Case of Gaza Aid Workers Killed by Israeli Gunfire

Case of Gaza Aid Workers Killed by Israeli Gunfire

 

The Israeli military, confronted with video evidence contradicting its initial account, now says it was “mistaken.”

The Israeli military has acknowledged flaws in its initial accounts of its troops’ involvement in the killing last month of 15 people in southern Gaza who the United Nations said were all paramedics and rescue workers.

The admission came on Saturday, the day after a video obtained by The New York Times appeared to contradict a key part of the military’s earlier version of events. While the military had said it fired on the vehicles after they “advanced suspiciously,” the video showed clearly marked ambulances and a fire truck.

The episode has drawn international scrutiny and condemnation. After the blatant inconsistencies in the Israeli account were revealed, the military seemed to move more quickly than usual to address the issue. Internal military inquiries into questionable deadly episodes can drag on for months, even years.

Here’s what we know so far:

The Israeli military’s version(s)

In its initial statements after the bodies were discovered, the military insisted its troops had opened fire as a convoy approached them in the dark “without headlights or emergency signals.”

But the video — discovered on the cellphone of a paramedic who was found in a mass grave — shows that the ambulances and fire truck had emergency lights on as Israeli forces unleashed their barrage.

The military now says the initial account from forces on the ground was “mistaken.”

via Blogger https://ift.tt/xuCosqS
April 07, 2025 at 09:03AM

Who Gave the Most Land to the Waqf Board in India? Discover the Top Contributor

Who Gave the Most Land to the Waqf Board in India? Discover the Top Contributor

 

Who Gave the Most Land to the Waqf Board in India? Discover the Top Contributor

The Waqf Board stands as the third-largest holder of land in India, overseeing 940,000 acres meant for religious and community purposes, with significant contributions from figures like the Nizams, Mughal emperors, and affluent Muslims.

As of December 2022, the Waqf Board is acknowledged as India’s third biggest land possessor, owning around 872,000 formal properties. Various analyses indicate that the overall area managed by the Waqf Board surpasses 940,000 acres.

These assets consist of mosques, madrasas, burial sites, and other lands allocated for community and religious usage. In India, the majority of Waqf assets come from donations made by Muslim monarchs, Sufi mystical leaders, prosperous entrepreneurs, and spiritual figures who have bequeathed large tracts for mosques, dargahs, and community support initiatives.

The Waqf Board administers properties that are solely intended for religious or charitable functions in accordance with Islamic principles. Once a property is designated as a Waqf, ownership is transferred from the donor to Allah, rendering it permanent.

The word ‘Wakf’ originates from the Arabic term ‘wakufa’, which signifies something set apart for God or funds designated for community benefits. In India, the management of Waqf is mostly self-governing, while in Pakistan and Bangladesh, it is largely controlled by the state. In India, Waqf legislation involves minority rights, while in Pakistan and Bangladesh, it is governed by Islamic law.

via Blogger https://ift.tt/grRqtzC
April 07, 2025 at 08:35AM

"Some Cry Without Any Reason": PM Modi Challenges MK Stalin Regarding Central Funding

"Some Cry Without Any Reason": PM Modi Challenges MK Stalin Regarding Central Funding

"Some Cry Without Any Reason": PM Modi Challenges MK Stalin Regarding Central Funding

"The development of Tamil Nadu's infrastructure is a high priority for the administration," stated PM Narendra Modi.

While inaugurating the Pamban bridge in Tamil Nadu today, Prime Minister Narendra Modi ridiculed the Opposition, likening them to individuals who weep for no apparent reason. In light of Chief Minister MK Stalin's grievances concerning delimitation and the matter of the third language, PM Modi emphasized that the funding for the state's rail initiatives has increased almost sevenfold.

"The development of Tamil Nadu's infrastructure is a high priority for the administration... Prior to 2014, Tamil Nadu only received Rs 900 crore annually for rail initiatives, and everyone knows who was leading the INDI Alliance back then. Currently, the state's rail budget exceeds Rs 6000 crore," he remarked amidst claims of insufficient funding allocations.

He also mentioned that the government is upgrading 77 railway stations, including the one located in Rameswaram.

