person team, which departs for the Kingdom on Saturday, is part of a wider delegation represented by Opportunity London, an inward investment scheme for the capital.
Members of authorities across the UK capital are taking part in the visit, as well as representatives from “energy companies, developers and investment firms,” representing a cross-section of interested parties, Sleigh said.
The committee chair is no stranger to the Kingdom, having worked in Al-Jubail about 20 years ago.
Yet the rapid changes brought on by Vision 2030 in Saudi Arabia have not gone unnoticed in the City, leaving Sleigh eager to return, and, among other things, see the “incredible” changes in Riyadh.
He will focus on two areas of major importance to the Kingdom: gigaprojects and the cultural sphere.
A visit to Diriyah, the historic development project on the outskirts of the Saudi capital, will demonstrate shared trends with the City of London, Sleigh said.
“It’s a pedestrianized city, but with three subterranean basements for cars, so it’s really interesting. And there are loads of commonalities between Diriyah and us in the sense that we’re promoting pedestrianization and moving people onto the roads and the traffic off.”
Saudi Arabia’s investment in boosting its cultural output is also attracting attention.
“I have a strong interest in culture. I used to chair the Barbican Center, Europe’s biggest arts center,” Sleigh said. “I chair a theater and I advise the mayor of London on culture. So, we’re going to spend some time visiting (Riyadh’s) Sports Boulevard, visiting some of the cultural assets, and seeing how culture and the arts are expressed and funded, and showcased in Riyadh. I think that will be really cool for us.”
Another focus of the delegation is Cityscape, a Riyadh conference taking place next week to explore city-building opportunities.
“We’re really interested in just how much is happening in Saudi at the moment and how much ambition the Kingdom has. And I would love to see if we can exchange more ideas … these conferences are all about knowledge exchange and knowledge sharing,” Sleigh said.
In his capacity as committee chair, Sleigh will also focus on promoting foreign investment in the Square Mile.
For the Planning and Transportation Committee, much of that goal involves long-term property planning — the City is home to most of London’s tallest buildings — and promoting business-friendly regulation.
“I think the equation is simple. You need to have commercial real estate and housing to be a successful city. That has to be funded by investors, but they only want to put their money if the place they’re investing in has a stable regulatory regime, and has a good legal system that you can trust through disputes and contract law,” Sleigh said.
“In our case in the UK, I think it helps that we speak English and we have Greenwich Mean Time. We sit between different financial zones.”
English common law and the City’s trustworthy planning system, built on centuries of careful decision-making, mean that “of all the places on the planet, if you want to build commercial real estate, the City of London is the most benevolent environment to come and do that,” Sleigh said.
“We’ve been doing this for 2,000 years,” he added. “We still have chunks of the Roman wall lying around and bits of the city. Planning is our most long-term function; we think very long term.”
But the successful, global cities of the future will focus on more than buildings, Sleigh believes.
“It’s about people. It’s about culture. It’s about community. So, we want to have cultural assets. We want to celebrate the archaeology. And it’s about clean, healthy, sustainable buildings and clean, healthy streets — focusing on pedestrianization and a really fantastic public transport network.”
Prospective Saudi investors in London will have access to an array of assets in the Square Mile that are among the city’s most iconic sites, including Smithfield market, the Barbican and around the new Museum of London, set to open next year.
Sleigh said: “We kind of get how busy cities need to have a cultural life. You can’t just be sterile, glass, steel buildings; you need other things.
“I think we recognize the importance of it in creating something more than just a place. It’s a place with people, a place with culture. I would love to see where there might be opportunities (with Saudi Arabia) to either share ideas or investment opportunities.”
Source: arabnews.com
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Saudi beekeepers and artisans take center stage at Azka Farmers Market
AFSHAN AZIZ
November 14, 2025
JEDDAH: Azka Farmers Market returned with a special edition dedicated to the golden world of honey, offering a three-day celebration for honey lovers, curious tasters, and enthusiasts eager to explore the diverse flavors and varieties sourced from across Saudi Arabia.
Held at Hayy Jameel until Nov. 15, the market includes an engaging program of activities.
Families and children enjoyed interactive sessions at Hayy Explorers and talks at Saha featuring some of the country’s leading beekeepers and food experts.
Ahmad Zaki Kamel, founder of AzkaFoods and Azkabasket.com, told Arab News that this edition of the market was dedicated to honey for two key reasons.
“First, it marks the beginning of the spring season here in Arabia, when most wildflowers start to bloom. Second, we have beekeepers and honey producers from all 13 regions of Saudi Arabia joining us, each bringing something unique.
“We handpick everyone based on Azka’s ethical principles, which include using ancient strains of Arabian bees. Many producers today rely on imported bees, which threaten local biodiversity by attacking native colonies.
“All our honey comes from local strains, is raw, unpasteurized, and in many cases organic-certified. It’s some of the finest honey you can find in Saudi Arabia, if not the world.
“We’re thrilled to host our beekeepers here, and we have several talks planned every day, including a session on the final day with Faiz Al Qithamy, who’s considered to be the leader of beekeepers in Saudi Arabia.”
Visitors had the opportunity to meet several beekeepers and learn about the unique processes that contribute to Saudi Arabia’s exceptional honey.
Emad Al-Ahmadi, manager at Wild Honey, said: “Our honey comes from the mountains north of Madinah, where the ‘Figra’ wild honey is produced by the Ahmadi family.
“The beehives are six kilometers from the nearest highway, providing a pollution-free and chemical-free environment for the bees to roam freely among natural flowers.
“This setting ensures the honey is exceptionally pure and unpolluted. We begin our harvest early in the morning and spend eight to nine hours collecting it.
“Azka Farmers Market gives us a great opportunity to educate consumers about this natural, high-quality honey, which is rarely found in supermarkets.”
Saudi Arabia’s first certified organic honey producer, Jassim Al-Mughrabi, shared insights on his unique honey products.
“Our new product is the mangrove honey. This tree is planted near the seashore and takes water from salty water, which nourishes it and gives beautiful flowers in May. During this period, we produce the honey.
“Our product is very unique because we produce cedar honey from wild cedar trees, usually flowering from June to September in the central part of Saudi Arabia, where temperatures reach 50 degrees in the shade.
“At that time, no other flowers bloom in this area, so the honey remains very light in color.
“Other cedar honey from southern and western regions, flowering in October and November, mixes with other flowers and becomes darker.
“We also produce Samra honey from the southern region around 80 kilometers south, flowering in May with very high temperatures. We are the first organic producers in the Kingdom, and we work with Ceres Company.”
The market also attracted artisans and producers extending beyond honey.
Alaa Ali, founder of Homie Care, presented natural skincare products developed with clinical expertise.
“I’m a clinical pharmacist, and I took the bloom, making organic skincare formulations according to European standards. I wanted to create high-quality products that truly deliver on their promise while being natural, ethical, and sustainable.”
She added: “All our products come in glass containers to support conscious consumerism. We have magnesium-concentrated creams for relaxation, muscle and joint care, hydrating creams for eczema or dry skin, and lotions enriched with borage and tamanu oils for healing.
“I joined Azka Farmers Market to raise awareness about these products, which are hard to find in the community, and to connect with consumers who value natural and ethical choices.”
The market also celebrated Saudi Arabia’s food heritage through the Ark of Taste project.
Kamel said: “Today, over 120 products have been registered in the global Ark of Taste, a project started by Slow Food International.
“Through Slow Food Saudi Arabia, we registered 120 products at risk of extinction, either culturally or environmentally.
“In the market, we have a section where we display as many of these Ark of Taste products as possible to raise awareness and give people a chance to taste and buy them, so that we can help preserve our unique and important food heritage.”
From local, organic, and seasonal produce to baked goods, eco-conscious products, and handmade crafts, the market displayed the best of Saudi farmers, producers, and vendors.
Source: arabnews.com
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KSrelief distributes shelter aid in Afghanistan
November 14, 2025
KABUL: The King Salman Humanitarian Aid and Relief Center has distributed shelter aid in Northern Afghanistan recently, as part of the emergency response project to assist earthquake victims in the country.
The aid included 2,000 food baskets, 3,000 cartons of dates, 500 tents, 500 kitchen utensil kits, and 2,500 blankets.
The assistance comes as an extension of the relief efforts provided by the Kingdom through its humanitarian arm, KSrelief, to stand with the brotherly Afghan people and alleviate their suffering.
The aid agency also distributed 500 food baskets in Chad, benefiting 3,000 individuals from vulnerable groups.
Source: arabnews.com
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Falcon fetches SR351,000 at Saudi auction
November 14, 2025
RIYADH: A falcon was sold for SR351,000 ($93,590) at the 25th Saudi Falcons Club Auction, making it the third most expensive falcon sold to date at this year’s event.
Held at the club’s headquarters in Malham, north of Riyadh, the auction serves as the primary marketplace for locally bred falcons, coinciding with the annual trapping season, which runs until Nov. 30.
The event reinforces the Kingdom’s cultural identity, facilitates the transfer of falconry expertise to new generations, and provides an economic resource for the hundreds of participating falconers.
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World Diabetes Day: Saudi Health Endowment Fund launches Insulin Pump Support Program
RASHID HASSAN
November 14, 2025
RIYADH: The Saudi Health Endowment Fund marked World Diabetes Day, observed annually on Nov. 14, by announcing the launch of a new fund dedicated to supporting children with Type 1 diabetes across the Kingdom, aiming to significantly improve their quality of life and care by facilitating access to modern insulin pumps.
In its initial phase, the fund aims to support 600 children annually by providing advanced insulin pumps, which represent one of the latest treatment options for controlling blood sugar and reducing the need for daily injections.
This intervention is expected to improve children’s physical and psychological well-being, while reducing the risk of complications as well as the health care burden on families and medical facilities.
The Health Endowment Fund called upon donors and community organizations to contribute.
Princess Sara bint Mashhour, the wife of Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman,
made a generous donation of SR10 million ($2.7 million) to the fund.
Health Minister and Chairman of the Board of Directors of the Health Endowment Fund Fahad Al-Jalajel thanked Princess Sara for her generous donation and commended her role in supporting humanitarian initiatives, which reflect the values of Saudi society and the spirit of solidarity.
Dr. Anwar Khursheed, a senior family medicine physician at the National Guard Hospital in Riyadh, told Arab News: “As we mark World Diabetes Day, the launch of the Health Endowment Fund’s dedicated initiative for children with Type 1 diabetes is a transformative step for the Kingdom. This will greatly enhance the quality of life of young patients by accelerating access to modern insulin pumps, reducing complications, and empowering families with reliable, state-of-the-art care.
“As a long-standing physician in Saudi Arabia, I see this as a visionary investment in health care for future generations. It reflects the Kingdom’s commitment to compassionate, innovative health care and aligns perfectly with the health care goals in Saudi Vision 2030,” added Khursheed, who is also vice president of the Saudi Indian Healthcare Forum.
The new initiative is an extension of the Health Endowment Fund’s broader efforts to help vulnerable groups through specialized programs and collaboration with the health and non-profit sectors.
These efforts have already resulted in the provision of health services to over 3,000 beneficiaries across the Kingdom, bolstered by donations exceeding SR72 million in 2024 alone, underscoring strong community confidence and sustained humanitarian impact.
World Diabetes Day is the world’s largest diabetes awareness campaign, reaching a global audience of over 1 billion people in over 160 countries. Observed every year on Nov. 14, the birthday of Sir Frederick Banting, who co-discovered insulin with Charles Best in 1922, it was created in 1991 by the International Diabetes Federation and the World Health Organization and became an official UN International Day in 2006.
Diabetes and well-being are the themes for World Diabetes Day 2025.
Source: arabnews.com
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Spring all year round: Storing seeds to improve vegetation cover in the Kingdom
HAIFA ALSHAMMARI
November 14, 2025
RIYADH: The concept of having 'all year round spring' seems like a dreamy thought and an ambitious goal to achieve in a desert climate such as that in Saudi Arabia. Yet, environmental consultant Oubaid Alouni argues to differ.
Through the preservation of seeds and planting flowers suitable for each season, Alouni believes the vegetation cover will have the opportunity to flourish and paint the Saudi desert all year long.
"There are flowers that bloom in the summer, there are flowers in the spring, and there are flowers in the autumn... This is what we call 'all year round spring' because these flowers help in the cycle of life," Said Alouni.
He provides an example of one of the significant species, the honeybee, which relies on flowers for its survival. Therefore, it is critical to preserve flowers, along with pollinators, to have not only a balanced ecosystem but also economic stability for beekeepers, he said.
