Middle East Crisis: US And Iran Fail To Reach A Deal After Marathon Peace Talks In Pakistan
New Age Islam News Bureau
12 April 2026
US president Donald Trump on arrival at Miami International Airport in Miami, on 11 April 2026. Photograph: Jim Watson/AFP/Getty Images
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• Middle East crisis: US and Iran fail to reach a deal after marathon peace talks in Pakistan
• ‘Reliable, compassionate’: Iran embassy sends home medicines bought from donations in India
• US-Iran talks collapse as Iran rejects 'no nuclear weapons' commitment
• Gunmen kill at least 11 people at Afghanistan picnic spot
• Home minister: RM2m feasibility study underway for new Malaysia-Thai checkpoint at Bukit • Berapit to improve safety and ease congestion
• Saudi Arabia condemns ‘heinous’ attacks on Kuwait’s key facilities
• Man charged after 'stabbing' near Edinburgh Central Mosque, Scotland
• CAIR-LA Condemns Threats, Islamophobic Smear Campaign Targeting Islamic Society of Orange County
• FG names Mamu, Ansaru, IPOB, 45 other terror financiers
Mideast
• Why the Israeli Regime Continues the Killings in Gaza
• US claims China may send air defenses to Iran; Beijing denies
• 'After his heart attack in Gaza, Scotland is the only hope of saving dad's life'
• Newcastle memorial to Palestinian civilians killed in Gaza
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India
• This village in UP's Barabanki has close links to Iran Revolution of 1979
• Assam turnout nears record 86%, highest rise in Muslim-majority districts
• MPs rue Muslim erasure from Indian history, warn against conflict-centric narratives
• P.C. George, Shone took contract from BJP to create Christian-Muslim rift: Hibi Eden
• Abhishek flays Kabir on home turf. Don’t fall for AI clips: PM
• From workplace scandal to communal flashpoint: Nashik BPO case sparks ‘Corporate jihad’ row
• UP voter roll revision hits BJP bastions harder than muslim belts
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Pakistan
• Pakistan to continue facilitating U.S.-Iran talks, says Ishaq Dar; urges ceasefire
• 'Deal or not, no difference to me': Where was US President Trump as Vance negotiated with Iranians in Pakistan?
• Pakistan foreign minister says 'imperative' for US, Iran to uphold ceasefire
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South Asia
• Bangladesh lawmaker slams BNP govt for appointing party-linked figures to key posts
• Bangladesh: Spiritual leader beaten to death by mob over viral video
• Mob Attacks, Vandalises Hindu Households, Businesses In Bangladesh
• 5th biennial conference of RU Economics Alumni Association held
• Dialogue, Not Conflict: The Path to Lasting Peace
• Shaheen Discusses Child Protection with UN Official
• Bangladesh's BTMA inks MoU with global partners to host DTG exhibition
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Southeast Asia
• Diesel refuelling glitch in Segambut caused by empty tank, missing auto cut-off system, deputy minister says after viral claims
• New Sarawak cancer hospital aims to serve patients across Borneo; design complete, tender next
• Police to focus on high-sales petrol stations near borders in new anti-smuggling move, says Saifuddin Nasution
• Johor must act now on pay and policies or face talent drain to Singapore when RTS starts, state economic adviser warns
• Sultan of Pahang presents donation to family of late soldier Muhammad Amirul Raziq
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Arab world
• Iraq elects Kurdish politician Nizar Amidi as president amid war fallout
• Kingdom arrests 15,458 illegals in one week
• Energy facilities, East–West pipeline restored at full operational capacity: Saudi energy ministry
• Saudi Arabia promotes education for peace at UNESCO
• Saudi envoy to UN receives Turkmenistan official in New York
• France’s Macron says he is ‘in close contact’ with Saudi Crown Prince on Iran
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Europe
• Why the government is relaxed about Chinese car imports
• Travelers’ Accounts of Orthodox Easter in the Ottoman Era
• The Nightfolk: Ibn ‘Arabi Behind the Veil of Night
• Get oriented: Key facts on the 4 African countries Leo will visit
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North America
• Statement by PDKI on the Negotiations Between the US and Iran
• LA family linked to Iranian Revolutionary 'propagandist' arrested by feds
• Trump Calls Tiger Woods From Rehab as Melania Addresses Her Epstein Statement on ‘SNL’
• Not radicalism but rivalry: Why autocrats fear the Brotherhood
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Africa
• Bishop Chukwu of Abakaliki Catholic Diocese is dead
• Kwara APC Elders Caucus Organises Inter-religious Prayers for Tinubu, Bolarinwa
• The renewed dystopia of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu
• ADC rises despite INEC row as defections surge ahead of 2027
Compiled by New Age Islam News Bureau
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Middle East crisis live: US and Iran fail to reach a deal after marathon peace talks in Pakistan
Yohannes Lowe
12 Apr 2026
US president Donald Trump on arrival at Miami International Airport in Miami, on 11 April 2026. Photograph: Jim Watson/AFP/Getty Images
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Saudi Arabia’s energy ministry said on Sunday that its key east-west oil pipeline and other facilities had been restored following attacks by Iran on infrastructure across the Gulf, news agency AFP reports.
“Energy facilities and the east-west pipeline damaged by attacks have recovered and regained their operational capacity, enhancing the reliability of supplies,” the official Saudi Press Agency reported, citing an energy ministry statement.
It added that the attacks had led to a “loss of approximately 700,000 barrels per day of pumping capacity through the east-west pipeline” and work was underway to restore full production capacity at the kingdom’s Khurais oil field.
Source: www.theguardian.com
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‘Reliable, compassionate’: Iran embassy sends home medicines bought from donations in India
by: Divya A
Apr 12, 2026
Workers remove debris at Tehran's Sharif University of Technology complex that Iranian authorities say was hit by a US-Israeli strike, in Tehran (AP Photo)
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Workers remove debris at Tehran's Sharif University of Technology complex that Iranian authorities say was hit by a US.-Israeli strike, in Tehran (AP Photo)Workers remove debris at Tehran's Sharif University of Technology complex that Iranian authorities say was hit by a US-Israeli strike, in Tehran (AP Photo)
A consignment of medical supplies donated by the people of India has been dispatched to Iran, Mohammad Fathali, Tehran’s ambassador to Delhi, said Saturday.
The Iranian embassy in New Delhi used donations by Indians to buy medicines to send home. The announcement of the dispatch came a day after the embassy deactivated accounts previously designated for receiving monetary contributions in India.
In a video message, Fathali said the aid shipment was facilitated by the embassy using “voluntary contributions of the people of India to purchase medicine”. The initiative, according to him, reflected India’s “sympathy and solidarity with the people and the Government of the Islamic Republic of Iran in these difficult times.”
Appreciating the gesture, Fathali, while standing before a part of the consignment, said, “The embassy of the Islamic Republic of Iran in Delhi had utilised the voluntary contributions of the people of India to purchase medicine and you can see a part of this effort. And I want to say that the people of India demonstrated that they are reliable and compassionate partners in difficult times and times of hardship.”
The second shipment of donated medical supplies from the people of India has been dispatched to the Red Crescent Society of the Islamic Republic of Iran, he said, thanking the Government of India for facilitating “all the necessary arrangements”.
On Friday, the Iranian embassy deactivated the accounts previously designated for receiving monetary contributions. It requested people to refrain from transferring any funds to the accounts or to any other accounts presented as belonging to it.
“With hearts full of gratitude, we sincerely thank the kind people of Kashmir for standing with the people of Iran through their humanitarian support and heartfelt solidarity; this kindness will never be forgotten. Thank you, India,” the mission said in a post on X.
Earlier, The Indian Express had reported that around 40 tonnes of medicine bought in India had been lying with the embassy, waiting to be sent to Iran. After a Mahan Air aircraft that was to come to India to fly the consignment to Iran was damaged in an air strike at Mashhad airport two weeks ago, the embassy has been trying to find a way to send the medicines home.
Source: indianexpress.com
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US-Iran talks collapse as Iran rejects 'no nuclear weapons' commitment
Sami Quadri
12-04-2026
High-stakes peace talks between the United States and Iran have collapsed after more than 20 hours of negotiations in Islamabad, raising fears a fragile ceasefire could unravel.
Delegations from both sides left the Pakistani capital on Sunday without reaching a breakthrough, each blaming the other for the failure to halt a war that has raged for over six weeks, killed thousands and driven up global oil prices.
