Discovery Of Yogi's India: Adityanath Unlocks Temple Trove Despite Mohan Bhagwat's Call For Harmony
New Age Islam News Bureau
30 December 2024
Labourers at work amid an ongoing construction inside the Ram Temple premises, in Ayodhya, Saturday, Dec. 28, 2024.
PTI photo
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· Discovery Of Yogi's India: Adityanath Unlocks Temple Trove Despite Mohan Bhagwat's Call For Harmony
· All India Muslim Jamaat Issues Fatwa Discouraging New Year Celebrations
· Identity Politics, Divisive Ideologies Eroding National Unity’: SC Judge Mishra
· 1972 ‘Mujibist’ Constitution Will Be BuriedThrough The Proclamation Of The July Revolution On December 31
· Soprano Saira Peter On Creating Sufi Opera, Blending Cultures In First Visit To Saudi Arabia
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India
· Contemplating Terrorist Act For Years Is Also An Act Of Terrorism: Delhi HC
· Delhi Waqf Board Imams Protest Outside Kejriwal's Residence; Demands Release Of Delayed Salaries
· Navyug tunnel is a gift from Manmohan Singh, should be named after him: Omar
· ASI decodes Sanskrit inscription found in POK
· Indian workers replace Palestinian labourers at Israeli construction sites: Report
· ‘L-G sahab, you’ll have to listen to them’: J-K deputy CM joins Katra ropeway protesters
· DU to propose ending Muslim student quota in joint course with Jamia
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South Asia
· All People Have Equal Rights In Islamic System, Says IEA Dy PM
· Mirza Abbas slams call to bury constitution
· 17 school buildings to be renovated in Ghazni, ministry
· Putin approves law removing Afghanistan from banned groups list
· Iran executes Afghan citizen in Lorestan
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Arab World
· Saudi-Qatari roundtable explores opportunities in key investment sectors
· Rock art in Saudi Arabia’s Harrat is testament to ancient life, cultural exchange
· Syrian conjoined twins arrive in Saudi Arabia for medical assessment
· Global sculptors to transform Riyadh’s landscape
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Mideast
· Syrian Jewish Community Can Visit One Of The World’s Oldest Synagogues, Eliyahu Hanavi Synagogue, Again
· Now Syria’s long-ruling Baath party is collapsing, too
· Israeli hospital says Netanyahu has undergone successful prostate surgery
· Jailed PKK leader says ‘ready’ to support Turkiye peace drive
· Turkiye’s $14-billion plan to boost development in Kurdish southeast
· Lebanon arrests late Muslim Brotherhood leader’s son wanted by Egypt, says judicial official
· Israeli airstrike near Syrian capital kills 11, war monitor says
· Gaza rescuers say Israeli strike on hospital kills 7
· Qatar strongly condemns settlers' storming of Al Aqsa Mosque courtyards
· Qur'an Generation Schools in Capital Secretariat honored for their achievements
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North America
· Muslim Youth Aim To Clear Up Misunderstandings About Islam Through Interactive Exhibit
· CAIR Says Jimmy Carter Was Champion of Just Causes, Friend of the Muslim Community
· Biden and Trump lead tributes to 'extraordinary' Jimmy Carter after death
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Pakistan
· After Months Of Delay, President Zardari Gives Assent To Madressah Bill
· Section 144 imposed in Karachi for New Year’s Eve: notification
· Sindh govt urges MWM to 'confine' Karachi sit-ins to designated site as traffic hurdles persist
· Four security men injured in D.I. Khan suicide attack
· Polish cyclist couple robbed on Sujawal-Badin bypass
· Chinese being provided security on priority basis, says Sindh IGP
· ‘Consensus on economy essential for growth’
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Europe
· Tougher Rules To Restrict New Waste Incinerators
· Astronomers ready for dazzling but brief celestial show after 80-year wait
· Three migrants die attempting to cross Channel
· Biden and Trump lead tributes to 'extraordinary' Jimmy Carter after death
· Warnings of snow, wind and rain across the UK for New Year
· Russia won’t make concessions on Ukraine in NATO – Lavrov
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Africa
· Lagos Churches, Mosques, Nightclubs To Get Noise Permits
· ‘President Tinubu To Appoint Ambassadors In The Next Few Weeks’
· Presidency Accuses El-Rufai Of Taking Cheap Shot Against Tinubu
· Do Not Provoke Nigeria’s Wrath With Your Absurd Assertions – Fani-Kayode Warns Niger Republic
· Voters cast their ballots in Chad's elections
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Southeast Asia
· 'When Will Muslim Leaders Show Same Courage' - Zaid Backs Nga
· KPDN conducted 2,748 Christmas SHMMP inspections, issued 75 compounds
· PM Anwar vows immediate steps to boost tourism, preserve biodiversity in Langkawi
· Pointing to diplomatic achievements in 2024, PM Anwar says Malaysia now seen as respected strategic partner (VIDEO)
Compiled by New Age Islam News Bureau
URL: https://newageislam.com/islamic-world-news/yogi-dityanath-unlocks-temple-harmony/d/134192
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Discovery Of Yogi's India: Adityanath Unlocks Temple Trove Despite Mohan Bhagwat's Call For Harmony
Piyush Srivastava
30.12.24
Labourers at work amid an ongoing construction inside the Ram Temple premises, in Ayodhya, Saturday, Dec. 28, 2024.
PTI photo
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Some or other “abandoned”, “demolished” or “encroached on” temple is being “discovered” and “renovated” every other day in Uttar Pradesh despite a warning from RSS chief Mohan Bhagwat not to unearth fresh temple-mosque controversies post-Ayodhya.
Political analysts say they expect the trend to continue till the 2027 Assembly elections, crucial to chief minister Yogi Adityanath’s ambitions of succeeding Narendra Modi as Prime Minister.
On Saturday, a group of Hindu Mahasabha members opened the doors of a deserted Shiva temple in Madhopur village, Farrukhabad, and announced a Jalabhishek (anointment of the idol with holy water) on Monday.
Local people said the four-decade-old temple had been abandoned for lack of maintenance but a priest, Mahant Ishwar Das, alleged encroachment.
“Some villagers encroached on the temple a few years ago and stacked it with hay, straw and cow-dung cake,” Das said. “Hindu Mahasabha members helped me liberate it.”
Two days ago, a Hindu outfit claimed the “discovery” of a rundown temple below a market complex near the Vidhan Sabha in Lucknow.
“It was built by Gajraj Singh in 1885 but Samajwadi goons illegally constructed a market complex around it in 1992. I met senior officers on Friday and demanded the shops be razed,” Amarnath Mishra, leader of the little-known Brahmin Sansad, said.
“The temple had Shiva and Radha-Krishna’s idols before 1992 but they were broken.”
Sayid Hussain, owner of the building, said: “I didn’t encroach on any temple. It was always there in the basement.”
Rajnish Shukla, a local devotee, said: “I have been worshipping in this temple every evening for the last 15 years. We (devotees) together renovated it a decade ago. There are idols of Shiva and Krishna-Radha here.”
He added: “Those claiming encroachment never came here to worship but now want to take the temple over.”
It’s these serial “discoveries” of temples in Uttar Pradesh over the last few weeks that seemed to have prompted Bhagwat’s warning, issued from Pune in mid-December.
The RSS chief had frowned on the trend among Hindu groups to move court claiming this or that Mughal-era mosque was built after destroying a temple. He said the world needed to be shown that India can live in harmony.
However, Adityanath hit back immediately, claiming the Sanatan Dharma was “the national religion of Bharat”. Mentioning the mosque-temple controversies in Ayodhya, Varanasi, Mathura and Sambhal, he asked: “Who were these people who harmed the symbols of the Sanatan Dharma in the past?”
Many sadhus in Uttar Pradesh, known for their proximity to Adityanath, too have spoken out against Bhagwat.
The large-scale temple “discoveries” began after the violence in Sambhal, where a court-ordered survey of the Shahi Jama Masjid — on a petition claiming it was built after destroying a temple — led to clashes that killed four people on November 24.
“Keeping the state charged with religious fervour will help Adityanath unite Hindu voters for the 2027 Assembly elections, where a victory will help him assert himself as a prime ministerial candidate,” a political analyst, who didn’t want to be named, said.
From Ghaziabad in the west to Jaunpur in the east, Hindutva groups have identified many “abandoned temples” over the last few days, with enthusiastic support from the local administrations.
These include a Shiva temple in Salma Hakan mohalla of Khurja town in Bulandshahar. The Sangh Parivar claims that Jatavs, a Dalit community, were the dominant population in the area before being forced to leave in 1990 following communal riots triggered by the Ayodhya movement.
Kailash Bhagmal Gautam, president of the Jatav Vikas Manch, which works in coordination with the Vishwa Hindu Parishad, said: “We will resume puja after the temple is renovated.”
Khurja sub-divisional magistrate Durgesh Singh said: “We’ll renovate the place.”
On December 24, Atul Singh, Amethi district general secretary of the BJP, applied to Priti Tiwari, sub-divisional magistrate of the Musafirkhana area, saying a 120-year-old Shiva temple had been discovered in Aurangabad.
“It was built by Jethuram Kori; the family of Ganesh Tiwari later looked after it. But members of a particular community encroached on it 40 years ago,” Singh alleged.
“We have started a probe into the complaint,” Tiwari said.
Hindutva groups in Sambhal claim to have discovered a 150-year-old Banke Bihari temple in the Laxmanganj area of Chandausi town. They say the shrine was damaged during a riot in 2010.
Chandausi tehsildar Dhirendra Kumar Singh said: “It’s good that such a place was discovered. We have found idols of Shiva and Krishna there.”
A Kali temple has been “discovered” below a bridge in Jaunpur town.
Nishad Party MLA Ramesh Singh, a BJP ally, said: “The Mughals and later the British demolished it. It’s good that Hindus are demanding their temples back.”
Hindu Yuva Vahini members held a protest in Modinagar, Ghaziabad, early last week demanding the removal of a graveyard from Abidpur Manki village on the ground that a Shivalinga had been found there. A team of government officials visited the place on December 24 and stationed forces there.
Adityanath had formed the Hindu Yuva Vahini when he was an MP but disbanded it officially after becoming chief minister in 2017. But the outfit, which faces multiple charges of violence and intimidation, continues to function in every district.
Neeraj Sharma, a leader of the Vahini, said: “There was a Shivalinga there for years before the graveyard was developed a decade ago. They covered the Shivalinga while building a wall around the graveyard. We want the government to remove the graveyard.”
Sub-divisional magistrate Puja Gupta said: “The wall of the graveyard will be removed to provide devotees with a passage to the Shivalinga.”
A Shiva temple has been “reopened” in Laddhawala, Muzaffarnagar. Hindutva groups, which claim it was closed when Hindus left the area during the post-Babri riots in 1992, plan a havan and a puja at the shrine.
“We feel unsafe; forces should be deployed here,”said Liyaqat Ali, a Laddawala resident.
A political observer said: “Bhagwat cannot stop Adityanath because many within the Sangh have been obliged by BJP governments. Even Bhagwat has accepted government security, which his predecessors had turned down.”
Source:telegraphindia.com
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https://www.telegraphindia.com/india/yogi-adityanath-unlocks-temple-trove-despite-rss-chief-mohan-bhagwats-call-for-harmony/cid/2074199
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All India Muslim Jamaat Issues Fatwa Discouraging New Year Celebrations
December 29, 2024
Maulana Shahabuddin Razvi Barelvi, the National President of All India Muslim Jamaat on Sunday issued a fatwa against New Year celebrations, discouraging Muslims from celebrating it, instead urged them to focus on religious practices that align with their faith.According to Razvi, the fatwa was issued by Chashme Darfta Bareilly urged both young Muslim men and women to refrain from partaking in the New Year festivities.
"The young men and women who celebrate New Year have been instructed in this fatwa that celebrating New Year is not a matter of pride and neither should this celebration be celebrated nor should it be congratulated," Razvi said, emphasizing that the New Year marks the beginning of the Christian calendar, or the "English Year." He further stated that such non-religious practices are strictly "prohibited for Muslims."
Razvi continued, urging young Muslim people to avoid participating in New Year celebrations, stressing that Muslims should instead focus on religious practices that align with their faith. "New boys and girls have been instructed not to celebrate New Year... Muslims should avoid celebrating New Year," he said.Meanwhile, Bareilvi amid reports of author Salman Rushdie's 'The Satanic Verses' being available for sale over three decades after it was "banned" in the country, had voiced his opposition and said that the "ban should continue".He said there should have been dialogue with people demanding a ban before allowing the sale of the book."There should have been dialogue because there is a Muslim perspective," he said.
Maulana Shahabuddin Razvi Bareilvi, president of the All India Muslim Jamaat, also echoed similar views.He expressed concern that the availability of the book could "harm the social and religious fabric of the country".
"I request the government that in the manner in which the then government had imposed a ban on the eighties, this ban should continue," he said.
Source:indiatimes.com
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https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/india/all-india-muslim-jamaat-issues-fatwa-discouraging-new-year-celebrations/articleshow/116771325.cms
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Identity Politics, Divisive Ideologies Eroding National Unity’: SC Judge Mishra
Byutkarsh Anand
Dec 29, 2024
Supreme Court judge justice Prashant Kumar Mishra at a national council meeting of the Akhil Bharatiya Adhivakta Parishad (@AdhivaktaP/X
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New Delhi: Supreme Court judge, justice Prashant Kumar Mishra, has warned against divisive ideologies, identity-based politics and hate speech on social media as pressing challenges to national unity, as he highlighted fraternity as the fundamental principle binding the constitutional ideals of justice, liberty and equality.
Speaking at the inaugural session of the national council meeting of the Akhil Bharatiya Adhivakta Parishad in Gujarat on Friday, the judge asserted that fraternity is not merely a lofty ideal but a practical necessity for fostering harmony in a diverse society.
“Among the ideals of liberty, equality, and justice, fraternity shines as the unifying thread that binds the fabric of our democratic society. Without fraternity, the other ideals remain fragile, like a tripod missing a crucial leg. The idea of fraternity, thus, is the glue that binds the other core principles of justice, liberty and equality,” he said.
Justice Mishra reflected on the enduring relevance of fraternity, especially in today’s polarised socio-political climate, where the principle faces growing challenges. He pointed out that divisive rhetoric and the misuse of social identities for electoral gains erode the sense of collective belonging. “When individuals or groups promote narratives that pit one community against another, it weakens the sense of unity envisioned by the Constitution,” he remarked.
Justice Mishra highlighted how identity politics, often wielded by political leaders for electoral gains, undermines national integration. While acknowledging the empowering role of identity politics for marginalised groups, he warned against its misuse in fostering exclusion and discrimination.
“Divisive rhetoric creates mistrust among communities, leading to the spread of stereotypes and misunderstandings. These tensions can escalate into social unrest. Moreover, when political leaders use social identities for electoral gains, it deepens these divisions, making it harder to build a collective sense of belonging,” he said.
Addressing economic inequality, justice Mishra pointed out its detrimental impact on fraternity. Citing reports showing the stark wealth disparity in India, he stressed that such economic divides deepen societal divisions. “Fraternity requires reducing these inequalities through inclusive policies and fair resource distribution,” stated the jduge, linking economic justice to the broader constitutional directive of ensuring equality of opportunity.
Justice Mishra also spoke about the dual-edged nature of digital and social media, noting their role in both fostering dialogue and amplifying hate speech. “In today’s digital age, fraternity faces growing challenges, particularly in curbing misinformation and hate speech on social media platforms,” said the judge, highlighting the need for robust regulatory frameworks to balance free speech with the imperative of maintaining social harmony.
Justice Mishra delved extensively into the challenges posed by the digital age, particularly the impact of social media on the principle of fraternity. “The rise of digital technology and social media brings both opportunities and challenges for fraternity. While these platforms can connect diverse communities and encourage dialogue, they are often misused to spread hate speech, misinformation, and divisive content. Such misuse undermines trust and creates discord, threatening social harmony,” he said.
The anonymity provided by digital platforms, justice Mishra lamented, emboldens people to engage in abusive behaviour without facing consequences. “The anonymity provided by digital platforms has led to the proliferation of cyberbullying, targeted harassment, and online propaganda, all of which polarize society further. Echo chambers created by social media algorithms reinforce existing biases, limiting exposure to diverse viewpoints and reducing empathy for others,” he remarked.
Also Read: ‘Chief justice can’t act solo’: SC quashes collegium’s decision
Tracing fraternity’s evolution within Indian jurisprudence, justice Mishra highlighted its integration with constitutional values like equality, secularism and social justice, as the judge noted that the judiciary has frequently invoked fraternity in cases addressing affirmative action, hate speech, and environmental sustainability.
Justice Mishra appealed for a collective effort by all the stakeholders to actively stand against injustice, challenge prejudice and promote peace and unity while he reaffirmed the judiciary’s responsibility to uphold the spirit of fraternity, calling it a journey toward a more just and inclusive society.
Justice Samir Dave of the Gujarat high court, who also addressed the gathering, echoed similar sentiments, stressing the importance of mutual respect and harmony in safeguarding constitutional values.
Source:hindustantimes.com
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https://www.hindustantimes.com/india-news/identity-politics-divisive-ideologies-eroding-national-unity-sc-judge-mishra-101735458128686.html
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1972 ‘Mujibist’ Constitution Will Be BuriedThrough The Proclamation Of The July Revolution On December 31
Dec 30, 2024
Photo: Collected
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The "Mujibist" constitution of 1972 will become invalid through the proclamation of the July Revolution by the Anti-discrimination Students Movement on December 31, leaders of the platform said yesterday.