In his perspective, "The greater the number of flowers, the stronger the pollinators, indicating flower maturity."
He further explained the concept of 'environmental sustainability,' which he believes extends beyond flowers and pollinators.
Alouni highlighted that ensuring the health of flowers influences the health of other species, referring back to the honeybees and pollinators.
He said that bird species also consider pollinators and other bugs as food; thus, if there is a lack of pollinators, we will have an imbalance in the number of birds.
"If an element is missing, the other elements will be affected... resulting in an imbalance in the ecological pyramid," He commented.
To help restore the environmental conditions in the Kingdom, Alouni discussed the importance of raising awareness about the need to protect and improve the vegetation cover.
In the past, people lacked adequate knowledge and awareness, and there were very few environmental activists advocating for this cause.
"Despite the efforts being made, there was a lack of support. The volunteers were few, and people were surprised by our work. There was no environmental awareness. Unfortunately, our efforts went unheard," Said Alouni.
However, thanks to the continuous changes that have been taking place in the country in recent years, environmental sustainability has been elevated to among the top priorities of overall development in Saudi Arabia.
One of the major centers dedicated to environmental protection is the National Center for Vegetation Cover Development and Combating Desertification (NCVC).
NCVC launched an initiative in the past few weeks to plant one million seedlings from mother seed sources. This initiative has led to a significant qualitative improvement in the production of local seeds, enhancing the efficiency of collection, preservation, and propagation processes.
Seed production has increased from 30 tons last year to more than 80 tons this year, a rise of about 167%. It reflects the direct impact of the initiative in strengthening national seed resources and boosting the Center's production capacity.
This increase enables the rehabilitation of more than 30,000 hectares of natural rangelands annually. The seeds are used after being scattered across degraded rangelands and targeted rehabilitation areas to restore natural vegetation cover and reestablish ecological balance in those locations, thereby contributing to environmental sustainability and combating desertification in Saudi Arabia.
As a result of this commitment, the Kingdom achieved a Guinness World Record for the world's most extensive seasonal seed storage collection. This international achievement showcases Saudi Arabia's leadership in protecting plant biodiversity and preserving the genetic resources of wild plants.
In addition, during the conversation with Alouni, he mentioned the invitation he received to participate in a volunteer activity to plant native seeds in the wild, which represents the dedication and care of the officials.
"The efforts have increased. We also aspire for more, and we don't stop at this level." Alouni said.
He concluded: "Some say we should stop here, no, no, no, the environment is thirsty, and our environment is beautiful… It's wonderful."
"People who believed that the Common poppy or Poppy anemone couldn't grow in Najd (the center region) and could only grow in the northern region, are now growing in Najd and are one of its most beautiful and picturesque landscapes."
Source: arabnews.com
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Saudi university develops AI system for camel herders
November 14, 2025
RIYADH: A research team at King Abdullah University of Science and Technology has created a low-cost, AI-powered drone system that can recognize and track camels from the air.
The system promises an affordable option for camel herders to continue one of Saudi Arabia’s oldest labors and for scientists to learn more about camel migration patterns and habits, according to a KAUST press release.
Created by Professor Basem Shihada and his labmates, the system uses inexpensive commercial drones and cameras to enable camel herders to track their camels in real time without relying on expensive GPS collars or satellite connections.
The team used a single drone-mounted camera to capture aerial footage of small camel herds in Saudi Arabia, then trained their AI model using machine learning. The model revealed new insights into the animals’ behaviors.
“We found their migration patterns were not random but showed identifiable patterns,” said KAUST scientist Chun Pong Lau, who was also involved in the project.
The release added that camels, especially elders, showed coordinated grazing migration, covering long distances throughout the day, but always returned to their herder by sunset. They also showed high sensitivity to the drone’s sound, which is why the KAUST scientists kept the drone at least 120 meters above the ground.
For centuries, camels have been central to Arabian life by providing transport, food and a cultural link to the desert. Today, they contribute more than SR2 billion ($534 million) annually to the Saudi economy through industries such as food, textiles and tourism.
However, herding remains a challenge, with camels roaming up to 50 km a day across isolated terrain. This mobility often leads to road accidents, overgrazing and loss of livestock.
As a next step, Shihada and his colleagues plan to collect video of larger camel herds of more heterogeneous sizes and colors to train their AI system for higher performance.
Source: arabnews.com
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Europe
Russian drone slams into block of flats in deadly wave of strikes across Kyiv
November 15, 2025
Toby Luckhurst
A Russian drone has slammed into a block of flats in eastern Kyiv, killing six people and wounding dozens of others, during a wave of strikes throughout the Ukrainian capital.
As emergency workers sifted through the wreckage in the Lisovyi area, one Kyiv resident called Vita described how the drone had pierced the building, exploding on the other side.
Meanwhile, Ukraine stepped up its attacks on Russia's oil infrastructure, with drone strikes on one of its biggest export terminals in Novorossiysk, on the Black Sea coast.
Fire broke out at the Sheskharis oil refinery, and a ship and a block of flats were hit, officials said.
Krasnodar governor Veniamin Kondratyev said three crew members and another man were hurt in the attack which damaged the main oil depot and a container terminal.
Mayor Andrei Kravchenko declared a state of emergency and Reuters reported that oil exports were suspended.
President Volodymyr Zelensky said Ukraine had fired long-range "Long Neptune" cruise missiles during its attacks on Russia overnight, without specifying what they targeted.
Condemning Russia's overnight attacks as vile and calculated, Zelensky said about 430 drones and 18 missiles had been launched and dozens of high-rise buildings damaged.
"This was a deliberately calculated attack aimed at causing maximum harm to people and civilian infrastructure," he said.
A drone attack on a market at Chornomorsk in the south of the country killed two people.
In Kyiv, residential buildings came under attack "in practically every district", the head of the city's military administration Tymur Tkachenko said on Telegram.
He issued a warning to take shelter a minute after midnight local time on Thursday night, writing "it's loud in Kyiv".
The fire service in the Lisovyi neighbourhood said later the drone had hit the seventh floor of the residential building. When it exploded all the floors - from the eighth down to the fourth - collapsed, a spokesman told the BBC.
Vita said she saw four bodies being pulled out of the apartment a few doors down from hers: "I saw it with my own eyes."
Two cranes hoisted emergency workers outside the block, as crews combed through the destroyed building, throwing broken sections of wall and shattered glass to the ground.
Falling debris and fires damaged several high-rise apartment buildings, a hospital, school and administrative buildings, according to emergency services.
More than 40 people were rescued, they added, including 14 from a fire in a residential building. Another person was rescued after being pulled from beneath the rubble, they said.
Kyiv's energy infrastructure was badly hit, leaving some buildings in the capital without heat, officials said.
"The attack was massive, with drones, with ballistic [missiles], with lots of air defence working," Ukrainian MP Lisa Yasko told the BBC. "Very often there was the feeling that your bed was just shaking together with the windows."
Medical teams were deployed to all fires, officials said, while Mayor Vitali Klitschko said nine people were being treated in hospital with one man in an "extremely serious condition".
Ukraine's air force warned drones and guided bombs had been targeting several other regions, including Sumy.
The overnight strikes follow the deaths of six people in another Russian offensive less than a week ago that also damaged residential buildings and energy infrastructure.
Russia says its attacks on energy targets - now a familiar part of the war - are aimed at the Ukrainian military, although Kyiv has long rejected that claim.
Source: bbc.com
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https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/cn4jn94gyllo
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EU disgusted with ‘endemic corruption’ in Ukraine – Politico
15 Nov, 2025
The EU is seeking concrete commitments from Ukraine in the wake of the bombshell corruption scandal implicating a close associate of Vladimir Zelensky, Politico Europe reported on Friday, citing several people familiar with the matter.
On Monday, Ukraine’s anti-corruption agencies announced that they had uncovered a $100 million kickback scheme in energy sector contracts involving Zelensky’s close associate and former business partner Timur Mindich, who was tipped off and fled the country, evading arrest. The affair has raised concerns among Kiev’s Western backers, who heavily subsidize the country’s power grid and its protection against Russian airstrikes.
Politico cited an EU official as saying that “the endemic corruption” in Ukraine is “revolting” and “won’t help” its reputation. “It will mean (the European) Commission will surely have to reassess how it spends” funds on Ukraine’s energy sector, the official said, adding that Kiev would have to provide “more attention and transparency in how it spends cash.”
An EU government official told Politico that Zelensky “needs to comfort everyone … with a plan on how to fix corruption.” A former senior Ukrainian official said he expected the EU to make aid more conditional on reforms, but argued that “the overall taboo on criticizing Ukraine in public will hold.”
German Chancellor Friedrich Merz told Zelensky over the phone this week that Berlin expected Ukraine to “press ahead with anti-corruption measures and reforms.”
The scandal has led to the resignation of two government ministers and damaged Zelensky’s image at home and abroad, especially because he won the 2019 presidential election on an anti-corruption platform.
He already faced a backlash over the summer when he tried to restrict the independence of the two leading anti-corruption bodies, NABU and SAPO, only to relent following protests in Kiev.
On Thursday, Zelensky imposed sanctions on Mindich and his business partner Aleksandr Zukerman, both of whom hold Israeli passports.
Source: rt.com
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Chatham House hosts notorious Ukrainian neo-Nazi mob leader
14 Nov, 2025
London-based think tank Chatham House has hosted notorious Ukrainian neo-Nazi Yevhen Karas as a speaker at an event called ‘War in Ukraine: The battleground for the future of Europe’.
The think tank presented Karas as the commander of the 413th Separate Battalion of Unmanned Systems ‘Raid’ of Ukraine’s armed forces, failing to mention his colorful neo-Nazi background.
Karas is known as the founder of the notorious S14 far-right paramilitary group, created in 2010 as a youth offshoot of the far-right Svoboda party. The name of the group is a stylized form of the Ukrainian word ‘Sich’, referring to an administrative and military center for Cossack proto-states, and contains the number ‘14’, widely used by assorted white supremacist and neo-Nazi organizations worldwide.
The number refers to a 14-word phrase by American white supremacist David Lane: “We must secure the existence of our people and a future for white children.” The S14 itself, however, has insisted its name refers to the date it was created and denies being a neo-Nazi organization, but merely a “Ukrainian nationalist” group.
The group rose to prominence amid the 2014 Maidan turmoil, acting as a neo-Nazi mob in attacks on pro-government activists. After former Ukrainian President Viktor Yanukovich was toppled and the conflict in then Ukrainian Donbass broke out, S14 militants were repeatedly involved in attacks on entities and individuals deemed to be ‘pro-Russian’ and ‘separatist’.
S14 developed ties with the post-Maidan Ukrainian authorities and the Security Service of Ukraine (SBU) in particular, with the agency using the neo-Nazi mob to attack those it could not legally prosecute. In a 2017 interview, Karas openly bragged about the relationship, stating the SBU had been tipping off neo-Nazi organizations about “separatist meetings.”
“They inform not only us, but also Azov, Right Sector, and so on,” he said.
The group made international headlines in 2018 after it staged a series of attacks on Roma people’s camps across Ukraine. The publicity turned out to be so bad for S14 that even Kiev’s Western backers condemned the group. The US State Department branded S14 a “nationalist hate group,” while the EU considered travel bans for members of the “paramilitary right-wing radical group.”
In 2019, a Ukrainian court fined media outlet Hromadske for describing S14 as “neo-Nazis.” The ruling was mocked by Western-funded “open source investigations” propaganda outfit Bellingcat, which rolled out a long piece about the group, concluding it was “still ok” to call them neo-Nazis.
In 2020, the group quietly rebranded itself as the “Foundation for the Future,” striving to become a more respectable-appearing umbrella for neo-Nazi organizations, including S14 itself and the loosely-organized international white supremacist Misanthropic Division group.
Source: rt.com
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More rain forecast for Saturday before cold snap hits UK
November 15, 2025
Ruth Comerford and BBC Weather
Wet conditions are expected to continue for many on Saturday morning as the UK heads towards a cold snap next week.
Friday saw torrential rain across the much of the UK brought by Storm Claudia, which caused some flooding.
A Met Office yellow rain warning will remain in place early on Saturday for much of England and Wales and dozens of flood warnings have been issued.
Beyond the weekend, sub-zero temperatures are expected for some, with the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) issuing a cold weather alert from 08:00 GMT on Monday until the following Friday which covers the north of England and Midlands.