Highlighting the Centre's contributions in another sector, he commented, "In the last decade, significant advancements have been achieved on rural roads and highways under the Pradhan Mantri Gram Sadak Yojana."

"Since 2014, with the support of the central government, approximately 4,000 km of roads have been constructed in Tamil Nadu," he noted further.

Chief Minister Stalin has continuously accused the Centre of trying to undermine the southern states politically through delimitation and culturally through the three-language formula. He argued that the Centre indicated that it would withhold funds from the state if it did not adhere to the National Education Policy.

Nonetheless, these were not the points PM Modi addressed. Instead, he criticized Tamil Nadu's leaders for signing documents in English rather than Tamil and challenged the state to implement medical education in Tamil. 

When Prime Minister Modi opened the Pamban bridge, Mr. Stalin did not attend, opting instead to launch a government-operated medical college located in the Nilgiris. In his speech today, he insisted that the central government must ensure the current number of MPs in parliament remains unchanged.

"I would like to request PM Modi to address the legitimate concerns of Tamil Nadu during this meeting. The Prime Minister should assure us from Tamil Nadu’s soil that the number and percentage of MPs in states that have managed their population will be maintained," he stated, calling for a constitutional change regarding this issue.

In the previous two general elections, the BJP has been unsuccessful in gaining any seats in Tamil Nadu. Now that it has lost its majority in parliament and faces challenges with coalition politics at the center, the party is seeking new opportunities for growth in other states. With many northern states already filled to capacity, the party is now looking towards the southern region.

via Blogger https://ift.tt/bTPrXFg
April 07, 2025 at 08:27AM

Case of Gaza Aid Workers Killed by Israeli Gunfire

 

The Israeli military, confronted with video evidence contradicting its initial account, now says it was “mistaken.”

The Israeli military has acknowledged flaws in its initial accounts of its troops’ involvement in the killing last month of 15 people in southern Gaza who the United Nations said were all paramedics and rescue workers.

The admission came on Saturday, the day after a video obtained by The New York Times appeared to contradict a key part of the military’s earlier version of events. While the military had said it fired on the vehicles after they “advanced suspiciously,” the video showed clearly marked ambulances and a fire truck.

The episode has drawn international scrutiny and condemnation. After the blatant inconsistencies in the Israeli account were revealed, the military seemed to move more quickly than usual to address the issue. Internal military inquiries into questionable deadly episodes can drag on for months, even years.

Here’s what we know so far:

The Israeli military’s version(s)

In its initial statements after the bodies were discovered, the military insisted its troops had opened fire as a convoy approached them in the dark “without headlights or emergency signals.”

But the video — discovered on the cellphone of a paramedic who was found in a mass grave — shows that the ambulances and fire truck had emergency lights on as Israeli forces unleashed their barrage.

The military now says the initial account from forces on the ground was “mistaken.”

Who Gave the Most Land to the Waqf Board in India? Discover the Top Contributor

 

Who Gave the Most Land to the Waqf Board in India? Discover the Top Contributor

The Waqf Board stands as the third-largest holder of land in India, overseeing 940,000 acres meant for religious and community purposes, with significant contributions from figures like the Nizams, Mughal emperors, and affluent Muslims.

As of December 2022, the Waqf Board is acknowledged as India’s third biggest land possessor, owning around 872,000 formal properties. Various analyses indicate that the overall area managed by the Waqf Board surpasses 940,000 acres.

These assets consist of mosques, madrasas, burial sites, and other lands allocated for community and religious usage. In India, the majority of Waqf assets come from donations made by Muslim monarchs, Sufi mystical leaders, prosperous entrepreneurs, and spiritual figures who have bequeathed large tracts for mosques, dargahs, and community support initiatives.

The Waqf Board administers properties that are solely intended for religious or charitable functions in accordance with Islamic principles. Once a property is designated as a Waqf, ownership is transferred from the donor to Allah, rendering it permanent.

The word ‘Wakf’ originates from the Arabic term ‘wakufa’, which signifies something set apart for God or funds designated for community benefits. In India, the management of Waqf is mostly self-governing, while in Pakistan and Bangladesh, it is largely controlled by the state. In India, Waqf legislation involves minority rights, while in Pakistan and Bangladesh, it is governed by Islamic law.