"The bad news is that we have not reached an agreement, and I think that's bad news for Iran much more than it's bad news for the United States of America," he told reporters. "So we go back to the United States having not come to an agreement. We've made very clear what our red lines are."
The Islamabad talks followed a ceasefire agreed earlier in the week and marked the first direct engagement between Washington and Tehran in more than a decade — and the most senior-level contact since the 1979 Islamic Revolution.
Iranian media painted a different picture of the breakdown, with the semi-official Tasnim news agency blaming "excessive" US demands. Other outlets reported some progress had been made, but said disagreements over the Strait of Hormuz and Iran’s nuclear programme proved insurmountable.
Pakistan’s foreign minister Ishaq Dar urged both sides to preserve the two-week ceasefire agreed on Tuesday as efforts continue to de-escalate the conflict, which began on February 28 with US and Israeli air strikes on Iran.
Israeli security cabinet minister Zeev Elkin suggested diplomacy was not over, but issued a stark warning: "The Iranians are playing with fire."
Despite the high-stakes talks, Vance made no reference to reopening the Strait of Hormuz — a vital global shipping route responsible for around 20% of the world’s energy supply, which has been blocked by Tehran since the conflict began.
He revealed he had been in regular contact with Donald Trump throughout the negotiations. But Trump himself appeared relaxed about the outcome, telling reporters on Saturday: "We're negotiating. Whether we make a deal or not makes no difference to me, because we've won."
The US delegation also included special envoy Steve Witkoff and Trump’s son-in-law Jared Kushner, while Iran was represented by parliamentary speaker Mohammad Baqer Qalibaf and foreign minister Abbas Araqchi. Behind closed doors, negotiations were described as tense and unpredictable.
Ahead of the talks, an Iranian official claimed the US had agreed to release frozen assets held in Qatar and other overseas banks — a claim denied by Washington.
Tehran is also pushing for control over the Strait of Hormuz, war reparations and a wider regional ceasefire, including in Lebanon. It has additionally demanded the right to collect transit fees from ships passing through the strategic waterway.
Despite the deadlock, there were tentative signs of movement. Shipping data showed three fully loaded supertankers passed through the Strait on Saturday — the first vessels to exit the Gulf since the ceasefire was agreed — although hundreds more remain stranded.
Washington’s core objectives remain ensuring free passage through the Strait and curbing Iran’s nuclear programme to prevent it from developing an atomic bomb — an ambition Tehran continues to deny.
Israel has continued strikes against Tehran-backed Hezbollah forces in Lebanon, insisting that conflict falls outside the scope of the ceasefire with Iran. Iran, however, maintains that fighting in Lebanon must also stop.
The Israeli military said it hit Hezbollah rocket launchers overnight, with plumes of black smoke seen rising over Beirut. Air raid sirens also sounded in Israeli border villages, warning of incoming rocket fire.
Source: www.standard.co.uk
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Gunmen kill at least 11 people at Afghanistan picnic spot
12 April 2026
A hospital in Herat city received the dead and injured/SCREENGRAB/BBC
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Provincial officials originally said four people had been killed in the attack in the Enjil district of Herat province on Friday, but later said that seven more people who were critically injured had also died.
"Unidentified armed men" riding motorcycles opened fire near the village of Deh Mehri, an interior ministry spokesperson said. The recreational area is usually crowded on Fridays.
A Herat doctor told the BBC that the victims - who were Shia Muslims - had gone to a local shrine for a picnic. Shia Muslims are a minority group in Afghanistan and have been targeted in the past.
Ahmadullah Muttaqi, the provincial head of information and culture for the Taliban government in Herat, said the incident happened at about 15:00 local time (11:30 BST).
The village where the attack took place in is a predominantly Shiite village and has a Shiite Muslim shrine that many people visit daily to visit and pray, interior ministry spokesman Abdul Mateen Qani said
Correction: An earlier version of this story said the victims were from the Hazara ethnic group, but this is now believed not to be the case.
Source: www.the-star.co.ke
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Home minister: RM2m feasibility study underway for new Malaysia-Thai checkpoint at Bukit Berapit to improve safety and ease congestion
12 Apr 2026
A member of the Tiger Platoon under the General Operations Force steps up patrols along the Malaysia–Thailand border at the Bukit Berapit ICQS Complex in Perak to strengthen security preparedness and safeguard national border control. — Bernama pic
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PENGKALAN HULU, April 12 — The proposed construction of a new Immigration, Customs, Quarantine and Security (ICQS) Complex in Bukit Berapit here is currently at the feasibility study stage, said Home Minister Datuk Seri Saifuddin Nasution Ismail.
He said RM2 million has been allocated for the implementation of the study, and the new complex is expected to provide greater comfort for tourists and users, while also enhancing security control.
KUANTAN, April 11 — Police have detained four more men suspected of involvement in an attack involving sharp weapons at a coffee shop in Triang, Bera on March 29.Bera police...
“The ICQS (Bukit Berapit) in Pengkalan Hulu is unique because the distance between the checkpoint on the Thai side and ours (Malaysia) is quite far. Although it is less than one kilometre, I observed earlier that people who undergo inspection on our side have to drag their luggage all the way there (to the checkpoint), and there are also other security issues.
“In a series of discussions with the Perak government, several locations have been proposed for us to consider, and there is a need for us to build a new facility. The sooner the feasibility study is carried out, the sooner it can be implemented,” he said.
He said this at a press conference after conducting a visit and inspection of Malaysia-Thailand border control operations at the Bukit Berapit ICQS here today.
Last year, Deputy Home Minister Datuk Seri Dr Shamsul Anuar Nasarah was reported as saying that the Home Ministry (KDN) was in the process of resolving land-related issues for the construction of the new Bukit Berapit ICQS.
Meanwhile, Saifuddin Nasution said the government plans to place the operations of the Bukit Berapit ICQS under the supervision of AKPS to streamline its security control system.
“AKPS will eventually take over up to 122 entry points nationwide, including sea, land and air. Pengkalan Hulu will, in time, come under AKPS.
“Once there are sufficient human resources, adequate infrastructure and the requirements in place, the AKPS director-general will then finalise when the agency will fully take over,” he said.
Source: www.malaymail.com
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Saudi Arabia condemns ‘heinous’ attacks on Kuwait’s key facilities
April 11, 2026
RIYADH: Saudi Arabia on Saturday strongly condemned attacks targeting key facilities in Kuwait, blaming Iran, its proxies and affiliated groups for the escalation, the Saudi Press Agency reported.
Kuwait condemned what it described as drone attacks by Iran and its proxies targeting vital infrastructure in the country on Thursday night, calling the strikes a violation of its sovereignty and airspace, its foreign ministry said.
In a statement, the Kingdom’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs denounced the strikes in the strongest terms, describing them as “heinous” and a clear violation of Kuwait’s sovereignty.
Saudi Arabia said the attacks represented a blatant breach of international law and the UN charter, warning that they pose a direct threat to regional security and stability.
The Kingdom reiterated its categorical rejection of such actions and called for an immediate halt to hostilities, urging all parties to adhere to relevant international laws and conventions.
It also stressed the need for Iran and its proxies to cease all hostile activities targeting Arab and Islamic countries, highlighting the importance of implementing UN Security Council Resolution 2817 of 2026.
Riyadh reaffirmed its full solidarity with Kuwait, both its government and people, and expressed support for all measures taken by the Gulf state to safeguard its sovereignty, security and stability.
Source: www.arabnews.com
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https://www.arabnews.com/node/2639568/saudi-arabia
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Man charged after 'stabbing' near Edinburgh Central Mosque, Scotland
Iona Young
11 Apr 2026
Officers from Police Scotland were called to Nicolson Street in the city centre at around 7pm on Friday night, April 10, after reports of a serious assault. One man was rushed to the Royal Infirmary of Edinburgh.
The man's current condition is unknown. A cordon was erected at the scene and guarded by uniformed officers while detectives carried out an investigation.
A Police Scotland spokesperson said: “Around 7.20pm on Friday, 10 April, 2026, officers received a report of a serious assault on Nicolson Street, Edinburgh. A man was taken to hospital for treatment.
“A 23-year-old man was arrested and charged in connection and is due to appear at Edinburgh Sheriff Court on Monday, 13 April, 2026.”