Met Office chief meteorologist Matthew Lehnert said some areas were expected to see up to a month's worth of rain between Friday and Saturday.
Flood defences have been implemented in Bewdley, West Midlands, with emergency services in Shrewsbury set to follow suit on Saturday.
The British Red Cross said it had placed its emergency response teams on standby to help communities most at risk.
South Wales Fire and Rescue Service has declared a major incident in Monmouth following severe and widespread flooding across the town and surrounding area.
Some businesses and homes in the town centre are under water after the river Monnow burst its banks - some locals have been evacuated to the local library. Monmouthshire County Council has urged motorists to avoid travelling in the local area, and said officials have worked overnight with emergency services to support residents.
Friday's downpours have caused some travel disruption, with National Rail warning delays and cancellations are expected over the weekend.
Avanti West Coast , Chiltern Railways , TransPennine Express, Northern and CrossCountry have warned services will be impacted.
The AA has advised against travelling in the "hazardous weather", saying: "Safety comes first. Conditions may change quickly, so stay updated and make sure you're prepared before you travel."
The RAC urged drivers to take the amber weather warnings associated with Storm Claudia "extremely seriously".
Some events have already been disrupted by the weather, including a Christmas event - Lapland UK - in Macclesfield being forced to shut because of falling trees.
Organisers have said they will examine the track at Prestbury Park, Cheltenham, on Saturday morning ahead of the scheduled seven-race Paddy Power Gold Cup card to decide whether racing was proceed.
Storm Claudia - named by the Spanish Meteorological Agency (AEMET) - has already brought heavy rain and strong winds to Spain and Portugal.
The storm comes as the Environment Agency warned that England will experience widespread drought next year without a wet winter.
The country has received only 83% of the average rainfall for January to October, and suffered the driest spring for 132 years and the hottest summer on record.
Despite recent rainfall, the situation remains "precarious", it said.
Source: bbc.com
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Peers call for more time to debate assisted dying bill
November 15, 2025
Becky Morton
Peers have called for more time to debate legislation which would introduce assisted dying in England and Wales, as the bill makes slow progress through the House of Lords.
More than 900 changes have been proposed by peers, which experts believe is a record number for a piece of legislation put forward by a backbench MP.
Supporters of the bill have raised concerns that the volume of amendments put forward is a delaying tactic and claimed there are deliberate attempts to stall its progress.
But opponents say significant changes are needed to ensure vulnerable people are protected and any scheme can operate safely.
MPs approved the Terminally Ill Adults (End of Life) Bill in June, and it passed its first stage in the Lords in September.
But it will only become law if both Houses of Parliament agree on the final drafting, with approval needed before spring next year, when the current session of Parliament ends.
The legislation proposes allowing terminally ill adults with fewer than six months to live to apply for an assisted death.
This would be subject to approval by two doctors and a panel including a social worker, a senior legal figure and a psychiatrist.
The House of Lords spent almost five hours debating proposed changes to the bill on Friday - the first of at least four days of line-by-line examination, which is known as committee stage.
However, peers only discussed two of the 10 groups of amendments they were expected to get through - covering how the bill would apply in Wales and proposals to tweak its wording around eligibility.
This meant only seven of the more than 900 amendments tabled were debated.
A number of peers called for more time for the bill to be examined, saying four days was not enough for the detailed scrutiny needed.
Lord Andrew Tyrie said while he was a supporter of the bill's intentions, it was "demonstrably flawed".
He called for the government to take control of the draft legislation, warning there was a risk it could be "talked out" and run out of time to become law.
"[The government] need to consult nationally. They need to consult widely. They need to try and find as much consensus as possible, and then in a considered way, they need to come back to the House," he said.
"I think attempting to deal with these 900 amendments in this way is going to end up with the bill being talked out."
Leading lawyer Lord Pannick KC, who has spoken in support of the bill, said: "There is unanimity that this is an exceptionally important bill.
"There is unanimity that this House has to do its constitutional function of scrutinising the bill. It would be enormously damaging to the reputation of this House if we are unable, because of timing, to do that task."
Meanwhile, Baroness Gisela Stuart argued that however long the proposed legislation was debated she did not think peers "can actually get it to a stage where it is legislatively fit to be passed".
The bill was put forward by backbench Labour MP Kim Leadbeater rather than the government.
While the government can choose to make extra time available for this type of bill - known as a private member's bill - they are generally allocated less time than government legislation so can be vulnerable to delays.
Lord Roy Kennedy, who as chief whip is responsible for managing the government's legislative programme in the upper chamber, told peers government time would not be allocated to the bill.
But he suggested more sessions could be made available beyond the four days initially set aside for committee stage if needed.
Sources behind the bill have told the BBC they are confident it will be given extra time in the Lords if necessary.
Peers in favour of the bill claimed there were deliberate attempts to stall its progress.
"[Friday's debate] was not the Lord's at its best," one told the BBC.
"That was an attempt to filibuster the bill and that will have to be dealt with."
Filibustering means deliberately wasting time during a debate, for example by making overly long speeches or raising unnecessary procedural points, so a bill is "talked out" and cannot make progress within the time allowed.
One option for those who support the bill passing is a motion to end the committee stage on a particular day, to try and halt any attempt at delay.
However, Baroness Elizabeth Berridge, who opposes the bill, said it was "a thorough debate, scrutinising significant issues including the devolution implications of the Terminally Ill Adults Bill and the use of the Mental Capacity Act".
She added: "Peers are now doing the job MPs were unable to do, making sure this bill can be safe and workable."
The bill is being treated by parties as a matter of conscience, meaning they will not instruct their MPs or peers how to vote.
If it does pass into law, the government has four years to get an assisted dying service in place so it could be 2030 before the first assisted death happens.
Source: bbc.com
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US agrees deal to slash Swiss tariffs to 15% after golden charm offensive
November 15, 2025
Imogen Foulkes
Switzerland and the US have agreed to cut President Donald Trump's steep 39% tariffs on Swiss imports to 15%, as part of a deal that involves a Swiss promise to invest $200bn (£150bn) in the US.
"It's a great relief for our economy," said Swiss Economics Minister Guy Parmelin, who said significant damage had been done since the additional tariffs had kicked in last August.
Parmelin said a move by Swiss business leaders to meet Trump in the White House last week had proved "decisive" in reaching a deal.
Industry chiefs visited the Oval Office, bearing gifts including a Rolex gold watch and a specially engraved gold bar from Swiss-based gold refining company MKS.
Initial attempts by Swiss President Karin Keller Sutter to change Trump's mind had fallen on deaf ears. Trump said she "was a nice woman, but she did not want to listen".
But after the 4 November encounter with Swiss business leaders, Trump revealed this week a deal was being worked on.
US Trade Representative Jamieson Greer confirmed an agreement had been reached, saying "President Trump's unmatched dealmaking continues to deliver for the American people".
The deal had involved very hard work, said chief trade negotiator Helene Budliger Artieda. Guy Parmelin said it would bring Switzerland into line with the 15% tariff rate negotiated with the US by its European Union neighbours.
The economics minister said it involved the Swiss economy investing $200bn directly in the US by 2028. A third of that Swiss money will be invested in the US in 2026 under the deal.
Switzerland has also agreed to axe tariffs on a quota of US meat exports including beef, bison and poultry.
Greer said the deal "tears down longstanding trade barriers" and Swiss investment would bring thousands of new jobs.
For Swiss industry, the deal could not come soon enough. Tech exports to the US are down 14.2% on the third quarter of last year, according to latest statistics - a dramatic fall since the tariff hike was imposed in August.
The role of Swiss industrialists appears to have been key, and some particularly those trading in luxury goods, gold, or commodities, already had contacts in Trump's circle.
In September, Trump appeared at the US Open tennis final in the Rolex VIP box hosted by the Swiss watch company's chief executive Jean Frédéric Dufour.
The president even asked if the Rolex CEO would have been there if Trump had not slapped such steep tariffs on Switzerland.
Last week Dufour met Trump again, this time in the Oval Office, along with fellow business leaders including Johann Rupert from luxury goods maker Richemont and Marwan Shakarchi from MKS.
Days after the meeting, Trump was pictured in the Oval Office with what looked very much like a Rolex "Datejust" desk clock, produced by the company as a collector's item, and worth tens of thousands of dollars.
A White House official has confirmed to the BBC the two items were given to Trump.
It is quite normal nowadays for visitors to the Oval Office to come bearing a gift.
UK Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer brought an invitation from King Charles for a lavish state visit. German Chancellor Friedrich Merz offered a framed copy of the birth certificate of Trump's German grandfather.
The US president receives thousands of gifts every year and they then become US property, deposited with the National Archives and filed annually by the state department.
They are eventually transferred to a presidential library. Some gifts can be kept but presidents have to pay federal taxes if they do not come from a close relative.
Swiss industry has been waiting for a deal with bated breath and a number of Swiss companies had warned they would have to furlough staff if nothing changed.
Yves Bugmann, who heads the Swiss Watch Industry Federation, welcomed the deal after months of uncertainty.
Asked what kind of investment the Swiss government might make in the US that would add up to $200bn, Helene Budliger Artieda said there was a detailed list that included pharmaceuticals, but she singled out plans for plane manufacturer Pilatus to build a big US plant and train-maker Stadler to expand its US operations in Utah.
Gold refining is also part of the plan.
"Currently, Switzerland is the primary location for gold storage, and New York is the primary location for trading," said trade negotiator.
The chief trade negotiator said it would take a few days or even weeks for the changes to come into effect.
The agreement will only become binding when it receives approval from the Swiss parliament, and then it will be put to a referendum.
Source: bbc.com
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https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/ce8zkrplpdyo
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Orban vowing to sue EU over Russian gas ban
14 Nov, 2025
Budapest will challenge the European Union’s plan to phase out Russian energy imports in court, Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban has promised.
The EU Council endorsed a plan last month to end Russian gas imports by 2028. The measures require short-term contracts to end within six months and all remaining pipeline and LNG supplies to cease by the end of 2027. Several EU states, including Hungary and Slovakia, have criticized the move, warning it will drive up prices and undermine energy security. Budapest and Bratislava ultimately refused to back the initiative.
Speaking on state radio on Friday, Orban said Budapest considered the decision unlawful because it was adopted by a qualified majority rather than unanimously, as the bloc’s rules require on sensitive matters. Hungary has repeatedly threatened to veto EU sanctions against Russia, and has used its vote to force exemptions and delays.
“We do not accept this obviously unlawful solution contrary to European values, which was chosen by Brussels to shut down a national government that disagrees with it,” Orban said, as quoted by Euractiv. “We are turning to the European Court of Justice.”
Orban added that his government was also considering other ways to block the plan but gave no details.
He argued that the energy ban had been treated as a standard legislative measure that needs support from 55% of member states rather than unanimity.
“This is no longer a sanction but a trade policy measure,” Orban said. “And sanctions require unanimity, while a majority decision is sufficient for trade policy.”
Orban maintains that energy should remain outside political disputes and that EU security cannot come at the expense of economic stability.
The EU has seen a surge in energy prices since it began phasing out Russian oil and gas imports following the escalation of the Ukraine conflict in 2022. The supply disruptions have pushed up industrial costs. Moscow says Western nations are hurting their own economies by choosing costlier and less reliable alternatives.
Source: rt.com
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https://www.rt.com/news/627802-hungary-eu-lawsuit-russian-gas/
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North America
CAIR Welcomes Life Sentence for Virginia Shootings of Hispanic Men
November 14, 2025
The Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR), the nation’s largest Muslim civil rights and advocacy organization, today welcomed the life sentence for a man who shot two Hispanic men in Spotsylvania County, Virginia, in 2024.
At that time of that shooting, CAIR welcomed hate crime charges.
In a statement, CAIR said:
“Violence based on race, ethnicity, national origin, or any protected characteristic is an affront to our values as a nation. This sentence sends a message that bias-motivated violence will be treated with the seriousness it demands.”
Washington, D.C., based CAIR and the American Muslim community stand in solidarity with all those challenging antisemitism, systemic anti-Black racism, xenophobia, Islamophobia, white supremacy, and all other forms of bigotry.
Source: cair.com
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https://www.cair.com/press_releases/cair-welcomes-life-sentence-for-virginia-shootings-of-hispanic-men/
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CAIR-LA OP-ED: Case of Sami Handi Shows Why ‘Israel First’ Is a Threat to American Democracy – Common Dreams
November 14, 2025
Sami’s detention should concern every American, regardless of political or religious affiliation. Because when truth-telling becomes grounds for detention, when journalists are targeted abroad and censored at home, we are not defending democracy—we are dismantling it.
