West Bengal Govt Bows Down To Islamists, Urdu Academy Scraps Javed Akhtar Event
New Age Islam News Bureau
01 September2025
Javed Akhtar was invited as the chief guest to preside over a mushaira on September 1, at the West Bengal Urdu Academy's four-day literary festival. (Image: File)
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· West Bengal Govt Bows Down To Islamists, Urdu Academy Scraps Javed Akhtar Event
· Ratna Pathak Says Her And Naseeruddin Shah’s Inter-Faith Marriage Will ‘Not Be Allowed Today’
· Film Commission To Launch Third Saudi Film Confex In October
· Israel Mulls West Bank Annexation In Response To Moves To Recognize Palestine
· Muslim Community Concerned For Safety After Alleged Hate-Motivated Incident At Mississauga Islamic Centre
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India
· Karnataka Congress Government Backs Banu Mushtaq As Mysuru Dasara Inaugurator, Calls Festival ‘Secular And Cultural’
· How social media is driving polarisation in the politics of Upper Assam
· Supreme Court Extends Status Quo In Sambhal Mosque Row
· Army foils infiltration bid along LoC in J&K's Poonch; search operations underway
· ‘Perpetrators, organisers and sponsors must be brought to justice’: SCO declaration condemns Pahalgam terror attack
· A peek is all CM gets at Hazratbal: Once a fief, Omar Abdullah now faces 'renovation restrictions'
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Arab World
· Arab-Islamic Committee Asks US To Reverse Decision Not To Grant Visas For Palestinian Delegation
· Saudi, Palestine Ministers Discuss Technology Partnerships
· Arab sculptors shape Saudi landscapes in Al-Namas
· Saudi project clears 968 explosive devices in Yemen
· Program launched to boost entrepreneurial growth in Kingdom
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Mideast
· Berlin Urges Israel To ‘Immediately’ Improve Humanitarian Conditions In Gaza
· Post-war plan sees US administering Gaza for at least a decade: Washington Post
· Lebanon parliament speaker calls for dialogue over Hezbollah weapons
· Israeli forces disperse rally in Hebron to release bodies of individuals held since 1967
· Gaza Government Media Office: Journalist Death Toll Rises to 247 Following Martyrdom of Islam Abed
· Ayatollah Khamenei urges full implementation of Iran-China 25-year strategic partnership
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North America
· CAIR-North Carolina Welcomes Removal of Confederate Statue
· Judge blocks Trump administration move to deport Guatemalan children
· Trump haters’ new political strategy: Just hope he dies
· Trump teases executive action to overhaul voting system
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Africa
· Seven dead, 71 wounded as Sudan’s RSF shells besieged city
· Why My Enemies Are Very Vehement At Hating Me – Former Governor of Kaduna
· I Am Saddened By These Senseless Killings – Ndume Fumes Over Renewed Insurgent Attacks
· APC’s Muslim-Muslim Ticket Strategy To Win Election, Not Religious Move – El-Rufai
· Sokoto introduces allowances for imams, mosques
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Southeast Asia
· Sabah Mufti’s Office Denies Involvement In Exhumation Of Form One Student’s Remains
· US Secretary of State Marco Rubio extends warm congratulations to Malaysia on 68th Independence Day
· Anwar and Dr Wan Azizah welcomed by Xi at SCO gala in Tianjin as Malaysia prepares for summit talks
· Malaysia looks to expand semiconductor market with China and Japan collaborations, says Anwar
· Police caution public over false claims on woman who rushed Sultan Nazrin during Perak Merdeka celebration
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South Asia
· Fourth Anniversary Of The Last U.S. Troops’ Withdrawal From Afghanistan
· Religious Adviser Khalid Meets Pakistani High Commissioner
· Efforts underway to strengthen Afghanistan-UAE diplomatic ties, says official
· IEA Ambassador attends 2nd International Religious Leaders Conference in Malaysia
· 500 Killed, 1,000 Injured as Strong Earthquake Strikes Kunar, Eastern Afghanistan
· JnU students protest attacks on CU, BAU students
· DU Prof Hafizur denied bail in Anti-terrorism case
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Europe
· UK To Tighten Family Member Rules For Asylum Cases
· Suspected assassin of neo-Nazi Ukrainian MP detained – Zelensky
· Could Russia have joined NATO?
· Zelensky threatens ‘new deep strikes’ into Russia
· European ‘war party’ hindering Ukraine peace process – Kremlin
Compiled by New Age Islam News Bureau
URL: https://newageislam.com/islamic-world-news/west-bengal-govt-islamists,-urdu-academy/d/136677
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West Bengal Govt Bows Down To Islamists, Urdu Academy Scraps Javed Akhtar Event
Sep 1, 2025
Javed Akhtar was invited as the chief guest to preside over a mushaira on September 1, at the West Bengal Urdu Academy's four-day literary festival. (Image: File)
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The West Bengal government has kneeled in front of Islamist organisations ahead of the Assembly elections in 2026. The Mamata Banerjee government-run West Bengal Urdu Academy has been compelled to postpone a literary festival after Islamist groups vehemently opposed the literary body's invitation to renowned lyricist and poet Javed Akhtar for a Kolkata event. They had threatened of protests if the invitation to Akhtar wasn't withdrawn.
The event, titled 'Urdu in Hindi Cinema', was set to run from August 31 to September 3, in Kolkata, celebrating the rich contributions of Urdu to Indian cinema through discussions, poetry recitations, and cultural performances. Javed Akhtar, the celebrated screenwriter, lyricist and poet, was invited as the chief guest to preside over a key mushaira on September 1.
Following the invite, two prominent Islamist organisations in Kolkata, Jamiat Ulema-e-Hind and the Wahyahin Foundation, protested the invitation, labelling Akhtar as someone who "speaks against religion and God".
Both conservative Muslim groups argued that inviting Javed Akhtar's invitation to an Urdu event was inappropriate. Jamiat Ulema-e-Hind also warned of "democratic protests" similar to those against Taslima Nasreen in 2007 if Javed Akhtar's invitation to the West Bengal Urdu Academy's literary festival was not withdrawn.
Although the Academy said the event was postponed due to "unavoidable circumstances", sources told The Hindu that the state government, led by Mamata Baanerjee, was wary of escalating tensions ahead of an election year, and opted for postponement rather than confrontation, preventing scenarios like an ink attack on Akhtar or broader communal discord.
Akhtar has publicly identified as an atheist, and has embraced secular humanism. He calls himself a "cultural Muslim".
The Urdu Academy, a state-run body under the West Bengal government, is aimed at promoting Urdu literature and culture.
'UNAVOIDABLE CIRCUMSTANCES': SAYS URDU BODY OVER JAVED AKHTAR EVENT CANCELLATION
Nuzrat Zainab, the Secretary of the West Bengal Urdu Academy, said "unavoidable circumstances" led to the scrapping of the four-day programme.
When pressed by journalists for more specifics on the "unavoidable circumstances," Zainab reiterated, saying, "As I said, due to unavoidable circumstances", reported The Hindu, underscoring the government-run Urdu Academy's reluctance.
Human rights activist Shabnam Hashmi stressed that India is neither a Hindu Rashtra nor an Islamic country and asserted that atheists also have the right to live and speak freely.
"Even in states run by religions there are people who do not believe in religion," Hashmi wrote on X.
Poet-author Gauhar Raza slammed the cancellation of the programme at the behest of Muslim fundamentalist organisations, calling it "deeply disturbing and unacceptable".
"Cancellation of the programme planned by the West Bengal Urdu Academy, at the behest of Muslim fundamentalist organisations, because Javed Akhtar Sahab was invited to speak, is deeply disturbing and unacceptable. It also demonstrates that fundamentalists, whether Hindu or Muslim, are equally determined to silence the voices of rationality. He is one of the most firm, cleare, loud, and creative voices of rationality, and the entire nation is always eager to listen to him," Raza said on X.
Mayukh Biswas, a person linked to the Communist Party of India (Marxist), said, "If the Kolkata Jamiatiyas are so upset with Javed Akhtar, what would they have done with Sahir Ludhianvi? Killed him for apostasy?
The Urdu Academy runs on Bengal taxpayers' money; it is not the personal property of Jamiat mullahs," Biswas said on X.
However, facing threats of "democratic protests" reminiscent of past campaigns against Bangladeshi writer Taslima Nasreen, who was forced to flee Bengal in 2007 amid accusations of blasphemy, the organisers have yielded to avoid potential unrest.
INVITATION TO JAVED AKHTAR INVITED BACKLASH FROM ISLAMIST GROUPS
Jamiat Ulema-e-Hind, in a letter dated August 25, to the Urdu Academy, demanded the withdrawal of Akhtar's invitation and warned of a protest.
"If our people's requests are not heeded, we will be forced to adopt another method prevalent in democracy. Earlier, Jamiat Ulema-e-Hind had launched a movement against Taslima Nasreen, who had blasphemed the teachings of the Prophet, and forced her to leave Bengal," the Jamiat Ulema-e-Hind noted in the letter.
Another Kolkata-based group, the Wahyahin Foundation, echoed these sentiments and expressed surprise at the choice and warned of negative influences on young minds.
The Wahyahin Foundation went a step further and invited Javed Akhtar for a "debate on religion".
Bengal has seen violent protests against the Centre's Waqf law, with Muslim mobs going on the rampage. The Trinamool Congress of Mamata Banerjee has been accused of not acting against the community for "vote bank" politics. The cancellation of the Urdu Academy event is an abject surrender of the Mamata Banerjee government to threats by Islamist organisations.
Source: indiatoday.in
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https://www.indiatoday.in/india/story/javed-akhtar-event-kolkata-event-cancelled-mamata-banerjee-west-bengal-urdu-academy-jamiat-ulema-e-hind-wahyahin-2779879-2025-09-01
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Ratna Pathak Says Her And Naseeruddin Shah’s Inter-Faith Marriage Will ‘Not Be Allowed Today’
September 1, 2025
Ratna Pathak Shah and Naseeruddin Shah have been married for 43 years.
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Ratna Pathak Shah and Naseeruddin Shah have now been married for 43 years now. While their marriage is an interfaith one, both claimed that their families never had any major opposition to their union. Now, in a new interview, Ratna reveals what’s helped made their marriage work for more than four decades.
“Simply put, the desire to stay married, and friendship. Common interests definitely help. At least in my case, I’ve seen all these three have been important. We did want to be together, very much so. Both of us had similar views about theatre and films,” said Ratna, who also works with Naseeruddin Shah in their theatre company, Motley Productions.
“We didn’t have to face too much opposition. People made a little noise here and there. Not like today. I don’t know what’d happen if we were to marry today. I guess we won’t be allowed to. But in those days, it was much easier. Neither of us is particularly religious, so we were able to take that decision quite easily,” added Ratna, in the interview to Faye D’Souza.
“What also helped is what Naseer said: let’s not try to define our relationship. Does it have to be husband-wife, lover, girlfriend-boyfriend, whatever it is? Let’s see where we go,” revealed Ratna. The two have also worked together in films like AmolPalekar’s 2005 supernatural romance Paheli (as voice artists) and Abbas Tyrewala’s 2008 romantic comedy JaaneTu… YaJaane Na (as husband and wife).
She also spoke about her and Naseer’s differing opinions about the reason for becoming an actor, over which they also argue a lot. “I am going to quote from Naseer, ‘You shouldn’t want to be an actor unless you feel you will die if you don’t act.’ I am not one of those types. I am sorry. I had lots of arguments with Naseer about this. How can he say that? What happens to me? I don’t feel I will die if I can’t act! I love acting, I enjoy it, I do it with extreme concentration and seriousness. But I don’t think that is the only thing I want out of life. He said, no. ‘If you want to be an actor-actor, full-time, career actor then it has to be that important for you,’” Ratna said.
In an interview with Hauterrfly, Ratna had revealed that while Naseeruddin’s far more conventional Muslim family was more accepting of their marriage, Ratna’s parents — businessman Baldev Pathak and actor Dina Pathak — weren’t completely convinced. “My dad was not entirely happy, but unfortunately, he passed away before we got married. Maa and Naseer had a more rocky relationship, but they settled also and eventually became friends.”
Not only it was an interfaith marriage, but also Naseeruddin Shah had a daughter — actor Heeba Shah — from his first marriage, which ended rather prematurely. While Heeba and Ratna continue to work together in Motley Productions, Ratna also has two kids with Naseeruddin Shah — musician Imaad Shah and author Vivaan Shah, who are also actors like their parents.
In a panel discussion at the FICCI Flo summit in Hyderabad earlier this year, Ratna also confessed that she resents being second to her husband’s career, but has come to terms with it. “It has been the most fantastic, fun ride I could have imagined. I did not really think it would be possible to have a friendship that lasts so long in such an intimate kind of a setting, but it’s the friendship that has lasted, and that is the most precious thing. That friendship has been created because we work together. I am all for people from the same field getting together. It definitely is a way of supporting, helping and finding common areas of interest; it is quite invaluable,” she said.
Source: indianexpress.com
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https://indianexpress.com/article/entertainment/bollywood/ratna-pathak-shah-says-her-and-naseeruddin-shahs-inter-faith-marriage-will-not-be-allowed-today-10223282/
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Film Commission to launch third Saudi Film Confex in October
August 31, 2025
The third Saudi Film Confex will be held from Oct. 22-25 in Riyadh. (AN file/Huda Bashatah)
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RIYADH: The Saudi Ministry of Culture’s Film Commission is preparing to launch the third Saudi Film Confex from Oct. 22-25 in Riyadh.
The event, called “A Gathering That Transforms the Scene,” will bring together leading filmmakers, local and international producers, and industry specialists from across the global cinematic sector, the Saudi Press Agency reported.
Building on the momentum of previous events, the confex will strengthen its role as a catalyst for the growth and empowerment of the Saudi film industry.