Source: www.dailyrecord.co.uk
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https://www.dailyrecord.co.uk/news/scottish-news/man-charged-after-stabbing-near-36999056
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CAIR-LA Condemns Threats, Islamophobic Smear Campaign Targeting Islamic Society of Orange County
April 11, 2026
The Greater Los Angeles Area office of the Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR-LA) today condemned violent online threats apparently resulting from an online smear campaign targeting the Islamic Society of Orange County (ISOC) in connection with its planned community expansion in Garden Grove.
The campaign, fueled by misinformation circulated on social media by notorious anti-Muslim bigots, falsely alleges that ISOC is promoting anti-American values and attempting to create a “parallel society” where U.S. laws do not apply. These false claims led to a surge of hateful rhetoric and alarming threats of violence against the mosque and its congregants.
In response, ISOC issued a public statement highlighting its more than 50-year history of serving Orange County, emphasizing its dedication to peace, interfaith dialogue, civic engagement, and community service, and reaffirming that its congregation is both proudly American and proudly Muslim.
CAIR-LA is working closely with ISOC, which has contacted local law enforcement to address the threats and ensure the safety of the mosque’s congregants and staff.
Anti-Muslim conspiracy theories that portray Muslim communities as ‘parallel societies’ with so-called ‘no-go zones’ are not only false and unfounded, but—as demonstrated by the alarming influx of online threats targeting ISOC—they are also dangerous and put real lives at risk.
“ISOC has long been a cornerstone of interfaith engagement and community service in Orange County. We commend their leadership in addressing this misinformation and urge public officials and community members to stand united against hate and violence while upholding the fundamental American principle of religious freedom.”
He added that CAIR-LA recently condemned a hate incident targeting the Islamic Society of Simi Valley, as well as reports of other mosques in Claremont and La Mirada being targeted.
CAIR-LA calls on community leaders, elected officials, and residents to reject misinformation and support ISOC’s efforts to continue serving the broader public through initiatives such as its longstanding food pantry, educational programs, and interfaith partnerships.
The organization also urges social media platforms and law enforcement agencies to take threats of violence seriously and to ensure accountability for those who incite harm.
According to CAIR’s most recent civil rights report, complaints of anti-Muslim bias and discrimination have continued to rise nationwide, reflecting an ongoing pattern of Islamophobia impacting communities across the country.
CAIR-LA urges mosque leaders to maintain increased awareness and utilize resources to maintain community safety, including CAIR’s “Best Practices for Mosque and Community Safety” booklet, which offers advice on how to help keep religious facilities safe. The advice in the booklet is applicable to houses of worship of all faiths. The organization also published a guide on mosque security, which advises mosque leadership on what to do if their place of worship is targeted by hate.
To report any bias or hate incidents, contact CAIR-LA’s Civil Rights Department at (714) 776-1177 (ext. 2) or click here to file a report.
CAIR-LA is Southern California’s largest Muslim civil liberties and advocacy organization. Its mission is to enhance the understanding of Islam, protect civil rights, promote justice and empower American Muslims.
Source: www.cair.com
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FG names Mamu, Ansaru, IPOB, 45 other terror financiers
by Musa Umar Bologi
April 12, 2026
The Federal Government through the Nigeria Sanctions Committee (NIGSAC) yesterday updated its list of 48 persons and organisations linked to terrorism financing in the country.
Prominent names on the list include the detained newspaper publisher Tukur Mamu, the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), Jama’atu Wal-Jihad, Ansarul Sudan (Ansaru) and Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP).
Jama’atu Wal-Jihad, Ansarul Sudan (Ansaru) and Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP) are largely responsible for the long running insurgency in the northern part of the country
Tukur Mamu is accused of participating in terrorism financing by receiving and delivering ransom payments exceeding $200,000 to ISWAP terrorists for the release of hostages from the Abuja-Kaduna train attack.
Also on the list is Abdulsamat Ohida, described as a senior commander of the Islamic State of West Africa Province in Okene, Kogi State. Authorities linked Ohida to the June 5, 2022 attack on St. Francis Catholic Church in Owo, Ondo State, and the July 5, 2022 assault on the Kuje Correctional Centre in Abuja.
Another suspect, Mohammed Sani, is described as a member of the Ansarul Muslimina Fi Biladissudam (ANSARU), a group associated with Al-Qaeda in the Islamic Maghreb (AQIM).
According to the federal government, Sani was trained under Muktar Belmokhtar, also known as ‘One Eyed’, and specialised in designing clandestine communication codes and improvised explosive devices.
Abdurrahman Abdurrahman, another senior ISWAP commander in Okene, was also named. The federal government said the group emerged in 2012 as the North-Central wing of Boko Haram and later re-aligned with ISWAP following the death of its leader in 2016.
Yusuf Ghazali was named for allegedly transferring N20 million in 2015 to Surajo Abubakar Muhammad and N40 million to Ibrahim Ali Alhassan, both identified as convicts.
Authorities said Abubakar Adamu, also known as Yellow, received N189 million from Ghazali between 2016 and 2018 and had financial links with the group’s leader, Alhaji Saidu Ahmed.
Usama Muhammad was listed as a major contact in Zamfara State, allegedly receiving N57 million from Yawale Muhammad between 2014 and 2017 and maintaining transactions with Surajo Abubakar Muhammad and Saidu Ahmed.
Other individuals on the sanctions list are Abubakar Muhammad, Allamudeen Hassan, Adamu Ishak, Hassana Isah, Abdulkareem Musa, Umar Abdullahi, Abdurrahman Ado, Bashir Yusuf, Ibrahim Alhassan, Muhammad Isah, Salihu Adamu, Surajo Mohammad, Fannami Bukar and Muhammed Musa, Sahabi Ismail, Mohammed Buba, Adamu Hassan and Hassan Mohammed.
Others are Usman Abubakar, Kubara Salawu, Rabiu Suleiman, Simon Njoku, Godstime Iyare, Francis Mmaduabuchi, John Onwumere, Chukwuka Eze, Edwin Chukwuedo, Chiwendu Owoh, Ginika Orji, Awo Uchechukwu, Mercy Ali, Ohagwu Juliana, Eze Okpoto, Nwaobi Chimezie and Ogumu Kewe.
Source: thenationonlineng.net
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Mideast
Why the Israeli Regime Continues the Killings in Gaza
4/12/2026
NOURNEWS – The escalation of attacks by the Israeli regime against Gaza and Lebanon continues at a time when Trump’s peace-oriented policies toward Palestine have failed and the Gaza Peace Council has collapsed. Iran has once again emphasized the necessity of a comprehensive ceasefire and global responsibility in confronting the Israeli regime’s acts of aggression.
As military aggression and crimes by the Israeli regime against Lebanon persist, Palestinian media have reported an intensification of Israeli attacks across various areas of the Gaza Strip. According to these reports, eastern and northern parts of Gaza City have come under artillery shelling. Israeli naval vessels have directly fired toward the shores of Khan Younis in the southern Gaza Strip, targeting the area. The Israeli army has also carried out demolitions and explosions of residential homes in eastern Gaza City. The Israeli Kan network reported that the regime’s political and security officials are preparing plans to resume large-scale military operations in Gaza. This aggression, an explicit violation of the ceasefire, agreements, and the stated commitments of the Gaza Peace Council, reflects less a position of strength than evidence of the crisis facing the regime’s leadership, including Netanyahu, who views continued killing as a means of evading accountability. At the same time, these crimes once again underscore the validity of Iran’s position regarding the need to impose restrictions on the Strait of Hormuz and to establish a ceasefire with enforceable guarantees across the entire region.
The Israeli regime has resumed intensified killings in Gaza amid widespread acknowledgment of the failure of US–Israeli efforts in the face of Iran’s asserted power, a development that has created a crisis for the regime’s leadership, particularly given that more than half of the population in the occupied territories reportedly acknowledges this failure. Experience shows that leaders such as Netanyahu have consistently used violence as a means of avoiding accountability. Concurrent with the attacks on Lebanon and Gaza, Hebrew-language media reported that the Israeli prime minister requested a delay of at least two weeks in providing testimony in court, citing security and political reasons. The final piece of this troubling pattern can be seen in reports following discussions between Trump and Netanyahu, which claimed that any future strike in Beirut would require special authorization, including personal approval from Netanyahu. Once again, Netanyahu is pursuing personal objectives through genocide, occupation, and the implementation of a scorched-earth policy from Gaza to Lebanon. This approach reflects a self-serving and destructive mindset that deems the sacrifice of millions and the devastation of an entire region acceptable for the sake of political survival.