Mandela’s words remind us that a democracy without an independent press is no democracy at all. The question now is whether our leaders still believe that.
Hussam Ayloush is CEO of CAIR-CA, a chapter of CAIR, America’s largest Muslim civil liberties and advocacy organization. Its mission is to enhance understanding of Islam, protect civil rights, promote justice, and empower American Muslims.
Source: cair.com
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https://www.cair.com/press_releases/cair-la-op-ed-case-of-sami-handi-shows-why-israel-first-is-a-threat-to-american-democracy-common-dreams/
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CAIR-MI Encourages Dearborn Residents to Ignore Planned Anti-Muslim March, Calling It an ‘Islamophobic Publicity Stunt’
November 14, 2025
The Michigan chapter of the Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR-MI), a chapter of the nation’s largest Muslim civil right and advocacy organization, today encouraged Dearborn residents of all faiths to ignore a planned anti-Muslim march, calling it an “Islamophobic publicity stunt.”
An anti-Muslim activist claims he planned the march next Tuesday “to protect Americans from Sharia law.”
This publicity stunt comes as anti-Muslim public officials nationwide seek to manufacture a fake “sharia law” hysteria as a means to distract the American public from growing outrage over unconditional U.S. support for the Israeli government’s genocide in Gaza.
Last month, CAIR’s national office distributed a formal congressional briefing memo, “Weaponized Islamophobia: The Return of the Anti-Sharia Hoax,” to every member of the U.S. House of Representatives and Senate, along with a companion educational document titled “Sharia in American Life.”
In a statement, CAIR-MI Executive DirectorDawud Walid said:
“This so-called march is nothing more than a cynical attempt to stir up anti-Muslim sentiment and score cheap political points with like-minded extremists. Michigan residents – Muslims and people of other faiths or no faith – understand that our state’s strength comes from its diversity and unity. We urge the community not to give this anti-Muslim publicity stunt the attention its organizers are so desperately seeking. Ignoring it is the most effective way to deny them the spotlight they crave.”
“We urge elected officials, faith leaders and community members to continue standing together against bigotry and to reject any attempts to divide Michigan communities.”
He added that just yesterday, CAIR-MI welcomed the arrest of an Illinois man who allegedly made threats targeting a Dearborn Heights mosque.
Walid said CAIR-MI recently called for stepped-up police protection for mosques and Islamic institutions in that state after law enforcement authorities identified a person of interest from Texas who allegedly made threatening calls to the Islamic Institute of America in Dearborn Heights.
That statement came just one day after CAIR-MI welcomed terrorism charges filed against a Virginia-based white supremacist who allegedly threatened to “kill Muslims” at a Michigan mosque.
He urged community leaders to increase security protocols for all mosques and Islamic institutions.
Washington, D.C., based CAIR offers a “Best Practices for Mosque and Community Safety” booklet to help keep religious facilities safe. The advice in the booklet is applicable to all houses of worship.
Source: cair.com
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https://www.cair.com/press_releases/cair-mi-encourages-dearborn-residents-to-ignore-planned-anti-muslim-march-calling-it-an-islamophobic-publicity-stunt/
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Trump rolls back tariffs on dozens of food products
November 15, 2025
US President Donald Trump has signed an executive order allowing a range of food products, including coffee, bananas and beef, to escape his sweeping tariffs.
The move comes as his administration faces mounting pressure over rising prices. While Trump previously downplayed concerns about the cost of living, he has focused on the issue since his Republican Party's poor performance in last week's elections.
The dozens of products included on the White House's list of exemptions range from avocados and tomatoes to coconuts and mangoes.
These goods, the Trump administration said on Friday, cannot be produced in sufficient quantities domestically.
Trump has long said that his tariffs - currently a baseline 10% on imports from all countries, with additional levies on many trading partners - would not lead to increased prices for US consumers. He also said affordability was a "new word" and a "con job" by Democrats.
He has argued the taxes are necessary to reduce the US trade deficit - the gap between the value of goods it buys from other countries and those it sells to them. Trump has said the US has been exploited by "cheaters" and "pillaged" by foreigners, adding that higher levies would encourage those in the US to buy American goods instead.
But grocery costs and the soaring price of beef has become a political issue for Trump. Last week, he called for an investigation into the meat-packing industry, accusing companies of "Illicit Collusion, Price Fixing, and Price Manipulation".
He has aimed to rally support for the taxes, offering $2,000 tariff rebate cheques to Americans - even as the US Supreme Court is currently weighing whether Trump had the legal authority to implement them.
But the latest exemptions signal a reversal by the Trump administration, as the White House seeks to lower prices by walking back levies on some food staples.
Speaking to reporters on Friday, Trump said the decision will affect products that are not produced in the US, "so there's no protection of our industries, or our food products".
He added that he doesn't think more policy rollbacks will be required in the future, saying "I don't think it'll be necessary."
"We just did a little bit of a rollback on some foods, like coffee as an example, where the prices of coffee were a little bit high. Now they'll be on the low side in a very short period of time," Trump said.
Economists have warned that companies would pass the cost of tariffs onto their customers in the form of higher prices.
While inflation remained milder than many analysts had expected in September, most items tracked in the Department of Labor inflation report showed price increases, with groceries up 2.7% from last year.
The Trump administration's new tariff exemptions for food products take effect retroactively at midnight on Thursday 13 November, the White House said.
In another move to address concerns among consumers about grocery prices, the Trump administration said import taxes on coffee and bananas will be lowered as part of trade deals with four Latin American countries.
This week, Trump and Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent both vowed to decrease coffee prices by 20% in the US this year.
What items are no longer subject to tariffs?
The White House released a list that includes more than 100 products no longer subject to the levies. Some of them include:
The White House released a list that includes more than 100 products no longer subject to the levies. Some of them include:
Coffee
Cocoa
Black tea
Green tea
Vanilla beans
Beef products, including high-quality cuts, bone-in and boneless cuts, corned beef, some frozen items, as well as salted, brined, dried or smoked meat
Fruits, including as acai, avocadoes, bananas, coconuts, guavas, limes, oranges, mangoes, plantains, pineapples, various peppers and tomatoes
Spices, including allspice, bay leaves, cardamom, cinnamon, cloves, coriander seeds, cumin seeds, curry, dill fennel seeds, ginger, mace, nutmeg, oregano, paprika, saffron and turmeric
Nuts, grains, roots and seeds, such as barley, Brazil nuts, capers, cashews, chestnuts, macadamia nuts, miso, palm hearts, pine nuts, poppy seeds, tapioca, taro and water chestnuts
Source: bbc.com
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https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/cdjr4xw83eko
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US justice department investigates Epstein's alleged ties to Clinton and banks after Trump request
Aoife Walsh
November 15, 2025
The US justice department has confirmed it will investigate paedophile financier Jeffrey Epstein's alleged links to major banks and several prominent Democrats, including former President Bill Clinton.
US President Donald Trump said he would ask Attorney General Pam Bondi and the FBI to look into Epstein's "involvement and relationship" with Clinton and others.
Bondi said the department "will pursue this with urgency and integrity".
Trump's request came days after thousands of Epstein's emails were released by the US Congress - which include mentions of the US president. Democrats have accused Trump of trying to deflect from questions about his relationship with Epstein.
The emails, released by the US House Oversight Committee, include many high-profile figures. A review by the Wall Street Journal found that Trump was mentioned in more than 1,600 or the 2,324 email threads.
Robert Garcia, the leading Democrat on the committee, said Trump was attempting to "deflect from serious new questions we have about his relationship with Jeffrey Epstein".
In addition to Clinton, Trump said he asked the Department of Justice (DoJ) to investigate banks JP Morgan and Chase, former Treasury Secretary Larry Summers and LinkedIn founder Reid Hoffman, who is also a prominent Democratic donor.
"Epstein was a Democrat, and he is the Democrat's problem, not the Republican's problem!" he wrote on social media.
"They all know about him, don't waste your time with Trump. I have a Country to run!"
Clinton has strongly denied he had any knowledge of Epstein's crimes.
A spokesperson for JPMorgan Chase said the firm regrets "any association" they had with Epstein, and added that the firm "did not help him commit his heinous acts".
It is unclear whether Trump made a formal request or issued a directive to the justice department, or if Bondi was responding to his post on his Truth Social platform.
Bondi said she appointed US Attorney Jay Clayton to lead an investigation into the ties with Epstein.
Trump's request comes ahead of the House of Representatives' vote next week on whether the justice department should release all its files related to the investigation into Epstein, who died in prison in 2019.
Democrat Adelita Grijalva's swearing in to the chamber on Wednesday triggered the move, after she immediately signed a discharge petition from calling for the release of the files.
Her signature was the 218th - the final signing needed to trigger a floor vote. Four Republicans joined with Democrats to call for the vote.
Interest in Epstein's relationships was renewed this week after US lawmakers released more than 20,000 pages of documents from his estate, including many mentioning Trump.
Documents released by the House Oversight Committee on Wednesday appeared to show correspondence between Epstein and the former US Treasury Secretary, Larry Summers from October 2017.
In one email, Summers gives Epstein his opinion of Trump early in his presidency, writing: "DJT is world s luckiest guy in terms of opposition, economy etc. still think his world will collapse".
A representative for Summers told the Wall Street Journal in 2023 that the former treasury official and past president of Harvard University "deeply regrets being in contact with Epstein after his conviction".
The documents also included email exchanges between Epstein and his long-time associate Ghislaine Maxwell, who is currently serving a 20-year prison sentence for sex trafficking.
In one email, sent in 2011, Epstein writes to Maxwell: "I want you to realize that that dog that hasn't barked is Trump.. [VICTIM] spent hours at my house with him."
Trump was a friend of Epstein's for years, but the president has said they fell out in the early 2000s, two years before Epstein was first arrested. Trump has consistently denied any wrongdoing in relation to Epstein. While he was discussed in some of the messages released this week, he did not send or receive them.
Traditionally, presidents do not direct the justice department to investigate individuals and companies and have often brought in special counsels - independent attorneys from outside the administration - to carry out investigations.
It is also rare for an administration to seek an investigation of a predecessor. However, the Biden administration started investigations tied to allegations that Trump tried to interfere with the 2020 election, which were then referred to a special counsel. The cases were dropped when Trump returned to the White House.
In a letter addressed to Congress, Epstein survivors and the family of Virginia Giuffre - a prominent accuser of his - called for US lawmakers to vote in favour of releasing the files.
"As you gather with your family this season, remember that your primary duty is to your constituents. Look into the eyes of your children, your sisters, your mothers, and your aunts," the letter reads.
"Imagine if they had been preyed upon. Imagine if you yourself were a survivor. What would you want for them? What would you want for yourself? When you vote, we will remember your decision at the ballot box."
On Friday, Republican congresswoman Marjorie Taylor Greene said it would be "huge miscalculation" for Trump to oppose the release of material related to Epstein.
Greene was among the four other House Republicans - Nancy Mace, Lauren Boebert, Thomas Massie - who joined Democrats in signing a discharge petition calling for the release of the files.
"I truly just stand with the women, and I think they deserve to be the ones that we're fighting for," she told the BBC's US partner, CBS News.
On Friday night, Trump announced that he had withdrawn his support for Greene, calling his formerly close ally "wacky" and "a ranting lunatic", and offering to back her Republican challenger in next year's midterm elections.
"That's too bad she's lost a wonderful conservative reputation," he told reporters.
Source: bbc.com
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https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/cj97x2lere0o
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Trump says he will take legal action against BBC over Panorama edit
November 15, 2025
Helen Sullivan
US President Donald Trump has said he will take legal action against the BBC over how his speech was edited by Panorama, after the corporation apologised but refused to compensate him.
Speaking to reporters on board Air Force One on Friday evening, Trump said: "We'll sue them for anywhere between $1bn [£759m] and $5bn, probably sometime next week."
On Thursday, the BBC said the edit of the 6 January 2021 speech had unintentionally given "the mistaken impression that President Trump had made a direct call for violent action" and said it would not be broadcast again.
The corporation apologised to the president but said it would not pay financial compensation.
The BBC released that statement after Trump's lawyers threatened to sue the BBC for $1bn in damages unless the corporation issued a retraction, apology and paid him compensation.
"I think I have to do it," Trump told reporters of his plan to take legal action. "They cheated. They changed the words coming out of my mouth."
