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Macron to host Arab foreign ministers for Gaza talks

Macron to host Arab foreign ministers for Gaza talks
Macron will on Friday host the foreign ministers of four key Arab states for talks on the war in Gaza. (AP)
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Updated 25 May 2024
AFP
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Macron to host Arab foreign ministers for Gaza talks

Macron to host Arab foreign ministers for Gaza talks
Updated 25 May 2024
AFP
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PARIS: French President Emmanuel Macron will on Friday host the foreign ministers of four key Arab states for talks on the war in Gaza between Israel and Palestinian militant group Hamas, his office said.
Joined by his own top diplomat Stephane Sejourne, Macron will discuss the situation with Qatar’s Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al-Thani, Egypt’s Sameh Shoukry, Ayman Safadi of Jordan and Saudi Foreign Minister Faisal bin Farhan Al-Saud, the Elysee said.

KSrelief distributes clothing vouchers, shelter kits to hundreds in Lebanon, Afghanistan

KSrelief distributes clothing vouchers, shelter kits to hundreds in Lebanon, Afghanistan
Updated 32 sec ago
Arab News
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KSrelief distributes clothing vouchers, shelter kits to hundreds in Lebanon, Afghanistan

KSrelief distributes clothing vouchers, shelter kits to hundreds in Lebanon, Afghanistan
Updated 32 sec ago
Arab News

Saudi aid agency KSrelief has distributed hundreds of vouchers across Lebanon to those most in need to buy winter clothing, the Saudi Press Agency reported.
KSrelief gave out 455 vouchers in Miniyeh district, and 420 in the Beirut and Akkar governorates, to orphans and people with special needs. The vouchers enable people to buy winter clothing from approved stores.
The agency also distributed 164 shelter bags in Afghanistan, benefiting 984 people as part of a shelter project for people returning from Pakistan and those affected by this year’s floods.

Topics: KSRelief

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Google Doodle commemorates 53rd UAE National Day

Google Doodle commemorates 53rd UAE National Day
Updated 4 min 55 sec ago
Arab News
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Google Doodle commemorates 53rd UAE National Day

Google Doodle commemorates 53rd UAE National Day
Updated 4 min 55 sec ago
Arab News

DUBAI: Google is commemorating the UAE’s 53rd National Day, also known as Eid Al-Etihad, with its latest Doodle marking the Emirate’s foundation day.

On this day in 1971, the leaders of Abu Dhabi, Ajman, Dubai, Fujairah, Sharjah and Umm Al-Quwain agreed to unite and established the UAE as an independent nation. The seventh emirate, Ras Al-Khaimah, joined the federation shortly after in 1972.

Abu Dhabi’s Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al-Nahyan became the first President of the UAE until he died in 2004.

The UAE Government has declared Dec. 2 and 3 as paid holidays for employees in both private and public sectors, with activities and celebrations lined up to celebration occasion.

Among the widely anticipated events include fireworks displays – particularly in Abu Dhabi and Dubai – as well as grand parades in each of the emirates.

The ongoing Sheikh Zayed Festival in Abu Dhabi’s Al-Wathba showcases three days of fireworks and drone shows, aside from a series of heritage show by the Eid Al-Etihad Caravan featuring camels adorned with the UAE flag and folk performances, highlighting the nation’s cultural pride.

This year’s grand ceremony will be held in Al Ain, and attended by the country’s rulers, it will be livestreamed on www.eidaletihad.ae on Dec. 2.