Source: nournews.ir
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https://nournews.ir/en/news/309495/Why-the-Israeli-Regime-Continues-the-Killings-in-Gaza
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US claims China may send air defenses to Iran; Beijing denies
Sohrab Sarwari
April 12, 2026
KABUL (Pajhwok): US intelligence sources have claimed that China is considering sending new air defense systems to Iran, while Beijing has denied the allegation and US President Donald Trump warned that such a move would face “serious consequences.”Premium content access
CNN reported on Saturday, citing three individuals familiar with recent US intelligence assessments that China is preparing to deliver new air defense systems to Iran within the coming weeks.
The systems being prepared for transfer are shoulder-fired anti-aircraft missile systems known as MANPADS, which were described as posing an asymmetric threat to low-flying US military aircraft and could become relevant again if a ceasefire collapses.
Source: pajhwok.com
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'After his heart attack in Gaza, Scotland is the only hope of saving dad's life'
By Hamish Morrison
12-04-2026
Like all residents of the Palestinian territory, Bahjat Alshurafa has had his life upended by the genocide perpetrated by Israel. But he has also suffered a severe heart attack, which alerted doctors to his underlying heart problems which Dr Alshurafa told the Sunday National he fears could kill him at any moment and his “only hope is to get him to Scotland”.
So anxious is he about his father’s condition that Dr Alshurafa has sought mental health treatment from the NHS and has started a petition to call on the government to bring his father for surgery in the UK.
Bahjat has lost some of his closest family members during the genocide in Gaza – his brother, his nephew, his sister – and Dr Alshurafa said that as a result, he began to withdraw from the world around eight or nine months ago.
“My dad was isolating himself from the world, he was not speaking to anyone, and he’d started to develop some mental health problems,” said the St Andrews University lecturer, who lives in Glasgow.
Dr Mohammed Alshurafa pictured holding photograph on his phone of his father. Mohammed is trying to get his father, Bahjat Alshurafa over from Gaza on a medical visa following a serious heart attack and is in a critical condition . NB photograph taken before his father became unwell Photograph by Colin Mearns 9th April 2026
Dr Alshurafa said: “Then all of a sudden, this heart attack came to him. He was admitted to the hospital. There were no medications at all. Every single medication he was taking was expired.”
Source: www.thenational.scot
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https://www.thenational.scot/news/26012157.after-gaza-heart-scotland-hope-saving-dads-life/
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Newcastle memorial to Palestinian civilians killed in Gaza
12-04-2026
A new memorial to remember the Palestinian civilians killed in the war in Gaza is set to be installed in Newcastle.
City councillor Habib Rahman, who has led the initiative, said it “reflects our city’s long-standing tradition of solidarity, our stance against genocide and war, and our commitment to empathy and remembrance”.
Coun Rahman believes that the Palestinian memorial in Newcastle, which is expected to be installed later this year, would be the first of its kind in the UK and Europe.
The council’s Peace Garden already contains memorial stones remembering the victims of genocide in Rwanda and the Romani Holocaust, while there are also plans to commemorate the lives lost in the atrocities carried out against Myanmar’s Rohingya population.
Source: www.hexham-courant.co.uk
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https://www.hexham-courant.co.uk/news/26007865.newcastle-memorial-palestinian-civilians-killed-gaza/
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India
This village in UP's Barabanki has close links to Iran Revolution of 1979
by Sana Fazili
Apr 11, 2026
A small Indian village in Uttar Pradesh's Barabanki district holds a distinction of having historic ties to Iran. This village is an evidence of India's civilisational ties and a spiritual and cultural connection with Iran. This village, named Kintoor, is the ancestral home of Ayatollah Ruhollah Khomeini who led Iran's revolution of 1979 that toppled the monarchy led by the Pahlavi dynasty. Track updates on Iran US war
Syed Ahmad Musavi Hindi, grandfather of Ayatollah Khomenei, was born in Kintoor village in 1790, but later migrated to Iran's Markaz province in a village called Khomein. Musavi Hindi settled in Khomein and the family lineage subsequently flourished there, according to a report by news agency ANI.
According to reports Syed Ahmad Musavi Hindi was 40-years-old when he travelled to Iran via Iraq in 1830 with the Nawab of Awadh. This was a time when British rule was tightening its grip over undivided India. Probably weary of the colonial regime, Musavi Hindi settled permanently in Iran's Khomein village where his family grew to become highly influential in both religious and social spheres.
Syed Ahmad Musavi Hindi's son, Ayatollah Mustafa Hindi, became a renowned scholar of Islamic theology. His son, Ruhollah, was born in 1902, who later rose to fame and was known as 'Ayatollah Khomenei' or 'Imam Khomenei.' He eventually overthrew the Pahlavi dynasty, a move that forever changed the political landscape of the Middle East.
Source: www.hindustantimes.com
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Assam turnout nears record 86%, highest rise in Muslim-majority districts
Apr 12, 2026
GUWAHATI: The voter turnout in the 2026 Assam assembly polls further climbed on Sunday, reaching close to 86%, according to the EC's last update.
Speaking to reporters in Rajasthan, CM Himanta Biswa Sarma said, "All Sanatani people have voted en masse for NDA. We will secure 90-100 seats in the state this time."
The Muslim belt, comprising the 10 Muslim-majority districts, recorded an average turnout rise of 4.7 points over 2021, the highest in the state.
Source: timesofindia.com
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MPs rue Muslim erasure from Indian history, warn against conflict-centric narratives
12.04.26
Parliamentarians and scholars on Saturday regretted the attempts to present India’s complex history solely in terms of conflict and advocated efforts to highlight how the country’s past had been enriched by the confluence of cultures.
At a seminar on “Revisiting the Muslim contribution to India’s history, society and civilisation”, organised by the Indian History Forum, speakers underlined India’s syncretic culture, which they said the media had failed to foreground.
Among the speakers were Congress Lok Sabha MP Shashi Tharoor, RJD Rajya Sabha member Manoj Jha, former Independent Rajya Sabha MP Mohammed Adeeb, author Ashok Kumar Pandey and scholars S. Sadatullah Husaini and Shadab Moosa.
Moosa said today’s history textbooks often presented inaccurate and misinterpreted information. Nor did India’s museums adequately present Muslims’ contribution to the freedom struggle. The medieval period was the most contested area today, he said.
Source: www.telegraphindia.com
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P.C. George, Shone took contract from BJP to create Christian-Muslim rift: Hibi Eden
April 11, 2026
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Congress leader and Ernakulam MP Hibi Eden on Saturday (April 11) slammed Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leaders P.C. George and Shone George, accusing them of taking up a “contract” from their party to create divisions between Christians and Muslims.
Mr. Eden made a scathing attack on the father-son duo, a day after they hit out at the Catholic Church, alleging that a section of the clergy and the Deepika daily, the mouthpiece of the Church, worked against the BJP-led National Democratic Alliance (NDA) in the Assembly elections. Both Mr. George and his son were NDA candidates from Poonjar and Pala, respectively.
Source: www.thehindu.com
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Abhishek flays Kabir on home turf. Don’t fall for AI clips: PM
Apr 12, 2026
Kolkata: Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Saturday warned voters in Murshidabad not to fall for what he called Trinamool's AI-generated disinformation campaign, even as Trinamool national general secretary Abhishek Banerjee used the purported sting video against Humayun Kabir to mount a withering attack on the suspended legislator in his own backyard of Rejinagar.
Speaking at a rally in Jangipur, Modi said: "There is a conspiracy, and you need to be careful. Trinamool is panicking and will use conspiracies as the election draws closer. We have seen this in Assam and Puducherry — rumours based on AI-generated videos will be spread. Do not fall into that trap." Trinamool hit back immediately, demanding to know why the Prime Minister was "sounding like Kabir's spokesperson" and calling for a court-monitored probe into the video.
The video — released by Trinamool on April 9 and purportedly showing Kabir claiming he received Rs 1,000 crore from BJP — has roiled the opposition camp. Kabir has dismissed it as AI-generated and threatened legal action, but the fallout has been swift: his AJUP party president resigned and alliance partner AIMIM called off their poll pact. Union home minister Amit Shah also debunked the claims, saying BJP and those who espouse support for the Babri Masjid are "like the North Pole and the South Pole."