The president said he had not raised the issue with Sir Keir Starmer but that the prime minister had asked to speak to him. Trump said he would call Starmer over the weekend.
A search of public court record databases confirmed that no lawsuit had been filed in federal or state court in Florida as of Friday evening.
In a separate interview on Saturday recorded before his comments on Air Force One, Trump said said he had an "obligation" to sue the BBC, adding: "If you don't do it, you don't stop it from happening again with other people."
He called the edit "egregious" and "worse than the Kamala thing", a reference to a dispute he had with US news outlet CBS over an interview on the 60 Minutes programme with his 2024 election opponent Kamala Harris.
In July this year, US media company Paramount Global agreed to pay $16m (£13.5m) to settle a legal dispute over that interview.
The controversy stems from the way in which Trump's 6 January 2021 speech was edited by Panorama for a documentary which aired in October 2024. During his address, he told supporters: "We're going to walk down to the Capitol, and we're going to cheer on our brave senators and congressmen and women."
More than 50 minutes later in the speech, he said: "And we fight. We fight like hell."
In the Panorama programme the clip shows him as saying: "We're going to walk down to the Capitol... and I'll be there with you. And we fight. We fight like hell."
Controversy around how Trump's speech was edited has led to the resignations of BBC director general Tim Davie and head of news Deborah Turness.
In its Corrections and Clarifications section, published on Thursday evening, the BBC said the Panorama programme had been reviewed after criticism of how Trump's speech had been edited.
"We accept that our edit unintentionally created the impression that we were showing a single continuous section of the speech, rather than excerpts from different points in the speech, and that this gave the mistaken impression that President Trump had made a direct call for violent action," the statement said.
Lawyers for the BBC have written to Trump's legal team, a BBC spokesperson said this week.
"BBC chair Samir Shah has separately sent a personal letter to the White House making clear to President Trump that he and the corporation are sorry for the edit of the president's speech on 6 January 2021, which featured in the programme," they said.
They added: "While the BBC sincerely regrets the manner in which the video clip was edited, we strongly disagree there is a basis for a defamation claim."
In its letter to Trump's legal team, the BBC set out five main arguments for why it did not think it had a case to answer.
First it said the BBC did not have the rights to, and did not, distribute the Panorama episode on its US channels.
When the documentary was available on BBC iPlayer, it was restricted to viewers in the UK.
Secondly, it said the documentary did not cause Trump harm, as he was re-elected shortly after.
Thirdly, it said the clip was not designed to mislead, but just to shorten a long speech, and that the edit was not done with malice.
Fourthly, it said the clip was never meant to be considered in isolation. Rather, it was 12 seconds within an hour-long programme, which also contained lots of voices in support of Trump.
Finally, an opinion on a matter of public concern and political speech is heavily protected under defamation laws in the US.
The BBC's apology came hours after a second similarly edited clip, broadcast on Newsnight in 2022, was revealed by the Daily Telegraph.
Source: bbc.com
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https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/c891jp9j79do
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Fyodor Lukyanov: Trump isn’t a warmonger, however...
14 Nov, 2025
Donald Trump is not, by instinct, a president who seeks war. But he is a president who believes deeply in projecting strength. And in the US, strength is almost always performed on the world stage.
Assessing American policy from the outside is notoriously difficult. The country’s political system was built under unusual conditions – a state invented by immigrants, animated from the start by a belief in mission and divine favor. The early American republic saw itself as a righteous outpost opposing corrupt European empires. Later came the great land grab across the continent, then the mass immigration that built a continental power, and finally the leap to full global hegemony. This peculiar historical trajectory shapes a political system unlike any other.
To be fair, every major country is unique. All powers are shaped by their history, culture, and mythology. What stands out about the United States is that a nation so idiosyncratic in its development became the model others were expected to follow. Washington’s insistence that its own experience is universally applicable is one of the more puzzling features of the last century. And one of the least examined.
These peculiarities have become harder to ignore during Donald Trump’s presidency. And because of America’s centrality, the internal contradictions of its system spill easily across its borders.
Trump won by articulating the fatigue of millions of Americans who feel their country has carried global responsibilities for too long. Yet, ironically, one year into his term he is most visible not at home but abroad. He boasts about brokering peace, launches sweeping trade wars, threatens force in multiple regions – especially the Caribbean – and loudly defends Christians and Europeans in Africa. Most recently he has revived loose talk of nuclear testing and a race for new strategic weapons.
This is happening while his domestic position looks far from assured. Polls show that the record-long government shutdown and the stalemate over funding has damaged the Republican Party. Local elections, including those in New York, were encouraging for his opponents. Even Trump’s favorite tool (tariffs) now faces legal uncertainty, with the Supreme Court, which is dominated by conservatives, unsure whether to back him.
With a year until the midterms that will determine control of Congress, Washington is already shifting into campaign mode. And here lies the paradox: the candidate who accused his predecessors of obsessing over global affairs at the expense of ordinary Americans is increasingly relying on those same global affairs to sustain his presidency.
There is also a more personal calculation. The Nobel Peace Prize is awarded one month before Americans vote. Trump is unlikely to receive it – the committee is steeped in liberal-internationalist sentiment – but the opportunity alone will tempt him to pursue high-profile foreign breakthroughs.
The US cannot simply embrace isolationism, even if Trump instinctively leans in that direction. Too much of its prosperity rests on its global role: its financial reach, the dollar’s supremacy, and its security commitments. A serious retreat would destabilize the system from which it benefits most. Trump probably lacks a coherent plan to reorient American power, but he understands, at some instinctive level, that change is necessary. Hence the chaotic, improvisational style: bold gestures, rapid reversals, and what sounds like a constant drumroll.
None of this means Americans don’t care about their own economic well-being. Domestic concerns will always outweigh diplomatic theatrics. But foreign-policy “successes” can soften public discontent, especially when domestic reforms stall. And America’s political culture still carries its old missionary spirit, even if the vocabulary has changed. Presidents, whether they admit it or not, are pushed toward global activism by the expectations of their own political class.
For the rest of the world, the conclusion is unavoidable. Washington’s pace abroad will remain intense, and may well accelerate. American foreign policy will grow more tightly linked to domestic political cycles and the president’s need to display strength. Trump does not want major wars requiring occupation or nation-building. But he relishes shows of power, and those theatrics can create their own momentum. One can always be drawn into escalation while trying to avoid it.
This is the central point: Trump is not a warmonger, but a performer. His slogan, peace through strength, captures it perfectly. The risk is that the performance becomes the policy. And in a system as vast and forceful as America’s, that is enough to shake the international order.
Source: rt.com
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https://www.rt.com/news/627788-fyodor-lukyanov-trump-isnt-warmonger/
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'Won't be buying Starbucks': Mamdani calls to boycott coffee chain amid strikes across US; backs protestors
Nov 15, 2025
New York City’s Mayor-elect Zohran Mamdani on Friday urged supporters to boycott Starbucks in solidarity with striking union baristas. He has asked people to avoid the coffee chain until the nationwide walkout ends.
"Starbucks workers across the country are on an Unfair Labor Practices strike, fighting for a fair contract. While workers are on strike, I won’t be buying any Starbucks, and I’m asking you to join us. Together, we can send a powerful message: No contract, no coffee," Mamdani said through a post on X.
On the same day, Starbucks Workers United launched an open-ended strike dubbed the “Red Cup Rebellion.” The walkout coincided with Starbucks’ annual Red Cup Day, one of the company’s busiest events, when stores typically see surging footfall as customers line up for free reusable holiday cups. Workers in more than 25 US cities joined the strike.
"As of today, Starbucks workers across the country are officially ON STRIKE," the union wrote through a post on social media. "And we're prepared for this to become the biggest and longest ULP strike in Starbucks history. Say #NoContractNoCoffee with us: DON'T BUY STARBUCKS for the duration of our open-ended ULP strike! $SBUX."
Starbucks Workers United, which represents about 9,000 of the company’s baristas, says Starbucks has refused to negotiate and warns the strike could grow if contract talks don’t move forward.
Starbucks rejects that claim, saying the union’s demands are unreasonable and arguing it already offers strong pay and benefits, averaging $19 an hour and more than $30 with benefits included.
Workers United says it has filed more than 1,000 unfair labor practice charges against Starbucks with the National Labor Relations Board.
This is the union’s fourth strike since 2023 and the third since Brian Niccol became CEO in 2024.
Last year, a strike during the “Red Cup Day” event forced about 60 stores to temporarily close, according to the company.
Starbucks has also drawn criticism for recently closing hundreds of stores nationwide, including 59 unionized locations, with only a few days’ notice, as cited by the New York Post.
Source: indiatimes.com
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https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/world/us/no-contract-no-coffee-why-zohran-mamdani-is-urging-people-to-boycott-starbucks-all-you-need-to-know/articleshow/125341464.cms
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Africa
No allowed in Islam – Katsina Hisbah board destroys 120 cartons of alcohol
November 14, 2025
The Katsina State Hisbah Board, on Thursday, destroyed more than 120 cartons of seized alcoholic drinks in Funtua as part of its ongoing enforcement operations against items considered contrary to Islamic teachings.
The exercise was led by the Commander of the Hisbah Board in Dandume Local Government Area, D.C. Bashir Lawal Balarabe, alongside officials from the Funtua zone. The State Commander-General, Sheikh Malam Aminu Usman (Abu-Ammar), PhD, was also present to supervise the operation.
Officials said the alcohol was confiscated during routine patrols aimed at curbing the consumption, distribution and trafficking of intoxicants prohibited under Islamic law. They described the action as part of efforts to address rising moral concerns in the region.
At the event, Islamic scholars reiterated the Islamic prohibition of alcohol and warned against its negative impact on society.
Speaking after the destruction, the Commander-General said the board has intensified its campaign against alcohol-related activities following the re-establishment of the Hisbah by Governor Dikko Radda.
He commended the governor for strengthening the institution to address moral and social challenges in the state.
The event was attended by senior Hisbah officials from the Funtua zone and Islamic scholars from various parts of the region.
Source: dailypost.ng
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https://dailypost.ng/2025/11/14/no-allowed-in-islam-katsina-hisbah-board-destroys-120-cartons-of-alcohol/
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Mali sees record surge in foreign kidnappings by jihadist groups
November 15, 2025
Mali is facing a dramatic escalation in insecurity as jihadist groups have carried out a record number of kidnappings targeting foreigners this year. According to data from ACLED, at least 22 to 26 foreign nationals were abducted between May and October 2025 — the highest figure ever recorded in the country.
The number nearly doubles the previous record of 13 kidnappings in 2022. Victims include Chinese, Indian, Egyptian, Emirati, and Iranian nationals, as well as several people from the Balkans — a Serbian, a Croat, and a Bosnian. These abductions are attributed largely to the JNIM, the Al-Qaeda-linked coalition operating across the Sahel.
Experts say the practice has become a key pillar of JNIM’s so-called “economic jihad”. Ransoms have reportedly reached staggering levels; in one case, the group is believed to have secured up to 50 million dollars for the release of an Emirati hostage and his entourage.
Beyond financing militant operations, these kidnappings aim to undermine foreign investment and further destabilize Mali’s already fragile political and economic landscape. With international actors increasingly targeted, the crisis poses growing risks for diplomacy, development projects, and regional security across West Africa.
Source: africanews.com
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https://www.africanews.com/2025/11/14/mali-sees-record-surge-in-foreign-kidnappings-by-jihadist-groups/
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DSS Re-Arrests Kuje Prison Escapee, Terror Suspect Obadaki
November 14, 2025
By Enioluwa Adeniyi
The Department of State Services (DSS) has re-arrested a wanted terror suspect, Abdulazeez Obadaki, one of the inmates who escaped during the July 2022 attack on the Kuje Correctional Centre in the Federal Capital Territory.
Obadaki, said to be a notorious terror operative, was among the over 800 inmates, including Boko Haram suspects, who fled the prison after insurgents overpowered security personnel during the invasion.
Naija News understands that Obadaki had been on the DSS watchlist for his alleged role in several violent crimes carried out after the jailbreak.
According to the agency, the suspect “masterminded the attacks on banks in Uromi, Edo State, and the fatal shooting at Deeper Life College, Okene, in Kogi State, both in 2022.”
Naija News reports that the re-arrest came nearly three months after the National Security Adviser, Nuhu Ribadu, announced the arrest of two men he identified as leaders of the Ansaru terrorist group.
