Malaysia minimart executives charged over 'Allah' socks - CNA

KK Super Mart has apologised for the socks, saying it viewed the matter "seriously" and had taken action to stop the sale immediately.

Supplier Xin Jian Chang had also issued an apology, saying the "problematic socks were part of a larger shipment of 18,800 pairs ordered" from a company based in China.

It said there were "only five pairs of socks" that had the sensitive word.

Deputy Public Prosecutor Masri Mohamad Daud told reporters the next hearing will be on Apr 29. The five executives were freed on bail.

Islam is the official religion in Malaysia, and Malay-Muslims make up over two-thirds of the country's 34 million people.

Race and religion are thorny issues in the country which witnessed deadly racial riots in 1969.

Sultan Ibrahim Sultan Iskandar in his rebuke last week reminded Malaysians to ensure social harmony by refraining from discussing sensitive issues on religion, race and royalty.

He said errors regarding religion and race could not be allowed "whether intentional or not".

Adblock test (Why?)

https://news.google.com/rss/articles/CBMiiAFodHRwczovL3d3dy5jaGFubmVsbmV3c2FzaWEuY29tL2FzaWEvbWFsYXlzaWEta2stc3VwZXItbWFydC1hbGxhaC1zb2Nrcy1jaGllZi1leGVjdXRpdmUtZGlyZWN0b3ItY2hhcmdlZC1odXJ0LXJlbGlnaW91cy1mZWVsaW5ncy00MjIyMDU20gEA?oc=5

2024-03-26 05:14:00Z
CBMiiAFodHRwczovL3d3dy5jaGFubmVsbmV3c2FzaWEuY29tL2FzaWEvbWFsYXlzaWEta2stc3VwZXItbWFydC1hbGxhaC1zb2Nrcy1jaGllZi1leGVjdXRpdmUtZGlyZWN0b3ItY2hhcmdlZC1odXJ0LXJlbGlnaW91cy1mZWVsaW5ncy00MjIyMDU20gEA

No let-up in Gaza war despite UN ceasefire resolution - CNA

"OBSCENE DISTORTION"

In Rafah, Palestinians welcomed the UN vote and called for the United States to use its influence on Israel to secure a ceasefire.

Bilal Awad, 63, said Washington must "stand against an attack on Rafah, and support the return of the displaced to their cities".

Ihab al-Assar, 60, expressed hope that "Israel will comply" with the Security Council.

Israel has labelled its operations "precise operational activities" and said it has taken care to avoid harm to civilians, but aid agencies have voiced alarm about non-combatants caught up in the fighting.

Elsewhere in the Gaza Strip, the Israeli military said Monday it was battling militants around two hospitals and reported killing about 20 fighters around Al-Amal over the previous day in close-quarters combat and air strikes.

Palestinians living near Al-Shifa, the territory's main hospital, have reported corpses in the streets, constant bombardment and the rounding up of men who are stripped to their underwear and questioned.

Israel's military said it had detained about 500 militants "affiliated with" Hamas and Islamic Jihad, another militant group, during its operation at Al-Shifa.

The fighting came as an independent UN-appointed expert, Francesca Albanese, said there were "reasonable grounds to believe" Israel's actions in Gaza had met the threshold for "acts of genocide".

Israel rejected Albanese's report, due to be presented to the UN's Human Rights Council on Tuesday, as an "obscene inversion of reality".

Adblock test (Why?)

https://news.google.com/rss/articles/CBMiW2h0dHBzOi8vd3d3LmNoYW5uZWxuZXdzYXNpYS5jb20vd29ybGQvaXNyYWVsLWhhbWFzLXdhci1nYXphLXVuLXJlc29sdXRpb24tY2Vhc2VmaXJlLTQyMjE4MDHSAQA?oc=5

2024-03-26 05:34:34Z
CBMiW2h0dHBzOi8vd3d3LmNoYW5uZWxuZXdzYXNpYS5jb20vd29ybGQvaXNyYWVsLWhhbWFzLXdhci1nYXphLXVuLXJlc29sdXRpb24tY2Vhc2VmaXJlLTQyMjE4MDHSAQA

UN Security Council demands immediate Gaza ceasefire for first time as US abstains - CNA

UNITED NATIONS: The United Nations Security Council on Monday (Mar 25) demanded an immediate ceasefire between Israel and Palestinian militants Hamas and the immediate and unconditional release of all hostages after the United States abstained from the vote.

