India PM Modi tells Putin ‘war cannot solve problems’
Modi landed in Moscow on Monday, hours after Russia launched massive barrage targeting cities across Ukraine
The latest Russian attack killed more than three dozen people and heavily damaged a children’s hospital in Kyiv
Updated 09 July 2024
AFP
MOSCOW: Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi told Russian President Vladimir Putin on Tuesday in Moscow that peace was “of utmost importance” and that “war cannot solve problems.”
“As a friend, I have also said that for the brighter future of our next generation, peace is of utmost importance,” Modi said in a speech in Hindi, sitting alongside Putin.
“When innocent children are murdered, one sees them die, the heart pains and that pain is unbearable.”
Modi said he and Putin had discussed Russia’s campaign in Ukraine during his visit to Moscow.
“As a true friend, we were together and chatted on a range of issues,” Modi said.
“And I was happy that on Ukraine, we could both express our views openly and in detail.”
Modi landed in Moscow on Monday, hours after Russia launched a massive barrage targeting cities across Ukraine that killed more than three dozen people and heavily damaged a children’s hospital in Kyiv.
It sparked condemnation from governments in Europe and North America.
“I know that war cannot solve problems, solutions and peace talks can’t succeed among bombs, guns, and bullets,” Modi added. “And we need to find a way to peace through dialogue.”
Russia is a vital supplier of cut-price oil and weapons to India, but Moscow’s isolation from the West and growing ties with Beijing have impacted its partnership with New Delhi.
Western powers have in recent years also cultivated stronger relations with India as a hedge against China and its growing influence across the Asia-Pacific, while pressuring New Delhi to distance itself from Russia.
France threatens to review longstanding accords with Algeria
The threat to cancel the agreement with Algeria on free movement came after a deadly knife attack in which the main suspect is a man of Algerian origin
Updated 5 sec ago
AFP
PARIS: French Prime Minister Francois Bayrou threatened to cancel a longstanding agreement with Algeria on free movement after a deadly knife attack in which the main suspect is a man of Algerian origin.
The row is just the latest in a series of disputes that has heightened tension between France and its former colony.
Bayrou spoke following a Cabinet meeting held days after Saturday’s knife attack in Mulhouse in which one person was killed and several others wounded.
Prosecutors say the 37-year-old suspect is an Algerian-born man who was on a terrorism watchlist and subject to deportation orders.
Interior Minister Bruno Retailleau has said that France had repeatedly attempted to expel him, but Algeria refused to accept him.
Bayrou said Wednesday: “The victims we saw in Mulhouse this weekend are the direct victims of the refusal to apply these agreements” between the two countries.
The suspect had been presented to the Algerian authorities 14 times and on each occasion they had refused to take him back, he added.
Under the 1968 accords between the two countries, Algerians enjoy favorable treatment on immigration matters in France.
But Algeria has in recent months refused on several occasions to accept its citizens when France has expelled them.
Bayrou said France would ask Algiers to examine how the relevant agreements between the two countries were being applied, giving them a month to six weeks to comply.
If there was no response, then canceling the existing agreements would “be the only possible outcome,” he added — even though “this is not the one we want.”
On Tuesday, French Foreign Minister Jean-Noel Barrot announced travel restrictions on Algerian dignitaries.
On Wednesday, Barrot said those measures, involving several hundred people, had been in place for several weeks.
Algiers has denounced the new measures as a “provocation.”
This new dispute is just the latest in a series between two countries feeding the tension between Paris and Algiers.
Trump says he trusts Putin, as UK PM pushes Ukraine guarantees
Trump walked back comment about Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky being dictator
Britain and France have both offered to deploy peacekeeping troops for Ukraine but want US guarantees of help
Updated 38 min 8 sec ago
Reuters
WASHINGTON: Donald Trump said he trusted Russia’s Vladimir Putin to stick to any Ukraine ceasefire Thursday, as UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer tried to win security guarantees for Kyiv — with the help of a royal invitation to visit Britain.
Trump struck a friendly tone as he and Starmer met in Washington, and even walked back a comment about Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky being a dictator that alarmed European capitals, saying: “Did I say that?“
But Trump also insisted that he trusted Putin to honor any truce with Ukraine, contradicting Starmer’s warnings that a lack of a US “backstop” for a deal would encourage Putin to stage a repeat of his February 2022 invasion.
Britain and France have both offered to deploy peacekeeping troops for Ukraine but want US guarantees of help, including aerial and satellite surveillance and possible air power.
“I think he’ll keep his word,” Trump told reporters as he sat alongside Starmer in the Oval Office when asked about Putin.
“I spoke to him, I’ve known him for a long time now, I don’t believe he’s going to violate his word.”
Trump added that Britain can “take care of themselves, but if they need help, I’ll always be with the British.”