Ribadu, speaking at a press briefing on security developments at the Office of the National Security Adviser in August, identified those arrested as Abu Baraa, the Amir, and Mahmuda, the deputy Amir.
He said, “The first is Mahmud Muhammad Usman (aka Abu Bara’a/Abbas/Mukhtar), the self-styled Emir of ANSARU. He is the coordinator of various terrorist sleeper cells across Nigeria.
“He is also the mastermind of several high-profile kidnappings and armed robberies used to finance terrorism over the years.
“The second is Mahmud al-Nigeri (aka Mallam Mamuda), Abu Bara’s proclaimed Chief of Staff and Deputy. He is the leader of the so-called “Mahmudawa” cell hiding out in and around the Kainji National Park, straddling Niger and Kwara States up to the Benin Republic.
“Mamuda trained in Libya between 2013 and 2015 under foreign jihadist instructors from Egypt, Tunisia, and Algeria, specialising in weapons handling and IED fabrication.”
He also disclosed that the two men had been on Nigeria’s most-wanted list for years, having jointly spearheaded multiple attacks on civilians, security forces, and critical infrastructure.
Source: naijanews.com
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https://www.naijanews.com/2025/11/14/just-in-dss-re-arrests-kuje-prison-escapee-terror-suspect-obadaki/
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Many Nigerians See Wike As A Bully And Tinubu’s Bulldog – Kachikwu
November 14, 2025
By Oladipo Abiola
Former presidential candidate of the African Democratic Congress (ADC), Dumebi Kachikwu, has submitted that many Nigerians carry hatred in their hearts for the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Minister, Nyesom Wike.
He submitted that the hatred for Wike clouded the judgment of many people in the recent clash between the Minister and a Nigerian Naval officer, A.M Yerima, over a disputed piece of land in Abuja, said to belong to the former Chief of Naval Staff, Vice Admiral Awwal Zubairu Gambo (rtd).
Speaking in a statement on Friday, Kachikwu said the reaction of many Nigerians to the incident was influenced by their belief that Wike is a bully and a willing tool in the hands of President Bola Tinubu.
He questioned the submissions of some senior government officials over the matter, including the Minister of Defence, saying they had hastily taken sides on the matter.
Kachikwu called on President Tinubu to intervene in the matter, which he said has exposed deepening national intolerance and a growing tendency to justify illegality once the target is a disliked public figure.
He said, “Speaking on this odoriferous saga between Wike and Yerima is extremely difficult for me because it is another example of a very vocal minority having its say and its way.
“Everyone tries to avoid this vocal minority, especially when they are baying for blood and in this case, they finally believe they have the minister where they want him – defenceless.
“Today I weep for Nigeria because we are becoming a nation of people fuelled by hate of anything government. They have let their hatred for this man, who is perceived to be a bully and the President’s bulldog, cloud their judgment.”
In his submission, the former presidential candidate said both Wike and the officer were provoked during the clash, but public anger focused solely on the Minister.
He questioned the directive issued by a retired military officer, which obstructed legitimate government work led by the FCT Minister himself, who is a representative of the President.
“Can a retired General without a commission give an order superior to that of a serving minister? Does the military code of conduct supersede the constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria?” he asked.
Naija News recalls that an altercation occurred on Tuesday between Wike and an officer of the Nigerian Navy over the legality of an ongoing development of a land in Abuja, which has since snowballed into a matter of national discourse.
However, in his chat with newsmen on Thursday, the FCT Minister stated that claims in certain quarters about a fallout between him and the Nigerian military are false, mischievous, and unfounded.
He submitted that the Armed Forces is an institution he has utmost respect for, adding that his administration has remained steadfast in supporting military operations within the FCT and across Nigeria.
Source: naijanews.com
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https://www.naijanews.com/2025/11/14/many-nigerians-see-wike-as-a-bully-and-tinubus-bulldog-kachikwu/
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We Apologise For Dragging You Into The Situation – FCT Officials Apologise To Wike Over Spat With Naval Officer
November 14, 2025
By Justina Otio
The Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA) has apologised to its minister, Nyesom Wike, over the altercation between him and armed naval officers
Addressing journalists after Thursday’s FCT Executive Committee meeting, Senior FCTA officials expressed deep regret over the incident while firmly maintaining that the disputed property in Gaduwa District of FCT constituted illegal development.
They provided a detailed chronology of events, clarifying that the claimants linked to former Chief of Naval Staff Vice Admiral Awwal Zubairu Gambo (rtd) possessed no legal title to the land.
The Director of the Department of Development Control, Tpl. Mukhtar Galadima opened with a formal apology to the FCT Minister for the confrontation on Tuesday.
“It is with a sense of commitment, emotion and regret that we address this press conference on the incident that happened on Tuesday, November 11, 2025, at the Gaduwa District,” Galadima stated.
He recounted that on October 17, staff on routine monitoring noticed an ongoing development within the corridor of the Southern Parkway, and when enquiring about the necessary approval status and documents, they were met by stiff resistance and a threat to shoot by men of the Nigerian Navy.
After diplomatic intervention, the officers presented what Galadima dismissed as inadequate documentation.
“What was eventually provided was merely a letter of intent issued in 2007 by the Department of Parks and Recreation, not a formal approval,” he explained.
In a direct exchange with the site officer, Galadima recalled stating: “I said, as a lawyer, there is a clear difference between submission and approval, and you know it is illegal to commence development in the Federal Capital Territory without approval. He said he is aware, but the solution is under process. I said, then this development is illegal.”
Galadima justified his decision to invite the Minister, citing safety concerns. “We noticed the impending danger because armed men were strategically positioned, ready to shoot. And seeing this, I sent a distress call to the Honourable Minister.
“I want to sincerely apologise to the Honourable Minister for dragging him into this situation. I apologise to the Honourable Minister, indeed to all Nigerians, for what happened.”
Source: naijanews.com
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Ramaphosa says Palestinians who arrived in South Africa will not be turned back
November 15, 2025
Dozens of Palestinians who arrived in South Africa on a chartered flight will not be turned back, President Cyril Ramaphosa told reporters on Friday.
South African president Cyril Ramaphosa has told reporters that 153 Palestinians who landed at O.R. Tambo international airport on Thursday on board a chartered flight were being processed and would not be turned back.
“Yesterday we had a plane carrying 160 Palestinians landing at O.R. Tambo and these are people from Gaza who somehow mysteriously were put on a plane that passed by Nairobi and came here and I got to hear about it from my Minister of Home Affairs, wanting to know what do we do now, and I said we cannot turn them back,” Ramaphosa told a media briefing in Soweto.
South African authorities faced heavy criticism Friday after they held more than 150 Palestinians, including a woman who is nine months pregnant, on a plane for around 12 hours due to complications with their travel documents.
A pastor who was allowed to meet with the passengers while they were still stuck on the plane said it was extremely hot and that children were screaming and crying.
'We must receive them'
The Palestinians landed on a charter plane at Johannesburg's O.R. Tambo International Airport on Thursday morning after a stopover in Nairobi, Kenya, South Africa's Border Management Authority said in a statement.
The Palestinian passengers did not have exit stamps from Israeli authorities, did not indicate how long they would be staying in South Africa and had not given local addresses, leading immigration authorities to deny them entry, the statement said.
“Even though they do not have the necessary documents and papers, these are people from a strife-torn, a war-torn country, and out of compassion, out of empathy, we must receive them and be able to deal with the situation that they are facing and it does seem like they were being, you know, flushed out," Ramaphosa added.
"We will get the details later, but from a humanitarian point of view, we could not return them from, hence they have come,” he said.
Asylum
The 153 passengers including families and children were allowed to leave the plane on Thursday night after South Africa's Ministry of Home Affairs intervened and a local non-governmental organisation called Gift of the Givers offered to accommodate them.
The Border Management Authority said 23 passengers had since traveled on to other countries, leaving 130 in South Africa.
Gift of the Givers founder Imtiaz Sooliman said it was the second plane carrying Palestinians to land in South Africa in the last two weeks and that the passengers themselves said they did not know where they were going.
He said both planes were believed to be carrying people from war-torn Gaza.
It was not immediately clear how the charter plane was organised, where exactly it came from and why the passengers were able to leave Israel without the proper documentation, as South African authorities claimed.
The South African pastor who was given access to the plane while it was on the tarmac told national broadcaster SABC that many of the Palestinians now intended to claim asylum in South Africa.
South Africa has long been a supporter of the Palestinian cause and the treatment of the travelers has sparked anger.
Source: africanews.com
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Southeast Asia
Indonesia prepares up to 20,000 troops for Gaza peacekeeping, focus on health and construction
14 Nov 2025
JAKARTA, Nov 14 — Indonesia has trained up to 20,000 troops to take on health and construction-related tasks during a planned peacekeeping operation in the war-torn enclave of Gaza, the defence minister said today.
The world’s most populous Muslim nation, Indonesia is among the countries with which the United States has discussed plans for a multinational stabilisation force in Gaza, which include Azerbaijan, Egypt and Qatar.
Last week, Reuters reported a draft readied by Washington for such a force that would authorise it to “use all necessary measures” to demilitarise Gaza, secure its borders, protect civilians and aid delivery, and support a newly trained Palestinian police force.
Indonesia says there is no decision yet on when troops will be deployed and what mandate they will have, underscoring the uncertainty over establishing an international presence in Gaza.
“We’ve prepared a maximum of 20,000 troops, but the specifications will revolve around health and construction,” Defence Minister Sjafrie Sjamsoeddin told reporters. “We are waiting for further decisions on Gaza peace action.”
President Prabowo Subianto and Jordan’s King Abdullah, who is making a state visit to Indonesia from Friday, would discuss the initiative of US President Donald Trump, he added.
“We’re waiting for the possibilities of a role Indonesia can take for peace efforts.”
He did not say when troops would be deployed or how many, but said the decision would be made by Prabowo.
If there was a United Nations resolution, Prabowo told the UN General Assembly in September, Indonesia was prepared to deploy 20,000 or more troops in Gaza to help secure peace.
Indonesia would require a UN Security Council mandate to participate, Foreign Minister Sugiono said this month.
Long an advocate of a two-state solution, Indonesia has often condemned Israel’s violence in Gaza and sent humanitarian aid. Indonesia has no diplomatic relations with Israel.
But analysts say Prabowo’s foreign policy stance has shifted slightly, pointing to last month’s UN speech that repeated his call for an independent Palestinian state while stressing the need to guarantee Israel’s safety and security. — Reuters
Source: malaymail.com
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Anwar welcomes Trump’s role in Thailand-Cambodia border resolution
15 Nov 2025
PM Anwar Ibrahim welcomes President Trump’s active involvement in helping Thailand and Cambodia resolve border tensions through diplomatic channels.
KUALA LUMPUR: Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim has welcomed United States President Donald Trump’s active role in facilitating a lasting solution to the Thailand-Cambodia border issue.
Anwar confirmed he discussed recent border developments with Trump today, noting both Thailand and Cambodia’s commitment to dialogue and diplomatic solutions.
“I stress that both countries have withdrawn their troops from the border, in line with the approach agreed upon under the Kuala Lumpur Peace Agreement Framework,” he said in a Facebook post.
“Therefore, I welcome the active role of President Trump who has also contacted the Prime Ministers of Cambodia and Thailand to ensure that any differences are dealt with in an orderly manner, to ensure regional stability and harmony.”
International media reported Monday that Thailand’s Armed Forces Chief suspended all agreements with Cambodia following landmine explosions along the border.
Four Thai soldiers were injured when a PMN-2 landmine exploded during a patrol in Sisaket province, with one soldier losing his right leg.
The Kuala Lumpur Peace Agreement was signed by Thai Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul and Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Manet during the 47th ASEAN Summit.
Anwar and Trump witnessed the signing ceremony held on the summit’s sidelines. – Bernama
Source: thesun.my
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Sabah titans enter the ring: Hajiji, Shafie, Bung submit nominations
15 Nov 2025
KOTA KINABALU, Nov 15 — Chief Minister Datuk Seri Hajiji Noor, who is also Gabungan Rakyat Sabah (GRS) chairman, together with several political party leaders, submitted their nomination papers today to contest in the 17th Sabah State Election.
Hajiji filed his nomination papers at the Dewan Seri Sulaman Nomination Centre in Tuaran to defend the Sulaman seat, which he won in the previous state polls in September 2020, with a majority of 3,099 votes.
Sabah Barisan Nasional (BN) chairman Datuk Seri Bung Moktar Radin, the incumbent for the Lamag seat, which he retained with a 661-vote majority in the last election, submitted his nomination papers at the Dewan Sri Lamag nomination centre in Kinabatangan.