The remaining 14 council members voted for the resolution, which was proposed by the 10 elected members of the body.

"The Palestinian people has suffered greatly. This bloodbath has continued for far too long. It is our obligation to put an end to this bloodbath, before it is too late," Algeria's UN Ambassador Amar Bendjama told the council after the vote.

Israeli army radio reported shortly before the council meeting started that Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu would cancel a planned delegation to Washington if the US did not veto the resolution.

Washington had been averse to the word ceasefire earlier in the nearly six-month-old war in the Gaza Strip and had used its veto power shield US ally Israel as it retaliated against Hamas for an Oct 7 attack that Israel says killed 1,200 people.

But amid growing global pressure for a truce in the war that has killed more than 32,000 Palestinians, the US abstained from the vote on Monday to allow the Security Council to demand an immediate ceasefire for the month of Muslim fasting month of Ramadan, which ends in two weeks.

Adblock test (Why?)

https://news.google.com/rss/articles/CBMieWh0dHBzOi8vd3d3LmNoYW5uZWxuZXdzYXNpYS5jb20vd29ybGQvdW4tc2VjdXJpdHktY291bmNpbC1kZW1hbmRzLWltbWVkaWF0ZS1nYXphLWNlYXNlZmlyZS1maXJzdC10aW1lLXVzLWFic3RhaW5zLTQyMjA0NTbSAQA?oc=5

2024-03-25 14:50:00Z
CBMieWh0dHBzOi8vd3d3LmNoYW5uZWxuZXdzYXNpYS5jb20vd29ybGQvdW4tc2VjdXJpdHktY291bmNpbC1kZW1hbmRzLWltbWVkaWF0ZS1nYXphLWNlYXNlZmlyZS1maXJzdC10aW1lLXVzLWFic3RhaW5zLTQyMjA0NTbSAQA

Ukraine had 'no involvement' in Moscow attack: White House - CNA

WASHINGTON: Ukraine had "no involvement whatsoever" in the massacre in a Moscow concert hall that killed more than 130 people, the White House said Sunday (Mar 23), after Russian President Vladimir Putin suggested a Kyiv connection.

"ISIS bears sole responsibility for this attack. There was no Ukrainian involvement whatsoever," said White House National Security Council spokeswoman Adrienne Watson, using an acronym for the Islamic State group, which has claimed the attack.

There was "no" evidence that Ukraine was involved, agreed Vice President Kamala Harris in an interview with ABC News' "This Week" that was aired Sunday.

"ISIS-K is actually, by all accounts, responsible for what happened," she said.

The "K" refers to Khorasan, with the attack being claimed by the Islamic State's branch in Afghanistan and Pakistan.

At least 137 people were killed when camouflaged gunmen stormed the Crocus City Hall, in Moscow's northern suburb of Krasnogorsk, and then set fire to the building on Friday evening.

The Islamic State group on Saturday wrote on Telegram that the attack was "carried out by four IS fighters armed with machine guns, a pistol, knives and firebombs", as part of "the raging war" with "countries fighting Islam".

A video lasting about a minute and half apparently shot by the gunmen has been posted on social media accounts typically used by Islamic State, according to the SITE intelligence group.

Adblock test (Why?)

https://news.google.com/rss/articles/CBMiYGh0dHBzOi8vd3d3LmNoYW5uZWxuZXdzYXNpYS5jb20vd29ybGQvd2FzaGluZ3Rvbi1zYXlzLXVrcmFpbmUtbm90LWludm9sdmVkLXJ1c3NpYS1hdHRhY2stNDIxODY4MdIBAA?oc=5

2024-03-24 18:49:46Z
CBMiYGh0dHBzOi8vd3d3LmNoYW5uZWxuZXdzYXNpYS5jb20vd29ybGQvd2FzaGluZ3Rvbi1zYXlzLXVrcmFpbmUtbm90LWludm9sdmVkLXJ1c3NpYS1hdHRhY2stNDIxODY4MdIBAA

Singapore doing all it can for Gaza relief efforts, the community can help too: DPM Wong - The Straits Times

(From left) North West District Mayor Alex Yam, DPM Lawrence Wong, Senior Minister of State for Defence Zaqy Mohamad and Marsiling-Yew Tee GRC MP Hany Soh at the launch of the GRC’s fundraising efforts for humanitarian aid for Gaza. ST PHOTO: MARK CHEONG

SINGAPORE - The situation in Gaza is horrific with many innocent lives lost and people continuing to suffer, and that is why the Government has been doing all it can to help with global relief efforts, said Deputy Prime Minister and Finance Minister Lawrence Wong on March 24.

