A Plan to Demolish 3,000 Historic Mosques

In 1992, the Babri Mosque in Ayodhya, India was demolished by Hindus, who then built the Temple of God Ram on its ruins. Now, they have set their sights on 3,000 other historic mosques in India. They claim that these mosques were built on top of Hindu temples and want to demolish them. This is similar to the Jewish claims about the existence of the Jewish Temple under Al-Aqsa Mosque.

The Story Begins

The demand for the demolition of these mosques started in 2021 when Hindus filed a lawsuit claiming that the Gyanvapi Mosque in Varanasi was built on the ruins of a Hindu temple. They claimed to have found traces of the Hindu god Shiva and other symbols at the mosque site.

When Muslims gathered in the mosque to prevent its demolition, an Indian court imposed a ban on large gatherings of Muslims to pray there. In 2023, the court allowed a scientific survey to verify if the mosque was built over a Hindu temple.

The Collusion Continues

Asaduddin Owaisi, president of the ‘All India Muslim League’, expressed his fear that the Gyanvapi Mosque would suffer the same fate as the Babri Mosque.

The collusion between the Indian judiciary and Hindus continued when the Varanasi City Court allowed Hindus to worship in the basement of the Gyanvapi Mosque. They were given a week to make it suitable for Hindu worship. This ruling revealed the plan to file lawsuits claiming that historical mosques were originally Hindu temples.

The Battle for Mosques

Since March 2021, Hindus have been inventorying 3,000 mosques that they claim contain Hindu relics or were converted from Hindu temples. They published a list of these mosques on a website called "Kreately" in March 2021.

In May 2022, five Hindu women filed a lawsuit demanding the right to pray inside a mosque in Varanasi. They claimed that symbols related to the Hindu god Shiva were found in the mosque and that a Hindu temple had existed there before. Despite Indian law prohibiting the changing of a house of worship's character, judges allowed Hindus to appeal other mosques.

The Threat Continues

The Supreme Court considered appeals against the law and approved Hindu prayers inside some mosques. The law on the preservation of places of worship became meaningless, according to a court decision in 2022.

Currently, the first battle is taking place in Varanasi to implement the idea of Hindu prayer inside mosques. This is seen as a preparation for later demolishing the mosques and turning them into Hindu temples.

The Concerns

The Imam of the Gyanvapi Mosque expressed concern about how long Muslims would be allowed to attend and pray in a mosque where Hindus have already started praying. He fears that the mosque will be converted into a temple.

Since Prime Minister Narendra Modi took office in 2014, India has witnessed outbreaks of violence between the Hindu majority and the Muslim minority. Modi's attendance at the opening ceremony of a Hindu temple built on the ruins of a mosque has been seen as a political move to boost his party's popularity.

The Future

Many ancient mosques in India face the risk of being seized by Hindus. The extremist Bharatiya Janata Party government supports these actions, which create political polarization and benefit the ruling party.

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Environment

A Unique Dinosaur

Scientists found a really cool dinosaur with wings. It's true! This special dinosaur lived about 168 million years ago during the Middle Jurassic period on the Isle of Skye in Scotland.

Meet Sioptera ivansae

This winged dinosaur is called Sioptera ivansae. It belongs to a group of flying reptiles called pterosaurs, which were also found in China. The name Sioptera comes from the Scottish Gaelic word Cheo, meaning fog, and the Latin word ptera, meaning wing. The second part of its name, ivansae, is named after a British paleontologist named Professor Susan E. Evans.

The Exciting Discovery

In 2006, paleontologists found the fossil remains of Sioptera ivansae during a field trip to a village called Elgol on the Isle of Skye. They spent years preparing the sample and scanning the bones, some of which were still stuck in rocks.

What We Learned

Even though the skeleton is not complete, the researchers say it gives us important information about the history and diversity of pterosaurs. The findings, published in the Journal of Vertebrate Paleontology, suggest that pterosaurs like Sioptera lived for more than 25 million years and were more diverse than we thought.

A Surprise in the UK

Professor Paul Barrett from the Natural History Museum said that finding Sioptera in the Middle Jurassic period in the UK was a big surprise. Most of its relatives were found in China. This means that this group of flying reptiles appeared earlier than we thought and spread all over the world.

A Special Site

The fossil was found in a place called Elgol, which is a Site of Special Scientific Interest. The researchers could only collect samples from rocks that had fallen onto the beach. While they were examining these fossils, they noticed a few more bones that turned out to be the new pterosaur.