Starmer had said on the plane to the US capital that a “ceasefire without a backstop” would let Putin “wait and to come again” at Kyiv.
The British premier told Trump at the White House that he wanted to “work with you to make sure that peace deal is enduring” but that it was also a “deal that nobody breaches.”
Starmer then handed Trump — a long-term fan of Britain’s royals — a letter from King Charles III inviting him for an unprecedented second state visit by a US president.
“This has never happened before, this is unprecedented,” said Starmer.
The invitation was a clear attempt to woo Trump amid growing concerns in Europe that the US leader is ready to sell Kyiv short and take Russia’s position on a deal.
Those fears intensified last week when Trump called Zelensky a “dictator without elections” — but with Starmer at his side, Trump jokingly downplayed the jibe.
“Did I say that? I can’t believe I said that,” Trump responded when asked whether he stood by the comment he made on his Truth Social network. “Next question.”
Trump will host Zelensky at the White House on Friday where the two leaders are expected to sign a deal giving Washington access to Ukraine’s rare minerals, which Trump has demanded as payback for US military aid.
Zelensky had hoped the deal would contain US security guarantees but it appears to omit them.
Starmer’s visit comes days after a similar visit by French President Emmanuel Macron, who came away effectively empty handed despite saying there had been a “turning point” with Trump.
Trump has long pushed for European nations to take more of the burden for Ukraine’s defense, and their own.
A senior Trump administration official said the backstop was “obviously very high on our European allies’ agenda” but said securing a proper ceasefire first was more important.
“The type of force depends very much on the political settlement that is made to end the war. And I think that trade-off is part of what the leaders today are going to be discussing,” the official told reporters.
The meeting promised to be a clash of styles between the mild-mannered Labour leader, a former human rights lawyer, and the brash Republican tycoon.
Starmer, who will hold a joint press conference with the US president, has pitched himself as a “bridge” between Trump and Europe on Ukraine.
The British premier came bearing another gift for Trump — an increase in defense spending.
A Trump administration official said they were “very pleased” by Starmer’s announcement on Tuesday that UK defense spending will rise to 2.5 percent by 2027.
LONDON: The UK’s capital, London, was illuminated with festive lights to celebrate the Muslim holy month of Ramadan for the third consecutive year this week.
Mayor Sadiq Khan switched on over 30,000 LED bulbs to celebrate Ramadan, which is set to start on Friday evening, bringing joy to residents and curious tourists on Coventry Street, off London’s Piccadilly Circus.
The vibrant center of the British metropolis was illuminated with a sign that read “Happy Ramadan,” alongside shapes of stars and crescent moons. This festive display will shine brightly from 5 p.m. to 5 a.m. until March 29. After that date, it will change to convey the message “Happy Eid,” which will be displayed until April 6.
For the residents of the Big Smoke, who have endured weeks of bitter cold and near-zero temperatures, Ramadan lights provided respite between Christmas and the anticipation of Easter.
Eric, a London resident, was enchanted by the interactive Ramadan lights in Leicester Square, near the Mary Poppins statue. He wanted to “learn more” about the Muslim holy month and celebrate the multicultural atmosphere of London. He was carrying a battery-operated cardboard lantern, a symbol of Ramadan since the Egyptians used it in the 10th century to brighten the path for the Muslim Caliph.
London was the first major European city to adorn its central streets with Ramadan lights, a trend later embraced by Frankfurt in 2024. This is the third year the Aziz Foundation has organized the fasting month lights, which has become part of the city’s calendar over the years alongside Hanukkah and Diwali.
Ramadan lights installation in Leicester Square features the message “Spread the Light” that shines when pressed. (Arab News\Bahar Hussain)
Rahima Aziz BEM, a trustee at the Aziz Foundation, told Arab News that the interactive Ramadan lights installation in Leicester Square is a new addition featuring the message “Spread the Light” that shines when pressed.
“This is our message for this year. We really want Muslims to feel involved in the whole process. You come to (London’s) West End not just to see the (Ramadan) lights but also to immerse yourself in the experience,” she said.
Councillor Robert Rigby, the lord mayor of Westminster, led a lantern parade of schoolchildren in Leicester Square before jointly switching on the lights of the interactive installation on Wednesday afternoon. Not far away, King Charles III and Queen Camilla were doing their part to mark the upcoming Ramadan period by helping to pack food donation parcels at an Indian restaurant in Soho.
Rigby expressed his pride in seeing Westminster, Britain’s political and cultural center, as a diverse and welcoming city. “We are home to many different faiths, Muslims included, and we are very grateful for any visitors coming to this wonderful city ... from all over the world,” he told Arab News.
The crowd gathered on Coventry Street in the early evening to watch Khan switch on the lights.