Source: timesofindia.com
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From workplace scandal to communal flashpoint: Nashik BPO case sparks ‘Corporate jihad’ row
by: Zeeshan Shaikh
Apr 11, 2026
Close on the heels of the controversy surrounding self-styled godman Ashok Kharat and allegations of sexual exploitation, Nashik located 180 kms North of Mumbai has been rocked by another major scandal this time involving alleged sexual harassment and exploitation of women at a Business Process Outsourcing (BPO) unit of a leading IT company. Complaints by multiple employees have led to the arrest of nine individuals, including eight Muslim men, even as right-wing groups have sought to frame the case using terms such as “love jihad” and “office jihad”.
Source: indianexpress.com
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UP voter roll revision hits BJP bastions harder than muslim belts
Kumar Abhishek
Apr 11, 2026
The Special Intensive Revision (SIR) in Uttar Pradesh has dealt a setback to the Bharatiya Janata Party. While 2.04 crore names have been removed from the state's electoral rolls, a closer look at the data shows significantly higher revisions in BJP bastions compared to Muslim-dominated areas.
Interestingly, the final SIR data reflects Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath’s earlier claim that a disproportionate number of BJP supporters’ votes would be struck off during the revision.
Lucknow recorded the highest voter deletions in the state, with its electorate shrinking by around 23 per cent. Ghaziabad, with a decline of over 20 per cent in its electorate, came second. Kanpur, Noida and Meerut saw reductions of roughly 18–19 per cent each.
Source: www.indiatoday.in
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Pakistan
Pakistan to continue facilitating U.S.-Iran talks, says Ishaq Dar; urges ceasefire
April 12, 2026
In a brief statement to the media after marathon negotiations between the U.S. and Iran ended without a breakthrough, Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar said Pakistan has helped mediate several rounds of “intense and constructive” discussions over the past 24 hours.
“I, along with the Defence Forces Army Chief Field Marshal Syed Sim Munir, helped mediate several rounds of intense and constructive negotiations between the two sides that continued through the last 24 hours and ended this morning,” he said.
“Pakistan has been and will continue to play its role to facilitate engagements and dialogue between the Islamic Republic of Iran and the U.S. in the days to come,” he said.
Source: www.thehindu.com
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'Deal or not, no difference to me': Where was US President Trump as Vance negotiated with Iranians in Pakistan?
By Navashree Nandini
Apr 12, 2026
JD Vance confirms no deal as United States–Iran talks in Islamabad end without breakthrough. Donald Trump remains in touch but attends event in Florida, as nuclear dispute stalls negotiations.
Iran-US talks has not yielded any result yet. Both US Vice President JD Vance and Iranian delegation have departed Pakistan. While Vance was in Pakistan negotiating with the Iranians, US President Donald Trump was busy issuing threats to Iran and soon after, he left Washington and headed to Florida to attend UFC 327 at Kaseya Center in Miami.
However, Vance said that he was “consistently” speaking to President Donald Trump during trilateral talks. He added that he was in touch with other top US officials throughout the negotiations, including Secretary of State Marco Rubio, Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth, Secretary of Treasury Scott Bessent, and Adm. Brad Cooper, commander of US Central Command. “Obviously, we were talking to the president consistently. I don’t know how many times we talked to him, a half-dozen times, a dozen times over the past 21 hours,” Vance told reporters in Islamabad.
Just before the negotiations between Iran and the US, Trump said Saturday (Apr 12) that he was not bothered about the outcome of US-Iran talks in Pakistan, insisting the United States had already won.
Source: www.wionews.com
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Pakistan foreign minister says 'imperative' for US, Iran to uphold ceasefire
Apr 12, 2026
Pakistan's foreign minister insisted on Sunday Washington and Tehran must uphold a ceasefire agreement, after marathon talks between the two sides to end the war in the Middle East ended without an agreement.
Source: economictimes..com
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South Asia
Bangladesh lawmaker slams BNP govt for appointing party-linked figures to key posts
11 April 2026
Dhaka: Rumeen Farhana, a Bangladeshi independent lawmaker, has slammed the ruling Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) government over the appointment of party-linked figures to key positions, including the Governor of Bangladesh Bank and Vice Chancellors of several public universities, local media reported this week.
Speaking during a parliamentary session, Farhana said, “In every country, the Central Bank is the regulatory authority for financial institutions and acts as the government’s bank. Looking at other South Asian countries, one sees highly qualified individuals with PhDs, from institutions like Princeton, appointed to Central Banks. In contrast, after the formation of the new government in Bangladesh, the person appointed (as Bangladesh Bank Governor) was a member of BNP's election committee and Managing Director of a sweater factory."
“The same pattern is evident in the appointments of Vice Chancellors at universities, where party-affiliated VCs and pro-VCs have been installed. Being politically active is not condemnable, but if one cannot be appointed without party affiliation, that is unfortunate," Bangladesh’s leading newspaper Daily Star quoted Farhana as saying.
A former BNP leader, Farhana contested the February 12 national election as an independent candidate from the Brahmanbaria-2 constituency after the party allocated the seat to an alliance partner.
She further claimed that the 2024 July protests were aimed to build an inclusive Bangladesh, while lamenting the declining role of women in significant decision-making processes.
Source: www.thehansindia.com
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Bangladesh: Spiritual leader beaten to death by mob over viral video
Apr 11, 2026
A mob beat a self-proclaimed spiritual leader to death in Bangladesh’s Kushtia district on Saturday.
According to news agency AFP, Shamim Reza, who was believed to be in his 60s, succumbed to his injuries after hundreds of people stormed his residence and thrashed him with sticks.
According to the report, the mob was angered after an old video of the man resurfaced online on Friday. It allegedly showed him claiming that those who wrote the Quran were illiterate and those who read it were worse off.
“Sensing that something might happen, police went to the spot, and the administration tried their best. But an angry mob of more than 200 people attacked his residence,” chief administrative official Touhid bin Hasan told AFP.
Source: timesofindia.com
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Mob Attacks, Vandalises Hindu Households, Businesses In Bangladesh
Apr 11, 2026
A Muslim spiritual leader was hacked to death for allegedly insulting Islam while shops and households owned by Hindus were vandalised in two separate mob attacks in western Kushtia and northwestern Rangpur in Bangladesh on Saturday.
An irate mob attacked several Hindu households and businesses in pre-dawn hours over the death of a Muslim youth in their neighbourhood in Rangpur, about 300-odd kms northwest of Dhaka.
Prothom Alo newspaper said more than a hundred members of the Hindu community live in the Daspara market area where Hassan was murdered allegedly by drug peddler Mohammad Momin over a previous dispute.
Source: www.ndtv.com
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5th biennial conference of RU Economics Alumni Association held
11 Apr 2026
RAJSHAHI, April 11, 2026 (BSS) - The 5th biennial conference of the Rajshahi University (RU) Economics Department Alumni Association was held today with participation from hundreds of former students.
Professor M Rafiqul Islam, convener of the organizing committee, presided over the event. Former teacher of the department and noted economist Mustafa K Mujeri attended as the chief guest.
Special guests included Professor Ismail Hossain, former Pro-Vice Chancellor of North South University, along with Rajshahi University Pro-Vice Chancellors Professor Mohammad Main Uddin and Professor Farid Uddin Khan.
Source: www.bssnews.net
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https://www.bssnews.net/news/376814
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Dialogue, Not Conflict: The Path to Lasting Peace
April 11, 2026
In a world increasingly burdened by divisions and hostilities, the call for dialogue over confrontation has never been more urgent. History teaches us that wars leave behind scars that take generations to heal, while dialogue builds bridges that endure. It is through conversation, mutual respect, and understanding that nations can secure peace and prosperity for their people.
The Islamic Emirate has consistently emphasized that it does not seek war. From its earliest statements to its current policies, it has reiterated that conflict is destructive and counterproductive. Instead, the Emirate has underscored its commitment to peace, mutual interaction, and constructive engagement with all countries, particularly its neighbors. This position is not merely rhetorical; it reflects a deep recognition that Afghanistan’s stability is inseparable from regional harmony.
Peace is not a passive state but an active process. It requires patience, compromise, and a willingness to listen. The Islamic Emirate’s insistence on dialogue demonstrates an understanding that Afghanistan’s future cannot be secured in isolation. By fostering cooperative relations with neighboring states, the Emirate seeks to ensure that Afghanistan becomes a hub of connectivity rather than a theater of conflict. Such an approach benefits not only Afghans but also the broader region, which has long suffered from instability spilling across borders.
Source: thekabultimes.com
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https://thekabultimes.com/dialogue-not-conflict-the-path-to-lasting-peace/
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Shaheen Discusses Child Protection with UN Official
April 11, 2026
DOHA: Mohammad Suhail Shaheen, Ambassador of the Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan to Qatar, in a meeting with Dawood Al-Masri, head of the Public Awareness and Analysis Center at the Office of the UN Secretary-General’s Special Representative in Doha, discussed child protection.