Topics: UAE Google Doodle

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Bangladesh court acquits ex-PM Khaleda Zia’s son in 2004 deadly grenade attack

Bangladesh court acquits ex-PM Khaleda Zia’s son in 2004 deadly grenade attack
Updated 59 min 22 sec ago
AP
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Bangladesh court acquits ex-PM Khaleda Zia’s son in 2004 deadly grenade attack

Bangladesh court acquits ex-PM Khaleda Zia’s son in 2004 deadly grenade attack
  • Tarique Rahman, others were found guilty in 2018 of targeting a rally held by supporters of PM Sheikh Hasina, who led opposition at the time
  • The ruling comes as the country suffers political tension after Hasina fled to India in August following a mass uprising that killed hundreds
Updated 59 min 22 sec ago
AP

DHAKA: Bangladesh’s High Court on Sunday acquitted former Prime Minister Khaleda Zia’s son, Tarique Rahman, and overturned a verdict against him over a deadly 2004 grenade attack on a political rally.
The ruling comes at a critical time as the South Asian country suffers political tension after long-time Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina fled the country to India in August following a mass uprising that left hundreds dead. Rahman serves as the acting chairperson of Zia’s Bangladesh Nationalist Party while in self-exile in London, and he could become Bangladesh’s next leader if his party is voted into power.
Rahman and 48 others were found guilty in 2018 in the attack targeting a rally held by supporters of Sheikh Hasina, who led the opposition at the time, leaving two dozen people dead and wounding about 300 others. A court sentenced 19 of them to death while Rahman got life in prison, with Zia’s party accusing the ruling of being politically motivated.
A two-member judge panel scrapped Sunday the entire 2018 ruling for all 49 men, following an appeal lodged by the defendants. Shishir Monir, a defense lawyer, told reporters the court declared the trial and verdict “illegal”.
“As a result, all defendants have been acquitted,” he said.
Zia, who ruled the country as prime minister between 2001-2006, and Hasina are the country’s most powerful politicians and long-time rivals.
Nobel Peace laureate Muhammad Yunus has been chosen as the country’s interim leader since Hasina’s escape, but authorities have been struggling to enforce order amid mob justice, chaos and claims of systematic targeting of minority groups, particularly Hindus, which Yunus said are “exaggerated.”
Hasina’s Awami League party blasted the court ruling in a Facebook post on Sunday, saying it wasn’t “Yunus’ Kangaroo court” and that the people of Bangladesh would be the ones trying those responsible for the attacks.
Zia’s party welcomed Sunday’s ruling.
The attorney general’s office can appeal the ruling in the country’s Supreme Court.
The Yunus-led government has not declared any timeframe for the next election, but Rahman and his party want the new election sometime soon. Meanwhile, Jamaat-e-Islami party, which shared power with Zia’s party in 2001-2006 with important portfolios in the Cabinet, said it wants to allow the Yunus-led government to stay in power to bring in reforms in various sectors before a new election.
Hasina faces charges of crimes against humanity for deaths during the summer’s student-led uprising. The interim government has sought help from Interpol to arrest Hasina. It is not clear if India will respond to any request from Bangladesh for Hasina’s extradition under a mutual treaty.

Topics: Muhammad Yunus Bangladeh

Pakistan offers support to Malaysia after floods displace over 122,000

Pakistan offers support to Malaysia after floods displace over 122,000
Updated 02 December 2024
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Pakistan offers support to Malaysia after floods displace over 122,000

Pakistan offers support to Malaysia after floods displace over 122,000
  • The number even surpassed the 118,000 evacuated during one of Malaysia’s worst floodings in 2014
  • Both countries agree to encourage the two relief authorities to hold discussions on support from Pakistan
Updated 02 December 2024
SAIMA SHABBIR