Hatem Al-Shammari, a tourist from Hail in Saudi Arabia, was passing by with a friend when they paused to admire the lights. This was his second visit to London, and he was surprised to discover that all the festivities were in celebration of Ramadan. He told Arab News that in the past, such an event in a European city was unheard of.
“You could see people (from various faiths) celebrating together, not just Muslims; this is something beautiful, and the vibes are very nice. May Allah bless us in Ramadan,” he said.
The lord mayor of Westminster led a lantern parade of schoolchildren in Leicester Square before switching on the lights of the interactive installation. (Arab News\Bahar Hussain)
Fasting during Ramadan is one of the five pillars of Islam, alongside the Shahada, a profession of faith, prayer, giving alms, and performing Hajj. This March, British Muslims are expected to fast for approximately 13 hours each day, from sunrise to sunset. However, when Ramadan occurs in the summer, the fasting period can last nearly 19 hours, and these hours vary between countries. Starting from this Saturday’s sunrise, Muslims will refrain from food, drink, and some activities, such as sex and smoking, during daylight for 30 days as a way to reflect on religion, life, and empathize with the poor.
Sara, a university student, believes that Ramadan brings the British Muslim community closer and helps them connect with their faith. She told Arab News that she is excited about the events at her university, including the bring your dish iftar meals.
For Yousef, one of the schoolchildren who illuminated the “Spread the Light” interactive installation, Ramadan is about coming together despite the long hours of fasting. He said that exams are approaching at his school, and although he will feel hungry during the day, what matters most to him is “breaking the fast at iftar with family and friends.”
King Charles, Queen Camilla join Ramadan charity effort at London restaurant
Visit highlights royal couple’s support for interfaith initiatives
Updated 27 February 2025
Arab News
LONDON: Britain’s King Charles III joked on Wednesday he was past his “sell-by date” as he and Queen Camilla helped pack food donation boxes for charity at Darjeeling Express, an Indian restaurant in Soho, ahead of Ramadan.
The British monarch and his wife visited the female-run restaurant, founded by British restaurateur Asma Khan, to support its initiative of cooking for charitable causes during the Muslim holy month.
Camilla assisted staff in packing biryani meals for Doorstep, a charity aiding families in temporary housing.
As she ladled food into a takeaway box, she joked: “Is that enough, or some more? They might still be a bit hungry after my portion.”
Charles, who was initially occupied with meeting guests, joined in with meal preparation, asking: “Is it chicken and proper basmati rice?” He was delighted to learn that some curry would be sent to Buckingham Palace for him.
The king and queen later packed dates into bags for iftar meals to be served in hospitals.
When Charles noticed the speed of the process, he laughed: “We don’t waste time. Paid by results!” Khan was impressed by their teamwork, saying: “You are packing them faster than I can seal them. I never realized this was such a speedy couple.”
The visit highlighted the royal couple’s long-standing support for interfaith initiatives in Britain and abroad, continuing Charles’ tradition of engaging with different religious communities across the UK and the Commonwealth.
EU urges ‘respect’ for court sentence against Bosnian Serb leader
“The EU expects all political actors in Bosnia and Herzegovina to respect the decisions of the courts,” a European Commission spokesman said
Russia has slammed the verdict as “political“
Updated 27 February 2025
AFP
BRUSSELS: The European Union Thursday urged all sides in Bosnia to respect court rulings and avoid “divisive” actions after the head of the country’s Serb region was sentenced to jail for defying an international envoy.
“The EU expects all political actors in Bosnia and Herzegovina to respect the decisions of the courts and acknowledge their independence and impartiality without applying any pressure or interference,” a European Commission spokesman said.
Brussels urges all actors to “refrain from and renounce provocative, divisive rhetoric and actions, including questioning the sovereignty, unity and territorial integrity of the country,” spokesman Anouar El Anouni told reporters.
Under a 1995 peace agreement, Bosnia is split into two autonomous bodies — a Bosniak-Croat federation and a Serb entity, connected by a weak central government under supervision by an international high representative.
Milorad Dodik, the pro-Russian leader of the Serb-dominated Republika Srpska (RS), was sentenced to a year in jail Wednesday for failing to comply with decisions made by the high representative, Christian Schmidt.
Russia has slammed the verdict as “political,” and Bosnian Serb lawmakers were weighing potential measures in response.
The EU has previously warned that challenging the terms of the 1995 Dayton peace accords that ended Bosnia’s intercommunal war would threaten the country’s ambitions to join the bloc.
“The European Union is unequivocally committed to Bosnia and Herzegovina’s EU perspective as a single, united and sovereign country,” El Anouni said.
“We encourage all political actors to focus on the EU path, and this for the benefit of citizens, a large majority of whom do support EU integration,” he added.