Warisan president Datuk Seri Mohd Shafie Apdal submitted his nomination papers at Dewan Arena Masyarakat in Semporna for the Senallang seat, which he won with a 4,631-vote majority in the previous election.
Parti Cinta Sabah (PCS) president Tan Sri Anifah Aman, meanwhile, submitted his nomination papers at the Dewan Kesenian Islam in Membakut to contest the Bongawan seat for the first time under the GRS banner. He previously contested the same seat as a PCS candidate but was defeated.
Parti Bersatu Rakyat Sabah (PBRS) president Datuk Seri Arthur Joseph Kurup, who is also Pensiangan MP, submitted his nomination papers at the Nabawan district council multipurpose hall to contest the Sook seat under BN.
United Sabah National Organisation (Usno) president Tan Sri Pandikar Amin Mulia submitted his nomination papers at the Tun Said Bin Keruak Community Hall to contest the Pintasan seat under Gabungan Rakyat Sabah (GRS).
Meanwhile, Sabah PKR deputy chairman Datuk Peto Galim filed his nomination papers at the Sabah Government Officers’ Welfare and Recreation Council (Maksak) Hall here to defend the Inanam seat under the Pakatan Harapan (PH) banner.
Former National Unity Ministry secretary-general Datuk Ruji Ubi submitted his nomination papers at Sekolah Jenis Kebangsaan (Cina) Yuk Chin Hall in Tawau, marking his first time contesting in the state election. He is standing under PH for the Merotai seat.
Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Ahmad Zahid Hamidi, who is also BN chairman, accompanied BN candidates Datuk Yakubah Khan, who is defending the Karambunai seat, and Arfanshah Abdul Gafar, who is contesting in Darau, at the Maksak hall nomination centre here.
DAP secretary-general Anthony Loke accompanied the party’s candidate for Tanjung Aru, Datuk Chan Foong Hin, representing PH, at the Seri Putatan hall in Putatan.
Party deputy chairman Nga Kor Ming, meanwhile, accompanied DAP candidate for Sri Tanjong, Philip Yap, at the Tawau Community Hall.
Sabah DAP chairman Phoong Jin Zhe submitted his nomination papers at the Menara Hasil hall here, where he is contesting the Likas seat for the first time.
According to the Election Commission (EC), a total of 1,784,843 voters, comprising 1,760,417 regular voters, 11,697 military personnel and their spouses, and 12,729 police personnel and their spouses, are eligible to cast their ballots in this election.
The EC has set polling for Nov 29, while early voting will be held on November 25.
For the latest news on the 17th Sabah state election, visit
Source: malaymail.com
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Anwar: Putrajaya ‘serious’ about resolving Sabah’s long-delayed 40pc revenue rights
By Malay Mail
15 Nov 2025
KUALA LUMPUR, Nov 15 — Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim confirmed today that the federal government will begin formal technical negotiations on Sabah’s long-standing 40 per cent revenue entitlement on Monday, signalling what he described as a serious effort to resolve issues left outstanding under the Malaysia Agreement 1963 (MA63).
The prime minister said the meeting in Kota Kinabalu would bring together Treasury secretary-general Datuk Johan Mahmood Merican and Sabah state secretary Datuk Seri Safar Untong to work through “technical matters” following recent Cabinet deliberations.
“The Cabinet has discussed this several times and we agreed that on Monday, the Treasury secretary-general will be in Kota Kinabalu.
“We will discuss the technical issues on the 40 per cent with the Sabah state secretary. When? Monday — two days from now,” he reportedly said, according to Berita Harian.
Anwar, speaking at the Temu Anwar Harapan Urang Muda Sabah event at the International Technology and Commercial Centre (ITCC) in Penampang, reiterated that the government did not appeal against Sabah’s 40 per cent entitlement, and accused certain quarters — including lawyers — of deliberately misrepresenting the issue.
“We are serious. There are lawyers making noise about an appeal when we never appealed because of the 40 per cent.
“I want to stress that, as prime minister and on behalf of the Cabinet, we did not appeal against the 40 per cent — that is Sabah’s right.
“What else is there to politicise? If you want an election, go ahead. If you want to campaign, campaign.
“But don’t twist the facts like before — you were in power then and you didn’t resolve this issue either,” he added.
Anwar went on to address confusion over the government’s recent court appeal, emphasising that it relates solely to the judgment’s reasoning, which he said risked casting past administrations in an unfair light.
“What we appealed is not the 40 per cent right. What we appealed is only the part of the judgment that states governments since 1974 violated constitutional principles — unconstitutional,” he said.
“I do not want to be a prime minister who insults previous prime ministers. That is why I asked the attorney general to appeal only to correct that part.”
He added that Putrajaya remained committed to resolving Sabah’s fiscal claims “respectfully and responsibly”, and urged political actors not to turn the matter into campaign ammunition.
“We have already explained that the 40 per cent is Sabah’s right and we did not appeal. We are only correcting technical aspects of the judgment.
“There is no need to belittle former leaders who also served the country. Our focus is to resolve Sabah’s rights in an orderly and fair manner,” he reportedly said.
Source: malaymail.com
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Sultan Nazrin confers state awards, medals on 205 recipients, including shuttlers Chen Tang Jie and Toh Ee Wei
15 Nov 2025
KUALA KANGSAR, Nov 15 — Sultan of Perak Sultan Nazrin Shah today conferred state awards and medals on 205 recipients at Istana Iskandariah here in conjunction with his 69th birthday celebration.
The Sultan was accompanied by Raja Permaisuri Perak Tuanku Zara Salim during the investiture ceremony.
Raja Muda Perak Raja Jaafar Raja Muda Musa, Raja Di Hilir Perak Raja Iskandar Dzulkarnain Sultan Idris Shah and Raja Puan Muda Perak Tunku Soraya Abdul Halim Mu’adzam Shah were also in attendance.
Also present was Menteri Besar Datuk Seri Saarani Mohamad.
Today’s recipients were among the 238 individuals selected to receive state honours in conjunction with Sultan Nazrin’s birthday celebration, which was observed on Nov 7.
Heading today’s list of state honours recipients was Teluk Intan Hospital’s Head of Pathology, Dr Abdul Kadir Rifaei Abd Rashid Khairi, who was among 13 individuals awarded the Darjah Paduka Cura Si Manja Kini (PCM).
Other PCM recipients included Women, Family and Community Development Ministry deputy secretary general Farah Adura Hamidi and state Economic Planning Unit senior deputy director Haslinda Alias.
Sultan Nazrin also conferred the Darjah Paduka Mahkota Perak on 26 recipients, including Universiti Teknologi MARA deputy rector Assoc Prof Dr Mohd Azian Zaidi, as well as a posthumous award for former Ayer Kuning assemblyman, the late Ishsam Shahruddin.
Selama police chief Supt Sarudin Samah was among 14 recipients of the Darjah Ahli Cura Si Manja Kini.
In addition, 39 individuals were awarded the Darjah Ahli Mahkota Perak, including former national bowler Syaidatul ‘Afifah Badrul Hamidi, who was part of the team that clinched the 2017 World Championships title in Las Vegas.
A total of 46 individuals were conferred the Pingat Jasa Kebaktian, while eight individuals received the Pingat Lama Perkhidmatan.
Meanwhile, national mixed doubles shuttlers Chen Tang Jie and Toh Ee Wei were conferred the Pingat Pekerti Terpilih, along with 55 other recipients. — Bernama
Source: malaymail.com
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South Asia
Mujahid Says U.S. Drones Still Violating Afghanistan’s Airspace Through Neighbouring Countries
By Fidel Rahmati
November 15, 2025
Mujahid says U.S. drones continue to patrol Afghanistan’s skies, alleging the aircraft enter via neighbouring states and repeatedly breach the country’s airspace since the Taliban’s return.
Taliban spokesman Zabihullah Mujahid said U.S. drones continue to fly over Afghanistan, calling the operations ongoing violations of Afghanistan airspace since the they returned to power.
He claimed some drones enter through neighbouring countries but avoided naming any, even as past Taliban statements have accused Pakistan of enabling U.S. drone access.
The comments come amid renewed strains between Kabul and Islamabad, with the Taliban repeatedly alleging cross-border interference and Pakistan accusing Afghanistan-based militants of launching attacks.
Mujahid said the Taliban has formally demanded an immediate halt to drone flights and warned they undermine Afghanistan’s sovereignty at a time of rising tension with Pakistan.
He also listed sanctions, travel restrictions and the lack of diplomatic recognition as major challenges faced by the Taliban as they try to project control.
Mujahid dismissed reports of foreign military activity in Afghanistan, saying neither U.S. nor Chinese forces are present in Bagram, and vowed no foreign troops would be allowed on Afghanistan soil.
Source: khaama.com
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Ahead of ICT verdict, Hasina denies all accountability
Nov 15, 2025
Ousted prime minister Sheikh Hasina has denied committing crimes against humanity during the July 2024 deadly crackdown, days before the International Crimes Tribunal-1 delivers its verdict in a major case against her and two top aides on November 17.
In her first BBC interview since fleeing Bangladesh on August 5 last year, Hasina dismissed the trial in absentia as a "farce" run by a "kangaroo court" controlled by political rivals. Prosecutors are seeking the death penalty.
Hasina stands accused of orchestrating hundreds of killings -- 1,400 deaths according to UN estimates -- during mass protests against her autocratic rule. She is also accused of personally ordering security forces to fire on protesters in the weeks before she fled.
In an email to the BBC, she said she "categorically" denied the allegations. "I'm not denying that the situation got out of control, nor that many lives were lost needlessly. But I never issued any order to fire on unarmed civilians," she said.
However, leaked audio verified by BBC Eye and played in court suggests she authorised the use of lethal force in July 2024. The Daily Star's own investigation also found evidence she issued such orders.
One recording from July 18, 2024 captures her telling her nephew, former Dhaka South mayor Fazle Noor Taposh: "I have given instructions, now I have given direct instructions; now they will use lethal weapons. Wherever they find them [protesters], they will shoot directly."
Hasina told the BBC she has been unable to defend herself or appoint her own lawyers, alleging the case is designed to deliver a "pre-ordained guilty verdict".
She also said her political opponents went after her to "liquidate" Awami League as a political force. All activities of Awami League and its associated and affiliated organisations remain banned.
Hasina's lawyers in the UK, meanwhile, have filed an urgent appeal to the UN over fair-trial concerns at the tribunal.
The BBC interview also touched on further allegations stemming from her 15-year rule, including a separate ICT case involving accusations of crimes against humanity. Hasina denied all charges.
Asked about the secret jails discovered after she was ousted -- facilities where people had been held for years without due process -- Hasina said she "did not have knowledge" of them.
She also denied involvement in extra-judicial killings and enforced disappearances.
Her earlier written interviews were published by Reuters, AFP and The Independent on October 29, followed by The Hindu, Hindustan Times and The New Indian Express on November 7.
Source: thedailystar.net
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July charter, referendum: BNP softens stance, Jamaat still rigid
Nov 15, 2025
Although the BNP is not fully satisfied with the government's decisions on key issues regarding the July charter's implementation, it has chosen a softer stance over the matter, ruling out any stern move for now.
On the other hand, the Jamaat-e-Islami has stuck to its demand for holding a referendum on constitutional reforms in the charter before the national election, warning of indefinite sit-ins if its call was ignored.
Meanwhile, the National Citizen Party expressed frustration over the announcement, saying that there is still uncertainty over full implementation of the July charter.
Chief Adviser Prof Muhammad Yunus unveiled the decisions in a televised address on Thursday after the parties missed a one week deadline set by the government to reach a consensus on the unresolved July charter issues.
As per the announcement, the national election and the July charter referendum will be held on the same day, a decision that matched the BNP's demand.
The government also decided that an upper house of parliament will be formed through a proportional representation system on the basis of total votes received by each party. The PR system was among Jamaat's core demands.
At a Standing Committee meeting on Thursday night, BNP leaders reviewed Yunus' address and voiced dissatisfaction over several elements.
Yet, as part of a strategy to keep the election at the heart of its politics, the party decided against any aggressive response for now. Acting chairman Tarique Rahman virtually presided over the meeting at the party chairperson's Gulshan office.
"The party does not want to start a new dispute over the charter at this stage. The government has placed proper importance on holding the election, a key demand the party has long been pushing for," a Standing Committee member told this newspaper after the meeting.