Initiatives include driving investment, fostering strategic partnerships, and aligning with the Kingdom’s National Culture Strategy under Vision 2030, which places cultural development among its top priorities.
Positioned as a dynamic networking platform, the Saudi Film Confex connects all players in the filmmaking ecosystem, from production and distribution companies to technical and logistical service providers, as well as investors and funding institutions.
The event will highlight filming and production opportunities, encourage high-value collaborations, reinforce the nation’s film infrastructure, and support startups and entrepreneurs in the sector.
It will include an international conference featuring more than 30 panel discussions and workshops, and covering topics such as film financing, content development, and regulatory frameworks.
The program will also include side events and specialized workshops designed to introduce audiences and young talent to career paths and professional specializations within the industry.
The confex will host an expanded exhibition with more than 130 local, regional, and international participants, with dedicated areas for stakeholders including production companies, equipment rental and cinematic technology providers, streaming, distribution, and government and strategic partners.
The exhibition will also feature participants from related sectors, including educational institutions, film associations, and funding and investment bodies.
Exhibitor registration for the Saudi Film Confex 2025 is now open to local and global companies as well as government and regulatory entities.
Registered exhibitors will have the opportunity to present their projects, showcase the latest innovations and opportunities across the film industry value chain, and build strategic partnerships that will drive market growth and strengthen the Kingdom’s global presence.
The upcoming confex is expanding its content and activities to highlight the industry’s growing economic impact and elevate Saudi talent on the world stage, supporting the creation of a competitive Saudi film sector.
Source: arabnews.com
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https://www.arabnews.com/node/2613666/saudi-arabia
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Israel mulls West Bank annexation in response to moves to recognize Palestine
August 31, 2025
Israeli troops stand guard during a weekly settlers' tour in Hebron, in the Israeli-occupied West Bank, August 30, 2025. (Reuters
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JERUSALEM: Israel is considering annexation in the occupied West Bank as a possible response to France and other countries recognizing a Palestinian state, according to three Israeli officials, and the idea will be discussed further on Sunday, another official said.
Extension of Israeli sovereignty to the West Bank — de facto annexation of land captured in the 1967 Middle East war — was on the agenda for Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s security Cabinet meeting late on Sunday, which was expected to focus on the Gaza war, a member of the small circle of ministers said.
It is unclear precisely where any such measure would be applied and when, whether only in Israeli settlements or some of them, or in specific areas of the West Bank, such as the Jordan Valley.
Additionally, it is unclear whether any concrete steps, which would likely entail a lengthy legislative process, would follow discussions.
Any step toward annexation in the West Bank would likely draw widespread condemnation from the Palestinians, who seek the territory for a future state, as well as Arab and Western countries.
A spokesperson for Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Saar did not respond to a request for comment on whether Saar had discussed the move with his US counterpart Marco Rubio during his visit to Washington last week.
A past pledge by Netanyahu to annex Jewish settlements and the Jordan Valley was scrapped in 2020.
The office of Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas did not immediately respond to a request for comment.
The US said on Friday it would not allow Abbas to travel to New York for the UN gathering of world leaders, where several US allies are set to recognize Palestine as a state.
Israel, which is facing mounting international criticism over the war in Gaza, is angered by pledges by France, Britain, Australia, and Canada to formally recognize a Palestinian state at a summit during the UN General Assembly in September.
The UN’s highest court in 2024 said that Israel’s occupation of Palestinian territories, including the West Bank, and its settlements there are illegal and should be withdrawn as soon as possible.
Israel argues the territories are not occupied in legal terms because they are on disputed lands, but the UN and most of the international community regard them as occupied territory.
Its annexations of East Jerusalem and the Golan Heights decades ago have not won international recognition.
Members of Netanyahu’s ruling coalition have been calling for years for Israel to formally annex parts of the West Bank, territory, to which Israel cites biblical and historical ties.
Source: arabnews.com
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https://www.arabnews.com/node/2613665/middle-east
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Muslim Community Concerned For Safety After Alleged Hate-Motivated Incident At Mississauga Islamic Centre
August 31, 2025
An attack on a Mississauga Islamic centre has left the Muslim community in fear and shattered their sense of safety. As OMNI’s Ziad Arab-Oagley reports, the alleged perpetrator had friendly exchanges with worshippers before the attack
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Police in Peel Region are investigating an alleged hate-motivated incident after a Mississauga Islamic centre was vandalized.
Surveillance video shows a man using his skateboard in the early hours of August 15 to break the glass doors of the Mississauga chapter of the Islamic Circle of North America.
The president of the centre tells OMNI News the man in the video had been seen passing by the location several times and waving at them in a friendly manner prior to the incident.
“They told us that they saw this person a number of times here on his skates, and even some people said they said hello to them,” said Minhaj Quershi, who adds the Muslim community remains concerned for their safety in the wake of the attack.
“This is a hate crime and Islamophobia, because we had nothing before this. After this, the community feels very harassed …even the number of children not coming here for evening schools, for the morning Quran classes, they are afraid.”
Peel Regional Police tell OMNI News that its hate crime unit is part of the investigation due to the fact that an Islamic centre was targeted.
“These investigations are certainly difficult and complex, and following someone on camera is not actually an easy task. It does take a lot of work, a lot of effort to canvas and find those cameras,” explained Sgt. Tyler Bell, who notes that while the footage shows the suspect, it doesn’t tell police who he is.
“The outcome of the investigation is going to determine additional charges that are relevant here, but as a baseline, we’re looking at a hate-motivated mischief.”
Police tell OMNI News that while there has been an increase in hate crimes, there’s also been an increase in reporting them.
Source: citynews.ca
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https://toronto.citynews.ca/2025/08/31/muslim-community-concerned-for-safety-after-alleged-hate-motivated-incident-at-mississauga-islamic-centre/
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India
Karnataka Congress Government Backs Banu Mushtaq As Mysuru Dasara Inaugurator, Calls Festival ‘Secular And Cultural’
31.08.25
Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah on Sunday defended the decision to invite International Booker Prize winner Banu Mushtaq to inaugurate this year’s Mysuru Dasara, describing the event as a "secular" and "cultural" festival for all communities.
"Dasara is a cultural festival, it is ‘Nada Habba’ (state festival). There is nothing that it should be inaugurated only by people belonging to a certain religion. Nada Habba means a festival for everyone — Hindus, Christians, Muslims, Buddhists, Jains. This is the festival for everyone," he told reporters here.
"The high-power committee on Dasara had authorised me, and I decided that International Booker Prize winner Banu Mushtaq should inaugurate it. Earlier too, poet K S Nissar Ahmed from the Muslim community was invited to inaugurate Dasara," he added.
Calling those opposing the decision "bigots who don’t know history," Siddaramaiah pointed out that the festival had been celebrated under Hyder Ali, Tipu Sultan, and Diwan Mirza Ismail. "It is a secular festival, so I decided that the International Booker Prize winner should be invited. Some bigots are speaking against it; they need to learn history if they don’t know," he said.
The chief minister alleged that the BJP was politicising the issue.
Objections were raised after an old video of Mushtaq went viral, in which she had reportedly expressed reservations about worshipping Kannada as Goddess Bhuvaneshwari, calling it exclusionary to minorities.
BJP state president B Y Vijayendra and Mysuru MP YaduveerKrishnadattaChamarajaWadiyar have demanded that Mushtaq clarify her reverence for Goddess Chamundeshwari before inaugurating the festivities.
Mushtaq has stated that her remarks were distorted, with selective portions of her speech being circulated on social media.
When her statement was interpreted as disrespecting Mother Kannada, Siddaramaiah said, "What does that have to do with inviting her to inaugurate Dasara? Will she write in Kannada without respecting Kannada Tayi? Her work ‘HrudayaHanate’ (Heart Lamp) is in which language? Is it possible to write in Kannada without love for the language? All her literary works are in Kannada."
Accusing the BJP of looking for "lame excuses" to oppose, he reiterated: "This is Nada Habba, I’m making it very clear. People from all communities participate in this festival. Inviting Banu Mushtaq to inaugurate it is appropriate."
On the BJP’s question as to why translator Deepa Bhasthi, who shared the International Booker Prize with Mushtaq, was not invited, the CM said: "Two people cannot inaugurate. Let’s look at it later, about honouring her in front of the Mysuru Palace. The government has already honoured both of them with Rs 10 lakh each."
This year’s Dasara celebrations will begin on September 22 and conclude with ‘Vijayadashami’ on October 2.
Source: telegraphindia.com
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https://www.telegraphindia.com/india/siddaramaiah-backs-banu-mushtaq-as-mysuru-dasara-inaugurator-calls-festival-secular-and-cultural/cid/2120639
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How social media is driving polarisation in the politics of Upper Assam
September 1, 2025
by JuriBaruah
In recent years, a growing trend among social media influencers in Assam has been the consistent production of narratives framed around the idea that khilanjiaAxomiya (indigenous Assamese people) in Upper Assam are in danger. These narratives, circulated widely on platforms like Instagram and Facebook, are strategically crafted to amplify digital hate and reinforce communal fault lines.
This online hate campaign is seemingly premised on one of the most significant offline flashpoints: Sivasagar district, where vigilant movements to detect so-called encroachers have grown in the last few years. This district, however, carries far deeper historical and cultural meaning. Known as the political heart of the Ahom dynasty, Sivasagar has long stood as a mosaic of harmony, solidarity, and peace among diverse ethnic and religious communities, a legacy that stretches back to the colonial period. Precisely because of this history, Sivasagar has become a symbolic battleground for the ruling BJP’s efforts to entrench Hindutva ideology in Upper Assam.
By constructing a narrative that links “illegal Bangladeshis” to the decline of khilanjiaAxomiya, the ruling party seems to have attempted to sustain a constant climate of insecurity. Yet in Sivasagar, this agenda has faced resistance. The district’s deep traditions of fraternity and coexistence have prevented hate politics. This resistance was strongly reaffirmed during a citizens’ meeting organised by Yuva Dol on August 8, 2025. The gathering declared that Sivasagar’s soil cannot nurture divisive slogans. Its resolution appealed to all communities — irrespective of ethnicity, caste, creed, or religion — to uphold peace and harmony in the face of a deliberately misleading and provocative political climate. Importantly, the meeting also demanded the full implementation of Clause 6 of the Assam Accord — it ensured constitutional safeguards to promote, protect and preserve the cultural, social and linguistic identity and heritage of Assamese people — and the enforcement of the Inner Line Permit, while stressing unity as the essence of democracy.
The inability to turn Sivasagar into a hotspot of communal violence has led to a strategic shift: The battle is now being waged online. Influencers have increasingly become vehicles for Hindutva ideology, producing content that narrates an existential risk for khilanjiaAxomiya. These narratives project fears of losing land, language, and future generations, while framing the Muslim minority as “invaders.”
Content creators in Assam are increasingly delivering the message that it is time to unite, otherwise it may be too late to preserve their existence. The rhetoric of jati, mati, bheti (identity, land, homestead) is repeatedly invoked, accompanied by evocative imagery of paddy fields, the heritage sites of Sivasagar, the one-horned rhinoceros of Kaziranga National Park, and the satras and mask-making traditions of Majuli. These symbols are projected as markers of Assam’s uniqueness. Influencers warn that if such cultural and natural assets fall into the hands of “encroachers,” Assam’s distinctiveness itself will be under threat.
This narrative is closely tied to the ongoing eviction campaigns. Content creators urge viewers to support eviction drives against bedakhalkari (encroachers) in Upper Assam, presenting these actions as the first step toward safeguarding jati, mati, bheti. They emphasise that eviction has already been “successful” in districts of Lower Assam such as Goalpara, Dhubri, Sonitpur, Hojai, and Darrang. Social media has become a site of polarisation. While one section strongly supports the eviction drives, another highlights that evictions are not targeted solely at Muslim minorities and stresses the need to focus on protecting forest lands and wetlands. Critics argue that framing eviction as a cultural survival strategy risks turning it into a tool for communal polarisation.
The discourse is further complicated by the influence of majoritarian Hindutva ideology in digital spaces, where Muslim minorities are strategically marked as “the other” and positioned as the primary targets of eviction. At the same time, evictions have also displaced khilanjiaAxomiya, as seen in Silsako, where protests are ongoing. This contradiction exposes the tension between the claim of eviction and its lived consequences for indigenous Axomiya. In this way, digital spaces have emerged as a new frontier for the manufacturing division, even as offline communities in Assam continue to resist such polarisation. Yet critical questions remain largely absent from these online narratives — particularly the implementation of Clause 6 of the Assam Accord, the failures of the state’s land policies, and the persistent loss of agricultural land to erosion and floods. Organisations that position themselves as custodians of vigilant movements in Upper Assam rarely address these structural concerns. Similarly, the transfer of agricultural and tribal lands to non-tribal groups, a long-standing and pressing issue, receives little attention in the content circulated by social media influencers.
Instead, the dissemination of Hindutva ideology through networks of content creators has normalised a rhetoric where the categories of khilanjiaAxomiya and “encroacher” remain ambiguously defined. This lack of clarity enables a flexible use of identity politics, where the labelling of communities serves electoral interests. Amidst the production and circulation of digital hate, it becomes evident that the politics of defining who is “indigenous” is inseparable from the politics of land in Assam. Land rights are not merely redistributed but are often transferred from landless or marginalised groups to more powerful classes. In this context, both online and offline communal tensions and violence operate as instruments, laying the groundwork for the next electoral landscape in Assam.
Source: indianexpress.com
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https://indianexpress.com/article/opinion/columns/assam-politics-himanta-biswa-sarma-khilanjia-axomiya-assam-accord-10223581/
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Supreme Court extends status quo in Sambhal mosque row
September 1, 2025
The Supreme Court on Monday extended by two weeks its order directing status quo over the Sambhal mosque dispute in Uttar Pradesh.