ISLAMABAD: Pakistan’s deputy prime minister and foreign minister, Ishaq Dar, on Sunday telephoned Malaysian Foreign Minister Hajji Mohamad bin Hajji and offered Islamabad’s assistance following the evacuation of more than 122,000 people due to recent floods in Malaysia, the Pakistani foreign ministry said.
The massive floods, caused by relentless rains, swept through Malaysia’s northern states, killing at least four people, according to Malaysian disaster management officials.
The number surpassed the 118,000 evacuated during one of the country’s worst floodings in 2014, and officials feared it could rise further as there was no let-up in torrential downpours.
During the telephonic conversation, Dar offered his deepest sympathies on the tragic loss of lives and property in Malaysia, according to the Pakistani foreign ministry.
“He conveyed Pakistan’s full solidarity with the people of Malaysia and the readiness to extend immediate humanitarian assistance to Malaysia in this difficult time,” the Pakistani ministry said in a statement.
“The two ministers also agreed to encourage the disaster relief authorities of the two countries to continue discussions on humanitarian support from Pakistan.”
Pakistan and Malaysia enjoy a strong bilateral relationship, rooted in shared Islamic values and historical ties.
Since 1957, they’ve fostered economic cooperation, defense collaborations, and cultural exchange. The Pakistan-Malaysia Free Trade Agreement of 2008 boosted trade and investment, while regular high-level visits have solidified their partnership, underpinned by mutual respect and trust.

Topics: Pakistan Malaysia ties Malaysia floods

Pakistani journalist, arrested after coverage of anti-government protests, denies ‘fabricated’ charges

Pakistani journalist, arrested after coverage of anti-government protests, denies ‘fabricated’ charges
Updated 46 min 45 sec ago
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Pakistani journalist, arrested after coverage of anti-government protests, denies ‘fabricated’ charges

Pakistani journalist, arrested after coverage of anti-government protests, denies ‘fabricated’ charges
  • Matiullah Jan was booked in a terrorism and narcotics case after being arrested from outside a hospital in Islamabad
  • Jan thanks his lawyers, journalists and the civil society as well as the diplomatic community for standing by him
Updated 46 min 45 sec ago
KASHIF IMRAN

ISLAMABAD: A Pakistani journalist, who was arrested after coverage of last week’s anti-government protests in Islamabad, on Sunday denied “fabricated” charges against him, a day after his release in a terrorism and narcotics case.
Matiullah Jan, a broadcaster working with Neo TV, was “picked up” from outside a hospital in Islamabad on Wednesday, where he was investigating alleged fatalities during the recent protests in support of jailed ex-premier Imran Khan, according to his son.
The police report registered against Jan included Code of Criminal Procedure’s Sections 279 (rash driving or riding on a public way), 353 (assault or criminal force to deter public servant from discharge of duty), 382 (theft after preparation made for causing death, hurt or restraint in order to the committing of the theft), 427 (mischief causing damage), 506 (criminal intimidation) along with 7ATA (terrorism-related section) and a narcotics-related section.
On Saturday, an anti-terrorism court judge, Tahir Abbas Sipra, who presided over the hearing of Jan’s bail petition, approved the plea against surety bonds worth Rs10,000 ($36), following which he was released from custody.
“Allah Almighty has been very kind to me once again. I am back home safe and sound,” Jan said on X. “I want to completely deny the false and fabricated charges brought against me by the government.”
Jan has a history of criticizing Pakistan’s government and the country’s powerful military establishment. He was also briefly detained by uniformed men during Imran Khan’s tenure in 2020.
He thanked his lawyers, journalists, politicians, members of the civil society as well as the diplomatic community for standing by him and a timely response to ensure safety and security of journalists in Pakistan.
Successive Pakistan governments have often been criticized by rights monitors for using broad anti-terrorism legislation to quash dissent.
Islamabad witnessed a protest march by Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) supporters, who faced a major government crackdown in which nearly a thousand political activists were arrested during three days of unrest this week.
Jan was investigating the aftermath of the crackdown on PTI workers when, according to his family, he was taken away by people in unmarked vehicles hours before the police announced his arrest.
Amnesty International has criticized Pakistani security forces for using “unlawful and excessive force” on crowds, but Information Minister Attaullah Tarar told reporters on Wednesday that the PTI was “lying” about it, as its leaders claimed their followers had been killed.
Khan’s party has so far named 12 people, claiming it has evidence they lost their lives during the crackdown in the federal capital and demanding the judiciary take notice and hold top government ministers accountable.

Topics: matiullah jan PTI protest Islamabad Protest

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