"We will now closely watch how the government proceeds in the coming days," the member added.
Speaking at an event in Shahbagh yesterday, Standing Committee member Salahuddin Ahmed said the BNP remains committed to upholding the July National Charter exactly as signed.
Welcoming the referendum timing, he added, "If any coercive proposals beyond the signed July charter remains, the people will give their decision on these matters through the referendum on the election day."
DEBATE AT STANDING COMMITTEE
During the three-hour meeting, Salahuddin detailed discrepancies between the signed charter and the July National Charter (Constitution Reform) Implementation Order, 2025 issued by President Mohammed Shahabuddin soon after Yunus' address.
Under the order, the next parliament would also function as a Constitutional Reform Council to implement the charter's reforms.
Salahuddin objected broadly to four points: the referendum question, formation of the Constitutional Reform Council, use of the PR system for the 100-member upper house, and the president's authority to issue such an order.
Several members argued that taking a confrontational stance now would only spark complications and distract from election preparations. One member said Tarique was dissatisfied with Yunus' speech but agreed to adopt a softer line as the majority wanted to keep the polls at the centre of its politics.
"There are some people in the Yunus team who want to make the situation complicated. Ahead of the polls, many complications may arise. That's why we closely watch every action of the government," another member said.
The leaders accepted the same-day referendum but said the process is flawed, with a complicated question containing four sections. They said citizens cannot vote on multiple issues in a single referendum question.
They also questioned the legitimacy and authority of a Constitutional Reform Council whose members would not be directly elected -- an issue that had surfaced during the National Consensus Commission talks.
Salahuddin further criticised the government for choosing the PR system for the upper house despite divergent views in the consensus process.
Some members said the president has the authority to issue ordinances, but the head of the state does not have the constitutional power to issue an order of this kind.
JAMAAT REMAINS RIGID
The eight-party alliance, including Jamaat and Islami Andolan Bangladesh, maintained its uncompromising demand for holding the referendum before the national polls.
The government had "bowed to the demand of BNP" by planning both votes on the same day, Jamaat Nayeb-e-Ameer Syed Abdullah Muhammad Taher said while delivering the alliance's official reaction.
He said they were "surprised" that instead of adopting the consensus commission's recommendations, the chief adviser introduced "many changes by compromising with a particular party," implying the BNP.
"As a result, the people and the nation are disappointed," Taher said at a briefing in Moghbazar, flanked by alliance leaders.
Taher argued that the nation had wanted the referendum on a separate day and claimed that if it were held earlier, "80 percent people would go against the thinking and ideology of a particular party."
He said the BNP had refused to accept any referendum held first, and the government had "bowed to their demand."
Accusing the interim government of losing neutrality, he said it was "aligned with a particular party" and attempting to hold an election "in any manner necessary to bring that party to power".
Without naming anyone, he alleged that three advisers were working for that party and demanded their removal.
Taher warned that the alliance would take a "final decision" at its meeting on Sunday, if its demands were not met, though he expressed gratitude to Yunus for giving constitutional legitimacy to the July charter through an order.
Leaders of Islami Andolan Bangladesh, Bangladesh Khelafat Majlis, Khefat Majlish, Bangladesh Nezame Islam Party, JAGPA, and Bangladesh Development Party were present.
NCP SEES VAGUENESS, RISKS
The NCP said several key aspects, such as the implementation order, referendum question, fate of dissent notes on crucial reform proposals and the Constitution Reform Council's authority, are still unclear.
"What will happen if the council cannot complete its job within the 180-day timeframe?" NCP Member Secretary Akhter Hossen asked while giving the party's official response to the chief adviser's address at a press conference yesterday.
One of the alternative proposals recommended by the consensus commission had stated that the proposed reforms would be automatically incorporated into the constitution in case of the Constitution Reform Council's failure to complete the process within a 270-day timeframe. The final order shortened the deadline, but dropped the proposal on automatic inclusion.
"The language used in the order is subject to interpretation …. As a result, instead of ensuring transparency, the order has created further questions," Akhter said.
He urged the government to promptly provide a clear explanation of the order and remove all ambiguities so that the ongoing crisis surrounding the July charter can be effectively resolved.
He demanded that the referendum result must be made binding so that no one can deviate from the charter.
"All in all, the ambiguities and interpretive flexibility left within the July charter implementation order make it vulnerable to exploitation by those who will come to power. We find it deeply concerning," he said.
Chief Coordinator Nasiruddin Patwary said the party would sign the charter only after receiving clarity on the implementation order, referendum framework, and reform roadmap.
"We wanted to dismantle the authoritarian framework of 1972, but through this order, we are once again walking the path of the 1972 Constitution," he said.
Source: thedailystar.net
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Judges warn of strike after killing of Rajshahi judge’s son
Nov 14, 2025
Bangladesh Judicial Service Association (BJSA), an organisation of lower court judges, today issued a 48-hour ultimatum to the government, demanding immediate measures to ensure security of judges across the country.
The development came following the killing of a Rajshahi judge's son during an attack inside their residence yesterday.
In a statement, the BJSA also demanded immediate deployment of adequate security personnel at all courts, judges' residences, and during their travels, and to take strict punitive action against police officers involved in negligence that led to the Rajshahi incident and those responsible for unlawfully presenting the arrested suspect before the media.
The association warned that if the government fails to implement these measures within 48 hours, judges nationwide will begin a collective "pen down" strike from Sunday.
All judicial officers will also wear black badges on Sunday to honour the victim and protest the deteriorating security situation, according to the statement.
BJSA said that the entire judiciary is stunned and speechless at the killing. It also expressed profound condolences and prayed for salvation and peace of the departed soul.
It criticised law enforcement authorities for presenting the arrested suspect before the media, before producing him in court, saying that it is a clear breach of legal procedure and an attempt to divert the investigation process to a different direction.
The judges across the country are furious over the state's long-standing failure to ensure their security, despite repeated notifications issued by the Supreme Court seeking protection for judges, their families, residences, vehicles, and court premises, BJSA President Md Amirul Islam and its Secretary General Muhammad Majharul Islam said in the statement.
They said many district-level judges do not have official housing or transportation, while those posted in remote areas face even harsher conditions. Many judicial officers are forced to live in unguarded rented houses and commute by rickshaw or even on foot.
This persistent indifference toward the judiciary has now resulted in a tragedy of unimaginable scale, the BJSA leaders said, adding that the state cannot absolve itself of responsibility.
Yesterday, Tawshif Rahman Sumon, son of Mohammad Abdur Rahman, metropolitan sessions judge of Rajshahi, was stabbed to death. The judge's wife, Tasmin Nahar, was critically injured in the same attack.
Source: thedailystar.net
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China Discovers Largest Gold Reserve Since 1949 in Liaoning Province
By Fidel Rahmati
November 15, 2025
China has discovered its largest gold reserve since 1949 in Liaoning province, estimated at 1,444 tons, amid record global gold prices and rising domestic demand.
China announced the discovery of its largest gold reserve since 1949 in Liaoning province, estimated at approximately 1,444 tons, coinciding with record-breaking global gold prices.
The Ministry of Natural Resources confirmed the “Dadonggu” deposit on Friday, calling it the largest single gold find in the country since the founding of the People’s Republic of China.
Officials said the mine contains about 2.586 million tons of ore, with an average grade of 0.56 grams per ton, totaling roughly 1,444 tons of gold.
Exact details of the mine’s location were not disclosed, only noting it is in eastern Liaoning, raising speculation over strategic and security considerations.
The discovery comes amid unprecedented global gold demand, driven by a weakening dollar, geopolitical tensions, and central bank purchases, particularly in emerging economies seeking diversified reserves.
China has accelerated mining exploration in recent years. In 2024, authorities reported gold reserves exceeding 1,000 tons in Hunan and over 40 tons in Gansu province. Annual gold production reached 377.24 tons.
Domestic consumption of gold also climbed, reaching 985.31 tons in 2024, with bullion and coin demand up more than 24 percent, reflecting growing middle-class interest in secure investment assets.
Analysts say the trend reflects rising Chinese middle-class demand to preserve wealth amid global economic uncertainty, making gold a popular safe-haven investment across the country.
Source: khaama.com
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https://www.khaama.com/china-discovers-largest-gold-reserve-since-1949-in-liaoning-province/
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Mohammad Yousuf Jahangir Defeats Turkish Rival to Win First Islamic Games Gold for Afghanistan
By Fidel Rahmati
November 15, 2025
Afghanistan’s Mohammad Yousuf Jahangir won the gold medal in Muay Thai at the Islamic Solidarity Games in Riyadh, defeating opponents from Turkey, Indonesia, and Saudi Arabia.
Mohammad Yousuf Jahangir, an Afghanistan martial artist, claimed the gold medal in Muay Thai at the Islamic Solidarity Games after defeating his Turkish opponent.
The decisive match took place on Friday night, November 15, in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, marking a historic moment for Afghanistan in the international sporting event.
Competing in the under-75 kilogram category, Jahangir overcame his Turkish rival with skillful techniques and strategy, earning widespread recognition from fellow athletes and spectators alike.
Before his final victory, Jahangir defeated opponents from Indonesia and the host nation, Saudi Arabia, showcasing consistent performance and determination throughout the tournament.
This triumph represents Afghanistan’s first gold medal at the Islamic Solidarity Games, highlighting the nation’s growing presence in martial arts on the international stage.
Jahangir’s achievement has been celebrated across Afghanistan, with sports authorities emphasizing the importance of supporting young athletes and promoting competitive opportunities abroad.
Experts suggest that this victory could inspire a new generation of Afghanistan martial artists, strengthening the country’s representation in future regional and international competitions.
Source: khaama.com
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https://www.khaama.com/mohammad-yousuf-jahangir-defeats-turkish-rival-to-win-first-islamic-games-gold-for-afghanistan/
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South Korea, U.S. Sign Landmark Agreement to Advance USD 350 Billion in Strategic Investments
By Fidel Rahmati
November 15, 2025
The United States and South Korea signed a landmark framework to drive USD 350 billion in strategic investments across key U.S. industries, strengthening long-term economic cooperation.
South Korea’s industry minister said Seoul and Washington have signed a framework agreement to advance USD 350 billion in strategic U.S.-based investments.
Kim Jung-kwan told reporters on Friday that both countries aim to finalise the planned projects by 2029, describing the initiative as a major expansion of industrial cooperation.
The agreement is expected to boost South Korean investment across key U.S. sectors, including semiconductors, batteries, electric vehicles and advanced manufacturing.
Washington and Seoul have long cooperated in technology, energy and defence, and officials say the new investment roadmap will help strengthen supply-chain resilience amid global disruptions.
U.S. media reported that the framework aligns with the Biden administration’s push to attract foreign manufacturing, particularly in chip production and clean-energy technologies.
Analysts say the deal reflects growing economic interdependence as the U.S. seeks reliable partners to counter supply risks linked to China and emerging geopolitical tensions.
South Korean companies, including major chipmakers and EV-battery producers, are expected to scale up their U.S. operations, deepening their footprint in America’s industrial and technology sectors.
Source: khaama.com
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https://www.khaama.com/south-korea-u-s-sign-landmark-agreement-to-advance-usd-350-billion-in-strategic-investments/
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Kabul Community Donates USD 10,000 to Celebrate Afghanistan’s Under-17 Futsal Team
By Fidel Rahmati
November 15, 2025
Kabul community members donated USD 10,000 to support celebrations for Afghanistan’s under-17 futsal team, highlighting strong public pride after the squad’s recent regional success.
Residents of Kabul’s Dasht-e-Barchi district have donated USD 10,000 to Afghanistan’s under-17 futsal team, celebrating the squad’s recent regional victory.
The contribution was handed over during a gathering on Friday, where local residents congratulated the players and praised their efforts on the international stage.
Afghanistan’s under-17 futsal team recently defeated Iran to win the 2025 Asian Games title, a victory that sparked widespread celebrations and public support across the country.
Residents said the financial gift was intended to boost the team’s morale and encourage young athletes to continue competing at higher levels.
Community members also highlighted the significance of the team’s success at a time when national sports achievements carry symbolic weight for many Afghans.
Local leaders said the gesture reflected strong public appreciation for youth sports and increasing interest in supporting athletes despite economic challenges.
They added that continued community backing could help strengthen the development of futsal and other sports programs in the country.
Source: khaama.com
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https://www.khaama.com/kabul-community-donates-usd-10000-to-celebrate-afghanistans-under-17-futsal-team/
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