A bench of Justices P S Narasimha and AlokRadhe said two appeals were filed in the matter by Committee of Management Jami Masjid Sambhal represented by its secretary and vice president, respectively.
The top court subsequently directed its registry to enquire into the matter and submit a report.
Appearing for the Hindu plaintiffs in the suit, advocate Vishnu Shankar Jain opposed the extension of the status quo.
The top court was hearing an appeal filed by the Masjid committee against an order of the Allahabad High Court which dismissed its plea against the survey ordered by a Sambhal court in the Shahi Jama Masjid and Harihar Temple dispute, upholding the civil court’s direction for the survey.
The high court said the order to appoint a court commissioner and the suit were maintainable.
The mosque committee moved the high court against the November 19 last year order of the civil judge directing the Mughal-era mosque’ survey which took place the same day.
A second survey carried out on November 24 last year, the committee claimed, was illegal as the civil court never ordered it.
Source: indianexpress.com
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https://indianexpress.com/article/india/supreme-court-extends-status-quo-in-sambhal-mosque-row-10223813/
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Army foils infiltration bid along LoC in J&K's Poonch; search operations underway
Fayaz Wani
01 Sep 2025
SRINAGAR: Indian Army troops on Monday foiled an infiltration bid along the Line of Control (LoC) in Balakote sector of Poonch district in Jammu and Kashmir and troops have launched a massive search operation in the border area.
An army official said at around 05.30 am today, troops guarding the border noticed a group of terrorists trying to sneak into the country from Pakistan-occupied Kashmir.
Heavy gunfire was exchanged between the two sides. There was no immediate report of any casualty on either side.
After the gunfight, the army men launched a massive search operation in the area. Additional troops were rushed to the area to tighten the siege.
“The troops have been repositioned and re-oriented to ensure foolproof domination of the area using all available means. Troops are maintaining high alert in their respective areas,” an army official said.
The army men have also pressed drones and other surveillance gadgets into service during the search operation.
The fresh infiltration bid has taken place after troops dealt a big blow to logistical network of militant groups operating in Jammu and Kashmir by killing a a top militant guide Bagu Khan alias SamandarChacha also known as ‘human GPS’ for his knowledge of infiltration routes and facilitating over 100 infiltration attempts of militants at the Line of Control (LoC) in three decades, in August 28 encounter in Gurez sector.
Baghu Khan and his associate were killed when the army foiled an infiltration bid of militants along the LoC near Naushehra Nard area of Gurez in Bandipora district on August 28.
Sources said Bagu Khan was known as “Human GPS” for his knowledge of infiltration routes and passes along the LoC in J&K. "He was top militant guide and had facilitated more than 100 infiltration attempts"
Source: newindianexpress.com
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https://www.newindianexpress.com/nation/2025/Sep/01/army-foils-infiltration-bid-along-loc-in-jks-poonch-search-operations-underway
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‘Perpetrators, organisers and sponsors must be brought to justice’: SCO declaration condemns Pahalgam terror attack
by Shubhajit Roy
September 1, 2025
Two months after India opted out of the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation’s statement at the defence ministers’ level meeting over differences on terrorism, the SCO declaration Monday took a “strong stance against terrorism” and the member countries — including Pakistan and China — condemned the April 22 Pahalgam terrorist attack.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi attended the SCO leaders’ summit, along with Chinese President Xi Jinping, Russian President Vladimir Putin, and his Pakistani counterpart, Shehbaz Sharif.
The Tianjin declaration, which was adopted by the SCO leaders, said, “They expressed their deepest sympathy and condolences to the families of the dead and the wounded. They further stated that perpetrators, organizers and sponsors of such attacks must be brought to justice.”
The joint declaration said, “The Member States, while reaffirming their firm commitment to the fight against terrorism, separatism, and extremism, stress the inadmissibility of attempts to use terrorist, separatist and extremist groups for mercenary purposes. They recognize the leading role of sovereign States and their competent authorities in countering terrorist and extremist threats.”
“The Member States strongly condemn terrorism in all its forms and manifestations, stress that double standards in the fight against terrorism are unacceptable, and call on the international community to combat terrorism, including cross-border movement of terrorists.”
This is significant since the Pakistan-China collusion in the Operation Sindoor, which was India’s military response to the Pahalgam terror attack, had been raised by Opposition leader Rahul Gandhi, while criticising the government.
Indian military officials had publicly said that Pakistan used Chinese weapons against India during the four-day military confrontation, and also China had supplied live intelligence during the hostilities.
Attacks in Pakistan, ‘catastrophic humanitarian situation’ in Gaza
Referring to the terrorist attacks on Jaffer Express on March 11 and in Khuzdar on May 21 in Pakistan, the joint statement also said that the member states strongly condemned them.
On the issue of territorial integrity and sovereignty, the Tianjin declaration said, “Member States advocate respect for the right of peoples to independently and democratically choose their own paths of political and socio-economic development, and emphasise that the principles of mutual respect for sovereignty, independence, territorial integrity of states, equality, mutual benefit, non-interference in internal affairs, and non-use of force or threat of force are the basis for the sustainable development of international relations.” This is an important paragraph considering the border standoff and the dispute between India and China.
The Tianjin declaration also expressed deep concern at the humanitarian situation in Gaza. “Reiterating their deep concern over the continuing escalation of the Palestinian-Israeli conflict, the member states strongly condemn the actions that have led to numerous casualties among the civilian population and a catastrophic humanitarian situation in the Gaza Strip.”
“They stress the need to ensure an immediate, complete and sustainable ceasefire, access to humanitarian aid, and intensified efforts to achieve peace, stability and security for all residents of the region. Member States note that the only possible way to ensure peace and stability in the Middle East is through a comprehensive and just settlement of the Palestinian question,” it said.
The SCO leaders also “strongly condemned” the military strikes by Israel and the US against Iran in June 2025. “Such aggressive actions against civilian targets, including nuclear energy infrastructure, which resulted in the death of civilians, are a gross violation of the principles and norms of international law and the UN Charter, and an infringement on the sovereignty of the Islamic Republic of Iran. They undermine regional and international security and have serious implications for global peace and stability.”
Source: indianexpress.com
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https://indianexpress.com/article/world/perpetrators-organisers-and-sponsors-must-be-brought-to-justice-sco-declaration-condemns-pahalgam-terror-attack-10223607/
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A peek is all CM gets at Hazratbal: Once a fief, Omar Abdullah now faces 'renovation restrictions'
Muzaffar Raina
01.09.25
Omar Abdullah was reportedly unable to access the main sanctum of the Hazratbal shrine this week after hurdles allegedly put up by the waqf board, helmed by a BJP leader.
This was the second time the Jammu and Kashmir chief minister had faced hurdles in entering a key erstwhile power centre of his party, the National Conference, in two months.
Unlike the July 14 episode at Srinagar’s Mazar-e-Shuhada, where Omar had to scale the fence after police had locked its gate, Thursday’s incident at Hazratbal unfolded quietly away from the public glare, eyewitnesses told The Telegraph.
Omar had to content himself with merely peering through the glass to get a glimpse of the “under-construction” sanctum at Hazratbal, the most revered Muslim shrine in Jammu and Kashmir.
Mazar-e-Shuhada, or the martyrs’ graveyard, and Hazratbal were regarded as key power centres of the NC before the 2019 scrapping of Jammu and Kashmir’s special status.
The party apparently did not make an issue out of it this time, underscoring Omar’s waning clout.
The new Hazratbal shrine was built by Omar’s grandfather, Sheikh Mohammad Abdullah, after a century-old mosque at the site, which houses a relic attributed to Prophet Mohammad, was demolished to be built afresh.
Omar on Thursday visited the shrine to chair a high-level meeting to review the arrangements being put in place for the ongoing Eid-e-Milad-un-Nabi festival, marking the birth anniversary of the Prophet.
“He had to return without entering the main hall,” an eyewitness said. An NC leader confirmed the development.
Officials said the shrine was getting a major facelift for the last eight months and the main hall — where prayers were held and the Prophet’s relic displayed on special occasions before renovations — has been out of bounds for devotees. Daily prayers are currently held in a side hall.
“Ply-sheets have been erected to block the view of the main shrine to prevent people from even catching a glimpse or clicking pictures as the waqf board is planning a big inauguration,” a waqf board official said.
Eyewitnesses said Omar, accompanied by senior officers, was received by waqf chairperson Dararkshan Andrabi, a BJP leader, on Thursday.
“Omar sahab entered the shrine through the VIP gate, where Andrabi presented a bouquet to him. He wanted to enter the main hall of the shrine but was politely told by Andrabi that it would be inaugurated in a few days and nobody was allowed in,” he said.
“Omar sahab asked how labourers were getting in. He did not make an issue of it and went downstairs to take a look around the shrine. He and a few others were allowed to pass through another gate towards the Dhobi Ghat side, but there again, ply-sheets were blocking the view of the main hall. Hazratbal MLA Salman Sagar removed the sheets, allowing Omar sahab and a few others to peer through the glass.”
The eyewitnesses said the NC leaders felt the ply-sheets were deliberately erected to prevent them from entering the main hall.
“The fact is they remain erect all the time, but Andrabi or her staff routinely enter the premises and face no restrictions,” an eyewitness said.
The newspaper called on Andrabi’s phone number, but an attendant said she was busy at some event.
Last year, the Andrabi-led waqf board ousted Hazratbal’s imam, Dr Kamal-ud-din Farooqui, for presiding over the public conversion of a Hindu man to Islam. Early this year, the man testified in court that he had converted to Islam out of his own will and without any force, but Farooqui has not been reinstated.
In July, the LG’s administration thwarted attempts by Kashmiri politicians to revive the commemoration of the July 13 Martyrs’ Day — when 22 Kashmiris were killed in 1931 protesting against Dogra rule — by placing them under house arrest and imposing restrictions to prevent a gathering at the Mazar-e-Shuhada, the graveyard in the old city.
Source: telegraphindia.com
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https://www.telegraphindia.com/india/a-peek-is-all-cm-gets-at-hazratbal-omar-abdullah-faces-renovation-restrictions-prnt/cid/2120684
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Arab World
Arab-Islamic Committee asks US to reverse decision not to grant visas for Palestinian delegation
August 31, 2025
RIYADH — The Arab-Islamic Ministerial Committee on Gaza voiced its deep regret over the US State Department's decision not to grant entry visas for the Palestinian delegation participating in the 80th session of the United Nations General Assembly, scheduled to be held in New York in September.
The committee called on the US administration to reconsider and reverse this decision. It emphasized the importance of respecting obligations under the UN Headquarters Agreement, allowing for dialogue and diplomacy, and building on the positive positions of the Palestinian National Authority and its firm commitment to the strategic option of peace.
The committee also stressed the need to support the Palestinian National Authority and President Mahmoud Abbas in moving forward with the government's reform program and the commitments he reiterated to world leaders in support of peace and confronting violence, extremism, and terrorism. This is especially in the wake of the current difficult circumstances, which are witnessing an unprecedented escalation against the Palestinian people.
The committee warned that weakening the Palestinian Authority will undermine peace efforts and perpetuate the conflict.
Source: saudigazette.com.sa
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https://saudigazette.com.sa/article/654589/SAUDI-ARABIA/Arab-Islamic-Committee-asks-US-to-reverse-decision-not-to-grant-visas-for-Palestinian-delegation
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Saudi, Palestine ministers discuss technology partnerships
August 31, 2025
LONDON: Saudi Arabia and Palestine officials held talks in Riyadh on Sunday to boost partnerships in the technology sector.
The Kingdom’s Communications and Information Technology Minister Abdullah Alswaha met with his Palestinian counterpart, Abdel-RazzakNatsheh, for the discussions, the Saudi Press Agency reported.
The officials had a meeting on the sidelines of the Global Symposium for Regulators, hosted in Riyadh until Sept. 3. They discussed strategic partnerships in digital infrastructure and innovation.
The Kingdom is supporting Palestine’s efforts to build its economy and achieve sustainable development, the SPA added.
The Global Symposium for Regulators began on Sunday titled “Regulation for sustainable digital development.” The gathering includes policymakers and digital stakeholders from around the world.
Source: arabnews.com
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https://www.arabnews.com/node/2613678/saudi-arabia
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Arab sculptors shape Saudi landscapes in Al-Namas
TAREQ AL-THAQAFI
August 31, 2025
MAKKAH: Al-Namas International Sculpture Symposium wrapped up in Asir region recently, bringing together leading Arab sculptors under the theme “Linear Rhythms.”
Organized by Al-Namas municipality with artistic direction from Saudi sculptor Mohammed Al-Thaqafi, the symposium, which concluded on Aug. 26, highlighted the governorate’s ambition to strengthen its visual identity and enhance public spaces with contemporary art.
The theme drew inspiration from Al-Namas’s striking topography, where mountain ridges and cloud lines merge into sweeping horizons. This natural geometry guided the artists’ designs and interpretations.
Ten renowned sculptors from across the Arab world took part: Saudi representatives Al-Thaqafi, Ali Al-Tokhais, and Ebtesam Saleh were joined by Morocco’s Ikram Kabbaj, the UAE’s Azza Al-Qubaisi, Qatar’s Mohammed Al-Ateeq, Oman’s Yousuf Al-Rawahi, Sudan’s Khalid Abdullah, Tunisia’s Mohammed Bou Aziz, and Egypt’s Omar Toussoun.
Working with locally sourced stone, they created large-scale pieces now installed in gardens and public areas, blending modern creativity with Saudi heritage.
Al-Thaqafi told Arab News the event was a platform for celebrating visual culture while making art accessible to the community.
He emphasized sculpture’s role in “advancing visual literacy and urban beautification,” adding that the medium “expresses identity and spirit while transforming public areas into creative showcases of local aesthetics and heritage.”
He noted the symposium’s growth in scope and ambition each year, with Al-Namas aspiring to become a regional hub for public art, and he said expressed optimism that other Saudi cities will embrace comparable initiatives.