He added that the community can play its part too, no matter how big or small their contribution.

DPM Wong was speaking at the launch of Marsiling-Yew Tee GRC’s fund-raising efforts for humanitarian aid for Gaza, organised in collaboration with local charity Rahmatan Lil Alamin Foundation (RLAF).

He said that while Singapore’s focus has always been on helping the most vulnerable Singaporeans, it was also important to keep in mind others who live outside of Singapore who are in need.

“And during this time of Ramadan, our hearts go out in particular to the Palestinian people. Because we can all see the suffering that’s taking place,” he added.

The ongoing fund-raising efforts by the group representation constituency (GRC) will continue till March 26.

“I think it’s one concrete way where all of us can express our solidarity during this period of suffering (for those in Palestine), and show how we can respond as Singaporeans to this human tragedy and make a difference in our own way,” said DPM Wong.

About 1,000 people attended the event held at the hard court in front of Yew Tee MRT station on March 24, in conjunction with a break-fast event.

DPM Wong said Ramadan, the holy month of fasting and prayer, is a very special time for the Muslim community, and is also meaningful for all others in Singapore’s multiracial society. “We may not join all of the same activities as our Muslim friends, but we can also reflect and ‘buka puasa’ with all of you as one united people,” he said, referring to the evening meal for Muslims to break their fast.

“And when we come together, we reflect as Singaporeans how we can be appreciative for all that we have in Singapore, the peace and harmony that we enjoy in this little red dot. We think about how we can all do our part to make Singapore better, stronger and more united.”

Singapore’s ongoing Gaza relief efforts saw the third tranche of emergency aid to Gaza airdropped into the war-stricken enclave last week, where crates containing food and other essential items were parachuted in, in coordination with the Jordanian authorities.

Previously, Singapore had also worked with Egypt to deliver aid through the country’s land borders and crossings.

Citing this, Senior Minister of State for Defence Zaqy Mohamad said at the event that the Republic will monitor developments in the region, such as the preparation for a sea route, to look at other practical ways to effectively deliver aid.

Earlier in March, it was announced that the United States was working to prepare a landing jetty that would facilitate aid to Gaza by sea. Aid from Cyprus has also arrived via a maritime corridor.

“The advantage Singapore has is good diplomatic links with many countries and, certainly, there are countries that are open to partner with us to aid the people of Gaza,” Mr Zaqy, who is also an MP for Marsiling-Yew Tee GRC, told The Straits Times on the sidelines of the event.

More On This Topic

Singapore charity makes donation appeal for affected families in Gaza during Ramadan

Singapore's Mercy Relief delivers food packages, hygiene kits to Palestinian refugees

Singapore has joined several Western and Arab countries, including the US, Jordan, Egypt and France, in efforts to deliver much needed supplies by plane to the 2.3 million people in Gaza.

A $6.1 million cheque was handed to the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East (UNRWA), the main UN aid agency in Gaza, on March 17.

The funds are part of a record $8.1 million raised by RLAF in late 2023 to provide relief and shelter to communities in the embattled Palestinian enclave. An earlier tranche of $2 million was handed to UNRWA in November 2023.

Earlier, Singapore’s first tranche of aid to Gaza, comprising funds and supplies, was delivered to the Egyptian Red Crescent in early November 2023. The second tranche of aid, which included medicine, sanitation items and water filters, was delivered to the Egyptian Red Crescent later that month.

More On This Topic

Young Gazans’ positive spirit shines through despite injuries, says SAF doctor in Egypt

Kitchen in Gaza refugee camp co-run by S'pore charity hit in air strike; 9 workers killed

• Israel-Palestine
• CROWDFUNDING AND FUNDRAISING
• GAZA
• Humanitarian aid/Disaster relief
• Israel
• Palestine
• Wars and conflicts

Adblock test (Why?)