"From the very place where the one-point movement was declared, the grave of the Mujibist 1972 constitution will be dug -- we want the Mujibist constitution to be buried," Hasnat Abdullah, convener of the platform, told a press briefing at its central office in the capital's Banglamotor.
The platform is all set to unveil the proclamation of the July Revolution on December 31 at 3:00pm at the Central Shaheed Minar.
Hasnat further said that the proclamation should have been made on August 5 after the fall of the Awami League government.
"Better late than never. The delay has allowed pro-fascist forces to continue conspiring from abroad and questioning the legitimacy of the revolution through the media, intellectual circles and various other platforms."
These efforts undermine the sacrifice of more than 2,000 martyrs and more than 20,000 injured, he said.
"We hope that the proclamation will make the Nazi-like Awami League irrelevant in Bangladesh."
The proclamation will outline the dreams, aspirations, intentions, goals and manifesto for the future of Bangladesh, he mentioned.
"It belongs to no specific party or class. Over the course of history, our dreams have been betrayed at various levels. Through this proclamation, we aim to ensure that such deprivation does not recur."
The foundational principles of the 1972 constitution facilitated Indian aggression, Hasnat said.
"The proclamation will clarify how the Mujibist constitution has destroyed the aspirations of the people and precisely how we intend to replace it," he added.
A draft of the proclamation has already been prepared by taking opinions from individuals from various political ideologies, religions and age groups who participated directly in the revolution, said Sarjis Alam, former coordinator of the student platform and currently the chief organiser of the Jatiya Nagorik Committee.
"We believe that the way the revolution united all anti-fascist forces, this proclamation will contain the hopes and aspirations of everyone -- we have crossed only the first phase of the revolution," he added.
Abdul Hannan Masud, the chief organiser of the student platform, said it is the government's responsibility to incorporate the proclamation into the constitution and establish the Second Republic.
Hasnat, however, said the concept of a Second Republic is a legal matter. "We are not delving into those issues right now," he said.
Meanwhile, Chief Adviser's Press Secretary Shafiqul Alam said the government is not connected with the initiative by the student platform to declare the July mass uprising a revolution.
"This is a private initiative -- we are treating it as a private matter. It is not related to the government, and there is no involvement of the government," he said at a press briefing outside the state guesthouse Jamuna.
Meanwhile, Deputy Press Secretary Mohammad Abul Kalam Azad Majumder said, "Until the declaration is made, it will not be clear to us. Until then, we won't be able to clarify it to you."
Source:thedailystar.net
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https://www.thedailystar.net/news/bangladesh/news/1972-mujibist-constitution-will-be-buried-3787136
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Soprano Saira Peter on creating Sufi opera, blending cultures in first visit to Saudi Arabia
NADA ALTURKI
December 29, 2024
RIYADH: British-Pakistani soprano Saira Peter has captivated on the world stage, made history by becoming the world’s first Sufi opera singer, and even received praise from King Charles III for her recording of the British national anthem.
After hearing about Saudi Arabia’s changes in recent years, Peter decided to explore the country’s arts and culture scene herself. In Riyadh, she spoke to Arab News about her musical journey, her upcoming Sufi opera project, and her impressions of Saudi Arabia.
“It’s so wonderful to see how your country is growing and (how) you are embracing the advanced technology,” she said.
“You’re having so many events around you. And it’s quite enormous and very interesting to see the musical events as well. I met some people and I told them that I’m an opera singer…
“The way I saw Saudi people, their reaction towards music, it’s unbelievable. You have such a great rhythm and tempo inside you.”
The London-based singer, who is the director of NJ Arts London where she also gives lessons, has starred on many stages across the globe, often performing with her husband, musician Stephen Smith, and has an extensive discography that features music in 17 languages.
In 2019 she received an award for Best Music Performance at Islamabad Art Fest, Pakistan’s largest international arts event.
But her acclaimed career was no surprise: Music was part of her life from childhood and she grew up listening to classical music in her household.
Peter admired the likes of Benjamin Britten, Mozart, Beethoven, and Arabic and Eastern singers like Umm Kulthum, but doing her first master’s in physical chemistry really helped her understand the intricacies of music.
Peter said: “In Greek history they used to put music into science and into arts as well. All the notes are composed of different frequencies and each and every note has specific frequencies, which is actually science, which is physics.
“Music is everywhere in the world, even if you hear the sea breeze or when the wind blows. Everything is music.”
But only after receiving her second master’s in history from Queen Mary University of London, and delving deeper into Islamic and Western histories, did she decide to pursue a professional career in music.
She said: “I think music is very important; it’s a language. You can express your emotions, you can express your thoughts, in a very mild way. And you can communicate to the whole world.
“My passion and my vision when I sing, I think, is how I can serve my audience and how I can deliver the message of peace and reconciliation to my audience.”
Reflecting her aim to bring people together, the soprano’s genre of Sufi opera aims to bridge the gap between Eastern and Western classical music.
Peter said: “Fusion means that when you blend two cultures, two musical genres together, when they come together, they should celebrate each other. They should, also, enhance the beauty of what they already contain.”
She is currently working with her team in London to develop the first full-scale opera of this kind, titled “Marvi’s Tears.” Inspired by the ancient Indus Valley Civilization in what is now Pakistan, Afghanistan and India, the story follows a teenage girl, Marvi, and her brave journey in bringing justice to her village.
The opera recently underwent a workshop at Oxford University with renowned British composer Paul Knight, who is also Peter’s vocal coach, and director Johnny Danziger. It is set to be staged in 2025.
Peter said: “The opera is a very unique kind of opera, because it’s a blend of two worlds which are, you know, Western classical and Eastern classical. So if you sing Western classical, there are certain things you are not allowed to do when you sing. For example, you are not allowed to sing in portamento, which is a sliding note.
“Arab singers are wonderful in sliding notes and they have quarter tones and all these vibratos, which are beautiful.”
Considering her ethnic background, Peter’s vantage point is her ability to utilize her voice on both ends of the spectrum — and everywhere in between. This discovery was made by her coach, Knight.
Peter said: “He said ‘You have a very unique kind of vocal force that you can sing both Western classical and Eastern classical without changing the quality of the sound.’
“Because I’m from the East, I have that kind of DNA, that kind of sound.”
During her stay in Riyadh Peter performed a few arias to a small group of Saudis in a home setting, where she was met with claps and cheers. She said: “I never had this kind of experience and response from any audience. Of course I love all my audiences, but here it was very different, and I was so moved.
“It was overwhelming because they were in tears and they were appreciating me with all their heart.”
As Saudi Arabia orchestrates a notable cultural shift, opera is slowly gaining ground and blending with its rich musical heritage, marking a new chapter in its artistic evolution, most recently demonstrated by the staging of the first Saudi opera “Zarqa Al-Yamama” back in April.
While the soprano believes there is no shortcut to hard work and training, she offers a piece of advice to aspiring artists and professionals.
She said: “You need to know what your vision is, and your goal for life. If you have a message, then it becomes whatever you do, whether you want to become a singer or scientist or dramatic artist, you first need to search within yourself.
“When I discovered that I could sing, I decided for myself that I would use music to serve people, to spread the message of peace and reconciliation around the world.”
Source:arabnews.com
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https://www.arabnews.com/node/2584670/saudi-arabia
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India
Contemplating terrorist act for years is also an act of terrorism: Delhi HC
Dec 30, 2024
NEW DELHI: Contemplating a terrorist act for years, even without executing it, constitutes a terrorist act, the Delhi high court has said.
"The definition of 'terrorist act' under Section 15 of UAPA clearly includes the expressions 'with intent to strike terror', by any other means of whatever nature to cause or likely to cause. Such an expression would not be linked only to an immediate terrorist act but would even include acts, which could be under contemplation for years together and may be given effect to after several years," the court said in its Dec 23 order.
A division bench was hearing an appeal against the conviction of a member of Al-Qaida in Indian Subcontinent (AQIS) under the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act.
HC: Bids to brainwash youth, recruit them can't be ignored
The prosecution alleged that the AQIS member was responsible for sending people to Pakistan for arms training. During his visit to Pakistan, the appellant met the chief of Lashkar-e-Taiba and chief of Jamaat-ud-Dawah, who is wanted for involvement in the 26/11 Mumbai attacks, the prosecution alleged. In 2015, the appellant visited Bengaluru and met a co-convict, and they discussed the planning and objectives of AQIS. The appellant also gave inflammatory speeches against the nation and propagated 'jihad' in his speeches, the prosecution said.
The witnesses stated before the court that he delivered provocative speeches to the effect that RSS, BJP, and VHP conspired against Muslims and that Muslims should also unite.
The division bench of Justices Prathiba M Singh and Amit Sharma observed that Section 18 of UAPA punishes preparation for terrorist acts, even when a specific terrorist act has not been identified. "The planning to give effect to terrorist acts could also extend over years and under Section 18 of UAPA, the law aims to address such preparation for terrorist acts, even in cases where a specific terrorist act has not been identified," it said.
The bench added, "Moreover, speeches which are given to brainwash innocent youth, coupled with attempts to recruit them for committing unlawful and illegal acts against the country, cannot be completely washed away on the ground that no specific terrorist act has been committed."
The court noted that there was sufficient evidence to show and link the appellant with the main accused who obtained passports and visited Pakistan, stating that the appellant, along with co-accused, is part of a larger network involved in giving inflammatory speeches, disseminating material, having links with Pakistan-based organisations, recruiting persons for terrorist acts, and instigating hatred against India and its political leaders.
The court further remarked that a terrorist act includes indulging in conspiracy with terrorist organisations and associated persons. "A perusal of the definition of 'terrorist act' under UAPA shows that...(it) includes any acts which intend to threaten or are likely to threaten the unity, integrity, security, or sovereignty of India. The definition is wide enough to include indulging in conspiracy with terrorist organisations and associated with persons who are rendering support to terrorist organisations," said high court.
Stating that for conspiracy, specific covert acts are not necessary, even secretive and clandestine support to declared terrorist organisations would also suffice, the court noted that the evidence and the testimonies clearly disclosed the appellant's association with terrorist organisations for the commission of conspiracy to commit a terrorist act
Source:indiatimes.com
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https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/contemplating-terrorist-act-for-years-is-also-an-act-of-terrorism-delhi-hc/articleshow/116780669.cms
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Delhi Waqf Board Imams protest outside Kejriwal's residence; demands release of delayed salaries
Dec 30, 2024,
Imams of Delhi Waqf Board have been protesting outside the residence of Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) national convenor Arvind Kejriwal over the delay in the release of their salaries.Speaking to ANI, All India Imam Association Chairman Sajid Rashidi expressed dismay over the delay in the release of salaries of the imams of the Delhi Waqf Board by the Delhi government.
Rashidi stated that they haven't received their salaries from last 17 months, adding that they are continuously meeting several officials and leaders of the government, but no action has been taken yet into the matter.
Rashidi gave an ultimatum to the Delhi government saying that if their salaries wouldn't get sanctioned, the imams will sit on protest here and not get up till they get their salaries.He said, "It has been 17 months and our salaries have not been paid. We have been trying to highlight this for the last 6 months. We have met the CM, the LG and all senior and junior officers. This is why we have all gathered here today... If they do not give us our answers now, we will sit on a protest here and not get up till we get our salaries..."Rashidi further stated that they met the Delhi Chief Minister Atishi also for solution of their problem but solution has been taken in this regard"From the last six months, we are continuously trying to get solution of our problems. We have met them for more than 50 times, but unable to get any solution. Its been 20 days we have met the CM Atishi. She had affirmed that the problem will get cleared in 4-5 days but nothing has happened," he added.
Another Imam of Paharganj also stated that they haven't received their salaries from last 17 months and have come here to request the ruling party (AAP) chief Arvind Kejriwal to grant their 17 months long pending salary.
Mohammad Ibrahim said, "I am Imam at a Masjid located in Paharganj, New Delhi. We are imams of Delhi Waqf Board. From last 17 months we haven't received our salaries. In this week, we have come for the third time to meet Arvind Kejriwal. Our Imam Rashidi Sahab has been trying since 6 months to meet him. We all are tensed as 17 months is a long tenure. We have come here to request the ruling party (AAP) chief to grant our 17 months long pending salary."Imam of one of ChandChowk's Masjid, Mohammad Murtaza said, "The problem is that we haven't received our salaries from the last 17 monthss... Only Waqf Board knows the reason. We always do our duty...".
Source:indiatimes.com
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https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/politics-and-nation/delhi-waqf-board-imams-protest-outside-kejriwals-residence-demands-release-of-delayed-salaries/articleshow/116789549.cms
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Navyug tunnel is a gift from Manmohan Singh, should be named after him: Omar
Fayaz Wani
30 Dec 2024
SRINAGAR: Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah on Sunday said the Navyug tunnel, which connects Qazigund with Banihal on Srinagar-Jammu National Highway, should be named after late Prime Minister Dr Manmohan Singh.
Talking to the media, Abdullah said the late prime minister’s contribution towards J&K cannot be ignored. “It now takes people four to five hours to travel from Srinagar to Jammu via Srinagar-Jammu national highway during normal days. It is a gift from late PM Dr Manmohan Singh,” he said.
Omar said the four-laning of Srinagar-Jammu National Highway was taken up during Dr Singh’s rule. “He had given approval for the project”.
He said there are two key tunnels on the highway. “One of the tunnels has been named after Shyama Prasad Mukherjee. The new Navyug tunnel connecting Qazigund with Banihal should be named after late PM Dr Manmohan Singh. It is his contribution and I want it to be named after Dr Singh”.
Terming ex PM Manmohan Singh as a true statesman, Omar said his contribution towards J&K will be remembered forever. “He introduced the PM scholarship scheme for J&K students. Besides, it was during his regime that cross-LoC trade was started between two parts of Kashmir.”
‘Rehabilitated pandits, provided reservation’
The chief minister also said that it was during Manmohan Singh’s regime that the Round Table Conference on J&K was held, interlocutors were appointed, steps taken for rehabilitation of migrant Kashmiri Pandits including reservation of jobs for the community.
Source:newindianexpress.com
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https://www.newindianexpress.com/nation/2024/Dec/30/navyug-tunnel-is-a-gift-from-manmohan-singh-should-be-named-after-him-omar
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ASI decodes Sanskrit inscription found in POK
Dec 30, 2024,
HYDERABAD: An ancient Sanskrit inscription discovered on a rock outside Gilgit in Pakistan-Occupied Kashmir was decoded by ASI's epigraph division. Written in Brahmi script, it dates back to approximately 4th-century CE, reports U Sudhakarreddy. According to ASI epigraphy director K Muniratnam Reddy, the inscription reads: "Pushpasingha, for the merit of his guru (name partially lost), installed a Mahesvaralinga." Shiv Pratap Singh from Rajasthan shared a photo of the inscription with ASI, which decoded it.
Experts said there were earlier instances wherein Sanskrit inscriptions were found in Pakistan. Five months ago, ASI had decoded a Sanskrit inscription sent from the neighbouring country. The fragmentary inscription, engraved on a slab, was found near Peshawar. According to Reddy, it was written in Sanskrit and Sharada characters of 10th-century CE. Damaged and fragmentary, it seems to refer to Buddhist Dharini (chants). In line six, it mentions Da (Dha) rini, he said.
Source:indiatimes.com
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https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/asi-decodes-sanskrit-inscription-found-in-pok/articleshow/116780029.cms
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Indian workers replace Palestinian labourers at Israeli construction sites: Report
Dec 30, 2024
One among multiple things that has changed amid the Israel-Hamas war is the radical swap in the labour workforce deployed in an Israeli building sector, where Indian workers have replaced Palestinian labourers.
The construction sites, otherwise dominated by Arabic-speaking workers, are now overwhelmingly outnumbered by those speaking Hindi, Hebrew and even Mandarin, claimed news agency AFP.
A new spurt of tension in the Middle East, triggered after Hamas's deadliest attack on Israel, has prompted the Israeli government to fill a void left by tens of thousands of Palestinian construction workers barred from entering Israel since Hamas's unprecedented October 7, 2023 attack.
The tension in the region, however, is the least of concern for the Indian workers who went to Israel in pursuit of the work.
"There's nothing to be afraid of here," Raju Nishad, who was hammering blocks that will form part of a building in a new neighbourhood in central Israel's town of Beer Yaakov, told AFP.
"Once it (the siren) stops, we just resume our work," he told AFP.
High earnings in Israel, where some workers can make three times what they would back home, are the key to why people like Nishad flock here, thousands of kilometres (miles) away.
"I'm saving for the future, planning to make wise investments and do something meaningful for my family," Nishad said.
He is just one of around 16,000 workers who have come from India over the past year -- and Israel has plans to bring thousands more.
"In a short time, one can earn more money" in Israel, said Suresh Kumar Verma told AFP.
Like Nishad, Verma is also from Uttar Pradesh. Verma works on a construction site north of Israel's commercial capital.
"Making money is also necessary... It's important to continue working hard for the family's future," he added.
After the war broke out, the Israeli construction industry had requested permission from Tel Aviv's authorities to hire up to one lakh Indian labourers as replacements for the Palestinian workers, according to a report by Voice of America (VOA) from the West Bank.