Both sides engaged in detailed discussions regarding the protection of children in Afghanistan, the challenges currently facing this sector, and the measures taken by the Islamic Emirate to address these issues.
The discussion also covered broader humanitarian concerns and ongoing efforts aimed at improving the situation of children, highlighting the importance of continued dialogue and cooperation in addressing these critical challenges.
Source: thekabultimes.com
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https://thekabultimes.com/shaheen-discusses-child-protection-with-un-official/
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Bangladesh's BTMA inks MoU with global partners to host DTG exhibition
12 Apr '26
The Bangladesh Textile Mills Association (BTMA) recently signed a memorandum of understanding with global partners in Dhaka to jointly organise the Dhaka International Textile and Garment Machinery Exhibition (DTG).
Representatives from Shanghai Textile Association, Link Well Exhibition Co. Ltd. and ECO Expo signed the agreement, according to a press release from the trade body.
Under the MoU, the parties will collaborate to plan, organise, promote and manage the DTG exhibition, scheduled to be held annually in Dhaka.
The event aims at turning a premier global platform showcasing the latest developments in textile and garment machinery, technologies and solutions, and expected to connect local manufacturers with global technology providers, contributing to the modernisation and competitiveness of the sector, according to domestic media outlets.
Source: www.fibre2fashion.com
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Southeast Asia
Diesel refuelling glitch in Segambut caused by empty tank, missing auto cut-off system, deputy minister says after viral claims
12 Apr 2026
PUTRAJAYA, April 12 — A viral diesel refuelling incident at a petrol station in Jalan Segambut, Kuala Lumpur was caused by depleted fuel stock and the absence of an automatic volume detection system.
Deputy Minister of Domestic Trade and Cost of Living, Datuk Dr Fuziah Salleh, said this was based on findings from an investigation by the Ministry of Domestic Trade and Cost of Living (KPDN), following the circulation of a video on social media.
MILAN, April 10 — Stefano Gabbana, co-founder of Italian luxury fashion house Dolce & Gabbana, stepped down as chair in January, according to a company filing with the local...
Source: www.malaymail.com
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New Sarawak cancer hospital aims to serve patients across Borneo; design complete, tender next
12 Apr 2026
KUCHING, April 12 — The proposed Sarawak Cancer Centre is expected to commence construction in 2027 following the completion of its design phase, said Deputy Health Minister Datuk Hanifah Hajar Taib.
“Once the tender is approved, InsyaAllah the target is for construction to begin in 2027,” she told reporters when met after the launch of the biography ‘Laila Taib: Her Journey of Love & Compassion’ and the exhibition ‘The Tatars – Muslim in the Republic of Poland’ at Pustaka Negeri Sarawak here on Sunday.
Hanifah said the establishment of the specialised cancer hospital would strengthen ongoing cancer treatment and research efforts currently taking place at Sarawak General Hospital.
Source: www.malaymail.com
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Police to focus on high-sales petrol stations near borders in new anti-smuggling move, says Saifuddin Nasution
12 Apr 2026
PENGKALAN HULU, April 12 — The Home Ministry (KDN) will assess fuel sales volumes at petrol stations near the country’s borders to implement enforcement measures aimed at curbing fuel smuggling.
Home Minister Datuk Seri Saifuddin Nasution Ismail said the ministry will get all sales data from the Finance Ministry and the Ministry of Domestic Trade and Cost of Living (KPDN) to identify petrol stations near the country’s borders which recorded unreasonable sales.
TAMPIN, April 12 — The death of Private Muhammad Amirul Raziq Rosafindi has left his family in deep grief following the loss of the young soldier.His father, Rosafindi Tambi...
Source: www.malaymail.com
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Johor must act now on pay and policies or face talent drain to Singapore when RTS starts, state economic adviser warns
12 Apr 2026
JOHOR BAHRU, April 12 — Johor must refine its cross-border economic strategy and sharpen policy clarity to address the outflow of skilled labour ahead of the planned launch of the Rapid Transit System (RTS) Link early next year.
Johor Economic, Tourism and Cultural Office (Jetco) Singapore Executive chairman Datuk Seri Hasni Mohammad said the RTS Link, which will connect Johor Bahru and Singapore, is set to boost cross-border mobility and could accelerate the migration of skilled workers from Johor to the city-state.
KUALA LUMPUR, April 11 — Staff at an Oriental Kopi outlet in Johor stopped a snatch theft attempt yesterday after a man grabbed a customer’s bag and tried to flee.The incident...
“Previously, these workers had to wake as early as 4 am and endure congestion crossing the Johor Causeway by bus or motorcycle. With the RTS Link, travel will be much easier, which could encourage more skilled workers to opt for jobs in Singapore,” he told Bernama recently.
Source: www.malaymail.com
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Sultan of Pahang presents donation to family of late soldier Muhammad Amirul Raziq
12 Apr 2026
KUANTAN, April 12 — The Sultan of Pahang, Al-Sultan Abdullah Ri’ayatuddin Al-Mustafa Billah Shah, has presented a donation to the family of the late Muhammad Amirul Raziq Rosafindi, who passed away at Sultan Haji Ahmad Shah Hospital (HoSHAS), Temerloh, yesterday.
MILAN, April 10 — Stefano Gabbana, co-founder of Italian luxury fashion house Dolce & Gabbana, stepped down as chair in January, according to a company filing with the local...
The Pahang Sultanate, in a Facebook post, said the donation was presented by Palace Religious officer Lt Col Anuar Mohd Ehwal to the late Muhammad Amirul Raziq’s father, Rosafindi Tambi Chik, at Felda Sungai Kelamah Mosque, Gemas, at about 3 am today.
The post said Private Muhammad Amirul Raziq, who was attached to the 25th Battalion, Royal Malay Regiment (RAMD) in Bentong, died at 9.34 am yesterday after nearly two weeks of battling for his life following serious injuries.
Source: www.malaymail.com
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Arab world
Iraq elects Kurdish politician Nizar Amidi as president amid war fallout
By Qassim Abdul-Zahra
April 11, 2026
BAGHDAD — Iraq’s Parliament voted Saturday to elect Nizar Amidi, a political official with one of the country’s two main Kurdish parties, as president, five months after a parliamentary election that didn’t produce a bloc with a decisive majority.
His election comes as Iraq is reeling from the fallout of the U.S.-Israeli war on Iran. Iraq became caught in the middle of the conflict, with Iran-backed militias launching attacks on U.S. bases and diplomatic facilities as well as on critical energy infrastructure. Meanwhile, the U.S. and Israel carried out airstrikes targeting the militias, some of which killed members of the Iraqi military.
The war and Iran’s closure of the Strait of Hormuz also largely halted the oil exports upon which Iraq’s economy depends.
Source: www.washingtontimes.com
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Kingdom arrests 15,458 illegals in one week
April 11, 2026
RIYADH: Saudi authorities arrested 15,458 people in one week for breaching residency, work and border security regulations, the Saudi Press Agency reported on Saturday.
A total of 8,440 people were arrested for violations of residency laws, while 4,054 were held over illegal border crossing attempts, and a further 2,964 for labor-related issues.
The report showed that among the 1,600 people arrested for trying to enter the Kingdom illegally, 60 percent were Ethiopian, 39 percent Yemeni, and 1 percent were of other nationalities.
Source: www.arabnews.com
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https://www.arabnews.com/node/2639545/saudi-arabia
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Energy facilities, East–West pipeline restored at full operational capacity: Saudi energy ministry
April 12, 2026
RIYADH: Saudi Arabia's Ministry of Energy announced the success of operational restoration at full capacity through the East–West pipeline, reported state news agency SPA on Sunday.
The ministry announced the “success of operational and technical efforts in restoring the full pumping capacity through the East–West pipeline, amounting to approximately seven million barrels per day, and recovering the affected volumes from the Manifa field production of around 300,000 barrels per day, all within a short period of time,” SPA reported.
“This quick recovery reflects the high operational resilience and crisis management efficiency of Saudi Aramco and the Kingdom’s energy ecosystem as a whole, thereby enhancing the reliability and continuity of supplies to local and global markets, and supporting the global economy,” the ministry said.