Participants praised both the artistic exchange and Al-Namas’s natural setting.
Egyptian sculptor Toussoun described the invitation as one of the most prestigious moments of his career, drawing inspiration from the region’s “mountainous terrain, valleys, and captivating landscapes.”
Qatari artist Al-Ateeq highlighted the strength of Gulf and Arab participation, saying the symposium offered artists “ideal working conditions” to bring large-scale ambitious visions to life.
With its cool climate, scenic beauty, and cultural vibrancy, Al-Namas continues to position itself as both a tourism draw and a rising cultural destination where art, nature and heritage intersect.
Source: arabnews.com
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https://www.arabnews.com/node/2613671/saudi-arabia
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Saudi project clears 968 explosive devices in Yemen
August 31, 2025
RIYADH: Members of Saudi Arabia’s Project Masam removed 968 explosive devices from various regions of Yemen last week.
The total included 925 unexploded ordnances, 32 anti-tank mines, four anti-personnel mines and seven improvised explosive devices, according to a recent report.
Ousama Al-Gosaibi, the initiative’s managing director, said that 512,323 mines have been cleared since the project began in 2018.
The explosives were planted indiscriminately and posed a threat to civilians, including children, women and the elderly.
The demining operations took place in Marib, Aden, Jouf, Shabwa, Taiz, Hodeidah, Lahij, Sanaa, Al-Bayda, Al-Dhale and Saada.
The project trains local demining engineers and provides them with modern equipment. It also offers support to Yemenis injured by the devices.
Teams are tasked with clearing villages, roads and schools to facilitate the safe movement of civilians and delivery of humanitarian aid.
Source: arabnews.com
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https://www.arabnews.com/node/2613669/saudi-arabia
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Program launched to boost entrepreneurial growth in Kingdom
August 31, 2025
RIYADH: Minister of Industry and Mineral Resources Bandar Alkhorayef launched the fourth 1K Mile Program in Riyadh, the Saudi Press Agency reported on Sunday.
The launch took place during the closing ceremony of the third edition, attended by entrepreneurs, representatives of supporting entities, and participants’ families.
Minister of Transport and Logistic Services Saleh Al-Jasser, Minister of Communications and Information Technology Abdullah Al-Swaha and Minister of Education Yousef Al-Benyan also attended.
Alkhorayef, who is also chairman of the National Industrial Development and Logistics Program, said the 1K Mile Program has evolved from an initiative supporting entrepreneurs into a key pillar of the Kingdom’s industrial and entrepreneurial transformation.
He said that the fourth edition reflects the successes of previous editions and the inspiring stories they produced, the SPA added.
Alkhorayef said the program empowers entrepreneurs by helping them develop realistic, sustainable business plans while providing support throughout their projects, ensuring growth, expansion, and readiness to compete.
He emphasized that the program has redefined industrial investment, showing that industry is no longer limited to large enterprises but open to ambitious, innovative young people.
He also highlighted its role in promoting advanced manufacturing and encouraging investment in modern technologies, according to the SPA.
There were 8,001 entrepreneurs registered for the third edition, with 147 projects nominated for aligning with Vision 2030 goals.
The Saudi Investment Bank, the ceremony’s official sponsor, presented financial awards to 20 pioneering projects in the industrial, mining, and logistics sectors.
First-place winners received SR500,000 ($133,000), while second-place winners in each sector received SR250,000.
Program winners also receive an official document offering unique benefits, including financing, industrial land, ready-made factories, and consulting services, designed to support the sustainability and growth of their projects.
Source: arabnews.com
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https://www.arabnews.com/node/2613633/saudi-arabia
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Mideast
Berlin urges Israel to ‘immediately’ improve humanitarian conditions in Gaza
September 01, 2025
FRANKFURT: Israel must “immediately” improve humanitarian conditions in Gaza, the German government’s representative for human rights and humanitarian aid said Monday, ahead of a trip to Israel and the Palestinian territories.
Until recently Israel has enjoyed broad support across the political spectrum in Germany, but Chancellor Friedrich Merz’s tone toward Israel has sharpened as the dire humanitarian situation in Gaza has deteriorated.
Last month, the United Nations officially declared a famine in Gaza, after a UN-backed report warned that 500,000 people were facing “catastrophic” conditions in the war-ravaged territory.
“The Israeli government must improve the humanitarian situation in Gaza immediately, comprehensively, sustainably, and in accordance with humanitarian principles and international law,” said envoy Lars Castellucci, a lawmaker of the Social Democrats, which govern with Merz’s conservatives.
He condemned the “immeasurable” suffering of civilians, especially children, who are trapped in the conflict and “bear neither guilt nor responsibility.”
German humanitarian aid to Gaza “has been increased several times,” but it is “pointless” as long as it does not reach those in need, he said.
While he reaffirmed Germany’s “special responsibility” for Israel’s security and called for the “immediate release” of hostages held by Hamas, he also stressed the urgency of a ceasefire and advocated a “two state solution.”
The war in Gaza erupted following Hamas’s October 2023 attack on Israel, which resulted in the deaths of 1,219 people, mostly civilians, according to an AFP tally based on Israeli figures.
Of the 251 hostages seized during the attack, 47 are still being held in Gaza, around 20 of whom are believed to be alive.
Israel’s retaliatory offensive has killed at least 63,459 Palestinians, most of them civilians, according to figures from the health ministry in Hamas-run Gaza that the United Nations considers reliable.
Source: arabnews.com
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https://www.arabnews.com/node/2613701/middle-east
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Post-war plan sees US administering Gaza for at least a decade: Washington Post
August 31, 2025
WASHINGTON: A post-war plan for Gaza is circulating within President Donald Trump’s administration that would see the US administer the war-torn enclave for at least a decade, the relocation of Gaza’s population and its rebuilding as a tourist resort and manufacturing hub, the Washington Post reported on Sunday.
The Washington Post said that according to a 38-page prospectus it had seen, Gaza’s 2 million population would at least temporarily leave either through “voluntary” departures to another country or into restricted areas within the territory during reconstruction.
Reuters previously reported there is a proposal to build large-scale camps called “Humanitarian Transit Areas” inside — and possibly outside — Gaza to house the Palestinian population. That plan carried the name of the US-backed Gaza Humanitarian Foundation, or GHF, a controversial US-backed aid group.
Anyone who owns land would be offered a “digital token” in exchange for rights to redevelop their property, the Post reported, adding that each Palestinian who left would be provided with $5,000 in cash and subsidies to cover four years of rent. They would also be provided with a year of food, it added.
The Post said the plan is called the “Gaza Reconstitution, Economic Acceleration and Transformation Trust, or GREAT Trust,” and was developed by the GHF.
GHF coordinates with the Israeli military and uses private US security and logistics companies to get food aid into Gaza.
It is favored by the Trump administration and Israel to carry out humanitarian efforts in Gaza as opposed to the UN-led system which Israel says lets militants divert aid.
In early August, the UN said more than 1,000 people have been killed trying to receive aid in Gaza since the GHF began operating in May 2025, most of them shot by Israeli forces operating near GHF sites.
The White House and State Department did not immediately respond to a request for comment, but the plan to rebuild Gaza appears to fall in line with previous comments made by Trump.
On February 4, Trump first publicly said that the US should “take over” the war-battered enclave and rebuild it as “the Riviera of the Middle East” after resettling the Palestinian population elsewhere.
Trump’s comments angered many Palestinians and humanitarian groups about the possible forced relocation from Gaza.
Israeli forces pounded the suburbs of Gaza City overnight from the air and ground, destroying homes and driving more families out of the area as Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s security cabinet was set on Sunday to discuss a plan to seize the city.
The Israeli military has gradually escalated its operations around Gaza City over the past three weeks.
On Friday it ended temporary pauses in the area that had allowed for aid deliveries, designating it a “dangerous combat zone.”
On Sunday, the head of the World Food Programme said Israel’s designation would impact food access and put humanitarian aid workers in danger.
“It’s going to limit the amount of food that they have access to,” WFP executive director Cindy McCain said on CBS News’ “Face the Nation” program.
A report released earlier this month by the global hunger monitor, Integrated Food Security Phase Classification (IPC), said that approximately 514,000 people — nearly a quarter of Gaza’s population — are facing famine conditions in Gaza City and surrounding areas.
Israel has dismissed the IPC’s findings as false and biased, saying it had based its survey on partial data largely provided by Hamas, which did not take into account a recent influx of food.
Source: arabnews.com
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https://www.arabnews.com/node/2613660/middle-east
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Lebanon parliament speaker calls for dialogue over Hezbollah weapons
August 31, 2025
BEIRUT: Lebanon’s Speaker of Parliament Nabih Berri, an ally of the Iran-backed Hezbollah, called on Sunday for dialogue over its weapons, days before the government is expected to approve an army plan to disarm the group.
Months after Hezbollah’s devastating war with Israel and under heavy US pressure, Lebanon’s government this month tasked the army with drawing up a plan to disarm Hezbollah by the end of the year.
Hezbollah strongly opposed the decision and Shiite ministers, including representatives from the group and Berri’s Amal Movement, withdrew from the last government session in protest.
“We reiterate that we are open to discussing the fate of those weapons... in a calm and consensual dialogue,” Berri, an influential Shiite leader, said in a speech commemorating the 1978 disappearance of Amal founder Musa Al-Sadr.
Lebanon’s ministers are set to meet again on Friday after receiving the army’s plan.
Berri criticized the government’s moves, which are based on a US proposal.
“What is proposed in the American paper goes beyond the principle of (a state) weapons monopoly, and rather appears as an alternative to the November ceasefire agreement,” he stated.
Hezbollah emerged heavily weakened from a devastating war with Israel that ended in a ceasefire signed in November.
Israel has kept up attacks in Lebanon despite the truce.
Earlier on Sunday, the Israeli army said it carried out a strike on a site run by Hezbollah in southern Lebanon.
Lebanon’s National News Agency reported intense strikes in the area, where serious damage was recorded.
A later strike on a motorcycle killed one man, according to the NNA.
The agreement states that Hezbollah is to pull its fighters north of the Litani River, around 30 kilometers (20 miles) north of Israel.
Israel was to withdraw its troops from Lebanon but has kept them at five points it deems strategic, with Washington linking a full Israeli withdrawal with the disarmament of Hezbollah.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has also suggested the two issues are linked.
Berri rejected holding a dialogue under “threats” that undermine the truce agreement.
Source: arabnews.com
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https://www.arabnews.com/node/2613650/middle-east
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Israeli forces disperse rally in Hebron to release bodies of individuals held since 1967
August 31, 2025
LONDON: Hundreds of Palestinians rallied in the city of Hebron in the southern occupied West Bank to demand the release of the bodies of slain individuals before being dispersed by Israeli forces on Sunday.
Israeli forces fired tear gas canisters to disperse participants at Ibn Rushd Square in Hebron, causing several cases of suffocation, according to the Wafa news agency.
Since Israel occupied the Palestinian territories during the 1967 Middle East War, it has held 726 bodies of Palestinians and Arab citizens in various unidentified cemeteries and locations. Those include the bodies of 67 children, 85 prisoners, and 10 women.
The rally aimed to raise awareness of the issue and urge human rights organizations and the UN to take action to ensure the release of the bodies. Last week, Israeli forces suppressed a similar rally in Ramallah, injuring 58 Palestinians with live ammunition, rubber-coated steel bullets, and tear gas, Wafa reported.
Source: arabnews.com
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https://www.arabnews.com/node/2613646/middle-east
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Gaza Government Media Office: Journalist Death Toll Rises to 247 Following Martyrdom of Islam Abed
31 Aug 2025
The Government Media Office in Gaza announced on Sunday that the number of journalists killed since the start of Israel’s genocide in the enclave has risen to 247 following the martyrdom of journalist Islam Abed, a correspondent for Al-Quds Today TV .
The office condemned Israel’s deliberate attacks on Palestinian journalists, emphasizing that these actions aim to suppress the truth and erase the Palestinian narrative. Over 247 journalists have been killed since October 7, 2023, with hundreds more injured, arrested, or targeted in media institution bombings .
The statement held the Israeli occupation, the U.S. administration, and allied countries (including the UK, Germany, and France) fully responsible for these atrocities, accusing them of enabling genocide through political and military support .
The office urged the International Federation of Journalists (IFJ), the Arab Journalists Union, and media bodies worldwide to:
• Denounce Israel’s systematic crimes against Palestinian journalists.
• Pressure governments to halt the genocide and protect media workers.
• Pursue legal accountability against Israeli leaders in international courts .
Source: saba.ye
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https://www.saba.ye/en/news3545516.htm
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Ayatollah Khamenei urges full implementation of Iran-China 25-year strategic partnership
By ShahrokhSaei
August 31, 2025
“Iran and China, as ancient civilizations on Asia’s eastern and western wings, not only possess profound historical foundations but also hold transformative power to reshape regional and even global landscapes. Fully implementing all aspects of the two countries’ strategic cooperation agreement will undoubtedly lay a solid foundation for this process,” Ayatollah Khamenei stated, according to a post on the Leader’s official X account on Sunday.
Later on Sunday, Abdolreza Rahmani Fazli, Iran’s ambassador to China, praised Ayatollah Khamenei’s message as a significant encouragement.
“The hopeful and inspiring message from the Leader about putting into action the various transformative aspects of the Iran-China strategic agreement marks a milestone in supporting and strengthening the focused efforts of the Islamic Republic of Iran’s representatives in China,” Rahmani Fazli emphasized.
The historic 25-year agreement, signed in Tehran in March 2021, aims to deepen the longstanding economic and political alliance between Iran and China, especially in the face of unilateral US sanctions targeting both nations. The deal outlines extensive cooperation across political, cultural, security, defense, regional, and international domains. Its origins trace back to a visit by Chinese President Xi Jinping to Tehran in 2016, highlighting the steady growth of Tehran-Beijing ties.
Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian and Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi have repeatedly highlighted the “strategic” nature of the partnership between Tehran and Beijing, reinforcing the importance of the Comprehensive Strategic Partnership Agreement.
Ayatollah Khamenei’s call for full implementation of the 25-year deal carries even greater weight amid President Pezeshkian’s recent visit to China. The Iranian president arrived in China on Sunday to attend the two-day Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) summit in the port city of Tianjin. The summit, hosted by President Xi, gathers leaders from over 20 countries and 10 international organizations, marking the SCO’s largest meeting since its establishment more than two decades ago.
Founded in Shanghai in 2001, the SCO has grown from six founding members to a powerful bloc of 26 nations, including 10 full members such as Iran, two observers, and 14 dialogue partners spanning Asia, Europe, and Africa. Iran officially joined the SCO as a full member in 2023.
The SCO now represents over 40 percent of the world’s population and nearly a quarter of the global economy. For Iran, membership in the SCO is a strategic asset that mitigates the impact of years of US-led sanctions. Beyond economic benefits, the SCO enhances Iran’s geopolitical standing.
Conversely, Iran’s inclusion enriches the SCO’s reach in the Middle East, a critical region for global security and stability.
Embracing Iran strengthens the organization’s foundational principles, known as the “Shanghai Spirit,” which emphasize mutual trust, mutual benefit, equality, consultation, respect for diverse civilizations, and the pursuit of common development. These principles align seamlessly with the SCO’s mission to promote multilateral economic cooperation and address key regional security challenges.
China’s role within this framework is particularly vital. As a champion of multilateralism, China actively opposes the unilateralism exemplified by US policies and leads efforts to elevate the voices of Global South countries on the international stage.
The full implementation of the Iran-China Comprehensive Strategic Partnership Agreement, as strongly underscored by Iran’s Leader, represents far more than a bilateral deal—it is a bold and visionary blueprint to reshape regional dynamics and global governance.
Anchored in the spirit of cooperation and mutual respect, this partnership stands as a beacon of hope and strength, paving the way for a more balanced, multipolar world order where Iran and China lead together toward shared prosperity and enduring peace.
Source: tehrantimes.com
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https://www.tehrantimes.com/news/517383/Ayatollah-Khamenei-urges-full-implementation-of-Iran-China-25-year
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North America
CAIR-North Carolina Welcomes Removal of Confederate Statue
August 31, 2025
The North Carolina office of the Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR), the nation’s largest Muslim civil rights and advocacy organization, today welcomed the removal of a Confederate monument from Broad Street in Edenton, North Carolina.
In 2022, CAIR supported a resolution passed by the Edenton Town Council calling for the removal of the statue, which many residents viewed as a symbol of white supremacy and racial injustice.
“We welcome the long-overdue removal of this symbol of treason, hate and division,” said CAIR National Communications Director Ibrahim Hooper. “Monuments in public spaces that glorify the Confederacy serve only to perpetuate a legacy of racism and slavery. Taking them down is a step toward healing and justice.”
He noted that CAIR has repeatedly called for the removal of Confederate flags, statues and symbols from public spaces nationwide.
Hooper said the American Muslim community and CAIR stand in solidarity with all those challenging anti-Black racism, xenophobia, Islamophobia, anti-Semitism, white supremacy, and all other forms of bigotry.
CAIR’s mission is to protect civil rights, enhance understanding of Islam, promote justice, and empower American Muslims.
La misión de CAIR esproteger las libertadesciviles, mejorar la comprensión del Islam, promover la justicia, y empoderar a losmusulmanesenlosEstadosUnidos.
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-north-carolina-welcomes-removal-of-confederate-statue/
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Judge blocks Trump administration move to deport Guatemalan children
September 01, 2025
KwasiGyamfiAsiedu
A US judge has temporarily blocked an attempt by the Trump administration to deport dozens of unaccompanied Guatemalan children back to their home country.
District Court Judge Sparkle Sooknanan's order on Sunday was in response to reports children had been put onto planes and were about to be sent to Guatemala, where lawyers argued they would be at risk of abuse and persecution.
The children arrived in the US alone and are in government custody while their immigration claims are assessed.
Guatemala's President Bernardo Arevalo and lawyers for the US justice department and said the children were not being deported, but rather repatriated so they could be reunited with family.
President Arevalo criticised the ruling and promised to continue fighting to bring the children home under a pilot programme he had proposed to President Trump.
The legal proceedings were sparked early on Sunday when immigrant advocacy groups asked for an emergency injunction, claiming around 600 children could be put on planes in Texas and deported.
Judge Sooknanan then issued a temporary restraining order barring officials from sending a group of 10 migrant children between the ages of 10 and 17 to Guatemala.
At a hastily arranged hearing on Sunday afternoon, Judge Sooknanan, who was nominated by former President Joe Biden, expanded the order to cover all unaccompanied children said to be at risk of deportation. The order will be in place for 14 days.
At the hearing, Judge Sooknanan sought assurances from Trump administration lawyers that planes had not already departed with the children on board.
Deputy Assistant Attorney General Drew Ensign said all planes were "on the ground" in the US. He told the judge one plane may have taken off but had returned.
Ensign said the flights were not part of a deportation effort but for family reunifications with parents and other relatives in Guatemala.
He also said the Guatemalan government and the children's relatives had requested the reunifications. Advocacy groups said that was untrue in at least some cases.
In court filings, lawyers for the children argued the action was in violation of federal laws designed to protect children who arrive in the US alone. They said some of the children had pending cases before immigration judges and expressed credible fears about being returned.
"In the dead of night on a holiday weekend, the Trump administration ripped vulnerable, frightened children from their beds and attempted to return them to danger in Guatemala," Efrén C Olivares of the National Immigration Law Center, which filed the suit, said in a statement.
"We are heartened the court prevented this injustice from occurring before hundreds of children suffered irreparable harm."
White House immigration advisor Stephen Miller criticised the judge for blocking the flights.
"The minors have all self-reported that their parents are back home in Guatemala," he wrote on X. "But a Democrat judge is refusing to let them reunify with their parents."
Since the start of his second term, Trump has embarked on sweeping efforts to remove undocumented migrants - a key election promise that drew mass support during this campaign.
In June, the US Supreme Court cleared the way for Trump to resume deportations of migrants to countries other than their homeland without giving them the chance to raise the risks they might face.
Source: bbc.com
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https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/cwy59ppq522o
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Trump haters’ new political strategy: Just hope he dies
31 Aug, 2025
Is US President Donald Trump on death’s doorstep? That’s the question that Trump haters have been asking as they’ve suddenly turned to armchair medical analysis – their latest great hope.
It all kicked off with some recent shots of the back of Trump’s hands covered in poorly blended women’s makeup, ostensibly covering some bruising. Social media has been rife with amateur sleuths manipulating the contrast on the images in an attempt to determine whether there are any signs of intravenous puncture that could perhaps be indicative of a serious medical condition – like heart failure. As supporting evidence, they also cite recent shots of his swollen ankles – or “cankles” – debating whether they’re expanding and contracting like an accordion, and if so, what that means for the number of days that he has left, both in power and in life.
TikTok in particular has given rise to a whole new category of content called “hopecore,” with Trump haters citing medical or medical-adjacent experience in publishing content opining about how Trump’s days are numbered – although there’s usually much debate over exactly how many.
That uncertainty is a source of great frustration for commenters seeking certainty in nailing down the exact amount of time that they have to put up with him. Some even keep spreadsheets, charts, and countdown clocks like they’re managing fantasy football teams, except instead of touchdowns they’re tracking anatomical anomalies.
The White House has openly commented on Trump’s “chronic venous insufficiency,” which would explain the bruising and swelling. But even before that, back in June, his appearance at a UFC fighting event led to much zooming in on the crotch area of this 79-year-old man, with some speculating that he was wearing a catheter. Others argued that it was just something in his pocket. Some internet detectives even claimed it was a subtle Olympic-level flex that defies both anatomy and comprehension.
Why is this even a thing, though? I guess gossip and speculation makes politics accessible for those who prefer the entry bar to be at floor-level. Policy and issues are complex and require work, particularly when the objective is to eject someone from power. It’s much more fun to just place all hope in fate to do the heavy lifting for you. And to cheer it along on a daily basis with your like-minded tribe. Add a hashtag, a TikTok filter, and suddenly it’s an entire movement. One that doesn’t even require you to get off the couch to make you feel like you’re part of something big – like a child tugging an escalator handrail convinced they’re moving everyone to the top.
Guess they’re now putting all their hope on the Grim Reaper to take Trump out. Assassins failed to do it with actual bullets. Impeachment didn’t stick. Not even his disqualification through the courts came through for them. The Grim Reaper is now effectively their candidate of choice, and they seem more psyched about him than they ever did about Kamala Harris or Joe Biden.
Go figure that there’s a glaring overlap between these people and those who also glom onto every health-related tidbit about Russian President Vladimir Putin. Over the years, it’s been reported in Western publications that he’s suffered from strokes, Parkinson’s, “terminal” pancreatic cancer (over a decade ago), thyroid cancer, and leprosy. Again, basically a fantasy football roster of health crises, all projected onto one man.
It’s hardly a coincidence that many of those conjuring up death fantasies also happen to be proponents of regime change, including former MI6 officer Christopher Steele, former CIA officer Ralph Goff, Danish intelligence sources, Kremlin critic Valery Solovei, or former Ukrainian intelligence chief Kirill Budanov. All waiting for Mother Nature to spring into action like she’s on USAID payroll.
When Putin and Trump were together in Alaska recently for Ukraine peace talks, it was a double whammy field day for the death pool watchers. They glommed onto Trump’s somewhat non-linear walk down the tarmac’s red carpet to greet Putin as “proof” of his ongoing decline. Then their radar went off again when Putin shifted his weight from one leg to the other while chatting with Trump. Evidence that he was about to collapse, surely! If not immediately, then imminently!
It’s a classic case of anxiety displacement. Instead of grappling with why a political leader has power or support, they funnel their unease into scrutinizing movements, coughs, or missed steps. The result is a culture of obsessive speculation where nothing is sacred – not posture, not hands, not ankles, and certainly not the crotch region.
But the more interesting question is why exactly do they feel the need to take refuge in this kind of nonsense? It represents a super low-effort power grab. Fate does the heavy lifting and clears the way for their preferred alternative over which they feel they have more control. There seems to be a lot of projection going on, though – the mistaken belief that what comes after would be more aligned with their interests. Or that the eradication of a particular leader through natural biological processes would somehow shift the tectonic plates of the political landscape. History shows that this is hardly ever the case. Just ask all the folks in Che Guevara or Martin Luther King t-shirts.
Trumpism won’t end with Trump. Nor will the growing appetite for institutional reform of Washington. So then what’s the plan? To start all over again with a J.D. Vance death watch? At this point, someone should probably invent an app to track ankle swelling and gait analytics in real time. Because if you’re too lazy or inept to win, you can at least obsess over your opponent’s every micro-movement.
Source: rt.com
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https://www.rt.com/news/623763-trump-health-hand-die/
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Trump teases executive action to overhaul voting system
31 Aug, 2025
US President Donald Trump has pledged to issue an executive order that would heavily restrict mail-in voting and mandate identification for every ballot. Trump has repeatedly promised to overhaul the US voting system, alleging that it has become too susceptible to fraud.
The US president made the announcement in a post on Truth Social on Saturday, signaling that the action will have the vote-by-mail system effectively dismantled with only a few exceptions allowed.
“Voter ID must be part of every single vote. No exceptions! I will be doing an executive order to that end!!! He added: “Also, no mail-in voting, except for those are very ill, and the far away military. Use paper ballots only!!!”
Earlier this month, Trump revealed the executive order concerning the voting system is “being written … by the best lawyers in the country.”
The US president has long been critical of the country’s election system and has repeatedly stated his intention to overhaul it. Trump has repeatedly blamed his 2020 loss to Joe Biden on widespread fraud, claiming mass voting by non-citizens and irregularities in mail-in voting, among other complaints. He has also questioned voting machines, pushing for paper ballots and manual counting instead.
Voting rights groups, however, have criticized Trump’s plans. Mandatory identification has been among the most contentious issues. Rights groups argue that a sizeable chunk of eligible US voters do not have such documents on hand. According to a 2023 report compiled by the Brennan Center for Justice and other groups, some 21.3 million people, which is around 9% of US citizens of voting age, do not have proof of citizenship readily available.
It also remains unclear whether the US president will actually be able to enforce the changes, given that federal elections are administered at the state level. Trump’s critics have been accusing him of overstepping his authority, arguing that the president does not have explicit constitutional powers to change the election system.
Source: rt.com
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https://www.rt.com/news/623774-trump-vote-system-action/
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Africa
Seven dead, 71 wounded as Sudan’s RSF shells besieged city
August 31, 2025
KHARTOUM: Shelling by Sudan’s Rapid Support Forces killed at least seven people and wounded 71 others in El-Fasher, a medical source said Sunday, as the paramilitary group launched its fiercest offensive yet on the besieged city.
El-Fasher, the last major city in the vast western Darfur region still under army control, has become the most violent front line in the war between the Sudanese army and the RSF, which erupted in April 2023.
In recent weeks, paramilitary forces have escalated their long-running siege, launching fierce artillery barrages and ground incursions into densely populated neighborhoods, the city’s airport and the famine-hit Abu Shouk displacement camp.
The few hospitals still operational have been repeatedly bombarded and the local police headquarters captured by the RSF.
The medical source, who requested anonymity for safety reasons, said the true toll from Saturday’s attack was “likely higher,” as many injured had been unable to reach the hospital due to the intensity of the RSF’s strikes.
Among the wounded, mostly suffering from shrapnel injuries, 22 were reported to be in a critical condition, according to the source, who was reached via satellite Internet to bypass a communications blackout.