"Some Cry Without Any Reason": PM Modi Challenges MK Stalin Regarding Central Funding

"Some Cry Without Any Reason": PM Modi Challenges MK Stalin Regarding Central Funding

"The development of Tamil Nadu's infrastructure is a high priority for the administration," stated PM Narendra Modi.

While inaugurating the Pamban bridge in Tamil Nadu today, Prime Minister Narendra Modi ridiculed the Opposition, likening them to individuals who weep for no apparent reason. In light of Chief Minister MK Stalin's grievances concerning delimitation and the matter of the third language, PM Modi emphasized that the funding for the state's rail initiatives has increased almost sevenfold.

"The development of Tamil Nadu's infrastructure is a high priority for the administration... Prior to 2014, Tamil Nadu only received Rs 900 crore annually for rail initiatives, and everyone knows who was leading the INDI Alliance back then. Currently, the state's rail budget exceeds Rs 6000 crore," he remarked amidst claims of insufficient funding allocations.

He also mentioned that the government is upgrading 77 railway stations, including the one located in Rameswaram.

Highlighting the Centre's contributions in another sector, he commented, "In the last decade, significant advancements have been achieved on rural roads and highways under the Pradhan Mantri Gram Sadak Yojana."

"Since 2014, with the support of the central government, approximately 4,000 km of roads have been constructed in Tamil Nadu," he noted further.

Chief Minister Stalin has continuously accused the Centre of trying to undermine the southern states politically through delimitation and culturally through the three-language formula. He argued that the Centre indicated that it would withhold funds from the state if it did not adhere to the National Education Policy.

Nonetheless, these were not the points PM Modi addressed. Instead, he criticized Tamil Nadu's leaders for signing documents in English rather than Tamil and challenged the state to implement medical education in Tamil. 

When Prime Minister Modi opened the Pamban bridge, Mr. Stalin did not attend, opting instead to launch a government-operated medical college located in the Nilgiris. In his speech today, he insisted that the central government must ensure the current number of MPs in parliament remains unchanged.

"I would like to request PM Modi to address the legitimate concerns of Tamil Nadu during this meeting. The Prime Minister should assure us from Tamil Nadu’s soil that the number and percentage of MPs in states that have managed their population will be maintained," he stated, calling for a constitutional change regarding this issue.

In the previous two general elections, the BJP has been unsuccessful in gaining any seats in Tamil Nadu. Now that it has lost its majority in parliament and faces challenges with coalition politics at the center, the party is seeking new opportunities for growth in other states. With many northern states already filled to capacity, the party is now looking towards the southern region.

Modi administration enhances military capabilities through substantial capital investment

Modi administration enhances military capabilities through substantial capital investment

 

Modi administration enhances military capabilities through substantial capital investment

The addition of Rafale-M jets will strengthen the Indian Navy's capabilities on aircraft carriers, while the new submarines will bolster security in the Indian Ocean area. 

This month, the Narendra Modi administration is anticipated to approve the purchase of 26 Rafale-Maritime strike jets, continuing its pattern of increased capital expenditures on defense assets. For the fiscal year 2024-25, the NDA government allocated over ₹2 lakh crore for this purpose. 

It has been reported that the $7.6 billion fighter aircraft procurement will be presented to the Cabinet Committee on Security (CCS) later this month, and this will precede the government's endorsement of three additional diesel-electric submarines after aligning all parties involved. The Rafale-M jets will serve to enhance the Indian Navy's effectiveness at sea aboard India's two aircraft carriers, while the extra submarines will provide stronger conventional deterrence in the Indian Ocean Region (IOR). 

In the fiscal year 2024-2025, the defense ministry signed 193 agreements totaling ₹209059.85 crore, compared to 192 agreements amounting to ₹104855.92 crore in 2023-2024. Since taking office in 2014, the Narendra Modi government has entered into 1096 agreements with a combined value of nearly ₹10 (₹946225.48) lakh crore.

via Blogger https://ift.tt/r96pxX0
April 05, 2025 at 03:36PM