Why It Matters

Dr. Liz Martin-Silverstone, a paleontologist from the University of Bristol, said that the time period to which Sioptera belongs is really important for understanding pterosaurs. Finding more bones buried in the rocks helps us learn more about how these amazing creatures evolved.

About Pterosaurs

Pterosaurs are flying reptiles that lived alongside dinosaurs from about 225 to 65.5 million years ago. There are over 100 known species of pterosaurs, and they were predators. They are the oldest vertebrates capable of flight. Their wings were made of a thin but strong skin membrane, and they had long jaws and tails.

Source: British press

 Farmer protests s have erupted as a result of various factors including the implementation of strict agricultural policies, unfair trade practices, and competition from large-scale industrial farming. Farmers are fed up with being overregulated and squeezed financially while multinational companies continue to dominate the market.

They are demanding fairer prices for their products, government support for small-scale agriculture, and a more sustainable approach to farming.

The results have been awe-inspiring as these passionate farmers are making their voices heard loud and clear. They are successfully creating awareness about the challenges they face and pushing for much-needed change in agricultural policies.

By fighting relentlessly, they are ensuring that their concerns reach the highest levels of decision-making and hopefully lead to a revitalization of Europe's farming industry. 

Why protest?

• Economic pressures: The costs of energy, fertilizer, and transportation have been going up because of the war in Ukraine and global inflation. This means that farmers are making less money.
• Unfair competition: Farmers feel like they're being undercut by cheaper imports from outside the European Union (EU) and by big retailers within the EU.
• Environmental regulations: Some farmers think that the rules about protecting the environment are too strict and expensive for them to follow.
• Bureaucracy: Many farmers are frustrated with all the paperwork and administrative hurdles they have to deal with.
• Discontent with EU agricultural policy: Some farmers believe that the Common Agricultural Policy, which is a set of rules for farming in the EU, favors big farms and doesn't listen to their concerns.

Where are the Protests Happening?

The protests have been happening all over Europe, but there are a few places where they've been especially active:

• France: Farmers in France are worried about competition, bans on certain pesticides, and too much bureaucracy.
• Germany: In Germany, farmers are protesting because the government is phasing out tax breaks on diesel fuel.
• Netherlands: Farmers in the Netherlands are against plans to reduce nitrogen emissions.
• Poland: Polish farmers are angry about rising costs and unfair competition.
• Other countries: There have also been protests in Italy, Spain, Greece, Romania, Lithuania, and Belgium.

How are Governments Responding?

• The governments in different countries have been responding to the protests in different ways:
• Offering concessions: Some governments, like Greece and France, have given financial aid or changed their policies to address specific concerns.
• Dialogue and negotiation: Many governments are talking to farmers' unions to try and find solutions.
• Limited action: However, some governments haven't made big changes, which has led to the protests continuing.

What Could Happen Next?

It's hard to say what will happen in the end, but a few things could affect the outcome:

• Government response: If governments take farmers' concerns seriously and make changes, it could help resolve the issues.
• Economic and political conditions: The situation could change depending on how the economy and politics develop.
• Farmer mobilization and public support: If farmers continue to protest and gain support from the public, it could put more pressure on the governments to act.

So, that's what's been going on with the farmer protests in Europe. It's a complicated situation, but it's important to understand why people are protesting and what they hope to achieve.

American Strikes Might Not Be the Solution

The Wall Street Journal recently reported that the airstrikes carried out by American forces on pro-Iranian armed groups in the Middle East might not be the best way to calm tensions in the region. Instead, an agreement to stop the fighting between Hamas and Israel could be more effective.

Why the Airstrikes Won't Stop Attacks

The American retaliatory strikes were a response to the killing of three American soldiers by Iranian-backed groups in Syria and Iraq. However, experts believe that these strikes are unlikely to prevent further attacks on American and Israeli interests. To truly stop these attacks, a ceasefire in the Gaza Strip is necessary.

American Strikes and Their Targets

Early on Saturday morning, American forces launched strikes on sites belonging to the Iranian Revolutionary Guard and the Quds Force in Syria and Iraq. The strikes were carried out by aircraft launched from the United States, using precision-guided missiles. The targeted facilities included command centers, control centers, espionage centers, and storage sites for missiles and drones.