Two weeks ago, Uttar Pradesh chief minister Yogi Adityanath said as many as 5,600 people from his state are part of construction projects in Israel.
"Every youth gets free food and accommodation besides a monthly salary of Rs 1.5 lakh there. There is also full guarantee of safety," CM Yogi said.
Source:indiatimes.com
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https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/indian-workers-replace-palestinian-labourers-at-israeli-construction-sites-report/articleshow/116790638.cms
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‘L-G sahab, you’ll have to listen to them’: J-K deputy CM joins Katra ropeway protesters
by Arun Sharma
December 30, 2024
On the fifth day of the shutdown in Jammu and Kashmir’s Katra as locals protest against the proposed Rs 300-crore ropeway project to the Shri Mata Vaishno Devi shrine, J&K Deputy Chief Minister Surinder Choudhary on Sunday evening called on Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha to “listen to the protesters”.
Addressing the protesters in Katra town, Choudhary said, “L-G sahab, you will have to listen to these people as the Shrine Board is under you. A poet has said, ‘Na sataa gareeb ko, ki gareeb ro dega. Pata chalega uske malik ko to, tujhey kabar se bhi khod ke nikalega (Don’t harass the poor as they will cry. If their God comes to know, you will be pulled out even from yout grave)’.”
He said he came to meet the protesters upon the directions of his leaders, National Conference president Farooq Abdullah and J&K Chief Minister Omar Abdullah, and that he would give a report of the situation to them.
“Those elected and those not elected, and also those of us – ministers and the Deputy Chief Minister – we all can face these challenges in a united manner, not separately,” said Surinder Choudhary.
He said the issue was not a political one, but about the people of Katra and how their coming generations will make ends meet.
The protests in Katra have seen several locals, including shopkeepers, owners of eateries and operators of ponies and palkis, come out against the proposed Katra-Sanjichhat ropeway that is meant to bypass the old Katra-Banga-Adi Kunwari route of the Vaishno Devi pilgrimage. Protesters argue that the ropeway could have a major impact on their sources of livelihood.
Referring to the large number of women gathered on Sunday, Choudhary said, “Imagine the trauma of a mother when her children are unemployed. These political parties are for men, but my mothers and sisters are concerned whether their child is getting a job.”
He also appealed to people not to take the law into their own hands, reminding them that this is the land of Mahatma Gandhi, who won us Independence through non-violence.
Former BJP minister Ajay Nanda and Jugal Sharma, also a former minister and a close confidant of DPAP chairman Ghulam Nabi Azad, were among many prominent figures present on the occasion.
BJP MLA Baldev Sharma also extended support to the agitation against the ropeway project, and assured all support from his party in the matter.
The protesters, apart from asking the Shrine Board to shelve its proposed ropeway project, is also demanding the release of some of their leaders who were detained by police last week.
The bandh that was called on Wednesday has led to the closure of most shops and eateries in Katra, where black flags can be seen at regular intervals and local private vehicles have stayed off the roads.
Source:indianexpress.com
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https://indianexpress.com/article/india/l-g-sahab-youll-have-to-listen-to-them-jk-deputy-cm-joins-katra-ropeway-protesters-9750604/
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DU to propose ending Muslim student quota in joint course with Jamia
by Vidheesha Kuntamalla
December 30, 2024
Delhi University’s (DU) Cluster Innovation Centre (CIC) is set to propose the removal of Muslim reservation in admissions to the Master of Science (MSc) in Mathematics Education programme, a course jointly offered with Jamia Millia Islamia under the Meta University concept, The Indian Express has learnt.
The matter is to be tabled at the CIC’s governing body meeting on Monday. Jamia Millia Islamia did not respond to queries from The Indian Express.
Launched in 2013, the programme represents a collaboration between DU and Jamia. Admissions to the programme, conducted through the Common University Entrance Test for Postgraduate Programmes (CUET-PG), currently follow a seat distribution policy that includes specific reservations for Muslim candidates.
Of the total 30 seats, 12 are meant for the unreserved category, six for Other Backward Classes (non-creamy layer), four for Muslim general, three for Economically Weaker Sections, two for Scheduled Castes as well as one each for Scheduled Tribes, Muslim Other Backward Classes and Muslim women.
Pointing out that religious reservations are inconsistent with the university’s policies, a senior DU official told The Indian Express: “The whole idea is that there should be no reservation for any course in the university on the basis of religion.”
The official added, “It is a different case when it comes to having a quota for the underprivileged as part of caste reservation…”
Over the past few years, the admission process for the MSc programme has been fully computerised, with all students admitted through DU rather than Jamia. “Now, it is being discussed that since the students are being admitted at DU, naturally one must follow the reservation policy that is being followed at DU only,” said an official at the CIC.
“This is under discussion. Once the governing body makes a decision, we will put forth the proposal to the Vice-Chancellor for consideration,” the official added.
The MSc programme falls under the Meta University concept, which, according to its official website, “marks a paradigm shift in higher education in India”. The initiative aims to create synergy by pooling resources and expertise from multiple institutions. The CIC administratively manages the programme. Despite its inter-university nature, the CIC maintains that DU’s policies should prevail.
“This is the only degree in the country that bears the logo of two central universities… when a student finishes his/her postgraduation,” the official said.
“The course started in 2013. The committee constituted during the inception of the course had decided that 50% of the students would be admitted into DU and the other 50% to Jamia.”
While the original memorandum of understanding did not specify seat distribution, the committee overseeing the programme’s logistics devised the current allocation model at the time, the official added.
Source:indianexpress.com
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https://indianexpress.com/article/cities/delhi/du-to-propose-ending-muslim-student-quota-in-joint-course-with-jamia-9750689/
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South Asia
All People Have Equal Rights In Islamic System, Says IEA Dy PM
December 30, 2024
KABUL: The Deputy Prime Minister for Political Affairs of the Islamic Emirate Mawlavi Abdul Kabir, in a meeting with a number of Khalazai tribal elders, said there is no place for discrimination in the Islamic system and all people have the same rights in the current system. According to a statement from Arg Sunday, Mawlavi Kabir praised the efforts and sacrifices of the Khalazai people during the 20-year Jihad against the U.S.-led foreign forces and said: “With the reestablishment of the Islamic system, lots of aspirations and long-standing wishes of Afghan people have been fulfilled in the country.” He emphasized that no Afghan should feel deprived and the Islamic Emirate will use all facilities to serve the people and provide them with all necessary facilities and services countrywide. Meanwhile, the Khalazai tribal elders appreciated the developments and achievements of the Islamic Emirate in various fields and said: “They have suffered a lot during the occupation by the West, and lots of their families displaced and with the establishment of the Islamic Emirate, the displaced families returned to their houses.” Announcing full support for the current system, they asked the leadership of the Islamic Emirate to pay serious attention to the implementation of development and jog-generating projects in their areas. The Kabul Times
Source:thekabultimes.com
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https://thekabultimes.com/all-people-have-equal-rights-in-islamic-system-says-mawlavi-kabir/
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Mirza Abbas slams call to bury constitution
Dec 29, 202
Stating that the constitution was written in 1972 at the cost of the blood of 30 lakh martyrs, BNP Senior leader Mirza Abbas today criticised those who called for burying that national charter.
"As your seniors, we feel disappointed when you (leaders of the student movement) say that the constitution should be buried. If there is anything bad in the constitution, it can be amended," he said while exchanging views with journalists.
The Dhaka south city unit of BNP organised the event at a community centre in the capital's Nayapaltan area.
Abbas, a BNP standing committee member, observed that the constitution is not a rough draft that can simply be discarded.
"As our children, I would like to tell the leaders of the Anti-Discrimination Student Movement not to misunderstand us. When you say things like this, it sounds fascist. Because fascists used to say, 'we will bury them, kill them, and cut them off," he said.
Pointing at the students, the BNP said, "The nation and the politicians are looking at you. So, we don't expect such words from you."
"I am not a supporter of the 1972 Constitution, but I understand the connection between the Liberation War and it. The Constitution was formulated as a result of the Liberation War," he explained.
Abbas said those who misused the constitution should face consequences. "If you have a headache, cutting off your head is not the solution. So, take action against those who misused the Constitution. We are with you."
"That Constitution was written at the cost of the blood of 30 lakh martyrs of 1971. So, it hurts us when you speak against it," he said.
He also urged student leaders to refrain from making comments that people dislike and create division.
Source:thedailystar.net
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https://www.thedailystar.net/news/bangladesh/politics/news/mirza-abbas-slams-call-bury-constitution-3787336
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17 school buildings to be renovated in Ghazni, ministry
December 30, 2024
KABUL: The Ministry of Education reported on Sunday that the renovation work on 17 school buildings valued at 14 million Afghani has been kicked off in Ghazni province. According to the ministry, the school buildings will be renovated in 6 districts of the province. Addressing a ceremony on this occasion, Mawlavi Mir Nasir Ahmad Hussaini, the provincial director of education emphasized the pivotal role of education and training as fundamental components of a country’s advancement. The ministry of education has so far renovated hundreds of school buildings in various provinces of the country. The Kabul Times
Source:thekabultimes.com
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https://thekabultimes.com/17-school-buildings-to-be-renovated-in-ghazni-ministry/
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Putin approves law removing Afghanistan from banned groups list
December 30, 2024
KABUL: Russian President Vladimir Putin has signed a law allowing the country’s judicial and legal institutions to remove the Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan from Moscow’s list of banned groups, the Russian Interfax news agency reported the other day. According to Interfax news agency, Leonid Slutsky, Chairman of the State Duma’s International Affairs Committee and leader of the Liberal Democratic Party of Russia, previously stated that this legislation was introduced to ensure the legal framework for Russia’s interaction with the Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan. A few days ago, the Russian State Duma approved the draft law and it was passed by the Russian Parliament and paved the way for removing the Islamic Emirate from Russia’s prohibited list. Recently, the relations between the Islamic Emirate and a number of countries have been improving and many countries adopted an approach of engagement with the Islamic Emirate, as embassy of the Saudi Arabia has resumed its diplomatic mission in Kabul a move paving the way for further positive and productive interaction between the two countries. The Kabul Times
Source:thekabultimes.com
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https://thekabultimes.com/putin-approves-law-removing-afghanistan-from-banned-groups-list/
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Iran executes Afghan citizen in Lorestan
By Fidel Rahmati
December 30, 2024
The human rights organization Hengaw has reported that the Islamic Republic of Iran has executed an Afghan citizen in the Lorestan province of the country.
In a report published on Sunday, December 30, Hengaw stated that the execution of this Afghan citizen took place in the central prison of Aligudarz in Lorestan province.
According to the report, the Afghan citizen was identified as Jalal Stanikzai, who had been arrested four years ago on charges of “premeditated murder.”
This execution is part of a troubling trend in Iran, where the number of executions, including those of Afghan citizens, has significantly increased in recent months.
Earlier, the Iran Human Rights Defenders Group reported the execution of ten prisoners, including two Afghan citizens, in the Jiroft prison, on charges related to drug crimes.
Recently, the “Execution Information Center” reported that Iran leads the world in executions, with 882 executions recorded in 2024 alone.
According to the Iranian Human Rights Organization, dozens of people, including 49 Afghan citizens, have been executed in the past ten months in the country’s prisons.
The rising number of executions in Iran, especially involving Afghan citizens, has drawn widespread international condemnation. Human rights organizations continue to call for an immediate halt to the death penalty in Iran, urging the government to abide by international human rights standards.
As global pressure mounts, the Iranian authorities face increasing criticism for their handling of executions. The continued executions, particularly those involving foreign nationals, raise concerns about the country’s commitment to human rights and its international reputation.
Source:khaama.com
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https://www.khaama.com/iran-executes-afghan-citizen-in-lorestan/
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Arab World
Saudi-Qatari roundtable explores opportunities in key investment sectors
December 29, 2024
RIYADH: A Saudi-Qatari roundtable meeting held in Riyadh on Sunday highlighted significant investment opportunities in various key sectors as a way of fostering stronger economic ties between the two nations, the Saudi Press Agency reported.
The event was co-chaired by Ibrahim Al-Mubarak, assistant minister of investment and acting CEO of the Saudi Investment Promotion Authority, alongside Mohammed bin Hassan Al-Malki, undersecretary of the Ministry of Commerce and Industry of Qatar.
The roundtable brought together senior officials, executives, and business leaders from both countries.
Discussions focused on strengthening investment partnerships and identifying opportunities across diverse sectors, including communications, information technology, banking services, industry, mining, construction, tourism, aviation, and health services.
Key presentations were delivered by Invest Saudi and Invest Qatar to showcase the investment landscape of the two nations and help provide investors and companies with insights into the business environment and opportunities for collaboration in both markets.
Source:arabnews.com
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https://www.arabnews.com/node/2584677/saudi-arabia
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Rock art in Saudi Arabia’s Harrat is testament to ancient life, cultural exchange
December 29, 2024
RIYADH: The Harrat region, south of Tabuk, is a treasure trove of ancient history, boasting a remarkable collection of rock art that provides a fascinating glimpse into past civilizations, according to the Saudi Press Agency report.
The rugged volcanic landscape served as a canvas for ancient inhabitants, who expressed their beliefs, experiences, and social interactions through intricate engravings and paintings.
Depictions of hunting scenes, made using simple tools, offer a window into the daily lives of the early inhabitants of these areas, the SPA report noted.
Rock art also provides a record of the fauna that once lived in the region, including oryx, gazelles, and even tigers.
Moreover, numerous engravings feature symbolic and abstract motifs, likely carrying religious or cultural significance and reflecting the tribal identities of the area’s ancient societies.
These rock art sites underscore the historical significance of the Tabuk region as a crossroads for trade and cultural exchange.
Located at the intersection of ancient trade routes, Tabuk served as a vital link between the Arabian Peninsula and neighboring civilizations, including those of ancient Egypt, the Levant, Mesopotamia, the Mediterranean, and Asia.
Archaeological surveys conducted by the Heritage Commission have revealed a wealth of rock art and inscriptions dating back to various periods, including Thamudic, Nabataean, Lihyanite, and Islamic.
A recent discovery in the village of Alqan — “dual-line” inscriptions dating back to the fifth century — has provided valuable new insights.
These inscriptions, featuring both Thamudic and early Arabic scripts, offer compelling evidence of the continuity of writing traditions in the region and the ongoing evolution of language.
Source:arabnews.com
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https://www.arabnews.com/node/2584669/saudi-arabia
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Syrian conjoined twins arrive in Saudi Arabia for medical assessment
December 29, 2024
RIYADH: Syrian conjoined twins Celine and Eleen Abdulmoneim Alshibli, along with their family, arrived in Riyadh on Sunday, the Saudi Press Agency reported.
The twins and their parents were invited to the Kingdom upon directives of King Salman and Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, SPA added.
The twins travelled from Lebanon aboard a medical evacuation aircraft provided by the Saudi Ministry of Defense.
They are scheduled to undergo a comprehensive series of medical evaluations at the King Abdullah Specialist Children’s Hospital in Riyadh, and these assessments will determine the feasibility of performing a separation surgery.
Dr. Abdullah Al-Rabeeah, the supervisor-general of the Saudi aid agency KSrelief and head of the surgical and multidisciplinary team, thanked the Kingdom’s leadership for the humanitarian initiative.
“This act underscores Saudi Arabia’s dedication to humanitarian values and its globally recognized medical expertise,” Al-Rabeeah said. He also highlighted the Kingdom’s ongoing efforts in providing medical, humanitarian and relief support worldwide.
The Saudi Conjoined Twins Program, established in 1990, has under the management of Al-Rabeeah separated dozens of conjoined twins from countries around the world.
The family of the twins thanked the Saudi leadership, government and citizens for the warm hospitality and support extended to them since their arrival. They also expressed their trust in the capabilities of the Saudi surgical team, renowned for their expertise in handling similarly complex medical cases.
Source:arabnews.com
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https://www.arabnews.com/node/2584651/saudi-arabia
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Global sculptors to transform Riyadh’s landscape
December 29, 2024
RIYADH: The Riyadh Art program has announced the participating artists for the Tuwaiq International Sculpture Symposium, the Saudi Press Agency reported.
The event, scheduled to take place at ROSHN Waterfront, will run from Jan. 15 to Feb. 8, 2025, under the theme “From Then to Now.”
Using stone sourced from the Tuwaiq area, the completed pieces will be displayed around the city from Feb. 12 to 24 as part of the Kingdom’s national public art initiative.
A flagship project of Riyadh Art, launched on March 19, 2019, the Tuwaiq International Sculpture Symposium seeks to foster artistic and cultural exchange through community partnerships, workshops, panel discussions and other activities.
It also aims to integrate artistic practices into Riyadh’s cultural landscape, according to the SPA.
The registration period for the symposium’s sixth edition drew significant global interest, with more than 750 applications submitted from 80 countries.
An independent committee of art and sculpture experts evaluated the submissions, ultimately selecting 30 artists from 23 countries to create public art sculptures using locally sourced stone, further enriching Riyadh’s cultural fabric.
The 2025 symposium will be curated by architect and artist Sebastian Betancur-Montoya and sculpture specialist Manal Al-Harbi.
Betancur-Montoya said: “We celebrate the constant challenges faced by artists this year. These challenges are a major source of inspiration, allowing everyone to create a legacy that bridges the past, present, and future in innovative and humane ways.”