https://news.google.com/rss/articles/CBMihwFodHRwczovL3d3dy5zdHJhaXRzdGltZXMuY29tL3NpbmdhcG9yZS9zaW5nYXBvcmUtZG9pbmctaXRzLXBhcnQtZm9yLWdhemEtcmVsaWVmLWVmZm9ydHMtY29tbXVuaXR5LWNhbi1wbGF5LWEtcGFydC10b28tZHBtLWxhd3JlbmNlLXdvbmfSAQA?oc=5

2024-03-24 13:58:54Z
CBMihwFodHRwczovL3d3dy5zdHJhaXRzdGltZXMuY29tL3NpbmdhcG9yZS9zaW5nYXBvcmUtZG9pbmctaXRzLXBhcnQtZm9yLWdhemEtcmVsaWVmLWVmZm9ydHMtY29tbXVuaXR5LWNhbi1wbGF5LWEtcGFydC10b28tZHBtLWxhd3JlbmNlLXdvbmfSAQA

Russia mourns victims of deadly concert hall attack - CNA

Long lines formed in Moscow on Saturday to donate blood.

In the southwestern city of Voronezh, people were laying flowers and lighting candles at a monument to children who died there in a World War Two bombing, in solidarity with those who died in the attack near Moscow.

"We, like the whole country, are with you," the governor of the Voronezh region, Alexander Gusev, said on the Telegram messaging app.

GUNMEN

Putin said 11 people had been detained, including the four gunmen, who fled the concert hall and made their way to the Bryansk region, about 340km southwest of Moscow.

"They tried to hide and moved towards Ukraine, where, according to preliminary data, a window was prepared for them on the Ukrainian side to cross the state border," Putin said.

Russia's Federal Security Service (FSB) said the gunmen had contacts in Ukraine and were captured near the border.

Putin ordered a full-scale invasion of Ukraine in February 2022, triggering a major European war after eight years of conflict in eastern Ukraine between Ukrainian forces on one side and pro-Russian Ukrainians and Russian proxies on the other.

Adblock test (Why?)

https://news.google.com/rss/articles/CBMiXWh0dHBzOi8vd3d3LmNoYW5uZWxuZXdzYXNpYS5jb20vd29ybGQvbW9zY293LXJ1c3NpYS1jb25jZXJ0LWhhbGwtYXR0YWNrLW1vdXJuLXZpY3RpbXMtNDIxODE5MdIBAA?oc=5

2024-03-24 07:52:00Z
CBMiXWh0dHBzOi8vd3d3LmNoYW5uZWxuZXdzYXNpYS5jb20vd29ybGQvbW9zY293LXJ1c3NpYS1jb25jZXJ0LWhhbGwtYXR0YWNrLW1vdXJuLXZpY3RpbXMtNDIxODE5MdIBAA

China vows to safeguard its territorial integrity after South China Sea incident - CNA

BEIJING: China's defence ministry warned the Philippines against "provocative" actions and said on Sunday (Mar 24) that the country would safeguard its territorial sovereignty, a day after an incident in disputed waters of the South China Sea.

"We warn the Philippines to stop making any remarks that may lead to the intensification of conflicts and escalation of the situation, and stop all infringing and provocative actions," the defence ministry said in a statement.

"If the Philippines repeatedly challenges China's bottom line, China will continue to take firm and decisive measures to firmly safeguard its territorial sovereignty and maritime rights and interests," the statement continued.

The remarks came after China's coast guard said had it taken measures against Philippine vessels in disputed waters near the Second Thomas Shoal and Spratly Islands a day before, actions that the Philippines had called "irresponsible and provocative".

The incident included the use of water cannon against a civilian boat hired to resupply troops, the Philippine task force on the South China Sea said in a statement on Saturday.

Adblock test (Why?)

https://news.google.com/rss/articles/CBMibmh0dHBzOi8vd3d3LmNoYW5uZWxuZXdzYXNpYS5jb20vYXNpYS9zb3V0aC1jaGluYS1zZWEtY2hpbmEtc2FmZWd1YXJkLXRlcnJpdG9yaWFsLWludGVncml0eS1waGlsaXBwaW5lcy00MjE3OTg20gEA?oc=5

2024-03-24 03:39:52Z
CBMibmh0dHBzOi8vd3d3LmNoYW5uZWxuZXdzYXNpYS5jb20vYXNpYS9zb3V0aC1jaGluYS1zZWEtY2hpbmEtc2FmZWd1YXJkLXRlcnJpdG9yaWFsLWludGVncml0eS1waGlsaXBwaW5lcy00MjE3OTg20gEA