The Reason Behind the Conflict

The Wall Street Journal attributes the conflict between the United States and factions allied with Iran to the war launched by Israel in the Gaza Strip. This conflict has led to a sharp escalation in attacks on US forces in Iraq and Syria.

Other Groups Involved

In addition to the conflict in Gaza, Lebanese Hezbollah has also engaged in an exchange of fire on Israel's northern border. The Iranian-backed Houthis have launched attacks that have affected international shipping traffic in the Red Sea, leading to US airstrikes in Yemen. Both groups have stated that they will not stop fighting until Israel stops its aggression against Gaza.

Pressure on the US Administration

The war in Gaza has put pressure on the administration of US President Joe Biden to achieve a ceasefire and the release of Israeli prisoners held by Hamas. The United States is proposing a six-week halt to the war to allow hostages to leave and pave the way for a more sustainable peace. However, there are obstacles preventing both sides from agreeing to the deal, including internal divisions in Israel.

Source: Wall Street Journal

Thousands Protest in Support of Gaza

There were these really big demonstrations in Europe recently. People came out in huge numbers to show their support for Gaza and to demand that the war there stops. Can you believe it? This has been going on for 121 days already!

London and Vienna

In London, thousands of people gathered to demand an immediate ceasefire in Gaza. Over in Vienna, there was a silent march to show support for Gaza too. It's amazing to see so many people coming together for a cause.

Strasbourg and Germany

Now, in Strasbourg, France, people carried torches and marched in solidarity with Gaza. They held banners calling for an end to the war and condemning the crimes committed by Israel. In Germany, several cities saw large demonstrations too. People were showing their support for Gaza and speaking out against Germany's support for the Israeli government.

Cologne and International Support

In Cologne, people gathered in front of a historic cathedral with the slogan "Freedom for Palestine." They were really upset about the Israeli attacks on Gaza and wanted to raise awareness about it. Not just Palestinians, but also Turkish and German citizens, and people from other countries, joined in the demonstration. It's great to see people from all over the world standing up for what they believe in.

Geneva and Istanbul

Over in Geneva, Switzerland, a pro-Palestinian demonstration took place. The demonstrators called for the protection of the Palestinian people, an immediate end to the aggression against Gaza, and holding the occupation accountable for its attacks on civilians. In Istanbul, Turkey, dozens of people marched to protest the Israeli attacks. They chanted slogans and demanded that the children of Gaza be protected.

Other European Cities

But wait, there's more! The cities of Norway, Sweden, Finland, and Italy also had massive marches. People there demanded an end to the war, accountability for the occupation's crimes, the lifting of the siege on Gaza, and the delivery of humanitarian aid to the Palestinians. It's heartwarming to see so many people coming together to support a just cause.

Source: agencies

Communication Crisis in Sudan

There are concerns that communication services in Sudan might be cut off. An expert and former official in the Sudanese Communications Authority revealed that the Rapid Support Forces have ordered two major communication companies, Sudanese and MTN, to disconnect communication and internet services for 36 million subscribers in the country. This decision was made because Sudatel, another company, was unable to maintain the fiber optic network cable for Darfur due to the ongoing war. As a result, several states in Darfur have lost access to telecommunications and the internet.

Control Over Communication Servers

The former official also mentioned that the Rapid Support Forces have control over the areas where the main servers of the two communication companies are located. This poses a bigger problem than just interrupted communication and internet services. It could also affect banking applications, as the main servers could be closed or sabotaged, making it difficult to operate them again. If this happens, Sudan might be completely cut off from the rest of the world for a long time.

Challenges Faced by Telecommunication Companies

Workers in telecommunication companies in Sudan have reported security and logistical problems that have led to the suspension of two major companies in the country. Additionally, entire states have lost coverage and are unable to access telecommunication and internet services.

A Dangerous Development

The former official also expressed concern that the largest operator in Sudan, Zain, might join the South African companies, Sudani and MTN. This would be a dangerous development in the ongoing war and a clear violation of human rights.

The Conflict in Sudan

Since mid-April 2023, the Sudanese army, led by President Abdel Fattah al-Burhan, and the Rapid Support Forces, led by Mohamed Hamdan Dagalo (Hemedti), have been engaged in a war. This conflict has resulted in more than 13,000 deaths and over 7 million people being displaced as refugees, according to the United Nations.

Source: Al Jazeera