The symposium has had more than 120 local and international artists participate over the past five years. It mirrors Riyadh Art’s public initiative that works to enhance the city’s cultural landscape through art, and which has now housed more than 1,000 public art pieces in neighborhoods, parks and other spaces.
Source:arabnews.com
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https://www.arabnews.com/node/2584629/saudi-arabia
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Mideast
Syrian Jewish Community Can Visit One Of The World’s Oldest Synagogues, Eliyahu Hanavi Synagogue, Again
December 29, 2024
JOBAR, Syria: In this Damascus suburb, the handful of remaining Jews in Syria can again make pilgrimages to one of the world’s oldest synagogues where people from throughout the region once came to pray.
Syria’s 13-year civil war left the synagogue partially destroyed. Walls and roofs have collapsed. Some artifacts are missing. A marble sign in Arabic at the gate says it was first built 720 years before Christ.
Since insurgents overthrew President Bashar Assad in early December, people have been able to safely visit the widely destroyed Jobar suburb that was pounded for years by government forces while in the hands of opposition fighters.
Syria was once home to one of the world’s largest Jewish communities. Those numbers have shrunk dramatically, especially after the state of Israel was created in 1948.
Today, only nine Jews live in Syria, according to the head of the community, almost all older men and women. The community believes that no Syrian Jews will remain in the country in a few years.
One of the people visiting the Jobar Synagogue, also known as Eliyahu Hanavi Synagogue, on Thursday was gray-haired Bakhour Chamantoub, the head of the community in Syria.
“This synagogue means a lot to us,” the 74-year-old said during his first visit in 15 years.
Chamantoub had heard the synagogue was damaged, but he did not expect to see that part of it had been reduced to a pile of debris.
“I am frankly disturbed,” he said.
Chamantoub said Jewish people from around the world have been calling him to say they are ready to help rebuild.
He had refused to leave Syria during the war, while all 12 of his siblings left. He said he was happy in Syria and surrounded by people who respect him.
Chamantoub said he had been one of the few Jews who openly spoke about his faith, adding that he never faced discrimination.
He said other Jews preferred not to speak openly for safety reasons amid the animosity in Syria toward archenemy Israel and fears of being labeled spies or collaborators. The Jewish community in Syria dates back to the prophet Elijah’s Damascus sojourn nearly 3,000 years ago.
After 1099, when Christian armies conquered Jerusalem in the First Crusade and massacred the city’s Muslim and Jewish inhabitants, some 50,000 Jews reportedly fled to Damascus, making up nearly a third of residents.
Another wave of Jews later arrived from Europe, fleeing the Spanish Inquisition that began in 1492.
The community in Syria numbered about 100,000 at the start of the 20th century. In the years surrounding Israel’s creation, Syrian Jews faced increased tensions and restrictions. Many emigrated to Israel, the US and other countries.
Before Syria’s conflict began in 2011, Chamantoub and other remaining community members came on Saturdays to Jobar for prayers. He recalled Torahs written on gazelle leather, chandeliers, tapestries and carpets. All are gone, likely stolen by looters.
Barakat Hazroumi, a Muslim born and raised near the synagogue, recounted how worshipers on Saturdays asked him to turn on the lights or light a candle since Jews are not allowed to do physical labor on the Sabbath.
“It was a beautiful religious place,” Hazroumi said of the synagogue, which at some point during the war was protected by rebels. It and the whole destroyed suburb “needs to be reconstructed from scratch.”
Assad’s forces recaptured Jobar from rebels in 2018 but imposed tight security, preventing many people from reaching the area.
The new rulers of Syria, led by Hayat Tahrir Al-Sham, have said they will allow members of all religions to perform their religious duties freely. There have been some sectarian attacks but mostly against members of Assad’s minority Alawite sect.
After visiting the synagogue, Chamantoub returned to his home in old Damascus, close to the private Jewish school known as Maimonides that was founded in 1944 but has been closed for decades. Posters in Hebrew remain on the walls.
The area is known as the Jewish quarter. Many old homes have doors and windows closed with pieces of metal and a sign in Arabic saying: “The real estate is closed by the state’s Higher Committee for the Affairs of Jews.”
As the Jewish community has shrunk, it has also struggled to find kosher food. Chamantoub receives packages of meat from siblings in the US at least once a year via people traveling to Syria. In the past, he went to the chicken market with a Jewish friend who would slaughter them, but the man now can hardly walk.
Chamantoub mostly eats vegetarian dishes. Almost every morning, he cooks for himself and a Jewish woman in the area with no remaining relatives in Syria.
The woman, 88-year-old Firdos Mallakh, sat on a couch under two blankets. When asked to greet a journalist with “Shabbat Shalom,” she replied it was not yet time. “Today is Thursday and tomorrow is Friday,” she said.
Chamantoub, who makes a living as a landlord, asked Mallakh why she had not turned on the gas heater. Mallakh said she did not want to waste gas.
Chamantoub hopes that with the fall of Assad, Syrians will enjoy more freedoms, economic and otherwise. In the past, he said, authorities prevented him from giving interviews without permission from the security agencies.
“I am a Jew and I am proud of it,” he said. But with so few remaining in Damascus, the city’s synagogues see no services. Chamantoub is marking the eight-day Jewish holiday of Hanukkah alone at home.
Source:arabnews.com
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Now Syria’s long-ruling Baath party is collapsing, too
December 30, 2024
DAMASCUS: A few days after insurgents in Syria overthrew President Bashar Assad, his ruling Baath party announced it was freezing its activities, marking a stunning change in fortunes for the political group that had ruled for more than six decades.
Many members of the party’s leadership have gone into hiding and some have fled the country. In a symbolic move, Syria’s new rulers have turned the former party headquarters in Damascus into a center where former members of the army and security forces line up to register their names and hand over their weapons.
Calls are on the rise to officially dissolve the Arab Socialist Baath Party that had ruled Syria since 1963.
Many Syrians — including former party members — say its rule damaged relations with other Arab countries and aided in the spread of corruption that brought the war-torn nation to its knees.
“The party should not only be dissolved, it should go to hell,” said Mohammed Hussein Ali, 64, who worked for a state oil company and was a party member for decades until he quit at the start of Syria’s anti-government uprising in 2011 that turned into civil war. He never left the country and said he is happy the Baath rule is over.
An official with Hayat Tahrir Al-Sham, or HTS, the group that led the insurgent offensive that overthrew Assad, said no official decision has been made on what to do with the Baath party.
The official, who spoke on condition of anonymity because he was not authorized to speak publicly about the matter, noted that HTS leader Ahmad Al-Sharaa has said that officials who committed crimes against the Syrian people over the past decades will be brought to justice and hinted that they include party members.
The Baath party, whose aim was to unify Arab states in one nation, was founded by two Syrian Arab nationalists, Michel Aflaq and Salaheddine Bitar, in 1947 and at one point ruled two Arab countries, Iraq and Syria.
A rivalry developed between the Syrian branch under Assad and his late father, Hafez, and the one in Iraq under Saddam Hussein, who was removed from power by a US-led invasion in 2003.
In Syria, the Baath party became inextricably associated with the Assad family, which took power in 1970. For decades, the family used the party and its pan-Arab ideology to control the country. Many senior military jobs were held by members of the family’s minority Alawite sect, and party membership was used as a cover to give it a nationalist rather than a sectarian nature.
A former soldier and decades-long Baath party member who came to party headquarters to cut his military ties, Abdul-Rahman Ali, said he had no idea it was founded by Aflaq and Bitar. He had always thought that Hafez Assad was the founder.
“I am happy. We have been liberated from fear,” said Ali, 43. “Even the walls had ears. We didn’t dare express opinions with anyone.” He was referring to the dreaded security and intelligence agencies that detained and tortured people who expressed criticism of Assad or government officials.
Many Syrians were required to join the Baath Vanguards, the party’s youth branch, while in elementary school, where Arab nationalist and socialist ideology was emphasized.
It was difficult for people who were not party members to get government jobs or join the army or the security and intelligence services.
In 2012, a year after Syria’s uprising began, a paragraph of the constitution stating that the Baath party was the leader of the nation and society was abolished, in a move aimed to appease the public’s demand for political reforms. In practice, however, the party remained in control, with members holding majority seats in parliament and government.
Another former soldier, who gave only his first name, Ghadir, out of fear of reprisals as a member of the Alawite sect, said he came from a poor family and joined the party so he could enter the military for a stable income.
“You could not take any job if you were not a Baathist,” he said.
While few are mourning the party’s fall in Syria, some are concerned that the Sunni majority that now controls the country could carry out a purge similar to the one in Iraq after Saddam’s fall.
A de-Baathification committee was formed in Iraq and its main job was purging Saddam loyalists from government and military institutions. The Sunni minority considered it a means of sectarian score-settling by Iraq’s Shiite majority. The Sunni resentment and disenfranchisement that followed helped to drive the rise of extremist groups in the country including Al-Qaeda and the Islamic State in Iraq.
In Syria, a Baath party statement issued three days after Assad’s fall called on all members to hand their weapons and public cars to the new authorities.
On Dec. 24, party member and former army colonel Mohammed Merhi was among hundreds who lined up at the former party headquarters and handed over weapons.
Merhi said the Baath party should be given another opportunity because its principles are good but were exploited over decades. But he said he might want to join another party if Syria becomes a multiparty democracy in the future.
He handed over his Soviet Makarov pistol and received a document saying he can now move freely in the country after reconciling with the new authorities.
“I want to become again a normal Syrian citizen and work to build a new Syria,” he said.
Source:arabnews.com
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Israeli hospital says Netanyahu has undergone successful prostate surgery
December 29, 2024
TEL AVIV: Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu underwent successful surgery Sunday to have his prostate removed, hospital officials said, a procedure that came as he manages multiple crises including the war in Gaza and his trial for alleged corruption.
Netanyahu, who has had a series of health issues in recent years, has gone to great lengths to bolster a public image of himself as a healthy, energetic leader. During his trial this month, he boasted about working 18-hour days, accompanied by a cigar. But as Israel’s longest-serving leader, such a grueling workload over a total of 17 years in power could take a toll on his well-being.
Netanyahu, 75, is among older world leaders including US President Joe Biden, 82, President-elect Donald Trump, 78, Brazil’s President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva, 79, and Pope Francis, 88, who have come under scrutiny for their age and health issues.
Netanyahu’s latest condition is common in older men, but the procedure has had some fallout. The judges overseeing his trial accepted a request from his lawyer on Sunday to call off three days of testimony scheduled this week. The lawyer, Amit Hadad, had argued that Netanyahu would be fully sedated for the procedure and hospitalized for “a number of days.”
Jerusalem’s Hadassah Medical Center announced late Sunday that the procedure had been “completed successfully.” Justice Minister Yariv Levin, a close ally, served as acting prime minister during the operation. Netanyahu is expected to remain hospitalized for several days.
With so much at stake, Netanyahu’s health in wartime is a concern for both Israelis and the wider world.
A turbulent time in the region
As Israel’s leader, Netanyahu is at the center of major global events that are shifting the Middle East. With the dizzying pace of the past 14 months, being incapacitated for even a few hours can be risky.
Netanyahu will be in the hospital at a time when international mediators are pushing Israel and Hamas to reach a ceasefire in Gaza and as fighting between Israel and Yemen’s Iran-backed Houthis intensifies.
Prostate issues are common and in many cases easily treatable. Still, the procedure puts a dent in Netanyahu’s image of vigor at a time when he would want to project strength more than ever, both to an Israeli audience navigating constant threats as well as to Israel’s enemies looking to expose its weaknesses.
Previous health issues, including a heart condition
Netanyahu insists he is in excellent health. His office releases footage of him touring war zones in full protective gear flanked by military officers, or meeting with defense officials on windswept hilltops in youthful dark shades and puffer jackets.
But that image was shattered last year when Netanyahu’s doctors revealed that he had a heart condition, a problem that he had apparently long known about but concealed from the public.
A week after a fainting spell, Netanyahu was fitted with a pacemaker to control his heartbeat. Only then did staff at the Sheba Medical Center reveal that Netanyahu has for years experienced a condition that can cause irregular heartbeats.
The revelation came as Netanyahu was dealing with massive anti-government protests. The news about a chronic heart problem stoked further anger and distrust during extreme political polarization in Israel.
Last year, Netanyahu was rushed to the hospital for what doctors said likely was dehydration. He stayed overnight, prompting his weekly Cabinet meeting to be delayed.
Earlier this year, Netanyahu underwent hernia surgery, during which he was under full anesthesia and unconscious. Levin served as acting prime minister during the operation.
Recovery can be quick
According to Netanyahu’s office, the Israeli leader was diagnosed with a urinary tract infection on Wednesday stemming from a benign enlargement of his prostate. The infection was treated successfully with antibiotics, but doctors said the surgery was needed in any case.
Complications from prostate enlargement are common in men in their 70s and 80s, Dr. Shay Golan, head of the oncology urology service at Israel’s Rabin Medical Center, told Israeli Army Radio. Golan spoke in general terms and was not involved in Netanyahu’s care or treatment.
He said an enlarged prostate can block proper emptying of the bladder, leading to a build-up of urine that can lead to an infection or other complications. After medicinal treatment, doctors can recommend a procedure to remove the prostate to prevent future blockages, Golan said.
In Netanyahu’s case, because the prostate is not cancerous, Golan said doctors were likely performing an endoscopic surgery, carried out by inserting small instruments into a body cavity, rather than making surgical cuts in the abdomen to reach the prostate.
The procedure lasts about an hour, Golan said, and recovery is quick. He said that aside from catheter use for one to three days after the procedure, patients can return to normal activity without significant limitations.
Source:arabnews.com
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Jailed PKK leader says ‘ready’ to support Turkiye peace drive
December 29, 2024
ISTANBUL: Abdullah Ocalan, the jailed leader of the Kurdistan Workers’ Party (PKK), is “ready to make a call” to back a new initiative by the Turkish government to end decades of conflict, Turkiye’s pro-Kurd party said Sunday.
Two lawmakers from the DEM party made a rare visit to Ocalan on Saturday on his prison island, the first by the party in almost a decade, amid signs of easing tensions between the Turkish government and the PKK.
On Friday, President Recep Tayyip Erdogan’s government approved DEM’s request to visit the founder of the PKK, which is designated a terror group by Turkiye and its Western allies.
Ocalan has been serving a life sentence on the island of Imrali south of Istanbul since 1999.
The government’s approval of the visit comes two months after the head of Turkiye’s nationalist MHP party, Devlet Bahceli, extended Ocalan a shock olive branch, inviting him to parliament to renounce terror and disband his group, a move backed by Erdogan.
“I have the competence and determination to make a positive contribution to the new paradigm started by Mr.Bahceli and Mr.Erdogan,” Ocalan said, according to a DEM statement Sunday.
Ocalan said the visiting delegation would share his approach with both the state and political circles.
“In light of this, I am ready to take the necessary positive steps and make the call.”
DEM party co-chair Tuncer Bakirhan lauded Ocalan’s appeal as “historic opportunity to build a common future,” in a message on social media platform X.
“We are on the eve of a potential democratic transformation across Turkiye and the region. Now is the time for courage and foresight for an honorable peace,” he said.
The PKK has waged an insurgency against the Turkish state since 1984, claiming tens of thousands of lives.
A peace process between the PKK and the government collapsed in 2015, unleashing violence especially in the Kurdish-majority southeast.
The new initiative launched in October by Bahceli, who has been fiercely hostile to the PKK, sparked a public debate, with Erdogan hailing it as a “historic window of opportunity.”
But a deadly terror attack in October on a Turkish defense company in the capital Ankara, for which PKK militants claimed responsibility, put those hopes on hold.
Turkiye launched strikes on Kurdish militants in Iraq and Syria after the attack, which killed five people.
“Re-strengthening the Turkish-Kurdish brotherhood is not only a historical responsibility but also... an urgency for all peoples,” Ocalan said, according to the DEM statement.
He said all the efforts would “take the country to the level it deserves” and become a “very valuable guide for a democratic transformation.”
“It’s time for peace, democracy and brotherhood in Turkiye and the region.”
The new outreach by both sides comes as Islamist rebels consolidate their control in neighboring Syria after toppling its strongman president Bashar Assad.
Turkiye hopes Syria’s new leaders will address the issue of Kurdish forces in the country, which Ankara sees as a terror group affiliated to the PKK.
Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan told his US counterpart Antony Blinken in a phone call on Saturday that Kurdish fighters “cannot be allowed to take shelter in Syria,” according to the ministry spokesman.
According to the DEM statement, Ocalan said developments in Syria had shown that outside interference would only complicate the problem, and a solution could no longer be postponed.
Source:arabnews.com
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Turkiye’s $14-billion plan to boost development in Kurdish southeast
December 29, 2024
SANLIURFA: Turkiye announced on Sunday a $14 billion regional development plan that aims to reduce the economic gap between its mainly Kurdish southeast region and the rest of the country.
The announcement comes amid increased hopes for an end to a decades-long insurgency waged by the outlawed Kurdistan Workers Party, or PKK, in southeast Turkiye as well as the advent of a new leadership in neighboring Syria with cordial ties to Ankara.
The eastern and southeastern provinces of Turkiye have long lagged behind other regions of the country in most economic indicators including the GDP per capita, partly as a result of the insurgency.