Source: www.arabnews.com
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https://www.arabnews.com/node/2639627/saudi-arabia
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Saudi Arabia promotes education for peace at UNESCO
April 11, 2026
MADINAH: The Islamic University of Madinah has been cited as a global model for intercultural coexistence and global citizenship at a UNESCO Executive Board session in Paris.
Saudi Arabia also reaffirmed its commitment to education for peace, emphasizing policies that promote tolerance and equality, while rejecting violence, discrimination, and extremism.
Curricula are designed to foster human coexistence and justice, positioning education as a key tool for international understanding, the Saudi Press Agency reported on Saturday.
Source: www.arabnews.com
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https://www.arabnews.com/node/2639591/saudi-arabia
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Saudi envoy to UN receives Turkmenistan official in New York
April 11, 2026
NEW YORK: Saudi Arabia’s Permanent Representative to the UN Abdulaziz Al-Wasil received his counterpart from Turkmenistan Vepa Hajiyev.
“We held a productive exchange on strengthening multilateral cooperation and reaffirming our shared commitment to the UN Charter,” Al-Wasil said in a post on X on Saturday.
He added that discussions covered common priorities, including sustainable development, regional stability, and international peace and security, and expressed his intention to further deepen cooperation within the UN framework.
Source: www.arabnews.com
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https://www.arabnews.com/node/2639590/saudi-arabia
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France’s Macron says he is ‘in close contact’ with Saudi Crown Prince on Iran
April 11, 2026
PARIS: French President Emmanuel Macron said on Saturday he discussed the Iran ceasefire talks taking place in Islamabad with Saudi Arabia's Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman.
“I reiterated my support for the ceasefire, which must be fully respected and extended without delay to Lebanon. We discussed the need to restore fully free andsafe navigation in the Strait of Hormuz as quickly as possible,” wrote Macron on X.
“As talks get underway in Islamabad, we agreed to remain in close contact in order to contribute to a de-escalation, freedom of navigation, and the conclusion of an agreement to ensure lasting peace and security in the region,” added Macron.
Source: www.arabnews.com
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https://www.arabnews.com/node/2639562/saudi-arabia
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Europe
Why the government is relaxed about Chinese car imports
Faisal Islam
12 April 2026
In a Somerset field, with a distant view on one side of Hinkley Point nuclear power station (under construction) and on the other side the windswept grassy folds of Glastonbury Tor, lies the future of the British car industry. It is possibly also the foundation of our future economic resilience, at what is a troubled moment in the global economy.
Right now the site is a lattice of hulking steel frames covering an area the size of 30 football pitches, interspersed with cranes, earth movers and drainage channels.
From next year, it will be the Agratas electric vehicles battery facility, the UK's largest gigafactory, manufacturing cells for electric vehicle batteries, that will go on to power Jaguar Land Rover's electric vehicle fleet.
For successive governments this investment from India's Tata Group has been a £5bn triumph of industrial policy, but it is also a minimum requirement to secure the future of British car manufacturing.
Source: www.bbc.co.uk
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https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/cnv82v3n6yqo
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Travelers’ Accounts of Orthodox Easter in the Ottoman Era
12.04.2026
While the core religious rituals continued unchanged from the Byzantine tradition, historical accounts shed light on how the great feast day of Easter was experienced, expressed and remembered during the often dour era of Ottoman rule
Easter (Pascha) Sunday, the most important religious and communal event for Greek Orthodox populations around the world, is observed and celebrated today, April 12. As Easter Sunday can fall between early April, at the earliest, and the first week of May, at the latest, in the Orthodox ecclesiastical calendar, it also marks the advent of Spring.
Yet for roughly four centuries, the lands that correspond to modern Greece today were part of the Ottoman empire, a Sunni Muslim–dominated entity. The latter divided subjects by faith—not ethnicity, background or language—into Muslims, Christians, Jews and Christian Armenians.
Source: www.tovima.com
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https://www.tovima.com/culture/travelers-accounts-of-orthodox-easter-in-the-ottoman-era/
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The Nightfolk: Ibn ‘Arabi Behind the Veil of Night
April 11, 2026
by Usman Butt
The night plays an important role in many Muslim cultures and religious beliefs. During Ramadan Muslims will often do nightly prayers called Tarawih, where they can ask for forgiveness and receive rewards. On one night, in the last 10 days of Ramadan, Muslims try to discern when the Night of Power or Laylat Al-Qadr is. According to Islamic beliefs, this is the night when the Holy Quran was first revealed and where Muslims can receive extra blessings for prayers and good deeds done during this time. While this demonstrates some nights have special significance in normative Muslims beliefs, some Muslim scholars think the night has even more importance than this. Twelfth century sufi poet, scholar, and philosopher Muhyi Al-Din Ibn Arabi believed that a select group of spiritual practitioners had greater insight into the divine, the Nightfolk or Ahl Al-Layl. Dunja Rasic’s new book The Nightfolk: Ibn Arabi Behind the Veil of Night explores Ibn Arabi’s writings on this mysterious group.
Ibn Arabi’s road to wisdom began with a strange encounter in Makkah, where a young man was circling the Kaaba. The poet described the young man as an ‘elusive, silent speaker, neither living nor dead.’ The man took Ibn Arabi on a spiritual journey that would change his life forever, it is not clear who the young man described was with some scholars arguing he was Ibn Arabi himself, while others think the young man was the First Intellect or Al-Aql Al-Awwal, a being believed to be the first created spirit that represented the highest spiritual reality. The encounter allowed Ibn Arabi to ascend spiritually and to experience the divine unveiled. Ibn Arabi concluded that while all people were created in God’s form, only a small group of people not only understood the Divine Names of God, but also knew the realities of them and were able to take this knowledge and apply them. They were able to put things in their proper divine order and God uses them to enact reward, punishment, rules, measures and to establish and dismantle cosmic order. These were perfect human beings and they carried out key spiritual practices at night.
Source: www.middleeastmonitor.com
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https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/20260411-the-nightfolk-ibn-arabi-behind-the-veil-of-night/
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Get oriented: Key facts on the 4 African countries Leo will visit
04/11/26
From April 13 to 23, 2026, Pope Leo will visit four countries in Africa: Algeria, Cameroon, Angola, and Equatorial Guinea. Here are some key facts about each of these countries.
The country is located in northern Africa, has a long Mediterranean coastline, and is the largest country on the continent. It covers nearly a million square miles (roughly the size of Alaska and Texas combined).
Today, the vast majority of the population is Muslim. However, between the 4th century, when Christianity became the religion of the Roman Empire, and the arrival of Islam in the 7th century, this land had a significant Christian population. Notably, it was the homeland of St. Augustine of Hippo (the city now called Annaba). Under Muslim rule, the Christian presence was greatly reduced and persecuted.
Source: aleteia.org
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https://aleteia.org/2026/04/11/get-oriented-key-facts-on-the-4-african-countries-leo-will-visit/
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North America
Statement by PDKI on the Negotiations Between the US and Iran
11-04-2026
The Democratic Party of Iranian Kurdistan (PDKI) is closely monitoring the commencement of negotiations between the United States of America and the Islamic Republic of Iran in Islamabad, Pakistan. These talks should not be misconstrued as a genuine step toward peace, but rather understood as a continuation of a familiar pattern of political maneuvering at the international level.
The composition of the Islamic Republic’s delegation underscores the true character of the regime: a security-driven and militarized system that employs diplomacy as an instrument to advance its repressive and interventionist agenda. The delegation is headed by Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf, a senior figure associated with the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) and a central actor in the regime’s security and military establishment, including its nuclear and missile programs. His leadership reflects the systemic fusion of military authority and political power within the Islamic Republic.
Equally concerning is the inclusion of Mohammad Jafari Sahraroudi, an individual directly linked to the assassination of Dr. Abdul Rahman Ghassemlou. Sahraroudi is subject to an international arrest warrant. His presence is not incidental; rather, it is indicative of a governing doctrine in which acts of terrorism are integrated into statecraft and impunity remains a defining feature of the regime’s conduct. The inclusion of such individuals at an international negotiating table constitutes a clear affront to the United States delegation, to the principles of justice, to the victims of terrorism, and to the most fundamental ethical and legal norms governing international relations.