Local activists said the attack struck several neighborhoods in the city’s west near the airport, which RSF forces have sought to capture.
The RSF, which evolved from the Janjaweed Arab militias accused of genocide in Darfur in the early 2000s, is seeking to wrest full control of the region from the army after being pushed out of the capital Khartoum earlier this year.
Satellite imagery from Yale University’s Humanitarian Research Lab revealed Thursday that the RSF had constructed more than 31 kilometers of berms — raised earth barriers — “creating a literal kill box” in the city, the report said.
Its imagery also identified munitions impact damage at the city’s water authority, which supplies El-Fasher with fresh drinking water.
Nathaniel Raymond, the lab’s executive director, said the RSF had confined the Sudanese army and its allied militias to less than five square kilometers in the city.
“It’s the smallest it’s been since the siege began,” he told AFP.
The besieged population — estimated by the UN at some 300,000 — has endured severe shortages of water and food for over a year, according to humanitarian workers.
Famine was officially declared in three displacement camps around El-Fasher last year, and the UN warned it could spread to the city itself by last May.
A lack of data has so far prevented an official declaration of famine, but the UN estimates that nearly 40 percent of children under five are acutely malnourished, with 11 percent severely so.
Many have resorted to eating animal fodder, while desperate attempts to escape into the desert often end in death from exposure, starvation or violence.
“The pattern of life is ending,” said Raymond.
“They are dying in poverty, crossfire and bombardment and they’re being killed as they’re trying to leave,” he added.
Yale’s satellite images show that cemeteries had been expanded over the past months.
“The most worrisome part will be when there’s no one left to dig the graves anymore.”
The RSF, which recently announced the formation of a parallel government in the region, would control all five Darfur state capitals if it were to successfully capture El-Fasher.
Experts have warned that the city’s non-Arab Zaghawa tribe may face a similar fate to the non-Arab Massalit tribe in West Darfur’s state capital of El-Geneina, where UN experts found up to 15,000 people, mostly from the tribe, were killed in 2023 massacres blamed on RSF forces.
Both warring sides have been accused of war crimes, but the RSF has, in particular, been accused of genocide, sexual violence and systematic looting.
In the early 2000s, the paramilitary force led a government-orchestrated campaign of ethnic cleansing against non-Arab ethnic groups in Darfur, killing an estimated 300,000 people.
“The Janjaweed are about to win the entire genocide that began in the early 21st century,” Raymond said.
“And the world isn’t going to do anything about it.”
Source: arabnews.com
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https://www.arabnews.com/node/2613655/middle-east
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Why My Enemies Are Very Vehement At Hating Me – Former Governor of Kaduna
August 31, 2025
By Rachel OkporuFadoju
Former Governor of Kaduna State, Nasir El-Rufai, has asserted that his enemies are vehemently hating on him because he is unbothered by them.
Naija News reports that El-Rufai, during an interview with Channels Television, said those describing him as a fundamentalist do not know him personally or have worked with him.
He said, “I don’t care. The people that think I am a fundamentalist don’t know me, they have never met me, they have formed their opinion.
“Frankly, the reason why my enemies are very vehement at hating me is because I don’t care what they think. It’s the way I am. I am very comfortable with what I am. I don’t care what you think. Those that work with me know me,” he said on Sunday.
Speaking further, El-Rufai rejected the perceptions in parts of Southern Kaduna that his leadership style reflected hostility towards them.
He added, “They can think what they think. I don’t tolerate nonsense, governance is not a joke.
“When you’re governing 10 million people as I did in Kaduna, you must discriminate between A and B. Nobody can blackmail me that because he is a Christian, the law doesn’t apply to him.
“There are people in Southern Kaduna that feel entitled to behave in a certain way, I dealt with them. Some of the closest people I worked with in government are from Southern Kaduna. They know that this is not true.”
Source: naijanews.com
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https://www.naijanews.com/2025/08/31/why-my-enemies-are-very-vehement-at-hating-me-el-rufai/
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I Am Saddened By These Senseless Killings – Ndume Fumes Over Renewed Insurgent Attacks
September 1, 2025
By Justina Otio
The lawmaker representing Borno South Senatorial District, Ali Ndume, has condemned the renewed Boko Haram attacks in Borno.
Naija News reports that on Saturday morning, suspected insurgents struck Ngoshe, Gwoza Local Government Area, killing five farmers on their farmlands.
Later that night, gunmen raided the Mussa community in Askira/Uba LGA, murdering three youths and setting houses and shops ablaze.
The fresh wave of violence has plunged both communities into mourning and reignited concerns about persistent insecurity across the region.
Speaking on the development in a statement on Sunday night, Ndume described the attacks as heartbreaking and deeply painful.
“I am profoundly saddened by these senseless killings. Our people, whose only pursuit is peace and livelihood, continue to fall victim to the cruelty of insurgents.
“These young men and women deserved to live, to farm, and to dream, but their lives have been cut short by those who thrive on violence and destruction,” Ndume said.
The senator assured residents of Ngoshe, Mussa, and the wider Borno South that he remains committed to improving security in rural areas.
“We will not fold our hands while our people are being attacked. I will continue to push for the deployment of more personnel, sophisticated weapons, stationed attack helicopters or fighter jets, improved intelligence, and proactive measures to safeguard our farming communities.
“The safety of our people remains my top priority,” he added.
He also called on locals to remain vigilant and cooperate fully with security agencies to help prevent further attacks.
Source: naijanews.com
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https://www.naijanews.com/2025/09/01/i-am-saddened-by-these-senseless-killings-ndume-fumes-over-renewed-insurgent-attacks/
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APC’s Muslim-Muslim Ticket Strategy To Win Election, Not Religious Move – El-Rufai
September 1, 2025
By Justina Otio
A former governor of Kaduna State, Nasir El-Rufai, has stated that his decision to support the Muslim-Muslim ticket adopted by the All Progressives Congress (APC) in the 2023 presidential election was a political move.
Speaking during an appearance on Channels Television, he asserted that it was not a move motivated by religion, rather a deliberate plan to secure electoral victory.
The former Kaduna governor argued that fears over religious exclusion were unfounded, citing his experience in Kaduna, where he also ran on a Muslim-Muslim ticket.
“It was a political strategy; it was a strategy to win the election; it was not a religious strategy. When you are contesting an election, you look at every variable, every index, every criterion that will help you win. It has nothing to do with religion.
“So long as we continue to speculate on these issues, we will not solve them. We have done a Muslim-Muslim ticket now. Tell me in what way Christians are now short-changed; nothing. No leader that wants to succeed will limit his choice of appointees to a particular religion or ethnicity.
“If you want to succeed, you have to diversify. Now we have cured the fear and the love for the Muslim-Muslim ticket. It has been done, buried, and gone. I did a Muslim-Muslim ticket in Kaduna; I want to know which Christian in Kaduna was short-changed because of it,” he added.
Source: naijanews.com
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https://www.naijanews.com/2025/09/01/apcs-muslim-muslim-ticket-strategy-to-win-election-not-religious-move-el-rufai/
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Sokoto introduces allowances for imams, mosques
31st August 2025
By Samuel Omotere
The Sokoto State Government has introduced monthly allowances for Imams, their deputies, and Mu’azzins across the state, alongside new allocations to Jumu’at Mosques.
This was disclosed in a statement issued on Saturday by the Director General of
Media and Publicity for Sokoto Government House, Abubakar Bawa, noting it as part of efforts to strengthen Islamic propagation and Qur’anic memorisation among children.
Governor Ahmed Aliyu announced the measures on Saturday at the graduation of 111 Qur’an memorisers from the Sokoto branch of the Sheikh Dahiru Usman Bauchi Foundation.
Aliyu explained that the new allowances and mosque allocations were designed to support clerics in carrying out their duties effectively while ensuring that the teachings of Islam continue to thrive in the state.
“We have also introduced monthly cash allocations to all our Jumu’at Mosques, ranging from N300,000 to N500,000 depending on their category.
“In addition, monthly allowances have been introduced for Imams, their deputies, and Mu’azzins across the state to support them in the discharge of their duties,” he said.
The governor noted that Islamic affairs remain central to his administration’s “Nine-point Smart Agenda,” ranking second only to security.
“Encouraging Qur’anic memorisation among our children will help raise a generation that upholds the good teachings of Islam in line with the Sunnah of Prophet Muhammad (PBUH),” Aliyu added.
He also directed the school management to identify land for the establishment of a permanent site, assuring that the state government would provide the necessary support.
At the event, Sultan of Sokoto, Muhammad Sa’ad Abubakar, praised Sheikh Dahiru Bauchi for establishing the foundation and lauded scholars in the state for promoting Islamic ideals and peaceful coexistence.
Former Sokoto governor, AliyuWamakko, represented by Aminu Sufi, urged parents to encourage their children to embrace Qur’anic memorisation.
Similarly, Senator Abdulaziz Yari, represented by Lawal Liman, pledged continuous support for the foundation and announced a donation of N22 million alongside food items to the graduands and the school.
The religious school’s proprietor, Sheikh Dahiru Usman Bauchi, represented by Ibrahim Sheikh Dahiru Bauchi, said the foundation’s expansion to other states was aimed at keeping children in structured Qur’anic learning environments and reducing street begging.
Each of the 111 graduands received N20,000 and clothing materials from the Sokoto State Government during the ceremony, which ended with Qur’anic recitations and prize presentations.
Source: punchng.com
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https://punchng.com/sokoto-introduces-allowances-for-imams-mosques/
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Southeast Asia
Sabah mufti’s office denies involvement in exhumation of Form One student’s remains
01 Sep 2025
KOTA KINABALU, Sept 1 — The Sabah Mufti’s Office has denied claims that the state mufti and his deputy were involved in the exhumation of Form One student Zara Qairina Mahathir’s remains, calling the allegations baseless and damaging, according to SinarHarian.
The clarification follows the circulation of a 46-second video on social media last Thursday in which a gravedigger alleged the mufti and deputy mufti were present and detected a fragrance from the body.
“The Sabah State Mufti and Deputy Mufti were not involved in the exhumation process as alleged. The statement in the video is slander that could harm the reputation and public trust in the Mufti’s Office,” the department said in a statement last night, as reported by SinarHarian.
Those involved were urged to retract the remarks and issue both verbal and written apologies, failing which legal action may be taken.
The office also advised the public not to spread unverified information and warned that legal measures could be pursued against any individual or party sharing the claims made in the video.
Alongside the denial, the office issued religious guidance related to the matter, noting that visiting graves is encouraged in Islam but must be carried out with proper decorum and within the boundaries of syariah.
Among the prohibitions during grave visits are wailing, screaming, beating one’s cheeks or thrashing about in excessive grief.
Other prohibitions include sitting or crawling on graves, stepping over or leaning on them, and walking on graves except where there is no other path to reach a specific grave.
The office also cautioned against superstitious practices that undermine faith, such as turning graves into places of worship or veneration, seeking blessings from graves, or imitating the rituals of other religions, including bringing flower garlands.
It called on Muslims to approach issues related to Zara Qairina’s grave with humility and moderation, without exceeding Islamic teachings, and prayed that the community remains under Allah’s guidance and mercy.
Source: malaymail.com
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https://www.malaymail.com/news/malaysia/2025/09/01/sabah-muftis-office-denies-involvement-in-exhumation-of-form-one-students-remains/189608
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US Secretary of State Marco Rubio extends warm congratulations to Malaysia on 68th Independence Day
01 Sep 2025
KUALA LUMPUR, Sept 1 — The United States (US) has extended its warm congratulations to Malaysia on the occasion of the country’s 68th Independence Day.
US Secretary of State Marco Rubio said the US and Malaysia have enjoyed a strong and enduring partnership over the decades, built on shared values of peace, security and prosperity.
He added that the partnership was reflected in recent cooperation to ensure a lasting ceasefire for Thailand and Cambodia, while expressing optimism about deepening bilateral ties in the future.
“On behalf of the United States of America, I send my sincerest congratulations to the people of Malaysia on the 68th anniversary of Malaysia’s independence on August 31.
“The US and Malaysia have enjoyed a strong and enduring partnership throughout the decades, built on a shared vision of peace, security, and prosperity, as evidenced by our recent cooperation to ensure a lasting ceasefire for Thailand and Cambodia.
“I look forward to deepening our ties as we chart a bright future for both our countries.
“With warmest congratulations from the US as you mark this milestone, I wish all the people of Malaysia a prosperous year ahead,” Rubio said in a message posted on the US Embassy in Kuala Lumpur’s official Facebook Page on Monday.
Rubio visited Malaysia in July to participate in a series of Asean-related engagements, including the Asean-United States Post-Ministerial Conference, the East Asia Summit (EAS) Foreign Ministers’ Meeting, and the Asean Regional Forum (ARF) Foreign Ministers’ Meeting.
During his visit, Rubio held discussions with Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim as well as regional counterparts, with talks centring, among others, on enhancing the Indo-Pacific partnership and boosting economic collaboration.
Malaysia celebrated its Independence Day on August 31, marking 68 years since the nation gained sovereignty in 1957. — Bernama
Source: malaymail.com
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https://www.malaymail.com/news/malaysia/2025/09/01/us-secretary-of-state-marco-rubio-extends-warm-congratulations-to-malaysia-on-68th-independence-day/189594
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Anwar and Dr Wan Azizah welcomed by Xi at SCO gala in Tianjin as Malaysia prepares for summit talks
31 Aug 2025
TIANJIN, Aug 31 — Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim attended the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) gala dinner at the Tianjin Meijiang Convention Centre here on Sunday evening.
He was accompanied by his wife, Datuk Seri Dr Wan Azizah Wan Ismail.
They were greeted by Chinese President Xi Jinping and his wife, Peng Liyuan, at the dinner hosted by Xi as current Chair of the SCO, ahead of the 2025 Summit tomorrow.