Turkish Industry Minister Fatih Kacir told reporters in the southeastern city of Sanliurfa that the government would spend a total 496.2 billion lira ($14.15 billion) on 198 projects across the region in the period to 2028.
“With the implementation of the projects, we anticipate an additional 49,000 lira ($1,400) increase in annual income per capita in the region,” he added.
According to 2023 data, the per capita income of Sanliurfa stood at $4,971, well below the national average of $13,243.
Meanwhile, Turkiye’s pro-Kurd party said Sunday that Abdullah Ocalan, jailed leader of the PKK, is “ready to make a call” to back a new initiative by the Turkish government to end decades of conflict.
Two lawmakers from the DEM party made a rare visit to Ocalan on Saturday on his prison island, the first by the party in almost a decade, amid signs of easing tensions between the Turkish government and the PKK.
On Friday, President Recep Tayyip Erdogan’s government approved DEM’s request to visit the founder of the PKK, which is designated a terror group by Turkiye and its Western allies.
Ocalan has been serving a life sentence on the island of Imrali south of Istanbul since 1999.
Source:arabnews.com
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Lebanon arrests late Muslim Brotherhood leader’s son wanted by Egypt, says judicial official
December 29, 2024
BEIRUT: Lebanese authorities have arrested Abdul Rahman Al-Qaradawi, an Egyptian opposition activist wanted by Cairo and son of the late spiritual leader of the Muslim Brotherhood, a Lebanese judicial official told AFP on Sunday.
Qaradawi, also a poet, was detained on Saturday as he arrived from Syria at the Masnaa border crossing due to an Egyptian arrest warrant, the official said.
The warrant was “based on an Egyptian judiciary ruling” sentencing Qaradawi in absentia to five years’ jail on charges of “opposing the state and inciting terrorism,” the official added.
His father was prominent Sunni scholar Yusuf Al-Qaradawi, the spiritual leader of the Muslim Brotherhood which is outlawed in Egypt.
The late scholar was imprisoned several times in Egypt over his links to the Muslim Brotherhood. He died in 2022 after decades in exile in Qatar.
Lebanese authorities “will ask the Egyptian authorities” to transfer Al-Qaradawi’s file for examination, the judicial official said, requesting anonymity as they were not authorized to speak to the media.
The judiciary will make a recommendation on whether “the conditions are met for him to be extradited” and the matter will be referred to the Lebanese government, which must make the final decision, the official added.
Qaradawi was a political organizer against the government of longtime Egyptian leader Hosni Mubarak, who was toppled in 2011 in the Arab Spring uprising.
He later became a vocal opponent of current Egyptian leader Abdel Fattah El-Sisi.
A family friend told AFP that Qaradawi holds Turkish citizenship and was returning from a visit to Syria, where militants led by Hayat Tahrir Al-Sham toppled longtime Syrian ruler Bashar Assad on December 8.
Assad’s ousting came more than 13 years after war broke out in Syria with the brutal repression of anti-government protests in 2011.
Qaradawi had posted a video online taken at Damascus’s Umayyad mosque, celebrating Assad’s fall.
The video has circulated widely including on Egyptian media, where local outlets have described it as “insulting.”
Some commentators close to El-Sisi’s government have demanded Qaradawi be handed over to Egyptian authorities.
Cairo blacklisted the Muslim Brotherhood as a “terrorist” organization in 2013, and has since jailed thousands of its members and supporters and executed dozens.
Yusuf Al-Qaradawi’s daughter Ola was detained in Egypt for four and a half years over her links to the organization. She was released in 2021.
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Israeli airstrike near Syrian capital kills 11, war monitor says
December 29, 2024
BEIRUT: An Israeli airstrike in the outskirts of Damascus on Sunday killed 11 people, according to a war monitor, as Israel continues to target Syrian weapons and military infrastructure even after the ouster of former President Bashar Assad.
The Britain-based Syrian Observatory for Human Rights said the airstrike targeted a weapons depot that belonged to Assad’s forces near the industrial town of Adra, northeast of the capital. The observatory said at least 11 people, mostly civilians, were killed.
Beirut-based pan-Arab Al-Mayadeen TV also reported the airstrike but put the death toll at six. The Israeli military did not comment on the airstrike Sunday.
Israel, which has launched hundreds of airstrikes over Syria since the country’s uprising turned-civil war broke out in 2011, rarely acknowledges them. It says its targets are Iran-backed groups that backed Assad. Israel also wants to remove a threat posed by weapons in Syria, which is now governed by militants.
Syrian insurgents who ousted Assad in a lightning ofensive in early December have demanded that Israel cease its airstrikes.
Source:arabnews.com
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Gaza rescuers say Israeli strike on hospital kills 7
December 29, 2024
GAZA STRIP: Gaza’s civil defense agency said an air strike hit a hospital Sunday, killing at least seven people, while Israel said it had targeted militants at the no longer functioning facility.
“Seven martyrs and several injured people, including critical cases, have been recovered following the Israeli strike on the upper floor of Al-Wafaa Hospital in central Gaza City,” a civil defense agency statement said.
Israel’s military said it had carried out a “precise strike” targeting members of Hamas’s aerial defense unit operating from a “command and control center in a building that served in the past as the Al-Wafaa hospital.”
“The building does not currently serve as a hospital,” the military said.
The health ministry in Hamas-run Gaza said the hospital was still in use.
“The Al-Wafaa Hospital is partially operational, providing care to patients with physical disabilities,” the ministry’s director general, Munir Al-Barsh, told AFP.
“The hospital had been rehabilitated and was getting ready to receive patients. Had it not been targeted by Israeli shelling today, it would have been ready to fully reopen in the next few days,” he said.
The strike on Al-Wafaa Hospital came a day after the military ended a raid on Kamal Adwan Hospital in northern Gaza, an assault the World Health Organization reported left the facility empty of patients and staff.
The military also detained the hospital’s chief, Hossam Abu Safiyeh, saying he was suspected of being a Hamas militant.
Since October 6, Israel’s operations in the Palestinian territory have focused on northern Gaza, where it says its land and air offensive aims to prevent Hamas from regrouping.
However, the military has also carried out air strikes and shelling in other areas of Gaza as it presses on with its campaign against the militants.
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Qatar strongly condemns settlers' storming of Al Aqsa Mosque courtyards
29 Dec 2024
Doha: The State of Qatar strongly condemned the storming of the Al Aqsa Mosque courtyards by settlers, terming it a blatant violation of international law and an act of provocation to the feelings of Muslims worldwide.
In a statement issued Sunday, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs warned against continuing with these serious violations and unlawful acts. It stressed that the international community should shoulder its moral and legal responsibility toward Jerusalem and its sanctities.
The Ministry reiterated the State of Qatar's firm position on the justice of the Palestinian cause and the legitimate rights of the brotherly Palestinian people, including the full right to practice their religious rituals without restrictions, and to establish their independent state on the 1967 borders, with East Jerusalem as its capital.
Source:thepeninsulaqatar.com
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Qur'an Generation Schools in Capital Secretariat honored for their achievements
29 Dec 2024
The Qur'an Generation Schools in the Cultural Unit of the Women's Commission in Capital Secretariat organized on Sunday a ceremony honoring the female reciters of the Holy Qur'an, coinciding with the celebration of the International Muslim Women's Day - the birth of Fatima Al-Zahra, peace be upon her, on the occasion of the International Muslim Women's Day.
At the ceremony, Amat Al-Salam Al-Qasimi, head of the Qur'an Generation Schools for Girls in Secretariat, pointed out the importance of celebrating the birth of Fatima Zahra at a time when the enemies are waging a media and cultural war targeting the morals, values and culture of women.
She emphasized that Fatima Zahra is a role model for believing women in all aspects of life as a wife, mother and daughter.
Al-Qasimi congratulated all the honorees on obtaining the license in the Holy Qur'an in the narration of Hafs on Asim, expressing great thanks and gratitude to Allah for enabling them to obtain the license, asking Allah to benefit them and their knowledge for the benefit of the nation, following the example of Fatima Al-Zahraa, embodying the values and principles of the Holy Qur'an in their lives.
Source:saba.ye
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North America
Muslim youth aim to clear up misunderstandings about Islam through interactive exhibit
Dec 29, 2024
A group of local Muslim youth spent their Sunday afternoon talking to Calgarians about Islam in the hopes of clearing up misconceptions about their religion.
The initiative was part of a nationwide campaign aimed at building bridges between Muslims and non-Muslims by giving Canadians the opportunity to ask questions and get answers about Islam directly from Muslims.
Fahad Hassan Amjed is a youth leader with the Calgary-Saddleridge chapter of the Ahmadiyya Muslim Youth Association (AMYA) — the largest Muslim youth organization of its kind in Canada with more than 90 different chapters across the country.
Amjed said the campaign is about “building bridges” between Muslims and others in their communities in the hope of removing misconceptions about Islam that might lead people to have negative perceptions of the religion and members of the Muslim community, he said.
“People come in and ask us questions with regards to what we believe in (and) any sort of misunderstandings that they have,” Amjed said while setting up for the event at the Central Library in downtown Calgary on Sunday afternoon.
“We’re just here to answer those questions.”
Amjed has been visiting locations across the province as part of the association’s Explore Islam campaign, which features Muslim youth engaging with local residents about their religious beliefs. The two-hour exhibition also featured displays containing several editions and translations of the Quran.
Concept of jihad, women’s rights among misconceptions
The Muslim youth leader said two major misconceptions about his religion relate to the concept of jihad, as well as women’s rights.
Jihad is an Arabic word than means “to strive” — and within Islam is a concept relating to the struggle to defend the religion.
The term carries connotations of violence due to its association with terrorist acts committed under the guise of defending Islam.
Amjed said his community rejects such use of violence.
“That’s not the correct way to defend Islam. We’re against that,” he said, noting people who commit acts of violence in the name of a religion don’t represent the views or beliefs of everyone within that religion.
“If a Canadian citizen commits (a crime), it’s that individual (who) made a decision. That doesn’t represent (all Canadians),” he explained.
“We believe that the correct way to defend the religion is to defend its teachings by arguing the right points,” Amjed said, referring to a “Jihad of the pen.”
Another major misconception about Islam is with regards to women’s rights, he said.
“Common questions are, ‘Are women allowed to work?’ for example,” he said. “As far as Islam is concerned, both men and women are equal.”
“They both have their own sets of rules and responsibilities,” he explained. “But at the end of the day, they are equal.”
Muslim population increasing in Alberta
Amjed said having such conversations between Muslims and non-Muslims is important to building stronger communities in Canada, where the population of Muslims has grown significantly in recent decades.
Nearly 1.8 million Canadians identify as Muslim, and the proportion of Muslims in the Canadian population more than doubled between 2001 and 2021, from 2.1 per cent to 4.9 per cent, according to 2021 census data.
The number of Muslims living in Alberta increased from 49,045 to 202,535 in the same time period, according to Statistics Canada.
Volunteers from local AMYA chapters are involved with several other community initiatives that support vulnerable Calgarians regardless of religion, such as blood drives and fundraisers for local food banks, Amjed said.
“The motto of our community is ‘love for all, hatred for none,’ ” he said. “Our goal is just to help support the community that we live in (and) become an asset for the community.”
With the Explore Islam exhibit, Amjed said he hopes to continue those efforts to strengthen connections within his community.
“When people don’t understand each other, that’s where hatred can develop,” Amjed said. “If we understand each other better … I think we can get along a lot better.”
Source:calgarysun.com
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CAIR Says Jimmy Carter Was Champion of Just Causes, Friend of the Muslim Community
December 29, 2024
The Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR), the nation’s largest Muslim civil rights and advocacy organization, today said former President Jimmy Carter, who died today at the age of 100, was a “champion for many just causes, including Palestinian freedom” and was a friend of the Muslim community.
In a statement, CAIR National Executive Director Nihad Awad said:
“To God we belong, and to God we return. We join American Muslims across our nation in extending condolences to the family of former president Jimmy Carter.
“President Carter was a friend of the American Muslim community and a champion for many just causes, including Palestinian freedom. Even when President Carter faced vitriolic attacks from anti-Palestinian groups for his prescient book “Palestine: Peace, Not Apartheid,” he stood firm. He was a humanitarian role model, and we pray that a new generation of political leaders will take inspiration from his legacy.”
CAIR’s mission is to protect civil rights, enhance understanding of Islam, promote justice, and empower American Muslims.
La misión de CAIR es proteger las libertades civiles, mejorar la comprensión del Islam, promover la justicia, y empoderar a los musulmanes en los Estados Unidos.
Do you like reading CAIR press releases and taking part in our action alerts? You can help contribute to CAIR’s work of defending civil rights and empowering American Muslims across the country by making a one-time contribution or becoming a monthly donor. Supporters like you make CAIR’s advocacy work possible and defeating Islamophobia an achievable goal. Click here to donate to CAIR.
Source:cair.com
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Biden and Trump lead tributes to 'extraordinary' Jimmy Carter after death
Dec 30, 2024
Joe Biden and Donald Trump have led tributes to former US President and Nobel Peace Prize winner Jimmy Carter, who has died aged 100.
Carter, who lived longer than any president in history, died on Sunday afternoon at his home in Plains, Georgia.
Biden described him as "a man of principle, faith and humility," while Trump said all Americans owe Carter a "debt of gratitude".
Carter rose from a peanut farmer to become president in 1977, before being forced out of the White House after just one four-year term when Ronald Reagan stormed to victory in the next election.
After leaving the White House with low approval ratings, his reputation was restored through humanitarian work which earned him the Nobel Peace Prize.
"Today, America and the world lost an extraordinary leader, statesman and humanitarian," President Biden and First Lady Jill Biden said in a statement.
"To all of the young people in this nation and for anyone in search of what it means to live a life of purpose and meaning - the good life - study Jimmy Carter, a man of principle, faith, and humility," they added.
"He showed that we are great nation because we are a good people - decent and honorable, courageous and compassionate, humble and strong."
Biden announced that a national day of mourning would take place on 9 January, with Americans encouraged to visit places of worship to "pay homage" to the late president.
He also ordered flags to be flown at half-mast at all public and military buildings for 30 days, a period which includes the inauguration of president-elect Trump.
Trump posted on Truth Social: "The challenges Jimmy faced as president came at a pivotal time for our country and he did everything in his power to improve the lives of all Americans.
"For that, we all owe him a debt of gratitude."
Trump previously mocked Carter's single term on the campaign trail ahead of his victory in this year's presidential election, and said in 2019: "He's a nice man. He was a terrible president."
This came after Carter called Trump an "illegitimate president", claiming he was helped into the White House by Russian interference in the 2016 election, something Moscow and Trump deny.
World leaders also paid tribute to Carter.
King Charles III said "his dedication and humility served as an inspiration to many, and I remember with great fondness his visit to the United Kingdom in 1977".
UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer said Carter was "motivated by his strong faith and values" and that he "redefined the post-presidency with a remarkable commitment to social justice and human rights at home and abroad".
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said Carter "was a leader who served during a time when Ukraine was not yet independent, yet his heart stood firmly with us in our ongoing fight for freedom".
French President Emmanuel Macron said he had been a "steadfast advocate for the rights of the most vulnerable and has tirelessly fought for peace".
Before becoming president in 1977, Democrat Carter was governor of Georgia, a lieutenant in the US navy and a farmer.
Carter's presidency will be remembered for his struggles in dealing with acute economic problems and several foreign policy challenges, including the Iran hostage crisis, which ended with the deaths of eight Americans.
There was, however, a notable foreign policy triumph in the Middle East when he helped broker an accord between Egypt and Israel, signed at Camp David in the US in 1978.
But that seemed a distant memory two years later, when voters overwhelmingly chose Republican Ronald Reagan, who had portrayed the president as a weak leader unable to deal with inflation and interest rates at near record highs.
Carter lost the 1980 election by a landslide, winning only six US states plus Washington DC.
After leaving the White House, he became the first and only president to return full-time to the house he lived in before politics - a humble, two-bedroom ranch-style home.
He chose not to pursue the lucrative after-dinner speeches and publishing deals awaiting most former presidents, telling the Washington Post in 2018, that he never really wanted to be rich.
Instead, he spent his remaining years trying to address global problems of inequality and disease.
He founded the Carter Center in 1982 to pursue his vision of world diplomacy, and received the 2002 Nobel Peace Prize for his efforts with the foundation to promote human rights around the world.
He also teamed up with Nelson Mandela to found The Elders, a group of global leaders who committed themselves to work on peace and human rights.
Carter is survived by his four children, 11 grandchildren and 14 great-grandchildren.
His wife, Rosalynn, who he was married to for 77 years, died in November 2023.
Announcing his death, Carter's son Chip said his father was "a hero, not only to me but to everyone who believes in peace, human rights, and unselfish love".
"My brothers, sister, and I shared him with the rest of the world through these common beliefs. The world is our family because of the way he brought people together."
Since 2018 and the death of George HW Bush, Carter was the oldest surviving US president.
Carter stopped medical treatment for an undisclosed illness last year and instead began receiving hospice care at his home. He had suffered from health issues including a melanoma that spread to his liver and brain.
Another leading tribute came from Barack Obama, who reflected on spending time with Carter, saying that "he taught all of us what it means to live a life of grace, dignity, justice, and service".
Maranatha Baptist Church in Plains, where Carter taught Sunday school well into his 90s, "will be a little quieter on Sundays", Obama said.