Source: pdki.org
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https://pdki.org/english/statement-by-pdki-on-the-negotiations-between-the-us-and-iran/
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LA family linked to Iranian Revolutionary 'propagandist' arrested by feds
By Suhauna Hussain
April 11, 2026
Rubio said on social media that the Obama administration had granted visas to Masoumeh Ebtekar's son and his family to enter the U.S. They received lawful permanent residency in June 2016, Rubio said, after the arrest of Ebtekar's family members. (Johannes Simon/Getty Images/TNS)" alt="U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio delivers a key note speech at the 62nd Munich Security Conference on Feb. 14, 2026, in Munich, Germany. <a href="https://x.com/SecRubio/status/2042961146307547296" id="link-087de5d0124d0f6a5be2578e19ad9de5" target="_blank">Rubio said on social media</a> that the Obama administration had granted visas to Masoumeh Ebtekar's son and his family to enter the U.S. They received lawful permanent residency in June 2016, Rubio said, after the arrest of Ebtekar's family members.
Source: www.miamiherald.com
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https://www.miamiherald.com/news/nation-world/national/article315381572.html
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Trump Calls Tiger Woods From Rehab as Melania Addresses Her Epstein Statement on ‘SNL’
By McKinley Franklin
April 11, 2026
The cold open kicked off with James Austin Johnson’s Trump discussing the wording of the post with Ashley Padilla’s Karoline Leavitt.
“Start with, ‘Open the f-ing Strait, you crazy bastards, or you’ll be living in hell.’ And then at the end, maybe throw in, ‘Praise be to Allah,'” Johnson’s Trump said, which prompted Padilla’s Leavitt to reply, “You think I should type, ‘Praise be to Allah,’ and that’s from you, the President of the United States?”
“As your press secretary, this puts me in a tough position, sir,” Padilla’s Leavitt responded. “Oh, don’t worry about that, Karoline. Like I said to Pam Bondi and Kristi Noem right before I fired them, you’re doing a terrific,” he added.
Trump went on to “make some urgent phone calls” amid “a lot of important things happening in the world right now.” His first call was to none other than Tiger Woods (Kenan Thompson), whom he reached while he was in rehab.
Source: www.hollywoodreporter.com
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Not radicalism but rivalry: Why autocrats fear the Brotherhood
April 11, 2026
by Ziyad Motala
The Washington Post has published many fine pieces over the years. This piece, published on March 25, 2026, entitled “The Mideast pushed out the Muslim Brotherhood. Here’s where it landed” (https://wapo.st/4v2kHhF), is not one of them. It is instead an illustration of a broader and troubling pattern in which influential Western platforms reproduce, often uncritically, the anxieties of autocracy in the language of security analysis.
The author, Tareq Alotaiba, presented to readers as a fellow at the Belfer Center for Science and International Affairs at Harvard University, is no disinterested scholar. His work does not merely coincide with the strategic posture of the United Arab Emirates. It reproduces it.
The UAE is a dynastic state where dissent is treated as a security threat and opposition is extinguished rather than engaged. From such a vantage point, it is unsurprising that movements which speak the language of elections, accountability, and political pluralism are recast as dangers to be contained. What is presented here as analysis is, in reality, advocacy on behalf of a system that fears not extremism, but participation.
This narrative is not confined to a single op-ed. It has been echoed, with varying degrees of intensity, by political figures in the United States who have sought to designate the Muslim Brotherhood as a terrorist organization. Efforts led by Ted Cruz, supported by Mario Díaz-Balart, and entertained during the administration of Donald Trump reflect a broader tendency to collapse political opposition into ideological threat. These positions have often aligned, whether consciously or not, with the strategic interests of Middle Eastern regimes that seek to suppress movements advocating electoral legitimacy and political accountability. What is presented as counterterrorism frequently functions as a language through which autocratic allies export their domestic anxieties into Western policy debates.
The article’s central conceit is familiar. It presents the Muslim Brotherhood as a metastasizing ideological threat, quietly advancing under the cover of Western tolerance. What is omitted is more telling than what is asserted. The modern concern about the Brotherhood in much of the Arab world has remarkably little to do with Islam as such. It has everything to do with politics. Across decades, the Brotherhood has evolved into a largely nonviolent movement that speaks the language of elections, constitutionalism, and political participation. It challenges political power. It asks, inconveniently, why societies suffused with wealth remain governed by hereditary elites who neither consult their citizens nor tolerate opposition.
The Brotherhood is not a monolithic entity. Across Egypt, Jordan, Morocco, Tunisia, and beyond, Brotherhood-affiliated actors have participated in elections, formed political parties, and accepted, at times grudgingly, the discipline of pluralism.
Source: www.middleeastmonitor.com
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Africa
Bishop Chukwu of Abakaliki Catholic Diocese is dead
By : Nnamdi Akpa
11 April 2026
The Catholic Bishop of Abakaliki Diocese His Lordship Bishop Peter Chukwu is dead.
Although the Church has not made any official statement regarding the death of the Catholic Bishop but an insider told our correspondent that the Bishop has kicked the bucket.
Source: guardian.ng
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https://guardian.ng/news/nigeria/metro/bishop-chukwu-of-abakaliki-catholic-diocese-is-dead/
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Kwara APC Elders Caucus Organises Inter-religious Prayers for Tinubu, Bolarinwa
Hammed Shittu
11-04-2026
Special inter-religious prayer sessions were held yesterday by members of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Osi, Ekiti Local Government Area of Kwara State for peaceful conduct of the 2027 general elections.
The Chief Imam of Osi, who is also the Chairman, League of Imams and Ulamas for the Ekiti LGA, Alhaji Saadudeen Ajisefinni, and the Chairman, Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) for the Ekiti LGA, Pastor Kenneth Adegoke, led the prayers in succession.
The clerics also offered prayers for actualisation of political aspiration of both President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and the state governorship aspirant, Bashir Omolaja Bolarinwa (BOB), ahead of the 2027 polls.
The event, organised by the APC stakeholders and elders in the Ekiti local government area of the state, also had both the Christian and Muslim clerics praying for an end to prevalent security challenges in the area.
Source: www.thisdaylive.com
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The renewed dystopia of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu
CHIDI ODINKALU
April 12, 2026
“Our administration will be committed to permanently securing the safety, freedom and prosperity of all Nigerians. We shall adopt a proactive and intelligence driven security approach to sufficiently address the nation’s security threats.”
Niger state in Nigeria’s North-Central zone also goes by the moniker of ‘Power State’. Nigeria’s founding head of state, Nnamdi Azikiwe, was born in the territory of the state as was Emeka Odumegwu-Ojukwu, leader of the defunct Biafra. The state has also produced two former military heads of state and a chief justice of Nigeria, but these are not the reasons for its moniker.
Niger is the ‘power state’ because it is host to several sensitive and strategic national energy assets located in Jebba, Kainji, and Shiroro, on the lower course of the River Niger. In addition, the state also hosts a collection of sensitive security installations. In the recent past, however, the state has become the place where the power of the Nigerian state goes to advertise its incapacities.
Shiroro illustrates this problem. At about 5,171 km², the Shiroro local fovernment area of Niger is approximately the size of Imo state in south-east Nigeria. In May 2025, Humangle reported that insurgents allied with Boko Haram have “formed a parallel government physically stationed on the fringes of the Allawa Forest in Shiroro”. In the past half decade, Shiroro has been the site of the most intense slaughter of uniformed assets of Nigeria’s armed and security services.
On the night of June 29-30, 2022, for instance, a motorbike gang of over 300 armed terrorists descended on Ajata-Aboki village in the Gurmana ward of Shiroro. Their destination was an artisanal mine in the village. At the site, they reportedly abducted at least four Chinese and several other workers.
Source: gazettengr.com
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https://gazettengr.com/the-renewed-dystopia-of-president-bola-ahmed-tinubu-1/
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ADC rises despite INEC row as defections surge ahead of 2027
12 April 2026
The African Democratic Congress (ADC) is gaining significant political ground across the country despite ongoing controversy surrounding the stance of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) on party affairs, with a fresh wave of defections boosting its ranks ahead of the 2027 general elections.
This development was evident at the party’s state congress in Sokoto, where party leaders and supporters turned out in large numbers, projecting confidence in the ADC’s growing relevance as a formidable opposition platform.
Speaking at the event, Senator Aminu Waziri Tambuwal, representing Sokoto South, alleged that the current political climate is being shaped to weaken opposition parties, claiming that recent developments point to a deliberate attempt to limit their survival.
Source: thesun.ng
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https://thesun.ng/adc-rises-despite-inec-row-as-defections-surge-ahead-of-2027/
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URL: https://newageislam.com/islamic-world-news/us-iran-talks-fail-after-marathon-peace-talks-in-pakistan/d/139639