The prime minister arrived here this evening for a four-day working visit to China, which will also include a visit to Beijing.
Tomorrow, Anwar, who is also Asean chair, is scheduled to attend and deliver remarks at the SCO Plus Summit, focusing on efforts to deepen Asean-SCO relations.
He is also expected to highlight Malaysia’s role as a bridge between Asean and SCO member states in advancing cooperation in trade, the economy and other areas of mutual benefit.
This year’s SCO Summit, the largest since its inception, is being held in Tianjin, a major coastal port city and the largest industrial base in northern China.
The SCO was founded in Shanghai in 2001 by China, Russia, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, and Uzbekistan. Today, its membership has expanded to include Pakistan, India, Iran and Belarus. — Bernama
Source: malaymail.com
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https://www.malaymail.com/news/malaysia/2025/08/31/anwar-and-dr-wan-azizah-welcomed-by-xi-at-sco-gala-in-tianjin-as-malaysia-prepares-for-summit-talks/189554
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Malaysia looks to expand semiconductor market with China and Japan collaborations, says Anwar
01 Sep 2025
TIANJIN (China), Sept 1 — Malaysia is exploring new markets for its semiconductor industry as part of its diversification efforts to move into new and non-traditional markets, said Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim.
To this extent, the Prime Minister said China has advanced phenomenally in this field, and Malaysia is eager to learn and explore possible collaborations with its Chinese counterparts.
“Malaysia is fortunate to become the hub of semiconductors in South-east Asia...with more than 60 per cent of our electrical and electronic (E&E) and semiconductor products exported to the United States.
“So the decision is to continue with that, but at the same time to open up new markets, and we are working with Chinese and Japanese companies,” he said during the question and answer session at his public lecture held at Tianjin University here today.
Anwar, who is also the Finance Minister, emphasised nurturing new talents in the field, for example, new technology that uses artificial intelligence (AI).
He said there is a huge opportunity as China has opened its doors, but apart from collaborations, the creation of a training component is also vital.
“In fact, tomorrow I will meet with all the China-based semiconductor players to discuss and work on the formula. We have to explore this and work together,” he said.
The Prime Minister is currently on a four-day working visit to China, his fourth visit to the country since assuming office in November 2022. — Bernama
Source: malaymail.com
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https://www.malaymail.com/news/malaysia/2025/09/01/malaysia-looks-to-expand-semiconductor-market-with-china-and-japan-collaborations-says-anwar/189635
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Police caution public over false claims on woman who rushed Sultan Nazrin during Perak Merdeka celebration
By Malay Mail
01 Sep 2025
PETALING JAYA, Sept 1 — Police have warned the public against spreading false claims over the incident where a woman disrupted the Perak state-level National Day celebration by rushing towards Sultan of Perak Sultan Nazrin Shah.
Bukit Aman Criminal Investigation Department (CID) director Datuk M. Kumar said a viral Facebook post had misrepresented the woman’s race, stressing that the suspect is a 41-year-old local.
“The Perak police are aware of a viral Facebook post making claims about the incident, but the individual arrested was a 41-year-old local woman,” he said in a statement last night.
He reminded the public that circulating unverified information can create unnecessary alarm and threaten social harmony.
The woman, who has a past drug-related record and is currently under psychiatric care, was arrested shortly after rushing towards the royal dais at the Merdeka celebration in Ipoh.
Kumar confirmed that she tested negative for drugs, adding that investigations are also underway against those who spread the false claims under Section 505(b) of the Penal Code and Section 233 of the Communications and Multimedia Act 1998.
“Police warn that stern action will be taken against any party who intentionally makes or spreads false statements that cause public concern and disrupt social harmony in Malaysia,” he said.
Source: malaymail.com
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https://www.malaymail.com/news/malaysia/2025/09/01/police-caution-public-over-false-claims-on-woman-who-rushed-sultan-nazrin-during-perak-merdeka-celebration/189627
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South Asia
Fourth Anniversary of the Last U.S. Troops’ Withdrawal from Afghanistan
By Fidel Rahmati
August 31, 2025
Four years after U.S. forces withdrew, Afghanistan faces worsening poverty, restricted education for women, and declining aid, as the Taliban consolidate power amid international concern and instability.
Four years ago, on August 30, 2021, the complete withdrawal of U.S. forces marked the end of America’s longest war in Afghanistan, and the Taliban regained control of the country.
The last group of U.S. troops departed from Kabul International Airport aboard Air Force planes. As the final flights vanished from the sky, Taliban fighters celebrated their victory with aerial gunfire.
A U.S. State Department review found that emergency planning had been insufficient, and visa processing lagged during the withdrawal, leaving many Afghans in precarious situations.
Veterans and military officials have expressed frustration and anger over the handling of the U.S. exit, calling it chaotic and poorly managed.
Since the Taliban takeover, Afghanistan has experienced severe consequences: women and girls have been barred from education and employment, international aid has decreased, and poverty and unemployment have surged.
Humanitarian organizations warn that millions of Afghans remain at risk due to the ongoing restrictions and lack of basic services, including food, healthcare, and education.
Experts argue that without international support and effective governance, Afghanistan’s social and economic crises will deepen, potentially fueling regional instability and migration pressures.
Four years after the withdrawal, Afghanistan’s future remains uncertain, with the Taliban consolidating power while the international community debates how to engage with and support the Afghan population.
Source: khaama.com
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https://www.khaama.com/fourth-anniversary-of-the-last-u-s-troops-withdrawal-from-afghanistan/
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Religious adviser Khalid meets Pakistani High commissioner
31 Aug 2025
DHAKA, August 31, 2025 (BSS) – Newly appointed Pakistan High Commissioner in Bangladesh Imran Haider today made a courtesy call on Interim government’s Adviser for Religious Affairs A F M Khalid Hossain at his secretariat office here today.
During the meeting, Dr AFM Khalid Hossain said, Bangladesh and Pakistan are the two largest Muslim-majority countries and there is a huge scope of mutual cooperation between the two countries in the fields of education, trade, information technology, human resource development and other areas.
The adviser said the two countries can work together for the welfare of Muslim nations, Islamic religious teachings and improving the living standard of the people of South Asian countries.
“However, all these issues should be taken forward on the basis of mutual respect, dignity and amity,” he added.
The meeting also discussed the potentials and scopes of sharing education facilities between the two countries.
The adviser greeted the new high commissioner of Pakistan with a bouquet and congratulated him on his appointment in Bangladesh.
Religious Affairs Secretary AKM Aftab Hossain Pramanik was present.
Source: bssnews.net
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https://www.bssnews.net/news/307193
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Efforts underway to strengthen Afghanistan-UAE diplomatic ties, says official
September 1, 2025
KABUL: Mawlavi Abdul Rahman Fida, Consul General of the Islamic Emirate to Dubai, said that efforts are underway to strengthen diplomatic ties between Afghanistan and the United Arab Emirates in various fields.
In a meeting with Mawlavi Abdul Salam Hanafi, Deputy Prime Minister for Administrative Affairs, Fida briefed the Deputy PM on the consulate’s activities, achievements, and ongoing programs, as well as the current situation of Afghans residing in Dubai, Arg said in a statement Sunday.
“Afghanistan consulate is working diligently to address the needs of Afghan nationals in the UAE, in line with directives from the Islamic Emirate’s leadership,” the statement quoted him as saying.
Meanwhile, Hanafi highlighted the deep religious and cultural ties between the two nations, encouraging both sides to enhance cooperation in political, economic, and cultural fields. Reaffirming the Islamic Emirate’s commitment to Afghan citizens abroad, Hanafi urged the consulate to continue its support and problem-solving efforts for Afghans living in the UAE.
Source: thekabultimes.com
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https://thekabultimes.com/efforts-underway-to-strengthen-afghanistan-uae-diplomatic-ties-says-official/
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IEA Ambassador attends 2nd International Religious Leaders Conference in Malaysia
August 31, 2025
KUALA LUMPUR: Naqibullah Ahmadi, the Ambassador of the Islamic Emirate to Malaysia, participated in the 2nd International Conference of Religious Leaders held in the Malaysian capital, a gathering aimed at promoting interfaith dialogue, unity, and peaceful coexistence across the Islamic world.
The country’s Embassy said in a statement that the conference was attended by Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim, members of his cabinet, ambassadors from various countries, Islamic scholars, and prominent religious leaders from across the Muslim world.
The conference served as a vital platform for discussing the role of religious leadership in addressing global challenges, countering extremism, and promoting peace, mutual respect, and tolerance among nations.
Participants emphasized the importance of unity among Muslim countries and the central role of religious guidance in fostering stability and cooperation.
In his participation, Ambassador Ahmadi underscored Afghanistan’s cultural and religious heritage, its commitment to peaceful relations with the global Islamic community, and the Islamic Emirate’s focus on religious values as a foundation for governance and diplomacy.
Source: thekabultimes.com
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500 Killed, 1,000 Injured as Strong Earthquake Strikes Kunar, Eastern Afghanistan
By Fidel Rahmati
September 1, 2025
A powerful magnitude-6.0 earthquake struck eastern Afghanistan, killing over 500 people, injuring thousands, and flattening villages in Kunar and Nangarhar, as rescue operations face difficult conditions.
On the night of August 31, 2025, a powerful magnitude-6.0 earthquake struck eastern Afghanistan, shaking the provinces of Kunar and Nangarhar at around 11:47 p.m. local time. The shallow depth of the quake intensified surface damage and destruction.
Local Taliban-run authorities reported at least 500 deaths and over 1,000 injuries in Kunar province, with the worst-hit districts being Nur Gul, Soki, Watpur, Manogi, and Chapa Dara. In Nangarhar, at least nine people were confirmed dead and dozens more injured.
The earthquake leveled entire villages built with fragile mud-and-stone structures. Landslides blocked key access routes, while disrupted communication services further complicated rescue and relief efforts in the affected areas.
Officials confirmed the heavy casualties and appealed for urgent international assistance. Rescue teams and helicopters were deployed, but operations have been hindered by rough terrain and significant infrastructure damage.
This tragedy highlights Afghanistan’s continued vulnerability to seismic disasters, particularly in mountainous and remote regions. It comes less than two years after another deadly earthquake in the country, underlining the recurring risks.
In the aftermath, the Taliban government faces immense pressure to scale up rescue operations and deliver humanitarian relief amid limited resources. Coordinated international support remains crucial for providing medical aid, shelter, and emergency supplies.
Afghanistan must strengthen disaster preparedness by enforcing safer building practices, improving early warning systems, and enhancing community resilience. Without long-term planning, the cycle of devastation caused by recurring earthquakes will remain a tragic reality.
Source: khaama.com
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https://www.khaama.com/500-killed-1000-injured-as-strong-earthquake-strikes-kunar-eastern-afghanistan/
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JnU students protest attacks on CU, BAU students
Sep 1, 2025
Students of Jagannath University (JnU) staged a protest against the recent attacks on students of Chattogram University (CU) and Bangladesh Agricultural University (BAU).
The procession began around 10:30pm from ShantoChattar, paraded through Kataltola and the Science Faculty ground, and ended at the starting point with a brief rally.
Masud Rana, a student of the 2019-20 session, said, "After the August 5 uprising, we expected safe campuses. But students have become the first victims of attacks. Just as JnU students stood with courage during the July uprising, we are ready to resist any fascist conspiracy."
Riyazul Islam, president of the JnU unit of Islami Chhatra Shibir, termed the CU and BAU attacks "acts of terrorism" and accused the interim government of failing to act. He also alleged that the attack at Rajshahi University was intended to foil the upcoming student union election.
Earlier, the JnU unit of Jatiyatabadi Chhatra Dal also held a protest on campus. Convener Mehedi Hasan Himel said the attacks were part of a conspiracy to disrupt democratic movements and warned that continued violence against students could trigger widespread unrest.
On August 30, clashes erupted at CU after a female student was allegedly assaulted by a security guard of a hostel for returning late.
At least 20 students and two proctorial staff were injured overnight. The following morning, fresh clashes between students and locals left more than 100 people, including CU Pro-VC (Administration) Prof Dr Md Kamal Uddin, injured.
Source: thedailystar.net
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https://www.thedailystar.net/news/bangladesh/education/news/jnu-students-protest-attacks-cu-bau-students-3975601
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DU Prof Hafizur denied bail in Anti-terrorism case
Aug 31, 2025
Dhaka University law professor Sheikh Hafizur Rahman has been denied bail in a case filed under the Anti-Terrorism Act over a speech delivered under the banner of "Mancha 71".
Dhaka Metropolitan Magistrate Mehera Mahbub issued the order today after hearing a petition filed by the defence, a court staffer said.
The court also rejected the bail plea of another accused, Abdullah Al Amin.
During the hearing, state lawyer MdShamsuddohaSumon opposed the bail petitions.
On August 29, police filed the case with Shahbagh Police Station against Hafizur, former minister and expelled Awami League leader Abdul Latif Siddique, and 14 others under the Anti-Terrorism Act.
The 16 accused, including Hafizur and Latif, were sent to jail the same day after being produced before the court.
Source: thedailystar.net
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Europe
UK to tighten family member rules for asylum cases
September 01, 2025
Joe Pike
Home Secretary Yvette Cooper is to announce a tightening of rules for migrants granted asylum bringing their families to the UK.
Speaking in the Commons today as MPs return to Westminster, she will set out criteria for family members - including tougher English language standards and access to sufficient funds - and outline reforms to the asylum appeals system.
Cooper will say an overhaul of a "broken" asylum system seeks to end the use of hotels for migrants arriving on small boats - after a series of protests in recent months.
The Conservatives said "Labour's claim to have smashed the gangs is completely discredited", while Reform UK said the "government's words aren't matching the reality".
When a person is granted asylum in the UK, they can apply to bring their family too but Cooper believes changes to policies across Europe mean the UK is now out of kilter with its neighbours and restrictions are needed.