"But President Carter will never be far away – buried alongside Rosalynn next to a willow tree down the road, his memory calling all of us to heed our better angels."
Former US President Bill Clinton and his wife, former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton, also spoke of Carter's faith.
"President Carter lived to serve others - until the very end," they said in a statement.
Source:bbc.com
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https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/cn4xp304ln9o
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Pakistan
After months of delay, President Zardari gives assent to madressah bill
Nadir Guramani | Umaid Ali
December 29, 2024
The controversy surrounding the Societies Registration (Amendment) Act 2024 came to an end on Sunday when President Asif Ali Zardari signed it into law.
Controversy persisted in the country related to the new law passed by parliament related to the regulatory affairs of madressahs. The law pertained to the registration of seminaries by the relevant deputy commissioner’s office, as it was before 2019.
On December 20, Jamiat Ulema-i-Islam-Fazl chief Maulana Fazlur Rehman — after decrying that the government was deliberately delaying the passage of the bill — claimed that Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif had ordered the law ministry to take immediate practical measures as per the law and the Constitution regarding the Act.
Two days before that, the government and the JUI-F both seemed to favour talks in a National Assembly session to sort out the controversy surrounding the proposed legislation.
Earlier in the month, Zardari had cautioned parliamentarians to consider international obligations before altering the existing procedures for registering religious seminaries.
The proposed legislation, commonly known as the madrassah registration bill, was sent back to Zardari with objections, even though it was passed by parliament at the time of the passage of the 26th Amendment.
A notification signed by President Zardari today, a copy of which is available with Dawn.com, said: “The Prime Minister’s advice at para 6 of the summary is approved. The Societies Registration (Amendment) Ordinance, 2024, is signed and promulgated.”
A gazette shared by National Assembly Secretariat Tahir Hussain, a copy of which is also available with Dawn.com, said that madressahs founded before the act which have not been registered must do so within six months of the act’s commencement.
The gazette added that the legislation received the assent of the President on December 27 to become an act of Parliament.
Any madrassah established after the commencement of the Act must register itself within one year.
According to the gazette, madressahs must submit an annual report of their educational activities to the Registrar, as well as submit an audit report of its accounts carried out by an auditor.
“No [madressah] shall teach or publish any literature which teaches or promotes militancy or spreads sectarianism or religious hatred,” the gazette said.
Every madrassah shall, subject to their resources, include basic contemporary subjects in their curriculum according to a phased programme, it went on to say.
“No [madressah] shall be required to register itself under any other law for the time being in force,” the gazette added.
Separately, JUI-F spokesperson Aslam Ghauri, while congratulating the country, said that the struggle had “paid off”, adding that his party would always play a role in protecting religious seminaries.
The party spokesperson said that the seminaries were “the fortress of Islam” and the guardians of the “ideological geography” of the country.
He said that the unity of the religious scholars was important for the protection of religious institutions, adding that the party would thwart “every conspiracies” against the seminaries.
“We will not compromise on the autonomy of the seminaries,” Ghauri said.
Source:dawn.com
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https://www.dawn.com/news/1881818/after-months-of-delay-president-zardari-gives-assent-to-madressah-bill
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Section 144 imposed in Karachi for New Year’s Eve: notification
Imtiaz Ali
December 29, 2024
The Karachi Commissioner issued a notification to impose Section 144 for a 48-hour period starting on December 31, it emerged on Sunday.
New Year’s Eve in Karachi sees citizens performing aerial gunfire and using fireworks which have caused injury in the past.
On December 31, 2023, then-Commissioner Muhammad Saleem Rajput imposed Section 144 “to safeguard the people of the city during New Year’s celebrations”.
According to a notification, the commissioner while exercising powers delegated by the provincial home department imposed the ban from December 31 to January 1, 2024.
Section 144 of the Criminal Procedure Code is a legal provision that empowers district administrations to prohibit an assembly of four or more people in an area for a limited period.
According to the notification dated December 24 — a copy of which is available with Dawn.com, Commissioner Syed Hassan Naqvi has imposed the ban based on information that “a large number of youngsters from different areas of the city will move to Seaview on motorcycles and cars for the celebrations of New Year”.
The notification adds that the presence of these people creates traffic jams and inconveniences “the residents of the area”.
South Deputy Inspector General of Police (DIG) requested the ban on displaying firearms, aerial firing and the use of fireworks to “safeguard the precious lives of the citizens”.
The commissioner noted that on New Year’s Eve, “some individuals get involved in aerial firing that may cause untoward incidents/loss of human lives”.
A “complete ban on carrying/display of arms, aerial firing and use of firecrackers on New Year’s Eve-2025” was notified, with the ban applicable within the local limits of Karachi from December 31 to January 1, 2025.
Source:dawn.com
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Sindh govt urges MWM to 'confine' Karachi sit-ins to designated site as traffic hurdles persist
By Danial Syed & Raheel Salman
December 30, 2024
The Sindh government has urged the religious-political party Majlis Wahdat-e-Muslimeen (MWM) to confine its sit-ins, being staged at 14 different locations of Karachi against Parachinar crisis, to a single venue as traffic hurdles continue to cause inconvenience for the citizens.
"[A] jirga has decided on the Kurram issue [...] now the protest sit-ins in Karachi should end," Sindh government spokesperson Sadia Javed said in a televised statement issued earlier this evening.
Travelling has become a nightmare for a number of citizens as traffic gets clogged at different points and the commuters have to take a diversion, which further aggravates the traffic situation on other arteries as well.
The protest demonstrations, which have continued for six consecutive days, are being held at 14 different locations, including major thoroughfares.
In addition to other areas, demonstrations are currently taking place at Numaish Chowrangi, Natha Khan Bridge on Sharea Faisal, in front of KDA Flats in Surjani Town, Golimar, Power House Chowrangi, near Safari Park on University Road, Korangi No. 2½, Five Star Chowrangi in North Nazimabad, Abul Hassan Isphani Road, Kamran Chowrangi in Gulistan-e-Jauhar, Incholi Society, and near Ayesha Manzil.
The traffic police, however, said that alternative routes have been provided to facilitate the commuters.
The protests stem from the deteriorating security situation in Parachinar, where clashes have resulted in over 130 fatalities since November, the point of the recent escalation of conflict between two tribal groups.
In today's statement, the Sindh government spokesperson urged the protesting party to "realise the sufferings of Karachi citizens" as they are facing deep troubles due the road closures.
She pointed out that life in Karachi has been paralysed due to protests, adding that even ambulances had been facing trouble in reaching certain areas.
"If you [protesters] want to continue the sit-ins, move it to a ground or [road] outside the Press Club," Javed added, assuring the government's readiness to provide facilities.
Karachi police chief meets MWM leaders
In a separate development, Karachi police chief Javed Alam Odho and Commissioner Syed Hassan Naqvi visited the protest site on the main MA Jinnah Road near Numaish.
During their visit, they also met the leaders of the religious-political party to hold talks.
The police chief urged the protesting party to confine its sit-in to Drigh Road as the commuters were facing immense trouble.
Separately, while addressing a press conference, senior MWM leader Hassan Zafar Naqvi said that the protests were peaceful in nature, adding: "Our sit-ins are free from sectarianism and open to individuals from all backgrounds. People from various walks of life are joining us in solidarity."
Despite the prolonged demonstration, Hassan clarified that the participants were not presenting any specific demands for negotiations. "We are not here to push forward any demands; our protest is a testament to our stance and principles," he stated.
He said that they are willing to end sit-ins in Karachi if the Parachinar protest is called off. "We have staged these sit-ins at the request of Allama Raja Nasir Abbas and will end them upon his directive," he added.
Speaking about the challenges faced in Parachinar, Hassan highlighted that the region is grappling with basic issues.
Even helicopters lack fuel and gas to operate effectively, he remarked, underscoring the urgent need for attention to these problems.
The MWM leader reaffirmed the peaceful nature of the demonstrations and their purpose. "Our protests are non-violent and aim to raise our voices against all forms of oppression," he said.
However, he expressed concern over the negative propaganda being circulated against their sit-ins. "There is a deliberate campaign to malign our peaceful demonstrations," Hassan added.
He warned the Sindh government not to exploit their ongoing protests for political gains. He clarified that it was not a protest organised by any political party. Instead, it is a protest for the oppressed, and people from all walks of life are participating, he added.
"If we call for sit-ins across Sindh, the government will not be able to stop them," the MWM leader added, hinting at the expanding circle of protests.
Reiterating the peaceful and inclusive nature of the demonstrations, Hassan claimed that their protests have not disrupted daily life.
"We have kept one lane open at every protest site, ensuring that no businesses are affected," he stated.
A day earlier, Karachi Mayor Murtaza Wahab slammed continuous blockades of roads in Karachi "under the guise of protest", saying it was an inappropriate act.
The mayor also rebuked the protestors for damaging newly-constructed roads. "Who allowed them to damage the roads constructed recently in New Karachi," he said, while speaking to reporters.
Murtaza said the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa government should resolve the issue of Parachinar. However, he added, blocking arteries would not serve the purpose. He lamented that if anything happened anywhere in the country, demonstrations are staged and roads are closed in Karachi.
Meanwhile, Sindh Chief Minister Syed Murad Ali Shah appealed to the demonstrators to avoid causing hardship for the public, saying: "Blocking roads in Karachi and Sukkur will not resolve the Parachinar issue.”
Parachinar, located in Kurram, is a tribal district near the Afghan border with a population of around 600,000. It has long been a hotspot for conflict.
Recent clashes have triggered a humanitarian crisis, with shortages of medicine and oxygen exacerbated by the closure of the highway connecting Parachinar to Peshawar.
In a relief effort, the Sindh governor’s office announced that a helicopter carrying medical supplies and other aid had reached Parachinar. These provisions were sent on the Sindh governor’s directive to address the growing crisis.
Source:thenews.com.pk
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https://www.thenews.com.pk/latest/1266724-sindh-govt-urges-mwm-to-confine-karachi-sit-ins-to-designated-site-amid-persistent-traffic-hurdles
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Four security men injured in D.I. Khan suicide attack
Muhammad Irfan Mughal
December 30, 2024
DERA ISMAIL KHAN: Four security personnel were injured in a suicide attack on a joint post of police and security forces on Dera-Tank road, on Saturday night.
Sources said the suicide bomber in a vehicle targeted the Kanori post in tehsil Kulachi, leaving four security personnel injured and causing a significant damage to the security post.
Armed gunmen, who were following the suicide bomber in a rickshaw, opened fire on the security post, they said. However, security personnel effectively retaliated, they said, adding that the terrorists managed to flee.
Sources said the vehicle used by the suicide bomber originally belonged to the communication and works department of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa government. They said terrorists had snatched the government vehicle on Dec 10.
A heavy contingent of police and security forces from Hathala, Kulachi, Dera Ismail Khan, and Tank arrived at the scene soon after the botched attack.
The injured security personnel were evacuated and shifted to Combined Military Hospital, Dera Ismail Khan, for medical treatment.
Also, a search operation was launched by police and security forces in the area to apprehend the attackers.
Source:dawn.com
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Polish cyclist couple robbed on Sujawal-Badin bypass
Ghulam Hussain Khuwaja
December 30, 2024
THATTA: Muggers robbed a Polish cycling couple, who is on a world tour, along the Sujawal-Badin bypass in broad daylight on Sunday.
Kowalczyk Jakuo Tomasz and his spouse Scantamburlo Mae Elisabeth were paddling through the bypass when they were intercepted by three muggers. The outlaws snatched iPhones, cash and other valuables from them and escaped.
According to the victims, the incident took place sometime between 1pm and 2pm. Local reporters who gathered facts from different sources suggested that the couple lost an amount of around Rs72,000 and their bags to the muggers as well.
Inspector Abdul Haq Baran, the In-charge of the District Intelligence Bureau, shifted the blame to the victim couple, arguing that they did not inform the ‘relevant authorities’ about their movement from one place to the other.
They were supposed to inform police and other security agencies in the district before leaving Thatta for some other destination. “Had we been provided such information, we would have ensured their security,” Baran stated.
The police have obtained the CCTV camera footage of the incident from a nearby filling station to track down the culprits.
The couple had stayed in the Archaeology Guest House in the previous night. Curator of the Makli Necropolis Sarfaraz Ahmed Jatoi expressed his deep concern over the incident.
He emphasised the need for ensuring safety and security of every citizen and foreign national, especially the tourists visiting Sindh’s archaeological, historic and heritage sites. “Incidents this kind not only cause disappointment, agony and losses to them, but also tarnish Pakistan’s image in the world,” he said.
Earlier, during their stay in Thatta, the couple shared with the local media their good experiences in Pakistan and especially admired the hospitality extended to them by the people of Sindh.
The couple has been cycling through 10 countries — France, Italy, Bangladesh, Pakistan, India, Russia, Turkey, Iraq and Iran — and is now on its way to India.
They said they were excited to visit Sindh’s unique cultural and archaeological heritage, and impressed by the warmth shown by the local people.
Expressing his concern over the incident, former director general of culture and tourism department Dr Mohammad Ali Manjhi expressed his dismay over such security lapses witnessed in the districts of Thatta and Sujawal in recent years.
He said strict security measures should have been taken considering that this region was focus of local and foreign researchers, experts and other tourists, who had been frequenting the historical and archaeological sites.
Source:dawn.com
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Chinese being provided security on priority basis, says Sindh IGP
December 30, 2024
SUKKUR: Inspector General of Sindh Police Ghulam Nabi Memon has said that security to Chinese nationals is being provided on a priority basis wherever they are working in the province.
He said police were conducting targeted operations against criminals and also a crackdown on anti-social elements.
He was speaking to the media personnel during his visit to Sukkur on Sunday.
The IGP said that many criminals and their facilitators had been convicted.
In reply to a question, he said no policeman was patronising crime, and if any of them was found indulging in such act, he would definitely face departmental action.
The provincial police chief was here to inaugurate the newly-built ‘Abad police station’ in the New Taluka area.
He inspected various sections and interacted with the staff. He gave necessary instructions to them regarding effective and coordinated policing.
Sukkur SSP Amjad Ahmed Shaikh gave him a detailed briefing about the model police station and the aims and objectives of its establishment.
The IGP noted that the aim was to equip police with modern facilities, addressing citizens’ issues promptly, and make policing truly people-friendly and helpful.
He said other police stations of Sukkur would also be refurbished and equipped with modern tools and techniques to attain higher standards.
The IGP interacted with the Eagle Squad officers on duty and issued necessary instructions to them.
Law & order
IGP Memon, at a press conference, said that police operations against criminals were being conducted under different strategies in different areas.
He observed that the law and order was now better than in the past, but still there was a room for improvement.
He noted that the Larkana and Sukkur police were following the policy as defined to them by the provincial government and police department.
Sindh government was providing all essential facilities as were sought by the police department.
He claimed that kidnapping-for-ransom incidents had reduced in number as compared to the previous years’ data.
He pointed out that only one such incident had taken place in Karachi in the outgoing year and the police traced the suspect within 24 hours.
He said Rangers personnel were working with Sindh police in their operations.
In reply to a question, the IGP said that arresting the prime suspect in the murder case of journalist Jan Mohammad Mahar was a challenge to police. He could not be arrested so far but other suspects in the case had been put behind bars, he added.
The Sindh police chief announced that 27,000 personnel were being recruited in the police department.
Source:dawn.com
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‘Consensus on economy essential for growth’
December 30, 2024
• Aurangzeb says economy back on track with inflation down to 5pc
• Finance minister insists privatisation, tax reforms key to economic growth
• Stresses need for self-reliance, moving away from dependency on external aid
TOBA TEK SINGH: Finance Minister Muhammad Aurangzeb said the country’s economy has been put on the right track, with inflation reduced to five per cent, and called on stakeholders to reach a consensus on key economic issues to ensure sustainable stability.
Speaking to reporters at his residence in Judgewala Chak, Kamalia, on Sunday, the minister said that rice exports had increased, and remittances, which stood at $30.2 billion in the last fiscal year, are projected to exceed $35bn in the current fiscal year.
Stressing the importance of self-reliance, he urged moving away from dependency on external aid.
Mr Aurangzeb acknowledged that there are political differences but stressed that everyone should join hands for the vast interest of the country and called for a “charter of economy”.
“We have progressed through our own efforts, not by relying on anyone,” he said, adding that the government aimed to take the national economy towards further improvement in the next year. He also hoped that lower interest rates would help boost economic activity.
“There is no magic wand to fix everything instantly. We need to move towards sustainable economic stability,” he said.
Mr Aurangzeb emphasised the need for policymakers to directly engage with the public and stakeholders. “We will not sit idle in Islamabad. We are visiting cities to seek input from traders and citizens,” he said.
The minister reiterated that Pakistan couldn’t rely on charity to run its economy. While charity can support educational and healthcare institutions, it couldn’t sustain a nation, he added.
He stressed the need to revitalise key sectors, including agriculture, IT, and poultry, identifying agriculture and IT as the twin sectors that drive Pakistan’s sustainable economic growth.
The minister proposed the privatisation of loss-making state-owned enterprises and suggested involving the private sector to manage underperforming institutions.
“Institutions that continue to incur losses should either be shut down or handed over to the private sector,” he said.
Reforms in FBR
The finance minister assured taxpayers of reforms in the Federal Board of Revenue, promising no additional burden on salaried individuals.
He noted that the government is working to increase the country’s tax-to-GDP ratio from 9-10pc to 13.5pc, with plans to simplify the taxation regime, digitise processes and minimise human intervention.
Mr Aurangzeb also noted that research institutions had failed to achieve the desired results in agriculture, attributing the inefficiency to the allocation of 80pc of their budgets towards salaries, leaving only 20pc for research.
He also mentioned the increase in consumption of cement and fertiliser, as well as a 58pc surge in auto sales, as indicators of the government’s prudent policies.
On energy, he announced plans to further reduce tariffs and improve the performance of the power distribution companies.
He also assured farmers of access to agricultural loans to enhance productivity.
Mr Aurangzeb reiterated the need for privatisation in critical sectors to stimulate growth and reduce the financial burden on the government.
He proposed shutting down the Pakistan Agricultural Storage and Services Corporation and replacing it with a private-sector mechanism for maintaining strategic reserves.
The minister also highlighted Sialkot as a model of self-sufficiency and Kamalia Khaddar as a global brand, urging stakeholders to learn from these examples to drive economic progress.
Mr Aurangzeb’s uncle and former federal minister, Chaudhry Asadur Rehman Ramday, and former Punjab advocate general Mustafa Ramday were also present on the occasion.
Source:dawn.com
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https://www.dawn.com/news/1881895
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Europe
Tougher rules to restrict new waste incinerators
December30, 2024
Ministers say fresh rules announced today will limit the development of new waste incinerators, which burn rubbish to make electricity and emit gases that are harmful for the environment.
Just under half of all the UK's household rubbish is now burned, and a recent BBC investigation showed that incinerating bin bags, which can release large amounts of carbon dioxide, was as bad for the climate as burning coal.
Now the government is proposing that new household waste incinerators in England can only go ahead if they meet strict requirements, such as ensuring they reduce the amount of rubbish going to landfill or replace older, less efficient incinerators.
Ministers hope that if recycling and the reuse of rubbish improves, the country will produce less residual waste in the years ahead, and therefore less waste will need burning.
The announcement is not a ban or a moratorium on incinerators, such as those that exist in Wales and Scotland, and the one that was temporarily in place in England early in 2024.
The plans have had a cautious welcome from industry, while some campaigners who support the change say it could lead to the end of new incineration developments.
Over the past two decades governments have tried to limit the amount of waste going to landfill, as the planet-warming methane that's emitted from these sites is very damaging to the climate.
They've done this mainly by raising the landfill taxes that councils have to pay to bury waste.
As a result, local authorities across the UK turned to burning waste for energy in large incinerators, often built in disadvantaged areas.
With 49% of waste collected now incinerated, this is having a negative effect on the climate because increasing amounts of plastic, made from fossil fuels, are being thrown away and burned, releasing large amounts of carbon dioxide.
There's also been growing opposition to where incinerators in many communities across England are built, with locals worried over health and environmental impacts.
In Runcorn, Cheshire, home to the UK's largest incinerator, operator Viridor paid a total of £1m to local families who had complained about noise, smells and other negative effects on their lives.
The new proposals, which the government terms a crackdown, will require future plants to reduce the amount of waste that is sent to landfill.
They will also need to demonstrate that they will be built ready to capture carbon that is emitted during burning, and to use heat generated for local heating or industry. Only nine of the 52 major incinerators in the UK currently export their heat in this way.
"For far too long, the nation has seen its recycling rates stagnate and relied on burning household waste, rather than supporting communities to keep resources in use for longer," said Circular Economy Minister Mary Creagh.
"That ends today, with clear conditions for new energy from waste plants – they must be efficient and support net zero and our economic growth mission, before they can get the backing needed to be built."
The new plan suggests that the UK is already close to capacity when it comes to the amount of rubbish we can burn and that there is a "limited need" for future plants.
Today's proposal includes projections that the UK will have enough energy from incinerators to deal with 18.8 million tonnes of residual waste by 2035. The government believes that the UK will only need to manage 17.6 million tonnes by 2042.
It also suggests that local concerns will be more fully considered when deciding on these new developments.
Government sources recognise that there will still be an ongoing requirement for energy from waste incinerators especially in areas of England where recycling infrastructure is not well developed.
However campaigners believe the government's acknowledgement that there is already enough capacity to cope means it is unlikely that any new incinerators will be built.
"It is clear that the age of waste incineration is over," said Shlomo Dowen, who is the national co-ordinator of the UK Without Incineration Network (UKWIN).
"We hope that the government's latest announcement will result in the abandonment of incineration schemes currently being proposed. This would free up funds to invest in the top tiers of the waste hierarchy, including the creation of many new jobs in the repair, reuse, redesign and recycling sectors."
Source:bbc.com
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https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/cvgrl72e975o
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Astronomers ready for dazzling but brief celestial show after 80-year wait
December30, 2024
On a cold February night in 1946, a 15-year-old schoolboy made a surprising discovery as he peered out of his bedroom window.
Michael Woodman, a keen amateur astronomer from Newport, had stayed up late waiting for his father to come home when he noticed something strange in the night sky.
"There was the constellation of Corona Borealis, but in the ring of the Corona, the second star down was bright - very bright," he explains.
"And I thought 'I've never seen anything like that before.'"
The next morning he wrote to the Astronomer Royal. The now 94-year-old smiles as he recalls the memory, surprised that his teenage self would be so bold.
"And bless me if the Astronomer Royal didn't reply, with a letter I've still got."
Michael Woodman had witnessed a rare celestial event that briefly dazzled the heavens. Not only that, the Astronomer Royal informed him that he was the first person in the country to have seen this.
He'd spotted a star system, about 3,000 light years away, called T Corona Borealis - or T Cor Bor for short - exploding into brightness, becoming visible in the night sky for a few short days.
"I hit the jackpot," he says.
How to look for T Cor Bor
Now a whole new generation of stargazers are scanning the skies again because scientists believe T Cor Bor ignites about every 80 years or so.
On a crystal clear night, in the Dark Skies Reserve of Bannau Brycheiniog, also known as the Brecon Beacons, astronomers are setting up their telescopes.
"T Cor Bor is dim at the minute - it's magnitude 10, well below what you can see with the naked eye," explains Dr Jenifer Millard from Fifth Star Labs.
To find the area of sky where it should appear, she advises to first locate the plough and follow its handle to Arcturus. To the west of this star is the curved constellation of Corona Borealis, made up of seven stars, and where T Cor Bor will at some point light up.
"It is only going to be visible to the naked eye for a couple of days," she says.
"Of course, if you've got a small pair of binoculars or a small telescope, you'll be able to see it for a little bit longer because you've got that magnifying tool. But I do think that it is the short stint in the sky that makes it really special."
The astronomical phenomenon is caused by the interaction between two stars orbiting each other.
A small white dwarf, which is a dead star, is locked in a cosmic dance with a much larger red giant - a star that's reaching the end of its life.
The compact white dwarf has an immense gravitational pull, so great that it steals material away from its larger neighbour.
"The gravity on the surface of the white dwarf is a million times the gravity we feel on Earth, so if we stood on it, we would be crushed instantly," explains Dr Jane Clark, from the Cardiff Astronomical Society.
Over time, the material it grabs from the other star gets crushed and compressed - until eventually it triggers a nuclear explosion, releasing a huge amount of energy - a process known as going nova.
"And when that happens, it will shine like the best Christmas tree in town," says Dr Clark.
Astronomers think this process happens on repeat, with an outburst from T Cor Bor occurring about every 80 years.
But there aren't many records of this. And there have already been a few false alarms that T Cor Bor was about to appear - followed by a disappointing no show.
But Dr Chris North from Cardiff University says astronomers around the world are poised to catch the light show, which will allow them to study this star in more detail than ever before.
And he's hopeful it could appear soon.
"It seems that in the past, this has dimmed a little bit before it's actually erupted, and there are signs that maybe, at the moment, it's just dipping a little bit in brightness," he says.
"So maybe that's a hint that it's getting close to its eruption."
Michael Woodman certainly wants to see T Cor Bor again.
"Somebody will get me into a car and drive me out into the wild somewhere so I can have a decent look. That's what we are hoping for," he says.
And if he catches another glimpse of the light show, he believes it will put him in a very exclusive club - of just one.
"Eighty years on, we're all looking at the skies again, not only me, but the whole world apparently," he says.
"If I'm alive, if I see it, I will be the only one who's seen it twice."
Then with a big broad smile and a little chuckle, he adds: "Got to keep breathing!"
Source:bbc.com
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https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/c140exemgk7o
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Three migrants die attempting to cross Channel
December 29, 2024
Three people have died attempting to cross the English Channel in a small boat on Sunday morning, the French coastguard says.
People ended up in the water after trying to board a boat off the coast of Sangatte, near Calais, at about 06:00 local time (05:00 GMT).
The three people later declared dead were recovered from the water by helicopter, while a further 45 were given treatment on the beach, many suffering from hypothermia. Four were taken to hospital.
It has been the deadliest year on record for Channel crossings.
Dame Angela Eagle, minister for border security and asylum, said lives had been lost because "ruthless criminals running the small boat trade are overloading people into unseaworthy vessels".
She said the government was "committed to smashing these gangs" and was supporting the French authorities.
"It never stops," the mayor of Sangatte Guy Allemand told AFP. "It's crossing after crossing, without any let-up."
He said seven people had needed intensive care after the incident.
The French coastguard said a search was ongoing at sea for any other survivors.
The Home Office confirmed there had been an incident in French waters, with French authorities leading the response and investigation.
Pierre-Henri Dumont, MP for the Pas-de-Calais region, told the BBC: "Any attempt to cross the Channel in this way is very, very dangerous - but at this time of year, it is even more deadly."
He said rescue teams can respond quickly, but current temperatures mean "spending even a few minutes in the water" can be fatal.
The incident follows four days in which 1,485 people made the journey, meaning it has been the busiest Christmas period since records began in 2018.
More than 36,000 people have crossed the Channel in small boats so far this year, surpassing the 2023 total of 29,437, government figures suggest.
The International Organization for Migration (IOM), a UN agency which tracks the number of people who die crossing the Channel, says 77 people have died attempting to make the journey this year.
A number of other boats were reported to have departed from the coast on Sunday, the French coastguard said in its statement.
Source:bbc.com
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https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/c0rn2z2npwvo
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Biden and Trump lead tributes to 'extraordinary' Jimmy Carter after death
December30, 2024
Joe Biden and Donald Trump have led tributes to former US President and Nobel Peace Prize winner Jimmy Carter, who has died aged 100.
Carter, who lived longer than any president in history, died on Sunday afternoon at his home in Plains, Georgia.
Biden described him as "a man of principle, faith and humility," while Trump said all Americans owe Carter a "debt of gratitude".
Carter rose from a peanut farmer to become president in 1977, before being forced out of the White House after just one four-year term when Ronald Reagan stormed to victory in the next election.
After leaving the White House with low approval ratings, his reputation was restored through humanitarian work which earned him the Nobel Peace Prize.
"Today, America and the world lost an extraordinary leader, statesman and humanitarian," President Biden and First Lady Jill Biden said in a statement.
"To all of the young people in this nation and for anyone in search of what it means to live a life of purpose and meaning - the good life - study Jimmy Carter, a man of principle, faith, and humility," they added.
"He showed that we are great nation because we are a good people - decent and honorable, courageous and compassionate, humble and strong."
Biden announced that a national day of mourning would take place on 9 January, with Americans encouraged to visit places of worship to "pay homage" to the late president.
He also ordered flags to be flown at half-mast at all public and military buildings for 30 days, a period which includes the inauguration of president-elect Trump.
Trump posted on Truth Social: "The challenges Jimmy faced as president came at a pivotal time for our country and he did everything in his power to improve the lives of all Americans.
"For that, we all owe him a debt of gratitude."
Trump previously mocked Carter's single term on the campaign trail ahead of his victory in this year's presidential election, and said in 2019: "He's a nice man. He was a terrible president."
This came after Carter called Trump an "illegitimate president", claiming he was helped into the White House by Russian interference in the 2016 election, something Moscow and Trump deny.
World leaders also paid tribute to Carter.
King Charles III said "his dedication and humility served as an inspiration to many, and I remember with great fondness his visit to the United Kingdom in 1977".
UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer said Carter was "motivated by his strong faith and values" and that he "redefined the post-presidency with a remarkable commitment to social justice and human rights at home and abroad".
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said Carter "was a leader who served during a time when Ukraine was not yet independent, yet his heart stood firmly with us in our ongoing fight for freedom".
French President Emmanuel Macron said he had been a "steadfast advocate for the rights of the most vulnerable and has tirelessly fought for peace".
Before becoming president in 1977, Democrat Carter was governor of Georgia, a lieutenant in the US navy and a farmer.
Carter's presidency will be remembered for his struggles in dealing with acute economic problems and several foreign policy challenges, including the Iran hostage crisis, which ended with the deaths of eight Americans.
There was, however, a notable foreign policy triumph in the Middle East when he helped broker an accord between Egypt and Israel, signed at Camp David in the US in 1978.
But that seemed a distant memory two years later, when voters overwhelmingly chose Republican Ronald Reagan, who had portrayed the president as a weak leader unable to deal with inflation and interest rates at near record highs.
Carter lost the 1980 election by a landslide, winning only six US states plus Washington DC.
After leaving the White House, he became the first and only president to return full-time to the house he lived in before politics - a humble, two-bedroom ranch-style home.
He chose not to pursue the lucrative after-dinner speeches and publishing deals awaiting most former presidents, telling the Washington Post in 2018, that he never really wanted to be rich.
Instead, he spent his remaining years trying to address global problems of inequality and disease.
He founded the Carter Center in 1982 to pursue his vision of world diplomacy, and received the 2002 Nobel Peace Prize for his efforts with the foundation to promote human rights around the world.
He also teamed up with Nelson Mandela to found The Elders, a group of global leaders who committed themselves to work on peace and human rights.
Carter is survived by his four children, 11 grandchildren and 14 great-grandchildren.
His wife, Rosalynn, who he was married to for 77 years, died in November 2023.
Announcing his death, Carter's son Chip said his father was "a hero, not only to me but to everyone who believes in peace, human rights, and unselfish love".
"My brothers, sister, and I shared him with the rest of the world through these common beliefs. The world is our family because of the way he brought people together."
Since 2018 and the death of George HW Bush, Carter was the oldest surviving US president.
Carter stopped medical treatment for an undisclosed illness last year and instead began receiving hospice care at his home. He had suffered from health issues including a melanoma that spread to his liver and brain.
Another leading tribute came from Barack Obama, who reflected on spending time with Carter, saying that "he taught all of us what it means to live a life of grace, dignity, justice, and service".
Maranatha Baptist Church in Plains, where Carter taught Sunday school well into his 90s, "will be a little quieter on Sundays", Obama said.
"But President Carter will never be far away – buried alongside Rosalynn next to a willow tree down the road, his memory calling all of us to heed our better angels."
Former US President Bill Clinton and his wife, former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton, also spoke of Carter's faith.
"President Carter lived to serve others - until the very end," they said in a statement.
Source:bbc.com
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https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/cn4xp304ln9o
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Warnings of snow, wind and rain across the UK for New Year
December30, 2024
Weather warnings for rain, snow and wind gusts of up to 70mph have been issued for parts of the UK on New Year's Eve and New Year's Day, the Met Office has said.
Yellow warnings are in place for Northern Ireland, northern England and parts of Scotland from Tuesday before extending across most of the UK on Wednesday.
A series of warnings are in force and will last in some areas until 06:00 GMT on 2 January.
The forecaster said there was likely to be travel disruption with almost all of the country impacted by at least one yellow alert over the four days.
Already, high winds have led to the cancellation of Sunday evening's Torchlight Procession which kicks off Edinburgh's pre-Hogmanay celebrations.
Following a period of heavy rain and some hill snow in Scotland on Monday, two areas of low pressure will bring unsettled conditions on both New Year's Eve and New Year's Day and eventually lead to a cold plunge of air from the north and a drop in temperature.
On New Year's Eve, there could be as much as 100-140mm (3.9-5.5 inches) of rainfall in some parts of western Scotland which could lead to localised flooding. There could be some further snow in northern parts of the country too.
There will also be spells of rain across England, Northern Ireland and Wales. The rain looks particularly heavy in Wales.
While it will be windy everywhere, it could be very blustery in the south of England as the new year is welcomed in.
The weather warnings in place across the UK include:
In northern Scotland, a yellow warning for rain and snow from 00:00 GMT on Monday until midnight on Tuesday. A separate warning for snow is in place for the Orkney Islands from 05:00 GMT until midnight on Tuesday.
Also on Tuesday, parts of northern England are covered by a yellow warning for wind from 07:00 GMT until 23:00 GMT. A separate wind warning covers Northern Ireland from 06:00 GMT until 19:00 GMT.
On Wednesday, yellow warnings for snow come into force, covering Northern Ireland until midnight and parts of northern England until 03:00 GMT on Thursday.
Also on Wednesday, a yellow warning for wind is in place for most of England from 09:00 GMT until 06:00 GMT on Thursday. A separate yellow warning for rain covers part of Wales from 09:00 GMT until 21:00 GMT.
The Scottish Environmental Protection Agency (Sepa) has urged people in the North West and Central Highlands to "be prepared, be aware" as flooding is expected.
Those attending Scotland's biggest Hogmanay celebration in Edinburgh are being advised to dress for all weathers and check social media for updates.