Cooper will also highlight the National Crime Agency's efforts in tackling people smugglers, saying it led 347 disruptions of immigration crime networks in 2024-25 - the highest level on record and a 40% increase on the previous 12 months.
In August 55 small boats crossed the Channel. It was the lowest figure for the month since 2019.
Yet the smuggling gangs seem to be putting more people on each boat - last month there was an average of 65 individuals per vessel.
It comes with the government under increasing pressure to end its reliance on asylum hotels.
On Friday the Appeal Court overturned a temporary injunction which would have prevented the Home Office from housing asylum seekers at the Bell Hotel in Epping and it was seen as a possible precedent for legal challenges elsewhere.
Epping Forest District Council will meet later on Monday to decide its next course of action, including whether to take its attempt to prevent the hotel being used for asylum seekers to the Supreme Court.
In the Commons, the home secretary is expected to say the NCA efforts have led to "a significant and long term impact" on people smugglers.
The government's planned reforms to the asylum system announced in the last few weeks include a new independent body prioritising cases involving asylum accommodation and foreign national offenders within 24 weeks, and a new fast track appeals process.
Cooper will also give an update on the UK's returns deal with France, where some migrants arriving in the UK on small boats crossing the English Channel will be detained and returned under a pilot scheme lasting 11 months.
She is expected to announce that the first deportations to France are due to take place in the coming weeks.
"Our action to strengthen border security, increase returns and overhaul the broken asylum system are putting much stronger foundations in place so we can fix the chaos we inherited and end costly asylum hotels," she will tell the Commons.
Cooper will say the UK has a "proud record of giving sanctuary to those fleeing persecution" but the system "needs to be properly controlled and managed".
Shadow home secretary Chris Philp said the government had "lost control" and was "engulfed in a fully fledged borders crisis".
He said Cooper's statement was a "desperate distraction tactic", and pointed to the rise in asylum seekers being housed in hotels under the Labour government and the record number of arrivals in small boats so far this year.
A Reform UK spokesman said: "We have seen a record number of crossings since Labour came to power last year with no signs of it slowing."
Reform, they added, had a "detailed plan to deport over 600,000 illegal migrants" in its first term in office if elected. Labour sided "with foreign courts and outdated treaties" while Reform were "on the side of the British people".
A full High Court hearing to decide on a permanent injunction for The Bell Hotel is expected in mid-October.
The government says it plans to stop using hotels for asylum seekers by the end of this Parliament.
Ministers said the judgement on the legal challenge on the Bell Hotel, which was brought by lawyers for the Home Office and The Bell Hotel, would allow the government to do so "in a planned and orderly fashion".
But some councils say they are still pursuing legal action to stop asylum seekers from being housed in hotels in their areas.
Reform UK said all 12 councils it controlled should explore legal options to stop asylum seekers being housed in local hotels.
Conservative leader Kemi Badenoch urged Tory-run councils pursuing legal action to "keep going" and said advice would be issued to all Conservative councillors following the ruling.
The protests at the Bell Hotel began after an asylum seeker housed there was arrested and subsequently charged with several offences, including an alleged sexual assault on a 14-year-old girl.
Protests against the housing of asylum seekers at hotels - as well as counter-protests - continued to take place across England and Scotland at the weekend including in Epping, London, Gloucester, Portsmouth, Warrington, Norwich and Falkirk.
Source: bbc.com
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https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/c626p66d6jxo
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Suspected assassin of neo-Nazi Ukrainian MP detained – Zelensky
31 Aug, 2025
Ukrainian law enforcement has detained a suspect in the killing of far-right MP and former parliamentary speaker Andrey Parubiy, Vladimir Zelensky announced on Monday. The arrest comes less than 48 hours after Parubiy was gunned down in broad daylight in the western city of Lviv.
Zelensky said he was informed of the development by Ukraine’s minister of internal affairs, Igor Klimenko, and Security Service (SBU) chief VasilyMalyukon on Sunday night.
“I have instructed that the available information be presented to the public,” Zelensky said in a post on X. “I thank our law enforcement officers for their prompt and coordinated work. All the circumstances of this horrendous murder must be clarified.”
The identity of the suspect remains unknown while “necessary investigative actions are ongoing,” Zelensky added. In a separate statement, he said he had spoken with Prosecutor General RuslanKravchenko, who confirmed that the suspect had already given initial testimony.
“Urgent investigative actions are currently underway to establish all the circumstances of this murder,” Zelensky stated, adding that “the entire law enforcement team and the prosecutors are working around the clock.”
Parubiy, 54, was shot eight times by an unknown assailant on Saturday while walking along a sidewalk in Lviv. Surveillance footage shared online appears to show a man posing as a food delivery courier approaching Parubiy from behind before raising a firearm and fleeing the scene.
The motive behind Parubiy’s killing remains unclear. A prominent figure in Ukraine’s far-right political circles, Parubiy co-founded the Social-National Party of Ukraine in 1991 – known for its neo-Nazi symbolism and ideology.
Parubiy played a central role in the 2014 Maidan coup, where he coordinated paramilitary protest groups and served as commandant of the protest camp in central Kiev. After the ousting of President Viktor Yanukovich, he was appointed secretary of Ukraine’s National Security and Defense Council, overseeing early military operations in Donbass and the government crackdown on anti-Maidan protests.
Parubiy’s career was further marred by his alleged role in suppressing protests in Odessa in May 2014, which culminated in a fire at the Trade Unions building that killed more than 40 activists opposed to Kiev’s coup-installed government. In 2018, he drew international criticism for stating in a televised interview that “the greatest man who practiced direct democracy was Adolf Hitler in the 1930s” – a comment he later claimed was misunderstood.
Source: rt.com
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Could Russia have joined NATO?
30 Aug, 2025
The idea of Russia one day joining NATO has become an international meme. To many it seems so absurd that it reads like a parody. Yet the notion continues to resurface in political debate, like a ghost that refuses to leave the stage.
The latest revival came in 2022, when Russia and the West entered their most dangerous standoff in decades. Commentators wondered aloud how relations had sunk so low and whether a different path had ever been possible. More recently, former US congressman and Trump ally Matt Gaetz suggested that Russia should be accepted into NATO as a way to resolve the conflict in Ukraine.
Even Der Spiegel added fuel, publishing documents showing that under Bill Clinton the US did not entirely reject the idea of Russian membership. It was Germany and others in Western Europe, the magazine reported, who feared that opening NATO’s doors to Moscow would mean the alliance’s slow dissolution.
So who exactly blocked the path? The closest Russia ever came to joining NATO was in the early 1990s, just after the Soviet Union's collapse. Boris Yeltsin’s government openly declared NATO membership a long-term goal. There were serious conversations at the highest level. But they didn't lead anywhere.
Part of the reason lay in Washington itself. A powerful bloc of the American elite was against any Russian presence in NATO’s inner circle. From its inception, NATO had been designed as a US project, structured around American leadership. Russia, even weakened, retained military parity, global influence, and a sphere of interests that could not be subordinated. Unlike Poland or Hungary, it was not a junior partner to be absorbed. There cannot be two heads in one alliance.
The other part of the reason was philosophical. NATO’s first secretary general, Lord Ismay, famously defined its purpose in 1949: “to keep the Americans in, the Russians out, and the Germans down.” By the 1990s, the German question had been solved by reunification. But if NATO also gave up the “Russian threat,” it risked losing its reason for existing altogether. With the Soviet Union gone, the alliance drifted into an identity crisis. Accepting Russia would have hastened what many in Berlin and elsewhere already feared – the death of NATO itself.
What if Russia had joined?
Let us imagine the alternate universe where Russia did sign up. Would it have resolved tensions with the West, as Gaetz suggests? Or would the quarrels have simply moved inside the tent?
To answer, one can look at the example of Türkiye. Ankara has been part of NATO since 1952 but remains the odd man out. Turkish geography, culture, and ambitions often clash with those of its European and North American allies. Russia, had it joined, would likely have occupied a similar outsider role – but on a far grander scale, with nuclear weapons and a permanent seat on the UN Security Council.
There is, however, a crucial difference. Türkiye has been tolerated because it controls the Bosphorus and Dardanelles and does not challenge NATO’s overall dominance. Russia never viewed itself as a regional player but as a European power in its own right. Europe has always been Moscow’s primary sphere of influence – just as it is Washington’s. To coexist peacefully, one side would have had to step aside. Neither ever intended to.
Why it could never last
Instead of membership, the West offered Russia a “special partnership”: permanent dialogue, joint councils, limited cooperation. But this fell apart quickly. Moscow demanded equality. Washington, triumphant after the Cold War, refused to treat Russia as anything other than a defeated state. Pride collided with pride. The dialogue reached a dead end.
Even if full membership had been offered, the story would have ended the same way. Russia and the United States would inevitably have clashed over the balance of power inside the alliance. At best, this would have produced a messy divorce. At worst, Russia might have split NATO by drawing away countries that were themselves uneasy with US dominance.
In truth, Russia has always been “too big to join.” The alliance could absorb small and medium states – even awkward partners like Türkiye or Hungary. But not a country capable of rivaling America itself.
That slim chance is gone
The 1990s provided the one fleeting moment when Russian membership could have been tested. It passed. By 2025, the question is no longer hypothetical. The chance is gone forever.
And NATO itself is no longer what it was. In the United States, voices once confined to the margins now argue that the alliance is a burden, not an asset. In Western Europe, trust in Washington is eroding. Dreams of “strategic autonomy” grow louder. NATO staggers on, but without clarity of purpose.
Against this backdrop, Russia’s place in NATO is not simply unrealistic – it is absurd. Our country has its own path, its own burdens, and its own battles. The alliance may continue to search for reasons to justify itself. But Russia has no need to be part of that “celebration of life.”
Whether one calls it fate or irony, the verdict is the same: Russia and NATO were never meant to merge. Not in the 1990s, not today, not even in an alternate universe.
Source: rt.com
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https://www.rt.com/russia/623716-could-russia-have-joined-nato/
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Zelensky threatens ‘new deep strikes’ into Russia
31 Aug, 2025
Ukrainian leader Vladimir Zelensky has threatened new strikes into Russia, days after claiming that Kiev possessed a brand-new long-range missile capable of reaching Moscow.
Zelensky wrote on Telegram that he had been briefed by Ukraine’s commander-in-chief, AleksandrSyrsky, on the current battlefield situation.
“We will continue our active actions exactly as needed to protect Ukraine. Forces and means are prepared. New deep strikes have also been planned,” he said on Sunday, without providing further details.
Earlier this month, Zelensky claimed Ukraine had developed the long-range Flamingo missile with a reported range of 3,000 kilometers – which would be enough to reach not only Moscow but also Russian cities beyond the Ural mountains. The Ukrainian leader, however, said that mass production is not expected for the next several months.
However, British media outlets cast doubts on whether the Flamingo was developed in Ukraine, noting similarities with the FP-5 cruise missile produced by the UK-based Milanion Group and unveiled at an arms expo in Abu Dhabi this year. The UK has also been supportive of Kiev’s long-range strikes, having provided it with Storm Shadow missiles in the past.
Russian Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova noted that there is “nothing surprising” in the similarities, adding that “Ukraine has long turned into a testing ground for Western weapons. There are more than enough examples.”
On Friday, the Kyiv Independent also reported that Ukraine’s National Anti-Corruption Bureau had launched an investigation into Fire Point, the defense firm linked to the development of the Flamingo missile, after reports it misled the government on pricing and deliveries.
Earlier this month, the Wall Street Journal reported that the US had blocked Ukraine from carrying out strikes deep inside Russian territory. Throughout the conflict, some of Kiev’s Western backers have been wary of authorizing unrestricted strikes into Russia using Western-supplied weapons, citing concerns over escalation with Moscow.
Ukraine has regularly carried out long-range attacks inside Russia, which Moscow says frequently hit civilian areas and critical infrastructure. Russia has retaliated with strikes on Ukrainian military-related facilities and defense enterprises but maintains that it never targets civilians.
Source: rt.com
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https://www.rt.com/russia/623764-zelensky-threatens-new-strikes-russia/
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European ‘war party’ hindering Ukraine peace process – Kremlin
31 Aug, 2025
The European “war party” is trying to sabotage the diplomatic process launched by the US and Russia to end the Ukraine conflict, Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov has said. He added that this approach contradicts the efforts of US President Donald Trump.
UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer and French President Emmanuel Macron have for months floated the idea of sending a joint military contingent to Ukraine in a so-called peacekeeping capacity if Kiev and Moscow reach a truce or peace deal. Moscow has strongly opposed the presence of NATO troops in Ukraine in any role.
On Sunday, Peskov said the stance of the “European war party” is “in stark contrast to the approach pursued” by Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin.
“The Europeans are hindering the [peace] efforts,” as part of their strategy to “contain” Russia, the Kremlin spokesperson told journalists.
He added that certain NATO member states have been encouraging Ukraine to refuse to negotiate with Russia in good faith – a strategy that “will do no good to the Kiev regime.”
“Russia is still ready to settle the [conflict] by political-diplomatic means,” Peskov said, but Kiev has to show reciprocity for the hostilities to end.
Last weekend, Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov argued that European nations “don’t want peace” in Ukraine, citing their reaction to the Putin-Trump summit in Alaska earlier this month.
Last week, speaking to reporters after a follow-up meeting between the US president and Ukraine’s Vladimir Zelensky, as well as several European leaders at the White House, Macron insisted that Europe “will need to help Ukraine with boots on the ground.”
Germany, Italy, Poland, Spain, Romania, and Croatia have ruled out taking part in the mission.
On Tuesday, the Wall Street Journal reported that a significant proportion of the EU population is “opposed to any deployment that places troops in harm’s way.”
Source: rt.com
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https://www.rt.com/russia/623769-peskov-european-war-party-at-odds-trump-ukraine/
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