More widespread disruption is expected on New Year's Day as another area of low pressure moves across the UK.
The strongest winds will be over England and Wales with gusts near 70mph over coasts and hills in the south and west.
About 30mm of heavy rainfall is expected widely across the UK. Rain is forecast to be heavier in Wales on Wednesday, which could bring some flooding.
Possible snowfall may lead to disruption in Northern Ireland, Scotland and northern England.
Forecasters said 10cm of snow was expected in some areas with heavier falls over hills with blizzards and drifting.
The Met Office said there was "potential for the pattern of warnings to shift and possibly escalate in some areas".
Those travelling and with plans over the New Year are being urged to check the latest forecasts.
Network Rail said trains on some lines will need to be slowed down due to the difficult weather conditions.
The yellow weather warnings come after thick fog caused disruption to hundreds of flights at some of the UK's major airports over the weekend.
Gatwick Airport reported continued delays on Sunday, and flights at Manchester, Glasgow and Cardiff were also affected on Friday and Saturday due to poor visibility.
How long will the wild weather last?
Disruption could continue on Wednesday night. By the morning of Thursday 2 January, as the area of low pressure clears into Europe, arctic air may sweep towards the UK.
From Thursday into next weekend it will be much colder everywhere with widespread frosts. Most places will be dry and sunny during the day but wintry showers will affect northern areas and lead to icy conditions.
Source:bbc.com
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https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/c785k44yj12o
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Russia won’t make concessions on Ukraine in NATO – Lavrov
29 Dec, 2024
Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov has said Russia will not agree to a mere postponement of Kiev’s NATO membership, or to the deployment of European peacekeepers to Ukraine – two ideas reportedly proposed by advisers of US President-elect Donald Trump, as part of a potential peace deal.
In an interview with TASS news agency published on Monday, Lavrov said Russia has not received any signals from Trump’s team regarding talks to resolve the Ukraine conflict.
“We have always been and remain ready for negotiations. But it is important to understand with whom and about what to conduct them,” he stressed.
Lavrov said that if discussions with the next US administration take place, Moscow will not accept the proposals reported in the media, coming from members of Trump’s team.
During his campaign, Trump repeatedly promised to find a swift diplomatic solution to the Ukraine crisis if elected, but did not provide specifics on how he would achieve the goal.
The Wall Street Journal reported in November that Trump’s advisers had drafted a plan to resolve the conflict. The proposal includes delaying Ukraine’s NATO membership for two decades, a freeze along the current front line, and establishing a demilitarized zone controlled by peacekeepers from Ukraine’s European allies.
Lavrov said peace between Moscow and Kiev can only be achieved through “reliable, legally binding agreements” that address the root causes of the conflict and include mechanisms to prevent future violations.
The foreign minister noted that Russia’s position on settling the hostilities is “well known” and has been articulated by President Vladimir Putin on numerous occasions, including during his end-of-year press conference earlier this month.
At that event, Putin reiterated that Moscow remains open to negotiations with Kiev without any preconditions, aside from those already agreed upon in Istanbul in 2022.
These terms involve a neutral, non-aligned status for Ukraine – preventing it from joining NATO – as well as restrictions on deploying foreign weaponry in the country. Putin also stressed that any talks must take into account the realities on the ground that have emerged since 2022. This includes the status of the Donetsk and Lugansk People’s Republics, as well as the Kherson and Zaporozhye regions, which became part of Russia following referendums held in the fall of that year.
Source:rt.com
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https://www.rt.com/russia/610154-russia-wont-make-concessions-on-ukraine-nato-membership/
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Africa
Lagos churches, mosques, nightclubs to get noise permits
By Bankole Orimisan
30 December 2024
The Lagos State Government has implemented stricter measures against noise pollution, and now requiring nightclubs, lounges, bars, and worship centres to obtain permits for events involving amplified sound in the state.
According to the current administration, the regulations are to safeguard residents’ health and well-being during the festive season and beyond. The Commissioner for Environment and Water Resources, Tokunbo Wahab, in an announcement on his official X (formerly Twitter) account, stressed the government’s zero-tolerance stance on noise pollution.
He stated that events with amplified sound must be conducted in sound-proof, enclosed spaces to protect residents from the harmful effects of excessive noise.
They also include: “Establishments such as worship centres, nightclubs, lounges, and bars must now obtain permits for events involving amplified sound, and ensure these activities take place in sound-proof, enclosed spaces to protect neighbouring residents.” To enforce the directives, the government has established a Special Task Force on Noise Pollution, under the Lagos State Environmental Protection Agency (LASEPA).
The task force, in collaboration with the Lagos State Neighborhood Safety Corps (LSNSC) and the Lagos State Environmental Sanitation Corps (LAGESC), would oversee compliance, arrest offenders, and prosecute violators of noise regulations.
Source:guardian.ng
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https://guardian.ng/news/nigeria/metro/lagos-churches-mosques-nightclubs-to-get-noise-permits/#google_vignette
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‘President Tinubu To Appoint Ambassadors In The Next Few Weeks’
30 December 2024
President Bola Ahmed Tinubu is expected to announce his list of ambassadors in the coming weeks.
This was disclosed by Ademola Oshodi, Tinubu’s Senior Special Adviser on Foreign Affairs and Protocol, during Channels Television’s 2024 Year-In-Review programme on Sunday.
“I believe in the next few weeks, there will be a pronouncement for the ambassadors, and steps will be taken by the Senate and accreditation to put them in place in their various missions around the world,” he said.
Recall that on September 2, 2023, three months into his presidency, Tinubu recalled all Nigerian ambassadors stationed in over 100 embassies and high commissions worldwide.
The Minister of Foreign Affairs, Yusuf Tuggar, previously explained that ambassadors serve at the President’s discretion, and it is his prerogative to recall or appoint them as needed.
However, 16 months later, no new ambassadors have been nominated for Senate approval or deployed to missions abroad. Meanwhile, Nigeria continues to host ambassadors from other countries in its capital, Abuja.
Oshodi defended the delay, stating that the President has been laying the groundwork for the appointment of new envoys.
“The ambassadors are coming but the most important thing we should realise is that things are being put in place for the ambassadors and the high commissioners. We have chargé d’affaires to the nations, and consul generals that have been sent, more of a prelude to the ambassadors’ arrival,” he said.
He also addressed concerns about the state of foreign missions, explaining that the President inherited missions in poor condition, necessitating repairs and preparations for incoming ambassadors and their families.
“The foreign missions are not in dire straits. The president inherited missions that were not in great shape. So, things have to be put in shape and prepared for the ambassadors, and their families, dignitaries, diplomats, etc.
“It is something that the President and his administration are focused on. As much as the ambassadors are key, I want to clearly state that even the last administration, without giving excuses, took 20 months for them to put ambassadors in place,” Oshodi added.
Source:naijanews.com
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https://www.naijanews.com/2024/12/30/president-tinubu-to-appoint-ambassadors-in-the-next-few-weeks/
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Presidency Accuses El-Rufai Of Taking Cheap Shot Against Tinubu
30 December 2024
By Rachel Okporu Fadoju
President Bola Tinubu’s Special Adviser on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, has described the former governor of Kaduna State, Nasir El-Rufai’s recent comment against his principal as a cheap shot.
Naija News reported that El-Rufai responded to the allegations made by a Nigerian professor of journalism based in the United States, Farooq Kperogi, regarding ethnic favouritism in the appointments made by President Tinubu.
In his recently published article titled “Tinubu’s Buharisation of the NNPC,” Kperogi accused President Tinubu of favouring individuals from the Yoruba ethnic group for significant roles within the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL).
He referenced an unnamed source who suggested that Bayo Ojulari is being considered for the position of Group Managing Director (GMD) of the NNPCLfollowing the conclusion of Mele Kyari’s tenure.
Kperogi also highlighted the imbalanced appointments made by former President Muhammadu Buhari, who claimed to have favoured the northern region during his administration.
Responding to El-Rufai’s comment, former Kaduna Central senator, Shehu Sani, in a post via X, berated El-Rufai over his silence while Buhari appointed his kinsmen into political offices.
He wrote. “There were people who were silent when Buhari was fielding political offices with his kinsmen and have now found their voice to speak out when the equation doesn’t favour them.
“Let’s not make reference to the nepotism that marginalised Southern Kaduna for eight years. Kaduna was an apartheid state for eight years.”
Reacting, Onanuga reposted the comment of the former lawmaker saying, “Senator Shehu Sani responds to El-Rufai’s cheap shot against President Tinubu.”
Source:naijanews.com
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https://www.naijanews.com/2024/12/30/presidency-accuses-el-rufai-of-taking-cheap-shot-against-tinubu/
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Do Not Provoke Nigeria’s Wrath With Your Absurd Assertions – Fani-Kayode Warns Niger Republic
29 December 2024
By Justina Otio
Former Aviation Minister, Femi Fani-Kayode, has said that Nigeria does not need to seek support from France and Lakurawa terrorists to destabilize Niger Republic.
He stated this while reacting to claims by President Tchiani of Nigeria Republic that President Bola Tinubu was conniving with France to destabilize his country.
Speaking via his X account on Sunday, Fani-Kayode asserted that Nigeria is not part of the Western powers sponsoring terrorist organizations to wretch havoc on the West African sub-region.
He insisted that Nigeria has been the victim of major terrorist attacks and no president in the country would indulge in such a dangerous act.
He wrote, “If Nigeria wanted to destabilise Niger Republic I do not believe that we would need France or any terrorist organisation to do so.
“I have maintained that the western powers are behind the terrorist groups that have plagued the West African sub region over the last 15 years and for the last ten years I have publicly stated this and given my reasons.
“I am equally certain that Nigeria, being one of the major victims of these terrorist organisations, has had no part in it and that no Nigerian President, past or present, has indulged in such grave and dangerous actions.
“The Nigerien Military Head of State, Abdourahamane Tchiani, would do well to be careful not to provoke our wrath with his absurd assertions and remain mindful of the fact that the defence budget for his country, Mali and Burkina Faso COMBINED is not up to 25% of Nigeria’s.
“Tchiani’s grave allegations that President Tinubu and NSA Nuhu Ribadu have been bought by the French to destabilise Niger Republic, that our Government is jointly sponsoring a terrorist group with France to do same and that there are French military bases in Nigeria are infantile, puerile, mendacious and asinine.
“It is a squalid attempt by the Nigerien Head of State to sow the seeds of dissention in our country, to alienate our people from constituted authority, to divide our people and to undermine the Tinubu administration.
“It is also highly provocative and the FG should consider the possibility of taking other more extreme measures if this reckless provocation continues.
“We are under no obligation to show restraint when we are being undermined and maligned.”
Source:naijanews.com
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https://www.naijanews.com/2024/12/29/do-not-provoke-nigerias-wrath-with-your-absurd-assertions-fani-kayode-warns-niger-republic/
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Voters cast their ballots in Chad's elections
30 December 2024
Voters lined up to cast their ballots in Chad's parliamentary and regional elections on Sunday which are set to end a three-year transitional period from military rule .
The parliamentary election is the first in more than a decade in Chad and comes months after the junta leader, Mahamat Idriss Deby, won a disputed presidential vote that was meant to return democracy.
Deby took power in 2021 following the death of his father and longtime president Idriss Deby Itno, who spent three decades in power.
The main opposition is boycotting Sunday's vote after accusing authorities of not overseeing a credible electoral process.
One voter who cast his ballot at a polling station in the capital, N'djamena, said he thought the vote was "going well".
"There are no problems," Kathima Bagadaye said. "We're voting in peace, there's nothing special" to report, he added.
“We wish everyone good luck and hope that the people we voted for do a good job for a better Chad," said Mahamat Issa Hissein, another voter in the capital.
"We hope for a new page and that Chad will change with this new team."
The oil-exporting country of 18 million people, among Africa’s poorest, had not had a free and fair transfer of power since it became independent from France in 1960.
The elections this year are the first in junta-led countries in Africa’s Sahel region in a promised but delayed return to democracy.
At least 8 million voters are registered to elect 188 legislators in the Central African nation’s new National Assembly.
Representatives at the provincial and municipal levels will also be elected. Results are expected in about two weeks.
More than 10 opposition parties are boycotting the vote, including the main Transformers party, whose candidate, Succes Masra, came second in the presidential election.
The party has criticized the parliamentary election, as well as the presidential vote that many observers were banned from, as a “charade” and a ploy for Deby to remain in power to continue a “dynasty."
Masra briefly served as prime minister earlier this year after returning from exile before he resigned to run for president.
Sunday's election comes at a critical period for Chad, which is battling several security challenges from Boko Haram militant attacks in the Lake Chad region to the break in decadeslong military ties with France, its key ally.
Source:africanews.com
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https://www.africanews.com/2024/12/30/voters-cast-their-ballots-in-chads-elections/
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Southeast Asia
'When will Muslim leaders show same courage' - Zaid backs Nga
Dec 30, 2024
Former law minister Zaid Ibrahim has backed Housing and Local Government Minister Nga Kor Ming after the latter’s spat with PAS over a Christmas event held at his ministry recently.
This comes after Nga defended the event and said he would continue to celebrate various festivals with all levels of society without succumbing to bigots and extremists...
Source:malaysiakini.com
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https://www.malaysiakini.com/news/730170
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KPDN conducted 2,748 Christmas SHMMP inspections, issued 75 compounds
BERNAMA
30-12- 2024
PUTRAJAYA: The Ministry of Domestic Trade and Cost of Living (KPDN) conducted 2,748 inspections on retail, wholesale, and manufacturing premises nationwide during the 2024 Christmas Festive Season Maximum Price Control Scheme (SHMMP) implementation.
Enforcement director-general, Datuk Azman Adam, reported that 74 cases involved the failure to display the designated pink price tags, while one trader did not display any price tags, leading to a total of RM8,600 in fines.
He confirmed that no cases of selling above the regulated prices were detected during this period.
“Based on KPDN’s monitoring and enforcement efforts, as well as feedback from the public, the implementation of the 2024 Christmas SHMMP proceeded smoothly and effectively.
“The ministry also received no complaints throughout the enforcement period,” he said in a statement today.
Azman noted that the majority of traders inspected demonstrated strong commitment and compliance with the maximum pricing regulations.
On behalf of KPDN, he thanked the Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security, related agencies, industry players, and traders for their dedication and cooperation in ensuring the success of the 2024 Christmas SHMMP.
The five-day 2024 Christmas SHMMP was implemented from Dec 23 to 27, gazetting 14 controlled items and their maximum prices.
This initiative reflects the government’s effort to protect consumers from unethical trading practices during the 2024 Christmas festivities.
Source:thesun.my
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https://thesun.my/malaysia-news/kpdn-conducted-2748-christmas-shmmp-inspections-issued-75-compounds-FA13467165
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PM Anwar vows immediate steps to boost tourism, preserve biodiversity in Langkawi
30 Dec 2024
KUALA LUMPUR, Dec 30 — Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim said that immediate steps will be taken to stimulate growth, enhance the tourism sector, and ensure the preservation of biodiversity on Langkawi Island, Kedah.
In a brief Facebook post today, Anwar shared that he would expedite various initiatives, including the establishment of a university branch, aimed at benefiting the local community.
Anwar also held a meeting with the chief executive officer of the Langkawi Development Authority (LADA), which was attended by the district officer and the Langkawi district police chief, according to the post. — Bernama
Source: malaymail.com
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https://www.malaymail.com/news/malaysia/2024/12/30/pm-anwar-vows-immediate-steps-to-boost-tourism-preserve-biodiversity-in-langkawi/161551
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Pointing to diplomatic achievements in 2024, PM Anwar says Malaysia now seen as respected strategic partner (VIDEO)
30 Dec 2024
KUALA LUMPUR, Dec 30 — Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim highlighted that his official visits abroad, as well as the visits of world dignitaries to Malaysia this year, have significantly strengthened diplomatic ties, boosted investments, and enhanced the country’s global standing.
He said that Malaysia is now regarded as a respected strategic partner, gaining recognition from leaders of major powers for its active role in championing global issues, especially supporting justice for the Palestinian people and its advocacy for a more just and balanced world order.
“By 2025, Malaysia is poised to lead ASEAN into a new era that is more inclusive and sustainable,” said Anwar.
“With the strong support of the international community, we enter the new year with full confidence to drive shared prosperity,” he said in a Facebook post today.
In the video uploaded with the post, the Prime Minister reflected on his official visits abroad in 2024, including destinations such as Singapore, Brunei, Indonesia, China, Australia, Russia, Germany, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Uzbekistan, Japan, India, Peru and Brazil.
These visits generated a potential investment of RM115.2 billion (US$25.2 billion), with key investments from Germany (RM46 billion), South Korea (RM32.8 billion), Australia (RM24.5 billion), Japan (RM1.45 billion), and India (RM4.8 billion).
Furthermore, Malaysia welcomed 35 official visits and courtesy calls from foreign dignitaries, including representatives from Cambodia, Argentina, China, Kyrgyzstan, Egypt, and Bahrain. — Bernama
Source: malaymail.com
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https://www.malaymail.com/news/malaysia/2024/12/30/pointing-to-diplomatic-achievements-in-2024-pm-anwar-says-malaysia-now-seen-as-respected-strategic-partner-video/161546
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URL: https://newageislam.com/islamic-world-news/yogi-dityanath-unlocks-temple-harmony/d/134192